Friday, May 30, 2014

Magnificent Maleficent

Sleeping Beauty was/is one of my favorite Disney Princesses.  Maleficent is the Disney villain that scared the bejeebies out of me as a child.  Heck, she dressed in black, had a scary crow and could turn into a dragon... who wouldn't be scared!  So, when I heard Disney was coming out with the movie Maleficent, I was excited and yes, a little nervous to see it.  Okay, mostly excited!

What is Maleficent about?  From Disney:

"Maleficent" explores the untold story of Disney’s most iconic villain from the classic “Sleeping Beauty" and the elements of her betrayal that ultimately turn her pure heart to stone. Driven by revenge and a fierce desire to protect the moors over which she presides, Maleficent cruelly places an irrevocable curse upon the human king’s newborn infant Aurora. As the child grows, Aurora is caught in the middle of the seething conflict between the forest kingdom she has grown to love and the human kingdom that holds her legacy. Maleficent realizes that Aurora may hold the key to peace in the land and is forced to take drastic actions that will change both worlds forever.

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So, the day arrived for me to see this movie!  I actually did a bit of a happy dance when I arrived!  My daughter and I got our cool Maleficent horns, some yummy movie snacks and then settled in ready to be dazzled and amazed.  And yes, we were dazzled and amazed!
 

I loved this movie from the opening scene, all the way to the end!  I was so intrigued by Maleficent as a child, then when she was betrayed.... oh my gosh!  I can't tell you much without spoiling the movie, and you all deserve to be just as delighted with all the twists and turns as I was!  The movie is visually stunning, Angelina Jolie was amazing, and now I want my own crow!

Maleficent opens Nationwide today, May 30th.  My daughter saw the movie with me, and then again at a midnight screening.  Yes, she loved it that much!  So does her momma!  Go see it, I think you'll love it!

Disclosure: I had the opportunity to see this movie for the purpose of a review.  The opinions are all my own and free of charge!

Friday, May 23, 2014

Purex Crystals Dryer Sheets -Aaaah!

If you've read previous posts, you know I'm a little enthusiastic about Purex Crystals!  I love them, and I'm not afraid to share that with anyone who will listen.  Just yesterday in the laundry soap aisle of the grocery store, I regaled a total stranger about how wonderful they are.  She actually put some in her cart to buy!

Well, now Purex has extended the Purex Crystals family with Purex Crystals Dryer Sheets (how many times can I say "Purex" in one sentence?  Four, I guess!) Ü  Now I can use the dryer sheets to reduce static cling AND leave my laundry smelling Purex fresh for 30 days!  Oh yeah!

One of the added benefits is I can now extend that wonderful smell all over my home.  I have a laundry sheet in the bottom of the kid's hamper, and in my bathroom closet, and at the bottom of my son's closet (affectionately named the nuclear blast zone). 
 
We've recently had two new additions to our happy family.  Yep, two new puppies!  While they are cute little bundles of endless energy, they are also little bundles of endless dog hair... blegh!  Did you know that Purex Crystals Dryer Sheets repels pet hair and lint?  I'm one happy momma!

Thanks Purex!  Now all of my home is Crystals fresh!

So, do three of you lucky readers want to win a free product coupon for Purex Crystals Dryer Sheets?  I thought so!  Just enter on the Rafflecopter form below.  Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  I received this product and coupons for the purpose of a review and giveaway.  The opinions expressed are all my own and free of charge!

Friday, May 16, 2014

Million Dollar Arm

I love feel-good movies!  I leave the theater feeling... well... good!  There's enough drama, and trauma and every day hardship, that we all need a time and place to be reminded to be happy, that good things happen.

Disney's Million Dollar Arm does just that!  I left the theater grinning ear to ear and feeling happy (hmmm.... a certain Pharrell songs seems to be running through my mind right now.  But I digress...)

So what is the movie about, you ask?  Here, let me tell you...

Based on a true story, sports agent JB Bernstein (Jon Hamm) finds that business has changed and things aren’t going well for his career. In a last ditch effort to save his livelihood he concocts a scheme to find baseball’s next great pitching ace. Hoping to find a young cricket pitcher he can turn into a major league baseball star, JB travels to India to produce a reality show competition called “The Million Dollar Arm.” With the help of cantankerous but eagle-eyed retired baseball scout Ray Poitevint (Alan Arkin), he discovers Dinesh (played by Madhur Mittal from “Slumdog Millionaire”) and Rinku (played by Suraj Sharma from “Life of Pi”), two 18-year-old boys who have no idea about playing baseball, yet have a knack for throwing a fastball. Hoping to sign them to major league contracts and make a quick buck, JB brings the boys home to America to train. While the Americans are definitely out of their element in India, the boys, who have never left their rural villages, are equally challenged when they come to the States. As the boys learn the finer points of baseball, JB, with the help of his charming friend Brenda (Lake Bell), learns valuable life lessons about teamwork, commitment and what it means to be a family.




I really did enjoy this movie! I loved the part of the movie where JB goes to India to find the next big pitching star.  The scenery was stunning and it was such a contrast between how the boys lived in India, and the culture shock of the US.  I liked how JB (Jon Hamm) also experienced culture shock in India. 

Million Dollar Arm is charming, and funny, and touching, and just plain enjoyable!  I had some true belly-laugh moments in this movie.  And yes, I left the theater feeling.. well... good! 

I definitely recommend Million Dollar Arm!  It opens in theaters nationwide, Friday, May 16th.

Disclosure:  I was given the opportunity to watch this movie for the purpose of a review.  The opinions are all my own and free of charge!