entertainment Archives - Page 14 of 50

Elena of Avalor Games

August 29, 2016 by Samantha Leave a Comment

Elena of Avalor app

If you have young ones at home, you’re undoubtedly familiar with the Disney Channel. There’s regular Disney, Disney Junior, Disney XD, and probably a new one on the way. With so much programming available, choosing the best TV shows for our children isn’t always easy. Recently, Elena of Avalor debuted on television and the Internet. It’s a promising Disney show featuring characters in—you guessed it—a magical fairy tale.

Elena of Avalor features a bunch of strong, smart characters. It’s based on Princess Elena, who is surrounded by supportive friends and family. There are wondrous flying guardians (Jaquins), helpful spirit animals, and other surprises in the magical kingdom. Instead of just watching the television program, I recommend you share these great Elena of Avalor games with your children.

There are more than a dozen titles in Poki’s collection. Better yet, as the series grows in popularity, more games will be added. The present selection features games in a bunch of different genres, including adventures, baking tasks, cleaning chores, medical challenges, and puzzles. Although these games come from different developers, they have all been chosen due to their broad appeal. Elena of Avalor titles aren’t just for fans of the show; they’re designed with all sorts of players in mind, from preschoolers to teenagers. In case you were wondering, some of these games are just as entertaining for us parents.

The adventure games send players to a magical kingdom. There, we will encounter all sorts of happy folks from the TV show. Avalor is filled with funny friends, silly creatures, and a few spooky villains. In Elena of Avalor Adventure, we’ll meet her sister (Isabel), grandfather (Francisco), and best friend (Naomi). This game provides a really fun way to interact with everyone around the castle.

The baking games are equally entertaining, giving us a chance to cook tasty items in the kitchen. In Elena of Avalor Cooking Cake, we will mix sugar, flour, and cocoa for the batter. Then, the chef will guide us on how to bake the rest of the dessert perfectly.

Real chores aren’t fun. Luckily, Princess Elena has the magical ability to make cleaning a blast! Games like Elena of Avalor Room Cleaning and Princess Elena Clean turn mundane tasks into exciting treasure hunts. These games just might inspire your young ones to tidy up their rooms with pleasure.

Medical challenges are exciting and educational. In these games, players become doctors. The mission is very clear: treat the princess’s wounds and help her feel better. We learn which tools to use and how to take care of ailing patients.

The puzzles in the Elena of Avalor collection are exactly what you’d expect: jigsaw puzzles and memory matching games. The simple, four-piece puzzles are best for young children, while the complicated jigsaws are perfect for older players. Matching games will test how many characters you can remember at once!

Whether or not your young ones watch Princess of Avalor on Disney, they’re bound to enjoy the free games on Poki.

Filed Under: electronics, entertainment Tagged With: app, check in

Win “THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER’S WAR” on DVD

August 24, 2016 by Samantha 61 Comments

snow white

If it’s the Snow White tale you’re looking for, discover the story that came before in The Huntsman: Winter’s War, coming to Digital HD on August 2, 2016 and 4K Ultra HD^TM, Blu-ray^™, DVD and On Demand on August 23, 2016, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. The Huntsman: Winter’s War on Blu-ray^™and DVD includes an all-new extended edition of the epic action-adventure, plus exclusive bonus features that reveal the movie’s behind-the-scenes secrets.
The Huntsman: Winter’s War stars Charlize Theron (Mad Max: Fury Road, Monster) as the evil Queen Ravenna, who betrays her good sister Freya (Emily Blunt: Sicario, Edge of Tomorrow) with an unforgivable act, freezing Freya’s heart to love and unleashing in her an icy power she never knew she possessed. Retreating to a kingdom far to the north, Freya raises an army of Huntsmen as her protectors, with the only rule that no two of them should ever fall in love. As a war for domination escalates between the two queens, the hero standing between good and evil is Freya’s most elite Huntsman, Eric (Chris Hemsworth: Thor, Star Trek Into Darkness). Alongside fellow warrior Sara (Jessica Chastain: The Martian,The Help) — the only woman who has ever captured his heart — Eric must help Freya vanquish her sister or Ravenna’s wickedness will rule for eternity.

One of you can win a copy of your own- just feel free to enter using the RC form below. Good luck! Ends 9/16/16
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: entertainment, giveaway, movie Tagged With: giveaway

Fun Soccer Marathons in FC Barcelona Ultimate Rush

August 17, 2016 by Samantha Leave a Comment

When I think of soccer video games, I imagine 20 players moving across the field in different directions. I’ve seen the best-selling titles (like FIFA on PC/Playstation/Xbox), and they look downright confusing to me. The most realistic soccer games are for athletes and savvy fans – those who know the ins and outs of play formations, dribbling, and advanced passing. Recently, I discovered FC Barcelona Ultimate Rush. It’s a casual game that welcomes anyone and everyone – whether you player soccer or don’t know a single thing about it.

game app

FC Barcelona Ultimate Rush is an endless runner. This is a type of game that many children love to play, because there’s ongoing action from start to finish. The gameplay is quite comparable to Subway Surfers, which has been downloaded over a billion times. If that tells you anything, it’s that endless runners are addictive and fun. In my opinion, FC Barcelona Ultimate Rush has more educational value than any of its peers. This is because it features real athletes from Spain’s legendary soccer team. Also, there is a deep skill system that requires basic math to make the best decisions.

The list of available players includes Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, and Luis Suarez (among others). I did a bit of research, and I was impressed by how much each in-game character looks like their real-life counterpart! Messi has his signature Quiff, Iniesta sports a Mohawk, and Suarez’s face is photorealistic. FCB fans are bound to love playing as their favorite athlete, especially with such authenticity involved.

The skill tree and upgrade system in FC Barcelona Ultimate Rush are simple enough to understand, but deep enough to add great value. There are 10 different types of skills that you can buy and improve at any point during the game. Certain ones reward you with gold just for playing. For example, if you have the Manager skill, you will earn hundreds of coins when you initially load the game each day. Other skills work like traditional power-ups. The Adrenaline Beast skill makes temporary invincibility last longer. Depending on how you like to play, you might choose to max out a single skill for each athlete. Or, you can spread skills evenly across your entire team. You’re the manager, so you get to make every important decision!

There’s also a fun reward component of FC Barcelona Ultimate Rush. Every day, you can collect prizes from the gift box. One of my favorite ways to win prizes is from scratchers. These are scratch cards that make you feel like you’ve won the lottery! If you match three icons (which is very easy to do), you get a special prize, such as coins, energy, or a new skill.

I don’t know much about soccer, but I do know that FC Barcelona Ultimate Rush is an excellent game. After playing it myself, I let my young one try. He loved running down the streets of Barcelona, kicking soccer balls and capturing shiny gold!

Filed Under: entertainment Tagged With: app, check in

Have You Seen #MiraclesfromHeaven ? It’s on DVD Now! @MiraclesHeaven

August 5, 2016 by Samantha Leave a Comment

Jennifer Garner (Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day) and Academy Award^® nominee Queen Latifah (Best Supporting Actress, Chicago, 2002) star in the inspirational box office hit MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN, the incredible true story of a young girl’s medical miracle debuting on digital June 21 and on Blu-ray^™ and DVD July 12 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and AFFIRM Films.
Based on the story of the Beam family, Garner plays Christy Beam, whose daughter Annabel (Kylie Rogers, Fathers and Daughters) suffers from a rare digestive disorder, but finds herself miraculously cured after surviving a terrible accident. The family film also stars
Martin Henderson (“Grey’s Anatomy”), John Carroll Lynch (“American Horror Story”) and Eugenio Derbez (Instructions Not Included).

Synopsis: When Christy (Jennifer Garner) discovers her 10-year-old daughter Annabel (Kylie Rogers) has a rare, incurable disease, she becomes a ferocious advocate for her daughter’s healing as she searches for a solution. After Annabel has a freak accident and falls three stories, a miracle unfolds in the wake of her dramatic rescue that leaves medical specialists mystified, her family restored and their community inspired.

Based on the memoir by Christy Beam with a screenplay by Randy Brown, MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN is directed by Patricia Riggen. The film is produced by Joe Roth, T.D. Jakes and DeVon Franklin.

Blu-ray, DVD & Digital Extras include:

Featurettes:

“Miracles Abound: The Making of Miracles From Heaven”
“Bearing Witness”
Creating Heaven: Concept Art Exploration
“Your Words” Music Montage

Commentary with Director Patricia Riggen and Screenwriter Randy Brown

Additional exclusive Extras to the Blu-ray & Digital include:

Deleted Scenes

Featurette:

“Accounts From Annabel”

Visit the Official Website

Like on Facebook, Follow on Twitter

Purchase your copy of the DVD at Walmart

Watch the Trailer

mason jar crafts

Make sure you remember all your miracles! These cute mason jar crafts are an adorable way- at your next family get together, just have everyone write down a blessing, and then place them all in a jar. You can decorate it, or let the kids go nuts. Then place it as a centerpiece for holidays and gatherings- it’s a fun and very personal keepsake.

Filed Under: entertainment, movie Tagged With: movie

Design the Royal Gown in Princess Fashion Dress Up

July 20, 2016 by Samantha 1 Comment

girls app

One of my favorite ways to have fun with my daughters is playing games. When my husband and I had our first child, there weren’t many free kids’ games available on the Web. These days, there’s a seemingly endless supply of titles in every genre. One of the most child-centric gaming spots, and my personal favorite, is Poki. They recently released Princess Fashion Dress Up, and that’s what I’m reviewing today.

If you haven’t played dress-up games before, I recommend you start with this one. Much like clothes in the real world, dress-up games come in all shapes, colors, and sizes. Princess Fashion Dress Up from Poki is a straightforward game that’s easy to learn. Newbies to the genre and experienced fashionistas will feel right at home.

Instead of showcasing a disorganized closet filled with mismatched threads, this game lays out every clothing item very clearly. By pressing a button, you can view every dress, cape, or necklace. There are no menus to scroll through, no disappearing items, and not a single ugly item in the closet. Poki has streamlined the dress-up process, presenting only the 10 best choices in every category. If you want to really delve into the world of fashion design, you can modify nearly every item with custom colors.

Princess Fashion Dress Up is about a royal daughter, and she looks like one straight out of a fairy tale. Unlike other dress-up games, this one doesn’t include a host of different characters. There aren’t any celebrities from real-world pop culture, singing gals from Frozen, or students from Monster High. In this game, you get to dress one princess, and that’s really all you need. If you’re inclined to change her auburn hair, you can select a new style and color from a variety of chic looks. There are regal hairdos, straight hairstyles, and elegant buns. Even a slightly different hue of red or orange can be enough to complement a lovely dress perfectly.

In order to truly achieve perfection, the princess needs a one-of-a-kind set of jewelry. Thankfully, Princess Fashion Dress Up includes all types of headdresses, including glitzy tiaras and flowery headbands. Most of the headwear is available in dozens of colors, allowing you to be as creative as you wish when piecing everything together. There are also mix-and-match sets of earrings and necklaces, many of which are also customizable. If you want the princess to wear blue earrings and a purple necklace, you are free to tweak her jewelry accordingly. You can choose a pair of pretty slippers for the future queen, but a floor-length dress will cover her feet. Nonetheless, it’s nice to know that the princess is bedazzled from head to toe!

After completing the entire ensemble, it’s time to take a picture of the royal beauty on her balcony. A pink dragon will sneak into the frame, but thankfully, he’s friendly. Making last-minute changes to the outfit isn’t a problem, because every choice is saved until you start over. So, let your daughters play Princess Fashion Dress Up, and see if they like it as much as my family does!

Filed Under: entertainment Tagged With: apps, check in

Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Wii U

July 8, 2016 by Samantha 1 Comment

Disclosure- this item was sent for review. Have Sippy Will Travel is a Nintendo Kid Ambassador. All opinions are our own and honest. For more, see “I Disclose”.

Have you ever wondered who was faster? Sonic the Hedgehog or Super Mario with star power? How about who is better at table tennis Yoshi or Eggman? These questions and more could be answered with your won quick wits and faster thumbs in the new Wii U version of Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. This game pits familiar Nintendo and Sega characters against each other in Summer Olympic events. There are 17 events available, including full team sports: like soccer, Beach Volleyball, and Rugby Sevens. This game was also released for the Nintendo 3DS but this version includes 4 x 100m Relay, Rhythmic Gymnastics (Clubs), Triple Jump and Rugby Sevens.

We like how each event is a separate event, with a ton of details and attention put into it. This is less a series of mini games and more of a series of different events. Each event is polished and fun to play, especially the Duel Events with add in themed obstacles and items from the Mario™ and Sonic universes for even more fun.

This game is great fun for gamers of all ages and bridges the gap nicely between younger players and older ones. There is one draw back to this game. The laughter and fun will keep going and the day will melt away into a giggling, competitive afternoon.

As a small tid bit, this is the first time the console version of a Mario Olympics game is available the same year as the Olympics games themselves.

Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games for the Wii Uis available now across the country and retails for $59.99.

Filed Under: electronics, entertainment, gaming Tagged With: Nintendo, video games

BarreAmped FIRE EXTREME SCULPT DVD @suzannecbowen

June 21, 2016 by Samantha 2 Comments

Are you looking to get in better shape for the summer? If you are, you will want to look at this new DVD. It really works you out, and you will feel it for sure the next day(s!)

There are 5 DVDs in the workout series, and you had better start with 1, let me tell you. I did 5 first (not because I’m insane, just because that is how they arrived) and I was burnt out within 10 minutes. Of course, I should have known- there was a verbal warning from Suzanne Bowen at the beginning, saying that it was going to be tough and to warm up to it. I should have listened! You live, you learn.

The workouts do put you through the paces, and I have to admit that I’m still not ready to move on to DVD 2. They are not simple, but they are effective. I’ve been doing them for nearly 3 weeks, and I am gaining stamina, which is a great thing. I’m hoping in a few weeks to move up to #2, but the main thing is to move at the pace that is healthy and right for you.

Here is more about the DVDs and Suzanne Bowen;

Fitness and lifestyle expert Suzanne Bowen, creator of Suzanne Bowen Fitness (#SBF) www.suzannebowenfitness, a top streaming website for workout videos and nutrition advice, has just released her newest DVD in the BarreAmped franchise. BarreAmped Fire Extreme Sculpt (www.barreamped.com 84 minutes $19.99) presales have already exceeded expectations and is well on its way to being the most popular BarreAmped DVD to date. Suzanne’s signature BarreAmped is a proven, results oriented, body shaping barre program that is a combination of dance, Pilates, yoga, and Bowen’s classical Lotte Berk training. It is Classic Barre meets Extreme Results.

BarreAmped Fire Extreme Sculpt (84 minutes, $19.99) takes participants to new fitness levels with advanced muscle torching routines that challenge viewers with a fast paced collection of classic barre workouts to #ShakeToChange. The BarreAmped Fire Extreme Sculpt DVD is divided into sections so viewers can do the entire full workout or mix and match the segments to change it up. The DVD has a two minute introduction; 28 minute Total Body Sculpt Section; 17 minute Thigh and Seat; 13 minute AB blast; 11 minute Sleek & Toned Shoulders; and, a 12 minute Relaxation Stretch section. Needed for the workout is something to hold onto, a set of hand weights, and a mat. The purchase of the DVD includes a free 1 month membership to Suzanne’s streaming barre workouts and other tips and workouts at www.suzannebowenfitness.com .

About Suzanne Bowen

Suzanne Bowen is the founder of Suzanne Bowen Fitness (SBF) and the creator of BarreAmped, the revolutionary barre program based on classic technique, a neutral spine, and a solid foundation of alignment. Suzanne began her fitness career over fifteen years ago at the original barre studio, New York City’s legendary Lotte Berk Method studio. It was there that she was classically trained as a top instructor. She moved from New York to Nashville where she opened a BarreAmped studio and expanded her clientele to include top Nashville celebrities; Naomi Judd and the ladies of the band Little Big Town, Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman to name a few. Suzanne Bowen fitness, (SBF) embodies the best of combining mind, body and spirit to live a healthy lifestyle. Suzanne helps people build a foundation for life and encourages them to be their best form of excellence. She currently lives in Florida with her husband and two children, and maintains her home and studio in Nashville. BarreAmped is taught in over 50 studios worldwide with over 350 instructors certified to teach the program around the world. Her BarreAmped Boot Camp DVD was just awarded Best Barre DVD by Fitness Magazine, as well as Good Housekeeping, Pilates Style and Natural Health Magazine.

Find out more by visiting the website-

www.suzannebowenfitness.com, www.barreamped.com

and following on social media-

Facebook: Suzanne Bowen Fitness

Twitter @suzannecbowen

Instagram @suzannebowenfitness

Filed Under: entertainment, fitness, review

WIN Shrek for the New Generation #Swampathon #Shrek15Insiders

June 21, 2016 by Samantha 34 Comments

Are you ready for to feel old? I hope so, because the original Shrek movie is celebrating its 15th anniversary. That means there is an entire generation that may not have seen the original green onion, I mean ogre, in all is glory. The first Shrek movie came out from Dreamworks Animation in 2001. The first Shrek movie follows the adventures of Shrek and his not so helpful friend Donkey where they meet Princess Fiona and Dragon to name a few of the familiar faces. Shrek goes on to make 3 more movies and even a few holiday specials and shorts.

My son loves all the Shrek movies. He is a big fan of Shrek and has been since he first saw the movie. We also ate green popcorn and wore green-Shrek ear/ head bands which made the viewing experience a ton more fun for him. The beauty of a movie like Shrek is that there is humor aimed toward adults which flies right over kids heads, and also a simple easy to follow story with lovable main characters and clear cut good guys/ bad guys throughout the movie. It is a movie that is actually fun for everyone to watch.