Cinema, DVDs and theatre Archives | Page 2 of 7

It’s time to talk about Netflix again and what we have been watching because although it’s the summer holidays and there is lots going on there is still time for Netflix. Everyone needs some chill out time and that’s where Netflix comes in to being for us.

So what have been watching?

Beat Bugs

The twins turned their nose up when our box of goodies came through, they are going through a ‘That’s too young for us!’ stage with very clear boundaries of what is right for them and what isn’t, they are 8 *raises eyes skywards*. However I persisted, I chose a day when they were sitting on the sofa, tired from a lot of running around. I had a massive pile of ironing to catch up on, as is frequently the case, and I started to play episode 1 of Beat Bug.

What you need to know: The cute Beat Bugs tell uplifting and life-affirming stories filled with hope and melody. They are a group of five friends who discover life’s most important lessons in their garden. The Beat Bugs live out their childhood adventures to the words and music of The Beatles. Created by Josh Wakely, Beat Bugs incorporates more than 50 songs from the Lennon/McCartney ‘Northern Songs’ catalogue and features covers by world-leading music artists.

What did we think? Well the ‘big girls’ watched the entire episode and went on to watch another straight afterwards! The stories are well told, the illustrations are gorgeous and the music fits perfectly. I think this is ideal for youngsters and although my 8 year olds watched it I think they are at the stage they want something a bit older.

Project Mc2

Project Mc2 is perfect for them, it’s about a group of school girls who dress fashionably but at the same time are a bit geeky and know how to handle themselves. A kind of girl power in the classroom taking all the best bits about girls.

I really love this program as I find it inspirational for the twins who are on the lookout for good role models, any girl who is happy to let everyone know she is intelligent is a good role model in my book. It also makes school more exciting.

The Little Prince

I have a very fond place in my heart for The Little Prince as it is one of the books I read with Thomas my eldest back in the day. We both loved it and read it more than once together. So I was very pleased to see it was on Netflix too.

What you need to know: The story is about a Little Girl and her mother who are preparing her for the world we live in, only they hadn’t bargained on The Aviator, their eccentric and kind hearted neighbour becoming part of their plans. The Aviator introduces the Little Girl to his friend The Little Prince and she discovers with them a world where anything is possible. The film features voice work by Jeff Bridges, Rachel McAdams, Paul Rudd, Marion Cotillard, James Franco, and Ricky Gervais.

What did we think? LOVED IT and I will certainly be watching this again. I may even go and buy the book again just for old times sake, thank you Netflix for bringing this beautiful story back into my life.

The Good Wife

One last shout out for mums (and dads) on another of my mammoth ironing sessions I chose to start watching the series The Good Wife and I have fallen in love with it. It’s utterly superb. It’s an American legal and political drama series. The show revolves around Alicia Florrick, whose husband and former Cook County, Illinois, State’s Attorney, Peter Florrick has been jailed after being found guilty of corruption and sex scandal. She returns back to her job as a litigator in a law firm in order to provide for her two children. It’s gripping.

What’s next on my list?

Tallulah

Tallulah, was written and directed by Sian Heder (Orange is the New Black) and tells the story of a young homeless girl, Lu who lives in a van and is very independent living day by day. A chance meeting convinces her to ‘save’ a baby from the drunken mother and she turns to the only person she thinks can help, Margo who is led to believe she is the girl’s grandmother. I have only watched the trailer below and I just know this is going to be brilliant.

Disclosure: I am a member of the Netflix #StreamTeam 2016

When the Netflix #StreamTeam got in touch and offered me a 12 month subscription in return for my thoughts over the year I was quite embarrassed … I had never watched anything on Netflix and didn’t even know how to set it up. *gulp*

Having said that I knew, via my Facebook page that there were a lot of my friends engrossed in all sorts of binge watching, Breaking Bad, Orange Is The New Black, Suits and many more. I had read the status updates and scrolled on, ‘What on earth could be so good about them?’ I wondered.

However when presented with the option, curiosity got the cat.

I wonder? I asked myself. Could Netflix be for us?

I accepted knowing I was moving into an entirely new area of entertainment, after all if I didn’t like it I could just say so and move on, right? Funnily enough Netflix allow all Newbies a month’s time free of charge to decide whether it is for you or not. So go dive in and see for yourself.

How do I watch Netflix?

I know, it’s a dumb question but if you haven’t done it before it’s a valid one. The beauty of Netflix is you can watch it on all sorts of different mediums. A laptop or computer for example, streamed live over internet. Another very common way of watching Netflix is on a tablet like an iPad. A great medium for us is our Apple TV which plugs into out television and allows us all to watch films together. Other ways of watching include Playstation and Wii which we haven’t tried yet.

What to watch on Netflix

The second big question is what should I watch, where on earth do I start with their massive library?

For me the natural way to find the answer to that question is put it to my lovely Facebook friends, they are the ones placed up and down the country and abroad. Both male and female, all different ages and loving different genres, let’s see what they come up with…

I had a fantastic response to my call out, there are some really keen Netflix watchers out there and in order of top votes this is what came up.

7 Orange is the New Black – I’m almost finished season 1 and I agree, I am loving this

6 Sons of Anarchy

6 The Good Wife

5 House of Cards – watching with husband

4 Suits

4 Making of a Murderer

4 Gossip Girl

4 Breaking Bad – tried this for a couple of seasons, I liked it, husband didn’t.

3 Once Upon a Time

3 Pretty Little Liars

3 Grace and Frankie

Of course some people named more than one program in their comment and the other suggestions that came up with 1 vote each are

Bloodline

Blackfish

Zombie

Falling Skies

Friday Night Lights

Scandal

Kimmy Schmidt

Community LOLZ

The Blacklist

The West Wing

As you can see, I’m going to be busy for a while! But I had to start somewhere and I went for the number one spot, Orange is the New Black. I had seen a lot of banter about it and the new season was about to start too, what could possibly be so good about it?

Orange is the New Black

Well, it’s amazing! I think I’ve watched the first 6 now, sometimes binge watching them clicking on next, straight after one has finished. Think girls in prison, some lesbian annotations and clever writing. I am gripped and am a bit gutted I started this one on my own as I think husband would enjoy it too but I don’t want to go back to the start so hey ho, he’ll have to watch it on his own channel.

Which is another point. We have been given the platinum account which means I have been able to set all four of us up and we can each select and tailor Netflix to our own preferences which is a great move.

Husband, for example, has been a bit anti Netflix, turning his nose up at the thought of something he had no idea what it was so I decided to find something for us both to watch and went for House of Cards. We’ve watched about 4 episodes now. I love Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright and they do a spectacular job of portraying top American politics and the ruthlessness needed to succeed in such a tight environment. Husband is coming round although I think he needs to find a different series to truly fall in love yet. I’m going to try The Good Wife on him next.

Children on Netflix

This was my most unexpected surprise with regards to Netflix as the twins have their favourite programs on a tv channel, who could convince them to move?

Silly question. The minute they found their own channels set up, they scoffed at Peppa Pig which was being offered but went straight in for Mako Mermaids and binge watched God only knows how many episodes. They have also watched LoLi Rock, Barbie, Mia and Me, Odd Squad, Rainbow Rocks and My Little Pony. They have really made this subscription work for them.

As I write they are watching a family film, The Unbeatables, and we have watched other family films together which is such a lovely moment.

Yes, Netflix is working for us and excuse me if I go but husband is out tonight and I can get another few episodes of OITNB in ;)

Disclosure: I am part of the Netflix #StreamTeam for 1 year but all of the above are my own opinions.

Too old for Stick Man?

Never!

This weekend we all sat down together and watched Stick Man DVD. Watching a film together is one of our favourite family pastimes for those wet and windy days or those days when everyone just needs to chill out a bit. It gives us the perfect excuse to spend some quality time together.

Stick Man did not disappoint. It’s a story we have been reading for years but haven’t looked at in a while and there’s always something endearing to watching it played out on your television screen. Did it match what you had been seeing in your head?

Yes, it did!

Stick Man is written by Julia Donaldson, author of The Gruffalo, another of our favourite films. The tale is about a journey where Stick Man gets in to all sorts of trouble and it seems the more he tries to get back home the further he travels away.

Stick Man lives in the family tree with his Stick Lady Love and their three stick children and one day he goes on an unintentional journey. His epic journey takes him through different seasons and he encounters many obstacles on his way but he’s not an ordinary stick,

He’s Stick Man, he’s Stick Man, he’s Stick Man, you see.

Axel Scheffler’s fabulous illustrations are brought to life and we enjoyed the 27 minute film snuggled up on the sofa enchanted by the little man and wishing him to get back home.

Stick Man Activity sheet

If you have a Stick Man fan then please download the activity sheet which has lots of wonderful games to entertain.

Win a Stick Man bundle

Win a Stick Man DVD plus two puzzles, a hardback copy of the book and a keyring, all in a cloth Stick Man bag. All you have to do is complete the Raffelcopter below and one person will be chosen at random a week from today.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

One thing I love about the autumn and the run up to Christmas is the Disney on Ice spectacular show that tours the country every year. I took the girls for the first time in 2013 and they fell in love with the show, how could you not? The music and characters they know and love so well, the costumes, the ice and the skating which is all so beautifully done. It really is an awesome event.

Every year Disney make changes to the performance and that starts with the title, Disney on Ice 2015 is Worlds of Enchantment. A journey through four magical locations, this time we will visit the Disney Pixar Cars world, The Little Mermaid, Toy Story 3 and of course the Frozen sisters Anna and Elsa. Mickey and Minnie mouse and their two friend Goofy and Pluto also make appearances throughout the show lending that special Disney magic we are so accustomed to.

I know the twins will be beside themselves with joy as we watch Anna, Elsa and Olaf in their home wintery world of Arendelle, I imagine they’ll want to wear their Frozen dresses on the day too which adds to the unique experience of such a great show.

Disney on Ice Worlds of Enchantment is running across the UK from 25th September through to 3rd January visiting Glasgow, Birmingham, Newcastle, Manchester, Sheffield and London. For a complete list of tour dates, visit the Disney On Ice website and stay current on the latest news through social media:

Facebook
Twitter @DisneyOnIce/@NicoleFeld

On the 16th October PAN, the new Warner Bros film, will be in the cinemas perfect timing for a Half Term treat. Warner Bros invited us along on Saturday to a screening before the World Premier on Sunday 20th. I was gutted I couldn’t make it, take a look at the trailer below and you’ll understand why.

However Paul and the girls did make it and when I spoke to them later they were all raving about it.

Pan is a new take on JM Barrie’s classical story which we all know and love. The adventure follows the story of an orphan who is spirited away to the magical Neverland where he finds both fun and danger. He also finds his destiny, to become the hero who will forever be known as Peter Pan.

From the trailer alone you can sense the drama and awe the film inspires in the audience. The costumes are fantastic as are the props and scenery, the whole feeling of being swept away on a dramatic adventure to Neverland to save the day comes over in every part of the film.

Dad’s Pan film review

Dad’s Pan film review. He loved the film but he mentioned it is a bit dark and quite scary in places. He said at one point Alice was leaning right on him for security, however she soon brightened up once the film got going and when asked later if she had been crying, she flatly denied and said she loved the film and would want to watch it again.

Alice’s Pan film review

Alice loved the film and has offered to accompany me to see it in October when it comes out at the cinema, she also wrote her own review for you

Today we watched Pa, it was a little scary. In the end the boy got to know that he was the Prince of the fairies. First he was at a working at a School for boys and there was world war. But the world war was only to try and stop a pirate ship from going to Neverland. When they got there they had to work for Blackbeard the naughtiest pirate on the land of Neverland. — Alice, age 7

Bessie’s Pan film review

Bessie was full of descriptions and remembered the story very well although she may have hopped all over the place in telling me. I’m not going to give away any spoilers but judging the family’s enthusiasm I would say this film is excellent and well worth making time to go and see it.

I learnt it on Netflix! Project Mc2, Beat Bugs and more