Dumbo Thoughts and Musings

DUMBO has to be everyone's favorite elephant. After all, he is so cute and those big ears what's not to love. Well, Dumbo is about to again get the big screen treatment in an all-new movie set to release on March 29, 2019.

Have you ever thought about joining the circus? If so what would you be or do? If I'd ever join a circus I would work with the animals. Most likely the horses and dogs. Brushing them so their coats would gleam beneath the lights as they went through their choreographed dances. The horses would have their hooves polished and would flash as they trotted beneath the tent.

The dogs would prance and jump - excited to hear the crowds cheer them on.  The littlest one would have no fears dancing around the ring and in a moment of exuberance leap upon ever climbing mounting block until she could lightly leap upon the backs of one of the horses.

The excitement of the show would slowly ebb away as the night came in and then the norma; quiet of crowd-less seats would fill the night. The animals would need a soothing hand to once again brush them down allowing them to relax for the next few hours. The horses would be offered water and feed (hay). The dogs would run around chasing one another as if a show had never taken place or as if they were children released from the confines of a schoolroom. And when my tasks of care would be done I'd visit with the other caregivers discussing our four-legged friends and the amusing events or exasperating events that filled our day.

What would you do? Give your imagination wings and let it take you away to the circus of your dreams. Who knows maybe there is a Dumbo waiting for your loving attention.

About The Movie (Synopsis)

From Disney and visionary director Tim Burton, “Dumbo” expands on the beloved classic story where differences are celebrated, family is cherished, and dreams take flight.   Circus owner Max Medici (Danny DeVito) enlists former star Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) and his children Milly (Nico Parker) and Joe (Finley Hobbins) to care for a newborn elephant whose oversized ears make him a laughingstock in an already struggling circus. But when they discover that Dumbo can fly, the circus makes an incredible comeback, attracting persuasive entrepreneur V.A. Vandevere (Michael Keaton), who recruits the peculiar pachyderm for his newest, larger-than-life entertainment venture, Dreamland. Dumbo soars to new heights alongside a charming and spectacular aerial artist, Colette Marchant (Eva Green), until Holt learns that beneath its shiny veneer, Dreamland is full of dark secrets.  

“Dumbo” soars into theaters on March 29.

Website: https://disney.com/dumbo

DUMBO Trailer

Dumbo: Behind-The-Scenes Look Trailer

Dumbo:  Behind-The-Scenes Look

Circus owner Max Medici (Danny DeVito) enlists former star Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) and his children Milly (Nico Parker) and Joe (Finley Hobbins) to care for a newborn elephant whose oversized ears make him a laughingstock in an already struggling circus. But when they discover that Dumbo can fly, the circus makes an incredible comeback, attracting

persuasive entrepreneur V.A. Vandevere (Michael Keaton), who recruits the peculiar pachyderm for his newest, larger-than-life entertainment venture, Dreamland. Dumbo soars to new heights alongside a charming and spectacular aerial artist, Colette Marchant (Eva Green), until Holt learns that beneath its shiny veneer, Dreamland is full of dark secrets.

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Imagine the magic and colors of the circus.  The roar of the lions, the grace of trapeze artists, tumblers, jugglers….and our favorite flying elephant!  From Disney and visionary director Tim Burton, the all-new grand live-action adventure “Dumbo” expands on the beloved classic story where differences are celebrated, family is cherished and dreams take flight.

“Dumbo” releases in theaters on March 29.

Sports and Moments of Inspiration

I'm not a big movie person but occasionally a movie just manages to catch my eye and one that did so was Woodlawn. This one is based on true events in early 1970s Birmingham, Alabama. What I like is that it is a time where segregation is falling to the law of the land. But change is never easy and hate and prejudices are at a high. But when the High School football team has an awakening to the fact that their preconceived notions about their fellow teammates are just that - notions without a solid foundation - the racial divides start to crumble. 

But, as with most things of importance, the changes did not happen overnight. It was a hard fought battle and one that those outside the high school even attempted to thwart. I believe that this is something that we all should strive for in this contentious time. If we all could use these events as an inspiration to effect a change in our own small corner of the world imagine what we could accomplish.

That is what I like about this movie it portrayed real events, real fears, real tensions and allowed one to see that by pushing past these feelings one is able to see beneath the surface to the person within. And beneath the surface, we all have dreams and hopes that when compared are not that different from those of others.

Do you have a favorite sport-themed movie that inspires you to push on, to strive past what you thought possible?

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About The Movie (Synopsis)

Life has become a balancing act for Adonis Creed. Between personal obligations and training for his next big fight, he is up against the challenge of his life. Facing an opponent with ties to his family's past only intensifies his impending battle in the ring. Rocky Balboa is there by his side through it all and, together, Rocky and Adonis will confront their shared legacy, question what's worth fighting for, and discover that nothing's more important than family. Creed II is about going back to basics to rediscover what made you a champion in the first place, and remembering that, no matter where you go, you can't escape your history.  The film releases in theaters on Wednesday, November 21.  #CreedII

The Nutcracker and Christmas Anticipation

Christmas is a time of anticipation. The planning and expectations. My favorite Christmas present was a China doll that was dressed in a Scandinavian dress. She had a strawberry blond hair and was peeking out of my Christmas stocking. I was totally overwhelmed with excitement seeing that I had a special doll just waiting for me that morning. 

Christmas is also a time of special once-a-year treats which are as fun making as enjoying on Christmas. Krumkaka, a thin batter that is poured onto a small griddle and then rolled after cooking before it is cooled, it is then filled with a sweet cream filling. Which though totally delicious is not quick or easy to make and unfortunately require special tools to make.

Ruspaballs are a family favorite that is anticipated all year. Not sure what these are? I'll share the recipe which is fairly easy. 

Prepare mash potatoes and cool so that you can handle them without getting burned. 

Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil

Add flour to the mash potatoes and mix in. 

Add flour by the half cup, adding more until the dough doesn't stick to your hands. 

You will then form the dough into balls the size of a large orange. 

Place the potato balls into the boiling water. 

Balls will sink down and when they rise to the water surface you will know that they are done. 

Lift from the water and allow to drain.

After the balls have cooled they can be refrigerated for a couple of days (or frozen).

The balls are then sliced about 1/4" thick and fried till lightly browned (or spray with oil and bake in a pan flipping so that they cook evenly on both sides. 

Serve this way or with a little butter.

The Nutcracker is something that many look forward to enjoying each Christmas and this year we have a new Nutcracker to anticipate - The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. And if you are a book lover this has been turned into a book too (which I might add I've checked out from my library and hope to review shortly).

About the Movie:  

All Clara (Mackenzie Foy) wants is a key – a one-of-a-kind key that will unlock a box that holds a priceless gift. A golden thread, presented to her at godfather Drosselmeyer’s (Morgan Freeman) annual holiday party, leads her to the coveted key—which promptly disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world. It’s there that Clara encounters a soldier named Phillip (Jayden Fowora-Knight), a gang of mice and the regents who preside over three Realms: Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers and Land of Sweets. Clara and Phillip must brave the ominous Fourth Realm, home to the tyrant Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren), to retrieve Clara’s key and hopefully return harmony to the unstable world. Starring Keira Knightley as the Sugar Plum Fairy, Disney’s new holiday feature film “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” is directed by Lasse Hallström and Joe Johnston, and inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann’s classic tale.

Journey to the Four Realms featurette:

Fall on Me music video:

THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS: starring Kiera Knightley, Helen Mirren, Matthew Macfadyen, Morgan Freeman and Mackenzie Foy as “Clara.” 

For more information, please go to:  https://movies.disney.com/the-nutcracker-and-the-four-realms

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms ~ Featurettes

This year's Nutcracker is a big screen event

Enjoy this brand new featurette featuring Misty Copeland in her role as the ballerina princess in Disney’s “Nutcracker and the Four Realms”  Misty is the first African-American principal dancer for the prestigious American Ballet Theater and showcases her world-class dancing in the upcoming holiday film.

This beautiful behind-the-scenes look at the story and how the cast 

came to fall in love with the story of the original Nutcracker.

ABOUT THE MOVIE:

All Clara (Mackenzie Foy) wants is a key – a one-of-a-kind key that will unlock a box that holds a priceless gift. A golden thread, presented to her at godfather Drosselmeyer’s (Morgan Freeman) annual holiday party, leads her to the coveted key—which promptly disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world. It’s there that Clara encounters a soldier named Phillip (Jayden Fowora-Knight), a gang of mice and the regents who preside over three Realms: Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers and Land of Sweets. Clara and Phillip must brave the ominous Fourth Realm, home to the tyrant Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren), to retrieve Clara’s key and hopefully return harmony to the unstable world. Starring Keira Knightley as the Sugar Plum Fairy, Disney’s new holiday feature film “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” is directed by Lasse Hallström and Joe Johnston, and inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann’s classic tale.

Opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 2, 2018.

Directors:  Lasse Hallström, Joe Johnston

Producers:  Mark Gordon, Larry Franco

Executive producers:  Sara Smith, Lindy Goldstein

SOCIAL LINKS:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/DisneysNutcracker

Twitter:   https://twitter.com/disneystudios

Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/disneysnutcracker

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms ~ Movie Trailer

The Nutcracker in all its various forms is considered to be a tradition of the Christmas season for many.

Clara receiving the Nutcracker. The party that features a most formidable Christmas tree that is too large for most homes. The rats, the prince, the sugarplum fairies. For most, a delightful memory or two is attached to this story. 

This year Disney is offering a new vision of  E.T.A. Hoffmann’s classic tale “The Nutcracker.” The Nutcracker and the Four Realms showcases the wondrous journey of Clara, who finds herself in the mystical world of the Four Realms, home to a host of eccentric characters and no shortage of surprises. 

The film opens in theaters on November 2, 2018

All Clara (Mackenzie Foy) wants is a key – a one-of-a-kind key that will unlock a box that holds a priceless gift. A golden thread, presented to her at godfather Drosselmeyer’s (Morgan Freeman) annual holiday party, leads her to the coveted key—which promptly disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world. It’s there that Clara encounters a soldier named Phillip (Jayden Fowora-Knight), a gang of mice and the regents who preside over three Realms: Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers and Land of Sweets. Clara and Phillip must brave the ominous Fourth Realm, home to the tyrant Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren), to retrieve Clara’s key and hopefully return harmony to the unstable world. Starring Keira Knightley as the Sugar Plum Fairy, Disney’s new holiday feature film The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is directed by Lasse Hallström and Joe Johnston and inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann’s classic tale.

The cast includes Keira Knightley, Mackenzie Foy, Eugenio Derbez, Matthew Macfadyen, Richard E. Grant, Miranda Hart, Sergei Polunin, Jayden Fowora-Knight, Omid  Djalili, Jack Whitehall, Meera Syal, Ellie Bamber, Misty Copeland, with Helen  Mirren and Morgan Freeman. 

The film is directed by Lasse Hallström and Joe Johnston.

Check out the trailer:

Operation Finale ~ Movie trailer

Operation Finale is a historically based story 

that is coming to the big screen. 

Checkout all the pertinent facts and trailer. 

About: Operation Finale, brings to life one of the most daring covert operations in modern history. Starring Academy Award winner Sir Ben Kingsley (Gandhi, Schindler's List) and Golden Globe winner Oscar Isaac (Star Wars: The Last Jedi, X-Men: Apocalypse), the film vividly captures the ingenious and brilliantly executed mission to capture Adolf Eichmann, one of the chief architects of the Holocaust.

Fifteen years after the end of World War II, acting on irrefutable evidence, a top-secret team of Israeli agents travel to Argentina where Eichmann (Kingsley) has been in hiding together with his family under an alias Ricardo Klement and execute an extremely dangerous abduction. In attempting to sneak him out of Argentina to stand trial in Israel while being pursued by the country's right-wing forces, agent Peter Malkin (Isaac) is forced to engage Eichmann in an intense and gripping game of cat-and-mouse with life-and-death stakes. 

Operation Finale releases in theaters on August 29, 2018.

Beyond the Sun ~ Movie Trailer and Contest

Sometimes the greatest adventures can be found where you least expect it and when it is one filled with special memories of a time spent with loved ones it is even more special. Adventures don't have to take you far from home because they can be hiding just around a corner or behind a tree.

When we moved to Florida we didn't know what to expect ~ when you're a little kid anything different or new seems like an adventure.  The house we moved into was so much fun especially the backyard. Though we had yet to hear of The Secret Garden we had found ours. There were trees we had never before seen and Spanish moss that cascaded from the branches creating a hidden world in which to play. There was a small winding trail between the trees which could become a tropical jungle or a magical fairyland. And just beyond the fence was the best thing we could have ever hoped for (though maybe not for my parents) we had a railroad track that was well used each day. When we'd be out playing a train sounded its whistle that was our signal to run along the fence and pretend to blow a whistle of our own which the engineer was more than happy to answer with another blast of his own whistle. 

These adventures were ones of our own making and imagination which have stayed with us through the years. These memories are now an adventure in the retelling to those who were not part of the making. 

Each day can be an adventure you just have to be ready for it to find you and one that is shared is more enjoyable.

BEYOND THE SUN  - About the Movie:

A heartwarming family film is releasing this week.  Distributed by AMBI Distribution, BEYOND THE SUN, is a modern day tale of hope, faith and courage based on stories from the Bible. This delightful family movie chronicles the adventures of four young friends in search of God.

The film features a very rare special appearance by Pope Francis.  In support of the film, AMBI Media Group is holding a special contest where one lucky winner will win an Exclusive Private Tour of the Vatican and Front Row Tickets to an Audience with The Pope For Four! 

For anyone who has ever wanted to visit Italy and The Vatican, this is your chance!  For additional details about the contest and to enter, please go to: www.freetriptorome.com.

BEYOND THE SUN will be available for purchase across multiple platforms including iTunes, Amazon, and TUGG on May 15th.

Movie Trailer:

In celebration of this movie one random commenter will receive a Target e-gift card.

Comments have to placed by May 19, 2018, at 11:59 pm CDT to be eligible.

The Miracle Season ~ The Power of Perseverance and a Movie Trailer

The Power of Perseverance

All too often we are awed and impressed by those who have a natural ability. Those who can play by ear. Who touch a ball and seem to be able to control it with nary a thought. But there are those who may not be a master that awes the masses but they have worked to conquer and call a skill their own.

Have you ever noticed the one person who can never make a basket? Well, I was such a person. The only person who could not get the ball to the hoop much less make it whoosh as fell through the net. It wasn't for lack of trying but rather a lack of hand and eye coordination, or the mere fact that I had no athletic abilities at all could have played a factor. Rather than being known as an athlete I was known for my skill as a klutz. If klutz was a skill I had it down as a natural born talent.

But one year I was determined that I would make a basket during a game. Every day after school I would sit on the ground and practice shooting. It took determination and concentration and a good bit of encouragement to keep up my attempts to better my shooting. I had my family offer tips to better get the ball to the hoop. Adjust my throw. Change my angle. It took time and effort but eventually, I was no longer the one person in school who couldn't make a basket.

Did making a basket make me a hero? No. Did it raise my status amongst my fellow students? No. But what it did do is help me to realize that everything of value takes work. And by working one learns the value of giving your all. It is a skill that can only be learned by putting in the effort. The payoff is the satisfaction that you gave your best. This is a lesson that one can share by encouraging others - that it is the effort that is made that brings the greatest satisfaction when you achieve your goal. And this sets you for future challenges - challenges that demand dedication and drive to overcome them.


The Miracle Season

In Theaters: April 6th

Synopsis: Based on the inspiring true story of West High School girls' volleyball team.  After the tragic death of the school's star player Caroline "Line" Found, the remaining team players must band together under the guidance of their tough-love coach in hope of winning the state championship.

Director: Sean McNamara

Writers: David Aaron Cohen, Elissa Matsueda

Producers: Mickey Liddell, Pete Shilaimon, Mark Ciardi,  

                        Scott Holroyd

Genre: Drama

Cast: Helen Hunt, William Hurt, Danika Yarosh, 

            Erin Moriarty

Production Company: LD Entertainment

Distributor: LD Entertainment / Mirror

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WyHB9D2Su0&feature=youtu.be

Forever My Girl ~ Review and Movie Trailer

Forever My Girl finds Liam Page answering the siren call of fame and success. Unfortunately he is drawn away from his hometown leaving the girl-next-door, love-of-his-life waiting to walk down the aisle.

Eight years pass without anyone in St. Augustine, Louisiana, seeing Liam and his treatment of Josie hasn't gone unnoticed. In fact, Liam's fame and success has not impressed those he left behind. When Liam hears about the death of someone he used to consider a close friend he returns home. But not to a open arm welcome.

But life has gone on without him and Josie has created a life without him. But seeing his first love brings back all he left behind. But can he rebuild what he destroyed? Liam is determined to re-win the love of his first love and that of the daughter he never knew he had. But feelings of worthlessness plague him.

This is a movie of second chances, forgiveness, and family. There are moments when one will be moved to tears as Liam faces the truth of why he ran away from those he loved most. But will he realize what he truly wants before he again blows it.

This movie is rated PG and this is an appropriate rating. There are suggestions of relational situations but nothing is shown, a few rough words and drinking which some parents might not want to expose their children to. Overall this movie a good pick for families with older kids.

I was provided an early viewing of this movie for review purposes.

About the Movie:

Forever My Girl tells the story of music super-star Liam Page (Alex Roe) who left his bride, Josie (Jessica Rothe), at the altar choosing fame and fortune instead. However, Liam never got over Josie, his one true love, nor did he ever forget his Southern roots in the small community where he was born and raised. When he unexpectedly returns to his hometown for the funeral of his high school best friend, Liam is suddenly faced with the consequences of all that he left behind.  Forever My Girl is an uplifting romantic film about second chances.  

It releases in theaters on January 19.

Forever My Girl ~ Thoughts on Family and a Movie Trailer

In this world of hurry up and get on to your next task on the way to achieving one's life goals family often gets lost and forgotten in this mix. FOREVER MY GIRL is a movie about second chances and finding our way back home. But we need to remember that home isn't so much a structure as it is family.  Family is there for you when you need it most but one must make an effort to connect with those who love us.  And in this age of instant connections through social media personal meaningful connections with those closest to us are often a casualty.  

Family takes time but the love and support one receives make it worth the effort. And the memories it leaves will last a lifetime.  A simple game of hide-and-seek on a rainy afternoon in which the whole family can find safety on the family room sofa.  A board game while listening to a variety of favorite songs. The gift of a single wildflower.  The effort is easy and only costs time and thought. 

These are memories that last even as the family structure changes over time.  They provide the foundation that keeps the family together even when miles separate it.  And when one goes off leaving family and the love they offer behind these memories are what can bring one back seeking a second chance at love and family.

A swing in the tree. A walk in the park. A picnic in the backyard. An afternoon spent reading together. Looking through old photographs. Time spent together can be as simple as this - what matters is that it is time spent with those whom you love and who mean the most to you.  

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Forever My Girl tells the story of music super-star Liam Page (Alex Roe) who left his bride, Josie (Jessica Rothe), at the altar choosing fame and fortune instead. However, Liam never got over Josie, his one true love, nor did he ever forget his Southern roots in the small community where he was born and raised. When he unexpectedly returns to his hometown for the funeral of his high school best friend, Liam is suddenly faced with the consequences of all that he left behind.  

Forever My Girl is an uplifting romantic film about second chances.  It releases in theaters on January 19, 2018.

Paddington 2 ~ Movie Trailer

Paddington Bear has been a beloved character in over 150 books since 1958 and he is about to star in his second big-screen production which is releasing on January 12, 2018.

Are you wondering what this movie is all about? Well, wonder no further...

• Following the worldwide hit “Paddington,” one of the most successful family films of all time, this much-anticipated sequel finds Paddington (Ben Whishaw) happily settled with the Brown family in London, where he has become a popular member of the local community, spreading joy and marmalade wherever he goes. 
• While searching for the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy’s hundredth birthday, Paddington sees a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber’s antique shop, and embarks upon a series of odd jobs to buy it.  But when the book is stolen, it’s up to Paddington and the Browns to unmask the thief. 
• Paddington 2 stars: Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), Hugh Grant (Four Weddings and a Funeral), Sally Hawkins (Jayne Eyre), Brendan Gleeson (Into the Storm), Julie Walters (Mamma Mia) and Ben Whishaw (The Hollow Crown) as the voice of Paddington.

Sounds delightful and perfect for a family movie time together. And really who wouldn't love to get a pop-up book as a gift?

Now enjoy a short trailer for the forthcoming film:

The Miracle Season ~ Movie Trailer

THE MIRACLE SEASON

Release: April 13, 2018

Director: Sean McNamara

Writers: David Aaron Cohen, Elissa Matsueda

Producers: Mickey Liddell, Pete Shilaimon, Mark Ciardi, Scott Holroyd

Genre: Drama

Cast: Helen Hunt, William Hurt, Danika Yarosh, Erin Moriarty

Production Company: LD Entertainment

Distributor: LD Entertainment / Mirror

SYNOPSIS

Based on the inspiring true story of West High School girls' volleyball team.  After the tragic death of the school's star player Caroline "Line" Found, the remaining team players must band together under the guidance of their tough-love coach in hope of winning the state championship.

THE MIRACLE SEASON Official Channels

WEBSITE: miracleseason.movie

FACEBOOK: facebook.com/miracleseason

TWITTER: twitter.com/tweetLD

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/miracleseason

#LiveLikeLine

ABOUT LD ENTERTAINMENT

LD Entertainment is an independent film studio that finances the development and production of elevated and thoughtful films, television and theater. Founded in 2007 by veteran television and film executive Mickey Liddell, LD Entertainment has produced numerous award winning films covering all genres.

LD's recent films include the Academy Award nominated "Jackie", starring Natalie Portman and directed by Pablo Larrain, "The Zookeeper's Wife" starring Jessica Chastain and directed by Niki Caro, and "Megan Leavey" starring Kate Mara and directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite. Past films include "Anthropoid", with Cillian Murphy and Jamie Dornan, "The Grey" starring Liam Neeson, and "Risen" starring Joseph Fiennes and Cliff Curtis. LD's also produced and received Oscar nominations for the poignant and complex films BIUTIFUL starring Javier Bardem and ALBERT NOBBS starring Glenn Close. LD recently received 6 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, for the Broadway hit "Dear Evan Hansen."

LD Entertainment is in post on three films: "Dog Days" an ensemble family comedy from director Ken Marino, "Jacob's Ladder" starring Michael Ealy and directed by David Rosenthal, and "Fast Color" directed by Julia Hart and starring GuGu Mbatha-Raw. LD's "Forever My Girl", starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe is set for a wide release in January 2018.

ABOUT MIRROR

Mirror is a theatrical releasing company that believes in allowing creators to maintain individuality with their brands while thoughtfully approaching marketing, publicity, and distribution.

The Man Who Invented Christmas ~ Giveaway

Can you imagine Christmas without carols, giving, 

and the phrase “Bah Humbug?”  

THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS tells the magical journey that led to the creation of Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and other classic characters from “A Christmas Carol.”  

This special holiday film is sure to become another Christmas classic!

In celebration of this new movie, a 3-movie DVD giveaway is taking place. Yes, that's right 3 movies! But to find out more please read through the rest of this post and enter below to join in on this early Christmas fun.



First off a little about the movie:

The Man Who Invented Christmas tells the magical journey that led to the creation of Ebenezer Scrooge (Christopher Plummer), Tiny Tim and other classic characters from A Christmas Carol. Directed by Bharat Nalluri (Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day), the film shows how Charles Dickens (Dan Stevens) mixed real-life inspirations with his vivid imagination to conjure up unforgettable characters and a timeless tale, forever changing the holiday season into the celebration we know today.

THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS releases in theaters on 

November 22, 2017.

That's right the movie opens the day before Thanksgiving 

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Have plans for the holiday weekend yet?

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Now when it comes to your own Christmas traditions what do you most look forward to?  Is there a favorite movie that you just have to see and enjoy with those closest to you?  For my family, there are a couple of movies we look forward to. One Magic Christmas allows a woman to see just how blessed she truly is when she thinks that she has lost everything (husband, children, home, and job). The other movie that we enjoy is The Christmas Carol, the one starring Patrick Stewart. The acting is superb and Ebenezer's transformation is truly a thing to behold from young hurting child to miser to reformed uncle. 

Unlike Scrooge, we in my household don't hold with the idea of not helping those in need and over the years have helped others through local giving to the food bank, clothing drives, and toy drives. But one of our greatest pleasures, as well as heartbreaks, has been ChildFund International. Watching these children grow and mature through years of correspondence can touch even the Scroogiest heart. And Christmas offers a chance to give them an additional gift. It is amazing how so little here can go further in another country offering the hope of an additional source of income for years to come. This was an organization that my mother supported before she and my father married and to this day my family continues to support several through it. If you are willing to stretch your heart check out this worthwhile organization. www.ChildFund.org 

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Now to the giveaway and all the fun of entering.

First off you are probably wondering what is being given away ~ Admit it even if you don't want to enter the giveaway you are curious. I know I would be. 

The DVD bundle is 

The Sound of Music (starring Christopher Plummer and Julie Andrews)

Beauty and the Beast (live-action starring Dan Stevens)

and

A Christmas Carol (starring George C. Scott)

Please enter for a chance to win

Open to residents with a US postal mailing address only 

a Rafflecopter giveaway