Monsters University (in 3D) - Review

 

MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (In 3D)

Genre: Comedy/Animation

Rating: G

U.S. Release Date: June 21, 2013 

Voice Talent: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Helen Mirren, Alfred Molina, Dave Foley, Sean P. Hayes, Joel Murray, Peter Sohn, Charlie Day, Nathan Fillion, Bobby Moynihan, Julia Sweeney, Aubrey Plaza, Tyler Labine, John Krasinski, Bonnie Hunt, Beth Behrs and John Ratzenberger.

Director: Dan Scanlon

Producer: Kori Rae

Story by: Dan Scanlon, Daniel Gerson and Robert L. Baird

Screenplay by: Daniel Gerson, Robert L. Baird and Dan Scanlon

Composer: Randy Newman

Ever since college-bound Mike Wazowski (voice of Billy Crystal) was a little monster, he has dreamed of becoming a Scarer—and he knows better than anyone that the best Scarers come from Monsters University (MU). But during his first semester at MU, Mike’s plans are derailed when he crosses paths with hotshot James P. Sullivan, “Sulley” (voice of John Goodman), a natural-born Scarer.  The pair’s out-of-control competitive spirit gets them both kicked out of the University’s elite Scare Program. To make matters worse, they realize they will have to work together, along with an odd bunch of misfit monsters, if they ever hope to make things right. 

Screaming with laughter and oozing with heart, Disney•Pixar’s “Monsters University” is directed by Dan Scanlon (“Cars,” “Mater and the Ghostlight,” “Tracy”), produced by Kori Rae (“Up,” “The Incredibles,” “Monsters, Inc.”) and features music from future Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and award-winning composer Randy Newman (“Monsters, Inc.,” “Toy Story 3”). 

The film opens in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2013, and will be shown in 3D in select theaters.

Our take: My kids and I both have been waiting anxiously for the release of Monsters University.  After all, Monsters Inc. was one of our all time favorite movies.  This movie, Monsters University, is the prequel to the highly successful Monster's Inc. - and it's the very first prequel for Pixar.  The movie begins with Mike Wazowski as a child on a field trip to Monsters Inc.  Complete with braces, Mike is the quintessential "nerd."  The movie quickly moves on to Mike entering "college" a.k.a. Monsters University.  His braces are gone, but a retainer remains and so does his enthusiasm for his life long ambition of being a Scarer.  How do he and his best friend Sully meet? How do they get to Monsters Inc. later in life?  You'll have to watch this hilarious film to find out.  

Who was my favorite character? Helen Mirren as Dean Hardscrabble. She provides some of the scariest parts of the movie as evidenced by the nail marks on my arm left by my daughter whenever she appeared.

And everything I remember about "real" college life was represented in Monsters University, not the least of which were all the fraternities and sororities.  Of course, we all know that Oozma Kappa, the fraternity of monsters no one else wants, will end up winners....or will they remain losers?  One thing is for sure, these new monsters are a "scream" - Terri & Terry Perry, Scott "Squishy" Squibbles, Don Carlton and Art will quickly become your favorite monsters with their merry capers.    

Also, be sure to listen for John Ratzenberger's voice at some point in the movie - he has performed the voice of at least 1 character in every feature-length Pixar film to date!  

Of Note:

·       “Monsters, Inc.,” originally released on November 2, 2001, was nominated for four Oscars^®: Best Animated Feature Film, Best Original Score, Best Sound Editing and Best Original Song—“If I Didn’t Have You,” for which it won.

·       “Monsters University” will hit U.S. theaters nearly 12 years after the original “Monsters, Inc.” theatrical debut.

Website: disney.com/MonstersU

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/PixarMonstersUniversity

Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/disneypixar

BONUS:  Create your OWN Monster! (click the link)

BONUS:   Play the "Beastly Breakfast Blitz" Game!!!  MONSTERS UNIVERSITY students are waiting on YOU to serve them healthy breakfasts with milk as fast as you can in the new game, “Beastly Breakfast Blitz” (http://milk.am/mugame)!

Fill every monster order before time runs out to move through new levels, and experience an entire week of breakfast in the MU cafeteria. You’ll need to be quick – these little monsters need to fuel up for scaring school with milk’s high-quality protein at breakfast!

Connect with the Milk Mustache community for tips, tools and activities including tasty morning recipes for all the little “monsters” in your family.

·       Facebook: /MilkMustache

·       Twitter: @MilkMustache

·       Instagram: @MilkMustache

·       Pinterest: /MyMilkMustache

·       Website: TheBreakfastProject.com

This review was sponsored by Allied-THA and Walt Disney Studios who provided me with 4 free passes to a preview screening of the movie on 6/17/2013.  I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary passes.  My opinion is my own.

Happy Flag Day!

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation 

that officially established June 14 as Flag Day.

Mike the Knight: Knight in Training (review and giveaway)

Mike the Knight: Knight in Training
Directors: HIT Entertainment
Format: Animated, Color, NTSC
Language: English
Number of discs: 1
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: NCircle Entertainment
DVD Release Date: June 4, 2013
Run Time: 56 minutes
List Price: $12.99

From the PR Firm: NCircle Entertainment, along with HIT Entertainment, proudly announces the DVD launch of the popular medieval, CG-animated Nick Jr. series, Mike the Knight™. Enter a world of knightly missions, castles, dragons, and trolls in the all-new DVD, “Mike the Knight: Knight in Training,” available for the first time this June. 

With summer just around the corner, the DVD arrives just in time for eager young knights and wizards who may be embarking on their own family adventures! Each episode of Mike the Knight brings excitement and enchantment to young viewers, as well as strong pro-social themes about problem-solving and doing the right thing. 

The characters include young Mike and his trusty horse Galahad, friendly dragons Squirt and Sparkie, and Mike’s wizard-in-training sister, Evie. With its adorable cast and magical setting, “Mike the Knight” strikes the perfect balance between thrills, spills and life skills that reflect Mike’s motto: “Be a Knight. Do it right!” 

The DVD launch coincides with the launch of a majestic array of new Mike the Knight toys from Fisher-Price this spring including the feature-packaged Sword and Shield toy. The series also has a new line of books from Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing.

DVD Synopsis: “Knight in Training”:  Featuring five fun-and-learning-filled adventures, "Mike the Knight: Knight in Training" finds Mike on missions to serve and protect the Kingdom of Glendragon.  Whether it's locating the perfect birthday surprise for his sister Evie, or helping others find their way back home, every day is an adventure with Mike and his friends!  

Bonus Features: The all-new Glendragon Matching Game, as well as Meet Mike’s Friends! Music Videos and a karaoke version of the theme song are also included. 

Episodes Included: 

• Scary Dragons 
• Evie's Birthday Present 
• Fluttering Favour 
• Trollee's Sleepover 
• Mission Home 

My take: When I was asked to review this DVD, I must confess I had never heard of the show.  So I asked my 8 year old, who watches Nick, Jr.  Her response was "Oooh, Mom, I love that show!  Mike wants to be knight like his father and his sister wants to be a wizard!  Mike is always getting into trouble when he only thinks about himself but then he makes things right by the end."  After watching the DVD, she spent a long time telling me all about each and every episode.  When queried, she gave it FIVE stars (out of 5) and said she can't wait for the next one.  A show our kids love and we can love too; after all, Mike the Knight always says "I'm Mike the Knight and my mission is to do it right"- what an awesome role model for our children! 

The giveaway: A royal prize package for one lucky reader including (a $28 USD retail value):

• Mike the Knight: Knight in Training DVD ($12.99)
• Mike the Knight Sword and Shield :"It’s Time to Be a Knight and Do It Right! Train like Mike the Knight and help him on his mission as you pretend to be a knight and play out your adventures with your very own sword and shield. This role play set includes a child-sized plastic sword and shield for the ultimate knight experience. The shield has a handle on the back for easy grip. Be a knight just like Mike and help protect Glendragon Castle!" ($10)
• “Welcome to Mike's World” book from Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing: This Mike the Knight coloring book comes with a tear-out wall poster! The medieval kingdom of Glendragon comes to life with this activity-packed coloring book that introduces Mike the Knight and all his family and friends. Along with Mike you’ll meet his mother, the Queen; his sister, Evie; and best friends Squirt and Sparkie. This book includes a full-color, pull-out poster that Mike the Knight fans can use to decorate their rooms in their own kingdoms. ($4.99)

To win: Leave me a comment telling me another DVD from NCircle Entertainment (winner will be picked at random so your actual response will not determine the winner).  Be sure to leave your email address with your comment if you are not a blogger or your email is not easily found on your blog. This giveaway is open until 11:59 p.m., EST, Friday, June 21, 2013. Good Luck!

Bonus entries: Get up to 12 extra entries for a total of 13 entries (please leave a separate comment for each extra entry):  

1• Blog about this giveaway (don't forget to leave the link in your comment)

2/3/4• Share this giveaway on any of your Social Networking sites (like Twitter and/or Facebook and/or Pinterest) and come back here with a link to your post/tweet (you can have up to three entries - be sure to leave a separate comment for each) and be sure to include @CPAMom on your tweets and pins - you can use the buttons below if you wish.
5• "Like" Fisher-Price on Facebook
6• "Like" my fan page for Did You See That? on Facebook

7• Follow me on Twitter (leave a comment with your twitter id) (you can use the yellow button on the top right sidebar)

8• Follow me on Pinterest (you can use the red button on the top right sidebar)

9• Subscribe to my blog via RSS or Email (see top right sidebar)

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11• Fan or Fav me on Technorati (or use the purple box link on the top right sidebar)

12• Follow me on Blogger using Google Friend Connect (see right sidebar)

This post was written for NCircle Entertainment, HIT Entertainment, and Fisher-Price who provided the DVD, book and sword/shield for review and giveaway. I was not compensated in any way except for the that package of gifts. My opinion is my own.

School's Out!!

Pasta alla Carbonara from Dishing Up® Virginia: 145 Recipes That Celebrate Colonial Traditions and Contemporary Flavors

Dishing Up® Virginia: 145 Recipes That Celebrate Colonial Traditions and Contemporary Flavors

Patrick Evans-Hylton (Author), Edwin Remsberg (Photographer), Marcel A. Desaulniers (Foreword)

Paperback: 288 pages

Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC (April 9, 2013)

Language: English

Book Description: These 145 delectable recipes celebrate the authentic flavors of Virginia, from oysters and blue crabs to wine, peanuts, heirloom tomatoes and sweet potatoes, Smithfield ham, and much more. Try Hanover Tomato Gazpacho, Ramp and Mushroom Strata, Crab Norfolk, Virginia Sea Scallops with Shallots and Walnuts, Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes with Cranberries and Hazelnuts, Oysters Bingo, Chili-Rubbed Pork Loin Roast with Wine Country Salsa, Indian Butter Chicken, Cherry Shrub Cocktail, Black Cake, Scuppernong Granita, Peanut Butter Silk Pie, Monticello Apple Cake, and Bourbon Slush. The recipes are organized by region -- Hampton Roads and the Chesapeake Bay area, Richmond and Southern Virginia, Central Virginia and Wine Country, the Capital Region and Northern Virginia, and the Shenandoah Valley and Western Virginia -- making the book a great resource for tourists as well as Virginia natives.

From the Back Cover: Explore Virginia's rich culinary history with recipes that celebrate everything from heirloom crops and local wines to Virginia peanuts and Smithfield ham. The state's prized ingredients are featured in favorite dishes from popular restaurants, recipes for fresh local fish, and even historical preparations, such as a crab cake recipe first published in 1726. For special occasions, you'll be delighted by complete menus for a classic Sunday supper, a five-course seafood sampler, and three other celebrations. Add a bottle of Virginia's world-class wine, and your feast is complete.

 

About the author: Patrick Evans-Hylton is a banker-turned-Johnson and Wales trained chef. He has been a food writer since 1995, and is currently senior editor for food and wine at Hampton Roads Magazine. He is also executive editor for Virginia Wine Lover Magazine, and contributing editor for Edible Chesapeake Magazine. Evans-Hylton appears monthly on a food news/issues-themed episode of HearSay with Cathy Lewis on 89.5 FM, public radio on Hampton Roads. He has written a number of books, including three food history books. He maintains a food blog at - www.patrickevanshylton.com A food educator and historian, Evans-Hylton teaches a variety of classes with a local twist through the Casual Gourmet program at Culinary Institute of Virginia. He is a board member with Culinary Institute of Virginia, Tidewater Community College's culinary arts program, Careers through Culinary Arts - Hampton Roads, Hampton Roads March of Dimes Signature Chef Auction, Samaritan House Chow! Hampton Roads and Slow Food Hampton Roads. Evans-Hylton, a native of Atlanta, Ga., has lived in Virginia since 1991.

My take: I am not a Virginian by birth.  I was actually born in Springfield, Missouri and the U.S. Navy quickly took our little family to Newport, Rhode Island, Key West, Florida, Norfolk, Virginia and Pensacola, Florida before landing us in Virginia Beach, Virginia when I was a mere 5 years old.  I grew up here.  From age 5 to 17, I attended elementary, junior high and high school in this fair town and adopted it as my hometown.  So much so that after several years away (thanks again to the U.S. Navy sending us to Illinois {where I finished h.s. and attended college} and finding my feet afterwards in N.C.), I packed my things and came back as quick as I could.  As with many of us who came here from other places, I have a fierce loyalty to Virginia and her heritage.

Chef Patrick Evans-Hylton is another such transplant and a kindred soul.  He feels a deep connection to Virginia's history (you should check out some of his other books) and in this book, Chef Evans-Hylton shares his love of Virginia through the myriad of culinary arts that permeate our region. 

Dishing Up® Virginia is more than a cookbook however. Not content with penning a mere cookbook, Chef Evans-Hylton has turned the ordinary to the extraordinary with a virtual feast for your senses.  Before you purchase this book (and you MUST purchase it), I must caution you however on it's one drawback:  the virtual journey you take take through Virginia with Chef Evans-Hylton as your tour guide will not be enough - you will find yourself wanting to visit all that he explores, in person, with Chef Evans-Hylton at your side.  Alas, my own finances dictate that I must be satisfied with the book.  

But what a book Dishing Up® Virginia is! Chef Evans-Hylton has divided Virginia into five sections and takes you on a tour of each:  Hampton Roads and the Chesapeake Bay Region (where we both live), Richmond and Southern Virginia, Central Virginia and Wine Country, The Capital Region and Northern Virginia, and finally, The Shenandoah Valley and Western Virginia.  Each section opens with a few pages of history (both culinary history and not).  Interspersed throughout the recipes, are more in depth articles about food purveyors, chefs and businesses indigenous to the area being explored. My favorite parts - where I learned ALL about various and sundry wine and apple types! Truly, Dishing Up® Virginia is a love letter written by Chef Evans-Hylton to our great commonwealth - a love letter we all can enjoy.  

Not content with merely reading of course, I have begun to explore Virginia myself through the recipes.  Recently, my husband, a culinary genius himself, prepared the Pasta alla Carbonara from page 154.

Of course, we had to make some substitutions - I could not find viognier (Virginia white wine) nor the Pecorino Romano cheese in the one store I went to.  And hubby, being Italian, used pancetta instead of country ham.

The Cast of Characters (substitutions included):

Frying the pancetta

delizioso!

The next night, he made the "Brats in Beer with Sweet and Sour Cabbage" found on page 155.  The leftovers were even more delightful for lunch yesterday!  I cannot wait to try even more from this delightful cookbook.  

Bravo Chef Evans-Hylton!  You have truly produced a work of art.  

How to Make Strawberry Jam

From May 6, 2007, 6 years ago, when my daughter was only 2 1/2 years old!  I thought of this post as she helped with making jam again this year and thought you might enjoy this re-post.  We put up 34 pints of strawberry jam this year.  

Every year I pick strawberries at a local farm and make my own jam (then do the same thing in July with blackberries). Usually I give half of the jam away but this year my picky son decided he loves my jam so I made four batches of jam instead of my usual two. It's a little early in the season yet, here on the East Coast but I managed to find 28 lbs. of strawberries like this:

How do you make jam? First, wash your jars and screw tops and set them out to dry. Put the canning lids in a pan and boil them on the stove. Keep them simmering in the hot water the entire time you are making the jam.

Then find a willing assistant to help you wash, cut up and mash your strawberries:

Watch to be sure she's not eating all the berries:




For four batches, mash up strawberries until you get 24 cups of berries:




Add one cup of sugar to four boxes of Sure-Jell and mix in with the berries. Add a tablespoon of butter to reduce foaming.





Bring to a full rolling boil. Then add 15 cups of sugar.

Set out your pint jars. After bringing the strawberry/sugar mixture back to a full rolling boil for one minute exactly, turn off the heat and fill your jars:

Don't worry about the jam staining your counter. That is why God invented Mr. Clean magic sponges. Wipe off the jars and rims, put the lids and screw tops on, and turn over the jars (this is the inversion method of sealing).

Leave upside down for five minutes:

Go to bed and worry all night that the jam will set. Wake up to success: 36 jars of jam:

Label and store in a cool, dry place for up to one year.

Disney's PLANES - in theaters August 9th!

From above the world of “Cars” comes “Disney’s Planes,” an action-packed 3D animated comedy adventure featuring Dusty (voice of Dane Cook), a plane with dreams of competing as a high-flying air racer. But Dusty’s not exactly built for racing—and he happens to be afraid of heights. So he turns to a seasoned naval aviator who helps Dusty qualify to take on the defending champ of the race circuit. Dusty’s courage is put to the ultimate test as he aims to reach heights he never dreamed possible, giving a spellbound world the inspiration to soar. “Disney’s Planes” takes off in theaters on Aug. 9, 2013.

For more information, check out Disney.com/Planes, like us on Facebook: facebook.com/DisneyPlanes and follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DisneyPictures. 

Genre: Animation/Adventure
Rating: TBD
Release Date: August 9, 2013
Voice Cast: Dane Cook, Stacy Keach, Brad Garrett, Teri Hatcher, Cedric the Entertainer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, John Cleese, Carlos Alazraqui, Priyanka Chopra, Gabriel Iglesias, Roger Craig Smith, Colin Cowherd, Sinbad, Oliver Kalkofe, Brent Musburger, Anthony Edwards, Val Kilmer
Director: Klay Hall
Producer: Traci Balthazor-Flynn

ABOUT THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS: For more than 85 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under the following banners: Disney, including Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios; Disneynature; Marvel Studios; and Touchstone Pictures, the banner under which live-action films from DreamWorks Studios are distributed. The Disney Music Group encompasses the Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records labels, as well as Disney Music Publishing. The Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Disney on Broadway, Disney On Ice and Disney Live!.

This post was written for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.  I was not compensated in any way. My opinion is my own.

   

P.S.:  Be sure to check out my fan page for Did You See That? on Facebook