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Holiday Films Are in the Works!

One of my favorite time of the year is the holiday season. I love Christmas for many reasons, especially my grandkids and grandnephews. We always find time to watch our old and new favorite Christmas …

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Watch the Featurette Wicked on Singing Live

After two decades as one of the most beloved and enduring musicals on the stage, Wicked makes its long-awaited journey to the big screen as a spectacular, generation-defining cinematic event this holiday season. Synopsis: Wicked, …

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Another Love Story in Honor of Domestic Violence Awareness

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, here’s an impactful new film Another Love Story, now available for streaming on TUBI. This timely film sheds light on the emotional and psychological journey of domestic abuse survivors …

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Despicable Me 4 with One of My Little Minions

We enjoyed it! 

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It Was A Twisters Night

My #1 grandson and I screened the new #TwistersMovie last night. And it was a long overdue date, too. The film was much better than we expected. It had its excitements that kept you on …

Holiday Films Are in the Works!Watch the Featurette Wicked on Singing LiveAnother Love Story in Honor of Domestic Violence AwarenessDespicable Me 4 with One of My Little MinionsIt Was A Twisters Night

Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog Premieres July 30

As humans face a world never seen before, they have turned to four-legged friends as a way to console, bringing harmony and peace to their homes. In fact, dog adoptions are hitting record high…

Cesar gives praise to his clients for their dog’s progress. (National Geographic)

National Geographic announced the highly anticipated return of dog behavior expert Cesar Millan with Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog premiering on July 30 at 9/8c on National Geographic and simulcast on Nat Geo WILD. The all-new 10-part series brings Cesar back when pet owners need him the most, as the world has changed significantly since Cesar made his television debut 16 years ago.

Airing globally in 172 countries and 43 languages, new episodes will air back-to-back on Fridays at 9/8c and 10/9c on National Geographic and encore Sundays at 8/7c and 9/8c on Nat Geo WILD. Episodes will also be available to stream on Disney+ each Wednesday, starting August 4.

Let The Adventure Begin, Fantasy Island

An all-new version of the classic show, which starred the late Ricardo Montalbán as the mysterious Mr. Roarke and Hervé Villechaize as his assistant, Tattoo. The series aired on ABC from 1977 to 1984. In 1998, there was a one-season revival of the series and I am sorry to say, a not so good, horror film adaptation in 2020.

Roselyn Sanchez

This August, FOX travels to Fantasy Island, with an all-new version. A modern drama series, Fantasy Island takes place at a luxury resort, where literally any fantasy requested by guests is fulfilled, although they rarely turn out as expected. Delving into the “what if” questions—both big and small—that keep us awake at night, each episode will tell emotional, provocative stories about people who arrive with dreams and desires and depart enlightened and transformed through the magical realism of Fantasy Island. 

Serving as steward of this mysterious island is Elena Roarke (Roselyn Sanchez, Devious Maids, Without a Trace), a descendant of the iconic Mr. Roarke. Elena set aside her own ambitions, and even the love of her life, to uphold her family’s legacy. Sophisticated, insightful and always charming, her calm exterior masks the challenges of the responsibilities she has assumed. Assisting Elena is Ruby Okoro (Kiara Barnes, The Bold and the Beautiful), a young woman with an old soul who arrives on Fantasy Island with a terminal illness and is given a new lease on life there; and pilot Javier (John Gabriel Rodriquez, Miranda’s Rights, Rosewood), who also is the head of island transportation and a jack of all trades.

Guest stars include Bellamy Young, Dave Annable, Odette Annable, and more…

Production is currently underway on location in Puerto Rico.

The series premiere of Fantasy Island, Tuesday, August 10 at 9/8c, on FOX.

The Baby’s are Back! Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, Lil, Susie, and Angelica!

••• AROUND TOWN •••

My grandson Jimmy (#JimmityCritic) and I attended the premiere of Nickelodeon’s Rugrats all NEW and reimagined new series. Now streaming on Paramount+

The original Rugrats series launched in August of 1991 and instantly became a groundbreaking phenomenon, spawning consumer products and three hit theatrical releases, cementing its place in pop culture history through its iconic characters, storytelling, and unique visual style. Rugrats was in production for nine seasons over the course of 13 years. The series earned four Daytime Emmy Awards, six Kids’ Choice Awards, and its own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The series stars E.G. Daily (Tommy Pickles), Nancy Cartwright (Chuckie Finster), Cheryl Chase (Angelica Pickles), Cree Summer (Susie Carmichael), and Kath Soucie (Phil and Lil DeVille), all of whom are reprising their iconic roles in this new series. 

The original adventurous babies’ voice cast is joined by new voices, including Ashley Rae Spillers and Tommy Dewey (Tommy’s parents, Didi and Stu Pickles); Tony Hale (Chuckie’s father, Chas Finster); Natalie Morales, (Phil and Lil’s mother, Betty DeVille); Anna Chlumsky and Timothy Simons (Angelica’s parents, Charlotte and Drew Pickles); Nicole Byer and Omar Miller (Susie’s parents, Lucy and Randy Carmichael); and Michael McKean (Grandpa Lou Pickles).

Its Our Anniversary!

Space Jam: A New Legacy Trailer

(L-R Backs to Camera) LEBRON JAMES, LOLA BUNNY, (Front Row L-r) YOSEMITE SAM, SYLVESTER, BUGS BUNNY, PORKY PIG, TASMANIAN DEVIL, ELMER FUDD (Back Row L-r) TWEETY BIRD, FOGHORN LEGHORN, GOSSAMER, GRANNY, ROAD RUNNER and WILE E. COYOTE in Warner Bros. Pictures’ animated/live-action adventure SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY, a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures

Tunes vs. Goons. Watch LeBron James and Bugs Bunny in the new trailer for Space Jam: A New Legacy.

In theaters and streaming on HBO Max – July 16.

His Own Way, A Daughter’s Perspective on Her Brother’s Experience with Autism

“My son was diagnosed at the age of three, and when she was a little bit older I told her, you know your brother is autistic, that means he does things his own way, which is the title of the book; and she said yeah, I know dad…His sister said I’m accepting him for who he is. I’m going to accept him with the fact that he does things his own way and his timing.”

— Sergio Liden, Author and Human Rights Activist

Understanding autism can be challenging for a family. Finding the proper resources and talking to those who are facing similar experiences can be helpful. Mabel Aragon caught up with children’s author Sergio Liden, who shared his family’s journey and how they addressed autism with their children. His recent book was inspired by his daughter’s perspective of her brother who has autism.

Photo Courtesy:

* The photos of Sergio and his family, along with the images from the book were provided by Espada PR.

* The photo of the child with two adults comes from the Association of University Centers on Disabilities’ Facebook page.

*The photo of the two children comes from Tomorrow’s Child Infant and Child Development Center (found on Facebook.) 

Nobody in Theaters March 26

Sometimes the man you don’t notice is the most dangerous of all.

Emmy winner Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul, The Post, Nebraska) stars as Hutch Mansell, an underestimated and overlooked dad and husband, taking life’s indignities on the chin and never pushing back. A nobody.

When two thieves break into his suburban home one night, Hutch declines to defend himself or his family, hoping to prevent serious violence. His teenage son, Blake (Gage Munroe), is disappointed in him and his wife, Becca (Connie Nielsen), seems to pull only further away.

Nobody is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Ilya Naishuller (Hardcore Henry), from a script by Derek Kolstad, the narrative architect of the John Wick franchise, and co-stars legendary Emmy winner Christopher Lloyd as Hutch’s father and multi-hyphenate musician-actor RZA as Hutch’s brother, whose own hidden talents aid Hutch in his quest for vengeance.

In theaters March 26.

Making The Shift with Teens and Mental Health Docu-series

Erasing the stigma about mental health, especially among our youth is the goal behind a multi-platform social impact movement that’s bringing wellness rallies across the country.

The Shift is a docu-series, whose aim is to start candid conversations with teens and young adults about their daily mental health struggles, including isolation, anxiety, addiction and bullying. The Shift’s iconic vehicle for change on the ground will be a retrofitted school bus turned studio. However,

in light of the pandemic, a social media initiative has evolved bringing the series online and providing access to mental health experts and professional support from collaborators, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the Global Mental Health Alliance.

Mabel Aragon spoke to The Shift creator Mary Albertoli, and Erin Ryan from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, about the changes they want to create with this social impact movement.

Erin Ryan

“If we start treating mental health as seriously as physical health, we won’t face as many of these situations…Having these conversations to talk about it and to know that you’re not alone and that there are resources, those are the key elements of helping to prevent suicides and deal with mental health conditions as a whole.” — Erin Ryan, NAMI Executive Director Westside LA

Mary Albertoli

“Mental health in general has been placed on the back burner for way too long and it’s going to start showing up in droves if we don’t address it on a higher scale; and we’d like the wellness rallies to be a place by which people can go…think in a way about themselves in regards to their mental health.”
— Mary Albertoli, The Shift Creator/ Youth Mental Health Advocate

For more information, visit shifttheshow.

Raya and the Last Dragon Premieres on March 5

We really liked the strong character personalities in this animation. It is definitely for older kids. I would say, eight and older. The beginning is a bit slow but it establishes the story. That is why, I think, the little ones might enjoy it mostly for the colorful images. And the animation is wonderful.

It is a must watch family film. It’s entertaining and fun.

Synopsis: Raya and the Last Dragon takes us on an exciting, epic journey to the fantasy world of Kumandra, where humans and dragons lived together long ago in harmony. But when an evil force threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, that same evil has returned and it’s up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the legendary last dragon to restore the fractured land and its divided people. However, along her journey, she’ll learn that it’ll take more than a dragon to save the world—it’s going to take trust and teamwork as well. 

The film features an outstanding voice cast, that includes Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Gemma Chan, Daniel Dae Kim, Sandra Oh, Benedict Wong, Izaac Wang, Thalia Tran, Alan Tudyk, Lucille Soong, Patti Harrison, and Ross Butler. Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada are directing, with Paul Briggs and John Ripa co-directing.

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Raya and the Last Dragon will be available on Disney+ with Premier Access in most Disney+ markets, at the same time as it is released in select theaters on March 5.

Our Top Ten Films and Documentaries of 2020

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