It was an enjoyable screening with two of the grandsons. The five year old said it was happy and sad at the same time. And he loved it! The twelve year old who has read …
Unstoppable is the inspiring true story of Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome) who was born with one leg but whose indomitable spirit and unbreakable resolve empowered him to defy the odds and pursue his dreams. With the …
“Sonic 3 will beat out Mufasa, for sure!” — JimmityCritic (12) Sonic the Hedgehog 3, what a fun evening with the grandkids it was. When you have a 12, 10 and 5 year-old clap their hands at the end …
Mufasa: The Lion King was entertaining and the production value was amazing to watch. Set in Africa, all-new film blends live-action filmmaking techniques with photoreal computer-generated imagery. My 12 year-old grandson thought it was one …
I’m Still Here is an official Brazilian submission to the 97th Academy Awards. We really enjoyed this film. It’s a tough story with a lot of heart. And it has a great cast. Synopsis: …
“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.)
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.
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
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.
Waffles and Mochi embark on a global food expedition in order to become chefs. With the help of Michelle Obama, Waffles and Mochi travel the world, learning all they can about different foods and cultures! Waffles + Mochi is available on Netflix March 16.
Synopsis: Once upon a thyme, deep in The Land of Frozen Food, lived two best friends named Waffles and Mochi with one shared dream: to become chefs! The only problem? Everything they cooked was made of ice. When these two taste-buddies are suddenly hired as the freshest employees of a whimsical supermarket, they’re ready for the culinary adventure of a lifetime. With the help of friendly new faces like the supermarket owner, Mrs. Obama, and a magical flying shopping cart as their guide, Waffles and Mochi blast off on global ingredient missions, traveling to kitchens, restaurants, farms and homes all over the world, cooking up recipes with everyday ingredients alongside renowned chefs, home cooks, kids and celebrities. Whether they’re picking potatoes in the Andes of Peru, sampling spices in Italy, or making Miso in Japan, these curious explorers uncover the wonder of food and discover every meal is a chance to make new friends. Waffles + Mochi is an exciting invitation to get kids and grown-ups cooking together in the kitchen and connecting to cultures around the globe.
Chefs: Amanda Mosher, Ao Onigiri, Bricia Lopez, Hamed Ahmadi, José Andrés, Juliana Quinto, Mashama Bailey, Massimo Bottura, Motokichi Yukimura, Pia Leon, Preeti Mistry, Samin Nosrat, Shiro and Keiko Hashimoto.
Guest Stars: Common, Gaten Matarazzo, Jack Black, Lyric Lewis, Rashida Jones, Tan France, Zach Galifianakis and more.
Puppeteers: Michelle Zamora (Waffles), Russ Walko (Mochi and Intercommy), Jonathan Kidder (Busy), Diona Elise Burnett (Steve the Mop and voice of Magicart), Taleia Gilliam (Shelfie), Andy Hayward (puppet swing), Piotr Michael (voice of Mochi), and George Konner (voice of Intercommy).
Showrunners Erika Thormahlen and Jeremy Konner with executive producers Erika Thormahlen, Jeremy Konner, Tonia Davis, Priya Swaminathan, Barack and Michelle Obama.
Dr. Anthony Fauci during an interview at the NIH in Bethesda, MD. (National Geographic/Visko Hatfield)
National Geographic Documentary Films announced a new feature documentary about the US’ top infectious disease expert and dedicated public servant, Dr. Anthony Fauci, MD, from Emmy winners John Hoffman (The Weight of the Nation, Sleepless in America), Janet Tobias (Unseen Enemy) and Academy Award winner Dan Cogan (Icarus), and two-time Academy Award nominee Liz Garbus (What Happened, Miss Simone?, The Farm: Angola, USA). With exclusive access, the film—simply titled FAUCI—will deliver a rare glimpse into the long-standing professional career and personal life of this ultimate public servant and American hero, who after a lifetime of public service faced his biggest test: a pandemic whose ferocity is unmatched in modern history.
Despair, solace and the unknown, the culprit behind what many are experiencing during this pandemic and the inspiration behind a musical collaboration between John Acevedo and Christina Linhardt, entitled The Spirit Solitude.
Mabel Aragon spoke to these distinguished artists who shared their passion for music, dance and appreciation for words that captivate emotion, transport an audience to a particular time and place, and create a lasting memory.
“[This piece] captures what’s going on in society right now, although it’s a very brief soliloquy of what’s happening.” — John Acevedo, Pacific Symphony Musician
“The writing part was easy–writing the poem because the way John performed it and the piece and how he arranged it just spoke immediately to me; but the painstaking part was getting it to fit right into the music because John is a virtuoso.” — Christina Linhardt, Poet, Singer and Writer
Enjoy learning more about these musical artists’ individual work by visiting John Acevedo and Christina Linhardt on YouTube.
Actor, producer, writer and director Kelly Perine, known for numerous roles on sitcoms and films, including The Drew Carey Show, Between Brothers, Nickelodeon’s Knight Squad and One on One, now being shown on Netflix, as well as Convincing Clooney with Rosanna Arquette and Aimee Garcia, shared with Mabel Aragon his commitment to his craft, appreciation for slapstick comedy, and what he’s known for taking while working on studio sets.
“The physical stuff I really enjoy because I enjoy movement; and I enjoy contact and getting in there and some of the slapstick I just love. I love, you know, Jerry Lewis…If It calls for the character doing something goofy physically, I want to be able to do it.”
Sit, enjoy and relax, while Kelly also plays a game called, Truth or Dare to Reveal.
Listen in on the global press conference of Netflix’s The Prom. The following talent participated in the press conference: Andrew Rannelis, Jo Ellen Pellman, Ariana DeBose, Ryan Murphy, James Corden, Keegan-Michael Key, Nicole Kidman, Kerry Washington, and Meryl Streep.
The storyline: Dee Dee Allen (Meryl Streep) and Barry Glickman (James Corden) are New York City stage stars with a crisis on their hands: their expensive new Broadway show is a major flop that has suddenly flatlined their careers. Meanwhile, in small-town Indiana, high school student Emma Nolan (newcomer Jo Ellen Pellman) is experiencing a very different kind of heartbreak: despite the support of the high school principal (Keegan-Michael Key), the head of the PTA (Kerry Washington) has banned her from attending the prom with her girlfriend, Alyssa (Ariana DeBose).
Directed by Ryan Murphy, The Prom is the spectacular, big-hearted film adaptation of the Tony-nominated Broadway musical. Screenplay by Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin.
Laugh Out Loud with The Wayans Bros.: The complete series coming to DVD on February 4.
Premiering in 1995, The Wayans Bros. quickly became a fan favorite with its hilarious mix of family dynamics, quirky characters, and memorable one-liners. Following the misadventures of two distinctly different brothers sharing an apartment in New York City, the series was a cultural touchstone for ’90s television blending physical humor, clever wit, and heartfelt moments. The Wayans Bros. was created by Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Leslie Ray, and David Steven Simon.
° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° Regular Show: The Complete Series is coming to DVD. Enjoy the hit series on February 4.
About the series: Regular Show follows the lives of best friends Mordecai and Rigby, whose lazy afternoon adventures always seem to be interrupted by zombies and misadventures with their gang of friends Benson, Pops, Muscle Man, Hi-Five Ghost, Skips, Thomas, Margaret and Eileen or sometimes even dealing with Death himself.
Created by JG Quintel and produced by Cartoon Network Studios, the series originally premiered in September 2010 and remains to be a massive hit with new and old fans alike.
Regular Show: The Complete Series, includes all 245 episodes created over the years, including specials, and a movie.
° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° The Last of Us: The Complete First Season available for the first time ever in a 4K Ultra HD Steelbook limited-edition collectable on March 18.
In anticipation of the Season 2 premiere of The Last of Us on HBO, catch up on all nine episodes of the critically-acclaimed first season, along with nearly 3 hours of special features!
Synopsis: The Last of Us takes place 20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed. Joel (Pedro Pascal), a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie (Bella Ramsey), a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal and heartbreaking journey as they both must traverse the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.
° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° Moana 2 is now available at Digital retailers, and will be released on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD March 18.
Synopsis:Moana 2 reunites Moana (Auli’i Cravalho and Maui (Dwayne Johnson) three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced. Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller.
Kakamora Chronicles–Ever wanted to know more about the Kakamora? Gather
’round while Moni, everyone’s favorite Motunui historian, tells the tales from real
Solomon Island folklore surrounding the mysterious and unforgettable beings known as
the Kakamora. Fun in the Booth–Step inside the recording booth with the brilliant and talented actors of Moana 2 for some creative fun as they bring their characters to life. Deleted Scenes–Overall introduction to deleted scenes by directors.
° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° Shameless The complete series. All 134 episodes from theEmmy® Award Winning series will be available to purchase on DVD March 18.
Synopsis: Meet Frank Gallagher (William H. Macy): proud, working-class patriarch to a motley brood of six smart, spirited and independent kids who, without him, would be…better off. In Frank’s booze-addled view, parenting just eats into his hard-earned bar-crawling time around Chicago–so he leaves it to eldest daughter Fionna (Emmy Rossum) to hold down the fort. Bearing the de facto parent badge/burden, she’s donned the proverbial apron and makes sure her younger siblings do their chores, keep a clean-ish home, and everyone (no matter how small) works to keep the house lights on, as well as food on the table. Brothers Lip (Jeremy Allen White), Ian (Cameron Monaghan), and Carl (Ethan Cutkosky) use their intellect to break every rule in the book to survive and make the bank, while younger sister Debbie (Emma Kenney) would sooner steal her share, Toddle Liam (Christian Isaiah), the youngest, is just happy to be along for the ride. The Gallaghers are irreverent, endearing, resilient–and they’re absolutely, wildly and unapologetically Shameless.
Favorite Shot of the Day
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“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.” 
