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Archives for : parents

NEVER HAVE I EVER Final Season Interview w/ Cast

“Never Have I Ever” is a coming-of-age comedy about the complicated life of a modern-day first-generation Indian American teenage girl. The series stars Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Devi, an overachieving high school student who has a short fuse that gets her into difficult situations. “Never Have I Ever” is created by executive producers, Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher, with Fisher serving as the showrunner.

I got a chance to sit down with the stars of the show Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Jaren Lewison, Darren Barnet, Poorna Jagannathan, Richa Moorjani, Lee Rodriguez & Ramona Young to discuss the 4th and final season. Watch the full interview and the final season when it premieres on Netflix on June 8th!

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Movie Review: “M3GAN” is a Fun Start to the New Year

After so many heavy award contenders, it’s nice to have a fun palette cleanser like the new sci-fi/thriller, “M3GAN”. January is known to be dump month. So going into this film, I had no expectations but to hopefully have a good time. Luckily, the film turned out to be a whole lot of deadly fun.

Chucky, you’ve met your match. It’s the model 3 generative android, aka M3GAN for short. She is a child’s greatest companion and a parent’s greatest ally. She’s a life-like doll that listens, teaches, and looks after the child she has bonded with. However, when it comes to protecting her owner, M3GAN may go off program and leave a bloody mess behind.

In the film, Allison Williams stars as Gemma, a brilliant roboticist who is obsessed with her job and perfecting the AI for her company’s new toy. Unfortunately, a terrible accident leaves her responsible for her 8-year-old niece, Cady (Violet McGraw). She rushes her newest project so that M3GAN can take on the responsibilities of a guardian that she doesn’t want to be bothered with. But soon M3GAN takes her role to the extreme, and Gemma must do everything she can to deactivate the AI for good.

This hilarious, campy horror is written by Akela Cooper and James Wan; and directed by Gerald Johnstone. It has all the makings for an instant horror classic. The film provides the similar thrills and humor of “Child’s Play”, while adding its own original spin. “M3GAN” is self-aware and embraces the silliness of its premise. Though, the plot is ridiculous, the film also has a lot of heart by exploring grief and its impact on children, as well as people’s dependency on technology. There is a reason why these AI’s shouldn’t replace parents, and at some point, children need to outgrow their toys.

“M3GAN” is a comical story with some foolish scenes, but man, is it one hell of a good time! From her random dance break to her creepy spider crawl chase, you’ll be laughing and shuddering at the thought of M3GAN as your new best friend.

Rating: B+

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GABBY FROM DREAMWORKS ANIMATION’S GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE TO VISIT WALMART STORES ACROSS AMERICA

WHAT: DreamWorks Animation’s hit Netflix series Gabby’s Dollhouse, will set off on a cross country journey to meet her fans at Walmart stores across the country on the Bakey with CakeyTour. Each free in-store event will include a meet & greet and photo opportunity with the Gabby costume character, an interactive prize wheel with promotional prizes, giveaways and a toy display that includes Gabby’s Purrfect Dollhouse, a Walmart Top Holiday Toy List winner and more.

WHO: The Gabby costume character

WHERE/WHEN:

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

2:00 – 4:00 PM CT – Walmart in Mesquite (200 US-80 E, Mesquite, TX 75149)

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

12:00 – 2:00 PM CT – Walmart in McKinney (2041 Redbud Blvd, McKinney, TX 75069)

4:00 – 6:00 PM CT – Walmart in Plano (1700 Dallas Pkwy, Plano, TX 75093)

Thursday, November 17, 2022

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CT – Walmart in Lancaster (150 I-35E, Lancaster, TX 75146)

3:00 – 5:00 PM CT – Walmart in Fort Worth (8401 Anderson Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76120)

About Walmart

From our humble beginnings as a small discount retailer in Rogers, Ark., Walmart has opened thousands of stores in the U.S. and expanded internationally. Through innovation, we’re creating a seamless experience to let customers shop anytime and anywhere online and in stores. We are creating opportunities and bringing value to customers and communities around the globe. Walmart operates approximately 10,500 stores and clubs under 46 banners in 24 countries and eCommerce websites. We employ 2.3 million associates around the world — nearly 1.6 million in the U.S. alone.

About DreamWorks Animation’s GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE

Since the debut of DreamWorks Animation’s hit series Gabby’s Dollhouse, kids around the world have been having one big sprinkle party with their new friend Gabby and all her kitty friends. Created and executive produced by celebrated storytellers Traci Paige Johnson and Jennifer Twomey, Gabby’s Dollhouse is a mixed media preschool series that unboxes a surprise before jumping into a fantastical animated world full of adorable cat characters that live inside Gabby’s dollhouse. Rooted in growth mindset, Gabby’s activity-based episodes encourage flexible thinking and learning from your mistakes. The popular series has inspired many expansions including a successful toy line, publishing, original music, a top-rated app and a growing YouTube channel garnering millions of weekly views. Any adventure can unfold when we play in Gabby’s Dollhouse, now streaming on Netflix.

‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE by Cirque du Soleil

THE ACCLAIMED HOLIDAY THEATRICAL

“TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE…” BY CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

Will Run at Texas Trust CU Theatre in Grand Prairie

November 25 – December 11, 2022

Tickets Go On Sale Friday, August 26 at 10 a.m. at AXS.com

Dallas, TX (August 23, 2022) – The acclaimed family holiday theatrical – “‘Twas the Night Before…” by Cirque du Soleil – is making its Dallas debut at the Texas C. U. Theater fromFriday, November 25 – Sunday, December 11, 2022. The production will run for 25 performances.

Tickets start at $44 and will go on sale Friday, August 26th at 10 a.m. at AXS.com. Group tickets of 10 or more will be available at texasgrouptickets.com, via email at christina@texasgrouptickets.com or by calling (281) 367-9717 beginning August 26 at 10 a.m.

“‘Twas the Night Before…,” Cirque du Soleil’s exhilarating spin on the beloved Christmas tale, is about the wonders of sharing and friendship. The production marks Cirque du Soleil’s first-ever Christmas show and is a flurry of Christmas cheer – rip-roaring fun with hugely lovable characters that will introduce audiences to the magic of Cirque du Soleil.

Performance Schedule:

Friday, Nov. 25              7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 26          1 p.m., 4 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 27            12 noon, 3 p.m. & 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 30     7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 1           7:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 2                7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 3            1 p.m., 4 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 4              12 noon, 3 p.m. & 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 7       7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 8           7:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 9                7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 10          1 p.m., 4 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 11            12 noon, 3 p.m. & 6 p.m.

“Adopting Audrey” Interview w/ Jena Malone

Based on a true story, “Adopting Audrey” is about a young woman puts herself up for adoption and forms a bond with the misanthropic patriarch of her adoptive family. I got a chance to speak with the star and executive producer of the film, Jena Malone. We discussed the film, the importance of how you act around your child, what YouTube videos comfort her, and much more.

“Adopting Audrey” opens in theaters and is available OnDemand August 26, 2022.

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Movie Review: “Let Him Go” – A Powerful Portrayal of a Grandparent’s Love

Diane Lane and Kevin Costner are heartbroken grandparents ready to do whatever is needed to protect their grandson.

Focus Features new drama, “Let Him Go” opens with retired sheriff George Blackledge (Costner) and his wife Margaret (Lane) at their ranch in Montana spending time with their son James (Ryan Bruce), his wife Lorna (Kayli Carter), and their baby boy. Later that day, James has a fatal accident while riding a wild horse.

Years later, Lorna remarries. Her son, Jimmy, is now a toddler. On her wedding day, she seems uncomfortable around her new husband, Donnie Weboy (Will Brittain). It isn’t until Margaret sees Donnie hit Lorna and Jimmy that she recognizes the problem. When she discovers they have mysteriously taken off to go stay with Donnie’s family; Margaret and George leave their Montana ranch, and set off to rescue their only grandchild from the dangerous Weboy family.

Based on Larry Watson’s novel, the film is directed and written by Thomas Bezucha (“The Family Stone”, “Monte Carlo”). Bezucha has a way of writing compelling family dynamics. Every character has depth. The relationships between the Blackledge family isn’t picture perfect. Margaret and George have a loving and respectable marriage, but they don’t always see eye to eye. And Margaret’s relationship with Lorna is a bit rocky, as Margaret can be overbearing.

The Weboy family is a special, terrifying case; led by their vicious and abusive mother, Blanche (Lesley Manville). She controls her sons and any other man in her life. What these men lack in brains, they make up for in strength and violence. They are an odd and horrifying bunch.

“Let Him Go” is a tense journey, but the scenic drive to their destination is beautiful and adds a brief unexpected tranquility. From the tragic beginning, you’re hooked till the very end. It’s unbearable to think about the pain parents must feel after the loss of a child, but to know their is still a piece of him in their grandchild makes their mission heroic and cathartic.

The film is heavy and there is some graphic violence, but it’s a fantastic story with incredible performances. Lane and Costner are a duo that deserve a longer screen time together than they had in “Man of Steel”. The two feed off each other so naturally. And Lesley Manville is an intimidating scene stealer. You dread her character, but you anxiously await her next appearance.

“Let Him Go” is not exactly groundbreaking, but it is an engaging script and exquisitely shot. The performances alone are enough for me to recommend this watch, but there’s also thrilling action and a powerful story. It’s the perfect movie to watch with the whole family.

Rating: 4.25/5

“Let Him Go” opens in theaters November 6, 2020.

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