RANGO: An Interview with Gore Verbinski (Director)

I had the distinct privilege of interviewing Gore Verbinski, director of the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy. He is a powerhouse onto himself of blockbuster hits, innovation and genius. Trivia: Gore developed and directed the famous "Bud-Wei-Ser" frog commercials which were a hit during the Superbowl a few years back.


Gore was in San Francisco on February 16, the day after walking the red carpet in Los Angeles for the premier of his animated film, Rango, which comes out this Friday March 4th. For my complete interview, click here.

RANGO: An Interview with Abigail Breslin (Voice of Priscilla)

I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Abigail Breslin, famous from her breakout role in Little Miss Sunshine for which she garnered an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She is a diminutive figure who packs a whallop into each of her performances. She is one of the youngest Academy Award nominees ever, and her career is on a trajectory for stardom.

Breslin was in San Francisco the day after walking the red carpet in Los Angeles for the premier of the animated film, Rango where she plays the part of the scruffy mouse, Priscilla.

For my complete article, link here.

Mars Needs Moms! Disney Giveaway

Greetings, Earthlings! Coming to theaters on March 11th is the new Disney animated movie, Mars Needs Moms.

Take out the trash, eat your broccoli—who needs moms, anyway? Nine-year-old Milo (Seth Green) finds out just how much he needs his mom (Joan Cusack) when she’s nabbed by Martians who plan to steal her mom-ness for their own young. Produced by the team behind “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” and “The Polar Express,” “Mars Needs Moms” showcases Milo’s quest to save his mom—a wild adventure in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D that involves stowing away on a spaceship, navigating an elaborate, multi-level planet and taking on the alien nation and their leader (Mindy Sterling). With the help of a tech-savvy, underground earthman named Gribble (Dan Fogler) and a rebel Martian girl called Ki (Elisabeth Harnois), Milo just might find his way back to his mom—in more ways than one.

Parent Grapevine is please to present a fun MARS NEEDS MOMS giveaway. Our giveaway includes a youth sized shirt, adult sized shirt and a 3-pack of temporary tattoos!

To enter, please leave a comment at this link (NOT AT THIS SITE):

1. Leave a comment telling us what your favorite Disney movie of all time is.
2. Include your email address so we can contact you if you're a winner
3. That's it, one winner by random drawing will be selected on March 11, 2011

Gnomeo and Juliet Animated Movie: Fun Giveaway!

On February 11, 2011, TOUCHSTONE Pictures introduces a wonderful new animated movie your family is sure to love, "Gnomeo and Juliet".  Parent Grapevine is happy to hold a fun giveaway (see how to enter below) and also check out some cute activities below for your children.  See the movie trailer below.

Two lucky Gnome Lovers will win one package that consists of a youth sized T-Shirt, Beanie and Mini Notebook. (photos below). 



Two winners will receive ONE Package consisting of 1 T-Shirt, 1 beanie and 1 notebook



ACTIVITIES

Check out these fun free activities you can download and print from your computer:

Click on the sheet above to bring to full size and then print

Click on the coloring page above, then Print

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:  IMPORTANT - Please leave your comment at the bottom of this link (not on this blog) telling us what color Gnome you have in your garden (if you don't have a Gnome, tell us what color you would choose, Red or Blue). If you didn't know, it is the Red Gnomes vs. the Blue Gnomes! Be sure to leave your email address or you won't be eligible for our drawing.  Random Drawing will take place on February 9, 2011.
 

My Impression of Impressionism: Musee d'Orsay Masterpieces at the De Young in San Francisco

A few weeks ago my husband and I had a grand day up in the city to celebrate our anniversary.  Sans kids and "to-do" lists, we celebrated the day walking the city, getting our fill of the sites including Union Square, cable cars, cafes, and the Golden Gate Park. 

We scheduled a fantastic tour of the visiting collection from the Musee d'Orsay including Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cézanne.  Room after room was filled with wonderful paintings we had only seen in photographs.  To see them first hand up-close was fantastic. 

Armed with an audio headset, we set off on our tour to hear the story about each painting. 

The crowds were crazy.  Being from Washington, D.C., where the museums are free and plentiful, we were not used to such a short exhibit with a price tag of $26 that was completed in under an hour's time.  However we still thoroughly enjoyed seeing such an array amazing paintings which we missed on our last vacation to Paris.

I've heard that of all the museums in Paris, the Musee d'Orsay is the 'Must See' museum, some say even more so than the Louvre.  There are definitely more famous paintings that I recognized from this exhibit but the Louvre is incomparable.  I say, go to both!

As we zig-zagged our way through the maze of rooms for this exhibit, you are amazed at how close you can get to these paintings.  One guard for every 50 people in the room.  Envision: "The Thomas Crown Affair" with Pierce Brosnan and Renee Russo.  Or the version with Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway. 

But after that flash thought, you're back to the real world and the large body mass in front of you blocking your view of the painting.

Oh well.  My day was complete because it was spent with my sweetie and we still had a few hours left before we had to return home.

This post was inspired by the book, The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova.  I am a member of the book club: From Left to Write where we received this book but I was not compensated in any form. 

SCHEDULE A SALVATION ARMY PICK-UP

Now that you've hopefully survived the holidays and the house is full of new items, it's time to weed out your belongings and see what you can giveaway to someone in need.  Most of us have clothes that are still in good condition, toys that our children have outgrown but are still usable, and kitchen, furniture and other useful household items that we can donate to a good cause - THE SALVATION ARMY.  The Salvation Army is one of the best non-profit orgnizations there is.  Over 80% of the items you donate go into the hands of those in need.  Compare that to other organizations including the Red Cross and you will not find the percentage to be that high. 

If you are on the West Coast link here to schedule an online pick up of your goods.   You select the type of items you  have for giveaway, the quantity and then the pick-up date.  So simple and all from the ease of your computer.

While you're at it, check this link to learn more about the Salvation Army and the wonderful things they are involved in.

Ubisoft's Petz Nursery 2

My four kids (ages 9-13) love playing with stuffed animals, so I was not surprised to see them immediately take to Ubisoft’s Petz Nursery 2.  They have been taking turns playing this game ever since we received a copy to review earlier this week—although one guy is a little more addicted than the others!

A. is totally addicted!

Throughout the day I hear “oohs” and “aahs” coming from the couch, only to realize that they are all circled around the DS checking on the progress of their pets.  You’ll be happy to know that Fang, Darkie, Saber, Puff, Cuffie and Bamboo are all thriving.  

My daughter, who I thought would be playing it the most, has not been able to pry it out of the hands of her 3 brothers--especially A.  She is already asking for her own copy this Christmas.  So as you can see, this game appeals to girls AND boys.    My 9 year old even said,  “This game is way better than Star Wars.”  Imagine that! 

Petz Nursery 2 is great for kids of all ages who love critters.  Again, I’ve got a 13 year old who is totally into this game (he might be embarrassed to know I am letting this secret out of the bag, but I can’t help it, I love the fact!).  

Here are some of the key features of the game: 

• Take care of up to 22 baby petz and help them grow. As newborns, your baby petz will need to be picked up and played with, and eventually taught to crawl. When night comes, help them fall asleep by rocking them or singing them a lullaby.
• There will be 22 different baby petz to unlock. You'll eventually unlock never-before-seen exotic petz. Animals such as baby pandas, tigers, polar bears, and leopard cubs, you will be able to pamper wolf cubs, piglets, and 4 different breeds of penguins!
• These playful and clumsy babies love to play together. Play activities with two babies or just one; but make sure you give both babies attention or one will develop faster than the other.
• Send your baby petz to the Petz virtual world, Petz World, and unlock exclusive exotic animals. On Petz World, your petz will be able to travel the world, set out on extraordinary adventures and meet tons of other petz!

      

Petz  Nursery 2  retails for about $29.99.  You can find it at Toys R Us and Amazon. 

While Ubisoft provided me with this game to review, the opinions I've expressed here are solely my own and represent my honest viewpoint. Ubisoft, Clever Girls Collective and I promote Blog With Integrity.