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Toy Story 4

We were given free passes to see the Toy Story 4 screening in exchange for this post. But my opinions are all my own.

I took Zach & Lucy (now 7) to see new the Toy Story 4 this week. Short story – We all liked it. I excepted us to love it. But I think I had my hopes up a little too high.

Here’s what we loved. Seeing our beloved favorites toy friends again, Buzz, Woody, Jessie & the return of Bo peep.

Toy Story 4 is mostly about Woody though. The rest of the gang along with new toy friends are mostly side characters.

Lucy loved Forky! The spork friend Woody helps guide Bonnie to create.

Zach’s favorite new characters were Ducky & Bunny. He laughed every time they were on screen.

My favorite new character was Canadian Duke Caboom (voiced by Keanu Reeves)!

Yes we Canada!

We all did not like Gabby Gabby & her creepy dummies. To the point that every time they were on screen, Zach asked if we could leave. And Lucy ended up in my lap. So I caution parents of younger children on them.

I liked the continuation of the story of Bonnie & her toy friends, but this film could easily stand alone for new viewers who haven’t seen the rest of the Toy Story films.

Toy Story 4 is a great story of friendships. What leaps friends will go to for each other. I loved that & I think Zach & Lucy even caught on to that theme. Which was helped by the fact that I was able to invite some friends to the screening so Lucy & one of her daycare bffs got to catch up!

The kids laughed, I laughed & almost teared up. Toy Story 4 is rated G & has a run time of 1 hour & 40 mins.

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Everything Else

Aladdin

We were given free passes to see the Aladdin screening in exchange for this post. But my opinions are all my own.

Have you heard about the new live action Aladdin remake?! It’s out in theaters today!! Perfect timing for holiday weekend movie plans.

Our screening happened to fall on Zach & Lucy’s birthday which made seeing this film all the more special for them. They have seen the original a couple times, so they were familiar with the characters, story & songs.

And speaking of songs, if you’re like me & have all the Aladdin songs memorized, you won’t be disappointed. The new film features most (if not all!) the original songs plus new ones sung by Jasmine (played by Naomi Scott). Lucy said her favorites are the new Jasmine songs about her having a voice called Speechless.

This new Aladdin mostly follows the original storyline. But there is enough subtle updates & changes to make the film more relevant to current times to keep those of us old school fans of the cartoon interested.

Zach’s favorite parts were when Aladdin & Jasmine leaped & jumped through their city of Agrabah.

Aladdin (Mena Massoud) and Jasmine (Naomi Scott) flee from palace guards on the streets of Agrabah in ALADDIN, a live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated classic.

And the dancing. Both kids loved the dance scenes. They even played Genie & Aladdin once we got home with Lucy moving her hands to “direct” Zach to dance.

I know it’s hard to live up to the iconic Robin Williams as Genie, but I think Will Smith was great! Zach & Lucy laughed at Genies antics.

I loved how the main characters all showed kindness & the lessons like just being yourself & not being seduced by wealth & power came through.

Check out the official trailer here! If you’re looking for an inside activity to stay cool with your kids this weekend, Zach, Lucy & I would recommend seeing Aladdin!

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Everything Else

POMS

I saw something recently had made me laugh out loud. And wish that I’d had my mom or Nana or aunt beside me! In honor of this almost being Mother’s Day, let me tell you about the film POMS.

POMS is an uplifting comedy about Martha (played by Diane Keaton) a woman who moves into a retirement community and starts a cheerleading squad with her fellow residents, Sheryl (Jacki Weaver), Olive (Pam Grier) and Alice (Rhea Perlman), proving that it’s never too late to follow your dreams. The film will be released in theaters today Friday, May 10, 2019. You can view the trailer here.G

It’s rated PG-13 & I agree with that. This isn’t a film I’d take my (almost) 7 yr olds to. (More kid films though to come! Message me if you’re in Raleigh & a fan of Secret Life of Pets…)

If you’ll be with your mom this weekend & looking for a fun, feel good, chick flick, go grab a drink then watch POMS.

Happy mother’s day y’all!

I was given a ticket to see POMS in order to write this post but it didn’t sway my opinion.

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Everything Else

Captain Marvel

I was given a pass to see Captain Marvel for the sake of this review. My opinions weren’t swade by their generousity.

Unless you’ve been hiding under blankets to stay warm from all our cold rain or even illness like us, you’ve probably heard that the newest Marvel film is coming out this weekend!!

Wondering who you should see it with?!

Bring a girl friend who also loves superhero action films with bad ass female main characters!

Bring your husband/guy who’s also a Marvel Comic series fan -the one who’s seen all the Marvel movies & is excited to be ready for End Game. & be sure to see the opening credits nod to Stan Lee as well as stay until the very end in true Marvel fashion!

Bring your kids, but IMO only if they’re tweens or older. While Zach & Lucy are getting more interested in super heroes but I still think they’re not quite ready for Marvel’s fight scenes. But I can’t wait in a few years to introduce Lucy to Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel.

I honestly didn’t know the back story behind Captain Marvel. I knew it was a female centered film & figured I’d learn as I watched! The back story of the war between the Skrulls & Kree was also news to me but I was able to catch on quick.

I loved watching Carol discover her true strength & power along with her history. I was cheering her on & thought how she allowed her strength to shine through her emotions & dare I say her humanity was one of my favorites. Along with the cat!!

Captain Marvel is set mostly in the 1990s – the music, clothes & vehicles took me back to middle & high school years & had me singing along!

If y’all are looking for a fun new Marvel film to see this weekend, go check out Captain Marvel then come back & tell me your favorite part!

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Everything Else

Cirque du Soleil’s CRYSTAL

Have you heard?!

Suz's Treats Crystal Cirque du soleil

Cirque du Soleil is coming to the PNC Arena with a brand-new arena creation. Cirque du Soleil’s CRYSTAL, explores the artistic limits of ice for the first time in the company’s 34-year history. This unique production pushes boundaries of performance by combining stunning skating and acrobatic feats that defy the imagination. CRYSTAL will perform in Raleigh from Wednesday, August 15 through Sunday, August 19 for 7 shows only.

In CRYSTAL, gymnasts and skaters perform acrobatics on the ice and in the air, seamlessly combining multiple disciplines for a world class audience experience. Synchronized skating, freestyles figures, and extreme skating are featured alongside circus disciplines such as swinging trapeze, aerial traps and hand to hand. The result is an adrenaline-packed show for the whole family that pushes the boundaries and surpasses all expectations!

Tickets for CRYSTAL are available online exclusively to Cirque Club members starting Monday, March 12 at 10:00 am. Cirque Club membership is free and benefits includes access to advance tickets, special offers and exclusive behind-the-scenes information. To join, visit www.cirqueclub.com. Tickets will be available to the public for Raleigh performances of CRYSTAL starting March 23 at 10:00 am.

Watch world-class ice skaters and acrobats explore their new frozen playground with speed and fluidity as they challenge the laws of gravity with never-before-seen acrobatics. Cirque du Soleil’s CRYSTAL fuses circus arts and the world of ice skating in a stunning new production that will take the audience on a journey into a surreal world where figure skating blends with acrobatics and aerial prowess.

Show Schedule – Wednesday, August 15 through Sunday, August 19, 2018

Wednesday, August 15 at 7:30 PM

Thursday, August 16 at 7:30 PM

Friday, August 17 at 7:30 PM

Saturday, August 18 at 4:00 PM and 7:30 PM

Sunday, August 19 at 1:30 PM and 5:00 PM 

More about CRYSTAL – A Breakthrough Ice Experience

Follow CRYSTAL, the lead character, on an exhilarating tale of self-discovery as she dives into a world of her own imagination. Feel the adrenaline as she soars through this surreal world at high speed to become what she was always destined to be: confident, liberated, and empowered. CRYSTAL invites you to suspend reality and glide into a world that springs to colorful life with astounding visual projections and a soundtrack that seamlessly blends popular music with the signature sound ofCirque du Soleil.

For more information, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/crystal

To watch a preview video of CRYSTAL, visit YOUTUBE & check out this back stage look at Crystal too!