You Only Think You Know the Fairy Tale-Disney's Maleficent

“Let us tell you an old story anew and see how well you know it” and so the newly released, much anticipated live action version of Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, Maleficent begins.  

Everybody knows the story of Aurora, the sweet fairy tale princess cursed by an “evil” fairy that with the prick of a finger on her 16^th

birthday fell into a deep, deep sleep that could only be undone from a true love’s kiss, but how many know the real story of the much-maligned Maleficent? Now playing in theaters everywhere, Walt Disney Motion Pictures does what Disney does best-bring the iconic animated story to life and at the same time put a fresh and unexpected twist to the tale. Starring Angelina Jolie as Maleficent, Jolie’s portrayal of the much-heralded villain Maleficent

 is so spot on that to see her in all of her deliciously and delectably evil self, (or is she) is worth the price of admission all on its own. With the glance of an eye, the raising of one eyebrow or the delivery of the simplest of words, Jolie totally says more with a single look than any hundreds of pages of scripted dialogue could ever do. Add in the brilliance of Stefan, played as an adult by South African actor Sharito Copley who shows us just what greed and lust for

power can do and counter that with the sweetness and pure joy that Elle Fanning brings to the screen from the moment she appears as the beloved Aurora and you have you know you quickly realize that you are about to be a part of something very special. Combine this with amazing but not overdone special effects throughout the movie and the comedic genius of Imelda Staunton as Knotgrass, Juno Temple as Thistlewit and Lesley Manville as Flittle, the pixies in charged with keeping young Aurora safe until her 16^th birthday

(think 3 Stooges) and you have movie magic at its best.  Without divulging too much of this enchanted tale, Maleficent explores the untold story of Disney’s most iconic villain from the classic Sleeping Beauty and the elements of her betrayal that ultimately turn her pure heart to stone. Driven by revenge and a fierce desire to protect the moors over which she presides, Maleficent cruelly places an irrevocable curse upon the human king’s newborn infant Aurora. As the child grows, Aurora is caught in the middle of the seething conflict between the forest kingdom she has grown to love and the human kingdom that holds her legacy. Maleficent realizes that Aurora may hold the key to peace in the land and is forced to take drastic actions that will change both worlds forever.  We all know that somewhere, somehow “ Evil has a beginning” but now it’s up to you to see how well you really know the fairy tale. After all, visions are seldom what they seem. See for yourself this weekend-Disney’s Maleficent now playing in theaters everywhere.

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Keep the fun and the magic of the movie alive with these easy to use activities from our Kid's Korner section.

Gayle is a lifelong educator by day and avid blogger by night and is the owner and cofounder of the Disney Gals, one of the most popular Disney blogs around! Proud mommy to 5, Grammy to 4 she is blessed to share her life with amazing family and friends who encourage her to chase her dreams no matter where they may lead.  When not in the classroom, she can be found following her son as he dances his way through life, or working with young performers in free nationally recognized after school children’s theater program that she founded 13 years ago. On any given day you will find Gayle skipping her way through life with a giggle and a smile knowing that today is meant to be lived and enjoyed. To learn more about Gayle, click here

Disney's "Million Dollar Arm" Scores a Homerun!

"Million Dollar Arm" is the Feel Good Movie of the Summer

Every once in a while, a movie comes along at just the right moment in your life that touches your heart, touches your soul and you walk out of the theater feeling so uplifted that you know everything is going to be alright with the world. That out of the chaos that can ensue in our everyday lives, there is still goodness to be found and happy endings to be lived. “Million Dollar Arm” is just such a movie.  I have to admit that any movie that describes itself as a baseball movie, has me hooked right from the start but within moments into this, I knew that although the setting and backstory for “Million Dollar Arm” may have been baseball, this was a movie about living your life and finding yourself and accepting the curve balls life those at each of us each and every day.  It’s about growth, about change and about being true to yourself and being the best version of yourself, even when at times the lure of being not quite your best self would be so much easier to do. Oh and there’s baseball too.  

 For those not familiar with the backstory, Walt Disney’s “Million Dollar Arm”   is based on the true story of sports agent JB Bernstein played to perfection by Jon Hamm. Berstein finds that business has changed and things aren’t going well for his career. In a last ditch effort to save his livelihood he concocts a scheme to find baseball’s next great pitching ace. Hoping to find a young cricket pitcher he can turn into a major league baseball star, JB travels to India to produce a reality show competition called “The Million Dollar Arm.” With the help of cantankerous but eagle-eyed retired baseball scout Ray Poitevint portrayed by the incomparable Alan Arkin, he discovers Dinesh (Madhur Mittal from “Slumdog Millionaire”) and Rinku (played by Suraj Sharma from “Life of Pi”), two 18-year-old boys who have no idea about playing baseball, yet have a knack for throwing a fastball. Hoping to sign them to major league contracts and make a quick buck, JB brings the boys home to America to train. While the Americans are definitely out of their element in India, the boys, who have never left their rural villages, are equally challenged when they come to the States. 

As the boys learn the finer points of baseball, JB, with the help of his charming friend Brenda, charmingly brought to life by Lake Bell, by learns valuable life lessons about teamwork, commitment and what it means to be a family.  The movie says that “Sometimes in order to win, you have to change the game”, especially when the real game happens to be the game of life.  “Million Dollar Arm” definitely scores a grand slam on all accounts and is definitely the feel good movie of the year, and one that will stick with you long after the popcorn is gone.  “Million Dollar Arm” is now playing in theaters nationwide.  I guarantee you’ll walk out with that warm and fuzzy feeling that will stay with you for a long, long time to come. 

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Gayle is a lifelong educator by day and avid blogger by night and is the owner and cofounder of the Disney Gals, one of the most popular Disney blogs around! Proud mommy to 5, Grammy to 4 she is blessed to share her life with amazing family and friends who encourage her to chase her dreams no matter where they may lead.  When not in the classroom, she can be found following her son as he dances his way through life, or working with young performers in free nationally recognized after school children’s theater program that she founded 13 years ago. On any given day you will find Gayle skipping her way through life with a giggle and a smile knowing that today is meant to be lived and enjoyed. To learn more about Gayle, click here.

Treat Mom to Dinner and A Movie with Papa Murphy's PIzza & "Mom's Night Out"

Is there any better way to show mom you love her than with a night out all to herself? How about if that night out included dinner and a movie?  Luckily for you, we have just the thing to help show mom how much you love her. First there’s the dinner part and Papa Murphy’s Pizza has a great offer just in time for Mother’s Day. The countdown to National Mom's Nite Out is on! On May 8th, moms everywhere will be joining together in the ultimate celebration of motherhood. No matter what your plans are for the evening, there's one place you definitely should not be - slaving over the stove! That's why we're so excited to share an exclusive National Mom's Nite Out offer from our friends at Papa Murphy's.   

Papa Murphy’s wants to help feed your family on National Mom’s Nite Out! On May 8^th, at participating Papa Murphy’s locations, you can take advantage of the Mom’s Meal Deal*. For only $12, you can treat your family to any large 2-topping pizza and your choice of 2 sides: Cheesy Bread, Cookie Dough, Cinnamon Wheel or S’mores Pizza. This is a great option for Dad to feed the kids while Mom is out celebrating, or simply a great excuse to take the night off from cooking!

See below to view the coupon and promotion details. 

Click here to view the coupon and promotion details. You can print it out or pull it up on your phone, but make sure you show it at your Papa Murphy's location in order to redeem the offer.  

After dinner is taken care of, send mom of to see “Mom’s Night Out”. There isn’t a mom anywhere that hasn’t come upon that defining moment in your life-the moment where you just want to scream and know that if you don’t get some time to yourself, just a simple evening out you can be held accountable for what might happen next. Last month I was invited to attend a special screening of “Moms Night Out” which opens in theaters across the country appropriately on Mother’s Day Weekend. The first realization that hit home for me was that I was not alone. Here in the theater I was surround by women much like myself-just in need of some precious “me” time. Together we laughed, we cried, and more importantly, we left the theater knowing that life would go on, but that we were never alone. So what is “Moms’ Night Out”?

“Moms’ Night Out” is the comedic adventures of exactly what the title suggests, a moms’ night out. As the official Mom’s Night Out website tells us, “All Allyson and her friends want is a peaceful, grown-up evening of dinner and conversation . . . a long-needed moms’ night out. But in order to enjoy high heels, adult conversation and food not served in a paper bag, they need their husbands to watch the kids for three hours—what could go wrong? “Mom’s Night Out” is an endearing true-to-life family comedy that celebrates the beautiful mess called parenting.”  The message is simple enough but the subtext and what every parent, yes there were dads at our screening as dads can me moms too, is something that will stay with you for a long time to come. Patricia Heaton and her real life actor husband, David Hunt served as the Executive Producers of this film while Kevin Downes (Courageous) both acted and co produced.  “Moms’ Night Out” boasts the talents of Jon and Andrew Erwin (October Baby) who directed the film and features such stars as Patricia Heaton, David Hunt, Kevin Downes, Sean Astin (Goonies, Rudy and The Lord of the Rings trilogy), Sarah Drew, Alex Kendrick, Robert Amaya-the list goes on and on. Everyone, everywhere knows somebody, or is somebody that is in need of a night out. Now the only question that remains to be answered is where will you be on Mother’s Day Weekend?  Papa Murphy’s Pizza and a movie-it just doesn’t get much better than that.  Be sure to see “Mom’s Night Out” opening in theaters nationwide this weekend!"

Gayle is a lifelong educator by day and avid blogger by night and is the owner and cofounder of the Disney Gals, one of the most popular Disney blogs around! Proud mommy to 5, Grammy to 4 she is blessed to share her life with amazing family and friends who encourage her to chase her dreams no matter where they may lead.  When not in the classroom, she can be found following her son as he dances his way through life, or working with young performers in free nationally recognized after school children’s theater program that she founded 13 years ago. On any given day you will find Gayle skipping her way through life with a giggle and a smile knowing that today is meant to be lived and enjoyed. To learn more about Gayle, click here.