As you know we do not do reviews very often around here. It's not our bloggy bread and butter.
But good stories are.
So when I was asked by some cool PR folks over here in LA to review some DVDs, I was all "Okay, we can do that."
With the holidays fast approaching, we thought there was no better time to let you know of some good titles out and about and ripe for the picking. Wrap 'em up. Stuff 'em in some stockings. Give the gift of story and entertainment,
And the bonus to all of this? We have a lil' giveaway action going on! That's right. These cool PR folks have given me one copy of each of the following DVD releases. So check out what we've got and I'll let you know how to enter a little further down below.
First up is.....
Yep, Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian starring uh, Ben Stiller.
Do I need to say anything else to make you want to win this DVD?
If you dig Ben Stiller, (and I do - I mean, I am sorry but "Meet the Parents" is on my Top 10 Fave Flicks of all time) then you will love this Night at the Museum sequel. If you don't win this DVD in our giveaway but you want one, I have some cool news.
Right now, there is a stellar Pre-Order Special going on at Walmart.com. The DVD is selling for $9.98 instead of $29.98 and there is free shipping to boot! Whaaa??? Not sure how you can beat that deal unless you win it for free here. We are all on a tight budget this year, so this deal seems like a winner to me.
Next up.....
Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs.
This one is near and dear to my heart because my kids are beyond in love with Scrat - that rascal of an acorn-chasing saber-toothed prehistoric squirrel. Really, whoever came up with that Scrat storyline that threads through all of the Ice Ages has earned their millionaire status as far as I'm concerned.
I can not tell you how many times my kids (ages 7, 5 and 2) have watched this movie since we got it. Maybe like 97 times already? Can you then calculate how much free time this movie has given me? Do you want some free time? Then this might be a good choice for you.
If you are unaware of the Ice Age phenomenon, get with the program! It's a sweet tale of friendship, adventure and the lengths a couple woolly mammoths, a sloth, and a tiger will go through to help one another. You can read a whole lot more about it here.
For the younger kiddos, we have....
Elmo's Animal Adventures
I know. Elmo bugs. Just kidding. Who doesn't love Elmo? That furry, happy, high-pitched monster with his entourage of Mr. Noodle, Dorothy the fish, and that piano that incessantly plays "La la la la, La la la la, Elmo's World....."
If you have a 2 1/2-year-old like I do, then your kid might be wearing some big ol' plastic Elmo crocs around town, just like mine is. And your kid might have sat spellbound on your lap for two hours during Elmo Live, just like mine did. And your kid might like to play for what seems like an inordinate amount of time with those Tickle Me / Dance With Me battery-operated Elmo dolls, just like mine does.
If any or all of the above description fits your kid, then he or she will surely dig this sweet lil' Elmo DVD filled with three sweet Elmo fun-filled adventures. Do you really want to hear the specifics of said adventures? I'm guessing not. If you crave more info, go here and read all about it.
And if you have a little Elmo fanatic like I do, you may want to enter to win this one. Or buy it yourself.
Our next title is in the tradition of true holiday classics....
Little Spirit: Christmas in New York
This was reviewed by mom without a blog, Amy. Here's the lowdown from her:
"This DVD captured our attention from the beginning. Since we live in California, our kids have only heard about New York City and were fascinated with the sights, sounds and details of the city included in this animated holiday tale. Did I mention the animation was amazing?
This holiday tale comes to life when a Little Spirit helps a young boy on his journey to find his lost dog, but ends up finding the spirit of Christmas along the way. My kids were belly laughing at parts and in the end we were all smiling. This is a heart-warming holiday story and a great way to spend a cozy evening with your whole family."
Sounds like if you dig the wholesome family entertainment scene, and what mama does not, then Little Spirit is a sure winner. Win it here or buy it here.
And now for you hardcore documentary National Geographic animal crowd.....
Africa's Elephant Kingdom and Queen of the Elephants from Animal Planet
My dear friend, Karen, a mom without a blog in Salt Lake City, jumped at the chance to watch over three hours of elephant documentaries. Because that is the kind of chick she is. And that's why I miss her so.
In true former Emmy award-winning television producer fashion, Karen turned in a post-doctoral thesis on these two incredible elephant documentaries.
From "Africa's Elephant Kingdom," Karen says:
"This first documentary was watched by my whole family – mom, dad, and three daughters – ages 14, 9 and 4. This is the story of a close-knit family of forty African elephants led by their “matriarch” as they confront everyday life raising their young, looking for sustenance and staying away from predators."
"Amidst all of the kid-pleasing footage of wrestling baby elephants, there are compelling stories..."
"The camera angles draw you into both the breathtaking scenery and the intimacy that is an elephant family’s inner circle."
"I would recommend this 38-minute program for any age."
From "Queen of the Elephant," Karen tells us:
"This second documentary gives an eye-opening account of the plight of the Asian elephant as the population of mankind continues to explode in India and neighboring countries."
"This documentary is long (approximately 2 ½ hours) and will probably not hold the interest of younger family members, but I found it very captivating."
"I enjoyed this program and the revelations it constantly unfurled about these majestic mammals and the urgent need to find balance between conservation and the ever-increasing demands of mankind."
"I would recommend this for teenagers and above – the story would be difficult for younger children to follow."
If you want to read Karen's entire elephant thesis, click here for your reading pleasure.
I personally am a serious fan of elephants so Karen's review definitely peaked my interest. When I find three hours of free time lying around, I will watch it. You can enter to win a copy below or buy it here if you need your elephant fix NOW.
*******************
So now for the down and dirty:
Since I am a fan of simplicity, here are the ways you can enter to win:
1) Leave a happy comment telling me what DVD or DVDs you are interested in having stuffed in your stocking. It can be one title, two titles, or all of them. I will enter you once into each category.
2) If you tweet this DVD extravaganza, and tell me about it by perhaps @leeofmwob'ing me, you will get an extra entry into all of your categories.
3) If you can prove to me you can do a back-flip off a diving board or a steep rocky ledge, you will get an extra entry for each desired title.
4) If you say something meaningful about MWOB that makes me smile, I will give you an extra entry into each of your categories.
5) If you are the 200th follower of MWOB, or the 210th, or the 220th, or the 230th etc. etc. you will get an extra entry.
6) If you promise me you will tell a mom without a blog that it's totally cool and okay to not have a blog, we will be eternally grateful.
Thanks for joining in our FIRST ANNUAL HOLIDAY DVD EXTRAVAGANZA!!
Contest ends Saturday, December 5th, Midnight BST. (Blogging Standard Time)
Note: Be sure to leave your email if you are unsure if your comment will link back to you.
Transparency Clause:
We here at Moms without Blogs received these DVDs for free so we could watch them and tell you about them. But we made sure we got a copy to giveaway to you as well. And no we did not get paid anything else on top of the free DVDs to write this epic post. But I kinda wish I had gotten paid. No, not really because if this has brought any of you any joy whatsoever, then my hours at the computer will be all worthwhile. Probably.
Now go win.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
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Feelin lucky. That's right. You heard me. I feel it in mah bones.
ReplyDeleteI would like Ben, Ice Age, and Animal Planet. And? Just yesterday, on my links page, I wrote a little note below my MWOB badge telling all of those moms who write but don't blog to head on over and get in touch about posting over here. :) And that was *before* I heard about your giveaway.
All of those DVD's look great. My little kids would LOVE the Elmo one. And I think that Hayden would really like the one about the Elephants or Ice Age 3. And me, well I really want to see the Night at the Museum one.
ReplyDeleteI want Dawn of the Dinosaurs. Please.
ReplyDeleteand I love you.
xo
I want all five
ReplyDeleteI really want to jive
I can put my kids in front of the tv
then I will have the afternoon free
Give them to me
I will jump with glee
Free things are free
and they are for me!
Francine
I'm down with the Stiller, and my wife wants the elephant one. And she's willing to attempt #3 for the bonus entry. I'll post the YouTube later . . .
ReplyDeleteAnd, yes, my dear . . . you rock. You're doing a good thing here . . .
What a fun give away!
ReplyDeleteAlthough the elephant documentary review was very informative, :) We would love to have Night at the Museum 2 at our house.
Thanks for this fun chance!
megantanner2404 at hotmail dot com
Lily LOVES Ice Age: dinosaurs, so hook me up for that -- and since I grew up in CT (an hour outside of the Big Apple) I am down with the Christmas in New York flick! You are definitely bringing joy by sitting at your computer... Thanks for that!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Mansoor gang would love Ice Age or the Elephant movie. And I'll trust Amy and throw in that Little Spirit one too!
ReplyDeleteLove the blog, but can't imagine how you have the time to do it, Superwoman.
Put me down for #6.
erin m.
I have not seen NATM so I would love that. Come to think of it, I have not seen Ice Age 3 so I would like that too.
ReplyDeletemember(dot)thao(at)gmail.com
What? No porn?
ReplyDeleteI would like any of them except my kids are too old for Elmo. Me, my husband and my 4 year old can do a flip off the diving board and I have video to prove it. It's not pretty but it works. Does that count for and extra 3 entries. I'd love these to stuff my christmas stockings. What a fun blog
ReplyDeleteangelene318(at)aol(dot)com
what a fun idea! the reviews were all great; and since we are a little older, the elephant documentaries sound very interesting. There is not too many backflips here, but a lot of love and interest in family and friends. Great job, Lee
ReplyDeletemandldevries(at)comcast(dot)net
I'll take Blue Lagoon
ReplyDeleteI would love the Christmas in New York one because I've never heard of it. And I'll for sure reassure anyone out there who doesn't have a blog that they're the better for it. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI am dying to get my hands on:
ReplyDeleteNight at the Museum 2
ELMO
Ice Age 3
and Little Spirit
Oh man, I am follower 199 (does close count?)
A positive about MWOB is I am a mom and don't have a blog. And what a relief to know that MWOB doesn't stand for some kooky chunky man club "Men With Out Boobs". You just never know.
Yay! I'm 200 :)
ReplyDeleteIf you don't mind, please enter me in each category - I have 4 little elves here of varied ages and any one of the titles would be appreciated by one/some/all of them.
I'll take The Three Amigos
ReplyDeleteLee,
ReplyDeleteI would love to share with my family the Night at the Museum and either or both of the Elephant movies. I've been a reader of MWOB for a very long time, but didn't figure out how to be a follower until recently. My youngest can do a front roll, 3x in a row and I'll tell my book club about MWOB! (That's x8!) Will that get me extra entries?
Thanks for the great site!
Mopsolot@gmail.com
Did I win yet?
ReplyDeleteI am so wanting the Night at the Museum!!! I'm already a follower...it's the one time I'm bummed about it! But I will retweet you!!
ReplyDeletebtw...I did tell a mom once that it was okay to not have a blog...but I gave in and started blogging:)
I am waiting...my movies have yet to arrive. What is taking so long????
ReplyDeleteAnd I would tweet you, but I am married.
And I don't know many moms with out blogs...but I do know a few moms without bras. Does this count?
And I love all of the movies,but if I had to pick one, it would be The Devil Wears Prada.
I would LOVE Night at the Museum b/c it's hilarious and has the jonas brothers singing! not bad, right?
ReplyDeleteAnd Ice Age b/c who can resist that little squirrel???
-Lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com
I think I'm 200! And I would certainly tell any mom without a blog it's cool to not have a blog. Being a mom is time consuming enough :)
ReplyDeleteMy daughter would LOVE Ice Age or Little Spirit.
Name is Connie,
ReplyDeleteWith three kids all the movies would be enjoyed. I'm not a funny person so trying to make you laught would only hurt myself in the long run. I've already told my friends on facebook about your site and I'm sure some of them will be over here soon!
My email is thediapercreation@yahoo.com
I would love to win the Night at the Museum 2 or the Ice Age movie. My stocking needs a little stuffing this year. Thanks for the great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteskstigger@hotmail.com
I just passed out flyers with your blog info on the corner of Hollywood and HIghland
ReplyDeleteI have watched Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. I have to say, there are some really 'cool' characters in this movie especially Scrat, the ninja-animal and... The Floppy Green Thing!
ReplyDeleter4 dsi
I would love to them all...
ReplyDeletegreat selections for kids big and small.
There is no stocking, there is no tree*...
but having these DVD's would make my kids
go "SQUEEE!"
*jewish - and we have 8 days of gift giving !
Happy!
ReplyDeleteHaving a geology degree and such, I'm a total nerd when it comes to Natural History Museums. I love Night at the Museum. Please enter me there! (Truthfully I'm waiting for #3 when the hall of gems and minerals come to life....oooh!)
ReplyDeleteAnd right along with the nerdiness goes Ice Age. Climate change! Cartoons! Human interest! Love it all.
I can not do a backflip off of a cliff, but while backpacking in AZ and NM I did my fair share of cliff jumping into backwoods rivers and pools. Do I get bonus points for doing it naked? If so, hook me up sistah.
Hugs and more to MWOB!
um, yes please, all of them.
ReplyDeleteI can do a back flip off of a diving board and probably don't look very graceful, but still do it every summer just to prove to myself that I'm not old (then my body hurts like hell afterwards, but...)
I love MWOB cuz you're all my friends and you give me stuff and you got me addicted to Trader Joe's Choc. covered pretzels. Amen.
Hello Lee~
ReplyDeleteYes, the Christie kids like all of the above. Everyone knows MWOB is a sassy-cool site. :)-Loren
I'll take all but Elmo. :) MWOB is great-- and I will indeed spread the word to other Moms! :)
ReplyDeleteColleen cehrlichx@gmail.com
I would love any of Night of The museum, ice age, or the elephant one.
ReplyDeleteVery cool!
xoxo
I'd be interested in any of them, except Elmo :)
ReplyDeleteI love MWOB, since I was a mom without a blog until about 2 months ago. It's nice to know there is a place for "us".
kootnygirl (at) yahoo (dot) ca
I'd be interested in Elmo and Ice Age!!!
ReplyDeleteI would be happy to find any of these DVDs stuffed in my stocking. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletetweet http://twitter.com/ThriftyJinxy/status/6377277105
ReplyDeleteNight at the Museum! (I haven't seen it...so I want to)
ReplyDeleteYou know how much I love this place, right?
Good.
ooh, goodie! i'd be interested in the Ice Age 3 or the Little Spirit DVD. You are awesome and you have great shoes. Timm Gunn says so, too. Oh AND, please hold while I go do a backflip.....waaait forrrr it......okay I'm back now. Ouch. I think I pulled something.
ReplyDeleteI've tweeted and retweeted and reretweeted...lots of extra entries, right??
ReplyDeleteElmo's Animal Adventures for my grandsons and Africa's Elephant Kingdom and Queen of the Elephants for me (I'll let them watch too).
ReplyDeleteI'm follower 201, just missed the magic number!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure I can do a backflip off a steep rocky ledge ... but I'll probably die because I'm way too old for that sort of thing.
ReplyDeleteI retweeted this ... LeeofMWOB Are you need of some cool DVD stocking stuffers? Chances are GOOD in our giveaway going on NOW! Plz RT! http://bit.ly/8lHeYW #giveaway but I'm not sure how to capture that. Hmmmm.
ReplyDelete(slmiresse)
How did I miss adding this to my list ... Little Spirit: Christmas in New York. Can you add it for me?? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI think Maddy would like the Elmo movie or The Night at The Museum. Thanks for the chance, Lee!
ReplyDeletemy kids would love the elmo and ice age, but i want night at the meuseum
ReplyDeletebwalleshauser at yahoo dot com
I would like any of them--no little ones here but if we win Sesame Street I will donate it. Who is this crazy Laura chick? (just kidding I know her!)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to be entered for the Night at the Museum 2 dvd. Thanks for the cool contest! =)
ReplyDeleteI would love all of them, or one of them or whatever you will give me for free!
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays!