Upside Down Magic On Disney DVD Now + Giveaway

Upside Down Magic On Disney DVD Now + Giveaway

By Erin

Upside Down Magic on Disney DVD

*An Enchanting Twist on a Classic Story of Friendship and Self-Discovery*

Featuring Exclusive Bonus Content Including Bloopers and Five Deleted Scenes

Upside Down Magic is about 13-year-old Nory who discovers she can flux into animals and her best pal Reina can manipulate flames. They then enter the Sage Academy for Magical Studies. But Nory’s wonky magic and tendency for turning into a “Dritten” – a half-kitten, half-dragon – lands her in a class for those with unconventional powers, and she and her classmates must prove that their upside-down magic beats right-side up!

If you’re a fan of the books, the movie is nothing like the book, but that’s not bad. Watching a movie exactly like the book would be boring.  I like the message of “be the best version of yourself.” These kids are outcasts but in the end turn out to be better than anyone realized. The story and characters were cute and it kept us engaged.

Cast:                   Izabela Rose as Nory Boxwood Horace;  Siena Agudong as Reina Carvajal;  Kyle Howard as Budd Skriff;  Max Torina as Andres Padillo; Elie Samouhi as Elliot Cohen; Alison Fernandez as Pepper Paloma; Vicki Lewis as Headmaster Knightslinger; Yasmeen Fletcher as Chandra; Callum Seagram Airlie as Phillip; Cynthia McWilliams as Professor Argon; Elaine Hao as Professor Han; Amitai Marmorstein as Professor Lewis

Director:                              Joe Nussbaum

Executive Producers:      Joe Nussbaum, Suzanne Farwell and Susan Cartsonis

Teleplay by:                       Nick Pustay and Josh Cagan

Based on:                            The novel “Upside-Down Magic” by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle and Emily Jenkins

Bonus Material:                

Bloopers (DVD Exclusive)  – Laugh along with the cast as they flub their lines, make mistakes and act goofy on set.

Deleted Scene #1 (DVD Exclusive)  –“Night Before Sage”

Deleted Scene #2 (DVD Exclusive)  –“How’d You Do?”

Deleted Scene #3 (DVD Exclusive)  –“Hey, Goat”

Deleted Scene #4 (DVD Exclusive)  –“Don’t Wait Up”

Deleted Scene #5 (DVD Exclusive)  –“Ready for Anything”

Music Video #1 – “Everything’s Magic” Performed by the Cast

Music Video #2 – “A Place For Us” Performed by Izabela Rose & Siena Agudong

Here’s a super FUN activity you can do while watching the movie! It’s Upside Down Magic BINGO! As you watch the movie, check off the things you see and hear, including the icons!

Upside Down Magic BINGO game

Now for the other really fun part! Enter below in the rafflecopter for your chance to win your own copy of Upside Down Magic just in time for the Holidays! Must be a US resident +18 years or older. Ends 12/11/20 at 12AM PST. Go to the sweepstakes tab on the blog for all giveaway rules. Good-luck!

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Need some more family movie night ideas? Try these!

Mulan

Toy Story 4

Frozen 2

Frozen 2 Digital/Blu-ray Release Celebration at Walt Disney Animation Studios

Frozen 2 Celebration

By Melanie Gable

*I attended the “Frozen 2” home entertainment press day at Walt Disney Animation Studios for the purposes of this article. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, CA recently opened its doors to press, bloggers, and content creators to celebrate the in-home release of “Frozen 2,” which will be available on digital February 11 and 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD on February 25. 

During its theatrical run, “Frozen 2” became the highest-grossing animated film of all time, and we had the opportunity meet with creators, artists, and talent behind the movie, as well as preview some of the bonus features included on the in-home release. (Full list of features at the end of this article.)

Bonus Feature Screenings

Our day began with a light breakfast in the Caffeine Patch, the studios’ central gathering spot/coffee bar, which was decked out with “Frozen 2” concept art and photo ops. A small stage with a piano and pair of microphones was set up near the center of the space, so we anticipated there might be a surprise performance in store for us that day!

After breakfast we were ushered into a small screening room, where we were treated to a viewing of several of the bonus features on the in-home release, including some funny recording booth outtakes from Kristen Bell (Anna), Idina Menzel (Elsa), Jonathan Groff (Kristoff), and Josh Gad (Olaf). 

Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Bobby Lopez, the Oscar-winning songwriters of “Frozen” and “Frozen 2,” were the stars of the next featurette and shared insight into their creative process. (One anecdote told by the couple revealed that the first draft lyrics of “When I Am Older” was written while Anderson-Lopez was ice skating!) Anyone wondering how songs are incorporated into the story—and vice versa—of a Disney animated film can find out more on the “Meet the Lopezes” digital exclusive. 

We also watched a storyboarded version of one of the deleted songs from the film, “I Wanna Get This Right,” in which Kristoff attempts to propose to Anna. The song was ultimately cut because it didn’t fit into the final story, but this goofy gem of a musical number is just one example of some of the great material that sometimes ends up on the cutting room floor, but can thankfully be shared in bonus features. 

Two deleted scenes—“Secret Room” and “A Place of Our Own”—also never found a place in the final film, but revealed more about Anna and Elsa’s parents, and even made some of us a bit misty-eyed. 

These were just a sampling of the bonus features audiences can check out on the “Frozen 2” in-home release.

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Celebrating National Popcorn Day with Maleficent

Disney’s Maleficent: Mistress of Evil 

By Erin

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil

National Popcorn Day is today and we’re celebrating with Disney’s most iconic villain: “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” — now on Digital in HD, 4K Ultra HD™, Movies Anywhere, 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™ and DVD! The thrilling sequel to 2014’s “Maleficent,” starring Angelina Jolie as Maleficent and Elle Fanning as her goddaughter Aurora, arrives home with brand-new bonus features, extended scenes, outtakes and an exclusive extra for Digital consumers. Enjoy the film with a fun movie night filled with popcorn and other delicious treats!

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil National Popcorn Day

Bonus features take viewers behind-the-scenes with the all-star cast to explore the making of “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.” Extended scenes reveal how Queen Ingrith (Michelle Pfeiffer) manipulates Aurora into questioning Maleficient and accelerating her wedding plans. Featurettes include interviews with Jolie, who discusses Maleficent’s origins and the cast who portray the Fey, and Fanning, who gushes over Aurora’s fairytale wedding. Filmmakers showcase the visual effects behind the film’s stunning landscapes and the seemingly effortless flight of the Fey. Additional extras include “You Can’t Stop The Girl,” a music video performed by Bebe Rexha, and hilarious outtakes, ranging from uncooperative cats to uncontrollable giggles on set.

Fans who purchase “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” on Digital will gain access to an exclusive extra in which fantasy-film veteran Warwick Davis divulges the backstory for his character, Lickspittle.

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