Dreams Do Come True in McFarland, USA!

Posted on February 18, 2015 by Erin

Dreams Do Come True in McFarland, USA!

By Erin

It’s not very often a movie comes out that is as inspiring, touching, real, filled with as much heart and is as heartwarming as this one is. Be prepared to go on a very real and heartfelt adventure with this special group of boys in the most inspiring sports drama about a Mexican-American cross-country team from rural California.

Based on a true story, Kevin Costner stars as the team’s coach, Coach White, who’s determination to guide a bunch of farm workers’ kids into a team full of champions with big dreams and goals is evident from the start. Coach White isn’t perfect by any means but his heart is in the right place and he is passionately devoted to his runners. A couple of weeks ago I had the great privilege to attend a press junket with some of the film’s creators and actors to gain a little bit more insight into the film, its history, background and setting dreams and goals.

First off, there is a LOT of running in this movie. So, what kind of training did they have to go through to become cross country runners for the film? Carlos Pratts gave us a great description of what that was like.

Carlos Pratts: I would say in the mornings, we went to Santa Clarita and I would run five or six miles with these guys, and I cried more than I cried when I saw Bambi. Then we would go to the studio and rehearse the film, and then after that I would make the fun drive in the Hyundai Elantra, which I’m very thankful for because my car was in a bad place; thank you, Disney and I would make the fun drive to Redondo Beach. In Redondo Beach, I would then go through a lot of pain from the great people at Brick Fitness – thank you, Brian Gwen –he would help with the strength, and then the nutrition and all that. So for about three months, I couldn’t have a carb and I didn’t wear a shirt in my apartment. So… I’m kidding about that part.

The World Premier of McFarland, USA

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Posted on October 8, 2014 by Erin

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

By Erin

*I attended the press junket for this film as a guest of Disney for purposes of this post. All thoughts and opinions remain my own. All photos and videos are courtesy of Walt Disney Studios*

We all have bad days. Some more than others, including myself a lot of the time I feel like! As a child, I adored the book, so I am thrilled to see this one in theaters. I still have the book and enjoy taking a look back at it every now and then. Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is such a funny movie starring Steve Carell and Jennifer Garner. Alexander is a young boy who at 11 years old experiences one of the most terrible and horrible days of his young life! After making a wish that he soon regrets, he begins to find out that he isn’t the only one who has bad days. The movie has a good message about family coming together and having each other’s backs, even when things are going terribly wrong. It is the perfect family movie that we can all relate to while enjoying a good laugh.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the film and see what tid-bits the cast has to share with us about making the film. In attendance was Jennifer Garner, Bella Thorne, Dylan Minnette, Ed Oxenbould, Kerris Dorsey, and Steve Carell.

Did the cast have any bad days on set?

Jennifer Garner told us about a miserably hot day shooting outdoors on location when the temperatures out were getting unbearable. Steve Carell was humorously mocking her answer and you could tell instantly that the cast really enjoyed working together.

What did Jennifer Garner think about getting to work with Dick Van Dyke during his cameo in the film?

She said he could do whatever he wanted since it’s Dick Van Dyke, even if he was screaming at her. She wished the rest of the cast could have been with her though. As this was the only time they weren’t all together.

Has Jennifer cracked what it takes to make a good mother?

Jennifer: “Gosh, have I cracked what it is to be a great mom? Nooooo! But that’s the great thing about being a parent, it’s that everyday is a fresh start. You always can say “Today we’re going to try this.” And if it goes horribly, you say “Today we’re throwing that out, we’re trying this.” That’s part of what I like about being a mom in general.
But I do, I have enjoyed this new world of playing moms. This little kid whose mom is a teacher at my child’s school said, “Mrs. Affleck is a lot like my mom, she gets to have a lot of other kids.” (laugh) You feel that way. You form these relationships.”

The Cooper family in the film is overly positive and support each other most of the time, is there any danger to that positivity at all in the real world?

Jennifer: “Of course. Your kids need to be allowed to have a bad day and you need to show them that it’s ok to have the whole range of emotions, you should have it all, you have rage and anger and sadness, so there’s a lot of room for joy and happiness as well.”

A First Look at Who’s Who in Disney’s “Big Hero 6” #MeetBaymax #BigHero6

Posted on September 3, 2014 by Erin

A First Look at Who’s Who in Disney’s “Big Hero 6”

By Erin

*I attended an early press day for this film as a guest of Disney for purposes of this post. All thoughts and opinions remain my own. All photos and videos are courtesy of Walt Disney Studios.*

There are some new super heroes coming our way this fall. I’m here today to introduce you and give you a first look at who’s who in Disney’s upcoming film Big Hero 6. You will meet this dynamic group of friends when you go to see the film for yourself starting November 7th, but I have some important background information for you about each of them to make your experience that much more magical and enjoyable. From the creators of Frozen and Wreck it Ralph, Walt Disney Animation Studios is bringing us an action packed comedy adventure filled with heart about a robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada, his brilliant brother Tadashi and all of their super smart friends: the adrenaline junkie Go Go Tomago, neatnik Wasabi, Honey Lemon the chemistry whiz and Fred the fanboy. Inspired by the Marvel comics ‘Big Hero 6’ it is directed by Don Hall (Winnie the Pooh) and Chris Willams (Bolt), and produced by Roy Conli (Tangled).

Pictured from left to right: Fred, Honey Lemon, Wasabi, Go Go Tomago, Hiro Hamada & Baymax

Now let me introduce you to the very special and talented heroes that you will encounter on your Big Hero 6 adventure.

Fred

Fanboy Fred is one laid back dude. Very eager to join “Big Hero 6” as he has tons of ideas to put into play. A sign-twirling, monster-loving, comic book aficionado, with a ferocious, fire-breathing alter ego who comes complete with claws. You can except much comedy to ensue with this guy.

Honey Lemon

A real chemistry whiz, complete with glasses and funky fashion to match. This girl may be sweet as honey as her name implies, but she also has a lemon in her name and you know how those taste. Honey Lemon also has a fiery side and can do attitude that makes her unstoppable. With a mad scientist like quality, including that crazy twinkle in her eye, honey is sure to entertain us all with her smarts to get the team out of any jam. I’m so glad they included two strong female characters in this film. It truly helps make it a movie for anyone, not just the boys. Also be on the look out for Honey’s purse and what’s on it. It has the periodic table on it and I’d love to have one of my own!

Horsing Around In LA

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Dreams Do Come True in McFarland, USA!