As many of us know, the sequel is almost NEVER as good as the original. Well, Dracula and the Gang do not disappoint in part two! Mavis has finally said I Do with the human and Dracula has accepted his new son in-law. But, is he ready to accept the fact that his grandson may not be a vampire? Grab the spawns and take them to see this ghoulishly fun and hilarious treat that will have you all cracking up together and fighting over what was the best part. And in perfect timing for Halloween.
Finally, after being released on DVD, we got a chance to see Dracula Untold in its entirety! For anyone who has already been following this blog, you already know the disaster that took place when the Spawns and I attempted to see this movie on the big screen the first time around. Not a very pleasant experience, and we still to this day have NOT been back to MJR Theaters, and probably never will again.
This is definitely not only a must see for fans of the true story of Vlad Dracul, The Impaler, The True Prince of Wallachia. This is not the romanticized version of the tale where Dracula reunites with the reincarnation of the true love of his life and wife, Mina. But the story that tells how his story began, and the unadulterated love in which he felt for not only his wife, but for his son and his people as well. The best part? It isn't too gory or filled with sex to the point in which you can not enjoy with your own Spawns. Dracula Untold has the perfect mixture of everything so that the entire family can enjoy it. For all true vampire fans with small ones, this is a true must see.
Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella and the Wicked Witch played by Meryl Streep, the perfect choice for the part, to name a few.
What do almost all the classic fairy-tale's have in common? They all end up going into the woods. In this retelling all of the stories become one as upon entering the woods all of their worlds collide into one dark musical truly unlike any other, giving you the feel of watching a play on the big-screen. There may be princes and princesses', towers, turets and magic, but there will be no simple black and white happily ever after. All of the characters will learn more about themselves and each other as they embark upon their journey, and learn the hard way that what you wish for may not necessarily be what you truly want, or need. The grass is always greeners until you truly take a walk on the other side.
Full of good clean laughs that will have you and your spawns cracking up so hard you may want to line your underwear. The only downer is the ending, that will have you wondering how you truly feel about it the whole while on your drive home from the theater. But, it is a movie you and yours can enjoy together that won't have you snoring in the seat beside them.
It's once again time for Nessa to pick the movie/book of the month, and once again she's late! Lol. Awe, Spawns these days. She has picked a classic that we watch year round, and is our official Christmas movie. For the book well...she was a tad indecisive. So she will be back next month on that topic!
The Nightmare Before Christmas is a classic tale in my household, one that proves every holiday has its own mastermind for a reason. Also that just because you are known for one holiday in particular, does not mean you can't at least enjoy the others, in your own way, as well.
In the words of my Spawn: Its about a skeleton king named Jack who wants to give up his title. If only he knew someone knew how he felt. Guess who? I'M NOT TELLING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BY:Nessa
Published October 8, 2013 by Little, Brown and Company
For this month, Vanessa has decided to switch things up a it. Instead of a Movie of the Month she has picked a Book of the Month. There are also webisodes as well that you can watch along with you little Spawn. If your Spawn is male, no worries, she has picked an alternative for him as well. So, while you are reading your own gruesome tales, they can be reading their magical ones. The plus? You can tell them the history of all of the characters they will come to love. And even if they act annoyed at you telling them, they really do want to know.
Synopsis -
At Ever After High, an enchanting boarding school, the children of fairytale legends prepare themselves to fulfill their destinies as the next generation of Snow Whites, Prince Charmings and Evil Queens...whether they want to or not. Each year on Legacy Day, students sign the Storybook of Legends to seal their scripted fates. For generations, the Village of Book End has whispered that refusing to sign means The End-both for a story and for a life.
As the daughter of the Evil Queen, Raven Queen's destiny is to follow in her mother's wicked footsteps, but evil is so not Raven's style. She's starting to wonder, what if she rewrote her own story? The royal Apple White, daughter of the Fairest of Them All, has a happy ever after planned for herself, but it depends upon Raven feeding her a poison apple in their future.
What if Raven doesn't sign the Storybook of Legends? It could mean a happily never after for them both. (Goodreads)
THE LIGHTNING THIEFby Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson & The Olympians Book 1
Published March 1, 2006 by Disney Hyperian Books
After this read, be sure to watch, and they enjoy the movie's together. Warning: The gorgeous Pierce Bronson is not in the second movie. BUT the rest of the original cast is.
Synopsis -
Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can't seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse-Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy's mom finds out, she knows it's time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he go to the one place he'll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon a mystery unfolds and together with his friends -- one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena -- Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods. (Goodreads)
Took us awhile for this edition because Vanessa and I could not come to agreement on which movie to pick. Freaky Fusion won top pick. (I wanted to pick the new Dracula but, we haven't seen it yet, so I don't know how suitable it is for kids. Tho Nessa said she could care less, I am NOT stopping her from seeing it. HA!)
Frankie and the gang are back, with more than a few twists. In search of answers of her Monster Scaritedge, Frankie, Draculaura, Rebecca Steam, Cleo DeNile, Clawdine Wolf, Ghoulia Styles, Venus McFlytrap, Lagoona, Jinifire and Torali go looking for information on Frankie's Grandfather, Victor Frankenstein. Their misadventures lead them on a visit to the past, and a return trip that ends with them being fused together. So gather your GothicKids and enjoy a laughingly creepy good time as eight ghouls become four and need to rely upon a new group of hybrids to show them the way. The children of all the monsters you love and not a dull moment, and just in time for Halloween!
Vanessa's Review -
My review is about the ghouls, they travel back in time!!! MONSTER HIGH: FREAKY FUSION is a must see. Anyway, we have a ghoul to save. Guess who, I'm not telling! To know more watch the movie. ENJOY. P.S. for a little information watch the trailer.
Unlike this new remake cartoon series they have out now where the gang has all coupled up, this movie sticks to what Scooby-Doo was always about; monsters, friends and good, kid-friendly-kind-of-scary-clean-fun! Though Shaggy does develop a crush on someone, who turns out not be exactly as she seems. Vanessa has all of the original DVD's, unfortunately some of the new ones too (blah), and has played extra holes in them all. But the Scooby-Doo movie is one that we all are able to sit down and enjoy together. The old gang is back in action with a few tricks up their sleeves, trying to solve a mystery involving what appears to be actual monsters this time around. Velma has gotten a little more brazen, and Daphne has a kicking surprise for the bad guys.
The best part about it? The feeling you get watching your kid(s) fall in love with the same show you grew up loving yourself. And when you learn the one who is behind all the madness...let's just say you better hold on to your bladder.
There is a second movie, and a third due out, the only one I have seen is this one. Since as with most remakes, when they continue on with them, it tends to lose something. Like a decent story-line for one. So, whoever has seen it, let me know if its any good.
A couple of recently deceased ghosts contract the services of a "bio-exorcist" in order to remove the obnoxious new owners of their house. (IMDb)
This one may truly be an oldie, but it will always be a goodie. Nessa just watched it for the very first time and was just in love with it as I was. The best part, Target had it on sale for only $5. Full of thrills and chills that will have the whole family laughing, dancing and cringing all at the same time.
"The untold story of Disney's most iconic villain from the 1959 classic "Sleeping Beauty." A beautiful, pure-hearted young woman with stunning black wings, Maleficent has an idyllic life growing up in a peaceable forest kingdom, until one day when an invading army of humans threatens the harmony of the land. Maleficent rises to be the land's fiercest protector, but she ultimately suffers a ruthless betrayal - an act that begins to turn her pure heart to stone. Bent on revenge, Maleficent faces an epic battle with the king of the humans and, as a result, places a curse upon his newborn infant Aurora. As the child grows, Maleficent realizes that Aurora holds the key to peace in the kingdom - and to Maleficent's true happiness as well." (Google.com)
Release date: May 30, 2014 (USA) Director: Robert Stromberg Running time: 97 minutes MPAA rating: PG
Sorry we're late!! For this month Vanessa and I have chosen Maleficent. No, we haven't seen it just yet, as we were camping on day one. But, it is our mission to see it very soon. Before you see Maleficent, our other movie of the month is Sleeping Beauty. One of the very few classics that will not put you to sleep. Also the movie that gained me one of the sweetest comments from my dear Nessa. When Maleficent claimed to be the most evil of all her reaction was, "Nuh-uh my Momma is!!"
When Draculaura(TM) is led to believe she's the rightful heir to the vampire throne, she and her best ghoulfriends are whisked away to Transylvania for a royal coronation to die for. But they soon discover the hunt for the queen is not over yet. The Ghouls must locate an ancient artifact known as the Vampire's Heart in order to discover the identity of the true Vampire Queen. It's a fangtastic adventure that will lead them from the Tower of Londoom, to a haunted river boat in New Goreleans and finally to the glamorous boo-vie lots of Hauntlywood. Could this be the moment when Draculaura(TM) finally receives her vampire powers and discovers screams really can come true.
Review -
Another winner from Monster High, the children of the monsters we grew up with! The thing I love most about these movies is they don't unmake them as monsters, while at the same time they leave the blood and gore behind. And they even include a message hidden within the story. Like, if the kids had bothered telling they're parents' what was going on, they could have avoided a whole lot of trouble. I made sure to point that out to Vanessa. So grab your lil ghouls and enjoy!!!
Instead of a Movie, we picked a show. One that has had Vanessa and I running around the house screaming, dancing and cackling about all week. Once Upon A Time! One of the very few series that I am sure would have the Borthers Grimm smiling. Not many television shows peek my interest enough to even try to watch. This one me and Nessa watch together faithfully. So grab your GothicKids and enjoy the show. It will be on tonight, introducing the Wicked Witch of the West. And if you have Netflix you can catch up on the prior seasons as well.