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I Wish! First Trailer for Into the Woods

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INTO THE WOODS

Chris Pine is a very nice prince. © Disney

I was a drama club geek in high school. One of the first Broadway musicals the club fell in love with collectively was Into the Woods, which at the time was a little known show. But now, thanks to Disney, theatergoers everywhere will meet a Cinderella, Prince, and more characters very different than their fairy tale counterparts in the film adaptation coming this Christmas. And the first trailer looks magical.

Although at first glance Into the Woods sounds simply like a humorous re-telling of classic fairy tales, it’s obvious from the trailer and the film’s tagline (“Be careful what you wish for”) that Disney is striking the perfect tone for the film. Sure, there’s humor and fantastic musical numbers, but there are also themes that go beyond the fairy tale and into the real world.

If you’re a longtime fan and you’ve been put off by the rumors that significant edits were made to the original play, take heart. Stephen Sondheim recently dispelled rumors of cut songs and “Disney-fying” of the musical:

“…[H]aving now seen it a couple of times, I can happily report that it is not only a faithful adaptation of the show, it is a first-rate movie.”

Into the Woods boasts a cast that includes Anna Kendrick as Cinderella, Emily Blunt as the Baker’s Wife, Chris Pine as the Prince, Meryl Streep as the Witch, and Johnny Depp as the Wolf.

The post I Wish! First Trailer for Into the Woods appeared first on GeekMom.


Daleks on Sesame Street? ENUMERATE!

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Sesame Street Season 45

ENUMERATE © Sesame Workshop

I thought nothing could top the geekiness of last season on Sesame Street, but the show, which starts its 45th season in September, isn’t stopping there. Did you ever think you’d see the TARDIS materialize on Sesame Street?

With spoofs of Game of Thrones, Star Wars, The Avengers, Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, and more planned for this season, I might be getting a bigger kick out of Sesame Street than my daughter this year.

If you don’t believe PBS is reaching out to geek families, Sesame Street even had a remarkable presence at San Diego Comic-Con in July. And Elmo, Murray, and the rest are no strangers to conventions. It’s Numeric Con that’s one of the biggest events of the year for the Street’s residents, who get just as excited as SDCC’s most hardcore comic book fans—but about numbers.

Sir Ian McKellen, Emily Blunt, Tina Fey, Mindy Kaling, Zachary Quinto, and many more celebrities are also making an appearance this season, along with First Lady Michelle Obama.

I bet right now you’re still wondering just how in Westeros toddlers and preschoolers are going to watch anything related to Game of Thrones. PBS describes “Game of Chairs” a spoof where “Grover competes to be king or queen by playing a suspenseful game of musical chairs.”

In the Game of Chairs, you win or you cry!

The 45th season of Sesame Street begins on September 15, 2014.

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New Heroes Make Their Debut in the Star Wars Rebels Books

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Star Wars Rebels

Art from Star Wars Rebels: A New Hero © Disney

This month Disney Publishing has released a number of Star Wars Rebels books, including a gorgeous picture book with concept art from the show, early readers, and chapter books.

Every book contains an introduction to the band of rebels that star in the series: Jedi Kanan, pilot Hera, bruiser Zeb, Mandalorian artist Sabine, droid Chopper, and our hero, Ezra Bridger. If your kids have any interest in the new Star Wars Rebels show, these books are a fantastic place to start.

Star Wars Rebels Books

© Disney Publishing

Star Wars Rebels: A New Hero is a picture book with scenes comprised of the show’s concept art. Written by Pablo Hidalgo, experienced Star Wars author and part of the Lucasfilm Story Group, the story is told from Ezra’s point of view as he talks about his life on the planet Lothal and his new friends. This is a text-heavy book for a picture book, so while it might not be best suited for reading to a toddler or preschooler at bedtime, kids 6-8 will love looking at the beautiful art and learning more about Ezra and the crew of the Ghost. The book’s pages are filled with art based on Ralph McQuarrie’s original Star Wars concept art, making it worth picking up by Star Wars fans of almost any age.

Ezra and the Pilot and Zeb to the Rescue are both easy readers that introduce the title characters with scenes from the show. Ezra is a 14-year-old living alone on the planet Lothal, and he isn’t pleased with the strong Imperial presence on his home. Zeb is a bruiser whose tough exterior hides a heart of gold. He’s a Lasat, an alien species with only a few remaining in the galaxy. (His appearance is based on McQuarrie’s original concept for Chewbacca.)

Ezra’s Gamble is a chapter book for ages 8-12, and the Rebels tie-in I enjoyed reading the most. The book follows Ezra before he meets the crew of the Ghost, as he finds himself in the middle of a bounty hunting adventure with notorious bounty hunter Bossk. The pages are filled with action and blaster fire. This chapter book gives the most interesting depiction of his personality, and introduces the world of Rebels (which takes place five years before the events of A New Hope) while keeping a Star Wars feel.

Rise of the Rebels, also a chapter book, dedicates a few pages to each member of the Star Wars Rebels crew. I’d have loved reading a little more about Kanan, but I particularly enjoyed the story featuring Mandalorian artist Sabine. Her unique art style is carried through the book design, adding some color and a distinctive graffiti style to the Star Wars universe.

The stories in these books overlap a bit, so while you don’t need to pick all of them up to get acquainted with the Star Wars Rebels crew, I do recommend getting one or two to get an idea of the galaxy they inhabit. Star Wars Rebels comes to Disney Channel this October.

GeekMom received promotional copies for review purposes. 

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“Big Giant Me,” Joss Whedon’s Kid-Friendly Folk Song

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Big Giant Me

“Big Giant Me” cover art by Emma Klingbeil © Shawnee Kilgore.

Longtime fans of Joss Whedon are well-acquainted with his songwriting prowess. From the theme song of Firefly to the musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, “Once More With Feeling,” fans know that Whedon is a remarkable songwriter with a talent for telling a story. And we know that Whedon often finds smaller, quieter projects while working on his blockbusters. (See: Much Ado About Nothing.)

So while it really shouldn’t be a surprise to hear that Whedon teamed up with an Austin musician to write a folk song while he was working on The Avengers: Age of Ultron, well, it’s still a surprise. A sweet surprise of a song that tells a tale that kids will love.

“Big Giant Me” wasn’t intended to be a children’s song, but kids can easily identify with its lyrics and story. (There is a lyric about things needing to grow or they will die, so use your own discretion on the appropriateness for your own kids.) Whedon describes the song as “about the idea of change, and how much someone will accept you for yourself and what you are and what you’re going to become.”

Shawnee Kilgore sings with a voice so sweet and clear that makes it a perfect song for quiet time at the end of the day. And through it all, Whedon fans will smile, knowing one of their favorite creative talents is behind the words.

You can buy “Big Giant Me” by Shawnee Kilgore now on iTunes and CD Baby. A full album from the pair is coming soon.

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Mulan Gets Down to Business Today on Sofia the First

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Sofia the First

“Princesses to the Rescue” © Disney Junior

If your preschooler is a fan of Sofia the First, dash to the DVR to record today’s episode, featuring a special guest: Mulan!

Ming-Na Wen returns to the role of one of Disney’s best princesses today in “Princesses to the Rescue.” Mulan is a perfect fit for the series, which has made a remarkable effort to show that princesses can go above and beyond the damsel in distress role.

I’m pleased to see that in the clip Mulan isn’t even decked out in the sparkly dress she’s usually sporting on Disney Princess merchandise and dolls. Mulan is dressed as a warrior, short hair and all, and ready to step in and give Sofia some needed advice. It’s up to Sofia, Princess Amber, and Princess Jun to save the kings and princes, and Mulan knows just how to help. Is it too much to hope for a training montage?

Sofia the First airs today on the Disney Channel at 9:30 a.m. ET/PT.

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Wonder Woman Wednesdays (Wooo!)

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Wonder Woman

Sensation Comics Featuring Wonder Woman #1 © DC Comics

Wonder Woman returns to the pages of Sensation Comics in a new weekly digital first series from DC Comics.

Similar to The Adventures of Superman, Sensation Comics Featuring Wonder Woman highlights different artists, writers, and story lines in an ongoing anthology series. The digital series kicked off last week with the first issue “Gothamazon,” written by Gail Simone and art by Ethan Van Sciver. Batman’s rogues gallery has teamed up and Oracle needs to call in the big guns for help. You read that right: Oracle.

The series is an excellent place to start with a DC Comics title without worrying about the continuity set up in the current iteration of the New 52. The first issue features Barbara Gordon as Oracle, Diana sporting her pre-New 52 costume, and a who’s-who of Batman villains including a Joker with his face still attached. Ah, the good ol’ days. Wonder Woman fights to clean up Gotham, and she’s not alone. The first issue is action-packed and all too short.

Sensation Comics Featuring Wonder Woman releases a new digital chapter every Wednesday, with collected print editions in stores. Talk about a happy new comic book day!

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PAX Prime: Hyrule Warriors Brings Zelda Fans Together

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Link vs. Dark Link

Link takes on Dark Link at the PAX Prime event. All photos: Kelly Knox

PAX Prime in Seattle is a yearly gathering of some of the biggest video game fans. On Saturday night, Nintendo brought together hundreds of dedicated The Legend of Zelda fans in an event to celebrate the franchise and check out the new game, Hyrule Warriors, coming this fall.

Hyrule Warriors is a departure from the typical Zelda game. If you’ve ever played a Dynasty Warriors game, you’ll know what to expect, as the same team takes the helm to create a unique Zelda adventure. The action is bigger, louder, and more explosive, with the rare chance to take control of a Legend of Zelda character other than Link. That means you can not only play as Link, but also as some of your favorites from other games, including Zelda herself, Impa, Midna, and Fi, and some new characters introduced for this story. At the PAX Prime event, Zelda fans got their hands on Ganondorf, eager to take on the hordes of monsters threatening Hyrule.

Hyrule Warriors

Link takes control of Ganondorf.

Hundreds of Zelda aficionados arrived for the fan gathering event, with a large number of them in costume. It was easy to see how much these fans love The Legend of Zelda! Not only were they happy to share in their common fondness for the games, everyone in the room was buzzing about the exciting gameplay of Hyrule Warriors.

Hyrule Warriors will be released September 26, 2014—stay tuned to GeekMom for a full review! In the meantime, check out the happy fans celebrating The Legend of Zelda at this year’s PAX Prime.

 

Click to view slideshow.

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Cookie Monster and John Oliver Team Up to Give You the News, and It’s Amazing

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I’ve already talked about how this new season of Sesame Street is promising to be more entertaining for parents than kids, and after seeing today’s video on Mashable starring John Oliver, I’m officially a bigger fan of the show than my five-year-old.

If John Oliver, Cookie Monster, Al Roker, and Nick Offerman teamed up to deliver the news every night, I’d never miss it!

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Marvel’s Heroes Join the Fight to STOMP Out Bullying

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hulk-bullies

Hulk #7. All images © Marvel Comics

This week Marvel Comics announced a team-up with STOMP Out Bullying, a national organization for the prevention of bullying and cyberbullying. Some of Marvel’s favorite superheroes, including Captain America, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and Hulk, are raising anti-bullying awareness during National Bullying Prevention Month in October.

“The center of Marvel’s storytelling history is the eternal struggle between good and evil, with many of its greatest super heroes having to contend with–and rise above–bullying, in all its forms,” said Axel Alonso, Editor in Chief of Marvel Comics. “We are proud to join forces with STOMP Out Bullying on its important bullying prevention awareness mission. We hope that all our fans take a moment this month to educate themselves on the need to stop bullying among our youth by checking out the free resources STOMP Out Bullying has to offer.”

Check out the heartwarming comic covers below, and think about passing them along to any geek kids in your life who might need a reminder that there’s always someone on their side.

Click to view slideshow.

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Moon Tiara Action! New Sailor Moon Dub Now Online

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Sailor Moon © Viz Media

Sailor Moon © Viz Media

Have you always wanted to share the silly fun of Sailor Moon with your geeklings? Now’s your chance! 23 episodes of the original, newly re-dubbed anime are now available online through Viz Media and Hulu.

If you suffered through the Sailor Moon DiC dub in the 90s, you’ll find things are different now. In Viz’s new dub, character names now match the manga. Sorry, Serena! The voice acting seems to be higher quality, with an admirable effort at matching the animated mouth movements without rushing the dialogue too much to fit the words in. Usagi is appropriately cute and whiny without being grating; my five-year-old commented more than once, “Sailor Moon is hilarious!”

The opening and ending songs, as well as the background and transformation music, remain unchanged and undubbed, which made me happy as an anime watcher who prefers subs over dubs. (I’m a sub snob.)

All 200 episodes and 3 films will eventually be released in English through Viz, without alterations to the story or characters. If you’re a collector, the first 23 episodes (both subtitled and dubbed) will be available in November in new, remastered DVD/Blu-ray boxed sets.

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10 DC Comics Board Books to Make You a Baby Shower Super Hero

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Wonder Woman ABCs

Wonder Woman ABCs. All images © DC Comics / Capstone Publishing

Your favorite DC Comics super heroes can stand up to the Joker, Lex Luthor, and now your toddler’s front teeth with these colorful board books from Capstone Publishing. Not only are these board books great for your own geeklings, you’ll be the hero of your BFF’s baby shower when you arrive with the perfect present.

With 10 sturdy, vibrant board books to choose from, you can find a super story for a baby or toddler that teaches letters, numbers, and words alongside a smiling super hero. Yes, even Batman wears a perpetual smirk. And with words and sentences that a budding reader can work through with your help, these books can have a long shelf life through preschool and kindergarten.

DC Board Books

Baby board books that teach colors, numbers, shapes, and ABCs are standard fare, but can you think of another shape book that includes a bat? Superman Colors, Catwoman Counting, Batman Shapes, and Wonder Woman ABCs are filled with DC Comics’ most famous characters drawn in the Bruce Timm style. Rather than just a list of words, each book is written as a story, which works well to introduce new words to babies and toddlers while they’re learning the basics.

DC Board Books

If you’re looking for even more new vocabulary to show to your baby, these “word adventures” are just what you need. Superman – A Word Adventure and Wonder Woman – A Word Adventure take on look of the cutesy DC Super Friends to introduce new words to the littlest of listeners.

DC Board Books

Superman Fights for Truth and Superman to the Rescue feature the Man of Steel in action. The stories are simple and silly, certain to appeal to the short attention span of toddlers. Don’t expect any epic battles with Brainiac or Doomsday in these adventures; Supes is on the hunt for a banana thief in one age-appropriate story.

Batman & Robin Team Up! and Batman is Brave! do mention the Joker and show the Dark Knight’s rogues gallery, but the Animated Series-style illustrations shouldn’t scare your toddler or young reader. Like the Superman books, the stories are age-appropriate. It’s too bad Wonder Woman doesn’t get her own tales of heroics, but it’s always a joy to see Batman and Robin work together with a sense of fun.

These DC Comics board books cover prices range from $5.99 to $7.99 and are available now at your favorite bookstores.

GeekMom received promotional copies for review purposes.

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Face It, Tiger: Gwen Stacy is Spider-Woman

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Edge of the Spider-Verse #2

Edge of the Spider-Verse #2, Art by Robbi Rodriguez. All images © Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics is building to its latest event, the Spider-Verse, which promises to bring together the variety of wall-crawlers from across the various Marvel alternate universes for some epic action. Edge of Spider-Verse #2, released last week, introduces a new Spider hero that has immediately captured the attention of comic fans everywhere: Gwen Stacy, Spider-Woman.

Edge of the Spider-Verse #2

Edge of Spider-Verse #2

Imagine that of instead biting Peter Parker that fateful day, the irradiated spider found Gwen Stacy. What would become of Pete? How will Gwen’s father, Captain Stacy of the NYPD, react to the vigilante? In just one issue, Jason Latour and Robbi Rodriguez bring us into this intriguing and, of course, amazing Spider-verse.

The high energy of every page and Gwen’s struggle with being viewed as a villain, not a hero, in this alternate universe create a book that just begs to be on ongoing series.

“We get to interpret the character of Gwen in this new light,” said Rodriguez in a Marvel.com interview. “We get to punk her out a bit, and make her a kind of heroine that even more female readers can relate with. Not just a female version of Spider-Man in a different costume, but a stronger character in her own right. A real individual who could, if the opportunity ever arose, take up Spider-Man’s role someday.”

When Gwen isn’t busy swinging across the NYC skyline, she’s the drummer in the band The Mary Janes—when she can actually make it to a gig, that is.

Inspired by Gwen and lead singer Mary Jane Watson, a real band called Married With Sea Monsters made their own version of the song “Face It Tiger” featured in Edge of Spider-Verse #2:

Check out the song, and be sure to pick up the issue, especially if you’d love to see an ongoing title starring Spider-Gwen. The first printing has already sold out, so call your favorite comic shop to see if it’s in stock. Spider-Gwen returns in other Spider-Verse tie-ins coming later this year.

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Hack, Slash, Repeat: Hyrule Warriors

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Hyrule Warriors

Princess Zelda saves herself in Hyrule Warriors. All images © Nintendo

Legend of Zelda games have never been known for unending hack-and-slash action, but that’s about to change with the non-stop sword swinging battles in Hyrule Warriors. Out September 26 from Nintendo and Dynasty Warriors developer Koei Tecmo, the Wii U game blends the franchises together for a Zelda experience unlike any other.

Hyrule WarriorsHyrule Warriors introduces new playable characters and villains, along with familiar faces from your favorite Zelda games. The story brings together the various Zelda heroes and timelines in a way that surprisingly makes sense. The sorceress Cia, influenced by a mysterious-but-predictable dark figure, has opened portals of time across Hyrule in her battle to take over the kingdom.

If you’ve never played a Dynasty Warriors game before and you’re expecting a typical Zelda game, jumping into Hyrule Warriors can feel chaotic and overwhelming. Seemingly unending waves of monsters fill the screen, along with pop-up dialogue from allies and enemies, mission objectives, and a flashing map that indicates the advancement of enemy forces. Your goal is to fulfill the mission objectives by capturing keeps and defeating bosses in the allotted time.

Along the way you’ll find staples from every Zelda game, such as arrows and boomerangs, giant boulders to blow up with bombs, and enemies like Stalfos. You’ll also hear tried-and-true sound effects (like opening a treasure chest) and background music inspired by the original Legend of Zelda theme.

These elements definitely give the game a Zelda feel, but at heart it is a Dynasty Warriors game. Repetitive button mashing to get through the hordes is broken up only by running through the map to get to the next objective.

Hyrule Warriors

The passable story and familiar characters are enough to keep you playing, though, especially if you’re a Zelda fan. You’ll finally get your chance to take control of Princess Zelda herself, along with Impa and Midna of Twilight Princess, and playing Link is just as fun as it always is. Along with the action you’ll also get to tweak character abilities, unlock new attack combos, and upgrade weapons.

You can also play in co-op mode, giving you and your family the chance to control Link and Zelda together. The game is rated T for Teen. There’s no blood flying through the air with all that action, but Cia’s costume is ridiculously skimpy, so you might want to check it out before inviting the youngest players in the house to take up the GamePad.

Hyrule Warriors is definitely a different take on the Zelda franchise. Once you get the hang of processing all of the information and action flying across the screen, it’s easy to find the fun in mowing down waves of enemies with Link and Zelda. If you’ve ever wanted to play a Zelda game without the hassle of solving puzzles, Hyrule Warriors is the game for you.

Hyrule Warriors is available September 26 on the Wii U for a suggested retail price of $59.99.

GeekMom received a promotional copy for review purposes.

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4 Magical Cozy Mystery Series to Snuggle Up With This Fall

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A Potion to Die For

A Potion to Die For © Signet

There’s almost nothing better on a cold night than snuggling up with a book and a hot cup of tea. If you’re the type who loves a good whodunit but you’re looking for something less intense than, say, Gone Girl, you might consider giving a “cozy” mystery a try. Cozy mysteries typically follow a female amateur detective who finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation, often with a side of romance, a cast of kooky characters, a charming small-town community, and sometimes a dash of magic.

If your ears pricked up at the mention of magic, consider picking up one of these paranormal mystery series for that aforementioned snuggling. These four cozy mystery series are the perfect quick reads for nights when you want to read something that will wrap your brain in warm fuzzies.

Magic Potion Mysteries, Heather Blake

This lighthearted series recently kicked off with A Potion to Die For. Carly Hartwell, owner of a magic potion shop in the small town of Hitching Post, Alabama, is caught up in a murder after the victim is discovered in her store. Like most cozy mystery heroines, Carly’s close family is quirky and entertaining. Her complicated relationship with her cousin, however, lends some personality to the story. Add a bit of Southern charm and a fast-paced mystery and you’ve got yourself a promising start to a book series.

A second novel set in Carly’s world, One Potion in the Grave, is due out in October.

Brownies and Broomsticks

© Signet

The Wishcraft Mysteries, Heather Blake

Before she started writing Carly’s adventures, author Heather Blake penned the Wishcraft Mysteries, starting with It Takes a Witch. Small town? Check. Charming little shop? Check. A well-thought-out magic system that is used well in the series’ stories? Check! With wishcrafters, charmcrafters, floracrafters, and more, you’ll find yourself wanting to read more and more about Darcy Merriweather’s magical world. Oh, and find out whodunit, too.

Magical Bakery Mysteries, Bailey Cates

Arguably the most cozy of the cozy mysteries I’ve read, you can almost smell the sweets baking when you read Brownies and Broomsticks. Again, you’ll find small-town charm, a murder mystery, and a kindhearted aunt, but Katie Lightfoot is an easily likable protagonist who stands out from the amateur sleuth crowd.

Family Fortune Mysteries, Dawn Eastman

If you’re on the hunt for a cozy mystery with a lead who’s a little tougher than most, Clyde Fortune of Pall in the Family might be the heroine for you. Unlike the other leading ladies of the cozies listed here, Clyde wants little to do with the world of psychics that is woven into her hometown’s culture. But when she’s caught up in a murder investigation, the abilities that she fights hard to ignore might just help her find the culprit.

 

Do you have any favorite mystery series, cozy or otherwise? Let us know in the comments below what we should be binge-reading this fall!

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Star Wars Rebels Sparks the Rebellion

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© Disney / Lucasfilm

The crew of the Ghost. All images © Disney / Lucasfilm

When Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2012, the question on almost everyone’s mind was, “Does this mean they are going to ‘Disney-fy’ Star Wars?” Star Wars Rebels, premiering with “The Spark of Rebellion” on October 3 on the Disney Channel before moving to Disney XD as an ongoing series, gives us our first idea of what that would look like. (You could count the phenomenal Phineas and Ferb Star Wars as the first Disney/Star Wars collaboration if you’re feeling nitpicky.) If Star Wars Rebels is any indication, the galaxy far, far away is now in good hands.

Star Wars Rebels“The Spark of Rebellion” doesn’t waste time with much backstory or exposition; with a setting five years before A New Hope, it assumes (quite correctly) that we already know what life is like under the Emperor’s control: Not good.

Rather than spending much time telling us about the protagonist Ezra and his life on Lothal, the action starts almost immediately, and we are taken for a ride into the Rebels universe along with him.

As the loner teenager finds himself caught up in an unexpected adventure, he’s brought on board the Ghost and learns about what the Rebels are fighting for. Each member of the crew is practically begging to have their story told. Kanan is the unofficial leader of the crew and a Jedi in hiding, and I’m already dying to know more about him. Sabine, the Mandalorian, and Hera, the pilot, are just as fascinating.

Zeb is the bruiser of the crew. His character design, like much of the environment and character art of Star Wars Rebels, is based on the original Star Wars concept art by Ralph McQuarrie. Before Chewbacca was a walking carpet, he looked very similar to the towering, slightly bug-eyed Zeb.

Not only does the art harken back to the beginning of Star Wars and A New Hope, “The Spark of the Rebellion” has snippets of John Williams’ original score. I admit, I’m a sucker for the Star Wars soundtrack. As soon as I heard the familiar strains of “The Tales of a Jedi Knight,” I was sold on Rebels—this is Star Wars.

“The Spark of the Rebellion,” the movie that kicks off Star Wars Rebels, is a promising start to the show. The Clone Wars never caught me, but the lighter tone of Rebels (it’s definitely aimed at a younger crowd) has my interest. Tune in to the Disney Channel on October 3 to see if it has yours.

Star Wars Rebels airs on Disney XD beginning on October 13, 2014.

GeekMom attended a promotional screening event to preview the series.

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Nintendo Launches “Play Nintendo” for Parents and Kids

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All images © Nintendo

All images © Nintendo

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of the Wii U. In fact, as a mom I’m probably even more of a fan of Nintendo than I was as a kid—which I didn’t think was possible—thanks to the console being the most family-friendly of the “next gen” bunch. I’m happy to see with the launch of the new family web site Play Nintendo, the company is embracing their role as the best console for kids.

Kids will enjoy getting their hands on games, personality activities, trivia, tips, and gameplay videos and trailers, all in one very colorful spot.

Darn right I am.

I love that my five-year-old can easily watch videos of games she’s interested in without worrying about anything inappropriate popping up. (I will say that the Kirby-yourself game is a little disturbing, but she was quite entertained, so bravo.)

Even more impressive is the Parents section of the new site. Nintendo not only markets their recent releases—which is to be expected—but also includes reassurance about the benefits of gaming for kids. The site also includes a handy list of how-to’s for parents and grandparents who might not be game savvy. Not you fine geek parents reading this, of course, but the next time your mother-in-law asks for gift suggestions, you have a place to send her.

Hop on over to the Play Nintendo site if you’re a longtime fan like me or have a geek kid who’s a new fan. I’m know you’re dying to find out which Mario Kart 8 racer you are

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Star Wars Reads Day Returns October 11, 2014

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Star Wars Reads Day

© Lucasfilm / Disney

Star Wars Reads Day, now in its third year, returns for even more Force-ful fun on Saturday, October 11, 2014.

The annual celebration encourages kids to get into reading with a wealth of books set in a galaxy far, far away. Events will be held nationwide on October 11 to get kids excited about both Star Wars and reading. Barnes & Noble is hosting activities at a number of stores, including costume contests, giveaways, book signings, and more. Your local library might also be throwing a Star Wars party, so be sure to check out what’s happening at your favorite branch.

Celebrating at home? Give your Padawans this free downloadable activity pack with crafts, coloring pages, puzzles, and more.

And if you’re looking for new Star Wars books to join in the fun, here are some great reads recently featured on GeekMom:

Star Wars Rebels readers

Star Wars Workbooks

Star Wars and History

William Shakespeare’s Star Wars

What do you have planned for Star Wars Reads Day? Let us know in the comments below!

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BrickCon 2014 Photo Gallery

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All photos: Kelly Knox

All photos: Kelly Knox

BrickCon returned to Seattle this past weekend with another dazzling display of LEGO building mastery. The room was bursting with fans of all ages, eagerly crowding to get a glimpse of the amazing LEGO creations pieced together from thousands of bricks.

From a re-creation of the Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Bhutan to a sprawling model of Lake-town from The Hobbit, the incredible models showed off the builders’ love of LEGO.

Here are just some of the amazing works on display at BrickCon 2014.

Click to view slideshow.

The post BrickCon 2014 Photo Gallery appeared first on GeekMom.

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

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Ed Oxenbould as Alexander © DIsney

Alexander (Ed Oxenbould) wakes up with gum in his hair. All photos © Disney.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is a family favorite at bedtime. My daughter loves to flip through my husband’s battered old copy of the book, and on her own bad days has been known to moan that she is planning to move to Australia. The new movie, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, out today from Disney, keeps the spirit of the original, but updates it for modern viewers to make it a pleasantly fun (if not slightly mindless), quick-paced family flick.

Little homages from the picture book pop up in the film, including some of the characters (like his nemesis Philip Parker) and starting off Alexander’s bad day with discovering gum in his hair. My favorite touch, though, is that the film’s Alexander adores Australia, and talks about it often. The similarities end there, and the modern family’s tale is all their own.

Alexander, after having his terrible, horrible… well, you know, makes a birthday wish that his seemingly perfect family would understand what it’s like to be in his shoes for the day. What follows is a slapstick comedy that should get some guffaws out of parents and kids alike. Steve Carell is on point as the good-natured Ben Cooper, excelling as usual at physical comedy. With some toilet humor, Jennifer Garner shouting “penis!” repeatedly, and jokes featuring a teenager accidentally drunk on cold medicine, it’s not quite appropriate for the littlest moviegoers, but grade-school kids will chuckle at the antics of the cast.

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

It’s best not to think too hard about what’s happening in the movie; just sit back and enjoy the silly ride. Why would any sane family plan a birthday party the same night as their daughter’s play and their son’s prom? How do they afford an extravagant party with one parent out of work? Wait, see, I’m thinking too much about it. This is meant to be a feel-good movie, and it succeeds, reminding us all that you have to take the bad days with the good.

Is there anything for geek parents to like?

Dylan Minnette, who plays Anthony, was in last week’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. episode as the ice-powered villain Blizzard. He transforms effortlessly into a typical teen, but I half-expected him to freeze his prom date.

When Ben (Carell) goes to his game company interview, you can catch some random game concept art on the wall, including Mass Effect 2. This entertained me way more than it probably should have.

With just 81 minutes of running time, the film never drags and moves briskly, perfect for kids’ attention spans. Your kids will enjoy the laughs and you’ll enjoy turning off your brain and munching popcorn.

GeekMom attended a promotional movie screening for review purposes.

The post Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day appeared first on GeekMom.

Exclusive Preview: Supergirl #35

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Supergirl #35, out on comic book store shelves October 15, features a high-powered team-up with Kara and Red Hood. Read on for a quick synopsis and your exclusive first look at the issue thanks to DC Comics!

“SUPERMAN: DOOMED AFTERMATH”! In the waked of the DOOMED storyline, the ALIEN SYNDICATE looks to re-establish its foothold on Earth. But the venom powered Red Hood looks for even more muscle in Kara as they go head to head with the scum and villainy of the galaxy. Plus: an ending that will set Kara on a new course!

All images are courtesy © DC Comics

All images are courtesy © DC Comics

Supergirl #35

Supergirl #35

 

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The post Exclusive Preview: Supergirl #35 appeared first on GeekMom.

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