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Exclusive: The Secret World of Arrietty Trailer and Movie Review

February 13, 2012 By 5 Comments

Wow, it’s not very often that I get to share something exclusive with you. Disney came up with a trailer that is exclusive to the Bloggers that saw the movie quite a few months ago. I’m sure you’ll see it everywhere soon, but while it’s still hot off the press I wanted to share this exclusive sneak peek into the Secret World of Arrietty.

 

The Secret World of Arrietty opens in theaters February 17th.

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Do you know what a borrower is? A Borrower is a very littler person that only takes what they need. They live in houses and have taken the things that have gone missing. I’m always losing stuff in my house so I’m so glad to find out everything I lose is going to a very good use. That is the Secret World we find Arrietty (voice of Bridgit Mendler) in. She’s the very littler person, only 14 years old, that lives in a house with her parents. They all live under the floor in one of the closets of a house where her father is training her to be a borrower.

Arrietty is a story of finding courage in the midst of a large monster size fear, being discovered by the humans. The humans of this particular house heard rumors of little people living in the floor boards and a house was created for them. They never used it because they didn’t want to be found, but when 12-year-old Shawn (voice of David Henrie), a human boy who comes to stay in the home, discovers his mysterious housemate one evening, a secret friendship blossoms.  But when Arrietty’s parents realize that she’s forged this friendship, they decide to move. While they are planning their move their hideout is discovered and her mother is captured.

From the legendary Studio Ghibli (“Spirited Away,” “Ponyo”) comes “The Secret World of Arrietty,” an animated adventure based on Mary Norton’s acclaimed children’s book series “The Borrowers.” Hayao Miyazaki is one of the most influential and admired filmmakers working in animation today and is a major figure in the Japanese cinematic landscape. His films have inspired moviegoers and colleagues around the world, from Pixar’s John Lasseter to fantasist Guillermo del Toro to Chinese director Tsui Hark, and consistently top the box office in his native Japan.

I’ve always enjoyed watching this type of animation, and even though Arrietty moves very slowly it’s a very thoughtful movie that will have a resounding effect on children of all ages. Recommended safe for families and all children. Might be more interesting to girls and ages 5+. I know my daughter would love this movie.

 

Travel and expenses to the preview of Arrietty were provided by Disney/DreamWorks.

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Behind Broadway with Steve Fickinger: NEWSIES Hits March 15th

January 31, 2012 By 3 Comments

When I was a little girl NEWSIES came out and when I watched it I was bored out of my mind. I think that because of the NEWSIES I decided that musicals must not be my thing. I actually hated the NEWSIES when it came out so long ago and Steve Fickinger, VP of Creative Development and Licensing for NEWSIES on Broadway, said the movie wasn’t the best. “I can’t imagine many of you saw it in the theaters, because I think it played for one week.” Because it failed. “Well, as you might imageknow, oddly the film failed. Failed, failed. I think it made maybe three million bucks. It was in the theater for one week, one week, a famous failure.” He said, “It’s not a great movie.” But NEWSIES the Broadway Musical is going to be fantastic.

Talking to Steve and watching the preview of NEWSIES the Broadway musical gives me hope that N on Broadway it actually has a chance at being something really special. The songs are better the dancing is better and they incorporated more girls into the show. I wish I lived in New York so that I could see it in March when it starts it’s run. I guess my other hope would be that it’s so successful that it goes on tour and comes to Seattle so I can watch it locally. I bet my kids would like it this go around.

_E1K3155 Disney's Newsies, directed by Jeff Calhoun at Papermill Playhouse 9/15-10/16/11 Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Jack Feldman Book by Harvey Fierstein Based on the Disney Film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White Choreography by Christopher Gattelli Lighting Design:Jeff Coiter Costume Design: Jess Goldstein Set Design: Tobin Obst Photograph © T Charles Erickson http://tcharleserickson.photoshelter.com/

Steve Fickinger was great to interview, funny and candied with us. He admitted that Disney had a problem with parents in movies and LOVES to kill them off and if a parent actually gets to survive then only one! You know it’s true and that he was being quite silly telling us not to quote him. His honesty with us made me feel I could trust his judgment.

How did the idea for NEWSIES on Broadway get started?Newsies, the Musical 601 Disney's Newsies, directed by Jeff Calhoun at Papermill Playhouse 9/15-10/16/11 Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Jack Feldman Book by Harvey Fierstein Based on the Disney Film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White Choreography by Christopher Gattelli Lighting Design:Jeff Coiter Costume Design: Jess Goldstein Set Design: Tobin Obst Photograph © T Charles Erickson http://tcharleserickson.photoshelter.com/

NEWSIES is the number one requested Broadway musical. So Steve talked with Alan Menken and Jack Feldman, who did the original film, and also spoke with Bob Tzudicker and Noni White who wrote the original film. They didn’t have Broadway experience so Steve had to find more help. He told us a story about how he found more help.  “Alan Menken, who I’m sure you all know from Beauty and the Beast and etcetera, etcetera, etcetera, Enchanted, Sister Act, many wonderful things, he happened to be at Leo’s Grocery Store. He lives, uh, kind of slightly upstate New York in some beautiful, leafy suburb where I’ll never be able to afford a home, and he happened to run into, uh, Harvey Fierstein, who you probably also know from Mrs. Doubtfire, he wrote the La Cage aux Folles, he wrote towards some trilogy. “ …..”they fell to talking, they’d never met before, and Harvey says, what do you do, what are you working on? And Alan, well, I’m doing this, and I’m doing this, and I’m doing this, and he happened to throw Newsies into the conversation, and Harvey said, let’s talk more about that. So they went over to Alan’s house, and, uh, as they talked more about it, Alan, uh, Harvey watched the film, and Alan picked up the phone, and he said, you know, you’re never going to believe who actually is interested in writing the book for Newsies. Harvey Fierstein.”

Newsies, the Musical 375 Disney's Newsies, directed by Jeff Calhoun at Papermill Playhouse 9/15-10/16/11 Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Jack Feldman Book by Harvey Fierstein Based on the Disney Film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White Choreography by Christopher Gattelli Lighting Design:Jeff Coiter Costume Design: Jess Goldstein Set Design: Tobin Obst Photograph © T Charles Erickson http://tcharleserickson.photoshelter.com/

Together they created NEWSIES and they had to use the best parts of the movie because believe it or not there is a cult following that loves the movie. So he took the songs, the emotion, sort of the bravado of the musical and created an adaptation that I’m ready to go see right now! Advance tickets go on sale starting Monday, January 30th, previews begin on March 15th and opening night of the show on Broadway is March 29th.

_MG_3562 Disney's Newsies, directed by Jeff Calhoun at Papermill Playhouse 9/15-10/16/11 Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Jack Feldman Book by Harvey Fierstein Based on the Disney Film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White Choreography by Christopher Gattelli Lighting Design:Jeff Coiter Costume Design: Jess Goldstein Set Design: Tobin Obst Photograph © T Charles Erickson http://tcharleserickson.photoshelter.com/

Thanks to Disney and DreamWorks for covering travel expenses.

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On-Set Interview with Elizabeth Banks – What to Expect When You’re Expecting

January 30, 2012 By 3 Comments

By: Ashley

imageWhen I was in Atlanta this September, I stood at the back of a huge convention room filled with hundreds of pregnant women… or were they? Sound crazy? That’s because it was! Thanks to an invite from Lionsgate, I was able to go on set as they filmed a pee your pants HILARIOUS scene from the coming soon movie What to Expect When You’re Expecting (this analogy might be funnier for those during pregnancy or suffering from a post baby bladder!). A few other bloggers and I had the chance to watch one of the stars, Elizabeth Banks, in action before we sat down and talked with her for a bit about her role as a mom both on and off the screen.

In the scene, Elizabeth Banks plays Wendy. This character is a mom who has a dream of what a breeze pregnancy will be since she has so much information and insight into the whole process. Wendy runs a specialty boutique in the heart of Atlanta called The Breast Choice where she is a proud supporter of breastfeeding and all things baby. According to Banks, Wendy, “learns that pregnancy is such a different experience for everyone,” and you really see her journey as “she learns not to judge.” I often write about all of those things I thought I knew before having my own son, so that is a character I think lots of moms can relate to!

Sitting in the hall of the Georgia World Congress Center, surrounded by women with baby bellies (both prosthetic and real), Elizabeth Banks graciously offered a few minutes of her time. I was amazed at how genuine and down to Earth she was (not to mention INCREDIBLY funny). Since Elizabeth had literally JUST finished filming another movie 4 days before she started filming What to Expect she talked about her life as a working mom. She works to spend as much time with her son as possible. She considers herself lucky that he’s able to come to work with her, but said she does like every working mom and does the best she can. In an interview with WhatToExpect.com Banks added that she wants Felix (her son) to know that she is passionate about something.

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Among the wit, sarcasm, and off the cuff jokes that Elizabeth shared with us, one of my favorites had to be when she was asked about her favorite “go to” book for parenting advice. She adamantly believes that we “don’t rely enough on common sense!” I really agree with her attitude that things happen and you have to learn as you go.

When I asked Elizabeth what had changed for her since entering mommyhood, her response was one I think we can all relate to. “I am learning so much more about the capacity of joy. I didn’t know it was possibly to have this much joy in (her) life.” Sure we all have our not so great moments, but when it’s all said and done, isn’t that the truth? Our kids do bring us joy!

My experience visiting the set of What to Expect and meeting a Hollywood star was amazing. A big thank you to Lionsgate for inviting me and having us out for such a great adventure. Next stop? May 18 to see What to Expect when it lands in theatres! If Elizabeth Banks is ½ as funny on screen as she is off, you might want to make sure you don’t drink too much soda, if you know what I mean! ;)

 

 

What to Expect When You’re Expecting pops into theaters May 18 just in time for Mother’s Day.

 

Travel expenses were covered by Lionsgate.

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Sneak Peek Inside the Movie: What To Expect When You’re Expecting

January 27, 2012 By 11 Comments

A Visit to the Set of What to Expect When You’re Expecting

By: Ashley

I have been hanging onto this information for so long that I can hardly believe I finally get to share it! I went to Atlanta in September. Why Atlanta, you ask? (As if the title didn’t give it away…) I was in Atlanta so that I could go ON THE SET of the soon to be released, Lionsgate Film, What to Expect When You’re Expecting! It was such an amazing experience and I learned so much about how movies are made, how much work it takes, and got some super sneak peeks into the world of what I’m positive is a laugh out loud funny movie! If you haven’t seen the What to Expect trailer yet, then you should definitely do that.

It’s a movie all about the joy, challenges, fears… and just moments of HILARITY that come with the process of becoming a parent. The movie shows the different paths 5 couples take to parenthood… 5 very different paths for 5 very different couples. Here’s a glimpse at the moms of What to Expect to get you ready.

Skyler (Brooklyn Decker) – The young, gorgeous mom who makes pregnancy look like a beautiful breeze. Also the trophy wife for her much older husband (Dennis Quaid).

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Jules (Cameron Diaz) – A super busy fitness freak who “works out” a surprise pregnancy.

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Wendy (Elizabeth Banks) – An author and baby know it all who discovers every side effect known to carrying a child. FIN01_6263_1Sht_Elizabeth_P04_VF

Holly (Jennifer Lopez) – A mom who can’t wait to meet her baby that she’s adopting from across the world. FIN02_6263_1Sht_JLo_P05_VF

Rosie (Anna Kendrick) – A food truck chef who has one of “those nights” and ends up pregnant.

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When I was on set, a group of bloggers and I were lucky enough to see the action in progress. (By the way, they really do yell “ACTION” when they start filming a scene.) We watched them film a scene based on Wendy (played by Elizabeth Banks), a baby-crazed author who thought she knew everything there was to know about pregnancy. I was amazed by how many times they shot the same scene over and over! There were tons of extras in the scene and everyone had to stay “in character” while they perfected the scene. What was even more amazing was how each take was so different! Watching Elizabeth Banks make small changes to her posture, her tone, and a little ad-libbing on her lines as she rampages on the dark side of pregnancy was HILARIOUS! I have to say that I honestly laughed at almost every take of the same exact scene!

We were even lucky enough to catch a quick word with the producer of What to Expect When You’re Expecting. He said that when he saw the title of the internationally known book, he just knew it would make a great film. I have to say that I could not agree more! I can’t wait until May 11 when What to Expect When You’re Expecting FINALLY comes to the big screen!

 

Travel and expenses were covered by Lionsgate.

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Universal Pictures’ Big Miracle starring Drew Barrymore & John Krasinski

January 18, 2012 By 331 Comments

Who needs a date night? I know I do! I’m working with the new movie Big Miracle and Universal Pictures to give you a date night. Or you could just pack up the whole family for this family friendly film.

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Inspired by the true story that captured the hearts of people across the world, the rescue adventure Big Miracle tells the amazing tale of a small town news reporter (John Krasinski) and an animal-loving volunteer (Drew Barrymore) who are joined by rival world superpowers to save a family of majestic gray whales trapped by rapidly forming ice in the Arctic Circle.

 

 

clip_image001Local newsman Adam Carlson (Krasinski) can’t wait to escape the northern tip of Alaska for a bigger market. But just when the story of his career breaks, the world comes chasing it, too. With an oil tycoon, heads of state and hungry journalists descending upon the frigid outpost, the one who worries Adam the most is Rachel Kramer (Barrymore). Not only is she an outspoken environmentalist, she’s also his ex-girlfriend.

With time running out, Rachel and Adam must rally an unlikely coalition of Inuit natives, oil companies and Russian and American military to set aside their differences and free the whales. As the world’s attention turns to the top of the globe, saving these endangered animals becomes a shared cause for nations entrenched against one another and leads to a momentary thaw in the Cold War.

 

Rating:                                    PG
Cast:                                       Drew Barrymore, John Krasinski, Kristen Bell, Dermot Mulroney, Tim Blake Nelson, Ted Danson
Directed by:                            Ken Kwapis
Screenplay by:                       Jack Amiel & Michael Begler
Produced by:                          Steve Golin, Michael Sugar, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner           

Keep Up with Movie updates Website, YouTube and on Facebook.

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Universal Pictures’ BIG MIRACLE starring Drew Barrymore & John Krasinski. Comes out February 3rd.

This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to the winner, Tara L.

All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

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Beauty & The Beast Does 3D January 13, 2012

January 6, 2012 By 17 Comments

3D movies are all the rage and with the success of Lion King 3D in theaters this past summer, Disney is rereleasing the family favorite Beauty and the Beast in 3D. clip_image001

I have all the songs in Beauty and the Beast almost memorized as we’ve watched this movie at home many many times, and still love listening to them. It was hard to keep myself from singing along in the theater with other people around me. I’ve seen Beauty and the Beast in 3D and I’m writing this review assuming that you’ve seen Beauty and the Beast before. If you haven’t why don’t you check out this trailer: Plus you can read our review on Beauty and the Beast when it came out on Blu-ray. Beauty and the Beast Blu-ray Review January 13, 2012.

 

Next week, I’m also going to share Summer’s perspective on the movie, she’s going to watch it on Saturday with her youngest son and Beauty and the Beast is one of her favorite children’s movies. For now, here’s my perspective on Beauty and the Beast 3D…….

Disney "Beauty & the Beast 3D" Lumiere. ©2011 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

Want to know my opinion on the 3D? I’m really picky when it comes to 3D. Some scenes in Beauty and the Beast 3D  were fabulous, while others just seemed a bit flat for 3D. I think I would have loved to have interviewed someone about why they did it this way. It seemed like they were trying very hard to stay with the original look as much as possible but made it look 3D. I’m also thinking that the things about the scenes were done on purpose. The main characters were well done but the characters in the background just seemed a bit neglected. I think I’m the only one that had this crazy opinion, everyone I talked to after the viewing loved it, Which makes me think this really had to do with how tired I was. So take my review with that knowledge in mind and look forward to Summer’s review. Now, for me the true test of the success of the 3D version of Beauty and the Beast was in the ballroom scene, where they sing Tale as Old as Time. I have to say it was pretty spectacular. Ever since I was a little girl this scene was my favorite scene. The way they did it originally I felt like I was in that room. The background looked so real. I’m quite happy to say that even in 3D it looks real. The candlesticks in the background look like they are real brass with real flames. Really beautiful scene.

Disney "Beauty & the Beast 3D" (L-R) Belle & the Beast. ©2011 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

Go see Beauty and the Beast in Theaters January 13th and comb back here and tell me what you thought of the 3D effect?

 

Travel and expenses were covered by Disney DreamWorks. .

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What Do You Think About The Movie? I Don’t Know How She Does It

December 30, 2011 By 16 Comments

I love watching movies and as a mom that works at home I don’t have a lot of time for them. My husband and I might watch a little TV before bed, but when I say we watch TV we’re either watching 45 minutes of a movie, or an episode of Star Trek on Amazon Prime. Neither one of us have a lot of time to watch TV. The holidays have given me a little more time to watch a few movies. So I’d love your help in deciding if I should watch a certain movie or not. I’d love to know what you think of “I Don’t Know How She Does It” Have you seen it?

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Anchor Bay Entertainment and The Weinstein Company are releasing I DON’T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT on Blu-ray™ and DVD on January 3, 2012.  The highly relatable romantic comedy stars Sarah Jessica Parker (Sex and the City) as Kate Reddy, a wife and mother trying to balance her career and her family life with hilarious results!  The film also stars Pierce Brosnan (Die Another Day), Greg Kinnear (Little Miss Sunshine), Christina Hendricks (“Mad Men”), Kelsey Grammer (“Boss”), Seth Meyers (“Saturday Night Live”), and Olivia Munn (“The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”) and is directed by Douglas McGrath (Emma, Infamous).  Bonus features include a conversation with the bestselling author of the book, Allison Pearson and much more!

I love the actor line up. Sarah Jessica Parker is so cute, and Pierce Brosnan is so hot. Ok, he’s nice to look at and even better to listen to. I love that accent. What are your thoughts? Is this a good rental or purchase?

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Free Movies Passes to Young Adult Starring Charlize Theron

November 28, 2011 By 8 Comments

The best way to see a movie is for free. And I’ve got movie passes for all of you in Seattle. This week the movie to see is Young Adult Starring Charlize Theron. Everyone gets old. Not everyone grows up. This Wednesday Nov 30, 2011 7:00 pm in Seattle, I assume it’s at AMC Pacific Place, I’m sure it will say on the tickets. If you’re interested in going to see this movie then you can download tickets below.

YOUNG ADULT - POSTER ART

FREE MOVIE PASSES:

Just Go to www.gofobo.com/rsvp and enter the code: V0DUQ4BD

YOUNG ADULT SYNOPSIS:

 

Academy Award® winner Charlize Theron plays Mavis Gary, a writer of teen literature who returns to her small hometown to relive her glory days and attempt to reclaim her happily married high school sweetheart (Patrick Wilson).  When returning home proves more difficult than she thought, Mavis forms an unusual bond with a former classmate (Patton Oswalt) who hasn’t quite gotten over high school, either.

“Young Adult” reunites Jason Reitman, Academy Award© nominated director of “Juno,” and Academy Award© winning screenwriter, Diablo Cody.   

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Inside The Muppets Domination with James Bobin

November 25, 2011 By 15 Comments

James Bobin, the director of the Muppets took the time to sit down with us for an interview about The Muppets and his journey with bringing them back to the big screen. Just in case you don’t know who James Bobin is, he’s a British director and producer and one of the most inventive comedic writers in television. He created, wrote and executive produced the hit series “Flight of the Conchords” for HBO and played a key role in making it one of “Time” magazine’s top five new television series in 2007. The show garnered seven Emmy® nominations including Outstanding Comedy Series. For his work on “Flight of the Conchords,” Bobin received back-to-back nominations for Outstanding Directing and Writing as well as a Writers Guild Award nomination. Bobin currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife Francesca, daughter Madelaine and son Jack.

The Muppets

 

Way back in January I was on the movie set of The Muppets and I saw a lot of the secrets in making the movie. Making a movie with puppets and puppeteers is quite complicated and takes twice as long as filming a regular movie because they have to cut holes in the set, and film twice as many times. Bobin knew going into this that it would take a very long time filming, but he said,

I knew, coming into this that that was what it would involve ’cause, you know, the moment you start using puppets and you don’t have legs, then the world gets a lot harder for you. So I knew it coming into it.

We also asked him if there was a different in directing Muppets verses people. He said it was the same:

I say none because you are directing them to act in a certain way and humans deal with their emotional things with their face and with puppeteers it is with their hands. But the direction you give is the same.

The MuppetsIf you read my review you know that I found The Muppet movie to be great for my generation but it was also a movie to introduce a new generation to  The Muppets. So we asked Bobin “What did you do to make the Muppets fresh for this generation?” He said the secret to that was just letting The Muppets be true to themselves and Miss Piggy, well all of them I thought were very true to who they always have been.

But each character would then have their own moment to show the thing they do, so it could make sense if you had no idea who they are.

An interesting fact that I learned was that The Muppets were filmed in England for 5 years.

It was written by Americans and performed by Americans, but the director and the technical staff were all English. And the actual Muppet Theater itself is an old musical theater, which is a London thing rather than a New York thing. So it felt very English in a weird way. But also I think the tone of it, the sense of the, sense of humor is really quite English.

We also asked him what he thought of working with Jason Segel and he said it was quite easy. It turns out that they had the same vision and wanted the same thing for the movie so they got along great.

I mean, you can’t ask for more than that because I mean he really cares about it and so really always gives extra a hundred and ten percent which is fantastic. So as a director I couldn’t ask for more.

THE MUPPETS

The Muppets is now in theaters and you should go see it. It’s a fantastic generational movie.

 

Disney/Dreamworks paid for my travel and expenses for the press junket.

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Pixar’s Brave Excites Girls

November 17, 2011 By 17 Comments

Pixar’s Brave Excites Girls, at least my little girl! Zoe and I have been talking a lot about princesses. My daughter is a little princess. She’s seen most of the Disney princess movies from start to finish, there are a few missing from our collection but as Disney keeps remastering we keep picking them up. Disney’s so smart they know how to get us parents. Anyways, I have a knack at getting way off topic.

Brave posterI was telling Zoe, did you know there’s a princess with red hair like your brother?

“No there’s not mom”

“yes, she’s a new princess”

“WHAT, a new Princess….When, WHY? Can I see her”

“Yes, it’s a new movie out by the people that made Toy Story, Bug’s Life, Cars, ….”

“OHHHHHH MIIIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLLES, did you know there’s a new movie coming out about a new princess and she has hair just like you, I can’t wait to see it can you wait to see it. It’s Coming!”

And I think she mentions this about every day, poor girl, I think I got her too excited too early. She’s going to be talking about it until June 22, 2012!.

BRAVE hits theatres everywhere in Disney Digital 3D on June 22, 2012!

 

This Brave Trailer makes her even more excited to see the movie. Are your girls excited to see it?

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