Easter is right around the corner. Are you still looking for a few extra goodies for your child’s (or grandchild’s) Easter basket?
When my kids were younger and the Easter Bunny paid us a visit I would always make sure that there were things OTHER than just candy in the basket. Don’t get my wrong, my kids usually received a lot of candy on Easter (compliments of Grandpa and Grandma). I just always made sure they had non-candy things in their baskets too, like a book, craft, plush, toy or even a movie.
Now that my kids are older they usually just ask for some Peeps and a chocolate bunny. However I still like to give them a little something else too.
If you are still looking for Easter “stuffers”, you should consider adding a movie to the basket. Even better make it a movie that the whole family will enjoy.
Twentieth Century Fox has introduced four family films on Blu-ray for the first time – Fernfully: The Last Rainforest, Thumbelina, The Many From Snowy River and Aquamarine. Featuring talented casts and moving stories, these Blu-ray titles make great Easter gifts for the whole family to enjoy.
Here is a brief snyopsis of each available title in case you are not familiar with them.
Starring a talented voice cast including Robin Williams, Tim Curry, Christian Slater, Samantha Mathis, Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong, Ferngully: The Last Rainforest is an enchanting story about taking care of the environment and the power of friendship, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. There’s magic in the rainforest and it’s called FernGully! Deep in the heart of the forest awaits a paradise filled with tiny sprites, winged fairies and tree spirits who all live in joyful harmony. But when their home is threatened by humans, one courageous sprite gives her all to save it! FernGully is a fantastical adventure into a world you’ll want to visit again and again!
Thumbelina
From world renowned animator Don Bluth (Anastasia, All Dogs Go to Heaven, The Secret of NIMH) and award-winning composer Barry Manilow comes Hans Christian Andersen’s Thumbelina – a magical story that reminds us that if we follow our hearts, nothing is impossible. When Thumbelina, a tiny enchanted fairy, meets Prince Cornelius, she is sure she’s found her heart’s desire. But before their romance can blossom, she is kidnapped by a family of show business toads, detained by a scheming beetle and married to a befuddled mole! As Thumbelina casts its magical spell on your entire family, you will see why Family Life says, “Parents will be cheering, girls will be in heaven and boys will be rewarded with exciting derring-do!”
Man From Snowy River
Featuring Kirk Douglas in a remarkable dual role and highlighted by a climactic chase involving 40 horsemen and 90 wild stallions thundering across snow-covered peaks, The Man from Snowy River is destined to become a legendary film. Set during the 1880’s, when the Australian frontier was as wild and dangerous as the American West, the film follows the exploits of a handsome youth (Tom Burlinson) who sets out to tame a wild herd of horses. Taking on a challenge many men had attempted before him, he rides deep into the treacherous and untamed wilderness of his native timberlands where boys become men fast – or die trying.
Aquamarine
Just in time for Easter, this fun feature starring Emma Roberts (Scream 4 and Valentine’s Day), Sara Paxton (The Last House on the Left and Malcolm in the Middle), and Joanna “Jojo” Levesque (Hawaii Five-O) is the perfect movie for any family to enjoy. It’s the end of summer and Claire (Roberts) and Hailey (JoJo) have a major problem. In just five days, Hailey’s family is moving halfway around the world! These girls need a major miracle, and they get one in the form of Aquamarine, a beautiful mermaid who washes ashore in a late summer storm. Sweet but clueless to the ways of romance, she offers to grant the girls one wish if they help her find the boy of her dreams. But when they attempt to reel in the cute local lifeguard, the result is something none of them expect and they discover that sometimes what you wish for isn’t what you really want after all!
My family has the movie Aquamarine on Blu-ray. Sadly not too many people have heard of this film. It really is a fun film. It’s something that people from 8 to 88+ can enjoy.
Yes, the movie is silly. After all there are no such things as mermaids. However this movie is silly in a fun way, not a stupid way. It doesn’t insult your intelligence.
There is also a wonderful underlying story about friendship – the special bonds people share and how true friends will go out of their way to help other friends.
I also like that the whole teen romance story was sweet and innocent. I have a soon to be 15 year old and I would rather her watch how the romance blossoms in Aquamarine compared to other horrible movies I’ve seen.
As with most blu-rays there are extra bonus features worth checking out. Be sure to check out the deleted scenes from the film. I get such a kick out of watching deleted scenes. Also worth noting are the bonus features Mermaid Makeover, Boys on the Brain and Building the Capri Club to name a few.
Look for these titles and other movies from Twentieth Century Fox where ever blu-rays and DVDs are sold.
Have YOU ever given a child a movie as an Easter basket stuffer? What other non-candy stocking stuffers do you enjoy giving to your child or grandchild?
Kimberly
*I received a free screener copy in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced in any way.