My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Did you know Canada..  My Little Pony has hit Canadian stores with 2 features: My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic – Adventures in the Crystal Empire and My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic - Pinkie Pie Party.

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic is the #1 show on Treehouse in Canada!  We watch a girl in my boys class on school mornings and I was excited to surprise her with these DVDs this morning. We started watching Pinkie Pie Party (available exclusively at Walmart) which includes 5 episodes, and bonus features include a Sing-Along and a Party Activity Kit and everyone (including the boys) loved it!

I actually enjoyed it too..haha.. if you haven't seen it yet, these ponies got a bit of attitude to them and are funny and enjoyable to watch.  It follows the story of Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie as they learn about friendship in the town of Ponyville.

We are looking forward to checking out Adventures in the Crystal Empire (available in store April 16th) later this week, it also includes 5 episodes from the beloved series, and bonus features including a sing-along and colouring sheet.  I've read this DVD includes the first 2 episodes of season 3, which is a two-part story, and this is big news for pony lovers!  Great gift to surprise a My Little Pony fan in your life.

I love these DVD sets as they include favourite episodes, they are also perfect for a quick watch in the morning or great to bring out in the car if you have a DVD player.

Do you have a My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic fan in your life?  Enter below for your chance to win these 2 DVDs!

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PETER PAN Diamond Edition 3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack

Did you know Canada..  with a new baby in the house and trying to keep my older boys entertained at home we have been turning to movies a lot.  Our favourites our the classics as everyone enjoys them, so I was SO excited to hear about the new release of Peter Pan.

The Diamond Edition features a 3-Disc Blu-ray Combo with Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy & Storybook App is a “must-own” addition to everyone’s home entertainment collection, filled with high-flying bonus features for all ages that includes - the groundbreaking feature Disney Intermission, Growing up with Nine Old Men short film, never-before-seen Deleted Scenes and a never-before-heard Deleted Song.

“Peter Pan” is a timeless classic from Disney’s Golden Age of animation.  The film is one of three to boast all nine of Walt’s famous “Nine Old Men” as Directing Animators, and is a revered audience favorite.  “Peter Pan” Diamond Edition 3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack will be available for a limited time only from Walt Disney Studios.

With a new digital restoration and high definition picture and sound - for the first time on Blu-ray™. The classic tale that taught us all “to believe” and first introduced us to the Darling children – Wendy, John and Michael - as they flew with Peter Pan and Tinker Bell past the second star to the right and straight on ‘till morning to the enchanted world of Never Land. Rediscover the magical adventure and relive childhood memories of this great bedtime story.

My boys have so enjoyed Captain Hook, the Lost Boys, Peter himself and really happy to know where Tinkerbell came from.  They have been acting out scenes from the movie and I know this will be a family favourite for years and years to come.

I also love this set not just for the movie but the extra entertainment it offers as well with the Storybook App and a whole host of Bonus Features..

-          Disney Intermission
-          Growing up with Nine Old Men
-          Disney View
-          Introduction by Diane Disney Miller
-          Deleted Songs & Scenes
-          You Can Fly: The Making of Peter Pan
-          Tinker Bell: A Fairy’s Tale
-          Disney Song Selections
-          Audio Commentary Hosted by Roy Disney
-          Music Videos & More!

What a great treat to pick up for Valentine's Day tomorrow and enjoy as a family!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Dog Days

Did you know Canada..  we JUST finished watching the brand new movie Diary of a Wimpy Kid Dog Days on Blu-ray (it just came out on DVD/Blu-ray yesterday!).  It is SUCH a fun movie, and what a great gift idea for under the tree this  year (still a few shopping days left!).

Everybody’s favorite wimp, Greg Heffley (Zachary Gordon), is back for three times the fun in the latest film based on the super-popular book series! When Greg’s dad (Steve Zahn) threatens to send him to military school if he doesn’t stay out of trouble, Greg finds all-new ways to land himself in the doghouse! For starters, Greg’s in over his head when he pretends to work at the swanky country club where Rowley’s family has a membership. Things don’t go much better on a father-son camping trip with the Wilderness Explorers, and then there’s the Heffley’s new dog, Sweetie, who fetches even more trouble for Greg in this hilarious family film!

My boys are a little young for the book, but we are just getting there and now that they have seen this fun movie, they are going to be even more excited to get into the books which I absolutely love!

A great movie to watch as a family, the whole thing is a hoot and the boys especially loved Sweetie the dog.  I think a wide range of ages would enjoy this one, and we will be picking up the older movies for the boys to enjoy too.  Perfect to watch on the second week of Christmas break from school.

We love the bonus extras too..


Blu-ray Exclusive Special Features:
- Commentary by Director David Bowers
- Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary by Director David Bowers
- Class Clown Animated Short
- Gag Reel
- FX Movie Channel presents Wimpy Empire
- Theatrical Trailer
- Sneak Peak


I remember a lot of movies like this from my youth, and find there are not a lot of these out today, so thankfully to Diary of a Wimpy Kid to create these kinds of movies for my boys to enjoy! :-)

Here's a fun deleted scene to enjoy..


Enter below for your chance to win a Blu-ray copy of Diary of a Wimpy Kid Dog Days!!  Good luck!!

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Pirate Films for the Whole Family

Did you know Canada..  don't forget about our Ice Age: Continental Drift giveaway!  We are giving away a really fun prize pack - great for the whole family to watch this Holiday Season!

See what other great tales are available from Pirate Films..


Muppet Treasure Island (loooove the Muppets!)
The Muppets came back in a big way in this action packed movie based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s infamous novel, Treasure Island. Kermit the Frog and his motley crew set sail on the high seas to find a treasure only to engage in war with some pretty ruthless pirates.

The Pirates! Band of Misfits
Even pirates want recognition! Despite several failed attempts, The Pirate Captain takes his crew out on a mission to claim the most booty and win the coveted Pirate of the year Award. The film features the voices of some serious British acting royalty like David Tennant, Martin Freeman and Hugh Grant.

Peter Pan (a must for every kiddo, right?)
Practically everyone knows the tale of Wendy, Michael and John Darling who are whisked away to mystical Neverland by the boy who will never grow up, Peter Pan. With the help of their new friends, the Lost Boys, Tinkerbell and, of course, Peter, they are able to bring down the evil Captain Hook and return home.

The Goonies (this is hubby's fav!)
This epic adventure featured some of the 80’s best loved actors like Josh Brolin, Corey Feldman and Sean Astin, hot on the trail of legendary pirate One-Eyed Willy. If they can avoid capture by the notorious Fratellis and find the treasure in time, they might be able to save their hometown from a wealthy country club’s hostile takeover.

Hook 
Years after his adventures with the Lost Boys, Peter Pan is a hardened litigator with absolutely no memory of his time spent in Neverland. So it’s not going to be easy for him to find his footing when Hook kidnaps his children and demands a rematch.

The Princess Bride (one of my favourites, so many memories!)
Was any movie ever as romantic as this tale of true love so great, it could not even be derailed by death?  Kings, castles, swamps, giants, con artists, wizards and, of course, pirates, make up this amazing, beloved film, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.

The Amazing Spider-man!

Did you know Canada..  we are excited about The Amazing Spider-man movie coming out this week and have been checking out the awesome new Spiderman toys from Hasbro Canada.

The Web Battler Spiderman is really cool, you squeeze his legs and he brings webs together, the boys have come up with tons of fun story lines as Spiderman battles with their other action figures.

The Amazing Spider-man Spider Strike Battle Vehicle is one of my guys favourites.  The car comes with a small spiderman that sits in the car, you can then launch the roof and spiderman holds on to the web to swing out.  My guy actually bring this to bed every night, it's so sweet.

The Amazing Spider-man Hero Mask has been lots of fun around here.  We all take turns wearing it, even when my guys go out..haha..  It really brings play to life, fits well and is open enough that it doesn't get too hot or overwhelming.

We saved the best for last in our opinion - The Amazing Spider-man Mega Blaster Web Shooter with Glove Set.  It's a mouthful to say, but it is AWESOME.  Fits well, the handle took some getting used to but my little guy can shoot no problem.  The set comes with 1 can of web fluid and a refillable water cartridge, so the fun doesn't stop even when you run out of webs.  We were excited to see this as a present at a birthday party the boys went to over the weekend, they can now shoot with a friend as well for tons of fun.

These are just a few of the really cool spiderman toys Hasbro Canada has, our local grocery store has an awesome display for The Amazing Spider-man toys, they are available across the nation!

Who's heading to see the movie this week???

BRAVE Brings Scotland to Canada

Did you know Canada.. In celebration of the release of Disney•Pixar’s “Brave” on June 22, Walt Disney Studios Canada is bringing a taste of Scotland to Canadian cities this weekend.

What: Traditional Scottish bag pipers and dancers will journey through Canadian streets on Saturday and Sunday. Lads and lasses are encouraged to join the celebration, where they will have the opportunity to see clips from the film and win prizes.

Snap a picture of the festivities, and email it to bvpm.toronto@disney.com with the subject line “BRAVE BROUGHT SCOTLAND TO CITY” and you could win a double pass for you a guest to see “Brave” next Wednesday, June 20th. Make sure to replace ‘CITY’ with the city you ventured to this weekend!

Who: Presented by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada.

When: Saturday, June 16th and Sunday, June 17th.

Where: Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver downtown cores

The full schedule is available on Walt Disney Studios Canada’s Facebook page

About the film: Set in the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland, Disney•Pixar’s “Brave” follows the heroic journey of Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald), a skilled archer and headstrong daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). Determined to change her fate, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the unruly and uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane), unleashing chaos in the kingdom. When she turns to an eccentric Witch (voice of Julie Walters), she is granted an ill-fated wish and the ensuing peril forces Merida to harness all of her resources—including her mischievous triplet brothers—to undo a beastly curse and discover the meaning of true bravery. Directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman, and produced by Katherine Sarafian, “Brave” is a grand adventure full of heart, memorable characters and signature Pixar humour. Opens on June 22, 2012, in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theatres.

Phineas and Ferb: The Perry Files

Did you know Canada.. Disney Canada is releasing Phineas and Ferb: The Perry Files DVD with Digital Copy and Perry Activity Pack June 5th!

While Phineas and Ferb do it all to make every day the best day ever, evil lurks just around the corner! But there is hope for the unsuspecting citizens of Danville. Now, for the very first time, crack open the top-secret archives of O.W.C.A. (Organization Without a Cool Acronym) to expose... THE PERRY FILES!


Join Perry the Platypus–a.k.a. Agent P.–on his most exciting adventures as he thwarts his nemesis, Dr. Doofenshmirtz, at every turn. With groovy gadgets, mad skills and his trademark brown fedora, this semi-aquatic, egg-layin’ mammal of action is unstoppable! Experience the hilarious havoc as he defends the Tristate Area against Doof’s “inators,” battles rogue agent “Dennis the Bunny,” and much more. When it comes to secret agents, Perry’s not only the real deal, he’s real teal!

My boys are going to go nuts for this, there are just getting into Phineas and Ferb and are at the perfect age to enjoy this. We can't wait to see it!!

They are going to love the Bonus Features too:

* Nerves of Teal: Do you have nerves of teal? Then OWCA (Organization Without a Cool Acronym) wants you! See if you have what it takes to become like Agent P in this spy recruiting video.
* Platypus Tour: Take a look inside the Platybus, the traveling Phineas and Ferb exhibit that toured North America.

Guess what?? We have three copies of this awesome new DVD to give away to our Canadian readers as well!!! (not open to Quebec) Enter below for your chance to win and enjoy it this summer!

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Hasbro Canada - Marvel's the Avengers

Did you know Canada.. we've been waiting for this one - have you? Marvel Heroes like Iron Man, Hulk, Thor and Captain America in the biggest Marvel movie ever!!

Marvel's the Avengers brings together Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Nick Fury and the incredible Hulk together in one amazing movie!

Hasbro Canada has got us covered with an amazing toy line, and we were lucky enough to receive a selection of the new toys.

Arriving in a reeeeeally cool box (We did break the seal, there was a Global Emergency!!)

Here's what we've been playing with..

Marvel The Avengers 3.75-inch Earth's Mightiest Heroes (approx. $9.99)
Perfect for imaginative play for my 4 year old boys, we've been having lots of fun making these guys battle each other. Thor is our fav, with his huge hammer, cool cape and a huge sword spike that launches. I know collectors will be going nuts for these guys as well.

Marvel The Avengers Ultimate Heroes (approx. $24.99)
We received a 10-inch Repulsor Strike Iron Man, there's are so cool with electronic sound effect, he talks and shoots missiles!! I love the size of this guy, he's been king of the 3.75-inch characters we've been playing with..haha..

Marvel The Avengers Iron Man Tri-Power Repulsor (approx. $22.99)
This has been the biggest hit as it's caused the most fighting ;-) You get to wear it on your wrist and palm, it makes sound, lights up and shoots 6 darts up to 20 feet!! This guy has actually gone to bed wearing this already..haha.. it's led to some awesome role play.

Marvel The Avengers Hulk Gamma green Smash Fists (approx. $24.99)
These huge Hulk hands have been another great role play item. I appreciated that they were soft foam-rubber so the boys can battle without getting hurt. This has led to some really funny play, cool moves and great pictures.

Marvel The Avengers Hero Mask (approx. $10.99)
We tried on the Thor mask, in fact, this guy has barely taken it off. I love that it leads to great role play without being scary to wear as some masks can be. They are light and comfortable, with an awesome design on the straps so it stays on busy boy's heads.

Available now at stores across the country. Perfect for a huge age range, most items 4+ and let me tell you, hubby has been enjoying them too!! THE thing for the collector in your family as well. Visit Hasbro Canada for more information.

Are you checking out the movie this weekend??

Splash'N Boots

Did you know Canada.. voted the Canadian Children's Music Group of the Year, Splash'N Boots was first created back in 2003 in Kingston, Ontario by Taes and Nick. After graduating from Queens University in 2005 they took Splash'N Boots on the road and have been a hit ever since!

My boys have been loving their new DVD "Splash'N Boots Act 2: A Whole Lot of Awesome". Described as Saturday Night Live meets Wayne's World for kids, the new full-length DVD is a mash-up of over 50 minutes of infectious melodies and hilarious music videos with a plethora of skits featuring dedicated Splash'N Boots fans.

The songs are catchy, as a parent I like the boys seeing real people playing instruments and singing, so the boys know that is something they could learn to do too. We've danced, laughed, talked about what we've seen - it's truly one of the more interactive DVD's we've ever had and enjoyed as a family.  The boys sure would love to meet Lily the dog in person too. :-)

I've got to say, as an adult I roll my eyes when adults are performing for children and how fake it all feels; but without a doubt, Splash'N Boots have genuine enthusiasm and it absolutely shines all the way through and makes their program enjoyable for the whole family.  We're looking forward to seeing them on Treehouse TV in their new "Roll Play" show as well!

Something I think is really fun - currently Splash'N Boots are working on their SIXTH album and they are looking for help from their Facebook fans!! They need help to determine song names, lyrics, and even the album name! Head over to their Facebook fan page today and join in the discussions. I absolutely love that a portion of all proceeds will be going to Sick Kids Hospital as well.

We love Splash'N Boots so much that we want to giveaway a copy of their new DVD to one lucky reader! Please enter below for your chance to win!!

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Winnie The Pooh

Did you know Canada.. Winnie The Pooh is one of my all time favourite children's movies. Created by A. A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh was named after a teddy bear owned by his son, Christopher Robin Milne, who was the basis for the character Christopher Robin.

Christopher Milne had named his toy bear after Winnie, a Canadian black bear which he often saw at London Zoo, and Pooh, a swan they had met while on holiday. If you can believe, the bear cub was purchased from a hunter for only $20 by Canadian Lieutenant Harry Colebourn in White River, Ontario, Canada, while en route to England during the First World War. He named the bear "Winnie" after his adopted hometown in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Return to the Hundred Acre Wood is bringing the magic home again. Walt Disney Pictures will be releasing Winnie The Pooh on DVD and Blu-Ray October 25, 2011! Return to the Hundred Acre Wood, is the latest adventure featuring the world’s beloved bear, Winnie The Pooh! Join Pooh, Tigger, Rabbit, Christopher Robin, Owl, Kanga, Piglet, Eeyore, and all of the classic characters you know and love!!

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One lucky reader will win a Winnie The Pooh Return to the Hundred Acre Wood DVD/Blu-Ray Combo Pack!!

Mandatory Entry - one mandatory entry per person
Using the above widget, let us know in the comment section which character best fits your personality!!

Optional Entries - 1 comment per each optional entry
- Follow Did you know Canada on GFC
- Follow @diduknowcanada on Twitter
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- Tweet this giveaway (link to your tweet in comment, can be done 2x a day during giveaway)
Example Tweet..

Enter to #win a DVD/Blu-Ray Combo Pack of the new Winnie The Pooh movie! Ends 10/31 @diduknowcanada http://bit.ly/t7mQLK #CanWin

Giveaway open to our Canadian readers, closing October 31th at 9:00pm EST. You must leave an email address so I have a way to contact you in the event that you win. Winners must respond within 72 hours or another winner will be chosen in their place.

On Screen

Did you know Canada.. this is just a few of the famous Canadian Actors out there..

• Kiefer Sutherland
• Ryan Gosling
• William Shatner
• Jim Carrey
• Dan Aykroyd
• Martin Short
• Mike Myers
• John Candy
• Catherine O`Hara
• Donald Sutherland
• Evangeline Lilly
• Howie Mandel
• Joshua Jackson
• Keanu Reeves
• Matthew Perry
• Michael J. Fox
• Pamela Anderson
• Seth Rogen

The list goes on!!

Source: Wikipedia, NorthernStars, r-go.ca, AskMen Canada, Canadian Actor

Canadians at the Oscars

Did you know Canada.. there are a few Canadians who can bring home an Oscar tonight..

• Makeup artist Adrien Morot for Barney's Version
• Sound designer Craig Berkey for True Grit
• DeBlois - co-wrote and co-directed How to Train Your Dragon
• Filmmaker Denis Villeneuve for Incendies - nominated for best foreign-language film

Some Canadian Oscar winners in our past include..

• James Cameron
• Paul Haggis
• Anna Paquin
• Jason Reitman
• Christopher Plummer

Look forward to seeing some Canadian's bring home an Oscar tonight!  Let us know if you're watching!