Review: Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey presents "Out of This World" at the Honda Center

TGIF!

We're here!

Much anticipated all week, we're finally here.

Thanks to Jennifer P. for tickets and Media/VIP check in, we arrived pretty early to enjoy some fun from our seats pre-show.

There's plenty of souvenirs to take home as keepsakes.

Even the "big" kids love the circus.

Lots of photo opps everywhere.

The view from our seats: Section 223, Row P, seats 7, 8 and 9.

Always love saving these tickets for memories.

New this year! Be sure to download the Ringling Bros app from iTunes or Google Play for interactive fun plus alerts throughout the show.

There are "selfie" photo opps directly on the app to enjoy! 

I couldn't resist a selfie opportunity!

Genius!

There are plenty of ofther activities to choose from the menu and you can even VOTE for your favorite circus act!

Clown Alley entertains you throughout the show and in between acts.

Space Walk opened the show and it was an attention-grabber for sure!

Gravity-defying aerials were spectacular!

There was so much to look at during "Out of This World"

Unicycles galore and other athletic performers!

Lion tamer Alexander Lacey was captivating with his Lions and Tigers (Oh My!) act!

The trapeze act was a close-second to a show-stopper.

Show girls highlighted "Out of This World" circus performance

Watch LIVE videos on my Facebook page

The trapeze artists did an amazing triple somesault

Closing acts!

The finale!

The only thing missing were the elephants who have since been retired and living the life in some jungle oasis. We'll miss you mighty pachyderms.

Enjoy the show. Bring a sweater since this show is on ice (it's not 100 percent an ice-skating show, but it comes really close).

Be prepared to spend some dollars for festival-like food and drinks. 

Finding Dory (2016) - movie review

Rated: PG

Run Time: 97 minutes

If you haven't already watched this movie or if you haven't already heard reviews about it, I shall forewarn you now: GET YOUR TISSUES READY, IT'S A TEAR-JERKER.

There. The one and only, OK...rare spoiler alert you'll get from me. 

In its Father's Day opening weekend in June, Disney-Pixar's Finding Dory, directed by Andrew Stanton (Mighty Mouse, The New Adventures, 1987) and Angus MacLane (Toy Story 3, 2010), raked in $135Min the box office second behind the number one movie last year, Jurassic World (2015), according to Deadline|Hollywood (2016).

(Tank Gang)

OK, I lied. Here's another spoiler alert: If you're expecting to see the original Tank Gang as first seen in Finding Nemo (2003), Disney-Pixar's first installment of what appears to be a "series" of some sort, they don't actually make an appearance until much later in the film (USAToday, 2016). I won't reveal when, but you do, at some point, and that's all I'm going to say about that topic. Moving on. 

Storyline

The loveable Dory, voiced by Emmy Award-winning talkshow host Ellen Degeneres, a wide-eyed blue tang fish who suffers from short-term memory loss, sets out on a journey to find her long-lost parents from whom she somehow separates when she was just a child. Dory, who flashes back to key memory details that would prove to help her in the long run, enlists her friends, the father-and-son duo Marlin, played by Albert Brooks (Drive, 2011) and Nemo, voiced by Hayden Rolence (Beta Persei, 2015) oh and the slippery, slimy and always-on-the-go Hank, the octopus-turned-septopus voiced by Ed O'Neill (Married with Children, 1987) -- who lost a tentacle some time ago before meeting Dory and the rest, and a near-sighted whale shark named Destiny, played by Kaitlin Olson (The Simpsons, 2016) who uses her underwater sonar power -- to help find her parents, Jenny, voiced by Diane Keaton (Love the Coopers, 2015) and Charlie, played by Eugene Levy (Over the Hedge, 2006).

The colorful sea bunch end up at the Marine Life Institute where they find themselves aboard a truck bound for Cleveland, known for where sea animal go but never ever return. 

Happy Ending

Although Dory's short-term memory fails her often, her long-term memory is much stronger than she believes that ultimate leads her back to the place she once called home. 

Spoiler alert #3: here's where you'll need your tissues. As she returns to her familiar abode, she finds seashells carefully, strategically and thoughtfully placed in a "star" formation by Dory's loving parents in hopes she will find her way back home -- and she does -- and it turns out to be the most tender moment in the entire film. 

Review

Dory as a young fish is super cute as can be with even wider adorable eyes and a high-pitched pre-teen voice, somewhat resembling that of Boo in Monsters, Inc. (2001). At first you believe Hank will just ruin all chances of Dory reuniting with her parents because of his swift and fast-action shifty-ness. Hank has his own agenda and dreams up ways of breaking out of the conservatory, but he pulls through in the end teaming up with Dory, Destiny, Nemo and Marlin as they swim to and fro, recklessly jumping, sometimes flying through the air or darting like a submarine underwater, back and forth from open ocean back to the conservatory back to the open ocean again (are you keeping up?) all to help Dory ultimately find her family. 

This made-for-the-entire-family, feel-good, warm and fuzzy film will surely tug on your heartstrings. Get prepared for a hits-home-hard-moment and don't forget your hankies and tissues! You may want to call your loved ones after watching this movie, just saying.

Rating: A

The Secret Life of Pets (2016) - movie review

Rated: PG

Run Time: 87 minutes

The Secret Life of Pets topped the box office charts at $103.2 million since its opening on Friday, July 8 through Sunday, July 10, "a record debut total for an original animated film," according to ABCNews. This record opening is said to have outperformed last year's $90.4 million blockbuster hit Inside Out (2015) made by Disney-Pixar (ABCNews).

Oh that just pained me to say that (sorry Inside Out, the numbers don't lie).

Being a pet-owner myself of a black Chihuahua named Panther (8) and a blond Jack-Russell Mix-Chihuahua, Max (7), whom I strongly believe have their own secret language, secret identity, secret high sign, and secret life, I was very anxious to watch this film and see just how closely the on-screen dogs' lives resembled that of my own real-life dogs. It was pretty darn close, minus the inner-city excursion, the ferry ride, the truck hijacking, and oh, the talking dogs (and cats, and pig, and rabbit, Oh My!)

The Storyline

Once upon a time, a terrier named Max, voiced by Louis C.K. (Louis C.K. Oh My God, 2013) lived a happy life with his human, Katie, played by Ellie Kemper (Bridesmaids, 2011) with whom he went everywhere and did everything in the heart of New York City. As loyal fur-buddies do, Max waited patiently for Katie to return, but to his dismay she brings home Duke, voiced by Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family, 2009) a messy and clumsy rescued stray. Feeling betrayed by Katie and that Duke is trying to take over his territory, Max tells his neighborhood animal-friends, "he won't be staying long," thus ensues the battle over Katie.

Chaos befuddles the pair on their afternoon walk when they find themselves onboard a truck bound for the pound. After numerous attempts to escape, they end up lost in the city and must find their way back home. They happen upon a cute, little white bunny rabbit named Snowball, played by Kevin Hart (Central Intelligence, 2016), who offers to help them in exchange for joining his allegiance of misfit, ragtag pets who are plotting revenge against all human owners who abandoned them.

Talking animals of any kind, real or animated, are just plain CUTE with a capital "C" and this movie did not disappoint. The opening reveals what the animals in a Manhattan apartment building do when their owners leave for the day. This reviewer's favorites included a head-banging poodle rocking out to heavy metal music; a very plump cat whose only mission is to seek food and devour it; and a white, fluffy Pomeranian named Gidget, voiced by Jenny Slate (Zootopia, 2016) who is Max's self-proclaimed girlfriend.

Happy Ending

The movie concludes when the pair band together along with an army of neighbor pets led by Gidget, turn against Snowball and bring peace and order back to the city.

Review

Overall this family-friendly, kid-appropriate movie was paced quite nicely from start to finish allowing the audience time to identify with some of the onscreen pets. One boy nearby was delighted every time the food-loving cat appeared, yelling "Aww, Fat Cat!" 

Kevin Hart brought life to his role as Snowball and as expected, the theater filled with so much knee-slapping laughter and tiny giggles. What began as a love-hate relationship between Max and Duke, this reviewer slowly acquired a change of heart and found herself cheering for the underdog (pun intended there) who happened to be Duke, not Max. Yes, just watch the movie and see why that is (no spoiler alert).

Stay for the end credits and see extra footage.

Rating: A-

Disney Day Trip

We've been blessed this past year to enjoy annual passes at Disneyland and believe me, we do what we can to take advantage of it, too.

Sometimes we plan ahead, other times, and more often than not, we spontaneously forge on a day trip, like we did yesterday.

Before heading out to Disneyland, I recommend if you are Disneyland Passholders, to follow @DisneylandAP and get a quick snapshot of any potential blackout restrictions that day.

For park hours, follow @DisneylandToday to plan your day.

I follow @DisnylandAP and tweeted "We're here" yesterday and they made us feel like family when they responded with, "Hooray!"

Soarin' Around the World

First thing on our agenda, ride "Soarin' Around the World." It wasn't our first time on this adventure, but each time feels different. You see something you hadn't the time before. This is a new attraction on the Disney California Adventure (DCA) Park which opened this summer, but for those who remember, the ride used to be named "Soarin' Over California" which highlighted pinpoint spots in California ranging from The Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco), Napa Valley (Wine Country), Half Doem at Yosemite National Park, Malibu Beach, Mojave Desert, Coronado Bay (San Diego), and a few other locations. 

Visiting the DCA side is never complete without riding on the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (which is rumored to be renamed to "Guardians of the Galaxy" Tower of Terror). We were equally excited when we entered the ride to see there was only a 13-minute wait! I think it's the first we've seen of its kind ever at any Disneyland/DCA ride.

There's something about the suspenseful and unpredictable drops from three stories high that puts a lump in your throat (literally), and my favorite part is the few seconds we hover over the top floor when the elevator doors open, we position ourselves for that flashed photo opp. Every time, we make up silly poses to make it more memorable! You can view your photo at the conclusion of the ride as you exit.

I love browsing through the souvenir shop at Tower of Terror to see all the cool merchandise like these two that caught my eye yesterday.

 We also rode on Radiator Springs Racers and took advantage of the Single Rider line. We were

pretty lucky to be placed in the same car just on different rows. This ride is the best! The animtronics is terrific, the neon-lit colors are just so bright and colorful, the canyon in the background is just so beautiful and picturesque. One thing Disney does not falter on is its attention to detail. I especially love the end of the ride when we get to race side-by-side with another car to the finish line and it takes you through a few windy turns and dips coupled with the screeching and roaring of the revved up engine!

(Watch the Facebook LIVE recording of Racers)

The last ride of the day was The Little Mermaid - Ariel's Undersea Adventure. This is ride is near and dear to my heart especially because it's been my favorite since my daughter, Elysse (26), was born, and having performed in The Grove Theater in Upland's production of "The Little Mermaid" as Andrina, one of Ariel's Mersisters. 

Looking forward to our next adventure at the Disneyland Resort. 

Check back again!

Pokemon Go Got Me Like "Wha?"

Pokemon Go

Today I downloaded Pokemon Go. I had to see what all the hype was about. 

I admit, yesterday, my twin son, Aaron, showed me this app on his Android phone. I didn't think much about it. I thought he was just showing me a cool GPS app. I had no idea the popularity of this app until now.

Pokemon Go is already gaining so much buzz! My daughters said there were "so many people in groups catching Pokemon at Disneyland yesterday."

You may have already heard some negative comments and stories about this app like the man who caused an accident on the freeway while catching a Pokemon. I'm not that far into the app to know how this could even be possible (yet).

There's even a new hashtag #dontpokemongoanddrive circulating the Twitterverse and the barrage of comments, both positive and negative, are endless. 

Here are 12 basic things you should know before setting up your Pokemon Go account:

1) The app became available July 7 on iOS and Android and upon creating your account, you become known as a "trainer." That's Pokemon-speak for "first-person player" (I probably sound really silly to my kids right about now). You create your own name (but be forewarned, this could take several attempts before landing on one that is available.

2) Now you choose your starter Pokemon from Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle, known as the "classic Gen 1 starters," according to iDigitalTimes (July 7, 2016). 

3) After you catch your first Pokemon, which you can do while sitting and figuring out how the darn thing works. But now the fun begins where you now have to get up off your bum and walk (or drive, you choose) to your next destination. Your smartphone's GPS will reveal to the app your location and out of nowhere Pokemon start popping up. 

4) Look for PokeStops (IGN) or Gyms (CNET), these are known as "landmarks." The closer you get to these landmarks you'll know when you're close to a Pokemon. 

5) Look for rustling grass where Pokemon are lurking about. You'll want to prepare to catch them.  At anytime can you pull up the menu on the bottom right corner of the screen to provide hints on what Pokemon are nearby (iDigitalTimes, July 7, 2016)

6) Pokemon Go uses a numbering system from 0 to 3 footprints, with 0 meaning Pokemon are really really close and 3 meaning they are really really far. You'll want to come closer to 0, of course (duh)!

7) It takes some getting used to knowing what type of Poke Ball to use, how to throw your Poke Ball, and your throwing style -- that will contribute to how successful you are in catching a Pokemon; otherwise they simply run away. So keep at it and be swift in your execution!

You can read this to find tips on mastering throwing styles. 

8) Pay attention to the amount of Command Points (CP) a Pokemon has before capturing them. This determines how well they fight in battle. The higher the CP the better they are.

9) Look for PokeStops that will produce items like Eggs that hatch. In order to make these eggs hatch, you must walk around it up to a certain distance (each Egg is different). You'll be given incubators to help with hatching your Egg, but remember you may only have one incubator at a time.

10) Incense draws Pokemon toward you for a limited time of 30 mins. Use them wisely and only when you cannot find Pokemon.

11) You can purchase Poke Dollars using real money (imagine that concept?) or by Leveling Up (a means to bypass the long process of obtaining items) to get more items. 

Do I sound smart yet?

12) Only after you complete Level 5 can you join a team (Red, Blue or Yellow) and begin battling in the Gym. 

Whew!

So for now, I'll stop here. I have a feeling it will take a while to get to Level 5 at my rate. 

You can always read what happens next after Level 5 and learn more about what to expect like tackling other teams in their Gym or training your Pokemon in your Gym that you control, or learn about healing/reviving, and Pokemon Centers among other things. 

Check back later for an update (hopefully by then I will be at Level 5 or beyond...that's a tall order that word "HOPEFULLY"). We shall see my progress then.

Don't forget to COMMENT below and SHARE.

How Disneyland Brought Joy to My Dying Father

Reasons why I believe Disneyland "saved" my Dad's life

I can't believe it's been three months now since my dad passed away and not a day goes by where I do not think of him. I miss him so dearly. May 7, 2016 would have been his 73rd birthday.

Three years ago, he received a "clean bill of health" from his doctor and that declaration renewed his sense of living, so to speak. One day he told me and my brother he wanted to go to Disneyland as it had been years since his last visit. We arranged to get him signed in on May 26, 2013 and it would prove to be one of the best days of not only his life, but ours!

(Back: Me, Ariana and Dad. Front: Kalissa and Kailah)

Here are the fondest memories I will cherish from our visit, that made my dad feel so alive, proving there IS something about Disneyland that truly appeals to people of all ages and walks of life, making them feel like kids again:

1) No rest for the weary. We arrived mid-morning and my dad never once asked for a wheelchair. He would walk everywhere at both Disney California Adventure and Disneyland. We would ask him constantly throughout the day if he wanted assistance and each time he would shake his head and bellow a resounding "No." He even opted to stand in the sometimes 50-60-minute stand by lines, again never complaining and never showing signs of fatigue.

2) Not quitting time yet. We were prepared to call it an early day or evening should dad say he was ready to go home. But remember what I said earlier, that we started mid-morning? Well, we would go all the way up to midnight before heading home. Yes! You read that correctly! Midnight. He must have had FOMO (fear of missing out, where I get it from, apparently) and wanted to take it all in. I believe he knew his time on Earth was nearing an end and he would likely not come back to Disneyland after that day. It was the best display of perseverance, determination, and adventure I had ever witnessed in my life.

3) No brown bag lunches. Even though he had a clean bill of health from his doctor and was still on a diabetic diet, he didn't let that deter him. He would eat burgers, fries, churros, popcorn, and ice cream along with the rest of us. It was great to see him enjoy in these simple delectable pleasures.

4) Turbulence ahead. I will never forget watching my dad ride Hollywood Tower of Terror, California Screamin', Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, and the Matterhorn, to name a few. You could hear him scream and yell with delight, just like a child. It was therapeutic, not only for him, but for all of us.

What I wouldn't give to see my dad taking in all that the wonders of the Disneyland's Magic Kingdom again, but knowing he's in a much bigger, brighter and lovelier MAGIC KINGDOM brings a sense of security to me.

Thanks Disney for making these memories happen!

Southern California Musical Theater Performances

As many of you know, I am a huge proponent of Musical Theater, not just as a performer, but as a theater-goer in general.

So, to help me specifically decide on what shows to see, I thought it best to compile a local list of show dates and times mostly for Southern California productions that feature one or more of my friends, many of whom I have had the pleasure of working with in the past. I am uber proud of their accomplishments and the drive to pursue their dreams!

The Mysterium Theater at the La Habra Depot presents 

The Music Man

(Only two weekends left) 

July 7 at 8pm

July 8 at 8pm

July 9 at 8pm

July 10 at 7pm

July 15 at 8pm

July 16 at 8pm

July 17 at 7pm

Address:

311 S. Euclid Avenue

La Habra, CA 90631

(562) 697-3311

www.mysteriumtheater.com

Tickets:

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2537323

RL Theatricals presents
"Twisted: The Untold Story of a Royal Vizier"

Only performs one weekend!

July 8 at 7pm
July 9 at 7pm
July 10 at 7pm









Address:
2060 University Ave
Riverside, CA 92507

Tickets:
https://rltheatricals.yapsody.com/

The Mysterium Theater at the La Habra Depot presents

Disney’s The Little Mermaid

July 9 at 4pm

July 10 at 4pm

July 14 at 7:30pm

July 16 at 4pm

July 17 at 4pm

Address:

311 S. Euclid Avenue

La Habra, CA 90631

(562) 697-3311

www.mysteriumtheater.com

Tickets:

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2558043

The Taylor Performing Arts Center presents

West Side Story

July 14 at 8pm

July 15 at 8pm

July 16 at 2 & 8pm

July 17 at 5pm

Address:
845 W. Colorado Blvd

Monrovia, CA

Tickets:

www.BrownPaperTickets.com

Musical Theater Orange County

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

July 22 at 7:30pm

July 23 at 7:30pm

July 24 at 2pm

July 29 at 7:30pm

July 30 at 2 & 7:30pm

July 31 at 2pm

All Seats Reserved

Orchestra - $30

Mezzanine - $25

Performances are held at PYLUSD Performingg Arts Center:

1651 N. Valencia Ave

Placentia, CA 92870

http://mtoc.org/

Santa Fe Springs Community Playhouse

RENT

July 26 at 8pm

July 27 at 8pm

July 28 at 8pm

July 29 at 8pm

July 30 at 8pm

Tickets:

http://sfscp.org/2016_RENT_Tickets.html

Chance Theater Products presents
Disney's Beauty and the Beast

Runs Aug 16 - 20

Visit http://tacfa.org/programs/broadway-in-the-park/tickets/ for ticket information

Stage Door Repertory Theatre

Miss Saigon

Aug 27 at 8pm

Aug 28 at 7pm

Sept 2 at 8pm

Sept 3 at 8pm

Sept 4 at 7pm

Sept 9 at 8pm

Sept 10 at 8pm

Sept 11 at 2pm

Sept 16 at 8pm

Sept 17 at 8pm

Sept 23 at 8pm

Sept 24 at 8pm

Address:

1045 N Armando St, Suite A

Anaheim, CA 92806

(714) 630-7378

Tickets:

http://stagedoorrep.tix.com/Schedule.aspx?actcode=119493&OrgNum=3604

ENJOY THE SHOW! 

See you a the theater!

Central Intelligence (2016) - movie review

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 1hr 54mins

Ranked #5 this week according to www.BoxOfficeMojo.com, Central Intelligence surprised this finicky reviewer with a few laugh-out-loud moments with its overall cheesy, tongue-in-cheek humor that begins with an all-too-familiar coming of age, high school scene that has audiences cheering for the underdog coupled with a few twists and turns that dead-ends into a predictable ending.

Central Intelligence, written and directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber (We're the Millers, 2013), with writing credits to Ike Barinholtz (The Mindy Project, 2012) and David Stassen (Rome is Burning, 2003), stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (San Andreas, 2015; Fast & Furious 6, 2013)as Bob Stone and Kevin Hart (The Wedding Ringer, 2015; Ride Along, 2014); Calvin Joyner, Amy Ryan (Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance, 2014) as Agent Pamela Harris; and Danielle Nicolet (Born Again Virgin – TV Series, 2015-2016) as Maggie, Calvin's high school sweetheart-turned-wife. 

Bullied as a kid, the overweight Bob Stone reconnects through Facebook with his “only friend” from high school, Calvin Joyner, who rescued him from humiliation during an awkward moment at an end-of-the year rally. The once-popular and athletic, voted “Most Likely to Succeed” Joyner, a good-natured, fast-talking accountant finds himself in the middle of an international spy state of affairs. The irony reveals itself when Bob (a former chubby, music-loving, braces-wearing teen turned muscular and charming secret agent trying to clear his name with the hot-on-his-trail Agent Harris), who spent six hours a day working out in the gym for the past 20 years sporting an old school-style fanny pack, recruits the mild-mannered Calvin, whom Bob calls “a snack-size Denzel,” for his numbers-crunching math skills to break a code needed to prevent a U.S. satellite system from falling into the hands of thieves.

Kevin Hart's diminutive stature adds to this action-comedy especially when standing next to or interacting with the 6-foot-5-inch Dwayne Johnson. While Hart's humor is belly-busting and fresh not to mention with perfect comedic-delivery, Johnson was depicted as an “air head” and an almost stereo-typical “dumb jock.” This reviewer wishes his role was stronger, more believable, more intelligent (hence the title) and less herky-jerky.

This film is action-packed with high speed, car-chasing and car-flipping scenes with plenty of friendly bantering among the dynamic duo. The story line revolves around the twisted, secret agent plot, all while Calvin and his wife, Maggie work on salvaging their fairytale marriage and storybook life. Bob gains a ride-or-die partner and best friend as they drive away into the sunset living happily ever after.

Added feature: cameo appearances by Jason Bateman (Arrested Development, 2003-2013 and Horrible Bosses, 2011) as the high school bully, Trevor and Ryan Hansen (Veronica Mars, 2004) who plays Steve, the office schmoozer.

Central Intelligence makes great reference to today's social media platforms and trendy technology. The is a fun and entertaining movie sure to have audiences bellowing with laughter.

Not quite a summer must-see movie (but close), Central Intelligence is filled with comedy, action, twist-and-turn suspense, very little special effects complete with a mix of fun '90s and today's music, and is highly recommended by this film critic.

Stay to the end of the credits and watch hilarious outtakes.

Rating: B-