Win Festive Family Films

I have been lucky enough to review Arthur Christmas and Snowmen on DVD this year.  Both very different, but both great family films for the festive season.  So, to share the goodwill, I have a copy of Snowmen on DVD and Arthur Christmas on Blu-Ray to give away to one lucky reader, so they can enjoy them with their family.

If you would like to snuggle up with your family this Christmas and watch these two films, all you have to do is leave me a comment below telling me what your favourite festive film is.  Please include a way of contacting you such as Twitter id or an email address.  I will contact the lucky winner directly and hopefully (if I get the winner's details in good time) I'll get the films out to arrive before Christmas.

For a bonus entry tweet:

Win Festive Family Films with @wendymcd83 at http://tinyurl.com/d2b33tx

Then leave me a comment to let me know you have done so.

UK only.  Up to a maximum of two entries per person.  Competition closes December 10th 2012.  Winner will be drawn at random and notified directly. Good luck!!

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Snowmen Film Review

Out now on DVD from Arrow Films, Snowmen is the heart-warming coming of age drama starring Ray Liotta and Christopher Lloyd.  The film focuses on three unlikely young heroes and a winter that changes their lives when they decide to try to break a Guiness World Record.  They battle bullies and unite the community in their endeavours to do something that they will be remembered for.

The themes in this movie include death, illness and bullying, so it is in parts a very emotional watch.  However, the over-riding theme is that of friendship and the fact that true friendships will endure through thick and thin and that everyone counts.  My girls and I sat down to watch the review copy that we were sent, not knowing the storyline and we were gripped from the start.  We all cried during certain scenes and shouted at the TV in outrage during others.  It really did suck us in to the emotions of the film.

This film is half sweet and sentimental and half very sad and distressing.  The values and lessons portrayed in this film remind us that living a good life and being the best we can be is what really matters in this life.  The young lead portrays Billy, the troubled boy who wants to leave his mark, beautifully.  The friendship between him and his friends is heartwarming and the end scenes are infused with real feel good stuff!  There are some funny moments and some very distressing scenes.  Together this blend of content makes this a really enjoyable film (although possibly not for very young children thus the PG certificate.)  I highly recommend this for a life-affirming family movie that will definitely move you!

Snowmen is out now to buy from good stockists including Amazon where it is currently just £7!  It will make a great stocking filler or make a fab festive family film night.

Yes We Had Snow!

It is definitely a pre-occupation of the British to obsess about the weather.  This weekend, we had a will it, won't it debate regarding the likelihood of snow.  Although I was dreading the s-word after last year's frozen nightmare, I must confess to that feeling of magic as the white flakes begun to tumble from the sky.

It settled quickly and Freddy grabbed his wellies and ran to the back door wanting to get out into the garden.  They have a sixth sense that makes them know how much fun is to be had, in spite of the sub zero temperatures.  Now Fred is potty trained, he didn't have the luxury of a padded nappy to insulate his nether regions so it was a real first for him to feel the freeze, but he didn't seem to mind too much!

Kizzy and Freddy enjoyed a day in the snow, and these photos show the fun they had.  They made a snowman, snowcastles using a bucket and had Daddy pull them round and around on their sledge.  Afterwards they came in for hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows.  A perfect winter's day!

I was glad to see most of the snow on the roads had all defrosted this morning, school runs and the M6 commute are not helped by the white stuff.  Hopefully this is a one off treat for the children that is not to be repeated any time soon.  We were lucky having a weekend Winter Wonderland to enjoy, but I remember all too well how terrifying and dangerous the big chills can be.

Snowy Days...Snowman Population Boom

With all the snow that has fallen this week, the Snowman population has boomed.  Children everywhere have been getting creative, making frosty friends!  Here are some of our community of Snowpeople.  It's always a shame when the thaw sets in, and our newfound friends disappear leaving nothing behind but a few stones, a hat and a puddle!