Coming Up: Snow White on the Big Screen

Have you and the kids seen Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on the big screen? I didn't think so. It's coming to the Camera 12 Downtown this weekend. Costumes encouraged!

When: Friday, August 19 at 7 pm
Saturday, August 20 at 7 pm
Sunday, August 21 at 3 pm
Seating begins at 30 minutes prior to showtime. The event starts at the published start time and includes a 15-20 minute audience warm-up (no need to arrive early for the "pre-show").

Where: Camera Cinemas: Camera 12 Downtown (201 S Second St, San Jose)
Cost: $18. Discount for advance purchases: $15 + box office service fees. Discount for advance purchases for students, seniors: $12 + box office service fees.

Your reservation includes reserved seating (choose your own seats), a fun pack of props, a 15-20 minute pre-show including costume, trivia, and/or singing contests, and possibly on-screen lyrics (when available), free validated parking (when using the attached covered parking garage attached).

The movie is 83 minutes plus a 20 minute preshow

Coming Up: Frozen Singalong (Plus Mamma Mia and Sound of Music)

I know this is last minute, but if you are looking for something to do with the kids this weekend, and they love Frozen (who doesn't?), get your tickets to the Frozen Singalong at the Retrodome in San Jose. Seats are limited for the matinees, so hop on it!

While you're at it, consider getting a three-pack of tickets to other singalongs, including the Sound of Music and Mamma Mia.

Frozen Singalong: April 29-May 1
Mamma Mia: May 6-8 (a great Mother's Day outing!)
The Sound of Music: May 13-15

Where: Camera 12 Downtown, 201 South Second Street, San Jose
Tickets: $15 in advance, $18 at the door. Your reservation includes reserved seating, a fun pack of props, a 15 minute pre-show that includes contests, previews and/or trivia, on-screen lyrics and free validated parking when using the adjacent parking garages.

What we're watching this month

I'm behind (as usual) on my shows. We finally caught up on the Survivor finale and Amazing Race finale as a family. So then it was time for me to finally finish the first season of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix. I was sad to finish, because that means there's no more until they release the new season. The show reminds me a bit of Ally McBeal, not because the awesome Jane Krakowski is in both (she is) but because they're both weird and quirky. You think, "did they really just say (or do) that?" And yes, they did.

Netflix released Orange is the New Black - season 3 - early! I have only watched a few minutes so far of season 3, but I'm excited. I plan to string it out and not binge watch it.

The kids have been busy watching their own shows on Netflix. My son has been busy watching Supernatural and catching up on Family guy. My daughter is into comedians now, and there are a ton of stand up shows on Netflix.

I'm coming up with my own list of family shows for movie nights this summer, including some kids' movies I haven't seen (The Nut Job, The Box Trolls, How to Train Your Dragon 2, though I still haven't seen 1, Mulan - which it's hard to believe I haven't seen, and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2). My son is interested in the Nightmare before Christmas, which is a classic.

And then there are some movies from before their time I'll force them to watch, like Titanic, Cast Away, Grease and maybe Footloose (so I can sing).

What do you plan to watch this summer?


Disclosure: I am a Netflix #streamteam member.

Food, Glorious Food!

With winter storms, we've been spending time indoors - yes, watching TV. We should be exercising, but we've been watching shows about FOOD! Here are some to watch on Netflix:

Cupcake Wars: Do you have a baker/decorator in the house? This show's 25 episodes include competitions where they bake themed treats for Weird Al, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the Blue Man Group, the Country Music Awards and more.

Chopped: Chefs make creation using regular items.

Man v. Food Collection: There's nothing grosser than seeing how much and what Adam Richman can eat. The kids are glued! There's even an episode from San Jose.

Ramsay's Best Restaurant: This show looks at UK restaurant chefs in different cuisines.

Kitchen Nightmares: One more Ramsay special, this one helps restaurants get back on their feet.




I am a Netflix Stream Team member.

Are you unbreakable?

I am very excited to watch the new Netflix show Unbreakable Kimmy Schmitdt which just premiered on Friday. The show, which NBC for some reason decided not to run (I don't know the whole story and didn't spend much time researching), was quickly picked up by Netflix, which seems like a smart move. I heard they already ordered a second season.

This is a Tina Fey and Robert Carlock's new comedy series starring Ellie Kemper (who I love in the Office), Jane Krakowski (30 Rock - and can we forget Allie McBeal?) and Tituss Burgess (30 Rock), about a woman who escapes from a doomsday cult and starts life over again in New York City - after not living in society for 15 years. What could go wrong?

As you can probably tell from the title, the lead character is labeled as unbreakable. Why? She's optimistic and resilient - kind of like parents! How else are you going to make it through late night feeding sessions, potty training, difficulty in school, puberty, kids separating from you and being mean to you and then sending them off to college...only to have them return to live with you again? I'm being optimistic that the job scene will improve by then. I don't want my kid moving back in! What if they can't get jobs and support themselves?

Okay, now I'm getting stressed out. While this show is rated for ages 14+, there are plenty of movies with the theme of resilience and reinventing yourself that you can show your kids, like Jimmy Neutron and Turbo for the little ones, and Freaks and Geeks and School of Rock for the older kids. We recently finished all the Freaks and Geeks episodes and were sad to be done. Funny to see actors like James Franco, Seth Rogan and Jason Segal in slightly younger days (though still looking older than high school!), and there were some awesome lessons for my kids - who are not in high school yet.


I am a Netflix Stream Team member.

Valentine's Day - Movies at Home

Nothing planned for Valentine's Day with your loved ones? How bout a movie night! Here are some Valentine's Day flicks you can see from the comfort of your couch on Netflix.

I Hate Valentine's Day - yup, that's me! This is a PG-13 movie and romantic comedy with Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding).

Every Day is Valentine - a Chinese romantic comedy

Before Valentine - a Thai movie (they celebrate Valentine's Day there too?) about 4 couples in various stages of a relationship, and how they celebrate that special day.

Of course there are plenty of romantic movies without the word Valentine in them. Like Dirty Dancing, Pretty in Pink, Romancing the Stone, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Shakespeare in Love (with that Goop lady), a Room with a View...I could go on.

What are your favorite romantic movies?

I am a Netflix Stream Team member.

Coming Up: Little Nemo - Free Movie for Kids

Roxie Theater in San Francisco (3117 16th Street) is showing the movie Little Nemo this Sunday, as part of their Roxie Kids free films. These are free for kids 12 and under ($7.50 for adults). They selected films to appeal to kids and adults - and not the typical Hollywood films either. These are more artsy. They want to expose kids and adults to more independent and foreign films.

This film is directed by Chris Columbus, who did Home Alone 2 and Harry Potter. Details about the show at the bottom.

Friendsgiving - the movie

Who do you spend Thanksgiving with? For us, it's usually my in-laws, and maybe some cousins and aunts and uncles too. This year it's with other cousins, and we'll be in New York City checking out the holiday festivities (but alas, not the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, because my kids don't want to get up early to wait in the cold to get a good spot).

Lots of people, though, spend the holiday with friends. I hadn't actually heard the name "Friendsgiving" until this year. Is it new or am I just out of it?

In any case, if you're looking for some friends-based shows and movies to watch this holiday weekend, we have a few suggestions for you.

Charlotte's Web - you read the book (perhaps to your kids) - now watch the movie.

Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends - this Cartoon Network show is from 2005. "When his mother doesn't believe in his best friend, a young boy takes him to Madame Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends and they have fun adventures."

Do we think our kids would appreciate Saved by the Bell the way we did? Only one way to find out.

The pickings are awesome for the parents! Did you miss any of Desperate Housewives, the group of neighbors who were (sometimes) close friends? You can catch all eight seasons on Netflix.

And of course there's the Office. We saw the original British version first, so it was a bit hard at first to adjust to the new crew. But we adjusted just fine.

And great news for those who have WAY too much time on their hands - all 10 seasons of the awesome TV show Friends will be available on Netflix streaming, starting in January.

Thanks to Netflix for sponsoring this post!

Orange is the New Animal Print: Preparing Teresa Guidice for Prison with Netflix

For those of us who follow reality show crazies, the news of Teresa Guidice getting a prison sentence was BIG NEWS. Since I'm in the middle of the second season of Orange is the New Black on Netflix, of course my first thoughts were that Teresa needs to binge watch this show before showing up in early January for her jail stay. And also that Bravo should consider a new prison TV reality show featuring Teresa. I'm sure I'm not the first to think that.

For my monthly Netflix post, I thought it would be timely to write about adult shows with a prison theme, and later about kids shows with right versus wrong (and consequences) themes. But first, the adult ones.

Teresa Guidice may be feeling sorry for herself, but it could be worse. She could end up in one of Russia's Toughest Prisons. By watching this National Geographic Special, she can go behind the scenes of these Russian prisons to see how the biggest criminals live in jail there.

Coming Up: I am Eleven

I AM ELEVEN opens on September 26 in the Bay Area, at the AMC Metreon in San Francisco, the New Parkway Theater (Oakland) and the Rafael Film Center in San Rafael.

I have not seen the movie, but it looks fabulous, including for kids. It's a movie featuring 11 year olds from around the world. You can see the trailer here. And read an interview with director Genevieve Bailey on Marinhood.

The movie runs 94 minutes in English (and multiple languages with English subtitles). Australian filmmaker Genevieve Bailey travelled the world for six years talking with 11-year-olds to create an insightful, funny and moving portrait of childhood. She explores the lives and thoughts of kids around the world, including one from an orphanage in India to a single-parent household in inner-city Melbourne, to bathing with elephants in Thailand.

From the press release: "It weaves together deeply personal and at times hilarious portraits of what it means to stand on the cusp between childhood and adolescence, that fleeting moment when childish naiveté has faded, yet teenaged self-consciousness has not yet taken hold. These young minds, still unguarded and remarkably honest, offer a powerful insight into the future of our world."

The film was awarded Best Documentary by the Australian Inside Film Awards numerous awards at other film festivals. Director Genevieve Bailey Genevieve was recently named as one of Australia’s ‘Top Film and TV of directors of 2012′ in the Encore and Mumbrella Annual.

You can see the I am Eleven:
AMC Metreon 16 - San Francisco
Friday, September 26 - 7 p.m. opening night meet the filmmaker Q&A
check the schedule on the link above for additional show times

Smith Rafael Film Center - San Rafael
Sunday, September 28 - 4:30 session with a special guest
check the schedule on the link above for additional show times

The New Parkway Theater - Oakland
Saturday, September 27 - 2:15
check the schedule on the link above for additional show times

Coming Up: Sing-Along with Frozen - SF and Oakland

Are you and your kids sick of Frozen yet? If not, two places are offering Frozen sing-alongs in the next few weeks.

Jack London Square: Feel free to show up in costume! Pre-event festivities include costume contests, games, prizes and more.
What: Sing-Along with Frozen, Outdoors
Where: Jack London Square in Oakland, Clay and Water Streets
When: Friday, September 26 at sundown

The Castro: Dress up for the costume contest. Goody bags at the door.
What: Frozen Sing-Along
Where: Castro Theater, San Francisco
When: Sunday, September 21 and Friday, October 4 at 1 p.m.
Cost: $16/adult, $11/kids 12 and under and seniors. Advance tickets here.

Coming Up: Free Movie at Roxie Theater for Kids

Roxie Theater in San Francisco (3117 16th Street) is offering one more free film this summer for kids 12 and under ($7.50 for adults). They selected films to appeal to kids and adults - and not the typical Hollywood films either. These are more artsy. They want to expose kids and adults to more independent and foreign films. They'll be showing:

Aug. 24th (Sunday) 2 pm

Astro Boy

Buy Tickets

Directed  and written by Osamu Tezuka Osamu Tezuka, God of Manga, Father of Anime. He gave much inspiration to Hayao Miyazaki. A science fiction series set in a futuristic world where robots co-exist with humans. Astro is a powerful robot created by the head of the Ministry of Science to replace his son, who died in a car accident. Astro is shown fighting crime, evil, and injustice. Most of his enemies were robot-hating humans, robots gone berserk, or alien invaders. Almost every story included a battle involving Astro and other robots.

Back to school - with kindness

My kids' school is promoting the book Wonder this summer, as a shared reading experience. If you haven't read it, you should. It's the story of a boy with some physical disfigurations, and his experience entering school for the first time.

As your kids start school this year, teaching your kids about kindness is something to think about. Kids can encounter a lot of cruelty at school. Other kids are not always the nicest and it's tough to be at school - a new one or one they've been going to for years - when other kids are making it difficult socially. Of course no kid wants to hear lectures on how to be kind.

Instead, let them learn through books like Wonder, and through movies. Or with crafts. I really like this craft from KSLCrafts, which combines a "punch box" (where you physically break through covered holes on a box) with random acts of kindness.

I just put Derek on my list to watch on Netflix, an original series I hadn't heard of until now. As a Ricky Gervais fan, I'm totally interested in watching this - especially since its kid friendly. The show is about a "simple man" - a nursing home worker worker who finds the good in everyone.

What books, TV shows and movies do you like your kids to read/watch, that also has the kindness theme?

This post is brought to you by Netflix, but all opinions and writing are my own.

Coming Up: Free Summer Series for Kids - Roxie Theater

Roxie Theater in San Francisco (3117 16th Street) is offering two free films this summer for kids 12 and under ($7.50 for adults). They selected films to appeal to kids and adults - and not the typical Hollywood films either. These are more artsy. They want to expose kids and adults to more independent and foreign films. They'll be showing:

JULY. 27th (Sunday 2 pm Lupin the 3rd “The CASTLE of CAGLIOSTRO” Buy Tickets Co-written & directed by Hayao Miyazaki Hayao Miyazaki’s directorial debut film. While driving through the streets of Europe, Lupin and Jigen, a sharpshooter, find a young woman named Clarise in a bridal gownchased by villains. A spectacular car chase ensues in order to save this damsel in distress. Aug. 24th (SUN) 2:00pm Astro Boy Buy Tickets Directed & written by Osamu Tezuka Osamu Tezuka, God of Manga, Father of Anime. He gave much inspiration to Hayao Miyazaki. A science fiction series set in a futuristic world where robots co-exist with humans. Astro is a powerful robot created by the head of the Ministry of Science to replace his son, who died in a car accident. Astro is shown fighting crime, evil, and injustice. Most of his enemies were robot-hating humans, robots gone berserk, or alien invaders. Almost every story included a battle involving Astro and other robots.

Movie Musicals

Our Netflix Stream Team theme for the month is musicals! Personally I love to sing, my kids don't. Well, they don't love it when I sing. So perhaps I'll have to watch these movies alone - or with duct tape over my mouth.

So here are some musical movie suggestions if you're looking for entertainment.

I may be one of the few people on the planet who saw Rent live, and didn't like it. The movie version stars Idina Menzel (or Adele Dazeem, if you're John Travolta). I may watch it just to listen to her. I just saw her in If/Then on Broadway - she's fabulous.

Okay, I LOVE Grease. That one is definitely on the list. In college we did a lip sync version to Summer Lovin' (dressed as the opposite genders) and won second place in a contest. We should have won first. Just saying.

Gotta cut Footloose. That one brings back some memories. Kevin Bacon! Let the kids' education continue.

Yes, these are for the older kids, but there are some for the younger ones as well, including:

Shrek the Musical - saw this one on Broadway, and loved it. Now it's a movie. Based on a Broadway show. Which was based on a movie, based on a book. Confused?

The Prince of Egypt - I still remember that this came out over Thanksgiving weekend. Crazy, huh? I haven't seen it yet.


Disclosure: Netflix has given me products/services in exchange for posting. As always, all writing and opinions are my own.

Throwback month with Netflix - win 3 month subscription

**Congratulations to Vivacious for winning the 3 month subscription**

This month is throwback month for the Netflix Stream Team (which I'm on). We were challenged to share some oldies but goodies with the kids. Unfortunately the Brady Bunch TV shows are only available on DVD, as opposed to streaming (which is what we have). And I'm not subjecting them to the Brady Bunch movies, which I can't even bear to watch.

Keep reading for a special contest at the end!

Instead we chose The Naked Gun, with Leslie Nielsen. They loved it! Especially since they'd already seen Airplane (including the cringe inducing boobie scene, which they thought was hilarious). Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is on my watch list for the kids too. Plus Escape to Witch Mountain. Do you know who that stars? Kim Richards from Real Housewives of Beverly Hills! I can't wait to relive the good old days, from before she was a recovering alcoholic with kids by 2 ex-husbands and a very cute ex-boyfriend. Of course I won't be sharing that with the kiddos.

Okay, the contest. Netflix will give one Frisco Kids reader a 3 month streaming subscription just because you read Frisco Kids. How awesome is that? Totally awesome. If you want a 3 month subscription, you have to leave a comment below, telling us your favorite throwback movies or TV shows that you want to share with your kids. I'll choose my favorite response, so give a good reason or story as to why.

I'll pick the winner on Monday, April 28 at 5:00 PST. Don't forget to leave me your email address so I can contact you. If you don't want to leave it on the post, make your comment and then email me at contest (at) friscokids.net and tell me which one was yours. I'll give you 24 hours to get back to me to confirm you're alive, and if not I'll move on to the next person.

Happy streaming!

Disclosure: all writing and opinions are my own.

Coming Up: Movie Sing-Alongs and Events

Some fun movie singalongs and quote-alongs...and events. These are at the Retrodome in San Jose (Century 21).

November 15-17 - Pirate Party Event
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Disney's Peter Pan - Pirate Party Event

November 22-24
2001: A Space Odyssey - on the big screen
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
(tickets this weekend are $9)

November 29-December 1
Toy Story Quote-along and Holiday Toy Drive

December 6-8
The Godfather Quote-Along
Sing-Along with Disney's Cinderella

December 13-15
An American in Paris Sing-Along
Sing-Along with Disney's the Hunchback of Notre Dame

December 20-22
The Sound of Music - Sing-Along

December 27-29
Moulin Rouge Sing-Along
Wizard of Oz - Sing-Along

Coming Up: Singalong Little Mermaid

Sing along with the Little Mermaid at the Retro Dome

Showtimes: Friday, November 1, at 7
Saturday, November 2, at 3 and 7
Sunday, November 3, at 3

Get tickets here.
Where: Century 21, San Jose

Link Love: Free Kindle books, Watermelon Carvings and Food Allergy Documentary

Want some free Kindle books? Through Saturday, you can get Annie Fox's Teaching Kids to be Good People and Are We Lost? (a kids' book).

Interested in learning more about food allergies? No doubt you've experienced kids with them at school or through friends, or perhaps you have them in your own family. The Discovery Channel is running an hour-long documentary narrated by Steve Carell, featuring individuals and families from across the country who are managing life-threatening food allergies, along with interviews of leading allergists and physicians. It airs on Saturday, September 7 at 8 a.m. ET/PT and again on September 21 at the same time.

Need  recycle that unneeded crib? Especially if it's no longer safe to pass down? Apartment Therapy has five great uses for that crib. My favorite is the gift wrapping area.

Check out these awesome watermelon carvings from Red Tricycle. They would be the hit of any party!

Coming up: Waterfront Movies at Jack London Square

This summer, catch some movies at Jack London Square's Waterfront Flicks series. Bring a blanket and food and meet at Jack London Market Lawn (Harrison and Water streets). Pre-film festivities include small plate food, beer, trivia and giveaways. Here's the schedule - movies are at "sundown":


Thursday, June 13 – The Dark Knight Rises

                        Thursday, June 27 – Life of Pi

                        Thursday, July 11 – Hitchcock

                        Thursday, July 25 – Brave

                        Thursday, August 8 – Skyfall

                        Thursday, August 22 – The Goonies