My Little Pony Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks
Director: Jayson Thiessen
Voice Cast: Tara Strong, Ashleigh Ball
Studio: Hasbro Studios / Shout! Factory
Release Date: October 28, 2014
ASIN: B00LOCLANY
Running Time: 75 minutes
Rating: TV-Y
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Almost everyone in their 30s has heard of Hasbro's My Little Pony toys that were first introduced to kids during the 1980s, followed by a theatrical animated movie, animated specials and a television series. The toys are currently its fourth generation which has been reinforced by a new hit animated series, My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, and another theatrical film, My Little Pony Equestria Girls.

My Little Pony Equestria Girls centered on pony Twilight Sparkle traveling to an alternate world to recover her lost crown. In this world, she is a human and she meets her pony friends' human counterparts. It's sequel My Little Pony Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks had a short run in theaters before landing on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Copy today from Shout! Factory.

The sequel is set once again in the human world, where sirens, Adagio Dazzle, Aria Blaze, and Sonata Dusk, have put a spell on Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna when they performed a song. This leads Sunset to send a message through a magic book to Twilight asking for help. Twilight Sparkle and Spike the dragon, who is now a dog in alternate world, goes to the human world to stop the sirens, but they only way to do so is to sing a song to cast a counter-spell.

The regular DVD comes with a coupon, which can save you $4 when you buy the DVD and any one Hasbro Equestria Girls toy. Target has an exclusive version of the My Little Pony Equestria: Girls Rainbow Rocks DVD, which has a Rainbow Rocks bracelet inside as well as the $4 coupon. Only at Walmart, the My Little Pony Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks DVD includes My Little Pony music on CD for the first time, a digital copy of the movie and the $4 coupon. Kmart is offering an exclusive version of the My Little Pony Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks DVD that contains an exclusive Limited-Edition Rainbow Rocks Backstage Pass and the $4 coupon.

Confessions: The Paris Mysteries
Confessions Series, book 3
by James Patteson and Maxine Paetro
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Pub. Date: October 6, 2014
ISBN: 978-0316370844
Pages: 320
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

It seems author James Patterson is unstoppable with at least one new novel being released monthly. With more than 300 million copies sold worldwide, it is no wonder why the author is so popular with children and adults. When he isn't writing the newest Alex Cross installment, another Murder Mystery Club or a sequel to the Middle Grade adventures, the author finds time to co-author the young adult Confessions series with author Maxine Paetro.

The third installment of the series was released this month, titled Confessions: The Paris Mysteries, which once again follows Tandy Angel and her siblings, but this time (Yep, you guessed it!) they are in Paris. After being accused of murdering their parents in book 1, Confessions of a Murder Suspect and solving the a series of murders at a private in school in Confessions: The Private School Murders, the Angel children need a bit of rest, but it seems trouble follows them no matter where they head to.

Tandy is devastated when her boyfriend, James Rampling, suddenly dumps her for no reason whatsoever. It seems murder is never too far behind when her twin brother, Harry, is accused of murder and once again Tandy must go into detective mode to save her family. Speaking of family, Tandy discovers a locked room while snooping around inside her grandmother's house and finds evidences that suggests that her older sister, Katherine, may be still be alive, somewhere!

Maleficent
Director: Robert Stromberg
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Sharlto Copley
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Release Date: November 4, 2014
Retail: $36.99
ASIN: B00M4ADWTK
Running Time: 97 minutes
Rating: PG
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Over the last few years studios have taken an interest in Grimm's Fairy Tales once again with the release of two different Snow White Films, a rated-R Hansel and Gretel adventure and ABC's Once Upon a Time that has put a modern day spin on about every fairy tale that has ever existed. Arriving on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD is the live-action re-imagining of Disney's 1959 animated film Sleeping Beauty, titled Maleficent. Directed by Robert Stromberg, the film grossed over $700 million over the summer despite receiving a mixed-reaction from critics. The Blu-ray special features are deleted scenes, Aurora: Becoming a Beauty, From Fairy Tale to Feature Film, Building an Epic Battle, Classic Couture and Maleficent Revealed.

Angelina Jolie stars in the title role of Maleficent, a magical orphan faerie living in the magical realm called the Moors, which is located just outside of the kingdom. During her childhood, she befriended a human orphan, Stefan, but as they got older, he quit visiting her. Unknown to her, he is actually one of the King's soldiers. The King attempts to invade the Moors, but Maleficent uses her magic to defend it. Her actions causes a ripple effect that leads Stefan (played by Sharlto Copley) to betray her, so he will one day inherit the Kingdom.

Years pass by and Stefan marries the King's daughter Leila (played by Hannah New), who has inherited the crown, therefore Stefan is the Kingdom's new King. To celebrate the birth of their daughter Princess Aurora, the King has invited everyone from the land for her christening. Maleficent makes an unexpected visit and curses the princess, whom will grow up to be beautiful, but when she turns sixteen-years-old, she will prick her finger on a spindle of a spinning wheel and fall into a deep sleep. Only a "true love's kiss" can break the curse.


The King appoints three pixies, Knotgrass (played by Imelda Staunton), Thistlewit (played by Juno Temple)  and Flittle (played by Lesley Manville) to raise his daughter somewhere away from the kingdom until she becomes of age and the curse is broken.

Maleficent has eyes everywhere, so she easily earns of where the pixies have taken the princess. Despite trying to hate the princess, she ends up saving her over and over again during the princess's childhood as the pixies guardians aren't exactly good at their jobs.

Time goes by and Princess Aurora (played by Elle Fanning) is getting closer to turning sixteen and Maleficent must make a decision to keep the curse on her or find another way to keep peace between the kingdom and the Moors.


I wasn't too impressed when I saw the original trailer and advertisements for the film earlier this year as it looked like another overuse of CGI, like in Alice in Wonderland and Oz the Great and Powerful. After watching the original 1959 Sleeping Beauty for the first time this year, I became interested in reviewing the Maleficent. I got to say that casting Angelina Jolie in the title role was pure genius as she looks exactly like the animated character, plus she gives a great performance in the movie. The CGI effects for the most part are used really well and after a while I forgot the pixies were even computerized. Sharlto Copley and Elle Fanning both do a decent job in their roles, though I do wish Elle Fanning had more to do in the film. Unlike the 1959 animated classic, Maleficent is the main character while Princess Aurora is just a minor-character that helps Maleficent change her evil ways. Overall, Maleficent is a little darker than I thought it would be, which is a good thing as the original fairy tales were written dark to begin with. Though the film isn't exactly perfect, I still thought it was entertaining.


*Disclaimer - I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

A Promise To Protect
Logan Point, book 2
by Patrcia Bradley
Publisher: Revell
Pub. Date: October 7, 2014
ISBN: 978-0800722814
Pages: 336
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Available now on paperback is exciting second novel in the Logan Point series from author Patrica Bradley, titled A Promise to Protect. Unfortunately, I have a new habit of picking out books by their covers alone, especially when the author is new to me. The cover to this book looks like an advertisement for a made-for-television movie on Lifetime. By the cover alone, I predicted that the plot would be either a thriller or mystery with a little bit of romance tossed into the mix. And I wasn't too far off.

I would like to point out that I have never read the first book the series, Shadows of the Past, and it never really bothered me, as 2nd installment is more of a standalone sequel, well at least in opinion it is.

A Promise To Protect centers on single mother, Dr. Leigh Somerall, who has a full set of problems in her life from paying her tuition bills to raising her son. Her life takes an unexpected turn when her brother Ben needs her help, therefore she turns to her ex-love, Ben Logan - the now acting sheriff, for help, but too little too late as her brother is murdered! Though their relationship ended rocky ten years ago, Sheriff Ben Logan vows to protect Leigh and her son from the incoming danger that threatens them.

House of the Devil
Director: Ti West
Starring: Jocelin Donahue, Tom Noonan, Mary Woronov, Greta Gerwig, Dee Wallace
Studio: Dark Sky Films
Releae Date: February 2, 2010
ASIN: B002OVO18A
Running Time: 95 minutes
Rated: R
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Like I have already said before this month, I do consider myself a big horror fan, but there are some movies that just slip by my radar, which includes the 2009 horror film The House of the Devil. I would have never known that the movie even existed if I didn't watch the horror film The Innkeepers from same director Ti West, which I loved watching. After doing a quick Google search I learned about The House of the Devil and I bought the DVD off of eBay earlier this year.

The House of the Devil centers on Samantha Hughes (played by Jocelin Donahue), a college student in dire need of cash for a deposit on her first apartment. She takes a babysitting job for Mr. Ulman (played by Tom Noonan) and his wife (played by Mary Woronov) without even meeting them. Her friend, Megan (played by Greta Gerwig), drive her to the Ulman's house and leaves her there, where she quickly learns that she isn't babysitting a kid, but instead she is babysitting Ulman's sick mother. She tries to talk herself out of the job, but then Ulman offers her $400 and she gladly accepts.


There isn't much for her to do there, except for listening to her Walkman while she explores the old house. After ordering a nasty pizza, she stumbles upon a few photos that suggests that Ulman and his wife aren't the owners of the house. After feeling a bit ill, she starts to wonder if the pizza she ate was drugged with something. She eventually passes out and wakes up to an unimaginable horror that may cost her her life.

With Halloween right around the corner the season to be spooked is upon us! As the leaves slowly change and fall from the trees, the cold wind blows in, and jack-o-lanterns light up windows, the world looks a little more ominous. It’s the perfect time of year to get scared out of your mind watching a great horror film. There are generally two camps when it comes to horror films; those who prefer the classics before it because all guts and gore, and those who love the edge modern technology has give to the genre. So, in honor of both of those camps, and Halloween, let’s take a look at the five (arguably) best horror films from each time period. While these are entirely subjective lists, chances are you’ll agree with at least a few.




This classic Hitchcock film has long served as a shining beacon in his trophy case of horror and suspense films. Based off the 1952 novella of the same name written by Daphne du Maurier, it tells the horrific story of what happens when nature turns on man, or more specifically in the film, woman.

Hitchcock based the film around his trademark “Hitchcock Blonde”, this time an unknown actress named Tippi Hedren. Hedren plays the San Franciscan socialite Melanie Daniels in the film who is present to a growing number of mysterious incidents involving birds. After two separate incidents involving attacks by seagulls and sparrows, we soon realize that it’s all the birds that are out for blood. As more and more people begin to report bird attacks they start to increase in frequency and aggressiveness before reaching a frantic climax (which includes the infamous telephone booth scene.)

What the film managed to do was create an irrational fear in all of us since we’ve all been around flocks of birds. Hitchcock was a master at manipulating reality and making his viewers completely terrified of the everyday. The Birds is a shining example and is still regarded as one of the best horror films of all time.


Another gem in Hitchcock’s resume is this 1960 thriller that made all of us completely terrified to take a shower for at least a week after watching it. The film follows Marion Crane (played by Janet Leigh) as she goes on the lamb after stealing money from her office to help fund her pending marriage. As she flees the scene and tries to evade the authorities she comes across the rundown and largely empty Bates Motel with it’s strange proprietor Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) who takes care of the hotel and his aging mother Norma.

From there the film delved into completely uncharted territory with its violence and sexuality, but these only served to create even more buzz for the film with lines around the block when it hit theaters. It’s also proved to be one of the most successful horror films of all time with a box office take of $32 million for a film made on only $800,000.


Based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Ira Levin, this 1968 Roman Polanski film put a whole new sense of fear into expectant mothers thanks to it’s creative storyline involving carrying the spawn of Satan. Starring Mia Farrow at the titular character in her most famous role, it follows Rosemary’s difficult pregnancy that sees her become so ill it appears as if she’s slowly dying, a far cry from the typical glow and fullness that typically comes with pregnancy.

As her body is thrown into turmoil she slowly begins to question those around her including her strange neighbors and new friends of her husbands. She soon uncovers the truth about what’s happening to her, the shocking role her husband played in it, and the shocking secrets of those around her.

The new horror flick, The Devil's Hand, is now out on VOD, ITunes and in select theaters. The film stars Jennifer Carpenter (Dexter), Rufus Sewell (Dark City), and Adelaide Kane (The CW’s Reign), it will give you thrills and chills this Halloween!

The film centers on  six girls whom are all born on the sixth day of the sixth month to different mothers in the small, devout village of New Bethlehem an ancient prophecy is set in motion - on their 18th birthday one of the girls will become the Devil's Hand. As the day approaches and one by one the young women begin to disappear, terror overtakes the quiet community and those remaining girls band together to uncover who or what is behind these treacherous acts.

To celebrate the film's release, I'm sharing the new LOVE The Devil's Hand Blog App, which you can play with your friends.

Beethoven's Treasure Tail
Director: Ron Oliver
Starring: Jonathan Silverman, Kristy Swanson, David DeLuise and Jeffrey Combs
Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Release Date: October 28, 2014
Retail: $26.98
ASIN: B00LTO33X2
Running Time: 98 minutes
Rating: PG
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Honestly, I didn't realize that it has been over twenty-two years since the original Beethoven film was released to theaters. No, I'm not referring to the famous musician of the same name, but instead I'm referring to the St. Bernard dog who starred in the 1992 blockbuster that was co-written by the late John Hughes, under the name Edmond Dantès. A sequel, Beethoven's 2nd, was released to theaters a year later. It would be seven years until the dog would return in the direct-to-video Beethoven's 3rd, quickly followed by Beethoven's 4th and Beethoven's 5th. In 2008, the franchise received a reboot with Beethoven's Big Break and its sequel, Beethoven's Christmas Adventure, in 2011.

Arriving on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD on Tuesday October 28, 2014 from Universal 1440 Entertainment is newest St. Benard adventure, titled Beethoven's Treasure Tail. The film is directed by Ron Oliver and stars Jonathan Silverman reprising his role as Eddie from Beethoven's Big Break. Co-starring is Kristy Swanson (Buffy, the Vampire Slayer) and Jeffrey Combs (Re-Animator Trilogy). There are no extras or special features on the Blu-ray or DVD.

The film centers on the movie star dog, Beethoven, filming his newest movie with his trainer Eddie Bob, but he can't get the scenes right. It seems the dog is depressed or as his veterinarian said, "He has lost his mojo." The dog's lack of energy has gotten him fired the movie, so Eddie has no choice but to pack his bags and leave the movie set with Beethoven.