Toronto Teacher Mom: Movies

Win 1 of 2 Blu-ray copies of SING 2!

Monday, March 28, 2022
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Disney•Pixar’s Coco

Sunday, November 05, 2017
19 Comments

(From L-R): Octavia Spencer as Roberta Taylor, McKenna Grace as Mary Adler and Chris Evans as Frank Adler in the film GIFTED. Photo by Wilson Webb. © 2017 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation All Rights Reserved

Every teacher can tell you a story of that one student who was smarter than all the rest. And knew it, too. I'm talking about that one student who eagerly awaits the opportunity to catch the teacher making a mistake and wastes no time in pointing it out. You know the ones. Heck, I was one of them. For many of us teachers, though, we harbour a secret fear of these students. Not because they keep us on our toes by constantly proving us wrong. But rather, we fear that we will be unable to challenge and engage these students, failing to meet their academic needs and condemning them to ten months of boredom. In the movie GIFTED, we come across child prodigy Mary Adler (McKenna Grace), a seven-year-old whose mathematical abilities astonish her first grade teacher. Raised by her uncle Frank (Chris Evans), Mary makes no attempt to hide her boredom and frustration from her teacher Bonnie (Jenny Slate) who quickly realizes her new student will never be academically challenged in a regular school setting.

GIFTED Starring Chris Evans, McKenna Grace

For the first seven years of Mary's life, Frank, a former university professor, chooses to teach his niece at home, where she develops a strong bond with their landlady Roberta (Octavia Spencer). Knowing his sister would want Mary to lead as "normal" a life as possible, Frank decides it's time to enrol her in grade school where she can be more like her peers and make new friends her own age. When news of her gift reaches her grandmother, a custody battle ensues, threatening to separate Frank and Mary.

While the trailer looked promising, I decided to attend an advanced screening of GIFTED more so out of curiosity. And... Chris Evans. The trailer did little to prepare me, however, for the unexpected emotions I felt as I followed a fictional, yet poignant, story that was so beautifully portrayed on the big screen.

I laughed. I cried. I cried some more. All thanks to @ChrisEvans and @MckennaGraceful. @GiftedtheMovie #GiftedMovie

— Diana Mancuso (@TeacherMomOfTwo) March 3, 2017

If you think it difficult to believe Chris Evans in a fatherly role, think again. His performance as Mary's guardian was brilliant, from witty repartee to words of heartfelt wisdom. And let's not forget the adorable and talented McKenna Grace, whose on screen rapport with Chris Evans seemed effortless. Trust me when I say this is one movie you will absolutely fall in love with. In fact, I know you will.

Signed,
Diana, the Smart Arse

GIFTED will be in theatres April 7, 2017.

You're invited to an advance screening of GIFTED in Toronto!

On Thursday, March 16, 2017, there will be an advance screening of GIFTED at Cineplex Yonge & Dundas at 7:00pm and, because I loved the movie so much, I wanted to give some of my readers the opportunity to check out this wonderful film. And so, here's your chance! Visit foxsearchlightscreenings.com/torontoteachermom for passes. But hurry! Spots are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Sunday, March 12, 2017
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Disney's Pinocchio Now Available on Blu-ray and Digital HD

Disney

Tuesday, January 31, 2017
49 Comments

Here's to the Ones Who Dream

Life's Like That

A new year has begun and with it comes a refreshing new outlook on things to come. Certainly a spontaneous drop-in at the beauty bar for an overdue pedicure followed by a solitary afternoon at the VIP cinemas helped to add that extra spring in my step. It was indeed a great way to cap off two relaxing weeks off work. But nothing quite prepared me for what I had erroneously anticipated to be a corny musical comedy. You may have heard of it. It's called La La Land.

While I knew it had received rave reviews in its opening weeks, I chose to see this movie simply because it was the earliest available movie showing that wasn't in 3D. And, you know... the ever charming Ryan ~~Reynolds~~ Gosling just so happens to play the male lead. Nonetheless, I settled into the oversized leather recliner, enjoyed a small meal and let myself get swept away by an onscreen romance unparalleled by any other I had seen before.

Before you start to think this is a movie review, it isn't. This is me trying to consolidate a wide range of feelings and hopes and dreams and even regrets brought on by a film that just so happens to have very recently broken the record for the most Golden Globes. Did this whirlwind of emotion have anything to do with the sparkling chemistry between two incredibly talented actors? I don't think so. Their steadfast dedication to perfect multiple arts? Perhaps. A storyline of ill-fated lovers who follow their dreams coupled with original music that is both magical and melancholic?

Whatever the case may be, I left the theatre feeling privileged to have witnessed two performers who were clearly living their dreams vicariously through the characters they portrayed. But I also couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.

Am I living my dream?

I found myself revisiting all that I am most passionate about and, while I have yet to resolve what my ultimate goals in life may be, I am hopeful. Maybe I will finally learn to play the guitar or master the piano. Maybe I will bite the bullet and enrol in dance class and perform in a competition. Or maybe what I need is a change in careers. All I know is that I am feeling an itch, like I am being pulled in many directions but I am too afraid and uncertain of which path to take. But before I dismiss all this as a pending mid-life crisis, I'd like to quote a line from La La Land sung by the female lead character Mia:

Here's to the ones who dream, foolish as they may be.

Here's to the hearts that ache.

Here's to the mess we make.

Which brings me to back to the reason why I am writing this post. I want to kick off the new year with this first post of 2017 in which I toast the many talented and courageous people I have had the privilege to meet throughout my life. To all those who have taken steps, big or small, towards their goal, despite how crazy it may appear to everyone else, to those who have invested their heart and soul in the service of others, to those who create beauty while surrounded by chaos, I raise my glass and salute you. Thank you for being a continual source of inspiration!

And so I end by asking, in my best Martin Luther King Jr. voice,...

What's your dream?

Monday, January 09, 2017
5 Comments

Middle School: The Worst Years of my Life

Duracell

Ah, the middle school years. How I remember them well. And how I wish I didn't. For me, those were the years when I felt out of place, like I didn't belong. I was the opposite of popular and spent most of my recreational time volunteering in the kindergarten class or helping the secretary during recess. Sports were not my forté and everybody knew it. Don't believe me? Just ask any of my classmates how many times I was picked next to last to join their team during phys. ed. Many of the boys picked on me, teasing me over how I was the French teacher's pet or playing monkey in the middle with my tuque on a cold winter's day. And then there was that one time at that birthday party when a boy asked me to slow dance and I felt flattered. But that feeling was quickly shattered the following day when I learned that my lack of dancing skills was the butt of everyone's jokes. Yup. Those were definitely some of the worst years of my life.

Fortunately, it wasn't all bad. It was during that time that I discovered what I wanted to be when I grew up. I still remember writing a Christmas card to my grade seven French teacher in which I thanked her for being such an inspiration and told her how one day I would become a French teacher, too. I received the French award at graduation, was selected to represent our school at the Great Computer Caper, and earned an honourable mention in the Gauss Math contest. While my social life remained in question, I knew that, academically, I was only at the beginning of my adventure into a world of endless possibilities.

On October 7, movie goers will be able to revisit the middle school years with the premiere of ‘Middle School: The Worst Years of my Life’. Following the antics of Rafe Khatchadorian as he enters his first year of middle school, the movie focuses on the many ways Rafe breaks the school's oppressive rules, from chewing gum and running in the hallway to sounding the alarm and pulling off an epic Post-it prank. When it all starts to catch up with him, Rafe soon finds himself face-to-face with the rules, bullies and truth he's been avoiding for so long.

To celebrate the premiere of ‘Middle School: The Worst Years of my Life’ and ensure that kids are fully stocked with back-to-school essentials such as Duracell batteries to power student's electronics through the school year, you can enter for the chance to win a Cineplex $1000 back-to-school prize pack from Staples and Duracell. This includes a $200 Staples gift card, a Samsung Galaxy S2 tablet with keyboard and cover, an assortment of Duracell batteries, and much more. For a chance to win, visit #MiddleSchoolMovie contest page and complete the contest entry form. Unfortunately, those in Quebec are not eligible.

Once you have entered, head back here for a chance to win four (4) tickets to ‘Middle School: The Worst Years of my Life’ along with Duracell product. Be sure to complete the Rafflecopter form below. Open to residents of Canada only, excluding Quebec.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Duracell. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.