TOMORROW!!! Meet the 2012 Girl of the Year®, Who Turns Challenges into Triumphs. AN AMERICAN GIRL: MCKENNA SHOOTS FOR THE STARS™ Scheduled to Air on Saturday July 14, 2012 at 8/7c on NBC

American Girl’s Incredibly Popular 2012 Girl of the Year^® Comes to Life 

in an All-New Adventure Starring Oscar^® Nominee Nia Vardalos, 

Jade Pettyjohn, Ian Ziering & Cathy Rigby 

July 3, 2012

Available on Blu-ray^™ Combo Pack – Featuring DVD, Digital Copy & UltraViolet^™ – and DVD

Sold Exclusively at Wal-Mart, American Girl Stores and americangirl.com

 Scheduled to Air on Saturday July 14, 2012 at 8/7c on NBC


7/30 win this DVD on L of E!~

Universal City,Calif. (April 25, 2012) – A talented young gymnast turns trials into triumphs in the inspiring new feature-length movie, An American Girl: McKenna Shoots for the Stars^™, coming to Blu-ray^™ Combo Pack, DVD, and Digital Download on July 3, 2012, from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.  Inspired by the beloved American Girl^® line of dolls and featuring the celebrated 2012 Girl of the Year^®, the film stars Oscar^® nominee 

Nia Vardalos (My Life In Ruins, My Big Fat Greek Wedding), Jade Pettyjohn (“The United States of Tara”) as McKenna^™, Ian Ziering (“Beverly Hills 90210”), Kerris Dorsey (Moneyball, “Brothers & Sisters”) and former Olympic gymnast Cathy Rigby (Broadway’s “Peter Pan”).  

A modern and heartwarming original story about a young girl whose dream to compete as a world class gymnast is jeopardized when she begins to have trouble in school,An American Girl: McKenna Shoots for the Stars^™ helps girls learn to believe not only in their family and friends but also themselves.  With more than 139 million books and 21 million dolls sold, American Girl^® has earned the loyalty of millions of girls and the praise and trust of parents and educators.  Just in time for the Summer Games, this fun family film on Blu-ray^™ Combo Pack and DVD is available only at Wal-Mart, American Girl^® retail stores and americangirl.com.  A must-own addition for American Girl^® fans, the film can also be purchased via Digital Download through a variety of online retailers. 

You can rent it on Amazon and stream itto your wifi ready blue ray player for 3.99 for 48 hour rental. If you prefer throwback way with the disc, like me: you can buy the disc on Amazon for 15.50  on Amazon. But it is available from NUMEROUS other retailers as well!

I don't know about your girls, but mine are 7 and 2 and both know what an American Girl dolls is! I have gotten the catalogs in the mail since I was my daughters age, and although I never had any of the dolls, I am very familiar with the characters. What is funny is; most of the characters that were around when I was little, like Elizabeth, Felicity, and more.. Most of those - of course, aren't available anymore, so they are actually collectors items. I do remember Molly & Kit from when I was little though. 


We have always loved American Girl. That's why when my husband got a promotion, we bought Giana her very first American Girl doll, Rebecca. She's a new Jewish doll that lives in New York and she is SOOO cute!

Giana got Rebecca last Christmas and now has Marie Grace (she JUST got for her 7th birthday!) who is her favorite.... Man- she BEGGED for that doll!!!

 Giana even own a bunch of the books, which were aorund when I was little as well. My favorite doll is Julie  (she's from the 70's),. But Giana like's her best friend Ivy, who ironically looks like a lot like McKenna's best friend Toulane!!!

It should go without saying that we love the movies, which weren't around when I was small either. 
We have seen (and love) almost all of them. That's why I knew what to expect when we received this DVD. The Blu-Ray comes with a Blu-Ray disc, a Regular disc + a digital copy for you to transfer to your mobile devices! How neat, right?

This movie, like all other American doll products grabs you by the hearts strings and doesn't let go. It follows McKenna who is super determined  on being in the Olympics and a very talented young gymnast. She hurts her ankle and is forced to sit out and even has to get a tutor. She learns about life and what's important and it teaches kids you can shoot for the stars and to have a ton of determination. This movie is heartwarming and my daughter has actually watched it now about 20+ times!!!

I keep waiting on her to get tired of it, but not yet! I can recite it almost word for word!

 I think it's neat that it's airing on TV  ( AN AMERICAN GIRL: MCKENNA SHOOTS FOR THE STARS™ Scheduled to Air on Saturday July 14, 2012 at 8/7c on NBC ) after it released to DVD (July 3rd -- 10 days ago)   You should schedule a Mommy Daughter day and do nails and watch it. Maybe bake some brownies too?

I loved McKenna and her mom, who I recognized right away form her early performances in Hocus Pocus and My Big Fat Green Wedding, Ian Zeiring of course is from 90210!!! I am so old, right?

We loved this movie and it is now Giana's daily DVD she has been watching every since we got it!!!

:)

Anyway! Definitely look for this movie on Blu Ray on shelves in stores and get it for the special little girl in your life. It is a very inspiring and interesting movie.

My daughters love it! Former Olympic gymnast Cathy Rigby (Broadway’s “Peter Pan”) is adorable and believable as McKenna and I am sure she is thrilled to be the Girl of the year as well! What a lucky little girl! :)

The An American Girl: McKenna Shoots for the Stars^™ Blu-ray^™ Combo Pack delivers the film in perfect hi-def picture and perfect hi-def sound.  The Blu-ray^™Combo Pack also includes UltraViolet^™, a DVD, and a 

Digital Copy of the film – so consumers can truly enjoy the movie anytime, anywhere, on the device of their choice!  UltraViolet^™ is the revolutionary new way for consumers to collect movies and TV shows and put them in the cloud.  From there, they can download and stream instantly to computers, tablets and smartphones.  In addition, consumers can redeem a Digital Copy of the film from a variety of retail partners, who offer many viewing options including iTunes^®, iPad^®, iPhone^®, iPod^™touch, Android, connected televisions, Blu-ray player apps and more!

SYNOPSIS

Meet McKenna Brooks^™, a determined and confident young gymnast, in this all-new modern-day adventure. McKenna^™ is on track to make the regional competitive gymnastics team but off-track in school, where she’s suddenly struggling to keep up.  When her teacher suggests a tutor, she’s embarrassed and desperate to keep it a secret from her friends. Then a bad fall at the gym sidetracks her from her favorite sport.  Will she recover in time to make the team? Can she succeed in school, too?  McKenna^™ needs to focus on her strengths to overcome her challenges – and, with the help of family and friends, find a way to believe in herself again.

CAST AND FILMMAKERS:

Cast: Nia Vardalos, Ian Ziering, Cathy Rigby, Kerris Dorsey, Jade Pettyjohn

Directed By: Vince Marcello

Based on the “McKenna” stories by: Mary Casanova

Teleplay By: Jessica O’Toole, Amy Rardin

Executive Producers: Steven Brown, Gaylyn Fraiche

Producers:  Debra Martin Chase, Ellen L.Brothers

Co-Producers: Erin Falligant, Ellen Rutter, Kim Todd

Director of Photography: Jon Joffin

Edited By: Paul Millspaugh

Production Designer: Craig Sandells

Costume Designer: Mary Partridge

TECHNICAL INFORMATION BLU-RAY^™:

Street Date: July3, 2012

Copyright:2012 Universal Studios

Selection Number: 63120909

Running Time: 1 Hour, 34 Minutes

Layers: BD-50

Picture Format: Widescreen     

Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1

Rating: N/R

Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish

Sound: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Spanish DTS Digital Surround 5.1

TECHNICAL INFORMATION DVD:

Street Date: July 3, 2012

Copyright:2012 Universal Studios

Selection Number: 63120882

Running Time: 1 Hour, 34 Minutes

Layers: Dual

Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen          

Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1

Rating: N/R

Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish

Sound: English and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1, English Dolby Digital 2.0

Enter by July 16th on the American Girl Facebook Page because you could win a McKenna doll, DVD, Book + more!!!!

Since McKenna is the Doll of the Year, that means toward the end of the year they will never make her again, and she will become a collectible. 


I really wanted last years Girl of the Year doll, Kanani  but Giana liked Rebecca Rubin  & Marie Grace better. Now Kanani is super expensive, and was almost immediately after they stopped making her.. Every year that passes between the time the Girl of the Year Doll was made, the more value it gains, and they gain it QUICK! 

You should  Buy Mckenna Doll   before she is no longer being made, because she is super cute and has the cutest little green & gray striped outfit! (Gymnast Clothes sold separately!)

Enter to win by August 31st 2012!! 

Here’s one more reason to get excited about the all-new McKenna movie: You could be one of five winners to receive a prize package featuring a McKenna doll and more! There’s only one week to enter, so don’t wait. Enter on our Sweepstakes page (via a computer) here: http://on.fb.me/LpGOBc

+ right now enjoy FREE SHIPPING until July 31st - which is awesome considering American Girl has rare shipping promos and coupon codes. I know since it was impossible for me to find one when I purchased our two.

About Universal Studios Home Entertainment

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stationsgroup and world-renowned theme parks. Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.

7/30 win this DVD on L of E!~

About American Girl

American Girl Brands is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mattel (NASDAQ:MAT) (www.mattel.com), the world’s leading toy company. Since American Girl’s inception in 1986, the company has devoted its entire business to celebrating the potential of girls ages 3 to 12. American Girl encourages girls to dream, to grow, to aspire, to create, and to imagine through a wide range of engaging and insightful books, age-appropriate and educational products, and unforgettable experiences. In meeting its missionwith a vigilant eye toward quality and service, American Girl has earned theloyal following of millions of girls and the praise and trust of parents and educators. To learn more about American Girl or to request a free catalogue, call 1-800-845-0005, or visit www.americangirl.com.

*Disclaimer*  I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. Your experience with the product may differ from mine.

7/30 win this DVD on L of E!~