Like many adults my age, I grew up reading the Garfield comics in the newspaper or watching Garfield cartoons on TV. But these days Garfield...

Like many adults my age, I grew up reading the Garfield comics in the newspaper or watching Garfield cartoons on TV. But these days Garfield can also be found online. And he's talking about Cyber Safety! But why?

But research done by the Center for Cyber Safety and Education™ (the Center) shows that there is a huge gap between what children KNOW they should be doing online and what they are ACTUALLY doing. Despite having received internet safety information, they are still taking risks.

To expand parents’ and educators’ toolkit for teaching children to protect themselves online, the Center started Garfield’s Cyber Safety Adventures, and posts online Garfield cyber safety lessons.

The second online comic Pause Before You Post!, show Garfield’s pal, Nermal, navigating the risks of sharing too much personal information online. There's an interactive cartoon and comic book end with a quiz, which allows kids to test and apply what they’ve learned.

To learn more about how Garfield is tackling the issue of Cyber Safety (instead of snack), I interviewed Jim Davis, the creator of Garfield.

How did the partnership with Center for Cyber Safety happen? What appeal lead this character to the cause?

Jim Davis: Garfield has an educational website (www.professorgarfield.org). When the folks at (ISC)2 and the Center discovered this, they thought we might make good partners to help deliver their message, that kids need to be aware of the right and wrong way to do things online. It felt like the right thing for Garfield to do.

Garfield was “born” in 1978, before the internet, so we had to find our way through the maze of the internet, too, and we learned some important lessons about things we needed to do on our own website, www.garfield.com, to keep kids safe there, too.

What changes were made to the Garfield comic to fit a cyber message?

Jim Davis: We didn’t have to change Garfield’s personality. He stays true to character, but Garfield is a smart cat, and he knows when something doesn’t quite smell right.

Garfield helps focus the message and simplifies the material for both kids and adults. It’s a serious subject, but Garfield presents it in a form that is understandable.

Why Garfield is relatable to kids growing up in the digital age

Jim Davis: Garfield did start out as an analog cat, but he quickly embraced the digital world. I think Garfield is relatable because he’s funny, and that works in just about any medium.

Any new characters being developed for the safety message

Jim Davis: Yes, we’ve introduced a number of new characters. Dr. Cybrina is the cybersecurity authority, and she has all the solutions. Some of the other characters, like CheeseCat12, were brought in to show kids what NOT to do!

Thanks to Jim Davis for answering my questions!

Garfield Joins Center for Cyber Safety and Education Team Video

The Garfield materials aim to put cyber safety messages in a context kids in 1st through 6th grade can relate to, understand and retain. The third lesson, due out in April, will address online etiquette.

Subsequent lessons will address cyberbullying, downloading movies and music, and more.

In collaboration with Paws, Inc., the Center has been developing a series of cartoons, comic books, posters, trading cards, stickers, and other materials to help educators and parents teach children how to become responsible digital citizens.

The Garfield partnership is part of the Center’s latest enhancement to its Safe and Secure Online program. Safe and Secure Online offers tips and resources to children, parents, educators and seniors that draw from the expertise of (ISC)2 (www.isc2.org) members, the pre-eminent cybersecurity experts in the world.

To learn more, visit - www.SafeAndSecureOnline.org

New LEGO games are coming! During a gaming preview hosted by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (WBIE), we got the first game play scoop...

New LEGO games are coming! During a gaming preview hosted by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (WBIE), we got the first game play scoop on them, along with news about upcoming game pack release for other LEGO games.

Note: I was invited as media to this event. However, any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.

So first stop was to LEGO Worlds.

My 8 yr son received the full explanation about the game and how to pay. He quickly learned the gamescape and got into building his own story. Complete with dinosaurs. Because of course. After playing a few rounds he gave the game a full two thumbs up. Matter of fact it ended up being his favorite game from the games we played during the event.


From where I was sitting (cause I wasn't allowed to play), I liked that LEGO Worlds allowed for full open creativity. You could build whatever you can imagine. Easily. It's a great game for young minds which can get bored playing the same genre of games over and over.


LEGO® Worlds Game Features

• Explore a Galaxy of Diverse Worlds – A huge variety of characters and creatures interact with players and one another in fun and unexpected ways. Players can tunnel through terrains, discover underwater adventures or even journey through the clouds in vibrant Worlds filled with customizable characters, and a huge assortment of vehicles and creatures from motorbikes and hot air balloons to polar bears and scorpions. 
• Discover and Collect Rewards – Players uncover hidden treasures in diverse environments, collecting characters, creatures, vehicles, castles, props and weapons as they explore each new world. 
• Create with Powerful Building Tools – Alter any of the imaginative digital Worlds brick-by-brick or with just one click using terraforming tools and a wide variety of LEGO structures, giving players the tools to create whatever they can imagine. 
• Sandbox Filled with Adventure – Starter Worlds help gamers master the skills and tools they’ll need to unlock their true creative potential and explore a myriad of Worlds filled with fun vehicles and creatures such as colossal digging machines, helicopters, lions, giant trolls, jetpacks and more. 
• Play with a Friend – Online multiplayer allows two players to explore each other’s Worlds, play competitive challenges and show-off creations.

LEGO® Worlds is available for E10+ for Everyone on PlayStation®4, Xbox One®, Nintendo Switch™, STEAM



The second stop was into LEGO Dimensions


Both my son and I were excited about the new expansion packs including The LEGO Batman Movie, The Goonies, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Harry Potter (Hermione Granger) and more.


He got in some game play with the different mini figures, vehicles, and gadgets and it was very cool to see the character interact in different worlds. This was a great game for group play. My son and the other gaming kids enjoyed swapping out characters and playing against each other.


LEGO Dimensions Game Features


Build the mini figure heroes and fire-up the game to start the experience, then follow the in-game build instructions to assemble the loose bricks into the LEGO Gateway, and place the structure on the LEGO Toy Pad.

• An Extreme Cross-Over. For the first time in any LEGO videogame, characters from a mix of some of the best brands in the universe join forces and battle in worlds outside of their own. A Dark Knight, a Wizard, and a LEGO Master Builder traveling together down the Yellow Brick Road is just the beginning. 
• Keep Expanding. By purchasing additional expansion packs, players can grow their toy collection and add more gaming fun to the experience through a variety of their favorite brands to create even more crazy combinations. 
• Discover Adventure Worlds. Each of the brands in LEGO Dimensions has its own unique Adventure World where players can explore, go on quests, race, and collect studs and bricks. Each world can be unlocked with any LEGO Dimensions minifigure belonging to that brand.  With the Starter Pack, players can instantly access 3 -- DC Comics (with Batman), The Lord of the Rings (with Gandalf), and The LEGO Movie (with Wyldstyle).  And just like the levels in the LEGO Dimensions Starter Pack, any character can use any vehicle or gadget in any Adventure World. 
• Battle for the Win. For the first time in a LEGO videogame, players can take their favorite characters into battle and compete with up to 3 friends head-to-head. Unlock Battle Arenas with gold toy tag characters from expansion packs in waves 6 through 9 and challenge friends in 4 action-filled competitive split-screen games. 
• The LEGO Toy Pad Does More. It lights-up, flashes and even changes color to give players clues as to where to go, what to look for, or how to solve a puzzle. Gamers command the action – where and when the physical toys are moved on the LEGO Toy Pad will impact what happens in the game.

LEGO® Dimensions is available for E10+, Cartoon Violence, Crude Humor on Xbox One®, Xbox 360®, PlayStation® 4, PlayStation®3, Wii™U




Our final game play was with LEGO® CITY Undercover.


So I had a chance to play this game and generally it's a fun game. A more simple style for those that like straight forward game storyline.


LEGO® CITY Undercover Game Features


In one of the most expansive LEGO videogames to date, players become Chase McCain, a police officer who goes undercover to hunt down the notorious – and recently escaped – criminal, Rex Fury, to put an end to his city-wide crime wave.

This open-world LEGO adventure allows fans and newcomers to explore the sprawling metropolis that is LEGO® CITY with more than 20 unique districts to investigate, filled with car thieves to bust, vehicles to navigate, mischievous aliens to capture, hilarious movie references to discover, lost pigs to rescue and of course, hundreds of collectibles.

LEGO® CITY Undercover available for E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) on PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One®, Nintendo Switch™ and PC.

Scifi fans get ready for when ARRIVAL releases on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand on February 14, 2017, since it means you can enjoy...

Scifi fans get ready for when ARRIVAL releases on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand on February 14, 2017, since it means you can enjoy all the mystery and wonder of the film now at home.

One of the things that impressed about ARRIVAL is how simple but visuals powerful it was. The film had such a different look and visual feel from the "alien" environments to the surrounding frames the "humans' lived and worked in.

If the visual world of ARRIVAL interest you, then listen to what Bradford Young has to say

Find out how ARRIVAL cinematographer Bradford Young brought the film to life in this new featurette.

BLU-RAY SYNOPSIS:

Five-time Academy Award® nominee Amy Adams stars as expert translator Louise Banks. When mysterious spacecraft touch down across the globe, an elite team races against time to decipher their intent. As tensions mount between fearful governments, Banks discovers the aliens’ true purpose and, to avert global war, takes a chance that could threaten her life, and quite possibly humanity.

Oscar® nominee Jeremy Renner, Academy Award® winner Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Mark O’Brien co-star in this epic film.

Produced by Shawn Levy, Dan Levine, Aaron Ryder and David Linde. Based on the story, “Story of Your Life” written by Ted Chiang, with screenplay by Eric Heisserer. Directed by Denis Villeneuve.


The ARRIVAL 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Combo Packs include over an hour of engrossing special features, with in-depth explorations of the film’s subject matter, sound, score, editing and more.

ARRIVAL Blu-ray Combo Pack

The ARRIVAL Blu-ray is presented in 1080p high definition with English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, and English Audio Description and English, English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles. The combo pack includes access to a Digital HD copy of the film as well as the following:

Blu-ray

• Feature film in high definition
• Bonus Content:
• Xenolinguistics: Understanding Arrival
• Acoustic Signatures: The Sound Design
• Eternal Recurrence: The Score
• Nonlinear Thinking: The Editorial Process
• Principles of Time, Memory & Language

ARRIVAL 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack

Fans can enjoy the ultimate viewing experience with the 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, which includes the Blu-ray detailed above, as well as an Ultra HD Disc with the film presented in 4K Ultra HD with English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, and English Audio Description with English, English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles. The Combo Pack also includes access to a Digital HD copy of the film.

ARRIVAL Single-Disc DVD

The single-disc DVD is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 TVs with English 5.1 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, French, and Spanish subtitles. The disc includes the feature film in standard definition.

To learn more about ARRIVAL, visit - www.ArrivalMovie.com

On Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArrivalMovie
On Twitter: www.twitter.com/ArrivalMovie
On Instagram: www.instagram.com/ArrivalMovie

To celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we visited the Brooklyn Children's Museum for their 2 day "I Have a Dream Celebration...

To celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we visited the Brooklyn Children's Museum for their 2 day "I Have a Dream Celebration", which includes art workshops, film screenings, story time, and a special performances that teach families about Dr. King and his legacy of diversity and equality.

Note: I paid for my own entry to the Brooklyn Children's Museum. They did not request I write about this event, I just wanted to share. Any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.


One of the activities we looked forward to was making Protest Posters. We learned a bit about the importance of the posters for sending a message. And then we made a poster highlighting our own personal message.



While I did discuss some ideas with him, for the most part I allowed my son to come up with his message all by himself. I was so proud to see him drawing about being friends and not fighting.


After making his Protest Poster, he then learned how to silkscreen the words "I Have a Dream" on his poster. He was so excited. LOL


While our poster dried, we headed over to "Holding History: MLK’s Life", where my son was able to touch historical artifacts from 1929-1968.


Including a baseball signed by Jackie Robinson. It was pretty cool to touch and talk about these items and how they were a part of history both in MLK life and ours.


Speaking of life, our next stop was to the "DNA Bracelets" table, were we learned about genetic traits.


My son made a bracelet of "genetic code" beads and then tried to guess which animals he has more in common with. Turns out he's part cow! Ha!

While sharing a chuckle over that, we headed to the theater for a screening of animated film "Our Friend Martin", where friends travel through time, meeting Dr. King at several points during his life.


While the film did a good job of sharing info about Martin Luther King, Jr and the American civil rights movement, my son was more interested to know why the kid had no shirt on. While there's a reason for it, I had to agree it's a weird moment that he remained shirtless. For a while. Too long if you ask us.

Anyway.


The last MLK activity for the day was story time and an interactive reading of Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. among other titles that focused on MLK, Jr.’s life and values of his work. The kids enjoyed answering questions about MLK and how they can help within their communities.


Speaking of community, my son ended his day in the Block Lab putting together his NYC community of bridges, buildings and so much more. He's such a city kid.

While we enjoy the first day of activities, the Brooklyn Children's Museum still has more happening for their "I Have a Dream Celebration" including Love, Hope & Peace Postcards and a performance by Brooklyn United Marching Band.

To see the full list of activities, visit - www.brooklynkids.org

Facebook - www.facebook.com/BrooklynChildrensMuseum
Twitter - www.twitter.com/BrooklynKids

Now that Disney's Moana is playing in theaters, I hope you've seem it (at least 2 times!). Today I'm sharing the interview with ...

Now that Disney's Moana is playing in theaters, I hope you've seem it (at least 2 times!). Today I'm sharing the interview with Nicole Scherzinger (voice of “Sina” mom of Moana) done while I was in L.A for the #MoanaEvent.  In the interview Nicole shares how the role really touched her.

Note: Disney and ABC TV invited me on this all expense paid trip to Los Angeles for the Moana Event and ABC TV Event. While I will share different events and activities during the trip, any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.



Since Sina plays such an important and supportive role for Moana, I wanted to ask Nicole

In terms of your character, Sina, was there certain view points you brought more into the character from your personal experiences?

Definitely anything that I do, I think artists do, you draw from personal connection.

It was interesting because in the script they had a couple different ways they wanted to get the story across. Especially the part where she’s trying to explain to her daughter (Moana), that she can’t go on the reef. Trying to explain, her father’s been there and he’s had a great loss so he’s just trying to protect her.

And I think she says a line like "Moana, sometimes who you are or who you want to be, it’s not meant to be."

And I drew from that experience and I drew from my mother. I know that my mom and my tutu and all the women in my family have sacrificed everything for their children. They’re just selfless. That’s just who the women in my family are. And when I thought of that line, I really thought I’m sure they had their own dreams. And their own aspirations.

I was like how do I turn this into a positive? ‘Cause she's saying it’s not meant to be. And I felt that it was a bit negative, you know, ‘cause we’re always like, no, you can do it. You can achieve it. Which is why she actually lets her go in the end.

So it was like how can I make this make sense to me? And it was just kinda like speaking from experience. Sometimes you have to look past yourself.

There's a scene in Moana about picking a personal spirit animal, so I asked Nicole which animal she'd choose

I used to call myself a "bish". That was a bird and a fish. But now I wanna be called a lesh maybe. Or lurd. Trying to make it up. I think of myself as like a lioness, too. Like I love a lion. A lion and either a bird or a fish.

On why she wanted to have a part in Moana, Nicole shared

I felt I had to be a part of the project, and that’s because I’m from Hawaiian descent. I knew that the movie was gonna be about the Polynesian people. And, I don’t think Disney ever really did a film like that. I know they touched upon it in Lilo and Stitch, but my family were like, no, that’s the fake kind. Plus I didn’t wanna go back home and hear from family "how come you’re not in Moana?".

So because of that and it’s the story of our people. Where we come from. And I’m just so proud that Disney did right by us. By the Polynesian people. And stayed true to our culture, where we come from, our power, our people, our lifeline and just told a beautiful story about a young girl.

It wasn’t a love story, it was a heroine story about a young girl’s journey, which we can all relate to. You know, discovering who we really are and what we’re meant for. What our purpose and our destiny is. And that’s a beautiful story.

About live performances versus voicing in a booth, Nicole shared

So the stage is my favorite place to be. Really musical theater is. But but I do love being in the recording studio as well I love touring. Doing this movie was such a new experience for me because I’ve never been an animated character.

And when you’re acting, you’re acting to not the other actor or the character, you’re acting with just a person giving you the lines. And so you have to just imagine everything. To be so creative in your head.

And they show you these sketched out drawings of your character in the scene. Everything looks penciled in. And you just have to kinda close your eyes and put yourself there and be extra animated.

I thought it was hilarious because they have cameras all throughout the whole recording studio, because it makes sense, you know.

Because they see all the different expressions of your face and try to incorporate it into the character to bring it to life as you. So you have that going on.

Speaking of live performances....

Can you see me in this video #Repost via @disneyanimation from my #MoanaEvent L.A trip? ・・・ Blogger roundtable... the verdict is in, they loved #Moana! Mark your calendars for its premiere in theaters on November 23rd so you can fall in ❤️ with it too!

A video posted by Onica Cupido (@mommyfactor) on Nov 17, 2016 at 7:53am PST

...after our interview, the group joined Nicole to film a mini video clip which was featured by Disney Animation. How cool is that!

Nicole was so fun to interview. You could just feel the love she has for her family, culture, and this role as Sina. Make sure you feel the love by seeing Disney's Moana while it's in theaters!



MOVIE SYNOPSIS

From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated feature film about an adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people.

During her journey, Moana (voice of Auli‘i Cravalho) meets the mighty demigod Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), who guides her in her quest to become a master wayfinder.

Together, they sail across the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds, and along the way, Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and discovers the one thing she’s always sought: her own identity.

Voice Cast: Auli‘i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Jemaine Clement, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Alan Tudyk.

Directed by: Ron Clements and John Musker
Produced by: Osnat Shurer
Featuring music by: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa‘i

Visit the official MOANA website - www.movies.disney.com/moana

Like on Facebook: www.facebook.com/disneymoana
Follow on Twitter: www.twitter.com/disneymoana
Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/disneyanimation