Movie of the Month: Kung Fu Panda 3

Tags

dreamworks, fox, kung fu panda

It’s finally here! Kung Fu Panda 3 hits theaters this Friday, January 29; and like you, we popcorn-lovers here at West Bend can’t wait to see one of the most highly-anticipated family films of the year.

To get you even more excited for the star-studded animated film, which features the voices of Jack Black (Po), Angelina Jolie (Tigress), Dustin Hoffman (Shifu), Jackie Chan (Monkey), Seth Rogan (Mantis) and Kate Hudson (Mei Mei), we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite fun and insightful interviews with cast and crew:

1. “Kung Fu Panda 3: Directors, Producer on Shaping a Worthy Sequel and Po’s Future” – Collider

The entertainment news site visited DreamWorks’ animation campus to screen some scenes from Kung Fu Panda 3, and had the opportunity to chat with directors Jennifer Yuh Nelson and Alessandro Carloni, along with producer Melissa Cobb, about all things Kung Fu Panda. When asked at what point they decided to make a third Kung Fu Panda film, Nelson said:

Whenever we come up with an idea, it’s always based on what the characters ask us. The characters are like real people to us. We’ve been working on these movies for 10 years. It’s always based on what Po has to find out, and that guides us on how we start creating the idea for a movie. With this one, people kept asking, “Is Po going to meet that guy?” So, we had to answer that question. With the first movie, people kept asking, “Why is Po’s father a ghost?,” and that’s what led us to the second movie. But, it’s always based on a question that’s circling around Po. If there’s a strong enough question that we want to know the answer to, that’s when we start pursuing the movie.

Check out the full Q&A to read on about what goes into the creation of one of the most successful animated franchises in the world.

2.       “Sparring with Jack Black, Star of Kung Fu Panda 3” – Sports Illustrated Kids

Jack Black has starred in all three Kung Fu Panda movies as the primary protagonist, Po. Sports Illustrated Kids ran an entertaining dialogue with Black about how he channels his character, his kung fu idols, and of course, sports. On how he keeps Po’s character “fresh and fun,” Black replied:

Well you know, it is always fun to be in the recording studio laying down tracks for Po. He is a fun character no matter how many times you played him. He loves kung fu, what’s more fun than that? There is a new script, a new story, new challenges – it was easy!

When I am recording, I do get physical. If my character is doing kung fu, then I like to do kung fu, too, just to make it sound realistic. Because if you are just standing still while your character is doing kung fu on the screen, it doesn’t sound real and you can tell. I am a Method actor, so I want it all to sound really real.

3.       “Angelina Jolie on Brad’s Oscar Nom, Working with Her Kids in Kung Fu Panda 3” – Extra

At the premiere of Kung Fu Panda 3, Extra‘s Terri Seymour caught up with Angelina Jolie. Reprising her role as Tigress for the movie, Jolie made it a true family affair this time around: four out of her six children — Pax, 12; Zahara, 10; Shiloh, 9; and Knox, 7 — join her in providing voices for the film! On having her children work on their first movie with her, Jolie said:

It’s been, ‘If you want to, you can jump in, and here’s a crazy idea’… and some of them were shy, but this one they all really wanted to do, and they all came together and did their recording together and took it very seriously — it was cute.” She laughed, “Now that they’ve had a taste, they think Mommy’s job is ridiculously easy.

4. “Kate Hudson Reveals the Workout Habit Behind Her Enviable Golden Globes Abs” – Popsugar

Popsugar had an intimate conversation with Kate Hudson, who plays Po’s new love interest, Mei Mei, in Kung Fu Panda 3. Popsugar chatted with Hudson about her own family dynamics, and how the story theme resonated with her personal life.

The patchwork family. Love is love is love is love. I think, especially in today’s age, that’s a wonderful, comforting message to kids. But also, I think this [movie] is really about Po’s identity, and finding out who he is, and then becoming his own person. That transition into becoming a little man. And I have that boy [Ryder] right now! I’ve got the tween. Po’s a tween. It’s an amazing time, going through puberty. You’re figuring out, “Who am I gonna be? What is my future?” You’re just trying to really understand that you are your own person. It can be very scary and it can also be very exciting. That era of puberty is so huge. Especially for boys.

 

Over the next few days, you can find us posted up with family, friends and a big bowl of popcorn while we re-watch the first two Kung Fu Panda movies.

To find a theater near you (or just watch more trailers), visit: http://www.foxmovies.com/movies/kung-fu-panda-3

See you in theaters this Friday!

 

 

Happy National Popcorn Day!

Tags

Air-popped corn, Fun Facts, National Popcorn Day, Popcorn on Demand, Recipes, Trivia

Before we get to popping (and trust us, we will!), we thought we’d kick off what is undoubtedly the best day of the year with some tasty trivia about America’s favorite snack food (and statistically, that’s a fact!):

• Americans eat enough popcorn annually to fill the Empire State Building 18 times over (that’s around 17 billion quarts!)
• Popcorn has more protein than any other cereal grain, and more iron than eggs or roast beef.
• Popcorn is naturally high in fiber; low in calories; and sodium-, sugar-, and fat-free. A cup of plain popcorn contains just 31 calories!
• Each kernel of popcorn contains a small amount of water, which, when heated, turns to steam. This steam builds pressure. When the pressure reaches about 135 pounds per square inch, the kernel will explode.
• Kernels that are too dry won’t be able to create steam (or pressure) and won’t pop. These unpopped kernels are playfully called “old maids,” “widows” or “spinsters.”
• Refrigeration dries out the moisture in popcorn kernels. Store them in a cool, dry cupboard to minimize the number of spinsters at the bottom of your bowl.
• The world’s oldest known popper, a shallow vessel with a handle and hole on top was designed around A.D. 300. The first popcorn machine made its debut 1,500 years later at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago.
• Traditionally, Native American tribes flavored popcorn with dried herbs and spices, possibly even chili. They also made popcorn into soup and beer, and made popcorn headdresses and corsages!

Now that we have all our facts straight, it’s time to get the party started and pop some corn! West Bend’s Popcorn on Demand Hot Air Popcorn Machine is the fastest, most efficient way to make healthy, nutrient-packed air-popped corn.  One press of the lever on the side of this machine dispenses a single 100-calorie/5oz. serving for a quick snack or the lever can be pressed again, up to four times, creating enough popcorn for the whole family. The unit stores up to 32 oz. of kernels in the convenient, built-in storage compartment; making dispensing pre-measured portions convenient at any time. Not to mention, the machine’s popping chamber and popcorn chute’s smart design minimizes “old maids” and directs only popped corn into the bowl! To purchase or find out more about the Popcorn on Demand and West Bend’s extensive line of popcorn machines, visit westbend.com.

Is your mouth watering yet? While we haven’t quite mastered popcorn soup or beer just yet, check out some of our favorite tried and true popcorn recipes that will make any day National Popcorn Day:

• Sugar ‘n Spice Treat
• Hot Chocolate Popcorn
• Confetti Cake Popcorn
• Smores ‘n More Popcorn

TV Roundup: Winter Premiere Season

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abc, amc, cbs, Comedy Central, E!, fox, FX, hbo, IFX, nbc, netflix, premiere, Showtime, tnt, TV Land, usa

Grab your datebooks, mark your calendars and set your DVRs; winter TV premiere season is officially upon us, and there are a whole slew of new and returning shows that you won’t want to miss. 2016 started off with a bang with PBS’s 90-minute Sherlock: The Abominable Bride special on January 1, but audiences quickly turned their attention to a different kind of gentleman caller when ABC introduced us to Ben Higgins on the 20^th season premiere of The Bachelor (Jan. 4). NBC served up three brand new star-studded shows last week, including feel-good comedy Superstore (feat. America Ferrera and Ben Feldman) and Latin soap opera parody Telenovela (feat. Eva Longoria), followed by Ray Liotta and Jennifer Lopez’s new crime drama series Shades of Blue. FOX brought back New Girl and Brooklyn Nine-Nine on January 5, and fans embarked on their 15^th and final emotional rollercoaster with the premiere of American Idol on January 6.

And if you missed any of the above, not to worry; check your local network guide for reruns and catch the next episode this week.  Plus, there are a plethora of shows to choose from with new seasons set to air over the next few months;  highlights include the latest drama-filled series from Shonda Rhimes (The Catch, ABC), a reboot of 90’s hit series Full House featuring most of the original cast (Fuller House, Netflix), HBO’s highly anticipated rock-and-roll drama from Martin Scorsese, Mick Jagger, and Terence Winter (Vinyl), and all new episodes of critically acclaimed fan favorites such as Better Call Saul and The Walking Dead (AMC), Girls (HBO), Empire (FOX), House of Cards (Netflix), and many more.

So round up the family, grab the popcorn and hit the couch – it’s TV time!

Teen/Young Adult
Pretty Little Liars (Freeform; Jan. 12 @8/7c)
Shadowhunters (Freeform; Jan. 12 @9/8c)
The Vampire Diaries (The CW; Jan. 29 @8/7c)
Fuller House (Netflix; Feb. 26)

Fantasy/Science-Fiction
Colony (USA; Jan. 14 @10/9c)
Legends of Tomorrow (The CW; Jan. 21 @8/7c)
The Walking Dead (AMC; Jan. 14 @9/8c)

Comedy
Younger (TV Land; Jan. 13 @10/9c)
Portlandia (IFX; Jan. 21 @10/9c)
Animals (HBO; Feb. 5 @11:30/10:30c)
Broad City (Comedy Central; Feb. 17 @10/9c)
Love (Netflix; Feb. 19)
Togetherness (HBO;  Feb. 21 @10:30/9:30c)

Drama
Billions (Showtime; Jan. 17 @10/9c)
Suits (USA; Jan. 27 @10/9c)
American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson (FX; Feb. 2 @10/9c)
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC; Feb. 11 @8/7c)
Scandal (ABC; Feb. 11 @9/8c)
How to Get Away with Murder (ABC; Feb. 11 @10/9c)
Better Call Saul (AMC; Feb. 15 @10/9c)
Rizzoli & Isles (TNT; Feb. 16 @9/8c)
Girls (HBO; Feb. 21 @10/9c)
House of Cards (Netflix; Mar. 4)
Nashville (ABC;  Mar. 16 @10/9c)
The Catch (ABC; Mar. 24 @10/9c)
Empire (FOX; Mar. 30 @9/8c)

Reality
MasterChef Celebrity Showdown (FOX; Jan. 18 @8/7c)
Hollywood Medium (E!; Jan. 24 @10/9c)
American Ninja Warrior: USA vs. the World (NBC; Jan. 31 @8/7c)
The Amazing Race (CBS; Feb. 12 @8/7c)
Survivor (CBS; Feb. 17 @8/7c)
Dancing with the Stars (ABC; Mar. 21 @8/7c)

*new shows noted in green.

New Year’s Resolutions: Pop Your Way to a Healthier 2016

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Healthy Eating, Popcorn, Popcorn on Demand, Resolutions, Williams-Sonoma

Unsurprisingly, the most common New Year’s resolutions in the U.S. are health-focused; whether it’s losing weight, going to the gym more often or eating better, the beginning of the year is the perfect time for a fresh start toward healthier habits. What’s surprising though, is that only 8% of Americans actually stick to pursuing those goals throughout the year.

Thankfully, West Bend’s latest innovation in popcorn machines is just the ticket to avoid becoming another statistic this year. The Popcorn on Demand Hot Air Popcorn Machine is the fastest, most efficient way to make air-popped corn.  And since popcorn is a whole grain, packed with fiber and antioxidants, it’s a super-healthy snack when made without all the additives added at the movie theater or in microwavable bags. One press of the lever on the side of this machine dispenses a single 100-calorie/5oz. serving for a quick snack or the lever can be pressed again, up to four times, creating enough popcorn for the whole family. The unit stores up to 32 oz. of kernels in the convenient, built-in storage compartment; making dispensing pre-measured portions convenient at any time.  And the Popcorn on Demand machine’s sleek, state-of-the-art design allows you to cross “spruce up the kitchen” off of your list of resolutions the minute it lands on your countertop.

The Popcorn on Demand machine is available exclusively at Williams-Sonoma and Williams-Sonoma.com for $79.95. The full line of West Bend popcorn machines can be found online at westbend.com or at select retailers nationwide. West Bend also provides recipe ideas for more fun with popcorn, available here.

New in Streaming: January 2016

Tags

amazon prime, golden globes, hbo go, hulu, movies, netflix, streaming

2016 is just a few days away and with it will come good tidings, fresh perspectives and a slew of new movies available to stream online. With all the great titles coming to Amazon, Hulu, HBO and Netflix next month, you’re guaranteed to be a certified movie buff by the time Awards Season rolls around!

From action-packed thrillers to animated features, perennial rom-coms and feel-good family films, West Bend’s guide to the best in streaming for January has something for every silver screen aficionado in your family. Of particular note are several theatrical premieres coming to HBO Now and HBO Go, which include the network’s own Entourage film adaptation, Calvary starring Brendan Gleeson and critical darling Mad Max: Fury Road; which is currently up for two Golden Globe Awards.

So pop some popcorn and hop on the couch – with so many great movies available, there’s no time to waste!

For Kids and the Whole Family (Rated G/PG):
Annie (2014) (Jan. 1, Amazon Prime exclusive)
The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water (Jan. 1, Amazon Prime and Hulu)
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (Jan. 1, Hulu; Jan. 4, Amazon Prime)
Ice Age 2: The Meltdown (Jan. 1, Netflix)
Journey to the Center of the Earth (Jan. 1, Amazon Prime)
Nanny McPhee (Jan. 1, Netflix)
Pooh’s Heffalump Movie (Jan. 1, Netflix)
Pride and Prejudice (Jan. 1, Netflix)
The Second Best Marigold Hotel (Jan. 2, HBO)

For Teens, Young Adults and the Young at Heart (Rated PG-13):
A Knight’s Tale (Jan. 1, HBO)
Along Came Polly (Jan. 1, Netflix)
Catwoman (Jan. 1, Netflix)
Far From the Madding Crowd (Jan. 3, HBO)
Malcolm X (Jan. 1, HBO)
Pretty in Pink (Jan. 1, HBO)

For Adults (Rated R):
2 Fast 2 Furious (Jan. 1, Netflix)
Calvary (Jan. 4, HBO)
Entourage (Jan. 23, HBO)
Mad Max: Fury Road (Jan. 9, HBO)
Moonwalkers (Jan. 15, Netflix)
Serpico (Jan. 1, Hulu; Jan. 4, Amazon Prime)
The Da Vinci Code (Jan. 1, Amazon Prime)

Check back in a couple of weeks for a full rundown of TV series premieres we’re looking forward to this Winter!

Movie Streaming for the Merriest Christmas Week

Tags

amazon prime, Christmas, hbo go, hulu, movies, netflix

It’s Christmas week and you know what that means: holiday parties, holiday treats, holiday music and most importantly, holiday movies.

There’s nothing jollier than curling up by the fire with a Christmas flick – and a bowl of popcorn, of course! West Bend has put together a list of favorite festive films, currently streaming on Amazon, HBO, Hulu and Netflix. From timeless classics like A Christmas Story and Home Alone to brand new, star-studded specials such as A Very Murray Christmas, there’s something that everyone in the family can enjoy this season. Sit back, relax and let the marathons begin!

For the whole family:

• A Christmas Story (Amazon)
• A Very Murray Christmas (Netflix)
• About a Boy (Netflix)
• Christmas with the Kranks (Netflix)
• Elf (Amazon)
• Gremlins (Amazon)
• Home Alone (Amazon, HBO)
• Jack Frost [1979] (Amazon)
• Love Actually (Netflix)
• Miracle on 34^th Street (Amazon)
• The Muppet Christmas Carol (Amazon)
• The Nightmare Before Christmas (Netflix)
• Unaccompanied Minors (HBO)

And after the kids have gone to bed:

• Bridget Jones’s Diary (Amazon)
• Four Christmases (HBO)
• It’s a Wonderful Life (Amazon)
• National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Amazon)
• Serendipity (Netflix)
• The Ice Harvest (Netflix)
• Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas (Hulu, Amazon)
• While You Were Sleeping (Netflix)
• You’ve Got Mail (Netflix)

Merry movie-watching everyone!

Ready for Star Wars

Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be released at the end of this week, and like you, we popcorn-lovers here at West Bend can’t wait to see the movie event of the year. Of course, J.J. Abrams and his crew are keeping very quiet on the plot of the film—and there’s not much in the trailer to give it away:

So, we’ve rounded up some of the most illuminating pieces on the new film that have come through in the past month.

1. “‘Star Wars’ Strikes Back: Behind the Scenes of the Biggest Movie of the Year” in Rolling Stone

Could Abrams recapture the magic that Lucas himself summoned only intermittently in his three digitized prequels, in between council-meeting scenes and wretched dialogue (“I don’t like sand”)? Did Boyega and Ridley understand they were about to send their lives, if not necessarily their careers, into hyperspace? How did the original trio feel about resuming roles that haunted them for decades?

In this in-depth look at the new film, Rolling Stone visits the cast and crew on set to find out the answers to these questions and more.

2. “You Won’t Live to See the Last Star Wars Movie” in Wired

Get ready for plenty more Star Wars films after this one! In talks with Kathleen Kennedy, the new head of Star Wars’ production company Lucasfilm, Wired explores the wide range of stories the company now plans to tell:

If the people at the Walt Disney Company, which bought Lucasfilm for $4 billion in 2012, have anything to say about it, the past four decades of Star Wars were merely prologue. They are making more. A lot more. The company intends to put out a new Star Wars movie every year for as long as people will buy tickets. Let me put it another way: If everything works out for Disney, and if you are (like me) old enough to have been conscious for the first Star Wars film, you will probably not live to see the last one. It’s the forever franchise.

3. “The Last Human Robot” in New York magazine

“Like 3PO and R2-D2, Star Wars and Daniels have something deeper than love: commitment. “People say, ‘What’s it like to go back to C-3PO?’” Daniels says. “Well, I never left him.”

This New York magazine profile tells the storied—and sometimes fraught—history of Anthony Daniels’ four decades in the golden suit of C-3PO.

4. J. Abrams’ interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

The Star Wars cast and crew have been promoting the film heavily, and there are tons of interviews all over the Internet—but J.J. Abrams’ guest appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon was our favorite. In this video, he tells the story of how he fractured his back trying to save Harrison Ford’s leg, which had been crushed by the door of the Millennium Falcon during filming.

We’ll see you at the movie theater this Friday!

The West Bend Popcorn Holiday Gift Guide

 

The holidays are here, and shopping is in full swing! Give a gift family and friends can enjoy together with a West Bend popcorn machine. Whether it’s the centerpiece of family movie night or the reliable provider of a quick and healthy snack after work or school, a popcorn machine is a great convenience for anyone to have around the kitchen.

With a wide range of machines, as well as seasonings and other accessories, we provide everything you need to enjoy this classic snack. Here are a few gift ideas for the holidays:

Clear Air™ Popcorn Machine

The interior glass cylinder lets you watch all the action, from kernels swirling to the last delicious pop. With no oil required, the Clear Air machine pops up to 4 quarts of healthy and delicious popcorn in less than 3 minutes. A super sleek gift for the healthy snacker on the go.

MSRP: $49.99

 

6-Qt Stir Crazy® Deluxe Popcorn Machine

This deluxe oil-popping model, with a traditional stirring rod to prevent scorching, features a convenient, removable heating plate and a convertible cover; for easy popping to easy serving with a flip of the lid. Dishwasher-safe plate, bowl and lid make cleanup easier than ever. Perfect for hanging out with family or for giving parties a movie theater flair.

MSRP: $59.99

Popcorn on Demand Hot Air Popcorn Machine

The fastest, most efficient way to make healthy air-popped popcorn. One press of the lever on the side of this machine dispenses a single 100-calorie/5oz. serving for a quick snack or the lever can be pressed again, up to four times, creating enough popcorn for the whole family.  The unit stores up to 32 oz. of kernels in the convenient, built-in storage compartment.

Available exclusively at Williams-Sonoma and Williams-Sonoma.com for $79.95.

Founded in 1911, we’ve been delivering high-quality kitchen solutions for over 100 years. A gift from West Bend will be a gift that lasts for years. Our expertise in the kitchen extends from the countertop to the stovetop; with a variety of additional products including slow cookers, coffee urns, griddles and countertop ovens.

Explore more holiday gift ideas for the kitchen at westbend.com.

Streaming Highlights for the Month of December

Tags

amazon prime, hbo go, hulu, kids' movies, movies, netflix, streaming

As the holidays continue, there’s no better time to plan for extra, quality time with friends and family. Web streaming options now make it easier than ever to find a movie to share together—without having to leave the house on a chilly winter’s night.

West Bend has explored the latest movies offered by Amazon, HBO, Hulu and Netflix, for the month of December, to suggest our picks for big screen adventures at home… From kids’ classics like Black Beauty and Free Willy to teen favorites like 10 Things I Hate About You and the first two films in the dystopic Divergent series, options abound for movies the family can enjoy together. Plus, a slew of Academy Award nominees and winners have hit the web this month, like last year’s Christopher Nolan, sci-fi epic Interstellar and Ray, the Ray Charles biopic that earned Jamie Foxx an Oscar for Best Actor in 2004.

With such a great array of movies available, we suggest you make some popcorn and hit the couch!

For Kids and Teens:

• 10 Things I Hate About You (coming to HBO, 12/1)
• Black Beauty (Amazon, 12/30)
• Divergent (HBO, 12/1)
• Free Willy (Amazon, 12/30)
• Home Alone (HBO, 12/1)
• Insurgent (HBO, 12/12)
• The Wiz: Live! (Hulu, 12/4)

For the Grownups:

• Apocalypse Now (Hulu, 12/1)
• Brokeback Mountain (HBO, 12/1)
• Interstellar (Amazon, 12/12; Hulu, 12/12)
• Ray (Netflix, 12/1)
• Selma (Amazon, 12/19; Hulu, 12/19)

Check back in a few weeks for a full list of Christmas movies that are streaming this month!