Arriving in Theaters April 7th - Smurfs: The Lost Village! Enter to #Win Movie Tickets Now! #SmurfsMovie #SmurfsMovieL3

Disclosure:  I was provided with complimentary movie passes from the vendor in exchange for promoting this upcoming release.  However, all views shared are mine and mine alone.

Arrives in Theaters 

Next FRIDAY, APRIL 7th!!!!!

My girls are counting down the days until Smurfs arrives in theaters next Friday?  Is this a movie your kids have been looking forward to?  When my girls heard of the release last year, they made a point to add it to their list of must-see movies.  And, then once a release date was given, they were quick to add it to our calendar and continue to check to see how far away it was.  I kept reminding them that it was releasing in the spring.  So, when spring arrived last week, they started a countdown chain like many kids do for major holidays like Christmas or their birthdays, in anticipation of the movie release.  And, now that the movie almost here, the girls are getting giddy with excitement.  

If you haven't seen the trailer for Smurfs: The Lost Village, here is a little background on the movie as well as the trailer, so you can see why my girls and so many other people, both children and adults (myself included) are eagerly awaiting this movies release...

"In this fully animated, all-new take on the Smurfs, a mysterious map sets Smurfette and her best friends Brainy, Clumsy and Hefty on an exciting and thrilling race through the Forbidden Forest filled with magical creatures to find a mysterious lost village before the evil wizard Gargamel does. Embarking on a roller coaster journey full of action and danger, the Smurfs are on a course that leads to the discovery of the biggest secret in Smurf history!"

Cast:
Demi Lovato (Smurfette)
Rainn Wilson (Gargamel)
Joe Manganiello (Hefty)
Jack McBrayer (Clumsy)
Danny Pudi (Brainy)
with Mandy Patinkin (Papa Smurf)


I was a huge Smurfs fan growing up. How about you?  And, when I welcomed my girls I was able to pass down my Smurfs plush dolls collection.  This was my introduction to the Smurfs with my girls.  I loved Smurfette like most little girls back in the 80's did, as well as Papa Smurf (come on who doesn't him?).  Did you have a favorite blue smurf?  Hard choosing just one, right? :-)

Smurfs is one of those classic movies that will continue to entertain generations old and new.  Even if you didn't like Smurfs growing up, now that you have children, you may find yourself falling in love with the Smurfs.  My husband never saw the Smurfs or even heard of them back in El Salvador, so the girls have been giving him a rundown on each of the characters including evil Gargamel.  We have seen a handful of Smurf movies from over the years with the girls, but this upcoming release is going to answer some questions like where did Smurfette come from (read on to learn about this spoiler, which you will see in the beginning of the movie).

With homeschooling, I try to tie movies to what we are learning in the classroom, or find a way to weave it into a thoughtful discussion with the girls about important life lessons that will help along as they learn and grow.  I was excited to find that they had a faith-based discussion guide available for families to use after seeing Smurfs: The Lost Village. 

-- Smurfs Discussion Guide -- 

"Smurfs: The Lost Village is fun for the whole family and, like all good family films, full of themes that can spark post-screening conversations. These discussion starters on the next few pages will help you talk about important themes in the film. 

Check out this wonderful discussion guide, which you can use as part of our homeschooling lesson for the week after seeing the movie.  Or, if you like having thought provoking discussions with your children after seeing a movie, then this guide will give you some discussion starters that deal with the different themes in the film.  Here is an example from the discussion guide...

Theme:  Our Past Doesn't Define Us

Guiding Scripture:*

 “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” —2 Corinthians 5:17

"The film opens with a shocking revelation when we learn that Gargamel actually created Smurfette. He made her to lead him to the Smurfs’ village. Papa Smurf and others know her origins, but they don’t let that knowledge affect how they see her. Gargamel, however, holds Smurfette’s past over her, saying, “The rotten apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree, does it?” 

At times Smurfette seems troubled by her past. She wants to prove she’s different, saying, “Gargamel’s wrong about me. It’s not my purpose to help him. I’m meant to save those Smurfs.” She tries to redeem her past by forming new relationships and atoning for mistakes. 

We all have a past. In some cases our experiences are pleasant and life-giving, sources of inspiration and motivation. However, some of us might have “darker” pasts, full of pain and regrettable decisions. The good news of the gospel is that the mistakes of our past can be forgiven because of Jesus Christ’s love and sacrifice. Jesus died so we could have new life. Our old selves are gone! God doesn’t dwell on the mistakes of our past (Hebrews 10:17), so we shouldn’t either. Instead we should move forward as a new creation."

Questions for Consideration:

1. If our past doesn’t define us, what should
define us?
2. Read 1 John 1:9. According to this verse, when
we confess our sins to God, what does he do
for us?
3. Why does God want you to live without regret and shame?

Click here to check out the other coversation starters in the wonderfully put together discussion guide, which is free to print out and use - http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/smurfsthelostvillage/discussionguide/smurfs_discussion_guide.pdf.

I have already printed this discussion guide out and will be using the Monday after we see the movie.  There are so many great discussion questions posed, for both young and older children to ponder and answer.  And, all the major life lessons shared in the movie are included in this FREE discussion guide available here.

Be sure to check it out and print it so that you can use this movie not only as an enjoyable family activity, but also as an educational tool, too.  I personally can't wait to get a discussion going with the girls about the movie and what they learned from it.  

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-- FREE COLORING AND LEARN TO DRAW SMURFS SHEETS --

Check out these fun coloring sheets and learn to do smurf sheets that are sure to delight Smurfs fans in your house as you all eagerly await the movie's release next Friday. Enjoy!

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Follow the Smurfs on Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/SmurfsMovie/
https://www.twitter.com/SmurfsMovie/
https://www.instagram.com/SmurfsMovie/

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--GIVEAWAY--

Click here and complete the Rafflecopter form for your chance to win 2 Fandango ticket codes (good for 2 FREE movie tickets), redeemable for SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE, thanks to the folks at Sony Pictures.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  I was provided with complimentary movie passes from the vendor in exchange for promoting this upcoming release.  However, all views shared are mine and mine alone.