Mckenna Shoots for the Stars Movie Review

     On Wednesday, my wonderful parents surprised me with Mckenna Shoots for the Stars!!!!!  I was so surprised and excited.  I watched it that evening, and now, I feel I should review it for you all.

     Mckenna Shoots for the Stars was pretty accurate to the book.  I only know what is in the first book, Mckenna, because that's, obviously, the only one I've read.  My only critique, when discussing book accuracy, is when Mckenna breaks her ankle.  SPOILER Instead of getting distracted in her own thoughts, like in  the book, Mckenna disobeyed her coach and did a gymnastics move that was too advanced  for her. 

      However, there were many great parts which I will begin to indulge in.

 

     Jade Pettyjohn is an exceedingly good actress!  She was able to hone in all of Mckenna's emotions and struggles.  My favorite part of the movie with Jade is when she is trying out different tutors.  Her facial reactions were hysterical!

     Jade looked like a lot Mckenna except for her hair.  Don't get me wrong, I love curly, wavey hair, but Mckenna, the doll and in the book, had straighter hair.  I guess, since straight hair is going out, they wanted Jade to have the more popular hairstyle.  I still loved her hair in the movie though.:)

     Ysa Penarejo was an awesome Toulane!!  She also acted so well!!!!  I love the scene when she turned into a secret spy and followed Mckenna!  Quite funny! 

     I could not find a picture of Kerris Dorsey as Josie, so I am using this one instead.  I enjoyed Kerris as Josie.  She seemed a little old for playing an eleven year-old, but she carried the role very well. 

     Cathy Rigby was great as Mckenna's coach.  Her firm, but loving attitude with Mckenna was perfect like Mckenna's coach in the book.

     Mckenna Shoots for the Stars is a wholesome, fun, family friendly movie that girls would definately enjoy!

*Liddy*                                                                                             

Today's the Day!:)

     It's officially out!!:)  Mckenna Shoots for the Stars is now available on DVD on American Girl and at Walmart.  Are any of you going to buy it this week?  If so, I would love to know!:)

*Liddy*

New MAG and Mckenna Items!

     Well, all the new American Girl outfits and accessories are here!

     The True Spirit Outfit is the new My American Girl main outfit(shown above).  I preferred the My American Girl outfit AG already had before.  I can't envision an 8-12 year old wearing this new outfit. 
     Also, the doll wearing the True Spirit outfit is also new.

      The Butterfly Garden Pj's are so pretty and girly.  Love that shade of blue!:)  The sunshine yellow butterflys stand out beautifully against the light blue.

      The Weekend Fun Outfit is my favorite one out of them all!!  It's such a cute fall outfit.  And the little white vest adds the perfect touch!

     The Allergy-Free Lunch is different, but I like it.  If had many food allergies, I would enjoy having a lunch set like this for my doll.

     MEATLOAF!!!!  Love that name. 

      American Girl also has offered dols with hearing aids and dolls without hair.  I think this a great idea !

      I love the neon yellowish leotard in Mckenna's Performance Outfit.  Her hairstyle in this image is unique.  I would love to learn how to do it.

      Seperately from Mckenna's performance outfit is Mckenna's team gear(shown above).  This set comes with a jacket, a bracelet, soft shoes, and a gold medal.

     The movie is out on pre-order now!!!!!!!!!:D  On Mckenna's movie site you can see all new clips and images for the movie.  Are any of you going to pre-order the movie??

*Liddy*                                                                                                       

Interview With Actress Jade Pettyjohn

     I recently had the privilege to interview Jade Pettyjohn.  Jade Pettyjohn is an eleven year old singer, dancer, musician, and actress.  For those of you who don't know,  Jade will play Mckenna Brooks in Mckenna Shoots for the Stars which comes out on DVD July 3rd and airs on TV July 14th at 8/7 c on NBC.  Without further ado, here is the interview!:)




Me:  What was the audition process like and when was your first audition?


Jade:  The first audition for American Girl was late May of 2011 and the callbacks and the mix and match followed in Mid June.  Basically, when a project is started they have a whole bunch of people audition.  I don't know how many people they called in.  It is usually about 50 girls.  Then the call back is when they are trying to take it down from there top choices into about 5 or 6 people. Once that happens they do a mix and match where they have the top picks from the bigger roles do the scenes together to see how everybody works with each other.  That part can take a while.  :)


Me:  Do you feel you are like Mckenna in anyway?


Jade:  I do. I feel like we have a lot in common.  We both have supportive parents and I feel like we are both determined to do what we love.  But mine is with acting and hers is with gymnastics.




Me:  Did you become good friends with Ysa Penarejo and Kerris Dorsey?  If so, do you still keep in contact with them?


Jade:  I did. I still keep in touch with them via facebook and email. When we were shooting we would go to each others condos and watch movies and pop popcorn and go shopping and all that fun stuff.




Me:  Was it hard being away from your home during the summer while filming?


Jade:  Well of course I missed my home and stuff a little bit. Especially because my Dad was still working.  But I would skype with my dad and we would have dinner together over the Internet so it wasn't that bad.  Plus I was really excited about what I was doing and did not have too much time to really think about it.  


Me:  Did you do all your gymnastic stunts?


Jade:  Well I can't tell you that.  It's a secret :)  But I did get to train with the junior Olympic team, which was so much fun and I still keep in touch with most of them.


Me:  Do you like American Girl dolls?  If so, which one is your favorite?


Jade:  I do.  I would say McKenna is now my favorite but before that it was Julie.  Oh, and speaking of Julie... a piece of movie trivia for you.  Kerris has a sister who is also an amazing singer and actress.  Her name is Justine Dorsey.  She played Julie in the musical shows at American Girl store in LA for a year.  :)


Me:  Are you wanting to pursue a career in acting?

Jade:  Yes, most definitely.  I love what I do!!! :)  


     Jade will be doing her first autograph signing on June 30th and July 3rd at San Jose Olympic trails in California.  If any of you go please let me know!  Unfortunately I can't go, because I don't live near California.:(
     It was so much fun getting to interview Jade!  Hope you all enjoyed!  Can't wait for Mckenna Shoots for the Stars!:D


*Liddy*

Interview With Ysa Penarejo

      I recently had the privilege to interview Ysa Penarejo who plays Toulane, Mckenna's best friend, in Mckenna Shoots for the Stars. 



Me:  What
was the audition process like for Mckenna Shoots for
the Stars?


Ysa: My audition process for
Mckenna Shoots for the Stars was made up of 3 meetings: 1st audition, callback, and mix & match. It was my first time going through the process and was very exciting. I was especially excited because it was an American Girl movie.





Me:  Did
you do all your gymnastic stunts yourself?


Ysa: I’ve been dancing and
tumbling since I was 4 ½ years old and had the opportunity to work with the
gymnastics coaches for the movie. I did have a stunt double for the movie to
reduce risks of injury and had the chance to do some of my own
moves.




Me:  Do
you feel that you're like Toulane in any way?


Ysa: I think we are all like
Toulane in that we have feelings and want to be there to help our
friends.




Me:  What
was it like being on set with Jade Pettyjohn(Mckenna) and Kerris
Dorsey(Josie)?


Ysa:  It was awesome being
on the set with Jade and Kerris. Jade is a master at her craft and Kerris is an amazing and multidimensional actor. I am very blessed to have worked with them both.




Me:  Do you like American Girl dolls?


Ysa:  I love American Girl dolls and have four: McKenna, Julie, Ivy and My American Girl. My first doll was a My American Girl doll.


 Me:  If so, what's your favorite
doll?


Ysa: I love them all and want
more!

      Ysa was great to interview!  I can't wait to see her in Mckenna Shoots for the Stars!  Hope you all enjoyed this!:D


*Liddy*

Mckenna Movie Clips!:D

     On the American Girl Fan website, I found two clips from Mckenna Shoots for the Stars!  Here are the links:

http://youtu.be/vXHOiKNGUL8 and
http://youtu.be/DZo4rqouFeM!


*Liddy*

Mckenna Shoots for the Stars Trailor Review

      Well, American Girl finally posted on their website the Mckenna Shoots for the Stars trailer.  I thought the trailer was really good.  It makes me anticipate the movie even more!

     I thought Jade Pettyjohn did really well in the trailer.  They showed so many of Mckenna's outfits in the trailer.  I wonder if they'll make a camping outfit for the Mckenna doll  like the one Jade had on.

      I wish they would have shown more of Ysa Penarjo as Toulane in the trailer.  She only said a couple of lines, and they were kind of mumbled under her breath.  I think she will be good in the movie, though.

     I really liked Nia Vardalos in the trailer.  She fit a great mother part and was funny in some of the trailer.

     You didn't get to see to much of Ian Zierring in the trailer, but I thought from what I saw, he and Nia Vardalos make a good Mr. and Mrs. Brooks.

     Kaedence and Paiten Roach, I just recently found play Maisey and Mara Brooks.  I wish I could have seen them more in the trailer.

     Kerris Dorsey is a great Josie.  She was sweet and kind.  Perfect Josie to a tee.

     I am so looking forward to seeing Callie Berard in the movie!  She doesn't look like Sierra.  In the book Sierra has red hair, not black. 
    
     Also, I just got Mckenna's first book, Mckenna.  So far, it's quite good.  Expect a book review soon!

*Liddy*