Yesterday Movie Bluray DVD Giveaway Review

Movies

by Forrest Brett
MBE Senior Writer

Imagine a world if The Beatles never existed

As of today the rock-and-roll romantic comedy Yesterday from Universal Pictures is available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital. For those of us  fortunate to be be old enough to remember the 1960s and have been following The Beatles music for 50+ years, this movie will pull you right in. For younger generations, be prepared to see the past and present merge in an array of relatable musical, personal growth and relationship moments.

Set in the present against a small English seaside town, Jack Malik is an unknown, a wannabe songwriter/performer who is brilliantly portrayed by Himesh Patel (BBC's EastEnders). The movie, now a new home entertainment release, is directed by Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) and showcases talented female co-stars Lily James (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, 2018 and Disney Cinderella, 2015) Jack's loyal friend and original soft-hearted personal manager and Kate McKinnon (Ghostbusters, 2016) the cold-hearted money-hungry Hollywood agent. 

The appearance of British singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran, in his first acting role, draws in today's modern generation, while at the same time his well-developed character reflects respect and awe for the timeless talent of The Beatles.

Almost from the moment Jack's downtrodden loveable ugly duckling persona is introduced on screen at the beginning of this musical rom-com, the audience can't help ourselves. All you want to do is keep rooting for this charming, yet struggling and discouraged musician to be successful professionally as well as find true love. 

Jack appears to be headed toward an uneventful life of constant searching, wandering in circles never quite reaching his destination and realizing his dreams. But then fate irrevocably changes his life's direction. 

The plot is set quickly into motion following a worldwide power failure which triggers an accident where our protagonist gets hit in the dark by a bus while riding his bicycle. Soon after he comes to in the hospital, he discovers after Googling "Beatles" that everything has changed. It's still the present, but it's now a world where the greatest rock and roll group of all time, The Beatles, has seemingly vanished from history. 

Can you even imagine life without such classics as Yesterday, Hey Jude, Let It Be and hundreds of other songs? And that doesn't even consider how today's music might have been so different had it not been for the influence of this legendary group that emerged more than 50 years ago. I know I can't even fathom all the implications.

Important Life Lessons for All

Throughout the movie Yesterday, I found myself finishing the actors' lines with familiar Beatles lyrics, wanting to encourage Jack as he searched his mind to bring back the forgotten Beatles greatest hits. As Jack struggles with what really matters in life, he will question the value and importance of fame, fortune, honesty and love.

With a soundtrack from Capitol Records/Polydor Records you'll love, the home entertainment version of Yesterday has some cool extras.

Bonus Features include

• Commentary with Director Danny Boyle & Writer/Producer Richard Curtis
• Deleted and Extended Scenes
• Live Performances at Abbey Road Studios
• Alternate Ending
• Featurettes with Filmmakers and Cast*
• Gag Reel*
• Alternate Opening*

*Exclusive to 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Digital

Plentiful Beatles References

If you are a devoted Beatles fan, be sure to watch for underlying connections to the lives and history of John, Paul, George & Ringo. Between great music, comedy and a love story, this is a cross generational movie offering something for everyone. 

It's most definitely a Long and Winding Road, and you're invited to watch Yesterday with family and friends and join the journey to re-experience the Beatles' songs all over again as if you're hearing them for the first time.

Yesterday Movie Giveaway

With such a warm and beautiful film now available to home viewers, we are thrilled to offer another MBE Movie Giveaway, this time in partnership with Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. ONE (1) lucky MBE contest entrant will win the Yesterday Blu-ray, DVD + Digital combo. See details below to enter for your chance to win this great prize.

Yesterday Movie Giveaway

on Instagram

Thanks to Universal Pictures, we are giving away the Yesterday Blu-ray DVD combo to the winner. To enter this Yesterday Blu-ray DVD combo sweepstakes Mommy Blog Expert is hosting, visit this MBE Instagram post. Contest open to US residents only and qualifying winner will be selected at random. Hurry, this giveaway ends October 7, 2019 at 12 am PST/3 am EST. Universal Pictures is providing the prize and is responsible for delivery to winner.

About Yesterday

For more about Yesterday, visit the official movie site as well as follow the film on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

College Dorm Apartment Storage Hacks

Dorm Life

MBE partnered with IKEA for this post

by Neima Pollak
MBE staff writer

Storage Solutions for Students

College students like easy, inexpensive things, especially when it comes to maximizing dorm space and functionality. Thankfully the product designers at IKEA have recognized this desire and have created the new Ombyte collection. The goal of this innovative line which is both practical and featuring fashionable prints is to make the transition to college living as smooth and enjoyable as possible. 

The Ombyte line-up available exclusively at IKEA stands out this season to offer convenience with a variety of fold up style products perfect for easy storage in crowded living spaces. I just love the moving cart ($49) and collapsible moving boxes offered in two convenient sizes ($3.99-$4.99) which can be reused again  and again whenever kids decide to change roommates and move to new locations. 

If your son or daughter is typical, believe me, you can count on multiple changes of address before they get their diploma. So these products can be really helpful especially when Mom or Dad aren't there to help with the latest move.

 

College Student Product Picks 

As a student in college myself, I think that the Ombyte collection is absolutely wonderful and I can appreciate how this can make moving so much easier and less stressful for me and my classmates.

My favorite product in the entire collection is this stylish Ombyte bag (pictured below), made of 100% sturdy polypropylene. The first version of this bag is narrower and taller measuring 11"wide by 15 3/4" long. It has two convenient ways to carry it: either as a handheld tote bag or to wear hands-free as a backpack thanks to its well-placed shoulder straps. This especially versatile bag is of course useful for the initial move-in to the dorm. 

Then, throughout the school year, it can also be used for carrying groceries from the store or for bringing clothes to and from the laundry machines. This style is currently available in an orange/white print and a black/clear print and it sells for $7.99 on the IKEA website. 

The second style carrying bag (pictured below), is also constructed of sturdy polypropylene but is shorter and wider and measures 31-1/2 inches long by 15-3/4 inches high by 15-3/4 inches deep. This zip closure duffle style bag is a convenient way to transport assorted stuff both on and off campus and when you head home to visit your family on short school breaks. Like the bag above, this one you see below has multiple uses and can be used to move in and out, for grocery shopping or laundry, and so much more. You'll find this bag on the IKEA website in a multicolor print as well as a white/clear print available for $7.99. 

It's cozy too, LOL! As you can see my cat loved this bag so much that he found his way inside and practically tried to go stealth as a stowaway when I was packing to return to school this fall.

Stylish Wall Hanging Storage

For in-room storage that's both chic and practical, I'm loving now is the Nordrana Hanging Storage system, a unique hand-crocheted accessory made by talented craftspeople in Vietnam. It is made from a sturdy material in a lovely shade of navy with brown bamboo buttons accenting the sides, selling on IKEA's website for $19.99. 

This three-pocket organizer features a hanging strap connected to the top pouch, and two more pouches for a total of three pouches, one of which is divided into two compartments making it a great place to store smaller items. I love the versatility of the ways this can be used. It can be hung vertically with all three pouches as shown or you can detach the pouches from each other and hang them separately using the hooks on the sides of each pouch. 

I can think of lots of ways to use this in my dorm room. The pouches help keep things organized but out of sight, such as a hairbrushes, pens, notepad, and other small items. You can even personalize this, turn it into a fun and easy crafting opportunity, like I did, to showcase your own style.

Storage Not Just for Dorms

Even if you are not a college student, you can still benefit from these fashionable yet durable and functional products. Some items in particular are great for moving into a new home, for redecorating your current living space or just creating more functionality in your home. One such item that has multiple functions is the Ombyte storage combination on casters which is available for $59. This rolling cart features two sturdy boxes, stacked on top of the other, with a removable lid on the top box. The brilliant design of this is that you can use it for your initial move, and then keep using it for years to come as a trendy home decor item or as a storage container. 

Small But Mighty

Another quick and easy must-have to help take the stress out of all the moving around students do is this colorful set of three elastic loading straps. Until I found these, I had no idea how useful these would be to us college students who seem to move more frequently than others. A small investment in a set of these for $4.99 would have been a fabulous help as I tend to pack a lot of stuff and usually end up precariously piling one bag on top of another bag hoping that nothing topples over. These loading straps are an excellent way to ensure that your bags, both big and small, don't fall during the move. An added plus is they can be used with Ombyte's moving cart or with any other cart you use to move your belongings.

With so many options to make college life run more smoothly you're not going to want to waste any time checking off all these cool lifestyle products. Be sure to check out the full Ombyte collection at IKEA and pick up some new items that will make living away at college a whole lot more simple.

Thomas Tank Engine Steam Team Train Tour

Family Fun

Thomas Steam Team Tour partnered with MBE for this post

Fun for the Family, Ticket & Giveaway Info

Kids have loved Thomas and Friends for generations. I know from first-hand experience my four children certainly couldn't get enough of friendly Thomas and Percy when they were younger. So what could be more exciting than sharing with all of you parents with little kids now that the Day Out With Thomas: The Steam Team Tour 2019 is coming to town, pulling into Southern California Railway Museum in Perris, California this November.
  

You and your little engineers are invited to join the beloved Engine #1 and Percy for a day of engaging activities and fun adventures including a ride on the Thomas Tank Steam Engine train and so much more.

Sneak a peek at what's in store for your kids

So California Stop on the 2019 US/Canada Tour

Presented by Mattel, the 24th annual Day Out With Thomas: The Steam Engine Tour 2019 features 37 stops throughout the US and Canada. SoCal residents are invited to participate in the experience locally when the traveling event arrives in the region at Southern California Railway Museum in Perris, California on November 2-3 and November 9-11 (from 9 am to 5 pm each day). 

Thomas Experience Includes

• 25-minute approx steam train ride on Thomas the Tank Engine
• Meet & Greet with Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of the Railway
• Passport to Adventures booklet for each child to track his/her journey to win a prize after completion
• New "Ask an Engineer" booth for kids to learn about trains and railroads
• Thomas-themed interactive activities like toy play, photo ops, and more fun

Where

Southern California Railway Museum
2201 South A Street
Perris, CA 92570
Museum Information/Directions

Tickets are $25 plus tax for ages 2 and up, service charges and fee may apply

Buy Tickets Here 

or 

Call Ticketweb 866-468-7630

Day Out With Thomas Train Tour  Giveaway

With such fun ahead this fall, we are please to offer your family the chance to win the memorable Day Out With Thomas: The Steam Team Tour experience when it pull into the station in Perris, California. ONE (1) lucky 4-ticket family prize pack winner will be chosen at random with winner's choice of date/time based on ticket availability. See details below to enter for your chance to win this amazing dream prize for the Thomas and Friends enthusiast in your family.

Family 4-Pack Tickets
Thomas Steam Team 

MBE Giveaway

Enter to Win on Instagram

Thanks to Thomas and Friends, ONE (1) lucky MBE giveaway participant will win four tickets to the Day Out with Thomas Steam Team November 2019 event in Perris, California, ARV $100. Transportation to/from event venue not included. This Day Out with Thomas giveaway is open to US residents only and qualifying winners will be selected at random. Hurry, this giveaway ends October 16, 2019 at 12 am PST/3 am EST. Day Out With Thomas: The Steam Team Tour is responsible for providing the prize for winner to pick up at the venue upon arrival.

More About Thomas & Friends

For more information about Thomas & Friends visit the official website, as well as follow them on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube.