This Disney Movies Under the Stars Backyard Theater feature is presented in collaboration with The Walt Disney Company
It was last year that something finally happened that I’d been hoping to do for a very long while… we finally put together a backyard theater here at Rock Father HQ. In partnership with Disney, we started an outdoor movie series right in our own backyard – and it was awesome. Movies are best enjoyed in a group, and while a great cinema experience is fantastic, there’s something special about seeing a movie outdoors. Drive-in theaters are the best, and of course there’s movies in the park – but now technology has caught up to the point where it’s affordable for families to host some screenings at home. First up for our 2017 season? Disney’s live-action reimagining of Beauty and the Beast!
With my wife noting that the 1991 animated film is her favorite Disney film of all-time, it’s little wonder that she and my girls were quickly obsessed with director Bill Condon’s new spin on “a tale as old as time.” In fact, they were enamored long before it hit theaters this past Spring, and ended up seeing it twice… but I hadn’t. Out now on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD, the new film is packed with bonus features and has a ton of replay value.
With some of the neighborhood kids in attendance, our kick-off for this season of “Disney Movies Under the Stars” was a success, and all of the kids had the new film practically memorized, even though it was only my first viewing. It’s a beautiful film, and it looked great streaming in Digital HD on the big screen. One thing I did different in our set-up this year is that I streamed from an iPad Pro instead of last year’s iPad Mini. What I didn’t realize last year was that the mini doesn’t transmit in true HD via the adapter – the Pro does, and it looks fantastic.
A Backyard Home Theater Overview:
To build your own backyard theater, you really only need these five simple items: 1 – An LED projector; 2- something to project from (iPad/Tablet/Laptop/Blu-ray Player/etc; 3 – Speaker/Speakers; 4- proper cables to connect all the devices; 5- something to project onto – Screen/Wall/Fence/etc.
Our set-up here at Rock Father HQ includes an Ion Audio Tailgater – a one-piece portable speaker/P.A. system; an Axxa PICO P300 Micro Projector; an Amazon Essentials Digital AV Adapter for my iPad; and an Amazon Basics 3′ HDMI Cable. I purchased the Camp Chef Outdoor Entertainment Gear 92″ Portable Outdoor Screen from Amazon to complete our set-up, but many screens are available.
With so much song and dance, the kids and their friends quickly turned this into a dance-along, even going round-and-round with Gaston’s rowdy crew!
Beauty and the Beast – Available Now: The story and characters audiences know and love come to spectacular life in the live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated classic “Beauty and the Beast,” a stunning, cinematic event celebrating one of the most beloved tales ever told. “Beauty and the Beast” is the fantastic journey of Belle, a bright, beautiful and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by a Beast in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beast’s hideous exterior and realize the kind heart of the true Prince within. The film stars: Emma Watson as Belle; Dan Stevens as the Beast; Luke Evans as Gaston, the handsome, but shallow villager who woos Belle; Kevin Kline as Maurice, Belle’s father; Josh Gad as LeFou, Gaston’s long-suffering aide-de-camp; Ewan McGregor as Lumière, the candelabra; Stanley Tucci as Maestro Cadenza, the harpsichord; Audra McDonald as Madame de Garderobe, the wardrobe; Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, the feather duster; Hattie Morahan as the enchantress; and Nathan Mack as Chip, the teacup; with Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, the mantel clock; and Emma Thompson as the teapot, Mrs. Potts.
Directed by Bill Condon based on the 1991 animated film, “Beauty and the Beast,” the screenplay is written by Stephen Chbosky and Evan Spiliotopoulos and produced by Mandeville Films’ David Hoberman, p.g.a. and Todd Lieberman, p.g.a. with Jeffrey Silver, Thomas Schumacher and Don Hahn serving as executive producers. Alan Menken, who won two Academy Awards® (Best Original Score and Best Song) for the animated film, provides the score, which includes new recordings of the original songs written by Menken and Howard Ashman, as well as three new songs written by Menken and Tim Rice.
Limited Time Giveaway: One (1) Lucky Reader will receive a Digital HD Code for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast! Promotion open though July 1, 2017, after which it will be removed from this article.
Enter to Win! Use the Rafflecopter Widget below (it will guide you), starting with the first (mandatory) entry method – Leave a Disqus comment on this post that shares your answer to the following:
QUESTION: What Disney Movie would you most like to screen in your own backyard?
After that, you can complete social actions for additional, completely optional entries. Please Note: By entering giveaways on The Rock Father, you agree to comply with my fairness policy.
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The Fine Print:
Promotion open to U.S. residents only, ages 18+, void where prohibited. One (1) winner will be chosen at random on, about, or after July 1, 2017, and will be notified via email to confirm. If no response within 24 hours, an alternate winner will be chosen. Prizing provided by Disney, and delivered by The Rock Father as a Digital Download Code. This is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook.
1980s-style Disclaimer: Many will enter, few will win! The Rock Father is not responsible for any lost or misdirected packages. In the rare occasion that a prize does not arrive (which, sadly, has happened), you have no remedy other than moving on.
