The Nut Job 2 Free Movie Tickets and Best Free Attractions in LA

By: Lou Maningas Cabalona

 

A few weeks before its opening, I had the opportunity to enjoy a VIP Advance screening of the digital animation movie, The Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature starring Will Arnett, Jackie Chan and Katherine Heigl at the AMC River East Theater downtown.

Sponsored by Blue Diamond Almonds, the makers of my favorite wasabi and soy sauce nut snack, I, along with my family – my hu sband Baron, my sister-in-law Chica, and her two sons EJ and Aiden – enjoyed some snacks to nosh on including the brand’s new bold flavors – Sweet Thai Chili and Sriracha (Baron’s pick) while having some family bonding time!

The Nut Job 2 brings back Surly Squirrel (Will Arnett) and the gang once again in Oakton, where the evil mayor has decided to bulldoze Liberty Park and build a dangerous amusement park in its place. Surly and his ragtag group of animal friends band together to save their home, defeat the mayor, and take back the park. The Nut Job 2 also features the voice talent of Katherine Heigl (The Nut Job), Jackie Chan (Kung Fu P anda 3), Peter Stormare (Penguins of Madagascar), Bobby Cannavale (Ant-Man), Isabela Moner (Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life), and Maya Rudolph (The Angry Birds Movie).

“The Nut Job 2 is the perfect film for parents and kids to enjoy a special moment together,” said Maya Erwin, Brand Marketing Director for Blue Diamond Growers. “Blue Diamond almonds are the perfect snack to accompany such a nutty movie.”

Wanna watch the Nut Job for free courtesy of Blue Diamond?

Blue Diamond Growers is teaming up with the creators, characters and fellow nut enthusiasts in The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature in their mission to create fun and memorable snacking moments for the whole family to enjoy. To celebrate the movie sequel release of The Nut Job 2, Blue Diamond Growers is offering consumers the chance to watch the animated action-packed comedy for free. From July 15 to September 15, consumers will have the opportunity to receive a free movie ticket to see The Nut Job 2 or any other movie of their choice when they buy any two 6 oz . cans of Blue Diamond almonds.

The Nut Job 2 opens nationwide on August 11, 2017. This limited time program is available to consumers nationwide and free movie tickets is good towards one admission (up to $10 total value) to see THE NUT JOB 2 or any other movie at participating theaters in the U.S. To take advantage of this offer, check out www.activaterewards.com/BlueDiamond- Offer/Details for full details.

Best places to visit in Los Angeles that will not cost you a dime

Speaking of free, during my mom and sister’s month long stay in Chicago, we found ourselves taking a semi-unplanned 6- day trip in to Los Angeles (and Las Vegas) to visit my sister, Lee, who has recently moved to the West Coast.

We knew the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Rodeo Drive was an absolute must but with the help of my very good friend, Michelle, who was happy to make our 2-day itinerary, we discovered a bunch of great attractions in the city that are absolutely free!

1. Santa Monica Pier – There’s something for everyone here in this nostalgic long stretch of board walk over the Pacific Ocean that has been open to the public since 1909. Visitors of all ages enjoy the amusement park rides and endless arcade games that occupy most of its real estate. Gift shops are peppered on the walk and for a small fee, artist stations offer to paint your name in beautiful water color design fonts or engrave it on a grain of rice. There is also no shortage of food stalls in case you get hungry but as a pro tip – look for the famous Japadog stal l that fuses your favorite Japanese dishes in a hotdog sandwich. For folks who want a quieter mood, a lower deck on the eastern side holds the Santa Monica Pier aquarium. At the tip of the pier, you can mingle with recreational fishermen and just enjoy the view of the ocean or if you come at the right time, a show-stopping sunset at the end of the day.

It is also interesting to note for Chicagoans that the pier is considered the end of the historical Route 66 that starts in downtown Chicago.

2. Griffith Observatory – Located up the southern slopes of Mount Hollywood, this is a triple bonus attraction for any tourist. First, the building structure is a huge planetarium that holds year-round exhibits on astronomy that is open to the public. Fulfilling its goal of “visitor as observer, it is also, secondly, an active observatory that allows free public telescope viewing with the 5-meter-long 12-inch refractor Zeiss telescope, located in the roof-top dome on the building’s east end. It is open most nights when the sky is clear for a good view of the moon, planets, and brightest showpiece objects of our galaxy.

If you aren’t too keen on scientific explorations, the area on which the building stands is a vast park that has scenic views at every angle. The lawns and sidewalks also connect you to the observatory’s roof and terraces where you can catch some of the most stellar views of Los Angeles whether in the day or at night. If you want selfies with gorgeous backgrounds, this is the place to be.

3. Hollywood Sign – You can’t visit LA without getting a photo with the Hollywood sign and there are many places where you have a good vantage point for observing the popular attraction. But to get you as close as you can possibly be to it, the best address to put in your GPS is 3202 Canyon Lake Drive, Los Angeles, CA. This brings you to an open area with a great view of the sign. However, chances are, following the directions may first lead you to a very narrow street with many sharp curves in a residential area where you will see the sign almost just in front of you. When you get to this point and if you can quickly park your car to the side without causing traffic (we couldn’t!) , take the opportunity to get a quick snap!

Louella Maningas Cabalona is a singer, actor, and Senior Manager for Business Analytics, Sears Holdings. She is the lead singer of the Filipino Folk band, SamaSama Project; an active Board member of the League of Volunteers for Relief Expeditions and the Young Business United and is one of the inaugural delegates of the FYLPRO Immersion program of the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC. She is passionate about sharing Filipino culture in the modern world and actively supports all outstanding Filipinos around the globe. If you would like to connect, email louellarose@gmail.com

Family bonding time with sister-in-law, Chica Araña and our nephews, 4-year old Edwin James (EJ) and Aiden on his first theater experience

Vacationers from Manila, Leigh and Jun Guallar and Sally Mesde with Louella getting an up-close peek of the famous sign on Mount Lee overlooking the city it spells out. Interestingly, the family came out to L.A to visit our sister, Lee Maningas.

Sister Leigh Guallar (left), Louella and mother Sally Mesde (right) take a break from the short hike up to enjoy the view of Los Angeles and capture the vast espanse of the Griffith Observatory

Gloriously tanned Baron and Louella posing with the completely solar-powered Pacific Park Ferris Wheel and the Santa Monica Boulevard beachfront as their backdrop

A very good friend and LA native, Michelle Williams (2nd from right), show the whole crew around (fr L to R) Jun, Leigh, Sally, Louella, Lee who recently moved to L.A. and Baron. Behind is the old Universal Studios sign which remains as popular among tourists as the newer Universal Studios Globe Fountain.