Anyone Up for a Book Club? (Movie Review)

the photo above from Bing/courtesy of movie “Book Club”

‘Book Club’ is the latest movie I saw over the weekend that really surprised me. I have to admit, I was a little skeptical about looking at the movie as in the trailer, it looked as if these “seasoned” women were trying to get their groove back by reading “Fifty Shades of Grey” in which we all know (that is if you’ve seen it) is filled with whips, chains, and very exploratory sex scenes. Honestly, I couldn’t enjoy either the first nor the second without turning my head or cringing in my seat, needless to say – Fifty Shades Freed which is part 3 of the series did not make my movie watch list.

So, I honestly was turned off by the movie because if that, but who can pass up a movie with Diane Keaton, who happens to be one of my favorite actresses ever since I seen her in ‘First Wives Club.’ with also starred the incomparable Bette Midler and funny lady Goldie Hawn (both of which I love as well.  Jane Fonda is also a favorite – in which she killed it ‘Monster-in-Law’ – Which happens to be one of my favorite movies of all time. And let’s not forget Candice Bergen (Murphy Brown, Home Again) and Mary Steenburgen (Step Brothers, The Last Man on Earth)

'Book Club' film premiere, Arrivals, Los Angeles, USA - 06 May 2018
From Right: Diane Keaton, Candice Bergen, Jane Fonda & Mary Steenburgen

As much as I wanted to pass up on this movie – This cast of phenomenal women had me thinking twice about my decision and I’m soooo glad that I didn’t pay attention to my thoughts or skepticism. This movie on a scale of 1-10, I’d give it a full ten. It was liberating, sweet, comical and thought-provoking. I’m not one to believe in Love, mainly because of my horrific experiences with it, but these ladies made me believe that love is not only possible but can still happen no matter what “age” you are. It made me realize that love is not dead and there are people out there who are looking for it, believe in it and want it – just as much as you.

The story follows four friends who’ve been a part of each other’s lives for over 30yrs. One is married, one is wealthy, one is run by her daughter’s who thinks their mom is old, fragile and honestly can’t function in life and the other is a federal judge (Can you guess who is which?). As busy as their lives are, they all come together once a month for their book club meeting and this time it was Vivian’s (played by Jane Fonda) turn to pick a book a boy oh boy did she pick one.

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Diane Keaton – Book Club Movie

To little dismay, the hesitantly decide to accept Vivian’s book choice “Fifty Shades of Grey” in hopes that it will help them discover the women they once were all while adding a little spark to their sex lives as well as their love lives. The suttle instances that happen next for each of them is life changing and while the book was a start, these ladies soon find out that a book has a way of shaping your life more than anticipated.

Book Club is a feel-good comedy that’ll make you want to get together with your girlfriends and start your own book club.  It’s a movie, that will make you laugh, maybe cry and if you’re having second thoughts in regards to love, maybe this movie will change your mind.

Book Club is out now and you can rent at your local Redbox or if you have the firestick, look it up tonight and plan a movie night with your closest girlfriends or by yourself – either way, you’ll enjoy it. Do you enjoy movies? Wondering what other movies are good to look at? Check out my girl, Rakkelle – who has a list of other movie reviews that I’m sure you’ll want to add to your movie watch list!

 

My prayers are with everyone who is impending Hurricane Florence! Please be safe and Take Care of yourselves and your family. 

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Blogger, Motivational Speaker, Author & Encourager

Does an Apple a Day, Really Keep the DOCS Away?

The photo above, courtesy of Bing – All other pics below are from Pexels

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably heard the old ‘adage’ “An Apple a Day, Keeps the Doctor Away!” But does it really? When I was much younger, my stepdad used to tell us eating carrots every day would not only improve our eye health but would also make us have beautiful eyes, however, something must’ve gone wrong in my case as I still ended up wearing glasses and I ate a carrot every day. But a carrot had nothing to do with my DNA or my families Genetics.

So what about Apples? Could they really keep a doctor away? Now before you go out of your way to head to your local neighborhood Market; Harvard Medical School did a study called “Association Between Apple Consumption and Physician Visits” the study was conducted to see if the saying was an old wives tale or actually based on true facts in which was based on actual nutrition data. They collected a total of 8,400 men and women but only 753 of them ate an apple a day. The study not only concluded that the years and years long saying was an old wives tale but found no evidence whatsoever that supported its findings.  But, there’s a little light at the end of this tunnel as it was found that most adults who do follow this simple rule tend to use fewer prescription meds.

As a people, we try to find quick and simple ways to achieve things that take quite a bit of effort. Apples, Carrots or Broccoli while good for the body, is not meant to be lifelong alternatives to keep you from visiting the doctor on the regular and getting checked out; Yes, they are meant to help and give you the sustenance your body needs to move and function correctly but was never meant to be your physician.

But don’t ditch the apple, as there are things you can “add” to it to get your body moving in the right direction:

  1. Schedule Regular Doctor Visits – Now I’m preaching to the choir on this one, I hate visiting the doctor; especially if I’m not ill or sick. But a regular visit to the doctor can assure you that while you may be eating “all the right things” – apples included, a regular visit reassures us that everything is ‘truly functioning’ as it should be on the inside.

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  1. Drink Plenty of Water – Water is the best beverage you can drink, it’s not only refreshing but it’s healthy, contains no calories or artificial sweeteners and/or sugars. Water is a natural body cleanser in which gets rid of nasty toxins and help aid in keeping our digestive system flowing properly, Did you know if you drink a glass of water before bed; it will reduce your risk of a heart attack? So if you haven’t already, make water your BFF; it will not steer you wrong.

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  1. Eat Healthy Regularly – Most times when people grab onto a trend; that’s the only trend they do such as an apple a day; they eat the apple a day but the rest of their food intake is one for the records as they don’t follow the ‘eating healthy’ mantra regularly. It takes more than just an apple a day to keep you feeling energized and balanced; if you just have to eat your favorites, then maybe you should try the 80/20 or 70/30 plan. In this plan, you eat clean 80 or 70 percent of the time and eat whatever you want the other time.

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  1. Take Baby Steps – Let’s face it, Rome wasn’t built overnight, but they were laying bricks every hour. Start Small, don’t rush into anything; because if you do you might stumble and fall, taking small steps will ensure that whatever practice you have set forth for yourself will stick. Do what’s best for you and not what’s trending NOW!

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An apple a day may not really keep the doctor totally away, but it’s still a healthy treat that any and every “body” can still enjoy.

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It’s a Buy One, Get One FREE!!! Book Giveaway!

In Lieu of my first faith-based book coming out on 9/4 – I’m giving 10 purchasers an opportunity to receive a free book in exchange for their review! (Positive Reviews Only!) The free book will be signed by yours truly and you’ll get a free mini poster! – You can’t go wrong with that! Pick up your copy today, click the link below!

Billy Wolf & The Kids Of Heavenly Hills Elementary 

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Billy Wolf & The Kids Are Here – School is NOW in Session!

Bullying is something that everyone faces at some point. 

At Heavenly Hills Elementary School there is harmony among the students and the teachers, everyone is friendly and supportive. Until Billy Wolf enrolls into the school. He wasn’t the friendliest person, which was okay, but when your unkindness affects even the happiest kid, then it has a way of affecting everyone. From the day he arrived in the school, Billy caused havoc – every time someone tried to talk to him or befriend him, he’d do something mean to them.

Continue reading “Billy Wolf & The Kids Are Here – School is NOW in Session!”

Sunday’s Thought: The Voices We Keep Silent…

As a child growing up, there were quite a few issues that occurred in my life in which I felt like my voice either went either unheard or numb to the world around me. I grew up in a household with a bully step-father who fought my mom to no end, sometimes those fights ended in bloodshed, I watched as he hit, degraded and shamed her; whether in public, in front of his or her family and most heartbreakingly, in front of me and my two sisters. Where was my voice to speak up? In this case, it was helpless.

Continue reading “Sunday’s Thought: The Voices We Keep Silent…”

Oh Darling – What a Beautiful Smile You Have

the photo above courtesy of bing

You know, I had someone to say to me last week that no matter what picture I sent to them; I was always smiling and they thought it was GREAT! but what they didn’t know is that those glorious 32’s weren’t always so eager to smile at one time – I hid that smile because it wasn’t a smile I wanted people to see – I wanted them to see how beautiful “I WAS”, NOT HOW BEAUTIFUL MY SMILE WAS. And the reasoning why goes a little something like this:

Continue reading “Oh Darling – What a Beautiful Smile You Have”