Moms' Night Out (movie review)

When I first saw the trailer for Moms' Night Out, I knew it was the type of movie I would probably enjoy. I even planned a "Moms' Day Out" with my mother and sisters, and this movie was to be the center of attraction. I was certain it was going to show here in our hometown, as the trailer had been shown multiple times at our local theater. However, living in the small town that we do, it was another no-show. Ugh!

So, we did the only thing that avid movie-lovers could do. . .  We headed to the nearest big city a little over an hour away to shop and watch said movie. I had my fingers crossed that we wouldn't be disappointed. I mean, I was the one to beg and plead that we take a trip with this film as the main reason. I'll admit, as we each paid our $10 admission fee, I was sweatin' a little. I so didn't want Moms' Night Out to turn out to be one of those B-movies that showed all the best parts in the trailer. I bought the tub of popcorn as way of peace offering, just in case.

Tub of popcorn--unnecessary.

Moms' Night Out did not disappoint! We had a fantastic time watching our lives play out in a bit of a spoof that brought out the worst and best parts of motherhood. There were many, many genuine laughs during this movie. There is a touch of Christian base to it, but not so much that you feel like you've been to Sunday School. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy those movies (see previous post), but this movie talked about the importance of motherhood in a funny, clean, "night-gone-wrong" way that was not only entertaining, but uplifting, as well.

I think this film does what it set out to do. We left ready to greet our families again, grateful to be mothers. Could there be a greater compliment to a movie?

So don't hesitate to grab your moms, sisters, and girlfriends (or even your whole family), and enjoy the laughs that Moms' Night Out shares, along with its powerful message.

Most definitely recommend! :-D

I am a Christian. . .

I am a Christian.

Some may have stopped reading after that first sentence, but I hope not. My intent with this post is not to preach, but to share.

It should come as no surprise to anyone after visiting my blog that I am as much a movie lover as I am a book lover. This season of movies has given us several Christian-based films: The Saratov Approach, God's Not Dead, Noah, Heaven Is for Real, and Son of God. I have seen them all.

You may not agree with me on some of my opinions as to the quality or content of the films, but this post is not about critiquing these movies. It is about the message I took away from each as I left the movie theater. After each, I walked away with a feeling of love and hope. And, each time I felt a strong desire to write this post, but never so much as after Son of God.

I was raised in a strong family, firm in our faith. And, whereas my parents laid that foundation for me, they always encouraged me to know, to find what is true for myself. So I did.

I served an eighteen-month mission for my church in Ukraine and Belarus when I was 21. It was during that time that I knew that what I believed was either all true, or all a lie. Through prayer and the sincerest desire to know, I gained my answer.

So, what is it I know? I know God lives. I know His Son, Jesus Christ, lives and is our Redeemer and Savior. He came to this world to atone for our sins so that we might live with God again someday. I don't believe this. I know this.

But more than that, I know God loves us, as we are, each of us, His children. I know Christ loves us! And there are days where these thoughts humble and amaze me, to the point of tears and reflection. We are not alone--never. I have felt Their love and support in my darkest hours.

I know that different religions could debate the contents and doctrine of Son of God. Was it spot-on with my religion in every minute detail? No. But it doesn't matter. I cannot deny the feelings it evoked in me, along with a genuine need to let others know how loved they are, and how much we matter to God.

Despite the wrongs of this world, which are too many to try and find an answer for in this post, I would have you leave this site knowing that you are something special. And, despite your flaws and imperfections, God and His Son consider the worth of your soul to be great.

So, whether you are a believer or not, I wish you an Easter season of peace. And I hope that someday you may all have that personal knowledge of just how priceless you are to the Creator of the Universe, and the Redeemer of this world.

Warmly, Jennifer~
 

Writing--So Easy a Caveman Can Do It

For those of you who are struggling writers like me, you may enjoy as I did what Kristen Lamb of Kristen Lamb's Blog  has to say. All of what she shared, I have struggled with. I felt her words somehow helped validate me as a writer and gave me renewed optimism.

Visit her blog post Writing--So Easy a Caveman Can Do It, and determine for yourselves the importance of her words.

"Failure isn't bad, it's the tuition we pay for success."

Happy Writing!

I would LOVE to gift my book to you!!

Natalie Carroll at The Written Adventure Blog has read and enthusiastically recommends my novel, The Scent of a Soul. Not only that, but she is graciously hosting a Rafflecopter giveaway for either a paperback or ebook version of my story.

Please visit here to learn what she has to say about The Scent of a Soul and enter to win--because I would love to gift my book to you! (Yes, you!) :-)

". . . The Scent of a Soul is a fantastic book. It had me flipping pages as if there were no tomorrow. It is definitely a five out of five for me." ~Natalie Carroll, The Written Adventure

Austenland!

 Sometimes I just have to go against the grain.

I read Austenland by Shannon Hale a while back when a friend recommended it to me. I enjoyed it a lot, thinking it witty, fresh and fun. So, when I heard they were making it into a movie, I was excited.

Then it was released. I waited, hoping our local theater would receive it. After a week or two of it being a no-show, I called the cinema's manager. No. There was no way they were getting it. . . ever! Humph!!

In the end, my husband and I had to travel three hours to see it at the only theater showing it in Arizona. Can you imagine? (Good thing my sister-in-law was having her surprise 40th birthday party in the same area, the next day.)

So. . .what was my opinion of it you might be asking (after traveling three hours and hitting rush hour traffic in Phoenix/Scottdale area and witnessing a fender bender). Well. . .in two words--LOVED IT!

And that is how I am going against the grain. From what I can tell, Austenland's reviews aren't the best, and I don't care. I still loved it. It was witty, fresh and fun! I belly-laughed so many times I started to cry--literally. Heck, I wasn't the only one belly-laughing. The whole (almost packed) theater was having a great time, including the handful of men that braved the book clubs of the greater Phoenix area. Even my husband (good man that he is for indulging me in this) is scratching his head as to why all the negative reviews.

Sometimes, I want to say, "People, lighten up! It's supposed to be fun and silly, and a bit of spoof for all of us crazed Jane Austen fanatics. Relax and enjoy the clean humor."

If you are able to see Austenland, I hope it does for you what it did for me and my husband--a pleasant surprise that was well worth the three hour drive!

Sharing a Favorite. . .

Don't you just love that tingling, drop-from-the-top-of-roller-coaster-hill feeling you get when you watch a favorite scene from one of your favorite movies? I've admitted it before, and I'll admit it again, I love a good love story, whether it be in movie or book form. And, for me, North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell is a good as it gets.

For those of you who are obsessed with (or even like) watching period pieces (i.e., Austen books put to film, etc.), then North & South is an absolute must! Richard Armitage, alone, as John Thornton puts almost every other lead hero to shame. The story is one of overcoming the social divide of the 1850s in Northern England.

And, I don't want to ruin the ending, but the kiss. . .oh, my happy heart. . .the kiss at the end is one of my all-time favorites. That, along with the expression on Margaret Hale's face (played by Daniela Denby-Ashe) after the kiss, makes for a great ending. I can never watch it just once. Again, it's the simplicity of it all that just steals my breath away!

Added bonus: The music orchestrated for North & South by Martin Phipps is a masterpiece. Completely stunning!

So, quick! Go rent, buy, or borrow North & South. You won't regret it! :-D

It's a 5-star Review and a Giveaway! (What could be better?)

The lovely Diane at "Diane's Book Blog" has read my novel, The Scent of a Soul, and awarded it 5 stars in her review! And, to add to that honor, she is hosting a giveaway for The Scent of a Soul. So, please visit here, find out more about my story, and enter to win. I would love to gift my book...to YOU!