Mindful Money Tips for 2024

Image by Blissful Muse

Whenever I think of money, I always recall the scene in The Wedding Singer with Adam Sandler and part of this quote in the above photo! 

Is money the root of all evil? Is debt inevitable now that we're into 2024? Does anyone still keep money jars on top of their fridges?! All good questions. While money can sometimes bring out the worst in humanity, carrying some debt is nothing to be ashamed of. Being able to lower financial stressors that is in our control though can be life-changing.

Here are some mindful money tips that will definitely help you to keep more money in your pocket (or on top of your fridge).

👉 Get rid of FOMO – Fear of Missing Out.

If you shop online often, you might be prone to buying products because your favourite celebrity or influencer endorses it. Perhaps you also saw it go viral on any social media platform, in particular Tiktok. This can rack up tons of unnecessary spending and increase those dopamine receptors to get the latest hit in your brain each time you click your finger or mouse to “add to cart”.  Unfortunately, this can be a recipe for disaster when you get your next bank statement.

Instead of ordering right away, leave it in your “virtual” cart for a few days and even up to a week. Then revisit your cart with all the purchases you felt compelled to put in there and go through each item. Chances are, you didn’t need most of what was there, but the allure and excitement got the best of you.  Cha-ching! Money saved. By training yourself to do this on a regular basis, you’ll become more mindful of needs vs wants.

👉 Make A Dent In Your Debts

If you have looming debts that never seem to decrease because you are paying such high interest rates, a simple way to lower them is to call up the company (or multiple ones) and try to negotiate a lower rate. If you have been consistent with paying off your account, this can definitely help your case.  Even if you’re not, try to see what you can accomplish, you’re not losing anything, just some time maybe listening to elevator music until a human voice says hello.  While this is not a guarantee, there is a good chance you can lower at least a few lingering debts.                                                                                                                         

👉 Make A List & Check It Twice

This is a must!  Making a list keeps you on track of what you need to buy. Don’t deviate from it. There are so many temptations when shopping, especially in the grocery store.  I don’t know how many times I have heard people say “I just came in for one thing, and I spent X amount on stuff I don’t even need.”    It’s all about accountability, so if you stick to what you have written down or what’s on your phone, you’ll come home with fewer regretful purchases.

                                                      

👉  Schedule Your Outings

Instead of making multiple trips out throughout the week, whenever possible, try to make a route so you can run all your errands once.  This can be challenging for health appointments, but for other things that you need to do, it is doable if you have a plan.  If you drive, this saves having to fill up on gas more often. 

Depending on your personal accessibility, skipping the car ride and opting to walk or bike is another great way to deal with your to-do list. It saves money with wear and tear on your vehicle, improves your health and reduces environmental impact.  If none of these feel suitable, utilize your local transit system - it's not free, but still can be another more affordable and beneficial option.

👉 Fees Fees Fees!

From paid streaming services to magazine subscriptions, sometimes the monthly automatic withdrawal is not in our favour because we have no idea what we’re even paying for. We just see our account balance dip and shrug it off because we're drowning in debt, what's a little more? 

That's a really toxic mindset to stay in. Take back the power and realize you can control this spending. Make a conscious effort to go through all your subscription services and see what you’re actually using.

Then, if you’re not willing to opt out completely, see if there is a cheaper way to downgrade your membership for a while. You might not miss it and realize the service is no longer serving your needs,  Most often, there are services you just forgot to cancel because you initially got roped into the free tempting trial.  

If you are looking to reduce your spending further, a great tip is to utilize any libraries in your community.  My local library is a great place to borrow items like books and movies, digitally or in-person. Best of all, it’s free – as long as you show your library card.   

                                                                         

So although it may be overwhelming at first, just chip away at each of these suggestions. Don't committ to doing everything at once. It's good to start a financial reset at the start of the year, but really any time at all. If you feel stressed, remember the old saying though, Rome wasn't built in a day. I hope that some of my tips here will help you make good decisions for your financial future. 

💜Closing up this blog, some of my readers from around the globe have sent me their own tips that I thought I would share here. If you have any, I’d love to hear from you, so just send me an email from my webform on the right-hand side, or comment below (messages are monitored due to spam) as I read everything!

💌Donna from Michigan -With rising prices, we make an effort to cook at home. Having a large family, it has saved us hundreds of dollars a month. We still love to eat out to support our favourite local restaurants, but have scaled back to making it a special treat just once in a while.

💌Shawn from London - Meal prepping has been a game-changer, not only for my wallet but my waist too. I would encourage everyone to set a few hours aside and prep meals for the week.

💌Eric from Toronto - Prices here are crazy and most of my pay cheque goes to rent! The money I save from brewing my coffee at home instead of grabbing one on my morning commute to work, I can nicely tip my fav barista when I do actually go out and treat myself to a latte.

💌Abby from Windsor - I always look at the clearance shelves and have found some staple items highly discounted that help me save money.

💌Sana from India -I have only 1 credit card and cut up the rest to prevent overspending!

💌Joanne from Alberta - Hey Muse! Green-thumb Prairie gal here - I love to garden and save lots of money growing vegetables here. It is hard though with weather being unpredictable, but I get a decent harvest - fingers crossed this year! I like to share my veggies with neighbours. 

Full of Feelings: July Movie Picks

 

July is here and I am back with some more movie reviews to share. Thanks for reading and I hope everyone is having a great summer!

The Covenant directed by Guy Ritchie is one of the best films he’s done.  It is absolutely heart-pounding and definitely not just another Afghanistan war movie. The way the story is told from a war veteran perspective and from the other side of an interpreter’s role is gripping, as we see the consequences with every choice made.  

Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim were a perfect match, as they are strong characters. There is so much emotional depth in this film and the ethical and moral conflicts really heighten the already intense nature of the movie. As an audience, we can feel that powerful human connection and that’s not an easy feat to always translate.

Only recently did I actually see Disney’s animated, The Little Mermaid. While I recall in my childhood bits and bobs of the film, it was interesting to see it again from an adult lens. My favourite song was “Kiss the Girl” as it had that tropical reggae and romantic groove. 

Then I saw the 2023 live-action remake.  The high points were Melissa McCarthy’s deliciously evil role as Ursula and the song “The Scuttlebutt” from rapper, Akwafina. I could immediately feel the lyrical vibes of Lin Manuel Miranda in that one.  

Halle Bailey as Ariel though was pretty forgettable, despite a good voice, something about her didn’t spark a lot of interest. Another downside really was the animation, which felt very dark most of the movie without the vibrancy. Then there’s Flounder and Sebastian, yikes... Their expressionless faces made them more lifeless to me instead of lovable characters.  Going for a more realistic look for them just didn’t quite fit.  The dreamy and whimsical romance was lost, maybe due to the script or just the lack of chemistry overall between Ariel and Prince Eric, played by Jonah Hauer-King 

While I’m sure there are kids and even adults all over gushing over this version, I felt it was a flop. 

You Hurt My Feelings is a film written and directed by Nicole Holofcener. Are telling lies actual deal breakers in a relationship/marriage or can there be nuances within? The movie explores this idea when book writer, Beth (played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is gutted when she overhears a conversation of her husband, Don (Tobia Menzies) and a friend, where he gives harsh criticism of her new book that she has been struggling to finish. All along, draft after draft, Don had been telling her how much he loved it.

Focusing on a very introspective look at relationships from all angles, there’s no grandiose moments here. Everything is very subtle, yet deeply moving. We get to see how childhood experiences have shaped Beth’s perception of herself and the stresses of life that compound feelings of insecurity and vulnerability. Don is also battling his own crises, as a therapist who is failing to connect with his patients and doubting his vitality, as the clock ticks on in life.  It’s messy, but the problems are not unique, they are familiar, which is the real high point of the movie. There is a genuine connection felt with some excellent performances from Tobias Menzies and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.                                                       

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret is directed by Kelly Fremon Craig.

As a fond reader of just about all of Judy Blume’s books, I was really excited to see what they would come up with doing this movie.  Margaret, played by Abby Ryder Fortson, is sweet, sassy, and just a total delight to watch on-screen. She has a contagious energy to her personality and feels so relatable.

Set in the 70’s era, this coming-of-age tale definitely shows the confusion, teenage angst and triumphs of self-discovery and growing up.  There was no shying away from topics either like teen sexuality or skepticism of religious belief, which really added a layer to honour the nature of what can go through adolescent minds when they are figuring out who they are.  There’s plenty of laughter and heartfelt moments too. I love that Rachel McAdams was casted as Margaret’s mom, as she just has that genuine motherly feel to her personality.  I loved this movie and highly recommend seeing it. 

Seasons Of Love At Stratford Festival: Rent Musical Review

In honour of yet another brilliant mind gone too soon, Jonathan Larson (creator of smash sensation Rent) it was a very emotional 2023 trip to the Stratford Festival. We got to experience an artistic masterpiece of musical theatre from director Thom Allison, and music director, Franklin Brasz that holds such a passionate and sentimental value. With an outstanding Rent cast, thanks to the brilliant casting from Beth Russel, we can raise from our seats and proudly shout from the rooftops that love IS love.

If you’ve seen the film Rent, or even Larson’s, Tick, Tick... Boom! be prepared for something completely out of the box with this musical that is provocative, progressive and full of energy. The stories share many common themes, such as: struggle, identity and belonging. 

Choreographer, Marc Kimelman, has the ability to transform moments on stage into memories that will live on far beyond when the curtains close.

                                                                

A few highlights for me:

                                                                                                         

👉Gabriel Antonacci’s touching version of "One Song Glory".

👉Nestor Lozano Jr.'s portrayal as drag queen and life-giving Angel, who is appropriately named with an angelic vocal range and stunning presence on stage.

👉Lee Siegel’s emotional “I’ll Cover You” (reprise). The flood gates opened and there wasn't a dry eye around.

I can go on and on,  but I won’t because reading about this experience is just one layer, you need to be there, watching the vulnerability unfold on stage.  While it might shock some audiences with a handful of provocative scenes and language that could offend, we’re getting past the surface here and digging deep into the emotional rawness of these characters lives told through performance and song. 

Maybe you’re not an addict,  confused about your identity, hiv+ or even on the verge of a mental breakdown,  but you know what? If you are, that's alright. You still deserve to live a life of dignity. Why? Because as echoed in the musical, life can be really fu**ing weird!

While going through a lot of struggles right now, Rent couldn’t have come out at a better time to teach me some valuable lessons that can often be forgotten in moments that we cannot change and cause great amounts of despair.  

For anyone out there trying to navigate the darkness, forget regret or life is yours to miss.

Don't let time run out, book your tickets for the 2023 season!

💜Official website: https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/

Just Keep Going: June Movie Reviews

Hello my readers! I've been making some changes to my daily routines here and figuring out how to best navigate this topsy-turvy world. I am welcoming June with fresh gratitude and new insights. I'm journaling through many continued unknowns, but appreciate all the continued support.

Let's move onto the movies now!

Tick, Tick, Boom! Andrew Garfield stars as "Rent" creator Jonathan Larson in this musical directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda.  Before the world ever got a peak at the sensational musical, Rent, we’re going back to New York City, during the 90’s, where the theatre kids like to play. In the movie, we meet Jon, who has put immense pressure on himself to finish his musical “Suburbia” before his 30th birthday, which comes at a price, risking love and friendship along the way.

Andrew Garfield is outstanding. His singing chops are unreal and I don’t think I ever knew he could even sing before seeing this movie.  The songs are wonderful and reminiscent of the hustle culture that existed to just get your foot in the Broadway door. You’ll be bopping to the beat of Boho Days, an ode to friendship and connection in its purest form.  

With a pedal to the medal feel, every second of the film is a rush. It’s uplifting and highly emotional. We watch the heartbreak of Jon losing his dearest friends to the growing epidemic of HIV/AIDS, yet still pushing through all the sadness to make his dream come true.  Robin de Jesus who plays his best friend, Michael  (who is in the throws of dealing with life-changing news and uncertainty) also gives an incredible performance.

Honouring the life of Larson, Tick, Tick Boom! is the beating heart of what musical theatre lovers will cherish forever.    

                           

Swish after swish, Michael Jordan has dominated the court, leading his team to victory.  Air is directed by Ben Affleck and written by Alex Convery Air is the story of Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon), a basketball guru and a major promoter who spear-headed the deal to sign Michael Jordan to a multi-million dollar contract with a shoe that would eventually be on everyone’s wishlist; the infamous “Air” Jordan’s.

Although the movie starts out a bit slow, it picks up speed to highlight the intensity of signing Michael, while beating out their competition. Part of that was having to persuade Jordan’s mother in the movie, Delores (played by Viola Davis) who gives a great performance, and won’t settle for just any contract and knows what her son is worth. 

It’s an enjoyable film, and as formulaic as it is, you don’t need to jump thru hoops to get to the heart of it. 

                  

Billy Elliot The Musical was based on the hit film Billy Elliot directed by Stephen Daldry and is an absolute delight.  Ready to hang up his boxing gloves in exchange for ballet shoes, Billy (played by Jamie Bell) starts to secretly take lessons from his ballet teacher with much disdain from his father and brother. Escaping his mundane life, dancing takes all the sadness away and Billy’s really good at it, not at first of course. He does have a natural raw talent and with the mentorship and motherly love (although tough love) all the practicing is paying off and Billy could be headed for a scholarship. 

This coming of age movie is uplifting and sweet. It’s emotionally satisfying with a terrific soundtrack and beautiful choreography with every step. It challenges gender stereotypes and allows us to feel the excitement for Billy as he gets the chance to breakaway and not feel afraid anymore.

 

Directed by Jalmari Helander, Sisu is one hell of a wild ride.  We follow Aatami (Jorma Tommila)  a gold prospector and fearless ex-solider who is left to his own devices after experiencing tragic losses of his family. Finally striking gold, the inevitable happens and the Nazi’s find him and try to steal it all away. To their surprise, Aatami is not going down without a fight.

The film has a strong narrative, showcasing the power of the Finnish word - Sisu – also the titled film. It is a concept of being brave, resilient and unstoppable, all of which are characteristics that Jorma is able to showcase skillfully in his performance. Although Aatami barely speaks, as the saying goes, actions speak louder than words. 

Limbs are flying left and right and the amount of gore can be overwhelming - but if you're okay with that, then carry on  watching. Aatami is a blast to watch and some of the battle scenes are just ridiculously out of this world. It has some visual cinematic style of a John Wick film with high energy and incredible effects, yet with the unique touchings of European flare. 

Overall, it’s a bloody good time. 

STILL: A Moving Documentary

Canadian-born actor, Michael J. Fox  has a story to tell, and no matter how many times he falls down or breaks another bone, he’s going to tell it.  Parkinson’s Disease stands no chance against Michael’s sheer determination to continue living life, with no short supply of love and laughter.

Still, directed by Davis Guggenheim, is a documentary filmed with Michael narrating, along with a creative tool of using clips from many of his tv/film characters. These are meshed in to reflect what he was actually going through at the time and works brilliantly. Featured were two key roles in his career; Michael as Alex P. Keaton in the tv series Family Ties and his portrayal as Marty McFly in the iconic Back to the Future movies.  Oh and who couldn’t forget his hairiest role, the campy 80's flick, Teen Wolf (a personal fav!). There was also archival moments of Michael's real life sprinkled in with his family which were very touching. 

While early in his career, eating jelly packets to survive as a Hollywood actor was common.  It was really evident though that Michael had a real uniqueness that would send him skyrocketing to success. Of course, it came at a price as there are the in-between moments in the film where he shares his battles with addiction and the not so glamourous moments of hiding his battle with Parkinson's. That is until one day, the heavy weight was lifted off his shoulders, and Michael J. Fox revealed his diagnosis to the world.

Although we can see the deterioration of his body as the tremors take over in some scenes, there is an overpouring of love for this man who refuses to pity his circumstances. 

Using his celebrity status for good, Michael has advocated for Parkinson's research funding and has raised over 1 billion dollars through his non-profit foundation; The Michael J. Fox Foundation .  

He wants to find a cure and we really want there to be one.

💜Trailer: Still

May Movie Reviews

Hello my dear viewers, I hope you've been having a good start to May!  

Before I get into the movie reviews, I wanted to highlight a fun new activity that I've done recently and didn't have the chance to post about.

Copyright: Windsor Dance eXperience

💕💃🕺Bill and I took a dance class together at the Windsor Dance eXperience from Tiffany Chan. The choreography we learned was to the song from Hairspray called "You Can't Stop The Beat".  Bill rocked it, he's quite a natural. I have to applaud anyone who is able to follow any kind of dance routines because I never knew how uncoordinated I was until seeing myself in a mirror. lol It was fast-paced so after a few times, I did get parts of the routine though. 

It was a judgement-free zone and all abilities were welcomed - my kind of vibe. The new space is coming together nicely and I am excited about taking other dance classes together, maybe just a bit slower paced. Tiffany was wonderful as our teacher though, and the room was filled with great energy. We were all there to have fun.  By the end, I felt a smidge more confident but I'm not ready for Broadway anytime soon. ;)  

Now onto the films!

Renfield is a modern monstrous tale that is directed by Chris McKay.

This movie was incredibly entertaining as who doesn’t want to see Nicolas Cage portray the Prince of Darkness, Dracula?  At one point, a homage to Bela Lugosi is given, in a ghoulish yet very “Cage-like” performance, and it works. In other scenes, he is just a blood-thirsty and tyrannical vamp, out for... well, blood.  Also power, world domination, you know the usual. 

Renfield, his devoted servant, played by Nicholas Hoult is awesome and fits his role well.  Now as brutally violent as this film is with some graphic fighting scenes, it can be triggering for many because of the obvious themes that go outside the supernatural realm.

Renfield is a self-loathing character and really a shell of himself, acknowledging his co-dependency to Dracula. Stumbling into a support group for domestic abuse, Renfield’s recollection of how it all started for him feels more exaggerated since he possesses supernatural powers, but still mirrors those in the human world, who live to tell their painful stories.  We’re rooting for Renfield though to find that courage to leave and get out of Dracula’s grasp forever. 

While the movie still has some laughs for its absurdity, you might get an eyeful from all the blood splatters. Some of the scenes are totally outrageous and gore-filled, and parts of the story seem to zig zag all over the place at high speed.

Overall, definitely one to check out, but if you have experienced abuse on any level, past or even present, please make sure to check in with your emotions after the credits roll. 

💜Renfield Trailer

Dear Evan Hansen directed by Stephen Chbosky is a musical/film adaptation of the Tony and Grammy Award-winning stage play.                                                           

When Evan (played by Ben Platt) is prompted by his therapist to write letters to himself, in order to help him cope with his crippling anxiety, a note gets into the wrong hands of a misfit student, Connor Murphy (Colton Ryan), who takes it.  There is a sudden shock of Connor’s suicide shortly after and that’s where the story gets complicated. The Murphy’s are convinced that him and Evan were great friends, as the single note was found in Connor’s pocket.   Knowing that Connor had even one friend is comforting to them and something his mom desperately is holding onto, now inviting Evan into their family, which feels like the replacement son.  Evan is then caught up in a fantasy that they were friends and shares all sorts of adventures that they went on to make the family, in particular their daughter,  Zoe, (Kaitlyn Dever), who Evan secretly pines for,  believe that this was the truth. Evan starts to write other letters to keep up the charade until it all comes crashing down.

This is a very heavy movie. It highlights the silent struggles of mental health, and the cascading toll it takes on everyone, just from different perspectives.  Evan can be seen as a victim or a villain, sometimes both maybe, depending on how you perceive things. 

Many of the songs are imperfectly sung in a heart-wretching way from Words Fail and For Forever to  Requiem. The lyrics are poignant and we feel the deepest aches through so many of the scenes.

While the stage musical got rave reviews (I never had a chance to see this one) it seems like the polar opposite holds true for what the film tried to portray through its chosen characters, surrounding mental health as well as neurodiversity. While I understand some of the criticism, regardless of your position, I think one thing is pretty evident, “The parts we can't tell, we carry them well, but that doesn't mean they're not heavy."

💜Trailer 

Guess who’s back, back again? Ghostface’s back, tell a friend.  We’re onto #6 of the Scream franchise now, directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett.                              

Although I wasn’t sure that this would be any different than the other Scream films, this slasher and whodunnit mystery took me by surprise, simply with the opening scene setting the stage for what would proceed to be a very violent viewing.                                  

Since the intensity of the movie itself never dulled with Ghostface this time just being so relentless with every stab, I think they did a good job keeping that excitement because there were so many moments where I kept second guessing myself.   I did like the dynamic sisterly bond between Tara and Sam (Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera) but found the other characters were more on the forgettable side.                                                                                                    

I was also momentarily happy to see Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox) make a brief return, but she was disappointing too, and didn’t really hold much of a purpose, except a sense of nostalgia maybe. Her fight with Ghostface was mediocre, definitely not the intensity that you’d find in for example, Jamie Lee Curtis who took on Michael Myers, in the most recent Halloween. 

While I don’t think this was the best Scream, I did enjoy it. A little brutal for some who are squeamish, but definitely a heart-pumping ride till the masks come off. 

If you see a ghost, you call ghostbusters. If you hold a grudge, be sure to call Ghostface and he’ll come a runnin’.

💜Scream Trailer

When The Stakes Are High: Movie Reviews

 

Here are some more movie reviews coming your way!

Biopics have become one of my favourite genres of movies. Pinball – The Man Who Saved The Game, directed and written by Austin and Meredith Bragg, is a terrific story of Roger Sharpe, a GQ journalist and pinball fanatic, who in 1976 helped overturn New York City's 35-year ban on pinball, based on the ideas that it was considered a game of chance (a form of gambling) and challenged morality, especially among the youngsters.

The movie is really engaging and the story itself is compelling.  I really liked the cinematography too, with the 70’s vibe coming alive in each scene. There is a ton of humour throughout yet this does carry a serious tone too. Forewarning, you may just get fixated on Sharpe’s distracting, yet epic moustache. 

The younger version of Sharpe (Mike Faist) and then the older version, played by Dennis Boutsikaris are both incredible actors.  There are heart-warming moments too, especially how a game like pinball can offer escapism and fuel a passion so deeply in one person, who is still figuring out his place in the world. 

Proving that pinball is not a game of chance, but of skill is not any easy feat, but unlike the saying “you can’t fight City Hall”, Sharpe’s willing to take the risk.      

💜Pinball Trailer

Honor Society, directed by Oran Zegman, is a film that is full of unexpected surprises.   

High school is almost over and determined to attend Harvard after graduation, Honor (Angourie Rice) spends much of her time, plotting strategies to axe out the other academic competition. Being an overachiever, Honor’s not afraid to stomp on anyone who gets in her way, unassumingly and with a smile. She’s quite an interesting character, narrating her devious plans that involve complex situations that challenge her own conscience and befriending Michael, played by Gaten Matarazzo (known for the tv smash hit Stranger Things) , who is more clever than we give him credit for.                                     

This film definitely has a millennial edge, but it did remind me a bit of Clueless, wrapped in Mean Girls with a dash of Legally Blonde.  While the typical high school tropes (the nerd, the brainiac, the jock, the outcast etc..) are riddled throughout this movie and can be over the top at times, stay with it, as it takes turns that you might not see coming.    

💜Honor Society Trailer

Michael B. Jordan is absolutely brilliant as not only the director but also starring as boxing champ, Adonis Creed in the highly anticipated Creed III 

After hanging up his boxing gloves to start a new life, Adonis is shaken up when his friend and former boxing prodigy Damian (Jonathan Majors) shows up after serving a long sentence in prison and wants to be trained to enter the ring again.  When the gloves comes off, Adonis is haunted by memories he had tried desperately to bury.  As they continue to surface, we know it’s just a matter of time when Adonis is going to be pushed to the edge of his limit.

It’s predictable that Adonis is going to battle against Damian, but that doesn’t matter. What makes this movie so great is how character-driven it is. As they become rivals, the performances from Jordan and Majors are elevated with so many poignant scenes together and apart. The fight scenes are brutal but captured in such a thrilling way. 

Several themes of brotherhood, sacrifice, and honour are key elements that weave together to make this such an impactful film.  While we see Damian as a villain (and a damn convincing one), he is also broken and hurt. We get to experience such vulnerability, especially with males who are in a sport like boxing, where they take every punch till they get carried out.

In the end, the clear message is that in life, you can’t run away from your demons, you gotta face them head on. 

💜Creed III Trailer

Lastly, we have Minions: The Rise of Gru.

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the zany yellow blobs are back again with another movie.  This time, we’re going back to when villainous master mind, Gru (Steve Carell), was just a wee young boy, dreaming of what every 11 year old wanted at that age.  No, not a dirt bike, or a life-size dinosaur, but to be part of the most ruthless gang around; the Viscious 6. After they oust their leader -- the legendary fighter Wild Knuckles, Gru gets the once in a lifetime opportunity to audition for them and like we would expect, it goes terribly wrong. Chaos ensues as Gru outsmarts them and now is on the Viscious 6’s target list.  

Humour was lackluster as well, which was surprising as the others gave me some good chuckles.  Many of the scenes felt like we had taken energy drinks and just waiting for that inevitable crash – complete with a headache.

The animation was great, but I felt the Minions were haphazardly thrown about to add in quick gags.  It really missed the mark on the feel good moments too and most of the other characters were forgettable, aside from a solid performance from Wild Knuckles (voiced by Alan Arkin). 

Curiousity got the best of me, as I’ve seen all the other films (Despicable Me & 2 being favourites), but this one was definitely the most disappointing. I’ve had enough of the Minions, but considering this film was not geared towards my demographic in the first place, there’s probably another one around the corner. 

💜Minions Trailer

April Movie Reviews

Sorry for a bit of absence here. I've been exceptionally tired with many pain flares that accompanies a new path in life that I'm trying to navigate - sometimes thriving, other times, simply surviving. My thoughts have been foggy and when that happens, ability as well as inspiration to write takes a back seat and I focus on self-care.   

I have enjoyed plenty of movies recently that I am eager to write about - I just have to pace myself.  To start, here are a few movies that I would recommend checking out.

To my readers, thank you for the continued various levels of support. :)

Catherine Called Birdy, directed by Lena Dunham, is set in Medieval England, where we get to meet Lord Catherine (aka Birdy).  She's remarkably clever and more than ready to go up against her father who wishes to pawn her off to any wealthy suitor that is available.  Birdy's a little rambunctious in nature and far more rebellious than probably any parents of a teenager would prefer, but her sharp wit gets her through even the most awkward situations, and Bella Ramsey is really perfect here.  She reminded me of a mix of Lady Bird’s Saoirse Ronan and even the sass of Millie Bobbie Brown as Enola Holmes   - mainly as strong female leads. 

There are plenty of darker moments and themes to take note of and although they weren't explored in great detail, we get a good helping of what a male dominant patriarchy society looked like, sprinkled with archaic laws of marriage that you'd really have to hog-tie me down to ever follow. 

The soundtrack is also worth mentioning, as I really enjoyed Misty Miller's groovy take on the song, Alright.  It always gives me flashbacks to Supergrass' version from the 90's hit Clueless.

Birdy is proud of her defiance and as an audience, we are too. Her declaration (spoiler alert) pretty much frames the movie and is a strong message to hold onto in 2023 and beyond:  “You don’t get to decide who we are, where we go, or how much we cost, like we’re just things. We’re not things, we’re people. And we can think, and we can hear, and we can feel!” 

💜Catherine Called Birdy Trailer

With another throwback to the 80’s comes a story about the worldwide hit game Tetris, directed by Jon S. Baird. We meet Henk Rogers (played by Taron Egerton) of Bullet-Proof Software, who is showcasing his newest video game at a convention in Vegas, but then realizes he has stepped on a gold mine when he tries his hand at playing Tetris. Created by Russian programmer Alexey Pajitnov (played by Nikita Mikhailovich) who works for ELORG in the Soviet Union, Henk is ready to get on the plane to secure a deal to make sure Tetris will be in the hands of every person worldwide. Of course, everyone wants a piece of Tetris, or rather all of the legal rights to Tetris, so the battle begins.

The movie is really enjoyable and keeps you invested in the story. I really felt the bond between Alexey and Henk as their characters evolved and we could see the mutual respect and sacrifices they made for each other. The villains are pretty obvious and might be crafted a bit overly menacing at times, but it just shows the lengths people will go to get what they want.

I liked the use of some nostalgic 8-bit theming throughout the film and what a great soundtrack, especially with a fitting song by Pet Shop Boys; Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money.)

While rumours circulate of inaccuracies to the real life dealings of the Tetris saga, one can still appreciate the journey of this movie from the filmmaker’s perspective, and how revolutionary the game is still to this day. 

💜Tetris Trailer

A Decent Home is a feature length documentary film by Sara Terry that shows what the "American Dream" has become, rather what I would consider more of an "American Nightmare" for many mobile home park residents at Denver Meadows.  It has uncovered some ugly truths, heightened by the pandemic that seems to be a battle that many feel are worth fighting for. It is incredibly disheartening to see a community that is unnecessarily struggling to keep a roof over their heads.  Our hearts ache, hearing their stories, but there is hope in many of the voices who are advocating together to take a stand and keep their homes. 

Developers, investors and other rich moguls have continued to make overwhelming profits and getting rid of the "trash" (which unfairly further stigmatizes individuals living in a mobile home) is a gold mine for opportunity and passing on the wealth to those that already have overflowing bank accounts.  

It's no surprise that caring for the vulnerable is always someone else's problem, and so that IS a problem in itself.  Affordable housing shouldn't be a luxury, it should be a basic human right.  As shown in the documentary, people make sanctuaries of the spaces they have and create cozy and loving environments for themselves their families. They aren't opposed to helping a neighbour in need, or donating time or what little money they can spare to charitable causes. They appreciate all that they have, yet that is still being taken away from them.

All in all, there is always hope especially when we rally together and not apart. Awareness, action and accountability are just the stepping stones, but it's a good place to start.

💜Check out A Decent Home to learn more.

Finding Who You Are: Film Inspirations

Welcome to another blog! I really wanted to share with my viewers my thoughts on some wonderful documentaries that we've watched over the last while. 

Wildcat is an incredibly moving documentary by Melissa Lesh and Trevor Beck Frost that brings us on  an exploration into the harsh Peruvian jungle, where coined as “lost souls” can find salvation and connections can be made in the most unexpected ways.

Raising orphaned ocelots is a big feat and for Harry Turner, it’s nature’s prescription to help him cope as he returns home from Afghanistan with the shadows of severe depression and PTSD following him.  Meeting ecologist and PhD student, Samantha Zwicker, who is the co-director of Hoja Nueva, an NGO in the Peruvian Amazon. she is drawn to helping the broken, clearly not without its consequences. Both their passion to raise orphaned wildlife gives them purpose, and for Harry, a reason to live. 

The sacrifices and solitude that comes with choosing to live in the Amazon though is very intense and we get to experience Harry and Samantha’s vulnerabilities and strengths, as a couple and as individuals.   

This film is very character-driven, which packs quite a punch, without losing focus on many important messages throughout, including mental health. We get to witness all the emotional highs and lows  which explain a lot about why Harry and Samantha felt drawn to dedicate so much of their lives to rehabilitating wild animals,  as well as working through their inner demons towards a path of healing.

The documentary is depicted in a very intimate way that also explores interspecies bonds in profound ways, the impacts of deforestation and the complex pet trade that can dramatically change the course of our lives.  

Wildcat shows us the fragility of life. The ability to overcome struggles that may seem insurmountable at times, only proves that we are always stronger than we think.  

💜Learn more about the Hoja Nueva's rewilding center & Emerald Arch

When I heard about the movie, Running with Speed, the little girl inside me wanted to know more about this secret (well not so secret anymore) society of gamers that defy the limits of what can be accomplished in a virtual world.

Narrated by the internet legend and video game historian Summoning Salt, this documentary directed by Patrick Lope and Nicholas Mross follows a niche community of gamers from all walks of life called Speed Runners.  They are dedicated to breaking the fastest records in video game play and determined to find the most intricate glitches in video games that most of us would probably never accomplish in our lifetime. Clearly a lot of energy drinks are consumed.

I wouldn’t consider myself a gamer, although many years ago, I did find joy investing time in the Mortal Kombat after long shifts at work and Sonic the Hedgehog games. My brother was ridiculously talented at video gaming and could solve levels like a pro. I also dabbled in Mario Bros, although I wasn’t quite skilled enough to ever save the lovely Princess Peach, but I did come close.

Now for nostalgia. Playing Bubble Bobble and Impossible Mission on the Comm64 was bliss, as well as Choplifter. Let's not forget Zork for a little role-playing action either.

Like anything, there is a dark side to gaming, in particular when one gets into speedrunning that can become an unhealthy addiction and obsession that is explored briefly from the perspectives of some of the top gamers that were part of the documentary. There are struggles of where to draw the line at a career vs a hobby. Sometimes those lines are blurred and real vs user generated identities get so enmeshed that it causes confusion and serious consequences. 

However, this doc really highlights a lot of the positive aspects of gaming culture, which include a community of passionate gamers who to this day, still cheer each other on during the most fierce competitions.  There are also some incredible ways that gaming marathons exploded into a life-giving movement to raise money and support charitable organizations. 

While I may never actually create an account over on Twitch, which is a live-streaming gamers haven, I do have a new-found appreciation and high level of respect for the art of gaming.  Game on!

💜Check out Games Done Quick which has raised over 43 million dollars for charity. It is currently the largest individual fundraising event globally for both Prevent Cancer Foundation and Doctors Without Borders USA.

Gear up to get those wind in your sails, as True Spirit is an Australian gem that you shouldn’t pass by. Directed by Sarah Spillane, this film is based on the real-life story of teenager Jessica Watson (played by Teagan Croft), who at 16 became the youngest person ever to sail around the world alone. 

The movie is gripping and if miracles do actually exist, Jessica is living proof of surviving some of the roughest waters and storms that mother nature had in mind for her during her 210 day journey. 

Jessica’s bravery and stamina allows for us to really see her maturity even at such a young age, as well as the wonderful unwavering support of her family.  Also what is so special about the film is Jessica’s connection with her sailing coach, Ben.  It turns out that Ben actually represented a team of people in real life, but the depiction is really heart-warming in the film. 

Along with the emotional depth of the film, the accompanying soundtrack is pretty awesome too, especially with “I Made It” performed by the Australian singer, Tones And I.

💜Check out Jessica's website here to read more about her adventures

The Lost King, directed by Stephen Frears is a story that needs to be heard and who better to star in this than one of my favourite actresses, Sally Hawkins.  She plays the role of Philippa Langley (known for her real life discovery and exhumation of Richard III), a woman who deals with an invisible illness (ME/CFS) that makes her feel just that, invisible. In work, she is overlooked and often ridiculed, and home life is chaotic, trying to juggle life’s expectations. 

After seeing a live production of Shakespeare's Richard III, Philippa finds herself quite defensive of what many believe to be a historical villain (or was he also an unsung hero?). As an amateur historian, she heads down an uncertain path to find Richard III’s remains, where she believes he is located under a car park in Leicester.   

The film is really thought-provoking on its own, having a sleuth-like British feel, and the rooting for the underdog scenario. Another great role is Steve Coogan, who plays the ex-husband who is more on the skeptic yet supportive side. Although divorced, we still see the love that can remain between two people.  The pace of the movie is a bit rocky at times, but it's not boring in the least. Despite controversy over many inaccuracies and a potential lawsuit brewing from many in academia over the film, the heartfelt message of one woman’s quest to succeed on her own terms is evident. 

Now, despite knowing very little on the subject of Richard III, it was quite a surprise, but a pleasant one, that a very complex yet misunderstood condition called ME/CFS (a condition that is quite varied from person-to-person, and I have silently dealt with for many years) was mentioned in this film. It deserves more attention so funding and research can be spent to help patients lead higher quality lives and maybe even someday find a cure. It made me feel inspired to continue my pursuit to live a fulfilling life despite my limitations and ill-informed assumptions that others believe about me.

💜Support ME/CFS Research

Straight From The Heart: February Films

Welcome to February! While the recipe for love might be on the table for Valentine's Day, perhaps I could help you pair it with some unusual films to enjoy.  

The Menu is a psychological mind f*ck with a heaping dose of satire from director Mark Mylod and and writers, Seth Reiss and Will Tracy.

There is something very bourgeois simmering at Hawthorne, an exclusive restaurant located on a private island and run by Chef Julian Slowik (Ralph Fiennes). Being an invite-only event, 12 guests are ready for a dining experience they’ll never forget.

The movie is intentionally pretentious to the max, with Fiennes giving such a hilarious yet utterly maniacal performance. While this “eat the rich” message is gaining momentum in a lot of movies, execution is key and at times, I just felt a bit of boredom with some of the character roles, waiting for the next scene to hopefully draw me back in.

Giving a big middle finger to the thumb-nosed elites, everyone in the room serves a purpose and holds some juicy secrets that get their psyches messed with. The majority of the movie is confined to the restaurant setting, so there are many little yet important details to watch out for.

By now, we know what’s going on, or at least have an inkling, but there are some twists you might not see coming. The pace in the movie adds a lot of suspense and although as mentioned above that I didn’t take interest in some of the characters, there were some good moments with Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy) and surprisingly, Elsa, the restaurant manager played by Hong Chau. So, I still wanted to get through till dessert. 

Before Chef serves each course, he presents a full commentary, and so every dish, even the Breadless Bread Plate, which sounds as ridiculous as it looks, was created purposefully.  

Despite some criticisms, The Menu does deliver, but I do recommend the cheeseburger.

💜 The Menu Trailer

The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Big Foot is directed by Robert D. Krzykowski, and this movie is a mouthful to say and states the obvious premise, but holds a lot more for the audience to digest.

 Sam Elliott plays Calvin Barr, an American hero who assassinated Adolf Hitler in an undercover operation. Now, living a very solitary life with his furry companion, while dealing with the after effects of PTSD from war, he is approached by the government to kill the Big Foot. This creature carries a virus that will wipe out the world and so since Calvin is the only person who is immune and is now the chosen one. 

I think the idea of Big Foot could have been explored much differently to reflect the tone of the film, as the second half really just felt tossed in for simply a weird turn of events. This kind of took me out of the movie at times, as it was just silly.  However, the redemption is just watching Sam Elliott’s riveting performance. It kept me engaged in his character and wanting to watch till the very end.

There are so many emotional punches throughout that were hijacked by the whole Big Foot tale, but if you’re going to watch this, go for Sam Elliott’s performance, and forget the Sasquatch.

💜The Man Who Killed Hitler And Then The BigFoot Trailer

The Fabelmans is told through the eyes of one of the greatest film directors, Steven Spielberg and co-written with Tony Kushner.  This movie very much felt like Spielberg’s personal diary, told through the eyes of a young boy who becomes obsessed with film-making in order to escape the world around him.  It is after all, semi-autobiographical, so that does hold some truth.

Sammy Fabelman (played by Gabriel LaBelle) gets his first taste of film, being brought to the theatre by his parents, only to be frightened yet amazed at a rather traumatic scene, and we get to witness the making of a born director. Spielberg has a great way of telling this coming-of-age story and the often rocky road to pursuing your dreams.

There’s no shying away here from a lot of confusion and pains of adolescence either. There are some weirdly yet a little off-putting comedic scenes tossed in with Sammy’s first real crush, Monica, (Chloe East) who is a young religious fanatic with an appetite for sin. 

Michelle Williams is incredible to watch, as Sammy’s mother Mitzie. She dreams just as big, and we can see her come alive when in the presence of her husband's best friend, Bennie (Seth Rogan). However, something is missing from her life, as husband and workaholic Burt (Paul Dano) keeps uprooting them to provide what he thinks will be a better life, yet their strained marriage continues to crumble.   

Judd Hirsch has a very small part, as Sammy’s eccentric Uncle Boris, who presents an omen that art and family are always going to be opposing forces. He echoes the words “family, art, it will tear you in two!” and we witness a devastating family secret that makes his warning, a true reality.

💜The Fabelmans Trailer

In a world where at times it feels like we're being surrounded by selfishness, hatred and greed,  The Volcano: Rescue From Whakaari, directed by Rory Kennedy is a compelling documentary that gives hope for humankind.  Off the coast of New Zealand, on the island of Whakaari (also called White Island) we get to see the beauty and terror of mother nature in action.  

The December 9th, 2019 volcanic eruption came with profound loss, as 22 lives were taken. However, as we grieve for the ones left behind, the incredible sacrifice, resilience and survival under the most terrifying conditions remain at the heart of this documentary. 

We get to hear from the survivors and how such an event reshaped their lives, as well as the brave responders who could have turned their boats and helicopters around, but chose to risk it all to save the lives of faces they never even knew.  

Once considered the perfect Instagram selfie for tourists, this still active volcano could erupt at any point in time. The island remains closed to visitors.

💜The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari

💜Special Mention: Bank of Dave (currently streaming on Netflix)

Bank of Dave is a wonderfully uplifting film that shows us the true meaning of wealth. Directed by Chris Foggin, and written by Piers Ashworth, this movie has a number of fictional elements (sorry Def Leopard fans!) but was still inspired by the story of Dave Fishwick (played by Rory Kinnear), a wealthy businessman, who decided to start a community bank in his town of Burnley, in order to help support the local businesses and residents who were being pummeled by the big banks. 

Joel Fry is also a darling addition, playing Hugh, Dave's lawyer. Audiences will just fall in love with him on screen for his awkwardness and sweet performance. 

Despite all odds against him, in the film and even in real life, Dave's tenacity and love for his town really shows us what we can do when we all work together for the common good. 

💜Get to know more about the real life of Dave