Movie Review-The Glass Castle AND Book Giveaway!!

The Glass Castle

Movie Synopsis: 

The Glass Castle is based on the best selling memoir by former New York Gossip columnist, Jeannette Walls. The movie flashes back and forth between the life she lives now in New York and her unconventional childhood. In it, she recalls memories of poverty, uncertainty, and neglect. As one of the four children of an abusive, alcoholic father and a selfish wanna-be artist mother. Jeannette learns to fend for herself and care for her sisters and brother at a very young age. Growing up they are moved from town to town, kept out of school, and left hungry for days at a time. 

My Thoughts: 

I read this book when it came out twelve years ago and it left a lasting mark on me. Watching the movie was an emotional roller coaster ride that left me exhausted at the end. It's a brutal portrayal of the dysfunctional family that Jeannette grew up in and the complicated relationships that she had with her parents. There are a few differences between the movie and the book that are worth noting. In the movie Jeannette's mom is shown as never working but in fact does have a teaching degree and works at the different places that they settle in. Jeannette's father also holds down a variety of odd jobs at each place they decide to temporarily live. But their nomadic lifestyle is spot on. They don't stay in one place for very long which you can see starts to take a toll on the kids. At one point in the movie Rex wakes the children in the middle of the night and quickly loads them into the back of a moving van, this includes the smallest child which is just a baby. This does happen in the book but during the wild ride the doors of the moving van fly open and the kids are almost thrown out. There are many scenes in this movie that bring you to the brink of hating Rex and everything that he has done to his family. And then he redeems himself with a tender moment of love and caring that puts a lump in your throat. Kudos to Woody Harrelson who does an excellent job playing a man that you can't bring yourself to hate. Brie Larson plays the main character, Jeannette Walls and does a fantastic job. She is the 2015 Oscar winner of the movie "Room". Brie brings the perfect balance of toughness and vulnerability to the role. What I walked away with was a movie about an extraordinary woman who against all odds and upbringing shows that regardless of where you come from you are in charge of your own journey and the direction it takes. Go see this movie! I loved this book so much that I'm giving a copy of "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls away. This is a paperback  book right off my personal bookshelf because I want you to have the opportunity to read and hopefully love it as much as I do. So here's what you need to do to enter this book giveaway:
1. Follow my "Mug of Moxie" blog
2. Follow "Mug of Moxie" on Facebook
3. This is a book giveaway for US residents only
4. Include contact information(email address) in comment section
5. Giveaway will run from September 3rd-September 13th-winner will be chosen on the 14th and have 48 hours to contact me.
Good Luck!

MOVIE REVIEW-One For The Money

ONE FOR THE MONEY
SYNOPSIS:
A proud, born-and-bred Jersey girl, Stephanie Plum's got plenty of attitude, even if she's been out of work for the last six months and just lost her car to a debt collector. Desperate for some fast cash, Stephanie turns to her last resort: convincing her sleazy cousin to give her a job at his bail bonding company...as a recovery agent. True, she doesn't even own a pair of handcuffs and her weapon of choice is pepper spray, but that doesn't stop Stephanie from taking on Vinny's biggest bail-jumper: former vice cop and murder suspect Joe Morelli - yup, the same sexy, irresistible Joe Morelli who seduced and dumped her back in high school. Nabbing Morelli would be satisfying payback - and a hefty payday - but as Stephanie learns the ins and outs of becoming a recovery agent from Ranger, a hunky colleague who's the best in the business, she also realizes the case against Morelli isn't airtight. Add to the mix her meddling family, a potentially homicidal boxer, witnesses who keep dying and the problem of all those flying sparks when she finds Morelli himself...well, suddenly Stephanie's new job isn't nearly as easy as she thought.
1 hr. 31 min.- PG-13- Violence, sexual references and language, some drug material and partial nudity.
Director:Julie Ann Robinson
Cast: Katherine Heigl, Jason O'Mara, Daniel Sunjata, John Leguizamo, Sherri Shepherd
MY THOUGHTS:
The series by Janet Evanovich is one of my favorites. Especially when I'm in the mood for some laughs. The movie One For The Money is the first book that begins the story of Stephanie Plum and how she becomes a bounty hunter. Sadly, the movie doesn't catch the flavor of the book or the full personalities of the characters. It seemed like it couldn't decide weather it wanted to be a drama or a comedy and tried to settle half way between. It still had it's good parts. Grandma Maser is still a crack up and Ranger and Morelli are yummy without a doubt.
I don't think One For The Money made millions at the box office so I seriously doubt that there will be a Two For The Dough. And I really wish that made me sad. I say save your money and rent this one...... better yet just read the book.

MOVIE REVIEW-This Means War

Mug of Moxie Plays Movie Reviewer!
This last weekend ended up being a movie marathon and I saw three movies.
So just for kicks and giggles I thought I would post my reviews.

THIS MEANS WAR

SYNOPSIS:
Two of the world's deadliest CIA operatives are inseparable partners and best friends - until they discover that they've fallen in love with the same woman. Deciding to keep their friendship a secret from her, they pull out their full arsenal of fighting skills and high-tech gadgetry to defeat their greatest enemy - each other.

‎2hr 0min‎‎ - Rated PG-13‎‎ - Action/Adventure/Comedy/Romance‎
Director: McG -
Cast: Tom Hardy, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Laura Vandervoort, Til Schweiger
MY THOUGHTS:
My favorite of the three was This Means War. I went in having only seen a short preview of a paint ball game which was a funny clip but I had no idea what the plot was even about. I think that when you're with a group of fun friends even the crappiest movie can be good. Luckily the movie was as great as the company.

Reese Witherspoon is the sweetest, cutest, person in the whole wide world. We all want her as a friend-even if that friendship produces cavities. Love her! The guys were goodlooking, as in YUMMY with a side of yummy. Ahhhh to be the one they are fighting over....Then Chelsea Handler(one of my favorite comedians) plays her best friend, so of course everything that comes out of her mouth is hilarious.

But I have to say that the two guys stole the show with their bad behavior, naughty antics, and easy banter. I will see this again just so I can catch one liners I know I missed while laughing. I think that my husband would even enjoy this one.
I give this film two thumbs up for laughs and HOT CIA guys!

R.I.P. VI Challenge-Movie Review

R.I.P. VI Challenge-Movie

The Last Exorcism was watched as part of the R.I.P. VI Challenge-hosted by Stainless Steel Droppings. This is my review. Southern minister Reverend Cotton Marcus recruits a documentary film crew to help him set the record straight. For years he's been conning people and he's ready to come clean.
He recently received a letter from a desperate man who is convinced the devil as taken possession of his daughter, Nell. Reverend Marcus prepares to shoot the final exorcism of his career revealing the tricks of the trade that he has used on faithful and desperate people during his career.
The reverend performs the fake exorcism, all while sharing his secrets with the camera and the crew. The whole act includes wires that shock, recorded sounds and smoking crosses.
But as Marcus and the film crew prepare to leave not all seems right-Is it possible that this possession is real and that Satan is not ready to let go of Nell or Marcus?
I really enjoyed the mockumentary style of this film. The shaky, slow to focus camera shots remind me of The Blair Witch Project and in my opinion amp of the suspense of the film. The Reverend is a snake oil salesman in a white linen suit. You don't want to like Cotton Marcus but yet he sells you on his charm-he's regretful, yet arrogant. You are buying what he is selling even though you know he's a phony!
The film is creepy with enough twists and turns to keep the viewer on their toes. PG-13 means that it could be fun for the whole family.
Of course there are going to be comparisons to The Exorcist-UNFAIR! There will never be or can be another Exorcist....let it go!
That completes my review of The Last Exorcism.