100 Candle Game Starring Amy Smart - A Review

 

North American Distributor Devilworks 100 Candle Game is a chilling new supernatural movie. 

100 Candles centers around a game that traps a group of friends, as they tell one another horror tales in front of a magical mirror, by candlelight. One story for every candle, they cannot leave the game until all candles are out; otherwise they will fall victim to a witch’s curse.

Starring Amy Smart, George Blagden, Sibyl Gregory and Dee Bradley Baker.

Producers include Nicolas Onetti and Michael Kraetzer.

The 411:

For some reason a group of adult friends decide to get together and tell each other horror stories then leave the room to stand in front of a mirror and blow one of the candles out.  They hope to not see something behind them. 

I did love the storytelling scenes. Each story was a stand alone with some more scary then the others. Some were too long and others too short but all have a solid budget. As a fan of horror none of them were scary. There were no jump scares but still good! There was one story that was told in complete Spanish without any subtitles. A woman in a casket it seems with a cellphone talking to someone but I have no idea how she got there, what she was saying or if she would ever get out. It might have been the most interesting but I have no idea. 

My least favorite part was in between stories. I didn't care about the friends! There was no real connection. I don't know why they were together. There should have been some development on them to tie it all together. They are basically just a fill between each short story. 

How to Live a More Relaxed Lifestyle

It’s easy to get bogged down with the everyday stresses of life,which can become a huge burden on your shoulders. Once stress sets in, it can become extremely difficult to get rid of it and get yourself on the path to a much more tranquil lifestyle. When people feel stressed, it can cause tension in both the body and mind, which can have a knock-on effect on your health and wellbeing. Getting into a relaxed state is never easy and may take some practice until you can train yourself to let go of stress. Therefore, here are some tips that may come in useful: 

Take a break

Whenever you’re having a particularly stressful period, ensure you take a break to unwind. Whenever you feel yourself getting stressed or panicked, you must know when to step away and give yourself the time and space to recover. There are many ways you can quickly get into a calmer mindset, but the key is finding out what works best for you. Some ideas include:

• Reading a book

• Taking a bath

• Watching a film

Buy a hot tub

Studies have shown that spending time in a hot tub is beneficial for getting into a relaxed state as it helps promotes controlled breathing and reduce blood pressure. Both of these aspects combined release dopamine levels in the brain, which help get you into a calmer state both mentally and physically. As a result, you’ll feel much happier – even for just a short time, as opposed to stressed and anxious. If you’re considering revamping your garden for the summer, you can browse the Hot Tubs Derby hasat their showroom to find a cost-effective and quality hot tub to get you into relaxation mode.

Get a massage

Getting a massage is perfect for releasing tension and helping free stress from the body. One study carried out on Japanese students discovered that a deep full body massage reduced stiff muscles and reduced the stress hormone ‘cortisol in the blood,which, in turn, promoted relaxation mentally and physically. By having weekly massage sessions, you may discover you’ll feel less stressed in your day-to-day life.

Get physical

Research has proven that staying active could keep your anxiety levels low and help you live a much calmer lifestyle. Physical activity interrupts the stress response in the brain and breaks down the cycle of anxiety, as well as releasing feel-good endorphins that give you a positive feeling and outlook. There are several exercises you could incorporate into your daily routine:

• Walking

• Swimming

• Cycling

• Yoga

• HIIT workouts

Spend time with a dog

Research has shown that spending time with a four-legged friend can be beneficial for your mental health and even keeping your stress levels low. This is the reason why many businesses are now getting office dogs in order to maintain a relaxed environment and boost productivity amongst employees. When stroking a dog, it has been shown to reduce cortisol while releasing the hormone, oxytocin which promotes contentment and joy.

Amityville Poltergeist Is Creepy And Funny

 

If you love horror check out Breaking Glass Pictures, AMITYVILLE POLTERGEIST available on DVD and On Demand. We follow Jim, a young man who accepts a caretakers position, but soon finds that the house is not as empty as it appears. Soon, doors begin to slam, steps begin to creep, and the house's true inhabitants come out to play...

Starring Parris Bates, Sydney Winbush (Netflix's Shrill), J. Rebecca Morse (Hawaii Five-0), and Jon Hall (TNT's Leverage), the film will be available on iTunes, Amazon, Xbox, Playstation, Vudu, FandangoNOW, and local cable & satellite providers, as well as DVD.

DIRECTED & WRITTEN BY

Calvin McCarthy

PRODUCED BY

Airisa Durand

CAST

Parris Bates, Sydney Winbush, J. Rebecca Morse, Conor Austin, Jesse Sass, Airisa Durand, Jon Hall

The 411:

This movie started out with promise I mean come on two words from two movies that were cinematic cold  in my eyes. Amityville Horror and Poltergeist are two of my favorites. However, this had nothing to do with either movie and while that was a disappointment that doesn’t mean this movie wasn’t entertaining. In fact, I haven’t laughed so hard at an expected scary scene in a long time.

Jim someone with expressive eyes and I can say this because they focused on his eyes so much I could recognize them in a lineup even if I never see this dude again, takes a job as a house sitter for a woman who says things are happening in her home and her family doesn’t believe her. Jim is about to find out how right the woman is with nightmares and visions of a creepy girl. 

Besides Jim we meet his friends who honestly add nothing to the plot. They were completely unnecessary with creepy dialogue and dragged the movie a bit however there is one scene where Jim and Alyson (man I hated this girl. She was a bad friend) are in bed and he wakes. Alyson...oh never mind...it was really the best part in the movie. I laughed HARD. Let’s just leave that right there. It’s the reason to see the movie to me. Hysterical.

Anyway, all in all this is a good one time movie if this is your genre. The images although basic are creepy enough and come on...entertainment comes in many forms.

Trailer

 

The Importance of Brushing

 

Regular dental care is an important part of your overall health and daily wellbeing. If you’ve ever had issues with your teeth you certainly know how much of a hindrance these problems can cause for even normal daily actives such as eating or drinking. Regular checkups at Valley Wide help keep your mouth in excellent health.

Four Reasons Why You Should Brush Your Teeth Regularly

In-between dental appointments there are many ways to help keep your mouth and teeth healthy. One of the most important of these is brushing your teeth regularly.

1. Keeps Your Breath Fresh: bacteria collects in your mouth without regular brushing which can lead to bad breath. Brushing removes these bacteria and keeps your breath fresh and your mouth clean. These bacteria can also lead to ulcers in addition to impacting your breath.
2. Helps Prevent Teeth Staining: most modern toothpastes contain cleaning agents which help prevent stains and discoloration to your teeth. Tooth staining can be caused by many things including several materials found in food, beverages, and consumer products. 
3. Protect Your Mouth From Plaque Build Up: without regular brushing plaque builds up in your mouth along with your teeth and gumline. This can lead to sensitive gums, bleeding when you brush, and over a long enough period of time gingivitis and gum disease. 
4. Prevent Expensive Dental Concerns: preventative care can prevent several expensive health issues and this is also true for your teeth. Ignoring regular brushing and tooth care can lead to issues such as cavities which are not only very painful but require extensive time and professional care to properly fix. 

How Often Should You Brush?

In general, the American Dental Association advises you should brush your teeth twice a day. Additional care such as flossing and mouth wash help keep your teeth, gums, and mouth in good condition. Also, be sure to use toothpaste that has the ADA seal of approval. 

Final Thoughts

Your health is of utmost importance and staying current on any of your medical needs and regular checkups can greatly improve your quality of life. Preventative care is also valuable as it helps prevent addressable health concerns from becoming more severe. When going over your healthcare needs your teeth are an easy thing to overlook unless you have a history of dental problems or having a pressing concern such as a cavity. However, by being proactive with your dental care you improve your health and prevent future ailments. If you need dental care visit https://vwdentalhuntsville.com/ to learn more.

My Life In Pictures - January 19 - January 31

 January 19 - Christmas Clearance. Cost me $3.00 for these three items. You've got to love sales!!!

January 20 - Making Valentine Crafts. This was for Candy Kisses.  I just shaped carboard into a candy kiss and wrapped them in tin foil. Took a paper towel and shaped it into a heart and allowed the kids stamp their kisses however they wanted. The tag was their name. I loved it so much I will probably do it next year too.

January 21 - Soooo I had a little tummy trouble today. Called my Gastro doc who told me he would call the hospital to make sure everything was okay. After a scan all was well and I was eventually sent home! Thank GOD!

January 22 - This beautiful scene was on my way to work. I had to stop and grab a few pics. I found out later it was because of a helicopter crash with servicemen on it. 

January 23 - Journaling in my calendar. 

January 24 - Gnome day. I love making these guys!

January 25 - This cutie is done!

January 26  - We have been working on this puzzle for a few days. My boss started something where you do a puzzle, put your name on the box and pass it on. The next person does the same. For a little puzzle this was a challenge. 

January 27 - 29 - NADA

January 30 -  One of my top 10 albums! 

January 31 - Working on my class Valentine's Day gifts for the families. I love these little Love Bugs and did them last year too. I traced each foot on foam paper and cut them out. Then I used pipe cleaners for antenna and then glued a bunch of hearts for wings and decorations. Their face is the bugs and then I attach a magnet on the back. They are so cute. 

My Life In Pictures - January 8 - 18

 January 8 - I was early getting to work so got out to take some photos. I love the warm glow of this lantern with the white house and flag!

January 9 -  My daughter found this cute octopus at Walmart and was all "Can I have it?" Ahhhh no honey, you would have to move out of your bedroom. There is only room for one of you!

January 10 -  Back on the album kick. I truly wish I hadn't thrown away all my crates of albums. My husband called me a hoarder so I got rid of them. It is one of my biggest regrets among quite a few that are currently piling up! Oh well, at least I held onto a hand full.

January 11 - Just me! Standing in my classroom waiting for the day to start! I could not wait for these masks situation to end!

January 12 - Acai Bowl for lunch. I used a wonderful Christmas gift card from one of my students. It was truly delicious.

January 13 - I made my class a parking garage for them to manipulate cars into parking spots. It isn't as easy as you think. My class are 2 year olds and they needed some help figuring out how to put the cars between the tape. They love cars so I figured this was a fun way to play with letter P for parking.

January 14 -  NADA

January 15 - My two sock gnomes using Dollar Tree items. It was so much fun and started my latest craze.

January 16 -  My little rocker gnome. I love this guy in his little pea coat and skull cap.  I made him using socks from Dollar Tree, a black sock, Mop and pantyhose over a small ball nose. 

January 17 - NADA

January 18 - My girl!!! She always hides but I think she is so beautiful.

My Life In Pictures - Jan 1 - Jan 7, 2021

January 1 - nada. how the hell did I not take a photo on the first day in 2021?

January 2 - my girl! Me and my girl went out on a beautiful winter day. We walked over 6 miles just enjoying the beautiful weather, the conversation and took a ton of pictures. 

January 3 - Art by my girl! Amazing!

January 4 - Winter sky! I love the colors of the winter night sky! Well I love the color of the sky no matter the year but the tree and the moon just are special with that BLUE!

January 5 - I am obsessed with golden milk. Turmeric, milk, black pepper and crushed ginger. It is delicious. 

January 6 - I took photos of my students and this cake only on this date. Not much to share but I remember the cake being delicious.

January 7 - Another gorgeous sky photo!

Road Head Is A Party Screener & Review

 THIS ONE IS HARD TO SWALLOW



 Fun and frights ensue in director David Del Rio’s ROAD HEAD, premiering on digital this June from Terror Films.

 

Elizabeth Grullon (Netflix’s “Lucifer”), Damian Joseph Quinn (US vs Billie Holiday), Clayton Farris (“American Horror Story”) and Paul T.Taylor (‘Pinhead’ in Hellraiser : Judgement) star in a wild horror-comedy from writer Chloe Skye.

 

Three friends (Elizabeth Grullon, Damian Joseph Quinn, Clayton Farris) take a road trip to the Mojave Desert where their complicated relationships are pushed to their breaking point as the group encounters a reclusive, murderous cult. 

Road Head is on digital platforms June 4.

Trailer:

The 411:

This was fun! I haven’t been so entertained in a long time.  It loved the campiness of it. So stupid but so good.  The jokes aren’t always hysterical but the characters are just lighthearted enough to not get on my nerves.  Bloody good time and most of the movie takes place on a blank dry earth landscape.  

Rating B

Knots : A Forced Marriage Story In Theaters Now & Digital June 4th

Global Digital Releasing has acquired director Kate Brewer’s award-winning documentary, Knots : A Forced Marriage Story.  

The film explores forced and child marriages, which are occurring legally across the United States every day.  Kate Brewer reveals the disturbing truth about this problem in modern America through. the complicated experience of three forced marriage survivors. Nina Van Harn, Sara Tasneem, and Fraidy Reiss share intimate details of their personal journeys of surviving, escaping and ultimately becoming powerful voices in the historic fight to end the human rights abuse of forced marriage.

Brewer reveals the disturbing truth about this problem in modern America through

the complicated experience of three forced marriage survivors. Nina Van Harn, Sara Tasneem, and Fraidy Reiss share intimate details of their personal journeys of surviving, escaping and ultimately becoming powerful voices in the historic fight to end the human rights abuse of forced marriage. 

The film will be released via The Laemmle both theatrically and on their digital platform on May 7th followed by a wider digital release June 4th.

DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT :

How do you tell a story that isn’t yours to tell? Working with forced and child marriage survivors to share their harrowing stories – to bare their souls - this is a question I asked myself many times throughout the filmmaking process. Directing “Knots: A Forced Marriage Story” has been a deep and haunting excavation. We worked hard to expose the dark underbelly of the otherwise Pinterest-perfect concept of marriage in America. Our goal was to give survivors a platform where their voices can be heard, and their experiences felt. We wanted to let others know they are not alone. We see you. We hear you. We’ll fight for you. - Kate Brewer

Trailer:

The 411:

This film/documentary Knots: A Forced Marriage is about 3 different woman all telling their stories. All were forced into marriage at a young age and their tales are damaging, horrifying, and life altering. The fact that this goes on even today is nauseating and it appalls me that many times they are forced by their very own families into loveless, lifeless marriages that they don't want and are not maturely ready for. 

All their stories are woven brilliantly and with as much cuth as possible. Whether because of religion or cultural the stories are true and compelling. 

I find myself thinking about these brave woman who got out and all the women who are still trapped. What kind of people willingly sign their underage daughters over to predatory, lecherous men? 

Enfant Terrible A Film Based On Rainer Werner Fassbinder In Theaters Now

 

ENFANT TERRIBLE, the biopic of iconic German New Wave director Rainer Werner Fassbinder, commences in select theaters this May - June from Dark Star Pictures.

From director Oskar Roehler, and starring Oliver Masucci, Hary Prinz, Katja Riemann, and Felix Hellmann, ENFANT TERRIBLE had its world premiere at the 2020 Cannes Film Festival.

 

This is the story of a child of his time…of an extremely talented and dynamic filmmaker named Rainer Werner Fassbinder, who dreams of making movies about the cold-hearted, archaic Federal German society and about the longing for respect and love of the outsiders – foreigners, underprivileged groups, small convicts. His fulminant rise to being one of the most important directors in Europe correlates with his mental and physical fall and his early death. 

Trailer

The 411:

Well what I liked about this movie was the same thing I didn't like about it. The actors were all on the greasy side. The sets were all very play like BUT it worked for this.  The abusive, grimy, close ups, seedy locations, major attitude all made for a cinematic tyrant who used and abused people to get what he wanted out of them.

Apparently Werner Fassbinder was not a nice man or according to this film and what I could understand but if you are into this kind of thing I just might like it! 

See it in theaters now or On Demand June 15th!

 

5 Surprising Ways The Pandemic Could Change Your Child's Education For The Better

The shift to remote learning during the pandemic caused angst for parents, but it also led to unexpected benefits that they may find hard to let go of as their children return to school. 

While pandemic-era schooling has been difficult, parents' have come to appreciate the unexpected benefits of distance learning, says Emily Greene (www.emilygreene.com), the author of School, Disrupted: Rediscovering the Joy of Learning in a Pandemic-Stricken World.

Some benefits are so positive, she says, that parents are reluctant to slide back into the pre-pandemic status quo of in-person schooling without making some improvements.

"The dialogue has shifted as parents and students reflect on the last year and think carefully about what they hope to carry forward to improve the school experience," Greene says. 

Greene, herself a working mother of three children, says the pandemic jostled parents into thinking differently about "traditional schooling." "Distance learning in a pandemic has changed our expectations," Greene says, "and parents want to apply what we've collectively learned to help our children thrive as they return to school." 

Here are five benefits that Greene says parents hope to carry forward:

• More free time. Before the pandemic, many families' lives were overscheduled, Greene says. The lockdown helped families reconnect with the joys of free time, playtime, and downtime. This took the stress off children overwhelmed with homework, extracurriculars, and overly structured schedules and opened the door for natural curiosity to flourish. Scientists say free time is essential to the developing brain and is tied to curiosity, creativity, and imagination. "Looking back on the past year, many parents notice an increase in their children's natural curiosity, creative expression, and imaginative thinking," Greene says. "By pushing through the boredom that can come with free time, children learn to use their imaginations, think inventively, solve their problems, and express themselves."
• More time outside. During lockdowns, people suffering from cabin fever longed to leave their houses, but indoor public places were problematic. So, families connected with the outdoors in new ways, such as walking, biking, or simply eating lunch outside. "Parents do not want their children to lose their newfound levels of outdoor activity. They understand now that one short recess per day is not enough," Greene says.  Before the pandemic, she notes, many children spent less time outdoors than prison inmates. One survey of 12,000 parents in 10 countries found that half of children ages 5 to 12 were outside less than an hour each day. In comparison, inmates at U.S. maximum-security prisons are guaranteed at least two hours of daily outside time. 
•  Less standardization, and more personalization. A traditional in-person classroom follows a standardized schedule, leaving little room for independent work or passion projects. However, distance learning offered gaps in the day for children to explore their passions and interests. Many parents saw their children expressing new interests, exploring and deepening existing hobbies, and making and building things. "Between the middle of March and the middle of April 2020, Google searches for 'How to make' doubled, as did searches for 'DIY,' "Greene says. "In a world that abruptly became more virtual than we were accustomed to, children wanted to be hands-on in new ways." 
• More connection with what their children are learning. With students working remotely, parents were privy to an up-close view of what their children are learning. "While at first many parents felt overwhelmed with supervising distance learning, they eventually came to value this connection," Greene says. "Now, many parents have a deeper level of engagement that they do not want to lose." In some cases, she adds, parents were impressed with what their children were learning. In other cases, parents were surprised to discover the details of their children's school experience and began asking questions they never asked before, like "Is this relevant?" Or "How is this helping my child?" She predicts this new level of parent engagement will trigger long-overdue updates to the standardized curriculum, as well as more options for children.
• An increased focus on balance and wellbeing. Because of the disruption the pandemic caused, Greene says, children have been "wrung through the wringer," with social, emotional, and mental impact. "Parents want balance and wellbeing at the forefront," she says. "That means less menial homework, less time wasted on irrelevant standardized tests, and more focus on curiosity, creativity, and joy in the classroom." For many parents, this means holding onto distance learning as an option and giving students the flexibility to attend in-person or distance learning to support wellbeing. "Now, as children are returning to school, we don't want to be forced to choose between in-person learning or distance learning," Greene says. "Both should be options. Learning should be blended."      

 

"When society lives through a disruption, it rarely returns to the way it was before," Greene says. "The next few years will be an inspiring time in education as parents, students, and teachers begin to apply what we've learned."

 

About Emily Greene

 

Emily Greene (www.emilygreene.com) is the author of School, Disrupted: Rediscovering the Joy of Learning in a Pandemic-Stricken World in which she shares her experience educating her children inside and outside of traditional schools. She inspires parents to think differently about the future of the school, offering practical strategies to help bring back balance and optimism as we reimagine a better way to learn—in the pandemic and beyond. She developed the Kiddovate program, working with hundreds of teachers and students to ignite curiosity and creativity in the classroom. She also is cofounder of VIVA Creative, where she and her team create live and digital events. In 2020, she received an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® award recognizing innovation during the pandemic. 

How to Dramatically Improve Your Creativity

 

At a basic level, creativity is all about finding ways to solveproblems and deal with situations that are thrown our way,however, it can also make you a much more interesting individual. Regardless of your background or experiences in life, everyone can connect on the same level when it comes to creativity, whether it be through artwork, music or design. However, being creative does not come naturally to everyone and it may take some work to reach the level you are happy with. Ultimately, creativity is just like a muscle in the body – it needs to be exercised in order to keep improving your skill. In this guide, we are going to list some of the main ways you can dramatically enhance your creativity: 

1. Do something you love

One of the main reasons why you may be stuck when it comes to creativity is that you are unsure of what really makes you tick. However, to get fully in tune with your creative side, you need to find something you are enthusiastic about. Passion and creativity go hand in hand– therefore, if you are trying to partake in an activity that does not give you any sense of joy or fulfilment, you are highly unlikely to get your creative juices flowing.

2. Look for inspiration

Creativity often does not just happen – your everyday experiences, surroundings and individuals you meet can inspire you to endure a creative boost. Constantly staying on the lookout for new sources of inspiration will give you brand newideas and opens your eyes to aspects you may never have been aware of. You can find inspiration in several ways, including:

• Listening to a piece of music/podcast

• Visiting a museum

• Watching a TV show or movie

• Talking to friends and relatives about their own life experiences

Different strategies work for different people, so it is all about which techniques work best for you.

3. Try something new

It is impossible to know exactly what you are capable of if you do not step out of your comfort zone and try something new. In doing so, you will be testing your abilities and potentially developing your skillset to get creative in a whole new way. This may be trying to learn a new instrument, joining an art class or even trying your hand at embroidery. Pledging to invest in the right equipment will set you on the right path. If you would be interested in trying embroidery, for example, you can take a look at a range of tools and materials needed to get started, such as hand embroidery threads. 

4. Simply do anothing

It may seem like a strange technique to switch off, but you may be wracking your brains so hard that you are not giving yourself the space and time to allow your creativity to unravel naturally. Sometimes our greatest ideas come when we are resting or sleeping because our mind is not overworked or focused on something else. Your mind wanders when you are doing everyday activities such as exercising, driving or taking a shower, so if you are having a creative block right now, do not panic – it will come.