Friday Night Menu

Am I only one who's in love with budget-restrained, straight-to-DVD theatrical gems that you find on Amazon Prime Video and Netflix? I can't be! Though the editing is terrible at times, there's too much music during dialogue, the sound quality is shoddy, and some of the acting is lackluster, I must say that the story lines are amazing. And, if given the right amount of training and the proper financial backing, some of these stories would be ones that people would be talking about for many years to come.

I found myself enjoying stories about relationships gone bad, relationships going well, and everything in between. They delve into personal struggle topics like health and mental wellness. Convoluted relationships are stretched beyond anything we could imagine. There are fairy tale endings, tragic endings, and endings that leave you wanting more--by design or by accident. There are actors you can tell have NEVER acted before as well as familiar faces. There are story lines that have little holes in them but you give them a pass because at the very least they are trying to create art that they feel passionate about.

Like I said, if given the correct backing and creative honing, some of these movies would be GREAT. Below is a list of some great stories that I think you would enjoy. You have to get past the fact that sometimes you won't be able to hear what they are saying one moment  because the soundtrack is drowning out the dialogue. Then, there may be sound effects that are blasting loudly the next moment. You'll have to work through listening through the hum of the microphone in addition to awkward camera angles. But, if you can just cut through the aesthetic blunders and the imprint of a novice or low budget production--yet, there are some that have quality up to par to movies in theaters--and get to the story line and plot which at some times might be confusion--but deliciously so--you would really be able to enjoy what I love about these low-budget, highly passionate movies.

With that said, if you have nothing else to do on a Friday night (or any time) and you want to be immersed into a story line that you may not have thought of before with a varying perspective, take a look at a few of the movies below. Some of them are shorter than others so you can get in and out real fast. And some are a little bit longer. Some have familiar faces in them; some of them don't.  There are quite a few beautiful and handsome faces with equally appealing bodies to match so you will find yourself hunting on Google to find out where else you can catch these actors in action. Some of the movies have way too much music during dialogue and for me that got on my nerves. I kept asking myself, "why are they playing music right now? I'm trying to listen to what the people are saying!" Some of them, the music is wonderfully placed.  So, give them a whirl and let me know what you think in the comments below!

Netflix
November Rule (2015) 94 min *perfect...to me
My Favorite Five (2015) 92 min *funny
The Last Fall (2012) 95 min  *snacks
Sister Code (2015) 94 min *unexpected twists

Amazon Prime Video
Truth Unspoken (2012) 76 min *deliciously convoluted
Hopelessly in June (2011) *too much music but very cute story
Jump In (2014) 80 min *focus on the story line because everything else is a distraction
Miss Dial (2013) 88 min *once you're hooked in, you'll want to know what happens 

Curvy Girl Satisfaction

I love to shop. I've loved to shop ever since I was a little girl. While frustrating at times due to my fluffy nature, I still LOVED TO SHOP. The challenge of finding cute close in my size allowed me to play with looks and be creative with styling. "Jeans fit my hips, but not my waist? No problem, I'll layer it with a fun jacket and a long fitted tee." So imagine my horror when I read this study from 2009: "Only thin women enjoy shopping, claims study ."

They purport that body image is tied to shopping satisfaction. But, that is not necessarily true. What came first the chicken or the egg? That's the true problem. Is a person's body image distorted because fashionable clothing options are not readily available? Wouldn't it be safe to say that a person's body image would improve if there was diversity in models, mannequins, and displays? The perspective that the study uses is distorted because they're not curvy or as they enjoy espousing during the whole article, FAT.


As we've seen recently, the varied shapes and sizes of models and actresses in the media and in film, have opened a gateway of body positivity that will not go back. Options for ways to accentuate curves--not hide or "camouflage" them--are flooding stores and online. To the study's credit, it is about 8 years old and suggests at the conclusion that the study should "prompt shop owners and clothing designers to provide a more positive experience for women of all sizes visiting their stores." What I don't like is the fact that I have always enjoyed shopping and have never been "thin."  I am now on a mission to encourage women who don't like shopping because of their body image--not those who just hate shopping...period--step out of the negativity and enjoy adorning those curves! It's a great time to be a curvy girl. Curves are a commanding force on the runways during fashion weeks (i.e. Ashley Graham in Michael Kors), on magazine covers, in movies, strolling the red carpets, and sitting at a desk or in a chair reading this blog right now!

With bloggers posting dressing room confidential videos and plus size boutiques offering personal shopping services, the sky is the limit to your curvy fashion possibilities! So there...you old study! We're just as happy shopping as our slimmer counterparts. And we'll express this happiness by supporting the businesses that support us and make sure we can continue to boost our positive self images in fashions we adore!