MOVIE REVIEW: Tower Heist

Guest blogger Liz Parker is back from an advance screening of "Tower Heist". Is this all-star comedy a hit or a miss?  Let's read what Liz thinks...

I didn't know much about Tower Heist before seeing the film except that it had assembled a team of highly successful actors for the project. The movie ended up being a little like Ocean's Eleven, and it is probably one of the funniest comedies I have seen in quite a while.

Josh Kovacs (Ben Stiller, Little Fockers) is the building manager at The Tower, a high-rise building in NYC that is home to some of the wealthiest people in the city. Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda, Flash of Genius) is one of those people, and he is currently being indicted for embezzling from his clients. Unfortunately, Josh had placed the Tower employees' pension money into Shaw's hands to invest, and the money is all gone; needless to say, the Tower employees are not too happy with Josh. Shaw denies any wrongdoing, but the FBI knows he did the crime, and agent Claire Denham (Tea Leoni, The Smell of Success) convinces Josh that Shaw did, in fact, steal Josh's money and the rest of the employees.' She also tells him that generally criminals of his caliber hide some of their embezzled monies in their (penthouse) apartment, so Josh and some of the other disgruntled employees decide to rob Arthur Shaw and take back what is rightfully theirs.

MOVIE REVIEW: Martha Marcy May Marlene

Guest blogger Liz Parker is back from an advance screening of the movie "Martha Marcy May Marlene".  Is this interestingly titled movie something worth seeing? Let's read what Liz thinks...

Fox Searchlight has been promoting Martha Marcy May Marlene for months now, and it has very positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes as well. It definitely is a movie that will leave you thinking about it, but it could have been a much better film, and the ending is abrupt and had audience members at the screening I went to thinking that the projector had broken (yes, seriously), since the screen goes black after the end scene.

Martha (newcomer Elizabeth Olsen, sister of Mary Kate and Ashley) has lived in a cult for the past two years or so, though the word "cult" is never used. They're one big happy family - they all share chores, including child-rearing - oh, and all the women have sex with the leader of the cult, Patrick (creepily played by John Hawkes, Contagion) to "cleanse" themselves, and they also have mass orgies with the male members of the cult with him watching. You know, all the stuff that "normal" families do. When Martha first joins the cult, she knows something is amiss, but soon she is the one guiding the new recruits and telling them to enjoy their "special night" with Patrick.

At the beginning of the film, we see Martha run away from the cult, and she calls her sister, Lucy (Sarah Paulson, TV's Cupid) to pick her up. Lucy brings her back to the lake house in Connecticut where she and her husband, Ted (Hugh Dancy, Confessions of a Shopaholic) are vacationing. Martha hasn't been in touch with Lucy for the past two years, and she tells Lucy that she had been living with a boyfriend in the Catskills. Lucy and Ted know something is wrong with her, however, because of her strange and erratic behavior, and Ted eventually suggests that Martha should seek psychiatric help.

Living for the (FREE) Weekend in metro Detroit - November 4th - 6th

Here are the FREE and low cost things that you can do this weekend in Detroit and beyond...

If it's Friday, then It's Orbitz Freebie Friday on Twitter. Orbiz is giving away a free round-trip airline ticket worth $255 every Friday through December 30th. One lucky winner will receive a coach-class airfare voucher valid for travel in the domestic United States. You have to be on Twitter to enter this giveaway.

Where are my Hooper Fans?  Friday morning starting at 7:30am is the FREE Health Screening Community Event at Ren Cen with special guest Hooper.  The event goes from 7:30am to 3pm. Hooper will be at the event from 7:30am to 8:30am.

Friday, the movies "Tower Heist" and "Martha Marcy May Marlene" open in theaters nationwide. But are they worth your hard earned money? Don't go to the movies until you read the reviews by guest blogger Liz Parker. Reviews will go live on Friday at this link.

Are you going to the theater to see a movie this weekend? Then use this COUPON for a FREE Small Popcorn at Emagine Theaters in Michigan.YUMMY and FREE!

On Saturday is the Toys R’Us Free In-Store Ultimate Kickoff to Christmas Event where your kids can meet Geoffrey, try out the season's hottest toys, and create a holiday wish list.  This event is from Noon-3pm.

Saturday is the FREE Home Depot Kids Workshop from 9am-Noon where Kids ages 5-12 will paint a picture frame for Veterans Day. Fun and FREE!

Also on Saturday be one of the first 250 people at the FREE Family Fun Spectacular at Uptown Palladium in Birmingham, MI and you can get a FREE Movie Ticket and FREE Food. HOLLA!  And the kids can meet Paws, Roary, and Hooper so bring your camera.
The Uptown Palladium put the wrong information on their Facebook Page. This event is on 11/12, not 11/5

The Parade Company mascot Clownie will be visiting and handing out FREE Clownie noses to the first 50 kids at two Busch's Fresh Food Market stores this Saturday in South Lyon and West Bloomfield so bring your camera.


And Remember to Enter these Giveaways that will be ending soon...

GIVEAWAY: Baskin-Robbins Cake Bites combine cake and ice cream into the perfect package

GIVEAWAY: Marmalade Hills All Natural Products - It's a Spa at Home

GIVEAWAY: Do you know about the great meal deals going on at Applebees? 

Have a wonderful and blessed weekend,


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See your Local Michigan Voting Ballot for FREE with Publius.com 2011 Voters Guide

photo by Theresa Thompson

BE PREPARED WHEN YOU GET TO YOUR ELECTION POLL ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8th

Don't you hate getting to your election polling place and the line is dragging because folks have no idea what is on the ballot so they are taking forever to fill the ballot out?

Don't be one of those slow pokes.  See your local Michigan ballot ahead of time online by using Publius.com Election Voter Guide. Just put in your First and Last Name and your City Name and the website will bring up the location of your local poll and the ballot. NOTE: Unfortunately, not all ballots are on the site this year due to budget issues.

To view an example, click here to see the ballot and polling location for an area in NW Detroit.

CLICK HERE TO FIND YOUR POLLING LOCATION & BALLOT ON PUBILIUS.COM

The New Charter for the City of Detroit
The big issue on the ballot for Detroiters is Proposal C which will amend the city's charter.  There has been alot of activity of both sides of this issue.  But the bottom line is you won't know what is in the new charter if you don't read it for yourself.

HERE IS THE LINK TO THE PROPOSED AMENDED DETROIT CITY CHARTER

So view your ballot online, and Detroiters, read the Proposed City Charter so we can keep those lines moving Tuesday at the polls.


And remember... 
"Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves and the only way they could do this is by not voting." Franklin D. Roosevelt 


Enjoy!


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FREE Home Depot Kids Workshop 10/5 9am-Noon

Bring the kids to Home Depot for some FREE fun

The next FREE Home Depot Kids Workshop will be Saturday, November 5, 2011 from 9am to Noon at all Home Depot stores. Kids ages 5-12 will paint a picture frame for Veterans Day.

This FREE family activity, designed for children ages 5-12, instills confidence and a sense of achievement.

All children will get to keep their craft and receive a FREE Kids Workshop Apron, commemorative pin and certificate of achievement

Enjoy!

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FREE Movie Tickets, Food for 1st 250 at FREE Family Fun Spectacular at Uptown Palladium 11/12 - Birmingham

The FREE FAMILY FUN SPECTACULAR takes place all day this Saturday at Palladium 12!

NOTE: THIS EVENT WAS INITIALLY LISTED AS BEING ON 11/5, BUT THE EVENT IS ACTUALLY ON 11/12.  THE PALLADIUM PUT THE WRONG INFO ON THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE.

The first 250 guests at the Uptown Palladium in Birmingham, MI on Saturday, November 12th will receive: one FREE movie admission ticket, FREE regular soda, FREE small popcorn, and FREE hot dog and dessert.

Detroit's favorite mascots, PAWS from the Detroit Tigers, ROARY from the Detroit Lions, and HOOPER from the Detroit Pistons, will be on hand for the kids plus there will be a guest appearance by Tiger legend WILLIE HORTON.

HOLLA to the FREE!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS FREE EVENT


Uptown Palladium 12
250 N. Old Woodward Avenue
Birmingham, Michigan 48009


Enjoy!

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FREE Small Slupee Drinks at 7-Eleven for Military, Veterans & their Families on Veterans Day 11/11/11

7-Eleven Salutes the Military with Launch of 'Operation Thank You'

7-Eleven, Inc. is saluting active, veteran and retired U.S. military personnel and their immediate families with free, small Slurpee® drinks between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m on this Veterans Day (11/11/11).  Presenting proof of current or former U.S. military service during that time is all that’s required to receive a free Slurpee drink on Veteran’s Day.

The eight-hour Slurpee salute is the centerpiece of a month-long Operation: Thank You campaign, which enlists 7-Eleven customers to show their support for U.S. troops by adding a $1 donation to the USO when they check out at participating 7-Eleven® stores. Donated funds will be earmarked by the USO for care packages sent to military troops serving overseas. Each care package includes products like beef jerky, trail mix, toiletry items and an AT&T phone card. In 2002, the Metropolitan Washington USO chapter created the Operation USO Care Package program for troops deploying to Afghanistan.

In addition, for troops and their families stationed at 11 U.S. military bases, 7-Eleven has planned a special treat. Slurpee trailers will take America’s favorite frozen carbonated drink to them during visits between Nov. 8 and Nov. 12 to the following locations:

· Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C
· Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Va.
· Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va.
· Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Va.
· Andrews Air Force Base in Camp Springs, Md.
· MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla.
· Fort Hood Army Base in Killeen, Texas
· Fort Carson Army Base in Colorado Springs, Colo.
· Marine Corps. Base Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, Calif.
· Naval Base San Diego in San Diego, Calif
.·Joint Base Lewis McChord in Tacoma, Wash.

Enjoy!


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FREE 39th Annual Noel Night in Midtown Detroit Cultural Center Area 12/3 5-9:30pm

VISIT DETROIT CULTURAL CENTER MUSEUMS FOR FREE AT THE 39TH ANNUAL NOEL NIGHT

39th Annual Noel Night
Midtown Detroit’s University Cultural Center District
Saturday, December 3, 2011
5:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
COST: FREE

The 39th Annual Noel Night will take place on Saturday, December 3rd from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in Midtown Detroit’s Cultural Center Area. Over 40 institutions, including the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Science Center, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Detroit Historical Museum, the Detroit Public Library, amongst many others, open their doors to the public free of charge during this Cultural Center-wide holiday "open house."

Activities include horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday shopping, family craft activities and performances by over 120 area music, theatre, and dance groups, with special performances by: the Blind Boys of Alabama, the Tartan Terrors, and Dala. The evening’s festivities culminate with a community sing-along on Woodward Avenue led by the Salvation Army Band — a long-standing Noel Night tradition.

Noel Night activities take place in and around Midtown Detroit’s Cultural Center institutions, primarily between Cass and John R and Kirby and Willis. Free shuttle service is offered between participating venues. Convenient parking is available in area lots.

Noel Night is produced by Midtown Detroit, Inc., a nonprofit community development organization that supports economic growth in Detroit's Midtown district. Call 313.420.6000 for additional information.

CLICK HERE FOR A SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR NOEL NIGHT


Enjoy!

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Toys R’Us Free In-Store Ultimate Kickoff to Christmas Event Saturday 11/5

Who wants to meet Geoffrey?

On Saturday, November 5th, take the kids to your local Toys "R" Us for the FREE in-store event where they can meet Geoffrey, try out the season's hottest toys, and create a holiday wish list.

For Every Holiday Wish List created, Toys "R" Us will donate $1 to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Enjoy!


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GIVEAWAY: Marmalade Hills All Natural Products - It's a Spa at Home - ENDS 11/10 (CLOSED)

Marmalade Hills Sugar Body Polish

I think most everyone that has been reading my blog for any length of time knows how much I love my state. So when I get a chance to support a Michigan based business, I get all happy and proud.

Marmalade Hills is a Michigan based company that makes all natural skin care products. Now I will be honest - when I think of handcrafted, all natural skin care products, I did not visualize products that would smell heavenly and make my skin feel like silk.  But Marmalade Hills had me hooked from the moment I opened the box.  The smell of these products made me feel like I was in a spa and not standing in the middle of my bedroom.

Liana Spiegel is the creator of Marmalade Hills products and she states her purpose in creating fresh, all natural, one-of-a-kind spa and skin care products is to make a difference in people's lives by relieving them from skin discomforts and by providing therapeutic qualities that lead to healthier, happier lives.

Although I have not experienced any skin problems, I still appreciated Marmalade Hills products because they just made me feel good and made my skin look good.  Liana sent samples and some full size products from her line for me to try out - and I loved everything.

I received a number of Marmalade Hills Olive Oil Soap samples in different scents including Honeysuckle, Lavender, Shea & Silk, and Winter Wonderland.   My favorite was the Lavender, but they all left my skin feeling great.

Chocolate Sugar Body Polish

I love sugar scrubs so I could not wait to try my sample of Marmalade Hills Chocolate Royale Sugar Body Polish,  This stuff is made with pure Cocoa Powder and it removed all my dead skin while making me smell good enough to eat.

My feet really take a beating because I walk for exercise.  So one of my favorite products was the Marmalade Hills All Natural Mint Foot Balm which I liked to put on at bedtime.  My feet loved it.

I like to keep my lips soft by using lip balms so I loved trying the Marmalade Hills Tea Tree All Natural Lip Balm.  I used just a little and my lips were very soft and moisturized.  This was one of my favorites of all the products I tried and I found it to be very addictive.

I told you that my bedroom smelled like a spa and one of the reasons was that I was sent two full size Marmalade Hills All Natural Handcrafted Soaps.  This soap smells like heaven and it contains no detergents nor fillers. One of the bars of soap made me laugh when I opened it because it was made with Michigan Beer!

Another one of my top favorites was the Marmalade Hills Omega 3 Boby Lotion. It has a fresh scent and my skin was glowing after each use.

All Natural Handcrafted Soap made with Michigan Beer!

My absolute favorite was the Marmalade Hills Lavender Silk Ultimate Body Butter. Now, the kind of body butters that I am used to from The Body Shop don't look or feel anything like this product.  It looks almost like whipped egg whites so I was not expecting much.  But I knew I had misjudged this body butter the moment it touched my skin. If you have dry skin, this product is for you. I promise you that your skin will not be dry after you use it.

Facial Serum

I was also sent travel size samples of the new line of Marmalade Hills Facial Cleansers.  I don't wear makeup so I did not test out the Makeup Remover, but I did love the gentle, yet effective Facial Wash. And after I used a few drops of the Glow Rejuvenating Facial Serum, my face felt great and dewy.

The Marmalade Hills products are all just wonderful. They are all natural, but also very effective in making the skin look and feel good.

To learn more about Marmalade Hills, visit their website and blog.

Meet Liana in person...
Also you can find Liana and her line of Marmalade Hills products at a number of events in the Detroit area during the month of November. Click here to see Liana's event schedule.

GIVEAWAY
One FREEISMYLIFE reader will win a Marmalade Hills Tranquil Lavender Set which includes Soap, Lip Balm, Body Butter and Massage Candle.  HOLLA to the FREE!


TO ENTER

Fill out the information in the form below.

 - One entry per person please. Duplicate entries will be removed.

 - USA addresses only.

- The contest ends on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 11:59am EST.

 - The winner will be selected by random number generation.

 - Prize will be fulfilled to winner by Liana from Marmalade Hills.

(5) EXTRA GIVEAWAY ENTRIES

- You can get 1 extra giveaway entry for following FREEISMYLIFE on Facebook.



- You can get 1 extra giveaway entry for following Marmalade Hills on Facebook.

- You can get 1 extra giveaway entry for following Marmalade Hills on Twitter.



- You can get 1 extra giveaway entry for following FREEISMYLIFE on Twitter.



- You can get 1 extra giveaway entry for tweeting the following message on Twitter "I entered the @freeismylife giveaway to win a Spa Gift Set from @MarmaladeHills http://bit.ly/t1Z6HY"

Enjoy!


Disclosure: Marmalade Hills provided the prize for this giveaway

Random.org has spoken! Out of 171 entries, Random.org has picked #144. Congratulations to the winner of the Marmalade Hills All Natural Spa Set - Tracy of Waterford, MI !!!

DEAL: BOGO FREE Subway 6" Sandwiches during the Month of November, daily before 9am

Get a FREE 6" Sandwich with the Purchase of a 6" Sandwich

During the month of November, go to your local participating Subway store and get a FREE 6" Sandwich with the purchase of a 6" Sandwich.  This deal is good daily, but only until 9am.

I love Subway so I will definitely be going to get this deal.

Fine Print: Free sandwich of equal or lesser price. Prices and participation may vary. Plus tax where applicable. Additional charge for extras. Not good with any other coupon offers, discount cards or value meals.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THIS SUBWAY BOGO DEAL

Enjoy!


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GIVEAWAY: Do you know about the great meal deals going on at Applebees? ENDS 11/11 (CLOSED)

Applebee's has lots of great deals for lunch, families & kids

Applebee's has grown to become a popular restaurant in neighborhoods all across North America – with almost 2,000 locations and counting.

In all locations, including the 32 metro Detroit Applebee’s, customers will find deals like 2 entrees and an appetizer for $20, $5.99 All You Can Eat Lunch, $6.99 Pick ‘n Pair Lunch, ½ off Appetizers from  8 p.m. – close and Kids Eat Free on Tuesdays. Parents with two kids can eat on a Tuesday and pay just $20 to fed the whole family.

Each Applebee’s location has different specials and events on any given night of the week. Guests should “like” their local Applebee’s location  on Facebook for more information. Some local locations in the Metro Detroit area include Dearborn Heights, Southgate, and Harper Woods.

Also "like" the national Applebee's Facebook Page for even more deals like their "check-in and win" giveaways.

In addition to all these great deals, for the third consecutive year, Applebee’s will salute our nation’s military with a FREE meal on Veteran’s Day. Also, for every $50 gift card sold, Applebee’s gives a FREE $10 gift card, but November 11 – 13, Detroit area Applebee’s will be giving customers a chance to donate those $10 gift cards to the Detroit VA Hospital.

So with all the deals and freebies going on at Applebee's in November, what are you waiting for?  Go eat :)

GIVEAWAY
One FREEISMYLIFE reader will win a $25 Applebee's Gift Card to try out the great deals for yourself.  HOLLA to the FREE!

TO ENTER

Fill out the information in the form below.

 - One entry per person please. Duplicate entries will be removed.

 - USA addresses only.

- The contest ends on Friday, November 11, 2011 at 11:59am EST.

 - The winner will be selected by random number generation.

 - Prize will be fulfilled to winner by Applebee's or their PR company.

(4) EXTRA GIVEAWAY ENTRIES

- You can get 1 extra giveaway entry for following FREEISMYLIFE on Facebook.


- You can get 1 extra giveaway entry for answering the Applebee's question at this link.

- You can get 1 extra giveaway entry for following FREEISMYLIFE on Twitter.


- You can get 1 extra giveaway entry for tweeting the following message on Twitter "I entered the @freeismylife giveaway to win a $25 Applebee's Gift Card http://bit.ly/s73PL6" 


Enjoy!


Disclosure: Applebee's provided the prize for this giveaway

Random.org has spoken! Out of 381 entries, Random.org has picked #203. Congratulations to the winner of the $25 Applebees Gift Card - Jeff of Waterford, MI !!!

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DEALS: Black Friday Arrives Early at Amazon.com

Amazon Opens Black Friday Deals Store

Early holiday shoppers will find great prices on gift items like cameras, video games, movies, tools, watches, jewelry, clothing and more, all with FREE Super Saver Shipping on eligible $25+ orders

Amazon.com, Inc. today announced it is kicking off the holiday shopping season with the opening of its popular Black Friday Deals store (www.amazon.com/blackfriday). The Black Friday Deals store will feature discounts on hundreds of popular gift items like cameras, video games, movies, tools, watches, jewelry, clothing and more, now through Black Friday.

"When it comes to holiday gift shopping there are three things customers want: low prices, items to be in-stock and ready to ship, and a convenient shopping experience," said Sally Fouts, spokesperson for Amazon.com. "So in addition to our everyday low prices, customers will find exceptional deals in our Black Friday Deals store starting today all the way through Black Friday. These are deals customers won't want to miss."

Here's a preview of some of the deals that will be available at various times leading up to Black Friday at www.amazon.com/blackfriday:

• Fujifilm FinePix F505 Digital Camera (includes 4 GB Memory Card): $179 (list price: $399.95)
• TomTom XXL 5-Inch Widescreen GPS Navigator: $79.99 (list price: $169.95)
• Philips Speaker System for iPod/iPhone with LED Clock Radio: $49.99 (list price: $79.99)
• Altec Lansing Digital Boombox: $199.99 (list price: $299.95)
• Invicta Men's and Women's Subaqua Watches: $169.99 (list price: $995)
• "Arrested Development: The Complete Series" (DVD): $28.99 (list price: $89.98)
• Up to 20% off Disney Nintendo video game bundles
• Buy two, get one free on select Electronic Arts sports video games including best-selling titles like FIFA Soccer 12, Madden NFL 12 and NHL 12
• Sony 9-Inch LED Digital Photo Frame: $69 (list price: $139.99)
• $20 off purchase of $100 or more on select Porter-Cable power tools and accessories
• Up to 50% off contemporary clothing for Women, Men, Kids and Baby

And remember that FREE Super Saver Shipping is available on eligible orders $25 and over.

Enjoy!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links

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FREE Movie Screening "Double Victory: The Story of the Tuskegee Airman in Their Own Words" 11/8 Wright Museum

 

Lucasfilm Presents DOUBLE VICTORY – The Story of the Tuskegee Airmen – 11/8/11

You are invited to a FREE advance screening of the movie documentary "Double Victory: The Story of the Tuskegee Airman in Their Own Words".

Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
315 East Warren Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201 - 1443

Doors open at 6pm. Movie starts at 7pm.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP

This movie opens in theaters January 20, 2012 so you will be one of the first to see it.

Enjoy!



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