The countdown is on to the #Oscars one of the #movies NOT to miss is @LionMovie #LionHeart

With 'Oscar Sunday' swiftly approaching, time is running out to catch up on the nominated movies. There are a few I have missed myself and need to catch up on, but there is one that I saw earlier this year before it's release that I wanted to make sure didn't slip under your radar.

I had the chance to attend a special screening of Lion Movie sponsored by Stop and Shop and Nature's Promise hosted by The Moms with a talk back with Nicole Kidman that had a special surprise at the end.

Movie Synopsis:

Five year old Saroo gets lost on a train which takes him thousands of miles across India, away from home and family. Saroo must learn to survive alone in Kolkata, before ultimately being adopted by an Australian Couple, when Saroo becomes an adult he journeys to India to find his family and explore his roots.

Here is a Video of the Talk Back with Nicole Kidman:

The special surprise at the end is Sunny Pawar who portrays young Saroo in the movie, his performance is completely absorbing, in fact the movie is very well cast. Long time readers know I was a Professional Film Critic many moons ago (yes you can get paid to watch movies and NO it's no where as glamorous as it sounds), and have been on a ton of real Press Junkets (please don't be mad blogger friends but the customized experiences film companies offer you is nothing like an actual junket - but that's a story for another day). I have had the chance to see Nicole Kidman do many interviews, but I haven't seen her nearly as animated, passionate and 'alive' as she was discussing this movie.

The movie deals with the very real and overwhelmingly heartbreaking reality of the over 80,000 children in India who go missing each year, and the Lion Movie has a giving initiative called #LionHeart that partners with organizations worldwide to help the children in India and all around the world. (The link in the second paragraph that leads to the movie official page has a donation link)

MY TAKE:

Both the film and Nicole Kidman are nominated for this Sunday's Oscars, and like each year I watch the award show I will not envy the committee. The films nominated are usually all powerful and moving and the actors have all delivered strong performances. I'm just afraid that this film will have slipped under the radar of so many and hope that as many of you as possible will take the time to watch it.

This is NOT a compensated post in any way, but Nature's Promise and Stop and Shop did sponsor the screening and gift bags. (Full Disclosure Butterflies).

Readers Sound Off: Which of the 2017 Oscar Nominated Films have YOU seen? Are there any you haven't yet seen that you will be binge watching before The Oscars this Sunday?

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FTC Disclosure: Access to special screening with talk balk was granted to Ascending Butterfly for Editorial Consideration and all thoughts and opinions are my own. This is NOT a compensated post. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR Part 255  Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising see our  Disclosure Page for additional information.

Things that lure Ascending Butterfly out of her butterfly cocoon of fabulosity: Electronics/Technology (yes I am a Gadget Geek first!), Fashion, Jewelry, Bubbly/Spirits, Foodie/Restaurants, Photography and Travel. And remember Ascending Butterfly does NOT have children, please do not pitch her toys (at least not those that are intended for children).

Unless it's charity related, If a campaign doesn't pay, this butterfly won't want to play.

Smile if you got this far, twirl around twice and sing Mariah Carey's Butterfly. Still here? Now go make someone happy today.

{#MotivationMonday} @TheMoms @Ford @WarriorsinPink @KChenoweth #MoreGoodDays Luncheon @TheCarlyleHotel

Although I am not a parent I am a long time member of The Moms Network and in October 2012 they hosted an event for Breast Cancer Awareness where Martini Rossi gave $10,000 to actress/singer Kristen Chenoweth's Foundation Maddie's Corner, to be allocated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Right Action for Women. You can see my coverage of the first event HERE.

Things came full circle when they hosted the event again, this time hosted by Ford at The Carlyle Hotel in New York City, where current Cancer Warriors including this time Denise Albert, co-founder of The Moms Network, who is herself now battling Breast Cancer.

Instead of just describing events I thought I would share the video taken at the event instead:

This also saves me days of trying to edit, optimize and watermark my own photos which feels like hours of hell considering the FLU has knocked me on my butt for the past two weeks! So thank goodness for venue photographers right? You can see The MOMS coverage with more photos from the #MoreGoodDays Mamarazzi event HERE.

Here are a select few of my own photos that sum up the range of emotions:

Now I've got a ton of 'ugly cry' photos that I will spare you of, the video is enough to give you the feels, but if you really want to see those let me know and I will try to make a pinterest board for this event when my fever goes somewhere below boiling.

MY TAKE:

I think the one thing readers appreciate about me is my 'good, bad and ugly' approach to everything, when it comes to the truth you will definitely find it here!

As even handed as possible, here is my rundown and personal feelings:

GOOD: You already know my mom is a Survivor which is why I attended the first event with her, and you know what I have been going through personally when it comes to Cancer (although my cancer color would be teal not pink for what I went through which I actually didn't know until very recently). So I take the cause seriously and brands that support it. Ford has supported Warriors In Pink for 22 years now. The courageous women who shared their cancer battles/journeys were definitely an inspiration. Denise catching her Cancer early and using the media as a platform to share her story with others is also an inspiration, and I am glad she is courageously sharing her story.

BAD: Sorry but there were things I can't exactly gloss over. While the Carlyle is certainly a prestigious venue, it was a very small room for the amount of people, and when folks butts are rubbing across your back for an hour it felt a bit more confining than it did 'intimate'. I think the first venue, while also intimate, gave a bit more breathing room.

UGLY: And my last but not least sorry not sorry is that I usually feature the gift bags when I attend an event, and on the outside they were lovely but the contents were all a size small. I did reach out to the PR firm and ask to swap the items but they refused to do so. UM, color me confused, but wouldn't you want two cancer survivors wearing the clothes in their own size and talking about "More Good Days"? We were happy to send the items back to exchange them. But that was a no go. I also wish Kristen Chenoweth's new CD had been in there. The PR firm was lovely enough to tell me where I could buy all of them. (As if I didn't know. ahem. let's just leave that there.)

Besides this specific event, here are my feelings when October rolls around as a Cancer Warrior Myself:

I take on very few Editorials during October for Breast Cancer Awareness, everyone slaps something pink on their site and then think when they reach out to survivors that we are required to give them a free product placement. Warriors have bills people and we can't pay our mortgages, car note or buy food with a picture of your pink product.

Sorry Not Sorry, but the legit reporter in me has questions the moment your emails hit my inbox:

• How much of the proceeds are being donated to the cause?
• What do you do throughout the year, not just October?

And of course who gets labeled the "B" of Blogging"? Me! Maybe I should change my blog's name (or is that name already taken?), I was considering a re-branding anyway. Sorry darlings while I like Wool during these long, cold North East Winters, I certainly don't like Wool over my eyes.

Now back to the event, I loved hearing other survivor's share their journey, there is a vein of similarity in so many stories, humor and music is what got so many people through their battles and chemo/radiation, and I loved that this event combined both, yes there were moments with 'the feels', and 'ugly tears' (thug tears folks!) too, but being given one more good day really is a gift.

And the reminder that having a 'bad day', and having one more 'good day' really isn't the same thing, put your perceived problems into perspective and on this Motivation Monday let's take a moment to send Good Vibes to both MEN and WOMEN everywhere battling Cancer and hoping for One More Good Day.

Giveaway Alert:

Ford Warriors in Pink is giving away a FORD FUSION, so don't forget to take a moment to ENTER. And Ford Warriors in Pink Gear that Gives can be purchased HERE.

Happy Motivation Monday Butterflies!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Compensated Post, (while perhaps it should be), all thoughts and opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure. Things that lure Ascending Butterfly out of her hermit hive: Electronics, Jewelry, Appliances, Bubbly/Spirits, Foodie/Restaurants and Travel. And remember Ascending Butterfly does NOT have children, please do not pitch her toys. If a campaign doesn't pay, this butterfly probably won't want to play. Smile if you got this far, twirl around twice and sing Mariah Carey Butterfly. Still here? Now go make someone happy today.

{#MovieMonday} #MyBigFatGreekWedding2 Movie Review and talk back with @NiaVardalos & @ElenaKampouris

As we veer toward Mother's Day I know a lot of folks will be looking for fun Family Films so I thought I would put My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 on your radar. I had the opportunity to attend an Advanced Screening with a Talk Back with Nia Vardalos and Elena Kampouris that was sponsored by Windex (if you remember the first film you will know Windex plays heavily in the movie, well both movies actually because of Toula's Dad - who feels most every problem can be solved by 'putting Windex on it'), Fujifilm Instax was an additional sponsor.

ABOUT:

In this highly anticipated sequel a Portokalos family secret is revealed that will bring the characters back together for 'a bigger and Greeker Wedding'. This one is written by Academy Award Nominee and movie co-star Nia Vardalos, directed by Kirk Jones and produced by Gary Goetzman, Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks. Executive Producers include Paul Brooks, Steven Sharesian, Scott Niemeyer and Nia Vardalos.

Nia wanted to wait until she had experienced Motherhood herself to pen the sequel and this time around due to the economy her character's travel agency as well as the Family Dry Cleaning Business is now closed and what remains is the family restaurant started by Toula's Dad Gus (Played by Michael Constantine). Toula's husband Ian (Played by John Corbett) is now the Principal to their daughter Paris's  (Played by Elena Kampouris) School,  Paris is checking out away schools, Gus becomes convinced he is a direct descendant of Alexander the Great, Aunt Voula tries to help Toula to put the spark back in her marriage and her mother Maria (Played by Lanie Kazan) wants the wedding she never had. Along with a Family Secret that is exposed that sheds light on her parents marriage.

The Talk Back:

After the screening there was a Q&A/Talk Back Session with Nia Vardolos and Elena Kampouris. Here are some Video highlights taken during the entire event including the Q&A Session:

Some Photo Highlights:

Above: Nia had a great vibe with Elena who plays her daughter in the movie!

Above: Nia's cousin made a brief appearance during the Q&A as well.

The Swag:

Above: Our swag bag included Greek Pastries, Windex and a Fujifilm Instax Camera as well a Tshirt (not shown in photo)

MY TAKE:

The film definitely scores as a feel-good family film and enjoying the continuity of the characters and their stories evolving. It's fun to see Toula experience juggling the struggles of parenthood, keeping the flame alive in her marriage all while dealing with the impositions that come along with a close-knit family unit.

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FTC Disclosure:  This is NOT a Sponsored Post, it is an event recap and All opinions are 100% my own! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.