$5 A Day

• Format: Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Image Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: August 24, 2010
• Run Time: 98 minutes
• Blu-Ray ASIN: B002TZS5QA
• DVD ASIN: B002TZS57E
• Available at an SRP of $27.98 for the DVD and $29.98 for the Blu-ray

$5 A Day is a satire on human vice and folly. Although it has the required happy ending that makes it a comedy, it doesn’t have funny jokes just the irony of life.

In a world of ordinary people, Nat Parker (Christopher Walken) is a con-artist, trickster, deceiver, wheeler-dealer who certainly does do things differently. This grifter’s Sweet and Low car and boxtop camera are sight gag proofs. Nat prides himself on his success in obtaining complimentary food, discounted gas, free lodging and more by spending $5 a day max. How does he do it? Simple answer is by scamming.

As the story opens, Nat knows he has a terminal illness, a brain tumor. He wants to take one last road trip with his conservative son Ritchie Flynn Parker (Alessandro Nivola) who has some baggage. He has spent time in Rahway Prison, eleven months, three days, and a week for one of his father’s crimes. He begrudgedly agrees when he loses his job. He doesn’t know yet that it was Nat who got him fired.

The two travel down memory lane from Atlantic City to Altoona to Bloomington to Springfield then the historic Route 66 and Tulsa, Elk City, Amarillo, and Albuquerque. Their adventures take a bit of a twist when Nat visits Burt Kruger (Peter Coyle) a wealthy and powerful man respected for his honor and integrity. Skeletons in the closet and $150G’s flesh out the story. No doubt here Nat always loved Ritchie as his comments at the old Sugar Shack homestead prove.

Richie comes to realize just how much his father means to him. Then Nat collapses and the rest of the story is predictable. This movie leaves you to answer, “What is a man’s worth and how does he prove himself?”

This 2008 movie is now available on Blu-Ray (list $29.98) has a running time of 98 minutes. The PG-13 rated film’s Special Features include the director and cast giving some insights on the characters portrayed and the film. Its solid cast, which includes Christopher Walken, Allessandro Nivola, Sharon Stone, Dean Cain, Peter Coyle, and Amanda Peet succeed in playing ordinary people.

Bonus features on $5 A Day DVD and Blu-ray™ include:

* Director and Cast Interviews
* Still Galleries
* Trailer

The product(s) featured in this review was provided free of cost to me for the sole purpose of product testing and review. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Thanks for stopping by! If you have a picture up for Wordless Wednesday, leave your link below on Mr. Linky! Then head on over to Mom Knows It All, From Val’s Kitchen, What’s that Smell?, 5 Minutes for Mom, Go Graham Go and The Not-So-Blog Blog for more wordless fun!

Here are the winners of this week’s giveaways. To select the winner of these giveaways I put the number of entries into the Random Sequence Generator on random.org. I matched the numbers that came out on top to the comment bearing the same number and made sure the comment was eligible.

GUM Soft-Picks winner

#18 Jackie V

Stretch Island Fruit Co. Fruit Strips winner

#29 Rachel D

Herman T’s BBQ Sauce Winner

#26 dianad

Thanks to all who entered the giveaways! Please consider subscribing to my feed so you don’t miss out on the latest posts, reviews and giveaways.

Homebaked apple pie is the best when there is time, but, unfortunately for so many of us, there just isn’t. In the fall when my brother-in-law visits and brings apples from the orchards, I make them from scratch. But apple season isn’t year round so there are times we have had to do without until now.

There are a couple of companies that make good frozen pies but they are not gourmet although their pricing at times seems so. These are whole pies not single serve ones as well. Hubby loves apple, me berry, the kids anything else. One creates arguments; three creates waste. Enter Banquet with a product so new to the freezer shelves that it is being demoed at places like Walmart. If you have any problem finding it in your local area, go to Banquet.com and try out its “Where to Buy Function”.

Banquet SINGLE SERVE frozen pies are available in apple, peach, and cherryberry. Yum! Best thing is they can either be baked in an oven or made in a microwave and still taste right at $1.00 or less per serving. Now this is a dessert anyone can afford.

Banquet Fruit Pies are new and will be available nationwide at Walmart and grocery stores. Keep an eye out at your local Walmart as in the week leading up to Labor Day 650 Walmarts will have in-store demonstrations of the Banquet Fruit Pies topped with Reddi-wip.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Banquet and received free coupons to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

As a skin cancer survivor, sun protection is a must not only for sun bathing but everyday living. Therefore, while I was traveling and enjoying the warm California sun this past week I tried Coppertone Oil Free Faces Sunscreen Lotion. When this tube is finished, I intend to buy another.

This SPF product really works both out of the water and in. Why? It is water-resistant, PABA free with. Coppertone Oil Free Faces was formulated by the manufacturer to retain its SPF after 40 minutes of activity in the water or sweat. The manufacturer claims it is pure and simple sun protection. ‘Tis true. The manufacturer advertises it as hypoallergenic and non-pore clogging. ‘Tis also true. The manufacturer states that it is fragrance free. Another ’tis true. That means it is perfect for delicate sensitive skin like mine. I don’t have to worry about problems like clogged pores and my skin breaking out.

In the morning I sparingly applied Faces to my face. I didn’t mind it as it was not greasy at all. In fact it was lighter than many makeup foundations; therefore, I find myself wondering if it could be so used. It is certainly sheer enough. Big pluses: Its formula protects exposed skin from premature aging while providing both UVA and UVB protection. It has vitamins A and E and moisturizers in it.

Oil Free’s 3 fluid ounce size is perfect for people on the go. It can be tucked into a belly bag, small purse, or even a clothes pocket. Of course, be sure that the cap is securely on.

Coppertone Faces did its job. I did not burn.

The product(s) featured in this review was provided free of cost to me for the sole purpose of product testing and review. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

“It never rains in southern California,” keeps running through my head. Even after twenty-five years of traveling to the place, I still thrill every time I visit. The Hollywood sign, the Magic Castle, Grauman’s Theater, Madam Tussard’s, Hollywood Boulevard–they set the stage fore a journey into a Tinseltown world of glitz and glamour.

I was invited here for a Disney Blogger event that gave me the opportunity to see an advance screening of Tinker Bell, The Great Fairy Rescue at Disney Toon Studio, Burbank. I had been invited to a sneak preview of the movie at home Saturday as well; however, I declined. I wanted its magic to be a big screen surprise.  Boy, am I lucky! You are too as you haven’t had to hear my constant, “I’m so excited” since I learned I was picked.

I really wish I could meet Tink. She lives on and rules in the hearts of children both young and old. She is a star of her own. Peter Pan, Return to Never Land, and two Disney Fairy movies Tinker Bell and Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure before this upcoming release prove it. They all are films parents and children should watch together and make memories together. Let’s face it. Time flies like the little lady so we have to do better than the man in the Harry Chapin Cats in the Cradle song.

I’ll be writing all about the movie and the rest of my trip as soon as I arrive home so please check back.

Here’s a great deal on the new Never Shout Never debut cd Harmony for my music loving readers. It’s 50% Off at Target Stores thru Saturday! The offer ends tomorrow so hurry!

NEVER SHOUT NEVER Wiith nearly 1 million fans on Facebook and MySpace and over 1 million tracks sold in the US, alternative retro-pop band Never Shout Never is evoking excitement from even the most jaded teen with their debut album Harmony!

Harmony was just released this week and the band will be rocking living rooms across America with their appearance on The Jimmy Fallon Show next Friday.

As a Back-to-School gift, the band is delighting fans and getting the masses ready for their headlining VMA tour by making Harmony available for 50% off thru Saturday only at Target – just $7.99 (sale price available in stores only).

For music, the latest news and tour dates check out Never Shout Never on

NeverShoutNever.com • Facebook • Twitter • YouTube

This post was written as part of a campaign for the One2One Network. It has not been monetarily compensated however I have received an entry into a drawing  in exchange for my participation. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.