The Optimist Movie Review - Film Based on Holocaust Survivor Herbert Heller's Life

I just finished watching The Optimist and if you enjoy watching films that are based on a true story, or ones that are about a time in history, this one encompasses both. You will find Holocaust survivor Herbert Heller's story to be moving, powerful and gut-wrenching. 

This movie will follow along with Mr. Hellers retelling of his past to a young teenager, Abby, who in return shares her story. There's a connection between the two that creates a memorable and dynamic storyline and ultimately a bond that helps them both. Mr. Heller's flashbacks bring you with him as he relives the moments he was working the gardens, being separated from his family, arriving at Auschwitz... and more that I won't give away. :)

This is a film that honors Mr. Heller's legacy, and I invite you to watch the preview below.

Official Movie Synopsis:

Based on a true story, THE OPTIMIST follows Holocaust survivor Herbert Heller and the unlikely friendship that transforms two lives. At 15, Herbert escaped the Auschwitz-Birkenau death march, carrying the weight of silence for six decades. When he finally breaks that silence, he forms a life-saving bond with Abby, a troubled teenager confronting her own pain. Together, they discover hope, healing, and the transformative power of being truly seen.

Directed by Finn Taylor and produced by Jeanine Thomas, THE OPTIMIST stars Stephen Lang and Elsie Fisher in an intimate, intergenerational story about trauma, memory, and healing. Lang delivers a career-defining performance opposite Fisher in a story developed over more than a decade by Thomas, who first met Heller before his passing in 2021. The film honors Heller’s legacy as an educator and survivor who shared his testimony with thousands of students nationwide.

The ensemble cast includes Luke David Blumm, Leah Pipes, Ben Geurens, Ursula Parker, Slavko Sobin, Stella Stocker, Oskar Hes, and Robin Weigert. Produced by Jeanine Thomas and Noah Lang, with executive producer Todd Slater, the film features cinematography by Antonio Riestra and Alexander Surkala and editing by Kaufmanova Olina and Rick LeCompte.

“Herbert’s story shows how one person can change countless lives,” said director Finn Taylor. Producer Jeanine Thomas added, “This film is the fulfillment of a promise to honor his truth.” Stephen Lang called the role “a profound privilege.”

Cast:  Stephen Lang (Avatar), Elsie Fisher, and Luke David Blumm (Where the Crawdads Sing and The King of Staten Island)

This film gives back: THE OPTIMIST is more than a film — it is a journey from darkness to hope. The film is deeply rooted in two causes that reflect its heart: KAVOD, which supports Holocaust survivors living in poverty, and Bring Change to Mind, a national nonprofit empowering youth to end the stigma around mental health. Contributions supporting these organizations help extend the film’s impact beyond the screen.

Click the above image to view a 20-page discussion guide about the film.

If you are interested in knowing more about Herbert, you can find that here: https://www.theoptimistmovie.com/the-optimist-herbert-heller

Find The Optimist on Social Media:

https://www.theoptimistmovie.com/

https://www.tiktok.com/@the.optimist.film

https://x.com/theoptimistfilm

https://www.instagram.com/theoptimistmovie/

https://www.facebook.com/theoptimistfilm

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Review Wire Media for Trafalgar Releasing.

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5 Ways to Level Up Your Golf Game!

Whether you are an avid golfer or someone who enjoys dabbling in the sport, there's always something new to learn and ways to improve your game. Here are my top 5 ways to level up your golf game.

Make Sure You Have the Right Footwear:
If your shoes are uncomfortable, or you have foot pain, that's definitely a way that your game will suffer. Especially, if you like walking the course. By making sure you are wearing comfortable golf shoe inserts you won't be stopping your game early because you are hurting.

Practice Makes Perfect:
Give yourself an advantage and work on your form and swing by going to a range. By putting in some time at a range, you can focus on one thing at a time. Just swing after swing till you get a good feel for what works for you. 

This also works for putting. You can buy a portable putting green for your home and work on your putting skills in your spare time. By working on these aspects of the game individually, you can focus and work on giving yourself a stronger game.

Don't Underestimate the Climate:
The last thing you want to get is dehydrated or sunburned on the course. Golf is mostly played during the warm summer months and that means hotter conditions, so you need to be prepared. Make sure you apply your sunscreen before you start your round and bring a pair of sunglasses and a hat to keep the sun out of your eyes. And last, but certainly not least, bring an insulated water bottle to ensure you have something cool to drink while on the course. 

Exercise:
Prepare your body for the game. Some courses are relatively flat, and others are often hilly and require more energy to play. You don't want to feel tired before you even get a chance to swing your club on the 3rd hole. If you do exercises to work on your core strength, you will improve your stability and posture. Cardio will also help to improve your endurance to maintain your energy throughout your golf game.

Hire a Trainer:
If you are really serious about leveling up your golf game, the fastest way to do that is by working with a trainer. They will work with you to correct issues with your form, putting, chips, you name it. Their job is to get you to your best game possible.  

Enjoy your time on the course! Is there anything you would add to this list?

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2 Dr. Seuss's The Lorax Nonfiction Books Review + Giveaway! Green Machines and What Humming-Fish Wish!

I am so excited to host a giveaway for 2 titles in the eco-conscious Dr. Seuss's The Lorax Nonfiction series from Random House Books for Young Readers!

The winner will receive both Green Machines and Other Amazing Eco-Inventions + What Humming-Fish Wish: How YOU Can Help Protect Sea Creatures by Michelle Meadows and illustrated by Aristides Ruiz.

The winner will receive a set of BOTH books!

Hosted By: Love, Mrs. Mommy

Winner Will Receive - 

Dr. Seuss's The Lorax Nonfiction series from Random House Books for Young Readers: 

What Humming-Fish Wish: How YOU Can Help Protect Sea Creatures

and 

Green Machines and Other Amazing Eco-Inventions

About the books:

Join the Lorax—Dr. Seuss's beloved icon of environmentalism—as he introduces readers to nine real, incredible eco-inventions and nine endangered sea creatures, and empowers children to think creatively and take simple actions to protect our planet. These rhymed easy-readers, illustrated with bright, cheerful art and full-color photographs, are a perfect choice to nurture a love and respect for the natural world—as well as a love of reading and creative thinking!

I am the Lorax,

and we’re here to celebrate

eco-friendly inventions

that people create.

In Green Machines, the Lorax describes nine kid-friendly inventions from around the world that are helping keep our planet green! From a googly-eyed garbage eating machine to Living Seawalls to edible water "bottles" these amazing inventions will inspire children to think creatively about the world around them and take a fresh look at life's challenges! Green Machines includes brief biographies on the diverse inventors included in the book, plus a brainstorming activity to encourage young readers to think like inventors.

I am the Lorax.

Let’s go to the sea!

I invite you to come

on a journey with me.

In What Humming-Fish Wish, the Lorax explains the threats faced by nine amazing sea creatures, along with the actions people can take to help them survive. Young children will learn how life in the ocean affects us on land (by cleaning the air we breathe and providing food to eat), and how humans—including kids—can make simple changes that will help these amazing species to survive! What Humming-Fish Wish includes suggestions on reducing plastic waste and energy use, conserving water, and tips for organizing a beach cleanup.

About the Author:

Michelle Meadows is the author of many acclaimed books for children. Connection, compassion, friendship, and family are common themes in her work. Michelle's books include MOON GIRL AND DEVIL DINOSAUR: One Girl Can Make a Difference, MAXIE WIZ AND HER DRAGON, HOW TO LOVE A PONY, FLYING HIGH: The Story of Gymnastics Champion Simone Biles, and BRAVE BALLERINA: The Story of Janet Collins. Michelle also contributed research and writing to BLACK BALLERINAS: My Journey to Our Legacy by Misty Copeland. Michelle studied journalism and literature at Syracuse University. Michelle is represented by literary agent Rosemary Stimola of the Stimola Literary Studio. She grew up in Washington, D.C. and now lives near the beach in Delaware with her husband. 

Visit her online at www.michellemeadows.com and on Instagram at @michellemeadowsbooks.

Open To United States entries only and must be 18+ to enter

Giveaway Dates ~ 10/8/25 1:15pm EST through 11/2/25 11:59pm EST

Entry-Form

Disclosure: Love, Mrs. Mommy and all participating bloggers are not held responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill their prize obligations. This giveaway is in no way endorsed or sponsored by Facebook or any other social media site. The winner will be randomly drawn by Giveaway Tools and will be notified by email. Winner will have 48 hours to reply before a replacement winner will be drawn. If you would like to participate in an event like this, please contact LoveMrsMommy (at) gmail (dot) com.

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My Best Piece of Advice for Traveling and Exploring Iceland! + Pictures!

If you are thinking of traveling to Iceland… don’t hold back… do it! You will be so happy you did. Iceland is like another planet. The waterfalls, midnight sun in the summer, black sand beaches, Rhyolite Mountains, glaciers, volcanoes, dramatic landscape, tectonic plates… I could go on and on. Iceland is truly breathtaking. I mean, just look at these pictures! 😍

The first time we went to Iceland, back in the fall of 2023, we drove across the southern shore as far east as Diamond Beach and as far north as Snaefellsnes Peninsula.  After our incredible travels and banking all our memories, our family felt the need to go back. There was still so much more to see, so we made it happen 2 years later. And yes… we are soooo glad we did!

We decided this time that we had to drive Ring Road. That’s the main road that you can take to drive around the whole island of Iceland. We didn’t just do that though; we explored even more! We wanted to “do it up!” this time and not have any regrets of missing out on sights and experiences when we got home.

A lot of people have asked me what my best piece of advice for traveling to Iceland is… and that is an easy answer. Rent a car. There’s just no way to experience Iceland to its fullest without renting a car. No matter how short or long your stay. Plus, you get the luxury of setting your own pace, stopping where you want, when you want and for how long you want. Tour groups are nice… I have done my fair share of them back in the day… but I got tired of being on THEIR schedule. I found it much more enjoyable and fulfilling when I made MY own schedule, filled with all the sights and things we wanted to see and do. There’s nothing like it!

Then, I get the follow-up question… who did you rent your car from? We rented a car on both trips with Lotus Car Rental, a family-run business. We had a great experience the first time around, so why mess with perfection?! So, we booked with them again. Lotus will pick you up at the airport with their shuttle service and take you to their rental location, which is only a 5-minute drive away. Your rental will be waiting for you, along with a discount card for gas at the N1 Gas stations (and free coupons for coffee!). Plus, it’s comforting to know that Lotus has 24/7 year-round emergency breakdown assistance if you need it. Our second time renting was just as smooth as the first.

Driving in Iceland is super easy too! Just like in the US, you drive on the right side of the road, and the steering wheel is on the left. The roads are easily travelable, especially in the summer months. Sometimes you can be on the road driving for quite a while with no one else in sight. Driving in Iceland is an enjoyable, relaxing, and fun experience.

With so many beautiful sights to see, I love being able to set our own pace so we can soak in every minute of our adventure.

Have you thought about traveling to Iceland?

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Save Money When Diamond Ring Shopping with the 4Cs!

Diamonds make a statement. No matter what you are wearing, diamonds are classic and go with everything. It’s no wonder why diamonds are the choice stone for engagement rings.

With so many beautiful styles, cuts, and designs, you can elevate any look. But you don’t have to break the bank to do it. There are many ways to get your favorite gold diamond rings for less.  Chemically and physically identical to earth-mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds come at a fraction of the cost. This will save you money, without scrimping out on style.

When you buy a lab-grown diamond, you are getting a real diamond. There are zero chemical, optical, or physical differences in a lab-grown diamond, compared to an earth-created diamond. However, this way you are eliminating any environmental or political concerns you may have on the way earth-grown diamonds are harvested.

When you are shopping for diamond jewelry you may have come across people mentioning the 4Cs.

Have you heard of the 4Cs? The concept of the 4Cs was established in the 1940s by Robert M. Shipley, the founder of the GIA. The 4Cs stand for Diamond Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat Weight.

Let’s break it down...

Diamond Color: Diamonds are given a grading from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow). The closer you get to D, the “purer” the diamond is and the greater quality of the stone.

Diamond Clarity:  Diamonds are formed by extreme heat and pressure deep within the earth and it’s not uncommon for diamonds to contain “marks”.  Even lab-grown diamonds have them. The clarity of a diamond is based on the size, location, visibility and number of these inclusions or blemishes. Less marks = greater quality, as well as a higher cost.

Diamond Cut: Everyone has their own taste, and a great way to show that off, is by the cut of your diamond. You can choose from a classic round, princess, emerald, cushion, oval, and baguette cut, among many others.

Diamond Carat Weight:  When shopping for diamonds, people usually look for a certain carat weight, such as 1 carat, 1.5 carats, and 2 carats. A great way to save money is by looking at diamonds that aren’t those exact weights. If you were to compare a 0.99 carat to a 1 carat diamond, you won’t notice the difference, except in the price!

Be sure to bookmark this page for later and share with your friends who might be in the market for some new diamond jewelry. 

Happy shopping!

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