Vanessa Kirby

Posted on February 22, 2024 by laurarachel4

 

 The Crown (2016) Rated TV-MA

Follows the political rivalries and romances of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign and the events that shaped Britain for the second half of the 20th century.

 About Time (2013) Rated R

At the age of 21, Tim discovers he can travel in time and change what happens and has happened in his own life. His decision to make his world a better place by getting a girlfriend turns out not to be as easy as you might think.

 China: Nature’s Ancient Kingdom (2021) Rated NR

Explore the country’s ambitious conservation project that sees the Chinese government set up a brand-new system of 10 pilot national parks to protect the country’s rarest species.

 Me Before You (2016) Rated PG-13

A girl in a small town forms an unlikely bond with a recently-paralyzed man she’s taking care of.

 Everest (2015) Rated PG-13

On May 10, 1996, mountain guides Rob Hall and Scott Fischer combine their expedition teams for a final ascent to the summit of Mount Everest. With little warning, a storm strikes the mountain and the climbers must now battle to survive.

Synopsis by IMDB.

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Undercover Holiday (2022) Rated TV-G

Posted on February 21, 2024 by laurarachel4

 When a pop star goes home for Christmas, she needs to bring her undercover bodyguard. Starring Noemi Gonzalez, Stephen Huszar, and Ann Pirvu. 

I’m not impressed with this Hallmark movie. There is so much wrong with this film. One, the writing. It’s poorly written with over-the-top situations. Most of the time nothing is realistic in the story, and that’s saying something with Hallmark films. Also, they talk so much about their family traditions, but everyone has family traditions – their family is no different. They should be acting like this is a normal Christmas, but everything is “wow!” a tradition. Then there’s the inaccuracy of a baby being born in the ICU and no one is talking about the delivery being difficult. ICU is the Intensive Care Unit,  meaning you were in critical danger. Two, ther is zero chemistry between the main characters. They are so opposite that there is no way that they would get together in real life. They could be friends – maybe – but not romantic. Three, the main character won a reality show for singing but can’t seem to actually sing. Then you have a karaoke night when they make up a song by combining two songs – that doesn’t happen. Granted, most Hallmark movies aren’t realistic, but what makes them enjoyable to watch is thinking about the possibility that it could happen in real life. Thus, the film is not worth the watch.  

Posted in 2022, Christmas Films, Comedy, Family, films, Hallmark Movies, Movie reviews, movies, Rated TV-G, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Torchlighters: The Richard Wurmbrand Story (2008) Rated NR

Posted on February 20, 2024 by laurarachel4

 In communist Romania Richard Wurmbrand does not bow down to the government and lands in prison. Starring Mihail Somanescu.

I’ve always enjoyed the Torchlighters series. They tell the stories of Christians standing up for their faith and are usually short and to the point with their storytelling. This is one of the better ones. They tell the story of Richard Wurmbrand, who hosted a church underground when the communists had control of Romania. They tell the story of his imprisonment and how the Lord used him in that capacity. The series does not take all the fictional, creative, and artistic licenses. However, I’m not sure about the conversations that are portrayed, but those don’t matter much when the concept is truthful. This is a film worth a watch. 

Posted in 2008, Animation, Christian Films, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated NR, reviews, Short | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New This Week on DVD, February 20, 2024

Posted on February 20, 2024 by laurarachel4

 

 Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (PG-13)

Two teenage Mexican-American loners in 1987 El Paso explore a new, unusual friendship and the difficult road to self-discovery. Starring Max Pelayo, Reese Gonzales, Eugenio Derbez

 Box: Metaphor (NR)

A woman in a futuristic society is convicted of a crime and sentenced to be imprisoned in a large metal box for the duration of her sentence. This is, apparently, a metaphor. Starring Kasia Stelmach, Martin Cohen, Charlotte Coquelin 

 Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery (TV-PG)

A skeleton found in Lake Eden reveals the true identity of a beloved resident. Despite her fiancé’s disapproval, Hannah investigates the murder and enlists her mother’s help to uncover the truth and bring the killer to justice. Starring Alison Sweeney, Cameron Mathison, Barbara Niven

 DarkGame (NR)

A determined detective is in a race against time to stop a twisted game show on the dark web, where captives are forced to compete for their lives. Starring Ed Westwick, Andrew P. Stephen, Lola Wayne

 Green Ghost and the Masters of the Stone (PG-13)

In a Texas border town, car salesman Charlie moonlights as a masked Lucha libre wrestler going by the name ‘Green Ghost.’ When unknown assailants arrive seeking an otherworldly emerald, Charlie discovers that he has super powers. As he learns to fight from the unconventional Master Gin, Charlie is told that he’s part of a secret warrior ‘triad of light’ with his childhood friend Marco and Marco’s sister Karina led by La Nana. Together, they’ve been chosen to protect humanity from Drake, the embodiment of the Mayan apocalypse. Starring Charlie Clark, Kuno Becker, Marko Zaror

 Gringa (NR)

Unpopular and down-on-her-luck, Marge is already having a tough time navigating the minefield that is her suburban high school. But Marge’s life is completely upended when her beloved mother and only champion dies in a tragic accident. With nowhere else to turn except her ultra-conservative grandparents, Marge decides instead to hunt down her estranged father, a former soccer star living in rural Mexico as a beach bum and coach to the local women’s team. Neither is ready for such a big change, but the best shot they have at fixing their past and moving forward is together. Starring Steve Zahn, Jess Gabor, Roselyn Sanchez

 Heroes of the Golden Masks (NR)

Charlie, a wise-cracking, homeless, American orphan is magically transported to the ancient Chinese kingdom of Sanxingdui, where a colorful team of superheroes need his help to defend the city from a brutal conqueror. Charlie joins the heroes, and secretly schemes to steal the priceless golden masks that grant them their powers. Starring Ron Perlman, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Patton Oswalt, Christopher Plummer

 The Master Chief: Part One (NR)

A young Filipino sailor is confronted with the stark reality of racial tension aboard a Naval ship. Starring Chris Soriano, Haley Weber, Georgina Tolentino

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The Shaggy D.A. (1976) Rated G

Posted on February 19, 2024 by laurarachel4

A lawyer discovers a disadvantage to getting elected as D.A. Starring Dean Jones, Tim Conway, and Suzanne Pleshette.

This film is a sequel to The Shaggy Dog. Wilby Daniels has grown up and becomes a lawyer, and just as his campaign for district attorney gets under way, the ring that started it all is stolen. Then begins the hilarity as the family tries to get the ring back. This film is interesting and has the same comedy as the prequel. Although, the film has a slower pace and lacks intrigue, which makes it less entertaining than the first film. Jones does a wonderful job at playing Shaggy, which is the highlight of the film. It’s a fun watch, but it does have moments when it lacks amusement. Thus, the film is not worth the watch.

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To Have and to Hold (2019) Rated TV-14

Posted on February 18, 2024 by laurarachel4

 Alice’s high school crush chooses to marry her so she changes to please him. Starring Erika Christensen, Carmel Amit, and Brittany Mitchell. 

I was pleasantly surprised by this film. It’s a Lifetime movie but, spoiler alert, no one dies. It’s just about a woman who chooses the wrong guy. The synopsis says she changes for him; however, she doesn’t really change but gives up her dreams for him. Thus, the relationship is doomed before it begins. Of course, in a Lifetime film there is a somewhat happy ending. I just felt that she was making wrong decisions, but she was really hoping her husband was on the same wavelength as her. Still, it makes you wonder why it’s taking her so long to figure out what she really wants in life. It helps that the actors are Christensen and Antonio Cupo. Even though the film doesn’t have Lifetime’s traditional suspense, it’s a pleasant romance. It’s worth the watch. 

Posted in 2019, Drama, films, lifetime movies, Movie reviews, movies, Rated TV-14, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Seven Year Hitch (2012) Rated TV-PG

Posted on February 17, 2024 by laurarachel4

Two best friends living together find out that they are common-law spouses. Starring Natalie Hall, Darin Brooks, and Frances Fisher.

The premise of this film is cute. I had really high hopes that this will be a good watch, but the film is lacking on so many levels – mostly when it comes to the script. Throughout the film, the girl, Jennifer, is cruel to her best friend – granted, he’s been taking advantage of her for seven years, but she is also very blind to her fiancé and the way he treats her. Then there’s s the ending. It really puts you off on how much she is trying to make it so they meet in the middle, but it was always one-sided, so forgiveness should also be one-sided. It’s not the happily ever after that is needed in films like this. Then you have a problem with pacing; there aren’t enough scenes to make you consider the time jumps the film rushes through. I really did hope that this would be a film worth a watch, but it really isn’t worth it.

Posted in 2012, Comedy, films, Hallmark Movies, Movie reviews, movies, Rated TV-PG, reviews, Romance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Shadow Riders (1982) Rated PG

Posted on February 16, 2024 by laurarachel4

Two brothers return home from the Civil War and discover that some relatives were kidnapped by renegade Confederates. Based on a novel by Louis L’Amour. Starring Tom Selleck, Sam Elliott, and Dominique Dunne.

This is a typical western. What I like about it is the brothers, who fought on opposite sides of the Civil War, regroup as brothers and join in the search for their family. This is a family film. It does struggle between being a fun western and the drama of realism. The script needs some work as there are moments that aren’t realistic. The acting is what makes the film worthy of a watch, and it helps that it’s directed by Andrew McLaglen, who knows how to direct westerns. Thus, the film has a typical western flare. It’s a good western film but not a great western film. Overall, it’s not worth a watch.

Posted in 1982, Drama, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated PG, reviews, Romance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New This Week in Theaters, February 15, 2024

Posted on February 15, 2024 by laurarachel4

 

What About Love (2024) - IMDb What About Love (NR)
Opens on Friday, February 16
Starring: Miguel Angel Munoz, Marielle Jaffe, Sharon Stone

For two young individuals, it’s easy to be wary about love. After all, they’ve seen a lot of heartbreak among their friends and family members. But when a project documenting the very concept of love brings them together, they find themselves struck by Cupid’s bow during a romantic European summer. Unfortunately, they have no idea that the fates have some tricks up their sleeves. And love was never supposed to be easy in the first place.

Bob Marley: One Love - Wikipedia Bob Marley: One Love (PG-13)
Opens on Friday, February 16
Starring: Kingsley Ben-Adir, Lashana Lynch, Jesse Cilio

Jamaican singer-songwriter Bob Marley overcomes adversity to become the most famous reggae musician in the world.

 Madame Web (PG-13)
Opens on Friday, February 16
Starring:  Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced

Forced to confront revelations about her past, paramedic Cassandra Webb forges a relationship with three young women destined for powerful futures…if they can all survive a deadly present.

Land of Bad - Wikipedia Land of Bad (R)
Opens on Friday, February 16
Starring: Russell Crowe, Liam Hemsworth, Luke Hemsworth

When a Delta Force special ops mission goes terribly wrong, Air Force drone pilot Reaper has 48 hours to remedy what has devolved into a wild rescue operation. With no weapons and no communication other than the drone above, the ground mission suddenly becomes a full-scale battle when the team is discovered by the enemy.

No Way Up (2024) - IMDb No Way Up (R)
Opens on Friday, February 16
Starring: Sophie McIntosh, Will Attenborough, Jeremias Amoore

Characters from different backgrounds are thrown together when the plane they’re travelling on crashes into the Pacific Ocean. A nightmare fight for survival ensues with the air supply running out and dangers creeping in from all sides.

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The Simpsons Movie (2007) Rated PG-13

Posted on February 15, 2024 by laurarachel4

 Homer pollutes the lake and the government puts a dome over the town. Starring Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, and Nancy Cartwright. 

I’ve never been a fan of The Simpsons. I don’t find their humor funny. While the family lives on the brink of reality, it’s not a reality I would like to live. The storyline is not original, and there are times I think they are trying to please everyone with its multiple storylines.  This film has Bart learning what it’s like to have a father paying attention to him. There isn’t much to laugh about. If you are a fan of The Simpsons, you’ll enjoy it, but otherwise, it is not worth the watch.  

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