Patty Duke (1946-2016)

Patty Duke

(1946-2016)

  Hawaii Five-O (2010– ) Rated TV-14

Steve McGarrett returns home to Oahu, in order to find his father’s killer. The governor offers him the chance to run his own task force (Five-0). Steve’s team is joined by Chin Ho Kelly, Danny “Danno” Williams, and Kono Kalakaua.

 Unanswered Prayers (2010) Rated TV-PG

After his football career, Ben Beck returned to his Virginia small town and joined the family building firm. His family happiness with wife Lorrie and adolescent son Jessie is suddenly tested by the return of Ben’s first high-school love, Ava Andersson, who visits from Chicago, after a failed marriage, to bury her ma. Ava seduces Ben into reliving their courtship, which she traumatically broke off without a goodbye. Jesse reacts furiously, even backseats his own football scholarship bid, rather pa’s projected ambition, in favor of a writing summer course .

 Glee (2009–2015) Rated TV-PG

A group of ambitious misfits try to escape the harsh realities of high school by joining a glee club, where they find strength, acceptance and, ultimately, their voice, while working to pursue dreams of their own.

 Amazing Love (2012) Rated PG

When a confrontation occurs amongst the youth group, Stuart takes the opportunity to share with the group the touching story of the Old Testament prophet Hosea.

 Love Finds a Home (2009) Rated TV-PG

A pregnant Dr. Annie Watson is going to stay with her best friend, Dr. Belinda Owens while her husband Peter is off on a surveying job. Annie’s mother-in-law Mary, a seen-it-all midwife whose homeopathic remedies and folksy wisdom are at odds with Belinda’s scientific knowledge, comes along. As Belinda deals with the headaches Mary is causing, she must also address issues at home. While her adopted daughter Lillian, discovers the joys and pains of first love, Belinda and her husband Lee, find their own relationship suffering over Belinda’s inability to get pregnant. Just as the town learned to put its faith in Belinda as their doctor, Belinda must learn to accept that the best guidance for her own problems may come from unlikely sources. Annie gives birth to a daughter, Melinda (Lindy), and the movie ends with Mary hopping into a buggy to leave and Belinda whispering something in her ear. When her husband asks what she said, the answer is: “Oh, I just told her that I’ll need a midwife soon.

Synopsis by IMDB.

 

Posted in 2016, Actresses, films, Lists, movies, Tv Shows | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

And the Oscar Goes To… (2014) Rated TV-MA

And the Oscar Goes To...A documentary on the history of the Academy Awards. Starring Anjelica Huston, Billy Crystal, Tom Hanks

This documentary did a good job of covering the Academy Awards from the start all the way to around 2010. It covered the monumental changes that happened to make the Awards what they are today. It also explain how and why the academy started the awards. And what’s the history of the awards without the highlights of winners, hosts, and speeches. The documentary does include interviews of the people who made the academy awards…The Academy Awards. This film is worth a watch.

 

 

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New This Week on DVD, March 29, 2016

 Concussion (PG-13)

In Pittsburgh, accomplished pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu uncovers the truth about brain damage in football players who suffer repeated concussions in the course of normal play. Starring Will Smith, Alec Baldwin, Albert Brooks, David Morse, Hill Harper, Stephen Moyer, Paul Reiser, Luke Wilson, Bitsie Tulloch

 Exposed (R)

A police detective investigates the truth behind his partner’s death. The mysterious case reveals disturbing police corruption and a dangerous secret involving an unlikely young woman. Starring Ana de Armas, Mira Sorvino, Big Daddy Kane, Keanu Reeves

 The Hateful Eight (R)

In the dead of a Wyoming winter, a bounty hunter and his prisoner find shelter in a cabin currently inhabited by a collection of nefarious characters. Starring Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tim Roth, Bruce Dern, Channing Tatum

 Point Break (PG-13)

A young FBI agent infiltrates an extraordinary team of extreme sports athletes he suspects of masterminding a string of unprecedented, sophisticated corporate heists. Starring Edgar Ramirez, Luke Bracey, Ray Winstone

Synopsis by IMDB.

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Once Upon a Christmas (2000) Rated G

Once Upon a ChristmasSanta’s daughter is trying to prove to her dad that christmas spirit still exists. So, she tries to transform a single dad and his kids into the christmas spirit that they lacked. Starring John Dye, Kathy Ireland, Mary Donnelly-Haskell

This film lacks anything worth watching. The acting left much to be desire. Then add in the story that seem crazy and out of place. Nothing made much sense. They had no climax or any real problem to correct. This is a christmas film that made me go what the heck, it’s not worth a watch. I’m surprised that it even got a sequel.

Posted in 2000, Canadian Films, Christmas Films, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated G, Romance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Anything for Love (2016) Rated TV-G

Anything for LoveA high-powered executive lies on her online dating profile online; so does the man she falls for. Starring Erika Christensen, Paul Greene, Antonio Cupo.

Great casting is a key component to this well-executed Hallmark film, with Christensen and Greene at the helm.  Both lie on their dating profiles and end up dating one another.  Cupo is perfect as the “villain” vying for Christensen’s heart.  It has all the elements of a Hallmark film, and it runs smoothly over tricky terrain.  The only hiccup I noticed was that Christensen’s father failed to defend Greene’s character and put his daughter in her place once the love interests realize each other has lied.  This is a Hallmark film worth watching.

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in 2016, Canadian Films, Comedy, films, Hallmark Movies, Movie reviews, movies, Rated TV-G, reviews, Romance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

My Life is a Lifetime Movie (Lifetime) Rated NR

My life is a lifetime movieA reality show that tells the story of women whose life is a Lifetime Movie. Starring Natalie Berk, Dave Bobb, Merritt Matthew Chase.

This show mixes interviews with scripted reenactments, making this show sometimes difficult to watch.  Even so, I rather enjoyed some of the stories, although others seemed staged or unrealistic, causing me to wonder whether they were true or not.  Some of the stories are quite humorous.  It’s really a hit or miss series, due to the independent content of each show.  I guess I would say it’s worth a watch, but maybe not for too long.

 

Posted in 2012, Drama, Lifetime, Rated NR, reviews, Tv Shows | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Amy (2015) Rated R

AmyA documentary on Amy Winehouse through archival footage. Starring Amy Winehouse, Lauren Gilbert, Juliette Ashby.

This film is interesting, to say the least. It tells the life story of Amy Winehouse’s rise to fame through the use of home videos. We see Amy first as a vulnerable girl who didn’t have the support she needed in life. As the film progressed, I got the feeling that she lived a very  self-centered life, doing whatever felt good to her. What other course did she have, though, once she found fame? Life had just been too hard; she couldn’t get away from her demons. It is quite obvious her family used her as a gravy train. They were not willing to help her, which they willingly admit. It is obvious that Amy had talent; she was just a lost soul. This cautionary film is sadly worth the watch.

 

 

Posted in 2015, Biography, Documentary, films, Movie reviews, movies, Music, Rated R, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

New This Week in Theaters, March 24, 2016

 Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (PG-13)
Opens on Friday, March 25
Starring: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams

Fearing the actions of Superman are left unchecked, Batman takes on the man of steel, while the world wrestles with what kind of a hero it really needs. With Batman and Superman fighting each other, a new threat, Doomsday, is created by Lex Luthor. It’s up to Superman and Batman to set aside their differences along with Wonder Woman to stop Lex Luthor and Doomsday from destroying Metropolis.

 I Saw the Light (R)
Opens on Friday, March 25
Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Elizabeth Olsen, Cherry Jones

The story of the country-western singer Hank Williams, who in his brief life created one of the greatest bodies of work in American music. The film chronicles his rise to fame and its tragic effect on his health and personal life.

 My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (PG-13)
Opens on Friday, March 25
Starring: Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Lainie Kazan

A Portokalos family secret brings the beloved characters back together for an even bigger and Greeker wedding.

 The Disappointments Room (NR)
Opens on Friday, March 25
Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Lucas Till, Gerald McRaney

A mother and her young son release unimaginable horrors from the attic of their rural dream home.

 Get a Job (R)
Opens on Friday, March 25
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Bryan Cranston, Alison Brie

Life after college graduation is not exactly going as planned for Will and Jillian who find themselves lost in a sea of increasingly strange jobs. But with help from their family, friends and coworkers they soon discover that the most important (and hilarious) adventures are the ones that we don’t see coming.

 Mia Madre (R)
Opens on Friday, March 25
Starring: Margherita Buy, John Turturro, Giulia Lazzarini

Margherita, a director in the middle of an existential crisis, has to deal with the inevitable and still unacceptable loss of her mother.

 Born to Be Blue (R)
Opens on Friday, March 25
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Carmen Ejogo, Callum Keith Rennie

A re-imagining of jazz legend Chet Baker’s musical comeback in the late ’60s.

 The Invitation (NR)
Opens on Friday, March 25
Starring: Michiel Huisman, Logan Marshall-Green, John Carroll Lynch, Tammy Blanchard

While attending a dinner party at his former home, a man thinks his ex-wife and her new husband have sinister intentions for their guests.

Synopsis by IMDB.

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Ken Howard (1944-2016)

Ken Howard

(1944-2016)

 The Office (2005–2013) Rated TV-PG

A mockumentary on a group of typical office workers, where the workday consists of ego clashes, inappropriate behavior, and tedium. Based on the hit BBC series.

 1776 (1972) Rated PG

A musical retelling of the American Revolution’s political struggle in the Continental Congress to declare independence.

 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999– ) Rated TV-14

This show introduces the Special Victims Unit, a new elite squad of NYPD detectives who investigate sexually related crimes.

 The Golden Girls (1985–1992) Rated TV-PG

Four previously married women live together in Miami, sharing their various experiences together and enjoying themselves despite hard times.

 Cold Case (2003–2010) Rated TV-14

The Philadelphia homicide squad’s lone female detective finds her calling when she’s assigned “cold cases” — older crimes that have never been solved.

 Dirty Sexy Money (2007–2009)

A lawyer is forced to take care of one of New York City’s wealthiest families.

 A Boyfriend for Christmas (2004) Rated TV-G

On Christmas Day, Santa brings two lonely people together. But can love overcome deception?

 Ghost Whisperer (2005–2010) Rated NR

A newlywed with the ability to communicate with the earthbound spirits of the recently deceased overcomes skepticism and doubt to help send their important messages to the living and allow the dead to pass on to the other side.

 The McCarthys (2014–2015) Rated NR

Comedy about a sports-crazed Irish-Catholic family that shares a three decker house in Boston and the one member that dares to move out on his own.

Synopsis by IMDB.

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American Gigolo (1980) Rated R

American GigoloA male escort is wrongful accused of murder. Starring Richard Gere, Lauren Hutton, Hector Elizondo

This film takes an inside look at an American gigolo. Gere plays the escort who just enjoys pleasuring women to being framed for murder. We all know from the beginning who framed Gere which brings the confrontation of the two to the boiling front. Gere plays the character as a male escort the best I can’t imagine anyone else in the role. They did  make the character have an undertone of homosexuality, although, I didn’t get that until the end. The movie even with the climax of the story doesn’t make this film the best even though it is was worth the two-hour watch. I’m not talking about the frontal nudity. It was worth the watch.

 

Posted in 1980, Crime, Drama, films, Movie reviews, movies, Mysteries, Rated R, Romance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment