Empire of Light (2022) Rated R

Posted on October 19, 2023 by laurarachel4

 A film about human connection during turbulent times. Starring Olivia Colman, Micheal Ward, and Colin Firth. 

This is a brilliant story about people with personal problems and struggle with them while connecting with those around them. It’s brilliantly told, and Colman is wonderful as the broken soul just trying to make it through her day. The film is brilliantly written in the fact that we don’t know what each other is going though each day. It doesn’t preach to you on how you should feel about the different issues that affect each one of us. It’s a film that is worth the watch. 

Posted in 2022, Drama, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated R, reviews, Romance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Framed for Murder: A Fixer Upper Mystery (2017) Rated NR

Posted on October 18, 2023 by laurarachel4

An investigative reporter buys a mansion and hires a contractor to help fix it up. Of course, they find a dead body and need to investigate. Starring Jewel, Colin Ferguson, and Erin Karpluk.

While I love both Jewel and Ferguson, this series leaves a lot to be desired. It’s very badly written with major continuity problems. For one thing, the main character loves to change her clothes multiple times in one day. Why must she have on different clothes every time we see her? There is no reason for this. Then, the man that’s watching the house is chased off and somehow he comes back to break into the car. It’s so bad it’s laughable. Plus you have the cops not taking anything seriously. This series is a flop, which is sad because the actors aren’t bad. It’s like Hallmark wanted on the bandwagon but didn’t finish the product. This film is not worth the watch.

Posted in 2017, Crime, Drama, films, Hallmark Movies, Movie reviews, movies, Rated NR, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Enchanted Kingdom (2014) Rated G

Posted on October 17, 2023 by laurarachel4

 A documentary on the world we live in while showcasing the wild creatures that inhabit it. Starring Idris Elba, Lambert Wilson, and Lillie-Mae Stewart. 

The cinematography is good, and the timelapse of the film is spectacular. Those are the only positives to the this film. Elba’s voice is cool and constant; you can fall asleep to it. He doesn’t tell us anything new except that the world revolves around evolution. You can watch this film for the cinematography, but for the logic of animal life I wouldn’t watch it.  It has little facts to offer about native animals. The film is not worth the watch. 

Posted in 2014, Documentary, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated G, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New This Week on DVD, October 17, 2023

Posted on October 17, 2023 by laurarachel4

 

 Barbie (PG-13)

Barbie suffers a crisis that leads her to question her world and her existence. Starring Margot Robbie, Issa Rae, Kate McKinnon

 The Haunted Mansion (PG-13)

A single mom named Gabbie hires a tour guide, a psychic, a priest and a historian to help exorcise her newly bought mansion after discovering it is inhabited by ghosts. Starring LaKeith Stanfield, Rosario Dawson, Owen Wilson 

 The Last Voyage of the Demeter (R)

A crew sailing from Varna (Bulgaria) by the Black Sea to England find that they are carrying very dangerous cargo. Starring Corey Hawkins, Aisling Franciosi, Liam Cunningham 

 The Hill (PG)

The remarkable true-life story of Rickey Hill’s improbable journey to play Major League Baseball. Starring Colin Ford, Dennis Quaid, Joelle Carter 

 The Crown: The Complete Fifth Season (TV-MA)

Follows the political rivalries and romance of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign and the events that shaped the second half of the 20th century. Starring Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, Imelda Staunton 

 Titans: The Complete Fourth Season (TV-MA)

Dick and Rachel, a girl possessed by a strange darkness, get embroiled in a conspiracy that could bring Hell on Earth. Joining them along the way are the hot-headed Starfire and lovable Beast Boy. Together they become a team of heroes. Starring 

 Rabbit Hole: The Complete First Season (TV-MA)

John Weir, a private espionage operative, battles over the preservation of democracy in a world constantly at odds. Starring Kiefer Sutherland, Meta Golding, Enid Graham 

 Christmas Cookie Catastrophe (TV-G)

Annie Cooper has big shoes to fill when she takes over as CEO of her late grandmother’s small-town cookie company and is doing her best to help their struggling business get back on track. That task gets more daunting when her grandmother’s secret recipe is stolen during the Christmas party. As Annie tries to crack the case and uncover the culprit she works with Sam, the owner of a local bakery, to recreate the recipe in the hope of saving the company and her job. As Annie and Sam bake batch after batch in pursuit of the perfect one, they begin to learn that their lives go together like milk and cookies. Starring Rachel Boston, Victor Webster, Averie Peters

 Bull: The Complete Series (TV-14)

Brilliant, brash, and charming, Dr. Bull is the ultimate puppet master as he combines psychology, human intuition, and high-tech data to learn what makes jurors, attorneys, witnesses, and the accused tick. Starring Michael Weatherly, Geneva Carr, Jaime Lee Kirchner 

Synopsis by IMDB. 

Posted in 2023, DVDS, films, Lists, movies, Tv Shows | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Foxfire (1987) Rated PG

Posted on October 16, 2023 by laurarachel4

Annie and Hestor Nations love living off the land in the Blue Ridge Mountains, but when Hestor dies, Annie has to decide if she can make it in the mountains alone. Starring Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn, and John Denver.

This is a classic Hallmark Hall of Fame films from back when Hallmark actually cared to send the very best. The story is a classic but clichéd tale of old timers loving the life they lead, but the future is always at their door. Annie and Hestor’s relationship is what makes the film. You feel their love and heartache when they are on screen. The lead actors do a wonderful job, but the supporting roles don’t have as much depth to them. The story, while great, is not one that we haven’t seen before. Still, it’s a film that worth a watch.

Posted in 1987, Drama, films, Hallmark Movies, Movie reviews, movies, Rated PG, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Emil and the Detectives (1964) Rated NR

Posted on October 15, 2023 by laurarachel4

Emil heads to Berlin to see his grandmother and along the way he runs into robbers who’ve stolen his money. He and a group of young detectives search for it. Based on the book by  Erich Kästner. Starring Walter Slezak, Bryan Russell, and Roger Mobley. 

This is one of Disney’s older live-action films, and I love it when Disney doesn’t take too much creative licensing to the story. It’s a wonderful film for children as the kids play detective to get Emil’s money back. All the while, the detectives and robbers get into scrapes and adventures. In the end, all is well. The story itself is just a fun romp of young detectives trying to help a young boy get his money back. It’s wonderfully written. You also get to see what the war did to Germany. That’s another character in the film. While the actors tend to not speak German or have great German accents, it doesn’t detract from the story. It’s a film that I would show my children. It’s worth the watch. 

Emil and the Detectives Trailer

Posted in 1964, Based on a Novel, Comedy, Crime, Disney, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated NR, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Blind Side (2009) Rated PG-13

Posted on October 13, 2023 by laurarachel4

 The story of Michael Oher, a homeless teenage boy, who was taken in by a family that helps him achieve his dreams. Starring Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, and Quinton Aaron. 

While all true story films tend to exaggerate on the facts of the characters’ lives, this film portrays the heart of a couple who saw the best in a boy when he was thrown aside by life. They took him in and gave him love. Thus, the film revolves around that love. It is brilliantly done, and Sandra Bullock brings her A-game to her character. The acting is good; the script is good, and it tugs at your heartstrings. The film doesn’t ooze sweetness, which most inspirational films tend to do, and that, too, is thanks to Bullock. This film’s theme of love and family makes the movie worth the watch. 

Posted in 2009, Biography, Drama, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated PG-13, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

New This Week in Theaters, October 12, 2023

Posted on October 12, 2023 by laurarachel4

 

 

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (2023) - IMDbTaylor Swift: The Eras Tour (NR)
Opens on Friday, October 13
Starring: Taylor Swift, Amanda Balen, Taylor Banks

Experience the breathtaking Eras Tour concert, performed by the one and only Taylor Swift.


The Mission (2023) - IMDb The Mission (PG-13)
Opens on Friday, October 13
Starring: Pam Arlund, Dan Davis, Levi Davis 

26-year-old American missionary John Chau was killed as he attempted to make contact with an Indigenous group off the coast of India, one of the last communities on the planet still living in isolation.


Bhagwan Bharose (2023) - IMDb Bhagwan Bharose (NR)
Opens on Friday, October 13
Starring: Satendra Soni, Sparsh Suman, Vinay Pathak 

A story about two young, impressionable kids whose ideas about faith are constantly questioned and changed as their little world expands and takes into its fold, their country’s fast-changing socio-political landscape.

Synopsis by IMDB. 

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Fireproof (2008) Rated PG

Posted on October 12, 2023 by laurarachel4

A firefighter tries to save his marriage by doing a Love Dare. Starring Kirk Cameron, Erin Bethea, and Ken Bevel.

I know why a number of people don’t like this film. It’s, of course, low budgeted and does have the Christian film feel to it. Although, with each film the Kendrick brothers make they get better and better. Of course, I’m sure they increase their budget with each film too. While this film has that low-budget film feel, it also has a good story – a good story with fairly good actors. They are also good at making a relationship with God appear normal. Other Christian films tend to represent it as an overtly, in-your-face relationship. This is one that’s worth the watch.

Posted in 2008, Christian Films, Drama, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated PG, reviews, Romance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010) Rated PG-13

Posted on October 11, 2023 by laurarachel4

 Gordon Gekko is now out of prison and works with his idealistic future son-in-law to get back at a former enemy and build back his empire. Starring Richard Stratton, Harry Kerrigan, and Michael Douglas. 

I just never got the sense that Wall Street needed a sequel, and while this film gives a good story to what happens next, the film is boring. Nothing is intriguing. Nothing is interesting. The acting is good, but what about the story behind the scenes? I think part of it is thay you need to understand Wall Street, which I don’t. The film, overall, looses traction as it goes and really doesn’t get it back. Thus, the film is not worth the watch. 

Posted in 2010, Drama, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated PG-13, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment