Vanishing on 7th Street (2010) Rated R

Posted on September 13, 2015 by laurarachel4

Vanishing on 7th StreetA group of survivors try to fight off an invasion of darkness with light. Starring Hayden Christensen, John Leguizamo, Thandie Newton

This movie lacked true thriller appeal, but the premise was interesting.  There isn’t too much frightening about people who simply disappear into the darkness without explanation, and there were several plot holes made it confusing to follow.  For one, is the darkness in Detroit only, or has it spread elsewhere?  It seemed like it was everywhere, but then why did people think leaving the city would solve their problem?  Also, some of the tactics used against the darkness were inconsistent.  For example, why leave glow sticks on an active kid but not provide an immobile adult with them?  Are glow sticks really that powerful against an invasive darkness?

Still, I did find it interesting enough to warrant it worth a watch.  I’d love to hear your take on it in the comments.

 

Posted in 2010, films, Horror, Movie reviews, movies, Mysteries, Rated R, reviews, Thrillers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Yes Man (2008) Rated PG-13

Posted on September 12, 2015 by laurarachel4

Yes manA guy chooses to say yes to everything to change his life. Based on the book, Yes Man by Danny Wallace. Starring Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel, Bradley Cooper, Danny Masterson

Wait, have we seen this film before?  Oh yeah,  Liar, Liar. This is practically the same film with nearly the same story line. Add in the same leading man, Jim Carrey, and it’s a simple case of déjà vu.  Been there, done that.

In Yes Man, we have a man who decides to say yes to everything in trying to change his life.  Jim Carrey is his usual goofy self, but I struggled with the premise.  How far would he go to say yes to all things?  What if someone got mad at him and told him to go jump off a bridge?  Would he do it?  I know, that would be both an un-humorous and sudden end to the film, but the question did niggle at me throughout.

Even so, I did find the film enjoyable.  I love Zooey Deschanel, and Bradley Cooper in a secondary role was also fun to watch.  I didn’t laugh out loud, per se, but I think all the actors performed well, making this film worth a watch.

 

Posted in 2008, Based on a Novel, Comedy, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated PG-13, reviews, Romance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

What Would Jesus Do? (2010) Rated PG

Posted on September 11, 2015 by laurarachel4

What would Jesus doA pastor who is struggling with his faith and his non-committal congregation meet a stranger. The stranger reignites their faith to enable them to save their church and community from a corrupt politician. Based on the book, In His Steps by Charles M. Sheldon. Starring John Schneider, Maxine Bahns, Adam Gregory

This is a quintessential Christian film with a great overall message.  A stranger comes to town and simply asks the townspeople, “What would Jesus do?”  In doing so, a floundering church congregation is prompted to take a closer look at their lives to see if they are truly living like Jesus would want them to.  Although the message is clear, the writing and acting are not.

I found the acting to be bland, for the most part.  I was also troubled by the mother, who at times seemed understanding, desiring the best for her son, only to turn and be upset at his change of heart.  Seeing that they both had some measure of faith, I was confused by her response.

One key aspect of the message that I felt the film lacked was love.  One of the great commandments is to love your neighbor as yourself, but this was not a focus of the movie. If it weren’t for the positive message, I don’t know if I could recommend this film.  If you can look past the acting and writing, I would say it is worth a watch; otherwise, it is a pass for me.

 

 

 

Posted in 2015, Christian Films, Drama, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated PG, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

New This Week in Theaters, September 10, 2015

Posted on September 10, 2015 by laurarachel4

 The Perfect Guy (PG-13)
Opens on Friday, September 11
Starring: Michael Ealy, Sanaa Lathan, Morris Chestnut

After breaking up with her boyfriend, a professional woman gets involved with a man who seems almost too good to be true.

 

 The Visit (PG-13)
Opens on Friday, September 11
Starring: Kathryn Hahn, Ed Oxenbould, Benjamin Kanes

A single mother finds that things in her family’s life go very wrong after her two young children visit their grandparents.

 

 Sleeping with Other People (R)
Opens on Friday, September 11
Starring: Jason Sudeikis, Alison Brie, Adam Scott

A good-natured womanizer and a serial cheater form a platonic relationship that helps reform them in ways, while a mutual attraction sets in.

 Time Out of Mind (NR)
Opens on Wednesday, September 9
Starring: Richard Gere, Jena Malone, Ben Vereen

George seeks refuge at Bellevue Hospital, a Manhattan intake center for homeless men, where his friendship with a fellow client helps him try to repair his relationship with his estranged daughter.

 Goodnight Mommy (R)
Opens on Friday, September 11
Starring: Susanne Wuest, Elias Schwarz, Lukas Schwarz

Twin boys move to a new home with their mother after she has face changing cosmetic surgery, but under her bandages is someone the children don’t recognize.

 A Brilliant Young Mind (NR)
Opens on Friday, September 11
Starring: Asa Butterfield, Rafe Spall, Sally Hawkins

A socially awkward teenage math prodigy finds new confidence and new friendships when he lands a spot on the British squad at the International Mathematics Olympiad.

 Wolf Totem (PG-13)
Opens on Friday, September 11
Starring: Shaofeng Feng, Shawn Dou, Ankhnyam Ragchaa

During China’s Cultural Revolution, a young urban student is sent to live with Mongolian herders, where he adopts a wolf cub.

 

 90 Minutes in Heaven (PG-13)
Opens on Friday, September 11
Starring: Hayden Christensen, Kate Bosworth, Dwight Yoakam

A man involved in a horrific car crash is pronounced dead, only to come back to life an hour and a half later, claiming to have seen Heaven.

 

 Coming Home (PG-13)
Opens on Wednesday, September 9
Starring: Gong Li, Chen Daoming, Zhang Huiwen

Lu and Feng are a devoted couple forced to separate when Lu is arrested and sent to a labor camp as a political prisoner during the Cultural Revolution. He finally returns home only to find that his beloved wife no longer remembers him.

 Meet the Patels (PG)
Opens on Friday, September 11
Starring: Champa V. Patel, Geeta Patel, Ravi Patel

MEET THE PATELS is a laugh-out-loud real life romantic comedy about Ravi Patel, an almost-30-year-old Indian-American who enters a love triangle between the woman of his dreams – and his parents.

 The Beauty Inside (NR)
Opens on Friday, September 11
Starring: Han Hyo-Joo, Park Seo-Jun, Kim Joo-Hyuck

All relationship have issues, but Woo-jin’s identity crisis is a new one-in fact, it’s new one every day. Every morning, Woo-jin wakes up in a different body. His age, gender, and nationality many change, but the one constant in his life is Yi-Soo- the woman he loves. She knows his secret, and loves him anyway. With every transformation, Woo-jin has to figure out how to return to his own body and reunite with Yi-soo. The surprise sleeper hit of Cannes, THE BEAUTY INSIDE is a body-hopping romantic comedy that asks the question – where does love begin?

 The Challenger (PG-13)
Opens on Friday, September 11
Starring: Kent Moran, Michael Clarke Duncan, S. Epatha Merkerson

A Bronx boxer fights his way to a better life.

Synopsis by IMDB.

What are you looking forward to see in the theaters this weekend? I’m looking forward to 90 Minutes in Heaven, and The Beauty Inside looks interesting.

Posted in 2015, films, Lists, movies, New in Theater | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mr. Robinson (NBC) Rated NR

Posted on September 10, 2015 by laurarachel4

Mr. RobinsonA musician takes on a part-time job as a substitute teacher in an inner city school, both for the money and for the chance to make up with an old girlfriend. Starring Craig Robinson, Brandon T. Jackson, Benjamin Koldyke, Spencer Grammer, Amandla Stenberg, Peri Gilpin, Dante Brown, Ethan Josh Lee, Franchesca Maia

This show is not an original concept, but it does have some laughs. It’s predictable but pleasant, and I think it has promise, if they give it more substance.  The show just doesn’t have much to go on other than the fact that it’s a musician trying to be a substitute teacher. Seriously, if they take the show serious it might be great to watch but alas there isn’t much to watch. As it stands now,  it is not worth a watch.

 

 

Posted in 2015, Comedy, NBC, Rated NR, reviews, Tv Shows | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ties That Bind (UPtv) Rated TV-PG

Posted on September 9, 2015 by laurarachel4

Ties that bindA tough female detective takes in her brother’s children when he is convicted of aggravated assault. Starring Kelli Williams, Jonathan Scarfe, Dion Johnstone, Natasha Calis, Mitchell Kummen, Matreya Scarrwener, Rhys Matthew Bond

This show isn’t well-written, and the acting is little over done, but it was nice to see a family trying to stay together in the midst of chaos. They really emphasize the importance of the family unit and deal with problems that families face.

The show balances detective Allison McLean’s work and family life, featuring a case each week, along with scenes at home, where she and her husband are raising two teenagers of their own, in addition to her convicted brother’s two teenagers.

I think the show was worth a watch even with the weak writing and acting.

Posted in 2015, Canadian Films, Crime, Drama, Family, Rated TV-PG, reviews, Tv Shows, UPtv | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Lifetime’s Unauthorized Story Movies

Posted on September 8, 2015 by laurarachel4

lifetimemovies Lifetime seems to be on an unauthorized story movie kick, with the recent Saved By the Bell movie based on Dusting Diamond’s book and the Full House story they released, in time for Netflix’s spin-off series Fuller House (due next year).

Next month, you can look forward to more of your 90’s favorites, with unauthorized Beverly Hills 90210 and Melrose Place movies airing on October 3 and 10, respectively.  Whether these films are actually based in reality or not remains to be seen, but I think it will be fun to watch what might have happened behind the scenes of those two shows, in particular.  They certainly had enough drama on the front-end!

What unauthorized story would you love to see produced?  Let me know in the comments.

Posted in 2015, films, Lifetime, movies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New This Week on DVD, September 8th, 2015

Posted on September 8, 2015 by laurarachel4

The Age of Adaline (PG-13)

A young woman, born at the turn of the 20th century, is rendered ageless after an accident. After many solitary years, she meets a man who complicates the eternal life she has settled into. Starring Blake Lively, Michiel Huisman, Harrison Ford, Ellen Burstyn, Kathy Baker

 American Heist (R)

James owes his life to his older brother, Frankie after taking the rap for a crime they committed together. While Frankie served time, James worked to turn his life around, got a steady job and began courting his former girlfriend Emily. Now, Frankie is released and back on the streets with no money and no place to go. Starring Hayden Christensen, Adrien Brody, Jordana Brewster, Akon

 Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Season Two (TV-14)

Jake Peralta, an immature but talented NYPD detective in Brooklyn’s 99th Precinct, comes into immediate conflict with his new commanding officer, the serious and stern Captain Ray Holt. Starring Andy Samberg, Stephanie Beatriz, Terry Crews

 Gotham: The Complete First Season (TV-14)

The story behind Commissioner James Gordon’s rise to prominence in Gotham City in the years before Batman’s arrival. Starring Ben McKenzie, Donal Logue, David Mazouz

 Homeland: The Complete Fourth Season (TV-MA)

When Marine Nicolas Brody is hailed as a hero after he returns home from eight years of captivity in Iraq, intelligence officer Carrie Mathison is the only one who suspects that he may have been “turned”. Starring Claire Danes, Mandy Patinkin, Rupert Friend

 Supernatural: The Complete Tenth Season (TV-14)

Two brothers follow their father’s footsteps as “hunters” fighting evil supernatural beings of many kinds including monsters, demons, and gods that roam the earth. Starring Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles

 Adrenaline (NR)

A drag racer’s life is turned upside down after a near fatal car crash, leaving him semi paraplegic. Forced to face his new circumstance, he struggles to walk, to trust, to love, and ultimately, race again. Starring Charlene Amoia, Cameron Arnett, Deena Beasley, John Schneider

 Blue Bloods: The Fifth Season (TV-14)

Revolves around a family of New York cops. Starring Donnie Wahlberg, Bridget Moynahan, Will Estes, Len Cariou, Tom Selleck

 

 The Goldbergs: The Complete Second Season (NR)

Before there were parenting blogs, trophies for showing up, and peanut allergies, there was a simpler time called the ’80s. For geeky 11-year old Adam these were his wonder years and he faced them armed with a video camera to capture all the crazy. Starring Wendi McLendon-Covey, Sean Giambrone, Troy Gentile, Hayley Orrantia, George Segal, Jeff Garlin

 Haven: Season Five Vol. 1 (NR)

She has no past. She has no family. She was raised in an orphanage. So, she lives for what she does best: be a FBI agent. That’s why Audrey Parker is sent to a distant Maine village called Haven, to investigate the crime of a prison fugitive. What she does not know, is that her past is connected to that village, that old threats from the past are coming back, and she is going to be a central piece on everyone’s life… or death. Starring Emily Rose, Lucas Bryant, Eric Balfour

 Over the Garden Wall (TV-PG)

Two brothers find themselves lost in a mysterious land and try to find their way home. Starring Elijah Wood, Collin Dean, Melanie Lynskey

 

 Paper Planes (NR)

An imaginative children’s film about a young Australian boy’s passion for flight and his challenge to compete in the World Paper Plane Championships in Japan. Starring Ed Oxenbould, Sam Worthington, Julian Dennison

 Queen & Country (NR)

In this sequel to Hope and Glory, Bill Rohan has grown up and is drafted into the army, where he and his eccentric best mate, Percy, battle their snooty superiors on the base and look for love in town. Starring Callum Turner, Caleb Landry Jones, Pat Shortt

 United Passions (NR)

Follows the passing of the FIFA baton through three association presidents: Jules Rimet, Joao Havelange, and Sepp Blatter. Starring, Tim Roth, Sam Neill, Thomas Kretschmann, Jemima West, Gérard Depardieu

 Vicious: The Complete Second Season (NR)

Freddie and Stuart are an old gay couple who have been together for nearly 50 years. Their lives now revolve around entertaining their frequent guests and hurling insults at each other at every opportunity. Starring Derek Jacobi, Ian McKellen, Frances de la Tour

 When Calls the Heart: Heart & Home (NR)

Elizabeth Thatcher, a young school teacher from a wealthy Eastern family, migrates from the big city to teach school in a small coal mining town in the west. Starring Erin Krakow, Daniel Lissing, Martin Cummins, Lori Loughlin

Synopsis by IMDB.

What’s going to be in your DVD player this weekend? Or, what shows will you be catching up online?  Catching any new movie releases this week?  Let me know what you’re watching in the comments.

Posted in 2015, DVDS, films, Lists, movies, Tv Shows | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Public Morals (TNT) Rated TV-MA

Posted on September 7, 2015 by laurarachel4

public moralsThis show is set in the 1960s New York City, where the police have a Public Morals Division which walks the line between morality and criminality. Starring Edward Burns, Michael Rapaport, Elizabeth Masucci, Austin Stowell, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Wass Stevens, Katrina Bowden, Brian Wiles, Keith Nobbs, Lyndon Smith, Patrick Murney, Cormac Cullinane, Dave Green

Here is a show with great writing and good, gritty cinematography, along with a lack of direction and diversity.  There’s a sameness to each scene, making it hard to distinguish between scenes and characters or to discern their moods.  There is a shortage of acting talent, in my opinion; I could not engage with any of the characters, and I couldn’t really figure out which characters were supposed to be bad or good.  This may have been intentional on the writers’ part, due to the concept of the show, but I would have preferred more distinction.

All that said, there is enough compelling content to make this worth checking out.  I look forward to hearing your impression of the show.

 

Posted in 2015, Crime, Drama, Rated TV-MA, reviews, TNT, Tv Shows | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Chateau Meroux (2011) Rated PG-13

Posted on September 6, 2015 by laurarachel4

Chateau MerouxWendy inherits her estranged father’s winery. While learning the business, she battles with a neighboring competitor, while unknowingly falling for the competitor’s son. Starring Marla Sokoloff, Amanda Righetti, Barry Watson, Christopher Lloyd

This  film is not one of Hallmark’s better films. The writing leaves much to be desired. Also, I  struggled to differentiate actresses Marla Sokoloff and Amanda Righetti in the beginning.  They both act well, but they looked so much alike, I kept thinking they were sisters and not friends, which made the story confusing at times.

They start out as irresponsible, partying, drinking, hooking up women, only to suddenly transform themselves into smart and savvy businesswomen in solid relationships, with no transition time or impetus to support it.

The only saving grace to this film was Christopher Lloyd, who played the wacky competitor. I enjoyed his performance and the son refused to turn against his father.  However, this wasn’t enough to make this worth watching.  It is a pass for me.

Posted in 2011, Drama, films, Hallmark Movies, Movie reviews, movies, Rated PG-13, Romance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment