The Color of Rain (2014) Rated TV-14

color of rainWhen cancer claims Gina Kell’s husband, she is left with two boys to raise. A few weeks later, cancer also claims the life of Michael Spehn’s wife, leaving him with three children. As they both struggle with the loss in their lives, they become friends, and eventually love blooms. Now, they struggle with family and friends questioning their growing emotions. Based on the book, The Color of Rain, by Michael and Gina Spehn. Starring Lacey Chabert, Warren Christie, Gwynyth Walsh

I have come to adore Lacey Chabert in these Hallmark films. She brings such heart and strength to every character she’s played, and this movie is no different. She gives Gina the strength necessary for a woman who has lost her husband and the courage to move forward in life. Add the performance of Warren Christie, who is also wonderful in Hallmark films but I especially enjoy in his meatier television roles. He plays the grieving husband, who questions God and the reason his wife was taken from him. Although the film doesn’t go into great detail with regard to the couples faith, it’s still quite evident that it’s a big part of their lives. This film was based on the true story of Gina and Michael Spehn’s life. The film does at times lack continuity, but that does not detract from the great story this film is.  It is a sad, but hopeful, romance. This movie is worth a watch.

 

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The Ghost Writer (2010) Rated PG-13

ghost writerA ghostwriter, hired to help write the memoir of a former Prime Minister, uncovers secrets that put his own life in danger. Adapted from the book, The Ghost, by Robert Harris. Starring Ewan McGregor, Jon Bernthal, Tim Preece, Jim Belushi, Timothy Hutton

This film was slow-moving, and I found several areas of inconsistency that were bothersome.  For example, there are several missing links to the story that don’t really get resolved with regard to the family withholding information and not being what they seem.  Also, I couldn’t discern the purpose behind a mugging early in the film; was it intended simply to scare the writer or to warn him of impending danger?  Finally, if the CIA is concerned about information being leaked, why is the ghostwriter allowed to be hired?

I love Ewan McGregor and Pierce Brosnan, and they give solid performances, but I found it difficult to relate to the characters.  Still, I did find the movie somewhat interesting, especially as the writer attempts to piece together the missing links of information that the family will not divulge.  Despite it’s flaws, I still think it is worth a watch.

 

 

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New This Week in Theaters, September 3, 2015

 The Transporter Refueled  (PG-13)
Opens on Friday, September 4
Starring: Ed Skrein, Loan Chabanol, Lenn Kudrjawizki

In the south of France, former special-ops mercenary Frank Martin enters into a game of chess with a femme-fatale and her three sidekicks who are looking for revenge against a sinister Russian kingpin.

 Before We Go (PG-13)
Opens on Friday, September 4
Starring: Chris Evans, Alice Eve, Scott Evans

Two strangers stuck in Manhattan for the night grow into each other’s most trusted confidants when an evening of unexpected adventure forces them to confront their fears and take control of their lives.

 A Walk in the Woods (R)
Opened on Wednesday, September 2
Starring: Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, Emma Thompson

After spending two decades in England, Bill Bryson returns to the U.S., where he decides the best way to connect with his homeland is to hike the Appalachian Trail with one of his oldest friends.

 Dragon Blade (R)
Opens on Friday, September 4
Starring: John Cusack, Adrien Brody, Jackie Chan

When corrupt Roman leader Tiberius arrives with a giant army to claim the Silk Road, Huo An teams up his army with an elite Legion of defected Roman soldiers led by General Lucius to protect his country and his new friends.

 Un Gallo Con Muchos Huevos (NR)
Opens on Friday, September 4
Starring: Angelica Vale, Bruno Bichir, Maite Perroni

The world’s most egg-cellent animated (Huevo Cartoon) series finally cracks the U.S. big screen with UN GALLO CON MUCHOS HUEVOS! Toto,  was born the runt of the litter. But, when an evil rancher threatens to destroy his home and his family, Toto must go from a timid young “chicken” to a brave and scrappy rooster. Toto and his friends  must band together on an egg-citing adventure that will prove that big surprises can come from little packages.

  Queen of Carthage (R)
Opened on Tuesday, September 1
Starring: Keisha Castle-Hughes, Graham Candy, Amanda Tito

An American Drifter discovers a New Zealand Singer and develops and obsession for him.

I’m looking forward to seeing Dragon Blade, Walk in the Woods, and Before We Go. What are you looking forward to seeing this weekend? Did I miss any films?

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Real Murders: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery (2015) Rated NR

A librarian hosts a Murder Mystery book club, but when the members start dying like the characters in the books they are reading, she must uncover the murderer before the club has another victim. Based on the book by Charlaine Harris. Starring Candace Cameron Bure, Marilu Henner, Lexa Doig

This is the second film that Hallmark has done for the Aurora Teagarden series.  I didn’t watch the first one, Bone to Pick, yet, but I have it on my DVR.  That said, I did feel a little out of the loop as far as references to past event and people were concerned. I also thought there were too many characters, but maybe I wouldn’t have felt so overwhelmed had I seen the first film, where several were introduced.

What I did enjoy was watching Candace Cameron Bure in the role of  Aurora Teagarden. She seemed truly fascinated by the mystery, yet she expressed great compassion for the victims involved. The film also manages to keep the tone light, despite the heavy subject matter.  There is also a building sense of urgency as Teagarden seeks out the murderer. This is a film worth a watch.

 

 

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New This Week on DVD, September 1st, 2015

  Mad Max: Fury Road (R)

A woman rebels against a tyrannical ruler in post apocalyptic Australia in search for her homeland with the help of a group of female prisoners, a psychotic worshiper, and a drifter named Max, who is anything but happy. Starring Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult

  I’ll See You in My Dreams (PG-13)

A widow and former songstress discovers that life can begin anew at any age. Starring Blythe Danner, June Squibb, Rhea Perlman

 

 Dior and I (R)

Dior and I brings the viewer inside the storied world of the Christian Dior fashion house with a privileged, behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Raf Simons’ first haute couture collection as its new artistic director-a true labor of love created by a dedicated group of collaborators. Melding the everyday, pressure-filled components of fashion with mysterious echoes from the iconic brand’s past, the film is also a colorful homage to the seamstresses who serve Simons’ vision. Starring Grace Coddington, Marion Cotillard, Isabelle Huppert, Marc Jacobs, Jennifer Lawrence

 The D Train (R)

The head of a high school reunion committee travels to Los Angeles to track down the most popular guy from his graduating class and convince him to go to the reunion. Starring Jack Black, James Marsden, Kathryn Hahn, Jeffrey Tambor

 Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me (PG)

As he struggles with Alzheimer’s disease, country-music legend Glen Campbell embarks on his farewell tour in the U.S., Australia, and Europe. Starring Glen Campbell, Kim Campbell, Ronald Petersen

 Good Kill (R)

A family man begins to question the ethics of his job as a drone pilot. Starring Fatima El Bahraquy, El Khttabi Abdelouahab, Ethan Hawke, Bruce Greenwood

 Boulevard (R)

A devoted husband in a marriage of convenience is forced to confront his secret life. Starring Robin Williams, Bob Odenkirk, Kathy Baker

 

 Gemma Bovery (R)

Martin, an ex-Parisian well-heeled hipster passionate about Gustave Flaubert who settled into a Norman village as a baker, sees an English couple moving into a small farm nearby. Not only are the names of the new arrivals Gemma and Charles Bovery, but their behavior also seems to be inspired by Flaubert’s heroes. Starring Fabrice Luchini, Gemma Arterton, Jason Flemyng

 7 Minutes (NR)

Three high school friends are forced to commit a brazen robbery which quickly goes horribly wrong. Starring Leven Rambin, Jason Ritter, Luke Mitchell, Kris Kristofferson

 Castle: The Complete Seventh Season (TV-14)

After a serial killer imitates the plots of his novels, successful mystery novelist Richard “Rick” Castle receives permission from the Mayor of New York City to tag along with an NYPD homicide investigation team for research purposes. Starring Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Jon Huertas, Seamus Dever

 The Face of an Angel (NR)

Both a journalist and a documentary filmmaker chase the story of a murder and its prime suspect. Starring Cara Delevingne, Kate Beckinsale, Daniel Brühl

 The Harvest (NR)

A couple who keeps their sick son in a secluded environment find their controlled lives challenged by a young girl who moves in next door. Starring Samantha Morton, Michael Shannon, Natasha Calis

 Nashville: The Complete Third Season (TV-PG)

A fading country music star comes into conflict with a rising teen star. Starring Connie Britton, Clare Bowen, Hayden Panettiere

 

 Scorpion: Season One (TV-14)

An eccentric genius forms an international network of super-geniuses to act as the last line of defense against the complicated threats of the modern world. Starring Elyes Gabel, Katharine McPhee, Eddie Kaye Thomas

 Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season One (TV-Y7)

A brave and clever ragtag starship crew stands up against the evil Empire as it tightens its grip on the galaxy and hunts down the last of the Jedi Knights. Starring Vanessa Marshall, Freddie Prinze Jr.,  Steve Blum

The Turning (2013) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - United Kingdom ] The Turning (R)

A collection of short films based on stories by Australian writer Tim Winton. Starring Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Rose Byrne

 

 

 The Vampire Diaries: The Complete Sixth Season (TV-14)

A teenage girl is torn between two vampire brothers. Starring Ian Somerhalder, Kat Graham, Candice Accola, Zach Roerig

 

 Backcountry (R)

An urban couple go camping in the woods and find themselves lost in the territory of a predatory black bear. Starring Missy Peregrym, Eric Balfour, Jeff Roop, Nicholas Campbell

 Bessie (TV-MA)

The story of legendary blues performer, Bessie Smith, who rose to fame during the 1920s and ’30s. Starring Tika Sumpter, Michael Kenneth Williams, Queen Latifah, Bryan Greenberg, Mike Epps, Oliver Platt, Khandi Alexander, Mo’Nique

 Broken Horses (R)

The bonds of brotherhood, the laws of loyalty, and the futility of violence in the shadows of the US Mexico border gang wars. Starring Anton Yelchin, Chris Marquette, Vincent D’Onofrio, Sean Patrick Flanery

 Chicago Fire: Season Three (NR)

The story of firefighters in Chicago, both on a personal and professional level.  Starring Jesse Spencer, Taylor Kinney, Monica Raymund, Yuri Sardarov, Eamonn Walker, Christian Stolte, Randy Flagler

 Chicago P.D.: Season Two (NR)

Follows District 21 of the Chicago Police Department, which is made up of two distinctly different groups: the uniformed cops and the Intelligence Unit. Starring Jason Beghe, Jon Seda, Elias Koteas

 Cleveland Abduction (NR)

A single mother who becomes the first victim of kidnapper Ariel Castro finds herself trapped in his home for 11 years, where she eventually becomes a friend and sister to two other women who are taken captive by Castro. Starring Taryn Manning, Raymond Cruz, Katie Sarife, Samantha Droke

 Dark Was the Night (NR)

An evil is unleashed in a small town when a logging company sets up shop in the neighboring woods. Starring Steve Agee, Lukas Haas, Kevin Durand

 

 Detectorists (NR)

The lives of two eccentric metal detectorists, who spend their days plodding along ploughed tracks and open fields, hoping to disturb the tedium by unearthing the fortune of a lifetime. Starring Mackenzie Crook, Toby Jones, Lucy Benjamin, Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Rachael Stirling, Gerard Horan, Divian Ladwa, Pearce Quigley

 Extinction (R)

And suddenly, overnight, the world came to a halt. Two men, two survivors, one kid, and hatred that separates them. A place forgotten by everyone, including the creatures that inhabit the Earth… until now. Starring Matthew Fox, Jeffrey Donovan, Quinn McColgan

 The Hill Chris Climbed: The Gridiron Heroes Story (NR)

When a young high school football took a hit that paralyzed him on the field, his life turned to despair and loneliness until a chance moment brought him from the depths of hell to the joys of being a hero to all. Starring Chris Canales, Taylor Kitsch, Eddie Canales

 Hawaii Five-O: The Fifth Season (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. Starring Scott Caan, Alex O’Loughlin, Daniel Dae Kim, Grace Park

 I am Dale Earnhardt (NR)

“I Am Dale Earnhardt” digs deep beyond the legend to reveal the complex figure at the core of “The Intimidator.” He was an idol to millions, but a villain to others; a working man’s hero, but also a darling of Madison Avenue; a husband, father and friend, but also a solitary man who few really knew. His tragic death on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500 sent shock waves through the nation and immortalized him as one of the greatest stars NASCAR has ever known. Starring Jack Arute, Doc Brooks, Kix Brooks, Dale Earnhardt Jr.

 Jesse James Lawman (NR)

When a small town is overrun by the gang of outlaws. The Mayor finds that they are under the thumb of the gang’s leader, villainous Hoyt Killian. The town’s sheriff takes it upon himself to hire famed outlaw Jesse James to infiltrate the gang and stop their evil plans from inside their ranks. Its outlaw versus outlaw and to the winner goes the town and it’s secret treasures. An action packed western featuring Kevin Sorbo and the legendary Peter Fonda. Starring Kevin Sorbo, Peter Fonda, Andrew Galligan

  The League: The Complete Season Six  (TV-MA)

An ensemble comedy that follows a group of old friends in a fantasy football league who care deeply about one another — so deeply that they use every opportunity to make each other’s lives miserable. Starring Mark Duplass, Nick Kroll, Jonathan Lajoie, Stephen Rannazzisi, Paul Scheer

 Madam Secretary: Season One (NR)

A look at the personal and professional life of a Secretary of State as she tries to balance her work and family life. Starring Geoffrey Arend, Téa Leoni, Tim Daly

 The Originals: The Complete Second Season (TV-14)

A family of power-hungry thousand year old vampires look to take back the city that they built and dominate all those who have done them wrong. Starring Joseph Morgan, Daniel Gillies, Phoebe Tonkin, Charles Michael Davis, Leah Pipes, Danielle Campbell

 Teen Wolf: Season 3, Part 1 (TV-14)

A somewhat awkward teen is attacked by a werewolf and inherits the curse himself, as well as the enemies that come with it. Starring Tyler Posey, Dylan O’Brien, Linden Ashby

 Texas Rising (NR)

The story of how the Texas Rangers were created. Starring Bill Paxton, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Olivier Martinez

 

 Zapped (NR)

When 16-year-old Zoey’s mom remarries, Zoey finds it hard adjusting to her new life – no longer the only kid in the family. Starring Zendaya, Chanelle Peloso, Spencer Boldman

Synopsis by IMDB

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Significant Mother (CW) Rated NR

Significant MotherNate’s newly divorced mother begins dating his best friend. Starring Josh Zuckerman, Nathaniel Buzolic, Krista Allen, Emma Fitzpatrick

This show has no substance, and none of the characters can think past their hormones. The first episode has Nate walking in on his mother with his best friend in bed. We have no idea how these two got together or why they are together except for the sex. To make the show worse, all the jokes are based on sexual innuendo.  Actually, all the conversations revolve around sex, none of which are mature in the least.   Anything else- even the weather- would be acceptable over, “You’re banging my mom, and I’m not getting any.” This show is full of TMI, making it painful to watch.  It is a pass for me.

 

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Wes Craven (1939-2015)

wes craven

(1939-2015)

 Scream (1996) Rated R

Attempting to cope with her mother’s murder, Sydney and her horror movie-obsessed friends are stalked by a murderer who seems to have a hard time letting the past go.

 Paris, je t’aime (2006) Rated R

Through the neighborhoods of Paris, love is veiled, revealed, imitated, sucked dry, reinvented and awakened.

 

 A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) Rated R

Several people are hunted by a cruel serial killer who kills his victims in their dreams. When the survivors are trying to find the reason for being chosen, the murderer won’t lose any chance to kill them as soon as they fall asleep.

 Project Greenlight (2001–2005) Rated NR

The second season of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s movie making reality series goes a different route when it’s two professionals realizing their vision on screen instead of just one: writer and director.

 Red Eye (2005) Rated PG-13

A woman is kidnapped by a stranger on a routine flight. Threatened by the potential murder of her father, she is pulled into a plot to assist her captor in offing a politician.

Synopsis by IMDB

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Humans (AMC) Rated NR

HumansIn the parallel world where the must-have new gadget is a robot called a Synth. The show explores the emotional blurred lines between humans and machines. Based on the Swedish drama Real Humans. Starring Gemma Chan, Katherine Parkinson, Lucy Carless, Tom Goodman-Hill, Ivanno Jeremiah, Theo Stevenson, Pixie Davies, Colin Morgan, Emily Berrington

AMC has been very good at producing top quality TV shows, and this one is no exception. The acting was excellent. The story didn’t falter. As with nearly all the shows coming from Europe to the U.S., you know they will give you a great story with depth and well-developed characters. Add in exceptional acting, and this show is nearly flawless. It’s not surprising that this show has already been renewed for a second season. This show is worth a watch.

 

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St. Vincent (2014) Rated PG-13

St. VincentA boy whose parents just divorced makes friends with the sarcastic and crude man next door. Starring Bill Murray, Melissa McCarthy, Naomi Watts,  Chris O’Dowd, Terrence Howard

This has to be one of the best films I’ve seen this year. The casting was superb, especially Bill Murray, who was at his finest. Jaeden Lieberher plays the boy with a complex blend of innocence and precociousness that compliments Murray perfectly.  Naomi Watts floored me as Daka, the Russian prostitute; I almost didn’t recognize her.  And, don’t count out Melissa McCarthy, in an uncharacteristically understated performance as the boy’s mom, who is doing her best to take care of her son and make ends meet after a divorce.   This film balances comedy and drama with precision, leaving you feeling both uplifted and thoughtful at the end.  This is an excellent, must watch film.

 

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If There Be Thorns (2015) Rated TV-14

If There Be ThornsChristopher and Cathy are living together with their new family when their mother moves in next door. Based on the book by V.C. Andrews. Starring Heather Graham, Rachael Carpani, Jason Lewis

This third film in the Flowers in the Attic series continues the incestuous relationship of the Dollanganger family. Exploding with fire and a touch of crazy, it is quintessential V.C. Andrews. The star of the film is Mason Cook, who played the young Bart Sheffield, “son” of Chris and Cathy. Throughout the film, Cook makes you wonder if he is crazy or just smart enough cover the fact that he knows what’s really going on, until he can expose how crazy his family truly is. The actors in this series keep changing except for Heather Graham, who plays the matriarch of the family. In the last two films she was excellent, but I found her performance a bit stale in this third installment. This film is only worth a watch to see Mason Cook’s performance.

 

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