Christmas Comes to Willow Creek (1987) Rated NR

Posted on September 25, 2023 by laurarachel4

 Two truck driver brothers are asked to bring a load of toys to Willow Creek, Alaska, in time for Christmas. The brothers, who don’t get a long, must face their past and the weather to make a Christmas miracle. Starring John Schneider, Tom Wopat, and Kim Delaney. 

This film is one of my favorite Christmas movies of all time. It does look like it was made in the 80s, but that doesn’t detract from the story. The story is what makes this film wonderful. You have two brothers who fought over a girl and have lost touch. Now, they are forced to be together 24/7 in the cab of a truck. They are then forced to come to terms with their past. The film is about family and the spirit of the season tied into a story that is quintessentially Christmas. This film is worth the watch every Christmas. 

Posted in 1987, Christmas Films, Drama, Family, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated NR, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sherlock Holmes (2009) Rated PG-13

Posted on September 24, 2023 by laurarachel4

 Detective Sherlock Holmes and Watson battle a nemesis who threatens all of England. Starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, and Rachel McAdams.

This film is enjoyable to watch, and the filmmakers do a wonderful job at bringing the world of Sherlock Holmes to life. The cinematographer had fun in this film as he gives us a grey and drab London. He also uses dark lighting in the film, and that annoys me. The characters do a wonderful job at keeping up with the banter. Its also nice that the story keeps you intrigued, even if you know these characters like the back of your hand. For the most part, this one is fun to watch and worth it.  

Posted in 2009, Action, Adventure, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated PG-13, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

America: Promised Land (History) Rated NR

Posted on September 23, 2023 by laurarachel4

This series showcases the history of immigration in the U.S., including interviews with ancestors of those who immigrated here. Starring Corey Johnson, Milton Schorr, and Scot Cooper.

This is one of those shows on the History Channel that needs more work. First, they need to do more research on the history of immigration in the U.S. as most of these facts are fiction. While some of the historical contributions to the United States are fun to watch and enjoyable to see what makes up our history, this show just doesn’t give us factual, historical evidence. It just tells us stories about the different groups that immigrated here. The show has a political feel to the program. It’s not worth the watch.

Posted in 2017, Historical, History Channel, reviews, Tv Shows | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Amelia (2009) Rated PG

Posted on September 22, 2023 by laurarachel4

 A look at the legendary Amelia Earhart as she flies around the world. Starring Hilary Swank, Richard Gere, and Ewan McGregor. 

I know a lot of people don’t like this film. I also feel that this film is looking at Earhart through rose-tinted glasses when it wasn’t all rosy. Swank does a wonderful job at becoming Earhart. I did struggle with the chemistry between the actors. While Earhart had a love affair with George Putnam, I didn’t feel the chemistry between Swank and Gere. The film focuses more on her romances than on her abilities, and the last flight was broken up into pieces, which wasn’t the best. I do commend the filmmakers for not including what may have happened to her; they left it open-ended. It’s a wonderful way to closet the story of her life. While there are still a lot of problems with the film, it just tells the story of Earhart, which makes it worth the watch. 

Posted in 2009, Adventure, Biography, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated PG, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New This Week in Theaters, September 21, 2023

Posted on September 21, 2023 by laurarachel4

 

 

Expend4bles (2023) - IMDb Expend4bles (R)
Opens on Friday, September 22
Starring: Jason Statham, 50 Cent, Megan Fox

Armed with every weapon they can get their hands on, the Expendables are the world’s last line of defense and the team that gets called when all other options are off the table.


It Lives Inside (2023) - IMDb It Lives Inside (PG-13)
Opens on Friday, September 22
Starring: Megan Suri, Neeru Bajwa, Mohana Krishnan 

An Indian-American teenager struggling with her cultural identity has a falling out with her former best friend and, in the process, unwittingly releases a demonic entity that grows stronger by feeding on her loneliness.


Amazon.com: Stop Making Sense [Blu-ray] : Bernie Worrell, Tina Weymouth, Jerry Harrison, Chris Frants, David Byrne, Alex Weir, Jonathan Demme, Talking Heads, Jonathan Demme: Movies & TV Stop Making Sense (PG)
Opens on Friday, September 22
Starring: Bernie Worrell, Alex Weir, Steven Scales 

Considered by critics as the greatest concert film of all time, the live performance was shot over the course of three nights at Hollywood’s Pantages Theater in December of 1983 and features Talking Heads’ most memorable songs.


m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BYjZhYTk0YmQtOTY2NC... The Origin of Evil (R)
Opens on Friday, September 22
Starring: Laure Calamy, Doria Tillier, Dominique Blanc 

A woman on the verge of financial collapse attempts to reconnect with her wealthy, estranged father and his new family.

Relax, I'm from the Future (2023) - IMDb Relax, I’m from the Future (NR)
Opens on Friday, September 22
Starring: Rhys Darby, Gabrielle Graham, Julian Richings 

A man from the future, now trapped in the past, tries to make a life for himself, oblivious to the consequences he has set in motion.

 Creepers ‘R Us (NR)
Opens on Friday, September 22
Starring: Joe Hammerstone, Casey Lee McIntosh, Scarlett O’Shaughnessy

Bill and Joe are creepers who prey on women together, however something happens that forces the men to try and “out-creep” each other.

Synopsis by IMDB. 

 

Posted in 2023, films, Lists, movies, New in Theater | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

America’s War on Drugs (History) Rated TV-14

Posted on September 21, 2023 by laurarachel4

This miniseries takes us through the last five decades as the CIA goes from fighting communism to allying itself with the mafia and drug lords. Starring Richard Stratton, Ty Hurley, and Sam Shoubber.

I thought this show did a wonderful job at being informational with regards to how and why we now have a drug problem in the US. It takes us back to the begining and how they wanted to combat communism and decided to align with the mafia and drug lords. This is history that is not taught in schools, and it isn’t something I was even aware of. Although, it explains a lot of what goes behind closed doors in the White House. It also shows why our government doesn’t want to fully fight the drug war. It also does a fabulous job at giving us both sides of the problem. This series is worth the watch.

Posted in 2017, Documentary, Historical, History Channel, Rated TV-14, reviews, Tv Shows | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Three Rivers (CBS) Rated TV-14

Posted on September 20, 2023 by laurarachel4

 Three Rivers is a show about organ donors. We follow the paths of the donors, the surgeons, and the recipients of the organs at a transplant hospital. Starring Alex O’Loughlin, Kate Moennig, and Daniel Henney. 

While I enjoy watching Alex O’Loughlin, this show is over the top. It’s a struggle to watch as it is so unrealistic. The show revolves around the transplant team, but we don’t really get to know these characters enough to care about them. It touches on their pasts, but it doesn’t really let us know the characters. Then you have the over-the-top, futuristic computer technologies that take over where the characters fall short. It doesn’t help that they use CGI to enlarge the distance between character and machine. I get why they thought this show would do good with the technology. Except it does not. It’s not worth the watch. 

Posted in 2009, CBS, Drama, Rated TV-14, reviews, Tv Shows | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A United Kingdom (2016) Rated PG-13

Posted on September 19, 2023 by laurarachel4

The story of King Seretse Khama of Botswana and his marriage to a British white woman that sent his country into political and diplomatic turmoil. Starring David Oyelowo, Rosamund Pike, and Tom Felton.

Khama is the president of a free Botswana and led his country to their independance. The film showcases the interracial couple in the height of racism and civil rights during the 40s and 50s. The country did not welcome Ruth Williams, the wife of Khama. The film uses color brilliantly for the different countries. The cinematography is brilliant as it weaves this love story through the historical and political turmoil happening around them. It’s a beautiful love story that’s brilliantly brought to life by the actors. This film is worth the watch.

Posted in 2016, Based on a True Story, Biography, Drama, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated PG-13, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New This Week on DVD, September 19, 2023

Posted on September 19, 2023 by laurarachel4

 

 The Little Mermaid (PG)

A young mermaid makes a deal with a sea witch to trade her beautiful voice for human legs so she can discover the world above water and impress a prince. Starring Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King, Melissa McCarthy

 Past Lives (PG-13)

Nora and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends, are wrested apart after Nora’s family emigrates from South Korea. Twenty years later, they are reunited for one fateful week as they confront notions of love and destiny. Starring Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, John Magaro 

 Cannes Confidential (TV-MA)

Cannes Confidential is a high-concept blue sky detective series revolving around the bicker-banter relationship between gutsy no-nonsense detective CAMILLE DELMASSE and charming international conman HARRY KING, thrown together solving crimes on the French riviera. Camille and Harry’s relationship lies at the heart of the show against the luxurious backdrop of Cannes. Camille and Harry’s chemistry is complicated by the fact that Camille’s colleague and wing-woman, LEA ROBERT, has a secret crush on Camille, creating a love triangle arcing across the series. And the deal Camille and Harry makes to free her father, the ex-Chief of Police, from corruption charges. Harry will help her find evidence, or she’ll report him to the Interpol. Starring Jamie Bamber, Jean-Hugues Anglade, Lucie Lucas 

 God’s Country Song (NR)

Noah Bryan wants nothing more than to be the next big country music star, until his past catches up to him. With the help of his seasoned manager Larry Walker, Noah is quickly on his way to becoming the next big thing. Playing the little honky-tonks and cowboy bars starts to pay off and Noah’s career gains momentum. After a show one night, Noah receives the news that he has a four-year-old son named JJ with a woman he barely remembers, who recently passed away, leaving Noah sole custody of the child. JJ is in the care of Leeann, a pretty, young woman who cares deeply for JJ and eventually falls for Noah. Believing his career is over, Noah reluctantly agrees to meet the boy. He quickly realizes he must do the right thing and step up to raise JJ, but soon realizes he needs help. He calls his parents Sara and Jeremiah, and moves home with JJ, back to the farm life he ran away from. Starring Justin Gaston, Christopher Michael, Justene Alpert 

 Fire Country: The Complete First Season (TV-14)

A young convict joins a firefighting program looking for redemption and a shortened prison sentence. He and other inmates work alongside elite firefighters to extinguish massive blazes across the region. Starring Max Thieriot, Kevin Alejandro, Jordan Calloway

 The Way Home: Season One (TV-PG)

Three generations of strong and independent women living together in the small farm town of Port Haven embark on an enlightening journey none of them could have imagined as they learn how to find their way back to each other. Starring Chyler Leigh, Evan Williams, Sadie Laflamme-Snow

 Single, Out: Season 1 (TV-MA)

Following Adam’s first sexual experience, his life is changed forever. Whilst juggling his job, a passion for art and new relationships he learns to come to terms with leaving the closeted single life. Growing up that fast is a balancing act between trying to keep everyone else happy and being true to himself. Being single was easy. Being out is hard. Starring Will Hutchins, Steven Christou, Ryan Stewart 

Synopsis by IMDB. 

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

The Lovely Bones (2009) Rated PG-13

Posted on September 18, 2023 by laurarachel4

 A young woman who was murdered watches over her family and her killer as she battles between the desire for vengeance and for her family to heal. Based on the book by Alice Sebold.  Starring Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, and Susan Sarandon. 

I haven’t read the book. I know it’s a shocker, but I don’t think the film is as intriguing as the book. It’s a slow story that’s a little bit confusing if you haven’t read the book or if you don’t know what the film is about. I think it’s brilliant that Peter Jackman didn’t use the full murder scene in the film. It helps with creating suspense as you know something horrific happened to her. The CGI isn’t always the best, and, at times, I wish they hadn’t used it. The actors do a wonderful job at bringing these characters to life as they each have emotional depth to contend with. This film, overall, is a beautiful telling of a young girl who ends up murdered and the family left behind looking for answers. This film is worth the watch. 

Posted in 2009, Based on a Novel, Drama, Fantasy, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated PG-13, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment