Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) Rated G

Posted on September 17, 2023 by laurarachel4

A boy hopes to get a golden ticket to visit and tour Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory. Based on the book by Roald Dahl. Starring Gene Wilder, Jack Albertson, and Peter Ostrum.

This is a classic film that is beautifully made. Wilder is a quinessentially Wonka, from the unscripted trip to greet the children to his mischievous smile throughout the film. He’s a natural Wonka, a man who you can trust yet you aren’t sure you do trust him. The production design is fabulous; it feels like you’ve actually transported into a world of imagination. Then you have the wonderful soundtrack that adds to the amazing imagination of the chocolate factory. This film is worth the watch.

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Curious Caterer: Grilling Season (2022) Rated TV-PG

Posted on September 16, 2023 by laurarachel4

 Caterer Goldy Berry reunites with Detective Schultz when a realtor is murdered. Based on the book series by Diane Mott Davidson. Starring Nikki Deloach, Andrew W. Walker, and Jaycie Dotin. 

This new Hallmark mystery series is becoming a favorite. I’m still not sure about Deloach; although, in this film she is warming up to her character. I still love Andrew Walker; he knows his character and is relaxed with it. The chemistry between the two is still lacking, but the chasm isn’t as wide. The stories are great, and that is partly due to the writing of Diane Mott Davidson. For once, a Hallmark series makes me want to read the books. This film is worth the watch. 

Posted in 2022, Based on a Novel, films, Hallmark Movies, Movie reviews, movies, Mysteries, Rated TV-PG, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Happens at the Abbey (E!) Rated NR

Posted on September 15, 2023 by laurarachel4

This reality show goes behind the scenes of the bar “The Abbey,” a local hot spot in LA. Starring Kim Senser, Billy Reilich, and Murray Swanby.

I was not impressed by this series. Reality TV has hit a new low with this one. The first episode basically introduces the characters to us and makes it clear that the show is based on sex. Every character seems to be out for sex, and no one cares about anyone but themself. It just made me nauseous to witness how sick this show is. It’s not fun to have your focus be on who can make you feel good in the moment rather than finding someone to share a lifetime of moments with. Everyone is seeking something for themselves. None of the characters relate to me, and none of the characters make me want to be them. It’s the worst reality show I’ve seen. Also, I don’t ever want to visit The Abbey, even just to spot a celebrity. I wouldn’t step foot inside. It’s not worth the watch.

Posted in 2017, E!, Rated NR, Reality TV, reviews, Tv Shows | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New This Week in Theaters, September 14, 2023

Posted on September 14, 2023 by laurarachel4

A Haunting in Venice (2023) - IMDb A Haunting In Venice (PG-13)
Opens on Friday, September 15
Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Dylan Corbett-Bader, Amir El-Masry 

In post-World War II Venice, Poirot, now retired and living in his own exile, reluctantly attends a seance. But when one of the guests is murdered, it is up to the former detective to once again uncover the killer.

Camp Hideout (2023) - IMDb Camp Hideout (PG)
Opens on Friday, September 15
Starring: Corbin Bleu, Ethan Drew, Amanda Leighton 

After a troubled teen steals an important item from two big city goons, he hides in a church summer camp and finds he must protect his new found friends at all cost when the goons track him down.

Outlaw Johnny Black (2023) - IMDb Outlaw Johnny Black (PG-13)
Opens on Friday, September 15
Starring: Michael Jai White, Anika Noni Rose, Erica Ash 

Hell bent on avenging the death of his father, Johnny Black vows to gun down Brett Clayton and becomes a wanted man in the process while posing as a preacher in a small mining town that’s been taken over by a notorious Land Baron.


The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley (2019) - IMDb The Inventor (PG)
Opens on Friday, September 15
Starring: Daisy Ridley, Matt Berry, Marion Cotillard

Inventing flying contraptions, war machines and studying cadavers, Leonardo da Vinci tackles the meaning of life itself with the help of French princess Marguerite de Nevarre.

My Last Best Friend (2023) - IMDb My Last Best Friend (NR)
Opens on Friday, September 15
Starring: Eric Roberts, Carol Alt, Rico Simonini

New York City. March – April 2020. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, two men, both named Walter Stoyanov, watch their lives getting turned upside down, as one of them falls ill and the other one is being investigated by FBI Special Agent John McCallany.

Elis & Tom, só tinha de ser com você (2023) - IMDb Elis & Tom, só tinha de ser com você (NR)
Opens on Friday, September 15
Starring: Elis Regina, Antonio Carlos Jobim, César Camargo Mariano 

Documentary about the recording of the iconic Brazilian music album “Elis and Tom”.

Synopsis by IMDB. 

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Cursed (2005) Rated PG-13

Posted on September 14, 2023 by laurarachel4

 A werewolf is on the loose in Los Angeles, and its rampage changes the lives of three people who learn they must kill it to keep themselves from becoming werewolves. Starring Portia de Rossi, Mya, Shannon Elizabeth, Jesse Eisenberg, Milo Ventimiglia, Christina Ricci, and Joshua Jackson.

This is reminiscent of the 90s horror films. To me, it’s a classic Wes Craven film. It has his stamp on it. The special effects are good, but you can tell are old school. The story is as good as you can get, and you are able to follow it through. Some horror films makes the story so unrealistic that you can’t see it happening. This film is the opposite; even with a fantasy of the werewolf, you can actually see that this might happen to you. It’s not a bad film, but it’s not the greatest either. Thus, the film is not worth the watch.  

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What If… (2010) Rated PG

Posted on September 13, 2023 by laurarachel4

Ben Walker gets a look at what his life would’ve been like if he’d followed his heart. Starring Kevin Sorbo, Kristy Swanson, and John Ratzenberger.

This is a twist on It’s a Wonderful Life. The film has a wonderful moral of the story. A man who had love of money is given a chance to see the life he would have had if he’d chosen God over money. While the story is wonderful and fun, it does have the typical Christian film aspect of sermon over story. The actors do a fabulous job; you can tell that they know what they are doing with their characters. This film is a wonderful story, but it does have that too sweet feeling, making you wish they would go deeper. Still, this film is worth the watch.

Posted in 2010, Christian Films, Drama, Family, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated PG, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Danger Lurking Under My Roof (2023) Rated TV-14

Posted on September 12, 2023 by laurarachel4

 A family welcomes another family into their garden house for charity but then their teenage daughter disappears. Starring Kristi Murdock, Noémi VanSlyke, James Hyde

This film seems to take place an alternate universe feel. The charity is something I’ve never heard of but seem logical. While you know something is going to happen but are unsure how seemed also logical. The film is written well with a good twist at the end. Although, the acting is not the best but the actors all look like I’ve seen them before in something else. I was never able to pin point where else I had seen them. The film does have the made for TV feel. While it’s a fun watch on a cold night, the film is not worth the watch. 

Posted in 2023, films, lifetime movies, Movie reviews, movies, Rated TV-14, reviews, Thrillers, TV Movie | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New This Week on DVD, September 12, 2023

Posted on September 12, 2023 by laurarachel4

 

 Air (R)

Follows the history of sports marketing executive Sonny Vaccaro, and how he led Nike in its pursuit of the greatest athlete in the history of basketball, Michael Jordan. Starring Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, Ben Affleck 

 Joy Ride (R)

Follows four Asian American friends as they bond and discover the truth of what it means to know and love who you are, while they travel through China in search of one of their birth mothers. Starring Debbie Fan, Kenneth Liu, Annie Mumolo 

 Great American Recipe: Season Two (NR)

It is a cooking competition series where talented home cooks from different regions of the country have opportunity to showcase their signature dishes and compete to win the national search. Starring Alejandra Ramos, Tiffany Derry, Graham Elliot 

 Chicago P.D.: Season Ten (TV-14)

Follows District 21 of the Chicago Police Department, made up of two different groups: the uniformed cops and the Intelligence Unit. Starring Jason Beghe, Patrick John Flueger, Marina Squerciati 

 Succession: The Complete Series (TV-MA)

The Roy family is known for controlling the biggest media and entertainment company in the world. However, their world changes when their father steps down from the company. Starring Nicholas Braun, Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin 

 The Walking Dead – Dead City: The Complete First Season (TV-MA)

Maggie and Negan travel into a post-apocalyptic Manhattan long ago cut off from the mainland. The city is filled with the dead and denizens who have made New York City their own world. Starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Lauren Cohan, Gaius Charles 

 George & Tammy (TV-MA)

A look at the romance between famed country musicians George Jones and Tammy Wynette. Starring Jessica Chastain, Michael Shannon, Steve Zahn 

 Poker Face: Season One (TV-MA)

Charlie has an extraordinary ability to determine when someone is lying. She hits the road with her Plymouth Barracuda and with every stop encounters a new cast of characters and strange crimes she can’t help but investigate and solve. Starring Natasha Lyonne, Benjamin Bratt, Simon Helberg 

 Cobra Kai: Season 5 (TV-14)

Decades after their 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament bout, a middle-aged Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence find themselves martial-arts rivals again. Starring Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Courtney Henggeler 

Synopsis by IMDB.

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

Waffle Street (2015) Rated NR

Posted on September 11, 2023 by laurarachel4

After being fired from a mortgage fund, Jim decides to work at a 24-hour diner where he learns a new perspective on life. Based on the memoir by James Adams. Starring James Lafferty, Danny Glover, and Julie Gonzalo.

This feel-good film focuses on James as a sympathetic character with a wonderful outlook on life. The character doesn’t have an air of arrogance about him as he learns a different way of life. However, there are some stereotypical characters and storylines. The film seems to present a cookie-cutter life that many have and may have been through, as life is always about ups and downs. Overall, is just a sweet story that doesn’t have much depth to it, making it not worth the watch.

Posted in 2015, Based on a True Story, Comedy, Drama, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated NR, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cocaine Sharks (Discovery) Rated TV-14

Posted on September 10, 2023 by laurarachel4

Scientists study if sharks are in contact with cocaine. Starring Tom Hird, Tracy Fanara, and Richard Trapp.

This show is interesting, but they have little evidence to support that sharks are high on cocaine. What they do prove is that sharks are interested in packages that look like cocaine. So, I would state that they probably have been in contact with cocaine, but the likelihood of them getting high or actually ingesting the packages isn’t supported. They used bait to see if the sharks would ingest the packages and if their behavior changed. They did notice other behavior changes, but there is no way to know the reason behind those changes. This show is not worth the watch. 

Posted in 2023, Discovery, Documentary, Rated TV-14, reviews, Shark Week, Short, Tv Shows | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment