Past Malice (Hallmark) Rated NR

Posted on September 9, 2023 by laurarachel4

Emma is an archaeologist who helps solve murder mysteries with an FBI friend. Based on the books by Dana Cameron. Starring Courtney Thorne-Smith, James Tupper, and Adam DiMarco.

This series wasn’t too bad. It still wasn’t the best; Thorne-Smith is not our usual Hallmark princess, but she isn’t bad. She’s just different, which I think makes the series a little interesting. The story wasn’t bad either. I thought that out of all the murder mystery series, this one was a little more possible. There are some continuity issues with the script, and some of the stuff doesn’t make sense, but I was pulled into the story. It’s not one of the better mystery series that Hallmark has, but it is one that’s worth the watch.

 

Posted in 2017, Based on a Novel, Crime, films, Hallmark Movies, Hallmark Series, Miniseries, Movie reviews, movies, Mysteries, Rated NR, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Chronicle Mysteries (Hallmark) Rated NR

Posted on September 8, 2023 by laurarachel4

A podcaster investigates cold cases and true crime for her podcast. Starring Alison Sweeney, Benjamin Ayres, and Olivia Steele Falconer.

I was not impressed with this series. I felt the writing was weak, and while Sweeney and Ayres had some chemistry, it really didn’t come off as romantic. Although, I don’t think they ever got together, even if the writers were trying to state that there was a chance. I do have to say, I like Sweeney more in the Murder She Baked series. The writing of these films lacked continuity. There was a lot of missing information or information that was only given in passing. Maybe that’s due to this not being based on a book series, whereas a lot of other Hallmark Movie series are. This film falls short on so many levels, making it not worth the watch. 

Posted in 2019, Crime, Drama, films, Hallmark Movies, Hallmark Series, Miniseries, Movie reviews, movies, Rated NR, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New This Week in Theaters, September 7, 2023

Posted on September 7, 2023 by laurarachel4

 

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 (2023) - IMDb My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 (PG-13)
Opens on Friday, September 9th
Starring: Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Louis Mandylor 

After travelling to Greece for a family reunion, a woman attempts to locate her deceased father’s childhood friends.

The Nun II (2023) - IMDb The Nun II (R)
Opens on Friday, September 9th
Starring: Taissa Farmiga, Jonas Bloquet, Storm Reid

1956 – France. A priest is murdered. An evil is spreading. The sequel to the worldwide smash hit follows Sister Irene as she once again comes face-to-face with Valak, the demon nun.


My Animal (2023) - IMDb My Animal (R)
Opens on Friday, September 9th
Starring: Bobbi Salvör Menuez, Amandla Stenberg, Heidi von Palleske 

Heather, an outcast teenage goalie, falls for newcomer Jonny, an alluring but tormented figure skater. As their relationship deepens, Heather’s growing desires clash with her darkest secret, forcing her to control the animal within.


Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (2022) - IMDb Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (PG-13)
Opens on Friday, September 9th
Starring: Luna Blaise, Kevin Alejandro, Eva Longoria 

Based on the book by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, set in 1987 El Paso, it’s the tale of two teenage Mexican-American loners as they explore their friendship and the difficult road to self-discovery.

Amerikatsi (2022) - IMDb Amerikatsi (NR)
Opens on Friday, September 9th
Starring: Michael A. Goorjian, Hovik Keuchkerian, Nelli Uvarova 

Charlie escapes the Armenian genocide as a boy by fleeing to the United States, but he returns as an adult and is arrested. He watches an Armenian couple from his prison cell, finally learning about his homeland.

Synopsis by IMDB.

 

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

I’m Dying up Here (Showtime) Rated TV-MA

Posted on September 7, 2023 by laurarachel4

This series is based on the start of stand-up comedy in the 1970s, a golden age when stand-up comedians were revered. Based on the book by William Knoedelseder. Starring Melissa Leo, Ari Graynor, and Michael Angarano.

This show is not at all what I was expecting. It’s a dark drama, where the humor isn’t funny. Then you have the politicalness of the drama. The characters are black and white; there are no grey characters. The show highlights the celebrations of sex, drugs, and alcohol. It’s not the romance of the era, it’s the sickness of the era. There is nothing redeeming about the show or its characters. I’m aware of the damage that sex, drugs, and alcohol do to the ones who abuse them, and the early comedians had their full share of it. The show revolves around it, depicting it as a positive, and we know now that is not the case. This series is not worth the watch.

 

Posted in 2017, Based on a Novel, Comedy, Drama, Rated TV-MA, reviews, Showtime, Tv Shows | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Christmas Next Door (2017) Rated TV-G

Posted on September 6, 2023 by laurarachel4

An author is forced to look after his niece and nephew during the holiday season. His next-door neighbor helps him with his Christmas spirit. Starring Jesse Metcalfe, Fiona Gubelmann, and Brittany Bristow. 

This is a typical Hallmark Christmas film. We have a man who thinks he’s jinxed for Christmas. Some of the synopsis makes it sound like he hates women, but that is not the case; he just likes his life as is until someone comes along to brighten it. It’s a good story, and the chemistry between the actors is good. Although, it does have some problems with the script and scenes. The biggest problem that annoyed me throughout the film was how the neighbors were supposed to be a couple of doors down and yet they could hear everything going on in each other’s house. If the noise was that loud, I feel for the neighbors between them. Then, it does look like they are neighbors, but when the author goes to the girl’s house, a man answers – very confusing set. There was so much continuity loss that it was really annoying. This film is not worth the watch. 

 

Posted in 2017, Christmas Films, Family, films, Hallmark Movies, Movie reviews, movies, Rated TV-G, reviews, Romance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Kid (1921) Rated NR

Posted on September 5, 2023 by laurarachel4

A bum cares for an abandoned child. Starring Charles Chaplin, Jackie Coogan, and Carl Miller.

This is a brilliant silent film. It has the classic slapstick comedy, but it also has the heart. While there are some aged moments and a bizarre sequence that doesn’t fit the film or its story, it does have the style and heightened reality that is typical in silent films. The acting is brilliant by both Chaplin and Coogan. It’s a social film that does have its moments of politics, but it’s still a product of its time. The film is entertaining and worth the watch.

Posted in 1921, Comedy, Drama, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated NR | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New This Week on DVD, September 5, 2023

Posted on September 5, 2023 by laurarachel4

 

 Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (PG)

Miles Morales catapults across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. When the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles must redefine what it means to be a hero. Starring Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Brian Tyree Henry 

 Master Gardener (R)

A meticulous horticulturist who is devoted to tending the grounds of a beautiful estate and pandering to his employer, the wealthy dowager. Starring Joel Edgerton, Sigourney Weaver, Quintessa Swindell

 Harley Quinn: The Complete Third Season (TV-14)

The series focuses on a single Harley Quinn, who sets off to make it on her own in Gotham City. Starring Kaley Cuoco, Lake Bell, Alan Tudyk 

 Star Trek: Picard – The Final Season (TV-MA)

Follow-up series to Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) and Star Trek: Nemesis (2002) that centers on Jean-Luc Picard in the next chapter of his life. Starring Patrick Stewart, Michelle Hurd, Jeri Ryan 

 NCIS: Los Angeles – The Final Season (18+)

The Naval Criminal Investigation Service’s Office of Special Projects takes on the undercover work and the hard to crack cases in LA. Key agents are G. Callen and Sam Hanna, streets kids risen through the ranks. Starring Chris O’Donnell, Daniela Ruah, LL Cool J 

Synopsis by IMDB. 

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

Christmas in the Air (2017) Rated TV-G

Posted on September 4, 2023 by laurarachel4

 Struggling to keep his work life and personal life balanced, a widowed father hires a professional organizer. Starring Catherine Bell, Eric Close, and Ken Tremblett. 

This is a typical Hallmark movie, although, this one stands out thanks to the wonderful actors. Both Bell and Close do a superb job with chemistry and the story. The story isn’t perfect; it does have some moments that don’t flow as nicely as they could. I did enjoy that the father makes the meal and is more involved than expected. The organizer is there to help but not be the wife by proxy. While the chemistry between Bell and Close is good, they just don’t seem like a couple. However, this film is still worth the watch during the holiday season. 

Posted in 2017, Christmas Films, Comedy, films, Hallmark Movies, Movie reviews, movies, Rated TV-G, reviews, Romance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Craft (1996) Rated R

Posted on September 3, 2023 by laurarachel4

A newcomer to a high school falls in with a group of friends that follows witchcraft. Starring Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, and Neve Campbell.

The film is a mix of teen angst and dark thriller, but there isn’t anything special about it. The actors are all good looking and tend to be bullied, so they join Wicca in order to cause harm to their tormentors, but it goes too far. It always goes too far. However, it does have some good special effects when the witches have gone too far. Although, it does seem over-the-top at times from the shift of teen angst to the fight between good and evil. It’s as unrealistic as you can get for a teen angst film. It’s not worth the watch.

Posted in 1996, Drama, Fantasy, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated R, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Broadway’s Brightest Lights (2023) Rated NR

Posted on September 2, 2023 by laurarachel4

American Pops Orchestra performs new arrangements of classic broadway songs. Starring Luke Frazier, Megan Hilty, and American Pops Orchestra.

This is a wonderful concert featuring some of Broadway’s talent as they perform arrangements by the newly formed American Pops Orchestra. It’s a joy to see the beauty of too songs sung by wonderful Broadway stars. The American Pops Orchestra doesn’t make the songs radical – they’re just beautifully composed. Of course, I would have enjoyed some of the more popular hits, but it does cover a wide range of songs. It’s a special that is worth the watch. 

Posted in 2023, films, Music, Rated NR, reviews, Tv Shows, TV Special | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment