The Resurrection of Gavin Stone (2017) Rated PG

Posted on August 24, 2023 by laurarachel4

A former child star gets community service at a mega-church where he fakes being a Christian to play Jesus in their passion play. Starring Brett Dalton, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, and Neil Flynn.

I was hoping this film would be better than some of the other Christian films out there. While some of the Christian movies released lately have gotten better, this one still lacks in writing. It’s not realistic in any way, and it has all the cliches that Christian films have. It’s too sweet and gentle. I would have enjoyed seeing more of D.B. Sweeney’s character. Dalton wasn’t bad as a wayward soul, and I wish I could recommend it, but I would say this film is not worth the watch.

 

Posted in 2017, Christian Films, Comedy, Drama, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated PG, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Angry Angel (2017) Rated TV-14

Posted on August 23, 2023 by laurarachel4

An angel is trying to get into heaven by doing good deeds. Starring Brenda Song, Andy Favreau, and Andrew Bachelor. 

Freeform released this film during their holiday season. While the film takes place during Christmastime, it does not embody the holiday spirit. It’s a poorly written film with little redemption for the Angry Angel, which the story revolves around. You would think that the woman who loves her husband so much would not interfere in his life. Yet she does. Although, I can’t help but love Brenda Song as the main character, even if she has no care for anyone around her but herself. I think they tried to show that she changed in the end; we just don’t witness the change. She fakes it until she makes it. This film is not worth the watch and is definitely not a Christmas film. 

Posted in 2017, Christmas Films, Comedy, Drama, films, Freeform, Movie reviews, movies, Rated TV-14, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Natalee Holloway (2009) Rated PG-13

Posted on August 22, 2023 by laurarachel4

Based on the true crime of Natalee Holloway’s disappearance in Aruba. Starring Tracy Pollan, Grant Show, and Catherine Dent.

Lifetime is known to produce movies based on real-life sagas. I do think the way this case was handled was a little sloppy. There are questions yet to be answered. The film, of course, doesn’t give us any new information about the case, but it does present a great timeline of the events. While the film does a good job of telling the story of Natalee Holloway, if you haven’t heard of the case, you may have problems understanding the full story. The acting has its moments; the film has good actors, but the damage is mostly the script and a lack of direction. What makes the most impact is the lack of adult supervision of these teenagers. They really should have had more supervision than being left on their own in a foreign land. This film is not worth the watch.

Posted in 2009, Based on a True Story, Biography, Drama, films, lifetime movies, Movie reviews, movies, Rated PG-13, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New This Week on DVD, August 22, 2023

Posted on August 22, 2023 by laurarachel4

 

 The Blackening (R)

Seven friends go away for the weekend and end up trapped in a cabin with a killer who has a vendetta. Will their street smarts and knowledge of horror movies help them stay alive? Probably not. Starring Grace Byers, Jermaine Fowler, Melvin Gregg 

 You Hurt My Feelings (R)

A novelist’s longstanding marriage is suddenly upended when she overhears her husband giving his honest reaction to her latest book. Starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tobias Menzies, Michaela Watkins 

 Chicago Fire: Season 11 (TV-14)

The story of firefighters and paramedics in the city of Chicago, both on a personal and professional level. Starring Taylor Kinney, Christian Stolte, Eamonn Walker 

 NCIS: The Twentieth Season (13+)

The cases of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service’s Washington, D.C. Major Case Response Team. Starring David McCallum, Sean Murray, Mark Harmon 

 CSI: Vegas: The Complete Second Season (TV-14)

Facing an existential threat that could bring down the Crime Lab, a brilliant team of forensic investigators must welcome back old friends and deploy new techniques to preserve and serve justice in Sin City. Starring Paula Newsome, Matt Lauria, Mandeep Dhillon 

 Chicago Med: Season Eight (TV-14)

The city’s most highly skilled medical team saves lives, while navigating their unique interpersonal relationships. Starring Nick Gehlfuss, Marlyne Barrett, S. Epatha Merkerson

Synopsis by IMDB. 

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

American Nightmare (ID) Rated NR

Posted on August 21, 2023 by laurarachel4

This true crime series mixes home videos with crime scene videos so viewers can see the mystery in plain sight. Starring Craig Lee Thomas, Kevin Wayne Walker, and Heather Cazes.

This is an interesting take on true crime, and it’s very effective. We see the victims when they were happy and see interviews with their family and friends. Then we see the clues in the crime scene. They also interviewed the law enforcement that handled the case. It doesn’t give us new information about the case; it just tells the stories of the crimes that were committed. Still, it’s worth the watch. 

Posted in 2019, Crime, Documentary, ID, reviews, Tv Shows | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Little Men (1998) Rated PG

Posted on August 20, 2023 by laurarachel4

Two homeless boys find their way to Plumfield, the rural boarding school run by Jo March and her husband, Friedrich Bhaer. Based on the book by Louisa May Alcott. Starring Kathleen Fee, Michael Caloz, and Mariel Hemingway.

The lesser-known sequel to Little Women, Little Men was never a great classic, and the film reflects this. I am not shy in saying I’m not a huge fan of Alcott’s Little Women. That’s mostly due to the fact that Jo was not my favorite character; I’m not fond of her. Then you have another book based on Jo and her life after Little Women, which doesn’t improve on my heart. The film brings out the simplicity of her life, and while there are moments in her life that cause change, they are not impactful. Overall, the film portrays Jo’s change from an idealistic young woman to a married wife and mother. I never understood her love for her husband, and this film definitely doesn’t help. This film is not worth the watch.

Posted in 1998, Based on a Novel, Drama, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated PG, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Singing Detective (2003) Rated R

Posted on August 19, 2023 by laurarachel4

A writer who’s suffering from a skin disease experiences hallucinations of storylines while in the hospital. Starring Robert Downey Jr., Robin Wright, and Mel Gibson.

This is one of those films that doesn’t make much sense. While the concept is interesting, the end product doesn’t come together well. The concept is a dark noir film, which is brilliantly done; and while the acting wasn’t bad, the singing wasn’t my cup of tea. The downfall of the film is the story and the writing. The characters are not developed. We have characters that we couldn’t care less about. It helps to know the synopsis of the film before watching it, but it doesn’t help if you can’t understand the film. This film is not worth the watch. 

Posted in 2003, Comedy, Crime, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated R, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Famous in Love (Freeform) Rated TV-14

Posted on August 18, 2023 by laurarachel4

A college student breaks into Hollywood where she has to navigate different chemistry. Starring Bella Thorne, Charlie DePew, and Carter Jenkins.

I am so over Bella Thorne. I used to like her and thought she could go far, but I struggle with her as I’ve seen her in interviews. I feel like she isn’t as sincere in herself anymore. Her character in this show almost reflects her personality in the interviews I’ve seen. I also just question the concept of the show. I’m really questioning how is the average person going to relate to this character. Granted, she (the character) is off her deep end in Hollywood; maybe fans can just get into the realism of Hollywood as a way to understand the characters on a deeper level. However, I was not one of them. I was disappointed with the show all around. The writing is bad, and the acting is bad. It’s a show that is not worth the watch.

Posted in 2017, Drama, Freeform, Rated TV-14, reviews, Romance, Tv Shows | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New This Week in Theaters, August 17, 2023

Posted on August 17, 2023 by laurarachel4


Blue Beetle (2023) - IMDb Blue Beetle (PG-13)
Opens on Friday, August 18
Starring: Bruna Marquezine, Xolo Maridueña, Susan Sarandon 

An alien relic chooses Jaime Reyes to be its symbiotic host, bestowing the teenager with a suit of armor that’s capable of extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes the superhero, Blue Beetle.



Strays (2023) - IMDb Strays (R)
Opens on Friday, August 18
Starring: Will Ferrell, Dennis Quaid, Jamie Foxx 

An abandoned dog teams up with other strays to get revenge on his former owner.


Haunting of the Queen Mary - Rotten Tomatoes Haunting of the Queen Mary (NR)
Opens on Friday, August 18
Starring: Alice Eve, Tim Downie, Nell Hudson 

Haunting of the Queen Mary explores the mysterious and violent events surrounding one family’s voyage on Halloween night in 1938, and their interwoven destiny with another family onboard the infamous ocean liner present day.

Landscape with Invisible Hand (2023) - IMDb Landscape with Invisible Hand (R)
Opens on Friday, August 18
Starring: Asante Blackk, Brooklynn MacKinzie, Kylie Rogers 

When an occupying alien species’ bureaucratic rule and advanced technology leaves most of Earth impoverished and unemployed, two teenagers hatch a risky plan to ensure their families’ futures.

Back on the Strip (2023) - IMDb Back on the Strip (R)
Opens on Friday, August 18
Starring: J.B. Smoove, Wesley Snipes, Tiffany Haddish 

A young man moves to Las Vegas to pursue his dream of being a magician, only to end up joining a male stripper group.

The Moon (2023) - IMDb The Moon (NR)
Opens on Friday, August 18
Starring: Sol Kyung-gu, Kyung-soo Do, Kim Hee-ae 

A man is left in space due to an unfortunate accident while another man on Earth struggles to bring him back safely.

Synopsis by IMDB. 

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The Slumber Party (2023) Rated PG-13

Posted on August 17, 2023 by laurarachel4

A teen sleepover party goes awry as the guests become hypnotized and wake up with no memory of what happened the night before. Starring Darby Camp, Emmy Liu-Wang, and Alex Cooper Cohen.

This film is The Hangover for teens. I loved it: the PG version. The teen actors are wonderful as they try to bring teen angst to life while also having the impractical happen to them. It’s a good family film that brings families together. Although, they do add in unconventional family units. The film doesn’t focus on this. It portrays the girls dealing with teen angst about their lives and the recognition of how to handle situations. This film is worth the watch. 

Posted in 2023, Comedy, Disney, Family, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated PG-13, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment