V.C. Andrews’ Web of Dreams – Review

V.C. Andrews’ Web of Dreams – Lifetime – 2 hours and 3 minutes

Annie walks back into the Farthinggale Manor to bury her father Troy.   Even though she only knew the truth of her paternity for a short while, she still feels connected to him.  As Annie walks through the home, she has flashbacks of the abuse she suffered when she was wheelchair-bound.  Then, the butler hands her a diary.  He explains the diary belonged to her grandmother Leigh and Troy wanted her to have it.  Annie sits and starts to read.  Annie will read a story of wealth, self-hatred, abuse, rape, and love.

The fifth book of the series is a prequel to a story of pain (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer).  It tells the story of the matriarch of the Castel family.  One aspect the women have in common is hiding their child’s paternity and some form of abuse.  Seeing, Annie as a strong confident woman gives the viewer some comfort.  After the first four movies, you feel like that should be the end.  However, Annie getting her to know her history helps give her gain strength and understanding.  Be aware some scenes are tough to watch.  If you watch with your teen, it may require discussions about unwanted touching and rape.  This prequel answers a lot of questions the viewers have about the series.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars

Set your sites higher.  And when I say higher, I mean richer. True wealth – Jillian

She tries, some people just are – Tony

What are you doing? You’re embarrassing me – Cleave

You know, I have a feeling I wasn’t the only one who suffered here – Annie

Listen to your heart and the waves will take you there – Leigh

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A Deadly Dance – Review

A Deadly Dance – LMN – 2 hours and 0 minutes

One year ago, Kate’s identical twin sister was killed.  They were competing for the top spot on a show called Dance Night America.  Now, Kate and Theresa are the show’s lead dancers.  In between rehearsals, Kate teaches at her husband, Miguel’s, dance studio. To help lighten her workload, Miguel charged more for her lessons.  It backfired because of her new celebrity status.  More students have signed up.  After wrapping up rehearsals for tomorrow’s show, Theresa is killed and her body thrown in a dumpster.  While the cops believe this is a robbery gone wrong, Kate believes it’s linked to her sister’s murder.   She tries to push the thoughts out of her mind but she has horrible dreams at night.  Soon, Kate is getting threatening notes, unwanted gifts, and misguided visitors.  Kate has constant surveillance but no sign of being truly safe.  Kate must figure out who killed Theresa or she will have to quit the show in order to stay safe.

This movie has a lot of moving parts.  So if you can’t give it your full attention, don’t watch.  Instead of following the Lifetime plot, this movie feels more like a plot from the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel.  Every suspect has a solid motive and questionable behavior.  The mystery keeps you guessing to the end.  And the cops are actually smart!!!  While the script was great, the acting was not on the same level.  It felt like the actors were reading a book.  It just didn’t feel like they focused on the script as much as they focused on the dancing.  Also, the question of who killed Kate’s twin was never answered.

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars

I’m in control. I have the power. Not him – Kate

Quinn is a disgusting human being. I’m sure he’s having a great time with all the publicity the show it getting – Miguel

Someone has it in for everybody on the show – Alina

I just like seeing justice served – Ellie

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Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: A Very Foul Play – Review

Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: A Very Foul Play – HMM – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Aurora, Philip, Aida, and Nick head off to the True Crime Mystery Conference.  While three of them are happy to be there, Aida is not.  Aurora knew the only way to get Aida to come was to lie about the conference topic.  As they enter the hotel they see two familiar faces: Lynn and Arthur.  They wanted time away from their job and their kids to reconnect.  Lynn feigns surprise when she sees Aurora.  Quickly Arthur tries to explain that he didn’t know the hotel would be having a mystery conference.  They want to continue their vacation as plan.  However, Aurora lets it slip that they work for the police department.  Linda – the theater owner – wants Aurora, Aida, Philip, and Lynn to be a part of the conference’s play.  Everyone says yes and start to learn their roles.  Philip meets the lead, Monica.  He sees she is being harassed by her ex-boyfriend Brett and steps in to help.  She explains that Brett’s father, Boyd, wants to take over the theater.  So, Brett acts like he owns the place.  The day of the play, Philip sees Brett again and tries to help Monica.  She snaps at both men.  Philip walks away confused.  While performing the play, the stage goes dark early.  When they cut the lights back on, Monica is on the ground dead and Philip is holding a bloody knife.  Philip is the number one suspect.  Aurora must find the real killer before Philip is charged with Monica’s murder.

Based on the best selling book series, this whodunit is an instant classic (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). Let’s just agree, it takes a good actor to act that badly.  Candance Bure gives us good and bad acting during the play scene.  This mystery gives the viewers plenty of suspects, motives, and secrets to keep you guessing.  One big difference is the growth of Lillian’s character.  She finds a love interest.  However, the Lillian we all know and love is still there.  Watch this movie with paper nearby. You will need it to keep track of all the clues.  And in case you were wondering, here are the 9 traits of a narcissist.

I give it 5 out of 5 stars

Sound deadly to me – Lillian

What could be bad about being here – Philip

You look like how I feel: taken hostage – Aida

Love is grand – Nick

I can take care of myself – Monica

Research skills – Aurora

He didn’t tell us anything we didn’t already know – Sally

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A Summer Romance – Review

A Summer Romance – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Richard, head of Belmont Enterprises, found a property in Montana to build their next big resort.  The owner, Sam Walker, is 3 months in the arrears.  Richard hopes to give Same an irrefutable offer and close the deal before his company’s big merger.  Without the Walker Ranch, the merger will fall through.  Richard flies to Big Horn, Montana.  As soon as he touches down, the airport is closed and he is stuck in Big Horn without hotel reservations.  A young woman on a horse tells him the local hotels are booked because of the Big Horn Summer Festival.  But she will offer him a place to stay on the ranch.  He accepts; only to learn that she is Sam Walker.  Short for Samantha.  She warns Richard she has no intention of selling her family’s land but she will listen to him.  While he stays on the ranch, he must work to earn his keep.  Sam must find a way to save her family’s ranch but she has no idea how to write a proposal for the bank loan.  Richard must get her to sale or he will lose the merger.  When Sam’s dream is stolen, will they lose the connection they shared too?

A changing dynamic in the Hallmark format is not to portray companies as villains.  This movie falls in line.  Richard is benevolent and funny to his staff.  He knows the staff’s names, interest, and home life.  He even gives gifts.  He believes he is saving the ranch by buying it.  It’s not until he lives the ranch life that he learns the Cowboy Code’s 4 Pillars.

1. Live each day with courage
2. Take pride in your work
3. Talk less, say more
4. Always finish what you start

He will make these 4 pillars a lifestyle and change his outlook on life, work, and love.  The only downfall is that we have seen this same set up with a gender reversal and a season change.  Record this movie and watch it when you need an easy watch and a nice laugh.

I give it 3 out of 5 stars

I don’t believe in luck. I believe in negations – Richard

I’m not sure I can trust a man without a nickname – Sam

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