Beaches – Review

Beaches – Lifetime – 2 hours and 2 minutes

Hillary and CeCe meet while CeCe was singing on the beach for money. They ran off to talk and quickly became friends. They exchanged addresses and wrote letters for years without seeing each other face to face. CeCe continued to work on her singing career while Hillary focused on becoming a lawyer. But one day, Hillary couldn’t take it anymore. Feeling like she wasn’t living for herself, Hillary left her job and went to a club at which CC was performing. For the two, no time had past. But, as the two women grow and have careers, husbands, and a child, can their friendship endure? Well, since their friendship started at a beach, let’s hope it doesn’t end at one.

A remake of Beaches, does feel rushed. The watcher must remember the original was over 2 hours with no commercial breaks. The Lifetime version is 2 hours with commercials (or 1.5 hours). Your favorite scenes are there, but it helps to know the original before seeing this movie to fill in the gaps. Idina Menzel and Nia Long try to bring new life into the roles. But at times, they seem to reach too far. Vocally, Idina does an amazing job with original and past songs. Also, Nia shows a great connection with the mother/child relationship. This movie had great potential, but Lifetime cut it too short. They should have stretched the movie for 3 hours with commercials; so viewers get a true sense of the connection between Hillary and CeCe. You will still cry, but not as hard as the original. You will still laugh, but not as hard as the original. You will remember, but not as hard as the original. However, don’t blame the actors or the script writers for the flaws in the remake. Blame Lifetime. Lifetime must learn that you don’t cut a remake short, you give it the time needs and deserves. The actors and writers did the best they could with the constraints. So if you have seen the original, watch while doing something else (i.e. work, cook, car repairs). For everyone else, watch this with full attention and then watch the original.

I give it 3 out of 5 stars

I just wish you would show up for you life, the way you show up for your career – Hillary

At least we live in the same state – Young CeCe

You’re the best person I’ve ever meet – Young Hillary

Oh shut up. I was sad – CeCe

Loving you at a distance is better than resenting you in the room – John

Baby, I need time – Byran

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Framed For Murder: A Fixer Upper Mystery – Review

Framed For Murder: A Fixer Upper Mystery – HMM – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Shannon is ready to celebrate her latest accomplishments. She finished the restoration of her friend’s, Jennifer, B&B. And she was asked to do a restoration for Mac, a New York Times Best Selling writer. This will be the biggest job she has ever acquired. All is going great, until her uncle Jessie is not answering his phone calls. She decides to do a wellness checkup and finds him dead on the floor. The cops quickly think it was a deadly slip and fall; but Shannon’s expertise in home repair sends off alarm bells. She knows it was more that just a slip and fall … she believes he was killed. She is on a mission to find his killer which will lead her to a mysterious car, an exploding boat, and a museum. She must solve the crime before her loved ones are the next victims.

Based on the Fixer Upper Mystery Series by Kate Carlisle, this mystery does attempt redirects, but you will be able to figure out the kill within the 1st hour (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). You will be watching it just to prove you are right. This movie does help with breaking stereotypes of women and tools, but keeps in feminine. This movie feels like an extended episode of Murder She Wrote or Castle (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). It’s a good way to kill 2 hours.

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars

Because I might break a nail – Shannon

I don’t like this idea – Mac

What you doing – Steven

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A Cinderella Story: If The Shoe Fits – Review

A Cinderella Story: If The Shoe Fits – Disney Channel – 1 hour and 40 minutes

Tessa is a hard working mechanic that has to take time from the garage to act as a maid for her step-mother, Divine, and her step-sisters, Athens & Olympia. The sisters are audition as the lead for pop star Reese’s play, Cinderella (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). If the lead is amazing, she will get a recording contract. Tessa follows her family around with a spray bottle, sunblock, polish, and is ready at any moment. With everything going on, Tessa still dreams of being a singer and performing. But she knows Divine will never let her get near a stage. Georgie, the make-up artist, is willing to provide Tessa a disguise and a cover story so she can get the part. Having everything in the balance, Tessa (in disguise) gets the audition, but runs away because Divine thinks she knows her. Tessa leaves behind one sneaker during her flee. Reese gives the mystery girl until midnight to come back and claim her shoe. If the girl comes back, the part is hers; but that is only half of the story.

The shoe is not the end of the story, it’s the climax. With several original songs, Sofia’s light truly shines as an actress, singer, and dancer. This movie mixes elements of Grease, Stomp, and Ms. Congeniality along with Cinderella to make a great story with a new ending (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). There is a food fight scene, a “Cinderella” ball scene, Tessa needing to be three … yes 3 … places at once scene, and a very different dog. This is a great story for the whole family. What is your biggest dream? Who is holding you back? You maybe surprised of the answer.  But figuring out the answer will lead you to a happily ever after

I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars

But this is a story about her reality – Tessa

Yeah, I’m so excited – Bianca

She’s a bit sensitive about her position in life – Divine

Too bad you only get one – Georgie

Me next – Olympia

Wow Janet, you look great and no one will notice that huge vain popping out of your forehead – Athena

We definitely found our girl – Reese

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Open Marriage – Review

Open Marriage – Lifetime – 2 hours and 2 minutes

Ron and Becca are a stressed, married couple. Ron has been out of work because of an injury and his workmen’s comp ran out 2 months ago. They are going to sell their loft to make money and Becca is working double shifts. They want to start a family, but are not having any luck. And its all effect their marriage. They decide to meet up with their friends, Max and Mindy, to get away from their problems. Max and Mindy tell Ron and Becca that they know the best way to help their marriage … by opening it. Max and Mindy say that opening their marriage has been the best thing for them and it has brought them closer together. After a night of “thinking” about it, Ron and Becca decide to try it. So the couples swap and have a passionate night. Ron and Becca’s marriage is getting better and Ron gets the biggest job of his career. They decide to swap again at Caligula, a sex club. But when Becca and Max decide to be alone, Ron gets upset and calls off the swap. Becca agrees for him. But Ron and Becca are both keeping secrets from each other could change the course of their relationship. And all will be revealed at the worst possible moments and it will end with a stalker, a bang, and a thud.

Clutch your pearls and get ready to spit out your wine. This movie is everything you wanted Fifty Shades of Grey to be and more (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). It is steamy and has a great plot line. Just when you think you have hit the end, something else happens. Your mouth will drop several times. It is a lot of fun to watch and fantasize about … maybe even with a significant other. But please make sure the kids are in bed. The 2 leading men are nice to look at and the two leading ladies hold their own. The conclusion is the perfect bow on a great gift. This is a must watch and it deserves your full attention.

I give it 5 out of 5 stars

Isn’t that dangerous, like playing with fire – Becca

At least I know now how it feels to be a part of the 1% – Ron

What took you so long? I text you an hour ago – Mindy

Come on you are being too hard on yourself – Max

You are a goddess – Dylan

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The Rachels – Review

The Rachels – LMN – 2 hours and 0 minutes

At a party a young girl falls to her death.  Its one of the Rachels.  Rachel Richards is a brunette, media-obsessed teen.   Her life revolves around likes, followers, and being famous.  If she isn’t the center of attention, then she feels like nothing.  Rachel Nelson is a blonde, runner that qualified for nationals and wants to join the year book club.  Richards does not like losing control over Nelson and is passive aggressively trying to stop Nelson’s rise.  But when one of the Rachels die, the quiet girl named Roxie is disturbed by the other Rachel’s actions.  One of the Rachels is calls the death a suicide, not an accident (as reported by the police).  Roxie is determined to learn the truth but turning the spotlight and exposing a Rachel.  Who died and how need to be told in 3 chapters: Rachel Nelson, Rachel Richards, and Roxie.

This story is beautifully done and an extremely creepy look on our culture today.  Although this story is not 100% linear, it is not confusing.  This movie takes Mean Girls to an extremely dark, but necessary place (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer).  As you see a Rachel with disturbing pictures in People magazine or finding the right angle for grief, you will be disgusted but you can’t look away (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer).  There are times when your mouth will drop and stay open.  If we don’t pay attention, this could easily become a “Based on True Events” story.  This is definitely worth the watch and not your typical teen, mean girl, back stabbing movie.  Trust and believe, you will never see the truth coming.

I give it 5 out of 5 stars

What are you wearing? – Rachel Nelson

I am a star – Rachel Richards

Would you stop doing that – Tom

He turned you down – Roxie

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A Royal Winter – Review

A Royal Winter – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Maggie has interviewed for a top corporate law firm with the hopes of getting a secure job. But she questions if she wants to sit and help make corporations richer. She has worked with kids for years and loves the feeling she gets when she helps others. While worrying about getting the job, Sarah (Maggie’s best friend) invites Maggie to go to Calpurnia for 2 weeks and be carefree. With a nudge from her mother, Maggie goes on a trip of a lifetime. Sarah buys her a new hat, for the new Maggie, that gets blown away. It is run over by a man on a motorcycle. That man, unknown to Maggie, is Prince Adrian (also known as the “Playboy Prince” to the paparazzi). He quickly apologizes and invites Maggie to dinner, she “accepts”. During her time with the Prince, she sees the real him … caring and generous … definitely not a playboy. After learning about Maggie, Queen Beatrice invites Maggie to dinner … which can only be described as a disaster. Prince Adrian wants Maggie to attend his coronation, but she gets a “well-timed” phone call that can change everything in their relationship.

This movie is worth the picturesque views alone. This sweet story has good laughs and not an ordinary tell of giving up ones dreams. Its about getting your dreams in spite of your fears and being who you truly are on the inside. It give you the uncomfortable dinner scene with the family, that just happens to be royal, and a glimpse of scandal. It’s a fun watch but be warned that the snow may make you feel a little cold. So have something warm close by.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars

Honestly, I don’t know if I am cut out for this – Maggie

I blame you. You are the one who showed her how to text – Prince Adrian

You made the papers … again – Queen Beatrice

Sorry. I forgot that was my outside voice – Sarah

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