Escaping the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story – Review

Escaping the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story – Lifetime – 2 hours and 3 minutes

Nellie Brown woke up in Bellevue Hospital with no memory of her past.  She has been told by Nurse Grady that no one has come to look for her despite having posters with her image all around New York.  Finally, a man comes to the Hospital to look at Nellie.  He believes she may be his missing wife but to Nellie’s relief, she is not.  At the moment, she meets Dr. Josiah.  He is the new therapist for Bellevue.  Dr. Josiah encourages her to speak freely to him about her treatment.  Nellie explains that she would like to but fears punishment.  He promises that won’t happen.  She explains the locks on their shoes are too tight, they don’t get enough to eat, and they are kept in freezing temperatures.  She believes the hospital is making her slip into madness.  She has no idea how right she is.  But she has to remember who she is to change the world, the treatment of the mentally ill, and journalism.

Nellie Bly’s experience inspired her to write Ten Days in a Madhouse: A First-Hand Account of Life at Bellevue Hospital on Blackwell’s Island in 1887 (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer).  However, after seeing the movie, it’s hard to believe anything more depraved and more devastating was in the book.  Some women were put in the hospital because they didn’t speak English and some were locked away because they weren’t wanted.  But it’s Nurse Grady’s “therapeutic methods” that will leave you up at night.  Her methods included drowning, psychological warfare, beatings, head shavings, and leeches.  Thanks to Nellie’s brave and life-risking 10 days, the world was forever changed.  See this movie a soon as possible and set your DVR so you can watch it again.

I give it 5 out of 5 stars

Shall I sit down or is the lecture over – Nurse Grady

There is nothing wrong with passion as long as it doesn’t tip into mania – Dr. Josiah

Can’t you see who I am? I am the queen of NY – Lottie Holster

By the way, it isn’t so hard to become famous. You just have to forget who you are – Nellie

You’ll still be famous – Fenton

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Winter Love Story – Review

Winter Love Story – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Cassie is the daughter of an award-winning author.  She has written a book but it hasn’t sold as well as her publishers wanted.  Elliot has created a best-selling series.  He has published the first 2 books but has yet to start writing the third and final book.  At her first and dual book signing, she meets Elliot.  He is clearly the star of the show.  After seeing their interaction, the production company thinks the two should go on a 10-day book tour together.  It will help raise the profile of her books and create social media buzz.  Cassie wants to say no because the thought of public speaking makes her freak out.  But she knows she needs the press and agrees.  If the tour doesn’t go well, she could lose her book deal.  The two get in the car and on a path of adventure, self-discovery, good times, and love.

This movie is funny and charming.  The two characters both have flaws although they try to mask them.  While others around them can see the spark, they continue to deny it.  While it is predictable, this movie has one of the cutest dogs ever.  It adds a warmth to Elliot’s character that takes him from cocky to charismatic.  While not a favorite for the winter, it’s nice to have on in the background.

I give it 2.5 out of 5 stars

Why does everyone keep reminding me to breathe? Has anyone ever forgotten to breathe? Is that a thing? – Cassie

Writing is re-writing – Janine

Successful, nerd novels – Elliot

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Winter Princess – Review

Winter Princess – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Carlie must say goodbye to the job she loves and the friends she has made over the past year.  It is bittersweet.  She knows the resort and town wants her to stay but her father and twin brother want her to come home for her birthday.  To intice Carlie to stay, her boss Allison offers her a promotion.  She asks her to put together the winter ball.  If all goes well, the town can use the ball to create year-round work for the local businesses and the people.   Carlie works up the nerve to asks her father for another week.  He reminds her of her duties. As a Princess.  She is the Princess of Landora.  Her brother Prince Gustav (Gus) is heir to the throne but she has played mediator between her father and Gus her entire life.  Her father gives her blessing to stay one more week.  Carlie believes she can keep her title quiet in this small town while planning the ball.  To assist Carlie, Allison hires her brother Jessie.  Jessie left the small town lodge, created by his parents, to make a legacy of his own.  He is happy to help but Carlie is resistant.  While Carlie is trying to keep her title a secret, one package, Gus, and a romantic rival threatens everything.  Can Carlie keep it together to save the town while falling in love?

This movie is sweet and it does make a small shift because the female lead is already a princess.  Normally, the protagonist meets a guy who is secretly a prince and becomes a princess through marriage.  Carlie is a princess who wanted to live as a commoner for a year.  The fact that she doesn’t have an accent is explained away in the movie quickly.  But the movie just doesn’t grab your attention.  It has its amusing and cute moments, but it doesn’t do enough to keep your hand from the remote.

I give it 2.5 out of 5 stars

I believe there are two types of people in the world. Those who learn by hearing and those who learn by doing – Carlie

You know I believe there are two types of people in this world too.  Those who are open-minded and those who think they know everything – Jessie

What is that your wearing? Is this company issued – Gus

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When Vows Break – Review

When Vows Break – LMN – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Ella and her bridesmaids decide to do something different during their bachelorette party.  They go to a palm reader.  Ella sees it as fun and games.  When the palm reader predicts her death, Ella’s sister Lydia is worried about Ella’s safety.  Ella’s fiance, Tolin has a history of abusive behavior.  Ella says he is under control but Lydia doesn’t believe her.  On the day of the wedding, Lydia gives Ella one last moment of escape but she turns it down.  Days later, Lydia gets a phone call.  During the honeymoon, Ella fell off the boat and went missing.  Lydia is certain that Tolin killed Ella but he denies it.  After receiving a necklace with a username and password to a cloud account, Lydia has the evidence she needs to get a private investigator.  When the truth stares her in the face, will Lydia do the right thing?

This movie is good because it doesn’t wait for the end to give you a twist.  The twist happens in the first half of the movie.  This is the true strife in the film.  Lydia has to determine if revenge is better than the truth.  When Lydia learns of everything that happened on the boat, she starts wondering about the ramifications for her and her family.  Most lifetime movies end with this twist.  Meanwhile, this one uses it to catapult the drama.  Watch this movie when you have spare time.

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars

You may have been able to bully my sister but you can’t bully me. And if you try, it will be the last thing you do – Lydia

So dramatic – Ella

Why would you make that kind of trouble for me – Tolin

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Best Friend’s Betrayal – Review

Best Friend’s Betrayal – Lifetime – 2 hours and 3 minutes

Jess has to arrange a last minute book signing for famed author Nick Moore.  She asked her friend Katie if they can use her coffee shop.  Katie approves and Jess’s assistant Anna starts setting up.  Nick is quickly smitten by the smart and beautiful Jess but Jess has reservations.  Her ex-husband Marco was jealous, an alcoholic, and abusive.  So she worries she may make the same mistake with Nick.  After another encounter, Jess says yes to Nick and they have a great time.  Excited about the successful date, Jess tells Katie.  But Katie is not happy.  She is worried that Nick is dangerous because his books are about stalking, torture, and murder.  To make matters worse, Marco broke into Jess’s home at tried to attack her.  Jess runs to Nick for protection but Katie is still concerned Nick is the real problem.  Later, Marco is found dead in his home.  When she goes to Nick’s home, Katie sees Jess’s name as a character on his computer.  Katie runs to the police, tells them what she knows, and investigates Nick.  After finding some information, Katie is attacked.  Jess doesn’t know who to trust and who to fear.  Can you?

This movie will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.  Everyone is hiding enough secrets to make you question them all.  Katie’s anger, Nick’s writing, Anna’s quietness, and Marco’s abuse make you think they are all capable of hurting Jess.  Even as people die or get injured, you will still question their motives.  Just when you believe you have it all figured out, another twist is added.  This the perfect movie to get lost in and hopefully there will be a part 2.

I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars

Great twist, killer ending.  Pun intended – Jess

I can’t believe you – Katie

Everyone’s hiding something. We all got secrets – Anna

He isn’t worth your tears – Nick

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