V.C. Andrews’ Dawn: Midnight Whispers – Review

V.C. Andrews’ Dawn: Midnight Whispers – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes

It’s Christie’s 16th birthday, and the Cutlers will throw a lavish party at Cutler’s Cove. The hotel runs like a well-oiled machine with Dawn’s husband, Jimmy, by her side. She admires and encourages her daughter’s musical dream of attending Juilliard while raising Jimmy’s sister, Fern, Jimmy’s half-brother, Gavin, and Jimmy and Dawn’s son, Jefferson. Before the party, Dawn sits Christie down and tells her about her birth father, Michael. Then, Dawn warns Christie about the family curse, but they are interrupted before Dawn gives Christie more details.

During the party, everyone notices Philip fawning over his sister, Dawn, including Philip’s wife, Betty, Jimmy, and Christie. Jimmy separates them after Betty angrily leaves. Fern makes a noisy entrance and spews jealous venom at Christie. Christie leaves the party to spend time alone with Gavin and rids herself of Fern’s toxic behavior. In the basement, Betty finds Philip’s key and opens his secret room. Inside the room, she finds creepy mementos and photos of Dawn. Betty confronts Philip, but he attacks and threatens her.

Jimmy walks to the basement to repair issues, and Philip sees him. Philip attacks Jimmy. Then Philip leaves Jimmy bleeding on the floor, unconscious, with the gas leaking. Dawn smells the gas, remembers Jimmy’s repairs, and tells Mrs. Boston to escort the guests out. Dawn finds Jimmy and stays until help arrives. However, Cutler’s Cove explodes and kills them both. Christie comes home to find Betty packing up Jefferson’s toys and Dawn’s items. Betty informs Christie that she and Philip are Christie and Jefferson’s legal guardians. Christie tries to grit her teeth and bear living with a vengeful aunt and delusional uncle, but the Cutler curse will rear its ugly head. Can Christie break the generational curse or fall victim like her mother?

Based on Midnight Whispers by V.C. Andrews, this fourth film gives the children a conclusion but kills off well-known characters. If you listen closely, Charlotte gives a brief synopsis of the 5th book while giving Christie information about Dawn’s taxing upbringing. This movie doesn’t pack the shock of the previous three films but brings karma to evil characters. Christie repeats Dawn’s mistakes but, with the strength of Charlotte, Luther, and Bronson, gains the courage to do what Dawn couldn’t. Stand in her truth and bring it to the light without thinking about the Cutler name or public criticism. It gives her the courage to move forward and blaze a new path for herself and her family. This film won’t be your favorite of the series, but it’s worth the watch.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars

What are you hiding, Philip – Betty

I have to get us out of here – Christie

I need you to be aware and careful of your decisions – Dawn

Happy birthday, Princess – Fern

She thinks you’re the star of the family, and she’s not – Gavin

Didn’t you hear her? She said no – Jimmy

You just can’t have everything you want – Betty

It’s not my fault – Philip

This place is creepy. I wanna go – Jefferson

So, how is your mom – Michael

Let there be light – Luther

These grim old folks needed some cheering up – Charlotte

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The Slumber Party – Review

The Slumber Party – Disney Channel – 1 hour and 35 minutes

Megan packs for a slumber party at the home of her friend, Anna Maria. She meets their friend, Paige, and Paige’s brother drives them to Anna Maria’s home. Megan and Paige get out of the car, and Megan stares at her crush, Jake. She is so enthralled with Jake that she doesn’t see her skirt inside the door. The car rips her skirt as it drives away. Paige and Megan hurry to Anna Maria’s door, but they can hear Anna Maria and her parents arguing inside. Anna Maria is upset that her dad will remarry on her birthday tomorrow and she will get a new sister, Veronica. She doesn’t want to go on her birthday hike with her dad or attend the wedding in the morning. Before the argument gets heated, Megan rings the doorbell.

Anna Maria takes them to the basement to have fun. Anna Maria’s little sister, Penny, comes downstairs, but they don’t let her join the festivities. Veronica joins in, but Anna Maria tells Veronica to maintain her distance. Megan discovers Paige and Anna Maria often spend time without her because she doesn’t try new things. Megan wants to leave her comfort zone since they will start high school soon. So, they hire a hypnotist to help.

The hypnotist arrives and tells the girls to live their best lives and let go of their inhibitions. When he gives the wake word in the morning, the girls will remember everything that happened. In the morning, Megan wakes up on the floor with an eyebrow missing. She walks into the bathroom. Megan is wearing Jake’s sweatshirt, and baby ducks are in the bathtub. Megan wakes up Veronica and Paige. They see ‘Veronica was Here’ smeared on the walls, and Paige has blood on her hands. They don’t remember anything, but they notice Anna Maria is missing. They must find clues to locate Anna Maria and get her to her father’s wedding. They try to call the hypnotist to get the wake word, but he is unavailable. Can they find Anna Maria in time and safe?

Based on The Sleepover by Jen Malone, this movie has the fun of Hangover without drugs, cursing, or sex (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). Each young woman has issues in their family and friend group. This adventure bonds them with a hedgehog, onions, and trespassing. Megan wanted out of her comfort zone. Wish granted! And each young woman learns something about themselves and their friendship. This film is on the Disney Channel but is more appropriate for tweens and teens. And parents will do a mental side-by-side comparison with the first Hangover film. This movie is funny and charming.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars

Megs, be cool. Do not stare – Paige

At his age, it’s more like a miracle – Anna Marie

Maybe you can tell her she is doing long-term damage to my self-esteem – Veronica

We hear you, and your feelings are valid – Megan

A girl can dream – Penny

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Beware The Night Nurse – Review

Beware The Night Nurse – LMN – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Zach and Claire are happy to bring their new baby boy, Owen, home for the first time. However, Owen cries all night, and the couple can’t sleep. Claire expresses frustration to her surrogate, Liz, and worries about her ability to be a mother. Liz assures Claire that she is a great mom, at least compared to the one Liz had. Liz’s mother always wanted a son. But she couldn’t have more kids after Liz and punished Liz for it. Claire breathes a sigh of relief.

After more nights of zero sleep, Zach suggests they get a night nurse, but Claire isn’t sure. Claire calls Liz for their lunch date, but Liz doesn’t answer. She decides to visit Liz’s home after a disturbing call. Claire finds Liz in a panic with luggage. Liz tells Claire she is leaving and not to follow. She wants to keep Claire and Owen safe. Liz drives away before Claire gets more details. The next day, a cop comes to Zach and Claire’s home and questions them about Liz. They found Liz’s abandoned car near a lake where people committed suicide. They believe Liz did the same.

At a wake, a passerby, Vera, hears Owen’s cries from Zach’s car. She offers to hold the baby. When Owen stops crying, Zach wants to hire Vera on the spot. Later, Claire calls Vera’s reference and decides to hire Vera. While Vera makes off-putting comments, Claire and Zach love having Vera around. However, Zach’s mother, Judy, turns everything around. She doesn’t approve of Claire’s housekeeping, cooking, or decorating. And she doesn’t hold her tongue about having Vera working with her grandson. Claire assumes Judy is the problem, but Claire must put her issues aside to see the real danger. Someone wants Owen and won’t stop until they get him.

This movie starts with classic Lifetime mistakes. Zach and Claire let a stranger hold their baby and call one reference. It’s easy to see how this lunatic came into their lives. While Judy is right to have concerns, her relationship with Claire is combative. So, Claire often rebels against her advice and assistance. Judy oversteps her bounds, overstays her welcome, and criticizes Claire’s abilities as a wife and mother. When Claire and Judy come together for Owen’s safety, it’s a beautiful bond. This movie has a strong message about generational gender preference and its lasting effect. And the plot is unintentionally funny. So leave the tea alone and break out the wine. This movie is a compelling ride.

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars

Hey, it’s real – Zach

You have to go. You and Owen can’t be here – Liz

This was something else. Like she was being hunted – Claire

May I hold him – Vera

This place could use a clean. But I’ll get back to that later – Judy

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A Mother’s Intuition – Review

A Mother’s Intuition – TV One – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Toni never thought she would go through pregnancy alone, but she lost her husband before she knew. She regularly takes anti-anxiety medication and sees her OB/GYN, Dr. Synder. Dr. Synder finds a cyst on Toni’s ovaries but wants to ignore it. This advice doesn’t sit well with Toni, so she discusses her feelings with her friend, Cicely. Cicely warns Toni to see another doctor. She knows that statistics of doctors ignoring women’s intuition about their bodies, especially during pregnancy. Also, Cicely knows someone whose child nearly died because of negligence at the same hospital. Toni decides to stick with her doctor and hospital because they are familiar.

Toni visits a hardware store to find a stone for her bust. Julian, her college ex-boyfriend, approaches. The two make plans and connect over the coming weeks. Toni’s water breaks, and she races to the hospital. She delivers a baby girl and falls asleep. A nurse brings Toni her baby while she is under medication. Toni sees a woman with red-streaked hair take the baby away before falling asleep again. Toni wakes up and wants to see her baby. Sadly, Dr. Synder tells Toni that her baby is dead. They offer to bring the baby into the room so Toni can say goodbye. Toni takes one look at the baby and says it’s not hers. She believes someone at the hospital stole her child. But can she prove it?

The opening scene helps viewers see Toni in a stable, loving relationship. Then, she is pregnant and alone. Understandably, Toni has anxiety now. Also, her doctor brushes off physical and mental issues, which causes her anxiety to rise. This movie gives a voice to women dealing with medical professionals. Doctors label them difficult or emotional instead of listening. This movie helps the audience see that loyalty is not for doctors; it’s for your health. As the story continues, the plot makes you question Toni’s sanity. She has a hidden life that Julian uncovers. It’s a tricky tactic, but it draws your attention. This film also shines a light on hospitals being bad actors for horrible doctors. Dr. Death proves this happens more than you know (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). This film is disturbing but intriguing to watch.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars

If you don’t feel seen, switch doctors – Cicely

Death. Just say it. I had a death event – Toni

My warrior pose is fire – Julian

Getting real with yourself is always hard – Dr. Chandra

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Look Who’s Stalking – Review

Look Who’s Stalking – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Dr. Hope came home to find a wedding dress, ring, and man in her bedroom. This man, Toby, stalked Hope for two years. He knocks her out and puts the dress on her. In a desperate attempt, Hope escapes Toby and runs. He catches up to her but has a heart attack. Toby pleads for Hope to help him. She considers it but lets him die.

Two months later, Hope is moving on with her life. She is enjoying her marriage to her new husband, musician Evan, and Evan has bonded with Hope’s daughter, Danielle. Hope left her job and now will co-own a practice. She hires Mary as her assistant and considers Mary a godsent. Hope’s best friend, Dr. Nadine, will miss Hope at work but is happy Hope is going to something better. Dr. Hope gets comfortable in her new life but receives phone calls and letters from Toby. Danielle thinks Toby’s ghost haunts Hope from beyond the grave. However, Hope thinks something more sinister is going on. Will Hope find the truth before she loses it all?

This movie opens with the woman running for help, but it’s not a random person. It’s the lead character. She escapes her stalker but fails at the Hippocratic Oath. While friends and family want to celebrate Toby’s death, Hope has reservations. Hope does suspect the clear choice after Nadine points the finger at the newest member of Hope’s team, Mary. But that changes when someone attacks Mary. Then, Hope gives everyone the side eye, including her daughter. No one is safe from Hope’s suspicious gaze. It will make viewers second-guess their initial conjectures. However, the plot offers what viewers expect at the conclusion.

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars

To his death – Nadine

Happy death day – Mary

Get a hold of yourself, girl – Hope

Why are the cops here – Evan

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