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Taken in Montana – Review
Taken in Montana – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Craig, his wife, Sarah, and their daughter, Regan, travel to Montana for a family vacation. Regan convinces her parents to let her drive to the cabin. A motorist tailgates Regan, and she pulls onto the shoulder. The driver pulls up next to her and then away. Ranger Jude sees them on the side of the road and checks on them. Sarah, an investigative reporter, gives Jude short answers and politely signals Jude to leave. They arrive at the cabin, and a man, Jackson, recognizes Craig from college. They laugh, embrace, and plan to meet again.
Craig meets with Jackson and tells Jackson their business partnership is over. Jackson accepts Craig’s resignation but on the condition that Craig makes one last delivery. Jackson would do it, but he has to meet with the mayor. Jackson writes a message, puts several sheets of paper in an envelope, and gives it to Craig. Craig takes the envelope and returns to the cabin.
Regan turns in early, and Sarah and Craig go to their bedroom. Sarah confronts Craig about seeing Jackson. Craig tries to brush it off, but she knows Craig came to Montana for business. This trip isn’t a family outing; it’s a business opportunity. Sarah is upset because she promised to leave work behind for him. Sarah agrees to let Craig deliver the letter, but only if she can ride with him. He obliges. Regan can hear her parents arguing and decide to camp. She leaves the cabin and runs into a lodge employee, Tyler. They make pleasantries and Regan leaves.
Craig meets Rick and gives him the letter while Sarah waits in the car. Rick opens the letter. Unbeknownst to Craig, the letter tells Rick to kill the messenger. Rick invites Craig to come inside, but Sarah senses something is wrong. She jumps out of the car, and Rick knocks out Craig. He threatens to slit Craig’s throat if Sarah doesn’t come inside. He ties them both up and waits for Jackson.
Regan wakes up in the woods but can’t find her parents. She checks with the front desk, but no one has seen them. She tries to get Ranger Ward and Ranger Jude involved, but they won’t help. Tyler sees the concern on Regan’s face and offers his assistance. Regan doesn’t know who she can trust but believes her parents are in danger. Can she save them before Jackson and Rick end their lives?
This film is the best of Lifetime’s National Park series. It provides a mystery viewers can sink their teeth into while pulling at their heartstrings. Sarah isn’t a shrinking violet waiting for someone to rescue her. She uses her reporter skills to think out of situations and motivate Craig to keep fighting. Regan has her mother’s spirit. She doesn’t let people silence her worries. Rangers tell her to wait for Craig and Sarah to return to the cabin. But she keeps looking and fighting for them. She receives help from Ranger Jude and Tyler. Experienced Lifetimers will know someone will turn on Regan, but who and when? The answer will shock you. This film is the fun drama Lifetimers crave.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
I have a new appreciation for the subway – Regan
You look a little young – Sarah
No surprises. Just some weird coincidences – Craig
Sorry for walking in a menacing fashion – Tyler
Do not call me unless it’s absolutely critical – Jackson
Unfortunate. For you – Rick
I’ll write to you – Jude
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Guiding Emily – Review
Guiding Emily – HMM – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Garth plays with his brothers and sisters until he sees Mark. He patiently waits for Mark’s attention and jumps for joy when Mark picks him. Mark thinks Garth will grow up to be a tremendous guide dog. Garth agrees but doesn’t know what a guide is or does. Mark takes Garth for a peanut butter pup cup, and Garth spots Emily. Garth runs to Emily for affection and decides he likes her. Mark pulls the puppy away. He gives the puppy to Katie. Katie will spend months training Garth to help others.
Emily ends the staff meeting and tells her co-worker, Drew, that she won’t let him work the weekends. Emily reminds her team that she and her fiance, Conner, will have a tech-free vacation. Then, Emily meets Conner for dinner and enjoys dog kisses from Garth. After Garth’s owner takes him away, Emily and Conner talk about work, their wedding, and their future. Emily and Conner go hiking during their vacation. There are several ways to get back, but Conner decides to prove his abilities to Emily and chooses a rock-climbing path. Conner climbs and knocks a large rock loose. The stone hits Emily in the head and causes her to fall. She wakes up in the hospital with bandages on her eyes. The doctor tells Emily that the blindness could be temporary. The outcome will take some time.
After months of working with Katie, Garth believes he is ready to become a guide dog. Katie takes Garth to the hospital to visit her friend and test him. Garth notices Emily walking past, but he can feel something is different. She is afraid. Garth decides he will be a guide dog for Emily. Emily doesn’t see Garth and sits in a dark room while her doctor removes her bandages. Emily panics when she can’t see. Emily is blind and has to learn a new way of life. She has no idea that Garth chose her to be his human. Can Emily find her way to Garth?
Emily is a vibrant, happy, ambitious woman who loves her team and fiancé. She has the world at her feet when a single accident turns her world upside-down. At first, Emily is hopeful her sight will return. Conner isn’t helpful, so Emily moves in with her mother for assistance. However, Emily’s sight never returns, and she falls into a depression. But her friends Matt and Drew won’t let her stay there. They show her new ways to use her phone, create apps, and enroll her in classes to gain independence. Life is different, but Emily learns to be herself again. Also, she appreciates the world around her in ways she could never imagine. This movie gives Emily and Garth’s perspectives. It’s their love story. The film teaches viewers not to pet guide dogs and the things seeing people take for granted, like public restrooms and rideshares. This plot is a beautiful piece of cinema for the whole family to learn and enjoy.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars
What’s a guide – Garth
I really don’t sit still well – Emily
I know I need to do better – Conner
How to help my blind friend – Matt
It’s time to cut the cord – Julie
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As Luck Would Have It: Old Flames, New Fire – Review
As Luck Would Have It: Old Flames, New Fire – LMN – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Gabbi Luck and her daughter, Detective Lisa, are on better terms since Lisa’s father, Michael, confessed to cheating in his marriage before Gabbi. However, Lisa believes this will open the door for Gabbi to meddle in her life. Lisa is right because Gabbi wants Lisa and Lisa’s partner, Detective Rick Anderson, to date. Gabbi arrives at Lisa’s job to grab lunch. Before Lisa can offer an excuse, Rick gives solutions for Lisa’s potential problems.
Lisa notices Gabbi looking over her shoulder during lunch, and she inquires about Gabbi’s behavior. Then, Lisa sees Michael walk into the restaurant. Lisa hugs her father and welcomes him to take a seat. He tells Gabbi and Lisa that he will stay in town longer and wants to put down roots. Years working on the road have taken its toll on Michael. Lisa and Gabbi are happy to have Michael in the neighborhood. Next, Michael informs them that he won’t eat much because he will meet Wayne for dinner. The name sounds familiar to Lisa, but Gabbi will never forget it. Wayne was Michael’s business partner before Wayne embezzled the company’s finances and ran. It took years for Michael to recover his business and good name. Gabbi has no idea why Michael would want to meet with Wayne. Michael wants to clear the air and let some things off his chest. So, Gabbi and Lisa wish Michael well.
Lisa and Rick’s boss, Captain Taylor, call them into his office. Someone broke into Wayne’s home and murdered him last night. Taylor tells Lisa she can’t be on the case because Michael is a prime suspect. Michael was the last person seen with Wayne and didn’t have a concrete alibi for the night before. Lisa protests, but Taylor won’t relent. However, he does compromise. He puts Rick on the case with another partner, Jill. It’s up to Jill and Rick to find Wayne’s killer and clear Michael. But Lisa won’t stay in the background. Can Gabbi help Lisa while falling in love with Michael again?
The second part of this three-part series has affairs, drama, and money. Unlike most mystery movies, Gabbi doesn’t do the footwork while the police officers wait with guns. Lisa is an active, intelligent, and thorny detective. She uses her mother’s knowledge to uncover a different viewpoint on crime and criminals. This time, Lisa meets her match with two women. First, Jill. Jill is a hardened detective who mirrors Lisa. She is abrupt and lacks social graces. Rick can see the similarities even if they don’t. Second, Cara. Cara is Rick’s current love interest. Lisa pretends to be okay with the match, but jealousy rises to the surface. Viewers see the Luck family work as a unit while establishing boundaries between mother and daughter. This movie has all the suspense of the HMM movie, but it covers more spicy topics. Don’t be surprised if you have to watch this film twice to keep up.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
I would never give Gabbi the satisfaction – Lisa
She didn’t hug me like that – Gabbi
I just hope I don’t regret it – Michael
Regrets. I have regrets – Wayne
I think you’re just bored, Luck – Rick
Two sleeping pills? – Jill
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Office Race – Review
Office Race – Comedy Central – 1 hour and 45 minutes
Pat sleeps late, eats terribly, and spends more time watching Fast and the Furious movies with his friend, Dave, than working out (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). Pat puts the same effort into work as his personal life. He goes to work, and his boss, Liz, calls Pat into her office along with Pat’s co-worker, Spencer. Liz got a promotion to the national branch and selected Spencer to replace her. Pat wonders why he had to be in the meeting for Spencer’s advancement, and Liz asks Spencer to leave. She informs Pat that he is a mediocre employee at best. And Liz would fire Pat if Liz cared. She warns Pat that he needs to land the deal tonight to keep his job. Or Spencer, Pat’s former underling, will fire Pat.
Pat goes to the bar with Spencer to meet Rita. They want Rita’s company to use their platform to receive donations. Rita begins to politely let them down because she doesn’t have a personal connection with their business. Then, Spencer notices her ‘26.2’ tattoo and asks Rita if she is a runner. They discover that they are running the Sweet Peach Marathon. Rita is running to support breast cancer research and Spencer for prostate cancer. Pat interjects with a lie. He tells Spencer and Rita that he is in the marathon and running for Breast Feet Forward, Rita’s charity. Rita invites Pat to run with her team.
Pat meets up with Rita and her teammates – Harry, Kiki, and Don – for practice. Harry tries to donate money, but their current app keeps crashing. Pat talks about his company’s app, and Rita makes Pat the team’s treasurer. They start their first practice, and a car hits Pat. Pat has a few bumps and bruises, but Dr. Julie says Pat will be fine. Then Julie states she is a member of Rita’s team also.
Pat meets with the group again for another run. The group breaks for a stretch, and Pat takes off his shirt. The team winces at his nipple chafing as Spencer and his team emerge from the nearby river. Rita sees Spencer drinking Nitro Venom and can’t contain her envy. It’s an energy drink that several organizations banned. After some verbal jousting, Spencer and Pat make a wager. If Pat beats Spencer across the finish line, Spencer has to donate $100 to Breast Feet Forward. But if Spencer wins, Pat has to give money to Spencer’s charity. This race isn’t about client relations. Now, it’s about Pat’s pride. For once in Pat’s life, he must give his all.
This movie has an easy wit and comedy staples. The script starts solid. It shows Pat carbo-loading and stretching for his race. Then, it rewinds to three months earlier. Pat ate crap, had zero coordination, and no zeal for life. Pat made great strides in his life in three months. However, the writing falls apart the closer Pat gets to race day. Spencer slowly turns into Gollum and talks like a zombie. The film goes from funny and believable to weird and boring. Office Race had a strong start but hit the wall like a marathon.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
I can not stand working with you – Liz
And that’s a whole lot of cheddar – Pat
The #1 #2 of all time – Spencer
Running is for children and people who can’t hold their pee – Harry
Patrick, have you been watching Fast and the Furious ironically – Dave
Follow your bliss – Pat
Fresh rubber. Ah, heaven – Rita
Dancing for money. Do what I want you to do – Coach B
Keep it off social media. I want to be known for my poetry – Dan
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Love in the Great Smoky Mountains: A National Park Romance – Review
Love in the Great Smoky Mountains: A National Park Romance – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Archeologist Dr. Haley sits with her advisor, Dr. Ettinger, to discuss Haley’s next career move. Haley applied for the Arizona Pueblo Grant but wants to publish a paper to give her a fighting chance. So, she will join a dig in the Great Smoky Mountains led by Dr. Carl Smith. Dr. Ettinger encourages Haley to write her paper and have fun, too.
Haley meets Carl and thanks him for the opportunity. She brings dirt to the sifter and dumps it simultaneously with another digger. She looks up and sees her college ex-boyfriend, Anthropologist Dr. Rob. They immediately bicker, and Carl stops them. Rob and Haley applied for a grant during their senior year, but Rob didn’t tell Haley he inquired about it, too. Haley felt betrayed and broke up with Rob. Today, she is upset he never attempted to call her and apologize.
Later, Rob and Haley find common ground and meet for lunch. He admits that he applied for the Pueblo grant, too. Haley is happy he didn’t keep this a secret like college. They call a truce so they can start their prospective work. Carl suggests Haley look at the artifacts in the lab. Rob brings Haley to the lab and introduces her to Troy. Troy is proud to share his culture with Haley and Rob. He updates Haley on the artifact’s background she found earlier.
Rob and Haley spend more time together and walk the trails. Haley and Rob get separated during their hike, and she discovers a unique cave. The structure is too small for her to enter. So she grabs her phone, inserts her hand inside, and takes pictures. She gives Rob the images for further examination. He believes it confirms the Cherokee myth about a large diamond with magical powers. Troy agrees this is the first recorded evidence of the myth’s reality. Haley believes her first article should focus on the findings, and it will guarantee her the grant. As she considers receiving it, Haley realizes it could be the end of her fresh start with Rob.
This film provides a beautiful look at Cherokee culture and discusses the Removal Act. Rob and Haley respect the land, legends, and artifacts. They understand any items must remain with the Cherokee people. Also, they call it Ancient American History, not only Indigenous. And that slight difference ensures viewers understand that Indigenous History is American History. It’s the earliest recorded. With all the beautiful history, the love story falls flat by having the leads bicker like children. However, they show growth by listening and not repeating their mistakes. The lessons will spark your interest, but the romance is dull.
I give it 2.5 out of 5 stars
In all the digs, in all the world, you have to show up in mines – Rob
Not my troubles – Haley
I am an actress -Sky
She’s the boss, and I’m always honest. I got it – Troy
I think there’s a future here. And I don’t need a crystal ball to see that – Carl
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Categories: Alyson Hannigan, Antonio Cupo, Arielle Kebbel, As Luck Would Have It: Old Flames, New Fire, Beck Bennett, Comedy Central, Dorian Gregory, Doug Rogers, Eric McCormack, Fall Into Love, Guiding Emily, hallmark, Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, HMM, Jackée Harry, jb smoove, Joel McHale, Justin Berti, Kelsey Grammer, Laurie Fortier, lifetime, lifetime movie network, lmn, Love in the Great Smoky Mountains: A National Park Romance, Made for TV, Matthew Pohlkamp, Mea Wilkerson, movie, Office Race, review, Rico Ross, Sarah Drew, Sasheer Zamata, Taken in Montana, Tom Arnold, Tracy Nelson, tv review, Veronica Ramirez, Zack Roerig
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