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Trapped in the Spotlight – Review
Trapped in the Spotlight – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
The R&B duet Luscious leaves the stage for an intermission. Group member Neveah goes to the dressing room and has a celebratory drink with their manager, Lenny. Lenny can’t wait because their next album, Pheonix, is coming out soon. He knows it will be a hit. Outside, group member Lupita airs her frustrations to her husband, Marcel. They have a baby on the way, and Lupita thinks the music industry is slowly destroying them. Marcel believes she should wait until after the album’s release, but Lupita wants it to end now. Lupita marches to Lenny to declare that Luscious is over and storms off with Marcel. Neveah desires to continue, but Lenny maintains that Luscious doesn’t exist without Lupita and cancels the album. He rips up their headshots and leaves Neveah in tears. Lenny’s son, Izaak, picks up the shredded images as Lenny yells at him. Izaak turns his hearing aids down and thinks about the music.
Fifteen years later, Neveah can’t find work in the music industry, and her rent is due. She meets with a music executive, Quinten, but he won’t listen to her sing. Everyone believes Lupita is still the star of the group. Quinten calls security to escort Neveah off the premises, and she screams. Their encounter goes viral. Quinten calls Neveah because another producer saw the video and wants to work with her. Neveah runs to the studio but doesn’t want to work with the unknown producer. She turns her back to pack her guitar, and the producer puts a rag over her mouth and nose. Neveah awakens in a locked studio. She looks around and sees a woman handcuffed to a chair with a bag over her head. Neveah rushes to help and removes the bag. But she’s taken aback to see Lupita.
Neveah and Lupita’s issues arise as they argue about the past. Then, the producer walks in and talks about how their music impacted his life. He was disappointed when they didn’t release their final album. He is willing to let them leave with their masters. But they need to complete the last album by making three new songs. It will be their comeback. They write him off as a crazy fan until they get a second look. It’s Izaak. Their group meant everything to him. Neveah and Lupita try to escape. When Izaak catches them, he puts shock collars on their neck and chains on their feet. They must make three songs. Neveah says yes because the masters are a guaranteed paycheck. When Izaak leaves, they devise a unique way to alert someone to their location and escape. Will it work, or will their issues boil over?
This movie attempts to mix Misery with You and Star (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). The plot is far-fetched but lures you with Neveah and Lupita’s drive. They use their musical and sexual prowess to outsmart Izaak. It’s their bickering that turns you off. After they find an escape route and overpower Izaak, they argue instead of running. It happens each time they get a leg up. Even in their last moments, surrounded by fire, they quarrel. It becomes a sad trope in their plans. The viewer will want to know more about Izaak’s relationship with Lenny. The writers gave a brief overview from Izaak’s perspective. Lenny mentions overlooking something, but you want more details. The setting was flawless for captive musicians. Also, Izaak displayed the perfect amount of craziness. The music will capture your attention when the story doesn’t. This film entertains if you don’t overthink it.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
I’m saving you – Lupita
You’re nothing without her – Lenny
I don’t want to play for some nobody – Neveah
Can I have your autograph – Izaak
Where’s Lupita – Marcel
I’m sorry – Lenny
What’s an angel shot – Simone
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Lethal Desire – Review
Lethal Desire – LMN – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Ava tells her sister, Olivia, about her failing marriage. Ava feels overlooked and set aside while her husband, Julien, is content. Olivia suggests the couple take a sexy vacation and escape Julien’s work stress at RMD. Ava returns home and prepares for the evening when Julien arrives with flowers and champagne. He got a promotion and a raise. But they must move. Ava worries about leaving Olivia alone, but Julien promises Olivia can visit. Ava believes this change could help their marriage and agrees.
Ava and Julien arrive to find their items unpacked and arranged by RMD. RMD didn’t want Julien to waste his time on such trivial things. Then, their neighbors, Theo and Mackenzie, knock on their door. They invite Ava and Julien to dinner. Ava starts to reject the offer, but Julien accepts the invitation.
Ava doesn’t take long to notice the differences in their marriages. When the men leave, Ava converses with Mackenzie to discover their secrets. Mackenzie reveals that she and Theo are swingers. Opening their marriage helped strengthen their bond. Later, Ava tells Julien, but he’s not sure. As time progresses, Julien sees Ava’s interest in the lifestyle grow. So, he invites Theo and Mackenzie to their home. Theo and Mackenzie tell Ava and Julien the ground rules for swinging. Then, Ava permits Julien to sleep with Mackenzie. Soon, Julien can’t keep his eyes, mind, and body off of Ava. She reports the drastic change to Olivia. Olivia warns Mackenzie that it’s fun now, but be careful.
Ava’s desires grow while Julien is out of town. She takes lasagna to Theo and Mackenzie’s home. Theo answers the door with a bloody hand and says Mackenzie is with her mom. He welcomes Ava into his home. She cleans his wound and sits with Theo. They eat, drink, and spend the night together.
Ava awakes with blood on her hands and shirt. She searches the home and finds a bloody hammer on the bathroom floor. Then, she sees Theo’s dead body in the bathtub. Ava calls the police. They interrogate her. She admits to Theo being her neighbor but leaves out the sexual relationship. The police let Ava go but warn her to stay in town. Ava thinks Julien will be happy to have her home. However, he hyper-focuses on Ava being alone with Theo. She confesses that she slept with Theo, and Julien can’t hide his rage. He never approved of their relationship. Ava doesn’t have time to think about Julien because she is the #1 suspect in Theo’s murder. She needs to prove her innocence by delving further into the swinger’s world and uncovering who killed Theo.
This movie is wild. Every time you blink, there’s another dead body. The script offers a well-known view into the swinger lifestyle. Lifetimers will see the writing on the wall for this marriage because a third person in the bedroom never ends well. Ava falls deeper into the hole and continues to find more dead bodies. Soon, you won’t believe her. But each reveal leads the audience closer to the truth. During the culprit’s monologue, the viewer will get one final twist. Viewers will guess the motive, but there’s a larger game at play. And it was in front of your face during the entire movie. This film is one of the most captivating in the 2025 Vicious Valentines series. Set back, get your popcorn, and enjoy.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
For us – Julien
You’re welcome – Mackenzie
Here’s a little welcome to the hood gift – Theo
Who’s the older sister – Ava
Everyone’s for free love until they find out what it costs – Olivia
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The Wish Swap – Review
The Wish Swap – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Executive Recruiter Casey waits for her co-workers at her favorite restaurant to celebrate her birthday. She notices the handsome gentlemen standing next to her when her friend, Jess, pulls Casey into a hug and escorts Casey to their table. The man, Henry, sits with his family to celebrate his birthday but has made them promise not to sing. Henry and Casey’s groups have tables next to each other.
Casey and Henry bump into each other while they set their gifts aside. Henry manages a farm, but Casey senses he wants more. He admits that he wants to own a farm. They discover they are birthday twins. Since Henry’s family forgot to order a cake, Casey offers to share hers with them. They close their eyes, make a wish, and blow out the candles. Then, Henry gets a call from an unknown number. It’s a producer with the Dance Your Heart Out TV show. He won a spot, but Henry never watched the show or applied. Also, Henry doesn’t dance. Casey can’t believe it because she loves the show. She asks Henry to invite her as his partner, but he plans on turning it down.
Casey works when an estate attorney calls her. Her long-lost aunt passed away, leaving a farm to Casey. Casey never wanted a farm and has no idea how to run one. She remembers that Henry did. And she wanted to be on the show. Casey believes their birthday wishes got swapped. She meets with Henry and asks for his wish. He admits to wishing for a farm. Casey unveils a leftover piece of birthday cake with a candle. She lights the candle to swap wishes. Henry relents and tries to swap wishes. However, it doesn’t work. Then Casey has an idea. She will hire Henry to run the farm and earn extra money to buy property. But only if Henry accepts the TV show and invites her to join him. He agrees to the arrangement. However, the show isn’t the only wish Casey made. Will her birthday wish list bring more for them?
This film has a unique concept but the ending falls flat. The audience must speculate if Henry and Casey won the competition. And Henry’s niece, Charlotte, is the most mature person in their relationship. The dancing montage and standup routine are the standout moments of this film. Everything else is background noise. This plot relies on magic to keep the viewer watching but it’s not enough. Hallmarkies should save this movie for a rainy day.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
If you need help using up those coupons, just let me know – Henry
I think it’s a little early for regifting – Casey
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