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Killing the Competition – Review
Killing the Competition – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Elizabeth returned to her small town with her husband, Steve, and their two children, Grace and Jackson. Elizabeth remembers her time in high school. She was popular, the head dancer of the dance team, and dated the cutest boys. However, Elizabeth says her mother never supported or encouraged her. She won’t make that mistake with Grace. She makes Grace practice tirelessly to be on the dance team. Elizabeth ponders giving her old uniform to Grace for a winning edge but thinks it will be too small. She tells Grace to smile and to stop acting like a loser. Grace wonders if she wants a spot on the team, but Elizabeth says it will open doors.
Grace tries out with her friend, Kath, and boyfriend, Tyler, watching. During Grace’s performance, she sees Elizabeth watching from behind shelves. Other moms kick Elizabeth out before Grace confronts her. Grace’s friends think she did great until Coach Megan calls. Elizabeth didn’t make the team. Elizabeth believes Megan is still jealous of her and meets with the school board. She argues that the dance team is too exclusive and that not accepting her daughter will damage Grace’s future. Against Megan’s wish, the school board sides with Elizabeth. They allowed every girl who tried out a spot on the dance team. Grace is happy, but Elizabeth is furious. She believes accepting all the girls removes the team’s legitimacy and makes Grace the ‘pity dancer.’
Megan steps down, and another dancer’s mom, Nicole, coaches the team. Elizabeth remembers and loathes Nicole. She thinks Nicole will show favoritism towards her daughter, Hannah. Elizabeth vows to fix it and continuously sneaks into practice. Grace begs Elizabeth to back down, but she won’t. Elizabeth is determined to fix Grace’s mistakes and make Grace’s life what hers should have been. She wants to remove Tyler, Hannah, and Nicole from Grace’s life. And she will kill to do it.
People who rage easily shouldn’t watch this film. The script allows viewers to hear the subtle digs Elizabeth throws at Grace. You will feel uneasy when Elizabeth talks about Grace’s weight, friends, and status. Grace knows her mother is unwell but excuses her behavior as ‘lawnmower parenting.’ Viewers will understand that Elizabeth is a narcissistic stage mom. The twisted camera angles disorient you and put you in Elizabeth’s mindset. She happily sabotages Grace to make Grace dependent on her. The writers sadly allowed Steve to be dismissive of Elizabeth’s behavior. He chose to make it a ‘girls’ problem.’ However, Elizabeth was emotionally abusive to both of her children. Lifetimers should give the costume department forgiveness for Elizabeth’s wild wigs. Elizabeth is a woman on a budget that micromanages Grace’s life. She doesn’t have time for a stylish wig. The actors put on a superb performance. You will want to call CPS. This picture will be a favorite and guilty pleasure. It’s unsure who was worse: Elizabeth or Mommy Meanest.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
Don’t think like a loser – Elizabeth
You’re you. That’s way better – Tyler
She’s not really nuts, right – Kath
Nope. It’s no man’s land body – Steve
You’re still living in high school – Megan
Now, there’s no backing off – Grace
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The Perfect Killer – Review
The Perfect Killer – LMN – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Sixteen-year-old Charlie returns after secretly partying at an adult bar, and her stepmother, Mila, sighs with relief. Earlier, Charlie’s father, Jack, got a panicked call from Charlie, begging Jack to pick her up. He ran to the location and asked Mila to stay if Charlie returned home. Charlie has a bewildered look on her face because her phone is dead. It’s been dead for hours. Mila calls the police to check the location, and Detective Faulkner arrives. Faulkner gets a call while gathering information from Mila and Charlie. Sadly, someone shot and killed Jack at the specified location. Mila knows attorney Jack recorded his calls. They replay it and hear Charlie’s voice, but she swears it’s not her. Someone used AI to spoof her voice.
Alyssa follows Charlie in the shadows, trying to build the courage to tell Charlie the truth. She is Charlie’s birth mother and Jack’s ex-wife. After their divorce, he fought for sole custody and won. Alyssa had to maintain her distance until Charlie was 16. Alyssa has lived with her sister, Olivia, to monitor Charlie for the past two months. With Jack gone, it will be easier for Alyssa to open a line of communication.
Charlie calls her friend, Matthew, multiple times before he answers his phone. She wants to vent about Jack’s passing. Matthew finally talks to Charlie but has reservations. A few months ago, Matthew went on a walk and saw his mother, Rebecca, having an affair with Jack. It caused his father, Harrison, to leave after Jack died. Now, he feels ill watching Rebecca pretend to be Mila’s best friend after Jack’s death.
Charlie admits she wants to spend more time with her godmother, Melody. However, Mila and Melody don’t speak. Melody explains that their falling out started when Melody divorced Tim. Tim spent so much money that he lost everything. He would have lost his job if Jack hadn’t paid for Tim’s partner’s fees. Tim owed Jack a lot of money until Jack died.
During the investigation, Detective Faulkner arrives at Mila’s home with questions. Faulkner asks to speak to Mila alone, but Charlie demands to stay. Faulkner asks why Mila filed for divorce a month before Jack died. Charlie can’t hide her devastation. She believed Mila loved her father unconditionally. Mila admits to knowing about Jack’s numerous affairs. She filed for divorce but never signed the papers. Now, Mila is on Faulkner’s suspects list. Nevertheless, Charlie won’t wait. She will dig into her father’s sordid past and unveil his killer.
Jack was a sneaky man with many skeletons in his closet. Charlie must reconcile the man she thought she knew with the man he was while understanding that he loved her. So, it’s understandable that Charlie has a bratty attitude. The script proves that everyone in Charlie’s life has lied to her. And the audience uncovers each misgiving along with her. It is enough to make your head spin. So keep a pen and paper handy to make a murder board. The story slows towards the conclusion as Charlie pieces together the final clues. The final takedown will reveal a shocking culprit, but the confrontation is lackluster.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
No, I never called Dad – Charlie
Charlie, where are you – Jack
I have my reasons – Mila
What I need is to spend some time alone and clear my head – Harrison
Matt hasn’t been acting like himself lately – Rebecca
It’s been so long – Alyssa
It’s not like I have something to hide – Matthew
Where did you tell them you were the night of the murder? – Oliver
The victim’s partner is always considered a suspect – Detective Faulkner
I knew it was you – Tim
What? No. Not my husband – Melody
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Murder at the Lighthouse – Review
Murder at the Lighthouse – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Jess calls her mom on the side of the road. Jess will leave her husband, Colton, tonight. After years of abuse, Jess can’t take it anymore. She asked her college friend, Rory, to assist her escape to Canada by boat. Rory’s brother, Anthony, doesn’t believe now is a good time because a storm is looming. Jess begs Rory to go, and they do.
Deputy Foster visits Adeline at the lighthouse. He worries that her phone line is down. Adeline assures Foster that she is comfortable. He asks her to look for anyone who washes up to shore. Adeline hunkers down for the storm.
Colton finds Jess’s car, wedding ring, and phone by the side of the road. He spots a path and follows it to Anthony’s home. He shows Anthony his badge and cautiously demands information on Jess’s whereabouts. When Anthony strategically refuses, Colton kills him. Colton overhears information about the storm and uses it to track Jess’s possible location.
Adeline picks up ‘bones’ at the shoreline after the storm and finds Jess nearly drowned. She drags Jess to her cabin and puts her into bed. Jess awakes and says her name is Lucy. She wants to leave but has a sprained ankle. Jess questions if they are still stateside, and Adeline confirms. Adeline knows there is more to Jess’s story but doesn’t press. Later, Colton comes to Adeline’s door with a photo of Jess. Adeline senses something is off about Colton and lies. Jess confesses about her past after Colton leaves. Then, they see someone hiding in the woods. Adeline knows Jess isn’t safe with Colton lurking, and they prepare. When Colton breaks in, Jess knocks him out and leaves to regain control. She overhears Adeline killing Colton. Jess realizes she isn’t safe and wants to go, but Adeline won’t let that happen. Can Jess escape Adeline’s prison?
Jess is a walking host of errors. The script has Jess making continuous bad decisions that leave a string of bodies in her wake. It will drive you up the wall, but the plot pulls you in with Adeline’s crazy actions. And her backstory is complex. She is either a lonely woman who loses it or a killer who needs a friend. Either way, she’s unhinged, and you will love it. Jess has to out-think Adeline on Adeline’s turf. This change adds a new fear factor. Also, Jess must rethink any plans after Colton’s murder. Adeline could pin the crime on her, so leaving adds another wrinkle. This movie will keep you on edge and offer a helpful police officer. The plot is Misery and Sleeping with the Enemy, but it’s entertaining (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer).
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
I made a terrible mistake last night – Jess
Just because they’re innocent doesn’t mean they’re not invasive – Adeline
Jessica, she’s not just anyone to me. She’s my wife, my partner – Colton
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Sisterhood, Inc. – Review
Sisterhood, Inc. – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Megan interviews for her app, BeScheduled, and the reporter blindsides her about being replaced. Megan scoffs at the question until she meets with the board. They want to replace Megan with the chairman’s daughter to raise the stock price. Megan leaves with her assistant, Curtis. Later, Curtis arrives at her home to talk about the next steps. However, Megan doesn’t have any because her talent recruiter, Yuki, says Megan is radioactive. She mentions her family and shocks Curtis. This moment is the first time Megan has spoken about them. Megan’s mother, Lois, dotes on her little sister, Izzy, since their father, Gus, died. When Megan went to college, Lois met and married Ken. Ken, Lois, and Izzy have a close bond, leaving Megan feeling like an outsider. Curtis remembers Megan wanted to leave her comfort zone and suggests she visit her family.
Megan arrives, and to her family’s surprise, she doesn’t look depressed. As Megan dranks, she overhears Lois paying for Izzy’s phone bill. Also, Izzy has a dead-end job, skips bills, and has a boyfriend in jail. Megan blurts that Izzy and Lois have a co-dependent relationship. Megan believes Izzy needs direction, not coddling, because her 30th birthday is in three months. And Izzy has nothing to show for her life but a string of mistakes.
Izzy arrives at Megan’s house in the morning. She agrees with everything Megan said and wants more for her life. She pleads for her sister’s guidance. Megan doesn’t think it will work because Izzy’s won’t listen. Izzy proposes that Megan run her life like she runs a corporation. Megan thinks this idea is perfect. She will gather board members to help Izzy with her life. However, neither woman wants to include Lois. Megan thinks Lois will help Izzy revert to her old ways.
Megan arrives at the open workspace and steals a man’s parking spot. Megan runs inside to greet Izzy and introduce Izzy to her team. Megan hired stylist Jili to handle branding and marketing. Jili will update Izzy’s wardrobe for work and play to make her more desirable in her personal and professional life. Izzy’s boss, Frank, will handle finances and strategic planning. Frank was an accountant before he used his savings to open a pizza shop. He knows Izzy has what it takes with assistance. Izzy former babysitter, Patsy, is Izzy’s relationship manager. She has been married for 40 years and will help Izzy find the perfect match.
As they talk, the man, Dominic, enters and accuses Megan of taking his spot. She makes a quip and remembers him from his YouTube video. The psychology professor will be Izzy’s unbiased observer while Megan oversees operations, so Izzy vows to adhere to their guidance and allow them to overhaul her life. Megan gets an idea to turn her project into an app and presents it to Yuki for buyers. However, she wants to keep Izzy in the dark until she completes the deal. Izzy will be a guinea pig for the app. Megan believes she is fixing Izzy’s life. But Megan will find love and smooth her rough exterior while repairing bonds with her family. Will it all crumble when they learn the truth about Megan’s new app?
The ensemble cast gets a gold star in this movie. The cast provides laughter and heart to this project. You will understand why Izzy puts her life in their capable hands. The script has many quotable lines that will live rent-free in your head. Unlike other Hallmark movies, the romance is the subplot. Dominic’s purpose is to spotlight Megan’s issues within her family. However, she knows when he’s doing it. She tells him several times not to make her answer her questions. Megan, Izzy, and Lois regaining their family bonds will tug at your heart, while the board will make you chuckle. This film will be an all-time favorite.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars
You have a mom – Curtis
I thought you’d look more depressed – Izzy
If we’re about to slap fight, can we do it outside – Megan
It’s not giving. It’s taking – Jili
One woman’s trash is another woman’s Halloween costume – Patsy
I can’t afford it. Say it – Frank
Here I am worried that your social media has been hacked by A.I. – Lois
It’s not too late to befriend your mom – Dominic
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Categories: Anzu Lawson, Daniella Monet, Eddie Mills, hallmark, Janae Armogan, Jason Reilly, Killing the Competition, Kirsten Comerford, Laura Provenzano, Leonidas Gulaptis, lifetime, lifetime movie network, Lily Brooks O’Briant, lmn, Loveuary, Made for TV, Mark Justice, Melissa Joan Hart, movie, Murder at the Lighthouse, Rachael Leigh Cook, review, Ripped From The Headlines, Sayla de Goede, Shelli Manzoline, Sisterhood, Inc., Skye Coyne, The Perfect Killer, tv review, Twisted Fate, Valerie Loo
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