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Wife Stalker – Review
Wife Stalker – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Joanna examines her husband’s attire. Leo informs Joanna that he must meet a character witness, Piper, at Piper’s studio and dress like a student. Joanna laughs and asks him to come home early for a surprise. Leo says goodbye to their children, Evie and Aaron, before driving to the studio while Joanna visits her mother.
Joanna’s mother doesn’t hide her distrust for Leo while Joanna sings his praises. She knows Leo had issues six months ago, but now he’s improving. Their marriage is on an upswing. Joanna walks into her mother’s kitchen and finds a black box with a gun and a taser. Her mother says it’s for protection, but Joanna believes it’s overkill.
Leo meets with Piper after class. She gives his background information on his client’s therapy sessions and offers Leo a discount on her services. Leo laughs and considers her offer. When Leo leaves, Piper looks him up online with a growing fascination. Leo arrives home, and Joanna has created a menu for their party. They haven’t had one in a while, but she thinks they should restart the tradition. Leo agrees and invites Piper.
When Piper arrives at the party, Leo admits to Piper that things have been difficult for their family. Joanna sees Piper and Leo quietly talking and worries they are too close. Days after the party, Joanna works to regain Leo’s attention. However, he’s going out to meet a client. To Joanna’s surprise, it’s Piper. Leo leaves, and Piper follows them with Evie and Aaron in the car. Leo returns home to find Joanna sleeping, but she’s faking. She knows Leo slept with Piper after dinner.
Joanna leaves to care for her mother after a bad fall. Leo arrives and asks to end their relationship. He is in love with Piper and wants to get married. Joanna can’t believe Leo fell in love with Piper in one day. She refuses to give up on their marriage and researches Piper. Joanna follows Piper on a trail and hears a man, Brent, call her Pamela. Piper makes a hasty exit before Joanna approaches Brent. Brent explains that he knew Piper as Pamela years ago. She stole Matthew from Ava and married Matthew within months. However, Matthew and his daughter, Mia, died in a sailing accident. Ava believed Pamela caused the accident because she got a hefty settlement. The police never arrested her. Joanna worries Piper will repeat her actions, and Leo and their children will die. She will stop at nothing to save her family and marriage.
Based on Wife Stalker by Liv Constantine, this movie deserves a part two (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). The beginning will give you three archetypes: the begging wife, the cold husband, and the scandalous mistress. All three will make your eyes roll. As the plot digs into Piper’s past, you will worry for the children. The climax has Piper staring down the barrel of a gun. However, the audience has no idea where the conclusion will lead. It will send the viewers into a shocking tailspin of double-takes and rewatches. This Lifetime film has a unique ending for a standard start. The audience will fall in love with the acting on their 2nd watch. You will notice missed cues and varying chemistry. This movie is the film Lifetime fans deserve.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars
If the path be beautiful, let’s not ask where it leads – Leo
Mom, you are hardly a little old lady – Joanna
I thought this was just business – Piper
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My Husband’s Baby – Review
My Husband’s Baby – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Reality show producer Aaron interviews Mecca about her upcoming cookbook and charity event. Mecca’s husband, football coach Damien, interrupts the interview when Aaron relentlessly questions Mecca about her fertility status. Mecca pulls aside her manager, Trish, and demands to know why Aaron asks uncomfortable questions. Trish says Mecca doesn’t have a storyline on the show Trophy Wives, and the fans grow bored with her. Aaron wants to create a buzz before the show considers dropping her. Mecca meets with her friend, castmate Sammy, who encourages Mecca to play an angle on the show. Later, Mecca answers the phone and hears a crying baby on the other end. She dismisses the call and relaxes for the evening.
Shocked, Mecca watches Trish stumble into her living room, feverishly typing on her phone. Trish tells Mecca to relax because she is on damage control. Before Mecca can question Trish, Damien rushes into the room and says it’s all lies. Mecca insists on knowing the truth. A woman, Angela, is suing Damien for child support, but Damien swears he never slept with Angela.
Angela, Mecca, and Damien meet with their lawyers. Mecca and Damien request a paternity test before they proceed with any monetary discussion. Angela expected this move, so she has a testing center ready. Days later, the results reveal that Damien is the father of Angela’s unborn child. Mecca tells Trish she wants a divorce. But Trish warns her to consider the repercussions. Mecca’s brand hinges on her being in a happy and loving marriage. If she divorces Damien, she will lose brand deals, sponsors, sells, and her spot on the show. Damien meets with Mecca to explain. He got drunk at a party and passed out. Damien believes Angela took advantage of him. While Mecca is unsure of his excuse, she chooses to stay but won’t connect with Angela or the child. But Angela has other plans. She wants Mecca’s life and revenge. And she won’t let anyone stop her.
This movie will make you scream ‘the audacity’ before each commercial break. Angela takes every chance to overstep Mecca’s boundaries, and Damien lets her because she’s pregnant. The plot does a spectacular job of blending this topic with today’s reality television. Many reality stars build their brand and personalities around façades. When something threatens it, they must make a decision. Either hide it or bring it to the spotlight. At first, Mecca wants Angela to stay in the shadows. However, Aaron warns Mecca that she needs a storyline. Mecca considers putting Damien’s infidelity into the spotlight. While the plot slows, the conclusion brings the most jaw-dropping moment in the film. Angela’s final monologue will shock you with one final twist. And the last 10 seconds leave the script open for part two. The ending saves this film.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
When the time is right, God will bless us – Meca
It makes for good television, Damien – Trish
You know I always got you – Damien
It’s a hoot – Angela
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Hearts Around the Table: Jenna’s First Love – Review
Hearts Around the Table: Jenna’s First Love – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Foster mother Angie calls event planner Jenna to ask when Jenna will arrive for Sunday dinner. Jenna and her family meet every Sunday to reconnect. Jenna says soon but has an appointment to finish first. Angie detests Jenny having to work on Sundays but understands. Jenna hangs up and bumps into consultant Andrew. They remember each other from high school. They were sweethearts until Andrew dumped Jenna and never called her again. He broke Jenna’s heart. They briefly catch up, but Jenna makes a hasty exit to contact her client, billionaire Tom. Jenna dials Tom’s number but hears Andrew answer in the distance. Andrew is a consultant for Tom’s company, and Tom instructed Andrew to work with Jenna on an event. Tom’s company is launching its first non-profit and wants to throw a party to obtain benefactors. Andrew remembers how important Sunday is to Jenna and postpones their meeting until Monday.
Jenna joins her family for supper and her foster brother, Josh, reminds her that she has to do the dishes because she arrived last. Jenna’s foster sisters, Shari and Kiki, join them at the table with Angie’s newest ward, Rory. When Jenna updates them on her life, they warn her to keep her relationship with Andrew purely professional. They recall how painful their break up was to Jenna. Jenna promises not to fall into high school habits. Then, Angie asks everyone to give a resolution. Rory doesn’t have one, so he requests Angie to excuse him. Angie admits to her adult children that she worries Rory isn’t connecting. She wants him to feel at home, but he guards his emotions. Jenna, Josh, Shari, and Kiki tell Angie that they were all that way in the beginning. They ask her to show Rory the same grace she showed them.
Andrew and Jenna meet to discuss the event. Jenna desires an interactive experience, but Andrew rejects her idea. He thinks the donors want to network, not get their hands dirty. Andrew creates a tailored, upscale approach to the party. Jenna falls into old habits and lets him take control. When they pitch Andrew’s idea to Tom, Tom dislikes it. Andrew asks for more time, but Tom ponders finding someone else. Jenna interjects with her plan, and Tom loves it. He puts Jenna in charge of the event and will closely work with her to facilitate approvals. While Tom and Jenna spend time together, Andrew’s jealousy grows. He must mend the past to rekindle his relationship with Jenna. But is Jenna ready?
This first installment focuses on Jenna and Andrew’s romance. However, it’s not their romance that captures our attention. It’s the family dynamic. You will care more about Rory’s mental state than the main couple’s relationship. Angie sees that Rory has difficulty adjusting to his new school and home. Jenna, Josh, Shari, and Kiki ease Angie by saying they all had an adjustment period. They encourage Rory to open his heart and communicate with the family. Their hearts are around the table and will captivate you. Viewers should watch this movie for the family bonding, not the relationship.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
Just be yourself. It’s the best you can be – Angie
It was nice to run into you – Jenna
That’s just branding – Andrew
Of course, I searched him – Shari
You are not obligated to say yes – Josh
Should we eat – Kiki
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Categories: AJ Bernard, Alayna Bernard, Ashley Newbrough, Eddie G., Grace Byers, hallmark, Hearts Around the Table: Jenna's First Love, Keshia Knight Pulliam, lifetime, Made for TV, Mindy Cohn, Moni Ogunsuyi, movie, My Husband's Baby, review, Samantha Brown, Spring into Love, Steve Lund, Trai Byers, tv review, Wife Stalker
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