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I Was Honey Boo Boo – Review
I Was Honey Boo Boo – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Alana ‘Honey Boo Boo’ Thompson was the youngest child of Mama June and Sugar Bear. She lived with her two sisters, Jessica and Pumpkin, but Alana was the apple in Mama June’s eye. Alana was a proud pageant girl. She wanted to do Glitz Pageants, but Mama June couldn’t afford them. However, Mama June used her last dollars on Alana instead of her other children. Alana loved the attention and her mother’s love. Alana won her first pageant and, along with Mama June, garnered the attention of a TV scout.
At their second pageant, a scout pulled them aside and asked if they wanted to be on a show called Toddlers and Tiaras (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). Mama June wonders if the show will compensate them, and the scout says yes. She signs Alana up for the TV show and the Glitz Pageants. Alana has one-on-one sessions with producers while Mama June watches. Alana says her catchphrase, and it takes the nation by storm. Soon, the producers call Mama June to give Alana a reality show called Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. Mama June’s little girl becomes her little money maker. Alana feels her mother’s acceptance and pride for the first time. She believes everything will be better. However, her family will fall prey to transactional love, emotional abuse, neglect, and addiction with the world watching.
This movie is the first time Alana recounts her life for herself. It’s for fans and non-fans of the family and their shows. The producers found actors who could mimic their well-documented accents and mannerisms. Also, Alana’s narrations give the film much-needed authenticity. The plot digs into the darkest moments in Alana’s life and captures how she felt then and now. She releases herself from blame and points it squarely at her mother. It’s easy for viewers to see this picture as a takedown of Mama June. However, it’s a love letter for Pumpkin. Pumpkin grew up fast and became Alana’s mother. Sadly, she had to be a mother for herself and her baby. While this film focuses on Alana’s life, it’s a searing indictment of children in reality. They need more protection and counseling because their parents sign them up for long-term judgment and ridicule that they will never understand. This movie deserves your undivided attention because you will never view reality TV the same.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
You think you know me, but you don’t – Alana
Do I look like Cinderella to you – Pumpkin
Does it pay? – Mama June
To this family or to you – Jessica
Just don’t go change too much, Junebug – Sugar Bear
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The Nanny Sees All – Review
The Nanny Sees All – LMN – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Grace converses with her husband, James, before meeting her friend, Andrea, at Andrea’s diner. Andrea helped Grace get a nanny job with Mayor Alex. Grace will care for Alex and Emily’s son, Andy. Andrea sees Alex outside and alerts Grace to growing tension in Rivertown. Someone shot and killed a young woman, Yasmine, and the police haven’t caught the culprit. The town is turning on Alex in a quest for answers and relief. Grace meets with Alex, and they get along well. Alex mentions juggling fatherly and mayoral duties, and Grace offers to help by picking up Andy from school. Alex breathes a sigh of relief and gives Grace his keys.
Grace picks up Andy and drives to the mayor’s estate. She brings Andy home and meets Alex’s family and staff members. Mayor Alex and his wife, Emily, live with Alex’s mother, Vivian. She is cold and distant with everyone but Alex and Andy. Alex’s housekeeper, Louise, and the house chef, Colin, care for the family and love working for Alex. They offer Grace any assistance. Vivian reminds Andy about his class project, and Grace, a former 3rd grade teacher, is happy to lend a hand. Andy speaks proudly about his Italian heritage. Grace decides to use DNA testing as part of his project. She has a friend, Michael, at the DNA office who can fast-track Andy’s results.
Grace meets with Andrea for lunch while Andy’s at school. During their conversation, a woman, Victoria, walks to their table with choice words and a warning about Mayor Andy. Andrea informs Grace that Victoria was Andy’s nanny until Yasmine died. Victoria and Yasmine were best friends, and Yasmine was Andy’s nanny before Victoria. None of this sits well with Grace, but she continues working for the family.
Grace prepares Andy for a fun day at the park but notices he looks distressed. He had nightmares about someone hiding in the shed. Now, he gets a chill every time he goes to the backyard. She assures Andy he will be okay. They arrive at the park, and Andy kicks the ball around. Then, Andy runs to Grace in a panic. She looks at the lake and sees Andy’s ball floating next to a dead body. Detective Crossman arrives on the scene and identifies the body as Victoria. Detective Crossman believes Victoria was kayaking in the lake, slipped, and hit her head. While Alex and Emily accept the detective’s theory, Grace thinks something’s wrong. The family had two women connected to them die within months of each other. She keeps her job to care for Andy but falls into the culprit’s crosshairs. Can Grace survive?
This movie offers Lifetime’s usual suspects. The plot gives you the high-profile, working husband who surrounds himself with young, beautiful women. Next is the meddling mother, who looks down on everyone but her son and grandson. Then, the dutiful wife who sacrifices everything for her family. As the story continues, viewers get the nosy housekeeper and lovelorn chef, and the audience’s mind races as they cycle through the clues. The test results will bring everything to a screaming halt. However, the results bring another twist to the film. Grace must solve a moral dilemma and a crime. The mystery gives the viewers a well-constructed recap to review clues they missed. This story is well crafted, but the audience will beg Grace to leave. No part-time job is worth this much stress. The picture is enjoyable, but the twists and turns can cause whiplash.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
Don’t take it personally – Andrea
You are so crazy. I’m not going to spy on them for you – Grace
This town is full of gossip. So, rumors will spread – Emily
Sure. I can use all the support I can get – Alex
Grandma was mean to her sometimes. Maybe that’s why she quit – Andy
We were sad to see her go. – Colin
I wouldn’t stay either. I’ll miss you – Vivian
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The Love Club Moms: Harper – Review
The Love Club Moms: Harper – UPtv – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Harper and Lance arrive with their children, Tyler and Phoebe, to attend Phoebe’s play. After the children walk to the stage, Lance tells Harper they shouldn’t sit together because it will give the kids the wrong impression. However, Harper fears the school’s rumor mill. So, he decides to record the play from the back of the room. Harper runs to the bathroom to scream. She exits and greets Tory and Nila. She alerts them that Lance asked for a separation. Then, they run into Jo and form the Love Club.
After seven months of separation, Lance stops by Harper’s house to pick up the kids. Then, Lance asks Harper for a divorce. She pleads with him to reconsider, but he’s met someone else. Harper jumps on the phone and texts the Love Club for lunch. She meets them and gives a sunny outlook on her future. However, her joyful disposition doesn’t fool them. The Love Club knows Harper will crash.
Harper has a barbecue, but few people attend. Her friends believe that people are at Councilman Colin’s party. Harper barges into Colin’s event with the Love Club and demands to know why he threw his event on her day. He informs her that he didn’t know about her barbecue before. Also, he has other events scheduled. She fumes and exits with her friends, but Colin follows. He likes her tenacity and wants Harper to join his campaign. Harper refuses, and Colin calmly retreats. The Love Club advises Harper to work with him because she can complete her city initiatives faster. Harper reconsiders working with Colin but doesn’t know the Love Club has an ulterior motive. They see the love in Colin’s eyes and hope Harper feels the connection, too.
Harper and Colin work well together until his campaign manager convinces Colin to take credit for Harper’s idea. Harper won’t allow Colin’s disrespect to derail her. Instead of joining Colin, she decides to beat him by running for councilwoman of their town. Will Harper and Colin’s battle hinder the Love Club’s plan?
The third installment of the Love Club Moms is the best of the series thus far. It’s funny, thought-provoking, and lovable. Harper and Colin are two sides of the same coin. Both want to better their community but worry about the optics. Harper knows the rumor mill burns through the school and causes isolation. Colin sees things through a political lens. Any wrong move can hurt his chances at re-election. He wants to be nice, but ‘nice guys don’t win.’ This dynamic makes them great teammates, opponents, and entertainment. While Harper does get petty, it only attracts Colin more and makes him want to change. Fortunately, they have the Love Club playing puppet master, and they will make you laugh out loud. This script is funnier, more relatable, and more mature than the others. This film will make you want to watch the others.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
Harper, I think we need to talk – Lance
So much for your agenda. – Tory
Are you ok? You look a little green – Harper
Is it just me, or is her energy unusually frenetic today – Nila
I don’t mean to steal your thunder – Colin
I think that bubble just burst – Jo
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Love in the Clouds – Review
Love in the Clouds – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Business reporter Brooklyn works for a local news station. She inserts fun into her segments, but the producer, Mary, doesn’t like it. She warns Brooklyn to leave the puns to the lifestyle segments. Brooklyn shares her frustrations with her videographer, Elise. Elise tells Brooklyn about a lifestyle job in New Mexico, but Brooklyn believes she doesn’t have the resumé for the position. Later, Mary calls Brooklyn into her office. The reporter Mary selected to cover the International Balloon Fiesta can’t go. She asks Brooklyn to go instead and report back. Brooklyn agrees that Elise can go with her. Mary knows that attendees booked the hotels months in advance. So, she will work on finding a place for them to stay.
Jared runs a Romantic Hot Air Balloon ride business with his cousin Carlos. The bookings are slow, but Jared is confident they will pick up after the Fiesta. Then, Jared gets a call from Mary. He will allow Elise and Brooklyn to stay at his home, but he doesn’t want his personal life to be a part of the story. Mary agrees, but Jared’s apprehension about personal matters piques her interest. Mary updates Brooklyn but tells Brooklyn to find the story that Jared is hiding.
Brooklyn and Elise arrive in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and travel to Jared’s home. Jared arrives, and Brooklyn stumbles over her words. Elise can see the attraction. She exits to give them time together without her. Brooklyn learns Jared is jaded about love and leaks the information to Mary. Mary wants him to be the focal point, or she will fire Brooklyn. However, Brooklyn doesn’t believe she can do it because she’s falling in love with him. Can Brooklyn report the story without losing Jared’s trust, or will she give up her job?
This movie informs the audience about the Fiesta, the box, the International Balloon Museum, Paws and Stripes, and Green Chili while having two subplots (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). However, the information is better than most of the movie. Nevertheless, the process of Jane and Brad figuring out their next phase in life makes you fall in love with the script. Brad recently retired but is now unsure what to do next. He doesn’t want to spend time with Jane, pick up a hobby, or reconnect with work. Jane works her magic on Brad and the two couples around her. You will cheer for her. Also, there is a cute love story involving Elise and Carlos that doesn’t overshadow Jared and Brooklyn. This film is what Hallmarkies expect and nothing more.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
Love? Yeah, that’s like trying to control a hot air balloon in a windstorm – Jared
You two go ahead. I have to clean my camera – Elise
Elise, he’s a pilot, not a tour guide – Brooklyn
I can feel it. Love is in the air – Jane
What happened to me just being a participant – Brad
When you know, you know – Carlos
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Categories: Ashley Newbrough, Bring The Spring, Chelsea Larkin, Gail O'Grady, Genelle Williams, Georgia Small, Golden Madison, hallmark, I Was Honey Boo Boo, Julia Borsellino, lifetime, lifetime movie network, lmn, Lorenzo Lamas, Love in the Clouds, Made for TV, Mark Taylor, May For Moms, McKenzie Westmore, movie, Nazneen Contractor, Paul Greene, Rebecca Dalton, Revenge is a Mother, review, The Love Club Moms: Harper, The Nanny Sees All, tv review, UPtv, Vale Cooper
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