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Kidnapped By a Killer: The Heather Robinson Story – Review
Kidnapped By a Killer: The Heather Robinson Story – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Heather Robinson returns home with her angry mother, Jill. Teenager Heather pierced a classmate without their parents’ permission. Heather’s father, Mike, laughs about and intensifies Jill’s rage. In Heather’s eyes, he is the fun parent who takes her side. Jill is the strict, boring parent who doesn’t love her. Heather thinks Jill never wanted to adopt her and purposefully calls her mother by her name.
Jill, Mike, and Heather attend a family wedding. Her paternal uncle, John, asks Heather for a dance. Heather remembers that John set up her adoption. She asks John for her actual mother’s name. John states that Jill is her actual mother. He reminds Heather of a pinky promise he made, but asks her to give Jill some slack. Later, John tells Heather her mother’s name was Lisa. Heather confronts Jill with the information and demands to know the truth about Lisa. After some harsh words from Heather, Jill tells Heather that Lisa ended her life. She asks John to find Heather a proper home before making her final decision. Heather believes Jill is cruel and lying. She cries to her father.
Two federal agents walk into Detective Coy’s office. They were looking into a woman’s disappearance. After she went missing, her mother got typed letters with her signature. Her mother confirmed the signature but said her daughter could hardly spell. She knows her daughter didn’t write them. She assumes the man, John, who was helping her, knows something. They started digging into John’s background, and Coy’s name appeared in several files. They want to know what she knows. She pulls out a large folder and plops it on her desk. She’s been waiting for them for years. She believes John is responsible for killing several women, including an infant. Their investigation will turn Heather’s life upside down.
This script offers viewers an unfiltered glimpse of Heather. She is spoiled, mouthy, and rude to Jill. This approach doesn’t ingratiate her to desensitize Lifetimers. It will make you victim-blame when Heather learns the truth. So, Lifetimers should take a breath as Heather unloads on Jill. The movie then focuses its remaining time on John and his evil crimes. He manipulated, scammed, and murdered. And in brief second cuts, you see the actual victims’ faces. It will break your heart while connecting you to the story. John was able to operate for too long because he preyed on the most vulnerable. The title cards provide the audience with the year. You should pay attention to the actors’ clothing, hairstyle, and accessories; the movie isn’t in chronological order. This film is gut-wrenching and magnificently done if you can handle Heather’s attitude and John’s creepiness.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
I don’t want to be special – Heather
Did your dad ever tell you that I helped with your adoption? – John
Not as an accomplice, I hope – Detective Coy
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Secret Life of My Other Wife – Review
Secret Life of My Other Wife – LMN – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Waitress Bliss walks to her car after a grueling shift. Then, a rude customer accosts her in the parking lot. Bliss attempts to fight him off, but he overpowers her. Nathan shouts in the distance. He notices the man has a limp and kicks the man in the knee. The man buckles and crawls away. Nathan checks on Bliss and asks her to dinner. Bliss accepts.
Dinner is going great until Nathan drops two bombs. He has a teenage son, Matt, and two wives. Lauren was his first wife. Later, he met Jenna and added her to his family. Nathan doesn’t want the constraints of monogamy to ruin his happy family. Bliss is unsure about the lifestyle, so Nathan invites Bliss to visit his family.
Bliss arrives at the family farmhouse. Jenna is warm and friendly, but Lauren calmly threatens Bliss. And Matt extends his mother’s welcome with a bow and arrow. Bliss grew up in a single-parent household and always wanted a large family. However, she has dreams of going to school and becoming a nurse. She doesn’t think she can accomplish those goals with Nathan. He assures her that he will support her dreams. Bliss wants more time to think about it.
Carl sits at a table and requests Bliss. He tells Bliss that he’s been following her. His sister, Anna, was married to Nathan, but he hadn’t heard from Anna in years. He questions Bliss about Anna, but Nathan never speaks of her. Since Bliss is close to Nathan, Carl asks Bliss to investigate the matter. She says no. Carl whispers that he knows about Bliss’s past and will tell everyone if she doesn’t help. Anna returns to Nathan’s home, and one mention of Anna brings fear into their eyes.
Bliss returns to Nathan’s home, and Lauren is unusually kind. She shows Bliss around the house and talks about Anna. She says Anna wanted more and left to find herself. Nathan understood and let her go. Days later, Bliss gets a call from her landlord. He’s doubling her rent. Then, her boss fires her. She calls Nathan. He invites Bliss to move in and join his family. She relaxes into the family dynamics until she finds Anna’s heirloom locket. Bliss doesn’t know who to trust. Will she uncover the truth?
This film is a giant red flag for any Lifetime viewer. Nathan uses cult tactics to lure Bliss into his trap. He shows her undying affection and supports her dreams. However, he flips the script when Bliss moves into his home. He wants her to focus on children, not a career. Nathan demands she wear pants and abuses his other wives. He made a plural marriage look idyllic to hide the nightmares within. Your skin will crawl as Bliss falls for his trap. While this movie has a believable setup, the script doesn’t deliver. The actors do their best to pull off a mystery with zero intrigue. You can guess what happened to Anna and why. The conclusion is sweet, but everything else will keep you scrolling on your phone.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
I notice you’re leaning to the left – Nathan
We both fell for those big hazel eyes, too – Jenna
Sorry, I thought I was being – Lauren
I love Nathan. And no one, not even you, is going to come between us – Bliss
Something’s off. They’re hiding something – Carl
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The Thirteenth Wife: Escaping Polygamy (Part 2) – Review
The Thirteenth Wife: Escaping Polygamy (Part 2) – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Rena vigorously wrings her hands as she recounts the day she pointed a gun at Dr. Rulon Allred. Reporter Josie asks if Rena pulled the trigger. Rena admits yes for the first time. She did it under the direction of her husband, cult leader Ervil. However, Rena and her accomplice went to jail. During their stint, Rena questioned her faith. But Ervil assured her that God would watch over her if she prayed. The jury’s acquittal solidified Rena’s faith while strengthening Ervil’s paranoia. As more people die, Rena questions if she should stay. Ervil wants to exact revenge on all his naysayers and uses his followers as instruments of death. As Rena second-guesses Ervil’s decisions, she considers leaving. But he won’t let her go quietly, even from behind bars.
The second part of this movie will anger viewers more than the first. This film, like its predecessor, follows the interview process. So, Josie asks the questions that are in the audience’s mind. Rena discusses her questioning beliefs, the change in leadership, and life after the cult. She knows the reader will judge her and answer accordingly. The conclusion offered Rena compassion, but you won’t forget that she got away with murder. However, viewers should understand that a jury later found Rena guilty in a civil trial. This story is worth the 4-hour running time and captivates with period costumes and technology. The script allows you to understand Rena’s fear and confusion, then and now. Her decisions will anger you, but remember, Rena joined the cult at a young age. So, breaking that level of brainwashing is complex and terrifying. Viewers should watch part two if they can handle the triggers in part one.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
So tell me, am I a monster? – Rena
No, Lorna. I need warriors, not a dish rag – Ervil
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Mr. Pawsitively Perfect – Review
Mr. Pawsitively Perfect – UPtv – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Julia moves another dog’s photo from foster to adoption while encouraging her friend, Daisy, to adopt. Daisy doesn’t have the space or time to adopt a dog, but she’s happy to draw the pictures of the puppies on the wall. Also, Daisy wants to create a business but can’t find the right idea. Julia mentions that her favorite TV couple, Jace and Anastasia, are breaking up. Daisy rolls her eyes because she and Jace went to high school together, but he was a few grades ahead. She remembers he was into sustainable designs. But as he gained fame, Jace became a corporate puppet. Daisy notices that Julia’s face changes because Jace is behind her. Daisy cracks a phony smile and slinks away.
Jace returns home and talks to his friend, Matt. Surprisingly, Jace agrees with Daisy. He thinks he has lost his roots in the Hollywood spotlight. Jace returns to Julia’s adoption center to adopt a puppy. However, Daisy grabs the paperwork. She assumes Jace will use the dog to boost his followers. She wants someone who cares to adopt the dog. Julia believes Daisy is overstepping but wants to help ease Daisy’s fears. So, Julia tells Daisy to shadow Jace and the dog at the park. Jace can prove his worthiness. Jace agrees. However, the deal turns sour when Jace mentions posting the dog’s photos online. Daisy yells that Jace’s rebrand will happen without the dog. She takes the dog and exits the park.
Daisy makes drinks at Julia’s adoption center when Daisy’s mother, Martha, enters. Martha announces that she’s going to Paris. Daisy stammers because Martha always said they would go on the trip together. Martha doesn’t want to wait for Daisy to save money, and Daisy doesn’t want charity. So, Daisy must find a way to make money. Then, she remembers that the Design and Inspiration Expo has a prize worth $50,000. If she wins, she can use the money for the trip while creating a new business. She recalls that Jace wants to rebrand. She will make an app to help people rebrand. Jace agrees to help if she eases him into dog ownership. Daisy agrees to his terms, but will she get more?
This movie follows the plot of an uptight woman and a relaxed man. Daisy is an off-putting character who’s controlling and demanding. Writers should be careful not to alienate the audience from their lead protagonist. Daisy has villain energy. However, her rigid demeanor makes sense when you meet her judgmental mother. Martha has a harsh tongue and doesn’t spare Daisy’s feelings. Jace is a man trying to find himself after a breakup. It’s these character dynamics that make this film a shoo-in for the 2025 June Groom season. Otherwise, everything about this film is typical and doesn’t garner too much of your attention.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
Daisy dear, no need to do the little foam art on top – Martha
Strong, abrupt, just like the person who made it – Jace
If you’re going to do it, you might as well do it right – Daisy
It was just a little harsh – Julia
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Love on the Danube: Kissing Stars – Review
Love on the Danube: Kissing Stars – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Instead of getting a promotion, Savannah’s boss, Betty, fires her. The publicist’s charity work didn’t bring in enough business. Savannah calls her friend, concierge Teddy. Teddy has a great idea to boost Savannah’s resumé and give her a free trip. The Emerald Cruise is hosting the first Kiss-Con. It’s a convention for fans of romantic comedy. The coordinator, Liam, needs a publicist for one of his guests, actor Tripp. Savannah doesn’t like working with entertainers but agrees to enhance her work history.
Savannah arrives at the airport and unknowingly sees Tripp looking for a cab. She offers to share, but he assumes she wants a selfie. He refuses and bumps into fans. Savannah arrives at the ship and greets Teddy. Savannah and Teddy meet with Liam. Liam explains that Tripp is struggling with his fame. He must connect with the fans because Tripp is up for a trilogy. Savannah promises to keep Tripp on time, engaged, and connected. Liam introduces Tripp to Savannah. He vehemently rejects having a handler.
Tripp misses the first introductions, and Liam blames Savannah. She looks around and sees Tripp at a food cart. She urges him to return when fans take photos of him. Tripp runs away. Savannah catches up to him and explains that she had the fans delete the images. Tripp breathes a sigh of relief and sees the importance of having help. Tripp and Savannah will collaborate to advance each other’s careers. During their partnership, Teddy, Betty, and Captain Magnusson can see the attraction between them. But can Savannah and Tripp find the passion when the business comes between them?
This installment is the final film in the Love on the Danube trilogy. It expands the lives of Teddy, Captain Magnusson, and Betty while introducing the audience to a new couple. This film is funnier than the others but follows the same plot. It’s the subplot between Betty and a former lover that will make your heart beat faster. Viewers will wonder if Betty will choose passion or wanderlust. This conclusion has more mystery and intrigue than the primary couple. If Hallmark keeps this series, Betty must remain a regular. Let’s state this: the Kiss-Con cruise is a magical idea for Hallmarkies. The trilogy will make you watch, but Betty will keep you tuned in.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
I do like to have fun – Teddy
I didn’t want a selfie with you – Savannah
Yeah, but this time, I actually mean it – Betty
I feel like a rattlesnake at a square dance, Liam. – Tripp
Why am I not surprised – Liam
You can do whatever it is you love and be yourself at the same time – Captain Magnusson
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Categories: Alana Hawley Purvis, Benjamin J. Stevens, Brendan Penny, Christine L. Nguyen, Emma Johnson, Giles Panton, hallmark, Jamie Spilchuk, Jana Kramer, Jonathan Whitesell, June Grooms, Kidnapped By a Killer: The Heather Robinson Story, lifetime, lifetime movie network, lmn, Love on the Danube: Kissing Stars, Love Sundays, Made for TV, May For Moms, Michelle Harrison, movie, Mr. Pawsitively Perfect, Olga Petsa, Rachel Stubington, review, Ripped From The Headlines, Sarah Power, Secret Life of My Other Wife, Steve Guttenberg, Teagan Vincze, The Thirteenth Wife: Escaping Polygamy (Part 2), tv review, Unhappily Ever After, UPtv
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