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Dateless to Dangerous: My Son’s Secret Life – Review
Dateless to Dangerous: My Son’s Secret Life – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Noelle asks her son, Miles, to look out for his younger sister, Haley. Today is her first day back in public school after taking a year off after a bullying incident. Miles rolls his eyes and assures Noelle that Haley will be fine. Miles rock climbs with his best friend, Sam, and they discuss their college prospects. Then, they join Haley in the cafeteria, and Sam asks her to join the debate team with them. Next, they watch a homecoming proposal. Haley suggests Miles propose to his crush, Sophia, but he thinks Sophia is out of his league. Later, Haley joins the team, and Miles watches Sam talk to Haley. Miles believes Sam is flirting, but Sam says they are friends.
After some prodding from Haley, Miles gains the courage to propose to Sophia. He lies next to her locker with a chalk outline and a note stating that he is dying to go to homecoming with her. Sophia asks him to stand and tells him that she is going with friends. Students chuckle as they record the awkward interaction. Miles runs home and jumps online to play games and converse with internet friends. They tell him that he is a beta and an incel and describe Sophia as a ‘Stacy.’ They send Miles a link to other men who experienced similar issues and blame it on women. Miles finds the darkest corner of the web to feed his insecurity and release his responsibility. Over time, he will turn on his family and friends and become violent. Can Noelle pull Miles out of the abyss before he becomes a danger to others and himself?
This film takes a bold leap into discussing radicalization. It warns that teens never have to leave their rooms to become indoctrinated into a subculture of hate. Viewers will notice that Miles’s father is absent during the film. Mr. Miller is with another woman, divorcing Noelle, and stealing money from his family. However, Noelle protects her children from his misgivings so they won’t hate their father. The writers did this for two reasons. It leaves Miles as the only male in his family and displays Miles’s gender bias. He never blames his father for abandoning them. His internet friends help him lay that at Noelle’s feet. The audience’s blood will boil as Miles’s psyche snaps. Noelle writes it off as typical teenage angst. She doesn’t see the evil brewing inside of Miles. It’s not until Miles’s behavior turns vengeful that she takes action. The set designers made Miles’s living quarters red, dark, and underground to mirror his feelings. This film isn’t a debate but a warning to parents to watch out for the signs. Everyone should watch and pay attention.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
Don’t you get it, Miles? You are the problem – Haley
I have a crew – Miles
Then, why are you going down this ugly path? – Noelle
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Shattered Vows – Review
Shattered Vows – LMN – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Newlyweds Sarah and Brendan share their first dance as a couple with their loved ones. Sarah’s friend, Nicole, interrupts to ask Sarah a few questions. Brendan walks over to his sister, Rachel, dancing with his daughter, Kennedy, from a previous marriage. Brendan distracts Kennedy with cake to talk to Rachel privately. His ex-wife, Lindsey, stealthily slipped a threatening message before his wedding. However, he hasn’t seen her because he and Sarah have a restraining order against her. Rachel warns Brendan to stay alert because his new marriage will make Lindsey spiral. The best man, Jason, shares marriage wisdom with Brendan before spending time with his pregnant wife, Nicole.
Sarah overlooks Brendan’s work calls during their honeymoon. She understands that he will worry about his cases and clients if he doesn’t handle them. However, she can’t shake the feeling that something’s wrong during dinner. Sarah pleads with him to tell her the truth because she doesn’t want to start their marriage with secrets. Brendan takes a deep breath and tells her about a case. Later, Sarah wakes up in bed and reaches out for Brendan, but he isn’t there. She walks out of their room and looks down from the top of the staircase. She discovers Brendan’s body at the bottom. Sarah is the grieving widow until Brendan’s family and friends start to suspect her of killing Brendan. Then, Sarah becomes public enemy #1 on social media. Can Sarah prove her innocence before she loses her freedom and Kennedy?
This movie is a slow burn with a strange jump cut because you never hear Brendan’s secret. He tells Sarah he’s withholding information, and next, she’s in bed. It’s an odd choice because it’s a pivotal moment in the story. However, the writer and director probably chose this cut to add to the mystery. Nevertheless, experienced Lifetimes can see the plot unfolding. You won’t go for the obvious choice because you will expect a Lifetime twist. Sadly, the story has potential, but it picks the familiar Lifetime suspect and motive. Also, the lead is incredibly weak. Sarah lets Rachel take Kennedy, gives Lindsey control over her home, and allows the internet to bully her. The lead character needs more backbone. Even if you set aside the poorly doctored images and misspellings, this film won’t be a favorite of the 2025 Unhappily Ever After series.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
Don’t start marriage in the dog house – Justin
I promise I won’t scare you again – Brendan
She can’t keep sending me these messages – Sarah
But Brendan’s dead now – Lindsey
Have you really told me everything? – Rachel
The cops should be doing more – Nicole
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The Boy Who Vanished – Review
The Boy Who Vanished – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Tyler pleads to take the school bus, but his mother, Haley, says no. It’s the only time Tyler’s dad, Richard, can bond with him. Tyler relents and rides with Richard. Tyler doesn’t know the truth. Twelve years ago, Richard and Haley’s oldest son, Jack, disappeared. The police suspected Haley’s addicted brother, Mike, of the kidnapping, but they couldn’t find enough evidence to arrest him. As Haley stares at a picture of Jack and infant Tyler, she gets a phone call from the police. Jack’s alive. He escaped his captors and called emergency services from a pay phone. Haley and Richard run to the police station and wait to see their son.
After interviewing Jack, the detective speaks to Richard and Haley. He wants to conduct a DNA test, but Haley screams, ‘No.’ Richard believes Jack looks different, but Haley attributes that to twelve years in captivity. She won’t allow them to violate Jack’s privacy after he survived untold acts. Richard and the detective accept her resistance. Jack leaves with them to start their new life together, but he’s hiding a devious secret.
Lifetimers will scream when Haley refuses the blood test. However, Jack’s lies aren’t what you assume. The plot has a sinister underbelly you’d never expect, and it won’t make sense until the last 10 minutes. Until then, Richard and Haley let people get a little too close, especially after someone kidnapped their son. The script’s unsavory characters, Luna and Travis, are introduced to the story, but the audience is uncertain how they link to Richard and Haley, if at all. The conclusion will leave your jaw on the floor, and it saves this film. It’s worth it if you can sit through the nearly 2-hour buildup.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
He looks so different – Richard
I felt so stupid and angry – Jack
Did they hurt him? – Haley
What are you sorry for? – Mike
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Two Chefs and a Wedding Cake – Review
Two Chefs and a Wedding Cake – UPtv – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Chef Jamie goes over the specials with his team. During the meeting, the new owner, Braxton, interrupts to talk to Jamie now. Jamie clenches his teeth and finds a private area in the kitchen. Braxton wants to invite a food critic to the restaurant, and Jamie says no. He thinks critics are a plague on the industry, and he won’t allow one into his business. Braxton fires Jamie.
Food critic Halle visits her sister’s café. Halle’s sister, Leah, directs Halle to the sample table. Halle and Jamie reach for a cake, and their hands touch. Leah watches her sister flirt with the handsome man. When Halle walks to Leah’s side, Leah alerts Halle that Jamie is the notorious tabloid Chef Boy. He has a history of bad behavior in the kitchen and his dating life. Jamie joins his friend, Kylie, on the other side of the café. She informs him that Halle is a food critic. He can’t hamper his animosity towards the profession, so he leaves.
Kylie calls Jamie because she broke her ankle and can’t fulfill her catering job for a wedding. Jamie offered to complete it for her. She warns Jamie that this is a large wedding with an intense bride. He grabs his tools and walks toward the kitchen. Leah and Halle pull up in their father’s driveway. Leah hands a 136-page binder with intricate details about the wedding. Also, Leah wants Halle to spend time with the best man, Peter. She believes Peter is the ideal match for Halle. Halle darts away and walks to the kitchen. She tastes Jamie’s bisque and adds more salt. Jamie returns and thinks his bisque is too salty. Then, he makes updates. They spot each other in the kitchen and argue. Leah stops the fight but panics about the last-minute chef change. Jamie assures Leah he will follow Kylie’s instructions. Leah makes Jamie Halle’s responsibility.
Jamie needs more spices, so Halle’s father suggests she take him to the farmer’s market. She can’t handle Jamie’s dismissive behavior and calls him rude. He thinks her job is disrespectful and destroys businesses. Halle realizes Jamie has never read her reviews. She doesn’t do exposés to end restaurants. She considers a new angle for her work because the column is becoming stale. She wants to review chefs outside of their restaurants and chooses to start with Kylie’s catering company. Jamie panics because one bad review could tank his best friend’s business. So he cringes and allows Halle to profile him if he keeps Kylie’s name out of it. She agrees and believes this article will help Jamie get a new job. Halle spends more time with Peter, nicknamed Mr. Perfect, and Jamie during this wedding. Which man will she choose?
The title is misleading. Rom-com fans will assume this movie is about two chefs in a wedding cake battle. However, the cake isn’t a factor until the last 30 minutes, and the writers never mention the cake catastrophe. You know there is an issue, and they have to work together to fix it. Also, viewers don’t receive a baking montage. The title should have been Two Chefs and a Wedding. Leah’s A-type personality makes her the comic relief. She has a list of demands and will annihilate anyone who stands in the way of her day. This film is great if you need a 2-hour distraction with a predictable ending. But you will wish Halle chose Peter.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
Well, this cake and I go way back – Halle
Sounds like a special cake – Jamie
You could be happier, you know – Leah
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To Barcelona, Forever – Review
To Barcelona, Forever – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Nico assures Erica that she will get a book deal after Anna’s publisher discovered that Erica rewrote Anna’s book. Nico tells Erica to think positively. Erica breathes and repeats Nico’s positive affirmations. Then, Erica’s phone rings. She got the deal. Nico brings Erica to a special spot in Barcelona to make another dream come true. He gets down on one knee and proposes. Erica fears it’s too soon because they have only been dating for five months. Nico says they have been in love for five years. She says yes. Nico asks a woman nearby to take a picture. It’s Anna. The three celebrate in a private club inside the secret club. Erica is proud of Anna for making a career pivot and becoming a travel blogger. Restaurants she reviews become household names and receive an uptick in business. Anna needs endorsements and brand deals to convince a company to hire her. Anna asks Erica how her latest book is developing. Erica reports that it’s not.
Anna travels to an exclusive store that sells Estrella Saffron only once a year (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). After hearing the price, Anna scoffs and gives the saffron to the man behind her. She wishes him luck in the poor house for buying the item. The cashier informs Anna that the man is Javier Estrella. His family makes it in a reclusive town with closely guarded secrets. Anna wants to use his saffron farm for an article, but Javier refuses. Anna drives home to create a plan B, but her phone and electric car batteries die. She walks into a quaint town, and Javier spots her. He accuses her of following him, but she reiterates that she’s stranded. Javier can charge her car in the morning and give her a guest room for the night. Anna believes this is fate. Javier is glad Anna is there, but tells her to leave in the morning.
Anna wakes up to several people in her room. They hug her and celebrate because they assume Javier’s matchmaker found Javier a fiancée. After they leave, Javier explains that he’s the rightful heir to the town and its saffron empire. However, he must be married to inherit it. Javier promised his family that he would get married by the next harvest. This arrangement is uncomfortable because Javier wants to marry for love, not obligation. He must find a way to sneak Anna out of town. As Anna dodges Javier’s family, she bumps into Erica. Their last call was disconnected, so Erica tracked Anna to her most recent location. Javier panics, but Erica has a solution. Anna can write about the town and its saffron production if she keeps up the ruse for Javier’s family. He can focus on the harvest without his family worrying about his love life. He agrees, but only if she lets him approve the final article. Erica begs Anna to stay. Javier says it’s customary for the maid of honor to stay and assist with wedding plans. Anna cheers because this will give Erica the time and space she needs to write her book. Anna and Javier speculate on when to be honest, but will their love become real?
This second part of the Barcelona series is the comedy Hallmarkies have been begging for. Javier and Anna say the wrong thing at the best moment. They unintentionally insult each other while fate pushes them together. Javier’s family is loving, kind, and understanding. You will want to join them and their traditions. It’s enthralling to see Anna change from a wandering traveler to a woman with a nurturing community. This movie focuses on Anna’s love story, but it doesn’t leave Erica behind. Erica has her fairytale, but the script keeps her narrative grounded. She and Nico discover communication flaws in their relationship. It’s healthy to see everything after ‘happily ever after.’ Like the Wedding Veil series, the Barcelona story can grow and evolve. These actresses can pull it off and make these an instant Hallmark classic.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
My working title is TBD – Erica
Are you ready for one more manifestation? – Nico
What? Where? – Anna
You know what you said – Javier
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Categories: Aiden Howard, Alexander Elliot, Alison Sweeney, Ashley Williams, Christie Leverette, Dateless to Dangerous: My Son's Secret Life, Francesca Bianchi, hallmark, Husein Madhavji, James Bodo, Jodie Sweetin, June Grooms, Kabby Borders, Kolton Stewart, lifetime, lifetime movie network, lmn, Love Sundays, Made for TV, Matt Hamilton, movie, Nikki Roumel, Passport to Love, Rae DeRosa, review, Shattered Vows, Tegan Moss, The Boy Who Vanished, To Barcelona, Forever, tv review, Two Chefs and a Wedding Cake, Unhappily Ever After, UPtv, Will Holland
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