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Terri Blackstock’s If I Run – Review
Terri Blackstock’s If I Run – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Casey frantically cleans the blood off her hands and clothes before leaving Brent’s home. She runs to Eddie’s autobody shop and begs him to make her fake IDs. Eddie creates a new identity with the name Grace. Casey gathered some money. Now, she waits at a bus depot for a ride to Atlanta.
Dylan wants to join the police force but has trouble finding a spot with his PTSD. Brent’s family wants to hire a private detective to locate Casey because they don’t believe the police are moving fast enough. The captain suggested that the family hire Dylan. He can make money and gain respect within the department. Dylan meets with Brent’s family and agrees to do the job. Later, Dylan sees pictures of Casey with Eddie. He looks into Eddie’s past. Eddie participated in a program designed to help offenders find a new path. Casey ran it. Dylan gains Eddie’s trust, and Eddie admits to making IDs for her, only because he believes Casey is innocent. Dylan thinks she’s innocent, too. He follows clues to the bus depot and asks attendants about her. Then, he sees a lady running away.
Casey darts to the bus and hides. She sees Dylan searching for her, but he jumps on another bus. He spots her bus, but it’s too late. Casey sits next to Lucy on their way to Atlanta. Lucy confides in Casey about her missing granddaughter, Laura. Laura went missing 2 years ago, and the police searched for a while but labeled her a runaway. Lucy would like to leave town, but can’t do it until she finds her granddaughter. At the trip’s end, Lucy offers Casey a place to stay if she needs it.
Casey sits in a park and calls her sister, Hannah. She won’t offer her location but tells Hannah she’s okay. She will lie low and gather evidence about Brent’s killer. When Casey was a child, she found her father’s body after his suicide. However, she remembers seeing signs of a struggle. Casey told Brent she thought someone had killed her dad. Brent found evidence and called Casey to examine it. When Casey arrived, she found Brent’s body. Casey recovered a flash drive from Brent’s home, but it’s encrypted. She won’t return until she uncovers the truth. Hannah warns Casey to be careful because Dylan is on her tail. Can Casey outrun Dylan and clear her name?
Based on ‘If I Run’ by Terri Blackstock, this film contains a smaller plot within an overarching storyline (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). Casey unknowingly investigates Laurie’s disappearance during her time on the run. While this seems a distraction, it helps Casey understand the corruption within and manipulation of a police department. The film displays two causes of PTSD. Casey struggled after finding her father’s corpse. She copes by assisting others. Dylan is a war veteran and the sole survivor of his regiment. He has just started his journey to recovery. This case brings these two survivors together with a common goal. Dylan stands out on Lifetime because he is an intelligent detective. He asks the proper questions and analyzes the clues. He isn’t hunting Casey but working with her. The acting is on par with the network, but the plot exceeds it. This film is an entertaining and compelling start to the series. Sadly, Lifetime won’t release the second film until 2026.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
Don’t chase me – Casey
Be safe. Don’t get caught – Eddie
If you want to help, keep digging – Hannah
Don’t run – Dylan
God sent an angel to help – Lucy
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Killer in the Woods – Review
Killer in the Woods – LMN – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Sarna and her daughter, Laurie, get into a screaming match about Sarna’s ex-husband, John. Laurie believes Sarna is weak and gives in to the whims of men. And she says Sarna repeats those mistakes with her new boyfriend, Oscar. Laurie has no respect for her mother. Sarna prepares breakfast in the morning, but Laura and Sarna’s youngest daughter, Alice, leave with a limited goodbye. Sarna commiserates with Oscar and yearns for a better relationship. He suggests they go camping. It will allow Laurie and Alice to bond with him and help them see how strong Sarna can be.
Sarna tells her daughters about the trip after school. Laurie hates the idea and asks if it was Oscar’s doing. Sarna yells at Laurie and gives her an option: Go on the trip or tech punishment. Laurie chooses the former. They arrive at the campsite, and the park ranger warns them about bear sightings. They set up camp, and Oscar wins over Laurie by dinner. The girls sleep in one tent while Oscar and Sarna rest in another. Laurie and Alice hear a sound in the woods, but to Laurie’s surprise, it’s her boyfriend, Derek. Laurie leaves the tent to spend time with him, but Alice threatens to tell. Laurie scares Alice into keeping her secret.
Laurie returns to the tent but can’t find Alice. She alerts Sarna, and Sarna panics. Sarna, Oscar, and Laurie look for Alice in the woods. When they come across Alice’s stuffed bear, Sarna hyperventilates with fear. Oscar calmly demands that Sarna stay in their tent to gain her composure. Until then, he and Laura will look for Alice. During their search, they stumble across Derek’s body. Oscar sees smoke in the distance. He hopes those campers can help them.
They arrive at the log cabin, and Alice is asleep inside. Laurie tries to wake Alice, but there’s no response. Then, Lynn Marie and Prophet Timothy enter. Lynn Marie jabs Laurie in the neck with a hypodermic needle. Hours later, Alice and Laurie wake up, but their shoes are gone. Oscar brought them to Prophet Timothy to help them start a new world order with a pure race. Can Sarna gather her strength and save her daughters from a narcissistic madman?
Laurie is a brat, but she is right. Sarna easily relents to the men in her life and insists on someone rescuing her. This plot point will irritate fans. And it makes Sarna look pathetic. You won’t care if she lives or dies because she doesn’t. She sits, cries, and whines for the first half of the film. As Sarna uses her wit to stand up for herself, you’ve lost interest in her character. Now, the cult members are well-written and based on the cult archetype. Prophet Timothy is the alpha and runs the cult to fit his needs. Lynn Marie is the beta. She devoutly follows Tim without question or hesitation. Oscar is the Omega. He is the weakest link of the group and the most expendable. The picture’s build-up is annoying, but the conclusion is a satisfying gut punch. And, the last 5 minutes save this film.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
I’m pretty sure she’s a wuss. No matter how you slice it – Laurie
She was just being nice – Alice
So, I’m the bad guy now – John
I’ll be way too charming and persuasive – Oscar
This is my decision – Sarna
I repent of my ways and submit to your will – Lynn Marie
You will learn, my child – Prophet Timothy
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Vicious Murder – Review
Vicious Murder – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Riley wakes up next to Jesse and kisses him. She loves him dearly, but she must return home before her husband, Nathan, catches her. Riley’s done with her marriage and wants to make a life with Jesse. However, she’s waiting for the perfect time. Riley arrives at home, and Nathan is waiting for her. He wants to take her to an art show. Riley maintains her composure as Nathan introduces her to photographer Jesse. The two pretend not to know each other and shake hands.
Nathan yells at a board meeting. The crypto-king is broke. He put all his money into one coin, and it failed. Nathan reaches out to his contacts, but they are unable to help him. However, he has another answer to the problem. His assets are in Riley’s name, and she has a trust fund. If he kills her, he will get her money. He doesn’t think twice about this plan because he knows Riley is having an affair. He convinces his cousin, Frank, to set up Riley. He thinks everything will be smooth. Nathan doesn’t know that Riley is on to his scheme and has a plan to eliminate him. Which spouse will be the victor of this cat-and-mouse game?
Viewers, get your pen and pad ready for this Tenet-level plot of deception. This film contains several flashbacks because it has a quadruple cross in the script. It will confuse you if you don’t pay attention. One fact remains true: Riley and Nathan deserve each other. That’s what pulls you into the story. Nathan and Riley don’t have morals. They are greedy, manipulative, and psychotic. You expect both of them to die. There is a death, but not the person you’d expect. This Tubi original delivers on Lifetime. The acting isn’t the best, but the script makes up for any shortfalls. This film deserves a second watch.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
You are going to be the death of me, woman – Jesse
And this is my fine piece of art – Nathan
Now will you do this for me? Or should I say with me? – Riley
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Unwrapping Christmas: Olivia’s Reunion – Review
Unwrapping Christmas: Olivia’s Reunion – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Olivia grabs a truck full of gifts but almost forgets her dog, Ivy. She retrieves her precious pooch and drives to her store, All Wrapped Up, which she co-owns with her best friends, Tina, Mia, and Lily. Olivia must deliver the wrapped gifts today, but can’t take Ivy. So, she asks her friends to watch the canine during her delivery. They happily agree. She believes the trip will take a few hours, but she plans to return today and help with the Gala.
Olivia approaches her destination and hears about an impending snowstorm on the radio. She knocks on the door, and her ex-boyfriend, Ben, answers. His family rented the cabin from his aunt and planned to spend the holiday there. He invites her and the gifts inside. Olivia tries to retreat, but Ben wants to catch up. The conversation starts well, but changes when they discuss their breakup. Olivia hastily exits and drives down the road. However, the heavy snow closes the streets. Olivia gets out of her vehicle to move the sign, but slips and falls. She drives back to Ben’s cabin to seek refuge. He allows her to stay. Ben warns Olivia that they don’t have food. His family was supposed to bring it, but they are snowed in and can’t reach the cabin.
Olivia settles in and calls her friends. She doesn’t know when they will open the roads. She may miss the Gala and the competition. Olivia asks them to watch Ivy until she returns. They don’t hesitate to say yes. They tell her not to worry about the Gala because they will handle it. Olivia’s friends believe it’s kismet that she and Ben are stuck together. They ask her to make the most of this opportunity. However, Olivia only considers leaving. Does fate have something more in store for these exes?
The final installment of the Unwrapping Christmas franchise makes a dog famous. When the scene incorporates one of Olivia’s friends, Ivy is a wild scamp in the background, causing lovable havoc. The storyline follows the plot points Hallmarkies know well. Forced together, two exes have to solve a problem and rekindle their love. The plot feels boring until Ben’s family arrives at the cabin. After their breakup, Ben badmouthed Olivia to his family. So, Ben’s mother holds nothing back when they are face-to-face. That moment will grab your attention. Her return to the Gala isn’t surprising because we saw it in the other three films. So viewers know this film’s destination, but the journey is whimsical.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
I don’t like fancy anyway – Olivia
Well, we can’t control the weather – Ben
I thought it looked familiar – Mia
Don’t worry. We’re doing okay – Tina
I still think it happened for a reason – Lily
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Categories: Andre Chetverikoff, Arica Adams, Betsy Hume, Christmas in July, Cindy Busby, Clementine Toronto, Drew Sidora, Evan Roderick, hallmark, Jake Epstein, james tupper, Kat Graham, Kayden Brenna Tokarski, Killer in the Woods, Liana Giurissevich, lifetime, lifetime movie network, lmn, Made for TV, movie, Randy Wayne, review, Rib Hillis, Sizzling Summer Nights, Stephen Barrington, Terri Blackstock's If I Run, Tremayne Norris, tv review, Vicious Murder
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