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Finding Faith – Review
Finding Faith – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Jaylen and Faith host a barbecue with his family and his youth basketball team. Jaylen updates his father, Henry, on his job search. He has been looking for work for a year, but hasn’t found anything yet. Henry tells Jaylen to focus on God and continue working with the league. God will provide a way. Henry offers to give Jaylen another loan, but Jaylen refuses. Jaylen’s mother, Helen, nitpicks at everything Faith does until the Pastor approaches the back patio. Pastor Louis greets the women and settles in for a meal. Helen continues to berate Faith when Louis walks away.
Jaylen takes Faith out for dinner to celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary. He surprises her by having the singer, Maria, congratulate them. To Jaylen’s surprise, Faith and Maria were friends in high school. They have a lovely night, and Jaylen makes breakfast for Faith in the morning. She sees an envelope under the Lazy Susan and pulls out a stack of past-due bills. She’s astonished because she thought Jaylen had everything under control. Faith asks Jaylen to request another loan from Henry, but he rejects it. He believes they would do better if she attended church more and worked less. She takes a deep breath and prepares to argue, but their son, Bryson, enters the kitchen.
During church, Faith gets a call from her boss, Cedric. Margaret is sick and they need someone to take her place. Jaylen’s upset that Faith took the call but understands they need the money. Before Faith leaves, she apologizes for the earlier argument. And she promises to make it in time to drive to the basketball team’s game. However, Cedric changes his mind about giving Faith the weekend off. He threatens to fire her if she doesn’t work the weekend. She obliges and calls Jaylen. Jaylen is upset that he had to drive 6 hours without help. Helen offers to assist, but Jaylen says no. He forgives Faith, and she promises to text him.
Jaylen drives as the team, including Bryson, laughs in the back. Jaylen sees a text from Faith and reads it. He takes his eyes off the road and swerves into oncoming traffic. He dodges a vehicle and flips the van several times. Jaylen wakes and sees the players unconscious with smoke coming from the engine. He jumps out of the car and calls 911, but the van catches fire. He runs inside and pulls everyone out. But he passes out inside the automobile, and it explodes. Jaylen dies. Faith goes into a downward spiral of addiction, custody battles, and foreclosure. She gives up on God, but he’s not through with her yet.
This film is a welcome change from the Lifetime format. The first act will break your heart and make you beg for a commercial break. Thankfully, it comes in time. The director made spectacular choices in capturing Faith’s despair. As she falls into an abyss, the camera angle changes and pulls you down with her. When she has to choose between work and the church, Cedric’s lighting darkens behind her. He is the devil in her ear. The makeup department excelled at amplifying Faith and Maria’s addictions. While these elements enthrall you, it’s the script that keeps you coming. Helen’s biting words are a master class in monster-in-laws. And the couples have adult arguments with compassionate solutions. The conclusion will keep you watching until the last second as Faith packs her bags for a new start. Realistic hardships, complex family dynamics, and belief fill this movie to the brim. It’s a beautiful film that can fit on any platform.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars
God’s plan ain’t our plan – Henry
There is no I in team, but there is in winning. Take responsibility – Jaylen
You can still give us back the money – Faith
Having you here is a welcome gift – Pastor Louis
You ready to clean – Maria
We owe that to our son – Helen
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Secrets to Kill For – Review
Secrets to Kill For – LMN – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Shanice returns home after a run and enters a blog entry for her fans. She picks up the phone when she sees her best friend, June, on the screen. June is at the train station and wants to stay for a few days. Shanice accepts with shock. June lives hours away, so this impromptu visit confuses Shanice. June arrives, and Shanice welcomes her into the home. However, Shanice wants to know what’s happening. June admits that her boyfriend’s controlling attitude is getting worse. Shanice opens her doors to June for as long as June needs. Then, Shanice sees June’s diary. She can’t believe June still writes in it daily. It’s helped since June uncovered that she was adopted.
June and Shanice spend the evening around town when June’s boyfriend, Lee, screams and pulls June’s arm. He wants June to return home, but Shanice pulls June away from him. She exchanges harsh words with Lee before leaving with June. Shanice wants to rest when they return home, but June wants to make a private phone call. Shanice finds June’s bed empty in the morning. She opens the front door and is shocked to see June kissing Lee. June says Lee is a changed man.
Days later, Shanice gets a call from her friend, Haven. Haven hasn’t seen June in days. So, Shanice returns to her parents’ home. Her father, Stan, and stepmother, Pauline, can’t contain their excitement. However, Shanice is there to look for June. Shanice meets with Haven for dinner. Haven suggests that Shanice should have been a better friend to June. Shanice focuses on June’s comments when she visited. She said Lee secretly filmed her. They believed Lee hurt June. Shanice returns to her parents’ house and sees an envelope addressed to her in the mailbox. It contains June’s diary. June wrote that her secrets would hurt Shanice and that she planned to leave Lee.
Shanice greets an old friend, Officer Glen, and hands him June’s diary. He begs her to let him handle the case. However, Shanice desires to help. Someone found June’s phone in the woods. So, the police will form a search party tomorrow. Shanice and Haven arrive at the woods, and Glen instructs the group. They start the search, and later hear Haven’s screams. She found June’s body with a gunshot wound to her head. Shanice vows to find evidence against Lee, but did he do it?
This film is an intriguing mystery because the clues point to Lee, Stan, Pauline, Glen, and Haven. Shanice can’t trust anyone in her orbit but needs them to maintain her sanity. Shanice has the diary, but it’s missing critical pages. She uses a pencil to read a part of June’s last entry. The movie has a dark overcast to alert the viewer that something ominous lurks in the shadows. The sound production is top-notch for a Lifetime film, and the director used practical lighting. Also, the motive is pearl clutching. The backing track never overpowers the scene. However, the acting is a bit overdone. It makes devastating and frightening moments laughable. This mystery entertains, and the film deserves your attention.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
And remember, a good friend can change your life – Shanice
I’m so proud of you – June
That’s not me. I’m not that guy – Lee
We don’t need your help – Haven
Come on my property again, and you will find all the trouble you are looking for. – Stan
One – Pauline
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Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Death at the Diner – Review
Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Death at the Diner – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Aurora tries her boyfriend’s new menu item and loves it. Aurora’s boss, Emilio, also loves Daniel’s cooking. Emilio’s wife, Kathleen, enters the kitchen with tough news. The tax rate for diners is going up. Emilio knows this will affect his diner’s bottom line, and he must inform his investor, Ben. Aurora overhears Ben and Emilio’s conversation, but Emilio closes his office door when he sees Aurora.
While Aurora’s in school, Emilio’s ex-wife, Lauren, and their son, Steven, stop by the diner. She is furious because Emilio didn’t return Steven’s calls. Daniel knows Emilio desires to talk to Steven, but Emilio isn’t there. Lauren huffs as Steven removes her from the restaurant. Later, Aurora calls Daniel. She will return to the restaurant because she left her phone there. She asks Daniel to pick her up at the diner.
Aurora enters the diner and steps on black beads. Then, she sees something on the floor and turns on the lights. Aurora gasps at Emilio’s corpse with a knife in the back. She runs out of the kitchen and into Daniel. Daniel checks Emilio’s pulse, confirms Emilio’s death, and contacts the police. Detective Alistair and Officer Arthur survey the scene. They consider Daniel the primary suspect because his knife was in Emilio’s back. Aurora protests that Daniel couldn’t be the killer. However, fingerprints, cash, and hair prove her wrong. Can she discover Emilio’s murderer or accept that Daniel has a dark side?
Based on characters created by Charlaine Harris, this film is something Sleuthers can sink their teeth into and enjoy (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). Emilio was a complicated man who cared deeply for Aurora and Daniel. However, the writers ensured that everyone in his orbit had shady pasts and sneaky dealings. Your heart will break as Arthur takes Daniel away in handcuffs. The writers added witty banter between Detective Alistair and D.A. Morris. Morris sternly suggests that Alistair raise his arrest rate to the national average while pushing him to obtain better evidence. She is tough, but you can see it motivates Alistair. And he likes it. The script hits a nerve with Arthur’s feelings toward Aurora. He gazes at her from afar and states that Daniel may not be the best person for her. This plot gives us a glimpse into Aurora’s future with her true love. This installment is funny and mysterious. Hallmarkies will love it.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars
You would need a warrant for that officer – Aurora
That is not currently accurate – Sally
I think I made my point – Morris
The market is finally warming up – Kathleen
Yes, one step at a time – Aida
Mom, stop. Let’s go. I told you it was a waste of time – Steven
Only because he isn’t here – Lauren
Wait, I’m a suspect? – Daniel
This crime scene is fresh as fresh gets – Alistair
Well, tax hikes are angering to most people – Ben
I just wish I’d said yes sooner – Kathleen
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Sins of the Father – Review
Sins of the Father – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Organist Mary arrives at the pulpit late because she was crying. She signed her divorce papers earlier. Others suggest Mary should leave town, but she loves being a nurse in a small community. After service, Mary stays behind to clean up the pews. She cuts her finger and leaves her phone behind to tend to her wound. She flashes back to the day she discovered she could have kids. Then, two arguing people enter the church. Mary hides and eavesdrops on their conversation. The man, Troy, forces a young teen, Brianna, to sit. Troy spots Mary’s phone but can’t find her. Mary slips out but hears Brianna fighting Troy. Mary opens her trunk and grabs a tire iron. She sneaks up behind Troy and swings. However, he catches her and pulls it away.
Troy ties Brianna and Mary to the pew, and Mary sees that Troy is bleeding. Brianna whispers that Troy is her dad. He was in prison for her entire life and recently got out. She was living with foster parents because her mother died when she was three. Troy snuck into their home and took her. She saw blood on the doorknob and believes he hurt them. She is afraid to stay with him, but fearful of what he will do if she tries to escape. Mary vows to remain by Brianna’s side and help her flee the clutches of a madman.
This movie has close calls, a high hit count, and quick-thinking ingenuity. Lifetimers will wonder if Brianna is setting up Mary. However, she isn’t. Brianna is a smart-mouthed teen in desperate need of help. The plot has the fear and antics viewers expect from a Lifetime film. However, it offers a dose of hidden religion. Most movies alert to this by having ‘Faith’ in the title. Viewers expect a pure thriller and get an unwanted inspirational lecture. The film’s saving grace is that it doesn’t end where you’d expect. It feels like a two-part film wrapped into one. If you can handle a dose of faith, then remain for the father’s sin.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
There has to be another option – Mary
God doesn’t give you more than you can handle – Brianna
No cameras in the house of the lord – Troy
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Providence Falls: Chance of a Lifetime – Review
Providence Falls: Chance of a Lifetime – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Detective Cora receives a phone call from her boss. There was another break-in at a jewelry store. They believe it could link to a string of home burglaries in the area. Cora says she will be there soon. Cora’s dad, James, congratulates her on her first case. She’s happy to make him proud, but a cloud of nepotism mars her promotion. She wants to prove herself worthy to her co-workers. Cora stops at the coffee shop owned by her friend, Suzette. Suzette moves Cora to the front of the line when D.A. Finn enters. He heard about the break-in and is prepared to help. Suzette sees the sparks between them and suggests Cora give Finn a chance. Cora says no because of workplace optics.
Liam drops from the sky and onto a chair. Agon and his case worker, Samael, greet him. Liam was in limbo for 200 years because he altered Cora’s fate. In Ireland years ago, Liam was a thief, and Cora’s family came from great wealth. Cora was supposed to marry Finn. That changed the day Liam broke into her home to steal her diamond pendant. She admitted that she longed for a more adventurous life. She and Liam attempted to run away together. During their escape, Cora tripped, fell from a great height, and died. Cora and Finn, along with five other souls, were reincarnated to finish their life’s mission, interrupted by Liam. This time, they want Liam to return and play matchmaker for Finn and Cora. If he completes the mission, Liam will go to heaven. Otherwise, he will go to hell. Liam agrees to return, but Agon, his guide, will check on him if needed.
Liam drops into Providence Falls, and Chief Boyd recognizes Liam as a friend from out of town. He updates Liam on the case as Liam sees the badge around his neck. Liam can’t believe he’s a constable. Liam sees Cora, and his feelings return. He wants to rekindle his romance. However, Samael added a safeguard. Every time Cora touches him, he feels pain. Agon reminds Liam of what’s at stake. Can Liam save his soul when mistakes of the past repeat themselves?
Based on ‘Chance of a Lifetime’ by Jude Deveraux and Tara Sheets, this timebending mystery is a three-part epic love story that spans 200 years (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). This film is a calculated leap for the network, but it works. The jewelry heist is a compelling mystery while attaching the present to the past. The robberies are sequential to Liam’s crime spree. The edits between now and then are some of the smoothest in Hallmark history. They never feel disjointed or out of place. They flow perfectly with the story and help viewers understand Liam and Cora’s complicated history. The plot quietly battles itself. Cora believes that people are ill-mannered due to circumstances. However, Samael and Agon place everything on fate. Liam will prove one belief wrong. The comic relief of Agon will make you laugh out loud, while his compassion will touch your heart. He watches old videos of Cora and Liam, and second-guesses their actions. However, he helps Liam discover indoor plumbing, cell phones, and a ‘hang.’ This film will make you want to read the source material. It’s a magnificent start to a series.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars
She watches too much Law Order – Cora
Why would I ever do that – Liam
Ireland and Britain are friends now, kind of – Agon
Liam, what fate do you choose – Samael
Are you feeling okay? – Chief Boyd
Oh, shoot. I forgot my excuse to be anywhere but here – Suzette
I don’t like the looks of him – James
You only care about yourself – Margaret
I wasn’t a debutante, but I sure did dance with a lot of them – Finn
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Categories: Aria Celeste Castillo, Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Death at the Dinner, Brashaad Mayweather, Courtney Grace, Demetrius Grosse, Evan Roderick, Finding Faith, hallmark, Katie Stevens, Kayla Heller, Keith David, Kiera Laidman, Kimberley Sustad, Kirsten Comerford, Lachlan Quarmby, lifetime, lifetime movie network, lmn, Loretta Devine, Made for TV, Malena Cunningham Anderson, Marilu Henner, movie, nadine velazquez, Paula Patton, Providence Falls: Chance of a Lifetime, review, Secrets to Kill For, Signature Mystery, Sins of the Father, Sizzling Summer Nights, Skyler Samuels, Sleuthers, Stephen Bishop, steve bacic, Summer Nights, tv review
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