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Girl in the Cellar – Review
Girl in the Cellar – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Rebecca West feigns understanding when another track mom informs her that her daughter, Lory, is not the captain. Later, Rebecca confronts Lory about this without admitting the secret. Lory infers that Rebecca is talking about her prom date, Austin. He is a young man from the wrong side of the tracks. So she assumes Rebecca won’t approve. Lory’s confession floors Rebecca. She considers Lory her best friend and has Lory’s life planned to ensure they both excel. Lory begs for forgiveness, but Rebecca grounds Lory until after the prom.
After hearing kind words about Austin, Rebecca lifts Lory’s restrictions. She allows Lory to go to prom and buys her a beautiful red dress. However, she tells Lory to come home by 10:30 p.m. and that she will chaperone the prom. Lory relents and bounces with enthusiasm. Later, Austin tosses rocks at Lory’s window. He persuades her to sneak out for a party. Lory escapes for the night and has fun with her friends. Until she returns home to find Rebecca in the kitchen with rage in her eyes. Rebecca takes Lory’s phone and bans her from prom. Lory runs to her room when Austin texts her. Rebecca reads the message and panics. Austin got them a hotel room for prom night and planned to move to California with Lory. Rebecca must control Lory so Lory won’t ruin the plan Rebecca has for their lives. She will become the people she feared the most: her parents.
Rebecca comes home and asks Lory to help her clean out an old family cellar. She takes Lory inside and gives her a list of chores to do. Rebecca excuses herself and heads up the ladder. Rebecca reveals the truth once she’s at the top. She will keep Lory down there until after prom. Rebecca wants Lory to suffer a hard lesson, just as her parents made her suffer. She left food for Lory in a bag with water. Rebecca will watch Lory from the camera and return when Lory follows the rules. Lory screams for forgiveness, but Rebecca locks the cellar.
Rebecca chaperones the prom and tells everyone Lory is ill. Austin wants to check on Lory, so he sneaks out of the prom and breaks into Rebecca’s home. When he doesn’t find Lory, he alerts the police. Rebecca contains her trepidation and speaks to the officers. She blames Austin for steering Lory off the correct path. As they post missing-person flyers, the police clear Austin while Rebecca becomes an internet sensation. People can’t get enough of the grieving widow with a missing child. Rebecca basks in the glory she never received. Soon, Lory will be a liability instead of an asset. Will Lory escape the cellar?
The only way to review this film is O.M.G. Rebecca is a victim who becomes an oppressor. The writers ease the audience into her level of crazy. First, she is a controlling helicopter mom. Then, she lives vicariously through Lory while maintaining an air of perfection so she can judge others. Finally, Rebecca wants to replace Lory in every aspect of her life. This expertly scripted film leaves you in fear for Lory while fearing Rebecca. You have no idea how unhinged she will become. You cheer for the one person in Lory’s corner until they are in Rebecca’s web. You learn that the depths of Rebecca’s depravity have no bounds. One interesting spin is that Rebecca trapped Lory, but her words gave Lory the strength to fight. As one woman sang for ego, the other sang for hope. The acting feels flat, but it amplifies Rebecca’s cold heart. This movie is the stuff of nightmares, but in a good way.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
You have to die in order for me to continue to live – Rebecca
She just wants everything to be perfect – Lory
You have the same smile – Austin
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The Doctor with Two Faces – Review
The Doctor with Two Faces – LMN – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Nurse Carol shows her new co-worker, Nurse Sheyla, the ropes around the hospital when Doctor Derek Calico introduces himself. Carol deduces that Derek captivates Sheyla, as he does all the nurses, and laughs. Carol invites Sheyla out for drinks after work with Nurse Grant. Sheyla accepts the impromptu invitation.
Sheyla explains that she left her small-town hospital after her residency for more excitement. Carol and Grant guarantee this hospital won’t let her down. Then, Carol looks over and sees Derek at the bar. Carol and Grant leave, so Sheyla and Derek can have time alone. Sheyla and Derek flirt at the bar and wake up in bed together. Sheyla worries her late-night romp will cloud his judgment of her, but he vows to remain professional at work and respect her.
Sheyla notices an angry Doctor Henry Morris talking to a nurse. Carol informs Sheyla that Henry is on the warpath. Pills from the in-house pharmacy are missing. He wants to know who is responsible and why. He approaches Carol and Grant and asks them to research the missing pills. Carol believes it’s a clerical error, but agrees to investigate it.
Six weeks later, Sheyla and Derek are in wedded bliss. She worries other nurses will talk, so Derek tells her to quit. He envisioned a stay-at-home wife for his illustrious career. She scoffs at the idea because she wants to feel useful. Derek sighs and relents. Sheyla sprints upstairs because she feels dizzy and takes a pregnancy test. It’s positive. Sheyla runs to Carol and unloads her fears. Carol sympathizes but encourages Sheyla to be honest. She believes Derek will be elated. However, Carol can’t be farther from the truth. Derek is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He appears to be an intelligent and caring doctor and husband. In reality, he is a man who is hellbent on power, and Sheyla and the baby will give him another rung to climb. Who will be left standing when Derek shows the world who he really is?
This plot will have Lifetimers clutching their pearls. Sheyla falls for a textbook narcissist, who’s getting help from a therapist, Doctor Joan. He gaslights her, manipulates his colleagues, and kills anyone who stands in the way of his power. And his body count starts in the first 20 minutes. The actors played their characters superbly. Derek is a charming man with a Superman-Venom dance at the optimum moment (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). With that smile, it’s easy to see how Sheyla missed the clues. And making him slightly likable and witty, captivates the audience to his devious plan. Now, viewers will make assumptions about the missing pills, but you are half correct. It allows others to enter the plot and add more complex layers to the story. This film will not completely capture your attention, but it has well-written highlights that serve as a cautionary tale.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
And you know, us nurses do have a pulse – Carol
Be careful what you wish for – Grant
I need to know when our second date is – Derek
All good, I assure you – Henry
Is it always so intense – Sheyla
Actually, I think he convinced you to see me? – Joan
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Mystery Island: Play for Keeps – Review
Mystery Island: Play for Keeps – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Jason and Emilia created a new game for their guest. This mystery differs because Janey and Jason will become characters in the plot. Jason will be Sean, a businessman with secret dealings. And Janey is Professor Loretta, a geologist. They will carefully steer their guests in the correct direction and offer a few red herrings. Janey exhales and confesses a substantial detail to Emilia. The person who booked the VIP Mystery Island experience was Attorney Ainsley Trask. She married Emilia’s ex-fiancé, billionaire CEO Franklin Trask. Emilia wants to pull out of the game, but Ainsley demanded that Emilia host as part of the package. Emilia grits her teeth and continues setting up the game.
Ainsley and Franklin arrive with smiles. They brought friends and family with them. Franklin’s brother, former NFL tight end Spencer, worked for Trask’s company until Franklin pushed him out. Spencer brought his model girlfriend, influencer Patricia, along to join in the fun. But she’s more concerned with likes than puzzle solving. Ainsley’s best friend, high school teacher Mickey, arrives, but spends his time staring at Ainsley. COO Viveca is Franklin’s business partner and trusted confidante. She works closely with the board to ensure that Trask Industries prospers. As Janey and Jason exit the guests’ vehicle in their disguises, Emilia introduces them to their new house manager, Bennett. She requests that they get comfortable before the game begins. Franklin discreetly hands Emilia a note as he passes. He wants to meet with her privately.
Emilia gives the guests the game’s backstory and first clue. To everyone’s surprise, Ainsley solves the crime in a few hours. She skips clues, ignores cyphers, and jumps to hunches. Emilia cautiously awards Ainsley the prize, but believes she cheated. Emilia vows to uncover Ainsley’s cheating in the morning. They sit for dinner, and Franklin finds a note asking him to meet Emilia later. He finds her at the end of the path and professes his love for her. Ainsley overhears him and runs to the veranda. She declares that she will file for a divorce after they return and take his money. Then, Ainsley insults Emilia in front of the other guests. She demands a separate bedroom, and Emilia obliges. Everyone returns to their room for the night.
No one can find Ainsley in the morning. They go to her room. They discover that her bed is unmade and a suitcase is missing. They search the premises and find Ainsley’s bloody body in the basement. Jason calls Chief Ray to survey the scene and investigate the players. After the first round of questioning, Emilia realizes that she is a suspect. Jason promises to help Ray find the culprit, but warns Emilia and Janey to stay out of the investigation. However, Emilia has a sneaking suspicion that someone drugged her that night. She won’t back down. Emilia will find Ainsley’s killer to clear her name.
This latest Mystery Island installment adds a new layer to Emilia’s backstory and reinforces the potential romance between Emilia and Jason. For this series, viewers must watch the first 20 minutes. Each guest receives a brief introduction, including their relationship to the primary booker and any initial grievances. It allows you a bird’s-eye view of the overarching storyline. The plot fills in the gaps as the story progresses. However, this film differs because Emilia is in the crosshairs. Typically, Jason allows her to investigate with him. But he wants her to step aside for her safety. This film isn’t as funny as its predecessor, but Janey lightens the heavy topic. However, this mystery is far superior to the others. It will leave you guessing the culprit and the motive until the big reveal. This film will stump you and have you begging for more.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars
Well, she is certainly playing with fire – Janey
There are no embers, Janey. Trust me – Emilia
It’s not something I hear often – Ainsley
You didn’t take the bet. But I did – Spencer
Can you tell us where the body is? – Patricia
She makes sandpaper look like silk – Jason
Yeah, I guess you helped a little – Mickey
I’m brilliant at most things, Ains – Franklin
How did you learn to do this – Viveca
Mrs. Trask is quite something – Bennett
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Dead Girl Summer – Review
Dead Girl Summer – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Avery received a text message from her ex-boyfriend, Will. He asks her to return to her family’s summer home because he has information about their friend Mia. Avery and her best friend, Jade, will return for their final summer break after graduating from college. It’s been four years since they visited because Mia’s death was more than they could bear.
Avery and Jade relax at Avery’s family home before walking to Will’s home. However, he isn’t there. His new girlfriend, Daniella, greets them. She tells them that Will is working at the boat repair shop, and they travel to his workplace. However, they run into Mia’s ex-boyfriend, Eric, along the way. Jade maintains an ice demeanor while Avery fakes a smile. They blame him for Mia’s passing.
Avery and Jade attend a bonfire with locals when they spot Will and Daniella. They ask him about the messages, but he didn’t send them. He reads the message and says they are spam or a hack. He doesn’t care why they are in town, because he’s happy to see them. Avery and Jade make the most of their vacation and have a fun night until Avery gets drunk. Will takes Avery home while Daniella and Jade stay behind.
Avery dreams of the night Mia died. They went to a bonfire, and Mia argued with Eric. Avery, Jade, Mia, and Will got drunk and had fun after Eric left. Avery, Jade, and Will woke up with mysterious marks and remembered they had gone cliff diving. They couldn’t find Mia, so they phoned her. They found her phone and shoes in the field nearby. Days later, fishers found Mia’s body in the river. The police questioned Eric, but he had an alibi. However, people in the town still believe he did it.
Avery wakes with a pounding headache. She looks for Jade but can’t find her. She contacts Will and Daniella, but they haven’t seen Jade either. Jade is missing, and it’s mirroring Mia’s disappearance. Avery fears that history is repeating itself. With the feeling of looming dread, someone is haunting Avery. Can Avery find Jade before Jade ends up in the river, too?
This film has a Cruel Summer concept, but falls short. Differentiating between scenes from the past and today is difficult. The intertitle appears on the screen once, stating it’s ‘4 years ago.’ However, the characters, clothing, or shot composition don’t change to reflect it. Viewers may not know which timeline their in until they see Mia. The director or editor should have added a gray overcast or added clips or bows to the actor’s hair. The audience spends more time discerning the timeline and can’t focus on the plot. Typically, Lifetime police officers are useless while the main characters make idiotic mistakes. The culprit of Mia’s murder and Jade’s disappearance is as compelling as the motive. The script has a limited number of characters, making it easy to narrow the suspect list. This film should be on Freeform, not Lifetime.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
Why not? I do. – Jade
What are you two doing here? – Eric
Not all of us have parents that can hand us our lives on a silver platter. – Will
I did not hallucinate your text message – Avery
I’ve been spending way too much time around Will – Mia
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Providence Falls: Thief of Fate – Review
Providence Falls: Thief of Fate – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Cora wakes in the hospital with her father, James, and best friend, Suzette, by her side. She remembers the kiss she shared with Liam. She’s stunned that he’s not there. James wants Cora to rest and recuperate, but she wants to get back to work. Magnus is in holding, and Merideth is still missing. They don’t know where the stolen jewels are or who murdered John. Nepotism shrouds Cora’s respect in the precinct. She must solve this case to prove herself.
Bael sits beside Agon at a bar. He tells Agon to leave Cora and Liam alone to decide their fate. He knows Agon is having second thoughts about taking Cora’s will and pushing her into Finn’s arms. Agon hesitates when Salaem appears. She vows to find the human in Bael’s clutches. Bael laughs before exiting the bar. Salaem warns Agon that if they don’t fix Cora’s fate, Gabriel will get involved.
Cora arrives home to find Liam on the porch waiting for her. He apologizes for not being by her side, but he thought they needed distance. Cora reluctantly agrees and bolts inside for space. She finds the foyer covered with flowers from Liam. They arrive at the police station to interrogate Magnus. Agon warns Liam that Bael will become personally involved in their work. Then, Bael appears as Magnus’s lawyer. Agon reminds Liam to stay the course and bring Cora to her true love: Finn.
During the investigation, Magnus claims Cora pinned the investigation on him because he rejected her advances. Chief Boyd pulls her out of the interrogation room. He wants to pull Cora off the case, but Cora refuses. She and Liam will find the culprit. However, she must get past her dreams of him and focus. Liam will help her solve the case while pushing her toward Finn. Will it work because Finn is falling for Suzette? Only time will tell.
Based on Thief of Fate by Jude Deveraux and Tara Sheets, this third film in the series answers the final question of will versus fate (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). Your favorites return with a satisfying conclusion to their stories. However, the third act has more information to reveal. The plot is intriguing and heartwarming. The Ireland flashbacks flow naturally with the storyline, connecting the past to the present. Deep conversations, sacrifices, and double crosses return to haunt our star-crossed lovers. Agon continues to be a comic relief with soul, while Salaem keeps you grounded. Now, some viewers will enjoy the mystery and romantic comedy, while the film could spark a deeper discussion for others. Even with free will, are we destined to find our fate? You will understand if this book comes with discussion questions for its audience. This movie series will have a permanent place on your DVR and make you consider a Hallmark+ subscription.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars
I’m more of a background player – Bael
Sometimes I forget I’m not human – Agon
I will find whatever human you have working for you, and I will take them out of the equation. – Salaem
You must have been good in a past life or something – Suzette
You can’t steal what wants to be taken – Cora
I really wish I could see things the way you do – Liam
Any friend of Finn is no friend of mine – Magnus
That. Farewell – Finn
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Categories: Charisma Carpenter, Charlie Weber, Dead Girl Summer, Elizabeth Henstridge, Evan Roderick, Girl in the Cellar, hallmark, Jonathan Stoddard, Katie Stevens, Kelcey Mawema, Kyla Pratt, Lachlan Quarmby, lifetime, lifetime movie network, lmn, Made for TV, Masiela Lusha, McKalin Hand, movie, Mystery Island: Play for Keeps, Providence Falls: Thief of Fate, review, Savoy Bailey, Signature Mystery, Sizzling Summer Nights, Sleuthers, Stacey Dash, Summer Nights, Sydney Hamm, The Doctor with Two Faces, tv review
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