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I Was a Child Bride: The Courtney Stodden Story – Review
I Was a Child Bride: The Courtney Stodden Story – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Courtney Stodden cries to her mother, Krista, because she’s the victim of bullying. Krista decides to pull Courtney out of traditional school. She can homeschool Courtney and give Courtney the chance to pursue their dream of being famous. She dreams of being a singer and having her songs on the radio. After a few unfruitful events, Krista seeks a talent manager for guidance. Krista’s friend, Tim, recommends Doug Hutchison. Doug has a program called The Art of Stillness. He coaches young talent but only takes a few students a year. Krista jumps at the opportunity to have Doug coach Courtney. Krista’s need for fame and fortune will send Courtney into a tailspin of grooming, abuse, assault, and drugs while being fodder for tabloids and public ridicule.
This film shows that Courtney was a lamb to the slaughter. Krista and Courtney’s father, Alex, made it easy for Doug to clean the bones. Her religion lulled her into compliance. She thought a happy and famous husband was enough. No one taught Courtney to be joyful in and outside of a marriage. Courtney’s film explains the abandonment and devastation she faced at home and in public. She was slut-shamed online and abused in her relationship. This tale is typical of child brides. This movie is a cautionary tale of grooming, vicarious parents, and the dark side of fame. While Courtney forgives her parents, Lifetimers won’t. Hopefully, this script will spark a conversation about child brides and their portrayal in the industry.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
If you ever move, if you ever leave me, that is what I want – Krista
Me. I would not want to be the next Miss Ocean Shores – Alex
My success was our success – Courtney
I need to tell your mother we’re in love – Doug
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Deadly Desire – Review
Deadly Desire – LMN – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Nurse Brittney prepares to have dinner with her boyfriend, James, James’s friend, Ben, and Ben’s new friend, photographer Tanya. Brittney looks forward to the double date but feels uncomfortable with Ben’s questioning relationship. So, she remains distant and cold towards Tanya. After dinner, Tanya enters the bathroom with Brittney, making her feel uncomfortable. Brittney doesn’t plan on seeing Tanya again, but James invited them for game night.
During game night, Ben is rude to Tanya, and it rubs Brittney the wrong way. Tanya calls Brittney to spend girl time together and release the tension between them. Brittney gives Tanya a second chance and visits Tanya’s home. Tanya convinces Brittney to let her take a few photos. She tells Brittney to lie down, take off her shirt, and be sexy. Brittney thinks this will be harmless fun between them. However, Tanya will use these images to dismantle Brittney’s life, all for revenge. Will Brittney survive with her life intact?
This film is a weird and convoluted waste of time. The plot is all over the place with zero substance. The actors did the best they could with an unbearable script. And sadly, the conclusion hints at a part two. The writers shouldn’t waste Lifetimer’s time. Skip this film at all costs.
I give it 2 out of 5 stars
Well, I’d love to photograph you sometime – Tanya
Babe, it’s not our problem – James
You know I like it when you get rough with me – Ben
I’m not afraid – Brittney
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No One Believed Me – Review
No One Believed Me – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Jane’s sister, Amy, called Jane upset. Jane’s husband, Dan, warns Jane not to fall into Amy’s dramatics. She’s lived with them for the past six months. Also, they have paid the bills at her salon to keep it afloat. Dan believes this call is another cry for attention. He begs Jane to remain vigilant.
Amy arrives at Jane’s home with a police officer. Amy told the police that someone had kidnapped her, but she never saw his face or got a license plate. Without evidence, the police don’t offer much help. They promise to keep it open in case new evidence appears. Jane sits with Amy, but Amy can’t recall any information. She relays that to Dan, but Dan remains guarded. He doesn’t believe Amy’s story because she’s lied in the past. Also, Amy is using her kidnapping to promote her business. Amy overhears their conversation and calls a local newspaper to run her story.
Amy meets reporter Tim at her salon. His questions start easy but become increasingly hostile. He repeats a phrase her kidnapper said, and Amy panics. She runs, and Tim gives chase. Amy bumps into Paul, and Paul scares Tim away. They exchange information and become close. Amy tries to get Tim fired from the paper, but they don’t know who Tim is. Amy runs to the police and tells them that Tim is her kidnapper. But will they believe her?
Viewers must watch this film from the start. It shows Amy as the unknown woman running through the woods with her hands bound. So, Lifetimers know Amy’s story is real. But we don’t know whom she can trust because her kidnapper is out there with no one looking for them. The writers didn’t wait until the end to reveal the culprit. However, the motive remains a horrific mystery until the final act. The director used practical sets for lighting and sound. It makes the film feel natural, but it is sometimes hard to hear. The acting is a bit forced at times, but it doesn’t overpower the writer’s original intent.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
Yeah, you seem super calm – Dan
They gave up – Jane
You do believe me, right – Amy
Can’t get rid of me that easy – Tim
You’re going to leave, now – Paul
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The Groomsmen: Last Dance – Review
The Groomsmen: Last Dance – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Jackson dances with his daughter, Betty, while his friend, Danny, dances with his steady plus-one, Zack, and his other friend, Pete, sneaks away with Chelsea. Jackson looks forward to his time with Betty, but she accidentally mentions that they are moving. Her mother, Tricia, got a job in Italy. She wants to go, but knows she will miss her dad. Jackson supports the relocation with sadness. He promises to keep in touch and spend time whenever they can.
Months later, Pete and Danny marry Chelsea and Zack, respectively. Tricia calls with a request. Her job wants her to travel to Africa for work. Jackson says yes to taking care of Betty before she has a chance to ask. However, she expresses regret for taking Betty out of school. Jackson compromises and flies to Italy.
Jackson talks on the phone with a co-worker and almost hits Gabriella. They blame each other for the near fatality, and she walks to her mother’s restaurant with paperwork. She airs her frustrations to her mother about Jackson. Her mother asks what color Jackson’s eyes are. When Gabriella answers, her mother laughs. She gives her mother the paperwork to merge the restaurant and her father’s vineyard. Her mother is willing to sign it, but she knows her father never would.
Jackson arrives at Tricia’s home and gets information about Betty’s school and the house. She gives him the landlord’s number before exiting for Africa. A few days later, Jackson decides to walk Betty home from school. He sees a restaurant on his way there and enters for a cappuccino. Gabriella rolls her eyes at the rude American. He apologizes for the incident, and she gives him a ‘sort of’ cappuccino to-go.
When Jackson arrives, Betty hides her embarrassment. She doesn’t want Jackson to treat her like a child, but doesn’t know how to broach the subject. When they arrive at home, Jackson tries to cook but can’t get the stove to work. So, he calls the landlord. To his surprise, Gabriella knocks on his door. Her parents own the building. Betty sees the attraction between them and believes Gabriella is the best distraction for her dad. She will scheme to get them together, but will it become a relationship?
This third installment of The Groomsmen franchise is charming like the others, but not as funny. It has the classic Hallmark meet-cute story as Jackson and Gabriella work together to help save her family’s businesses. The runaway bride is still telling the story in her hideout. However, we find out who she is and why she’s running. So Jackson’s tale is shorter to give her story more time. Some viewers may figure out who the bride is, but others will be pleasantly surprised. This circular storytelling will put a smile on your face. You see all the couples and the love merge into one room for a celebration and one final dance. Also, it’s magnificent to see this level of camaraderie between men without violence or degrading women. These three men listen, love, and speak openly and candidly without judgment. With the right script, this story can continue as The Wedding Veil series did.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
Don’t tell mom I said anything – Betty
Are you saying the thrill is gone – Danny
I am not ready for this – Jackson
Well, you didn’t prove me wrong – Gabriella
I meant you. How are you doing? – Tricia
I think they are. Unless you try to run them over with your car – Pete
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Categories: BJ Britt, Deadly Desire, Doug Savant, Fall Into Love, hallmark, Holly J. Barrett, I Was a Child Bride: The Courtney Stodden Story, Jessica Morris, Jonathan Bennett, lifetime, lifetime movie network, lmn, Made for TV, Maggie Lawson, Meghan Carrasquillo, movie, No One Believed Me, review, Ripped From The Headlines, Stranger Danger, The Groomsmen Last Dance, tv review, Tyler Hynes, William McKinney
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