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Terry McMillan Presents: His, Hers, and Ours – Review
Terry McMillan Presents: His, Hers, and Ours – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Darius arrives home after retiring early. He finds his daughter, Kai, in bed with her boyfriend, Isaiah. He kicks Isaiah out and forces him to walk home because Darius blocked his car. Isaiah makes it home and explains to his mother, Chef Kelly, that Darius has his car. Kelly and Isaiah drive to Darius’s home and demand her son’s car. Darius frees the automobile, and the parents can barely look at each other. Darius grounds Kai for the foreseeable future, and Kelly confiscates Isaiah’s phone.
Days later, Darius and Kelly get a call from the school. Kelly and Isaiah’s ex-girlfriend, Julie, got into an altercation. The principal won’t let it affect their record if the teens and the adults help clean the school. Kelly and Darius believe that’s unfair, but accept their punishment for the first hour. Then, they leave Isaiah and Kai behind to spend time together. They bond over past trauma and raising teens. Later, they reunite at a club after both have had horrible dates. They leave together and kiss on the street. They retreat, thinking they can’t be together because it will hurt their children. However, they can’t ignore their passion. They tell Kai and Isaiah, and the teens explode. It will be detrimental to their reputation in high school. Kelly and Darius keep their relationship private. Will the romance fizzle out when it goes public and hurts their children?
This film has a very slow pace with moments of shock and awe. It presents like one of Terry McMillan’s books (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). The lead characters have a tragic backstory. Kelly’s ex-husband, Arthur, abandoned her and their son. He left them destitute. Kelly built an empire with women praising her story and strength. Darius is a widower. He created the company that was his late wife’s vision. Now, he dates gold diggers with no possibility of building a future with them. The audience will understand Kai and Isaiah’s issues with their parents’ dating. Your significant other possibly becoming your stepsibling is weird. However, the audience will not sympathize with their childish response. After a tense moment in the bathroom, the characters realize what is important to them. It’s up to the audience to stick with the story until then. This movie is for the easy-going viewer who needs a touch of drama with a love story.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
Then, you grand open – Sofia
You are in trouble, young lady – Darius
You are a philistine – Kai
I got a life, too – Jennifer
It felt good to say that – Kelly
You didn’t get with that guy on the first date? – Isaiah
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The Secret Lives of Sister Wives – Review
The Secret Lives of Sister Wives – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Calli attends a dance and meets a young man named Trent. They dance for a song, and he leaves to get her punch. Then, the church elder, Nicholas, approaches. He warns Calli that Trent has spiked girls’ drinks. He asks her for a dance, and she leaves Trent behind for Nicholas. Nicholas tells his wives, Mary, Abbie, and Beth, that he plans to marry Calli next. Hopefully, she will bring him a male heir.
Nicholas meets Calli’s mother, Rebecca, to ask for her blessing. Rebecca is ecstatic that her daughter will have the honor of marrying an elder. Calli is unsure because her aunt Leah married Nicholas, and she ran away from him. She wrote Calli a note warning her to stay away from him, but her mother found it and burned it. Calli relents. Rebecca approves of the marriage but wants something in return. Nicholas offers to buy Rebecca a house. Calli is Nicholas’s fourth wife and expects to fall into wedded bliss. However, she finds jealousy, affairs, and abuse.
The film begins with Leah escaping Nicholas’s clutches. So, the audience knows he is the antagonist. However, you aren’t ready for the underhanded games of the first wife, Mary. The writers made her jealous because Nicholas excluded her from the family’s decisions. She will drug, sabotage, and manipulate any situation. Abbie is aware of Nicholas’s devious ways. So she found a way to get him back. The overall plot isn’t new for this channel, and the storyline ends as expected. However, it will entertain you with creepy, OMG moments for 2 hours.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
You never know what people are capable of – Nicholas
We’re good – Beth
That doesn’t give you pause – Mary
Yes. Of course, yes – Calli
Did you know – Abbie
You were eavesdropping – Rebecca
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Deck the Halls on Cherry Lane – Review
Deck the Halls on Cherry Lane – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes
1966
Stephanie bought her first home solo and enjoys covering it with her Christmas spirit. Then, she gets a call from her favorite TV show. She entered a contest and was the runner-up. However, the winner backed out, and they want her to host the show at her home. Stephanie replies with an enthusiastic yes. Then, she admits to her deception. She gave them her neighbor’s address when she applied because their house was bigger. However, those tenants moved away and David lives their with his cousin Curtis. She walks over to 7 Cherry Lane and asks them to host the show. David says no, but Curtis says yes. He gets David to cave. Stephanie looks around, and her face falls when she sees the minimal decorations. She gives the home a woman’s touch before the crew arrives. As they set up, she admits one more secret. Stephanie told them she was married. Can they keep the lie alive on live TV?
1981
Kyle and Piper arrive at 7 Cherry Lane to spend time with Kyle’s co-worker, John, and John’s wife, Lizzie, and their daughter, Ivy. Kyle and Piper plan to move to the area, and they love John’s neighborhood. Kyle and Piper enter the home, and the men find a quiet corner. Kyle asks John if John’s considering taking over his position. It’s better pay and better hours, but he would have to move. John hasn’t spoken to Lizzie about it. Lizzie whispers to Piper in the kitchen. She learned that she’s pregnant. She can’t believe her luck. Ivy was born on Christmas Eve, and her pregnancy announcement is on the same day. She and John discussed having more kids, but didn’t make a plan. She wants to keep a secret, and Piper agrees. Their secrets won’t be quiet for long because Ivy loves to eavesdrop.
2000
Recently divorced, Rebecca has settled into her home. Her neighbor, Daisy, stops by. She congratulates Rebecca on deicing her porch, but Rebecca didn’t do it. Daisy concludes that the person who left the card possibly did a kind deed. Rebecca opens up the Christmas card, but it’s blank. Daisy tells Rebecca that people on Cherry Lane love to spread kindness. Daisy exits, and Rebecca’s best friend, Matt, arrives. Matt recently broke up with his girlfriend and wants to see Rebecca’s new home. The spirit of Cherry Lane takes over Matt, and he encourages Rebecca to spread kindness to her new neighbors. However, the neighbors can see a spark between them. It’s the past of 7 Cherry Lane that brings it to Rebecca’s attention.
This 4th installment of the Cherry Lane series doesn’t disappoint. The clothing styles between the 80s and the 2000s don’t change much, but the furniture makes a statement. The three stories connect in unique and heartwarming ways, like the previous movies. Some connections are obvious while others are subtle. And this film spotlights the first three movies. The writers not only love the series but also pay attention to details. The ‘Daisy’ link never fails. This series can continue for years to come, and it will be a delight. Soon, Hallmark can have 24 hours on Cherry Lane.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars
I could hammer in time with the music – John
Because I have too much work to take a vacation – Rebecca
Everybody looks out for everyone here – Daisy
My presence is your gift – Matt
You just don’t like Christmas – Curtis
I don’t want to be famous. What is happening? – David
I’m not a Grinch – Rebecca
Can you keep a secret? – Lizzie
It does not look like a woman lives here – Stephanie
Why not – Barbara
I don’t want ot move away from Cherry Lane – Ivy
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See You Again – Review
See You Again – UPtv – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Ivy smiles on her date with her friend’s cousin, Callum. However, he won’t let her speak. He brags about work, criticizes her food choices, and splits the check. She tries to make a hasty exit, but he extends the conversation. Ivy agrees to meet with him later to make Callum leave. She calls her friend Andrea as she mopes in her car. Andrea thought Callum was nice because he was employed, open to commitment, and had all his teeth. As Ivy explains how Callum messed up, Andrea logs on to a dating app and scans profiles. She finds Ivy’s ex-boyfriend of 8 years looking for a long-term relationship. Andrea sends Ivy a screenshot, and Ivy sighs. She wishes she could have that time in her life back. Ivy decides to give Callum another try.
Callum takes Ivy on a canoe ride to a remote island. The canoe is a family heirloom. He wants to share his memories with her. He pulls the canoe up onto the island, but Ivy expresses her fears that it will float away. He assures her it’s okay and continues forward. She drags it forward when his back is to her. Unfortunately, Ivy drops the canoe on a large metal shard. They connect on the island and board the boat to head to the mainland. However, the canoe takes on water, and they row back to the island. Callum steps on the shard and gets a deep cut. He discovers that Ivy put the hole in the boat. Now, they are alone on the deserted island, and no one knows they are there. Will someone find them before they kill each other?
This film will split viewers because Ivy was correct about their first date, and Callum did everything wrong. However, their second date mishaps were her fault. Their time on the island allows the couple to have meaningful and spiritual conversations about relationships, loss, and expectations. The script pushes them to have zero distractions and no place to run. They mature over the course of days. Luckily, Ivy has Andrea looking out for her. She becomes a detective and has one officer to assist in the search. The scenes with Andrea are eye-opening because she is the voice of reason for everyone. If you were on the East Coast of the United States, this film may get cut off early. So set your DVR to catch the movie in its entirety.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
Please tell me that’s not the end of your peep talk – Ivy
I promise I didn’t bring you out here to kill you – Callum
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Happy Holidays from Cherry Lane – Review
Happy Holidays from Cherry Lane – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes
1960
Eli’s father, Walter, is staying with Eli and his wife, Penny, and their son, Alex, at 7 Cherry Lane this Christmas. He’s healing after breaking his hip. However, Walter nitpicks at everything Eli does. He disapproves of Eli’s job, Penny working, and how Eli raises Alex. Eli is at his wits’ end and wants to end the holiday. However, Penny pleads with Eli to find common ground with Walter for Alex’s sake. Eli knows it won’t be easy, but he’s willing to do anything for Penny.
1998
Ivy and Hector visit Regina. This Christmas is the tenth without her husband, Greg, and her kids are snowbound in another town. Ivy and Hector didn’t want Regina to be alone. Ivy cares deeply for the family because Greg helped her mother give birth to her at 7 Cherry Lane. They want to have a family someday, but haven’t had the luck. Regina attempts to prepare a meal, but the pipes are frozen. Regina calls a plumber, and Nelson arrives. Ivy and Hector want Regina to find love again and feel the spark between them. So they leave to give Nelson and Regina time alone. Will this magical address ignite the fires of love again?
2015
Jessie and Max planned on having a Christmas wedding while staying at Jessie’s sister’s home. Max rushes in with horrible information. He drove past their venue, and it’s closed for good. To make things worse, all their decor, attire, and food are inside the venue because they had it delivered early. Jessie’s sister, Beth, wants to consider other options, but it’s Christmas Eve. Jessie discussed getting married in Beth’s backyard during the planning process. She asks Beth to have the 30-guest wedding at 7 Cherry Lane. And Beth’s ex-boyfriend, Pastor Tim, will officiate the nuptials. Beth begrudgingly agrees to a small event. She has no idea how big and how complicated it will get.
This third installment in the Cherry Lane series has two plots following the Hallmark framework. The third story focuses on strengthening familial bonds. The latter will draw your attention and spark complex memories for the viewers. While Christmas is a joyous time of year, it can bring painful emotions to the surface. This plot links all three plots in the foreground and the background. So keep your eyes and ears open. The design team won again with three distinctive sets with a quirky and original style. Don’t be surprised if 1960 is your favorite. This movie isn’t the best of the series, but it is entertaining.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
Creating new memories doesn’t mean forgetting the old ones – Ivy
Time doesn’t work the same with things like that – Regina
And the only word you are allowed to say is ‘fa la la la la’ – Penny
An act of god – Eli
Maybe you should write a western – Walter
Why do you always have to throw in the older part – Jessie
Is there water in eggnog – Hector
Everybody needs somebody, sometimes – Nelson
Ecclesiastes, same chapter, different verse – Tim
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Season’s Greetings from Cherry Lane – Review
Season’s Greetings from Cherry Lane – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes
1951
Dr. Charlie gingerly brings his wife, Joan, home from the hospital. He feels guilty because she broke her arm after slipping on the ice on their front porch. Joan was looking forward to their first Christmas in their newly built home, 7 Cherry Lane. However, she won’t be able to do much. Their friends, Amelia and Julian, live across the street and offer to help. The assistance is nice, but it can’t remove the cloud hanging over the holidays. Charlie got his papers and is being deployed to Korea to work in their MASH unit. Joan fears it will be their last Christmas together.
2003
Newlyweds Luke and Sarah will host the holidays for the first time. His parents, Emily and Bill Chen, and her parents, Holly and Gavin Mitchell, arrive and warmly greet each other. Gavin jokingly calls Luke and Sara the Perfectingtons because they never argue. Emily and Bill think the house needs more holiday spirit, so they give Luke and Sarah their family Christmas wreath for the front window. However, Holly and Gavin have a homemade star for the front window. The Chens believe the Mitchells’ decoration is gaudy, but they think the Chens’ input is boring. Luke and Sarah try to distract them with food, but one wants ham and the other turkey. Luke wants Sarah to consider his family’s traditions, but she asks him to do the same. For the first time, they argue. They worry this will be their new life at 7 Cherry Lane.
2024
Mike and Zian have surprises for each other this Christmas. Zian wants to recreate a Christmas decoration that Mike’s late father admired. And Mike found Zian’s grandfather, Danilo. Like their daughter, Tina, Zian’s parents adopted him. So, Zian never knew his grandfather. Zian and Tina work tirelessly in the basement while asking their neighbor, Quinn, to keep Mike out. However, Mike is preoccupied. Danilo landed and didn’t wait for Mike. He entered a cab, and now Mike can’t find him. Mike begs Quinn to help him find Danilo and bring him back to 7 Cherry Lane.
The second installment of this generational film will make Hallmarkies fall in love with the series and the street. This film shows viewers the first occupants of the famous house and the latest. While each generation has its struggles, they are intertwined. That plot point is what makes the movie unique and interesting. Some connections are in your face, while others hide quietly in the background. You must keep your eyes open for these loving Easter eggs. The vanity and set designers created amazing and accurate looks for each generation. They made 7 Cherry Lane feel unique and warm with each family. And the writers allowed this film to be a standalone picture. Hallmarkies will look forward to the next installment in this generation-jumping series.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars
Plan B is a tranquilizer dart – Zian
Why can’t I say ‘volume’ to her – Michael
Is it cooked when it’s done? Then, it’s cooking – Charlie
It’s not this Christmas that I’m worried about – Joan
We know – Luke & Sarah
I have to do everything around here – Quinn
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Merry Christmas, Ted Cooper! – Review
Merry Christmas, Ted Cooper! – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Meteorologist Ted Cooper shamelessly plugs his hometown’s gingerbread invitational on the morning news. The anchor, Ken, jokes about Ted’s numerous holiday mishaps during Ted’s sign-off. Ted gets hurt every year on Christmas, and fans love to hear the details. Ted’s boss, Jerry, pulls Ted aside to ask about the job offer. A bigger network wants Ted to start there for better pay in another location, but Ted hasn’t responded. He wants to consider how it will affect his co-workers. Then, Ted notices the board and politely demands to see it. The office has taken up a pool for Ted’s injuries. He can’t believe getting an eye injury has more bids than falling in love. He takes it in stride and prepares to leave for Lackawanna.
Ted’s car breaks down, so he decides to take the train. Ted arrives, and his sister, Kate, picks him up from the train station. Ted grabs the wrong luggage. It belongs to a sorority girl who is fond of pink. Ted decides to wear the items until he can buy new clothes. Ted wakes and decides to decorate Kate’s home with outdoor Christmas lights. He catches himself after slipping off the ladder, but he doesn’t capture the box and injures his eye.
Kate takes Ted to the hospital. Dr. Ruth sees Ted in the waiting room and alerts her co-worker, Dr. Hope. Hope remembers Ted as the sweet and geeky guy from high school, but Ruth recalls that he had a crush on Hope. She urges Hope to take Ted as a patient. She meets with Ted, and he makes her laugh. She sees the injury is minor but prescribes him a festive eyepatch for the short term. Kate rolls her eyes and lets her clumsy brother promote the invitational with the eye patch. Ted’s co-workers laugh as they collect on their bets. They don’t know that the long-shot bet will win. Ted is going to fall in love, literally.
This film is comedic gold. With the humor of Good Luck Chuck, Ted finds the bright side of every setback (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). He doesn’t let small things get him down, and he says yes to everything. This ‘chronically optimistic’ behavior may annoy some. The writers allowed Ted to explain his delightful perspective on life. He understands that bad things happen, but he refuses to let it ruin his joy. Hope helps him know the insignificant problem with his outlook, but she doesn’t try to dampen his spirits. The high jinks in this film are first-class and deserve an encore. This movie is a fresh perspective on the Hallmark formula.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
This is dark, guys – Ted
Singular – Kate
You’re welcome. Enjoy – Sydney
I don’t even know what myrrh is – Hope
That is disgustingly shameless flattery, and I so appreciate it – Ruth
You sure are a sight for sore eyes – Ken
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Categories: Amanda Nicholas, Annabelle Borke, Ben Hollingsworth, Benjamin Ayres, Breyanne Nordtvedt, Brooke Burfitt, Brooke D'Orsay, Catherine Bell, Chelsea Hobbs, Clark Sarullo, Corey Cott, Countdown to Christmas, Deck the Halls on Cherry Lane, Ella Frazee, Erica Durance, Erin Cahill, Gabe Baker, hallmark, Happy Holidays from Cherry Lane, Isabella Carlsen, James Denton, Jazzlyn Rea, John Brotherton, Jonathan Bennett, Julie Gonzalo, Kimberley Sustad, Layla Cushman, Lesley-Ann Brandt, lifetime, Made for TV, Merry Christmas, Ted Cooper!, movie, Randy Spence, review, Rob LaColla Jr., Robert Buckley, Ryan Rottman, Sam Page, Season's Greetings from Cherry Lane, See You Again, Shannon Kook, Taye Diggs, Terry McMillan Presents: His, Hers, And Ours, The Secret Lives of Sister Wives, tv review, UPtv, Vincent Rodriguez III
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