Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery – Review

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery – Netflix – 2 hours and 24 minutes

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Stream Only on Netflix

Detective Benoit Blanc ignites a fire before sitting to read a letter written by Reverend Jud Duplenticy. Months earlier, Bishop Langstrom reassigned Jud to Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude after Jud punched another rude Reverend. Langstrom informed Jud that Monsignor Jefferson Wicks runs the church, but his parish is aging and small. They hope Jud can bring new life into the ailing congregation. However, Jud learned that Jefferson was an egotistical man who used newcomers as fodder for right and wrong. He delighted in making them run out of the church in shame.

The parish has a few faithful followers. Martha handles every administrative task at the church. She grew up under the tutelage of Wicks’s grandfather, Reverend Prentice. Prentice helped his daughter, Grace, raise Jefferson, but not out of kindness. He knew Grace enjoyed the finer things in life. He promised Grace his fortune, but only if she and Jefferson stayed at the church. When Prentice died, the fortune disappeared. He left Grace the church and a decorative box. She tore the church apart in a rage and passed on at Prentice’s crypt from a brain aneurysm. Prentice labeled Grace the ‘harlot whore’ and never replaced the cross she ripped down. Martha’s devotee and lover is the groundskeeper, Samson. Samson and Jefferson stopped drinking together, and living on the property keeps them accountable. 

Doctor Nathaniel Sharp used to come to the church with his wife, Darla, every Sunday, until she left him. Now, he prays she returns while taking care of the townspeople, including Jefferson. Attorney Vera Draven took over her father’s practice and place in the church after he died. She is still a dutiful daughter and handles the church’s legal matters. When her father came home with a young boy, Cy, he told Vera to raise him as her own. Everyone assumes he’s Mr. Draven’s illegitimate child, but no one speaks of it. Cy returned home after losing a political bid. He went through all the GOP talking points, but didn’t have a personality that resonated with constituents. Now, he uploads Jefferson’s sermons on YouTube. 

Best-selling author Lee Ross’s sales have been declining steadily. He wants to write a book about Jefferson and follows him around to collect details. Cellist Simone Vivane hasn’t been able to play after a terrible accident left her with constant pain. She has tried every medical remedy to get better, but it has been unfruitful. Now, she’s willing to give faith a try. And she will pay to get a cure. 

On Palm Sunday, Jud admitted to Jefferson that he knew about Jefferson’s false confession. He swore to bring Jefferson down. It will restore the church’s balance, even if he has to destroy Jefferson to do it. Cy secretly records Jud’s threat. Jud decides to have a private meeting with the core group, but Jefferson is one step ahead. He ushers a secret congregation and throws Jud out when he walks in on the meeting.

During the Good Friday service, Jefferson was in full form. He needed a break to fortify himself, so he went into the storage closet beside the pulpit as Jud prayed over the flock. Soon, everyone heard a thud from the closet. Jud ran inside and found Jefferson bleeding with a devil-shaped object protruding from his back. Martha screams and runs into the altar, making her escape. Dr. Nathaniel tells Jud not to touch the body. He runs inside, examines the body, declares Jefferson’s death, and pulls the knife from his body. Police Chief Geraldine investigates the crime. She doesn’t know how a man can enter a closet alone and be a murder victim. Will Benoit Blanc be able to solve it?

This standalone third film rivals the first. It has a compelling set of characters with rich backstories and an intriguing victim. Unlike the past, the plot doesn’t revolve around Benoit. It lets Jud narrate his life. Letting the number one suspect explain themselves is a unique view for this franchise. Also, the lighting and set design matched Jud’s mood. Wind and thunder paired with his chaotic, angry nature. As he had a holy epiphany, the sunlight rose behind him. When Jud was happy, he was in light and airy spaces. It pulls you into the mystery without overpowering it. The director made a memorable choice when Jud lifted his bloody hand to the screen. It’s a call back to so many movies we know and love. The ‘why’ and ‘how’ drive the story, but you will figure out ‘who.’ But their crime is so juicy, you won’t care. Don’t miss this latest Knives Out mystery. 

I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars

Christ came to heal the world, not fight it – Jud

Good luck – Bishop Langstorm

Are you here to take my church away from me – Jefferson

She was a harlot and a whore – Martha

Wealth and the power that comes with it, is Eve’s apple – Prentice

I’ve given up a lot to be loyal to my dad – Vera

I didn’t have that cult of personality thing – Cy

I had no idea – Nathaniel

We don’t like him – Lee

To take someone’s faith and exploit it for money is the ultimate evil – Simone

Christ – Geraldine

I kneel at the altar of the rational -Blanc

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Never Alone for Christmas: Memphis – Review

Never Alone for Christmas: Memphis – BET+ – 1 hour and 37 minutes

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Stream Only on BET+

Monica promotes her dating app and matchmaking business on Morning Memphis, co-hosted by her fiancé, Pierre. During the show, Monica alerts the audience that December 11th is the day most couples break up, warning them not to fall victim and end up spending Christmas alone. After this, Pierre announces that he and Monica will get married live during the show’s Christmas Eve taping, declaring they will never be alone on Christmas again. Later, at a café, Pierre tells Monica he wants a more traditional marriage to symbolize their success and expects her to end her business once they marry. Monica refuses and returns the ring.

The next day on the show, Pierre tells the audience that the wedding is off and that Monica broke up with him on December 11th. He cries for the cameras, leading Monica to lose all her clients. Soon after, Monica gets a call from Joe, who asks for her matchmaking services. She tells him the business is closed and hangs up. Later, after reflecting on Pierre’s harsh words to viewers to ‘not be a loser,’ Monica reconsiders and calls Joe back to arrange an appointment.

Monica sits in the corner as Joe trips into the room. He has zero confidence, is clumsy, and has no social skills. However, he loves Christmas, working for charities, and his church. He wants to have a date for his office Christmas party. Monica promises to help him find the right woman. She assists him with his self-esteem, attire, and presence, but is she creating the perfect man for herself?

This standalone sequel allows the love to grow organically. It follows Monica’s Five Phases of Dating. They slowly learn about each other and become friends. Viewers will have sympathy for Joe. He means well. But his exterior doesn’t match his heart. It’s easy for women to overlook him. The script properly balances the holiday with comedy, love, and fellowship. They handle faith without alienating others. And add the right touch of hope for the viewers. You will watch this film with a smile on your face and joy in your heart. And let’s not forget an original song from K. Michelle to ring in the holiday cheer.

I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars

Don’t fall victim to December 11th – Monica

It’s not as easy as it looks – Pierre

Happy holidays – Faith

You always right on time – Joe

Timing is everything – Skip

I appreciate you, Monica – Melody

Your heart has always been in the right place – Pastor Irvin

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Love After Holidays – Review

Love After Holidays – BET+ – 1 hour and 15 minutes

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Stream Only on BET+

Stephan took custody of his daughter, Sky, after police arrested Sky’s mother, Janeen, for drunk driving with Sky in the car. The courts ordered Janeen to undergo mandated therapy with Dr. Cunningham. On her latest visit, she brought a flask, and he told her to leave. Janeen rushes to her show, ‘Love After,’ and gets prepped for hair and makeup. She hides her drinking from the crew as she starts the show. The producer, Morris, pulled two random audience members to get advice from Janeen. One is kind, but the other is confrontational. She points out Janeen’s police record, custody loss, and upcoming divorce. Janeen colors her failures as learning opportunities, but the attacks keep coming. Janeen gets physical with the guest before they cut to a commercial. Janeen’s boss, Minerva, demands that Janeen get her act together. They want another season, and her antics could kill their chances. Janeen promises that her issues won’t hinder her work. It will do much more. Janeen will suffer a downfall if she doesn’t acknowledge her addiction and take accountability for her actions. Will she make it?

BET+ added this film to its holiday slot, but it barely mentions the holiday. It’s better for awareness month than Christmas. This movie could trigger someone who has ever dealt with any aspect of addiction. The lead processes her custody loss by drinking more. However, the film never discusses what caused her to drink heavily. The writers hint at her father but don’t go deeper. The writing felt too genuine. It feels like the conversations were taken from actual events. This movie is reminiscent of after-school specials, not a Christmas movie. 

I give it 3 out of 5 stars

This is unacceptable – Stephan

Relax, it’s just a little sip – Janeen

Do you know why you are here – Dr. Cunningham

Why would someone go to this extent to hurt you? – Minerva

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Oh. What. Fun. – Review

Oh. What. Fun. – Prime Video – 1 hour and 47 minutes

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Stream Only on Prime Video

Claire uses recipes from a cookbook of her favorite TV host, Zazzy Tims. She can’t wait for her children to arrive. For months, she nudged them to write her in as an applicant for Zazzy’s show. She is airing a special episode to celebrate the unsung hero of the holidays: moms. Her husband, Nick, tells her to fill out the form for herself, but Claire thinks that’s cheating. Then, he advises her to make them do it. But she wants them to do it because they care. For now, she will keep sending the link in text messages. 

First, Claire welcomes her oldest, Channing. Channing is married to Doug, and they have twins, Lucy and Ben. Channing is a successful novelist who wants a slight change to the holidays, but she’s afraid to ask. Next, the youngest Sammy arrives. They thought he was bringing his girlfriend, Mae-bell, but she dumped him the day before to be with someone else. He is crestfallen. Finally, Taylor arrives with her annual new girlfriend, Donna. Everything is going to plan until Claire sees the pristine neighbor, Jeanne, across the street. Jeanne makes Claire feel inept. So, Claire does everything to outdo her. Jeanne gives Claire a three-wick candle. Since Claire’s gift only has one wick, she lies and says it’s not ready.

Claire plans a day with her family. They will see a Christmas Eve show of Ben and Lucy’s favorite program, ‘So You Think You’re a Dancer.’ Before the show, Claire grabs some peppermint bark, throws it in a bag, and walks over to Jeanne’s home. Claire lies and says it’s homemade. As Jeanne examines the gift, she sees Claire’s family leaving in two cars without Claire. Claire darts back inside the home and discovers her family has forgotten her. She puts her clothes in a duffel bag, unplugs the lawn inflatables, and drives away. When her family remembers Claire, she is long gone on a wild adventure. They know Christmas without her will be a disaster. Can they convince Claire to come home?

This film expresses that moms are the unsung heroes of the holidays because they handle the emotional labor for the family. They are the magic behind the holidays. Sadly, they often buy gifts for themselves, stuff their stocking, or get thoughtless gifts. This movie will make the mom in your life grateful or sad. The script wins because the family instantly sees they were wrong. They don’t excuse their behavior or blame Claire. They finger-point at each other, but Nick corrects course. They acknowledge Claire’s importance to the holiday and offer space and understanding. The film also spotlights the classic pictures, making dads heroes but not the moms. It will try to write those wrongs, but something is missing from the film. It loses some heart along the way. 

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars

Do you mind if I have a word with your kids – Claire

She hasn’t got rid of a single decoration since we were kids – Channing

Yeah, sneaky is creepy – Nick

Mae-bell dumped me. I am a husk of my former self – Sammy

Barbaric – Jeanne

God, no wonder you have no siblings – Taylor

That’s not how that works – Doug

I hate pancakes – Zazzy

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