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I Have to Kill My Neighbor – Review
I Have to Kill My Neighbor – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Lauren and Tom cringe when they see their neighbor, Madeline, trimming their tree. They call her over to talk. Madeline marches in their yard, points out several HOA violations, and demands they pay for half of the new fence she wants. Lauren and Tom refuse. She leaves with one cutting insult. Lauren believes Madeline’s attitude stems from her husband, Wade, leaving her. She sympathizes with her and asks Tom to consider changing their fence. Tom says no, but suggests reporting Madeline’s behavior to the HOA president, Robin.
Lauren meets with Robin to file a complaint against Madeline. Robin informs Lauren that Madeline has been writing complaints about them for months. She just ignores them because Madeline wrote most of the rules. Robin believes the best option is to de-escalate the situation by meeting. Robin and Lauren walk to Madeline’s home and see an angry man exiting. Robin states that he’s Jay, Madeline’s brother-in-law. They confront Madeline, and Lauren extends an olive branch. Madeline doesn’t care. She got a surveyor to look over the property lines. Lauren’s fence is 6 inches over. If Lauren doesn’t replace it at full cost, with an option she wants, Madeline will sue. Lauren insults Madeline and leaves.
Lauren and Tom have dinner with his mother, Estelle. Estelle makes Lauren uncomfortable with constant criticisms. Later, Lauren asks Tom why Estelle doesn’t like her. Tom swears Estelle loves Lauren, but she’s overprotective and looking out for his future. In the morning, Lauren walks over to Madeline’s home and offers to pay to have the fence moved. Madeline refuses. Lauren storms home and finds signs of a struggle. She gets an image of a bloody, bound, and bruised Tom. A caller, using a voice changer, warns Lauren not to call the police or they will kill Tom. She offers to give them anything to get Tom back. They want her to kill Madeline by tomorrow night at midnight. And they want a picture for proof. Then, they will release Tom. Otherwise, she will get him back in pieces. Can Laurn kill her neighbor?
This movie is a comedic mystery. The backing track is horrible and extremely distracting. It’s either whiny singing or comical chiming. Viewers won’t take the mystery seriously, and maybe that’s the point. Sharp-earred Lifetimers will hear the foreshadowing and pick out the motive. However, you may not figure out the culprit. The writers gave Lauren the correct balance of investigator and strategist. She creates a brilliant plan to kill Madeline, but she soon regrets it. The conclusion is perfect, considering the characters’ backstories. This movie can entertain if you are a fan of Desperate Housewives (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer).
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
Trees are supposed to cover the sun. It’s called shade – Tom
We will take it under advisement. Thank you very much – Lauren
Why don’t we try de-escalating – Robin
Good luck with this one – Jay
I’m watching my figure. You should, too. Good night – Madeline
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Home Makeover Nightmare – Review
Home Makeover Nightmare – LMN – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Dayna returns to her hometown after her sister, KD, tells her their mom, Mrs. Brooks, died. KD and Dayna bury their mother with KD’s husband, Billy, by her side. Mrs. Brooks’s friend, Detective Vicki, offers her condolences. Their mother died due to a heart attack, but she had the police department run a toxicology report, just in case. After the funeral, Dayna and KD discuss what to do with her house. They decide to sell it. As Dayna relaxes by the pool, Mike walks up to her. Dayna and Mike knew each other in high school but lost touch when she moved for work. They exchange numbers so they can meet up later.
Dayna and Mike meet at a restaurant. She is a successful marine biologist, and he’s a real estate agent. He offers to sell Mrs. Brooks’s home for Dayna and KD. He warns it will need updates. However, it shouldn’t cost much because he can handle the repairs. Dayna agrees and takes him to the property to examine it. He makes suggestions, and Dayna loves them. And she thinks he’s sexy. She signs the contract as Mike takes a picture. KD fears Dayna is moving too fast. But Dayna assures KD that Mike is the best in the business. She’s wrong. That signature was the first step in her nightmare. Mike is a killer with a plan to take everything.
This movie is exciting because Mike is unhinged. You aren’t sure of his motive until the end. While his obsession is crazy, there were easier ways to obtain what he wanted. This film is on Lifetime, so no one ever does anything the easy way. The pacing slows down when it focuses on Dayna and Mike’s love story. This ‘will-they-won’t-they’ plotline doesn’t hold the chemistry the audience craves. Also, we know Dayna’s work won’t allow her to stay. The editing in the final fight scene was poorly done, making a tense moment look comical. Watch this film if you like crazy killers and old-school Lifetime plotlines.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
Why did he come by the house – KD
I guess I never got around to it – Dayna
Don’t bother – Mike
You’re lucky I’m a professional – Brett
Besides, it wasn’t your work that your mother was worried about – Vicki
Dayna, there’s something seriously not right about this guy – Billy
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Kidnapping My Own Daughter – Review
Kidnapping My Own Daughter – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Janet sends Faye home early. Faye is a dedicated social worker, but Janet fears she will burn out. Faye waves goodbye to the security guard, Sammy, and goes home to her husband, Paul. Paul has been working on their spare room. Faye notices that the colors are better suited to a nursery. She can’t fathom having children after seeing how people treat them and experiencing her mother’s abandonment. Paul sighs with understanding. Before going to bed, Faye walks to the kitchen. Tess breaks into Faye’s home and puts a knife against her throat. Paul carefully enters the kitchen, but Tess’s boyfriend, Harlow, attacks Paul from behind. Tess wants her daughter back, and she’s forcing Faye to help her. Harlow will contact Tess every hour. If he doesn’t hear from Tess, Harlow will kill Paul.
Faye leaves with Tess and travels to the Family and Child Services building. Tess says Faye ruined her life, but Faye doesn’t remember her. Tess holds up a picture of Faye’s mentor, Margaret. Tess says her daughter, Emilia, was injured during a fireworks display. The nurse reported the burn to child services, and Margaret took Emilia from her. Tess tried to attend court appointments, but Margaret never contacted her. Tess attempted to rebuild her life after falling into depression. It was going well until she saw a little girl. She knows it was her daughter. They arrive at the building, and Faye searches for Tess’s case. It has extreme security measures. Tess grows tired and decides to take Faye to the source. They approach Margaret’s home, and Faye knocks on the door. After several taps, Margaret opens, and Tess pushes Faye forward. Margaret tells them that the nurse reported Emilia’s injuries as cigarette burns. And the record stated that Tess chose to be ‘no contact.’ Tess says this proves that someone tampered with her case on purpose. Before Faye responds, the police arrest Tess. Faye hit the silent alarm at her job.
After returning home from his injuries, Paul is ready to put the home invasion behind him. However, something doesn’t sit right with Faye. She says abusive parents look ashamed, but Tess appeared to be grieving. Faye wants to investigate Tess’s claims. She and Paul arrive at her office to pull up Tess’s record, but Janet stops her. She wants Faye to take a vacation and seek counseling for her kidnapping. Faye concedes as Janet walks away. Then, she steals the record room keys. She and Paul find Tess’s hard copies, but someone redacted them. They read the files when the fire alarm goes off. They grab a folder but leave the box behind. They realize it’s a false alarm and reenter the room. They see an masked person exiting with the records box. Faye chases after the person, but they get away. Faye swears to uncover the dark secret behind Tess losing custody of her daughter, but will Faye survive?
This mystery takes you on a ride of corruption, scandal, and desperation. The script creates an amazing character arc for Faye. She is a social worker who cares deeply for her clients. However, the horrors of her job make her put motherhood on the back burner. Faye can empathize with people and calm them. Let’s not forget her secret weapon: Paul. He understands his wife’s passion and never pushes her to change course. He asks for her opinion and supports her feelings. This film has a twist after every commercial break, leaving the audience riveted. The pace never slows down, and there are no plot holes. This movie is worth a second watch and space on your DVR.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars
I already waited too long – Tess
You are not your mother, and you are not your clients – Paul
I’m not sure what to call this feeling – Faye
You were just in a hostage situation – Janet
Go to your husband, I’ll be right behind you – Margaret
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Where the Wind Blows – Review
Where the Wind Blows – UPtv – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Chase rides to Nathan’s home and gives sad news to Nathan’s wife, Jessie. Her husband, Nathan, died. He lies and tells Jessie that Nathan died on patrol. However, he died in a card game at a questionable establishment. Jessie invites Chase inside and offers him a place to sleep. She knows he’s been riding all day and could use a break. Chase gladly accepts the invitation. Jessie quietly panics over her future. She and Nathan planned to adopt Sara at the orphanage where Jessie works. Jessie fears that no judge will allow her to adopt without a husband. In the morning, Jessie explains the situation to Chase. She asks Chase to pretend to be Nathan, but he refuses and rides away.
Mr. Hobbs arrives at Jessie’s home with Sara and his assistant, Gabe. He asks about Nathan, and she explains that he stepped out. He refuses to leave Sara without having Nathan and Jessie’s signatures. Down the road, Chase has second thoughts about not assisting and returns to Jessie’s home. Mr. Hobbs assumes he’s Nathan, and Chase doesn’t correct him. Chase signs the adoption paperwork with an X. Before Mr. Hobbs leaves, he asks Chase and Jessie to adopt Gabe, too. Gabe is about to age out of the system, but he is a kind and helpful boy. Chase says yes because Jessie will need a helping hand after he leaves. Mr. Hobbs exits, and Jessie prepares dinner for her new family. Chase assumes he will make a hasty retreat in the morning. However, his X will lead to looters, a marriage, and a new beginning.
Based on Where the Wind Blows by Caroline Fyffe, this film starts like the typical lie-to-relationship story, but it’s so much more (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). This period romance throws these two together by chance. Chase tries to fight it because he wants to be faithful to his friendship with Nathan. Jessie instantly sees him as her guardian angel. The clothing, weapons, and morals match the time, but the language doesn’t. Jessie’s introduction shows the audience that she isn’t a maiden waiting for a savior. She is a strong and faithful woman. The script is funny, caring, and scary. As Jessie resides with Chase, a drunken creep stalks her. He only thinks of control and destruction. Every actor and actress puts their heart and soul into their character. And the director paid close attention to the book’s details and conveyed important symbolism on screen. This film proves that books can be adapted properly with the correct care.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
You’re a good man, Chase – Nathan
Not hardly – Jessie
Do you believe in god – Jessie
I wish I knew – Gabe
You are in a pickle, and there is only one way out – Holly
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A Season to Blossom – Review
A Season to Blossom – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Elise’s boss offers her a permanent position at her job. She admits that she didn’t plan to stay long because she drifts through life while considering finishing her novel. He argues a compelling case for her to stay in Chicago, and she agrees to take the job. However, she asks for some time to sell her grandmother, Lorraine’s, bookstore. He concedes.
Elise enters the Driftwood Bookstore and meets Molly. Molly manages the establishment after Loraine died. She hopes the new owner will let her stay on board after they take over. Elise agrees to fight for Molly’s employment, reminiscing about her time with her grandmother. Elise goes to the local orchard for flowers and samples cider. She swats at a bee and splashes Max. Max can’t believe Elise is in town after leaving without saying goodbye. She ignores his statement and inquires about his family’s orchard. Max admits that he and his father, Earl, are at odds about their business’s future. Max wants to expand the products, while Earl thinks the crops always come first. After some tense conversation, Elise picks two plants and leaves. Max attempts to offer her something else, but it’s too late.
Later, Max gets a call from his business partner. The company likes his apple cider, but they want a story behind it, not the science. Max recalls that Elise is the best storyteller he knows, so he makes a trip to see her. Max finds Elise conversing with her business neighbor, Winnie. She helps organize the Apple Blossom Festival. Elise asks to participate. However, Winnie accidentally made her the event’s host. Elise hates being the center of attention. Max offers to help her if she sparks stories in him. Their budding partnership blooms into a blossoming romance, but will it last with Elise’s job calling?
This film’s driving force is Elise’s connection to her grandmother. Lorraine loved to leave notes everywhere, containing words of wisdom and encouragement. They are soothing, funny, and insightful. And having the words printed across the screen allows the viewer to make an emotional connection. While the script focuses on Max and Elise, the romance between Winnie and Earl has more heat. His poem to her will melt your heart, and the audience will smile when they have their first date. This predictable romance adds suspense when a devastating thunderstorm hits the town. It grabs your attention and gives the plot the spark it needs. This film is perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon with warm cider.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
Sometimes it’s time to get out of the comfort zone – Max
I like my apples where I can see them – Earl
I only judge on book taste – Molly
I’m sick of being stuck in winter – Elise
New beginnings grow best when nurtured together – Lorraine
Denial is the first step of cat ownership – Winnie
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Categories: A Season to Blossom, Ashley Elaine, C. Thomas Howell, Carlo Marks, Catherine Saindon, Chelsea Rose Cook, Darren Martens, Emily Tennant, hallmark, Home is Where the Harm Is, Home Makeover Nightmare, I Have to Kill My Neighbor, Jackée Harry, Kathryn Kohut, Kidnapping My Own Daughter, Lauren Cochrane, lifetime, lifetime movie network, lmn, Made for TV, Michelle Hurd, movie, Randy Jay Burrell, review, Sarah Luby, Spring into Love, Tom Sandoval, Trevor Donovan, tv review, UPtv, Where the Wind Blows
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