Thou Shall Not Commit Adultery – Review

Thou Shall Not Commit Adultery – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Cassie interviews her mentor, Anita, for her podcast. They open the phone lines for calls and get a scare. A caller tells Cassie that her message goes against God. She should tell women to submit to their husbands, not be empowered. Cassie quietly regroups, handles the caller with care, and ends the podcast. Cassie asks her assistant, Lola, why she let the call through. Lola says it was Daniel’s decision. Cassie charges into Daniel’s office for an explanation. He says controversy sells books and shows the uptick in views during the call. Cassie hates when Daniel puts his managerial duties ahead of being her husband. She wants him to stop the trolling calls but can’t deny the numbers.

Cassie opens a gift in her office and steps back when she sees maggots inside with a note written with Matthew 10:28 and a threat. They warn her to be a godly woman or risk fire and brimstone. She believes the caller came to the studio. However, she won’t let a creep scare her away. Cassie and Daniel try to have a lovely night at home, but it ends in an argument.

Cassie arrives at work and sees a handsome man, Troy, in the corner. Lola says it’s her new bodyguard, hired by Daniel. Cassie doesn’t believe she needs anyone’s protection other than God. However, she changes her mind after receiving another threat sent to her home. Troy sweeps her home and offers comfort. She wants to start fresh and be friends. Troy agrees. However, that friendly gesture becomes something adulterous. When her stalker becomes aware of her affair, they threaten her livelihood. Can Cassie unmask the culprit before her budding career and rocky marriage crumble?

In this film, the writers made Cassie a woman who tries to straddle the line. She wants to spearhead women’s empowerment through faith while focusing on fame and fortune. She moves her moral goal post with her clothes, message, and guests. Her stalker knows it’s a matter of time before that immoral behavior seeps into her marriage. The writer had a strong understanding of the bible and women’s ever-changing role in the church. The actors gave an incredible performance and heated up the screen with their blasphemous chemistry. The plot hits the major Lifetime points with a stalker, hidden cameras, and a deadly allergy. However, the conclusion is more realistic. The film doesn’t end with Cassie sitting in the ambulance. She faces real-life consequences for her choices and takes accountability for her actions. It’s a unique change for Lifetime.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars

Submission is not oppression – Cassie

The road to the top is paved with sticks and stones – Anita

Cass, you are the brand – Daniel

Are you always this intense – Troy

Don’t forget God had big plans for you before Anita did – Lola

Find, shop for, and watch Lifetime movies on Amazon TV (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer)

Her Husband’s Double Life – Review

Her Husband’s Double Life – LMN – 2 hours and 0 minutes

EMT Carrie shows off her new engagement ring to her best friend, fellow EMT Nina. Nina asks for all the details about Timothy’s proposal. As Carrie shows Nina pictures, they get a call about a car accident. They take the emergency because it’s close by. They arrive at the scene, and the woman, Brianna, has minor injuries but screams for her husband, who was ejected from the car. They search around the embankment and find the man. Carrie flips him over to tend to his injuries and can’t contain her shock. It’s Timothy.

Carrie stands by his hospital bed with Brianna crying by his side. Brianna and Timothy have been married for 20 years. She never knew he was having an affair. Carrie explains that she didn’t know anything about Brianna. She and Timothy have been dating for three years and bought a house together. They were planning their wedding just days earlier. Brianna demands that Carrie leave.

Carrie returns to the hospital later, but she can’t visit Timothy. Timothy’s mother, Laurel, purposely excluded Carrie from Timothy’s visitor list. Carrie calls Nina because she has family that can pull strings. Then, Sophie enters, stands at Brianna’s side, and asks about her dad. Carrie never knew Timothy had a daughter. When Nina tries to lie about her presence, Sophie sees their engagement photo on Carrie’s screensaver. Sophie rushes away in tears at her father’s infidelity. She runs into her uncle’s arms, and Noah assures her that Timothy still loved her.

Carrie took bereavement leave, but she can’t grieve because someone’s sending her threatening text messages. Nina offers to call her cousin, Detective Kyle, for help. Carrie assumes it’s Sophie and doesn’t want to get her in trouble. Also, Kyle is her ex-boyfriend. She isn’t sure how to deal with it. Nina assures Carrie that Kyle will remain professional. So they contact him for help.

Brianna and Sophie rush to the hospital after Laurel alerts them. Timothy had a medical issue, but the nurses helped him. Sophie sits by her dad’s bedside when his heart stops. Timothy dies. After an investigation, the police determined that someone caused Timothy’s glucose to rise rapidly, causing his death. Kyle tells Carrie the coroner deemed Timothy’s death a murder. She and Timothy’s family are all suspects. Carrie must unravel Timothy’s lies, but she will need help from the person who hates her the most: Brianna. Can they find Timothy’s murderer?

This film has great writing and stunning acting with a solid conclusion. The script gives everyone a motive to kill Timothy and enough pieces of the puzzle for you to solve it. Also, the plot doesn’t target the easy suspect. The final monologue comes out of nowhere but makes sense. This movie has some pacing issues, but the fun and stunning conclusion makes up for everything. The lighting is perfect, and the texts are easy to read. This film isn’t a classic, but it’s highly entertaining and surprisingly comical.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars

Please get through this – Carrie

He would never lie to me like that – Brianna

I can’t wait to call you my wife – Timothy

You need to stay far away from him – Laurel

What if Dad doesn’t choose us – Sophie

Yeah, he lied about so much – Noah

Stay vigilant around these people, they are hiding something – Kyle

Find, shop for, and watch LMN movies on Amazon TV (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer)
Click here for more information

Checkmate – Review

Checkmate – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Detective Brittany Jones regretfully visits her therapist, Stephanie. The department sent her to therapy after she shot a hostage. Brittany currently suffers from nightmares and hyperawareness. She believes getting back on the job will save her. However, Stephanie disagrees. Brittany goes to Captain Sommers for leniency, but he backs Stephanie’s findings. During a briefing, Brittany overhears Sommers talking about their latest case. Someone murdered a woman and left a pawn in her mouth with C4 written on her forehead. Brittany recognizes this as a chess move. She believes the killer wants to play. Brittany wants the case, but Sommers says no.

Brittany visits her father, Miles. Miles is upset because she missed his retirement party. She explains the situation, and they sit and play a game of chess. He notices something strange. A pawn to C4 is not a normal opener. He feels the case is missing something. And another murder pushes Brittany’s curiosity over the edge. She approaches Sommers again, and he relents, but only if she works with Officer Rodriguez. Brittany concedes. Can she find the murderer before they kill again?

This film has a high body count but an average mystery. It’s easy to pinpoint the culprit, but the motive is a bit more complex. However, the plot sprinkled hints throughout the film. This film is a refreshing change from the Lifetime lineup but isn’t the strongest. Tubi is the proper streaming service for it (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer).

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars

How do you think it makes me feel – Det. Brittany

I’ll do what I can – Captain Sommers

My daughter, by the book – Miles

That makes me special – Stephanie

Find, shop for, and watch Lifetime movies on Amazon TV (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer)

Where the Heart Lands – Review

Where the Heart Lands – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Charlie’s horse, Mystic Spirit, beats her record by two seconds. Horse trainer Charlie believes Mystic Spirit could win this race this year. Charlie needs this win to enter the Kentucky Derby. The previous owner, Grace, died and left her estate to her nephew, Nick. Nick has never been to the ranch or seen the horses. Charlie and her father, Jack, assume Nick will sell it when he sees how much it’s worth. Farm manager Susie boxes up the ranch’s documents for Nick. Before she can seal the package, Charlie writes a quick note to Nick. The note invites him to Kentucky to meet the horses and learn about farm life. Charlie inserts the note into the box, and Jack grabs it. He offers to take it to the post office so Susie can finish other tasks. When Charlie and Susie leave, Jack takes out the documents, leaves Charlie’s note inside, and mails the box.

Nick mulls over a deal with his partner, Raquel. He opens the box from Susie. Nick scoffs because the letter is missing its noted attachments. He tells Raquel that he will drop by the ranch, review the paperwork, and sell. Nick lands in Lexington and asks to speak to a man named Charlie. Charlie rolls her eyes and confronts Nick. She accuses him of being an out-of-touch city boy. She sighs, showing him around his ranch and introducing him to Jack and Susie. She convinces him to stay until the race. Then, he can make an informed decision about the ranch Grace loved so much. If she wins the race, the ranch and the horses will be more profitable to the ranch’s portfolio. Secretly, Charlie knows she will lose everything she loves if she loses. Can she change Nick’s mind in two weeks?

This film follows the Hallmark standard until the fight (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). That type of violence could only be on Lifetime. The film’s pacing is slow, and the backing track overpowers the storyline. Viewers won’t be sure if dialogue is funny or serious. The writer has a solid understanding of horses and business, but the plot isn’t captivating even for a TV movie. You can predict the ending, conflicts, and compromise. Viewers should save this film for a horse-lover’s rainy day.

I give it 3 out of 5 stars

Heaven always gets a front row seat – Jack

But I knew – Nick

By the way, congratulations – Charlie

I just hope there’s enough Bourbon to soften your hard feelings when our Charlie wins – Susie

Find, shop for, and watch Lifetime movies on Amazon TV (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer)