Buying Back My Daughter - Review
Dana and Curtis move into their new home with their daughters, Cadence and Alicia. Cadence easily adjusts, but Alicia faces difficulties. So Dana and Curtis throw a barbecue and invite their neighbors and a few teens. Soon, Dana and her mother, Mama Grace, see Alicia talking to teens and flirting with a guy. Days later, Alicia asks to attend a tailgate party for her school. Dana says no but offers an alternative. She will let Alicia have a sleepover and invite a few friends. Alicia relents to the compromise.
Alicia and her friends watch T.V., eat junk food, and give each other makeovers. Dana says good night and leaves. Alicia's friend, Tamara, gets up, opens the door, and peers around the corner. Once Dana is out of sight, the girls start to change. Alicia questions their change of clothes, and Tamara informs Alicia they are sneaking out. Tamara promises to be home before Curtis and Dana wake up. Alicia sneaks out. She meets her crush at the tailgate but leaves when he tries to kiss her. Alicia tries to convince her friends to leave, but they refuse. She informs that she is going home. When they return to the house, they can sleep downstairs while she sleeps in her bedroom.
Dana prepares breakfast for the girls and calls them to the kitchen. Tamara tells Dana that Alicia is in her bedroom when Dana doesn't see Alicia. Dana finds an empty bed with perfect sheets. Dana concludes that Alicia is missing and calls everyone she knows. Dana and Curtis go to the police station, and they don't care because Alicia is 16. They assume she ran away and dismissed Curtis and Dana. Dana refuses to believe Alicia ran away and starts a campaign to find her. Dana's search will unmask the dark side of the internet and the evils of sex trafficking.
This movie covers a complex and emotional topic but holds nothing back. Alicia's abduction has a ripple effect on her family. Curtis and Dana constantly argue about balancing their search efforts and jobs. Also, both parents focus so much on Alicia that they ignore Cadence. Sadly, Dana learns finding Alicia is 10% of the battle. Alicia suffers from physical, sexual, and chemical abuse. That abuse continues because Alicia's photos are still on the internet. Dana states she thought she could love Alicia to normal. That task is impossible with long-term, intense counseling. This movie doesn't provide a sunshine-and-flowers ending. The conclusion is horrifying and honest. This film is astounding, but viewers should prepare themselves.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars
It was my idea to move here - Curtis
What do I have to do - Alicia
I will sleep when she's back - Diana
I am not the problem - Cadence
I was held for nine months and three weeks - Officer Marks
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A Zest for Death: A Hannah Swensen Mystery - Review
Hannah accompanies her sister, Michelle, as Michelle looks for a house. Michelle's realtor, Joann, shows Michelle a beautiful home, but it's in her price range. Michelle asks Joann to find a home that matches her wallet. Hannah returns to the Cookie Jar and meets with Jed. Jed joyously tells Hannah that he fixed her oven. She thanks Jed with a check and macarons (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). Hannah returns to the counter, and her employee, Lisa, alerts Hannah that Rhonda didn't pick up her lemon meringue pie. Hannah decides to deliver the pie because Rhonda is a loyal customer.
Hannah arrives at Rhonda's home and sees Rhonda in a heated discussion with a man. Hannah approaches Rhonda's house after he leaves and gives Rhonda the pie. Hannah asks about the man, and Rhonda explains it's her brother, Thomas. Rhonda invites Hannah inside and lays her burdens on Hannah. Rhonda attended her aunt's funeral recently and got her coin collection. She opens the box and shows Hannah the valuable and sentimental coins. Then, Rhonda remembers a lunch date and writes it on her calendar affixed to her refrigerator. Rhonda is selling her house and moving to the East Coast. She has no idea where she wants to live but wants something different. As they talk, Hannah follows Rhonda upstairs and watches Rhonda put the coins in her dresser. Hannah says goodbye and leaves.
Hannah's mother, Delores, overhears Rhonda talking to Alice about a leaky faucet. Alice recommends her boyfriend, Jed, but Rhonda says no and wants to pick another plumber. She knows Jed has a criminal record for theft. Delores interjects and tells Rhonda that a plumber will take two weeks to fix her faucet. Rhonda decides to hire Jed.
Michelle and Hannah meet Joann to look at Rhonda's house. Joann brought Delores as a surprise. Joann enters the lockbox code and opens the door. They walk around Rhonda's home and notice the kitchen sink leaks. Michelle asks Joann questions about the house, Hannah examines the kitchen appliances, and Delores explores upstairs. Hannah sees two takeout containers from her favorite restaurant. Delores can barely speak when she comes downstairs and motions for Hannah and Michelle to follow her to the bedroom. They find Rhonda dead with a small pool of blood under her head. Hannah calls Mike to take over, although they are taking a break from their relationship.
Hannah has lunch with Michelle and Delores. Delores admits that she wants to investigate the crime. She feels obligated to find the killer because she discovered Rhonda's body. Hannah encourages Delores to follow her heart. Later, Hannah learns that Jed is their number one suspect. The police found his engraved wrench, the murder weapon, buried near Rhonda's home. Hannah doesn't believe Jed is the murderer because he got a second chance to go straight. Hannah will uncover the truth with the help of her family.
Based on the novel Lemon Meringue Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke, this mystery will have you on the edge of your seat (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). It's charming, funny, and intriguing. And the most experienced Sleuther won't figure out the killer. However, all the clues are there. This plot offers enough viable suspects to keep you guessing until the end. The subplot is the relationship between Mike and Hannah. After their last case, Hannah asks Mike for space. Mike respects her wishes but misses Hannah. They have issues to work through, and this case can make or break them. Let's not forget this movie gives the audience a third sister. Don't be surprised if this is your favorite movie in the series. So have your double fudge brownies, almond kiss cookies, ginger apple scones, and croquembouche ready.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars
That means it's expensive - Hannah
Why does she use so many question marks - Michelle
She told me not to - Mike
I discovered her. I have an obligation - Delores
What good is a relationship if the person you're with doesn't believe in you - Alice
She told me - Andrea
We only get the second chances other people give us - Jed
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Secrets Beneath the Floorboards - Review
Whitney buries her husband, Al, with her sister, Bella, and brother-in-law, Brad, by her side. She mourns her loss, but Bella quips and reminds Whitney that Al wasn't a good guy. He fleeced his investors and treated Whitney poorly. And Brad agrees. Whitney tells them not to speak ill of the dead because she will miss Al. Whitney wants to focus on burying her husband but can't because Detective Hinkles surveils her. Someone murdered Al, and Detective Hinkles suspects Whitney, although she has an alibi. Laurie, Al's executive assistant, offers her condolences and asks to help the family. Whitney and Bella drive to Whitney's home to drink wine and commiserate.
Whitney and Brad meet with Al's attorney to discuss Al's will. They do a double take when Laurie walks into the conference room. Al left their apartment and vacation home to Whitney, but he gave everything else to Laurie. Whitney excuses herself and leaves in a fury. With his final wish, Al screwed Whitney again. As Detective Hinkle approaches, Brad meets Whitney outside to console her but alleges that Al and Laurie had an affair. Detective Hinkle asks them about Al's will and their assumed windfall. Whitney leaves in disgust and races home. Whitney calls Bella to inform Bella that she is leaving town and driving to their grandmother's lake house. Bella doesn't understand why Whitney will leave the city while she's a suspect. Also, they both believe their grandmother, a Holocaust survivor, haunts that home. Whitney says she needs a change of scenery, and the lake house is the best place.
Whitney arrives at the lake house but refuses to go to the attic. Her grandmother warned them about evil men coming to the house and taught them how to protect themselves. She created passages, hiding spots, and secret crawl spaces throughout the house. Bella calls Whitney to check in and warn her. Detective Hinkle questioned Bella again because Whitney went out of town. Whitney wants to discover the truth about Al, his murder, and the culprit to clear their names. Whitney opens Al's laptop but doesn't know the password. She recalls that Al liked the lake house, and she gets an idea where to look: under the floorboards. They hold more secrets than Whitney could have imagined.
This movie takes the scenic route to the point. It spends more time following Whitney as she walks through the house, eyeing items and reminiscing than with dialogue. Also, the script adds suspicious characters, but experienced Lifetimers know they are bait. The plot takes a dip into the NFT and digital wallet world, but you don't need to be an expert (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). The film's saving grace is the final act. The sisters come together and defeat the culprit using low-tech solutions and wit. This movie wraps up all the stories and gives the viewer a satisfying end for a slow beginning.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
This place feels impossible big and unbearable small at the same time - Whitney
Sometimes, people are really good at hiding how they truly feel - Bella
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Monster High 2 - Review
Monster High 2 - Nickelodeon - 2 hours and 0 minutes
Clawdeen is famous on Eek Tok but doesn't know how to handle her newfound popularity. Frankie felt powerless after their battle with Mr. Komos, so her parents gave her monster upgrades the day before school. She is learning how to use them. Draculaura's father, Dracula, wants to have a blowout party for her 1600th birthday. It's a coming of age for vampires, but she wants something more low-key. But Dracula won't hear it. The friends come together to make sure everyone feels accepted at Monster High. The school opened itself up to half-human half-monster this year. A group of ghouls started a Hu-Mon pride campaign and invited Clawdeen to join. Then, Cleo's scarabs alert her to the arrival of Toralei, a werecat (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). Toralie is famous on campus because she survived a witch attack and has the scars to prove it. She warns everyone to steer clear of witches because they are dangerous. Clawdeen and Frankie defend the practice for Draculaura, but Torelei calls them ill-informed.
During the school assembly, Headmistress Bloodgood announces the candidates for Prefect (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). The Prefect will be the voice of the student body. But the school, as in the building, decides it. Not the students. The school chooses Toralei and Clawdeen as nominees. Bloodgood unveils two large skulls with sand, one for each nominee. The school will watch them, and the person who fills theirs first wins. Toralei immediately starts her campaign. So, Draculaura makes posters, and Cleo elects herself Clawdeen's election manager.
Draculaura leaves her dorm to practice witchcraft. She finds Ellis, a vampire, doing the same. Seeing her practice made him want to come out of the shadows. They love the mystic arts but are growingly frustrated with others demonizing witchcraft. They discuss the start of the vampire-witch wars and show off their skills. While Draculaura learns new spells with Ellis, two witches sneak into her dorm room. Frankie and Clawdeen fight them off, but Frankie blows up the power grid in the battle. Toralei uses the attack to fearmonger the students and the staff to ban witchcraft at Monster High until further notice. Draculaura is visibly upset, so Clawdeen pleads with her to keep her powers a secret. Draculaura can't understand why Clawdeen would cave. She leaves. Ellis follows and relieves his true self to her. He isn't a vampire. He is a human witch and needs her help to end the war between their kinds. Ellis's mother, Zamara, is the queen of Salem Coven, and she wants peace. Draculaura follows Ellis to Coleman Eves to foster a truce. Draculaura hopes the treaty will allow the Monster High to accept witchcraft.
Clawdeen and Frankie wake up to find a dumb copy of Draculaura in her coffin. Draculaura taught the duplicate how to play sick and nothing else. It worked on Bloodgood, but there is more trouble brewing. Dracula decided to respect Draculaura's wishes and have a small party at the school. He is coming in 2 days, and a copy won't fool him. Clawdeen and Frankie enter Ellis's room and find a luggage tag with Coleman Eve's logo. They discover that it's in Seattle, the human world. Clawdeen suppresses her wolf to change into human form. She will go to Seattle and bring Draculaura home. Before Dracula and the school learn the truth. Clawdeen, Frankie, and Draculaura will have their powers and friendship tested.
This sequel places the friends in their sophomore year. They are comfortable on campus but not in their skin. They try to hide it like most teens and pretend to be confident. Privately, they drop the act, then confide in and build up each other. The school's Prefect elections test their tolerance. Clawdeen tells Draculaura to ease up on the craft for the campaign, like most politicians. And Clawdeen doesn't see the damage this causes until later. It's part of her growth. This film sparks a debate on how a small subgroup can ignite a fear that can spread like wildfire. But this movie warns its audience with monster puns, running gags, and easter eggs. This overall story of friendship is an alert about political fearmongering without lecturing to the audience. The plot, songs, and costumes are solid, entertaining, and fun, and prepare you for Monster High 3 (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer).
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
Play along? You mean go back in the broom closet - Draculaura
It's a cloak. Superheroes wear capes - Dracula
The alpha wolf arrives - Deuce
Yep, it's confusing - Frankie
No! No nibbling - Cleo
Frankie, do you always speak every thought that comes to mind - Toralei
Sunglasses are not a disguise - Clawdeen
Jinx - Ellis
Oh, not a hugger. Forgive me - Zamara
For the record, I think this a terrible idea - Apollo
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Secrets in the Desert - Review
Charlie and her boyfriend, Aiden, travel to attend her father's funeral. Charlie carries guilt because she focused on her education and work while her father was sick. Aiden reassures Charlie that, before he died, her father understood her choice. They make a pitstop for a charger, but the gas station doesn't have one. Charlie grabs a few snacks when a creepy guy, Jake, gets too close and questions her relationship with Aiden. Jake backs away when Aiden walks to the cash register. They get in their car and hope to find a charger at the next station. However, their electric vehicle breaks down before they can make it. They try to call someone but can't get a signal. Pam sees them on the side of the road and pulls over to help. Pam knows Owen, the local mechanic, can help, but it will take time. She offers to drive Charlie and Aiden to a local restaurant because it's too hot. Charlie doesn't want to leave the car alone, so Aiden offers to stay while she waits at the restaurant for him.
Charlie admits to Pam that she has a job offer in LA and doesn't know if her relationship with Aiden has a future on the ride to the restaurant. Charlie waits for Aiden for an hour, but Aiden doesn't show She looks out the window and sees Owen appear with her car but not Aiden. She walks outside to talk to him. Owen states that Aiden wasn't in or around the vehicle. Charlie nervously re-enters the diner, and the waitress says a man is waiting for her. Her joy turns to fear when she sees Jake. He scares her as a joke and leaves. Charlie runs to the local police station after her calls to Charlie go to voicemail. Deputy Graham doesn't take her seriously but returns to the site to look for Aiden. He cuts the search short because hunters are in the area. Graham tells Charlie to wait for Aiden at the diner because he will show up eventually. Charlie attempts to make another call at the pay phone, and Pam knocks her out. Pam knows Charlie's dad sold his land, and Charlie inherited $1.5 million. Pam wants the money now, or Aiden dies. Can Charlie save them?
This movie is what you think it is. A person is in an impossible situation but uses their wits to live. Along the way, you get some expected twists and turns. Viewers will watch to ensure they are correct but won't give the film their undivided attention. It's wild, but Pam will be your favorite character. She is cunning and ruthless. Jake doesn't understand the depths of his creepiness, but he redeems himself at the end. This movie is white noise for a busy day.
I give it 2.5 out of 5 stars
You don't think I abandoned him, do you - Charlie
And don't forget that breakfast burrito - Aiden
You're sure about that - Jake
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Adeline - Review
Adeline - UPtv - 2 hours and 0 minutes
Terry heard from the town gossip, Milly, that someone, Kay, had purchased the old farm. Pastor John wants to give the newcomer a neighborly welcome, so he invites the congregation to throw a barbecue potluck at the new neighbor's home. John and Terry bring their son, Adam, and the church to the festivities at Kay's home. Kay welcomes everyone to her backyard because the house can't hold them all. Kay sees Bethany walk into her barn, and Milly calls Bethany crazy. Jeff and Susie adopted Bethany, but they want to give Bethany back. She suffered abuse in her previous foster homes and now likes to set fires to cope. After hearing Milly insult Bethany, Kay stomps away and finds Bethany. She locates Bethany with Adeline, a horse. Kay decides to let Bethany live with her after a heartfelt conversation.
Terry visits Kay with Adam, and Adam connects with Adeline. Adam has autism and doesn't talk. Terry wants to join a support group and try more methods to help, but John thinks they should accept that Adam won't get better. Kay suggests that Terry let Adam sit on Adeline, and Terry slowly relents. Soon, Terry can see a change in Adam. He is calm for the first time. Word spreads about Adeline and Kay's equine therapy, and people from everywhere visit Serendipity Stables. When Terry tells John, he is furious. He thinks Kay is a snake oil salesperson and vows to shut her down, but God will have the final say.
Inspired by actual events, Kay comes to town, minding her business, and turns it upside down. She doesn't do it for money but for others. Kay understands how it feels to be alone, afraid, and hopeless. Horses helped her heal, and now she follows the Navajo teachings to pay it forward. In uplifting movies, typically, the pastor helps guide the people. This time, the people lead the way. He doesn't acknowledge it, but he is angry at God. He blames God for Adam's challenges. John takes a walk in the woods to remember his way. This film is for the whole family and will spark a beautiful discussion about faith, healing, and acceptance. Be ready to cry.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars
I'm not ready to give up hope - Terry
This is the path God's laid for us - John
You need to shut up - Kay
Who are you anyway? - Bethany
It doesn't look good having the local pastor start a witch hunt - Sheriff
You don't get to choose the bad things that have happened to us. No sense comparing - Jason
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A Really Haunted Loud House - Review
The Loud Family is gearing up for their annual Spooktacular. Lola and Leni are in charge of costumes while Lisa grows a gargantuan pumpkin named Esmeralda. Luna practices the theremin to create the perfect soundtrack, and Lucy is the queen of Scream, but Lynn wants to take the title. Lori directs the show but worries because she doesn't know Lincoln's plans for his secret finale. Lincoln has an epic plan but only tells his best friend, Clyde. The Loud Children aren't the only ones preparing. Their mother, Rita, is the Chief Candy Officer. She feeds her kids candy all day to ensure it's up to standards for the trick-or-treaters.
Rita checks her voice notes and remembers the kids have a dentist appointment. Running late, they jump in the car for their examination. The dentist says they are riddled with cavities. He must fill them. Leni accidentally bumps into the dentist and causes him to inject Novocain into his face. While Lincoln waits outside for his sisters, Xander enters the waiting room. Xander attends school with Lincoln and Clyde and has a large following on social media. Lincoln tries to converse with Xander but trips over his words. Lincoln invites Xander to trick-or-treat, but Xander says they are too old. Later, Xander invites Lincoln and Clyde to his Halloween party. Lincoln wants to be popular in school and social media, so he ditches the Spooktacular for Xander.
The Loud Girls throw the Spooktacular, but everyone asks about the big finale. Lori frantically tells Lana to shoot the candy from the canon. However, Rita got rid of the candy after the dentist visit and replaced it with toothbrushes. The crowd of children revolts against them and posts their frustration on social media. Xander sees it and wants to retaliate. Not knowing it was his home, Lincoln creates a plan to make the toothbrush family pay. He knows he has made a tremendous mistake when he sees it's his house. Can Lincoln turn the mob around to save his family and not jeopardize his new friendship with Xander?
The latest Loud Movie is the cartoon come to life. All the actors embrace their character's looks, mannerisms, and voices. The core of the story is standing by your family. Lincoln mistakenly puts Xander ahead of the Louds and lets them down. He realizes the error of his ways and works hard to fix them later. Another lesson is the pitfalls of social media, but the plot doesn't preach it to the audience. The movie shows the consequences and lets kids figure it out. The subplot of Lynn Sr. becoming a werewolf is a childish and cartoonish distraction. All that aside, this movie is fun for any Loud fan.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
The year will be the spookiest, most haunted, Loud House ever - Lucy
Both - Lilly
Is your spine tingling - Luna
Good morning, Esmeralda - Lisa
See, that's why she's the master - Lincoln
Hello! Husband spiraling into insanity - Lynn Sr.
Butt. Got it - Luna
No thanks. I only like lemony things that don't hurt - Leni
Don't judge me, Barbara - Rita
Just to be clear, you don't think we should get bags and bags of free candy - Clyde
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A Very Venice Romance - Review
Amy tries the new menu for Blossom, a health and wellness company, and hates it. Blossom wants to expand their meal kit market. But it suffers from oversaturation. Amy meets with her boss, Naomi, with a new plan for the company: hacking your health. She wants to add Blossom's supplements to the meal kits to increase their health benefits. Naomi likes the idea, so Amy asks Naomi to present it to the head chef, Jean-Paul, because he is sensitive to criticism and doesn't want to change. Naomi refuses because Amy needs to learn how to deal with conflict.
Amy tells Jean-Paul that his recipes are too complicated and take too much time to prep. And she wants him to change the meal to add the supplements. Jean-Paul quits. Naomi calls Amy after discovering that Jean-Paul is on a plane to France. Amy admits to losing Jean-Paul but offers a compromise: Marcello. Marcello is an Italian chef. He owned a restaurant in New York but left it to start a destination cooking school in Venice. Amy believes she can sell Marcello on Blossom and get him to design an Italian menu with the supplements. Amy calls Marcello, but he rejects her offer and hangs up. Amy enrolls in the 3-week cooking school and flies to Italy.
Amy takes the water taxi to the resort but has difficulty getting off the boat. A man walks by to help, and she accidentally pulls him into the canal. She helps him out, but he leaves without anger. Amy checks in to the cooking school and meets Katarina and Jessica. Jessica is an aspiring chef and frequent visitor. Marcello enters, dripping wet, and yells about an idiot tourist to his mother, Katarina. Amy waves hello and acknowledges that she is the idiot. They both laugh and prepare for tonight's festivities.
Jessica introduces Amy to the other students, Bradford and Olivia, at the mixer. Olivia is recently divorced and a frequent attendee. Bradford is a history teacher with an eye for Olivia. Marcello introduces himself to the class and ensures they understand the goal. He wants them to learn to cook, appreciate, and love food. With the right ingredients, food can be healthy and nourish the spirit. Amy pulls him aside and presents her offer. He hates the idea of adding supplements to the food and meal kits. He thinks they are full of preservatives. Amy calls Naomi and requests more time to persuade Marcello. Amy believes she will need less than three weeks to change his mind, but he will change her heart.
This movie adds a new dynamic to the story because Amy is honest from the beginning. She never lies about what the company wants or why she is in Italy. She lays all her cards on the table when she meets Marcello. Also, Marcello doesn't say no because he is snobby. He eloquently voices legitimate concerns about cooking and the meal prep kit. They have beautiful and complex conversations that open their hearts to love. While their meet-cute is clumsy, Amy isn't a klutz. She is fun, savvy, and open to learning. Marcello is an excellent instructor who builds his students' confidence. It's easy to love this movie, but watch it with food.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
I am sensing discomfort - Naomi
Perhaps you're just a bad cook - Jean-Paul
Did he just hang up on me - Amy
Because I'm just not interested - Marcello
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