Abducted at an HBCU: A Black Girl Missing Movie - Review
Ellen jogs on the Errington College track when her student, Shannon, challenges her to a race. Shannon easily defeats her advisor. They laugh, and Shannon asks to use Ellen's computer to write a paper. Ellen says yes without hesitation and assures Shannon that she will assist her.
Shannon comes to Ellen's office, and they talk. Shannon admits she feels out of place because the other students have money. But Shannon doesn't tell Ellen that she owes $3200, makes little money, has no family support, and lives in a garage. Ellen doesn't pry because Shannon is a straight-A student. Ellen asks Shannon to meet her after Thanksgiving for lunch. Shannon accepts with a smile.
After Thanksgiving break, Shannon doesn't come to Ellen's office for lunch. Then, Shannon's teacher calls Ellen. Shannon missed the midterm, didn't turn in homework, and didn't attend class. Ellen knows something is wrong and goes to the dean. The dean assumes Shannon dropped out and doesn't offer help. Ellen alerts the campus chief, but he agrees with the dean. Ellen talks to Shannon's professor, but the professor doesn't care. Ellen yells at him, and he reports her to Michael. Michael verbally reprimands Ellen for her behavior. She wants someone to care about Shannon the way she did. Ellen's worried someone kidnapped Shannon. And Ellen's correct.
For weeks, King seduced and learned about Shannon. She revealed that she has no friends or family and doesn't live in the dorm. He drugged her drink during dinner and chained her inside a trailer. King will pimp Shannon to his customers while breaking her down spiritually, physically, and mentally. Then, he will sell her in 12 days to the highest bidder. Ellen has 12 days to save Shannon, but can she get anyone else to care?
Ellen is an advisor who goes above and beyond for her students. Shannon falls through the cracks on campus but is on Ellen's radar. Shannon keeps her distance from students because she feels ashamed about her home life. She gets stellar grades but doesn't speak to her professors. King fakes a relationship to gain her trust. He sees Shannon as an easy mark. Her time in captivity will make your flesh crawl as King taunts, assaults, and belittles her. The movie states race disparities among missing women in the media and offers ways campuses can improve security. Lifetimers can spot the script's foreshadowing, so it eases the ticking clock. Viewers can use this film to teach college-bound students about predator techniques.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
Columbo isn't corny. It's classic - Michael
I'm not much of a fighter - Shannon
I like to support the ladies on campus - King
She is not a waste. Just because you don't see her doesn't mean she is invisible - Ellen
How far are you willing to go to help - Fee Fee
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When Mom Becomes a Murderer - Review
Ellie and her friend, Isla, won the State Debate Finals. They look forward to life after high school, and Ellie takes her first step into independence by flirting with a boy after the debate. However, she has an asthma attack and runs out of the auditorium. Isla runs to get Ellie's mom, Marion, and Marion calms Ellie down and gives Ellie her inhaler.
Ellie and Isla dress for a night out, but Ellie tells Isla she changed their plans. Ellie got a call from a new friend, Nancy, about a hot, new club. Upset, Isla says no because Nancy is a troublemaker who bullied her. Ellie begs Isla to give Nancy a chance. Isla yields and goes downstairs for a drink. Then, Ellie hears Isla scream. Isla saw a man exiting Ellie's home. Ellie wants to call the police, but Marion says no because nothing's missing. Later, Ellie and Isla lie to Marion about their plans and drive to the club to meet Nancy. Nancy hands them fake IDs, but Marion stops them. She demands Ellie and Isla get in her car and berates Nancy.
Marion follows Ellie to her room and states Ellie isn't ready for college. Ellie gets a text from Nancy. Nancy asks Ellie to come to Lookout Point because the guy she was flirting with at the debate meet is there. Also, Ellie left her jacket. Nancy promises to keep it warm while waiting for Ellie. Ellie decides to sneak out, but Marion is waiting for her. They argue. Then, Ellie goes to bed, and Marion leaves the house.
Ellie and Marion's disagreement continues in the morning until Ellie's father, Nathan, somberly enters. A police officer informed him of Nancy's death. Someone pushed her off a cliff. The police want to question Ellie because Nancy was wearing Ellie's jacket when she died. When the police show up, Marion gives an excuse so they will leave, but Ellie tells them to enter. The police question Ellie about the jacket, and she answers the question. Then, the officer pulls a necklace out of his pocket. Marion recognizes it as hers. She tells the officer about the break-in but lies about her whereabouts that night. Marion says she stayed home and never left. Now, Ellie quietly fears her mother killed Nancy to keep control over her. Is Ellie right? Can she prove it?
This mystery follows Ellie as she uncovers Marion's secrets, and Marion acts suspiciously. Marion is a control freak. She won't let Ellie have social media, pick her friends, or have a lock for her door. She says it's for Ellie's protection and gives Ellie a safety device (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). However, viewers must remember Ellie is 18-years-old. She shouldn't have to ask for Marion's permission to do those things. Her domination and lies will make you suspect Marion for a moment. Then you remember it's Lifetime, and you will consider other suspects. One conversation would have fixed this entire plot, but the intriguing enigma makes up for that. This film is a great way to kill two hours. However, it needs your full attention.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
The only safe digital presence is to have none at all - Marion
No, it was mine - Ellie
Come on, Ellie. I'm already here - Nancy
Ellie, get out of there - Isle
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Love and Ex Wives: Secrets on Maple Street - Review
The people of Maple Street gather for a barbeque and gossip about Katie, the new woman on the block. They don't understand why a single, 30-year-old, childless woman would move to their quiet street. Now, their side eyes turn to stares because Katie is newly engaged to Scott. Everyone remembers Scott's ex-wife, Hazel. Although Hazel cheated, now they keep their distance from Katie. Hazel, Scott, and Katie remain civil for Hazel and Scott's kids, Archer and Alexis.
Katie goes outside and finds a note that reads, "I know who you are." She asks the gardener, Charlie, if he saw anyone lurking, and Charlie says no. She doesn't show Scott the note. Later that night, someone enters their home and grabs Katie. Katie fights off the attacker, the attacker escapes, and Scott calls the police. Detective Vaughn arrives and questions Scott and Katie. Vaughn notices that Katie calls the suspect by female pronouns. Katie is sure her attacker is a woman. Katie quietly wonders if it was Alexis but doesn't tell Scott. Alexis asks Archer if he had his girlfriend, Britney, break into their house, and Archer denies it. Scott thinks the attacker is Hazel, and Scott b-lines to Hazel's home.
Hazel's neighbor, Ms. Claremont, yells at Scott as he runs to Hazel's door. Scott tells Hazel to stay away from their home, but she swears she doesn't know what he's talking about. He leaves after their kids hear him yelling. Scott returns home and updates Katie. Days later, Detective Vaughn knocks on their door. She hasn't caught Katie's attacker, but she has unfortunate news. Someone killed Hazel and stuffed her body in an ice cream truck's freezer. Ms. Claremont told Detective Vaughn about Scott's visit. Scott says he was there two days ago but hasn't seen Hazel since. After Detective Vaughn exits, Katie asks Scott if he told anyone about her secret past. She admits to receiving scary messages from an unknown sender. Scott vows he didn't tell anyone. They worry Scott is Detective Vaughn's number one suspect, but evidence points to Katie. Can Scott and Katie prove their innocence?
Please remember this movie is the first in the Maple Street series. The opening sequence paints the idyllic suburban life of manicured lawns, happy homemakers, and loving couples. But when the night falls, viewers see the seedy underbelly of drugs, affairs, and schemes. The exposition introduces the audience to the pivotal couples for the upcoming films. The audience must pay attention to their conflicts in their brief introductions. So, the climax feels slow, but it will spread across several films. This mystery is fun, and the characters are entertaining. It will be compelling to see how their stories intermingle with each other. If you are into franchise films, this piece is best for you. Otherwise, you may feel it's too slow.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
After all, we're all adults - Hazel
Don't let her get to you - Katie
One of the days, she's going to get what's coming to her - Scott
I'd rather stick this fork into my eyeball - Alexis
Looks can be deceiving - Detective Vaughn
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Rescuing Christmas - Review
Elves Chuck and Debbie wanted to leave North Pole Human Resources and move to the Toy Department, so they created Operation Wish. The world's grumpiness level is at an all-time high. Debbie and Chuck want to convert the grumpiest person by giving them 3 Christmas wishes. It can't be for all the money in the world. And she must make it with good intentions. They present the idea to Santa, and he loves it. He asks if they have anyone in mind. They chose Erin from Duluth, MN. They use a magical radio station to infiltrate Erin's everyday life about the Operation Wish contest.
Photographer Erin keeps up the holiday pace for her parents, Lou and Diana, her friends, Maria and Tyler, and their children, Jonah and Olivia. Maria remembers when Erin's favorite holiday was Christmas until her ex-boyfriend, Archie, dumped her last Christmas. Erin continues to go through the motions because Lou hurt his back, and Diana needs assistance. Tyler and Maria ask Erin to meet them for dinner and surprise her with a blind date, Sam. Erin apologizes to Sam and bolts out of the restaurant. She runs home to finish work and gets an email from the magical radio station. The email states that she won the Operation Wish contest. Erin deletes, blocks, and rejects the offer, but the notices keep coming. They convince her to make one wish, to try it out. Erin wishes for Diana's holiday pizzelle. A knock at the door startles Erin. It's Diana with holiday pizzelle. Erin stands dumbfounded. Later, Sam tries to get Erin into the holiday spirit, but it doesn't work. He hands her an old roll of film and asks her to develop it for him. She happily accepts.
Erin gets a notice that Archie won a highly-coveted photography fellowship for nature images. Steamed, Erin shows Tyler and Maria. Archie belittled Erin for taking nature photos, and now he gets an award for them. Also, Archie didn't thank Erin for her inspiration. Tyler and Maria aren't surprised because they consider Archie a narcissist, and Erin made herself smaller to date him. Later, Erin wishes Tyler would give her credit, and he knocks on her door. He wants to share the credit but persuades Erin to do the work. After a few days, Archie crosses the line and eats her pizzelle. Erin's final wish is for Christmas to disappear.
The North Pole goes into red alert, and the General Counsel enters. Erin will get her wish because she made it with the best intentions. However, Erin's wish caused a ripple effect worldwide and made Christmas disappear for everyone. If Erin doesn't wish Christmas back by December 25th, it will become a forgotten holiday. Santa, Debbie, and Chuck fly to Minnesota to rescue Christmas. In Minnesota, Erin wakes up, and her holiday decorations are gone. No one knows anything about Christmas. She calls Sam and Tyler to explain the holiday, and it's laughable to them. She finds a roll of film Sam gave her days earlier and develops them. It's pictures of Sam celebrating the mythical holiday as a child. He believes Erin and decides to rescue Christmas with her.
Erin has average holiday frustrations, but heartbreak amplifies them. She desires to make everyone happy by keeping traditions but can't hide her inner Scrooge. Erin makes her wish but doesn't understand how it would affect everyone else. She assumed the holiday would disappear for her, but she stole it from the world. Erin can't stand the thought of Olivia and Jonah missing the holiday. She goes on a mission that ignites the town. And it will make you laugh. They find trinkets to decorate the tree and house, everything from pool toys, patio lights, and handmade items. The decorations are so whimsical that the love story takes a back seat. Also, Erin kicks Archie out of her life before he becomes a factor in her budding relationship. The romance angle is unnecessary to the plot and feels forced. However, Rescuing Christmas is a delight.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
Now that I understand - Santa
He knows what he did - Chuck
Christmas is going to be the death of me - Erin
My mom says sarcasm is your defense mechanism - Olivia
It's been like doing it all with the Ghost of Christmas blah - Maria
I would rather crack the case on the Christmas Krampus - Sam
What did you want me to do? Leave him in the car with the window cracked - Tyler
It's like if someone left a gingerbread house in a hot car - Debbie
I don't know what I would do without you - Archie
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