Terry McMillan Presents: Forever - Review
Johnnie returns home after his wife, Tina, served him with divorce papers on base. She's having an affair with his future co-worker. Johnnie demands his car keys and drives away. Police officers Carlie and Levi pull Johnnie over. Levi recognizes Johnnie as a hometown baseball hero. He asks Carlie to let Johnnie off with a warning because his registration expired. She agrees, but he must drive straight home. Johnnie obliges but drives to a diner for supper.
Johnnie orders and sees a young man, Tim, harassing a young woman, Leslie. Johnnie remembers Tim. Johnnie will coach the boys' baseball team this year, and Tim is a star player. He is on the fast track to make the team this year. Johnnie tells Tim to leave Leslie alone, or Johnnie will disqualify Tim from making the team. Tim lunges for Lesley again when Leslie's mother, Carlie, enters. Leslie tells Carlie that Johnnie saved her. Carlie forces Tim to leave and grounds Leslie for poor grades. Then, she turns to Johnnie and questions him about not going home like he promised. He explains there's no food in his house since he separated from Tina hours ago. Johnnie asks Carlie on a date. She says no because she has three daughters, Lesley, Courtney, and Tessa. While he's never dated a woman with kids, Johnnie isn't scared to try. He asks Carlie for a chance. This choice will be Carlie's forever.
This movie feels typical on the surface. However, it shocks like Terry's books. Carlie and Johnnie fall for each other but deal with integrating him into the family. For Carlie's daughters, Johnnie is the first consistent man they've had. They and Johnnie aren't sure of his role. When life gets complicated, the girls depend on him and learn the true meaning of a father. As life eases, they get a gut punch that will leave your jaw on the floor. Carlie navigates between her daughters and love. She wants Johnnie to feel welcome but needs her daughters to feel heard. Johnnie learns that dating a woman with kids comes with different priorities. Viewers should not give up on this film too soon because it will take you through the emotional gauntlet.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
Pull my finger - Johnnie
I do give people the benefit of the doubt. It's a flaw - Carlie
Give me a reason - Levi
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Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement - Review
Nelly reports to work and discusses her column with Fiona. Nelly cycles through her mail and finds a letter without a return address. Her readers send mail through their anonymous website, so Nelly is curious. The letter is from a woman who suspects her boyfriend of cheating. Nelly, from the small town of Babbleton, knows everyone and recognizes the hearts above the I's. The letter is from Dahlia, who is dating Blake. Nelly wants to handle this face-to-face.
Nelly arrives at Blake's workshop and finds the door open. She peers inside and finds Blake dead with $20,000 in his pocket. Nelly calls the police and hears someone leaving the workspace but never sees them. Sheriff Burgi introduces Nelly to the new detective, Michael. Michael interviews Nelly about finding the body. Nelly reveals everything and hands Michael the cash. Michael confirms Nelly's suspicions about the crime. Someone murdered Blake and tried to make it look like an accident. Burgi gives this case to Michael to prove himself, but she tells Michael to work with Nelly because Nelly knows the town. Michael pulls Burgi aside while Nelly talks to Dahlia. Dahlia says she spoke to Blake the night before, but he rushed her off the phone. This incident isn't the first time. However, she doesn't think he was cheating but keeping a secret. Nelly tells Dahlia to talk to Michael but convinces Michael to let her sit with Dahlia during the interview. Dahlia completes the interrogation, and Michael allows her to exit, but she remains a suspect. Nelly promises to clear Dahlia's name. Can Nelly and Michael find Blake's killer?
This plot has several moving parts and people with bad intentions. The night before Blake's murder, Blake had a poker game. Each player had a secret. Blake has a neighbor, Rumple, who dislikes him and his prior devious acts. Nelly is a new type of protagonist for Hallmark Mystery fans. She is unapologetically happy and keeps an earth-shattering grin on her face. However, you learn that her smile holds a lot of pain. Nelly made a conscious choice to be happy all the time. So don't write Nelly off as annoying until you hear her truth. The wrap-up pushes lots of information in 10 minutes and will require a second watch to keep up. Nevertheless, this film can become a series with a developing romance.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
Maybe we can be friends - Nelly
No. He was rushing like he wanted to get rid of me - Dahlia
Great. Never a break - Michael
I wasn't going to bite your head off, Nelly - Peter
Never place clocks in the bedroom - Rumple
I have to go - Paige
This is the type of person you keep company with - Zinnia
I like the cut of her jib - Larry
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Bonds Will Be Broken - Review
Janine talks to Kelly about the 'Becoming You' seminar. Kelly promises it will lead Janine to enlightenment. Janine pays $300 and attends the meeting. Janine spends more time with Kelly before going to meet with Victor. Victor is an investigative journalist writing a report on a dangerous cult. Anna infiltrated the seminar with the name Janine. Victor knows they will give her a questionnaire next. They will tell her it's to help, but it's to determine if they can manipulate her. So, Victor gives her the appropriate answers. Anna has worked on the cult for three months with little progress. She wants to speed things up to find her sister, Nina. Nina went missing after going to a seminar. Anna plans to rescue and deprogram Nina, but Anna has to find Nina first. Anna will gain Kelly's trust and get closer to Ray. Then, Ray will bring Anna to their cabin. She will meet the leader, David, and hopefully, find Nina. Victor warns Anna to be careful and don't get in too deep. He believes this cult has killed and will kill again.
This film displays the BITE model and cult practices. David controls the members' clothing, food, and sleep schedules to make them pliable. He labels outsiders to increase the members' mistrust of others. David learns about their pain points and manipulates them with a massage. He love-bombs them with acceptance after destroying their confidence. These moments don't compel you to watch. It's the second Nina sees Anna. Her response will floor you. It will make you sit up and watch until the end. This film won't be a favorite, but it's worth your time.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
I look like a serial killer. Promise I'm not though - Janine
We're going to find your sister - Victor
I'm ashamed of you - Kelly
There's no progress without pain - Ray
I keep telling him not to say that - David
You shouldn't be here - Nina
You're not a killer, Nina - Paolo
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Trapped in the Rocky Mountains - Review
Carrie won a contest for a one-night stay at a 4-star cabin in the Rocky Mountains. She rejoices in her prize as she drives to the cabin with her husband, Chef Jared. Jared continues to take calls from his restaurant until the cell reception cuts off. Carrie doesn't care about the cell service because she wants this weekend to focus on their marriage. Jared agrees and puts his phone and tablet away.
They notice strange things when they approach the cabin. The cabin's front door is ajar, the property is empty, and there is no WiFi. Carrie tells Jared to ignore it while she checks them in and grabs a room key. Carrie hears noises outside and sees two people walking towards the property. Jared recognizes them. It's Wes and his sister, Lizzie. Wes works for a travel magazine. The editor sent him to the cabin to write about it. He asked Lizzie to come. She can use it for her social media platform.
They tour the cabin when they hear more voices in the sitting area. It's Harrison and Rayanne. Rayanne plans to meet a client tomorrow, and Harrison was there to meet a woman he met online. They saw each other at the airport and caught a cab to the cabin when they discovered they were going to an identical location. Jared tells Carrie they were friends in college but haven't seen each other in ten years. They consider leaving, but all decide to stay the night. After nightfall, Harrison decides to leave. Carrie reminds him that the next town is 2 hours away, but he takes the chance. Later, Harrison returns because someone locked the iron gate. They can't exit the property. They ask Jared to cook, and he obliges, but the stove explodes. Although Jared is unharmed, Carrie's concern grows.
Carrie can see the tension rising within the group and asks Jared to explain privately. Jared tells Carrie that they came to a cabin like this ten years ago with their friend Ashley. They would play a challenge called One Loser. They would play a game, and the last person remaining would have to do a dare. Ashley decided to play Death Poker. The players are all in or fold. The last person would have to stay in the woods all night alone. Ashley lost. She went into the woods and went missing in the morning. Later, the police declared Ashley dead. Carrie talks to the group and uncovers critical information Jared didn't reveal. They lied about trying to find her. They didn't tell the police about the game and said she wandered off after hiking. Now, they think someone blames them and wants them to confess. They must find a way out or suffer, but who can they trust?
This movie starts with people making poor decisions. It's ill-advised for them but the perfect setup for the audience. The characters are people with a loose moral compass. They hid secrets then and now. During an intense conversation, the kid gloves come off, and they don't hold their punches. They reveal issues they've had for ten years. And call each other out on their crap today. It is a popcorn and tea moment for the viewers. The story revisits old scenes that you missed during the recap. Please watch the screen because notes and text messages go by fast. This picture is beyond wild and will enthrall you, but you have to get past their first set of poor choices.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
My persistence finally paid off, didn't it - Carrie
Is this whole thing not extremely weird to you - Jared
Oh, it can't be that bad - Lizzie
I'm just as confused as you are - Wes
How should we react - Harrison
If me telling the truth messes with your marriage, then that's your doing - Rayanne
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A Costa Rican Wedding - Review
Bonnie catches Emily daydreaming about Emily's ex-boyfriend, Shane. She cautions Emily against checking Shane's social media. Bonnie hopes Emily will use the upcoming trip to Costa Rica for Phoebe's wedding to detach from Shane. Emily is ecstatic to be Phoebe's maid of honor. Emily shows Bonnie Phoebe's family heirloom wedding bands. Each generation adds a diamond and passes them on to the next. Then, Emily accidentally drops them in jello. She fishes them out and puts the rings back inside their bag. That incident reminds Bonnie to give Emily her gift for Costa Rica: a first aid kit (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). Bonnie knows Emily will hurt herself.
Emily arrives and waits for Jamal's cousin to pick her up from the airport. Emily fumbles when Ryan calls her name. Jamal's uncle married Ryan's aunt, so now they are cousins and best friends. Emily grits her teeth and gets in Ryan's truck. Ryan started a tour guide business and lives in Costa Rica. He offers Emily a guided tour, but she wants to go to the hotel. Ryan drives to a location, but it's not where Emily expected. Since Shane broke up with Emily, Ryan changed their accommodation from a hotel to a rental home. Emily groans and settles into her bedroom.
Emily meets Phoebe on the beach, and Phoebe asks Emily to clarify Emily's issues with Ryan. Emily won't divulge and chooses to focus on Phoebe and Jamal's wedding day. As Phoebe and Jamal's families arrive, they breathe a sigh of relief when they see Emily has the rings. Everyone knows that where Emily goes, disaster follows.
Emily plans a scooter ride to a secret bachelorette party location. But she booked manual scooters instead of motorized ones. Ryan finds the bridal party struggling on the side of the road and offers assistance. Emily futilely resists but gives in to Ryan's help. The women skip the bachelorette party and join the bridal party for a swim. Emily sees a monkey running off with her bag and first aid kit. She remembers the bag had a stealth pocket, and she put the rings inside but forgot to take them out. The bridal party laughs as the monkey runs away with it, and Emily quietly panics. She tells them she needs it because her phone's inside. Phoebe uses her phone to locate Emily's. Emily promises to return after finding her bag. However, Ryan doesn't want Emily to go alone. He knows the countryside and offers to go with Emily. Jamal and Phoebe insist Emily takes Ryan's offer. Emily and Ryan expect to find the monkey and get Emily's bag back. If not, Emily will lose the heirloom rings forever and ruin Phoebe and Jamal's wedding.
This movie increases the comedy in a rom-com as Emily and Ryan bumble through the jungle. Their adventure includes run-ins with venomous snakes, mud pits, and thieving monkeys. However, it forces them to converse and work through their issues. Emily has several problems. She doomscrolls her ex-boyfriend's social media feed and dreams of the day he will love her again. Also, Emily is a klutz who won't take help. The first few times are funny. Then, it becomes increasingly irritating. You may view Emily as a stubborn whiner who causes her calamities. However, Ryan's speech saves the day. The scenery is as beautiful as the friendships. This film is for good-humored people with patience.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
Do me a favor, keep your heart open and your phone closed - Bonnie
This weekend is about you, not Ryan - Emily
Maybe it's a blessing in disguise - Jamal
I think you just got monkey mugged, again - Ryan
What do you want me to say - Tiesha
Ryan's not the one I'm worried about - Phoebe
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