Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted by Love - Review
Chef Ava finishes a successful night and rides home. She gets a call saying her Aunt Judy sustained an injury. Ava catches the first flight to South Carolina. Ava calls a car service to pick her up from the airport to go to Judy's hospital bedside. The driver, Luke, is chatty. Luke assumes Ava's exhaustion is from a long night of clubbing. She tells Luke she flew in from Brussels. He continues to make small talk, but she maintains a verbal distance. Before Ava enters the hospital, Luke shares his contact information with her. Now, she can call him whenever she needs help.
Judy complains to the hospital staff about black-eyed peas. She must eat them before midnight to have good luck all year. Then, Ava tells Judy she is at a crossroads. Her doctor diagnosed her with rheumatoid arthritis, and Ava hasn't made progress with her cookbook. As Judy guides Ava, Ava gets a phone call. Ava lost her job. Judy thinks it's good because Ava isn't happy at that job. Ava asks to crash at Judy's home while she figures out her next step. Luke enters with a bowl of black-eyed peas. Judy smiles until she hears that Luke cooked it. She takes a tiny bit and loves it, and he offers Ava a taste. Luke admits he wants to get his contractor license or go to cooking school. Ava is impressed with the dish but suggests he use pork stock instead of chicken.
Later, Ava calls Luke to install safety railings in Judy's home. Ava quietly checks out Luke when her phone rings. Ava's ex-boyfriend calls because he wants to propose to his new girlfriend at Ava's old job. He asks Ava to get him a table. Ava asks if he dated them simultaneously. He makes up excuses, and Ava hangs up the phone to find Luke standing behind her. Ava feels pathetic. Luke doesn't want to leave Ava alone. So he gives her two options: spend time with him at a restaurant or watch trash TV together in Judy's home. Ava agrees to go out but refuses to call it a date. Ava believes Luke is too young, but he is ready to prove her wrong. Can Luke convince Ava that age doesn't matter?
Take a breath, Lifetimers. This movie isn't the craziness and mayhem you expect. It's a story about Ava learning to love and allowing someone to love her. She constantly pushes Luke away because of her ailments, age, and business concerns. But what Luke lacks in ages, he makes up for in understanding. As the story progresses, Ava and Luke have ways to grow personally and professionally. They wonder if they can grow together. Their love story won't end as expected, but it shows Ava's maturity. This film is like a book. It takes time for the plot to captivate you, but it allows you to fall in love slowly. If you need a break from craziness, this movie is for you, but it's not for younger viewers.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
I have a car, and I am at your service - Luke
Someone must have snitched that I was having trouble keeping up - Ava
Sometimes good luck has to slap you in the face to get your attention - Judy
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My Son's Deception - Review
Jackson's family greets him with a surprise party. His uncle, Coach Pete, and mother, Maria, sing Happy Birthday. Later, Pete tells Jackson he is on the shortlist for the San Francisco University Soccer Scholarship. Jackson asks if his friend, teammate Tyler, made it. Sadly, he did not. Maria pulls Jackson aside and gives him a special gift. His father, Harry, wanted to give Jackson his favorite watch for his 18th birthday but died. So, Maria hands Jackson the watch.
Tyler and Jackson talk after practice. Jackson tells Tyler he has to help his mom do the dishes. Tyler teases Jackson and gets a text from his job. Tyler's parents, Gloria and Victor, took his car as punishment. So, Jackson offers to drive Tyler to work. Tyler shows off his gold chain as the fruits of his labor. Jackson drops Tyler off at the Blue Fox Social Club and notices everyone wearing a fox mask. Tyler asks Jackson to consider working at the Blue Fox, but Jackson rejects him and drives to the diner.
Maria owns and operates a local restaurant, but local land development hurts her business. Pete comes inside after hours, and Maria shows him a letter she got from the development company. They want to buy her café for a lot of money. She wants to consider it because the eatery barely makes a profit. Unbeknownst to Maria and Pete, Jackson overhears their conversation. Jackson and Maria converse after Pete leaves. Jackson offers to help more, but Maria refuses. She wants Jackson to focus on school and soccer. But she doesn't mind more help with the dishes.
Jackson chooses to work at the Blue Fox Social Club and asks Tyler for help. Tyler invites Jackson to the club, and Myles welcomes Jackson. Myles takes Jackson to the boss's room to find a mask. Myles informs Jackson that the mask helps patrons lower their inhibitions. Jackson's job is to entertain, but Jackson can dictate how far he wants to go. But the more Jackson does, the more customers will pay. Jackson's other teammate, CJ, works their, also. Jackson meets and mingles with high society. Tyler comes to practice the next day and hands Jackson an envelope full of money. Jackson gives the cash to Maria. Maria questions Jackson, but he doesn't offer direct answers. She's happy with it and backs off. Jackson believes that he uncovered the answer to Maria's money woes. However, his service job will lead him to a life of guns, sex work, and murder.
One secret in this plot is unchallenging for Lifetimers to discover. But the second will make your head spin with one word. You will mentally replay all the sly comments made at Jackson's expense. They were red flags no one saw coming. That unexpected twist saves the movie. Viewers will question Maria's actions, but you will learn she is parenting from guilt. She is deceiving Jackson, as he is her. There are a few unnecessary scenes, and the final fight is laughable. However, this movie is a decent way to spend two hours.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
Ok. I'll give you two a moment - Tyler
Are you thinking about selling - Pete
I feel like I'm letting him down - Maria
Mom, you don't need to carry this by yourself - Jackson
Welcome to the service industry - Myles
I come in peace - Rocco
What's he done now - Victor
We all need a little one-on-one mentoring - Christine
That's none of our business - CJ
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Stalked by My Amish Boyfriend - Review
Carly will be alone this summer because her best friend, Jenna, will spend the summer with family. On the first day of summer break, Carly purchases a coffee from a café and requests free water to take her heart medication. She turns and bumps into Abram, dropping her coffee on the floor. She apologizes, and he offers to pay for her drink. Abram pays with his last few pennies, and they talk at a nearby table. Carly and Abram dated over the summer. Abram tells Carly he is Amish, and they continue to spend time together until Carly breaks up with him. She tells Abram their lives are going in opposite directions because she will attend college in the fall.
Jenna returns and is happy to start college with Carly. Carly attends classes and shockingly sees Abram. He enrolled after getting a high school diploma through the mail and leaving his community. Carly and Abram start dating again, but he rubs Jenna the wrong way. Jenna tries to warn Carly, but Carly assumes Jenna is jealous. Jenna flirts with a student staff member to learn about Abram's enrollment. She uncovers that he isn't a member of the student body. She runs to Abram and demands he leave Carly and the school. Jenna goes to the bathroom, and someone knocks her out.
Jenna reports the attack to Officer Morgan and blames Abram. She runs to Carly and Carly's father, Grant, for help, but Carly won't listen. Carly believes Jenna has abandonment issues and envies her relationship. Jenna leaves, and Carly goes on a date with Abram. After a few days, Carly feels Abram is smothering her. She asks to take a break and hangs out with her friend, Wyatt. Abram sees them and attacks Wyatt. Wyatt hits his head on the rock and stays down. Carly pulls out her phone to call 911, but Abram hits her. Carly wakes up in an unknown bed in an unfamiliar room in a strange house. Abram kidnapped Carly, stole her phone, and texted her family and friends. And he never plans to let her go. Can Carly escape a madman?
Carly, you picked the wrong Amish boyfriend. Viewers will give Jenna a suspicious look at the movie's start because she spends every moment weaving herself into Carly's life. However, her warnings are correct but fall on blocked ears. Carly spends more time defending her relationship than evaluating it. Abram is crazy. He brings Carly to a group of shunned Amish who created a community for themselves. So, Carly doesn't know who to trust. This heroine doesn't wait for someone to save her. She attempts to stay one step ahead of Abram's sick fantasy. This film has the wild plot Lifetimers crave. It has an unhinged boyfriend, a determined friend, and a strong-willed protagonist. It doesn't become shocking in the last 15 minutes. It starts deranged and ramps up. Your flesh will crawl as you laugh and yell at the TV. This movie is what viewers beg for.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars
I guess we both go here now - Abram
You didn't follow me, did you? - Carly
He's dead to me - Jenna
Good work, Jenna - Grant
She left - Mona
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My Dreams of You - Review
My Dreams of You - Hallmark - 2 hours and 0 minutes
Grace has a dream about inviting a man, Michael, to sit with her. They converse, and she finally learns his first name but doesn't get his last. She asks her sister, Becky, if she remembers Michael. Grace assumes the man is from their past, but Becky and Grace can't place him. Becky reminds Grace that the rent is due, but Grace won't have the money in time. She works temp jobs while her manager, Tom, shops Grace's book around different publishing houses. Becky will cover Grace's rent again but wants Grace to be realistic and look for a steady job.
After finishing her temp job, Grace gets in her car, and Becky texts her. Becky arranged a blind date for Grace and her friend, John. Grace goes but spends the night looking for Michael. That night, she dreams of leaving John and dancing with Michael. She wakes up and wonders about the source of her Michael dreams.
Harvey walks recruits around Dream Central. They collect and store people's memories and use them for their dreams to inspire them. Harvey warns that they can only use their subject's memories. They set up the game, and people choose to play. Newbie Alura admires her handiwork with Grace. She loves watching Grace's dreams of Michael. Alura will go before the dream counsel to review her work. She can keep the position if she passes or go back to cataloging. Alura assures Harvey that she has it all under control. Alura watches VHS tapes of Grace's memories for inspiration. Then she pulls the tape out to put it in its sleeve and realizes she made a mistake. She used Michael's memories for Grace's dreams and vice versa. She runs to Harvey to explain the mishap, and Harvey wants to fix the issue now.
Harvey and Alura hijack Grace's latest dream and bring Grace to Dream Central. They clarify their jobs, the confusion, and the fix. They will wipe Michael from Grace's mind, or it can negatively impact the world. Also, Grace can never meet Michael. Before Grace can agree, Becky shakes Grace out of her slumber. Grace remembers everything Alura said, including Michael's last name, occupation, and location.
Grace finds Michael's profile and takes a rideshare to watch Michael perform. Grace introduces herself, but he doesn't recognize her. Grace leaves and wallows at a diner. Michael enters, and they strike up a conversation. They laugh and spend the evening at a festival. Michael doesn't want the night to end. He remembers that Grace's grandmother resides in the same city as his next gig. He invites Grace to accompany him and visit her grandmother. Grace is unsure until she sees Harvey and Alura. She knows they are there to take her memories of Michael. She agrees to go and pulls Michael on the train. Harvey notifies Alura they must find and stop Grace before she does more damage and ruins Alura's job. However, Alura has doubts the more she sees Grace and Michael together. Will love prevail, or will dreams die?
This story has the Hallmark premise but with a mystical twist. And you will love it. It's charming, whimsical, funny, and inspiring. The Dream Center uses people's memories to help them realize their full potential. Michael and Grace dream of a career in the arts. Grace wants to write books, and Michael desires to be a singer. However, their concerned families want them to find stable work with guaranteed pay. Grace gave herself three years to become a published writer. However, it's been four years. Michael says his next performance is the last. He will work for his family in their account department. Grace notices that Michael looks defeated when he admits this. As they discuss their dreams, they encourage each other, and you can see their eyes light up. This film reminds you that dreams have a purpose.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
Your buttons are off - Becky
I don't think dreams are supposed to be easy. They're supposed to be worth it - Grace
I have a system - Alura
I guess your subconscious had notes - Michael
You need to find a story worth telling - Tom
You won't find him - Harvey
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