Blondiee10 's Movie & TV Reviews

 A Fun, Made-for-TV Time Waster... HER FORGOTTEN DAUGHTER/THE WRONG NANNY/OUR NANNY'S KILLER SECRET (TV Movie 2017) 5 out of 5 stars Time to read: 1:34 BASIC PLOT:  Stella Armstrong (Lindsay Hartley) is a determined woman. She's trying to plan, and execute a fundraiser for pancreatic cancers. Stella wants to honor her mother, who died from this horrible disease. But things aren't going well, her twin babies are handful, and there's so much to do. Her husband, Tanner (Brody Hutzler), thinks it's high time she revisit the nanny idea, and finally get the help she needs. Stella reluctantly agrees, even though she's not comfortable with a stranger in her house. But the fundraiser is important to her, so she begins to search for a nanny. Most are not a good fit, until she comes across Blake Nolan (Freya Tingley). Blake seems perfect, the boys like her, and she even comes recommended by a trusted family friend (or does she?). Things finally seem to be on track, but Bla

 Standard Made-For-TV Faire... THE SURROGATE (TV MOVIE 2013) BASIC PLOT:  Allison and Jacob Kelly are desperate to put the past behind them, and the future in a crib. They've survived Jacob's (Cameron Mathison) affair, losing a child, and Allison's (nm1156709Annie Wersching) cancer. Now, they have one final chance to have baby, a surrogate. Allison's cancer has left her sterile, but before her cancer treatments, they froze 12 embryos. Unfortunately, there's only one viable embryo left. After their first surrogate Remy Daniels (Annie Wersching) dies, in what appears to be a drug fueled accident, they are frantic to find someone reliable to carry their child. Out of the blue, Kate Randall (Amy Scott), an office worker at Whittendale, the college where Jacob works, approaches Jacob about becoming a surrogate. Even though they don't really know her, she seems perfect. Her references check out, but Jacob has a feeling about Kate, and it's not good. Soon, Jacob

  Clichés, plotholes, & deus ex machinas fill this disgusting, exploitative excuse for a script... A WOMAN HUNTED/OUTRAGE (2003 TV movie) 1.5 out of 10 ⭐ stars Time to Read: 4 min (lots to b*tch about) WARNING: Graphic depiction of a sexual assault BASIC PLOT:  Lainie Wheeler (Alexandra Paul) is not having a good year. First, her husband leaves her a Dear Jane letter, abandoning her and their two children for the sunny shores of Thailand. Next, her best friend dies from breast cancer, but it takes awhile, and she lingers at a nearby hospice for more than six months. Lainie spends so much time at the hospice, she decides to abandon her TV producing job, and applies to work with the dying. She gets a rush from working there, so she decides to stay on, even after her friend has passed. A rush is not the only thing Lainie gets from working at the hospice, she also picks up a nasty drug habit. It costs her custody of her children, and her new boyfriend, Matt Harper (Tim Post). Lainie re

  Decent acting can't save this terrible script... DEMONS FROM HER PAST (TV movie 2007) 3 out of 10 ⭐ stars Time to Read: 3:30 min BASIC PLOT:  Allison Buchanan (Alexandra Paul) was robbed of the best years of her life, and what's worse, they were stolen by people she thought were her friends. The summer after high school was supposed to be about carefree adventures, something to enjoy before the obligations of her full ride scholarship weighed her down with responsibilities. But sometimes dreams can vanish in the blink of an eye, or be purloined by well placed lies, and that's what happened to Allison on a sunny afternoon in 1981. Always responsible, Allison was driving three friends home from the lake, where they had been drinking all day. By late afternoon, the three boys, K. C. Hollings (Rob Stewart), Quentin Baxter (John Ralston), and Jeremy Warner (Kevin Jubinville) were all intoxicated, and acting stupid. On the way home, K. C. grabbed the wheel from Allison, and ste

  Not even Paget Brewster can save this terrible script... LOST BEHIND BARS (TV movie 2006)  2 out of 10 ⭐ stars Time to Read: 2:56 min BASIC PLOT:  Lauren Wilde (Paget Brewster) is a documentarian, whose latest project is on death row inmates. The last subject of her film is Kevin Reese (Antonio Cupo), a man convicted of killing his girlfriend, her husband, and two small children. He has no memory of the event, but since he was found at the scene, covered in blood, he has accepted his fate. Lauren is not satisfied with the official story. The more questions she asks, the less answers she has, and none of it is adding up. She's uncovered dirty cops, sleezy lawyers, missing case files, and lots of threats from just about everybody. Lauren is convinced she's headed in the right direction, but when two murders take place while she's investigating, she knows her life is in imminent danger. With only three days left before Reese's execution, can Lauren put the pieces togethe

 Not only a boring movie, but laden with terrible messages to women... DEADLY SECOND CHANCES/LOVE YOU TO DEATH (TV movie 2015) 1.5 out of 10 stars Time to Read: 5 min (lots to complain about) BASIC PLOT:  Yasmine Winters (Bree Williamson) grew up hard. She's now an ADA, with a daughter, Paige (Emilija Baranac), but when she was a little girl, she was horrifically abused by her father, Jack (Wesley Salter). She also watched him violently abuse her mother, and her sister, Laura (Jill Morrison). Jack's horrific brutality ends up killing the girls' mother (indirectly). But instead of shaping up, and caring for his daughters', he abandons them, leaving a teenaged Laura to care for her young sister, Yasmine. A case, similar to her mother's tragic end, was recently assigned to Yasmine. It's caused her to have panic attacks, and PTSD symptoms, including passing out in the courtroom. Joan, her boss, insists she take a stress leave, and go see her sister, Laura. But the s

  Another Successful Outing For Brian Ames... I AM WATCHING YOU (TV Movie 2016) 6 out of 10 ⭐ BASIC PLOT:  Nora Nichols (Madeline Zima) is an old fashioned girl, who's trying to find her inner vixen. She's always been a homebody, which is why she broke up with her last boyfriend. She's decided to be more adventurous, maybe even sow some wild oats. Nora has had some success in her life, writing online romance novels, but now she needs inspiration. She's can see right into her hot neighbor's bedroom window, and she often fantasizes about what she sees. Her online books are popular, and have attracted the attention of a book publisher (Lesley-Anne Down). They agree to publish her book, if she can come up with new material, and fast. She agrees, but needs some titillation. One night, her neighbor gets "locked out" of his apartment, and the flirtation begins. His name is Lucas Wheeler (Brian Ames), he's a photographer, and even more gorgeous up close. Soon,

  Beautiful piece of filmmaking... AMISH STUD: THE ELI WEAVER STORY 6 out of 10 stars Time to Read: 2 min BASIC PLOT:  Eli Weaver (Luke Macfarlane) is a narcissistic Amish man, who thinks the world owes him a good time. He doesn't abide by Amish law, and often uses vehicles, cell phones, and other forbidden items. He also fancies himself a ladies man, cheating on his wife Barbara (Miranda MacDougall) and even using and online dating site, where his handle is "The Amish Stud". Eventually, he grows tired of his wife and children, and begins soliciting murder from his many girlfriends. Only one is amenable, a taxi driver named, Barb Raber (Kirsten Vangsness). Eli wants her to kill his whole family, but Barb only agrees to murder his wife. Detective Bruce London (Brent Stait) and Detective Michael Maxwell (Mark Krysko) are assigned to Barbara Weaver's case. Can they uncover the dark underbelly of the Amish community in time to get justice for Barbara's sister (Clare F

 Dina Meyer at her best... LETHAL SEDUCTION (TV Movie 2015) 6 out of 10 ⭐   BASIC PLOT:  Mark (Caleb Ruminer) is an amazing kid, with everything to look forward to. He's won a full scholarship to Princeton, and he can't wait to get out from under his mother's over protective thumb. Tanya (Amanda Detmer), Mark's mother, doesn't mean to be a smothering harpie, but since the death of her husband, all she can think about is keeping her son safe. Mark is determined to spend his last summer before college, hanging out with his friend Walter (Sam Lerner), and sowing some wild oats. So, when a chance meeting at the hardware store, leads to a sexual adventure with a seductive, older woman named Carissa (Dina Meyer), Mark thinks he's found the perfect summer fling. But Carissa is no one's trifle. She's determined to keep Mark for herself, and to stop Tanya's meddling once and for all. Mark's sexual inexperience makes it's hard for him to see Carissa

 Unlikable protagonists, and a villainess you'll root for... THE WIFE HE MET ONLINE (2012 TV movie) 5 out of 10 stars Time to Read: 3min BASIC PLOT:  Georgia Maricett (Sydney Penny) is a woman with issues, but she's determined to put them to rest, and start a life with her new husband, Bryant Meyers (Cameron Mathison). Unfortunately for Bryant, there are some things he doesn't know about Georgia, like how she tried to set her last boyfriend's house on fire, and how her mother died under mysterious circumstances. Bryant is consumed with Georgia, and misses some of the red flags he should be paying attention to. His ex-wife, Virginia (Cynthia Preston) is more intuitive about the situation, and she's determined to find out if her suspicions are correct. She wonders why Georgia did not invite one single person to her own wedding? Georgia seems to have an excuse for everything, but that's not enough to quiet Virginia's unease. The final straw is an altercation be

 Great made-for-tv adaptation of the many faces of Stacey Castor POISONED LOVE: THE STACEY CASTOR STORY (TV movie 2020) 6 out of 10 stars Time to Read: 1:35 min BASIC PLOT:  This film is the dramatization of the true crimes of Stacey Castor. Stacey was a black widow serial killer, who murdered two husband's by poisoning them with antifreeze. When she was at risk of being caught, she framed her daughter Ashley, and then poisoned her as well, after leaving a typed suicide note by Ashley's side. WHAT WORKS:  * THIS MOVIE PROPERLY HIGHLIGHTS HOW NOT TO BLEND A FAMILY . These adults are so wrapped up in their own happiness, they never take the children's needs into consideration. How selfish do you have to be to move your seventeen year old daughter, in the middle of her senior year? They could have waited until she graduated, and most of these problems wouldn't have been here. People should have to get a license to have children. * CHANELLE HARQUAIL-IVAAK DOES AN EXCELLENT

 Top of the line 'Lifetime' true crime movie...DON'T LISTEN TO THE TROLLS, GIVE IT A CHANCE! THE GRIM SLEEPER (TV movie 2012)  6 out of 10 stars Time to Read: 2:18 min BASIC PLOT:  Christine Pelisek (Dreama Walker) is just a fact checker for LA Weekly, but she knows she's capable of more. She spends her free time digging for stories, because her editor, Debra Gerngross (Susan Ruttan) has promised she'll give Christine a chance to write, if she brings in something good. Christine has a friend, Jasper Morales (Brendan Fletcher), who works as a coroner. He often gives her tips about stories, but this time, he's keeping quiet. Christine can tell by his odd behavior, this is the story she's been looking for. She prods Jasper into telling her the lowdown. Apparently, the police are checking for DNA matches on women who have been dumped over several years, in a very specific area of LA. Christine is shocked to learn these women share similar characteristics. They a

 There are worse ones out there... MY FATHER, MY KIDNAPPER/PAST NEVER DIES  (TV movie 2019) 4 out of 10 ⭐ Time to Read: 1:57 min BASIC PLOT:  Jane Marsh (Erin Karpluk) was kidnapped while still a young woman, by the sadistic serial killer, Timothy Fast (Brent Stait). She had a daughter, Charlotte (Larissa Dias), by Timothy, while still in captivity. Jane not only managed to survive, but also escape with her life, and the life of her young daughter. Twenty years later, and the two women have moved on under assumed names. Jane and Charlotte are now Lena and Casey Winters, living as normally as they can, with the events of the past never really gone. Casey is plagued by nightmares of two figures, stalking her. She feels there's truth in these dreams, but her mother refuses to talk about the past. But when women in their town start going missing in a similar way to Lena/Jane's abduction, Casey finally insists her mother answer her question about the two figures in her dreams. Did T

 Above Average Made-For-TV Faire... BORN AND MISSING/BABYNAPPED (TV Movie 2017) 5 out of 10 stars ⭐ BASIC PLOT:  After the death of her baby, Kristin Anderson (Kaitlyn Black) has gone into a postpartum psychosis. Instead of getting her the help she needs, her useless husband has abandoned her. Kristen is often around client's children while working as a decorator. This exposure has only pushed her deeper into madness. When her best friend, Ashley Thompson (Alexandra Paul) learns she's pregnant, and shares the news with Kristin, it is the final blow to what's left of her sanity. Kristen begins plotting to steal Ashley's baby. Her first step is feigning a pregnancy of her own. No one realizes Kristen is not pregnant, or that she has sinister motives. Will baby Julia end up in the arms of madwoman? WHAT WORKS:  *70% of the time, men run when things get tough. This is a fact. This makes David's (Mark Famiglietti) abandonment of Kristen feel believable; it's a plotli

 An above average made-for-tv thriller... HOMETOWN KILLER (TV movie 2019) 5.5 out of 10 stars Time to Read: 1:20 min A new take on the movie Unlawful Entry (1992)... BASIC PLOT:  After being attacked in her own home, Tara (Kaitlyn Black) is relieved to see the police show up. But what she didn't expect to also see, is an old friend from high school, Penny (Ashley Gallegos). Penny is now a cop, and a bad ass. She takes down Tara's intruder without even breaking a sweat. Tara is more than relieved, and grateful, and she's also hopeful she can right some wrongs perpertrated on Penny back in high school. Tara goes out of her way to reconnect with Penny, not realizing the danger she's putting herself, and her family in. Not everyone recovers from traumatic events so easily, and beneath Penny's smiling exterior is a fount of unending rage, and lust for revenge. Will Tara discern the real predator in her midst in time to save herself, and those she loves? WHAT WORKS:  * TH

 Mindless drek.... Embrace of the Vampire (Video 2013) 3 out of 10 stars Time to Read: 1:14 min BASIC PLOT:  Charlotte Hawthorn (Sharon Hinnendael) has just received a fencing scholarship to a prestigious university. She's an orphan, and she's been living in an all girls boarding school for some time. Moving to a coed university is a big change for Charlotte. She's suddenly not herself. She's having frightening visions, or are they dreams? Charlotte keeps waking up in strange places, having no idea how she got there. But after a random meeting at her job, with a woman named Daciana, Charlotte may finally get the answers she needs. Charlotte has seen Daciana (Keegan Connor Tracy) around town, and has always felt a strange pull coming from her. Daciana professes to have the answers to questions, Charlotte didn't even know she needed to ask. She begs Charlotte to come see her as soon as her shift is over. Danger surrounds Charlotte, and without Daciana's help, she

 Fred Olen Ray does Lifetime proud with this over the top, made-for-tv melodrama... A WEDDING TO DIE FOR FOR/DEADLY VOWS (TV movie 2017) 5.5 out of 10 stars Time to Read: 2:15 min BASIC PLOT:  Charlie Dillon (Cameron Jebo) believes he's finally found the woman of his dreams! Helena (Brittany Underwood) is smart, sexy, successful, and shares his traditional values. His parents, Nancy (Kathryn Leigh Scott) & Stuart (Henry LeBlanc) couldn't be happier. Their adopted daughter, Becca (Charlene Amoia), has recently divorced, and the family is hoping this wedding will fill the hole left by Becca's failure. Helena is a pastry chef, and even has her own business. She tends to be a bit overprotective when it comes to her baking. So, when Nancy suggests they use her friend, Mrs. Mazurek (Darleen Pickering Hummert), to cater the wedding, Helena becomes enraged. She recovers herself, but not before Becca decides her future sister-in-law might be a bit unhinged. Becca decides to do a

   Above average made-for-tv thriller... I'LL BE WATCHING (TV Movie) 6 out of 10 stars Time to Read: 2:15 min BASIC PLOT:  Kate Riley (Janel Parrish) is finally getting her life together. Aging out of the foster system, she's now enrolled in Portland Community College. She's working hard to find her place in this world, when the worst happens. Someone notices her... And it's not the type of attention anyone wants. It starts out with bloody roses left on her doorstep, and escalates into violent professions of love and admiration. Kate is assigned a group of dedicated detectives to watch over her, but in the end, it's not enough. Now Kate's on the run, and the stalker has decided to punish the women of Portland until she returns. Can Kate finally stop running long enough, to make a life? Or will her stalker always be watching? WHAT WORKS:  * GREAT USE OF VISUAL METAPHORS Throughout the movie, the filmmakers shine a baby spot on the stalker's eye. It's a

 Weak story, bad acting and lots of plotholes... FRAMED FOR MURDER (TV movie 2007) 3 out of 10 stars Time to Read: 2:20 min BASIC PLOT:  June, a weak, mentally unstable woman is framed for her abusive husband's murder. Rather than fight the charges, she accepts a plea deal, and serves eight years for manslaughter. Her sister Claire (Susan Walters) takes custody of June's son, with her husband, Jason (Perry King). June emerges from prison a changed woman. Determined to get her life back, and prove her innocence, not just for herself, but for her son as well, she begins a targeted campaign against her husband's killer. She enlists the help of her former cellmate, Charlie (Claire Brosseau), and Charlie's brother, Victor (Jonathan Higgins). They seek the help of PI, Diane Desalvo (Lisa Langlois), an old family friend. But their fact-finding mission has drawn unwanted attention from the real killer, and one of them won't survive. Will June learn the truth about why she

 I'm just looking out for you... HIS SECRET PAST (TV Movie 2016) 5 out of 10 ⭐ BASIC PLOT:  Lily Becker (Gatlin Kate James) just got very lucky. While out jogging, she was attacked by a mask wearing assailant. A mysterious stranger intervenes, and she gets away. Her hero doesn't go to the police, but by chance (?), Lily runs into him the next day. His name is Mick Grant (Austin James), and he lives on a boat. He's only in town for a short while, but that's long enough for Lily to fall for him. He's quiet and enigmatic, and nothing like Lily's last boyfriend, Scott Ellison (Alexander P. Heartman). Lily can be a bit naive, especially when it comes to men, so it's up to her mother, and best friend Kelly, to look out for her. Lily's mother, Jennifer Becker (Brigid Brannagh) is a true crime author. She's suspicious by nature, and there's something about Mick she just doesn't trust. Kelly (Lindsay Bushman), Lily's best friend, also feels somet