Movie #3271 ........................."Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley" (Netflix)

Movie #3271 "Beverly Hills Cop:  Axel Foley" (Netflix)  What fun this was to watch!  Better than the third one, for sure, and it got me from the get go when Axel is , of course, escaping from the bad guys using a snow plow --- I had never seen a chase using that form of transportation.  In less than 10 minutes his daughter finds herself in trouble when her car is overhanging  one of those 4- story parking decs --- I never saw that in a film either!  The story was fairly easy to follow, Axel dons quite a few personas (as usual) while working with his daughter (she's a plus -- a lawyer who is defending a "cop killer") and a new partner , her exboyfriend Joseph  Gordon Levitt -- playing Bobby.  Of course, Beverly Hills still has Billy Rosewood and Chief Taggart working there, but now there's a new head honcho played very well by Kevin Bacon.   By the end of the film two more chase scenes include one in a helicopter and another in one of those parking cop's small vehicles and a golf cart.  I heard in an interview from Murphy that his real daughter plays the cop that arrests him and puts cuffs on him --- so look for her if you are watching the film., which I highly recommend because it was very entertaining and funny!  4.5 out of 5.  

"BEVERLY HILLS COP:  AXEL FOLEY"         Netflix       R    1 hour 58 mins (R for violence?) 2024

Axel Foley returns to Beverly Hills after his daughter's life is threatened, and works with old pals John Taggart and Billy Rosewood to uncover a conspiracy.

Director:  Mark Molloy

Writers:  Will Beall, Tom Gormican, Kevin Etten

Actors:  Eddie Murphy, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Taylor Paige

Movie #3270 ........................."Northern Exposure" (amazon prime) Season 1

 Movie #3270 "Northern Exposure" (amazon Prime)  Season 1 --- this is a revisit for us because we remember enjoying the show so much back in the day.  While  re-watching the pilot and first 8 episodes that constitute season 1, we are reminded of the quirkiness of the characters and their relationships with each other, starting to build to a real community of friends by the end of the show --- a community the watcher learns to care about --- there's Maurice, the head honcho always roping community members to come along with him to help with all of his big ideas , and Chris, the radio guy who plays the music HE likes rather than the show tunes the owner of the station (Maurice) would prefer, Maggie, the pilot who becomes important to the members if they need to get supplies (like bagels)  or they need to go someplace in Alaska themselves, and , of course, Dr. Fleishman, who is the center of the piece because the show starts with his entrance --- he signed a promissory note to Alaska that if they paid for his medical schooling he would give them a couple of years in Alaska  --- but he didn't sign up to be way way way out in no man's land with not even bagels! for breakfast, and Marilyn, his receptionist, who is a native american and introduces him to pow wows and other native american customs, and Holling (the owner of the bar) and his partner Shelley who is a good 40 years younger  than he, and finally Ed,  who is just Ed, who shows up at the most inopportune times, and he's the one you know least about but want to know more about.  They are great characters --- can't say a lot is accomplished in each quirky story, but it has been most enjoyable to visit these past couple of days.  Not sure if we will continue, but we know it is there and available if we ever want to continue the series.  I'd give this 4 .5 out of 5.  

"NORTHERN EXPOSURE"    amazon prime   (6 seasons,110 episodes, about 55 mins each)  1990-1995

A city doctor is forced to work in the remote Alaskan town of Cicely, where he encounters peculiar locals, including a former astronaut, as he adjusts to small town life.

Creators:  Joshua Brand, John Falsey

Actors:  Rob Morrow, Janine Turner, Barry Corbin

Movie #3269 ........................."Family Affair" (netflix)

 Movie #3269 "Family Affair" (Netflix)  this was a rom-com with a capable cast, with Nicole Kidman, Joey King, and Zac Efron.  Nothing really new here--- older woman attracted to younger, buffer man --- and her daughter knows he's a sleezeball with women because she was his personal assistant for a couple of years.  What's hard to believe is  that he falls for the mother....it's not only  the age difference, but  it's his snotty, narcissistic behavior through most of the movie --- Can the actual love for an older women change your personality like that?  Well, the producers and writers and actors of this film believe it --- I believe he can be affected, but to actually do a 360?  not convinced.  But these actors try their darnedest to convince us. (PS  if you think it is a family movie, you might think again because  it has some sex scenes in it (reason for the PG-13) 

"FAMILY AFFAIR"    Netflix            2024      PG-13       1 hour and 51 minutes

A surprising romance kicks off comic consequences for a young woman, her mother and her movie star boss as they face the complications of love, sex, and identity.

Director:  Richard LaGravenese

Writer:  Carrie Solomon

Actors:  Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, Joey King

Movie #3268 ..........................."Hit Man" (Netflix)

 Movie #3268 "Hit Man" (Netflix)  I am a Glen Powell fan, so when I saw he was in it, I grabbed the chance to watch it --- it was also recommended to us.  After watching this, I can say that the two leads were cast well because they were able to come across sincerely truthful but handled the dark humor, as well.  It's the script I was enamored with --- oh, it is entertaining to watch and try to guess the twists and turns along the way --- the script offered a load of surprises, but wasn't really bound in reality.  There was too much suspension of belief expected of the watcher, in my opinion.  The fault was really in the last act ---- when you watch something like the movie "sting" and you are , indeed, "stung" and you think back and say, "they got me" and you see how the puzzle all fits, that's a successful script --- and, of course, it won an academy award, the best that year, probably the best in MANY years, so it is silly for me to think this film could do a "sting" like that --- or even have a good, reasonable ending --- I guess I just expected a little more than what we got --- both Dave and I were trying to guess where it was going, and I have to admit I think our idea would have been better --- and I'm sure other viewers would have equally acceptable endings to this, so I fault the film on putting the puzzle together --- there are pieces missing or that just don't fit in the real world.  That being said, I'd give it a 3 because it IS entertaining.  Glen Powell is good --- not a Brad Pitt yet, but some day might be.  He has the looks and the comic timing and the sincerity -- but I doubt if he could do the character Pitt did coming out of the gate in "Thelma and Louise " --- he takes a few more chances, but Powell has a lot more years to catch up.  I recommend the movie and if you have a better idea for an ending, message me and we can talk ---

"THE HIT MAN"     Netflix        2023        R      1 hour and 55  mins

A professor moonlighting as a hit man of sorts for his city police department, descends into dangerous, dubious territory when he finds himself attracted to a woman who enlists his services.

Director:  Richard Linklater

Writers:  Richard Linklater, Glen Powell, Siup Hollandsworth

Actors:  Glen Powell, Adria Arjona, Austin Amelio

Movie #3267 ........................."Wedding March 4: Something Old Something New" (Hallmark)

Movie #3267 "Wedding March 4:  Something Old Something New" (Hallmark)  What an awful title, huh?  This one had a lot going on --- couple of stories --- the stage business is just the lead girl continually changing her mind when she had a contract with the venue --- they kept trying to appease her --- she seemed crazy after a while to me..... There is a surprise at the end which ties thing together  ---- but I was left with a question:  was it on purpose that the people who run a wedding venue don't want to go through the marriage ceremony themselves?  hmmmm.  hidden message maybe?  I give it 3.5 out of 5.

"WEDDING MARCH 4:  SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW"   Hallmark  2018, 1 hr and 24 mins

With a wedding to plan, an engagement party to throw, and an inn full of surprise guests, the road to true love for Olivia and Mick takes a few unexpected twists and turns.  ()PS Andrew W. Walker phone this one in, no?  He did very little here -- symbolic for what a groom does at a wedding?)

Director:  Peter DeLuise

Writers:  Robin Bernheim, Richard Manning, David Golden

Actors:  Jack Wagner, Merritt Patterson, Josie Biussett, Andrew W. Walker 

Movie #3266 ........................."Forever in My Heart" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3266 "Forever in My Heart" (Hallmark)  I loved the couple and the Irish landscape , but this one had pacing problems (start, stop, slow, start, stop, slow) the guy was so quiet there didn't seem to be ups and downs in his dialogue. Result?  pretty static.  The stage business felt forced. I didn't quite get all the work they were doing to their place , seemed minimal (like painting a bench).  I'd give this 3.5 out of 5.

"FOREVER IN MY HEART"       Hallmark     2019    1 hr and 28 min

Jenna (Merritt Patterson) and Charlie (Jack Turner) found love in Ireland but their dreams drove them apart.  Five years later, they reunite and Jenna has to decide where her heart belongs - back home or in the emerald Isle.

Director:  Steven R Monroe

Writer:  Tyler Straessle

Actors:  Merrit Patterson, Jack Turner, Emmet Byrne

Movie #3265 ........................."Two Scoops of Italy" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3265 "Two Scoops of Italy" (Hallmark) Couple is cute in this one, but story was boring about gelato -- can't even tell you how it ends because I stopped watching it closely -- But Italy was beautiful, as usual.  I'd give this one a 3 out of 5.

"TWO SCOOPS OF ITALY"     Hallmark     2024     1 hour and 24 mins

When an American chef travels to a quaint village in Italy for inspiration, she falls in love with the flavors, culture, gelato, and the Italian gentleman who helps her discover it all.  

Director:  Roger M. Bobb

Writers:  Eric Brooks, Nicole Baxter, Abdi Nazemian

Actors:  Hunter King, Davy Eduard King, Ruby Kammer

Movie #3264 ........................."A Greek Recipe for Romance" (Hallmark)

Movie #3264 "A Greek Recipe for Romance" (Hallmark)   Since I am going to Greece in September I thought I would take a look at this and the locales in this film are beautiful --I won't be on this island, but the others are anything like it, I will enjoy them.  Anyway, acting is bad in this one except for the lead girl --- and the story is a dud --- and boring stage business -- trying to set up a restaurant  --- takes too long.  

"A GREEK RECIPE FOR ROMANCE"    2024

After a recent setback, Abby heads to Greece to visit her mom and decide what's next.  While there, she meets Theo and they team up to open a restaurant.  But will Abby be able to stay?

Director:  Colin Theys

Writers:  Mandy Baggo, Keith Hemstreet, Katie Kerr

Actors:  Danielle C. Ryan, Rafael Kariotakis, Argyris Gaganis 

Movie #3263 ........................."For Love and Honey (Hallmark)

 Movie #3263 "For Love and Honey" (Hallmark)  Oh boy, this was boring to me --- bees and an ancient fresco --- he's an archeologist?  All he does through the movie is carry a briefcase around.  And she drives him around to various places that I didn't care about at all, and were kind of dull looking.  Then to really cinch that this is a loser, they have a fake end where he leaves, and then he comes back within a year.... ugh!  I'd give this one 2.5.  The girl was too stiff.

"FOR LOVE AND HONEY"        Hallmark    2024     1 hour and 24 mins

Beekeeper Eva uncovers an ancient fresco while rescuing a hive.  Austen, a visiting archeologist, thinks it is key to his research, so he persuades Eva to help him on his quest across Malta.

PS - Malta was interesting, but from this movie, I don't think I would ever go there.

Director:  Kevin Fair 

Writers:  Caitlin D. Fryers, Michelle Ricci

Actors:  Andrew W. Waler, Margaret Clunie, Amanda Vilanova

Movie #3262 ........................."Date With Love" (Hallmark)

Movie #3262 "Date with Love" (Hallmark)   This one has what even I would term a "goofy" premise --- the main girl is an actress who decides to go to a h.s. prom and it disrupts the school.  And get this....Andrew Walker , one of my favorite actors on this station, is cast as a h.s. teacher who falls in love with her after their meet-cute scene where as a driving instructor, his student tries to run her over!  The turn doesn't work really well, and even at the very end where the kiss is supposed to happen, no one reacts when the high and mighty actress actually attends the prom with their popular teacher.  "Goofy" all around and only a 3.  (P.S.  Bailee Madison is used well as the girl who really wants to go to prom with the h.s. boy)

" DATE WITH LOVE"          2016     1 hour and 24 mins

When a small-town boy's video Proposal goes viral, it scores him a Prom date with his celebrity crush.  Complications arise when the celebrity falls for the boy's teacher.

Director:  Ron Oliver

Writer:  Brook Durham

Actors:  Shenae Grimes-Beech, Andrew W. Waler, Bailee Madison 

Movie #3261 ........................."Savoring Paris" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3261 "Savoring Paris" (Hallmark)  Want to know everything there is to know about cheese?  Well, check this one out.  Lots of French, lots of Paris, lots of bread, croissants and baguettes and cheese cheese, and cheese.  Loved the two leads and learned the meaning of "Je te aime bien" is "I like you" but she misunderstood, and th9ought it was I love you a lot!  So that's handy to know when in Paris --- See?  Hallmark CAN teach you important stuff you might find useful!  I give this one a 5!

"SAVORING PARIS"        Hallmark    2024    1 hour and 24 mins

Disillusioned with her life, Ella embarks on a soul-searching journey to Paris where she navigates love, self-discovery and cheese in the enchanting backdrop of The City of  Love.

Director:  Clare Niederpruem

Writers:  Joie Botkin, Victoria Brownlee

Actors:  Bethany Joy Lenz, Stanley Weber, Ben Wiggins

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