Movie #3475 ........................."Good American Family" (Hulu)

Movie #3475 "Good American Family" (Hulu)  This show was like watching an accident overall, but there were some good moments (in the last episode the discussion between the foster dad and Natalia -- but it probably never happened in real life)  There was some bad acting in this - esp. in the opening episodes -- everyone acted awkwardly  in their roles, I felt, esp. Pompeo --- I never bought anything she said, she seemed so fake.  And Duplas was up and down with this character --- is the dad  really like that in real life?   If we watched all the episodes, we still weren't sure of Natalia's accusations that she was hit by the mom because we never saw it.... There was so much lying on both sides, it was hard to see through all the fog hiding the truth.  Here's my take on the thing --- this wasn't a show that cleared up many of the questions we might have had if we watched this tragedy in the t.v. news But it did show how misguided some people are, like this woman, who says she can help all disabled children, and failed when she had one in her house and was too full of herself to ask for help to make that child's life better --- it's good to know that Natalia finally found a family who knew how to help her, instead of just going through the motions.  (and lie to get rid of her )  I'd give this 3.5.

"GOOD AMERICAN FAMILY"     8 episodes, 50 minutes each       2025

A Midwestern couple who adopts what they believe is little with dwarfism.  As they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, falling into a battle fought in the tabloids, the courtroom and ultimately their marriage.

Creator :  Katie Robbins

Actors:  Ellen Pompeo, Mark Duplas, Imogen Faith Reid

Movie #3474 ........................."Somebody Somewhere, " Season 3 (Max)

Movie #3474 "Somebody Somewhere, Season 3 (Max) This show has consistently been a well done show, full of terrific actors who make the dialogue so darn real --- you have to see it to appreciate it, because you would swear they aren't following a script.  The story has small highs and lows, mostly because it flows like life --- the show follows the main woman, who has been in grief since she lost her favored sister  --- she and her other sister try to mend ways, while she searches for her niche in life --- she has a best friend, who is gay, and in the second season he meets a new love interest, and that affects her because she feels more alone --- Season 3 finishes that story off, and in fact, the show has ended.  There's an on-line petition  by fans that it will continue, but it doesn't look good right now.  The actors evidently want to continue but it's a tough thing to put together for everyone.  This show really got better and better through the seasons, and it went out with a bang -- we were very impressed with this show and also hope that it continues.  We give this season a 4.5 out of 5.

"SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE"  (SEASON 3)    Max  2022-2024      7 episodes, 30 minutes each

Sam is a true Kansan on the surface (even though the show is filmed in Freeport, Illinois), but beneath it all, struggles to fit the hometown mold.  Grappling with loss and acceptance, she discovers herself and a community of outsiders who don't fit in but don't give up.

Creators:  Hannah Box, Paul Thureen

Actors:  Bridget Everett, Jeff Hiller, Mary Catherine Garrison  

Movie # 3473 ........................." The Secret Ingredient" (Hallmark)

Movie #3473 "The Secret Ingredient" (Hallmark) Usually the stage business gets a bit boring in these Hallmark movies, but this one had good stage business, I thought.  There was a bake off -- and two of the contestants don't know that each other is in the contest.  The conflict of course occurs when they find out they are competing against each other.  The two actors never have that much chemistry, but like I said, it was fun to watch the contest.  I'd give it 3.5 --- not a must watch, but some entertainment involved.

"THE SECRET INGREDIENT"      Hallmark     2020       1 hour and 22 minutes

Small-town baker Kelly gets a big surprise when she is invited to compete on a 

valentine's Day baking show in NYC -- and an even bigger surprise when she runs into her ex-fiance.

Director:  Tibor Takacs

Writers:  Steven Sessions, Nancy Naigle

Actors:  Erin Cahill, Brendan Penny, Maneet Chauhan 

Movie #3472 ........................."Thelma" (Hulu)

Movie #3472 "Thelma" (Hulu)  This was really funny --- I esp. liked the relationship between grandmother and grandson when he tried to help her manage her way through using the computer -- The film centers on her journey to seek revenge on some scammers -- June Squibb is 90+ years old, and she's quite impressive, esp. learning all the lines she had to do, since she was the main actress in the film.  I'd give it a 4 --- her daughter and hubby are funny, too .

"THELMA"      HuluPG-13     2024     1 hour and 38 mins

When 93-year-old Thelma Post gets duped by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson, she sets out on a treacherous quest across the city to reclaim what was taken from her.

Director:  Josh Margolin

Writer:  Josh Margolin

Actors:  June Squibb, Fred Hechinger, Richard Roundtree

Movie #3471 ........................."Life of Chuck" (theatre)

 Movie #3471 "Life of Chuck" (theatre)   This was a very feel good movie, and we haven't had one of those in a long long time.  I'm not sure how to describe it, but I will try, because it is also very creative and out of the box.  There are 3 acts, and the film starts with Act III.  And the only reason I wouldn't give this a 5 is that I'm not sure how Act III fits with the other two --- except to say that they had this idea to tell the story backwards, like Benjamin Button, so they start with Chuck gone, leaving behind just billboards that thank him for his great life, but those are only glimpses in the future world that looks like an Armageddon --- a classroom of h.s. kids get amber alerts of a catastrophe that knocks out grids and cripples main cities in our world.  And we watch how people aimlessly walk around not knowing what to do --- a real downer!  But then Act II and Act I follow Chuck when he is an accountant stopping to dance on his way to work --- and that is the best 15 minutes of film that I have seen for a long long time --- it is so exhilarating that I got goosebumps and a big smile on my face as I watched it --- very little dialogue here as he takes a partner from the crowd,  and  they dance accompanied by  one very talented drummer for this short dance escapade.  Then Act I shows Chuck as a teenager (Jacob Tremblay from "Wonder" plays Chuck in this part) and a little boy who is so good---I'm sure we will see him in other films to come.  He plays Chuck as a child and we find the tie in between the two acts as the art of dance.  I loved it and would give it 4.5.   It certainly shows the worth of living in the moment, and of everyone on this planet, no matter who he/she is.   (and of course how joyful and fulfilling dance can be)

"THE LIFE OF CHUCK"      2024     1 hour and 51 minutes     R (not sure why except for doom/gloom in Act III?)

A life-affirming, genre-bending story about three chapters in the life of an ordinary man named Charles Krantz.

Director:  Mike Flanagan

Writers:  Mike Flanagan, Stephen King (and no, it isn't one of those horror films, and remember King brought us "Shawshank Redemption" and "Stand By Me")

Actors:  Tom Hiddleston, Jacob Tremblay, Benjamin Pajak (remember this kid's name - he's the best!) 

 

Movie #3470 ........................."Elio" (in theatre)

Movie #3470  "Elio" (in theatre)  I usually look forward to seeing pixar and Disney films -- but this was quite the disappointment.  It was, well, boring.   The story was dragged out, the characters were not interesting and shallow  to me, not funny,  and even the animation wasn't that good ---it was too macho for me, too ---  the lead woman's voice (Zoe Saldana) was good, but that was it --- I don't recommend it and give it a 3.

"ELIO"     Disney/Pixar  2025     PG      1 hour and 38 minutes (too long --- dragged out ending)

Elio, a space fanatic with an active imagination, finds himself on a cosmic misadventure where he must form new bonds with alien lifeforms, navigate a crisis of intergalactic proportions and somehow discover who he is truly meant to be.

Directors:  Adrian Molina, Domee Shi, Madeline Sharafian

Writers:  Julia Cho, Mark Hamer, Mke Jones

Actors:  Honas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Remy Edgerly             

Movie #3469 ........................."After All These Years" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3469 "After All These Years" (Hallmark)  Another winner originally from Hallmark back in the day --- a really good, quirky murder mystery with Wendie Malick in the lead -- her husband gets killed and of course the police figure she is the number one possibility for the murderer --- she leaves immediately to go under cover to find out who did it --- she's very funny in her investigating.  I'd give it a 4.5 -- funny and a good mystery --- myriad of quirky people as suspect, too.

"AFTER ALL THESE YEARS"    2013      1 hour and 27 minutes 

Director:  Scott Smith

Writers:  Susan Isaacs, Jon Maas

Actors:  Wendie Malick, Andrea Martin, Martha Burns 

Movie #3468 ........................."Follow the Stars Home" (Hallmark)

Movie #3468 "Follow the Stars Home" (Hallmark)  What a find this was --- a really good film on raising a disabled child and how that can affect a marital couple who find out before the birth of the baby that she will have defects (and probably won't live past 6 years old) and how they disagree about what to do about it.  Very emotional, for sure, and the actors aren't your typical Hallmark people --- They include the bride from Steve Martin's "Father of the Bride" along with two well accomplished  men, Blair Brown as the grandmother, and two very competent little girls, one (Alexa Vega) who has now moved from child star to adult starring in a Hallmark mystery series with her husband.   It's a tough watch but so worth it, and it gets a 5, highly recommend, from me.  See if you can find it.

"FOLLOW THE STARS HOME"     2001      PG    1 hour and 43 minutes     Hallmark

Kimberly Williams and Caitlin Fein play a mother and child whose love conquers adversity

Director:  Dick Lowry

Writers:  Luanne Rice, Sally Robinson

Actors:  Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Campbell Scott,  Eric Close, Blair Brown, Alexa Pena Vega

Movie #3467 ........................."Three Weeks, 3 kids" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3467 "Three Weeks, Three Kids"   (Hallmark)  Chomsky (from "My Girl" as a child star) plays this role of an aunt pretty well --- the guy across the street she starts to build a relationship with as she babysits her nieces and nephew, is fun to watch, too.  And the kids do well --- the everyday problems are believable and lessons are learned --- I found this a fun watch and would give it 4.5.

"THREE WEEKS, THREE KIDS"      2011     1 hr and 27 mins.     Hallmark

25-year-old Jennifer Mills lives her life without commitment, relieved that her boyfriend isn't even close to putting a ring on her finger.   Nothing like her older sister Mandy , who married young and settled into family life.  Jennifer loves being carefree, but her mother sees Jennifer's wild ways as a fear of settling down, and hatches a secret plan to take her from playful to parent in just three weeks.  When Mandy and her husband plan a three-week European vacation without their three kids, Kathryn convinces Jennifer to help watch them until she can get into town.  Jennifer quickly finds out that playing house isn't for kids, and realizes that she must go from cool aunt to strict parent to keep her sister's trust.  But with a little help from Will, the handsome new neighbor across the street, she manages to pull it together to prove to everyone, even herself, that taking responsibility can be rewarding.  (what a surprise, huh:)

Movie #3466 ........................."Villa Amore" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3466 "Villa Amore" (Hallmark)  Well, we've learned there are all kinds of scams about buying villas in European countries for 1 euro , and then the buyers finding out they have to refurbish it in so many days, and the amount of high taxes, and rules and paperwork they have to go through  -- all of this taught to us through Hallmark films, and this is still another one --- basically goes through the same situation, as the others, but it is liable because of the lead girl and guy being very capable and having some chemistry between the two of them.  Also, the people in the town we get to know moreso in this one and they are quirky and fun to watch (esp. the postal lady).  I really did love the story, the people and the environment and I would highly recommend this one -- however, it does make fixing up a place like this look way too easy.... but I enjoyed watching it.  a 5 out of 5.

"VILLA AMORE"   Hallmark       2025     1 hour and 24 mins

Liara goes to Italy and impulsively buys the villa where her parents met.  She soon learns she is in way over her head and must ask a handyman to help her renovate.

Director:  Clare Niederpruem

Writers:  Nick Hopkina, Rim JmWA, VWRAY MOEEIA

Actors:  Eloise Mumford, Kevin McGarry

Movie #3465 .........................""Back When We Were Grownups" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3465 "Back When We Were Grownups" (Hallmark) Not your typical Hallmark film with young , good looking stars --- this one follows Blythe Danner and her family she has helped to build, and it covers a subject that isn't covered very often --- what happens when you marry a widower with 3 children, and all of a sudden you are their mother --- and how does that relationship start, build and withstand all of them through their own adulthood and your own old age?  It's based on an Anne Tyler book I had read and enjoyed (and recommend), but the movie seemed pretty much all doom and gloom --- Tyler has a way of presenting people in real life situations very well --- don't expect a huge action movie based on her books, but just real life situations and discussions --- these were okay, but it seemed the choices the screenwriter chose to use were more doom than inspiring --- that is until the very last scene --- it made the film worthwhile for me to have watched.  Nicely done, and a reminder of just how good Danner is.  I'd give it a 4 and say it is worth a look see .P.S.  Fonda is very good here playing a very measured person who wants things the same every day  --- never going out of the box life can put us in.

Director:  Ron Undersood

Writers:  Anne Tyler, Susanna Styron, Bridget Terry

Actors:  Blythe Danner, Faye Dunaway, Peter Fonda

Movie #3464 ........................." Valentine's Again" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3464 "Valentine's Again" (Hallmark)  I have never been enamored with the Groundhog day idea and it is the basis for this film.  If the girl was less stiff, I met have enjoyed it a bit more and she might have pulled me into her dilemma -- but she didn't do that.  So we just watch the same thing over and over, waiting for something different to happen.  The guy is good, though.  3.5

"VALENTINE'S AGAIN"    2017     1 hr and 21 mins.   Hallmark

Katherine endures the worst Valentine's Day date of her life.  On her way home a gypsy cats a magical spell on her.  The net mooring she soon realizes she's reliving the day until she finds Mr. Right.

Director:  Steven R. Monroe

Writer:  Jack Sekowski

Actors:  Nicky Whelan, Greg Vaughan, Marina Sirtis

Movie #3463 ........................."Love on the Danube - Kissing Stars" (Hallmark)

Movie #32463 "Love on the Danube - Kissing Stars" (Hallmark)  I liked the premise of this one, that she is being paid to help this newly successful actor deal with his fans --- he is very much an introvert and wants his performances to speak for himself --- but when it came down to the ultimate Hallmark conflict , it seemed a silly issue to fight over since she had been protecting him through the whole movie.  That didn't make sense to me in the script.  The stage business was a bit boring, too, because they spent long amount of times just walking --- but it did show off the Danube, somewhat.  I'd give it a 3.5 - take it or leave it. 

"LOVE ON THE DANUBE -- KISSING STARS"      Hallmark    2024     1 hr and 24 mins

Publicist Savannah Bailey offers Tripp Nelson, her actor client of newfound fame, the ability to connect with fans and find his type at a rom-com cruise event KissCon after reinventing himself but he must learn who he is without celebrity.

Director:  Peter Benson

Writers:  Andrea  Canning, Agnes Bristow

Actors:  Sarah Power, Brendan Penny, Kathryn Drysdale