katykw-2 Reviews

A Christmas for the Ages (2023 TV Movie)

Pretty but not very realistic

[5/10 · 27 November 2023]

Love the premise of this story, but they went so overboard on literally everything. The sets were lavish and beautiful if a bit over the top as these all are at Christmas. The costumes were lovely and the actors were a great bunch of talent but seriously, there is NO family who is this perfect. At least once EVERY paragraph of dialogue they are gushing to one another about how much they love each other and how they will always be there for each other. While this is nice, it's not very realistic. Families get together at Christmas and while they may love each other, they squabble and get frustrated with other. That's just how families are. This movie is so syrupy sweet I felt like I needed an insulin shot.

Also, while I love the fact that the script isn't peppered with swear words they really slap you in the face with the Christian aspect of it. While I am a believer, if I was not, this movie would totally turn me off to the whole concept of God and Christianity. They hit you in the face with it at every turn and it's simply too much.

The whole thing needs to be dialed back to reality. This could have been so much more but they turned it into a preachy sermon that was not relatable.

That being said there were some cute parts. I liked the family dinners that were themed to different decades. Very inventive idea.

The ending songs with the four generations of women was really nice.

Last Seen Alive (2022)

Even Gerard Butler can't save this one

[5/10 · 5 November 2023]

Typical storyline of a husband and wife with marital issues. She wants some space to "clear her head" so he is driving her to her parents' home. They stop for gas at station/convenience store where she gets kidnapped. He immediately tries to find her. Over and over and over, but keeps running into dead ends. I thought the female lead (Jaimie Alexander) was two-dimensional at best. She didn't have a huge part but she could have created her persona but she is just on camera speaking her lines flatly. I am usually really pleased by a Gerard Butler performance but this one is not one of his better roles. His heart just didn't seem to be in it as he usually is. This could have been a really good flick but I just feel everyone involved with it did a "lazy job"--the cinematographer, the director, etc. The timing was very slow and plodding. The flashbacks in time seemed disjointed and just inserted wherever for no coherent reason. Not a stinker but not great either. I think this one goes into the category Not Art for Art's Sake, We just need a paycheck.

The Irrational (2023– )

Interesting premise and subplot

[7/10 · 26 October 2023]

Jesse L. Martin is a very talented, multi-disciplined actor. I immediately "bonded" with his character. His professor is extremely intelligent but not an insufferable academic snob like so many are. And even though the underlying current is something traumatic that happened in his past he doesn't sit around brooding all the time. While he wants to know the truth of what happened he still goes on with his life. I love learning about the many facets of behavioral science. It is very interesting. The characters of Professor Mercer's sister and two assistants are very capably played. I think the role of his ex-wife is the weak link in the show. Her character is flat and totally unbelievable. No one would ever believe she is an FBI agent.

Cross Country Christmas (2020 TV Movie)

Cute Storyline but...

[5/10 · 21 October 2023]

This a really cute, entertaining storyline. I have had travels that were ALMOST this catastrophic. I thought the two leads had chemistry enough and I LOVED that his Hallmark movie didn't have the "15-minutes-before-ending-huge-misunderstanding-and resolution" that every other Hallmark move has.

However, WTH is up with Rachael Leigh Cook's constant throat clearing? In every movie. The first movie I saw with her I thought, "Why on earth didn't the director notice that? Or the film editor.

Or the sound guy? It is constant and very annoying distracting. In an otherwise enjoyable movie it is really nerve-grating.

Emergency! (1972–1979)

Show was great until Season 7

[6/10 · 30 September 2023]

My husband and I love this show. It takes us back to our teen years in the 1970s. But when Season 7 came along everything changed. The music sucked big time and the guest actors were subpar. Very disappointing. Johnny, Roy, Dixie, Joe, and Kel were like family to us. Season 7 has them going to different states to observe, spotlighting other stations/squads around LAS County that have nothing to do with the main storyline and actors. We always got a kick our their musical motifs--the traveling to an accident scene motif, the basic guys hanging around the station, the catastrophe motif -- all that is gone and replaced with screaming trumpets and violins. WTH?

Where the Crawdads Sing (2022)

Good storyline but it moves so slowly

[7/10 · 17 December 2022]

I wanted to love this movie. Being from the South myself I love a good tale of the South, but this just seemed to move slow as molasses. I really liked the chemistry between Kya and Tate. I despised Chase and was not even a tiny bit sorry to see his demise. I enjoyed the setting and her illustrations were absolutely stunning, but I just felt everything just developed so slowly. I was constantly torn between wanting to turn the movie off and being determined to watch it till the end. David Strathairn never disappoints. As Kya's attorney, he shines in his understated way and when he drives a point home, it is with quiet, steely assurance. Superb performance.

A Royal Christmas Match (2022 TV Movie)

Doesn't really qualify as a Christmas movie

[3/10 · 16 December 2022]

The movie has virtually nothing to do with Christmas except for the snow and some Christmas trees. The acting is subpar all around. And a royal family with a flat Canadian accent is almost as bad as the horrible faux British accents that are thrown around through these films, eh?

Their careless use of CGI and Photoshop is very disappointing and cheapens the whole production.

The movie seems in a rush to make sure no conflict was allowed to develop and thereby be resolved in the latter part of the film. No matter what crisis pops up, it is almost immediately resolved. When you lose the conflict in the story line, it falls flat.

And once again, can we talk about REALISTIC snow please? For pity's sake production crew, step u your game. It's a Wonderul Life had better snow than y'all do.

Didn't finish the movie You shouldn't start it.

Christmas Class Reunion (2022 TV Movie)

Who plans a class reunion at Christmas time???????????

[4/10 · 16 December 2022]

Elle (Aimee Teegarden) was an over-achiever in high school and still is. I could not figure out why on earth she would want to continually try to oversee class reunions especially since each one since their graduation has been a disaster for one reason or another. She even states that "it's the job of the class president to plan reunions." Devin Ryan, her classmate, says he didn't realize that it was a lifelong position. I thought the same thing. I know our class reunions were never planned by the class president. She is really rude to Devin. A lot. Repeatedly. While Devin with stars in eyes, is the ever-longsuffering male lead who puts up with her excessive, whiny demands just hoping to somehow merit a sideways gland and a smile from the diva who can do no wrong. Crumbs from her table.

Yasmeen Kelders, who plays Devin's daughter, was adorable and spot on in her acting. Watch for this kid. She will go places.

Samantha's assistant, James, is so over-the-top with his gay-ness he is not even believable. I get that Hallmark is trying to make a statement that they are not homophobic, but damn, tone it down a bit. James was literally a caricature.

And WHY is Aimee ALWAYS AND FOREVER clearing her throat? That is so annoying! She does it in every single movie.

And lastly, This movie has little or mothing to do with Christmas other than the word is its title. There were not even any beautiful street decorations to admire. But then again, we were spared the timeworn clichés of the snowball fights and the tree lighting. Finally "Santa" shows up and "saves the reunion". Way to go, Santa. But he can't save the movie. It's a snoozer.

Crown Prince of Christmas (2022 TV Movie)

Cindy Busby was melodramatic and totally not believable

[4/10 · 14 December 2022]

Yet another "royal" Christmas re-hash. The prince-pretending-to-not-be-a-prince (Jilon VanOver) was actually not a bad actor. He was believable, both as Madison's co-worker friend and as a prince. Madison (Cindy Busby) and her entire family were excruciatingly bad. Her sisters laughably bad actors. Her mom was ditzy and over-emoting most of the time. Her dad was mostly invisible. Even the scene where he tries to empathize with Madison was non-descript. But even he was better and more believable than the King and Queen. I had the idea they just grabbed a couple off the street, dressed them in what they thought passed for regal costumes and set them loose. Don't waste your time on this one.

Hot Chocolate Holiday (2021 TV Movie)

Watch it just to see Jonny Swenson's smile

[5/10 · 12 December 2022]

Ho-hum movie about a hot chocolate shop owner who is accusing another hot chocolate shop owner of stealing her grandma's special recipe. The writers of these shows must be all utilizing the same brain cell. They certainly are NOT using the one about new, inventive ideas. I do not care for Aubrey Reynolds in anything. Her acting is wooden and stiff. I get the idea that she is just "playing herself" in each role. The only thing that salvages this film is Jonny Swenson's megawatt smile. It lights up any space he is in. On the bright spot, to help you plod through this slow-moving quagmire, turn it into a drinking game and every time they say "hot chocolate" take a drink. You will be snockered by the end of the film. Talk about hammering something home.

Also, what is it with these Hallmark/Lifetime/GAC movies and the hot drinks? The cups are obviously ALWAYS EMPTY. You don't take a hot cocoa from someone, throw your head back and gulp it down. Not unless you want a scalded throat. Even THAT you can't make believable? A hint: it's the little minutiae that drives viewers nuts.

Christmas on Mistletoe Lake (2022 TV Movie)

Too sappy and cheesy even for Hallmark

[4/10 · 10 December 2022]

Neither of the leads can sing. The scene where Reilly and Ray sing in the bar is horrendous. They could have pulled off the hamminess if either of them could have carried a tune.

All of the ubiquitous clichés are here yet again. How many ways can you say the same thing over and over again? Apparently thousands with Hallmark. Ho hum. I think I missed my calling in life. I could have been a writer for Hallmark (Lifetime, etc.) movies. Same plot used over and over, just change the leading characters' names, the location and the movie title and voila! Another Christmas snoozer. Easiest job in the world. I need to see if they are hiring.

Don't waste your time with this one.

Christmas in Louisiana (2019 TV Movie)

It's won't go down as a Christmas classic, but I enjoyed it

[7/10 · 10 December 2022]

Unlike other reviewers, I enjoyed the movie and I liked Percy's performance. The problem I had with the relationship between he and Jana was her willingness to just reject out of hand. Years have passed and Luke seems genuinely contrite for his part. And face it, they were what...16 when they got crowned? That was 15 years ago! Move on for pity's sake, Sarah! I felt the pace of the film would have been better had she thawed a bit sooner. I enjoyed the relationship between Doris and Timothy and watching the budding romance between Charlotte and Mark. I also enjoyed the lighted boat parade and a peek into how places without snow celebrate the holidays.

Is it a typical Hallmark formulaic movie? Yes. While they couldn't build a snowman or have a snowball fight, they had the other ubiquitous scenes we see each year over and over.

And please tell me why every time the main characters go in for a first kiss some inane thing happens and they immediately break apart like two kids caught with their hands in the cookie jar. Come on, just let them be adults and kiss!

And WHAT IS UP WITH THE HALLMARK LADIES' HAIR? Almost every female has dead ends and their hair is curled until the last 2 or 3 inches and then it just hangs there. It doesn't look like their hair has been combed through or styled; it looks like someone curled it with a curling iron, then just pulled the curls down. In point of fact, Jana Kramer's hair looks dull and stringy through this whole movie. For God's sake, you can't be on THAT much of a budget. Every woman in America (and a fair amount of men) watch these movies annually and buy the products that you so casually (cough cough) display in scenes. The hair spans the gamut from thin, baby-fine and lanky, limp and listless, to dry and stringy, to brittle and dull. Spring for a professional hair stylist for heaven's sake! Many times this is so distracting that I turn the movie off.

A Christmas Spark (2022 TV Movie)

Lacking plot, character development and chemistry

[4/10 · 10 December 2022]

This movie is plodding, dull and colorless. Jane Seymour was lovely to look at as always, but there was no chemistry between her and Joe Lando. Joe seemed extremely out of his comfort zone and his acting was wooden. This goes to show that being attractive and easy on the eyes doesn't carry the movie.

And WHAT IS UP WITH THE HALLMARK LADIES' HAIR? With the exception of Jane Seymour (who thankfully kept them away from hers) almost every female has dead ends and their hair is curled until the last 2 or 3 inches and then it just hangs there. It doesn't look like their hair has been combed through or styled; it looks like someone curled it with a curling iron, then just pulled the curls down. For God's sake, you can't be on THAT much of a budget. Every woman (and a fair amount of men) watch these movies annually and buy the products that you so casually (cough cough) display in scenes. The hair spans the gamut from thin, baby-fine and lanky, limp and listless, to dry and stringy, to brittle and dull. Spring for a professional hair stylist for heaven's sake! Many times this is so distracting that I turn the movie off.

American Traitor: The Trial of Axis Sally (2021)

Do NOT waste your time on this movie.

[3/10 · 17 September 2021]

It is slow and plodding. I found myself watching the clock and wishing it would soon be over. Almost every one of the characters is plastic and two-dimensional. Even Al Pacino (one of my favorite actors of all time) is not up to his usual level of excellence. Meadow Williams' character is like a Barbie doll. When she is on the witness stand, her movements are wooden and jerky. We are never invested in the scant storyline. We do not believe the characters are anything more than actors merely playing a part.

The cinematography is excellent and so are the sets. Ms. William's costumes are 1940s perfection. If the director had paid as much attention to character development as he did framing each and every shot, this movie might have kept my interest. I kept wanting to know Mildred's backstory. What brought her to be a traitor to her nation of origin? At a time in our nation's history of unparalleled patriotism and loyalty, I am at a loss to see how someone who, when offered a chance to leave the country of the aggressive nation, refused and stayed there. These questions are never addressed in the movie. Very disappointing.

Tenet (2020)

The most confusing, convoluted film ever

[5/10 · 13 June 2021]

I love films about time travel so when I read the mini synopsis of Tenet I thought I'd picked a winner. I was lost very shortly into the film. I googled it and read an in depth plot explanation and was STILL lost. The inversion-reversion plot device was extremely hard to follow, plus, half the movie they wear full head respirators and their speech is impossible to understand so you lost most of the dialog.

That's 2 hours and 30 minutes of my life that I'll never get back. *sigh*

Mile 22 (2018)

Do NOT waste your time

[3/10 · 11 November 2020]

Watching the first scene of this movie, I felt a promise of things to come. Sadly, that was not meant to be. I don't know if Mark Wahlberg himself (whom I love as an actor, as a rule) chose to create the most obnoxious, rude, unbelievable character of James Silva, but whoever's idea it was he/she totally succeeded. James Silva (Wahlberg) is good at his job as a CIA officer but he is a total failure as a human being. I don't care if he is ADHA or bi-polar, blah blah blah, there are meds for that! And everyone in the film gives him a PASS on that for some obscure reason which I don't understand. I get that you have to be somewhat detached to do the kind of job he does successfully, but does that mean he has to act without a shred of human decency and be sarcastic and condescending to his team and virtually everyone with whom he interacts? Mark just basically yells and rants like a mental patient off his meds for the entire movie. Lauren Cohan's character vacillated between being a one-woman killing machine and a whiny, sniveling divorced woman who can't get her priorities straight when it comes to her only child. I have seen her in other movies and TV shows she has so much more talent than she shows here. Ronda Rousey's character had some meat to it, however, she is killed off too soon in the film. And the scene where Alice is being thrown about the room like a ragdoll? Is that believable to anyone? After the first two times every bone in her body would be broken. Come on, I do like a modicum of credibility in my action films. Iko Uwais turned in a stellar performance and I hope to see more of him in a better vehicle at some point. No character development to speak of, no conflict resolution to ANYTHING. Does Alice survive? Will she ever see her child again? Does Silva get any reprimands or suspensions? While the storyline had potential, the writing is lackluster and lethargic. The cinematography is shaky and uneven a lot, so you lose the gist of it at times. Even the twist at the end is anti-climactic. By then you had it figured out. It's an hour and 34 minutes of my life I'll never get back. Don't waste your time.

The Bystander Theory (2013)

low budget, low talent, low plot

[2/10 · 9 October 2020]

While the premise of the movie piqued my interest, the movie itself was poorly written, poorly acted, and the cinematography was on a middle school level. This had the feel of an end-of-term project for a film school class. The plot was slow-moving and although the trailer leads you to believe it's all about the JFK assassination, that figures into the storyline in a very small way. The dialogue was subpar and I never once felt like I was "in the story" with the characters. I watched it to the end with one of those "surely it's going to get better any second" attitudes. It did not.

A Christmas Duet (2019 TV Movie)

BLAH BLAH BLAH

[2/10 · 24 July 2020]

Predictable story line, even more so than the usual Hallmark movie. The two lead actors were plastic and not believable as a romantic couple. The much-touted "hit" song they had was uninspired and forgettable and Rome Flynn's voice was ordinary at best. Surely not on a par with the star quality role they cast him in. The reason I gave it two stars was for the art direction and sets

Mister Roberts (1955)

One of the all-time greatest

[8/10 · 10 July 2020]

If the aim of this movie was to make me hate and despise James Cagney's character, it succeeded over and above. I never liked Cagney anyway, but int hsi film, he is truly ignoble and despicable. Which just makes the other three stars in this film, Fonda, Powell and Lemmon soar even higher. I think this is one of Henry Fonda's defining roles. His love for his crew and his humility in all his actions shines through in every scene. This movie makes my top ten list.

Christmas in the City (2013 TV Movie)

So many plot holes you could throw a cat through the cracks

[4/10 · 6 November 2019]

I get that these are formulaic, boilerplate schmalzy Christmas movies but people know this and watch them anyway. This movie, however, is ludicrous. Teanna (Ashanti) is way in the red zone on the scale. and most of the "cuts" that she makes in the store are just for deviousness --they'd have no bearing whatsoever on "saving money", because supposedly, Santa, the carolers, the day care center, would have been figured into the budget. All the decorations she gets rid of were already paid for as they have been used in years past. She is just evil for its own sake. And predictably, the owner and his nephew have no gumption whatsoever and just cave to whatever she says. The whole premise is ridiculous and even had they listened to her at the first, it would never have gone on as long as it did. Wth is wrong with this nephew? Can he not google Teanna and find out HER background? I always like Ashley Williams in these type of movies, but even she is not enough to save this stinker.

Acts of Violence (2018)

Laughably predictable

[3/10 · 4 July 2018]

The basic premise of the storyline was good, but this movie managed to to take a potentially viable vehicle and totally screw it up. SO many holes in the plot and there were so many times the actors behaved in ways that were so out of character and absolutely illogical. Bruce Willis must have really needed some cash to take this part.

Great Balls of Fire! (1989)

Dennis Quaid's low point

[6/10 · 11 May 2011]

This is quite possibly the worst performance of Dennis Quaid's career. The rubber-faced mugging he does neither looks like Jerry Lee nor does the phony "voice" he uses during this performance. His lip-syncing is always just a half-beat behind the music. Although Dennis had the wavy hair like The Killer, it wasn't long enough in the back to look like Jerry. His acting was a farce when he'd throw back his head in an apparent attempt to look arrogant. He failed. Alec Baldwin is also not very believable as Jimmy Swaggart (I actually knew the man in my youth). The storyline was okay but it could not overcome Quaid's awful acting. Especially at the airport when they are leaving England and he tells England to kiss his ass. Dennis, why did you sink so low?

Camelot (2011)

Could they have destroyed the story line any more?

[1/10 · 16 April 2011]

The only reason I gave it one star was for the costuming and the cinematography. The only thing the makers of this travesty stayed true to was the NAMES of the characters. Merlin doesn't seem to be a wizard through most of the first 3 parts - he's scared to use his powers because he can't control his dark side, and he's always getting the snot beat out of him. Arthur looks like he'd be more at ease in a skateboarding competition than in armor. Dude! Guinevere marries someone no one ever heard of in the Arthurian legends- Leontes (who was a character in Shakespeare's "A Winter's Tale") and Arthur acts a spoiled brat because he can't have her. Morgan is the only one who acts even close to the legends as an evil sorceress obsessed with power. Excalibur is not the sword in the stone after all, but Merlin has to have it made for Arthur. Come on!! Why didn't you just tell your brand new story, change the names to protect the revered stories, and play merry hell in the time-honored Hollywood tradition.

Eat Pray Love (2010)

I'd give it one star, but the cinematography is stunning

[2/10 · 28 March 2011]

This is right up there in the five worst movies I've ever seen. Elizabeth Gilbert has to be the most dysfunctional, scared-to-face-life-with-or-without-anyone, soulless person ever to walk the earth.

I can't believe people paid money to read this book/see this movie about her wandering around, hoping to meet someone to heal her all hurts, show her how to face life, how to grow up.

This movie should be a drinking game. Every time someone says "seeking truth" or "losing my balance"...you drink. Of course, then you'd only get through the first half hour of the movie...not a bad thought.

Christmas in Connecticut (1992 TV Movie)

You can like BOTH versions!

[7/10 · 6 December 2009]

I thought this movie was very funny and light-hearted, which IS the point of a comedy. Everyone knows re-makes always take a certain poetic license. I thought there was a great relationship with Cannon and Kristofferson and he was perfect as the crusty woodsman. Cannon carried her part off with great panache and that million watt smile. The supporting actors all performed beautifully also. The "son-in-law" who was also auditioning, the faux daughter who was the real cook, and of course, Tony Curtis as Mr. Yardley, proved once again that he is a comedic genius.

This is laid-back entertainment, not a Shakespearean tragedy. Lighten Up People!