review
Reviews of the top geek movies, tv, and books in the industry.
Villainess Review: Olivia Stevens (Cut, Color, Murder)
It had been over four months since Hallmark Movies and Mysteries aired an original mystery film. That's a long wait for this fan. HM&M starts their wave of holiday films in late October, and they last for the rest of the year and even about a week or two into the New Year, but during the break, I did learn about this movie, Cut, Color, Murder. From the looks of it, this should be the first of yet another original mystery film series, and if so, I'm looking forward to more of these. The star pairing in this film is Julie Gonzalo, who was recently part of the Arrowverse with her regular role as Andrea Rojas on Supergirl, and Ryan McPartlin, who played on L.A.'s Finest.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Geeks
Villainess Review: Dina Gardner (Deception)
Perhaps one of the best Lifetime-esque movies to never hit Lifetime (or even Lifetime Movie Network) had to be 2004's Deception, which centered on Erin Greer, a struggling actress who works at a detective agency as a decoy. Her job is to expose married men (usually well-to-do ones) as cheaters, with suspicious wives enlisting her services, and it was quite early in the film that Erin meets Max Gardner, with the pair instantly clicking. Max shows an empty ring finger in response to Erin's question about him being married, but he actually starts to come clean when they head to the hotel room.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Geeks
Incendies: A Journey of Secrets, Sacrifice, and Survival
Denis Villeneuve's Incendies is a haunting masterpiece that delves deep into the complexities of identity, family, and the devastating impact of war. Adapted from Wajdi Mouawad's play, the film captivates audiences with its emotionally charged narrative and stunning visuals. Below, we explore three key aspects that make Incendies an unforgettable cinematic experience.
By Willow Writerabout a year ago in Geeks
Villainess Review: Roxy (Totally Studios)
Since I started watching the Dhar Mann videos, I've also run into what some viewers call, "the copycats." Among them include Vid Chronicles, Life Lessons with Luis, and Supermission, among many others, but also in that group is Totally Studios. I love all of the names I've mentioned and I watch they daily, but Totally Studios is the subject of this review. I have enjoyed Totally Studios' vids; there's a lot of silliness in them that I just love, as well as the life lessons the videos teach. The collection of female baddies is a small one, but I think the best one from Totally Studios appeared in this short: Kids Get Rid of Evil Stepmom.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Geeks
Villainess Review: Sophie Simon (Abduction Runs in the Family)
The plot for Abduction Runs in the Family (originally titled, A Mother's Terror) was quite an interesting one. The film centered on Alyssa Manning, a successful author who was once abducted as a child by Miles Simon, who had committed the abduction to fill the void left by his daughter, Sophie--in fact, Miles called Alyssa "Sophie." We see Alyssa being interviewed about the abduction, which was the subject of Alyssa's latest book, and it would include the revelation that after 25 years, Miles was getting out of prison.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Geeks
Villainess Review: Rachel Knox (Mystery 101)
At times, I find myself wondering which batch of movies has better villainesses: the Lifetime movies or the ones on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries. Both batches have pleased this fan of villainesses with some incredible ones in recent years, and regarding HM&M, they have delivered with some fantastic film series, with one of them being Mystery 101. Another HM&M series with a great pairing; in this case it's Jill Wagner (of Wipeout and Teen Wolf fame) as college professor Amy Winslow, and Kristoffer Polaha (who I loved in Fox's short-lived series, Backstrom) as detective Travis Burke.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Geeks
Villainess Review: Olivia Cranor (Suburban Swingers Club)
Suburban Swingers Club was quite an amazing Lifetime film that I truly enjoyed watching when it aired. The film centered on Lori and Grant Malick, who moved into their dream house, but were just removed from a terrible tragedy: a miscarriage. Both halves of the couple felt a strain in their marriage caused by the sudden loss, but after meeting new neighbors Derek and Rachel, and learning that they were planning to attend a "swingers" party, Grant suggests that he and Lori attend, though Lori vehemently objects. Grant states that it would help their marriage, and that they would be thinking only of each other when they are in the arms of others, but Lori still objects.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Geeks
Villainess Review: Alison (Secrets of an Escort)
Double lives always seem to play a role in these Lifetime films, and this fan wouldn't have it any other way. In the case of the film, Secrets of an Escort (aka The Other Me), it is Connie Anderson, a divorced mother of daughter Christine, who is in this role after moving with Christine to Hawaii. Waitress by day, escort by night--the latter under the name, Veronica, and being done to make ends meet.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Geeks
Reviewing Every Villainess from Season One of "Just Beyond"
R.L. Stine, you've done it again! The family-friendly horror icon who gave us Goosebumps, Fear Street, The Nightmare Room, and The Haunting Hour now gives us Just Beyond, yet another series of books that has been adapted for the small screen! I remember seeing promos for this and as soon as I saw R.L. Stine's name, I said, "Sign me up!"--Stine creates nothing but gold. On October 13, 2021, the entire first season of Just Beyond hit Disney+, and I finally watched the entire eight episode season last weekend. To no surprise, I loved every episode, as well as all of the twists and turns, and have my fingers crossed that we get a second season.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Geeks
Villainess Review: Morgan Smith (For Love or Murder)
I had known about this movie, For Love or Murder, a month or so prior when it was originally titled, Murder & Matrimony, and was featured among Marvista's collection of upcoming Lifetime films. I was elated to finally see this film, which began with a tragedy befalling the film's main protagonist, Angie Porter: the sudden deaths of her parents. It was at the funeral that she reunited with her older brother, Michael Porter, as they had been estranged since Michael's teenage years, as he had a falling out with their parents.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Geeks
Villainess Review: Nadia Sterling (Secret Life of a Student)
I learned about this film from Reel One's site, where it was listed under its original title, A Lethal Lesson, and once I saw it would air as the retitled, Secret Life of a Student, I was counting down the days until airtime. The film centered on high school teacher Lauren Beeches, who was shown tutoring one of her students, Connor Marrin, before engaging in a phone conversation with her best friend, Chloe Sterling. Little did Lauren know that it would be the last time she would ever speak to Chloe, as just moments later, Chloe was suddenly stabbed to death near her car in an underground parking lot.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Geeks
Whiplash - A Movie Review
You’re here for a reason. Whiplash is a 2014 film about a promising young drummer, Andrew Neiman, who joins a cutthroat music conservatory. His demanding and abusive music teacher stops at nothing to make his students realize their potential at a dangerous cost.
By Marielle Sabbagabout a year ago in Geeks
