Change Your Image
tkalstein
Reviews
Christmas Class Reunion (2022)
Plot holes, disjointed and a ridiculous moment
While the main and main supporting cast did a swell job with a script that was definitely not ready for filming and was not terribly uplifting nor interesting. You had a plot point of a FBI investigation into a major high tech firm, but never made it clear why the firm was being investigated. Was it for tax fraud, for SEC violations, for copyright infringements, for racketeering and extortion? Who at the company made decisions and signed off on whatever was being alleged toward the company would be most affected. It was unrealistic how the whole story plays out. While a raid may have occurred to collect documents, they downplayed the fact that anyone in a position that could have been suspect to the crime under investigation would also be considered either a witness or would be a suspect and likely be facing jail terms. Instead they played it that the lead female character lost her job just by seeing an article online. Totally unrealistic, and the company, while maybe facing fines, would not have necessarily been shut down. Ashe also totally ignored her assistant who was reaching out to try and save her job and share what was going down in favor of talking to an old high school crush? Not at all what a woman who hand achieved so much and who had so much at risk would do. The lead female characters story was totally off base and unrealistic.
Next you had the transformed "invisible" girl who now was a gorgeous and successful woman still being "invisible" for the most part. While the only woman who paid her any attention was too self absorbed in her old high school crush (to even pay attention to her firms investigation) to give heed to this beautiful and sweet woman except when convenient, none of the other men or women seemed to give her any notice other than her own stylist. This too seemed highly unlikely.
And then the all time class sweethearts. What was their marital strife about? It as never explained. They worked together seemingly well and were highly successful realtors, and both clearly still loved each other, but we were supposed to understand they were having marital problems yet we never truly saw them nor were they explained, yet miraculously they recovered from them, and a year later are happy and expecting.
The lead male and his daughter were sweet and the only part of the movie that rang true at all.
While I realize Chris McNally has a fan base, his cameo was senseless and he was a rather creepy elf. If it was supposed to be funny, it wasn't. I wouldn't want my kids around a man that acted like that. His role served no purpose and that whole scene should have been cut. The need to speak to the principal could have been covered in another way that would have been quicker and would have allowed more time for some of the above plot holes to have been resolved.
If McNally was wanted for a cameo, give him one more worthy of the time he spent filming.
As I said, the talent wasn't the issue in this film. The main cast did a wonderful job with what they had been given. But the script was weak and possibly the directing and editing are to blame for this poorly done movie as well.
Feeling Butterflies (2022)
All fluttery for 'Feeling Butterflies'
This movie has it all, competition, humor, serious conversations, even a tearful moment. It was shot in a beautiful location and had a unique story surrounding raising and releasing butterflies. While there may have been a few scientific inaccuracies, overall the story more than made up for it. Kevin McGarry and Kayla Wallace had wonderful chemistry. Many fans know how extremely talented McGarry is, so it was great to see Wallace in a lead role and watch her shine. She made us feel emotions, something McGarry has mastered. This movie had some wonderful supporting and side characters says well. I always hope to see more movies with McGarry as the lead male and now want to see more of Wallace as female lead as well. And I would love to see more of them paired together, as well as with other leads. I loved how this was uplifting and heartfelt, something that has been lacking in some of the other Hallmark movies in 2020-2022, other than the Wedding Veil Trilogy which was excellent.
The Wedding Veil (2022)
A beautiful movie!
Kevin McGarry and Lacey Chabert gave us a truly romantic and beautiful movie. Their on screen chemistry was great and they showed us that two people can care for others and their needs more than their own desires. Both were selfless people and cared for the common good. Every moment of this movie was pure enjoyment. Definitely one of Hallmarks all time best movies.
I Can Only Imagine (2018)
Well performed and a beautiful r3demption story
I Can Only Imagine is a well performed film, especially by J Michael Finley and Dennis Quaid. I think it is the very best performance by Quaid ever. Finley has a beautiful voice and did the musical performances justice through the film, but also carried out the dramatic side of his character extremely well. He was witty, charming and yet your heart went out to him as he portrayed Bart's pain.
The redemption story as well played and BART also went through a redemption with Shannon, so it really was about a couple of redemptions.
Trace Atkins was entertaining as Brickell and worth mentioning as well. Overall the characters were well cast and enjoyable.
You will need tissues on hand when viewing the film. My adult son cried like a baby along with me and my husband. It was a powerful film.
The Case for Christ (2017)
A struggling marriage where love conquers all: May contain spoilers
The Case for Christ book is a document that outlines the research and findings of Lee Strobel in his quest to disprove the resurrection of Christ.
The movie, however is a much different focus. While the book lists facts, figures, details from renown sources, the movie focuses on the love story between Strobel and his wife.
Strobel and his were living a happy life starting their young family when a twist of fate one evening brings about a drastic change in their marriage. Because of an incident in a restaurant involving their young daughter, a woman enters into their lives that will forever change things.
Leslie Strobel befriends the woman they met in the restaurant who invites Leslie to her church. Leslie is drawn to the message and the church and attends several times again. She finally tells her husband that she has been attending church and has become a believer in Christ.
Lee, an avid atheist is distaught and decides the only way he can save his marriage is to get the man "Jesus" out of his wife's life who he believes she is having an "affair" with. He sets out to disprove the resurrection and seeks out authorities (some believers, some agnostics, etc.) to learn the truth.
His journey leads him to more and more authorities on the subjects of history, science, medicine, and psychology. But the more he learns the more confused he becomes almost feeling as if he himself is losing his mind.
The more and more Lee sunk into despair, the more and more Leslie prayed and exhibited love. She even said she loved him more because of her faith and she showed it. This only angered Lee all the more in many ways because he was so determined to "unconvert" his wife.
The outcome is probably clear from the title of the film, but I will leave how he draws his conclusions to the viewers and to readers of the titular book.
Overall the film was beautifully made. It approached the subject of Christianity softly, where non-believers could not be offended. It also was realistic about the struggling marriage and how desperate Lee became to save his marriage and family. It did not soft- pedal the angst and despair he felt, nor the impact on the family.
I love how it did not treat non-believers as if they were "evil" or "wrong" but were other people to love.
I believe this film has something for everyone, believers and non-believers alike. It is thought provoking and may help people on a journey to faith wish to explore more, no matter what the outcome. For those not even seeking, it may stir up questions and lead them on a journey, but they will also learn from the movie that no matter if you are an agnostic, atheist or believer in another form of doctrine, all require "faith" of some sort or another.
Kudos to the writing and to the direction of the film. The acting was well performed as well.
When Calls the Heart (2014)
Best Show on TV
When Calls The Heart is the best show on TV right now. It is not only wholesome and family-friendly but with each episode carries a great moral message which is desperately needed in our chaotic world today.
Superbly performed by an excellent cast, the scripts are witty and full of heart and depth. The town is back-dropped in a beautiful setting just outside of Vancouver British Columbia and makes for a great visual experience. This wonderful series is produced by Michael Landon, Jr. (Love Comes Softly, The Shunning, etc.) and Brian Bird (Touched by an Angel, The Shunning, etc.).
I cannot recommend this show enough to audiences. It really is an extremely special show about faith, love, hope and community. It gives anyone that views the show a warm, hopeful feeling and definitely results in transforming the viewer. I find that I have learned to exercise more kindness and be more encouraging and uplifting to those I interact with as a result of watching this show.
A whole community of viewers have come together to create their own virtual community as a result of watching the show. The #Hearties, the community of viewers, are loyal, faithful viewers but also have regular get-togethers where they share friendship, fellowship, prayers and experiences. Annually they get together to unite and meet with cast and crew and get tours on set.
Truly you don't want to miss out on this great show and you too will find yourself wanting to become a #Heartie!
Home (2015)
Aodrable, colorful and well done!
DreamWorks Animations Home shows some in-roads in animation. Through use of some new technology that allows for character close-ups, as well as improved character movements and textures, the story was more powerfully expressed. Emotions were stronger and more pronounced as a result.
Home is a delightful tale and an important tale about how we tend to judge others before getting to know them. However, if we take the time to get to know the person(s) we prejudged, we find that we might have missed out on a great friendship(s).
Home, while a children's tale, is entertaining and enjoyable for adults. Visually it is wonderful and the animation is colorful, cheerful and creative. The character architecture was brilliant and technically superb.
The audio balance was perfection. For once I could hear dialog without the music overpowering and drowning out dialog. Music was appropriate and natural with scenes.
The voice characterizations were well performed. It was easy to become immersed into the fantasy world of Boov aliens trying to take over Earth.
I highly recommend this film for everyone. There is a little something for all ages.