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Fear the Woods (2017)
First impression...
I'll probably revisit this after I've seen more, but this is based on the first episode. I'll premise this by saying Im a fan of reenactment ghost shows so keep that in mind.
It was looking decent and then they showed the "creature."
It looked like a costume from a junior high film project. The "experts" were scarier than it! The story is storytelling, actors, and narration is good, but not enough to save it for me. Might have been better off not showing it at all. The show is divided into more than one story. The second one was much worse in nearly every aspect but the narrator! Im actually writing this while watching it because it didn't hold my attention. I was really looking forward to this one but with this genre it's always a crap shoot. Knowing me, I'll watch every episode that comes, let's hope it improves...
All of My Heart: The Wedding (2018)
Beautiful way to wrap up a Hallmark fan favorite
Nothing like a Lacey Chabert movie to warm your heart. It's so easy to fall in love with the couple, the town, the goats and right down to the squeeky "singing sink." It's not upbeat and cheesy, it's more warm and inviting like a cup of hot herbal tea. Its easy to see why this 3 part story was voted a fan favorite. It was not meant to go beyond the first one but when fans urged them for more they gave them what they wanted. If you're focused on what's realistic or accurate you're probably in the wrong place. Much like a Christmas movie, the focus is on the impossible or improbable, but makes you want to forget that and for an hour or two. If there's a matchmaking Santa, a woman who finds a kid's letter asking for a Mom and becomes that, a magical ornament or snow globe, or an angel who turns out to be in a coma who finds her true love, you might giggle or even joke about it (from another perspective-stalkers, people who break into an amnesiac's condo, or emotional cheaters,etc lol) you just don't over-analyze it you just enjoy it for what it is. Why put a limit on the season for a good, clean, likeable story? It's Hallmark! It's the magical land where everyone is an awesome baker and if you're not you're soon to become one. It's literally sweet! If you're anything like me, you don't turn to Hallmark for realism, you turn to it to escape...escape to the land of Hallmark where every town is friendly, every place is beautiful, families are healed and true love can happen in a weekend!
Watch it or don't watch it. That's up to you, but I think this one is worth it. You may even shed a few unexpected tears.
Insatiable (2018)
Skip the Trailer. Watch the show!
Let's just get it over with and start where things went wrong, because this show surprisingly straightforward show has no problem in doing the same. Let's talk the trailer- No wonder everyone is rioting over this and talking fat shaming! It's a terrible representation of this mini-series as a whole. Let's get one thing straight- Fat shaming is a horrible reality in society and the more we see it in the media in a satirical way the more it is seen as acceptable. I will agree, the fat suit worn by Debby Ryan was unrealistic and over the top. The impression it gives is one that's hard to forgive and that "clickbait" of a trailer could lead to its demise.
That being said, it's a bummer for those who ironically, judged a book by it's poorly thought out cover or first reviews or the over-exaggerated, inconsistent accents ala Hart of Dixie (An admitted favorite of mine).
This dark, emotional dramedy delves into some serious issues of eating disorders, body dysmorphia and host of psychological and emotional issues. It puts emphasis on societal pressures, spirituality, generational parental and pageant pressure, self-expectations, alcohol and drug addiction, molestation, sexuality, and so much more. It's bold and brazen unexpected, and yes, I'll say it-oddly, refreshing.
It definitely walks a thin line of parallels, of serious subject matter and how society handles it- for example, the differences in gender in regards to body image and molestation. Unlike some of the more provocatively innovative shows like 13 Reasons Why, that has only enough humor to give us a breather between the trauma, Insatiable walks the fine line of humor and raw emotional truth. Perhaps it uses humor to spoon feed it to the less jaded audience or maybe because despite the serious content it has a fun, playful, tongue and cheek style humor that I can only compare to the much overlooked (and in my opinion, underrated) Bible Belt parody GSB with a slight undertones of Election, Hart of Dixie and Mean Girls.
Let's end on the reason this show works- The interestingly complex, layered characters and the incredibly talented actors that pull them off without a doubt is the glue holding all these pieces together. Notably, Kimmy Sheilds as Nonny, Patty's best friend finding her way through the balance of a codependent relationship with her best and seemingly narcissistic, psychopathic best friend and coming to terms with her own individual challenges of sexuality, relationship and personal needs. You get to watch her transition from a doting, codependent and stereo-typically comedic, closeted side-kick to a strong, independent young woman who comes to terms with her sexuality, explores a new and healthier relationship, and learns to embrace who she is without her best friend. Her acting is vulnerable and instinctive. There were a lot of hints of her having a great singing voice (which, in reality, Kimmy is a powerhouse), so my only disappointment we will have to wait to see if there's a renewal to possibly hear it on this series. It makes me wonder if it's a matter of cut scenes...
Kimmy isn't the only talent in this cast.
Dallas Roberts plays his role to an indispensable degree. He impressively takes on possibly the most difficult role in the cast as his character's story is in a constant state of change and struggle, yet, as an actor he finds a way to do so with integrity and continuity, without ever breaking character in a role that could have easily been lost in translation.
The surprise for me was Alyssa Milano. I grew up watching Who's The Boss, I found her cute and entertaining though as an adult I felt she went from somewhat likeable in Charmed to slightly annoying in her continued adult roles. I'll just come out and say it- I've never really thought of her as a great actress. However, I can see why she's not just proudly standing by this body of work as a whole, but in her own individual, powerful performance. As for her character, I'll go back to the possible humor inspiration- GCB!!! While it's primarily a comical role, when it comes to the serious and emotional content, she proves to be very impressive. I think this is the role she's been waiting for and just might open up more impressive doors later, though I might be on an overly generous, after-binge high ;)
Some great character acting that's particularly appealing to my 40-something age category is Beverly Di Angelo (best known for her role in National Lampoon's vacation) and Christopher Gorham whom I remember best for his endearing role of Henry from Ugly Betty. I may return to add more about these two but to be honest with you, what set out to be a short and sweet review has turned into a novice reviewer's novella and I don't want to leave out Debby Ryan.
I'm going to be completely honest when I say it's hard to see past her sweet smile as a reminder of her childhood/tween/teen roles. I felt myself conflicted between wondering if it's the character or her acting? Especially in the beginning, but as it progresses and goes deeper into her illness and peels back the layers, I can't deny her talent. I think she's best in her most vulnerable moments which just so happen to come full circle back to the eating and body dysmorphic disorders. As someone who has struggled with multiple eating disorders from body dysmorphic disorder to anorexia, to bulimia and transitioned into compulsive overeating, I can attest to the accuracy and integrity in the portrayal of the diseases. It was lump in the throat painful to watch her go from the character in the ridiculous fat suit to the very human and believably suffering young woman sitting in front of her Birthday sheetcake that doubles as a literal symbol of her abandonment, loss and absolute hunger for comfort. I think one of the best and memorable choices the series made was to use a powerful moment like that to go completely silent as to say, this is serious...this is not a joke.
The series grows increasingly dark with its cliffhanger ending and realization as to Patty's complex and true mental illnesses that take her from being viewed as a victimized troubled teen to a manipulative, psychopathic murderer. This is the real reason why it's just another teen series. It's not just about the "mean girl" vs underdog, teen angst revenge. It sits on the ledge then just when you think there's no way they'd push it, they do. As you can see, I thought this series has a lot of potential for its genre and somewhat unique approach. I think its Achilles heel is the fact it possibly takes on TOO many issues to digest in one sitting.
Past Tense (2006)
Rated on a LMN scale!
I was really surprised by this TV movie. A child has been having nightmares and drawing the same woman since she was 5. She wakes up at the same time every time she has an all too realistic "night terror." As with many cases both in movies and reality her Mom is quick to dismiss her nightmares despite graphic details that are similar to a case she's intimately connected to. We eventually learn the child is a medium who channels a woman who was murdered 10 years prior. She is able to see what the victim sees (through the eyes of the victim). It's presented in a way that once the mystery is solved her gift is "dissolved" like it was a sort of one time deal but in reality, that would not be the case). A perk is they don't just throw it out there as the moment of her death, they actually make her "human" a character we get to know even though we rarely see. It was a nice touch to add to it. Long story short, her visions eventually lead down a very suspenseful path of cover-ups, corruption and murder. It's biggest downfall is the acting. The Mother played by Paula Trickey was a couple steps up from Ronne Blakely (Remember Nancy's mother in A Nightmare on Elm Street? Yep, that's the one!). The supporting actors were also unimpressive.Alexia Fast, however (the little girl) was EXTREMELY impressive! Very believable and not a moment out of character or over-acting. As stated in the headline to this review it's graded on a Lifetime TV movie scale, not a motion picture scale. It was one of the offerings in the Lifetime Movie Club (free trial). I think I enjoyed this more because I didn't go into it with great expectations. Like with any Lifetime movie I expect it to be similar to a dozen others and redundant to the point of humor. Maybe that's what makes these addictive and entertaining. The often poor acting, bad lines (this movie being an exception), and the "Run! Don't chase the man or hide in the closet upstairs" type of moments. The only similar movie I can compare this to was actually another decent one staring Beverley Mitchell. Titled: I Know what I Saw or originally titled Post Mortem. Bottom line, if you have some time to kill and want something with some suspense and a decent story, give it a shot. Don't expect an award winner on a TV unknown cast budget. I might not be selling it well with the don't go into it with big expectations and you're really like it but it's sort of the case. If you're an avid Lifetime channel viewer DEFINITELY give it a watch. You'll be sure to enjoy it ;)
PS Upon some research I found that the talented little girl is actually actress Alexia Fast who has appeared in Jack Reacher, Triple Dog, Midnight Sun, the Secret Circle,Supernatural, Bates Motel,Manhattan, Kaya, and more. I thought she looked familiar, but she was so young. She's now 26 and currently working on new projects!