review
Reviews of the top geek movies, tv, and books in the industry.
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. Dawkins2 years 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. Dawkins2 years 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. Dawkins2 years 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. Dawkins2 years 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. Dawkins2 years 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. Dawkins2 years 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 Sabbag2 years ago in Geeks
Villainess Review: Valerie McGlynn (You're Not Safe Here)
There is a huge reason why I was so excited weeks ago when I learned about this movie, originally titled, The Girl in the Window, now known as You're Not Safe Here. The film begins with Ava discovering that she's pregnant with her first child with boyfriend Shane, who is established as being abusive and controlling towards Ava. Ava leaves Shane's clutches with the help of her friend Kyle, but while on the road, she ends up crashing her car. When she wakes up, Ava finds herself in a house occupied by Valerie and William McGlynn, who are both doctors.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Geeks
Reviewing a Pair of Villainesses from "Picture Perfect Lies"
After a very thrilling wave of true crime films, Lifetime returned to the usual thrillers with this film, Picture Perfect Lies, which centered on Rachel Collins, who was celebrating her 16th birthday with her parents, Angela and Spencer Collins. Among the people celebrating along with the family is Rachel's aunt, Jenny Burkett, who is shown displaying a downtrodden demeanor, but sadly, the party ends on a tragic note, as Jenny is found in the pool...deceased.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Geeks
Villainess Review: Cathy and Skylar Driver (Cradle Did Fall)
Lifetime took a break away from the batch of true crime films with this thriller, Cradle Did Fall, centering on Taylor Lewis and her infant daughter, Maya. Taylor later meets Cathy Driver, who introduced herself as a baby photographer, and offers to snap photos of Maya, with Taylor accepting. Cathy displayed a charming demeanor and continued doing so while introducing her daughter, Skylar, who was expecting. Similar to Cathy, Skylar turns on the charm, but as Cathy discusses her plans regarding Maya, we see Skylar head into the bathroom and open the window wide open.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Geeks
Villainess Review: Bethany (Revenge for Daddy)
Revenge for Daddy (also known as Looking for Mr. Wonderful) aired on Lifetime on March 19, 2020, and centered on Lisa Clark, who had recently ended her relationship with police officer Bobby, due to his constant cheating. One of Bobby's flings was with Lisa's co-worker and so-called friend, Bethany, leading to a very chilly reception from not only Lisa, but from her best friend Nina. Lisa was set up with Michael Patterson, and it was later in the film that the group went out at a local bar--a night that ended very tragically for Nina, as she ended up killed.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Geeks
Villainess Review: Kiki Owens (Morning Show Mysteries)
Hallmark Movies and Mysteries continues to amaze and entertain with their various film series, with one of them being Morning Show Mysteries. The film series stars Holly Robinson Peete as Billie Blessings, a chef and host of cooking segments on Wake Up With Us, a popular morning show, though in this first installment, "Mortal Mishaps," Billie finds herself in the center of not one, but two murder investigations, while also facing suspicion for the one committed in this film.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Geeks
