Almost Strangers (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)I was lucky enough to catch this amazing miniseries when it aired on BBC America some years ago. I would love to see it again, and would gladly purchase it were it available. Every performance in this captivating tale of various branches of a far-flung family, congregating for a once-in-a-lifetime reunion, is a good one, every intertwining story is fascinating in its own right. The ending is breathtaking, for all its apparent simplicity. This is the series that brought Matthew MacFadyen (Spooks, Pride and Prejudice) to my attention. He is fantastic in this series. It should not be missed.

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Behind the Mask (1999) Review

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(More customer reviews)Bring out the tissue box for you will need it in the end. It is a true story about a man [played by Donald Sutherland] who spent his whole life caught up in his work, neglected his relationship with his wife and forgot to be a father to his son. One day he has a rude awakening and the journey begins as he tries to regain what he lost by helping a mentally challeged Christian man in his employ find his lost father. Good movie on how God works behind the scenes in our lives without even knowing it. It keeps you wondering how it will turn out in the end.

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Expecting a Miracle (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is another good movie about love & marriage and in today's world. This movie makes a strong suggestion about "hanging in there" in a "complicated" marriage. (What loving marriages worth keeping is not somewhat complicated)?
The story brings up suggestions why a couple should remain married and not the quick and easy out because things don't go "quite right".
Again it is touched by Christian/Spirituality and interjecting a connection that belongs in a marriage rather than--"we can always get a divorce"....
Regarding the see through night gown---I played this movie in slow motion more than once and never saw the 'see through' part. I did see a woman's slip or other type of of cover up under the blue night gown. Never was there any offense to what she was wearing, nor did I see anything that a child or an adult watching this movie.

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Soldier Love Story (2010) Review

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(More customer reviews)Loughlin (Dana) plays a young professional and single parent who went through a divorce and has custody of a 10 yr old son (Jared). Starting their new life they move 1600 miles from the only home Jared has ever known.
Dana and Jared move in with Dana's mother played by Stephanie Powers. It was great seeing Stephanie Powers acting and offering light but powerful spiritual suggestions and at times great motherly and grandmotherly advice.
Dana is teaching her 10 yr old son some important life lessons that on occasion are spiritual. I love the way she teaches him to look for and be thankful for things they have. Spirituality is not over-done but instead very beautifully planted!
Dana starts a new job, Jared starts a new school and together they start a new life. Jared's biological father moves far a way and makes empty promises to spend time with him.
Randomly chosen Jared's teacher assigns the students to write a letter to soldiers. Jared writes to Sergeant Vince Carerra (played by Johnny Messner). Vince a likeable but lonely soldier soon reaches out to 10 yr old Jared first through writing and then in person to offer some suggestions about playing baseball. Vince soon becomes a positive male role model for Jared. Jared begins to like baseball with the help of coaching from Vince. It helps Jared develop friends.
It doesn't take Jared long to "fakes an illness" to set up time for his mother Dana and mentor Vince to spend time alone.
Sergeant Carerra is relationship shy --as is Dana. Vince, Dana and Jared spend time together and begin a unique bond. For Dana and Vince loving one another becomes natural.
The real test comes when Sergeant Carerra is to be deployed unexpectedly and everything comes to a halt within 10 days.
Will Dana let go of the relationship that occurred so soon after her divorce? Will Vince let Dana go rather than dealing with the pain created by an ex wife?
Jared has been told the union "ran out of time".
Will Jared accept the sadness his mother's heart?
Lori Loughlin does a fantastic job acting as Jared's mother. Each time she is in a movie she just gets better and better. That was the first time I have seen Johnny Messner in movie. I enjoyed his southern accent not to mention how relaxed he appears through out the movie.
This movie was excellent and I would love to see a sequel to this movie. If you enjoy romance, family, and respect for our soldiers and not to mention a little religion/spirituality being a part of a real movie----this is a good one to get!

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Doing Time on Maple Drive (1992) Review

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(More customer reviews)Fox DVD will undoubtedly showcase Jim Carrey for his supporting performance in "Doing Time on Maple Drive," a stellar cable TV movie from 1992, but buyer beware: his is a straight, supporting dramatic performance. He is very good, but the real shining star of this small Ken Olin-directed gem is the talented William McNamara, who is unforgettable as the "good" son in a seemingly perfect, but actually dysfunctional, family led by James B. Sikking and Bebe Besch. "Chicago Hope"'s Jayne Brook rounds out the cast as a daughter who evidently married beneath her status and joins alcoholic older brother Carrey as the profound disappointments in a family who has laid all its future hopes and dreams on its children. Apparently, it's up to youngest son McNamara to rise above the rubble his siblings have made of their lives and carry on the family's grand promise. Unfortunately, he has a secret that will come crashing down on everyone involved.
When the story opens, McNamara is bringing fiance Lori Loughlin home to meet the family. And it's a joyous homecoming, but it's clear something is wrong with the relationship. Then the unthinkable happens and Loughlin discovers McNamara's secret: he is gay and has left a long-term boyfriend to marry her simply to please his parents, who supposedly don't know the truth. Then she leaves and he is left to explain to his family why his bride has abandoned him and why he may very well be their biggest disappointment of all.
The great thing about "Doing Time on Maple Drive" is how honest it is, and how refreshingly free of melodrama the writers and director Olin have made it. McNamara's secret is revealed slowly, and when the family finally finds out about it, their reactions are honest and true. That the mother takes it hardest of all is a refreshing twist, and Sikking's father has a final heart-to-heart with his son which is beautiful, yet heartbreaking, to behold. What is refreshing is that the film isn't about homosexuality as much as it is about family dynamics and how important it is for parents not to base too much of their hopes and dreams on their children. The ironic thing is that McNamara will undoubtedly be a success in life, and should be a source of undying pride for his parents, but because of his sexuality he will always be the family's embarassing secret.
The performances in "Doing Time on Maple Drive" are universally excellent, with McNamara and Sikking the standouts. Besch is also pitch-perfect as a mother who is loving on the outside, but as cold-hearted and unforgiving on the inside as was Mary Tyler Moore in "Ordinary People." Brook and Loughlin offer solid support, but Carrey is a revelation, especially those who missed his stellar dramatic work in "Man on the Moon" and "Eternal Sunshine." Made just before "Ace Ventura" made him a comedic superstar, his alcoholic son is tender and achingly true. And director Ken Olin handles everything with appropriate restraint and a total lack of exploitation.
"Doing Time on Maple Drive" is a terrific TV movie and a welcome edition to DVD. Don't let the subject matter scare you off. It is respectfully and tastefully handled, and for once serves a more universal truth than simply preaching to the choir about homosexual rights. After one viewing, you may ask yourself the same question I have for years: Why is William McNamara not a major star? You may be as baffled as me. *****
(out of *****)

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