MOTHER'S DAY: MOVIE REVIEW

MOTHER’S DAY: Movie Review

Mother’s day is a time to honor that special person who we pay tribute to as "mother." It doesn’t necessarily have to be a birth mother. But the distinctive women in our lives who we want to honor on that one special day or perhaps in memory only for those who’ve passed on.

In the movie Mother’s Day, several stories are outlined. Two sisters are estranged from their mother due to their differences, one racial and the other a same-sex union.  A widower has to deal with the loss of his wife while raising two daughters. Another woman struggles with allowing her children to spend more time with their younger, attractive stepmother. Then there is the story of a conflicted woman, who was adopted, seeking resolution about her existence even while her birth mother is seeking her own. The blending storylines flow between the various characters with a few funny moments, a few profound and yet others a bit stale. The good outweighs the bad.

 The cast is a lively crew. Julie Roberts scarcely looks like anyone’s grandmother and Jennifer Aniston hardly needs to compete with anyone in looks. I would say the bloopers exposed at the end of the movie evoked the most laughter from the audience.

Overall not a bad way to spend a couple of hours.

Movie reviewed: Author Tamera Lawrence 

Books:  The Pond

               Ghosts of Mayflower

               Pennhurst Ghosts of Mayflower II 

               Wrecker 

               The Serpent's Mark 

TAMMY TATTLES: REVIEWS : Miracles From Heaven: Movie Review

TAMMY TATTLES: REVIEWS : Miracles From Heaven: Movie Review: MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN: Movie Review From the birds, trees, flowers and yes even the bugs we see a rejuvenation of life each spring....

Miracles From Heaven: Movie Review

MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN: Movie Review

From the birds, trees, flowers and yes even the bugs we see a rejuvenation of life each spring. The days begin to warm. The grass grows. Summer vacations, picnics and swimming may stir our thoughts. In many ways we ourselves wake from our winter stupor. But for many believers in faith spring is also a sign of life returning to the earth - in many ways resembling the resurrection of Christ. Some might even say spring is a miracle in its own right. But do miracles exist? Would we even know one if we saw it?

For the Beam family, they were in desperate need of a miracle. Their daughter Annabel, has a stomach disorder, which prevents her from digesting her food. At first their pleas for help in the medical community are swept away. But further testing proves that indeed Annabel is suffering from an intestinal disorder that can take her life at any time. The outlook is grim. Thus begins a regime of medicine and tubal feedings. The family finds renewed hope in an out-of-state doctor that specializes in Annabel’s condition, but managing to see this doctor is a costly feat in itself. In the end this wonderful specialist only offers pain management for Annabel, to help give her a semblance of a normal existence.

Annabel’s sisters try to cheer up their depressed sister. Soccer and climbing trees is a sisterly favorite. But when Annabel falls into a hollowed out tree, this terrible accident leads to an incredible miracle.

Need your faith revived? Miracles from Heaven, though a tear jerker, can aim you in the right direction. If you liked faith based movies, than you will not be disappointed. I enjoyed this movie more than some of the more recent faith based features. Perhaps many of us will never encounter such a spectacular miracle such as the Beam family, but maybe we can discover those smaller miracles that only we can embrace and claim for our very own.

Review by Author Tamera Lawrence 

Author of

 THE POND

GHOSTS OF MAYFLOWER

PENNHURST GHOSTS OF MAYFLOWER II

WRECKER

THE SERPENT'S MARK 

(amazon.com) 

TAMMY TATTLES: REVIEWS : 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE: Movie Review

TAMMY TATTLES: REVIEWS : 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE: Movie Review: 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE   I magine waking up after a terrible accident only to find yourself lying on a mattress, attached to a wall i...

10 CLOVERFIELD LANE: Movie Review

10 CLOVERFIELD LANE

 Imagine waking up after a terrible accident only to find yourself lying on a mattress, attached to a wall in what appears to be a basement. Wondering where you are and how you got there, confusion would be your initial reaction. Then terror would strike when you meet the man who is either your savior or would be killer with an incredible story. But is it true?

Welcome to 10 Cloverfield Lane. This address holds a hidden bunker ready to handle your life support over an extended period of time. But is it all that it seems or is there something more sinister going on?

Three players. One goal. To survive.

 10 Cloverfield Lane is a suspense thriller designed to stimulate a viewer’s anxiety and does so effectively.  I especially liked the statement that you don’t wait until after the flood to build an ark. Makes sense, don’t you think.

Strange but good, this movie is worth your time, though you can add your own conclusion about the key players and what makes them tick.

Reviewed by: Author Tamera Lawrence

Books: (Amazon,com)

GHOSTS OF MAYFLOWER

PENNHURST GHOST OF MAYFLOWER II 

THE POND

THE SERPENT'S MARK

THE WRECKER  

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Movie Review

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES: MOVIE REVIEW

            English tea and zombies. What do the two have in common? Nothing at all. And yet in the movie Pride and Prejudice and Zombies it’s practically related. Refined English women and men, dressed impeccably, are forced to deal with the threat of zombies lurking about, searching for brains to eat. And yet life goes on with balls, weddings and of course, tea time.

            Set in the backdrop of Jane Austen’s 1813 prized book Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet is the second of five daughters. But rather learning the graces of cooking and elegance, these sisters are cunning and skilled in the art of zombie slaying. And yet the girl’s parents are still seeking to find that prized mate for each of their brood, eyeing up the prominent Mr. Bingley for their eldest daughter, Jane. Elizabeth finds herself the confrontational object of Mr. Darcy, who is a notable zombie slayer. He has a distain for English affairs and is suspicious of Elizabeth’s sister’s true intentions regarding his friend. And yet despite their resolve to avoid one another, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are drawn together in more ways than one. As a sinister plan unleashes in a zombie apocalypse, the couple will join in a battle to end the zombie scourge once and for all. 

            Pride and Prejudice and Zombies might seem like a silly premise but the movie is rather entertaining. The normality of English life with zombies-a-foot is strangely addicting with comical interludes, though a bit gory at times.

This movie will appeal to fans of the Walking Dead series.

Reviewed by: Author Tamera Lawrence

Books:

THE POND

GHOSTS OF MAYFLOWER: A PENNHURST HAUNTING

PENNHURST GHOSTS OF MAYFLOWER II

THE WRECKER

THE SERPENT’S MARK 

THE FINEST HOURS: MOVIE REVIEW

THE FINEST HOURS: MOVIE REVIEW

Coastal storms. They wreak havoc on shorelines, structures and lives. History reveals the devastation and loss during these storms. But out of destruction, tales emerge of courage and bravery. Thankfully the magic of movies makes it possible for us to take a glimpse into the past.

Based on a true event, the movie The Finest Hours gives a glimpse into the courageous human heart. One could hope that if faced with a perilous situation, men like these heroes would emerge to save each and every one of us from peril.

            The year is 1952. Bernie Webber is awkward and shy, especially around the ladies. He has the reputation of being “a good man.” Loyal to his duties with the coastguard, Bernie finds himself engaged to a gutsy, young woman. 

            On February 18, 1952, just off the coast of Cape Cod, the SS Pendleton has broken in half during a terrible winter storm. Rescuing the crew from the oil tanker, however, has its own sets of problems. Manpower is lacking since the coastguard is already helping another distressed tanker, ironically also split in two.  

The decision is made for Bernie Webber and three other men to take a lifeboat to rescue the men aboard the Pendleton. Two story lines emerge - one of the men fighting for their lives on what’s left of the Pendleton tanker and the other - the overwhelming task facing Bernie and his crew as they face an ominous ocean bent on destruction.

            Dread. Constant and true. That’s the feeling THE FINEST HOURS evokes while watching this film. Although the film starts out a little slow, when it takes you in, it takes all of you. Be prepared to roll emotionally along with the towering waves.

Loved this movie. Highly recommended.

Author Tamera Lawrence 

THE BOY Movie Review

 THE BOY: Movie Review

Finding a live-in nanny can be a tedious task, especially when the job location is secluded and isolated. Even if a prospective nanny could overcome the isolation issue, she must be able to connect with the child or children in her care and be able to handle the task at hand.

This is a perfect hideaway for someone looking to be lost.

Greta is happy to find employment.  The old English mansion is impressive, nostalgic and a perfect place to hole up for a few months.  She is eager to meet her new charge, an eight-year old boy, named Brahms. But to her disbelief, Brahms is a life-size porcelain doll, whose parents dote on his every whim. Imagined or not, Greta is given a set of daily rules to keep Brahms happy. If she fails to follow the schedule, she is warned Brahms might get upset. But after Brahms parents leave for a holiday, Greta is only too happy to dismiss the ridiculous rules and treat Brahms like the doll he is.  Only, Brahms isn’t too happy with his new treatment, In fact, he plays a few nasty tricks on Greta to assure her he’s real. The question then becomes, “Will Greta follow the rules or pay the price?”

Mixing a blend of mystery and suspense, THE BOY has a few perks for thrill seekers. But with any good horror story, there has to be a few twists. The Boy delivers on a few, though some of them feel rather familiar.

 Not a bad way to spend a couple of hours.

Author Tamera Lawrence 

13 HOURS: THE SECRET SOLDIERS OF BENGHAZI: MOVIE REVIEW

13 HOURS: THE SECRET SOLDIERS OF BENGHAZI: MOVIE REVIEW

By Tamera Lawrence

Diplomatic relations between countries is a balancing, sometimes, dangerous line of work for the American men and women who physically live and breathe foreign air. Challenges and opposition can come from hostile communities, especially when the anniversary of 911 arrives.

In the movie 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya is under attack by Islamic militants. Ambassador Chris Stevens and other American employees are in terrifying danger. But when the cry for help is sent out, no one is heeding the call. After being told to stand down, Six Annex security forces ignore the orders and step up to the plate, putting their lives on the line to fend off the militants. Outnumbered and unsure of who to trust, these true American patriots charge ahead and face down the radicals bent on destroying American lives at all cost.  

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi is a stimulating look at just how dangerous it can be to be an American citizen in a foreign land when you face hostile forces, who want to kill Americans.  Although there is controversy over who is to blame for the Benghazi loss of lives, the movie doesn’t point a finger or name names. Instead this true life incident speaks for itself and the step by step play of events.

This should story stands on its own. You be the judge. 

 In an event, American movie goers will feel a sense of pride over the patriotic stance taken in the movie and the sacrifice made by the men who took charge.  

I’d recommend this movie for its action and forthrightness.  

Reviewed by Author Tamera Lawrence 

WHEN THE DEVIL CLIMBS: BOOK REVIEW

Holiday ham evokes memories of home and family. Sizzling bacon entices the senses. Lunch meat is common place for most luncheons. Most of us enjoy the salty flavor of pork. But how often do we think about the animal we eat? A pig is often thought of as a penned animal, docile for the most part, lazy and fat. They are often dirty, enjoying slop and rolling around in the mud. A few lucky pigs have even become treasured pets.  

But what happens when a pig goes feral. Or a group of them? Crazed eyes, grotesque snot and a shrilly whine might become your worst nightmare as they arrive to chew on your hide.

When The Devil Climbs by Drake Vaughn gives us a glimpse into Russ Grote’s world. A convicted felon, Drake works along others like himself, hanging bill board signs. The work is tedious and often dangerous. Electrocution and taking a nasty fall are particularly worrisome to the men. Working with harden criminals brings about its own set of problems. Tempers mount along with grudges. And it doesn’t help if the boss is abusive and treats you like crap. But this hardened group of men are up against a new challenge – pigs.  But not just any pigs, no these pigs have a taste for blood and will do anything to get it.

When The Devil Climbs will leave you thinking about that other white meat. Perhaps you won’t want to eat that bacon after all. Vividly descriptive, The Devil Climbs is a well written belly churner filled with glorious detail.

A must read for die hard horror fans. 

Author Tamera Lawrence

Books:

GHOSTS OF MAYFLOWER: A PENNHURST HAUNTING

PENNURST GHOSTS OF MAYFLOWER II

THE POND

WRECKER

THE SERPENT’S MARK

(Available at Amazon.com)