marian-g Reviews

The Podcast Murders (2022)

Hard figuring out the killer in this intelligent thriller

[9/10 · 26 October 2022]

Very clever, intelligent detective story for TV audience.

Podcast hostess' role and the plot overall keep audience captivated - all done well. Shocker towards the end. I suggest to really keep a good listen what's said in the podcasts and filter out opinions from the facts in order to figure out killer.

There's intellectual debate within movie about job roles when it comes to true crime / serial killers - offering unique perspectives on how to approach the crime from different parties involved such as a police officer, journalist, victims, families or folks who would not hesitate to capitalize on anything.

A Mrs. Miracle Christmas (2021 TV Movie)

Caroline Rhea is ELECTRIFYING!

[10/10 · 14 November 2021]

Angels' intervention we all desperately need!

Angels in this movie such as Ms Mircle, mercy or Gabe did a good job but I do plea with the real ones to help out in the real world too.

Somehow the angels intervening theme in otherwise maybe contrived Hallmark movies is guaranteed recipe for success no matter what.

I cannot have enough of this kind of movies.

Psycho Yoga Instructor (2020 TV Movie)

Surreal switch from a trusted yoga sensei to a scorned lover psycho

[8/10 · 22 March 2021]

I always look at bad reviews if a movie has some but simple "bad" or "boring" here just is simply not appropriate. This is a Lifetime Network TV movie intended for certain female audience and even though the first half of the movie is mostly a mix of drama of marriage crisis and yoga class, it is still interesting to watch how things can turn bizarre even in an yoga class. Well there's lesson to be learned that one should make extra effort to be cautious in vulnerable or trying life situations - easier said than done!

An Organized Killer (2021 TV Movie)

Decent take on numerous disastrous "roommate" tales

[8/10 · 14 March 2021]

Another quality movie released under Marvista Entertainment for Lifetime Movie Network. Another cautionary story about entrusting life to a complete stranger. Often you need to trust strangers but setting boundaries is a must in certain situation and that's where life-threatening error happened in this real-life-like well-paced TV thriller. In this movie the divorced woman as described in the plot summary entrusted life and business management naively to good-looking people and in my opinion recklessly too since her responsibilities towards her family without any proper background checks. I would go even further and called being naïve or reckless a criminal negligence because of what it caused. Movie is relatively enjoyable but expect lots of other reviewers considering it another spin (if not a cliché) on many disastrous roommate tales.

Dangerous Medicine (2021 TV Movie)

Sexy care-giver who gives sex therapy is a delusional thought!

[6/10 · 7 March 2021]

After many similar Lifetime movies about doctors or nurses going rogue, I decided to give this movie a try. Before viewing I did notice already 2 scorching poor reviews about "worst acting" and a cliché plot. Also Lifetime Network adds the movie to its "Wicked Revenge" series... so is the movie shocking a bit like they say? Well the movie falls exactly cliche category where nurses / doctors go delusional and nuts. I do appreciate sexy frill bits scenes in the movie but the revenge part isnot there where you may expect it and the end is a bit contrived but overally the movie is not worse off than "Stalked by my Doctor" films with Eric Roberts. As far as shocking bit, you'll definitely come across a shock so typical for gruesome horror flicks but overal impression i got is a sexy acresss that I would not mind giving care to me. The movie gives messy feel to some of the scenes which may look like bad acting - but I think it's more about choreography and camera work rather than the actors

The Wrong Bed: Naked Pursuit (2017 TV Movie)

Romantic thriller fits well into hyped-up COVID Vaxx era.

[9/10 · 18 February 2021]

I do tend to watch just thrillers/suspense movies when it comes to Lifetime screened production so I was a bit hesitant to watch this especially when read that it was based on Harlequin's novel and I dreaded of a way too cheese plot of two lovers tossing cheap kisses throughout. There are some movies out there that start like this one when somebody wakes up in bed trying to figure out what happened... so I was not sure what to expect. And since nowadays (2020) we have this over-rated & hyped-up covid-disease scare, I immediately felt medical connection that main characters went through from the thriller outset. Fortunately, the romantic side of the thrillers sits well with the movie and just the right actors were picked for the roles to spice it up romantically well yet still keeping you guessing who's the villain and how the plot culminate towards the finish.

The Wrong Valentine (2021 TV Movie)

I'm just a teenage psycho-bag, baby!

[9/10 · 14 February 2021]

You get to know all sorts of psychos when following Lifetime thriller movies and yes, as one reviewer said, many stories are recycled and you never cease to be amazed by level of madness and depravity when dead bodies start to pile up - idea for this movie would probably not be original one - it happened and it keeps happening all the time that somebody gets so screwed up in their head and jilted enough for normal person watching this to make you sick of stomach i- for me just a new rock bottom of psycho terror. Movie starts with the valentime's plot of blushing teenagers at school but shockingly things deteriorate badly soon enough to make you sick in stomach when psycho character begins their moves on - question with these movie plots always pops up: could this happen in real life? how easy and affordable is it for somebody track you down from your past life in order to exert some sort of punishment on you.

Obsessed with the Babysitter (2021 TV Movie)

Dance to Noir

[9/10 · 11 February 2021]

Some of the psychiatrical mumbo-jumbo in the movie hurled around by the villain may confuse the freak out of the simple people LOL but the new line of descent into madness & almost a big pile of dead bodies we love so much in Lifetime TV movies is definitely there keeping you entertained spiced up with sexy teenage dance moves - the watching is a pleasant cocktail of mixing hot and cold showers.

Call Me Mrs. Miracle (2010 TV Movie)

Magical

[10/10 · 1 February 2021]

If you are "old-school" romantic soul, you're gonna love this Christmas movie. It's a TV movie OK - but I do give it 10/10 because how it made me feel - uplifted, made to believe in miraculous coincidences again.

Close Calls (2017)

Boobs & Ass Showcase for horny 13 year old boys

[3/10 · 24 January 2021]

Lasted about half an hour to watch this. I hardly ever give poor rating to even bad horror movies nut had decided not to waste any more time Pity the movie was not around when I was 14 - i would have had surely watched it till the end focusing more on girl's curves than cheeze plot (figuratively & literally). Good effort in 2017 to make this movie look like it was made in 80's but this one still can hardly compete with even clap-trap stories of the 80's. You'd better of watching Michael Jackson's Thriller a few times to sober up from this "Close Calls" of 2017.

Dead in the Water (2021)

Electrifying

[8/10 · 17 January 2021]

Well I have to be a bit biased with the review since I used to be an aspiring photographer myself. Another guaranteed TV movie ride by Lifetime Movies in the suspense/thriller section. In this movie in the exact order first the suspense and then thrilling end which could have happened in real life (that's why I get the bad review of previous reviewer about unbelievability) but still in far-fetched novel more likely. I do not agree with the commenting that the movie is "very boring" or "predictable". Ok, it's not the edge of your seat movie but the storyline and the interaction of main characters within the substantial part of movie is electrifying and gradually building up towards the dramatic end. My 8/10 rating is also due to beautiful camera work, environment near the lake and classy feel and the choice of the very main talented/ convincing character.

The Invisible Man (I) (2020)

Abused & redeemed invisibility in gripping & atmospheric thriller.

[10/10 · 2 January 2021]

We've seen movies about the invisible men before and we sympathized with them and their plight. Well, this one is different. It made me keep the fingers crossed for the real victim & victims here and realized how new technologies can be abused. Yeah, shocking twist at the end, the whole story gripping - I give it 10 which is unusual for me to give it to "sci-fi" but the thriller part sealed the deal! And the way the invisible technology was used to serve justice is just pure brilliance! The main character role was very real!

Driven to the Edge (2020 TV Movie)

Psycho self-pep talking into descent of murders.

[7/10 · 2 January 2021]

Also Known as "Deadly Rideshare". Another decent female thriller of Lifetime Movies / Marvista Entertainment provenience. I view this movie differently than those who condemned it as 'terrible' or 'zero star' and I managed to finish watching it till very end. I did mentioned it's a female thriller with respect to the moments when the female psycho character pep-talks herself in the mirror and the fashion clothing that runs wild. As the second title 'Deadly Rideshare' tells, the thriller draws from latest trends of Uber car-share worldwide, uber smartphones' apps yet the storyline and the plot is pretty digestible for average person. Yeah, the pattern of the psychopath's behavioural descent into violence and more marasmus is so typical old tune with Lifetime movies but the fans of Lifetime Movies revel in just that - always recycled takes on psychos causing misery and mayhem.

Next (2007)

I want to be like Nicholas Cage's character...

[8/10 · 6 May 2007]

Just watched the movie in the local cinema and must say that quite enjoyed it. The viewers' reviews vary; I'll respond to some issues:

1.Yes, Nicholas Cage is one of my favourite actor - he is an inspiration: an adventurous hero with charisma, easy to sympathise with, he's always resourceful, coping with precarious situations in kind of gentle & soulful manner. I think it was "City of Angels" that triggered my admiration initially which has been carried on so far.

2. Lots of negative comments are directed towards plot & the ending. Well, it didn't bother me at all and another possible good-ending is left for a viewer's imagination. Although this movie has been promoted as action thriller, it bears strong "love-story" undertone which quite logically translates into the way the movie ends and it left me personally thinking about repercussions of acting or inaction in the name of destiny.

3. Of course, the movie is a fast-paced (intelligent) fantasy and all sorts of stuff would not happen like this in normal life. But I was coming to cinema accepting that Nicholas Cage can see the future as advertised in the trailer, so it would be absolutely pointless to ponder about not quite "tight plot line" and circumstances about who and how and why...

Otherwise, quite an enjoyable ride!

Hard Candy (2005)

Do Not Fracture Your Teeth On Hard Candy

[7/10 · 10 December 2006]

A friend of mine alerted me on this psychological thriller. Reading previous reviews didn't exactly give me an idea of what I can expect.

Firstly, the story develops around interaction of two actors at most time mainly in one interior. Perception of how well was executed this part determines the success with a viewer. I find acting of the actors both credible and real-like rending thus discussion of who was in control obsolete.

Having said that I reckon the camera work could have been different meaning more creative. Except for the brief "fast-forwarded", dynamic scene in which the girl goes through the photographer's drawers in search of an incriminating stuff, one gets impression of a low budget TV documentary. But perhaps this, too, contributes to the grittiness of this urban study of guilt, innocence and mind-games thereon. The story is surely designed to provoke thoughts on maturity of adolescents and setting up the boundaries.

Living in the West, my opinion would be (and it is also a good advice for all the potential paedophiles) that one must respect cultural stereotype which is righteously here to protect vulnerable. If you'd like to photograph summery dressed teenager, ask parents for permission first. It is OK to exchange thoughts via email but why would an adult have needed more intimate involvement? Therefore the man and his behaviour in the movie reek of sickness in one way or another.

You see, anytime you play with a devil expecting a fair play from it, sooner or later you are bound to fracture your teeth on Hard Candy.

Hostel (2005)

Q Tarantino's Sleaze And Gore Romp Masterpiece a la Central Europe

[6/10 · 31 March 2006]

It must have been a curiosity – related to my Slovakian motherland which prompted me to screen "Hostel" in cinema after Slovakia – the country in the heart of Europe popped up in previews and reviews.

The horror seemed to be executed quite well when considering "a fragmented structure and explicit violence" (Courtesy of MS Encarta ®) are the hallmarks of the master director: Quentin Tarantino.

I don't think the movie's can be branded an A movie or place itself among Top 10 though. Although the storyline is that of credible real life situation with exception of upbeat action-hero-up-for-justice style ending, it is the amount of violence and gore which all of a sudden bursts out in 2nd half of the movie; the very shocking & sickly images that drove away a few fellow cinema-goers.

While "Hostel" is not for the faint-hearted, people who liked "Wrong Turn", "Saw" or "Creep" and similarly creepy, flicks packed with human butchery will surely find it quite enjoyable. Paradox as it is, consider yourself lucky to find this sort of savagery confined only to silver-screen aimed to amuse in a weird way unlike real life victims e.g. somewhere in bagdad where psychopaths roam freele without inhibitions.

And perhaps this might be a reminder for young travellers: if something looks too good to be true, it most probably is. Feel safe to visit Slovakia or Czech republic – I insist on these places to be as safe and civilised nowadays as Spain, Britain or US. Few distortions in the local character can be found. Featured pop music originates in before year of 1990 and based on this fact you would be hard pressed to find such relic 50's style TV sets even in early 80's Czechoslovakia. Uniforms with the Slovak signs which the police force flashed several times appeared for the 1st time aftermath 1993, but that would mean not such communist models of cars only like those depicted in the movie. My judgement clearly says that the location for the train scenes and storyline in Slovakia movie itself was solely shot in Czech Republic even though the countries shared common past and places may look alike.

Well, this movie might be a refreshing addition to your horror collection once you've waited long (or rather short) enough to buy it cheaply in sales.