“Sea of Love” (1989)

“Sea of Love” is about a detective name Frank Keller who investigates a serial killer case. Frank Keller, played by Al Pacino, goes undercover to find the suspect in the crime. The suspect in the crime finds the victims through the “Lonely Hearts” column in the newspaper.

The serial killer, who was confirmed as a woman, seduces, kills her victims and leaves a song playing called “Sea of Love”.

When a third case appears, with the same method of operation, Frank begs the chief to write an ad in the newspaper and put him on the case. His job would consist of investigating every woman that replied to the ad.

Although Frank is taking the job seriously, he goes out with one of the women, Helen Cruger, played by Ellen Barkin–the prime suspect. She felt the same way about Frank, but never had a clue she was under investigation.

Did Frank bring down the serial killer and solve the case, or did he ever live to tell the story?

This movie is very suspenseful, with a breath-taking outcome.

Philadelphia (1993)

“Philadelphia” is about a man named Andrew Beckett who is a lawyer at a highly and respected law firm. Tom Hanks played the character Andrew Beckett- who was gay.

Andrew became infected with AIDS and was wrongly fired from the law firm. The law firm was in fear of contracting this disease, so they tried to come up with an excuse other than the disease to let him go.
Andrew knew that the excuse they used against him was unlawful, so he hired an attorney to take over his case. The lawyer, played by Denzel Washington, knew this case would be a difficult one to fight, but he agreed to go along with the appeal.

During the fight against the firm, Andrew became very sick. Sometimes he could not continue on the court stand due to his illness. Although he was sick, he continued the fight for what was right.

The lawyer was uncomfortable with Andrew due to his disease, but after researching –how someone could get the virus–he gained confidence in Andrew, and the case.

Even though the lawyer gained knowledge of the disease, did he gain the hearts of the jury concerning Andrew’s case?

This movie is inspiring, with a twist of faith and endurance during difficult times.

“The Family that Preys”

“The Family that Preys” is a Tyler Perry production film released in September 2008.

Charlotte Cartwright, played by Kathy Bates was helping host her best friend, Alice Evan’s daughter’s wedding. Alice’s daughter (Andrea) was in the process of finishing college. Her husband was a construction worker.

Charlotte’s son William Cartwright also shared the business with her. William attended Andrea’s wedding and congratulated and offered her a career with the Cartwright family business after she finished school.

Alice had a family business of her own working at a diner with her other daughter, Pam. After Andrea finished college she decided to work for the Cartwright business. Her attitude, after she was making good money, changed toward her family, and she looked at her family as low class.

Pam saw the change in her sister and addressed the issue with her. She did not think that it was right to not give her mother money to help out every now and than.

Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse and secrets unfolded between the two families.

This movie gives a valuable lesson, money isn’t everything, and grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

“8 Seconds”

“8 Seconds” is based on a true story about the life of legendary bull rider Lane Frost, played by Luke Perry.

The story begins focusing on Lane Frost’s childhood–growing up on a farm–working night and day to keep the farm going with his father. Even with Lane doing all this, it was never enough in his father’s eyes.

Lane’s father, Clyde Frost, played by James Rebhorn, was a rodeo star in his early years. This made Lane take a keen interest in becoming a bull rider. He realized that his father knew the ropes and could teach him everything he needed to know about bull riding.

As Lane got in the rodeo scene he met good friends along the way that were chasing the same dream. Tuff Hedeman and Cody Lambert were among the friends that he went to rodeos with. Tuff and Lane always challenged each other to be the best bull rider. Tuff would even intimidate Lane and lead him to think that he needed to quit. They in turn, became some of his best friends besides the fans.

Lane became famous, riding some of the meanest bulls that no cowboys have ever been able to ride for a full 8 seconds.

This movie is a film that would bring tears to your eyes, but a comfort to your hearts. “8 Seconds” has a great soundtrack – with an emotional song “If I Had Only Known” by Reba McEntire.

Madea’s Family Reunion

“Madea’s Family Reunion” is a Tyler Perry Production film released in February 2006.

The movie is about two sister’s (Lisa and Vanessa) played by Lisa Arrindell Anderson and Rochelle Aytes. These sisters’s have a close bond with each other, despite their mother’s hateful tactics and cruel secrets.

Lynn Whitfield starred in the role as the mother, Victoria, who adored the one daughter (Lisa) and considered Vanessa a disgrace to the family. She believed in the finer things in life and did whatever it took to get them.

Vanessa was a hard-working mother for her two kids that were out of wedlock. She lived with her crazy grandmother Madea and Grandpa Joe, both played by Tyler Perry. Vanessa tried so hard to win her mother’s love, despite her feelings of the past–her mother traded Vanessa’s innocence at a young age to keep her husband from leaving the family.

Strangely, a man who drove the transit bus that Vanessa would ride to work took an interest in her. This strange man asked her out on a date, although she was hesitant on going out with him. He was a single father as well, and in time, won her heart.
He taught her how to love again and extend that love to even her mother who had forsaken her.

Lisa lived with her fiancé Carlos, who was a successful banker she met through her mother. Carlos was nice in public to Lisa, but was physically and emotionally abusive to her at home. She stayed quiet about her problems with her fiancée to keep her mother happy. She was supposed to get married to this man, but after numerous beatings, her heart became like stone and could no longer bare to keep this a secret.

This movie is a dynamic film with lessons of love, dignity, and the value of family. I thought Tyler Perry did an outstanding job with all the characters he portrayed in the film.

Leaving Las Vegas

“Leaving Las Vegas” is about a man who relocated to Las Vegas after losing his job due to engaging in alcohol excessively. Ben, played by Nicholas Cage, lost his family, career, and was on the verge of committing suicide with alcohol.

When Ben arrives in Las Vegas he starts going to bars, driving while intoxicated, and picked up prostitutes.

A few days went by and he ran across a woman named Sera, played by Elisabeth Shue, a prostitute. Ben offers Sera $500 to spend an hour with him in his motel room. Sera agrees to the transaction, only to find out he did not want to engage in sex, but wanted a friend.

They start spending more time together and formed a good friendship. He even stayed at her house. They made a pact that he would not look at her like she was a prostitute, if she would not get onto him about drinking.

After watching Ben drink his life away, Sera could no longer deal with his habit. She offered to take him to the doctor to get clean, but he refused.

Ben, out of anger and intoxication, goes out and brings a prostitute to Sera’s house. Sera got the courage to kick Ben out of her house because she could no longer watch him kill himself. She wanted him to seek help with his alcohol problem.

Shortly after the fall out between them she receives a call from Ben on his deathbed.

Did Sera keep to her promise and not counteract what Ben wanted to do in the beginning, or does she stay until he takes his last breath?

Why Did I get Married Too?

The film, “Why did I Get Married Too”, is a Tyler Perry Production that is a sequel to ‘Why Did I Get Married’ that was released in 2007. The four married couples decide to take a trip to reunite in the Bahamas. They want to discuss how married life has been over the past year.

During this reunion, challenges are faced in each one’s life. An ex-husband returns to break up his ex- wife’s marriage and tries to regain her back.

I really enjoy Tyler Perry movies because every film he directed has a meaning to it. All of his movies and plays have a valuable lesson that fans can implement in their everyday lives. Whether you are in a marriage, contemplating marriage, or in a relationship, this film is worth going to see in a theater near you.

The characters in this movie are the same characters in the first movie, “Why Did I Get Married”. Patricia played by, Janet Jackson, offers a powerful and emotionally-charged role. I was deeply inspired by her role alone, but the entire movie and acting was riveting.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon

‘The Twilight Saga: New Moon’ is a sequel to the second chapter of Stephanie Meyer’s series of Twilight. The romance continues with Bella played by, Kristen Stewart and Edward played by, Robert Pattinson.

Bella wants to be a vampire so she can live for eternity with Edward, but he wants her to remain mortal. He thinks she should live her life mortal instead of making a choice to become someone like him.

Edward gives Bella some disturbing news that he and his family must go away to keep her safe. Someone from the past comes back to start trouble, and wants revenge. Bella was hurt that Edward was leaving her. She tested her destiny with reckless tactics to see if Edward would return, but he never did.

Jacob played by, Taylor Lautner, shows a deep concern for Bella. Jacob knows that Edward and the Cullen family left. Although Jacob and the Cullen family have a history of being enemies they have one thing in common, Bella.

Jacob sees that Bella is in danger so he does everything in his power to save her and hopefully, win Bella’s heart.

In the meantime, Edward thinks something has happened to Bella and he could not live with that. Edward’s guilt of leaving Bella makes him do something that is forbidden and could make him lose immortality forever.

As all the secrets unfold, Bella has to make some serious decisions between Edward and Jacob. The question is: Who does she choose?

Where the Heart Is (2000)

“Where the Heart Is” centers around Novalee Nation (Natalie Portman), a young pregnant woman who is leaving her broken-down life behind. She’s leaving with her boyfriend Willie Jack, played by Dylan Bruno and heading to California.

Novalee is sweet and determined to have a better life. Unfortunately, Willie Jack is a total jerk and is often mean to Novalee. On the way to California, he abandons her while she’s in an Oklahoma Walmart.

Novalee had no place to live and no one to turn to. Her only resource for a home was inside Walmart. She roamed around town during the daytime, but slept inside Walmart at night. During a nighttime thunderstorm she goes into labor. A mysterious man broke through glass to get inside Walmart and offer assistance. Novalee and her baby became the storyline for television and newspapers. She had people all over the world sending letters and money, even offering shelter. Her mother, whom she had not seen for some time, even showed up at the hospital. Unfortunately, it wasn’t out of love or caring, but to use Novalee.

Even though she had a tough life, Novalee managed to meet some nice friends. The mystery man who broke through glass to help when she was in labor became a big part of her life. Friends stepped in to give her a home and launch her career. Novalee touched many people’s lives and was remembered in a very touching way. Her life went from rags to riches—riches of the heart more than anything.

“Where the Heart Is” features other great stars including, Stockard Channing, Sally Field, Joan Cusack and Ashley Judd. The movie has a lot of valuable lessons. One of those lessons is when life is unjust, pick up the pieces, and learn from them.

The Notebook (2004)

The Notebook is a movie based on a young man (Noah Calhoun) who falls head over heels in love with Allie Hamilton. Ryan Gosling plays the role of Noah and the beautiful Rachel McAdams, plays the role of Allie.

Noah and Allie come from very different backgrounds. Noah is down to earth and a hard worker. Allie comes from an affluent and wealthy family. Allie’s parents want her to marry someone who is of the same social status. Even though Allie was resistant to Noah in the beginning, her heart could not deny what she felt for him.

Unfortunately, Allie’s parents were determined not to let Noah be part of her life. They wanted her to have a better life, not living from paycheck to paycheck. Noah realized Allie’s parents’ displeasure and didn’t want to cause conflict. He decides to break off ties and let her move away.

Even though Allie left, Noah wanted to keep the lines of communication open. He sent a letter each and every day. Oddly, Allie never received the letters and Noah could only assume that she simply did not love him anymore. It wasn’t until much later that he found out she never received the letters in the first place.

Did Allie go own with her life, or did her heart lead her back to Noah?

This movie is a romantic love story layered with lessons of endurance and patience. In my opinion, this is one of the all-time best love stories - a must-see for anyone who enjoys romantic movies.

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