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.

Boomerang

“Boomerang” is a comedy/ romance film starring Eddie Murphy. Eddie Murphy plays the role of Marcus, a successful advertising executive.

Although Marcus has a great life and career, he is never content with one woman. He has high standards for the women he meets, preferably women with nice feet.

When the company takes on a big merger, Jacqueline, played by Robin Givens, is the new boss in town. Marcus is a little intimidated by her bossy ways, given that he has been at the job longer than her. Above all that, Marcus thinks she is an attractive woman that will not get involved with him.

Despite all of Marcus’s wrongful schemes when getting what he wants from women, he portrayed himself to Jacqueline as a perfect gentleman. Marcus did succeed in getting Jacqueline to sleep with him, but what he failed to realize is that she wanted to be intimate without strings attached. Marcus began feeling used, hurt that she did not want to have a monogamous relationship with him.

Jacqueline hired a new assistant named Angela, played by Halle Berry. Angela worked with Marcus and Jacqueline and realized something is going on between the two of them. She knew Marcus really liked Jacqueline and Angela felt bad that his heart was broken by Jacqueline’s heartless actions.

Marcus wanted to hook Angela up with one of his best friends, Gerard, played by David Allen Grier, but Angela just liked him as a friend.

Then the drama begins when Marcus invited Angela, Gerard and his family over for dinner. After dinner Marcus asked Angela if she would stay to help clean up from dinner. Angela agreed, but emotions raised and Marcus and Angela became intimate and started seeing each other.

Did Marcus finally realize what love was with Angela, or did he sabotage the relationship he had with her for Jacqueline?

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?

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.

Fright Night (1985)

“Fright Night” is about a teenager named Charlie Brewster, played by William Ragsdale. Charlie decided to watch a vampire television show hosted by his favorite actor, Peter Vincent, played by Roddy McDowall. Peter Vincent specialized in killing vampires.

Charles Brewster lived with his mother in a quiet town and very few neighbors. One day that changed. Two guys, played by Chris Sarandon and Jonathon Stark, moved next door in an old house that no one lived in for a long time. Charlie kept an eye on them because, since the two guys moved into the neighborhood, strange things started happening. He suspects that the two guys are vampires.

Strangely, only attractive women were coming up missing on the news. Charlie witnessed some of the women making an appearance over the two men’s house before their names were announced on the news. He even got the law enforcement and Peter Vincent involved in the missing persons.

The two guys know that Charlie is aware of what was going on and they began to make trouble for him by making people believe he was going crazy. Did Charlie just deal with it, or does he prove to everyone what he has witnessed and brings down the bad guys? To get the finale of the movie you will have to just see it.

Kid Valentine Movies to Enjoy

Be My Valentine Charlie Brown

Who can resist the charm of Charlie Brown? Charlie Brown is always a classic to enjoy and watch. Be My Valentine Charlie Brown is a 1975 movie on DVD with the Peanuts gang. This is a good light-hearted Valentine movie for the entire family to enjoy.

Bug’s Bunny Cupid Capers

Another great Valentine movie for the entire family and kids to enjoy is Bug’s Bunny Cupid Capers. Classic Elmer Fudd tries his hand at playing a match maker. This is a great new version of Bug’s Bunny and the gang to enjoy with your kids for some wholesome humor on Valentine’s Day.

Care Bear Helping Hearts

The Care Bear gang is so enjoyable. With the Care Bear Helping Hearts, there are eight episodes for kids to enjoy on Valentine’s day. This is a great movie series for preschool and elementary school aged kids to keep them entertained Valentine’s Day.

Drag Me to Hell DVD Release

Looking for a DVD to watch during the Halloween season? Drag Me to Hell movie is now out on DVD. Drag Me to Hell is directed by Sam Raimi. If you’re not familiar with the name, Sam Raimi is also the directed of the infamous Spider Man movie. Drag Me to Hell is definitely a keeper and one to add to your DVD collection of movies.

Drag Me to Hell movie stars Alison Lohman and Justin Long. The directing by Sam Raimi is excellent. The acting by Lohman and Long is also excellent. The story-line is slightly predictable but handled in a humorous sort of way.

You will want to fill up your popcorn and drinks. No-one is going to want to pause the movie, Drag Me to Hell when you watch it on DVD at home. Be prepared for some humor and horror combined together in Drag Me to Hell.

The Cider House Rules (1999)

The Cider House Rules is a coming-of-age movie. Tobey Maguire stars as Homer Wells. He’s an orphan in a remote area of Maine. Dr. Larch, played by Michael Caine is very fond of Homer and teaches him medical skills. Dr. Larch would love nothing more than for Homer to follow in his footsteps. Homer has something different in mind. He wants a life outside the orphanage.

Wally, a soldier, played by Paul Rudd, brings his pregnant girlfriend Candy, played by Charlize Theron, to the orphanage seeking an abortion. Homer becomes friends with the couple and decides to leave the orphanage and work on Wally’s family’s apple farm.

Wally is sent back to war, leaving Candy and Homer alone. They form a very close bond and become intimate. Candy always said she doesn’t do well being alone and gave in to temptation.

An injured Wally comes home from war and Homer respectfully and painfully, bows out of Candy’s life. Homer also learns the stark reality of the world outside the orphanage isn’t as good as he thought it would be. What path will he follow now to find where he really belongs?

The Cider House Rules is a good movie with an excellent cast – available on DVD.

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