Thursday, February 28, 2013

Remembering Charles Durning

On what would have been his 90th Birthday... we remember Actor, Charles Edward Durning. Mr. Durning was a great character actor who performed in over 200 Movies, tv shows, and plays.

February 28, 1923 – December 24, 2012

You may know Charles Durning from:

Movies: The Sting, Dog Day Afternoon, O Brother, Where Art Thou?

TV Movies: Captains and the Kings, Death of a Salesman

TV Series: Evening Shade, and a recurring role on Everybody Loves Raymond

Christmas Movies: Mrs. Santa Claus, A Boyfriend for Christmas

(and many more, here)



Charles Durning, who portrayed a wonderful Santa Claus, passed away on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2012.

Durning was born in Highland Falls, New York, the fourth of ten children. His four brothers James, Clifford, Frances, and Gerald Durning survived to adulthood, but his five sisters lost their lives to scarlet fever and smallpox as children. His mother, Louise was a laundress at West Point, and his father, James Durning was an Irish immigrant who gained U.S. citizenship by joining the army. Durning was raised Catholic, and was at one time considering becoming a priest. (excerpted from Wikipedia)

In his mid-teens, Durning left home to find work. He had a series of factory jobs before he discovered acting. As an usher, Durning got first-hand experience in vaudeville at a Buffalo, New York theater. (biography.com)

As well as having a great acting career, we honor Mr. Durning for being a WWII veteran and his service to our country. Drafted at age 21, he was first assigned as a rifleman with the 398th Infantry Regiment, and later served overseas with the 3rd Army Support troops and the 386th Anti-aircraft Artillery (AAA) Battalion. Durning participated in the Normandy Invasion of France on D-Day, June 6, 1944, and was among the first troops to land at Omaha Beach. (Wikipedia) Durning suffered machine gun wounds to his right leg and shrapnel injuries over his entire body. He also received eight stab wounds from a German soldier, whom he killed with a rock in hand-to-hand combat. As the lone survivor in his unit, Durning was immediately shipped to England to recover, and returned to the frontlines for the Battle of the Bulge in late 1944. (TCM biography) Captured during the Battle of the Bulge, Durning managed to survive a massacre of American soldiers being held in Belgium. (biography.com)


In recent years, Mr. Durning would honor our Veterans by being a honored guest speaker at the National Memorial Day Concerts in Washington, D.C. For his valor and the wounds he received during the war, Durning was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, three Purple Heart medals, and the World War II Victory Medal. (Wikipedia)

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Durnings three children, family, and friends.

On this day... we fondly remember this Legendary Actor and American Hero.

Charles Edward Durning

Monday, February 25, 2013

Hallmark, the Heart of TV, brings us "When Calls the Heart"


MOVIE REVIEW

When Calls the Heart

Network: Hallmark Channel

Original 'Movie' Air Date: October 19, 2013
Original 'TV Series' Air Date: January 11, 2014

*Directed by Michael Landon Jr.

*This is an adaptation of Janette Oke's beloved Canadian West series of novels for a Hallmark Channel Original Premiere Movie and following weekly Television Series.



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CAST:

Maggie Grace ... Aunt Elizabeth
Stephen Amell ... Wynn Delaney
Lori Loughlin ... Abigail Stanton
Natasha Calis ... Perlie Leverly
Jean Smart ... Frances Tunnecliffe
Daniel Sharman ... Edward Montclair
Cherie Lunghi ... Mrs. Thatcher
Christopher Villiers ... Mr. Thatcher
Lee Williams ... Higgins
Tygh Runyan ... Phillip Delaney, Sr.
Lynley Hall ... Lydia Delaney
Daisy Head ... Julie Thatcher
Tom Carey ... Mr. Moran
Alex Arsenault ... Young Farmer
Sam Duke ... Andy Moran
Anthony Harrison ... Mr. Clark
Greg Lawson ... Rev. Dickenson
Poppy Drayton ... Elizabeth
Joshua Ballard ... Lars Peterson
Lori Ravensborg ... Mrs. Moran
Brandon Olds ... Carl Clark
Jimmy Townsend ... Spencer
Griffin Cork ... Harvey Mattock
Maya Eden Orr ... Schoolgirl
Emily Bowker ... Margaret Thatcher
Hannah Duke ... Teressa Moran
Marin Petre ... Outlaw 3
Miriam Rizea ... Emma
Andrew Krivanek ... Mr. Worthington
Mihai Iliescu ... Outlaw 2
Gwynfor Jones ... John
Andrei Ionescu ... Outlaw 1
Lynley Hall ... Lydia Delaney
Christian Kerr ... Phillip Delaney, Jr.
Kyla Sendecki ... Sally Blake
Lisa Dyck ... Olga Peterson
Katie Lyn Devereaux ... Cindy Blake
Brian Martell ... Mr. Leverly
Constatin Puscasu ... Mayor Ramsey
Constantin Selaru ... Stagecoach Driver








PLOT:

Elizabeth Thatcher, a cultured young teacher in 1910, fears leaving her comfortable world in the city. But when she accepts a teaching position in a frontier town, she finds new purpose and love with a handsome Royal Canadian Mountie.

More...

A classic prairie romance based upon the novel by best-selling author Janette Oke, WHEN CALLS THE HEART tells the story of Elizabeth Thatcher, a cultured, young Eastern school teacher who takes a teaching position in the hardscrabble Alberta frontier. Despite the many hardships of frontier life, she cares deeply for the school children. But she has closed her heart to love ­ until she meets handsome Wynn, a member of the Royal Northwest Mounted Police.

This family movie, set in 1910 in the beautiful foothills of the Rocky Mountains, is a co-production with Believe Pictures of Los Angeles and directed by Michael Landon Jr.


Movie Review:

Coming...

I have personally read the "When Calls the Heart" book series by Janette Oke and as an avid reader, I thoroughly enjoyed it. She weaves together such amazing stories of faith, history, and adventure. I am truly looking forward to seeing these wonderful characters come to life - beyond my imagination!

Click Here to read the story, too!


See or Skip:

Coming...

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(Images above from:  aBridge International and Hallmark Crown Media Family Networks)

Hallmark Movie : This Magic Moment

MOVIE REVIEW

This Magic Moment

Network: Hallmark Channel

Original Air Date: August 17, 2013






CAST:

Diane Neal - Helen
Alaina Huffman ... Emily McIntyre
Charles Shaughnessy ... Doyle Duncan
Vincent Spano ... Roberto Molinez
Travis Schuldt ... Clark Gable
Robin Riker ... Maryellen Gable
Brook Kerr ... Gina Verano
Molly Burnett ... Justine Gable
Mitchell Fink ... Phil Travers
Sidney Franklin ... Customer #1
Josh Burk ... Young man






PLOT:

From Hallmark press release:

When Hollywood star Helena Harris (Neal) films her newest movie, “This Magic Moment,” in the small town of Stone’s Throw, she strikes up an unlikely friendship with local video store owner Clark Gable (Schuldt). Helena, who recently broke up with “This Magic Moment” co-star Roberto Molinez (Spano), asks her new friend Clark to pretend to be her love interest in order to make Roberto jealous. Clark agrees and in exchange, Helena helps him pursue his screenwriting career. While this agreement benefits both Clark and Helena, it also complicates the relationship between Clark and his newly single, former high school sweetheart, Emily McIntyre (Huffman). As Helena and Clark’s fake romance successfully brings out the green monster in Roberto, the jealous Roberto decides to win Helena back and give Clark a taste of his own medicine by using his own fame to pursue Emily.

Despite the real romantic spark that the fake romance ignites between Helena and Clark, Helena has doubts about what the future holds for this new relationship. Clark faces his own doubts, as his lingering feelings for Emily are exacerbated by his former flame’s romance with Roberto. But as the director Doyle Duncan (Shaughnessy) begins to wrap production, Helena and Clark must decide if they are meant to live happily ever after together, or if there are happier endings elsewhere for their love stories.






Movie Review:

Coming...


See or Skip:

Coming...



On Location, photo via Facebook

 

*Promotional Images via: Hallmark Crown Media Family Networks

Movie : Lovestruck – The Musical

MOVIE REVIEW

Lovestruck – The Musical

Network: ABC Family

Original Air Date: April 21, 2013

Please Check Ratings before viewing this movie.






CAST:

Tony Amen ... Italian groundsman
Peter Arpesella ... Voice Over Actor (voice)
Adrienne Bailon
Sammi Cecutti ... Kid Birdie
Lonell R. Childred ... International Businessman
Alexander DiPersia ... Marco
Kyle Durant ... Tom Dorian
Jordan Eisenberger ... Ball Room Guest
Brittany Forringer ... Rehersal Dinner Guest
Sarab Kamoo ... Amanda
Chelsea Kane ... Young harper
Wayne Leya ... Wedding Guest
Miranda Maleski ... Dancer
Frank McAleavey ... Airport Traveler
Terri Middleton ... Airport Traveler








PLOT:

Via Disney Dreaming:

“It tells the story of Harper, who is played by Jane Seymour. She was once the best dancer to ever hit the Broadway stage, but an injury caused her to leave the spotlight, become a choreographer, and raise her daughter Mirabella (Sara Paxton). When Mirabella, the star of Harper’s next big production, decides to quit the show to get married, her mother is determined to put a stop to the wedding and show Mirabella that she cannot give up her career for love, especially to marry one-time playboy Marco (Alexander John). After the long flight to the Italian wedding site, Harper takes a swig from a strange bottle that is supposed to dull the pain of an old dance injury. Instead, the elixir magically turns Harper thirty years younger!

Harper’s younger appearance (Chelsea Kane plays Young Harper) allows her to secretly infiltrate the wedding – only to confront a huge obstacle in Mirabella’s father, Ryan (Tom Wopat), who can recognize his ex-wife in any form. After he, too, experiences the reverse-aging effects of the elixir (Drew Seeley plays Young Ryan), Ryan teams with Harper to reverse the damage she’s done to Mirabella and Marco’s relationship, hopefully in time to save the wedding. Throughout this fairytale romance, Harper, Mirabella, Ryan, and Marco express themes of life and love through song and dance.”


Movie Review:

Coming...


See or Skip:

Coming...

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Images Via: Justjared.com, Simply-Jane.com, and ABC Family Meda

Archive: February 2013 Movie Schedule


This is an archive of the February 2013 schedule of New Movies on TV fo your reference...


FEBRUARY


February 1, 2013 Friday


Tangled ... Disney XD ... 5 PM *Encore
Goodnight For Justice: Queen of Hearts ... Hallmark MOVIE Channel ... 8 PM *Encore
Goodnight For Justice: Queen of Hearts ... Hallmark MOVIE Channel ... 10 PM *Encore


February 2, 2013 Saturday

Tangled ... Disney XD ... 12 PM *Encore
Goodnight For Justice: Queen of Hearts ... Hallmark MOVIE Channel ... 2 PM *Encore
Goodnight For Justice: Queen of Hearts ... Hallmark MOVIE Channel ... 4 PM *Encore
The Makeover ("Hallmark Hall of Fame" Movie) ... Hallmark Channel ... 9 PM *NEW to CABLE
The Makeover ("Hallmark Hall of Fame" Movie) ... Hallmark Channel ... 11 PM *Encore


February 3, 2013 Sunday

ANNE of Green Gables Marathon on INSP!


ANNE of Green Gables ... INSP ... 12 PM *MARATHON
ANNE of Green Gables ... INSP ... 2 PM *MARATHON
ANNE of Green Gables : The Sequel ... INSP ... 4 PM *MARATHON
ANNE of Green Gables : The Sequel ... INSP ... 6:30 PM *MARATHON
Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story ... INSP ... 9 PM *MARATHON
Home Alone ... ABC Family ... 8 PM *SPECIAL
Home Alone ... ABC Family ... 10 PM *SPECIAL
Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story ... INSP ... 11 PM *MARATHON


February 6, 2013 Wednesday

Ramona and Beezus ... ABC Family ... 9 PM *Encore


February 7, 2013 Thursday

Ramona and Beezus ... ABC Family ... 7 PM *Encore


February 8, 2013 Friday

The Makeover ("Hallmark Hall of Fame" Movie) ... Hallmark Channel ... 8 PM *Encore
A Warrior's Heart ... GMC ... 9 PM *Encore
A Warrior's Heart ... GMC ... 11 PM *Encore


February 9, 2013 Saturday

Nearlyweds ... Hallmark Channel ... 1 PM *Encore
The Lost Valentine ... Hallmark Channel ... 7 PM *Encore
Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown and A Charlie Brown Valentine ... ABC ... 8 PM *SPECIAL
Be My Valentine ... Hallmark Channel ... 9 PM *NEW PREMIERE
Be My Valentine ... Hallmark Channel ... 11 PM *Encore


February 10, 2013 Sunday


Be My Valentine ... Hallmark Channel ... 1 PM *Encore
The Lost Valentine ... Hallmark Channel ... 3 PM *Encore
The Makeover ("Hallmark Hall of Fame" Movie) ... Hallmark Channel ... 5 PM *Encore
Heaven is Waiting ... INSP ... 6:30 PM *NEW PREMIERE
Be My Valentine ... Hallmark Channel ... 9 PM *Encore


February 14, 2013 Wednesday

Be My Valentine ... Hallmark Channel ... 8 PM *Encore


February 16, 2013 Saturday

Be My Valentine ... Hallmark Channel ... 5 PM *Encore


February 17, 2013 Sunday

*Love Comes Softly Special Movie Marathon!


Love Comes Softly ... Hallmark Channel ... 11 AM *MARATHON
Love's Enduring Promise ... Hallmark Channel ... 1 PM *MARATHON
Love's Long Journey ... Hallmark Channel ... 3 PM *MARATHON
Love Begins ... Hallmark Channel ... 5 PM *MARATHON
Love’s Everlasting Courage ... Hallmark Channel ... 7 PM *MARATHON
Love Comes Softly ... Hallmark Channel ... 9 PM *MARATHON


February 23, 2013 Saturday

The Seven Year Hitch ... Hallmark Movie Channel ... 6 PM *Encore
Meddling Mom ... Hallmark MOVIE Channel ... 8 PM *NEW PREMIERE
Meddling Mom ... Hallmark MOVIE Channel ... 10 PM *Encore


February 24, 2013 Sunday


The Seven Year Hitch ... Hallmark Movie Channel ... 10 AM *Encore
Meddling Mom ... Hallmark MOVIE Channel ... 12 PM *Encore
Meddling Mom ... Hallmark MOVIE Channel ... 2 PM *Encore
The Sweeter Side of Life ... Hallmark Channel ... 3 PM *Encore
Abel's Field ... GMC ... 7 PM *NEW PREMIERE
Meddling Mom ... Hallmark MOVIE Channel ... 8 PM *Encore
Heaven is Waiting (Midway to Heaven) ... INSP ... 8 PM *Encore
Abel's Field ... GMC ... 9 PM *Encore
Meddling Mom ... Hallmark MOVIE Channel ... 10 PM *Encore
Abel's Field ... GMC ... 11 PM *Encore
Heaven is Waiting (Midway to Heaven) ... INSP ... 11:30 PM *Encore



Premiere of Animation: Barbie in the Pink Shoes

MOVIE REVIEW


Barbie in the Pink Shoes

Network: Nickelodeon

Original Air Date: March 10, 2013

CAST:

Katie Crown ... Hailey
Trevor Devall ... Albrecht / Ballet Scout #1
Brett Dier ... Dillon / Prince Seigfried
Ali Liebert ... Tara / Hannah
Bill Mondy ... Rothbart / Thorpe / Peasant
Kyle Rideout ... Hilarion / Ballet Scout #2
Teryl Rothery ... Giselle's Mom / Queen Vera
Kelly Sheridan ... Kristyn
Tabitha St. Germaine ... Madame Natasha / Snow Queen / Sugar Plum Fairy / Swan Dancer / Stage Manager
Lori Triolo ... Madame Katerina




PLOT:

Dance your way to a magical adventure with Barbie as Kristyn, a ballerina with big dreams! When she tries on a pair of sparkling pink shoes, she and her best friend, Hailey, are whisked away to a fantastical ballet world. There, Kristyn discovers she must dance in her favorite ballets in order to defeat an evil Snow Queen. With performances to the legendary Giselle and Swan Lake ballets, it's a wonderful journey where if you dance with your heart, dreams come true!


Movie Review:

Coming...


See or Skip:

Coming...

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ABC Family premieres "You Again"

MOVIE REVIEW

You Again

Network: ABC Family

Original Air Date: March 9, 2013

CAST:

Kristen Bell ... Marni
Jamie Lee Curtis ... Gail
Sigourney Weaver ... Ramona
Odette Annable ... Joanna
Victor Garber ... Mark
Betty White ... Grandma Bunny
James Wolk ... Will
Kristin Chenoweth ... Georgia
Sean Wing ... Charlie
Kyle Bornheimer ... Tim
Billy Unger ... Ben
Christine Lakin ... Taylor
Meagan Holder ... Kendall
Patrick Duffy ... Richie
Anna A. White ... LouAnne









PLOT:

In "You Again," Bell plays Marni, a frazzled twenty-something desperate to stop her brother from marrying her high school nemesis.

DVD Synopsis:
You Again, the nonstop laugh fest, is pure fun that features an all-star cast with comedy pedigrees - including Kristen Bell, Sigourney Weaver, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Betty White. For Marni (Bell), high school was a horror movie, and her brother's wedding is the sequel when her archrival comes back to haunt her as his bride. It's nice girl versus mean girl in this hysterical reunion with the one person Marni would really like to forget. And if that weren't enough, Marni's mom (Curtis) reunites with her own high school nemesis (Weaver). Complete with hilarious, never-before-seen bonus material, You Again is one crazy comedy that'll keep you laughing again and again.





Movie Review:

The Movie, You Again, is quite funny and Kristin Bell is a great comedic actress!

If you ever had a rival in high school then you will totally relate to Marni, whose brother is marrying her arch enemy, who treated her badly when they were teenagers. The movie gives us flashbacks to Marni’s old high school days and then we are transported back to current day... where Marni is now a successful businesswoman in PR living in L.A.

However, when Marni returns home and sees who her brother is marrying, Joanna, the popular cheerleader, who always made her feel like a geek in high school.... well, suddenly Marni’s confidence begins to unravel little by little ... and she finds herself turning into her old high school self all over again.

It becomes obvious that Joanna, who pretends at first not to remember Marni, is still up to her mean, bullying ways. Marni tries every trick to separate her brother from Joanna, but every attempt only seems to bring them closer together until Marni eventually reveals the complete truth, which leaves everyone feeling miserable... including her brother, Will, their Mother Gail, Joanna, her Mother Ramona, and even Marni.

In the end... there are lessons learned: sometimes people grow, they change, and sometimes they don’t, but we can always learn to forgive. You can’t always control the things that happen to you, but you can control the way you react to it.

Please Note: It’s PG, but not great for really young kids due to some suggestive content, bullying, fighting, etc...

If you enjoy slapstick comedies that are somewhat cheesy, but always make you laugh - then you'll enjoy this movie.





See or Skip:

See, if you enjoy lighthearted comedies!

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Friday, February 22, 2013

2 New Movies from Hallmark & GMC - this Weekend!

*** PREMIERING ***


Meddling Mom
Hallmark Movie Channel
Saturday ~ February 23, 2013


See the Meddling Mom page for more details!

 
Abel's Field
GMC
Sunday ~ February 24, 2013

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See the Abel's Field page for more details!



Hope you can pop some popcorn, relax this weekend, and enjoy these movies with your family and friends. (Please Note: I have not seen these films - please check ratings on all new movies before viewing, especially with children.)

I hope you enjoy your next Movie Night...
so you can say,
"It's a Wonderful Movie!"

*See the Family TV Schedule for additional air times.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Hallmark Hall of Fame : Remember Sunday

MOVIE REVIEW

Remember Sunday

Hallmark Hall of Fame Movie

Network: ABC

Original Air Date: April 21, 2013







CAST:

Alexis Bledel ... Molly
Zachary Levi ... Gus


PLOT:

(from Hallmark Press Release...)

A lonely down-on-her-luck waitress meets a handsome, quirky jewelry store clerk and thinks that maybe, finally, she’s met “the right guy.” The more Molly (Alexis Bledel) gets to know Gus (Zachary Levi), the more she’s intrigued by him.

But she’s also mystified, and sometimes miffed. Gus seems really absent-minded, real...ly preoccupied. Is there already a girlfriend in his life? Is he harboring some big secret? What is his problem, Molly wonders.

Well, Gus’s problem is that three years ago he suffered a brain aneurysm. He can remember everything that happened in his life pre-aneurysm, when he was a star astrophysicist; but his memory grasp on everything since then is virtually non-existent. Every day is a brand new day – literally – for Gus. From the moment his alarm clock goes off, his life is directed by Post-it notes. You can imagine the complications that arise when Gus meets Molly.

As her love for him continues to grow, he discovers that he can indeed fall in love with the same woman every day. But can Molly imagine a future with a man who cannot recall their past?

REMEMBER SUNDAY is a touching, fun romance about life’s possibilities when we “love in the moment.”







Movie Review:

Coming...


See or Skip:

Coming...




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*Images: Zachary Levi and Alexis Bledel in "Remember Sunday" Credit: (c) ABC, 2013