Category: Reviews

  • Green Light For Squid Game

    Netflix’s new thriller, Squid Game has taken over social media by the masses throughout the entire month of September. 

    Squid Game is about a group of people in Korea who are in a massive pool of debt. These contestants are all sent to a bunker underground where they must play kid games but to the death, to win a reward of $38.6 million. 

    The main character Gi-Hun was chosen to play because he has no way of supporting his daughter, has no job, was caught up in loan sharks, and has a gambling addiction. Gi-Hun soon learns that without this money he cannot send his mother to the hospital to get her foot amputated because of her untreated diabetes. He also learns that his young daughter is moving to the United States and he cannot see her unless he can support her needs. 

    As soon as the contestants play through the first game of red light green light and watching 200 people being shot to their deaths they realize that they have to win to survive. The contestants took a vote because after seeing the gruesome death of a mass of people they finally understood what was at stake. But when they are released back into the real world they are faced with the same problems they had before. So the majority of the players return to the bunker knowing that their lives are on the line. 

    Squid Game forces participants and audience to choose between balancing their hapless desire for the payout according to their own philosophical and empathetic shelves facing the barbarity of everything in the universe. 

  • Movie Review : Cruella

    Movie Review : Cruella

    Cruella, the film, came out on May 28, 2021.The cast members in this film are Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry, Paul Walter Hauser and more. The director of the film is Craig Gillespie. This movie is based off of the novel and movie 101 Dalmations. It came out on the 28th because it was a dedication to the actor Cameron Boyce because it would have been his 22nd birthday and in the Disney movie Descendants movie he played Carlos, Cruella De Vil’s son.

     

    Cruella is about the main character’s backstory and what she wanted to become when she was older. Cruella’s real name is Estella. Some drastic and sad things happen in Estella’s life so she runs away with her dog Buddy, all the way to London. That is where she meets her two best friends Jasper and Horace, who are thieves then later on Jasper helps Estella get her dream job as a fashion designer. There is a big plot twist in the movie, leaving you wanting more.

     

    The spirit, the energy, and the emotion the actors and actresses put in this movie is marvelous.This movie brings so many emotions. The emotions I felt in this movie were shock and joy. Hair and makeup is incredible especially when they did the Cruella makeup at the fashion show.

     

    I enjoyed watching Cruella, it was a fascinating movie to watch. The producers and the directors did an amazing job choosing actors and actresses. I am so glad they chose Emma Stone to play Estella / Cruella. Emma Stone did a great job playing this role. Her acting is phenomenal. I recommend watching this movie in the theater or at home on Disney plus for $29.99 or you can just wait to watch it for free as a Disney plus member. This movie made me laugh, made me feel sad, then happy. Cruella brings you so many emotions.

  • Movie Review: Cheaper by the Dozen

    Movie Review: Cheaper by the Dozen

    Cheaper by the Dozen, the film, came out on December 25, 2003. The cast members in this film are Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt, Piper Perabo,Tom Welling, Hilary Duff, Kevin G. Schimdt, Alyson Stoner, Jacob Smith, Forrest Landis, Lilinana Mumy, Morgan York, Blake Woodruff, Brent Kinsman and Shane Kinsman. The director of the film is Shawn Levy. The movie is based on the real life events of the Gilbreth family. 

     

    Cheaper by the Dozen is about how Tom Baker and his wife Kate Baker both want their dream jobs and their dream is to have a big family. Tom gets his dream job and they have to move to the suburbs but the kids hate their new home.  They have 12 kids  that is why It is called Cheaper by the Dozen.

     

    The spirit of the movie is amazing. The accuracy of depiction in this film is phenomenal. The hair and makeup and lighting is awesome. The performance of all the actors and actresses are wonderful. Set designs are great. 

     

    Cheaper by the Dozen is one of my go to movies when I am not feeling so good or when I just feel like watching a movie. This movie brings me so much laughter – it is one of my favorites. Hilary Duff’s scene when she comes out with her green face mask on makes me laugh every time because I know how it is to look like that in front of my family.This movie in my opinion is one of the best movies that has ever come out. My family and I love watching this movie. We have probably watched it more than 1000 times. If you ever need a good laugh or movie to watch I 100% recommend this.

     

  • Roman Candle, an Album by Elliott Smith 9.6/10

    Roman Candle, an Album by Elliott Smith 9.6/10

    “I’m a roman candle, my head is full of flames,” Elliott Smith sings in the title track to his album Roman Candle. (Composite image by Audrey Ramirez)

    Recorded on a four-track recorder in his girlfriend’s basement, Elliott Smith manages to combine soulful lyrics and lo-fi folk instrumentals to create his absolutely stunning debut album Roman Candle. Smith touches on heavy subjects such as domestic abuse, alcoholism, relationship issues, and loneliness in such an inconspicuous way, reminiscent of Outkast’s “Hey Ya”, a song about divorce hidden behind a fast-paced dance rhythm. 

    “I wanna hurt him, 

    I wanna give him pain.” 

    Smith opens with this line as his chorus to the title track “Roman Candle” which begins the album. Quick yet subtle guitar strums hauntingly ring in each ear as you take in the deep and intense lyrics. 

    “He could be cool and cruel to you and me

    Knew we’d put up with anything… 

    Your tears are cheap, wet hot red swollen cheeks…”

    Smith bravely shares his painful experiences of domestic violence and emotional abuse as a kid via music. Seeing as this is only the first track of the album, it suggests that you strap in and prepare yourself for the rest of the album because it is definitely a ride. 

    Songs like “Condor Ave”, “No Name #2”, and “No Name #4” discuss relationship issues, abuse, and occasionally alcoholism, which is a huge issue Smith personally struggled with for a long time. 

    “I wondered if I would talk about drug use. But I guess, why hide it?” says Smith. 

    Elliott beautifully combines acoustic guitar with his own soft and breathy vocals. “No Name #3” is a perfect example of the kind of melodies Smith is capable of creating; with about a few guitar and vocal tracks stacked on top of each other, this song is the epitome of “indie”. Each song has such a raw tone, almost as if you were with him while he was recording. “No Name #3” opens at a 79 bpm tempo soft guitar strum that makes you appreciate your sense of hearing more than ever before. Elliott begins singing in a whisper, discussing an unhealthy relationship either between a couple or a family. 

    Emotional intensity and musical brilliance combine to create a nearly perfect album. 9.6/10

  • BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse: An Amazing Experience

    BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse: An Amazing Experience

    Deep dish pizza with bacon and pepperoni (K. Burton)

    This has been an amazing experience. BJ’s Restaurant in Torrance, Ca. was the perfect place to order takeout. We ordered a Wing Dinner and some Salmon, Salad and Green Beans. When arriving to pick up the dinner everyone was following the Covid-19 guidelines and they made sure to sanitize the counter every time a new customer approached. 

    The food was well packed, no missing items and everything was hot when we picked the food up and they even provided a few sani-wipes. 

    You can either win or lose with salmon, but this salmon was delightful. It was buttery full of flavor and once topped with the lemon cream sauce it took it to a whole ‘nother level. “[Even though] I’m a vegetarian I would give the salmon an A + this is one of the best cooked salmon I have had in a long time,” said Hisa J. 

    Grilled salmon with lemon cream sauce. (K. Burton)

    Salad oh salad it was a normal salad. The one thing I did enjoy was the mixed greens that were used instead of just plain lettuce. The balsamic dressing is what took the salad over the top and gave it the extra kick it needed. 

    House salad with balsamic vinegar. (K. Burton)

    The wings were seasoned to perfection, not over cooked, still nice and juicy when you take that first bite. The dipping sauce was provided on the side which allowed the chicken to still have that crunchy skin. “I would order these wings anytime they are just as good as other restaurants that I have ordered takeout from,” said Jordan J.

    The garlic knots. (K. Burton)

    The garlic knots were little bombs packed with lots of flavor. You can taste a fair amount of garlic but it’s not too overpowering. 

    Vegetables are the best part of a meal for a vegetarian. “The green beans were cooked just how I like them with a little char on the edges and full of flavor seasoned with a nice salt and pepper combo and a little fresh garlic had my taste buds jumping,” said Hisa J. 

    Sautéed green beans. (K. Burton)

    This is one of the best dinners I’ve had in a long time due to us being in a stay at home order.  Overall I would recommend this restaurant to my friends and family to try. From the moment I arrived to getting my food home and in my stomach it was an amazing experience.

    The author, Jaylan Miller, trying the pizza. (K. Burton)
  • Honest Review of the Restaurant Claws

    Honest Review of the Restaurant Claws

    A closer look inside bag of seafood. (Alyssa Thomas)

    Seafood is one of the most versatile foods. Different types of seafood, different ways to eat/cook it; there are so many options that seafood can please everyone.

    One of the options that I personally love eating is seafood boils. Seafood boils consist of different sea animals such as crawfish, lobster, clams, and much more. Many seafood boils also contain corn and sausage. Louisiana and South Carolina are known for their tasty and giant seafood boils. Seafood boils typically do not contain any fish, since fish is rarely ever boiled. 

    When ordering seafood boils from restaurants, you pick your meats and extras, then the food is brought to your table in bags. Claws, located in Cerritos, is my favorite restaurant to eat seafood boils. You order by the pound and not by how many meals you need. For example, if your table has four people, you don’t order four “meals”, you would order around four pounds of food to share among the group.

    At Claws, you are treated with bibs, gloves, a table cover, and many different seasonings for your food. My family and I typically order calamari and fries as our appetizers. We then choose the seasoning that is a combination of all flavors available. In about 10-15 minutes all the bags of seafood come. The entire table is covered with paper so the table can get as messy as you want. The waiters give everyone a small container of salt, pepper, and ketchup.

    What seafood boils from Claws look like before eating. (Alyssa Thomas)

    When I eat at Claws, I’m usually with three other people and we order four to six pounds. Our seafood bags usually contain crawfish, mussels, shrimp, and corn. My cousins and I are not a fan of spice, so we order mild.

    Ordering and eating seafood boils from restaurants during this pandemic is, unfortunately, not the same. The number one convenience of eating seafood boils at a restaurant is there is not a big mess for you to clean up afterwards. Seafood boils almost always get messy due to the bags and sauce getting everywhere. When ordering Claws to-go, you choose your seasoning, meats, and everything else you would when ordering in the restaurant. When your food is ready you get the bags like normal, and it all tastes the same, but it is definitely not as fun or convenient as eating inside.

  • How Awesome is this Sushi? Very

    Picture a Ma ‘n Pa shop mixed with a trendy, modern sushi joint, and what comes to mind will probably look a lot like Awesome Sushi. Located on the corner of Clark Avenue and Willow Street, this restaurant may be small, but makes up for it with great customer service, food, and the determination to stay open. 

    During the health and economic crisis of the past year, small businesses like Awesome Sushi have struggled to stay afloat. Before COVID-19 spread throughout the nation, restaurant owners would greet their customers at the door and make them feel welcomed without a mask or plexiglass divider. What makes Awesome Sushi unique is the staff still finds a way to make a customer feel welcomed despite necessary safety precautions. 

    The staff at Awesome Sushi make ordering takeout via phone simple and easy. To-go orders are on-time, and the staff greets each customer with a smile and asks how their day has been.

    Awesome Sushi is also known for their healthier options as they have low-carb and vegetarian rolls. The sushi joint also has a wide variety of fish ranging from tuna to salmon to escolar. I tried the tuna poke, spicy edamame, and an iced green tea. The freshness of the ahi tuna and flavor of the edamame was the perfect combination. The iced green tea topped the meal off. There is so much to try on their menu which makes each meal different.

    Awesome Sushi is now only open for takeout orders. The determination to stay open throughout the pandemic is telling. Additionally, the restaurant persists by the closeness of the family and staff that work for their community. 

    At Awesome Sushi, they think that sushi should be more than just a high-end meal. It’s a meal for all. 

    “Come and try out how awesome we are!!!!” the Awesome Sushi staff said.

    To find out more about Awesome Sushi, you can go to  http://myawesomesushi.com/

     

  • Wings By BTS

    Wings By BTS

    The Korean boy band BTS released their 2nd full album, Wings, on October 10, 2016, under their label BigHit. 

    The album includes the track “Blood, Sweat, and Tears”, which gave the boy group their first win at the “Mnet Asian Music Awards” for best dance performance that same year. Like the intro track “Boy Meets Evil”, the album is about the temptations of a young boy when growing up: “Too bad but it’s too sweet”. 

    Back to the title track, it’s about being intoxicated with one’s feelings and neglecting them. The vocals are breathy, expressing the lust of commiting a sin that’s “sweeter than sweet”. 

    This album is also the first time the boys try solos, expressing their hardships of growing up. The soft and soulful dance track “Begin” by Jungkook is about how his bandmates raised him during their trainee days. The electronic-inspired “Lie” by Jimin is about being so deep into a lie that you lose yourself. The sensual solo “Stigma” by Taehyung is about lying to yourself and the world, along with the feelings of being a sinner. The passionately rapped “First Love” by Suga, is about things or talents that have been neglected for a while, there is still a fire there in the heart. It’s about an escape. The meaningful rap, “Reflection” by RM, is simply about just learning to love yourself. The old timey feeling, “Mama” by J-Hope talks about the struggles of family sacrifices. 

    And lastly, “Awake” by Jin, is lyrical with powerful vocals and is about seeing your limits, questioning if you’re enough. There are other tracks on this album but I feel that these are the best and get the meaning through. We all reminsenice on our past mistakes and try to force ourselves to be something we’re not, to try to fit in. From this album, I got that we should learn how to love ourselves, imperfections and all. That is a beautiful message that is not said enough.

  • The Weeknd’s “After Hours” album — a story about a beautifully toxic relationship

    The Weeknd’s “After Hours” album — a story about a beautifully toxic relationship

    When fans and other music enthusiasts learned that three-time Grammy winner The Weeknd was not nominated for a Grammy this year, despite his record-breaking feats and well-received praise from music critics, people were notably upset. 

    Abel Tesfaye, most well known as The Weeknd, dropped After Hours on March 20, 2020, which set a high bar in music. 

    The album’s unique instrumentals encompass the listener with strong emotions that almost feel like an out-of-body experience. After Hours follows a clear storyline about an unhealthy relationship influenced by Tesfaye’s own love life. Even if you have not been in a relationship, Tesfaye makes it as if you were the one in his situation. 

    The Weeknd opens up the album with a dark R&B feel and heavy bass lines that convey his deepest thoughts and experiences during his relationship. This theme follows throughout the first half of the album, up until “Blinding Lights”. The narrative starts with The Weeknd singing about his unstable relationship with a girl who is devoted to him, but he, unfortunately, cannot be the same towards her. Despite him not being able to properly communicate his emotions, he still finds it hard to let go of the girl he loves. Their relationship continues to crumble due to trust issues and insecurity, and it eventually leads to their breakup.

    Aside from his relationship, Tesfaye shows a more vulnerable side to him by talking about the harsh reality of stardom. In “Snowchild,” Tesfaye reminisces about his time before stardom and the hardships he faced before his breakthrough with a graphic opening line: “I used to pray when I was 16, If I didn’t make it, then I’d probably make my wrist bleed”. The song then transitions to focus on his life as a superstar, boasting about his fancy lifestyle and the fame he gained. Once again the focus shifts, but instead it’s about Tesfaye’s true thoughts on his life as a celebrity: “20 mill’ mansion, never lived in it / Paparazzi tryna catch me slippin’,” which can be seen as him feeling alienated in Hollywood. The melancholic atmosphere with the lack of beat shifts within the song sends a message as if his feelings never changed despite him being at the top.

    The Weeknd uses “Heartless” as the midpoint between the thematic shift of R&B to 80s pop. Unlike the previous tracks, he boasts about how his material possessions and notoriety made him “heartless” (hence the title). Though this track’s trap and R&B beat make the listener feel as if they are invincible — like they’re in an intense chase scene from an action movie. The dark reality of the lyrics shows how even though Tesfaye has all this wealth, his ability to properly connect to anyone emotionally has been severed.

    With “Blinding Lights”, the most notably popular song off of his album, The Weeknd completely ditches the dark R&B and replaces it with the 80s inspired tunes. Bound from the beginning to be a chart-topper, this song incorporates futuristic synths and a fast tempo that anyone can dance to. In this song, Tesfaye collaborates with Max Martin, a man who helped produce hits like “I Want It That Way” by Backstreet Boys and “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift. This song fills you with ecstasy and adrenaline, thanks to electro-pop sounds combined with Tesfaye’s captivating vocals. This song also perfectly weaves into the theme of the previous song, “Faith”, which centers around The Weeknd’s fall into drug addiction. The chronological placement of this song serves as him being on that “high”. 

    The album continues with the romantic aspect of the story, despite the two parties already having separated. Both The Weeknd and his love interest still have feelings for each other, yet they know it’s wrong to be together. However, they find a way around that by being friends with benefits, even going so far as committing infidelity with each other. The sound also reverts to the dark R&B feel, which represents him going back to the toxic “relationship” they have.

    The album reaches its end with a tragic, yet hypnotizing song, “Until I Bleed Out”. Other than reading the title itself, the song impacts the audience as Tesfaye hypnotizingly chants about how he wants to cut her out of his life permanently to the point that he bleeds. However, depending on the listener, this song can also have a double meaning in which it refers to his drug use. Continuing from the story around “Faith” and “Blinding Lights”, “Until I Bleed Out” serves as the conclusion of the story with The Weeknd being hospitalized most likely from his drug usage. The ending is up to the listener on whether the character he plays is still alive. 

    Truly an album worth 4 stars, The Weeknd inserts many allusions that allow the audience to interpret their own story. The cycle of pain, heartbreak, and bad habits is something that leaves the listener upset at his actions, yet the melodic and catchy tunes are something that sticks with them. Without a doubt though, The Weeknd has a unique artistic ability that allows him to create a sophisticated storyline that lets the audience have a love-hate relationship with the character he created. 

     

  • Ben Platt’s Sing To Me Instead Album Review

    Ben Platt’s Sing To Me Instead Album Review

    At a young age, Ben Platt became interested in the theatre arts. When he was 11, he took the opportunity to do a small tour with the musical Caroline, or Change. Since his debut in the musicals, The Book of Morman and Dear Evan Hansen, Ben Platt also starred in the Pitch Perfect movies leading to his nomination in the Teens Choice Awards and a Tony Award. He has appeared in other movies and shows and is now the lead in the series The Politician on Netflix. That same year Platt released his album Sing To Me Instead.

    Sing To Me Instead, released on March 29, 2019, is a Pop album of 12 songs that revolves around the world of love, heartbreak, and healing. With each song, I felt as if I were being drawn in and invited to see Platt’s love story. 

    One of the songs, “Share Your Address,” tells the story of how Platt is known to move fast in a relationship and has quickly fallen in love. “It’s ’cause I’ve waited far too long, for someone just like you,” inferring that Platt was tired of waiting, and now that he’s in love he wants it all. It contains a very upbeat rhythm that invites the listener to get up from their seat and start dancing. At the beginning of the song, the music seems exciting and the piano part is repetitive but enjoyable. 

    A song that also tells a story about a new love is “Honest Man.” In his documentary on Netflix, Platt stated that he wrote this song about a past relationship where his boyfriend hadn’t come out yet and Platt described how he wished he could’ve tried his best to support the relationship and his partner as he went throughout his journey of coming out. Throughout the song, the piano seems to stay the same quiet soothing sound. The beginning starts off slow and quiet but by the end, it’s a bit faster and there are more high notes. This song is something that some people can relate and sway their heads to. 

    In “Temporary Love,” written by Platt, Ben Abraham, and Jonny Price, Platt sings a song that would bring ease to a partner who has been heartbroken many times and fears a new relationship. The lyric “This is not a temporary love” repeats all throughout the song, and “Know your heart is in my hands,” gives hope to the listener that unlike past relationships, this one won’t lead to a big heartbreak. The song could possibly be a storyline that follows after “Honest Man,” in which the partner is still doubting a relationship with Platt’s character. 

    “Hurt Me Once,” is a song that is a sudden change from Platt’s previous songs. Composed by Platt and Eg White, this song tells a story about a relationship that is slowly ending, where one is losing interest and the other desperately wants the relationship to continue. The song brings a melancholy vibe that is sure to cause sorrow to everyone who has ever had a heartbreak. The lyrics, “You have all these choices, I have none,” implies that the partner who desperately wants to save the relationship knows that one doesn’t work without the other. They know that if a partner becomes disinterested in the relationship, it’s not worth saving, it’s up to the disinterested partner to decide if the relationship should continue. There’s nothing to do but to wait around to see if heartbreak is going to come. It may be a sad song but the lyrics make it a catchy song that even someone who’s never experienced a relationship heartbreak will be able to enjoy. 

    One of the most popular songs in the album, “Grow As We Go,” follows the theme of heartbreak. In this song, one partner is lost and believes that in order to grow they need space from the relationship and that it should end. This song is in the view of the second partner, singing that the other one doesn’t need to leave in order to change, that they can grow together. The background music is very calming and can leave the listener at ease. The lyrical section encourages a healthy relationship in which the partners talk to each other and help one another through “every twist and turn.” 

    A song that moves from heartbreak to healing is “New.” In this song, Platt expresses how after an ended relationship, he feels like a whole new person. The lyrics begin, “Wish that I’d known, this feeling was coming, when I was crying over you,” describing how even though a breakup may hurt, it will be over and you’ll feel like a new person that you never would have imagined. The beginning rhythm was electric and can cause your body to move to the beat. The line “Burned all your letters just for fun” shows how easy it is to just let go and discover the new person that you’ve become. This is a great song for anyone who is past the point of being sad after a breakup and gives them a chance to jump up and dance. 

    It’s a great album for anyone who’s in love, heartbroken after a breakup, or past that point and ready to become a new person. Platt’s music is creative and very enjoyable. Months after the Covid-19 outbreak, Platt released a new single titled, “So Will I.” He is also hoping to release his second album sometime in 2021.

  • Food Review: The Attic on Broadway

    Food Review: The Attic on Broadway

    The Attic on Broadway story is that Steve the owner opened it in 2012. It was not always a restaurant, it was a house that he turned into the restaurant. The staff members are so nice they treat you like family. I have personally met all the cooks and I have met the owner. The Executive Sous Chef Cheyenne McKenna states that she has been cooking at  the Attic since it first opened. She is super nice. My oldest brother works there also; he is Sous Chef. The smell from the kitchen always smells so amazing. The food makes my mouth water.

    A dish that they have in the Attic is the Mac & Cheetos. The dish is their homemade pasta coated with creamy cheddar, mozzarella and  jack cheese sauce, then topped with crumbled Flaming Hot Cheetos with green onions. This is one of my all time favorite dishes to get. The smell makes my mouth water, the Flaming Hot Cheetos mixed with the mac – the flavor makes your mouth burst with flavor. The presentation of the dish makes me feel so excited because I know what goodness is coming. It also makes me hungry because I can see the creamy cheese sauce melted down the side of the dish.  The food always is served fresh and hot. I truly recommend this dish.

    Another one of my favorites is the house made granola. 

    This wonderful dish bursts with flavor with the mix of fresh house made granola served with honey yogurt and mixed berries. The crunch and the creamy yogurt go amazing together. This dish makes me feel good because it is a healthy yummy choice. The barriers that come in the dish are strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries.  

    This dish is my favorite dessert to get at The Attic. This is Banana’s foster pudding it is made with the banana bread and with sliced bananas with caramel sauce on top also on the side with homemade whipped cream  with a mint leaf on top. This deliciousness is always warm and explodes with flavor with  the bananas, the bread, the caramel with whipped cream all in one bite is magnificent. I highly recommend this dish.

     

  • Movie Review: Holiday In Handcuffs

    Movie Review: Holiday In Handcuffs

    Holiday in Handcuffs is a Christmas movie that came out back in 2007 and aired on ABC Family, now known as Freeform. It’s about a women named Gertrude, who also went by “Trudie” in the film and was played by Melissa Joan Hart, and her day started off terribly. She was the black sheep of the family. She worked a minimum job as a waitress, while her brother Jake, played by Kyle Howard, and her sister Katie, played by Vanessa Lee Evigan were a little bit more above her in their parent’s eyes.

     

    During the Christmas holiday she and her siblings, along with her boyfriend were going to visit their parents’ house, but while clocked in to work she gets a call from her boyfriend and he ends up breaking up with her, and on top of that it didn’t help that she missed a big job opportunity. After being broken up with days before Christmas, a man named David, who was played by Mario Lopez, was dining at her job and she decided to kidnap him at gunpoint, like the crazy person she is, and forces him to pretend to be her boyfriend, while she visits her family for Christmas. 

     

    They have a nice drive up the mountain to her parent’s place, while she explains to him what’s going to happen. She explains to her parents that he likes to “pretend that he was kidnapped” as a joke. So even if he did tell the truth no one believed him! And there’s no way of escaping, because her mom conveniently didn’t allow phones during the holidays so they can enjoy family time. Throughout their time being there he tried many ways to escape in order to make it back to his own family for Christmas but nothing seems to work… even keys for the cars were hidden. 

     

    While there he gets to know her and slowly starts playing his part in Trudie’s scheme. Although he didn’t enjoy his time being there, he got to know her and started realizing she may not be that bad of a person. But while starting to feel more comfortable, David’s girlfriend, who he was planning to propose to back at the diner Trudie worked at, starts to wonder where her boyfriend is. She contacts the police and they start her search for him. hile David was being held captive, he actually starts to fall for Trudie, but when his wife finally figured out where he was, the police were contacted and Trudie and her whole family was arrested for the kidnapping. 

     

    After being in jail for a bit, David actually vouches for them and gets them out. And in the end he actually tries to give their relationship a try. And although they had a crazy and rocky beginning they start to work things. 

     

    Overall I would give this movie a 7/10 rating. It’s definitely a nice and funny family Christmas movie that will have you on their crazy rollercoaster. So warm up your hot chocolate and popcorn and kickback and enjoy this wonderful movie with your friends and family this holiday season.

     

    Holiday in Handcuffs is available playing on Freeform throughout the holidays and is available on demand on FreeForm.com using a cable subsriber login.