Change Your Image
AJ-76302
A new series featuring young, tough CIA officer Sandra Harrington debuted in March 2020 with Days of the Hunters. He has just completed a new espionage novel set in 1941 South America when the FBI faced the Nazi threat. A new novel is in the works: An FBI agent against a Russian agent in Hollywood in search of a secret code device.
Kerns has done book reviews for the Washington Independent Review Of Books.
Reviews
The Wedding Veil Inspiration (2023)
Autumn Reeser Led Hit
Enjoyed the whole cast of likable characters led by the accomplished and talented Autumn Reeser who is a pro in her profession. Her range of expressing emotions is astonishing and only seems to grow in each of her roles. The location on Victoria Island, BC is perfect and the cinematography clear, rich, and crisp. This is truly a delightful buddy film where three true friends stick together and move the narrative of the Wedding Veil series. Autumn Reeser and her co-star Paolo Bernadini definitely have chemistry and bring out the modern-day issues of a two-career couple. This time the relationship is a really long-distance romance: Chicago and Italy. Hallmark has grown into producing mature stories and has an excellent repertoire of actors and talent to bring intelligent films to their audiences. Bravo.
The Legend of La Llorona (2022)
Just sit back and enjoy a ghost story
Ghost stories and films fit in their own genre classification. To enjoy, one must suspend belief and not be concerned with lapses in logical narrative. Overacting and preposterous situations add to the fun. The classics would never pass any rigid critical analysis, that's why they are classics.
The Legend of La Llorona slips into this category. It's obvious from the get-go that this is not a multimillion-dollar production, but it's enjoyable and at times downright scary.
You have the ghost story requirements: vulnerable, yet strong woman, this time featuring the very talented Autumn Reeser who is the only cast member to give a constantly even performance. Alos, you have the befuddled father and the young child in danger of being kidnapped by the evil diaphanous spirit. Throw in some Mexican drug cartel nasties and a couple of over-the-top performances by actors who should know better and you have a what may someday be on the same shelf of those horror films from the 30s and 40s. I'd see it again just to watch Autumn Reeser versus the Witch.
Always Amore (2022)
Autumn Reeser and Tyler Hynes at the top their games
This is a delightful film. Entertaining and touching at times. Autumn Reeser and Tyler Hynes have a quiet, engaging chemistry that makes the viewer believe they are watching two adults first odds, then fall in love. Autumn is at the top of her game in this film. It appears she's brought all her wisdom and talent to the fore. It's just a pleasure to watch such a gifted artist in a mature and intelligent role. The writing and photography are first class and the cooking scenes make you wish you were there to taste samples. This film is worth repeat viewing.
The wordless scene where Autumn slowly removes her deceased husband's wedding ring, looks at it, and with both hands places it in a box, and closes it is one of the Magical moments of TV.
Time for Them to Come Home for Christmas (2021)
Kept Me Up Past My Bedtime
An unusually well-crafted film by hallmark. The writing is excellent, the characters developed and engaging, and the direction spot on. Kudos to all involved in this production, even to Allison Sweeney who makes a cameo.
The 27-Hour Day (2021)
Autumn Barely Holds it Together (Redux)
After the third viewing, I'd like to add that the story line is erratic and seems like a cut and paste for desired messages. Autumn Reeser barely holds this one together with her charm and slight touch of quirkiness. She has a comic and sensitive nuance and is a seasoned pro. Chances for a good laugh were sometimes lost like where the scene Autumn when unloading her bag of tech gear, computer, iPad, etc. Was rushed. In fact, the first few scenes were hurried and the story line was hard to grasp. Autumn and Andrew had zero chemistry in fact it seemed he wished he was somewhere else. What longfull looks between the two came across as empty. The scenery was beautiful. Overall, since the cast and crew had to deal with the constraints of the COVID restrictions including a two-week quarantine for US personnel the production went well.