Today we received a press release announcing a movie that ABC Family plans to air on Sunday, November 28 at 8 Eastern/7Central.

If you love watching movies about animals becoming heroes saving the day, then you will love this one, filled with action. The Dog That Saved Christmas Vacation is one you won’t want to miss.

For Christmas the couple, George (Gary Valentine) and Belinda (Elisa Donovan) decide to take their family on vacation to a beautiful Rocky Mountain ski resort and they decide this year to take the family dog, Zeus. The plan was for the family to be able to enjoy an old fashioned snow-capped holiday together. Those plans soon fell apart when they arrived only to find Belinda’s obnoxious brother Randy (Casper Van Dien) and his son there along with their snooty pet poodle, Bella. The downfall to begin with in all this is the fact that George and Randy never really got along with each other and now they would be stuck spending the Christmas vacation not only together but under the same roof as well.

Now the one in all this that seems happy about this family get together is Zeus (voice of Mario Lopez). He is pretty attracted to the beautiful cultured Bella (voice of Paris Hilton) who doesn’t want to give him the time of day no matter what he does to try to impress her. Of course having the macho avalanche dog, Trooper competing with Zeus for Bella’s attention doesn’t help any.

Now Zeus’s arch enemies, Ted (Dean Cain) and Stewey (Joey “Coco” Diaz) are back after being released from jail only to arrive at the ski resort in pursuit of a diamond necklace that they steal which they hide in a gift shop til they can come back for it the next day, only to find it missing when they do return for it. The necklace was mistakenly taken as a dog collar and was bought and given to Bella.

With his desire to make an impression on Bella Zeus feels it is up to him to protect his family and Bella as well with Ted and Stewie close on their trail to get the necklace back. Zeus is determined to stop Ted and Stewie from ruining his family’s vacation. I think Ted and Stewie are in for a rude awakening when they messed with this bunch.

This is a hilarious film is filled with lots of action and laughs. You can view a trailer on YouTube here.

Be sure to tune in on Sunday and bring the family together in front of your TV to enjoy The Dog That Saved Christmas Vacation on ABC Family channel airing at 8e/7c. I know I plan to watch it here myself.

Jan Barrett

This 2 Volume Boxed DVD set, Wish Me Luck Series 1 is based on the true stories of female intelligence agents behind Nazi line. It has a great cast including, Kate Buffery, Jane Asher, Julian Glover, Michael J. Jackson, Warren Clarke and Jeremy Northam. Filmed on location in Britain and France Wish Me Luck boasts strong female characters, tension filled plots and historical authenticity.

On Disc 1 there are 4 episodes starting in England in 1942 where Liz Granger living in Dover with her 5 year old daughter and Matty Firman works in a London factory. Both women are recruited as secret agents. As they prepare for duty they fly to France with Liz having to say good bye to her daughter. When they arrive in France the leader there is surprised that there were two women sent to him instead of men.

On Disc 2 the episodes continue with Liz returning to London with some vital information. Liz’s friend Claudine has to face a choice of either becoming a double agent or be handed over to the Gestapo. Liz’s husband wants to know the truth about what her activities have been and when she finally confesses to him he is outraged. Back in France Matty is warned to be more careful and Claudine gives some useful information to the Germans. Matty gets captured and thrown in prison which causes trouble for the whole operation and safety of everyone involved so Liz has to be sent in to find out what is going on in France. Liz finds out the truth about who betrayed her friend Claudine and works on a dramatic rescue attempt to save Matty but can they reach her in time?

This DVD Set is filled with espionage, danger and romance behind the enemy lines. It aired on ITV for three series from 1988 to 1990 and it broadcast on U.S. public TV in the 1990’s.

Wish Me Luck Series 1 is a 2 volume boxed set that comes with special features of a historical background on the real operation that inspired the series and a photo gallery. It arrives on DVD from Acorn Media on March 16, 2010. To get your own copy you can click on the Amazon link above.

Jan Barrett

If you are a thriller lover like I am then this DVD set, Armchair Thriller Set 2 is for you. No one can do a good thriller like the Brits do. This set will surely keep you on the edge of your seat. The suspenseful plots trace the stories of desperate people trapped in dire situations. The grimly riveting tales are based on novels by acclaimed authors.

These tales feature superb acting, eerie ambiance and twisting plots. The excellent casts include Michael Feast, Renee Asherson, and Maria Aitken.

Set 2 is a DVD 4-Volume Boxed Set with four mysteries that give you hours of entertainment with the run time being approx. 547 minutes total. The DVD set includes The Chelsea Murders (one DVD has 6 series versions and the other has a feature length version. The other two DVD’s include The Circe Complex and Quiet as a Nun.

On volume 1 of The Chelsea Murders there are 6 episodes. In episode 1 There are three murders in Chelsea with only one clue which is a poem mailed to the police before the latest crime. A reporter gets involved in looking for clues while the police look for some sort of connection. In Episode 2 a second letter arrives mocking the police with the identity of the next victim. Now they are wondering if the reporter who knows about the letters could somehow be involved. Episode 3 has the police zeroing in on a hard pressed film making team. The killer attacks again but this time while dressed in a theater costume. In Episode 4 the authorities are getting really frustrated especially since one of their main suspects in the case gets attacked, Episode 5 has the police finding a video of the most recent murder and in Episode 6 the detective finally figure it out but the reporter finds herself in harm’s way to try and solve the case.

In volume 2 of The Chelsea Murders we have the feature length version as a movie that was aired in 1981. Both versions are included in this DVD set for tge complete viewing experience,

In volume 3, The Circe Complex we find six episodes which starts with Tom Foreman killing a policeman after he stole jewelry that is worth a lot of money. When he is caught he refuses to tell where he stashed the jewelry. Throughout the episodes Tom’s wife Val and the prison psychiatrist try locating the jewels trying to get more information from Tom who is refusing to talk. When they use an ex-con to help, things start to go very wrong. It is interesting to watch as the story unfolds and ends.

Volume 4, Quiet as a Nun is another British mystery in six episodes that has TV journalist Jemima Shore investigating the death of an old friend on hers who was a nun that starved herself to death in her convents tower. Shore has one num encouraging her to get away from the case while she can yet another encouraging her to continue. After hearing stories about an apparition that seems to haunt the hallways at night Shore goes off to look for the Black Nun. With her life in danger and the convents future at risk, Shore receives help from an unexpected source.

Armchair Thriller Set 2 debuts on DVD from Acorn Media on March 16, 2010. To get your copy of Armchair Thriller Set 2 just click on the Amazon link above and bring it into your home to enjoy.

Jan Barrett

This is an 11 volume DVD set of  The Ruth Rendell Mysteries Collection which hits the streets on DVD on March 16, 2010. Filled with suspense and psychological depth, we have these 17 feature length mysteries which are based on Ruth Rendell’s bestselling fiction. The stars included are Colin Firth, Honeysuckle Weeks, James D’Arcy, James Calls, Amanda Redman among others. This series had aired on public television in the 1990’s.

Rendell combines plots with a keen understanding of the motivations and machinations of the human mind. These series brings Rendell’s work to life with every wicked irony and startling twist intact.

In Set 1 Volume 1 called Master of the Moor we have Stephen Whalby as a boy that took his beloved moor to escape trouble at his home. The problem is that the trouble just follows him there as an adult when women’s bodies start showing up on the rocks, heather and the bogs. The trouble really starts when a rude outsider, D.I. Manciple targets Stephen as the prime suspect in the murder of these women.

Set 1 includes 3 volumes with 4 mysteries including Master of the Moor which runs about 154 minutes, Vanity Dies Hard running about 155 minutes, and on Volume 3 the total run time for The Secret House of Death and The Double is about 154 minutes.

In set 2 Volume 1 there is Bribery & Corruption which we see Nicholas Hawthorne who has always had a mad crush on Emma who is the free spirited wife of the shipyard owner who was the boss of Nicholas’s father. When Emma is murdered Nicholas learns that Emma’s life was way more complicated than he ever imagined.

Set 2 includes Bribery & Corruption and Front Seat which runs approx. 156 minutes, A Case of Coincidence and A Dark Blue Perfume which runs approx. 157 minutes and May & June and Orchard Walls which has a total running time of approx. 153 minutes.

Set 3 Volume 1, Going Wrong shows us  Guy Curran and Leonora Chisholm as wild teenagers that really believed they were soul mates, Eight years later when they meet again Guy wants to reclaim her as his love no matter who tries to get in the way.

Set 3 starts with Going Wrong with it running about 156 minutes, then Harm Done and The Fallen Curtain with both totals run time at approx. 51 minutes and Lake of Darkness and You Can’t Be Too Careful with the run time as approx. 153 minutes.

In set 4 volume 1 in Simisola, Dr. Raymond Akandea, Inspector Wexford’s Nigerian born physician, asks the detective chief inspector to find his 22 year old daughter, Melanie that mysteriously disappeared. In amidst of the investigation Wexford and DI Burden run across the body of Annette Bystock strangled in her apartment. She was an advisor at the job center and coincidentally was the last person to have seen Melanie.The mystery here is, is there a connection between Annette’s death and Melanie’s disappearance.

Set 4 has Simisola with the running time of 152 minutes and Road Rage which runs approx. 201 minutes.

This makes for a good entertainment for mystery lovers. You could sit back and enjoy this 11 Volume Boxed Set at your own convenience and time in your own home especially if you are bored with the regular TV programs being aired on TV these days.

To get your copy of  The Ruth Rendell Mysteries Collection, just click on the Amazon icon at the top of this article. I don’t think you would be disappointed in doing so.

Jan Barrett

The series Van der Valk Mysteries Set 1 starring Barry Foster as detective Piet Van der Valk is the cult classic British cop show which is set in Amsterdam. Here we get a unique treat for all the mystery fans. The series is set amid the cobblestones and canals of old Amsterdam.

The suave but cynical detective is a man that has probably seen it all. His daily caseload brings him into regular contact with the seamy underside of the Dutch capital. He goes from brothels to transvestite clubs to drug dens.

The good detective seems to have a taste for the finer things in life like the symphony music, good wine and the cooking that his beautiful French born wife Arlette, played by Susan Travers, does. But even she can tell that her husband seems to feel more at home when he is working.

Van der Valk works alongside Johnny Kroon, played by Michael Latimer as they solve the crimes between their shots of whiskey and pints of beer. Watching the two of them getting drunk while they come up with more clues on a case leading to the answers they need for the case are fun to watch. Every new case is a personal challenge for this unorthodox cop on the streets of Old Amsterdam.

Van der Valk debuted in the UK in 1972 and it aired for five seasons and it was broadcast in the U.S. on public TV in the 1990’s. This DVD set 1 does include all six episodes from series 1 with an approximate running time totaling 306 minutes.

To get your copy of Van der Valk Mysteries Set 1 click on the cover art icon at the top of this page. I think you will enjoy it.

Jan Barrett

A Maverick Irish cop takes on the London crime world

James Nesbitt stars in this DVD set Murphy’s Law. He is an uncompromising, sometimes tough talking cop. He has no problem using his irresistible charm and his sense of humor to impress any woman, especially one named Annie who is his colleague and later becomes his boss.

Murphy used to be married and he had a young daughter in Northern Ireland. His wife and daughter were taken hostage by the IRA and Murphy was forced to make a choice. He was to either carry a bomb and blow himself up in a local barracks or his daughter would be killed. Of course he chose the first option but when he got to the barracks he couldn’t go through with it knowing he would be killing two hundred people if he did.

When he worked his way back to his home where his wife and child were being held he found that the IRA had slit his daughter’s throat and they made his wife watch them do it. Now Murphy feels that even though in the process he saved many lives and received a medal for it he feels responsible for the death of his daughter.

Feeling he has nothing to lose Detective Tommy Murphy goes to London to work undercover for the Metropolitan Police. The hardheaded, hard-drinking, brash and brooding Murphy is down on his luck but he still has his old Irish charm, flashing quick wit and a roguish grin.

He accepts the most dangerous assignments and ends up in London’s criminal underside surrounded by drugs, blackmail and murder. He is assisted by DI Annie Guthrie (played by Claudia Harrison) who is his sexy savvy boss.

We have 5 episodes in these collections with a running time of approximately 443 minutes total with a bonus biography of James Nesbitt. Murphy’s Law debuted in the UK on BBC in April 2003 and ran for five series through October 2007. It debuted in the United States in 2004.

To get you copy of Murphy’s Law Series 1 click on the cover art from Amazon at the top of this page.

Jan Barrett

The Winter’s family all gather together in Lily’s hospital room to watch the football game. Ashley comes to visit Lily and is invited to stay and watch the game. Ashley is happy to see Malcolm when he comes in but Neil doesn’t look so happy.

Emily brings snacks over for her and Jack to sit and watch the game. She tells him he better get used to being with a sports nut. She suggests to Jack that they get married on Valentine’s Day and he agrees. Then we see Patty in her cell singing her songs telling Jack it won’t be long and she will have him back.

Devon welcomes Malcolm as he is happy to see him as they hug each other. When the nurse comes in to check on Lily, they all pile out the room except for Cane. Lily complains to him about all the tension between Neil and Malcolm. She doesn’t know what to do about it though.

Mac is worried about Billy and who will take care of him but JT stops her from calling him. He tells her if she doesn’t cut her ties with him, Billy will only keep thinking that they still have a chance together. He encourages her to leave Billy be and let him be someone else’s problem.

Billy takes some aspirins for his hangover as he thinks back to Victoria struggling to get the seat belt buckled around him in her car. He wonders why she did it. He wonders if her New Year’s resolution was to be kind to animals.

The Winter’s family are all back in the room with Lily watching the game and everyone seems to be having a great time except for Neil who still isn’t happy about Malcolm being there. Malcolm feels happy to be there though, saying he has a lot of years to make up for.

While Billy sits and watches the game he flashes back to last night and thinking it was nice of Victoria to drive him home. He complained about how he is always misunderstood. He thinks he is a lovable guy except maybe to Victoria. He wonders can’t she think of anything nice to say about him. She says he is a drunk and fairly articulate. He asks her if that is all she has to say.

Emily brings some snacks in and then tells Jack why she is pulling for Minnesota to win the game just as they scare. Jack tells her he can’t wait to marry her. She wonders who she can invite and he tells her whoever she wants to invite. She tells him how she has always dreamed of having a fairytale wedding so Jack tells her she can have one and there will be no expenses spared. He tells her this is her first wedding and he wants to make it his last. She tells Jack he is the most wonderful man in the world.

Patty is happy to see Paul when he visits her as she hugs her brother. She tells Paul the New Year is going to be a good one for her and Jack. She says she is making Dr Peterson an early Valentine’s Day card to let her know how much she appreciates her and how she is the only doctor she trusts.

Cane has to explain the rules of the football game to Ashley. Malcolm tells everyone how good it is that he can reconnect with everyone. He pulls out a card that Lily had made for her Uncle Malcolm which causes Neil to only roll his eyes and then says he will be back as he walks out the room. Ashley follows him out. He tells her about Malcolm being Lily’s biological father and he says now Malcolm is only there to ingratiate himself. Ashley thinks all this tension between the brothers can’t be good for Lily and she is sure that Malcolm would understand that. Even though he feels guilty Neil admits he does want Malcolm to leave. He feels like he should just swallow his feelings so his daughter would have an extra person to support her through all this.

Billy gets a call from a reporter asking for a comment about his announcement online about Jack’s engagement. He remembers making the announcement but refuses to give a comment about it. He says if people want to read more about it they can buy a copy of Restless Style. He tells them he is not in this for charity and hangs up. As he thinks back again to last night there is a knock on the door and it is Victoria telling she forgot her scarf there last night.

JT and Mac talk about when they were together and her getting pregnant. They both end up admitting their regrets and their thoughts about what might have been. JT changes the subject wondering where Victoria is saying she should be there by now.

Billy isn’t sure he thanked Victoria for her help last night. He tells her he sure hopes he didn’t say anything that could get him into trouble. She thinks back to covering him up with a blanket. He tells her all his priorities are screwed up these days. He realizes it is always him first and says he just does whatever he damn well pleases. He tells her he never should have written that story about her and Deacon. He says she could have just stepped over him on that sidewalk last night but she didn’t. He feels like the world’s biggest jackass but at least Victoria thinks he is really sincere. She tells him that everyone knows he what a jerk he is.

Lily fells asleep as the game ends. Cane calls Malcolm over to talk about the tension his being there is causing. Malcolm says that was not something he intended to do. Malcolm thinks Cane needs to be talking to Neil about this since it seems to he is the one with the problem. Cane asks Malcolm if he is really there for Lily or just for his own guilt. Neil walks up asking what the problem there is. Neil sides with Cane saying that Lily depends on them for support and they don’t need any distractions right now. He asks Malcolm to leave saying to please put Lily’s needs first. Malcolm agrees and decides to go.

Jack and Emily talk about having kids. Jack is exciting about having another chance at fatherhood. He says now that he is with the mother of his future kids it is a whole lot easier to imagine. He gets a call about a newspaper article and asks what article. He says he has no comment and hangs up. He says he can’t believe this and then goes to his computer. He sees the announcement and Emily worries that Patty might find out but is thankful she doesn’t have access to a computer. Jack grabs his coats and takes off leaving Emily there. Paul comes over and when Emily answers the door he says if she is answering Jack’s door what he heard must be true. He shows her the newspaper article and now they are worried what is Patty sees it. Paul tells her that Patty trusts her and has to ask is it fair for her to be treating her now if she has to go on hiding to her about the truth of the man she is in love with. Emily agrees and says this can’t continue.

Victoria thinks back more to last night with Billy. She remembers getting on her knees to help peel Billy’s pants down and laughing at his boxers. When she snaps out of her thoughts she tells Billy she has to go but reminds him that the boxers were very festive. Billy grins as he looks slightly embarrassed.

Ashley thinks asking Malcolm to leave was the right thing for Neil and Cane to do. Malcolm goes back to the hospital to see Lily who jokes around about her falling asleep on everyone. He tells her he is glad to get some time alone with her. He asks if his being there stressing her out and if it is he will leave. She admits it has been awkward and doesn’t want Neil to feel uncomfortable but at the same time she likes having Malcolm there with her. He says he was hoping she would say that. He says if having both of them there will help her beat this cancer then he and Neil will just have to deal with their differences and maybe end up healing some old wounds. She tells him that would be great.

Victoria comes in and joins JT apologizing for taking so long. He picks up Reed and tells her he will see her at home as he kisses her on the forehead.

Jack goes to see Billy to jump on him about stabbing him in the back again. Billy says he is sorry and says he knows it is too late to put the Jeannie back in the bottle. He wants to become a better man. He tells Jack he needs his brother back. Jack tells him it just isn’t that simple. After all the crap he has pulled he can’t just get a fresh start and Jack walks out.

Paul tells Emily that his sister deserves better. Emily agrees and says she will go tell Patty she can’t be her doctor anymore. Then we see Patty in her cell playing with her paper dolls. She opens up the newspaper she has and runs across the article announcing Jack and Emily’s engagement. She starts in a frenzy screaming as she starts stabbing at the newspaper with her scissors.

Jan Barrett

When we were first introduced to Erica Strange a year ago we found her to be single and working a dead end job. She found little hope for a future. Erica runs into a chance meeting with the mysterious Dr. Tom which altered her life when he began allowing her to travel back in time to make some changes and get a do-over with some of the regrets she made in her life. She relived a high school dance, went back to the moment she lost her virginity, faced off against an intimidating college professor and even revisited her Bar Mitzvah. When Erica defied his trust when she tried to change the circumstances surrounding her brother, Leo’s death, she found herself left at a crossroads, not knowing if she would ever see her therapist again.

In Season two, called Being Dr. Tom Erica is much more accountable and must more experienced in the ways of the time travel and therapy. She continues to move forward in her journey and she comes to understand that changing in her life isn’t a quick fix. It involves facing an ever expanding series of challenges. In this premiere, Dr. Naadiah takes over the therapy sessions with Erica and sends her back to a bar in 1998 where she meets a younger and troubled Dr. Tom. When she sees a view of his past it makes Erica realize now it is her turn to lend a helping hand to him.

The premiere of Being Erica will be on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 from 10:00 to 11:00 pm. (ET/PT) on SOAPnet. You can also catch the re-airing of the entire first season in order with the “Winter Warm Up” Marathon on Sunday, January 17, 2010 from 11am to 12am (ET/PT) on SOAPnet.

Jan Barrett