EXCLUSIVE: 'Killer Island' Review

A murder in paradise ... a relationship on the rocks ... and a mystery to be solved. All of this adds up to another "Killer" movie from actor/director/producer/writer Barbie Castro.

Castro fans know her from Lifetime classics "Boyfriend Killer," "Girlfriend Killer," Patient Killer," and "Assumed Killer." Well, she's back with "Killer Island," which will be available on video-on-demand starting this weekend ... and likely to become a Lifetime staple on the near future.

Castro was generous enough to offer LM Mental, an EXCLUSIVE first look at this gem, and it's a fine addition to Castro's "Killer" repertoire.

Castro stars as the emotionally scarred Ashley. She's trying to give unfaithful hubby Mike (Brian Goss) another chance. What better place to rekindle a romance than an island resort? Well, Ashley and Mike are in for an adventure as their paradise getaway is the scene of a murder mystery. Two women are murdered on the island, and signs point to resort maintenance man Johnny (Miguel Fasa) as the possible killer. The often-inebriated fix-it man has some serious issues, but he has a job thanks to Uncle Jim (Jordi Vilasuso), one of the resort's managers.

Unfortunately for Johnny, Ashley is pulled into the mystery when she finds the anklet of one of the victims. When she leaves it in her room, Johnny steals it. Bad move! Ashley becomes suspicious and slowly but surely is drawn into the mystery of two missing coeds on the island!

Solving a mystery isn't what Mike had in mind for this vacation, but he's trying to make amends for past infidelities. Ashley has another helper in bartender Gordon (Brian Patrick Clarke), a longtime friend of Ashley's and resort know-it-all. Complicating matters is that the island harbors a painful memory for Ashley.

So, there's a lot going on in this movie, but leave it to expert director Alyn Darnay and veteran screenwriter Christine Conradt for reining everything in and delivering a smart thriller with plenty of red herrings -- not to mention an action-packed climax.

The film is a showcase for Castro, who expertly handles her role. She's definitely credible as a woman with a tortured past and feels a sense of obligation to helping solve this murder mystery. And, she has plenty of scenes to showcase her athletic prowess -- particularly during a climactic chase. And Fasas is a highlight as Johnny, a guy with plenty of secrets. He does an excellent job creating a character on the edge. Supporting cast members also shine, including Goss (a familiar face from Castro's "Girlfriend Killer") as Ashley's flawed knight, and Vilasuso as the suave Jim. It's also awesome to see veteran TV actor Clarke ("Eight is Enough," "General Hospital," "Bold and the Beautiful") back in action as friendly bartender Gordon, a guy who's ready to serve up a beer and some clues to the mystery.

No word on when this debuts on TV ... but if you can't wait, look for it on video on demand. Until then, pack your bags for an awesome getaway courtesy of Castro and company.

"Killer Island:" Directed by Alyn Darney; Starring Barbie Castro as Ashley, Brian Goss as Mike, Miguel Fasa as Johnny, Brian Patrick Clarke as Gordon, Jordi Vilasuso as Jim, Jackie Moore as Kelsy, Jacy King as Deena.

Review: 'The Wrong Daughter'

A little research can go a long way. The protagonists in "The Wrong Daughter" learn this lesson the hard way when a mother tries to connect with the daughter she gave up for adoption ... and winds up contacting a psychopath.

"The Wrong Daughter" was among this month's "Don't Mess With Mommy" premieres, and it was a mother of an awesome movie.

In this movie, we meet Kate (Cindy Busby) and Joe (Jon Prescott), a super couple who have it all...except for a child. Unfortunately, they are unable to conceive. Joe manages to track down Danica, the daughter that Kate once gave up for adoption.

Danica, however, is actually Samantha (Sydney Sweeney) a disturbed young lady. She stole the identity of the real Danica (Sierra Pond) before getting kicked out of a home for girls. Well, Kate and Samantha (posing as Danica) begin to bond. As their relationship blossoms, her friendship with business associate Melissa (Kelsey Griswold) takes a turn. Samantha is insanely jealous of her friendship with her and begins to sabotage it.

Samantha does a good job of covering her tracks, but as you might guess, a few people are on her trail -- Melissa, neighbor Ivan, Ms. Hanson (April Bowlby), and the real Danica. Samantha, however, has plenty of time to wreak havoc by committing murder, ripping off homeless people and destroying gardens. Of course, all of this could have been avoided with a DNA test or proof of ID. Instead, Kate's going by a mere social media meeting!!

This movie is a nice debut for director Ben Meyerson, who crafts a capable made-for-TV thriller that's over-the-top yet very entertaining. Sweeney is definitely credible as the clingy, crazy Samantha. Sweeney shifts gears from a sweet teen to a tantrum-throwing freak at the drop of a hat. And Busby also delivers the goods as a woman desperate to be a mother.

Watch this movie back-to-back with "Mommy Be Mine" (also starring Sierra Pond) for a double dose of mom-obsessed teens. Or, watch it on its own. "The Wrong Daughter" is definitely the right choice if you're seeking a fun viewing experience.

"Wrong Daughter": Directed by Ben Meyerson; Starring Sydney Sweeney as Samantha, Cindy Busby as Kate, Jon Prescott as Joe, Sierra Pond as Danica, April Bowlby as Ms. Hanson, Kelsey Griswold as Melissa, Jesse Pepe as Ivan; Delpaneaux Wills as Det. Willis

Review: 'Mommy Be Mine'

It's Mother's Day Weekend!! Time for plenty of awesome "Mommy" and "Daughter" movies on Lifetime ... all part of the annual "Don't Mess With Mommy Week" hosted by the awesome Wendy Williams!

Last night, the Lifetime Movie Network premiered its latest classic "Mommy Be Mine" and it didn't disappoint.

Ava Sambora (daughter of Lifetime vet Heather Locklear and rocker Richie Sambora) stars as Summer, a teen queen with a great mom (Arianne Zucker). She's popular and smart ... pretty much living the teen dream until she meets new kid Cara (Sierra Pond in an excellent performance). Cara has some mommy issues. She doesn't have one and has a habit of killing other moms and daughters who don't reciprocate her affections.

Guess what! Cara begins leeching on Summer and mom's relationship ... spending the night, delivering gifts, calling Summer's mother, "Mom," and pretty much becoming an annoyance. Summer's friends know Cara's a trainwreck, and soon, some of them show up dead! Summer begins to play internet detective and discovers the truth about Cara. Unfortunately, it may be too late for her, mom, and mom's new boyfriend Steve (Shawn Christian) and summer's love interest Jason (Cameron Gellman).

Sambora delivers a great debut and is picture perfect as the sensitive teenager, who feels slighted by her mother's busy schedule. She's sweet in all of the right scenes but emerges as smart and tough to take on Cara.

The real star of this movie though is Sierra Pond, who shines as the psychotic Cara. She may be one of the creepiest Lifetime villains in a while. Her nice smile turns to a sinister scowl at the drop of a dime. And she expertly captures the essence of a woman obsessed. She also can destroy cupcakes and swing a mean baseball bat! We don't really get a good sense of Cara's motivations other than than she is nuts, but Pond has a field day with this role. She's charismatic, credible and charming (when hiding her sinister intentions).

Director Sean Olson effectively handles this thriller, providing ample time for character development and building the suspense to a boiling point.

All in all, a GREAT Mother's Day movie courtesy of our friends at MarVista! Highly recommended.

"Mommy Be Mine": Directed by Sean Olson; Starring Ava Sambora as Summer, Sierra Pond as Cara, Ariane Zucker as Lianne, Shawn Christian as Steve, Cameron Gellman as Jason, Megan McGown as Tori, Taylor Blackwell as April

Review: 'Dangerous Seduction'

Okay, I haven't blogged in a while ... BUT with a pair of premieres on Lifetime last week, I realized I needed to get back into the swing of things.

And with a title like "Deadly Seduction" (aka "The Queen of Sin"), how could I resist?

So, this movie is pretty crazy even by Lifetime standards. It begins with a murder mystery when a bloodied woman is run over by a speeding vehicle in a park. Cousins Posy Pinkerton (Christa B. Allen) and Laura (Amber Goldfarb) are frequent runners in the park and are questioned by nice guy cop Detective Dagliesh (Sergio Di Zio).

Posy, a medical illustrator, has other problems to contend with. She's a gorgeous young woman with a secret wild side...and a dud of a doctor fiancee. When she's not sketching medical stuff, Posy has created a character that reflects her inner desires ... The Queen of Sin. She even makes a costume (kind of a steampunk lingerie get-up) to wear.

Well, Dr. Dud is less than interested in getting kinky. Posy becomes intrigued with a traveling businessman named Jack (Richard de Klerk), who is tied to the park murder. They flirt, meet for drinks/dinner ... and thus, begins the dangerous seduction.

Jack is a henchman for perverse millionaire Alexander Gorser (Dean Armstrong), who likes to prance around in his undies when not drugging and killing co-eds. Well, Alex sets his sights Posy and assigns his A-Team of stooges to fetch her -- Jack, Stella (Inga Cadranel) and Charlie (Marc Thibaudeau).

This movie is as crazy as it sounds, but it's definitely must-see Lifetime TV. Allen is pretty good as Posy, who is desperate to spice up her love life. The real stars of this movie are the villains. Cadranel is excellent as the sexy and psychotic Inga. And, Thibadeau is equally effective as the steely-eyed heavy.

The plot is definitely original, and the film builds to an effective (and creepy) climax. This is part "50 Shades of Grey,"  part horror film, and highly recommended. I am not seeing this on the immediate Lifetime or LMN schedules, but it is likely to be included in a marathon of "Seduction"-themed films ("Nanny Seduction," "Lethal Seduction," etc.) in the not too distant future.

"Dangerous Seduction": Directed by Jean-Francois Rivard; Starring Christa B. Allen as Posy; Richard de Klerk as Jack; Amber Goldfarb as Laura; Dean Armstrong as Gorser; Marc Thibadeau as Charlie; Inga Cadranel as Stella