Lifetime

A new ‘Highway to Heaven’ brings back angels, hope, and love

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

From 1984-1989 Michael Landon starred as angel Jonathan Smith in the popular TV series Highway to Heaven. Last Christmastime Lifetime aired a new movie with the same title starring Jill Scott as angel Angela, with Barry Watson as Bruce who support to Angela, only after he gets over the shock that she is an actual angel. The movie is now available on DVD and Digital so viewers can watch this inspiring and heartwarming show at any time.

The original series was a family-viewing event every week in millions of homes. Watson admitted, “ It just seemed like the world needs a Highway to Heaven right now.  Everybody needs something that I think can maybe kind of like lift them up and maybe help them move beyond kind of where they’re stuck in the past maybe.”  Indeed, with what we have all been through regarding the pandemic as well as the current state of world affairs, this is a good time for some uplifting stories. While the show will not be a weekly event, Lifetime has said they will produce a series of movies.

The show does not go into specific religions, however faith is a big part of the storylines. As Scott acknowledged, “My grandmother introduced prayer to me.  And that has been a portion of my life since as long as I can remember.”

Many of us have had experiences we simply cannot explain. We have been guided in a specific direction and maybe in those cases it was an angel leading the way. Who knows for sure? But it is definitely nice to think that angels are looking out for us.

When asked about this, Watson answered, “I do believe in angels.  I believe that there are souls out there that watch over us.  I actually do.  That’s my belief.  I think that’s probably what’s got me through some of my toughest times of my life is having this universe of angels kind of looking over me and hopefully guiding me in ways I don’t know.  Even when I think I’m never gonna get out of something.  I feel like if you believe, you eventually kind of will get through it.”

Scott agrees and admitted she also believe in angels. “What I know is that people in my life, personally, have showed up and strangers that do kind things that have directed me in a different way than where I was headed.  I’ve missed gunshots.  I’ve missed fights.  I’ve missed being robbed by seconds, minutes, moments.  And I really believe that my grandmother has been a portion of that, that she’s — and all of my ancestors — just guiding me.  If that means angels to some people, then so be it.  For me, yeah.  Angels and ancestors. … So, yes, I believe in angels.”

This first movie focuses on a young student who is having a difficult time since his mother passed away the previous year. Angela steps in and with the help of her “boss” aka God, steers him in the right direction and gets him back on a good path.

With the state of the world, it is perhaps the best time to bring back a show, although it is a reboot, that is uplifting, inspiring, touches the heart, gives hope, and ends up being a feel-good experience for the entire family. Amen.

Highway to Heaven is now available on DVD (no bonus features) and Digital.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association, was a longstanding member of the Los Angeles Press Club, and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.

A digital age thriller asks ‘What would you do for love?’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



Ever since a certain dating site scared me to death over a decade ago, I’ve been trying my best to keep a low profile. I do not wish to have any social media footprint and would like to erase digital trail as far as my personal life is concerned. Fat chance, so I’ve been told. Keeping personal data out of the hands of governments, corporations, and criminals is virtually impossible today. It’s absolutely terrifying to imagine my data being used against me in any shape or form. I wish I could turn back the clock when privacy was well and alive. Just when I have no choice to accept the disturbing reality of modern life comes Lifetime’s new romantic thriller, You.

Based on Caroline Kepnes’ novel of the same title, You explores “how men and women move through the world differently,” said Sera Gamble, who co-created this unsettling yet fascinating series with Greg Berlanti, Hollywood’s most prolific producer. It totally confirms my conviction that information is power and privacy is dead.

Joe Goldberg (Pen Badgley) meets Guinevere Beck (Elizabeth Lail), aspiring writer/college student, when she walks into a bookstore he manages. Immediately we hear what’s going on in his head and this seemingly harmless guy decides that there is nothing he wouldn’t do to make her fall in love with him. Joe stalks Beck (who can blame her for not using her first name) online and off-line to collect information as his tools and ammunitions.

There are many obstacles in his way to winning her heart, but no problem! He weeds them out discreetly, strategically, and nonchalantly. He enjoys all the challenges, especially those thrown down at him by a fellow savior wannabe named Peach Salinger (Shay Mitchell), who claims to have Beck’s best interests at heart. Right! You know what they say; it takes one to know one.

Something tells me this ain’t his first rodeo and winning might be the key word since he is not ruffled by Beck’s one-night stands and transgressions. It’s a predator-prey relationship. Joe knows what he wants, but gradually finds out Beck, his current precious prey, is not what she claims to be. Her online version caters to NY’s highbrow society she desperately aspires to fit in and is vastly different from Beck in person, who is not at all comfortable in her own skin.

You asks what would you do for love? Sure, I’ve always wanted to know the inner workings of a psychopath, but Joe’s internal mental processes and justification for his offenses ‘in the name of love’ are downright chilling. I do not envy any of you having to navigate dating in the digital age. Thanks to all the growth-at-all-costs Internet giants, we’re all more alone than ever in and out of cyberspace. It’s too late to put all the evils and miseries of the world back into Pandora’s box, isn’t it?

You premieres Sunday, September 9, 2018 on Lifetime.

About the Author

Meg Mimura is a TV critic who actually watches shows zealously in search of thought-provoking and paradigm shifting human drama worth our precious time. She is a member of Television Critics Association.