Monday, August 3, 2015

DVD Review: Seeds of Yesterday



Seeds of Yesterday
Director: Shawn Ku
Starring: Rachael Carpani, James Maslow, Jason Lewis
Studio: LionsGate / A&E Home Video
Release Date: July 21, 2015
Retail: $14.98
ASIN: B00WU5B5FC
Running Time: 90 minutes
Rating: Not Rated
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

The final installment in the Dollanganger film series, Seeds of Yesterday, is now available to own on DVD. Directed by Shawn Ku, the film stars Rachael Carpani, James Maslow and Jason Lewis. There are no special features or extras on the single disc. However, it does come a with digital copy.

Based on the fourth installment of the Dollanganger Saga book series by the late Gothic author V.C. Andrews, Seeds Of Yesterday picks up thirteen years after the events of If There Be Thorns. Bart (played by James Maslow) has rebuilt the old Foxworth mansion. He's invited his parents, Chris and Cathy (played by Jason Lewis and Rachael Carpani), his brother, Jory (played by Anthony Konechny), sister-in-law, Melodie (played by Leah Gibson) and his adopted-sister Cindy (played by Sammi Hanratty) to stay at the mansion for his 25th birthday celebration, in which Jory and Melodie were to perform a ballet for the party. Well, that is until it is revealed that Melodie is pregnant, forcing Bart to let Cindy, whom he has always hated, to take her place. Unfortunately, an accident occurs that paralyzes Jory.

While Bart tries to act like nothing is wrong, he actually hates his family due to his parents dark secret (spoiler: Chris and Cathy are siblings). After he learns that his inheritance from his late grandmother will be delayed until his 35th birthday, he takes it out on his family. Bart begins a passionate affair with Melodie, who is extremely unstable. Next, he interferes in Cindy's love life, which causes another strain in their relationship, though he actually has romantic feelings for her.

From left to right: James Maslow ("Bart Foxworth," left), Sammi Hanratty ("Cindy Sheffield," left center), Jason Lewis ("Christopher Sheffield," center) and Rachael Carpani ("Cathy Sheffield," right) star in Lionsgate Home Entertainment's SEEDS OF YESTERDAY

After several disturbing events, Chris, Cathy and Jory are certain that Bart has finally has lost his mind and they all fear for lives.


While the Lifetime's Dollanganger movies  don't go exactly by the books, at least the main plots tries to stay faithful. In my opinion, each new movie is better than the other, though due to a low-budget and short running times, they could have better. James Maslow does a great job taking over the role Bart and helps shows off the wicked ways of the character. Sammi Hanratty also gives a good performance as Cindy. The script does try to squeeze in the entire 426-page book into a 90-minutes movie, so there are many missing key scenes and those that are rushed, specially the sub-plot with Toni (played by Nikohl Boosheri). Overall, for what it is, Seeds of Yesterday is an intriguing conclusion to the Dollanganger series. I do hope that Lifetime takes an interest in making the prequel novel, Garden of Shadows, into a movie as well.



*Disclaimer - I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.


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