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Review by Dane Marti

Okay, I’m going to go out on a limb. I might be pathetically misguided, but I believe that this special film’s message (at least what I took away from it) is that everyone in life has issues, hidden problems that the outside world does not always comprehend or see. Communication can help people to understand, and even if folks attempt to avoid confrontations with strangers, new encounters can help in a variety of ways. Finding Neighbors demonstrates these ideas in a first-rate manner. It’s both intelligent and humane, but I’m not implying that the film is also dull as dishwater. While being entertained by this story’s slice of life, I was also re-educated about the importance of communication between people—how it can inspire and enliven everyone in a positive way. Most importantly, it does these things while being entertaining as well.

Ron Judkins is an Oscar-winning sound engineer. He has worked on over 50 films since 1976 including blockbusters for directors such as Steven Spielberg, Gus Van Sant, Paul Thomas Anderson, Richard Donner, and Barry Levinson. He won two Academy Awards for Best Sound for Jurassic Park and Saving Private Ryan. He made his directorial debut in 1999 with the film The Hi Line, which he also wrote. Now Ron Judkins is back in the director/writer chair for the new film Finding Neighbors, a comedic drama about three sets of Los Angeles neighbors who are searching for true connections.

Finding Neighbors is the story of a formerly acclaimed graphic novelist who goes looking for a true connection outside of his marriage – and just over his fence. Six months late on a book delivery, Sam (Michael O’Keefe) has succumbed to a full-on midlife and creative crisis. Sherrie (Julie Mond), the provocative girl-next-door, offers...

Ed Kennedy is finishing up his fact finding mission through southern swap meets, but he'll be back to give you a Meme this weekend. But we know how you love Ed's brilliantly curated daily compilation of internet odds and ends, so we're asking for help crowdsourcing today's edition of the Morning Meme! Got a link, video, hot news item, etc. you think other readers would enjoy? As long as it's P.G. rated, please share in the comments!

I do have a few items to get the ball rolling...

Listen up, and set this time and date! August 25th, 8:00 Pm Et on Hallmark Channel. That's when you can see Trevor Donovan, Cindy Williams, and Shelley Long in the premiere of Strawberry Summer. "When a small-town music teacher and Strawberry Festival Queen (Julie Mond) invites a popular country singer notorious for canceling shows to perform at the festival, she finds...

It looks like Chase is about to have quite a religious experience on House.

Sources confirm to TVLine exclusively that actress Julie Mond — best known as General Hospital‘s original Lisa — has been tapped to guest star in an upcoming episode centered around Jesse Spencer’s Chase.

According to an insider, Mond will play a nun who Chase treats when she comes into the clinic.

In an interview with TVLine last month, Spencer teased that an early ’12 installment would find Chase connecting with a patient. “A patient gets into his head,” he said,...

Win a copy of Love Begins, out on DVD November 22

Based on the novel, Love Finds a Home, discover how Janette Oke’s touching “Love Comes Softly” series began in Love Begins, arriving on DVD November 22 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

After their father passes away, Ellen Barlow (Julie Mond) and her sister Cassie (Abigail Mavity) struggle to maintain their family’s farm. When Clark Davis (Wes Brown) finds trouble in their town on his way to California, Ellen agrees to hire him at the farm to work off his debts. Before long, Clark and Ellen unexpectedly develop feelings for each other. Ultimately, the pair begins a legacy of love and faith together in this heartwarming family drama.

For your chance to win a copy of Love Begins on DVD, simply answer the following question:

What is the name of the character who has to work off his debts in Love Begins?...

Discover how Janette Oke.s Love Comes Softly series began with the Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment DVD release of Love Begins on November 22nd and M&C.s giving away three copies. Synopsis: After their father's passing, Ellen Barlow (Julie Mond, .General Hospital.) and her sister Cassie (Abigail Mavity, .Summerland.) struggle to maintain the family farm in Anderson's Corner. When Clark Davis (Wes Brown, .True Blood.) finds trouble in town on his way to California, Ellen agrees to hire him at the farm to work off his debts. Before long, Clark and Ellen unexpectedly develop feelings for each other. Ultimately, a turn of events inspires the pair to begin a legacy of love and faith together in this heartwarming...

Apparently these season 9 episodes aren't being shown in the order listed, which is really frustrating! An explosion at a sugar refinery provides the team with this week's case and Horatio (David Caruso) and Delko (Adam Rodriguez) are on the scene to rescue and pull out two people alive. There's one Db, whom Me Tom (Christian Clemenson) refers to as "fragile." He states it looks like a bomb went off in there and he wasn't that far wrong. The blast shattered his bones. Nina (Leela Savasta) recognizes his watch and IDs him as Eduardo (Bryan Cid Borreo) her fiance. Walter (Omar Miller), Ryan (Jonathan Togo) Natalia (Eva La Rue) and Delko process the refinery. Horatio finds the presence of sugar dust, which in excessive quantities could cause an explosion. Natalia says it's on everything. Horatio doesn't think it was an accident. Walter says there are regulations in place to prevent such...

Hallmark Channel has released a list of Fall movies whose casts include a number of soap opera stars. First up though Desperate Housewives' Nicollette Sheridan stars in Honeymoon For One, A Hallmark Channel Original Movie World Premiere debuting Saturday, August 13 at 9p/8c.

See the fall movie list below which includes All My Children's Natalie Hall and Kim Delaney, General Hospital's Greg Vaughan and As The World Turns' Dylan Bruce.

Love Begins

Hallmark Channel Original Movie World Premiere

Saturday, September 17 (9p.m. Et/Pt, 8C)

Starring: Nancy McKeon, Wes Brown, Julie Mond, Abigail Mavity, Jerry Burns

“Love Begins” is the prequel inspired by award-winning author Janette Oke’s most beloved book series Love Comes Softly and Oke’s iconic hero Clark Davis (Brown). Clark’s adventurous dreams of seeing the world are cut short when he lands in jail after a café brawl. Clark strikes a...

There's been a casting shake-up on General Hospital:

Brianna Brown is in and Julie Mond is out.

The former will premiere in the role of Patrick's ex, Dr. Lisa Niles, on January 6. She takes over for Mond, who first aired as the same character on November 18. A General Hospital insider: says the switch took place "due to a change in direction for storyline."

Brown (above) has appeared on CSI: Miami and The Closer, among other dramas.

Movie Info: Writer:: John Shiban Director: Shawn Papazian Cast: Joey Mendicino, Julie Mond, Graham Norris, Mikey Post, Michael Childers, Brionne Davis, Edmund Entin, Gary Entin, Gina Fricchione, Diane Salinger, Richard Tillman Rating: Unrated Studio: Warner Home Video Release Info: DVD Release Date: September 30, 2008 Online Availability: Amazon for $18.99 The direct to DVD horror movie Rest Stop came out in 2006 and reminded [...]...

We just received some shocking news... apparently Warner Home Video has delayed their Raw Feed release of REST STOP: DON'T LOOK BACK from its planned September 30th date all the way until an undetermined 2009 date. This is odd considering copies have the DVD and Blu-ray have been sent out to all press this week. We'll see if we can find out what happened.... until then, click here for the cover art, stills, the trailer and a long synopsis. One year after running away from home, Nicole (Julie Mond) and Jesse (Joey Mendicino) are still missing. When Jesses brother, Tom (Richard Tillman), returns home from active duty, he sets out with his friends Marilyn (Jessie Ward) and Jared (Graham Norris) to locate the lost couple. Their search leads them to the stretch of old highway with a mysterious Rest Stop...

I had a chance to checkout Rest Stop Dont Look Back which is of course a sequel to Rest Stop. It picks up where the last film left off. One year after running away from home, Nicole (Julie Mond) and Jesse (Joey Mendicino) are still missing. When Jesse’s brother, Tom (Richard Tillman), returns home from active duty, he sets out with his friends Marilyn (Jessie Ward) and Jared (Graham Norris) to locate the lost couple. Their search leads them to the stretch of old highway with a mysterious Rest Stop, where they find themselves in the same predicament as Nicole and Jesse: conf...

As I was browsing through Amazon this morning, I discovered not only a behind-the-scenes clip from Warner Home Video and Raw Feed's Rest Stop: Don't Look Back, but also noticed that the DVD/Blu-ray will now arrive at retailers on September 30th. Click here for the clip. You can find the cover art and long synopsis for the sequel by reading beyond the break. One year after running away from home, Nicole (Julie Mond) and Jesse (Joey Mendicino) are still missing. When Jesses brother, Tom (Richard Tillman), returns home from active duty, he sets out with his friends Marilyn (Jessie Ward) and Jared (Graham Norris) to locate the lost couple. Their search leads them to the stretch of old highway with a mysterious Rest Stop, where they find themselves in the same predicament as Nicole and Jesse: confronting the madman (Brionne Davis) driving the menacing yellow truck.

Warner Home Video has announced Rest Stop: Don't Look Back (trailer) which stars Richard Tillman, Jessie Ward, and Graham Norris. The Shawn Papazian directed horror will be available to own from the 7th October, and should retail at around $24.98. Extras will include a commentary by Writer/Producer John Shiban and Director Shawn Papazian, an alternate ending, deleted scenes ("Buddy", "Meet the Family", "Dinner with the Family"), a Doomed to Repeat: The Mythology of Rest Stop featurette, and an additional scene (The Owners Demise). One year after running away from home, Nicole (Julie Mond) and Jesse (Joey Mendicino) are still missing. When Jesses brother, Tom (Richard Tillman), returns home from active duty, he sets out with his friends Marilyn (Jessie Ward) and Jared (Graham Norris) to locate the lost couple.

Warner Raw Feed is set to release Rest Stop II: Don't Look Back on DVD October 7th, 2008. One year after running away from home, Nicole (Julie Mond) and Jesse are still missing. When Jesses brother, Tom, returns home from active duty, he sets out with his friends Marilyn and Jared to locate the lost couple. Their search leads them to the stretch of old highway with a mysterious Rest Stop, where they find themselves in the same predicament as Nicole and Jesse: confronting the madman driving the menacing yellow truck. As their search continues, a run-in with the ubiquitous Winnebago Family leads Marilyn and Jared to ghostly encounters with Nicole. Meanwhile, Tom is kidnapped and tortured by the psycho, but upon his escape he uses the arsenal at his disposal to take his revenge.

If you head on over to Bdtv/YouTube you can check out the official DVD/Blu-ray trailer for Rest Stop 2: Don't Look Back, Warner Home Video and Raw Feed's sequel to the direct-to-video franchise they started two years back. One year after running away from home, Nicole (Julie Mond) and Jesse (Joey Mendicino) are still missing. When Jesses brother, Tom (Richard Tillman), returns home from active duty, he sets out with his friends Marilyn (Jessie Ward) and Jared (Graham Norris) to locate the lost couple. Their search leads them to the stretch of old highway with a mysterious Rest Stop, where they find themselves in the same predicament as Nicole and Jesse: confronting the madman (Brionne Davis) driving the menacing yellow truck.