CatWomanVA

I genuine love this movie. It truly does not feel like a vertical at all, with exception of the screen ratio. I know they filmed this in horizontal, but framed it in vertical, but if they had framed for horizontal instead, this very easily could have been a movie on one of the more mainstream platforms.

There was none of the overdone soapy vertical tropes that you come to expect. No drawn out banquet scenes, no ongoing bullying (except for her toxic, abusive husband, of course), and none of the cat fights and endless slapping we've all come to despise. It was also quite refreshing to not have the annoying character introduction titles and the endless internal monologue that a lot of the verticals now overly rely on. Like I said, If not for it being displayed in vertical, you wouldn't know that it was a part of the vertical space at all... Just a high quality film.

The chemistry between Cayman Cardiff and Quincey Leigh is undeniable. The heat they bring to the story... Well, steamy doesn't even begin to describe it. There's an authenticity to their performances that is hard to find, especially in the vertical genre. From the moment they lock eyes, you know you're in for quite the ride. I've watched this so many times, and I know I'm destined for many more... This film alone is reason enough to consider the annual Vigloo membership.

This was my first film with Quincey Leigh, and she was an utter delight to watch. Her performance rang true in a way that I not only felt her abject fear and utter hopelessness at the situation she was trapped in, I was ready to take out Selene's husband for her. She needed either a good attorney or a loaded weapon... Okay, either way she'd need that good attorney.

Nic Carrucio was the perfect villain and there was no way we couldn't not only hate, but truly despise him. He was so toxic and truly evil in a very realistic and scarily believeable way. As I said, there were numerous times I would've happily taken him out.

Cayman was an absolute gem... He brings such honesty and sincerity to Jaxon. And as always, he conveys so much with just one look, without needing to say a word, so when he does, you listen because you know it's important. Genuine and real is probably the best way I can describe his performance. You can feel everything Jaxon is going through right along with him. I'm not sure why Hollywood hasn't snapped Cayman up yet, but it will definitely be the vertical world's loss when he gets called up to the majors.

I LOVED how Cayman got to go back to his roots and let his southern flag fly, so to speak. Typically, in verticals, southern accents are so overplayed to make the character appear dumber, which is an insult to the character and the audience and, honestly, it distracts from the story. Cayman's natural drawl slid in and out flawlessly, and I swear I giggled every time he said "ain't" as when playing CEOs and Alphas, you always have to speak a bit more proper. I truly loved seeing that little piece of him shine through.

The steam... Holy cannoli, was this hot! Definitely Cayman's steamiest film by far, and on more than one occasion, I was fairly jealous of Quincey Leigh's Selene. I've always been a fan of men who work with their hands and Cayman, already being God's gift to the world, as the unassumingly powerful Jaxon, he may have made me drool a time or two... Or maybe not... I'll never tell.

I swear, every time I watch this, I notice more and more. When I say that there's an authenticity to their performances, I mean in every way. Even in some little things that most people wouldn't even notice in all the typical vertical craziness. For instance, not to be weird, but in the steamy scenes, there's a definite intensity. In a lot of other verticals, the passion is just not really there. But in this, they look like they're truly starving for each other. And how red her face gets between being worked up and scratched by stubble? It definitely looks real... Whereas in a lot of the other films, after a supposed intense kissing scene, you couldn't tell by looking at them whatsoever. But these two look absolutely wrecked... It's as if they are each other's air and need each other to survive. I desperately want someone to look at me the way Jaxon does Selene.

Finally, a genuine fall! Typically, the heroine trips on air, but Selene stepped back into his toolbox and lost her balance, causing Jaxon to catch her. I was so happy it was a legitimate fall for a change. I feel you, girl. I've tripped on many toolboxes in my time. Unfortunately, I never had Jaxon there to catch me.

This film is a true redemption story, with both overcoming their past and the situations that they were forced into. There is the steamy romance, with a fair bit of action to keep this from becoming an overly sappy rom-com.

It is also full of action-flick worthy one-liners like "We ain't nobodies anymore...", "I'm not on the guest list..." which gave serious John McClane vibes, but "Now THAT'S a country ass-whoopin'..." instantly topped it. "NOBODY is going to hurt you like that again... I'll make sure of it." honest to God chills. "Let him wait... His wife's busy." I swear the temperature in the room instantly increased by a few degrees. "You ain't built for this fight.", yet another epic line... "I could snap your frame in half... No lift. No tools. Just me." Yes, give me a man like that! And lastly, "I care about you Selene... I want you in my life" It was so... raw... heartfelt and sincere that there was no doubt he meant it. If she didn't agree, I would've happily accepted on her behalf.

The only downside to this wonderful film was that at coming in at one hour in length (51 chapters), it just wasn't long enough. I truly didn't want it to end and have to say goodbye to these characters. Maybe some scenes could've been extended, or maybe we could've seen more of their happily ever after... I just wasn't ready to let them go yet.

We need a part two! There's so much story left to tell as they move forward rebuilding the business and Jaxon takes his place as CEO, restoring his father's legacy.

I really liked this film. It stayed away from most of the overused tropes and there was only one soapy slap attempt. It was refreshing to see a different type of story with a diffierent motivation for our villain for a change. Instead of greed and the thirst for power and money, Betty's dirty deeds were a misguided attempt at self-preservation and to conceal her dark past and many secrets.

Then we have our fiesty, strong-willed heroine, Alice, a reporter for a financial magazine, who, although she did need the brave hero to rescue her a time or two, still had the confidence, intelligence and strength to not only stand up for herself time and time again, but to also assist in defending herself from multiple attackers and later thwart our second, more despicable baddie.

Our hero, Caleb, is a firefighter with a heart of gold who wants nothing more to help people, but is being guilted by his grandfather into taking over their family's company. He is incredibly selfless and does everything he can to make sure Alice is not only safe, but happy and healthy, even if it means giving her up and breaking his own heart in the process.

I wasn't familiar with Alexandra Swanback before this film, but was pleasantly surprised with the charm, grace, and little bit of cockiness she brought to Alice. She was fun to watch and I can't wait to see more from her in the future.

Victoria Pagnini as Betty was her usual deliciously evil self, reminding me yet again that she's not someone I'd ever want to cross. She always brings the right amount of unhinged to her villains so much so that I honestly can't imagine ever rooting for her as a heroine. She's the villain we all love to hate.

Cayman Cardiff charms once again as Caleb. He's the big powerful teddy bear we all wish we could find in real life. With his eyes and facial expressions alone, you instantly know what he's thinking and feeling and are right there along for the ride. He brought Caleb to life with the right mix of protective alpha, sweet boy next door and understanding partner, always patient and waiting for Alice to be open and ready for his love. Cayman even brought his trademark growl along to an emotionally intense fight scene which very clearly declared the depth of Caleb's feelings for Alice... It wasn't just a fight or him being protective, it was personal.

Let's also not forget the perfect specimen of a fireman that Cayman presents. That man knows how to fill a fire suit (especially when its only the pants and jacket) and I only wish there some like him in my neck of the woods.

Overall, this was a really good story that kept pulling you in with the mystery of the past getting darker and even more mysterious as the story progressed. It's a feel good story about following your heart, overcoming crazy obstacles, like selective amnesia, to be together and love conquering all once you truly open yourself up to it. This movie is a true gem that I know I will rewatch again and again moving forward.