Mommy Group Murder – Review

Mommy Group Murder – Lifetime – 2 hours and 3 minutes

Natalie is a new mom that feels ill-prepared for the responsibilities and hardships of motherhood.  Losing her mother just days after finding out she was pregnant, leaves a big hole and doubt in her heart.  After her daughter is born, she has horrific nightmares of losing or accidentally hurting her child.  Her husband tries to help, but she just isn’t getting better.  While jogging, the lock on her stroller pops and it rolls downhill towards a lake.  Before it goes into the water, Grace (mother of 1) catches the stroller.  Natalie is extremely thankful and Grace can see she is exhausted.  Grace tells her about a mommy group they have as a support system in times of crisis.  Grace joins and finds a group of strong mothers who, while nice, make her feel inadequate.  Ros (mother of 1) was in the Peace Corp and Maria (mother of 2) is in med school.  They assure Natalie that her feelings are normal and she will gain confidence over time.  Natalie feels strong until she gets a cryptic Instagram message warning her about Grace.  She tries to ignore it until Maria tells Natalie a devastating secret.   Grace is having an affair with Maria’s husband Tony. She saw it all on the baby monitor.  Now, Natalie wants to know the truth about Grace, starting with her real name.

This movie is amazing because it gets into the head of a true first-time mom.  The hours without sleep, crushing doubt, loneliness, isolation, and, sometimes, depression is hard for one person to bare.  You are relieved when Natalie finds other moms she can talk to and bond with about any topic.  When the conflict arises, this movie goes from 0 to 100 mph.  You will gasp, hide behind your hands, and stare in horror as Grace’s true colors are exposed.  But make sure you catch every second of this movie or you will miss out on very important scenes.

I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars

I wish she could have told me how to be perfect. Like she was – Natalie

It was homecoming king, thank you very much – Brian

Nobody’s perfect – Grace

You’re bleeding – Ros

I saw it. I saw everything – Maria

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Flip that Romance – Review

Flip that Romance – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Jules has high hopes for an upcoming house auction.  One half of a duplex is up for sale.  If she wins the home and flips it within a month, she can start her own company with the profits.  Before the auction, she runs into her ex-partner and ex-boyfriend Lance.  He will be bidding on the same home.  In order to win the auction, she overbids her set max bid.  Happy to win – but sad at the cost – she walks into her latest acquisition.  As she makes plans with the contractor, a sledgehammer goes through the wall.  It’s Lance.  He previously purchased the other half of the duplex before the auction. He was hoping to make one large home but she stopped him.  The two quietly go into competition hoping to sell their half for more money.  Jules believes her classic clean style will beat his rustic contemporary style.  The competition remains unspoken until a local magazine picks up on the story.  They ask the pair to be a part of a competition.  The audience will pick the winner and the winner will get a spread in a magazine.  Aware this will catapult their career, they decide to enter the competition but keep it friendly.  However, when their past issues and sabotage rears its ugly head, can they build their relationship and their homes?

This movie does follow the Hallmark plots, however, the sabotage angle is compelling to watch unravel.  The viewer will understand what happened behind the scenes but the characters will have to get along or become conniving.  Since this is Hallmark and not Lifetime, you know which way it will go but it’s fun to watch.  The biggest moment is not the end but the big reveal of the two homes during the competition.  Both are equally amazing and will give you design ideas.  Which one was your favorite?  In this movie, the competition overshadowed the romance.

I give it 2.5 out of 5 stars

Let the last flip pay for your next flip – Jules

There’s a difference between impulse and instinct – Lance

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Murder In-Law – Review

Murder In-Law – LMN – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Claire hates her daughter-in-law Alison.  She believes Alison is not good enough for her son James and her granddaughter Sydney.  Alison doesn’t cook good enough, doesn’t do laundry right, and doesn’t pay enough attention to her family.  But Claire will do anything and everything to fill in the gap will letting Alison know what she is doing wrong.  When Alison announces the family will move for a job opportunity, Claire feels like she was punched in the stomach. While her husband Bruce is happy they will have alone time, Claire wants them to stay.  So Claire decides to kill Bruce and tell James he left her for a younger woman in a Winnebago.  Knowing her son is compassionate and Alison is timid, she moves into their home.  Moving in will never be good enough.  Claire wants James and Sydney all to herself.

Lifetime presents another “root for the killer” movie.  Also, this is a “yell at the dumb husband” movie.  While you are doing that, this movie does deliver a strong message.  Stand up for yourself and speak out.  Alison didn’t want conflict, so she took Claire’s verbal and mental abuse to keep the peace.  The longer Alison kept quiet, it gave Claire permission to continue her reign of terror.  Never mistake quiet for peace or you will end up like Claire and Alison.

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars

I don’t want to have to tell him. I’m his wife. Not his mother – Alison

I’m gonna die alone – Claire

You mean ‘loves them’ right. He’s not dead, mom – James

Wow, I knew you must be crazy, but I had no idea – Charlie

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Crossword Mysteries: A Puzzle to Die For – Review

Crossword Mysteries: A Puzzle to Die For – HMM – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Crossword editor, Tess walks into work with everyone asking for her help on the latest crossword puzzle.  But she never gives answers.  She puts the finishing touches on her last puzzle when she gets startling news from her friend and co-worker Harris.  The Nightingale Museum was broken into and the gallery owner, Allen Nightengale was murdered and a painting stolen.  This crime hits close to home because Allen was a close friend of her Aunt Candace.  She consoles her aunt and learns that Allen was having money trouble and resolved a nasty, expensive divorce.  But Candace still doesn’t understand why someone would kill him.  The next day, Tess overhears Harris talking to the lead detective on a case.  Det. Logan O’Connor tells Tess that Allen was a fan of her puzzles.  He solved only a few across clues in cursive.  Tess knows this is not normal for a true cruciverbalist.  Tess finds the crossword in an old newspaper and learns it has the location, entry point, time, and item to be stolen in the puzzle.  She has to convince Det. O’Connor that the crosswords are the clue.  However, it will take time, threats, and another dead body for him to see the truth.

This is a decent start to a series.  While it’s hard to see how a crossword puzzle can be involved in every crime, it’s an interesting plot twist for HMM fans.  With an unlikable victim, there are plenty of suspects but you are still stumped by the culprit.  And if you are wondering, yes, crossword editor is a real job.  And a hard job at that.  It will be intriguing to see how this mystery series develops in the coming episodes.

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars

He’s a Monday puzzle, simplest one of the week – Tess

So is punctuality – Logan O’Connor

What’s the point of having friends in high places if one doesn’t ask for a favor every now and then – Candace

Any tears here are of the crocodile variety. Allen got his just deserts – Elaine

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