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Murdaugh Murders: The Movie – Part 1 – Review
Murdaugh Murders: The Movie – Part 1 – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Alex Murdaugh charms the room as his father, Randolph, and wife, Maggie, proudly watch. Randolph calls Alex into his office for an update and a scolding. He wants to keep the Murdaugh name rising high in South Carolina. However, Alex and Buster slowly jeopardize the family legacy. Alex assures Randolph the law practice is in good hands and the name will carry on into the future.
Alex gladly takes personal injury cases and gives clients loans until they get a settlement. He entices judges with country club memberships and makes opposing counsel bend to his will. Alex and Maggie beam as they present their youngest son, Paul, with a truck. Their housekeeper, Gloria, thinks they spoil Paul, but Alex tells her to stay out of it. To the outside world, Alex soars in business and personal matters. Then, Alex gets a call in the middle of the night. The police pulled over Paul for drinking and put him inside a holding cell. Alex uses his influence to get Paul out without a charge. Paul promises not to drink again.
Alex has a late-night meeting and overhears Paul with Anthony and Connor in his office. Alex catches Paul drinking alcohol from his desk and excuses the other two boys out of the room. Alex wants an explanation, but Paul pulls out oxycodone instead. Paul found Alex’s secret stash. And they promise to keep their addictions from Maggie.
Then, Alex drives home to find Gloria on his front steps with a bleeding head wound. She remains in a coma but succumbs to her injuries. Alex tells Gloria’s son, Tommy, to sue his insurance company to protect the family. Alex takes more pills and bounces checks around town. Maggie confronts Alex, but he smooth-talks her. Then, Alex gets a call in the middle of the night. Paul and his friends were in a boating accident. Mallory is missing, and Alex’s world is on fire.
This movie is from Alex’s point of view. So it dedicates only 5 minutes to the boating accident. Viewers see Paul arguing about driving, the dash cam recreation, and the attempted hospital coverup. However, the script holds nothing back from the murders of Paul and Maggie. Their deaths are brutal and bloody. This plot sets up Alex’s crimes and motivation for murdering his family. His personal and professional wrongdoings were surfacing while he drowns. The script only mentions Buster and his plagiarism, but you never see him. Also, it displays Maggie as a kind woman with zero faults, but she allowed Paul to drink under her roof without repercussion. And many believe she murdered Gloria. Each actor shined in their perspective roles. Part two will focus on the trial and any lies in this film.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
Daddy, I hope that makes you proud – Alex
You’re spoiling that boy worse than you did Buster – Gloria
It’s not about history, it’s about legacy. Past and future – Randolph
I wasn’t even drunk. I only had a few beers – Paul
That makes two of you I don’t recognize – Mggie
They’re gonna pin it on me – Conor
Paul was driving – Anthony
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Curious Caterer: Fatal Vows – Review
Curious Caterer: Fatal Vows – HMM – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Goldy and Marla prepare a 7-tier wedding cake for their most demanding bride ever, Jessamyn. Goldy offers bison sliders to Jessamyn’s guests and congratulates the bride at the rehearsal dinner. Goldy walks over to the groom-to-be, Sterling, with a warm greeting because they grew up together. She laughs at Sterling’s charming personality, but he admits he can’t dazzle everyone, especially his future brother-in-law, Hunter. Hunter remembers how Sterling’s father conned the town into a fraudulent software company. Many people lost their homes and savings. Some recovered, but many didn’t. Then, Goldy sees the maid of honor, Katy, across the room. Katy dated Sterling, but the relationship didn’t last. Then, she met Sterling’s best friend, Ray. Now, Katy and Ray are in love and thinking about the future.
Jessamyn’s business partner, Chester, and Sterling quarrel on the other side of the room about Jessamyn’s real estate company. Sterling believes Chester uses Jessamyn’s preoccupation with the wedding to poach her clients. He warns Chester that Jessamyn will discover the truth and end their partnership after the wedding. Tom congratulates his ex-wife, Jessamyn, on her wedding and finds Goldy. Sterling gets drunk and flirts with Katy. Ray comes over to defend her, and Sterling breaks a glass to harm Ray. Tom steps in between them, and Sterling cuts Tom by accident. Tom convinces Sterling to leave to save his wedding and stop embarrassing Jessamyn. Sterling exits, and Goldy tends to Tom’s cut.
Goldy and Marla are abuzz for the wedding and feverishly prep. Then Goldy hears Marla scream and runs to her. Marla discovered Sterling’s body face down in the fountain. Goldy calls Tom to investigate and tells someone to alert Jessamyn. Tom and Mason gather everyone from the reception and ask them questions, but they contradict each other. Tom and Mason notice that Ray has a hand injury and Chester has a black eye. However, they give excuses for their injuries. Then, Goldy hears that Jessamyn is missing. The wedding party panics and assembles search parties. The sheriff cuts Tom’s investigation short when they find Tom’s blood at the scene. Detective Dave Trach will take over the case, and that’s a name Tom knows all too well. Tom secretly works with Goldy until Trach comes to Goldy’s home. He discovers the beneficiary of Jessamyn’s life insurance is Tom and makes Tom his number 1 suspect. Can Goldy find Sterling’s killer and Jessamyn’s location before Trach charges Tom with the crimes?
Wow! This dinner has more drama in 15 minutes than most movies in 2 hours. Sterling has issues with Jessamyn, Ray, Katy, Chester, and Hunter. Also, he still pays for his father’s misgivings. Unlike most Curious Caterer films, this movie has two mysteries to solve with Goldy’s love interest in the crosshairs. Jessamyn, the ultimate bridezilla, is missing, and the clock is running out. Based on The Last Suppers by Diane Mott Davidson, this film provides a gripping mystery until a witness says one word. Experienced viewers will pick up on the clue and figure out the culprit but won’t know the motive. So bake some Snickerdoodle muffins and enjoy the next installment of the series.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
Except for the one in front of us – Marla
Apparently not charming enough – Sterling
It’s all the espresso – Goldy
This time, I’m doing it right – Jessamyn
You’re a terrible liar – Tommy
I’m sorry to hear that – Dave
My ego’s more bruised than this eye – Chester
What is in these Snickerdoodle muffins, truth serum – Mason
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Secrets at the Museum – Review
Secrets at the Museum – LMN – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Natalie poses for Alex while he paints her portrait before receiving a phone call. Her father, Robert Freeman, survived a heart attack. Luckily, he wore his life-saving medicine pendant and took the pills in time (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). Natalie leaves to be with him, but Alex never knew Natalie had a dad in the area. She retreats to see her dad without Alex because she doesn’t want Alex to know she is heir to the Freeman Museum. Robert delved into his work after his wife died, leaving Natalie alone to grieve. So Natalie left Robert and her surname in her past.
Robert delights in his daughter’s presence and apologizes for his poor parenting. Natalie returns to the museum to help steer the ship while her father gets better. Robert introduces Natalie to his curator, Derek, security, Tina, and appraiser, Danielle. And to Natalie’s surprise, Robert refuses to cancel any exhibits or showings. Danielle pulls Robert aside during an exhibit because one of his paintings is a forgery. Astounded, Robert asks Danielle to send proof and pulls the painting off the wall. Robert carefully walks to his office and has a heart attack. Robert dies, and the media picks up the story.
Natalie runs the museum but can’t get Alex to talk on the phone. Alex is upset to learn Natalie is a Freeman. He leaves her portrait behind and skips town. Natalie finds the painting but can’t focus on Alex for too long. Danielle informs Natalie that several of their paintings are fake. Natalie takes down a potential fake to examine it and puts Alex’s portrait of her in its place. She looks around the museum and notices an artwork is missing. Natalie looks at photos from the last showing and spots her dad wearing his pendant. But he wasn’t wearing it at the time of his heart attack. She believes there is more to her father’s death. Before she can alert the police, someone breaks into her museum, attacks her, and steals her portrait. Natalie must find the truth behind the lies before she loses her legacy and life.
This film is a mystery that doesn’t require your full attention. The plot foreshadows enough events to let you piece everything together before Natalie. Unfortunately, the script paints Alex as a whiner. But he has a legitimate concern with Natalie’s omission of truth. She lied during their entire relationship about her past but tries to pretend it’s not a big deal. She would have been honest if it was not a problem. She makes it up to him with exposure but brushes off the lie. This movie is perfect for a busy day with momentary lulls.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
I’m not a Freeman anymore – Natalie
Your Natalie is actually Natalie Freeman – Mia
I’ve read enough – Alex
Yeah, she was a great co-worker – Derek
Open this immediately – Tina
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The Venice Murders – Review
The Venice Murders – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Celia leaves the U.S. to restart her life and attend an art school in Italy. She waits for a water taxi as Matteo walks toward her. He is the cultural liaison for the school, and he knows a better way to get there. They take a gondola, and he impresses her with his Italian knowledge. They part at the school, and Celia finds her room. Celia unpacks, and her hallway neighbor, Evie, introduces herself. Evie invites Celia to drink wine and have fun. They spend the next four days in and out of the classroom.
Evie invites Celia to tour Italy and brings a surprise, Matteo. Matteo wants to go off the beaten path to find hotspots, not in a guidebook. Matteo goes far from campus and brings the women to an unmarked restaurant with Chef Dante. Dante makes culinary delights, and Evie pays. Evie leaves because she feels like a third wheel. After Evie exits, Celia feels guilty about her friend walking alone and wants to catch up to Evie. Matteo and Celia try to find Evie but can’t. So, Celia believes she made it to school until Evie doesn’t attend class.
Celia and Matteo look for Evie until Celia gets a call from the police. They have a few questions for her and want her to return to campus. Celia turns around to update Matteo, but he is gone. Evie’s parents contacted the local authorities after she didn’t check it. The inspector informs Celia that Evie is an heiress and maybe an abduction victim. Celia sits in disbelief and updates them on her last sighting of Evie. They ask for more info on Matteo. The dean informs Celia that the school doesn’t have a liaison and no ‘Matteo’ works there. Celia knows Matteo has Evie, and she feels responsible. The inspector tells Celia to let them handle it because the kidnappers will likely call for a ransom. But Celia won’t wait. She will do everything to save Evie.
Does this movie sound exciting? If you answered yes, then this synopsis did its job too well. If it doesn’t, then you watched the movie. This film gives viewers little sympathy for Evie or Celia. Evie has zero street smarts, and Celia is too trusting of a stranger with an accent. Also, Celia’s willingness to die for someone she met four days ago is 100% unbelievable. Then, the subplot of battling sisters isn’t worth mentioning because it was completely unnecessary. If you find yourself cheering for the kidnappers, don’t feel bad.
I give it 2 out of 5 stars
In Venice, you can’t fight the tide, but you can learn how to swim – Evie
Trust me. The wait was worth it – Matteo
Actually, Paris is the city of love – Celia
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Sweet as Maple Syrup – Review
Sweet as Maple Syrup – UPtv – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Rachelle reports this year’s sap yield to her brother, business partner Steven. Sadly, their maple trees, including Big Bertha, haven’t produced sap. And the annual Beaumont Maple Festival, started by their parents, counts on them. The mayor, Gwen, will stop by the morning of the festival to sample it. Steven tells Rachelle that he called an arborist from Arizona to help. She doesn’t want a specialist because her parents didn’t need assistance. He reminds her that the trees belong to them now, and they can run the crop however they choose.
Rachelle goes to her friend’s diner for breakfast and overhears a man ordering pancakes with table syrup. Derek prefers it over maple syrup because it’s sweeter. Rachelle mildly condemns him and leaves to meet with Steven. When Steven brings up the scientist again, Rachelle desires to retreat, but it’s too late. He’s there, and it’s Derek. Derek examines the trees as Rachelle approaches. She cleverly questions his knowledge about trees, and he answers her. She discovers that he doesn’t have any real-world understanding. He studies trees in the lab or in theory. However, he convinces Rachelle to let him take a few samples to test. He is determined to have the sap running by the festival. Rachelle believes she can do it without him but takes the help. Their partnership will span beyond the forest.
The movie tries to grab your attention but is dull and slow. The couple has chemistry, but you don’t care because you know how the relationship will end. This film is a romantic comedy, so it will only have one conclusion. The shining light of this film is Betty, the town matchmaker. She has her nose in everyone’s business and tries to find everyone a match, even if they avoid her. She is a scene-stealer and the perfect comic relief.
I give it 2 out of 5 stars
Enjoy your high-fructose corn syrup – Rachelle
You haven’t agreed yet – Derek
He made you a time capsule – Steven
I know – Claire
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3 Bath, 2 Bed, 1 Ghost – Review
3 Bath, 2 Bed, 1 Ghost – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Anna removes the last items from her business before she closes the doors forever. She shared the company with her ex-fiancé, Elliot, but it fell apart with their relationship. Anna got her real estate license and joined the family with her dad at the helm. Her father, Mr. Vasquez, meets Anna at the Baker House. The trust decided to sell the property because it’s been empty for seven years. Anna feels confident about selling the home but worries her new co-worker, Terrence, will be upset. Mr. Vasquez reassures Anna that Terrence will not be a problem.
Anna enters the home and removes a painting from the wall. Terrence enters and offers his help for 50% of the commission. He reveals the house has a jinx because no one can sell it. Anna politely rejects him and gently ejects him from the home. Anna turns around and sees the painting on the wall again. She takes it down and explores upstairs. After looking through a room, Anna sees a sheet floating behind her. She pulls the sheet, expecting Terrence, and sees a woman. Anna chases the woman out of the home and leaves.
Anna confronts Terrence about the prank, but he swears he didn’t do it. Mr. Vaszquez believes Terrence. Mr. Vasquez wants to throw an open house, so he tells Anna to prepare. Anna returns to clean the house and sees the woman, Ruby, inside. Ruby confesses she’s a ghost and runs through Anna to prove it. Ruby died in a car accident on her 25th birthday in 1923. Now, Ruby is bound to the home. Anna goes to the doctor, but he says she is healthy. He thinks she is under immense stress. Anna doesn’t want therapy but an exorcism.
Anna calls Elliot under the guise of seeing the home’s woodwork for restoration. Anna stands in disbelief when he can’t see Ruby before him. Ruby states that Anna is the first and only person to see her. Anna begs Ruby to leave so she can sell the property, but Ruby refuses. Ruby doesn’t want to leave because she worries the love of her life, Charlie, won’t be waiting for her. Ruby’s father, Mr. Baker, disapproved of Charlie because Charlie was their chauffeur and rejected their engagement. Ruby turned Charlie away at her birthday party and broke his heart. Anna promised to find the proper buyers to keep Ruby company. And Ruby offers her matchmaking services. She can see the spark between Elliot and Anna and doesn’t want Anna to make her mistake. The two will help each other reconnect and find a bond that spans life and time.
This movie is haunting, funny, and charming. It provides a bit of mystery to a spooky atmosphere while answering questions for know-it-all cynics. Ruby is everything fun about the roaring 20s. She loves to be the life of the party, dress in high fashion, and write in cursive. She becomes enamored with the women of today but laughs at emojis. Anna takes her time to learn about Ruby’s life and her regrets. This film doesn’t try to make a statement about progression or condemn one woman for their era. They are two women struggling with overbearing fathers who lost their lovers. This storyline is everything Hallmark fans want for the Halloween season.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
I’m as unsinkable as the stock market – Ruby
You can succeed at anything you put your mind to, except us – Elliot
I’ve got all the confidence in the world – Terrence
I will sell this house. Jinx or not – Anna
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Categories: 3 Bath, 2 Bed, 1 Ghost, Andrew Walker, Bill Pullman, Brooke Nevin, Carlo Marks, Chelsea Vale, Chris McNally, Curious Caterer: Fatal Vows, Darcy Grey, Fall Into Love, Forest Quaglia, hallmark, Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, HMM, Jon McLaren, Julie Gonzalo, lifetime, lifetime movie network, lmn, Love Sundays, Made for TV, Madeleine Arthur, movie, Murdaugh Murders: The Movie - Part 1, Nikki DeLoach, review, Ripped From The Headlines, Secrets at the Museum, Shocktober, Signature Mystery, Sleuthers, Sophie Hopkins, Sweet as Maple Syrup, The Venice Murders, tv review, UPtv
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