MOVIE REVIEW
Movie: Crossword Mysteries: Abracadaver
Network: Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Original Air Date: January 5, 2020
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| NEW PREMIERE AIR DATE - JANUARY 5, 2020 |
CAST:
Lacey Chabert ... Tess Harper
Brennan Elliott ... Logan O’Connor
John Kapelos ... Chief Chauncey O’Connor
Barbara Niven ... Aunt Candace
Romaine Waite ... Winston
Genevieve Kang ... Josephine
Noam Jenkins ... Alistair
Kaitlyn Leeb ... Bianca
Paulino Nunes ... Rocco
Matthew Gouveia ... Cormac
Boomer Phillips ... Delivery Man
Chris Handfield ... Paul Dreschler
Nigel Downer ... Dr. Cohen
Cynthia Preston ... Julia
Milton Barnes ... Coroner’s Clerk
Trudy Weiss ... Maude
Jayne Lewis ... Sinclair
Jill Frappier ... Tamara
Darryl Hinds ... Antiques Dealer
Steve Belford ... Reed
Jim Calarco ... Landlord
PLOT:
Storyline via Hallmark: When a magician drops dead in the middle of a performance, New York Sentinel Crosswords editor (and part-time sleuth) Tess Harper and NYPD’s detective Logan O’Connor team up to discover exactly whose sleight of hand is behind what turns out to be a premeditated murder. Together, they must uncover the not-so-obvious clues and work their investigative magic to bring a killer to justice.
Movie Review:
This magic themed mystery movie was originally supposed to premiere in the fall of 2019, but it disappeared from the schedule. Thankfully, Hallmark reappeared it to launch their mystery movie franchises in January, 2020!
In this all new "Crossword Mysteries" film, Detective Logan O’Connor (portrayed by Brennan Elliott) is back on the case when a magician ends up murdered on stage during a magic act in the middle of Tess' birthday celebration. Of course, Tess (portrayed by Lacey Chabert) is determined to help solve this case, even though Logan and her Aunt Candace (portrayed by Barbara Niven) ask her repeatedly not to get involved.
Notes of Caution: I would caution this movie for really young viewers, simply because it is a murder mystery and relating to the case... there is a brief discussion of the possible involvement of a married woman with another man. There may also be some casual drinking at a party. And some children may be fearful of some of the magic tricks.
Illusions seem to be everywhere when it comes to magic, and you never know what to expect next. With smoke and mirrors, a missing trunk and a stage trap door... there's a mystery around every corner!
I must say, it's always a delight to see Lacey Chabert and Brennan Elliott on screen together - they have such an in sync chemistry, that certain undeniable spark! My absolute favorite moment in this film was when they crashed a dance class and proceeded to take pretend lessons. Those two really know how to move across the dance floor and in to our hearts!
Whether they are being silly or serious, Lacey are Brennan are always a joy to watch in all of their movies together, and I'm certainly looking forward to even more "Crossword Mysteries!"
See or Skip:
Now you see it, now you don't! If you enjoy a good mystery, then you'll definitely want to see this magical one!
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*images via: Hallmark Crown Media Family Networks
Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Shane Mahood
In studio credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Steve Wilkie
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ReplyDeleteThank you... that is so sweet! I hope you enjoy this movie and many, many others! Bless you! :)
DeleteHey Net: Just wanted to let you know. Lifetime is running a few of their older Christmas movies this evening.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Crossword Mysteries: Abracadaver (2020)
ReplyDeleteis one of Hallmark's better mystery series. I've watched them all, love many of them, like some, tolerated some, etc etc. Here there is a really nice chemistry between the leads. Also they are both intelligent and thoughtful characters. Although all mysteries require a suspension of disbelief, this is so much less ridiculous than so many out there.
What a great series! I love the different characters’ interactions with each other – Tess and Logan of course and their witty exchanges when Logan finds Tess investigating, Logan and his dad working together and Logan trying to get him to eat less unhealthy food, Tess and Aunt Candace and the way they support each other and how Aunt Candace wants Tess and Logan to become a couple, Logan and his sister Angela and their great sibling dynamics and how Angela wanted Logan to ask Tess out (I really hope we will see Angela return in future installments and have more fun sibling interactions with Logan and I think I could see her and Tess becoming good friends and she also just has a really fun personality), Logan’s witty exchanges with detective Winston. I also like how this series pays more tribute to the people who are murdered, especially how Tess has mentioned Harris in both films. Apparently they will be filming 3 more films for this series, so hopefully that will get under way soon.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see the new crime reporter also pursue Tess and for Logan to get jealous, I think there could be a lot of comedy there, of which we saw the inklings in Abracadaver. I also think that it would be fun if Logan’s dad and Aunt Candace became a couple, as it seems they are both single and I liked the pairing of them when they were dancing at Angela’s wedding. It would also be nice to find out more about Tess and Logan, their backgrounds, hobbies etc. This has been a pretty long comment, but I do really like this series. :)