Join Lacey Chabert, Brennan Elliott, Alison Sweeney, and Benjamin Ayres for two all new Mystery Movie Premieres this February on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Side note: long time Hallmark regular Lochlyn Munro (Winter Dreams) will co-star as different characters in both movies. See details on both new mysteries below...
MOVIE REVIEW
Movie: “Crossword Mysteries: Terminal Descent”
Network: Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Original Air Date: February 14, 2021
CAST:
Lacey Chabert ... Tess Harper
Brennan Elliott ... Logan O’Connor
Barbara Niven ... Candace
John Kapelos ... Chauncey O’Connor
Parveen Dosanjh ... Amrita
Matthew James Dowden ... Paul Redford
Brandi Alexander ... Viv Banks
Cardi Wong ... Frank Cidre
Debs Howard ... Jesse Alexander
Bradley Stryker ... Eric Ogden
Lochlyn Munro ... Morgan Daniels
Donna Soares ... Nurse
Michael David Adamthwaite ... Bartender
Ramon Terrell ... Police Officer
Adrian Petriw ... Eisner Employee
Joshua Guvi ... Uni
Leana Yu ... Layla Barnes
Donny Lucas ... Keith Eisner
Kendall Cross ... Patricia Daniels
Kris McRonney ... Security Guard
Aadila Dosani ... Sonia Robinson
Seth Ranaweera ... Building Super
Aaron Douglas ... Gregory Sackett
PLOT: After volunteering to participate in a crossword solving competition with a new supercomputer, crossword puzzle editor Tess Harper finds herself swept into the investigation of the bizarre murder of a tech CEO.
REVIEWS:
π "Lacey and Brennan's "Terminal Descent" was so good. Loved every minute of it. Both Lacey and Brennan are much more relaxed and are now connecting emotionally. Loved it!" ~kitkat
π "I have followed Crossword Mysteries since it's inception. Lacey Chabert (TessHarper, Crossword Puzzle Editor) and Brennan Elliott (Detective Logan O'Connor) brought this mystery to new heights of suspense in Terminal Descent, their 4th installment of the series, taking viewers into the world of high-tech & murder. As Logan and Tess teamed up to solve the mysterious murder of a high-tech CEO, it put a new light on their personal lives when they discover personal info about each other. To sum it up, Terminal Descent was full of suspense, even scary, but it also had the element of humor and a hint of romance on the horizon between Logan & Tess. I give 5 stars to Terminal Descent; its Writer, Director, Producer, Exec. Producers and Cast." ~Ann
π "Terminal Descent was another excellent instalment in the Ctossword Mystreies series, perhaps even the best to date. Lacey and Brennan suit each other well and as usual there are numerous touches of humour. The mystery was intriguing and at long last there seemed to be some progress in their personal relationship as they learned more of each others' pasts. However it does seem that it's obligatory for the hero in all the current mystery series now to have had a previous unhappy marriage - why? *SPOILER* Just to throw a spanner in the works - it was really great to see Matthew Dowden and I was thinking how he would make a great match for Tess - of course that can't happen. I'd love to see Matthew get a Hallmark leading role." ~Anonymous
MOVIE REVIEW
Movie: “Chronicle Mysteries: Helped to Death”
Network: Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Original Air Date: February 21, 2021
CAST:
Alison Sweeney ... Alex McPherson
Benjamin Ayres ... Drew Godfrey
Jayce Barreiro ... Kurt Hardy
Ian Collins ... Zack Warren
Richard Keats ... Jack Carpenter
Rebecca Staab ... Eileen Bruce
Alison Wandzura ... Marianne Carpenter
Lochlyn Munro ...
PLOT: True crime podcaster Alex McPherson (Alison Sweeney) and her colleague Drew Godfrey (Benjamin Ayers) investigate a self help retreat and the controversial life coach who oversees it.
REVIEW:
π " “Chronicle Mysteries: Helped to Death” is a family friendly mystery. Like any murder mystery, there is a little violence – a man is seen dead on the ground from afar – after falling off a cliff. In this movie Alex McPherson (Alison Sweeney) and Drew Godfrey (Benjamin Ayres) are attending a controversial self-help retreat. Alex is hopeful she’ll be able to do her Podcast and unravel a mystery from a previous retreat. There are strict rules about diet and no technology – so they can cleanse their body and mind. The no tech policy, however, makes it difficult to communicate with the outside world, but not impossible. Many of the people who attend these events act a bit odd and the story, for me, lacked a strong secondary B story, as the movie focused mostly at the camp. There are, however, some interesting characters at the retreat and Alex and Drew get extra help from Zack, an eager new worker at the newspaper. Overall, a good mystery in the Chronicle Mysteries series – it was sweet to see a deeper connection between Alex and Drew." ~Net
Please note: Both mystery movies above are family friendly. If you'd like to post a review, please share in comments and I'll include it above.
*images via: Hallmark Crown Media Family Networks
What February Mysteries movies are you looking forward seeing on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries?
ReplyDeleteChris, I'm looking forward to both of these new mysteries in February... I might give a slight edge to Crossword, but that's just because I love Lacey and Brennan together! I think both series are great.
DeleteWhy does it seemimetbey are slowing down and not filming the mystery movies? Or am I wrong?
ReplyDeleteMisty
Misty, you are exactly right! I mean, compared to Hallmark Channel's roll out of 5 movies in January versus the one mystery, they are definitely running behind in quantity.
DeleteI do know there are several Hallmark mysteries that have filmed or are in production, including Mystery 101, Aurora Teagarden, and MatchMaker Mysteries... plus, more Crossword and Martha's Vineyard Mysteries are coming!
Do you know Kristian Alfonso is on Chronicle Mysteries: Helped to Death as Sheriff Williams?
ReplyDeleteShe reunited her former DOOL’s co-star: Ali Sweeney in mystery movies with Benjamin Ayres
Yes, I had heard Kristian Alfonso would be joining the cast of Chronicle Mysteries since leaving Days. Should be interesting to see her in this role.
DeleteWhat do you think of Follow your heart that you have seen on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries?
ReplyDeleteChris, I thought "Follow Your Heart" was a deep, interesting story. I enjoyed seeing her return to her Amish upbringing, and it was nice to watch her rediscover the love of family and true love.
DeleteChronicle Mysteries: Helped to Death
ReplyDeleteAlex (Sweeney) and Drew (Ayres) embark on a self-help retreat with Zach (Ian Collins). They are not on any sort of spiritual quest. During previous retreats, celebrity life coach, Billy Garrett (Munro), has been in charge. Can Alex and Drew find out what is going on?
Unfortunately, while Alex and Drew go undercover and find that a participant has died. Now the Chronicle team has to put together what has actually happened. However, Billy has a devoted following. They are staying mum. This means, Alex and Drew have to work harder to get to the bottom of this, before anyone else perishes in mysterious circumstances!
Does anyone know if the latest installment of Crossword Mysteries is family friendly?
ReplyDeleteSince kitkat said she loved it (see review above), I have no doubt it was family-friendly.
DeleteThought I would share a review for “Chronicle Mysteries: Helped to Death” here... (it's also posted above.)
ReplyDelete“Chronicle Mysteries: Helped to Death” is a family friendly mystery. Like any murder mystery, there is a little violence – a man is seen dead on the ground from afar – after falling off a cliff. In this movie Alex McPherson (Alison Sweeney) and Drew Godfrey (Benjamin Ayres) are attending a controversial self-help retreat. Alex is hopeful she’ll be able to do her Podcast and unravel a mystery from a previous retreat. There are strict rules about diet and no technology – so they can cleanse their body and mind. The no tech policy, however, makes it difficult to communicate with the outside world, but not impossible. Many of the people who attend these events act a bit odd and the story, for me, lacked a strong secondary B story, as the movie focused mostly at the camp. There are, however, some interesting characters at the retreat and Alex and Drew get extra help from Zack, an eager new worker at the newspaper. Overall, a good mystery in the Chronicle Mysteries series – it was sweet to see a deeper connection between Alex and Drew. ~Net