Newlywed and Dead

This first in a series of whodunits is very enjoyable. A murder occurs in plain view, but the police have few clues. Enter Allie Adams (Alexa PenaVega), the photographer who was filming the wedding reception when the crime took place. When her brother becomes the prime suspect, she starts sleuthing in earnest, despite the protestation of the police detective assigned to the case, Sam Acosta (Carlos PenaVega).

The case and the film proceed at a relaxed pace, aided by some background music that I really enjoyed. The chemistry between the two principals is nascent, as it should be in the first episode. Allie gets plenty of help as she tries to identify the "real" killer. The focus of the police seems to shift whenever they get new evidence. And Sam, who recently moved to Willow Haven from New York, begins to settle in and learn the dynamics of the small town he now calls home.

This is a typical, moderately entertaining B-movie. It is brought to us by husband-wife producers Alexa PenaVega and Carlos PenaVega. In fact they are also the two stars, she is a professional photographer and he is a crime detective in this Rhode Island community.

(Alexa is the same young actress, 11 at the time, almost 12, who starred as the daughter in the 2001 movie "Spy Kids" all those years ago.)

The movie begins with the big event, the bride and groom are having their first dance at the wedding reception when a bang is heard and quickly we see he was shot in the chest. He dies on the dance floor.

Alexa PenaVega is Allie Adams and her brother, a former boyfriend of the bride, is the first suspect. Carlos PenaVega is Sam Acosta, forer New York City detective now working in this community. Several leads arise, they begin to doubt their suspects, and as things are wrapping up most of us are surprised at the outcome.

This is a rather simple movie but the acting and production values are reasonably good and my wife and I were entertained, streaming on Amazon Prime after our usual Saturday evening steak and wine dinner.

This movie opens like a 1960's crime drama. Both actors are good. I think the writing is weak. Alexa and Carlos are believable. I just felt the script was a little rough.

Photographer Allie Adams (Alexa PenaVega) is working her friend Jenna Cole's wedding. Everyone is on edge after a confrontation earlier when Allie's brother and Jenna's ex Greg showed up. Then, the groom Kevin is killed and Jenna accuses Greg. Sam Acosta leads the police investigation with Greg as the prime suspect.

Alexa PenaVega and her husband Carlos PenaVega seems to be long term employees of Hallmark. I remain unconvinced of their acting skills although they are well suited for these roles. The mystery is nothing special but it's good at maintaining suspicions about Greg. His innocence is never in doubt but he gives good guilty faces. This is nothing special. It is blandly uninspired. It is better than most Hallmark mysteries. It's a pretty low bar and it's able to step over it.

I love the animated opening of this episode. It was fun, colorful and very retro.

I really appreciate the use of married in real-life couple the PenaVegas in this series. They are both absolutely lovely and great together.

The series starts with Ally, a photographer, shooting a difficult wedding. The bride is upset before the wedding and it is partly Ally's brother, Greg's fault. He is the bride's ex-boyfriend and he showed up to the rehearsal dinner where he was quite disruptive. During the first dance the groom ends up shot and killed...enter our handsome detective Sam.

Sam gets partnered up with an older detective, Nick, under protests...because he would rather work alone. He is a big city detective from New York and has moved to this small town where he did the first impulsive thing he has ever done in his life...he bought a fixer-upper.

Greg becomes the #1 suspect in the groom, Kevin's murder. It doesn't help that he was alone at a cabin at the time of the murder.

"What's a six letter word for not innocent?"-Nick

When Ally learns that if Greg is their suspect they will not use time and resources looking for anyone else...she starts to look for the real killer herself. Her assistant is taking a course in criminology...which comes in handy. She assembles her team to figure out who-dunnit...her assistant/crime student and her best friend the actress.

Nick takes Sam to a local diner where they meet Sue, the waitress...who seems to know everything about him...welcome to a small town, Willow Haven. Sue even knew what house Sam had purchased, the real fixer upper.

"No offense, but you seem like the kind of guy who would wear a suit and tie on vacation."-Ally

For some reason this was a slow start to the series for me. Lots of still moments and a few awkward ones...our two romantic leads spend most of the series apart. I really appreciated some of the jazz and Basilian music used in the series. Also, I will note that there are some distinct color schemes in this series, in the picture perfect studio, Ally's home, the police station and Sam's home.

My favorite scene was the Thai food meal in the car for an impromptu steak-out...and great conversation.