Meurtre au cinéma

7/10 - cool movie set setting made this mystery one of the most entertaining in the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries series

Candace Cameron Bure is back with her Aurora Teagarden mysteries and someone is making a movie based on her. Her old friend from previous Aurora Teagarden films Robin Dunne has written a book draft and a screenplay and Hollywood has come to her home town to film it on the authentic locations.

All this is making her CIA agent boyfriend Yannick Bisson concerned and a bit jealous as both Bisson and Dunne circle each other warily throughout the film. But there are bigger problems at hand. On the day that shooting was supposed to start, the actress playing the Teagarden type character is murdered in her trailer.

What makes this all so confusing for authorities is that there are two criminals out there with differing motives. One is a bit deranged and the other falls into the rational category. You'll have to watch the film to get that and find out who is who.

Most of the recurring characters are back and Candace still has her murder book club meeting at the library where she works. She's as perky as ever and I'm sure will be back.

Most of the Hallmark Mystery films are pretty entertaining and well constructed. This one no exception.

First a pet peeve. The reviewer, "westsidechi" keeps copying and posting the same vague negative review on each of the Aurora Teagarden movies. IMDB should delete his entries, since he clearly has no interest in the individual episodes that he is supposed to be reviewing.

For me, this was the least interesting episode thus far of the Aurora Teagarden mysteries.

The main problem was too much change in personnel. Lexa Doig's absence is probably the most serious MIA. The loss of Bruce Dawson, though, is also a serious loss of continuity. Yannick Bisson is in the episode, but this is his last appearance. Bisson's character is distracted by a kidnapped CIA partner, and he is uncharacteristically jealous. In a sense, Yannick Bisson's character is also MIA, in this episode.

Finally, for most of the past episodes, the town of Lawrenceton has been something of a "character" in the shows. With this episode, most of the action takes place on a movie set.

The actual murderer is not that much of a surprise. But the mysteries have never been the strong suit of the show. It has been the interaction and camaraderie between the regulars on the show. That has been disrupted with this new season opener. Hopefully the producers can get the show back on track.

Aurora's friend and mystery author, Robin Daniels, is back in town because his book is being made into a film. The lead character is based on Aurora herself. Martin is suspicious of Robin as he briefly dated Aurora in the past. Three days after the crew's arrival, the actress playing her, Celia Shaw, is found murdered in her trailer. Several people involved with the movie had problems with Celia. The plot thickens when the police find out that Celia was both poisoned and then clubbed. Meanwhile, since John moved away to be closer to his grandchildren, Aida gets friendly with the movie director. Another subplot has Martin preoccupied by the disappearance of his CIA partner, Rex, and he leaves for South America at the end of the film to look for him.

The film sets setting and some fine detection make this otherwise routine entry watchable. It's can get confusing with so many suspects with the male actors looking alike. Not the best entry but efficient enough mystery. The killer didn't come as much of a surprise and I missed Lexa Doig- her character is the most entertaining.

Hollywood comes to Lawrenceton to film a movie - and in fact, the lead character is based on Aurora (Candace Cameron Bure). Written by an old beau, it's a mystery story - and becomes a bigger one when the leading lady is found murdered! Aurora's boyfriend Martin (Yannick Bisson) is a little jealous of the writer, who used to date Aurora.

Everyone is a suspect for different reasons, but Aurora concentrates on eliminating people and finding the killer.

The love story is convoluted. We say goodbye to John, and Martin goes to South America. Aida needs to figure some things out - John's involvement with the murder club is dangerous, and she turns around and dates a murder suspect? Sad writing.

These are cute movies, a little old-fashioned in their presentation but nevertheless enjoyable.