“How Do I Get Fingerprints Off a Squirrel?”
I’ve been watching the Hallmark mystery movies for about seven years now (hard to believe it’s been that long), but I’ve never gone back to watch some of the old franchises that had stopped new movies before I started watching. When I spotted a Mystery Woman marathon on at the beginning of February, I decided to record them and catch up on at least a few of them. They didn’t air all the movies, so the first one I could watch was Game Time, which was the sixth movie in the series.
The series centers around Samantha Kinsey (Kellie Martin), who owns a mystery bookstore. In this particular film, she’s trying to get bestselling author Donald Fiske (William Katt) to come and do a signing, but he keeps backing out. Meanwhile, she is reunited with a former classmate, Randy (Jamie Elman), who is trying to get Samantha to sell his new mystery computer game in her store. The worlds collide when Donald does finally come in for a signing, but leaves abruptly after learning about Randy’s game. The next day, Samantha finds Donald dead in his house with Randy standing over the body. Even though it doesn’t look good for Randy, Samantha thinks he is innocent. But can she prove it?
I would have preferred not jumping into the franchise in the middle, but I took what I could get as far as which movies were airing. I quickly figured out most of the existing character’s relationships, although I am very intrigued by the enigma that is Philby (Clarence Williams III), who is much more than the bookstore employee he appears to be. I liked the cast and their relationships with each other, and I’m looking forward to spending more time with them when I get a chance to watch the rest of the movies I’ve recorded.
The mystery was solid. While the story keeps coming back to the computer game (no surprise given the title of the movie, right?), there were enough other motives and suspects to keep me entertained along the way. I appreciated how the resolution played out with a very specific clue pointing Samantha to the solution.
I’d been wondering if the Hallmark cheese factor was getting better or I was getting used to it. Maybe the movies are getting a little better because this one was high on cheese. And, it came across in both the acting and writing here. (Honestly, some of those lines.)
This movie was originally released in 2005. I’ve got to admit, I laughed a little at the computer game. It is obviously dated, but what would you expect for something technology related that is 17 years old?
As I said, I’m definitely looking forward to watching the rest of the movies I’ve recorded now that I’ve watched Game Time. And I hope I get to see the earlier movies in the franchise at some point.
Nice review, I like the sound of this series.
ReplyDeleteI like the Hallmark mystery movies too. I sometimes get into the mood to watch them and sometimes not. I haven't seen any in awhile. I never saw this one, though. It sounds good.
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