Greetings And Salutations, and welcome to my review of The Chronicle Mysteries - Vines That Bind; here's the breakdown of my ratings:
Story: 1.50
Direction: 1.25
Pace: 1.25
Acting: 1.25
Enjoyment: 1.25
TOTAL: 6.50 out of 10.00.
Alex and Drew are back on the murder carousel to show the police who the real detectives are. Will they not only complete the cops' work for them, but will they solve the mystery before the deadline looms? I admit I love this lighthearted and heartwarming type of mystery. I find they're perfect for those times in your life when you don't require too much brain work, like a Sunday morning or a Sunday afternoon. So imagine my surprise when the third instalment of the movie series became more complex by the minute.
Writers Kraig Wenman and Melissa Salmons make the most of their cast of characters and rogues' gallery. There's been a murder at a local winery, and Chronicle columnist Eileen Bruce calls in Alex as a favour for her friends, the winemakers. Put on the spot, Alex must attempt to solve the recent murder of the owner and father, Colton Saulnier. Could any of his sons or their families be responsible for his death? Or could it be a disgruntled employee? Or even his neighbour? Perhaps it's the local green activist who wants to save his little slice of God's green Earth? You would've thought that number of suspects would be enough, but no! Wenman and Salmons add a few twists to each of these characters whilst weaving in one hellaciously intricate scheme. And when you think you have the puzzles figured out, they take a further turn. For a supposedly easy watch on a Sunday Morning, my brain worked overtime to deduce the killer, which I effortlessly accomplished because the casting director made the fatal and foolish error of employing a performer who couldn't be anything but the killer. I hate stereotypical typecasting; it's ruined so many people's enjoyment over the years. I spent most of the time after they appeared on screen wishing it wouldn't be them. And thanks to the narrative's complexity, there was always a possibility I'd be proved wrong. I wasn't. And that's a shame because the writers give the viewers a strong and superbly structured tale filled with credible characters, though these are not as rugged as in episode one - they required more fleshing out.
The direction is sound for a TV Flick. It would be nice to have more creativity in the scene creations. Imagination is never invalid, even if the outcome doesn't work - and the vineyards cried out for a smooth drone shot. One feature I admired was the addition of a varied tempo. I accept it wasn't too varied, but it worked better than keeping it at one pace. It just required more. The scene where Alex is trapped in the winery and poisoned by the polluted air would've been more potent had the director David Weaver, hesitated longer in the winery. This delay would've etched Alex's dire predicament into the audience more. Quickly flip to Drew, looking anxious outside and trying the door handle. Back to Alex, struggling for breath and trying to stay upright. Back outside, Drew's getting violent with the door. Quickly, flip back inside to watch Alex fall to the floor. And the last shot would be Drew kicking in the door and rushing in to save her. The mix of slow and quick scenes would've produced the excitement that's not fully realised in this segment.
The regular cast is on top form, and the suspect performers are also brilliant. I have to mention that I loved Pippa Mackie as Caitlin Saulnier. Mackie does the best anti-poker-face that I've ever seen. Due to her spectacular portrayal of a woman who couldn't bluff her way out of a Charity Stop-N-Sign, I totally believed Caitlin was the killer. And to find out if she is, you'll have to watch the film, which segues me nicely to the recommendation.
If you enjoyed the other Chronicle Mysteries, you'll enjoy Vines That Bind. Just remember, this instalment isn't as simplistic as the first movie. Make sure your brain is in gear to savour it fully.
STOP The PRESSES...Again! Okay, now go and check out my IMDb list - The Game Is Afoot to see where I ranked The Chronicle Mysteries - Vines That Bind.
Take Care & Stay Well.
