Woodyanders Truck driver Walker Morrison (an excellent and engaging performance by John Corbett) suspects that his younger brother Luke (a fine portrayal by Jonathan Scarfe) was responsible for the shotgun murders of his father, mother, and other younger brother. Director Chris Thomson, working from a compelling script by Keith Ross Leckie, relates the absorbing story at a steady pace, wisely avoids lurid sensationalism, offers a flavorful evocation of the small Southern town setting, and treats the subject matter in an admirably straightforward and unsentimental manner. The strong chemistry between the two leads gives the picture credibility and holds everything together; they receive sturdy support from Maya McLaughlin as Walker's sweet, but suspicious wife Patti, Tonya Allen as Luke's cheerful girlfriend Kimberly Granger, and Gordon Clapp as the hard-nosed Sheriff Bryon Calhoun. The ending packs a devastating emotional punch to the gut. Robert Saad's sharp cinematography makes neat occasional use of a hand-held camera. The twangy score by Micky Erbe and Maribeth Solomon hits the harmonic spot. Worth a watch.

Lechuguilla Three members of a wealthy family are found dead in their home, victims of gunshots. Real-life names, including the family surname, have been changed for this movie. Though the story is set in Georgia, the actual crime took place in Alabama, in September of 1988. Also unlike the movie, the actual crime went cold for four years. And the real-life killer was arrested in Oklahoma City.The film is a pretty good reenactment of events after the killings, with a plot that is straightforward and easy to follow. The script downplays the whodunit element in favor of a crime/character drama. As a result, mystery is rather minimal. The killer comes across as conspicuously stupid. Toward the end, law enforcement sets a trap for the killer. And the unpredictability of the trap's outcome ups the suspense.Background music is a bit generic, consistent with the film's TV production. Overall casting and acting are acceptable, though the actor who plays the sheriff seems a little out of place in the South. The camera is fairly static. There are lots of close-ups as we would expect for a character drama. Sets and costumes are mediocre.The story's significance is reduced in the minds of some viewers because the story is described in the form of a made-for-TV film. And that's my main criticism. But it is a sad story, and no less real for all those who were in any way connected to it."The Morrison Murders" is worth watching for anyone interested in true crime. Despite the overall sadness of events, there's a slight twist at the very end, one that takes a little bit of the sting out of what one normally would expect, given the circumstances.

Tss5078 Morrison Murders was a made for TV movie, based on an actual case in Georgia. It was your pretty standard made for TV movie, with one exception, the cast. Usually these things are pretty poorly written, predictable, and a little slow. This movie was far from slow, however a lot of the lines were cheesy and I figured out who did it within the first ten minutes. Sex & The City's John Corbett was very solid as was NYPD Blue's Gordon Clapp. It's nice to see people we associate with one character, stand out and be something completely different in another role. It's pretty much your standard, low budget, made for TV movie. The acting was a little better and the story moved along well, but it was toned down for the small screen and far too predictable for me.

BreanneB Although this film was decent it was also very flawed. It's the true story of the Morrison family murders by Luke the second son who seems to feel rejected and unloved. After the parents and little brother die it becomes obvious that Luke is guilty. This is because he goes on a shopping spree right away buying himself a new Corvette.He also got married. He was not sentenced to 3 consecutive life terms without parole until 3 years later. He was a real cold-hearted son of a bitch. He's where he belongs.This movie could have been better. lack of information at the end is one factor.