2024 is a historic year for 18 Cinema Lane. This year, I have been nominated for the Sunshine Blogger Award a total of four times, breaking the previous record of two nominations for any given award! The first nomination of 2024 came from Hamlette (from Hamlette’s Soliloquy) back in March. Then, in April, I received a nomination from Rebecca (of Taking Up Room). Three months later, I acquired two more nominations; another one from Rebecca and one from Virginie (from The Wonderful World of Cinema). Because of how many times I’ve been nominated, I have curated the list of questions by choosing at least one question from every nominator. So, before I finally answer these questions, I’d like to thank Hamlette, Rebecca, and Virginie for the nominations and present the award’s official rules!

The Rules:

1. Display the award’s official logo somewhere on your blog.

2. Thank the person who nominated you.

3. Provide a link to your nominator’s blog.

4. Answer your nominator’s questions.

5. Nominate up to 11 bloggers.

6. Ask your nominees 11 questions.

7. Notify your nominees by commenting on at least one of their blog posts.

The Questions

1. What movie do you really want to change the ending of?

Oh, definitely The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. Out of courtesy for my readers who may not have seen this trilogy, I will not spoil the aforementioned movie. But if you have seen the film or are a fan of Thorin, Fili, Kili, and/or Tauriel, you’d know why I chose this movie for this question.

2. It’s MGM’s one hundredth birthday this month (April 2024) and you’re off to visit their original studio lot. Where do you go first?

The Archives! I find the subject of “lost media” fascinating. For every released movie from any given studio, there are likely three films that are either “lost” or “partially lost”. If I were granted access to MGM’s Archives, I would try to restore as many “partially lost” or “lost” films as realistically possible!

3. What do you think was the most deserving Best Picture Oscar, and why?

I can’t really choose a Best Picture winner that was “most deserving”, as I haven’t seen every film that was nominated for the prize. But I can agree the 1984 movie, Amadeus, was a good Oscar choice! While the film is a glamourous looking picture, it also contains depth. An important part of the story explores the music industry, from the work that goes into making music to how fame can affect the heart and soul. I’d actually make the claim Amadeus is one of the best biopics I’ve ever seen!

4. Have you ever changed your opinion of a movie and if so, which movie was it?

This has happened on some occasions throughout my blogging journey. The most recent example is when I reviewed 1983’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. I mentioned in that review’s introduction how I was revisiting the film after a long period of time, as I remembered liking it in the past. But when I watched the movie again, I found it to be just ok. Like I said when I shared my overall impression on the film, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever felt more like a “very special episode” of a television show than a movie.

5. What movie do you wish had a sequel, but it doesn’t?

It’s such a coincidence I get asked this question, as I created a list of the top ten Hallmark movies that should have received a sequel back in January! If I had to choose one film from that list, it would be 2021’s Mystery 101: Deadly History. In my list, I explained how Hallmark choosing not to create, at least, one more Mystery 101 movie was a missed opportunity. This is because a final film would have performed well in viewership numbers and given fans some closure.

6. Which film has been the biggest surprise this year, good or not good?

When it comes to good surprises, that would definitely be 2004’s I Am David! In fact, it is, so far, still the best film I’ve seen this year! Every aspect of the production came together to create a movie that truly felt genuine. There were even some creative decisions that elevated the story, such as the importance given to Europe’s natural landscape. What also makes this film special are the plot twists that were effectively woven into the story!

7. You are a mixologist and create a cocktail honouring a movie star. Who do you honour, and how do you make your cocktail? It can be without alcohol!

Four years ago, I wrote an editorial on how the movie-going experience changed between when Phantom of the Megaplex premiered in 2000 and 2020. One of these changes was the addition of bars in movie theaters. While the theater in Phantom of the Megaplex doesn’t serve alcohol, especially since the movie is a family friendly picture, Movie Mason (portrayed by Mickey Rooney) is one of its patrons. With all that said, I would a craft a non-alcohol beverage called “The Movie Mason”. Some of the drink’s ingredients would include candy found at the movie theater. The beverage’s texture would be similar to a milkshake/slushie.

8. Which movie of 2024 has been your favorite so far? Your least favorite?

As I mentioned in answer number six, 2004’s I Am David is, so far, still the best film I’ve seen this year! Meanwhile, the 2004 adaptation of Frankenstein (starring Vincent Perez) is still the worst film I’ve seen this year, so far. I explained in my review of the Hallmark adaptation of Frankenstein (which was also released in 2004) how a technical error on Wikipedia led me to believe Vincent’s movie was the Hallmark version. The reason why I’ve brought up this error is to prevent people who are interested in watching Hallmark’s adaptation from making the same mistake I did.

9. Are there any movies coming out in 2024 that you are looking forward to?

Yes, the next Curious Caterer film,
Curious Caterer: Drumstick Drama! According to Net from It’s a Wonderful
Movie, the film is currently in production and will likely premiere this Fall.
Because Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans was such a good movie, I’m excited
for this series’ next chapter!

     
10. One of my local theaters is going to exhibit a UFC fight next month (May 2024). What are
your thoughts on movie theaters showing sporting events?

This February, I wrote a Word on
the Street story about a Spanish theater chain broadcasting Eurovision’s Grand
Final in their theaters. Two months later, I wrote another Word on the Street
story about U.K. cinemas choosing to premiere Eurovision’s Grand Final. Even
though Eurovision and UFC are two completely different events, the decision to
show these events in movie theaters accomplishes the same thing: providing a
memorable experience for those who can’t attend the event live. Another thing
these theater screened events accomplish is providing extra revenue for movie
theaters, especially those from smaller chains or independently owned.

     
11. Is there a film you think could have been made into a tv series as well?
(Like M*A*S*H* or Fargo)?

Going back to my list of the top
ten Hallmark movies that should have received a sequel, I will choose 2016’s For
Love & Honor! Because the film is about a school’s commandant and
academic dean working together to save their facility, the story could lay the
foundation for a series that primarily focuses on a group of academy faculty as
they navigate personal and professional problems. Stories about the school’s students
may have served as subplots on the show.

The Nominees

— Heidi from Along the Brandywine

— Olivia from Meanwhile, in Rivendell…

— Virginie from The Wonderful World of Cinema

— Neil “The Musical Man” Powell from Thoughts From The Music(al) Man

— Paul from Silver Screen Classics

— A Vintage Nerd from A Vintage Nerd

— Net from It’s a Wonderful Movie

— Eric from Diary of A Movie Maniac

— Le from Crítica Retrô

— Debbie from Moon In Gemini

— John from UK Film Nerd

My New Questions

1. You’re about to introduce someone to a film genre. Which movie will you choose as the respective introduction?

2. What episode comes to mind when the subject of “bad” episodes from “good” tv shows is brought up?

3. Which series (movie, book, or television) do you feel has gotten “too big for its boots” (a.k.a. overrated/unenjoyable)?

4. If a location from a book, movie, or television show was your dream vacation, where would your travels take you?

5. You have the opportunity to travel back in time and visit the moment you started your blog. What piece of advice would you give to yourself?

6. If you could revive a defunct business/store, which one would you bring back?

7. With Halloween on the horizon, which character would you dress up as if invited to a Halloween party?

8. In honor of my upcoming blogathon, Cabot Cove-thon, which actor or actress do you wish made a guest appearance on Murder, She Wrote?

9. On April 14^th, 2024, Turner Classic Movies celebrated their 30^th anniversary. Which film would you like to see the channel air more often?

10. You’ve been given a once in a lifetime chance to design a theme park attraction! But here’s the twist: the theme park attraction can only be based on a stand-alone movie. Which movie will receive the honor of getting their own theme park attraction?

11. You have the power to give your favorite character a podcast! Who will host the podcast and what will it be about?

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen