The Top Ten Best Movies I Saw in 2024

On December 29, 2024December 30, 2024 By 18cinemalane2 Comments

For me, 2024 was a better year for movies. That’s because I saw more movies I liked, compared to 2023! Another difference from 2023 is how, on 2024’s list, more movies are theatrical pictures. However, there are still some made-for-TV productions that found a spot on my list. With more likable movies comes the return of the honorable mentions section! In that part of my list, most of the films are television projects. Since I reviewed almost all the movies on this year’s list, I will provide links to those reviews in this post. So, with 2025 on the horizon, let’s begin my list of the top ten best movies I saw in 2024!

Honorable Mentions

Legend of the Lost Locket, My Baby Is Missing, My Mother’s Split Personalities, Christmas on Division Street, and Interstellar

10. I Heard the Bells

I Heard the Bells achieved so much in a short amount of time. The 2022 movie was chosen for my 500 Blog Follower Dedication Review. Then, I Heard the Bells became my 400^th published movie review, as I recently revealed in my list of the ten movie trends I don’t understand. Now, the film is the only Christmas picture to earn a place on 2024’s best movies of the year list! When I wrote about I Heard the Bells, I compared it to It’s a Wonderful Life. Both titles are not only about more than just the Christmas holiday, they also cared about their overall presentation. I Heard the Bells was a visually immersive movie because of the attention to detail placed on historical accuracy. The strength of the acting performances allowed the story to be engaging. While it’s too early to say right now, I think I Heard the Bells could be a Christmas classic!

Take 3: I Heard the Bells Review + 500 Follower Thank You

9. Easter Parade

If I could choose one word to describe Easter Parade, it would be “colorful”. With the movie’s creative team taking advantage of Technicolor, costumes and décor boasted vibrant hues that complimented the story’s spring season! The musical numbers provide another strength in Easter Parade. From Fred’s festive and creative solo, “Drum Crazy”, to Ann’s energetic and fast-paced solo, “Shakin’ the Blues Away”, the movie’s musical numbers were enjoyable because of their choreography and delivery. The reason the 1948 film is placed lower on my list is due to the premise-driven story and the limited inclusion of Easter. However, Easter Parade’s positives outweigh the negatives!

Take 3: Easter Parade Review

8. For Me and My Gal

In my review of For Me and My Gal, I mentioned how Breen Code era movie musicals contain simpler stories. These simpler stories will typically feature lower stakes. But in For Me and My Gal, the story of Harry and Jo included stakes that were higher. The story wasn’t afraid to show Jo and Harry making difficult decisions when it came to their dreams. Along their journey, the duo even deals with regret and heartbreak. The way World War I was incorporated into For Me and My Gal gave the script a sense of realism. Creative decisions like that one gave the 1942 picture emotional depth!

Take 3: For Me and My Gal Review

7. Willow

When I started my Comparing with the Critics series, I knew there were some movies I would disagree with the critics on. What I didn’t know was how much I would like Willow. Now that I’ve seen the 1988 film, I can understand why some people have given it the coveted title of “classic”. Likable elements, such as humor and unique perspectives on familiar story ideas, provide arguments for the aforementioned claim. The simplistic and straight-forward nature of the story made it easier to follow what was happening on screen. For me, Madmartigan stole the show! Movies like Willow make me thankful for my Comparing with the Critics series.

Comparing with the Critics – Worst of 1988 – Willow

6. Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit

2024 saw the premiere of two Curious Caterer films; Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans and Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit. Though I liked Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans more than Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit, Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit was still a good movie. The fifth chapter in the series consistently carried the strong components of the Curious Caterer story, like the acting, humor, and prioritizing the mystery. A peek behind the music industry’s curtain and the incorporation of serious, real-world topics helped make the identity of Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit unique. As of the publication of this list, Hallmark has not provided any 2025 dates to the Curious Caterer series. If there are going to be more Curious Caterer films, I hope at least one of them is a seasonal picture.

Take 3: Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit Review

Hallmark’s *Frankenstein* poster created by Hallmark Entertainment, Hallmark Channel, Silverstar Ltd., Larry Levinson Productions, and RTL

**5. Hallmark’s Frankenstein (2004)**

Back in March, I called Hallmark’s adaptation of Frankenstein a “hidden gem”. This claim was based on my observation of how a good movie was not only forgotten by time, but also overshadowed by other titles released in 2004. What makes this version of Frankenstein a good movie, in my opinion, is how respectful it was toward Mary Shelley’s novel. One great example is Luke Goss’ portrayal of The Creature, as the way emotion was utilized throughout Luke’s performance highlighted how complicated The Creature is. Hallmark’s adaptation of Frankenstein is another movie where the visual presentation created an immersive experience. Combining set design, costume design, and attention to historical accuracy, the movie made me feel like I was transported to another time and place.

Take 3: Hallmark’s Frankenstein (2004) Review (Double Feature: 2004 Edition Part 2)

4. The Boys in the Boat

If you’re going to create a sports movie involving a team sport, it’s important to make the camaraderie among the team believable. An on-screen team with believable camaraderie helps the audience stay invested in the story, as well as the team’s journey. Because the acting performances were strong in The Boys in the Boat, the camaraderie within the team dynamic felt genuine. The 2023 film also makes rowing look exciting! This was accomplished through cinematography, editing, and music selection. The Boys in the Boat is a “based on a true story” film that, in my opinion, is worth the time! This is yet another production where historical accuracy was a top priority.

3. Amadeus

Out of all the movies I reviewed for my Comparing with the Critics series, Amadeus is, so far, the only movie I agreed with the critics on. While the biopic is a glamourous spectacle, it also contains substance. Thought-provoking material can be found in the script, such as how fame can negatively impact the human soul. The story is an immersive, detail-oriented character study that explores the good and bad sides of the music industry. The creative team’s focus on detail made Amadeus look and feel historically accurate, as can be seen in the costume and set design. F. Murray Abraham and Tom Hulce each gave a strong performance. I can, honestly, say the 1984 movie is one of the best biopics I’ve ever seen!

Comparing with the Critics – Best of 1984 – Amadeus

2. Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans

Remember when I said I liked Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans more than Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit? One reason why I said this is Goldy’s consistent involvement in Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans’ case. Other reasons why I liked the fourth chapter in the series are the creativity of the mystery, the quality of the acting performances, and how humor was written into the story. Looking back on Hallmark’s mystery films I saw in 2024, this Curious Caterer movie is pretty unique. That’s because, as I mentioned in my review, it’s a locked room mystery revolving around a costume party. In 2023’s best movies of the year list, I claimed Curious Caterer: Grilling Season was the best film in the series. I certainly changed my mind after I saw Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans!

Take 3: Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans Review

1. I Am David

It’s amazing how I Am David became 2024’s best movie in March and clung on to the number one spot all these months later! This impressive film allowed the story of David and his journey to be told with genuine emotion and sincerity. This was achieved through every aspect of the production, like the acting performances and the screenwriting. Exploring light and darkness, as well as showcasing Europe’s natural landscape, gave the production visual depth. Timeless, universal messages were also woven into the script. As I said in my review, I wish more people knew about this movie. Hopefully, my review or maybe this list can encourage someone to check out I Am David!

Take 3: I Am David Review (Double Feature: 2004 Edition Part 1)

*I Am David* poster created by Walden Media, Film and General Productions, Lionsgate Films, Artisan Entertainment, and David Productions Ltd.

Have fun in 2025!

Sally Silverscreen

Ten Movie Trends I Don’t Understand

On December 27, 2024December 28, 2024 By 18cinemalane2 Comments

Days before Christmas, I reviewed I Heard the Bells for my 500 Blog Follower Dedication Review. But this is not the only honor the movie achieved. I Heard the Bells became my 400^th published movie review! To commemorate this milestone, I decided to write my sixth list article of 2024. Trends, whether in fashion or when it comes to the most popular toy of the Christmas/holiday season, exist for a reason. This statement also applies to the world of cinema. Sometimes, however, there are film related trends that leave me confused, wondering why film-makers continuously use them in their projects. So, for this list, I will be discussing ten movie trends I don’t understand! The intent of this list is to gain a better understanding for why the listed trends either existed or still exist, as I am genuinely curious about their purpose.

Image of 2010 and 2020 on chart created by Macrovector at freepik.com. Infographic vector created by macrovector – www.freepik.com

1. Food Fights

From about the late ‘80s to the mid-2000s, children’s/family media, especially movies, were fond of food fights. From 1996’s Matilda (where the children at Crunchem Hall Elementary School hurl their lunches at Miss Trunchbull) to the Disney Channel film, Eddie’s Million Dollar Cook-Off (where I remember two food fights taking place), film-makers saw food fights as a way to add excitement and hilarity to their film. But long after the janitor has cleaned up the mess, what sinks in is the realization that these film-makers likely spent hundreds of dollars on large quantities of food only to waste it. This realization not only makes me wonder why food fights were once a staple of children’s/family media, I also question how often food fights happen in real life.

2. Keeping Secrets

Around the time the aforementioned food fight trend was common, another popular movie trend was younger characters being encouraged to keep secrets. When I reviewed 1985’s Return to Oz, I brought up Princess Ozma telling Dorothy that she can go back to Oz whenever she wants, as long as she keeps it a secret. By bringing up that part of the film, I addressed how Princess Ozma’s statement could be misinterpreted as damaging messages such as holding back on creativity helping one become “normal” and bottling up ideas and feelings being accepted. As I mentioned in my review of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, bullying is not addressed in the script, including in Alice’s part of the story. One reason why is how Imogene forces Alice to keep the bullying a secret. If you’re going to create a story for a younger audience, you need to be mindful when it comes to addressing serious, real-world issues because of how impressionable a younger audience can be. With that said, I kind of find it concerning how common the trend of younger characters keeping secrets was in children’s/family media.

3. New York City as a Selling Point

I brought up this trend back in 2021, when I reviewed Sherlock Holmes in New York. As I shared my overall impression of the 1976 film, I talked about how movie studios used their project’s New York setting as a selling point. Clear examples show New York City or New York City locations included in a film’s title, like A Troll in Central Park, The Muppets Take Manhattan, and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. I don’t understand this need to single out a story’s New York location. Personally, I think the movie should show instead of tell their story is set in New York. What I also don’t understand is why the trend of using New York as a selling point occurred between about the mid- ‘70s to the mid-2000s.

4. Villains Receiving the Spotlight

2024 started with the release of Madame Web (a Spider-verse villain movie without the presence of Spider-Man) and ended with the premiere of Kraven the Hunter (a Spider-verse villain movie without the presence of Spider-Man). I bring up these movies to highlight a trend I first noticed in the 2010s that carried over to the 2020s. This trend is villains receiving the spotlight; whether this means villains are given their own movie, villains are presented as more “sympathetic”, or villains make arguments with seemingly valid points. When a movie studio adopts this trend, it gives their audience mixed messages. Within Spider-Man’s comic books, Kraven is known as a villain. The tagline of Kraven the Hunter is “Villains aren’t born. They’re made”. But based on what I’ve heard about the film, Kraven is presented as more of an anti-hero. Not only does giving villains the spotlight confuse the audience, it also makes villainous characters less straight-forward.

5. “Thrown Together” Movie Posters

A “thrown together” movie poster is the contents of a movie (like cast photos, story locations, and even a scene from the film) thrown together on that movie’s poster. The collage I just described appears overwhelming and leaves the audience with little surprises. I first became aware of this trend when Disney/Marvel used this style for their Avengers: Age of Ultron poster. After that movie came to theaters in 2015, the “thrown together” movie poster trend became the go-to style of cinematic advertising. It even got to the point where Hallmark adopted this trend, as the posters for Christmas Everlasting and Love Takes Flight are notable examples. Based on what I’ve seen, it seems like the “thrown together” movie poster trend is fading in the 2020s, as studios and networks have chosen more artistic styles for their movie posters. But I still wonder why the “thrown together” movie poster trend was ever popular.

New York City skyline with letters image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/new-york-skyline-typographic-silhouette_719554.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

6. Men Drinking Black Coffee

In Great American Family’s A Little Women’s Christmas, Fritz orders a black coffee at a café in Alcott Grove. At that same café, Jo orders a sugary, seasonal coffee drink. This scene made me realize how often I’ve seen men ordering and/or drinking black coffee in movies. Not only do they order/drink black coffee, they usually get criticized for doing it. Similar to the previously mentioned food fight trend, I wonder how the men drinking black coffee trend reflects real life.

7. Cabins & Bed and Breakfasts

These trends are specific to Lifetime and Hallmark movies. In the world of Hallmark films, it seems common for characters to either own a Bed and Breakfast or know someone who knows a Bed and Breakfast. These Bed and Breakfasts are usually found in small towns. Meanwhile, on Lifetime, it seems like many characters either own a cabin or know someone who owns a cabin. The cabins themselves are typically treated as a vacation destination. I know both networks share the same flaw; telling the same types of stories and reusing the same ideas. This makes me wonder if that flaw is the reason for the abundance of Bed and Breakfasts on Hallmark and cabins on Lifetime.

8. Rival Girl Scouting Troop

This trend isn’t as common as other trends on my list. But I’ve seen it happen enough times to point it out. Troop Beverly Hills, The Cookie Mobster, and Smart Cookies share something in common; the “underdog” girl scouting troop must face a “rival” girl scouting troop. The rival girl scouting troop is always presented as bratty, wealthy, and popular. Their only purpose in the aforementioned movies is to win cookie season. The rival girl scouting troop trend is, in my opinion, an unnecessary conflict. The main and only conflict should be the protagonist girl scouting troop trying to achieve a goal within their own troop (such as having a successful cookie season). The rival girl scouting troop trend is yet another movie trend that makes me wonder how often it happens in real life.

9. The Sound of a Baby Crying in an Apartment Building’s Hallway

When one of a movie’s scenes takes place in an apartment building’s hallway, the sound of a baby crying can be heard. This trend has been present in so many movies, I wonder why that particular sound has been the go-to sound for film-makers. All walks of life can live inside an apartment building. This fact provides film-makers with a variety of sounds; such as dogs barking, music, or noise from a television. So, it confuses me when film-makers continuously use the same sound over and over again.

10. Calling out “Hello” in an Empty Room

Out of all the movie trends on my list, the calling out “hello” in an empty room trend is the most common one. From theatrical pictures to made-for-TV films, a character will call out “hello” when they enter an empty room. Predictably, no one calls “hello” back. But the character who called out “hello” will be taken by surprise by another character. The calling out “hello” in an empty room trend can usually be found in mystery, action, or thriller movies. When film-makers select this trend, they make suspenseful moments more predictable. It also makes characters who call out “hello” look absent-minded.

Coffee cup drawing image created by Valeria_aksakova at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background image created by Valeria_aksakova – Freepik.com</a>. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/painted-cup-of-coffee-with-natural-coffee-beans-on-a-chalkboard_1013935.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

The Christmas Movies Tag!

On December 23, 2024December 24, 2024 By 18cinemalane2 Comments

Two weeks ago, Hamlette (from Hamlette’s Soliloquy) tagged me in the Christmas Movies Tag! The timing of this tag was perfect because in 2024, I 1) wrote only four list articles and 2) participated in only one tag. With Christmas just around the corner, I found another reason to accept Hamlette’s invitation. Over 18 Cinema Lane’s six-year history, several Christmas movies have been reviewed. This helped when choosing titles for the Christmas Movies Tag. For films covered on my blog, I will provide the links in this tag if anyone is interested in reading my full thoughts on the featured movies. Before I begin the Christmas Movies Tag, I need to list the tag’s official rules, which are the following:

Fill out the prompts (expound as much or as little as you like)
Tag some friends (however many or few you feel like)
Have fun (this is mandatory)

The Christmas Movies Tag banner found on Hamlette’s Soliloquy

1. A favorite funny Christmas movie

Back in 2019, I discovered why The Nine Lives of Christmas is so beloved in the Hallmark fan community. One appealing aspect of the movie was definitely the humor! In my review of the 2014 film, I pointed out how the dialogue among the characters helped make the story’s very first scene hilarious. The genuineness of the dialogue was well-written and good-natured. I also mentioned how Ambrose the cat served as some of the film’s comic relief. Memorable moments, such as when the cat sits on Zachary’s chair, made my viewing experience enjoyable. At the time, most of Hallmark’s Christmas movies seemed light on humor. So, watching a humorous picture like The Nine Lives of Christmas was refreshing!

Take 3: The Nine Lives of Christmas Review

2. A favorite poignant Christmas movie

For this prompt, I chose two movies. The first is 2016’s Winter Thaw. From what I remember, the religious messages and themes associated with Christmas are prioritized over the holiday itself. In fact, there are so few references to the Christmas holiday, it’s easy to forget Winter Thaw is a Christmas movie at all. The second movie is one I reviewed last year; Christmas Princess from 2017! As I stated in my review, this film avoided several Christmas related tropes and clichés because Donaly’s journey to the Rose Court was the story’s main focus. Similar to Winter Thaw, the secular elements of Christmas don’t take center stage in Christmas Princess. But, like It’s a Wonderful Life, the 2017 presentation presents a story about a person trying to do “something big, something important”.

Take 3: Christmas Princess (2017) Review

3. A favorite romantic Christmas movie

Before I was a movie blogger, I saw the 2015 made-for-TV production, The Spirit of Christmas. Though it’s been almost ten years since I’ve seen the film, I remember how strong Thomas Beaudoin and Jen Lilley’s on-screen chemistry was! Because of this on-screen chemistry, I was invested in the story. I also rooted for Daniel and Kate to find a way to be together. The Spirit of Christmas is a film I’d love to revisit on 18 Cinema Lane!

4. A favorite feel-good Christmas movie

In 2022’s edition of my top ten best movies of the year list, A Godwink Christmas: Miracle of Love made history by becoming the first and, so far, only Christmas movie to be the best movie I saw in any given year! How the 2021 title earned this honor was having their story revolve around a group of people using their skills and talents to help a family in need. Including Advent gave this film a more unique identity and provided a newer approach to the Christmas movie genre. Showcasing Christmas activities, such as gift exchanging, in creative ways crafted A Godwink Christmas: Miracle of Love’s identity as well. Movies like this one make me wish Hallmark continued the Godwink series.

Take 3: A Godwink Christmas: Miracle of Love Review

5. A favorite movie adaptation of A Christmas Carol

Years ago, I saw the Hallmark Channel production, It’s Christmas, Carol! What I remember the most was how good Emmanuelle Vaugier’s and Carrie Fisher’s performance was! They were not only strong actresses individually, they also worked well together. The acting became one of the reasons why I liked this film. However, it’s been over ten years since I last saw it. Hopefully, I’ll receive a chance to revisit It’s Christmas, Carol!

*Christmas Princess* (2017) poster created by Entertainment One and Really Real Films

6. A Christmas movie you watch any time of year

Similar to prompt number two, I’m selecting two films. I have reviewed both of these titles recently. My first choice is the 1991 television movie, Christmas on Division Street. One of the reasons why I liked this film is how the story’s messages and themes apply to the Christmas season as well as outside of Christmastime. But the appearance of Christmas is inconsistent in Christmas on Division Street, as the holiday isn’t recognized until forty minutes into an hour and thirty-three-minute story. My second choice is I Heard the Bells. In my review of the 2022 title, I compared I Heard the Bells to It’s a Wonderful Life. This is because both of these films are about more than just the Christmas holiday. They focus on a man and his story, also exploring how that man’s relationships affect his existence.

Take 3: Christmas on Division Street Review

Take 3: I Heard the Bells Review + 500 Follower Thank You

7. A Christmas movie that surprised you

My best movies of the year list of 2023 saw A Biltmore Christmas earning a spot in the list’s top three! When I wrote about the film, I explained how I had developed low expectations for the movie due to how much hype and publicity it received. I’m glad I gave A Biltmore Christmas a chance, as I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was! There were so many likable elements to this story, with the attention given to historical accuracy being just one of them. The script gave Hallmark Channel a different type of narrative for their Christmas pictures, utilizing historical fiction and aspects of time travel. A Biltmore Christmas even won the Gold Sally Award’s inaugural Top Gun: Maverick Award!

8. A favorite “but is it really a Christmas movie?” movie

One of the movies I reviewed in my Halloween Double Feature was 2002’s The Case of the Whitechapel Vampire. The most surprising part of that movie was the story taking place during the Christmas season. Even though Christmas played a minimal role in the film, it was interesting to see the holiday associated with vampires. It was also fascinating to watch an alternative Christmas mystery from Hallmark. The Case of the Whitechapel Vampire shows how the concept of vampires can be incorporated into almost any type of movie in almost any time of year. The 2002 picture is also proof how, when they put their mind to it, Hallmark can think outside-the-box when it comes to their Christmas movies.

Take 3: The Case of the Whitechapel Vampire Review (Halloween Double Feature Part 1)

9. The oldest Christmas movie you’ve seen

When I reviewed Meet Me in St. Louis in 2019, it became the oldest Christmas movie I saw and wrote about on my blog! Released in 1944, this film represents the best the Breen Code era had to offer, especially when it came to the musical genre. The acting keeps this movie going and the songs provide a good tonal balance throughout the production. Judy’s rendition of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is so iconic! While there have been many versions of that song, Meet Me in St. Louis’ version is my favorite.

Take 3: Meet Me in St. Louis Review + 75 Follower Thank You

10. The newest Christmas movie you’ve seen

Due to Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker’s popularity, I reviewed the 2024 Great American Family presentation, A Little Women’s Christmas. To me, this was a fine, wholesome, and pleasant picture. I liked how the creative team showed respect for the source material. But I wasn’t a fan of how confusing the ending was. I also didn’t like the inclusion of the “it’s not what you think” cliché, as it added predictability to the story. However, A Little Women’s Christmas is still a movie I would recommend.

Take 3: A Little Women’s Christmas Review

*Meet Me in St. Louis* poster created by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Loew’s, Inc. Image found at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Meet_Me_in_St._Louis_poster.jpg

Since the month of December is usually the busiest time of year, not only because of the Christmas/holiday season, but also because of the days leading up to New Year’s, it can be challenging to set aside time to participate in a tag. I also want to express my gratitude for 18 Cinema Lane having another successful year. So, I’m giving my readers an open invitation to the Christmas Movies Tag! If you like what you’ve read, you’re welcome to create your own tag post any time you wish!

Have fun on Christmas!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: I Heard the Bells Review + 500 Follower Thank You

On December 21, 2024December 28, 2024 By 18cinemalane2 Comments

Six years ago, when 18 Cinema Lane was born, I never imagined my blog would receive five hundred followers. But because of these followers, the people who took the time to read what I had to say, this milestone became a reality! To express my gratitude, I’m, once again, thanking my blog’s followers by writing this Blog Follower Dedication Review. This time, however, I’m presenting this review in the style of an open letter to the chosen film. While visiting the blog, It’s a Wonderful Movie, I came across a post about the 2022 Christmas movie, I Heard the Bells. At first, I believed it was a new production from Great American Family. This belief piqued my interest, as I wanted to review one of the network’s Christmas films. Then, I discovered I Heard the Bells was, simply, airing on Great American Family. Instead of being deterred by this misunderstanding, I still selected the 2022 picture for my Blog Follower Dedication Review, as I never heard of this presentation before 2024. With the Christmas season in full swing, writing about I Heard the Bells felt like an appropriate choice. So, without further ado, let’s begin this open letter!

*I Heard the Bells* poster created by Sight & Sound Films

An open letter to I Heard the Bells:

As I write this letter, you remind me of another Christmas movie I know; Christmas on Division Street. That’s because you and the 1991 television film share one thing in common; meeting me by chance. If you hadn’t been featured on It’s a Wonderful Movie, I would never had heard about you. Then again, if I had paid closer attention, I would have known sooner you weren’t a Great American Family production. Despite that misunderstanding on my part, I still wanted to give you a fair chance. When it comes to writing about Christmas pictures, I root for every movie, including you, to be good. And that’s exactly what you are; good! With the seasonal entertainment landscape saturated with the same cliches, aesthetics, and story ideas, a Christmas movie needs to find a way to stand out from the competition. You, I Heard the Bells, succeeded in doing that!

Christmas Tree with boxes image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/christmas-tree-out-of-gift-boxes_1448089.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com

In RKO 281 and Amadeus, Liev Schreiber and Tom Hulce brought humanity back to the names of Orson Welles and Amadeus. They also found the heart of the “genius” and put some genuine emotion behind it. Through his portrayal of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Stephen Atherholt followed in Liev and Tom’s footsteps. When it came to Stephen’s performance, however, he brought an emotional fire that helped make Henry a lively, well-rounded individual! Toward the beginning of the story, just hours before Christmas, Henry recites a poem. Combining facial expressions, vocal inflections, and body language, Henry was animated and captivating. He also spoke in a very poetic way, fitting for a man who had a way with words. Later in the story, after Henry experiences a tragedy, he gets into an argument with his son, Charley. At first, his eyes are downcast and he speaks in a softer tone, trying to avoid a conflict. But as Charley’s side of the argument becomes heated, Henry suddenly bursts with emotion. He quickly bolts from his seat and yells at his son, his anger spilling over. This reaction is so unexpected, Henry’s other children appear frightened.

Hand-written letter image created by Veraholera at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Veraholera – Freepik.com</a>. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/love-letter-pattern_1292902.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Through on-screen text, you made it known you were based on a true story. However, I still wish Stephen Atherholt and Rachel Day Hughes shared more scenes together. I already talked about Stephen’s portrayal of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, explaining why it was good. Acting alongside Rachel, who portrayed Fanny Longfellow, Stephen shared strong on-screen chemistry with her! One of my favorite scenes is when Fanny and Henry dance together on Christmas. Their gentle waltz perfectly captures their romantic tenderness. Even in scenes taking place outside of Christmastime, this romantic tenderness was present between Henry and Fanny. At a dinner party, Henry is nervous about having his poetry recited in front of the party guests. During the poem’s introduction, Henry’s hand twitches. Fanny quickly puts her hand over his and even encourages him to lift up his eyes. Throughout this scene, Fanny’s encouragement is gentle, with her patience and kindness making Henry feel more comfortable in his situation. Though Rachel and Stephen shared only a few scenes together, they effectively showed how Fanny and Henry brought out the best in each other!

Envelope with hearts image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/hearts-and-pink-envelope-for-mothers-day_1950691.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/love”>Love image created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Bringing up RKO 281 and Amadeus again, these movies are historical pictures where attention to detail made their respective worlds feel visually immersive. It seems like you took another page out of Amadeus and RKO 281’s playbook by applying that attention to detail to Henry’s world! Watching this story unfold felt like traveling in time to the early 1860s. Whether it was the Civil War uniforms, the set design, or even a kite, every piece of this production appeared to be well-researched by your creative team. Remember when I brought up Henry reciting a poem hours before Christmas and the waltz between Henry and Fanny on Christmas? Those moments took place in the Longfellow home’s main sitting room, where era appropriate Christmas decorations can be seen. I noticed orange slices entwined on the garland above the fireplace, as well as candles illuminating the room. I even saw a Nativity set on a nearby table.

Adorable Christmas card image created by Rawpixel.com at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/christmas-greeting-card-vector_2824854.htm’>Designed by Rawpixel.com</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/christmas”>Christmas vector created by Rawpixel.com – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

While there was a lot to like about you, there were some things I didn’t like about you. One of them was how you were almost two hours long. I know you’re a fan of establishing shots, but did you really need that many? Personally, I think you could have either cut some of these shots or trimmed the establishing shots’ length. As I mentioned earlier in this letter, Henry experiences a tragedy. This event causes his appearance to change as time goes on. Even Charley’s hair looks different over time. Yet Henry’s daughters, Anne, Alice, and Edith, always looked the same despite the progression of years. For this flaw, I fault the director and casting director, as they should have been more mindful about how those in the story were presented. Speaking of those involved in the story, there are some people I wish were more involved in what was happening on-screen. Senator Charles Sumner, portrayed by Daniel Stargel, is one of Henry’s supporters. He even helps Charley find a respectable position in the military. But out of your almost two-hour story, Charles appears in only a handful of scenes. I remember how you’re based on a true story. However, that’s not going to change my mind on how Charles should have been given more appearances.

Do you remember at the beginning of this letter, when I said you reminded me of Christmas on Division Street? Well, there’s another Christmas movie you remind me of. That would be the classic It’s a Wonderful Life! For starters, you and the 1946 film are Christmas productions that are about more than just the Christmas holiday. Both of you focus on a man and his story, also exploring how that man’s relationships affect his existence. There’re also elements of faith in both stories. However, these elements are incorporated in different ways. Your delivery, as well as that of It’s a Wonderful Life, shows how much you cared about the overall presentation. In your case, your emphasis on attention to detail made the story look and feel so historically accurate, Henry’s world became immersive! Every acting performance was strong, especially Stephen’s and Rachel’s. Yes, you do have flaws. But I don’t think they will hold you back from, one day, becoming a classic! When I wrote about RKO 281 last year, I claimed good films leave a lasting impression. As I close this letter and move along on my blogging journey, I can honestly say you’ve done just that!

Sincerely,

Sally Silverscreen

P.S. I’ll give you a score of 7.6 out of 10.

Take 3: A Little Women’s Christmas Review

On December 18, 2024December 19, 2024 By 18cinemalane3 Comments

When I reviewed Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker two months ago, I knew that article would receive views. But I had no idea how popular it would become. As of mid-December, 2024, my review of Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker garnered over a thousand views! To capitalize on my readers’ interest in Great American Family films, I chose to write about one of the network’s Christmas pictures. From the “word of mouth” I’ve been hearing about 2024’s various made-for-TV Christmas movies, A Little Women’s Christmas has gathered the most praise. So, I wanted to see for myself if the film was worth the hype. Based on the few movies from Great American Family I’ve seen, their pictures have been either ok or decent. The only exception has been The Abigail Mysteries, which was one of the worst films I saw last year. Where does A Little Women’s Christmas fall among this spectrum? Read my review to find out!

*A Little Women’s Christmas* poster created by Great American Family, True Brand Entertainment, Third Coast Film, Rebel Rocket Entertainment, and Empress of Soul Productions

Things I liked about the film:

The camaraderie between the March sisters: If a film’s creative team wants to tell a story involving a group of siblings, there needs to be strong camaraderie between those characters. The strength of the camaraderie depends on the strength of the acting performances. This is exactly what happened among the March sisters in A Little Women’s Christmas! When Jillian Murray, Jen Lilley, Julia Reilly, and Laura Osnes came together, the relationship between their characters felt believable. Whether the moment was heart-warming or heart-breaking, the March sisters had each other’s support and worked together when it mattered the most. These actresses allowed each character’s personality to shine through. Nurturing Meg, bubbly Amy, ambitious Jo, and kind Beth complimented one another, bringing out the best in each sister. With the combination of Jillian’s, Jen’s, Julia’s, and Laura’s acting abilities, the creative team behind A Little Women’s Christmas understood the assignment and recognized what makes Louisa’s source material so special!

The on-screen chemistry: Over the course of A Little Women’s Christmas, Jo gets to know a fellow writer from her publishing firm. This fellow writer is Fritz, portrayed by Trevor Donovan. During their interactions, Fritz is not only observant, but also has a drier sense of humor. As I mentioned earlier in this review, Jo is ambitious. However, she also tells things like it is. The combination of Fritz and Jo’s personalities created nice on-screen chemistry between Trevor and Jillian! The more time Jo and Fritz spent together, the more I felt they got along well with each other. The March sisters’ parents, Margaret and Robert, only appeared in one scene, through a video sent to the family. Despite this very brief appearance, I could sense the on-screen chemistry between Candace Kirkpatrick and James Arnold Taylor! In that one scene, the marriage between these characters felt believable. I, honestly, wish Robert and Margaret shared more scenes together!

The Little Women related Easter Eggs: IMDB claims A Little Women’s Christmas is “a contemporary retelling of Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 classic”. With this in mind, the movie’s creative team found clever ways to place Easter Eggs throughout their production! The town the March family is from is named Alcott Grove. Observant viewers and fans of the novel will point out how the town shares the last name of Little Women’s author. While Jo and Fritz pay a visit to The Mercantile Café, Jo introduces Fritz to Louisa May, the owner of the eatery. Louisa May of Alcott Grove happens to share the name of Louisa May Alcott. It was fun finding these Easter Eggs throughout the movie! The creative team’s respect for Louisa’s story was symbolized in the Easter Eggs.

Christmas book image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-psd/christmas-mockup-with-open-book_1482296.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/mockup”>Mockup psd created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

The underutilization of DJ Bob: Throughout the movie, a man named DJ Bob makes Christmas related announcements from his studio at W.A.G. Radio. While exploring the town of Alcott Grove, Jo explains to Fritz how DJ Bob has become a beloved member of the community since he came to town in his red convertible one day. But other than what I just mentioned, DJ Bob has a very minimal role in the story. Personally, I think this was a missed opportunity, as DJ Bob could have been the glue that kept this script together. Besides being a radio host, DJ Bob could have been the character other characters turn to for advice. He also could have become “Mr. Fix It”, where he helps people solve their problems.

The “it’s not what you think” cliché: Before he leaves for Alcott Grove, Fritz is instructed by Jo’s editor-in-chief, Susanna, to mentor Jo as she works on a new novel. Even though Susanna encourages Fritz to be honest with Jo about the reason for his trip, he’s concerned about pressuring Jo to the point of ruining her creative spark. As soon as this conflict was set up in A Little Women’s Christmas, it was a matter of waiting for the inevitable to happen. The conflict expectedly led to the “it’s not what you think” cliché, causing Jo to assume the worst about Fritz. While I recognize the need for a conflict in Jo’s story, that conflict paired with the aforementioned cliché made this part of the movie more predictable. It also doesn’t help how Jo developed romantic feelings for Fritz within a matter of days, becoming upset because she gave her heart to a man she barely knew.

A confusing ending: For this part of my review, I will spoil A Little Women’s Christmas. If you haven’t seen this movie and are planning on watching it, please skip ahead to the part of my review titled “My overall impression”.

In A Little Women’s Christmas, Jo aspires to write her first young adult novel. But during her return to Alcott Grove, she’s constantly searching for inspiration. Using Fritz’s advice, Jo eventually chooses to base her story on her relationship with her sisters, reflecting on their lives together. One of the last scenes in the movie shows Jo writing the first chapter of her novel, which she titles Little Women. With a title like A Little Women’s Christmas, along with the Little Women related Easter Eggs, I assumed the film’s creative team acknowledged Louisa May Alcott’s story existed in the world of Alcott Grove. But with Jo naming her book, Little Women, I was left confused, wondering if the world of A Little Women’s Christmas was meant to be an alternate universe where Louisa and her story never existed?

Art tools image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/flar-art-tools-pack_835368.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/paint”>Paint vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

Out of Great American Family’s movies I’ve seen, most of their productions have been ok or decent. A Little Women’s Christmas falls in the latter category. The 2024 picture was fine, wholesome, and pleasant. It was nice to see the creative team behind A Little Women’s Christmas show respect for the source material. From the camaraderie between the March sisters to the Little Women related Easter Eggs, fans of Louisa May Alcott’s story will find enjoyment in this film! Though there were aspects of the movie I liked, A Little Women’s Christmas did have its flaws. The inclusion of the “it’s not what you think” cliché contributed to part of the story being predictable. I also found the film’s ending confusing. But as I said before, this Great American Family production was fine as well as pleasant. If you’re interested in watching Christmas offerings from this network, I would recommend A Little Women’s Christmas!

Overall score: 7-7.1 out of 10

Have you seen A Little Women’s Christmas? Are there any Great American Family films you’d like me to check out? Tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Christmas on Division Street Review

On December 12, 2024December 18, 2024 By 18cinemalane6 Comments

Have you ever been in a situation where instead of finding a movie, a movie found you? This is my case with the 1991 made-for-tv film, Christmas on Division Street. Earlier this year, I conducted research for my Sally Solves a Mystery article about who Bianca Marquez Walsh from As the World Turns is. During this process, a commercial for the movie crossed my path. As a movie blogger who reviews their fair share of television films, especially those that are Christmas themed, I’m always looking for potential movies to cover. So, I remembered the 1991 program in the hopes of reviewing it someday. Fast forward to mid-November, 2024. When I learned what Taking Up Room’s On the Spot Blogathon was about, I knew I had found the perfect movie to write about for the event! Plus, the blogathon took place in December, which gave me another reason to review Christmas on Division Street! Before 2024, I had never heard of the 1991 tv production. But I was familiar with the film’s lead actors. I had seen some of the projects from Fred Savage’s filmography; like The Princess Bride and The Wonder Years. Three years ago, I reviewed one of Hume Cronyn’s movies; the 1987 Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation, Foxfire. In the aforementioned commercial for Christmas on Division Street, I discovered the story was more unique from other Christmas productions I’ve covered on my blog. This is because the friendship between the main characters was prioritized.

*Christmas on Division Street* advertisement created by Columbia Pictures Television, Higher Ground Productions Inc., Morrow-Heus Productions, Procter & Gamble Productions (PGP), The Guber-Peters Company, W.I.C., and CBS

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: When you have a movie like Christmas on Division Street, where the story revolves around the friendship between two characters, it’s important to cast actors who can equally carry that production. Because of the strength of Fred’s and Hume’s performance, I was captivated by the story of Trevor and Cleveland! Hume’s character, Cleveland Meriwether, typically carries himself as a jolly mentor. He not only wanted to teach Trevor valuable lessons, he also wanted to help other people in need. However, there were moments that showed just how versatile of an actor Hume Cronyn is. After receiving a tin of cookies from Trevor, Cleveland heartily laughs to himself, remembering his friend’s kindness. Then, all of a sudden, Cleveland’s laughter morphs into sobbing, sadness now residing on his face. This transformation was seamless, showing Cleveland’s emotions bubbling over behind closed doors. The scene I described also presents Hume’s understanding for when and where to use emotionality.

Like I previously mentioned in this review, I was captivated by the story of Trevor and Cleveland because of the strength of Fred’s and Hume’s performance. One scene that illustrates this point is when Cleveland tries to help Trevor with an upcoming school assignment. After Cleveland reminds Trevor how they should be honest with each other, Trevor immediately becomes frustrated because he believes Cleveland has been dishonest with him. As he’s confronting Cleveland, Trevor’s tone of voice is sharp and his eyes narrow on Cleveland’s face. But as soon as Trevor calls Cleveland a “bum”, Trevor’s face quickly falls, realizing he’d messed up. Meanwhile, Cleveland looks deflated, as if his spirit had been crushed. Similar to Hume’s performance, Fred Savage knew how to use emotionality to his advantage. This knowledge allowed his portrayal of Trevor to be well-rounded!

Badja Djola portrayed Scorpio, a friend of Cleveland’s. Despite having limited appearances in Christmas on Division Street, he had such a commanding presence! One of my favorite scenes featuring Scorpio is when he’s sharing some of his backstory with Cleveland. With a combination of eye movements, vocal inflections, and even tilts of the head, Scorpio’s recollection was captivating. I clung on to every word, anticipating what he would say next. With everything I said, I wish Badja had received more screen time.

The messages and themes: As I mentioned in my review of Cancel Christmas, important messages and themes are sprinkled throughout the story of a typical Christmas film. While this was the case for Christmas on Division Street, the themes and messages within the story apply to the Christmas season as well as outside of Christmastime. A good example is when Trevor faces a dilemma; he doesn’t have any money for a ride home. With quick thinking, Cleveland tells Trevor he’s on his way to the bank. The next scene reveals Cleveland meant the blood bank, where he not only donates blood, he also makes enough money to help Trevor. This scene emphasizes how there are a variety of ways to help those in need any time of year. In another scene, Trevor tries to give Cleveland some used clothes. When he searches through the bag of clothes, Cleveland finds a long coat with a fur collar. Instead of taking the coat for himself, he gives the coat to a pregnant woman he knows. The theme of putting the needs of others before yourself is highlighted in this scene.

The inclusion of history: Toward the beginning of Christmas on Division Street, Trevor receives a class assignment to write a report about a topic relating to Philadelphia’s American Revolution history. Through this subplot, the movie’s creative team found an opportunity to incorporate history into the script. At the library, where Trevor and Cleveland first meet, Cleveland encourages Trevor to write about Benjamin Franklin. While Trevor takes notes, Cleveland shares how Benjamin Franklin created the first subscription library in Philadelphia. Cleveland also shares how Benjamin Franklin would sometimes write under the pen-name of Richard Saunders. Though these history lessons were brief, their inclusion in Christmas on Division Street was such a pleasant surprise!

The dialogue: I have said in the past how a made-for-TV movie’s dialogue can be very hit or miss. That’s because the quality of a television film’s dialogue depends on the skill and talent of the screenwriter. While watching Christmas on Division Street, I was impressed with this part of the production! The dialogue was not only clever, but also thoughtful. At the library one day, Cleveland meets with his social worker, Benedetti. After Benedetti expressed his frustrations over Cleveland’s lack of progress, Cleveland tells his social worker, “Weren’t for guys like me, you’d be out of a job. And before you know it, you’d be down here taking my place. I’d say I’m doing you a big favor”. Later in the movie, Cleveland gives the long coat with the fur collar to the pregnant woman he knows. Because Trevor was with Cleveland during this exchange, Cleveland says to Trevor, “Funny how people become invisible…when you keep your eyes closed”. Within these two examples, the screenwriter did a good job at providing Cleveland with character development through dialogue!

The On the Spot Blogathon banner created by Rebecca from Taking Up Room

What I didn’t like about the film:

An inconsistent appearance of Christmas: With a movie titled Christmas on Division Street, you’d think the Christmas holiday would have such a consistent presence, it would seem like Christmas was its own character in the story. But that’s not what happened in the 1991 film. When I watched about thirty minutes of Christmas on Division Street, I wondered, “Isn’t this a Christmas film”? That’s because there was no acknowledgment of Christmas. The only noticeable seasonal element was fallen leaves occasionally shown in Philadelphia’s landscape. Christmas is finally recognized about forty minutes into an hour and thirty-three-minute movie. I recognize the emphasis in Christmas on Division Street is placed on the messages and themes of the holiday instead of the holiday itself. However, I still wish Christmas had a more consistent appearance in the film.

A quick resolution: Earlier in this review, I said, toward the beginning of Christmas on Division Street, Trevor receives a class assignment to write a report about a topic relating to Philadelphia’s American Revolution history. This subplot is interconnected with another subplot; Trevor’s conflict with a fellow student named Derek. For most of the story, Derek picks on Trevor. He even goes so far as to steal Trevor’s idea for his history report. But after their history reports have been graded, Trevor learns a little about Derek’s home life. This knowledge not only makes Trevor sympathetic toward Derek, he also becomes Derek’s friend. The subplot I just wrote about represents one of the story’s themes; that “everybody’s got their story”. However, the resolution to this conflict was, in my opinion, reached too quickly.

Tonal whiplash: After gathering research for his history report, Trevor rescues a pair of blue carnation flowers from the garbage with Cleveland. In this heartwarming scene, Trevor says how Cleveland sometimes reminds him of his grandpa, who had recently passed away. A scene later, a dead body is being placed in a coroner’s car, with Benedetti telling Trevor and Cleveland a man named Jake had died. The next scene shows Trevor and his family attending an event at their church. This tonal whiplash was not a consistent flaw in Christmas on Division Street. But among these aforementioned scenes, the transition between tones should have been smoother.

Library image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/stack-of-books-on-library-desk_2509490.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/school”>School image created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

In the introduction of this review, I stated how I did not find Christmas on Division Street, the movie found me. After seeing the film, I can honestly say I’m glad it crossed my path! Out of the made-for-TV Christmas projects I’ve seen, let alone reviewed, the 1991 production is one of better programs ever created. The acting from both the lead actors and the supporting cast is equally strong. While Fred and Hume carried the story through the strength of their acting abilities, Badja found a way to make his character memorable. The dialogue was clever and thoughtful thanks to the screenwriter, Barry Morrow. In fact, the dialogue was one of most impressive parts of the movie! I wish Christmas had a more consistent presence throughout Christmas on Division Street. However, I recognize the themes and messages of Christmas were prioritized over the holiday itself. I also wish the conflict between Trevor and Derek hadn’t been resolved so quickly. But I acknowledge how this subplot represented the theme of “everybody’s got their story”. If you’re looking for a Christmas movie that’s found off the beaten path or could be considered a “hidden gem”, let Christmas on Division Street find you on your path!

Overall score: 7.5-7.6 out of 10

Have you seen Christmas on Division Street? Do you have a favorite Christmas film that is more “underrated”? Please tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: The Reluctant Debutante Review

On December 8, 2024December 10, 2024 By 18cinemalane14 Comments

Out of all the decades covered on 18 Cinema Lane, the 1950s make such infrequent appearances. I did review the 1954 film, Dial M for Murder, last month. But my review before that was from last December, when I wrote about 1957’s The Curse of Frankenstein. This infrequency is one of the reasons why I’m reviewing the 1958 film, The Reluctant Debutante! Another reason is John Saxon’s involvement in the project. When I joined Realweegiemidget Reviews’ and Cinematic Catharsis’ blogathon, I wasn’t familiar with John Saxon as an actor. So, while exploring his filmography, I came across the 1958 movie. I was surprised to discover Angela Lansbury also starred in The Reluctant Debutante. Since I’ve seen few of Angela’s live-action films, there was yet another reason for me to review this production.

*The Reluctant Debutante* poster created by Avon Productions and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: As I said in this review’s introduction, John Saxon is one of the reasons why I’m reviewing The Reluctant Debutante. Even though I wasn’t familiar with him as an actor, I liked his portrayal of David Parkson! Whenever he appeared in the movie, David always looked confident. Paired with that confidence was charisma, which helped David become such a memorable and likable character! What worked in John’s favor was the consistency of his performance. Having good on-screen camaraderie with Sandra Dee also worked in John’s favor. In the few scenes David and Jane, Sandra’s character, spent together, they appeared to get along so well. They also seemed to be on the same page when it came to several topics, such as the symbolism behind dancing and exploring the world. I, honestly, wish Sandra and John were given more appearances in The Reluctant Debutante because both of their performances were strong!

Like I also mentioned in this review’s introduction, Angela Lansbury’s involvement is another reason why I wrote about The Reluctant Debutante! Despite having limited appearances in the story, I really enjoyed watching Angela’s portrayal of Mabel Claremont! The best way I can describe this character is “the life of the party”. From the very first scene she appeared in, Mabel had such an exuberant personality. There was such a brightness to Mabel, I could understand why other characters might want to invite her to their events. Similar to John Saxon’s performance, Angela’s portrayal of Mabel was consistent. Mabel is another character I wish received more screen-time!

The on-screen chemistry: Rex Harrison and Kay Kendall portrayed Jane’s parents, Jimmy and Sheila, in The Reluctant Debutante. Shortly after these characters were introduced, I could immediately sense Kay and Rex’s on-screen chemistry! Throughout the story, Sheila and Jimmy’s marriage felt believable, like they were always meant to be together. When it came to the “debutante season”, Jimmy was the casual participant and Sheila became more involved in the process. Though they had their reasons for their “debutante season” beliefs, they still found a way to come together when it came to what was important, such as the well being of their daughter. Based on everything I said, Sheila and Jimmy displayed the “opposites attract” trope. With the strength of Kay and Rex’s acting abilities, both individually and together, this trope worked in Jimmy and Sheila’s favor!

The wardrobe: Debutante balls are known for showcasing exquisite fashion! When it came to the wardrobe department, The Reluctant Debutante did not disappoint! At a ball toward the beginning of the movie, Mabel wore a long-sleeved gown. This scoop-neck gown was covered in a lacy, deep-blue material, complimenting Angela’s light blonde hair. Adding extra sparkle was a large diamond necklace, a diamond tiara, and diamond earrings. One of my favorite dresses was Jane’s light-blue gown! Tiny bows found their place on the gown’s skirt. Sandra sometimes wore this dress with a light-blue satin cape and white gloves, which added elegance to the overall ensemble. Another outfit I liked is more casual in style. While at a restaurant with David Parkson, Jane wore a beige and brown plaid jumper dress over a beige blouse. Paired with this outfit was a khaki trench coat and a beige hat.

The John Saxon Blogathon banner created by Gill from Realweegiemidget Reviews and Barry from Cinematic Catharsis

What I didn’t like about the film:

A premise driven story: In the past, I’ve explained the difference between a premise driven and a plot driven story. In the case of The Reluctant Debutante, this story was premise driven. According to IMDB, the movie is about Jane and her parents participating in “Debutante season”. That part of the story was prioritized throughout the film. Taking a behind the scenes look at the debutante world is interesting. Halfway through the movie, though, I found myself asking, “Where’s the plot”? What The Reluctant Debutante was missing was a conflict, something to make the audience ask, “and then what happened”. This conflict could have ranged from Sheila and Jimmy organizing Jane’s debutante ball to Mabel convincing the Queen to continue the tradition of “debutante season”.

Drawn-out jokes: IMDB classifies The Reluctant Debutante as a comedy. Despite this label, I didn’t find myself laughing while watching the film. This weakness was due to the story’s jokes being drawn-out. A perfect example is how Sheila and Jimmy’s plans to overprotect Jane don’t go as expected. At one ball, Jimmy and Sheila are trying to find Jane. They race around the ballroom frantically looking for their daughter. Toward the end of the event, they discover Jane left with David Parkson. The very next scene revolves around Sheila and Jimmy worrying about Jane’s whereabouts, even going so far as to hiding in the kitchen and eavesdropping when Jane arrives home. I understand The Reluctant Debutante’s creative team was trying to tell a “comedy of errors” kind of story. In this movie, however, it took a long time for the errors to be resolved. In my aforementioned example, it took two whole scenes for Jane to be reunited with her parents. Watching The Reluctant Debutante felt like listening to a comedian spending too much time reaching their joke’s intended punchline.

Overlooked story ideas: While sightseeing in London, Mabel’s daughter, Clarissa, explains the “debutante season” to Jane. During this explanation, Clarissa tells Jane 1958 will be the last year for the “season” due to the Queen believing the practice outdated. Outside of Jane and Clarissa’s conversation, however, this detail isn’t brought up. Plus, none of the characters act as if the tradition of the “season” is ending anytime soon. I wish this part of the story had played a bigger role in The Reluctant Debutante. As I mentioned earlier in this review, it could have served as one of the story’s conflicts. It also would have given other characters, like Mabel and Clarissa, more involvement in the film.

Image of high school students dancing at prom created by Jan Sundstedt at freeimages.com. Photo by <a href=”/photographer/jansun-33414″>Jan Sundstedt</a> from <a href=”https://freeimages.com/”>FreeImages</a>. Image found at freeimages.com.

My overall impression:

Movies from the 1950s are reviewed so infrequently on 18 Cinema Lane. So, when I find a film from the ‘50s to write about, I always root for that film to be good. With The Reluctant Debutante, however, I can’t say this movie is good. If anything, I was disappointed by it. The 1958 production was a premise driven story, a type of story that, in my opinion, contains less intrigue. The jokes lasted so long, it made the movie feel longer than one hour and thirty-four minutes. At one point, I almost fell asleep watching The Reluctant Debutante. Though I kept watching because the cast gave such strong performances. From Kay and Rex’s on-screen chemistry to Angela’s character being “the life of the party”, the acting was one of the few things I liked about the film. There’re even characters that should have received more screen-time, like David Parkson and Jane. During The Reluctant Debutante’s opening credits, I learned the movie was based on a play. What I also learned is how some plays were not meant to be adapted into a film.

Overall score: 5.5 out of 10

Have you seen The Reluctant Debutante? Which movie from the 1950s is your favorite? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Cancel Christmas Review

On December 2, 2024December 4, 2024 By 18cinemalane1 Comment

When choosing to review a Hallmark Christmas film, I sometimes select an “older” production that isn’t featured during “Miracles of Christmas” or “Countdown to Christmas” as often as it used to. I figure if either Hallmark Channel or Hallmark Mystery continues to prioritize their “newer” movies, 18 Cinema Lane will take the time to give these “older” pictures their much-needed recognition. Cancel Christmas is one of these films. Premiering in the early 2010s, Cancel Christmas was released during a time when Hallmark Channel aired less than twenty movies during their “Countdown to Christmas” line-up. This movie was also released during a time when Hallmark’s Christmas projects weren’t mandated by the network’s brand, allowing each movie to be as creative as their respective creative team desired. When I wrote about hoops&yoyo’s Haunted Halloween, I mentioned how Hoops & Yoyo would appear in an article of things you can no longer find from Hallmark. If this article existed, Christmas movies featuring Santa would also be included. Comparing today’s Hallmark Channel with the network of yesteryear, Santa’s appearances in Christmas cinema have become rarer. So, similar to hoops&yoyo’s Haunted Halloween, Cancel Christmas serves as a time capsule of how different Hallmark Channel was over ten years ago.

*Cancel Christmas* poster created by Chesler/Perlmutter Productions, Daro Film Distribution, and Hallmark Channel

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: Since the dawn of cinema, there have been countless portrayals of Santa. How Santa carries himself on screen depends on the actor, screenwriting, and director. In Cancel Christmas, Judd Nelson presented Santa in a way I don’t often see in the world of Christmas cinema. This movie shows Santa as softer-spoken, displaying jolliness through actions instead of just words. His overall demeanor was that of a “wise elder”; thoughtful, reflective, and willing to be a mentor when necessary. Judd’s portrayal of Santa stresses one of the themes of Cancel Christmas; it doesn’t matter what Santa looks like, what matters is the goodness in his heart. Working alongside Santa is an elf named Randal. Portrayed by Justin Landry, Randal ended up stealing the show! He was the perfect opposite to the character of Santa, being enthusiastically joyful and wearing a smile with an up-beat attitude. Randal’s laugh was infectious, making me laugh along with him. I, honestly, wish this movie had been about Randal!

If a Christmas movie features a “Scrooge” type character (a character whose heart changes over the course of the story), the character’s gradual change needs to feel genuine. The more genuine this transformation is, the more opportunities the audience receives to have empathy for that character. Sante Scaletta portrayed a “Scrooge” type character in Cancel Christmas. Farley Morgan is known as a bully at his school. Around his friend and authoritative figures, Farley carries an arrogant attitude. He presents himself as more invincible than he really is. But behind closed doors, the emotional walls surrounding Farley become dismantled. From happily playing with his dog, Kip, to tearfully sharing family memories with his father, Farley’s emotional range broadens. Because of Sante’s impressive performance, Farley’s gradual change in Cancel Christmas truly felt believably genuine!

The messages and themes: In a typical Christmas film, especially from Hallmark, important messages and themes are sprinkled throughout the story. These messages and themes serve as lessons for the audience to learn. They’re also ways for the audience to relate to the characters. As I mentioned earlier in this review, Farley is a bully at his school. Toward the beginning of Cancel Christmas, he and his friend, Steve, attempt to pull a prank on their teacher, Mrs. Claymore. However, Mrs. Claymore is spared from the prank because the prank ends up affecting someone else. At school one day, Mrs. Claymore tells Steve if she had been affected by the prank, it would have made her cry. She shares this to remind Steve how his and Farley’s actions have consequences.

The setting: On-screen text reveals how Cancel Christmas takes place in Atlanta, Georgia. This was a nice change of scenery from the backgrounds of most of Hallmark’s Christmas productions! Snowy, small towns have become a staple in the network’s Christmas cinema. The reality, though, is how not everyone’s environment reflects what Hallmark projects. By placing Cancel Christmas in Atlanta, Georgia, the movie’s creative team gives the audience an idea of what the Christmas season is like in one of America’s southern states. Relatable Christmas activities, such as making Christmas dinner and decorating the school, are emphasized throughout the story. Among Hallmark’s collection of Christmas films, southern states have rarely made an appearance. So, I appreciate Cancel Christmas’ creative team filling this particular creative void!

Adorable Santa image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/christmas-background-with-funny-santa_1324597.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

A weak villain: Constance is introduced as the villain at the beginning of Cancel Christmas. She informs Santa his job is in jeopardy because of how spoiled the world’s children have become. While Santa speculates Constance’s motive for endangering his job, a clear explanation is never provided. Constance’s appearance in only three scenes prevented her from having a more intimidating presence. Jean Yoon, who portrayed Constance, gave a good performance with the provided script. But when it came to Constance being a weak villain, I fault the screenwriter.

Too many stories: Sometimes, a Hallmark Christmas movie will feature multiple stories within its script. The collection of stories can range from having one main plot and one or two sub-plots to a variety of characters crossing paths with one another. What makes some of these movies work is how all those stories are woven together. But, in Cancel Christmas, the threads between the stories were unimpressive, causing the script’s abundance of stories to be noticeable. Besides the main plot of Santa trying to save his job, there were about five sub-plots, from a news reporter trying to find the “real” Santa to Farley’s friend, Steve, organizing a fundraiser. There was creativity found within these sub-plots. In fact, some of them belonged in their own movie. However, all these stories ended up competing against each other in Cancel Christmas. It also doesn’t help how the film has a run-time of an hour and twenty-seven minutes. Having so many stories in one script made the movie feel kind of overwhelming.

Unnecessary clichés: I will commend the creative team behind Cancel Christmas for trying to incorporate as much creativity as possible into their project. But there were a few clichés that could have been left on the cutting room floor. As I mentioned in my list of the top ten worst clichés from Hallmark movies, the “business person is a jerk and/or out of touch” cliché has become one of the network’s more over-used clichés. It has, more often than not, been included in rom-coms, in order to make the businessman seem less desirable than the male protagonist. The “business person is a jerk and/or out of touch” cliché found a place in Cancel Christmas. In this movie, the cliché was connected to a story that has been adopted by a lot of entertainment media; the bully/antagonist having a tragic backstory and/or being misunderstood. To me, these parts of the story were more predictable than they needed to be. However, I understand their purpose in the movie was to instill compassion and empathy to the film’s audience.

Dog collection image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/dog”>Dog vector created by freepik – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

Hallmark Channel’s Christmas movies have changed since the network began in 2001. In the earlier years, these movies didn’t follow a pre-determined formula or adopt as many of the clichés viewers see today. Hallmark’s “older” productions were given more opportunities to find their respective audience because there were fewer Christmas films airing during the Christmas season. Like I said in my review, I commend the creative team behind Cancel Christmas for trying to incorporate as much creativity as possible into their project. From Judd Nelson’s portrayal of Santa to the story taking place in Atlanta, Georgia, these creative choices felt like a breath of fresh air compared to the network’s more recent offerings. Though there were things I liked about this film, it contained noticeable flaws. Not only was the villain weak, the movie featured too many stories. There were also some clichés that were, in my opinion, unnecessarily added to the film. I wish Hallmark would go back to making creativity the rule itself. So many stories and ideas could be told through the network’s programs. But with Hallmark making the same types of projects, the network seems content with creating repetitive and predictable presentations.

Overall score 7.1-7.2 out of 10

Have you seen Cancel Christmas? Are there any “older” Hallmark Christmas movies you enjoy watching? Please tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade Review

On November 27, 2024December 18, 2024 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I decided to choose a Thanksgiving film as the first seasonal movie to review this Christmas/holiday season! While searching for options, the 2012 Hallmark presentation, Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade, crossed my path. I hadn’t seen this film in its entirety prior to 2024. But over the years, I had heard good things about it. Within the Hallmark fan community, Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade has received the title of “classic”. Because of that, I wanted to see for myself if the film’s hype was legitimate. Whenever a Hallmark movie becomes popular, I try to check out the movie in order to form my own opinion. Sometimes, I feel the hype was earned, like with the 2014 film, The Nine Lives of Christmas. But I have found myself disagreeing with popular opinion, such as with 2006’s The Christmas Card. What will be my thoughts on Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade? If you want to know the answer, you have to keep reading my review!

*Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade* poster created by Hallmark Channel, Pitchblack Pictures, and LaCanada

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: In a story that primarily revolves around the male and female protagonist, the likability of those characters is determined by the performance of the lead actor and actress. With their portrayal of Emily and Henry, Autumn Reeser and Antonio Cupo effortlessly carried Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade! Emily is a bright, energetic, and up-beat woman. Her enthusiasm for Chicago’s Thanksgiving parade is charming, with that charm radiating off the screen. Throughout the movie, Autumn displays an understanding for her character’s emotional range. Emily’s energetic bubbliness is showcased enough to keep the character likable. Meanwhile, Antonio’s character, Henry, boasts a more serious personality. This seriousness doesn’t prevent Henry’s suave charisma from shining through. What Autumn’s and Antonio’s performance share in common is how consistent they are. That consistency helped make Henry and Emily strong characters!

Antonio and Autumn are not the only actors giving consistent performances in Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade! From time to time, Emily interacts with a co-worker named Donna. Similar to Emily, Donna has a bubbly personality. Because of April Telek’s acting strengths, I looked forward to seeing Donna show up in the story. In fact, I wish Donna received a larger role in the film. Another likable character was Emily’s friend, Jaclyn. Despite appearing in the movie for a limited period of time, Ali Liebert helped her character shine by presenting Jaclyn with a warm, friendly personality. I wish Jaclyn was given her own sub-plot to be more involved in the story.

The on-screen chemistry: As I just talked about in this review, Autumn Reeser and Antonio Cupo effortlessly carried Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Another reason why I believe this statement is because of their on-screen chemistry. This movie uses the trope of “opposites attract”. Because of the aforementioned performances of Antonio and Autumn, the attraction of Henry and Emily felt believable! Their banter went back-and-forth like a ping-pong game, providing lively, even funny interactions. The more time they spent together, the more Emily and Henry’s feelings for each other naturally progressed. Despite being “opposites”, these characters found common ground and tried to get on the same page. Henry and Emily kind of reminded me of Oliver and Shane from the Signed, Sealed, Delivered series.

Emily’s wardrobe: Throughout Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade, Emily consistently wears vintage attire. I liked this creative decision because Emily’s wardrobe not only complimented Autumn, it made Emily a unique character! One of these outfits was a pink dress with matching jacket. Paired with a pink pillbox hat, this outfit represents the classy and sophisticated way Emily presents herself. Even when she takes a simple trip to the grocery store, Emily sports a deep teal, long-sleeved dress with a pleated skirt. When Henry invites her to a basketball game, Emily stays true to herself by wearing a red, short-sleeved blouse, dark blue jeans, and a red belt. The only “modern” part of the ensemble is a Chicago Bulls cap.

Image of Thanksgiving dinner created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by freepik – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

A secondary holiday and parade: Hallmark does not create Thanksgiving movies often, especially this decade. So, when I watch one of their Thanksgiving pictures, I hope the holiday is featured similarly to Christmas in their Christmas productions. As the story progressed in Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade, however, I quickly took notice of how Emily and Henry’s relationship was prioritized over Thanksgiving and the titular parade. The Thanksgiving holiday was barely referenced in this movie. There were no Thanksgiving decorations to be seen and I don’t recall any of the characters saying the word “turkey”. While parade preparations were shown throughout the film, they were only featured in short segments. This is a shame because aspects of the parade, such as “parade camp” or a group of clowns visiting children at the hospital, could have served as the story of their own movie. I wish the parade and/or Thanksgiving had been more involved in the plot. With Emily sharing a brief history of the parade early in the film, Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade could have had a story similar to A Biltmore Christmas.

The “it’s not what you think” cliché: Among Hallmark’s collection of clichés is the “it’s not what you think” cliché. This is when the protagonist sees or hears something out of context and automatically assumes the worst. Hallmark has sometimes used this cliché in a way that complements the story, like in Easter Under Wraps and Rome in Love. But there are times when this cliché has been included in a movie just for the sake of it. In the case of Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade, I understand the “it’s not what you think” cliché was intended to create conflict between Henry and Emily. However, I don’t think the cliché’s inclusion in the story was necessary because it happened right after Emily experienced a difficult time in her life. To me, that part of the film seemed cruel and a bit mean-spirited toward Emily.

A rushed backstory: One of the themes of Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade is “looks can be deceiving”. Despite this theme being utilized well at times, the overall utilization of this theme was not consistent. During the film’s climax, important pieces of a character’s backstory are presented in a rushed manner. That information helps another character change their perception of the character in question. Instead of rushing to deliver this information before the end of the movie, it should have been given over the course of the film. That way, the audience has time to digest and ponder the character’s backstory.

Group of clowns image created by Freepik at freepik.com. Image by Freepik

My overall impression:

Because Hallmark creates so few Thanksgiving movies, I’m always rooting for their Thanksgiving pictures to be good. But, like Hallmark’s Christmas productions, these films are not created equal. As I’ve mentioned in the past, An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving is one of my favorite Hallmark films. One reason why is how Thanksgiving is acknowledged throughout the story. Unfortunately, Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade did not follow in the footsteps of the 2008 film. In fact, Thanksgiving and the titular parade were overshadowed by Emily and Henry’s relationship. This is one of those movies where a better story idea can be found within the script. But the reason why I kept watching the film is because of the acting performances! Autumn Reeser and Antonio Cupo shined bright together, carrying the movie with their acting talents and on-screen chemistry. The supporting cast was strong as well. I liked Emily’s wardrobe because it helped make her such a memorable character. The combination of Autumn’s performance and the screenwriting contributed to that too. Out of Hallmark’s Thanksgiving projects I’ve seen, Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade falls somewhere in the middle. While the 2012 picture isn’t bad, it could’ve been stronger.

Overall score: 6.7 out of 10

Have you seen Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade? Has Hallmark created a Thanksgiving movie you’d like to see me review? Share your thoughts in the comment section!

Have fun on Thanksgiving!

Sally Silverscreen