Tag: 1980s

A Movie Blogger Tier Ranks Halloween Commercials

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

When I published my review of 1920’s The Scarecrow, it became my 1,050th published post! To commemorate this milestone, I wanted to create a list article. But, with Halloween just around the corner, I decided to make my post more festive. Recently, a Youtuber named Cameron (from the Youtube channel, Cameron Chaney – Library Macabre) created a tier rank list of sixty-six classic Halloween commercials. Inspired by his video, I made my own tier rank list! For my list, however, I curated a collection of thirty-one commercials, since there are thirty-one days in the month of October. With the exception of one advertisement, I purposefully chose ads that weren’t on Cameron’s list. This was done to make my list look and feel distinct from Cameron’s video. Since Halloween is what you make it, my tier rank list showcases the different ways a Halloween commercial can be festive. Throughout this list article, I will provide links to the videos of the commercials, in case my readers are interested in watching any of the ads I discussed. If a commercial is from a compilation video, I will include the time stamps for that commercial. I even numbered the commercials on each tier to make it easier for my readers to follow along with the tier rank list. Before I reveal which commercials I chose and which tiers I placed them in, let me explain each of the five tiers and what they mean.

  • Nightmare Fuel – Sometimes, Halloween festivities can be scary, from watching horror movies and visiting a haunted house. These commercials on this tier highlight the “scarier” side of Halloween. If you choose to watch the ranked commercials as you follow along with the list article, please view the commercials from the “Nightmare Fuel” tier at your own discretion, as these commercials can be disturbing for a variety of reasons.
  • Binx Approved – This tier references Binx, the memorable black cat from the 1993 film, Hocus Pocus. For many people, this movie is a beloved and iconic part of their Halloween celebrations. Any commercial placed on the “Binx Approved” tier earned that spot either by being the perfect representative of Halloween, “iconic” (because of the commercial itself or because of what the commercial is advertising), or possessing the right amount of Halloween spirit.
  • Harris Trinsky and the “Geeks” go Trick-or-Treating – When I wrote my editorial about Harris Trinsky (from Freaks and Geeks) and Eddie Munson (from Stranger Things) being two sides of the same coin, I referenced Freaks and Geeks’ Halloween episode, ‘Tricks and Treats’. In that episode, Harris joined the “geeks” (Bill, Sam, and Neil) on their trick-or-treating excursion. For this tier, the Halloween commercials are festive in a light-hearted, hilarious, or sweet way (as Freaks and Geeks is classified as a comedy on IMDB). It’s also possible for the commercials in the “Harris Trinsky and the “Geeks” go Trick-or-Treating” tier to contain less Halloween spirit than the ads from the “Binx Approved” tier.
  • McDonald’s Boo Buckets – Since 1986, Boo Buckets have served as a special treat for children around Halloween. Providing a festive way to hold a Happy Meal, the Boo Buckets became McDonald’s signature way of celebrating the Halloween holiday. Commercials on this tier are child/family-friendly, either because of the nature of the commercial or because the advertised product has children’s wellbeing in mind. Out of all the tiers on this list, the most adorable commercials can be found on the “McDonald’s Boo Buckets” tier.
  • Brick Heck in a Corn Maze – In the season one episode of The Middle, ‘Thanksgiving’, all Brick Heck wanted was to walk through a corn maze. Inspired by this simple wish, as well as this Fall/Autumn tradition, the “Brick Heck in a Corn Maze” tier recognizes the commercials that are more complimentary of the Halloween season. However, these advertisements are either not Halloween themed or Halloween is not the central focal point. For various reasons, though, it would have made sense to see these commercials from the “Brick Heck in a Corn Maze” tier air around Halloween.
As I explained in the introduction of this article, I purposefully created my tier rank list to look and feel distinct from Cameron’s video. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

Nightmare Fuel

1. When A Stranger Calls – “Movie Trailer”

Year Aired: 1979

(38:02 – 38:32)

I’ve mentioned before on 18 Cinema Lane how the most effective “scary movies” are the ones that involve real-life situations. This trailer for When A Stranger Calls addresses that concept by showing a scene where the movie’s protagonist, Jill, discovers an intruder has entered the house she’s babysitting at, as well as making a call from inside that house. Including that scene in the trailer plays into the fear of someone violating a safe place like home and manipulating that safe place for their own advantage. What makes the trailer even more frightening is the addition of suspenseful music and the reactions from the audience, “filmed during actual performance” according to the trailer itself. Seeing the looks of concern and fear on the faces of the audience, while also hearing their screams, creates a sense of relatability for the featured audience and the viewer of the trailer, emphasizing a situation on screen that would be terrifying for anyone.

2. Taco Bell – “Monster Eyes”

Year Aired: 1997

(8:55 – 9:25)

This commercial becomes more disturbing the longer you think about it. In an attempt to create a backstory for their Monster Eye Straws, Taco Bell presents an ad where a man owns a collection of sentient dismembered monster heads for the purpose of collecting their eyes in order to create the straws. These monster heads appear terrified when the man arrives to retrieve their eyes, with one of the heads saying, “I hate this part”, implying this situation has happened before. As the man reaches for the eyes, he has a gleefully sinister look on his face. Even the man’s dog appears to know something doesn’t seem right. The straws themselves are a creative and visually unique souvenir for Halloween. But I don’t think a backstory was necessary, especially a backstory as disturbing as the one featured in Taco Bell’s 1997 ad.

3. DiGiorno Pizza – “Bates Motel”

Year Aired: 2000

(1:06:02 – 1:06:32)

In this commercial from 2000, DiGiorno Pizza decided to parody the 1960 Alfred Hitchcock film, Psycho, to promote their “new” Half & Half pizza. Two characters from the film, Norman and his mother, are having a conversation about the pizza off-screen, emphasizing how two people can enjoy the half cheese and half pepperoni pizza being advertised. The only times Norman and his mother appear on screen are when Norman can be seen as a silhouette in a window and when his mother goes into the kitchen to cut the pizza in half. But what makes this commercial unsettling is the idea of the commercial’s events taking place within the context of Psycho. I won’t spoil this movie for any of my readers who haven’t seen the 1960 film. But if you have seen it, you would know why I placed DiGiorno’s advertisement in the “Nightmare Fuel” tier.

4. Anti-smoking PSA – “Tobacco is Whacko”

Year Aired: 2002

(4:01 – 4:31)

I know some PSAs (public service announcements) are intentionally created to scare viewers away from doing something (smoking in this case). However, that doesn’t take away from how disturbing the message’s delivery is in this anti-smoking PSA from 2002. The combination of the darkened alley, eerie music, and little dialogue create an atmosphere that looks like it came straight out of a horror movie. The sinister man with discolored teeth randomly giving a tongue piercing to a teenage boy adds to the disturbing nature of the PSA. Piercings, in the context of the PSA, are intended to visually represent cigarettes leaving their mark on the smoker. But when I saw it while researching commercials for this tier rank list, I immediately knew the “Nightmare Fuel” tier was a deserving place for the PSA to go.

5. Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights – “The Director”

Year Aired: 2003

(1:45:51 – 1:46:18, 1:47:03 – 1:47:33)

When the Youtube channel, Expedition Theme Park, claimed The Director was the “most extreme” and “controversial” icon at Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights, they were not overexaggerating. What sets The Director apart from other Halloween related characters is how he craves putting his “actors” in pain. His reasoning is that the creative decision “tells the story truthfully”. In the “To be continued” ad, The Director talks about his “work” with a mixture of pride and nonchalance, his attitude adding disturbance to his persona. While the “To be continued” ad shows glimpses of a jester being held against his will, the “You Oughtta Be in Pictures” ad clearly presents The Director inflicting pain on that same jester. The purpose of these ads (promoting the thirteenth edition of Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights) isn’t revealed until the end of the commercial, forcing viewers of the advertisement to wonder, “What the heck am I watching?”. To put it simply, the ads featuring The Director certainly put the “horror” in Halloween Horror Nights.

6. Snickers – “November 1st”

Year Aired: 2007

(6:01 – 6:45)

Similar to Taco Bell’s “Monster Eyes” commercial, Snickers’ ad from 2007 becomes more disturbing the longer you think about it. The featured man in the ad is in danger due to a ladder falling while he’s removing Halloween decorations from his home, leaving him hanging onto the roof’s edge. This situation presents a relatable fear for the advertisement’s viewers. What makes the commercial more frightening is how the featured children unanimously agree not to help the man. As he’s yelling for someone to assist him to safety, the children just stare at him with blank looks on their faces, even watching him fall. While the man’s fate isn’t revealed, on-screen text tries to provide an explanation why the children didn’t help him, stating “Next Halloween Give Out the Good Stuff”. Victim-blaming and the children allowing the man to remain in danger for a petty reason make the commercial feel mean-spirited in a disturbing way. I, honestly, don’t want to know what Snickers was thinking when they were making this ad.

Binx Approved

1. It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown – “Original CBS Promo”

Year Aired: 1966

For sixty years, It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown has been an iconic staple in Halloween entertainment programming. In fact, it has become one of the most popular and marketable pieces of Halloween media. So, you can imagine my shock when Cameron didn’t put any commercials featuring the Peanuts on his tier rank list. That gave me an opportunity to place an ad for It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown on my list, especially the “Binx Approved” tier. Out of all the commercials available on Youtube, I decided on the original promo from 1966, pleasantly surprised by how it was archived at all. Though the footage is grainier than other versions of the advertisement, it perfectly captures both the Fall/Autumn season and Halloween season. From Lucy tricking Charlie Brown into kicking the football to Snoopy (as the Red Baron) crashing the Halloween party, the timeless and wholesome nature of It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown has helped the 1966 presentation earn the title of “classic”.

2. Hallmark – “Halloween Boo Bazaar – Skeleton”

Year Aired: 1986 & 1987

Though Cameron included four Hallmark commercials on his tier rank list, this “Halloween Boo Bazaar” ad featuring a rapping skeleton was not one of them. What’s interesting about this commercial is how there are two different versions, each airing a year apart. While the changes make the advertisements look distinct from one other, they share the same purpose: showcasing the various products offered through Hallmark’s Halloween Boo Bazaar collection. The skeleton’s rap song, as well as the visuals, make viewers aware of the available costume apparel, like beanies, tails, and headbands. There are also wands, plush pumpkins, and decorations that appear to flow through the wind. Balloons are even present in the 1987 version of Hallmark’s commercial. The quicker procession of the products from Halloween Boo Bazaar makes Halloween seem unstoppable, with the holiday spirit constantly thrown at the viewer. Both versions of Hallmark’s commercial possess an authentic quirkiness that is rarely seen in marketing today.

3. Carvel Ice Cream Bakery – “Halloween Cake”

Year Aired: 1991

(3:28 – 3:58)

Cameron selected a Halloween Carvel Ice Cream ad for his tier rank list. But the version he picked featured a talking pumpkin cake named Dumpy. Carvel’s commercial from 1991, the advertisement I chose for my tier rank list, is, in my opinion, leagues better. The first half of the TV spot looks and feels like scenes taken from a Universal Studios Monster movie. This is achieved through a combination of black-and-white photography, cinematography, suspenseful music, and inclusion of lightning. When Carvel’s Halloween ice cream cake is shown on-screen, it presents a more classic pumpkin design. Turning vanilla ice cream cones into “Ghosty Cones” was such a creative idea! Even Carvel’s logo changing colors from red, yellow, and purple to black and white when lightning struck added a touch of spookiness to the commercial. Compared to the “Dumpy the Pumpkin” ad, the 1991 television spot appears to be cinema.

4. Hocus Pocus – “Movie Trailer”

Year Aired: 1993

With a tier named “Binx Approved”, of course I was going to include a trailer for Hocus Pocus on my tier rank list. Like It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, the 1993 movie has not only become an iconic staple in Halloween entertainment programming, it has also become one of the most popular and marketable pieces of Halloween media. Anyone who has seen Hocus Pocus would know the film is packed with Halloween spirit, despite the trailer making little to no references to the holiday. Though the movie features suspenseful, frightening, and even sad moments, the TV spot places more emphasis on the movie’s light-hearted tone. The announcer refers to Hocus Pocus as “a bewitching new comedy” as well. With both Hocus Pocus and It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown earning the title of “classic”, I now wonder what a crossover between the two films would look like?

5. Big K-Mart – “Star Wars Halloween”

Year Aired: 1999

(27:05 – 27:35)

Anyone who has dressed up for Halloween has likely chosen a costume based on their favorite character at least once in their life. That character may have been so popular, their popularity influenced which Halloween costumes would be sought after. This Big K-Mart ad from 1999 beautifully emphasizes this concept more than other Halloween commercials featuring character-based costumes I’ve seen. With Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace being a new and popular movie at the time the advertisement aired, it makes sense for Big K-Mart to showcase the costumes they had to offer by having the featured children dress up as some of the characters from the film. But the star of the ad is a young girl whose favorite character is Queen Amidala, inspired by the knowledge that girls can be heroes too. This part of the commercial captures that childhood belief that when you have a really cool costume, anything is possible.

6. Party City – “Halloween Costume Warehouse”

Year Aired: 1999

(9:46 – 10:16)

Staying on the subject of Halloween costumes, this commercial claims Party City is the “Halloween Costume Warehouse”. Through the straight-forward nature of the 1999 ad, a voice-over and the visuals inform the viewer how Party City is not only the costume destination, but also the decoration hotspot. Shots of dancing skeletons, happy ghosts, and even an outer space alien are sprinkled throughout the commercial to give viewers a sample of the types of decorations Party City had to offer at the time. When it comes to costumes, the announcer excitedly states that there are “over four hundred children and adult costumes to choose from”. Images of character-based costumes are brought up in the advertisement, providing a nice time capsule of what was popular during 1999’s Halloween season. A wall of costume accessories and a spooky looking room full of masks place emphasis on the various offered items to help customers complete their Halloween look. Dressing up in costumes and displaying decorations are two of the most beloved traditions of the Halloween holiday. Party City’s ad captures that belief in a simple yet effective way.

7. Disneyland – “Halloween Time”

Year Aired: 2009

When Halloween and Disney theme parks are put in the same sentence, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party usually comes to mind. But, according to my research, this event only takes place in Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris, with the event itself being conceived because of Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights. Disneyland’s “Halloween Time” commercial from 2009 showcases how the California park adapts to the holiday. Brief shots of The Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror and The Haunted Mansion highlight established attractions typically associated with Halloween. Space Mountain adopts a “Ghost Galaxy” version of its ride and “all new fireworks” are incorporated into the park’s collection of festivities. Assisting the commercial in presenting Disneyland’s Halloween spirit is a group of eight of the most well-known villains from the world of Disney animation. What I like about Halloween themed theme park advertisements, including Disneyland’s ad, is seeing how a park approaches the holiday. With Disney possessing a collection of recognizable attractions and characters, Disneyland gave viewers a commercial that, within the realm of Halloween themed amusement park ads, is “iconic”.

Harris Trinsky and the “Geeks” go Trick-or-Treating

1. Easter Seals – “Halloween Safe Coupons”

Year Aired: 1985

(29:18 – 29:48)

Vincent Price is no stranger to 18 Cinema Lane, as I have reviewed several of his films prior to this post. Therefore, I had to put one of Vincent’s commercials on my tier rank list. I selected Easter Seals’ “Halloween Safe Coupons” commercial from 1985 for a few reasons. The first is how, at the time the advertisement aired, the coupon booklets were available at AMC Theatres (now I wonder if AMC Theatres offered any coupons in those booklets?). The emphasis on a light-hearted tone, especially when Vincent says, “Halloween doesn’t have to be spooky” and “Halloween should be warm and friendly”, is the second reason. Even though these coupon booklets were intended for trick-or-treaters, Vincent’s dialogue is delivered directly to the viewer, assuming they will be handing out candy at their doorstep. While thinking about this commercial, it makes me wonder what reaction Harris and the “geeks” would have had if they received these coupons on Halloween?

2. Roy Rogers – “Halloween Big Chicken Deal”

Year Aired: 1987

(3:10 – 3:39)

When I think of Halloween, Roy Rogers and chicken dinners don’t come to mind. But because Roy Rogers commercials were far and few between in my research for this post, I figured including this 1987 commercial would be a unique addition to my tier rank list. The advertisement is bursting with Halloween festiveness; from a man dressed up as a chicken yelling “Trick or Treat” to a Halloween party taking place and even a party guest wearing a costume based on Universal Studios’ version of Frankenstein. But so much emphasis is placed on Roy Rogers’ “Big Chicken Deal”, Halloween feels more like a backdrop than a focal point. With all that said, including the commercial’s light-hearted tone, I thought the “Harris Trinsky and the “Geeks” go Trick-or-Treating” tier was the right place to put the advertisement.

3. USPS – “Universal Monsters Stamps”

Year Aired: 1997

(27:42 – 28:13)

The Universal Monsters and Halloween typically go hand in hand (or stamp, in this case). So, dedicating special edition stamps to these cinematic icons makes sense. Featuring the Universal Monsters stamps in a commercial where the featured people are watching a scary movie adds festiveness to the television spot. But I wish there was more Halloween spirit in this advertisement. Sure, one of the men in USPS’s (United States Postal Service) ad calls the stamps “spooky”. However, when other special edition stamps are showcased toward the end of the commercial, maybe Halloween themed or Fall/Autumn related stamps could have been offered as well.

4. Craftsman – “Skeleton”

Year Aired: 2007

(46:06 – 46:21)

I don’t recall ever seeing a holiday commercial specifically for hardware tools. That is why I wanted to place this Craftsman ad from 2007 onto my tier rank list, as it was another unique addition. Even though the commercial is short and straight to the point, it still possesses festiveness. Using tools to create a skeleton was such a creative and visually memorable idea. Even having a Craftsman toolbox opening to eerie music looks reminiscent of Dracula opening up his casket. Craftsman’s commercial now makes me wonder what other ways hardware tools could be presented in a holiday advertisement?

5. Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights – “Ripped from the Silver Screen”

Year Aired: 2009

(46:21 – 47:05)

For the 2009 edition of Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights event, a movie theme called “Ripped from the Silver Screen” was adopted. So, it was fitting for this commercial to take place at a movie theater. But because the advertisement is for a Halloween event, the theater’s concession stand is left is disarray. Even the muffled version of the “Let’s All Go to the Lobby” jingle gives eeriness to the space created in the commercial. As the ad continues, it’s alluded the Wolfman (from Universal Studios’ collection of their Monsters), Chucky (from the Child’s Play/Chucky franchise), and Billy (from the SAW franchise) were the reason for the state of the theater’s concession stand. While Universal Studios’ commercial perfectly captures the horror movie approach they chose for their Halloween Horror Nights event and even though there was good mise-en-scène (such as a close-up shot of Chucky hiding in a popcorn machine), the ad was light on Halloween spirit. Compared to other Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights commercials, however, the “Ripped from the Silver Screen” TV spot is not as tonally dark.

6. Party City – “The Way You Look Tonight”

Year Aired: 2017

(1:10:28 – 1:11:28)

Remember when I discussed Easter Seals’ “Halloween Safe Coupons” commercial and I included Vincent’s quote about how “Halloween should be warm and friendly”? Well, in this 2017 ad, Party City took that idea and sprinted with it. Throughout the commercial, the featured people are either spending Halloween with the loved ones or feeling good about themselves because of “the way they look tonight” (yes, directly referencing the song in the advertisement was definitely intentional). The various scenes effectively showcase the types of costumes Party City offered at the time of the commercial’s airing. Selecting a sweet, wholesome tone also helps the ad put the “happy” in Happy Halloween. When I saw the young zombie boy wearing a knife headband, I couldn’t help but be reminded of Harris Trinsky’s costume in the Freaks and Geeks Halloween episode, ‘Tricks and Treats’, “a guy with a knife through his head.”

McDonald’s Boo Buckets

1. General Mills – “Count Chocula and Franken Berry”

Year Aired: 1971

With how iconic General Mills’ Monster cereals have become within the Halloween season, I was surprised Cameron didn’t put any commercials featuring Count Chocula, Franken Berry, and even Boo Berry on his tier rank list. That made me want to place, at least, one of these commercials on my list, as I originally considered putting it in the “Binx Approved” tier. But when I discovered the very first Monster cereals commercial had been archived on Youtube, I decided to place that advertisement on the tier of “McDonald’s Boo Buckets”. The 1971 commercial appears to be created with parents in mind, as the words, “vitamin charged”, lay over footage of both the Count Chocula cereal and the Franken Berry cereal. However, the commercial also seems created with children in mind, with a young boy ending Franken Berry’s and Count Chocula’s argument over who’s cereal is better by happily walking away with both boxes. Throughout the fifty-five year history of General Mills’ Monster cereals, another iconic face, Boo Berry, was introduced in 1972, followed by lesser-known characters, Fruit Brute, Yummy Mummy, and Carmella Creeper making their debuts in 1974, 1988, and 2023 respectively.

2. McDonald’s – “Halloween Safety Cup Cuffs”

Year Aired: 1971

(6:35 – 7:04)

This is another ‘70s commercial I was surprised to see absent from Cameron’s tier rank list. So, I chose to put McDonald’s ad on my list! Through my research for this post, one trend I took note of was how some commercials capitalized on trick-or-treaters’ safety. This was achieved either by delivering safety tips or creating products that would help keep children safe. In the case of the 1971 commercial, McDonald’s made safety cuffs that were given to customers wrapped around soft drink cups. According to Ronald McDonald himself, the cuffs are coated in “shiny aluminum foil with bright orange stripes so they reflect light”. But because of the quality of the advertisement, it’s difficult to see how effective the safety cup cuffs are. I’ve never seen McDonald’s safety cup cuffs in person either, so I don’t know how reflective the “shiny aluminum foil” truly is.

3. Romper Room – “Weebles Haunted House”

Year Aired: 1976

(15:25 – 15:54)

When I found this commercial from 1976, I knew I had to incorporate it on my tier rank list. That’s because the commercial, as well as the playset itself, overflows with cuteness! The “glow in the dark Weeble ghost” looks reminiscent of Casper the Friendly Ghost. There’s even an adorable, smiling ghost in a mirror on the playset’s wall. The other Weeble figures featured in the advertisement boast sillier faces, emphasizing the fun and whimsical side of Halloween. Playing over the commercial is a light-hearted jingle describing the Weebles Haunted House. The tone of the jingle, as well as the singer and announcer toward the end of the commercial, doubles down on how Halloween can be enjoyable even for the youngest of children. Two children who are shown in the commercial appear to have a good time playing with the Weebles playset. Close-up shots of the Haunted House show the children helping their Weeble figures explore the house, such as the ghost Weeble pushing a bookshelf to reveal a secret room. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched this commercial because of how it exudes joyfulness!

4. Pumpkin Kutter – “Pumpkin Kutter, Scoop, and Light”

Year Aired: 1989

(2:26 – 2:54)

While conducting research for this tier rank list, I noticed very few commercials revolving around carving pumpkins, even though this is a popular activity around Halloween. That’s the reason why I chose to put this 1989 commercial on my list. Similar to the Weebles Haunted House advertisement, the two children featured in the Pumpkin Kutter tv spot appear to have a good time carving pumpkins. Also similar to the McDonald’s Halloween Safety Cup Cuffs commercial, the Pumpkin Kutter, Scoop, and Light were created with children’s safety in mind. As both a voice-over and on-screen text point out, the Pumpkin Kutter doesn’t have sharp edges, making it safer for children to carve their own pumpkins. Though the commercial does remind viewers through on-screen text that adult supervision is advised and how “improper use could result in injury”. The aforementioned voice-over acknowledges how the Pumpkin Light “replaces dangerous candles with glowing results”. These products, along with the Pumpkin Scoop, help children gain a little bit of independence while also strengthening their fine motor skills.

5. McDonald’s – “Halloween Happy Meal”

Year Aired: 1993

(15:58 – 16:13)

The McDonald’s Boo Buckets have been a beloved tradition for forty years, adopting different looks while still retaining their festive spirit. There was even a Boo Buckets commercial in Cameron’s tier rank list video, earning a place in his highest tier. I chose the 1993 version of McDonald’s Boo Buckets commercial for my tier rank list because of the ad’s emphasis on the products’ versatility. A small collection of scenes shows the different ways the Boo Buckets can be used, ranging from storing a Happy Meal to holding Halloween candy. A little girl uses her Boo Bucket’s lid as a cookie cutter in one scene, a feature confirmed by the commercial’s narrator. Like the faces of the Weebles figures from the Weebles Haunted House commercial, the sillier faces on the 1993 version of McDonald’s Boo Buckets highlight the light-hearted, fun, and whimsical side of Halloween.

Brick Heck in a Corn Maze

1. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups – “Movie Theater”

Year Aired: 1984

(1:09 – 1:39)

Because I am a movie blogger, I had to put this Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups commercial on my tier rank list, as it takes place in a movie theater. Even though the young man and woman appear to be watching a scary movie (based on their body language and the sound effects within the commercial) and even though trick-or-treaters can receive Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups on Halloween, the commercial itself is not Halloween themed. The voice-over and the jingle toward the end of the commercial emphasize the candy being advertised. Plus, there are no direct references to the holiday. But it would make sense to air this Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups commercial around Halloween because of the type of movie the young woman and man are supposedly watching and the random fog surrounding the theater’s concession stand.

2. PLUS (Project Literary US) – “Stephen King – Check it Out”

Year Aired: 1992

(31:02 – 31:32)

Stephen King’s stories and adaptations have usually been associated with Halloween, especially IT. This commercial from 1992 even incorporates spooky elements to highlight that fact, such as the sound of heavy breathing, suspenseful music, and a woman in a darkened aisle appearing frightened (before realizing Stephen just wanted to enthusiastically tell her “hi”). But Halloween is not prioritized within this advertisement. In fact, the central focus is the services a library has to offer, with these services pointed out by Stephen himself. Since I’ve never seen a library commercial before, I figured the PLUS (Project Literary US) commercial would be a unique addition to my tier rank list. Putting it in the “Brick Heck in a Corn Maze” tier was also fitting, considering Brick loves to read.

3. Coca-Cola – “Monsters of the Gridiron Contest”

Year Aired: 1993

(6:47 – 7:17)

With football season overlapping with Halloweentime, it would be fitting to find this commercial airing on television leading up to Halloween. But none of the people featured in the advertisement, including the announcer, ever bring Halloween up. Sure, there are two NFL (National Football League) football players dressed up in elaborate costumes. And the contest is called ‘Monsters of the Gridiron’. However, Coca-Cola’s commercial emphasizes football, with the majority of the contest’s prizes related to the NFL, such as tickets to the Super Bowl. Though the idea of seeing a player from your favorite football team dressed up for Halloween sounds like a cool, festive concept.

4. Target – “The Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror Sweepstakes”

Year Aired: 1994

Unlike the commercials I’ve discussed in this tier so far, this 1994 Target commercial is Halloween themed, as the voice-over informs the viewer the Studor family’s (the family featured in the commercial) “shopping trip for Halloween supplies was unlike any other”. But that’s the only reference to the holiday made in this entire advertisement. The majority of the commercial is devoted not just to The Twilight Zone, but also the Walt Disney World ride, The Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror (which was new at the time of the commercial’s airing). As soon as the Studor family receive their game card, the imagery changes from color to black-to-white. The music and sound effects playing in the background help present the illusion the commercial’s events are taking place within the world of The Twilight Zone. Even the announcer’s voice sounds similar to Rod Serling’s voice. Reflecting on the creative effort that was put into this commercial, it kind of makes me wish the 1997 TV movie, Tower of Terror, felt more reminiscent of The Twilight Zone television show.

5. Skittles – “Gargoyles”

Year Aired: 2000

(0:37 – 0:52)

Similar to Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups’ “Movie Theater” commercial, Skittles’ “Gargoyles” commercial isn’t Halloween themed, yet advertises candy trick-or-treaters could receive on Halloween. Despite the lack of references to the holiday, Skittles’ ad looks and feels complimentary of the Halloween season. The combination of a darker color palette, eerie music, a bell chiming, and two gargoyles coming to life create a spooky ambience. The visually striking presentation of the commercial leaves me, as a viewer, wanting to know more about this little world Skittles created. What woke the gargoyles from their stoney slumber; the young boy’s imagination or the candy itself? I’d love to see a movie based on this commercial!

6. Phantom of the Megaplex – “Original Promo”

Year Aired: 2000

If you’ve followed 18 Cinema Lane long enough, you would know how much I love Phantom of the Megaplex. Since the film’s release in 2000, Disney Channel has incorporated Phantom of the Megaplex into their Halloween themed programming line-ups. I’ve even heard some say they like to watch this movie around Halloween. However, Phantom of the Megaplex is not Halloween themed. Not only did the film premiere on November 10th, I believe the story takes place in the summer. But I can understand why this DCOM (Disney Channel Original Movie) would be chosen as someone’s Halloween viewing, as Phantom of the Megaplex contains enough spooky and mysterious elements to compliment the holiday.

7. IHOP – “Fall Pancakes”

Year Aired: 2018

(5:16 – 5:49)

IHOP (International House of Pancakes) has hosted several themed promotions on their menu over the years. In 2018, one themed promotion was based on the Fall/Autumn season. As a talking pumpkin explains in the commercial, some of the menu choices included “eggs your way, hickory smoked bacon, and a side of Cinn-a-Stack Pancakes topped with cream cheese icing”. The menu also included “Pumpkin Spice Pancakes made with real pumpkin”. The talking pumpkin isn’t the only pumpkin featured in the commercial, as several orange and white pumpkins surround the entrance of someone’s house. This same entrance is decorated with other fall related décor as well, such as bales of hay, corn stalks, and even a set of lanterns. However, as I already mentioned in this discussion of IHOP’s commercial, the restaurant’s promotion was Fall/Autumn themed, with no mention of Halloween. But because the holiday falls (see what I did there?) in the middle of the Fall/Autumn season, it would have been appropriate to air IHOP’s advertisement throughout the month of October.

Have fun on Halloween!

Sally Silverscreen

Reviewing Vivian Blaine’s Episode of Murder, She Wrote

On By 18cinemalane8 Comments

I will admit I was unfamiliar with who Vivian Blaine was when I found out about Taking Up Room’s Vivian Blaine Blogathon. This did not deter me, though, as I saw the event as an opportunity to expand my cinematic horizons. When I discovered Vivian had guest starred on an episode of Murder, She Wrote, I immediately signed up for the blogathon with the plan of covering another episode of the show! This is not the first time I’ve written about a specific actor’s or actress’s episode of Murder, She Wrote. Back in 2020, I reviewed all three episodes of Murder, She Wrote Van Johnson appeared on. This is also not the first episode of Murder, She Wrote’s first season I’ve covered on 18 Cinema Lane. Prior to this review, I wrote about ‘We’re Off to Kill the Wizard’, ‘Paint Me a Murder’, ‘Murder Takes the Bus’, and ‘Hit, Run and Homicide’. While I thought ‘We’re Off to Kill the Wizard’, ‘Paint Me a Murder’, and ‘Hit, Run and Homicide’ were fine, I didn’t like ‘Murder Takes the Bus’. Where will Vivian Blaine’s episode, ‘Broadway Malady’, rank among these episodes? To solve this mystery, you’ll have to read my review!

Screenshot of ‘Broadway Malady’ title card taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

Name: Broadway Malady

Season 1, Episode 11

Premiere Date: January 13th, 1985

What I liked about this episode:

In ‘Broadway Malady’, an actress named Rita Bristol plans on making her comeback to the stage. But she’s not returning to Broadway alone. Rita’s daughter, Patti, is also starring in her show, with Rita’s son, Barry, working behind the scenes to make the show a reality. Throughout the episode, the dynamic of the Bristol family is on full display. Whether they are celebrating coming back to Broadway at all or concerned over a medical emergency, a close bond within the family radiates off the screen. The Bristol family’s dynamic appeared believable in ‘Broadway Malady’ because of the strong acting talents of Vivian Blaine, Lorna Luft, and Gregg Henry. What also worked in their favor was the strong chemistry between them, which shown brightly in this episode.

What I didn’t like about this episode:

With the show titled Murder, She Wrote, the creative team behind the program has given their audience a set of expectations. These expectations are not only will a murder mystery take place in an episode, the murder mystery will serve as the main focus within the story. But in ‘Broadway Malady’, the mystery of who shot Patti and why was prioritized. At one point while watching this episode, I honestly wondered if a murder mystery was written into the story at all. Even though there was a murder mystery in ‘Broadway Malady’, it took place within the episode’s last eight minutes. This creative decision goes against those aforementioned expectations Murder, She Wrote’s creative team knowingly crafted. There is an episode where there isn’t a murder mystery in the script. But this is an exception to the rule, not the rule itself.

The Vivian Blaine Blogathon banner created by Rebecca from Taking Up Room.

The mystery itself:

Like I just talked about in this review, the story of ‘Broadway Malady’ prioritizes the mystery of who shot Patti and why, with the episode’s murder mystery taking place within the episode’s last eight minutes. When it came to the mystery involving Patti, Jessica started trying to solve the case about sixteen minutes into the episode. I point this out to address how Jessica’s involvement happened much sooner than other episodes of Murder, She Wrote. The clues for both mysteries are woven into the dialogue, with very few physical clues in the story. This means a viewer will have to actively pay attention to what the characters are saying in order not to miss important context. There is an effective plot twist that appears toward the end of the episode. But I will not spoil that plot twist, in case any of my readers haven’t seen ‘Broadway Malady’.

The other factors from this episode:

  • During rehearsal for Rita and Patti’s upcoming Broadway show, Patti sings a song called “Thanks, But I’ve Been There Before”. While she performs this song, Patti sits at a vanity without a mirror. This set piece created the illusion Patti was looking in a mirror, with her reflection looking back at her. This is the first time I’ve seen an individual performer attempt this illusion in their performance and succeed!
  • When I reviewed the season eleven episode of Murder, She Wrote, ‘The Dream Team’ (and even when I reviewed the movie, Murder, She Wrote: A Story to Die For), I chose the dialogue as a major strength because of how well-written it was. The dialogue is also a major strength in the season one episode, ‘Broadway Malady’, for the same reason! While rehearsals are underway for Patti and Rita’s Broadway show, there is obvious tension due to a disagreement between the show’s director and Rita. As they sit in the audience’s seats, one of the show’s writers tells the show’s other writer, “I thought we wrote a musical comedy”. The second writer responds to the first writer by saying, “I can’t wait for the funny stuff”. This is just one example of how cleverly written dialogue can leave a memorable impression!
  • At the beginning of ‘Broadway Malady’, Rita watches a scene from one of her movies. The scene in question shows a younger Rita through black-and-white film singing a song titled “Somewhere in the Night”. Fans of Vivian Blaine will recognize that scene from her 1946 movie, Three Little Girls in Blue. Even though I haven’t seen that movie, incorporating an actual movie into one of Murder, She Wrote’s stories felt reminiscent of the season three episode, ‘The Days Dwindle Down’, which served as a “sequel” to the 1949 film, Strange Bargain.
  • When talking to a talent agent named Lew Feldman, Jessica asks to see a particular actor’s credits. She receives these credits on a single piece of paper later in the episode. Seeing that prop reminded me how times have changed when it comes to recording an actor’s or actress’s credits. Film fans and movie bloggers like myself can take a trip to IMDB (Internet Movie Database) when we want to know more information about an actor’s or actress’s career. But in 1985 (when ‘Broadway Malady’ premiered), the internet was not as commonplace as it is today. Acting credits were not digitized either. So, for fans of a particular actor or actress, keeping track of which projects they appeared in was tricky yet possible.
I had to include a screenshot of Patti’s vanity set piece because it has to be seen to be believed! Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

My overall thoughts:

‘Broadway Malady’ will join the ranks of most of the season one episodes I’ve covered on 18 Cinema Lane. The first season’s eleventh episode is not only fine, it also possesses interesting and creative ideas. There certainly are strengths within ‘Broadway Malady’, from how well Vivian Blaine, Lorna Luft, and Gregg Henry created a believable family dynamic to cleverly written dialogue. I even liked the mirrorless vanity set piece and its effective illusion of Patti looking into a mirror. But ‘Broadway Malady’ has its flaws as well. The biggest flaw is how the episode’s murder mystery received less time in the story than the mystery of who shot Patti and why, which defeats the expectations Murder, She Wrote’s creative team intentionally created. However, the story contained a plot twist that, for me, worked. If you’re curious what this plot twist is, then check out ‘Broadway Malady’!

Rating: A 3.6-3.7 out of 5

What are your thoughts on this episode of Murder, She Wrote? Are there any episodes you’d like to see me review? Please tell me in the comment section!

Have fun on Broadway!

Sally Silverscreen

A Movie Blogger’s Ten “Hot Takes” on Television

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

I published a list article last December about my ten “hot takes” on film. That was the first time I had ever written a list exclusively about movie “hot takes”. Since publishing that article, it has been well received by 18 Cinema Lane’s readers, obtaining over one thousand views. This success inspired me to write another “hot takes” list. But this time, I’ll be discussing my ten “hot takes” on television, as I have talked about TV shows and television related topics from time to time on my blog. Like my movie “hot takes” list, all my TV “hot takes” have never been brought up on 18 Cinema Lane before, in order to keep the list interesting and fresh. Also, like my movie “hot takes” list, I organized each television “hot take” based on how “hot” each take could be perceived. Before I begin this list, I’d like to state how my list is not intended to be mean-spirited or negative. It’s just simply a way to express my opinion.

Campfire with marshmellows and shooting stars image created by macrovector at freepik.com.

10. Harris Trinsky Should Have Appeared in the Freaks and Geeks episode, ‘Chokin’ and Tokin’’

Last year, I published an editorial explaining the similarities between Harris Trinsky (from Freaks and Geeks) and Eddie Munson (from Stranger Things). One of my main talking points was how Harris (as well as Eddie) showed his leadership through putting others before himself, using the example of Harris’ attempts to protect the younger “geeks” (Bill, Sam, and Neil) from Alan (the “freshman tormentor”/bully of the “geeks”) in the Freaks and Geeks’ Halloween episode, “Tricks and Treats”. But another episode I think Harris should have appeared in is “Chokin’ and Tokin’”. In this episode, Alan believes Bill is lying about having a peanut allergy. To prove Bill is telling the truth, Alan contaminates Bill’s sandwich with peanuts, causing Bill to have a severe allergic reaction. Had Harris appeared in “Chokin’ and Tokin’”, the audience could have seen how Bill’s emergency affected him, especially since a) Harris knows what Alan is capable of when it comes to his bullying behavior, b) Harris was bullied when he was a freshman (to the point his tailbone became broken), and c) Harris knows about Bill’s peanut allergy (Bill admitted this while Harris and the “geeks” went trick-or-treating in the episode, “Tricks and Treats”). The dynamic of the friendship between Harris and the “geeks” not only could have been further explored, the audience also could have learned more about Harris, better understanding why he is an older brother figure to the “geeks”. I think this aspect of the story would have been more compelling than the redemption arc Freaks and Geeks’ creative team tried giving Alan in “Chokin’ and Tokin’”, which I, personally, don’t believe was affective. This “hot take” is placed at the bottom of my list due to Freaks and Geeks lasting only one season.

9. Moses Valentine, from Miss Scarlet, Should Have Received His Own Spin-off Show

While I have talked about Miss Scarlet before on my blog, I’ve never talked about my favorite character from the show, Moses Valentine. For three seasons, he possessed a captivatingly commanding presence, using his charm and street smarts to help Eliza Scarlet (the show’s titular character) solve mysteries. In the third episode of Miss Scarlet’s sixth season, ‘The Delivery’, the story primarily revolves around Moses as he searches for a missing diamond. Not only was this the best episode from the sixth season (in my opinion), it made me wish Moses had received his own spin-off show. From seasons four to six, Moses has been living in Paris. This backdrop could have given the spin-off show a colorful landscape and an eccentric group of characters, allowing the show to be distinct from Miss Scarlet’s London environment. It was revealed in ‘The Delivery’ and the fifth episode of Miss Scarlet’s sixth season, ‘The Night Shift’, that Moses is not only married, he also has a son. His family would have offered a unique dynamic from Miss Scarlet, as Eliza is not married and isn’t a mother. There could have even been a crossover episode between Moses’ spin-off show and Miss Scarlet, where Eliza visits Moses in Paris and helps him solve a mystery. But, sadly, a Moses centered spin-off show will likely not happen because the seventh season of Miss Scarlet will be the show’s last.

8. I Don’t Think Lauren Should Have Won the Reach for the Stars Competition in the Matlock episode, ‘The Starlet’

Toward the beginning of the Matlock episode, ‘The Starlet’, a talent contest called the Reach for the Stars Competition takes place. Whoever wins the competition will receive a two-year studio contract, a brand-new car, and $25,000. The final four contestants, Morgan, Dana, Abby, and Lauren, have their talent performances featured in ‘The Starlet’. While Morgan captivated by singing an energetic pop song, Abby sang a country song that sounded like it came straight from the heart. Dana’s performance of a song on saxophone was solid, adding her strong contribution to the soundtrack of the 1980s. But Lauren’s performance, which helped her win the Reach for the Stars Competition, was, in my opinion, unimpressive compared to the aforementioned three performances. Lauren performed a dance routine that was, to put it simply, basic. Its contents were a few arm movements, stepping in place several times, and some simple turns. I know Lauren’s victory was intended to create a domino effect for the events that took place in ‘The Starlet’. I also recognize what the creative team behind this Matlock episode was trying to say about connections being prioritized over talent when it comes to success, as Lauren’s mother, Janet, won the very first Reach for the Stars Competition. But I still don’t think Lauren should have won the contest based on talent performance alone.

7. I wish Tommy Vaughn Hadn’t Been the Murder Victim in the Murder, She Wrote episode, ‘Murder in Tempo’

In the Murder, She Wrote episode, ‘Murder in Tempo’, Dr. Seth Hazlitt organizes a benefit concert in an effort to save a local forest called Cabot Woods, with a band named In Tempo being the stars of the concert. One of In Tempo’s band members, Tommy Vaughn, has a dinner plate full of personal issues; from alcohol dependency that led him to rehab to dealing with a stalker prior to coming to Cabot Cove and even almost getting shot during the band’s concert rehearsal. But during his interactions with a Cabot Cove resident named Rachel, there are glimmers of hope that Tommy could, potentially, turn his life around. In a conversation he shared with Rachel, Tommy confesses his father passed away in an alcoholic ward, admitting his father’s issues made him look at the world pessimistically. He also acknowledges how he’s developed a poor reputation and how he needs to seek medical attention when he experiences problems with his vocal cords. Tommy even agreed to perform at the benefit concert because he truly believed in the cause of saving Cabot Woods, refusing to quit the concert despite pressure from the band’s manager, Wylie Trey. I’m aware Murder, She Wrote possesses a limited number of recurring characters and ‘Murder in Tempo’ premiered within the show’s last season. But I’d like to think if Tommy’s life had been spared, he would have received a second chance to obtain a happier next chapter to his story. Tommy could have even appeared in one of Murder, She Wrote’s made-for-TV movies or one of the books from the Murder, She Wrote book series. While advocating for the preservation of Cabot Woods, Jessica Fletcher says, “But even small battles are important”. Sadly, Tommy never got the chance to win at least one of his “small battles”.

Since one of my television “hot takes” relates to Murder, She Wrote, I thought featuring the book cover for Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire in this list article made sense. Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire book cover found on Goodreads

6. One of the HGTV Dream Homes Should Have Been Built in Hawaii

For almost thirty years, HGTV (Home and Garden Television) has hosted their annual Dream Home sweepstakes, with a completely furnished house as the grand prize. Eighteen of the fifty United States have hosted a prize home in varying styles and diverse landscapes. But, in my opinion, one of those states should have been Hawaii. The “gimmick” of HGTV’s Dream Home sweepstakes is for someone to win a “dream” home in a “dream” location. For years, Hawaii has been known as a “dream” travel destination for many people, yet owning a home in Hawaii is a “dream” few people can achieve for a variety of reasons. Realistically, I’m not sure what the logistics would be in order to make an HGTV Dream Home in Hawaii a reality. On paper, however, a Hawaiian Dream Home would fit the intent of HGTV’s contest.

5. I wish Sophia’s Son, Phil, Had Made, At Least, One On-Screen Appearance on The Golden Girls

Looking back on all the times I’ve watched The Golden Girls, one consistent story element always comes to mind; how Sophia singles out her son, Phil, whenever she brought up her children. Because it seemed like he was mentioned often on the show, I always wondered if what was said about him by the other characters was true. This curiosity made me want to see, at least, one on-screen appearance of him, in order to learn more about Phil from his perspective. Unfortunately, this never happened as Phil died off screen, with his death acknowledged in the season six episode, ‘Ebbtide’s Revenge’. It would have been fascinating to see Phil’s interactions not only with Sophia, but with the other “golden girls” as well. Plus, this role would have given an up-and-coming or underrated actor a chance to start or progress his career, especially considering The Golden Girls is one of the most successful and beloved television shows of all time. It also would have been interesting to see how The Golden Girls’ audience responded to Phil’s appearance on the show, if perhaps he had become a fan favorite. Though to quote the iconic Tootsie Pop commercial, “the world may never know”.

4. I Don’t Find the Gilligan’s Island episode, ‘The Hunter’, Funny or Entertaining

Gilligan’s Island is a show that is known for being light-hearted and hilarious, typically presenting the characters in low-stakes situations despite being stranded on the titular island. But the episode, ‘The Hunter’ is quite different from what the show is known for. Jonathan Kincaid is introduced in this episode as a big-game hunter. When he is unable to find any animals on the island to hunt, Jonathan then decides to hunt the other characters. The story of ‘The Hunter’ is tonally inappropriate for the type of program Gilligan’s Island is. With the show’s laugh track still featured in this episode, it makes the characters’ fear seem like it is played for laughs instead of being taken seriously. I was so horrified by ‘The Hunter’, I couldn’t find anything entertaining or funny about it. I, honestly, questioned what the creative team behind Gilligan’s Island was thinking creating and airing the episode. Because ‘The Hunter’ has been received better than other episodes of Gilligan’s Island, obtaining a 7.3 out of 10 on IMDB, this “hot take” is ranked higher on my list.

3. I Don’t Understand the Hype Surrounding ‘Shark Week’

According to Wikipedia, Shark Week debuted almost forty years ago on Discovery Channel with educational intentions, emphasizing conservation and debunking misconceptions. But as time went on, the annual event grew a life of its own. The term “shark week” has been added to the pop cultural lexicon, with people knowing what that is even if they’ve never watched any program associated with the event. Merchandise has been created to capitalize Shark Week, from shirts to scouting patches and even stuffed animal sharks from Build-A-Bear Workshop. But despite the promotion and fanfare it’s received, I don’t understand the hype surrounding Shark Week. With the amount of information available about sharks now than there was thirty-eight years ago, it almost seems unnecessary to reserve only one week to shark related education. In fact, shark related education can be accessed any time of year. Because sharks are such a specific subject, the event could run the risk of running out of content or programming. Plus, there are other animals who would also benefit from receiving education about them and conversation efforts for them. Yet they don’t receive their own special week.

2. If Eddie Munson Had Been Introduced on Stranger Things Sooner, The Show’s Creative Team Would Have Prioritized His Popularity, Similar to Steve Urkel (from Family Matters)

Once upon a time, on December 15th, 1989, Steve Urkel made his debut on the sitcom, Family Matters. What started as Steve asking one of the show’s key family members, Laura Winslow, to a dance turned into Steve becoming one of the most popular characters in television history. As Steve’s popularity grew, he received more screen-time and significance in the story. He not only became very marketable, having products based off Steve like Urkel-O’s Cereal and a talking doll, Family Matters also became defined by Steve’s iconic catchphrase, “Did I do that?”. But Steve’s popularity came at the expense of the titular Winslow family and their matters, which defied the original intent of the sitcom. If Eddie Munson had been introduced on Stranger Things sooner, I believe the show’s creative team would have allowed a similar scenario to happen. Like Steve Urkel, Eddie Munson became very popular after appearing in one season of his respective show. Also, like Steve, Eddie became very marketable, with products ranging from a replica of his Hellfire Club shirt to books about Eddie’s side of the story. But Eddie made his debut in Stranger Things’ fourth out of five seasons, with Eddie also passing away at the end of the fourth season. Though if Eddie had debuted in either season one or two, Eddie’s popularity would have given the show’s creative team an excuse to not only keep him on the show, but to also upgrade his status from ‘recurring’ to ‘main’ character. But, similar to Steve on Family Matters, the emphasis on Eddie’s popularity could have run the risk of other characters and stories getting overshadowed, potentially leaving mysteries and story-threads unresolved. There’s also a chance Stranger Things‘ creative team could have turned Eddie into “too much of a good thing”, giving Eddie elements to his story that may not make sense, such as receiving a catchphrase that seems unnecessary.

1. Writing Jack Thornton Off When Calls the Heart is the Show’s Biggest Mistake

    When the creative team behind When Calls the Heart decided to write Jack Thornton (one of the show’s main characters) off the show by having him die off screen, that was one of the most controversial creative decisions in Hallmark Channel history, as characters are typically not written off the network’s programs in this fashion. But looking back on this creative choice eight years later, writing Jack off When Calls the Heart has proven, in my opinion, to be pointless. If Jack had stayed on the show, other creative decisions I’m, personally, not a fan of wouldn’t have been made. Some of these decisions are the love triangle between Elizabeth, Lucas, and Nathan (that lasted three seasons), as well as backtracking Elizabeth’s decision to fall in love with and become engaged to Lucas. When it comes to the argument for why Elizabeth should be in a romantic relationship with Nathan, the McGarries (fans of Elizabeth and Nathan) have claimed that because Elizabeth falls in love with a Mountie in the book series the show is based on, she has to fall in love with a Mountie on the television show. With that logic in mind, if it was so important for Elizabeth to be in a romantic relationship with a Mountie, why write Jack off the show at all? I’m aware of Daniel Lissing’s (the actor who portrayed Jack) desire to leave the show to pursue other projects. However, I think recasting Jack would have attracted less backlash than writing him off the show. When Jack was still on When Calls the Heart, it seemed like his relationship with Elizabeth organically complimented the show’s overarching story. It also helped that Daniel and Erin Krakow (the actress who portrays Elizabeth) had stronger on-screen chemistry together. But now that Elizabeth and Nathan’s relationship has been prioritized since season eleven, its promotion, in my opinion, not only feels forcefully manufactured, it has come at the expense of other characters and stories, such as Rosemary, once again, not receiving her theater and new characters like Fernando becoming underutilized.

    Since another television “hot take” in this list article relates to Eddie Munson and Stranger Things, I believed including this iconic picture of Eddie in this post was appropriate. Original image created by 21 Laps Entertainment, Monkey Massacre, Netflix, and Upside Down Pictures

    What are your thoughts on my TV “hot takes”? Do you have a TV related “hot take” you’d like to share? Please tell me in the comment section below!

    Have fun on television!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Take 3: Playing with Fire (1985) Review

    On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

    Have you come across a movie that fell into your lap at the right place and time? That’s what happened before I reviewed the 1985 television film, Playing with Fire. This is a movie I not only had never seen, I had never heard of. But that changed when I listened to the Telehell Podcast episode, ‘The Top 8 Darkest Moments in Kids TV Cartoons’, as the upcoming episode about Playing with Fire was advertised at the end of the episode about the darkest moments from kids TV cartoons. According to Telehell’s episode, ‘Prologue of Fire (“Playing with Fire” PREVIEW)’, the 1985 movie was considered “lost media” up until 2024. As someone interested in the subject of “lost media”, I think it’s worth celebrating when a sought-after piece of “lost media” like Playing with Fire not only gets found, but is also archived on Youtube. For any “lost media” that was eventually found, however, one has to wonder why it was “lost” in the first place? In this review of Playing with Fire, I hope to find an answer to that question!

    Playing with Fire (1985) poster created by New World Television, Zephyr Productions, and National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

    Things I liked about the film:

    Characters who subvert expectations: In Playing with Fire, Mike Harris is a friend of the protagonist, David. Based on his personality and appearance, Mike would be considered a “bully” in other ‘80s entertainment media. Throughout the 1985 movie, he teases David, pulls pranks, and doesn’t seem to take school seriously. But when David starts a fire in a trash can (because he was upset Mike wouldn’t play basketball with him), Mike pulled David away from the fire as well as encouraged David to pull their school’s fire alarm in order to get help. Mike even warns a fellow student named Pamela about David’s issues. These actions and choices help Mike subvert expectations, showing the audience how, despite his initial introduction, he actually cares about David’s wellbeing.

    Entertainment media from the ‘80s that revolves around younger characters will sometimes feature a school principal who is a stickler for the rules. This creative decision may be made to either emphasize how much “cooler” the younger characters are or to show how the principal is holding the younger characters back from being themselves. But in Playing with Fire, Principal Sweeney subverts those aforementioned expectations. In a meeting between Principal Sweeney and David’s parents, Principal Sweeney acknowledges how intelligent David is. He’s also brutally honest about how it’s the responsibility of David’s parents to help David with his problems. Principal Sweeney even puts David on probation in an attempt to assist David in resolving his issues. Because of the subversion of expectations, Principal Sweeney is presented as a character who actually prioritizes the wellbeing of all his students.

    The role of Fire Chief Walker: Throughout Playing with Fire, Fire Chief Walker tries to solve the mystery of who started a series of fires around his neighborhood. He wants David to admit he’s responsible for creating the fires. But Fire Chief Walker doesn’t want David to tell the truth in order to arrest him. Instead, he believes David is worth saving. Fire Chief Walker encourages David’s family to seek out family counselling, in order to help them solve their personal problems. He also encourages David to talk to his parents about how he feels, acknowledging how David is causing fires for a reason. It would have been easy for the creative team behind Playing with Fire to show their protagonist simply facing the consequences of his actions. Instead, the role of Fire Chief Walker shows how there is more than one way to solve a problem, with a way being getting to the heart of an issue to resolve it as well as preventing it from escalating.

    Showing the reasons behind the behavior: The synopsis for Playing with Fire on IMDB gives David the label of “teenage arsonist”, due to how often he starts fires. The creative team behind the movie could have focused on David’s problematic behavior in order to give their project “shock value”. But instead, the script emphasizes the reasons behind the behavior. Sparks fly (literally and figuratively) due to David’s parents having marital issues. These issues cause a domino effect in David’s life, from failing grades at school to becoming easily angry. Starting fires is a manifestation of David’s unresolved feelings toward the problems within David’s parents’ marriage. By showing the reasons behind David’s behavior, the creative team behind Playing with Fire gives their audience a reason to empathize with David and his family.

    Campfire with marshmellows and shooting stars image created by macrovector at freepik.com.

    What I didn’t like about the film:

    David as a static character: As I already mentioned in this review, showing the reasons behind David’s behavior gives the audience a reason to empathize with David and his family. But for the majority of Playing with Fire, David remained a static character. He doesn’t come to terms with his decision to start fires until an hour and forty-seven minutes into an hour and fifty-five-minute movie. This means he spends more time remaining bitter and angry about the problems in his life instead of transforming his life for the better over the course of the story. I recognize resolving problems like David’s takes time. But the static status of David held back his character development.

    Fire related scenes feeling like PSAs: David starts multiple fires over the course of Playing with Fire. While these moments are frightening due to how dangerous they are, it felt like the story shifted to present a somewhat subtle PSA (public service announcement) about fire safety. One way this feeling is achieved is how causes of fire or safety measures are heavily emphasized. In a scene where David causes his first fire within his home, his mother asks him how the fire started. David explains how an overloaded electrical socket was likely the cause, followed by a close-up shot of an overloaded electrical socket. This approach to the fire related scenes made the overall movie kind of seem like an “afterschool special”.

    The disappearance of Mike and Pamela: Like I mentioned earlier in this review, Mike is a friend of David who actually cares about his friend’s wellbeing. Pamela is also a friend of David, someone who kind of understands how David feels due to her parents’ divorce. Both of these characters were interesting. While Mike was subverting expectations, I wanted to see where Pamela’s character development went as the story progressed. But Pamela and Mike disappear from the story after about the film’s halfway point. Even though Pamela returns toward the end of Playing with Fire, she’s only on screen for almost four minutes. I wish Mike and Pamela played a more consistent role in the story, as they could have represented what to do if someone is afraid to speak up or doesn’t know how to help a loved one.

    Breaking heart image created by Kjpargeter at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/broken-heart-valentine-background_1041991.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Kjpargeter – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    My overall impression:

    In the introduction of my review, I said I hoped to find an answer to the question of how Playing with Fire became “lost” in the first place. Now that I’ve seen the movie for myself, I think the movie just, simply, fell through the cracks of time. The way I feel about the 1985 movie is similar to the way I felt about the 1988 television film, Dance ‘Til Dawn; it didn’t go above and beyond enough to be considered good or great, but it wasn’t offensive enough to be bad or even disappointing. While there were elements of Playing with Fire I liked, such as how showing the reasons behind David’s behavior gives the audience a reason to empathize with David and his family, there were flaws that held the movie back from being a stronger picture. Some of these flaws include keeping David a static character for the majority of the movie, fire related scenes feeling like somewhat subtle PSAs, and Mike and Pamela disappearing from the story. At best, Playing with Fire is ok. It seems like the creative team behind the 1985 presentation had their hearts in the right place. But, at worst, the film feels like an hour and fifty-five-minute PSA about fire safety. There was even a video message at the end of Playing with Fire where Gary Coleman (the actor who portrayed David) explains the dangers of arson. With everything said, it’ll be interesting to hear what the consensus will be for the movie on the Telehell Podcast.

    Overall score: 6-6.1 out of 10

    Have you seen Playing with Fire? Is there a piece of “lost media” you’d like to see become discovered? Let me know in the comment section!

    Have fun at the movies!

    Sally Silverscreen

    If you want to check out the podcast episodes I referenced in this review, visit the Youtube channel, Telehell Podcast, and listen to the episodes, ‘The Top 8 Darkest Moments in Kids TV Cartoons’ and ‘Prologue of Fire (“Playing with Fire” PREVIEW)’.

    We Now Conclude Commencements of The “Eddie’s Year” Blogathon

    On By 18cinemalane2 Comments

    Hello everyone! Like any graduation ceremony, it’s time to conclude The “Eddie’s Year” Blogathon. This year’s event was a success, as it had a similar turn-out to last year’s Food & Film Blogathon. I apologize for not publishing my book review of Stranger Things: Flight of Icarus by Caitlin Schneiderhan. I actually didn’t get to completely read the book, as I had other blogging projects to write and publish around the time of The “Eddie’s Year” Blogathon. However, I was able to deliver my Comparing with the Critics reviews of King Kong Lives and The Fly. Those reviews, as well as the event’s other entries, showcased the creative storytelling 1986 had to offer. Through reading these entries, I was introduced to films that are new to me. I also learned something new and discovered interesting points about Eddie Munson I never thought of before. There will be a new blogathon on 18 Cinema Lane in 2027! The event’s details won’t be revealed yet, as I haven’t even chosen a theme. Until then, you can check out my upcoming reviews, editorials, and lists! To everyone who participated in The “Eddie’s Year” Blogathon, thank you so much for your contribution.

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    Have fun at the movies!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Comparing with the Critics – Best of 1986 – The Fly

    On By 18cinemalane4 Comments

    This review is from my series, Comparing with the Critics. If you’d like to learn more about the series, click on the link below.

    Introducing my new series, Comparing with the Critics!

    Out of the movies Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel picked in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies’ ‘Best of 1986’ episode, I believe Eddie Munson would choose The Fly. As I explained in my 1986 introduction of Comparing with the Critics, Eddie’s story teaches that, sometimes, there’s more than meets the eye. Plus, Eddie’s imagination and creativity not only works in his favor as a Dungeon Master, it’s also helped his friends during their time in the Upside Down. From the way Gene and Roger described The Fly in the aforementioned ‘Best of 1986’ episode, it seemed like a different kind of horror and sci-fi film. Roger claims “the poignancy” of The Fly “is interesting in a horror film”. Meanwhile Gene not only states “there was, if you think about it, a certain nobility to The Fly”, he also says “the movie is beautifully made”. Films from the horror and sci-fi genre are infrequently covered on 18 Cinema Lane. In fact, the only sci-fi and/or horror movies included in the Comparing with the Critics series, so far, are The Bride and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, which were both released in 1985. But what can be appreciated is the creativity and imagination woven into those two genres, whether it’s how the duel in the Thunderdome was filmed in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome or giving Viktor a “hero’s journey” in The Bride. Though The Fly ended up on Roger’s top twenty best films of the year list, it did earn a place on Gene’s ten best films of ’86 list at number ten. However, despite not seeing every or most of the movies from 1986, The Fly would not be on my list of the top ten best films of that year. I also don’t think the film would be on Eddie’s top ten best films list either.

    The Fly (1986) poster created by 20th Century Fox, Brooksfilms, Province of British Columbia Production Services Tax Credit, and SLM Production Group

    While sharing his thoughts on The Fly, Roger tells Gene, “Goldblum, I think, deserves an Academy Award nomination”. While I agree with Roger’s sentiments on Jeff Goldblum’s portrayal of Seth Brundle, I also believe Geena Davis (who portrayed Veronica “Ronnie” Quaife) deserved a nomination from the Academy. Individually, Geena’s and Jeff’s performance was solid. From the tearful heartbreak Ronnie displays as Seth becomes unrecognizable to Seth’s erratic behavior over the course of the story, Jeff and Geena made their characters interesting to watch. But together, Geena and Jeff share very nice on-screen chemistry! In The Fly’s very first scene, Seth and Ronnie meet at a scientific event. Their interaction contains a sense of awkwardness, as they don’t yet know how they feel about the other person. But because Ronnie and Seth appear comfortable with who they are as individuals, the conversation isn’t embarrassing or cringey. Instead, it kind of comes across as flirty. Incorporating smiles, Seth’s widening eyes, and Ronnie’s glances away from Seth add to their growing feelings for each other. Even tilts of the head indicate how equally engaged they are in their interaction. The more I saw Seth and Ronnie together, the more I wished Jeff and Geena starred in another movie together portraying a couple!

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    Gene tells Roger during their discussion of The Fly how he doesn’t believe science fiction movies, but was able to believe The Fly. One of the reasons why, according to Gene, is “it has to do with makeup”. The Academy certainly agreed with Gene, as The Fly won the Best Makeup category at the 59th Academy Awards. I also agree with Gene and the Academy. The idea of a human transforming into a fly sounds pretty disturbing and grotesque. Through the makeup design of Stephan Dupuis and Chris Walas, that aforementioned transformation was brought to life on screen in a believably horrifying way. At the start of Seth’s transformation, he develops little hairs on his back and his face appears discolored. But as the story progresses, so does his transformation. Seth’s teeth become pointy before falling out. His fingers morph together as his hands turn into the feet of a fly. Seth’s body even develops lumpy growths that make him look like a complete stranger. What adds to the horrifying nature of the makeup design is not just how believable the transformation itself appears, but also how realistic the effects look.

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    During their coverage of The Fly in the ‘Best of 1986’ episode of Siskel & Ebert & the Movies, Roger comments on the believability of the movie. He tells Gene how “the screenplay was written and acted smart”. Roger also appreciated how Seth wasn’t a scientist “who speaks in cliches out of the thirties”. To add to Roger’s compliments, I’ll say that I liked how the story’s scientific ideas were woven into the script. Throughout The Fly, the topic of teleportation is discussed by Ronnie and Seth. What started as a magazine interview turns into a collaborative book. Over time, the focused topic changes to genetic fusion between Seth and a fly. Ronnie’s discovery and Seth’s computer lead to this specific topic being brought up. The way these scientific subjects were written into the story, as well as the dialogue, sounded intelligent enough to make the characters seem like they knew what they were talking about. As a viewer, I wasn’t confused by these concepts or didn’t feel like homework before watching the movie was required.

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    As Gene sings the praises of The Fly, he refers to the movie as “a great adventure”. In my experience watching adventure stories unfold on screen, there’s usually a sense of urgency. This urgency can be the reason for reaching a particular destination, exploring a specific location, or finding a person or object. A featured scene from The Fly on Siskel & Ebert & the Movies’ ‘Best of 1986’ episode shows Seth revealing to Ronnie his continual transformation toward becoming a fly. That scene made me believe there would be a race against the clock to either slow down or reverse Seth’s transformation process. Sadly, the script did not provide a race against the clock because the movie lacked a sense of urgency. In fact, The Fly contains a slow-burn story where Seth slowly becomes a fly over the course of most of the film. The 1986 movie is one of those movies where the audience waits for the inevitable to happen. Because the title of the film, The Fly, gives the inevitable away, it makes the film itself predictable. This predictability removes some of the story’s suspense and intrigue.

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    In the introduction of this review, I stated how The Fly would not be on my list of the top ten best films of 1986. I also said I didn’t think the film would be on Eddie’s top ten best films list either. The reasons are the movie’s lack of urgency and predictability. I could honestly picture Eddie either falling asleep during the movie or leaving the theater during the film. As I said in my review, The Fly is a slow-burn story and its predictability removes some of the story’s suspense and intrigue. But I don’t believe The Fly is a bad movie. The individual and combined performances of Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis made their characters interesting to watch, as well as gave their characters nice on-screen chemistry. Chris and Stephan’s makeup effects effectively elaborated on the horrifying concept of a human becoming a fly. I also liked how the story’s scientific ideas were woven into the script. But despite all that praise, I didn’t like or love The Fly as much as Gene or Roger did.

    This review was brought to you by

    Sally Silverscreen

    Comparing with the Critics – Worst of 1986 – King Kong Lives

    On By 18cinemalane5 Comments

    This review is from my series, Comparing with the Critics. If you’d like to learn more about the series, click on the link below.

    Introducing my new series, Comparing with the Critics!

    In the 1986 introduction of Comparing with the Critics, I said Eddie Munson would see Roger Ebert’s and Gene Siskel’s warnings about King Kong Lives as a challenge. That’s because this movie was deemed so bad, no clips from it were featured on ‘The Worst Movies of 1986’ episode of Siskel & Ebert & the Movies. According to Roger and Gene, they received letters from King Kong Lives’ film company stating no clips of the movie were allowed to be shown on Gene and Roger’s national show, yet could be shown on their local show in Chicago. Wikipedia states the film company, DEG (De Laurentiis Entertainment Group), forbade the critics from showing clips on Siskel & Ebert & the Movies “unless they promised to give positive reviews”. Because neither Roger or Gene complied with DEG’s request, they used the experience as a warning to their audience not to see King Kong Lives, with Gene saying, “If you don’t believe me or Roger, believe the film company that, think about it, couldn’t find a single scene that it wanted you to see”. From my experience watching the “Best of” and “Worst of” episodes of Gene and Roger’s show, a featured movie with no clips presented for it is extremely rare. That’s why King Kong Lives not only became so memorable to me, but why I wanted to review the movie, wondering if it was truly that bad. But now that I’ve seen King Kong Lives, saying it’s so bad it justified the refusal of featuring clips on Siskel & Ebert & the Movies is a stretch.

    King Kong Lives poster created by De Laurentiis Entertainment Group (DEG)

    Gene claims King Kong Lives, which is a sequel to King Kong from 1976, “should have been a classy production”. I’m not sure “classy” is the right word to describe this film. What I will say is King Kong Lives is interesting. One of the factors that made the movie interesting was the use of suits to bring King Kong and Lady Kong to life. In order for King Kong to be saved, Lady Kong is incorporated into the story to provide a blood transfusion for King Kong. Over the course of the film, Lady Kong and King Kong develop a romantic relationship. Through the performances of Peter Elliott and George Antoni/Yiasoumi, King Kong and Lady Kong’s interactions became such a pleasant surprise! The blend of body language, tilts of the head, and movements of the eyes and mouth effectively expressed emotions, thoughts, and feelings without any dialogue. The actual construction of the suits allowed King Kong and Lady Kong to appear believably realistic. With all that said, I found Lady Kong and King Kong’s relationship adorable!

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    When Hank “Mitch” Mitchell (portrayed by Brian Kerwin) is introduced in King Kong Lives, he gives the impression of being hungry for money and fame. This is because Mitch agreed to give Lady Kong to the Atlantic Institute. But as the movie goes on, Mitch subverts expectations by showing how he genuinely cares about Lady Kong’s wellbeing. One example is Mitch’s observation of how King Kong appeared to be treated better than Lady Kong. He’s even concerned about the wellbeing of Dr. Amy Franklin (portrayed by Linda Hamilton). When Amy tells Mitch how she’s spent her evening keeping an eye on King Kong after his heart surgery, Mitch encourages Amy to get some sleep. Mitch’s empathy and compassion toward Lady Kong, Amy, and even King Kong made him such a likeable character!

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    Speaking of Brian Kerwin and Linda Hamilton, I’d like to take some time to talk about their performance. Over the course of King Kong Lives, Amy and Mitch’s attraction for one another grows. The on-screen chemistry between Linda and Brian was, in my opinion, very sweet. The relationship between Mitch and Amy felt genuine because of the combined performance of Brian and Linda. But, individually, they gave solid performances as well. When Lady Kong arrives at the Atlantic Institute through a plane trip, some photographers attempt to break into the plane to take Lady Kong’s picture. Mitch pulls those photographers out of the plane, taking note of how stressed Lady Kong appears. In that moment, Amy gains respect for Mitch as he puts Lady Kong’s needs before his own desires. When Mitch looks at Amy, she nods toward him, a look of understanding in her eyes. Later in King Kong Lives, Amy performs heart surgery on King Kong. As Mitch watches the operation unfold, he is consistently shown grimacing or appearing worried. From the look in his eyes to the movements of his mouth, Mitch’s reactions throughout the surgery appear believable. The examples I provided illustrate how both Linda and Brian put genuine effort into their performances!

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    Prior to watching and reviewing King Kong Lives, I had never seen a King Kong movie. Therefore, my knowledge of the King Kong Cinematic Universe is very limited. Based on what I do know about King Kong, he is, sometimes, presented as a threat to humans. This depiction was chosen for the 1976 film, with clips from that film shown at the beginning of King Kong Lives. With that said, I was really confused why the Atlantic Institute would spend the time, energy, and money (seven million dollars to be exact) to keep King Kong alive? I was hoping an explanation would be provided through the dialogue. But, unfortunately, no explanations were included in the script. It seems like the creative team behind King Kong Lives expected their audience to already know why certain events were happening. But when certain things happen, such as a change in attitude toward King Kong, explanations that make sense within the world of that film’s story need to be shared. Lack of explanations in King Kong Lives is my biggest criticism of the movie.

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    During their discussion of King Kong Lives, Roger recounts his experience seeing the movie at a theater. He tells Gene about a swinging door located behind the theater’s back row of seats. The children who attended Roger’s screening of King Kong Lives found that swinging door more entertaining than the film itself because, according to Roger, “there was nothing on the screen that was even slightly entertaining to them”. Though I found the film interesting enough to keep me invested in the story, I can understand why those children would find the movie boring. When someone chooses to watch a King Kong picture, they typically expect King Kong to be destructive. While he was destructive in King Kong Lives, those moments were far and few between. From my limited knowledge of the King Kong Cinematic Universe, King Kong Lives tells a different kind of story from previous films, including its directly connected predecessor from 1976. I appreciate this newer approach to the lore of King Kong instead of repeating the same ideas. On the other hand, however, it seems like King Kong Lives’s creative team may have told a story that felt too different to the audience.

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    As a movie blogger, I totally understand Roger’s and Gene’s decision to refuse DEG’s request of showing clips of King Kong Lives on their Chicago show, but not their national show. In fact, I commend the critics for sticking to their morals and integrity. But DEG’s refusal to have clips of their film shown on Siskel & Ebert & the Movies did more harm to their film than good. Not only did this decision deny Gene’s and Roger’s audience an opportunity to choose for themselves whether they wanted to see the movie, it also made King Kong Lives, in my opinion, seem worse than it was. To me, the 1986 picture is a fine, interesting-enough presentation that kept me invested in the story. It took the King Kong lore in a newer direction than its predecessors, even addressing unique ideas, such as what it would take to save King Kong. But the lack of explanations left me confused why certain events were happening. In fact, the more I think King Kong Lives, the more questions I have about the King Kong Cinematic Universe. Are the King Kongs in the series’ later films a direct descendent of King Kongs from earlier chapters? Is there an overarching story woven into the series? Which events are officially a part of canon? Though these questions won’t get answers in this review, there is one thing I will say. King Kong Lives is another movie I disagree with the critics on.

    This review was brought to you by

    Sally Silverscreen

    We Now Commemorate 40 Years of “Eddie Munson’s Year” With The “Eddie’s Year” Blogathon!

    On By 18cinemalane12 Comments

    Welcome to my “Eddie’s Year” Blogathon! 1986 is the year when Eddie Munson, from Stranger Things, had planned on graduating from Hawkins High School. This is the reason why Eddie’s fans refer to 1986 as “Eddie’s year”. Because 2026 is the 40th anniversary of “Eddie’s year”, this blogathon is commemorating the occasion! Participants of The “Eddie’s Year” Blogathon wrote movie reviews and articles celebrating this special anniversary. So, without further ado, let the The “Eddie’s Year” Blogathon begin!

    The “Eddie’s Year” Blogathon banner created by me, Sally Silverscreen. Original image created by 21 Laps Entertainment, Monkey Massacre, Netflix, and Upside Down Pictures.

    18 Cinema Lane – Comparing with the Critics – Worst of 1986 – King Kong Lives, Comparing with the Critics – Best of 1986 – The Fly

    Silver Screenings — Joyful Anarchy: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

    MovieRob –– The Eddie’s Year Blogathon – Clockwise (1986), The Eddie’s Year Blogathon – Beverly Hills Madam (1986), The Eddie’s Year Blogathon – Link (1986), The Eddie’s Year Blogathon – The Whistle Blower (1986)

    Moon in Gemini – The Eddie’s Year Blogathon: Ruthless People

    The Wonderful World of Cinema – The Many Treasures of ‘True Stories’ (David Byrne, 1986)

    Dubsism – Story Time With J-Dub Episode 18: How Some Guy Named Roy Ended Europe’s Longest War

    Movies Meet Their Match – Movie Review: Labyrinth (1986)

    Taking Up Room – Pretty In Pink

    Comparing with the Critics – 1986 – Introduction

    On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

    Any fan of Eddie Munson from Stranger Things knows 1986 is “Eddie’s year”. So, when I dedicated this year’s blogathon to the fortieth anniversary of “Eddie’s year” and since it’s been a while since I last reviewed a movie for one of my blogathons, I decided to make up for lost time by reviewing a “best” and “worst” movie for my Comparing with the Critics series! When it came to selecting titles to write about, I took a different approach; asking myself, “What would Eddie choose”? Had he received an opportunity to make a guest appearance on Siskel & Ebert & the Movies, I’m not sure how many of Eddie’s choices would overlap with Gene Siskel’s and/or Roger Ebert’s year-end selections. Based on the films Roger and Gene did pick, however, I think I know what Eddie would choose. If Eddie’s story teaches anything, it’s that, sometimes, there’s more than meets the eye. His imagination and creativity not only works in his favor as a Dungeon Master, it’s also helped his friends during their time in the Upside Down. So, for the Best of 1986, I have selected The Fly! As for the Worst of 1986, I have chosen King Kong Lives. I believe Eddie would see Roger’s and Gene’s warnings about the movie as a challenge.

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    You Still Have Time to Join The “Eddie’s Year” Blogathon!

    On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

    Are you a fan of Eddie Munson from Stranger Things? Would you like to learn more about 1986? Do ’80s movies make you feel nostalgic? Then The “Eddie’s Year” Blogathon is the event for you! Because the blogathon is taking place between June 6th-9th, you still have time to join! There’s also many topics to choose from, as I tried to make the event’s theme as broad as possible. If you’re interested in participating in The “Eddie’s Year” Blogathon, click on the link below to learn more about the blogathon.

    Celebrating 40 Years of “Eddie Munson’s Year” With The “Eddie’s Year” Blogathon

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