Tag: 1990s

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

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: Tombstone Review

    On By 18cinemalane2 Comments

    When an actor or actress is celebrating a birthday, I will sometimes write about a project from their filmography and publish that article on their birthday. This has given me an excuse to check out a movie or television show I haven’t seen before. Because July 11th is Stephen Lang’s birthday, I found a perfect opportunity to finally see the 1993 western, Tombstone! This is a movie I not only have heard of before, I have heard the movie receive consistent praise over the years. It’s even earned the coveted title of “classic” within the western genre. Though I have covered some movies from this particular genre on 18 Cinema Lane, I had no idea how Tombstone was going to stand out among those other titles. Now that I’ve seen the 1993 picture, I found an answer to that question. But you have to read my review to discover what that answer is!

    Tombstone poster created by Hollywood Pictures, Cinergi Pictures Entertainment, Alphaville Films, and Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

    Things I liked about the film:

    Historical accuracy: In my recent review of Young Washington, I praised the film’s creative team for effectively executing their project’s historical accuracy. Because of how well-done that storytelling element was, the creative team behind Young Washington successfully created an illusion of immersion. Tombstone also possessed the illusion of immersion due to the efforts of that movie’s creative team. From the construction of the town itself to the artwork on a wall at the Bird Cage Theatre, the appearance of the film and its finer details effectively reflect Tombstone’s respective time period of the late 1800s. An example of how this particular time period was brought back to life was through the characters’ wardrobe. In a scene where Wyatt Earp goes for a horse ride with Josephine, Josephine wears elegant yet practical riding attire. Sporting a black tailored jacket and a long black skirt, she adds a black and white polka dot scarf as well as a black top hat adorned with black and white ribbons. Finishing the ensemble is a pair of simple black gloves. Josephine even rode side-saddle, what would have been the appropriate way for a woman to ride a horse at that time. The example I presented in this review visually represents the research and attention to detail that went into Tombstone’s presentation!

    Interconnected stories: Tombstone is a movie known for its large cast of characters. At the beginning of the film, the characters are shown engaging in their own separate part of the story. Whether it’s the Cowboys rudely interrupting a wedding or Doc Holliday winning a poker game, the first minutes of Tombstone let the audience know everyone who is featured in the movie has an important role to play. As the film progresses, each separate story becomes interconnected. Characters who may seem like strangers are actually revealed to be friends. The actions caused by one character greatly impact another character. And crossed paths develop consequences. These interconnections between characters allowed on-screen interactions to contain a strong sense of intrigue. That intrigue kept me invested in what was happening in Tombstone!

    The acting: Because Stephen Lang is the reason why I’m reviewing Tombstone, I have to talk about his performance first. Though he appeared in the film for a limited period of time as Ike Clanton, Stephen’s portrayal was very memorable! This memorability was due to his expressiveness and animated reactions. Yet, Stephen’s animation never came across as over-the-top or too “cartoony”. Instead, he effectively utilized a variety of emotions which helped him stand out among the ensemble cast. One of Stephen’s best moments in Tombstone is when Ike is watching a play involving Faust, the confused look on Ike’s face appearing completely genuine. I also liked Sam Elliott’s portrayal of Virgil Earp, Wyatt’s brother. In a scene where Virgil receives bad medical related news, a combination of fear, anger, and sadness are present in his eyes, through the frown on his mouth, and even within the muscle control throughout his face. Virgil’s wife, Allie (portrayed by Paula Malcomson), is also upset by the news Virgil receives. Her tear-streaked face says so much without saying anything at all. Even as she yells at Wyatt, the anger in her voice holds an intensity that forces Wyatt (and the audience) to take her seriously. But besides these three performances I brought up, the cast as a whole gave solid portrayals throughout Tombstone!

    Since I’m reviewing Tombstone on Stephen Lang’s birthday, I thought including a picture of his character, Ike Clanton, in this review made sense. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

    What I didn’t like about the film:

    Glossed over parts of the story: There were a few parts of Tombstone’s story that became glossed over as the movie progressed. One of those glossed over parts involved Wyatt’s wife, Mattie. Toward the beginning of the film, Mattie seeks to receive laudanum in order to cure a headache. Yet, she refuses to visit a doctor when Wyatt suggests it. Later in the movie, Mattie is seen drinking a bottle of opium. These displayed behaviors imply she is battling an addiction. But none of the other characters, including Wyatt, address Mattie’s concerning issue. In historical/period stories like Tombstone, a storyline involving addiction will sometimes be woven into the script. Usually, these storylines will not only be addressed in that respective story, they will also be treated with a sense of respect, as addiction is a serious, real-world topic. With everything said, I wish Mattie’s part of the story had received some more attention within Tombstone’s overarching story.

    The underutilization of Billy Zane: In movies containing ensemble casts, an actor or actress may sometimes become underutilized due to how much screen-time the cast needs to share. The case of Tombstone shows Billy Zane as an underrated performer within the film. Portraying a stage actor named Mr. Fabian, Mr. Fabian represents something beautiful that came to the ugliness of Tombstone, according to Josephine. Billy’s appearances in Tombstone were so limited, he was present in only three scenes within the first half of the movie. He doesn’t show up in the film again until toward the end of the story, when the actions of the Cowboys and Wyatt’s group have taken their toll on Mr. Fabian. Taking Josephine’s words into consideration, I was disappointed Mr. Fabian wasn’t utilized more in the story, as a way to achieve peace within Tombstone. But I guess as a stage actor, there was only so much he could have done to find a solution to the town’s conflict.

    Half of the story feeling “slice of life”: The overarching conflict of Tombstone involves the Cowboys and Wyatt alongside his brothers and Doc fighting over control of Tombstone. But this conflict doesn’t really become the story’s central focus until the second half of the movie. In the film’s first half, the emphasis is placed on the “slice of life” aspect of the characters residing in Tombstone. While it was interesting to catch a glimpse of life within the late 1800s, the intrigue wasn’t as consistent in the movie’s first half as it was in the second half. In fact, as I watching the first half of Tombstone, I honestly wondered why this story wasn’t a television show instead of a movie?

    Birthday party set-up image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/food”>Food photo created by freepik – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    My overall impression:

    As I said in the introduction of this review, I chose to write about Tombstone in honor of Stephen Lang’s birthday. Therefore, I was looking forward to seeing his performance in this movie. While I did witness a very memorable portrayal of Ike Clanton, there is so much more this film gave me. The cast as a whole was strong, which made each performance enjoyable to watch. The research and attention to detail put into Tombstone’s historical accuracy allowed the movie’s creative team to achieve an illusion of immersion. Interconnections between characters’ stories added intrigue to characters’ on-screen interactions. Though the film gave me an enjoyable movie-viewing experience, there were flaws that held it back from being stronger. I wish the overarching story had consistently focused on the conflict for control over Tombstone. I also wish Mattie’s part of the story had received some more attention in the script. Seeing Billy Zane’s talents become underutilized was disappointing as well. But despite these flaws, I can recognize why Tombstone is highly regarded by fans of the western genre!

    Overall score 7.3-7.4 out of 10

    Have you seen Tombstone? Are there any films from the western genre you’d like to see me review? Let me know in the comment section!

    Have fun at the movies!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Sally Watches…Murder, She Wrote (Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder)!

    On By 18cinemalane2 Comments

    For this year’s Favourite TV Show Episode Blogathon, I decided to talk about a show I haven’t discussed in a while. Reflecting on the programs covered on 18 Cinema Lane, I made a surprising discovery. The last time I reviewed any episodes of Murder, She Wrote was all the way back in 2020, when I wrote about Van Johnson’s episodes of the show. To make up for lost time, I selected three episodes of Murder, She Wrote for the 12th Annual Favourite TV Show Episode Blogathon! But, for this year’s event, the episodes I chose correlate with the dates of the blogathon. In fact, each Murder, She Wrote episode is reviewed in order of the blogathon’s dates. Also, each episode review will cover what I liked about the episode, what I didn’t like about the episode, the mystery itself, the other factors from the episode, and my overall thoughts. So, now let’s begin this review of these episodes of Murder, She Wrote!

    Name: The Dream Team

    Season 11, Episode 18

    Premiere Date: March 19th, 1995

    Screenshot of ‘The Dream Team’ title card taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

    What I liked about this episode:

    Any time I’ve reviewed television show episodes, I have rarely addressed the dialogue as a strength of the episode. But in the case of this Murder, She Wrote episode, ‘The Dream Team’, the dialogue was cleverly written! Before attending a presentation about a development project from a company called Marina Americana, Jessica gives Seth some books about lighthouses. These books are intended to help Seth craft a strong argument for saving Cabot Cove’s lighthouse, which is an important landmark in the town. When Jessica brings up how the books could provide information for the hook of Seth’s argument, Seth says, “The hook I showed you last night will do just fine, thank you”. Sheriff Mort Metzger replies to Seth, “Maybe for the worm hanging from it”. At the presentation, Jessica’s nephew, Grady, reveals his colleague, J. Peter Carmody, plans to restore the lighthouse. Caught off-guard by this revelation, Metzger says, “Yeah, I think he [J. Peter Carmody] was rendered speechless by the Doc’s party trick; putting both feet in his mouth at the same time”. Along with being cleverly written, these quotes I brought up were hilarious!

    What I didn’t like about this episode:

    The beginning of a typical Murder, She Wrote episode will take the time to establish the characters and their potential motives. This creative decision gives the audience options in figuring out whodunit, as well as provide the story with red herrings. The establishment of characters and their motives in ‘The Dream Team’ took about half the episode. With the titular murder taking place at the episode’s halfway point, the audience is only given half the episode to help Jessica solve the case. Personally, I prefer stories that give viewers more time to figure the mystery out.

    The mystery itself:

    There are two interconnected stories in ‘The Dream Team’; the murder of a developer’s wife and the Marina Americana development project. But in this almost hour-long episode, more emphasis was placed on whether the development project would come to fruition. It also doesn’t help how, as I mentioned earlier, the audience was only given half the episode to figure the mystery out. In some Murder, She Wrote episodes, the guilty party will be revealed based on at least one small detail most viewers may miss. Though this was the case for ‘The Dream Team’, several smaller clues led up to the culprit’s reveal. Overall, I wish there was a balance between both stories and the audience was given more time to help Jessica solve the case.

    The other factors from this episode:

    • As Seth explains his thoughts on the Marina Americana development project, Jessica expresses her impatience over how long Seth takes to get to his point. Seth then tells Jessica, “Now that you’re living in New York, you’re becoming as impatient as the rest of those people down there”. In several episodes of Murder, She Wrote, Jessica lived in New York, though this new living arrangement was only meant to be temporary. By having Seth address this part of Murder, She Wrote’s story, it was a good way to incorporate the show’s continuity.
    • While we’re on the subject of Seth, I want to address his desire to save Cabot Cove’s lighthouse. At the beginning of ‘The Dream Team’, Seth is against the Marina Americana development project because he fears the lighthouse will be destroyed. He goes so far as to create flyers in an attempt to make the developers feel guilty about risking the lighthouse’s future. However, the amount of time, money, and resources Seth puts toward those flyers could have gone toward actually restoring the lighthouse he claims to care about. If anything, Seth prioritizes talking about the problem instead of trying to solve it.
    • Grady is one of the developers of the Marina Americana development project. But when the fruition of the project is in jeopardy, so is Grady’s job. When he shares this information with Jessica, he says, “It’s so damn frustrating. I really believed in this project and, well obviously, so did a lot of other people”. What Grady said brings up an excellent point about how a neighborhood’s residents are not the only people impacted by any change within a neighborhood. In fact, I hadn’t come to this realization until I heard Grady’s quote.

    My overall thoughts:

    The way I feel about ‘The Dream Team’ is similar to how I feel about ‘The Legacy of Borbey House’; disappointment that Cabot Cove’s maintenance received precedence over the mystery itself. Also, like ‘The Legacy of Borbey House’, the entire first half of ‘The Dream Team’ was devoted to establishing characters and their potential motives. This left only half the episode for the audience to help Jessica solve the mystery. However, I did find the dialogue cleverly written. The examples I provided in this review were hilarious as well. I not only liked the inclusion of Murder, She Wrote’s continuity, I also found Grady’s quote thought-provoking. What I also found thought-provoking was the idea of Cabot Cove changing. As I watched ‘The Dream Team’, I thought about what would happen if Cabot Cove were a real town. Would it adapt with the times or would it stay frozen in time?

    Rating: A 3 out of 5

    The 12th Annual Favourite TV Show Episode Blogathon banner created by Terence from A Shroud of Thoughts

    Name: Dead to Rights

    Season 9, Episode 18

    Premiere Date: March 21st, 1993

    Screenshot of ‘Dead to Rights’ title card taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

    What I liked about this episode:

    In this episode of Murder, She Wrote, ‘Dead to Rights’, Jessica’s former researcher, Dana Ballard, is accused of murdering her new boss. A major reason for this accusation is how she constantly lies. Dana goes so far as to impersonate Jessica, as well as change Jessica’s answering machine message, in order to be selected for a new job. But one person who sees past Dana’s lying is Missy, the wife of Dana’s new boss, Ethan. During a conversation between the two women, Dana shows off a sweet, even a bit naïve, personality, acting as if she’s oblivious of Missy’s suspicions. When Missy confronts Dana about her suspicions, Dana effortlessly transforms into an irritated, manipulative woman. Because of the screenwriting and Molly Hagan’s (the actress who portrayed Dana) performance, the creative team behind ‘Dead to Rights’ did a good job at establishing Dana as a potential suspect. However, I would like to point out the script provides a reason for Dana’s lying; “borderline psychosis” (as Jessica put it).

    What I didn’t like about this episode:

    As I just mentioned in this review, Dana is accused of murdering her new boss, Ethan. While this gave Jessica a personal reason for solving the case, the majority of the story focused on proving Dana’s innocence. ‘Dead to Rights’ did a good job at establishing characters and their potential motives. However, this build-up became an afterthought as the episode progressed due to the aforementioned focus on the truth about Dana. Similar to ‘The Dream Team’, the guilty party in ‘Dead to Rights’ was revealed based on a small detail. Had the script provided a balance between proving Dana’s innocence and figuring out who was guilty, the story might have been stronger.

    The mystery itself:

    Like I’ve already stated in my review, most of the story focused on proving Dana’s innocence. I also stated how the mystery’s guilty party was revealed based on a small detail. Another aspect of the mystery I’d like to bring up is how Jessica works with a lawyer named Vincent to solve the case. Typically, Murder, She Wrote shows Jessica collaborating with police officers, detectives, or investigators when it comes to catching whodunit. So, seeing Jessica engage with the more legal side of the mystery genre was a good change of pace for her!

    The other factors from this episode:

    • Some scenes in ‘Dead to Rights’ show a large train display the length of the entire wall in Ethan’s office. This train display not only surrounds a miniature town, a large painted backdrop of a desert landscape covered the wall behind the train display. Even though the train display and everything surrounding it was impressive, its inclusion in ‘Dead to Rights’ was random. None of the characters acknowledged the display itself. Plus, Ethan’s reason for the display being in his office was never provided.
    • Toward the beginning of the episode, on-screen text reveals how most of the story takes place in Portland, Maine. But in an establishing shot of a hotel’s exterior (implying that’s the hotel Jessica is staying at), Maine’s state flag is not displayed on the hotel. Instead, the state flags for Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. are prominently featured on the hotel’s exterior. In past reviews of Murder, She Wrote, I have complimented the show’s creative team for its location scouting because of how visually appealing the locations themselves have been. So, I’m surprised this film-making mistake went overlooked.
    • During Jessica’s and Vincent’s investigation, Vincent turns to a woman named Wanda for assistance. A few scenes show Vincent and Jessica visiting Wanda at her home. Her office/living room is filled with a collection of décor; from a cylindrical fish tank to a colorful pinball game. Because Wanda had such a quirky personality, the creative team behind ‘Dead to Rights’ did a good job utilizing these pieces of décor to paint a picture of who Wanda is. The décor itself also made Wanda’s home look like a cool space!

    My overall thoughts:

    At best, ‘Dead to Rights’ is an ok episode. But, at worst, the story was weaker than I had hoped. So much emphasis was placed on proving Dana’s innocence, the build-up of the characters and their potential motives became an afterthought as the episode went on. What I also found frustrating was how the guilty party was revealed based on a small detail I think most viewers might overlook. However, there are aspects of ‘Dead to Rights’ I liked. The combination of Molly Hagan’s performance and the screenwriting effectively established Dana Ballard as a potential suspect. The episode’s creative team did a good job showcasing Wanda’s personality through the set design. However, there were some questionable creative choices, like Ethan’s train display and the lack of Maine state flags on the hotel. Now I wonder what other production errors from Murder, She Wrote actually appeared on the show?

    Rating: A 3 out of 5

    As I point out in this screenshot, the on-screen text clearly states most of the story takes place in Portland, Maine. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.
    In this establishing shot, these flags would indicate the hotel is not located near Maine. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

    Name: No Accounting for Murder

    Season 3, Episode 19

    Premiere Date: March 22nd, 1987

    Screenshot of ‘No Accounting for Murder’ title card taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

    What I liked about this episode:

    One of the strengths of Murder, She Wrote has been the set design. This episode, ‘No Accounting for Murder’ is a perfect example of this statement! The accounting firm Grady works for is one of the most opulent looking businesses I’ve ever seen in entertainment media. The office of a colleague named Paul Carlisle boasts stunning design choices, including gold wallpaper that sparkled in the light, a white upholstered office chair, and gold décor. Even the accounting firm’s lobby fit the opulent style found in Paul’s office! Deep wood pillars and window frames provide a nice contrast to the light-colored carpet and wallpaper. Similar to Paul’s office, the sofa in the lobby was also upholstered. A gold table lamp adds a touch of elegance to the space. Once again, the creative team behind Murder, She Wrote knew what they were doing when it came to designing this particular set!

    What I didn’t like about this episode:

    When I reviewed ‘The Dream Team’ and ‘Dead to Rights’, I talked about how the characters and their potential motives were established within the story. But in ‘No Accounting for Murder’, some of the characters aren’t given a potential motive. The characters that do have a potential motive receive it as the story went along instead of toward the beginning of the episode. What also didn’t help was how the culprit was revealed because of a small detail mentioned by one of the characters. The fact only some characters were given a potential motive caused the script to lack red herrings.

    The mystery itself:

    There are two mysteries within ‘No Accounting for Murder’; the murder of one of Grady’s colleagues, Ralph Whitman, and the “ghost” inhabiting the accounting firm. Unlike the stories in ‘The Dream Team’, the stories in ‘No Accounting for Murder’ didn’t feel connected. In fact, each story felt like it belonged in their own separate episode. Personally, I thought the “ghost” story was more intriguing, as there were more mysterious elements to it. By the episode’s conclusion, however, I was disappointed by the unsatisfactory resolution of that story.

    The other factors from this episode:

    • In ‘No Accounting for Murder’, Jessica works alongside Lieutenant Timothy Hanratty while trying to solve the case. In a car ride through New York City, Timothy brings up some of Jessica’s past cases and even wonders why she hasn’t received a gold badge from her own police department yet. Jessica replies by saying, “It’s just a quirk of mine, really. The way I see things, you know?” When Jessica said this, I thought about other detectives, both amateur and professional, from entertainment media. They seem to possess a gift for observation, picking up on little details buried among facts, clues, and speculation. What these characters bring to their respective tables is just extraordinary. Any time I’ve watched Murder, She Wrote, I believed Jessica just happened to be that good at being a detective. But after watching ‘No Accounting for Murder’, I now see Jessica possessing a brilliance, similar to other detectives from television and film.
    • Last year, when I reviewed the Touched by An Angel episode, ‘Sympathy for the Devil’, I brought up one of the most unintentionally funny moments of the show; when Ty Duncan called his son “Chicken Boy” as an insult. In the Murder, She Wrote, episode, ‘No Accounting for Murder’, an unintentionally funny moment took place during a confrontation between Paul and the murder victim’s wife, Lana Whitman. As an insult, Lana calls Paul an “arrogant horse’s batootie”. Because of how goofy this insult sounded, I ended up bursting out laughing.
    • While watching ‘No Accounting for Murder’, I spotted a familiar face among the cast of characters. Ron Masak portrayed a salesman named Marty Giles, who happened to be a potential suspect. Fans of Murder, She Wrote would recognize Ron as Sheriff Mort Metzger, one of the most beloved residents of Cabot Cove. This discovery was such a surprise for me, as I didn’t know Ron had portrayed other characters on Murder, She Wrote besides Metzger. This makes me wonder how often actors and actresses portrayed more than one character on Murder, She Wrote?

    My overall thoughts:

    Like ‘The Dream Team’ and ‘Dead to Rights’, ‘No Accounting for Murder’ was just ok. Even though I liked the accounting firm’s set design, I didn’t like how some of the characters didn’t receive a potential motive. I also didn’t like how the mystery stories felt disconnected. However, the “ghost” story was intriguing enough to keep me invested in the episode, despite its resolution being unsatisfactory. ‘No Accounting for Murder’ has made me see Jessica in a slightly different way, leaving me appreciative of what she has to offer to the mystery genre’s table. It was nice to see Ron Masak appear in this episode as well. But as I look back on the episodes of Murder, She Wrote I’ve written about, ‘No Accounting for Murder’ will not be reflected on as fondly as other episodes.

    Rating: A 3 out of 5

    Design details like the sparkling gold wallpaper and the velvety green curtains add opulence to the set. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.
    The opulence I mentioned while discussing Paul’s office is also reflected in the lobby of the accounting firm. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

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

    Have fun in Cabot Cove!

    Sally Silverscreen

    The 8th Annual Gold Sally Awards Have Arrived!

    On By 18cinemalane2 Comments

    The Gold Sally Awards, a beloved tradition on 18 Cinema Lane, have returned! For those new to my blog, this is an annual post I publish to commemorate my blog’s anniversary. Winners of the Gold Sally Awards are chosen based on movies I saw the previous year. The award categories are created by me, based on topics I’ve brought up on 18 Cinema Lane. Every year, I try to introduce at least one new award category. But in 2026, I’ve brought back two existing categories instead. I will discuss why I chose each recipient, like I’ve done in past award posts. So now, let the 8th Annual Gold Sally Awards begin!

    8th Annual Gold Sally Awards Winners created by me, Sally Silverscreen.

    The Standing Ovation Award

    (Character Most Deserving of Receiving Their Full Potential)

    Alfred White from Saving the Titanic

    Overcoming a fear takes bravery, determination, and perseverance. When one conquers a fear that was holding them back, it is an accomplishment worth celebrating, especially considering what that person may have gone through to reach that accomplishment. In Saving the Titanic, Alfred White had a fear of heights. He eventually overcame his fear when tasked with reporting everything happening above Titanic’s deck. The fact Alfred faced and conquered his fear during the highly stressful time of Titanic’s sinking is quite amazing. But as Alfred was addressing his fear of heights, he also taught me about the Titanic’s fourth fake funnel, a fact I was unaware of before watching Saving the Titanic. For these reasons, I have chosen Alfred White to receive this year’s Standing Ovation Award!

    The Hallmark Hall of Fame Award

    (Movie That Feels Like It Belongs in the Hallmark Hall of Fame Collection)

    An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving

    When I gave Hallmark’s Frankenstein the Hallmark Hall of Fame Award last year, I described the 2004 television movie as an immersive experience. The combination of screenwriting, acting performances, set design, and costume design presented the illusion of transporting me to another time and place. This is exactly how I felt when revisiting An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving! In the case of the 2008 tv film, this illusion was achieved through attention to detail and historical accuracy. Similar to Hallmark’s Frankenstein, I’m surprised An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving wasn’t a Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation. It’s even more surprising none of Louisa May Alcott’s literary work was adapted into Hallmark Hall of Fame titles. So, those are the reasons why I chose An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving for this year’s Hallmark Hall of Fame Award!

    The “She Won’t Give Me My Chocolate” Award

    (Best Quote from a Movie)

    “For those who make history needn’t read about it” – Eva, The Bride (1985)

    I will admit this was the most difficult category to choose a winner for. That’s because there were several strong quotes that were deserving of this year’s “She Won’t Give Me My Chocolate” Award. But the quote I ended up selecting was the one Eva told Josef in 1985’s The Bride. Outside the movie’s context, the quote itself is powerful and epic. Within the movie, however, it’s a simplistic yet meaningful acknowledgment of how far Eva came from when she was first introduced in the story. By Eva telling Josef, “For those who make history needn’t read about it”, she’s no longer the blank slate Frankenstein originally created her to be. Instead, Eva can think and speak for herself, even if she did need some help along the way. This quote provides character development in an interesting and memorable way!

    The Edwin P. Christy Award

    (Most Annoying Character in Film)

    Cameron Shannon from An Old Fashioned Christmas

    Looking back on 2025, Cameron Shannon, from An Old Fashioned Christmas, sticks out in my memory. But his memorability is for the wrong reasons. As I said in my review of the 2010 tv picture, Cameron was the worst character in An Old Fashioned Christmas. This was due to how annoying he became over the course of the movie. Cameron always acted like he had something to prove, as well as attempting to get the last word in every argument or conversation. So, it was satisfying to see Gad confront Cameron toward the end of the story. Like I also said in my An Old Fashioned Christmas review, the majority of the film emphasized the love triangle between Tilly, Gad, and Cameron. Honestly, I don’t know what Tilly saw in Cameron because his unlikability was static.

    The Edward Boult Award

    (Missed Opportunity in Cinema)

    Not giving Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride a unique and memorable story

    Last July, when I reviewed Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride, I criticized the movie for its missed creative opportunities. This major flaw made the twenty-third chapter in the Perry Mason movie series lackluster. In my review, I gave two subplot ideas that could have helped Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride obtain a more memorable story. The first is how Hannah, the sister of Kaitlynn’s fiancé, converted her failed music career into a promising legal career. Kaitlynn’s real personality being quite different from her celebrity persona serves as the second subplot idea. Sadly, these ideas weren’t utilized nor did they contribute to the mystery of Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride. The 1992 television film was Perry Mason’s “bad day at the office”.

    The “Based on a Book I Haven’t Read Yet” Award

    (Movie Based on Source Material I Have Not Yet Read)

    An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving

    Louisa May Alcott is best known for her iconic novel, Little Women. But she has written some short stories throughout her career. One of those short stories was An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving, which was the source material for the 2008 Hallmark Channel movie of the same name. You’d think with how much I adore An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving’s film adaptation, I would have read the source material by now. But as of late February to early March, 2026, I still have not read Louisa May Alcott’s short story. Hopefully, I can finally check out An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving this year!

    The Nosferatu vs. Dracula Award

    (Two Movies That Feel Like You’re Watching the Same One)

    From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler from 1973 and 1995

    If you read my review of 1973’s From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, you would know this adaptation, as well as the 1995 version, would likely receive the Nosferatu vs. Dracula Award. This is due to both movies sharing a lot of the same strengths and flaws. Even though each version of From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler does have its differences, it’s not enough to give the films strong differentiations between them. Even though I slightly prefer the 1995 adaptation over the 1973 version, these movies made me feel like I was watching the same film twice.

    The Kay’s Costume Party Dress Award

    (Best Outfit from a Movie)

    Marion’s Angel Costume from Wings of Desire

    In my Comparing with the Critics review of Wings of Desire, I complimented the movie’s costume design. I even described one of Marion’s trapeze artist costumes in detail. That costume is the angel costume Marion wore when she was first introduced in Wings of Desire. The craftsmanship and detail that went into creating the costume allowed the costume itself to stand out long after the movie was over. As I said in my review, the exquisiteness of Marion’s costumes, including her angel costume, makes me wish they were shown in color more consistently.

    Sally’s MVP Award

    (Character Who Left a Memorable, Showstopping Impression)

    Rinaldo from The Bride (1985)

    Back in June, 2025, when I reviewed The Bride, I proclaimed Rinaldo was the movie’s MVP. So, when it came time to decide who should receive the Sally’s MVP Award, I already knew the perfect winner! From the moment he meets Viktor, Rinaldo genuinely has Viktor’s best interests at heart. He strives to give Viktor a better life than Frankenstein did, even going so far as to educating Viktor on the importance of his name, which means “He will win”. Rinaldo always refers to Viktor as “his friend”. If it wasn’t for Rinaldo, I don’t believe Viktor would have received the “hero’s journey” he did in The Bride. Similar to when I gave Madmartigan the Sally’s MVP Award last year, Rinaldo became The Bride’s MVP because of David Rappaport’s performance and the screenwriting.

    The They Deserve an Award Award

    (Someone Associated with a Movie Who Deserves Recognition)

    Monika Jacobs (for her costume designs in Wings of Desire)

    In the past, I would give this award to actors or actresses who gave a performance that was memorably showstopping. But this year, I decided to expand the They Deserve an Award Award to other departments of film-making. That’s because there are other important components of creating a movie besides acting. When I reviewed Wings of Desire, I praised the film’s costume design, specifically pointing out one of Marion’s trapeze artist costumes. I said I wish Wings of Desire’s costume designer, Monika Jacobs, was nominated for, at least, one award. Costume design isn’t just about crafting attire that’s appealing to the eye. It’s also about creating attire that compliments the actor or actress wearing it. Through Marion’s wardrobe in Wings of Desire, Monika achieved these objectives. Even though Marion’s trapeze artist costumes were stunning, her casual and formal attire made Solveig Dommartin look like the best dressed star of Wings of Desire!

    Have fun at the movies!

    Sally Silverscreen

    The Best and Worst Movies I Saw in 2025

    On By 18cinemalane4 Comments

    2025 has been a strange year for 18 Cinema Lane. That’s because most of the movies I’ve seen and/or reviewed this year have been ok or fine. After seeing so few good or bad films in 2025, I wasn’t able to create separate top ten best and worst movies lists like in years past. So, instead, I wrote a combined list where I discuss the movies I saw this year that I liked and didn’t like. What’s also different about this year’s end of year list is how there are no Honorable Mentions, due to how few good movies I saw in 2025. But there are two Dishonorable Mentions; Recipe for Murder and Black Bag. The only reason why these films are considered Dishonorable Mentions is because I DNFed (did not finished) both of them. For this year’s list, I will start talking about 2025’s worst movies then end the list by talking about 2025’s best movies. If I reviewed any of the movies on my list, I will provide a link to those reviews.

    Image by Rochak Shukla on Freepik

    Worst Movies I Saw in 2025

    7. Stalked by My Amish Boyfriend

    Lifetime movies, like Hallmark movies, are not created equally. The 2024 film, Stalked by My Amish Boyfriend, is just one example of this statement. While it was interesting to see and hear how information about Amish culture was woven into the story, that part of the script couldn’t overshadow the major flaws of the movie. I was frustrated by how some characters would make dumb decisions simply for the sake of making dumb decisions. Stalked by My Amish Boyfriend was also, in my opinion, a mostly forgettable film. This is the reason why the 2024 picture is at the bottom of my list.

    6. She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

    As I said in my review of She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, I expected the 1949 movie to be an action-packed, suspenseful, and even intriguing story. What I got instead was an underwhelming film that prioritized presentation over product. I praised She Wore a Yellow Ribbon for its pretty looking scenery. But a photogenic background was unable to save the film from its weak script. A limited amount of action took away a lot of the story’s suspense and intrigue. It also doesn’t help how I only became familiar with most of the characters instead of truly getting to know them. She Wore a Yellow Ribbon is one of two movies I saw this year that almost made me fall asleep.

    Take 3: She Wore a Yellow Ribbon Review

    5. Kind Hearts and Coronets

    Kind Hearts and Coronets is the second film I saw in 2025 that almost made me fall asleep. But the flaws in this movie greatly differ from She Wore a Yellow Ribbon’s emphasis on scenery over substance. Despite Kind Hearts and Coronets being classified as a “comedy”, I didn’t laugh at all while watching the film. I also had no idea what the story’s moral was supposed to be, due to the moral being treated as an afterthought. Like I said in my Kind Hearts and Coronets review, I’m not entirely sure what this movie was trying to say. That lack of clarity not only makes the movie underwhelming, it also makes the movie confusing.

    Take 3: Kind Hearts and Coronets Review

    4. Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery

    Having Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery on my worst movies of the year list and finding Pie To Die For: A Hannah Swensen Mystery slightly better than its predecessor feels like déjà vu. That’s because One Bad Apple: A Hannah Swensen Mystery was placed on my worst of 2024 list, with its follow-up, A Sprinkle of Deceit: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, being slightly better. Though Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery had its own set of flaws. Forced humor felt straight out of a sit-com, especially when Delores was involved in the story. As I said in my review, I wondered why a laugh track was missing. Both of the film’s mysteries contained such a small sense of urgency, the run-time felt a bit drawn-out. The story’s overall intrigue was weaker due to this flaw. If the Murder, She Baked/Hannah Swensen series continues in 2026, I’d like to see the quality become more consistent.

    Take 3: Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery Review

    Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery poster created by Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

    3. Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride

    Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride is the most disappointing movie I saw in 2025. There were so many missed creative opportunities in this story, the film itself was under-cooked and uninspired. The movie was sometimes boring because of the lack of urgency. Seeing Perry, Della, and even Kevin meanderingly take their time building a legal case sucked the energy out of the story. I said in my review how any movie series boasting over ten titles was going to have at least one “bad day at the office”. I also said in my review how Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride was one of those days for the fictional detective.

    Take 3: Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride Review

    2. My Gal Sunday

    This 2014 movie is a perfect example of Hallmark putting the cart before the horse. Instead of creating a solid stand-alone film that could have naturally led to more chapters, the network put more effort into trying to build the foundation for a potential series. Parts of this story didn’t make sense. One glaring example is when an itinerary shows the protagonist couple’s plans of going dancing at 11 p.m. on Saturday then going to church at 8 a.m. on Sunday, begging the question of when these characters were supposed to go to sleep. The on-screen chemistry between Cameron Mathison and Rachel Blanchard made their characters, Henry and Sunday, feel less like a married couple and more like a couple who are about to start dating. It’s, honestly, a shame My Gal Sunday wasn’t a stronger picture. Mystery stories about married couples are uncommon from Hallmark, so this 2014 story could have offered something unique to the network’s table.

    1. Mystery by the Book

    This film actually has two titles; Mystery by the Book and Key to Love. However, I saw the movie on Great American Family under the title, Mystery by the Book. Therefore, I will be referring to that title for the sake of my list. For a movie with the word ‘mystery’ in the title, the story’s mystery is an afterthought, which makes the title itself very misleading. Instead, the characters develop other priorities, like playing dress-up and tapping glasses four times during one dinner date. Parts of the script don’t make sense, like how the protagonists find a treasured antique key. Mystery by the Book is even so bad, it’s, at times, unintentionally funny. A perfect example is when Corey Sevier’s character, Josh, is looking for a set of keys, only to find a set of keys seconds later on a key hook labeled “Keys”. Thank goodness Great American Family’s Ainsley McGregor Mysteries series is growing stronger in quality. But if the network wants to expand their mystery library, they have a long road ahead of them.

    Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride poster created by Fred Silverman Company, Viacom Productions, Dean Hargrove Productions, National Broadcasting Company, and Viacom
    Image by starline on Freepik

    Best Movies I Saw in 2025

    8. The Phantom of the Opera (1925)

    I’m still shocked by how the 1925 version of The Phantom of the Opera was never included on any of American Film Institute’s 100 movies lists, even months after I reviewed the film. Looking at everything the movie has to offer, I believe there is an argument to be made for its inclusion on, at least, one of those lists. Lon Chaney’s performance alone highlights how make-up, body language, and even the eyes can enhance an acting performance. Each area of the Opera House was presented through color coded film, which gave the movie a unique identity. What also helps 1925’s The Phantom of the Opera standout is how the cinematic lens showed the audience the expansive nature of storytelling. This is why, in my opinion, the story of the Phantom and his opera house is better suited for film than the stage.

    Take 3: The Phantom of the Opera (1925) Review (Silent Pioneers Double Feature Part 2)

    7. Fist of Fury

    For an introduction to Bruce Lee’s filmography, I think Fist of Fury is a good one! The martial arts choreography was definitely one of the strengths of this film. But the movie contained other aspects I liked as well. Bruce’s portrayal of Chen is a reason why Fist of Fury was so memorable. Clever writing and higher stakes woven into the script create a story that was clever, suspenseful, and intriguing. Because of how much I enjoyed watching Fist of Fury, I hope to check out more of Bruce’s movies in 2026!

    Take 3: Fist of Fury Review

    6. The Chalk Garden

    Even though I reviewed this film back in February, I still think about what Laurel said about not liking being told “good morning”. How well-written the dialogue was is one of the reasons why I remember Laurel saying, “what is a good morning to someone else is rarely a good morning to me”. Speaking of Laurel, Hayley Mills’ utilization of animated expressions and a variety of emotions helped the audience see how complex her character truly is. But Hayley is not the only actress whose performance was strong. The Chalk Garden is a movie where every actor and actress does a great job with the acting material they were given. The 1964 presentation is part character study, part mystery that works!

    Take 3: The Chalk Garden Review + 505 Follower Thank You

    5. The Night Before the Night Before Christmas

    The Night Before the Night Before Christmas is another movie I saw (and reviewed) this year where it was difficult to choose a favorite acting performance. The strength of the cast’s acting abilities not only made watching the story unfold more enjoyable, it even helped characters become more likable. Emphasizing the theme of giving painted a portrait of Santa I hadn’t really thought of before; someone who has a reputation for giving. It was also a clever way to remind viewers of one of the Christmas season’s important components. How Christmas activities were included in the script was a breath of fresh air as well. As I said in my review, I wish Hallmark went back to creating titles that didn’t rely too much on a formula, tropes, and/or cliches.

    Take 3: The Night Before the Night Before Christmas Review + 515 Follower Thank You

    The Chalk Garden poster created by Quota Rentals Limited, Ross Hunter Productions, and Universal Pictures

    4. Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925)

    It’s amazing how two movies on this year’s best films list not only turned 100 years old, they also utilized color coded film to their advantage! But what sets Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ apart from The Phantom of the Opera is how title cards went above and beyond in Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ due to how well-written they were. Another aspect that distinguishes Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ is the cinematography’s capturing of the scope of the film. Long and medium shots effectively showcased a world that looked and felt larger than life. The visual presentation of the movie was certainly impressive. However, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ found a balance between style and substance!

    Take 3: Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925) Review

    3. The Man Who Invented Christmas

    Despite being the most recently reviewed movie on my list, The Man Who Invented Christmas is one of the best biopics I’ve ever seen! How the creation of A Christmas Carol lent itself to exploring Charles Dickens’ life story brought a unique element to the biopic genre. Watching Charles’ iconic tale come to live, literally and figuratively, provided the film a creative and memorable identity. The “Easter Eggs” related to A Christmas Carol sprinkled throughout the story was an engaging way to stay invested in the movie. The Man Who Invented Christmas is a solid Christmas title that would make a good double feature with I Heard the Bells.

    Take 3: The Man Who Invented Christmas Review

    2. The Wild Robot

    I first talked about The Wild Robot in my list of The Top Ten Best Stand-Alone Films. Even though I published that list back in March, the 2024 animated movie has still held up as one of the best titles I saw this year! Like I said in The Top Ten Best Stand-Alone Films list, the animation was gorgeous, appearing as a blend of paintings and priceless photographs. A pleasant surprise was how much emotional depth the story contained. What adds a sense of timelessness to the production was the abundance of good messages and themes. While it’s too early to say how The Wild Robot will stand in the test of time, I think it has potential.

    1. An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving

    I actually revisited this film in preparation for my review of An Old Fashioned Christmas. Watching An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving again after so many years reminded me why I love this movie! Attention to detail and historical accuracy created the illusion of taking the audience to another time and place. How the messages and themes of the Thanksgiving holiday were woven into the story allow An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving to truly embrace the holiday itself. The more I think about the 2008 movie, it makes me surprised it wasn’t a Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation. My belief is due to An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving containing elements that would likely be found in a Hallmark Hall of Fame project, such as strong acting performances and a historical fiction lens.

    The Man Who Invented Christmas poster created by The Mazur Kaplan Company, The Mob Film Company, Ingenious Media, Nelly Films, Parallel Films, Rhombus Media, and Bleecker Street Media

    Have fun in 2026!

    Sally Silverscreen

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

    On By 18cinemalane3 Comments

    Back in August, I published my review of the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, Face to Face. That article became my 425th published movie review. Then, when I published my review of Kind Hearts and Coronets, it became my 950th published post. To honor these milestones, I’m creating a type of list I have never written before. Over the seven years 18 Cinema Lane has existed, I have shared some of my “hot takes” on film. However, I haven’t created a list exclusively about movie “hot takes”. That is why, for this list, I will address my film related “hot takes” I didn’t previously discuss on my blog. This decision was made to keep the list itself fresh and interesting. I will also organize each “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. Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit Should Have Been a Christmas Movie

    I’m not saying Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit is a bad movie. I’m not even saying it’s a bad sequel, as I respect how the script tries to tell a new story instead of attempting to recapture the magic of the first film. However, I do believe it was a huge missed opportunity not to have Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit set during Christmas. I can picture Saint Katherine’s Parish, the church featured in the first movie, beautifully decked out in Christmas adornments. And can you imagine what Christmas songs like ‘O Holy Night’, ‘Away in a Manger’, and ‘Joy to the World’ would have sounded like under Deloris’/Sister Mary Clarence’s leadership? If those versions were even half as good as the songs were in Sister Act, the audience would have been in for a musical treat! Though there’s no guarantee making Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit a Christmas movie would have made it better or just as good as its predecessor. Therefore, this is the mildest “hot take” on my list.

    9. Calypso/Tia Dalma and Davy Jones Should Have Shared More Screen-Time Together in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End

    One of my favorite movie scenes of all time is Calypso/Tia Dalma and Davy Jones’ interaction in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. Not only does this scene recontextualize everything the audience knew about Calypso/Tia Dalma up until that point, Naomie Harris and Bill Nighy’s on-screen chemistry made the attraction between Calypso/Tia Dalma and Davy Jones believable. This attraction makes me wish they shared more screen-time together. Throughout Calypso/Tia Dalma and Davy Jones’ interaction, issues are left unresolved and words are left unspoken. Yet their love for each other is still evident. Calypso/Tia Dalma and Davy Jones should have received an opportunity to resolve their issues and honestly communicate with one another. But in a movie like Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End with so many moving parts to it, aspects of the story like Calypso/Tia Dalma and Davy Jones’ relationship were overlooked.

    8. Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch’s Story in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Should Have Been an Adaptation of Scarlet Witch, Vol. 3: The Final Hex

    For this year’s Eurovisionathon readathon, I read Scarlet Witch, Vol. 3: The Final Hex. As I read the graphic novel, I couldn’t help but feel the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) missed a great opportunity to adapt this story. Based on what I know about the MCU, mentor figures aren’t common. Agatha Harkness could have provided mentorship to Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch like she did in the graphic novel, helping guide her throughout Phase 2 and beyond. Adapting Scarlet Witch, Vol. 3: The Final Hex would have given the MCU a reason to weave Serbian and Roma culture into Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch’s, as well as Pietro Maximoff/Quicksilver’s, narrative. Themes of family, identity, and what it truly means to be a superhero could have also been explored. While I haven’t seen any of the MCU’s projects after Avengers: Endgame, I have heard of the directions Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch’s story have taken. Had Scarlet Witch, Vol. 3: The Final Hex been adapted, maybe her story would have been better than what the audience received.

    7. Cheryl Frasier from Miss Congeniality is More Intelligent Than Most People Give Her Credit For

    The “April 25th” scene from Miss Congeniality is one of the most quotable and meme-able moments in film history. This scene is how most people know Cheryl Frasier (a.k.a. Miss Rhode Island), one of the story’s key characters. The moment where Cheryl chooses “April 25th” as her answer for her idea of a perfect date is presented as giving the wrong answer. Though whenever I think of this scene, I see it very differently. In an interview/question segment of a pageant, contestants must utilize their time wisely to earn enough points to progress to the next segment. With that said, Cheryl utilized critical thinking skills, logic, and looking outside the box to not only select her iconic answer, but to also come up with an explanation for that answer all within a limited period of time. Plus, I can understand how she would describe a date on the calendar, as the question is vague enough to be interpreted in different ways. This is one of the best examples from Miss Congeniality of Cheryl being more intelligent than most people give her credit for.

    6. Pennywise from Stephen King’s IT (1990) is More Annoying Than Scary

    Years ago, I saw Stephen King’s IT for the first time. But I found the experience underwhelming. One contributor was how Pennywise was more annoying than scary. While there were horrifying moments involving Pennywise, these moments were far and few between. One scene that always comes to mind is when Pennywise is in a library. In this scene, he was so over-the-top, loud, and obnoxious, his act got old really fast. I couldn’t take Pennywise seriously as a horror movie villain, as his silliness made him less threatening. Even in the film’s climax, his role was such a let-down, sucking all the suspense out of that scene. Tim Curry, the actor who portrayed Pennywise, is not at fault because he tried his best with the acting material provided. The fault lies with the director and screenwriters of Stephen King’s IT.

    Group of Christmas figures image created by Pikisuperstar at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/christmas”>Christmas vector created by Pikisuperstar – Freepik.com</a>. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/hand-drawn-cute-christmas-character_3188970.htm’>Designed by Pikisuperstar</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    5. Gabby Gabby from Toy Story 4 is a Poorly Written Character

    When I saw Toy Story 4 in 2019, I thought Gabby Gabby was a poorly written character. Six years later, I still feel this way about her. It seemed like the creative team behind Toy Story 4 couldn’t decide if Gabby Gabby should be the story’s villain, anti-hero, or simply misunderstood. So, instead of giving her one role and sticking to that creative decision, the creative team gave her all three roles. When Gabby Gabby received a redemption arc, I didn’t feel that was earned. How am I supposed to root for her when I don’t even know what her true role in this story is supposed to be? Last year, when I published my list of ten movie trends I don’t understand, I explained how adopting the ‘villains receiving the spotlight’ trend gives the audience mixed messages and makes villainous characters less straight-forward. Reflecting on that list and Toy Story 4, I wonder if how Gabby Gabby was written is the result of that trend?

    4. ‘Elizabeth’ is the Most Overused Name in Historical Fiction/Period Drama Movies and TV Shows

    In 2019, I created a list of the top ten worst clichés from Hallmark movies. The clichés featured in that list were those that were poorly or overly used. If I created a similar list about the worst clichés from historical fiction/period drama movies, characters named ‘Elizabeth’ would be near the top of the list. Personally, I find it hard to believe directors, producers, and screenwriters would keep selecting ‘Elizabeth’ despite having thousands of names at their disposal. The name, ‘Elizabeth’, keeps finding its way into scripts no matter the story’s time period. Some examples include Felicity: An American Girl Adventure, the Pirates of the Caribbean series, any version of Pride and Prejudice, and When Calls the Heart’s Christmas/seasonal films. This specific cliché is also present among historical fiction/period drama tv shows, ranging from Emily of New Moon to The Waltons. I don’t know when the cliché started being utilized or if it will ever stop. But if someone is considering creating a historical fiction/period drama movie or tv show, I hope they think outside the box when it’s time to name their characters.

    3. I Don’t Find National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Funny

    I’ve only seen National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation once. Though it’s been years since I’ve seen it, I didn’t find it funny. I don’t remember laughing at any joke. Even when I see clips of the movie in other pieces of media, it doesn’t get a reaction out of me. I’m aware how comedy, as well as film itself, is subjective. But I just don’t understand the hype around National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. If I revisited the movie, maybe I’d change my mind on it. For now, though, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is not a must-watch title for me this Christmas season.

    2. Bucky Barnes Should Have Received His Own Superhero Title Instead of Becoming the Next Captain America

    Around the time Avengers: Infinity War was released, I was one of those fans who wanted to see Bucky Barnes become the next Captain America. I even expressed this wish in my very first movie blogger’s Christmas wish-list. But looking back almost ten years since Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame premiered, I believe instead of becoming the next Captain America, Bucky should have received his own superhero title. As he grew into it over time, Bucky could have shaped this brand-new title to become truly his. So, when people think of that specific title, they’ll think of Bucky and vice versa. There would be no preconceived ideas or expectations due to the lack of comparisons to measure Bucky to. With his own superhero title, he could have received official Avenger status as well, which is why I wanted Bucky to become the next Captain America in the first place. I know he took up Captain America’s shield in Marvel’s comics. However, Bucky adopting his own, unique superhero identity would have added a fascinating chapter to Phases 4 and 5.

    1. The Breakfast Club and Clue are Two of the Most Overrated Movies of the 1980s

    It’s been years since I’ve seen The Breakfast Club or Clue. But from what I remember, I wasn’t a fan of either title. The Breakfast Club contained way too much swearing for my liking and I found its story too simplistic. When it came to Allison Reynolds’ reason for being in detention, the script was building up to what ended up being an underwhelming revelation. Meanwhile, in Clue, I laughed at only one joke throughout the entire film. The movie prioritized showing the characters running around and yelling/screaming at each other, which I find less hilarious and more headache-inducing. Having multiple endings based on when and where someone saw the film might work at the movie theater. Including all three endings in Clue, however, not only felt overwhelming, it also felt like the movie’s creative team couldn’t decide which ending best fit their script, leaving that ultimate decision to the audience. Perhaps if I revisited The Breakfast Club or Clue, my opinion on these titles might change. As of the publication of this list, though, I find Clue and The Breakfast Club overrated.

    Avengers: Endgame Bucky Barnes poster created by The Walt Disney Company and Marvel Studios. © Disney•Pixar. All rights reserved. Marvel and Avengers Characters: ©2017 Marvel. Image found at https://www.marvel.com/articles/movies/mcu-heroes-unveil-avengers-endgame-character-posters

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

    Have fun at the movies!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Take 3: Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Face to Face Review

    On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

    Any time I receive the opportunity to review a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, I try to prioritize titles that are either VHS exclusive or harder to find. This decision has been made to help give those titles more recognition, as well as encourage more people to check those films out. One of these films is the 1990 picture, Face to Face! As far as I know, this Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation was not released on VHS or DVD. It also premiered months prior to the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, Caroline?, which I have reviewed on 18 Cinema Lane. The synopsis is what intrigued me toward seeing Face to Face, as the story (according to IMDB) is about “an American paleontologist and a British miner get in a conflict over who has the rights to dig on a site in Kenya”. A conflict about two differing parties at odds over a shared problem isn’t often covered within the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection. In fact, the only movies I can think of that fit this description are The Summer of Ben Tyler and Sweet Nothing in My Ear. Face to Face’s Kenyan backdrop also provides a unique element to the movie. Africa is a setting that is rarely incorporated in Hallmark Hall of Fame’s films.

    Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Face to Face poster created by Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, Robert Halmi, and CBS

    Things I liked about the film:

    The scenery: As I mentioned in this review’s introduction, Face to Face takes place in Kenya. The creative team behind the film took advantage of the Kenyan landscape by featuring long and medium shots of the story’s natural surroundings. One example is an establishing shot of a sunset. Half the shot is engulfed in an orange and yellow sky, with a grey mountain at the sunset’s root. Nearby trees adopt a black hue, standing out against the sky’s bright colors. The ground appears to be a mix of rustic red and brown, warmed by the light’s glow. This establishing shot is so gorgeous, I doubt pictures would do it justice.

    The dialogue: In my recent review of 1973’s From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, I praised the film’s dialogue. I mentioned how some lines were so well-written, they became a memorable part of the movie. Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Face to Face shares the same strength! The film’s dialogue was not only witty and clever, it was also, at times, thought-provoking. During one evening, Face to Face’s protagonists, Diana and Tobias, are listening to the sound of a flute. This music is created by a young man named Enjoro, who works with Tobias. Impressed by Enjoro’s talent, Diana says “Just think what he could do with an education”. Tobias quickly replies by asking “Isn’t what he’s doing enough”? This conversation is a great example of how good intentions may be quite different from what a person wants or needs. Earlier in Face to Face, Diana’s arrival in Kenya is met by a colleague named Dr. Brinkman. On a nearby map, Dr. Brinkman is trying to locate Diana’s dig site. As he’s searching for the site, Diana says to Dr. Brinkman “You’re close”. When he asks her “How close”, she matter-of-factly tells him, “Got the right country”. The exchange between these two characters showcases the wittiness found in Face to Face’s script!

    Enjoro’s subplot: Like I just said in this review, the flute music is created by a young man named Enjoro, who works with Tobias. But music is not his only passion. Enjoro is also a talented artist, with his drawings impressing Diana so much, she gives him an art set. Unfortunately, these artistic passions are frowned upon by his village, who would rather see Enjoro become a warrior. This personal struggle between village tradition and personal pursuits provides a subplot in Face to Face. A conflict like Enjoro’s is rarely incorporated in Hallmark Hall of Fame’s movies. In fact, I found Enjoro’s part of the story more interesting than the main plot. Had this film focused primarily on Enjoro’s personal conflict, I think the overall movie would have been more compelling.

    Illustrated African landscape image created by Macrovector at freepik.com. Background vector created by macrovector – www.freepik.com

    What I didn’t like about the film:

    An unlikable protagonist: I recognize the creative team behind Face to Face was trying to utilize the “enemies to lovers” troupe when it came to Tobias and Diana. I also acknowledge they were trying to give Diana and Tobias an “opposites attract” dynamic. Unfortunately, these parts of the story were not as effective as they could have been. One reason lies with how unlikable Diana was. For the majority of the movie, she was a static character; close-minded, stubborn, and entitled. When Tobias offered a compromise or tried to make peace with her, Diana shut down his offers and even saw him as beneath her. Even though Diana and Tobias eventually develop romantic feelings for each other, that attraction felt abrupt. If Diana’s change of heart had been more gradual, not only would she be a more likable character, the build up between her and Tobias’ attraction would have been stronger.

    The audio: Face to Face premiered in 1990. Therefore, I’m aware of how film-making technology back then was not as advanced as it is today. But one of the signs of these times was the bad audio heard in the Hallmark Hall of Fame film. Most of Face to Face takes place outdoors. This means not only were the cast’s speech picked up by microphones, background noises were picked up as well. The collection of sounds sometimes made it difficult to understand what the characters were saying. Face to Face could have benefitted from using ADR (automated dialog replacement).

    The “insta-love” troupe: When I talked about how unlikable Diana was, I brought up the “enemies to lovers” troupe Face to Face’s creative team tried to utilize. I also brought up how Diana and Tobias’ attraction for one another felt abrupt. This was caused by Tobias and Diana remaining “enemies” for more than half the movie. So much time was spent showing Diana and Tobias bickering, disagreeing, and being negative toward each other instead of the protagonists building a romantic bond over time. When Tobias and Diana eventually fall in love with one another, the “insta-love” troupe unnecessarily makes an appearance in Face to Face. Having the protagonists stay “enemies” for too long also made Elizabeth Montgomery and Robert Foxworth’s on-screen chemistry seem weak.

    Image of male lion created by Wirestock at freepik.com. Animals photo created by wirestock – www.freepik.com

    My overall impression:

    With the publication of my Face to Face review, I have now seen all three Hallmark Hall of Fame movies released in 1990. Out of these films, I find Caroline? the best one. As for Face to Face, I thought it was just ok. This is one of those movies where a better story idea was buried within the presentation Hallmark Hall of Fame gave its audience. I honestly wish Enjoro’s story had been chosen as the main plot. His personal conflict between village tradition and personal pursuits provided a compelling narrative. I also wish Tobias and Diana had spent more time developing a romantic relationship and working together to solve their shared problem. These creative decisions would have prevented flaws like the appearance of the “insta-love” troupe. Face to Face features merits such as the dialogue and the scenery. But I can think of better movies also featuring these merits. Though there are interesting ideas woven into the script, I can kind of see why Face to Face became lost to time.

    Overall score: 6.1 out of 10

    Have you seen Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Face to Face? Are there any Hallmark Hall of Fame films you’d like to see reviewed on 18 Cinema Lane? Please tell me in the comment section!

    Have fun at the movies!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Take 3: Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride Review

    On By 18cinemalane1 Comment

    As I looked at the blogathon schedule for the rest of 2025, I discovered how few events were announced. This includes my upcoming blogathon, The Food & Film Blogathon. Despite the limited amount of blogathons, I wanted to provide more blogathon related content to my readers. So, I have decided to participate in Genre Grandeur! I have written reviews for this year-long blogathon before. However, the last time I participated in Genre Grandeur was October 2023, when I reviewed Christmas at Castle Hart. With July’s theme being “Movies Featuring Weddings”, I knew there were a lot of options at my disposal. But I wanted to talk about a movie that was more off the beaten path. When I learned there was a Perry Mason film revolving around a wedding, I knew I found the perfect title! Some of the movies from the Perry Mason TV film series have been covered on 18 Cinema Lane. These pictures have received likable reviews, as I have enjoyed them to varying degrees. How will this film, Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride, compare to those other entries? Keep reading my review to solve this mystery!

    Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride poster created by Fred Silverman Company, Viacom Productions, Dean Hargrove Productions, National Broadcasting Company, and Viacom

    Things I liked about the film:

    Stand-out performances: In a mystery film, there is sometimes that one actor or collection of actors whose performance shines the brightest. That kind of performance came from Merle Kennedy, Brian McNamara, and Heather McAdam in Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride! The film’s titular bride is a pop star named Kaitlynn Parrish. From her style to her songs and even her dance moves, everything about Kaitlynn’s celebrity persona feels very Madonna-esque. But throughout the movie and also at the wedding, Kaitlynn’s personality is quite different. Heather McAdam portrays her character as a sweet, down-to-earth woman who hasn’t let fame and fortune get to her head. Instead of becoming a self-centered “bridezilla”, Kaitlynn shows concern for her dad’s legal situation. When Kaitlynn’s dad receives a phone call from a commissioner, the smile she had on her face as she walks into the room immediately melts into a look of worry. As she talks to her dad about the commissioner’s call, Kaitlynn’s tone of voice is filled with concern and there’s even a sad look in her eyes. She also suggests asking Perry Mason for help. Kaitlynn eventually goes back to appearing happy when her dad is in a better mood. Scenes like the one I described present a good example of how, sometimes, an entertainer’s real-life persona is quite different from what they present in the spotlight.

    Brian McNamara portrays Sam Wald, a groomsman in Kaitlynn Parrish’s wedding. Merle Kennedy stars in the movie as Suzy Richards, a fan of Kaitlynn’s. What both Merle and Brian have in common is how their performance was charismatic! It also helps how their ability to adapt from scene to scene was effortless! Because of how strong Brian’s and Merle’s performance was, it allowed Sam and Suzy to be more intriguing. These elements made me look forward to seeing the characters appear on screen. I honestly wish Merle and Brian were given more material to work with in this movie.

    The wardrobe: The Perry Mason TV movies are “contemporary” mysteries grounded in reality. This means the characters’ wardrobe not only runs the risk of appearing mundane, it also runs the risk of becoming overlooked. In Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride, however, some of the female characters’ wardrobe stood out to me. One of my favorite outfits appeared toward the beginning of the film. When Suzy is first introduced in the movie, she wears a red suede jacket with matching shiny red Doc Martin boots. Her outfit also includes a white shirt, black shorts, and black knee-high socks. My favorite piece was a black, cross-body purse with a silver buckle and silver corners. From what I could see, the purse looked like a mini trunk. The outfit I described was not only a great contrast from the other characters’ wardrobe, it also wonderfully represented Suzy’s personality! These results helped outfits like Suzy’s be memorable!

    The set design: When I reviewed Perry Mason Returns and Perry Mason: The Case of the Lost Love, I talked about the set design as one of the strengths of both films. The exterior and interior of the highlighted spaces effectively visualized how well-off the characters are. Kaitlynn and her fiancé, Gary’s, wedding in Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride takes place in a large mansion. This mansion appears built out of warm-stone brick with cream borders around the windows and main door. To the left of the mansion is a multi-paneled cylinder, making the building look like a castle. With manicured foliage in front of the mansion, one might mistake the structure as a dream out of a fairytale! Later in the film, the office of a music producer named Jake Lubin is shown on screen. This space has a high ceiling, large windows, and a massive indoor balcony. Metal support pillars and frosted glass railings give the office a modern industrial style. Platinum and gold framed records represent Jake’s success as well as compliment the cream, silver, and gold color palette. Once again, the set design of Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride provided visual clues for the characters’ social status.

    Wedding couple with cameras image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/original-cards-for-wedding-photography_913021.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/logo”>Logo vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    What I didn’t like about the film:

    Lack of urgency: The Perry Mason television film series doesn’t rely on suspense or adrenaline. But the mysteries provide intrigue to keep the viewers invested in what’s happening on screen. The mysteries also provide characters with a sense of urgency, as they race against the clock to solve the case. However, Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride lacks that sense of urgency. Perry, Della, and even Ken meanderingly take their time building a legal case and questioning suspects. These characters act as if they don’t have a deadline or limited time frame to work with. This lack of urgency sometimes made the movie boring, as well as sucked the energy out of the story.

    Things that don’t make sense: Ken Malansky suspects he’s being followed. Yet he doesn’t lock his car doors when he leaves his car to follow a lead at a music club. As Ken questions the music club’s owner, someone plants a recording device inside Ken’s car phone. When Ken eventually drives away from the music club, the car that was following him can clearly be seen through the front window of Ken’s car. That’s because the car following Ken was parked a few feet away from Ken’s vehicle. Decisions like Ken leaving his car doors open and ignoring the suspicious car created parts of the story that didn’t make sense.

    Missed creative opportunities: My reviews for the Perry Mason TV movies have addressed the creativity each story had to offer. These creative choices helped give the movies a unique identity that was memorable. But Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride was a lackluster film because of the creative opportunities that were missed. Gary, Kaitlynn’s fiancé, has a sister named Hannah. After her music career failed, Hannah decided to pursue a legal career. She even tells Perry how she will soon take the bar exam. This career shift could have provided a subplot where Hannah either assists Perry in solving the case or where the script explores the concept of a celebrity taking their career in a different direction. Sadly, Hannah’s new career plan has little to no bearing over the story of Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride.

    Courtroom image created by Macrovector at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/isometric”>Isometric vector created by macrovector – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    My overall impression:

    As I mentioned in my review of Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride, some of the female characters’ wardrobe stood out to me. There were outfits I really liked, with Suzy’s aforementioned introductory attire being one of them. But similar to what I said in the past about a film’s scenery, this movie’s wardrobe couldn’t save the film. Out of the titles from the Perry Mason TV movie series I’ve seen and even reviewed, Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride was an under-cooked and uninspired entry. While there were stand-out acting performances, they weren’t truly given a chance to shine. That’s because the actors’ respective characters did not have consistent enough appearances in the story. The movie featured so many creative opportunities that were missed, not allowing the story to be memorable or unique. It also doesn’t help that the picture lacked a sense of urgency. With any movie series boasting over ten titles, there’s going to be at least one “bad day at the office”. Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride was one of those days for the fictional detective.

    Overall score: 5 out of 10

    Have you seen Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride? Are there any films from the Perry Mason television movie series you’d like to see me review? Let me know in the comment section below!

    Have fun at the movies!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Sally Watches…Jasmine Guy’s Touched by an Angel Episodes!

    On By 18cinemalane5 Comments

    Have you ever associated a particular actor with a specific movie or television show? For me, Jasmine Guy comes to mind every time I think of Touched by An Angel! In the earlier seasons of the show, Jasmine guest starred as an antagonist named Kathleen in three episodes. For the Luso World Cinema Blogathon, I decided to review these episodes of the show! According to Beth, one of the hosts of the event, Jasmine’s mother is Portuguese-American and her father is African-American. As I was looking for a topic to write about for the blogathon, I remembered seeing Jasmine’s name on a list of American film people with Portuguese heritage, which caused me to think about when she guest starred on Touched by An Angel. When Beth welcomed me as a Luso World Cinema Blogathon participant, I received another opportunity to review more Touched by An Angel episodes! Like my past reviews of television episodes, I’m going to discuss what I liked about the episode, what I didn’t like about the episode, the story itself, the other factors from the episode, and my overall thoughts. Now, let’s begin discussing Jasmine Guy’s Touched by An Angel episodes!

    Touched by An Angel season two poster created by CBS Productions, Caroline Productions, and MoonWater Productions

    Episode Name: Sympathy for the Devil

    Season 2, Episode 3

    Premiere Date: October 7th, 1995

    What I liked about this episode:

    This episode of Touched by An Angel, “Sympathy for the Devil”, is where Kathleen makes her official debut. When she steps out of the truck at the fairgrounds, Jasmine Guy’s charisma already bursts off the screen! Her portrayal of Kathleen was so expressive. This made Kathleen’s interactions with other characters captivating to watch, especially when she crossed paths with Monica. Jasmine even brought some sass to her character, which helped Kathleen’s personality stand out. While watching this episode, I actually looked forward to seeing Kathleen appear in a scene. That’s because it meant I got another chance to see Jasmine’s strong acting performance!

    What I didn’t like about this episode:

    A conflict in “Sympathy for the Devil” is the fall out of Kathleen and Monica. Before this episode, they were best friends. But they grew apart when Kathleen turned to the “dark side” and Monica received her promotion as a case worker. This was an interesting story, especially since it dealt with a realistic conflict of friends growing apart and going their separate ways. Unfortunately, it became overshadowed by the episode’s main story of a father coming back into his son’s life. This was caused by the lack of balance between the plots in “Sympathy for the Devil”. Because both stories were strong, I wish they were placed in their own episodes.

    The story itself:

    Like I just mentioned in this review, “Sympathy for the Devil” contains two stories. The main story is about a father coming back into his son’s life, seeking forgiveness and redemption. The episode’s subplot revolves around the fall out between Monica and Kathleen. Monica’s mission is to reunite the father and son, helping them heal from years of heartache. Meanwhile, Kathleen wants to keep the son and father apart, just for the sake of causing chaos. As I already mentioned in my review, both stories were strong. Due to the lack of balance between these plots, though, it would have been more beneficial to put these stories in their own episodes, so they wouldn’t have to compete for screen-time. Without spoiling “Sympathy for the Devil”, I will say something happens in this episode that made me wonder why Andrew wasn’t introduced on Touched by An Angel sooner? While Andrew made his official debut in the show’s second season, it wasn’t until the twelfth episode, “The One That Got Away”.

    The other factors from this episode:

    • During one of their confrontations, Ty Duncan (portrayed by Stacy Keach) calls his son “Chicken Boy”. Though it was intended to be an insult one takes seriously, I, personally, found it goofy. So, every time a character said “Chicken Boy”, I would burst out laughing. This is one of the most unintentionally funny moments I’ve seen on Touched by An Angel!
    • Matt Duncan (portrayed by Robert Kelker-Kelly) owns and operates a local fairground. His son, Daniel, admits his dad doesn’t like rodeos. Yet Matt agreed to host the fairground’s first rodeo despite his dislike. When he meets Monica, Matt confesses how he didn’t know a veterinarian needed to be on the premises at all times. I’m aware that the internet in 1995 was not as expansive as today’s internet. However, if Matt had little knowledge of how to host a rodeo, there were other resources at his disposal, especially considering his fairgrounds were located in Texas.
    • The purpose of Monica and Kathleen’s subplot was to address the battle of good vs. evil. While this was an interesting theme to include in this episode, I wish the backdrop had elaborated on this theme. Ty Duncan comes to the rodeo because he wants to ride his two thousandth bull. Daniel even dreams about riding a bull because of his grandfather. The sport of bull-riding could have provided symbolism for evil being conquered by the hero. But because bull-riding was simply presented as bull-riding, I found this a missed opportunity to connect one of the story’s themes to the background.

    My overall thoughts:

    When it comes to the introduction of new cast members or characters on television shows, the ultimate goal is to leave a good first impression. If this goal is achieved, those cast members could become series regulars and their characters may become popular. In the Touched by An Angel episode, “Sympathy for the Devil”, Kathleen was given a strong introduction. This is because Jasmine Guy’s performance was one of the best parts of the episode! Jasmine helped create a character that was captivating to watch, especially when Kathleen was interacting with other characters. I, honestly, wish Jasmine had been nominated for an award for her portrayal of Kathleen! As for the rest of the episode, I thought it was just fine. Even though both stories were strong, I think they should have been placed in their own episodes, so they wouldn’t need to compete for screen-time. I also believe the theme of good vs. evil should have been elaborated by the story’s backdrop. Looking back on “Sympathy for the Devil”, I wish Andrew had been introduced on Touched by An Angel sooner. If he had made his introduction in this episode, I wonder what job Andrew would have received at the fairground?

    Rating: A 3.5 out of 5

    White horse image created by Gabor Palla at freeimages.com. “FreeImages.com/Gabor Palla.”
    Luso World Cinema Blogathon banner created by Beth from Spellbound with Beth Ann and Le from Critica Retro.

    Episode Name: Lost and Found

    Season 2, Episode 18

    Premiere Date: February 24th, 1996

    What I liked about this episode:

    In the Touched by An Angel episode, “Lost and Found”, Frank falls in love with Kathleen. Despite Kathleen providing Frank with a “false impression of love” (according to Monica), the story presents moments where their relationship feels honestly genuine. This is because the on-screen chemistry between Jasmine Guy and Bill Nunn was so sweet, they sold the concept of Kathleen and Frank being compatible, under different circumstances. It was almost easy to forget that these characters were not supposed to fall in love, as a result of the effective on-screen chemistry. Jasmine’s and Bill’s performance also worked in the on-screen chemistry’s favor. Unlike “Sympathy for the Devil”, Jasmine added a tender sweetness to Kathleen’s personality, allowing Kathleen to carry her charade. Bill consistently gave his character, Frank, a kind-hearted selflessness, which drove Frank to always help those in need.

    What I didn’t like about this episode:

    When I talked about what I didn’t like about “Sympathy for the Devil”, I explained how the overshadowing of Monica and Kathleen’s fall out was the result of a lack of balance between the episode’s plots. “Lost and Found” has the same flaw. There are two plots in this episode of Touched by An Angel: the relationship between Frank and Kathleen and the search for missing children. The first plot was actually interesting. If written differently, it could have had a conflict similar to the intended conflict of The Crow: City of Angels; where Kathleen must choose between remaining in the angelic world or becoming mortal in the name of love. The second plot, about the missing children, was also interesting, giving the characters a mystery to solve. But “Lost and Found” placed more emphasis on the missing children plot. The lack of balance between these two plots sometimes made me wonder what happened to Kathleen, as she would be absent for periods at a time. With both plots being strong, they should have existed in their own episodes. This way, they wouldn’t need to compete for screen-time.

    The story itself:

    Like I just mentioned in my review, there are two plots in “Lost and Found”, the search for missing children and the relationship between Frank and Kathleen. These plots are interconnected, as Frank himself provides the thread that keeps them together. As a policeman, Frank tries to help a missing boy return home. Yet he is haunted by the disappearance of another child. Kathleen uses her charade of love to disguise her true intentions; exploiting Frank’s trauma. The union of these stories express how the job of rescuing children can sometimes take its toll. Similar to “Sympathy for the Devil”, Monica must stop Kathleen from spreading evil and causing chaos. But unlike that episode, “Lost and Found” gives Andrew a reason to become involved in the story. Andrew’s job at the Center of Missing Children is with the computer department. Though his real assignment is guiding deceased children to Heaven.  Andrew explains to Monica how he takes his role as “Angel of Death” very seriously. During their conversation, however, the bleakness of some children’s fate causes Andew to appear as if he’s about to cry. Andrew’s emotional response reenforces what I said earlier about the job of rescuing children sometimes taking its toll. From time to time, Touched by An Angel incorporates at least one plot twist into a given episode. While there is a plot twist in “Lost and Found”, I already knew what it was because I have seen this episode before. Therefore, it wasn’t as impactful as it was when I first saw the episode.

    The other factors from this episode:

    • When I talked about the story of “Lost and Found”, I mentioned Andrew’s real assignment was guiding deceased children to Heaven. This part of the story addresses the sad reality some families of missing children face. There’s even a scene where Andrew helps a missing girl who just passed away. However, the dialogue between the girl and Andrew is subtle, giving the audience some time to figure out what is going on. Even the interaction between Andrew and the girl is friendly, with the girl expressing no fear over her situation. The combination of acting, screenwriting, and also the lighting acknowledges the bleakness of the moment without making the scene itself bleak.
    • Frank has a scrapbook of all the missing child cases he’s worked on. As he explains to Kathleen, the articles he collects are pieces of darkness he cuts out and traps into the scrapbook. Frank consistently does this to protect his soul, as he confesses how he doesn’t look back at the scrapbook once he adds another article. In entertainment media, scrapbooks have typically been portrayed positively. These books are collectors of good memories or visual time capsules. So, the way a scrapbook was written into “Lost and Found” was not only creative, but gave the episode a unique identity as well.
    • A janitor from a local mall wants to provide information on a missing child case. However, he’s nervous about going to the Center of Missing Children because he doesn’t know if what he saw and heard will truly help rescue the missing child. Tess gives the janitor some words of encouragement, saying, “ “If” is the saddest word in the history of language”. Tess’s conversation with the janitor emphasizes how worrying about “ifs” can sometimes take away the courage to make a difference and reach achievements. Tess’s motherly guidance and headstrong wisdom helped make this scene one of the most heart-warming in “Lost and Found”!
    • Some scenes in “Lost and Found” took place in Frank’s apartment. One of the items in his apartment is a large fish tank. The fish tank was placed on a metal shelf with wheels. A top shelf appeared to make opening the fish tank’s lid difficult. Anytime I’ve seen large fish tanks like Frank’s in entertainment media, they have been placed on their own stands. The lids have looked accessible, so the tank can be opened for cleaning or feeding the fish. With everything I said, Frank’s fish tank was one of the most questionable design choices I’ve ever seen on a television show.

    My overall thoughts:

    Touched by An Angel is both a heart-warming and heart-breaking show. There are times when the script doesn’t shy away from the world’s saddening truths. But there are also times when moments are up-lifting and inspiring, sharing valuable lessons with the characters and audience. “Lost and Found” is a perfect example of how the show can be joyful and sorrowful at the same time. The script addresses how searching for missing children doesn’t always have a happy ending. However, positive moments like Tess encouraging the mall janitor to speak up prevent the episode from becoming too “doom and gloom”. The stories of the missing children and Frank’s relationship with Kathleen were both interesting. Though I wish these stories were placed in their own episodes, to prevent them from competing for screen-time. The on-screen chemistry between Bill Nunn and Jasmine Guy was such a pleasant surprise, due to how sweet it was. Andrew was even given a reason to become involved in “Lost and Found”, as he was able to help in various ways. I have seen this episode before, so the plot twist wasn’t as impactful during the second viewing. Despite this, though, I found “Lost and Found” to be a decent episode.

    Rating: A 3.5-3.6 out of 5

    Image by evening_tao on Freepik
    It’s such an interesting coincidence how, prior to this review, I had only reviewed one Touched by An Angel from season three. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

    Episode Name: Clipped Wings

    Season 3, Episode 18

    Premiere Date: February 16th, 1997

    What I liked about this episode:

    Because this episode of Touched by An Angel revolves around Monica receiving an evaluation for her angelic work, the story takes place within an office building. Despite the limited use of locations, there were two examples of set design I really liked! For about half of the story, Monica mistakenly waits for the start of her evaluation in the waiting room of a psychiatrist’s office. This waiting room was one of the bougiest waiting rooms I’ve ever seen in the history of entertainment media! From marbled pillars and floor to the designer-esque furniture and even a giant cappuccino maker, this space did a convincing job at looking like Heaven on earth. Later in the episode, Monica must meet with the Angel of Angels. His office consisted of warm wood walls, an impressive wood desk, and complimentary blue carpet. Even the large fish tank had its own wooden cabinet, matching the wood of the walls and desk! The Angel of Angels’ office boasted a very masculine style, yet looked classy at the same time. I wish more scenes had taken place in this space.

    What I didn’t like about this episode:

    As I’ve stated in the introduction of this article, Jasmine Guy’s portrayal of Kathleen is the reason why I chose to review these episodes of Touched by An Angel. So, you can imagine my disappointment when, in this episode, Jasmine only appeared in four scenes. Compared to “Sympathy for the Devil” and “Lost and Found”, her acting talents in “Clipped Wings” were underutilized. This was led by the creative team’s decision to prioritize “Monica’s greatest hits”, showing clips from previously aired episodes. There were times while watching this episode of Touched by An Angel where I found myself wondering why Kathleen was even written into the story in the first place? Though Kathleen appeared in “Clipped Wings” for a reason, I think Jasmine should have received more screen-time.

    The story itself:

    As beloved as The Golden Girls have become over the years, that show is infamous for one creative choice: the “clip episode”. A typical “clip episode” of The Golden Girls focuses on the four protagonists sitting around the kitchen table and reminiscing over moments that took place in previous episodes. The Touched by An Angel episode, “Clipped Wings”, took a page from The Golden Girls’ playbook, devoting about 80% of the story to presenting clips of episodes airing before February 16th, 1997. Like I mentioned when I talked about what I didn’t like this episode, the creative team prioritized “Monica’s greatest hits”. Even though the script contained an original story involving Kathleen and another angel named Ruth, this part of the story was featured for only about 20% of the episode. These creative decisions were disappointing, especially since “Clipped Wings” commemorated Monica’s completion of fifty cases.

    The other factors from this episode:

    • When I discussed the story of “Clipped Wings”, I mentioned how about 80% of the story was devoted to presenting clips of episodes airing before February 16th, 1997. In some of these clips, Tess reminds Monica how she shouldn’t take the “easy way out”. I found the inclusion of this advice ironic, as the decision to make “Clipped Wings” a “clip episode” seems like an “easy way out”, especially after watching (and reviewing) “Psalm 151”. I don’t know if this moment of self-awareness was intentional or coincidental. However, I wish the show’s creative team took Tess’s advice and gave this episode a stronger, more creative story.
    • One of the conflicts in this episode is Monica running late for her evaluation meeting. During the meeting, as Tess and Andrew discuss Monica’s flaws with Ruth, they remember how Monica has a history of misunderstanding directions. This realization helps Tess discover Monica’s reason for her tardiness. If Tess knew misunderstanding directions was a problem for Monica, why didn’t she come to the aforementioned conclusion sooner? Also, why didn’t Tess encourage Andrew to go look for Monica before the meeting started?
    • As I just mentioned in this review, Monica is late for her evaluation meeting. This mistake leads Ruth to enforce consequences. When Andrew and Tess object to Ruth’s decision, Ruth declares how Monica is now on her own. But for about half of this episode, Monica was on her own, seeming to be perfectly fine. I’m not sure if this moment of self-awareness was coincidental or intentional. However, I believe Ruth should have given Monica some grace and understanding.

    My overall thoughts:

    Whether a birthday or an anniversary, a 50th year is considered “golden”. From cake toppers to snowglobes, even pieces of art, the shiny metal has become a prize to be won in the journey of milestones. But when it comes to the Touched by An Angel episode, “Clipped Wings”, the show’s creative team missed a “golden” opportunity to commemorate Monica’s milestone of completing fifty cases in a more meaningful way. Unlike “Psalm 151”, where the script prioritized a unique story with its own set of conflicts and resolutions, “Clipped Wings” followed in The Golden Girls’ footsteps by emphasizing clips from previous episodes. This creative decision caused the original story involving Kathleen and Ruth to be overshadowed. Another missed opportunity was not giving Maureen McCormick’s character, Jodi, a larger role in the story. Other disappointing creative decisions include not showing James Earl Jones on-screen, underutilizing Jasmine’s acting talents, and the show’s creative team not taking Tess’s advice. Out of the Touched by An Angel episodes reviewed on 18 Cinema Lane, so far, “Clipped Wings” is my least favorite.

    Rating: A 2.5 out of 5

    Since I’m reviewing some episodes of Touched by An Angel, I figured including this screenshot would make sense. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

    Have fun on television!

    Sally Silverscreen