Tag: 2020s

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

    Word on the Street: ‘The Batman Part II’ Receives New Release Date

    On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

    I first talked about The Batman Part II in a Word on the Street story back in May, writing how Sebastian Stan was joining the film’s cast as Harvey Dent/Two-Face. But a month later, I wrote another Word on the Street story about how Sebastian may portray a different villain. Now we won’t yet know what role Sebastian will receive due to The Batman Part II becoming, once again, delayed. In an article from Variety, Zack Sharf reports Warner Bros. giving the movie a third release date. The Batman Part II’s first scheduled date was October 2nd, 2026, followed by the studio pushing the film back to October 1st, 2027. The new release date, confirmed by director, Matt Reeves, is going to be February 18th, 2028. While the schedule change “will give Reeves additional time in post-production” (according to Zack) and James Gunn (the current co-chief of DC Studios) stated “how it’s “fairly common” for big-budget titles to have lengthy gaps before a sequel is released”, Matt McGloin (of Cosmic Book News) speculates a possible reason for The Batman Part II’s new release date. Within his article, Matt claims James desires to incorporate Batman into Man of Tomorrow, which will be released in July of 2027. Alan Ritchson is also speculated as “a frontrunner” to portray a version of Batman “in the vein of DC’s smash hit comic Absolute Batman.” However, the reason for The Batman Part II’s schedule update was not confirmed by anyone directly/officially affiliated with the project.

    Coming soon movie image created by Macrovector at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by macrovector – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    As already said in this Word on the Street story, James Gunn stated “how it’s “fairly common” for big-budget titles to have lengthy gaps before a sequel is released”. Some of the examples he gives are the following:

    • Gap between Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol.2 and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3: 6 years
    • Gap between Alien and Aliens: 7 years
    • Gap between The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgement Day: 7 years
    • Gap between Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water: 13 years
    • Gap between The Incredibles and Incredibles 2: 14 years
    • Gap between Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick: 36 years

    Even though these listed films and their sequels have proven successful (some even earning the title of “classic”), there is no guarantee The Batman Part II will financially and critically succeed at the box office. Though it should be noted how The Batman collected a profit of $772, 512,903 with an estimated $200,000,000 production budget, making the movie the seventh highest grossing title of 2022. But a risk that comes with pushing back a sequel’s release date is decreased enthusiasm from the audience. Along with that, the branch of cinema where superheroes reigned supreme at the box office has been losing steam. It seems like, lately, there have been more losses than wins. However, Batman is a character that has survived the changing tides of the film industry. Whether it was 1989’s Batman or The Dark Knight trilogy, Batman has proven to be adaptable, especially when it comes to advancements in cinematic technology. With everything said, it’ll be interesting to see if The Batman Part II’s creative team will take advantage of promotional opportunities like creating a Super Bowl trailer, hosting a presentation at San Diego Comic Con, or bringing back The Batman Calzony to maintain the audience’s enthusiasm in their project.

    What are your thoughts on this piece of movie news? Does The Batman Part II’s new release date affect your enthusiasm toward the film? Please tell me in the comment section!

    Have fun at the movies!

    Sally Silverscreen

    References:

    https://variety.com/2026/film/news/the-batman-2-release-date-2028-first-footage-pattinson-1236811623/

    https://cosmicbook.news/alan-ritchson-gunn-dcu-batman-frontrunner

    https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Batman-The-(2021)#summary

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_in_film#Highest-grossing_films

    Take 3: Young Washington Review

    On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

    2026 marks the 250th birthday of the United States of America’s founding. Because of this major milestone, MovieRob selected July’s Genre Grandeur theme as “Red, White and Blue Movies”. This means a chosen film has to deal “with The American Revolution, American Patriotism or related to the 4th itself”. For my selection, Young Washington, I had planned to publish my review on July 4th. But because of my schedule at the time, I didn’t get the chance to see the 2026 picture as soon as I had hoped. Now that I’ve seen the movie, I can finally post my review for MovieRob’s Genre Grandeur Blogathon! As I already mentioned in this introduction, a chosen film for the event had to deal “with The American Revolution”. When George Washington appears in entertainment media revolving around this period in history, the story itself focuses on what led up to the signing of The Declaration of Independence. In Young Washington, however, the story explores the events that shaped George into the leader history remembers him as today. Reflecting on The American Revolution related pieces of entertainment media I’ve seen, heard, or read, Young Washington’s approach to this specific time period seems to have addressed a creative void.

    Young Washington poster created by Wonder Project, 2521 Entertainment, Angel, Provident Films, Radar Pictures, Red 56, Ten Ton Studio, and Wild Atlantic Pictures

    Things I liked about the film:

    Incorporation of the story’s natural landscape: IMDB lists Ireland as Young Washington’s primary filming location. Yet the story is set in Virginia. Since the majority of the movie takes place outdoors, the forest landscape of America’s tenth state was given center-stage through long and medium shots. Clear blue waters, rolling green hills, and what appears to be pine trees literally and figuratively represent the “calm before the storm”, as the Ohio Territories are at the center of a major conflict. This same landscape was also shown at different times of the day as well as in different climates. On a few occasions, snow covered the forest floor and trees. Paired with a gray-blue sky, this landscape visually presented a peaceful environment, despite the uncertainty this type of terrain brings. The incorporation of Young Washington’s natural landscape added natural beauty to the film. This creative decision also reminded me of Europe’s natural landscape receiving importance in I Am David, showing a side of the United States of America that could be easily taken for granted.

    The acting: As I just mentioned in this review, the Ohio Territories are at the center of a major conflict in Young Washington. The reason is because the French desire to claim the land as their own. In order to convince the French to leave, George is tasked with persuading a French military officer named Joseph Jumonville. In a scene where George negotiates with Joseph, Joseph, at first, appears very jovial. His huge smile, jolly demeanor, and laughter gives George (and the audience) the impression things will go George’s way. But as soon as George addresses the French residing on the Ohio Territories, Joseph’s attitude immediately changes. His intense stare and sharp tone of voice lets George (as well as the audience) know he means business. Joseph’s change in attitude causes a shift in the scene’s atmosphere, raising the stakes of the situation. Despite having a limited presence in Young Washington, Joseph became such a memorable part of the movie! That’s because the actor who portrayed Joseph, Clement Toyon, gave a performance that was captivating due to his flawless transition between attitudes. With that said, I wish Joseph made a few more appearances in the film.

    While George and a surveyor named Christopher are surveying the Ohio Territories, they cross paths with Half-King Tanacharison. Similar to Joseph Jumonville, Half-King Tanacharison appears in Young Washington for a limited period of time. Also similar to Clement Toyon’s portrayal of Joseph, Half-King Tanacharison was so memorable because of Ryan Begay’s performance! Whenever he showed up in the story, Half-King Tanacharison carried himself with a strong confidence, his demeanor letting others know how he should be taken seriously. At the same time, Half-King Tanacharison carried a gentleness which emphasized how he was a leader who sought fairness. These combined characteristics in demeanor allowed Ryan’s performance to contain a commanding presence. Because we’re on the subject of leaders, I must talk about William Franklyn-Miller’s portrayal of George Washington! Like I said about Liev Schreiber’s portrayal of Orson Welles in RKO 281 and Tom Hulce’s portrayal of Amadeus in Amadeus, William brought humanity back to George’s name by finding the heart of the “genius” and putting some genuine emotion behind it. What I also liked about William’s performance is how it possessed a strong sense of realism. This element didn’t show an actor portraying a historical figure, but, instead, a young man becoming the leader he was destined to be. Working in William’s favor as well is his understanding how to utilize emotion and when to increase or decrease the intensity of those emotions.

    Historical accuracy: Filmmakers have the ability to create the illusion of immersion. This illusion makes the audience feel immersed in a movie’s world, giving them a reason to stay invested in the story. One way to achieve the illusion of immersion is through historical accuracy. When a film’s creative team adopts that element of storytelling, research and attention to detail must be prioritized in order to effectively bring the chosen time period back to life. While watching Young Washington, the historical accuracy could be seen as well as felt! One of my favorite examples is when George attends a party at the Belvoir plantation. Every room within the plantation is lit by candles. Throughout scenes taking place at the plantation, the lighting was consistently dim. Looking back on the movies I’ve seen (and even reviewed) relying on historical accuracy, I never thought about how a film’s lighting could affect a film’s historical accuracy, let alone illusion of immersion. The example I brought up of the dim lighting in Young Washington allows the audience to grasp how different lighting options were in the 1700s.

    The dialogue: An underrated film-making element is the quality of a script’s dialogue. If the dialogue among a movie’s characters is good, it can become a memorable component of the movie itself. As I watched Young Washington, there was dialogue that stood out to me because of how good it was! When George applies for the British Army, he is ultimately rejected due to his social status. To prove his worth, George presents his collection of quotes he wrote down while being tutored by his half-brother, Lawrence. But George is told how an imitation of great men doesn’t make him one. This quote not only encourages George to forge his own path in life, it also foreshadows George’s future. Earlier in the story, Lawrence teaches George how to play chess. During the lesson, Lawrence says how a pawn can take a king. This quote was, once again, clever foreshadowing, as George’s role in the American Revolution helped the Thirteen Colonies break away from a king ruled government to form the United States of America. The two examples of dialogue I presented in this review show how much thought and effort went into the screenwriting as well as how the dialogue was delivered!

    Children holding American flags during a sunset image created by rawpixel.com at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/people”>People photo created by rawpixel.com – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    What I didn’t like about the film:

    Inconsistent incorporation of subtitles: Earlier in this review, I brought up how George and Christopher cross paths with Half-King Tanacharison while surveying the Ohio Territories. Christopher and Half-King Tanacharison share a conversation, despite never meeting before. Half-King Tanacharison and Christopher’s conversation is not in English, yet no subtitles appear on the screen during their conversation. But any other time characters speak to one another in a language that isn’t English, subtitles are present on the screen. This inconsistency became noticeable to me by the third non-English conversation characters shared in Young Washington.

    A missing “And then what happened” segment: In movies based on true stories, there is sometimes a segment toward the end of the movie explaining what happened to the story’s key individuals after the events presented in the movie. But Young Washington lacked this kind of segment. Toward the end of the 2026 film, on-screen text reveals a few of the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. However, what happened to key people from Young Washington, like Sally Cary, David Frisk, and even Robert Dinwiddie, was not brought up. This creative decision left me disappointed, as I wanted to know more about the people in the story.

    Some underutilized talent: Before watching Young Washington, I knew Kelsey Grammer starred in the movie. From what I remember, he was heavily featured in the movie’s marketing. At the end of the film, Kelsey himself delivered a message on the film’s importance. Yet he appeared in Young Washington in two scenes as Lord Fairfax. One of my family members almost forgot Kelsey was cast in the movie due to his very limited screen-time. While I understand why Kelsey starred in the film for a short period of time, this was one example where, to me, talent was underutilized.

    Since colonial style hats were worn throughout Young Washington, including a photo of the small colonial style hat from my Oh Lil Christmas Tree collection made sense. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

    My overall impression:

    The best way I can describe Young Washington is a “hero’s journey” woven into a history lesson. Throughout the 2026 movie, the audience sees George experience both trials and triumphs. What the audience of Young Washington also sees is solid acting performances, immersive historical accuracy, and a beautiful forest landscape. They can hear dialogue that is well written and delivered, as well as good messages and themes. Another strength of Young Washington is the ebb and flow between action-heavy, suspenseful scenes and quieter, slower-paced scenes. This ebb and flow maintained the story’s intrigue, keeping me invested in what was happening on screen. There are flaws within the 2026 picture, like inconsistent incorporation of subtitles and some underutilized talent. But, in my opinion, there’s a lot Young Washington got right when it comes to film-making. Now that we’re at the halfway point of 2026, I can honestly say I’ve seen more movies, so far, I liked than didn’t. Young Washington is one of those films belonging to the first category of movies I liked!

    Overall score: 8 out of 10

    Have you seen Young Washington? Is there a movie set around the American Revolution you like? Please tell me in the comment section!

    Have fun at the movies!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Why ‘Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries’ is One of the Worst TV Shows I’ve Ever Seen

    On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

    In March of 2023, I wrote an editorial explaining why the mystery movie, Francesca Quinn, PI, is, in my opinion, the worst Hallmark movie I’ve ever seen. Three years later, that editorial has become my most popular one at over ten thousand views! But I honestly didn’t think I would publish another editorial like my Francesca Quinn, PI editorial. That changed, however, when I saw UP Network’s television series, Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries. Before this particular program debuted as a TV show, a preceding movie titled Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise premiered on UP Network. When I reviewed the film last year, I found it to be just ok. However, I saw potential for Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise to lead a series, as UP Network had an opportunity to bring something new to the table of made-for-TV mystery films. When I discovered Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries would become a television series, I believed I would get what I wanted; a continuation of the story that learned from the movie’s flaws while maintaining the strengths the movie put in place. But the longer I watched the show, I saw how I wasn’t getting what I wanted the way I wanted it. Before I explain why Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries is, in my opinion, one of the worst TV shows I’ve ever seen, I must make it very clear that everything said in this editorial is not meant to be disrespectful or mean-spirited. The purpose of this editorial is to, simply, express my honest opinion about a television show delivering wasted potential.

    Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries (2026) poster created by American Cinema Inspires

    A Broken Illusion of Immersion

    The visual elements of filmmaking, such as costume design, set design, and even establishing shots are woven together to create a specific illusion. This illusion makes a film’s or television show’s audience feel immersed in the story’s world, as if they are alongside the characters as the movie or show progresses. But a mishandled detail can break that illusion, preventing the audience from becoming truly invested in the story’s world. It’s established in the Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries TV show, and even in Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise, that the story takes place in Sugarcreek, Ohio, a state known for possessing the four seasons (Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter). Yet, in the first three episodes of Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries, taking place between Thanksgiving and Christmas, every establishing shot of Sugarcreek shows a very green landscape; green leaves on trees, green grass, and even green fields. If there was, for example, a lack of funds to purchase/rent a machine to create fake snow, why didn’t the screenwriters attempt to craft their story around the Spring and Summer time? Then, featuring green landscapes as establishing shots would have built the illusion of a warm climate environment. A consistent part of Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries is the Swiss Miss, the store the show’s protagonist, Cheryl, works at. The view outside the windows is a large sheet with a picture of buildings surrounding the Swiss Miss printed on it. But this illusion is broken because, in a scene where a character leaves the store, a medium shot reveals edges of a gray wall, the borders of the sheet shown through one of the windows. The broken illusion of immersion found in some moments of Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries sometimes took me out of the show.

    This establishing shot is from the Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries trailer. I included it in my editorial as an example of the type of establishing shot featured within the show’s first three episodes (taking place between Thanksgiving and Christmas). Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries establishing shot found on IMDB.

    Stripping Away the Movie’s Creative Identity

    When I reviewed Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise, I praised the movie for pairing Cheryl, an English woman, and Naomi, an Amish woman, together as amateur sleuths. As I said in my review, this pairing was a creative way to avoid some of the tropes and clichés of made-for TV mystery films, such as a story’s female and male protagonist working together to solve the mystery, with these characters eventually forming a romantic relationship. When Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries became a television show, Naomi returned to the story but wasn’t really involved in solving mysteries alongside Cheryl. Instead, her role on the show consisted of sharing tidbits about Amish culture and quoting Scripture. Similar to Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise, I liked the incorporation of Amish culture. I also liked the inclusion of Scripture quotes, as it felt reminiscent of Hallmark’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered series. But not allowing Naomi and Cheryl to work together to solve mysteries strips away the movie’s creative identity which lay the blueprint for the television series. Not only does this creative decision do the character of Naomi a disservice, it also does the actress who portrays her, Denise Gossett, a disservice.

    Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise poster created by American Cinema Inspires

    Inconsistent storytelling

    The biggest flaw of the Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries TV show is the writing. One specific weak spot within the script is the inconsistent storytelling. I remember toward the beginning of the show’s first episode, ‘The buggy before the horse’, Naomi finds a silver necklace on the floor of her family’s barn. This necklace plays no role in the episode, let alone the rest of the series. An important detail about Cheryl that was established on the Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries television show and in Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise (from what I remember) is how interested she is in the mystery genre. She even listens to a true crime podcast on her way to work. While amateur detectives are likely to make mistakes, the mistakes Cheryl makes don’t add up for someone who seems to consume a lot of mystery genre stories. A glaring example is when Cheryl touches evidence after her office at the Swiss Miss was vandalized, despite Sugarcreek’s police chief’s, Chief Twitchell’s, warning not to do so. When parts of the story don’t match up, it can become a distracting detail. Because the inconsistent storytelling happened on several occasions throughout Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries, I couldn’t stay fully invested in the story.

    Detective work image created by Photoroyalty at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/investigation-background-design_1041877.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Photoroyalty – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    Lack of urgency

    As I shared my overall impression of Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise, I said if UP Network is serious about creating a series out of this movie, they need to fix the lack of urgency. But when Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries became a TV show, the creative team behind the program doubled down on that lack of urgency, choosing to prioritize the story’s wholesome moments over the mysteries themselves. This imbalance between the mysteries and wholesome moments negatively impacted the story to the point I couldn’t take it seriously. In the show’s fourth episode, ‘Off the Beaten Path’, an FBI agent is desperately trying to find his grandmother, believing she boarded a bus full of tourists that went missing. The FBI agent fears his grandmother may be in danger, acting as if finding her is his top priority. Yet, he can somehow find the time to feed the goats on Naomi’s family’s farm, causing the momentum of the FBI agent’s frantic search to come to an abrupt halt. I recognize the brand of UP Network emphasizes family-friendly content. Even though there is a time and place for family-friendly content, this emphasis overshadowed the mysteries, causing the episodes to receive a slower pace and even feel boring.

    Living room interior image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/house-s-living-room-with-flat-design_1195527.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/design”>Design vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    Like I said in the introduction of this editorial, I honestly didn’t think I would publish another editorial like the one about Francesca Quinn, PI. This is because I never thought I’d come across another program that was so bad (in my opinion), it warranted its own editorial explanation. As someone who not only wrote about Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise, but was also looking forward to the Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries TV show, saying the television program was a disappointment is an understatement. To quote Alan from the Youtube channel, Film Threat, Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries is “profoundly awful”. Besides the flaws I pointed out throughout my editorial, this TV show was plagued by other errors. Some of these errors are repetitive storytelling (Cheryl’s office at the Swiss Miss gets robbed three times over eight episodes), a consistently weak performance from Galadriel Stineman (the actress who portrayed Cheryl), and parts of the story that don’t make sense (a character named Lacey perfectly fits into an outfit designed for Naomi’s daughter, Esther, who is several inches shorter than Lacey). According to Net, from the blog, It’s a Wonderful Movie, the creative team behind Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries has been filming a second season. However, I haven’t heard any official word if the show has indeed been renewed. If Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries does receive a second season, I’d like to see the show’s creative team learn from their mistakes. A few ways to do this are maintaining the illusion of immersion, telling a more consistent story, and incorporating more urgency into the script. At the same time, I would like to see Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries embrace what made Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise unique, like having Naomi become more involved in solving mysteries alongside Cheryl.

    Have fun on television!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Take 3: Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder Review

    On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

    Compared to the previous decade, Hallmark hasn’t prioritized the mystery genre. While the network has released new titles, the overall quality has greatly fluctuated. Some pictures, like Haunted Harmony Mysteries: Murder in G Major and Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans, were solid projects that brought uniqueness to Hallmark’s table. But other pictures, like Mystery Island and Francesca Quinn, PI, left audiences desiring more. Hallmark also seems to be more selective about which titles receive a sequel. One of those titles is Nelly Knows Mysteries. I reviewed Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement in 2024. Though I thought the movie was just ok, there were aspects that I believed could have provided multiple chapters to the story. So, when I discovered Nelly Knows Mysteries would receive a sequel, Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder, I wanted to check the film out (and review it) with an open mind. Is the second Nelly Knows Mysteries chapter better or worse than the first one? In order to solve this mystery, you’ll have to read this review!

    Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder poster created by Muse Entertainment, Hallmark Channel, and Hallmark Mystery

    Things I liked about the film:

    The set design: The majority of Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder takes place at Palmer Arlott’s house. Because the Arlott family is one of the more affluent families in Nelly’s neighborhood, the set design throughout Palmer’s home perfectly reflects this aspect of her life. One notable example is Palmer’s dining room. In the dining room, black walls surround the space, including a black wood wall over the fireplace. Gold frames around paintings nicely contrast with the dark hue of the walls. A detailed maroon rug is placed over the cherry wood floor. The cherry wood dining room set and the antique gold and crystal chandelier help balance the darker and lighter colors of the room. Even the fireplace boasted stone carvings. All of these details created a dining room that exuded elegance!

    How the mystery affects the protagonist: Murder mystery stories will often place so much emphasis on the protagonist solving the case, the case’s effect on the protagonist is rarely brought up. In Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder, Nelly shares her feelings about the murder to Michael. After the murder victim is discovered, Nelly feels guilty about the crime that took place. She believes if the dinner party the murder victim attended (and was hosted based on advice her advice column provided) hadn’t happened, no one would have been murdered. Not only does Nelly honestly express these feelings with Michael, Michael reassures Nelly what happened was beyond her control. Similar to Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement adding realism by addressing one of Nelly’s flaws, acknowledging Nelly’s feelings about the murder mystery brought realism to Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder, as well as added a different story element to the realm of Hallmark mysteries.

    The costume design: When I reviewed Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement, I praised Nelly’s wardrobe because it not only complimented Pascale herself, it was also stylishly presented on screen. This strength continues in Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder! Once again, Nelly incorporates pink into her attire, wearing a pink tweed jacket in one outfit. But the rest of the outfit was built around the jacket, with simple gold jewelry, black shoes, and black pants coordinating nicely with the jacket’s black and gold buttons. Green provides a bridge between the darker and lighter hues of the outfit, with Nelly wearing a green shirt and a green crossbody purse. While watching Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder, I noticed how the wardrobe of the other characters stood out! One great example is what Palmer wore when she was first introduced in the film. Similar to Nelly’s aforementioned outfit, Palmer wore a grayish blue tweed jacket, with the rest of the outfit built around the jacket. A white blouse, faded powder blue pants, and black shoes give a nice blend to the outfit’s varying colors. Palmer’s simple silver belt adds elegance to the outfit!

    Magnifying glass and fingerprint image created by Alvaro_Cabrera at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/loupe-over-a-fingerprint_853908.htm’>Designed by alvaro_cabrera</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/glass”>Glass vector created by Alvaro_cabrera – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    What I didn’t like about the film:

    Lack of urgency: In my review of Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, I criticized the film’s lack of urgency. That flaw caused the movie’s pace to slow down and it drew the story out a bit. Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder also lacked urgency. More often than not, Nelly and Michael are shown sharing conversations between each other and other characters than actively solving the case. This made it seem like the protagonists took their time catching the culprit. Like Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, the pace of Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder was slowed down and the story felt drawn out due to the amount of urgency in the movie.

    Prioritizing the family drama: Prior to the murder taking place, Palmer invited her family over to her house to discuss who would receive her inheritance. Her decision causes drama among the Arlott family, every member having their reason for disagreeing with Palmer’s choice. But the script placed so much emphasis on the family drama, it ended up overshadowing the mystery. In fact, Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder felt less like a mystery story and more like an extended episode of a soap opera. If the script had found a balance between the family drama and the mystery, more intrigue would have been added to the film.

    Underutilizing Eli Flint: When Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder was announced back in January, it was revealed Eli Flint (from True Justice: Family Ties) would appear in the movie. I was looking forward to his inclusion in the story, especially since I believe this is the first cross-over between two Hallmark mystery titles. But when I saw Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder, Eli only appeared in two scenes. Not only that, his role in the mystery was minimal. Because Eli now has experience solving a mystery, it would make sense for him to play a larger role in the story. Underutilizing Eli’s skills and perspective was, in my opinion, a missed opportunity. For Hallmark’s first mystery cross-over, it was disappointing.

    Pancakes and Syrup image created by vextok at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/banner”>Banner vector created by vextok – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    My overall impression:

    I recently said Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery was an ok film not only because of the movie’s lack of urgency, but also because Hannah’s sister, Michelle, was underutilized in the story. I feel similarly about Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder. Like the latest Hannah Swensen Mystery chapter, the newest Nelly Knows Mysteries film lacked urgency, making it seem like the protagonists took their time catching the culprit. Eli Flint, from True Justice: Family Ties, was underutilized, despite his inclusion providing the first cross-over in Hallmark mystery movie history. But, like Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder possessed elements I liked. The story, once again, welcomed realism by acknowledging Nelly’s feelings about the murder mystery. Another consistent strength was the costume design, perfectly suiting Nelly as well as the rest of the characters. The set design in the Nelly Knows Mysteries sequel was visually appealing and perfectly represented the affluence in Palmer’s life. But with me finding both Nelly Knows Mysteries titles just ok, I wonder what the future of this series is?

    Overall score: 6 out of 10

    Have you seen Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder? Would you like to see Hallmark cross over more of their mystery films? Tell me in the comment section!

    Have fun at the movies!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Take 3: Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery Review

    On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

    As I’ve said before on 18 Cinema Lane, the overall quality of Hallmark’s Murder She Baked/Hannah Swensen series regressed when the series changed its name from Murder She Baked to Hannah Swensen. Most of the movies released since the name change have been either disappointing or ok, in my opinion. However, I keep watching the Murder She Baked/Hannah Swensen series in the hopes the quality will get better. When I discovered another chapter in the series, Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, was on the way, I was actually intrigued. The idea of Hannah and company forced to solve a mystery while stuck at a costume party sounded reminiscent of Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans. Because of how much I liked that film, I was interested in seeing how the creative team behind the Murder She Baked/Hannah Swensen series would approach the concept of a locked room mystery revolving around a costume party. How does Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery compare to Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans? Keep reading my review to find out!

    Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery poster created by Hallmark Media and Hallmark Channel

    Things I liked about the film:

    The costume design: Like I said in this review’s introduction, Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery shows Hannah and company forced to solve a mystery while stuck at a costume party. If a movie’s creative team is planning on incorporating a costume party into their story, giving the cast costumes that are not only visually appealing, but also compliments the cast members should be a top priority. This was achieved in Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery. However, the creative team’s attention to detail is one of the ways the visual appeal and complimentary appearance of the costumes was achieved! Hannah dresses up as a mermaid at Lake Eden Inn’s masquerade party. Her sky-blue dress was covered in sparkles and pearls. Netting material with attached starfish presents the illusion the “mermaid” is wearing a skirt. A blue and pink tiara, as well as a teal necklace, not only compliments Alison Sweeney’s blue eyes, they also correlate nicely with Hannah’s teal phone case. Other examples of wardrobe details that work in the costumes’ favor are red sneakers for a costume of Dorothy (from The Wizard of Oz) and a sparkly red heart purse for Delores’ Red Queen (from Alice in Wonderland) costume.

    The costume party’s set design: The majority of Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery takes place at the aforementioned Lake Eden Inn’s masquerade party. To make a movie’s party space inviting, the creative team needs to utilize their budget, resources, and location provided to plan an event that feels fun and festive. Similar to what I said about the costume design in Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, the fun and festive appearance of the masquerade party was achieved through attention to detail! The walls were covered with a black curtain-like material. Black mesh-like material was draped across the ceiling with string lights, creating a cozy tent around the dance floor. String lights were tied together on gold curtains and black support pillars glowed with yellow light around the party area. On one wall, masquerade masks were placed inside picture frames, showcasing themed “masterpieces” as official party décor. Even miniature masquerade masks helped create colorfully adorable centerpieces. I really liked how Lake Eden Inn’s masquerade party looked because of how much detail was given to this space!

    Delores’ toned down antics: Ever since Delores was given the private investigator subplot in One Bad Apple: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, her antics have been silly and over-the-top in the Murder She Baked/Hannah Swensen series. In fact, her antics have been so over-the-top and silly, I couldn’t take her seriously as a character. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case in Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery. While Delores was the sassy, head-strong woman she’s always been known as, her antics were toned down. This allowed her interactions with other characters to feel believable, such as when she’s interrogating a suspect. Delores’ toned-down antics also made her a more likable character compared to some of the series’ more recent previous films.

    Young chef image created by Iconicbestiary at freepik.com <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Iconicbestiary – Freepik.com</a> <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/young-cook-background_1311107.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a> Image found at freepik.com

    What I didn’t like about the film:

    Lack of urgency: Murder mystery stories taking place in the present typically include a sense of urgency. This gives the characters motivation to solve the mystery before the guilty culprit hurts other people. But in Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, that sense of urgency was lacking. It’s understandable for Hannah and company to keep the news about the murder mystery from the party guests, in order to prevent panic and fear. However, the characters seemed to be taking their time solving the case, even though the guilty culprit was right under their noses. The creative decision to not prioritize a sense of urgency within Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery slowed down the movie’s pace and drew the story out a bit.

    Hannah and Chad’s inconsistent screen-time together: Since Victor Webster joined the cast of the Murder She Baked/Hannah Swensen series, his on-screen chemistry with Alison Sweeney was the strongest in Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery. This helped make Chad and Hannah’s relationship finally feel believable to me. But in this newest Murder She Baked/Hannah Swensen chapter, Hannah and Chad’s screen-time together was inconsistent. One reason why is how Chad and Hannah worked separately when attempting to solve the murder mystery. Another reason is how there was no subplot revolving around their relationship. I was disappointed by these creative choices because I actually looked forward to seeing Hannah and Chad together.

    Underutilization of Michelle: Hannah’s sister, Michelle, is featured in Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery. When it comes to her involvement in the story, however, she only appears in about three scenes total. Plus, Michelle has little to no participation in solving the case. In my opinion, it was such a missed opportunity not to utilize Michelle more in this newest Murder She Baked/Hannah Swensen movie. Since she is a photographer, perhaps she could have been recruited as the masquerade party’s official photographer.

    Blue masquerade party Image by freepik

    My overall impression:

    In the introduction of this review, I asked how Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery compares to Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans. Now that I’ve seen the latest installment in the Murder She Baked/Hannah Swensen series, I have an answer to that question. At best, Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery is an ok film. But, at worst, it’s a weaker version of Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans. The lack of urgency made Hannah and company seem to be taking their time solving the case, slowing down the movie’s pace and drawing the story out a bit. I also didn’t like how Hannah and Chad shared an inconsistent amount of screen-time together. Michelle, Hannah’s sister, could have been utilized more throughout the story, such as being the official photographer of Lake Eden Inn’s masquerade party. Despite these flaws, Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery does contain elements I did like. The costume design, as well as the costume party’s set design, featured a lot of attention to detail, making those parts of the movie visually appealing and memorable. I even could take Delores seriously as a character because her antics were toned down. If anything, though, Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery prioritized style over substance.

    Overall score: 6 out of 10

    Have you seen Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery? If the Murder She Baked/Hannah Swensen series continues, what would you like the next story to be about? Please tell me in the comment section!

    Have fun at the bakery!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Take 3: Kraven the Hunter Review

    On By 18cinemalane12 Comments

    I’ve been participating in Taking Up Room’s So Bad It’s Good Blogathon since the very beginning. Because I didn’t have a go-to “so bad it’s good” movie at the time, I have seen the blogathon as an opportunity to search for my “so bad it’s good” title, with the search itself becoming a saga on 18 Cinema Lane. In my review of Jesse James Meets Frankenstein’s Daughter, I learned to look for films that were built on a gimmick. Then, after watching Mount Hideaway Mysteries: Heartache and Homecoming, I learned to search for movies that are so bad, they are, at times, unintentionally funny. But for this year’s So Bad It’s Good Blogathon, I chose my selected title differently. I heard from several movie-related Youtubers that Kraven the Hunter possessed qualities that made the film “so bad it’s good”. Remembering their opinions, I picked the 2024 movie with an open mind, hoping I had finally found my “so bad it’s good” title. Though there were moments in the movie that were unintentionally funny, I can’t say Kraven the Hunter will earn the coveted title of “so bad it’s good”. To explain why I feel this way, I will compare the 2024 film to a movie that has been widely regarded as “so bad it’s good”; Mommie Dearest. Even though I will bring up the 1981 movie from time to time, it’s to emphasize the point that Kraven the Hunter didn’t really live up to its “so bad it’s good” potential.

    Kraven the Hunter poster created by Columbia Pictures, Marvel Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Avi Arad Productions, Matt Tolmach Productions, Film in Iceland, and Sony Pictures Releasing

    When it comes to Mommie Dearest, I see the movie less as a “so bad it’s good” picture and more of a character study about family dynamics and the motivations behind them. However, I can recognize why the 1981 title is regarded as “so bad it’s good” in the eyes of many. One of these reasons is Faye Dunaway’s over-the-top portrayal of Joan Crawford. Her antics stand out against a backdrop that feels ordinary or mundane. Even her lines like “No wire hangers, ever!” and “Tina! Bring me the axe!” have become iconic because of Faye’s excessively dramatic delivery. But in Kraven the Hunter, the only memorable character is Sergei/Kraven himself, as he is the film’s protagonist. The rest of the characters weren’t given the context in order to stand out. Two of the movie’s villains, the Foreigner and Aleksei/Rhino, seemed interchangeable. They don’t have many discernible characteristics that allow them to embrace uniqueness. Even when Aleksei transformed into his alter ego, Rhino, it was for the benefit of the plot instead of helping Aleksei become a memorable character. Meanwhile, Sergei’s/Kraven’s father, Nikolai, tries to stand out within the story. However, these efforts feel forced, with his lines sounding less like conversation and more like lines found on the movie’s official merchandise.

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

    From what I’ve heard over the years, Mommie Dearest was never intended to be a “so bad it’s good” presentation. In fact, it was meant to provide a chance for Faye to potentially earn an Oscar, let alone a nomination. Despite this good intention, the 1981 film shows its audience how good ideas led to bad results. The simpler reasons for the movie’s existence allow viewers to accept its “so bad it’s good” status at face value. As I watched Kraven the Hunter, however, I kept wondering what the point of the movie was supposed to be. When I brought the film up in my list of Ten Movie Trends I Don’t Understand, I said it was a Spider-verse villain movie without the presence of Spider-Man. But Kraven the Hunter doesn’t take the time to build up Sergei/Kraven as a legitimate threat for Marvel’s friendly, neighborhood superhero. Instead, Sergei/Kraven is reminiscent of Eric Draven and Ashe Corven from The Crow and The Crow: City of Angels; only inflicting violence on villains and criminals that deserve to face accountability. This makes some of the characters’ warnings about karma and the dangers of Sergei/Kraven becoming like his villainous father not make sense. Even the movie’s plot twist was so convoluted, it makes that part of the story pointless. Instead of seeing Kraven the Hunter as “so bad it’s good”, it was so confusing, I found it difficult to understand what the film was trying to say.

    Since Sergei/Kraven is a character from the Spider-Man comics, I figured featuring this poster of Spider-Man in my review would, kind of, make sense. Avengers: Endgame Spider Man 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

    One of the most unbelievable moments from Mommie Dearest is when Joan took her daughter, Christina’s, role on the soap opera Christina starred on. While Christina (who was 27 at the time) was recovering from surgery, Joan temporarily starred on Christina’s soap opera as Christina’s character, even though Joan was much older than the character herself. Though this moment seems too good to be true, it actually happened. There’s even a New York Times article about this creative decision. The idea of Joan, who was 60 years old when she appeared on Christina’s soap opera, portraying a character that’s in her twenties seems “bonkers”, adding to Mommie Dearest’s “so bad it’s good” reputation. Kraven the Hunter, on the other hand, doesn’t really have any “bonkers” moments or situations. This is because the film takes itself a little too seriously as an action picture. The concept of a man possessing animalistic instincts, skills, and powers to defeat other characters could sound “bonkers” on paper. Even the idea of a man becoming a rhino seems like a silly gimmick. But the creative team behind Kraven the Hunter didn’t embrace the sillier aspects of the source material they were adapting. While there were moments in the movie that were unintentionally funny, as I mentioned in this review’s introduction, these moments were inconsistent.

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

    According to IMDB, Paramount (the studio that distributed Mommie Dearest) took advantage of their audience’s fascination with Mommie Dearest by billing “the film as a camp classic”. People even “flocked to see the film armed with Ajax and wire hangers to actively “participate” with the film”, in a similar fashion to movies like The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Like I mentioned earlier in this review, Mommie Dearest featured iconic lines like “Tina! Bring me the axe!” and “No wire hangers, ever!”. There are also memorable moments like Joan cutting Christina’s hair. People developed an interest in Mommie Dearest because it was memorably bad. But Kraven the Hunter lacks the memorability Mommie Dearest achieved. One previously mentioned contributor was the lack of stand out characters (besides Sergei/Kraven himself). Another contributor is how, in Kraven the Hunter, there are stretches of time where characters just talk between each other. If these dialogue-heavy moments had been evenly spaced out throughout the story or had the writing itself been a little bit stronger, maybe the dialogue could have added memorability to the movie. But the writing was so flat, it made Kraven the Hunter feel uninspired. The stretches of time featuring dialogue-heavy scenes not only affected the overall pace of the film, it also caused Sergei/Kraven to have less screen-time than the title of the movie would suggest.

    The Eighth So Bad It’s Good Blogathon banner created by Rebecca from Taking Up Room

    Have you ever seen a movie that was just “meh”? That’s how I feel about Kraven the Hunter; too weak to be good or great but not outrageous enough to be bad or disappointing. When I participate in the So Bad It’s Good Blogathon, I expect my selected movie will not be as strong as movies I’ve actually enjoyed. But I hope my experience watching the film will, at least, be somewhat entertaining. While there were entertaining moments because they were unintentionally funny, I can’t say the same for the rest of Kraven the Hunter. The film as a whole was uninspired largely due to the writing. From most of the characters being unmemorable to stretches of time where dialogue-heavy scenes were emphasized, I found myself being underwhelmed, more often than not. But the biggest opportunity missed by the film’s creative team was not embracing the gimmick and its silliness from their project’s source material. If Kraven the Hunter’s creative team hadn’t taken their project so seriously, maybe my movie-viewing experience would have been similar to when I reviewed Tarzan in Manhattan last year. Or maybe finding my “so bad it’s good” movie requires an acquired taste I haven’t quite received yet.

    Overall score: 5 out of 10

    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

    Word on the Street: Hallmark Mystery’s ‘Mystery Island’ Series Receives Two More Chapters

    On By 18cinemalane3 Comments

    In the 2020s, mystery series have become less common on Hallmark Mystery. Murder, She Baked/Hannah Swensen, Curious Caterer, and Signed, Sealed, Delivered are, currently, the only mystery series with three or more movies. But Hallmark looks to be changing that by adding two more films to the series known as Mystery Island. According to IMDB (Internet Movie Data Base), Mystery Island: Play for Keeps and Mystery Island: House Rules have been given official pages. On the page for Mystery Island: Play for Keeps, June 5th is the scheduled release date. The official page for Mystery Island: House Rules simply states the film is “completed”. The synopsis for both movies is the following:

    Mystery Island: Play for Keeps: “Mystery Island hosts a corporate retreat with a guest being Emilia’s ex-fiancé. Old feelings become complicated, tensions run high, and allegations arise when a guest is found dead.”

    Mystery Island: House Rules: Mystery Island success raises plans of expansion, and the Island team meets their Mystery Mountain counterparts for a friendly murder game, but the fun ends with a murder in plain sight”.

    Magnifying glass image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/magnifying-glass-with-fingerprint-in-flat-style_2034684.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/flat”>Flat vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    Just in 2025 alone, some of Hallmark’s creative choices have been questionable. Their decision to create two more films in the Mystery Island series is one of them. If you look at the IMDB page for Mystery Island, you’ll see most of the reviews are negative. The sequel, Mystery Island: Winner Takes All, received fewer reviews on IMDB. This indicates less viewers watched the second movie. However, all of these reviews are negative. With that said, it makes me wonder why Hallmark would give so much time, energy, and resources to a series that has gotten decreasing viewership numbers and consistently poor reviews?

    Travel suitcase image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/water-color-travel-bag-background_1177013.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    What are your thoughts on this piece of movie news? Are you looking forward to the continuation of the Mystery Island series? Let me know in the comment section!

    Have fun at the movies!

    Sally Silverscreen

    The IMDB pages referenced in this article:

    Mystery Island: Play for Keeps: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt36415104/?ref_=tt_mlt_t_11

    Mystery Island: House Rules: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt36415198/?ref_=tt_mlt_i_1

    Take 3: Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back Review

    On By 18cinemalane18 Comments

    Lately, I’ve been reading books for the Eurovisionathon readathon as well as conducting research for my upcoming Sally Solves a Mystery article. But I wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to review Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back! Leading up to the premiere of Hallmark’s newest presentation, I was going to write a Word on the Street story sharing my thoughts on the film’s trailer. This did not happen because Hallmark gave the movie almost nonexistent marketing. On Hallmark Channel’s website, there were no promotional photos, trailer, or official poster presented for Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back. Only three images on IMDB (Internet Movie Data Base) make up any promotional campaign this film received. Even on social media, the only people I saw talking about the film were POstables (fans of the Signed, Sealed, Delivered series). Despite this minimalistic marketing approach, I was looking forward to Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back. That’s because I was curious to see who would portray the rock star character and how that character would impact the mystery.

    Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back promotional image created by Moon Water Productions, Muse Entertainment Enterprises, and Hallmark Channel

    Things I liked about the film:

    Correcting the predecessor’s mistakes: When I reviewed Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters last year, one of my criticisms was Shane and Oliver’s relationship problems. In my review, I said the couple’s woes got to the point where they didn’t seem compatible like in previous films. It looks like Signed, Sealed, Delivered‘s creative team took this criticism seriously, as Oliver and Shane appeared more compatible in Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back! Throughout the movie, the couple are shown genuinely supporting and loving one another, making their moments together feel reminiscent of past installments. Even when Oliver is facing a bit of an identity crisis, Shane never gives up on her husband. She cheers Oliver on from the (figurative) sidelines and lets Oliver deal with his situation on his own terms. Because Signed, Sealed, Delivered’s creative team placed more emphasis on the loving interactions between Shane and Oliver, they fixed a mistake from the previous chapter!

    A humble celebrity: In some Hallmark productions, the story will include a public figure (either a celebrity or royalty) who needs to learn humility by the end of the movie. But in Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back, that celebrity was already humble. Nate Holloway is the rock star I mentioned in this review’s introduction. When the POstables turn to Nate for help with their letter-related mystery, he is reluctant to give away any information. This is because he’s protecting a close friend who chooses privacy over fame. Though he eventually shares his friend’s identity with Oliver and Shane, Nate reveals how his friend has written all his hit songs. However, Nate also shares how he sets aside money for his friend, showing acknowledgement and appreciation for his musical success. Through the screenwriting and William Wilder’s performance, Nate Holloway was such a pleasant surprise in Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back!

    A mystery within a mystery: The mystery of Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back involves the POstables tracking down the sender of a mysterious letter. Not only do the POstables turn to Nate for help, they go on a multi-state road trip in order to solve the mystery. While the story continues, however, another mystery emerges from the initial, previously stated one. This second mystery isn’t revealed until about the film’s half-way point. I liked this creative decision of presenting a mystery within a mystery! The way Signed, Sealed, Delivered’s creative team incorporated these mysteries into their script allows the audience to stay invested in the movie, as well as maintain intrigue!

    Music and stage image created by Topntp26 at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/music-sign_1179519.htm’>Designed by Topntp26</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/vintage”>Vintage image created by Topntp26 – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    What I didn’t like about the film:

    Forced humor: Back in February, when I reviewed Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, I talked about how the film’s humor felt forced. In that review, I said Delores’ antics and gimmicks came across as too over-the-top and silly. I also said Delores’ interactions with other characters felt like they belonged in a sit-com. The creative team behind Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back made this same mistake; presenting humor that feels forced. One example is when Oliver, Shane, Rita, and Norman meet up for brunch. During this gathering, the friends discuss who is having a baby. This discussion quickly turns into miscommunications about who is pregnant and how many babies they are having. The scene itself is drawn out to about a little over a minute, lasting longer than necessary. The conversation sounded very repetitive as well. Norman, Rita, Shane, and Oliver talked in an animated fashion, making their discussion feel over-the-top. What I just described sounded like a scene out of a sit-com. All it was missing was a laugh track.

    Far-fetched resolutions: Hallmark’s presentations, more often than not, make their audience suspend a certain amount of disbelief. Sometimes, this suspension of disbelief can be so great, the audience can’t take that movie seriously or believably. This happened on a few occasions in Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back. At the Dead Letter Office, Norman is trying to figure out the identity of the letter’s sender. A few seconds after analyzing the handwriting, Norman is able to conclude certain aspects of the sender’s identity, such as their age. While I’m aware the Signed, Sealed, Delivered series is a fictionalized version of postal detective work, I found the discovery of Norman’s resolution too far-fetched. I couldn’t take Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back seriously because of moments like the one I brought up.

    An emphasis on Oliver’s subplot: Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back features a main plot (the mystery with its accompanying mystery that I mentioned earlier in this review) and two subplots. These subplots are the preparations for a fundraising gala and Oliver receiving a box from his biological father. The creative team behind the 2025 film decided to place the most emphasis on Oliver’s subplot. Personally, I found this subplot the least interesting part of the movie. No new information is revealed from this box, especially for viewers who have consistently followed the Signed, Sealed, Delivered series. The box itself and Oliver’s response to it have very little connection to the other plots in the script. Any time Oliver’s subplot came up in the movie, I wanted the story to go back to showing the characters either planning the gala or solving the mystery. The box did not present a strong conflict that needed to be resolved by the end of the story.

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

    My overall impression:

    While Shane, Rita, Oliver, and Norman discuss the mysterious letter in Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back, Rita says the letter itself says so much and nothing at all at the same time. Rita’s statement is the best way I can describe this newest chapter in the Signed, Sealed, Delivered series. On the one hand, there are aspects of the film I liked. The movie improved upon some of the predecessor’s flaws, like making Oliver and Shane’s relationship seem more compatible. I also liked how Nate was a humbler celebrity and how the story contained a mystery within a mystery. On the other hand, several creative errors held the film back from becoming a stronger picture. The creative team behind Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back chose to emphasize Oliver’s subplot, which I found the least interesting part of the story. Far-fetched resolutions and forced humor prevented me from taking the movie seriously. Looking back on the Signed, Sealed, Delivered films from this year and last year, I think the series should have stayed in retirement. These titles lack the cozy charm that made the series stand out from others on Hallmark Mystery. How can we expect more films from Signed, Sealed, Delivered when Hallmark provided very little marketing for this movie?

    Overall score: 6 out of 10

    Have you seen Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back? Do you think the Signed, Sealed, Delivered series will continue? Please tell me in the comment section!

    Have fun at the movies!

    Sally Silverscreen