Tag: 2024

Sunset Over Hope Valley: Lend a Helping Hand

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

This episode of When Calls the Heart shows Elizabeth planning a surprise party for Nathan. Because planning a party can be overwhelming, other residents of Hope Valley volunteer to help Elizabeth. Lending a helping hand is a common theme on the show. Hearties have witnessed individual characters act selflessly, from Rosemary donating bridesmaid dress material for bandages to Lucas sharing the magic of movies with Hope Valley’s residents. But when Hope Valley’s residents join together, Hearties see how anything is possible. Complications have reached solutions because the characters have worked together, putting their differences aside to reach a common goal. The help Hope Valley’s residents provide is genuine, coming from a place of goodness and charm. For me, this is what has made When Calls the Heart enjoyable to watch!

Just a reminder: If you did not see this episode of When Calls the Heart, there will be spoilers within this re-cap.

When Calls the Heart season eleven poster created by Hallmark Media, Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel

Season: 11

Episode: 2

Name: Tomorrow Never Knows

Major stories:

Elizabeth is reminded by Rosemary how Nathan’s birthday is just around the corner. When Elizabeth mentions this to Nathan, Nathan is convinced he’ll receive a surprise party due to Allie’s random decision to go fishing. After school one day, Elizabeth questions Allie about her plans for Nathan’s birthday. Allie confirms her plans only consist of going fishing. These plans change to both a fishing trip and a party because Nathan is still suspecting a party. Rosemary volunteers Elizabeth to plan the party, believing Elizabeth is capable of making this party a reality. As more residents find out about the party, they agree to help with party preparations. On Nathan’s birthday, he and Allie go fishing, where they don’t catch any fish. This works in Allie’s favor as she suggests having dinner at the saloon. At the saloon, Nathan is pleasantly surprised at how many people attended the party. He’s also surprised when Lucas later shows up.

Due to Lucas’ plans for the resort, he decides to sell the saloon. He feels hanging on the saloon would be a conflict of interest. This news makes Mike concerned for his job as saloon manager. When Lee looks at the saloon’s books, he discovers how profitable the establishment is due to Mike’s management. Lee plans on buying the saloon, but allowing Mike to continue managing it. Explaining this plan to Rosemary for the first time causes Rosemary to feel she and Lee don’t spend enough time together due to putting work first. He later explains to Rosemary how purchasing the saloon but allowing Mike to manage it would actually give them more time to spend together. Rosemary agrees to co-own the saloon after hearing Lee’s plan. She even suggests adding a stage to the saloon. When Mike learns of Lee and Rosemary’s plans, he is excited to keep his job.

Birthday cake image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/chocolate-birthday-cakes-collection_765437.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/birthday”>Birthday vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Minor stories:

Rosemary is frustrated at being “scooped” by another newspaper reporter. While some of Hope Valley’s residents are impressed with the competition, Rosemary reads between the lines, discovering how Lucas’ case’s official statement was copied word for word. She figures her problem is how she lacks a source. So, Rosemary turns to Bill for help. Bill questions Rosemary’s interest in Lucas’ case, wondering if all she cares about is creating an exciting headline. Rosemary reassures Bill how she just wants to protect Lucas because he’s her friend. Later in the episode, Rosemary receives a mystery board from Lee.

Bill calls Mei and Mike “newlyweds” as he passes by the pharmacy. Mike and Mei appear a bit uncomfortable by this comment due to how their relationship hasn’t become serious yet. After this comment, Mei has been distant with Mike. Mike thinks he did something wrong, but Mei is afraid to engage in a serious romantic relationship because to a past relationship, as she confesses to Faith. At Nathan’s birthday party, Mei shares her fears with Mike. But all Mike wanted to do was ask Mei to dance.

Faith has her hands full not only running the infirmary, but
also looking after Lily. She is sometimes frustrated by how frequently Lily
changes her mind about things. However, Faith recognizes how much joy Lily has
brought to Hope Valley. While Faith reads a story to Lily, Lily questions where
the parents of the story’s protagonist are. Faith explains how the story’s
protagonist went to live with her aunts. This encourages Lily to ask about her
grandmother. Faith tells Lily how her grandmother is being taken care of at the
hospital. When Lily asks how long her grandmother will stay in the hospital,
Faith suggests Lily close her eyes and picture her grandmother, trying to help
Lily overcome her homesickness. While Lily takes Faith’s advice, Faith closes
her eyes and pictures Fiona.

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

Some thoughts to consider:

·       
I’ve always been confused on how to spell Allie’s
name. In When Calls the Heart’s promotional material, I have seen Allie’s
name spelled ‘Allie’ and ‘Ally’. To maintain consistency and prevent confusion
for my readers, I will be spelling Allie’s name ‘Allie’ for the remainder of
these re-caps.

At the café, Cooper and Toby study for a math test. Toby shares with Cooper how the test questions are the same as their math homework, so he feels he doesn’t have to study. Later in the episode, Minnie addresses what she overheard with Elizabeth as she’s grading the aforementioned math test. But this part of the story was not resolved. Toby is not confronted by Elizabeth and no lessons are learned. Because of everything I said, this subplot felt random.

·       
Henry comes back to Hope Valley! While talking
with Elizabeth, he shares how he visited Abigial and how Abigail wanted him to
be happy. Henry also volunteers to help the Canfields tend the trees in the café’s
backyard. During this episode, I noticed how much happier and calmer Henry
appeared. He seems to have adopted a genuine interest in Hope Valley’s agriculture
and foliage. Therefore, I’m curious to see how Henry’s story turns out this
season!

Sunset image created by Photoangel at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background image created by Photoangel – Freepik.com</a>.<a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/red-sunset-clouds-over-trees_1254327.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What are your thoughts on this episode? How many changes do you
think the saloon will endure? Please tell me in the comment section!


Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen







Word on the Street: Movie Theaters in the U.K. Broadcast Eurovision’s Grand Final

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Two months ago, I wrote a Word on the Street story about how a movie theater chain in Spain will present Eurovision’s Grand Final in their cinemas. In that article, I said I hoped fellow Eurovision participating countries are inspired to provide experiences like the aforementioned Spanish theaters to their Eurovision fans. According to Eurovoix News, I kind of got what I wanted! Originally reported on April 6th, the second-year event will be broadcast “in over 100 cinemas across the United Kingdom”. An official statement from John Travers, from CinemaLive, said, “We want audiences to enjoy themselves, come along in groups, get your fancy dress on, and come together to enjoy this incredible occasion on the big screen!” Similar to Spain, the United Kingdom (U.K.) is capitalizing on their involvement in the song contest. Labeled as one of the “big five” countries, the U.K. is an automatic qualifier for Eurovision’s Grand Final. It is also one year since the U.K. delegation co-hosted Eurovision in 2023.

Theater seats image created by weatherbox at freeimages.com. “FreeImages.com/weatherbox.”

What are your thoughts on this piece of news? Which Eurovision participating country do you wish screened the Grand Final at their theaters? Please tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Article referenced in this post: https://eurovoix.com/2024/04/06/united-kingdom-eurovision-cinemas-2024/

Sunset Over Hope Valley: Nathan’s Standing Ovation

On By 18cinemalane3 Comments

In this season premiere of When Calls the Heart, there were so many things that were inspiring enough to talk about in my re-cap’s introduction. However, I decided to focus on a quote I’ve referenced on my blog before. In the book, Wonder, the protagonist, Auggie, stated “Everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their life because we all overcometh the world.” After a criminal was caught by Nathan in this episode, everyone wants to give Nathan his “standing ovation”. But Nathan doesn’t feel he deserves it, as he thinks he just did his job. The idea of a worthy individual receiving a “standing ovation” is a nice one. However, in order for a “standing ovation” to take place, the person in question has to want it. This is a concept that isn’t explored often in stories. Therefore, I’m glad Nathan’s story gave me something to think about!

Just a reminder: If you did not see the season premiere of When Calls the Heart, there will be spoilers within this re-cap.

When Calls the Heart season eleven poster created by Hallmark Media, Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel

Season: 11

Episode: 1

Name: When Stars Align


Shortly after becoming Governor, Lucas gets shot by someone
he knows. When Bill learns of this news, he informs Nathan and Elizabeth of
what happened. During a phone call, Edwin, Lucas’ campaign assistant, shares
with Elizabeth how Lucas had to have surgery in order for the bullets to be
removed. After learning this, Elizabeth and Bill go to Capital City to visit
their friend. Lucas not only survives his ordeal, he is eager to start his new
journey as Governor. However, he doesn’t remember who shot him. While Lucas is
in the hospital, Henry pays him a visit. Lucas offers him a position on his
team. Though appreciative of Lucas’ offer, Henry turns it down. Later in the
episode, Lucas calls Rosemary and Lee. He informs them of an upcoming radio
announcement and thanks Lee for giving him a patch of land. On the day of the
announcement, Lucas reveals he will build a resort near Hope Valley, using the
land Lee gave him. It is a part of Lucas’ plan to improve Hope Valley and its
surrounding communities.


Four months after Lucas was shot, Nathan arrested Pike, a
man who confessed to shooting Lucas. A gun with Pike’s prints is also
discovered. Believing justice was served, everyone in Hope Valley congratulates
Nathan for saving the day. Everyone except Bill. He feels Lucas’ case was
solved too quickly. Bill also finds it odd how Montague was overlooked as a
potential suspect. During a private discussion, Bill shares his concerns with
Nathan. Nathan confesses how he has his own hunch about the case, as well as
requesting the case remain open. Nathan’s request was denied. Meanwhile,
Rosemary is desperate to become involved in the mystery. By questioning Bill,
she discovers his doubts about the case’s outcome.

Illustrated image of bicycle created by Freepik at freepik.com. Background vector created by freepik – www.freepik.com


Through a telegram, Faith learns Fiona has permanently moved
to Nashville. This news causes Faith to become lonely. She shares her feelings
with Minnie, who reminds Faith how she isn’t alone. In this same episode, Faith
takes care of a patient named Dora. Troubled by Dora’s cough, Faith listens to
Dora’s lungs. Discovering her patient has breathing issues, Faith prescribes
Dora medication. But the following day, Dora experiences a cardiac episode.
Concerned for her patient’s well-being, Faith calls the hospital in Benson
Hills. Because Dora came to Hope Valley with her young grand-daughter, Lilly,
Faith is worried about who will look after the girl. After Dora is sent to
Benson Hills, Dora sends a telegram informing how, during her recovery, Faith
she should look after Lilly.


Because of Fiona’s departure from Hope Valley, Mei has been
tasked with looking after the barber shop. Along with this responsibility, she also
has to maintain the pharmacy. Overwhelmed by everything on her plate, she asks
Mike for his help. He agrees to help, quickly taking note of Mei’s stress.
Offering another helping hand, Mike gives Mei a bike as a gift. He explains to
her how the bike will allow Mei to travel in a shorter amount of time. The
basket on the bike will also give Mei more room to store mud from Hope Springs.
Mei is appreciative of Mike’s gift. Their interaction causes Ned to comment how
Mike and Mei act like an old married couple.


With Lucas recovering in the hospital, Elizabeth reflects on
everything that happened in the four months since he was elected Governor. She
comes to the conclusion that life shouldn’t be taken for granted, as anything
can take place in the blink of an eye. In order to put actions to words,
Elizabeth decides to get a hair-cut. But with Fiona now in Nashville, Elizabeth
thinks the hair-cut will have to be postponed. Being the good friend that she
is, Rosemary volunteers to cut Elizabeth’s hair. Elizabeth accepts her friend’s
offer, but wants a hair-style that is simpler. The next day, Elizabeth reveals
her new hair-style with several of Hope Valley’s residents. The change with
Elizabeth’s hair receives positive results.

Colorful galaxy image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/lovely-hand-drawn-galaxy-background_2943080.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.

Some thoughts to consider:
This season premiere of When Calls the Heart was pleasant! Even though some of the stories were stronger than others, there are things to look forward to for the rest of the season. However, I found this episode’s trailer to be a bit cruel. Within this commercial, there was a clip of Lucas from the previous season. When this clip appeared, a voice-over stated how Lucas doesn’t remember anything. I can only speak for myself, but I thought Lucas had developed amnesia. However, this episode revealed how Lucas doesn’t remember anything about being shot. This isn’t the first time When Calls the Heart’s marketing tried to make its audience assume the worst about Lucas. Plus, Lucas’ fans are likely still disappointed by his and Elizabeth’s break-up from season ten. Personally, I found that part of the trailer to be an unnecessary way to spark an emotional reaction over Elizabeth’s relationships.


When Abigail Stanton was on the show, her café was called Abigail’s Café. Since she owned this establishment, it made sense for it to be named after her. But after she left Hope Valley and the Canfields bought her half of the café, I always wondered why the café was still named after Abigail. While watching the season premiere, I noticed in one scene how the café now boasts a sign stating ‘The Café’. Because this restaurant has been a staple of Hope Valley since, practically, the show’s beginning, it makes sense for the café to not feature any person’s name in the title, as the establishment, figuratively, belongs to everyone.

During one of Elizabeth’s classes, Elizabeth tells her
students how, in the following days, Venus and Jupiter will align in the sky,
causing them to be visible from Earth. I found this part of the story to be an
interesting coincidence because this episode premiered the day before April 8th’s
solar eclipse. This isn’t the first time a story on When Calls the Heart has
been unintentionally relevant with the time it aired on television. In the
seventh season’s fourth episode, ‘Sweet and Sour’, Hope Valley’s chickenpox
outbreak coincidently paralleled 2020’s Coronavirus.

As I mentioned in this re-cap, Lucas shares how he will
build a resort on the land Lee gave him. Even though I’m excited to see this
resort come to fruition, I hope Lucas plans on building a theater on that land.
At this point, it’s a pipe dream for Rosemary to receive her theater. But I’ve
always been hopeful of Rosemary’s dream finally coming true. If any character
is going to make that dream a reality, it’s Lucas. Not only does he have the
funds and resources, he did introduce Hope Valley’s residents to movies through
his saloon.

Sunset image created by Photoangel at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background image created by Photoangel – Freepik.com</a>.<a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/red-sunset-clouds-over-trees_1254327.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What are your thoughts on season eleven’s premiere of When Calls the Heart? What are you looking forward to seeing this season? Let me know in the comment section below!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen



Take 3: Crimes of Fashion: Killer Clutch Review

On By 18cinemalane3 Comments

I’m going to be honest; even though it’s only March, Hallmark has not impressed me with their new mystery films, so far. Both True Justice: Family Ties and Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers were, in my opinion, just ok. I did not enjoy CrimeTime: Freefall, turning the movie off after about forty minutes. Hoping luck would turn itself around, I decided to check out the newest mystery title from Hallmark; Crimes of Fashion: Killer Clutch. In the 2020s, so far, Hallmark has come up with some interesting ideas for their mystery films. While some of those ideas could lead to a potential series, other ideas were not utilized to their full potential. With Crimes of Fashion: Killer Clutch, the movie contains several interesting ideas. Not only does the story take place in Paris, France, the protagonist is a psychologist in the world of fashion. Could these ideas come together to create a stylish and entertaining film? Keep reading my review to find out!

Crimes of Fashion: Killer Clutch poster created by Cineflix Media, Untitled Entertainment, and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

Things I liked about the film:

Brooke D’Orsay and Gilles Marini’s on-screen chemistry: A staple of Hallmark’s mystery films is a male and female protagonist working together to solve a mystery. Sometimes, these protagonists will share a romantic relationship, with the initial spark taking place between these characters in a series’ first film. While it’s unknown at this time if Crimes of Fashion: Killer Clutch will lead to a series, I will say I liked Brooke D’Orsay and Gilles Marini’s on-screen chemistry! Brooke portrayed the protagonist, Lauren, with a warm and bubbly personality. Meanwhile, Gilles’ character, Andre, consistently carried his character with a serious demeanor. However, there were times when kindness broke through the seriousness. Together, Lauren and Andre shared a mutual understanding that allowed them to get along with each other. One scene shows Andre sharing a part of his life story with Lauren. Through the expression on her face and the look in her eye, Lauren appears sympathetic toward Andre. A subtle look of sadness is present in Andre’s eyes, yet he appears he can trust Lauren, despite barely knowing her.

The costume design: If a story is going to take place within the fashion world, the costume design should strive to look appealing to the eye. I can only speak for myself, but there were some style choices I liked seeing in this movie! More often than not, Lauren wears either red or pink. The pieces paired with these shades not only complimented the outfit itself, it also complimented Brooke D’Orsay. While walking home from a party, Lauren wears a red, silk gown with a halter top. As her jacket of choice, she wore a dark denim jacket that sparkled at just the right moments. Throughout the film, Lauren carried a red purse. In one scene, this purse was paired with a short, beige jacket. The dark and warm shades of the aforementioned jackets provided visually appealing color combinations!

Showcasing various facets of the fashion world: Throughout Hallmark’s cinematic history, there have been stories that explored the behind-the-scenes of a given industry. In the case of Crimes of Fashion: Killer Clutch, the world of the fashion industry is examined. When Lauren first arrives in Paris, she is introduced to many members of a fashion label, from a model scout to a financial adviser. This scene alone showcases the many moving parts associated with a fashion company. Lauren learns about counterfeits and how they affect the fashion industry. I’m glad the film’s creative team didn’t shy away from including the not-so-glamourous side of the fashion world, as a more balanced perspective of fashion was presented to the audience.

Sewing pattern image created by Nenilkime at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Nenilkime – Freepik.com</a>. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/sewing-color-background_1380853.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

An underutilized profession: In Crimes of Fashion: Killer Clutch, Lauren is a “fashion psychologist”; meaning she applies her psychology skills to the world of fashion. The idea of a psychologist using their skills and expertise to question suspects and come up with motives makes sense for a mystery story. Featuring a psychological perspective within the fashion world is a unique angle for a Hallmark mystery production. Unfortunately, Lauren didn’t utilize any of her psychology skills toward solving the mystery. In fact, her skills were so underutilized, they became pointless. There were even some characters who refused to accept Lauren’s psychological help. If anything, Lauren seemed more like an over glorified intern.

Thick French accents: I’ve mentioned before on 18 Cinema Lane how the delivery of accents can make or break a production. What can also make or break a production is how thick an actor or actress’ accent is. Within Crimes of Fashion: Killer Clutch, several characters delivered thick French accents. This made it difficult to understand what they were saying and keep track of who was who. There were even subtitles, occasionally, shown on screen to help viewers understand what the characters were saying. However, some time was spent trying to figure out what the characters were saying that I wasn’t able to be fully invested in the film.

Underutilized characters: Riccardo Dolce is a fashion designer Lauren meets while working in Paris. With a striking appearance, Riccardo was surrounded in mystery. I genuinely wanted to know more about his designs, as well as his perspective on fashion. Sadly, Riccardo was featured in the movie only about two or three times total. Toward the beginning of Crimes of Fashion: Killer Clutch, Riccardo claimed he wanted to collaborate with the designer Lauren was hired by. His reasons for the collaboration are never explained. Riccardo is just one of several characters who were underutilized in this film.

Illustration of Paris, France created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/travel”>Travel vector created by freepik – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

When I talked about Mystery Island in my list of the worst movies I saw in 2023, I hoped Hallmark would find the motivation to create better mystery productions. Despite it only being March 2024, I think Hallmark is still looking for that motivation. If I could describe Crimes of Fashion: Killer Clutch in one word, it would be ‘underwhelming’. Lauren’s psychology skills were not fully utilized, making her seem like an over glorified intern. The script caused several characters to be underutilized, sometimes featuring them in the movie for only a handful of scenes. Thick French accents made it difficult to understand what the characters were saying, which prevented me from becoming fully invested in the movie. Up until this point, Hallmark’s newer mystery films seemed to contain ideas that could allow more than one chapter. But now that I’ve seen Crimes of Fashion: Killer Clutch, I honestly don’t know how this story could lend itself to a multi-chapter series.

Overall score: 5.2 out of 10

Have you seen Crimes of Fashion: Killer Clutch? What are your thoughts on the current state of Hallmark’s mystery movies? Tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Argylle Review

On By 18cinemalane2 Comments

Here at 18 Cinema Lane, “newer” theatrically released movies are rarely reviewed. One reason for this is how I have prioritized older films and made-for-TV productions. But since I recently saw Argylle, I found a good excuse to write about a “newer” theatrical film! The mystery genre is the most popular genre on 18 Cinema Lane, as I have stated before. While Argylle isn’t exactly a mystery film, it seemed to contain elements of mystery based on the movie’s marketing. The marketing also had a distinct color scheme and style, boasting argyle patterns in either blue or yellow. However, any fan of film would know it takes more than pretty looking marketing to make a good movie. All of the right pieces have to fall into place in order for a movie to not only be financially successful, but to also be acclaimed by both the critics and the audience. So, what are my thoughts on Argylle? Keep reading my review to find out!

Argylle poster created by Apple Original Films, Marv Films, Cloudy Productions, Apple Studios, and Universal Pictures

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: When an actor or actress portrays a protagonist, what can work in their favor is bringing a sense of likability to their role. In Bryce Dallas Howard’s case, her portrayal of Elly presented a realistic looking performance that could make the audience feel empathetic for the story’s main character. A great example is when Elly takes her first plane ride. Due to her anxious feelings, she consistently taps and shakes her head while also shutting her eyes. She explains to Aiden how these physical gestures are intended to be a coping mechanism. Another example takes place when Elly is reunited with her cat, Alfie. When this reunification happens, Elly’s hands are shaking, a visually sign she was distressed over Alfie’s well-being.

Throughout Argylle, Elly interacts with Aiden. Portrayed by Sam Rockwell, Aiden had a laid-back personality and a dry sense of humor. Sam had nice on-screen chemistry with Bryce as well. A good scene between Elly and Aiden is during her aforementioned first plane ride. As Elly is trying to cope with her anxious feelings, Aiden helps Elly through her ordeal, calmly talking to her with a soothing tone of voice. He also gives her direct eye contact, emphasizing how he has Elly’s undivided attention. To me, this scene was one of the better scenes in Argylle, as the interaction between Aiden and Elly felt genuine!

Based on what I know about Bryan Cranston’s performances, he seems to, typically, be cast as characters that either have no-nonsense attitudes or a dry sense of humor. In Argylle, Bryan portrayed a character called Director Ritter. While Bryan consistently carried his character with a serious persona, there wasn’t much room in his performance for humor, as he portrayed an antagonist. Despite this, Bryan was expressive throughout the film! When he is frustrated by an agent’s mistake, Director Ritter has an irritated look on his face. He also has a stern look in his eye, indicating his bottled-up anger. More subtle expressions like this one worked in Bryan’s favor, allowing his character to have a distinct personality!

Fight choreography: Because Argylle is classified as an action film, there are a collection of action scenes scattered throughout the story. Several of these scenes involve choreographed fights between characters. The way the fights were choreographed was fluid and fast paced. The back-and-forth action between the characters sometimes felt like a ping pong game in motion. One such example is when Aiden fights multiple people on a moving train. As he goes from car to car, the ultimate fight continues. The adrenaline remained consistent in this scene, which helped it be an exciting moment in the film! The fight scenes in Argylle were also presented in creative ways. Different elements and materials were used to bring unique ideas to the big screen.

The allegories: Action movies aren’t typically known for having thought-provoking or creative writing. In Argylle, though, I was impressed by the incorporation of allegories! A scene that showcased a good example is when Elly and Aiden enter an empty room. Prior to this scene, Elly is told to write her next book as she and Aiden go along. Based on how I interpreted it, the empty room represented Elly’s writer’s block. The evidence that supports this claim is how, earlier in the story, Elly is experiencing difficulty writing another novel in her book series. An empty room is waiting to be furnished, just like a story is waiting to be told. While still in the empty room, Elly rips wallpaper off the walls. This, from my interpretation, was an allegory for a writer finding a breakthrough from their writer’s block!

Tools of a writer image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/camera-and-coffee-near-notebook-and-accessories_2399437.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/vintage”>Vintage image created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

A drawn-out story: According to IMDB, Argylle has a run-time of 2 hours and 19 minutes. Though stories set at a little over two hours can be well paced and delivered, Argylle is drawn out. The problem was the creative team trying to satisfy their film’s run-time by placing an abundance of plot twists into their story. Most of these plot twists were effective. But I think a few of them could have been cut from the script.

Things that don’t make sense: There are moments in Argylle that don’t make sense the longer you think about them. One example is when Elly and Aiden are trying to locate someone. While sitting in a public park, Aiden and Elly do their research on Elly’s laptop. Meanwhile, antagonists are trying to locate Elly and Aiden, using technology at their disposal. Why would Elly and Aiden put themselves in a vulnerable position when they know the antagonists could easily figure out what they are doing?

Henry Cavill’s limited presence: In my review’s introduction, I briefly mentioned Argylle’s marketing. One aspect of this movie’s marketing was Henry Cavill’s inclusion. From what I remember, Henry was heavily featured in the marketing, making it seem like he was one of the film’s main stars. Even though his character, Argylle, was important in the story, Henry’s overall presence in the movie was limited. Without spoiling the film, I will say this limited presence was explained. However, this creative decision made Argylle’s marketing seem somewhat misleading.

Ice skating pair photo created by fxquadro at freepik.com. Image by fxquadro on Freepik

My overall impression:

When I chose to watch Argylle, I thought I had an idea what type of movie I was about to watch. While I was correct on some aspects, there were surprises along the way. A few of these surprises were the allegories sprinkled throughout the story and the abundance of plot twists. Out of the expected elements of the movie, Argylle had its strengths; from the acting performances to the fight choreography. But the film does have its flaws. Some of them range from having a drawn-out story to presenting misleading marketing. In my opinion, though, Argylle was an exciting, enjoyable picture! It won’t become one of the best movies of the year. But the film was, for me, a memorable experience!

Overall score: 7.2 out of 10

Have you seen Argylle? Which 2024 movie releases are you looking forward to? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Word on the Street: Spanish Movie Theaters to Feature Eurovision’s Grand Final

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Though this piece of movie news isn’t actually “movie news”, it does involve movie theaters. Therefore, this month’s Word on the Street story provides an interesting tidbit of news. Originally reported on February 23rd by Eurovoix News, the Spanish theater chain, Cinesa, has agreed to present Eurovision’s Grand Final in their theaters. With tickets becoming available on April 1st and continuing this screening for a seventh year, Cinesa is carrying their tradition of bringing Eurovision to the contest’s Spanish fans. Over the years, I’ve heard of sporting events and theatrical productions being broadcast in cinemas. There have even been concerts recorded in a documentary style and screened at theaters. But this is the first time I have heard Eurovision being shown in a movie theater. Spain is certainly capitalizing on their presence in the competition, as Spain is not only competing in Eurovision’s Grand Final, the Spanish band, Megara, will be representing San Marino.  Cinesa’s decision to present Eurovision’s Grand Final makes me hope fellow Eurovision participating countries are inspired to provide experiences like this for their Eurovision fans!

Empty theater photo created by rawpixel.com at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background photo created by rawpixel.com – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What are your thoughts on this piece of news? Do you wish Eurovision was screened at your local theater? Please tell me in the comment section below!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Article referenced in this post: https://eurovoix.com/2024/02/23/cinesa-eurovision-2024/

Take 3: Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers Review

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It’s been stated before on 18 Cinema Lane that my Hallmark related content is some of my most popular content. I’ve also mentioned how the mystery genre is the most popular one on my blog. Whenever Hallmark releases a mystery film through Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, that has, usually, been a recipe for success for my movie reviews. With all that said, I chose to write about the second Hallmark Movies & Mysteries film to premiere in 2024; Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers! In my review of True Justice: Family Ties, I brought up how Hallmark’s newest mysteries boasted distinct identities. With Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers, it is Hallmark’s first historical fiction mystery title! As I stated in my Word on the Street article about CrimeTime: Freefall, these new mystery movies from Hallmark Movies & Mysteries have the potential to start a new series. So, let’s take a carriage ride and solve a mystery, as I review Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers!

Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers poster created by Front Street Pictures and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: Once upon a time, Ali Skovbye starred on When Calls the Heart, portraying Abigail’s daughter, Becky. By appearing on the show, Ali was given the opportunity the work alongside various actors and actresses. While watching Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers, I could tell Ali’s television experiences worked in her favor! Throughout the movie, Ali was able to maintain good on-screen chemistry and camaraderie with the other cast members! After Emma’s half-brother, Brady, is arrested, Emma visits Brady in jail. During their visit, Brady appears frightened, fear displayed in his eyes and concern woven into his speech. Not only is concern seen in Emma’s eyes, a mixture of concern and reassurance can be heard in her voice. Any time Brady and Emma interact, Ali Skovbye and James Drew Dean’s on-screen camaraderie shown through, thanks to their acting talents! In the film, Emma interacts with her friend, Harriet. Portrayed by Amira Anderson, Emma and Harriet’s friendship appears genuine, making the audience believe these characters were friends long before the events of the movie. Once again, the on-screen camaraderie worked because of Ali and Amira’s acting abilities!

The wardrobe: Attention to detail can make or break any movie, especially a historical/period film. One way attention to detail can be showcased is through the wardrobe. Emma is surrounded by elite society in Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers. This social status is reflected in the characters’ attire. However, how wealthy a character is can be found in specific details. While Emma is connected to the Vanderbilt family, she doesn’t enjoy the financial benefits of being a Vanderbilt. At a debutante party, Emma wears a simple blue gown, displaying smaller details such as a lace collar, sparkly appliqués, and a little diamond necklace. Emma’s cousin, Gertrude, is also a wealthy relative. But her dress is a light pink gown covered in lace and featuring bigger puffy sleeves. Gertrude not only wore a bigger diamond necklace, she also wore a diamond tiara.

The set design: Wardrobe is not the only department where a film’s creative team can display attention to detail. In historical fiction or period specific movies, the set design can give the audience the illusion they traveled back in time. A creative team’s attention to detail can successfully pull off this illusion, as well as feature interesting design choices! In some of the homes in Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers, stained-glass windows could either be seen in the background or in exterior shots. At Emma’s house, beautiful stained-glass windows featuring grapes were shown in the kitchen. Some homes also included fireplaces, boasting unique styles and designs. At Uncle Cornelius’ office, engraved wood patterns framed the fireplace. In another house, mosaic tiles surrounded the fireplace.

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

What I didn’t like about the film:

Keeping track of who’s who: In any mystery story, there are a collection of characters. Most of these characters serve as potential suspects for the audience to speculate over. An abundance of characters were featured in Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers. But some of these characters did not make frequent appearances in the film, with their names being brought up more than they were shown on screen. It should also be noted how this movie had a larger cast. All this made it difficult to keep track of who’s who.

A dialogue heavy story: Dialogue is an important component of any film. For the mystery genre, dialogue can contain clues and necessary information about the film’s case. In Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers, there were few physical clues included in the story. This forced the characters to rely on dialogue to solve the mystery. The movie having a dialogue heavy story also forces the audience to pay attention to what the characters are saying. If an audience member misses one piece of dialogue, they will be confused by what is happening in the film.

A low sense of urgency: There is, typically, a sense of urgency in murder mystery stories. This is because the characters express desire to catch the guilty party quickly, in order to prevent more people from getting hurt. While there is a murder mystery included in Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers, the overall sense of urgency was low. Emma’s involvement in elite society is prioritized throughout the story. The low sense of urgency in the movie also caused the story to feel a bit drawn out.

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My overall impression:

Because Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers is Hallmark’s first historical fiction mystery title, it allows the movie to stand out among the network’s other mystery programs. While this uniqueness can encourage viewers to check the movie out, the true question lies in if this uniqueness can serve a movie series. It’s unknown at this time if Gilded Newport Mysteries will inspire more than one film. But only speaking about Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers, the 2024 release emphasizes style over substance. It’s obvious the creative team behind the movie cared about the presentation of their project. The finer details of the set and costume design allowed the film to feel immersive, giving the audience the illusion they traveled back in time. When it comes to the mystery itself, however, it could have been stronger. Keeping track of who’s who and a dialogue heavy story could leave some viewers confused as the movie moves along. The low sense of urgency within the story makes the film kind of feel drawn out. If there is another chapter given to Gilded Newport Mysteries, I’d like to see a crossover between Gilded Newport Mysteries and A Biltmore Christmas! Since both titles have some connection to Vanderbilt, it would be interesting to see the protagonists of both movies interacting with each other!

Overall score: 6-6.1 out of 10

Have you seen Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers? Would you like to see Gilded Newport Mysteries develop into a series? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Word on the Street: Could a Sequel to ‘The Polar Express’ Come to a Theater Near You?

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While conducting research for this year’s Sally Solves a Mystery article, I came across an interesting movie news story from the website, ComicBook. Gary Goetzman, one of the producers of the 2004 Christmas film, The Polar Express, is eager to work on a sequel for the aforementioned movie. Despite the excitement, Gary recognizes the challenges of creating a sequel twenty years after the first film. In an article written by Brandon Davis, Gary talks about his film-making plans, stating, “But it becomes, there’s so much involved with, ‘Who’s artistic property would that be? Would that be?’ It’s just not like, ‘Hey, let’s go do another free sailing! So, they all take time and that’s okay because we don’t mind things going slowly. But that is trying to be worked out now, for sure, Polar 2. Yes.”

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When I first heard of this piece of movie news, two thoughts came to mind. The first thought was how will the creative team behind a sequel to The Polar Express prevent the film from looking dated? One reason why The Polar Express is such a note-worthy title in cinematic history is the motion capture technology that was applied to the film. In 2004, that style of film-making was revolutionary, viewed then as “ahead of its time”. But twenty years later, some people have criticized The Polar Express for appearing as “uncanny valley” due to how fluid technology is. The second thought was how a sequel to The Polar Express likely won’t have long term success at the box office. 2024 will be oversaturated with sequels, with about twenty-three sequels planning to premiere in theaters. Some notable sequels received disappointing box office results in 2023, such as Fast X, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, and Shazam: Fury of the Gods. With that said, I think Gary Goetzman should take the money, time, and energy that would have gone toward a sequel to The Polar Express and adapt a different Christmas story.

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What are your thoughts on this piece of movie news? Do you like the idea of The Polar Express receiving a sequel? Tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Link to the referenced article: https://comicbook.com/movies/news/polar-express-2-development-gary-goetzman-tom-hanks/

Take 3: True Justice: Family Ties Review

On By 18cinemalane6 Comments

Recently, I’ve been referencing the newest Hallmark Movies & Mysteries title, True Justice: Family Ties; within my list of the top ten best movies I saw in 2023 and when I talked about CrimeTime: Freefall in a Word on the Street story. Because the mystery genre is the most popular one on my blog and since I haven’t reviewed a mystery film since last October, I chose True Justice: Family Ties as the first movie to review in 2024! The 2020s has, so far, not been a strong decade for Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. When it comes to their mystery programs, the network has produced more stand-alone films, leaving only two series to continue. But as I mentioned in my aforementioned Word on the Street story, the three new mystery films premiering on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries this year, so far, have potential to create a multi-story series. It should also be noted how each of these three movies seem to have their own unique identity, allowing them to stand out against one another. Could True Justice: Family Ties be the start of a new chapter for Hallmark Movies & Mysteries? Turn the page on this review to find out!

True Justice: Family Ties poster created by Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: Katherine McNamara portrays the film’s protagonist, Casey. Throughout the movie, she tries to prove her brother, Marcus, was falsely accused of committing a murder. Even though Casey and Marcus shared only a few scenes together, both Katherine and Sam Ashe Arnold, the actor who portrayed Marcus, sold the idea their characters were siblings who truly cared about one another! In the scenes where Casey visits Marcus in prison, there is very present fear in Marcus’ eyes. You can even hear concern and uncertainty in his voice. While in prison, Marcus seems shaken up due to his surroundings. Meanwhile, the tears Casey sheds for her brother appear genuine. She looks and sounds heartbroken by Marcus’ fate. Because of Sam and Katherine’s performance, I wish these characters shared more scenes together.

True Justice: Family Ties is about a team of characters who come together to solve the film’s mystery. In order for this idea to work, it’s important to cast a group of actors who will make that on-screen teamwork appear believable. That was achieved in this movie, as the friendship among the “Justice Warriors” felt genuine, showcasing the camaraderie between these characters! One example presents Sarah and Liam discussing their plans for the future and what inspired them to make certain choices in their life. With Sarah being a law school student and Liam having his own private investigation business, differences are set aside to show them forming a friendship and getting along well with each other. Because of Alexander Nunez’s charisma and Marisa McIntyre’s believable performance, I could honestly see their characters forming a romantic relationship if True Justice: Family Ties became a series!

Utilized talents and skills: As I previously mentioned in this review, True Justice: Family Ties is about a team of characters who come together to solve the film’s mystery. To create a story with a good team of characters, each character needs to receive an opportunity to utilize their respective skills and talents. This movie allows Casey and her friends to use their talents, skills, even their intern/business experiences to their advantage. Because each character brings something different to the table, every character plays a role in solving the case. Sarah is a law school student who is also an intern at a forensic office. She is able to utilize her knowledge of the law and her internship to find fingerprints and rule out suspects. This was a great way to make Sarah a valued member of the “Justice Warriors”!

A unique perspective: A decade ago, Hallmark created the Darrow & Darrow mystery series. In that series, the characters solved mysteries by approaching each case from a legal perspective. If someone were to only read the synopsis of True Justice: Family Ties after watching Darrow & Darrow, they would wonder what the difference between these two titles are. Casey and her friends are law school students in True Justice: Family Ties. The only exception is Liam, as he has his own private investigation business. The overarching story in the Darrow & Darrow series primarily revolves around Claire Darrow and Miles Strasberg. As I mentioned in this review, the story of True Justice: Family Ties focuses on a group of characters instead of just the male and female protagonist. These creative differences allow the 2024 mystery film to adopt an identity that sets it apart from its predecessors and other current mystery titles!

Law school textbooks image created by Peter Skadberg at freeimages.com. “FreeImages.com/Peter Skadberg.”

What I didn’t like about the film:

Situations happening too quickly: Fans of the mystery series from Hallmark Movies & Mysteries will know that solving a mystery is a process. This process involves multiple steps, with these steps broken down to allow the audience to solve the mystery alongside the protagonist(s). In True Justice: Family Ties, however, situations happened too quickly. From discovering suspects to finding clues, these steps were sped up, making the mystery solving less interactive. Even the reveal of the guilty party happened so fast within the film’s last ten minutes.

Weak on-screen chemistry: In most of Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ mystery series, the main male and female protagonist will form a romantic relationship over the course of the series. Sometimes, the foundation of that relationship will be set up in a series’ first film. If True Justice: Family Ties becomes a series, it is assumed Eli and Casey will become the main romantic couple. But, in my opinion, Katherine McNamara and Markian Tarasiuk did not have strong on-screen chemistry. This is because their characters went back and forth between disliking each other and being friends. I recognize the screenwriters were attempting to incorporate the ‘enemies to lovers’ trope into the story. But in True Justice: Family Ties, that trope was not effective.

A random romance: Nikki Deloach and Benjamin Ayres star in True Justice: Family Ties as Professor Ambrose and D.A. Quinn. When returning to class to retrieve her notebook, Casey discovers Professor Ambrose and D.A. Quinn are sharing a romantic relationship. To me, this part of the story was random. That is because a) prior to that scene, there was no indication these characters even knew each other and b) these characters appeared in only a handful of scenes. Maybe if D.A. Quinn and Professor Ambrose had been given their own subplot where they built their relationship over time, their romance wouldn’t seem so sudden.

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My overall impression:

As of the release of this review, two other mystery films are scheduled to premiere on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries; Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers and CrimeTime: Freefall. These movies, including True Justice: Family Ties, have potential to spark a multi-story series while boasting distinct identities. Even though it’s too early to determine what is in store for these titles, I can share my thoughts on True Justice: Family Ties! The first film to be released on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries this year was, in my opinion, just ok. The mystery wasn’t interactive enough for the audience because situations happened too quickly. Not only was D.A. Quinn and Professor Ambrose’s romance random, Katherine McNamara and Markian Tarasiuk’s on-screen chemistry was weak due to the screenwriting. However, the movie did have its strengths, such as the acting performances and how each character was able to utilize their skills and talents. It was also nice to see a story focus on a group of characters, providing a different type of story for Hallmark’s collection of mystery titles. At the end of the year, it’ll be interesting to see how True Justice: Family Ties compares to Hallmark’s other 2024 released movies!

Overall score: 6 out of 10

Have you seen True Justice: Family Ties? Are you excited for Hallmark’s other mystery movies? Please tell me in the comment section below!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Word on the Street: Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Adds Third Film to Their Programming Schedule

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In my list of the top ten best movies I saw in 2023, I mentioned two upcoming mystery films from Hallmark Movies & Mysteries; True Justice: Family Ties and Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers. Now, the network has added a third title to their current programming schedule! The new movie, CrimeTime: Freefall, will premiere on February 23rd. Led by Luke Macfarlane and Lyndie Greenwood, the story is about an actress who moves to a small town and uses her acting experiences to solve mysteries. After reading the film’s synopsis on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ website, I took note of two things.

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In the 2020s, so far, Hallmark has come up with ideas for their mystery movies that work well enough as a stand-alone story. But once that story is told, it is difficult to expand that idea into a multi-movie series. With each new movie premiering on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries in 2024 so far, it seems like these films have the potential to tell a multi-part story. In the case of CrimeTime: Freefall, the synopsis sounds simplistic enough to allow the story to travel in many directions. A decade ago, when Hallmark Movies & Mysteries created some of their most beloved series, there were mystery series that took place in a small town. Some notable examples are the Garage Sale Mysteries series, the Aurora Teagarden series, and the Mystery 101 series. Like those aforementioned titles, CrimeTime: Freefall takes place in a small town, according to its synopsis. To me, this indicates Hallmark is utilizing creative elements that worked for their mystery stories in the past.

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What are your thoughts on this new movie? Do you think it could become Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ next series? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Source article for this story: https://www.hallmarkmoviesandmysteries.com/crimetime-freefall/about-crimetime-freefall