My 14th Sunshine Blogger Award!

On June 28, 2025 By 18cinemalane18 Comments

Out of all the awards I’ve been nominated for, the Sunshine Blogger Award is the one I’ve received the most. My recent nomination from Maddy (of Classic Film And TV Corner) is now my 14^th nomination! As with past Sunshine Blogger Awards, I will answer the eleven questions Maddy provided to the nominees. Then, I will nominate eleven bloggers and give them eleven new questions. Before I begin this award post, I’d like to thank Maddy for this nomination of the Sunshine Blogger Award!

Happy sun 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.

1. Which film made you a classic film fan?

For me, it wasn’t just one film. It was actually having access to so many classic films through Turner Classic Movies. When it comes to the channel’s catalog, Turner Classic Movies has premiered a variety of titles; from the iconic pictures to the lesser known tales. In fact, I discovered movies such as Bedlam, Tommy, and A Little Romance because of Turner Classic Movies!

2. What are your top 5 Westerns from the classic era?

Sadly, I don’t have an answer for this question. That’s because I don’t watch movies from the Western genre consistently enough to choose top five favorites. This is definitely a sign I need to review more Western films.

3. Favourite British film from the 1940’s?

This is another question I don’t have an answer for. Similar to what I said about Western films, I don’t watch 1940’s British movies regularly enough to choose a favorite. But I do need to check out more titles so I can, one day, have a go-to film.

4. A director whose work you haven’t seen or need to see more of?

Though not a director, Joe Pasternak has produced two films I liked; Anchors Aweigh and The Unfinished Dance. But I realized while looking through his filmography how I haven’t seen many of his projects. It seems like he produced a lot of musicals. So, if I’m in the mood to write about a musical film, I want to seek out more of Joe Pasternak’s titles!

5. Is there a film that you felt was improved in a director’s cut release?

Five years ago, I wrote an editorial about the Tim Pope Cut of The Crow: City of Angels. In that editorial, I explained what the Tim Pope Cut is and provided reasons why it should be released. As of late June, 2025, there has been no official word on the Tim Pope Cut’s fate. But if it was released, The Crow: City of Angels would be improved from its theatrical cut, as it would restore the creative team’s original vision.

6. If you were teaching a classic film course which ten films would you show to the students and why?

— The Bodyguard (1992) – Subjects would include how to write a timeless story, seamlessly blending genres, creating creative action scenes, and curating movie soundtracks

— Ben-Hur (1959) – Subjects would include how to use cinematography to a story’s advantage, incorporating religion/faith into a script, constructing set design, and the importance of location scouting

— Singin in the Rain (1952) — Subjects would include how to form strong camaraderie between characters, crafting creative musical numbers, exploring cinematic history through film, and discussing musicals from the Breen Code era

— The Phantom of the Opera (1925) — Subjects would include how using film can expand the nature of storytelling, utilizing make-up to enhance characters, the importance of film preservation and restoration, and exploring the history of the Silent Film era

— Lawrence of Arabia (1962) — Subjects would include how to effectively use architecture in a story, exploring World War I through film, how scenery can visually enhance a movie, and discussing what makes a strong acting performance

— To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) — Subjects would include how to effectively use suspense in storytelling, the dos and don’ts of adapting literature, comparing and contrasting the legal system in To Kill a Mockingbird to other pieces of entertainment media, and how strong acting performances can bring a sense of realism to a film

— Nosferatu (1922) — Subjects would include how to tell a story without utilizing dialogue, using music to elevate scenes, exploring the early history of the horror genre, and the importance of strong on-screen chemistry

— Hallmark Hall of Fame’s A Tale of Two Cities (1980) — Subjects would include exploring the history of Hallmark Hall of Fame, an analysis of made-for-television movies, how to manage a film’s run-time wisely, and creating an immersive world through attention to detail

— Jurassic Park (1993) — Subjects would include how to use CGI wisely, why including a “Voice of Reason” is important, discussing cinematic trends of the 1990s, and exploring the evolution of “nerds” in pop culture

— Toy Story (1995) — Subjects would include the history of 3-D animation, different styles of animation in the 1990s, creating stories from simplistic ideas, and how to create a theme song for your movie

*The Bodyguard* poster created by Tig Productions, Kasdan Pictures, and Warner Bros. Pictures

7. If you could work in the film industry in any capacity what role would you want and why?

Definitely the preservation/restoration department! I’ve mentioned before how I find the subject of “lost media” fascinating. For every released movie from any given studio, there are likely three films that are either “lost” or “partially lost”. Through the aforementioned department, I would try to restore as many “lost” or “partially lost” films as possible. Therefore, consumers would have more movie options!

8. Which film stunt do you think most deserved an Academy Award?

When I wrote an editorial about The Bodyguard, I talked about “the kitchen scene”. This scene shows two bodyguards fighting in a kitchen due to a miscommunication. As I explained in my editorial, “the kitchen scene” utilizes elements not often incorporated in action scenes. No dialogue or music is included, forcing the audience to give their undivided attention to the events happening on-screen. The kitchen itself is seen by the actors as a challenge, due to the space being smaller. Not only does the fight choreography make good use of this space, it’s also clean, precise, and filled with adrenaline. In my opinion, “the kitchen scene” is the best scene from any action movie. With everything I said, I wish this scene was, at least, nominated for an award.

9. Favourite musical from the 1950’s?

Out of all the musicals from the 1950s I’ve reviewed, I’ll choose Singin in the Rain and The King and I! While both films have good musical numbers, they each have other qualities I liked. Some examples include the costume design from The King and I and the strong camaraderie between the characters in Singin in the Rain.

10. What are your top 10 Noir films?

The noir genre is infrequently covered on 18 Cinema Lane. But out of the films I reviewed, I did like Gaslight, The Big Sleep, Cry Wolf, Strangers on a Train, and Bedlam.

11. Which actor who never won an Academy Award do you think deserved one the most?

Anyone who has followed 18 Cinema Lane long enough will know Swept from the Sea is one of the best films I ever reviewed. Vincent Perez’s portrayal of Yanko is one of the reasons why I like this movie. As I said in my Swept from the Sea review, Vincent gave a captivating performance that was both heart-warming and heart-breaking. Through the use of emotion, he was able to say so much without saying anything at all. The on-screen chemistry between Vincent and Rachel Weisz was strong, which made Yanko and Amy’s relationship feel genuine. Plus, Vincent is one of the few actors I know of who can flawlessly pull off a Russian accent. The fact Swept from the Sea didn’t seem to be included in the awards discussion was, in my opinion, a missed opportunity. So, it’s a shame Vincent wasn’t, at least, nominated for his performance.

*Swept from the Sea* poster created TriStar Pictures, Phoenix Pictures, and Tapson Steel Films. Image found at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sftspost.jpg

My Nominees

Gill from Realweegiemidget Reviews
Hamlette from Hamlette’s Soliloquy
Chloe from Chloe the MovieCritic
J-Dub from Dubsism
Terence from A Shroud of Thoughts
Le from Crítica Retrô
Rebecca from Taking Up Room
Beth from Spellbound with Beth Ann
Lea S. from Silent-ology
Annette from Hometowns to Hollywood
A Vintage Nerd from A Vintage Nerd

*The Phantom of the Opera* (1925) poster created by Universal Pictures

18 Cinema Lane’s Questions

Which actor or actress do you wish had starred in a historical fiction/historical period picture?
What two shows would you pair for a crossover?
Which food-related movie promotion would you bring back?
You’ve been tasked with designing a popcorn bucket! What movie do you choose and what does its popcorn bucket look like?
When was the last time you saw a made-for-TV movie?
What is your least favorite trend in movies?
Which movie would you like to see from a different character’s perspective?
Is there a movie poster or trailer you wish you could fix? If so, which one?
What is your least favorite film from your favorite actor’s or actress’s filmography?
What movie related mystery would you like to see solved?
Is there a “lost” or “partially lost” film you wish was recovered? If so, which one?

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

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

On April 27, 2025January 3, 2026 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

Take 3: Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise Review

On April 21, 2025 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

It’s been a little while since I reviewed a made-for-TV mystery film, as my article for Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery was published two months ago. I cover UP Network movies so infrequently and UP Network doesn’t often create mystery titles. These are the reasons why I chose to review Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise! This is not the first time a mystery story has featured Amish characters. Hallmark released An Uncommon Grace back in 2017 and Harvest of Fire from Hallmark Hall of Fame. Meanwhile, it’s not the first time Galadriel Stineman has appeared in a movie incorporating the Amish culture. In 2020, she starred in a Hallmark production called Follow Your Heart.Looking back on the films I referenced, I liked Follow Your Heart and An Uncommon Grace. However, I thought Harvest of Fire was just fine. Where does Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise rank among these movies? Let’s solve this mystery by beginning my review!

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

Things I liked about the film:

The incorporation of Amish culture: In the introduction of this review, I mentioned seeing the Hallmark Hall of Fame film, Harvest of Fire. The 1996 presentation places so much emphasis on introducing the audience to Amish culture, the story’s mystery becomes overshadowed. With Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise, the creative team finds a nice balance between prioritizing the mysteries and introducing Amish culture to their audience. Throughout the 2025 film, elements of Amish culture are woven into the dialogue and interactions of the characters. When Cheryl meets Naomi for the first time, Cheryl admits she knows very little about the Amish. She then asks Naomi how Amish people greet one another. Naomi playfully teases Cheryl’s lack of knowledge by telling her Amish people shake their feet. However, this teasing is in good humor, never intending to shame Cheryl for not knowing the appropriate greetings among the Amish. Naomi and Cheryl’s interaction feels like a natural conversation between two people. The way the creative team wrote Amish culture into their project actually encourages the audience to learn through communication.

The messages and themes: During her time in Sugarcreek, Cheryl agrees to work at her aunt’s Swiss Miss country store. On her first day as a cashier, everything seems to go wrong. The next day, Cheryl tells Naomi about her first day at the Swiss Miss. To encourage Cheryl to not give up, Naomi reminds her how the previous day’s blunders could be seen as lessons to learn. Not only is Naomi’s advice a good message to share with the audience, this piece of advice plays an important role in other parts of the story. This aspect of Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise kind of reminded me of Hallmark’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered series.

Avoiding clichés and tropes: If someone has seen many made-for-TV mystery movies, there are certain tropes and clichés they would come to expect. One of these tropes is having the female and male protagonist working together to solve the mystery, with these characters eventually forming a romantic relationship. The female protagonist, Cheryl, gets involved in solving the story’s mysteries in Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise. But the movie’s male protagonist, Levi, did not help in the amateur investigation. Instead, Naomi worked alongside Cheryl on one of the story’s cases. Having Cheryl and Naomi work together in Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise was a creative way to avoid some of the tropes and clichés of made-for-TV mystery films. If this movie becomes the first chapter in a series, I’d be curious to see what other clichés and tropes the creative team chooses to avoid?

Chess game strategy 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.

What I didn’t like about the film:

A mystery that was solved too quickly: There are two mysteries in Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise: who is leaving unpriced stuffed animals in the Swiss Miss country store and the kidnapping of a baby. When it comes to the first mystery, I actually liked its creativity. But I was taken by surprise by how quickly that mystery was solved. After the stuffed animals’ origin was discovered, the subject was dropped from the script. Because of how this mystery connected to the story, I thought it could have created a domino effect for the characters and the world of Sugarcreek. But that did not happen. I think the mystery of the stuffed animals should have been drawn out for a longer period of time, to keep the audience invested in that part of the story.

Lack of urgency: As I just mentioned in this review, there are two mysteries in Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise. One of those mysteries was the kidnapping of a baby. When a mystery movie includes a kidnapping in its script, that story will usually contain a strong sense of urgency. This is because the characters are racing against the clock to rescue the victim. But in Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise, there was no sense of urgency. That flaw caused the story to change its focus from the kidnapped baby to proving a character’s innocence. The lack of urgency also made the film feel drawn out a bit longer than its run-time.

The underutilization of Kathy: Portrayed by Andi Anderson, Kathy is one of the residents of Sugarcreek. Cheryl first meets Kathy when she goes to Kathy’s café. I was hoping a friendship would be formed between Kathy and Cheryl, with Kathy even helping Cheryl solve the film’s mysteries. Unfortunately, Kathy appeared in only two scenes throughout the entire movie. Giving Kathy such an extremely limited involvement in the story was, in my opinion, a missed opportunity. If Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise lends itself to a movie series, I hope Kathy receives a larger role in the story.

Tiger stuffed animal image created by alesia17 at freeimages.com. “FreeImages.com/alesia17.”

My overall impression:

Even though it’s not the halfway point of 2025 yet, most of the movies I’ve seen this year, so far, have been mid-tier. These titles have either been ok or decent. Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise is contributing to that perspective. If UP Network is serious about creating a series out of this movie, they need to fix the lack of urgency. I would also like to see UP Network give Kathy a greater role in the story and not solve mysteries too quickly. Looking back on the 2025 presentation, however, I think there is potential for Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise to lead a series. Out of the films I brought up in this review’s introduction; Follow Your Heart, An Uncommon Grace, and Harvest of Fire, these titles were stand-alone films. In fact, the only movie series I can think of that features the Amish culture is Hallmark’s Beverly Lewis trilogy, consisting of The Shunning, The Reckoning, and The Confession. UP Network has an opportunity to bring something new to the table of made-for-TV mystery films. But as of the publication of this review, there have been no official plans announced for Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries.

Overall score: 6 out of 10

Have you seen Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise? Would you like to see this movie start a new series? Tell me in the comment section!

Have fun in Sugarcreek!

Sally Silverscreen

Word on the Street: Movie Theaters in Spain Hosting Eurovision’s Grand Final Again

On April 10, 2025 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

I wrote a Word on the Street story three days ago about movie theaters in the United Kingdom broadcasting Eurovision’s Grand Final for a third year. Last February, I wrote another Word on the Street story about Eurovision’s Grand Final being presented in Spanish cinemas. Like the United Kingdom, Spain will continue their cinematic tradition! Eurovoix News reports Cine Yelmo, a “cinema company” from Spain, “will be airing the Grand Final of the contest live in their 42 cinemas across the country”. Those interested in attending the event can “buy tickets through a pre-sale on the company’s website”. Also like the United Kingdom, Spain is taking advantage of their participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Because they are one of the “big five” countries, they are automatic qualifiers of the contest’s Grand Final. Spain is hosting PrePartyES, from April 17^th to April 19^th.

Movie process chart created by Vectorpocket at freepik.com <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/vector-set-of-isometric-illustrations-making-movies-and-watching-a-movie-in-the-cinema_1215936.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a> <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/business”>Business vector created by Vectorpocket – Freepik.com</a> Image found at freepik.com

What are your thoughts on this piece of news? Are there any Eurovision participating countries you wished screened the Grand Final at their theaters? Tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Article referenced in this post: https://eurovoix.com/2025/04/09/spain-eurovision-2025-final-cinemas/

Word on the Street: Eurovision’s Grand Final Returning to U.K. Cinemas

On April 7, 2025April 6, 2025 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Last April, I wrote a Word on the Street story about multiple cinemas in the United Kingdom (U.K.) broadcasting Eurovision’s Grand Final. This year, the tradition continues! In an article from Eurovoix News, it’s reported that “CinemaLive who are distributing the contest in cinemas, will for a third year in a row enable fans of the contest to watch the Eurovision Song Contest on the big screen in the United Kingdom”. John Travers, who helped bring the experience to fruition in 2024, said, “There’s simply no better way to enjoy the biggest night in music than in a cinema, surrounded by fellow fans”. The U.K. is, once again, capitalizing on their involvement in the Eurovision Song Contest. They are one of the “big five” countries, so they automatically qualify for the contest’s Grand Final. United Kingdom will also host London Eurovision Party on April 13^th.

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.

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/2025/04/03/united-kingdom-cinemas-eurovision-2025/

Sunset Over Hope Valley: Enjoying the Time We Have

On January 8, 2025 By 18cinemalane2 Comments

Going into the twelfth season of When Calls the Heart, a Heartie can’t help but become reflective over their favorite show. However, it seems like When Calls the Heart’s creative team wanted their fans to look back at how far the show has come. A few examples are Elizabeth teaching her son the meaning of the word, ‘reflective’, and Rosemary reminding Nathan how no one knows what the future holds. It’s amazing this program has stayed on the air for eleven years and twelve seasons! In the history of television, few shows have made it that far. But if the history of television has taught us anything, another season is not guaranteed. While renewal news has usually come quickly for When Calls the Heart, it’s easy for Hearties to take that news for granted. Earlier in this introduction, I mentioned Rosemary telling Nathan how no one knows what the future holds. She followed that up by saying how we should enjoy the time we have. So, let’s enjoy this re-cap of When Calls the Heart’s season twelve premiere!

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 twelve poster created by Hallmark Media, Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel

Season: 12

Episode: 1

Name: The Mountie Way

Major stories:

Superintendent Andrew Hargreaves arrives in Hope Valley to give Elizabeth one of Jack’s prized possessions. This object is a medal Jack earned before he passed away. The medal leads Elizabeth to explain to her son what ‘reflective’ means. She also allows Jack Jr. to wear his father’s medal on his first day of school. Inspired by Jack’s bravery, Jack Jr. lets Lilly borrow the medal when he learns she’s nervous about being one of the youngest kids in Elizabeth’s class. Jack Jr. and Elizabeth also agree how having the medal is a reminder that Jack will always be with them. Meanwhile, Superintendent Hargreaves assigns Nathan to train a Mountie cadet named Oliver Garrett. Nathan is told Oliver is at the bottom of his class. But after he and Bill talk to Oliver, they think something isn’t adding up. That’s because Oliver seems enthusiastic about being a Mountie. In fact, he expresses interest in the forensic and scientific sides of the profession.

Throughout this episode, Lucas encourages Lee to go to Capitol City to work on their national park project. Lee is hesitant because of how much time he thinks he’ll spend away from his family. Rosemary is also hesitant about Lee’s potential travels for the same reason. Henry comes up with the idea to name the national park after Goldy. This development makes Rosemary reconsider letting Lee go to Capitol City. In the end, Lee and Rosemary compromise. Lee goes to Capitol City during the week and comes home on the weekends. When Lee is contemplating his potential trips to Capitol City, Rosemary is frustrated by The Valley Voice’s decreased readership. Lee jokingly recommends radio shows advertise in the newspaper. This suggestion inspires Rosemary to create her own radio program.

Winner’s medal image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/golden-awards-set-with-colors-details_844356.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/gold”>Gold vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Minor story:

Lucas and Lee have different priorities when it comes to the national park project. For Lucas, it’s about revitalizing his disastrous approval rating. For Lee, on the other hand, the project is about providing Goldy and her generation with a gift that keeps on giving. On the train ride to Capital City, Lee and Lucas cross paths with Edwin Mitchel, who used to work with Lucas. Edwin brings up Lucas’ approval rating and says he has some ideas to save Lucas’ reputation. Even though Lee is skeptical of Edwin’s offer, Lucas is open to hearing what Edwin has to say.

Railway Train image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/hand-drawn-train-retro-background_1112415.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:

Back in 2021, I wrote a list of the top ten things I’d like to see in When Calls the Heart’s ninth season. One of those things was Hope Valley’s first female Mountie. When I discovered a new Mountie would be introduced in season twelve, I was so excited at possibly getting my wish. But season twelve’s premiere left me disappointed. Oliver has potential to be a well-written, well-acted character. However, not giving Hope Valley their first female Mountie is such a missed opportunity.
Is it just me or has Lee’s sawmill disappeared from Hope Valley? When Lee made his debut in season two, one of his purposes was to open a sawmill and provide job opportunities for Hope Valley’s residents, especially after the coal mine’s closure. But ever since Rosemary started the town’s newspaper, it seems like the sawmill isn’t a priority for Lee like in past seasons. In fact, the sawmill wasn’t brought up in this episode. If Lee is not running his sawmill anymore, who is?
Throughout season twelve’s premiere, the children of Hope Valley become obsessed with a comic book about a character named Captain Billie. It even gets to the point where the children debate if comic books should be considered literature. I found this debate ironic because When Calls the Heart is based on a pre-existing book series. I also think it would be a good idea for Elizabeth to take that aforementioned obsession and turn it into a class project where her students create their own comic books!
In this re-cap, I mentioned Rosemary being inspired to create her own radio show. For me, this part of the episode was ironic. That’s because, in my re-cap post about season ten’s finale, I said I wanted to see Fiona create her own radio show. From the way Rosemary described her ideal radio program, the primary focus would be on news within Hope Valley and its surrounding areas. Since Rosemary has written for The Valley Voice for a few seasons, this seems like a good idea that I can’t wait to see upfold!

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 When Calls the Heart’s season twelve premiere? What are you most excited about this season? Please tell me in the comment section below!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

Word on the Street: New ‘Hannah Swensen Mystery’ Movie on the Way!

On January 5, 2025January 5, 2025 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

When I talked about One Bad Apple: A Hannah Swensen Mystery in my list of the top ten worst movies I saw in 2024, I said I hope Delores receives better story ideas if there are more Hannah Swensen films in the works. Days after that list was published, Hallmark revealed another movie in the Hannah Swensen series! On Hallmark Mystery’s website, an official page has been created for Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery. The film will premiere on February 6^th and the story is about the following:

“Hannah’s favorite reality show takes over The Cookie Jar. When the producer is found dead, Hannah and Norman team up to track down the killer. Chad invites Hannah to court”.

According to the film’s official page, Alison Sweeney, Victor Webster, and Barbara Niven will return to reprise their roles. Even though Norman was mentioned in the synopsis, it’s unknown, at this time, if Gabriel Hogan will also return to reprise his role.

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.

There are some noticeable observations coming from the official page of Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery. Looking at the release dates for this movie and The Jane Mysteries: A Deadly Prescription, Hallmark’s new mystery titles will premiere on Thursdays instead of Fridays like last year. Norman’s involvement was limited in One Bad Apple: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, not only when it came to solving the case, but also within the overall story. The synopsis of Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery states, “Hannah and Norman team up to track down the killer”. This statement assumes Norman will play a larger role in the 2025 movie. Ever since Chad was written into this series, he and Hannah don’t work together as consistently as Hannah and Mike did. However, Chad still finds a way to have a presence in Hannah’s life. A perfect example is brought up in Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery’s synopsis, which states “Chad invites Hannah to court”. Everything I just said makes me wonder if the creative team of the Hannah Swensen series wants to create a love triangle between Norman, Hannah, and Chad?

What are your thoughts on this piece of movie news? Are you looking forward to the premiere of Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery? Please let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Referenced official page of Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery: https://www.hallmarkmystery.com/reality-bites-a-hannah-swensen-mystery

What’s on 18 Cinema Lane’s Horizon for 2025!

On January 3, 2025 By 18cinemalane2 Comments

Happy New Year! With the start of 2025 comes my annual beginning of the year blog update! When a new year begins, I create a post like this one to inform my readers what they can expect for the rest of that year. In these posts, major announcements about new projects and changes to the blog have been made. But for 2025, the only major announcement is how I will continue the series and projects that have already been established on 18 Cinema Lane. With the premiere of When Calls the Heart’s twelfth season fast approaching, my Sunset Over Hope Valley re-caps will return! I will host a new blogathon, with event details coming soon. This February will carry the tradition of the Gold Sally Awards. With all that said, I’ll now list my blog stats from 2024!