Tag: adaptation

It’s Time for the 7th Annual Gold Sally Awards!

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Here at 18 Cinema Lane, I maintain several annual traditions to give my readers something to look forward to. One of those traditions is the Gold Sally Awards, which commemorates my blog’s anniversary! The award categories are created by me and based on topics I’ve brought up on my blog. With two new awards in 2025, I’ll explain the significance of those categories. Like in 2024, I will discuss why I chose each recipient. Now, let the 7th Annual Gold Sally Awards begin!

7th Annual Gold Sally Awards Winners created by me, Sally Silverscreen.

The Kay’s Costume Party Dress Award

(Best Outfit from a Movie)

Helen’s Christmastime Outfit from Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Pack of Lies

When I thought about the various categories of the Gold Sally Awards, I realized there was no category recognizing the wardrobe department of the movie industry. To fix that, I created the Kay’s Costume Party Dress Award! The name of this award references the dress Kay (Joan Collins’ character) wore at a costume party in the 1983 tv movie, Making of a Male Model. I loved this dress so much, it was featured in 2021’s Movie Blogger’s Christmas Wish-List! From the films I saw in 2024, there were several outfits I really liked. The one that was the most memorable, however, came from the Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation, Pack of Lies! The outfit in question was featured in my Movie Blogger’s Christmas Wish-List from last year; the black and blue ensemble Helen (portrayed by Teri Garr) wore during Christmastime. This timeless outfit was worn in only one scene. That fact is why Helen’s outfit earned the inaugural Kay’s Costume Party Dress Award!

The Edward Boult Award

(Missed Opportunity in Cinema)

Not making Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters a Christmas movie

Last June, I speculated how Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters could be a Christmas film. In my editorial about my speculation, I explained how the movie’s title could be a reference to either the Nativity story or A Christmas Carol. I also wondered if Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back” could be a two-part adaptation of A Christmas Carol, with the rock star character intended to be a Marley-like character. The official marketing for Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters proved my speculation wrong. But the more I think about how this movie could have been a Christmas picture, the more I wish it had been a Christmas production. As of early February, 2025, the Signed, Sealed, Delivered series has received only one Christmas movie. Plus, my aforementioned editorial provided ideas for a potential Christmas script. With Hallmark Mystery’s ‘Miracles of Christmas’ viewership numbers lower in 2024 than 2023, maybe the network will consider creating another Signed, Sealed, Delivered Christmas film.

The They Deserve an Award Award

(An Actor or Actress Who Deserves Recognition)

Luke Goss (for his performance in Hallmark’s Frankenstein) and Badja Djola (for his performance in Christmas on Division Street)

There were several good acting performances I saw in 2024. So, it was difficult to choose just one recipient for this year’s Gold Sally Awards. Both Luke Goss’ and Badja Djola’s performance was so impressive! In Hallmark’s Frankenstein, Luke’s use of emotion allowed The Creature to speak without actually speaking. An example I used in my review of the 2004 television film was when The Creature bursts into tears while seeking refuge in a barn. Luke’s acting skills made his character as complicated as he was in Mary Shelley’s source material. Badja made his character, Scorpio, so memorable, despite having limited appearances in Christmas on Division Street. With a consistently commanding presence, Scorpio was a character I looked forward to seeing on screen. That’s because Badja used his acting talents to give Scorpio captivating interactions with other characters. The scene where Scorpio shares some of his backstory with Cleveland is the example I used in my Christmas on Division Street review.

The Cowboy Award

(Character Who Makes an Unnecessary, Drastic Change)

Sorsha from Willow

You’re probably wondering why I gave Sorsha the Cowboy Award, even though I grew to like her as a character. While I found her transformation from villain to hero necessary, it was drastic. In my Comparing with the Critics review of Willow, I shared how Sorsha’s aforementioned evolution was too abrupt. The transformation gave Sorsha some character development, but it left some questions unanswered. For this flaw, blame lies in the screenwriting.

Sally’s MVP Award

(Character Who Left a Memorable, Showstopping Impression)

Madmartigan from Willow

When I watch a movie, there is, sometimes, a character who leaves such a memorable impression on me, they end up stealing the show. I have called these types of characters “MVP”. To acknowledge the “MVPs” of 18 Cinema Lane, I created the new Sally’s MVP Award! One of these “MVPs” was Madmartigan from Willow. In my Comparing with the Critics review of the 1988 film, I talked about how Madmartigan was the story’s comic relief. His personality and comedic timing captivated my attention and kept me invested in his story. What helped Madmartigan become the “MVP” of Willow was the screenwriting and Val’s performance.

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

(Best Quote from a Movie)

“Christmas is already a poem. It doesn’t need my help” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, I Heard the Bells (2022)

In the 2022 movie, I Heard the Bells, Fanny (portrayed by Rachel Day Hughes) encourages her husband, Henry, to create a Christmas themed poem. Henry (portrayed by Stephen Atherholt) told his wife, “Christmas is already a poem. It doesn’t need my help”. When Henry said this, I started to think about what his quote meant. Poems require planning and putting the right pieces together, in order for that poem to have good flow and writing structure. Christmas festivities require a certain amount of planning, whether it’s a local church’s Nativity play or a family’s Christmas party. Using these two examples, finding the right pieces is important, such as who will portray the Three Wise Men or what will be the entrée of Christmas dinner. Poems can also tell stories. One classic example is ‘‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’. Christmastime is filled with stories, from the Nativity story to A Christmas Carol. Henry’s aforementioned quote made me see Christmas in a completely different way! Plus, a quote from a Christmas movie has never won the “She Won’t Give Me My Chocolate” Award before.

The Honorable and Dishonorable Mention Award

(Best and Worst Movie from the Honorable and Dishonorable Mention Category)

Best – Interstellar

Worst — The Reluctant Debutante

For last year’s Gold Sally Awards, there was only the Dishonorable Mention Award. That’s because I didn’t see enough movies to include an honorable mention category. With the honorable mention category returning in 2024, the Honorable Mention Award is also coming back! Science fiction stories about space exploration will typically emphasize the thrills and wonder of the galaxy. This can make it easy for a movie’s audience to get caught up in how adventurous and exciting outer space can seem. In Interstellar, a major focus is space travel’s effect on human beings. So, themes of family, sacrifice, and the price of scientific achievement are woven into the script. That, along with quality acting performances and impressive special effects, is why I liked Interstellar!

Out of all the movies that ended up in the dishonorable mention category, I had the highest expectations for The Reluctant Debutante. This is because I not only reviewed the film for The John Saxon Blogathon, there was some well-known talent involved with the project. Unfortunately, the 1958 movie fell short of those expectations. The Reluctant Debutante was a premise driven story that felt longer than one hour and thirty-four minutes, due to the jokes being drawn-out. It also didn’t help how some story ideas were overlooked. When I reviewed the 1958 film, I shared how movies from the 1950s are covered so infrequently on 18 Cinema Lane. So, it’s disappointing when a production from the ‘50s is weaker than expected.

The Hallmark Hall of Fame Award

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

Hallmark’s Frankenstein

There are different kinds of stories in the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection. One kind of story is adaptations of pre-existing literature. Sometimes, “classic” literature became Hallmark Hall of Fame presentations, like The Secret Garden and A Tale of Two Cities. When these adaptations are good, they can be an immersive experience. This is how I would describe Hallmark’s Frankenstein! Due to the combination of screenwriting, acting performances, set design, and costume design, the movie made me feel like I was transported to another time and place. I also appreciate how close to the source material the 2004 television film is. Looking back on Hallmark’s Frankenstein and the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection, I’m actually surprised Mary Shelley’s novel wasn’t adapted into a Hallmark Hall of Fame project. Everything I said is why I chose Hallmark’s Frankenstein for the Hallmark Hall of Fame Award!

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

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

I Am David

Movies that won the “Based on a Book I Haven’t Read Yet” Award were first placed on a best films of the year list. I Am David is continuing that tradition! The 2004 film earned the top spot on my best movies list of 2024. This is the second time a number one movie of the year received the “Based on a Book I Haven’t Read Yet” Award! After I reviewed I Am David, I learned the movie was based on a book. I’m not sure how affective the story’s plot twists will be, as I already know what they are because I saw the film. However, I’d still be interested in reading I Am David someday!

The Standing Ovation Award

(Character Most Deserving of Receiving Their Full Potential)

Scorpio from Christmas on Division Street

When the Gold Sally Awards presented the Standing Ovation Award, the recipients were characters who should have received their “standing ovation”, but were denied that for various reasons. Scorpio (from Christmas on Division Street) actively worked toward getting where he wanted to go. As I said during the They Deserve an Award Award, Scorpio had limited appearances in the 1991 made-for-TV movie. Despite that, the audience learned enough about him to know what he had gone through. During this limited period of time, Scorpio attempts to overcome his obstacles. While I won’t spoil Christmas on Division Street, I will say those attempts earned Scorpio the Standing Ovation Award!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

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

On By 18cinemalane2 Comments

For last year’s We Are Family Blogathon, my original plan was to write about both the Diagnosis Murder episode, “Guardian Angel” and 1964’s The Chalk Garden. But as I explained in my review of hoops&yoyo’s Haunted Halloween, my plan to discuss the movie fell through. Despite this setback, I had always wanted to feature The Chalk Garden on my blog. Recently, I received a second chance to review the film! So for the first Blog Follower Dedication Review of 2025, I thought the 1964 production was the perfect title for this occasion! The Chalk Garden was recommended by Maddy (from Maddy Loves Her Classic Films) when I reviewed Marriage on the Rocks five years ago. In total, I have written about seven of Deborah Kerr’s films, with her best picture being The King and I. How will this eighth movie compare to those seven? Keep reading to find out!

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

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: The Chalk Garden is a character-driven story where part of the script serves as a character study. For these types of movies, it’s important to recruit a cast whose talents are strong enough to help make the characters interesting. While watching the 1964 film, I was invested in the story from beginning to end. One reason why is the quality of the acting performances! This is a movie where it’s difficult to choose a favorite performance, as each one was good for different reasons. Hayley Mills’ portrayal of Laurel incorporates a variety of emotions and animated expressions. These aspects of her performance showcase just how complex Laurel is. Meanwhile, Deborah Kerr’s character, Miss Madrigal, was a no-nonsense woman who subtly expressed emotion. Through her acting talents, Deborah found a way to present her character as nurturing and a promoter of “tough love”. As for John Mills’ portrayal of Maitland, his character’s consistently welcoming persona put the other characters at ease. Maitland’s laid-back personality and calm way of approaching situations reminded me of Mr. Rogers from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.

Mrs. St. Maugham’s residence: The story of The Chalk Garden takes place at Mrs. St. Maugham’s house. Since Mrs. St. Maugham was a woman with a financially comfortable life, her house perfectly reflected this. The sunroom was introduced in the movie’s first five minutes. Wrap-around windows looked out to a view of a large grassy hill. Plants filled the inside of the sunroom. In the center of the area, four white metal chairs were set around a smaller table. The furniture looked like it came straight out of an old-fashioned ice-cream parlor. On Mrs. St. Maugham’s property was her backyard shed. Though this space was not frequently shown in The Chalk Garden, I really liked its interior design! Underneath a window was a white wicker desk housing some potted plants. A wicker table was surrounded by wicker chairs of varying sizes. The white stone walls and differently shaped windows helped make the backyard shed a quaint and classy space! These finer details successfully captured Mrs. St. Maugham’s sophisticated taste!

The dialogue: Toward the beginning of The Chalk Garden, Miss Madrigal arrives at Mrs. St. Maugham’s house to be interviewed for the available governess job. When Maitland greets her at the door, he asks Miss Madrigal if she’s worked as a governess before. She cleverly replies with a question of her own, asking “do you usually interview applicants in the doorway”? This was the funniest moment in The Chalk Garden because of how well-written and delivered this exchange was! After Miss Madrigal accepts the governess job, she moves in to Mrs. St. Maugham’s house. While Miss Madrigal unpacks her belongings, Laurel explains how she doesn’t like to be told “good morning”. Her reasoning is “what is a good morning to someone else is rarely a good morning to me”. When people tell each other “good morning”, they are typically saying that in the hopes the other person has a good morning. But unless we consider things from the other person’s point of view (yes, that To Kill a Mockingbird reference was intentional), we don’t know if that person has, indeed, had a good morning. So, I found Laurel’s quote to be thought-provoking. The examples of dialogue I provided display the quality screenwriting within The Chalk Garden! How memorable the dialogue was is a result of that quality!

Good sailing day image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/summer-landscape-with-a-houselight-and-a-boat_866882.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/design”>Design vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

A quickly resolved conflict: Throughout The Chalk Garden, Mrs. St. Maugham is at odds with her daughter, Olivia. Their relationship is so strained, Mrs. St. Maugham wants to obtain sole custody of her granddaughter, Laurel. This conflict lasts the entire movie. While I will not spoil The Chalk Garden, I will say the conflict was resolved within the film’s last ten minutes. The way it was resolved was too abrupt. As a result of this abrupt resolution, Laurel’s change in attitude and behavior happened too quickly. The reason for these flaws is how the second half of the story focuses on unearthing secrets.

Unanswered questions: There were times in The Chalk Garden when characters would make a claim, only for that claim to not be met with confirmation or denial. One example shows Laurel telling Miss Madrigal about the aftermath of when she was attacked in the park. Laurel says even though the police never got involved, it was an “open and shut case”. Before this conversation, however, Maitland warns Miss Madrigal how Laurel has a penchant for lying and fabricating the truth. Did the incident in the park actually take place or was Laurel bending the truth to get a reaction? This is one of the claims in The Chalk Garden that should have been clarified.

An unresolved metaphor: Along with being Laurel’s governess, Miss Madrigal is the resident gardener. This is because Mrs. St. Maugham lacks a “green thumb”. Miss Madrigal uses Mrs. St. Maugham’s garden as a metaphor for Laurel, even referring to it as “a chalk garden”. In order for the metaphor to work, the garden’s growth should have paralleled Laurel’s personal journey. Unfortunately, the garden itself makes infrequent appearances in the film. It also doesn’t help how Mrs. St. Maugham never puts Miss Madrigal’s words into practice, making the metaphor seem unresolved.

Paint palette image created by Freepik at freepik.com <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/hand-drawn-artsy-tools_836777.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a> <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/hand”>Hand vector created by Freepik</a> Image found at freepik.com

My overall impression:

Before I share my overall impression on The Chalk Garden, I want to take the time to thank the followers of 18 Cinema Lane. The support my blog receives still amazes me, even seven years after 18 Cinema Lane began! While I appreciate 18 Cinema Lane’s followers, I also appreciate when my blog’s readers provide film recommendations. This is why I try to write about these recommendations whenever possible. As I mentioned in this review’s introduction, The Chalk Garden was suggested by Maddy (from Maddy Loves Her Classic Films). I’m thankful to have not only been recommended the movie, but to also have finally checked it out! The 1964 production is part character study, part mystery. Because of the strength of the acting performances and screenwriting, this story worked! Liked I said in my review, I was invested in the story from beginning to end. The characters were interesting and the mysterious elements were intriguing. Though I wish some questions had been answered and a major conflict hadn’t been resolved so quickly, The Chalk Garden did more things right when it came to film-making. I can, honestly, say I would recommend this movie for those looking for a good cinematic story!

Overall score: 7.8 out of 10

Have you seen The Chalk Garden? What is the best movie you’ve been recommended? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

The Top Ten Best Movies I Saw in 2024

On By 18cinemalane2 Comments

For me, 2024 was a better year for movies. That’s because I saw more movies I liked, compared to 2023! Another difference from 2023 is how, on 2024’s list, more movies are theatrical pictures. However, there are still some made-for-TV productions that found a spot on my list. With more likable movies comes the return of the honorable mentions section! In that part of my list, most of the films are television projects. Since I reviewed almost all the movies on this year’s list, I will provide links to those reviews in this post. So, with 2025 on the horizon, let’s begin my list of the top ten best movies I saw in 2024!

Honorable Mentions

Legend of the Lost Locket, My Baby Is Missing, My Mother’s Split Personalities, Christmas on Division Street, and Interstellar

Image by starline on Freepik

10. I Heard the Bells

I Heard the Bells achieved so much in a short amount of time. The 2022 movie was chosen for my 500 Blog Follower Dedication Review. Then, I Heard the Bells became my 400th published movie review, as I recently revealed in my list of the ten movie trends I don’t understand. Now, the film is the only Christmas picture to earn a place on 2024’s best movies of the year list! When I wrote about I Heard the Bells, I compared it to It’s a Wonderful Life. Both titles are not only about more than just the Christmas holiday, they also cared about their overall presentation. I Heard the Bells was a visually immersive movie because of the attention to detail placed on historical accuracy. The strength of the acting performances allowed the story to be engaging. While it’s too early to say right now, I think I Heard the Bells could be a Christmas classic!

Take 3: I Heard the Bells Review + 500 Follower Thank You

9. Easter Parade

If I could choose one word to describe Easter Parade, it would be “colorful”. With the movie’s creative team taking advantage of Technicolor, costumes and décor boasted vibrant hues that complimented the story’s spring season! The musical numbers provide another strength in Easter Parade. From Fred’s festive and creative solo, “Drum Crazy”, to Ann’s energetic and fast-paced solo, “Shakin’ the Blues Away”, the movie’s musical numbers were enjoyable because of their choreography and delivery. The reason the 1948 film is placed lower on my list is due to the premise-driven story and the limited inclusion of Easter. However, Easter Parade’s positives outweigh the negatives!

Take 3: Easter Parade Review

8. For Me and My Gal

In my review of For Me and My Gal, I mentioned how Breen Code era movie musicals contain simpler stories. These simpler stories will typically feature lower stakes. But in For Me and My Gal, the story of Harry and Jo included stakes that were higher. The story wasn’t afraid to show Jo and Harry making difficult decisions when it came to their dreams. Along their journey, the duo even deals with regret and heartbreak. The way World War I was incorporated into For Me and My Gal gave the script a sense of realism. Creative decisions like that one gave the 1942 picture emotional depth!

Take 3: For Me and My Gal Review

7. Willow

When I started my Comparing with the Critics series, I knew there were some movies I would disagree with the critics on. What I didn’t know was how much I would like Willow. Now that I’ve seen the 1988 film, I can understand why some people have given it the coveted title of “classic”. Likable elements, such as humor and unique perspectives on familiar story ideas, provide arguments for the aforementioned claim. The simplistic and straight-forward nature of the story made it easier to follow what was happening on screen. For me, Madmartigan stole the show! Movies like Willow make me thankful for my Comparing with the Critics series.

Comparing with the Critics – Worst of 1988 – Willow

6. Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit

2024 saw the premiere of two Curious Caterer films; Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans and Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit. Though I liked Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans more than Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit, Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit was still a good movie. The fifth chapter in the series consistently carried the strong components of the Curious Caterer story, like the acting, humor, and prioritizing the mystery. A peek behind the music industry’s curtain and the incorporation of serious, real-world topics helped make the identity of Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit unique. As of the publication of this list, Hallmark has not provided any 2025 dates to the Curious Caterer series. If there are going to be more Curious Caterer films, I hope at least one of them is a seasonal picture.

Take 3: Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit Review

Hallmark’s Frankenstein poster created by Hallmark Entertainment, Hallmark Channel, Silverstar Ltd., Larry Levinson Productions, and RTL

5. Hallmark’s Frankenstein (2004)

Back in March, I called Hallmark’s adaptation of Frankenstein a “hidden gem”. This claim was based on my observation of how a good movie was not only forgotten by time, but also overshadowed by other titles released in 2004. What makes this version of Frankenstein a good movie, in my opinion, is how respectful it was toward Mary Shelley’s novel. One great example is Luke Goss’ portrayal of The Creature, as the way emotion was utilized throughout Luke’s performance highlighted how complicated The Creature is. Hallmark’s adaptation of Frankenstein is another movie where the visual presentation created an immersive experience. Combining set design, costume design, and attention to historical accuracy, the movie made me feel like I was transported to another time and place.

Take 3: Hallmark’s Frankenstein (2004) Review (Double Feature: 2004 Edition Part 2)

4. The Boys in the Boat

If you’re going to create a sports movie involving a team sport, it’s important to make the camaraderie among the team believable. An on-screen team with believable camaraderie helps the audience stay invested in the story, as well as the team’s journey. Because the acting performances were strong in The Boys in the Boat, the camaraderie within the team dynamic felt genuine. The 2023 film also makes rowing look exciting! This was accomplished through cinematography, editing, and music selection. The Boys in the Boat is a “based on a true story” film that, in my opinion, is worth the time! This is yet another production where historical accuracy was a top priority.

3. Amadeus

Out of all the movies I reviewed for my Comparing with the Critics series, Amadeus is, so far, the only movie I agreed with the critics on. While the biopic is a glamourous spectacle, it also contains substance. Thought-provoking material can be found in the script, such as how fame can negatively impact the human soul. The story is an immersive, detail-oriented character study that explores the good and bad sides of the music industry. The creative team’s focus on detail made Amadeus look and feel historically accurate, as can be seen in the costume and set design. F. Murray Abraham and Tom Hulce each gave a strong performance. I can, honestly, say the 1984 movie is one of the best biopics I’ve ever seen!

Comparing with the Critics – Best of 1984 – Amadeus

2. Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans

Remember when I said I liked Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans more than Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit? One reason why I said this is Goldy’s consistent involvement in Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans’ case. Other reasons why I liked the fourth chapter in the series are the creativity of the mystery, the quality of the acting performances, and how humor was written into the story. Looking back on Hallmark’s mystery films I saw in 2024, this Curious Caterer movie is pretty unique. That’s because, as I mentioned in my review, it’s a locked room mystery revolving around a costume party. In 2023’s best movies of the year list, I claimed Curious Caterer: Grilling Season was the best film in the series. I certainly changed my mind after I saw Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans!

Take 3: Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans Review

1. I Am David

It’s amazing how I Am David became 2024’s best movie in March and clung on to the number one spot all these months later! This impressive film allowed the story of David and his journey to be told with genuine emotion and sincerity. This was achieved through every aspect of the production, like the acting performances and the screenwriting. Exploring light and darkness, as well as showcasing Europe’s natural landscape, gave the production visual depth. Timeless, universal messages were also woven into the script. As I said in my review, I wish more people knew about this movie. Hopefully, my review or maybe this list can encourage someone to check out I Am David!

Take 3: I Am David Review (Double Feature: 2004 Edition Part 1)

I Am David poster created by Walden Media, Film and General Productions, Lionsgate Films, Artisan Entertainment, and David Productions Ltd.

Have fun in 2025!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: A Little Women’s Christmas Review

On By 18cinemalane3 Comments

When I reviewed Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker two months ago, I knew that article would receive views. But I had no idea how popular it would become. As of mid-December, 2024, my review of Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker garnered over a thousand views! To capitalize on my readers’ interest in Great American Family films, I chose to write about one of the network’s Christmas pictures. From the “word of mouth” I’ve been hearing about 2024’s various made-for-TV Christmas movies, A Little Women’s Christmas has gathered the most praise. So, I wanted to see for myself if the film was worth the hype. Based on the few movies from Great American Family I’ve seen, their pictures have been either ok or decent. The only exception has been The Abigail Mysteries, which was one of the worst films I saw last year. Where does A Little Women’s Christmas fall among this spectrum? Read my review to find out!

A Little Women’s Christmas poster created by Great American Family, True Brand Entertainment, Third Coast Film, Rebel Rocket Entertainment, and Empress of Soul Productions

Things I liked about the film:

The camaraderie between the March sisters: If a film’s creative team wants to tell a story involving a group of siblings, there needs to be strong camaraderie between those characters. The strength of the camaraderie depends on the strength of the acting performances. This is exactly what happened among the March sisters in A Little Women’s Christmas! When Jillian Murray, Jen Lilley, Julia Reilly, and Laura Osnes came together, the relationship between their characters felt believable. Whether the moment was heart-warming or heart-breaking, the March sisters had each other’s support and worked together when it mattered the most. These actresses allowed each character’s personality to shine through. Nurturing Meg, bubbly Amy, ambitious Jo, and kind Beth complimented one another, bringing out the best in each sister. With the combination of Jillian’s, Jen’s, Julia’s, and Laura’s acting abilities, the creative team behind A Little Women’s Christmas understood the assignment and recognized what makes Louisa’s source material so special!

The on-screen chemistry: Over the course of A Little Women’s Christmas, Jo gets to know a fellow writer from her publishing firm. This fellow writer is Fritz, portrayed by Trevor Donovan. During their interactions, Fritz is not only observant, but also has a drier sense of humor. As I mentioned earlier in this review, Jo is ambitious. However, she also tells things like it is. The combination of Fritz and Jo’s personalities created nice on-screen chemistry between Trevor and Jillian! The more time Jo and Fritz spent together, the more I felt they got along well with each other. The March sisters’ parents, Margaret and Robert, only appeared in one scene, through a video sent to the family. Despite this very brief appearance, I could sense the on-screen chemistry between Candace Kirkpatrick and James Arnold Taylor! In that one scene, the marriage between these characters felt believable. I, honestly, wish Robert and Margaret shared more scenes together!

The Little Women related Easter Eggs: IMDB claims A Little Women’s Christmas is “a contemporary retelling of Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 classic”. With this in mind, the movie’s creative team found clever ways to place Easter Eggs throughout their production! The town the March family is from is named Alcott Grove. Observant viewers and fans of the novel will point out how the town shares the last name of Little Women’s author. While Jo and Fritz pay a visit to The Mercantile Café, Jo introduces Fritz to Louisa May, the owner of the eatery. Louisa May of Alcott Grove happens to share the name of Louisa May Alcott. It was fun finding these Easter Eggs throughout the movie! The creative team’s respect for Louisa’s story was symbolized in the Easter Eggs.

Christmas book image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-psd/christmas-mockup-with-open-book_1482296.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/mockup”>Mockup psd created by Freepik</a>.  Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

The underutilization of DJ Bob: Throughout the movie, a man named DJ Bob makes Christmas related announcements from his studio at W.A.G. Radio. While exploring the town of Alcott Grove, Jo explains to Fritz how DJ Bob has become a beloved member of the community since he came to town in his red convertible one day. But other than what I just mentioned, DJ Bob has a very minimal role in the story. Personally, I think this was a missed opportunity, as DJ Bob could have been the glue that kept this script together. Besides being a radio host, DJ Bob could have been the character other characters turn to for advice. He also could have become “Mr. Fix It”, where he helps people solve their problems.

The “it’s not what you think” cliché: Before he leaves for Alcott Grove, Fritz is instructed by Jo’s editor-in-chief, Susanna, to mentor Jo as she works on a new novel. Even though Susanna encourages Fritz to be honest with Jo about the reason for his trip, he’s concerned about pressuring Jo to the point of ruining her creative spark. As soon as this conflict was set up in A Little Women’s Christmas, it was a matter of waiting for the inevitable to happen. The conflict expectedly led to the “it’s not what you think” cliché, causing Jo to assume the worst about Fritz. While I recognize the need for a conflict in Jo’s story, that conflict paired with the aforementioned cliché made this part of the movie more predictable. It also doesn’t help how Jo developed romantic feelings for Fritz within a matter of days, becoming upset because she gave her heart to a man she barely knew.

A confusing ending: For this part of my review, I will spoil A Little Women’s Christmas. If you haven’t seen this movie and are planning on watching it, please skip ahead to the part of my review titled “My overall impression”.

In A Little Women’s Christmas, Jo aspires to write her first young adult novel. But during her return to Alcott Grove, she’s constantly searching for inspiration. Using Fritz’s advice, Jo eventually chooses to base her story on her relationship with her sisters, reflecting on their lives together. One of the last scenes in the movie shows Jo writing the first chapter of her novel, which she titles Little Women. With a title like A Little Women’s Christmas, along with the Little Women related Easter Eggs, I assumed the film’s creative team acknowledged Louisa May Alcott’s story existed in the world of Alcott Grove. But with Jo naming her book, Little Women, I was left confused, wondering if the world of A Little Women’s Christmas was meant to be an alternate universe where Louisa and her story never existed?

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My overall impression:

Out of Great American Family’s movies I’ve seen, most of their productions have been ok or decent. A Little Women’s Christmas falls in the latter category. The 2024 picture was fine, wholesome, and pleasant. It was nice to see the creative team behind A Little Women’s Christmas show respect for the source material. From the camaraderie between the March sisters to the Little Women related Easter Eggs, fans of Louisa May Alcott’s story will find enjoyment in this film! Though there were aspects of the movie I liked, A Little Women’s Christmas did have its flaws. The inclusion of the “it’s not what you think” cliché contributed to part of the story being predictable. I also found the film’s ending confusing. But as I said before, this Great American Family production was fine as well as pleasant. If you’re interested in watching Christmas offerings from this network, I would recommend A Little Women’s Christmas!

Overall score: 7-7.1 out of 10

Have you seen A Little Women’s Christmas? Are there any Great American Family films you’d like me to check out? Tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit Review

On By 18cinemalane1 Comment

When I reviewed Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans back in April, that movie became the best Hallmark mystery of 2024. Now six months later, Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans is still the best Hallmark mystery movie of the year! When I learned Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit was on the horizon, I was so excited for the film’s release. Part of my excitement was due to how much I liked Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans. The Curious Caterer series is one of the strongest series Hallmark has ever created. The strength of Nikki Deloach’s and Andrew W. Walker’s performances, as well as their on-screen chemistry, is one reason why Curious Caterer has been an enjoyable collection of films. It also helps how the movies have been well written. Can Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit be just as good as Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans? Keep reading my review to find out!

Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit poster created by Timeless Pictures and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: As I said in my review of Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker, the strength of the cast can add to the story’s intrigue. Even though the acting has been consistently successful in the Curious Caterer series, this is impressive when you consider the series has utilized a rotating secondary cast! I have always liked Jaycie Dotin’s portrayal of Marla Maguire. I not only liked her performance in Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit, I also think she and Luke Camilleri had really nice on-chemistry! When Marla meets Jax backstage before the concert, he shares a memento from his late sister. His entire demeanor is sad, yet he appears appreciative when Marla asks about the memento. Marla’s tone of voice indicates she’s trying to be understanding of Jax’s situation. Later in the film, when Jaycie and Luke appear together in another scene, Jax and Marla are all smiles. They both look comfortable in each other’s company and seem to enjoy spending time with one another. I hope Luke and Jaycie star together in another Hallmark production!

Another strength of the Curious Caterer series is the strong on-chemistry of Nikki Deloach and Andrew W. Walker. Their portrayals of Goldy and Tom were, once again, one of the best parts of the movie! Now that these characters have an established, romantic relationship, they received more opportunities to spend time together in Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit. While observing Goldy’s mystery board, Tom asks why Selena would kiss her former band member, Derek. Goldy then proceeds to kiss Tom. After the kiss, Tom asks her if the kiss was meant to be evidence. Goldy happily replies she just wanted a reason to kiss him. Tom and Goldy’s interaction in this scene was not only sweet, it also felt genuine. Andew and Nikki’s acting abilities made their characters’ interactions enjoyable to watch!

A behind-the-scenes look at the music industry: The mystery in Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit revolves around the death of a band member during a live performance. Because the band and those surrounding them are consistently involved in the story, the movie’s creative team gave the audience a peek behind the music industry’s curtain. During a discussion between Tom and the band’s manager, Nicola, Tom learns each band member was insured in order to keep investors happy. This was new information to me, as I had never heard of musicians being insured before. Prior to the concert, Goldy and Marla were preparing to make their catered food. They were told by the band’s electrician, Sam, they could only use one electrical socket due to the older age of the venue and the other plugged-in electrical equipment. When people attend a concert or a live performance, they are so focused on what is happening on stage, details like a venue’s age or electrical power grids may not cross their minds. Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit showed what goes into planning and delivering a musical event.

Incorporating serious, real-world topics: Hallmark productions, whether it’s a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie or a Christmas film, sometimes include serious, real-world topics into their scripts. What can make or break a script is how these serious, real-world topics are incorporated into the story. The way these kinds of topics were included in Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit was more subtle, yet there was enough information for the audience to understand what was happening. As Goldy is serving drinks to the band members before the concert, she reassures Derek (a recovering alcoholic) there are no alcoholic ingredients in his drink. Because Derek’s drink and Jax’s drink appear similar, Goldy stops Derek from consuming Jax’s drink, which contains rum. This mistake causes Derek to accuse Jax of trying to break his sobriety. The scene I just described felt like a realistic interaction, with the subject of addiction naturally woven into the dialogue. This was made possible by the quality of the acting performances as well as the screenwriting.

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What I didn’t like about the film:

Miscast characters: Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit begins twenty years ago, with the band, The Faithfuls, celebrating the success of their single, “Love Me Always”. This opening scene implies the band members are in their early twenties, especially since they all share a bottle of champagne. Several scenes later, when Marla and Goldy explain to Olive who The Faithfuls are, Goldy and Marla claim they were high-schoolers twenty years ago. When the band members are reintroduced in the story, they appear to be the same age as Marla and Goldy. This creative flaw is not the fault of Garrett Black, Luke Camilleri, and Tammy Gillis, as they all did a good job with the provided acting material. However, I do fault the casting director for not recruiting actors who appeared older than Goldy and Marla.

Goldy’s limited involvement in the case: Throughout the Curious Caterer series, Goldy has worked alongside Tom to solve a given case. But in Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit, Goldy’s involvement in the case is limited. She still created a mystery board (which she and Marla called “Rhythm and Clues”) and helped Tom solve the mystery. Compared to the other films in the Curious Caterer series, Tom did the majority of the sleuthing. Goldy did not question potential suspects or gather clues as much as she has before. She and Tom seemed to be on separate pages when it came to catching the culprit.

Lack of food footage: In my reviews of other Curious Caterer films, I have either praised the creative team for their use of close-ups of appetizers or criticized the creative team for their lack of close-ups of food. Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit adopted the latter flaw, as there were barely any shots of Goldy’s catered food at the concert. In the greenroom, there were a few close-up shots of the band members’ drinks. A quick shot of vegan drumsticks was featured in a fan’s video. But other than these, the audience isn’t given a clear idea of what else Goldy served at the event. To me, this was a missed opportunity, especially since I was curious why Marla and Goldy needed to use an air fryer.

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My overall impression:

With Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit being the fifth movie in the series, this collection of films has found its rhythm (no pun intended) and understood what works for the overall story. Components like the acting, humor, and prioritizing the mystery have been consistently strong. There were even times when a Curious Caterer movie improved upon the flaws of the preceding chapter. I liked Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit! The peek behind the music industry’s curtain gave this film a unique identity. Serious, real-world topics, such as addiction, were thoughtfully incorporated into the script. Even though I thought the fifth movie in the Curious Caterer series was good, I still think Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans was slightly stronger. Goldy’s involvement in Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit’s case was limited, making it seem like she and Tom were on separate pages when it came to solving the mystery. I also believe the band members should have appeared older than Goldy and Marla. As of the publication of this review, Hallmark has not made any official announcements for movies premiering in 2025. But if there are more Curious Caterer films in the works, I would like to see a seasonal picture, such as a Christmas or Halloween themed Curious Caterer production!

Overall score: 7.6-7.7 out of 10

Have you seen Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit? Would you like to see more Curious Caterer films in 2025? Please tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker Review

On By 18cinemalane10 Comments

Last year, I claimed in my year-end list The Abigail Mysteries was one of the top three worst movies I saw. For me, this was a shame because, at the time, I had never talked about or reviewed a Great American Family movie. To make up for that, I chose to write about the network’s newest mystery production, Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker. When Candace Cameron Bure starred in Hallmark’s films, I really enjoyed the Aurora Teagarden series. In fact, that series was one of the strongest series from Hallmark Mystery! So, after discovering Candace would be starring in a new mystery movie, I was intrigued about the project. However, this optimism was cautious due to how weak The Abigail Mysteries was. Did Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker learn from the mistakes of the 2023 film? The only way to solve this mystery is to read my review!

Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker poster created by Candy Rock Entertainment, Liquid Arts Media, Syrup Studios, and Great American Family

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: In a mystery film, the strength of the cast can add to the story’s intrigue. The facial expressions of the suspects can make the audience wonder if a particular suspect has something to hide, while the reactions of the protagonists will leave the audience wondering how they will save the day. Even though Candace was portraying a different character, her portrayal of Ainsley McGregor never missed a beat! Ainsley’s interactions with residents of Sweet River, Texas, came across as natural. Candace’s experience starring in the Aurora Teagarden series worked in her favor, as Aurora crossed paths with a variety of characters. It may be tempting to compare Ainsley to Aurora because of Candace’s performances. How Candace differentiated Ainsley from Aurora was adopting a more conservative approach to solving the mystery. In the Aurora Teagarden series, Aurora was eager to get involved with a case, even going so far as to bend a few rules. Because Ainsley is a former criminologist (which would give her a legitimate reason to work on any case), she tries to stay out of the police’s way and leaves some of the mystery solving to them.

As I just mentioned, the facial expressions of the suspects can make the audience wonder if a particular suspect has something to hide. The performances of the actors and actresses portraying suspects in Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker proves this point. One of these performances that was a stand-out was Leanne Lapp’s portrayal of Rachel Dean! Rachel is the wife of the murder victim, giving her a reason to be seen as suspicious. During her questioning, Rachel is distraught over the accusations against her. Her eyes look both sad and confused, even overflowing with tears. This sadness can also be heard in her voice, as her tone reflects what’s in her heart. With Leanne’s strong performance, I wish Rachel appeared more in this movie.

The on-screen chemistry: When I discussed the acting performances in Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker, I talked about how I liked Candace’s portrayal of the titular character. Another reason why I liked this portrayal is how Candace and Aaron Ashmore displayed good on-screen chemistry! I remember when Aaron starred on Warehouse 13 as Steve Jinks. Since Steve didn’t have a love interest on that show, I didn’t know what to expect from Aaron’s portrayal of Jake, a character who develops a relationship with Ainsley. However, I ended up liking his performance in this film! What helped Candace and Aaron was how their characters already knew each other prior to the story’s events. This avoided that awkward introductory stage most protagonists experience at the start of a mystery series. Throughout the story, Ainsley and Jake consistently interact with one another. Their warm, friendly demeanors felt naturally genuine, successfully selling the idea these two characters could fall in love. The chemistry between Jake and Ainsley made Sweet River, Texas, a little bit brighter!

Ainsley’s dog, George: The protagonist of a mystery series will typically have at least one friend. This friend may serve as the story’s comic relief and sometimes receive their own subplot. But in Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker, Ainsley’s friend brought something different to the table. At various moments in the story, Ainsley talks to her dog named George. These moments are more light-hearted, giving viewers a break from the heaviness of the murder mystery. George sometimes joins Ainsley at Bless Your Arts, the marketplace Ainsley created. His presence brings joy and smiles to those who work alongside Ainsley. A mystery series’ protagonist having a pet is not a new concept. But in Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker, George plays a larger role in the story, giving this film a more unique identity! It also helps that George is adorable!

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What I didn’t like about the film:

A slow, drawn-out story: A made for TV mystery movie will usually feature at least one subplot along with the story’s main plot. This subplot adds intrigue to the overall script while sometimes giving viewers a break from the mystery. The main plot in Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker was the story’s only plot. It also doesn’t help how Ainsley wasn’t consistently involved in solving the case. These creative decisions led to a movie that felt slower and was drawn-out.

Constant reminders of story’s Texas setting: One story-telling technique that is sometimes incorporated into film-making is “show, don’t tell”. This technique can work in a movie’s favor because film is a visual medium. However, relying on showing can cause repetition. This is what happened in Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker. I mentioned earlier in this review how the movie takes place in Sweet River, Texas. Even though I knew this fact after reading the film’s synopsis, I was constantly reminded of this fact as I watched the movie. Several scenes featured at least one Texas flag in the background. A cactus was placed on the counter at Sweet River’s police department. Jake and Ainsley even go on a date to a Tex Mex restaurant. It’s important to establish the story’s setting. But this can be done in one or two scenes toward the beginning of the movie, not throughout the program.

Ainsley’s limited involvement in the story’s case: While discussing Candace’s portrayal of Ainsley McGregor, I brought up how Ainsley adopts a more conservative approach to solving mysteries due to being a former criminologist. This creative decision allowed Candace to differentiate Ainsley from Aurora Teagarden. It also takes away the fun of watching the protagonist solve the mystery and save the day. In the first half of the movie, Ainsley was hesitant to get involved in the case. Her choice was about allowing Sweet River’s police to do their jobs. It isn’t until approximately the story’s half-way point that Ainsley is finally encouraged (by members of her book club) to investigate the mystery. Ainsley’s hesitation is another reason why Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker had a slower, drawn-out story.

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My overall impression:

When talking about The Abigail Mysteries in my list of the worst films I saw in 2023, I said Great American Family’s efforts needed to be better than The Abigail Mysteries if they were serious about creating more mystery projects. After watching Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker, it looks like the network took my advice! Though the movie has its flaws, the 2024 production improved upon what didn’t work for the 2023 film. One of these improvements was the on-screen chemistry between Candace Cameron Bure and Aaron Ashmore. Another good decision was prioritizing the mystery and keeping that as the main plot. It would be easy to claim Ainsley McGregor Mysteries is trying to become the next Aurora Teagarden series. This claim could be made because Ainsley’s book club turns into an investigation club and the story takes place in a small town. Personally, I believe Great American Family’s movie and Hallmark’s series just happen to share similar ideas. Unlike a lot of Hallmark’s newer mystery movies, Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker will receive a sequel! During this movie’s broadcast, a commercial announced Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Yarnmaker is coming in 2025. Based on that commercial, it looks like this series has the potential to tell many more stories!

Overall score: 6.1-6.2 out of 10

Have you seen Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker? Are you excited for the upcoming sequel? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Word on the Street: Movie Adaptation for Susanna Clarke’s ‘Piranesi’ on the Horizon

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Whenever I review a movie that’s based on a book or pre-existing piece of literature, I usually find myself stating how the film is based on a book I haven’t read. This has led me to create the “Based on a Book I Haven’t Read Yet” award for my annual Gold Sally Awards. But for this piece of movie news, an upcoming adaptation is based on a book I’ve actually read! Reported two months ago by Bill Desowitz from IndieWire, Susanna Clarke’s novel, Piranesi, will be brought to life by animation studio, Laika. Travis Knight, the CEO and president of Laika, will direct the movie. Though not much else is known about the Piranesi adaptation, Susanna herself gave her approval, stating, “I’ve been inspired by so many animated movies; and Laika has produced such extraordinary work – movies like ‘Coraline’ and ‘Kubo and the Two Strings,’ full of beauty and wonder and weirdness. I’m thrilled that ‘Piranesi’ has found a home with them and I can’t wait to see what they do.” Meanwhile, Travis expressed his enthusiasm over the project, saying how Susanna is “one of my all-time favorite authors” and how “I can scarcely imagine a more joyful experience than wandering through the worlds Susanna dreamed into being”.

Piranesi book cover image found on Goodreads

Like I said earlier in this article, I have read Piranesi. In fact, I read this book recently as one of my selections for this year’s Eurovisionathon readathon. When I first discovered the news about Piranesi’s adaptation, I wondered how this story would translate to the screen. This is because the story is written in a logical way, encouraging the reader to actively pay attention to what they’re reading. My interest piqued upon learning Laika would be creating the adaptation! I reviewed Kubo and the Two Strings back in 2019. The film was not only one of the top three best movies I saw that year, it was the first time an animated picture had earned a spot on my year-end best of list! The fact the same director and studio behind Kubo and the Two Strings will be working on the Piranesi adaptation makes me excited! It gives me a chance to check out more of Laika’s work, as well as showcases the creativity of a studio that, in my opinion, is underrated.

What are your thoughts on this piece of movie news? Are you looking forward to seeing Piranesi adapted as a movie? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Referenced article: https://www.indiewire.com/news/breaking-news/laika-announces-new-stop-motion-piranesi-susanna-clarke-1235017992/

Take 3: Cricket on the Hearth (1967) Review

On By 18cinemalane5 Comments

You probably think it’s strange how, after a week and a half long hiatus, my first review back on my blog would be for a Christmas film (in the middle of August). However, I have a very good explanation for this choice. The first reason is how the 1967 animated movie, Cricket on the Hearth, is what I selected for Realweegiemidget Reviews’ (Aaron) Spellingverse Blogathon, as Aaron Spelling was one of the film’s executive producers. The second reason is how animated movies are reviewed so infrequently on my blog. In fact, Cricket on the Hearth is the first animated film to be reviewed on 18 Cinema Lane in 2024. When I chose to participate in the (Aaron) Spellingverse Blogathon, I knew I wanted to write about a made-for-tv movie. So, when I discovered the 1967 film on Aaron’s IMDB filmography, I felt I found the perfect movie for the blogathon, especially for the previously mentioned reasons! But did Cricket on the Hearth end up being the perfect choice to write about? Keep reading my review to find out!

Cricket on the Hearth (1967) title card created by Rankin/Bass Productions, Thomas/Spelling Productions, and National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

Things I liked about the film:

The animation: Some of the best animated movies boast bright, colorful hues. These hues can be utilized in various ways, from creating imaginative worlds to providing interesting visual contrasts. Cricket on the Hearth was a very kaleidoscopic production! Scenes either burst with a bundle of color or at least one bold color sparkled against a darker background. Presenting Cricket Crocket in a mustard yellow suit jacket and shoes, paired with an orange vest and a red bowtie, was a smart creative decision. It forces the audience to focus on Cricket Crocket, especially when he’s standing on a dark wood table or a deep green top hat. The toys in Caleb’s toy shop come to life during the song, ‘Smiles Go With Tears’. Despite the title’s contraction, the song’s tone is joyful because the song is about someone shedding tears due to being happy. The joyful nature of ‘Smiles Go With Tears’ is wonderfully depicted in the presentation of the toys. From a doll’s bubble-gum pink dress and bonnet to a pair of bright yellow and blue elephants, this scene was great to look at!

While looking for a place to live, Caleb considers moving into a poor house. Because Cricket Crocket is perched on Caleb’s top hat, Cricket Crocket hangs upside down in order to face Caleb. While looking upside down, Cricket Crocket sees a nearby toy factory. As he is readjusting himself, the image of the toy factory flips from appearing upside down to becoming right-side up. Animated films from the 1960s, especially those that were made-for-tv productions, were created with limited resources compared to animated pictures from the twenty-first century. Therefore, scenes like the one I just described seem ahead of its time.

The songs: Before reviewing Cricket on the Hearth, I had never seen the 1967 movie. So, I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered the movie was a musical! The songs featured in this film sounded like relics of the late ‘60s, the time when Cricket on the Hearth was released. But these sounds, from emotional ballads to cheery tunes, felt nostalgic. Danny Thomas, who voices Caleb, sings a ballad titled ‘Through My Eyes’. Throughout this song, Caleb expresses his desire for his daughter, Bertha, to see the world how he wishes he could present it to her. The combination of Danny’s vocals and the orchestral music felt reminiscent of Judy Garland’s ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ and Louis Armstrong’s ‘What a Wonderful World’, songs that exude a sense of hope and contain timeless elements. Another song of Danny’s I liked was ‘The First Christmas’! Before this song, Caleb wonders how he will provide the kind of Christmas Bertha hopes for. He learns how to resolve his conflict as the song carries on. The lyrics of ‘The First Christmas’ illustrate how Christmas doesn’t have to look the same for those who celebrate the holiday. The inclusion of the Norman Luboff Chorus added gravitas to this song!

The religious aspects of Christmas: Based on what I know about Charles Dickens and his stories, A Christmas Carol, one of his most well-known pieces of literature, is typically not known for addressing the religious aspects of Christmas. Though it was briefly incorporated in Cricket on the Hearth, I was pleasantly surprised by the recognition of Christmas’ religious aspects! As I previously said while talking about ‘The First Christmas’, the lyrics of the song illustrate how Christmas doesn’t have to look the same for those who celebrate the holiday. This point is emphasized by reminding the audience how Jesus had very little in terms of decorations and presents during the First Christmas. By the end of the song, the message is made clear; it’s not about what you have, but who you spend Christmas with that’s important. Before closing out the movie, Danny quotes a poem by Edmund Cooke. The quote itself goes “Tis not the weight of jewel or plate, or the fondle of silk or fur, ‘tis the spirit in which the gift is rich, as the gifts of the Wise Men were. And we are not told whose gift was gold or whose was the gift of myrrh”. Edmund’s poem brings up an excellent point, as the Nativity story does not specify which gift came from which Wise Man. This quote also highlights the point made earlier about Christmas being about who you spend the holiday with.

The (Aaron) Spellingverse Blogathon banner created by Gill from Realweegiemidget Reviews

What I didn’t like about the film:

Scenes that serve as padding: In order to satisfy a film’s run-time, a film’s creative team will, sometimes, choose to pad the story out by incorporating additional scenes or establishing shots. This creative decision was utilized in Cricket on the Hearth, mostly in between songs. During the song, ‘Through My Eyes’, a scene of Bertha dancing in a ballgown lasts for almost thirty seconds. The song itself takes up two minutes and twenty-three seconds of the movie’s run-time. I don’t think Cricket on the Hearth needed padding, especially since it lasted a little over forty-nine minutes.

The randomness of the ‘Fish and Chips’ song: I liked the featured songs in Cricket on the Hearth. However, there is one song that, in the context of the story, felt random. A cat named Moll, voiced by Abbe Lane, sings a song about the finer things in life called ‘Fish and Chips’. This song is sung to a jazzy, ragtime tune. During the performance, Moll dances in a red, low-cut, sleeveless dress and even attempts to flirt with the male characters in her audience. The animation in this scene didn’t look bad. Abbe Lane also did a good job with the material given to her. But the story appearing to take place somewhere in the 1800s and with the movie’s tone being mostly heartwarmingly gentle, Moll’s ‘Fish and Chips’ song feels out of place in Cricket on the Hearth.

Parts of the story that don’t make sense: For this part of my review, I will spoil Cricket on the Hearth. If you have not seen the 1967 film and are interested in watching it, please skip ahead to the part of my review titled ‘My overall impression’.

Cricket on the Hearth’s antagonist, Tackleton, has a pet bird named Uriah. More often than not, Tackleton and Uriah are inseparable. After Tackleton orders Uriah to get rid of Cricket Crocket, Uriah and two of his friends kidnap Cricket Crocket and try to sell him to a sea captain. During the scene of Uriah’s attempted business transaction, it is heavily implied Uriah and his friends died. Fast forward toward the end of the movie, Tackleton is upset by Bertha’s rejection of his marriage proposal. In fact, he’s more upset about Bertha’s rejection than the absence of his bird. If Tackleton and Uriah were as inseparable as they appeared to be earlier in the movie, wouldn’t Tackleton wonder what happened to Uriah? Wouldn’t Tackleton ask the other characters if they know where Uriah is? This is just one part of Cricket on the Hearth that, to me, didn’t make sense.

Three Wise Men themed wish list paper image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/christmas”>Christmas vector created by freepik – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

As I watched Cricket on the Hearth, I was reminded of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, the 1983 Christmas movie I reviewed last December. Both films are not only made-for-tv productions, they both feel more like television specials than movies. It’s expected to suspend some disbelief in stories from animated films. But Cricket on the Hearth tried to suspend disbelief to the point parts of the story didn’t make sense. Despite the movie being under an hour long, some scenes, including those in between songs, served as unnecessary padding. Throughout Cricket on the Hearth, however, I could tell the movie’s creative team tried their best to make their project as special as possible. The songs were not only well performed, the music and visuals provided a good combination for the song itself. Though briefly incorporated, I also liked the recognition of Christmas’ religious aspects. I have not read Cricket on the Hearth’s source material. But based on what I know about Charles Dickens’ work, this story seems different from his other adaptations, as Cricket on the Hearth relies more on elements of fantasy and magical realism.

Overall score: 6.5 out of 10

Have you seen or read Cricket on the Hearth? Which adaptation of Charles Dickens’ stories would you like to see me review? Please tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Brush with Fate Review + 490 Follower Thank You

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Recently, I published a list of the top ten “icks” from Hallmark
Hall of Fame movies. The list consisted of ten aspects of Hallmark Hall of Fame
films I don’t like. One of these “icks” is when a movie from this collection
glosses over a serious subject. Shortly after I published my list, I found I wasn’t
the only blogger to not like this particular “ick”. A fellow blogger,
Ospreyshire, brought up the 2003 Hallmark Hall of Fame production, Brush with
Fate, as an example of how Hallmark Hall of Fame can incorporate serious
issues into their stories. Since I hadn’t seen the film yet, I chose Brush with
Fate for this Blog Follower Dedication Review! This is only the second project
from the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection I’ve reviewed this year, so far. A
month ago, I wrote about the 1987 movie, Pack of Lies. Unfortunately, I
found the film disappointing, as the story was a two-hour build-up to an
underwhelming resolution. So, here’s hoping Brush with Fate is a more
enjoyable picture!

Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Brush with Fate poster created by CBS and Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions

Things I liked about the film:

An immersive experience: A movie’s creative team has the potential
to provide an immersive experience for their audience. To achieve this, attention
to detail must be emphasized. That piece of advice can work in the favor of a
historical period film. Brush with Fate explores several time periods and how a
valuable painting exists within a given period. Each time period represented
looked and felt historically accurate! Not only does every featured period
appear well researched, every detail was tended to. From the architecture to
the machinery, even right down to the characters’ shoes, the aforementioned attention
to detail was adopted by Brush with Fate’s creative team. The effort the
creative team took to make each part of the story appear authentic helped
create an immersive experience for the viewer!


Visual transitions: When a story moves from one point to
another, scenes will transition using visual cues to let the audience know when
the story is moving forward. Because Brush with Fate explores several
time periods, there are multiple transitions throughout the movie. These transitions
are creative and use visually interesting parallels. Toward the beginning of
the story, Cornelia puts her hand on her family’s
prized painting. As she begins to share the history of the painting, the next
part of the story begins with Laurens putting his hand on the same painting,
signaling a change in time periods. The transitions during Brush with Fate were also seamless, allowing
the story to maintain a steady flow.


Lessons taught by the painting: More often than not,
Hallmark Hall of Fame movies weave important lessons into their stories. While Brush
with Fate is no different, the way the story’s lessons were incorporated was
unique compared to other Hallmark Hall of Fame titles. In the 2003 film, different
characters learn a different lesson based on their experience with the
painting. In one part of the story, a woman from 1717 struggles to feed her
family. At the same time, she adores a painting she and her husband found.
Turning to her mother for advice, the woman is reminded how the painting is not
a blessing. This statement expresses that paintings are replaceable luxuries
compared to irreplaceable things like family.

Paint palette image created by Freepik at freepik.com <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/hand-drawn-artsy-tools_836777.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a> <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/hand”>Hand vector created by Freepik</a> Image found at freepik.com

What I didn’t like about the film:

Characters touching the painting with their bare hands: Fictional
movies typically make their audience suspend their disbelief. Sometimes, though,
audiences are asked to suspend more disbelief than they bargained for. Brush
with Fate revolves around a Vermeer painting that is known for being valuable
in historical and monetary importance. But throughout the movie, multiple
characters touch the painting with their bare hands, including Cornelia , who is well aware of the painting’s value. It
may seem petty of me to critique the movie for this small detail. However, this
happened enough times in the movie that I couldn’t look past it.


An unchronological story: As I mentioned earlier in this
review, Brush with Fate explores several time periods and how a valuable
painting exists within a given period. However, this story is not told in
chronological order. Instead, Cornelia shares the painting’s history by bouncing
around between time, going backwards and then forwards. Not telling the story
in chronological order raises unanswered questions, such as what happened to
the baby from the family in 1717 and who acquired the painting after Laurens’
daughter and her fiancé. Without spoiling the movie, I will say I know why this
creative decision was made. But I still wish Brush with Fate was told in
chronological order.

An abrupt ending:  Most
Hallmark Hall of Fame movies are stand-alone stories where the conclusions are
definitive. However, there are exceptions to the rule, such as Sweet Nothing
in My Ear and A Painted House. Brush with Fate is one of these exceptions. But, in my opinion, I don’t think this
movie should have received an open ending. The purpose of showcasing the
painting in multiple time periods is to elaborate how the painting’s history is
long-lasting. With the rather abrupt ending, this purpose seems defeated, like
the painting’s history has stopped short. It also leaves some unresolved loose
ends.

Art tools image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/flar-art-tools-pack_835368.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>.  <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/paint”>Paint vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

Before I share my thoughts on Brush with Fate, I want
to thank every follower of 18 Cinema Lane! With each movie review, including
these Blog Follower Dedication Reviews, I try to find films I can recommend to
my readers. Looking back on this Hallmark Hall of Fame picture, I think I could
recommend it. This is a project where attention to detail was emphasized so
much, some parts of the movie felt theatrical. The creative team behind Brush
with Fate allowed their production to be an immersive experience for their
audience. However, I think this story would be benefitted by being presented as
a multi-part mini-series. With several time periods being explored, as well as
many heavy subjects woven into the script, there’s only so much story to tell
in two hours. By giving each time period their own episode, more time could be
spent getting to know the characters and receiving answers to certain
questions. Like many Hallmark Hall of Fame movies, Brush with Fate is
based on a pre-existing book I haven’t read yet. Therefore, I can only review
this film as a film and not an adaptation.


Overall score: 7.1-7.2 out of 10


Have you seen Brush with Fate? Which book do you
think should have been adapted into a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie? Let me know
in the comment section!


Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Top 10 “Icks” from Hallmark Hall of Fame Movies

On By 18cinemalane3 Comments

To address the elephant in the room (or on the blog in this case), the lack of blog posts this past week is due to how much time I’ve spent collecting research for my upcoming Sally Solves a Mystery article. While I have been working to solve a television-related mystery, the subject of Hallmark Hall of Fame movies came to mind. I’ve seen over fifty films from the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection. At this point, I, as a viewer, know what I like and don’t like when it comes to storytelling from this particular branch of Hallmark entertainment. These preferences are what inspired me to create this list of the top ten “icks” from Hallmark Hall of Fame movies! For my list, I will share which aspects of Hallmark Hall of Fame films I am not a fan of, providing examples from various titles in this collection. Before I begin the list, I want to address how this list is not meant to be mean-spirited or negative. My article is, simply, a way to express my opinion.

Taking out the trash photo created by Katemangostar at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/unhappy-woman-holding-trash-with-disgusting-smell_1305783.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/person”>Person image created by Katemangostar – Freepik.com</a>. Image found on freepik.com.

1. Underutilizing Talent

    In past movie reviews, I have pointed out when I felt an actor or actress’s talents were underutilized. What I’ve meant by this is an actress or actor’s talents not being incorporated into a film to the fullest extent. This can range from an actor or actress being miscast to an actor or actress having a limited presence in the movie, the latter serving two examples for this list. Marguerite Moreau’s involvement in 2002’s The Locket is one of the reasons why I wanted to check the film out. Because she was cast as the movie’s main supporting actress, I expected Marguerite to have a more consistent presence in the film than she actually did. As I said in my review of The Locket, Marguerite’s character barely appeared in the movie’s second half. Based on her performances I have seen from a variety of movies and television shows, I think Karina Arroyave’s acting talents could have lent themselves to a larger role in 2000’s Missing Pieces. Sadly, Karina’s on-screen appearances were so short, they seemed like “don’t blink or you’ll miss her” moments. While she was given a little more screen-time in the 1993 film, Blind Spot, I still feel Karina’s acting talents were underutilized.

    2. Films That Feel like Televised Plays

    When I choose to watch a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, I expect to see a cinematic production of an original or pre-existing story. Some of these pre-existing stories happen to be plays. But there are times when a project’s creative team didn’t take advantage of how expansive film-making can be. Instead, they kept their adaptation as limited as the boundaries of the stages these plays came from. Like I pointed out in my review of the 1987 film, Foxfire, the cast is smaller and the story is condensed, forcing the characters to remain near or in Annie’s house. With the story surrounded by the natural beauty of Appalachia, I wish the movie’s emphasis had been placed on showcasing a variety of locations from this region. The 1972 remake of Harvey made similar creative choices, such as showing fewer locations throughout the story. This is different from the 1950 version of Harvey, where Elwood moves to multiple places.

    3. Oversimplifying Adoption/Foster Care

    Back in 2022, when I published my list of the top ten worst movies I saw that year, 1994’s A Place for Annie ended up as a Dishonorable Mention. One reason why I didn’t like this film is how the subject of adoption/foster care was oversimplified. For those who have never seen or heard of the movie, A Place for Annie is about a woman taking in a baby who is HIV positive. Over the course of the story, the woman, portrayed by Sissy Spacek, is in the process of adopting the baby. But she experiences an unexpected conflict when the baby’s biological mother shows up. The way Sissy’s and Mary-Louise Parker’s characters were portrayed and written presented a “good” mother vs. “bad” mother dynamic, even right down to the way each character dressed. Sissy’s character, Susan, becomes upset at the idea of Mary-Louise’s character, Linda, reuniting with her daughter, even though the intended purpose of foster care is for children to be reunited with their biological families. Because of the oversimplification of adoption/foster care in A Place for Annie, I couldn’t take the movie seriously.

    4. Characters Not Receiving Their Full Potential

    Speaking of articles from 2022, I’ll now bring up my list of top ten characters who didn’t reach their full potential. When I published this list, I explained when a character doesn’t receive their full potential, they aren’t given the opportunity to reach their goals, make their dreams come true, and allow their stories to be told to a satisfying extent. This list featured two characters from Hallmark Hall of Fame movies; Barry Klemper from The Boys Next Door and Amédée Chevalier from O Pioneers!. In the case of these characters, their stories were adapted from pre-existing source material. While I haven’t seen or read a stage version of The Boys Next Door, I have read O Pioneers!. I can understand why Willa Cather made certain creative decisions related to Amédée, as well as Hallmark Hall of Fame’s desire to keep the adaptation as close to the source material as possible. However, I still wish Amédée had received his full potential.

    5. Rehashed Stories

    For this part of my list, I am not talking about Hallmark Hall of Fame productions that are adapted from pre-existing plays or books. I am referring to Hallmark Hall of Fame movies that seem to copy stories from other films. Earlier in this list, I referenced the 1972 and 1950 versions of Harvey. After watching both versions, it feels like I watched the same movie twice, due to little variation between the two versions. I also felt this way about the 1996 film, The Summer of Ben Tyler. The movie seemed so similar to To Kill a Mockingbird, I wondered if Hallmark Hall of Fame was trying to remake the aforementioned film. I know story ideas are bound to get repeated over time. But, in my opinion, the Hallmark Hall of Fame productions should strive to create unique, distinct projects.

    Harvey (1972) poster created by Foote, Cone and Belding Productions, Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, Talent Associates-Norton Simon, and National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

    6. Terrible Grandparents

    Grandparents, like any family member in a protagonist’s life, should, in my opinion, be a kind, friendly character that the audience can root for. Unfortunately, some protagonists aren’t so lucky. For the fifth annual Gold Sally Awards, when I created the inaugural Edwin P. Christy Award for most annoying character in film, I gave that award to Grandpa Marcus from 1995’s Journey. I explained how obsessed he became of his photography hobby, to the point where he became negligent of his grandchildren’s safety. In one scene, Grandpa Marcus makes his grandson, who doesn’t appear old enough to obtain a driver’s permit yet, drive a car so Grandpa Marcus can take pictures. The grandchildren make a joking comment about how their grandpa will photograph their car accident if something should happen to them, with the scene itself meant to be played as a wholesome, hilarious moment.

    Leonora Nelson is a bitter, mean-spirited woman in the 1997 film, Ellen Foster. At her daughter’s burial, Leonora blames her son-in-law for her daughter dying. She yells and screams at her son-in-law just seconds after her daughter’s casket was buried. As the story progresses, Leonora’s hatred for her son-in-law grows. Her actions range from smashing his Purple Heart medal with a hammer to telling her granddaughter, the titular Ellen Foster, she hates her because she looks like her father. I recognize Leonora is intended to be an awful character, serving as one of the many obstacles Ellen had to overcome. But that doesn’t take away from how, in my opinion, Leonora Nelson is one of the worst characters in Hallmark movie history.

    7. Productions That Feel Like Hallmark Channel Films

    Hallmark Hall of Fame movies began to premiere on Hallmark Channel in 2014. While there are films from this time period I like, such as Love Takes Flight and The Beach House, I am aware how, more often than not, these projects bear a formula similar to those from Hallmark Channel. One such example is how a romance is usually the center of a given story. The identities of films like The Beach House and Love Takes Flight are not as unique as Hallmark Hall of Fame movies from years past. Take, for instance, Missing Pieces and Caroline? from 1990. Both of these films revolve around mystery stories. However, each title presents its own distinct identity, with these two movies bringing something different to the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection.

    8. Unsupportive Parents

    Similar to what I said earlier about grandparents, parents of protagonists should, in my opinion, at least be supportive. Sadly, a protagonist’s parents may be unsupportive for a variety of reasons. In my list of top ten characters who didn’t reach their full potential, I mentioned how Barry Klemper’s father destroyed the momentum Barry had in The Boys Next Door. Long before his father showed up, Barry dreaded the meeting because of how unsupportive his father is. On the day of the meeting, Barry’s father intimidated and belittled his son, even making Barry feel incapable of performing a simple golf maneuver. There are times, however, when a protagonist’s unsupportive parents do not intend to be unsupportive. Heidi and Winston’s mother is a perfect example. In the 1990 movie, Caroline?, Winston and Heidi’s mother is overprotective due to Heidi having a disability. Her good intentions not only lead Heidi to be treated younger than her age, but also prevent Heidi’s academic needs from being met.

    9. Glossing Over Serious Subjects

    The Hallmark Hall of Fame collection has covered its fair share of serious subjects, ranging from the aforementioned adoption/foster care to terminal illnesses. But sometimes, a Hallmark Hall of Fame production will miss a good opportunity to address an important topic by glossing it over. The subject of racism is woven into the text of The Flamingo Rising book, with racism causing the protagonist, Abraham, to have self-image related issues. When the book was adapted into a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie in 2001, all mentions of racism were eliminated from the script. This decision was likely made to keep The Flamingo Rising movie “Hallmark appropriate”. At a very random moment in the 1996 film, Calm at Sunset, Russell Pfeiffer admits he has a drug addiction. There was no lead up to this revelation and the revelation itself was never addressed afterward. Calm at Sunset is based on a book I haven’t read. Therefore, I don’t know how the subject of addiction was addressed in the source material compared to the adaptation.

    10. A Dysfunctional Family for the Sake of It

      Six years ago, when I published my list of the top ten worst Hallmark movies of all time, I put the 2004 film, Back When We Were Grownups, at number one. As I mentioned in that list, the story’s family seems dysfunctional just for the sake of it. From what I remember, there was no clear reason for the family to be dysfunctional. This is very different from another Hallmark Hall of Fame production, 1998’s Saint Maybe. In that movie, a death in the family causes a ripple effect which leads to the family becoming dysfunctional. The dysfunctional nature of the family serves as motivation for various characters to make impactful changes in their lives. Comparing these two Hallmark Hall of Fame films, which are both adaptations of Anne Tyler’s books, I think Saint Maybe did a better job at showcasing how a dysfunctional family live their lives and work through their problems.

      Group of unhappy image created by Rawpixel.com at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by rawpixel.com – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

      Have fun at the movies!

      Sally Silverscreen