Two weeks ago, I was awarded another Liebster Award from fellow blogger, Rebecca. She is the creator of Taking Up Room, a blog where reviews for movies and books can be found. Rebecca also hosts blogathons that I have had the joy of participating in. If you want to learn more about her blogging work, check out her site at this link:

https://takinguproom.wordpress.com/

Thank you, Rebecca, for giving me this nomination! I appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Before I start this award post, I need to list the official rules, which are:

1. Thank the nominator in your award post.
2. Place the award logo somewhere on your blog.
3. You must state up to 11 facts about yourself.
4. Complete the questions that your nominator provided.
5. Nominate as many bloggers as you’d like (11 is the maximum).
6. Ask your nominees a series of questions (11 is the maximum).

Facts

1. I have been on an elephant ride.

2. I saved a family member’s life.

3. I’ve met a famous athlete.

4. I have never seen anything from the filmographies of Bruce Lee or Chuck Norris.

5. I have reviewed almost 200 films!

6. One of my family members was in the military.

7. Faberge eggs are a memento that I have loved for years.

8. Anastasia (1997), one of my favorite movies, inspired me to learn more about the Romanov family.

9. I don’t have any major food allergies.

10. I have never dyed my hair.

11. A place that has been on my bucket list is Golf N’ Stuff in Norwalk, California (where The Karate Kid was filmed).

Answers

1. Would you rather star in films or work behind the scenes?

What compels me to watch a movie is the story. Even when I review a film on my blog, I judge the story itself by how well the script was written. Writing has always been a passion of mine, which is one of the reasons why I started 18 Cinema Lane. For these reasons, I would choose to write movies rather than star in them.

2. What’s the best movie you’ve seen so far this year? The worst?

The best movie I’ve seen this year, so far, is one that I reviewed recently. That is The Boy Who Could Fly! As I said in my review, I was surprised by how well the film aged. It’s a hidden gem that I’m thankful to have discovered! For the worst movie I’ve seen this year, so far, that is still Marriage on the Rocks. This is another film I reviewed on my blog. One of the worst parts about it is the film’s one-sided view of marriage and divorce. Personally, it made me feel uncomfortable.

3. Where would you most like to go when things fully open up again?

In several weeks, I’ll be taking an out-of-state trip. But to answer the question, it really all depends what season the world will be fully open in. If it’s in a warmer season, I might go to an outdoor venue. However, if the season is colder, that venue will likely be indoors.

4. Do you think your blog or blogging style has changed since you started? How?

After reading some of my earlier reviews, I’ve noticed how I used to provide simpler explanations for what I liked and didn’t like about a film. In my review of The Dark Knight, I only wrote two sentences about how I liked the pace. One of my newer reviews, for Alphaville, features a paragraph about how I liked the film’s cinematography.

5. What’s a skill you don’t have but wish you did?

For this question, I’ll say swimming and roller skating. While I wouldn’t consider myself a terrible swimmer, I don’t feel I’m as strong as I’d like to be. As for roller skating, I’ve always wanted to master this skill, but was never given the opportunity.

6. How much did you write before you became a blogger, and was it something that you enjoyed?

As I mentioned in answer number one, writing has always been a passion of mine. However, I didn’t often have the opportunity to write for myself. Blogging provides an excuse to do just that.

7. What’s one thing you wish current movies had more of? Less of?

More of: Whenever there is a male character with longer hair, I never see them put their hair up in a pony-tail or a “man bun”. This is something I’ve not only noticed in recent years, but also as I’ve watched and reviewed more films. I’d like to see more male characters with longer hair put their hair up.

Less of: This has more to do with movie marketing than the movies themselves. Personally, I’m tired of seeing posters with most of the film’s content thrown up in one image. Bigger blockbusters usually adopt this style, especially those from Disney. I’ll include the poster of Loves Takes Flight to serve as an example for this type of poster. I wish movie studios moved away from this type of movie poster and created ones that looked more like art.

8. Is there a character or film that you think actually deserves a remake or reboot?

I think a remake of Girls Just Want to Have Fun would be interesting! It could provide a reflection of how the world of dance has changed since the original film’s release.

9. Now that we’re at the height of summer (unless you live Down Under, of course), what’s your cold beverage of choice?

I’ve been drinking Pure Leaf raspberry tea lately. Therefore, I’ll chose this beverage for my answer.

10. You’ve been granted the ability to teleport into any video game or mobile app. Where are you going to go?

For as long as I could remember, I have always wanted to play a video game as my favorite character. But it is not often possible for me to do so. One example is the Game Boy Advance game for Atlantis: The Lost Empire. Kida is my favorite Disney princess. Unfortunately, the game doesn’t give me the option to choose which character I want to play as. So, I’d like to teleport to this game so I could play as my favorite member of Atlantean royalty!

11. You’re standing in front of the replicator on the Starship Enterprise. What do you ask for first?

I’d definitely ask to release the Tim Pope cut of The Crow: City of Angels! I don’t watch Star Trek, so I’m not sure if the Starship Enterprise would be able to make this happen. However, if the Snyder cut of Justice League is going to be released, anything is possible.

Nominees

1. Writingfest from Novel Writing Festival

2. Maddy from Maddy Loves Her Classic Films

3. Nick from A Brightonian Writer

4. Victoria from Paintings and Books

5. Todd from Movies, Movies, Movies

6. The Duck and Me from The Duck in…side

7. Joe from Joe Baker – Film Reviews

8. Bubbawheat from Flights, Tights, & Movie Nights

9. Nina from Films: Uncharted – EIF

10. K from K at the Movies

11. Drew from Drew’s Movies Reviews

Questions

1. What is your most unpopular movie related opinion?

2. Which sport would you like to see receive Olympic status?

3. Is there a book you’ve read recently that you’d like to recommend to someone? If so, what is it?

4. What is a TV episode that you think serves as “filler”?

5. How do you think your favorite character would spent their time during the Coronavirus quarantine?

6. Has your favorite movie become a Broadway musical? If not, would you want this to happen?

7. Do you cook? If so, what was the last meal you made?

8. What is something you’re looking forward to in 2021?

9. Which song is the most recent one you’ve heard?

10. Have you participated in blogathons? If so, which one has been your favorite?

11. Is there a blogging goal or milestone you’ve reached? If so, what is it?

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Last week, Zoe, from Hollywood Genes, nominated me for my third Liebster Award! It was such an unexpected surprise, as I just happened to notice my name while reading Zoe’s Liebster Award post! Thank you so much, Zoe, for this nomination! It amazes me how, in only two years, I’ve becoming a multi-award-winning blogger! These awards would have never been earned had it not been for the nominators who believed in me. If you want to visit Zoe, please visit her blog at this link:

https://zestyz.wordpress.com/

And now, for the official rules of the Liebster Award!

1. Thank the nominator in your award post.
2. Place the award logo somewhere on your blog.
3. Share 11 facts about yourself.
4. Answer the questions your nominator provided.
5. Nominate up to 11 nominees.
6. Ask your nominees 11 questions.

 

Since steps 1 and 2 are completed, let’s move on to step 3!

 

The 11 Facts

1. I’ve never won a trophy before
2. My favorite style of pizza is Deep Dish
3. I only went on one out-of-country trip
4. I’m a proud owner of a cardboard standup from the movie theater (it’s of Bucky from Captain America: Civil War)
5. I’ve participated in 40 blogathons (and counting)
6. Once, I went Black Friday shopping (and I wasn’t a fan of it)
7. I’ve donated my hair to charity twice
8. I, sometimes, journal in my spare time
9. I attended the midnight premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
10. I love Fuze Iced Tea in raspberry flavor
11. I own two books that were signed by their respective authors

My Answers to Zoe’s 11 Questions:

1. What is the strangest or most off-brand topic/thing you’ve blogged about?

Out of all the 325 articles I’ve ever published, there’s only two I can think of that are the closest to being off-brand. The first is my entry for the Murder, She Wrote Cookalong. While I have talked about Murder, She Wrote before, that was the first and, so far, only time I ever talked about cooking on my blog. The second is my review for California Angel by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg. Yes, I occasionally talk about books on 18 Cinema Lane. However, this was the only time where my review was completely negative. In the case where I review a movie I don’t like, I always try to share the things I liked about it. This is to show my readers how to find the good in almost any film. When it comes to California Angel, I just couldn’t find anything good to say about it. If you want to check out these articles, I’ll provide the links to them here:

I Participated in the Murder, She Wrote Cookalong + Episode Review!

31 Spooks of October Update: I Finished California Angel

 

2. Who or what inspired you to start blogging?

I’ve shared this before, but I’m more than happy to share it again! In R.J. Palacio’s book, Wonder, Auggie says “Everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their life because we all overcometh the world”. That quote is what gave me the initiative to start 18 Cinema Lane! It also has become a statement that I try my best to follow as I continue to blog. With 176 followers, it looks like Auggie’s message has resonated with others as well!

 

3. & 4. Recast one of your favorite classic movies (pre 1970s) with modern actors & Recast one of your favorite modern movies with classic actors

For questions three and four, I decided to take a different approach. Instead of picking my favorite movies (because the acting is one of the reasons why they’re my favorites), I picked two movies that I didn’t dislike, but could be improved with certain casting choices. The movie I chose for question number three is Edward, My Son. In my review of that film, I shared that I wasn’t a fan of Edward’s absence. To correct this creative error, I would cast Charlie Plummer in that role. Because he’s in his early 20s, Charlie would be old enough to portray Edward in his teenage and young adult years. Also, he has a good amount of experience acting in films and television shows.

 

The film I chose for question number four is The Christmas Card. While this movie had stand-out performances, I feel the performances from the leads were not as strong or memorable as they could have been. So, I would switch them for Cary Grant and Carole Lombard. Two weeks ago, I reviewed In Name Only for the Carole Lombard Memorial Blogathon. While watching that film, I enjoyed seeing Cary and Carole’s individual performances and felt their on-screen chemistry was really good! If cast in The Christmas Card, I could totally see Cary portray a soldier in the military and Carole as the small-town woman with a big heart!

 

5. What is a book that you would love to see adapted into a film and why?

As I said in my post, A Movie Blogger’s Christmas Wish-List 2019, I would love to see Murder on Ice by Alina Adams become a Hallmark Movies & Mysteries film! In fact, I think it would be great if the entire Figure Skating Mystery series were adapted into a Hallmark Movies & Mysteries series! If you want to learn more about why I feel this way, check out my Wish-List at this link:

A Movie Blogger’s Christmas Wish-List 2019

 

6. What do you consider the biggest misstep behind the scenes in the cinema world (i.e. not casting someone for a role, a specific directorial choice, a remake that shouldn’t have happened, an interview that went on to haunt someone, etc.)

In the mid to late ‘90s, Dreamworks devoted a lot of time, effort, and talent to one of their earlier releases, The Prince of Egypt. Because of this, it caused another project of theirs, The Road to El Dorado, to become an afterthought. This led to the movie receiving several setbacks, from a delayed release to a poor advertising campaign. These things resulted in a box office failure. If Dreamworks had given both films an equal amount of attention, maybe they both would have been successful. Years after these missteps, however, The Road to El Dorado is remembered more fondly than The Prince of Egypt. So, I guess The Road to El Dorado didn’t completely lose.

 

7. What do you consider the most fascinating film community scandal (past or present)?

In 2013, Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return arrived in theaters to scathing reviews and a disastrous box office. At that time, however, the public wasn’t aware of the behind-the-scenes issues that led to the movie’s premiere. Years later, it was revealed that the entire operation was a scam. As of 2019, a lawsuit was filed against the creators of the film. If this lawsuit turns into an official case, more legal action could take place. Despite all of this happening, very few people have shed light on this situation. If you’re interested in learning more about this incident, AniMat, from the Youtube channel, ElectricDragon505, created two very informative and well documented videos about it on his channel. These videos are called “The History of Legends of Oz: Animation’s Biggest Scam” and “The UPDATED History of Legends of Oz: The Scam’s Return (including Noah Centineo)”.

 

8. Which actor or actress do you think died way too soon and where would you have liked to see their career go had they lived?

For this question, I have two choices. They are Heather O’Rourke and Judith Barsi. For those of you who don’t know, Heather portrayed Carol Anne in the Poltergeist trilogy and Judith provided the voices for Ducky in The Land Before Time and Ann-Marie in All Dogs Go to Heaven. Both of them passed away before they became teenagers. According to a post I found about Judith, she “loved voice acting, and wanted to do it into adulthood”. So, I’m guessing that, had she lived, Judith would have become a successful voice actress and probably one of the most beloved in that field. As for Heather, I honestly can’t say where her career would have gone. In a video from the Youtube channel, Daze with Jordan the Lion, it was said that Heather had a successful film and television career. Also, there’s always the possibility she could have fallen in love with a different profession. If you want to watch Jordan’s video, you can find it on their channel under the title, “#1185 What Happened to HEATHER O’ROURKE of POLTERGEIST Grave (11/4/19)”. You can also check out the post about Judith Barsi I referenced at this link:

https://imgur.com/gallery/H7bt6X7

 

9. Which actor or actress missed their calling in a specific genre and why do you think they would or would have excelled in this vein?

According to his IMDB filmography, Burl Ives has several voice acting credits to his name. However, most of these roles consist of narrating or singing a song. I think it would have been fascinating if Burl had devoted his acting career to voice acting. The characters he could have voiced and the movies he could have starred in would have been interesting!

 

10. Which 6 guests would you invite to your Hollywood party and why these specific 6?

After thinking it over, I chose these six people based on their impact on me or because I feel they deserve more recognition. These people are the following:

• Sebastian Stan (He portrays my favorite superhero in the MCU, Bucky Barnes)
• Vincent Perez (Despite watching only two of his movies, I’ve come to appreciate Vincent as an actor)
• Cree Summer (She provided the voice for Kida, my favorite Disney princess)
• R.J. Palacio (the author of Wonder)
• John Christian Plummer (one of the screenwriters of Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ Mystery 101 series and Charlie Plummer’s dad)
• Jonathan Hall Kovacs (he portrayed my favorite character from Little House on the Prairie, Matthew Rogers)

 

11. Which onscreen outfit would you wear everyday if you could and why did you pick this one?

I gave this last question a lot of thought. In the end, though, I chose the outfit Jesse wore in the climax of Queen of the Damned! The primary components of this outfit consist of a red tank top and a long black skirt with gold sequins and embroidery. What’s great about this outfit is how it’s a good choice for warmer weather. When it’s cold out, layers can be added to the outfit. If the weather is too hot, you can just stay indoors.

The 11 Nominees

• Terence from A Shroud of Thoughts
• Allen from allenrizzi
• Yona from This Witch Reads
• Ospreyshire from Iridium Eye Reviews
• Vincent from Carole & Co.
• Paul from Silver Screen Classics
• Debbie from Moon in Gemini
• Rebecca from Taking Up Room
• Neil from Thought From The Music(al) Man
• Kristina from Speakeasy
• The Soundtrack Man from Soundtrack Alley

 

My Questions

1. What is the most recent blog you started following?
2. Which blog post do you think is your most creative?
3. Is there a book you would not want to see adapted into a film? If so, which one?
4. What is your favorite TV show episode?
5. Which movie related anniversary are you excited for?
6. Have you ever been to a convention? If so, what was a stand-out moment for you?
7. What is the best or worst experience you’ve had at a movie theater?
8. Do you have any current goals for you blog? If so, what are they?
9. Which restaurant was the last one you ate at?
10. Has there been a moment when your expectations were not met (for better or worse)? If so, what was it?
11. What is your favorite kind of dessert?

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen