Tag: Badja Djola

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: Christmas on Division Street Review

On By 18cinemalane6 Comments

Have you ever been in a situation where instead of finding a movie, a movie found you? This is my case with the 1991 made-for-tv film, Christmas on Division Street. Earlier this year, I conducted research for my Sally Solves a Mystery article about who Bianca Marquez Walsh from As the World Turns is. During this process, a commercial for the movie crossed my path. As a movie blogger who reviews their fair share of television films, especially those that are Christmas themed, I’m always looking for potential movies to cover. So, I remembered the 1991 program in the hopes of reviewing it someday. Fast forward to mid-November, 2024. When I learned what Taking Up Room’s On the Spot Blogathon was about, I knew I had found the perfect movie to write about for the event! Plus, the blogathon took place in December, which gave me another reason to review Christmas on Division Street! Before 2024, I had never heard of the 1991 tv production. But I was familiar with the film’s lead actors. I had seen some of the projects from Fred Savage’s filmography; like The Princess Bride and The Wonder Years. Three years ago, I reviewed one of Hume Cronyn’s movies; the 1987 Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation, Foxfire. In the aforementioned commercial for Christmas on Division Street, I discovered the story was more unique from other Christmas productions I’ve covered on my blog. This is because the friendship between the main characters was prioritized.

Christmas on Division Street advertisement created by Columbia Pictures Television, Higher Ground Productions Inc., Morrow-Heus Productions, Procter & Gamble Productions (PGP), The Guber-Peters Company, W.I.C., and CBS

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: When you have a movie like Christmas on Division Street, where the story revolves around the friendship between two characters, it’s important to cast actors who can equally carry that production. Because of the strength of Fred’s and Hume’s performance, I was captivated by the story of Trevor and Cleveland! Hume’s character, Cleveland Meriwether, typically carries himself as a jolly mentor. He not only wanted to teach Trevor valuable lessons, he also wanted to help other people in need. However, there were moments that showed just how versatile of an actor Hume Cronyn is. After receiving a tin of cookies from Trevor, Cleveland heartily laughs to himself, remembering his friend’s kindness. Then, all of a sudden, Cleveland’s laughter morphs into sobbing, sadness now residing on his face. This transformation was seamless, showing Cleveland’s emotions bubbling over behind closed doors. The scene I described also presents Hume’s understanding for when and where to use emotionality.

Like I previously mentioned in this review, I was captivated by the story of Trevor and Cleveland because of the strength of Fred’s and Hume’s performance. One scene that illustrates this point is when Cleveland tries to help Trevor with an upcoming school assignment. After Cleveland reminds Trevor how they should be honest with each other, Trevor immediately becomes frustrated because he believes Cleveland has been dishonest with him. As he’s confronting Cleveland, Trevor’s tone of voice is sharp and his eyes narrow on Cleveland’s face. But as soon as Trevor calls Cleveland a “bum”, Trevor’s face quickly falls, realizing he’d messed up. Meanwhile, Cleveland looks deflated, as if his spirit had been crushed. Similar to Hume’s performance, Fred Savage knew how to use emotionality to his advantage. This knowledge allowed his portrayal of Trevor to be well-rounded!

Badja Djola portrayed Scorpio, a friend of Cleveland’s. Despite having limited appearances in Christmas on Division Street, he had such a commanding presence! One of my favorite scenes featuring Scorpio is when he’s sharing some of his backstory with Cleveland. With a combination of eye movements, vocal inflections, and even tilts of the head, Scorpio’s recollection was captivating. I clung on to every word, anticipating what he would say next. With everything I said, I wish Badja had received more screen time.

The messages and themes: As I mentioned in my review of Cancel Christmas, important messages and themes are sprinkled throughout the story of a typical Christmas film. While this was the case for Christmas on Division Street, the themes and messages within the story apply to the Christmas season as well as outside of Christmastime. A good example is when Trevor faces a dilemma; he doesn’t have any money for a ride home. With quick thinking, Cleveland tells Trevor he’s on his way to the bank. The next scene reveals Cleveland meant the blood bank, where he not only donates blood, he also makes enough money to help Trevor. This scene emphasizes how there are a variety of ways to help those in need any time of year. In another scene, Trevor tries to give Cleveland some used clothes. When he searches through the bag of clothes, Cleveland finds a long coat with a fur collar. Instead of taking the coat for himself, he gives the coat to a pregnant woman he knows. The theme of putting the needs of others before yourself is highlighted in this scene.

The inclusion of history: Toward the beginning of Christmas on Division Street, Trevor receives a class assignment to write a report about a topic relating to Philadelphia’s American Revolution history. Through this subplot, the movie’s creative team found an opportunity to incorporate history into the script. At the library, where Trevor and Cleveland first meet, Cleveland encourages Trevor to write about Benjamin Franklin. While Trevor takes notes, Cleveland shares how Benjamin Franklin created the first subscription library in Philadelphia. Cleveland also shares how Benjamin Franklin would sometimes write under the pen-name of Richard Saunders. Though these history lessons were brief, their inclusion in Christmas on Division Street was such a pleasant surprise!

The dialogue: I have said in the past how a made-for-TV movie’s dialogue can be very hit or miss. That’s because the quality of a television film’s dialogue depends on the skill and talent of the screenwriter. While watching Christmas on Division Street, I was impressed with this part of the production! The dialogue was not only clever, but also thoughtful. At the library one day, Cleveland meets with his social worker, Benedetti. After Benedetti expressed his frustrations over Cleveland’s lack of progress, Cleveland tells his social worker, “Weren’t for guys like me, you’d be out of a job. And before you know it, you’d be down here taking my place. I’d say I’m doing you a big favor”. Later in the movie, Cleveland gives the long coat with the fur collar to the pregnant woman he knows. Because Trevor was with Cleveland during this exchange, Cleveland says to Trevor, “Funny how people become invisible…when you keep your eyes closed”. Within these two examples, the screenwriter did a good job at providing Cleveland with character development through dialogue!

The On the Spot Blogathon banner created by Rebecca from Taking Up Room

What I didn’t like about the film:

An inconsistent appearance of Christmas: With a movie titled Christmas on Division Street, you’d think the Christmas holiday would have such a consistent presence, it would seem like Christmas was its own character in the story. But that’s not what happened in the 1991 film. When I watched about thirty minutes of Christmas on Division Street, I wondered, “Isn’t this a Christmas film”? That’s because there was no acknowledgment of Christmas. The only noticeable seasonal element was fallen leaves occasionally shown in Philadelphia’s landscape. Christmas is finally recognized about forty minutes into an hour and thirty-three-minute movie. I recognize the emphasis in Christmas on Division Street is placed on the messages and themes of the holiday instead of the holiday itself. However, I still wish Christmas had a more consistent appearance in the film.

A quick resolution: Earlier in this review, I said, toward the beginning of Christmas on Division Street, Trevor receives a class assignment to write a report about a topic relating to Philadelphia’s American Revolution history. This subplot is interconnected with another subplot; Trevor’s conflict with a fellow student named Derek. For most of the story, Derek picks on Trevor. He even goes so far as to steal Trevor’s idea for his history report. But after their history reports have been graded, Trevor learns a little about Derek’s home life. This knowledge not only makes Trevor sympathetic toward Derek, he also becomes Derek’s friend. The subplot I just wrote about represents one of the story’s themes; that “everybody’s got their story”. However, the resolution to this conflict was, in my opinion, reached too quickly.

Tonal whiplash: After gathering research for his history report, Trevor rescues a pair of blue carnation flowers from the garbage with Cleveland. In this heartwarming scene, Trevor says how Cleveland sometimes reminds him of his grandpa, who had recently passed away. A scene later, a dead body is being placed in a coroner’s car, with Benedetti telling Trevor and Cleveland a man named Jake had died. The next scene shows Trevor and his family attending an event at their church. This tonal whiplash was not a consistent flaw in Christmas on Division Street. But among these aforementioned scenes, the transition between tones should have been smoother.

Library image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/stack-of-books-on-library-desk_2509490.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/school”>School image created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

In the introduction of this review, I stated how I did not find Christmas on Division Street, the movie found me. After seeing the film, I can honestly say I’m glad it crossed my path! Out of the made-for-TV Christmas projects I’ve seen, let alone reviewed, the 1991 production is one of better programs ever created. The acting from both the lead actors and the supporting cast is equally strong. While Fred and Hume carried the story through the strength of their acting abilities, Badja found a way to make his character memorable. The dialogue was clever and thoughtful thanks to the screenwriter, Barry Morrow. In fact, the dialogue was one of most impressive parts of the movie! I wish Christmas had a more consistent presence throughout Christmas on Division Street. However, I recognize the themes and messages of Christmas were prioritized over the holiday itself. I also wish the conflict between Trevor and Derek hadn’t been resolved so quickly. But I acknowledge how this subplot represented the theme of “everybody’s got their story”. If you’re looking for a Christmas movie that’s found off the beaten path or could be considered a “hidden gem”, let Christmas on Division Street find you on your path!

Overall score: 7.5-7.6 out of 10

Have you seen Christmas on Division Street? Do you have a favorite Christmas film that is more “underrated”? Please tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen