June 15th, 2026, marks the 25th anniversary of Atlantis: The Lost Empire’s release. Since Atlantis: The Lost Empire is one of my favorite animated movies, I wanted to do something to celebrate this special milestone! One of the squares on 18 Cinema Lane’s Year-Long Bingo Card is “Complete at least one book tag”. This gave me the idea to participate in a book tag based on Atlantis: The Lost Empire! But when I searched Booktube (the book community on Youtube), I couldn’t find an Atlantis: The Lost Empire themed book tag in existence. So, I chose to create my own! In this book tag, I came up with questions based on the movie’s key characters. Each question relates to something that either happens to the character in the movie, something the character possesses, or one of the character’s quotes. If you’re interested in participating in the Atlantis: The Lost Empire book tag, you are welcome!
The Atlantis: The Lost Empire Book Tag banner created by me, Sally Silverscreen. Character images and title card originally created by Walt Disney Pictures, Eastman Film, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Walt Disney Feature Animation, and Buena Vista Pictures Distribution. Book covers images found on Goodreads. Universal globe picture found in the Youtube video, ‘A Deep Dive Into Classic Universal Studios Florida’ (from the Youtube channel, Poseidon Entertainment). Picture of Mary from The Children’s Hour found on IMDB.
Milo
Throughout Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Milo never gives up on finding Atlantis, even when he originally faced scrutiny from the Smithsonian Institute’s board of directors. What book series do you see yourself not giving up on?
I’ve brought up in the past how much I’ve enjoyed the Figure Skating Mystery series. While I thought the second and third book was fine, I still believe the best book is the first one. With Figure Skating Mystery containing only five books, this means there’s only two books I have yet to read. It’s been interesting to read about Rebecca “Bex” Levy’s balance between being a figure-skating researcher and an amateur detective. Plus, the longer I read the Figure Skating Mystery books, the more I learn about sports researching and broadcasting. So, I’d like to see how Bex’s story continues and learn more from her world!
Kida
While recounting the state of Atlantis, Kida says, “We [Atlanteans] are like a stone the ocean beats against. With each passing year a little more of us is worn away”. Which book would you save from becoming lost to time?
When it comes to lost media, I rarely hear books being brought up in the conversation. Though I wouldn’t consider the Palm Beach Prep series lost media yet, I fear it could become that. This is because a) I barely hear anybody talking about it and b) the books are out of print. If this series were lost to time, middle-grade readers would miss out on a story that teaches them how to work with their peers to solve problems and maintain friendships. Explaining why the series’ bully, Cara, is the way she is seems like a storytelling concept that was ahead of its time, especially from the middle-grade genre from the ‘80s and ‘90s. You’d think with ‘80s and ‘90s nostalgia being capitalized on in pop culture, there’d be a push to either get the Palm Beach Prep series reprinted or give the series a little more recognition. As far as I know, none of these things have happened.
Audrey
As a gifted mechanic, Audrey is tasked with making sure the Ulysses submarine and the team’s vehicles run smoothly throughout the expedition. What book had a pace you thought ran smoothly?
One of the best books I read last year was Scarlet Witch, Vol. 3: The Final Hex! A reason why I liked this graphic novel was how steady the pace was. Throughout the book, no parts of the story were either drawn-out or felt like padding. The steadier pace of Scarlet Witch, Vol. 3: The Final Hex helped maintain the story’s intrigue and engagement! This pace also allowed the story to adopt heart-warming moments, which I found a pleasant surprise.
Vinny
One of Vinny’s most memorable lines is “Hey look, I made a bridge” after creating a pathway using dynamite. What literary worlds would you like to see bridged together?
I already mentioned in this book tag how I’ve enjoyed the Figure Skating Mystery series. Another series I’ve enjoyed, so far, is the Murder, She Wrote series. One of the books in that series is Skating on Thin Ice, where Jessica tries to solve the murder of someone connected to the world of figure skating. With Bex being a figure-skating researcher, a figure skating event and a mystery surrounding it would be a perfect opportunity to bridge Bex’s and Jessica’s world! It would be fascinating to see them working together to solve a case, especially since, more often than not, they solve mysteries on their own.
Joshua “Doctor Sweet” Sweet
According to Disney Wiki, Doctor Sweet was the first character to show Milo kindness during the Atlantis expedition. Which book character would you give kindness to?
I’m familiar with the saying, “Be kinder than necessary, for everyone is facing some kind of battle”. With that said, I’d give kindness to Doris from The Red Address Book. Without spoiling the book, all I’ll say is Doris experienced several major hardships in her life. In fact, as I read The Red Address Book, it felt like I spent more time reading about her misfortunes which kind of made the book feel too “doom and gloom”. I honestly wish the story contained more joyous moments, as well as moments where Doris received kindness. This way, a balanced view of the world would be presented in The Red Address Book, reminding readers how the world can be both cruel and beautiful.
Mole
When Milo meets Mole, he discovers Mole’s dirt collection, with each particle of dirt coming from different parts of the world. If you could collect dirt from a book’s world, where would you go?
I don’t remember if the world of Piranesi contains any dirt. If it does, that’s exactly where I’m going! Because the world of Piranesi is so different and fantastical from the “real world”, I’d love to know how different the dirt there is. So, I would want to collect a sample, test it, and learn more about it.
Cookie
On Cookie’s chest is a tattoo of “all 38 states”. Which book would you choose out of the states represented in Cookie’s tattoo?
Based on what is shown of Cookie’s tattoo in the movie, one of the states appears to be Tennessee. Because of that, I’ll select Before and After: The Incredible Real-Life Stories of Orphans Who Survived the Tennessee Children’s Home Society. The quality of the book’s writing allowed the book to be thought-provoking, as well as gave adoptees’ and their families’ stories reverence. The use of descriptive imagery also added memorability to the overall story. This is not only one of the most important books I’ve ever read, it’s the best book I’ve read this year, so far! I’d recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about the Tennessee Children’s Home Society from adoptees’ perspective.
Wilhelmina “Mrs. Packard” Packard
According to Disney Wiki, “Packard is hardly involved during the journey to Atlantis”. Yet as the Officer of Communications, Mrs. Packard plays a vital role in the Atlantis expedition. Which underrated book character do you wish received more recognition?
I brought up earlier in this book tag how I barely hear anybody talking aboutthe Palm Beach Prep series. That means characters like Alicia aren’t getting the recognition they deserve. I would love to see Alicia get her “standing ovation” because, in my opinion, she’s the most interesting character in this series! Not only have the writers done a good job balancing her flaws and likable qualities, she also has the heart of a saint. In fact, Alicia was the first character who showed the series’ protagonist, Quinn, kindness, similar to how Doctor Sweet showed Milo kindness. I kind of wish the Palm Beach Prep series was primarily about Alicia and her story.
Preston B. Whitmore
Because of his funding, Mr. Whitmore is the reason why the Atlantis expedition happens in the first place. If you possessed a large sum of money, what book related purpose would you use the money for?
Since Jessica Fletcher is an author on the Murder, She Wrote television show and since there is a book series associated with the tv show, I believe this answer will count for this question. Two years ago, I wrote an editorial advocating for the creation of Murder, She Wrote Weekend. Through a basic concept of the event’s schedule, I proposed how the fan event could benefit both the fans of Murder, She Wrote and Universal Orlando Resort. But if there’s one thing I know about hosting any kind of fan-related event, it’s that money (and how much is invested) plays an important factor in how smoothly the event is run. So, if Ipossessed a large sum of money, I’d use it to not only make Murder, She Wrote Weekend a reality, but to also build it into an event people want to continue attending.
Kashekim Nedakh and the Queen of Atlantis
Kashekim and the Queen of Atlantis play important roles in Kida’s story, despite spending most of the movie apart. Which book couple do you wish had gotten to spend more time together?
Like I said earlier in this book tag, Bex solves mysteries on her own in the Figure Skating Mystery series. But that changed in the third book, Axel of Evil, when Bex was paired with a man named Sasha. I liked this part of the book because it provided a unique dynamic to the series. It also lay the foundation for a potential romance. I would be interested to see where Sasha and Bex’s relationship goes after Axel of Evil. But based on the synopsis for Figure Skating Mystery’s fourth and fifth book, I’m not sure if their relationship will get acknowledged. Therefore, I’m selecting Bex and Sasha as my answer for this question!
Helga
As one of the villains of Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Helga is not intended to be a likable character. In your opinion, what book possesses an unlikable female character?
As of mid June, 2026, the worst book I’ve ever read is Veronika Decides to Die.While both of the book’s female characters, Veronica and Zedka, are unlikable, Veronica (the protagonist) is worse. Not only is Veronica self-centered and entitled, she has the audacity to believe she’s better than the other patients at the hospital she resides at. She also treats her love interest, Eduard, so disrespectfully, I wish Veronica faced accountability for her behavior. While I had other issues with Veronika Decides to Die, Veronica’s consistent unlikability was one of the book’s biggest flaws.
Commander Lyle Tiberius Rourke
In Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Rourke desired to locate a book called the Shepherd’s Journal. Once found, he removes one of the pages from the Shepherd’s Journal in an effort to use that page for bad intentions. Which book would you not want to see fall into a fictional villain’s hands?
In my recent review of The Children’s Hour, I talked about the movie’s antagonist named Mary. She’s a very manipulative and controlling girl who created a rumor that ruined her teachers’ lives and careers. Mary did this simply because she hated her teachers for disciplining her. With that said, I wouldn’t want Mary to get her hands on any book from the murder-mystery genre. Those kinds of stories are not appropriate for children to read. Plus, I’d be concerned how Mary would interpret the text, especially considering she had no qualms destroying the lives and careers of her teachers. Because Mary’s accountability for creating the rumor is never addressed in The Children’s Hour, there’s a chance she could continue her horrible behavior.
I try to learn more about “popular” characters to understand why they are well-liked. But in order for me to dedicate an editorial to those characters, they need to capture my undivided attention. Colonel Miles Quaritch and Varang did just that as I listened to commentary discourse on Avatar: Fire and Ash. Those discussions about the 2025 film yielded constant praise about Varang and Quaritch’s relationship. Some people claim Quaritch and Varang were the best part of the third film, let alone the Avatar franchise. In fact, they’ve become so popular that Varang received her own unofficial theme song (MONTAGEM BUDA by DYGO). The choir of Varang and Quaritch’s admirers singing their praises genuinely confused me. However, because Quaritch and Varang are the villains of Avatar: Fire and Ash, I decided to write an editorial about their relationship similar to when I wrote about Lestat and Akasha’s relationship (from Queen of the Damned) and Top Dollar and Myca’s relationship (from The Crow). I assumed Quaritch and Varang’s relationship was equally or more toxic than those relationships. Even though they make villainous choices throughout Avatar: Fire and Ash, their relationship is, surprisingly, healthier than some of the problematic relationships from movies I’ve reviewed in the past or I’ve written about on 18 Cinema Lane. In this editorial, I will contrast Varang and Quaritch’s relationship with a handful of other film (and even television) relationships to prove my point. To support my argument, I will utilize examples, screenshots, and quotes from or related to Avatar: Fire and Ash, as well as referencing the other media in question.
My editorial introduction image created by me, Sally Silverscreen. Original image created by 20th Century Studios, Lightstorm Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Who are Quaritch and Varang?
Quaritch and Varang are the villains of Avatar: Fire and Ash, as well as the Avatar franchise. For readers who haven’t seen these films, I will introduce them to Varang and Quaritch. Colonel Miles Quaritch (portrayed by Stephen Lang) has remained an important character through all three Avatar films. In the first movie from 2009, Quaritch was the commander of the RDA’s (Resources Development Administration) security division. He also led the charge in Pandora’s war, attempting to remove the Omatikaya Na’vis from their home in order to provide more space for humans on Pandora. But in Avatar’s final battle, Quaritch was shot and killed by Neytiri, one of the Na’vi from the Omatikaya clan. He returned in the franchise’s second film, Avatar: The Way of Water, which takes place fifteen years after the events of the first movie. This time, however, Quaritch appears as a Na’vi Recombinant with the neurological information from his human self, such as his memories. In both the second and third film in the Avatar franchise, Quaritch maintains his objectives of providing space for humans on Pandora and holding Jake Sully (his former Corporal) accountable for abandoning the RDA in the first film. Quaritch’s second objective becomes disruptive for Jake and his family as the film series progresses.
Left picture: Portrait of Quaritch as a human in 2009’s Avatar. Image created by 20th Century Fox, Dune Entertainment, Ingenious Film Partners, Lightstorm Entertainment, and Walt Disney Studios. Right picture: Portrait of Quaritch as a Na’vi Recombinant in Avatar: Fire and Ash. Image created by 20th Century Studios, Lightstorm Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Quaritch and Varang (portrayed by Oona Chaplin) meet in Avatar: Fire and Ash. She is the Na’vi olo’eykte (clan leader) and the tsahìk (spiritual leader) of the Mangkwan clan, known for having their home destroyed by a volcanic eruption prior to the events of the third movie. Believing Eywa (the Na’vis’ goddess representative of their belief system) abandoned the Mangkwan clan after the aforementioned volcanic eruption, Varang leads her clan through trauma, anger, and survival. While the Mangkwan Na’vis see her as the glue that’s kept their clan together, other Na’vis see Varang (and the Mangkwan clan) as a threat to Pandora’s society.
Portrait of Varang from Avatar: Fire and Ash. Image created by 20th Century Studios, Lightstorm Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Varang and Quaritch vs. Achara and Jack
Achara and Jack (from the Lost episode ‘Stranger in a Strange Land’) is the only relationship from a television show included in this discussion. Jack becomes frustrated that Achara won’t share what her “gift” is with him. He becomes so hyper-fixated on learning what Achara’s “gift” is that Jack not only doesn’t take the time to learn more about Achara and the world around her (besides trying Thai food and meeting Achara’s brother in one scene), but he also defines Achara by that one aspect of her life. Throughout her month-long relationship with Jack, Achara remains hesitant to share her “gift” with him. This decision implies she doesn’t fully trust Jack. When Achara eventually reveals what her “gift” is, which is being “able to see who people are” and creating definitive (not decorative) tattoos, Jack forces her to give him this desired explanation. He also forces her to give him a tattoo by forcibly pulling her toward and placing her in a chair by her tattooing station. While Jack is in his drunken fueled aggression and frustration, Achara refuses his request. She cites Jack’s status as an “outsider”, saying that she isn’t allowed to give him a tattoo and giving Jack a tattoo would go against her people. But when Achara’s brother eventually discovers Jack received a tattoo from Achara, he and his friends beat Jack up. Achara’s brother then orders Jack to leave Thailand. Meanwhile, Achara tearfully looks on while this confrontation takes place.
The ash and burnt trees hold proof of the trauma Varang (and the Mangkwan clan) endured. Image created by 20th Century Studios, Lightstorm Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Varang leads the Mangkwan clan through trauma, anger, and survival after her people’s home was destroyed by a volcanic eruption. This information isn’t revealed in Avatar: Fire and Ash until Varang willingly brings it up when she invites Quaritch in her yurt (tent) during their second interaction together. While recounting her traumatic past, Varang tells Quaritch the following:
“The fire came from the mountain when I was little; burnt our forest. It took everything. My people were starving. They cried for help, but Eywa did not come. So I went to the fire, and I learned its way”.
She also shares with Quaritch how she, along with the rest of the Mangkwan clan, responded to Eywa’s abandonment of them, saying:
“I am the fire! By my hand, my people grow strong! We do not lie down and die just because Eywa turns her back on us! We turn our back on Eywa! A weak mother for weak children. We do not suck on the breast of weakness”.
The fact all this information isn’t brought up in the movie until Varang herself shares it implies she doesn’t freely offer this information, especially to those outside of the Mangkwan clan. During this same interaction, Varang chose to tell him, “I see you” (which has been established in the Avatar franchise as the equivalent of saying “I love you”) and “You have a strong heart. No fear” (which seems to be a term of endearment). For Varang to openly share all this information with Quaritch on her own terms (and within her personal space) shows that she has developed full trust in him. Another example of Varang’s trust in Quaritch takes place in Bridgehead City. When Quaritch arrests Jake and takes him to Bridgehead City, Varang travels there with them. She immediately recognizes how being in an unfamiliar environment and surrounded by more humans than she’s ever interacted with before can be overwhelming. She even tells one of the attending Mangkwan warriors, “Do not show fear”. Yet, while in Bridgehead City, Varang is shown peacefully sleeping in her tent within the Mangkwan camp. Meanwhile, Quaritch is right outside the tent the whole time. People are likely to sleep more soundly if they feel safe. Varang sleeping peacefully inside her tent shows how she trusts Quaritch to keep her safe.
The two photos on the left show Varang’s awareness of how overwhelming coming to Bridgehead City can be. The photo on the right shows Varang telling one of the Mangkwan warriors, “Do not show fear”. Her quote is circled for emphasis. Images created by 20th Century Studios, Lightstorm Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Varang sleeping peacefully shows the trust she’s placed in Quaritch to keep her safe in an unfamiliar place. Image created by 20th Century Studios, Lightstorm Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Quaritch and the group of Mangkwan Na’vi are circled in this picture to emphasize how close Quaritch was to Varang. Image created by 20th Century Studios, Lightstorm Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Throughout Avatar: Fire and Ash, Quaritch is shown trying to understand Varang and the world around her. He teaches her how to use a gun and a flamethrower, providing resources and skills the Mangkwan clan are interested in receiving. While in Bridgehead City, Quaritch speaks with Varang in the Na’vi language. He interacts with other members of the Mangkwan clan besides Varang during his time in Bridgehead City. Quaritch adopts the appearance of a Mangkwan Na’vi, even sporting the clan’s war paint toward the end of the film. Unlike Jack’s confrontation with Achara’s brother and his friends in ‘Stranger in a Strange Land’, Quaritch never faces animosity from the Mangkwan clan whenever he attempts to learn more about Varang and her world. It should be noted that some of Quaritch’s war paint appears to mirror Varang’s, implying her direct influence over their design. With all that said, Quaritch is not disrespecting the cultural boundaries of the Mangkwan clan, a mistake Jack made in the aforementioned Lost episode. Even when Quaritch introduces Varang to a human named General Ardmore in Bridgehead City, he refers to Varang as “Tsahìk of the Mangkwan”. This simple decision highlights three things:
Quaritch is honoring and respecting Varang’s culture, as well as her role within it
He refuses to define Varang by his perception of her (such as referring to her as “my girlfriend” or “my soulmate”), especially after General Ardmore calls Varang Quaritch’s “little missy”
Quaritch believes he doesn’t have to prove his and Varang’s relationship to anyone, as his actions and choices should speak for themselves
The arrows in these photos are pointing out the similarities in Varang’s and Quaritch’s Mangkwan war paint designs. Images created by 20th Century Studios, Lightstorm Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
These pictures show Quaritch interacting with some of the Mangkwan Na’vis in Bridgehead City. The Mangkwan Na’vi shown in these pictures, including the one with their face circled, do not present animosity. Images created by 20th Century Studios, Lightstorm Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Quaritch and Varang vs. Top Dollar and Myca
In 2021, I wrote an editorial analyzing the toxic relationship of Top Dollar and Myca from The Crow. One of the takeaways from that editorial was that Myca and Top Dollar’s incestuous relationship is likely the result of an absent/dysfunctional family unit, as well as likely being exposed to dark and harmful things from a young age by their father. Another major takeaway was how Top Dollar and Myca’s enablement of each other was contributed by their likely long-term exposure to dark and harmful things being their “normal”. But when I wrote and published that editorial five years ago, I didn’t realize how Myca and Top Dollar lacked awareness for who they are and what they do, which kept them in a constant cycle of toxicity. When Varang shares her traumatic past with Quaritch in Avatar: Fire and Ash, she recollects what caused her to become the leader she is and how the Mangkwan clan responded to the tragedy. Varang expressing self-awareness doesn’t excuse or condone her aggressive and violent behavior toward others. However, it shows that change, as well as healing, seems realistically possible for her. Varang’s steps toward healing consist of a) she willingly opened up to Quaritch about her traumatic past and b) she willingly opened up her heart to Quaritch after closing her heart off for so long, to the point where it dictated how she walked. Oona even commented on how Varang’s walk was developed, saying, “Varang’s trust is broken and so what happens when you close the heart”. Only time will tell if Varang wants to heal from her trauma, let alone change her villainous ways.
This awareness of Varang’s trauma is also acknowledged by the creative team behind Avatar: Fire and Ash. During an interview with Youtuber Bryce Edward Brown, James Cameron (the director of all three Avatar films) said, “I think that as a little girl the powerlessness and the loss and that she felt and and is playing out through PTSD and trying to recapture power and control the things that that she couldn’t control as a child”. When Oona was interviewed by Bryce Edward Brown, she explained, “The reason that she [Varang] is the way that she is is because she has been hurt in a really really deep place. And it’s, like, the classic, you know, architype of ‘hurt people hurt people’”. In an interview with ABC News, Oona addressed how “She’s [Varang’s] gone through a lot of trauma”, elaborating on that statement by saying, “But she’s gone though a lot of grief, you know, she lost her land, her whole way of life, her family, and, and, her great mother, the, the source of all of her faith, so she has suffered a lot of loss”.
The picture on the left shows how Varang walks, influenced by her broken trust. The picture on the right shows Varang demonstrating to Quaritch how she is “the fire”. During this demonstration, anger toward Eywa can be heard in Varang’s voice. Images created by 20th Century Studios, Lightstorm Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
One of the reasons why Varang is considered a villain in Avatar: Fire and Ash is because she uses her kuru (neural queue/braid) to forcefully connect to other Na’vis’ kurus, using that connection to mentally manipulate her victims. Based on the context within the film, she does this as a form of interrogation as well as to gain an upper hand. After Varang and Quaritch become a couple, however, Quaritch has stood back and watched Varang continue to mentally manipulate others with her kuru. Initially, I was confused why Quaritch would do this, especially considering a) Varang mentally manipulated him when they first met and b) Varang willingly opened up to him about her traumatic past, as well as expressing self-awareness for why she is the way that she is. I wondered, “shouldn’t Quaritch be trying to help Varang heal from her trauma”? This confusion led me, at first, to speculate if Quaritch had adopted Top Dollar and Myca’s “I don’t care because it’s none of my business” attitude/mindset, the same attitude/mindset they used to enable each other to hurt themselves or other people. But Quaritch is the same man who has gone out of his way to try to understand Varang and the world around her. In Bridgehead City, when General Ardmore called the Mangkwan clan “savages” and Varang Quaritch’s “little missy”, Quaritch (and Varang) appeared uncomfortable by what General Ardmore said. Quaritch even tells General Ardmore, “Don’t be a jackass, General”. What I said shows how Quaritch does care about Varang and her world because he’s made that his business. Though there are better ways Quaritch could have shown he cares about Varang, like preventing her from using her kuru for harmful purposes.
These collection of pictures show Quaritch and Varang’s reaction to what General Ardmore said about Varang and the Mangkwan clan. It’s obvious how they do not look pleased. Images created by 20th Century Studios, Lightstorm Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
In an interview from the Youtube channel, Film Stories, Stephen responds to a question about where Quaritch fits in within the conflict of humanity versus Na’vi. He says, “What he [Quaritch] recognizes is that he can no longer, the idea of making the planet come to him, the moon come to him doesn’t work. He’s got to go to it. He’s got to adapt to it”. Stephen’s quote can be applied to Quaritch’s relationship with Varang. Varang willingly opened up to Quaritch about her traumatic past, as well as willingly opened up her heart to him. During his interaction with Varang in her yurt, Quaritch reminds her how she wants an “equal” (something she’s never had). With that said, he recognizes how Varang has not only carried her unresolved trauma for a long time, but has also lived her life a certain way for a long time. Quaritch recognizes as well how Varang’s new chapter in her life (developing a relationship with her “equal”) will take some adjusting to. So, as Varang’s “equal”, Quaritch’s decision to stand by and watch her continue to mentally manipulate others with her kuru is not about intentional enablement like Myca and Top Dollar not caring about what the other does. Quaritch acknowledges and respects where Varang is in her life, as well as her healing journey, and meeting her there instead of forcing her to do something she either doesn’t want to do or isn’t ready to do. However, I do wish Quaritch had intervened and encouraged Varang to make better choices that don’t involve hurting other Na’vis.
In these two photos, Varang continues to mentally manipulate Na’vis with her kuru. Meanwhile, Quaritch just stands by and watches the events unfold instead of intervening. Images created by 20th Century Studios, Lightstorm Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
When I wrote and published my editorial about Top Dollar and Myca’s relationship, I discussed how both their conversations in The Crow were not meaningful. As I explained in that editorial, words aren’t utilized to address emotions, leaving feelings and personal turmoil bottled up and unresolved. Concerns and basic needs are ignored as well. In Avatar: Fire and Ash, Varang and Quaritch share only one conversation, which takes place during their interaction in Varang’s yurt. Despite this, their conversation is meaningful because of how much it accomplishes. Like I’ve already said, Varang willingly opened up to Quaritch about her traumatic past, showing how she not only trusts Quaritch, but also how change and healing seem realistically possible for her. Varang sharing her backstory allows Quaritch (and the audience) to learn more about her as well. Meanwhile, Varang learns more about Quaritch by asking him questions, such as why he came to see her in the first place. Even when Quaritch tells Varang, “You want to take on Eywa? You need me”, he confirms how he’s actively paying attention/listening to what Varang is saying. Though he was under the influence of a hallucinogenic powder she gave him earlier in their interaction, potentially affecting his judgement. The most important thing Quaritch and Varang’s conversation accomplishes is establishing their relationship. They no longer see each other as a threat like they did when they first met. As their conversation goes on, their tone of voice becomes friendlier. Varang even gently strokes Quaritch’s chin and kuru, though she did cut his chest prior to that, which could have given Quaritch mixed messages on her feelings for him. But when Varang tells Quaritch, “I see you”, he responds by telling her, “Damn right you do”, while appearing relaxed and speaking with a confident and matter-of-fact tone of voice. This response, and the fact Quaritch doesn’t appear surprised or caught off guard by what Varang told him, emphasizes his acceptance of her love, as well as doubling and tripling down on that idea.
The top two pictures show Varang gently stroking Quaritch’s chin and kuru. Though she did cut his chest before that, which could have given Quaritch mixed messages. The bottom left picture shows Varang right after she told Quaritch, “I see you”. Meanwhile, the bottom right picture shows Quaritch right after he tells Varang, “Damn right you do”. Images created by 20th Century Studios, Lightstorm Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Varang and Quaritch vs. Akasha and Lestat
I wrote an editorial in 2019 about Lestat and Akasha’s relationship (from Queen of the Damned), discussing why it was problematic for Akasha to possess more control in the relationship. One of her missteps was not making an effort to get to know Lestat. Akasha assumes she knows Lestat based on his image as a musical performer, even though being a musical performer only plays a small role in his life. This assumption leads her to give him a royal title he did not desire. Had Akasha taken the time to ask Lestat what he wanted, she would have known all he wanted was to walk in the light and not hide in the shadows. In Avatar: Fire and Ash, Varang doesn’t make Akasha’s mistakes. I brought up earlier how she learns more about Quaritch by asking him questions, such as why he came to see her in the first place. Varang even asks him, “What do I want”, when Quaritch claims she doesn’t want to keep him as a slave. Her asking this question shows how she’s interested in hearing his answer instead of assuming what he’ll say is incorrect. It also shows how she’s willing to change her mind about how she sees Quaritch, though her entertaining the idea of keeping him as a slave is concerning. Before giving Quaritch the hallucinogenic powder I referenced earlier in this editorial, Varang tells him, “First, I must see your soul”. Then, before telling Quaritch, “You have a strong heart. No fear”, Varang says, “Only true words will come from your tongue”. These examples illustrate Varang making a strong effort in getting to know Quaritch instead of falling for a fabricated image of him. Sadly, this is the only time Varang is shown learning more about Quaritch, which could give the impression her efforts aren’t strong.
The left picture shows Varang as she’s asking Quaritch, “What do I want”. The picture on the right shows Varang asking Quaritch questions. That picture is from Quaritch’s perspective while under the influence of the hallucinogenic powder she gave him. Images created by 20th Century Studios, Lightstorm Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Akasha doesn’t seem to see Lestat as an equal, but instead as something she can control. Akasha refers to Lestat by his name on less than three occasions. She also talks at him, not to him, as well as purposefully leaving Lestat out of the process of building their “kingdom”. Because Akasha forced Lestat into their relationship and possesses more control within it, he doesn’t feel their relationship is worth investing in. Once again, Varang refuses to repeat Akasha’s mistakes. In Avatar: Fire and Ash, when Quaritch brought up how she wanted an “equal”, Varang never objects or claims Quaritch is wrong. In fact, she tells him “I see you” after he reveals how an “equal” is what she really wanted. Any time she communicates with Quaritch (talking to him, not at him), Varang refers to him by his name. The only times she didn’t do that is when she didn’t know his name, hence the reason why she called Quaritch “Sky Man”. Since forming their relationship, Varang and Quaritch are rarely seen apart, as they recognize how valuable their time and company is. This is just one example of how their relationship contains equal investment. Meanwhile, Quaritch shows how he is an active participant in his relationship with Varang. In Avatar: Fire and Ash, during his interaction with Varang in her yurt, Quaritch explains what he can give her, such as “guns”, “comms”, and “RPGs”. But Varang recognizes the nontangible things he can give her as well, like security and peace of mind. This portion of their conversation highlights how Quaritch is willing to share and be a provider in his and Varang’s relationship. As I’ve said, Quaritch tries to learn more about Varang and her world. Because Varang has willingly provided these learning opportunities to Quaritch, he has received chances to grow closer to her.
Varang’s response to Quartich’s reminder of how she wants an “equal” doesn’t show her disagreeing with him. Image created by 20th Century Studios, Lightstorm Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
While reflecting on Lestat and Akasha’s relationship, as well as the other relationships discussed in this editorial, I noticed how their displays of affection are not consistent, whether these displays have been publicly or privately. It seems like those couples’ problematic behavior was the primary focus. Though Quaritch and Varang display villianous behavior in Avatar: Fire and Ash, their displays of affection are shown consistently throughout the film as well. Varang and Quaritch hold hands on two separate occasions; in Bridgehead City (after Quaritch introduces Varang to General Ardmore) and after Quaritch teaches Varang how to use a flamethrower. Quaritch has referred to Varang by endearing names like “baby”, “sugar”, and “darling”. Any time he touches her, Quaritch has continually been gentle with Varang. Meanwhile, Varang gently touched Quaritch’s arm in Bridgehead City. As I mentioned in this editorial already, Varang gently strokes Quaritch’s chin and kuru, which she does before Quaritch brought up how Varang wants an “equal”. But what I’ve noticed is how Varang only blinks whenever Quaritch is around or when something connected to Quaritch is around. Because this behavior is so patterned around Quaritch, I believe blinking is Varang’s way of showing affection for him. These times are the following:
While examining the deceased body of one of the Mangkwan Na’vi, Varang becomes interested in a bullet lodged within it. After digging out the bullet, Varang blinks as she bites into the bullet. Bullets typically come from the RDA, which Quaritch is associated with.
After Quaritch teaches Varang how to use a gun, she blinks as she tells him, “I do not need you now, Sky Man”.
Varang blinks as she notices the guns Quaritch brought to her Mangkwan village
Varang blinks immediately after Quaritch reminds her how she wants an “equal”
When Jake surrenders to Quaritch, Varang blinks three times during that situation: when Quaritch suggests Neytiri be arrested too, right before Jake refers to Varang as Quaritch’s “new girlfriend” and as Varang is looking up at Quaritch
Varang blinks twice when Quaritch introduces her to General Ardmore: when General Ardmore refers to Varang as Quaritch’s “little missy” and as Quaritch is introducing Varang as “Tsahìk of the Mangkwan”
When Neytiri infiltrates Varang’s tent in the Mangkwan clan’s camp in Bridgehead City, Varang blinks when Neytiri threatens to cut off Varang’s kuru. This incident takes place after Varang and Quaritch formed a tsaheylu (an intimate bond that lasts for life formed by mates connecting kurus). When Quaritch and Varang first met, she forcefully connected his kuru with hers in order to mentally manipulate him. However, an argument can be made that, in this particular situation, Varang did this in self-defense, as Quaritch had a gun pointed at her head when he was helping Jake rescue his children from the Mangkwan clan.
In these photos, Quaritch teaches Varang how to use a flamethrower. Quaritch’s hand is circled to emphasize how gently he touches Varang. Images created by 20th Century Studios, Lightstorm Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
In this picture, Varang’s hand is circled to emphasize how gently she’s touching Quaritch’s arm. Image created by 20th Century Studios, Lightstorm Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Varang and Quartich’s hands are circled to highlight that Quaritch and Varang are holding hands. Image created by 20th Century Studios, Lightstorm Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Quaritch and Varang vs. Oscar and Lily
One of the worst movies I ever reviewed on 18 Cinema Lane is Twentieth Century. A reason why I don’t like this movie is how abusive Oscar and Lily’s relationship is. Oscar grows jealous and obsessive of Lily over the course of the film. The worst thing he does is use his mortality as a manipulation tactic. Not only does Oscar threaten suicide if Lily doesn’t stay with him, he also fakes his death to trick Lily into signing his contract. Quaritch and Varang, on the other hand, never do that in Avatar: Fire and Ash. The only time Quaritch uses language to manipulate a situation is when he tells Varang, “You touch me with that thing again, I’ll kill you”. Before he said that, Varang was attempting to mentally manipulate Quaritch with her kuru for a second time, even though he came to her village delivering guns for her people. Therefore, Quaritch’s threat was a self-defense tactic, as he still saw Varang as a threat. It should be noted how Varang also still saw Quaritch as a threat during this interaction, as Varang continues to hold her kuru. This is a response to Quaritch holding a gun to her head when they first met, as he was trying to help Jake rescue his children from the Mangkwan clan. Meanwhile, during Quaritch and Varang’s interaction in her yurt, Varang’s mortality is never a topic of discussion. Even though she could have used her mortality to manipulate Quaritch, she instead chooses to share her traumatic past with him, as well as asking him why he came to see her in the first place.
In this picture, Varang’s kuru in her hand is circled to emphasize how, in this moment, she still sees Quaritch as a threat after their first meeting. Image created by 20th Century Studios, Lightstorm Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Despite being treated horribly by Oscar, Oscar’s friends try to help him fix his relationship with Lily. They even go as far as blaming Lily for Oscar’s failures. Varang and Quaritch never do that either in Avatar: Fire and Ash. When Neytiri infiltrated the Mangkwan clan’s camp in Bridgehead City, Varang is more preoccupied with obtaining Neytiri’s heart than blaming Quaritch for the camp’s breach in security. Later in the movie, when General Ardmore permanently grounds Quaritch after Jake and another character named Spider escape Bridgehead City, Quaritch doesn’t blame Varang. Instead, he stays focused on recapturing Spider and Jake. Quaritch is even pleased he can utilize Varang mentally manipulating Neytiri to lure Jake and Spider, with Quaritch telling Varang, “Thanks, baby”. These examples I brought up show how Varang and Quaritch don’t take their frustrations out on each other because they possess the maturity and emotional understanding to recognize which battles are worth choosing, as well as what is within that other person’s control. At the same time, however, Quaritch and Varang don’t hold each other accountable if they do something wrong.
Even when Quaritch shows up to help Varang capture Neytiri, Varang remains focused on obtaining Neytiri’s heart. Image created by 20th Century Studios, Lightstorm Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
After Quaritch uses Varang’s mental manipulation toward Neytiri to lure Jake and Spider, he tells Varang, “Thanks, baby”. But he doesn’t hold her accountable for her treatment toward Neytiri. Image created by 20th Century Studios, Lightstorm Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Varang and Quaritch vs. Nancy and Bill Sikes
Though I have reviewed 1968’s Oliver!, I never talked about how awful Nancy and Bill Sikes’ relationship is. Similar to Lestat and Akasha’s relationship, Nancy is more invested in her relationship with Bill. But, unlike Akasha and Lestat’s relationship, Bill is someone Nancy actually cares about. Unfortunately for her, Bill sees Nancy more as a nuisance than a girlfriend. When she asks Bill if he loves her, he angrily tells Nancy, “Course I do. I live with you, don’t I”? Bill also takes Nancy for granted, never showing gratitude whenever Nancy does something nice for him, like serving him food. He even becomes violent toward Nancy. Bill tries to physically intimidate Nancy by threatening to choke her when she refuses to bring Oliver back into a life of thieving. Bill also slaps Nancy so hard, she falls to the floor. After Nancy is beaten to death by Bill, Bill blames her for the predicament he put himself in. He expresses more concern for being caught by the police than remorse for the way he treated Nancy.
As he makes his way back to his and Varang’s tent, Quaritch says, “Hey sugar, join the party”. This highlights how he wants to spend more time with Varang. Image created by 20th Century Studios, Lightstorm Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Quaritch is never shown becoming angry at Varang. Even when Varang mentally manipulated him with her kuru or cut his chest, Quaritch doesn’t express anger or resentment toward her. However, Quaritch ignoring Varang’s aggression toward him could give her a mixed message on how to treat him. Quaritch has continually been gentle with Varang any time he touches her. In fact, the closest to aggressive Quaritch has ever been toward Varang is when he pointed a gun at her head. In that moment, however, Quaritch saw her as a threat, as Quaritch was trying to help Jake rescue his children from the Mangkwan clan. Throughout his relationship with Varang, Quaritch never takes her for granted, proving this by taking the time to learn more about Varang and her world. Out of all the ways he could have chosen to spend his time in Bridgehead City, Quaritch chose to spend it with Varang and the Mangkwan clan. What I said about Quaritch can also be applied to Varang. She stops being aggressive toward Quaritch when their relationship is established, as Varang saw Quaritch as a threat before that. Varang doesn’t take Quaritch for granted either, with her proof being how interested she appears in learning how to use a gun and flamethrower. Quaritch and Varang are rarely seen apart when their relationship is formed. They recognize how valuable their time and company is.
These two pictures show Quaritch’s response to Varang’s aggression toward him. Though he holds no anger or resentment towards Varang, Quartich choosing to ignore her aggression could give Varang mixed messages. Images created by 20th Century Studios, Lightstorm Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
These two photos show how interested and eager Varang is to learn from Quaritch. Image created by 20th Century Studios, Lightstorm Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Conclusion
What led to the creation of this editorial was trying to figure out why Quaritch and Varang were so popular. Through my research, I think I found an answer. In the Avatar franchise, Varang and Quaritch seem to be the only two characters who subvert expectations. In entertainment media, when expectations are subverted, that can spark curiosity and intrigue from the audience. If you had told me back in 2009 that Colonel Miles Quaritch would eventually adopt the appearance of a Na’vi and fall in love with a Na’vi woman, I definitely would not have believed you. Then, in 2025, if you had told me the first Na’vi villain in the Avatar franchise would fall in love at all, let alone fall in love with Quaritch, I also would not have believed you. But, before publishing this editorial, if you had told me Quaritch and Varang’s relationship was healthier than some of the problematic relationships from movies and tv I’m familiar with (like Lestat and Akasha and Top Dollar and Myca), I certainly would have thought you were joking.
My editorial outro image created by me, Sally Silverscreen. Original image created by 20th Century Studios, Lighstorm Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Though this editorial highlights how Quaritch and Varang’s relationship is healthier than some problematic relationships from entertainment media, their relationship isn’t truly healthy. Because they are the villains in Avatar: Fire and Ash, their villainous behavior is on full display. They treat other people terribly, from Quaritch destroying Na’vis’ homes in his search for Jake Sully to Varang and the Mangkwan clan sparking unprovoked violence toward other Na’vis. There are also a lot of aspects of their relationship that are up for interpretation. I mentioned earlier how Varang and Quaritch formed a life-long bond called tsaheylu. Even though Varang is more educated about Na’vi culture than Quaritch, it’s unknown if she explained the significance of tsaheylu before they formed this bond, which would have allowed Quaritch to make an informed decision about whether he wants to spend the rest of his life with her. Despite the flaws in their relationship, however, Quaritch and Varang treat each other better than I expected. As of the publication of my editorial, the fourth film in the Avatar franchise has not officially been greenlit, though the release date has already been chosen. If that film does come to fruition, I hope Varang and Quaritch acknowledge how good they have it when it comes to their relationship. Because if my editorial stresses anything, it’s how some people aren’t so lucky.
References:
From 18 Cinema Lane –
Travel Lessons I Learned from Movies and TV
Toxic Valentine: Why Lestat and Akasha’s relationship is very problematic in Queen of the Damned (2002)
We Need to Talk About the Toxic Relationship of Top Dollar and Myca from ‘The Crow’
Take 3: Twentieth Century Review
Youtube Videos and Shorts –
‘Why Varang Is Working With Quaritch and the Humans of the RDA in James Cameron’s Avatar’ (short from Youtube channel, Bryce Edward Brown)
‘I Interviewed Stephen Lang and Oona Chaplin About Quaritch and Varang’s Future in Avatar’ (video from Youtube channel, Bryce Edward Brown)
‘Candid interview with James Cameron and cast of ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’’ (video from Youtube channel, ABC News)
‘Stephen Lang on AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH!’ (video from Youtube channel, Film Stories)
‘Avatar Fire and Ash Cast Talk About Their Band & Na’avi Phrases & Fan Edits’ (video from the Youtube channel, Hits Radio)
‘The Cast of ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ on Reuniting, Diving Underwater, and Date Nights’ (video from the Youtube channel, Fandango)
‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’s Oona Chaplin on Crafting Her MENACING Strut (Exclusive)’ (video from the Youtube channel, Entertainment Tonight)
As Christmas is almost here, it’s time for my yearly Movie Blogger’s Christmas Wish-List! If you’re new to 18 Cinema Lane, this is an annual tradition where I share the movie related things I’d like to receive for Christmas. The list’s format follows the quote; “Something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read”. The items on this list, like in past years, are a combination of realistic requests and wishful thinking. So, let’s start 2025’s Christmas wish-list!
Puppies and hearts Christmas wish-list image created by Freepik at freepik.com.
Something You Want
Back in 2018, I saw the 1975 movie, Escape to Witch Mountain. One of the most memorable aspects of that film was an object belonging to Tia, one of the story’s protagonists. Throughout Escape to Witch Mountain, Tia carries a Starcase. This box contains a map that helps her and her brother, Tony, find their way home. But ever since I saw the film, I’ve always felt the term “starcase” was misleading. That’s because I don’t recall seeing Tia putting anything into the case itself, like small toys or trinkets. Despite this, the Starcase is one of the most unique movie props I’ve seen. So, for this portion of my Christmas wish-list, I would like to receive a replica of Tia’s Starcase. But I want a replica that is truly a case where items can be placed inside. Plus, I would like the Starcase replica to feature a purse strap, so the Starcase can be carried either as a purse or a clutch.
Tia’s Starcase images created by Walt Disney Productions and Buena Vista Distribution Company
Something You Need to See
Two years ago, I started my series, Sally Solves a Mystery. In this annual series, I talk about television related mysteries in an attempt to solve them. For my upcoming Sally Solves a Mystery article, I will write about two mysteries related to the same movie. On the forum for Lost Media Wiki, I came across a post about a lost teaser trailer for the 1997 film, Anastasia. While I do love that movie, I personally don’t remember seeing the teaser trailer in question. Another piece of Anastasia media I don’t remember is Anastasia On Ice, an ice skating show based on the film. The only footage of the show I’ve seen are a few television commercials and a behind-the-scenes news segment about the show. Why these lost media mysteries are featured in this part of my Christmas wish-list is how much I’d love to see them solved by November 21st, 2027, which is Anastasia’s 30th anniversary.
Promotional image for Anastasia On Ice found on the Youtube channel, Commerical Collections.
A movie related piece of clothing or accessory I’d want to wear
Looking back on past Christmas wish-lists, I haven’t selected a movie related piece of clothing or accessory that is holiday themed. But that is about to change with the Halloween themed sweater I will now discuss. In the Lifetime movie, Killing the Competition, my eye caught a gray sweater with pumpkins and black cats on it. Even though the sweater was featured very briefly in the film, it stuck in my memory, especially when it came time to create My Movie Blogger’s Christmas Wish-List. As I’m writing this article, I realized this is the second year in a row a sweater was chosen for this portion of my wish-list! With the Halloween sweater boasting a variety of colors, multiple outfits could be created around that sweater.
I apologize if this photo of the Halloween themed sweater isn’t the best. But as I explained in my Christmas wish-list, the sweater was featured very briefly in Killing the Competition. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.
A book I’ve read that I’d like to see adapted into a film
When I participated in the Eurovisionathon readathon, one of the books I read was A Prisoner in Malta by Phillip DePoy. It was, honestly, one of the better books I read for the event! A Prisoner in Malta is what would be considered a “page-turner”, as there was never a dull moment. The book contained other strengths like well-written banter between the characters, strong character development, and a mystery that was intriguing as well as complex. With all this said, I would be interested in seeing a film adaptation of A Prisoner in Malta! Based on what I’ve observed of the cinematic side of the mystery genre, historical mysteries seem far and few between. I also can’t think of many movies off the top of my head that are set in the 1580s. So, in my opinion, an adaptation of A Prisoner in Malta would offer something unique to the film-making table!
What are your thoughts on my Christmas wish list? Are there any movie related things you’d like to receive during the Christmas/holiday season? Tell me in the comment section!
Disney has had a history of adapting their theme park attractions into live action spectacles. Some of these movies have either made money at the box office or left a special place in people’s hearts, such as the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise or 1997’s Tower of Terror. Other titles have been forgotten by time or were poor performers at the cinema, like The Haunted Mansion and The Country Bears. What all the movies I mentioned have in common, besides the obvious, is how the selected attractions are those the majority of the movie-going audience has either heard of or has experienced themselves. Now Disney is breaking that track record by creating a film around their dining club, Club 33. In an article from The Hollywood Reporter, Borys Kit writes how a movie about Disneyland’s Club 33 is in the pre-production stage. The project even has a synopsis, which is the following:
“…the story centers on a young aspiring detective who receives a mysterious invite to the highly secretive Club 33. In this case, it’s a magical and exclusive dining club whose members are the greatest and most iconic figures from across history. When a murder is committed on the premises, the patrons look to the young detective to solve it”.
Attached to the production are Darren Lemke (who will write the film’s script), Emily Morris (the executive of the studio, 21 Laps Entertainment), as well as Shawn Levy, Dan Levine, and Dan Cohen.
If I could describe this piece of movie news in one word, it would be “odd”. As of the publication of this article, Disney’s reputation and finances are not as strong as they were in years past. The financial woes of movie theaters are directly connected to the financial woes of film studios, including Disney. So, Disney’s solution to these problems is to create a movie about a piece of their park’s fabric that the majority of the movie-going audience will never get to experience? Club 33 was founded in 1967 and it is “a dining area where Disney hosted celebrities, dignitaries, and friends”. Throughout Disneyland’s history, Club 33 has earned the reputation of being “an elite stealth club”. What isn’t mentioned in The Hollywood Reporter article is just how exclusive Club 33 is, from membership dues costing thousands of dollars to a several years long wait list.
Making movies, from a business perspective, is about trying to get as many people as possible to see a given movie. This, hopefully, will lead to that given movie earning as much money as possible. One strategy is to weave a story or theme into a movie that could be relatable for the majority of theater attendants. In my recent review of the 1988 made-for-TV film, Dance ‘Til Dawn, I mentioned how the story’s prom party reminded me of the Disneyland attraction, Videopolis. Though most theater patrons have never experienced or even heard of Videopolis, many people have a sense of longing or nostalgia for theme park attractions, places, and times gone by. Therefore, a movie about one of Disney’s older attractions makes more sense, to me, than a film about Club 33.
What are your thoughts on this piece of movie news? Which theme park attraction would you like to see adapted into a movie? Tell me in the comment section below!
Since 2024 is a Leap Year, I wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to publish the Gold Sally Awards on Leap Day! For new readers of 18 Cinema Lane, the Gold Sally Awards are one of my blog’s annual traditions to commemorate 18 Cinema Lane’s anniversary. These award categories are created by me, based on topics I’ve brought up on my blog. While most of the awards are the same as in 2023, a few of them have changed. For those awards, I’ll explain the significance of those categories. But just like last year, I will discuss why I chose each recipient. So, now, the moment you’ve been waiting for! The 6th Annual Gold Sally Awards are about to begin!
6th Annual Gold Sally Awards Winners created by me, Sally Silverscreen.
The “She Won’t Give Me My Chocolate” Award
(Best Quote from a Movie)
“Heroes know who they are” – Evel Knievel, Evel Knievel (1971)
In my review of the 1971 biopic, Evel Knievel, I mentioned how surprised I was by the story’s messages and themes. One example I provided was when Evel explained to Linda why he doesn’t want a lettermen sweater. To elaborate how he doesn’t need to prove he’s a hero, Evel says to Linda, “heroes know who they are”. This quote is not only though-provoking, it is also profound without trying too hard to be. To me, that quote (as well as that scene) was given a lot of thought by the biopic’s creative team!
The Standing Ovation Award
(Character Most Deserving of Receiving Their Full Potential)
Sydney Carton from Hallmark Hall of Fame’s A Tale of Two Cities
My favorite character from Hallmark Hall of Fame’s A Tale of Two Cities is Sydney Carton! Because of his personality, I wanted to know more about him. I was also curious to see where his story would go. Without spoiling this movie, though, all I’ll say is Sydney deserved more than the story provided him. Similar to Kili from The Hobbit trilogy, Sydney is, in my opinion, the MVP of A Tale of Two Cities!
The They Deserve an Award Award
(An Actor or Actress Who Deserves Recognition)
Sarah Drew (for her performance in Guiding Emily)
In the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries film, Guiding Emily, the protagonist loses her eyesight. This prevented Sarah Drew, the actress who portrayed Emily, from using her eyes for emotional expression. However, she used other acting techniques to her advantage; such as body language, vocal inflections, and movements of the mouth. Sarah’s performance in Guiding Emily was so good, I specifically highlighted it in my review of the 2023 movie! Through versatility in her acting abilities, Sarah’s portrayal of Emily appeared believable! In fact, I think Sarah should have, at least, been nominated for an award.
The Cowboy Award
(Character Who Makes an Unnecessary, Drastic Change)
Margot from Christmas at Castle Hart
Cowboy, from the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, A Painted House, is a character I’ve mentioned on 18 Cinema Lane. The context was when he was featured in the dishonorable mentions section of my list of the top ten characters ruined by Hallmark. Because I won’t spoil the aforementioned Hallmark Hall of Fame film, all I will say is Cowboy makes an unnecessary, drastic change that, in my opinion, was jarring to witness. It was also jarring to watch Margot, from Christmas at Castle Hart, drastically change. For most of the 2021 movie, Margot comes across as a somewhat annoying character obsessed with Irish stereotypes. But when her sister, Brooke, confronts her about how they should stop lying, Margot becomes a selfish and manipulative person. She even convinces Brooke into believing that if their lies fall apart, it will be Brooke’s fault. In an instant, Margot became a character who cared more about her career than about how others would be affected by her lies.
The “Based on a Book I Haven’t Read Yet” Award
(Movie Based on Source Material I Have Not Yet Read)
Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Caroline?
Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Caroline? became my favorite movie of 2023! After watching the film, I remembered how it was based on the book, Father’s Arcane Daughter by E. L. Konigsburg. As well as trying to check out as many Hallmark Hall of Fame movies as I realistically can, I’d like to read as many books based on Hallmark Hall of Fame movies as possible. In fact, I even created a Hallmark Hall of Fame reading challenge! Since I haven’t read Father’s Arcane Daughter yet, I need to find an excuse to finally seek this book out.
The Edward Boult Award
(Missed Opportunity in Cinema)
Not Addressing Bullying in TheBest Christmas Pageant Ever
If you’re going to create a story for a younger audience, you need to be mindful when it comes to addressing serious, real-world issues. That’s because a younger audience can be very impressionable. The creative team behind the 1983 television production, TheBest Christmas Pageant Ever, should have kept this in mind when they chose to not address bullying in their film. As I talked about in my review, the Herdman children bully their peers. The bullied children don’t stand up for themselves against the Herdmans. It also doesn’t help how the adults in the story do not resolve this issue. Because of everything I just said, some younger audience members might believe they shouldn’t bring up bullying if it occurs in their life.
The Top Gun: Maverick Award
(Movie That Exceeded My Low Expectations)
A Biltmore Christmas
When I included Top Gun: Maverick in my list of the top ten best movies I saw in 2022, I admitted how skeptical I was about the movie’s quality. As I said in that list, sequels released over ten years after their predecessor can be hit or miss. But Top Gun: Maverick exceeded my expectations, becoming my second favorite picture from that year! In 2023, I was skeptical about A Biltmore Christmas due to its hype and publicity. Similar to Top Gun: Maverick, A Biltmore Christmas was so good, it ended up in the top three of my year end best movies list! Like I said in my list of the best movies I saw in 2023, there were so many things Hallmark got right in this Christmas movie. It also helps how the story provided a different type of narrative for Hallmark’s Christmas presentations. Because of how much I liked A Biltmore Christmas, I’m looking forward to seeing what Hallmark has in store for this year’s Christmas season!
The Dishonorable Mention Award
(Worst Movie from the Dishonorable Mention Category)
Christmas at Castle Hart
Because I didn’t see enough movies to include an honorable mention category, I wasn’t able to award a winner for the Honorable Mention Award. Since my worst movies of 2023 list featured a dishonorable mention category, I was able to find a recipient for this year’s Gold Sally Awards. Christmas at Castle Hart is the most disappointing film to not make my worst films of the year list. In my review of that movie, I stated how I had waited since 2018 to see Stuart Townsend star in a Hallmark production. Sadly, the final product Hallmark gave me wasn’t worth the wait. Stuart’s acting talents were underutilized to the point where his character, Aiden, spent most of the story driving the female protagonist around Ireland. Christmas at Castle Hart contained other flaws, such as bad CGI and an underutilized subplot. Looking back on the Dishonorable Mention Award, I realized how both recipients were Hallmark films.
The Far and Few Between Award
(Best Movie from a Genre, Film Category, or Decade Not Often Covered on 18 Cinema Lane)
Frankenweenie (2012)
Even though 18 Cinema Lane has been around for six years, there are some areas of cinema that are not often covered on my blog. One of those areas is animation. While it’s rare for an animated movie to receive a movie review, it’s even rarer for an animated movie to appear on my best films of the year list. 2012’s Frankenweenie achieved these feats in 2023, presenting a collection of good creative choices as well as heart. This movie was such a pleasant, memorable surprise, which surpassed my expectations. I’m thankful I took the chance to write about it!
The Hallmark Hall of Fame Award
(Movie That Feels Like It Belongs in the Hallmark Hall of Fame Collection)
Guiding Emily and A Biltmore Christmas
When I shared my overall impression of Guiding Emily, I said how the movie felt reminiscent of Hallmark Hall of Fame projects of yesteryear. This is because the film tells a more unique story from what Hallmark typically creates today. In the case of A Biltmore Christmas, the story provided a different type of narrative within Hallmark’s Christmas films. It also included a historical component to the story. When Hallmark Hall of Fame was in its prime, historical/period films or movies with inspirational themes were added to the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection. If this collection still existed, Guiding Emily and A Biltmore Christmas would have been chosen as 2023’s Hallmark Hall of Fame presentations.
As I mentioned in my list of the top ten worst movies I saw in 2023, I saw enough films to create a best movies of the year list! But because I saw more movies I disliked than liked, there aren’t enough films to create an honorable mentions section. When I look back on the best films I saw this year, I realize the majority of the titles are made-for-TV productions. Looking specifically at the top three best movies of 2023, I noticed a shared theme; all of the movies contain historical fiction stories. Since I reviewed most of the films on this list, I will provide the links to those reviews in this article. So, as the sun sets on 2023, let’s start my list of the top ten best movies I saw this year!
Out of all the movies in the Curious Caterer trilogy, I’d say Curious Caterer: Grilling Season is the best film! It improves on some of the predecessor’s flaws, like adding more humor into the script. The film also made different creative decisions, such as giving Marla more involvement in the mystery, that proved this series still has many ideas at the creative team’s disposal. One of the strengths of the Curious Caterer series, including the sequel, is the quality of the acting performances! From the main actors to the supporting talent, each on-screen interaction appeared so natural, it allowed the story to feel immersive. As of late 2023/early 2024, there have only been two mystery movies announced by Hallmark Movies & Mysteries; True Justice: Family Ties and Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers. Hopefully, the network will consider continuing the Curious Caterer series.
Revisiting this film after seeing it for the first time six years ago, Christmas Princess still holds up! What works in this movie’s favor is how it focuses on Donaly’s journey to the Rose Court. This creative choice not only prevented the 2017 made-for-TV project from adopting several Christmas related tropes and cliches, it also gave the movie a chance to tell a more unique story for a Christmas production. Other good creative decisions include Donaly’s wardrobe and providing a thorough explanation of the Rose Court process. Looking back on Christmas Princess, I’m surprised there hasn’t been more movies made related to the Tournament of Roses. It’ll be interesting to see if a studio or network finds a story inspiring enough to adapt into a film!
As I’ve said in past reviews, I rarely receive an opportunity to write about animated movies. So, it is even rarer for an animated title to appear on my best of the year list. What made 2012’s Frankenweenie so memorable was a collection of good creative choices. Some of them include the creatures within the story, presenting the film in black-and-white imagery, and sprinkling “Easter Eggs” throughout the movie. But another reason why Frankenweenie landed on my best movies of the year list is how much heart this story contained. Sure, I knew this project would be a cute take on Mary Shelley’s book. However, the heart-filled nature of the film’s story was such a pleasant surprise!
After the release of Murder, She Baked: A Plum Pudding Mystery, I’ve always wondered why Hallmark Movies & Mysteries didn’t create more Christmas themed mystery films. Mystery on Mistletoe Lane proved that the network should, at least, consider making more mystery stories that take place around Christmastime. With festive clues and well-written riddles, the mystery itself left me on the edge of my seat, curious to see how the mystery would be resolved. I also liked the movie’s subplot, as it was interesting to see the creative ways Christmas activities were incorporated into the story. Another factor that worked in the favor of Mystery on Mistletoe Lane is how the mystery provided lower stakes. This allowed the movie to maintain the cheerful and light-hearted tone most viewers expect from Hallmark’s Christmas offerings.
6. RKO 281
Toward the end of my review of RKO 281, I said good films leave a lasting impression. Not only did the 1999 movie leave a lasting impression, it earned a spot on my best of the year list! There are many aspects of RKO 281 that are so good, you will find yourself saying, “Wait, this is an HBO film”? Every component of this movie goes above and beyond, looking and feeling like it should have received a theatrical premiere. For every “classic” or “iconic” film, there is a journey for how that film came to exist. The journey shown in RKO 281 made me appreciate the efforts taken to bring Citizen Kane to the big screen. Reflecting on both Citizen Kane and RKO 281, it makes me wonder if other well-known movies have an incredible behind-the-scenes story worthy of its own film?
When I talked about Jesse Stone: Night Passage in my top ten worst movies I saw in 2023 list, I mentioned how, for me, 2023 was not the year for mysteries. However, there were a few stand-out mystery movies, with Haunted Harmony Mysteries: Murder in G Major being one of them. In the 2020s so far, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries have premiered mystery films that lack the “coziness” viewers have come to expect from the network’s mystery projects. Haunted Harmony Mysteries: Murder in G Major brought that “coziness” back, filling a void Hallmark Movies & Mysteries have been abandoning. Because the story incorporates a ghost, it gives this movie a unique identity and adds more creativity to the realm of Hallmark’s mystery library. As I said earlier in this list, there have, so far, only been two mystery movies announced by Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Sometime in 2024, I hope Hallmark turns Haunted Harmony Mysteries into a series, as there is so much potential for this story to lend itself to a multi-chapter title!
4. The Great Muppet Caper
If I could describe The Great Muppet Caper in one word, it would be “joyful”. That’s because, as I said in my review, this movie exudes so much joy! Each Muppet character had a specific purpose within the story, making every Muppet feel important. The jokes were well delivered, thanks to clever writing and solid acting. The Great Muppet Caper contains a simpler story that is easier to follow. But because of how good other aspects of this film are, that simplistic story works in The Great Muppet Caper’s favor. Since I liked the 1981 movie, maybe, in 2024, I’ll check out other productions featuring the Muppets!
Similar to Top Gun: Maverick, I had low expectations for A Biltmore Christmas. Hallmark’s decision to give the 2023 Christmas movie a lot of hype and publicity made me skeptical of the movie’s quality. When I finally checked the film out, I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was! There was so many things Hallmark got right; from the strength of the cast to the attention given to historical accuracy. While this type of story is nothing new for romance films, it does provide Hallmark Channel with a different type of narrative for their Christmas pictures. Within the 2020s so far, I noticed how Hallmark is creating more projects that have historical fiction elements. I’m interested to see what the network’s next big, historical fiction, Christmas movie ends up being in 2024!
2. Hallmark Hall of Fame’s A Tale of Two Cities
When I shared my overall impression of A Tale of Two Cities, I stated how both Oliver! and Nicholas Nickelby found a place in my year-end best movies lists. I also stated how that tradition would continue, as the Hallmark Hall of Fame adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities left such a good impression on me. However, this is the first time a Charles Dickens adaptation has earned a spot in my best list’s top three! Even though this film is longer than most Hallmark productions, it never feels like two hours and thirty-six minutes. Instead, A Tale of Two Cities feels like a well-paced, well-written, and well-acted depiction of Charles Dickens’ work. The creative team’s attention to detail also added to the movie’s great quality. It showed me the people who created this adaptation cared about the project they were working on. I have said before how I wanted to see as many Hallmark Hall of Fame productions as realistically possible. I hope to find more Hallmark Hall of Fame movies that are just as good as A Tale of Two Cities!
I know there’s no such thing as the “perfect” Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. But 1990’s Caroline? is the closest thing to it! The strengths of the project far outweigh the flaws, coming together to create a film that is intriguing, creative, and even thought-provoking. I liked seeing the characters’ interactions, as they made the movie captivating to watch. Similar to Hallmark Hall of Fame’s A Tale of Two Cities, the creative team behind Caroline? gave attention to detail. In the case of the 1990 film, this attention to detail was placed in differentiating between the past and the “present”. In my opinion, Caroline? is one of the more underrated Hallmark productions. I also believe it should have been re-released on DVD.
Before I start this review, I would like to say thank you to each and every follower of 18 Cinema Lane! This blog would not be the success it is today without you, so I appreciate your support! For this Blog Follower Dedication Review, I wanted to choose a film that was Halloween themed, as the holiday is just around the corner. I also recognize how animated films are rarely covered on my blog. Combining the two concepts, I selected the 2012 Disney movie, Frankenweenie! While I have read Mary Shelley’s classic novel, I haven’t seen many adaptations of Frankenstein. Yes, I did review Jesse James Meets Frankenstein’s Daughter. But there were very few traces of Mary’s source material woven into that film. When it comes to Halloween fare, vampires, including Dracula himself, have made their home on 18 Cinema Lane. So, Frankenweenie serves as a nice change! Put on your costumes and grab your Trick-or-Treat buckets, it’s time for this Blog Follower Dedication Review!
Frankenweenie(2012) poster created by Walt Disney Pictures, Tim Burton Productions, and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Things I liked about the film:
The animation: When it comes to animation, Tim Burton has a very distinct style. While this style shines in Frankenweenie, I want to talk about how the characters express emotion. Throughout the story, emotions are expressed through the mouth and eyelids. This prevented the characters from appearing static. One example is when Victor is working on his science experiment for the first time. After performing the experiment, Victor is curious about its effectiveness. When he thinks the experiment didn’t work, Victor’s mouth is turned in a frown and his eyelids are lowered. That combination created a facial expression that showcased Victor’s sadness and disappointment.
Creative ideas are typically found in Tim Burton’s animated films. In Frankenweenie, this creativity is found in the creatures who appear in the story! When Victor’s peers try to recreate his experiment, they receive unexpected results. A turtle comes back to life as a hybrid between a turtle and a dinosaur. Due to a mix-up, one girl’s cat turns into a combination of cat, werewolf, and bat. These creatures were so unique, as I have never heard or seen them in media before. Frankenweenie serves as an example of how imaginative the animation genre can be!
The “Easter Eggs”: “Easter Eggs” are references that are subtly woven into a piece of entertainment media. Disney and Tim Burton related “Easter Eggs” can be found in Frankenweenie! During Victor’s science experiment, he flies two kites in an attempt to capture lightening. One of these kites is shaped like a bat, a nod to when Tim directed Batman from 1989. In Victor’s room, there is a poster of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. This is a reference to when Disney adapted that story in 1954. I love when a film scatters “Easter Eggs” throughout the story, as it keeps the audience engaged in what they’re watching!
The messages and themes: Frankenweenie included several good messages and themes into the story! One of them appeared when Victor is interacting with his science teacher, Mr. Rzykruski. During this conversation, Victor explains how his science experiment worked the first time, but not the second time. Mr. Rzykruski helps Victor understand his dilemma by stressing how he should do science experiments for the right reasons. This message becomes an overarching theme in Frankenweenie, as characters’ intentions determine an outcome.
No pops of color: Frankenweenie is presented in black-and-white imagery. This creative choice allowed the movie to boast a distinctive aesthetic. But what would have made the visuals even more interesting is if pops of color were included. Whenever lightening appears, a bright yellow flash could have graced the screen. If a character were holding a Sea Monkey packet, that packet could have delivered vibrant hues of blue and purple. Adding color to certain elements or objects would have emphasized important parts of the story. Those pops of color would have also stood out nicely against the black-and-white background.
An underutilized antagonist: In stories created for children/families, there will sometimes be a grown-up character as the main antagonist. A perfect example is Miss Trunchbull from Matilda. There is a grown-up antagonistic character in Frankenweenie, Mr. Burgermeister, the mayor of New Holland. But unlike Miss Trunchbull, Mr. Burgermeister was underutilized in the story. Victor faced more conflicts with his peers than with Mr. Burgermeister. Plus, the mayor’s appearances in the movie were far and few between. This makes me wish Victor’s peers had been the only antagonists in the film.
Parts of the story that are unexplained: For this part of my review, I will include a spoiler for Frankenweenie. If you have not seen this film and are interested in watching it, please skip this part and continue where it says “My overall impression”.
As I mentioned earlier, Victor’s peers receive unexpected results after they try to recreate his experiment. When these creatures cause chaos throughout the town, Victor helps his peers reverse the effects of their experiments. With the use of electricity, Victor is able to reverse the effects of the turtle/dinosaur hybrid, with the turtle becoming dead again. Yet, when Victor uses electricity on his dog, Sparky, the dog stays alive. Because the science wasn’t explained, this part of the story felt inconsistent.
Disney has a history of re-telling pre-established stories. When re-telling these stories, whether it’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame or Oliver Twist, the delivery of these projects has adopted distinct identities and aesthetics, making the movie feel unique and creative. With Frankenweenie, it is a cute, unique take on Frankenstein! The combination of stop-motion animation and black-and-white imagery allow the movie to stand out among other versions of Mary Shelley’s story. “Easter Eggs” related to Tim Burton and Disney keep viewers engaged in the film they are watching. Yes, there are flaws within Frankenweenie, like unexplained parts of the story and an underutilized antagonist. However, this is a good choice for Halloween entertainment!
Overall score: 7.8 out of 10
Have you seen Frankenweenie? Are there any animated films you like watching during the Halloween season? Let me know in the comment section below!
My worst movies list of 2022 is different from that of the previous year. This time, I’ll be talking about more films that were “so bad they were bad”, as only three of these movies were disappointments. The Dishonorable Mentions portion of the list has also returned! Though I did see more good movies than bad, I couldn’t avoid coming across a “stinker” every now and then. I like to think I’ll, one day, see less than ten films for my annual worst list. But someday has not come this year, as the title of this article suggests. As I’ve stated in past lists, I did not write my list to be mean-spirited or negative. It’s just a way to express my own, honest opinion. Since some of these films have been reviewed on my blog, I will provide links to those reviews.
Dishonorable Mentions
Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Vows We Have Made, A Place for Annie, Swim Instructor Nightmare, Nikki & Nora: Sister Sleuths, The Corsican Brothers (1985), and Donnie Brasco (I only watched forty minutes of the film before turning it off)
In 2022, I was hoping to finally find my coveted “so bad, it’s good” movie. Sadly, The New Adventures of Heidi was not it. As I said in my review, this film is “spectacularly average”. The more I think about the 1978 made-for-tv movie, the less justifiable reasons I can think of for the project’s existence. Yes, The New Adventures of Heidi was intended as a “modern” re-telling of Johanna Spyri’s story. But the movie didn’t feel unique enough, despite all the changes. Every year I’ve participated in the So Bad It’s Good Blogathon, there has been a pattern between movies that turned out ok and movies that were just disappointing. Hopefully, in 2023, I can break this pattern.
When I first read the synopsis for Love in Wolf Creek, I was excited at the idea of a “cozier” story filled with adventure and excitement. The 2022 television film seemed better on paper than in practice. For a movie titled Love in Wolf Creek, there was very little romance in the story. The writing was weaker than I hoped, filled with scenarios that were too unrealistic for my liking. This project was too ambitious for INSP, the network who created the film. It was so disappointing, I didn’t bother watching its sequel, Christmas in Wolf Creek.
8. Harvey (1950)
I think the 1972 Hallmark Hall of Fame adaptation of Harvey is better than its 1950 predecessor. While I’m aware how controversial my opinion is, the 1972 film had more success executing its intended points. A mistake the 1950 movie makes is trying to be a comedy and a drama. This decision led the comedy to not only be underutilized, but also showcased medical negligence in a way that didn’t sit well with me. “Magical realism” was lacking in the 1950 film. This took away any opportunity for the story to be charming and whimsical. When I reviewed Harvey back in January, it was the most disappointing movie I saw in 2022. Now, eleven months later, the 1950 picture still holds that title.
The 1995 Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation made the same mistake Durango did: not giving the audience a reason to care about the characters and their story. In the case of Journey, the creative team failed to provide explanations for the characters’ choices. At the beginning of the film, the protagonist’s mother, Min, abandons her family, claiming she hates her parents. But the script never explains why she made this decision. Even when there are cut-away scenes featuring Min, she isn’t doing anything significant. How am I expected to care about Min’s choice affecting her family when I don’t even know why she left in the first place?
6. My Mom Made Me Do It
According to a synopsis I read for this 2022 Lifetime film, the protagonist, Jade, turns to stealing in order to help her mom pay the bills. Both the title and synopsis turned out to be a lie because 1) Jade’s decisions were made on her own and 2) Jade never steals anything. What she does instead is crash wealthy people’s parties and photographs their belongings. Other issues contained in this movie are weak lead performances and characters who make one dumb choice after another. I will admit there was at least one effective plot twist. But I wish it had taken place in a better film.
For a little while, I thought The Sundowners was going to be the worst movie I saw this year. Even though I was proven wrong, the 1960 film has still remained in my top five. Like I said in my review, one of the worst things you can do as a film-maker is waste your audience’s time. The story felt longer than necessary, which made the movie two hours and thirteen minutes not well spent. One of my biggest issues with The Sundowners was its “bait and switch” ending. While I won’t go into detail about the ending, as I don’t want to spoil the film, I will say it was cruel for both the characters and the audience.
This movie attempts to answer the question; “Wouldn’t it be funny if a group of women came together to solve a mystery”? By the time The North Avenue Irregulars was released in 1979, that question made the film dated on arrival, as there were several television programs from the ‘70s featuring at least one female character solving mysteries or fighting crime. The movie’s creative team told too many types of stories, yet failed at all of them. One minute, the film felt like a precursor to the Mitford series, revolving around a preacher trying to live his best life. The next minute, the film turns into a gangster heist picture, paired with car chases that were longer than necessary. Honestly, I wish this movie was a Scooby Doo-esque story about the film’s fictional band, Strawberry Shortcake. Maybe then the movie would seem more timeless.
3. Lake Effects
For the first time in 18 Cinema Lane history, all the movies in my worst list’s top three are Hallmark productions. Accepting the bronze is the 2012 film, Lake Effects. This movie has so many Hallmark movie clichés, you could create a bingo game around them. You could also create a bingo game around the many storylines found in this script. Lake Effects is a production that relies on style over substance. While Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia was captured well on film, there’s only so much the movie’s creative team could do with the weak script at their disposal. In my review from August, I stated how the movie seemed forgotten over the years. Its poor quality makes it not worth remembering.
In 2019 and 2020, a Hallmark Christmas movie ended up in the top three of my annual worst movies list. History is kind of repeating itself with A Boyfriend for Christmas in second place. Like Lake Effects, the 2004 film contained a weak script. But in A Boyfriend for Christmas, I only liked two minor parts of the story. The lack of Christmas magic made my movie viewing experience unenjoyable. It was one of those stories that became worse the longer I watched it. I know this movie is one of the most beloved titles in Hallmark’s cinematic library. Honestly, though, I found it over-rated.
Remember when I said one of the worst things a film-maker can do is waste their audience’s time? Well, another worst thing a film-maker can do is disrespect their audience’s intelligence. As I watched Francesca Quinn, PI, I was given the impression the film’s creative team didn’t want me to solve the mystery alongside the protagonist. That’s because Francesca explained things that didn’t need explaining. Despite Francesca being a professional private investigator, she constantly made decisions an amateur detective would likely make. Her lack of personality didn’t help either. According to IMDB, Francesca Quinn, PI could replace the Mystery 101 series. The reason is “the main characters’ relationship and the crime at the end of Deadly History are the same as the main characters’ relationship and crime in Francesca Quinn, PI”. If this is the case, the Mystery 101 fans, including myself, deserve so much better.
A Boyfriend for Christmasposter created by Hallmark Entertainment, MAT IV, Alpine Medien Productions, Larry Levinson Productions, Gaiam Entertainment, and Hallmark Channel
November’s Genre Grandeur focuses on Live Action Disney Films. Since I happen to have a few movies of this nature on my DVR, I had some options for this month’s event. I also wanted to participate in Taking Up Room’s Distraction Blogathon. Because “red herrings” and “dangling carrots” are a part of the movie distractions subject, I decided to review one film for both events; the 1964 title, Emil and the Detectives. Before both blogathons, I had this movie on my DVR for two years. The intention to review the film was there, but I hadn’t gotten around to writing about it. With these aforementioned events, I now have an excuse to finally talk about Emil and the Detectives! So, find a comfy seat and grab your magnifying glasses, as I’m about to review this 1964 live-action project from Disney!
This poster for Emil and the Detectives is a screenshot from my television. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.
Things I liked about the film:
The camaraderie among the younger characters: When a story features a group of young characters who either are friends or become friends, the camaraderie between those characters needs to feel believable, especially if the story primarily revolves around them. With this movie, that camaraderie among Emil and the Detectives was definitely genuine! In the scene where Emil meets Gustav, the leader of the Detectives, the connection between these characters is strong, despite them having never met before. As Emil meets the rest of the Detectives, it feels like these group of boys have been friends all along. The strong camaraderie works with this story, as it gives the audience a reason to stay invested in the journey of the characters. The fact each character has their own distinct personality also works in the characters’ favor, as it allows each one to bring something different to the table. The acting performances and the script add to the strength of the characters’ camaraderie, as it makes the interactions between these characters look and feel realistic!
The German backdrop: Thinking about live-action Disney films from this time-period/era, Germany wouldn’t immediately come to mind for me when it comes to a movie’s setting. Even though this studio has created projects with interesting settings, such as The Moon-Spinners, these titles seem like exceptions to the rule. Emil and the Detectives not only takes place in Germany, but was also filmed there as well. While the story’s setting is the city, some of the buildings possess an old-world charm. The apartments displayed wood and brick styles, carrying a more vintage appearance than their more contemporary counterparts seen today. The details of these apartments were also very distinctive. When Pony meets one of the Detectives, her grandmother’s apartment door boasts a rich dark wood. A small stained-glass window and a gold mail slot can also be seen, emphasizing the antique fixtures of yesteryear. Toward the end of the film, the story takes place in an abandoned structure in ruin. Not only was the structure itself impressive, but it served as a reminder of the state of Germany post World War II. Because this film was released nineteen years after the end of World War II, it shows how these characters are not that far removed from this real-life event, providing a sense of realism to the story.
An introduction to the Film Noir genre: Back in 2018, I reviewed the 1978 Disney production, Return from Witch Mountain. In that review, I said the film and its predecessor, Escape to Witch Mountain, would be good introductions to the Science-Fiction (Sci-Fi) genre. Emil and the Detectives is also a good genre introduction, but to the Film Noir genre this time. While this film is not dark and gritty, the elements of Film Noir are certainly present. One great example is the character of Gustav. When a Film Noir story includes a detective, that character will usually have a strong, magnetic personality. This shows the audience this character can be trusted and is also approachable. Gustav is a charismatic child. Even though he is nowhere near perfect, solving any case is always his number one goal. He also displays strong leadership skills, such as helping the other Detectives use their skills to the case’s advantage. Despite being a child, Gustav is somewhat reminiscent of other detectives from the world of Film Noir, such as Philip from The Big Sleep.
Limited number of German accents: During the film’s opening credits, German-sounding names were shown on-screen. These opening credits also state Emil and the Detectives was filmed in West Berlin (a term very much of its time). So, I was expecting the majority of the characters to carry German accents. To my disappointment, the only characters using German accents were the adults. The younger characters spoke in either American or British accents, a creative decision I found somewhat jarring. I’m not going to fault the younger actors too much, especially since they were so young when they participated in this project. However, it does make me wonder why the movie’s creative team chose to set this story in Germany if they weren’t able to find actors who could pull off a German accent?
Weaker villains: There are three ingredients to making a stand-out villain: a unique appearance, a strong personality, and a memorable motive. While the Skrinks, the villains of Emil and the Detectives, possess two of the ingredients, they lack the latter: a motive. In one scene, the Skrinks are impressed by how one of the villains, The Mole, escaped from East Berlin by digging a tunnel under the Berlin Wall. But The Mole’s reason for wanting to escape from East Berlin is never revealed. Throughout the film, the Skrinks are attempting to rob a bank. Once again, the reason for committing this crime is not mentioned by any of the villains. The omission of these motives prevent the Skrinks from standing out among other villains from live-action Disney films.
Pony’s under-utilized talents: One of the younger characters, Pony, is interested in writing and journalism. She follows Emil and the Detectives because she wants to write about the Skrinks’ crime for her school’s newspaper. But, throughout the film, the audience doesn’t get to see Pony using any of her writing/journalistic skills. This is a shame because we do get to see the talents of the Detectives. For example, one of the boys happens to be talented in art. Therefore, his talents are used to create an artist’s rendition of one of the villains.
1964’s Emil and the Detectives is certainly one of Disney’s more unique, interesting projects. On the one hand, it kind of feels like a Disney production. The way two of the Skrinks are captured contains that “Disney magic” you’d expect from one of their stories. But, on the other hand, it kind of doesn’t feel like a production from Disney. That’s because the Detectives assume child-appropriate versions of actions and choices usually adopted by grown-ups. A perfect example is when Emil and one of the Detectives eat chocolate cigarettes as they wait for a phone call from the rest of their group. As I said in my review, Emil and the Detectives is a good introduction to the Film Noir genre, especially for younger viewers. Some of the genre’s elements are present, but the humor and light-heartedness prevent the story from becoming too dark. I can’t believe this movie has been sitting on my DVR for two years. While I always intended to review this picture, I’m glad I found the perfect opportunity to finally talk about it!
Overall score: 7.3-7.4 out of 10
Have you seen Emil and the Detectives? Are there any lesser known, live-action Disney films you’d like me to check out? Please let me know in the comment section below!
When Gill from Realweegiemidget Reviews announced the No True Scotsman Blogathon, there was a list of recommendations on the announcement post. On that list, the Disney Pixar film, Brave, was mentioned. At the time I signed up for the event, no other participant had chosen that movie to review. This surprised me, as Brave is a well-known title. Since I happen to own a copy of this film on DVD, I chose to write about it for the event. This DVD was given to my family as a gift several years ago. But until this blogathon, I never got around to watching it. Animated films are also not reviewed on my blog often. This is because I’ve already seen most of animation’s beloved titles. But there are times when there is that one movie that I skipped over on my journey as a movie blogger. Brave is one of those movies, so now it’s time to finally talk about it.
My picture of my DVD copy of Brave. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.
Things I liked about the film:
The animation: Disney Pixar has a reputation for framing their stories in impressive technology. Brave certainly carries that tradition, as the animation looks realistic! In one scene, a close-up of an archery target board is shown. The rough texture was captured through animated technology, making it easy to forget the board wasn’t real. Many scenes took place in a forest at different parts of the day. The natural greens and browns were appealing to the eye, adding depth to the world around the characters. Speaking of hues, I really liked the use of color in this movie! Merida’s hair is a perfect example! No matter where she went, her bright orange hair provided a great contrast. There was one scene where Merida was in a forest at night. Since black was the primary hue in the forest, Merida’s hair gave a pop of color to that scene.
The humor: I haven’t seen a Disney Pixar film in a while. But, from what I remember, humor is a consistent component among these types of projects. When it comes to Brave, the humor was spontaneous, the type of humor I’m a fan of. After a successful day of exploring, Merida is talking to her horse, Angus. Then, out of nowhere, Angus hits Merida with his tail in a silly way. Later in the film, Merida’s suitors are being introduced. The father from one of the clans appears to be talking about a very muscular young man. As the introduction continues, the audience learns the father’s son was hiding behind the muscular young man, actually being much smaller in size.
The writing’s cleverness: While watching this movie, I was able to pick up on the cleverness within the script. When the various clans arrive in Merida’s kingdom, Merida’s mother, Elinor, is making a speech. During that speech, Merida discovers a loop hole that she can use in her favor, as she doesn’t want to get married yet. While we’re talking about the clans, let’s talk about one of the suitor’s fathers. Throughout the story, this character was known as Macintosh. At first, this sounds like a typical Scottish name. However, Brave was dedicated to Steve Jobs, who passed away a year prior to the movie’s release. One of Apple’s products was a Macintosh computer, so naming one of the characters after something related to Steve’s company makes sense.
Inconsistent characters: At the beginning of the movie, Elinor is introduced as a caring, protective mother. During her interactions with her daughter, she didn’t come across as overbearing in her protectiveness. But as Merida grows up, Elinor’s personality becomes a “bait and switch”. While she states in the story how she means well, she is overbearing in her protectiveness. At times, Elinor’s change in personality felt over-the-top. Merida herself is another character I found inconsistent. There were times where her clever and critical thinking skills shined, showing how she is an intelligent explorer. However, there are also times when Merida acts like a stereotypical teenager. I understand Merida is a young character and is not meant to be “perfect”. To me, though, it seems like the writers couldn’t decide which aspects of this character they wanted to emphasize.
Things happening too quickly: There were parts of the story that, to me, happened too quickly. As I mentioned earlier in this review, Merida doesn’t want to get married yet. This causes a conflict between her and her mother. While I won’t spoil the movie, I will say the resolution for this conflict was reached with little build-up. The bridge from Point A to B wasn’t as strong as it could have been. In fact, so much time was spent with Elinor and Merida fighting or both of them working to resolve another conflict, that the marriage conflict was somewhat overshadowed.
Parts of the story that didn’t make sense: Toward the beginning of the film, Merida’s father, Fergus, lost one of his legs while attempting to fight an evil bear. While that part of the story is simple to understand, it’s what can be seen in his castle that didn’t make sense to me. At one point, at least one taxidermic bear is found standing against a wall. After going through such a traumatizing experience, why would Fergus want any association with the animal that severely injured him? While we’re on the subject of bears, there is a witch in the story who is a woodcarver, with her work resembling bears. It is never explained why she chooses bears as her artistic focus. Therefore, her emphasis on this specific type of animal kind of felt random.
After sitting in a cabinet still wrapped in the manufacturing plastic, my DVD of Brave has finally gotten some use out of it. Now, you’re wondering what my opinion on the film is. Well, I thought it was just fine. There is good effort that was put into this project, as the animation itself shows. But I can think of other Disney/Disney Pixar titles that are stronger than Brave. While I liked the cleverness found in the script, there was more to be desired from the story. Structural issues, like weaker bridges from Point A to B, hurt the script. Also, it didn’t help how some parts of the story didn’t make sense. Despite all of this, Brave does bring something unique to the table. It’s also nice to see Scottish culture/heritage receive more recognition in the world of cinema.
Overall score: 7.2 out of 10
Have you seen Brave? If so, what are your thoughts on it? Tell me in the comment section!
18 Cinema Lane 