Tag: Easter

The Top Ten Best Movies I Saw in 2024

On By 18cinemalane2 Comments

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

Honorable Mentions

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

Image by starline on Freepik

10. I Heard the Bells

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

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

9. Easter Parade

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

Take 3: Easter Parade Review

8. For Me and My Gal

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

Take 3: For Me and My Gal Review

7. Willow

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

Comparing with the Critics – Worst of 1988 – Willow

6. Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit

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

Take 3: Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit Review

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

5. Hallmark’s Frankenstein (2004)

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

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

4. The Boys in the Boat

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

3. Amadeus

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

Comparing with the Critics – Best of 1984 – Amadeus

2. Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans

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

Take 3: Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans Review

1. I Am David

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

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

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

Have fun in 2025!

Sally Silverscreen

Sunset Over Hope Valley: An Easter Wish

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Back in season nine, I brought up how there had never been an Easter episode of When Calls the Heart. I hoped the holiday would appear in at least one episode of the tenth season. But two seasons later, I finally got my wish! As I mentioned in a past Sunset Over Hope Valley re-cap post, faith/religion is only incorporated a limited number of times on the show. In fact, the only times faith/religion were included in the previous season was when Goldy was baptized and when Lee reminded Joseph how “the good Lord will provide”. When there were Christmas/holiday movies dedicated to bridging one season of When Calls the Heart with another, there were opportunities for faith/religion to be acknowledged. Since the show has abandoned creating seasonal films, this topic has made less appearances compared with older seasons. I know a show’s identity changes over time. However, I wish this part of When Calls the Heart’s foundation were more consistent.

Just a reminder: If you did not see this episode of When Calls the Heart, there will be spoilers within this re-cap.

When Calls the Heart season eleven poster created by Hallmark Media, Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel

Season: 11

Episode: 4

Name: Along Came a Spider

Major stories:

Easter has arrived in Hope Valley! Lucas welcomes the holiday by making an Easter speech over the radio. He also hosts the first annual Easter egg hunt, which proves to be a success. However, Easter is not the only arrival in Hope Valley. Jeanette, a friend from Lucas’ past, shows up to place a bid on the incoming hotel. Lucas is uneasy because he believes Jeanette is still falling on the wrong side of the law. But throughout the episode, Jeanette reassures Lucas that she has changed her ways. Lucas is not convinced, rejecting Jeanette’s bid. As she leaves Hope Valley, Jeanette informs Elizabeth how she and Lucas were once engaged. Meanwhile, Bill has received the case file for Lucas’ case. He and Rosemary discover Pike’s fingerprints were only on the handle of the gun that shot Lucas. This leads them to believe Pike was framed.

Due to the revelation from the previous episode, a negotiation needs to be made between the mayors of Hope Valley and Benson Hills. Because Mike is technically Hope Valley’s mayor, he is forced to face Benson Hills’ mayor, who just happens to be his sister, Maisie. Lee also attends the meeting between Mike and Maisie, as he sold the land to Lucas. The meeting is not successful, with Maisie being close-minded and stubborn. She worries the hotel might attract the wrong crowd to Hope Valley. However, her perspective might have changed after meeting Mei. As their interaction carries on, Maisie discovers Mei is Mike’s girlfriend. Though the interaction was brief, it seems like Maisie approves of the relationship. Mike is discouraged by Maisie’s strong-willed perspective. However, Mei believes in Mike and feels he has the confidence to find an agreement between Hope Valley and Benson Hills.

Easter egg painting image created by Jcomp at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background photo created by jcomp – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Minor stories:

To prepare for the Easter egg hunt, Elizabeth’s students paint Easter eggs during class-time. Inspired by his mother’s eggs from “the old country”, Toby replicates the flower designs of his mother’s eggs. While Toby shares these eggs with Elizabeth, she realizes Toby is using division to create the flower designs. This simple activity solved Toby’s equation to his math problems! Cooper and Angela also solve an equation to a years long conflict! The siblings agree to write a letter to their uncle, Jacob, in their father’s name. Allie thinks this is a bad idea, but Cooper believes reuniting the brothers would be worth getting in trouble. While operating the phone lines at the Mercantile, Allie learns Jacob’s address. She passes this information on to Angela and Cooper.

Cute Easter image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by freepik – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Some thoughts to consider:

·       
As I mentioned in this re-cap’s introduction, I
finally got my wish of Easter being included in an episode! While I received
what I wanted, I didn’t receive it the way I wanted it. Showing an Easter egg
hunt is a nice way to have multiple characters interact with one another. But
not featuring an Easter sermon from Joseph was such a missed opportunity. Another
missed opportunity was not having the residents of Hope Valley sharing an
Easter feast. Overall, this episode just scratched at the surface when it came
to Easter.

·       
In my last re-cap post, I was confused by the
title of the fourth episode, “Along Came a Spider”. I wondered what the title
had to do with Easter. Looking back on this episode, my guess is the title
references the arrival of Jeanette. With that said, Jeanette seems more like a butterfly
than a spider. While she gave off a mysterious persona, there wasn’t anything mysterious
or shocking about her. Even her “secret” was ordinary. Despite this episode’s
trailer heavily promoting Jeanette’s arrival, I was underwhelmed by her
inclusion in the overall story.

·       
Even though the season hasn’t reached the
halfway point yet, this episode was the most “filler” one from season eleven,
so far. There was such little information given to the overarching stories, I
struggled writing this re-cap. As I just mentioned, Jeanette’s inclusion in the
overall story was underwhelming. I hope the upcoming episodes of this season
are stronger than this one was.

Sunset image created by Photoangel at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background image created by Photoangel – Freepik.com</a>.<a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/red-sunset-clouds-over-trees_1254327.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.


What are your thoughts on this episode? Which holiday would you like to see incorporated on the show? Please tell me in the comment section!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen











Take 3: Easter Parade Review

On By 18cinemalane13 Comments

With today being Easter, I’m reviewing the 1948 musical, Easter Parade! But this is not the only reason why I’m writing about this movie. Since the protagonists would be considered a “mismatched couple”, the film was eligible for Realweegiemidget Reviews’ and Cinematic Catharsis’ Mismatched Couples Blogathon. Easter Parade was also recommended by Michaela from Love Letters to Old Hollywood. Prior to this year, the only Easter themed movie I wrote about was the Hallmark production, Easter Under Wraps. While I have reviewed faith-based films, those pictures were not about the Easter holiday. Because this was my first time watching Easter Parade, I was curious how Easter would play a role in this story. I was also curious how the film would compare to other musicals from the Breen Code era. So, without delay, let’s begin this review of Easter Parade!

Easter Parade poster created by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Loew’s, Inc.

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: Fred Astaire portrays Don Hewes in Easter Parade, a veteran dancer who is looking for a new dance partner. In this same movie, Judy Garland portrays Hannah Brown, a singer who is trying to make a name for herself in the entertainment industry. Together, Judy and Fred are an on-screen pair that not only works well together, but also dances well together! One of my favorite scenes is when Don mentions to Hannah how she doesn’t capture men’s attention. In an effort to prove Don wrong, Hannah walks in front of him, at first looking discouraged by her fruitless efforts. A few minutes later, Don sees men are taking notice of Hannah. He looks confused and even baffled at how Hannah could prove him wrong. When Don catches up with Hannah, he discovers she is making funny faces, explaining why men were noticing Hannah. This scene was hilarious because of Fred’s and Judy’s expressions and interactions!

Even though Judy and Fred worked well together, I think Judy and Peter Lawford had strong on-screen chemistry! Despite Hannah being from a small-town farm and Johnny being from the city, their interactions make it seem like they have a deep understanding for one another. While on a dinner date, Hannah confesses she dreams her true love will give her flowers and sweep her off her feet. When she reflects on her time with Don, she realizes Don only gives her flowers and sweeps her off her feet when it relates to dancing. During this reflection, Hannah looks defeated and sad by how she didn’t receive what she wanted the way she wanted it. Meanwhile, Johnny looks genuinely sympathetic toward Hannah. As I watched this scene, I wanted Johnny and Hannah to fall in love with each other!

The use of color: In Easter Parade’s opening credits, Technicolor was revealed to be incorporated into the production. I’m thankful Technicolor was used in this movie because capturing scenes in black-and-white would not have done this picture justice! Because parts of Easter Parade’s story take place around Easter, creative decisions such as costume designs and décor are very colorful. Toward the end of the film, Fred and a large group of dancers perform a number to “Steppin Out with My Baby”. Every performer’s costume boasted bright hues, from one dancer’s yellow shoes to another dancer’s blue gloves. At the beginning of the movie, during the musical number, “Happy Easter”, flowers in vibrant shades are present as Don makes his trip to the store. Though it’s a small detail, these flowers play a role in complimenting the colorful landscape of the story’s spring season!

The musical numbers: Musical numbers can make or break a given film. But in Easter Parade, the musical numbers are a major strength because of the choreography and delivery of the numbers themselves. One of the most creative numbers I’ve ever seen was Fred’s solo, “Drum Crazy”. This solo shows his character, Don, tap dancing and playing drums in an attempt to trick a child into giving him a stuffed bunny toy. The combination of dancing and instrument playing provides a captivating performance that not only highlights Fred’s signature talent, but also pairs dancing with other artistic mediums. Another strong solo was Ann Miller’s solo, “Shakin’ the Blues Away”. While portraying Don’s former dance partner, Nadine, Ann’s solo was a tap number that involved a lot of turning. What makes this musical number so memorable is how the cinematography closely follows Ann during her performance. This focus forces the audience to give their undivided attention to Ann and her number. The number itself is fast-paced and energetic, with Ann consistently delivering the choreography in precise and fluid movements!

Cute Easter image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by freepik – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

A premise-driven story: When I reviewed The National Tree last year, I explained the difference between a premise-driven story and a plot-driven story. After watching Easter Parade, I can confirm the movie has a premise-driven story. The premise of Don transforming Hannah into a star entices viewers to watch Fred and Judy acting and dancing together. But the film doesn’t really make the audience ask “and then what happened”? Even though the story is simpler and easier to follow, the story itself lacked a compelling hook, making it feel less intriguing. I wish the characters were given a conflict to resolve, similar to musicals like Singin’ in the Rain and Anchors Aweigh.

The “insta-love” trope: The romantic-comedy genre carries a collection of tropes and cliches. One of them is the “insta-love” trope, which features characters falling in love in a very short period of time. I understand there’s only so much story you can tell in an hour and forty-three minutes. But I thought Hannah and Don’s relationship progressed too quickly. I even thought the attraction between Hannah and Johnny happened too fast. The fast pace of these relationships made it seem like situations weren’t really resolved. Serious conversations and heart-felt discussions were either conveniently ignored or never brought up. The “insta-love” trope also affected how characters changed over the course of the story. Progressions in character development took place so quickly, it almost seemed too convenient.

Easter’s limited inclusion: With a movie called Easter Parade, I expected Easter to play a significant role in the story. While Easter is included enough to get the point across, I was disappointed by how limited its presence was. There were even scenes I could picture taking place within other holidays. Though the purpose of “Drum Crazy” was for Don to purchase a stuffed bunny toy, I found myself imagining this same musical number set during Christmas. Easter Parade is a story that could take place in almost any time of year and it wouldn’t make much difference.

The Mismatched Couples Blogathon banner created by Gill from Realweegiemidget Reviews and Barry from Cinematic Catharsis

My overall impression:

Some of the best, most iconic musicals were released during the Breen Code era. Their strong musical numbers and their overall timelessness have captured the hearts of viewers for decades. Easter Parade is one of these timeless musicals, showcasing its strengths through various creative departments! The colorful palette sprinkled throughout the story perfectly compliments the springtime atmosphere the film’s creative team was striving to present. Every musical number was well choreographed and performed, which definitely made the movie worth watching. Compared to other Breen Code era musicals, though, Easter Parade’s story was weaker. This flaw was due to the story being more premise-driven. Despite this and its other weaknesses, the 1948 film is an entertaining, mostly joyful production that is an appropriate selection for the Easter holiday!

Overall score: 7.6 out of 10

Have you seen Easter Parade? Is there an Easter themed movie you like to watch? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun on Easter!

Sally Silverscreen

RE-POST: Choosing the Best Actress of 2020’s Gold Sally Awards

On By 18cinemalane5 Comments

As I said in last week’s Word on the Street story, no winner was determined in the Best Actress division of the Gold Sally Awards. Because of this, I decided to re-post the Best Actress poll, so people who are interested in voting can have a second chance to choose among the ten nominees. Like the previous polls, you’re allowed to vote for more than one actress. However, you can only vote once per person. This poll starts today, March 20th, and ends on March 26th.

https://linkto.run/p/BZ924MOP

Who is the Best Actress of 2019?
Cindy Busby – A Godwink Christmas: Meant for Love
Haya Harareet — Ben-Hur (1959)
Maggie Lawson – Christmas in Evergreen: Tidings
Fiona Gubelmann — Easter Under Wraps
Melissa Claire Egan – Holiday for Heroes
Sadie Stanley – Kim Possible (2019)
Jill Wagner – Mystery 101: Words Can Kill
Italia Ricci – Rome in Love
Rachel Weisz – Swept from the Sea
Kimberley Sustad – The Nine Lives of Christmas
Created with Poll Maker

 

Have fun voting!

Sally Silverscreen

Now it’s time to choose the Best Actor of the 2020 Gold Sally Awards!

On By 18cinemalane6 Comments

It’s now time to vote for the Best Actor of the 2nd Annual Gold Sally Awards! There are ten nominees, but only one can be crowned the champion! For this poll, you’re allowed to vote for more than one actor. But you can only vote once per person. This poll starts today, March 13th, and ends on March 19th.

cropped-ss-cinema-lane-e1554745243341.png
The official logo of 18 Cinema Lane! Image found at https://katthemovies.wordpress.com/2019/03/30/graphic-design-is-my-passion/.

https://linkto.run/p/QV49C2Q0

Who is the Best Actor of 2019
Benjamin Hollingsworth — A Godwink Christmas: Meant for Love
Charlton Heston – Ben-Hur (1959)
Spencer Tracy – Boys Town
Paul Greene – Christmas in Evergreen: Tidings of Joy
Brendan Penny – Easter Under Wraps
Marc Blucas – Holiday for Heroes
Kristoffer Polaha – Mystery 101: Words Can Kill
Peter Porte – Rome in Love
Vincent Perez – Swept from the Sea
Brandon Routh – The Nine Lives of Christmas

 

Have fun voting!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: The Carpenter’s Miracle Review + 185 Follower Thank You

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Before I start this blog follower dedication review, I’d like remind everyone that Thursday, March 12th, is the last day to cast your vote for the Best Actress of the 2nd Annual Gold Sally Awards! The Best Actor poll will be posted on the 13th! Here is the link to the poll:

Let’s Choose the Best Actress of the 2020 Gold Sally Awards!

Last week, I received 185 followers on 18 Cinema Lane! To everyone that chose to follow my blog, thank you so much! Your belief in me, as a blogger, is what keeps this site going! Because of this achievement, it’s time for another blog follower dedication review! For this post, I’ll be talking about a film that was released in March of 2013. The only movie with a 2013 release date on my DVR was The Carpenter’s Miracle. Not only did it premiere in March of that year, but reviewing it now is very fitting. The Lenten season is upon us. This is a collection of days leading up to the Easter celebration. The events in The Carpenter’s Miracle revolve around the Easter holiday, making the film an appropriate choice for this time of year. Before watching this movie, I had seen Cameron Matheson’s acting work from Hallmark, as well as in the Lifetime movie, The Wife He Met Online. Some of those projects have been better than others. However, Cameron always finds a way to bring the best of his acting abilities to the screen!

20200309_222723[1]
This poster for The Carpenter’s Miracle verifies that I, indeed, saw this movie. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.
Things I liked about the film:

The acting: As I said in the introduction, I’ve enjoyed watching Cameron Matheson’s performances in various Hallmark films. The believability he brings to his roles is what makes these performances so great to watch! Cameron’s portrayal of Joshua was no different, showcasing how broad his acting range is. In the film’s opening scene, Joshua can be seen trying to save a young boy’s life. This scene is a perfect example of how good Cameron’s acting abilities are. I also felt the same way when I saw Michelle Harrison’s performance! Like Cameron, Michelle has appeared in several Hallmark pictures, including the upcoming film, Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Heist and Seek. When her character, Sarah, finds out her son had died, Michelle’s acting talents really shined through. Not only was her portrayal believable, but she was also allowed to show off her broad acting range! Another actress that has appeared in Hallmark’s movies is Sarah-Jane Redmond. What I liked about her performance was how she effectively used facial expressions and voice inflections in a variety of scenarios. These things helped her portrayal of Delia seem convincing! A great example is in the scene where her character meets Joshua for the first time.

The cinematography: The Carpenter’s Miracle had better cinematography than I expected! The way some of these scenes were presented was creative and appealing to the eye! In one scene, Joshua visits his mother, Helen, at a local nursing home. While there, they watch the rain-drops falling on the window. During this scene, the camera cuts between the characters and the window. This creative choice gives the audience a chance to view that scene from Joshua and Helen’s perspective. The movie’s first scene was presented in a gray hue, showing Joshua’s act of rescuing a young boy as a dire situation. Because of this scene’s presentation, it brought forth the feelings of fear and uncertainty.

How Christianity/faith was included in the story: References to Jesus and the Bible were made throughout the story. The events in the film also take place around the Easter holiday. However, these references never feel preachy or heavy-handed. Instead, any mention of Jesus and Biblical themes are naturally woven into the script. The way they were written felt like they contained a double meaning: one connected to the film’s events and the other toward Christian messages and themes. The narrative itself placed more emphasis on a story than on delivering a message. Any Christian messages that appeared in the movie organically grew from the situations the characters experienced.

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Cute Easter image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by freepik – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

The protagonist given little to do: In the Bible, Jesus performs many acts that impact a variety of people. Because Joshua is meant to be a Jesus-esque figure in The Carpenter’s Miracle, you’d think he would have a packed schedule within the story. But within an hour and twenty-seven minutes, Joshua isn’t given much to do. Yes, he does help others through the power of healing. However, he only creates three miracles in the movie. One of them is heavily prioritized, causing the story to focus on the aftermath of the event. For the majority of the film, Joshua is seen spending time with Sarah, visiting his mother, or performing small maintenance jobs.

Limited journalistic presence: The main plot of The Carpenter’s Miracle is about how Joshua saves a young boy’s life. This event causes Joshua to receive a lot of attention. If a situation like this happened in real life, it would likely be covered in the news for about a week. People would also be talking about it on social media, with an official hashtag possibly being created to commemorate the act. In The Carpenter’s Miracle, the presence of journalism was very limited. The aforementioned event was covered on only one local news station. This same event was addressed on a nationally aired news program weeks after it occurred. The journalistic presence in the movie not only felt unrealistic, but it also seemed like there was little to no sense of urgency.

Too many plot points: There were several plot points featured in The Carpenter’s Miracle. This caused some of them to be addressed more than others. One example revolves around Joshua’s mother, Helen. Throughout the movie, she deals with a serious medical condition. While this situation does get resolved, it feels like it gets taken care of as a result of the film’s run-time. Personally, I wish this film had fewer plot points than it did. That way, they could have all been equally explored.

Journalist Reporter Profession Isometric Banner
News reporter being filmed image created by Macrovector at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/journalist-reporter-profession-isometric-banner_2875517.htm’>Designed by Macrovector</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/banner”>Banner vector created by Macrovector – Freepik.com</a>, Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

The Carpenter’s Miracle is not the first faith-based film I’ve reviewed, especially for a blog follower dedication review. Last January, when I received 60 followers, I reviewed the 1959 movie, Ben-Hur. Looking back on both pictures, I can honestly say that Ben-Hur is a stronger project than The Carpenter’s Miracle. The story of the latter film could have been given a stronger script. It wasn’t as impactful as I had hoped. Despite this, the movie did contain aspects that I liked. For one thing, I did like the inclusion of Christianity/faith. The Easter holiday highlights themes like putting the needs of others before one’s self. Ideas such as this one were expressed well within the story. Even though I thought The Carpenter’s Miracle was an ok film, it is an interesting film to watch during the Lenten season. I’ve seen other movies with a similar story, with Working Miracles being one example. However, I do think the 2013 Up Network film is a better project than the 2010 Hallmark movie.

Overall score: 6 out of 10

Have you watched any of Up Network’s films? If so, which one is your favorite? Please tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Let’s Choose the Best Actress of the 2020 Gold Sally Awards!

On By 18cinemalane2 Comments

The Gold Sally Awards makes an effort to recognize the best actors and actresses of the previous year. Throughout the month of March, the individual acting polls of the Gold Sally Awards will take place. The first of these four polls is to determine the Best Actress! For this poll, you’re allowed to vote for more than one actress. But you can only vote once per person. This poll starts today, March 6th, and ends on March 12th.

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The official logo of 18 Cinema Lane! Image found at https://katthemovies.wordpress.com/2019/03/30/graphic-design-is-my-passion/.

https://linkto.run/p/J2TPJNLU

Who is the Best Actress of 2019?
Cindy Busby – A Godwink Christmas: Meant for Love
Haya Harareet — Ben-Hur (1959)
Maggie Lawson – Christmas in Evergreen: Tidings
Fiona Gubelmann — Easter Under Wraps
Melissa Claire Egan – Holiday for Heroes
Sadie Stanley – Kim Possible (2019)
Jill Wagner – Mystery 101: Words Can Kill
Italia Ricci – Rome in Love
Rachel Weisz – Swept from the Sea
Kimberley Sustad – The Nine Lives of Christmas
Created with Poll Maker

 

Have fun voting!

Sally Silverscreen

It’s time for the fourth poll of the 2020 Gold Sally Awards!

On By 18cinemalane1 Comment

The fourth poll of the 2020 Gold Sally Award is here! This poll is meant to crown the Best Ensemble out of the movies I saw in 2019! Like the previous polls, you’re allowed to vote for more than one ensemble. But you can only vote once per person. This poll starts today, February 28th, and ends on March 5th.

cropped-ss-cinema-lane-e1554745243341.png
The official logo of 18 Cinema Lane! Image found at https://katthemovies.wordpress.com/2019/03/30/graphic-design-is-my-passion/.

https://linkto.run/p/09RVMGSO

What is the Best Ensemble of 2019?
A Godwink Christmas: Meant for Love
Avengers: Endgame
Ben-Hur (1959)
Christmas in Evergreen: Tidings of Joy
Easter Under Wraps
Holiday for Heroes
Mystery 101: Words Can Kill
Rome in Love
Swept from the Sea
The Nine Lives of Christmas
Created with Poll Maker

 

Have fun voting!

Sally Silverscreen

The Top 10 Best Movies I saw in 2019

On By 18cinemalane4 Comments

Happy New Year’s Eve, everybody! Since I published my list of The Top 10 Worst Movies I saw in 2019 yesterday, it’s time for me to post my list of The Top 10 Best Movies I saw in 2019! Like I said before, I found 2019 has been a better year for movies. I saw a lot of good films, but only ten can be considered the best of the year. As I mentioned in my previous list, this article is based on my opinion and films that I personally watched. It’s also not meant to be mean-spirited or negative toward anyone’s opinions/cinematic preferences. Now that the introduction is over, let’s begin by bringing up the Honorable Mentions!

 

Christmas Bells are Ringing, Time for Me to Come Home for Christmas, Northern Lights of Christmas, A Gingerbread Romance, Kim Possible (2019), Flip that Romance, Chronicle Mysteries: Vines that Bind, Just Add Romance, Boys Town, Men of Boys Town, Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius, The Last Bridesmaid, Toy Story 4, Return to Oz, I Remember Mama, Ruby Herring Mysteries: Her Last Breath, Merry and Bright, A Godwink Christmas: Meant for Love, Time for You to Come Home for Christmas, and The Christmas Club

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Gold glittery 2019 image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/new-year-2019-party-flyer_3641545.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/banner”>Banner vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

10. The Nine Lives of Christmas

Who knew I would like this movie as much as I did? As part of the Happy Holidays Blogathon, I watched and reviewed this movie in an attempt to figure out if it was worth the hype it has received. Like I said in that post, I can now understand why so many people like the film so much! The humor within this movie is one of its highlights. Because of the quality of the script and the acting performances, The Nine Lives of Christmas was genuinely hilarious. While watching this movie, I found myself laughing more than I thought I would. Another part of this story that was well-written was the interactions among the characters. They were not only great to watch, but they also appeared natural on-screen. I’m glad I finally realize why this movie always makes an appearance in Hallmark’s yearly Christmas line-ups.

 

9. Holiday for Heroes

I will admit I had lower expectations for this film than I probably should have. But those lower expectations allowed the movie to surpass them and become the pleasant surprise it was. Holiday for Heroes was so good, that it reminded me of another movie I liked, Operation Christmas. With its genuine sincerity, the messages that were expressed in this story came across very well. I also liked how the formation of the protagonists’ relationship was more realistic than in something like The Christmas Card. Throughout this film, I could tell the creative team’s heart was always in the right place. It made it seem like they truly cared about the project they were working on.

 

8. Easter Under Wraps

In 2019, Hallmark finally created their first Easter themed movie! Even though it took so long to get to this point, I definitely think it was worth the wait. I really liked the writing within this film, as it created a story that was entertaining. Something I pointed out in my review is how conversations felt like they came from real-life. This helped me stay invested in what the characters were saying and doing throughout the film. Like in most movies from Hallmark Channel, Easter Under Wraps contained messages and themes that were relatable. Just one example is of personal growth. I’m not sure what Hallmark’s plans are for their “Spring Fever” line-up. I hope one of them includes a sequel to this film.

 

7. Ben-Hur (1959)

This is the first of two movies that I reviewed for a blog follower dedication review. At the beginning of the year, I was thrilled to share this movie with my readers and followers. That’s because I enjoyed it more than I expected to. Ben-Hur is a film that has acquired a lot of critical acclaim. As I said in my review, the hype surrounding it was well-earned. The script itself is one of the strongest elements of the project. Even though Ben-Hur is known as an “epic” picture, it is also a compelling story of faith and perseverance. From the acting performances to the cinematography, these things make this film the masterpiece it is. It’s no wonder Ben-Hur has been able to stand the test of time for so long.

 

6. Mystery 101: Words Can Kill

One of the newest mystery series that premiered in 2019, Mystery 101, has quickly become one of my favorites. I found the third movie in this series, Mystery 101: Words Can Kill, to be the strongest one. Unlike most of the films on Hallmark’s second network, this movie felt like it had higher stakes. This was caused by the female protagonist’s father being falsely accused on the crime and the male and female leads not being able to see eye-to-eye on the film’s main conflict. I also liked how the book festival was showcased in the movie for a satisfying amount of time. Like I’ll say about another movie on this list, Mystery 101: Words Can Kill shares some of the same positive qualities of its predecessors. It not only keeps up the series’ continuity, it makes me look forward to the future of Mystery 101.

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Jack Dawson from Titanic: “I’m the king of the world”!
Jake Sully from Avatar: “No, I’m the king of the world”.
Bucky Barnes from Avengers: Endgame: “Am I that much of a joke to you”?
Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen
 

5. Christmas in Evergreen: Tidings of Joy

Christmas in Evergreen: Tidings of Joy was one of my most anticipated Christmas movies of 2019. After enjoying the second film in the series, Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa, I was looking forward to seeing what was in store for the next chapter. This film did not disappoint! It felt like receiving a hug from a friend one hasn’t seen in a while. The third entry is one of the few Christmas films from Hallmark that tried to do different things with their story. One example is how the script explores the aftermath of the mystery. This is something that is hardly shown in Hallmark’s films, especially in their Hallmark Movies & Mysteries productions. After hearing other people’s positive responses to this movie, I’m hoping that a fourth one is in the cards.

 

4. Avengers: Endgame

After becoming the king (or queen) of the world, Avengers: Endgame will still be a movie that is remembered for years. Whether debating over the film’s time travel or discussing the highlights and flaws of the project, people are going to find an opportunity to talk about this movie. For me, I found it to be a satisfying conclusion to this particular series of the MCU. Sure, there are things about it that I don’t like. But there is no such thing as a perfect film. Without spoiling the movie, I will say that several interesting decisions were made within this script. These decisions allowed the film to be engaging and, at times, thought-provoking. What also worked in the project’s favor was how it shared some of the same strengths as its predecessor, Avengers: Infinity War. This actually helped it maintain a sense of continuity.

 

3. Kubo and the Two Strings

For my blog follower dedication reviews, I try my best to talk about films that I feel good about sharing with my readers and followers. When I think about Kubo and the Two Strings, it makes me thankful that I chose to watch this movie! This is the first time an animated film has appeared on my best of the year list. I’m glad this movie was the one to make 18 Cinema Lane history because, to me, it deserves it. The story is enriching and beautifully written. It takes elements that we’ve seen before and crafts them in a way that feel like a breath of fresh air. It also helps that the animation is visually appealing. Even though this is the only Laika film I’ve seen, so far, I’d be more than willing to check out what this studio has to offer.

 

2. Rome in Love

This movie premiered while I was on an out-of-town trip, so I wasn’t able to review it. But when I did watch this film, it ended up being the best Hallmark movie I saw this year! Rome in Love does so many things right when it comes to cinematic story-telling. It went out of its way to use as few Hallmark movie clichés as possible. But when the film did adopt a tried-and-true cliché, it improved upon that cliché, which enhanced the overall story. At times, this film felt like a theatrical production. This is because of how well done the cinematography is. If I were introducing someone to Hallmark’s library of films, this is one of the movies I would choose to show them.

 

1. Swept from the Sea

When I look back on 2019, Swept from the Sea is the one film I can’t stop thinking about! As the biggest pleasant surprise of the year, it is definitely deserving of the number one spot. There are no such thing as “perfect” films. However, this movie is the only one I saw this year that comes pretty close to it. There is so much to love about this film. But, for me, the best part of the movie was Vincent Perez’s performance! He single-handedly stole the show, which gave me an opportunity to appreciate his acting abilities more than I expected. From the cinematography to the on-screen chemistry, the other elements of this film certainly added to my enjoyment of it. As I think about Swept from the Sea, I feel that this is a movie I wish more people were aware of.

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

What do you think of my list? Which is your favorite movie of 2019? Share your thoughts in the comment section!

 

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

 

 

Take 3: Easter Under Wraps Review

On By 18cinemalane3 Comments

Because I was participating in Easter festivities, I didn’t get around to reviewing Easter Under Wraps over the weekend. However, I was able to watch the movie on the Monday after Easter. When I discovered that Hallmark was creating their first Easter movie, I was so excited! I even talked about the film in a Word in the Street story last month. As I shared the movie’s official synopsis in that post, I expressed my feelings of disappointment about how it sounded. To me, the premise felt like it would focus more on the corporate side of Easter than the holiday itself. But I still chose to watch the movie with an open mind and give it a fair chance. Did Easter Under Wraps disappoint or triumph? I’m glad you hopped on over to this review, as we’re now about to find out!

Easter Under Wraps poster
Easter Under Wraps poster created by Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel. Image found at https://www.crownmediapress.com/Shows/PRShowDetail?SiteID=142&FeedBoxID=845&NodeID=302&ShowType=&ShowTitle=Easter%20Under%20Wraps&IsSeries=False.

Things I liked about the film:

  • The acting: The cast of Easter Under Wraps is, so far, the strongest I’ve seen in any Hallmark movie this year! Every actor and actress did such a great job at portraying their characters, making them feel like real-life individuals. From the lead stars to even the only prominent child actor in the cast, all of the performances seemed so natural and genuine. This helped the characters maintain a sense of likability. It also helped me stay invested in what was happening to the characters. The acting was one of the things that made my movie-viewing experience so enjoyable!

 

  • The on-screen chemistry between the characters: In most Hallmark films, the on-screen chemistry between the lead characters is emphasized. This is partly the case with Easter Under Wraps. Fiona Gubelmann and Brendan Penny’s on-screen chemistry was really good! What helped make this on-screen relationship feel so genuine was the quality of Fiona and Brendan’s performances. A pleasant surprise in Easter Under Wraps was the on-screen chemistry between all of the characters. The various relationships in this film were not only portrayed well by the actors, but they were also well-written. This component helped make the story that much more interesting.

 

  • The writing: In Easter Under Wraps, the writing was such a great element to this narrative! Through the movie, conversations amongst the characters felt like real-life conversations. The comedic timing in this film was perfect, making the funnier moments feel effective. All of the sub-plots blended in really well with the main plot. Easter Under Wraps was an engaging movie because of how good the writing was. This component elevated the story into a truly memorable narrative!

 

  • The messages and themes: Like any Hallmark movie, Easter Under Wraps was filled with good messages and themes! These pieces of the story added to the relatability of the movie. Characters learning about personal growth, incorporating important traditions, and effective problem solving can be found in this film. Something that I found interesting was how chocolate was included in Easter Under Wraps. While the main plot revolved around a chocolate factory, the characters found ways to attach interesting messages to the candy itself. It, honestly, made me think about chocolate in a different way.

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Cute Easter image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by freepik – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

  • Lack of Easter specific messages and themes: Because this is Hallmark’s first Easter movie, I kind of figured this would be an issue. While Easter Under Wraps had good messages and themes, they really didn’t correlate directly with the Easter holiday. A few of these messages and themes were sprinkled into the story, but they weren’t explored as thoroughly as I had hoped. If Hallmark continues to create Easter themed movies (which I hope they do), I hope they take the time to explore the messages and themes that the Easter holiday has to offer.

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Easter egg painting image created by Jcomp at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background photo created by jcomp – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

For their first Easter themed movie, Hallmark did a really good job with Easter Under Wraps! While there were a few “Hallmark movie clichés” in this film, the overall quality of the other components made me overlook them. There was so much about this movie that I liked, from the acting to even the festive decorations. This is, so far, the best Hallmark movie I’ve seen this year! I really hope that Hallmark continues to make Easter themed movies, as there are some interesting stories that can be told. I also wouldn’t mind if this movie got a sequel, since it definitely has the potential for another chapter. There’s no doubt that I had an egg-cellent time watching Easter Under Wraps!

 

Overall score: 8.6 out of 10

 

Which 2019 “Spring Fever” movie was your favorite? Would you like to see more Easter themed movies from Hallmark? Let me know in the comment section!

 

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen