Tag: Genre Grandeur

Take 3: Christmas at Castle Hart Review

On By 18cinemalane1 Comment

You’re probably wondering why I’m reviewing a Christmas movie right before Halloween, especially since I tend to wait until about November to write about Christmas films. That’s because I chose this particular title, Christmas at Castle Hart, for the Genre Grandeur blogathon! When I discovered October’s theme was ‘Mistaken or Stolen Identity Films’, the first movie that came to mind was the 2021 Hallmark Channel project, Christmas at Castle Hart. But Genre Grandeur isn’t the only reason why I wanted to check this film out. Back in 2018, in my Movie Blogger’s Christmas Wish List, I wrote how I wanted to see Stuart Townsend and Marguerite Moreau star in a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie together. Since the publication of that Christmas wish list, Hallmark has abandoned Hallmark Hall of Fame, not releasing a film for that collection since 2019. Despite that, I kind of got what I wanted, with Stuart co-starring in a Hallmark Christmas movie. Will Christmas at Castle Hart reach expectations? Keep reading this review to find out!

Christmas at Castle Hart poster created by Leif Films Media., Merlin Films, and Hallmark Channel

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: I will admit I haven’t seen many projects from Stuart Townsend’s filmography, with Queen of the Damned being his only project I’ve seen in its entirety. A reason why I wanted to see Stuart star in a Hallmark production was to see if he had what it takes, talent wise, to carry a Hallmark film. He proved he could with his portrayal of Aiden in Christmas at Castle Hart! During the movie, Aiden takes Brooke, portrayed by Lacey Chabert, to a run-down chapel in desperate need of repair. This trip encourages Aiden to tell Brooke a story of a renovation project gone wrong. When telling this part of the story, Aiden looks completely defeated, looking back on how he let someone down. Aiden’s defeated attitude radiated through the screen, as the emotions Aiden felt appear genuine. Stuart’s ability to show emotions genuinely helped create a protagonist that was likable!

Lacey Chabert is one of the strongest actresses Hallmark has in their community! She has proven she can work with both comedic and dramatic material. One of the great things about Lacey’s acting abilities is how easily she adapts to various situations. When her character, Brooke, learns about her mistaken identity, she displays a collection of reactions. At first, Brooke appears confused at being referred to by another name. When she realizes what is going on, Brooke looks shocked, but never makes the other characters suspicious. She then seems irritated by what the mistaken identity entails. Yet Brooke maintains a professional persona the entire time. This scene serves as a great example of Lacey’s acting talents!

When a Hallmark movie features older members of royalty or nobility, those characters will, more often than not, carry a snobbish attitude. This attitude will especially be present whenever they interact with characters that are labeled as “commoners”. But Kate O’Toole’s portrayal of Duchess of Abercorn was much different from those aforementioned characters. In fact, her on-screen personality was so pleasant! The Duchess of Abercorn was so friendly toward Brooke and her sister, Margot. She even goes out of her way to help the sisters in their search for their family history. Kate’s performance helped break a trope that is typically found in Hallmark’s “royal” films. This made me wish the Duchess of Abercorn had more appearances in this film!

The scenery: When I reviewed Chasing Leprechauns, I talked about how that movie’s creative team didn’t seem to take the initiative to capture Ireland’s natural beauty on film. The creative team of Christmas at Castle Hart learned from the previous movie’s mistakes, showcasing Ireland in a much more appealing light! While Ireland’s greenery was made visible through long, establishing shots, a light sprinkle of snow veiled the countryside. From the movie’s titular castle to the small-town streets, everything looked like it existed inside a snow-globe! When Brooke and Aiden were riding horses, there were some establishing shots near Ireland’s coast. The icy blue and gray water complimented the white and green of the nearby landscape, creating an interesting winter palette. Because of the creative team’s desire to feature the best of Ireland’s natural environment, the scenery looked inviting!

The set design: More often than not, the set design in Hallmark’s Christmas films appear beautiful. While this is the case for Christmas at Castle Hart, there were some design choices that really stood out! One example is the Christmas party Brooke and Margot plan. The ballroom is covered in shades of gold and cream. Lighted tree branches serve as walls surrounding the space. The branches made the room feel intimate, creating a smaller event that felt more private and exclusive. That design choice was one of the more creative Christmas decorations I’ve seen in a Hallmark production! At a local pub, the wooden bar shelves and countertop are covered in string lights. Even the large, red-framed, exterior windows are given Christmas attention, paired nicely with green garland. Creative decisions like the ones I mentioned show how this creative team paid attention to the space they had at their disposal!

Blue sparkly Christmas tree image created by Macrovector at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/frame”>Frame vector created by Macrovector – Freepik.com</a>. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/merry-christmas-card_2875396.htm’>Designed by Macrovector</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

Bad CGI: CGI (computer generated images) is a component that isn’t common in Hallmark’s programming. I’m also aware how Hallmark projects tend to have smaller budgets. Even though the movie’s poor CGI wasn’t a consistent flaw, it was still noticeable enough to point out. In one scene, Aiden is driving through the Irish countryside. Whenever he looked over at Brooke, a green outline was visible around Aiden’s head, revealing pieces of the creative team’s green-screen. When the titular castle was first presented in the film, I wondered if the wreaths on the castle were images added in post-production. In a close-up shot of the castle, it appears I may be correct. One of the wreaths had a visible shadow that made it look like the wreath was floating over the stone wall of the castle. Looking back on Christmas at Castle Hart, I wonder why CGI was used in this film in the first place?

The underutilization of Stuart Townsend: Since 2018, I’ve wanted to see Stuart Townsend in a Hallmark production, specifically a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. While I kind of got what I wanted, I didn’t get it the way I wanted it. In Christmas at Castle Hart, Stuart wasn’t given much material to work with. In fact, Aiden spent the majority of the story driving Brooke around Ireland. There were opportunities for Aiden to be more involved in the story, such as restoring a local chapel. Sadly, these opportunities weren’t given to Aiden. Instead, the story heavily revolved around Brooke and her efforts to plan a Christmas party.

An underutilized subplot: A subplot within Christmas at Castle Hart was Brooke and her sister, Margot, trying to trace their family roots and learn more about their father. This part of the movie created a more unique element to Hallmark’s Christmas programming. But most of the story focused on Brooke and Margot’s efforts to plan a Christmas party. This creative decision led to the aforementioned subplot being treated like an afterthought. While this search for Brooke and Margot’s family heritage was brought up in a few scenes, the search itself was not elaborated on. Even though this subplot was resolved, the resolution was underwhelming.

Weak on-screen chemistry: As I mentioned earlier in this review, I liked Stuart’s and Lacey’s performance in Christmas at Castle Hart. However, I found their on-screen chemistry weak. This weakness had more to do with the material itself. Aiden and Brooke spend most of the story interacting in a professional context. That prevented the characters from developing a romantic spark between them. While there were sweet moments between Aiden and Brooke, such as baking a plum pudding together, I never got the impression they were falling in love.

Irish heart image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/label”>Label vector created by freepik – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

I haven’t seen all of Hallmark’s movies taking place in Ireland. But out of the ones I’ve seen, most of them have been underwhelming. Christmas at Castle Hart is, sadly, one of those titles I wasn’t impressed with. For me, the biggest flaw was the writing. Brooke and Margot’s search for their family history was a more unique story for Hallmark’s Christmas programming. Unfortunately, this part of the story was treated as an afterthought. There were opportunities for Stuart’s character, Aiden, to become more involved in the story. Yet, Stuart’s talents were underutilized, giving him little material to work with. Christmas at Castle Hart is an example of Hallmark’s focus on quantity instead of quality. Had this same movie been created during the prime of Hallmark’s ‘Countdown to Christmas’ line-up, more attention to detail would have been given, especially for a project starring Lacey Chabert.

Overall score: 5.2 out of 10

Have you seen Christmas at Castle Hart? What is your favorite Christmas movie starring Lacey Chabert? Please tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: No Country for Old Men Review

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Recently, I wrote about a movie that was recommended by one of my readers. That film was the 1998 romantic comedy, You’ve Got Mail, a title I chose to review for a recent blogathon! But that’s not the only film recommendation I’m talking about for a blogging event this month. Because September’s Genre Grandeur theme is ‘Movies That Take Place in Mexico’, I had to research titles that would be eligible for the event. When I discovered one of these movies was No Country for Old Men, I remembered how Annlyel, from Annlyel Online, had once recommended the film to me. Finding another good opportunity to review a recommended title, I selected the 2007 film for this edition of Genre Grandeur! No Country for Old Men is a movie I had heard of, as it was nominated for several awards during “awards season”. But since I hadn’t seen the film until this blogathon, I couldn’t form an opinion on it. Now that I have checked out No Country for Old Men, I can finally share my thoughts on the 2007 picture!

No Country for Old Men poster created by Paramount Vantage, Miramax, Scott Rudin Productions, and Mike Zoss Productions

Things I liked about the film:

The scenery: In some scenes, the story takes place in a desert. Through screen-writing and cinematography, the desert looked photogenic on film! One of my favorite shots is when Llewelyn is returning to his truck. While he does this, a huge gray storm-cloud is slowly overtaking the sand-colored desert in the background. Thunder can also be heard. This shot looked striking on screen, as well as serving a visual representation of what was to come in the story.

Showing instead of telling: The script of No Country for Old Men doesn’t rely on dialogue. This is to emphasize the visual presentation of the story. Choosing to show instead of tell also allows the audience to figure things out for themselves. Throughout the story, Llewelyn is being chased by Anton. During this chase, it is unknown how Anton knows where Llewelyn is. Until Llewelyn makes a discovery that explains Anton’s knowledge of his whereabouts. This discovery and its connection to Anton are visually presented, with no dialogue included. The audience is given the opportunity to piece the story together because of this creative decision.

Hiding causes of suspense: As I already explained, No Country for Old Men emphasizes showing instead of telling. Another way this is accomplished is by hiding characters that cause suspense. When Llewelyn discovers a crime scene, he sees another truck is parked next to his truck, with characters entering and exiting their vehicle. Because this takes place at dawn, only the silhouette of the characters and their truck is shown. Later in the movie, Llewelyn is being chased through a small town. During the chase, the film’s antagonist can be seen in the reflection of a nearby store window. But only their silhouette is shown in this window, causing suspense to take place in the story. Both suspense and intrigue were incorporated into the film because of the use of showing instead of telling!

Joshua Tree National Park in California image created by Welcomia at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/tree”>Tree photo created by welcomia – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

The run-time: No Country for Old Men is a movie that boasts a run-time of a little over two hours. While a competently written, directed, and acted story can be captured in a two-hour time-frame, I don’t think it was necessary for the 2007 film to be this long. Scenes were either drawn-out or added for the sake of satisfying this run-time. This creative decision caused the story to take longer to get to its intended point. In my opinion, No Country for Old Men could have benefitted from having a shorter run-time, say an hour and twenty or thirty minutes. The story would have reached its point sooner and the script would have been a bit tighter.

Almost no sense of urgency: Like I just mentioned in this review, No Country for Old Men has a run-time that, in my opinion, is longer than necessary. The film’s run-time caused the story to contain almost no sense of urgency, making suspense and intrigue far and few between. No Country for Old Men has a “cat and mouse” type narrative, with the protagonist constantly trying to get away from the antagonist. The chase between these characters felt like it was taking place in slow motion because of the drawn-out story. This resulted in the picture, sometimes, feeling boring.

Some things left unexplained: While I appreciate the script respecting the audience’s intelligence by allowing them to figure things out for themselves, there are some parts of the story I wish had been explained. One example is when Anton stops at a gas station. He explains to the gas station’s owner how he has a special coin that he’s carried for 22 years, stressing how his coin was meant to be at that specific place in time. Throughout the movie, however, there are no explanations provided for the coin’s significance. In fact, Anton never brings up that coin again after his stop at the gas station.

Money image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/bills-and-coins-in-isometric-design_1065328.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/business”>Business vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

Throughout cinema, there have been movies that have received an abundance of praise. Some of these films have left me confused, questioning why it has achieved its positive recognition. For me, No Country for Old Men is one of these movies. While it’s not a bad title, it does leave me wondering why it won Best Picture, let alone get nominated at all? The film has a run-time of a little over two hours. Instead of benefitting the story, the run-time caused the movie to feel too drawn-out and, sometimes, boring. There are strengths within No Country for Old Men, such as utilizing the storytelling technique of showing instead of telling. However, these strengths do not outweigh the flaws. Looking back on the movies from the western genre I’ve reviewed, I haven’t found a film from this genre I actually liked. Similar to made-for-tv movies from the 1970s and my choice for a “so bad it’s good” title, I guess it’s time to go back to square one and continue the quest.

Overall score: 6 out of 10

Have you seen No Country for Old Men? Are there any movies from the western genre you’d like to see me review? Please tell me in the comment below!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Evel Knievel (1971) Review

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

When it comes to movies from the 1970s, I haven’t had the best of luck, this year, finding a film I actually like. While I thought Days of Heaven and The White Buffalo were ok, I wasn’t impressed with The Last Child and Double Nickels. However, I was still determined to search for a movie from the ‘70s I enjoyed. During this search, I stumbled upon the 1971 film, Evel Knievel, a biopic about the stuntman of the same name. Since August’s theme of Genre Grandeur is ‘bikers, bikes, and motorcycles’, I had a great excuse to check this movie out! Choosing the 1971 title for Genre Grandeur also gave me an excuse to learn more about Evel Knievel. Before watching this film, I was familiar with who Evel is and why he was famous. But that basic information was all I knew. Besides broadening my cinematic horizons, I used my entry for Genre Grandeur to learn something new.

Evel Knievel (1971) poster created by The Fanfare Corporation, Fanfare Films, and American Broadcasting Company (ABC)

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: In my review of RKO 281, I talked about Liev Schreiber bringing humanity to his portrayal of Orson Welles, finding the heart of the “genius” and putting some genuine emotion behind it. This was successfully done to highlight Orson as more than just a legend. During his career, Evel Knievel became a celebrity, performing stunts that most people would never dream of attempting. Similar to Liev Schreiber, George Hamilton found the man behind the famous name and presented the human side of him. Toward the beginning of the film, Evel is at a local bar, talking to his friends how “something big” is going to happen in town. From furrowing his eyebrows to showing a good-hearted smirk, Evel talks about this upcoming, unknown event with ease and confidence. Through George’s performance, Evel is shown as more than just the famous stuntman, adding a sense of charm to his portrayal.

Throughout the film, Evel interacts with his wife, Linda. Portrayed by Sue Lyon, Linda and Evel’s encounters were pleasant to watch! This is because George and Sue had nice on-screen chemistry! Evel and Linda kind of reminded me of Abby and Bill from Days of Heaven. In the 1978 movie, it felt like Bill and Abby truly got along with one another, with a shared gentleness understood between them. The 1971 shows Linda and Evel respecting one another and, more often than not, being on the same page.

Despite appearing in the movie for a short period of time, Dub Taylor left a memorable impression as Turquoise Smith! The ring-master of a local rodeo, Turquoise had a larger-than-life personality. But this personality never felt over-the-top, thanks to the way Dub portrayed Turquoise. Even when there was a tragedy at the rodeo, Turquoise maintained professionalism and showmanship. Because of the quality of Dub’s acting talents, these components of the character remained consistent.

The stunt footage: During Evel Knievel, a montage of stunt footage is featured. This footage shows Evel performing various stunts throughout his career, with some stunts more successful than others. The montage is used as a bridge between his early years and “present day”, as the footage emphasizes the dedication and willpower Evel put into his stunts. Since the movie is a bio-pic about a real-life person that existed at one point in time, the montage added contextual depth to the story. It also provides a nice connection between the film and the actual Evel Knievel.

The messages and themes: As I said in this review’s introduction, I chose to write about Evel Knievel because I wanted to learn more about the titular man. However, I was surprised by the messages and themes that came out of this story. While reflecting on his relationship with Linda, Evel recalls a time when he visited Linda at her high school. During this encounter, Evel explains why he doesn’t play basketball. He feels that in basketball, you don’t have much to lose, as all the stakes are lower. He also confesses how he doesn’t want a lettermen sweater, as Evel doesn’t need to prove he’s a hero. With this, he tells Linda, “heroes know who they are”. Letterman sweaters/jackets have been known for being something high schoolers can earn through academic and athletic achievement. But until watching Evel Knievel, I’ve gained a newfound perspective on this subject.

Illustrated image of Arizona desert created by pikisuperstar at freepik.com. Background vector created by pikisuperstar – www.freepik.com

What I didn’t like about the film:

Transitions between past and “present”: The story of Evel Knievel is told through Evel’s recollections of his past as he’s preparing for an upcoming stunt. But the way the film jumped between past and “present” was confusing. During one of Evel’s recollections, he remembers a tragedy that took place toward the beginning of his career. As soon as the tragedy occurs, the story is brought back to the “present”, showing Evel nervous about the upcoming stunt and dealing with an injured leg. It took me a little while to realize the story had transitioned between the past and “present”, as the scene changed so abruptly. Personally, I think the story should have been told through a chronological order.

The past more interesting than the “present”: Like I mentioned in my previous point about the story’s transitions between past and “present”, Evel is preparing for an upcoming stunt in the “present”. But aside from seeing Linda and Evel interact and the aforementioned stunt, I didn’t find the “present” interesting. In fact, I found Evel’s recollections of his past more interesting, as it was an opportunity for me to learn more about Evel Knievel. Even though the stunt in the “present” is shown, it doesn’t take place until the story’s last ten minutes. So, the audience is forced to wait almost the entire movie for that moment.

An omission of a “where are they now” segment: In most biopics, there is a segment toward the end of the movie which explains what happened to the story’s key people after the events of the movie. But this segment was omitted from Evel Knievel. During the “present”, Evel talks about how he wants to perform a stunt in the Grand Canyon. I was hoping there would be a sense of closure about whether this stunt actually took place. Sadly, no explanation about the fruition of this stunt was provided. I don’t know where Evel’s career was at the time of the film’s release. However, I still think a “where are they now” segment should have been included.

Children holding American flags during a sunset image created by rawpixel.com at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/people”>People photo created by rawpixel.com – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

I’ve seen some movies where I felt the subject would have been better served through a documentary, as the subject itself is quite fascinating. This is how I felt while watching Evel Knievel. I was able to learn more about the “king of stuntmen” through his recollections of his past. In fact, I found the past more interesting than the “present”, as I was kind of bored by the weak conflict. Despite the confusing jumps between past and “present”, Evel Knievel provided an introduction to the titular man. As this is one of the reasons why I watched the film, the 1971 title does its job. When it comes to biopics, Evel Knievel doesn’t really reinvent the wheel, with the story being pretty straight-forward. The acting, stunt footage, and messages and themes prevent the movie from becoming unmemorable.

Overall score: 6.1 out of 10

Have you seen or heard of Evel Knievel? Which biopic do you think is well-made? Tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: RKO 281 (1999) Review

On By 18cinemalane4 Comments

Once upon a time, in 2019, I saw Citizen Kane for the first time. In my review of the film, and even in my list of ten classic movies I watched because of my blog, I stated how, in my opinion, Citizen Kane is not the flawless masterpiece almost everyone has made it out to be. As you’re reading this introduction, you’re probably wondering, “What does Citizen Kane have to do with July’s theme of Genre Grandeur? That movie isn’t about making movies”. No, it’s not. But the 1999 HBO movie, RKO 281, is. While looking for a title to review for the aforementioned blogathon, I stumbled upon RKO 281, a film I had never heard of prior to the event. When I learned the movie was about the creation of Citizen Kane, I knew I’d appreciate the 1999 project, especially since I saw and wrote about the 1941 film. It also gave me a reason to check out one of HBO’s made-for-tv titles. So, without any delay, let’s start this show of my RKO 281 review!

RKO 281 (1999) poster creatd by HBO Pictures, WGBH, Scott Free Productions, Labrador Films, BBC Films, and Home Box Office (HBO)

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: When we think about a name like Orson Welles, it can sometimes be easy to think of him as more than just a man with a dream. As Orson’s name became a staple of cinematic history, it also became what legends are made of. But Liev Schreiber, the actor portraying Orson, brought humanity back to that name, finding the heart of the “genius” and putting some genuine emotion behind it. While apologizing to Herman Mankiewicz after a falling-out between them, Orson shares a personal recollection about his father. After sharing a part of his soul with his friend, a smile appears on Orson’s face, relieved Herman has agreed to work on Citizen Kane. At the same time, you can see a tear has escaped Orson’s eye. This gives another meaning to Orson’s relief; the burdens of guilt and regret have lifted off his shoulders.

Liev Schreiber is not the only actor to use facial expressions and emotion to their advantage. Portraying William Randolph Hearst, James Cromwell was able to use these tools of acting to present William as more than just the story’s antagonist. When he finds out Citizen Kane is based on him, William is upset by this news. While talking about the situation with a woman named Louella, there is a sharpness to his voice, clearly indicating his bitterness toward the film. But the look in his eyes is that of defeat, questioning how someone was able to successfully build a bridge across the moat of his castle. In this scene, William’s face told more than dialogue could share; a man who gave everyone the impression he was in control, but was really unsure of what the future held.

Marion Davies was the mistress of William Randolph Hearst. Introduced to the audience in a party scene, Marion carried herself with a bubbly personality, almost being mistaken for “ditzy”. But Melanie Griffith prevented Marion from becoming a stereotype or caricature. With a variety of emotions, body language, and facial expressions, Melanie showed Marion as, simply, a woman in a complicated situation. One of my favorite scenes in RKO 281 was when Marion confronted William about his spending habits. Though in a drunken state, Marion addresses some excellent points. As she faces William, her voice is pleading. The desperation in Marion’s voice contains brutal honesty, giving her tone of voice some depth. She never breaks eye contact with William, showing how she isn’t afraid of standing up to “Pops”. Even though she does raise her voice, she only does this to emphasis her points. This scene elaborates how easily someone like Marion could be underestimated. While William saw Marion’s part of their conversation as “excessively theatrical”, I saw it as a woman who knew more about the situation than others were led to believe.

The set design: I’ve heard Hollywood referred to as the “Land of Dreams”. If that’s true, then the set design in RKO 281 was meant to visually represent a fairy tale! William Randolph Hearst’s castle is one of the most divine sets I’ve ever seen! So many details went into this location, it makes every space of the castle feel larger than life. From the marble fireplace held up by carved marble statues, to the large stained-glass windows boasting intricate colorful designs, to even a bath room with blue and green hued walls, William’s castle is a place beyond imagination. While the castle certainly stole the show, there were other sets that looked great on camera. During RKO 281, Orson travels to New York. In a scene showcasing Orson’s hotel room, his large, wooden bed was smartly paired with a red and beige blanket. The bed isn’t the only wooden piece of furniture in the room, as the desk, matching bedside tables, and even the walls display a warm shade of wood. Because of the tall window, the illusion of the room having a high ceiling is given to the audience. Filling the room with warm light from the lamps and the wall sconces, this high-end hotel room gave off a cozy atmosphere!

The film-making process: One of my favorite episodes of Murder, She Wrote is ‘Film Flam’. Watching the process of premiering a film is what made that episode fascinating to me. RKO 281 showed a similar process in their story. But this time, the entire film-making process was revealed. Glimpses of how Citizen Kane was made were woven into RKO 281. I learned some things about Citizen Kane because the film-making process was shown. For instance, I didn’t know Orson dug a hole into the floor just to get the shot he wanted. I also didn’t know that filming of Citizen Kane started two days ahead of schedule. It was interesting to see the various components that go into creating a film, especially during a time when technology wasn’t at a film-maker’s disposal. This peek behind Hollywood’s curtain can make one appreciate the work that goes into making a movie.

The dialogue: There is a lot of work that goes into writing a script. One important area of any script is the creation and delivery of dialogue. As I’ve said in past reviews, dialogue can be hit or miss, especially in a made-for-tv movie. In RKO 281, you can tell there was thought put into the dialogue of the script. In fact, I would go so far as to say the dialogue was, at times, profound. Remember when I said one of my favorite scenes was when Marion confronted William about his spending habits? One of the reasons why I like that scene is because of how well the dialogue was written and delivered. During the confrontation between Marion and William, Marion reminds him of the difference between wanting and needing something. She elaborates on this point by questioning how much a nearby statue cost, not caring about details such as where it was made or the style of the statue, details only William would bring up. Even at the very beginning of this scene, when Marion says, “Millions of dollars a year on art and statues, and there is nothing to explain” illustrates how Marion recognizes the severity of the situation. Meanwhile, as William responds to Marion by stating, “We are in no pickle, as you so euphemistically put it”, the script emphasizes William’s choice to use big words to not only belittle Marion’s intelligence, but also brush his problems under the rug.

Image of vintage movie camera created by Macrovector at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by macrovector – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

The omission of the Breen Code: If you’ve read my movie reviews, you’d sometimes see the term ‘Breen Code’ mentioned in the text. For those unfamiliar with this concept, the Breen Code is a set of moral guidelines that had to be applied to film-making. Movies released between 1934 and 1954 formed the Breen Code era. Because Citizen Kane was released in 1941, I was hoping the Breen Code would play a role in the process of Citizen Kane’s creation. Unfortunately, the Breen Code wasn’t even mentioned. To me, the Breen Code is an underrated component in cinematic history. It would have been nice to hear it referenced in RKO 281’s dialogue.

Some parts of the story not receiving closure: Louella Parsons works for William Randolph Hearst as his “eyes and ears of Hollywood”. After she sees a rough cut of Citizen Kane, she informs William about the film resembling his life. Louella vows to get revenge against Orson for creating the movie, even going so far as to use blackmail in an attempt to cancel the film. But when William’s financial troubles come to light, her role in William’s life seems to have diminished. What happened to Louella after William’s financial situation was made public? Did she still work for him or did she end up working for someone else? This is just one part of RKO 281 that didn’t receive closure.

Keeping track of who’s who: As I mentioned in this review’s introduction, RKO 281 chronicles the creation of Citizen Kane. Therefore, the story follows those individuals connected to the project itself. Throughout the movie, though, members of the film industry from the late 1930s to the early 1940s were brought up in the dialogue. While I was familiar with some of these people, other names I did not recognize. It almost felt like RKO 281’s creative team expected the audience to know the film industry scene of that time. When I watch a film, I want to be told a story. If I end up learning something valuable by watching a movie, I feel that is time well spent. However, I don’t want to feel like I need to do homework prior to watching the film.

Citizen Kane poster created by Mercury Productions and RKO Radio Pictures. Image found at http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/89/Citizen-Kane/#.

My overall impression:

Not all made-for-tv movies are created equal. Sometimes, a low amount of effort will be given to a made-for-tv production, making a presentation look and feel cheap. But there are made-for-tv projects that are solid, despite the limited resources and finances. RKO 281 is so well-made, it is easy to forget this is an HBO film, as this movie looked and felt theatrical! The creative team behind RKO 281 went above and beyond to make their project the best it could be! From the actors and the screenwriters to the set designers, every person involved with the 1999 movie stepped up their A game and it shows. The style and substance of RKO 281 go hand in hand. While I still don’t believe Citizen Kane is a flawless masterpiece, I’ve gained an appreciation for the efforts it took to make this film exist at all. Toward the end of RKO 281, Orson says “Pretty speeches make history”. If that’s true, then good films leave a lasting impression.

Overall score: 8 out of 10

Have you seen RKO 281 or Citizen Kane? Are there any HBO movies you’d like to see me review? Tell me in the comment section below!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Space Jam (1996) Review

On By 18cinemalane1 Comment

Some of my readers will know Michael Jordan as the reason why they cared about the Chicago Bulls. Other readers are familiar with Michael because of the infamous meme where Michael says in a calm and friendly way, “Stop it. Get some help”. Then there are my readers who are fans of Michael because of his appearance in the 1996 movie, Space Jam. Michael’s involvement in this film is one of the reasons why I’m reviewing it, as “movies where a star is playing themselves” is June’s theme for Genre Grandeur. Another reason why I chose to write about Space Jam is how I don’t often receive the opportunity to talk about animated films on 18 Cinema Lane. While I am familiar with this movie and what it’s about, I had never seen it in its entirety before. Now that I have checked out Space Jam, I can now give an honest opinion about it. So, sit back in your courtside seats, as this review is about to begin!

Space Jam (1996) poster created by Warner Bros. Family Entertainment, Northern Lights Entertainment, Courtside Seats Productions, and Warner Bros.

Things I like about the film:

The animation: In the 1990s, a trend in animation was the adoption of bright colors. Whether it was the Disney Renaissance or the first creatures in the world of Pokémon, bold hues and color schemes dominated both big and small screens. Space Jam follows this trend in various ways. One great example is the locations in the film’s animated world. There is a shot in the movie of the gym where Michael and the Looney Tunes train for their upcoming basketball game. The gym itself boasts a bright coral exterior, with the building set against a blue sky and a green, grassy lawn. The film’s colors emphasize the fun and energetic nature of it’s animated landscape. They also provide pops of color that make animated characters and their world interesting to look at.

Before the release of Space Jam, the Looney Tunes were an animated collection with their distinct histories, stories, and even voice acting performances. When bringing these characters into one overarching story, it could have been difficult to adapt them from one medium to another. Yet, every Looney Tunes character featured in the movie looked, sounded, and acted consistently with their pre-established shows. This crucial creative decision allowed the story to maintain a strong sense of continuity. It also gave audience members of all ages an opportunity to enjoy watching the Looney Tunes and their antics.

The messages and themes: At the beginning of Space Jam, Michael Jordan decides to take a break from the world of basketball to pursue a baseball career. According to the movie’s introduction, baseball is a sport Michael cared about. Yet, joining Major League Baseball (MLB) was a new direction in Michael’s career. His baseball endeavors aren’t as fruitful as his basketball endeavors. Yet, there are people surrounding Michael who are supportive of his decision. What this part of the story showed me was how one shouldn’t be afraid to try new things. Even when someone has a forte and has achieved their full potential, it could be beneficial to expand their horizons. That message can be a valuable lesson for younger viewers and a message older viewers can appreciate!

The humor: Animation and humor typically go hand in hand. Space Jam is no exception, as there were moments within this story I found genuinely funny. One way humor was incorporated into the film was through the dialogue. After Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck retrieve Michael’s basketball attire, Daffy said they should name their team ‘The Ducks’. Bugs then responds by asking “Why would a Mickey Mouse corporation name their team ‘The Ducks’”? This question was meant to poke fun at Disney’s program, The Mighty Ducks. What added to the humor of this conversation was how the dialogue fit the personality of these characters.

Image by viarprodesign on Freepik

What I didn’t like about the film:

Parts of the story that don’t make sense: In Space Jam, several basketball athletes have mysteriously lost their athletic abilities. This causes concern amongst the league’s other basketball teams. It gets to the point where the basketball season ends early. Here’s where the story doesn’t make sense: the film shows the National Basketball Association’s (NBA’s) season taking place at the same time as the Major League Baseball’s (MLB’s) season. A typical MLB season will take place between April to October, while the NBA runs their season from about fall to early summer. The only time these leagues’ schedules overlap is when the NBA Finals happen. With all that said, the basketball season in Space Jam would almost be over, with the Finals on the horizon. Yet, none of the characters bring up the Finals. This is just one example where the story doesn’t make sense.

A disjointed story: As I just mentioned, some basketball athletes have mysteriously lost their athletic abilities in Space Jam. Meanwhile, the Looney Tunes recruit Michael Jordan to compete in a basketball game in space. Because Michael spends most of the movie in the animated world, his story and the story of the basketball athletes feel like two separate stories, with a very loose connection to one another. When the film goes back and forth between the stories, the transitions are abrupt, with little segue provided. These creative decisions led Space Jam to feel disjointed.

The underutilization of Lola Bunny: Lola Bunny has found a place for herself in the world of Looney Tunes. From what I remember, she was prominently featured in Space Jam’s marketing. Yet in the movie, prior to the basketball game itself, Lola appears in only two scenes. Her first appearance took place forty minutes into an hour and twenty-seven-minute film. I’m unsure when Lola made her debut in the Looney Tunes universe. But if Space Jam was meant to be her introduction, I was disappointed by how unceremonious it was.

Collection of white rabbit images created by freepik at freepik.com Hand drawn vector created by freepik – www.freepik.com

My overall impression:

There are two categories for films that are products of their time; those that are dated on arrival and those that serve as a visual time capsule for when the movie was released. Space Jam belongs in the latter category, presenting a slice of the ‘90s through a combination of animation, athletics, and intergalactic silliness. Speaking of the animation, I was surprised by how the character designs, background designs, and blend with live-action mostly aged well. Though innovative at the time, this blend serves as an example of the creativity ‘90s animation has to offer. It was also interesting to see Michael Jordan’s career incorporated into the story, showing the audience how anyone, even the most celebrated of athletes, can try new things. Space Jam is, in my opinion, a fine film. Even though I won’t reflect on this movie as fondly as other films, I am glad I finally saw it in its entirety.

Overall score: 7.1 out of 10

Have you watched Space Jam? Which animated film from the 1990s do you like? Tell me in the comment section below!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Double Nickels (1977) Review

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

When I reviewed The Last Child, I wondered if I would find a made-for-tv movie from the 1970s I liked. So, with this month’s Genre Grandeur on the horizon, I decided to start my quest for a good made-for-tv movie from the ‘70s! As ‘Car Chase Movies’ are the theme of May’s event, I stumbled upon the 1977 title, Double Nickels. Though not a television film, it’s a project I found intriguing. Before this year, I had never heard of the 1977 production. But blogathons can be a time when participants discover films that are new to them. Looking back on my Genre Grandeur reviews from this year, most of the movies I’ve reviewed were just ok, with one film being just fine. Will Double Nickels break that track record? Drive through this review in order to find out!

Double Nickels poster created by Smokey Productions

Things I liked about the film:

The use of music: Music is an integral part of film-making, elevating a scene’s tone and attempting to make the audience feel a certain emotion. Even during a car chase, music can heighten the intensity of the moment itself. Double Nickels gives some of their car chases background music. But the music in this film emphasizes the different types of car chases within the story. Smokey, in his police car, chases a dune buggy. When the dune buggy gets away and drives up a nearby dune, a light-hearted banjo tune plays in the scene’s background. At the beginning of the movie, there is a chase involving a motorcycle. For this scene, rock music can be heard as the chase continues. These tunes are determined by the vehicles presented in the scene. Combining these two elements, it feels like the movie’s creative team made thoughtful musical choices for their car chases!

Different types of cars: The story of Double Nickels takes place in Southern California. This particular landscape provides a reason for different types of cars to be present in the movie. When Smokey meets Jordan for the first time, she appears to be driving a red Ferrari. Earlier in the film, Ed and Smokey stop two vans in order to give their drivers a ticket. These vans, a blue one and a green one, look like they’d be found at a beach or on a campsite. The variety of vehicles highlights the diverse preferences of drivers. This creative decision also makes sense with Smokey and Ed’s profession, as they would encounter different types of cars.

Ways of presenting a car chase: There are several car chases featured in Double Nickels. These chases were presented in different ways, providing new paths for cars to travel through. During one chase, two cars drive down a flight of stairs. Another chase shows three cars driving through giant puddles of water, with the water splashing around the cars. While watching Double Nickels, I had to remind myself how this movie was created during a time when CGI and special effects were not at a film-maker’s disposal like it is today. With that in mind, I appreciated the efforts and resources it took to make these car chases look good on screen!

What I didn’t like about the film:

A small sense of urgency: When a movie includes car chases, those car chases are there for a reason. It typically means a character’s life is in danger or a character needs to achieve a mission. No matter the specific situation, a strong sense of urgency would be present, making the audience care about the characters and their story. In Double Nickels, though, the sense of urgency was small. Smokey and Ed repossess cars in order to make extra money. Eventually, they learn their operation is not what it seems. But Smokey and Ed’s entire process is presented in a very nonchalant way, forgetting about the danger that could be lurking behind them. Even when a climactic car chase takes place, I didn’t feel scared for the characters and their well-being. The small sense of urgency also caused the film’s suspense to feel limited.

Weak acting performances: No matter the production, all I can expect out of any actor is for them to try their best with the material they are given. Sometimes, those efforts are strong. But in Double Nickels, I found the acting performances weak. Serving as one example, Smokey and Ed are discussing the idea of repossessing cars. Throughout this scene, Ed and Smokey display a limited number of facial expressions. Their voices carry the same singular tone, with their conversation seeming unusually rushed. Despite Jack Vacek and Edward Abrahms’ efforts with the script, the interaction feels robotic and unnatural. The weakness of the acting performances was, sometimes, distracting.

A drawn-out story: As I’ve already mentioned in this review, Smokey and Ed repossess cars, with their plan turning out differently than expected. The movie itself is an hour and twenty-eight minutes. But the story feels longer than its run-time. The aforementioned small sense of urgency played a role in the story being drawn out. Unnecessary inclusion of story points added to this as well. Tami is in a romantic relationship with Smokey. During the movie, it is revealed she is cheating on Smokey with another man. After this reveal, Tami and her new significant other are never seen or heard from again. Smokey didn’t bring them up either. This is just one example of a part of the story that could have been cut, which would have tightened the script.

Mountain Road Colorado – Colorado Adventure Trip.

My overall impression:

There are many reasons for the creation of a movie. Sometimes, it is because a film-maker has an interesting story to tell. Other times, a studio wants to capitalize on the nostalgia of a well-known title. In the case of Double Nickels, that reason, to me, feels like an excuse to film cool-looking car chases. I will admit the car chases themselves were the highlight of this project. A significant amount of effort and thought was put into their delivery, from the musical selections to the way they were presented on screen. All of the other aspects of this story, though, fall flat. Despite the car chases in the story, the sense of urgency was small. It also didn’t help how the story felt longer than necessary. Double Nickels is the third film from the 1970s I’ve reviewed this year. With this movie being so underwhelming, I haven’t had the best of luck finding a title I like.

Overall score: 5.7 out of 10

Have you seen Double Nickels? Is there a car chase movie you like? Please let me know in the comment section below!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Fried Green Tomatoes Review

On By 18cinemalane4 Comments

When it comes to this year’s Genre Grandeur reviews, I have chosen not to write about Hallmark films, even though I could have. This trend is the result of wanting to expand my cinematic horizons. But that is not the only trend among my Genre Grandeur reviews this year. Most of the movies I’ve talked about, so far, were recommended by my readers. With April’s Genre Grandeur theme being “Films About Food”, I selected a movie suggested by Jillian from The Classic Film Connection. That title is 1991’s Fried Green Tomatoes! At first, I had no idea how food was significant to this story. While I knew Fried Green Tomatoes was based on a pre-existing book, I had not read the book prior to watching the film. As I watched the movie, though, I began to see how the story prioritizes food. So, set the table and get the entrée ready, for I’m about to review Fried Green Tomatoes!

Fried Green Tomatos poster created by Universal Pictures, Act III Communications, Avnet/Kerner Productions, Electric Shadow Productions, and Fried Green Tomatoes Productions

Things I liked about the film:

The inclusion of food: As I mentioned in the introduction, I did not know the role food would play in Fried Green Tomatoes. But as the story progressed, the significance of food became clearer! This aspect of the film is included in two ways. The first is forming connections between the characters, building bridges of communication and even camaraderie. When Evelyn and Ninny first meet, Evelyn shares one of her candy bars with Ninny. This exchange served as the starting point for these characters’ friendship. Food also represented the world surrounding the characters. When Ninny is first telling Idgie and Ruth’s story to Evelyn, the story starts at a wedding. At the wedding reception, a table of decadent desserts is shown on screen, from a variety of pies to the wedding cake itself. The picture-perfect presentation of these desserts emphasized the affluent backdrop these characters existed in. Those two ways food was placed into the story allowed food to be the thread that kept the movie together!

The acting: I’ve seen some of Kathy Bates’ films prior to watching Fried Green Tomatoes. Out of those movies, I noticed Kathy has portrayed characters who were head-strong and confident. But with her portrayal of Evelyn in Fried Green Tomatoes, this performance was different. That’s because Evelyn slowly, but surely, became confident over time. Kathy’s approach to her character was very reminiscent of a chameleon. This was achieved through a combination of body language, emotions, and facial expressions. Another great aspect of Kathy’s performance was her on-screen camaraderie with Jessica Tandy! With Jessica’s effortless portrayal of Ninny, the interactions between Evelyn and Ninny appeared so natural, as if their friendship was always meant to be. I also felt this way about Idgie and Ruth’s friendship. Portrayed by Mary Stuart Masterson and Mary-Louise Parker, these characters presented a classic example of “opposites attract”! One of my favorite scenes in Fried Green Tomatoes was when Ruth and Idgie are giving non-perishable food items to members of a homeless camp. At first, Ruth is alarmed by Idgie’s actions, believing Idgie is stealing. But Idgie explains how people at church only say they do good work instead of practicing what they preach. This explanation shows Ruth how Idgie’s free-spirited nature could be directed toward helping others, as Idgie sees Ruth is in her corner and willing to support her.

The addition of a mystery: In Fried Green Tomatoes, there is a murder mystery woven into Ruth and Idgie’s story. In fact, the movie begins with the murder victim’s car being pulled out of a river. But this murder mystery is simply a part of the story, not the main focus. Because it is drawn out throughout the film, it gave the audience a reason to stay invested in what was happening on screen. The mystery unfolded as the story progressed, with pieces revealed as Ninny told Evelyn Idgie and Ruth’s story. Since the audience is learning information alongside Evelyn, a shared experience is created between viewers and the characters.

Picnic basket in Autumn image created by Stockgiu at freepik.com. Picnic basket vector created by stockgiu – www.freepik.com

What I didn’t like about the film:

Confusing parts of the story: For this part of my review, I will share some spoilers for Fried Green Tomatoes. If you haven’t seen this movie or read the book and are interested in checking this story out, please skip this paragraph and resume at the paragraph titled ‘Ninny’s unknown involvement in Idgie and Ruth’s story’.

There were some parts of Fried Green Tomatoes I found confusing. One example is Ruth’s reaction to train tracks. At the beginning of Ruth and Idgie’s story, they witness their friend, Buddy, get run over by a train. His foot got caught in the train track, preventing him from escaping his demise. Years later, Ruth has a son named Buddy Jr., naming her son after her and Idgie’s deceased friend. But Buddy Jr. loses his arm after playing on a train track. This begs the question; why would Ruth allow her son anywhere near train tracks, especially after what her friend went through?

Ninny’s unknown involvement in Idgie and Ruth’s story: When Ninny first introduces herself to Evelyn, she claims she married into Idgie’s family. Yet throughout Idgie and Ruth’s story, a younger version of Ninny is nowhere to be seen. None of the characters in Ruth and Idgie’s story mention Ninny either. This left me confused as to what Ninny’s involvement in Idgie and Ruth’s story was. Even the movie’s ending made me question Ninny’s identity.

Some unsmooth scene transitions: Fried Green Tomatoes features two timelines: one for the past (Ruth and Idgie’s story) and one for the “present” (Ninny and Evelyn’s story). While it was interesting to see these timelines unfold, I did not like the scene transitions from the past to the present. They were too abrupt, with little to no indication of the change in time. No voiceovers brought the audience, as well as Evelyn, out of the past. These unsmooth scene transitions felt jarring.

Illustrated beekeeper image created by macrovector at freepik.com. Business vector created by macrovector – www.freepik.com

My overall impression:

In the 1990s, it seems like a popular cinematic trend was stories that primarily took place in the past. In these movies, a protagonist is either telling a story to other characters or a protagonist is reflecting on their life. Fried Green Tomatoes is one of these films, as there are two timelines in the story: one from the past and one from the “present”. But among these types of movies, there are titles I feel are stronger than Fried Green Tomatoes. With the inclusion of two timelines, it felt like they were competing for the audience’s attention. In fact, I thought Idgie and Ruth’s story was more interesting than Ninny and Evelyn’s story. There were also confusing parts of the movie, such as Ninny’s involvement in Ruth and Idgie’s story. Despite these flaws, though, I found Fried Green Tomatoes to be a fine, well-made film.

Overall score: 7.4 out of 10

Have you seen or read Fried Green Tomatoes? Are there any food related movies you’d like me to check out? Tell me in the comment section below!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Charlie Chan at Treasure Island Review

On By 18cinemalane2 Comments

‘Movies featuring beaches or waterfront scenes’ is March’s theme for Genre Grandeur. I could have selected a Hallmark title, but I chose a different film instead. This seems to be a recurring theme on 18 Cinema Lane this year. Back when I published my editorial, Oh, The Places She’ll Go: A Map of Esther Williams’ Travels, Paddy Lee suggested I check out Charlie Chan at Treasure Island. Since then, I’ve been trying to find the right time to watch the film. When I searched through my movie recommendation board on Pinterest, I knew it would be the perfect movie to write about for this month’s Genre Grandeur! Before Paddy Lee’s suggestion, I had never heard of the Charlie Chan series. From what I’ve gathered, this is a mystery series from the 1920s to the 1940s. A made for TV movie, The Return of Charlie Chan, was released in 1972 and the last movie in the series, Charlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon Queen, premiered in 1981. Starting this journey in the middle of the series, it’s time to review Charlie Chan at Treasure Island!

Charlie Chan at Treasure Island poster created by Twentieth Century Fox

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: I’ve seen a handful of Cesar Romero’s projects from his filmography. Out of those projects, he has carried his character with charisma. In Charlie Chan at Treasure Island, Cesar portrayed a magician named Rhadini. Not only did Rhadini have the charisma I’ve come to expect from Cesar’s performances, he also contained a strong amount of showmanship you’d expect from a magician! Consistency worked in Cesar’s favor, with his performance appearing effortless. Another acting performance that came across as effortless was Victor Sen Yung’s! Portraying Charlie’s son, Jimmy, Victor gave his character a great on-screen personality. His expressions while interacting with other cast members wove together seamlessly. A great example is when Jimmy is helping Charlie get ready for a dinner party. As he is interacting with his father, Jimmy’s emotions transition from pride to confusion to determination without missing a beat! Despite appearing in the film for a limited amount of time, I liked Billie Seward’s portrayal of Bessie Sibley! She had great control over her character’s emotions, allowing her talents to go toe-to-toe with the talents of the other cast members.

The inclusion of magic: As I just mentioned in this review, Rhadini is a magician. He performs magic tricks on a few occasions within the story. These tricks range from a disappearing bird to a levitating table. There were even times when the secrets behind these tricks were revealed, showing the audience how the illusion was achieved. This was a pleasant surprise for me, as I didn’t expect any magic to be featured in the movie. Its inclusion in the story added a unique aspect to the film’s identity!

The humor: In past reviews, I’ve brought up how some mystery films have incorporated humor into their story, as humor gives the audience a break from the heaviness of the mystery itself. Honestly, I was surprised by the inclusion of humor in Charlie Chan at Treasure Island. This is because I was not expecting this aspect to be as strong as it was in the story. In Charlie Chan at Treasure Island, Jimmy was the comic relief. Some of the things he said were genuinely hilarious. During Rhadini’s magic show, Jimmy is recruited to participate in the levitating table trick. Horrified at the idea of being lifted off the ground, Jimmy tells his father, “Oh, but flying makes me seasick, Pop”.

Image of magic show essentials created by Macrovector at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/card”>Card vector created by macrovector – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

A misleading title: Charlie’s adventures in Treasure Island are the reason why I chose this movie for March’s Genre Grandeur. Because of the film’s title, I expected Charlie to primarily spend his time at the titular location. But when I watched the movie, I discovered that wasn’t the case. While there was an aerial shot of Treasure Island, not much time was spent there. In fact, the characters talked about Hawaii, specifically Honolulu, more than Treasure Island. With that said, it made me wonder why this movie didn’t take place in Hawaii?

Charlie’s outdated “quirk”: In my editorial, Why ‘Francesca Quinn, PI’ is the Worst Hallmark Movie I’ve Ever Seen, I talked about how fictional detectives have a “quirk”, something that sets a detective apart from other sleuths. Charlie Chan does have his own “quirk”. However, it seems very outdated. Throughout the story, Charlie speaks in proverbs. His speech also sounds like broken English. I know the 1930s was a different time compared to the 2020s. But these factors make Charlie’s “quirk” seem stereotypical.

A limited amount of urgency: The main mystery in Charlie Chan at Treasure Island is a murder mystery, as a guest on a plane mysteriously dies during the trip. Charlie and the San Francisco police department discover a series of deaths that took place around the time of the aforementioned murder. But most of the story focuses on the mystery of who “Dr. Zodiac” is, a physic who is ripping off his clients. This focus caused the overall story to have a limited amount of urgency.

Image of Hawaiian poster created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/poster”>Poster vector created by freepik – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

As someone who actively seeks out programs from the mystery genre, I’m always looking for titles I can recommend to my readers. However, I am aware of how mystery films and shows are not created equally. Charlie Chan at Treasure Island was my introduction to the world of Charlie Chan. Unfortunately, this introduction was not as strong as it could have been. While there were aspects of the movie I liked, such as the acting and the humor, the story itself was weak. The misleading title made me wish the film had taken place in Hawaii. Charlie’s “quirk” also makes the story dated on arrival. I’m not sure if I’ll continue watching this series. Perhaps if a particular title fits a blogathon theme, then maybe I will check another film out.

Overall score: 6.7 out of 10

Have you seen any films from the Charlie Chan series? Are there mystery films you’d like to see reviewed on 18 Cinema Lane? Tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: A Room with a View Review

On By 18cinemalane4 Comments

My approach to February’s Genre Grandeur is similar to my approach for last month’s blogathon. As the theme this time around is ‘movies that take place or feature Italian settings’, I could have selected one of several Hallmark productions where Italy serves as the story’s backdrop. Instead, I overlooked the realm of Hallmark for a movie that happened to be on my DVR; 1985’s A Room with a View! When I discovered the film’s protagonist, Lucy, travels to Florence, Italy, I knew it would the perfect selection for this month’s Genre Grandeur. Because my choices for 2023’s blogathon have, so far, featured a female protagonist traveling abroad (A Room with a View and Black Narcissus), I saw this is as a very interesting coincidence. In my review of Black Narcissus, I thought the 1947 film was just ok, as the movie emphasized style over substance. Did I feel the same way about A Room with a View? Take a trip through this review to find out!

A Room with a View poster created by
Merchant Ivory Productions, Goldcrest Films, FilmFour International,
Curzon Film Distributors, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Things I liked about the film:

Interactions between characters: A Room with a View is an ensemble film, with the actors and actresses coming from all walks of life and journeys in their careers. The characters reflect this idea, as they travel to Italy for various reasons. Because of everything I just said, it was interesting to see each interaction between the characters unfold. One of the funniest scenes was shared between Charlotte, portrayed by Maggie Smith, and Eleanor, portrayed by Judi Dench. Eleanor is a writer, a woman who adopts a more romantic view of the world. Meanwhile, Charlotte is more of a realist, someone who views the world through a practical lens. As they explore Florence, Eleanor encourages Charlotte to breath in the scent of the city, in an attempt to make the most of their traveling experience. Instead, Charlotte puts a handkerchief over her nose, as she and Eleanor just walked past a group of smokers. Due to the screenwriting, as well as Judi’s and Maggie’s performance, this scene elaborates my aforementioned points!

The scenery: As I stated in the introduction, I chose to review A Room with a View because of Lucy’s trip to Florence. Therefore, my discussions about the movie’s scenery will focus on the Italian background. Toward the beginning of the film, Lucy visits a cathedral. In the interior of this massive structure, the main hall is surrounded in light gray stone. Symmetrical stone columns with matching hue and carved designs burst from the cathedral’s high ceiling. Filled with giant statues, a sprinkling of candles, and artwork within the cathedral’s alcoves, the large scale of this space was captured well through various camera angles!

During Lucy’s trip, she and several tourists visit Florence’s countryside. While enjoying their picnic, the characters sit on rolling green hills, coated in varying shades of green. Trees proudly stood among the guests, joining their event from a distance. A few red-orange poppies poked out of the sea of grass, providing the landscape with a pop of bright color. Wrapped up in a clear, sunny sky, Florence’s countryside looked postcard perfect!

Lucy’s wardrobe: Since this was my first time watching A Room with a View, I had no expectations when it came to Lucy’s wardrobe. But as the story progressed, I found myself adoring Lucy’s attire, as it was classy and elegant! An excellent example is what Lucy decided to wear to her piano recital. Lucy wore a cream-colored gown with puffed lace sleeves. The scooped neckline was surrounded by embroidered flowers. Sparkles covered the bodice of the dress, providing just enough twinkle. Paired with a jeweled belt, Lucy’s gown was simply beautiful!

Italian countryside image created by Bill Silvermintz at freeimages.com. “FreeImages.com/Bill Silvermintz.” Photo by <a href=”/photographer/edudflog-58908″>Bill Silvermintz</a> from <a href=”https://freeimages.com/”>FreeImages</a&gt;.

What I didn’t like about the film:

The drawn-out story: A Room with a View’s primary focus was Lucy’s growing attraction for George, who she met on her trip to Florence. But alongside that part of the story were situations involving the other characters from this ensemble. These situations were competing against one another for the audience’s attention. One situation happened after Lucy came home to England. She tries to recruit some of the trip’s guests to stay in a local cottage. Her fiancé, Cecil, recruits guests to the cottage, who just so happen to be George and his father. However, the emphasis on the cottage’s status is one of the reasons why Lucy’s attraction for George isn’t resolved until the last forty minutes of the movie. Because of these things and the film’s two hour run-time, the story itself felt drawn out.

Lack of on-screen chemistry: Helena Bonham Carter and Julian Sands, the actors who portrayed Lucy and George, did a good job with the material they were given. But when their characters were interacting together, I didn’t feel a strong sense of on-screen chemistry. A reason why is because of how infrequently George and Lucy crossed paths. Within the film’s first forty minutes, Lucy and George spend time together in about two or three scenes. Shortly after those first forty minutes, Lucy becomes engaged to Cecil, a character who a) was never brought up during the Florence trip and b)didn’t appear on screen until forty minutes into the film. Even after the engagement, George and Lucy’s time together isn’t consistent. This resulted in the missed opportunity to watch this relationship grow over time.

The title cards and on-screen text: At various moments in A Room with a View, title cards announced when a character was about to do something. On-screen text would sometimes replace these title cards. One example takes place when Lucy and several tourists travel to Florence’s countryside. Before their excursion, white text appeared on the screen, explaining what they were about to do. I was not a fan of this creative decision because these title cards and on-screen text told the audience what they could see or figure out for themselves. This creative decision was also not consistently featured in the movie.

Hand-written letter image created by Veraholera at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Veraholera – Freepik.com</a>. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/love-letter-pattern_1292902.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

When it comes to A Room with a View’s style, this movie excels! It’s a pretty looking film, as the scenery, set design, and even Lucy’s wardrobe made the production pleasant to the eye. But when it comes to the substance, the film falls short. I didn’t find the story compelling, which is caused by the story itself being drawn out. I also did not sense strong on-screen chemistry between Helena Bonham Carter and Julian Sands. The more historical fiction/period drama media I consume, I find myself, more often than not, gravitating toward stories whose casts are smaller. This creative decision prevents the stories from competing for attention, as there are less characters to keep track of. Because A Room with a View contained an ensemble cast, there were so many ideas brought up and so few time to address it all. As the saying goes “time flies when you’re having fun”.

Overall score: 6.1 out of 10

Have you seen A Room with a View? Do you prefer movies with bigger or smaller casts? Please tell me in the comment section below!

Have fun on your travels!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Black Narcissus (1947) Review

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

For the first Genre Grandeur of 2023, the theme is ‘Movies that take place in Cold weather situations (snow, ice, hail, etc.)’. While I could have selected a Hallmark title, I decided to pick another film instead. As I looked through my recommendations board on Pinterest, I remembered the 1947 movie, Black Narcissus. Suggested by Maddy from Maddy Loves Her Classic Films, this story takes place in the Himalayas, a mountainous region known for colder temperatures and snowy landscapes. Prior to watching Black Narcissus, I had heard this movie was controversial at the time of its release. All I knew about the film was its synopsis and the fact it premiered within the Breen Code era. Is Black Narcissus worth the trek up the mountain? Keep reading my review to find out!

Black Narcissus (1947) poster created by The Archers and General Film Distributors

Things I liked about the film:

The dialogue: In my review of When the Circus Came to Town, I mentioned how the dialogue was surprisingly profound. This was also the case in Black Narcissus, where the dialogue was sometimes profound, even thought-provoking. After Christmas Eve service, the Young General congratulates Sister Clodagh on the birth of Jesus. This statement brings up an excellent point about Christmas. When there is a new baby in a family, the family will be congratulated on their new arrival. So, congratulating Jesus’ birth makes sense, especially given the religious context of the holiday. After Sister Clodagh tells the Young General how the sisters don’t speak of God in a casual sense, Mr. Dean replies how God should be as common as bread. Even though Mr. Dean made this statement while drunk, he did make an interesting point. From the way I interpreted it, it seems like Mr. Dean thinks Christians should live their everyday lives with God present in it.

The set design and scenery: Off the top of my head, I can’t think of many movies taking place in the Himalayas. Therefore, I was excited to see this locale through a cinematic lens. The Himalayas did not disappoint, as the landscape looked so photogenic, it honestly appeared as a piece of art! One example is a shot of the mountains, where the snow caps dissolved in an ombre palette of white to light blue, transforming to a deep blue. Not only were the exterior shots appealing to the eye, the interior shots were interesting to look at as well! My favorite room in the palace was the “blue room”. In this room, the walls are covered in a mural primarily boasting hues of blue, periwinkle, and purple. Pops of green can be found on the mural, presenting the illusion the room has been submerged into the sea. Complimenting the space is a blue, circular chair with yellow, flowered stitching and a crystal chandelier.

The Young General’s wardrobe: Even though the Young General appeared in the film for a limited period of time, I absolutely loved his wardrobe! In fact, his wardrobe stole the show! My favorite outfit was the one he wore during the Christmas service. While attending the service, the Young General’s attire was white with gold details. Because winters in the Himalayas are colder, his outfit was beautifully paired with a fur coat covered in a leopard pattern and puffy white sleeves. Adding a light gold turban, the Young General’s attire was impeccably designed by Hein Heckroth!

Snowy mountain image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/landscape-background-of-snow-track-and-mountains_968656.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

Few introductions to Himalayan culture: In 1956’s The King and I, Anna, as well as the audience, are introduced to Siamese culture through her interactions with various characters. One notable example is Tuptim’s interpretation of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, where her perspective on the text provides an insight into her cultural background. Before watching Black Narcissus, I was hoping to learn more about the people of the Himalayas. Unfortunately, the film’s creative team didn’t take the time to show Himalayan customs, traditions, and beliefs. Yes, the Young General is interested in learning more about Christianity and there is a spiritual leader who makes a handful of appearances in the movie. But these parts of the story were not explored to a satisfying extent.

Little to no explanations: Kanchi is a seventeen-year-old young lady who arrives at the convent. Mr. Dean explains to Sister Clodagh how Kanchi is a “troublemaker” who isn’t wanted by anyone. Was Kanchi truly a “troublemaker” or is she simply misunderstood? Why does it seem like no one wants her around? Why was Kanchi given little to no dialogue in the story? Is she non-verbal or was she so traumatized by something from her past, that she chooses not to speak? This is just one example of how little to no explanations were found in the film. That creative decision didn’t allow the audience to get to know Kanchi and understand the reason behind her choices. Because of how common explanations were omitted, I was confused by the end of the movie.

Relying on a premise instead of a plot: When I reviewed When the Circus Came to Town last December, I talked about how the made-for-tv movie relied more on a premise (the story’s hook) than a plot (what keeps the audience invested in the story). Black Narcissus contains the same flaw. Prior to seeing this film, I thought the first half of the story would show the sisters’ journey up the mountain, with the story’s second half chronicling the creation of the convent. The movie completely omits the journey, going straight to the convent’s creation. For the majority of the story, the sisters are shown going through the motions of keeping their convent afloat. While the sisters’ deal with their own personal issues, there was no overarching conflict that needed to be resolved.

Blue sparkly Christmas tree image created by Macrovector at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/frame”>Frame vector created by Macrovector – Freepik.com</a>. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/merry-christmas-card_2875396.htm’>Designed by Macrovector</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

Objectively speaking, Black Narcissus is a competently made film. In fact, I could tell the creative team behind the project cared about what they were making. But subjectively, this is one of the most confusing movies I’ve ever seen. That is because so many parts of the story were given little to no explanations. I didn’t know the 1947 film was based on a novel until I saw the film’s opening credits, so maybe this is a case where the source material does a better job than the adaptation when it comes to explaining things? Black Narcissus is a film that emphasizes style over substance. While there was appealing scenery, set design, and costume designs, the story was missing an overarching conflict. Missed opportunities to learn more about Himalayan culture were in this story as well. With everything I said, I can’t give a strong recommendation for Black Narcissus. Instead, I would suggest checking out movies like 1956’s The King and I and The Nun’s Story.

Overall score: 6 out of 10

Have you seen Black Narcissus? Which movies featuring cold weather situations are your favorites? Please tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen