Tag: made-for-tv movie

Take 3: Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Brush with Fate Review + 490 Follower Thank You

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Recently, I published a list of the top ten “icks” from Hallmark
Hall of Fame movies. The list consisted of ten aspects of Hallmark Hall of Fame
films I don’t like. One of these “icks” is when a movie from this collection
glosses over a serious subject. Shortly after I published my list, I found I wasn’t
the only blogger to not like this particular “ick”. A fellow blogger,
Ospreyshire, brought up the 2003 Hallmark Hall of Fame production, Brush with
Fate, as an example of how Hallmark Hall of Fame can incorporate serious
issues into their stories. Since I hadn’t seen the film yet, I chose Brush with
Fate for this Blog Follower Dedication Review! This is only the second project
from the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection I’ve reviewed this year, so far. A
month ago, I wrote about the 1987 movie, Pack of Lies. Unfortunately, I
found the film disappointing, as the story was a two-hour build-up to an
underwhelming resolution. So, here’s hoping Brush with Fate is a more
enjoyable picture!

Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Brush with Fate poster created by CBS and Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions

Things I liked about the film:

An immersive experience: A movie’s creative team has the potential
to provide an immersive experience for their audience. To achieve this, attention
to detail must be emphasized. That piece of advice can work in the favor of a
historical period film. Brush with Fate explores several time periods and how a
valuable painting exists within a given period. Each time period represented
looked and felt historically accurate! Not only does every featured period
appear well researched, every detail was tended to. From the architecture to
the machinery, even right down to the characters’ shoes, the aforementioned attention
to detail was adopted by Brush with Fate’s creative team. The effort the
creative team took to make each part of the story appear authentic helped
create an immersive experience for the viewer!


Visual transitions: When a story moves from one point to
another, scenes will transition using visual cues to let the audience know when
the story is moving forward. Because Brush with Fate explores several
time periods, there are multiple transitions throughout the movie. These transitions
are creative and use visually interesting parallels. Toward the beginning of
the story, Cornelia puts her hand on her family’s
prized painting. As she begins to share the history of the painting, the next
part of the story begins with Laurens putting his hand on the same painting,
signaling a change in time periods. The transitions during Brush with Fate were also seamless, allowing
the story to maintain a steady flow.


Lessons taught by the painting: More often than not,
Hallmark Hall of Fame movies weave important lessons into their stories. While Brush
with Fate is no different, the way the story’s lessons were incorporated was
unique compared to other Hallmark Hall of Fame titles. In the 2003 film, different
characters learn a different lesson based on their experience with the
painting. In one part of the story, a woman from 1717 struggles to feed her
family. At the same time, she adores a painting she and her husband found.
Turning to her mother for advice, the woman is reminded how the painting is not
a blessing. This statement expresses that paintings are replaceable luxuries
compared to irreplaceable things like family.

Paint palette image created by Freepik at freepik.com <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/hand-drawn-artsy-tools_836777.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a> <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/hand”>Hand vector created by Freepik</a> Image found at freepik.com

What I didn’t like about the film:

Characters touching the painting with their bare hands: Fictional
movies typically make their audience suspend their disbelief. Sometimes, though,
audiences are asked to suspend more disbelief than they bargained for. Brush
with Fate revolves around a Vermeer painting that is known for being valuable
in historical and monetary importance. But throughout the movie, multiple
characters touch the painting with their bare hands, including Cornelia , who is well aware of the painting’s value. It
may seem petty of me to critique the movie for this small detail. However, this
happened enough times in the movie that I couldn’t look past it.


An unchronological story: As I mentioned earlier in this
review, Brush with Fate explores several time periods and how a valuable
painting exists within a given period. However, this story is not told in
chronological order. Instead, Cornelia shares the painting’s history by bouncing
around between time, going backwards and then forwards. Not telling the story
in chronological order raises unanswered questions, such as what happened to
the baby from the family in 1717 and who acquired the painting after Laurens’
daughter and her fiancé. Without spoiling the movie, I will say I know why this
creative decision was made. But I still wish Brush with Fate was told in
chronological order.

An abrupt ending:  Most
Hallmark Hall of Fame movies are stand-alone stories where the conclusions are
definitive. However, there are exceptions to the rule, such as Sweet Nothing
in My Ear and A Painted House. Brush with Fate is one of these exceptions. But, in my opinion, I don’t think this
movie should have received an open ending. The purpose of showcasing the
painting in multiple time periods is to elaborate how the painting’s history is
long-lasting. With the rather abrupt ending, this purpose seems defeated, like
the painting’s history has stopped short. It also leaves some unresolved loose
ends.

Art tools image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/flar-art-tools-pack_835368.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>.  <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/paint”>Paint vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

Before I share my thoughts on Brush with Fate, I want
to thank every follower of 18 Cinema Lane! With each movie review, including
these Blog Follower Dedication Reviews, I try to find films I can recommend to
my readers. Looking back on this Hallmark Hall of Fame picture, I think I could
recommend it. This is a project where attention to detail was emphasized so
much, some parts of the movie felt theatrical. The creative team behind Brush
with Fate allowed their production to be an immersive experience for their
audience. However, I think this story would be benefitted by being presented as
a multi-part mini-series. With several time periods being explored, as well as
many heavy subjects woven into the script, there’s only so much story to tell
in two hours. By giving each time period their own episode, more time could be
spent getting to know the characters and receiving answers to certain
questions. Like many Hallmark Hall of Fame movies, Brush with Fate is
based on a pre-existing book I haven’t read yet. Therefore, I can only review
this film as a film and not an adaptation.


Overall score: 7.1-7.2 out of 10


Have you seen Brush with Fate? Which book do you
think should have been adapted into a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie? Let me know
in the comment section!


Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Top 10 “Icks” from Hallmark Hall of Fame Movies

On By 18cinemalane3 Comments

To address the elephant in the room (or on the blog in this case), the lack of blog posts this past week is due to how much time I’ve spent collecting research for my upcoming Sally Solves a Mystery article. While I have been working to solve a television-related mystery, the subject of Hallmark Hall of Fame movies came to mind. I’ve seen over fifty films from the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection. At this point, I, as a viewer, know what I like and don’t like when it comes to storytelling from this particular branch of Hallmark entertainment. These preferences are what inspired me to create this list of the top ten “icks” from Hallmark Hall of Fame movies! For my list, I will share which aspects of Hallmark Hall of Fame films I am not a fan of, providing examples from various titles in this collection. Before I begin the list, I want to address how this list is not meant to be mean-spirited or negative. My article is, simply, a way to express my opinion.

Taking out the trash photo created by Katemangostar at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/unhappy-woman-holding-trash-with-disgusting-smell_1305783.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/person”>Person image created by Katemangostar – Freepik.com</a>. Image found on freepik.com.

1. Underutilizing Talent

    In past movie reviews, I have pointed out when I felt an actor or actress’s talents were underutilized. What I’ve meant by this is an actress or actor’s talents not being incorporated into a film to the fullest extent. This can range from an actor or actress being miscast to an actor or actress having a limited presence in the movie, the latter serving two examples for this list. Marguerite Moreau’s involvement in 2002’s The Locket is one of the reasons why I wanted to check the film out. Because she was cast as the movie’s main supporting actress, I expected Marguerite to have a more consistent presence in the film than she actually did. As I said in my review of The Locket, Marguerite’s character barely appeared in the movie’s second half. Based on her performances I have seen from a variety of movies and television shows, I think Karina Arroyave’s acting talents could have lent themselves to a larger role in 2000’s Missing Pieces. Sadly, Karina’s on-screen appearances were so short, they seemed like “don’t blink or you’ll miss her” moments. While she was given a little more screen-time in the 1993 film, Blind Spot, I still feel Karina’s acting talents were underutilized.

    2. Films That Feel like Televised Plays

    When I choose to watch a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, I expect to see a cinematic production of an original or pre-existing story. Some of these pre-existing stories happen to be plays. But there are times when a project’s creative team didn’t take advantage of how expansive film-making can be. Instead, they kept their adaptation as limited as the boundaries of the stages these plays came from. Like I pointed out in my review of the 1987 film, Foxfire, the cast is smaller and the story is condensed, forcing the characters to remain near or in Annie’s house. With the story surrounded by the natural beauty of Appalachia, I wish the movie’s emphasis had been placed on showcasing a variety of locations from this region. The 1972 remake of Harvey made similar creative choices, such as showing fewer locations throughout the story. This is different from the 1950 version of Harvey, where Elwood moves to multiple places.

    3. Oversimplifying Adoption/Foster Care

    Back in 2022, when I published my list of the top ten worst movies I saw that year, 1994’s A Place for Annie ended up as a Dishonorable Mention. One reason why I didn’t like this film is how the subject of adoption/foster care was oversimplified. For those who have never seen or heard of the movie, A Place for Annie is about a woman taking in a baby who is HIV positive. Over the course of the story, the woman, portrayed by Sissy Spacek, is in the process of adopting the baby. But she experiences an unexpected conflict when the baby’s biological mother shows up. The way Sissy’s and Mary-Louise Parker’s characters were portrayed and written presented a “good” mother vs. “bad” mother dynamic, even right down to the way each character dressed. Sissy’s character, Susan, becomes upset at the idea of Mary-Louise’s character, Linda, reuniting with her daughter, even though the intended purpose of foster care is for children to be reunited with their biological families. Because of the oversimplification of adoption/foster care in A Place for Annie, I couldn’t take the movie seriously.

    4. Characters Not Receiving Their Full Potential

    Speaking of articles from 2022, I’ll now bring up my list of top ten characters who didn’t reach their full potential. When I published this list, I explained when a character doesn’t receive their full potential, they aren’t given the opportunity to reach their goals, make their dreams come true, and allow their stories to be told to a satisfying extent. This list featured two characters from Hallmark Hall of Fame movies; Barry Klemper from The Boys Next Door and Amédée Chevalier from O Pioneers!. In the case of these characters, their stories were adapted from pre-existing source material. While I haven’t seen or read a stage version of The Boys Next Door, I have read O Pioneers!. I can understand why Willa Cather made certain creative decisions related to Amédée, as well as Hallmark Hall of Fame’s desire to keep the adaptation as close to the source material as possible. However, I still wish Amédée had received his full potential.

    5. Rehashed Stories

    For this part of my list, I am not talking about Hallmark Hall of Fame productions that are adapted from pre-existing plays or books. I am referring to Hallmark Hall of Fame movies that seem to copy stories from other films. Earlier in this list, I referenced the 1972 and 1950 versions of Harvey. After watching both versions, it feels like I watched the same movie twice, due to little variation between the two versions. I also felt this way about the 1996 film, The Summer of Ben Tyler. The movie seemed so similar to To Kill a Mockingbird, I wondered if Hallmark Hall of Fame was trying to remake the aforementioned film. I know story ideas are bound to get repeated over time. But, in my opinion, the Hallmark Hall of Fame productions should strive to create unique, distinct projects.

    Harvey (1972) poster created by Foote, Cone and Belding Productions, Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, Talent Associates-Norton Simon, and National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

    6. Terrible Grandparents

    Grandparents, like any family member in a protagonist’s life, should, in my opinion, be a kind, friendly character that the audience can root for. Unfortunately, some protagonists aren’t so lucky. For the fifth annual Gold Sally Awards, when I created the inaugural Edwin P. Christy Award for most annoying character in film, I gave that award to Grandpa Marcus from 1995’s Journey. I explained how obsessed he became of his photography hobby, to the point where he became negligent of his grandchildren’s safety. In one scene, Grandpa Marcus makes his grandson, who doesn’t appear old enough to obtain a driver’s permit yet, drive a car so Grandpa Marcus can take pictures. The grandchildren make a joking comment about how their grandpa will photograph their car accident if something should happen to them, with the scene itself meant to be played as a wholesome, hilarious moment.

    Leonora Nelson is a bitter, mean-spirited woman in the 1997 film, Ellen Foster. At her daughter’s burial, Leonora blames her son-in-law for her daughter dying. She yells and screams at her son-in-law just seconds after her daughter’s casket was buried. As the story progresses, Leonora’s hatred for her son-in-law grows. Her actions range from smashing his Purple Heart medal with a hammer to telling her granddaughter, the titular Ellen Foster, she hates her because she looks like her father. I recognize Leonora is intended to be an awful character, serving as one of the many obstacles Ellen had to overcome. But that doesn’t take away from how, in my opinion, Leonora Nelson is one of the worst characters in Hallmark movie history.

    7. Productions That Feel Like Hallmark Channel Films

    Hallmark Hall of Fame movies began to premiere on Hallmark Channel in 2014. While there are films from this time period I like, such as Love Takes Flight and The Beach House, I am aware how, more often than not, these projects bear a formula similar to those from Hallmark Channel. One such example is how a romance is usually the center of a given story. The identities of films like The Beach House and Love Takes Flight are not as unique as Hallmark Hall of Fame movies from years past. Take, for instance, Missing Pieces and Caroline? from 1990. Both of these films revolve around mystery stories. However, each title presents its own distinct identity, with these two movies bringing something different to the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection.

    8. Unsupportive Parents

    Similar to what I said earlier about grandparents, parents of protagonists should, in my opinion, at least be supportive. Sadly, a protagonist’s parents may be unsupportive for a variety of reasons. In my list of top ten characters who didn’t reach their full potential, I mentioned how Barry Klemper’s father destroyed the momentum Barry had in The Boys Next Door. Long before his father showed up, Barry dreaded the meeting because of how unsupportive his father is. On the day of the meeting, Barry’s father intimidated and belittled his son, even making Barry feel incapable of performing a simple golf maneuver. There are times, however, when a protagonist’s unsupportive parents do not intend to be unsupportive. Heidi and Winston’s mother is a perfect example. In the 1990 movie, Caroline?, Winston and Heidi’s mother is overprotective due to Heidi having a disability. Her good intentions not only lead Heidi to be treated younger than her age, but also prevent Heidi’s academic needs from being met.

    9. Glossing Over Serious Subjects

    The Hallmark Hall of Fame collection has covered its fair share of serious subjects, ranging from the aforementioned adoption/foster care to terminal illnesses. But sometimes, a Hallmark Hall of Fame production will miss a good opportunity to address an important topic by glossing it over. The subject of racism is woven into the text of The Flamingo Rising book, with racism causing the protagonist, Abraham, to have self-image related issues. When the book was adapted into a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie in 2001, all mentions of racism were eliminated from the script. This decision was likely made to keep The Flamingo Rising movie “Hallmark appropriate”. At a very random moment in the 1996 film, Calm at Sunset, Russell Pfeiffer admits he has a drug addiction. There was no lead up to this revelation and the revelation itself was never addressed afterward. Calm at Sunset is based on a book I haven’t read. Therefore, I don’t know how the subject of addiction was addressed in the source material compared to the adaptation.

    10. A Dysfunctional Family for the Sake of It

      Six years ago, when I published my list of the top ten worst Hallmark movies of all time, I put the 2004 film, Back When We Were Grownups, at number one. As I mentioned in that list, the story’s family seems dysfunctional just for the sake of it. From what I remember, there was no clear reason for the family to be dysfunctional. This is very different from another Hallmark Hall of Fame production, 1998’s Saint Maybe. In that movie, a death in the family causes a ripple effect which leads to the family becoming dysfunctional. The dysfunctional nature of the family serves as motivation for various characters to make impactful changes in their lives. Comparing these two Hallmark Hall of Fame films, which are both adaptations of Anne Tyler’s books, I think Saint Maybe did a better job at showcasing how a dysfunctional family live their lives and work through their problems.

      Group of unhappy image created by Rawpixel.com at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by rawpixel.com – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

      Have fun at the movies!

      Sally Silverscreen

      Take 3: Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Pack of Lies Review

      On By 18cinemalane9 Comments

      For last year’s Broadway Bound Blogathon, I reviewed the
      Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation, A Tale of Two Cities. This is an adaptation
      from 1980 I liked so much, it was one of the best movies I saw in 2023! While
      reflecting on that film, I realized it’s been a whole year since I reviewed a
      Hallmark Hall of Fame production. To make up for lost time, I chose to write
      about the 1987 Hallmark Hall of Fame film, Pack of Lies! Two years
      before this movie aired on television, Pack of Lies premiered on
      Broadway, making the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie a good choice for the
      blogathon. Pack of Lies is also a Hallmark Hall of Fame film from the ‘80s
      I haven’t seen before. One of my aspirations is to see as many Hallmark Hall of
      Fame movies as realistically possible. Out of the titles I have seen, I’ve
      noticed the mystery genre is rarely represented throughout the Hallmark Hall of
      Fame collection. That fact is another reason why I chose to review Pack of
      Lies      !

      Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Pack of Lies poster created by Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, Robert Halmi, and CBS

      Things I liked about the film:

      The acting: Ellen Burstyn and Teri Garr portray Barbara
      Jackson and Helen Schaefer in Pack of Lies. The friendship of these two
      characters highlights how different they are from one another. Helen has a very
      outgoing and bubbly personality, a talkative woman who’s willing to solve
      problems. Meanwhile, Barbara is more reserved, dressing more modestly and
      avoiding conflict whenever possible. Part of why the differences between these
      characters were achieved was through the acting abilities of both Ellen and
      Teri! They presented the uniqueness of their characters through various emotions
      and expressions. When creating a movie where actors portray friends, the believability
      of their performances can make or break that illusion. The aforementioned illusion
      was certainly created and maintained throughout Pack of Lies!


      In stories where a character has some degree of authority,
      their personality is usually serious. This can be a challenge for an actor or
      actress, as there are few opportunities to utilize a variety of expressions and
      emotions. That didn’t stop Alan Bates from portraying Stewart and making that
      performance memorable! When Mr. and Mrs. Jackson first meet Stewart, he leaves
      a trusting first impression. During this meeting, Alan incorporates eye movements,
      vocal inflections, and variations of mouth movements to create an interaction
      that appeared realistic. Because of the realistic nature of Stewart’s meeting,
      the scene itself contains a sense of realism. This realism is consistently
      carried in the movie through the acting performances!


      A mystery within a mystery: The meeting between Stewart and
      the Jacksons I previously referenced in this review is about how Stewart is
      looking for a man named Laurence. The main mystery in Pack of Lies is
      discovering who Laurence is and why Stewart is interested in finding him. At
      the same time, the legitimacy of Stewart and his mission serve as a second
      mystery. Because of the vagueness Stewart provides to the Jackson family, it
      leaves both the Jackson family and the audience wondering who Stweart really is
      and why he wants to confront Laurence so much. This second mystery provides an
      added layer of intrigue to the overall story!


      Providing books as gifts: While visiting their friends, Helen
      and Peter Schaefer, Barbara and Bob Jackson receive books as gifts from Peter.
      Barbara loves art so much, she and Helen take art classes regularly. Meanwhile,
      Bob is an employee in the aircraft industry. In the meeting between the Jackson
      family and Stewart, Stewart points out a model plane Bob built. From Peter, Barbara
      receives a book of drawings from the Clark Institute in Massachusetts. Peter gives
      Bob a book about the first flights across the Atlantic. These books were
      thoughtful presents Peter took the time and effort to find. Looking back on the
      Hallmark films I’ve seen, including those from Hallmark Hall of Fame,
      characters receiving books as gifts are rarely shown. Therefore, I appreciate
      this creative choice from Pack of Lies’s creative team to fill a
      creative void that is, more often than not, overlooked.

      The Seventh Broadway Bound Blogathon banner created by Rebecca from Taking Up Room

      What I didn’t like about the film:

      Telling instead of showing: In an ideal movie, it’s
      important to show and tell what’s happening on screen. But because film is a
      visual medium, showing should be emphasized. Unfortunately, in Pack of Lies,
      telling was preferred over showing. Throughout the movie, Stewart tells Mr. and
      Mrs. Jackson that a man named Laurence Powell is a man of interest. The reason for
      this interest is his possible connections to Russian communists. Dialogue is
      the only way the truth about Laurence and Stewart’s reason for recruiting the
      Jackson family is revealed. The subject of espionage in entertainment media isn’t
      always action-packed and adrenaline-fueled. If a creative team knows their
      story will have low energy, they should maintain a sense of suspense and
      intrigue by showing what’s going on.


      Little lapse in time: At the beginning of the movie, Stewart
      assures the Jackson family he’ll only observe Laurence for a day or two. As the
      story progresses, Stewart’s mission ends up lasting longer than the proposed
      one to two days. Like I just said in this review, Pack of Lies
      emphasized telling instead of showing. The little lapse in time throughout the
      movie is another example of this flaw. Christmas decorations in the Jackson
      house are the only indication a significant period of time took place. Prior to
      that part of the story, the film looks like events happened within a week.


      Things that don’t make sense: As I’ve been saying in this
      review, Stewart’s mission is to observe Laurence over a period of time. The more
      information revealed by Stewart, the more the Jacksons and the audience learn
      Stewart knew more about Laurence than he originally let on. I know the subject
      of espionage can be varied and complicated when included in entertainment
      media. However, with everything I just said, why didn’t Stewart just arrest
      Laurence instead of observing him over multiple days? Why did Stewart need to
      get the Jackson family involved in the first place? This is one example where Pack
      of Lies       doesn’t make sense.

      Sketch of London image created by Archjoe at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/hand-drawn-houses-of-parliament_1133950.htm’>Designed by Archjoe</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Archjoe – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

      My overall impression:

      Hallmark Hall of Fame movies, like any creative endeavor, are
      not created equally. As I shared in this review’s introduction, I liked A
      Tale of Two Cities       so much, it was one of the best movies I saw last year.
      Sadly, I can’t say the same about Pack of Lies. The 1987 presentation
      was a two hour slow and tedious build-up to a resolution that was underwhelming
      and anticlimactic. The cause of these flaws was the emphasis on telling instead
      of showing. This is not the first time a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie from the ‘80s
      let me down, as I also found 1985’s The Corsican Brothers disappointing.
      After watching Pack of Lies, I learned the movie was based on a true
      story. Now knowing this, I think the story would have benefitted more had it
      become a documentary instead. As I wrap up my review of Pack of Lies, I
      reflect on a Hallmark commercial I have seen. In this commercial, a man, whose
      first language is not English, is looking for the perfect card for his wife,
      who will soon arrive in the United States. When he goes to a Hallmark store,
      the man is assisted by an employee named Rose, who helps him find exactly what
      he is looking for. Another man who occasionally appears throughout the
      commercial reveals the events in the commercial are based on a true story.
      Honestly, the story behind that Hallmark commercial is a more fascinating movie
      idea than what was presented in this Hallmark Hall of Fame film.


      Overall score: 5 out of 10


      Have you seen Pack of Lies? Which Broadway show do
      you wish received a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie? Tell me in the comment
      section!


      Have fun on Broadway!

      Sally Silverscreen

      Word on the Street: Hallmark Releases Trailer for ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters’

      On By 18cinemalane2 Comments

      I recently published an editorial speculating why I believed Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters could be a Christmas movie. This speculation was not only based on the film’s premiere date, but on other factors like only one Christmas movie throughout the Signed, Sealed, Delivered series and how I thought the title could allude to the Nativity story or A Christmas Carol. At the time I published my editorial, Hallmark hadn’t released any promotional material for their upcoming production. During the premiere of Tipline Mysteries: Dial 1 for Murder, the trailer for Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters aired on Hallmark Mystery. I wanted to write this Word on the Street article to own up to my error and dispel confusion for my readers, as the trailer proves the new Signed, Sealed, Delivered film is not a Christmas movie. I also wanted to write about this trailer because, after all, it is movie news.

      The trailer for Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters has been shown on Hallmark Mystery and is available on Hallmark Mystery’s website. However, as of the publication of this Word on the Street story, the trailer is not featured on the movie’s official page on Hallmark Mystery’s website. This screenshot, taken by me, Sally Silverscreen, is proof the trailer exists.

      I have always been honest about my thoughts on the Signed, Sealed, Delivered series. In my opinion, the overall quality of this series has been inconsistent. Based on the trailer alone, Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters appears underwhelming. One reason is a story that seems recycled and predictable. As a Heartie, I’m over redemption stories because of how long Henry Gowen’s redemption arc was drawn out on When Calls the Heart. With the trailer’s voice-over stating “with a teacher trying to rewrite her wrong” and with the aforementioned teacher admitting sending a letter “in a very weak moment”, it looks like two out of the three titular letters will likely serve a redemption story.

      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.

      At the beginning of the trailer, Oliver brings up “the great mailbox breach of 2017”. The way this event is addressed in the trailer gives me the impression the POstables (Oliver, Shane, Rita, and Norman) have been working on this case for a long period of time. Signed, Sealed, Delivered is a series where the stories are given a contemporary setting. From 2017 to 2021, five Signed, Sealed, Delivered movies have been released. If the movies take place within the years of their release, how come this “great mailbox breach of 2017” is just now being brought up? I hope a logical explanation is provided in Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters.

      Envelope with hearts image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/hearts-and-pink-envelope-for-mothers-day_1950691.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/love”>Love image created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

      In my editorial about why Francesca Quinn: PI is the worst Hallmark movie I’ve ever seen, I talked about the importance of fictional detectives having “quirks”, something about that character that sets them apart from other fictional detectives. The POstables serve as a good example of characters possessing “quirks” and being unique from one another, like Rita being obsessed with owls or Norman having a memory that rivals an encyclopedia. Based on the trailer’s voice-over stating “and a delivery that hits closer to home” and Oliver telling Charley “we are here on official business”, I wonder if Charley will become a fifth member of the POstables? Charley was introduced in the last Signed, Sealed, Delivered chapter; Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Vows We Have Made. Looking back on that film, the only aspect I remember about Charley was how she was pregnant. The lack of strong characterazation for Charley is one reason why I didn’t like the previous Signed, Sealed, Delivered film. So, if she does become a fifth member of the POstables, I wonder what “quirk” Charley will adopt?

      The trailer for Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters has been shown on Hallmark Mystery and is available on Hallmark Mystery’s website. However, as of the publication of this Word on the Street story, the trailer is not featured on the movie’s official page on Hallmark Mystery’s website. This screenshot, taken by me, Sally Silverscreen, is proof the trailer exists.

      When I speculated Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters being a Christmas movie, I wondered if the next movie, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back” could serve a two-part story. This speculation was based on the belief of Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters retelling A Christmas Carol and the rock star in “Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back” as a Marley-like character. As the title suggests, three letters will be key elements in the film’s plot. But the trailer for Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters shows only two letters; one from the teacher and one for someone named “Maria”. The synopsis for “Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back” states how the POstables go “on a road trip” in an effort to “find the recipient of a lost letter”. This indicates only one letter serving as the story’s mystery. Maybe that letter is the titular third letter in Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters, making that film and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back” a two part story?

      What are your thoughts on this piece of movie news? Are you excited for Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters? Please tell me in the comment section!

      Have fun at the movies!

      Sally Silverscreen

      Is Hallmark’s new ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered’ movie a Christmas film?

      On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

      In one of my recent Sunset Over Hope Valley re-cap posts, I
      brought up two upcoming Signed, Sealed, Delivered movies. Originally
      reported by Net from It’s a Wonderful Movie, these films were given release
      years of 2024 and 2025. The first of these movies, Signed, Sealed, Delivered:
      A Tale of Three Letters      , has just received a premiere date, airing much earlier
      than I expected. But the more I thought about this piece of movie news, the
      more I wondered why Hallmark would air this chapter of Signed, Sealed,
      Delivered       in the middle of July? Then I came to the realization how Signed,
      Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters       could be a Christmas film. Besides
      the movie’s premiere date, there are other observations that support my claim.
      These observations will be discussed in this editorial. Before I begin
      explaining my claim in further detail, I want to remind my readers how Hallmark
      has provided very little information about these Signed, Sealed, Delivered
      movies, as of the publication of this editorial. As you read my article, take
      what I say with a reindeer sized grain of salt.

      Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Altar poster created by Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Image found at https://www.crownmediapress.com/Shows/PRShowDetail?SiteID=143&FeedBoxID=845&NodeID=302&ShowType=series&ShowTitle=Signed%2c+Sealed%2c+Delivered+To+the+Altar

      The Film’s
      Premiere Date

      As I stated in this
      editorial’s introduction, Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters
      has received a premiere date, with July 12th being the specific
      day. As I also stated, this news led me to question why Hallmark would choose
      to air this movie so soon. A possible answer can be given in three words:
      Christmas in July. In recent years, Christmas in July marathons have become
      exclusive with Hallmark Channel. However, there was a time when Hallmark would devote
      the entire month of July with Christmas in July marathons among Hallmark Channel
      and Hallmark Mystery. In fact, the movie, Christmas Camp, premiered
      during 2019’s Christmas in July marathon on what was then known as Hallmark
      Movies & Mysteries.

      Cute Christmas 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.

      Hallmark Channel’s
      Viewership Numbers

      During the 2020s, Hallmark
      Channel’s viewership numbers have, so far, been declining. The network’s
      numbers are so bad that as of early June 2024, none of Hallmark Channel’s
      movies this year have garnered two million viewers or more. Hallmark Channel
      will host a Christmas in July marathon, premiering two new Christmas films
      during that event. These titles are Falling Like Snowflakes (premiering
      on June 29th) and A Very Vermont Christmas (premiering on
      July 20th). With a two-week gap between the aforementioned Christmas
      films and Hallmark desperate to raise their viewership numbers, the decision to
      air Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters during the
      Christmas in July marathon could be made. The film could premiere on Hallmark
      Channel after it premieres on Hallmark Mystery or the film could air on both
      networks on the same day. In the past, Hallmark would simultaneously air movies
      on both of their networks. One notable example is A Bone to Pick: An Aurora
      Teagarden Mystery       back in 2015.

      Christmas house created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/smiling-snowman-with-a-red-house-background_958592.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.

      The Title

      Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters is
      the title the series’ newest chapter is boasting. It should be noted how the
      number three is important within the Christmas season for two reasons. The
      number three references the Three Wise Men that play a significant role in the
      Nativity story. This would be on brand for Signed, Sealed, Delivered, as
      the series is known for incorporating elements of religion/faith into their films.
      One example is the inclusion of a Nativity play in Signed, Sealed, Delivered
      for Christmas. A Christmas Carol shows Ebenezer Scrooge being
      visited by three ghosts throughout the story. Perhaps Signed, Sealed,
      Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters       is a retelling of Charles Dickens’ classic,
      where a Scrooge-like character is intended to receive letters from the past, present,
      and future?

      Three Wise Men themed wish list paper image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/christmas”>Christmas vector created by freepik – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

      The Series Itself

      Since 2013, the Signed,
      Sealed, Delivered       series has become a staple on Hallmark Mystery. But during
      the series’ eleven-year timeframe, Signed, Sealed, Delivered has
      received only one Christmas movie; 2014’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered for
      Christmas      . By Hallmark choosing to create new films for this series, they
      are bringing Signed, Sealed, Delivered out of a three year hiatus, as
      the last title, Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Vows We Have Made, was
      released in 2021. In a Word on the Street story from two years ago, I pointed
      out how Hallmark’s recent sequel efforts were continuations of movies that
      first aired in 2014. Like I just said, Signed, Sealed, Delivered for Christmas
      premiered ten years ago. If Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three
      Letters       is indeed a Christmas film, these decisions would not only fit
      Hallmark’s aforementioned trend, but would also fill a creative void left barren
      for so long.

      Christmas book image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-psd/christmas-mockup-with-open-book_1482296.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/mockup”>Mockup psd created by Freepik</a>.  Image found at freepik.com.

      Like I told my
      readers in this editorial’s introduction, take what I say with a reindeer sized
      grain of salt, as my claim is based on speculation and observation. However, if
      Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters will become a
      Christmas movie, this calls into question the other new chapter in the series; “Signed,
      Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back”. Based on the title alone, it could be
      a reference to It’s a Wonderful Life. In the 1946 movie, George promises
      to give Mary the moon by saying “You want the moon? Just say the word and I’ll
      throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey. That’s a pretty good idea. I’ll
      give you the moon, Mary”. But if Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three
      Letters       is a retelling of A Christmas Carol, the new character from “Signed,
      Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back” could provide a clue. According to the
      movie’s synopsis, Oliver, Shane, Norman, and Rita are trying “to track down a
      rock star who holds the keys”. I remember how Marley’s ghost is shown holding
      keys in some adaptations of A Christmas Carol. Perhaps the rock star in “Signed,
      Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back” is intended to be a Marley-like
      character meant to give the Scrooge-like character a lesson or moral?


      What do you think of
      my claim? Do you think Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters
      could be a Christmas film? Let me know in the comment section below!


      Have fun at the
      movies!

      Sally Silverscreen


      Sources for this editorial:

      https://itsawonderfulmovie.blogspot.com/2024/04/hallmark-media-releases-new-titles-storylines-signed-sealed-delivered-movies-2024-2025.html

      https://www.hallmarkmystery.com/signed-sealed-delivered-a-tale-of-three-letters

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Hallmark_Channel_Original_Movies

      https://itsawonderfulmovie.blogspot.com/2015/01/candace-cameron-bure-stars-in-Aurora-Teagarden.html

      Word on the Street: Is Hallmark Already Planning a Christmas Movie for 2023?

      Take 3: Dance ‘Til Dawn (1988) Review

      On By 18cinemalane3 Comments

      You probably saw the title of this review, read the film’s synopsis on IMDB, and wonder, “What does this made-for-TV movie from the ‘80s have to do with the subject of neighbors”? What if I asked you to think about the subject of neighbors from Mr. Rogers’ perspective? On the television show, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, the opening theme song was “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” The show’s overarching theme of neighbors is more about community and a sense of belonging to it. With this perspective in mind, the 1988 made-for-TV production, Dance ‘Til Dawn, fits this definition of neighbors. The story revolves around students and their families belonging to the community of Hoover High School. Most of the movie focuses on Hoover High School’s Senior Prom, showing different points of view throughout the event. Whenever I participate in a blogathon, I try to approach a given topic from a more unique perspective. With Dance ‘Til Dawn reviewed for The Neighbors Blogathon, hosted by Rebecca from Taking Up Room and Quiggy from The Midnite Drive-In, my entry will definitely show a different side to the subject of neighbors!

      Dance ‘Til Dawn (1988) poster created by Konigsberg/Sanitsky Company and National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

      Things I liked about the film:

      The cast’s adaptability: One of the selling points of Dance ‘Til Dawn is the gathering of actors and actresses from television shows that were popular around the movie’s premiere. While television stars are used to working alongside a large group of talent, they grow accustomed to working with their cast from their respective show. They even become familiar with the character they portray, especially if a television show develops a long lifespan. In Dance ‘Til Dawn, the cast was not only given new material to work with, they also had to portray characters that were different from those they were used to. Alan Thicke and Tracey Gold represent everything I’ve been saying. Both actors starred as father and daughter on the sitcom, Growing Pains. Alan Thicke graced television screens as a kind yet fair soul who tried to set a good example for his children. Meanwhile, Tracey’s character, Carol, had a friendly personality (from what I remember), a good candidate for her high school’s welcoming committee. Though Tracey and Alan starred in the same film, they shared very few scenes together. Alan portrayed Dan’s father, Jack, an extroverted, over-confident man who wants his son to be just like him. Tracey portrayed Angela, a young lady who was more introverted and had little confidence to stand up for her dreams. Through Alan’s and Tracey’s performance, as well as the performances from the rest of the cast, every actor and actress sold the illusion of how this talent was always meant to work together. They also sold the idea these characters were always meant to co-exist.

      The costume design: A school’s prom provides an excuse for students to dress up in fancy attire and partake in glamour. This is no different for the characters in Dance ‘Til Dawn. The film’s costume designer was Taryn De Chellis and Gingiss FormalWear provided the movie’s prom attire. In collaboration with Patricia Wolfe (the movie’s costume supervisor) and Steve Hicke (the movie’s costumer), the Hoover High School prom attendants looked photogenic in their formal outfits. This was achieved by providing the cast with formalwear that complimented their natural features. Out of the actors portraying high school students, Christina Applegate was the only blonde actress. Wearing an off-the-shoulder gown in a shade that appears to be metallic cherry red, Christina’s blonde hair presents a nice contrast with the bold hue of her character’s prom dress. Though Tracey Gold and Alyssa Milano are brunettes, Tracey’s hair looks a shade lighter than Alyssa’s hair. Similar to Christina receiving a dress in a darker shade, Tracey wore a stunning black, sparkly, sleeveless gown. Meanwhile, Alyssa was given a strapless white dress, paired with white satin pump heels and a pink hair bow.

      Different ways of celebrating Prom: In films about Prom, so much focus is given to the party itself that one of two things happen; either prom alternatives are not presented or prom alternatives are frowned upon. But that was not the case in Dance ‘Til Dawn. While Hoover High School’s Prom party was highlighted throughout the story, not every student chooses to celebrate Prom this way. Angela’s original plan was to host a sleepover with her friend, Margaret, spending all night watching movies. No one criticizes or questions Margaret and Angela for wanting to commemorate Prom in this fashion. In fact, the film’s script celebrates the uniqueness of prom festivities. The idea of Prom being what you make it is rarely found in stories about this event, so I appreciate Dance ‘Til Dawn’s creative team making this one of the movie’s themes!

      The Neighbors Blogathon banner created by Quiggy from The Midnite Drive-In and Rebecca from Taking Up Room

      What I didn’t like about the film:

      Some cliched stories: Throughout Dance ‘Til Dawn, creative ideas were expressed, from the aforementioned uniqueness of prom festivities to several pieces of dialogue. However, there were some stories within the movie that were cliched. One example is Angela and Kevin’s story. Angela is asked to Prom by Kevin, who wants to date her for the wrong reasons. Before arriving at the prom party, Angela transforms from an introverted “geek” to a beautiful young lady worthy of being prom royalty. Attending an event under false pretenses, as well as a My Fair Lady-esque makeover, have become so common in stories about teenagers, they are cliches at this point. Personally, I wish Angela and/or Kevin’s story had taken a different route. A more unique story option would be having Angela asking an Italian exchange student to Prom, developing a friendship and a shared interest in Italian art.

      The underutilization of Tempestt Bledsoe: As I mentioned earlier in this review, Angela originally plans to host a sleepover with her friend, Margaret. Portrayed by Tempestt Bledsoe, Margaret was a character with her own style and not afraid to speak her mind. But compared to the other characters, Margaret appeared in only a handful of scenes. In fact, Margaret wasn’t given much to do in this story. Not only was Margaret an underutilized character, Tempestt’s acting talents were underutilized as well. Like I said about Angela and Kevin’s story, I wish Margaret’s story had been a bit more creative. An example would be Angela daring Margaret to go to Prom, with Margaret having a better time than she expected.

      Some things that don’t make sense: There were a few times in Dance ‘Til Dawn where things don’t make sense. A good example takes place in Shelley and Dan’s story. Because Shelley lacks a date for Prom, she spends most of the evening trying to avoid people from Hoover High School to prevent embarrassment. While in the drive-thru of a fast-food restaurant, Shelley recognizes the voice on the other end of the drive-thru menu; a student whose locker is next to Shelley’s. What didn’t make sense to me was how Shelley and Dan did not realize how close they were to the menu’s microphone, meaning the student on the other end would recognize Shelley’s voice. Maybe the screenwriters forgot how drive-thru menus worked?

      Image of high school students dancing at prom created by Jan Sundstedt at freeimages.com. Photo by <a href=”/photographer/jansun-33414″>Jan Sundstedt</a> from <a href=”https://freeimages.com/”>FreeImages</a&gt;. Image found at freeimages.com.

      My overall impression:

      Throughout this review, I’ve been using Dance ‘Til Dawn to elaborate on Mister Rogers’ perspective on neighbors. Learning more about the production after watching the movie, I realized some of the cast members would be considered neighbors, as their shows aired on the same network. With stars from other networks joining the aforementioned cast members, the group as a whole provides a blend of talents, personalities, and perspectives. The film’s behind-the-camera team also adds to this blend of people. When they came together, they created a made-for-TV film that, in my opinion, was just ok. The movie didn’t go above and beyond enough to be considered good or great. But at the same time, it wasn’t offensive enough to be bad or even disappointing. The on-camera talent worked together to sell the illusion that they were always meant to act together and their characters were always meant to co-exist. The behind-the-camera team, such as the costume department, collaborated to make the movie look photogenic and feel cohesive. Looking back on Dance ‘Til Dawn, I wonder why there was never a film about the Disneyland attraction, Videopolis. In fact, the prom party in the 1988 film made me think about that place in Disneyland. Now that I completed this review, I guess I have a new mystery to solve!

      Overall score: 6 out of 10

      Have you seen Dance ‘Til Dawn? Are there any stars you wish had appeared in the movie? Please let me know in the comment section!

      Have fun at the movies!

      Sally Silverscreen

      Take 3: Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans Review

      On By 18cinemalane1 Comment

      Despite Hallmark Mystery creating less mystery series, the Curious Caterer series is, in my opinion, the strongest film collection the network currently releases. While I found the first and third film to be fine, I quite liked the second film. So, I was very excited when I discovered Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans was on the horizon! What intrigued me about the newest chapter was how the story revolved around a costume party. There have been costume parties featured in other Hallmark Mystery productions. However, these parties have played such a minor role in the overall story. Based on the film’s promotional photos and trailer, it looked like the set and costume design were being taken seriously by Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans’ creative team. But I didn’t want to get my hopes up too high, as Hallmark Mystery’s presentations have, so far, been underwhelming. Was Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans Hallmark’s “diamond in the rough”? The only way to solve this mystery is to read my review!

      Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans poster created by Timeless Pictures, Basset Hound Distribution, and Hallmark Media


      Things I liked about the film:

      The acting: Throughout the Curious Caterer series,
      Nikki Deloach and Andrew W. Walker have had consistently strong on-screen
      chemistry. What has made this chemistry work is how Nikki and Andrew give solid
      performances individually and together! Now that Goldy and Tom’s relationship
      has progressed to being a dating couple, there are more romantic, even flirty
      interactions between the characters. A great example is when Goldy is setting
      up the appetizers at the costume party. Attempting to impress Goldy, Tom recites
      Shakespearian poetry. But during the recitation, Goldy discovers the poem is written
      on Tom’s hand. The interaction was not only humorous, but also a sweet moment
      shared by Tom and Goldy.  This sweetness
      feels genuine, as smiles and a mutual fondness are presented through the
      expressions and emotions Nikki and Andrew share on screen!

      Besides the main stars, the supporting cast gave good
      performances throughout Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans. One performance I
      was really impressed with came from Brock Morgan! Introduced in Curious
      Caterer: Fatal Vows       as Detective Dave Trach, Brock reprises his role in
      this new chapter of the series. Between these two films, Brock consistently
      presented Dave with a serious persona. In Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans,
      emotion was incorporated in more subtle, yet effective ways. While pursuing a
      suspect, Dave’s father becomes injured. As the wound is being treated, Dave
      shares a conversation with his father. If you look closely, you can see Dave is
      shaking during this conversation, showing how the situation affected him.
      Another scene shows Dave receiving terrible news. Throughout that scene, Dave
      is visibly upset, his mouth formed into a frown and his eyes showing a look of discouragement.
      But as the scene progresses, tears slowly appear in Dave’s eyes. After watching
      this movie, I wish Brock Morgan was given a starring role in a Hallmark
      production!


      The mystery: As I brought up in the introduction, the story
      of Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans revolves around a costume party. But
      during this party, a snowstorm forces the guests to stay in a castle with
      little to no technology. These elements create a locked room mystery, with the
      characters utilizing the skills and tools they have at their disposal. While
      trying to piece the mystery together, Goldy and company use tapestry as a
      mystery board. Name cards, antique looking paper, and even caricature drawings
      make up profiles for each suspect. Because Tom, Dave, and even Mason are guests
      at the party, they don’t have their detective supplies with them. However, they
      are able to use some of Goldy’s kitchen utensils, such as disposable gloves,
      mason jars, and tweezers, to solve the case.  The ways the characters adapt to their environment
      showcase the creativity of the film’s writing!


      The incorporation of fencing: The costume party in Curious
      Caterer: Foiled Plans       was a fundraiser for Elk Park Prep Academy’s fencing
      team. There were even fencing matches held during the party. Though it was
      given a smaller role in the story, I liked the incorporation of fencing. In my
      opinion, fencing is such an underrated sport, especially in the world of Hallmark
      movies. Because the fencing team’s coach was one of the mystery’s suspects,
      some brief insight into fencing was provided in the script. This served as a
      short introduction of the sport for the film’s audience.


      The humor: Adding humor to a Hallmark mystery program can be
      tricky. Not enough humor may make a film too serious in nature. But incorporate
      too much humor and the movie might feel too goofy. With Curious Caterer:
      Foiled Plans      , the overall humor was sprinkled throughout the story. This gave
      the audience breaks from the darkness of the mystery while allowing the script
      to be taken seriously. After the mystery had been introduced, Tom wonders who
      among his group has a notebook with them. Because of the snowstorm, they can’t
      reach their cars to retrieve a notebook. As everyone denies having a notebook
      with them, Mason tells Tom how his pants don’t have pockets. This random comment
      was funny because Mason answers Tom’s question without answering his question.

      Castle photo created by Photoangel at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/old-castle-in-the-mountians_1286237.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/tree”>Tree image created by Photoangel – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

      What I didn’t like about the film:

      A random attraction: When Dave Trach was introduced in Curious
      Caterer: Fatal Vows      , he did not like Goldy’s friend, Marla. This dislike
      was caused by Marla helping Tom with a case. In Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans, however, Marla and Dave act really friendly with
      one another. They are so friendly, it feels like they are in a dating
      relationship. To me, this attraction felt random because, from what I remember,
      there were no hints that Dave and Marla were romantically interested in each
      other. My guess is the film’s creative team made a weak attempt of including
      the “enemies to lovers” trope.


      Things that don’t make sense: After the story’s murder
      victim was discovered, Dave’s father instructs the party’s guests to travel through
      the castle in pairs. Later in the movie, Goldy’s daughter, Olive, finds a key
      clue in the case. When this discovery was made, Goldy criticized Olive for
      wandering the castle. Yet Olive did follow the instructions of Dave’s father,
      as she made the case’s discovery while exploring the castle with a friend from her
      school’s fencing team. This is just one example of parts of the story not
      making sense.


      An overshadowed crowd: A snowstorm causes the party’s guests
      to remain stuck in the castle. The longer the mystery is drawn out, the more
      frustrated the guests become. But this frustration isn’t really highlighted in
      the story. Instead, the script focuses on the frustrations of the mystery’s
      suspects. Because the crowd itself isn’t given as much attention in the story,
      the magnitude of the crowd’s feelings is not felt. Though Goldy calms the crowd
      by baking cookies and making hot chocolate, the crowd’s collective emotions remain
      the same for most of the movie.

      Magnifying fingerprints image created by Balintseby at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/glass”>Glass vector created by Balintseby – Freepik.com</a>. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/fingerprint-investigation_789253.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

      My overall impression:

      When I reviewed Crimes of Fashion: Killer Clutch, I
      shared how, at the time, I wasn’t impressed with Hallmark’s new mystery movies.
      I was also not impressed with One Bad Apple: A Hannah Swensen Mystery,
      as I found the film disappointing. After almost four months of underwhelming
      productions, Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans was a much-needed breath of
      fresh air! There are so many things this movie got right, such as the
      creativity of the mystery itself. Other elements of the film were also well
      delivered, like the set and costume design. I would say Curious Caterer:
      Foiled Plans       is the best chapter in this series. In fact, I’d say this is the
      best mystery movie Hallmark has released this year, so far! Because the bar was
      raised so high in Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans, I’m not sure how Curious
      Caterer      ’s creative team will be able to top this film. But not matter where
      the story goes, I’m pretty sure the Curious Caterer series will maintain
      the momentum they’re currently traveling on!


      Overall score: 8 out of 10

      Have you seen Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans? Would you like to see more movies in the Curious Caterer series? Let me know in the comment section!


      Have fun at the movies!

      Sally Silverscreen



      Concluding my Double Feature: 2004 Edition

      On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

      It’s time to wrap up another double feature, as both chosen titles, Hallmark’s Frankenstein and I Am David, have now been watched and reviewed! In the introduction, I brought up the following question:

      Based on these two movies, how has the cinematic landscape changed in twenty years?

      Looking back on each movie, a realization came to me. One thing I Am David and Hallmark’s Frankenstein have in common is the timelessness each story contains. It also helps how these stories are more straight-forward, which makes it easier for the audience to understand what is happening on screen. Realizing these statements could also be applied to The Polar Express, my answer to the aforementioned question is how, back in 2004, it seems like there was a desire on the cinematic landscape to create timeless entertainment. Now, twenty years later, studios and film companies are competing with one another to make the most relevant titles possible. On the current cinematic landscape, it’s all about capitalizing on trends and fads, creating titles for the here and the now. The problem with this film-making approach is how five, even ten plus years from that movie’s release, that movie will be dated on arrival. This film-making approach also makes movies seem more disposable instead of a long-lasting product with more opportunities to be revisited.

      Popcorn and movie ticket image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/cinema-tickets-in-bucket-with-popcorn_2303439.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/layout”>Layout image created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

      Have fun at the movies!

      Sally Silverscreen

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

      On By 18cinemalane1 Comment

      Thank you for joining me for the second part of Double Feature: 2004 Edition! Similar to my review of Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird, this review of Hallmark’s Frankenstein will be spoiler-free. If you’re curious about why I chose Hallmark’s Frankenstein for this double feature, you can check out the introduction in the link below.

      Introducing my Double Feature: 2004 Edition!

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

      Before I start this review, I need to explain why I’m referring
      to this version of Frankenstein as ‘Hallmark’s Frankenstein’. On
      Wikipedia, there is a page chronicling all the Hallmark Channel movies released
      between 2000 to 2015. In the section listing Hallmark Channel’s films from
      2004, Vincent Perez is listed as one of the stars of Hallmark’s version of Frankenstein.
      But if you click on the italicized title of Frankenstein, the link goes
      directly to Wikipedia’s page about the Hallmark movie starring Alec Newman. While
      Vincent did star in an adaptation of Frankenstein released in 2004, it
      is not the Hallmark version. I didn’t discover this error until after I had
      seen Vincent’s film.

      The reason why I included this screenshot in my review is to show my readers how Hallmark’s Frankenstein is listed on Wikipedia. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

      1. What are your thoughts on 2004 as a cinematic year?

      2004 was a year where “event entertainment” took place. When I say “event entertainment”, I mean television or movie premieres that are popular enough to become anticipated events. I remember when full print ads would boast a new Hallmark Hall of Fame production, marking the movie itself as “must see television”. Four sequels for popular predecessors were released in 2004, earning a spot among the top ten highest grossing films of the year. Twenty years later, consumers have more options when it comes to entertainment. This provides fewer opportunities for “event entertainment” to take place. Even events that have always been considered “event television” are struggling to capture audience’s attention.

      2. Frankenstein premiered on Hallmark Channel on October 5th and 6th, 2004. How has the network evolved since the movie’s release?

      When Hallmark’s adaptation of Frankenstein premiered, Hallmark Channel was three years old. At the time, the network didn’t have the distinct identity it does today.  This allowed content to be less restrictive when it comes to creativity. 2004 saw the debut of Hallmark’s second network, Hallmark Movie Channel. On that network, a lot of Hallmark Channel’s previously aired programming made up Hallmark Movie Channel’s catalogue, as well as Hallmark Hall of Fame titles and acquired content. But in the twenty years this second network has existed, the channel’s name has changed twice, with the network now known as Hallmark Mystery. With Hallmark creating two channels, it provided more opportunities to create movies. As time passed, both networks adopted a more distinguishable identity.

      3. Is there anything about Frankenstein you liked or didn’t like?

      While I think the acting was one of the strengths of this movie, the two strongest performances came from Alec Newman and Luke Goss! Alec’s portrayal of Victor Frankenstein was so captivating because of the wide range of emotions incorporated into the role. His versatility made Victor feel like an authentic human being. From crying over the loss of a loved one to playfully teasing Elizabeth, Alec’s performance allowed Victor’s interactions with other characters to be interesting, with each interaction appearing genuine. Meanwhile, Luke utilized emotion to make The Creature a complicated character like he was in the novel. In fact, Luke’s emotionality spoke volumes in scenes where dialogue wasn’t required. One example shows The Creature after he escapes from Victor’s laboratory. When he seeks refuge in a barn, The Creature bursts into tears, overwhelmed by the fear and rejection directed toward him.

      When Frankenstein premiered on Hallmark Channel, it was released as a two-part mini-series. The first part revolved around Victor’s desire to create life, leading up to The Creature coming to fruition. But the second part was more drawn out, with scenes either longer than necessary or completely unnecessary. Frankenstein’s second part features a wedding reception that lasts about five minutes. I understand why that scene was included in the adaptation. In my opinion, though, the wedding reception should have been cut shorter or omitted from the script.

      4. In your Word on the Street story about a potential sequel for The Polar Express, you talked about the technology applied to that film. Could you detect any technology incorporated into Frankenstein?

      There were a few scenes where it appears CGI (computer generated images) was included in the film. Other than that, it didn’t look like technology (besides cinematography, sound editing, etc.) was relied on to create this adaptation.

      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.

      5. Did you develop any thoughts and/or questions while watching this film?

      In one of Victor’s science classes, Victor claims the brain is the most important body part because of its electrical connections between nerves and other body parts. As he is attempting to create life, Victor collects various body parts from the morgue and the graveyard. When The Creature is awakened, wouldn’t he remember his life and identity prior to passing away? Wouldn’t The Creature recognize the body Victor gave him is not the body he was born with? With Victor’s statement about the brain, wouldn’t the nerves in The Creature’s brain not connect with the rest of his body? I never thought of these questions until I saw Hallmark’s adaptation of Frankenstein.

      6. You’ve mentioned reading Frankenstein, but seeing few adaptations of the story. How does Hallmark’s version compare or contrast to the Frankenstein related movies you’ve seen?

      Besides Hallmark’s adaptation of Frankenstein, I’ve seen three films that incorporate elements of Mary Shelley’s story. But because The Curse of Frankenstein follows the source material closer than the other two films, I’ll be discussing that movie alongside Hallmark’s version of Frankenstein. When I reviewed The Curse of Frankenstein last year, I was disappointed by the creative liberties the film’s creative team adopted. One of these creative liberties was presenting The Creature as a bumbling, destructive machine. As I mentioned in answer number three, The Creature was a complicated character in the novel. While he was destructive, The Creature’s actions were not always impulsive. In Hallmark’s adaptation of Frankenstein, Luke’s performance and the screenwriting illustrated how complicated The Creature is. The Creature’s intelligence was also highlighted in this adaptation, adding to The Creature’s complexity. Shortly after he escapes from Victor’s laboratory, the audience can hear how The Creature already understands the English language, grasping concepts like God and Heaven, as well as reading Paradise Lost.

      7. Hallmark’s adaptation of Frankenstein is a made-for-TV production. Has there been a change in small screen cinema from 2004 to now?

      In the same year Hallmark Channel premiered their version of Frankenstein, Hallmark Hall of Fame movies debuted on major networks. But fast forward to 2024, Hallmark Hall of Fame is no longer utilized by Hallmark, even after moving to Hallmark Channel in 2014. These decisions are examples of how made-for-TV programming has become more exclusive. Since 2004, Hallmark Channel has grown into one of the biggest creators of made-for-TV content. In fact, Hallmark Channel and its two networks, Hallmark Mystery and Hallmark Family, are three of the few places creating and/or distributing made-for-TV movies today. Rewinding to twenty years ago, major networks were still willing to include made-for-TV programs in their schedules. With the changing television landscape, including the invention of streaming services, major networks are just trying to stay afloat.

      8. Now that it’s been twenty years since Frankenstein premiered, has it stood the test of time or become a product of its time?

      For the most part, Hallmark’s adaptation of Frankenstein stands the test of time! It helps how this project is bringing to life a story that is iconic and timeless. I mentioned in my review of The Curse of Frankenstein how an overarching message in Mary Shelley’s novel is some good intentions possibly leading to bad results. This message also overarches Hallmark’s adaptation of Frankenstein, as Victor strives to do the impossible. There are other timeless messages in this version of Mary’s story, such as prioritizing what is irreplaceable.

      9. After watching Frankenstein, is there anything you can take away from your movie viewing experience?

      Similar to my review of I Am David, I will describe Hallmark’s version of Frankenstein in one word. That word would be ‘immersive’. This production made me feel like I was transported to another time and place. A combination of the acting performances, set design, costume design, and screenwriting achieved the illusion of an immersive experience. As someone who has read Mary Shelley’s novel, I appreciate how close to the source material Hallmark’s project is. From what I remember, the majority of the book’s key events and elements were included in the script. With that said, I understand why Hallmark chose to split Frankenstein into two parts. But, in my opinion, the second part was weaker than the first part. Looking back on Hallmark’s adaptation and I Am David, Frankenstein is a more underrated film that was not only forgotten by time, but also overshadowed by other titles released in 2004, like A Boyfriend for Christmas and Love’s Enduring Promise. I’m hoping my review inspires other fans of Hallmark to discover this hidden gem!

      Popcorn and movie ticket image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/cinema-tickets-in-bucket-with-popcorn_2303439.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/layout”>Layout image created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

      Have fun at the movies!

      Sally Silverscreen



      The 6th Annual Gold Sally Awards are Here!

      On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

      Since 2024 is a Leap Year, I wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to publish the Gold Sally Awards on Leap Day! For new readers of 18 Cinema Lane, the Gold Sally Awards are one of my blog’s annual traditions to commemorate 18 Cinema Lane’s anniversary. These award categories are created by me, based on topics I’ve brought up on my blog. While most of the awards are the same as in 2023, a few of them have changed. For those awards, I’ll explain the significance of those categories. But just like last year, I will discuss why I chose each recipient. So, now, the moment you’ve been waiting for! The 6th Annual Gold Sally Awards are about to begin!

      6th Annual Gold Sally Awards Winners created by me, Sally Silverscreen.

      The “She Won’t Give Me My Chocolate” Award

      (Best Quote from a Movie)

      “Heroes know who they are” – Evel Knievel, Evel Knievel (1971)

      In my review of the 1971 biopic, Evel Knievel, I mentioned how surprised I was by the story’s messages and themes. One example I provided was when Evel explained to Linda why he doesn’t want a lettermen sweater. To elaborate how he doesn’t need to prove he’s a hero, Evel says to Linda, “heroes know who they are”. This quote is not only though-provoking, it is also profound without trying too hard to be. To me, that quote (as well as that scene) was given a lot of thought by the biopic’s creative team!

      The Standing Ovation Award

      (Character Most Deserving of Receiving Their Full Potential)

      Sydney Carton from Hallmark Hall of Fame’s A Tale of Two Cities

      My favorite character from Hallmark Hall of Fame’s A Tale of Two Cities is Sydney Carton! Because of his personality, I wanted to know more about him. I was also curious to see where his story would go. Without spoiling this movie, though, all I’ll say is Sydney deserved more than the story provided him. Similar to Kili from The Hobbit trilogy, Sydney is, in my opinion, the MVP of A Tale of Two Cities!

      The They Deserve an Award Award

      (An Actor or Actress Who Deserves Recognition)

      Sarah Drew (for her performance in Guiding Emily)

      In the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries film, Guiding Emily, the protagonist loses her eyesight. This prevented Sarah Drew, the actress who portrayed Emily, from using her eyes for emotional expression. However, she used other acting techniques to her advantage; such as body language, vocal inflections, and movements of the mouth. Sarah’s performance in Guiding Emily was so good, I specifically highlighted it in my review of the 2023 movie! Through versatility in her acting abilities, Sarah’s portrayal of Emily appeared believable! In fact, I think Sarah should have, at least, been nominated for an award.

      The Cowboy Award

      (Character Who Makes an Unnecessary, Drastic Change)

      Margot from Christmas at Castle Hart

      Cowboy, from the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, A Painted House, is a character I’ve mentioned on 18 Cinema Lane. The context was when he was featured in the dishonorable mentions section of my list of the top ten characters ruined by Hallmark. Because I won’t spoil the aforementioned Hallmark Hall of Fame film, all I will say is Cowboy makes an unnecessary, drastic change that, in my opinion, was jarring to witness. It was also jarring to watch Margot, from Christmas at Castle Hart, drastically change. For most of the 2021 movie, Margot comes across as a somewhat annoying character obsessed with Irish stereotypes. But when her sister, Brooke, confronts her about how they should stop lying, Margot becomes a selfish and manipulative person. She even convinces Brooke into believing that if their lies fall apart, it will be Brooke’s fault. In an instant, Margot became a character who cared more about her career than about how others would be affected by her lies.

      The “Based on a Book I Haven’t Read Yet” Award

      (Movie Based on Source Material I Have Not Yet Read)

      Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Caroline?

      Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Caroline? became my favorite movie of 2023! After watching the film, I remembered how it was based on the book, Father’s Arcane Daughter by E. L. Konigsburg. As well as trying to check out as many Hallmark Hall of Fame movies as I realistically can, I’d like to read as many books based on Hallmark Hall of Fame movies as possible. In fact, I even created a Hallmark Hall of Fame reading challenge! Since I haven’t read Father’s Arcane Daughter yet, I need to find an excuse to finally seek this book out.

      The Edward Boult Award

      (Missed Opportunity in Cinema)

      Not Addressing Bullying in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

      If you’re going to create a story for a younger audience, you need to be mindful when it comes to addressing serious, real-world issues. That’s because a younger audience can be very impressionable. The creative team behind the 1983 television production, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, should have kept this in mind when they chose to not address bullying in their film. As I talked about in my review, the Herdman children bully their peers. The bullied children don’t stand up for themselves against the Herdmans. It also doesn’t help how the adults in the story do not resolve this issue. Because of everything I just said, some younger audience members might believe they shouldn’t bring up bullying if it occurs in their life.

      The Top Gun: Maverick Award

      (Movie That Exceeded My Low Expectations)

      A Biltmore Christmas

      When I included Top Gun: Maverick in my list of the top ten best movies I saw in 2022, I admitted how skeptical I was about the movie’s quality. As I said in that list, sequels released over ten years after their predecessor can be hit or miss. But Top Gun: Maverick exceeded my expectations, becoming my second favorite picture from that year! In 2023, I was skeptical about A Biltmore Christmas due to its hype and publicity. Similar to Top Gun: Maverick, A Biltmore Christmas was so good, it ended up in the top three of my year end best movies list! Like I said in my list of the best movies I saw in 2023, there were so many things Hallmark got right in this Christmas movie. It also helps how the story provided a different type of narrative for Hallmark’s Christmas presentations. Because of how much I liked A Biltmore Christmas, I’m looking forward to seeing what Hallmark has in store for this year’s Christmas season!

      The Dishonorable Mention Award

      (Worst Movie from the Dishonorable Mention Category)

      Christmas at Castle Hart

      Because I didn’t see enough movies to include an honorable mention category, I wasn’t able to award a winner for the Honorable Mention Award. Since my worst movies of 2023 list featured a dishonorable mention category, I was able to find a recipient for this year’s Gold Sally Awards. Christmas at Castle Hart is the most disappointing film to not make my worst films of the year list. In my review of that movie, I stated how I had waited since 2018 to see Stuart Townsend star in a Hallmark production. Sadly, the final product Hallmark gave me wasn’t worth the wait. Stuart’s acting talents were underutilized to the point where his character, Aiden, spent most of the story driving the female protagonist around Ireland. Christmas at Castle Hart contained other flaws, such as bad CGI and an underutilized subplot. Looking back on the Dishonorable Mention Award, I realized how both recipients were Hallmark films.

      The Far and Few Between Award

      (Best Movie from a Genre, Film Category, or Decade Not Often Covered on 18 Cinema Lane)

      Frankenweenie (2012)

      Even though 18 Cinema Lane has been around for six years, there are some areas of cinema that are not often covered on my blog. One of those areas is animation. While it’s rare for an animated movie to receive a movie review, it’s even rarer for an animated movie to appear on my best films of the year list. 2012’s Frankenweenie achieved these feats in 2023, presenting a collection of good creative choices as well as heart. This movie was such a pleasant, memorable surprise, which surpassed my expectations. I’m thankful I took the chance to write about it!

      The Hallmark Hall of Fame Award

      (Movie That Feels Like It Belongs in the Hallmark Hall of Fame Collection)

      Guiding Emily and A Biltmore Christmas

      When I shared my overall impression of Guiding Emily, I said how the movie felt reminiscent of Hallmark Hall of Fame projects of yesteryear. This is because the film tells a more unique story from what Hallmark typically creates today. In the case of A Biltmore Christmas, the story provided a different type of narrative within Hallmark’s Christmas films. It also included a historical component to the story. When Hallmark Hall of Fame was in its prime, historical/period films or movies with inspirational themes were added to the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection. If this collection still existed, Guiding Emily and A Biltmore Christmas would have been chosen as 2023’s Hallmark Hall of Fame presentations.

      Have fun at the movies!

      Sally Silverscreen