Tag: movie reviews

Take 3: Avengers: Infinity War (SPOILER-ZONE) Review

On By 18cinemalane4 Comments

If you read my spoiler-free review for Avengers: Infinity War, you would know that I gave the movie an official score of 8.5 out of 10. While I explained some of the reasons why I gave Marvel’s newest installment this score, I wasn’t able to go into depth about the other reasons for this score. Spoilers were the only reason why I didn’t elaborate on the things I didn’t like about the film. Because of this, I wanted to create a separate post where I could talk about the things from this movie that made me feel that this movie was good but not great. Since I already reviewed Avengers: Infinity War, this post will be more of a discussion/companion piece to the spoiler-free review. Now that introductions have finally been made, let’s talk about the spoilers from Avengers: Infinity War!

Be aware that there are spoilers ahead!

Avengers Infinity War Thor poster
Thor really wanted to get a picture with the Avengers: Infinity War poster! Photo taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.
  • Avengers: Infinity War feeling like a “set-up” film: In my review of Avengers: Infinity War, I talked about how I was disappointed that some of the key events in this movie felt like they happened for the sake of setting up the next part of the story. The biggest example of this is when Thanos successfully gathered all the Infinity Stones. Throughout the film, Thanos’ quest to achieve a balance in the galaxy seemed way too easy. Sure, the Avengers and Guardians put up a good fight, but it seemed like the creative team behind Avengers: Infinity War made Thanos just too powerful. Before I saw Avengers: Infinity War, I had predicted that Thanos would get all but one of the Stones. That way, the conflict of the next Avengers film would be of Thanos trying to track down the last Stone, while the Avengers and Guardians went to great lengths to protect it. However, because the creative team behind Avengers: Infinity War knew they were essentially creating a second part to this particular story, this creative decision felt like Thanos got his way too easily, giving the heroes a forced conflict for “Avengers 4”.

 

  • The stakes not feeling big enough: While there were stakes in Avengers: Infinity War, I felt like the stakes made did not create as big of an impact as it could have been. The characters the creative team behind Avengers: Infinity War chose to kill off (before Thanos got his way) are Loki, Heimdall, the Black Order, Gamora, and Vision (twice). Basically, it seems like the creative team chose characters that felt like easy targets. While I found Gamora’s death to be shocking and Vision’s death to be sad, it didn’t seem to emotionally affect many of the superheroes featured in this movie. If the creative team behind Avengers: Infinity War wanted to make an emotional statement (for the superheroes in the film and for their audience), they would have created an outcome that negatively affected one of the bigger heroes (example: Captain America or Iron Man). This way, the other heroes could use their emotional responses as fuel to defeat Thanos.

 

  • Making favorite heroes disappear: Speaking of “set-ups” for the next Avengers film, the ending of Avengers: Infinity War felt like a painfully obvious and forced “set-up” for “Avengers 4”. This was caused by almost all of the superheroes featured in this movie turning into dust as a result of Thanos’ plan being successful. Personally, I didn’t like the ending for several reasons. It felt too ambiguous and sudden for the general movie-going audience, not providing an explanation to where the “disappeared” heroes went. The specific superheroes that the creative team behind Avengers: Infinity War chose to have “disappear” didn’t seem to make a lot of sense. Why would they choose to have Spider-Man “disappear” when we know that a Spider-Man sequel is coming next summer (in fact, it’s premiering two months after “Avengers 4”)? Why would Black Panther be one of the “disappeared” heroes after the MCU gave him his own stand-alone movie, causing him to become one of the most popular and marketable superheroes in the MCU’s roster? The one “disappearance” that upset me the most was Bucky’s. Not only is Bucky my favorite superhero in the MCU, but it frustrated me that he was on his way to finally start thriving, only to have those potential opportunities taken away from him. He had been through so much in the course of the Captain America trilogy, was taken out of cryo-freeze in the Black Panther end-credit scene, was finally cured because of Shuri (which bothered me that no one acknowledged this in Avengers: Infinity War), got a new prosthetic arm (which looked absolutely gorgeous), was featured in this movie at all, was able to fight alongside the other heroes, only to have him disappear? Also, Steve Rogers/Captain America already lost Bucky while they were in the Army, so what would be the point of Steve losing his friend again? Speaking of Captain America, out of all the superheroes that stuck around, most of them were the “original six” Avengers (Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow, Thor, Hulk, Hawkeye). Keeping those heroes around felt so painfully obvious that the creative team behind Avengers: Infinity War want to possibly recreate the “classic” Avengers line-up from the first Avengers film. Even some of the heroes that the creative team behind Avengers: Infinity War chose to keep around that weren’t a part of the “original six” didn’t appear to make sense. Out of all the Guardians, why would they have Rocket be the only one that stays? Since I knew going into Avengers: Infinity War that the “disappeared” heroes are going to appear in the next Avengers movie (because of announced sequels and IMDB Filmographies), the ending wasn’t as emotionally affective for me.

 

  • That end-credit scene: Going into Avengers: Infinity War, I knew there would be an end-credit scene (especially since that’s an MCU staple). After that ending, I was hoping that the end-credit scene would, at least, make up for it. Sadly, this was not the case. All that happened was Maria Hill and Nick Fury “disappearing” into dust (which, again, didn’t seem to make sense) and the Captain Marvel logo being shown on a beeper-type device. To me, the decision to tease the arrival of Captain Marvel didn’t appear to make sense from the perspective of a general movie-goer. Why would Marvel hint at Captain Marvel’s appearance when we the movie-goers haven’t even been officially introduced to her yet? Wouldn’t it make more sense to dedicate the only end-credit scene to Ant-Man, especially since he wasn’t in Avengers: Infinity War and the next MCU movie is Ant-Man and the Wasp? Because of the end-credit scene, it, honestly, makes me skeptical about whether Captain Marvel can successfully fix the mess that was left at the end of Avengers: Infinity War.
Avengers Infinity War Logo
Avengers: Infinity War logo created by The Walt Disney Company and Marvel Studios. © Disney•Pixar. All rights reserved. Marvel and Avengers Characters: ©2017 Marvel. Image found at https://marvel.com/.

As you can tell, I’m not pleased with some of the decisions that the creative team behind this movie ended up making. One of the reasons why the MCU is so successful is because they’ve built a strong sense of trust with their audience/fans. But after this ending, it seems like that trust has been tarnished to a certain extent. Because I am simply a movie blogger, there’s not much I can do about the situation. However, I can only speak for myself when I say that I will take Dale Travers’ advice from Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Lost Without You to “trust the timing”. Let’s not forget that we still have “Avengers 4” coming up and the marketing campaign for that film could, highly likely, start later this year. Hopefully, some of the “disappeared” heroes can show up in the advertisements, which would give fans peace of mind that their favorite character is going to be okay. Who knows, maybe the release date for “Avengers 4” could get pushed forward, like Avengers: Infinity War, so we can see the film early? All I’m saying is to let things surrounding this franchise take its course. It’s great how some fans have found creative ways to deal with their feelings about the ending, such as Youtuber, AmyLynn Craig, teaming up with her friend to save Spider-Man. It’s also great how people have been able to find each other to discuss how they feel, such as Rachel, from Rachel’s Reviews and Hallmarkies Podcast, talking about the movie with her friends, Trevor and David. But please remember, these are Marvel productions and, so far, Marvel has steered their ship pretty well. I just hope the creative team behind “Avengers 4” takes the feelings of their audience/fans into account while they’re making their next film.

Bucky and Thor at the movies
My friends were excited to see Avengers: Infinity War! Photo taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

What are your thoughts about Avengers: Infinity War? How do you feel about that ending? Share your thoughts in the comment section!

 

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

 

If you want to see the videos that I referenced in this post, just type the name of the channel (AmyLynn Craig, Rachel’s Reviews) or the names of the videos (“Our Spidey Mission! *Infinity War Spoilers* (2018 Disney Vlog #4)”, “David and Rachel vs Infinity War (Spoilers)”, “Talking Infinity War w How to Love Comics [SPOILERS]”) into Youtube’s search bar.

Take 3: Darrow & Darrow: In the Key of Murder Review

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

With eight series currently in circulation, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries has been very busy keeping fans on the edge on their seats, providing compelling mysteries that will keep viewers involved in each film’s story. One series in particular is Darrow & Darrow. After making its debut last year, Darrow & Darrow has quickly become an important component in the web of franchises from Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. With memorable characters, a well-written script, and a good mystery, Darrow & Darrow won over my heart. As I was excited for the sequel, I was also disappointed when I found out  the next movie would be centered around a murder mystery. This is because the mystery involved in the first movie did not have any murders, going against the grain from other mystery series on Hallmark’s second network. Did this change in the series affect my enjoyment of the film? Find out in my review of Darrow & Darrow: In the Key of Murder!

Darrow & Darrow 2 poster
Darrow & Darrow: In the Key of Murder poster created by Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Image found at https://www.crownmediapress.com/Shows/PRShowDetail?SiteID=143&FeedBoxID=986&NodeID=307&ShowType=&ShowTitle=Darrow%20and%20Darrow%20In%20the%20Key%20of%20Murder&IsSeries=False

Things I liked about the film:

  • The acting: The cast in the Darrow & Darrow sequel was very strong! Everyone gave such great performances and complimented each other at the same time. The one cast member that impressed me the most in this movie was MacKenzie Porter. She did an excellent job not only with her acting performance, but with her singing performances as well! I also liked seeing Geoff Gustafson in a film outside of the Signed, Sealed, Delivered series because it allowed him to work with new material, keeping his acting performances interesting and entertaining. Geoff is a talented actor and it was good to see him in a role that is different from what most Hallmark fans are used to.

 

  • The mystery: Even though the sequel was a murder mystery (like most films on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries), it was compelling and intriguing. With enough suspects and clues, it allowed viewers to solve the case alongside the protagonists. Also, the charm of the series was never lost amid the darkness of the crime.

 

  • The on-screen chemistry: Just like in the first Darrow & Darrow film, the on-screen chemistry between Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Tom Cavanagh was fantastic! Both Kimberly and Tom pulled off a great performance individually and as a pair. Their line delivery was spot-on and their portrayals of Claire and Miles truly appeared like their characters got along. I’m really looking forward to seeing where Claire and Miles’ relationship goes from here!
269703-P5H9WI-853
Magnifying glass image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/magnifying-glass-with-fingerprint-in-flat-style_2034684.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/flat”>Flat vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

  • Some of the side stories: While the story of Joanna working on the pro bono case was well-written, I was not impressed with Lou’s story. It felt like a repeat from the first movie, where an exceptionally gifted young person (Lou in this case) is having difficulty relating to their peers. I also didn’t like the story amongst the other lawyers at the Darrow & Darrow law firm. To me, this and Lou’s story just didn’t have a big impact on the film’s overall story.
Little girl in baseball outfit
Baseball girl image created by Brgfx at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/little-girl-in-baseball-outfit_2204168.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Brgfx – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

This was a really good continuation in the series! I ended up liking this movie just as much as the first movie! Hallmark Movies & Mysteries has done an excellent job when creating a newer mystery series that feels different from the other series they offer. While the series is only about a year old, it has plenty of room to grow, as more stories are still waiting to be told. Hallmark has not made any announcements about a continuation in the Darrow & Darrow series, but I hope more movies get made in the near future! This series has only gotten better and I can’t wait to see where the direction of this series goes!

 

Overall score: 8-8.5 out of 10

 

Have you seen the Darrow & Darrow sequel? What you think about the Darrow & Darrow series? Let me know in the comment section!

 

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: County Line Review

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

INSP Network does not make films often. In fact, only four films have been released since the network started making movies in 2015. One of these films is County Line. The reason why I chose to review this film is because, as a movie-viewer, I wanted to support INSP Network’s creative efforts. While I haven’t seen Christmas in the Smokies, I have watched Heritage Falls and most of Savannah Sunrise. Personally, I enjoyed Heritage Falls more than Savannah Sunrise. But where does INSP Network’s newest film rank? Let’s crack the case in my review of County Line!

County Line poster
County Line poster created by INSP Films and INSP Network. Image found at http://www.insp.com/movies/county-line/

Things I liked about the film:

  • The acting: The acting in County Line was good. However, the three strongest performers in this film were Tom Wopat, Jeff Fahey, and Patricia Richardson. Both Tom and Jeff gave performances that were well-rounded and versatile. Also, their portrayals of Alden and Cliff seemed very believable. Patricia’s performance was a delight in this film, with her character, Maddie, being very likable.

 

  • The mystery: In County Line, the mystery was engaging. What was great about it was that it not only allowed the viewers to solve the mystery alongside Alden, but to also experience the mystery and the events surrounding it alongside Alden as well. This makes viewers feel like they are taking a journey, with Alden at their side.

 

  • The cinematography: There was some really good cinematography in this film. One example is when there is a shot of the Intensive Care Unit doors followed by a shot of Alden’s left hand. Without the use of dialogue, this was a good way to remind viewers of what Alden had gone through in earlier scenes. It also helped viewers to understand Alden’s motives and feelings through the use of these visuals.
193221-OY4DUC-214
Sheriff badge image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/brown-cowboy-label-set_1543252.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/vintage”>Vintage vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

  • The pace: My biggest problem with County Line was the pace. For a movie that has an engaging mystery and some action in it, the pace was really slow. Because of this, it made scenes feel like they are drawn out longer than they were intended to be.

 

  • Too many establishing shots: Before a scene would officially start, there were several establishing shots, sometimes five or more, that came before it. While establishing shots are a necessary component to any film, some of the establishing shots in County Line were pointless. Because of the previously mentioned pace, these shots felt like they were drawn out for too long and given too much emphasis.

 

  • The under-utilization of Patricia Richardson: While Patricia was one of the strongest performers in this movie, she didn’t have as many appearances as I had expected. Even though she is the top-billed actress in County Line, she is only in about four or five scenes throughout the entire film. Also, Patricia’s character, Maddie, did not have as big of a significance in the film as I had thought she would. Because of the movie’s synopsis, I had assumed that Maddie was going to solve the mystery alongside Alden. Sadly, this was not the case.
61511-OANU9Y-551
Diner image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/american-vintage-restaurant-hand-drawn_902205.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/food”>Food vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

At best, County Line is ok. Even though there was a good cast involved and an engaging mystery, the pace prevented this movie from reaching its full potential. However, I do respect what INSP Films was trying to accomplish with this movie, as well as the stories and messages they were trying to tell. For this, I will continue to support INSP Network as they work to create quality, original films. According to the official website for INSP Films, they have an upcoming film called Christmas on the Coast! While INSP Films has not made any official announcements about when the movie will premiere on INSP Network, I will definitely support the film and review it for 18 Cinema Lane!

 

Overall score: 6 out of 10

 

Have you seen County Line? What is your favorite INSP film? Tell me what you think in the comment section!

 

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Link to the County Line movie page: http://www.insp.com/movies/county-line/?=top_nav

Link to the County Line movie website: http://countylinemovie.com/?utm_source=insp_com&utm_medium=movies&utm_campaign=county_line

Link to the INSP Films website: http://www.inspfilms.com/

Take 3: Hallmark Hall of Fame’s The Beach House Review

On By 18cinemalane7 Comments

As Avengers: Infinity War was busy destroying almost every box office record they could think of, Hallmark Hall of Fame decided to make a splash with their latest presentation, The Beach House! Since 2014, the Hallmark Hall of Fame branch has found a permanent home on the Hallmark Channel, where Christmas movies reign and heart-felt stories are shared. When I reviewed the trailer for The Beach House earlier this month, I did share my concerns about this film. All I wanted was for this movie to be good. Because the marketing campaign was so weak, it forced me to lower my expectations for The Beach House, wondering whether this movie was going to be good at all. Now you’re probably trying to guess what my real thoughts on this film ended up being. In order to find out, you’ll have to dive in and read my review of Hallmark Hall of Fame’s The Beach House!

Hallmark Hall of Fame's The Beach House poster
The Beach House poster created by Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel. Poster image found at https://www.crownmediapress.com/Shows/PRShowDetail?SiteID=142&FeedBoxID=845&NodeID=302&ShowType=&ShowTitle=The%20Beach%20House&IsSeries=False.

Things I liked about the film:

  • The acting: This cast was very solid! The two performances that were the biggest pleasant surprises, though, were those from Andie MacDowell and Chad Michael Murray. Before watching The Beach House, the only movies that I had seen Chad star in were Freaky Friday (2003) and A Cinderella Story, so I didn’t know what to expect of his performance in this recent Hallmark Hall of Fame film. However, Chad’s portrayal of Brett really impressed me! Also, Andie’s performance in The Beach House is the best that she’s ever given in any Hallmark production she has starred in!

 

  • The scenery: According to Hallmark Channel’s website, The Beach House was filmed in Georgia on Tybee Island. The natural beauty that the Peach State has to offer is showcased really well in this film. While the beach itself is the primary focus in this movie, other natural landscapes are highlighted as well, such as those that were featured during Brett and Cara’s boat ride. The architecture of the buildings, the beach house being one example, also compliment the scenery.

 

  • The cinematography: I was really impressed by the cinematography in The Beach House! It made the film look much grander than the typical Hallmark Channel movie. In fact, the cinematography was so good, The Beach House looked like a feature film!

 

  • The overall quality: From 2014 to 2016, Hallmark had an adjustment period when it came to moving their Hallmark Hall of Fame films to the Hallmark Channel. The movies in that period did not feel like Hallmark Hall of Fame movies, making me miss the days when they premiered on the major networks. Since 2017, the Hallmark Hall of Fame branch started to find its stride again, going back to their roots and focusing on telling good stories. The Beach House is just another stepping stone on that brighter path, not only looking like a Hallmark Hall of Fame film, but feeling like one as well.
16791-NQSAOE
Sea turtle image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/hand-drawn-turtle_796948.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:

  • Differences between the book and the movie: As a movie, The Beach House does have some major differences from Mary Alice Monroe’s novel of the same name. One of these is the ages of the characters. For the sake of the film, all of the characters’ ages changed from what they were originally intended. There are also some parts from the book that are very different in the movie. One example is Lovie accepting a milkshake offer after her radiation therapy in the movie, but feeling too queasy to drink one after her radiation therapy in the novel. However, because I only read the first few chapters of the book, these differences didn’t affect my enjoyment of the film.
The Beach House novel
My copy of The Beach House novel. Photo taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

My overall impression:

The Hallmark Hall of Fame branch has finally found its footing again! As I’ve thought for several years, the quality of the Hallmark Hall of Fame films doesn’t have to change just because they’re on Hallmark Channel. Thankfully, Hallmark has realized this by creating movies that remind viewers why the Hallmark Hall of Fame branch exists in the first place. The Beach House was such a pleasant surprise, far exceeding my low expectations! This movie makes me excited not only for the future of Hallmark Hall of Fame, but also for their upcoming Christmas film! Though no details were mentioned during the sneak peek commercial that was shown after The Beach House, I will be waiting in anticipation until Hallmark makes an official announcement.

 

Overall score: 7.8 out of 10

 

Have you seen The Beach House? If so, what did you think? Please let me know in the comment section!

 

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Link to the information about The Beach House: http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/the-beach-house/about-the-beach-house

If you want to read my review of The Beach House trailer, you can find it under the ‘Word on the Street’ tab. It is titled ‘Word on the Street: Hallmark releases trailer for Hallmark Hall of Fame’s The Beach House’.

Take 3: Reap What You Sew: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Review

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

As anyone who’s been paying attention to Hallmark knows, they take the ‘Mystery’ in Hallmark Movies & Mysteries very seriously. That’s why Hallmark creates a variety of mystery series, each with their own unique characters and stories. From the popular Signed, Sealed, Delivered to the powerhouse Garage Sale Mystery, the various series offered on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries shows how Hallmark strives to provide the best opportunities possible for story-telling. This is no different for the Aurora Teagarden series. Since its debut in 2015, the Aurora Teagarden series is one of the strongest on the network. With the ratings to prove it, this series has quickly become a jewel in Hallmark’s gold crown (yes, that joke was intentional). So, how does the newest installment in the series stack up to the rest? Let’s solve that mystery in my review of Reap What You Sew: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery!

Aurora Teagarden poster
Reap What You Sew: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery poster created by Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Image found at https://www.crownmediapress.com/Shows/PRShowDetail?SiteID=143&FeedBoxID=986&NodeID=307&ShowType=&ShowTitle=Reap%20What%20You%20Sew%20An%20Aurora%20Teagarden%20Mystery&IsSeries=False.

Things I liked about the film:

  • The acting: The acting abilities from this cast were good. However, the three actors that were the stand-outs in this film were Britt Irvin, Jesse Moss, and Julia Benson! Each of these actors pulled off a performance that was well-rounded and versatile. Britt, Jesse, and Julia impressed me for different reasons, with each of them shining on their own merits. I’m hoping that each of these actors can lead their own Hallmark movies in the near future!

 

  • The mystery: Like the other movies in the Aurora Teagarden series, the mystery in this movie was engaging. Because the reveal happened toward the end of the film, there was a sense of interactivity for the audience to solve the mystery alongside Aurora. Also, there were enough suspects and clues within the movie to keep viewers guessing.

 

  • The suspense: In Reap What You Sew, the suspense was on-par with the rest of the Aurora Teagarden movies. This is especially true about the third act of the film. Not only was there a good build-up to the suspense, but it was incorporated well in the climax. The reveal of the guilty party was definitely a highlight in this movie.
Sewing color background
Sewing pattern image created by Nenilkime at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Nenilkime – Freepik.com</a>. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/sewing-color-background_1380853.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

  • A slower pace: The pace of this Aurora Teagarden movie was slower than it has been in the other movies. However, this didn’t make me like the movie any less.

 

  • Too much exposition: The first quarter of this film is loaded with exposition from several of the characters. While it was necessary for this exposition to be featured in the movie, because there are usually several-month gaps between the Aurora Teagarden films, I feel that these expositions should have been spaced out through the first half of the film.
269703-P5H9WI-853
Magnifying glass image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/magnifying-glass-with-fingerprint-in-flat-style_2034684.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/flat”>Flat vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

As good as Reap What You Sew: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery was, it didn’t stand out from the other movies in the series. I will admit that having the characters of Lynn, Martin, and John absent from this movie made it feel like something was missing. However, like I said about the movie’s pace, it didn’t affect the quality or my enjoyment of the film. With the strength and likability of this series, there are still plenty of stories left to tell. This means that Aurora and her friends are not wrapping up the case anytime soon. In my heart, I still believe this series is one of the best on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. When another does get announced from the network, I will get excited about its arrival and, who knows, maybe I’ll review it for 18 Cinema Lane.

 

Overall score: 7 out of 10

 

What are your thoughts on the film? Do you like the Aurora Teagarden series? Let me know in the comment section!

 

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Saving Mr. Banks Review + 5 Follower Thank You

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Before I start my movie review, I’d like to take a moment to thank all of my followers on 18 Cinema Lane! When I started this blog a month ago, I never thought I’d get a fanbase this quickly. Because of this, I decided to dedicate my March finale review post to the 5 followers that I’ve acquired this week by reviewing a movie that was released five years ago. The movie that I’ve selected for this special review is Saving Mr. Banks because 1.) It was released in 2013 and 2.) I’ve wanted to see this movie for a while. As it was said on The Mickey Mouse Club, “everybody neat and pretty? Then on with the show”!

Saving Mr. Banks poster
Saving Mr. Banks poster image created by The Walt Disney Company. Disney•Pixar. All rights reserved. Image found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File: Saving_Mr._Banks_Theatrical_Poster.jpg.

Things I liked about the film:

  • The acting: Every single cast member in this film was fantastic! From the child actors to the main cast, everyone’s performance successfully complimented each other. To me, they all just seemed to disappear into their roles. This gave the appearance of seeing the characters for who they are, not just actors portraying characters. All of the performances made me want to be emotionally invested into the characters.

 

  • The scenery: All of the scenery in the Australian scenes were magnificent! The beauty of Australia’s landscape was really showcased well in those scenes. It made me feel like I was transported into that world. I also felt the same way about the California scenes as well. From the landscape to Disneyland itself, this movie felt like an engaging experience.

 

  • The atmosphere: Anytime the story took place in the 1960s, it not only looked like the ‘60s, it felt like the ‘60s as well. This also goes for the flashback scenes, where they looked and felt like 1906. I applaud the creative team behind this movie for going out of their way to make every scene feel authentic to those specific time periods. To me, it gave the film a sense of realism and believability.
oemg270.jpg
Carousel image created by Daviles at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background image created by Daviles – Freepik.com</a>. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/carrousel-with-sky-background_954546.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

My overall impression:

Saving Mr. Banks is truly one of Disney’s gems! Everything about this movie seemed to be handled with such care and creativity that it was a wonderful experience watching this film. As I was watching this movie, I wondered how Walt Disney would have reacted to the inclusion of Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the Disney Company? Would he have seen those characters as family like he did with Mickey Mouse? Though we will never get answers to those questions, we can look forward to what Disney does have to offer (including a very special film coming just around the corner in April). Thanks again to all of my followers on 18 Cinema Lane because this review would not be possible without you.

 

Overall score: 9 out of 10

 

What did you think of my review? Have you seen Saving Mr. Banks? Let me know in the comment section!

 

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Strangers on a Train Review

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

In an attempt to provide a variety of movie selections for 18 Cinema Lane, I chose to review Strangers on a Train. Introduced to me by a close friend, this is the fourth Alfred Hitchcock film that I’ve seen. I’ve also watched Rear Window, Psycho, and The Birds. After watching Rear Window for the first time, I’ve come to have an appreciation for the story-telling abilities and movie making talents of Alfred Hitchcock. If the story is intriguing and the movie is entertaining, I am more than willing to expand my cinematic horizons to include “classic” films. I also am more than happy to recommend films to others, introducing movies to those who are traveling on their cinematic journeys. So, no matter where you are on your movie-viewing adventure, let me share my thoughts with you about Strangers on a Train!

Strangers on a Train poster
Strangers on a Train poster image created by Warner Bros. Image found at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Strangers_on_a_Train_(film).jpg

Things I liked about the film:

  • The acting: As good as the acting was in Strangers on a Train, the one actor that stole the show was Robert Walker. His portrayal of Bruno Antony was so convincing, it was unsettling whenever Bruno came on-screen. The character of Bruno, in my opinion, was disheartening because he was so determined to get what he wanted right up until the very end, believing that what he was doing was right. Robert’s performance was very versatile, as he was able to effortlessly display different emotions and characteristics. His performance was one of the best I’ve seen in an Alfred Hitchcock film!

 

  • The suspense: In Strangers on a Train, the suspense reminded me of the suspense in Rear Window. In both films, the suspense was a slow and steady build-up. It allowed for the character and plot developments to grow to their fullest potential. This build-up led to the culmination of the suspense in the climax, which was very entertaining and engaging!

 

  • The cinematography: There was some really cool looking cinematography that came across as being ahead of its time. I won’t give anything away, but whenever a scene involves a pair of glasses, the way it is filmed is really creative. Also, there is a scene involving the character of Bruno sitting in an audience that is well filmed.
Strangers on a Train lobby card
Strangers on a Train movie card image created by Warner Bros. Image found at http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/16135/Strangers-on-a-Train/#tcmarcp-122684-122686

What I didn’t like about the film:

My overall impression:

I really enjoyed this movie! Strangers on a Train is one of the better of Hitchcock’s films and it reminded me of Rear Window. My appreciation for Hitchcock’s directing talents have grown ever since I saw my first Alfred Hitchcock film. If you’ve never seen any of Hitchcock’s films before, I think Strangers on a Train is a good introduction to his cinematic collection. It has the right amount of suspense that will keep you on the edge on your seat. This movie also has such a well-written story that is engaging as well. Please check out Strangers on a Train because I think it’s totally worth it!

 

Overall score: 8 out of 10

 

Have you seen Strangers on a Train? What’s your favorite Alfred Hitchcock film? Please tell me in the comment section!

 

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: The Sweetest Heart Review

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Now that spring is here, I wanted to celebrate by reviewing a spring themed movie. There are several options that I could have gone with for this particular post. However, I decided to review The Sweetest Heart because I haven’t reviewed a Hallmark movie since last month. Hallmark has made several good spring themed movies over the years, from last year’s The Perfect Catch to one of my favorites, Hearts of Spring. But ever since Hallmark started their “Spring Fever” line-up in 2016 (originally called “Spring Fling”), the first movie to start off the line-up has been, in my opinion, very mixed. I really liked All Yours, but I thought Love at First Bark was just decent. Where does The Sweetest Heart rank? Find out in my review of this movie!

The Sweetest Heart poster
The Sweetest Heart poster image created Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel. Poster image found at https://www.crownmediapress.com/Shows/PRShowDetail?SiteID=142&FeedBoxID=845&NodeID=302&ShowType=&ShowTitle=The%20Sweetest%20Heart&IsSeries=False

Things I liked about the film:

  • The acting: In The Sweetest Heart, the acting from the cast was good. But there are two actors that were the stand-outs: Julie Gonzalo and Andrea Brooks. Julie has shined on the Hallmark Channel since her debut in Pumpkin Pie Wars! Even when a movie isn’t that good (Falling for Vermont, in my opinion), Julie still pulls off a great performance. Her performance in The Sweetest Heart did not disappoint as it was one of the highlights of this film! Andrea becoming a regular cast member on When Calls the Heart is one of the best things to happen to that show. Since she guest starred on When Calls the Heart in 2015, she has also appeared in several movies for the Hallmark Channel. Andrea’s acting talents have impressed me every time I’ve seen her films. It makes me wish that she would get a lead role in a Hallmark movie.

 

  • The on-screen chemistry: I really liked the on-screen chemistry between Julie Gonzalo and Chris McNally! In fact, their on-screen chemistry was better than Julie’s and Victor Zinck Jr.’s on-screen chemistry. The relationship between Maddie and Nate seemed real as well as believable. Their interactions were well written and well-acted! From humorous to endearing, watching Maddie and Nate’s story was very entertaining.

 

  • Focus on the cupcakes: The last time we got a Hallmark movie that was either centered around cupcakes or a business that creates cupcakes is Operation Cupcake from 2012. I really liked how Hallmark took a story element that hasn’t been told in a while and incorporated it into one of their newer films. This allows for more stories to be shared as well as more creativity to be adopted by Hallmark. As a fan of Hallmark, I always get excited when Hallmark brings new ideas to the table. While the concept of a cupcake bakery is not new, it is a story point that is getting re-purposed.
8_Cupcakes1-01
Cupcake with hearts image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/delicious-cupcakes-illustrations_779154.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/food”>Food vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

  • A pace that was inconsistent: Though this didn’t happen throughout the entire movie, there were a few times when scenes felt longer than they were originally intended. Also, there were a few scenes that seemed a little too fast-paced.

 

  • Too many storylines: The Sweetest Heart had six plots during the course of two hours. However, two of these plots, the story of Maddie and Alex’s relationship and the community center fundraiser, were simply pointless. In fact, if these two plots were excluded from this movie, it wouldn’t have any impact. Also, the story of Tammy Gillis’s and Clayton Chitty’s characters, Sarah and Luke, could have been made into its own movie.

 

My overall impression:

The Sweetest Heart was a decent film. While there were good things about the movie, there were also not-so-good things about it. Looking back on this movie, I noticed a pattern. I’ve now seen all three of the Hallmark movies that started off each Hallmark movie line-up (Love on the Slopes, My Secret Valentine, and The Sweetest Heart) and, in my opinion, they all have been decent. It’ll be interesting to see how I feel about the rest of the starting films in the upcoming movie line-ups, especially for Christmas. I also wonder which movie from the “Spring Fever” line-up will end up being my favorite. Until then, I will watch each movie with an open mind and I might review some of them for 18 Cinema Lane!

 

Overall score: 7 out of 10

 

Have you seen The Sweetest Heart? What did you think about the film? Please let me know in the comment section!

 

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Bedlam Review

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Since I haven’t done a movie review in about two weeks, I decided to change things up a little bit. Recently, Turner Classic Movies (a.k.a. TCM) held a marathon on their network called “Mental Illness in the Movies”. Out of all the movies that were selected for the marathon, Bedlam was the film that sparked my curiosity the most. My interest for the film heightened when I watched a video clip on TCM’s website involving the characters of Nell Bowen and Tom, the Tiger (don’t worry, I’ll talk more about those characters later in my review). As the events were unfolding on my computer screen, I wanted to know more about these characters, as well as the significance of their interaction. Fortunately, I did watch this movie two days ago, so now you can read about how I feel about Bedlam!

Bedlam poster
Bedlam poster image created by RKO Radio Pictures. Image found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bedlam-Poster.jpg

Things I liked about the film:

  • The acting: The cast of Bedlam was talented. Everyone came across as very believable. The two strongest performers, though, were Boris Karloff and Anna Lee. Their portrayals of George Sims and Nell Bowen were very expressive and memorable. Boris’ performance was so good that it provided a good reason to not like his character. Similarly for Anna Lee, her performance was talented to the point that it gave a good reason to root for her character. Both of Boris and Anna’s portrayals were captivating in this film.
  • The story: Bedlam’s story was well-written. There were some mysteries in this movie, which I did not expect. However, I found this to be a pleasant surprise. Each of these mysteries kept me guessing as it added to the intrigue of the story. Because of this, there were a few surprises that took me off guard.
  • The character of Nell Bowen: Nell Bowen was a well-written and well-acted character. Throughout the movie, Nell goes on a journey of personal growth that came across effectively on-screen. She changes from a woman in high society to putting her morals and beliefs over everything else. This made Nell a character that someone would not only want to root for, but also a character someone would want to see succeed.
Bedlam movie card
Bedlam movie card image created by RKO Radio Pictures. Image found at http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/1090/Bedlam/#tcmarcp-185053

What I didn’t like about the film:

  • The dialogue: Bedlam takes place in 1761, so the way the characters speak is reflective of that time period. I can honestly say that it was difficult, at times, to understand what the characters were saying. However, the dialogue in the film can be understood, even if it does take some getting used to.
  • An inconsistent pace: The first half of Bedlam, the build-up leading to Nell going to the hospital, was slower than the second half. When Nell gets to Bedlam, the pace quickly picks up. The second half of the film is also where most of the intrigue and engagement takes place.
  • Some characters getting less development than others: Most of the characters outside of Bedlam received more character-development than the characters inside of Bedlam. One good example is the character of Tom, the Tiger. After I saw the video clip on TCM’s website, I became curious about this character and wanted to know more about him. Sadly, Tom, the Tiger got the bare minimum when it came to character-development. This was not the only character I felt this way about, as there were also characters within Bedlam that acquired even less character-development than Tom (the character of Dan, the Dog is an example).

    Tiger in Thailand zoo
    Tiger image created by Chevanon at freepik.com.  <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/tiger-looking-straight-ahead_999674.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/pattern”>Pattern image created by Chevanon – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

Bedlam is a hidden gem! While the film has its flaws, it also has its merits. I honestly had no idea that this movie existed until, literally, this week. However, I’m grateful that I stumbled across it when I did. Sharing recommendations for movie selections is something that I try my best to do on 18 Cinema Lane. Like I mentioned in my very first blog post, this film does deserve a “standing ovation”. Bedlam truly deserves to be viewed, so please watch it if you get the chance!

 

Overall score: 7.5 out of 10

 

Have you ever heard of Bedlam? Would you be interested in seeing the film? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

 

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Link to the article about the movies featured in TCM’s “Mental Illness in the Movies” marathon: http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/1383885%7C0/Mental-Illness-in-the-Movies-3-5-3-6.html

Link to the video clip I referenced in my review: http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/189565/Bedlam-Movie-Clip-A-Pretty-Chamber.html

Take 3: Very, Very, Valentine Review

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

As we anticipate the arrival of March (as well as spring), I thought that watching Very, Very, Valentine would be a good finale to the month of February. Just as I was about to watch this movie, I realized that I would have watched and reviewed all of the “Countdown to Valentine’s Day” films! If I get the chance to watch all of the movies in a Hallmark movie line-up, I feel like I have the confidence to express my opinions on the overall line-up. Now, before March does arrive, let me review Very, Very, Valentine!

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

Things I liked about the film:

  • The acting: This movie did have a good cast. However, both Danica and Cameron were the stand-out performers! Danica and Cameron’s performances were so good, they were one of the highlights of this movie! In the scene where Helen was calling Henry from the wedding, I felt it was Danica’s best performance throughout the film! Cameron also gave a good performance as well, even providing the right amount of comic relief. It seems like just yesterday when Danica and Cameron were brand new members of the Hallmark community. Within that short amount of time, both of them have become two of some of the most recognizable stars on Hallmark Channel!

 

  • The on-screen chemistry: Danica and Cameron’s on-screen chemistry came across as very believable! The friendship that both Danica and Cameron portrayed on-screen seemed genuine. Both of their talents truly complemented one another, especially when they were delivering their lines of well-written banter. For their first time starring in a Hallmark movie together, Danica and Cameron did a good job as individual actors and a pair!

 

What I didn’t like about the film:

  • The pace: Very, Very, Valentine had a good start, but after the mystery was solved, the pace of the movie quickly started to slow down. From that moment on, the story just dragged.

 

  • Valentine’s Day as, simply, a backdrop: Out of all the “Countdown to Valentine’s Day” movies, the presence of Valentine’s Day in Very, Very, Valentine felt like a glorified extra. While the holiday was referenced in the story, it only seemed to be casually brought up. Also, it felt like the decorations were there just for the sake of it. If the basic story of this movie were featured in any other Hallmark movie line-up, it wouldn’t make any difference.

 

My overall impression:

Very, Very, Valentine was ok, but it was definitely the weakest movie in the “Countdown to Valentine’s Day” line-up. There were times when a good story was trying to break through, but something was always holding it back. Despite this, Danica and Cameron still found a way to stand out for all the right reasons! They both used the best of their acting abilities to give the best performance they could. I hope Danica and Cameron can star in another Hallmark movie together, but with a stronger story next time.

 

Overall score: 6 out of 10

 

Did you see Very, Very, Valentine? Have you seen all of the “Countdown to Valentine’s Day” films? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section!

 

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen