Tag: movies

Take 3: Play Misty for Me Review

On By 18cinemalane2 Comments

August’s theme for Genre Grandeur is “Eastwood connected Movies (Clint or his progeny in any capacity)”. As soon I discovered this month’s selected theme, I immediately knew which movie I would choose! For years, I wanted to check out the 1971 film, Play Misty for Me. This is because I had heard Play Misty for Me is the precursor to Fatal Attraction. Since I have seen the 1987 movie, I was curious to see how many similarities or differences Play Misty for Me and Fatal Attraction shared. With this month’s Genre Grandeur theme, I am finally getting that chance! By writing about Play Misty for Me, this is the first time I’m reviewing any of Clint Eastwood’s movies on 18 Cinema Lane. I am familiar with Clint as an actor, so I knew the types of roles he’s typically known for. Therefore, choosing to review Play Misty for Me as the first film of Clint’s covered on my blog is interesting, as it’s quite different from the westerns and action pictures he has usually starred in.

Play Misty for Me poster created by Universal Pictures, Jennings Lang, and The Malpaso Company

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: While I liked the acting as a whole in Play Misty for Me, I have to highlight Clint Eastwood’s and Jessica Walter’s performance. This is because their characters were given the most screen time. Throughout his film career, Clint has gained a reputation for portraying tough, unbreakable heroes. That reputation has been a result of starring in films from the western genre and in titles like Sudden Impact. But in Play Misty for Me, Clint’s character, Dave, adopted a very different persona. The radio disc jockey carries a suave personality with a hint of gentleness. In a great example when Jessica’s character, Evelyn, is restocking Dave’s refrigerator in preparation for dinner, Dave explains to Evelyn how he already has dinner plans. His explanation, however, is calm, which puts Evelyn at ease. Dave’s kind tone of voice, the understanding look in his eyes, and even the relaxed look on his face shows how he isn’t mad at Evelyn. Clint’s versatile acting abilities effectively portray how easy it is to fall in love with Dave!

As I just mentioned in this review, Jessica Walter portrays Evelyn. What I liked about her performance was her ability to seamlessly adopt different emotions. One perfect example is when Evelyn and Dave are having a conversation outside. Before Evelyn leaves Dave’s house, her attitude is friendly. A smile is painted on her face and her personality seems bubbly. But when a neighbor comes outside to complain about the noise, Evelyn immediately becomes very angry. She yells at the neighbor and her entire demeanor is tense. As soon as the neighbor leaves, Evelyn goes back to being friendly like nothing unusual had taken place. Jessica’s ability to seamlessly adopt different emotions was consistent throughout Play Misty for Me. This acting strength made Evelyn an unpredictable character.

The scenery: The biggest pleasant surprise in Play Misty for Me was the scenery! Filmed in Monterey and Carmel, California, the 1971 film features a lot of scenes showcasing the ocean and its surrounding landscape. A perfect example of how photogenic the scenery is can be seen when Dave and Tobie are on a date. One shot proudly displays the ocean at sunset. An orange and yellow sky is met with calm waters shimmering in blue, periwinkle, and lavender. In the foreground, a nearby tree, the edge of a cliff, and the characters’ silhouettes are shadowed, which are contrasted against the lighter colors of the sea. To me, this was one of the most beautiful shots in Play Misty for Me!

The incorporation of jazz music: In movies classified as “psychological thrillers”, the soundtrack primarily consists of suspenseful orchestral music to increase the suspense within that story. The creative team behind Play Misty for Me decided to take a different approach. Jazz tunes provide the main musical sound in the 1971 movie. This is not only because Dave works at a jazz radio station, he also attends a jazz concert. The sounds of this particular music genre invoke a sense of maturity and sophistication. That sophistication and maturity were woven into Play Misty for Me, which allowed the story to be taken seriously. Jazz music also pairs nicely with the oceanic scenery I talked about earlier in this review. The rhythmic movements of the waves and the steady notes of the music create a visual and auditory paradise!

String of musical notes image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/pentagram-vector_710290.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a> <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com. 

What I didn’t like about the film:

A more annoying antagonist: Alex, from Fatal Attraction, is one of the scariest antagonistic characters in film history. While she is emotionally unstable, her attempts to infiltrate Dan’s life are calculated and intentional. A classic example is when Dan discovers the fate of his daughter’s pet rabbit. When I watched Play Misty for Me, Evelyn came across as more annoying than scary. That’s because her efforts to infiltrate Dave’s life are sporadic, whiny, and desperate. These factors caused me to not take Evelyn as seriously as Alex when it comes to being an antagonist.

Inconsistent suspense: Like I said in this review’s introduction, I have heard Play Misty for Me is the precursor to Fatal Attraction. Though it’s been years since I’ve seen the 1987 movie, I remember the story’s suspense being consistent. With all that said, I believed the suspense in Play Misty for Me would be consistent as well. Unfortunately, I was proven wrong. The suspense of Play Misty for Me was sparingly incorporated, only appearing in certain moments of the story. Most of the film features mundane moments with low energy, such as Tobie and Dave’s date, which lasts for about five minutes. That creative decision caused Play Misty for Me to lack a strong amount of adrenaline and intrigue.

A drawn-out film: According to IMDB, Play Misty for Me has a run-time of an hour and forty-two minutes. To me, though, the film felt longer than its run-time. This feeling was the result of some scenes being drawn out longer than necessary. Earlier in this review, I mentioned Dave attending a jazz concert. The scene featuring the concert lasted approximately five minutes. I mentioned Tobie and Dave’s date lasting about five minutes as well. Had these scenes been trimmed down to maybe three minutes or less, more time could have been spent providing Play Misty for Me with more suspenseful moments.

Recording studio image created by Senivpetro at freepik.com. Music photo created by senivpetro – www.freepik.com

My overall impression:

In my review’s introduction, I said I heard Play Misty for Me is the precursor to Fatal Attraction. Now that I’ve seen both movies, I can honestly say I’d prefer Fatal Attraction over Play Misty for Me. From what I remember of the 1987 film, the story’s suspense is consistent. Plus, Alex is a much scarier antagonist than Evelyn. Play Misty for Me contains flaws like inconsistent suspense and the film itself being drawn out. However, the 1971 movie does have its merits. I liked the acting performances, especially those from Clint Eastwood and Jessica Walter. The scenery was the biggest pleasant surprise of the film. Incorporating jazz music was an interesting approach to the psychological thriller genre, giving the story a sense of maturity and sophistication. With everything I’ve been saying, Play Misty for Me is, in my opinion, just ok.

Overall score: 6 out of 10

Have you seen Play Misty for Me? Are there any projects from Clint Eastwood’s or Jessica Walter’s IMDB filmography you’d like to see me cover on 18 Cinema Lane? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Face to Face Review

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Any time I receive the opportunity to review a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, I try to prioritize titles that are either VHS exclusive or harder to find. This decision has been made to help give those titles more recognition, as well as encourage more people to check those films out. One of these films is the 1990 picture, Face to Face! As far as I know, this Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation was not released on VHS or DVD. It also premiered months prior to the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, Caroline?, which I have reviewed on 18 Cinema Lane. The synopsis is what intrigued me toward seeing Face to Face, as the story (according to IMDB) is about “an American paleontologist and a British miner get in a conflict over who has the rights to dig on a site in Kenya”. A conflict about two differing parties at odds over a shared problem isn’t often covered within the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection. In fact, the only movies I can think of that fit this description are The Summer of Ben Tyler and Sweet Nothing in My Ear. Face to Face’s Kenyan backdrop also provides a unique element to the movie. Africa is a setting that is rarely incorporated in Hallmark Hall of Fame’s films.

Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Face to Face poster created by Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, Robert Halmi, and CBS

Things I liked about the film:

The scenery: As I mentioned in this review’s introduction, Face to Face takes place in Kenya. The creative team behind the film took advantage of the Kenyan landscape by featuring long and medium shots of the story’s natural surroundings. One example is an establishing shot of a sunset. Half the shot is engulfed in an orange and yellow sky, with a grey mountain at the sunset’s root. Nearby trees adopt a black hue, standing out against the sky’s bright colors. The ground appears to be a mix of rustic red and brown, warmed by the light’s glow. This establishing shot is so gorgeous, I doubt pictures would do it justice.

The dialogue: In my recent review of 1973’s From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, I praised the film’s dialogue. I mentioned how some lines were so well-written, they became a memorable part of the movie. Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Face to Face shares the same strength! The film’s dialogue was not only witty and clever, it was also, at times, thought-provoking. During one evening, Face to Face’s protagonists, Diana and Tobias, are listening to the sound of a flute. This music is created by a young man named Enjoro, who works with Tobias. Impressed by Enjoro’s talent, Diana says “Just think what he could do with an education”. Tobias quickly replies by asking “Isn’t what he’s doing enough”? This conversation is a great example of how good intentions may be quite different from what a person wants or needs. Earlier in Face to Face, Diana’s arrival in Kenya is met by a colleague named Dr. Brinkman. On a nearby map, Dr. Brinkman is trying to locate Diana’s dig site. As he’s searching for the site, Diana says to Dr. Brinkman “You’re close”. When he asks her “How close”, she matter-of-factly tells him, “Got the right country”. The exchange between these two characters showcases the wittiness found in Face to Face’s script!

Enjoro’s subplot: Like I just said in this review, the flute music is created by a young man named Enjoro, who works with Tobias. But music is not his only passion. Enjoro is also a talented artist, with his drawings impressing Diana so much, she gives him an art set. Unfortunately, these artistic passions are frowned upon by his village, who would rather see Enjoro become a warrior. This personal struggle between village tradition and personal pursuits provides a subplot in Face to Face. A conflict like Enjoro’s is rarely incorporated in Hallmark Hall of Fame’s movies. In fact, I found Enjoro’s part of the story more interesting than the main plot. Had this film focused primarily on Enjoro’s personal conflict, I think the overall movie would have been more compelling.

Illustrated African landscape image created by Macrovector at freepik.com. Background vector created by macrovector – www.freepik.com

What I didn’t like about the film:

An unlikable protagonist: I recognize the creative team behind Face to Face was trying to utilize the “enemies to lovers” troupe when it came to Tobias and Diana. I also acknowledge they were trying to give Diana and Tobias an “opposites attract” dynamic. Unfortunately, these parts of the story were not as effective as they could have been. One reason lies with how unlikable Diana was. For the majority of the movie, she was a static character; close-minded, stubborn, and entitled. When Tobias offered a compromise or tried to make peace with her, Diana shut down his offers and even saw him as beneath her. Even though Diana and Tobias eventually develop romantic feelings for each other, that attraction felt abrupt. If Diana’s change of heart had been more gradual, not only would she be a more likable character, the build up between her and Tobias’ attraction would have been stronger.

The audio: Face to Face premiered in 1990. Therefore, I’m aware of how film-making technology back then was not as advanced as it is today. But one of the signs of these times was the bad audio heard in the Hallmark Hall of Fame film. Most of Face to Face takes place outdoors. This means not only were the cast’s speech picked up by microphones, background noises were picked up as well. The collection of sounds sometimes made it difficult to understand what the characters were saying. Face to Face could have benefitted from using ADR (automated dialog replacement).

The “insta-love” troupe: When I talked about how unlikable Diana was, I brought up the “enemies to lovers” troupe Face to Face’s creative team tried to utilize. I also brought up how Diana and Tobias’ attraction for one another felt abrupt. This was caused by Tobias and Diana remaining “enemies” for more than half the movie. So much time was spent showing Diana and Tobias bickering, disagreeing, and being negative toward each other instead of the protagonists building a romantic bond over time. When Tobias and Diana eventually fall in love with one another, the “insta-love” troupe unnecessarily makes an appearance in Face to Face. Having the protagonists stay “enemies” for too long also made Elizabeth Montgomery and Robert Foxworth’s on-screen chemistry seem weak.

Image of male lion created by Wirestock at freepik.com. Animals photo created by wirestock – www.freepik.com

My overall impression:

With the publication of my Face to Face review, I have now seen all three Hallmark Hall of Fame movies released in 1990. Out of these films, I find Caroline? the best one. As for Face to Face, I thought it was just ok. This is one of those movies where a better story idea was buried within the presentation Hallmark Hall of Fame gave its audience. I honestly wish Enjoro’s story had been chosen as the main plot. His personal conflict between village tradition and personal pursuits provided a compelling narrative. I also wish Tobias and Diana had spent more time developing a romantic relationship and working together to solve their shared problem. These creative decisions would have prevented flaws like the appearance of the “insta-love” troupe. Face to Face features merits such as the dialogue and the scenery. But I can think of better movies also featuring these merits. Though there are interesting ideas woven into the script, I can kind of see why Face to Face became lost to time.

Overall score: 6.1 out of 10

Have you seen Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Face to Face? Are there any Hallmark Hall of Fame films you’d like to see reviewed on 18 Cinema Lane? Please tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Saving the Titanic Review

On By 18cinemalane11 Comments

When it comes to the Titanic, the sinking of the “unsinkable” ship and the tragedy that followed are the two most emphasized parts of the watercraft’s history. During the one hundred and thirteen years since the infamous disaster, multiple survivors (either real or fictional) have shared their stories through various forms of media. However, I have observed how the majority of these recollections have been from the perspectives of the passengers. While the passengers’ point of view is important, it seems like the media rarely captures the perspective of Titanic’s employees. This is the reason I chose to review Saving the Titanic for The Titanic In Pop Culture Blogathon. Whenever I participate in a blogathon, I will sometimes review a made-for-TV film. This decision is made because television movies are rarely included in blogging events. I also try to write about a subject that presents a blogathon’s theme in a more unique way. As I already mentioned, Saving the Titanic addresses a point of view that seems less frequent. So, without further delay, let’s begin my review of the 2012 TV production.

Saving the Titanic poster created by Gebrueder Beetz Filmproduktion, Tile Films, and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)

Things I liked about the film:

How the lower budget was utilized: Made-for-TV movies have historically received lower budgets. According to IMDB, the estimated budget for Saving the Titanic was €1,600,000 (or $1.8 million). Despite the limited funds, the creative team behind the 2012 television production saw this aspect as a challenge instead of a hinderance. The story revolves around the Titanic’s electricians, engineers, and “firemen” (those who feed fire to the ship’s boilers). Because their roles take place below deck, there’s only a few locations where the employees either reside or work. This allowed the movie’s creative team to recycle sets, featuring a handful of locations in multiple scenes. Medium and close-up shots of the employees and the ship’s machinery not only encourage the audience to focus on how the Titanic operated, they also show how frugal the creative team was with the space they were given. Because of the clever ways the budget was utilized in Saving the Titanic, it was easy to forget how low the budget was.

Use of mixed media: If I had to classify Saving the Titanic, I would call it a “docudrama”. While the majority of the film is a dramatization of the events surrounding the Titanic, the movie features mixed media, which is sometimes found in documentaries. From time to time, blueprints of the Titanic would appear onscreen as a voice-over explained the significance of each featured area. Real-life photographs emphasized how actual lives were impacted by every aspect of the ship. Even the Titanic’s first distress call was typed out on screen, giving the audience an idea of what nautical communication looked like in the 1910s. The inclusion of mixed media created an enriching viewing experience. That element highlights how the Titanic is as multi-faceted as the stories surrounding it.

Learning something new: Over the years, I’ve learned a lot about the Titanic. From discovering the ship did, indeed, have a swimming pool to what the last dinner was served in first class, I thought I knew a satisfying amount of information. But by watching Saving the Titanic, I learned even more about the titular ship, partly due to the perspective of the employees. The fourth funnel on the ship was fake. However, this design choice was a blessing in disguise for one of Titanic’s crew members. A greaser named Alfred White refuses to climb to the top of the fourth funnel due to his fear of heights. Later in the movie, he is ordered by Joseph Bell to report everything happening above deck. This order helps Alfred overcome his fear and accomplish his task, as he had to climb up the same funnel he refused to climb before. Had it not been for Alfred’s part of the story, I might have never known only three of Titanic’s funnels were functional.

The Titanic In Pop Culture Blogathon banner created by Rebecca from Taking Up Room

What I didn’t like about the film:

No explanation for surviving crew members: Toward the beginning of Saving the Titanic, a small group of Titanic’s surviving crew members are at the White Star Line Office. Two of those crew members are featured throughout the film, Alfred White and Frederick Barrett. On screen text revealed the movie was “based on testimonies from surviving crew of RMS Titanic”. So, I was curious about what happened to Frederick and Alfred after they arrived in New York. Unfortunately, the film doesn’t address this information. Instead, the end of the film acknowledged the deceased crew members, such as Joseph Bell. Even though recognizing the crew members who perished is important, I wish the crew members who survived were recognized as well.

Thick accents: When I reviewed Crimes of Fashion: Killer Clutch last year, I pointed out how difficult it was to understand characters who spoke with thick French accents.  Saving the Titanic has a similar issue. A voice-over explains how the majority of Titanic’s employees came from Southampton. This means the ship’s crew members spoke to one another with English accents in varying degrees of thickness. For employees with thick accents, I, once again, found it difficult to understand what they were saying. While this wasn’t a consistent issue, it was enough for me to point it out.

Frederick Barrett’s “plot twist”: For this part of my review, I will spoil Saving the Titanic. If you have not seen this movie and are planning on watching it, skip ahead to the part of my review titled “My overall impression”.

Throughout his time on the Titanic, Frederick Barrett is very secretive about his past. When he is asked about his life before boarding the famous ship, his answers are vague. In a tense moment while the Titanic is sinking, Frederick explains to Joseph Bell how his wife cheated on him. He wanted to kill his wife and her lover, but chose to join the Titanic’s crew instead. As I mentioned earlier in this review, Saving the Titanic was “based on testimonies from surviving crew of RMS Titanic”. Therefore, the crew members featured in the film were actual people. The way the aforementioned part of Frederick’s story was presented felt like the movie’s creative team wanted to include a plot twist in a real-life story. Not only was this delivery unnecessary, I, personally, think there were better ways to write facts about Frederick’s life into the script.

Since I’m reviewing a movie about the Titanic and its history, I thought including a picture of That Fatal Night: The Titanic Diary of Dorothy Wilton was appropriate. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

My overall impression:

At the beginning of Saving the Titanic, Frederick Barrett is being interviewed about the Titanic disaster. Members of White Star Line tell Frederick they want to reassure the public of White Star Line’s nautical quality by bringing up heroes who helped rescue lives on that infamous April night. But, later in the film, Frederick calls out White Star Line’s members for trying to find heroes to fit the company’s narrative. He also refers to himself as a survivor, not a hero. The story of the Titanic is wrapped in tragedy, fear, and cruel irony. So much emphasis is placed on these aspects of the Titanic’s history, it may be easy to forget there were, indeed, people boarding the ship who were heroes in someone else’s eyes. Whether they are known or not, these people guided someone toward a lifeboat, fetched a life vest for a passenger who might not have received one, or simply tried to ease a frightened crew member’s anxiety. Saving the Titanic brings up some of those names and allows their stories to be told. Like I mentioned in my review’s introduction, the 2012 television presentation addresses a point of view that seems less frequent, which is Titanic’s employees in this case. Though the movie is flawed, I am thankful a production like this exists. It not only teaches viewers about the Titanic from a different perspective, it also shares a side of the story that seems rarely covered in media.

Overall score: 7.1 out of 10

Have you seen Saving the Titanic? Are there aspects of the Titanic’s story you’d like to hear more from? Please tell me in the comment section.

Have fun at the movies.

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride Review

On By 18cinemalane1 Comment

As I looked at the blogathon schedule for the rest of 2025, I discovered how few events were announced. This includes my upcoming blogathon, The Food & Film Blogathon. Despite the limited amount of blogathons, I wanted to provide more blogathon related content to my readers. So, I have decided to participate in Genre Grandeur! I have written reviews for this year-long blogathon before. However, the last time I participated in Genre Grandeur was October 2023, when I reviewed Christmas at Castle Hart. With July’s theme being “Movies Featuring Weddings”, I knew there were a lot of options at my disposal. But I wanted to talk about a movie that was more off the beaten path. When I learned there was a Perry Mason film revolving around a wedding, I knew I found the perfect title! Some of the movies from the Perry Mason TV film series have been covered on 18 Cinema Lane. These pictures have received likable reviews, as I have enjoyed them to varying degrees. How will this film, Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride, compare to those other entries? Keep reading my review to solve this mystery!

Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride poster created by Fred Silverman Company, Viacom Productions, Dean Hargrove Productions, National Broadcasting Company, and Viacom

Things I liked about the film:

Stand-out performances: In a mystery film, there is sometimes that one actor or collection of actors whose performance shines the brightest. That kind of performance came from Merle Kennedy, Brian McNamara, and Heather McAdam in Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride! The film’s titular bride is a pop star named Kaitlynn Parrish. From her style to her songs and even her dance moves, everything about Kaitlynn’s celebrity persona feels very Madonna-esque. But throughout the movie and also at the wedding, Kaitlynn’s personality is quite different. Heather McAdam portrays her character as a sweet, down-to-earth woman who hasn’t let fame and fortune get to her head. Instead of becoming a self-centered “bridezilla”, Kaitlynn shows concern for her dad’s legal situation. When Kaitlynn’s dad receives a phone call from a commissioner, the smile she had on her face as she walks into the room immediately melts into a look of worry. As she talks to her dad about the commissioner’s call, Kaitlynn’s tone of voice is filled with concern and there’s even a sad look in her eyes. She also suggests asking Perry Mason for help. Kaitlynn eventually goes back to appearing happy when her dad is in a better mood. Scenes like the one I described present a good example of how, sometimes, an entertainer’s real-life persona is quite different from what they present in the spotlight.

Brian McNamara portrays Sam Wald, a groomsman in Kaitlynn Parrish’s wedding. Merle Kennedy stars in the movie as Suzy Richards, a fan of Kaitlynn’s. What both Merle and Brian have in common is how their performance was charismatic! It also helps how their ability to adapt from scene to scene was effortless! Because of how strong Brian’s and Merle’s performance was, it allowed Sam and Suzy to be more intriguing. These elements made me look forward to seeing the characters appear on screen. I honestly wish Merle and Brian were given more material to work with in this movie.

The wardrobe: The Perry Mason TV movies are “contemporary” mysteries grounded in reality. This means the characters’ wardrobe not only runs the risk of appearing mundane, it also runs the risk of becoming overlooked. In Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride, however, some of the female characters’ wardrobe stood out to me. One of my favorite outfits appeared toward the beginning of the film. When Suzy is first introduced in the movie, she wears a red suede jacket with matching shiny red Doc Martin boots. Her outfit also includes a white shirt, black shorts, and black knee-high socks. My favorite piece was a black, cross-body purse with a silver buckle and silver corners. From what I could see, the purse looked like a mini trunk. The outfit I described was not only a great contrast from the other characters’ wardrobe, it also wonderfully represented Suzy’s personality! These results helped outfits like Suzy’s be memorable!

The set design: When I reviewed Perry Mason Returns and Perry Mason: The Case of the Lost Love, I talked about the set design as one of the strengths of both films. The exterior and interior of the highlighted spaces effectively visualized how well-off the characters are. Kaitlynn and her fiancé, Gary’s, wedding in Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride takes place in a large mansion. This mansion appears built out of warm-stone brick with cream borders around the windows and main door. To the left of the mansion is a multi-paneled cylinder, making the building look like a castle. With manicured foliage in front of the mansion, one might mistake the structure as a dream out of a fairytale! Later in the film, the office of a music producer named Jake Lubin is shown on screen. This space has a high ceiling, large windows, and a massive indoor balcony. Metal support pillars and frosted glass railings give the office a modern industrial style. Platinum and gold framed records represent Jake’s success as well as compliment the cream, silver, and gold color palette. Once again, the set design of Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride provided visual clues for the characters’ social status.

Wedding couple with cameras image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/original-cards-for-wedding-photography_913021.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/logo”>Logo vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

Lack of urgency: The Perry Mason television film series doesn’t rely on suspense or adrenaline. But the mysteries provide intrigue to keep the viewers invested in what’s happening on screen. The mysteries also provide characters with a sense of urgency, as they race against the clock to solve the case. However, Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride lacks that sense of urgency. Perry, Della, and even Ken meanderingly take their time building a legal case and questioning suspects. These characters act as if they don’t have a deadline or limited time frame to work with. This lack of urgency sometimes made the movie boring, as well as sucked the energy out of the story.

Things that don’t make sense: Ken Malansky suspects he’s being followed. Yet he doesn’t lock his car doors when he leaves his car to follow a lead at a music club. As Ken questions the music club’s owner, someone plants a recording device inside Ken’s car phone. When Ken eventually drives away from the music club, the car that was following him can clearly be seen through the front window of Ken’s car. That’s because the car following Ken was parked a few feet away from Ken’s vehicle. Decisions like Ken leaving his car doors open and ignoring the suspicious car created parts of the story that didn’t make sense.

Missed creative opportunities: My reviews for the Perry Mason TV movies have addressed the creativity each story had to offer. These creative choices helped give the movies a unique identity that was memorable. But Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride was a lackluster film because of the creative opportunities that were missed. Gary, Kaitlynn’s fiancé, has a sister named Hannah. After her music career failed, Hannah decided to pursue a legal career. She even tells Perry how she will soon take the bar exam. This career shift could have provided a subplot where Hannah either assists Perry in solving the case or where the script explores the concept of a celebrity taking their career in a different direction. Sadly, Hannah’s new career plan has little to no bearing over the story of Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride.

Courtroom image created by Macrovector at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/isometric”>Isometric vector created by macrovector – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

As I mentioned in my review of Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride, some of the female characters’ wardrobe stood out to me. There were outfits I really liked, with Suzy’s aforementioned introductory attire being one of them. But similar to what I said in the past about a film’s scenery, this movie’s wardrobe couldn’t save the film. Out of the titles from the Perry Mason TV movie series I’ve seen and even reviewed, Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride was an under-cooked and uninspired entry. While there were stand-out acting performances, they weren’t truly given a chance to shine. That’s because the actors’ respective characters did not have consistent enough appearances in the story. The movie featured so many creative opportunities that were missed, not allowing the story to be memorable or unique. It also doesn’t help that the picture lacked a sense of urgency. With any movie series boasting over ten titles, there’s going to be at least one “bad day at the office”. Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride was one of those days for the fictional detective.

Overall score: 5 out of 10

Have you seen Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride? Are there any films from the Perry Mason television movie series you’d like to see me review? Let me know in the comment section below!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Serving Up The Food & Film Blogathon!

On By 18cinemalane20 Comments

For this year’s blogathon, I had several potential topics within my reach. But as I sifted through those topics, my mind kept going back to one particular thought. There hasn’t been a time when film and food were not associated with one another. Think about it; have you ever been to a movie theater without a concession stand? Does your favorite movie feature a scene where characters share a meal together? Is the grey stuff from Beauty and the Beast truly edible? Food and film have been joined in a matrimony for many years, with this marriage taking on various forms. To celebrate this union, I am hosting the Food & Film Blogathon! While food themed movies typically come to mind, there is so much more to this theme. Here are some other ideas for those interested in participating in my event:

The Food & Film Blogathon banner created by me, Sally Silverscreen. Original pictures found on IMDB.
  • Food-related movie promotions
  • The relationship between movies and the concession stand
  • Favorite meals from movies
  • Dinner & a Movie (either the show or the concept)
  • Recipes of meals from movies or associated with movies
  • Movie related food products (lunchboxes, reuseable cups, etc.)
  • Movie scenes involving food
  • Dine-In Theatres
The Food & Film Blogathon banner created by me, Sally Silverscreen. Original pictures found in the video, “A Look at Bizarre Movie Tie-In Restaurant Foods”, from the Youtube channel, Seeker of The Lost.

If you’re joining The Food & Film Blogathon and found an idea you’re interested in writing about, please read the event’s official rules.

  1. Please be respectful to the other participants and your chosen topic
  2. Only new entries will be accepted
  3. Participants can publish a maximum of three entries
  4. Because of how broad this blogathon’s subject is, no duplicates are allowed
  5. Creativity and fun are encouraged
  6. Entries must be submitted between October 2nd-5th
  7. If you plan on publishing your entry before or after the blogathon, please let me know as soon as possible
  8. Share your entry idea in the comment section below!
  9. Feature one of the four blogathon banners anywhere in your entry
The Food & Film Blogathon banner created by me, Sally Silverscreen. Original pictures found in the video, “Fast Food Movie Tie-Ins and the History of the Summer Blockbuster!”, from the Youtube channel, PNP Videocast.

Participants of The Food & Film Blogathon

— Sally from 18 Cinema Lane — (Editorial) Fixing Food Related Movie “Gimmicks”

— Rebecca from Taking Up Room — (Movie Review) Burnt (2015)

— Le from Crítica Retrô — (Movie Review) Tampopo (1985)

— Ruth from Silver Screenings — (Movie Review) If You Could Only Cook (1935)

— Hamlette from Hamlette’s Soliloquy — (Movie Review) Chocolat (2000)

— Quiggy from The Midnite Drive-In — (Movie Reviews) Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! (1978) and Attack of the Killer Donuts (2016)

— Virginie from The Wonderful World of Cinema — (Editorial) The Use of Food in Hitchcock Films

— Chloe the MovieCritic from Movies Meet Their Match — (Movie Review) Kung Fu Panda (2008)

The Food & Film Blogathon banner created by me, Sally Silverscreen. Original picture found on IMDB.

Comparing with the Critics – 1985 – Introduction

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Looking back on 1985, one can see the abundance of stand-alone films released that year. While cinemas welcomed sequels, these movies were exceptions to the rule, compared to the box office of 2025. That’s because studios and film companies were more selective about which titles received another chapter. Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome joined this exclusive club. It even left such a good impression, it earned a place on Roger Ebert’s list of the top ten best films of 1985. As I mentioned earlier in this introduction, 1985 saw an abundance of stand-alone movies. However, these projects were not created equally. The Bride tried to find an answer to the infrequently asked question of what would happen if Victor Frankenstein’s female creation fell in love with him?  Both Roger and Gene Siskel were so disinterested in finding an answer to this question, that the film was not only featured in At The Movies’ Worst Films of 1985 episode, it also made an appearance in the show’s Worst Movies of the Summer episode. At this point in the introduction, you probably think Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome and The Bride being singled out is purely a coincidence. But these titles were specifically chosen for Midnite Drive-in’s and Hamlette’s Soliloquy’s Back to 1985 Blogathon, where I’m reviewing The Bride as the Worst of 1985 and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome as the Best of 1985!

Comparing with the Critics banner created by me, Sally Silverscreen. TV show title cards created by WTTW National Productions, WTTW, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), Lifetime Television, Tribune Entertainment, Buena Vista Television, and Disney-ABC Domestic Television

Take 3: The Dark Crystal Review + 510 Follower Thank You

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

For this Blog Follower Dedication Review, I wanted to write about an animated film. That’s because the last animated movie I reviewed was hoops&yoyo’s Haunted Halloween last October. As I was looking for the right title to choose, I realized I don’t often talk about animated films involving puppetry. Therefore, my Blog Follower Dedication Review will highlight 1982’s The Dark Crystal! On 18 Cinema Lane, the only projects of Jim Henson’s I’ve reviewed were 1981’s The Great Muppet Caper and 1985’s Follow That Bird. Choosing to write about The Dark Crystal has now become ironic, as all three of these movies were released in the 1980s. While I thought Follow That Bird was Sesame Street’s fine first attempt at making a movie, The Great Muppet Caper was a fun, joyful experience. Where will The Dark Crystal rank among these two pictures? Journey through this review to find out!

The Dark Crystal poster created by Incorporated Television Company (ITC), Henson Associates (HA), Henson Organisation, The Jim Henson Company, Associated Film Distribution (AFD), and Universal Pictures

Things I liked about the film:

The puppetry: Jim Henson has set the bar high when it comes to the art of puppetry! Through his work with The Muppets and on Sesame Street, Jim created characters that were fascinating to watch and were adoringly memorable. In The Dark Crystal, his craftmanship, direction, and artistic vision contribute to the quality his style of puppetry is known for. The way characters move provide just one example. Jen, the movie’s protagonist, goes on a quest to fulfill a prophecy by finding a crystal shard. This quest shows Jen walking, climbing, riding, and even jumping. The execution of these movements were so well-done, there were times I forgot I was watching a puppet. How Jen was able to blink and move his head was also impressive!

The scenery/set design: Films in the fantasy genre, like The Dark Crystal, have a reputation for presenting imaginative, fantastical worlds. Good movies in this particular genre will make these respective worlds immersive through an emphasis on attention to detail. I can honestly say the creative team behind The Dark Crystal truly cared about how the world surrounding the characters was showcased. An excellent example is when Kira and Jen meet for the first time. The location itself is a tropical oasis; complete with green plants, soft earth on the ground, and even a small body of water.  It feels like an actual jungle because of the realistic appearance of the materials. More often than not, the tropical space is peaceful, which gives the audience a break from the tension of the film’s conflict. The tonal and visual pairing of the jungle helps the audience stay invested in the story.

Use of practical effects: In the 21st century, CGI (computer generated imagery) has become the go-to tool of film-making. The popularity and accessibility of CGI has caused a debate over whether this film-making tool is over-used. So, watching a film like The Dark Crystal in 2025 is refreshing, as the 1982 production utilizes practical effects. In one scene, the Skeksis Emperor dies. Instead of the Skeksis Emperor simply laying unconscious, the body literally crumbles like rocks being broken down. Another scene shows Jen and Kira rowing on a lake. The foliage surrounding the lake appeared life-like, as did the body of water itself. This is because the film’s creative team incorporated actual water and other related props to make the scene feel as realistic as possible.

Colorful galaxy image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/lovely-hand-drawn-galaxy-background_2943080.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

An underutilized character: When the Skeksis General becomes the next Emperor, he shuns the Chamberlain from the Skeksis kingdom. The Chamberlain then tries to find ways to get back into the Emperor’s good graces. Despite these attempts, the Chamberlain was underutilized in The Dark Crystal. He appeared in only a handful of scenes and his role in the film’s plot was minimal as well. I was hoping the Chamberlain’s rejection would express the ideas of standing against group mentality and changing a person’s way of thinking. Sadly, these ideas were not incorporated into the Chamberlain’s story.

Scenes that became padding: The run-time of The Dark Crystal is an hour and thirty-three minutes. However, the movie’s run-time seemed longer because some scenes became padding. One example shows a group of Skeksis eating dinner. This scene features a medium shot of each dinner guest eating their meal, making the scene feel drawn out. If The Dark Crystal’s run-time had been less than an hour and thirty-three minutes, scenes like the Skeksis’ dinner would be trimmed.

A confusing resolution: For this part of my review, I will spoil The Dark Crystal. If you haven’t seen this movie and are planning on watching it, skip to the part of my review titled ‘My overall impression’.

A voice-over at the beginning of The Dark Crystal explains how the Skeksis and Mystics were at odds with each other after the titular crystal broke. The upcoming Great Conjunction will determine who will rule the land, with Jen’s quest to find a crystal shard playing a role in this decision. The way this conflict was explained made me believe the overall story was a battle of good versus evil. But when Jen reunites the crystal shard with the titular crystal, the resolution became confusing. As the Skeksis kingdom falls apart and the Skeksis themselves are running around in fear, the Mystics arrive and surround the titular crystal. The Mystics and Skeksis then merge to become one ghost-like being. The reunion between these groups was never explained throughout the movie. Maybe a scene explaining why this particular resolution was reached was left on the cutting-room floor?

Image by Freepik

My overall impression:

When it comes to quality, the art of puppetry is a spectrum. On the higher end of this spectrum has always been the work of Jim Henson. The Dark Crystal provides a strong example for why that statement is true. The puppets’ artistry and execution were truly impressive, with their movements making me sometimes forget I was even watching puppets at all. Set design and scenery from the 1982 production looked like the film’s creative team truly cared about how the story’s world was presented. I also liked how practical effects were used, which brought a sense of realism to certain moments! Even though The Dark Crystal had its strengths, it had its flaws too. From a confusing resolution to an underutilized character, the film wasn’t perfect. But it was a fine, interesting presentation, definitely one of Jim Henson’s more ambitious projects. Before I conclude this review, I’d like to thank my blog’s followers for their support of 18 Cinema Lane! These articles always encourage me to expand my cinematic horizons!

Overall score: 7 out of 10

Have you seen The Dark Crystal? Which Jim Henson presentation would you like to see in a future Blog Follower Dedication Review? Please tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Speak Easily Review

On By 18cinemalane9 Comments

When I participated in the 10th Annual Buster Keaton Blogathon last year, I reviewed Buster’s episode of The Twilight Zone; “Once Upon a Time”. In that review, I stated how his episode would be a good place to start if one were introduced to the show, partly due to the story’s light-hearted nature. For this year’s event, hosted by Lea from Silent-ology, I wanted to check out one of Buster’s films. After taking a trip to his IMDB filmography, I selected the 1932 picture, Speak Easily! One of the reasons why I chose this movie for the blogathon was the story itself. According to the Internet Movie Data Base, “a timid professor inherits a large sum of money and decides to fund a terrible musical”. Another reason for choosing Speak Easily is how Buster starred in a “talking picture” (movies with sound). Because he’s known as a silent screen legend, I was curious to see how he’d perform in a film with audible dialogue. So, with all that said, let’s begin this review of the 1932 presentation!

Speak Easily poster created by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: As I mentioned in the introduction, Buster Keaton is known as a silent screen legend. His forte was “slapstick” comedy, which worked in the format of silent films. With Speak Easily, Buster had to incorporate both physical movement and dialogue in order to help tell the story. Honestly, I think he did a good job with the provided material! In the 1932 production, Buster portrays Professor Post, an intelligent yet isolated man. This allowed Buster to adopt eloquent words, a sense of awkwardness, and responses that are too literal. Add his signature “slapstick” comedy for good measure and you have a character that was charming in his own right! Along the way, Professor Post becomes friends with a theater performer named James Dodge. Portrayed by Jimmy Durante, James had a big personality, brighter than all the lights of Broadway. This vibrancy was consistent throughout the movie, a strength of Jimmy’s performance! Ruth Selwyn and Thelma Todd join the cast as Pansy Peets and Eleanor Espere. Both actresses did a good job making their characters feel distinct from each other. During Speak Easily, Ruth displayed a gentle persona and was more soft spoken. Meanwhile, Eleanor adopted a flirtatious personality.

The dialogue: Prior to reviewing Speak Easily, I have seen a few of Buster’s “talking pictures”. However, his roles in these movies were smaller, meaning he was given fewer lines to work with. Though Buster received more opportunities to incorporate dialogue in Speak Easily, I was more impressed with the dialogue itself. Throughout the film, I caught on to how well-written the dialogue was. One good example can be heard toward the beginning of the film. Professor Post doesn’t go to a local event at his college because he claims he wasn’t invited. His colleague, Jenkins, thinks this is an excuse for Professor Post to stay in his comfort zone. During a visit to Professor Post’s office, Jenkins tells Professor Post, “if you only go out and find life, you’ll enjoy living it”. This line serves as a friendly yet firm reminder how life is too short to miss out on.

The messages and themes: Like I said earlier in this review, Professor Post is an intelligent yet isolated man. After he receives a large sum of money, Professor Post chooses to travel to New York and, eventually, funds a musical. As the story progresses, he tries to form connections with his peers. Eventually, Professor Post successfully finds friends by staying true to himself. The trials and triumphs of forming relationships, whether romantic or platonic, is a relatable subject. What’s also relatable is having a genuine persona/personality and doing the right thing. The incorporation of these messages and themes was one of the things I liked about Speak Easily!

The 11th Buster Keaton Blogathon banner created by Lea from Silent-ology

What I didn’t like about the film:

A drawn-out film: Speak Easily has a run-time of an hour and twenty-one minutes. However, the movie’s run-time felt longer. This is because parts of the story were drawn-out. As Professor Post boards a train, there’s a running joke about how he forgot his trunk. The joke then transforms into a couple forgetting their baby. That entire joke lasts for about four minutes. Had the joke just focused on Professor Post forgetting his trunk, maybe some of Speak Easily’s run-time could have trimmed.

An overshadowed musical: I’ve mentioned twice in this review how Professor Post funds a musical after receiving a large sum of money. This concept made me curious how Professor Post’s involvement would influence the musical. While the musical was featured in the movie, you have to wait over fifty minutes into an hour and twenty-one minute story just to see the musical come to life. Preparations for the musical were shown, but only in two scenes. The majority of the story focuses on Professor Post’s relationships with the other characters. That focus causes the musical to be over-shadowed.

Limited amount of “slapstick” comedy: I said earlier in my review how “slapstick” comedy was Buster’s forte. This part of his career has been incorporated into his “talking picture” projects, such as The Twilight Zone episode; “Once Upon a Time” and Speak Easily. But in the 1932 production, Buster’s “slapstick” comedy was used sparingly. That creative decision was the result of the film’s run-time, as Buster’s silent films were, more often than not, shorter. The limited amount of “slapstick” comedy felt like the movie was missing something. I wish Speak Easily’s creative team had capitalized on Buster’s forte a bit more.

String of musical notes image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/pentagram-vector_710290.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. 

My overall impression:

In Speak Easily, Professor Post sees working on a musical as trying something new. By moving out of his comfort zone, he was able to make new friends, find success, and travel beyond the walls of his office. By starring in this film, Buster Keaton was, in a way, trying new things. This time, he had to rely on more than just physical movement and “slapstick” comedy to carry the story. Even though I liked Buster’s performance in the 1932 presentation, the project itself was, in my opinion, just ok. I was pleasantly surprised by how well-written the dialogue was! The acting, as well as the messages and themes, were Speak Easily’s other strengths. But there were aspects of the movie I didn’t like, from the drawn-out nature of the film to the musical becoming overshadowed. By reviewing this project, I found an excuse to write about a pre-Breen Code era title. Since the only pre-Breen Code era movies I’ve reviewed this year, so far, were The Garage and 1925’s Phantom of the Opera, Speak Easily will easily fill that void!

Overall score: 6-6.1 out of 10

Have you seen Speak Easily? Which “talking picture” from Buster Keaton’s filmography would you like to see me review? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Jack and the Beanstalk (1952) Review

On By 18cinemalane3 Comments

I need to make a confession: in the seven years 18 Cinema Lane has been around, I’ve never reviewed any of Abbott and Costello’s films. (insert shocked gasp here) But at 18 Cinema Lane, I am willing to expand my cinematic horizons. This is one of the reasons why I selected 1952’s Jack and the Beanstalk for the Once Upon A Time Blogathon. Another reason is how I don’t often get the opportunity to write about fantasy films. In fact, the last fantasy movie I reviewed was Cancel Christmas last December. When I came across the poster for Jack and the Beanstalk, I was surprised to read the tagline “Their first picture in color”! Abbott and Costello are household names in the world of comedy. Plus, this adaptation of the fairy tale was released thirteen years after The Wizard of Oz. So, is the movie worthy of such a historic milestone? Adventure through this review of Jack and the Beanstalk to find out!

Jack and the Beanstalk (1952) poster created by Exclusive Productions Inc., Legend Films, and Warner Bros.

Things I liked about the film:

The dialogue: Sometimes, a movie’s comedy will be woven into the dialogue. Words spoken between characters can not only be hilarious, but also clever and witty, especially if the screenwriting is strong. Dialogue was one of the best qualities of Jack and the Beanstalk! One example is from the beginning of the film. Arthur arrives at Eloise’s house to pick her up for play rehearsal. Her younger brother, Donald, answers the door, even setting up a trap that causes Arthur to fall. When Arthur asks Donald where Eloise is, Donald replies in a matter-of-fact manner, “putting on her lipstick so you can kiss off”. What makes this line so memorable is how it fits the character of Donald, who is portrayed as a precocious child. Another example happens during the ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ story. Jack is heartbroken when his mother suggests they sell the family cow. After Jack’s mother urges him to take the cow to the market, Jack tells her, “Yes mother. You can depend on me. Whatever they bid, I’ll bid higher”. This is a line that is genuinely funny, as Jack says it with good intentions.

The use of color film: During the opening credits of Jack and the Beanstalk, it’s revealed parts of the film are presented in Super Cine Color. These parts are the ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ story itself, while the “modern” parts of the movie are shown in black-and-white film. I actually liked this creative decision! It emphasized the magic and whimsy of the fairy tale. The use of color film also allowed the vibrant hues of the costume and set design to be visible. Overall, this production of Jack and the Beanstalk felt pleasantly reminiscent of 1939’s The Wizard of Oz!

Working as a pair: Bud Abbott and Lou Costello (also known as Abbott and Costello) have been acknowledged as one of the most beloved comedic duos in film history. So, I was curious how they would work together in Jack and the Beanstalk, since the heroic adventure typically involves only one character. Lou portrays Jack and Bud portrays Mr. Dinkelpuss (a local butcher). Even though both characters travel up the titular beanstalk, they each have their own motives. Mr. Dinkelpuss and Jack help each other escape The Giant’s castle as well. Through the acting performances and the screenwriting, this version of Jack and the Beanstalk feels like Jack was always meant to travel with a buddy.

Once Upon a Time Blogathon: Fairy Tales, Legends, & Myths banner created by Annette from Hometowns to Hollywood

What I didn’t like about the film:

Musical padding: The 1952 adaptation of Jack and the Beanstalk is a musical, with five musical numbers incorporated into the production. These numbers were very well choreographed and sounded good musically. However, they felt like padding, making the movie seem longer than its one hour and twenty-three-minute run-time. A few of the musical numbers feel drawn out, such as the almost three-minute dance between Jack and Polly. Had some of these numbers been trimmed down, the overall run-time could have been under an hour and twenty minutes.

Forgotten details: Within Jack and the Beanstalk’s script, there were a few forgotten details. Jack’s cow, Henry, presents two examples. When Henry is first brought up in the movie, Jack refers to the cow as female. He even puts makeup on her to stress this fact. But before Jack says goodbye to Henry at Mr. Dinkelpuss’ shop, Jack tells the cow to “be a good boy”. Later in the movie, Jack climbs the beanstalk. One of his intentions is to rescue Henry from the clutches of The Giant. When Jack and his friends finally escape The Giant’s castle, however, Polly is the one who ends up saving Henry.

Patrick the Harp: In The Giant’s castle resides a harp named Patrick. Not only does music play every time he talks, he’s also very critical of Polly. Personally, I was not a fan of Patrick. He spoke with a thick accent, which sometimes made it difficult to understand what he was saying. His role in the story was quite minimal, offering little to the plot. If Patrick had been written out of Jack and the Beanstalk, not much would change.

Fairytale castle image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/fairy-tale-castle_837803.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/design”>Design vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

As I mentioned in the introduction of my review, Abbott and Costello are household names in the world of comedy. However, there is a reason why they achieved this honor. Using Jack and the Beanstalk to explain my point, Costello and Abbott work together as a team. Even in a fairy tale where a team dynamic doesn’t exist, they find a way, through acting and screenwriting, to create a story where they can both shine. The dialogue was one of the strongest aspects of the 1952 adaptation, as it was hilariously clever. It also helps that the dialogue was written and delivered well. Even the use of color film enhanced the whimsical charm one would expect from a fairy tale. While Jack and the Beanstalk does have its flaws, it is, indeed, a pleasant presentation! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to figure out who really is on first.

Overall score: 7.4 out of 10

Have you seen 1952’s Jack and the Beanstalk? What other fairy tales would you have liked to see Abott and Costello star in? Tell me in the comment below!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: A Little Romance (1979) Review

On By 18cinemalane9 Comments

Back in 2022, I wrote a list of the top ten movies I’d love to review. One of the films on that list was 1979’s A Little Romance. Since publishing that article three years ago, I haven’t gotten around to reviewing the movie. But Gill’s (from Realweegiemidget Reviews) and Barry’s (from Cinematic Catharsis) blogathon, Adventure-A-Thon, finally gave me an opportunity to check A Little Romance out! When it comes to “adventure” in cinema, that term can have different meanings depending on who you ask. For me, an “adventure” movie is when the story’s characters go on a journey to achieve something. In the case of A Little Romance, the protagonists, Daniel and Lauren, travel to Italy to prove the legitimacy of a legend. The 1979 film is not the only picture I’ve reviewed this year involving Italian travel. I wrote about Roman Holiday back in January. In my opinion, the movie was just ok, as I wanted to like it more than I did. Was A Little Romance ok like Roman Holiday? Let’s start the adventure of this review!

A Little Romance (1979) poster created by Orion Pictures, Pan Arts, Trinacra Films, and Warner Bros.

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: When it comes to teenagers in movies, it can be easy for a creative team to present those characters stereotypically. If written or directed to adopt certain behaviors and attitudes, teenage characters could even come across as caricatures. Fortunately, this was not the case in A Little Romance! Though there are only four teenage characters in the movie, their interactions didn’t feel scripted, making the characters themselves seem realistic. One example shows Lauren (portrayed by Diane Lane) and her friend, Natalie (portrayed by Ashby Semple), looking at sculptures during a class trip. As they observe the sculptures, Lauren nonchalantly tells tall tales about her time spent with Daniel. Natalie naively believes Lauren, her eyes becoming wide and her tone of voice revealing how shocked she is. Lauren, with a casual smile on her face and a giggle in her voice, then shares with Natalie how her tall tales were fabricated. This exchange between the two friends illustrates how teenagers can sometimes tease and joke with each other.

In this review’s introduction, I mentioned how the protagonists, Daniel and Lauren, travel to Italy to prove the legitimacy of a legend. Their journey was enjoyable to watch because of how strong Diane Lane and Thelonious Bernard’s on-screen chemistry was! Every time Lauren and Daniel interacted with one another, they always looked like they got along so well. There was a sweetness to their relationship that was wholesome and charming. It also helps how both Daniel and Lauren had likable personalities that complimented each other. While Thelonious and Diane deserve credit for their performances, credit should also be given to the screenwriting.

An appreciation for film: Before watching A Little Romance, I knew what the basic premise was about. But when I finally saw the 1979 picture, I was pleasantly surprised by the appreciation for film woven into the script! As soon as the movie starts, the audience sees Daniel watching a collection of films in a local cinema. As the story progresses, he sometimes quotes the movies he sees and even wants Lauren to call him “Boggie”, as he believes Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall were meant to be together. Daniel’s decisions and perspectives are also influenced by the world of film. When Daniel receives rude comments about his relationship with Lauren from a movie director named George de Marco, Daniel punches George. Not only does Daniel strongly dislike George’s films, Daniel believes George’s comments cheapen the meaning of love he’s learned from movies.

The dialogue: In some of the movies I’ve reviewed this year, one of the strengths was the dialogue. The way it was written and delivered allowed this film-making component to be memorable for the right reasons. The dialogue was also a strength in A Little Romance! Through the screenwriting, the audience can tell how much thought was put into this aspect of the 1979 production. While Lauren talks about her family, Daniel asks her why she calls her stepfather ‘Richard’. Lauren replies by saying “It’s easier to lose a Richard than a dad”. From that one quote, Lauren is able to express how her mother’s multiple marriages have affected the family dynamic. In order to make enough money for their trip to Italy, Daniel and Lauren plan to bet on race horses. They want to figure out the betting odds to increase their chances of choosing a winning horse. When Lauren suggests using a computer to get these numbers, Daniel says “I am not a computer”. This simple quote stresses how humans, as well as betting odds, don’t always provide the correct answers.

The Adventure-A-Thon banner created by Gill from Realweegiemidget Reviews and Barry from Cinematic Catharsis

What I didn’t like about the film:

The adventure’s prolonged delay: Like I said in this introduction, Daniel and Lauren travel to Italy to prove the legitimacy of a legend. But their Italian journey doesn’t begin until a little over an hour into an hour and fifty-minute story. That’s because the first half of the movie is devoted to setting up the motives for the journey and building up to the trip itself. It’s important for any creative team to set up their movie’s premise and provide build up to significant parts of the presentation. For A Little Romance, however, that set up/build up took a little too long.

Lack of subtitles: About half of A Little Romance takes place in France. This means some scenes feature characters speaking in French to one another. But when the story presented French dialogue, subtitles did not appear on screen. For viewers who are not fluent in French, they may feel like the creative team is withholding context from them. Even though clues such as body language can help the audience assume what is happening in the story, I still wish subtitles had been included in A Little Romance.

An absence of Daniel’s father: At the beginning of A Little Romance, the audience is introduced to Daniel and his father, Michel. According to Daniel, Michel is a taxi driver who watches horse races from time to time. Throughout the movie, however, Michel’s appearances are so far and few between, I almost forgot he was in the movie. Meanwhile, Lauren’s parents, Richard and Kay, are consistently involved in the story. I recognize A Little Romance revolves around Daniel and Lauren’s relationship and adventure. But I still think Michel should have received a larger role in the film. Perhaps his involvement in the story could have related to one of the movie’s central themes.

Colorful travel suitcase image created by Pikisuperstar at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/beautiful-illustration-of-travel_2686674.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/watercolor”>Watercolor vector created by Pikisuperstar – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

When I first brought up A Little Romance in 2022, I said the story seemed like a light-hearted version of Rich Kids. While there is some truth to this statement, my initial claim now seems a bit too simplistic. Both Rich Kids and A Little Romance revolve around adolescent characters relying on themselves and each other to navigate the world around them. But unlike Rich Kids, there’s a hopeful optimism in A Little Romance! Because the story emphasizes Daniel and Lauren’s Italian journey, the audience witnesses Lauren and Daniel’s relationship grow throughout the story. The acting performances and screenwriting allow these characters to share meaningful and heart-felt moments together. Strong messages and themes are sprinkled into the script, from the importance of being your authentic self to having the courage to achieve dreams. Though it took a little over an hour for the journey to begin, A Little Romance is a delightful, pleasant film! A significant point the film makes is how adventure can come in different forms. The 1979 picture can also cause viewers to think about what it truly means to be a “legend”.

Overall score: 7.3 out of 10

Have you seen A Little Romance? What does the term “adventure movie” mean to you? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen