Tag: movies

Word on the Street: Speculations about potential Hallmark movies

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

What’s Filming never fails to surprise me when new projects pop up on their website. Recently, two movie titles appeared on What’s Filming that instantly caught my eye. As I thought about both of these movies, I wondered if they could possibly be Hallmark movies? In this ‘Word on the Street’ post, I will be talking about each movie and explain why I think they could be Hallmark movies. Let the conversation begin!

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Canada postage stamp image created by Ibrandify at freepik.com <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/canadian-flag-stamp-template_836872.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a> <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/template”>Template vector created by Ibrandify – Freepik.com</a> Image found at freepik.com

Listed at the bottom of the “In Production” page for the Vancouver and British Columbia area is a movie titled “Wedding Dance”. Right away, the title indicates that this will likely be a wedding themed movie. Last month, I mentioned that Hallmark released a trailer for their “June Weddings” line-up, announcing that four movies will be released in June. Maybe this movie is the missing piece to the “June Weddings” puzzle? What’s also important to mention is that “Wedding Dance” is currently filming until May 18th. If this were a Hallmark film, it would give the creative team behind this movie enough time to edit the film for a mid to late June release. The only actors that are currently attached to the project are Jason Cermak and Cecilia Deacon. Jason is no stranger to Hallmark, as he has appeared in nine Hallmark films and on two episodes of When Calls the Heart. According to her filmography on IMDB, Cecilia has appeared in only one Hallmark movie, which was Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Home Again. Hallmark has not made any official announcements about “Wedding Dance”, so we’ll have to wait to find out if it truly is a “June Weddings” film.

Link to the “In Production” page for the Vancouver and British Columbia area: http://www.whatsfilming.ca/inproduction/ (if you visit this page after May 18th, “Wedding Dance” will be taken off the list)

Beautiful wedding dance
First wedding dance image created by Teksomolika at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/newlyweds-dancing-at-their-wedding_983404.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/wedding”>Wedding image created by Teksomolika – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

On the “Upcoming” list for the Vancouver and British Columbia area, I spotted a movie titled “Poinsettias for Christmas”. It will be in production from May 18th to June 8th, with no cast currently attached to the project. The reason why I think this movie could be a Hallmark production is the only Hallmark movie, that I’m aware of, that even touches upon the subject of poinsettias is Hearts of Christmas. I can’t think of a Hallmark Christmas movie where poinsettias were the primary focus, so this would be new territory for the network. Hallmark has not made any announcements about “Poinsettias for Christmas” either, so this is another movie that we’ll have to stand by for.

Link to the “Upcoming” page for the Vancouver and British Columbia area: http://www.whatsfilming.ca/upcoming/ (if you visit this page after May 18th, “Poinsettias for Christmas” will be moved to the “In Production” page for the Vancouver and British Columbia areas)

Poinsettia plant leaves. Christmas displays
Poinsettia photo created by Jannoon028 at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/plant-with-red-leaves_986669.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/flower”>Flower image created by Jannoon028 – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What do you think about this movie news? Do you think these movies could be Hallmark productions? Let me know in the comment section!

 

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

All information about actors and their movie appearances was found on IMDb (Internet Movie Datebase)

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.
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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.
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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/

Word on the Street: Hallmark movie speculations + Kim Possible leads chosen

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Since I haven’t delivered any ‘Word on the Street’ stories since early April, I decided to share some speculations about two movies and a confirmed casting announcement that are listed on What’s Filming! I will talk about each of these pieces of movie news, as well as share my thoughts on each one. Now, let’s get started!

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Movie ticket image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/vintage”>Vintage vector created by Freepik</a>. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/set-of-two-cinema-pass-in-vintage-style_850066.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Last week, What’s Filming revealed that the leads for the upcoming, live-action adaptation of Kim Possible have been selected! According to a video featured on the What’s Filming website, it was announced that Sean Giambrone, series regular on The Goldbergs, and Sadie Stanley are going to play the beloved characters of Ron Stoppable and Kim Possible. I, honestly, am not surprised that the chosen leads are actors that don’t have household names. This is because Disney Channel, in the past, has casted other actors without household names in their productions, sometimes in an effort to help them become well-known stars. However, I am interested in seeing how Sean and Sadie bring the characters of Ron and Kim to life, as well as how they plan to carry the DCOM (Disney Channel Original Movie) legacy.

Link to the article about Kim Possible on What’s Filming: http://www.whatsfilming.ca/2018/04/10/kim-possible-live-action-movie-based-on-disneys-popular-animated-series-filming-in-vancouver/

Kim Possible article picture
Kim Possible poster image created by The Walt Disney Company and Disney Channel © Disney•Pixar. All rights reserved. Disney XD© Disney Enterprises, Inc. Poster image found at http://disneychannel.disney.com/kim-possible

Early in April, I reported that Wedding March 4: Something Old, Something New was in production from April 16th to May 4th. Now, according to What’s Filming, the next installment in the Wedding March series appears to have gotten pushed back. Production will now start on May 8th and end on May 29th. Because of these new production dates, I’m starting to wonder if this movie will end up getting moved to Hallmark’s “Summer Nights” movie line-up? This would not be the first time that upcoming Hallmark films have changed production dates, leading to potential release date changes. This happened with “Dream On” (the Summer of Dreams sequel) in early April, where I reported that, because of the film’s production dates changing to May, it was likely that the film could end up premiering in the “Summer Nights” line-up. If the new Wedding March movie gets moved out of the “June Weddings” line-up, what wedding themed movie could take its place? We’ll have to wait until Hallmark’s official announcement about their “June Weddings” line-up to find out.

Link to What’s Filming’s “Upcoming” page: http://www.whatsfilming.ca/upcoming/ (if you visit this page after May 29th, Wedding March 4: Something Old, Something New will be moved to the “In Production” page for the Vancouver and British Columbia area)

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Bride and Groom image created by Freepik at freepik.com  <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/nice-couple-wedding-invitation_841530.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a> <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/wedding”>Wedding vector created by Freepik</a> Image found at freepik.com

While looking on the What’s Filming website, I came across a movie titled “Christmas by the Book”, which is currently in production until May 18th. When I read that title, I wondered if the movie could be a Christmas themed sequel to 2015’s Love by the Book. Though Hallmark has made no official announcement about this movie, it wouldn’t be the first time that Hallmark has made sequels to original films years after their premiere. Two recent examples are All of My Heart: Inn Love and the previously mentioned film, “Dream On”.

Link to What’s Filming’s “In Production” page: http://www.whatsfilming.ca/inproduction-toronto-ontario/ (if you visit this page after May 18th, “Christmas by the Book” will be taken off the list)

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

What do you think of this latest movie news? Are you looking forward to any of these films? Share your thoughts below in the comment section!

 

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

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.
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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
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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.
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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

My game plan for avoiding Avengers: Infinity War spoilers

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Avengers: Infinity War is coming next weekend (where has the time gone?)! Whether it’s purchasing tickets or creating predictions with friends, fans everywhere are preparing for this movie’s long-waited arrival. An important part of that plan is avoiding that one thing every fan that cares about this movie despises: spoilers. Going to the movies is cost and time consuming as it is, so fans are wanting and hoping this movie is worth both their time and money. A fan’s excitement and future enjoyment could be easily destroyed if they catch wind of anything, including spoilers, that might ruin their experience. Now I’ve been avoiding all of the Avengers: Infinity War TV spots because I know there could be potential spoilers featured in them. So, I decided to create a game plan for myself so that I can have the best experience possible when I finally do see this movie. If you are looking forward to Avengers: Infinity War as much as I am, this list is meant to be a friendly set of guidelines that can help you enjoy the movie and have a good movie-going experience. Even though this list was made for me and by me, you are free to look at this list as an example to help you out.

Avengers Infinity War poster image
Avengers: Infinity War poster image created by  The Walt Disney Company and Marvel Studios. © Disney•Pixar. All rights reserved. Marvel and Avengers Characters: ©2017 Marvel. Image found at http://marvel.com/movies/movie/223/avengers_infinity_war.
  1. Staying the heck off of social media

When the Russo brothers, the directors of Avengers: Infinity War, and John Campea, from The John Campea Show, go out of their way to urge people not to spoil this film, that’s when you know this movie is going to be a big deal. Unfortunately, that advice is going to get ignored as spoilers will highly likely still be found in comment sections, on places such as Youtube and other blogs, and from accounts on sites like Pinterest, Tumblr, and the like. With this knowledge in mind, I will not visit any of these sites during the week of April 23rd (in case you don’t know, April 23rd is the day of the world premiere for Avengers: Infinity War). I will continue to make posts on my blog, but I am, personally, limiting my use of the internet.

  1. Reading

As I’ve mentioned in my post about the release of the trailer for Hallmark Hall of Fame’s The Beach House, I have not yet read Mary Alice Monroe’s novel (which is the basis for Hallmark’s film). Because The Beach House is premiering on April 28th, this gives me a good opportunity to read the book before I see the film. Reading this book does not require the internet, so it can give me something to do until I see Avengers: Infinity War.

  1. Watching movies

I did say earlier in this post that I will still make posts to 18 Cinema Lane. Because I haven’t posted a movie review yet, this gives me a great excuse to catch up on some Hallmark movies and figure out which movie I will review next.

  1. Preparing to see Avengers: Infinity War

Like a lot of fans and movie-goers, I am excited about Marvel’s latest film! In anticipation, I will be making some important decisions like what I’m going to wear and when I’m going to see the film. Because I want my movie-going experience to be the best it can be, taking the week of April 23rd to prepare for this movie will keep my excitement for this film alive. These things will not involve a lot of internet use, so spoilers will not be a concern.

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/.

So, this is how I plan to avoid spoilers until I finally see Avengers: Infinity War. I hope that my game plan can help spark some ideas to help you in your quest for the best movie-going experience possible. Even though most of you have probably heard other people tell you this before, I will give you the friendly reminder to not give spoilers away for Avengers: Infinity War (especially if you are seeing the film early). As John Campea has stated in most of his videos, we are a part of a film-fan community. Being a part of a community should mean helping one another as well as showing respect and kindness.

 

If you plan on seeing Avengers: Infinity War, I wish you the best and most fun-filled movie-going experience imaginable!

 

If you want to watch John Campea’s video about not spoiling Avengers: Infinity War, you can find it on Youtube when typing “PLEASE No Spoiler Reviews Before Avengers Infinity War Opens – Open Letter” into the search bar. John Campea also talks about the Russo brothers’ letter encouraging people not to spoil Avengers: Infinity War in his video “Are Avengers, Solo, Deadpool Going To Hurt Each Other At The Box Office? – The John Campea Show”, which you can also find on Youtube.

 

What do you think of my game plan? How do you plan to avoid spoilers? Let me know in the comment section!

 

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Word on the Street: Movie production news for Hallmark and Disney Channel!

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

There have been a lot of news that has come out this week surrounding the production of two upcoming Hallmark movies and a future Disney Channel movie! I’ll break down each specific movie’s production news and share my thoughts on each. All of these stories are from What’s Filming and all of these movies are either currently in production or will be in production in the Vancouver and British Columbia area.

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Movie items image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/frame”>Frame vector created by Freepik</a>. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/flat-several-audiovisual-elements_848747.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Back in March, I reported that the Summer of Dreams sequel was going into production. Because of that production date, it was believed that “Dream On” (the current title for the film) was going to be a part of Hallmark’s “June Weddings” line-up. However, “Dream On” was added again to the “Upcoming” page on What’s Filming, starting production on May 8th and finishing on May 25th this time. What this means is that “Dream On” will likely not make an appearance in Hallmark’s “June Weddings” line-up as we originally thought, but might instead be included in their “Summer Nights” line-up (just like Summer of Dreams). Hallmark recently released a trailer for the 2018 “June Weddings” line-up. It was mentioned in this trailer that there were going to be four new movies, however, only three were advertised: Marrying Mr. Darcy, The Perfect Bride 2, and Wedding March 4: Something Old, Something New. If “Dream On” is not that mystery fourth movie, then I wonder what it could be? Maybe it’s the project that’s also featured on What’s Filming titled “I Do”? We’ll have to wait for Hallmark’s official word for the time being.

Link to What’s Filming’s “Upcoming” page: http://www.whatsfilming.ca/upcoming/ (if you visit this page after May 8th, “Dream On” will move to the “In Production” page for the Vancouver and British Columbia area)

Link to the “June Weddings” trailer: http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/june-weddings/videos/first-look-june-weddings-2018

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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.

Another upcoming Hallmark movie that is listed on What’s Filming is Truly, Madly, Sweetly. Dylan Neal and Nikki DeLoach are both attached to the project, with What’s Filming providing an article about the movie. After I read the brief synopsis in this article, I became intrigued by this movie. While Hallmark has made movies about cupcake bakeries before (with The Sweetest Heart being the most recent entry), I can’t think of a Hallmark movie that has centered around a food truck before. This gets me excited about the possible creativity that this project has to offer! Within this article, an Instagram photo of both Dylan and Nikki was featured, having Dylan himself hinting at a fall release. If Truly, Madly, Sweetly is to be a “Fall Harvest” movie, Hallmark will probably not give any official announcements for a while.

Link to What’s Filming’s article about Truly, Madly, Sweetly: http://www.whatsfilming.ca/2018/04/09/unspeakable-miniseries-hallmark-truly-madly-sweetly/

Link to What’s Filming’s “In Production” page: http://www.whatsfilming.ca/inproduction/ (if you visit this page after April 27th, Truly, Madly, Sweetly will be taken off this page)

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Kim Possible poster image created by The Walt Disney Company and Disney Channel © Disney•Pixar. All rights reserved. Disney XD© Disney Enterprises, Inc. Poster image found at http://disneychannel.disney.com/kim-possible

My very first Word on the Street post was about the Kim Possible live-action Disney Channel movie. While casting still has not been announced, it has been mentioned on What’s Filming that the film will go into production from June 4th to July 23rd. In an article about the movie, it is warned that these dates might change. If the Kim Possible movie is filming this summer, it’s possible (no pun intended) that it might be released either later this year or sometime next year. So far, there have been no announcements about any premiere dates, so we’ll just have to wait for Disney’s official word. Two months ago, when I talked about this movie, I did share my concerns about the potential alienation of the fans of the original show. Because production hasn’t even started yet, I can’t form an honest opinion about the film’s quality, meaning that I’ll have to wait at least until a trailer is released for me to get a sense of the film’s tone and spirit.

Link to What’s Filming’s article about Kim Possible: http://www.whatsfilming.ca/2018/04/10/kim-possible-live-action-movie-based-on-disneys-popular-animated-series-filming-in-vancouver/

Link to What’s Filming’s “Upcoming” page: http://www.whatsfilming.ca/upcoming/ (while these dates may change, if you visit this page after June 4th, Kim Possible will be moved to the “In Production” page for the Vancouver and British Columbia area)

 

What are your thoughts on this movie news? Looking forward to any of these films? Please share your thoughts in the comment section!

 

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Word on the Street: Hallmark releases trailer for Hallmark Hall of Fame’s The Beach House

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

While Avengers: Infinity War will dominate the big-screen on the weekend of April 27th, another movie will take over the small-screen on that same weekend: Hallmark Hall of Fame’s The Beach House. In an effort to continue their 60+ year legacy, Hallmark is adapting Mary Alice Monroe’s novel as the next installment in the collection. Recently, Hallmark released a trailer for the film on their website, almost two weeks before the movie’s premiere. Keep reading if you want to find out how I feel about this trailer!

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Beach house image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/beach-house-background-in-flat-design_1112102.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.

I’ll be honest with you, I wasn’t thrilled with this trailer for a few reasons. The first is the editing. This trailer is filled with choppy, quick-cuts which gave the impression that the film will have a faster pace. However, the pace of a typical Hallmark Hall of Fame movie is on the slower side, so it doesn’t make any sense to make the movie seem faster than it probably will be. Another weak point to this trailer is the number of potential plots. I haven’t read the book yet, but just by judging the trailer, there seems to be six plots within this movie. This makes The Beach House appear like it doesn’t have a clear focus on its story. I know what the basic premise is because I own a copy of the book, but the average Hallmark audience member might not know that when they’re watching the trailer. Something that I noticed while watching the trailer for The Beach House was almost none of the characters having a Southern accent despite the fact that the book takes place in the South. Because I haven’t read the book yet, I don’t know whether or not the characters are supposed to have accents. But again, judging the trailer, it just disappointed me.

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Come to think of it, I’m not impressed with the overall marketing campaign for The Beach House. As much as I want to read the book and as much as I want this movie to be good, the advertisements for this movie have not gotten me excited about this film. However, I will still see this movie, especially with an open mind. I will try to read the book and maybe I’ll review this movie for 18 Cinema Lane.

 

If you want to watch the trailer, here is the link: http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/the-beach-house/videos/preview-the-beach-house

 

Have you seen The Beach House trailer? What did you think of it? Share your thoughts in the comment section!

 

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

 

Word on the Street: Hallmark movie production news!

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

One of my favorite sites for movie updates is What’s Filming. Recently, there have been several Hallmark movies that are listed on the website. I noticed that most of these films are wedding themed movies, meaning that Hallmark’s “June Weddings” line-up is coming soon! All of the movies that I’ll be talking about are filming in the Vancouver and British Columbia area. Here is the list:

  • Marrying Mr. Darcy – Currently in production until April 19th
  • The Perfect Bride 2 – Starts production on April 9th and ends on April 27th
  • The Wedding March 4: Something Old, Something New — Starts production on April 16th and ends on May 4th
  • Garage Sale Mystery: A Picture of Murder — Starts production on April 9th and ends on April 26th
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Wedding schedule image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/infographic”>Infographic vector created by Freepik</a>. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/welcome-to-the-wedding_831989.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found on freepik.com.

I have a lot of thoughts about this news. For one thing, I’m not a fan of having all of the “June Weddings” movies be sequels. To me, it just feels like Hallmark is putting creativity on hold for the sake of trying to create another movie series. However, I do plan on watching these movies with an open mind. Out of the three “June Weddings” movies listed on What’s Filming, I’m looking forward to The Perfect Bride 2 and The Wedding March 4: Something Old, Something New the most!

I will admit that I was not demanding a sequel to Unleashing Mr. Darcy because, at best, I thought the movie was just decent. My hope for Marrying Mr. Darcy is that it is a better movie than the first one was. On What’s Filming, some of the original cast members from the first movie are attached to the sequel. I really liked seeing this because it shows that Hallmark cares about keeping continuity with the previous film. An article on the website mentioned that Marrying Mr. Darcy will air on Hallmark on June 2nd, but Hallmark has not made any official announcements yet.

Seeing a new Garage Sale Mystery listed made me happy because I really enjoy watching this series! Out of all of the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries movie series, Garage Sale Mystery is one of the strongest on the network. I did enjoy Garage Sale Mystery month last year, so I’m definitely looking forward to it this August!

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What do you think about this news? Looking forward to any of these movies? Share your thoughts in the comments section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Link to the article about Marrying Mr. Darcy on What’s Filming: http://www.whatsfilming.ca/2018/04/03/marrying-mr-darcy-filming-vancouver/?referer=plist-655

Link to the What’s Filming “Upcoming” page: http://www.whatsfilming.ca/upcoming/ (if you visit this page after April 9th and 16th, The Perfect Bride 2, The Wedding March 4: Something Old, Something New, and Garage Sale Mystery: A Picture of Murder will be moved to the “In Production” page for the Vancouver and British Columbia area)

Link to the What’s Filming “In Production” page: http://www.whatsfilming.ca/inproduction/ (if you visit this page after April 19th, Marrying Mr. Darcy will be taken off of this page)

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.
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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