Tag: music

A Movie Blogger’s Ten “Hot Takes” on Television

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

I published a list article last December about my ten “hot takes” on film. That was the first time I had ever written a list exclusively about movie “hot takes”. Since publishing that article, it has been well received by 18 Cinema Lane’s readers, obtaining over one thousand views. This success inspired me to write another “hot takes” list. But this time, I’ll be discussing my ten “hot takes” on television, as I have talked about TV shows and television related topics from time to time on my blog. Like my movie “hot takes” list, all my TV “hot takes” have never been brought up on 18 Cinema Lane before, in order to keep the list interesting and fresh. Also, like my movie “hot takes” list, I organized each television “hot take” based on how “hot” each take could be perceived. Before I begin this list, I’d like to state how my list is not intended to be mean-spirited or negative. It’s just simply a way to express my opinion.

Campfire with marshmellows and shooting stars image created by macrovector at freepik.com.

10. Harris Trinsky Should Have Appeared in the Freaks and Geeks episode, ‘Chokin’ and Tokin’’

Last year, I published an editorial explaining the similarities between Harris Trinsky (from Freaks and Geeks) and Eddie Munson (from Stranger Things). One of my main talking points was how Harris (as well as Eddie) showed his leadership through putting others before himself, using the example of Harris’ attempts to protect the younger “geeks” (Bill, Sam, and Neil) from Alan (the “freshman tormentor”/bully of the “geeks”) in the Freaks and Geeks’ Halloween episode, “Tricks and Treats”. But another episode I think Harris should have appeared in is “Chokin’ and Tokin’”. In this episode, Alan believes Bill is lying about having a peanut allergy. To prove Bill is telling the truth, Alan contaminates Bill’s sandwich with peanuts, causing Bill to have a severe allergic reaction. Had Harris appeared in “Chokin’ and Tokin’”, the audience could have seen how Bill’s emergency affected him, especially since a) Harris knows what Alan is capable of when it comes to his bullying behavior, b) Harris was bullied when he was a freshman (to the point his tailbone became broken), and c) Harris knows about Bill’s peanut allergy (Bill admitted this while Harris and the “geeks” went trick-or-treating in the episode, “Tricks and Treats”). The dynamic of the friendship between Harris and the “geeks” not only could have been further explored, the audience also could have learned more about Harris, better understanding why he is an older brother figure to the “geeks”. I think this aspect of the story would have been more compelling than the redemption arc Freaks and Geeks’ creative team tried giving Alan in “Chokin’ and Tokin’”, which I, personally, don’t believe was affective. This “hot take” is placed at the bottom of my list due to Freaks and Geeks lasting only one season.

9. Moses Valentine, from Miss Scarlet, Should Have Received His Own Spin-off Show

While I have talked about Miss Scarlet before on my blog, I’ve never talked about my favorite character from the show, Moses Valentine. For three seasons, he possessed a captivatingly commanding presence, using his charm and street smarts to help Eliza Scarlet (the show’s titular character) solve mysteries. In the third episode of Miss Scarlet’s sixth season, ‘The Delivery’, the story primarily revolves around Moses as he searches for a missing diamond. Not only was this the best episode from the sixth season (in my opinion), it made me wish Moses had received his own spin-off show. From seasons four to six, Moses has been living in Paris. This backdrop could have given the spin-off show a colorful landscape and an eccentric group of characters, allowing the show to be distinct from Miss Scarlet’s London environment. It was revealed in ‘The Delivery’ and the fifth episode of Miss Scarlet’s sixth season, ‘The Night Shift’, that Moses is not only married, he also has a son. His family would have offered a unique dynamic from Miss Scarlet, as Eliza is not married and isn’t a mother. There could have even been a crossover episode between Moses’ spin-off show and Miss Scarlet, where Eliza visits Moses in Paris and helps him solve a mystery. But, sadly, a Moses centered spin-off show will likely not happen because the seventh season of Miss Scarlet will be the show’s last.

8. I Don’t Think Lauren Should Have Won the Reach for the Stars Competition in the Matlock episode, ‘The Starlet’

Toward the beginning of the Matlock episode, ‘The Starlet’, a talent contest called the Reach for the Stars Competition takes place. Whoever wins the competition will receive a two-year studio contract, a brand-new car, and $25,000. The final four contestants, Morgan, Dana, Abby, and Lauren, have their talent performances featured in ‘The Starlet’. While Morgan captivated by singing an energetic pop song, Abby sang a country song that sounded like it came straight from the heart. Dana’s performance of a song on saxophone was solid, adding her strong contribution to the soundtrack of the 1980s. But Lauren’s performance, which helped her win the Reach for the Stars Competition, was, in my opinion, unimpressive compared to the aforementioned three performances. Lauren performed a dance routine that was, to put it simply, basic. Its contents were a few arm movements, stepping in place several times, and some simple turns. I know Lauren’s victory was intended to create a domino effect for the events that took place in ‘The Starlet’. I also recognize what the creative team behind this Matlock episode was trying to say about connections being prioritized over talent when it comes to success, as Lauren’s mother, Janet, won the very first Reach for the Stars Competition. But I still don’t think Lauren should have won the contest based on talent performance alone.

7. I wish Tommy Vaughn Hadn’t Been the Murder Victim in the Murder, She Wrote episode, ‘Murder in Tempo’

In the Murder, She Wrote episode, ‘Murder in Tempo’, Dr. Seth Hazlitt organizes a benefit concert in an effort to save a local forest called Cabot Woods, with a band named In Tempo being the stars of the concert. One of In Tempo’s band members, Tommy Vaughn, has a dinner plate full of personal issues; from alcohol dependency that led him to rehab to dealing with a stalker prior to coming to Cabot Cove and even almost getting shot during the band’s concert rehearsal. But during his interactions with a Cabot Cove resident named Rachel, there are glimmers of hope that Tommy could, potentially, turn his life around. In a conversation he shared with Rachel, Tommy confesses his father passed away in an alcoholic ward, admitting his father’s issues made him look at the world pessimistically. He also acknowledges how he’s developed a poor reputation and how he needs to seek medical attention when he experiences problems with his vocal cords. Tommy even agreed to perform at the benefit concert because he truly believed in the cause of saving Cabot Woods, refusing to quit the concert despite pressure from the band’s manager, Wylie Trey. I’m aware Murder, She Wrote possesses a limited number of recurring characters and ‘Murder in Tempo’ premiered within the show’s last season. But I’d like to think if Tommy’s life had been spared, he would have received a second chance to obtain a happier next chapter to his story. Tommy could have even appeared in one of Murder, She Wrote’s made-for-TV movies or one of the books from the Murder, She Wrote book series. While advocating for the preservation of Cabot Woods, Jessica Fletcher says, “But even small battles are important”. Sadly, Tommy never got the chance to win at least one of his “small battles”.

Since one of my television “hot takes” relates to Murder, She Wrote, I thought featuring the book cover for Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire in this list article made sense. Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire book cover found on Goodreads

6. One of the HGTV Dream Homes Should Have Been Built in Hawaii

For almost thirty years, HGTV (Home and Garden Television) has hosted their annual Dream Home sweepstakes, with a completely furnished house as the grand prize. Eighteen of the fifty United States have hosted a prize home in varying styles and diverse landscapes. But, in my opinion, one of those states should have been Hawaii. The “gimmick” of HGTV’s Dream Home sweepstakes is for someone to win a “dream” home in a “dream” location. For years, Hawaii has been known as a “dream” travel destination for many people, yet owning a home in Hawaii is a “dream” few people can achieve for a variety of reasons. Realistically, I’m not sure what the logistics would be in order to make an HGTV Dream Home in Hawaii a reality. On paper, however, a Hawaiian Dream Home would fit the intent of HGTV’s contest.

5. I wish Sophia’s Son, Phil, Had Made, At Least, One On-Screen Appearance on The Golden Girls

Looking back on all the times I’ve watched The Golden Girls, one consistent story element always comes to mind; how Sophia singles out her son, Phil, whenever she brought up her children. Because it seemed like he was mentioned often on the show, I always wondered if what was said about him by the other characters was true. This curiosity made me want to see, at least, one on-screen appearance of him, in order to learn more about Phil from his perspective. Unfortunately, this never happened as Phil died off screen, with his death acknowledged in the season six episode, ‘Ebbtide’s Revenge’. It would have been fascinating to see Phil’s interactions not only with Sophia, but with the other “golden girls” as well. Plus, this role would have given an up-and-coming or underrated actor a chance to start or progress his career, especially considering The Golden Girls is one of the most successful and beloved television shows of all time. It also would have been interesting to see how The Golden Girls’ audience responded to Phil’s appearance on the show, if perhaps he had become a fan favorite. Though to quote the iconic Tootsie Pop commercial, “the world may never know”.

4. I Don’t Find the Gilligan’s Island episode, ‘The Hunter’, Funny or Entertaining

Gilligan’s Island is a show that is known for being light-hearted and hilarious, typically presenting the characters in low-stakes situations despite being stranded on the titular island. But the episode, ‘The Hunter’ is quite different from what the show is known for. Jonathan Kincaid is introduced in this episode as a big-game hunter. When he is unable to find any animals on the island to hunt, Jonathan then decides to hunt the other characters. The story of ‘The Hunter’ is tonally inappropriate for the type of program Gilligan’s Island is. With the show’s laugh track still featured in this episode, it makes the characters’ fear seem like it is played for laughs instead of being taken seriously. I was so horrified by ‘The Hunter’, I couldn’t find anything entertaining or funny about it. I, honestly, questioned what the creative team behind Gilligan’s Island was thinking creating and airing the episode. Because ‘The Hunter’ has been received better than other episodes of Gilligan’s Island, obtaining a 7.3 out of 10 on IMDB, this “hot take” is ranked higher on my list.

3. I Don’t Understand the Hype Surrounding ‘Shark Week’

According to Wikipedia, Shark Week debuted almost forty years ago on Discovery Channel with educational intentions, emphasizing conservation and debunking misconceptions. But as time went on, the annual event grew a life of its own. The term “shark week” has been added to the pop cultural lexicon, with people knowing what that is even if they’ve never watched any program associated with the event. Merchandise has been created to capitalize Shark Week, from shirts to scouting patches and even stuffed animal sharks from Build-A-Bear Workshop. But despite the promotion and fanfare it’s received, I don’t understand the hype surrounding Shark Week. With the amount of information available about sharks now than there was thirty-eight years ago, it almost seems unnecessary to reserve only one week to shark related education. In fact, shark related education can be accessed any time of year. Because sharks are such a specific subject, the event could run the risk of running out of content or programming. Plus, there are other animals who would also benefit from receiving education about them and conversation efforts for them. Yet they don’t receive their own special week.

2. If Eddie Munson Had Been Introduced on Stranger Things Sooner, The Show’s Creative Team Would Have Prioritized His Popularity, Similar to Steve Urkel (from Family Matters)

Once upon a time, on December 15th, 1989, Steve Urkel made his debut on the sitcom, Family Matters. What started as Steve asking one of the show’s key family members, Laura Winslow, to a dance turned into Steve becoming one of the most popular characters in television history. As Steve’s popularity grew, he received more screen-time and significance in the story. He not only became very marketable, having products based off Steve like Urkel-O’s Cereal and a talking doll, Family Matters also became defined by Steve’s iconic catchphrase, “Did I do that?”. But Steve’s popularity came at the expense of the titular Winslow family and their matters, which defied the original intent of the sitcom. If Eddie Munson had been introduced on Stranger Things sooner, I believe the show’s creative team would have allowed a similar scenario to happen. Like Steve Urkel, Eddie Munson became very popular after appearing in one season of his respective show. Also, like Steve, Eddie became very marketable, with products ranging from a replica of his Hellfire Club shirt to books about Eddie’s side of the story. But Eddie made his debut in Stranger Things’ fourth out of five seasons, with Eddie also passing away at the end of the fourth season. Though if Eddie had debuted in either season one or two, Eddie’s popularity would have given the show’s creative team an excuse to not only keep him on the show, but to also upgrade his status from ‘recurring’ to ‘main’ character. But, similar to Steve on Family Matters, the emphasis on Eddie’s popularity could have run the risk of other characters and stories getting overshadowed, potentially leaving mysteries and story-threads unresolved. There’s also a chance Stranger Things‘ creative team could have turned Eddie into “too much of a good thing”, giving Eddie elements to his story that may not make sense, such as receiving a catchphrase that seems unnecessary.

1. Writing Jack Thornton Off When Calls the Heart is the Show’s Biggest Mistake

    When the creative team behind When Calls the Heart decided to write Jack Thornton (one of the show’s main characters) off the show by having him die off screen, that was one of the most controversial creative decisions in Hallmark Channel history, as characters are typically not written off the network’s programs in this fashion. But looking back on this creative choice eight years later, writing Jack off When Calls the Heart has proven, in my opinion, to be pointless. If Jack had stayed on the show, other creative decisions I’m, personally, not a fan of wouldn’t have been made. Some of these decisions are the love triangle between Elizabeth, Lucas, and Nathan (that lasted three seasons), as well as backtracking Elizabeth’s decision to fall in love with and become engaged to Lucas. When it comes to the argument for why Elizabeth should be in a romantic relationship with Nathan, the McGarries (fans of Elizabeth and Nathan) have claimed that because Elizabeth falls in love with a Mountie in the book series the show is based on, she has to fall in love with a Mountie on the television show. With that logic in mind, if it was so important for Elizabeth to be in a romantic relationship with a Mountie, why write Jack off the show at all? I’m aware of Daniel Lissing’s (the actor who portrayed Jack) desire to leave the show to pursue other projects. However, I think recasting Jack would have attracted less backlash than writing him off the show. When Jack was still on When Calls the Heart, it seemed like his relationship with Elizabeth organically complimented the show’s overarching story. It also helped that Daniel and Erin Krakow (the actress who portrays Elizabeth) had stronger on-screen chemistry together. But now that Elizabeth and Nathan’s relationship has been prioritized since season eleven, its promotion, in my opinion, not only feels forcefully manufactured, it has come at the expense of other characters and stories, such as Rosemary, once again, not receiving her theater and new characters like Fernando becoming underutilized.

    Since another television “hot take” in this list article relates to Eddie Munson and Stranger Things, I believed including this iconic picture of Eddie in this post was appropriate. Original image created by 21 Laps Entertainment, Monkey Massacre, Netflix, and Upside Down Pictures

    What are your thoughts on my TV “hot takes”? Do you have a TV related “hot take” you’d like to share? Please tell me in the comment section below!

    Have fun on television!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Take 3: The Christmas Choir Review

    On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

    November’s theme for Genre Grandeur is “Movies about Music or Musicians”. As I was looking for a potential title to review, I remembered how this is the time of year when I write about Christmas movies. This then led me to recall my list of the top five Hallmark films based on a true story, where I brought up the 2008 movie, The Christmas Choir. Since I expressed interest in revisiting the film, I selected it for this month’s Genre Grandeur! In that aforementioned list, I stated my surprise over how The Christmas Choir isn’t a Hallmark Hall of Fame production. That’s because the story of a choir forming in a homeless shelter seems like perfect material for the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection. Though when it comes to Hallmark Hall of Fame presentations, I have wondered what the criteria is for a story or script to be chosen. While that topic would make a great editorial or list article, that will have to wait for another day. For now, let’s begin this review for 2008’s The Christmas Choir!

    The Christmas Choir poster created by Muse Entertainment Enterprises, Towers Pictures, and Hallmark Channel

    Things I liked about the film:

    The cast’s on-screen chemistry: In my list of the top five Hallmark films based on a true story, I mentioned how the quality of the acting talents in The Christmas Choir allowed the characters to come across as realistic and endearing. To further articulate my point, the on-screen chemistry among the cast helped create interactions that felt believable. One of my favorite examples is when Juan (portrayed by Luis Oliva) sang for the first time. A rule for staying in the choir is to come to practices and performances sober. Hector (portrayed by Roc Lafortune) is not happy about this rule, angrily throwing the sheet music and storming toward the door in a huff. The other members, like Bob and Fred, and even the choir’s director, Peter, plead with Hector to stay. Worry, concern, and even disappointment are reflected on the men’s faces and in their voices. When Juan begins to sing, however, the look of surprise on everyone’s faces appears genuine. This is because, at the homeless shelter, Juan had a reputation for remaining silent. As Juan finds a nearby can and turns it into a makeshift drum, that surprise turns into joy, lifting the men’s spirits and boosting choir morale. Juan’s voice ended up becoming the glue that held The Christmas Choir together!

    Incorporating Christmas’ religious elements: I said in my list of the top five Hallmark films based on a true story how it’s been years since I saw The Christmas Choir. Because of that, I had forgotten about Christmas’ religious elements woven into the film. Most of the songs performed by The Christmas Choir are religious. In fact, the only secular Christmas song the choir sings is ‘Deck the Halls’. Sister Agatha will occasionally quote the Bible and bring up Biblical examples when the situation calls for it. Even one of the movie’s overarching themes is serving as Jesus would have. Personally, I liked The Christmas Choir’s incorporation of Christmas’ religious elements because they’re not often found in Hallmark’s Christmas movies. This creative decision also allows The Christmas Choir to form its own unique identity!

    The messages and themes: As I just mentioned in this review, one of the overarching themes in The Christmas Choir is serving as Jesus would have. Other themes and messages sprinkled throughout the story perfectly fit the Christmas season as well. When Peter gives a monetary donation to the homeless shelter, Sister Agatha tells him that while money is appreciated, what the homeless shelter really needs is for people to give their time. Sister Agatha’s words inspire Peter to utilize his time (and talents) to form The Christmas Choir. The conversation between Peter and Sister Agatha alone is such a perfect example of how money doesn’t always solve a problem, especially when it comes to being charitable. This overarching theme actually encourages the film’s audience to think outside the box in the season of giving.

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

    What I didn’t like about the film:

    Too many conflicts: Within my review’s introduction, I brought up how The Christmas Choir is about a choir forming in a homeless shelter. While this is the movie’s main conflict, other conflicts like Peter’s issues with his father and The Christmas Choir competing for a permit are included in the script. As I watched the film, however, it felt like the creative team behind The Christmas Choir tried to squeeze as many conflicts as they could in an hour and thirty-minute timeframe. This choice made the movie overwhelming and the runtime feel longer. Though the 2008 movie is based on a true story, I’m not sure which parts of the script are based on fact or creative liberty. Therefore, the script should have focused on one main conflict with at least two subplots.

    Sister Agatha’s inconsistent personality: When Sister Agatha was introduced in The Christmas Choir, she had a friendly personality with a bit of spunkiness. As I mentioned earlier in this review, Sister Agatha occasionally quotes the Bible and brings up Biblical examples when the situation calls for it. But as the story progressed, she became pessimistic and discouraging toward Peter and The Christmas Choir. Sister Agatha eventually returns to her spunky, friendly personality by the end of the film. However, the inconsistency of her personality is a flaw I couldn’t unsee. Rhea Perlman, who portrayed Sister Agatha, did a good job with the acting material provided. This mistake, though, lies with the screenwriter.

    Things that don’t make sense: Sometimes, there were things in The Christmas Choir that didn’t make sense. One example happened at Peter’s office building. While at work, Peter’s colleague, Rita, tells Peter there are a group of homeless men singing in the office building’s lobby. Those “homeless men” were The Christmas Choir. Several scenes prior to this impromptu performance, however, Rita saw The Christmas Choir singing on television while at work in the aforementioned office building. Wouldn’t she have recognized The Christmas Choir when they spontaneously showed up in the office building’s lobby?

    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:

    By revisiting The Christmas Choir, I was reminded of the film’s aspects I had forgotten about, like the inclusion of Christmas’ religious elements. This is one aspect of the movie I liked, as religious elements associated with Christmas are not often found in Hallmark’s seasonal presentations. I was also made aware of the flaws I overlooked. This is not a bad movie, but it wasn’t as strong of a picture as I initially believed. The abundance of conflicts in The Christmas Choir’s script made the film overwhelming and the runtime feel longer than an hour and thirty-minutes. There were not only some things in the story that didn’t make sense, Sister Agatha’s personality was also inconsistently written. But as I said in my list of the top five Hallmark films based on a true story, the 2008 picture is one of Hallmark’s more unique Christmas titles. This is due to the movie not following a formula or containing a certain set of Christmas movie tropes and cliches. What works in The Christmas Choir’s favor as well is the on-screen chemistry among the cast and the messages and themes stitched throughout the story. If you’re looking for a Christmas film from Hallmark that stands out within their festive collection, I’d recommend checking out The Christmas Choir.

    Overall score: 7 out of 10

    Have you seen The Christmas Choir? Are there any “older” Hallmark Christmas movies you’d love to see reviewed on 18 Cinema Lane? Please tell me in the comment section!

    Have fun at the movies!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Attention Eurovision Televoters, Princ Needs Your Help!

    On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment
    Picture of Princ found in the video, ‘🇷🇸 PRINC – MILA (INTERVIEW) @ Madrid PrePartyES 2025 // Serbia Eurovision 2025′ by the Youtube channel, eurovoxx. Serbian Flag image created by ibrandify at Freepik Image by ibrandify on Freepik

    Last August, I wrote an editorial explaining why Stefan “Princ” Zdravković should appear on the television show, Miss Scarlet and The Duke. In that editorial, I referenced Auggie’s precept from R.J. Palacio’s book, Wonder, where Auggie states, “Everyone deserves a standing ovation because we all overcometh the world”. But I also said in order for a “standing ovation” to take place, the person in question has to want it. Throughout this Eurovision season, Princ has put the time, talent, effort, and energy into striving toward that “standing ovation”. After being chosen to represent Serbia in the song contest, Princ released a music video of the re-vamped version of his song, “Mila”. Within two weeks, that video received 1.1 million views, affording Princ a place in the top 20 of Eurovision’s Top 20 Most Watched videos of March 2025. Since then, Princ’s music video has received 1.8 million views in a month. On Eurovision’s Youtube channel, you’ll find Princ’s French cover of “Mila” and his cover of Måns Zelmerlöw’s song, “Heroes”, with both videos receiving positive reception. Princ has also received positive reception for his Eurovision pre-party performances at Eurovision In Concert, London Eurovision Party, and Madrid PrePartyES. He was even given a desirable running order spot in Eurovision’s second semi-final, competing toward the end of the semi-final at number 15. However, these achievements do not guarantee a coveted place in the Grand Final. This is where you come in. If you’re planning on or thinking about participating in televoting during Eurovision’s second semi-final, please consider giving Princ as many televotes as possible. You would not only help Princ take one step closer to receiving his “standing ovation”, you would also help Princ take one step closer to making his childhood vision come true, as he said in an interview, “I actually visualized myself winning Eurovision as a kid”. I truly believe Princ is a stronger representative than some people give him credit for. So, please consider giving Princ (number 15) televotes on May 15th!

    Here’s a list of videos and articles to check out if you want to support Princ:

    From the Youtube channel of Eurovision Song Contest:

    — How the winner is decided – Eurovision Song Contest 2025 | #Eurovision2025

    — Princ – Heroes (Måns Zelmerlöw Cover) | Serbia 🇷🇸 | #EurovisionALBM

    — Princ – Mila (French Version) | Serbia 🇷🇸 | #EurovisionALBM

    — Princ – Mila | Serbia 🇷🇸 | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025

    — Meet Princ (Short)

    — Eurovision Top 20 Most Watched: March 2025 | #Eurovision2025

    From the Youtube channel of wiwbloggs:

    — 🇷🇸 Princ “Mila” (Serbia 2025) – LIVE @ London Eurovision Party 2025

    — 🇷🇸 Princ “Mila” INTERVIEW | London Eurovision Party 2025

    — 🇷🇸 Princ – “Mila” (Serbia 2025) – LIVE @ Eurovision In Concert 2025

    From the Youtube channel of eurovoxx:

    — 🇷🇸 PRINC – MILA (INTERVIEW) @ Madrid PrePartyES 2025 // Serbia Eurovision 2025

    — 🇷🇸 PRINC – MILA (INTERVIEW) // London Eurovision Party 2025 // Serbia Eurovision 2025

    Articles:

    eurovision.tv/story/song-fit-princ

    🇷🇸 Serbia: Who Is Princ?

    Word on the Street: Movie Theaters in Spain Hosting Eurovision’s Grand Final Again

    On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

    I wrote a Word on the Street story three days ago about movie theaters in the United Kingdom broadcasting Eurovision’s Grand Final for a third year. Last February, I wrote another Word on the Street story about Eurovision’s Grand Final being presented in Spanish cinemas. Like the United Kingdom, Spain will continue their cinematic tradition! Eurovoix News reports Cine Yelmo, a “cinema company” from Spain, “will be airing the Grand Final of the contest live in their 42 cinemas across the country”. Those interested in attending the event can “buy tickets through a pre-sale on the company’s website”. Also like the United Kingdom, Spain is taking advantage of their participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Because they are one of the “big five” countries, they are automatic qualifiers of the contest’s Grand Final. Spain is hosting PrePartyES, from April 17th to April 19th.

    Movie process chart created by Vectorpocket at freepik.com <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/vector-set-of-isometric-illustrations-making-movies-and-watching-a-movie-in-the-cinema_1215936.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a> <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/business”>Business vector created by Vectorpocket – Freepik.com</a> Image found at freepik.com

    What are your thoughts on this piece of news? Are there any Eurovision participating countries you wished screened the Grand Final at their theaters? Tell me in the comment section!

    Have fun at the movies!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Article referenced in this post: https://eurovoix.com/2025/04/09/spain-eurovision-2025-final-cinemas/

    Word on the Street: Eurovision’s Grand Final Returning to U.K. Cinemas

    On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

    Last April, I wrote a Word on the Street story about multiple cinemas in the United Kingdom (U.K.) broadcasting Eurovision’s Grand Final. This year, the tradition continues! In an article from Eurovoix News, it’s reported that “CinemaLive who are distributing the contest in cinemas, will for a third year in a row enable fans of the contest to watch the Eurovision Song Contest on the big screen in the United Kingdom”. John Travers, who helped bring the experience to fruition in 2024, said, “There’s simply no better way to enjoy the biggest night in music than in a cinema, surrounded by fellow fans”. The U.K. is, once again, capitalizing on their involvement in the Eurovision Song Contest. They are one of the “big five” countries, so they automatically qualify for the contest’s Grand Final. United Kingdom will also host London Eurovision Party on April 13th.

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

    What are your thoughts on this piece of news? Which Eurovision participating country do you wish screened the Grand Final at their theaters? Please tell me in the comment section!

    Have fun at the movies!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Article referenced in this post: https://eurovoix.com/2025/04/03/united-kingdom-cinemas-eurovision-2025/

    Take 3: Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit Review

    On By 18cinemalane1 Comment

    When I reviewed Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans back in April, that movie became the best Hallmark mystery of 2024. Now six months later, Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans is still the best Hallmark mystery movie of the year! When I learned Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit was on the horizon, I was so excited for the film’s release. Part of my excitement was due to how much I liked Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans. The Curious Caterer series is one of the strongest series Hallmark has ever created. The strength of Nikki Deloach’s and Andrew W. Walker’s performances, as well as their on-screen chemistry, is one reason why Curious Caterer has been an enjoyable collection of films. It also helps how the movies have been well written. Can Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit be just as good as Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans? Keep reading my review to find out!

    Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit poster created by Timeless Pictures and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

    Things I liked about the film:

    The acting: As I said in my review of Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker, the strength of the cast can add to the story’s intrigue. Even though the acting has been consistently successful in the Curious Caterer series, this is impressive when you consider the series has utilized a rotating secondary cast! I have always liked Jaycie Dotin’s portrayal of Marla Maguire. I not only liked her performance in Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit, I also think she and Luke Camilleri had really nice on-chemistry! When Marla meets Jax backstage before the concert, he shares a memento from his late sister. His entire demeanor is sad, yet he appears appreciative when Marla asks about the memento. Marla’s tone of voice indicates she’s trying to be understanding of Jax’s situation. Later in the film, when Jaycie and Luke appear together in another scene, Jax and Marla are all smiles. They both look comfortable in each other’s company and seem to enjoy spending time with one another. I hope Luke and Jaycie star together in another Hallmark production!

    Another strength of the Curious Caterer series is the strong on-chemistry of Nikki Deloach and Andrew W. Walker. Their portrayals of Goldy and Tom were, once again, one of the best parts of the movie! Now that these characters have an established, romantic relationship, they received more opportunities to spend time together in Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit. While observing Goldy’s mystery board, Tom asks why Selena would kiss her former band member, Derek. Goldy then proceeds to kiss Tom. After the kiss, Tom asks her if the kiss was meant to be evidence. Goldy happily replies she just wanted a reason to kiss him. Tom and Goldy’s interaction in this scene was not only sweet, it also felt genuine. Andew and Nikki’s acting abilities made their characters’ interactions enjoyable to watch!

    A behind-the-scenes look at the music industry: The mystery in Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit revolves around the death of a band member during a live performance. Because the band and those surrounding them are consistently involved in the story, the movie’s creative team gave the audience a peek behind the music industry’s curtain. During a discussion between Tom and the band’s manager, Nicola, Tom learns each band member was insured in order to keep investors happy. This was new information to me, as I had never heard of musicians being insured before. Prior to the concert, Goldy and Marla were preparing to make their catered food. They were told by the band’s electrician, Sam, they could only use one electrical socket due to the older age of the venue and the other plugged-in electrical equipment. When people attend a concert or a live performance, they are so focused on what is happening on stage, details like a venue’s age or electrical power grids may not cross their minds. Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit showed what goes into planning and delivering a musical event.

    Incorporating serious, real-world topics: Hallmark productions, whether it’s a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie or a Christmas film, sometimes include serious, real-world topics into their scripts. What can make or break a script is how these serious, real-world topics are incorporated into the story. The way these kinds of topics were included in Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit was more subtle, yet there was enough information for the audience to understand what was happening. As Goldy is serving drinks to the band members before the concert, she reassures Derek (a recovering alcoholic) there are no alcoholic ingredients in his drink. Because Derek’s drink and Jax’s drink appear similar, Goldy stops Derek from consuming Jax’s drink, which contains rum. This mistake causes Derek to accuse Jax of trying to break his sobriety. The scene I just described felt like a realistic interaction, with the subject of addiction naturally woven into the dialogue. This was made possible by the quality of the acting performances as well as the screenwriting.

    Detective work image created by Photoroyalty at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/investigation-background-design_1041877.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Photoroyalty – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    What I didn’t like about the film:

    Miscast characters: Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit begins twenty years ago, with the band, The Faithfuls, celebrating the success of their single, “Love Me Always”. This opening scene implies the band members are in their early twenties, especially since they all share a bottle of champagne. Several scenes later, when Marla and Goldy explain to Olive who The Faithfuls are, Goldy and Marla claim they were high-schoolers twenty years ago. When the band members are reintroduced in the story, they appear to be the same age as Marla and Goldy. This creative flaw is not the fault of Garrett Black, Luke Camilleri, and Tammy Gillis, as they all did a good job with the provided acting material. However, I do fault the casting director for not recruiting actors who appeared older than Goldy and Marla.

    Goldy’s limited involvement in the case: Throughout the Curious Caterer series, Goldy has worked alongside Tom to solve a given case. But in Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit, Goldy’s involvement in the case is limited. She still created a mystery board (which she and Marla called “Rhythm and Clues”) and helped Tom solve the mystery. Compared to the other films in the Curious Caterer series, Tom did the majority of the sleuthing. Goldy did not question potential suspects or gather clues as much as she has before. She and Tom seemed to be on separate pages when it came to catching the culprit.

    Lack of food footage: In my reviews of other Curious Caterer films, I have either praised the creative team for their use of close-ups of appetizers or criticized the creative team for their lack of close-ups of food. Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit adopted the latter flaw, as there were barely any shots of Goldy’s catered food at the concert. In the greenroom, there were a few close-up shots of the band members’ drinks. A quick shot of vegan drumsticks was featured in a fan’s video. But other than these, the audience isn’t given a clear idea of what else Goldy served at the event. To me, this was a missed opportunity, especially since I was curious why Marla and Goldy needed to use an air fryer.

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    My overall impression:

    With Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit being the fifth movie in the series, this collection of films has found its rhythm (no pun intended) and understood what works for the overall story. Components like the acting, humor, and prioritizing the mystery have been consistently strong. There were even times when a Curious Caterer movie improved upon the flaws of the preceding chapter. I liked Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit! The peek behind the music industry’s curtain gave this film a unique identity. Serious, real-world topics, such as addiction, were thoughtfully incorporated into the script. Even though I thought the fifth movie in the Curious Caterer series was good, I still think Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans was slightly stronger. Goldy’s involvement in Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit’s case was limited, making it seem like she and Tom were on separate pages when it came to solving the mystery. I also believe the band members should have appeared older than Goldy and Marla. As of the publication of this review, Hallmark has not made any official announcements for movies premiering in 2025. But if there are more Curious Caterer films in the works, I would like to see a seasonal picture, such as a Christmas or Halloween themed Curious Caterer production!

    Overall score: 7.6-7.7 out of 10

    Have you seen Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit? Would you like to see more Curious Caterer films in 2025? Please tell me in the comment section!

    Have fun at the movies!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Sally Watches… Touched by an Angel (30th Anniversary Edition)!

    On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

    2024 has hosted several anniversaries, from the 30th anniversary of the Disney animated film, The Lion King, to the 50th anniversary of Little House on the Prairie. But there is one anniversary that can’t be overlooked: the 30th anniversary of Touched by an Angel! With the show premiering on September 21st, 1994, I figured it would be appropriate to review some episodes this month in honor of the occasion. Since I reviewed three individual episodes of Touched by an Angel in the past, I will be writing about three episodes at once this time. Similar to past reviews of television episodes, I’m going to discuss what I liked about the episode, what I didn’t like about the episode, the story itself, the other factors from the episode, and my overall thoughts. Now, let’s talk about the three selected episodes: “The Southbound Bus”, “Psalm 151”, and “Mother’s Day”!

    Touched by an Angel season one DVD poster created by CBS Productions, Caroline Productions, and MoonWater Productions

    Episode Name: The Southbound Bus

    Season 1, Episode 1

    Premiere Date: September 21st, 1994

    What I liked about this episode:

    Touched by An Angel has incorporated serious, real-world topics into their stories; providing the show with dramatic, even sad, moments. But there are times when Touched by An Angel can become light-hearted. One perfect example is when David meets Tess for the first time. Tess arrives at David’s house as his new nanny. Because of hardships he experienced prior to the events of “The Southbound Bus”, David is skeptical of Tess and her new role. Tess, on the other hand, is ready to deal with David’s skepticism. Her no-nonsense attitude and motherly persona make it clear who’s in charge. She even calls David “dinosaur boy”, due to the dinosaur print on David’s shorts. The scene I described was genuinely hilarious because of how well written and acted it was. It also provided a balance between the episode’s light-hearted and serious tones!

    What I didn’t like about this episode:

    When she visits a rest stop known as Hewitt, Monica meets Ruth Ann and Christine. Later in the episode, a run-in with a local police officer forces Ruth Ann to confess to Christine how she’s attempting to flee the FBI due to her association with a criminal. During Ruth Ann’s attempt to flee, Monica pleads with Ruth Ann to confront her past. Monica’s pleading is fruitless, as not only Ruth Ann hitchhikes out of Hewitt, her part of the story is left unresolved. I know there’s only so much story you can tell in an hour-long episode. But if the show’s creative team knew Ruth Ann’s story wasn’t going to receive a resolution, why address it in the first place?

    The story itself:

    As I mentioned earlier in this review, Touched by An Angel has included dramatic, even sad, moments in their stories due to the show’s subject matter. However, as I’ve also mentioned, there are times when the show can become light-hearted. These tones were balanced very well in “The Southbound Bus” as viewers are introduced to Monica, Tess, and their roles as “case workers”! The story jumps right into the action as Monica not only receives an upgrade from “search and rescue”, she also receives her first assignment in her new role. This creative choice grabs viewers’ attention as Monica meets Tess at the bus stop. Touched by An Angel sometimes incorporates plot twists and surprises in their stories which can catch viewers off-guard. There is one plot twist in “The Southbound Bus” that I found really effective!

    The other factors from this episode:

    • For this part of my review, I will spoil “The Southbound Bus”. If you have not seen this episode and are planning on watching it, please skip to the next point in this section.

    When Monica confronts Christine on the loss of her daughter, Monica admits an angel was with Christine’s daughter, Katie, when she died. She also confesses how an angel is with Katie in Heaven. Monica’s statement confused me because I remembered how, prior to this episode, she was on “search and rescue”. Yet, when talking with her friend from “search and rescue”, Adam, Monica didn’t know the history of David’s family. Was Adam with Katie or was it perhaps Andrew, with this detail revealed in a later episode?

    • During her assignment to help David, Monica reconnects with a friend from “search and rescue” named Adam. Through their conversation, Monica receives key information about David’s mother and sister. From what I remember of Touched by An Angel, Adam doesn’t join the show’s main cast. This makes me believe Adam was the precursor of Andrew (who would make his debut in season two).
    • At the beginning of “The Southbound Bus”, Tess reminds Monica how she hasn’t appeared in human form for more than a few moments. This fact causes Tess to warn Monica not to eat everything in sight. Tess’s guidelines for the human world make me wonder what other rules angels have to follow? Were these rules expressed in other episodes?

    My overall thoughts:

    “The Southbound Bus” is the very first episode of Touched by An Angel. It’s also the very first time viewers meet Monica, Tess, and the world they interact with. I’d say this was a strong start for not only Touched by An Angel’s first season, but also for the series as a whole! The overall quality of the production sets up what viewers can expect from this show. “The Southbound Bus” addresses serious subjects like grief and neglect. But the way this story was written allowed moments of humor and even hope, providing a balance between serious and light-hearted tones. The dialogue is thought provoking as well, such as when Monica marvels at how humans have the courage to wake up and start a new day. I said in the past how “Perfect Little Angel” would be a good starting point when introducing someone to Touched by An Angel. Another good choice would be “The Southbound Bus”, as that is where it all began!

    Rating: A solid 4 out of 5

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    Touched by an Angel season five poster created by CBS Productions, Caroline Productions, and MoonWater Productions

    Episode Name: Psalm 151

    Season 5, Episode 9

    Premiere Date: November 15th, 1998

    What I liked about this episode:

    If I could choose one phrase to describe “Psalm 151”, it would be “genuine sincerity”. The reason is how genuine sincerity was the glue that kept this story together! The interactions between the characters felt sincere, giving the impression they truly wanted to respect Petey’s wishes. Cornelia/Celine and Petey’s friendship came across as genuine due to the performances of Mika Boorem and Joseph Cross, as well as the screenwriting. Even Céline Dion’s inclusion in this story felt sincere as she tells Petey and Cornelia/Celine to always focus on the light. This genuine sincerity left me invested in the story and caring about the characters!

    What I didn’t like about this episode:

    “Psalm 151”is a music-centric episode because music is one of the story’s main themes. As I mentioned in my review of the episode, “Perfect Little Angel”, Della Reese is a real-life singer. With that said, I think not incorporating Della’s singing talents in “Psalm 151” was a missed opportunity. Like I stated while talking about “The Southbound Bus”, there’s only so much story you can tell in an hour-long episode. This means there’s only so much time to include the singing talents of Céline Dion and Wynonna Judd. I still wish some amount of time had been given to Della so she could sing at least one song.

    The story itself:

    For Monica’s 100th case, the creative team behind “Psalm 151” could have turned this story into a “remember when” episode; where Monica, Tess, and Andrew reflect on flashbacks that occurred in previous episodes. Instead, Monica received a new case containing its own unique conflicts and resolutions. Even though the story of “Psalm 151” was different from preceding episodes, it shared a major similarity with “The Southbound Bus”: the story revolved around a mother and son dealing with a challenging situation. This similarity allowed Monica’s story to come full circle. When a television show chooses to create a musical episode, it can sometimes be met with skepticism due to the concern of the musical episode feeling out of character. But in the case of “Psalm 151”, a musical episode felt like an appropriate choice for Monica’s milestone, especially since Touched by An Angel is known for being a heart-warming, uplifting program.

    The other factors from this episode:

    • Monica celebrates her 100th case by throwing a party. Tess explains to Andrew how Monica wanted coffee-flavored treats at her celebration. When Monica travels to Hewitt in “The Southbound Bus”, she tells Christine and Ruth Ann how coffee was a treat for her, as she consumed coffee so infrequently while on “search and rescue”. This creative detail was a nice throwback to Monica’s very first case!
    • Petey’s friend, Cornelia/Celine, calls herself “Celine” because she adores Céline Dion. In fact, one of Petey’s wishes is for Cornelia/Celine to meet her favorite singer. Céline Dion’s appearance in this episode serves an interesting coincidence. “Psalm 151” premiered in 1998, ten years after Céline won Eurovision. Reviewing this episode now also serves a coincidence, as Switzerland (the country Céline represented) won this year’s Eurovision and Céline performed during this year’s Olympic opening ceremony.
    • While reflecting on the coincidences in “Psalm 151”, I realized there is one coincidence related to Wynonna Judd. 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of when Wynonna performed during the Super Bowl half time show. This is also a coincidence, as 1994 is when Touched by An Angel made its television debut.

    My overall thoughts:

    According to IMDB, “Psalm 151” is a top-rated episode with a score of 9.5 out of 10. Looking back on this episode, I can see why so many people like “Psalm 151”! Touched by An Angel pulled out every stop they could think of for Monica’s 100th case! The screenwriters created a script that allowed Monica’s story to come full circle. This same script also gave viewers characters, interactions, and resolutions that felt genuinely sincere; inviting viewers to care about the characters and stay invested in their story! Musical television episodes can sometimes receive a bad rap due to those episodes feeling out of place among their respective shows. For “Psalm 151”, its musical nature made the episode feel like a joyous celebration. Yet the serious subjects of chronic illness and grief were never overlooked or sugarcoated. If I came up with a list of the top ten best Touched by An Angel episodes, “Psalm 151” would find a place on that list!

    Rating: A strong 4.5 out of 5

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    Touched by an Angel season six poster created by CBS Productions, Caroline Productions, and MoonWater Productions

    Episode Name: Mother’s Day

    Season 6, Episode 25

    Premiere Date: May 14th, 2000

    What I liked about this episode:

    Wynonna Judd is, in my opinion, talented, yet underrated. Even though she guest-starred in “Psalm 151” and “Mother’s Day”, Wynonna’s strongest performance was found in “Mother’s Day”! The emotional intensity Wynonna brought to this episode made Audrey’s grief feel realistic. In a scene where Cornelia/Celine is confronting Audrey about her alcohol addiction, Audrey’s bitter tone, sharp look in her eyes, and anger show how she is not yet ready to handle the truth. Meanwhile, Cornelia/Celine is terrified of Audrey, even becoming sad and tearful by Audrey’s hurtfulness. Wynonna Judd should have, at least, been nominated for an award for her portrayal of Audrey in this episode!

    What I didn’t like about this episode:

    In order to help Audrey cope with Petey’s death, Monica is sent to “The Middle”; giving her the ability to enter Audrey’s dreams. The way these dreams were presented felt out of character for Touched by An Angel. The background and even certain objects were coated in bright, fluorescent colors. Monica would look at Audrey with a blank stare and speak to her in a cryptic manner. Even Petey’s iguana, Fluffy, talks to Audrey. The dreams Monica enters would be described as “trippy”, a word typically not used for a show known for being heart-warming and wholesome.

    The story Itself:

    “Mother’s Day” is the follow-up to “Psalm 151”, picking up the story after Petey passed away. The death of Petey causes Audrey to turn further into her grief as well as give up music. While the story has its touching moments and a resolution is found, it undermines the message of “Psalm 151”; how music can help people heal and bring them closer together. Cornelia/Celine understandably misses Petey. Yet her grief is glossed over due to the story primarily focusing on Audrey’s struggles. The story of “Psalm 151” dealt with serious topics such as chronic illness and grief. Yet the genuine sincerity I mentioned earlier in this review is one of the reasons why that episode felt heart-warming, even hopeful. Because Audrey is consumed by grief in the majority of “Mother’s Day”, the story felt depressing.

    The other factors from this episode:

    • Jean Stapleton portrays Emma, an angel who poses as a housekeeper. Reflecting on Jean’s role on All in the Family made me realize how her appearance in this episode was an interesting coincidence. In All in the Family’s two-part episode, “Edith’s Crisis of Faith”, Edith struggles with grief and her faith after her friend is murdered around Christmastime. Touched by An Angel’s episode, “Mother’s Day”, shows Audrey struggling with grief and her faith after the loss of Petey.
    • Without spoiling this episode, I recognize why it is called “Mother’s Day”. Yet, in my opinion, this is a story that could have taken place any time of year presenting a similar outcome. When a television show episode is holiday themed, messages connected to that holiday serve as threads throughout the story. With all that said, it makes me wonder why, out of all the holidays on the calendar, was Mother’s Day selected for this episode? Why not Christmas or Petey’s birthday?
    • When I talked about “Psalm 151”, I mentioned how 2024 (the year I’m reviewing the episode) marks the 30th anniversary of when Wynonna performed during the Super Bowl half time show. It should also be noted that Naomi Judd also performed in 1994’s Super Bowl half time show, where she and Wynonna sang “Love Can Build a Bridge”. The reason why I’m bringing this fact up is because Naomi appears in “Mother’s Day”.

    My overall thoughts:

    When it comes to “Mother’s Day”, I’m honestly torn. Earlier in my review, I pointed out how “Psalm 151” is a top-rated episode on IMDB. Therefore, it makes sense for a popular episode to receive a follow-up. On the other hand, “Mother’s Day” isn’t as strong as “Psalm 151”. The message of music helping people heal and bringing them closer together is undermined as Audrey is consumed by grief for the majority of the episode. Even though there are touching moments in this story, as well as a resolution, the overall presentation didn’t feel as heartwarming or hopeful as “Psalm 151” or even “The Southbound Bus”. However, Wynonna’s portrayal of Audrey was a highlight of this episode, as her emotional intensity showed a more realistic depiction of grief. I also thought Mika Boorem gave a solid acting performance, showing how Cornelia/Celine tried to provide the thread that kept her world together. “Mother’s Day” is not a bad episode. But its weaker production kind of makes me wish a different episode had received a follow-up instead.

    Rating: A 3.5 out of 5

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    Have fun on television!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Sunset Over Hope Valley: Let the Show Go On

    On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

    In this episode of When Calls the Heart, the plans of Hope Valley’s choir fall through. They don’t go to Salt Lake City as originally expected. To help Tom as well as other choirs, a new idea is put in place where everyone benefits. This isn’t the first time things didn’t work out in Hope Valley. But I’m willing to guess the show itself has experienced hiccups along the way. Making a television show is a huge creative endeavor. When working on a large project involving multiple people, there’s always a chance things could go wrong. Most fans don’t think about these possibilities, as they just see the final product. From the perspective of a long-time Heartie, though, the solution in this episode of When Calls the Heart made me reflect on other likely behind-the-scenes conflicts and how they were resolved. Because as the saying goes, “the show must go on”.

    Just a reminder: If you did not see this episode of When Calls the Heart, there will be spoilers within this re-cap.

    When Calls the Heart season eleven poster created by Hallmark Media, Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel

    Season: 11

    Episode: 8

    Name: Brother’s Keeper

    Major stories:

    Nathan contacted the police in New York in an attempt to track down Mr. Sweeney. The New York police were able to arrest Mr. Sweeney and retrieve the $65 from Hope Valley’s choir. Unfortunately, Mr. Sweeney gambled the $300 collected from Benson Hills’ and Jamison’s choir. In an emergency choir meeting, Tom comes clean with all this news. Helping Tom save face, Nathan and Elizabeth quickly come up with the idea of hosting their own music festival to raise money for the aforementioned choirs. However, they allow Tom to take full credit for their idea. Maisie is not happy when Rosemary shares all this information with her. She believes Tom should be arrested, but Nathan reassures Maisie that the money will be raised. The festival itself is not the only way Hope Valley raises money. Several stalls selling food and valuable items are sparkled throughout the town. The Voices of the Valley festival is a success, with over $200 raised. But during the financial count, the choir discovers they are just under $300. When Lucas learns this, he takes money from his cultural fund and donates it to the festival. Before leaving Hope Valley, Tom makes the sad realization he’ll soon have to find a new job.

    Just in time for the Voices of the Valley festival, Jacob Canfield arrives in Hope Valley. He still expects an apology from Joseph, but Joseph has no idea what he should apologize for. This angers Jacob and makes him consider leaving Hope Valley. While Minnie tries to coax Jacob to stay in town, Jacob reveals he hasn’t attended church or sang in over ten years. When Minnie shares this information with Joseph, he feels bad that whatever he did caused his brother to pull away from God. As he tries to figure out what he did wrong, Joseph turns to Henry for advice. Henry says that no matter what Joseph did, Jacob was hurt and Joseph should apology for hurting his brother. Later in the episode, Joseph does apologize to Jacob. When Joseph finally learns why Jacob is upset, he discovers that Jacob felt abandoned after he married Minnie. Though Jacob got the apology he wanted, he is still upset because he doesn’t believe the apology will change anything. Joseph disagrees, as he believes there is still hope for his and Jacob’s relationship. Right before Hope Valley’s choir performs “Amazing Grace”, Jacob becomes the missing tenor the choir was looking for. Both Canfield brothers later confess how much they’ve missed each other.

    As promised, Nathan allows Clayton Pike to stay in Hope Valley during his prison transfer so Rosemary could interview Clayton. But when given the opportunity to interview Clayton, Rosemary, as well as Bill, find no luck. This is because Clayton refuses to reveal the identity of who really shot Lucas. Even when Lucas has a one-on-one conversation with Clayton, Clayton still remains silent. The next day, Clayton shares that the man responsible for Lucas getting hurt is so powerful, even the Mounties can’t intervene. Later, at the Queen of Hearts Hotel, Henry confronts Lucas about his decision to, possibly, accept Montague’s hotel bid. Henry addresses how Montague doesn’t have a good reputation with the people of Hope Valley due to decisions he made in the previous season. Lucas confesses how the Benson Hills Oil Company recently closed, causing hundreds of employees to lose their jobs. When Henry brings up Jeanette’s hotel bid, saying it looked legitimate, Lucas shuts out that possibility, simply asking Henry to trust him on that choice.

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    Minor stories:

    Similar to season eleven’s seventh episode, “Facing the Music”, there are no minor stories in this episode.

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    Some thoughts to consider:

    In the previous episode, Tom went on a date with Faith at The Café. Toward the end of this episode, at the Voices of the Valley party at the Queens of Hearts Hotel, Tom gets asked by Faith to dance before Elizabeth asks Nathan to dance. I like the idea of Tom and Faith sharing a romantic relationship, especially since Max Lloyd-Jones and Andrea Brooks had nice on-screen chemistry. But if these characters are going to share a relationship, one of two things have to happen; either Tom needs to make more frequent appearances on the show or Faith needs to live closer to Tom.

    Similar to last week’s episode, this episode of When Calls the Heart was stronger than other episodes this season! The featured stories were intriguing and weren’t as drawn out as season eleven’s previous episodes, so far. With only four episodes left, it makes me wonder how some of these stories will be resolved?

    In my re-cap for this season’s second episode, I mentioned how curious I was to see how Henry’s story turned out in season eleven. This thought came after witnessing Henry adopting a happier and calmer personality, as well as developing a genuine interest in Hope Valley’s agriculture and foliage. Now that Henry starting working for Lucas, he has become Hope Valley’s Voice of Reason. In my opinion, this is a pleasant new direction for Henry’s story! It gives him a sense of purpose while acknowledging how far Henry has come.

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    What are your thoughts on this episode? Do you like Henry becoming Hope Valley’s Voice of Reason? Let me know in the comment section!

    Have fun in Hope Valley!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Sunset Over Hope Valley: Waiting for Tom Thornton

    On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

    Last September, I wrote a list sharing which ten characters
    I’d love to see return to When Calls the Heart. My number one choice was
    Tom Thornton, as his last appearance was all the way back in season five. So,
    when I discovered Tom was returning to the show, my interest in the rest of
    season eleven piqued! When Tom told Elizabeth and Jack Jr. what he did for a living,
    he said he “sold happiness”. I would like to point out how Tom has been doing
    that all along. Though I can only speak for myself, Tom has always made me
    happy whenever he appeared on the show. Despite his more recent appearances
    being brief, these moments were special and cherished. Looking back on Tom’s
    story, I’m starting to realize how his and Henry’s story share several similarities.
    Both characters had a troubled past, made a conscious effort to change, and now
    have brighter futures!

    Just a reminder: If you did not see this episode of When Calls the Heart, there will be spoilers within this re-cap.

    When Calls the Heart season eleven poster created by Hallmark Media, Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel

    Season: 11

    Episode: 7

    Name: Facing the Music


    Major stories:

    Tom Thornton has returned to Hope Valley in honor of Jack’s
    birthday. After visiting his brother’s grave, Tom reconnects with familiar faces,
    like Faith and Elizabeth, and meets new ones, such as Allie, Angela, and
    Nathan. Tom’s career has taken a new path, this time selling sheet music for a
    man named Mr. Sweeney. When the members of Hope Valley’s choir discover Tom is
    looking for acts for an upcoming music festival, they become interested in
    participating in the event. Tom informs them how only one spot remains in the
    festival, so they would have to audition. The choir agrees to audition over the
    phone, with the audition itself being a success. Because the choir received the
    aforementioned last spot in the festival, Tom tells them they have to pay the $65
    entry fee. Even though the choir agrees to chip in five dollars each, Elizabeth
    and even Nathan are concerned by how quickly things are happening. When Nathan
    and Elizabeth confront Tom about the entry fee, Tom reassures them how the
    entire endeavor is legitimate. However, a phone call from Mr. Sweeney at the
    Mercantile indicates how things are not going according to plan. Toward the end
    of the episode, Elizabeth discovers Tom checked out of the Queen of Hearts
    hotel and is on his way to Union City. She and Nathan find Tom waiting at the
    train station. Tom confesses Mr. Sweeney not only stole the $65 dollars from
    Hope Valley’s choir, but has stolen money from the festival’s other
    participants. Tom turns to Elizabeth and Nathan for help with this situation.


    Rosemary and Bill bring their lead on Luca’s case to Nathan.
    Nathan would like to look into Clayton Pike’s connection to Union City
    Holdings, but states how the Mounted Police are working on other cases.
    Rosemary still cannot speak to Clayton himself, but feels the next best thing
    would be to speak to his mother, Hazel. With Hazel living in Union City, Nathan
    agrees to help Rosemary organize an interview. He also informs Bill and
    Rosemary how Clayton is transferring prisons soon, so he’ll try to get an
    interview for Rosemary. The original plan was for Rosemary to travel to Union
    City for her interview with Hazel. But plans change when Hazel ends up visiting
    Rosemary in Hope Valley. During the interview, Hazel claims she and Clayton
    were at a political event around the time Lucas was shot. She even shares how
    Clayton was taking care of her after she had injured her hip. Hazel received
    money for surgery a week before Lucas became injured. She says a friend of
    Clayton’s gave her the money, sharing how Clayton and the friend met at church.
    While Hazel was at the hospital, Montague paid her visit and gave her flowers.


    Lucas is having difficulty finding investors for the hotel.
    Though Montague’s and Jeanette’s offer are still on the table, Lucas would
    rather not work with them. Out of desperation, Lucas asks Lee to help find
    investors. Though Lee agrees to help, he even has no luck finding a solution. As
    a last resort, Mr. Mitchell, who now works for Lucas, suggests using an
    emergency fund to start the hotel. Henry, who has recently started working for
    Lucas, believes this is a bad idea. His belief is based on how the money in the
    emergency fund came from the people of places like Hope Valley. Henry tells
    Lucas to step away from the hotel if no other options are available. But toward
    the end of the episode, Lucas ends up calling Montague.

    Since Tom Thornton came back to When Calls the Heart, I figured adding this picture of Tom and Jack to my re-cap made sense. Image created by Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel.

    Minor stories:

    Because so much emphasis was placed on the major stories,
    there are no minor stories in this episode.

    Birthday party set-up image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/food”>Food photo created by freepik – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    Some thoughts to consider:

    ·       Last month, Net (from It’s a Wonderful Movie)
    shared an announcement about two new Signed, Sealed, Delivered movies.
    One of these movies, currently titled “Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon
    and Back”, revolves around the POstables going on a road trip to find a rock
    star. You’re probably wondering what this Signed, Sealed, Delivered
    movie has to do with this episode of When Calls the Heart. During his
    time in Hope Valley, Tom briefly sang a song at the Queen of Hearts hotel. I’m
    not sure if Max Lloyd-Jones sang in that scene or if the singing belonged to a
    voice double. But if Max sang himself and if Signed, Sealed, Delivered’s
    creative team wanted to utilize more talent from Hallmark’s community, I hope
    Max stars in “Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back” as the
    aforementioned rock star!


    ·       I’m disappointed the music festival ended up
    becoming a scam. With When Calls the Heart receiving a twelfth season, Hope
    Valley’s choir traveling to Salt Lake City could have served as a two-part
    season premiere. If When Calls the Heart’s creative team was interested
    in creating movies again, the music festival may have been the plot of the
    film. According to the trailer for the next episode, it looks like Hope Valley
    will host their own music festival. With all this said, it feels like the show’s
    writers forced the original music festival to fall through just to keep the
    story in Hope Valley.


    ·       This episode is, so far, the best one from season
    eleven! It was great to see Tom come back to the show. But it was also great to
    see the script less drawn out than other episodes this season. There was more intrigue
    from each featured story, which kept me invested in what was happening on
    screen. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing how the story plays out in
    next week’s episode!

    Sunset image created by Photoangel at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background image created by Photoangel – Freepik.com</a>.<a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/red-sunset-clouds-over-trees_1254327.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    What are your thoughts on this episode? Are you excited to
    see Tom Thornton return to Hope Valley? Let me know in the comment section!


    Have fun in Hope Valley!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Comparing with the Critics – Best of 1984 – Amadeus

    On By 18cinemalane13 Comments

    This review is from my series, Comparing with the Critics. If you’d like to learn more about the series, click on the link below.

    Introducing my new series, Comparing with the Critics!

    I was intrigued to review Amadeus for a number of reasons. One of those reasons was the song, “Rock Me Amadeus” by Falco. For years, I thought the song was created to promote the movie, given the coincidence of two pieces of Amadeus related media debuting in the ‘80s. With the song released in 1985, a month before Amadeus won Best Picture at the 57th Academy Awards, I’d like to believe I was kind of right. In At The Movies’ ‘Best of 1984’ episode, both Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert liked the glamourous, musical biopic. Roger made the film his “personal choice for the best film of 1984”. Like Network and Harry & Son, I had never seen Amadeus, so I approached the movie with little to no expectations. Though I heard good things about the picture since its premiere in 1984. As I write this review after watching the movie, I can definitely see why Amadeus was, at least, nominated for an Oscar.

    Amadeus poster created by The Saul Zaentz Company, AMLF, and Orion Pictures

    When I reviewed RKO 281 last July, I complimented Liev Schreiber’s portrayal of Orson Welles. In that review, I said Liev brought humanity back to Orson’s name, finding the heart of the “genius” and putting some genuine emotion behind it. This is the same way I felt while witnessing Tom Hulce’s portrayal of the titular man. Reading about an iconic figure like Amadeus can make one wonder what his personality was like. Similar to Orson Welles, Amadeus can be thought of as more than just a man with a gift. Through good times and bad times, Tom shows the film’s audience how Amadeus was, simply, human. As his father comes to visit him in Vienna, Amadeus expresses pure joy when he sees his father at the top of the stairs. Amadeus’ smile alone showcases the happiness within his heart. One evening, when Amadeus is composing an opera, he slowly slips into exhaustion. His eyelids rise and fall, he sways out of rhythm, and his face looks as white as the lace on his shirt. Roger claimed Tom’s portrayal of Amadeus was “one of the year’s most engaging performances”. Tom’s performance serves as an example where Roger, the Academy, and I were on the same page.

    F. Murray Abraham’s portrayal of Antonio Salieri reminded me of Gloria Swanson’s portrayal of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard. What I mean by this is the character in question’s search for fame is so strong, it forces the character to become increasingly obsessive, even making questionable choices. Throughout Amadeus, Antonio reflects on his life and how it was impacted by the success of Amadeus. At the beginning of his story, wistfulness can sometimes be heard in Antonio’s voice as he shares his dream of making music for God. As his reflected encounters with Amadeus continue, the tone in Antonio’s voice evolves into bitterness, hinting at the frustration he bottled up over the years. This frustration can also be seen if one looks closely at Antonio’s facial expressions. Before a scene from the movie was shared in the ‘Best of 1984’ episode, Roger called F. Murray’s portrayal “a brilliant performance”. The Academy certainly agreed with Roger, as F. Murray won the Best Actor Oscar instead of Tom at 1985’s Academy Awards. Personally, I liked both F. Murray’s and Tom’s performance for various reasons. Through their portrayals, Tom and F. Murray displayed how fame can negatively impact the human soul.

    It’s In The Name Of The Title Blogathon banner created by Gill from Realweegiemidget Reviews and Rebecca from Taking Up Room

    As I mentioned in this review’s introduction, Roger chose Amadeus as his “personal choice for the best film of 1984”. One reason why is how “this movie doesn’t contain one bit of the pretentious, solemnity that we usually associate with movie biographies of classical musicians”. To add to Roger’s comment, I’d like to point out how the film serves as an immersive, detail-oriented character study of how the music industry can be both rewarding and cruel. When Antonio shares his life story with a visiting priest, he emphasizes how he was the only member of his family who was interested in music. This organic talent and rise to prominence provide an opposite view of how Amadeus claimed his fame. Scenes and dialogue illustrate how Amadeus was raised to be a star, with his father providing both the music education and connections for a comfortable future. While discussing a new opera with the Emperor, Amadeus successfully argues why his opera should be performed. He states how he worked many hours on the project and how the opera’s lack of politics will prevent the audience from being alienated. The examples I provided in this paragraph show how, sometimes, talent isn’t enough when it comes to the music industry. It also highlights the effort that goes into making music, let alone one song.

    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. 

    While sharing his thoughts on Amadeus, Roger stated how the film was “a cheerful, rambunctious, irreverent film”.  I disagree with his statement to an extent. There are cheerful moments within the movie. However, I wouldn’t claim the movie itself is “cheerful”. The overall story contains darker, sadder moments as well, especially toward the end of Amadeus’ life. One part of the story revolves around someone masquerading as a deceased loved one Amadeus knows. Due to his grief and unresolved issues, Amadeus truly believes the masquerading imposter is the loved one brought back from the dead. This imposter is so cruel to use Amadeus’ pain for their own personal gain. Another statement of Roger’s I disagree with is about how the movie views Amadeus himself. Roger claims how the film “doesn’t so much concern with the actual details of Mozart’s life as with its own feelings about his genius, his personality”. The movie allows the characters, including Amadeus, to be flawed. But there were a few instances where the story seemed one sided. After a successful opera performance, Antonio’s student is upset because she learned Amadeus was engaged to a woman named Constanze. This leads Antonio to believe Amadeus and the student had a relationship. However, the story never clarifies if Antonio’s belief was true. In fact, Antonio stated he didn’t know how his student and Amadeus met or how long they knew each other. To me, this goes against what a cinematic biography should do; introducing an audience to a historical figure through an unopinionated lens.

    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

    Before moving on to the next featured film in At The Movies’ ‘Best of 1984’ episode, Once Upon A Time in America, Gene tells Roger “what I love about the film is that it celebrates creativity and that is a subject that most Hollywood movies are simply not concerned with”. As I was about to disagree with Gene by bringing up RKO 281, I remembered that a) RKO 281 was an HBO made-for-TV movie and b) RKO 281 was released in 1999, a decade after Amadeus. But this review is not debating how much creativity is incorporated into Hollywood’s films, especially during the mid-80s. This article is simply an exploration of whether I agree or disagree with Roger and Gene’s thoughts on Amadeus. Earlier in this review, I mentioned how the film was an immersive, detail-oriented character study of how the music industry can be both rewarding and cruel. The movie’s immersion and focus on detail can be seen in the production’s costume and set design. These elements make the entire picture look and feel historically accurate. While Amadeus is a beautiful looking film, it also contains substance. The script provides thought-provoking material, exploring themes like how success can affect someone both positively and negatively. The glamourous and not-so-glamourous sides of the music industry are shown through the stories of both Amadeus and Antonio. Like I previously brought up in this review, Amadeus successfully argued why his opera should be performed. With everything I said, it makes me wonder how much Falco argued in favor of his song, “Rock Me Amadeus”?

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    Sally Silverscreen