Tag: mystery

My Movie Blogger’s Christmas Wish-List 2025

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

As Christmas is almost here, it’s time for my yearly Movie Blogger’s Christmas Wish-List! If you’re new to 18 Cinema Lane, this is an annual tradition where I share the movie related things I’d like to receive for Christmas. The list’s format follows the quote; “Something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read”. The items on this list, like in past years, are a combination of realistic requests and wishful thinking. So, let’s start 2025’s Christmas wish-list!

Puppies and hearts Christmas wish-list image created by Freepik at freepik.com.

Something You Want

Back in 2018, I saw the 1975 movie, Escape to Witch Mountain. One of the most memorable aspects of that film was an object belonging to Tia, one of the story’s protagonists. Throughout Escape to Witch Mountain, Tia carries a Starcase. This box contains a map that helps her and her brother, Tony, find their way home. But ever since I saw the film, I’ve always felt the term “starcase” was misleading. That’s because I don’t recall seeing Tia putting anything into the case itself, like small toys or trinkets. Despite this, the Starcase is one of the most unique movie props I’ve seen. So, for this portion of my Christmas wish-list, I would like to receive a replica of Tia’s Starcase. But I want a replica that is truly a case where items can be placed inside. Plus, I would like the Starcase replica to feature a purse strap, so the Starcase can be carried either as a purse or a clutch.

Tia’s Starcase images created by Walt Disney Productions and Buena Vista Distribution Company

Something You Need to See

Two years ago, I started my series, Sally Solves a Mystery. In this annual series, I talk about television related mysteries in an attempt to solve them. For my upcoming Sally Solves a Mystery article, I will write about two mysteries related to the same movie. On the forum for Lost Media Wiki, I came across a post about a lost teaser trailer for the 1997 film, Anastasia. While I do love that movie, I personally don’t remember seeing the teaser trailer in question. Another piece of Anastasia media I don’t remember is Anastasia On Ice, an ice skating show based on the film. The only footage of the show I’ve seen are a few television commercials and a behind-the-scenes news segment about the show. Why these lost media mysteries are featured in this part of my Christmas wish-list is how much I’d love to see them solved by November 21st, 2027, which is Anastasia’s 30th anniversary.

Promotional image for Anastasia On Ice found on the Youtube channel, Commerical Collections.

A movie related piece of clothing or accessory I’d want to wear

Looking back on past Christmas wish-lists, I haven’t selected a movie related piece of clothing or accessory that is holiday themed. But that is about to change with the Halloween themed sweater I will now discuss. In the Lifetime movie, Killing the Competition, my eye caught a gray sweater with pumpkins and black cats on it. Even though the sweater was featured very briefly in the film, it stuck in my memory, especially when it came time to create My Movie Blogger’s Christmas Wish-List. As I’m writing this article, I realized this is the second year in a row a sweater was chosen for this portion of my wish-list! With the Halloween sweater boasting a variety of colors, multiple outfits could be created around that sweater.

I apologize if this photo of the Halloween themed sweater isn’t the best. But as I explained in my Christmas wish-list, the sweater was featured very briefly in Killing the Competition. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

A book I’ve read that I’d like to see adapted into a film

When I participated in the Eurovisionathon readathon, one of the books I read was A Prisoner in Malta by Phillip DePoy. It was, honestly, one of the better books I read for the event! A Prisoner in Malta is what would be considered a “page-turner”, as there was never a dull moment. The book contained other strengths like well-written banter between the characters, strong character development, and a mystery that was intriguing as well as complex. With all this said, I would be interested in seeing a film adaptation of A Prisoner in Malta! Based on what I’ve observed of the cinematic side of the mystery genre, historical mysteries seem far and few between. I also can’t think of many movies off the top of my head that are set in the 1580s. So, in my opinion, an adaptation of A Prisoner in Malta would offer something unique to the film-making table!

A Prisoner in Malta by Phillip DePoy book cover found on Goodreads.

What are your thoughts on my Christmas wish list? Are there any movie related things you’d like to receive during the Christmas/holiday season? Tell me in the comment section!

Have fun during the Christmas/holiday season!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: The Innocents (1961) Review

On By 18cinemalane4 Comments

Film recommendations from my readers are welcomed here at 18 Cinema Lane. These suggestions are then placed on a Pinterest board, which I use as a reference for upcoming reviews. Some movies have been on the board for so long, they’re at the very bottom. One of these titles is 1961’s The Innocents. Recommended by Maddy (from Maddy Loves Her Classic Films), this is a Deborah Kerr starring production that is quite different from the other projects of hers I’ve reviewed on my blog. That’s because The Innocents is classified as a horror film. Because of this distinct, I’ve been trying to find the right opportunity to talk about the movie. Hoofers and Honeys’ 4th Annual Spooky Classic Movie Blogathon became that opportunity! Deborah’s films covered on 18 Cinema Lane have fluctuated in quality. While I liked titles like The Chalk Garden and The King and I, I wasn’t a fan of Marriage on the Rocks. What will my opinion be of The Innocents? Keep reading my review to find out!

The Innocents (1961) poster created by Achilles, Flair Communications, Twentieth Century Fox, and Twentieth Century Fox Film Company

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: A large portion of The Innocents prominently features two young characters: Miles and Flora, as Deborah’s character, Miss Giddens, believes they are in danger. In stories like this, where younger characters play a significant role, it’s important to cast actors and actresses that can, acting wise, carry some of the film. Flora reminded me somewhat of Eloise (from the 2003 adaptations, Eloise at the Plaza and Eloise at Christmastime), marching to the beat of her own drum with a bit of a mischievous spirit. Meanwhile, Miles possessed the precociousness of Cedric from Little Lord Fauntleroy and the sweetness of Tiny Tim from A Christmas Carol. These concepts were displayed well through Pamela Franklin’s and Martin Stephens’ performance! Vocal inflections, facial expressions, and even body language worked in their favor, making Miles and Flora captivating characters. Because of Martin’s and Pamela’s acting talents, their convincing portrayals kept me invested in their characters’ story!

As I mentioned before, Deborah Kerr portrays Miss Giddens, who becomes Flora and Miles’ new governess. Looking back on her films, including The Innocents, I’ve noticed how expressive Deborah’s performances have been. Specifically speaking about the 1961 film, Deborah uses her eyes to display thoughts and feelings instead of just relying on dialogue. In one scene, Miss Giddens learns the truth about Miss Jessel and Peter Quint, the governess and valet who worked at the estate before Miss Giddens’ arrival. While she discovers this information from a housekeeper named Mrs. Grose, Miss Giddens’ eyes show concern, sadness, and even fear. She also raises her eyebrows from time to time, emphasizing how shocking the information about Peter Quint and Miss Jessel is. This example of Deborah’s expressiveness elaborates Miss Giddens adapting to the strange things she’s been seeing and hearing during her time at the estate. Similar to Martin’s and Pamela’s performance, Deborah’s portrayal of Miss Giddens was convincing!

The set design: The Innocents mostly takes place at the Bly estate, which belongs to Flora and Miles’ uncle. Though this story was character-driven, the set design was an underrated yet impressive component of the movie. The fireplace in the main sitting room appeared marble with a carved design. Each room features tall windows, implying the large scope of the rooms themselves. Though shown during brief moments, a detailed tapestry hung on a wall near the main stairway. Elaborate tapestry even covered a long seat in one of the rooms. Details like the ones I described emphasized how financially well-off Miles and Flora’s family is. They also helped make Bly estate visually appealing!

Mise-en-scène: In my recent review of 2010’s Let Me In, I talked about how the movie’s mise-en- scène (the way a film’s scene is presented to the audience) was one of the strengths of the movie. This was also a strength in The Innocents, as some scenes’ presentation added intrigue to the story! One evening, Miles confesses to Miss Giddens how his uncle doesn’t have time for him and his sister. At first, the conversation is shown in a medium shot. The very next shot is a close-up of Miles’ face, with light shining on his cheek to reveal a tear rolling down. Through this visual presentation, the audience is told how his uncle’s lack of acknowledgement deeply troubles Miles. It also provides possible motivation for Miles’ actions later in the film.

The 4th Annual Spooky Classic Movie Blogathon banner created by Kristen from Hoofers and Honeys

What I didn’t like about the film:

Limited horror elements: I mentioned in my review’s introduction how The Innocents is classified as a horror film. Because of this classification, I expected the script to emphasize the horror elements within the story. But these elements, like potential ghost sightings and unexplained noises, had such a limited presence in the film, they were featured in “don’t blink or you’ll miss it” moments. In fact, the script placed more emphasis on the “slice-of-life” parts of the story. As a movie blogger who doesn’t review horror movies often, I found this creative decision disappointing. Some of my interest in The Innocents waned because I don’t really find “slice-of-life” stories compelling.

Scenes that feel like padding: One evening at Bly estate, Miss Giddens stays up in the middle of the night in order to discover the cause of the strange happenings throughout the home. The majority of the scene takes place in the upstairs hallway. But the overall scene lasts over five minutes. Moments when Miss Giddens attempts to open doors and walks through the hall seem repetitive due the how long the scene is. With The Innocents having a run-time of an hour and thirty-nine minutes, some of those five minutes could have been trimmed to make the movie about an hour and thirty-four minutes. This is just one example of scenes feeling like padding.

Conclusion with little to no evidence: For this part of my review, I will spoil The Innocents. If you haven’t seen this movie and are planning on watching it, skip ahead to the part of my review titled “My overall impression”.

After witnessing what she believes is the ghost of Miss Jessel, Miss Giddens comes to the conclusion Flora and Miles are possessed by the spirits of Miss Jessel and Peter Quint. She even comes up with a plan to make the children admit this is true. But up until that point, the film doesn’t show how Miss Giddens reaches her conclusion. Little to no evidence is presented, denying the audience an opportunity to see Miss Giddens putting the pieces together. I, personally, couldn’t take her conclusion too seriously because of the lack of evidence. Miss Giddens’ weaker conclusion also added confusion to the overall story, leaving me wondering what I had just watched.

Image of ghost reading created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/book”>Book photo created by freepik – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

I’m going to be brutally honest, The Innocents is one of the most confusing movies I’ve ever covered on 18 Cinema Lane. When the film ended, I audibly said, “What the heck did I just watch”? Without spoiling The Innocents, all I’ll say is I recognize how the movie’s creative team tried to give their project an ambiguous ending. But when the 1961 picture is also classified as a mystery film, that type of ending doesn’t work due to the genre being known for reaching definitive resolutions. Another flaw that contributes to The Innocents’ confusion is a conclusion with little to no evidence. That lack of evidence prevented me from taking the conclusion too seriously. Despite this confusion, the movie was intriguing enough to keep me invested in the story. The strength of the acting performances and the mise-en-scène are two factors that worked in the film’s favor. Out of Deborah’s films reviewed on 18 Cinema Lane, The Innocents was just ok. While there are things about the movie I liked, the overall execution could have (and should have) been stronger.

Overall score: 6.5 out of 10

Have you seen 1961’s The Innocents? What “classic” horror movies do you like watching? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Let Me In (2010) Review

On By 18cinemalane6 Comments

I apologize to my readers for my lack of blog posts these past two weeks. I’ve been working on an editorial I’m publishing on Halloween. Researching, writing, and curating that editorial has taken up a lot of time. But I wasn’t going to miss out on participating in Taking Up Room’s Secret Places and Trippy Houses Blogathon, especially since my selected film is a perfect choice for Halloween! When I learned one of the eligible subjects was “strange neighbors”, I was reminded how I was recommended the 2010 movie, Let Me In. Suggested by John L. Harmon, I had heard it was one of the better vampire films in the world of cinema. Since I had heard of the movie, but never saw it, I couldn’t agree or disagree with that statement. But now that I’ve finally seen Let Me In, I can now give my honest opinion about the film!

Let Me In (2010) poster created by Overture Films, Exclusive Media Group, Hammer Films, EFTI, and Relativity Media

Things I liked about the film:

The mise-en-scène: As I explained in my review of 1955’s The End of the Affair, mise-en- scène is how a film’s scene is presented to the audience. Throughout Let Me In, the way mise-en- scène was utilized presented scenes in visually creative ways. At the very beginning of the movie, a snowy forest was shown during the night. The only source of light comes from two police cars and an ambulance. A long shot slowly becomes a close-up shot, giving the audience a reason to focus on the bright vehicles. Anytime Owen and Abby look through the peephole of their apartment door, the shot is shown in a fish-eye lens. This film-making technique puts the audience in Abby and Owen’s perspective, allowing them to see what the children are seeing. It also emphasizes how, despite their differences, Owen and Abby have shared experiences like seeing who is at their door.

How music was incorporated: Music can be an effective component of film-making. It can elevate a scene’s emotions or set a scene’s tone. In Let Me In’s opening scene I just referenced in this review, a rhythmic drumbeat is one of the first sounds the audience can hear. That specific sound creates a sense of urgency, signifying danger is on the horizon. When Abby moves into Owen’s apartment building, gentle angelic-sounding singing can be heard. This is symbolic of how Owen sees Abby; an angel who will provide a light in his darkness. The two examples from Let Me In I discussed add additional context to the scenes themselves. How the film’s creative team incorporated music into the 2010 picture shows the understanding they had for how music can work in their project’s favor.

Disguising Abby’s vampire identity: Before watching Let Me In, I knew it was a vampire movie. But I was pleasantly surprised by how Abby’s vampire identity was disguised. Most of Abby and Owen’s interactions take place at night, at first seeming like just a coincidence. When Owen notices Abby isn’t wearing shoes, she states how she doesn’t feel cold. Abby even tells Owen she’s stronger than he thinks. These verbal and visual clues creatively signified how Abby was a vampire. But because of the clues’ subtlety, it leaves the audience guessing why, on the surface, Abby seems so strange. New twists on vampire cliches, like vampires avoiding sunlight, made Let Me In more unique from other vampire films.

The Secret Places and Trippy Houses Blogathon banner created by Rebecca from Taking Up Room

What I didn’t like about the film:

The audio: When I reviewed Fist of Fury, I talked about the film’s audio being one of the major flaws. I had to turn up my television’s volume in order to hear what the characters were saying. Let Me In shares this same issue. Once again, I had to raise my television’s volume just to hear the dialogue, as the characters’ speech was quiet. As I suggested in my review of the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, Face to Face, Let Me In’s creative team should have used ADR (automated dialog replacement).

The bullying subplot: One of the subplots in Let Me In involves Owen dealing with bullies. This subplot gave Owen a conflict to resolve, with the conflict eventually reaching a resolution. But because the script prioritized Abby and Owen’s friendship, the bullying subplot wasn’t consistently focused on. In fact, Owen stands up to his bullies about an hour into this hour and fifty-six minute movie. The inconsistency of the bullying subplot also drew that story out longer than necessary.

Underutilized religious undertones: In a scene taking place at a hospital, President Ronald Reagan is delivering a speech on television. During the speech, he talks about evil being present in the world and how people are joined together by Scripture. Owen’s mother says prayers during mealtime and features religious relics in her apartment. These are some examples of the religious undertones in Let Me In. With the movie set in early 1983, I thought the “Satanic Panic” was going to play a large role in this story, especially with Abby being a vampire. However, the religious undertones present in the script were underutilized, not providing any commentary or interesting perspective. In fact, it felt like this part of the film was there just for the sake of being there.

Happy vampire image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/several-vampires-ready-for-halloween_1317599.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/party”>Party vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

Vampires are no stranger to 18 Cinema Lane. Out of the vampire movies I’ve seen (and reviewed), these projects have shown that this type of story can be as creative as film-makers want it to be. 2010’s Let Me In is an interesting and creative vampire film! Abby’s vampire identity was disguised in very clever ways, even putting new twists on vampire cliches. How mise-en-scène and music were incorporated into the movie showcases the creative team’s more unique approach to a familiar type of story. While Let Me In has its merits, it also has its flaws. Religious undertones that could have provided commentary or an interesting perspective to the script were underutilized instead. Poor audio and an overshadowed subplot also didn’t help. But the 2010 project does stand out from other vampire titles. If you don’t mind a slow-burn story that primarily focuses on the power of friendship, then I’d say give Let Me In a chance.

Overall score: 7 out of 10

Have you seen Let Me In? What kinds of movies do you like to watch around Halloween? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Yarn Maker Review

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Last year, I reviewed Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker. At the time, I knew there would be people interested in the film, as Great American Family has found its audience over the past few years. But I was shocked by how popular that review became. In a year’s time, my review of Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker has garnered over 6,000 views and counting! When I learned a sequel was on the horizon, I immediately made plans to write about it. Now that review has come to fruition, as I have recently seen Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Yarn Maker! In my review of Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker, I said it looked like this series had the potential to tell many more stories. From exploring another artisan avenue to progressing Ainsley and Jake’s relationship, the sequel proved my statement right. But how does it compare to its predecessor? Keep reading my review to solve this mystery!

Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Yarn Maker poster created by Candy Rock Entertainment, Happy Accidents, Syrup Studios, and Great American Family

Things I liked about the film:

The chemistry among the cast: If you’re creating a book, tv, or movie series, it’s important to maintain chemistry among the characters. If this chemistry is believable, interactions and relationships between characters become more enjoyable to watch unfold. A lot of the same cast members from Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker returned in the sequel. That worked in Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Yarn Maker’s favor! The chemistry among the cast was so strong, it not only made every situation between the characters feel realistic, it also made their connections seem genuine! One of the best examples is the friendship of Jake and Ryan. Ainsley’s brother, Ryan, carries a serious, “business comes first” attitude due to being a police officer. Meanwhile, Jake’s personality is laid-back and a bit sillier. These characters’ differences allowed their friendship to be complimentary, especially when it came to Jake and Ryan’s comedic timing. This friendship was, honestly, one of the best parts of Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Yarn Maker!

Inclusion of humor: As I watched Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Yarn Maker, I took note of how the film’s creative team improved upon the flaws of the previous movie. One of those improvements was the inclusion of humor. Sprinkled throughout the story, humor was woven into the dialogue. How this humor was written and delivered prevented the story from becoming too dark. One great example is when Gladys, one of the members of the “book club”, is being questioned by the police. Because Gladys knew Ellie Mitchum (the murder victim), she is considered a potential suspect. During her interrogation, the police ask Gladys if she was aware of any allergies Ellie might have had, as allergies are ruled as a likely cause of death. In a sassy yet matter-of-fact way, Gladys tells the police, “She was allergic to being a nice person”. To me, this was one of the funniest lines in the movie, as it was a great comeback to the question!

Ellie Mitchum’s house: Ellie Mitchum is a successful businesswoman who visits her former school in Sweet River, Texas. But, unfortunately, she becomes the murder victim in Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Yarn Maker. Ellie’s funeral reception takes place at her house, where Ainsley, Jake, and Ryan attend. While not much of the house’s exterior is shown, it did contain an impressive stone porte-cochère (covered entryway). That entryway made the house look like a castle. One of the interior spaces presented in the movie was the foyer. This space was circular, featuring intricately designed stained-glass windows, stone railings with carved designs, and a deep cherry-stained wood floor under an ornate rug. Even the house’s deck, though only shown in one scene, had a stone arch framing a beautiful view of the luscious green backyard and what appeared to be a lake. I wish more scenes had taken place at Ellie Mitchum’s house, as it was so gorgeous.

Heart of yarn image create by macrovector at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

Learning very little about the protagonist: In the second movie of a film series, the project’s creative team can present more information to help the audience learn more about the protagonist. Whether in the form of dialogue or flashbacks, this information can expand the protagonist’s backstory, give them extra motivation to solve a problem, or provide an overarching component of a story. But in Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Yarn Maker, very little new information was revealed about Ainsley McGregor herself. While her reason for leaving Chicago was given, Ainsley didn’t share this until almost an hour into the movie. That means the audience had to wait a long time to learn anything new about the titular character. Had more information been provided about Ainsley, the story would have become a bit more enriched.

Not enough George: When I reviewed Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker, I talked about how much I liked Ainsley’s dog, George. He played a larger role in the first movie, giving that film a more unique identity. While watching the sequel, Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Yarn Maker, I noticed George’s screen-time was reduced. Though I recognize how difficult it can be to incorporate an animal into a film production, I was disappointed by this creative decision. In my opinion, George steals every scene he’s in. Plus, times when Ainsley talks with George give the audience light-hearted moments that take a break from the heaviness of the murder mystery. Without George, the Ainsley McGregor Mysteries series wouldn’t be the same.

Limited time spent with the “book club”: I mentioned in my Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker review how Ainsley’s book club turns into an investigation club. The dynamic shared between Ainsley and these members is what encourages her to solve the mystery in the first film. Even though the “book club” still holds their meetings in Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Yarn Maker, Ainsley didn’t consult with them as much as she did in the first movie. In fact, there were only two scenes where a “book club” meeting was featured. In the sequel, Ainsley relied more on Ryan and Jake to help her solve the case. I hope Ainsley finds a balance between turning toward Jake and Ryan and discussing the mystery with the “book club” in future films, as each perspective makes a positive impact on the story.

Magnifying glass image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/magnifying-glass-with-fingerprint-in-flat-style_2034684.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/flat”>Flat vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

In some film series, the second chapter is better than the first one. Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Yarn Maker is a movie where that statement holds true! The sequel improved upon some of the flaws of its predecessor, such as including humor. Strong chemistry among the cast has become a consistent strength of this series, with Jake and Ryan’s friendship being one of the best parts of chapter two. While I won’t spoil the second film, I will say I liked how there were no obvious choices for the mystery’s culprit. That creative decision leaves the audience guessing whodunit. Though I liked Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Yarn Maker more than the first chapter, there is still room to grow. I wish the sequel gave the audience more information about Ainsley and showed George in a few more scenes. This film series is based on a book series, with one of those books titled A Case for the Toy Maker. Perhaps we could get a Christmas mystery movie from Great American Family?

Overall score: 7 out of 10

Have you seen Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Yarn Maker? Would you like to see Great American Family create a Christmas mystery movie? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Sally Reads…‘Santa Cruise: A Holiday Mystery at Sea’ by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark

On By 18cinemalane2 Comments

When I signed up for Midnite Drive-In’s Hit The Road Blogathon, one of the basic rules was to choose “a movie, TV show or book” that had something to do with travel. Since I figured I’d be one of the few participants selecting a book for the event, I found an opportunity to write a book review! On 18 Cinema Lane, I occasionally talk about books in an effort to bring a sense of variety to my blog’s content. My last book review was published last September, when I wrote about Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain. This is ironic, as that book revolved around Jessica traveling to Florida. For the Hit The Road Blogathon, I selected another mystery story; Santa Cruise: A Holiday Mystery at Sea by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark! Years ago, I saw this book’s film adaptation, 2013’s The Mystery Cruise. Though I was not a fan of the film, I still wanted to read its source material, as I had heard of the book before seeing the movie. Is this a case where the book is better than the film? Keep reading my review to solve this mystery!

Santa Cruise: A Holiday Mystery at Sea book cover found on Goodreads

If you’re going to write a story that involves travel, the journey or destination needs to sound appealing. Whether the travels of characters are exciting or the characters arrive somewhere intriguing, the reader may stay invested in what is happening in the story. In Santa Cruise: A Holiday Mystery at Sea, the protagonist, Alvirah, won an all-expenses paid cruise through a charity auction. She, along with her husband, Willy, and their friends embark on an oceanic adventure where there is never a dull moment. Mary and Carol worked well together to create a setting that felt realistic. Descriptive imagery and attention to detail worked in the favor of the story’s world-building. One example is when rooms on the ship, Royal Mermaid, are described. While observing Alvirah and Willy’s room, one of their friends, Nora, states “The closet is practically a room unto itself”. This statement alone provides context for the size of the space. It also addresses the luxurious nature of not just the room itself, but the ship as a whole.

Cruise ship near an island image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/holiday-background-on-a-cruise_1182003.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.

Mystery stories, sometimes, include a group of characters. If these characters are working together to solve a mystery, it’s important for them to maintain a sense of camaraderie. This way, genuineness can be felt as the characters come together to reach a common goal. Throughout Santa Cruise: A Holiday Mystery at Sea, solving mysteries was a team effort among Alvirah, Willy, and their friends, the Reillys. It helped how these characters possessed their own set of skills and life experiences, allowing them to bring something unique to the table. It also helps how they knew each other before the events of the story. Because of how well-written the dialogue was, readers can pick up on how Willy, Alvirah, and the Reillys got along. Toward the beginning of the book, Alvirah is encouraging her friends, Regan and Jack, to join her and Willy on the cruise. Bringing up the couple’s already known vacation plans, Alvirah says, “I just heard from Jack’s own lips that he’s on vacation for two weeks”. She addresses this in an effort to give them a once-in-a-lifetime experience, keeping the best interests of her friends in mind. Because she recognizes Alvirah’s good intentions, Regan replies to Jack, “we’ve never been on a cruise together. I think it would be fun”.

News reporter being filmed image created by Macrovector at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/journalist-reporter-profession-isometric-banner_2875517.htm’>Designed by Macrovector</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/banner”>Banner vector created by Macrovector – Freepik.com</a>, Image found at freepik.com.

Two of the villains in Santa Cruise: A Holiday Mystery at Sea are Bull’s-Eye and Highbridge. These criminals are on the run to avoid being sentenced for their crimes. There were times while reading this book where I had difficulty telling these characters apart. That’s because their personalities were not distinct enough. Another flaw of Santa Cruise: A Holiday Mystery at Sea was how some mysteries were solved before the reader could figure it out for themselves. During the titular Santa Cruise, two Santa suits go missing, becoming one of the story’s overarching mysteries. But shortly after this mystery is introduced, the “whodunit” is already revealed. This felt reminiscent of an episode of Columbo, where the audience is forced to observe the protagonist solving the mystery themselves instead of interacting with the story by figuring out the mystery alongside the characters.

Adorable Santa image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/christmas-background-with-funny-santa_1324597.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.

Santa Cruise: A Holiday Mystery at Sea is, in my opinion, a fine book that is interesting and entertaining enough. Carol and Mary use attention to detail and descriptive imagery in their favor to build a literary world that feels realistic. They also utilize dialogue to create strong camaraderie between the protagonists and their friends. However, I wish the story’s villains were given more distinct personalities, as it could have allowed them to stand out more. Having more interactive mysteries for the readers would have helped as well. There were parts of the story that were, sometimes, repetitive. Examples include referencing the number fifteen and the same events being brought up over and over again. Despite these flaws, the book does have a steady to faster pace, which makes Santa Cruise: A Holiday Mystery at Sea a quicker read.

The Hit The Road Blogathon banner created by Quiggy from The Midnite Drive-In

Overall score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Have fun sailing!

Sally Silverscreen

Disclaimer: Santa Cruise: A Holiday Mystery at Sea is a mystery story that occasionally features violence and characters receiving injuries. There’s also brief references to grief.

Take 3: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (1973) Review

On By 18cinemalane14 Comments

All the way back in 2019, I reviewed the 1995 adaptation of From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. After I shared my thoughts on the film, Gill, from Realweegiemidget Reviews, recommended the 1973 adaptation, which is sometimes titled The Hideaways. Whenever Virginie, from The Wonderful World of Cinema, has hosted the Ingrid Bergman Blogathon, I have wanted to check out the 1973 adaptation, due to Ingrid Bergman starring in the film. Now, for the 110 Years of Ingrid Bergman Blogathon, I finally received the opportunity to write about the movie! While I still haven’t read the book, I am familiar with the story because I covered the 1995 adaptation on 18 Cinema Lane. Back in 2019, I said the film was just ok, as one of my biggest criticisms was the underutilization of Lauren Bacall’s acting talents. Will I give similar criticisms to the 1973 adaptation of From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler? To solve this mystery, keep reading my review!

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (1973) poster created by Cinema 5, Westfall Productions, and Cinema 5 Distributing

Things I liked about the film:

Sally Prager’s and Johnny Doran’s acting performance: Starring in From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler as the protagonists, Claudia and Jamie Kincaid, Sally Prager and Johnny Doran carry about 95% of the film. Because of how strong their performances were, they successfully carried the movie by presenting their characters believably! One example takes place toward the beginning of the film. Jamie is telling his sister, Claudia, about a movie he had recently seen. As he talks about the movie, his speech becomes increasingly animated. Even after Claudia kicks him out of her room, Jamie talks even louder, his excitement never faltering. After Jamie and Claudia arrive in New York City, they go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. When Jamie asks her why she wants to go to the museum, Claudia enthusiastically describes the museum as a castle like the tales of King Arthur. This scene perfectly showcases how Sally effectively portrayed Claudia as precocious; containing enough self-awareness to know exactly what she wants, yet displaying that sense of wonder one would expect from a child her age.

The cinematography: When I reviewed the 1995 adaptation of From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, I complimented the film’s cinematography. That adaptation’s creative team made some interesting choices when presenting certain scenes, like using close-ups to present the museum’s artifacts. The 1973 adaptation of From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler features good cinematography as well! Similar to the 1995 adaptation, some scenes were shown from Claudia and Jamie’s perspective. While hiding on the school bus, Jamie constantly peeks from behind the seat to see if the bus driver has spotted them. A few shots look like they’re from Jamie’s point of view, with the camera peering around the seat to catch a glimpse of the bus driver. When Jamie and Claudia are at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, they look over the railing at the museum’s employees and security guards in the lobby. Once again, the scene is presented from the point of view of the children. The camera peers over the museum’s railing, looking down at the security guards and employees. Shots like the ones I described make the audience feel like they’re with the characters, creating the illusion of immersion.

The dialogue: A pleasant surprise in 1973’s From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler was the dialogue! Some lines were so well-written, they became a memorable part of the movie. In one scene, as Jamie navigates through the museum, a janitor asks him where he came from. Speaking confidently in a matter-of-fact way, Jamie tells the janitor, “My mother said I came from Heaven”. I not only found this response a clever comeback, it was also a creative way to answer the question. Another scene shows Jamie sharing with Claudia one of the reasons why he ran away with her. While spending a night in the museum, Jamie tells his sister how concerned he was by the thought of her traveling alone, as he believed she would be afraid. Claudia responds to her brother’s belief by saying, “Being self-sufficient doesn’t automatically make a person brave”. This quote showcases an eloquent way of addressing how anyone at any age can be afraid of something.

Angelic statue image created by Marcelo Gerpe at freeimages.com. “FreeImages.com/Marcelo Gerpe.”

What I didn’t like about the film:

Telling instead of showing: In both adaptations of From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, Jamie and Claudia go to Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler’s house, searching for an angel statue’s legitimacy. From what I remember of the 1995 movie, a scene shows Claudia and Jamie looking for answers about the statue by rummaging through Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler’s mixed-up files. The 1973 version, on the other hand, has Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler telling the answer of the mystery instead of showing the children putting the mystery’s pieces together. Because the creative team behind the 1973 adaptation chose telling over showing, some of the excitement of seeing the protagonists achieve their goal was taken away.

Less emphasis on the mystery: An overarching part of From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler’s story is the mystery surrounding an angelic statue. However, this mystery received less emphasis in both the 1973 and 1995 adaptations. Specifically speaking about the 1973 version, the story focused more on Claudia and Jamie’s adventures in New York City. In fact, the angel statue doesn’t make an appearance until 44 minutes in an hour and forty-five-minute film. Like I said in my review of the 1995 version, this creative decision took a lot of intrigue out of the film, causing the story not to be as engaging or interactive.

The underutilization of Ingrid Bergman: During this review’s introduction, I brought up one of my biggest criticisms of 1995’s From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler; the underutilization of Lauren Bacall’s acting talents. Sadly, I have the same criticism for the 1973 version. Just like the 1995 adaptation, Ingrid Bergman is the top-billed actor in the adaptation from 1973. Yet she doesn’t appear in the story until an hour and fourteen minutes in an hour and forty-five-minute movie. I recognize the 1973 version of From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler premiered toward the end of Ingrid’s career. I also acknowledge the story prioritizes the adventures of Claudia and Jamie Kincaid. But as I said about Lauren Bacall in my review of the 1995 movie, this underutilization not only does Ingrid’s acting talents a disservice, it also comes across as misleading.

110 Years of Ingrid Bergman Blogathon banner created by Virginie, from The Wonderful World of Cinema

My overall impression:

For the 5th Annual Gold Sally Awards, I introduced the Nosferatu vs. Dracula Award. This award is given to two movies that feel like you’re watching the same one. Looking back on my experience watching the 1973 adaptation of From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and reflecting on my review of the 1995 adaptation, the Nosferatu vs. Dracula Award will likely be brought back for 2026’s edition of the Gold Sally Awards. The 1973 movie shares a lot of the same strengths and flaws as the 1995 version. These similarities made me feel like I was watching the same film twice. I knew what to expect from the story, due to seeing From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler from 1995. However, I still wish both adaptations contained stronger differentiations between them. The films I’ve seen of Ingrid Bergman’s from the 1970s have, in my opinion, been underwhelming. While I found A Walk in the Spring Rain a flavorless picture, I think A Matter of Time and now From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler are just ok.

Overall score: 6 out of 10

Have you seen 1973’s From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler? Which book adaptation do you wish starred a “classic” film star? Tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

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

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

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

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

Things I liked about the film:

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

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

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

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

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

What I didn’t like about the film:

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

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

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

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

My overall impression:

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

Overall score: 5 out of 10

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

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Word on the Street: Hallmark Mystery’s ‘Mystery Island’ Series Receives Two More Chapters

On By 18cinemalane3 Comments

In the 2020s, mystery series have become less common on Hallmark Mystery. Murder, She Baked/Hannah Swensen, Curious Caterer, and Signed, Sealed, Delivered are, currently, the only mystery series with three or more movies. But Hallmark looks to be changing that by adding two more films to the series known as Mystery Island. According to IMDB (Internet Movie Data Base), Mystery Island: Play for Keeps and Mystery Island: House Rules have been given official pages. On the page for Mystery Island: Play for Keeps, June 5th is the scheduled release date. The official page for Mystery Island: House Rules simply states the film is “completed”. The synopsis for both movies is the following:

Mystery Island: Play for Keeps: “Mystery Island hosts a corporate retreat with a guest being Emilia’s ex-fiancé. Old feelings become complicated, tensions run high, and allegations arise when a guest is found dead.”

Mystery Island: House Rules: Mystery Island success raises plans of expansion, and the Island team meets their Mystery Mountain counterparts for a friendly murder game, but the fun ends with a murder in plain sight”.

Magnifying glass image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/magnifying-glass-with-fingerprint-in-flat-style_2034684.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/flat”>Flat vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Just in 2025 alone, some of Hallmark’s creative choices have been questionable. Their decision to create two more films in the Mystery Island series is one of them. If you look at the IMDB page for Mystery Island, you’ll see most of the reviews are negative. The sequel, Mystery Island: Winner Takes All, received fewer reviews on IMDB. This indicates less viewers watched the second movie. However, all of these reviews are negative. With that said, it makes me wonder why Hallmark would give so much time, energy, and resources to a series that has gotten decreasing viewership numbers and consistently poor reviews?

Travel suitcase image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/water-color-travel-bag-background_1177013.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What are your thoughts on this piece of movie news? Are you looking forward to the continuation of the Mystery Island series? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

The IMDB pages referenced in this article:

Mystery Island: Play for Keeps: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt36415104/?ref_=tt_mlt_t_11

Mystery Island: House Rules: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt36415198/?ref_=tt_mlt_i_1

Take 3: Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back Review

On By 18cinemalane18 Comments

Lately, I’ve been reading books for the Eurovisionathon readathon as well as conducting research for my upcoming Sally Solves a Mystery article. But I wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to review Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back! Leading up to the premiere of Hallmark’s newest presentation, I was going to write a Word on the Street story sharing my thoughts on the film’s trailer. This did not happen because Hallmark gave the movie almost nonexistent marketing. On Hallmark Channel’s website, there were no promotional photos, trailer, or official poster presented for Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back. Only three images on IMDB (Internet Movie Data Base) make up any promotional campaign this film received. Even on social media, the only people I saw talking about the film were POstables (fans of the Signed, Sealed, Delivered series). Despite this minimalistic marketing approach, I was looking forward to Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back. That’s because I was curious to see who would portray the rock star character and how that character would impact the mystery.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back promotional image created by Moon Water Productions, Muse Entertainment Enterprises, and Hallmark Channel

Things I liked about the film:

Correcting the predecessor’s mistakes: When I reviewed Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters last year, one of my criticisms was Shane and Oliver’s relationship problems. In my review, I said the couple’s woes got to the point where they didn’t seem compatible like in previous films. It looks like Signed, Sealed, Delivered‘s creative team took this criticism seriously, as Oliver and Shane appeared more compatible in Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back! Throughout the movie, the couple are shown genuinely supporting and loving one another, making their moments together feel reminiscent of past installments. Even when Oliver is facing a bit of an identity crisis, Shane never gives up of her husband. She cheers Oliver on from the (figurative) sidelines and lets Oliver deal with his situation on his own terms. Because Signed, Sealed, Delivered’s creative team placed more emphasis on the loving interactions between Shane and Oliver, they fixed a mistake from the previous chapter!

A humble celebrity: In some Hallmark productions, the story will include a public figure (either a celebrity or royalty) who needs to learn humility by the end of the movie. But in Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back, that celebrity was already humble. Nate Holloway is the rock star I mentioned in this review’s introduction. When the POstables turn to Nate for help with their letter-related mystery, he is reluctant to give away any information. This is because he’s protecting a close friend who chooses privacy over fame. Though he eventually shares his friend’s identity with Oliver and Shane, Nate reveals how his friend has written all his hit songs. However, Nate also shares how he sets aside money for his friend, showing acknowledgement and appreciation for his musical success. Through the screenwriting and William Wilder’s performance, Nate Holloway was such a pleasant surprise in Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back!

A mystery within a mystery: The mystery of Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back involves the POstables tracking down the sender of a mysterious letter. Not only do the POstables turn to Nate for help, they go on a multi-state road trip in order to solve the mystery. While the story continues, however, another mystery emerges from the initial, previously stated one. This second mystery isn’t revealed until about the film’s half-way point. I liked this creative decision of presenting a mystery within a mystery! The way Signed, Sealed, Delivered’s creative team incorporated these mysteries into their script allows the audience to stay invested in the movie, as well as maintain intrigue!

Music and stage image created by Topntp26 at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/music-sign_1179519.htm’>Designed by Topntp26</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/vintage”>Vintage image created by Topntp26 – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

Forced humor: Back in February, when I reviewed Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, I talked about how the film’s humor felt forced. In that review, I said Delores’ antics and gimmicks came across as too over-the-top and silly. I also said Delores’ interactions with other characters felt like they belonged in a sit-com. The creative team behind Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back made this same mistake; presenting humor that feels forced. One example is when Oliver, Shane, Rita, and Norman meet up for brunch. During this gathering, the friends discuss who is having a baby. This discussion quickly turns into miscommunications about who is pregnant and how many babies they are having. The scene itself is drawn out to about a little over a minute, lasting longer than necessary. The conversation sounded very repetitive as well. Norman, Rita, Shane, and Oliver talked in an animated fashion, making their discussion feel over-the-top. What I just described sounded like a scene out of a sit-com. All it was missing was a laugh track.

Far-fetched resolutions: Hallmark’s presentations, more often than not, make their audience suspend a certain amount of disbelief. Sometimes, this suspension of disbelief can be so great, the audience can’t take that movie seriously or believably. This happened on a few occasions in Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back. At the Dead Letter Office, Norman is trying to figure out the identity of the letter’s sender. A few seconds after analyzing the handwriting, Norman is able to conclude certain aspects of the sender’s identity, such as their age. While I’m aware the Signed, Sealed, Delivered series is a fictionalized version of postal detective work, I found the discovery of Norman’s resolution too far-fetched. I couldn’t take Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back seriously because of moments like the one I brought up.

An emphasis on Oliver’s subplot: Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back features a main plot (the mystery with its accompanying mystery that I mentioned earlier in this review) and two subplots. These subplots are the preparations for a fundraising gala and Oliver receiving a box from his biological father. The creative team behind the 2025 film decided to place the most emphasis on Oliver’s subplot. Personally, I found this subplot the least interesting part of the movie. No new information is revealed from this box, especially for viewers who have consistently followed the Signed, Sealed, Delivered series. The box itself and Oliver’s response to it have very little connection to the other plots in the script. Any time Oliver’s subplot came up in the movie, I wanted the story to go back to showing the characters either planning the gala or solving the mystery. The box did not present a strong conflict that needed to be resolved by the end of the story.

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

My overall impression:

While Shane, Rita, Oliver, and Norman discuss the mysterious letter in Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back, Rita says the letter itself says so much and nothing at all at the same time. Rita’s statement is the best way I can describe this newest chapter in the Signed, Sealed, Delivered series. On the one hand, there are aspects of the film I liked. The movie improved upon some of the predecessor’s flaws, like making Oliver and Shane’s relationship seem more compatible. I also liked how Nate was a humbler celebrity and how the story contained a mystery within a mystery. On the other hand, several creative errors held the film back from becoming a stronger picture. The creative team behind Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back chose to emphasize Oliver’s subplot, which I found the least interesting part of the story. Far-fetched resolutions and forced humor prevented me from taking the movie seriously. Looking back on the Signed, Sealed, Delivered films from this year and last year, I think the series should have stayed in retirement. These titles lack the cozy charm that made the series stand out from others on Hallmark Mystery. How can we expect more films from Signed, Sealed, Delivered when Hallmark provided very little marketing for this movie?

Overall score: 6 out of 10

Have you seen Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back? Do you think the Signed, Sealed, Delivered series will continue? Please tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise Review

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

It’s been a little while since I reviewed a made-for-TV mystery film, as my article for Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery was published two months ago. I cover UP Network movies so infrequently and UP Network doesn’t often create mystery titles. These are the reasons why I chose to review Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise! This is not the first time a mystery story has featured Amish characters. Hallmark released An Uncommon Grace back in 2017 and Harvest of Fire from Hallmark Hall of Fame. Meanwhile, it’s not the first time Galadriel Stineman has appeared in a movie incorporating the Amish culture. In 2020, she starred in a Hallmark production called Follow Your Heart.Looking back on the films I referenced, I liked Follow Your Heart and An Uncommon Grace. However, I thought Harvest of Fire was just fine. Where does Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise rank among these movies? Let’s solve this mystery by beginning my review!

Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise poster created by American Cinema Inspires

Things I liked about the film:

The incorporation of Amish culture: In the introduction of this review, I mentioned seeing the Hallmark Hall of Fame film, Harvest of Fire. The 1996 presentation places so much emphasis on introducing the audience to Amish culture, the story’s mystery becomes overshadowed. With Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise, the creative team finds a nice balance between prioritizing the mysteries and introducing Amish culture to their audience. Throughout the 2025 film, elements of Amish culture are woven into the dialogue and interactions of the characters. When Cheryl meets Naomi for the first time, Cheryl admits she knows very little about the Amish. She then asks Naomi how Amish people greet one another. Naomi playfully teases Cheryl’s lack of knowledge by telling her Amish people shake their feet. However, this teasing is in good humor, never intending to shame Cheryl for not knowing the appropriate greetings among the Amish. Naomi and Cheryl’s interaction feels like a natural conversation between two people. The way the creative team wrote Amish culture into their project actually encourages the audience to learn through communication.

The messages and themes: During her time in Sugarcreek, Cheryl agrees to work at her aunt’s Swiss Miss country store. On her first day as a cashier, everything seems to go wrong. The next day, Cheryl tells Naomi about her first day at the Swiss Miss. To encourage Cheryl to not give up, Naomi reminds her how the previous day’s blunders could be seen as lessons to learn. Not only is Naomi’s advice a good message to share with the audience, this piece of advice plays an important role in other parts of the story. This aspect of Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise kind of reminded me of Hallmark’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered series.

Avoiding clichés and tropes: If someone has seen many made-for-TV mystery movies, there are certain tropes and clichés they would come to expect. One of these tropes is having the female and male protagonist working together to solve the mystery, with these characters eventually forming a romantic relationship. The female protagonist, Cheryl, gets involved in solving the story’s mysteries in Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise. But the movie’s male protagonist, Levi, did not help in the amateur investigation. Instead, Naomi worked alongside Cheryl on one of the story’s cases. Having Cheryl and Naomi work together in Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise was a creative way to avoid some of the tropes and clichés of made-for-TV mystery films. If this movie becomes the first chapter in a series, I’d be curious to see what other clichés and tropes the creative team chooses to avoid?

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What I didn’t like about the film:

A mystery that was solved too quickly: There are two mysteries in Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise: who is leaving unpriced stuffed animals in the Swiss Miss country store and the kidnapping of a baby. When it comes to the first mystery, I actually liked its creativity. But I was taken by surprise by how quickly that mystery was solved. After the stuffed animals’ origin was discovered, the subject was dropped from the script. Because of how this mystery connected to the story, I thought it could have created a domino effect for the characters and the world of Sugarcreek. But that did not happen. I think the mystery of the stuffed animals should have been drawn out for a longer period of time, to keep the audience invested in that part of the story.

Lack of urgency: As I just mentioned in this review, there are two mysteries in Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise. One of those mysteries was the kidnapping of a baby. When a mystery movie includes a kidnapping in its script, that story will usually contain a strong sense of urgency. This is because the characters are racing against the clock to rescue the victim. But in Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise, there was no sense of urgency. That flaw caused the story to change its focus from the kidnapped baby to proving a character’s innocence. The lack of urgency also made the film feel drawn out a bit longer than its run-time.

The underutilization of Kathy: Portrayed by Andi Anderson, Kathy is one of the residents of Sugarcreek. Cheryl first meets Kathy when she goes to Kathy’s café. I was hoping a friendship would be formed between Kathy and Cheryl, with Kathy even helping Cheryl solve the film’s mysteries. Unfortunately, Kathy appeared in only two scenes throughout the entire movie. Giving Kathy such an extremely limited involvement in the story was, in my opinion, a missed opportunity. If Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise lends itself to a movie series, I hope Kathy receives a larger role in the story.

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My overall impression:

Even though it’s not the halfway point of 2025 yet, most of the movies I’ve seen this year, so far, have been mid-tier. These titles have either been ok or decent. Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise is contributing to that perspective. If UP Network is serious about creating a series out of this movie, they need to fix the lack of urgency. I would also like to see UP Network give Kathy a greater role in the story and not solve mysteries too quickly. Looking back on the 2025 presentation, however, I think there is potential for Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise to lead a series. Out of the films I brought up in this review’s introduction; Follow Your Heart, An Uncommon Grace, and Harvest of Fire, these titles were stand-alone films. In fact, the only movie series I can think of that features the Amish culture is Hallmark’s Beverly Lewis trilogy, consisting of The Shunning, The Reckoning, and The Confession. UP Network has an opportunity to bring something new to the table of made-for-TV mystery films. But as of the publication of this review, there have been no official plans announced for Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries.

Overall score: 6 out of 10

Have you seen Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise? Would you like to see this movie start a new series? Tell me in the comment section!

Have fun in Sugarcreek!

Sally Silverscreen