Tag: mystery

Sunset Over Hope Valley: Fearlessly Trying Something New

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In this episode of When Calls the Heart, multiple characters are trying new things. Two notable examples are Elizabeth and Lucas. In preparation for Allie’s birthday party, Elizabeth agrees to teach Allie and her friends some new dance moves. Meanwhile, Lucas tries being a ranch hand, in order to rescue a runaway calf. Even though trying these new things prove challenging for both Lucas and Elizabeth, they share something else in common; they take on their respective challenge fearlessly. Instead of staying overwhelmed by the complicated dance steps, Elizabeth turns to friends to help her put her best foot forward. For Lucas, confidence and patience allowed him to save the day. Reflecting on this episode and When Calls the Heart as a whole, I remembered how fearlessly trying new things has always been a part of Hope Valley’s identity. This component is one way the show has remained consistent.

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 twelve poster created by Hallmark Media, Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel

Season: 12

Episode: 4

Name: Dancing Teens

Major stories:

Allie is excited for her upcoming birthday party. While she knows what type of party to host and what she’ll wear, Allie is missing one major piece; the dance steps. Allie and her friends ask Elizabeth to teach them some dance moves, preferably those from newer dance styles. Even though Elizabeth agrees to this request, she feels overwhelmed by how complicated some of the dance steps are. Eventually, Elizabeth turns to Rosemary and Mei to become the best dance teacher she can be. Meanwhile, Nathan is caught off guard when he finds out about Allie’s dance party from Lee, not Allie. When Nathan confronts Allie about the party, Elizabeth intervenes and helps father and daughter agree to have chaperones at the event. As the party draws closer, Mollie believes the party should be cancelled, as the event will lead to hurt feelings and bad behavior. The party is still on the schedule, however, after Allie, Elizabeth, and Nathan successfully argue in the party’s favor. When Allie’s party arrives, it proves to be a wonderful event! But before Oliver can present a gift to Allie, Earl shows up to give Allie a bouquet of flowers.

Bill confirms the coin from the previous episode is, indeed, one of the missing twenty thousand from the Rocky Mountain train robbery of 1907. He also believes the Garrison Gang may have been responsible for the robbery. The mystery of how the coin ended up in Hope Valley still remains. So, Rosemary and Bill agree to ask Ned and Florence if they remember any customers making a purchase with that coin. At the Mercantile, Bill and Rosemary learn the coin amounts to one dollar. They also learn three customers spent a dollar on hazelnuts. When they find out Mollie was one of those three customers, Bill and Rosemary confront her at the Queen of Hearts saloon. Unfortunately for the duo, Mollie denies everything. Toward the end of the episode, at Allie’s birthday party, Jed, the owner of a local fruit stand, confesses to Mollie how he used the coin to purchase hazelnuts. Mollie encourages him to tell Rosemary and Bill the next day.

Birthday cake image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/chocolate-birthday-cakes-collection_765437.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/birthday”>Birthday vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Minor stories:

Lucas and Lee are still at odds over the national park project. Both gentlemen want to give each other space and will wait for the other to talk to them. While Lucas visits the allotted land, he crosses paths with Edie. She’s on her way to her uncle’s ranch, inviting Lucas to join her. When they arrive on the ranch land, Edie explains to Lucas how important the land and her uncle is to her. Edie shares how her uncle became her guardian after her parents passed away. He cared for her so much, he even paid for Edie’s law school expenses. As for the land, Edie talks to Lucas about how it is vital for the economy. Later in the episode, Edie needs help finding a runaway calf. Despite having no ranching skills, Lucas volunteers to find the calf with Edie. After locating the calf, Lucas and Edie have difficulty catching the baby cow. But Lucas eventually rescues the calf by lassoing it on his first try. It’s around this moment Lucas discovers the wedding ring Edie always wears is missing. Edie then confesses how she used to be engaged, but the engagement didn’t last. So, now she wears a wedding ring to turn away potential suitors.

Despite the excitement of Allie’s birthday party, Angela feels insecure. This is not only due to Angela never attending a dance party before, but also her belief that she’s different. At the library, Angela confesses to Elizabeth how her belief that she’s different makes her feel like no one understands what she’s going through. To lift Angela’s spirits, Elizabeth gives Angela a braille copy of one of Helen Keller’s books. Angela also shares her feelings and insecurities with Joseph. He tells his daughter dancing is more about how you feel than how you look, teaching Angela how to waltz. Before she attends Allie’s birthday party, Angela confesses to Joseph that even though she’s now looking forward to the party, she wants to meet people who are also blind. This is the reason why Angela wants to attend a college for blind students.

Image by hannazasimova on Freepik

Some thoughts to consider:

  • I know that on When Calls the Heart, accomplishing any goal takes time. But the more the national park project is included in the overall story, the more it feels reminiscent of the hotel project from season eleven. What I mean by this is the characters spend more time talking about completing the project than actually completing the project. This makes me wonder if the drawn-out nature of these projects could be the result of the show’s creative team having limited funds?
  • As I mentioned in this re-cap, Oliver is about to give Allie a gift at her birthday party. He doesn’t give her this gift because Earl shows up to give Allie a bouquet of flowers. That moment made me wonder if When Calls the Heart’s creative team want to create another love triangle, but among Allie, Earl, and Oliver this time? I really hope this isn’t the case. Since Allie made her debut in When Calls the Heart’s sixth season, she has experienced two major heartbreaks; when her mother passed away and when her biological father rejected her. Personally, I don’t want to watch Allie potentially get her heart broken a third time.
  • Toward the end of this episode, Allie’s birthday party is shown on screen. The color palette was purple and gold, reflected in the balloons and streamers. A collection of streamers created a canopy near the ceiling, presenting the illusion the party took place within a tent. String lights were also found near the ceiling and on the railing of the saloon’s stairs. These lights caused the space to appear dim, but bright enough to navigate the dance floor. Whoever on When Calls the Heart’s creative team designed that set should be acknowledged!
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? Do you want to see another love triangle on When Calls the Heart? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

Sunset Over Hope Valley: Knock Three Times

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As a piece of advice to Lucas, Minnie says in order to seek reconcile, you have to knock three times. This was Minnie’s way of encouraging Lucas to reach out to the person he had a disagreement with. Despite not hearing Minnie’s advice, Earl Wyatt came back to Hope Valley and “knocked three times”, seeking reconcile for bullying Opal years ago. But reconciliation is not the only reason characters, figuratively, knock on each other’s doors on When Calls the Heart. Sometimes, it’s in search of help, like when Oliver sought Elizabeth’s guidance on his Mountie writing sample. Other times, characters “knock three times” to find answers. One example is Rosemary’s quest for the origin of a valuable coin. The idea of characters, figuratively, knocking on each other’s doors shows how the residents of Hope Valley, and even guests, rely on each other when it matters most. This is an example of the kind of place Hope Valley is.

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 twelve poster created by Hallmark Media, Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel

Season: 12

Episode: 3

Name: All That Glitters

Major stories:

Oliver’s one-month evaluation is fast approaching. The only step left is his writing sample. After Oliver submits the writing sample, Nathan takes note of its weak writing quality. When Elizabeth makes this discovery, she volunteers to help Oliver improve his writing sample. At the Jack Thornton School, Oliver shows up for his first tutoring session. He claims he attended a school in Hamilton called Briarcliff. But later in the episode, Elizabeth finds out the school closed five years prior to Oliver’s arrival in Hope Valley. This fact, along with Oliver’s decision to resign from the Mounties, raises alarm in Nathan. So, he and Elizabeth confront Oliver at the stables. Oliver confesses he lied about attending Briarcliff. His reason is how he sought a better life for himself, due to being a foster child. Oliver also reveals how he didn’t finish school because his foster parents believed working on their farm was more important. He explains to Nathan his decision to resign from the Mounties was due to not wanting Nathan to get in trouble. Oliver’s loyalty gives Nathan a reason to not give up on Oliver. Later in the episode, Superintendent Hargreaves arrives for the one-month evaluation. Oliver passes with flying colors.

Rosemary has two mysteries on her hands. The first is why Lee is so secretive. She becomes curious after being told Lee created a will and recently had a doctor’s appointment. As Rosemary shares her concerns with Elizabeth at the Mercantile, they overhear Lee telling Ned he’s going on a hike. So, Elizabeth and Rosemary follow Lee and Mike into the forest. After Mike and Lee discover the women’s hiding place among the bushes, Rosemary and Elizabeth learn the purpose of the hike; so Lee could create a hiking trail named after Goldie. Lee explains how he hopes the trail will remind Lucas of the national park’s importance. The second mystery revolves around a coin bearing a double headed bird. When Ned discovers a rare coin, Rosemary makes it her mission to track down its original owner. She writes an article about the coin in The Valley Voice. But no one comes forward. Bill volunteers to help Rosemary crack the case. After he retrieves the Mountie file about the coin, Bill shares with Rosemary how the coin was one of twenty thousand coins stolen in the Rocky Mountain train robbery of 1907.

Silver coin image created by Welcomia at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/american-one-dollar-coin_1180385.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/money”>Money image created by Welcomia – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Minor stories:

At Capitol City, Edwin and Lucas learn Jeanette’s trial is coming up. Edwin encourages Lucas to leave Capital City to avoid more negative press. Lucas takes Edwin’s advice and goes back to Hope Valley. On the train ride home, Lucas learns Edie is also headed towards Hope Valley, in order to take care of her uncle’s ranch. Once in the town, at The Café, Edie reveals to Lucas how she’s considering opening a law firm in Hope Valley. But those plans are on hold because she can’t find the space.

Earl Wyatt returns to Hope Valley and apologizes to Opal for bullying her when she was younger. Earl’s arrival intrigues Allie, as he shares how his father works for the railroad, allowing him to travel wherever he wants. Before meeting Earl, Allie tries to decide what she wants to do for her upcoming 17th birthday. What she does know is she wants to host a party among her friends. At the Queen of Hearts saloon, Allie and some of her friends hear dance music. When she sees Earl dancing, Allie chooses to have a dance party for her birthday.

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. 

Some thoughts to consider:

  • You’re probably wondering why I spelled Goldie’s name with an ‘ie’ instead of with a ‘y’ like I usually do. That’s because her name is spelled G-O-L-D-I-E in this episode. When it comes to characters’ names, I try to spell them how the show’s creative team intended. So, from now on, I will spell Goldie’s name with an ‘ie’ in future re-caps.
  • Thinking about the mystery of the coin and Earl Wyatt’s return to Hope Valley, I wonder if Earl’s family has something to do with the Rocky Mountain train robbery of 1907? As I mentioned in this re-cap, Earl said his father works for the railroad. Plus, Earl’s arrival and the discovery of the coin took place around the same time. This would explain why Earl and his family left Hope Valley all those years ago.
  • In this re-cap, I said Rosemary becomes curious after being told Lee created a will and recently had a doctor’s appointment. In a scene where Lee pays Faith a visit, it’s revealed Lee’s father died of an unnamed medical condition. Lee is not only concerned about developing this medical condition himself, he’s also worried about leaving a legacy behind for his daughter. Faith reassures him that he has a clean bill of health. However, I wonder if Lee’s medical history will become an overarching story this season?
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? Who do you think is behind the Rocky Mountain train robbery of 1907? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

Word on the Street: New ‘Hannah Swensen Mystery’ Movie on the Way!

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

When I talked about One Bad Apple: A Hannah Swensen Mystery in my list of the top ten worst movies I saw in 2024, I said I hope Delores receives better story ideas if there are more Hannah Swensen films in the works. Days after that list was published, Hallmark revealed another movie in the Hannah Swensen series! On Hallmark Mystery’s website, an official page has been created for Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery. The film will premiere on February 6th and the story is about the following:

“Hannah’s favorite reality show takes over The Cookie Jar. When the producer is found dead, Hannah and Norman team up to track down the killer. Chad invites Hannah to court”.

According to the film’s official page, Alison Sweeney, Victor Webster, and Barbara Niven will return to reprise their roles. Even though Norman was mentioned in the synopsis, it’s unknown, at this time, if Gabriel Hogan will also return to reprise his role.

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.

There are some noticeable observations coming from the official page of Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery. Looking at the release dates for this movie and The Jane Mysteries: A Deadly Prescription, Hallmark’s new mystery titles will premiere on Thursdays instead of Fridays like last year. Norman’s involvement was limited in One Bad Apple: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, not only when it came to solving the case, but also within the overall story. The synopsis of Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery states, “Hannah and Norman team up to track down the killer”. This statement assumes Norman will play a larger role in the 2025 movie. Ever since Chad was written into this series, he and Hannah don’t work together as consistently as Hannah and Mike did. However, Chad still finds a way to have a presence in Hannah’s life. A perfect example is brought up in Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery’s synopsis, which states “Chad invites Hannah to court”. Everything I just said makes me wonder if the creative team of the Hannah Swensen series wants to create a love triangle between Norman, Hannah, and Chad?

What are your thoughts on this piece of movie news? Are you looking forward to the premiere of Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery? Please let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Referenced official page of Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery: https://www.hallmarkmystery.com/reality-bites-a-hannah-swensen-mystery

The Top Ten Worst Movies I Saw in 2024

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While 2024 was, for me, a better year for movies, I still saw some movies I didn’t like. Similar to my worst movies list of 2023, most of the films on this year’s list were disappointing or average. But, unlike 2023, the top four titles are from different genres. The dishonorable mentions section has returned! This time, however, there are more DNFs (did not finish). Like I have said in past lists, my top ten worst movies I saw in 2024 list is not intended to be mean-spirited, negative, or disrespectful. It’s just a list of my own, honest opinion. Since I reviewed some of the movies on my list, I will provide the links to those reviews in this article.

Dishonorable Mentions

The Reluctant Debutante, The Gambler: Luck of the Draw, Jazz Ramsey: A K-9 Mystery, Million Dollar Lethal Listing, CrimeTime: Freefall (I turned it off after about forty minutes), Mermaid Down (I turned off this movie after about twenty minutes), Blood, Sweat and Cheer (I turned it off after about eighteen minutes), and Temptation Under the Sun (I turned off this movie after about twenty-two minutes)

Image by starline on Freepik

10. Crimes of Fashion: Killer Clutch

In the 2020s, Hallmark has come up with story ideas that worked well enough for a stand-alone mystery movie, but unsustainable for a multi-chapter series. One of these ideas came from Crimes of Fashion: Killer Clutch. This film made the same mistake as Mystery Island: not allowing the protagonist to use her skills to solve the case. For Lauren, the main character in Crimes of Fashion: Killer Clutch, her psychology skills were so underutilized, she seemed more like an over glorified intern. Thick French accents making several characters difficult to understand is another major flaw of the film. It prevented me from being fully invested in the story. Crimes of Fashion: Killer Clutch was, in my opinion, a disappointing movie. But compared to the other titles on 2024’s worst of the year list, Hallmark’s production was, simply, ‘underwhelming’.

Take 3: Crimes of Fashion: Killer Clutch Review

9. Boy in the Walls

When I first read the synopsis for Boy in the Walls, I thought the film would be a spookier version of 2016’s Boy in the Attic. Sadly, this was not the case. The 2023 Lifetime presentation contained a mystery that was drawn out for too long. It also doesn’t help how the protagonist made one dumb decision after another. Without spoiling the film, all I’ll say is the title is misleading. If you haven’t watched either referenced movie, I’d recommend Boy in the Attic.

8. The 39 Steps

In my review of The 39 Steps, I said the 1935 picture was the most “meh” title from Alfred Hitchcock’s filmography. This statement was made due to the limited sense of urgency and intrigue within the story. As I also said in my review, The 39 Steps seems longer than an hour and twenty-six minutes. The drawn-out nature of the movie created a slow and boring build-up to a reveal that feels kind of ridiculous and anti-climactic. While romance has been incorporated in some of Alfred’s films, it didn’t work in The 39 Steps. Richard and Pamela’s attraction for one another was too abrupt, welcoming the presence of the “insta-love” trope. Even though The 39 Steps was a disappointing movie, I gave it a lower placement on my list. Comparing the 1935 film to Alfred’s other productions, Hitchcock’s filmography shows how much he improved as a director.

Take 3: The 39 Steps Review

7. Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Pack of Lies

There are some movies that, in my opinion, should have been documentaries instead. The 1987 Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation, Pack of Lies, is just one example. This film in the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection is based on a true story. While “based on a true story” movies can be engaging, intriguing, and even thought-provoking, Pack of Lies was disappointing. Like I said in my review of the 1987 production, the film was a two hour slow and tedious build-up to a resolution that was underwhelming and anti-climactic. The creative team’s decision to choose telling over showing caused other flaws, from little lapse in time to things not making sense. Pack of Lies proves Hallmark Hall of Fame movies are not created equally. However, there are other Hallmark Hall of Fame presentations from the 1980s I like, such as the adaptations of The Secret Garden and A Tale of Two Cities.

Take 3: Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Pack of Lies Review

6. One Bad Apple: A Hannah Swensen Mystery

While A Sprinkle of Deceit: A Hannah Swensen Mystery was slightly better than One Bad Apple: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, I was still disappointed in the latter film. For starters, Victor Webster and Alison Sweeney had no on-screen chemistry. A character (not Hannah) solves the mystery by making an assumption about the case and being conveniently correct. But the worst part about One Bad Apple: A Hannah Swensen Mystery was Delores’ subplot. Up until this film, Delores was very against Hannah getting involved in cases, as well as dating Mike. So, for Delores to become a private investigator and seem to treat her new job as a joke completely went against her character. In fact, this was such a bad creative idea, Delores’ private investigating career was barely mentioned in A Sprinkle of Deceit: A Hannah Swensen Mystery. If there are more Hannah Swensen films in the works, I really hope Delores receives better story ideas.

Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Pack of Lies poster created by Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, Robert Halmi, and CBS

5. My Life Is on the Line

This Lifetime movie had one of the network’s most creative story ideas. The 2024 picture was about a woman who tried to solve a mystery on her computer at her office cubicle. But the longer I watched this movie, the sooner I realized that aforementioned idea wasn’t sustainable for a feature-length production. Instead, the novelty of how the mystery was solved got old very quickly. My Life Is on the Line is yet another Lifetime film where the protagonist makes a collection of dumb choices. Her decision-making is so bad, other characters in the story, including her boss, call her out for it. Lifetime’s 2024 presentation was, for me, the most disappointing movie of the year.

4. Network

Network holds the honor of not only being the first film I reviewed for my Comparing with the Critics series, it’s also the first film I disagreed with the critics on. Even though Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert placed the movie in their list of the top five films from 1976, I would call Network one of the “Dogs of the Year”. For me, it was more of an endurance test, where the story’s first half was a drawn-out search for a resolution to the movie’s conflict and the second half was a yelling contest. Being a pretentious picture by taking itself too seriously and telling a dry, boring story didn’t work in Network’s favor. There are movies from the 1970s I like. Unfortunately, Network isn’t one of them.

Comparing with the Critics – Best of 1976 – Network

3. Mount Hideaway Mysteries: Exes and Oh No’s

It’s ironic that Mount Hideaway Mysteries: Heartache and Homecoming became the third worst movie of 2023 and now Mount Hideaway Mysteries: Exes and Oh No’s became the third worst movie of 2024. When you look past this irony, you’ll see how Mount Hideaway Mysteries: Exes and Oh No’s shares some of the same flaws as its sequel, like not understanding how technology works. Mount Hideaway Mysteries: Exes and Oh No’s contains its own flaws, with poor special effects as one example. While this movie is so bad, it’s, at times, unintentionally funny, I do acknowledge how challenging it can be to create a cinematic project. In fact, the best way to sum up Mount Hideaway Mysteries: Exes and Oh No’s is the quote, “Mistakes are proof that you are trying”.

Take 3: Mount Hideaway Mysteries: Exes and Oh No’s Review

2. Revenge Best Served Chilled

This Lifetime movie from 2022 had a very misleading title and synopsis. Not only is there no revenge in the story, there’s also nothing being chilled throughout the film. According to a plot summary I read, Revenge Best Served Chilled is about a series of murder mysteries taking place at a wine expert competition, with the protagonist trying to clear her name and solve the mysteries. The movie actually emphasizes the wine expert competition to the point where there is little to no mystery involved. Like Boy in the Walls and My Life Is on The Line, the protagonist, Emily, makes so many dumb decisions. I, honestly, should have turned this movie off after Emily doesn’t lock her family’s restaurant’s front doors as she’s spending the night at the restaurant. But I naively thought Revenge Best Served Chilled was going to be a better movie.

1. Frankenstein (2004)

I referenced this movie while reviewing the Hallmark adaptation of Frankenstein, as I was pointing out a technical error on Wikipedia. When I saw the version of Frankenstein starring Vincent Perez, I immediately knew it was going to be the worst movie I saw in 2024. While this movie contains some interesting ideas, those ideas are bogged down by other ideas. The excessive number of ideas made the story feel like a series of vignettes either loosely connected to each other or not connected at all. What also makes the overall story weak is how nothing is explained. The ending is one of the most “sequel bait” endings I’ve seen in a long time. I would strongly discourage readers from checking out this version of Frankenstein. More time will be spent being frustrated than entertained.

Mount Hideaway Mysteries: Exes and Oh No’s poster created by Glass House Distribution

Have fun in 2025!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Dial M for Murder Review

On By 18cinemalane13 Comments

For this movie review, I chose to write about the 1954 film, Dial M for Murder, for two reasons. The first is how I selected this specific title for The 6th Wonderful Grace Kelly Blogathon, as Grace Kelly stars in the film. The second reason is how, prior to this review, I had never seen Dial M for Murder. Grace and Alfred are no strangers to 18 Cinema Lane. As of mid-November, 2024, I have reviewed two of Grace’s films; High Society (which I thought was fine) and To Catch a Thief (which I found just ok). Meanwhile, four of Alfred Hitchcock’s movies have been covered on my blog. Out of those titles, Strangers on a Train is, in my opinion, still the best one. But how does Dial M for Murder compare to any of Alfred’s films featured on 18 Cinema Lane? Find out by reading my review!

Dial M for Murder poster created by Warner Bros.

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: Since Grace Kelly is the reason why I chose to review Dial M for Murder, I will talk about her performance first. Out of her movies I’ve seen, I’ve noticed how her character portrayals have appeared at ease. Her performance in Dial M for Murder is no different, as her adopted mannerisms and reactions came across as realistic! While sharing a conversation with Mark (portrayed by Robert Cummings), Grace’s character, Margot, seems comfortable in his presence. She effortlessly moves around her apartment and, at times, stands close to him. But when she talks with Mark about how her husband, Tony, has changed, Margot appears to stare into the distance. The combination of her aforementioned stare and frown indicates how Tony’s behavior has troubled her. It also shows the audience how effective Grace’s acting talents are!

As I just said in this review, Robert Cummings portrays Mark, a close friend of Margot. Though they shared only a few scenes together, Grace and Robert displayed nice on-screen chemistry! The strength of Robert’s and Grace’s acting abilities helped their characters appear to truly get along with each other. While I liked Robert’s performance in Dial M for Murder, I was also impressed with Ray Milland’s performance! Similar to Grace’s portrayal of Margot, Ray’s portrayal of Tony showcases how adaptable his acting skills are. For example, Tony looks annoyed while at a restaurant with Mark. From the tone in his voice to constantly checking his watch, Tony clearly appears impatient. A few scenes later, as he’s on the phone with Margot, his demeanor quickly changes to concern due to what he hears over the phone. Throughout his performance, Ray effortlessly brought his character to life!

The use of lighting: Over the course of his career, Alfred Hitchcock has received the title of “Master of Suspense”. One reason why he was given this title is because of how he utilizes lighting to stir up a mood, present visually interesting concepts, or add suspense. In one scene, someone enters Margot and Tony’s apartment. This moment takes place at night, so the only light comes from the fireplace in the living room. An orange glow only providing light to certain areas of the room creates a suspenseful environment, giving the intruder places to hide. I brought up earlier in this review how Mark and Margot shared a conversation. Their conversation takes place in Tony and Margot’s apartment. Right before Tony returns home, Margot’s and Mark’s shadow departs from each other, keeping the closeness of their relationship a secret.

The use of color: Dial M for Murder’s opening credits reveal how the film’s creative team used “WarnerColor” in their project. I’m glad this movie was presented in color because it gave the creative team opportunities to utilize this visual technique to their advantage! Sometimes, the color red was incorporated into a character’s wardrobe. This ranged from Margot wearing a red dress at the beginning of the movie to Tony sporting deep red suspenders. One of the pieces of décor in Margot and Tony’s apartment were dark green curtains. In these examples, color was chosen to draw the audience’s attention to a person, object, or location in the room.

The 6th Wonderful Grace Kelly Blogathon banner created by Virginie from The Wonderful World of Cinema and Emily from The Flapper Dame

What I didn’t like about the film:

Exposition heavy: At the beginning of the movie, Margot shares with Mark how she recently lost her purse. She also tells him when her purse was returned, a letter Mark wrote her was missing. But shortly after Margot made this confession, an exposition heavy scene revealed the letter’s whereabouts, as well as who the story’s perpetrator was. Because this information was revealed so early in the movie, it took away a lot of the story’s suspense. So much exposition given within the film’s first ten minutes may also overwhelm the audience, possibly missing important information if they don’t actively pay attention to the dialogue.

A mystery that isn’t interactive: While talking about Dial M for Murder’s exposition heavy story, I said the perpetrator was revealed so early in the movie. This creative choice takes away the audience’s opportunity to solve the mystery of whodunit alongside the characters. What Dial M for Murder became was a story of how the perpetrator would get caught, similar to programs like Columbo and Diagnosis Murder. That creative decision forces the audience to simply watch the characters solve the story’s mystery. With everything I said, the mystery in Dial M for Murder wasn’t interactive.

A less intimidating antagonist: In some of Alfred Hitchcock’s movies, the antagonist is an intimidating person for a variety of reasons. Their intimidation can add suspense and intensity to a given film’s story. I will not spoil Dial M for Murder. However, I can honestly say I did not find the movie’s antagonist intimidating. Throughout the story, the antagonist kept making dumb decisions, which distracted from their attempts to be an intimidating character. It also didn’t help how the exposition heaviness of the film’s first ten minutes took away a lot of the story’s suspense. If anything, the antagonist in Dial M for Murder was annoying.

Colorful image of key created by orchidart at freepik.com. Flower vector created by orchidart – www.freepik.com

My overall impression:

As of the publication of this review, I have seen eight of Alfred Hitchcock’s films. While I was disappointed by The 39 Steps, I ended up liking Strangers on a Train. When it comes to Dial M for Murder, though, the movie lies somewhere in the middle. Grace Kelly’s performance was, once again, one of the best parts of the production! Her portrayal of Margot was so strong, her reactions and expressions appeared realistic! The use of lighting and color gave Alfred and his creative team ways to present visually creative ideas. But what held Dial M for Murder back from being a more intriguing project is how the first ten minutes of the story was exposition heavy, with this decision impacting the film’s suspense. The mystery not being interactive also takes away some of Dial M for Murder’s intrigue. Alfred’s film felt reminiscent of shows like Columbo and Diagnosis Murder, where the audience simply waits for the perpetrator to get caught. Personally, I prefer mystery stories where I’m left guessing whodunit.

Overall score: 6-6.1 out of 10

Have you seen Dial M for Murder? Which movie of Alfred Hitchcock’s would you like to see me review next? Tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Sally Watches…Diagnosis Murder (The Sequel)!

On By 18cinemalane5 Comments

From time to time, I have accepted movie recommendations from my readers. Some of these recommendations were chosen for past reviews, such as when Jillian (from The Classic Film Connection) suggested I check out Fried Green Tomatoes. But on a few occasions, I have taken television show recommendations. After Jillian gave me another suggestion; the Diagnosis Murder episode, “Guardian Angel”, I was waiting for the right time to finally write about it. Remembering the show starred Dick and Barry Van Dyke, I decided to review the episode for Taking Up Room’s We Are Family Blogathon! As the title of this review suggests, this is not the first time I’ve written about an episode of Diagnosis Murder. Back in 2022, I reviewed the 1998 episode, “An Education in Murder”. While I found that episode to be just fine, I was willing to watch more episodes of the show with an open mind. Did I like “Guardian Angel” more than “An Education in Murder”? To solve this mystery, you have to read my review!

Episode Name: Guardian Angel

Season 1, Episode 14

Premiere Date: April 1st, 1994

The title card for “Guardian Angel”. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

What I liked about this episode:

On television shows or in movies, there is sometimes that one performance that is so strong, it carries the entire production. That kind of performance came from Catherine Hicks in “Guardian Angel”! Portraying the murder victim’s wife, Lauren, Catherine brought emotional variety to her role. This versatility allowed Catherine to adapt to any situation her character was experiencing. In a scene showing Dr. Mark Sloan paying Lauren a visit at her house, Lauren shares a personal story with Dr. Sloan. As she tells her story, Lauren’s expressions and emotions fluctuate, helping to make Lauren’s reflection come across as realistic. The aforementioned emotional variety and adaptability made Catherine’s performance captivating to watch! I honestly wish she had been, at least, nominated for her role in this episode.

What I didn’t like about this episode:

Toward the beginning of “Guardian Angel”, it is revealed Lauren knows a man named Strand. She not only calls him in the middle of the night, she also visits his apartment. As I watched “Guardian Angel”, I was waiting for an explanation about Strand and Lauren’s connection. Unfortunately, this explanation never came. Is Strand Lauren’s son from a previous relationship? Perhaps Strand is an undercover journalist working for Lauren’s husband’s political opponent? These unanswered questions left a hole in the episode’s plot. Not relating Lauren and Strand’s connection to the main conflict was also a missed opportunity. As of the publication of this review, the mystery of how Strand and Lauren know each other is still unsolved.

The mystery itself:

The mystery in “Guardian Angel” and “An Education in Murder” share two major similarities. The first is how the audience learns early in the story who the guilty party is. The second is how the audience is forced to just watch Dr. Mark Sloan figure out the mystery’s culprit. This approach to story-telling takes away the interactivity of solving the mystery alongside the protagonist. How Dr. Mark Sloan reached certain conclusions in “Guardian Angel” was a bit far-fetched. For these conclusions, the bridge between point A and B was missing. It also doesn’t help how there were few physical clues.

The We Are Family Blogathon banner created by Rebecca from Taking Up Room

The other factors from this episode:

  • Earlier in this review, I mentioned how Lauren called Strand in the middle of the night. During this phone call, however, Lauren poses as a newspaper reporter. “Guardian Angel” establishes how Strand is obsessed with Lauren’s family. Not only does Strand have a collage of pictures and newspaper articles on his apartment wall, he also attends events Lauren and her husband were either invited to or hosting. With that said, I find it hard to believe Strand wouldn’t recognize Lauren’s voice during the aforementioned phone call, especially since Lauren wasn’t trying to disguise her voice.
  • I haven’t seen many episodes of Diagnosis Murder. But based on the episodes I have seen, I’ve noticed how Dr. Mark Sloan treats people fairly. In “Guardian Angel”, a man named Lewis was admitted into the hospital due to being hit by a car. Dr. Mark Sloan tells Lewis how he treats patients, not charity cases, at his hospital. After learning Lewis only has about five hundred dollars to his name, Dr. Mark Sloan advocates for Lewis to be registered into a “senior program”.
  • When I reviewed “An Education in Murder”, I wondered how often younger characters appeared on Diagnosis Murder. While I still don’t have the answer to that question, I think it’s an interesting coincidence how I’m reviewing another episode where Dr. Mark Sloan provides guidance to a younger character. Lauren has a teenage daughter named Melissa. When Dr. Mark Sloan discovers Melissa received an eating disorder diagnosis, he pays her a visit at a nearby hospital. During this visit, Dr. Mark Sloan breaks the ice by discussing music with Melissa. He also learns why she was diagnosed with an eating disorder. Dr. Mark Sloan’s willingness to mentor younger characters makes me believe he missed his calling as a teacher.
  • In some of my Murder, She Wrote episode reviews, I marveled over the set design and locations featured on the show. These places were so visually appealing, they became showstoppers in their respective episodes. It looks like “Guardian Angel” took a page from Murder, She Wrote’s playbook when it came to location scouting! I don’t know if Lauren’s house is a set or a real-life structure. However, this house was one of the most photogenic facilities I’ve ever seen on a television show! The exterior of the house boasted brick and deep brown wood. Details such as arched windows and small steepled roofs present a cozy, cottage-like appearance to this building. The interior of Lauren’s house is equally photogenic! Though only two rooms were shown in “Guardian Angel”, they looked like they came straight out of a castle. In the living room, the focal point is an impressive dark wood and marble fireplace, complete with carved designs just under the mantle. Meanwhile, the large dining room displays a cozy elegance. This aesthetic is made possible by combining printed cream curtains, a gold chandelier, and a large brick and wood fireplace.
This is the episode’s only clear shot of the exterior of Lauren’s house. Despite that, Lauren’s house displays an elegant, cottage-like appearance. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.
Though it can be difficult to decipher the carvings on the fireplace, the carvings add to the fireplace’s impressiveness. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.
Even though Dr. Mark Sloan and Lauren spend only one scene in the dining room, the space itself boasts a sophisticated, yet quaint style. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

My overall thoughts:

Two years ago, when I shared my overall thoughts on “An Education in Murder”, I said the amount of stories in that episode never felt overwhelming. I also said each plot was connected to the mystery. These same claims cannot be made about “Guardian Angel”. In the 1994 episode, there is so much happening in the story, certain parts are either not clearly explained or not explained at all. As I mentioned in this review, the connection between Strand and Lauren was never revealed. What is also not revealed is why Strand was obsessed with Lauren’s family. “Guardian Angel” is another mystery where the audience discovers who the guilty party is early in the episode. It’s also another mystery where the audience simply watches Dr. Mark Sloan solving the case. But for all the faults of this Diagnosis Murder episode, there were aspects of the episode I liked. One of these aspects was Catherine Hicks’ portrayal of Lauren. “Guardian Angel” is not one of the worst episodes reviewed on 18 Cinema Lane. Similar to “An Education in Murder”, though, I was left desiring more.

Rating: A 3.2 out of 5

Have fun in Los Angeles!

Sally Silverscreen

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.

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.

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

Take 3: Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker Review

On By 18cinemalane10 Comments

Last year, I claimed in my year-end list The Abigail Mysteries was one of the top three worst movies I saw. For me, this was a shame because, at the time, I had never talked about or reviewed a Great American Family movie. To make up for that, I chose to write about the network’s newest mystery production, Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker. When Candace Cameron Bure starred in Hallmark’s films, I really enjoyed the Aurora Teagarden series. In fact, that series was one of the strongest series from Hallmark Mystery! So, after discovering Candace would be starring in a new mystery movie, I was intrigued about the project. However, this optimism was cautious due to how weak The Abigail Mysteries was. Did Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker learn from the mistakes of the 2023 film? The only way to solve this mystery is to read my review!

Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker poster created by Candy Rock Entertainment, Liquid Arts Media, Syrup Studios, and Great American Family

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: In a mystery film, the strength of the cast can add to the story’s intrigue. The facial expressions of the suspects can make the audience wonder if a particular suspect has something to hide, while the reactions of the protagonists will leave the audience wondering how they will save the day. Even though Candace was portraying a different character, her portrayal of Ainsley McGregor never missed a beat! Ainsley’s interactions with residents of Sweet River, Texas, came across as natural. Candace’s experience starring in the Aurora Teagarden series worked in her favor, as Aurora crossed paths with a variety of characters. It may be tempting to compare Ainsley to Aurora because of Candace’s performances. How Candace differentiated Ainsley from Aurora was adopting a more conservative approach to solving the mystery. In the Aurora Teagarden series, Aurora was eager to get involved with a case, even going so far as to bend a few rules. Because Ainsley is a former criminologist (which would give her a legitimate reason to work on any case), she tries to stay out of the police’s way and leaves some of the mystery solving to them.

As I just mentioned, the facial expressions of the suspects can make the audience wonder if a particular suspect has something to hide. The performances of the actors and actresses portraying suspects in Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker proves this point. One of these performances that was a stand-out was Leanne Lapp’s portrayal of Rachel Dean! Rachel is the wife of the murder victim, giving her a reason to be seen as suspicious. During her questioning, Rachel is distraught over the accusations against her. Her eyes look both sad and confused, even overflowing with tears. This sadness can also be heard in her voice, as her tone reflects what’s in her heart. With Leanne’s strong performance, I wish Rachel appeared more in this movie.

The on-screen chemistry: When I discussed the acting performances in Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker, I talked about how I liked Candace’s portrayal of the titular character. Another reason why I liked this portrayal is how Candace and Aaron Ashmore displayed good on-screen chemistry! I remember when Aaron starred on Warehouse 13 as Steve Jinks. Since Steve didn’t have a love interest on that show, I didn’t know what to expect from Aaron’s portrayal of Jake, a character who develops a relationship with Ainsley. However, I ended up liking his performance in this film! What helped Candace and Aaron was how their characters already knew each other prior to the story’s events. This avoided that awkward introductory stage most protagonists experience at the start of a mystery series. Throughout the story, Ainsley and Jake consistently interact with one another. Their warm, friendly demeanors felt naturally genuine, successfully selling the idea these two characters could fall in love. The chemistry between Jake and Ainsley made Sweet River, Texas, a little bit brighter!

Ainsley’s dog, George: The protagonist of a mystery series will typically have at least one friend. This friend may serve as the story’s comic relief and sometimes receive their own subplot. But in Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker, Ainsley’s friend brought something different to the table. At various moments in the story, Ainsley talks to her dog named George. These moments are more light-hearted, giving viewers a break from the heaviness of the murder mystery. George sometimes joins Ainsley at Bless Your Arts, the marketplace Ainsley created. His presence brings joy and smiles to those who work alongside Ainsley. A mystery series’ protagonist having a pet is not a new concept. But in Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker, George plays a larger role in the story, giving this film a more unique identity! It also helps that George is adorable!

Vineyard on a sunny day image created by Jcstudio at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/green”>Green photo created by jcstudio – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

A slow, drawn-out story: A made for TV mystery movie will usually feature at least one subplot along with the story’s main plot. This subplot adds intrigue to the overall script while sometimes giving viewers a break from the mystery. The main plot in Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker was the story’s only plot. It also doesn’t help how Ainsley wasn’t consistently involved in solving the case. These creative decisions led to a movie that felt slower and was drawn-out.

Constant reminders of story’s Texas setting: One story-telling technique that is sometimes incorporated into film-making is “show, don’t tell”. This technique can work in a movie’s favor because film is a visual medium. However, relying on showing can cause repetition. This is what happened in Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker. I mentioned earlier in this review how the movie takes place in Sweet River, Texas. Even though I knew this fact after reading the film’s synopsis, I was constantly reminded of this fact as I watched the movie. Several scenes featured at least one Texas flag in the background. A cactus was placed on the counter at Sweet River’s police department. Jake and Ainsley even go on a date to a Tex Mex restaurant. It’s important to establish the story’s setting. But this can be done in one or two scenes toward the beginning of the movie, not throughout the program.

Ainsley’s limited involvement in the story’s case: While discussing Candace’s portrayal of Ainsley McGregor, I brought up how Ainsley adopts a more conservative approach to solving mysteries due to being a former criminologist. This creative decision allowed Candace to differentiate Ainsley from Aurora Teagarden. It also takes away the fun of watching the protagonist solve the mystery and save the day. In the first half of the movie, Ainsley was hesitant to get involved in the case. Her choice was about allowing Sweet River’s police to do their jobs. It isn’t until approximately the story’s half-way point that Ainsley is finally encouraged (by members of her book club) to investigate the mystery. Ainsley’s hesitation is another reason why Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker had a slower, drawn-out 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:

When talking about The Abigail Mysteries in my list of the worst films I saw in 2023, I said Great American Family’s efforts needed to be better than The Abigail Mysteries if they were serious about creating more mystery projects. After watching Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker, it looks like the network took my advice! Though the movie has its flaws, the 2024 production improved upon what didn’t work for the 2023 film. One of these improvements was the on-screen chemistry between Candace Cameron Bure and Aaron Ashmore. Another good decision was prioritizing the mystery and keeping that as the main plot. It would be easy to claim Ainsley McGregor Mysteries is trying to become the next Aurora Teagarden series. This claim could be made because Ainsley’s book club turns into an investigation club and the story takes place in a small town. Personally, I believe Great American Family’s movie and Hallmark’s series just happen to share similar ideas. Unlike a lot of Hallmark’s newer mystery movies, Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker will receive a sequel! During this movie’s broadcast, a commercial announced Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Yarnmaker is coming in 2025. Based on that commercial, it looks like this series has the potential to tell many more stories!

Overall score: 6.1-6.2 out of 10

Have you seen Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker? Are you excited for the upcoming sequel? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

The Cabot Cove-thon Blogathon Has Been Brought to You by Our Sponsor; 18 Cinema Lane

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Hello everyone! Now that Cabot Cove-thon has come to an end, I’d like to thank those who participated in the event! While this year’s blogathon received a smaller turn-out, I was impressed by the diversity of the entries. It elaborated my point about how Murder, She Wrote is a multifaceted program. There will be a new blogathon held in 2025! But, as of early October 2024, the event’s theme and dates are pending. Blogathon news will be announced sometime between early to mid 2025. With all that said, 18 Cinema Lane will get back to its regularly scheduled programming!

Cabot Cove-thon banner created by me, Sally Silverscreen. Original picture found on IMDB.

Have fun in Cabot Cove!

Sally Silverscreen

Sally Reads… ‘Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire’ by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain

On By 18cinemalane3 Comments

*This book review was written before Hurricane Helene*

On this day in 1984, Murder, She Wrote made its television debut. What started as a simple story of a woman solving mysteries in her own backyard grew into a legacy standing strong in the test of time. I mentioned in my Cabot Cove-thon announcement post how Murder, She Wrote is a multifaceted program. One contributor is the Murder, She Wrote book series! Two of these books, Murder, She Wrote: The Highland Fling Murders and Murder, She Wrote: The Queen’s Jewels, have been reviewed on 18 Cinema Lane. This time, I’ll be writing about Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire! The reason why I selected this book for Cabot Cove-thon, let alone a review, is how the story takes place in Florida. On the first day of my blogathon, I published an editorial about why Universal Orlando Resort should host a fan event called Murder, She Wrote Weekend. Knowing ahead of time I would be discussing the show’s connection to Universal Studios Florida, I thought Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire was an appropriate selection!

Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire book cover found on Goodreads

Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire is not only the third Murder, She Wrote book reviewed on 18 Cinema Lane, it’s also the third book where Jessica travels outside of Cabot Cove. In these stories, the destinations are exciting and inviting. What made South Florida such an appealing location in Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire was the combination of descriptive imagery, facts, and tidbits of information sprinkled throughout the story. While taking a road trip to Key West, Jessica searches for the perfect present for Seth’s friend; a key lime pie. During her search, Jessica (as well as readers) learn about the different ingredients used to make this beloved dessert. Other cultural elements are woven into Jessica’s travels, such as a “ceremony” where residents and visitors of Key West applaud the setting sun. These elements help introduce readers to South Florida, as well as educate them about this destination!

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

The Murder, She Wrote book series creates original stories instead of rehashing already existing episodes. However, the spirit of the show exists in the books because of the inclusion of characters and locations from Murder, She Wrote. In Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire, the characters felt like they either came directly from the show or should have been on the show. This was achieved because of how the dialogue was written and how characters were described. Sam Lewis is a resident of Foreverglades, Florida. He not only volunteers with the local police department, Sam also drives a pink Cadillac and, at one point, even wears purple sneakers. While he is a quirky individual, he is endearing as he tries to make his neighborhood a better place. Sam was so well integrated into the story, he felt like he belonged in Jessica’s world! Sam also represents a consistent strength of the Murder, She Wrote books; the creation of unique, distinct characters.

Even though Jessica takes a road trip in Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire, fans of the show would know she wasn’t the one driving. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

Murder mystery stories typically contain a sense of urgency. Because the murder takes place within the story, there is an urgent race against time to stop the perpetrator from hurting anyone else. For the majority of Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire, however, urgency was lacking. The emphasis on the laid-back, easy-going atmosphere of Florida and the victim being murdered prior to the story are the reasons for this creative flaw. Dialogue is an important component of any story. But Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire was dialogue-heavy, with very few non-verbal clues provided. If readers aren’t actively paying attention to what they’re reading, they may miss key information. It also doesn’t help how some of Jessica’s conclusions seemed a bit far-fetched.

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When I reviewed Murder, She Wrote: The Queen’s Jewels back in 2022, I claimed that book was my least favorite among the Murder, She Wrote books I read. Two years later, it looks like I found a new least favorite. Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire is not a bad book. But most of the story lacking a sense of urgency decreased the mystery’s intrigue and caused the book to, sometimes, feel meandering. A dialogue-heavy story may frustrate some readers, forcing them to actively pay attention or they’ll miss important information. However, there are strengths found in this book. New characters and even familiar faces were well integrated into the story. The South Florida setting was a delight to read about due to the incorporated creative elements. Similar to the show, the Murder, She Wrote book series boasts creative ideas and interesting topics, which always gives Jessica and company something to do. As far as I know, this book series is still in publication. That allows the stories of Cabot Cove to continue, even after the show itself concluded.

Cabot Cove-thon banner created by me, Sally Silverscreen. Original picture found on IMDB.

Overall score: 3.1 out of 5 stars

Have fun in Cabot Cove!

Sally Silverscreen

Disclaimer: Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire is a murder mystery story, so the subject of murder will be brought up from time to time. Swearing does occur on a few occasions and there are mentions of violence. Other topics include chronic illness, grief, and the fair treatment of older people/the elderly.