Mark Harmon and Scott Bakula Discuss NCIS: New Orleans

Posted on September 8, 2014September 8, 2014 by FCA Editor

NCIS has been a popular franchise for CBS since it debuted in 2003 with Mark Harmon at the helm (no pun intended) as Agent Gibbs. In 2009, the spinoff NCIS: Los Angeles hit the screen and now, in 2014, NCIS: New Orleans premiers with Scott Bakula leading the cast as Agent Pride. Although Harmon is not the star of this spinoff, he is taking an active role. He is an Executive Producer of NCIS: New Orleans, and last summer he and Bakula met with members of the Television Critics Association to discuss the new series.

“I’ve known Scott for years,” Harmon pronounced, “and he’s worked with my wife (actress Pam Dawber), and we’ve known the same people and run into each other a bunch of times.” He is pleased to be able to work with his friend and colleague. “I think getting an opportunity to play a role like this, and certainly coming off of a successful show like NCIS, is a fairly rare opportunity.”

In order to take the role, Bakula had to move his family to New Orleans, where the show is being filmed, although the flagship series, NCIS, is filmed in the Los Angeles area even though it is set in Washington, D.C.

“I’m here to help,” Harmon explained, having led his series to high rankings for over a decade. “I’ve learned a few things in 12 years, and I’ll be glad to pass any of them on or not.”

“We have big shoes to follow,” claimed Bakula, “big footprints in the sand, and the hope is where we’re going and with the characters that we’re getting and that are being developed for us, that we can invest and get an audience to invest with us, and we can continue this. This is kind of potentially a great partnership of a new show. The ball that’s being handed off is a perfect spiral. And there’s pressure that comes with that also. No question about it.”

Scott Bakula’s character is based on a real life agent, D’Wayne Swear, and Bakula said, “I’m fortunate to have this great, very rich character that exists, that I can plumb for ideas and experiences.” That said, the cases on the show are bound to be exhilarating for viewers.

NCIS has been on the air for so long the characters are like family to many viewers. For Scott Bakula, he knows he and the rest of those involved in the series have to work hard to keep up with the others in the franchise. “We have to earn our place. It’s not a given.”

NCIS: New Orleans premiers Tuesday, September 23, 2014 on CBS.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

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Read about New Orleans – A Great Destination for Food and Fun

Newest Boxtrolls Featurette: The Nature of Creation

Posted on September 8, 2014September 14, 2014 by FCA Editor

A family event movie from the creators of “Coraline” and “ParaNorman” that introduces audiences to a new breed of family – The Boxtrolls, a community of quirky, mischievous creatures who have lovingly raised an orphaned human boy named Eggs (voiced by Isaac Hempstead-Wright) in the amazing cavernous home they’ve built beneath the streets of Cheesebridge. When the town’s villain, Archibald Snatcher (Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley), comes up with a plot to get rid of the Boxtrolls, Eggs decides to venture above ground, “into the light,” where he meets and teams up with fabulously feisty Winnifred (Elle Fanning). Together, they devise a daring plan to save Eggs’ family.

Get social with the Boxtrolls:
https://www.facebook.com/TheBoxtrolls
http://instagram.com/TheBoxtrolls
https://twitter.com/TheBoxtrolls
http://www.TheBoxtrolls.com/
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Terrance the Giraffe

Posted on September 5, 2014November 5, 2014 by FCA Editor

A whimsical story that teaches children that being different is not a bad thing. Your child helps Terrance the Giraffe through a difficult time where he is teased for being different and at the end Terrance overcomes. A great personalized story to encourage children going through a challenging stage. It’s also a great story to encourage children not to tease of others. Promotes perseverance, confidence and sharing. Can be personalized with your child’s name on the cover.

Ella the Elephant Season 1 Volume 1: The Magic of Friendship on DVD

Posted on September 2, 2014September 2, 2014 by FCA Editor

Ella the Elephant is based on a children’s book series. The series is part of the Disney Junior lineup of children’s programming. The series is broadcast on various networks around the globe. Ella is a fun character filled with love and caring for her friends. To say the series is based on friendship is an understatement. It’s a great way to see how kids, even if they are elephants, relate to each other and care for each other.

For those unaware of this little girl, she is a sweet young elephant with a magic red hat. There are eight episodes in this DVD, and each one is filled with fun, upbeat, cute, and charming stories and all the loveable characters from the popular series.

In the first episode, “Ella’s Got Talent,” the little girl discovers that not everyone’s talent has to be musical. When the class puts on a talent show, Ella tries to find her talent while the twins Ada and Ida plan to sing a duet, Frankie plays his instrument concoction, and, well you get the idea. But Ella doesn’t know what talent she has. Then she learns her talent is taking care of everyone and being the best manager.

Little lessons like this, along with the fun of the characters, make this series a great pre-school show for kids. Ella has endeared herself to kids around the world. With this DVD your kids can watch Ella all the time. And it’s a show parents can feel good about.

Mary Ellen Thomas, Vice President Family & Animated Marketing at Warner Bros., said, “Ella’s stories impart messages of love, acceptance, courage and kindness, and that’s just one of the reasons this program has become such a hit with viewers.”

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LAVA – First Look Clip

Posted on September 2, 2014September 3, 2014 by FCA Editor

LAVA will open in theaters in front of Disney/Pixar’s INSIDE OUT on June 19, 2015!

LAVA
DISNEY•PIXAR

Genre:                          Animation/Short
Rating:                          TBD
U.S. Release Date:        June 19, 2015
Director:                       James Ford Murphy
Producer:                      Andrea Warren
Voice Talent:                 Uku & Narrator: Kuana Torres Kahele
Lele: Napua Greig
TRT:                             7:09

Doc McStuffins: School of Medicine DVD

Posted on September 2, 2014September 2, 2014 by FCA Editor

Doc McStuffins is a popular animated series on Disney Junior and, if you don’t already know, it’s about a six-year-old girl who magically communicates with toys. Doc is an adorable and loving child, and she is also a toy doctor! She helps mend them when they have a problem.

In this DVD there are five episodes, each with two different stories. The stories help viewers understand that going to a doctor isn’t as bad as they might think. And, doctors can help them feel better and even see better.

With fun stories, adorable toys that come to life, and plenty of songs, these episodes are just as amusing for adults. And the bonus is, even if you or your children are not familiar with Doc and her gang of toys, this DVD is still enjoyable. It’s a great disc to keep in the car to amuse the kids while you’re on your way to the mall or running errands.

When I was a child, I envied those who worked in the local “doll hospital.” It was the place where I could leave my dolls and know when I picked them up they would be fixed. Well, Doc not only fixes the toys, she is also an inspiration to young viewers. Doctors don’t have to be scary. They are helpful and can fix “boo boos.” And Doc might even motivate viewers to think about becoming doctors. Who knows?

Some of the lessons in this DVD are: we all need to wear warm clothes in the snow or else we’ll get very cold, glasses are good to wear because they help us see, and it’s OK to be different.

Joining Doc are her father and younger brother Donny, and all the fun toys: Lambie, Stuffy, Chilly, Professor Hootsburg, Hallie, and a host of others.

Included in the DVD box is a Doc Dress-Up Play Set with a Doc paper doll and plenty of outfits for dressing her as well as two different backgrounds to display Doc. It’s just a little added fun to this song-filled set of inspiring stories.

Doc McStuffins: School of Medicine is rated TVY. With Doc McStuffins, the doctor is in!

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Fun New Featurette from The Boxtrolls

Posted on September 2, 2014September 2, 2014 by FCA Editor

Come explore THE BOXTROLLS’ expertly handcrafted world in a NEW featurette that takes you behind the scenes of the upcoming family film and provides a ‘First Look’ at the characters and voice cast.

Moms’ Night Out on Blu-ray

Posted on September 2, 2014 by FCA Editor

Kids, housework, daycare, and life all pile up for one mother as she hits the boiling point. Allyson (Sarah Drew) wants to be the perfect wife and mother, but sometimes she gets completely overwhelmed. Moms’ Night Out is her adventure trying to escape for one simple night out with her friends.

Sean Astin is her loving husband who supports her and wants her to get her to regain her sanity. Allyson sets up a Saturday night dinner with her friend Izzy (Andrea Logan White) and Sondra (Patricia Heaton) who is the pastor’s wife. Izzy is dealing with the fact that her husband is inept when with their twins and the shocker that she just found out she is pregnant again. And Sondra is taking on her teenage daughter who is at the rebellious stage. All three women definitely need a night away from kids and housework, and responsibilities.

What they get is not the peaceful night out they imagined. When their dinner reservations were lost they decide to make the best of things and do something else. After all, their husbands are taking care of things at home. Right?

This is more than the story of the women’s night out. It is also the story of the men who discover the stress and frustration their wives go through on a daily basis when taking care of the youngsters.

Along the way, the women get the help of a biker names Bones (Trace Adkins) and a cabbie (David Hunt) who was enlisted to help them when they “think” their minivan was stolen.
Yes, there are a lot of crazy things going on during this film. It’s a slapstick look at life through the eyes of young families who are at the brink of breaking, but who discover that life is what they make it.

Anyone who has had these exasperating times dealing with children will identify with the women and even the men. To be honest, it even makes viewers a little anxious when watching the parents trying to handle young children. Everyone deserves some time for themselves to unwind and let go, but these folks get a lot more than they bargained for.

The bonus features include deleted scenes and a look behind the scenes at the making of the film. The movie is also available on DVD.

Three families, six kids, a biker, a cabbie, a sister-in-law, a new baby, and a lot of whacky elements collide in one night. Either you’ll love it or you’ll hate it. It all depends on your perspective. Actually, my favorite character is Bones, the biker with the heart of gold.

Moms’ Night Out is rated PG for mild thematic elements and some language.

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The Brittany Murphy Story on Lifetime

Posted on August 29, 2014 by FCA Editor

Amanda Fuller stars in the Lifetime original movie The Brittany Murphy Story. Brittany’s life emphasizes the highs and lows of young Hollywood. In her 32 years of life, Murphy went from a rising young star to a successful actress to a vilified young woman.

The film follows Murphy as she transitions from a budding actress in high school to a stable career in Hollywood. With the support of her mother Sharon (Sherilyn Fenn), Murphy moved from her Georgia home to Los Angeles to follow her dream. She became successful and also one of the paparazzi’s targets.
Brittany was always eager to please, and even went out of her way to be friendly to the press and paparazzi. But in the end she went from the press’ little darling to the target of vicious rumors. The movie emphasizes the role the press played in her fall from stardom.

The film also delves into Murphy’s romances, notably with Ashton Kutcher and with Simon Monjack (Eric Petersen), the man she eventually married. Simon went from paparazzi to a writer/director/producer and the man who stood by Brittany through the good and bad times.

As the movie follows her life, viewers who remember the young star, will undoubtedly reminisce about her life and career, and especially her untimely death. The cause of Brittany’s death was ruled by the Los Angeles Coroner’s office as pneumonia and anemia. While the press speculated it was drug related, the official cause of death ruled that out. Five months after Brittany’s death, her husband Simon died of the same causes. This entire episode is suspicious to many and the couple’s deaths are still cause for rumors.

On a personal note: I had the pleasure of interviewing Brittany and always thought she was extremely nice, polite, and friendly towards me. She was happy to answer any questions I had about her career and she was a good interviewee. I looked forward to talking with her.

The Brittany Murphy Story premiers Saturday, September 6, 2014 on Lifetime.

About the Author Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books. Follow her on Twitter Like her on Facebook

Louder than Words DVD GIVEAWAY

Posted on August 29, 2014October 1, 2014 by FCA Editor

This inspiring film, based on a true story, finds a couple, John (David Duchovny) and Brenda (Hope Davis) trying to put their life together after the tragic death of their young daughter, Maria (Olivia Steele-Falconer). As they deal with their numbing grief, they discover a way to honor their daughter’s wish for health and well-being for all children. With the help of their community, led by good friend Bruce (Timothy Hutton), they establish a children’s hospital called the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital… a state-of-the-art health facility that brings the whole family into the healing process. Instead of being torn apart by their tragedy, John and Brenda celebrate their very special daughter and help thousands of children and their families.

We have some copies of this DVD to give away.

To be eligible to win a copy of Louder than Words, email us at [email protected] with “Louder Giveaway” in the title. Please supply your name, address, phone number and email address (so we can let you know if you are a winner).

The deadline for this giveaway is September 15, 2014.