Author: FCA Editor

Land Ho! – Movie Review

Posted on by FCA Editor

landhoLand Ho! is a story of two sixty-something men who are trying to find their place in life after they both retire and find themselves alone. Earl Lynn Nelson is Mitch, and Paul Eenhoorn is Colin, two seniors who had at one time been married to sisters. Mitch’s wife left him and Colin’s wife passed away. Now the two take off on a trip to Iceland to get their mojo back.

 

“I came up with the idea in January 2013 as I was planning my Iceland trip,” says filmmaker Martha Stevens. “We wrote the script for them, with these two men’s voices in mind. I’ve known Earl Lynn my whole life, so I definitely have an ear for the way he talks and thinks.”

 

Mitch is a raunchy, sex-obsessed man. Yet he has a heart of gold. He has been forced to retire and now wonders what to do with himself. And Colin, well, Colin is on his own and yearning for a romantic relationship with a woman with whom he can have nice conversation and companionship. He’s a sweet man with a great smile. The two men embark on this trip to get their groove back. Getting out of their respective ruts is what they both need, and why not do it with a trip to Iceland?

 

“I felt like I was shooting Die Hard 4,” said Eenhoorn. “I was always cold, muscles pretty tight, never really warmed up. It was mentally tough too. It looks like it was bloody fun, but it was really concentrated hard work for both me and Earl Lynn.”

 

While in Iceland, the two men tour the country and try to figure out what they need to do and what they want out of the next phase of their lives.

 

Land Ho! is a raunchy, oftentimes comedic story of the golden age of life. It’s pretty slow-paced and not a film that will appeal to general audiences. It is more of an eclectic film delving into the hearts and minds of these two men as they converse and set the foundation for getting their mojo back.

 

Land Ho! is not for kids. It’s rated R for some language, sexual references and drug use.

 

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

WHOOSH! Screen Shine GIVEAWAY

Posted on by FCA Editor

whoosh1 completeedWe have some packets to giveaway of the amazing WHOOSH! Screen Shine cleaning kit. WHOOSH! Screen Shine is the first non-toxic, fingerprint-resistant (how cool is that for iPads and iPhones?) cleaning product that’s safe for all screens.

 

It’s safe for your expensive tech products and is sold in stores and Apple stores, so you know it will do no harm to your iPhone, iMac, iPad, or other items. This is an amazing product.

 

To be eligible to win a packet of WHOOSH! Screen Shine, email us at [email protected] with “WHOOSH 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 July 25, 2014.

 

Good luck.

WHOOSH! Screen Shine – Product Review

Posted on by FCA Editor

I have been staring at my computer screen for days looking at a little smudge on the right corner. iMacs, iPhones, and iPads are not inexpensive and should be taken care of the right way. I just discovered WHOOSH! Screen Shine, which is a new product safe for cleaning all screens and it’s even sold in the Apple stores, so you know it’s OK for your prized tech possessions.

 

WHOOSH! Screen Shine is the first non-toxic, fingerprint-resistant (how cool is that for iPads and iPhones?) cleaning product that’s safe for all screens.

 

That little smudge on my computer is now gone and the rest of the screen is bright, clear, shiny, and looks like new…literally! Whoosh did the trick.

 

To use this cleaner, simply spray some on the anti-microbial cloth, which is included in the kit. Then use the cloth to clean the screen. It doesn’t leave any harmful residue on the screen so you can feel good about your kids touching the freshly cleaned screens. It is non-toxic, alcohol free and ammonia free, doesn’t streak, and takes just a few seconds to clean any screen. What is really cool is that somehow they managed to make a solution that helps reduce fingerprints, so the clean screen lasts longer than just a few minutes.

 

After writing this review, and looking at my screen, I can honestly attest to the fact that my screen is shinier than I can remember. And who has a clean, iPhone these days that is void of annoying fingerprints?

 

Besides working well and doing a fabulous job of cleaning screens, another important element of this product is the non-toxicity. In a world where there are toxic cleaning solutions everywhere we turn, it is nice to know our hands, and those of our little ones, are touching something that won’t harm them. Void of chlorine, phosphates, and other potentially dangerous solvents, Whoosh! Screen Shine is odorless, streak free, and anti-static.

 

Find out more about this impressive and useful product at http://whooshscreenshine.com. It’s also available at the Apple stores and the Apple store website.

 

WHOOSH! Screen Shine comes in three sizes. You can purchase the On-the-Go pack which contains 1 fluid ounce of the product along with the special cleaning cloth, the Pocket packet, which contains .3 ounces and the cleaning cloth, and the Dui+ which contains one 3.4 ounce bottle as well as a .3 ounce bottle, and the cloth.

 

On a final note, I just have to say “Wow.” My screen is clean, shiny, and clear of fingerprints. Just like new. And, it is Made in the USA.

 

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

Grease Sing-A-Long on a Summer Night

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grease-685

By popular demand, the Hollywood Bowl is once again transformed into the world’s largest movie theater for the Grease Sing-A-Long Sunday, July 13, 2014.  The show, hosted by Didi Conn (“Frenchy”), will feature the Paramount Pictures film, complete with subtitles so the whole audience can sing along.

For the pre-show, rock ‘n roll doo-wop legends Sha Na Na will perform a live set starting at 7:30 PM, followed by a short audience warm-up led by Ms. Conn, with the film starting at 8:30 PM. Sha Na Na, cast in the movie as “Johnny Casino and the Gamblers,” performed six songs on the Grease soundtrack and the song “Sandy,” sung by John Travolta, was co-written by Sha Na Na’s piano man Screamin’ Scott Simon.
WHEN:       Sunday, July 13, 2014
7:30 PM Pre-Show
8:30 PM Film

WHERE:      HOLLYWOOD BOWL
2301 N Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90068

TICKETS:    Tickets for the Hollywood Bowl 2014 summer season are available now at HollywoodBowl.com or via credit card phone order at 323.850.2000.

Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid on DVD

Posted on by FCA Editor

mermaid

William Powell stars in Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid, a romantic fantasy about middle age. This 1948 black and white movie has a large fan base, however to today’s viewers it might seem too corny.

 

Arthur Peabody (Powell) and his wife (Irene Hervey) are on vacation in the Caribbean. He’s about to turn 50 and that number is weighing heavily on his mind.

 

When Peabody hears singing coming from a nearby island, he follows the sound and discovers a beautiful hair comb on a rock. But no one is there. Someone definitely left it on the rock at some point.

 

Then, when he is trolling for fish, and lamenting his age, he hooks the tail of a mermaid (Ann Blyth). Peabody brings her back to the villa where he and his wife are staying and plops her in their bathtub. Of course he can’t keep a mermaid in the bathtub so he moves her to the pond on the property.

 

Peabody names the mermaid Lenore and although she cannot communicate with language, he finds another way to convey his feelings to her – with a kiss. Lenore loves kisses and can’t get enough! Peabody falls desperately in love with the mermaid. She is very much like a child – jealous, playful, and curious. And she had no modesty, so Peabody goes shopping for “half” a bathing suit, which causes rumors in town.

 

When his wife disappears, Peabody is suspected of murder, until she is discovered back at their home in Boston. With his bathing suit adventure and the fact that another woman has been pursuing him, the police think the worst of the poor man.

 

Through all of this, Peabody maintains his devotion to Lenore. She has no concept of age and does not know he just hit the big 5-0. This is appealing to the middle age man.

 

The entire story is told to a psychiatrist. In the end, it is up to the viewers to decide whether Peabody just had a mid-life fantasy or whether it was reality.

 

This is not Tom Hanks and Darrell Hannah’s Splash. The acting and sets date the film. Nevertheless, the movie does have its ardent admirers.

 

Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid is not rated, however it is tame enough for all audiences. The movie is also available on Blu-ray.

 

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

Dyson DC59 Motorhead Cordless Vacuum

Posted on by FCA Editor

lferrisThe latest and greatest from Dyson is the New DC59 Motorhead cordless vacuum. With a new V6 digital motor in the cleaner head, it provides 75% more power than previous models.

 

This cordless machine works great on hard floors, but also just as well on carpets, which is something cordless vacuums usually are less efficient at doing. That makes the DC59 Motorhead the only vacuum necessary for many people. No longer do you need a cordless vacuum for your tile, hardwood, and linoleum, and an upright for your carpets. This one unit does it all without losing power.

 

Dyson has created a new color for their new machine. The lightweight aluminum wand is dark rose. It’s really an attractive color, but that’s incidental when it comes to this vacuum. What matters most is performance and ease of use.

 

The performance is great. Owner and vacuum guru James Dyson, said, “Existing cordless machines simply do not deliver on carpets. By putting a motor directly in the brush bar, we’re able to push bristles deeper into carpets for superior performance, while maintaining the versatility of a handheld machine.” And there is no slowing down while the unit is on. It maintains the power throughout its use, which is meant for approximately 24 minutes of continuous use. There is a Max Mode for more difficult areas. This mode supplies up to six minutes of added suction. It’s like putting the machine on steroids!

 

And switching the tools is easy. There is a crevice tool, a mini motorized tool, and a combination accessory tool. What is important to me as well as other allergy sufferers is the way it easily empties directly into a trashcan. No mess. No bags. Just click the button and release the dust. And there will definitely be a lot of dust. This powerful unit picks up even microscopic dust. Allergy sufferers take note. This is an important element to the vacuum. You will be breathing easier when the junk is out of your floors, upholstery, and other areas.

 

Besides using this with the long wand, it can be use as a small hand-held vacuum for stairs, cars, and other areas. It makes the perfect vacuum for an RV too! The DC59 Motorhead comes with a wall mounted docking station, which stores the unit and recharges the battery when not in use.

 

dyson h

 

Dyson guarantees the DC59 Motorhead for 2 years parts and labor. Register your unit when you get it to activate your warranty.

 

The DC59 Motorhead is a vacuum that even youngsters can use. Just detach the vacuum from the dock and hand it to your youngster. Tell them to “Suck it up!” It’s easy and cordless. And, they might even enjoy doing some housework. Now that’s a great idea.

 

On a personal note, I am sold on Dyson products. I feel they are well made and durable. I do not hesitate recommending this new DC59 Motorhead to anyone in need of a new vacuum. With the lightweight versatility of the unit, and the length of the wand, it’s easy to clean up high as well as down low. With a weight of under 5 pounds, it’s easy to hold and maneuver.
For more information about this latest and greatest cordless vacuum from Dyson, go to their website at www.Dyson.com.

 

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

Earth to Echo – Movie Review

Posted on by FCA Editor

earthtoechoEarth to Echo is a fun summer film for the entire family. It’s a little E.T., a little The Goonies, and a touch of Stand By Me.

 

The entire story is told through the eyes – and video cameras – of three young boys as they spend their last night together. Their neighborhood is being torn down to make way for a new freeway so everyone is being forced to move. This move will break up the tight-knit trio.

 

On their last day together, they receive a mysterious signal through their cell phones. It is a map. The boys concoct a plan to follow the map (on their bikes) into the desert to see what is going on. They know something is very strange and for their last night together they decide an adventure is in order.

 

What they find, after they have ridden their bikes miles and miles from home, is a strange little device. They discover, after some heart-pounding moments and raw nerves, it is an alien. The little fellow communicates through beeps. They name him Echo and learn that he needs their help to rebuild his spaceship to return to his home. By following maps throughout the night, the boys help Echo get objects that he needs to rebuild his ship.

The trio becomes a foursome when one of their classmates joins them in the night. She is just as eager to help Echo as they are. But the authorities are on their trail and while they are looking for the tools Echo needs, the government is pursuing the kids.

 

ECHO

 

The kids are headstrong about helping the little alien, yet also concerned for their own lives. Tuck (Brian “Astro” Bradley) is the guy who wants to film the entire night. Alex (Teo Halm) is the kid who has had a tough life and has little fear of anything. Munch (Reese Hartwig) is the tech guru who is a bit squirrely but finds his inner strength by the end of the film. And Emma (Ella Wahlestedt) is a girl from a middle class family who has more guts and determination than any of the boys.

 

Producer Andrew Panay wanted to make a movie using the technology that kids today use in their everyday life: the Internet and cameras. “Kids today are doing a lot of their own filming and they’re videotaping and Vine-ing,” said Panay. “There are all these different social media outlets and ways of communicating which comes down to turning the camera around and shooting yourself and sending it off.” He decided to incorporate this with shades of the movies he loved as a young boy.

 

There are some fun laugh-out-loud moments throughout the movie. And there are some sweet scenes of friendship. Earth to Echo is delightfully entertaining. It’s just as fun for adults as it is for kids. It is rated PG for some action and peril, and mild language.

 

 

 

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

BabyFirst’s Dance Time Boys

Posted on by FCA Editor

Baby firstOn a mission to get kids on their feet and dancing, BabyFirst will be moving and grooving this summer with the debut of Dance Time Boys featuring PB and Jam, the nephews of Grammy® nominated drummer Sheila E.  Beginning July 14 at 7:00am, 10:45am and 7:45pm ET in English and in Spanish, it is the first original live-action dance series to air on BabyFirst, the leading baby-focused TV channel and new media company dedicated to delivering quality educational content to young children and their parents and watched by every third mom with a child under three in the US.*

 

In each episode, PB and Jam scooter their way to different neighborhoods, showing kids just how much fun they can have while dancing and singing. The dance-along series encourages active playtime among children and is set to original music by Dance Time Boys creator and producer, Peter Michael Escovedo III (High School Musical: Get in the Picture), also part of the legendary Escovedo family.  “PB and Jam reflect our family’s commitment to help young children establish healthy, active lifestyle habits, and PB and Jam make it fun,” said Escovedo.

 

“Dance Time Boys is the perfect summertime series for kids with extra energy to burn,” said Mario Solis-Marich, VP of Programming at BabyFirst. “We are thrilled to have PB and Jam take center stage as we continue to expand our programming to reflect the culture of the Latino community, give a voice to Latino independent producers and help all children keep moving.”

 

 

The Junior Spy Agency – DVD GIVEAWAY

Posted on by FCA Editor

juniorspy-749x1024 completedAfter spending the summer solving crimes with fellow detective Emma Marsh (Katherine McNamara and their trusty sidekick Doug the Dog, Sam Steele (Jacob Hays) is less than thrilled to put his junior spy agency on hold while school is in session. But when Sam’s history assignment leads him to clues that may uncover a priceless, stolen treasure, they’re on the case.

 

Pitted against Cash (Kevin Sorbo) and his gang of bumbling thieves, the young sleuths race to recover the treasure before it falls into the wrong hands forever. Who knew homework could be so fun?

 

We have several DVD copies of The Junior Spy Agency to giveaway.

 

To be eligible to win a copy of The Junior Spy Agency, email us at [email protected] with “Junior Spy 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 July 11, 2014.