Get ready for an amazing adventure with the Blu-ray edition of Winter’s Tale. This story is a magical, mythical love story that spans over a century.

 

This is a classic story of good versus evil. Will Smith is the devil and one of his henchmen is Pearly (Russell Crowe) who wants nothing more than to eliminate a young man who was his protégé and now is his enemy. This man, Peter Lake (Colin Farrell) is a master thief and when he meets a beautiful young woman named Beverly Penn (Brown Findlay), they instantly fall in love. But consumption is slowly taking her life. Can Peter’s love and a bit of magic save her?

 

Forward a century to the current time and Peter finds himself lost and alone, and trying to figure out who he is. Then his past comes tumbling back. Although a century has gone by, Peter is still the same age as he was when he was presumed dead in the early 1900s. He’s now in NYC in 2014 and wondering why. Then he meets a young girl and everything becomes clear to him. His destiny is to save her. But it will be a life or death struggle with the devil to finally fulfill his destiny.

 

This story imparts the theme that time folds over, we are all connected, and there are many things and miracles we cannot explain, yet they happen all the time.

 

Winter’s Tale is “an epic tale of romance and magic,” says producer Marc Platt in one of the bonus features on this Blu-ray edition. It is the ultimate story of the forces of good and evil.

 

The city of New York is one of the characters in the story. It transforms from one century to the next. The ultimate core of the movie is the love story between Peter and Beverly, and the way it transcends time and death. There are some amazing magical moments threading through the film, and the movie will undoubtedly leave viewers with a sense of fulfillment.

 

On a personal note: In the beginning I was not sure if I would like this film. But as it progressed I became entranced and enchanted by the story. It is still percolating in my mind. The miracles, the magic, and the love that revolves around the characters make this like a fairy-tale and something that will be enjoyed over and over again.
There are a few interesting bonus features included on the combo pack, along with a Blu-ray disc, a DVD, and Ultraviolet Digital code.

 

Winter’s Tale is a fantasy, a drama, a mystery, and a romance all rolled into one magical movie. It is rated PG-13 for violence and some sensuality.

 

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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The highly acclaimed TV series Masters of Sex is now available on Blu-Ray and DVD. The series stars Michael Sheen and Lizzy Caplan as the famed Masters and Johnson sex researchers. William Masters (Sheen) and Virginia Johnson (Caplan) were the first researchers to study sex and sexuality and the human body in relation to them.

The series follows the two researchers as they meet, begin their studies together, and form a personal bond. William Masters is married and Virginia Johnson is a single mother. They have a great working relationship and both are interested in documenting how the male and female bodies react in sexual experiences. During their close working relationship they form an emotional bond, and eventually they get married, but that is way down the road. In the first season they simply begin their working partnership, which leads to a more intimate relationship.

Masters of Sex is an addicting series. Due to the subject matter and nudity, this is not recommended for young viewers. Beau Bridges, Caitlin FitzGerald, Allison Janney, Nicholas D’Agosto, Teddy Sears, and Julianne Nicholson co-star in this fascinating and mesmerizing show. Once you start watching you won’t be able to stop.

 
A bonus feature on the discs include a “making of” featurette where viewers get an understanding of how the show was created and brought to the small screen. The series is described as “bold and provocative and somewhat shocking.” It is an “intimate story of relationships.” The 1950s was a time when sexuality was still buttoned up, so to speak and was rarely discussed. Michael Sheen is the one and only actor the showrunners wanted to play the part of William Masters, and they even adjusted their schedule to fit his. And Beau Bridges says he was a bit surprised to learn he was going to play a closeted gay character.

There are bonuses in which Lizzy Caplan and Michael Sheen discuss their roles and how they tackled playing opposite each other and playing real life characters. Sheen is “excited between what is known and unknown” about the title characters and is happy to bring their story to the screen. And Caplan admits she loves the show and her character and “really likes coming to work everyday.” There are also several deleted scenes included on the discs. There are a couple additional bonus features on the Blu-ray that delve more deeply into Masters and Johnson and their sexual discoveries.
All twelve Showtime episodes are included in this set. Michael Sheen was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor, Masters of Sex won an AFI award for TV Program of the Year, and was nominated for several other awards. If you haven’t seen it, this is your time to see season one in its entirety, along with plenty of great bonus additions.

 

Masters of Sex is rated TV-MA for adult content, graphic language, and nudity. It is for Mature Audiences.

 

Watch the Trailer Here

 

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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Manipulation abounds in the second season of the highly praised and addictive series House of Cards. Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright are extraordinary in their deviously manipulative roles of Frank and Claire Underwood.

 

The second season begins with Frank Underwood becoming the Vice President of the United States. If you think that is his final rung on the ladder, you are mistaken. Why settle for second when you can go for first? The entire season is like a chess game with Frank and Claire setting up the pieces on the board so they can make their moves.

It’s difficult to detest Frank, even though he is ruthless and cunning. There’s something loveable about him that makes his backstabbing tolerable. Unlike J.R. Ewing, Frank Underwood has a loveable side.

 

Without giving away any of the storylines, I will simply say that season two is as addicting as the first season. There is plenty of deceit, murders, sex, secrets revealed, and the final episode of the season culminates in checkmate.
Some of Claire’s secrets are revealed, which both endear her to the public and create animosity. And Frank discovers a truth about his ancestor’s life during the Civil War. As both of these characters’ humanities bubble to the surface, their inner callousness builds and together their road to the White House becomes the focal point of their actions, which means eliminating anyone who might pose an obstacle to their plans. Anyone!

 

Bonus features on this four-disc set include a “Table Read,” which gives viewers a look inside the way the actors act and react to the scripts. Another feature looks at the “Direct Address.” Throughout the show, Kevin Spacey, in his role of Frank Underwood, looks directly at the camera and talks to the viewers. Sometimes he just looks at the camera and viewers know exactly what he is thinking. This tool is what makes him accessible to viewers. They get to see and hear exactly what is in his mind, when those around him are not privy to his inner thoughts. This is a tool that is rarely used in shows, and rightly so. It is a tricky tool, however in this case it works because it adds insight into the character that makes him more endearing, even though he is conniving and devious.

 

Another bonus feature compares and contrasts the original British series upon which this show was based. Kevin Spacey was the only actor considered for the role of Frank Underwood. It was, so to speak, written for him in the American version, which deviates quite a bit from the British show, of course.

 

House of Cards is a gripping series taking viewers behind the scenes of the ruthless and shrewd world of Washington politics. Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright have been recognized for their brilliant performances. Season two delves more deeply into their characters’ relationship with each other and with their continuing ruthless behaviors that, in this season, work hand in hand. Once you start watching, you won’t want to stop. Needless to say, this is for adults only.

 

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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Deborah Kerr and Robert Mitchum star in this 1957 movie about a marine stranded on a deserted island with a nun during World War II. Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison is a study of human behavior when Corporal Allison and Sister Angela forge an alliance and beautiful friendship in order to survive when the Japanese take over the island.

 

It’s 1944 and Marine Allison has been adrift in a raft for a while when he lands on a small island. The only other person there is Sister Angela, who had been there to look after an elderly priest who then died, leaving her alone on the little island. There is plenty of fish, fruit, and fresh water making survival for the pair somewhat easy, however when the Japanese arrive, the two must take refuge in a small cave.

 

At one point Sister Angela thinks she should turn herself into the Japanese to make his survival easier, but the marine won’t hear of it. He insists they work together to stay alive. And in doing so, he falls in love with her. Could a sweet nun possibly fall in love with a hard-nosed marine?

 

Most of the film consists of just the two of them –a nun and a marine. Their relationship grows as the days pass and they learn to rely on each other. Their feelings for each other are strong, but are her feelings for God stronger than her love for this man?

 

The ending might inspire some viewers and might disappoint others. I found myself comparing this to the comedy Father Goose, however the stories are much different. They both put two people against the Japanese on a small Pacific island, however their circumstances are much different.

 

Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison is a dramatic story of humanity, hope, faith, and love. Mitchum is sweet as the tough marine with a heart of gold, and Kerr is adorable as the nun who discovers she has a gritty side. This movie is not rated. This Blu-Ray is a limited edition of 3,000 units.

 

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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This 1958 movie is really adorable and not at all dated, except for the clothing and hairstyles. Put those minor details aside – and the fact that it is black and white – and you have a fun little movie that is filled with plenty of chuckles and a lot of heart. Teacher’s Pet stars Clark Gable and Doris Day.

 

Clark Gable stars as James Gannon, a hard-nosed city editor of a large newspaper. He is hard drinking, hard living, and hard working. He lives and breathes for the newspaper and insists everyone who works for him does the same.

 

Doris Day is Erica Stone, a schoolteacher who wants to inspire others to write for newspapers. Her father won a Pulitzer Prize for an editorial in a small country newspaper and she has the business in her blood.

Both Stone and Gannon have the same desires to produce good journalists, but they have differing ways of getting them. Gannon thinks they need to learn by doing, and Stone thinks they can learn in classes. Gannon never graduated from High School and thinks schooling is not necessary to be a good journalist. Stone thinks schooling is an important element in journalism.

 

When Gannon goes to Erica’s class to apologize for a rude letter he wrote, things get a bit screwy. He has an instant attraction to her. Knowing how she feels about the “rude” James Gannon, he masquerades as James Gallagher and enrolls in her journalism class. Lo and behold, he is the best student she has ever had and although he tells her he works for a wallpaper company, she sees him as a budding journalist. But what is going to happen when Erica finally learns her great student and suitor is a man she detests?

 

The laughs abound in this delightful story. Gable shows his comedy chops in this film. This is definitely a fun-filled story that is just as enjoyable today as it was in the 1950s.

Teacher’s Pet is part of the Warner Archive Collection and can be ordered from their website atwww.wbshop.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