Blended – Official Trailers

Posted on January 7, 2014 by FCA Editor

“Blended” marks the third comedy collaboration between stars Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, following their successful onscreen pairings in the hit romantic comedies “50 First Dates” and “The Wedding Singer.”

After a disastrous blind date, single parents Lauren (Barrymore) and Jim (Sandler) agree on only one thing: they never want to see each other again. But when they each sign up separately for a fabulous family vacation with their kids, they are all stuck sharing a suite at a luxurious African safari resort for a week.

“Blended” also stars Joel McHale (NBC’s “Community”) as Lauren’s ex-husband, Mark, and Wendi McLendon-Covey (“Bridesmaids”) as her best friend, Jen; Kevin Nealon (“Weeds”) and Jessica Lowe (funnyordie’s “RobotDown”) as an overly romantic couple also vacationing at the resort; Terry Crews (“The Expendables 2”) as the resort’s singing host; and Dan Patrick (ESPN SportsCenter) as Dick.
Playing the kids are: Bella Thorne of Disney Channel’s “Shake it Up,” Emma Fuhrmann and Alyvia Alyn Lynd as Jim’s daughters; and Kyle Red Silverstein and Braxton Beckham as Lauren’s sons.

“Blended” is directed by Frank Coraci, who previously collaborated with Sandler and Barrymore on “The Wedding Singer” and also directed Sandler in the hit comedies “The Waterboy” and “Click.” The screenplay is by Ivan Menchell & Clare Sera. The film is produced by Mike Karz, Adam Sandler and Jack Giarraputo, with Barry Bernardi, Josie Rosen, Tim Herlihy, Allen Covert and Steven Koren serving as executive producers.
Collaborating with Coraci behind the scenes are director of photography Julio Macat (“Pitch Perfect”), production designer Perry Andelin Blake (“Here Comes the Boom”), editor Tom Costain (“Grown Ups”) and costume designer Christine Wada (“Bridesmaids”).
“Blended” was filmed predominantly on location in South Africa.

Slated for release on May 23, 2014, “Blended” is a Warner Bros. Pictures presentation of a Gulfstream Pictures/Happy Madison Production and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company.

Salinger on PBS’ American Masters

Posted on January 6, 2014 by FCA Editor

The book The Catcher in the Rye propelled J.D. Salinger to iconic proportions. Salinger is a new documentary that explores the popularity of the book as well as the life of the author.

J.D. Salinger had an interesting yet rather odd life. He was a rather odd person, to put it bluntly. In his younger years his goal was to be published in the New Yorker, and submitted article after article, which resulted in rejection after rejection. In the beginning of his life he wanted to be an actor, then a theater critic, then a writer. He succeeded in getting published in the New Yorker, and then his first novel, The Catcher in the Rye, thrust him and his popularity and reputation to the stratosphere.

After the enormous success, Jerry Salinger went into relative seclusion, being compared to the isolated existence of Howard Hughes. Yet Salinger was not a complete recluse and although he was an odd man, he did have friends and venture out of his New Hampshire retreat.

Salinger had a wealthy background. He attended prep school then military school. In World War II he was in the Counter Intelligence Corps. During the war he spent 299 days in combat, an experience that haunted him the rest of his days. His time in the war gave him his voice as a writer. The pain and suffering he saw and experienced led to a mental breakdown from which some think he never fully recovered.

Salinger loved young (emphasis on “young”) women and carried on relationship with many of them. His first real love was Oona O’Neill, the daughter of playwright Eugene O’Neill, who broke his heart by marrying Charlie Chaplin while Salinger was fighting in the war. That, along with many other personal experiences added to the moroseness he felt and about which he wrote.

The Catcher in the Rye was front and center in three tragic events: The murder of John Lennon in 1980, the assassination attempt of President Ronald Reagan in 1981, and the murder of actress Rebecca Schaeffer in 1989. Each of the shooters was enamored by the story and referred to it in their defense or their interrogation. That alone would be enough to deeply affect a writer, but that was not what sent Salinger into seclusion, as he has been living a very private life for decades prior to these events. He was a private man from the beginning and didn’t want anything to do with the public. He wanted his words to speak for him, not his life.

While watching this documentary I found myself continually wondering why people get so wrapped up in a “celebrity” so much so that they travel to the hometown of him/her to catch a glimpse of them or get them to say something to them. It’s a strange phenomenon, which followed Salinger through all the days of his life.

J.D. Salinger stopped publishing early in the 1960s, yet continued to write every day. The stories and novels he wrote while in relative seclusion will begin to be published in 2015.

Salinger was a strange man, which is evident in this film. He is considered by some to be a genius, by others as an eccentric, and by others as simply weird. You be the judge. Salinger premiers January 21, 2014 on PBS as the 200^th episode of the American Masters series.

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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Laugh Lines: 50 Years of Jokes, Stories, and Life as an Entertainer by Wayne Osmond

Posted on January 5, 2014June 5, 2014 by FCA Editor

The Osmond Brothers have been in the public eye for over 50 years. Through the decades they have brought countless hours of entertainment and enjoyment to fans through their music and now their books. Many members of the family have written books and continue to write books, and between the pages of each and every book the public gets to know them just a little more intimately.

While the Osmonds continue to maintain their core fan base, they are always doing new things, which expands that base that spans several generations. Whether it is performing in concerts, performing on Broadway, recording, or appearing on television, members of the Osmond family are everywhere. After all, there are so many of them, they can’t help but be omnipresent.

While he is a musician as well as a singer, Wayne Osmond separated himself from his brothers onstage with his wit, sense of humor, and zaniness. His nickname is “Crazy Wayne.

In Laugh Lines: 50 Years of Jokes, Stories, and Life as an Entertainer, Wayne Osmond allows readers a look at the man behind the famous image. Each chapter opens with a small biographical sketch of certain aspects of his life. Throughout the book there are brief memories of life with Wayne Osmond written by his sons and daughters. Wayne has also included some excerpts from his diary that he kept for many years while he was growing up. There are many insights into Wayne Osmond the man and the father, which his fans will definitely enjoy.

Everyone who has seen the Osmond Brothers on stage knows that Wayne is the jokester and always ready with a one-liner. This book is a collection of some of his favorite jokes for all occasions. They are divided into categories. Laugh Lines is a great book to keep in the car so when you’re early for an appointment you can pick it up and read a few jokes.

Besides the enormous library of jokes included in the book, Wayne talks about his love of flying and how he received his pilot’s license before his driver’s license. He talks about his brain surgery and his family who have always been close to each other.

Filled with Jokes

This is a fun book even for people who do not consider themselves Osmond fans. There are pages after pages of fun jokes to read and memorize. It makes a fun party game too. When things get dull, pull out the book and start reading the jokes. There’s a joke in here for everyone. I haven’t counted the jokes but believe me, there are hundreds.

In this time of stalemates in Washington and a declining economy, I especially like his joke: “If pro is the opposite of con, is progress the opposite of congress?” (page 109) Think about it.

Laugh Lines is not the kind of book readers can read cover to cover. It takes a while for some of the jokes to digest. And if you do read it straight through, you will most likely forget a lot of the fun jokes Osmond has carefully selected to include in the book. True, some of them are clunkers, but there are a lot of laugh-out-loud moments between the covers of the book. You will find yourself chuckling or outright laughing from time to time.

Wayne is no longer performing with his brothers. This book is a good way for fans to continue getting their dose of Wayne’s humor. Did you hear the one about …?

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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Freedom Force DVD

Posted on January 4, 2014 by FCA Editor

Freedom Force is a clever animated movie that is appealing to young and old. There are nuances that lend themselves to older viewers and plenty of fun that is engaging to younger viewers.

The premise is that an evil man has changed the course of history by altering the stories of Jules Verne to create havoc and disgrace the famed writer. Verne is the father of science fiction. He penned the books Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, A Journey to the Center of the Earth, Around the World in Eighty Days, From the Earth to the Moon, Five Weeks in a Balloon, The Mysterious Island, and many more. By altering the stories they become nonsense. “Cockamamie” is one word used in the film to describe them once they are changed.

A group of twelve-year-olds have been recruited for Operation Freedom Force, a classified mission in which they will be inserted into the stories to fix them. How, you might wonder, will they enter the stories? That’s easy. By using the Imaginaseum, a special machine invented by a professor to enter the imaginations of others. Once something has been altered, there are only 48 hours to reverse the changes or they will be permanent.

The four kids (Peter, a bookworm who has read all the Jules Verne stories, Aristotle, a tech geek, Profiterole, a gassy child, his dog Houston, and Nicole, who is into martial arts) join forces and teleport into the wondrous world of science fiction to find the “reset” buttons in each of the altered Jules Verne stories to restore them to their original content.

Why, you might wonder, would a gassy little guy be part of this group? Well, the reason is because Verne was also pretty gassy. And Nicole is a descendent of Jules Verne’s first love. All the kids are 12-years old because that is the age in which Verne started writing. They were selected because they each have something in common with Jules Verne himself. The kids wear special suits that are able to disguise them while in the stories. It’s all pretty ingenious and imaginative, much like the stories penned by Jules Verne himself.

While this movie is animated and targeted to tweens and young teens, it is one that all generations can enjoy, especially fans of science fiction and Jules Verne. Freedom Force is rated PG and runs 82 minutes. It’s filled with fun characters, witty lines, and great creativity.

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G.B.F. Movie Review

Posted on January 4, 2014 by FCA Editor

High School social status is at the center of the world in G.B.F. All the girls want a “gay best friend” with whom they can share their thoughts, shopping, and advice.

Tanner (Michael J. Willett) is a shy, gay teen that hangs out with three other kids. This foursome is on the fringe of the social set in their high school. Actually, these four are not on the fringe, they are simply not on the radar of anyone except their small social group – Brent (Paul Iacono), Sophie (Molly Tarlov), and Glenn (Derek Mio). This foursome sticks to themselves, however Brent is thinking about coming out of the closet and dreams of being a popular gay kid in the school where no one is out of the closet.

Tanner is not so confident about exposing his sexuality, but due to a mishap, he is accidentally “outed” and soon finds himself the object of attention of the three social queens on campus: Caprice (Xosha Roquemore), a drama queen, Fawcett (Sasha Pieterse), a fashionista, and ‘Shley (Andrea Bowen), a naïve Mormon princess. Soon the girls are vying for Tanner’s time and put aside their personal warfare to join together to make over their new GBF. After all, what’s better than a BFF? It’s a GBF.

While the three queen bees instantly put Tanner in the upper echelon of the school’s social circle, Brent is left behind and Tanner finds himself spending all his time with his new “friends.” Brent, the one who originally thought about coming out of the closet, discovers he is too intimidated to take that first step but when he sees the instant popularity of his best friend, he wonders what he should do.

Tanner is now the popular kid on campus and the one and only gay member of the school’s straight/gay student group headed by Soledad (Joanna ‘JoJo’ Levesque), a do-gooder who is excited to finally have an admittedly gay student in the school and her club.

This movie is entertaining and as the story progresses and the different personalities of the students emerge, strange alliances form and some social structures crumble. While some students profess to be a certain way and outwardly portray a certain image, it’s what they don’t show that begins to emerge and it’s all thanks to the accidental outing of one unassuming young man. Tanner’s life instantly changes, but it takes a little while before others change.

G.B.F. is a fun film but not for everyone. The diverse group of characters might offend some viewers. It is rated R for sexual references (obviously). It opens in theaters January 17, 2014.

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Joanne Froggatt Talks About Downton Abbey

Posted on January 4, 2014 by FCA Editor

In the popular PBS drama Downton Abbey, Joanne Froggatt plays Anna Bates, Ladies Maid to Lady Mary. In the previous seasons, Anna has had some meaty parts, working for Lady Mary, falling in love with Mr. Bates, and working to get him out of prison when he was unjustly accused, however viewers of the show and fans of Anna Bates will see a very tragic and dramatic storyline in season four for the beloved character.

At the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour, Ms. Froggatt discussed her character and the series. “I love Anna,” she proclaimed. “When I read her on the page before I went in for the audition, I thought, ‘Oh, yeah. She’s the kind of person you would want as a best friend, and she’s just so lovely.’ And I think Anna may grow up to be Mrs. Hughes. I think there is a connection. So Anna is like the younger version of Mrs. Hughes, I think,” she said, referring to the loveable yet dignified housekeeper.

Froggatt also spoke about the correlation between the time period in which the series takes place and modern days. “It’s important to remember how women were at that time and the opportunities we didn’t have. When we started the first season of Downton, it was before women had the vote and those kinds of things, which just seem so far removed from where we are today, but it’s only a hundred years ago. It’s things like that that always surprise me with Downton.” The 34-year-old actress exclaimed, “Every year, I’m thinking, ‘Oh, yeah. Goodness me. We still weren’t allowed to do this.’” For modern women, it’s ancient history to think about not being able to go out to eat or do many things that today are just part of our lives. But for the time period in which the series is placed, the characters were just on the cusp of many things becoming reality, and Froggatt was astounded at the things women could not do in those days.

“I think Julian (Fellowes) writes really well for women. He always has. I mean Maggie Smith is kind of his muse in a way – the way he writes for Maggie and the way she delivers those lines. And he writes really strongly for women and always has.”

When the new season of Downton Abbey plays out, viewers will see the Anna Bates character experience something that will effect her for the rest of her life, and Mr. Bates as well. Downton Abbey, Season Four premiers January 5, 2014 on PBS.

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Henry Hugglemonster DVD GIVEAWAY

Posted on January 2, 2014 by FCA Editor

Yay! A Henry Hugglemonster DVD is finally available for home viewing. Henry Hugglemonster: Meet the Hugglgemonsters is a fun-filled disc for fans of the Disney Junior TV series, and if your kids (or you) haven’t seen it yet, you’re in for a treat. These adorable and loveable little monsters will steal your heart.

The package includes one DVD + Free Iron on Decals.

There are 6 episodes plus a bonus episode on this DVD. It’s rated TV-Y – for all children, especially targeting ages 2-6.

We have a couple copies available to two very lucky readers. To be eligible to win a copy of Henry Hugglemonster: Meet the Hugglemonsters, email us at [email protected] with “Hugglemonster” in the title. Please supply your name, address, phone number and email address.

Deadline for this giveaway is January 15, 2014.

The Power Trip by Jackie Collins – Book Review

Posted on December 31, 2013May 31, 2014 by FCA Editor

Jackie Collins does it again. In The Power Trip Collins delivers a page turning adventure with pizazz and of course plenty of sensuality and sexuality.

The book is divided into two sections. The first section introduces the large cast of characters in this riveting drama. There are Alexsandr Kasianenko, a Russian billionaire, and his supermodel girlfriend Bianca, around which this entire novel revolves. The other characters include a bachelor movie star and his adoring girlfriend, a sex-crazed United States Senator and his very happy wife, an English “footballer” and his interior decorator wife, a Latin singer and his selfish British partner, an internationally recognized journalist and his “save the world” friend, and a few others.

To say this list of characters is among the rich and famous of the world is an understatement. Each couple has recognition in their own right, but when you get them all together you have a group that is the A-List of the A-List. And together they all get, when Alexsandr and Bianca invite them on the maiden cruise of their luxury yacht. This cruise, to celebrate Bianca’s birthday, promises to be the most luxurious any of them has ever dreamed about.

The second part of the book takes place on board the yacht Bianca and readers will live vicariously through these characters as they are wined, dined, and entertained to the hilt. Jackie Collins has a way of putting her readers directly into the story and as they turn the pages they cannot help but feel like a fly on the wall of this incredible yacht.

Each couple has internal situations that are playing out in their staterooms. The Senator is on the lookout for a female sexual conquest; all the while a secret he has kept for years unravels right before his eyes. The soccer player is trying to rekindle the flame with his wife who has not been “in the mood” for a long time. The movie star is contemplating ending his relationship and looking for another young woman to keep him company. To put it bluntly, each couple comes aboard the yacht with their own personal drama.

All of the drama on the yacht comes to a head when pirates who have an ulterior motive other than simply money board it. With guns blazing and danger at every turn, this hijacking turns into something that the pirates never thought possible. They are actually fighting for their lives against a group from high society’s who’s who. How could this be?

Jackie Collins writes a narrative that is compelling and intriguing. No, this is not for younger readers. Yes, there is a lot of sex involved. Yes, the story is engaging. And yes, it is enjoyable reading. Decadency, jealousy, conniving, cheating, love, passion, and excitement all combine in this newest Jackie Collins novel.

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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Reid Scott Talks About Turbo F.A.S.T

Posted on December 27, 2013 by FCA Editor

Turbo was a fun, fast, and popular feature film, and now NetFlix takes this DreamWorks story one step further with the new animated series Turbo F.A.S.T. (Fast Action Stunt Team). Reid Scott supplies the voice of Turbo, the snail with the need for speed.

In the film Ryan Reynolds voiced the little snail, so Scott found taking over the role a little intimidating. “I thought that he did such a fantastic job,” Scott proclaimed in an interview with TV critics. “And that he had a really great voice for animation, too. And I’m sure he’ll probably do more. But the good thing was that we weren’t really looking for a voice match. It was more sort of a character match or an attitude match.” And Reid Scott fit the bill, or I should say, snail.

“And, and at this point, the little subtleties and nuances in my voice and in my style, and in my approach to the character, have slowly sort of taken over.” He added, “But it’s still very faithful to the feature.”

Reid Scott explained the differences between the movie and the series, besides the fact that there can be many more adventures in the series. “The feature sort of resides in the world of humans, although you see that the snails habitat in their home and everything. The series goes much deeper into their world and into them interacting with other bugs and other creatures. And while humans are still present, it’s really much more about the little guys out there, the mini creatures.”

Scott is not new to television and has appeared in many series. He admitted he had to sometimes restrain his humor in regular TV, while “in an animated series, you’re encouraged to go big. I mean, bigger is better and broader is better. Louder is better; faster is better.” He joked, “So, I guess from an actor’s standpoint you’re sort of encouraged to do all of the bad things that you didn’t get to do elsewhere. You get to exercise those demons. So, it’s a good place to sort of get that out of your system. It’s really fun because you can be a kid again.”

Reid Scott is happy with his new role because this time his audience is kids. “It’s a nice way to connect with much younger generations. And it takes me back. And I have as much fun doing it as I’m sure I would watching it, if I was a kid.”

Turbo F.A.S.T. airs on NetFlix.

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Peanuts Deluxe Edition: Touchdown Charlie Brown! GIVEAWAY

Posted on December 27, 2013 by FCA Editor

It’s the Super Bowl season and what better way for kids to get into the action than with the Peanuts gang and their endearing antics? This disc includes three football-themed episodes of The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show, and the 1977 TV special It’s Your First Kiss, Charlie Brown.

Yes, Charlie Brown finally gets up close and personal with Heather, aka “The Little Red Haired Girl.” With the big football game in which Charlie Brown once again suffers the indignity of trying to kick the ball while Lucy pulls it away, the big parade and the homecoming dance, there are plenty of fun Peanuts moments. Noteworthy among them is the scene in which Charlie Brown must plant a kiss on the homecoming queen’s cheek. Guess who that is? Yep, the little red haired girl. Sparks fly in this adorable show.

You can win a copy of this football-themed DVD by emailing us at [email protected] with Peanuts in the title. Please supply your name, address, phone number and email address.

The deadline for this Peanuts Deluxe Edition: Touchdown Charlie Brown DVD giveaway is January 17, 2014.