A Bone to Pick: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

Posted on March 16, 2015March 16, 2015 by FCA Editor

Candace Cameron Bure stars as Aurora, aka Roe, Teagarden in this original Hallmark movie. A Bone to Pick: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery costars Marilu Henner as her mother Aida.

Roe is actively involved in the Real Murders Mystery Club. She’s a librarian who has a knack for mystery and murder and her best friends are all in the club. Her mother is aghast at all this mystery nonsense and wants Roe to date a nice man, fall in love, and get married.

When one of the members of the group suddenly dies, leaving Roe her house and everything in it, Aurora discovers there is more to this gesture than meets the eye. The old woman was onto a mystery and knew if anyone could get to the bottom of it, it would be Aurora Teagarden.

The small street on which the house sits is like a soap opera. There are plenty of things going on behind the doors, not to mention that Roe’s ex-boyfriend and his pregnant wife are moving in across the street from Roe’s new house. But besides that, people on the street have their own dramas, and Roe is convinced one of them is a murderer.

After discovering a human skull under the window seat then the remainder of a skeleton buried down the block, Aurora sets out to prove one of her new neighbors is a killer and the skeleton belongs to one of the “missing” neighbors. All the neighbors are suspects in Roe’s mind.

In the meantime, Aurora begins dating the local minister, to the great delight of her mother. Aida, however, is frustrated that her daughter puts her mystery club and her penchant for mysteries at the top of her priority list.

While Roe is piecing together clues and possibly putting herself in danger, she is also trying to stay one step ahead of the police. Her love of mysteries compels her to get to the bottom of this murder even though the police captain insists she stays out of the way of their investigation.

If you enjoyed Candace Cameron in Full House (1987-1995), you’ll enjoy Candace Cameron Bure in A Bone to Pick. She is adorable and easy to like and watch as the curious, intelligent, and perky Roe Teagarden. The movie is based on the books by New York Times Bestselling author Charlaine Harris.

A Bone to Pick: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery premiers Saturday, April 4, 2015 on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.

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 Lizzie Borden Chronicles stars Christina Ricci

Posted on March 16, 2015March 16, 2015 by FCA Editor

The Lizzie Borden Chronicles is a fictionalized account of the notorious woman after she was acquitted of the brutal ax murders of her father and stepmother in 1892. This is a limited eight episode series with Christina Ricci reprising the role of Lizzie. Ricci played the young woman in the 2014 TV movie Lizzie Borden Took an Ax.

The series begins with Lizzie and her sister, again played by Clea DuVall who played Emma Borden in the movie, trying to get on with their lives after the acquittal. Now Lizzie is a famous young woman who manipulates people to her own advantage, even if that means killing them!

Digging into Ms. Borden’s past and putting clues together is Pinkerton detective Charlie Siringo (Cole Hauser). He knows she is behind many of the new murders and is intent on catching her once and for all. Siringo was an actual legendary Pinkerton detective however he was never involved with the Lizzie Borden investigation. Hauser said he was honored to play the role and would love to play him again.

Christina Ricci explained, “I think she’s a really fun character to play. I mean, she’s out of her mind and a bad person and she likes to commit murder.” So how did she get into character for this role? “I just go to a place where things are fun and dark, and I don’t know. But at the same time, we do deal with the sort of complexities of emotion behind a lot of the relationships and what created this sort of monster.” And this show definitely depicts Lizzie as a monster.

When asked about returning to the role of Lizzie, Ricci was eager to take the job. “This came up sort of out of the blue. I never expected to play her again,” she said. “But she’s really fun, and it’s fun to come back and do her again in this amalgamation of the story and the interpretation, because we are doing something that is very different. It’s a very different character than in the movie. So this version of her is actually a lot more satisfying.”

Christina Ricci is wonderful in the role. She will undoubtedly put some fear in the hearts of viewers. This devious young woman has no qualms about killing anyone who gets in her way or who interferes with her plans.

Christina Ricci joked with the media, “This is really just a fictionalized sort of version of what happens after the trial as she continues to misbehave, shall we say.” She added, “It’s just fun, and it’s a good time.” Make no mistake, this is definitely a show filled with blood, and gore. It’s intriguing but not for young viewers. Keep the kiddies away while you watch this engrossing series.

The Lizzie Borden Chronicles premiers Sunday, April 5, 2015 on Lifetime.

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Younger Premiers on TV Land

Posted on March 16, 2015 by FCA Editor

Younger is the brainchild of Darren Star, the man behind Sex and the City, and we all know how popular that series became. It had wit, sarcasm, cuteness, and charm, which are all wrapped together in this new series as well.

The show focuses on a 40 something year old woman (Foster) who realizes the only way she can get back into the job market after raising her child and being a homemaker, is to make herself into a 20 something year old. With the help of her friend (Mazur), she manages to do that while trying to figure out how to act younger and feel confident in her new persona.

At the recent Television Critics Association Press Tour, Sutton Foster admitted, “I don’t think I would ever want to go back unless I could keep everything that I’ve learned.” She thought about her personal past in the entertainment business. “I have no regrets. I don’t believe in any of them. I’m so happy that I started off doing cattle calls, because I literally climbed the ladder. And I don’t think I would be the performer and the person I am today if I hadn’t have had that path, if it had been easy from the beginning. So it’s interesting to play a character where I get to sort of experience my 20s again sort of vicariously, which is fun.” In truth, Sutton will have just turned 40 when the show premiers.

On the other hand, Hilary Duff is 27 and joked “I had to lie to get this role. “ She said, “I think that there’s a way to embrace every age that we go through. And I think that working on this show is amazing because it has so much in it for everyone.”

Mazur said, “I think in all businesses, whether you’re the plumber or whether it’s Hollywood, there’s discrimination against men and women in aging.”

As for Foster, she is enjoying the experience of this series. “When this came along, I read the script and I thought I can do that. And it’s really, really fun to be able to have all these different relationships with the characters and to be able to sort of bounce back and forth of how Hilary and I’s characters interact or Debi and Miriam [Shor] and Nico [Tortorella]. It’s like I get to sort of be a chameleon, which has been really, really fun, but also stressful.” While her character is playing 20 something with some characters, she is her forty something self with others. That’s the fun of it for Foster.

This show definitely has the potential to be a hit. With the people behind the cameras and the talent in front, there is plenty here to make a series that will be endeared by several generations of viewers.

Younger premiers Tuesday, March 31, 2015 on TV Land.

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The Cobbler – Movie Review

Posted on March 16, 2015 by FCA Editor

Adam Sandler stars in this intriguing story of a man who is able to literally walk in another man’s shoes. The Cobbler also stars Steve Buscemi, Dan Stevens, Dascha Polanco, Melonie Diaz, Ellen Barken, and Dustin Hoffman.

Sandler is Max Simkin, a cobbler in a lower east side New York shop that has been in his family for four generations. He is frustrated with his lot in life and wonders if he should be doing something else. Then one day he discovers a secret. The old out-of-date stitching machine, that is in the basement of the shop, is magic. When Max puts on a pair of shoes stitched using that machine, he is transformed into the body of the owner of the shoes.

This is a change of pace for the man who, until now, felt trapped in his life. He gets to try on another man’s life, literally. This gives him some adventure and an interesting perspective on other people.

Max also discovers plenty of secrets about the men into whose shoes he steps. And in discovering secrets about some of his customers, he stumbles upon a deadly plan.

Sandler is fun to watch as he switches from one man to another. Dustin Hoffman is a treasure in this film. While the show has some funny aspects, it is more of a drama filled with plenty of fantasy elements. After all, a magic stitching machine is definitely fantasy.

Max is a character that audiences will enjoy seeing transform from a frustrated man into someone with spunk and who finds his true purpose in life. The final scenes are what pull everything together and leave room for more however I am told there aren’t any plans in the works for more of Max Simkin.

Who hasn’t wondered what it would be like to step into someone else’s life for a sneak peek? A sweet, sentimental scene involves Max granting his mother’s one wish.

The Cobbler is rated PG-13 for some violence, language and brief partial nudity.

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The Sound of Music 5-Disc 50th Anniversary Edition

Posted on March 16, 2015March 16, 2015 by FCA Editor

Wow. 50 years. This movie is just as entertaining today as it was in 1965 when it premiered in theaters. The Sound of Music is a beloved film and has been enjoyed by generations of viewers. Who doesn’t know the story or the music by Rodgers & Hammerstein? If you don’t then you have been living on Mars. Well, even then you might have heard it because the film has been translated into over 30 languages! (Ok, so Martian isn’t one of them!) Anyway, this new 5-disc 50^th Anniversary Edition is something that every household will treasure.

The story is based on the lives of Maria von Trapp and her family, with Julie Andrews in the starring role. One of the bonus discs is a new 50 minute documentary “The Sound of a City: Julie Andrews Returns to Salzburg.” I was captivated by this new documentary as Andrews takes viewers back to the locations where many of the exterior scenes were filmed. This documentary is filled with so many interesting facts as well as beautiful scenery.

“The city of Salzburg hardly seems to have changed” Andrews says of the fifty years since she was there filming the movie. She says it is “mind boggling” to think it was a half century ago when she and the rest of the cast and filmmakers were there filming in some of the most beautiful locations of the city. Viewers will discover that many of the locations in the movie were not the actual locations represented, however the Nonnberg Abbey was where they really filmed the Abbey scenes. Currently only 22 women now reside in this peaceful Abbey.

Julie Andrews brought her young daughter Emma to Austria fifty years ago and shares stories of having her family on set with her, as well as stories of meeting the real Maria von Trapp. “The joy of making music” she says was something the two women shared.

In the documentary viewers learn about the marionette theater, which actually created a Sound of Music marionette show in 2007 and it has been popular ever since. The city offers a Sound of Music bus tour to many of the filming locations.

While most of the interior scenes were filmed in the soundstages of the 20^th Century Fox studio, the wedding of Maria to Captain Von Trapp was filmed in Mondesee Abbey, and Andrews recalls this event. Besides the Abbeys, Ms. Andrews takes viewers to the lakeside palace, which was where they filmed some of the scenes, which were supposed to be the back yard of the von Trapp family home. This is truly an engaging and amazing documentary.

There are also plenty of interactive features in this edition besides the documentary. Viewers will learn more about the filming locations, the real von Trapp family, and Rogers & Hammerstein. The music is an important part of the film, and these composers are legendary in American music history. Another fun feature includes various performances by Julie Andrews, as well as screen tests by some of the actors who hoped to be cast in the film. Can you imagine Mia Farrow as Liesl? Her screen test was interesting and she would have made a good Liesl. Kim Darby also tested for the role.

There are also sing-alongs and an interactive movie mode which, when set, allows viewers to learn more about specific features while watching the movie.

The five discs include a Blu-ray, a DVD, an exclusive CD soundtrack, and hours of bonus features. My recommendation is to watch the feature film one night then the next night watch the 50-minute documentary with Julie Andrews and the other bonus features. This is truly a viewing event for the entire family.

The Sound of Music is rated G.

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Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb

Posted on March 16, 2015 by FCA Editor

In Robin Williams’ last onscreen performance, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb combines everything this movie franchise is noted for, as well as some emotional elements. Ben Stiller leads the cast of whacky characters on one final adventure.

This is the third film in this successful franchise. The films – Night at the Museum (2006), Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009), and Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014) – are relatable to adults and children alike. They combine both fantasy and facts and even inspire viewers to dig a little into history.

In the first film Larry (Stiller) becomes the night manager of New York’s Museum of Natural History and learns an important fact about his job. At night the exhibits all come to life because of an ancient tablet that is filled with magic. Teddy Roosevelt (Williams), Sacajawea (Mizuo Peck), Attila the Hun (Patrick Gallagher), Ahkmenrah (Rami Malek), Octavius (Steve Coogan), Jedediah (Owen Wilson), and Dexter (Crystal the Monkey), along with Rex (a T-Rex skeleton) and others, become Larry’s friends and every night they all share the night “alive” in the museum. The second film had them traveling to Washington, D.C. This third and most likely final film, takes them across the pond to London.

Secret of the Tomb is filled with all the antics and fun of the other films, as well as some very sweet and sentimental moments. The magic tablet is losing its power and Larry must take it, along with the gang, to The British Museum (where Rebel Wilson is the night security guard) to find Ahkmenrah’s father (Ben Kingsley) who knows the secret of the magic. While in London, the gang meets some new “exhibits” including Sir Lancelot (Dan Stevens) and other memorable characters.

This movie has several underlying themes: fathers and sons, beginnings and endings, and friendship. While the film inspires viewers to research some of the characters, it is just as humorous and entertaining as it is a little bit educational. This is definitely a story that has wide appeal and characters that are adored by all viewers. A talking Easter Island head (Brad Garrett), Neanderthals, statues, and the famous painting by M.C. Escher (which involves amazing special effects), along with a large and fun cast of characters, create a story that not only makes viewers laugh, but also touches the heart. Yes, there are plenty of silly scenes, as we expect from these films, but this particular movie is probably the most bittersweet because of the deaths of Robin Williams and Mickey Rooney (who appeared along with Dick Van Dyke and Bill Cobbs in the first film as well as this third one), the reuniting of Ahkmenrah and his family after thousands of years, and the passing of the torch at the museum.

The bonus features on this combo pack are amazing. Besides several deleted and extended scenes, there is an interesting feature about how the filmmakers created the scene where the characters enter the Escher painting. This was no easy task. It took a lot of thought, ingenuity, and creativity, as well as special effects and exact choreography. Another feature looks at how Ben Stiller played two parts in this film – his original character as well as a Neanderthal that was created to look like Larry.
The movie was shot on location in the real museums, and the exhibits in The British Museum awed even the actors and filmmakers. And, with all this talent, the improvisation between the actors was enough to make a special featurette, and many of those improvisations actually made it into the final film.

With over 90 minutes of additional features and a story that is entertaining, educational, and endearing, it’s a fun combo pack for the whole family. Everyone will have his or her favorite character. Whose will yours be? Dexter? Octavius? Jedediah? Teddy Roosevelt? Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb is rated PG for mild action, some rude humor, and brief language.

To celebrate the release of NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment has a fun Monkeycam app, available as a free download exclusively from the App Store.

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Super Moms and Super Dads: Find Your Fortress of Solitude

Posted on March 12, 2015March 12, 2015 by FCA Editor

As parents, we spend time every day taking care of the people we love. In fact, sometimes it seems we go from dawn to dusk (and beyond) existing to meet the needs of others. We’re familiar with the concept of Super Mom or Super Dad – the self-sacrificing hero whose priority is the well-being of our families – and it can feel good to play that role.

In our quest to be a hero for our families, we forget that we also need to take time to nurture our personal superpowers – the personal traits and skills that we bring to the table as individuals, not just as parents. We have to hone and develop our powers, to share them with the world outside our homes and, perhaps most importantly, recharge them every once in a while. Even Superman had his “Fortress of Solitude,” where he could retreat to reflect, share thoughts with his diary, exercise on specialized equipment, work on personal projects and more.

On an emotional level, this makes perfect sense to us – taking time for ourselves can make us happier and healthier. And a happy, healthy parent is likely to be more present, engaged and patient with the daily demands of parenting. Yet, collectively, we don’t take “me time.” A recent survey revealed that a whopping 70% of Americans don’t take regular “me time,” and showed that parents are even less likely than non-parents to carve out time for themselves. When asked why, respondents cited a lack of time or a sense of guilt for prioritizing themselves

As a community, we all need to take a big leap over those two wellness-hindering hurdles – lack of time and feelings of guilt. One way we can unite to do that is to designate a public occasion to honor the concept of “me time” – a ME Day.

The calendar is full of days that celebrate the roles we play in our lives – like Mothers’ Day, Fathers’ Day, or Valentine’s Day – but as yet there has been no designated day to celebrate individual identity. ME Day is a dedicated time to connect with what is important to us, proudly celebrate our achievements and embrace our one-of-a-kind personalities.

What would you do to honor ME Day? Obviously each parent’s ideal ME Day, like him or her, is unique. Your virtual Fortress of Solitude doesn’t have to be remote; and you don’t have to go alone. The important thing is dedicating time and energy to what will be most rewarding for you.

Since we’re not accustomed to thinking of ourselves first, here are some thought starters for you to plan your own ME Day:

Enjoy a spa day: escaping to a spa provides mental relaxation and physical pampering
Catch up with friends or family: connecting with important people in your life – maybe even those who’ve known you since before you also played the role of mom or dad – can help you reconnect with yourself
Watch a movie / TV: embrace the simple pleasure of choosing your own entertainment and enjoying it without interruption
Go shopping: for a real “ME Day” challenge, try shopping only for yourself for one day; indulge in a present just for you
Sleep in: a simple pleasure that is often hard to come by, a good night’s sleep or a cat nap can refresh our outlook on life
“Unplug”: take a break from your mobile devices for a few hours
Read: many people want to curl up with some good fiction, or dive into a self-help or professional development book
Exercise: from yoga or mountain biking to just taking a walk, exercise improves our physical well-being and state of mind
Go outside: connecting with nature can be both soothing and inspiring
Volunteer: a “me day” doesn’t have to be spent solo – many people find it personally rewarding to share their time and skills with those in need
Travel: you don’t have to go far away – exploring someplace new on a day trip can be invigorating
Check something off of your “bucket list”: ME Day is the perfect time to do something you’ve always wanted to do

Are you a working parent? Perhaps you feel like you’ve been neglecting your professional passions. There’s nothing wrong with spending your ME Day to:

Tackle a project you’ve had on hold: spend time writing, update your website and other online pages, redesign or organize your office space
Network: attend an event to meet new contacts, organize a meet up of like-minded professionals, or pursue new partnerships
Mentor: sharing your enthusiasm and talent with those who are looking for inspiration can help re-ignite your passion for your work
Take a class: it could be a skills-based lesson, or perhaps a more personal class (like stress reduction or meditation) that could help with professional development

Regardless of how you choose to spend your ME Day, share your plans and experience with friends, family and colleagues, while encouraging them to do the same. After all, a ME Day doesn’t have to be just for parents. We’re all superheroes of some fashion. And the strongest of us know that dedicating time and effort to our personal mental and physical well-being only helps us to serve others better.

Once you build and furnish your personal Fortress of Solitude, hopefully you will find it easier to visit regularly – whether for a full day or a just few hours – so you can return to your regular duties an even more powerful Super Mom or Dad.

About the Author

Predrag Lesic is the CEO of .ME – a personal online domain that caters to the branding, professional and personal interests of online users. Contact him at [email protected].

Littlest Pet Shop: Pet Shop Pals DVD

Posted on March 12, 2015March 12, 2015 by FCA Editor

Take a look at some clips from the new DVD Littest Pet Shop: Pet Shop Pals, comes out on March 17.

Inside Out

Posted on March 12, 2015 by FCA Editor

Inside Out opens in theatres everywhere on June 19th!

Disney’s Tomorrowland

Posted on March 12, 2015March 12, 2015 by FCA Editor

In Disney’s riveting mystery adventure “Tomorrowland,” a jaded scientist and an optimistic teen embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space.