Author: FCA Editor
Jenga Giant
“Jenga Giant: the Classic game, but MUCH BIGGER! Can stack to over 3 feet high! 54 Precision Cut, High Quality, Polished Hardwood Blocks Sturdy box for easy storage and transport Box doubles as game play platform Players: 1 or More.”
Nordic Beauty Products
Nordic Beauty featuring Marine Collagen Peptide from Norway.
Discover the natural science of Marine Collagen Peptides from cold Norwegian Sea Water.
All natural, organic ingredients proven to fight sighs of aging, moisturizes, softens and heals dry skin. The 100% natural Nordic Beauty products are proven to increase hydration, fight the signs of aging and result in radiant skin. Anti-Aging Cleansing Milk – $55, Broad Spectrum SPF30 CC Cream – $130, Collagen Peptide Serum – $285, Youth Collagen Peptide Cream – $130.
The Fan on DVD
Lauren Bacall is spectacular in this 1981 film. The Fan is a suspenseful and entertaining movie with Bacall heading the cast that includes James Garner, Hector Elizondo, Michael Biehn, and Maureen Stapleton.
As Sally Ross, Bacall turns in a riveting performance. Ross is a famed actress of stage and screen who is still in love with her ex-husband Jake (Garner), although he seems to have moved on from their relationship even though they remain close friends. Ross’ trusty personal assistant Belle (Stapleton) guards her boss’ privacy and answers all the fan mail.
Douglas Breen (Biehn) has been writing letters to Sally Ross for a long time. He thinks they are friends. His mind conjures up an elaborate fantasy, so when Belle responds to his letters instead of Sally, he gets infuriated and follows up with more letters about how Belle should be fired and how Sally needs to take this matter in hand. To say Douglas is a little bit crazy is an understatement.
Then, his fantasy takes over and he starts dealing with his perceived obstacles on his own. He will do anything for his beloved Sally. He becomes violent and turns his attention on eliminating Belle. Then he goes after others who are close to Sally. That is when the police step in. Inspector Andrews (Elizondo) admires Sally’s career and tries to keep her safe, but with a nut on the loose, how safe can she really be?
This is an interesting film because there are several storylines going on throughout the movie. The first is obviously Douglas and his fantasy about Sally Ross and the police investigation. The second is the underlying love story between Sally and Jake. The third is the new play Sally is rehearsing for, which is a musical. There are bits of musical scenes throughout this film as the rehearsals continue through the terror of the danger to Sally and everyone around her.
Marvin Hamlisch wrote two songs for this movie. The film is well done, although many critics panned it. Bacall is her usual wonderful self, and Garner is, well, what can anyone say about James Garner except he is (was) a great actor and, yes, gorgeous.
The Fan is part of the Warner Archive Collection and is made on demand. To order, go to wbshop.com. The movie is rated R.
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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Good Cheap Eats: Everyday Dinners and Fantastic Feasts for $10 or Less
In over 200 recipes, Jessica Fisher shows budget-conscious cooks how they can eat remarkably well without breaking the bank. Good Cheap Eats serves up 70 multi-course dinners—main dish, side dishes, and add-ons such as bread or dessert—all for less than ten dollars for a family of four.
Chapters include “Something Meatier,” on traditional meat-centered dinners, “Stretching It,” which shows how to flavor and accent meat so that you are using less than usual but still getting lots of flavor, and “Company Dinners,” which proves that you can entertain well on the cheap. The hard-won wisdom, creative problem-solving techniques, and culinary imagination Fisher brings to the task have been chronicled lovingly in her widely read blog Good Cheap Eats. Now, with the publication of the book Good Cheap Eats, she shows budget-challenged, or simply penny-pinching, home cooks how they can save loads of money on food and still eat smashingly well.
My Little Guardian Angel
Sent from heaven above My Little Guardian Angel helps parents teach their kids about honesty, kindness and fair play. Designed for children ages 3 and up, My Little Guardian Angel is a 12-inch soft-bodied doll available in boy and girl versions with different hair-color choices, allowing families to welcome the guardian angel that’s just right for them. Each My Little Guardian Angel doll comes with a beautifully illustrated soft-cover book that introduces the family to its angel and a special “message frame” that allows parents to write a message, frame it, and have the angel share it with the whole family. Messages can be changed as often as parents would like.
Go! Go! Smart Animals Zoo Explorers Playset
Playtime goes wild with learning at the Go! Go! Smart Animals Zoo Explorers Playset! Go on a tour of the zoo with the SmartPoint™ rhino as he responds to the zoo’s seven SmartPoint locations with different phrases, music and fun sounds. Children can strengthen their motor skills with eight manipulative features including a turning gate, spinning water tank and sliding elevator. The colorful tracks can connected to other Go! Go! Smart Animals or Go! Go! Smart Wheels playsets (each sold separately) to encourage children’s creativity. The zoo also features an electronic entrance that teaches animal names, animal traits, letters, colors and plays music.
Knoala
Knoala is a free iPhone app offering thousands of simple, fun & development-boosting activities tailored for infants to preschoolers.
Bond with children over silly games that foster artistic, cognitive, emotional, motor, sensory, language skills, and more.
Since launching in October 2013, Knoala has been featured on TechCrunch, TimeTech, The Guardian and many top parenting blogs around the world.
They are ventured-backed by WI Harper, Zhen Fund, Baby Tree, AngelVest, and reputable angels.
The Tree That Saved Christmas on UP
Lacey Chabert is always enjoyable to watch and she brings her endearing personality to this new holiday film. The Tree That Saved Christmas is a warm and fuzzy story that is prefect for this time of year.
Having grown up in rural Vermont on her family’s Christmas tree farm Molly Logan (Chabert) longed for more. She wanted to be a successful writer in New York. So, when she grew up, she left Vermont for the big city. There she became an assistant in a publishing house.
While helping her boss’ family decorate their Christmas tree, Lacey discovers it is her special tree from the family farm. She knows in her heart it is the tree she coveted when she was a child. It has to be a sign, right? So, what does she do? She orders the family another tree, grabs “her” tree, and heads back to Vermont for a family Christmas.
When she gets home she discovers the family farm that has been in the Logan family for many generations, is being foreclosed upon. Everything is about to be lost – her home, the farm, and everything that was part of her life while growing up. Together with her brother they concoct a scheme to save the family farm and their home. But sometimes the best intentions can turn out badly. Molly is described as “a force of nature.” She has faith, family, and is fearless. Finding her special tree was “Kismet” and brought her back to not only her family, but also her dreams.
While this is a sweet little holiday film, and definitely predictable, it is everything holiday viewers want this time of year. And Chabert brings the added element of charm to the story. This young actress is always a delight.
Chabert is becoming a common face on TV shows, and that is a good thing. Her sparkling personality – even when her character is in a difficult situation – comes through. She is a pleasure to watch.
The Tree That Saved Christmas premiers Sunday, November 30 on UP.
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
Strange Magic
“Strange Magic,” a new animated film from Lucasfilm Ltd., is a madcap fairy tale musical inspired by “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Popular songs from the past six decades help tell the tale of a colorful cast of goblins, elves, fairies and imps, and their hilarious misadventures sparked by the battle over a powerful potion. Lucasfilm Animation Singapore and Industrial Light & Magic bring to life the fanciful forest turned upside down with world-class animation and visual effects. Directed by Gary Rydstrom (“Toy Story Toons: Hawaiian Vacation,” “Lifted”) from a story by George Lucas, “Strange Magic” will be released by Touchstone Pictures on Jan. 23, 2015.