Author: Francine Brokaw

Labelle Ultrasonic Skin Spatula from Trophy Skin

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Trophy Skin’s Labelle Ultrasonic Skin Spatula is an amazing little device. Now there is no need to go to an expensive spa to get an Ultrasonic Skin Scrubbing. This little unit will do it for you in the privacy of your own home.

So, what does this actually do?  A lot! It unclogs pores, removes excess oil, blackheads and whiteheads, and makes your skin’s tone and texture more youthful. I’ve been using this device regularly for several weeks and I definitely notice a difference – especially around my nose area. For many people this is an area that is difficult to treat and clogs up. But this little spatula cleared it all out.

By sending ultrasonic waves at 30,000 Hz per second to your skin, the spatula then gently scrapes up the junk that comes out of your pores. The first time you use it you will be amazed. Then, with further use you just might get addicted to cleaning your pores with this Labelle.

Let’s face it, there is pollution everywhere and our pores soak it up. The Labelle will clean them out.

After you are done cleansing your pores and your skin, push the button for the second setting and flip the device around to the other side. Now it will infuse your skin with your moisturizer or serum. This is a two-in-one unit that both cleans out pores and refreshes your skin then with its ultrasonic waves it gently presses your moisturizer deep into your cells for a fresh, glowing look.

The Labelle Ultrasonic Skin Spatula comes with its own charging adapter (charge it up before the first use and it is cord free for a long time), a clear storage case, the Labelle spatula, and a user manual. Everything you need is included and there is no need for further purchases unless you want to add any Trophy Skin serum or refresher. You can use these after your cleansing or use your own. With the 60-day return policy, you don’t have anything to lose by trying this device. In all honesty, I can attest to the fact that I use this and recommend it. And it only takes a few minutes to get clean, glowing skin.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about books, products, travel, and entertainment. 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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‘All These Small Moments’ – Movie Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

All These Small Moments is an introspective look at one family’s ups and downs, beginnings and endings, love and heartbreak, heart and hope. Molly Ringwald and Brendan Meyer lead the cast as a mother and son who each find themselves at potential crossroads in their lives.

The Sheffield family is a little dysfunctional. Tom (Brian d’Arcy James) is having an affair and Carla (Ringwald) is figuring out how to proceed with their lives. In the meantime, their two sons Howie (Meyer) and Simon (Sam McCarthy) feel the pain and suffering their mother is living with. But these boys are also on the precipice of adulthood. Howie is definitely feeling the tug of adolescence and has a crush on an older woman he sees on the bus, Odessa (Jemima Kirke).

High school is fraught with interpersonal relationships. Howie and Lindsay (Harley Quinn Smith) spend gym time in the library. She is interested in him but her reputation puts him at bay.

So, living with the frustrations of burgeoning manhood as well as the potential break-up of his parents puts Howie in a difficult position emotionally. He has a lot on his plate and his mind is constantly burdened by all the ups and downs in his life, not to mention helping his troubled younger brother through their parents’ situation.

This coming-of-age story is touching and viewers who remember this difficult time in their own lives can relate to Howie’s adolescent crush as well as his confusion as to how to proceed.  Should he talk to her? Should he sit by her?

As the title intimates, there are a lot of small moments in our lives that make us who we are. Going through this time with the Sheffield family is an interesting look at life and tension as well as survival: surviving marriage and adolescence.

This is the theatrical film debut for writer and director Melissa B. Miller Costanzo. All These Small Moments is not rated. It hits theaters January 17, 2019.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. 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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

Follow her on Twitter

‘Tea with the Dames’ on DVD

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Dame Maggie Smith, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Eileen Atkins, and Dame Joan Plowright are the cream of the crop of British female actors. These women have been friends for decades and every once in awhile meet to talk and gab. This time they let the cameras in to give viewers an inside look at their little get-together. With their discussions and clips from their careers, viewers get a great picture of their lives and their friendship.

Loss of vision, loss of hearing, and loss of memory are not enough to stop these four women from an entertaining visit and enlightening view of their lives. They have many awards between them and have played in numerous Shakespeare plays and films, James Bond, Harry Potter, and even Downton Abbey. Their talents run the gamut from comedy to drama and everything in between, and their little discussion is a fun way to get an insight into their personalities as women and as actors.

Plowright is the widow of Laurence Olivier and his career comes up quite often during their get-together. He worked with several of the women as well as his wife. Smith mentioned she was a bit intimidated by Olivier. Well, who wouldn’t be? Atkins was once married to actor Julian Glover then producer Bill Shepherd. Dench was married to actor Michael Williams. And Smith was married to actor Robert Stephens and then to writer Beverley Cross. The four women had worked together many times in various endeavors. For instance Gosford Park co-starred Smith and Atkins. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel as well as Tea with Mussolini co-starred Dench and Smith. The four women also worked with their husbands, in different parts and different combinations.

The women also acknowledge they get nervous before appearances. Although they have been in the business for decades and are the best of the best, it’s interesting to note they still get stage freight.

When asked what they would say to their younger selves, Smith declared, “When in doubt, don’t.” And the others agreed.

The film is an interesting peek inside the lives of these four remarkable actors who have shaped the entertainment industry during their lifetimes. While we rarely get a glimpse into the personal lives, hopes, and fears of actors, this film gives viewers a charming look at these four great British actors.

This is an interesting and enlightening visit with this charming quartet of actors.Tea with the Dames is not rated.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. 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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

Follow her on Twitter

‘My Neighbor Totoro’ 30th Anniversary Blu-ray

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

30 years ago My Neighbor Totoro didn’t wow audiences, but over a short period of time it beame a favorite animated film from Studio Ghibli. The movie’s American voice cast includes Dakota and Elle Fanning who play the two sisters Satsuki and Mei. Other voice cast includes Tim Daly, Pat Carroll, and Lea Salonga.

This is a heartening story of two little girls whose mother is in the hospital. They move from the city to the country with their father while waiting for their mother to get better and return to them. They soon discover a forest spirit that can only be seen by children. Totoro is a big but gentle fellow and comes to the assistance of the girls in their time of need.

While the heart of the story is a bit sad in that the mother is quite ill, the wondrous times the girls have with Totoro is enchanting. The ending is fine so no need to worry about any tears among viewers in your house.

My Neighbor Totoro is the first film from Hayao Miyazaki to be set in Japan. He wanted to take advantage of the Japanese landscape and incorporated it into the film. One of the bonus features in this anniversary edition is a journey to the countryside outside of Tokyo. The areas that are reflected in the film are explored and viewers get to see this part of the country that tourists rarely see or even know about.

Another bonus is a full-length storyboard feature of the film. While this feature might not be exciting to many viewers, it does serve to show how the storyboards were used to create the animated version of this delightful movie.

There is also a look at the voice cast and a little peek behind the scenes as they discuss their roles. It’s fun to see the Fanning sisters (very young at the time) working together to create onscreen sisters.

This anniversary edition also includes a CD disc of the soundtrack from the film. Plus there is a paperback book about the film and the story. It is filled with colorful images from the movie.

My Neighbor Totoro is a whimsical, entertaining, and enchanting story. With fun and delightful characters (look for the cat bus) and a sweet story, this will delight the entire family. And Totoro himself has become the mascot for Studio Ghibli.

My Neighbor Totoro is rated G.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. 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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

Follow her on Twitter

‘Starman’ – Collector’s Edition Blu-ray

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


The Collector’s Edition of the hit 1984 film Starman includes some interesting bonus features.  The film stars Jeff Bridges and Karen Allen and was directed by John Carpenter who took a step away from horror films to direct this sci-fi romantic comedy. Bridges was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance and viewers will understand why when they watch him as an alien visiting Earth.

After his spacecraft crashes on this planet in Wisconsin, the alien wanders around and takes the shape of Scott Hayden, a deceased man whose widow Jenny (Allen) is still mourning his loss. She is astonished to see her dead husband standing in front of her, but of course it isn’t really him. It is the starman.

The starman needs her to drive him to Arizona for a rendezvous with his own kind where they will pick him up and take him home. Along the way the government is hot on their tracks as they intend on capturing this alien, not knowing his intentions.

Jenny and the starman have an interesting road trip and during their time together they fall in love. This romantic comedy is filled with humor and heart, as well as the sci-fi aspect. Viewers will undoubtedly feel the kindness of this “man” when he gives life back to a dead deer. He is a gentle soul and the ending is heartwarming.

This Collector’s Edition Blu-ray includes two very interesting bonus features. There is a vintage “making of” featurette that was created during the filming of the movie. In it Bridges, Allen, Charles Martin Smith (who plays Mark Shermin), and Carpenter discuss their characters and creating this movie that has stood the test of time, although they didn’t know how popular it would be at the time they made it.

There is a new 25-minute feature with Carpenter, Bridges, Smith, and script supervisor Sandy King Carpenter. They look back at their involvement with the film. Carpenter describes the movie as “an interspecies love story.” He says the script was great right from the start. “It was fun,” Carpenter acknowledges about making the movie. Bridges says he was given “a fascinating character” to play and took movement lessons to create this naïve and gentle starman. He also credits Karen Allen’s performance as adding to his way of getting the character to the level he wanted.

The story is a road trip and the production went on the road to create the trip that the two characters were taking. They filmed in Tennessee, Iowa, Utah, and of course Arizona where the Meteor Crater is and where the alien rendezvoused with his fellow kind to return home.

Starman is a fun and sweet story. It is rated PG.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. 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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

Follow her on Twitter

‘Stan & Ollie’ – Movie Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



Stan & Ollie is a delightful story about Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy in their waning years. The film includes many of their popular skits and brings audiences into their lives as the team that was once the biggest act tries to rekindle their popularity.

“You just have this wonderful picture of these two guys that had been such giants staying at little guest houses, playing tiny theaters and not realizing they did it because they loved each other,” says writer Jeff Pope. “This is the thing that inspired me to write the whole film. It’s a love story between two men.”

They had parted ways after a difference of opinion with Hal Roach and as they picked up their act over a decade later, they realize there are still hard feelings between them however their dedication to each other never faltered.

To regain their fame and popularity, the duo traveled to the UK for a series of shows. In the beginning the theaters were not filled but as they continued they had SRO crowds wherever they went. Though a team on screen and on stage, they were just friends when they left the film lot or the theater, that is until they reteamed and began their upward journey.

As Pope explained, ‘They were never really close until they took these arduous tours and they lived in each other’s pockets week in, week out. The premise of the film is how they became as close in their real lives as they were in their fictional lives.”

John C. Reilly plays Oliver Hardy and Steve Coogan is Stan Laurel. Their wives are an interesting element to the film. Nina Arianda is fun as Ida Laurel and Shirley Henderson is a loving wife as Lucille Hardy. Ollie was married three times and Stan was married five times.

The film shows Laurel as the brains behind the team while Hardy was content to gamble and play around. Laurel was always writing new material for them and always thinking about the act.

Although they had hoped to make a new film, the tour in 1953 turned out to be their swan song.

The casting of Coogan and Reilly was wonderful. They both inhabit their characters with empathy and charm.  Reilly had a major physical transformation to get into the skin, so to speak, of Oliver Hardy. It took 4 hours in the makeup chair to transform him into Ollie. “Only my face and the flats of my hands were exposed,” he recalls. “The rest was encased in prosthetics or a fat suit. So, in a way it was like wearing a mask on your whole body. The mask was so convincing it made me believe from the outside in that I could play this character.”  “You have to be very careful the viewer isn’t thinking, ‘What incredible make-up!’” explains Coogan. “They have to get lost in the performance, in the story. So, we didn’t want anything too distracting.”

Stan & Ollie is a wonderful tribute to this historic Hollywood team that still entertains fans via home entertainment and TV. If this film inspires you to see more of the real Oliver and Stanley, just check Amazon for plenty of DVDs and Blu-rays with their memorable performances. This bio-pic is both dramatic and comedic as it brings back the fun and sensitivity of these two Hollywood legends.

One additional note: Throughout the film Hardy is called “Babe” and viewers might wonder why. As Reilly explained, it was because his shape resembled and overgrown baby.

Stan & Ollie opens in theaters December 28, 2018.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. 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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

Follow her on Twitter

Bring home ‘Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Santa is having a bad time. Blitzen has expectantly retired leaving him one reindeer short. And Santa’s not the only one having a bad time. Walter lives in North Dakota and his reindeer academy and petting zoo are in financial trouble. So, what do these two men have in common? Water’s miniature horse Elliot will soon help them both. Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer is a cute animated film with a bit of an edge.

Elliot and his best friend, a goat named Hazel, discover that the woman who is going to buy the animals at the petting zoo has other plans for them. She is going to make them into meat – to eat. Elliot and Hazel stow away in Walter’s flying car when he takes his prized reindeer DJ to the North Pole to compete for the opening spot on Santa’s team. They need to get help for their friends, and also Elliot wants desperately to win that coveted place on the team. Sure, he’s a miniature horse and not a reindeer, but this little fellow has spirit, determination, and yes, he can do whatever the others do. Even better.

Soon the competition is underway and Elliot is holding his own. But there are sinister elves that are causing problems for everyone. DJ (Donner, Jr.) is hoping to win so he can work alongside his dad, but he goes about the competition in an unscrupulous way.

The story is fun with some adorable characters. And the voice talent is top notch. Josh Hutcherson voices little Elliot, John Cleese, Martin Short, Jeff Dunham, Morena Baccarin, and Samantha Bee among others also provide voices. In the bonus feature, the actors discuss the film and their characters, giving viewers a little peek inside how they made the movie.

If you like animated films, if you like Christmas stories, and if you like cute characters, then this is for you. It’s a new story that will undoubtedly become an annual viewing experience in many households.

Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer is rated PG for some suggestive and rude humor. Don’t worry…none of the animals is hurt or killed in the story. The movie is available on DVD and Blu-ray.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. 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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

Follow her on Twitter

DreamWorks’ ‘3Below: Tales of Arcadia’ coming 12/21/18

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


3Below Tales of Arcadia is the second chapter in the Tales of Arcadia trilogy from Academy-Award winning director Guillermo del Toro and is coming exclusively to Netflix on December 21, 2018.

To launch this new chapter, DreamWorks sent the media a cute holiday package. Thanks to Dreamworks for the free plush blanket and pillow. How cute are they?!

 

 

Again, my thanks to DreamWorks for the free holiday gift box.

 

And check out a trailer from the show.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. 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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

Follow her on Twitter

‘3Below Tales of Arcadia’ from DreamWorks Animation on Netflix!

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

3Below Tales of Arcadia is the second chapter in the Tales of Arcadia trilogy from Academy-Award winning director Guillermo del Toro and is coming exclusively to Netflix on December 21, 2018.

The series features Luna and Tatiana Maslany in the lead roles of Krel and Aja.  Nick Offerman, Andy Garcia, Nick Frost, Alon Aboutboul, Chris Obi, Uzo Aduba, Cheryl Hines, Tom Kenny, Haley Atwell, Danny Trejo, and Ann Dowd will be lending their voices along with returning talent from Trollhunters including Emile Hirsch, Charlie Saxton, Lexi Medrano, Steven Yeun, Cole Sands, Kelsey Grammer and more. Additionally, The Crystal Method created the main title theme that you hear in the opening credits video.

Fans of the 7 time Emmy®-winning Trollhunters can expect to find several familiar faces in 3Below when two royal teenage aliens, and their bodyguard flee a surprise takeover of their home planet by an evil dictator and crash land in Arcadia. Now on the run from intergalactic bounty hunters, they struggle to blend in and adapt to the bizarre world of high school all the while attempting to repair their ship so they can return and defend their home planet.

A fitting end to NBC’s ‘Timeless’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

The Lifeboat crew returns to NBC for one last time! 

 

Can you remember the last time your favorite show concluded with an unforgettable ending, let alone a cohesive closure? There have been so many series that fizzled out or got canceled way too soon. The networks do not have the patience with original drama series any more and quickly jump ship to less risky remakes/reboots these days.

 

When I reviewed Reverie, a high-concept original drama, in May, I pointed out that the show was ‘another nod to female empowerment’ from NBC. Mara Kint (Sarah Shahi) reminded me so much of Timeless’ Lucy Preston (Abigail Spencer). These petit yet dynamic, determined, and compassionate powerhouse women represent strength in vulnerability in the #MeToo movement and Time’s Up culture. 

 

And here we are, seven months later, Reverie has been unceremoniously canceled and now it’s Timeless’ turn to bid adieu. The only difference is that Timeless will go out with a bang on December 20, 2018 with a two-part finale. Quite a nice early Christmas present, isn’t it? The series’ principals (Abigail Spencer, Matt Lanter, and Malcom Barrett) promised me that it will be wrapped up quite nicely. In other words, they assured me that all the loose ends will be tied up, including the fans’ burning question of “Where is Amy?” I’ve been asking that question myself since the pilot aired in 2016; I could scarcely fathom the idea that my dear sister ceases to exist one day and is nowhere to be found.

 

Timeless is a Sci-Fi time travel drama created by Shawn Ryan and Eric Kripke. Homeland Security recruits Lucy (Spencer), a history professor, and Wyatt (Lanter), a Delta Force soldier, to create a team that attempts to prevent a secret organization from changing the course of American history. Rufus (Barrett), a brilliant scientist & engineer, operates a prototype machine, the Lifeboat, when Garcia (Goran Višnjić) stole the Mothership to travel back to 1937.

 

Although Timeless had been canceled at the end of each season and the coming two-hour finale will be it on NBC, the show was quite a gift for me. The series not only entertained me but also made me question what I think I knew, dig deeper, learn more, and move forward. According to Spencer, Season 2 intentionally pointed our attention toward marginalized characters, oppressed women, and people of color who have played a big part in shaping history. After all, the series’ villainous group Rittenhouse is the good ol’ boys club and strives for white male domination. They conspire to rewrite history to make our current world less diverse and less equal. Now you know why I have a new appreciation for women like Harriet Tubman (The General), Alice Paul (suffragist), Grace Humiston (attorney & detective), and Hedy Lamarr (inventor/actor).

 

Although the Lifeboat trio admitted it is bitter sweet to let go of the series, they hinted something could happen down the road. The creators kept the door open so that the show might find a new home. This gem of a show definitely deserves a second chance! Or a third, maybe a fourth to be exact…

About the Author

Meg Mimura is a TV critic who actually watches shows zealously in search of thought-provoking and paradigm shifting human drama worth our precious time. She is a member of Television Critics Association.