Get in the holiday spirit on Freeform this November

Posted on October 23, 2018 by Francine Brokaw

The entire month of November is a celebration of love, family, and the holidays on Freeform. Check out the list below and set your DVR for your favorite films. All times are Easter and Pacific.

Thursday, Nov. 1
5:00 p.m. – “Christmas with the Kranks”
7:10 p.m. – “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas”
8:50 p.m. – “Disney-Pixar’s Inside Out”
12:00 a.m. – “Snowglobe”

Friday, Nov. 2
2:30 p.m. – “Christmas with the Kranks”
4:40 p.m. – “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas”
6:20 p.m. – “Disney-Pixar’s Inside Out”
8:30 p.m. – “Disney’s Frozen”
12:00 a.m. – “12 Dates of Christmas”

Saturday, Nov. 3
7:00 a.m. – “Titanic” (1997)
11:30 a.m. – “12 Dates of Christmas”
1:35 p.m. – “The Holiday”
4:50 p.m. – “Disney’s Frozen”
7:20 p.m. – “Pitch Perfect”
10:00 p.m. – “Life-Size” – Freeform Premiere
12:00 a.m. – “Snow”

Sunday, Nov. 4
7:00 a.m. – “Sixteen Candles”
9:05 a.m. – “Snow”
11:10 a.m. – “The Holiday”
2:25 p.m. – “Life-Size”
4:30 p.m. – “Pitch Perfect”
7:10 p.m. – “Just Go With It”
9:50 p.m. – “Maleficent”
11:55 p.m. – “Sixteen Candles”

Monday, Nov. 5
4:00 p.m. – “Just Go With It”
6:30 p.m. – “Maleficent”
8:30 p.m. – “Jumanji” (1995)
12:00 a.m. – “Billy Madison”

Tuesday, Nov. 6
3:30 p.m. – “Billy Madison”
5:30 p.m. – “Jumanji” (1995)
8:00 p.m. – “Mrs. Doubtfire”
12:00 a.m. – “Angels Sing” – Freeform Premiere

Wednesday, Nov. 7
3:30 p.m. – “Angels Sing”
5:30 p.m. – “Mrs. Doubtfire”
8:30 p.m. – “Sweet Home Alabama”
12:00 a.m. – “The Family Stone”

Thursday, Nov. 8
3:30 p.m. – “The Family Stone”
6:00 p.m. – “Sweet Home Alabama”
8:30 p.m. – “Love the Coopers” – Freeform Premiere
12:00 a.m. – “Babe”

Friday, Nov. 9
1:00 p.m. – “Babe”
3:05 p.m. – “Alvin and the Chipmunks” (2007)
5:10 p.m. – “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” – Freeform Premiere
7:15 p.m. – “Storks” – Freeform Premiere
9:20 p.m. – “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas”
12:00 a.m. – Beethoven

Saturday, Nov. 10
7:00 a.m. – “Alvin and the Chipmunks” (2007)
9:10 a.m. – “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel”
11:15 a.m. – “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked”
1:20 p.m. – “Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish”
3:25 p.m. – “Storks”
5:30 p.m. – “Disney’s Meet the Robinsons”
7:35 p.m. – “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas”
9:15 p.m. – “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
11:55 p.m. – “Call Me Claus” – Freeform Premiere

Sunday, Nov. 11
7:00 a.m. – “Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic”
8:00 a.m. – “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked”
10:10 a.m. – “Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish”
12:20 p.m. – “Call Me Claus”
2:25 p.m. – “Disney’s Meet the Robinsons”
4:30 p.m. – “Deck the Halls”
6:35 p.m. – “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
9:15 p.m. – “Disney-Pixar’s The Incredibles”
11:55 p.m. – “Norm of the North” – Network Television Premiere

Monday, Nov. 12
4:00 p.m. – “Norm of the North”
6:10 p.m. – “Disney-Pixar’s The Incredibles”
8:50 p.m. – “Ice Age: Continental Drift” – Freeform Premiere
12:00 a.m. – “Dennis the Menace” (1993)

Tuesday, Nov. 13
4:30 p.m. – “Dennis the Menace” (1993)
6:40 p.m. – “Ice Age: Continental Drift”
8:50 p.m. – “Despicable Me”
12:00 a.m. – “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” (1998)

Wednesday, Nov. 14
4:30 p.m. – “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” (1998)
6:40 p.m. – “Despicable Me”
8:50 p.m. – “Disney-Pixar’s The Good Dinosaur”
12:00 a.m. – “Daddy Day Care”

Thursday, Nov. 15
4:00 p.m. – “Disney-Pixar’s The Good Dinosaur”
6:00 p.m. – “Deck the Halls”
8:00 p.m. – “Mrs. Doubtfire”
12:00 a.m. – “A Cinderella Story”

Friday, Nov. 16
4:00 p.m. – “Deck the Halls”
6:00 p.m. – “Mrs. Doubtfire”
9:00 p.m. – “Disney-Pixar’s Toy Story”
12:00 a.m. – “Boxtrolls”

Saturday, Nov. 17
7:00 a.m. – “Race for Your Life Charlie Brown”
8:35 a.m. – “Bon Voyage Charlie Brown”
10:10 a.m. – “Little Giants”
12:45 p.m. – “Christmas with the Kranks”
2:50 p.m. – “Disney-Pixar’s Toy Story”
4:50 p.m. – “Disney-Pixar’s Toy Story 2”
6:55 p.m. – “Disney-Pixar’s Toy Story 3”
9:25 p.m. – “Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph”
11:30 p.m. – “Jumanji” (1995)

Sunday, Nov. 18
7:00 a.m. – “Little Giants”
9:35 a.m. – “Christmas with the Kranks”
11:40 a.m. – “Jumanji” (1995)
2:15 p.m. – “Disney-Pixar’s Toy Story 2”
4:20 p.m. – “Disney-Pixar’s Toy Story 3”
6:50 p.m. – “Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph”
8:55 p.m. – “Disney’s The Lion King” (1994)
11:00 p.m. – “Disney’s The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride”
1:00 a.m. – “Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic”

Monday, Nov. 19
2:30 p.m. – “Disney’s The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride”
4:30 p.m. – “Storks”
6:30 p.m. – “Disney’s The Lion King” (1994)
8:30 p.m. – “Cinderella” (Live Action) (2015)
12:00 a.m. – “Sixteen Candles”

Tuesday, Nov. 20
12:00 p.m. – “Sixteen Candles”
2:00 p.m. – “Titanic” (1997)
6:30 p.m. – “Cinderella” (Live Action) (2015)
9:00 p.m. – “Disney-Pixar’s Brave”
12:00 a.m. – “Uncle Buck”

Wednesday, Nov. 21
11:30 a.m. – “Uncle Buck”
1:30 p.m. – “Mrs. Doubtfire”
4:30 p.m. – “Disney’s Mulan”
6:30 p.m. – “Disney-Pixar’s Brave”
8:30 p.m. – “Disney’s Zootopia”
12:00 a.m. – “Happy Gilmore”

Thursday, Nov. 22
7:30 a.m. – “Happy Gilmore”
11:00 a.m. – “Mrs. Doubtfire”
2:00 p.m. – “Disney’s Mulan”
4:00 p.m. – “Ice Age: Continental Drift”
6:00 p.m. – “Disney’s Zootopia”
8:30 p.m. – “Disney-Pixar’s Ratatouille”
12:00 a.m. – “The Lego Movie”

Friday, Nov. 23
7:30 a.m. – “Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups”
11:00 a.m. – “The Lego Movie”
1:30 p.m. – “Ice Age: Continental Drift”
3:30 p.m. – “Jumanji” (1995)
6:00 p.m. – “Disney-Pixar’s Ratatouille”
8:30 p.m. – “Disney-Pixar’s Finding Nemo”
12:00 a.m. – “Call Me Claus”

Saturday, Nov. 24
7:00 a.m. – “Bon Voyage Charlie Brown”
8:30 a.m. – “Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure” – Freeform Premiere
10:30 a.m. – “Jumanji” (1995)
1:05 p.m. – “Disney’s Tarzan”
3:10 p.m. – “Despicable Me”
5:15 p.m. – “Disney-Pixar’s Finding Nemo”
7:45 p.m. – “The Santa Clause”
9:50 p.m. – “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause”
11:55 p.m. – “Life Size”

Sunday, Nov. 25
7:00 a.m. – “Yogi Bear”
8:35 a.m. – “Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish”
10:35 a.m. – “Disney’s Tarzan”
12:40 p.m. – “Despicable Me”
2:45 p.m. – “Life Size”
4:50 p.m. – “The Santa Clause”
6:55 p.m. – “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause”
9:00 p.m. – “The Truth About Christmas” – Freeform Original Film Premiere
11:00 p.m. – “Mrs. Doubtfire”

Monday, Nov. 26
12:00 p.m. – “The Truth About Christmas”
2:05 p.m. – “Mrs. Doubtfire”
5:10 p.m. – “Disney’s Meet the Robinsons”
7:15 p.m. – “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas”
8:55 p.m. – “Paddington” – Network Television Premiere
12:00 a.m. – “Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1996)

Tuesday, Nov. 27
1:00 p.m. – “Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1996)
3:00 p.m. – “Disney’s Meet the Robinsons”
5:05 p.m. – “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas”
6:45 p.m. – “Paddington”
8:50 p.m. – “Despicable Me”
12:00 a.m. – “Eight Crazy Nights”

Wednesday, Nov. 28
12:00 p.m. – “Eight Crazy Nights”
2:00 p.m. – “Unaccompanied Minors”
4:10 p.m. – “Jumanji” (1995)
6:40 p.m. – “Despicable Me”
8:50 p.m. – “Disney’s A Christmas Carol”
12:00 a.m. – “Unaccompanied Minors”

Thursday, Nov. 29
1:00 p.m. – “Jumanji” (1995)
3:30 p.m. – “The Holiday”
6:40 p.m. – “Disney’s A Christmas Carol”
8:50 p.m. – “The Santa Clause”
12:00 a.m. – “Jingle All The Way 2” – Freeform Premiere

Friday, Nov. 30
1:30 p.m. – “The Holiday”
4:35 p.m. – “Christmas with the Kranks”
6:40 p.m. – “The Santa Clause”
8:50 p.m. – “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause”
12:00 a.m. – “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” (1998)

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.

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‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas!: The Ultimate Edition’ GIVEAWAY

Posted on October 22, 2018November 15, 2018 by Francine Brokaw

The best-selling, perennial holiday classic, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!: The Ultimate Edition got even better with the addition of two Grinch specials, which are available in high definition for the first time ever! Based on the beloved book by Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is considered among one of Dr. Seuss’ finest works for children. The story was originally adapted to television as an animated TV special and was highly praised by audiences. It has been re-broadcast numerous times since its debut, with annual airings continuing to the present day.

This must-have release features three animated Dr. Seuss specials including How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat and Halloween is Grinch Night. All three are included in this ultimate edition.

We have some copies to giveaway.

To be eligible to win a copy of How the Grinch Stole Christmas!: The Ultimate Edition, email us at [email protected] with “Grinch Giveaway” in the title. Please supply your name, address, phone number and email address (so we can let you know if you are a winner).

The deadline for this giveaway is October 30 2018.

‘Born Free – The Complete Collection’ on DVD

Posted on October 18, 2018October 18, 2018 by Francine Brokaw

Elsa the young lioness captured the hearts of moviegoers when the film Born Free premiered in 1966. The beautiful title song was the Academy Award winner, as was the score. Now all of the Born Free movies and TV show are included in one package.

Born Free starred Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers as Joy and George Adamson. This is the true story of how they raised the lion cub and eventually trained her to be wild. This had never been done before. Previously lions raised by humans were turned over to zoos. But Joy insisted that Elsa be set free. To do this she and George worked tirelessly to train Elsa to look out for herself in the wild. It was touch and go for a while, but soon Elsa took her place in wild Africa, and eventually returned to Joy and George to show off her three cubs.

In 1972 the adventure continued in Living Free with Elsa’s three cubs learning to make it on their own after their mother died of disease. This time Susan Hampshire and Nigel Davenport took over the roles of Joy and George Adamson. This is another true story. The couple again worked to capture the trio and eventually release them in the Serengeti where they would hopefully join a tribe and live free among their kind. This would ensure that humans would not hunt them.

These are beautiful stories of nature, but I have to confess I did shut my eyes a couple times. The story of Elsa is bittersweet. Humans killed her parents, yet in return they raised her and her two sisters who eventually went to a zoo. Elsa was special and remained in the care of the Adamson’s until it was necessary for a change.

The 1996 movie Born Free: A New Adventure is a bit different. This time a young lion cub – also named Elsa – is being raised by humans (Linda Purl and Ariana Richards) until she can survive on her own or go to a zoo. Dr. David Thompson (Chris Noth) moves his two children to Africa to work at a local hospital. The kids are not happy about moving from the U.S.A. to the wild of Africa, but Elsa works her magic. And the beauty of the land wins them over.

In 1974 the short-lived TV series Born Free starred Gary Collins and Diana Muldaur as George and Joy Adamson. All 13 episodes are included in this collection.

Born Free is rated PG and Living Free is rated G. Yes, there are killings in both, by humans and animals, but the beauty of the lions and the heartfelt stories are engaging. And there is no way anyone will get that beautiful song out of their head for days after viewing the original movie. It is perhaps worthy of wondering why humans take these amazing animals as trophies. They are beautiful and hunters should be ashamed. Bring Elsa home to your family in this all-inclusive DVD collection.

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Tom Hanks and Dan Aykroyd in ‘Dragnet’

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Francine Brokaw

The Collector’s Edition of the 1987 comedy Dragnet has Dan Aykroyd as Joe Friday’s nephew, Joe Friday, and Tom Hanks as his new partner Pep Streebek. Friday is a by-the-book LAPD detective and Streebek is a hang-loose kind of guy. They are opposites but as they get to know each other they each conform a little to the other’s way of life and police work.

Based on the hit TV series, this film also costars Harry Morgan as Captain Gannon. Morgan starred in the 1967-1970 TV series as Officer Gannon.

This new Blu-ray is a whacky far-fetched comedy with the LAPD after a gang known as P.A.G.A.N (People Against Goodness and Normalcy). They are ritualistic and ruthless. Their main focus is Jerry Caesar (Dabney Coleman), a Hugh Heffner-style character. What no one knows is that P.A.G.A.N. is in cahoots with Reverend Jonathan Whirley (Christopher Plummer), who is also in cahoots with someone else who will not be named here due to a spoiler alert.

Anyway, as the cops hunt down the leads in their unusual ways, they come upon a P.A.G.A.N. gathering where they are about to sacrifice a young virgin, Connie Swail (Alexandra Paul).

You get the picture. This is an over-the-top madcap comedy with the hairstyles and clothing of the 1980s.

Dragnet was a hit film in 1954 with Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday. From 1967-1970 Webb and Morgan brought the characters to TV viewers. In 2003 a short-lived series starred Ed O’Neill as Lt. Joe Friday. There was another TV series in 1989-1991 minus Joe Friday. To say this theme has captured the hearts of TV and movie fans is an understatement.

The Dragnet: Collector’s Edition includes some bonus features. A new interview with Alexandra Paul is interesting as she discusses her role in the film.

Dragnet: Collector’s Edition from Shout Select is rated PG-13. There is nudity, drug use, and violence so it’s not for young viewers.

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Bearizona Wild Animal Park

Posted on October 14, 2018August 12, 2025 by Francine Brokaw

Located in Williams, Arizona is Bearizona, a 160-acre wild animal park where visitors can get up close but not so personal with wild animals including bears, wolves, and deer. The location is perfect for visitors to Flagstaff, The Grand Canyon, and even Las Vegas, for a change of scenery and a fun outing for families.

There is a road that winds through a large portion of the park. While driving through visitors are cautioned to keep their windows closed in certain sections, and, as we discovered, we had to remove the tire cover on the back of our jeep because we were told the wolves love to grab them and pull them off! Yes, this is the wild, however it is safe as long as you follow the rules.

Driving through the park is a unique experience and something that is sure to delight all ages. However, when you have completed your drive there is much more. There is a walking tour through an enclosed area where plenty of other animals are available to watch and study. Plus, there are Birds of Prey shows daily where owls and falcons fly through the air while visitors learn about their lives, habits, and habitats.

Some of the animals you will see while driving through the park are Black Bears, deer, White Bison, Brown Bison, Rocky Mountain Goats, Alaskan Dall Sheep, Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, American Burros, Alaskan Tundra Wolves, and Arctic Wolves.

Fort Bearizona is the walking area. Here you’ll see otters, foxes, bobcats, javelinas, badgers, and more.And there is a petting zoo where kids – and adults – can really get close to some animals. There is a place to purchase food and souvenirs as well.

Bearizona is more than a zoo. It’s an experience and involvement with nature. And being able to see all of these animals roam and play, not to mention eat, is fun for the whole family. This is definitely a “must-do” if you’re in the region of Northern Arizona.

The cost of admission is $22 for adults, $11 for ages 4-12, and $20 for seniors 62 and older. There is also an annual pass and an annual carload pass, so if you plan on returning with your friends, it might be worth purchasing one of the passes.

For more information, go to their website.

About the Author

Roy Brokaw writes about interesting things to do and places to see. He is also an accomplished travel photographer.

‘City Slickers’ Collector’s Edition Blu-ray

Posted on October 12, 2018 by Francine Brokaw

City Slickers is an award-winning 1991 comedy starring Billy Crystal, Bruno Kirby, and Daniel Stern. It’s a fun buddy film that is filled with memorable moments.

Crystal is Mitch Robbins, a 39-year-old advertising sales rep who is experiencing a mid-life crisis. He and his two best friends, Phil and Ed (Stern and Kirby), take annual trips together, sometimes with their spouses. After running with the bulls in Pamplona, the trio next decides to go to New Mexico and drive a herd of cattle up to Colorado.

Their introduction to the ranch where they start their journey is nothing short of unpleasant. First, they learn how to ride and rope, and second they meet the leader, Curly (Jack Palance) who is definitely not a man anyone would describe as warm and fuzzy. This gruff cowboy is more than intimidating to the trio as well as the others in the group. He is downright scary.

The cattle drive is hysterical. Along the way they manage to bury one man and two horses and lose two ranch hands. Plus, Mitch gets to birth a calf. He names the little one Norman and Norman turns out to be the star of the film.

Helen Slater is Bonnie, the lone woman on the cattle drive. Also joining the group are Josh Mostel and David Paymer as the Shalowitz brothers who are like Ben and Jerry. They have an ice cream empire. Bill Henderson and Phil Lewis play father and son dentists on this far-fetched journey. Together these very different personalities merge into a hysterical group of city folk who must dig deep inside to find their inner cowboy – or cowgirl.

A very young Jake Gyllenhaal plays Mitch’s son and Crystal’s daughter Lindsay plays his daughter in the film. Patricia Wettig plays his loving wife who is concerned about his crisis but knows he will snap out of it – eventually.

Two years earlier Crystal and Kirby co-starred in the hit comedy When Harry Met Sally. And many of the City Slickers cast returned three years later for the sequel, which starts on Mitch’s 40th birthday.

Jack Palance took home the Oscar and a Golden Globe for his role as Curly. City Slickers was a hit comedy and has stood the test of time. It’s not a period piece, and watching it again now is just as entertaining and enjoyable. There are definitely many laugh-out-loud scenes.

The bonus features include a look at the movie with the cast and filmmakers. There is another featurette about writing the script. The whole idea came from Crystal while he was watching a TV show about vacations. There is a fun featurette about Norman. It describes how the birthing scene was filmed. And for those who want to know – Crystal did pull out the calf however it wasn’t from its mother. It was from a mock-up of the mother cow. Watch this for all the info. And finally, there are a couple deleted scenes. It’s interesting to hear why the director cut an important aspect of the ending of the cattle drive.

If you haven’t seen the film or haven’t seen it in a long time, this is the time to revisit the fun of the most hilarious cattle drive in Hollywood history. Yee haw!!!!

City Slickers is rated PG-12.

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‘The Last Hurrah’ now on Blu-ray

Posted on October 11, 2018 by Francine Brokaw

Spencer Tracy stars in this gripping 1958 black and white drama. The Last Hurrah is based on the best-selling novel of the day.

Directed by John Ford, Tracy stars as Mayor Frank Skeffington, a four-time elected official running for his fifth and final time. He’s an Irish politician in a New England town that is still honing the divide between Puritans and the immigrants. Frank is a hard-working political boss who is involved with his constituents.

This final campaign is grueling. Amos Force (John Carradine), the editor of the local newspaper, publishes anti Skeffington articles daily. He is backing his opponent, as are the local bankers.

The cast is remarkable. There is Jeffrey Hunter as Frank’s nephew who is studying the ways of his uncle, Pat O’Brien, Basil Rathbone, and plenty of other high-ranking actors of the late 1950s.

This is a dramatic look at politics in the 1950s when TV and radio wasn’t the way to broadcast information. Today we are bombarded by robo-calls, TV ads, and radio commercials but back then Frank Skuffington felt the best way for him to relate to the people was to be out and about with them. This was old-time politics, and it worked for Mayor Skuffington. He was able to show his people skills without all the fluff and polish we see today.

The movie is two hours long and slow moving. However it is an interesting look at politics and politicians, not to mention political rivalry, which was at its peak in this particular election. And when have we not seen Tracy act brilliantly? His performance is top notch.

There is a message or two woven into the story, as there is in many of Tracy’s other films: Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, Judgment at Nuremberg, Inherit the Wind, and more. Whether he’s playing a comedic role or an intense dramatic character, Spencer Tracy will always be remembered as one of the greatest actors in Hollywood history.

The Limited Edition Blu-ray from Twilight Time includes a booklet about the film and worth reading. The Last Hurrah is not rated however it is not for children. It’s best suited for teens and adults.

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Disguised as quirky musical comedy, ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ is full of insight into the soul and emotions

Posted on October 9, 2018 by Francine Brokaw

Rebecca Bunch (Rachel Bloom), a Woody Allen-esque Manhattan lawyer, has been on a roller coaster ride since she took a leap of faith by following Josh Chan (Vincent Rodriguez III), her summer camp crush, to his hometown of West Covina, California.

After two seasons of being ’crazy-in-love’ and hence justifiable Rebecca, the third season turned her into its title role of ‘revenge-crazy’ psycho Rebecca. She was abandoned at the altar and went into the jilted bride’s revenge mode. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. After her second suicide attempt and with a new diagnosis of someone who lacks the protective emotional skin to feel comfortable in the world, our A+ student Rebecca struggles to break out of purgatory of her colorful past. Impatient of slow progress in reaching the new normal, she jumped out of the frying pan into the fire yet AGAIN! If only she stayed the course and realized that neither love nor men can save her from her demons. She was on the blink of figuring out her serious Daddy issues, obsessive love, and fear of abandonment before she took the easy way out by accepting Josh’s proposal! That’s why Rebecca still doesn’t know who she is without a man, period.

The fourth and final season promises to deliver ‘enlightened’ Rebecca 2.0; she still makes mistakes all right, but is mindful of the whys and wherefores of her actions. And the second half of Season 4 returns to its roots as a love story. I really can’t imagine what that would look like, but certainly welcome the idea of the ‘reinvented’ Rebecca having many suitors. That sounds like another wish fulfillment this show has been delivering season after season. An extensive choice of men is just what the doctor ordered! After all, the story started with Rebecca’s immediate attachment to and idealization of Josh – The One That Got Away a decade ago. However, I highly recommend being alone and get comfortable in your own skin before you jump into another relationship. When the rug is pulled out from under you and you are in free fall, you would grasp at any man, right? In my experience, men are nothing but distractions from the real issues and obstacles to self-realization; after earth-shuttering losses any woman would be wise to find out who she is without a man.

Just like Alicia Florrick (The Good Wife) transformed into ‘the free woman’ from all the duties and obligations of ‘the good wife,’ I have every confidence that Rebecca will rise like a phoenix from the ashes of her countless cringe-worthy mistakes. I just hope she realizes that we can only obtain sense of accomplishment from doing what we’re passionate about. I doubt if anybody was passionate about getting ‘good wife seal of approval.’ I don’t want to alarm you, but neither my marriage nor relationship gave me the high of professional accomplishments. We’re so programmed to put utmost importance to get married, but isn’t it time for society as a whole to re-evaluate what aspect of women’s lives we put the most value on? Since your mother told you who to be and love told you where to go, you need to first pursue what truly makes you happy, Rebecca Bunch!

The CW’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend returns for its fourth and final season on Friday, October 12, 2018. Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!

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.

Lifetime Double Feature DVD for the holidays

Posted on October 9, 2018 by Francine Brokaw

Two feel-good Lifetime holiday movies come together in one package. A Very Merry Toy Store and Four Christmases and a Wedding are a fun way to enjoy the spirit of the season.

In A Very Merry Toy Store Melissa Joan Hart and Mario Lopez star as competitors in a small town. They each own a toy store just a few feet away from each other. Their competitiveness is in high gear until a toy mogul, Roy Barnes (Billy Gardell), surprises everyone by opening one of his gigantic toy stores in the town. This ruthless man will stop at nothing to run the two out of business. Connie and Will (Hart and Lopez) decide to only way to beat him is to join forces. And, let’s face it, when it comes to these stories they join more than just their businesses. Love is in the air but first they must make sure Roy’s Toys is denied a permit to stay in the town. This small town doesn’t have any big commercial stores and the townsfolk want to keep it that way.

Brian Dennehy costars as Joe, the owner of the local diner who has a crush on Connie’s mother (Beth Broderick). And Dan Amboyer costars as Connie’s brother Randy who is oblivious to the advances of Francine (Tara Strong), Joe’s waitress.

The movie was mainly filmed in New Britain, Connecticut, the setting for the story.

Four Christmases and a Wedding is the other 2017 Lifetime holiday movie included on this double feature DVD. The film stars Arielle Kebbel as Chloe and Corey Sevier as Evan, who meet and, well, you can guess the rest.

The movie takes place over five years. Chloe is an event planner and during the first Christmas Fair for their town, she meets Evan. They hit it off but his job takes him out of the country. The next year at the fair they meet again, but there is something else keeping them apart. They meet again the following year. This fair is the only time they see each other. Just think of the movie title and you can imagine what happens.

This is a cute story with Markie Post as Chloe’s mother and Judge Reinhold as her high school friend who now becomes her suitor.

Kebbel is adorable. Her wardrobe and jewelry in this film are fabulous. I’ll take any one of her ball dresses and necklaces anytime!

This fun double feature is a great way to spend one or two nights preparing for the season. And, when you’re wrapping presents, why not pop in this DVD and enjoy the season with these stories.

Let’s face it, we know these holiday romantic films all end well, but it’s how the couples get to their happy endings that makes the movies worthwhile. And both of these are fun with wonderful casts.

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‘D.O.A.’ arrives on Blu-ray

Posted on October 5, 2018 by Francine Brokaw

The 1988 version of D.O.A. stars Dennis Quaid as an English professor who is on the hunt for his killer. Meg Ryan, Daniel Stern, Jane Kaczmarek, and Charlotte Rampling join Quaid in this intense drama.

Dexter Cornell (Quaid) is a popular professor who has given up his writing career. He’s content at the moment to teach and rests on his laurels. His soon-to-be ex-wife Gail (Kaczmarek) is not happy with the way their lives are heading and insists he sign the final divorce papers, which is something he doesn’t want to do.

After one drunken night, he awakens in the dorm room of a student, Sydney Fuller (Ryan). Not feeling good about his behavior, and not feeling physically good at all, he decides to see his doctor. Does he have the flu? No. He has been poisoned. And there is no antidote. He will not survive another 48 hours.

Dex heads out on a quest to find out who murdered him. He enlists the help of Sydney who has had a crush on him for a long time but is apprehensive about tagging along as he retraces his steps from the previous day. Somewhere there is a clue as to who poisoned him and why.

While this intense quest leads them to various people, bodies start piling up. Before he was poisoned, his star pupil apparently killed himself. By the end of the film, there are six dead bodies (with two others who distantly figure into the story). But how are these people connected and why does anyone want a fun-loving English professor dead?

The story is interesting and while viewers are trying to put the pieces together (some might get it right) the plot thickens. This is a remake of the 1949 film with the same plot. Someone has been poisoned but who did it and why?

D.O.A. brings together Quaid and Ryan who were married a few years after the film came out. They had co-starred the previous year in Innerspace and during their marriage in the 1993 film Flesh and Bone.

D.O.A. is an interesting thriller with a good plot and wonderful cast. It is rated R.

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