‘The Last Movie Star’ stars Burt Reynolds

Posted on March 24, 2018March 24, 2018 by Francine Brokaw

Burt Reynolds stars in The Last Movie Star, a drama about an aging has been who comes to terms with his life. He plays Vic Edwards, a former Hollywood star with plenty of physical problems. When he is asked to attend a film festival in Nashville honoring his body of work, he decides to go. After all, the invitation says Clint Eastwood and several others had been selected in prior years. So off he goes from LA to Nashville expecting to be honored in a big way.

What he discovers is that this film festival is a small independent little gathering of film buffs, but they all dote on the aging star. At times, he is a bit brash when it comes to dealing with people. But he always does his best to give his fans a smile, photo, and something to remember him by. He is Old Hollywood, and knows how to treat his fans. Well, kind of.

During his time in Nashville he takes a journey back to his past. It’s a cathartic adventure for this old timer and one that brings up a lot of history for him. What is truly interesting in the film is how the movie combines Reynolds now with his past films. The filmmakers managed to put the old Reynolds into clips from his former films right next to the younger characters he played throughout his career. In a way, this is a tribute to the career of Burt Reynolds.

Fans of the star will enjoy the combination of the young and old But Reynolds. For younger generations, Burt Reynolds is probably just a name in movie history. But for baby boomers and older, this man was a major film star of his day. The way the film combines the old clips with Reynolds today is what truly sets this film apart from other movies about Hollywood “has beens.”

The Last Movie Star is an enjoyable film fun to watch. It’s rated R. The movie opens in theaters March 30, 2018.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 20 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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‘Something Wonderful: Rogers and Hammerstein’s Broadway Revolution’ by Todd S. Purdum – Book Review

Posted on March 20, 2018 by Francine Brokaw

It’s not secret that Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein shaped American musical theater, and thereby musical films. In this delightful new book, Something Wonderful: Rogers and Hammerstein’s Broadway Revolution, their personal lives as well as their professional collaborations combine to form a well-rounded look at the men and their legacies.

Oklahoma (1943), Carousel (1945), State Fair (1945), South Pacific (1949), The King and I (1951), Cinderella (1957), Flower Drum Song (1958), and The Sound of Music (1959) all rank among the best loved musicals of the twentieth century. And every one of these mega Broadway hits made their way onto the big screen. And interestingly enough, each of these stories was tied to the American lifestyle and touched the hearts of the audiences in ways that reflected the intricacies of the country. The book closely examines the history of this great collaboration. As Purdum states about the songs, “They are woven seamlessly into the fabric of American life as ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ or ‘Home on the Range.’”

Throughout the pages, readers get insight into how the songs we know and love came to be. And there are plenty of instances where the lyrics are printed out. It’s impossible not to sing the songs when reading the lyrics. This book is like an interactive experience.

One of my favorite stories is South Pacific. Reading how the story came to be from the collection of stories, Tales of the South Pacific by James A Michener, and then how the production came to be is an interesting story in itself. Then, learning how the songs came together is the icing on the cake.

The two men made history and even won a Pulitzer Prizes. Their shows broke Broadway records.

Whether you are interested in the personal quirks of the men (Hammerstein was stingy), their marriages, or their working relationship, it’s all in this book. This is the quintessential book about Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein.

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (April 3, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 162779834X
• ISBN-13: 978-1627798341

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about 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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The Wonder Crew – Buddies for Boys

Posted on March 20, 2018April 2, 2018 by Francine Brokaw

The Doll of the Year at this year’s TOTY awards is the Wonder Crew. This line of boy dolls was created especially for boys, of course girls will love them too.

The dolls were created to give boys a “buddy” they could take with them and play with. These superhero little guys come dressed in their Wonder Crew outfits and have capes and masks. Plus, there is a cape and mask included in the box for their human friends. These little guys are available in a variety of ethnicities so there is a little Wonder Crew Hero for everyone.

The company says, “Our buddies combine the adventure of an action figure with the emotional connection of the favorite stuffed animal.” Boys can take their hero buddies along wherever they go, and will undoubtedly be connected emotionally to their soft-body buddy for life. These are the kinds of dolls that get passed down from one generation to another, with plenty of stories to go with them!

Besides the red hero outfits, there are other buddies and outfits out now and on the horizon: an astronaut, a construction worker, and more.

Social and emotional intelligence, imagination, and confidence were a priority when designing this line of dolls.

Where action figures are hard plastic, these buddies have soft bodies, with soft plastic heads, arms, and legs. They are meant to be a friend to little boys and are more endearing than stuffed animals. Boys will have plenty of adventures with these little guys. And, as stated earlier, although they were designed for boys, girls will also find them loveable.

The Wonder Crew Superhero’s each list for $29.99. There is Superhero Will (Caucasian), Superhero James (Black), Superhero Marco (Hispanic), and Superhero Erik (Asian). Parents will undoubtedly be purchasing additional outfits ($19.99) for the dolls so their child can experience several adventures with his buddy – especially the pajamas for a great nighttime pal. The Wonder Crew inspires kids to be strong, adventurous, and helpful.

Their motto is “Go anywhere. Be anything.” These dolls fill a void in the toy market for boys. And, they’re completely adorable!

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‘Fighting Parkinson’s …And Winning’ by Howard Shifke – Book Review

Posted on March 20, 2018 by Francine Brokaw

In his book Fighting Parkinson’s …And Winning, author Howard Shifke gives those with the disease hope and a new outlook. With celebrities coming forth about their personal struggles with the disorder, more and more people are becoming aware just how prevalent it is.

Shifke himself had Parkinson’s and details his life with the terrible disease. His mother had suffered with Parkinson’s and he inherited it. Besides the physical toll it took on him, the emotional repercussions were just as upsetting to his life.

If you don’t know anything about the disorder or what sufferers experience, the author gives a pretty good description as well as a general way the public can get an idea for themselves. He puts everything out there.

But if you are suffering with Parkinson’s, it is a good idea to read this book as Shifke takes readers through his journey to the other side. Yes, for him there was a good ending, with his “positive attitude” and recipes for winning.

Parkinson’s is a neurological disorder. But there are definitely ways of dealing with it. And, as Shifke opens up about his daily life and struggles, he also takes readers on his path to his recovery.

While this is not a “recipe” for everyone, it is definitely worth a try if you have the disorder. Shifke wants others to know how he suffered and made it through. He wrote this book to give hope to those with Parkinson’s and it definitely does just that.

Through his book and his work with Parkinson’s patients, Shifke is dedicating his life to helping others.

The book is available through Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions.

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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ECOlunchbox – ecofriendly and convenient

Posted on March 20, 2018April 2, 2018 by Francine Brokaw

The line of stainless steel food containers from ECOLunchboxes are handy, well made, and attractive. And, they are plastic-free. Lately it has been discovered that we have been ingesting plastic when we drink water from plastic bottles. Well, that may be true for other plastic items as well. With these ECOlunchboxes, Bento boxes, containers and other items, you can rest assured there is no plastic to ingest.

There are a variety of containers and container collections. To date they have sold more than 485,000 containers that are environmentally friendly, and most importantly, plastic-free. Check out their 3 in 1 Splash Box set, each with a leak-proof silicone lid and stainless steel containers. They nest together making them handy and convenient to store when not in use. Plus, they are dishwasher-safe.

After using these containers, you will most likely want to replace all your plastic containers with the ECOlunchboxes. There are shapes and sizes to fit almost anything you want.

With the variety of sizes, it is easier than ever to pack a nutritious lunch for your child. Since they are leak proof, you can easily put some hummus in one and some celery or carrot sticks in another for a healthy snack. Or put some tuna salad in one and some crackers in another. And when you’re off to the office and want a healthy lunch for yourself, simply put a salad in the large container and dressing in another. Whatever you put inside you can be assured it won’t leak. The snap-on silicone lids are sturdy and secure.

With these eco-friendly containers, the oceans are cleaner and you are safe from plastics, which is a big concern these days. They are easy to nest/stack/store, clean, and leak proof. The next time you need a housewarming gift or are invited to a party, think about a set of ECO-lunchboxes. They are a thoughtful gift.

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Disney’s Babies – Brought by the Stork

Posted on March 20, 2018April 2, 2018 by Francine Brokaw

The stork delivers the latest group of Disney’s Babies plush animals. These adorable little guys are wrapped in a soft blanket pouch, which Mr. Stork carries in his beak.

These cuddly animals are about 10” high and posed for delivery in their colorful and soft sacks. Their blanket pouches have images that correspond to their stories.

Baby Dumbo is adorable. In the movie he was delivered to his mom by the stork. Now he is delivered to your home by the stork, via Shop Disney. His oversized ears are soft and floppy and can wrap over his sweet and innocent little face. He is dressed in his circus hat and collar and his facial features are embroidered with great detail. blanket pouch is designed with circus animals and even little Timothy is represented. The blanket pouch is fastened with Velcro so it’s easy to unhook and remove the cuddly little elephant. And once he’s out of his pouch he’s an adorable, soft little fellow that makes a great sleeping pal. Actually, he’s just as cuddly when he’s wrapped in his pouch.

Other animals in the current collection include baby Sven, baby Bambi, baby Thumper, baby Flower, baby Simba, baby Marie, baby Scamp, and baby Pegasus. Hopefully there will be others in the future as they are sweet little guys and a welcome addition to the Disney’s Babies line of plush. The past line of Disney’s Babies had the animals wrapped in their own blankets that closed via Velcro. This new line has the soft blanket pouches that make them easy for toting by a child or by Mr. Stork. They are all posed to fit inside their pouches but are each free to get hugs once out of their swaddling delivery pouches.

Each of their expressions are endearing. It’s hard to choose just one. They are all sweet and loveable.

The Disney’s Babies cuddly animals in their blanket pouches are only available at the Disney Parks and on the Shop Disney website. They are delightful baby representations of some of the most beloved Disney animated animal characters.

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CW’s new dramedy ‘Life Sentence’ is full of ‘I’ve never thought of it that way’ moments

Posted on March 19, 2018 by Francine Brokaw

From the network that brought us a number of heartwarming shows like Privileged (2008-09), Life Unexpected (2010-11), and No Tomorrow (2016-17), comes this sweet, touching, yet thought-provoking new dramedy Life Sentence. Let’s hope this show outlasts its predecessors!

Stella (Lucy Hale) was diagnosed with cancer when she was 15 years old. Thanks to her family’s inexhaustible support, she lived like there was no tomorrow. She even got married to a total stranger she met in Paris, the birthplace of love. After eight years of living life to the fullest, Stella finds out she is cured. She believes everybody would be elated at this best news ever, but to her dismay and astonishment, the ‘perfect family’ falls apart in front of her eyes. The rug has just been pulled right out from under her. Now what?

Life Sentence explores a family lucky enough to beat cancer yet faced with its grave repercussions. Stella was clueless about all the sacrifices and compromises the ‘perfect family’ had made to give her a better shot of beating cancer. They were advised not to share anything negative with her. Some doctors believe in the mind-body connection, I take it. That makes sense, but Stella feels guilty about breaking up the family. Who would have thought? Years of lying that everything was hunky-dory have definitely taken their toll on her parents and older siblings.

“She did live in a fantasy world. Her family tried to give her the best last years of her life. So you later find out that her family’s about as dysfunctional as they come,” explained Hale at the press conference held earlier this year. It’s also about this young woman whose development was arrested in her teens; she is totally unprepared or unequipped to face the post-cancer harsh realities of life. “The show is about Stella finding out who she wants to be in the world, because she was living like she was dying. Now she has to live like she’s going to live. Who does she want to be? What are her dreams? What are her aspirations? Does she want to stay married?” Hale expressed her passion for the character she decided to play.

Starting over, no matter what kind of losses or ordeal you’ve survived, is no day at the beach. I used to tell myself “there is life after divorce” over and over again. I also know how hard it is to reinvent oneself. Good luck, Stella. Now you must change. My advice to you is to eradicate the three lethal words from your mind: perfect, forever, and guilt. Nobody is perfect. Nothing lasts forever. Guilt is a wasted emotion. Changes are inevitable. Charge ahead and you’ll do fine. I’ll laugh and cry with you on your starting over journey!

Life Sentence premiered on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 on The CW.

About the Author

Meg Mimura is a TV critic who actually watches shows zealously in search of human drama worth watching. She is a member of Television Critics Association as well as Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

EddieWorld rest stop along I-15

Posted on March 15, 2018August 12, 2025 by Francine Brokaw

In Yermo, California on the I-15 between Los Angeles and Las Vegas is the latest and greatest in the world of truck and rest stops. EddieWorld opened earlier this year (2018) and combines a truck stop with a food court, candy store, and clean rest rooms. EddieWorld is unique and an enjoyable stop while driving along the I-15.

What makes this place different than, say, a Travel America, Loves, or other stops along the freeways is its cleanliness and what it offers travelers in the way of food. First, when you walk in you see it is quite large. And there are aisles and aisles of candy. There’s a section for ice cream, jerky, pizza, and even sushi. Yes, sushi and poke. There’s a Peet’s Coffee, a place to get caramel corn, and a variety of beverages to stock up with before getting back in your car and heading to your destination.

What EddieWorld prides themselves on the most is their “clean” restrooms. The stalls are equipped with self-cleaning handles. In this world of germs and bacteria, this is something that is welcome for all us germophobes. Although I still don’t think of it as the be-all and end-all of germs, it’s a start. And above the men’s urinals are media screams. These monitors, located above each urinal, have something to occupy your mind while taking care of business.

It’s crazy to see this beautifully designed, large and clean stop basically in the middle of nowhere. You can recognize it by the large ice cream sundae in the front. The cherry on top is visible for miles.

The next time you’re driving from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, or from Las Vegas to Los Angeles, and you’re in need of some fuel for your car or your body, or you need a rest stop, check out EddieWorld.

About the Author

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

PhoneSoap XL

Posted on March 15, 2018April 2, 2018 by Francine Brokaw

According to the PhoneSoap Company, a cell phone has 18 times more bacteria than a public restroom. PhoneSoap has produced several disinfecting/sanitizing units designed for cell phones, tablets, and other items that carry germs and bacteria. The PhoneSoap XL is their big unit that can safely sanitize several items at one time, in 15 minutes. By using UV-C light, all the bugs are safely destroyed. The PhoneSoap products kill 99.99% of bacteria.

Besides disinfecting cell phones and tablets, you can also disinfect your TV remote. And if you have babies, put in their rattles and pacifiers. And toothbrushes can be sanitized much faster and easier than putting them in the dishwasher, which many of us often do. Plus, small stuffed animals can be cleaned. If they can fit into the machine, they can be disinfected.

You can place multiple items into the unit at one time. In 15 minutes they will be cleaned and sanitized. The dimensions of the unit are 3” wide, 9.75” high, and 12.4” deep. Plus, there is a USB port to charge your device at the same time for your convenience. Simply place the item(s) into the unit and close the door. It will turn itself off when the sanitizing process is complete. That’s all there is to it.

Families with kids are especially vulnerable because of all the germs the little ones bring home. But they’re not the only ones prone to bacteria and germs. When we fill up our cars at the gas station we touch the nozzles and the keypad. When we touch a cart or sign for our groceries at the store and when we punch in our PIN on any keypad, we are inviting germs into our homes. Think about that before you pick up your cell phone when you’re out of the house. But by using the PhoneSoap once you get home, you will be killing whatever you touched and making your phone safe for more calls or texting.

Besides washing hands and using hand-sanitizers, we all need a little more help in preventing illness. While nothing will keep us 100% free from germs, doing what we can by using the tools available will definitely add to our health. Keeping your family safe from germs is a little easier and more convenient with the PhoneSoap XL.

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Nu Skin LumiSpa – Product Review

Posted on March 15, 2018April 2, 2018 by Francine Brokaw

The Nu Skin ageLOC LumiSpa is a new device designed to cleanse and improve the skin on your face. It is like a spa for your face and feels marvelous.

The set includes the ageLOC LumiSpa deep cleansing device with a nonabrasive head, a charging base, and the Treatment Cleanser. The scent is light and refreshing, with a hint of cucumber.

As soon as the unit starts, you can immediately see the difference between the LumiSpa and other facial cleaning machines. The two concentric circles softly oscillate in different directions. And they feel soft on your skin. The heads have been embedded with antimicrobial silver so they stay cleaner than other devices.

The LumiSpa is designed for men and women. After all, we all want to look our best and put our best face out there, literally. This device helps the appearance of your skin and cleans it from toxins, dirt, pollution, and makeup.

The seven benefits of this device touted by the company are: Skin renewal, purified skin, minimized appearance of pores, smoothness, radiance, more refreshed look, and increased appearance of volume and density.

“When it comes to skin care, today’s busy consumer is looking for multi-functional products that are  simple to use, yet produce results they can see and feel,” said Dr. Joseph Chang, chief scientific officer. “AgeLOC LumiSpa combines patent-pending technology with scientifically researched treatment cleansers to cleanse, exfoliate and renew the skin in a single treatment. As a result, customers can instantly experience softer, smoother skin that becomes more radiant.”
There are kits for normal/combo skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, dry skin, and acne skin. Plus, there are additional head that can be purchased so everyone in your family can get the benefits of this spa treatment for your face.

It doesn’t need a lot of pressure. Simply glide it over your skin. And when the time is up, it will turn itself off. I have been testing this device and can attest to the fact that it does make my skin softer and smoother and my pores look smaller and tighter. My complexion looks refreshed and even a little younger.

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