Churchill is an interesting look into the mind of Winston Churchill. This film stars Brian Cox as the cigar-smoking British patriot, Miranda Richardson as his wife, and John Slattery as General “Ike” Eisenhower.

Churchill is in turmoil over the Allied plans for D-Day. He feels the plan, named “Overlord”, is going to fail and the soldiers will be slaughtered. His mind keeps drifting back to World War I and the horrific Battle of Gallipoli in 1915, when more than 500,000 people died.

Confronting Eisenhower, Montgomery, and Ramsey, Churchill voices his concerns in front of the King. This is not what the Allied Command wanted to hear. Yet, in the end, they went through with their plans and came out the victors. King George VI is leaning toward Churchill’s side however he feels the planners know what they’re doing. In the end, he sides with the plan and informs Churchill that their jobs are to back up the military and keep the people at home feeling confident and secure. That’s a tall order, but Churchill intends to be the calming voice for the nation.

In the end, Winston Churchill became a hero for the country. He is considered one of the most loyal Brit in history who only wanted the best for the country.

The film includes a “making of” feature, taking viewers behind the scenes. The film was written by Alex von Tunzelmann who is a British historian as well as a writer. Her story portrays the conflict within Winston Churchill and shows a different side of the lead up to D-Day. The film shows Churchill as a man with flaws as well as a driving force to lead his people through the war.

Brian Cox completely inhabits the iconic Prime Minister in every way. He is a pleasure to watch his performance. And Miranda Richardson portrays Mrs. Churchill as the woman behind the man who helps him through his challenges, although they did have a problematic marriage.

Churchill is rated PG for thematic elements, brief war images, historical smoking throughout, and some language.

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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Kid Galahad is a simple, fun, little film with all the Elvis charm and plenty of music. This 1962 movie has Elvis boxing his way to fame and fortune as he earns enough money to buy a little garage, which is his dream. He’s a wiz at mechanics.

When he is discharged from the Army, Willy Gulick (Presley) returns to Cream Valley, the small town in which he was born. It’s there where an unscrupulous man who runs a boxing camp takes him under his wing. Willy Grogan (Gig Young) only thinks about himself and he is really a man without any appeal. His mind is only on the bottom line, in other words, how he can make money. He had no feelings for others.

Walter is tagged with the name “Galahad” because he is so charming and respectful of women and others. The camp’s trainer (Charles Bronson) helps Walter in the ring, but he doesn’t need any help on the outside. He and Willy’s sister Rose (Joan Blackman) fall in love, to the dismay of Willy who still sees his sister as a little girl, not the young woman she has become.

Willy has been stringing along his own girlfriend Dolly (Lola Albright) for three years. This man has no scruples. He is only into anything that helps himself. And he has managed to get deeply involved with the mob, although he doesn’t want to be.

So, there’s Walter, who’s only fighting until he makes enough money to fulfill his dream. There’s Rose who is falling in love with him. There’s Dolly, Willy’s girlfriend he has been stringing along for three years. And there’s Willy, the low-life who doesn’t seem to have anyone’s good will in mind except his own. And the mob is out to make money off of Willy who has managed to get himself in deeper trouble with the bosses. Now mix that with Elvis’s songs and you have a simple, tuneful, simple little story that is typical Elvis Presley.

Interestingly enough, Presley and Blackman starred together the previous year in the hit film Blue Hawaii. And Blackman and Albright costarred on the TV series Peyton Place.

If you’re an Elvis fan, then you’ll definitely enjoy Kid Galahad. The new Twilight Time Blu-ray edition includes a booklet about the film, which is described as a “warm, genial, corny slice of Americana with considerable charm.”

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.

Follow her on Twitter

Join Elena and her friends and family in a collection of several celebrations in this new DVD. Elena of Avalor: Celebrations to Remember contains six episodes from the popular Disney Channel series.

In “A Day to Remember” everyone celebrates the lives of their deceased family members. This is especially difficult for Elena’s younger sister Isabel who misses her parents and is depressed about their passing. But it’s Elena who inspires her to remember the good times and keep their memories alive within herself.

Elena discovers she has the power to see ghosts and this helps her to help a family through a tough time. It also allows her to see her parents for a brief time. Even though this is the day of the dead, this Halloween in Avalor is filled with hope for the future.

Another episode, “Navidad,” focuses on the Christmas holiday. Unfortunately, there are several parties planned for the same time so unraveling this sticky situation is not easy but Elena always finds a way.

In “Crystal in the Rough” Isabel attends school for the first time having been “castle-schooled” all her life. She is anxious to meet new friends, but soon discovers her good manners and intelligence are ridiculed by some of the tough kids. To change that, Isabel decides to change herself, but soon discovers that being true to yourself is the most important thing.

There are three other episodes included on this DVD: “King of the Carnival,” “My Fair Naomi,” and “Captain Turner Returns.” A special bonus is an Elena locket included in the box. This gold-tone locket comes with an 18-inch chain. The front of the locket, which measures one inch in length, has an engraved flower. Being a working locket it opens up and on one side is a photo of Elena. The other side is empty so your child can place any picture of herself or her friend or family inside. The lobster-claw clasp is easy to open and close.

Elena and her family and friends have been embraced by young viewers and now several of their stories can be experienced over and over with this delightful new DVD.

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.

Follow her on Twitter