Heaven Sent is heartwarming yet a little bittersweet. It’s the story of a delightful and innocent little 8-year-old angel named Taylor who ran away from Heaven to live with a couple whose marriage in on the rocks. Her deep desire is to bring them back together.

Christian Kane (Leverage and The Librarians) is Billy, a man who still loves his wife Marie (Marley Shelton) even though she insists he sign the divorce documents. Years earlier they had suffered a terrible loss and their marriage has not been as happy as it once was.

Then one day a blonde, curly haired little girl arrives in their kitchen. Their hearts are kind and they take care of her until the authorities can find her parents. The thing is no one can see her except Billy and Marie. Then they discover she is an angel and she tells them she ran away from Heaven because she wanted to see what it would be like to have a mom and dad. The trio forms a close family but they know this is all just temporary. After all, Taylor is an angel. She cannot stay with them forever, although they love her deeply and enjoy having her in their lives.

Will Taylor be able to accomplish her goal of bringing them back together so they will continue their marriage, or will they split up once and for all? Mallory James Mahoney stars as Taylor, the precocious little angel with ulterior motives. She’s fun to watch as she worms her way into the lives and hearts of these two people.

The movie was originally made for the holidays and aired on Lifetime. With Michael Landon, Jr. as the director, you know it is going to have the heart of a family at its core. And this is definitely a family oriented film. Landon has made his mark in the family genre, following in the footsteps of his father.

Ernie Hudson makes an appearance as the guardian of the little angel who has taken care of her ever since she arrived in Heaven.

There are a few surprises at the end of the story, however viewers might just figure out one of them long before it is disclosed. Little Taylor is fun to see as her curiosity about life helps bring the couple back in synch.

While this is definitely a sweet and sensitive story, it is also a little bit sad, although that will depend on your point of view. In any case, it is a good film filled with a lot of love and the spark of a pint sized angel.

Although it was designed as a Christmas story, it is much more than that. It is an anytime story filled with heart – and soul.

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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“Nobody puts Baby in a corner.” How can we forget this line? For 30 years the story of Baby and Johnny has been front and center in cinema history. This coming of age love story touched the hearts of moviegoers everywhere. The 30th Anniversary Edition of Dirty Dancing is available on a Blu-ray combo pack, a single DVD, and a special collector’s edition with plenty of fun little keepsakes to commemorate specific parts of the film.

The year was 1963 and 17-year-old Francis – Baby – Houseman (Jennifer Grey) went to Kellerman’s resort for the summer with her family. This idealistic young woman then met dance instructor Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze) and, after a crazy beginning, they fell in love. Johnny was a guy from the streets of Philadelphia. These two were like oil and water, but they managed to shake things up – in more ways than one – and became the love story of the summer.

The film has several storylines within the main one. This was the time before Roe v Wade and abortions were illegal. One of the characters needed an abortion and almost lost her life after she got a back alley abortion. There were plenty of sexual storylines, including the desire for Baby’s sister to lose her virginity. But the most impressive part of the film is the love that blossomed between Baby and Johnny.

Besides that, the “dirty dancing” element brought sex onto the dance floor. With the fun aspect of the dancing along with the Johnny and Baby relationship, this movie quickly hit the top of the lists and people were going to the theaters multiple times to see it over and over again.

There are hours of bonus features on the Blu-ray disc including a look at the Dirty Dancing phenomenon. It was unexpected for the producers and this low budget film shocked Hollywood with its rise to fame.

Patrick Swayze explains the dancing “is very hot” and really sexy. And Grey says it’s sexy but “not really dirty.” For the cast the final wrap was “bittersweet” because they had such a great time together making the film. The story went on to become a short-lived TV show and now a popular stage play.

Swayze, who passed away in 2009, was interviewed on camera in 2006. Through the bonus features, viewers get a closer look at the man who took Johnny Castle from the page to the screen. He had praise for Grey and said the whole film was “a team effort.”

Swayze didn’t want to make a “dance” movie but he “just couldn’t resist” this one. The actor had studied ballet, jazz, modern, and tap and explained “ballet is the basis of all dance.” That is evident in the film.

Besides acting and dancing, Swayze raised horses and had a music career. He wrote and performed the film’s song “She’s Like the Wind.” He was “big on love songs” and said every love song he wrote was about his wife Lisa. Talk about romantic!

Interviews with Swayze, Grey, writer Eleanor Bergstein, choreographer Kenny Ortega, and dancer/actor Miranda Garrison add to the background of the film. There are screen tests, outtakes, and plenty more bonuses included in this 30th Anniversary Edition.

Grab a copy, relive this classic story, and learn a lot about its history. This is definitely an edition for all fans of the film.

Dirty Dancing is rated PG13.

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

Fans of Disney Junior’s Sofia the First and Elena of Avalor are in for a treat with this made-for-TV movie that aired on Disney Junior and is now available on DVD. We know that Sofia has the magic Amulet of Avalor, and we know Elena was imprisoned in that amulet 41 years ago. But how did Sofia end up with the amulet and how did Elena get free from her bondage? All these questions are answered in this movie that combines the characters from both TV shows into one magical tale.

After learning about the princess imprisoned in her amulet, Sofia talks her family into visiting the kingdom of Avalor for their summer vacation. She has ulterior motives. She has to go there to free the princess and return her to her throne.

For the past 41 years the evil Queen Shuriki has ruled Avalor after killing the king and queen and trapping Elena inside the amulet. Shuriki has ruled like a tyrant, outlawing singing, music, and dancing. But there has been no one to stop her. This evil sorceress is powerful.

So, when Sofia and her family get to Avalor, the little princess sets out on a dangerous mission to help the imprisoned princess. With the help of Zuzo, the spirit animal guide, flying jaquins, and Mateo (the wizard-in-training), Sofia faces an arduous task but comes through as always.

Once she releases Elena from the amulet, the two princess join forces to defeat Shuriki once and for all and release Elena’s remaining family who have been trapped inside a magical painting. Once the family is together again, there is no stopping them from regaining their throne and kingdom, and returning music to the land.

Even though Elena and her family have been trapped inside magical items for 41 years, they have not aged, so she is still the teenage Crown Princess. There is plenty of magic in this engaging story as the two TV Disney princesses join forces. While other Disney princesses through the seasons have visited Sofia, this is the first time that these two have been brought together for a magical tale, and who knows, perhaps there will be more of the two young TV princesses in years to come. One of the fun aspects of Sofia the First is her magic amulet and the fact that other princesses visit her from time to time.

All the magic and fun of Sofia the First combine with all the magic and fun of Elena of Avalor in this delightful movie. Also included on the DVD are a music video and several episodes from the Elena of Avalor series.

And the piece de resistance in this DVD box is an Elena and a flying Jaquin mobile of your very own. It’s pretty sturdy plastic and requires an adult to assemble. Everything is included to make your own flying Jaquin except a scissors. Once assembled, this is really a cool little item. By gently tugging at the strings you can make the wings flap. It’s like a little marionette. Or, it can simply hang down from the hanger included with this mobile.

Elena and the Secret of Avalor is rated TVY for everyone! The flying Jaquin is for ages 3+.

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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For anyone who felt out of place in high school, or even life for that matter, The Edge of Seventeen is a movie that will strike a chord in your soul. Let’s face it, high school was divided between the popular kids and the not-so-popular kids.

Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld) has always been a little different than others. She is basically a loner and doesn’t make friends easily. She’s intelligent, perceptive, and sensitive. She is also uncomfortable in her own skin. She simply cannot find herself or her place in life. Depression often takes over and she cannot see any daylight in her future.

Her brother Darian (Blake Jenner) on the other hand is a popular outgoing jock with plenty of friends. They are like night and day.

Then when one day Nadine meets Krista (Haley Lu Richardson) and they become best friends for life. Well, at least from the time they’re about 7 to 17. It’s then when Krista starts dating Darian and the friendship between Nadine and Krista hits rock bottom.

Getting through the days is difficult. Nadine confides in one of her teachers, Mr. Bruner (Woody Harrelson) who is the one person she trusts to talk with. Her mother (Kyra Sedgwick) is not sympathetic and since her father died, Nadine is even more lost in life.

It’s as though she is adrift on the ocean. What is going to happen next? Will she find some peace and be comfortable with herself?

High school is difficult and adolescence adds to that. This is a story that will have more appeal for girls than boys. It delves into the emotions, hormones, and problems of adolescent girls as they transform into womanhood. It definitely struck a chord with me. I felt deeply for Nadine and although it has been decades since I was her age, I remember trying to fit in while trying to be myself. It’s definitely a difficult time in life and portrayed beautifully by Steinfeld. This young actress is a rising star and has a long career in front of her.

Did you have a teacher you felt you could confide in and trust? Harrelson portrays that man with plenty of appeal.

The film is steeped in teenage drama but sprinkled with some cute and funny scenes. The movie is available in a Blu-ray Combo Pack and a single DVD. Bonus features include a gag reel and some deleted scenes.

The Edge of Seventeen is this generation’s high school coming of age movie. It’s rated R for sexual content, language, and drinking involving teenagers.

Check out one deleted scene here.

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

Love in the Afternoon stars Audrey Hepburn as a young Parisian music student who sticks her nose in her father’s business. Ariane (Hepburn) is all about her cello, but is fascinated by her father’s detective business and his cases. Maurice Chevalier plays her father whose business focuses on cheating husbands and wives.

Ariane lives vicariously through all the cases she reads in her father’s files. Then one day she goes to see the latest rake, Frank Flanagan, played by Gary Cooper. Through some quick talking, she manages to save his life from a jealous husband.

This young, inexperienced woman is taken by his worldly charm and he is enchanted by her. She plays a worldly sophisticate but he is skeptical. Also, as they get to know each other better, each one is more taken by the other and the magic that unfolds is baffling to both of them.

Flanagan is a man with many women in cities around the globe. He doesn’t want any commitments and only wants to have a good time. Ariane has never had any relationships but puts on a good show by using the information she read in her father’s files to impress the American playboy. She matches him affair to affair, so to speak, and he is impressed that she has such a sophisticated outlook on relationships. As she tells him “stories” of her life he is baffled that she has had so much experience.

The twist comes when Flanagan decides to learn more about this woman who is only available in the afternoons. She said she lives with a man, leading him to believe it is a romantic relationship. She neglects to tell him the man is her father.

When he hires her father to find out more about this enchanting young woman, the truth comes out. But there is more to their afternoons than meets the eye. Could this May-December friendship be a true love story?

The pairing of Hepburn with Cooper is a bit awkward. This 1957 film is in black and white and directed by the wonderful Billy Wilder. Hepburn is adorable as always. She is trying so hard to be a nonchalant Parisian woman, but deep inside she is falling hard for this man. And he is trying to keep up his aloof exterior while falling for her.

What starts out as a mission to save this man from an irate husband turns into a delightful little story of love – in the afternoon. After all, she has to get home to her father in the evenings.

Hepburn had already had hits with other romantic comedies, Roman Holiday (1953), Sabrina (1954) and Funny Face (1957), and was quickly becoming the sweetheart of the silver screen. Cooper had racked up a string of great Westerns and dramas. Pairing the 56 year-old with the 28 year-old Hepburn was a gamble. While not their most famous roles, Love in the Afternoon is a fun little film that will delight fans of the actress and is a nice way to spend an afternoon, no pun intended.

Love in the Afternoon is part of the Warner Archive Collection and can be ordered from their website.

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