BROO – Beer Infused Shampoos and Conditioners

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

Have you heard that beer is good for your hair? When I was young my mom often poured beer on my hair after shampooing. Sounds strange, but for generations beer has been used to get shiny hair. BROO is a company with three different versions of beer-infused shampoos and conditioners.

If you have thin or fine hair, try the “Pop your Top” BROO shampoo and conditioner. For dry or damaged hair, there is the “Drench your Do” and for an invigorating experience they have “Feel the Buzz.” Each one is safe for color treated hair, so you don’t have to worry about it taking the color out of your hair.

So, why beer? First of all, it contains B vitamins and minerals. It’s protein-rich. Beer nourishes your hair however you won’t smell any alcohol in the products. Don’t worry about getting pulled over for driving intoxicated because you smell like beer!

According to Brad and Sarah, the founders of BROO Craft Beer Hair, the first ingredient in each of their products is beer because it “has all the amazing B vitamins, minerals and proteins that make hair strong, shiny and healthy.” As soon as I heard about this company I thought about my mom drenching my long hair with beer. She was right. And both Brad and Sarah’s moms rinsed their hair with beer too.

I tried the “Feel the Buzz” Shampoo and Conditioner. It’s not flowery or sweet smelling, but it does make your scalp tingle. And, as I expected (and hoped it would do), my hair is shiny and healthy looking.

They use pure ingredients that moisturize, cleanse, and put a shine in your hair. Your hair will be clean and soft. The products are pH balanced, and –yay – they are made in the USA! Plus, they are vegan, so you know they are created with the utmost care and purest ingredients, free of dyes, parabens, and other things you don’t understand but know can’t be good for you!

BROO is a product that lives up to the hype. Beer is good for your hair. Mom knew best!

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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‘Eye of the Needle’ on Blu-ray

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

Donald Sutherland stars in this adaptation of Ken Follett’s best-selling novel about a German spy during World War II. Undercover as a Brit in England, this man with the code name of “The Needle,” manages to ascertain secret information about the Allied upcoming invasion at Normandy. It is now a matter of time to find him and keep him from getting the information to Hitler.

Kate Nelligan is Lucy, a lonely woman living on Storm Island with her young son Joe, her husband David (Christopher Cazenove), and the keeper of the lighthouse. A few years earlier the couple had a car accident on the day of their wedding, rendering David crippled. Instead of flying spitfires during the war, he ran away from everything to become a sheep farmer on a quiet island. Feeling sorry for himself being left in a wheelchair, the couple makes the best of their lives.

Then a stranger is washed onto the island during a ferocious storm. This man befriends the couple while trying to figure out how to get his message to a waiting Nazi submarine. He alone knows where the Allies will invade. If he gets the information to Germany, the invasion at Normandy will be a disaster.

Try to count the number of people he kills during the film. He is intent on doing his job and won’t let anything or anyone get in his way. That is until he meets Lucy. Their love affair puts a bit of a snag in his plans, but ultimately he knows he has to get this vital information to Germany.

This is an interesting and often tense story. It’s well-written and definitely well-acted. Sutherland is a spy you love to hate. He has no scruples and will kill his best friend if he has to.

If you are in the mood for a good spy movie, check this out. It’s a thrilling spy story with a bit of romance.

Eye of the Needle is rated R and is available on a limited edition Blu-ray from Twilight Time.

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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Sela Ward stars in ‘Graves’ on EPIX

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

Sela Ward returns to TV on top. She plays former first lady Margaret Graves with Nick Nolte playing the former president. Margaret is a no-nonsense, strong, passionate woman. She is the rock that holds her husband and entire family together. Ward met with the media and discussed her new role.

“One of the great things about playing a role like this for women in general is that women really subjugate their passions, their secret desires, their unlived lives for their children, their family, their husband, behind the scenes, and Margaret is getting to live her unlived life, her second spring, and I think that will resonate with a lot of women because we’re all living to our 80s on the average, mid 80s, and you really have to look at your life and go, ‘We’re getting an entire second adulthood, and what are you going to do with that? What are you going to do with the rest of your life?’”

In the second episode Margaret is approached to run for the Senate. She has been a beloved first lady and the anchor for her husband. Now it’s her time to shine.

“In Margaret’s case,” explained the actress, “she’s getting to live her secret passion and dream, and we all should do that across the board. I think it resonates with the deep theme, particularly for woman.”

The idea of having a second chance at a different life later on is appealing to this woman. She notes that since we are all living longer, and hopefully remain healthy, we don’t need to retire at a certain age. We are still worthy and have something to contribute later in life.

Ward is thrilled that her character might inspire other women to think about their own dreams and even though they might be middle aged, they can still follow their heart and passion. Middle age is not the ending of our lives. It can simply be the next step up.

Ward just turned 60 and is happy with this stage in her life. She is also happy that her character is not wallowing in the past and her past glories but moving forward and finally looking out for herself and her own desires, not just those of her family.

Sela Ward first caught the attention of viewers in the 9183-1984 series Emerald Point N.A.S. Her big hit came on the series Sisters (1991- 1996). She played Lily Manning in the series Once and Again in 2002, then Jo Danville in 2013 in CSI: NY. Her list of films and TV shows is varied, however her latest role affords her the ability to not only showcase her talent but also inspire viewers.

Graves premiers October 16 on EPIX.

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‘Best of Enemies’ on PBS

Posted on October 3, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

With today’s 24-hour news cycle with countless cable networks, we don’t think of the past when we had just the three main networks: NBC, CBS, and ABC. Today we take political commentaries and insolent attacks against others and their political views as the norm. But that really didn’t start until the late 1960s. And the two men who started this format were William F. Buckley and Gore Vidal, two gentlemen who had very different ideas about life and politics and both had superb knowledge of the English language.

In the Independent Lens documentary Best of Enemies, the rivalry between these two men and their imprints on today’s political landscape are examined. Back in the 1960s, ABC was third among the three networks. They didn’t have the finances to cover the political conventions gavel to gavel, as the other two did. So they reverted to employing Buckley and Vidal to debate the candidates and issues. This was a new tact and one that turned out to be successful for ABC.

What ultimately happened is that name-calling turned the tide and took a toll on Buckley. Both men were well versed in the language and could talk circles around anyone else, but when you put them together in a head-to-head matchup, the explosion was heard around the world, so to speak. Well, at least around the country.

This is a very interesting documentary. “In the focused light of the 1968 national television camera, the seeds were planted for our present media landscape, when the spectacle trumps the content of argument,” says director Robert Gordon. “Each side today, like these two men, sees the other as malignant, promulgating views catastrophic for America; strident partisanship is understood as virile patriotism and compromise is castration. These Vidal-Buckley debates forecast the present state of civic discourse, heated by camera lights and abbreviated by corporate sponsors.”

“Ultimately, this is a story about something I care about deeply; how the way we now ‘talk’ and ‘listen’ to each other through media is in fact corrosive to our society,” says director Morgan Neville. “Sometimes I look around and wonder, ‘What happened to the adults in our culture?’ This film, I hope, offers some clues.”

Once you see this and learn about the Buckley/Gore debates, you won’t look at today’s talking heads the same way.

Best of Enemies premiers October 3, 2016 on PBS.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for 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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The SockIt for Young Soccer Players

Posted on October 3, 2016October 3, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

Soccer is a favorite sport among youngsters. It’s been around for thousands of years in one form or another. Although it has been played a little differently in various cultures through history, it remains a popular sport around the world. One father has created a new technology that promises improvement in players’ accuracy and power when kicking the ball.

“After watching my daughters and their teammates continually hit the ball with their toes in practice, I went out to look for some kind of device that could help train them to instead kick on the top of their shoes,” said Joe Briganti, SockIt founder and CEO. “I didn’t find anything in stores and saw this as a great opportunity to show my daughters a little about business and how to make an idea a reality.”

This little device is made from industrial strength thermal plastic rubber and fits onto cleats. When the player kicks the ball correctly, six LED-powered lights light up. A replaceable lithium battery powers this device, which helps players gain confidence and accuracy while still having fun.

The SockIt is for ages 5-12 and is one-size-fits-all. Besides helping youngsters improve their kicking skills, it is fun to wear and withstands all the impact little legs deliver. And once one child wears it, the entire team will be asking for their own.

What is admirable about the company is that for every SockIt sold the company will donate a portion of the revenue to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. And the company has donated products and set up soccer scholarships for underprivileged kids to help pay their fees. No sport is free. With fees to join leagues as well as equipment, the costs add up.

This wearable device is something that will soon be seen everywhere. Helping kids with their skills while doing it in a fun way is a unique thing. By wearing the SockIt, kids will learn, in their own way, how to adjust their kicks in order to get the best outcome and power. They can practice by themselves because the SockIt will let them know when they have done it correctly. When it lights up it’s like saying “good job!”

The SockIt comes in four colors: orange, blue, yellow, and magenta. It lists for $19.95. Simply strap it onto your child’s cleats and they’re ready to go.

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Kevel – Zipper Helper for Men and Women

Posted on October 3, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

Have you ever had a zipper slip down or had your waistband shrink a little so the zipper in your pants doesn’t close? Or perhaps you put on a few pounds and the waist is a bit snug. Well, instead of discarding your pants or skirt, try a Kevel.

What exactly is a Kevel? It’s a little device that hooks onto your zipper. One part hooks onto the zipper pull and the other goes around the button section at the top of your waistband. When the zipper is secured, it stays up. So if your waistband doesn’t close the zipper will still keep your garment safely closed and you won’t have any surprises with it opening up.

There are three types of Kevels. The Perfect Fit was created for tight pants. Instead of letting out the waistband and spending money for an alteration, keep your pants and use a Kevel. It adds a little room to your waistband making it a little more comfortable.

For zippers that often slide down without your knowledge, there is the Fly Tie. Zippers often don’t stay up when they’re supposed to. Have you ever looked down and seen your zipper has slid half way down? Well, that won’t happen with this Kevel. It keeps the zipper up and secure.

And for expectant mothers, the Kevel Mommy helps expand pants, skirts, and shorts in the early stages of pregnancy. This will add a little extra room and save on purchasing new clothes until your body really needs that additional maternity size. Plus, after the baby is born we don’t get our pre-pregnancy figure back immediately. With the Kevel Mommy you can return to your pre-maternity clothes earlier than without it.

The Kevel is an idea that is simple yet never been done before. It makes sense. Jeans are expensive and they shrink after washing. Now you don’t have to scream when you put on your favorite pair and find it is uncomfortable to close. Add a Kevel and you’re set. Kevel can be used by men and women.

Kevels are easy to attach. They were “created out of necessity” by Rachel Kearl who wanted a solution for a “faulty fly.” It took just a little ingenuity to create this handy and practical little device. It just goes to show, where there’s a will there’s a way.

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New Trailer for ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales’

Posted on October 3, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” is in theaters May 2017 in 3D, RealD 3D and IMAX 3D!

‘Blinky Bill: The Movie’ on Combo Pack

Posted on October 2, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

Australians know Blinky Bill but for many Americans he is a mystery. Generations of Aussies have grown up with stories about this adorable and adventurous little koala. Blinky Bill: The Movie introduces him to those of us who have never heard of this little fellow. He’s a cute, happy, loving little guy who is a bit clumsy but has a heart of gold.

In the film, Blinky’s father is a great adventurer. He founded the Green Patch where everyone is welcome. The older koala is an adventurer and brings back animals who have no other place to live peacefully. One day he sets out to find the Sea of white dragons, telling his son that he’ll be back soon and possibly on his next adventure the two of them will go out together.

A year passes and his father never returns. With the evil “crankypants” taking over the town, Blinky decides he has to go out in the wild and find his dad. “An adventurer makes his own rules,” and “An adventurer never gives up.” Those are what his father imparted on him. Also, “An adventurer keeps his promise.” Blinky promises he will find his father and bring him back home.

He meets several interesting creatures in his quest. First there is a cat that would love to eat a koala. Then Blinky “saves” Nutsy, a young orphan female koala who is being taken to a zoo. She wants to go to the zoo, but Blinky thinks she is being captured. Well, things go awry along the way and Blinky finds himself a captive in the zoo. But lo and behold he also finds his father there. Now they must all make an escape plan and get home.

In the bonus features Blinky is described as a “National icon” in Australia. He is a beloved character with Blinky books read to generations of children at bedtime. If your child is not familiar with Blinky Bill yet, he/she will be very soon. Check out the Blinky books on Amazon. There are plenty more adventures with Blinky, Nutsy, and the gang. And check out his facebook page.

Blinky Bill first appeared in 1933 and has been a character for generations of Australians. He is now part of American culture with this movie. Just as Paddington did in 2015 bringing the British iconic character to America, this movie will bring this Aussie iconic character to Americans.

Blinky Bill: The Movie is rated PG for some rude humor.

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‘No Tomorrow’ is an apocalyptic joy kind of show

Posted on October 1, 2016October 2, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

Being known for uplifting approach to difficult subjects such as depression (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) and pregnancy (Jane the Virgin), the CW is about to entertain, uplift, and inspire you with the romantic comedy No Tomorrow. At the press conference this summer, Corrine Birkenhoff, the show’s creator, explained the tone of this unconventional comedy. “I think there is certainly plenty of apocalyptic doom kind of shows, and we wanted an apocalyptic joy kind of show.” Huh?

I personally started living fearlessly when the rug was pulled out right under from my feet. Although I admit I’m a recovering control freak, I’ve lived my life to the fullest and tried my best to live in the moment for over a decade.

So I thought…until I saw the pilot of No Tomorrow. Based on a Brazilian comedy appropriately titled, How to Enjoy the End of the World, the show follows two very different souls who miraculously find each other just as the world is coming to an end. Evie (Tori Anderson) is a hyper-organized hard worker whose career is going nowhere fast. Xavier (Joshua Sasse) is an ex-copy editor for a science magazine, who believes the world is going to end in eight months and twelve days. They fall in love like there is no tomorrow and start experiencing each other’s ‘Apocalyst’ together. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow! Xavier’s carpe diem attitude has the ripple effects through Evie’s workplace and the people in her orbit.

Sasse explained where his ‘seize the day!’ philosophy came from. “My father died when he was really young, and I’ve always been quite cognizant of the finality of life and I do try and live like that all the time. And that was, to be honest, one of the things when the script was sent to me and I read it, I was like, well, that’s great. That’s totally my vibe. I just think it’s wonderful that a TV company like the CW have picked this up and is running with it. Because I think especially, in today’s world, I think this is a really important message to grasp. I’m a big advocate of putting your phone down and doing something with your day.”

It’s been so easy to slide back into my unconscious living once the dust settles. Having been so inspired by the sweet and charming characters, especially Xavier, I started my Apocalyst. My dream has been full of unfinished businesses I should take care of, but a trip to Maui, my paradise on earth, with my dear sister is at the top of the list.

I’ve never experienced such affect from a TV show. My only hope is that the target audience of the CW does not dismiss this secret of life. Bucket list is not for grown-ups only. Anderson, in her late 20s, emphasized that “time isn’t unlimited to us, so take advantage of it.” By the way, her list includes surfing in Bali and working in an animal sanctuary.

No Tomorrow premiers October 4, 2016 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.

‘Arthur’ turns 20

Posted on October 1, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

The beloved character and star of the PBS series Arthur is turning 20 this month. The little aardvark has been a popular character on TV for two decades and in his animated series continues to bring in new fans for his aardvark antics.

The series began in 1996 and has been broadcast in over 80 countries bringing in 7 million viewers each month. With 7 Emmys, a big presence on Facebook (1 million followers), and ranked as one of the “50 Greatest Cartoon Characters of All Time,” Arthur has a loyal fan base that now encompasses several generations of viewers who have stuck with the little guy year after year and introduced him to their own children.

With the books based on Arthur’s adventures by Marc Brown, Arthur and his friends help kids with problem solving and issues that are part of their lives. “I could never have dreamed, 20 years ago, the wonderful adventure I was about to have with Arthur,” said Marc Brown, creator of Arthur, “It’s been so much fun working with the many talented, smart people who make Arthur happen. I think what’s most rewarding for all of us is using the medium of television to try and make children successful.”

Besides the books and the long-running TV show, PBS has created an Arthur App which contains several games, each focusing on different skills and fun. With over 15 levels, there is always something new and exciting to keep kids occupied as well as help them develop teamwork skills.

“PBS is committed to using the power of digital media to educate and inspire,” said Ira Rubenstein, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Digital, PBS. “As part of fulfilling this mission, PBS offers more than 40 apps for kids and parents. With engaging games and popular ARTHUR characters, Arthur’s Big App leverages the educational potential of touchscreen technology to help children develop the teamwork and collaboration skills that will prepare them for success in school and in life.”

“Arthur has reached generations of fans through engaging characters and compelling storytelling,” said Lesli Rotenberg, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Children’s Media and Education, PBS. “Arthur embodies PBS Kids’ commitment to help children learn important social-emotional skills, such as managing their emotions, building friendships and developing self-esteem.”

The new season of Arthur premiers October 10, 2016. Join Arthur and all the characters (Buster, Francine, D.W., Alan, Muffy, Binky, Kate, Sue Ellen, George, Fern, Emil, and the rest of the loveable little guys) for new fun and adventures. Even Buster has a podcast, which adds to the relevancy to this day and age. Helping kids deal with issues, problems, and acquire skills to focus on life and goals is what Arthur is all about.

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