Author: Francine Brokaw

‘I.T.’ Stars Pierce Brosnan

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


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I.T. is a thriller for our time. With our lives so connected to everything with smart phones, smart cars, smart homes, and smart people, our privacy is a thing of the past and as we have all heard on the news, hackers can get into anywhere. It’s nice to have someone to take care of our technology stuff. I even have my own tech guru. But I know I trust him. Do you trust yours? And more importantly, does Mike Regan (Brosnan) trust his?

Regan is a successful businessman with a growing company, a loving wife (Anna Friel) and teenage daughter (Stephanie Scott). They live in a high-tech house with push buttons for everything. Their smart home is convenient, but as we discover, it’s not safe.

Regan hires Ed (James Frecheville), a tech guru who helps him out of a difficult situation at work. When he sees how competent this man is with technology, he asks him to come to his house on the weekend to make things work better. Well, Ed not only comes to his house and makes things work better and faster, but he begins to insinuate himself into the Regan family. He sets his sights on Mike’s daughter. Stalking the family becomes his past time. And little do they know that Ed now has control over every aspect of their technical lives, including their car, house, phones, and computers.

When Mike realizes what is happening, he fires Ed and tells him to leave them alone. Under normal circumstances that would be the end of it. But Ed is not normal. This is a mentally disturbed man who then starts a war with Mike and the family. How dare they treat him like that.

Ed takes control of their email and phones and sends out alarming messages. But that is just the beginning. He then starts messing with Mike’s business, which is supplying private jets. Could this man actually control them so they “fall out of the sky”?

With Ed causing havoc for the Regan family, he becomes the target of a very irate Mike Regan who must go to the pros for help. This is a dangerous game Ed is playing, but he is also quite intuitive and knows how to get back at this man and the family he thinks did him wrong. All he wanted was to be their friend. Now they have an enemy – a powerful and mentally disturbed enemy.

Technology can be our friend or our enemy. It can make our lives better or worse. Many people find out it is making things worse, and that is what happens to the Regans. Mike tries to frame Ed for all the bad things going on in their lives while Ed is framing Mike for several bad things. Who will come out on top?

There are several holes in this story, but on the whole (no pun intended) it is an interesting film filled with plenty of food for thought. Are we turning our lives over to anyone smart enough to take control? Have we lost all our privacy?

I.T. comes out in theaters and VOD September 23, 2016.

Check out the trailer:

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.

Follow her on Twitter

‘Long Way North’ – Movie Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


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Long Way North is a captivating animated film about a young girl who will stop at nothing to find her grandfather’s missing ship. The story takes place in the late 19th century in Russia at the time of the Czar. Sacha comes from a noble family. Her grandfather, Oloukine, was a famous explorer who was intent on placing the flag at the North Pole in honor of his country, however something went wrong and he was never heard from after his expedition left for the pole.

Sacha is proud of her grandfather and just as excited about exploring. She has an adventurous spirit and very little fear. So when she runs away from home to search for her grandfather’s missing boat, she is not only determined but also courageous and a bit plucky.

This young girl has led a privileged life. After her gullibility led her to trade her special earrings for passage to the North Pole, she discovers she was duped. So alone in a small village with no money and no place to stay, Sacha is given food and board in exchange for working in a tavern. Work is new to this aristocrat but she digs in and works hard, knowing that one day she will find passage to the North and be able to hunt for her grandfather’s ship.

Once she is finally on her way, Sacha faces more problems and much more danger. But her determination and cunning helps her through all the tough times. This young girl is caring, steadfast, and unwavering in her quest. Even when it seems she and the rest of the crew on the ship will perish, she keeps going and her resolve gets them through.

This is the story of Sacha, a girl who never gives up. She has heart, love for her grandfather, grit, and fortitude. You could say she takes lemons and makes lemonade, sees the glass as half full, and has faith in herself.
longwaynorthEven though this is an animated film, I found myself completely immersed in the story and thought if it were a live-action film it would be just as entertaining. Sacha is a compelling character and a force of nature and she makes this a thoroughly enjoyable movie.

Long Way North is definitely a film the whole family will enjoy. While the animation is simple, the story is absorbing and everyone will be rooting for this young girl who proves she can follow in her grandfather’s footsteps even in this day and age where girls were not supposed to be explorers. Sacha is a strong girl and holds herself up against all odds and against a sometimes-hostile crew. She is a true heroine.

Long Way North is rated PG for peril and mild language. It opens September 30, 2016.

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.

Follow her on Twitter

‘Charlie Brown’s All Stars!’ 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition DVD

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


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Join Charlie Brown and the whole Peanuts gang for two fun shows with all the laughs and love associated with these little kids. This DVD includes both the TV special “Charlie Brown’s All Stars,” remastered in high definition, and “A Charlie Brown Celebration.”

In “Charlie Brown’s All Stars,” the gang is frustrated that their baseball team never wins a game. As manager and pitcher, Charlie Brown feels the grief of his players and then faces a mutiny when they all quit the team. They would rather spend their summer doing something other than losing!

Then Charlie Brown receives an offer from a local businessman. He will sponsor the team and supply uniforms for all the players. This is enough to get all the gang back on the field. With the promise of uniforms, they feel they might have a chance to possibly win some games. But when he is informed in order to play in the league he has to fire Snoopy and all the girls, Charlie Brown decides to decline the offer of sponsorship and uniforms.

When the team hears that good ol’ Charlie Brown turned down the uniforms, they once again quit the team. Then Linus tells them that Charlie Brown was only thinking about them. He didn’t want to split up his team. The whole gang gets together to show Charlie Brown they understand and do care about him, and make him his own uniform…out of Linus’ blanket!

“A Charlie Brown Celebration” is a 1982 film introduced by Charles Schultz. It is a compilation of little vignettes bringing all the gang together in different stories, most of which revolve around school.

The Peanuts kids have been part of our lives for well over 50 years. They have entertained readers and viewers with their antics and some wackiness. They make us laugh, sniffle, and always smile. Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Schroeder, Sally, Peppermint Patty, Snoopy, Pig Pen, Franklin, Violet, Frieda, and the whole group are part of our history and will always remain part of pop culture.

This DVD is not rated however it is a great disc to share with the entire family. Grab some popcorn and watch Good Ol’ Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang get through life’s little problems with wit, fun, and friendship.

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.

Follow her on Twitter

‘Trio – The Complete Trio Collection’ CD Set

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


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In 1987 three popular female vocalists joined forces and created an album that instantly became a hit around the world. Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris each had solo careers and when this group of friends blended their talents, the first “Trio” album sold over 4 million copies. They followed that up with a second album, “Trio II,” in 1999. Now, for the first time, the two albums come together, completely remastered and including all of the previously released tracks as well as alternate takes and some unreleased tracks.

“It’s nice to have it all together,” said Parton. “I just think we all take such pride in this. I know that for me, this will always stand as one of the greatest musical things that I’ve done in my entire life. I’ve never been prouder of anything else. I love these girls like sisters, but what we did as ‘The Trio’ will stand up long after we’re all gone.”

Harris said about this collection, “When I heard it, I remembered we did that, but I had forgotten how great it was. It was like a Christmas present that you forgot to open, and you finally get to discover.”

And Ronstadt explained that their producer, George Massenburg, let the three women work their magic. “He was just great at listening and at carrying out a whim. The music ideas would come from us, and he would keep us from getting into a muddle and going off in twenty-nine different directions. He has the best way of recording acoustic instruments – where they still sounded natural, but they sounded at their best. He was really an invaluable partner, in that he really didn’t interfere with us. He let things develop, and just kept things organized.”

The first two discs are remastered tracks from their original. The third disc is a collection of outtakes and unreleased tracks from both recording sessions, with some never-before-heard versions of some of their tracks.

This is a collection that will bring back memories to those who have heard the songs before and those who are fans of the singers. The women are award-winning singers in their own right, and as a group they added more awards to their shelves and walls. The blending of their unique voices is something that listeners immediately loved. Everyone has his/her favorite song, however it’s hard to single out just one great track from this collection. They are all wonderful.

Whether they sing harmony, acapella, or together, Parton, Harris, and Ronstadt created music history with their recordings on the Trio albums. This new collection is soulful and something that will be cherished by music fans. And it might even alert a new generation of fans to the three women who graced the radio waves for decades and whose joint effort still resonates in the music world.

In the liner notes, Harris explained, “Our three voices became something completely different from what any of us do as individuals.” Parton said, “We were all very soulful and passionate in our own way and we each have our own kind of style.” The combination of the three voices became a new style and one that fans around the world embraced with passion.

Listening to this new release it’s hard not to think back. The songs are timeless and the union of the women was historic. With a little gospel, a lot of country, and a pinch of pop, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, and Dolly Parton’s collaboration is ageless.

Personal note: I have to replay “Sandman” over and over every time I hear it. It is a rendition of the classic song that makes me happy and always puts a smile on my face. These women have created several tracks that are tops on my list.

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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.

Follow her on Twitter

‘This is Us’ on NBC

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


This Is Us - Season 1

Once in a blue moon, we are blessed with a TV pilot that grabs our attention and touches us deeply. In my career, Jack & Bobby (2004), Friday Night Lights (2006), and The Good Wife (2009) come to my mind. They certainly fed my voracious appetite for heart-warming, feel-good human drama, but it has been scarce lately in this dark and cynical world.

Good news, my fellow feel-good-show-seekers! NBC came to our rescue this fall. You might have seen the trailer released in May, which recorded 91 million views all over social media. This phenomenon proves that there is something extraordinary about This is Us, created by Dan Fogelman.

At the press conference this summer, Fogelman asked the critics who had seen the pilot not to give away the big reveal before it premiers. He wants the audience to “experience the show the same way as somebody who popped in a screener and had no idea what it was about.”

The show follows a group of characters who share the same birthday and so much more in unexpected ways. Fogelman describes his new creation as “a dramedy version of Lost where you have to understand how everyone’s connected and then kind of explore these people as they move forward.”

His “people” are played by Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy Moore, Justin Hartley, Chrissy Metz, Sterling K. Brown, and more. This rare breed of dramedy will entertain, uplift, and give you a little bit of hope and optimism. In this dark and cynical world in which we live, This is Us is just what the doctor ordered. Prepare to be surprised and dazzled by this group of ordinary people who show courage and resilience in their most trying times.

Be sure to watch it on September 20 or someone/something will spoil the experience for you. After all, this is the most buzzed-about “must-see” show of the century!

The most anticipated dramedy This is Us premieres September 20 on NBC.

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.

Prince Movie Collection Coming Soon

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Prince Movie Collection on Blu-ray™ October 4. The Collection features Prince’s only three acting performances: the Academy Award® winner Purple Rain with newly remastered audio and video, along with the unofficial sequel Graffiti Bridge and Under the Cherry Moon, both available for the first time on Blu-ray.

The Prince Movie Collection will be available for $24.98 SRP and each film will sell individually for $14.97 SRP. Instead of the traditional blue Blu-ray casing, each film will be packaged in Prince’s signature color of purple (while supplies last).

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Sneak Peek at Woody Allen’s ‘Crisis in Six Scenes’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

CRISIS IN SIX SCENES is a comedy that takes place in the 1960’s during turbulent times in the United States and a middle class suburban family is visited by a guest who turns their household completely upside down. The series consists of six-half hour episodes and is created, written and directed by Woody Allen, who also stars with Miley Cyrus, Elaine May, Rachel Brosnahan and John Magaro. The series is executive produced by Erika Aronson and produced by Helen Robin.

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Premieres Friday, September 30th on AMAZON PRIME VIDEO.

“We Bare Bears: Viral Video” DVD GIVEAWAY

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


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Available on DVD for the first time, “We Bare Bears: Viral Video” contains 12 episodes from the popular Cartoon Network show’s first season. Join the three bear siblings as they attempt to fit into human society around their humble Bay Area cave. Whether they’re obsessing over burritos, trying to make human friends, or scheming to become internet famous, it’s obvious that being a bear in the civilized, modern world is tough.

We have some copies to giveaway.

To be eligible to win a copy of We Bare Bears: Viral Video, email us at [email protected] with “We Bare Bears 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 4, 2016.

“Charlie Brown’s All Stars 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition” DVD GIVEAWAY

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


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To celebrate the 50th anniversary of this Peanuts special, this DVD release is completely remastered in high definition. In this special, Charlie Brown is the manager of the Peanuts baseball team, which has only suffered crushing defeat in the past. However, when the opportunity comes along to join a real league, Charlie Brown must decide if that is worth kicking off Snoopy, Lucy, Patty, Violet and Frieda, as dogs and girls are not allowed to play.

We have some copies to giveaway.

To be eligible to win a copy of Charlie Brown’s All Stars, email us at [email protected] with “Charlie Brown 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 2, 2016.