Author: Francine Brokaw

‘Suicide Squad’ First Product Releases

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


In celebration of the August 5th release of Warner Bros. Pictures’ action-adventure Suicide Squad, the most iconic Super-Villains of the DC Universe take over ShopDCEntertainment.com! The Official Shop of DC is now packing a criminal lineup of collectibles for every type of villain. Armed to the teeth with Warner Bros. Consumer Products licensed hoodies, phone cases, figures, statues, Funko Vinyl Pop! figures, mugs, pillows, and over 60 shirts featuring The Joker, Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Katana and more—this store is your first stop for all DC mayhem!

Visit their website for all the products.

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Exclusive Clip from ‘Pudsey the Dog: The Movie’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


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A heartwarming, quintessentially British adventure for all the family, Pudsey The Dog: The Movie follows cheeky London stray dog, Pudsey (David Walliams), who is quite happy being a lone ranger, looking out for number one, until he meets siblings Molly (Izzy Meikle-Small), George (Spike White) and Tommy (Malachy Knights). After losing their father, their mother Gail (Jessica Hynes) is moving the family to the sleepy village of Chuffington and Pudsey tags along, to the dismay of their landlord, Mr. Thorne (John Sessions), and his cat Faustus. As Pudsey starts to settle in with the family and realize what he was missing when he was alone, he stumbles across Thorne’s evil plan and he determines to save them and the whole village.

The movie is on VOD beginning June 6, 2016

Skinny Tan 7-Day Tanner– Product Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


We all know the sun is bad for us. And we all want to look tan and healthy instead of pale and ghostly, especially in the summer during swimsuit and shorts season. For decades many of us have relied on spray tans in the salons and self-tanning lotions to get a healthy glow. Skinny Tan is a product from Australia that is now available in the United States.

What makes Skinny Tan different from other self-tanners on the market? First of all, instead of that strong, unpleasant smell of most of the others, Skinny Tan has a tropical, coconut scent that will make you feel like you’re on vacation in the Hawaii or the Caribbean. It’s a light, pleasant scent.

Secondly, Skinny Tan is a light brown color to help users spread it evenly on their skin, instead of being white so when you use it you don’t see where it’s been applied. This color guide is beneficial to getting an even bronze. The key is not to over do the spreading of the lotion. It doesn’t take a lot of product to cover your skin, and with the help of the lotion that goes on brown, you’ll see exactly which areas have been covered.

Finally, Skinny Tan is supposed to reduce the appearance of cellulite. This is the only thing I didn’t see when I tested this product. But that’s not to say others will.

As someone who has tried multiple self-tanners through the years, I can say that this is definitely a good product, even if I don’t credit it with reducing the look of cellulite. I love the scent, which has been a pet peeve of mine in the past. I have not been comfortable with the scents of other self-tanners. And the color is not fake looking. It is a healthy bronze that looks as though I spent a day at the beach.

To test this product I first used the Pre-Tan Primer, which is a gentle exfoliate that also has the coconut scent. This made my skin soft and evened out the rough spots to make it smoother for the tanning lotion. It’s good to use this especially on elbows, knees, ankles, toes, and fingers (if you are tanning your hands). Even if you aren’t tanning, this is an exfoliate I would still use regularly because it works wonders and smells delicious.

Then I spread the Skinny Tan 7-Day Tanner on my legs. With the color guide, I didn’t have any blank spots, which has happened in the past with other products. It didn’t take long before my legs had a healthy glow, which is supposed to last for seven days.

The thing I don’t like about self-tanners is the wait time before you can touch anything. True, this is a problem with them all, but we have to sacrifice a little to get that gorgeous bronze skin in a healthy way. The length of time until this lotion dried and I was able to sit on the couch without worrying about transferring the color or smudging my legs was only about 20 minutes.

The company recommends keeping the product on for eight hours before rinsing it off. Overnight is a good length of time. When it is rinsed off the color has already tinted your skin. For me there were no streaks, only a light brown color all over my legs.

While I didn’t see any difference in cellulite appearance, I still like this product because of the scent and the ease of application. And, the final result definitely meets my approval. The color is good and there are no streaks.

The product contains Guarana, an ingredient that is common in cellulite creams, so after time it might do something to change the look of cellulite, but I wouldn’t recommend this product solely for that reason. If you want a healthy easy-to-apply self-tanner with a tropical scent, then this is a product for you.

There are several options in the Skinny Tan line of self-tanning products. Check their website.

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.

Follow her on Twitter

‘Hello, My Name is Doris’ – on Blu-ray and DVD

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


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Sally Field carries this story about an eccentric woman who falls for a much younger man. Field is Doris, a single woman who just lost her mother. She is not an everyday kind of gal. As a matter of fact, she’s definitely unique. Hello, My Name is Doris is her story of hope.

Doris is a hoarder. Her house is filled to the brim with junk. She wears odd clothing and fifties-style cat-eye glasses. She works quietly in her cubicle and has a crush on John (Max Greenfield), the new guy in the office. The thing is, he’s young enough to be her son.

To get to John, Doris uses cyber-stalking and discovers his love of a certain band. Not being familiar with electronic music she has no idea who they are, but searches them out in the store. Then she attends one of their concerts where she “accidentally” runs into John. From there their friendship blossoms and they become good buddies. Doris enjoys being with John and his friends, and they embrace her quirkiness. She becomes one of the gang. But she wants more from John. She honestly sees them being a couple.

Her imagination goes into overdrive sometimes and viewers see her thoughts as she encounters John in several locations. Her fantasies take over until she is brought back to reality.

Her new stature in life is a nice change for her. She had been a wallflower for most of her life, but now is out enjoying the world and a variety of new people, thanks to John but to the consternation of her best friend Roz (Tyne Daly). Doris takes to heart the advice of a personal growth guru (Peter Gallagher) who tells her not to think about something as being “impossible.” Instead, she is told to think, “I’m possible.” These two words of encouragement becomes her mantra as she sheds her shy personality and blossoms into a fun and fun-loving woman.

Bonus features include deleted and extended scenes.

The movie is enchanting at times as viewers get caught up in the transformation of Doris as they go along with her on this wild, whacky ride.

Hello, My Name is Doris is rated R for language.

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

A Preview of the Summer 2016 TV Season

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


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Good news for The Good Wife fans still going through withdrawal – CBS has announced a spinoff starring Christine Baranski, reprising her role as Diane Lockhart that will air in spring of 2017. Maybe it’s payback for that slap she planted on Alicia Florrick’s face in the series’ finale.

If there’s one word best describing broadcast network’s upcoming 2016-17 season it would definitely be familiarity, with spinoffs of NBC’s The Blacklist and Dick Wolf’s expanding domination of Windy City procedurals, along with reboots of Fox’s 24 and Prison Break. During the recent Manhattan upfronts, where networks roll out their most promising new series to attract advertising dollars, the big four – ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX announced 11 dramas and eight comedies slated to start rolling out in September.

In years past television viewers had no recourse other then wait, enduring an endless marathon of reruns and doomed pilots that failed to make the cut in the meantime. Then entering the picture was a crop of premiere cable networks that refused to play by the established rules and schedules. Unable to complacently stand by, the major broadcast and fellow cable stations were forced to compete.

As evidence, last week got off to an ambitious start with the return of The Bachelorette, JoJo Fletcher, and Howard Stern’s replacement Simon Cowell on America’s Got Talent, plus an edgy modern day take on variety shows – Maya & Marty,” starring Maya Rudolph and Martin Short. Yet the most ambitious project was the reworking of Alex Haley’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel Roots that drew more than 5 million viewers to The History Channel and its sister networks A&E and Lifetime.

The following is an overview of the various networks and a brief synopsis of what to expect in the coming months.

Get ready to set those DVRs. The networks have lined up some exceptional programming, beginning with the return of Lifetime’s drama UnReal Monday June 6. Already renewed for Season three, it gives a fictitious behind-the-scenes glimpse into the chaos surrounding the production of champagne fueled dating competition program Everlasting. No subject is off limits – the first season tackled mental illness, suicide, and eating disorders. Getting off to an unconventional start, B.J. Britt, “Everlasting’s” new suitor is black. Adding a note of authenticity to the content, co-creator Sarah Gertrude Shapiro was a former Bachelor producer. Tune in an hour earlier to catch Devious Maids’ season premiere with Eva Longoria joining the cleaning brigade.

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ABC is relying heavily on time tested game shows beginning with a six-episode series of To Tell the Truth, hosted by black-ish star Anthony Anderson, on June 14. The panelist/quiz show dates back to December 1956 when emcee Bud Collyer read an affidavit describing the life and unique experiences of the person the three contestants claimed to be. The goal was to trick the celebrity panelists. The show enjoyed several reincarnations, but last signed off in 2002. Also on tap is a six-episode season the Celebrity Family Feud with Steve Harvey pitching the questions, immediately followed by $100,000 Pyramid with Michael Strahan, while Match Game with Alec Baldwin rounds out the Sunday night game show block starting June 26.

Addressing diversity in programming, ABC debuts the movie-spinoff comedy Uncle Buck with back-to-back episodes June 14. Charismatic hustler Uncle Buck (Mike Epps) lends a hand in taming his brother and sister-in-law’s three rambunctious kids.

The locale might have transferred to a tropical island, but promise of “true love” never goes out of fashion as Bachelor in Paradise emerges on this quest Aug. 2.

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This Emmy-nominated streaming service for English programming and beyond boasts a package of exclusive US premieres in June beginning with Suspects, Series 3 & 4. Filmed from an eyewitness perspective with improvised dialogue, the British detective drama stars Fay Ripley, Damien Molony, and Clare-Hope Ashitey. A charming three episode bio-pic titled Cilla stars Sheridan Smith as singer Cilla Black, who rose from amateur appearances to confidante to Bobby Willis and Beatles manager Brian Epstein. Written and based on his childhood, British author Caitlin Moran’s Raised by Wolves premieres June 20, followed by Very British Problems on June 27.

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Stretching back in time, producers Robert Redford and Stephen David explore The American West via an eight week series focusing on the post Civil War era, 1865-80, giving rise to legendary figures like Billy the Kidd and Wyatt Earp. Leading off June 11 with a showing of Hell on Wheels, the series interweaves interviews with celebrities like James Caan, Burt Reynolds, Tom Selleck, Ed Harris and more.

Ride with Norman Reedus is the invitation extended by The Walking Dead star as he embarks on his unscripted motorcycle series, taking detours to tattoo parlors and roadside eateries, beginning June 12. Meanwhile, Fear the Walking Dead returns Aug. 21.

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Upper East Side mom Jill (creator Jill Kargman) resumes her career at a fashion magazine in the return of Odd Mom Out on June 20. Be on the lookout for a July 25 cameo by Drew Barrymore. The segment was filmed right after Barrymore’s split from hubby Will Kopelman, who coincidentally is Kargman’s brother.

Bravo’s popular franchise The Real Housewives of Orange County also resumes June 20 with new cast member Kelly Dodd, but the real anticipation circulates around Teresa Giudice, who’s back after an 11 month stint in prison and ready to rejoin The Real Housewives of New Jersey on July 10.

 

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A welcomed reprieve from nightly political updates, CBS launches BrainDead, a Washington, D.C. based “comic thriller” from The Good Wife creators Michelle and Robert King on June 13. As a staffer for her Democratic senator brother, Laurel Healy (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) makes two startling discoveries. First, the government has screeched to a halt, and secondly, bugs are eating the brains of congressional members. Tony Shalhoub, Danny Pino, and Aaron Tveit are prominently featured.

On June 22, the network launches the drama American Gothic. It appears that someone from a prominent Boston family is linked to an infamous series of murders. The murderer has been dubbed “The Silver Bells Killer.” Heading the cast are Virginia Madsen and Antony Starr.

Big Brother returns on June 22 airing thrice weekly, while the animals of Zoo are in cahoots to cause environmental disasters starting June 28.

 

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The 2016 CMT Music Awards on June 8 promises country music’s loudest night. Live from Nashville, this year’s edition showcases a number of cross genre collaborations like Dierks Bentley joining Elle King on his new single Different for Girls, while Billy Ray Cyrus returns to the party for the first time in eight years with Cheap Trick.

Then watch for Cyrus’s scripted comedy series, Still the King, debuting June 12. Portraying Vernon Brown AKA “Burnin’ Vernon,” a one hit wonder, he emerges from obscurity to discover he’s got a 15-year-old illegitimate daughter. Faced with long overdue child payments, he pretends to be the church’s new minister.

Hailed as the boys of summer, CMT Crossroads showcases Nick Jonas and Thomas Rhett , with an assist from special guest John Oates on the classic Rich Girl June 24, while the following Friday welcomes Rob Thomas and Charles Kelley.

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What’s left to be said? Plenty, as director Ezra Edelman’s insightful five part documentary, O.J.: Made in America, delves deeply into the world of the fallen gridiron star. Kicking off on June 11, it analyses the trial and points out how the prosecution was outsmarted by Simpson’s “dream team.” While Simpson was quick to insist, “I’m not black, I’m OJ,” the black community embraced his innocent verdict as a win against a rigged system.

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Relying on its proven roster, Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll returns June 30, while Tyrant gets some unsolicited help from a US general, played by new cast member Chris Noth, on July 6, rounded out by The Strain on Aug. 28.

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On the wave of Roots, History keeps the momentum going with Barbarians Rising on Monday. The storyline traces the rise and fall of the Roman Empire from the perspective of the barbarian leaders who brought it down.

The Broadway hit musical topping the Tony Award nominations is Hamilton. Giving the founding father some long overdue notoriety, History debuts its two-hour documentary, Alexander Hamilton, on June 26. Fast forwarding to present day, Six follows a Navy Seal team whose 2014 mission to eliminate a Taliban leader that goes awry when they uncover a US citizen working as a jihadist fighter in Afghanistan on July 18.

Bat-eating Ozzy Osbourne may have recently separated from his longtime wife Sharon, but that doesn’t stop him from returning to reality TV with the non-scripted series Ozzy and Jack’s World Detour. The journey begins July 27. Forged in Fire begins its sophomore season Aug. 23.

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The Night Of, premiering July 10, finds a Pakistani-American man (Riz Ahmed) accused of murdering a white woman on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. The eight-part series was written by Clockers’ novelist Richard Price and Oscar winning screenwriter Steven Zaillian. Ready to breakout, Ahmed will also be seen in the upcoming Jason Bourne and Star Wars: Rogue One.

NFL player turned financial adviser Spencer (Dwayne Johnson) returns in Ballers on July 17. Immediately following that same night is the premiere of Vice Principals, a comedy that finds two high school vice principals (Danny McBride and Walton Goggins) vying for the top spot.

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With tongue firmly planted in cheek, James Franco remade the 1996 cult favorite Mother, May I Sleep With Danger? for a June 18 airing. Turning it up a notch, Tori Spelling returns as the mother who discovers that her daughter is dating a woman, but not just any woman, this one has an unsavory taste for blood. Unable to resist, Franco turns up as a drama teacher.

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Physical prowess dominates NBC’s summer programming with Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge making a special previewing out on June 13, immediately following American Ninja Warrior.

X-Files’ David Duchovny returns to conclude the manhunt he started last summer for commune leader Charles Manson (Gethin Anthony) in Aquarius on June 16. As LA detective Sam Hodiak, Duchovny is hurled into the 1960’s world of sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. NBC has promised to air the two-hour opener commercial-free.

Aug 5 – 21, NBC will concentrate on Summer Olympic coverage from Rio de Janeiro. At the production helm is Olympics creative director and Oscar-nominated Fernando Meirelles.

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Litchfield Penitentiary is experiencing a sudden burst in population as Orange Is The New Black checks in for Season Five on June 17. Marco Polo returns on July 1 with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon star Michelle Yeoh crashing the court of Kublai Khan.

Playing a single mother of two sons, (Noah Schnapp and Charlie Heaton) Winona Ryder finds herself battling supernatural forces in Stranger Things when the younger boy encounters “the Monster” and goes missing. Communicating with her son through the lights in her home, the series begins July 15.

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Oprah Winfrey makes her scripted television return in the megachurch drama Greenleaf on June 21-22. From award-winning writer/producer Craig Wright, the series focuses on the journey of estranged daughter and disillusioned preacher Grace Greenleaf (Merle Dandridge), who returns home after two decades when her sister mysteriously turns up dead. It becomes quickly apparent that things aren’t as virtuous as they appear. Winfrey plays Grace’s Aunt Mavis, a blues club owner, who has her own agenda.

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Almost Famous writer/director Cameron Crowe has created an hour-long comedy Roadies about the committed support crew of men and women who make live concerts possible. Heading the illustrious cast are Carla Gugino and Luke Wilson while liberally peppering the action with real life artists like Lindsey Buckingham, Jim James, and Lucious, beginning June 26.

Showtime welcomes back Hollywood “fixer” Ray Donovan for a new season on June 26.

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Adapted from a 2010 Australian film, Animal Kingdom, Ellen Barkin is no ordinary matriarch. Her “boys” specialize in illegal activities and get bent out of shape when her 17-year-old grandson (Finn Cole) and ex-con elder son join the pack, starting June 14.

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Adapted from Telemundo’s La Reina del Sur, Queen of the South finds a Mexican woman (Alice Braga) seeking revenge against the cartel that murdered her boyfriend, premiering June 23. With a single keystroke trillions in consumer debt vanished, so how can the critically acclaimed cyberspace Mr. Robot top that when Season Two begins July 13? Maybe tortured programmer Elliot’s dead father, aka Mr. Robot (Christian Slater), has a solution, especially since tech-savvy FBI agent (Grace Gummer) is in hot pursuit.

That’s just a peek at what’s in store for summer viewing.

About the Author

Winnie Bonelli is a former entertainment editor for a daily metropolitan New York City area newspaper. She is passionate about movies and television and loves to take readers behind the scenes.

‘Adventures in Babysitting’ Sneak Peek

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

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Below is an advance link to a sneak peek at the first 10 minutes of the 100th Disney Channel Original Movie
Adventures in Babysitting. The upcoming movie premieres on Friday, June 24 (8:00pm ET/PT) on Disney Channel.

Adventures in Babysitting, inspired by the hugely popular 1980s film of the same name, is an upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie starring Sabrina Carpenter (Girl Meets World) and Sofia Carson (Descendants). In Adventures in Babysitting, a dull evening for two competing babysitters, Jenny (Sabrina Carpenter) and Lola (Sofia Carson), turns into an adventure in the big city as they hunt for one of the kids who somehow snuck away.