Wish Me Luck is a British drama series ran from 1987-1990. To be honest, I had never heard about it until recently. I got the set of the three seasons and began watching. The first 20 minutes were not too engrossing but I kept watching. Then it all changed. This series quickly got under my skin and I was completely engrossed in the stories and the characters.

The basis of the story is that during World War II, just after the Nazis took over France, a group of women were recruited to go behind enemy lines and retrieve information. These operatives were put through a tough training in Britain, to see if they had the right stuff. Their work was strictly voluntary. Knowing the dangers that awaited them and willing to risk their lives for their country and to free France from the Germans, the enthusiasm of the women was incredible.

The two main secret agents in the first part of the series are Liz (Kate Buffery) and Mathilde (Suzanna Hamilton). Liz is a woman whose husband is fighting in Egypt. She is living with her four-year-old daughter and her mother in the country. Liz’s brother was recently killed in action. She is torn between doing something to help her country and staying with her daughter. She spent a lot of time in France and is fluent in the language. She also knows the lay of the land, which makes her a great asset.

Then there is Mathilde, a single woman who loves to party, perhaps a little too much. She is half French and longs to return to France to help Britain. But does she have what it takes to be a secret agent? She convinces the powers that be that she certainly does.

The women are taught how to act if they are caught and tortured, how to spin their stories, how to face difficulties in the wild, and generally, how to survive. Before leaving for France, they are given cyanide pills. After all, this is war!

As the time goes by, the stress starts to take a toll on the women. Faith (Jane Asher) is part of the main corps of agents, and supervises the recruits. Later on her role expands as the war progresses.

The emotional tugs of war that inhabit the women are evident through the three seasons. Yet it is heartening to see the strong patriotism that has infected not only the agents but also the entire country. Winning the war is everyone’s priority, and doing his or her jobs in this effort is imperative.

This is an addicting series. Once you start you won’t want to stop watching. Their interactions with their families, with the military, and with each other make this fascinating and engrossing.

Because of its age, the quality of the video isn’t what we are used to in modern shows. It does show its age, however once you get past that and get into the story, you really won’t think about it. This is simply a good drama series. If you’re looking to be engrossed in a rich British drama, check out Wish Me Luck.

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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A New Leaf is a fun little comedy written by and starring Elaine May. May is responsible for writing other memorable comedies including The Birdcage (1996), Ishtar (1987), Tootsie (1982), and Heaven Can Wait (1978). In this film she stars alongside Walter Matthau, who turns in his typical performance with dry-humor and plenty of amusing expressions.

Henry Graham (Matthau) is a rich, spoiled, single man living the high life. A sports car, drinks at the club, polo, and all the activities associated with the lifestyle of the rich and famous are at his disposal. Then he discovers he is flat broke. His only option, if he wants to keep his lifestyle, is to marry a rich woman. The thought disgusts him however he sets out to find someone to fit the bill. And he does find someone.

Henrietta Lowell (May) is a geeky, gawky, clumsy, science teacher whose family fortune is irresistible to Graham. And she has no other suitors. After all, who would want such a woman? The answer is Henry. Well, let’s just say he wants her money.

Henrietta is awkward, to say the least, which infuriates Henry. He is impeccable and runs a tidy house. Her house is a mess. He takes good manners to the heights. She is too clumsy to even keep a cup of tea from spilling onto the rug. How will these two get along?

Theirs is a match that offers them both something. She gets companionship and he gets to keep his lifestyle and call the shots in every aspect of the household, which is something he thoroughly enjoys. Life for Henry would only be better if Henrietta were out of the picture. But can he find a way to kill her without anyone knowing?

What he doesn’t know is that he and Henrietta are a good pair. It takes him awhile to figure that out. Between the time they meet and the endearing ending, there are some fun scenes, especially the one in the river.

This 1971 film is a good role for Matthau. He has played this type of character before and always with his trademark dry humor. May is fun to watch as the inept woman with a heart of gold.

A New Leaf is part of the Olive Films collection celebrating Women’s History month. “Despite their often limited exposure and notoriety, women have a long and excellent history of filmmaking. Many of these films have been unfortunately overlooked, but we believe that the brilliance of films created from the minds of women should never be understated,” said Marketing Director Bradley Powell. “It is because of the combined creative efforts of the talented female directors, writers, and crew that these films’ power endures, never in spite of it.”


A New Leaf is rated G.

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

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip is the fourth film in the series starring the adorable furry fellows following Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007), Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009), and Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (2011). This time they are off on a whacky trip across country with one goal in mind – to stop Dave (Jason Lee) from getting engaged to his girlfriend Samantha (Kimberly Williams-Paisley).

The boys like Samantha. It’s her son Miles (Josh Green) they don’t like, and the thought of him becoming their brother is enough to send them on a long trip to stop this from coming to fruition. The boys think Dave has taken Samantha to Miami to propose so they set off across the country to stop it. And Miles joins them. After all, he doesn’t want them to join his family as much as they don’t want him to join theirs. It’s a mutual dislike but along the way they learn to care for each other and look out for one another.

Their excursion to Miami begins with a plane trip, which would be fine except the air Marshall has a deep seeded hatred for the Chipmunks. The plane lands in Texas to get the trio off and they are put on the No Fly list. So it’s up to Miles and the boys to get to Miami on the ground. Busses and taxis come into play now. As the four boys race to Miami they have the air Marshall hot on their trail.

The story is full of heart as Dave and the boys realize they are a true family and will never let anyone come between them. Family is stronger than anything. Even if they are not blood, they are a family.

Justin Long provides the voice of Alvin, Matthew Gray Gubler voices Simon, and Jesse McCartney voices Theodore. The Chipettes make an appearance with Christina Applegate voicing Brittany, Anna Faris voicing Jeanette, and Kaley Cuoco voicing Eleanor.

The bonus features on the DVD include the “Ultimate Playlist” filled with songs from their films. Get off your chair and dance to the sound of the Chipmunks. There is also a feature bringing viewers up to date on the activities of the Chipmunks so far, with the three previous films. There is also a feature showing how most of the movie was filmed in the state of Georgia, which substituted for the rest of the country except Miami.

These new films update the three pop culture icons for a while new generation. They have endured for decades, and with this new film franchise, young and old are able to enjoy the comic antics of Alvin, Simon, and Theodore together.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip is fun for the whole family. It’s filled with plenty of music and dancing in true Chipmunk style. It’s rated PG for some mild rude humor and 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