Mei Mei, Po’s new and fabulous friend, covers how to “Be a Fashion Pan-DO!” while sharing sneak peaks from Kung Fu Panda 3 in her latest vlog on DreamWorks TV. Watch it here.
Voiced by Kate Hudson, Mei Mei is a crazy and confident fashionista who will make her debut on the big screen when Kung Fu Panda 3 hits theaters on January 29. Pandiva is one of the first looks at Mei Mei ahead of the franchise’s third theatrical installment.
We have all heard about the attack in Benghazi on September 11, 2012 but we don’t know the true story. 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi is the story of the six men who held off the ISIS murders and saved many American lives.
At the time of the attack, American Ambassador Chris Stevens (Matt Letscher) was visiting the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi. He had minimal security however a team of former military elite fighters was nearby. They were hired to protect the CIA covert outpost about a mile away. These men were the best of the best.
Jack Silva (John Krasinski), Tyrone “Rone” Woods (James Badge Dale), Kris “Tanto” Paronto (Pablo Schreiber), Dave “Boon” Benton (David Denman), John “Tig” Tiegen (Dominic Fumusa), and Mark “Oz” Geist (Max Martini) did not shy away from a conflict and took their responsibilities seriously. They were there to protect American lives and in the heat of everything, that is exactly what they did.
When ISIS fighters and other militants attacked the compound, the CIA chief (David Costabile) refused to let the operatives go to help the Ambassador, but they knew they were Stevens’ only hope. While the compound was being targeted and burned, the former military operatives did not think twice. They had to jump into the situation or it would get worse. Unfortunately, by the time they got there, the Ambassador could not be located.
Retreating to the CIA outpost, they knew that that location was the next target. How could six men defend against an army of fighters? That is the heroism of this story. That is the amazing story that came out of this horrific situation. These men gave everything for their country. Some even gave their lives. But they never gave up. They held on in the midst of all the chaos. And it was chaos.
Watching this film is an emotional journey. It definitely brings up all the politics that has come out of the situation. Why didn’t they get any support? Where were the American fighter jets to lend them support and help in this horrendous situation? Thirteen hours of craziness and only six men.
The men were taken aback when they heard the American press was reporting the situation as a demonstration gone awry. They never saw any protestors. All they saw were fighters. These militants were responsible for murdering an American Ambassador and three others: former Navy SEALs Glen Doherty (Toby Stephens), Tyrone Woods, and Information Officer Sean Smith (Christopher Dingli).
What unfolds on the screen is absolutely unbelievable on many levels. It brings the chaos and criminality of the region to audiences. It also brings the heroism of these Americans who are indeed worthy of the word “hero.”
The film runs 2 hours and 17 minutes. That might seem like a long time however it goes by quickly. The film is filled with action and emotion. Even if you are tired of hearing about Benghazi (no matter what side of the aisle you are on), this is worth seeing. It really isn’t a political story as much as it is a story about American heroism.
13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi is rated R for strong combat violence throughout, bloody images, 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
In a modern-day reimagined version of Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” Band of Robbers is the tale of Huck and Tom as men. Having been best buddies when they were youngsters, Huck (Kyle Gallner) and Tom (Adam Nee) are still looking out for each other.
Huck just got released from prison and Tom is a police officer. But now Huck wants to go straight and Tom wants to pull off a major robbery. Ever since they were boys they have been searching for an illusive hidden treasure. To find it they have to follow clues. Now, all these years later, they discover the clues keep coming and they are pulled back to their mischievous ways. Tom is still wrapping people around his fingers and puts together a “band of robbers” with his friends Huck, Ben Rogers (Hannibal Burres) and Joe Harper (Matthew Gray Gubler).
Tom comes up with a brilliant and foolproof plan to rob a pawnshop where he believes the treasure is hiding. But his foolproof plan is not so foolproof. As a matter of fact, everything goes wrong. In the meantime, his new partner, Becky Thatcher (Melissa Benoist), unwittingly gets in the middle of the group’s heist. Thatcher is a rookie with ideals and scruples, unlike her partner Tom.
With Injun Joe (Stephen Lang) hot on their trail to capture the treasure for himself, the gang gets deeper and deeper into trouble and closer and closer to danger. At every turn something goes awry, but Tom, in true Tom Sawyer form, manages to spin things to his benefit.
This seems to be a whacky storyline, however audiences will enjoy the banter and the craziness of all the characters. Personally, I was a little hesitant when I first heard about the film, but I really enjoyed it. There is something interesting about seeing classic literary characters in a new light. Even for people who aren’t familiar with the characters of Tom, Huck, and Becky, this film will be a strange delight. It’s a twisted yet oddly compelling movie.
Band of Robbers is not rated however it is not for youngsters. There is violence and death. The movie opens in select theaters January 15, 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
Set your DVR for the second season of the popular TV Land series Younger. Sutton Foster who plays Liza Miller in the show, is well-known to theater goers, having done plenty of musical theater on and off Broadway. Some viewers will remember her from the series Bunheads, in which she got to show off her dancing abilities. In Younger she is not an entertainer, but she is entertaining.
In the show Foster plays a 40-year old woman pretending to be a twenty-six year old. In real life she just turned 40 and marked the occasion by singing at Carnegie Hall. “I’m having a lot of life in show and work parallels,” the actress told the media.
“I am 40, but I still feel like I’m 17 years old in my real life as I’m still sort of flailing and figuring things out, and I’m the only one (of her co-stars in the show) that doesn’t have a child. The other ladies are all moms. So I tend to turn to them in learning how to play a mother on TV.”
Foster does not have to give up her theatrical or concert work for the series. “I’m still out there singing and dancing,” she said with pleasure. “And depending on Younger’s schedule, it would be great to be able to do a theatrical production.”
While she doesn’t perform on the show, she did admit she likes to sing and dance between takes. And she and the entire cast tend to make each other laugh while filming. It is a happy set, as she and the rest of the cast conveyed.
Younger airs on TV Land and co-stars Hilary Duff, Debi Mazar, Miriam Shor, Nico Tortorella, Peter Harmann, Dan Amboyer, and Molly Bernard. It was created by Darren Star who was responsible for Sex and the City, Melrose Place, and Beverly Hills 90210.
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
Recovery Road is a new series based on the young adult novel by Blake Nelson. This is an important story for teens as it focuses on addiction in teens and others. It shows the ups and downs of recovery and doesn’t sugar coat anything. The series does this with a cast of interesting characters that are forced to live together in an outpatient treatment house.
Maddie is a popular high school student. She gets good grades and has a group of close friends. What she also has is a drinking and drug problem. Maddie doesn’t accept the fact that she is an addict. When her secret is discovered, she is given the chance to detox and then live in a treatment house while attending school in the day. It’s either that or expulsion from her private school. Her mother insists she take the offer, with the help of the school’s guidance counselor.
It takes some time for Maddie to accept the fact that she is an addict. She goes through all the stages of grief, including denial and bargaining. But as time unfolds, the reality of her situation is clear.
Maddie is confronted by the other residents and therapists in the house who each have their own stories that impact this young girl. While she initially insists she doesn’t belong there, slowly she comes to terms with her situation.
Among the others in the house are Maddie’s former best friend who was arrested for drug dealing (which she did with Maddie but Maddie never got caught), a young man who has been in treatment several times but this time is dedicated to his recovery, a single mother who wants to get her life together and regain custody of her daughter, a restaurateur who is trying to stay clean and sober, and some others.
The counselor at the house is sympathetic but also knows that tough love is important for the wellbeing of the residents.
Jessica Sula stars as Maddie, the party girl who finds her life takes a major change. Residents in the house include Emma Fassler as Laurel, Kayla Pratt as Trish, Lindsay Pearce as Rebecca, Paula Jai Parker as Margarita, Sebastian de Souza as Wes. Akexis Carra plays the school counselor with her own past who wants to help Maddie succeed. Daniel Franzese is the assistant in the house with a heart of gold, and David Witts is the therapist running the house.
This is such an important series the first three episodes will be available on digital and on demand through the January 25, 2016 televised premier on Freeform (formally ABC Family).
While the aspects of addiction and recovery are brought to viewers’ attention in a very dramatic way, the characters are interesting and diverse enough to add the element of realism and many viewers might see themselves in a character or two. This is an important series for both teens and parents to watch. Recovery Road emphasizes the pressures on people who are dealing with addiction and recovery.
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
The movie Bridge of Spies will hit the shelves February 2, 2016 with plenty of bonus features.
A dramatic thriller set against the backdrop of a series of historic events, Bridge of Spies tells the story of James Donovan (Tom Hanks), a Brooklyn lawyer who finds himself thrust into the center of the Cold War when the CIA sends him on a near impossible mission to negotiate the release of a captured American U-2 pilot. High stakes and suspense power a story inspired by true events that capture the essence of a man who risked everything and vividly brings his personal journey to life.
The Intern is a charming story of friendship and admiration between two very different people. It is a story of experience, learning, learning from experience, women in business, success, and ultimately making dreams come true.
Robert De Niro is enjoyable to watch as a 70-year-old widower/retiree who goes back to work to add some meaning to his life. Ben (De Niro) has been retired for years. He has traveled and visited his family, however he feels a bit empty. So, when he sees an ad for a senior intern at a successful start-up Internet company, he decides to apply.
Jules (Anne Hathaway) is a no-nonsense businesswoman who started the Internet fashion site and it is her heart and soul. Well, she does have to balance her time and commitment between her company and her family. Her daughter Page (JoJo Kushner) is adorable and frankly the scenes with her and De Niro are priceless. But Jules is finding her husband Matt (Andrew Rannells) might be getting bored being a stay-at-home dad. Besides looking at the personal relationships within the movie, the success of women in business is also a focal point.
Ben is the oldest person at the company. He doesn’t conform to their “style.” He continues to wear his suit and tie every day, carry his “classic” briefcase, and even a handkerchief. While learning the new ways of the world – Facebook, etc. – Ben manages to impart his old ways on the staff, who see him as a personable man from whom they can learn how to conduct themselves. They might know about technology, but he knows about so much more. He advises his fellow interns to “dress to impress.” He knows about relating to people and he understands them. Perhaps it is because he takes the time to really see and listen, which is something the young workers don’t really do.
The Combo Pack includes a DVD and a Blu-ray as well as a digital copy code. Bonus features look at how the film and the cast related to the experience Ben –and De Niro – brought to the team, and how Myers pulled together a cast of young millennials and combined them with the experience of De Niro.
The final bonus feature focuses on the look of the film. All the sets are simple and elegant and pleasing to the eye. Nancy Myers has her ideas of how her films should look. Her style transforms onto the screen with the architecture and costumes she feels fits her stories and characters. They are definitely part of the visual narrative of the movie.
The final bonus feature looks at the other three male interns who were hired at the same time. Lewis (Jason Orley), Davis (Zack Pearlman), and Jason (Adam Devine) are twenty-somethings who each learn lessons from Ben and the actors learn from De Niro. And the scene with the four men in the car is downright funny.
The movie is an enjoyable story for everyone from twenty-something to seniors. The tender moments between Ben and Jules are perhaps the most memorable of the film.
The Intern is rated PG-13 for some suggestive content and brief strong 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
Check out the new featurette from the heroic action-thriller “The Finest Hours” featuring Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster, Kyle Gallery, John Magaro and director Craig Gillespie talking about the spirit of camaraderie on set and praising the real-life heroes behind the remarkable true story of the most daring rescue mission in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Disney’s “The Finest Hours,” which is presented in Digital 3D™, Real D 3D and IMAX® 3D and transports audiences to the heart of the action, creating a fully-immersive cinematic experience on an epic scale, storms into theaters on January 29, 2016.
