Author: Francine Brokaw

Hayley Mills and Deborah Kerr in ‘The Chalk Garden’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The 1964 film The Chalk Garden stars Deborah Kerr, Halyey Mills, John Mills, and Edith Evans in a drama about love, family, and personal growth. Evans was nominated for an Academy Award for her supporting role.

Laurel (Hayley Mills) is a sixteen-year-old young woman living with her wealthy grandmother, Mrs. St. Maugham. The girl is troubled and depressed, feeling unloved by everyone, and with good reason. She is so emotionally damaged she constantly lies and starts fires. There is definitely inner conflict in her soul, but there is also good. Miss Madrigal (Kerr) is hired as her governess. Madrigal has a hidden past that Laurel is determined to uncover.

Laurel’s mother Olivia (Elizabeth Sellars) has a new life with a new husband and now she wants her daughter returned to her. But Mrs. Maugham wants to hold onto her granddaughter, even if it is not in the girl’s best interest.

Maitland (John Mills) works at the house and is a friend to the family. He sees what is going on and understands everyone connected with this weird little group more than they know. This is the quintessential dysfunctional family.

Madrigal, with her obvious troubled past, is determined to keep her job, but not because she needs it. She knows she can help Laurel and save her from a future of trouble and possibly the law.

The characters mix in an unusual way as Laurel, the spoiled yet emotionally damaged girl, manages to control what goes on in the house. Or so she thinks. Maitland and Madrigal are up to the task of handling Laurel, whereas her grandmother does not fully understand the depth of the anger and upheaval that rages in the young woman.

This film was produced four years after Hayley Mills took the spotlight in the film Pollyanna, and the following year in The Parent Trap. Kerr had a long list of great films prior to this movie, including From Here to Eternity, The King and I, and An Affair to Remember, just to name a few. And John Mills had been acting for three decades before making this film. Father and daughter co-starred the following year in The Truth About Spring and they also appeared together in several other films.

The Chalk Garden is about family neglect, family bonds, and self-sacrifice. It is not rated.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Los Angeles Press Club and the Television Critics Association.

Darren Star’s new romcom ‘Emily in Paris’ is a picture-perfect escape from the dreary realities of life

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Emily in Paris, created/written/executive produced by Sex and the City’s Darren Star, follows the professional and personal adventures of Emily Cooper (Lilly Collins). When her company acquires Savoir Paris, a luxury brand marketing agency, Emily is sent to be the American eyes and ears to the transition, specifically to revamp their lackluster social media strategy. She hits the ground running, but not so fast! She runs smack into the French resistance; they are not about to take this ambitious Midwestern millennial lying down. They fight tooth and nail every step of the way to protect their precious Gallic mindset and spirit.

Sylvie (Phillippine Leroy Beaulieu), Emily’s boss, simply dismisses her as a “here today, gone tomorrow invader” into her old guard club. Emily is not only the 21st century “Ugly American” but also a threat to luxury defined by sophistication, taste, privacy, discretion, and mystery that Sylvie is determined to safeguard. It is telling that a younger client had left the agency because it’s an expensive dinosaur.

Undaunted by little knowledge of the language and culture, Emily charges headlong like a Dior-wearing bull in a china shop. She is also accused of being a morality/prude police when she makes a big stink about the workplace sexual harassment and a dicey TV ad that could be construed as sexist in the #MeToo era.

Emily slowly but surely charms some of the old guards frozen in the past. She challenges convention and finds new and better ways of doing things. That’s what millenials do.  But not everything Emily encounters in this illogical culture can be explained by her go-to “lost in translation” excuse. If she gets her head out of the digital sand, maybe, just maybe, she might find herself involved in ways she never imagined before.

With cinematic and culinary razzle-dazzle in the City of Light, we can all live vicariously through Emily’s adventures and misadventures in pre-COVID Paris. It definitely made me crave the good old days when we were free to get gussied up and walk along the Seine under a starry sky. Shoot! Now I have to add Paris to my bucket list!

Emily in Paris is now streaming on Netflix.

About the Author

Meg Mimura is a TV critic who actually watches shows zealously in search of thought-provoking and paradigm shifting human drama worth our precious time. She is a member of Television Critics Association. Follow her on Twitter.

Definitely watch ‘The Secret: Dare to Dream’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Katie Holmes and Josh Lucas star in The Secret: Dare to Dream, based on the best-selling novel The Secret. Jerry O’Connell and Celia Weston also co-star in this touching story about changing the way you look at life.

Miranda Wells (Holmes) is a widow and mother of three.  She is having trouble with her finances and is stretched to the limit. Miranda works in a restaurant for Tucker (O’Connell), a wealthy businessman who is in love with her. Miranda is not exactly sure how she feels about Tucker, but their relationship goes along smoothly.

One day Bray Johnson (Lucas) comes into town looking for Miranda. He has a special envelop for her, but she isn’t home. So he reluctantly leaves it in the mailbox.

Then a hurricane hits New Orleans and Miranda’s little house takes a lot of damage. Bray offers to help fix the roof. Even though she has not yet discovered the envelope since the mailbox was ripped away in the storm, Miranda agrees to let him help for a small fee. Her mother-in-law Bobby (Weston) insists the family move in with her while the repairs are being made. Bobby is apprehensive about Bray. After all, he is a stranger. What is he after?

Throughout all this time Miranda is struck by Bray’s optimism and his coolness about everything, including life. She is the opposite. She frets over everything, but this new way of looking at things and believing that life will turn out all right is intoxicating. And it works for Bray.

Miranda and her family take a liking to Bray, but Tucker is still in the picture and he feels the same apprehension about the stranger.. Things start to turn around for her but then everything she thought and felt about Bray falls apart. Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, Bray goes from being a hero to a villain.

Bray’s calm demeanor is something we can all learn from. ‘The Secret’ is a wonderful way of living. It is a positive way of living. It is a kind way of living. If everyone in the world read that book and followed the philosophy, it would be a better planet.

Can Miranda follow her heart and her dreams?

The bonus feature is a look behind the scenes and a discussion with the cast and filmmakers. They talk about how the book changed their lives and how this movie can do the same for viewers. It is a beautiful and timeless message of hope and compassion. It is definitely inspiring and worth watching. This is a family film that everyone can watch together and discuss after. Enjoy!

The Secret: Dare to Dream is rated PG for language and an injury image. It is available now on a Blu-ray/DVD/Digital release.

 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Los Angeles Press Club and the Television Critics Association.

Drew Barrymore comes to daytime TV

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

Drew comes from an entertainment family and has been in the business since she was three years old. She recently brought her exuberance to a ZOOM press conference to discuss her new TV show. She has come a long way since she first encountered ET  in 1982 and now Drew Barrymore is bringing her joy and excitement of life to her new daytime TV show The Drew Barrymore Show.

She has had a lot of experience on talk shows as a guest and had her own way of approaching her interviews, explaining that she never wanted to partake in pre-interviews, which are often useful for the hosts so they have a better understanding and background of their guests. “Spontaneity for me was crucial. So I like to go in blind and play because life is just too short not to.”

In her show she will confront things differently than other talk shows. Celebs usually come onto talk shows to promote their current projects. “Look, if we want to come here and sit and talk, I would love to go in the back door of conversations and talk more about your life experience or your upbringing rather than the thing you’re working on now and promoting, I know that’s an essential sort of aspect and we’ll certainly professionally hit that button.” According to Barrymore, her interviews will delve into the lives of her guests.

Even though she was brought up in show business, Barrymore said she is still thrilled to be around celebrities. “I’m going to be as excited as any person who is in an audience looking at that person. I know I’ve been in this industry my whole life, but I am not insider baseball, in fact, I’m the exact opposite. I’m just as excited to be around people of note as anyone would be.”

Not playing a character and just being herself is what Drew is looking forward to with this project. “I’m really glad I’m at this moment in my life and not another, and timing really is everything,” she said. She lives in New York with her family and is happy that the show is being taped there. But that does not rule out having guests from Hollywood or anywhere else in the country. As a matter of fact, in a studio in Hollywood there is a set similar to the one in New York so with modern technology, and in these days of social distancing, it will appear as though Drew and her guests are on the same set, but they will be thousands of miles away.

Drew Barrymore is now settled in her life and happy. Having gone through turbulence in her 45 years, she is at a comfortable place. “I’ve never felt more humble and grateful in my entire life than I do right now to be alive, to have two kids that are healthy, to be amongst this crew and this team and getting this opportunity. I don’t know how I ended up here but I’ll never lose sight and I never have lost sight of how lucky I am.”

The Drew Barrymore Show premieres Monday, September 14, 2020.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Los Angeles Press Club and the Television Critics Association.

‘I Am a Dancer’ electrifies on Blu-ray

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Rudolf Nureyev is one of the best male ballet dancers in history. I Am a Dancer is a portrait of this artist. This 1972 documentary was nominated for a Golden Globe.

Nureyev was born in Russia. He defected to the West in 1961, whish was a controversial topic in the Soviet Union. Nureyev was completely dedicated to dancing. If he took a couple days off of practice his body would rebel.

The film looks at the dancer in training, in rehearsals, and in performances. He was the consummate perfectionist and demanded the same intensity from those with whom he danced.

Watching Nureyev dance is mesmerizing. His grace and acrobatic talent combined to create performances those lucky enough to see him in person will remember the rest of their lives. Having died in 1993, this generation does not know about Rudolf Nureyev, but through this documentary they can see how this true professional led his life. And dancing was his life. He gave it everything he had, which showed on the stage.

While watching this film I was reminded of my own ballet classes, which, unfortunately, I did not stick with. It is a beautiful form of dance and expression, and the stories told through the dances are breathtaking.

If you show this film to your children, be prepared to start them in ballet classes. I would love to go back and do it again, and with the image of Rudolf Nureyev in my head, well, one never knows.

Few will attain the greatness of Nureyev. Personally I prefer Mikhail Baryshnikov, but that is probably because he is more of a contemporary. After watching this documentary though I can see how people have called Nureyev one of the greatest male ballet dancers.

The Blu-ray contains two bonus features with dancers who discuss Rudolf and his history and techniques. There is also an accompanying booklet with images of Nureyev and information about the film.

I Am a Dancer is a great way to introduce kids to the world of ballet. It is not rated but is suitable for everyone.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Los Angeles Press Club and the Television Critics Association.

‘Elinor Wonders Why’ airs on PBS Kids

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

Elinor Wonders Why is the brainchild of cartoonist Jorge Cham, whose daughter Elinor is always filled with questions, and scientist Daniel Whiteson. To make this a fun series for kids ages 3-5, the characters are all animals and live in Animal Town. Together they explore and discover things about science, nature, and their community.

First, there is Elinor, an observant and overly curious bunny. Ari is an imaginative bat and a little perceptive elephant named Olive rounds out the core group. Together these enthusiastic youngsters find answers to many things surrounding them and learn about the environment as well as how they can work together to solve problems and figure out things in life.

Jorge Cham told a virtual press conference, “I think the show is to encourage kids and to model getting them interested in nature and following their own curiosity and being in charge of asking their own questions and finding their own answers.”

There’s no doubt kids are curious and always wondering why things reacts as they do or look as they do. “Sometimes they learn a little bit about the environment and also a little bit about engineering,” Cham added.

About the look of the show, he explained, “The design of the show, I am a cartoonist.  I was originally an academic.  I like to say I am a recovering academic.  But I am a cartoonist and I draw bugs and I illustrate a lot of science education.  A lot of the look of the show came from the designs, the original designs, my show and my cartoon style.  That’s really where we went. We were really interested in making it two-dimensional, 2D that energy.”

Each episode includes some music as well as the adventures of the animals as they learn and explore their environment. “It is all sort of our core mission of getting people excited and interested and engaged with not just science, but innate curiosity and wonder about the world,” explained Cham.

Both Cham and Whiteson have young children and often draw on the questions and curiosities of their own kids. As Whitson said, “So really the brainstorm started with, ‘Okay, let’s ask our kids what science is for.’  Before COVID-19, we walked around the neighborhood and asked questions, ‘Did you know that cats have babies too?’  The kind of thing that blows the minds of four-year-olds. Really our episode, the goal is a question that a real child could ask.” Parents will inevitably see some of the same curiosity in Elinor, Ari, and Olive that their own children have. These three characters represent the inquisitiveness of our own kids.

“In terms of the animals in the show,” explained Cham, “this is something Daniel and I had a lot of conversations about because it is a science show and we are trying to teach about nature.  So we wanted to be really clear and have some very sort of clear rules, I guess, intuitive rules in terms of how the world works. So the rule that we have is that all of the speaking characters are all these mammals so they are clear to explore things like lizards, bugs, insects and birds and worms and trees and nature. So they study those as the kids at home would study them or observe them. But we also sort of retain a lot of the animal characteristics for the characters so they are not stand-ins, as other shows. Ari still flies.”

The characters will definitely capture the imaginations of viewers and their curiosity will relate to the as well. Elinor Wonders Why airs on PBS KIDS.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a long standing member of the Los Angeles Press Club and the Television Critics Association.

‘Molly of Denali’ wins critics award

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


The 2020 Television Critics Award for Outstanding Achievement in Youth Programming was presented to PBS KIDS’ Molly of Denali. The animated series focuses on the Native American heritage and life in Alaska with 10-year-old Molly Mabray.

Molly lives in the fictional village of Qyah, Alaska where she helps her parents with their Denali Trading Post general store. She’s a delightful and helpful little girl filled with a positive spirit of her heritage and land.

“Molly of Denali is a story about kids and community, an authentic reflection of rural life in Alaska, supported by an Informational Text curriculum,” said GBH Executive Producer Dorothea Gillim. “Over the past year, the animated series, podcast and games have been embraced by audiences everywhere. We are grateful to the Television Critics Association for recognizing Molly of Denali with this honor.”

The show was developed with the collaboration of Alaska Natives and the voice talents as well as the writers and musicians all are of Alaskan heritage. Every Indigenous character is voiced by and Indigenous actor, making this a true Alaskan show.

“The stories we tell through Molly of Denali are a reflection of the heart and values of Alaska Native peoples — our truths, our histories, and our experience,” said Princess Daazhraii Johnson (Neest’aii Gwich’in), Creative Producer of the series. “Through Molly, we get to show that we are still here, and we have so much to say about how we live respectfully with one another and the lands, waters and animals we share this world with.”

Congratulations to Molly of Denali and PBS KIDS for this well-deserved award.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a long-standing member of the Los Angeles Press Club and the Television Critics Association.

‘Roman Holiday’ is a delight

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The 1953 film Roman Holiday is a treasure. From the Paramount Presents line of great films, this Blu-ray edition includes the classic film along with several additional features as well as a digital code.

Roman Holiday was one of the very first movies to be filmed entirely on location. Director William Wyler insisted on making the movie in Rome. The film introduced Audrey Hepburn to audiences around the world. Gregory Peck gets top billing, with Eddie Albert co-starring. The city of Rome is the fourth star of the movie.

The story centers around Princess Ann (Hepburn) who is visiting the Eternal City on an official state visit. She is finding her royal duties boring and longs to be just a normal girl in this fascinating city. So one night she sneaks out of the embassy and onto the streets where she is like a fish out of water. But the princess does not mind. She is free and longing for some fun. When reporter Joe Bradley (Peck) finds her resting on a bench, he takes her back to his apartment and realizing who she is, he concocts a plan with his photographer friend Irving (Albert) to befriend Ann and get a wonderful story about a princess in disguise.

This is definitely a charming story. In the end the princess realizes her duty to her family and her country and returns to the embassy where she continues on with her royal life.

In this year when Prince Harry and Meghan have escaped from their royal duties, they might want to take a lesson from Princess Ann. She knows her place in life, and although she had no say in her future, she has a strong sense of duty to her country, unlike Harry and Meghan.

The Blu-ray is filled with wonderful bonus features, including a brand new look at the film with historian Leonard Maltin. Maltin fills viewers in on the making of the film with tidbits about the story, Wyler, and the cast. His insights add to the background for viewers who will be enchanted by the facts and history of the production.

Other bonus features include a documentary about Hepburn’s history with Paramount Pictures as well as a biography about her life with those who knew her, including her son. There is another feature about the studio and a feature about Rome, the film’s fourth star. Hepburn took home the Oscar for her performance in the film and Dalton Trumbo won the Academy Award for writing (although he was blacklisted). Edith Head garnered the award for costume design however it was Givenchy who was Hepburn’s designer.

Roman Holiday is not rated however it is suitable for all ages.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

‘I Am Woman’ is a fun and entertaining biopic of Helen Reddy

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


I Am Woman is an entertaining biopic of singer Helen Reddy. Tilda Cobham-Hervey does a remarkable job portraying the singer who inspired women around the world with her song “I Am Woman.”

The Australian-born Reddy relocated to New York where she became best friends with rock journalist Lillian Roxon (Danielle Macdonald). Reddy then met talent manager Jeff Wald (Evan Peters) who became her husband and her own manager. They soon relocate to California where he insists Helen’s career will take off. The problem is, it really doesn’t. He is more concerned with his other clients and soon faces the wrath of his wife. With her encouragement, they push to get her songs recorded and on the air.

It doesn’t take a long time before Helen is the favorite female singer in the country. Her songs include “Delta Dawn,” “Angie Baby,” “Leave Me Alone,” “Ain’t No Way To Treat a Lady,” “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” “Candle on the Water,” “You and Me Against the World,” and so many others that provided the soundtrack for the 1970s. And of course, “I Am Woman” is now the anthem for International Women’s Day and other events for and about women’s equality.

To say this film is inspiring is an understatement. However young women of today might not know much about this woman who gave the women of the 70s a shot in the arm. Once viewers see this film, they will find it difficult to get the tunes and the lyrics out of their heads. Don’t be surprised if you keep singing the songs days after watching the film. They are catchy tunes with interesting lyrics. And perhaps, if you don’t already have Helen Reddy in your CD library, you will want to go shopping after watching the movie.

Helen Reddy was and is a woman of passion, conviction and courage. She would not be pushed aside for the current “male” groups of the day. She knew she had a message for listeners, both male and female. And she knew she had the voice to bring these wonderful songs to the people. It just took some imagination, dedication, and a lot of hard work. Thank God she had all of those qualities.

I Am Woman will be in theaters and on demand September 11, 2020.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

‘The Owners’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The Owners is a nightmarish story about a group of friends who break into house to steal a boatload of money. With a very small cast of seven, this story unfolds over the course of a day.

Terry (Andrew Ellis) has learned that there is a safe in the house of Dr. Hugging (Sylvester McCoy) and his wife Ellen (Rita Tushingham). He tells his friend Nathan (Ian Kenny) who then informs his friend Gaz (Jake Curran). Together they devise a plan to break into the house when the doctor and his wife are away. Their intent is to break into the safe and steal a large amount of money. With this huge house, the elderly couple must have stashed away big bucks. But when they get into the house they discover they cannot open the safe.

Their next plan is to wait until Dr. and Mrs. Huggins return and make them open the safe. Nathan’s girlfriend Mary (Maisie Williams) reluctantly joins the guys in the house. Now they just sit and wait.

When the couple comes home, they are immediately tied up and their lives are threatened if they do not reveal the combination to the safe. Things get out of hand and quite bloody. Soon the tables are turned and the thugs become the threatened ones.

This is definitely not a movie for the young. It is filled with violence and terror. The story involves some strange circumstances that come to light at the very end. While the couple never reveals the correct combination to the safe, it remains locked. Just exactly what are they keeping in there? It is obvious they are hiding a secret.

As the story continues things get dicey for all of them. Who will come out on top? Or rather, who will survive?

This horror/thriller is the kind of story we have seen in the past – the tables are turned on the intruders. It is now in theaters and on demand. The Owners is not rated.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.