Omni Air UV+ from Raycop – Product Review

Posted on September 3, 2020 by Francine Brokaw

These days keeping our homes and ourselves safe from the COVID-19 virus is essential. The Omni Air UV+ stick vacuum from Raycop is a stick vacuum that sucks up dust, debris, hair, and invisible to the eye mites that can make us sick and bring on allergies, and also a sanitizer. With two different heads, this one unit cleans and sanitizes.

The Omni Air UV+ is lightweight and easy to operate. Just push the on button and select low, mid, or max, depending on which suction level you need. With the vacuum head attached the vacuum easily glides over floors and carpets. I personally like the small width because now I can vacuum beside and behind the toilets, which is something I couldn’t do with other stick vacuums with wider heads. This lightweight unit is like a sports car. It effortlessly maneuvers around corners and under furniture. It really does go almost everywhere. And the clear bin lets users know when it is full. Emptying the bin is easy. Granted, it is small but that is not a bad thing. It just takes a second to open the bin and dump out the debris. The dust box is connected to a dust filter and HEPA filter, which really help allergy sufferers like myself. I have always hated vacuuming because the debris would be blown up and around and it was always a test for my allergies. These new units eliminate the discomfort for allergy sufferers.

Attachments include nozzles to get in creases and crevices. Getting rid of dust, mites, pollen, and dirt is essential to allergy sufferers. But this unit not only vacuums up all those nasty things, it is also a sanitizer. The RayClean technology kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria with the UV+ light. By destroying the DNA and RNA of viruses they are unable to live and multiply. Doing this without chemicals is important for families, especially those with babies and very young children. After all, parents do not want their children exposed to dangerous chemicals, or for that matter, they don’t want to be exposed either. With this new technology, no chemicals are necessary. The UV+ light does the job safely and efficiently.

It is easy to change the heads from simply vacuuming to sucking up and disinfecting. Just pop off the one head and pop on the other. The brushes sweep up mites and other things trapped deep in fabric.

The filters are easily washable and prevent dust and odors from building up and staying in the unit. The battery is easily chargeable however this unit does not come with any attachments to stick it onto a wall. At first I thought this was a disadvantage however the unit is small enough to fit into a closet without taking up much space. Still, a wall mount might be a good idea for the future.

This unit can easily accomplish more than cleaning and disinfecting floors. It is a handy unit for cars and furniture. Think about where you have been during the day. When you get home you wash your hands and think you are free from viruses and bacteria. However you have probably been sitting someplace. Cleaning your couch and chairs is just as important as cleaning your floors. With this one unit, you can do it all. And it is also able to clean and disinfect your mattresses. Have you been sleeping with mites living and breeding in your mattress? How creepy is that?

Raycop was eager to send me a unit to test. I have been using it for a week and definitely think it is a worthy product. My only complaint, and it is a very small one, is that is lacks a wall mount. Other than that I really like this Omni Air. I like the weight and ease of use, as well as all it accomplishes. In this time of viruses like COVID and the flu, not to mention allergies (I have so many), I can highly recommend this for families of all ages and sizes.

There is free shipping from the website as well as a 30 day trial. Check out their website for more information and to order your own unit.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, 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, 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. Follow her on Twitter.

Seth MacFarlane Great Songs from Stage & Screen

Posted on August 27, 2020 by Francine Brokaw

Seth MacFarlane is known for his writing and producing (Family Guy, The Orville, American Dad, and more) and his acting and voice talent, but what many people do not know is that he is also a singer. He has several CDs and his latest, Great Songs from Stage & Screen, includes many favorites from film and Broadway.

MacFarlane has a strong and mesmerizing voice that adds to these wonderful songs and his interpretation of the lyrics comes through with zeal. It is enjoyable to listen to these songs and hear them in a new and enjoyable way.

The first track, “Once Upon a Dream” is from the Disney film Sleeping Beauty. “Ten Minutes Ago” is from the Rogers and Hammerstein version of Cinderella, so there are definitely songs for all ages.

Frank Sinatra is a difficult act to follow however MacFarlane does it with style. He sings several songs that were recorded by Sinatra and he does so with his own flare, which makes them easy to listen to and easy to forget that Old Blue Eyes had previously recorded them. There is a special magical quality to MacFarlane’s voice that comes through in each and every track.

The lyrics are even more enjoyable with great orchestrations. It is easy to imagine him in the recoding studio singing with the wonderful orchestra. These tracks were recorded at the famous Abbey Road studios.

Listening to his recordings I have decided that even though I have enjoyed Seth MacFarlane in his other roles, I really love his singing the most. Although his acting/writing/producing is pretty good too! His recordings are delightful and rich. I do have some favorite tracks on this CD however all of the songs are delightful. There are several ballads as well as a few upbeat tunes. The collection is the perfect blend of songs personally selected by MacFarlane.

Seth MacFarlane is among my top male vocalists and with this new release he has moved up many notches. The bottom line is this is a fantastic collection of songs sung by a great singer. This is his sixth studio album and definitely a treasure. All the songs are available on digital and the CD will be released in October.

The tracks are:

1. Once Upon A Dream

2. I Loved You Once In Silence

3. Let’s Not Be Sensible

4. Ten Minutes Ago

5. Ain’t Got A Dime To My Name (Ho Ho Ho Ho Hum)

6. Love Is Only Love

7. What Did I Have That I Don’t Have?

8. Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are

9. Two For The Road

10. All Er Nothin’

11. You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To

12. Mind If I Make Love To You

13. Time For Parting

About the Reviewer

Bring home ‘Breezy’ on Blu-ray

Posted on August 15, 2020 by Francine Brokaw

The 1973 movie Breezy almost has a cult following. It was directed by Clint Eastwood and stars William Holden and Kay Lenz. This duo might seem like an odd couple, but on the screen they really do come off with good chemistry.

Holden stars as Frank Harmon, a middle-aged man living in a secluded area of one of Los Angeles’ canyons. He is divorced and a little bitter. Lenz stars as Edith Alice Breezerman, aka Breezy, a child of the 60s, complete with her flower-child mentality and unaware of the harshness in the world around her. She is a free spirit and loves life, people, and animals.

Breezy meets Frank and insinuates herself into his life. This set-in-his-ways man has a hard time understanding the mentality of her free-spirited youth. But she persists and her genuine goodness is intoxicating to him. They become a pair but can he cope with the May-December jokes and glares coming his way? Is their age difference too much for him to bear?

There are some genuinely funny parts in this film. When she asks him if he thinks God is dead, he answers, “I didn’t know he was sick.” And when they go to the movies it is a Clint Eastwood film playing.

Breezy was filmed on location and there are some great beach scenes. Also, the traffic in Southern California was much less than it is today, so the entire region looks idyllic. Of course, it has been over 45 years since this movie was filmed. Nevertheless, the characters are timeless and the story is endearing. With the score by legendary Michel Legrand and a theme song that is noteworthy, the movie is a true delight.

Holden was 55 when he made this film. This was not the end of his career and he went on to star in several more movies before his death at age 63. If this movie doesn’t make young women fall for William Holden, nothing will. Lenz was 20 when she played Breezy. This was near the beginning of her acting career and she is still working today. Lenz was nominated for a Golden Globe for “Most Promising Newcomer, Female,” and Legrand was nominated for a Golden Globe for “Best Original Score.” Legrand, along with Alan and Marilyn Bergman also received Golden Globe recognition for the title song.

Breezy is rated R. There is nudity, along with subject matter, and drug references in the film so it is not recommended for young viewers. It’s available on Blu-ray from KL Studio Classics.

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 Best of Soft Rock’ from TimeLife

Posted on August 14, 2020 by Francine Brokaw

You have probably seen those infomercials from TimeLife for the CD set “The Best of Soft Rock.” Well, if you are at all on the fence about purchasing it, don’t be. This is an amazing collection of songs from an array of singers that will bring back memories for anyone over the age of 40!

Ten CDs with 150 songs total make up this wonderful collection of mellow tunes that are perfect for these stressful days of self-isolation and social distancing. Pop in a CD and transport yourself back to a time before the world went crazy.

Bread, Stephen Bishop, Seals & Crofts, Firefall, Carly Simon, Christopher Cross, Boz Scaggs, Air Supply, Gino Vannelli, The Doobie Brothers, Linda Ronstadt, The Beach Boys, and many other singers and groups combine to make this a collection to treasure.

Some of the 150 songs include: “I Need You,” “On and On,” “The Air That I Breathe,” “Kokomo,” “Baby Come Back,” “California Dreamin’,” “Hurt So Bad,” “Summer Breeze,” “Whenever I Call You ‘Friend’,” “All By Myself,” “Please Come to Boston,” “Baby I’m a Want you,” “Sailing,” “All I need,” and “If.” There are 135 more great songs and as you can tell by this small list, they are all easy listening, soft rock. Don’t expect to be jumping up from your seat to fast dance around the house. These songs are melodic and mellow and simply put, they take away the stress of life today.

The folks at TimeLife always manage to create the perfect collections and they have definitely done it again with “The Best of Soft Rock.” With the accompanying booklet with facts and insight into the songs and the performers, the set is a nice way to return to an easier time of life. You know that time – before we all were wearing masks, when we could eat inside a restaurant and go to a movie, and when shopping at the mall was a pleasure.

“The Best of Soft Rock” collection lists for$134.95. You can upgrade to more discs at the site.

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‘Washington’ comes to life for viewers

Posted on August 14, 2020 by Francine Brokaw

In this time when people are homeschooling and distance learning, the 3-disc DVD Washington is a useful and educational journey that tells the story of the father of our country. This highly researched documentary originally aired earlier this year on the History channel. Now it is available on DVD.

Narrated by Jeff Daniels, the story of George Washington comes to life from the days of the French and Indian War through the revolution and the beginning of the American experiment. Washington was not a perfect man by any means. He made many mistakes along the way, however without his growing and learning and foresight, the United States would not have survived even the first year.

This young country was meant to be governed by the people and not a monarch. Washington realized there could be no king to rule. He knew the people would eventually rebel against a monarch or oligarch, and reluctantly accepted the presidency. He had to find a way to mold that office and although he did not want a second term, he was elected unanimously once again.

George Washington set the standard for the country and helped create the foundation of the United States. He did not seek a third term however if he had he would have been elected. By retiring after two terms, he basically set a two-term limit for the office, however nothing was officially written down about that. Only Franklin D. Roosevelt served a third term and after his death the law of two terms for the presidency was invoked.

Yes, George Washington owned slaves. Yes, he was flawed in many ways and made mistakes along the way. But he also was intelligent and knew the direction in which this country should and would take to succeed and prosper. Watching this 3-part docudrama is an important lesson for all Americans. Washington was a man with foresight and a strong sense of what the nation should be and without him, well, it would not have survived any length of time. He was the glue that held the country together in the late 1700s.

Washington is rated TV-14. His legacy needs to endure and without knowledge of the man, that is not possible. That is why this docudrama is an important tool for home viewing.

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Richard Burton stars in ‘Raid on Rommel’

Posted on August 7, 2020 by Francine Brokaw

The 1971 film Raid on Rommel stars Richard Burton as a British Intelligence officer sent to destroy a German fuel site in Northern Africa held by Rommel. While the film is not one of the best World War II movies, Burton is the salvation for this intense and action-packed story. With Tobruk, Libya in German hands, the plan could be a suicide mission however Foster (Burton) does not see it that way.

The well-laid plan is riddled with problems from the start. The men Foster had planned on joining leads to a mix-up. Foster finds himself in the middle of a medical unit with some unusual men completely opposite of the commandos he had been tasked commanding. For one, there is a conscientious objector who is a Quaker and will not kill anyone due to his convictions. And along with the medical unit, Foster has picked up an Italian woman, who is the mistress of a high-ranking Italian general. Will this group be able to make it through occupied territory and complete the mission to take out the German fuel supply? If not, the Allies will be in trouble, but if they are successful in Tobruk, they could change the outcome of the war in Northern Africa.

There are some lighthearted aspects of this intense story. One of the men has a conversation with Rommel himself about their mutual interest in stamp collecting. While these philatelic enthusiasts swap stories, The Desert Fox has no idea he is about to be confronted by the enemy.

This film is fictional however the background is real. Tobruk was an essential port in Northern Africa. Its location provided the perfect elements for both Allies and Axis ships with its deep water and strategic setting. Controlling the port was imperative.

Raid on Rommel is available on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Classics. It is rated PG with adult content and is too intense for very young viewers.

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Gabby Gabby just wants to be loved

Posted on August 5, 2020August 5, 2020 by Francine Brokaw

For those who saw Toy Story 4, Gabby Gabby was introduced as a vintage doll with a minor defect. She is supposed to be a villain in the show but actually she is not. All this little girl wants is to be loved. Now, with this adorable and very soft plush Gabby Gabby from Disney, kids can give her what she has always wanted – love.

In this time of Covid 19, with separations and strange circumstances, kids are in a state of flux. Parents are doing whatever they can to reassure their families that things will be all right, but for the time being life as we knew it is on hold. Knowing Gabby Gabby just wants to be loved is something reassuring for kids because this is something they can do. They can give her all their love and hugs. And hugs help relieve stress. This is a stressful time for all of us.

Gabby Gabby is dressed in her little cheerful yellow and white polka dot dress and wears yellow satin shoes. Her red hair is coiffed in her iconic pigtails and tied with yellow bots. Her wide blue eyes and facial features are embroidered so there is nothing for little hands to pull off. This adorable little plush sits at 11 inches high. Just looking at this sweet little face will melt hearts. She just wants to be loved.

Gabby Gabby will be a true friend for kids for years. Especially in this time of chaos and upheaval in our lives, this plush is going to be a source of comfort, joy, and love. She lists for $22.99 but is currently on sale for $12 at shopDisney. Now is the time to adopt this adorable little girl and make her part of your loving family.

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“Sixteen Candles” is still going strong

Posted on July 28, 2020 by Francine Brokaw

The 1984 teen romantic comedy Sixteen Candles was the first directing job for John Hughes who went on to bring audiences plenty of films about young people starting out in life. This movie also gave rise to two young actors, Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall who both had experience prior to this film but whose popularity skyrocketed after the release of Sixteen Candles. They worked together the following year on Hughes’ popular teen film The Breakfast Club, which also included John Kapelos who appears in both films.

Samantha (Ringwald) is turning 16, but everyone in her house has forgotten about her birthday because of the upcoming wedding of her sister. Sixteen is a difficult time for teens and with all the family drama Samantha has more than the usual teen problems. And let’s add her crush on Jake (Michael Schoeffling), an older student who does not seem to know she exists. How can she impress this guy? He’s one of the cool kids in school and she is not actually one of the geeks, but not one of the popular kids.

The movie has several family scenes involving Samantha and her parents and siblings, as well as her two sets of grandparents who have descended on the house for the nuptials of her sister. These two pairs of grandparents are quite different from each other but all of them love their grandchildren with all of their hearts.

So, while Samantha is facing her birthday without any familial recognition and she is pining over Jake while everyone is focused on the wedding, there are plenty of occasions for fun and frolicking.

This newest Blu-ray release includes some wonderful bonus features. There is a nice feature with Jackie Burch, the casting director on the film. She discusses how she found the actors to fit into the movie, which had been written by Hughes with Ringwald in mind for the starring role. It is interesting to learn that Viggo Mortensen read for the part of Jake, but once she saw Schoeffling, she knew she had the right actor to play the heartthrob.

The film is described as an 80’s fairy tale. It is not only a story of teens, but also of family. Kapelos discusses his relationship with the film, which was filmed in Chicago and says in the 1980s Chicago was “a cool place.” There is also a bonus with Adam Rifkin who played the “new wave nerd” in the show. He describes how he was personally selected from all the extras to play this particular role.

Sixteen Candles is rated PG for pervasive language, violent references, strong racy content, and drug use.

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‘Made in Italy’ is a charming film about life and family

Posted on July 28, 2020 by Francine Brokaw

Liam Neeson stars in the charming film Made in Italy. It is not only about finding your place in the world, but also reconnecting with family.

Neeson is Robert, a laidback artist that hasn’t painted much since his wife died. His son Jack (Micheal Richardson) runs an art gallery in London. With the separation from his wife, Jack needs to raise money to purchase the gallery. The only way he knows how to get that much money is to sell the villa in Italy that he co-owns with his father. They have not been there since the death of his mother. The villa has been empty and neglected.

Jack and Robert take off on a trip to Italy to sell the villa. They encounter memories and family secrets while fixing up the dilapidated home. Jack has been on a rocky course with his father for several years. And Robert has tried to keep Jack from the pain of losing his mother and all the memories of her. He thought sending him away to boarding school after the tragedy would be in the boy’s best interest, but all Jack felt was abandonment.

Italy was where the family had been happy when they were whole. Now, it is a source of memories. But those memories turn from sad to happy as the days go by.

Fixing up the house also fixes their relationship. The bond between father and son is at the heart of the film. And that is what viewers see as this story progresses. Even Jack discovers some things about his own life that he has to set right, while Robert confronts his handling of his wife’s death and the life of his son.

As the past is revealed, the house is renovated.

Tuscany is the backdrop for this delightful film. It is also a good travel ad for the region as the beauty of it comes to the screen. The land and the people, not to mention the marvelous food, are comfortable to the men, unlike the hectic world back in London.

While Robert becomes friends with the real estate agent, Jack enjoys the company of a beautiful chef. Tuscany is just what the father and son needed to restore their faith in themselves and in each other.

Made in Italy is available on VOD August 7, 2020.

‘Summerland’ is a delight

Posted on July 21, 2020 by Francine Brokaw

The new film Summerland is an entertaining and enjoyable film. The story takes place during World War II and stars Gemma Arterton as a writer in the countryside who takes in a young London boy during the time of the blitz.

Alice stays to herself. She is content on being alone and not interacting with the others in her small town. Then one day she answers the door and discovers Frank (Lucas Bond) is there to stay with her while London is being bombed. Alice doesn’t want him. She agrees to take him for a week until other arrangements can be found for the lad.

During the week Alice starts to bond with the young boy and when it comes time to send him to his new home, she decides it is best for both of them to stay together. Alice opens up and Frank thrives in the little town. While the war rages in London and Europe, their idyllic countryside is rocked only by the emotional traumas that have been inflicted on the two. And when there is even more tragedy, the duo become closer than ever.

This is a story of love and friendship. With the backdrop of the war and the mores of the time, Alice finds herself in a situation she never expected. And as the weeks wear on, the bond between Frank and Alice becomes an enduring emotion that will see them through the rest of their lives.

There is a little plot twist that makes this a sentimental and emotional story that will touch the hearts of viewers. It is truly one of the best films I have seen in many, many months.

If you are looking for a story that will touch your heart and entertain you this summer, Summerland is it. It is a rich and heartening film that will take viewers away to a long ago time with some inspiring characters that show how to love, how to endure, and how to hope. Love conquers all. Summerland will be available on demand and digital July 31, 2020.

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