'The Book Of Life' Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital Launch: Giveaway

'The Book of Life' - a wonderful movie Josie's Juice saw at the flicks with the kiddies - is out now on DVD. Available on Digital HD (from 9 September) and Blu-ray and DVD (from 23 September).

Josie's Juice has been invited by Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment to throw a 'The Book Of Life' party for my little family, and we did! We got into the spirit by setting up a traditional pinata, and used a face painting kit to create the hugely colourful 'Day of the Dead' faces on the kiddies, and then we sat down to revisit the movie we all enjoyed so much at the cinema.

You and your family can also join Manolo, Maria and Chuy as they embark on a journey that takes them on an adventure through the Land of the Remembered in 'The Book Of Life'. This culturally-based Day of the Dead themed animated feature is written and directed by Jorge Gutierrez and produced by Guillermo del Toro. 

The PR blurb about the movie: 

THE BOOK OF LIFE is a breathtaking animated comedy with a dazzling visual style unlike anything you’ve seen before. Torn between the expectations of his family and the desires of his heart, a young man named Manolo sets off on an epic quest, that spans three spectacular worlds, in order to reunite with his one true love and defend his village. Not your ordinary fairy tale, THE BOOK OF LIFE is a wondrous fantasy-adventure filled with magic, music and fun!

The film’s fantastical journey on Blu-ray brings the party into your home with unforgettable special features for parents and kids alike. Follow the adorable pig Chuy as he embarks on an incredible adventure in his all-new motion comic, or sing along with Latin-inspired versions of popular songs by Mumford & Sons, Radiohead, Elvis Presley, Rod Stewart and more!

Fans of this magical adventure can experience THE BOOK OF LIFE anytime, anywhere on Digital HD and will be available at digital stores including iTunes, Google Play, Xbox Video, PlayStation. 

Here is the DVD cover, below, and Josie's Juice will be offering FIVE copies of the DVD (indicate if you'd like Blu-ray or standard DVD). See below for details:

Here are some fun, suggested recipes for your own 'The Book Of Life' party:

THE BOOK OF LIFE DIGITAL HD SPECIAL FEATURES

• The Adventures of Chuey
• Closer Look at The Book of Life
• The Music of Life
• Digital Carpenters:  The Art Direction of The Book of Life
• “No Matter Where You Are” Music Video
• Audio Commentary by Jorge R. Gutierrez
• Gallery

THE BOOK OF LIFE DIGITAL HD & BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES

• The Adventures of Chuey
• Closer Look at The Book of Life
• The Music of Life
• Digital Carpenters:  The Art Direction of The Book of Life
• Music Machine
• “No Matter Where You Are” Music Video
• Audio Commentary by Jorge R. Gutierrez
• Gallery

THE BOOK OF LIFE DVD SPECIAL FEATURES

• The Adventures of Chuey
• Music Machine
• “No Matter Where You Are” Music Video
• Audio Commentary by Jorge R. Gutierrez
• Gallery

Here's all you need to do to enter:

'Like' the Josie's Juice Facebook page

- Follow me on Instagram and Twitter if you are on the social media platforms. Also, share Sydney Italian Wine + Food Festival prize photo on @josiegags on Instagram by taking a screenshot of it, then using these hashtags: #regram #josiesjuice #competitions #giveaways #prizes #TheBookOfLife and this handle @josiegags

- Share this link on your Facebook wall

- Comment below on why you'd like to win this prize AND email me at josiegags@optusnet.com.au so I can contact you in case you are a winner. If you don't enter a valid email address I spend lots of time trying to track you down, or simply give the prize to the next person - not fun for anyone! *Let me know if you'd like Blu-ray or DVD.

(If you find it hard to comment below because your device won't let you - sometimes that happens on an iPhone, for example - simply send me your entry and mailing address via email at josiegags@optusnet.com.au).

*Competition is open to Australian residents only.

100 Movies Dance Scenes Mashup - Mark Ronson 'Uptown Funk' ft.Bruno Mars - VIDEO

That's not much to say except... watch this.

The mashup to end them all, 100 movie dance scenes, all set to the Bruno Mars/Mark Ronson song 'Uptown Funk'.

Uploaded over a week ago (I have seen this on my feed so many times, and meant to post for you all!), it's now at over five million views:

The Emmys 2015: Red Carpet PHOTOS

The Emmys are being televised right now - in Australia, on Foxtel's Fox8 channel - and you KNOWit's all about the fashion. And the awards, okay, okay.

Here are some of the best (all photos, Getty Images):

Jackie Collins: Josie's Juice Tribute PHOTOS, 2013 Sydney Book Launch

Two years ago, Jackie Collins came to Sydney, to celebrate the launch for her book 'Confessions of a Wild Child'.

New Idea magazine threw her a fun party, with each guest receiving an autographed copy of her book, with Channel 7's Andrew O’Keefe emceeing the fantastic event.

I was privileged to be invited to the event, held at The Star. It was October 2013, summer was in the air, and it was an absolutely perfect evening, with the party going well into the night.

There were several vivid memories from the night I am recalling, now that the iconic, world renowned author has died, age 77. Sadly, Jackie Collins died today, September 20 - it was revealed (after her death) that she'd been battling breast cancer.

The first thing I recall is that, for all her fame and huge popularity, she was one of the most gracious celebrities I have ever met. 

She spent twenty minutes chatting with my guest and I, talking candidly about her life and her book characters and who they were inspired by (definitely by people she knew), and I willingly told her that she had given me a crash course in sex ed, as I read one of her most famous books - 'The World Is Full Of Married Men' - at the age of 18, and I couldn't get enough.

I am sure she has heard a similar story countless times, but she listened intently as if it was the first time she'd heard it. She had a genuine ability to allow you to feel like you were the most important person talking to her in that room, in that moment.

And, she really did blow me away with her writing. She wrote explicitly about 'fucking' and illicit affairs and blow jobs like nobody's business, and you can imagine that as an 18 year old discovering, well, life, it was intoxicating to immerse myself into the sexy world of Jackie Collins characters. She truly was like nobody else, and I truly felt like I was (in my very vivid imagination) living that erotic life. I was hooked.

As were millions around the world.

In the 'Studio 10' TV interviews (quite possibly her last televised interview - click here for that link) she revealed that she was in the process of writing her memoirs. And it was going to be a very juicy read. How could it not be? Ms Collins knew everyone of importance in Hollywood, which she openly admitted was the inspiration behind her so bad they were good book characters. She'd lived a very, very full life and was front and centre of the inner workings of Hollywood.

Here are my now-treasured photos of Jackie on this very special night in Sydney (read more about Jackie below).

 

Jackie wrote 32 novels, starting with the aforementioned 'The World is Full of Married Men', which was actually published in 1968.

The novel was branded by fellow pulp author Barbara Cartland as "nasty, filthy and disgusting". It also introduced us to the Santangelos - I recall seeing the telemovies in the 1990s and was so blown away by the characters coming to life. Plus, the actor who played 'Gino' (Vincent Irizarry) was the most handsome man I'd ever seen on screen.

Says Jackie herself about the mini-series:

"I have made two NBC mini-series about The Santangelos, which I wrote and executive produced. What fun! What a trip! I love making movies of my books and watching the characters come alive.

The first mini-series was Lucky/Chances — a combination of the two books ‘Lucky’ and ‘Chances’. We shot in and around L.A. and everyday was a new set up, creating L.A. back in the 30’s all the way to the 80’s. I was happy to be working with actors and a crew who knew exactly what they were doing.

The very beautiful Nicolette Sheridan played Lucky in a dark wig, and I thought she did a great job. Gino was played by the charismatic and undeniably handsome Vincent Irizarry. He did an amazing job of aging almost 30 years!

And the love of Gino’s life, the lovely Maria, was played with style and grace by a very young Sandra Bullock.

Shooting the movie was great fun. I was on the set from the moment we started in the morning to the moment we wrapped.

Lucky/Chances was a ratings winner, so I followed it with the mini-series of ‘Lucky Boss’. This time Kim Delaney played Lucky. She had the character down and was a pleasure to work with.

I have six more Santangelo novels I would love to bring to life (and I hope to do so one day). In the meantime, keep on reading.

The Santangelo’s live on!"

Jackie Collins' website claims there are 500 million copies of her books in print.

Estimates of her personal wealth range between $US100 million and $US180 million.

Despite her illness, Collins appears to have maintained the illusion that it was business as usual until the very end.

People reported that Jackie had deliberately kept her illness largely private, and less than a week ago she invited the magazine into her Beverly Hills home for an interview to promote her latest book.

And as recent as September 16, Hello magazine was there for a tour of her mansion.

"Welcome to the house that Hollywood Wives built," she told Hello, making reference to her bestselling 1983 novel.

Says the family statement released by the Collins family - actress sister Joan Collins has been in the spotlight as long as she has - today:

Jackie Collins

Family Statement:

It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the death of our beautiful, dynamic and one of a kind mother, Jackie Collins, who died of breast cancer today. She lived a wonderfully full life and was adored by her family, friends and the millions of readers who she has been entertaining for over four decades. She was a true inspiration, a trail blazer for women in fiction and a creative force. She will live on through her characters but we already miss her beyond words.

For inquiries re services and donations:

For USA
Services will be held privately for family. In lieu of flowers please send a donation to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Organization.

For UK
Services will be held privately for family. In lieu of flowers please send a donation to Penny Brohn Cancer Care.

Jackie Collins 'Studio 10' Interview VIDEOS

This most recent interview of deceased author Jackie Collins, quite possibly her last, with Australia's 'Studio 10', is one of the best, most comprehensive I have seen of her. Conducted by Angela Bishop, and screening only a month ago, I was utterly fascinated by this woman's life, her writing ethos (handwritten! And in various rooms of her house, depending on her mood), and the fact that she revealed she was writing her memoirs... a book on HER story, her life.

Here are the two parts of the whole interview:





See the Josie's Juice tribute - with photos from the Sydney book launch in her honour - right here.

Adam Goodes: Announces Retirement From AFL

In sport news just in, Adam Goodes, 35, has announced his retirement from AFL.

It came after the team he plays for, Sydney Swans, suffered a loss to North Melbourne at ANZ Stadium.

The dual Brownlow Medallist told his teammates of his decision following the Swans' 26-point semi-final loss to North Melbourne.

He will finish as Sydney's all-time games leader on 372, making him eighth on the competition's all-time list, he kicked 2.2 and tallied 18 disposals and 10 marks in his last game.

'The Bachelor' Australia 2016 Apply Now - Season 4

Yes.

You can apply NOW for season four of 'The Bachelor', to screen in 2016.

Yep, it will be season four. Season one: Tim Robards. Season two: Blake Garvey. Season three: Sam Wood. Season four... YOU.

CLICK RIGHT HERE TO APPLY NOW.