How many of you remember watching the original 1988 Beaches with Bette Midler, Barbara Hershey and introducing Big Bang Theory’s Mayim Bialik as the adorably talented spunky younger ‘Ceece Bloom’ (Bette Midler’s character)? I laughed and sobbed along with that movie and sang at the top of my lungs to the amazing soundtrack so much, that ultimately I had to replace my VHS and cassette for the DVD and CD. Well, guess what?! Lions Gate created a modernized re-boot, starring the MEGA-incredible Tony Award® winner Idina Menzel and NAACP Image Award Winner Nia Long. Now we get to relive our favorite powerful story of lifelong friendship in an all-new remake of the classic movie when Beaches arrives on DVD at Walmart on May 9 from Lionsgate.
Normally, I am very skeptical of any remake, re-boot or copycat movie. Especially of any of my beloved stories! But in this case, I am willing to make an exception with Idina Menzel. What do you think of the new version of the Grammy Award® winning song, “Wind Beneath My Wings”? Bette Midler is a uniquely talented performer, and finding ANYONE who can adequately take on any of her songs or movie roles is near impossible.
I fell in love with the multi-talented Idina Menzel, the first time I came across her in 2010 on the tv show ‘Glee’. Her complex role required such depth that along with her daughter/character, I loved her, then hated her, then ultimately she won me over again. I was so intrigued with the actress that I did a little research and was amazed to learn of her extremely successful Broadway career!! Click here to learn more about Idina Menzel Then, of course, Disney’s Frozen emerged in 2013 and the entire world was introduced to the phenomenal Ms. Menzel as Elsa. So, of course, naturally who else could handle Diva Bette Midler’s role?
So, for those of you not familiar with one of my favorite movies: Beaches is the story of two very different women who share an unexpected friendship that, even with its ups and downs, lasts for decades.
In this contemporary remake, Beaches (TV-14) follows the serendipitous meeting of two young girls on the Venice Beach Boardwalk. Although worlds apart in lifestyle, they embark on an unexpected and lifelong friendship. CC (Idina Menzel) is an aspiring singer trying to make it in Los Angeles when she is discovered by a director who gives her her first big shot. Meanwhile, Hillary (Nia Long), the daughter of a prominent civil rights lawyer, struggles to find her own destiny.
This new version of the 1988 film includes performances by Menzel of iconic songs from the original movie such as “Wind Beneath My Wings” and “The Glory of Love,” in addition to Menzel’s new original song, “Last Time.” Beaches arrives on DVD at Walmart for the suggested retail price of $14.98.
CAST
- Idina Menzel/CC – Frozen, Enchanted, Rent
- Nia Long/Hillary – The Best Man Holiday, Big Momma’s House, Friday
- Gabriella Pizzolo/Young CC – Broadway Kids Against Bullying, BrainDead
- Grace Capeless/Young Hillary – Frozen: Fever
© 2017 Lions Gate Entertainment Inc.