Author: Francine Brokaw

Once Upon a Story Lilo Doll

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Lilo devotees finally have a new doll to love. The new Disney Once Upon a Story Lilo is now available and she is adorable.

Lilo stands 16 inches high and wears her traditional red dress with large white (or cream in this instance) hibiscus leaves. Her blue sandals are removable. She has a brown  bead bracelet on her left ankle which can removed but I highly recommend keeping it on.

Lilo has a beautiful lei of pink and yellow flowers nestled in green leaves, and  a yellow plumeria hair clip on her right side above her ear. In Hawaii, wearing the flower on the right side designates a single woman, whereas wearing it on the left designates a married woman. And Lilo is way too young to be married!

Besides the tropical attire, her face is what will melt hearts – young and old. Lilo has big expressive reflective eyes and a sweet smile. The eyes on these dolls are amazing. They’re beautiful and full of character. Unlike other dolls, they actually look 3D. Lilo looks like she wants a big Aloha hug. And that is exactly what she will get from anyone who sees her. 

The attention to detail is remarkable. Her dress has faint sparkles that shine when light strikes it at certain angles. And her sandals have incorporated light blue plumeria flowers on the sides. While the sandals can be removed, when she wears them she is able to stand on a hard surface unassisted. 

A plastic hair comb (Disney calls it a hairbrush) comes along with her. It is red and decorated with red plumeria flowers with Scrump’s head right in the middle. The teeth of the comb are thick and wide, however I do not recommend too much combing of her long black hair as it does tend to come out a bit and unfortunately, she cannot grow it back. But very gentle combing is fine.

Lilo is posable too. Her head can swivel and can be angled. Her legs can bend and her arms can go up and down, for creativity and fun – and that all important hug.

While Stitch and Angel dolls and plush are abundant, there are few items with Lilo, to the disappointment of her fans. After all, there wouldn’t be a Stitch without Lilo. 

The Once Upon a Story doll collection first appeared last year in August 2025. It is the successor to the Animator’ Collection. There are several other 16 inch dolls in this collection as well as mini-doll sets, figurines, and play sets. 

The new Once Upon a Story Lilo doll is a treasure. Her presentation in the box makes her a great gift for Lilo lovers, doll lovers, and Disney fans. 

And, one final detail. The back of the box has a little story about Lilo. It reads:

There was a little girl named Lilo who had a big imagination and loved to daydream on her island of the stellar things she’d do someday. Her dreams shone brighter than all the stars in the galaxy. She imagined running an ice ream stand on the beach and selling scoops of out-of-this-world flavors, from mint chocolate chip to cosmic blue raspberry. Or she could become a surf champ with her big sister, Nani, catching waves so high they could reach the moon. Or perhaps she’d open a pet café, where she and all the dogs  – even the talking ones – could play together as one cute and fluffy ‘ohana. Oh yes, she had many dreams!

Do I recommend her? Absolutely. This Lilo is a great addition to any Ohana.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 35 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites.

Note: This product was sent to me for an honest review with no expectations.

 

Wonder Project’s September 2026 streaming movies for the whole family

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Wonder Project, an add-on to Prime Video, offers a wide selection of movies and series for the whole family to stream. 

Check out the list of the newest additions to the channel beginning September 1, 2026.

KIDS & FAMILY CONTENT

  • Invincible
  • Like Mike
  • Shaun The Sheep
  • Spirit: Stallion of Cimarron
  • The Land Before Time
  • Veggietales: Dave and the Giant Pickle 
  • Veggietales: Esther… The Girl Who Became Queen 
  • Veggietales: Josh and the Big Wall 
  • Veggietales: Larry-Boy! And the Rumor Weed 
  • Veggietales: Ultimate Silly Song Countdown

FAN-FAVORITE FILMS

  • American Underdog
  • Mr. Holland’s Opus
  • My Boy Jack
  • Queen of Katwe
  • Spare Parts
  • That Thing You Do!
  • The Man from Snowy River
  • Tyler Perry’s Meet The Browns

The streaming channel offers many faith-based films, children’s programming, family films, comedies, dramas, and adventure movies as well as TV series and originals.

Besides the newest additions, there are many other films that have been available and are still available.*

There is a 7-day free trial, and if you decide to add this streaming channel to Prime Video, the monthly charge is $8.99 (plus tax). The cost for a yearly subscription is $89.99 (plus tax), which is a saving of almost $30 over the monthly subscription.

All the movies are ad-free. There are TV-edited version of movies and Wonder Project also produces exclusive content.

To find out more about this streaming channel, check out their website.

Do I recommend it? Yes. I really like it and think it is a great channel for families.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 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 is a long-standing member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

*Note: One of my personal favorites is Buffalo Kids.

Damn, Man Snacks Gourmet Assorted Nut Box

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Damn, Man Snacks Gourmet Assorted Nut Box is the perfect hostess gift or holiday gift, or even just an item for anyone who loves nuts. The box contains six individual 4 oz. packets, each with a different flavor. 

Mexican Cocoa Peanuts is for anyone who loves spicy things! Yep, they are super spicy with a unique flavor.

Honey Sea Salt Almonds is more of a delicate flavor. These almonds are absolutely delicious, with a hint of salt and sweetness.

Coconut Curry Peanuts have a rather exotic flavor. I cannot taste the coconut as much as the curry.

Salted Cashews are your typical cashews with a light dusting of salt.

Thai Chili Peanuts are sweet and spicy at the same time

Tap Room Mix is a combination of sweet and salty tidbits. This is my personal favorite of the bunch. It’s the typical pub mixture. 

Nuts are a good source of protein with minimum carbs. These packs are great for on-the-go snacks.


The box is a nice presentation and with the holidays just around the corner, it is a thoughtful gift. And let’s not forget about football season. Yes, it’s that time of year when people gather to munch on snacks while watching the game. With this assortment, there is a taste for almost everyone.

Check their website for other snacks and gifts. They even have an option to create your own box by selecting four or six of their 17 flavors. Plus they have meats and cheeses which are perfect for seasonal gifts.

Although the company professes their snacks are “manly,” they are just as “womanly” too!

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites.

Note: This product was sent to me for an honest review with no expectations.

Meet Doozie, Gabby’s little sister

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Fans of the Netflix series Gabby’s Dollhouse will be excited when the series returns September 14, 2026 for the 14th season. And there is a new addition. Gabby’s little sister Doozie is sure to delight viewers.

While Gabby, as we all know, loves cats, Doozie is more of a dog girl.

Things are about to get pup-tastic! The dollhouse is filled with double the paws as Gabby’s little sister Doozie and her best puppy pal Puggie arrive for their first-ever cat and dog playdate.  From a dog ear unboxing to a cat-tastic kitchen collaboration with Cakey and CreamPup, Gabby and Doozie know that sisters are better together.

With all the fun off Gabby and her friends, this season looks to be even more fun with the addition of Doozie.

 

-Francine Brokaw

image supplied courtesy Netflix

New food at Downtown Disney – Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Do you remember when almost all you could get at Disneyland was Pizza, Hamburgers, and Hot Dogs? Well, times have changed. There are many great restaurants in the parks and the Downtown Disney District.

Downtown Disney is growing all the time and adding several high-end restaurants. Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby is the newest addition where guests can dine on plenty of British-style foods.

This all-new restaurant concept at the Downtown Disney District brings the energy of the swinging ‘60s inspired by the famous Carnaby Street in London combined with Chef Ramsay’s iconic British dishes.

Some of the offerings include fish and chips as well as sticky toffee pudding.

So much for pizza, hamburgers, and hot dogs. There are some flavorful options now available throughout the resort, and Gordon Ramsay at the Carnaby is the newest place for a dining experience.

<strong>About the Author</strong>

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry, travel, and products for over 30 years.  She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites.

 

photo credit – Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort

 

You can now watch ‘Minions and Monsters’ at home

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The latest film featuring those adorable, well-meaning, yellow fellows, aka the Minions, is now available to watch digitally and will be on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD beginning September 6, 2026. Minions and Monsters has all the fun, antics, and sweet moments the Minions are known for.

The background of these little guys is explained. They have been around for centuries, wandering the globe looking for a villain to serve. Throughout time they had a variety of villain bosses, and then, in the 1920s, they accidentally became Hollywood’s biggest stars. You read correctly. 

Actually, James and Henry became Hollywood legends. Along with their friend Ed, they turned the movie industry inside out, or upside down. They appeared in several silent films and stole the hearts of movie goers everywhere.

When sound came in, well, as in the classic film Singing in the Rain, they became obsolete due to their voices and lack of speaking skills. Banished from Hollywood as “has beens,” they left but soon had a new vision, thanks to James and Henry.

They decided to make their own movie where they would take on monsters. So how and where would they get these monsters? They found a book of spells and conjured up some vicious guys.

Lo and behold, while their escapades were playing out escaping the wrath of the evil characters, James was recording all of their trials and tribulations. Voila – an instant hit.

The idea began with Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri. “Chris called me with the idea of a Minions movie about the Minions trying to make a monster movie,” Coffin says. “I loved it right away because it felt very funny and very true to them. The Minions are always trying to serve someone else’s dream, but this gave us a way to let them discover one of their own. We immediately thought that setting it in the 1920s made sense because cinema was still being invented. It was a world of instinct and physical comedy, which felt like the perfect place for the Minions to end up.”

While the movie is intended for younger viewers and hard-core fans of the Minions, there are plenty of aspects that others will enjoy. There are many references and nods to famous classic films, scenes, and actors. And George Lucas even makes a cameo. 

Make sure to watch as the ending credits roll. It’s there where James and Henry use their spell book to conjure up some of the characters we all know and love, like Gru and Agnes.

Besides this fun animated film, there are plenty of bonus features. Kids can learn how to draw Minions James, Henry, and Ed, as well as several other characters in the film. They can also learn how to make their own Irene Blob Monster Slime (parental supervisions is required). And making their own Minions-style flip-book is another activity as a bonus.

“Minions take on Hollywood” is a little featurette that explains how this movie looks at the industry and how it changed with the advent of sound. It also looks at not only the history of cinema, but also the history of the country at that time, with brief nods to the suffragette movement and prohibition.

A feature about the casting of the movie, which includes Allison Janney, Jeff Bridges, and others is also among the bonuses.

And a featurette titled “Hollywood Sound” delves into the music which always adds depth and dimension to films. Composer John Powell says the film is “A love letter to Hollywood and its Golden Age.” And he reflected that in his music.

Hooray for Hollywood. Join the Minions in Tinseltown.

Minions & Monsters is now on Digital. It is rated PG for violence/action, language and rude/macabre humor.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 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 is a long-standing member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

All images provided courtesy Universal/Illuminations

‘Disheartened’ by A.L. Waddington book review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


The second book in “The Spirit Quest Series,” Disheartened, continues the story of Sidney, a medical student in 2020 who is also a wife and mother in 1860. This series delves into the EVE phenomenon, the inherited ability to live two lives simultaneously.

EVE stands for Essence Voyager Era. Sidney is not the only one in her family “gifted” with this. Those with EVE understand that they live in two centuries at the same time, and that their relationships to each other are different in each time period. 

The two time periods in this book are similar in many aspects. In the 2020 time period, Covid, ala The China Virus, is just appearing, social unrest is rocking the country, Washington, D.C. is experiencing a major chasm between the two political parties, and lifestyles and ideas are being put to the test.

In 1860 the Civil War is about to begin, but only those with EVE truly understand what is about to happen. The southern states are going to secede, families will be forced to take sides, and the fabric of the country will be torn, much like it is being torn in 2020. 

“I hate feeling like a helpless witness to the destruction of our country,”* the 1860 Sidney says. But that statement is the same in 2020. 

Readers who have read the previous book (check out our review of  Transcendence) will understand how EVE works and that those with it actually live their lives in the two different times. They know that they are living two lives, which sometimes makes it frustrating for them, but that is their “gift.”

To help with what could be confusing, the author has included an Appendix at the end of the book listing the characters and their relationships. There are many people mentioned in the book and being able to refer to the Appendix is helpful.

A.L. Waddington has a grasp of history that comes through in the pages. She is able to tell two stories combined in one while shifting back and forth. Each chapter is titled with the date to keep readers on track. 

Disheartened makes a statement about how the country has experienced and is experiencing a tumultuous time when upheaval runs rampant. In that sense 1860 and 2020 (and the current year in the story) are very much the same. Seeing the similarities between the two times is, as the book refers to, is troubling and disheartening, with the book aptly titled Disheartened.

This is an interesting story that will capture the attention of readers. It is an entertaining fantasy book with some very interesting characters and situations, in both time frames.

  • Disheartened by A.L. Waddington 
  • Publisher  :  Scarlett Ink Publishing
  • Publication date  :  March 6, 2026
  • ISBN-10  :  1948143305
  • ISBN-13  :  978-1948143301

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites.

*p. 64

‘The Brink of War’ takes viewers back to the Cold War

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

At the height of the Cold War, Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev met to discuss warming the relations between the United States and the Soviet Union. These tense talks took place in Iceland. The Brink of War is about these negotiations and how the outcome led to the eventual end of the Soviet Union.

Jeff Daniels is Ronald Reagan and plays him with sincerity to keep the world from destroying itself. Jared Harris is Mikhail Gorbachev who is focused on stopping Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative, aka SDI, aka Star Wars. And J.K. Simmons is George Shultz, the Secretary of State and closest advisor to President Reagan.

As viewers watch the psychological effects the talks have on the two leaders, they will hopefully understand how close the world came to destruction. 

The reduction of nuclear weapons was at the top of the agenda. Then President Reagan submitted the idea of complete nuclear disarmament. How would it be if every nuclear weapon was dismantled and there was no more threat of nuclear war? What an amazing idea and something the leaders worked toward. But the SDI was the sticking point for Gorbachev.

Also, how would these two leaders convince their mutual allies to give up their nuclear capabilities and, for that matter, how would they feel if their allies – America and Russia – were no longer able to protect them with their nuclear weapons. It was a brilliant idea, but how could it be implemented?

While all this plays out on the screen, the humanity of the two leaders comes into play. They were, after all, more than just the heads of the two most powerful nations in the world. They were men who had the fate of the planet in their hands.

In the end, compromises were made, understandings were forged, and even respect between the two leaders helped to ultimately warm the relations and end the threat of the Cold War that had hung over the world for decades.

The movie was filmed in the actual location where the talks took place. That dreary landscape and colorless surroundings add to the intensity of what the film portrays.

The movie is dedicated to George Shultz.

The Brink of War is rated PG for language, thematic elements, and smoking. From Angel Studios, it opened in theaters August 14, 2026.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 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 is a long-standing member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

‘Aussie at Heart’ is a traditional Hallmark feel-good story

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Aussie at Heart stars Samara Hart (Rhiannon Fish) who was a high powered attorney in Seattle. She left to pursue her dream of being an event planner.

Nate Lawson (Daniel Lissing) was also a high-powered attorney at the same law firm but left to return to Australia to help his ailing father and brother run their boat charter service.

When Samara’s best friend Lana hires her to plan the her parents 40th anniversary party, she is delighted. The catch is it is in Queensland, Australia. It has to be. That is where her parents met and fell in love.

Samara takes off to the land down under and is immediately met by Nate, the captain of the boat where all the festivities will take place. Their history is confused. They were friend back in the day, but the final case they had together turned out badly. Very badly. That was the end of her career with the firm and the beginning of her dream job. But her father keeps pushing for her to return to law. And at the same time Nate had to take off for Australia, so they never saw each other until now.

In the beginning there are tensions between the two. After all, they each blame the other for the disastrous ending to their last case. But as the week progresses, they learn to see what actually happened and renew their friendship.

Samara is an excellent event planner, and goes the extra mile to keep her clients happy and fulfill every one of their wishes, even if that includes fireworks at the end. But those fireworks are against Nate’s safety rules, so how can she get this last request fulfilled?

As the entire group enjoys their fun-filled cruise on this beautiful boat, couples bond more closely: Lana and her husband, Lana’s parents who are reliving their past, and even Samara and Nate. But with those two there are definite walls to break and misunderstandings to clear up. Will they be able to get through these obstacles. Well, it is a Hallmark movie, after all.

Aussie at Heart premieres August 15, 2026 on Hallmark Channel and begins streaming August 18 on Hallmark+.

Grab your swimming suits and head out down under for some tropical excitement.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 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 is a long-standing member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

‘Emily the Strange’ 25th Anniversary Edition

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Emily the Strange is a pop icon. Created by Rob Reger, this character has been catching the imaginations of young and old.

Who is Emily the Strange? That’s interesting. She is a different girl. She sees the world in a strange way. She is witty, gritty, and has a strong sense of self. 

She has been compared by some to Wednesday from The Addams Family. This teen is moody and sullen. She is not a ray of sunshine. She is typically goth.

With her four black kittens, her life is not conventional. She sees the world differently than many teens, although teens are usually a little different. They are moody and sullen, much like Emily. Actually, many are just like Emily.

This anniversary edition is a fun way for fans of Emily the Strange to keep her close. For people who remember their rebellious stage, it will bring back feelings and memories. For teens experiencing the world today, this is a cute little tale of one girl who is making her way through the drudge of life.

Emily has a fiery spirit and a message to others: Be your own hero.

“At this point, I know there are millions of Emily the Strange fans and each has a unique, often personal reason,” writes author Rob Reger. He says the cats, Emily’s goth fashion, the artwork, and Emily herself are reasons she has endured for such a long time.

There are Emily the Strange dolls, shirts, and other items. She is a very popular character. And now she is being introduced to a new generation through this anniversary edition book. 

And, Emily will soon be an animated movie. Now fans will be able to see Emily in a new way.

Emily the Strange 25th Anniversary Edition will be available August 25, 2026.

  • Emily the Strange
  • Publisher: Chronicle Books

Download your own Emily the Strange postcards here.

POSTCARDS Emily the Strange

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites.