Author: Francine Brokaw

Disney dogs are beloved animated companions

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Even if you’re a cat person, the Disney dogs will still capture your heart. Sure, there are some cute Disney cats, but let’s focus on the dogs for now.

Pluto, Mickey’s adorable orange pet first appeared in 1930. He has been a loyal companion to Mickey through the years. He is meant to be more like an animal than a talking character.

Goofy (first introduced in 1932) on the other hand, is a character in himself. He talks and walks on two legs. Goofy’s son Max came on the scene in 1992 in the TV series Goof Troop, although he appeared in the 1951 short Fathers Are People. Max later joined his dad in A Goofy Movie in 1995.

Lady and Tramp (1955) are memorable characters and who among us hasn’t thought of recreating their famous spaghetti scene? The other dogs in their movie include the Scottish Terrier Jock, Trusty the Bloodhound, Angel the little stray, and the couple’s little with Scamp taking the lead.

Pongo and Perdita are the two Dalmations (1961) who produced a fun litter. Don’t expect me to list them all. Namely there are Lucky, Patch, and Rolly.

Who among us wouldn’t adore having a nursemaid like Nana from the Peter Pan (1953) movie? 

Bolt, (2006) the TV star is fun to watch as he really believes he has the powers his character possesses. What a fun little fellow. 

Up (2009) brought several dogs to the screen but Dug is the one everyone remembers. After all, he’s loyal, loving, and adorable.

Dante befriends Miguel in Coco (2017) and even joins him in the “other” world.

Oliver and Company (1988) introduced Dodger, a sweet Jack Russell Terrier who often sported a red bandanna around his neck. And Copper befriended a little fox named Tod in The Fox and the Hound (1981), not knowing they were supposed to be enemies. 

Another dog named Max is Prince Eric’s Old English Sheepdog who became a beloved pet to Ariel when she married Eric. (2023)

Other Disney dogs who have not received much attention are Bruno (Cinderella 1950), Little Brother (Mulan 1998), Toby (The Great Mouse Detective 1986), Stella (The Princess and the Frog 2009), and Napoleon and Lafayette (The Aristocats 1970). But we cannot leave out the dog guarding the jail in Pirates of the Caribbean or Slinky Dog from the Toy Story films. Plus, there is Sultan who became a footstool in Beauty and the Beast (2017). I prefer him as a dog!

And last, but not least, is Stitch (2025) who is not actually a dog. He’s an experiment. Experiment 626 to be exact. 

With Bluey joining the Disney group, we have to add her  and her sister Bingo too.

There are countless other dogs who have made appearances in the Disney movies and TV shows, but I think this list just about covers most of them.

When you think of Disney dogs, which ones come to mind? 

About the Author

Mallory Morgan is a professional writer. She has been in the business for 20 years. Her articles and reviews have been published worldwide.

Images courtesy D23  ©Disney

‘The Musical’ is in theaters and coming to VOD

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


The new film The Musical is a dark comedy about spite, jealousy, and revenge. 

Doug Leibowitz (Will Brill) is a middle school theater teacher, a hopeful playwright, and the former boyfriend of the art teacher (Gillian Jacobs). When he discovers she is now dating the Principal (Rob Lowe), his jealousy emerges with a vengeance.

The school is scheduled to put on West Side Story and they begin working on this classic play. However, Leibowitz gets another idea. Instead of West Side Story, he enlists the students to put on his own play, which is extremely inappropriate. Nevertheless, he tells the students that they must not succumb to the powers that be. And his deep conviction is contagious. They agree to use his dark play while keeping it a secret and rehearsing in private.

With the school being considered for the prestigious Blue Ribbon award, Principal Brady is excited about the play. He thinks it will be the deciding factor with the award committee. After all, who doesn’t love a good musical?

By setting up his romantic rival to take the heat when the surprise play is shown, Leibowitz will finally get some satisfaction for Brady’s taking Abigail’s affection away from him. But he doesn’t realize he lost her a long time ago and Brady is not to blame.

Director Giselle Bonilla states in the press notes, “The Musical is what happens when we succumb to spite-fueled revenge.”

Changing West Side Story to a war musical about 9/11 is the ultimate revenge. 

In many ways, this is similar to the 2003 film School of Rock when Jack Black secretly turned his music students into a rock band. He wanted to “stick it to the man,” as they said, which is similar to the philosophy Leibowitz is imparting on his students. He also teaches them other ideas which their parents would object to. The Jack Black movie was light-hearted and funny. The Musical is very dark with a few chuckles sprinkled in.

The Musical is now playing in theaters and will be available on demand beginning October 20, 2026. It is not rated, however it is not suitable for young viewers.

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.

Sugar Plum Halloween Snack Box

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

It’s trick or treat time so why not treat yourself to a delicious selection from Sugar Plum Chocolates? The Sugar Plum Chocolates Trick or Treat Halloween Snack Shop Box is filled with a great assortment of delicacies to tickle your taste buds and satisfy your cravings.

The box contains 14 pieces, each individually wrapped for freshness and to make it easy in case you want to pass some along to someone else.

So, what do you get in side this Halloween treat box?

First, there are four white peanut butter mummy cookies with candy eyes. White chocolate fans will enjoy chomping down on these little mummies. Will you eat the head first or the body? (1 oz each)

Second, there are three milk chocolate covered graham crackers with a sweet orange drizzle creating a confection delight. (1.2 oz. each)

Next are three chocolate covered pretzels, also with orange drizzle. These are my favorite. I love the combination of salty pretzels with sweet chocolate. (0.9 0z each)

Then there is a bag full of 3D gummy eyeballs in keeping with the Halloween theme. These are a little different than the traditional gummies, but just as tasty. (3 oz bag)

For true gummy lovers, there is a bag of skull and bones gummies. (3 oz bag)

Also included is a bag of monster caramel corn decked out with bits of green icing and  yellow, orange, and brown sprinkles. Once this bag is opened, it will disappear in seconds. (3 oz bag)

And finally, what has now become my favorite slightly overtaking the pretzels in the assortment, is a bag of milk chocolate candy corn bark. This is a chocolate bark with some candy corn and candy eyes. It’s like Halloween rolled up in one treat. (3 oz)

Sugar Plum Chocolates are handcrafted in Kingston, PA. Check out their website for other offers and selections, as well as gift baskets, nuts, and more.

So now when you’re passing out those treats to all the kiddies in their ghosts and goblins costumes at your front door, you can indulge yourself with some goodies from this Halloween assortment. And, if you’re going to a Halloween party, this box makes a nice hostess gift!


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.

‘Angel and the Badman’ opens in theaters from Angel Studios

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


In 1947 John Wayne starred in the Western classic film Angel and the Badman. Then came the 2009 TV movie starring Lou Diamond Phillips. The movie has been remade for theater audiences with Zachary Levi in the starring role. It basically follows the same storyline with a few changes.

Western feature films are not common these days. Today’s audiences are not that interested in them, however when Angel Studios makes a western, it is something audiences will take note of. With Christian principles and morals guiding the story, this definitely has the Angel Studios mark.

Notorious outlaw/gunman Quirt Evans (Levi) takes refuge in the farmhouse of the Worth family, a religious family who are more than kind to the wounded man. Jean Louisa Kelly is the mother, Barrett Ellis Luca is the young son, Melissa Chambers is the grandmother, and Meg Fraser is Penny, the daughter who takes a fancy to Quirt. 

Tommy Lee Jones co-stars as the Marshall who quietly keeps his eye on Quirt in order to flush out Laredo (Neal McDonough) and his outlaw gang. With a lot of Confederate gold on the line, this gang is ruthless in their hunt for their former friend Quirt who is the last person in possession of the stolen loot. 

While Quirt recovers from his gunshot wound, the Worths provide him with a comfortable room, plenty of food, and clothes. Through the days he and Penny form a strong bond that gradually turns to affection, which is something completely new to this gunman. He has never known the kindness he is now afforded.

The family’s values are completely new to him and, with the nurturing of Penny, he realizes the wrongs he has committed. His good heart finally emerges and for possibly the first time in his life, he does something completely out of character. He puts the family’s well being above his own. 

There are plenty of shoot-em-ups in the film with some gruesome scenes. This is a gritty western threaded with religious values which, unlike many in the genre, turns a bad man into a good one. Usually in westerns, there is a strict delineation between good and bad, but this time the lines are blurred.

Filmed on location in New Mexico, Angel and the Badman takes audiences back to the days of the old west with outlaws, gunmen, and dusty locales, as Quirt takes a hard look at the man he is and the man he wants to be.

Angel and the Badman is rated PG-13 for violence/bloody images, suggestive material and language. It opens in theaters October 9, 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.

 

What to stream on Wonder Project in October

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Wonder Project is an additional subscription to Prime Video. This channel offers plenty of family-friendly shows as well as favorites for all ages. They produce many quality originals that have caught the attention of viewers and, yes, reviewers.

On a personal note: I really enjoy what they offer. I can always find something entertaining and interesting on Wonder Project.

October brings a slew of great programming for the whole family.  With programs for football fans (it’s that time again), for viewers who love faith-based shows, for those who enjoy experiencing new countries, for family nights together, and just for the kiddies, there are plenty of options.

Check out their new October additions below:

WONDER ORIGINALS

  • Leonard and Hungry Paul

  • Young Washington

 

WONDER ORIGINALS: SIGHT & SOUND

  • Oct 8: David

  • Oct 22: Samson

 

KIDS & FAMILY CONTENT

  • Balto

  • Big Miracle

  • Family Camp

  • The Sound of Music

 

FOOTBALL CLASSICS

  • My All American

  • Invincible

  • American Underdog

  • Redemption

 

FAN-FAVORITES

  • Elkhorn Season 1

  • Operation Finale

  • Sense and Sensibility

 

UNSCRIPTED SERIES

  • Wild Japan

  • Wild Thailand

  • Wild Indonesia

 

FAITH-BASED TITLES

  • Andrea Bocelli: Because I Believe

  • David and Bathsheba

  • Fireproof

  • I Still Believe

  • Joshua

  • Man of God

  • Miracles from Heaven

  • The 300 Spartans

  • The Bible

  • The Conspirator

  • The Maldonado Miracle

  • The Story of Ruth

  • War Room

  • What If God Were The Sun

     

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.

Images courtesy Wonder Project

‘The Sisters Grimm’ returns with an empathetic storyline

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The Apple TV+ animated series The Sisters Grimm is back for a second season centering on the two young descendants of the Brothers Grimm. Sisters Daphne and Sabrina have recently discovered that fairy tales and characters they grew up with are not fiction after all. 

It has been a year since their parents disappeared and the sisters desperately want them back. They are now living with their grandmother in the mystical town of Ferryport Landing. 

It’s there where they learn of their heritage and encounter the inhabitants who are well-known to them from various stories: Puck, the mischievous fairy from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the flying monkeys from The Wizard of Oz, Snow White, Rumplestiltskin, Charming (who happens to be the Mayor), Miss Muffet, Beauty and the Beast and many more. The treasury of fantasy characters makes the show fun and magical for all ages. 

This season the Grimms are tasked by Mayor Charming with uncovering a new mystery. During their investigation, these young sleuths encounter more magical obstacles which lead them into dangerous territories with some heartbreaking aspects.

Besides the magic, mystery, and mayhem, there are plenty of real world situations for the sisters. 

Daphne is excited to start in her new school but Sabrina is not so enthusiastic. Being the new kid is fraught with anxiety.

Young Daphne is more open to new things and especially eager to make new friends, which she does with great alacrity.

Sabrina, on the other hand, comes up against the “mean kids” and faces bullying by some of her classmates who do everything to make her feel unwelcome. 

Adding to that, Sabrina is beginning puberty which, as parents know, brings out angst and moodiness in even the most cheerful child. Humorously, Daphne and her young friends are concerned it is contagious. But, as we all know, it is not. It is, however, something everyone goes through so it is unavoidable. 

Watching Sabrina and her classmates enter this inevitable period is a poignant storyline, and on top of her intent to reunite with their parents, puberty adds to her temper. Her grandmother tells her, “You’re a teenager. It’s your job to be emotional.”

Sabrina learns about meditation to calm the mind and deep breathing to dispel anger and frustration. This comes in handy an actually saves their lives.

The episodes are short and with only six episodes in the season, the story is compacted while following the books as closely as possible. The series is lighter than the books, however.

While the books are darker and geared for middle school readers, the series is targeted to elementary school and above viewers.

The Sisters Grimm combines real life situations with fantasy, fun, intrigue, and real emotions. It is an imaginative and charming story. Although there are some emotional scenes, on the whole this is an entertaining series with memorable characters. There is a cliffhanger at the end of this season, which most likely insures there will be a third season next year.

Read about the first season of The Sisters Grimm.

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.

Images courtesy Apple TV

Peppa Pig’s digital short for children with hearing loss

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Hasbro’s Peppa Pig and the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) have partnered on a new video offering practical guidance for parents and caregivers on making play more inclusive for children with hearing loss.

The digital short features Mummy Pig in conversation with Dr. Ivette Cejas, a licensed psychologist and professor at the University of Miami Health System Children’s Hearing Program. The video can be found on the Muddy Puddle Parenting YouTube channel, an initiative from the Peppa Pig brand offering playful, practical and educational parenting content.

During their conversation, Mummy Pig and Dr. Cejas discuss George’s hearing loss and the challenges children may experience when play becomes busy or noisy. Dr. Cejas explains that children with hearing loss, including those with mild or single-sided hearing loss, may miss important cues during active group play and shares the simple steps you can take to help them feel more confident, connected and included.

Tips include gaining a child’s attention before speaking, reducing background noise, encouraging clear communication and giving one instruction at a time. Throughout the video, Dr. Cejas reinforces a central message: Children with hearing loss do not need separate play. They need inclusive play.

The video is the latest resource from Hasbro and HLAA’s ongoing collaboration, announced in March following the introduction of George Pig’s hearing loss storyline. The video pairs well with HLAA’s Hearing Loss 101 Toolkit, which guides parents through talking with their child about the child’s hearing loss. Together, Hasbro and HLAA are working to raise awareness of hearing health, reduce stigma and provide trusted resources for children with hearing loss and their families.

For more playful and practical parenting content, visit the Muddy Puddle Parenting YouTube channel. Watch Peppa Pig on YouTube and follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

 

‘A Second Chance Christmas’ celebrates the power of prayer and second chances


Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Candace Cameron Bure and Jonathan Scarfe star in the new holiday film A Second Chance Christmas. Bure is also an Executive Producer on the film, which brings in much of Cameron Bure’s Christian values.

Anna (Bure) is a respected chef who is also a type-A personality. She wants everything to be perfect. Her ex-husband James (Scarfe) is more laid-back. They had a disharmonious marriage and divorce and are not on the best terms. So, when their children ask for a family Christmas at their cabin in the Tennessee mountains, the two reluctantly agree. It’s for the children.

As luck would have it, unbeknownst to each other, they both arrive a day early to get some peace as well as, in Anna’s case, get the cabin festive and ready for the holiday. Being alone together is a surprise to them but they decide to form a truce to get through the holiday, then get on with their lives. 

When an ice storm then a blizzard traps them in the cabin without electricity and little to do, Anna and James begin to think about their past when they were happy together. Although they still feel their lives separately are going well, there is a little spark between them that cannot be suppressed. They have some different recollections about the past, but they still have a history together. 

With the roads blocked, they have only each other during this time until hey meet the couple living in a neighboring cabin who are delighted with their company. After all, stuck inside in a storm with no electricity and be daunting. Although Anna and James have been divorced for five years, they still present the image of a married couple.

The other couple acknowledge they too were near a divorce at one time but they prayed on their situation. Prayer was what got them through the tough times and what keeps them going now. The power of prayer is the key.

As viewers expect, and rightly so, Anna and James find their way back to each other. They have each grown in the last five years, and their feelings for each other have been rekindled. Their days in the cabin are interesting to watch, and, as always, Cameron Bure is the epitome of cuteness. Even when she’s frustrated with their situation, she is still winsome.

At the heart of the story is their faith. Not faith in each other, but faith in God.

Grab some hot chocolate – or peppermint hot chocolate as Anna famously makes – and a warm blanket while you cozy up to this sweet story.

A Second Chance Christmas streams on Great American Pure Flix on Thursday October 8, 2026 and premieres on Great American Family and GFAM+ on Saturday, October 10, 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.

IMAGES: Courtesy of Great American Media (David Astorga)

‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’ – Stream for Free

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is an annual viewing experience for families.

The story of Trick or Treating, fun fames, costumes, candy, and rocks, make the holiday a fun “treat” for all ages. And Snoopy fighting the Red Baron is just as adorable today as he was when he first took flight on his doghouse.

But the storyline of little Linus patiently waiting for the arrival of The Great Pumpkin in a simple little pumpkin patch is heartening. This little fellow believes with all his heart that The Great Pumpkin will arrive. Poor little fellow misses out on the fun of trick or treating and games while he waits alone for the arrival.

Subscribers to Apple TV can stream the show whenever they want, and the folks at Apple TV have gone one step further knowing that this is a beloved Peanuts story that has entertained generations of viewers.

Non-subscribers can stream It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown for free on October 17 and 18, 2026.

<strong>About the Author</strong>

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.

Image courtesy Apple TV