‘Special Paws’ – Book Review

Posted on August 14, 2019 by Francine Brokaw

Tracey Altman has written a sweet and inspiring book for kids with wonderful illustrations by Joseba Morales. This book was inspired by her personal story.

When she was 50 years old Tracey got her first dog. She made a list of what she wanted in a dog and went to shelters to find her beloved pet. The book is a twist on that story.

In the book the two little dogs in a shelter put together their own list of what they want in their owners. They are Boston and Hunter whose crates are next to each other. Hunter instructs Boston how to compile a list of what would make him happy in a new home. Does he want kids? Does he want a big yard or would he prefer to go on walks?

Luckily for these two adorable dogs, they find their forever homes, but many dogs are not that lucky. By instilling the desire to adopt, not shop, kids will see the benefit of finding their own special pet from a shelter.

This 38-page soft cover book is a great bedtime story. It is a sweet story and with the illustrations the tale is more than just words. And the page numbers are imprinted in little paws at the bottom of the pages, adding an additional bit of fun for readers.

There is no doubt Boston and Hunter will be taken to the hearts of many youngsters when they hear their story. It is a good book for parents to read to their children and also a good beginner book for young readers.

• Paperback: 38 pages
• Publisher: Inspired Forever Books
• ISBN-10: 1948903113
• ISBN-13: 978-1948903110

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about books, products, 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.

‘Greatest Love Songs of the ‘60s’ from TimeLife

Posted on August 14, 2019 by Francine Brokaw

They don’t make them like they used to! In the 1960s the songs had great melodies and memorable lyrics. If you’ve seen the latest infomercial from TimeLife, you know this compilation of songs is a “must have,” especially for Baby Boomers. “Greatest Love Songs of the ‘60s” is filled with songs that will bring back memories, put a smile on your face, and maybe a tear in your eyes.

When I first opened this box that was sent to me by TimeLife, I couldn’t believe all the songs included in this one set: 9 CDs and 155 songs all in one box. And to make this even better, every one of these songs are winners! They are all wonderful. I don’t know how TimeLife selects their songs, but in this case they did a fantastic job of collecting songs from a variety of singers and groups.

The Association, The Supremes, The 5^thDimension, Dusty Springfield, The Beach Boys, Dionne Warwick, Hall & Oats, Roberta Flack, Bread, and so many more artists are included. The songs range from upbeat love songs, (“Wouldn’t it be Nice,” “Georgy Girl,” “Chapel of Love”) to more soulful sounds (“Try a Little Tenderness,” “Walk on By,” “The End of the World,” “Our Day will Come”) and so many more.

It would take up too much room to list the entire playlist but take it from me they are discs you will play everywhere – in your car, while making dinner, in the evening by the fire, or just when you want to sit and relax with good music from the past that does not have profanity or hate or violence. These songs are beautiful, some are really fun and some are very tender.

The ninth CD is a collection of “Motown’s Greatest Love Songs” from Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, and others. “My Girl,” “You’re My Everything,” “Stop! In the Name of Love,” “The Tracks of my Tears,” and more make up this disc.

Also included in the box is a booklet detailing the various artists and songs.

Think about all the hours you spend in your car. Make that time go faster with these discs.

There is a deluxe version with additional discs, however I was sent the original box with the nine discs. There are plenty of hours of great music with these 155 songs, however if you do decide to upgrade to the Deluxe Edition, that includes 305 songs.

Go to the TimeLife website for more information and to order. This collection is one of the best compilations I have heard in many years.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about music, books, products, 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

Moana – Origins Series

Posted on August 11, 2019 by Francine Brokaw

Last year Disney introduced their Disney Animators’ Collection Origins Series of dolls depicting their beloved characters as babies. Their latest release is Moana, and she will make everyone smile when they set their eyes on this adorable doll.

Moana sits at nine inches high and her total height when her legs are not bent is 12 inches. She has rooted black curly hair and wears her classic island-inspired top and diapers made of faux suade. This little girl comes with her own blanket, also in an island pattern, and she has a shell rattle. Her body is soft and her arms, legs, and head are plastic and brown in color to match her stuffed polyester body.

The best part about this loveable little girl is her sweet expression. She looks exactly like the little Moana in the movie. She is curious, excited, and happy. She is definitely a doll that will be loved, hugged, and carried everywhere. Oh, and collectors will be delighted to display her either in her original box or out of the box on a shelf or even on a bed. Yes, she’s that cute.

The Disney Animators’ Collection Origins Series is designed for ages 2 and up. They are the perfect size for little hands to hold and this little one will be getting lots and lots of kisses on those adorable chubby cheeks.

With the holidays only three months away, it might be time to start thinking about your gift list. I have an idea that this little Moana will be at the top of many lists this year.

Check your local Disney Store to see if she is in stock. She is in demand and its hard to keep her on the shelves. Baby Moana can be ordered at the shopDisney website.

About the Reviewer

Disneyland’s Main Street Electrical Parade returns for a limited time

Posted on August 3, 2019August 13, 2025 by Francine Brokaw

It’s back! The Main Street Electrical Parade at Disneyland has come back for a limited time. It is an upbeat, musical, and colorful parade that will not disappoint anyone watching. This beloved parade runs nightly at 8:45 pm and 10:40 pm through September 30, 2019. If you are planning a visit to the Disneyland Resort during this time, by all means make sure you catch this wonderful experience.

To celebrate the return of this beloved parade (I don’t know why they don’t keep it forever) Disneyland streamed the first show online. In case you missed that, here are some memorable moments from The Main Street Electrical Parade. If these images don’t inspire you to visit Disneyland, I don’t know what will!

The parade begins with a colorful train with Mickey Mouse starting off the brilliantly lit floats.

Mickey is followed by an assortment of brightly lit and happy bugs that turn and move to the memorable music (that visitors won’t be able to get out of their heads for days, but it’s worth it).

Next comes Alice and the characters from Wonderland.

Following Alice is an assortment of colorful bugs.

Then Cinderella appears in her pumpkin coach.

And Tinker Bell, all lit up in green lights, arrives with several of her fairy friends.

Next Dopey drives the dwarfs mine train, followed closely by Snow White and other dwarfs in the mine.

Pinocchio and the gang follow.

Then the crowd cheers for Elliott, with Pete riding on his back. Elliott breathes smoke from his nose, making him one of the crowd favorites.

The parade wraps up with a tribute to America. This float is lit with red, white, and blue and this is where the music changes to patriotic songs.

Finally, The Main Street Electrical Parade ends with the American Eagle.

Wow, what a sight. No wonder this is one of the favorite parades ever to grace the park. With any luck and a lot of wishes, not to mention some pixie dust, perhaps they will bring it back again.

Don’t forget to make your way to Disneyland before it disappears. We don’t know when it will return.

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. Follow her on Twitter

Disney Wisdom Jiminy Cricket

Posted on July 31, 2019 by Francine Brokaw

Every third Saturday of each month during 2019, the folks at Disney release a new set in their Disney Wisdom Collection. These are different each month and include several items, each with an inspirational quote from a classic Disney film.

This month the focus is on Pinocchio. The saying from The Blue Fairy, “Always let your conscience be your guide” is something every age should follow.

The plush ($26.95) for the July release is a bright green Jiminy Cricket, complete with his tie, jacket and signature hat. This fellow has a broad smile and all his features are stitched on, so there is nothing for small hands to pull off. He is a true plush – soft and cuddly. Yes, even a cricket can be cuddly!

His bright green hat is embroidered with the phrase from the Blue Fairy, with the emphasis on the word “conscience.” The back of his coat is stitched with the Disney Wisdom patch and the words “Series 7 of 12.” This is what makes him official and unique among other plush animals.

Besides the plush Jiminy, the collection includes a bright green mug ($18.95) with the wise quote on the front and a picture of Jiminy and Figaro the cat on the back. It is a great way to start the day. Fill it with your favorite coffee or tea and you are off to a good start, keeping the words of wisdom in your mind.

Also in this collection this month is a set of three pins ($16.95): Jiminy, Figaro, and a plaque of the quote. They are all done in bright green. There is a book ($16.95) as well, with the quote on the front and blank pages so it can be filled with your own quotes, or maybe a shopping list or honey-do list. And there is a T-shirt ($26.95) for adults with the wise quote on the front. The shirt is white but the quote is emblazoned in bright green. What else?

The star of the series is definitely the plush Jiminy Cricket. He stands about 15 inches tall and is about 12 inches when sitting. Just looking at his face will make anyone smile. He is filled with love, happiness, and the whimsy that makes these characters adorable for all ages. He definitely put a smile on my face when I opened the package.

This little fellow is so darn cute and cuddly. Adults will want to display him as a collector’s item, however kids will definitely want to hug him and play with him. And he might even get the whole family singing “When You Wish Upon a Star.”

As the folks at Disney say, “Celebrate the timeless wisdom found in Disney films with our special edition Disney Wisdom Collection…Collect them all to add color to your life and revel in the everlasting wisdom taught by classic Disney films with this magical rainbow collection.”

Everything in this collection is limited so make sure you get the item or items of your choice by going to the Shop Disney website.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, 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.

‘2:Hours’ Movie Review

Posted on July 30, 2019July 30, 2019 by Francine Brokaw

2: Hours is a journey into self-discovery as a teenager learns he has only two hours left to live. The story is thought-provoking for viewers and will have everyone thinking about what they would do if they knew their date and time of death.

Tim (Harry Jarvis) is less than a stellar student. He is a graffiti artist and takes pride in defacing walls around the city. Along with his two best friends Vic (Ella-Raw Smith) and Alf (Alhaji Fofana), they ditch their High School field trip to the museum and wander around the hidden hallways, ending up in a laboratory where a press conference is being held.

This press conference introduces a new machine that can tell how long a life has left to live. It has only been tested on small creatures like spiders, but Tim decides it’s time for a human experiment so he jumps into the device and pushes the button. The machine does its job and Tim learns he has a mere two hours left to live.

The trio takes off stunned and confused. What should they do? Is the machine correct? If so, what does Tim want to do with his final hours left on earth?

They make a short bucket list and as they attempt to fulfill Tim’s wishes, things don’t go the way they want. They come up against obstacles and a duo of bumbling journalists hot on their trail for the story of their lives.

Tim has been a troubled teen since his father’s death and a frustrating son to his mother. He has also been a horrible brother to his sister Shona (Fabienne Piolini-Castle). In these final two hours Tim examines his life and learns what should have been the most important thing to him: his family.

The movie was filmed in London and, although it is a low-budget family movie, it does have some interesting and thought-provoking concepts. The idea of knowing exactly when you will die (with the exception of accidents and violence) is an intriguing thing to ponder. While we cannot all live like this is our last day, we can think about the important things in life and the things we want to accomplish, do, and see before we die.

Director D. James Newton explained, “I’m certainly not trying to tell people how they should lead their lives but it is a maxim born out of truth as well as experience that Ovid said: ‘Love is no assignment for cowards.’ Tim has to recognize this for himself and in so doing is capable of transcending any fears he might have of dying too early. And only when he does so, can he actually start to live.”

Newton said, “During his ‘journey’ he comes to realize that the most important ‘things’ in his life are his relationships and significantly, he decides to fix the broken ties he has with his younger sister, Shona – made worse since the recent death of their father.”

The actors will probably not be familiar to American audiences as this is a true British production. The movie has had mixed reviews however it is a story that is intriguing.

About the Author

Glass Glow Shinelighter – Product Review

Posted on July 23, 2019July 23, 2019 by Francine Brokaw

The new “Shinelighter” from beautyblender is a unique product. It is a clear gel that is not sticky and adds shine to your face to give you that healthy glow.

Sometimes a little shine on the upper part of your cheeks looks amazing, and that is just what this product does. It gives you that healthy shine wherever you put it. I love it on my lips. It does not get gooey or sticky and gives users that “Jennifer Lopez” look of shiny lips.

I have also tried it on my eyelids over eye shadow. That is an interesting look. As long as you don’t get it on the bottom of your eye you will have a very shiny eyelid. Placed over gold or silver eye shadow at the holiday time, this is definitely going to make you stand out. Just make sure you do not get it below your eyes or you’ll look like you’re crying. On the top lid is an impressive new look, however.

Test is on different areas of your face to see what you prefer. This is a unique item that will be in demand at the holiday time.

Beautyblender has many unique products. Check them out, and take a closer look at this Glass Glow Shinelighter. It’s something new and something you definitely do not have in your beauty drawer…yet. It adds a little sparkle to your face. And who cannot use a little extra sparkle and pizazz?

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One million and counting

Posted on July 23, 2019August 12, 2025 by Francine Brokaw

The Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge land opened in the Disneyland Resort on May 31, 2019. Less than six weeks later the one-millionth guest enjoyed the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction in the new land.

Yep, the Ridgeway family from Ocean Springs, Mississippi had the satisfaction of being the millionth riders piloting the Millennium Falcon. And what a ride it was. A special guest, Chewbacca himself joined the family on their historic journey through the galaxy.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is an immersive land that is currently the top attraction in the resort. Later this year another attraction will open to complete this 14-acre addition to the Disneyland theme park.

After their historic ride the Ridgeway family (Mom, Dad, Jonathan 8, and Logan 4) celebrated with green and blue milk (some of the traditional libations in this part of the galaxy). They went back to Mississippi with memories they will never forget and also the satisfaction that they were part of Disneyland history.

Congratulations, Ridgeways. Your trip to California was definitely out of this world.

About the Author

Photos: courtesy of Joshua Sudock/Disneyland

‘The Lion King’ Movie Review

Posted on July 11, 2019July 11, 2019 by Francine Brokaw

In 1994 audiences took one little lion cub to heart, and everyone around the world started saying “Hakuna Matata,” or “No Worries.” Now the classic animated film The Lion King is reimagined without the animation, yet it still holds all the fun and sentiment of the 1994 classic.

Following the same story, Little Simba (JD McCrary) is the heir apparent. His father Mufasa (James Earl Jones) is the king of the Pride Lands. Simba is looking forward to his time as king, but his uncle Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor) will do whatever it takes to make sure that will not happen. Scar is not happy being the “spare,” or second in line. And when Simba is born he knows he will never be king. So Scar develops a plan to get rid of his brother Mufasa and little Simba, take over the Pride Lands, and rule with an iron paw!

When his father is killed and Scar tells him he is responsible for his dad’s death, Simba runs off and finds Pumbaa (Seth Rogen) and Timon (Billy Eichner). The three of them become best friends and as Simba grows up (Donald Glover), he is happy with his new family. But one day his old friend Nala (Beyonce) runs into him and their friendship is rekindled, as Nala describes how Scar has ruined the Pride Lands.

Now it’s up to Simba, Nala, Timon, and Pumbaa to take back what was stolen from the animals and return the land to its former glory, with the natural Circle of Life.

This movie is beautifully filmed and adds a new dimension to the story without the animation we are all used to when it comes to viewing Simba. With live action and CGI, a new vision of this classic story comes to the screen in a visually stunning way. And although the original had many comical elements, this newer version is filled with many more laugh-out-loud moments (no spoiler alerts here!). This movie had the audience laughing at plenty of aspects while still touching their hearts with the sentimental story of the little lion cub. It is a pure delight from beginning to end and for those of us who are ambivalent about turning classic animated films into live action (even with CGI), it is an entertaining and endearing vision of the original story.

Going into the press screening I was eager to see if this version would be as endearing as the classic animated film. It did not disappoint me or the rest of the audience. It is a fun film with the popular characters and sentimental story we have known for over two decades. Hakuna Matata.

The Lion King is rated PG for sequences of violence and peril, and some thematic elements. It opens in theaters July 12, 2019.

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Greg Kinnear stars as “Phil”

Posted on July 1, 2019July 1, 2019 by Francine Brokaw

In his directorial debut, Greg Kinnear stars in the drama Phil. Also appearing in the film are Emily Mortimer, Jay Duplass, Taylor Schilling, Kurt Fuller, Luke Wilson, and Bradley Whitford.

Phil McGuire, DDS, is a depressed and despondent man. Although he has a thriving dental practice, his marriage is over and his life is not what he had expected it to be. He even contemplates suicide. Then, one day, Michael Fisk (Whitford) sits in his dental chair. This one dental exam changes Phil’s life forever.

Phil is enamored by Fisk, who has a great career, a wonderful marriage and family, a nice house, and the idyllic life. At least it is that way on the outside. Phil starts stalking this man to find out how someone with a perfectly happy existence lives on a day-to-day basis. But when he discovers Fisk’s suicide, Phil is more confused than ever.

Taking on the identity of a Greek friend Fisk mentioned while in his office, Phil (now aka Spiros) endears himself to the grieving widow (Mortimer) in an attempt to get inside the head of the man who had everything and threw it all away. This becomes an obsession for Phil, who also begins to take on the persona of Spiros with his likes and dislikes. He is happy as Spiros. Now all he needs to do is to find out why Fisk killed himself, and hopefully answer some of life’s questions and be happy as Phil.

As Fisk told Dr. McGuire, Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Phil is now examining not only Fisk’s life but also his own. This double life he is living is not without consequences. His dental practice goes practically down the drain because Phil has no desire to go back to his office until he follows Spiros’ journey to the end, wherever that leads.

So, the story is about life lived. Unfortunately, in the end, there is one big unanswered question for audiences. But that aside, this is an intriguing story about life, love, relationships, and what is worth living for. And audiences will examine their own lives and possibly decide to seize the moment because, as Fisk said, “Life is too short.”

Phil is rated R for some language and a violent/disturbing image. It is definitely for adults only. Phil opens in theaters July 5, 2019.

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. Follow her on Twitter