Author: Francine Brokaw

Bring home ‘Lu Over the Wall’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Lu Over the Wallis a sweet animated film that has shades of The Little Mermaidas well as Splash. This 2018 Japanese film has many cute scenes as well as several that will have viewers reaching for their tissues.

Kai is a morose middle school student whose mother left the family years ago. He is getting to the time in school when he must decide where he wants to go for high school, but Kai is only interested in his music. Everything changes for him as well as the entire town when little Lu, an adorable mermaid, enters his life.

Kai spends all his time writing songs and is asked by his classmates to join their band. The music attracts a young mermaid, Lu, to them. Her fins turn into legs and feet with the music and she loves to dance. Music is the connection between Kai and Lu, but Lu cannot be seen in the sunlight or she will burn up. She has to be completely shaded.

The folks in the little fishing village believe merpeople will eat them up. They have no understanding of these different creatures and are afraid of them. But Kai knows Lu and her family and friends will not harm anyone. As a matter of fact, when Lu encounters animals at the shelter who do not have anyone to love them and are stuck in cages, she turns them into meranimals and they are now able to play and frolic in the ocean.

All Lu wants is to be friends with everyone. She loves everyone. And as Kai and Lu’s friendship deepens, so does their bond and Kai is able to tell Lu about his life, family, and his desires. She is the one “person” to whom he can confide everything.

Soon a near fatal catastrophe comes to thevillage and the villagers blame Lu and the merpeople. Lu is captured and put in a cage. Her smile doesn’t waver. She still wants everyone to be her friends. Can Kai and his bandmates free Lu and save the town?

Once free from the cage, Lu, her father, and all the merpeople and meranimals come to the rescue of the village. Lu is a special little mermaid that will definitely touch the hearts of all viewers.

With fun toe-tapping music and a sensitive story, Lu Over the Wallhas some interesting characters, especially little Lu. The movie is rated PG for some peril and thematic elements. It is available on DVD and on Blu-ray.

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

‘Three Coins in the Fountain’ on Blu-ray from Twilight Time

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

This 1954 classic is a must-see for film lovers. Starring Dorothy McGuire, Jean Peters, and Maggie McNamara, along with Clifton Webb, Louis Jourdan, and Rossano Brazzi, Three Coins in the Fountain is a beautiful tribute to love and the eternal city of Rome. With the Academy award-winning title song (sung by Frank Sinatra), the film is among the top tier of classic romantic movies.

Anita and Maria (Peters and McNamara) work at an agency in Rome and share an apartment with Miss Frances (McGuire) who is the secretary to an acclaimed author. Unfortunately, she is in love with her boss, John Frederick Shadwell (Webb) but he doesn’t know it.

The three women are looking for love and Anita has found it with the agency’s interpreter Giorgia (Brazzi). Unfortunately for Anita, agency personnel are not allowed to date fellow employees.

And Maria, the newcomer to the group, falls for a prince. Prince Dino di Cessi (Jourdan) is a ladies man and has racked up a long list of conquests. This womanizer has no desire to settle down. But there is something special about Maria and she finally captures his heart. But will her secret tear them apart?

As the three women go about their jobs and keep their love lives on the front burner, trouble looms on the horizon, for each of them. The three couples encounter difficulties and it seems they might not have happy endings. But thanks to the glorious Fountain of Trevi, perhaps their wishes will come true.

The movie was filmed in CinemaScope, which makes it a wonderful tribute to the cities of Rome and Venice. With the title song by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn, the music and the visuals are memorable, as well as the three love stories that play out from the beginning to the end.

The story, from a novel by John H. Secondari, inspired a 1970 TV movie and another one in 1990. It was also the inspiration for the 1964 film The Pleasure Seekers that had the same storyline but took place in Madrid. But there is nothing like the original.

With this A-list cast along with a memorable score, Three Coins in the Fountain is an entertaining and enjoyable movie for the entire family that can be watched over and over again. Seeing the movie in Blu-ray is a delight for fans of the film. This is a limited edition from Twilight Time.

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

‘Ploey’ flies onto the big screen

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


The animated film Ploey features the voices of Sean Astin and John Stamos in this story of a plover chick who is left alone and endures a winter filled with danger and friendship.
When Ploey is supposed to learn to fly, the little fellow gets cold feet. He’s a timid little guy. And when he sees his father carried off by the evil falcon Shadow, his fears are raised even further.

Then, to make matters worse, little Ploey is taken by a cat and kept by a little girl in a cage. This little fellow is going through a lot. The rest of the plovers think he is dead. But from the window he sees his flock – that includes his mother and friend Ploveria – flying south for the winter. He tries to escape and when he does get out of the house, he is determined to join his mother and the rest of the flock by walking to Paradise Valley. But that is impossible.

Anyway, little Ploey meets Giron (Stamos) who befriends the chick. Spending the winter in this place is dangerous and there are evil characters at every turn. Plus, no plover has survived the cold winter here – hence their migration south. But Ploey has no choice. And finally he proves his bravery by helping Giron rid the land of the evil Shadow, thereby saving the flock from future harassment and deaths.

This is a sweet little story however some kids might be upset by the death of Ploey’s father.

The film opens in theaters on April 26, 2019. Ploey is rated PG for mild peril and rude humor.

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 Summer Fun clothing collection for families

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Summer – the time for family reunions, get-togethers, vacations, and just having a great time. Disney has a new line of summer clothes for the entire family. Everyone can show their family unity and Disney spirit with these new fashions. The Summer Fun collection is whimsical and also pretty classy!

 

For moms (sizes XS-XXL) there is a button down shift dress that can be worn as a dress or even as a cover-up over a swimsuit. For girls (sizes 2- 9/10) and girl babies (0-24 months) there is a free-flowing dress with shoulder straps that are topped off with a bow. Fathers (sizes S-XXL), boys (sizes 2-9/10), and boy babies (sizes 0-24 months) get button down shirts with patch pockets on the left chest. Pair the shirts with white, tan, blue, red, or any color slacks or shorts, and they make a fun and colorful ensemble.

Beach balls, ice cream, Mickey and Minnie, along with cacti and some other colorful items on a crisp white background combine to create a fun summer pattern.

The clothing is all 100% cotton so it will keep you cool in the hot summer. They might tend to wrinkle just a bit however I found some pressing with your hand will loosen up the wrinkles and the items will look fresh and new.

They all have a white background with chambray pockets. The girls’ dresses have white lining, chambray straps, and a chambray hem.  The material is soft to the touch, and since the design is not embroidered there are not rough areas inside the dresses or shirts to irritate sensitive skin. The dress for babies comes with a matching diaper cover, so everyone will be well dressed this summer.

If the entire family isn’t into matching outfits, perhaps you will simply want to dress the kids in matching clothing. Or mothers and daughters are adorable when they wear matching outfits. There are plenty of options with this new line of clothing. Maybe fathers or mothers might want to dress like their sons or daughters for a special event at the office.

Are you planning a Disney cruise or a trip to Disneyland or Walt Disney World? Definitely take these items along. Show your family unity and your whimsical Disney side with the Summer Fun collection.

The Mickey and Minnie Mouse Summer Fun dress for girls lists for $29.95, the shirt for boys lists for $22.95, the dress for babies lists for $24.95, the shirt for boys lists for $19.95, the dress for women lists for $49.95, and the shirt for men lists for $39.95. They are available at the shopDisney website. Don’t wait. Get yours while they have your sizes and before they are all gone.

 

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

New Plush to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the classic film ‘UP’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

It is hard to believe that Carl, Ellie, Russell, Kevin, and Dug have been part of our lives for ten years. In 2009 the animated Disney film UP was released to rave reviews and the story touched the hearts of audiences of all ages.

Carl and Ellie

While we have seen so many royal animated love stories with the Disney princesses, the love story of Ellie and Carl is perhaps the most heartwarming of them all. To think that animated characters can bring tears to our eyes and deeply touch our hearts is a tribute to the storytelling and this beautiful movie about love and family.

Carl and Ellie are, for many of us, the most iconic animated characters in love. Their story reminds us that deep and abiding love between two people is what carries us through life. The devotion between these two is unbroken from the first time they met as little kids. Their love bound them together long after Ellie’s death, and her final wish was that Carl would continue to enjoy life without her. How sweet and sensitive is that? It proves the love they shared is timeless.

Russell

Russell is an adorable and eager young boy. Yes, he is a little overweight, but he has no father to help inspire him. His mother loves him, but Russell definitely misses having his father around to show him the ways of being a Wilderness Explorer. The wilderness must be explored! While his father is off with his new family, Russell is trying hard to connect with him, to no avail.

This adorable little scout is anxious to get his last badge so he can advance in the troop. All he needs is to assist an elderly person. This poor little fellow picks grumpy Carl Frederickson.

To escape from being sent to a nursing home, Carl sails his house down to South America with the help of helium balloons. Unbeknownst to him, Russell accidentally is on his porch. Carl tries to send the little boy back home, but things get out of hand and the two of them find themselves on an adventure in South America near the spot where Ellie always wanted to go.

Russell is still intent on helping Carl to get his “helping the elderly” badge so they try their best to move the house to Paradise Falls, where Ellie had envisioned putting her house. Carl is still following Ellie’s dreams.

So, in the end it is Russell that adds meaning again in Carl’s life. He is following the wishes of his beloved Ellie and continuing his own adventures. This time he is with this young boy and is happier than he has been since Ellie’s passing. By mentoring Russell, Carl has found a purpose again.

Kevin and Dug

Dug is one of a pack of “talking” dogs under the control of Charles Muntz, the explorer that Ellie and Carl always admired. Muntz turns out to be hunting Kevin and with the help of Dug, Russell and Carl manage to save her and return her to her babies.

 

Disney is celebrating the 10thanniversary of this loveable film with new plush characters. Fans of the movie will definitely want at least one of the soft, huggable plush characters, if not all of them. They make a great setting on a bookshelf. And every time you look at them, you will remember the fun, smiles, and tears in this instant classic. Unfortunately, there is no Ellie plush, however, putting Carl with Russell and Dug and Kevin tells the story of this foursome and how they bonded through love and caring.

Carl is a fun plush old man with his tennis ball anchored cane and his hearing aid in his right ear. His bushy eyebrows and his pants belted up high on his chest portray this man to the fullest. And like he is in most of the film, Carl sports a kind of grumpy attitude with a bothered expression reminding us that he still misses his beloved Ellie. Carl stands approximately fifteen inches high. He is fun to stand on a table and is definitely a conversation starter!

 

Russell is also fifteen inches from his feet to the top of his cap. He wears his Wilderness Explorer uniform proudly with all his badges – except the Assisting the Elderly Badge. He has yet to earn that one. Russell’s wide smile with sparkling white teeth portray his eagerness to help others and explore the wilderness.

 

 

Dug is adorable with his floppy tongue and happy smile. Dug wears his collar that lets him “talk.” This plush does not actually talk, but kids will enjoy talking for him. He is a huggable dog and sits eleven inches high.

 

 

Kevin is colorful, just like her on-screen character. She stands approximately fifteen inches high and has wiring in her legs and her neck so she can be posed.

 

Russell cannot stand on his own however Dug does sit by himself and with a little maneuvering Carl can stand on his own. Kevin’s legs can be adjusted to make her stand on her own. The characters are hand washable with a soft damp cloth when needed. They each list for $19.95.

Happy 10thanniversary to Up. Adventure is out there! Celebrate with these fun new plush characters!

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

The 10th anniversary of the classic film ‘UP’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


It is hard to believe that Carl, Ellie, Russell, Kevin, and Dug have been part of our lives for ten years. In 2009 the animated Disney film UP was released to rave reviews and the story touched the hearts of audiences of all ages.

Carl and Ellie

While we have seen so many royal animated love stories with the Disney princesses, the love story of Ellie and Carl is perhaps the most heartwarming of them all. To think that animated characters can bring tears to our eyes and deeply touch our hearts is a tribute to the storytelling and this beautiful movie about love and family.

Carl and Ellie are, for many of us, the most iconic animated characters in love. Their story reminds us that deep and abiding love between two people is what carries us through life. The devotion between these two is unbroken from the first time they met as little kids. Their love bound them together long after Ellie’s death, and her final wish was that Carl would continue to enjoy life without her. How sweet and sensitive is that? It proves the love they shared is timeless.

Russell

Russell is an adorable and eager young boy. Yes, he is a little overweight, but he has no father to help inspire him. His mother loves him, but Russell definitely misses having his father around to show him the ways of being a Wilderness Explorer. The wilderness must be explored! While his father is off with his new family, Russell is trying hard to connect with him, to no avail.

This adorable little scout is anxious to get his last badge so he can advance in the troop. All he needs is to assist an elderly person. This poor little fellow picks grumpy Carl Frederickson.

Carl and Russell

To escape from being sent to a nursing home, Carl sails his house down to South America with the help of helium balloons. Unbeknownst to him, Russell accidentally is on his porch. Carl tries to send the little boy back home, but things get out of hand and the two of them find themselves on an adventure in South America near the spot where Ellie always wanted to go.

Russell is still intent on helping Carl to get his “helping the elderly” badge so they try their best to move the house to Paradise Falls, where Ellie had envisioned putting her house. Carl is still following Ellie’s dreams.

Kevin

Kevin is a beautiful and very colorful giant bird that discovers this unlikely duo. Russell names him Kevin however the bird, it turns out, is a girl. It is Russell’s friendship with Kevin that spurs on the boy and when the three of them run into trouble, it is Kevin who is at the center of it all.

Personal note: We had a bird and didn’t know if it was a male or female so we named it Kevin.

Dug

Dug is one of a pack of “talking” dogs under the control of Charles Muntz, the explorer that Ellie and Carl always admired. Muntz turns out to be hunting Kevin and with the help of Dug, Russell and Carl manage to save her and return her to her babies.

Russell and Carl

So, in the end it is Russell that adds meaning again in Carl’s life. He is following the wishes of his beloved Ellie and continuing his own adventures. This time he is with this young boy and is happier than he has been since Ellie’s passing. By mentoring Russell, Carl has found a purpose again.

“Adventure is out there,” and Carl, Ellie and Russell have all found it in their own ways.

Disney is celebrating the 10thanniversary of this loveable film with new plush characters. Fans of the movie will definitely want at least one of the soft, huggable plush characters, if not all of them. They make a great setting on a bookshelf. And every time you look at them, you will remember the fun, smiles, and tears in this instant classic. Unfortunately, there is no Ellie plush, however, putting Carl with Russell and Dug and Kevin tells the story of this foursome and how they bonded through love and caring.

Carl is a fun plush old man with his tennis ball anchored cane and his hearing aid in his right ear. His bushy eyebrows and his pants belted up high on his chest portray this man to the fullest. And like he is in most of the film, Carl sports a kind of grumpy attitude with a bothered expression reminding us that he still misses his beloved Ellie. Carl stands approximately fifteen inches high. He is fun to stand on a table and is definitely a conversation starter!

Russell is also fifteen inches from his feet to the top of his cap. He wears his Wilderness Explorer uniform proudly with all his badges – except the Assisting the Elderly Badge. He has yet to earn that one. Russell’s wide smile with sparkling white teeth portray his eagerness to help others and explore the wilderness.

Dug is adorable with his floppy tongue and happy smile. Dug wears his collar that lets him “talk.” This plush does not actually talk, but kids will enjoy talking for him. He is a huggable dog and sits eleven inches high.

Kevin is colorful, just like her on-screen character. She stands approximately fifteen inches high and has wiring in her legs and her neck so she can be posed.

Russell cannot stand on his own however Dug does sit by himself and with a little maneuvering Carl can stand on his own. Kevin’s legs can be adjusted to make her stand on her own. The characters are hand washable with a soft damp cloth when needed. They each list for $19.95. They are available from the Disney Store and shopDisney.

Happy 10thanniversary to Carl, Russell, Dug, and Kevin. Remember, adventure is out there!

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

Piglet is front and center in the Disney Wisdom April Collection

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

This year the creative folks at Disney have a special collection called the Disney Wisdom collection. Each month they have a new quote from one of their classic characters. And each quote is inspiring and motivating.

April brings Piglet with an encouraging quote from his good friend Christopher Robin – “You are Braver than you believe, Stronger than you seem, and Smarter than you think.”

This inspiring quote is embroidered on the plush Piglet’s scarf. We all know Piglet is a bit squirrely, but this little fellow seems to have a lot of confidence. His smile is enchanting and well, let’s face it, Piglet is a cutie. This plush is the perfect remedy for someone who is having a bad day or is questioning her abilities. And he’s cuddly too! From the tips of his toes to the top of his floppy ears, Piglet measures 17 inches. He’s made of all new materials. Piglet is not washable however it probably wouldn’t hurt him to gently wipe him if something spilled on his body.

The Disney Wisdom collection releases one wise quote each month, and on Piglet’s rear is embroidered “Disney WISDOM Series 4 of 12.”

Besides the loveable plush animals, included in the monthly collections are: a ceramic mug, a notebook, and a pin set. The mug is a good reminder for everyone when they start their day with a cup of coffee. “You are Braver than you believe, Stronger than you seem, and Smarter than you think.” Or keep it at the office for those days when you doubt your decisions or abilities.

The notebook is a good item for kids to keep in their backpacks or school lockers. “You are Braver than you believe, Stronger than you seem, and Smarter than you think.” Who wouldn’t feel better after reading that?

 

If you have been collecting the Disney Wisdom items, April’s Piglet is the next item on your list. And if you haven’t collected any up until now, this month’s quote might be exactly what you are looking for to inspire a child, a spouse, or a friend. “You are Braver than you believe, Stronger than you seem, and Smarter than you think.”

What makes this limited edition collection exceptional are the quotes that accompany the items each month. They are all ideas that are inspiring and encouraging, and let’s face it, a little encouragement is what everyone needs at some time or another.

There are collectors that get them all…just because. However parents might think about getting them or one item and putting it away for just the moment when your child needs a little encouragement. Everyone needs to be reminded “You are Braver than you believe, Stronger than you seem, and Smarter than you think.” And who better to remind us than Piglet? He has survived plenty of tough times, with the help of his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood.

So, for April’s release (available April 20), enjoy Piglet and the motivation from Christopher Robin. “You are Braver than you believe, Stronger than you seem, and Smarter than you think.

 

The first three in the collection were:

 

Coming up are:

 

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

‘The Kid who would be King’ on Blu-ray + DVR Combo Pack

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The myth of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is a story that has intrigued generations. Excalibur, aka “The Sword in the Stone,” and Merlin the magician are part of this fascinating legend.  Now, The Kid who would be Kingadds to that with an amazing adventure of some perfectly normal kids tasked with the job of saving the world.

Alex (Louis Ashbourne Serkis) is just an average kid. He and his best friend Bedders (Dean Chaumoo) are considered the geeks of the school and are constantly bullied by Lance (Tom Taylor) and Kaye (Rhianna Dorris). Then one day, while running away from the duo, Alex falls into a pit and discovers a sword…in a stone. This couldn’t be Excalibur, could it?

The legend says that the evil Morgana (Rebecca Ferguson) will one day rise up and control the world, when the sword is dislodged. Well, guess what. Alex now has the sword, and Merlin (Angus Imrie) arrives to help him. It is now up to Alex to save the downward spiral of the world. He lets Bedders in on what is happening, and then decides he needs more help. So Lance and Kaye join them and the four are now off on a spectacular journey to kill Morgana once and for all, and keep the world from ending. Yes, they must save the world, but they have Excalibur and some special magic to help them.

Patrick Stewart appears in a few scenes as the older Merlin, however it is the young Merlin who accompanies the foursome on their dangerous journey.

This is a magical and adventurous story. Kids will definitely enjoy watching the legend play out in modern times, and adults will be intrigued by the story as well as seeing Patrick Stewart on screen as the legendary Merlin.

There are plenty of bonus features included on the discs in the combo pack. First are several deleted scenes. Then there are some fascinating behind-the-scenes featurettes about the origin of the story by writer/director Joe Cornish who has always been intrigued by the legend of Arthur. The viewers are introduced to the young knights and learn how they trained for their battle scenes. There is an interesting featurette about the two actors who play Merlin, and one featurette about Rebecca Ferguson and her evil Morgana character.

The wardrobe and makeup tests and a look at some of the magic in the film are noteworthy and especially intriguing for young viewers.The Kid who would be Kingis a fun adventure adding a chapter to the legend of King Arthur. It is rated PG for fantasy action violence, scary images, thematic elements including some bullying, and language. This is a fun film showing how some ordinary kids, bullies and nerds, join forces and ultimately learn about teamwork and friendship.

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

‘Penguins’ from Disneynature is delightful and charming

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Mark your calendars for Earth Day 2019 (April 17) and the opening of Disneynature’s Penguins. This is truly a special film with plenty of fun for the entire family.The film focuses on Steve, an Adélie penguin who is entering the adult world and for the first time joining the other males in starting a family.

According to director Alastair Fothergill, not all penguins are created equal. “The Adélie penguin is by far the most characterful penguin on the planet,” he says. “People may be more familiar with Emperor penguins, but they’re actually pretty mellow. I like to say that Emperor penguins are the California surfers and Adélie penguins are New York City taxi drivers. They have attitude. They’re feisty. They have an extraordinary amount of expression in their eyes. They almost look animated. And I knew—with their big personalities—the film would have a lot of comedy.” And Steve definitely has a big personality.

Little Steve is late to the party. He’s one of the last males to arrive at the colony where the other males have already been building their rocky nests. Then the females arrived and seek out their former mates and for newcomers they must find their new mate. Luckily for Steve Adeline is attracted to him and lo and behold, they start a family with two eggs. After the little ones hatch, it is up to Steve and Adeline to feed and care for their chicks and teach them how to survive so when fall comes and the colony retreats to the open waters, they will survive the dangers that every penguin faces both on land and in the ocean.

The film is narrated by Ed Helms who adds some comedy to these adorable birds. Says Helms, “Disney movies are filled with poignancy and real emotion, but also are extremely funny and relatable—this movie is no different. It’s a True Life Adventure with real footage of penguins in Antarctica, but told in a way that tugs at your heart strings a little and also has quite a few chuckles. For me, this movie is a very cool mash-up of narration and character work. I get to voice Steve’s inner monologue as well as straight narration. It was a really fun challenge for me—a privilege getting to imagine what this penguin might be thinking—and I’m really excited about it.”

Penguins marks the 10thanniversary of the Disneynature films. It’s their eighth film, following Earth, Oceans, African Cats, Chimpanzee, Bears, Monkey Kingdom, and Born in China.

The story of Steve is a delight and the film is rated G, however there are some scenes of penguins being eaten so keep that in mind when you bring your family. Luckily for Steve (spoiler alert), he and his entire family make it safely through the summer and back out to the ocean to hopefully return the following spring.

Facts about Adélie Penguins

These fellows are about 27 inches tall and weigh between 6 and 13 pounds. They live in colonies and gather rocks to keep their eggs off the cold ground of Antarctica. The eggs hatch approximately 30 days after being laid and both parents take turns fishing for food and feeding their chicks. Their biggest danger is the leopard seal.

 

Disneynature

For every ticket sold during opening week of Penguins, Disneynature will make a donation to the Wildlife Conservation Network to help protect penguins across the southern hemisphere.

So, gather your family and enjoy Steve and his friends and family as everyone celebrates Earth Day. Penguins is fun for all and a great way to learn about these amazing beings.

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

Sonic-Fusion from Waterpik

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

Brushing and flossing are important for oral health and hygiene. Most people don’t brush their teeth as often as they are supposed to, and let’s face it, most people don’t floss their teeth.

When Waterpik came out with their water flossers, many people began using this in lieu of thread floss, which was a benefit for their hygiene. And with the sonic toothbrushes, people found using these electric brushes cleaned their teeth better than their manual brushes. So this was another advancement in oral health.

In our house we have – had – a waterpik water flosser and sonic toothbrushes. We would use the waterpik and then switch to the toothbrush. Our bathroom counter was getting filled with all of these appliances, not to mention hair dryers and other things. The new Sonic-Fusion has reduced the need for both a water flosser and a sonic toothbrush. It combines them into one compact unit.

What do you get with the Sonic-Fusion? First of all, you get the water reservoir like in other Waterpik units. But attached to that is a sonic toothbrush. The toothbrush can connect to the water tank via a hose and when you want to take the toothbrush to the office or on vacation, you can disconnect the hose and use it as a stand-alone sonic toothbrush with a 30-minute run time. There is also a case in which to carry your toothbrush and two brushed.

The specially designed brushes incorporate a water sprayer so when the brush is tethered to the waterpik water reservoir, it is also a water flosser. How convenient is that?

The toothbrush has three modes: brush, floss, brush and floss. So you can simply brush your teeth with the sonic toothbrush, or you can simply water floss your teeth – also with the toothbrush, or you can do both at once. Think about how much time you will save doing both at once, not to mention the space you save by not having two devices sitting on your counter.

On the base of the device you can adjust the force of the water coming out of the brush spigot. There are 10 settings, depending on how forceful you want the water to be. One word of warning, if you use the flosser at the same time you use the toothbrush, make sure you spread the toothpaste throughout your mouth first when the water pressure is on high as it will definitely spritz away all the toothpaste that remains on the brush.

There is an automatic timer incorporated in the toothbrush. Every thirty seconds it softly beeps and then continues. This helps users evenly brush all of their teeth. By dividing your teeth into four sections (top outer, top inner, bottom outer, and bottom inner) you know you have them all covered. My only complaint about this device is when it changes every 30 seconds, it can be difficult to hear for some people. I would have preferred the change to be a bit louder or stop for a second to make sure users were aware of the time before continuing. But that’s the only fault I have found with this. Others in my house hear it just fine, however. After two minutes the device will turn itself off.

 

Having the flosser at your finger tips while brushing your teeth is advantageous – especially for people with crowns or implants. Everything is right there in one spot so you don’t have to switch devices to get a clean mouth.

Oral hygiene is essential to not only your mouth, but also your entire body. And this Sonic-Fusion cleans your teeth and also removes plaque and debris from between your teeth and at your gumline, which is a place where disease often begins.

With the exception of the water pressure, all the buttons are at your fingertips, right on the brush handle.

Additional brushes are available. Unfortunately, they are not color coded so what we have done in our house, after ordering additional brushes, is take some nail polish and at the bottom of each brush I painted a different color so everyone has their own brush.

Waterpik is a name we can trust and this new Sonic-Fusion takes the best of their water flossing units and combines it with a sonic toothbrush. I highly recommend it.

The Sonic-Fusion comes in two colors: white and black.

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.

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