Author: Francine Brokaw

Bring home ‘Smallfoot’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The musical animated film Smallfoot is a fun twist on a legend. Do humans really exist? That’s the question for a village of yetis.

The story is set in the Himalayans where way up on top of a mountain above the clouds is a village of yetis. They live by a strict code where everything is written in stone – literally. Their laws and code of conduct are all on stones kept by the Stone Keeper. Everyone has his/her own job to do.

Migo is a fun-loving yeti whose father is the gong ringer. Every morning he is catapulted through the air to ring the gong, which brings up the sun. Migo is next in line for that job and looking forward to taking over for his father.

When Migo accidentally falls down through the clouds, he discovers a small foot, aka human. According to the stones, small foots don’t exist. Migo sets out to prove he is not crazy.

While searching for his little friend, Migo is joined by a group of other yetis who also believe in Small Foots. They must do this secretly because, well, the stones are the laws and if a stone says they don’t exist then they don’t exits. And if they prove that that stone is wrong, what about all the other stones? What is really going on?

The story is about understanding and accepting. It’s about learning to get along. Are humans afraid of yetis or are yetis afraid of humans? Or are they all willing and able to be accepting?

Migo is voiced by Channing Tatum. James Corden, Zendaya, Common, Danny DeVito, LeBron James, and Gina Rodriguez are some of the others lending their voices to the many characters in this sweet movie. As Migo is attempting to prove that humans really do exist, the human Percy is attempting to prove that yetis really do exist. The friendship formed between these two is heartening.

With plenty of songs to go along with the cute story, the Blu-ray combo includes two versions of the film. There is the theatrical version and the “Yeti Set Go Sing-Along” version. Whichever version you select, the movie is fun for the whole family. There are a few bonus features including a mini movie with the cutest little yeti toddler Soozie, a look at the making of the film.

Smallfoot is rated PG for some action, rude humor, and thematic elements.

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.

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Trailer for final season of ‘Voltron Legendary Defender’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

With the highly anticipated final season premiere approaching, DreamWorks Animation Television is excited to share the Voltron Legendary Defender season eight trailer!

After saving the Earth, the Paladins embark to prevent Honerva from setting into motion her deadliest plan yet. It’s a race against the clock as the Voltron Coalition gathers from the corners of the galaxy to defend the universe once and for all.

The thirteen-episode season will be an emotional and epic journey not only for the paladins, but also for the fans and team behind the series.

“We are incredibly proud to bring the story of Voltron Legendary defender to a close with the 8th and final season. It has been an absolute honor to work alongside such a talented and dedicated crew these past 4 years over 78 episodes. Witnessing the fandom grow and evolve alongside the show has been nothing short of amazing and saying goodbye to these characters, the amazing worlds they inhabit and the crazy vehicles they pilot will be truly bittersweet. We can only hope that this series will be looked back on fondly in the years to come and stoke the creative flame inside all of us, the same way the original did when we first watched it.” – executive producers Joaquim Dos Santos and Lauren Montgomery.

The critically acclaimed interstellar saga concludes December 14th only on Netflix.

‘Holly Star’ available on digital and VOD

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Holly Star is a cute holiday movie filled with comedy and heart, not to mention a little mystery.

Katlyn Carlson stars as Sloan, a woman who is having a string of bad luck. She just got fired, lost her apartment in New York, came back to her childhood home in Maine forgetting her parents are on a cruise, was gifted her grandmother’s old Rambler that is costing her more money every day, and is kind of a klutz. Back in her hometown she is reunited with her best friend Kay K (Teya Patt) and her childhood friend Andy (Brian Muller).

After slipping on some ice she experiences a near-death-experience. In that moment she has a vision of Santa burying a bag. Sloan knows this means something and wants to search for that mysterious treasure. She enlists Kay K, a hard-nosed paintball leader and tough gal to help put the pieces together so they can find the buried treasure. Sloan is convinced her vision means something.

When they come up empty, Sloan asks Kay K to try to kill her so she can have another near-death-experience and hopefully find the answers she is looking for.

In the meantime, to get her “new” car out of the impound facility, she takes a job at Andy’s Christmas tree lot helping him and his father. This is the only way she can earn enough money to get the car back and survive because nothing else is available.

With memories popping back in her mind, her tough-as-nails best friend, her tango-dancing grandmother, and her childhood friend, Sloan is having a Christmas to remember – literally.

The movie is cute and has a sweet ending. It’s rated PG for language, some thematic elements, and smoking. Holly Star is available on digital and VOD beginning December 4, 2018.

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.

Follow her on Twitter

‘Gosford Park’ on Blu-ray

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Julian Fellowes took home the Academy Award (Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen) for Gosford Park (2001). Fellowes is well known by fans of British television for Downton Abbey (2010-2015). For fans of the TV show who are missing some upstairs/downstairs drama, Gosford Park fits the bill.

The cast is phenomenal: Maggie Smith, Kristin Scott Thomas, Helen Mirren, Alan Bates, Michael Gambon, Tom Hollander, Natasha Wightman, Bob Balaban, Ryan Phillippe, Clive Owen, Eileen Atkins, Emily Watson, Kelly Macdonald, Derek Jacobi, Stephen Fry, and more. With this list of talent, the film couldn’t be bad. And it isn’t. It’s a very British film about a group of upper-class snobs that gather together at an estate for a weekend of hunting. Of course they bring their servants.

The secrets upstairs and downstairs and between the classes as well as the affairs upstairs and downstairs combine to make this a story that has viewers feeling like they are a fly on the walls of this British gathering. This sneak peek inside the classes of the 1930s is familiar to fans of Downton Abbey.

But more than just the interaction between the people is the sudden murder of the host. Who did it and why? He wasn’t the most admired man there, to say the least. He had a past that has finally caught up with him. But his secret is revealed to viewers as the drama plays on.

Joining the group of Brits at this lavish weekend are a Hollywood actor and a movie producer. They are there to get some background for the next film. Balaban plays the producer to the hilt. His only thought the entire time is how can he make his next movie as authentic and interesting as possible. Phillippe’s character is also an interesting one to watch as he unravels his true identity slowly but surely.

There are bonus features on this new Blu-ray, including deleted scenes and some archival footage. There is a Q & A session as well as new cast interviews. The disc comes with a booklet filled with background information about the film, producer Robert Altman, the cast and characters, and images from the movie.

Gosford Park is a great film to put on during a cold winter’s afternoon. Grab some hot chocolate and sit back for a couple hours of dry British wit and drama. The movie is rated R for some language and brief sexuality.

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.

Follow her on Twitter

‘The Little Witch’ on DVD

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The Little Witch is a German/Swiss film that has been dubbed into English. It’s the story of a young witch (127 years old) who desperately wants to attend the annual witch’s dance, however she is too young. When she sneaks into the dance and is discovered, her punishment is to learn everything in the witch’s book of spells and be the best witch by the next year. If she can do that then she will be able to attend the annual party. If she cannot do it, then her powers will be taken away.

Along with her friend Abraxas, who happens to be a raven, she sets out to learn the entire book of spells and become a good witch. She is a kind-hearted girl and that doesn’t exactly come in handy when being tested by the older witches. But in the end it is her desire to do good that wins out and let’s just say that the other witches discover just how good a witch this little one has become.

The movie was nominated for “Outstanding Children or Youth Film” by the German Film Festival. It’s a movie that kids will enjoy however because it is dubbed into English, adults will most likely not be enthralled by the movie. It is, at times, a charming tale and has an excellent score.

The Little Witch is not rated, however it is a family friendly film. It runs 103 minutes.

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.

Follow her on Twitter

Susan Lucci stars in ‘Ebbie’ – now on DVD

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Susan Lucci stars in Ebbie, a 1995 retelling of the classic Dickens story “A Christmas Carol.”  This TV movie is now available on DVD.

Lucci is Elizabeth ‘Ebbie’ Scrooge. She is a ruthless owner of a thriving department store. She wasn’t always this way. She started out at the bottom of the heap and worked her way up the ladder. Along the way she neglected her family, her personal life, and the staff. Her entire life has been dedicated to making the most money. Her work is her life.

On Christmas Eve she is visited by the Spirits of Christmas Past (Jennifer Clement and Nicole Parker), the Spirit of Christmas Present (Lorena Gale), and the Spirit of Christmases Yet to Come (Bill Croft). Along the way Ebbie sees that her life has been a selfish one. She realizes that she has neglected her family and been a horrible boss. She is able to reflect on what she has done and is horrified with the future. Ebbie knows that that woman she sees in the future is not the woman she wants to become. She knows she has to change her life, and when Christmas arrives she does just that.

Wendy Crewson costars as Roberta Cratchet, and Taran Noah Smith is little Timmy Cratchet. Molly Parker plays Ebbie’s older sister as well as her niece.This updated version of the classic story is heartening and uplifting. It leaves viewers with a happy feeling, just as it does for Ebbie. Susan Lucci is a delight to watch as she changes from the hardnosed and callous Elizabeth to the joyful and hopeful Ebbie.

Ebbie is not rated however it is a wonderful movie for the entire family. Enjoy the holiday season with your family and this enchanting story told in a modern way.

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.

Follow her on Twitter

‘Disney on Ice presents Dare to Dream’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Making her debut with Disney on Ice, Moana joins Maui for a wonderful adventure. Belle reveals that the Beast is a kind, gentle fellow, and Anna, Elsa, Cinderella, Rapunzel and Flynn Ryder join together for this season’s newest ice show.

Mickey and Minnie host this musical extravaganza that features elegant and fun skating as well as the stories from the Disney movies we all know and love. There are spectacular props, like Cinderella’s coach and Moana’s boat, and many other characters we all know and love, like the Fairy Godmother, Olaf, the Beast, and others. Together they make the ice a spectacular Disney experience for the entire family.

Through the event sing-along with your favorite Disney songs like “Be Our Guest,” “How Far I’ll Go,” and “Let it Go.”

Before the show begins, there is a special sing-along with Miguel from Coco. It’s a fun fiesta so arrive early to enjoy the music and the tradition and music of Miguel and his family.

Disney on Ice presents Dare to Dreamis a wonderful family experience and for many it’s a traditional annual treat. What better way to enjoy the season than with ice-skating and Disney?

To find out where and when you and your family can experience Dare to Dreamgo to their website where you can input your city or zip code. The show is scheduled for various locations around the country until April 21, 2019 so don’t miss out. Check out your location and get ready to experience the Disney magic on ice.

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.

Follow her on Twitter

‘Big Trouble’ now on Blu-ray

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Tim Allen stars in Big Trouble, a 2002 farce with an incredible cast. Besides Allen, Rene Russo, Stanley Tucci, Tom Sizemore, Johnny Knoxville, Dennis Farina, Janeane Garofalo, Patrick Warburton, Zooey Deschanel, Jason Lee, Omar Epps, Heavy D, Sofia Vergara and others make up this cast of characters trying to locate a missing atom bomb.

The entire cast is entwined through a confluence of circumstances that has them all involved in this international plot. First, there is Tucci who has been stealing from his company. Add to that, his company has hired hit men to take him out. Then Allen’s son is playing a prankish school game where he has to use a squirt gun to shoot a fellow student. But when everyone collides in one place, well, the craziness begins and everyone is involved as the FBI (D and Epps) close in on the suitcase with the bomb. The thing is, no one knows there is a bomb in the suitcase. Well, almost no one. Tucci and the Russians from which he purchased the weapon know, but, well, you get the picture.As the events unfold, kind of like dominoes, the possibility that the bomb will explode gets more and more likely.

It may not be the funniest comedy, but the actors are fun to watch. After all, they are 16 years younger. This was Vergara’s first film and one of the first for Deschanel. For Allen, it was after his hit Home Improvementseries, during his Buzz Lightyear reign, and between his Santa Clause films.

Big Trouble is rated PG-13 for language, crude humor, and sex related material. The disc can be ordered here.

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.

Follow her on Twitter