Author: Francine Brokaw

Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



Guests to Disney California Adventure are in for a real treat. A new area – Pixar Pier – has recently opened and there are several new areas that will be opening soon. So, what has been reimagined at this waterfront region of the resort? Plenty.

First of all, the Incredicoaster is not only a fun ride, but it also tells a story as guests travel through tubes and along the tracks. Incidentally, this is the fastest ride in the entirety of the Disneyland Resort! As guests get ready to board the ride, they realize little Jack-Jack and Edna Mode are not tall enough to ride the coaster. So Edna stays behind to keep a watchful eye on the little baby. But, as we all know by now, Jack-Jack has plenty of powers and soon escapes Edna’s watchful eyes and is off on a journey of his own, with his family close behind. As guests ride the coaster, they see all the family members trying to catch up with little Jack-Jack. So not only is this a fun and fast coaster, it also tells the story of this adorable little baby who is full of mischief.

The Ferris wheel is also reimagined with each bucket decorated with a different Pixar character. This Pixar Pal- Around has several swinging gondolas that not only take guests on a high flying adventure above the land, but also on a swinging adventure. The wheel tops out at 150 feet high. This is only one of two Ferris wheels in the country that includes both regular gondolas that go around in a circle, but also has sliding gondolas that swing and sway with special movement as the wheel is spinning.

There are plenty of new places to grab some food while you’re visiting the pier. If you’re in the mood for chicken or a turkey leg, visit the Poultry Palace. Or if you are a bit more adventurous, try the spicy hot dogs at Anger’s Angry Dogs. If you recall in Toy Story, Buzz has a “Spanish” mode, and at Senor Buzz Churros, you can munch on either sweet and colorful churros or spicy ones that taste like red hots. We cannot forget about those of us with a sweet tooth. Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats offers plenty of tasty goodies. Try the lemon soft ice cream with white chocolate on top.

The midway is a fun place for families to join together and play some games between eating and riding the attractions. There are several games that will test your skills, and yes, there are some fun prizes to win.

There is no shortage of Pixar items to purchase. Imagine all the Pixar characters we have fallen in love with through the years. They are together in this wonderful location inspired by the films and characters of Pixar.

Next year a new area of the pier will open, featuring Jessie’s Critter Carousel. Personally, I cannot wait to see what she has put together for us.

Dining in style has never been so much fun as in the Lamplight Lounge at the front of the pier. This is a great place to sit down, watch the activities outside, and enjoy some great food. Specialty drinks (both for adults and kids) as well as some wonderful selections of food will be enjoyed in this restaurant but the food isn’t everything here. When you’re there, look around. Everywhere you look are special Pixar touches. Can you spot Ellie and Carl’s mailbox on the wall? While they have a nice variety of main course and lite bite selections, there is only one dessert – their donuts. These are delicious and come with both a warm chocolate and a raspberry dipping sauce. Can you say “delicious?” That’s exactly what they are!

Pixar Pier is just one more fun addition to Disney California Adventure.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about travel, products, 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.

Follow her on Twitter

The Walt Disney Ambassadors

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



The folks at Disney want to bring magic and enjoyment to everyone, especially those outside of the parks. For many people, it’s not easy for them to get to a Disney theme park. Many kids are stuck in hospitals and could use some of the Disney magic to help them through their ordeals. That is where the Disney Ambassadors come into play.

I recently met with Brandon who is an Ambassador for Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. He is just finishing up his two-year term, which is a little bittersweet for him because he loves his job so much. Brandon has been a cast member at Disney for many years and was thrilled when he was selected to be an official Ambassador. Being a Disney Ambassador means bringing the love, magic, and fun of Disney “outside of the castle walls.”

So, how does one get selected to be an official Disney Ambassador? First you must be a cast member for at least two years (although Brandon says that might change). Those who apply go through a series of interviews, write essays, and go through media assessments to see if they have what it takes to be an Ambassador. There are 1-2 Ambassadors per Disney resort.

The Ambassadors serve for two-year periods, and even though he is almost finished with his official capacity, Brandon insists he will continue to spread the Disney love and happiness to children and families wherever he goes. He wants that special feeling we all have when we visit a Disney park to infect others outside of the resorts.

Walt Disney began the program ten years after opening Disneyland. He realized he couldn’t be everywhere and needed special people to represent his vision. That is how the Disney Ambassadors came to be.

“I’m happy I have had a personal impact on so many people,” said Brandon. He has definitely been a model Ambassador and exactly what Walt Disney had in mind when he created the program. Along with Mickey, Minnie, and other characters, Brandon travels to hospitals to bring a touch of Disney magic to the patients. Perhaps Tinker Bell has also included some pixie dust.
Brandon was in the entertainment area of the cast, however any cast member in any area is welcome to apply. They simply need the desire to spread the love and have a positive impact on the public, and go outside of the parks to bring some Disney magic to children and families everywhere.

For Brandon and his fellow WDW Ambassador Ken, their time is just about over but new Ambassadors will be selected soon. Even though they will no longer be official Ambassadors, they will always hold a special place in the Disney family.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 20 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

Crescent Lake at Walt Disney World is a unique area

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



There are several lakes on the Walt Disney World property and Crescent Lake is just one. This is a unique location connecting three popular WDW resorts with EPCOT and Disney Hollywood Studios.

The Yacht Club resort is a magical place to stay. It’s situated next to the Beach Club resort and directly across the lake from the Boardwalk resort. Boat service is offered from one side of the lake to the other, so it’s easy for guests to visit the different resorts and take advantage of the various restaurants and fun associated with each specific resort. They are all built with the old charm of the spirit of coastal resort living and harken back to the days of summers spent at ocean side communities.

What also makes these three WDW resorts special is their proximity to both EPCOT and Disney Hollywood Studio. Both of these theme parks are accessible via the waterway (although at the time we were there the boat to Disney Hollywood was under construction to reinforce the bridges), and they can easily be accessed via short walks. The walk to EPCOT from the resorts is an easy one and takes a mere 20 minutes. You’ll enter EPCOT in the back in the International Gateway, not far from Great Britain. It’s an easy walk – actually a restful stroll – from the Yacht Club (or Beach Club or Boardwalk) to EPCOT.

Walking to Disney Hollywood Studios is a bit farther, so if you prefer to take the boat, that might be a good idea. After all, once you enter the park, there is still a lot of walking to do to see all the attractions and take advantage of everything there is inside the theme park.

Of course, to access any other area of WDW, each resort offers complimentary bus service so traveling to The Magic Kingdom from the Yacht Club Resort is no big deal. Simply catch the appropriate bus and leave the driving to them.

There are new resorts being built at WDW as well as the Skyliner that will soon connect several resorts with various parks. There is always construction and new and improved – as well as helpful – things coming to Walt Disney World. It never stops growing and every time guests visit, there is always something new to see and explore.

This time Toy Story Land opened in Disney Hollywood Studios (a short distance from Crescent Lake resorts). Next will be Star Wars, the Skyliner, and new resorts with more fun from the amazing Imagineers.

If your main goal is to experience EPCOT and Disney Hollywood Studios, consider one of the three resorts on Crescent Lake for easy access to the two theme parks.

About the Author

Roy Brokaw writes about interesting things to do and places to see. He is also an accomplished travel photographer.

Movez game GIVEAWAY

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



Movez is a fun, interactive game for kids 3-93 ! Roll the dice, pick a card then either find it, act it, or do it before the time runs out! It combines charades, a scavenger hunt and exercise in one fun, fast paced game that the whole family will love!

Only $19.95

Available online and at www.kensonparenting.com

We have some games to giveaway!

To be eligible to win a copy of GAMEZ, email us at [email protected] with “Gamez Giveaway” in the title. Please supply your name, address, phone number and email address (so we can let you know if you are a winner).

The deadline for this giveaway is July 15, 2018.

Movez is the game that gets kids moving!

‘RFK: His Words for Our Times’ by Edwin O. Guthman & C. Richard Allen – Book Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



We just passed the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy. 25 years ago I assisted on the book RFK: Collected Speeches, by Guthman and Allen. This year, Rick Allen has updated the original book and published it for a new generation. RFK: His Words for Our Times is definitely a book worth getting and reading as well as passing down from one generation to another.

Why did Robert Kennedy affect us so deeply, unlike any other politician to date? For many of us the week of the 50th anniversary was like experiencing PTSD. And yet this man was not a president (although he most likely would have been), and he was only a senator for a short time (unlike his brother who was in the senate for nearly 50 years).

There was something special RFK exuded that managed to touch people of all ages. His words and actions exemplified his inner desire to make life in this country as good as possible for all our citizens. He evolved through the years and was not afraid or embarrassed to admit when he had made mistakes.

The words of Robert Kennedy were eloquently spoken. He mixed quotations and imagery so beautifully and reading his speeches is, at times, like reading a well-crafted poem or essay. There isn’t anyone today who can turn a phrase like RFK did. And when he spoke, he spoke from his heart.

Reading the pages of this book brings back emotions and sparks memories of what was and what could have been. From one page to the next are the words and phrases of the man who experienced so much, saw conflicts and problems, and felt “obliged to do all that I can.” (From his presidential announcement.) RFK was the most prepared person to be president than anyone has ever been, and as readers read his words, they will definitely understand why he meant so much to so many of us. Even when he spoke extemporaneously (when discussing the death of Martin Luther King), he was still able to put words and phrases together in his own special way.

While adding his own flair to his speeches, and infusing them with quotations and imagery, RFK was able to state his feelings and explain the situations of the time with elegance, even when discussing the war. He made his views clear in speeches that will always be remembered.

The book also contains comments from today’s leaders as well as those who knew him and worked with him.

For Rick Allen, “Robert Kennedy’s words summon each of us to slip the bonds of our comfort or our burdens and instead fully engage in the struggles of our age.”

For those who were not alive during his life (and that includes two generations) and those who were too young to remember him, this book provides a window into the world of those of us who did live during his times. Perhaps by reading RFK’s words, a new generation will come to understand how remarkable he was in his rather short life.

This book is divided into three sections: 1948-1960, 1961-1964, and 1965-1968. As readers go from cover to cover, they read the evolution of RFK chronologically through the three phases of his public life.

I will always remember the images of him through the years, and the way he quoted poets and philosophers. Who does that today? But he didn’t just add them to his speeches to sound special. He chose quotes that meant something to him and to his subject matter. Rereading these pages is a cathartic experience.

And, as he quoted Aeschylus, “In our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.” Think about that.

Rick Allen has done a remarkable job of bringing back the words of Robert Kennedy in a way that will hopefully inspire new generations. Thank you, Rick, for updating the original book and keeping the spirit of RFK alive for today’s population.

Hardcover: 480 pages
Publisher: William Morrow (May 1, 2018)
ISBN-10: 006283410X
ISBN-13: 978-0062834102

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.

Follow her on Twitter

‘Lean on Pete’ on Blu-ray

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



If you’re in the mood for a deep drama, check out Lean on Pete. It’s a bittersweet story, with the emphasis on the bitter and less on the sweet.

Charlie Plummer stars as 15-year-old Charley, a boy whose mother abandoned him and his dad when he was a child. Since then Charley and his dad have been moving around and getting jobs wherever they can. The latest move takes them from Spokane to Portland where Charley discovers a local racetrack. There he gets a job with Del Montgomery (Steve Buscemi) who takes him under his wing and teaches him how to care for horses.

Charley becomes attached to an aging racehorse named Lean on Pete. Pete becomes his best friend and confidante, so when he discovers his “friend” is about to go to the slaughterhouse he takes drastic measures.

There is a small spark of The Electric Horseman winding through the story, but just a bit. Charley know he has to get Pete away from there to save his life.

Charley goes on a physical and emotional journey, turning from a sweet, caring kid into a law-breaking do-anything tough street kid. Where is he taking Pete? Hopefully, they will both find their true home when he finds his long lost aunt.

This is definitely a drama in the true sense of the word. It’s the story of being lost in the world and finally finding a home. It’s the story of love and sensitivity.

The movie was the Heartland Film award for “Truly Moving Picture.” Charlie Plummer won the Venice Film Festival award for “Best Young Actor or Actress.”

Lean on Pete is rated R for language and brief violence. It’s available on Blu-ray and also DVD. The bonus on the discs is a “making of” feature.

WARNING: Beware if you aren’t comfortable watching animals die.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 20 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

‘Krystal’ on DVD

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Krystal is a whacky story about an 18-year-old boy who falls in love with an older woman. The redeeming part of this somewhat farcical film is the brilliant acting of Nick Robinson who plays 18-year-old Taylor.

Taylor has a heart condition and during times of stress his heart races – it really races. Sometimes he has to go to the hospital to get it to slow back down. But he has come to terms with the situation and understands he must stay as calm as possible and avoid stress.

Then he meets Krystal (Rosario Dawson), a kind woman who becomes the object of his affections. He decides he will do anything to get her attention and win her heart. When he sees her go into an AA meeting, he follows. And, lo and behold, he begins acting like an alcoholic. After all, if they have that in common, perhaps she will be more interested in him.

But not only does he pretend to be an alcoholic (he has never had a drink in his life), he tells her his whole family are alcoholics so when they are around her, well, you get the picture. Everyone is pretending to be something he/she isn’t.

Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy play his parents and Macy directed the film. The story includes plenty of mischief and some sensitive scenes as well as some comical ones. There is a thread weaving itself through the story and connecting all the players, and that is Krystal. Her past comes back to haunt her and not only does it haunt her and she her son – did I forget to mention she has a 16-year-old son (Jacob Latimore) who is in a wheelchair? – but also her ex-husband (T.I.) and Taylor’s family. Talk about a far-fetched story. But there is something a “little” endearing about it, nonetheless. Perhaps it is the heartfelt feelings of young Taylor. He’s the best part of the story.

There are no bonus features on the DVD.

Krystal is rated R for language throughout, drug use, some nudity and brief sexuality.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 20 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

Check out the Opening Credits for ‘DreamWorks The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants’ on Netflix

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


July 13, 2018 is the day! That’s when DreamWorks The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants premiers on Netflix. Check out the just released opening credits:

From Peabody Award and Emmy-winning executive producer Peter Hastings, the series is based on the epic novels by Dav Pilkey that have sold more than 70 million copies worldwide. Pilkey himself has praised the show saying “I binge-watched all of the episodes in one afternoon…I couldn’t help myself. Peter Hastings has totally captured the craziness and heart of the Captain Underpants multiverse and I hope everybody will love the show as much as I do. Kids have been asking for more Captain Underpants books for years, and to me it feels like we are getting brand-new books— except they’re animated!”

‘Blockers’ comes home on DVD and Blu-ray

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



Blockers is a coming-of-age comedy for both the teenage girls and their parents as the story unfolds over the course of one night – Prom Night. With Leslie Mann, John Cena, and Ike Barinholtz in the roles of the over-protective parents, the night is filled with raunchy and yet heartening scenes.

Lisa (Mann) is a single mother who is very close to her daughter Julie (Kathryn Newton). Mitchell (Cena) is the over-bearing tough father of Kayla (Geraldine Viswanathan). And Hunter (Barinholtz) is the divorced father of Sam (Gideon Adlon). They all met years ago on the first day of school and have been best friends ever since.

This year the girls are preparing to go off to college in the fall and make a pact to lose their virginity on Prom Night. When their over-protective parents accidentally discover their plan, the three take off in search of their daughters with the intent on stopping them from making what could be the biggest mistakes of their lives.

As the night wears on and the parents get closer to catching up with their daughters, they are the ones behaving more like the children while the girls are the more level-headed of the six main characters. The girls enforce the lesson that they have the right to say “no.”

While the film is about teenagers preparing to become adults, it is also a story of parenting and giving your children the right lessons in life for them to make the best decisions for themselves.

Yes, this is a teen sex romp, but it is also an adult sex romp with the parents of one of the teenage boys (who is also about to lose his virginity) having their own sexual escapades. Gina Gershon and Gary Cole play the lustful parents of Austin (Graham Phillips) who is Julie’s boyfriend.

The Blu-ray combo pack includes plenty of bonus features, including deleted scenes and a gag reel. The cast also discusses the film and parenting. There is a scene in the film involving a lot of puking and a featurette looks at how the filmmakers created that aspect of the story as realistic as possible.

Yes, this is a vulgar and raunchy movie, but critics and audiences embraced it when it ran in the theaters. With the crude humor as well as language, the film also encompasses the lesson of emotional growth – for teens as well as their parents.

Blockers is rated R for crude and sexual content, and language throughout, drug content, teen partying, and some graphic nudity.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 20 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

‘Designing Woman’ now on Blu-ray

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Gregory Peck and Lauren Bacall star in Designing Woman, a fun film from 1957 directed by Vincente Minnelli. The movie won the Academy Award for “Best Writing, Story and Screenplay – Directly for the Screen.”

Peck is Mike Hagen, a New York sports writer and Bacall is Marilla Brown, a New York fashion designer. They meet when they are both in Los Angeles and fall in love over the period of a few days. So, what do two people do when they fall in love? They get married, of course.

After getting hitched, the couple returns to their NYC lives and they quickly discover that they have very different lifestyles. Mike’s apartment can fit in Marilla’s living room, so they decide to move into her spacious apartment. Not only are their dwellings complete opposites, but their friends are as well. Mike enjoys poker nights with the guys and Marilla’s friends are artsy and refined.

Then, Marilla uncovers something interesting about Mike’s past. His former girlfriend is the woman (Dolores Gray) for whom she is now designing clothes for a Broadway show. But Mike refuses to admit he knew her before she “just” introduced them.

Soon Marilla is deep in despair about her husband’s lie while at the same time Mike is trying to keep a low profile while uncovering a story about a mobster who has been fixing boxing events. How will these two mesh their different lifestyles? The bottom line is, love conquers all, even when it’s up against some hard-hitting mobsters.

There is a fun bonus feature with the costume designer for the show, Helen Rose. Viewers get to see how “interviews” are sometimes conducted. Rose pauses to “listen” to a question and then answers it. This is a common practice, even today. The local press reporters are given the same questions that they “ask” and then Rose proceeds to answer them, as though she were talking directly to that specific reporter. The questions are missing in this bonus, but with her answers viewers get an idea of what was asked.

Helen Rose designed the costumes for many MGM shows and was nominated for several Academy Awards, of which she won two. She also was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002 for the Costumes Designers Guild.

Designing Woman is not rated. This HD remastered Blu-ray is part of the Warner Archive Collection and can be ordered at their website or online retailers where DVDs and Blu-rays are sold.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 20 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