Author: Francine Brokaw

‘Solo Mio’ is an emotionally charged story

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The newest feature film from Angel Studios, Solo Mio, takes viewers on a roller coaster ride of emotions. Kevin James stars as Matt Taylor, a man who finds himself in an unexpected situation but manages to forge on.

Matt is at the altar, dressed in his suit, waiting for his fiancée Heather (Julie Ann Emery) to walk down the aisle. But that doesn’t happen. He has literally been left at the altar, in Rome, far from family and friends, and stuck with an extravagant honeymoon package for two. What’s a person to do?

Matt is numbed by the situation, however he decides to experience Rome and Italy the way he and Heather were supposed to do, but now he is on his own. Two other American couples have also signed up for the honeymoon package and when they see Matt is alone, they take him into their little circle.

Julian (Kim Coates) and Meghan (Alyson Hannigan) are an odd couple. They have been married and divorced from each other several times. And Neil (Jonathan Roumie) and Donna (Julee Cerda) are also a bit odd. Nevertheless, the four soon become five, as Matt goes along with the planned itinerary. 

Gia (Nicole Grimaudo) owns the little coffee shop by the hotel and sees that Matt is alone and a bit out of place. They form a friendship that allows Matt not to feel so alone, even though he is single on a honeymoon vacation. 

As the days roll on and Matt tries to contact Heather, slowly he relaxes and sinks into a more calm state of mind. He can do this. He was alone before Heather so he can be alone now. But this time things are different. He had his life planned out, with Heather by his side. Now he has no one by his side – except Julian and Neil who take it upon themselves to help him get back into the game.

Even though Matt experiences the depths of emotions, falling into a deep funk after being left at the altar, there is a bright side. People are not all cruel and unfeeling, as he soon finds out. And Gia is the emotional support he has needed all this time. But is he ready to enter another relationship? It has only been a few days since Heather left him alone and in despair.

Going through the motions of the activities in the honeymoon package helps ease the harsh reality of what happened. And Gia is a sweet, kind, and understanding woman who is there to support him.

The sights of Rome and Tuscany add to the story as Matt experiences the beauty and history of Italy. And the music adds an additional element to this touching tale.

Finding oneself and one’s place in life is the theme in this film, as well as second chances at love.  And for Matt Taylor, it took a broken engagement to find his true love. Viewers take this emotional ride with Matt as Kevin James portrays him with depth and heart.

Solo Mio is a heartfelt and heartening story from the studio that brought David, The Last Rodeo, and others to the big screen. It opens in theaters February 6, 2026, and is rated PG.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Images supplied courtesy ANGEL

It’s piggy time with a ‘Babe’ double feature

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

There is a new Blu-ray double feature release of Babe and Babe: Pig in the City. Both Babe and Babe: Pig in the City have been released by Kino Lorber separately on 4K UHD, however the new double feature is only on Blu-ray.  The double feature has plenty of fun entertainment for hours of family viewing with the adorable little pig known as “Babe.”

When Babe came out in 1995, kids enjoyed the adventure of the little piglet who was won and adopted by farmer named Arthur Hoggett (James Cromwell). The mild-mannered farmer keeps the pig, who was destined for Christmas dinner, and not as a guest. Farmer Hoggett captured the hearts of viewers for saving the little fellow.

Babe became friends with the other animals on the farm, however there were some who do not care for the newcomer. Nevertheless, this sweet little pig captured the love of viewers of all ages.

And with the love the little pig received by young and old, the studio made a sequel three years later. This time Babe is taken to the city with the intent of winning a big prize to save the farm. Unfortunately, the little pig gets separated from Esme Hoggett.

In the city, Babe is now trying to survive and find a way back to Esme, the farmer’s wife, who is in the city with him to hopefully win the big prize money. Their objective is to save the farm from bankruptcy, but now Babe needs to save himself, and along the way joins with other animals who are also trying to survive.

On cold winter nights, this double feature provides plenty of fun pig adventures with the little pig who is beloved by all ages and who has been a favorite for over 30 years!

Babe: Pig in the City is  little darker story than the original Babe. They are both rated G and are fun entertainment for kids and the whole family. They are filled with adventure, friendships, heart, and the cuteness of one little pig named Babe.

There is a “making of” bonus feature on Babe about how the filmmakers made a realistic “talking” pig.

The new Babe and Babe: Pig in the City Double Feature from Kino Lorber is a nice addition to a family video library. And being in Blu-ray, it is much clearer with enhanced video and audio.


About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

‘Dante’s Peak’ is now available on 4K Ultra HD

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

Kino Lorber just released a 4K UHD/Blu-ray edition of the 1997 thriller Dante’s Peak, starring Pierce Brosnan and Linda Hamilton. 

The story focuses on a dormant volcano that comes alive and threatens a small town, of which Hamilton is the mayor. Brosnan takes on the role of a volcanologist whose theory about the upcoming eruption and ultimate destruction is initially rebuffed by the other scientists, but soon becomes apparent as the volcano bursts to life.

As the people race to safety, Rachel (Hamilton) and Harry (Brosnan) join forces to locate her two kids who have gone up the mountain to help their grandmother. As the imminent danger encroaches on the town and the mountain, the power of this eruption unleashes lava and ash, and deadly gas.

The story is tense as the scientists and townsfolk try to evacuate to safety while Harry and Rachel are making their own way but things are not easy for them. With all the chaos of the ash and gas, their escape is not cut and dried.

Brosnan is perfect for this role. He is a stabilizing force for Rachel and her family as they maneuver down the mountain to safety. As dramatic thrillers go, this is pretty good, and definitely entertaining. It has all the aspects of a dramatic thriller combined with a family story – of survival.

The bonuses on this new 4K UHD + Blu-ray edition include a “making of” featurette.

Dante’s Peak is rated PG-13 for disaster related peril and gore. Parents need to keep this in mind before viewing it with kids. Fans of the show will enjoy the new 4K UHD version which is crystal clear with a new HDT Dolby Vision Master. It brings the drama to the screen like never before.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

‘Sabrina’ (1995) Special Edition Blu-ray

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Kino Lorber has a new Special Edition Blu-ray of the remake of Sabrina.

This 1995 version of the awkward girl who grew up to be a beautiful woman is a remake of the 1954 original classic. This time Harrison Ford takes on the role of Linus Larrabee, originated by Humphrey Bogart in the first film. Greg Kinnear is his younger playboy brother David (originated by William Holden) and Julia Ormond steps into the shoes of Sabrina Fairchild, first brought to the screen by Audrey Hepburn.

Instead of being a chef, this Sabrina is a photographer, but the storyline is basically the same as the 1954 film.  Sabrina has always been in love with David, but her class is beneath him, as he is a wealthy man of society and she is the daughter of their chauffeur.

Once she returns from Paris, David falls in love with this woman who has turned from a plain Jane – or actually, a plain Sabrina – into a beautiful and sophisticated woman. The family is set against this relationship, so Linus takes it upon himself to woo her to take her attention away from David who is betrothed to a woman (Lauren Holly) whose family, when merged with theirs, would make a great business venture.

The all-business Linus actually falls for Sabrina, and as in the original film, their love is destined to be, to the chagrin of the family. But love wins out. 

The ending differs a bit from the Bogart version as the times have changed. Instead of following her onto a ship, he takes the now-defunct Concord to arrive in Paris before she gets there to profess his feelings. And hopefully, they will live happily ever after.

John Williams was nominated for two Academy Awards for his music in this film.

This new Special Edition Blu-ray includes a new audio commentary by film historian Julie Kirgo and filmmaker Peter Hankoff.  As remakes go, this is a good one. Nothing can beat the original classic, but this updated version is very enjoyable. It is fun to watch the two movies and see the differences. Some viewers, especially younger ones, will most likely enjoy the 1995 movie, which is in color. They are both entertaining.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

 

Disneyland adds Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and more to Galaxy’s Edge

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Disneyland has been in a bit of a quandary when it comes to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The story in the land is a different timeline than the original movies with Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Darth Vader, yet these are beloved characters from the franchise. So, to honor the legacy of these characters and add to the enjoyment of the land for true die-hard Star Wars fans, the legendary characters will be coming to the park beginning April 29, 2026.

Now, this is a bit of a tricky situation, considering the stories playing out in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge are not from the time of Luke, Leia, Han, etc. So to keep guests immersed in the different timelines of the franchise, the new characters, aka the ones from the original films that launched the Star Wars phenomenon, will be relegated to specific locations so as not to confuse guests. 

Younger guests are probably more aware of the newer characters, specifically Grogu and the Mandelorian. But older guests – you know who you are – who were brought up with the original saga and characters, might not be as well versed in the later stories. So adding the original characters to the land is a great idea for those guests. 

And the music by John Williams from the original films transport guests into the legend and history of the franchise.

Disneyland is not removing the fan favorites: Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Fire of the Rising Moons, and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.  They are simply adding the characters and flavor of the original six films.

The characters of Grogu, the Mandelorian, Chewbacca, R2-D2, and others have been greeting guests in Batuu all along. Now, in other areas of the land, guests will come across Leia, Luke, Darth Vader, and Han Solo.

Simply put, the original trilogy that has become part of Hollywood history will now be added to Disneyland’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge land. This means guests will be able to immerse themselves in multiple timelines, which should boost the enjoyment of fans of the original Star Wars as well as the later stories. 

So, welcome Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Darth Vader. Disneyland is now your land too (to add to Walt’s opening day remarks). And, may the force be with you.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Image: Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort

 

Make Valentine’s Day sweet with this collection of delicious treats

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Valentine’s Day celebrates love and joy. This year make it even sweeter with the Cinematic Love: Nostalgic Celebration of Treats from Sugar Plum Chocolates. It’s a fun – and delicious – way to spend the evening with your sweetie with these sweets (and savories).

The box in itself is fun. It looks like an old-time movie ticket. But when you slide out the inside, wow, you are in for a treat.

There is a bag of caramel corn drizzled with chocolate. Can you say, “delicious?” Yep. It’s a great snack to munch on while watching a favorite Valentine’s Day movie. 

Besides the caramel corn there are four graham cracker sandwiches filled with peanut butter and covered with milk chocolate. Another delectable treat.

There is also a little bag of milk chocolate pretzel balls. Pretzels and chocolate make a great combination!

For those who want a little sour, a bag of sour cherry balls and a bag of sour pucker lips fit the bill. And to top off the collection is a bag of little champagne bubble candies.

Okay, so here’s a great idea for this year’s February 14th evening. Select a memorable movie (it does not have to be a romantic one, but that helps), open this celebration of treats, and cuddle up for the evening. Who says you have to go out to enjoy the night?

Some favorite films that might be worth exploring are An Affair to Remember, When Harry Met Sally, and You’ve Got Mail. If you’re not in the mood for a romantic story, it is just as memorable to watch Star Wars. Whatever you select, the Nostalgic Celebration of Treats will definitely add to the enjoyment.

And why not get the box to have on hand when guests come over or for any time a bit of sweetness is called for? After all, even though it comes out for Valentine’s Day, it is just as delicious every other day. 

The box is available at the Sugar Plum website and will be available for Valentine’s Day at the Macys and Goldbelly websites.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry, products and travel for over 35 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites.

The Sugar Plum Chocolates Cinematic Love: Nostalgic Celebration of Treats was sent to me with no expectations.

‘Rental Family’ is now available for home viewing

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Brendan Fraser stars in this unusual story about a middle-age American actor living in Tokyo, trying to eke out a living. When he is offered a job by a “Rental Family” business, he is a bit apprehensive at first, but the money is good so he takes it. Rental Family takes viewers on an emotional journey not only for Phillip (Fraser), but also for those involved in his “acting” jobs.

So, what does this business known as “Rental Family” actually do? It employs actors to role play as various people to help make dreams come true and to help people with situations in their lives where an actual person is not available. Strange, but true.

For instance, his first gig is to “act” as the groom in a traditional Japanese wedding. The “bride” needs to show her family a traditional ceremony and Phillip fits the bill. After the ceremony she explains to her family that the couple will be moving to Canada to live. The bride simply wants to move away from the restrictions and traditions in her family and country and live her life freely, which can only be done if she is away. 

By giving her parents a memory to hold onto, even though it is fake but they think it is real, the agency provides them with satisfaction that their daughter is happily married.  And the client, aka the bride, gets a legitimate way to leave her family and country and live the life she desires.

That is just one of their services. Phillip is initially apprehensive about deceiving people, however when it is explained to him that he is providing a useful service and helping the clients, then he begins to ease into the job. As the “token white man” in the agency, his services become very useful in several situations.

When an aging actor feels useless and forgotten, Phillip takes on the role of a magazine writer assigned to write an article about the man. This gives the old man hope that his legacy will live on.

Perhaps the most emotional role Phillip undertakes is that of a father to a young (and adorable) girl whose mother hires him in order to portray a united family to impress the admissions board at a prestigious school. The little girl, Mia (Shannon Mahina Gorman), is introduced to her estranged father, aka Phillip, and as the two get to know each other, their bond becomes real. No longer does Phillip feel as though he is simply playing a role. He genuinely connects and loves Mia, and vice versa.

Therein lies the problem with this agency. Yes, the actors know they are simply playing a part in peoples’ lives, but for Phillip, and eventually some others, the aspect of keeping it professional and not getting personally involved with those they are working with, or acting with, is not easy. How can it not get personal? Especially for Phillip who is a sensitive guy and goes out of his way to fulfill the desires and wishes of those he is with.

The story is unusual, however viewers might be surprised to learn it is based on some realities in Japan. Besides several deleted scenes, there is a bonus “making of” featurette delving into the origin of the story and the characters and actors who brought it to the screen.

Director Hikari brought a sensitive story to light, and the Japanese cast, along with Fraser, discuss the story and the emotions involved.

As viewers watch the scenarios of the old man and the little girl unfold, they will definitely feel the tug of emotion that Phillip feels as he carries out his job as an actor while at the same time bringing his humanity to the situations. 

This is definitely a different story that will pull at the heartstrings of viewers while also immersing them in Japanese ways. The story is about human connections, emotions, belonging, and life itself. It is now available on digital and Blu-ray.

Rental Family is rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some strong language, and suggestive material.

About the Author
Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Bonus features may vary by product and retailer.
Images supplied courtesy Searchlight Pictures.  Photos by James Lisle/Searchlight Pictures. © 2025 Searchlight Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

‘Wicked for Good’ is now available on digital for home viewing

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

The finale to the Wicked story is now available to watch in the comfort of your own home. Wicked for Good is the continuation of the 2024 hit film starring Arianda Grande and Cynthia Erivo as Glinda and Elphaba, respectively.

In the final film, Elphaba is in exile and branded “The Wicked Witch of the West.” Glinda is living in the palace in Emerald City, and Oz is not the idyllic place we have all come to know.

The story has many deep and dark elements. The treatment of animals is horrendous. The magic of Oz is not there. 

The story delves into many of the iconic aspects of the beloved 1939 movie, bringing much of the original content by L. Frank Baum back to the public. But just as his original set of stories about Oz were woven with dark aspects combined with a magical world, so is this movie.

The bottom line above all is friendship. Elphaba and Glinda have been living separate lives, but their friendship is still strong, and in the end it is Glinda who faces the people and declares she wants to be Glinda for Good. 

This colorful, magical, musical, and emotional  story is quickly becoming a favorite, especially for fans of the original Wicked. It is visually stunning yet tinged with dark aspects.

Along with the film there are plenty of bonus features, available on the digital.

The movie is two hours seventeen minutes in length. There are six deleted scenes that add just a little to the story. 

A 51 minute “Making of” featurette delves deep into the background of the film, the process of making the movie, and the characters. Viewers might not be aware that the two movies were made at the same time. Some days they would be filming scenes for Wicked and other days they would be filming scenes for Wicked for Good. By filming them together, the actors had to get themselves into the right headspace each day to match the time frame of the scenes.

As Director Jon M. Chu says in this featurette, “There was always a master plan for the story.” Taking five years to produce the two films, the tale of Glinda and Elphaba came together with elements from The Wizard of Oz blending into the movies.

Hard work, love, and heart went into creating these two films, with a large scope from which to build and film. Viewers go behind the scenes to see the filming of many of the scenes. The technical process combined with emotional elements worked together in the creation of the movies.

There are also four featurettes that bring additional knowledge to viewers. The Wizard of Oz is “an American fairytale” and the filmmakers kept that in mind during the process. This was a weighty project for them. 

The iconography from L. Frank Baum was always front and center. 

There is a  look at Glinda’s new song “The Girl in the Bubble.” Ariana Grande says the song and scene were “a pivotal moment” for Glinda. It is when she decides, “I can make a difference.”

Other featurettes look at Elphaba’s hideaway, the wizard, and more.

With all the bonus features, the digital release of Wicked for Good is sure to entrance fans of Wicked and the stories of Oz.

The movie will be coming out on 4K UHD, Blu-ray & DVD January 20, 2026.

Wicked for Good is rated PG for action/violence, some suggestive material, and thematic material.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

‘Lost in Paradise’ stars Lacey Chabert in a cute rom-com

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Hallmark’s princess, Lacey Chabert, brings charm and cuteness to her newest Hallmark Channel film. Lost in Paradise is somewhat predictable but also a nice little story to warm the cold winter days and nights as it brings  the beauty of Polynesia to the screen.

Chabert stars alongside Ian Harding as two professionals who find themselves stranded on a “deserted” island. Sophia (Chabert) owns a high-end fashion brand and Max (Harding) is a chef in a fancy restaurant. They are both struggling with their situations.

To save her company, Sophia hires a private plane to take her and her latest collection to Fiji where she intends on impressing a board member. And Max happens to be on the same plane on his way to Fiji to talk with a potential investor for his new restaurant. But what neither of them count on is a plane crash.

A violent storm appear and soon the plane is plummeting into the ocean with Sophia, Max, the pilot Julian (James Trevena), and co-pilot Lance (Sean Miguel Perez). Luckily they crashed near an island, so with the raft on board they manage to get safely to shore.

Julian and Lance decide to take the raft and try to find a nearby island where they can get help, leaving Sophia and Max to fend for themselves. They actually do a great job of surviving. Thanks to each of their skills, they concoct a pretty nice situation for themselves – she weaves hats and helps build a little shelter and he spears fish and cooks the most delicious meals using only the items found around them. What a team!

As the days go by, yes, they do fall in love. This is a Hallmark film so viewers know what they are getting. What will happen to them once they are “rescued?”

With the starlit skies gone, and five-star resorts replacing their cozy little shelter, can and will they manage to maintain the feelings that blossomed when they were just a couple of stranded people on a “deserted” island?

Lost in Paradise was actually filmed on location in Fiji. 

Chabert and Harding make a good pair and play off each other beautifully. This is a charming little story that is now available to stream on Hallmark Plus

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA. 

Image supplied courtesy Hallmark Media

‘Wicked for Good’ digital code GIVEAWAY

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Wicked For Good takes viewers back into the fantasy realm of Oz with Elphaba (The Wicked Witch of the West), and Glinda. The Emerald City is still bright and beautiful with Glinda looking out for the people, but when her old friend Elphaba is in danger, she must help her and in the process make Oz the ultimate place for good.

We have one digital code to giveaway. The code is for MOVIES ANYWHERE and the movie includes the bonus features included on the physical discs.

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

The deadline for this giveaway is January 12, 2026. Good luck!