Author: Francine Brokaw

‘Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia’ available on Netflix

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



Last year the DreamWorks Animation series Trollhunters took Netflix viewers to a new realm. The 26-episode first season was the most watched kids original series on Netflix, to date. The second season, Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia premiers December 15, 2017 with 13 fun-filled episodes for fans young and not-so-young.

As the writers explained to members of the media, the story was originally envisioned as a feature film, but there was too much to explore so they designed a serialized trilogy that has been created for TV viewers on Netflix. In the first season they crafted the different worlds: the human world and the troll world, and they brought the characters to life. Season two expands the characters and explores the mythology, giving a more detailed look at the background of the special magical items as well as the characters.

As they also discussed, Toby is not just a sidekick for Jim, and Claire is not just the token female/girlfriend. This season is definitely the “season of Claire,” and her strength and the power of her shadow staff comes into play more as the episodes progress.

The series is as entertaining for girls as it is for boys, and the kids who have been hooked on the show have involved their parents in it as well. The characters, mythology, and magic appeal to all viewers.

The late Anton Yelchin voiced the character of Jim in the show and the writers/producers expressed sadness that the actor didn’t live long enough to see the love and affection viewers have for the series.


Kelsey Grammer voices the adorable troll Blinky, and this season Mark Hamill comes on as Blinky’s evil brother Dictatious Maximus. The writers are excited by Hamill’s addition to the show. He brings a different level of enthusiasm and vision to his character than they originally imagined.

The third season in the trilogy will be “Wizards” yet that has yet to be finalized.

Trollhunters garnered the most Emmy Awards for in single year for an animated show. There’s no doubt the show has a strong following and with the way the entire season is available for binge watching on Netflix, it is sure to gain even more viewers as the second season hits the network.

With the winter months being notorious for sick days, having these two season available to view will be a welcome experience for any kid who is stuck in bed with a cold or the flu.

Trollhunters and Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia are rated TV-Y7.

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

‘Father Goose’ on Blu-ray with new bonus features

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Olive Films has just released the Cary Grant film Father Goose as an Olive Signature Blu-ray with new bonus features. This 1964 movie was one of Grant’s final films. After this he made only one more movie, Walk, Don’t Run, which was produced in 1966.

Father Goose takes place during World War II. Grant stars as Walter Eckland, a bum drifting through life. He was a former teacher but is now just taking it easy and appropriating whatever he can find for his own purpose – even military supplies.

Walter is manipulated into taking a position as a coast watcher on an uninhabited South Pacific island. What he gets is more than he bargained for.

When he is sent to a nearby island to rescue the local coast watcher after a Japanese attack, he discovers a woman and a group of young girls. Catherine Freneau (Leslie Caron) is chaperoning several girls from a boarding school and they ended up on this island. To keep them alive, he takes them back to his island, hoping they will be taken back to civilization the next day. What actually happens is that he is stuck with them all for the foreseeable future.

So, take one somewhat stuffy French chaperone, add seven impressionable young women, and mix in a grumpy, unkempt bum and you have the recipe for two hours of fun. From the opening scene with a catchy song to the ending credits, this is a film for Cary Grant fans and everyone else (although who isn’t a fan of the legendary actor?).

Trevor Howard plays Walter’s friend and the commander who initially blackmails Walter into being a coast watcher but then must face the sticky situation with Walter being in charge of eight females who are counting on him to keep them safe. Caron is delightful as Catherine Freneau and as the story progresses and the young women become infatuated with Mr. Eckland, she also falls under his rather gruff charm.

A bonus feature looks at the final part of Grant’s career and life. It might surprise fans to know that he was going to play Professor Higgins in the film version of My Fair Lady, but thought he would always be compared to Rex Harrison who inhabited that role on stage and ultimately reprised it in the movie.

Cary Grant wanted to go out on top. He didn’t want to be remembered as one of those Hollywood stars who kept going and going, like the Energizer bunny. This man had class and wanted to be remembered as the dashing movie star and not some old man on the screen.

This feature will definitely enlighten fans of Grant about his desires and goals. One of those goals was to get an Academy Award, which he eventually did for his body of work but not for one performance. That was fine with him.

There is a bonus feature with Ted Nelson whose father Ralph directed the film. In this feature Nelson talks about his father’s career. He comes from a show business family, with his mother being actress Celeste Holm, however Ted has earned his own place in history as the man who initially envisioned the World Wide Web – back in the 1960s!

With the new informational bonus features and the delightful movie, this edition of Father Goose is a must-have for fans of the show.

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

‘A Fan’s Guide to Hawaii Five-O” by Cheryl Hollar – Book Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



Author Cheryl Hollar has penned an interesting book for fans of the two TV series Hawaii Five-O and of TV history. “A Fan’s Guide to Hawaii Five-O” is an “unofficial” guidebook to the two shows. It’s clear that Hollar researched extensively in order to bring plenty of interesting tidbits to readers.

In 1968 a little show hit the airwaves. With a powerful opening sequence and memorable theme song, Hawaii Five-O didn’t quite take off with viewers in the beginning. But it soon caught on with interesting and unforgettable characters, tag lines, and stories and scenery that brought viewers to Hawaii every week. It remained on the air until 1980. In 2010 the show was rebooted with a new cast however the scenery is the same and the theme song, although a bit bouncier, is still one of the most memorable tunes on TV today.

Hollar brings readers into the heart of the show and all the actors. There are so many facts woven into her narrative that it a fun read for anyone interested in the shows and TV itself. Do you know how the series got its name? Most people might assume that Five-O is the actual name of a police division in Hawaii. But they would be wrong. It was named Hawaii Five-O because Hawaii is the 50th state.

The show has insinuated itself into pop culture and culture all together. Cops are often called “Five-O,” and the phrase, “Book ‘em Danno” is a definitely well recognized axiom.

Hollar has infused many facts into this book. She even describes how the “big wave” shot in the opening came to be. Readers get to know about all aspects of creating the show and how it weaves into the locations and names in Hawaii. Information from and about writers, directors, locations, actors, names, and plenty of photos combine to make this a book every fan of the original series and the rebooted series should have. The actors from both shows are looked at in detail as the author creates a well-rounded guide to all aspects of Hawaii Five-O. This is a backstage pass into the world of two iconic shows. It’s apparent that Hollar is a devotee of the show and brings her exuberance to the pages of this book.

Paperback: 116 pages
Publisher: Tomahawk Press (October 9, 2017)
ISBN-10: 0956683487
ISBN-13: 978-0956683489

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

‘Sayonara’ on Blu-ray from Twilight Time

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



Based on the book by James Michener, Sayonara stars Marlon Brando, Miiko Taka, Red Buttons, James Garner, and Miyoshi Umeki in a dramatic story of life and love in Japan after World War II. The story takes place in 1951, just ten years after Pearl Harbor. Tensions run high but yet the people of Japan are eager to get past the resentment they hold for the “Yanks.”

Brando is Air Force Major Gruver, a man from the South who is following in his father’s footsteps in the military. Kent Smith is General Webster, who is friends with Gruver’s father and quite anxious for Gruver to marry his daughter Eileen (Patricia Owens). He reassigns the ace pilot to Japan from Korea so the couple can spend more time together and hopefully marry.

While in Japan, one of Gruver’s men, Joe Kelly (Buttons), marries a Japanese woman (Umeki). The law at the time does not allow American servicemen to bring their Asian wives back to the states. Knowing this, and knowing the prejudice the couple and their children will face, they start their lives as a married couple in Japan. The future will take care of itself.

Gruver is against the union, but eventually comes to realize how much in love the couple is. And to the chagrin of the higher ups, he also falls for a Japanese woman (Taka) and breaks up with the General’s daughter.

Garner is Captain Bailey, a man on the side of love and marriage, and the conduit between the lovers to keep everyone content and in good standing. But that proves a challenge when the military comes down harder on mixed-race couples.

Irving Berlin wrote the title song, and the score is from famed composer Franz Waxman. Joshua Logan directed this epic story of love, compassion, prejudice, and history, and brings the culture of 1950s Japan to the screen.

This film introduced Red Buttons as a mainstream actor to movie audiences. Brando had already made a name for himself with A Streetcar Named Desire, Julius Caesar, On the Waterfront, and Guys and Dolls. Garner went on to star in numerous dramas and comedies in his career. Taka was introduced to audiences in this movie and went on to roles in Shogun and Walk, Don’t Run. Umeki played Mei Li in the 1961 musical Flower Drum Song, and in 1969 co-starred in the TV series The Courtship of Eddie’s Father.

Personally I would have preferred to see James Garner in the lead role, but who am I to challenge Josh Logan? By the way, Garner won the Golden Globe for this film for “Most Promising Male Newcomer.”

Michener penned many classic stories, like “The Bridges at Toko-ri,” “Hawaii,” “Centennial,” and “The Drifters.”

This limited edition Blu-ray from Twilight Time includes a booklet about the movie and the story.

Sayonara is long (147 minutes) and filled with emotions. It’s not rated but due to the subject matter it is not for young viewers. Pop this disc into your player and settle down for two and a half hours of intense drama with a great cast and wonderful performances. Red Buttons won the Academy Award for “Best Actor in a Supporting Role,” Miyoshi Umeki won for “Best Actress in a Supporting Role, “ and the film garnered two additional Oscars.

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

‘Gidget’ on Blu-ray from Twilight Time

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



Anyone who grew up in the 1960s knows about Gidget and Moondoggie. The 1959 movie was based on the book, which was based on the exploits on one young California girl who took up the sport of surfing. Sandra Dee inhabited the role of Gidget, aka Frances (Francie) Lawrence, in the movie that started a slew of surfer films, and James Darren stole the hearts of women of all ages as the singing and surfing Moondoggie.

This new Blu-ray edition from Twilight Time includes not only the fun film about Gidget, Moondoggie, and the crew of surfer dudes (Kahuna, Stinky, Lover Boy, Lord Byron, Hot Shot, and Waikiki), but it also has the original movie trailer and a booklet about the movie and making the film.

Francie is basically a tomboy who loves swimming and activities, except for the activity of “man-hunting” enjoyed by her girlfriends. This particular summer changes everything for the straight-A student as she enters the realm of womanhood. For the first time in her life Francie is romantically attracted to a man. Yes, Moondoggie is the object of her affections, but it takes the entire summer for him to realize he is also attracted to her.

Being a film of the fifties, the visuals are not what we would expect from a surfing movie of today. The actors didn’t have to actually surf. They just stood on their boards and pretended to be the surfer dudes they were playing. But that doesn’t take anything away from the film. It is still a story about the friendship between Francie and the guys in the group, and the start of the loving relationship between Gidget and Moondoggie that has remained in the hearts and minds of viewers for over 50 years.

The film inspired two more Gidget movies, with different actresses taking the title role but James Darren remaining in all three as Moondoggie, aka Jeffrey Matthews. The movies then inspired TV shows and TV films. But nothing is as good as the original.

Cliff Robertson co-stars as Kahuna, the head of the group. Joby Baker, Tom Laughlin, Doug McClure, Burt Metcalfe, and Robert Ellis play the rest of “the crew” with Arthur O’Connell and Mary LaRoche as Gidget’s parents. Darren sings the title song and a sentimental love song in the film, and The Four Preps appear in a scene singing their hit song “Cinderella.”

The first time anyone watches the movie they will probably be surprised by the little plot twist that has hints throughout the film. Even if you know what is coming, it’s still cute to watch the first meeting between Frances Lawrence and Jeffrey Matthews.

Gidget inspired a generation of young surfers and introduced the sport to mainstream film audiences.

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

The Disney Animators’ Collection Littles: Mystery Figures

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Whether you’re looking for some cute stocking stuffers or additional gifts for Chanukah, this new assortment from the Disney Animators’ Collection is perfect. The Disney Animators’ Collection Littles: Mystery Figures sell for $4.95 each from The Disney Store and ShopDisney.com. Besides gifts for the holiday season, they’re also handy for keeping around for little bonus incentive gifts in the future.

When I was a child and faced a difficult situation or challenge, I was rewarded with a small toy. It wasn’t a bribe to do something. It was a token of accomplishment. These little figures would have been exactly what I would receive for overcoming something or facing an illness.

The miniature figures each come in a pencil-shaped case. The cases are designed to fit together and stack to make a unique display. With their special connectors, they can be set in a variety of ways and can be added to as new figures are brought into the group. These are blind boxed so no one knows what is inside until the package is opened.

Currently Wave One is available, with items from Lilo and Stitch, Tangled, and Frozen. There are eight different figures in this first wave: Rapunzel, Pascal with a chase variant, Elsa, Olaf, Elsa’s Bed, Lilo & Scrump, Stitch, and Lilo’s Record Player with Scrump. New waves will be coming with different characters.


When opened, the pencil-shaped box contains a Micro Collectible figure, display case connectors and clips, a collector’s guide, and a surprise drawing. Due to their small size, these are for ages 3 and up.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

‘Fuller House’ Season 2 DVD GIVEAWAY

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


In Fuller House: The Complete Second Season, there’s no place like home, as the Tanner-Fuller-Gibblers serve up a whole new set of hilarious adventures. D.J. finally decides between Matt and Steve. Kimmy’s ex-husband, Fernando moves into the Tanner house. Ramona thinks she’s ready for her first kiss. The entire Tanner family shows up to the house for Thanksgiving, pushing D.J.’s organizational skills to the extremes. Kimmy tries to get her childhood band Girl Talk back together again. Uncle Jesse and Becky consider making an addition to their family. A famous ‘90s boy band makes a guest appearance and much more! Fans won’t want to miss the latest antics of the Tanners in the complete second season, available for the first time on DVD!

The series has already been renewed for a third season on Netflix and earned a People’s Choice Award in 2017 for “Favorite Premium Comedy Series.”

We have some DVDs to giveaway.

To be eligible to win a copy of Fuller House: The Complete Second Season, email us at [email protected] with “Fuller House 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 December 12, 2017.

A look at ‘Home for the Holidays’ with Tip & Oh (and Latke recipe!)

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



Time for some brand new magic from your friends at DreamWorks Animation Television with Home for the Holidays! Based on the popular Netflix original animated series, Home Adventures with Tip & Oh, the Home for the Holidays special finds Oh experiencing his very first Christmas on earth. Unfamiliar with any of these human traditions, Tip does her best to explain Christmas to Oh and they decide to bring the holiday magic to Boovsland. When the Boovs’ unfounded enthusiasm and outlandish interpretation of Christmas wreak havoc and threaten to ruin the holiday for everyone on Earth, Tip and Oh have to get help from some special new friends to save the Season! This is available on Netflix.

‘Despicable Me 3’ on 4K, Blu-ray, DVD, and digital

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



Despicable Me 3 continues to entertain viewers of all ages with the delightful characters that have been beloved by audiences since 2010. The three little girls – Edith, Agnes, and Margo – now have a real family. Gru and Lucy are devoted parents and everything is great for the family.

Then Gru and Lucy lose their jobs at the Anti-Villain League, the Minions decide to leave, and Gru discovers he has a twin brother Dru. Everything changes for them when Dru invites the family to his estate to entice his brother into returning to his live of a villain. But Gru isn’t about to return to evil.

Then Gru has a great idea. He will use his brother to help him in a caper that will put him back in good graces with the Anti-Villain League and he and Lucy can get their jobs back.

While Gru and Dru are plotting their caper, Lucy is bonding with the girls. She desperately wants them to consider her their “mom.”

Like in the past films, the girls steal every scene in which they appear.

This is not a story of good and evil, although that is a big part of the film. It is a story of family. What bonds everyone together, even the Minions, is their love for each other. Whether it’s Lucy finally becoming a real mom to the girls, Agnes selling her stuffed unicorn when her parents lose their jobs, the Minions realizing they belong with the family, or Gru and Dru joining forces as brothers, family is at the core. The love of every family member is what drives each of their actions.
Steve Carell and Kristin Wiig reprise their roles as Gru and Lucy, and Julie Andrews returns as the voice of Gru’s mother who admits that when he was a baby she and her husband broke up and each took one of the twin boys.

There are plenty of bonus features including a Mini Movie about Kyle the “dog” who is smitten by the poodle next door. He has competition for her affection from a cunning German Shepard. More bonuses include deleted scenes, additional antics with the Minions, a look at the Anti-Villain League, a “making of” feature, and more fun with the characters and the voice actors. With the additional features, viewers have much more to explore and enjoy with all the characters in this fun and entertaining film in the family-friendly franchise.

Despicable Me 3 is available on a 4K combo pack, a Blu-ray combo pack, and a DVD. It’s rated PG for action and rude humor.

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

‘You’re Gonna Make it After All” by Marc Shapiro – Book Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



Mary Tyler Moore’s passing in January 2017 was a shock to her fans. As the spunky wife of Rob Petrie in The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-1966) and the spunkier associate producer in The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-1977), Moore has been an icon in TV history. “You’re Gonna Make it After All: The Life, Times and Influence of Mary Tyler Moore” is a book that encompasses the personal and professional lives of the actress from the start to the end.

Marc Shapiro has researched Moore’s life extensively and composed a fact-filled book for Moore’s fans. With quotes from interviews by the actress as well as information comprised in the countless articles and books written about Mary, this biography fills in the gaps and puts her life and career into perspective. While her personal life was not all roses and rainbows, we remember her as a wide-smiled woman with spirit.

Mary Tyler Moore was one of the first women to wear pants on TV. Prior to Laura Petrie, the television women/wives were dressed in, well, dresses. They wore aprons over their dresses when cleaning the house, along with their pearls. This was not a realistic view of the American homemaker, then called “housewife.” Readers might be surprised to know that initially the network gave Carl Reiner static about Mary’s wardrobe, initially allowing her to wear pants in one scene per episode. But slowly Reiner added more scenes with Laura Petrie dressed in slacks and this simple wardrobe change was a turning point in TV history.

Later, MTM would make more history as the first career woman who wasn’t attached to a man. Marlo Thomas is credited with being the first single career woman in her show That Girl (1966-1971), but as Ann Marie, she had a steady boyfriend. That was not the case for Mary Richards. Mary was happy with her life and didn’t need a man around to lean on.

In her personal life the actress felt pangs of guilt for being away from her son a lot. She felt she was not a good mother to her son Richard.

Moore suffered from Type 1 Diabetes and alcoholism. Both of these issues are covered in the pages of this book. As Shapiro weaves the life history of MTM from cover to cover, he adds plenty of quotes from Mary from her numerous interviews.

In 2011 the actress underwent brain surgery for a benign brain tumor and after that her health declined and caused many issues with her mental and physical wellbeing. She basically retired from acting except for a brief appearance on the sitcom of her former co-star Betty White, Hot in Cleveland (2010-1015). In that appearance, viewers got a final view of the woman who had adorned TV sets throughout the years with her vivaciousness, comedy, singing, dancing, and definitely spunk.

Fans of Mary Tyler Moore will get a well-rounded look at the life of this woman in the new book “You’re Gonna Make it After All: The Life, Times and Influence of Mary Tyler Moore” by Marc Shapiro.

Paperback: 194 pages
Publisher: Riverdale Avenue Books (October 11, 2017)
ISBN-10: 1626014116
ISBN-13: 978-1626014114

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter