From the minute you hear that familiar theme song, you know you’re in for a fun time. Smurfs: The Lost Village won’t disappoint viewers of any age.

The story starts with Smurfette’s past. She was made of clay by Gargamel and designed for evil. Papa Smurf changed her from evil to good. She has been the only girl Smurf in the village and she now wonders if she truly belongs there.

Then, Smurfette accidentally comes in contact with another Smurf. This Smurf is a stranger. How could that be? Is there another Smurf village out there?

When Gargamel discovers that there is another village filled with Smurfs, he intends on finding it and Smurf-napping them for their magic, something he has wanted all along.

Smurfette takes off with Brainy, Hefty, and Clumsy, in search of the new village of Smurfs and warn them about Gargamel.

The new village is filled with cute characters and plenty of fun. Besides all the great Smurfy antics Smurfette and her friends experience while getting to the village, there are plenty of entertaining adventures to be had with the new Smurfs. And when Gargamel finally makes his way to the new crop of Smurfs, everyone goes up against this evil wizard.

There are a lot of emotions in this film. It will have viewers laughing out loud for many scenes and then feeling a gut-wrenching sadness. But don’t worry. It all ends on a happy note. And speaking of happy notes, the movie is filled with music for everyone to enjoy.

The film introduces an entire village of new Smurfs. Besides the Smurfs, there are plenty of other critters. Snappy Bug, a ladybug, will steal your heart, and Bucky the bunny is a delight.

There are plenty of bonus features on the Blu-ray (which also comes in the 4K combo pack). The 4K disc makes all the blues Smurfier and the colors brighter, which is important when the gang gets to the new village.

With several emotional scenes combined with loads of comic scenes, this is a movie that will definitely touch your heart in many ways. Although it’s rated PG for some mild action and rude humor, but on the whole it is fun for everyone.

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.

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Twilight Time has just released two dramas with great casts and plenty of tension.

The Bridge at Remagen

The Bridge at Remagen is a World War II story based on an actual event. This 1969 movie stars George Segal, Ben Gazzara, and Robert Vaughn.

It’s the waning days of the war. Only one of the bridges on the Rhine remains. The last one is at Remagen, and it is the target of both the Allies and the Germans. The Allies want it so they can have access over the river. The Germans want to destroy it to keep the Allies out, or at least make it more difficult for them to cross the Rhine.

Lt. Hartman (Segal) is an affable man. He is also the most alert when it comes to second-guessing the Germans. He looks out for his men and tries his best not to put them in danger, but this is war and they face the enemy at every turn.

Sgt. Angelo (Gazzara) is also duty-minded. He has one flaw. He steals from dead bodies. He and Hartman are a good team.

On the other side of the river Major Kreuger (Vaughn) is tasked with blowing up the bridge. He knows if he blows up the bridge, plenty of Germans will be trapped on the wrong side. So he defies orders and waits until the last minute to give the order. It’s a little daunting to see Vaughn as a Nazi.

When Hartman and his men finally reach the bridge after plenty of battles along the way, they are put in a difficult situation. They must cut all the explosive cables put there by the Nazis. But by doing so, if the bridge explodes, they will be trapped in enemy territory.

This is a true story but the movie is quite slow. The best part about it is George Segal. The movie depicts this chapter in history from both sides.

Hell and High Water

Hell and High Water is a 1954 film starring Richard Widmark as a former World War II Navy captain who is tasked with taking a submarine to the northern Pacific to stop what could be the start of World War III.

The story is interesting. The world’s top nuclear scientists have been disappearing and thought to have been taken by or defected to the USSR. But they have secretly been congregating in Japan where they have discovered the Chinese are about to explode a nuclear bomb somewhere in the Pacific.

Captain Jones (Widmark) leads his crew into dangerous territory, with two scientists on board the sub. Denise Montel (Bella Darvi) and Professor Montel (Victor Francen) are along to collect information about the nuclear activities taking place on a remote island.

Once they have concluded their worst fears have been realized and the Chinese indeed are about to explode a nuclear bomb, everything changes. Jones discovers what the Chinese ultimately have in mind and that could be the end of civilization.

This is an interesting story and for those who grew up during the Cold War, it hits close to home.

A bonus feature on the Blu-ray is a documentary about the life and career of Richard Widmark. Most people are unaware of his life. This is an enlightening documentary, with interviews with his daughter and others. It’s definitely something worth watching.

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.

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Baby Richard is about to hatch. His parents are anxiously awaiting his arrival but unfortunately they are taken (aka eaten) just before he emerges from his egg. Then Aurora, a mother stork, hears the commotion in the nest and discovers Richard hatching. She feels badly for the little fellow. After all, he’s an orphan. So she takes him to live with her family. A Stork’s Journey is the story of Richard and his family and friends.

Richard (voiced by Drake Bell) is raised as Aurora and Claudius’ son and Max’s brother. He doesn’t understand he is not a stork. When the time comes for the flock to migrate south, he is finally told he is a sparrow and not a stork, which is something he fiercely discounts. He knows he can keep up with the flock however they leave him behind, “for his own good.”

Richard awakens to discover he is alone. He sets off on a whacky adventure to join his family. Along the way he teams up with a pigmy owl named Olga (voiced by Jane Lynch). Olga never fit in with her own family, being a rather large pigmy owl. So she knows the feeling of being the odd man out, so to speak. They are then joined by a songbird named Kiki. This trio is quite strange, but they form a tight knit little group who just want to help Richard rejoin his “family.”

To get to Africa to meet up with the flock, which are flying south, Richard, Olga, and Kiki fly, take a train, and even catch a boat. They’re resourceful, to say the least. Even though some of their luck is purely accidental, they stick together and forge ahead to join the storks.

The story has some fun aspects, including Olga’s imaginary friend Oleg and the integration of the Internet and Facebook. Getting “online” is easy for the birds. All they have to do is to sit on a live phone wire. Then they are on line, or online. “OMG.” It’s fun.

The bonus feature on the DVD is a behind the scenes look at creating the voices. The director along with Jane Lynch and Drake Bell discuss voicing the characters.

A Stork’s Journey is rated PG for some mild peril. At many times little Richard’s life is at risk, as well as his friends. But in the end they are fine and all’s well that ends well.

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.

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Whether you’re in the mood for some fun or some great drama, there are two new movie collections that will fit the bill. Peter Sellers stars as the bumbling Inspector Jacques Clouseau in the hysterical The Pink Panther films, and Matt Damon stars as Jason Bourne in the intriguing spy films.

The Pink Panther Collection on Blu-ray

As soon as we hear the music, we know what is going to follow is a lot of humor. Henry Mancini’s iconic score and memorable theme song help give The Pink Panther its whimsy.

The Pink Panther first entertained viewers in 1963 and was followed by A Shot in the Dark (1964), The Return of the Pink Panther (1975), The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976), Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978), and Trail of the Pink Panther (1982). In all of these films, Peter Sellers continues to entertain viewers as the dimwitted Clouseau, and David Niven as the classy Sir Charles Litton.

In 2006 Steve Martin stepped into the shoes of Inspector Clouseau for a new generation of viewers, however it is Sellers whose shoes were too big to fill. Peter Sellers will always be the one and only Inspector Jacques Clouseau.

Blake Edwards, the writer and director, made a set of films that have stood the test of time. With several bonus features, including a new interview and plenty of documentaries, this set is a must-have for fans of historic comedy. All members of the family will be laughing out loud during these great comical scenes.

Grab some popcorn, gather the family, and get ready for some fun with The Pink Panther.

Bourne: The Ultimate Collection on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack

Matt Damon’s character of Jason Bourne is almost as iconic as James Bond. In 2002 he mesmerized audiences in the first film in this franchise, The Bourne Identity. That was then followed up with The Bourne Supremacy in 2004, The Bourne Ultimatum in 2007, The Bourne Legacy in 2012, and Jason Bourne in 2016. Damon starred in all of these except The Bourne Legacy.

The character of Jason Bourne is from the imagination of author Robert Ludlum who penned the series.

Included in this Ultimate Collection is a bonus disc filled with plenty of additional features. These features look at the training for the fight scenes, the location filming, behind-the-scenes, deleted scenes, and many other items that will give viewers a complete sense of the entire franchise.

Fans of this series will definitely want this new ultimate collection. With all of the films as well as the bonus disc, this will be a great way to spend a weekend binging on all things Jason Bourne.

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.

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26 years after the animated film became an instant classic, the live action version is an enchanting addition to the Disney portfolio. Beauty and the Beast stars Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast.

We all know the story of the enchantress (Hattie Morahan) who transforms a prince into a beast and puts a spell on him and all who work in his castle. The spell can only be broken by love. Could anyone love a beast? Absolutely. Especially when he is a sweet, sensitive man deep within. It is up to Belle to bring out that side of him

There are plenty of bonus features on the Blu-ray, including comments from the cast. Thompson says her character of Mrs. Potts was “a tough act to follow.” Angela Lansbury who voiced the loveable teapot in the animated movie originally brought the character to the screen. Even though the original film was followed by a Broadway play, Emma Watson said there was “more to tell,” and this movie delves deeper into Belle’s past. Watson also says filming the “Be Out Guest” scene as “the most boring” because for days it was only her alone at a table. The other characters were all CGI. Viewers see how this scene came to life.

Celine Dion discusses being part of both films. And there is a feature highlighting the women behind the camera. Following on Belle’s strength, the production also relied on women to bring the story to life.

Viewers also see how the set was created on the back lot of the studio in Britain. The only scene shot on location was the forest scene with Gaston (Luke Evans) and LeFou (Josh Gad).

Kevin Kline is Maurice, Belle’s father whose actions start the entire process of the relationship between Belle and the Beast. Ewan McGregor (Lumiere), Ian McKellen (Cogsworth), Emma Thompson (Mrs. Potts), and Audra McDonald (Madame Garderobe) are part of this wonderful cast.

A music video with Ariana Grande and John Legend, deleted scenes, and a song selection round out the additional features on this combo pack.

Beauty and the Beast is just as enchanting (no pun intended) in live action as it is in animated form, although the original is still a beloved movie that will continue to be among the top rated films. With memorable characters, a delightful story, and songs that have been beloved by generations, the movie will delight all ages.

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.

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75 years ago the feature animated film Bambi premiered and became an instant classic. Now it joins Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Beauty and the Beast, and Pinocchio as part of the Signature Collection from Disney Home Entertainment.

The story of Bambi delighted readers when it appeared in books. Then Walt Disney decided to make it into an animated feature film. He knew he had to change some things from the book version to make it more appealing to theater audiences, however he did not change the part in which Bambi’s mother dies. This was upsetting to his daughter Diane, who wanted to know why he kept that in the story. She, and most viewers, would have preferred for this scene to be omitted. It has always been the subject of discussion over the years, and a sense of sadness for everyone who loves little Bambi.

The story follows the “Prince of the Forest” from his birth through his first years when he grows, falls in love, and learns to live in the forest. After his mother dies, Bambi lives with his father and is taught how to survive. He desires to be as great a leader as his dad, and when a fire threatens the forest, he has a chance to prove himself.

Bonus features include two deleted scenes that are absolutely adorable, even though they are still in storyboard form. Too bad they didn’t make it into the final cut. Viewers learn about the background of the film and how it made its mark on the Disney Studio. Walt Disney was adamant that the animated characters look more realistic than those in the Snow White film.

With the invention of the Multiplane camera, the studio ramped up animation. This new device created the illusion of depth in animation. Many of the techniques used in the making of Bambi are still being used today at the studio. Viewers can also learn interesting facts about deer in the “Fawn Facts” bonus feature. Besides bonus features about Bambi, there is a short film featuring Oswald the rabbit.

Bambi has always been a loved story with delightful characters and inspired Bambi II in 2006. “Bambi” was nominated for three Academy Awards and won a Golden Globe. This newest edition is a must have for fans of the film.

The Anniversary Edition Signature Collection includes a Blu-ray, DVD, digital HD, and a watercolor lithograph of Bambi and Thumper. Bambi is rated G.

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