‘Care Bears & Cousins: BFFs– Volume 2’ on DVD

Posted on February 25, 2017 by Francine Brokaw

The Care Bears and their cousins are always loveable, colorful, and leave viewers feeling happy with a smile on their faces. This new DVD includes several episodes featuring the delightful little bears and their cousins as they learn lessons about life and friendship.

The land of Care-a-lot is filled with magic and viewers see all the wonders of the land as well as the magic and fun of the characters. In one episode, jealousy rears its ugly head when Share Bear and her BFF Harmony Bear have a little problem and each thinks the other has found a new BFF. But thanks to Cheer Bear, they realize they don’t have to have only one BFF.

In another episode Lotsa Heart Elephant has a hard time concentrating on her poem, which she promised to do. After wishing that “tomorrow would never come” so she wouldn’t have to recite the poem she forgot to learn, Wish Bear grants her wish. Unfortunately, everyone is stuck in that same day/night until Lotsa realizes she is to blame and understands that keeping a promise is important.

There are some other great lessons to learn in these episodes, each filled with all the fun characters we have all come to love and cherish. Whether it’s Cozy Heart Penguin (my favorite), Brave Heart Lion, or any of the delightful bears and cousins, these episodes will delight kids as they watch and learn about live and caring.

Six episodes from the Netflix series are included in this DVD.

Check out this list of characters from Care-a-lot:

Tenderheart Bear
Cheer Bear
Grumpy Bear
Share Bear
Harmony Bear
Funshine Bear
Wonderheart Bear
Care Bear Cousins
Brave Heart Lion
Lotsa Heart Elephant
Bright Heart Raccoon
Cozy Heart Penguin
Good Luck Bear
Thanks-a-Lot Bear
Love-a-Lot Bear
Secret Bear
Surprise Bear
Wish Bear
King Beastly

And there are some great apps available to download to continue the fun of the characters.

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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RSVP Skinnies – Zero Calorie Mixers

Posted on February 23, 2017February 23, 2017 by Francine Brokaw

Have you ever looked at one of those pretty drinks on a TV show or sitting on the table next to you in a restaurant and thought that you would love to try it? For those who are on diets, well, let’s face it, they are loaded with calories. And for those who don’t drink alcohol for whatever reasons, they are simply off the menu. But how would you like to have one without all the added sugar or without the alcohol? Skinnies let’s you have your cake and eat it too, so to speak.

What are Skinnies? They are zero calorie, sugar free drink mixers. You can use them with or without alcohol.

Made from plant-based ingredients (with some stevia leaf extract and erythritol from melons), there are no artificial coloring or sugary fruit juices, or even preservatives. These all-natural mixers are delicious and come in a variety of flavors. There are no calories in them however, if you combine them with alcohol you will add the alcoholic calories, but even so, the mixers are what really add up when you’re counting calories.

Watching “Sex and the City” many viewers were introduced to the NY Cosmo. Why not make your own with one of these mixers? Combine the Skinnies Cosmo mixer with Vodka and Soda – or if you want a virgin Cosmo leave out the Vodka – and you have a great, and refreshing libation.

For a Baja Margarita, combine a Skinnies Margarita packet with water and Tequila (if you want), and serve it on the rocks in a salt-rimmed glass. It’s so much less expensive than ordering one in a restaurant – and much healthier.

Other flavors include London Gimlet and Maui Mai Tai. Each packet comes with mixing directions.

Imagine having a party and offering your guests their choice of cocktail without all the fuss of having a bartender. Combine each mixer with 4 ounces of water or soda (depending on the cocktail), and 1.5 ounces of alcohol (if desired). The flavor in the mixers is what makes them so delicious. And with the price of $6 for a box of 6, that makes them only a dollar per drink.

RSVP Skinnies are perfect for those who are watching their waistline, their wallets, and even their alcohol intake. You can have the delicious flavor of an expensive cocktail without all the added calories and cost. Whether you chose to make yours with or without alcohol, these are a nice way to change up your routine. And they go nicely with any diet. With no calories, sugars, and 1 or 2 grams of carbs, they are a dieter’s dream.

Mix, shake or stir, sit back, and enjoy a refreshing drink with far less calories than if you ordered it out!

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.

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Tea for Two with Mrs. Potts and Chip

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Francine Brokaw

In 1991 Disney’s animated feature film Beauty and the Beast quickly became an audience favorite among all ages. On March 17, 2017 the live-action version of the Disney classic hits theaters. All the characters we have loved for 26 years are back, albeit just a little different.

To celebrate this new film the Disney Store has two great tea sets – one for kids and one for adults, each designed with the live-action film in mind.

The Enchanted Objects Tea Set ($24.95) is for ages 3 and up and includes Mrs. Potts, Chip, and one other cup along with two teaspoons, saucers, and a sugar bowl with lid.

This enchanted set is made of plastic so it is not meant to be used with real tea. It is meant to be played with at a pretend tea party. Two BFFs, a girl and her favorite stuffed animal or doll, or a mother and child can have fun with this set.

Not only does it encourage imagination and play with the adorable objects, but also, as the name implies, there are some “enchanted” features about the items. First, Mrs. Potts’ eyes close when she is tilted. And second, Chip wobbles on his saucer. So, with Mrs. Potts opening and closing her eyes and little wobbly Chip, a lot of fun play is in store for a child’s tea party.

The Limited Edition Fine China Tea Set can definitely be used for real tea parties. Included in this set are Mrs. Potts, Chip, two additional teacups and four saucers. Having tea with this set is a memorable experience.

Because it is usable, it is an entertaining way to enjoy an afternoon with friends. Invite over your gal pals for tea and cake. Or, for special mother/daughter time, bring out this set to enjoy with your child.

It comes in a special box for gift giving. Perhaps for Mothers Day? With the edition limited to 2000 units, it is something you cannot wait to purchase. It sells for $249.95.

Many people collect tea sets. This is wonderful item someone who collects sets and also loves the story of Belle and the Beast. And let’s face it, that’s pretty much most of us.

So whether you are looking for a play tea set for a child or an exquisite fine china tea set for an adult, these two fit the bill.

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Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer – Product Review

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Francine Brokaw

The new Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer is nothing short of amazing. What could possibly be different about a new hair dryer? Plenty.

First of all, it looks completely different than any other handheld hairdryer. It uses the Dyson microprocessor technology and took their engineers four years to perfect. Without going into all the techno mumbo jumbo, let’s just look at it from a consumer point of view.

The unit is lightweight and easy to hold. It feels much sturdier than the plastic dryers on the market. It feels like a professional dryer. (By the way, they do make a professional edition for salons.)

There is no mesh on the end to clog up and require cleaning. No more taking tweezers to clean out the clogged filter on the back of the dryer. This is possible because the dryer uses the Dyson air multiplier technology that they use on their fans.

The dryer is much quieter than any other hairdryer I have ever tried. For the first time I could hear the phone ring while I was drying my hair.

The attachments are magnetic which make them easy to put on and remove. Included with the dryer are a styling concentrator nozzle, a smoothing nozzle, a diffuser, a non- slip mat on which to place the dryer, and a small storage hanger. The diffuser is perfect for keeping curls in tact. The styling nozzle is what most hairdryers come with. The smoothing nozzle is unique. It really does eliminate the frizz with no tugging or pulling hair straight while drying, which is what most people have to do to tame frizzy, wild hair.

There are plenty of settings to use for every kind of hair, plus a cool button. If you haven’t used the cool button on your dryer or don’t have one, they are quite useful when styling your hair. Cooling actually sets the hair better, just like washing your face. We have been told to wash with warm water and rinse with cold to close the pores. This is also something that works with hair.

Dyson technicians have created a temperature control inside the unit that measures the exit temperature of the air 20 times every second. It’s evident that a lot of research has gone into making this hair dryer.

The final aspect of the unit is the speed in which it dries hair. It takes me half the time to dry my hair with this dryer. And with the smoothing nozzle I don’t have to use my flat iron to take out the frizz.

Now, for the potential downside of this product. It retails for $399. Yes, that is a lot of money for a hair dryer, but it is the most amazing hair dryer I have ever used. I was sent a test unit for a complimentary two-week trial. It took me only two days to realize this is something I need to have. Returning it to the company after the two-week test period was over was a little sad however I have now purchased one for my very own – which I don’t have to return!

The Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer is available in two colors: Iron Gray with Fuchsia and White with Silver. The list price is $399.99. They also have a limited edition Iron Gray/Fuchsia with a leather case for an additional $50.

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‘Finding Neverland’ the Musical

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Francine Brokaw

Opening at the historic Hollywood Pantages Theater, Finding Neverland was cheered by the audience of all ages. It was amazing to see all the children in the audience for this musical comedy. While it deals with some very adult situations, the focus is on J.M. Barry and his imagination as he goes from a frustrated playwright to the author of the timeless story of Peter Pan.

The 2004 feature film Finding Neverland starred Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet as J.M. Barrie and Sylvia Llewelyn Davies. This musical comedy is much more entertaining than that film, however they both show how Sylvia and her sons helped Barrie free his imagination and create some of the most memorable characters, including Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook, and of course the ticking alligator.

The play is filled with songs that help the story of Barrie’s relationships with the theater, Sylvia, the boys, and his imagination take off. The cast is spot on as they portray this story that has inspired kids of all ages to embrace their inner child and let themselves play and enjoy life.

When one character says children are like soufflés – they’re basically useless until they’re raised, that sets the tone for what the adults think about the boys. However Barrie sees something different. He sees the fun they have out of everyday objects and he sees that imagination is what gives them their fun. So he tears up his old screenplay, which was pretty much like all his previous endeavors, and starts to write about all the characters he and the boys invent. The final product is Peter Pan and the story of the Darlings and Neverland.

By letting their imaginations soar, the adult characters are soon swept up in this new play and the final result is that everyone realizes entertainment doesn’t have to be serious. It is imagination at its highest level.

This is definitely a fun play to bring your kids (ages 7 and up) to experience. As mentioned earlier, there were plenty of youngsters in the opening night audience, and they all left with smiles on their faces.

With amazing visuals on the stage, wonderful songs, a great cast, funny lines, and the idea that we can all hold onto our inner child and, as Peter says, “never grow up,” Finding Neverland is a joyous and entertaining musical. It’s playing at the Pantages Theater from February 21 – March 12, 2017. To check where the production will be playing in the future, go to http://findingneverlandthemusical.com/tour/.

And if you believe in fairies, be prepared to clap your hands!

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Moana Saves a Turtle – Disney Animators’ Moana Mini Doll Play Set

Posted on February 18, 2017February 19, 2017 by Francine Brokaw

For anyone who has seen the film Moana (and that includes most people), a memorable part of the story is in the beginning when a very young Moana discovers the ocean. This adorable little girl is filled with a kind heart and when she sees a baby turtle trying to crawl over the sand to get to the water, she takes a large palm frond to shelter it from predator birds. She wobbly walks next to the turtle shielding it until it is free in the ocean.

The new Disney Animators’ Moana Mini Doll Play Set lets kids play out their own scene with little Moana and the turtle, as well as put their imaginations to work creating other situations for her, the turtle, the water, HeiHei the rooster, and Pua the pig. This newest play set includes all of these as well as an amulet. They come in a plastic carrying case so kids can easily take them from one place to another.

Little Moana is about 5 inches high but with her wave hairstyle, she is almost an inch taller. Remember back to the film when the water pulled her hair high above her head? That’s what this doll represents. That first encounter the little girl had with not only the turtle, but with the ocean. Moana means ocean and this character has a unique relationship with the ocean. Moana has a pink flower in her hair, wears her shell necklace, and a sweet smile on her face. She is more than adorable. She’s precious and articulated with moving legs, arms, and head. This little Moana can stand on her own.

Pua measures almost three inches high and is a bobble head representation of Moana’s pet pig. HeiHei, the crazy chicken, is about two inches high.

The palm frond is sculpted with a little handle to let Moana hold it while protecting the turtle. Plus, there is a five and a half inch-high sculpted wave. After all, what would Moana be without water?

With all of these elements included in this set, young imaginations will be entertained for hours. And the case makes it great to take along in the car or to a play date. The dedication to detail is amazing. On the handle of the case are sculpted shells.

Due to the size of some of the objects, this play set is for ages 3 and up. This Disney Animators’ Mini Doll Play Set lists for $19.95.

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DreamWorks Dragons: Race to the Edge season 4 begins

Posted on February 17, 2017 by Francine Brokaw

The fate of Hiccup and the Dragon Riders is left in the hands of the mysterious Mala and the Defenders of the Wing, as they work to prove their innocence and create an unlikely alliance. With his elaborate and sinister plans beginning to take shape, Viggo will stop at nothing to get the Riders out of his way, including putting a pricey bounty on Hiccup’s head. The battle against the Dragon Hunters rages on when Season 4 of DreamWorks Dragons: Race to the Edge premieres exclusively on Netflix February 17.

Take a peek:

‘The Good Fight’ – a spinoff of ‘The Good Wife’

Posted on February 16, 2017February 16, 2017 by Francine Brokaw

The Good Wife wrapped its seven-season run on May 8, 2016, but the finale was so polarizing that the show creators Robert & Michelle King wrote a letter explaining why they ended with a slap. “Alicia (Julianna Margulies) would slap someone who victimized her at the beginning of the series; and she would be slapped by someone she ‘victimized’ at the end,” the Kings explained this bookend devise. And they left it up to us to imagine who Alicia would become.

When Alicia’s education ended with that slap by none other than her mentor/colleague/soon-to-be-partner Diane Lockhart (Christine Baranski), I believe ‘the good wife’ transformed into ‘the free woman.’ Alicia wreaked havoc all right, but can you blame her? She tried to be a good girl all her life, but over the course of seven years relentless power struggles at work and home wore her down and eventually her survival instinct kicked in. She had to be free of all the duties and obligations of a wife, mother, and career woman. Call her immoral! Or even compromised! I don’t care. I just know she had to untether herself and fly away! She is my phoenix rising from the ashes! Through crosses and losses, Alicia clearly learned her lessons and became tougher, cunning, and more powerful. It’s sad, but that’s life. No wonder Margulies summed up the finale in these three words: “Satisfying, uplifting, and sad.”

The ending was so thought-provoking that psychoanalyzing it kept me busy for quite some time. However, letting go of my favorite show is easier said than done. Sunday nights haven’t been the same without it, but Sunday, February 19, 2017 my investment in The Good Wife characters will pay off. Once again, I get to reside in the Kings’ domain.

The Good Fight, a spinoff by the Kings, picks up one year after The Good Wife ended, but lives in a very different world than Alicia resided. At a press conference in January, Robert reminded us that The Good Wife debuted and lived during the Obama years. “The world changed on us. And I think this election gave us a spine,” confessed Robert. “What was fun was coming to the realization Michelle had this epiphany. What if we send Diane into an all African-American law firm?” Hence, The Good Fight.

The spinoff centers around three female characters of different generations. Diane (Baranski), the liberal feminist power attorney, and Lucca Quinn (Cush Jumbo), tell-it-like-it-is-lawyer and Alicia’s confidante in the final season of The Good Wife, are the returning characters. Maia Rindell (Rose Leslie), Diane’s goddaughter/protègè novice lawyer, is the new Alicia.

We find Diane and Maia on top of the world at first, but they quickly become poison by association with a Ponzi scheme allegedly ran by Maia’s parents. Now that everything that defined Diane and Maia is gone, the privileged white women have no choice but to fight back in order to survive. They join Reddick, Boseman & Kolstad, Chicago’s preeminent all African-American law firm, to start over. Lucca, a third year associate at the firm, is brilliant, creative, and cordial enough, but remains an enigma. Is she disoriented without Alicia? What is her agenda? We shall see!

The Good Fight premieres February 19, 2017 on CBS and CBS All Access with subsequent episodes debuting weekly on the streaming service only. The good news is you get to see the first episode on CBS, but the bad news is you don’t get to see the rest unless you sign up for CBS All Access subscription.

About the Author

Meg Mimura is a TV critic who actually watches shows zealously in search of human drama worth watching. She is a member of Television Critics Association as well as Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Get Ready for Disney’s ‘Moana’ on Home Entertainment

Posted on February 16, 2017 by Francine Brokaw

When Disney throws a party, they really throw a party. This time they were highlighting the upcoming home entertainment release of Moana.

On hand to discuss the making of the film as well as some of the bonus features that will be on the discs, were Director Ron Clements and Producer Osnat Shurer. Shurer proclaimed they whole studio are “tremendously proud of the really rich DVD and Home Entertainment set.” The “level of artistry” used in the film was monumental, she said while explaining how they created new ways of animating water and hair.

The film is made to represent respect for nature and the filmmakers spent many weeks in the Polynesian islands to soak up their culture and heritage. They wanted to portray the islands accurately so when the islanders saw the film they could see themselves and their villages in the movie. When viewers see the 30-minute documentary about the making of the film, they will see the depth the folks at Disney went to to create a culturally representative movie featuring a young girl named Moana, which actually translates to “ocean.”

Casting Auli’i in the role of Moana was easy. As Clements stated, “she embodied the character.” And Shurer added it was “very important to us that she be a hero,” which is what the character definitely is in the film.

People with Polynesian roots voice all the characters. Well, all except one – HeiHei the rooster!

The music and much more were discussed, and Disney put on a great Polynesian show and buffet for those attending this special preview.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars or pre-order Moana which comes out March 7, 2017.

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‘Fuller House’ – The Complete First Season on DVD

Posted on February 14, 2017 by Francine Brokaw

The hit Netflix sitcom Fuller House has been renewed for a third season. If you don’t have Netflix, consider getting the first season on DVD, with all 13 episodes.

Fuller House shows that there is a good way to make an updated sequel to a popular show. This is a fun, family-friendly show that brings together the cast from the original sitcom, Full House (1987-1995) while at the same time making it fresh and entertaining for nostalgia viewers and new viewers.

The entire cast of the original are on hand to kick off this new series: John Stamos, Dave Coulier, Bob Saget, Lori Loughlin, and Scott Weinger join series stars Candace Cameron Bure, Jodie Sweetin, and Andrea Barber. The only cast members who didn’t return are Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen as little sister Michelle.

The storyline of this new show focuses on D.J. Tanner who is now a widowed mother of 3 sons. Her sister Stephanie decides to move back home to help her raise her kids. Also joining the household is Kimmy Gibbler who moves in with her daughter Ramona (Soni Bringas) with visitations by her estranged husband Fernando (Juan Pablo Di Pace). This house is filled to the brim, again. That in itself is enough to name the series “Fuller” House, however the fact that D.J.’s married name is Fuller actually adds to the cuteness, and this show has a lot of cuteness going on, with references to the past and all of the phrases made famous by the characters: “have mercy,” “cut it out,” “how rude,” and definitely, “Oh Mylanta.”

As the season progresses the three women find themselves in various situations. D.J. is courted by her co-worker Matt (John Brotherton) and her high school boyfriend Steve (Weinger), Kimmy is thinking about reuniting with her husband, and Stephanie is trying to figure out her own life. In the meantime, there are D.J.’s three sons and Ramona adding more confusion to the old Tanner house. And periodically members of the old cast return to add additional situations to he already complicated household.

For a fun little sitcom, Fuller House definitely delivers plenty of antics for everyone to enjoy, especially if you are a fan of the original series. With all the subtle and not-so-subtle references to the past, this show fulfills the cuteness factor as well as provides a good family show.

“I think we knew it was going to be great because for years and years no matter what we’ve done, everybody always asks about Full House,” Candace Cameron Bure told the media. “Everyone has always talked about Full House, especially through social media and how that’s grown, and we get to interact with everyone in the world. So we knew the fan base has been so loyal and there, but I think even the response is greater than we expected, and we knew it would be great. So it’s extremely exciting for us.” And, it’s fun for the viewers. The actress won the People’s Choice Award for TV Actress in a Comedy, and the show won for Favorite Premium Comedy Series.

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