The Main Street Electrical Parade is back at Disneyland for a limited time

Posted on January 21, 2017 by Francine Brokaw

It’s back! The Disneyland Main Street Electrical Parade has returned to Disneyland for a limited time. Until June 18, 2017, visitors to the park in Southern California can enjoy the sights and sounds of this beloved parade.

The unmistakable “Baroque Hoedown” synthesizer adds the enjoyable soundtrack to the colorful lights of this memorable parade, featuring Elliott, the smoke-breathing dragon from Pete’s Dragon. Elliott weighs more than 5,600 pounds, stands 16 feet tall, over 10 feet wide, and 38 feet long. He is a treasured part of the parade.

So, what’s involved in this magnificent display of lights and sound? There are 7 films represented in the parade (Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Peter Pan, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, and of course Pete’s Dragon), with 27 Disney characters performing alongside and on the 22 floats, with 600,000 lights twinkling to bring fun and even more fantasy to the park.

This delightful event first appeared on June 17, 1972 with about 75 million guests viewing the spectacular parade in its original run. The new parade ends with a red, white, and blue patriotic float “To Honor America.”

The Main Street Electrical Parade is my personal all-time favorite parade. It’s whimsical, entertaining, colorful, and full of great music. Granted, in the winter it is chilly at night in Disneyland, so make sure you take a jacket if you visit the park during the winter months. But whether it’s cold or hot outside, the Main Street Electrical Parade is not to be missed. It definitely puts a smile on viewers’ faces and touches a sweet spot in their hearts. It is truly an enjoyable event to see…again and again. I love it!

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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‘Moana’ CD- Enjoyable Music from the Movie

Posted on January 21, 2017January 27, 2017 by Francine Brokaw

The Disney movie Moana was an instant classic. The story of the young girl whose courage and steadfastness saved her people is a beloved film for the entire family. And the songs in the movie are definitely memorable. With the Moana CD, you and your family can relive the moments of this delightful story.

The Moana Original Motion Picture Soundtrack includes not only the songs to sing, but also the background music that led the young girl through her adventure. The original score was composed by Mark Mancina.

The song that has captured the hearts of viewers is “How Far I’ll Go” which was nominated for a Golden Globe for best original song as well as an Academy Award!

Auli’i Cravalho brought the young girl to life on the screen with her voice and Dwayne Johnson voiced the demigod Maui. Both are part of this CD. Cravalho sings the trademark song “How Far I’ll Go” and Johnson sings the fun song “You’re Welcome,” which describes Maui’s conceited attitude so well. “Where You Are” is a fun, upbeat song about the Polynesian village where Moana lives. The beat will have listeners humming and tapping their toes, if not dancing around to the music.

The CD includes a booklet with information about the tracks and lyrics to the songs so everyone will soon know all the words (if you don’t already) and sing with the cast. The Polynesian influence in the music is apparent. This is a great CD to play in the background or sit and listen to while remembering the movie, which will soon be released on Blu-ray to replay as often as you want.

The Moana soundtrack CD brings back all the fun, adventure, and enjoyment that audiences have embraced in the film.

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‘Pinocchio’ – Walt Disney Signature Collection Blu-ray

Posted on January 20, 2017 by Francine Brokaw

Pinocchio is a musically charged movie that won two Academy Awards: Best Original Music Score and Best Original Song (“When You Wish Upon a Star”) and became an instant classic when it debuted in 1940. This is a timeless tale of love.

Pinocchio is the story of love. It’s a beautifully animated film for the entire family. is a movie about a lonely wood-carver named Geppetto who carves a marionette he names Pinocchio. Geppetto lives with his beloved cat (Figaro) and goldfish (Cleo). After completing Pinocchio, he wishes on a star. That wish is for Pinocchio to be a real boy. When The Blue Fairy appears that night she grants his wish. Pinocchio will become a real boy when he proves himself brave, truthful, and unselfish. Jiminy Cricket is assigned to be his conscience and teach him right from wrong.

Pinocchio has several periling experiences. First he is sold by a conman – con-fox – named Honest John to Stromboli, a gypsy that then kidnaps the little wooden boy for his own gain. Luckily he is saved by the Blue Fairy and given one more chance to prove himself. Then he is again manipulated by Honest John and sold into slavery on Pleasure Island, a place of both fun and peril for little boys. This time Jiminy is able to save Pinocchio however they soon discover Geppetto, Figaro, and Cleo have been swallowed by the monster whale Monstro. The two immediately go in search of his family and it is then when Pinocchio finally learns to put others before himself.

This new Signature Collection Blu-ray/DVD includes several new bonus features. First is the beautifully designed “Disney View” option to see the film in its original aspect ratio. In this view the sides of the screen are filled with art that seamlessly changes to go along with the scenes. This makes a wonderful viewing experience.

There is a bonus feature about the making of the new music video of “When You Wish Upon a Star” featuring three young singers (Alex G, Tanner Patrick and JR Aquino ) that have reimagined the classic song for today’s young viewers. The music video is also included.

Other additional features take viewers into the history of the film as well as the improvements Walt Disney made to the world of animation at that time. He used the profits from his first animated feature film, Snow White, to update the world of animation.

There are also bonus features from previous Pinocchio releases, as well as the new restored 1927 short with Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.

Check out some clips from the Signature Collection:

Pinocchio – Walt’s Process

Pinocchio – Creating Pleasure Island

Pinocchio has been a beloved movie for over 75 years. Whether you’re viewing it for the umpteenth time or the first, it is truly an enchanting and endearing story.

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Sing-along sequence of “How Far I’ll Go” from ‘MOANA’

Posted on January 20, 2017 by Francine Brokaw

In celebration of the special sing-along engagement of Disney’s Moana, in select theatres nationwide January 27th, please find the sing-along sequence of “How Far I’ll Go,” featuring music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Check out Season 2 of Dreamworks Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh!

Posted on January 20, 2017 by Francine Brokaw

Tip and Oh – the two best friends from two very different worlds – are back with more heart, hilarity, catchy tunes and fun-filled adventures for 13 all-new episodes of DREAMWORKS HOME: ADVENTURES WITH TIP & OH! These besties prove their friendship is only getting stronger as they explore human and alien worlds with unexpected and surprising results. Whether camping, concert-going or discovering inside jokes, Tip and Oh are inseparable friends tackling any situation with a lot of love, a ton of laughter and a few delightful duets when Season 2 premieres on January 27,2017, only on Netflix.

‘Bells are Ringing’ on Blu-ray

Posted on January 19, 2017 by Francine Brokaw

Bells are Ringing is a fun 1960 musical romantic comedy starring Dean Martin and Judy Holliday. The score was nominated for an Academy Award. Martin and Holliday sing a fun duet, “Just in Time,” that will leave viewers humming the tune for days.

The story centers on a loveable switchboard operator named Ella (Holliday) who takes a personal interest in the clients. Ella’s cousin Sue (Jean Stapleton) owns Susanswerphone, which is a service that provides message taking and wake up calls. Keep in mind this was long before answering machines. As switchboard operators, Ella is supposed to answer calls, take messages, and provide wake-up call service. But she goes far beyond that, to Sue’s frustration.

Jeffrey Moss (Martin) is a writer who can’t get his mind on his work. He loves women and booze but if he doesn’t finish this latest project, his career will be over.

Sue’s boyfriend Otto (Eddie Foy Jr.) is an unscrupulous bookie that dupes Sue into letting him run his “music business” out of her office. She thinks they are taking orders for record albums, but in fact they are taking bets on horses.

The fun begins when Ella goes to Jeffrey’s apartment to nudge him back to work. He has no idea she is the sweet little old woman from his answering service whom he calls “Mom.” Ella proves to be his muse and he gets back to work. Meanwhile, the two fall in love. This is a romantic comedy after all.

Younger generations might not be familiar with Judy Holliday, who was an accomplished actress/comedian/singer. She is fun to watch as the meddling but well-meaning Ella in this, her final film before her death. Martin brings his A-game to this role both singing and acting. And, as most women agree, he’s gorgeous.

Ella manages to help several of her clients with one fell-swoop and in the process she saves her cousin’s business.

Besides the duet with Martin, Holliday sings “The Party’s Over” and some other delightful tunes. This film is an adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway play in which Holliday originated the role of Ella. After seeing this, it is difficult to think of anyone else in this role. She’s perky, adorable, and fun as the meddling Ella who finds the love of her life is on the other end of the phone line.

There is a bonus feature about the making of the film. This was Holliday’s final film before her death. Hal Linden costarred in the Broadway version of the film and has a small role in the movie. In a bonus feature he discusses this role and the song he sings, “The Midas Touch.”

If you’re looking for a cute old-fashioned date-night movie or just one that will leave you smiling, check out Bells are Ringing. It’s part of the Warner Archive Collection and can be ordered from their website.

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Sneak Peek at Netflix upcoming movie ‘Sandy Wexler’

Posted on January 19, 2017January 19, 2017 by Francine Brokaw

Sandy Wexler (Adam Sandler) is a talent manager working in Los Angeles in the 1990s who diligently represents a group of eccentric clients on the fringes of show business. His single-minded devotion is put to the test when he falls in love with his newest client, Courtney Clarke (Academy Award® and Grammy® winner Jennifer Hudson), a tremendously talented singer who he discovers at an amusement park. The film will be released on Netflix on April 14, 2017.

Voltron Door Hanger – Free Download

Posted on January 18, 2017 by Francine Brokaw

Download your free Voltron Door Hanger:

And don’t forget about Season 2 of Voltron Legendary Defender on Netflix.

New Teaser from upcoming ‘Descendants 2’

Posted on January 17, 2017January 17, 2017 by Francine Brokaw

The story deepens in the music-driven sequel to the global smash hit “Descendants,” as the teenage sons and daughters of Disney’s most infamous villains — Mal, Evie, Carlos and Jay (also known as Villain Kids or VKs) — try to find their place in idyllic Auradon. When the pressure to be royally perfect becomes too much for Mal, she returns to her rotten roots on the Isle of the Lost where her archenemy Uma, the daughter of Ursula, has taken her spot as self-proclaimed queen of the run-down town. Uma, still resentful over not being selected by Ben to go to Auradon Prep with the other Villain Kids, stirs her pirate gang including Captain Hook’s son Harry and Gaston’s son Gil, to break the barrier between the Isle of the Lost and Auradon, and unleash all the villains imprisoned on the Isle, once and for all.

“Descendants 2” is coming to Disney Channel this summer.

Get the LEGO Batman Movie Mobile App

Posted on January 14, 2017 by Francine Brokaw

Download the official LEGO Batman Movie App! PLAY. BUILD. RUN. DRIVE. DJ.

Key Features of this app:

RUN, DRIVE & FLY: Play as LEGO Batman. Run, Jump and Grapple across The Bat Cave, The Street and Rooftops of Gotham & Arkham Asylum. Drive your own Batmobile and use the Batwing to fly to new environments! Battle Villain Bosses such as the Joker, the Penguin and Poison Ivy!

BUILD A CUSTOM VEHICLE: Customize your vehicles. Unlock and modify epic vehicles from The LEGO Batman Movie such as The Batmobile, the Joker’s Notorious Lowrider and Bane’s Toxic Truck. Once modified, deploy them into the game for an added boost to gameplay! Use them to destroy Gotham’s most evil villains!

DJ MODE: DJ your way to stardom in the DJ Mini Game. Tap your way to the beat of the rhythm and nail that beat! Featuring music from The LEGO Batman Movie. Each time Batman looks like he’s ready to hang up his Batboots he has the opportunity to save himself with DJ MODE!

Download the App for iOS

Download the App for Android