Bring home ‘Storks’

Posted on December 15, 2016December 15, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

Storks delivers some really cute scenes (pun intended). It’s a clever animated film for the entire family.

A long time ago storks were the way people got babies. But things changed and the storks moved into another business – delivering packages. They hadn’t delivered babies in a very long time.

Little Nate Gardner is a lonely little boy. He’s an only child of two hard-working parents. The little guy is sad. He decides he wants a little brother so he abruptly informs his parents of that fact. When they tell him that that’s not going to happen, Nate accidentally discovers an old pamphlet in the attic advertising the storks delivery of babies. So, what does this little fellow do? He immediately writes to the storks ordering a baby brother – with Ninja skills.

The letter arrives at the storks’ factory and finds its way into the hands of the only human working in the facility. Tulip was going to be delivered to her parents 18 years ago but the location finder – or GPS – for her house was destroyed so she ended up staying with the storks. As a stork employee she’s a screw up, and when the letter arrives she sends it off to the baby factory. Poof! A baby girl is created. Now it’s up to Tulip and a hard-working stork named Junior to get this little baby to its home before anyone finds out that Tulip mistakenly turned back on the baby making machine.

What ensues is some fun action as they try to get the little bundle of joy to her appropriate home. Along the way they meet a pack of wolves that decide they want the baby for themselves. Who can resist that adorable face and sweet laughter? But the baby needs to get to her home and Junior and Tulip forge on.

Meanwhile, Nate is hard at work making a slide for the baby to be dropped into by the storks. When his parents see this they try to stop him but soon discover that their work is second to their child. The family bonds together and for the first time Nate is not lonely. He is happy spending time with his parents and they are happy being with him.

Well, through a bunch of screw-ups everything works out for the best, and the baby-making machine is back in business, at least for a while. You have to see all the cute little babies it creates.

Bonus features include deleted scenes and a “how to” featurette about taking care of a baby. It’s a little unconventional.

Andy Samberg, Kate Crown, Kelsey Grammer, Jennifer Aniston, Ty Burrell, and Anton Starkman provide the main voices. Needless to say, this is a cute little film that is filled with imagination.

Storks is rated PG for mild action and some thematic elements. It’s available on Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, DVD, and 4K packs.

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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Disneynature’s ‘Growing up Wild’

Posted on December 14, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

From the studios of Disneynature comes another interesting and educational film about life in the wild. Growing up Wild is available on VOD and Digital HD. Check out Disney Movies Anywhere to get your copy to view on your devices.

The film follows five young animals through their first years of life. The cameras are pointed at brown bear cubs in Alaska, cheetahs in Arica, lions in Africa, Chimpanzees in the African rainforest, and Macaque in Sri Lanka. The film has an interesting narration and storyline for each group of animals, and although the individual stories are fictional, they are based on the true-life adventures of these animals.

Every one of these animals faces various challenges however they all have their families for initial support. The first year of a brown bear cub’s life is the most important as many of them don’t survive. It’s a dangerous country.

The cheetahs have a close family to help them and especially their mother who teaches them the ways of life in the wild. The young animals learn from their mother and the others in the group. The lions stay together as large extended families for a long time until the time comes when one must go out on his own. The macaques live in large groups and the chimpanzees keep their collection to about 30 family members. With all these families supporting their young, there are similarities and differences between each of them.

Hierarchies exist among the macaques, and if you’re not born into a prominent family, you’re low on the totem pole. Sad but true.

These five young animals will steal your heart as you watch them mature and learn how to survive in the wild. As they say, “Life is an adventure,” and especially for the little brown bear cub, the young chimp, the young macaque, the lion, and the little cheetah.

Disneynature began making films in 2008 with the intent on bringing together top filmmakers with wildlife stories to entertain and educate viewers. Although Walt Disney began wildlife filmmaking and aired his movies on TV (1948-1960), these feature films began with Disneynature’s Earth, Oceans, African Cats, Chimpanzee, Bears, and Monkey Kingdom. Not only does Disneynature bring the stories to the screen, the company has a Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund that supports many initiatives.

Disneynature’s Growing up Wild is a fun film for families to view and discuss.

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‘Miraculous: tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir: Be Miraculous’ DVD GIVEAWAY

Posted on December 13, 2016January 15, 2017 by Francine Brokaw

The action-packed CGI animated TV series Miraculous™: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir: Be Miraculous includes seven amazing episodes as seen on Nickelodeon.

The time is now. The city is Paris. And two amazing heroes, Ladybug and Cat Noir, stand to protect its citizens against evildoers. But can this uncanny duo continue to keep their city safe from these dastardly ne’er-do-wells… and get their homework in on time? That’s right. The superheroes, known as Ladybug and Cat Noir, are actually Marinette and Adrien, two young students with super-secret lives filled with super-awesome excitement!

Straight from the heart of Paris, a third volume of the action adventure, romantic comedy is coming your way and will have you feeling Miraculous!

We have some copies to giveaway.

To be eligible to win a copy of Miraculous™: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir: Be Miraculous, email us at [email protected] with “Miraculous 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 January 10, 2017.

‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ – Movie Review

Posted on December 13, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

Avid Star War fans will be thrilled with the storyline of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. It fills in the gap that no one really thought about before. That gap is how the rebels got the plans for the Death Star. All of that is answered in this film, which basically could be episode 3.5 because it takes place between episodes III (‘Revenge of the Sith’ -2005) and IV (‘A New Hope’ – 1977).

Producer Kathleen Kennedy said, “George [Lucas] was excited, not only about doing more Saga films, but also about the potential of doing standalone stories that lived and breathed inside the Star Wars universe,” explains producer Kathleen Kennedy.

“The Star Wars episodes (I-VII) follow the Skywalker family and tell a continuing story. The standalone movies, which can occur anyplace on the timeline, will introduce new characters and explore a wide variety of genres,” Kennedy adds.

While Rogue One can be a stand-alone film, it does connect aspects of the franchise, however it is not until the last third of the film when viewers see many familiar faces. The visual effects are what guide the film as the characters move from one dangerous situation to another while defining the base between the alliance and the empire.
The main character in the film is Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) whose father Galen (Mads Mikkelsen) was taken by the empire to plan and build the Death Star. Galen was not a fan of the empire but knew he had no choice. In the meantime Jyn was left to grow up on the fringe of society. She aligns herself with the rebel alliance and through a holographic message learns what she must do to stop the Death Star.

Her accomplice is Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) and several others, including K-250, a droid who speaks his mind, soon join them.

The filmmakers are intent on the idea that these “stand alone” films are just that – stand alone films. However this is definitely a chapter in the Star Wars story, as the title reflects. Those who are fans of the franchise will appreciate the effects, the characters, and the story, however if you aren’t into Star Wars, you most likely will not be entertained by this film.

Talking about the stand-alone films, director Gareth Edwards said, “We’re the first one out, so knowing these films could be different was exciting, but how different was the big question and what does that mean. I love Star Wars. I grew up with the original trilogy and to me they’re the ultimate movies. I feel that a massive upside to not being a part of the saga is we have a license to be different. And hopefully we took that license and ran with it.”

As with the other Star Wars films, the female characters are strong. “We talked about the fact that Jyn isn’t just a woman—she’s a person,” Edwards explains. “She just happens to be female. We always tried to treat her like that. I wanted to make a character that I would want to be. Not to fancy her or want to marry her, but want to be her. It was just a cool person. We tried to make the film in such a way where the issue of boy or girl never came into it.”

The film takes place on several planets and the filming took place in several locations around the world. And yes, there are plenty new creatures and droids, however don’t expect to see a café with music playing. Kennedy explained, “The great thing about Gareth, and the great thing about the filmmakers we’re bringing in, is they’re all fans. They all have a deep, emotional connection to Star Wars. That’s something that’s really important as we look around and identify the people who will direct these films. We’re looking for caretakers—people who genuinely care and accept a responsibility around the franchise.”

What else can be said about this film without divulging any spoiler alerts? Just that it is one special effect after another and adds just one more piece of the puzzle to the story of a galaxy far, far away. And more Star Wars films are scheduled for the next few years!

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is rated PG-13 for extended sequences of sci-fi violence and action.

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‘The Magnificent Seven’ on Blu-ray

Posted on December 12, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

This new version of the classic 1960 Western The Magnificent Seven, stars Denzel Washington as the leader of a gang of misfits who are just hanging on after the Civil War. When a woman (Haley Bennett) approaches him about retaking her town from a ruthless mining mogul (Peter Sarsgaard), he decides to help her and recruits six others to take back the town and help the law-abiding people who simply want to keep their land and make an honest living.

Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D’Onofrio, Byung-hun Lee, and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo join Washington as the seven gunslingers who march into the town and set up a plan to take it back from the “bad guys.” The original movie starred some of the top actors of the time: Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Horst Buchholz, Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughn, James Coburn, and Brad Dexter as the seven, with Eli Wallach as the head of the gang terrorizing a small Mexican town.

The Blu-ray contains both the theatrical film as well as a “Vengeance Mode” in which the director and cast discuss the background of the production as the scenes are playing on screen. In the six featurettes viewers see how the story came to be and how the cast was assembled. This post-Civil War era was a time of confusion for many of those who fought. The band of misfits found “something to fight for” again as they banded together for the sake of the small town pf Rose Creek. The movie town was built in Louisiana, and the cast describes shooting in the heat of the South.

Chris Pratt loved the “horse and gun training,” and said it was “so much fun” for him and the rest of the cast. They were, in his words, “a bunch of big kids” while filming the movie.

Plenty of physicality was required by the case even though there were stunt doubles. And shooting guns was something they all enjoyed practicing.They all enjoyed “playing” gunslingers and twirling their guns.

The Magnificent Seven is available on Blu-ray as well as in a 4K Combo Pack and a DVD. It’s rated PG-13 for extended and intense sequences of Western violence, and for historical smoking, some language, and suggestive material.

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Mega Maui from JAKKS Pacific

Posted on December 10, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

With the popularity of the movie Moana, much of the attention has been given to the newest Disney princess. However a big (no pun intended) part of her story is the demigod Maui. JAKKS Pacific has a talking version of this fun character for ages 3 and up.

Mega Maui is over 16 inches tall. He is also about 14 inches wide, making him a pretty formidable figure. His feet alone are 4 inches long. This guy is made of hard plastic so he’s not a cuddly plush, but he is fun to hold. As in the film Maui is covered with his tattoos, he wears his leaf skirt, his hair is squishable plastic, and he comes with his intricately carved fishhook that he can actually hold. The hook is removable so kids can play with it themselves.

What makes Mega Maui even more fun is he talks. Simply press his “bone” necklace and he says one of 12 movie phrases and sings the hit song, “You’re Welcome.”

This fellow sports his wide grin and intriguing eyes. He comes to life with the 2 AAA batteries that are included. With his movie phrases and song it’s fun for kids to recreate scenes from the hit film. And Maui is a character that appeals to both boys and girls, however this fellow will likely be enjoyed mostly by boys.

Not only can kids recreate scenes from the instant classic film, they can make up their own situations with Maui. Imaginations will run wild with this figure/doll, as with the character himself! With his poseable arms, Maui is ready for hugs – or adventure.

“Do you know who Maui is? Only the greatest demigod in all the South Pacific. With his magical fishhook he slowed down the sun, battled monsters. And I should know. Because I’m Maui.” That’s just one of the movie phrases spoken by Dwayne Johnson – and Mega Maui.

Because of his size, it’s easy to see the intricacies of his tattoos. Kids might also enjoy drawing their own tattoos on paper.

Mega Maui is definitely a toy that will provide hours of fun for kids. Because of his size – he is “mega” after all – he is a bit on the weighty side so it will be difficult for very small kids to carry him.

JAKKS Pacific has been producing toys and products since 1995. The company has strong ties with Disney and other companies. They have an impressive line of Moana toys.

Mega Maui lists for $49.99.

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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Free Printable Holiday Cards from Cricket Media

Posted on December 8, 2016December 8, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, SEND WARM WISHES TO EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST WITH FREE PRINTABLE CARDS FROM CRICKET MEDIA

When you’ve been around for more than 40 years, Cricket Media has some best-loved annual traditions. And a long-time favorite of Cricket fans has been FREE printable cards for the holidays!

For the 2016 holiday season, Cricket Media has selected 10 of their favorite holiday illustrations and created beautiful cards for you to share and send to loved ones.

To print them out, visit FREE HOLIDAY CARDS and follow the instructions.

And remember, it’s not too late to give the gift of reading this holiday season with a subscription to one of Cricket Media’s award-winning parenting magazines. To truly embody the spirit of the season, you may want to explore Cricket’s “Double the Giving” Campaign.

‘Born in China’ coming from DisneyNature

Posted on December 7, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

Disneynature welcomes John Krasinski into the family as the narrator of BORN IN CHINA.

“I’ve been a huge fan of the Disneynature films for a really long time,” said Krasinski. “I think I’ve seen them all a couple times and to be asked to be a part of something that I feel is not only so beautiful and such great storytelling, but is so important, I was honored to be a part of it. To find this unbelievable landscape that was far beyond the cities and the bustling crowds of the China that I thought I knew was just fascinating.”

Grand Hyatt Kauai is a fun family resort

Posted on December 2, 2016August 12, 2025 by Francine Brokaw

What better way to spend some quality family time than in a resort that not only appeals to adults but also to kids? If you’re looking for the perfect place for a family vacation, check out the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa in Koloa, Hawaii.

The resort offers all the usual amenities people have come to expect from Hyatt. The rooms are comfortable (and come with cookies at bedtime) and the resort is located near some of Kauai’s most beloved scenic and tourist areas. Every room has a Toto Washlet toilet. A warm seat and a little spritz often make all the difference in the world!

For youngsters there is Camp Hyatt on the premises. Kids between the ages of 3 and 12 – and are potty trained – can take part in the daily activities. This provides some fun experiences for kids besides simply playing at the pool, with plenty of games, crafts, and other activities.

Parents can sign their kids up for full or half days (reservations are required and multiple siblings get a discount). There are scavenger hunts, Gecko hunts, Hawaiian leaf painting, a Hydroponic Garden tour, Koi feeding, Hula lessons, and plenty of other crafts and activities geared for children.

The resident parrots are available for visits and some “Parrot Talk,” in which a wildlife attendant tells all about these beautiful birds. Don’t forget to get a photo with one or all of them: Niele (Hyacinth Macaw), Rico (Green Winged Macaw), Duke (Blue and Gold Macaw), and Malie (Moluccan Cockatoo).

Adults can relax by the pool (there is one set aside specifically for adults), play golf, snorkel, scuba, or enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Poipu Beach area.

Several restaurants provide a large variety of choices for even the finickiest eater. Tidepools has become my favorite place to dine in the resort. Not only is the food delicious, but it is situated in one of the most scenic areas of the property. Honestly, I could sit there all day. If you’re in the mood for Italian, you have to try Dondero’s. And for a great buffet breakfast, make sure you go to the Ilima Terrace. Don’t forget to put some Coconut syrup on your French Toast or pancakes.

Something many articles forget to mention about dining in resorts is the variety for dietary restrictions. Don’t worry about that here. As a vegetarian I can assure you there are plenty of great options for vegetarians, namely the veggie burger poolside. It was so good I had to have it a second time.

And speaking of poolside, there are some wonderful alcoholic and nonalcoholic libations that can be delivered to you while you’re soaking up the sun. And for the kids – and adults – there is ice cream as well as shave ice. Plenty of blowup items are offered to rent or purchase to play with in the water. Guests of the hotel receive complimentary towels poolside.

Throughout the resort are complimentary Flowater stations. Simply take your water bottle to one of these stations and fill it with purified water for healthy hydration. These units provide state-of-the-art purification and what you get is clean, chilled, tasty water, any time you want. No more plastic bottles to keep purchasing. Just find the nearest Flowater station and get your delicious H2O.

At poolside there is a sunscreen booth that, for a few dollars, will spray sunscreen on your body. Goggles are supplied by the hotel for users of this machine. But that’s no reason not to pack your own sunscreen. The Hawaiian sun is strong.

Besides the pool, with its enticing slide that jets guests into the water, there is a saltwater lagoon. After all, this is Hawaii so who wouldn’t want to experience the ocean while visiting the island?

The piece de resistance for adults at the resort is the Anara Spa. If you want to relax, this is the place to do it. The spa classes and the well-equipped fitness room are available for all guests. Additional fees are required for access to the main spa, which includes a steam room and a sauna room, one of each for men and women. Lockers and whirlpools are also part of this experience, and complimentary sandals and robes are supplied while in the spa location. Specialty treatments include a variety of massages, salon services, and combo packs. Talk about a great way to relieve tension! Plus there are couples treatments as well as a stress and muscle tension relieving float therapy. This has to be experienced to understand it. It’s almost like experiencing zero gravity. And before heading back to your room, experience a lava shower under the open sky. Don’t worry. No on can see you. It’s simply a fun Hawaiian experience.

There is no charge for self-parking so it is advisable to rent a car to explore other areas of the island.

The bottom line is the Grand Hyatt Kauai is a wonderful destination for families.

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Kauai – the Island home of Lilo and Stitch

Posted on December 2, 2016August 12, 2025 by Francine Brokaw

Kauai is called “The Garden Island” because it is so lush and tropical. It’s the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. It is also the home of Lilo and Stitch. Recently, we went on a tour of this beautiful island with Lilo as our guide.

First of all, Lilo knows everything there is to know about the island and wanted us to see the splendors of her home. We hung our hats at the spectacular Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa in Koloa. This place is magnificent. There is plenty to do at this resort, or simply hang loose by the pool. The sunrises from our room were magnificent. Located on the Southern tip of the island, near the Poipu Beach area, beauty surrounds the resort.

The town next to the resort is Old Koloa Town where we spent a couple evenings browsing around the shops and eating dinner. If you’re in the mood for pizza, check out Pizzetta. It’s a favorite spot for locals as well as mainlanders craving a tasty pizza. Personally, we enjoyed the Garden Island Grille. It offers plenty of choices as well as live evening entertainment. Come for the food but stay for the entertainment.

A short drive west is Hanapepe, Lilo’s hometown. There is even a portrait of Lilo, Nani, and Stitch in the center of town. Lilo posed next to the mural for us.

Hanapepe is a sleepy little town filled with artistic talents and the feeling of old Hawaii combined with a touch of the mid-century flowerchild aura. Kauai has a population of a little over 65,000 living in the 552 miles of the island. Only about 2,638 people reside in Hanapepe. If you visit Hawaii you’ll notice the Lappert’s ice cream shops around the islands. Hanapepe is the headquarters of this business. Don’t miss out on visiting The Bookstore – Talk Story, which is the westernmost bookstore in the country. Every time I have been there I have found something interesting to purchase. The Banana Patch Studio sells hand-painted pottery and look through the window to watch the artists painting the plates and cups. It’s inspiring.

The Hanapepe Swinging Bridge is one of the most visited attractions in the town. This suspension bridge is not for the faint of heart, especially when it is windy and there are a lot of people trying to cross at the same time. A walk across the bridge affords visitors a view of the riverbank they won’t get driving down the main street.

On Friday nights the town has a crafts and food fair on the main street. It’s here where visitors can select unique and handmade items as well as indulge in delicious food for all kinds of appetites. The Friday Night Art Walk runs from 6-9 so make sure you are in town for this fun event.

Further up the coast is Waimea town and the Waimea Canyon. Waimea Canyon is “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific” and Lilo was all too excited to show us that the geography looked just like the Grand Canyon in Arizona, proving Hawaii has a little of everything.

Another day Lilo took us to the Kauai Coffee Estate, which is also west of the resort. Forget about Kona Coffee (from the big island), on Kauai you must drink the Kauai Coffee. The Estate is the largest coffee farm in the United States. They offer guided tours as well as self-guided walking tours. They also have a tasting area where you are free to try any number of delicious coffees. Don’t be bashful. Grab a cup and start pumping. You’ll find something you will want to take home with you. I still cannot get the deliciousness of the Toasty Banana Nut Cream coffee out of my head. And, of course, there is a shop where you can purchase bags of your favorite flavors or souvenirs. We were thankful we didn’t have Stitch with us. After all, we all know how much that little guy loves coffee.

If you drove from the airport in Lihue to the Grand Hyatt Kauai, you passed the Kilohana Plantation. This gorgeous 105 acre old-Hawaii plantation is a fun place to visit. There are shops of all kinds of items, a short train ride around the tropical beauty of the land, Gaylord’s Restaurant for a flavorful dining experience, the Koloa Rum Company where they have tastings as well as a shop to purchase your own libations and other items, and a Lu’au. The Kilohana Plantation was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 and has interesting buildings to explore as well imagine yourself living in grand style on this magnificent estate.

Up on the northern coast of Kauai are Princeville and Hanalei Bay. These areas are a bit more touristy, in many ways. However, the lushness of the land is magnificent. This is a much wetter area of the island than down near the Hyatt resort. Check out the Dry Cave up on this part of the island. And purchase a fresh coconut. There’s nothing like it.

And speaking of wet spots, Mount Waialeale, with an elevation of 5148 feet is one of the wettest spots on earth.

On your drive up north, visit the Kiluea Lighthouse. Lilo first introduced it to Stitch in their first adventure together. It sits on the tip of the island with plenty of wildlife surrounding it. How many birds can you spot?

There is plenty more to see and do on Kauai. It’s a beautiful island and offers plenty of sights to see, activites to experience, and also the Aloha spirit. We want to thank Lilo for coming to the airport to personally bid us “Aloha.”

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