‘Elephant Kingdom’ on DVD

Posted on September 11, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

Elephant Kingdom is an interesting, colorful, and enjoyable animated film focusing on family and love. When the king decides to ban all family activities in order to have the elephants and the people concentrate solely on his desire to dominate the world, a revolution begins. The power-hungry king even dismisses his own son. His only interest is world domination and he wants everyone (humans and elephants) in his kingdom to work toward that goal.

Besides the king, his evil sorcerer has plans to that effect. He develops a spell that will make everyone forget they ever had a family. That way they won’t be tempted to revert to their love and family loyalty.

Rock (voiced by Cary Elwes) is a mighty and powerful elephant whose love for his wife Melody (Alexa PenaVega) is strong enough to defy the king (Patrick Warburton). When Melody is taken by the king’s men, Rock goes after her. And when his adorable twin babies are also taken – well, you know how strong a parent’s love is for his children – he has had enough with the king and his power hungry warlords.

Helping Rock is a ragtag group of young orphan elephants who are filled with fun and quirky antics. They are so cute that without them, the film would not be as adorable as it is. And Wingman (Garrett Clayton), is a fun little bird who does everything in his power to keep the elephants safe.

Nothing is more important than love and family love is at the heart of this story. Even the queen (Ambyr Childers) knows this and is banished from the castle and from seeing her son. The revolt against the king involves both humans and elephants as they learn that without family and without loving others and being loved in return, leads to an empty life.

Bonus features on the disc include a look at the individual characters and the humans who provide their voices (Patrick Warburton, Alexa and Carlos PenaVega, Mikey Bolts, and Garrett Clayton), as well as some “Miniscule” bonus episodes.

The movie is colorful and filled with music. It’s interesting enough to be entertaining to adults as well as children. Although with many scenes of peril some very young kids might not enjoy the story. Elephant Kingdom is rated PG for violence, peril, thematic elements, and rude humor.

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Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for 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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America Ferrera talks about ‘Superstore’

Posted on September 11, 2016September 12, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

America Ferrera stars in the hit comedy Superstore on NBC. Recently Ferrera and other members of the cast spoke to the media about the show and how it has affected them as well as the landscape of TV.

Superstore is about a group of employees at a big box store. The show has political undertones as it brings up issues like unions and undocumented workers, among others. “We’re representing working class people in a setting that is the intersection of American consumerism, and you’ll see every race, religion, background, class in this environment,” explained Ferrera. “And so it’s so ripe to have any conversation you want without it feeling forced. And on top of that, we have this incredible cast that represents so many different kinds of people, and so we don’t have to necessarily take sides to be having a conversation.” She said they’re not using the show as a “soapbox or preaching so much as we are all characters that represent different experiences of life and different points of view.”

Ferrera is happy about the storylines that thread through the series. “I love that for a character like Mateo (played by Nico Santos) who’s gay and maybe five years ago that would have been the thing that defines his character, we’re beyond that now. We’re beyond that in society. We’re beyond that in television. And so now, give him another storyline that is going to push the envelope a little bit. And, I mean, I don’t know how the undocumented story came about,” but the series is tackling that now.

Ferrera had a big success with her series Ugly Betty that ran from 2006-2010. She is the voice of Astrid in the How to Train Your Dragon franchise, and played Carmen in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants films. She has also appeared in several other films and TV shows. This 32 year-old actress has a large fan base for all of her roles, and as Amy in “Superstore” she continues to collect loyal and loving admirers. “It’s really lovely to walk into those stores and get so much love from people who work in those kinds of stores and say, you know, this show is so fun to watch. It’s nice that it’s a positive reaction and not a bad one.”

Superstore returns for season 2 on September 22, 2016.

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‘Back in Time’ on DVD

Posted on September 10, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

Audiences young and old immediately embraced the 1985 film Back to the Future. Back in Time is a documentary that looks at the history of the film and the mark it made on pop culture. The documentary took two years to film and includes interviews with stars Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Michael J. Fox, and others as well as executive producer Steven Spielberg and writer/director Robert Zemekis.

This film is packed with information about the story and the movie. How did it start? How did it progress? One of the many tidbits is that the time machine was not originally going to be a car. It was a refrigerator! But the DeLorean car ultimately was chosen and detailed to be the impetus of time travel and the flux capacitor was created. Imagine if they had stayed with the refrigerator. What a difference that would have made in the way we remember the film and the way we automatically relate a DeLorean car to the movie. It is the iconic car of a generation.

Another interesting fact is that Eric Stoltz was originally cast as Marty McFly. The footage filmed with Stoltz is still around yet hasn’t been seen by the public…yet. Perhaps they will release the footage at a later date. Michael J. Fox replaced Stoltz and inhabited the character with wit and charm.

Zemekis states Back to the Future is “the best thing I’ve ever written.” And Spielberg says it was “lightening in a bottle.” The movie is described as “quirky,” “a masterpiece,” and a “perfect film.”

Huey Lewis discusses writing the song, “Power of Love” for the film and how the two propelled each other to the top. The song hit the charts before the film was released and once the film premiered the song added to the interest in the movie and vice versa.

Time travel has long been a fascination with the public. The 2016 fall TV schedule includes three new shows with time travel at their core. They don’t use a DeLorean or a Flux Capacitor, however. These are only integrated in the Back to the Future films, of which there are three. The trilogy was well received by audiences and has become part of Hollywood classic film history.

Fans of the movies pledged over $45,000 on a Kickstarter campaign to make this documentary, which ran in theaters in 2015. Back in Time is now available on DVD and Blu-ray.

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‘Royal Wives at War’ on PBS

Posted on September 9, 2016September 9, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

Gina McKee and Emma Davies star as Wallis Simpson and Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) in this telling tale about the two royal wives who played an important part in British History. Royal Wives at War is a combination of videos, dramatization, and a discussion with three royal biographers (Anne Sebba, Lady Colin Campbell and Andrew Morton).

We have all heard the story of King Edward VIII (David) abdicating the throne for “the woman I love,” and his younger brother King George VI ascending to the throne, but the relationship between their wives is what comes into play in this interesting and educational film. These women were strong and their husbands were basically weak. In 1967 they saw each other for the first time since the 1936 abdication.

As the story plays out, viewers see the make-up of the two women and their men. Wallis was an outspoken American divorcee who was still married when she was with David. When they met he was already having an affair with another American. He loved American women. He is described as a “perennial Peter Pan.” He was loved and adored by everyone, but never had what it took to lead an empire.

Elizabeth, lo and behold, was attracted to David but he never returned the emotion. She was too plump and old fashioned for his taste. This “Playboy Prince of Wales” preferred more modern, slim, and American women. She married his brother and played a more important part in history than she ever dreamed.

Wallis was a thorn in the side of the British Empire. Her relationship with David, once he became King after the death of his father, was a constitutional crisis. Elizabeth was never a fan of this woman. And Wallis and David referred to Elizabeth as “Cookie” because of her girth. The women were cordial to each other until the abdication.

This war between the women played out for the rest of their lives. And when David and Wallis became a little chummy with Hitler, the feelings turned even more tense and reprehensible. At one point the basically exiled couple admitted it would be better for everyone if Britain were bombed. If that isn’t enough to turn you against this couple, then what is?

The women were as different as night and day, however Elizabeth knew her duty was to her country and did everything in her power to keep it afloat.

This is an engrossing story of not only the women but also this part of British – and world – history. David didn’t have the inner strength to be king and many think it was a blessing that his love for Wallis forced him out. However Elizabeth always blamed her for the premature death of her husband. The stress of leading for someone who was not brought up to be king was quite a load for him to bear.

On December 11, 1936 Edward VIII abdicated. This year marks the 80th anniversary of that crisis in British history. This film gives viewers a deeper understanding of the people that were at the center of the event. It is truly a fascinating story. Royal Wives at War premiers September 18, 2016 on PBS.

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Club Cool at EPCOT

Posted on September 6, 2016August 12, 2025 by Francine Brokaw

Many people miss this exhibit in EPCOT at Walt Disney World in Florida. Club Cool is tucked away in a corner in the Innoventions section of park and sponsored by the Coca-Cola Company.

So, what exactly is in this little building? At Club Cool you can purchase plenty of Coca-Cola logo merchandise to purchase as well as drinks to cool you off on a hot summer day or simply refresh your body after you’ve been taking advantage of all the sights, sounds, and activities at EPCOT.

What most people gravitate to is the “free” samples of soda from around the world. Where else can you try a soda from Zimbabwe or Italy without going to these countries? There are several dispensers where guests can sample many delicious – and some horrible – drinks. And it’s all free. Just grab a tiny paper cup and start your exploration of libations from around the world.

Periodically they change the flavors but when we were there we had an interesting selection from Italy, Greece, Thailand, Japan, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Peru, and Brazil. The dispenser describes what the sodas tastes like and information about the drinks.

Keep Club Cool in mind the next time you visit EPCOT. It might not be the most exciting place to visit in the park, but it sure is an interesting experience. And the samples are complimentary. This is one place where you don’t need your wallet if you want a small drink.

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Roy Brokaw writes about interesting things to do and places to see. He is also an accomplished travel photographer.

‘Silk Stockings’ on Blu-ray

Posted on September 6, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

The 1957 movie Silk Stockings is a musical version of the 1937 comedy Ninotchka with Greta Garbo. Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse, and Janis Paige star in this film filled with plenty of Cole Porter music, singing, and especially great dancing.

A Russian composer visiting Paris undertakes the job of writing music for a new American musical film in France. When the Russian authorities hear about this, they send three agents to bring him back. Peter Lorre, George Tobias, and Jules Munshin play the bumbling Russians who fall in love with the decadence of Paris. Then a more serious agent is tasked with bringing them all back to Russia. Ninotchka, aka Nina (Charisse), is a no-nonsense by-the-book totally committed to the Soviet system woman. But after her introduction to the capitalist life in Paris by movie producer Steve Canfield (Astaire), her life changes dramatically.

Of course, Canfield and Nina fall in love but when she returns to Russia after a misunderstanding, he is not granted a visa to go to Russia to explain. With the two of them separated by not only national boundaries but ideological boundaries as well, it looks like they will never get together. But as we know with the tradition of classic musicals, love conquers all.

What makes this film as entertaining as it is are the fabulous dance numbers. Both Astaire and Charisse are consummate dancers in their own right and when paired together they make everything look easy and beautiful. This film reunited Astaire and Charisse who had appeared in the 1953 musical The Band Wagon. Silk Stockings was the last great musical from MGM and was nominated for two Golden Globes.

Bonus features on this Blu-ray include a documentary, “Cole Porter in Hollywood: Satin and Silk,” hosted by Cyd Charisse. Charisse talks about her career and the input Porter had during the filming of this musical. She also discusses her own experience with the movie. To play this Russian agent she had to add a Russian accent to her acting repertoire. There is also a music menu so viewers can watch their favorite number over and over again. Another fun bonus is a short film titled “Paree, Paree” with a very young Bob Hope. Singing, dancing, and comedy make this a fun short (21 minutes), not to mention the fun of seeing Bob Hope in this 1934 film.

Silk Stockings is part of the Warner Archive Collection. Fans of the great Hollywood musicals, and the MGM musicals in particular, have loved this movie since it first hit the big screen. Now it has been re-mastered for Blu-ray for a bright, colorful, and brilliant presentation of this classic film.

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‘The Iron Giant: Signature Edition’ Blu-ray

Posted on September 5, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

The Iron Giant is about a lonely little boy, Hogarth Hughes (voiced by Eli Marienthal), who finds a metal giant (Vin Diesel) that becomes his best friend for life. When it was released in theaters it tanked at the box office, yet audiences and critics raved about the movie. The new Signature Edition includes two new scenes as well as a new documentary with Director Brad Bird who takes viewers through the process of how this little film came to be.

“We’re tremendously gratified by the ever-growing status of The Iron Giant, which was a labor of love for those of us who made it,” said director Brad Bird. “It seems like a perfect time to give the film’s large and expanding fan-base the deluxe Blu-ray they’ve long been asking for.”

The year is 1957. The cold war is running hot. Sputnik is orbiting the earth. Paranoia about the Russians is everywhere. So when authorities hear something has landed in Maine, agent Kent Mansley (Christopher McDonald) comes to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Hogarth knows his new friend will be a target if found, so he hides the giant with the help of a “beatnik” artist named Dean (Harry Connick Jr.) Meanwhile, Hogarth’s mother (Jennifer Aniston) is worries about her son’s extravagant imagination. A giant robot? Who would believe that?

“You are who you want to be” is the main theme in the story. The giant turns into a killing machine when provoked but Hogarth knows there is a sensitive soul inside the metal man and tells him he doesn’t have to be bad. He can be good – like Superman. And the theme of selfless friendship is also a major part of the film as well as the idea that souls never die.

“The Giant’s Dream” is a new documentary looking at the making of the film from inception to today. Viewers learn how the lack of publicity on the part of the studio was responsible for the film tanking at the box office. The life and career of Director Brad Bird, with his failures and successes, is another interesting aspect of the documentary.
At age 14 Bird created his first animated film. He then became a young intern at Disney and the studio gave him a scholarship to Cal Arts where he perfected his talent. He said he was “fascinated by animation” from his childhood and his entire life has been directed toward that genre.

This edition includes the Signature Edition of the film as well as the original theatrical release. There are also some featurettes about different aspects of the film.

The Iron Giant is rated PG for fantasy action violence, language, some thematic material, and smoking. There are a few sensitive scenes that might be a bit disturbing to some viewers. However on the whole, this is a sweet, touching, and unforgettable movie that will touch your heart – and soul.

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‘The Swan Princess: Princess Tomorrow, Pirate Today!’ on DVD

Posted on September 3, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

The Swan Princess: Princess Tomorrow, Pirate Today! is the sixth installment in the popular animated “Swan Princess” franchise. This story focuses on fun-loving Princess Alise, Odette and Derek’s daughter.

When Derek and Odette leave for the summer, Alise expects to enjoy her time swimming, playing, and having a lot of fun. But her grandmother, Queen Uberta, has other plans. She starts training Alise how to be a princess. Alise wants to be a “modern princess” but the queen things the only way to be a princess is to wear “a tight corset and a pair of ill-fitting shoes.”

This little girl is bored to tears. All she wants is to play with her friends. So her friends Lord Rogers, Jean-Bob (the talking frog), and Speed (the turtle), take pity on the young girl and concoct a plan to take Alise away from the palace and have some fun.
They sail away on a boat and Alise pretends they are pirates. But soon their adventure turns perilous and they are stranded on a strange island and have to find a way to escape – with their lives.

The inhabitants of this mysterious place are strange creatures who have eaten all the “meat” on the island and now must survive on the fruit that grows on the trees. But they hunger for something living, and soon find Lord Rogers and have delicious plans for him.

In the meantime, Alise meets a young boy, Lucas, who has been living alone on the island. He helps her and her friends escape from the meat-eating creatures, only to find he has to escape himself. He doesn’t want to leave this island. He likes it there and doesn’t have anyone to go home to. He had run away because he thought his parents didn’t want him. Now he doesn’t rely on anyone. He doesn’t want to feel that heartache again.
Once back in civilization, with the help of Odette and Alise, Lucas discovers his parents do want him. Both families are reunited and no one has to deal with the meat-eating creatures again. Family love is at the core of this daring tale.

This story is filled with fun songs and plenty of adventure. Besides a sing-along, a bonus feature introduces viewers to the two young actors that voice the leading characters: Jayden Isabel (Alise) and Grant Durazzo (Lucas).

The Swan Princess (1994), The Swan Princess: Escape from Castle Mountain (1997), The Swan Princess: The Mystery of the Enchanted Treasure (1998), The Swan Princess: Christmas (2012), The Swan Princess: A Royal Family Tale (2014), and The Swan Princess: Princess Tomorrow, Pirate Today! (2016) are all available on DVD. It’s time to catch up on all the fun of these royal princesses and their exciting escapades.

Young Alise brings a new generation of royalty to the franchise and a new generation of viewers. For 24 years the stories of Princess Odette have been cherished by fans and now Princess Alise (who was introduced in 2014) is continuing the fun and adventures.

The Swan Princess: Princess Tomorrow, Pirate Today! is rated PG for some mild peril.

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‘Churchill’s Secret’ on PBS

Posted on September 3, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

Winston Churchill was an iconic character of the 20th Century. He led his country through some difficult years and is still beloved by England. Churchill served as Prime Minister during the hard years of World War II. Churchill’s Secret is the story of his final years.

In 1953 Churchill suffered a stroke, which was hard to keep a secret. His wife Clementine (Lindsay Duncan) and his aides whisked him off to his family home called Chartwell. It was there where nurse Millie Appleyard (Romola Garai) was brought in and the where his convalescence began. But no one was certain whether he would survive and if he did what would the damage be to his body? Would he be able to speak and walk?

Michael Gambon portrays Churchill with grace and style. This was a man who was completely dedicated to his country and to peace. Churchill wanted to prevent nuclear weapons from expanding around the world and to prevent another world war.

This film also looks at the dysfunctional Churchill family, with some hilarity.

When asked about playing this consummate politician, Gambon told the media, “Winston Churchill is not much different than doing Shakespeare in a way. It’s a very complex dialogue. I don’t really give it much thought.”

Churchill was only 78 when he suffered this traumatic medical incident. But with his strong will and the help of his devoted nurse, he was able to bring himself back to a place where he could continue with his life and his life’s work, which was the motivation for his long hours of therapy. He knew he couldn’t go on forever, but he had work to do. He always had another thing that he wanted to accomplish.
“Growing old is not for cowards,” Churchill says in the film. After regaining his strength and returning to his position, Winston Churchill served another 18 months as Prime Minister. He lived ten years after that. The years from 1955-1965 were spent in retirement.

Churchill’s mantra was “Keep buggering on” and that is what viewers see in this film. The determination of this man to get back to what he felt was his important life’s work to maintain peace around the world spurred him on.

Churchill’s Secret is a heartfelt look at this man who played an important part in world history. It premiers Sunday, September 11, 2016 on MASTERPIECE on PBS.

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Photos courtesy of Robert Viglasky/Daybreak Pictures and MASTERPIECE

Norbert Plush – A Must-Have for Norbert Fans

Posted on September 2, 2016September 15, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

You must have heard of Norbert. He’s an adorable little dog that became a registered therapy dog because he brought so much love and joy to people. Along with his “mom” Julie Freyermuth, Norbert penned three great books. He is the definition of adorable.

Now you can have your own Norbert, and you don’t have to feed him or take him out for walks. This brand new life-sized Norbert plush looks identical to the real thing. He is super soft and makes the best sleeping buddy for kids (ages 3 and up).

Norbert’s fur is comb-able to fluff him up and he is machine washable for when he gets a little dirty. Dogs always get a little dirty and with the love and affection this one will get in your house, you know he’ll need a little sprucing up from time to time.

The Norbert Plush is hard to put down. He’s so darn cute and cuddly. This First Edition 2016 plush also does a lot of good. For every Norbert plush bought, a second one will be donated to Toys for Tots for a child in need! How cool and selfless is that? Norbert wants all his fans to have a plush of their own to hold and love.

With his trademark pink tongue sticking out of his little mouth, Norbert has been taken to the hearts of hundreds of people, old and young. The plush is not a toy for dogs or cats or other pets – just for kids and, you guessed it, adults. Norbert has fans of all ages.

Besides being a valuable therapy dog, Norbert is a Fairy Godmother, so to speak. He brought his “mom” and “dad” together. Julie brought the little ball of fluff out to appear on Hallmark Channel’s Home and Family, hosted by Mark Steines. Mark and Julie fell in love and recently got married, with Norbert in attendance. He is an amazing little dog that brings a smile to everyone who sees him, and this plush will too.

This holiday season Norbert, along with his books, is going to make a lot of kids happy. And that’s doubled when you consider the Toys for Tots donations from Norbert and his mom!

Just one look at his little face and you’ll fall in love. He’s one plush dog that will make you smile and fill your heart with love. Okay, so he’s not the real Norbert, but the real Norbert is one of a kind. I have held the real Norbert and I can honestly say, with the plush you’ll have the next best thing. With the exception of him being a real breathing dog, the plush is a duplicate of the little guy. And everyone who sees him will say, “Aww.”

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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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