Author: Francine Brokaw

‘Walt Disney – A Magical Life’ brings the man himself to Disneyland

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit down in Walt Disney’s office and have a conversation with him? Wonder no more. Through Disney magic and the technical advances of Audio-Animatronics, Walt Disney has come back.

This new event in the Main Street Opera House in Disneyland was created especially to highlight the 70th anniversary of the park, which was created through the amazing imagination of Mr. Disney. He saw it from the inception to the opening and beyond. Unfortunately, he never lived to see any of his other parks however he was deeply involved with Disneyland and had a little apartment above the firehouse where he could watch the guests enjoying the fruits of his labor.

The folks at Disney are not new to bringing people from the past into the modern world for guests to enjoy. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln was the first time people of this time were – and are – able to watch this man and hear him. And in Orlando, The Hall of Presidents takes it even farther bringing back every U.S. President, so guests could see the history of the country through the leaders and hear from one or two of them in their actual voices.

“Walt Disney – A Magical Life” debuts at the Main Street Opera House in Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Calif., on July 17, 2025. The attraction features a cinematic presentation of Walt Disney’s journey, culminating in a visit with Walt in his office, made possible through the magic of Audio-Animatronics storytelling. (Richard Harbaugh/Disneyland Resort)

The new Walt Disney event not only brings the likeness of the man to view but also includes his actual voice. 

Prior to a visit with Mr. Disney, audiences are treated to exhibits showcasing parts of Disneyland with replicas and original figures from the talented folks that have been part of the Disney experience either on the film side or the park side.

So, what makes the Walt Disney animatronic different from those in the past that have wowed guests through the years? The technical advances are amazing, making him even more lifelike and less jerky than past figures. 

Within the lobby of the Main Street Opera House, a special exhibit showcasing the story and history of Audio-Animatronics technology debuts alongside “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” in Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Calif. on July 17. 2025. This exhibit features original and replica figures dating back to Walt Disney Imagineering’s earliest development of the technology. Attractions featured include Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, “it’s a small world,” Pirates of the Caribbean and more. (Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort)

In a collaboration with the Walt Disney Family Museum, the imagineers and creators at Disneyland gathered several items together for an interesting and informative pre-show in the lobby of the theater. This experience in the gallery is called “Evolution of a Dream” and adds insight and perspective to the genius that was Walt Disney.

After experiencing this visually stunning and informative pre-show, guests then proceed into the theater where they view One Man’s Dream, a video with more background of Walt Disney. After that video, the main event, a visit with Walt Disney, engages the audiences with the “presence” and voice of Walt Disney, with his sense of humor and deep understanding of his contribution to the world.

Jeff Shaver-Moskowitz, Portfolio Executive Creative Producer, Walt Disney Imagineering, said about this new event/experience,

  • “This fitting tribute will give millions of guests a moment of wish fulfillment – to feel like what it was like to be in Walt’s presence. We worked closely with the Walt Disney Archives and The Walt Disney Family Museum to depict the details of Walt and his office accurately in this theatrical presentation. Most importantly, we were passionate about creating an Audio-Animatronics figure designed specifically for this attraction, delivering a portrayal that has his nuances, hand gestures, facial expressions, and more- all of the attributes that make this figure’s performance feel uniquely Walt and not simply creating a figure to look like Walt.”

There is no doubt Walt Disney-A Magical Life will be one of, if not the first, place guests to Disneyland will head. And rightly so. 

For those who think Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is gone, think again. After the Walt Disney experience has been launched and settled, Lincoln will return and the shows will rotate between Disney and Lincoln.

Click below to get a sample of the new Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic

The Disney magic is still as bright and the folks at Disney are still bringing their ingenuity and creativity to the max. Now, a little sit-down with Walt Disney will be a mainstay for guests to the park.

And upon leaving the theater guests see some drawings and other items from Disneyland’s past and even its future. Yep, Disneyland is growing and soon there will be more to enjoy at the resort. However, before all of those get finished, a visit with Walt Disney himself is the best way to start a day and even end a day at Disneyland.

As Walt Disney said when opening the park 70 years ago, “Disneyland is your land.”  And now guests get to share a little bit of that with Walt Disney in the flesh, well, actually, not quite flesh but as close as you’re going to get in this lifetime.  Enjoy a memorable visit with Walt Disney when you visit the resort. He’ll be arriving July 17, 2025, and he’s amazing.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

All visual material provided by Disneyland Resort for editorial use.

‘Thunderbolts* – *The New Avengers’ is available on digital

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The Thunderbolts are The New Avengers. They are a new group of superheroes that unite their super powers with humor and zest. This is the latest movie from the folks at Marvel, expanding the Marvel universe with some unique  and unconventional characters.

The film stars Florence Pugh as trained assassin Yelena Belova, Lewis Pullman as Robert Reynolds, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenoko, David Harbour, Geraldine, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine who assembled the group.

The movie has been well reviewed and fans of the Marvel universe have taken the characters to their hearts with a great deal of enjoyment and fun. The movie is entertaining and fans of these superheroes will not be disappointed.

The movie is now available to stream on Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango. 

Bonus features include three deleted scenes and a cute gag reel of three minutes of fun and bloopers.

There are also three featurettes:

Around the World and Back Again focuses on Pugh who explains the story delves into who her character is and what she wants to be. There is also a look at the locations and how they filmed the big stunt scene at the top of the second-highest building on the planet in Kuala Lumpur – the Merdeka 118. Stunts take a long time to create and this one was no exception, plus the filmmakers had to get the approval of the government.

Assembling a Team to Remember looks at how these anti-heroes were gathered. They provide a new story with a new team with Yelena at the center.  Pugh said she was impressed with the script and the storyline of her character.

All About Bob, Sentry, and the Void looks at the characters and especially the one played by Lewis Pullman and how he enveloped it, shaped it, and played this interesting man.

There is the option to include the Director’s Commentary while viewing the film.

The movie with bonus features will be available on UHD 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD beginning July 29, 2025. In the meantime, fans can now stream it for their viewing pleasure.

Thunderbolts* – * The New Avengers is rated PG-13 for strong violence, language, thematic elements, and some suggestive and drug references.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

‘Go to Sleep Lullaby Album’ is a great nighttime and nap time addition

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Debi Derryberry is known for her voice talent. She supplied the voice for Jimmy Neutron for the hit series Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius. She has also voiced characters for The Loud House, Monster High, Rising Impact, Grimsburg, The Boy and the Heron, and many more.

Derryberry brings her musical talent to creating a sweet, soft album of songs to help little ones – and not so little ones – drift off to dreamland. Go to Sleep Lullaby Album is filled with songs to help kids unwind from a busy day and go to sleep. 

“Parenting is a such a difficult job,” says Debi Derryberry. “Today’s children are exposed to so much visual stimulus that I wanted to try to provide some balance by bringing these calming lullabies and gentle videos together for naptime and sleep time.”

She continues, “Go to Sleep has been pure joy to create. Working with my producer, Steve Brickman, was effortless, graceful, and smooth. It was especially fulfilling to tap into my familiarity with animation when I was making the music videos for each song. I loved creating the character ‘Little Debi,’ who represents me in the videos.”

With titles like “Slumberland,” “Go To Sleep,” “What Does A Good Night Feel Like,” and “Hush Little Baby,” the comforting music on Go to Sleep is all about helping kids (and grownups!) unwind, slow down, and drift off to sleep.

Often all kids need to get them off to sleep is a sweet lullaby. With this selection there are plenty of nice, soft little ditties that should do the job.

And with the videos, kids can get an added element to accompany the songs should they want to see some cute and soothing videos.

Although she is known in the entertainment industry for her voice talents in animated shows, Debi’s heart has always been with music. Her grandfather was an Orthodox Jewish Cantor. Her life took her to college as a pre-med student, but music was in her soul so she headed down to Nashville to pursue a career in music. Now she combines her music talent together with her history of children’s films to create this delightful album that kids and adults will enjoy. This is her fifth children’s album and one sure to be enjoyed at nighttime and nap time.

The album is available to stream or download on YouTube Videos, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, iHeart Radio, and Pandora.

Sweet dreams!

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites.

Courtesy image supplied

First look at the new Smurfs movie coming July 18, 2025

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

When Papa Smurf (John Goodman) is mysteriously taken by evil wizards, Razamel and Gargamel, Smurfette (Rihanna) leads the Smurfs on a mission into the real world to save him. With the help of new friends, the Smurfs must discover what defines their destiny to save the universe. SMURFS features an all-star voice cast including Rihanna, James Corden, Nick Offerman, JP Karliak, Daniel Levy, Amy Sedaris, Natasha Lyonne, Sandra Oh, Octavia Spencer, Nick Kroll, Hannah Waddingham, Alex Winter, Maya Erskine, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña with Kurt Russell and John Goodman.

Disneyland Hotel through the years

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

(Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort)

There have been plenty of changes to the Disneyland Hotel since it first opened in 1955, three months after the opening of Disneyland itself. Today’s guests might be more than a little surprised at the changes that have occurred to the hotel in the past 70 years.

Walt Disney knew the benefit of having a hotel next to the park however with the expense of building Disneyland, which he used much of his own finances, mortgaging his properties to see his dream come true, he couldn’t afford to build the hotel.

Disney turned to his wealthy friend Jack Wrather who eventually decided to build the hotel however it was kept in his possession and not owned by Disney. It took a year after the opening of Disneyland to officially open the Disneyland Hotel, which was very different from the resort we know today.

The hotel used a tram to transport guests to the park and back. (I remember this tram vividly. Sometimes my brother and I would take it to the park to have breakfast then meet the rest of the family there.)

When it opened the price of a single room was $20, a double was $19, and suites were $22-25. Soon they decided to vary pricing seasonally. Today a $20 room from 1955 would be $235.53. But what you got back then was so much more than a place to sleep.

Every room included air conditioning and a TV, which was unique in the day.

Restaurants, a swimming pool, and the Patio Arcade Shopping area with various shops (jewelry, camera, drugs, clothing, toys, etc.) added to the property. There was also a dentist office and a doctor’s office. To put it mildly, this was a location with almost everything anyone could want when visiting Anaheim.

There were shows and activities around the pool making this a fun place for those not going to the park or taking a break from Disneyland.

The hotel was a success and soon the monorail was redesigned and extended with a stop at the hotel so guests could take the monorail or the tram to the park. Guests visiting the park could take the monorail to the hotel to look around, eat, and shop before returning to the park. And the hotel also had a helipad where a scheduled helicopter from LAX would fly guests directly to the resort. This convenience stopped after several crashes. (I took this helicopter ride several times. It sure beat taking the 5 freeway.)

With the popularity of the hotel there had to be expansions and additions. Disneyland was becoming a go-to family vacation destination and the park as well as the hotel needed more additions.

The hotel changed from a small rise set of buildings to a tower which, at the time, was the tallest building in Orange County.

Additionally, a three story shopping mall was built making the hotel a destination for locals as well. And there was a golf course added as well as a miniature golf course. (I loved this miniature golf course because the buildings were copies of areas of Disneyland. It was a fun place to spend time with my family.)

A little lake and boat marina was another addition to the hotel. (I remember the little boats which to me as a kid was like a ride in the park.)

A nighttime water show added some more entertainment to the hotel, however Disney California Adventure eventually became the site for the dancing water shows. (I remember being completely enthralled by the Dancing Waters at the hotel.)

Throughout the years the hotel kept expanding until the third tower was added. Today there is a fourth tower for the Disney Vacation Club members. As the buildings grew many of the other aspects were removed, like the marina and boats. The tennis courts were also removed. (I spent many hours on those courts!)

It’s worth mentioning that the hotel was still not owned by Disney. Amazing. 

In 1984 two things happened. Wrather died and Michael Eisner became the CEO of The Walt Disney Company. One of his main objectives was acquiring the Disneyland Hotel, which he managed to accomplish.

The evolution of the Disneyland Hotel is extraordinary. As a kid I had so many experiences there. It was a great place to spend time when not in the park. Ah, those memories.

Disneyland Hotel in 2025

Today the Disneyland Hotel sits at the end of Downtown Disney, a dedicated shopping and eating area where entertainment also adds to the fun. The monorail no longer has a stop at the hotel however it is not too far from there.

As of 2025 the Disneyland Hotel features 973 guest rooms including 71 suites. The Villas at Disneyland Hotel (Disney Vacation Club) adds 344 rooms to this AAA Four Diamond hotel.

The Disneyland Hotel is not the only hotel on the resort property as Disney Grand California and Pixar Place have sprung up to add more rooms for guests to stay while visiting the parks.

The Disneyland Hotel, I might add, has one of my favorite restaurants – Trader Sam’s. It’s a tropical little hideaway with a small inside area for dining and outside tables to eat and enjoy the sun. Plus, if you are craving a Dole Whip, you can get one here without going into Disneyland. 

Kids enjoy Goofy’s Kitchen for breakfast or dinner with Chef Goofy and his pals. There are other places to grab a snack and some shops to purchase mementos. 

Perhaps one of my favorite aspects of the hotel today is the fireworks behind the beds. Guests can keep them sparkling all night long or turn them off. I personally enjoy keeping them on all night. It’s fun and reminds me I am in The Happiest Place on Earth, aka the Disneyland Resort.

The Disneyland Hotel has gone through many changes over the years. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the resort and the hotel offers many specials during this milestone year.

With so many memories of the hotel, I have to say spending time there with my family through the years are some happy times we’ll never get back but hang onto throughout our lives. Families are now making their own memories as the hotel and the resort are still thriving.

And no, I was not born when the resort opened! 🙂

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

‘Elio’ is a fun film for the whole family

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Elio is really a cute little boy and one audiences will take to their hearts. He has no friends and feels alone in the world. His parents just died so he lives with his Aunt Olga who works for the army in the space division. Elio feels she does not want him and he tries to get the attention of alien life. With all his heart he wants to be abducted.

Being bullied and alone the little boy desperately wants to find a place where he will be happy and have friends. He feels like the only place for him is in another galaxy.

He is ingenious about getting the attention of alien lifeforms. And one day, lo and behold, he actually gets abducted by aliens and taken to the Communiverse, an organization of interplanetary representatives from various galaxies. There he is mistaken as the leader of Earth. 

Well, this kid is so excited to be among people who actually want him that he goes along with it. He is about to become one of them when Lord Grigon appears and wants to join the Communiverse. His tactics are not what they want. He is abusive and gruff, not to mention threatening.

Elio volunteers to mediate between the eccentric aliens and Grigon. Once aboard his ship Elio forms a bond with a cute little alien named Glordon. For once in his life Elio has a true friend. But when the evil Grigon decides to eliminate the Communiverse, Elio and Glordon, who happens to be Grigon’s son, put their heads together and come up with a plan. 

This is a colorful and adorable movie. It is both a movie about family and a buddy film at the same time. Will Elio stay among the strange but friendly group of aliens or return to life on earth?

The relationship between Olga and Elio is heartening, especially at the end. She knows he has had a difficult time without his beloved parents. She has found herself in a situation she never expected, but family is family and she loves her nephew with all her heart, even though in the beginning he is a bit of a handful.

For people who have seen the trailers or the posters and wonder about the patch on Elio’s eye, don’t worry. After an attack by a bully he was given the patch while his eye healed – which is does.

What Elio discovers and what an alien tells him is that he is unique. “Unique can sometimes feel like alone.” Elio is not alone. He has the friends in the Communiverse and his Aunt on earth and eventually some like-minded human kids. 

It is a touching story with two adorable characters: Elio and Glordon. There are some scenes of violence however it is still a fun film for the entire family and a nice way to spend a summer afternoon. It’s very colorful and extremely inventive when it comes to the array of aliens.

Elio is a cute addition to the Disney/Pixar list of characters.

Elio is rated PG for some action/peril and thematic elements.  It opens in theaters June 20, 2025. 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Image courtesy Disney/Pixar

Explore Barcelona with two Hallmark movies

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

Hallmark’s two films about finding love in Barcelona are now available to stream on Hallmark+. To Barcelona, with Love and To Barcelona, Forever are fun films about friendship, love, and destiny.

To Barcelona, With Love

To Barcelona, with Love focuses on the accidental friendship between Erica (Alison Sweeney) and Anna (Ashley Williams).  

Erica has been living in Barcelona for several years. She translates books into Spanish however when she read a book set in the city written by Anna (Wiliams) she did more than simply translate it. She changed it completely. Erica knows the city and the people and added a genuine love of them both in her version of the book. She wants to be a novelist in her own right but for the moment she is stuck translating books. 

When her version of the book becomes the talk of the town Erica is excited however she cannot let anyone know she is the actual author. Then when her friend (and the love of her life) Nico (Alejandro Tous) invites Anna to come to his bookstore in Barcelona for an event and to read from her boo, thing get out of hand. 

Anna is thrilled people love her book, but Erica has to tell her the truth. While Anna and Nico are getting closer, Erica is frustrated. She is the true author of the book Nico and the whole city have taken to their hearts. Nico is enthralled with the writing and subsequently with Anna, which is a dilemma for Erica.

Erica and Anna soon become best friends while both are struggling with the fact that neither of them can tell the truth or risk their careers. 

Both women are annoyed by their circumstances but are powerless to do anything about it. What would happen to Anna if she disclosed she did not write the Spanish version of the book? And what would happen to Erica if she was outed as the real author of that version? And, finally, how would Nico react? 

The city’s history and locations are highlighted along with the food as this enchanting story unfolds.

To Barcelona, Forever

To Barcelona, Forever brings Anna back to the city for the engagement of Nico and Erica. This movie is a bit more entertaining as Anna finds herself in a situation that changes her life – again.

It has been about a year and Anna is now a famous travel writer and Erica is starting to write her first novel with her own name. Nico’s proposal to her has Anna back in the city to celebrate this exciting time in their lives.

Anna is also in Spain to find more interesting places for her articles. She accidentally meets Javiar (Miguel Brocca) whose family has been creating the best saffron in a town that is a secret to the world. His entire life is a secret.

Javier keeps bumping into Anna as they both go about their businesses. When she proposes she write an article about his family’s special saffron he is adamant that that will never happen. The family, their location, and their saffron will remain a secret.

So Anna takes off to explore other towns and she once again runs into Javier. She finally discovers his family’s farm and their lush history.

Thinking that the two are engaged, Javier’s family brings Anna into the fold and welcomes her with open arms and heartfelt love. This surprises the duo but they make a deal. Javier does not want to upset his family with the truth until after the harvest. To keep everyone happy he and Anna decide to make believe they are engaged and in return Javier will allow her to write an article that does not give away family secrets.

This seems to be a good solution for both of them. Then Erica arrives and the family think she has come to help plan the wedding. Erica goes along with the ruse and then Nico comes looking for Erica. Now the two couples are deep into this deception however Nico and Erica see that there is definitely a spark between Javier and Anna.

It’s a cute story with the whole family, along with Nico and Erica, planning the wedding for Javier and Anna. What will happen when they learn the truth?

These two films are entertaining and the four stars make them fun to watch. They have enjoyable storylines combining exotic locales with amusing characters.

Both movies are now available to stream on Hallmark+. 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Images courtesy Hallmark/Crown Media

Bring home ‘The Amateur’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


The thrilling drama The Amateur is now available for home viewing. Rami Malek has outdone himself in this film about love, loss, and revenge. 

Charlie Heller (Malek) is a analyst and decoder at the CIA in Virginia. He is brilliant at his job, has a loving relationship with his wife Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan), and a passion for flying. He also has an interesting secret online connection with an anonymous spy which intrigues him as he works in a basement office but sees all the agents and CIA chiefs leading interesting lives. Nevertheless, he is happy with his job which he is extremely accomplished at and knows everything about technology.

When Sarah goes to London for a conference she is killed by terrorists, which leaves Charlie depressed and bereaved. He uses his genius mind to unravel the murder and ultimately discovers the group of four terrorists responsible for Sarah’s death. He takes this information to the higher-ups and is told they will handle it. But that does not satisfy Charlie.

With some files he accidentally discovered that would ruin their careers, Charlie coerces the Director (Holt McCallany) and his cohort into training him to go after the terrorists. He wants to kill them himself. Revenge is his top priority. By doing this he will get justice, in some way, for Sarah’s murder.

CIA operative Henderson (Laurence Fishburne) is tasked with training Charlie. He does his best but realizes Charlie is not a killing machine. Or is he?

Once Charlie breaks free from the training camp he sets out to track and destroy those responsible for Sarah’s murder. This is where the story really gets interesting as he uses his brilliant mind to locate the four terrorists and in his own way, one by one, strikes back at them for taking his beloved wife’s life.

The trail leads him around Europe. He knows the CIA is after him and he also knows he will not stop until he avenges Sarah’s murder. He manages to keep one stop ahead of Henderson who is tracking him while he stays focused on finding the four terrorists.

This is a gripping story, to put it mildly. Charlie’s technological brilliance is his best weapon. As he tracks the terrorists he meticulously plans their demise. 

Meanwhile, the Director of the CIA (Julianne Nicholson) realizes there is a rogue element in the agency and sets out to uncover them while trying to save Charlie.

Needless to say there are several intriguing elements to this film. At the heart is the love between Sarah and Charlie that leads him on this journey. He may be outside of his element when it comes to killing but he is definitely in his comfort zone when it comes to creating the circumstances in which the terrorists find themselves before they die.

One of the more creative scenes is the sky pool where every night one of the terrorists swims alone. This pool is a bridge between two buildings. It’s ingenious how Charlie uses it to bring him down – literally.

Bonus features (may vary on products and retailers) are interesting and highlight how the film was made. One of the most intriguing element was the sky pool which was the most expensive scene to film. Another bonus looks at the creative minds and actors. Malek was both the star and a producer on this film, which made it more personal for him.

There is a look at the locations as well as the score.

Several deleted scenes round out the bonus features. Viewers can decide for themselves if they would have left them in the final cut. 

This is a suspenseful story from start to finish. It is available on Digital beginning June 10, 2025 and on 4K UHD+Blu-ray+ Digital Code, and Blu-ray + Digital Code beginning July 8, 2025.

For an edge-of-your-seat thrill ride, check out The Amateur. It is rated PG-13 for some strong violence and language.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Images supplied courtesy 20th Century Studios/Disney

‘Into the Wonderwoods’ is a fun adventure for kids

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

Ten year old Angelo has a great imagination. He fancies himself as a super explorer, and when his family accidentally leaves him at a rest stop on their way to visit his ailing grandmother, Angelo has the biggest adventure imaginable.  Into the Wonderwoods is filled with magic, imagination, and heart.

Angelo is at first very upset and afraid when he discovers his family has accidentally left him behind. What is he to do? Well, being the intrepid explorer (if only in his mind, so far) he realizes he must head off through the forest in search of his family.

What Angelo encounters are a variety of strange and magical creatures. Some of them are not nice, but most of them are friendly and want to help this little kid. This new mysterious world of the forest provides this boy with plenty of ideas for his future stories. He also proves he has what it takes to be an explorer.

Angelo is a cute little fellow and viewers will undoubtedly enjoy his initial imagination and then his wild adventure in the magical forest. There is Zaza, who is half elf and half vampire. Other characters are a squirrel who wants to be a bird, an ogre, and Goouh, a very large green man made of natural elements. These are just a few of the many characters Angelo encounters on his journey through the forest.

The imagery in the film is amazing. It is visually stunning with characters that will endear themselves to viewers.

The movie was originally made in French however this version is in English. It is an adaptation of the comic book by Vincent Paronnaud.

As little Angelo goes from aspiring explorer to a real one he learns a lot about himself in the process. No longer will he let his older brother bully him. After all, he has faced some pretty difficult situations and characters in that weird forest. 

All’s well that ends well, and this whimsical story has a happy ending. 

Into the Wonderwoods is available on major digital platforms beginning June 24, 2025. It is a fun adventure for kids to watch. And little Angelo is an adorable character.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Images courtesy Shout Kids.

Wahlburgers Restaurant Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Paul Wahlberg, aka Chef Paul, has concocted some interesting burgers, salads, and sandwiches. Along with his family and acting brothers Donnie and Mark, Wahlburgers restaurants have been a favorite for many burger lovers around the country. We recently tried a couple burgers at their Morongo Casino restaurant near Palm Springs, California.

This is not an enter, sit, dine restaurant. It’s a walk-up inside the casino however they do bring your food to your table. The tables are located in a section just off to the side of the gambling machines, so yes, it is a bit noisy and the music in the casino blasts through every speaker. That said, the ambiance isn’t the greatest however the food did deliver.

What we tried



The Pepperoni Smash Burger ($12.90) is made of two Angus Beef patties, melted provolone cheese, julienne pepperoni, Chef Paul’s rosemary tomato jam, and garlic butter. It was a bit dry so we asked for some of Chef Paul’s special Wahlsauce which made it much better and the sauce is very tasty.

The Impossible Burger ($17.95) comes with smoked cheddar cheese, lettuce, chili spiced tomatoes, caramelized onions, and the special Wahlsauce.

The buns are tasty themselves and have a little bit of butter. They’re very soft and add to the flavor of the burgers.

We also ordered the Tater Tots ($1.95 on a special) as a side. What can I say about Tater Tots? They’re nothing special but when you dip them in the Wahlsauce they are more tasty than without. Wahlsauce or ketchup? Take your pick.


Wahlsauce

What exactly is in the special Wahlsauce? From what I could find out it is made from ketchup, sugar, vinegar, sea salt, dehydrated onion, garlic powder, soybean oil, corn syrup, water, egg yolks, distilled vinegar, and prepared mustard and a few other ingredients.
(https://www.wahlburgersathome.com/products/wahl-sauce)

Wahlburgers and the Wahlbergs

So, where can you get a Wahlburger? So far there are locations in California, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Illinois, Tennessee, Ohio, South Carolina New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts where it all began. The story goes that Chef Paul wanted to create a family restaurant with fresh ingredients. They opened the first restaurant in 2011 in Hingham, Massachusetts.

Paul, along with his brothers Mark and Donnie and their mother and family all joined in in an A&E reality show that boosted the brand and lifted their recognition. There are eight Wahlberg siblings, however the two most recognizable are of course Mark and Donnie.

Okay, the bottom line…The food was tasty and it was a fun experience to try a burger I had heard so much about. To be honest, the night before I had a burger from Red Robin which was horrible. The difference between that one and the Wahlburger was like night and day.
The total for our two burgers and tater tots came to $33.24. The prices can vary depending on location and specials. The offerings range from approximately $10 to $21.55.

By the way, the Wahlsauce is available on Amazon and there is a store via the Wahlburgers website where products can be purchased.

Was it a good burger? Yes.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw has been covering products, travel, and all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 35 years. 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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.