Enjoy “Paint the Night Parade” at Disneyland (or online) while it is still there

Posted on May 11, 2026May 21, 2026 by Francine Brokaw

Anyone who knows me knows The Main Street Electrical Parade is my all-time favorite night parade at Disneyland. I love the music, the colors, and those little bugs that dance in the street. But the Paint the Night Parade is giving that a challenge.

I was privileged to experience this parade last year when the resort kicked off the 70th anniversary. Wow. What a jolt of colors and music. It is definitely a fun experience.

Recently I have been watching the nightly event via various streaming channels. And sometimes I search online for archived videos of the parade. There is something magical about this display of lights, colors, characters, and especially music. That darn song stays with me for days. It’s addicting. I love it.

Unfortunately, the Paint the Night Parade is scheduled to finish its run in August 2026. For those who are planning a visit to the Disneyland Resort this summer, make sure to watch this happy, joyous, entertaining parade. It will definitely dazzle you and is an experience to remember.

And for those who cannot get to Disneyland before the parade goes away, I urge you to catch some videos online. Watching the streaming channels live* is as close to being there as you can get, without actually being there. It isn’t quite the same as standing on the parade route, but it still is a fun way to enjoy the parade. And, as the song says, “I never want this to end.”

It would be nice if Disneyland kept this popular parade for a while longer, but they will probably come up with a new one that might be even better. Who knows?

In the meantime, click on the link below to see a preview of the parade.

Paint the Night Parade720

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Video courtesy Disney

* As of this writing, Disney is considering banning or changing streaming rules in the parks. The ability to watch a stream from the park often helps those who are stuck home, sick in bed, or simply too far away to have a magical experience in person. We’ll see what Disney decides.

‘Sugar and Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery’ now on Hallmark+

Posted on May 11, 2026 by Francine Brokaw

The thirteenth Hannah Swensen Mystery is now available to stream on Hallmark +. Sugar and Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery is filled with all the fun of the previous films, with Hannah (Alison Sweeney) front and center once again in a murder investigation.

How this woman does it is a mystery in itself. She manages to find dead bodies wherever she goes. And this time Hannah is catering the desserts for a posh reopening of the Lake Eden Inn when the proverbial crap hits the fan!

First of all, Delores (Barbara Niven), in typical form, insists she and Ron (Mike Dopud) attend the costume party dressed as a couple. But not only that, she insists Hannah and Chad do the same. It’s all part of Delores’ positive and outgoing personality.

While at the party, Hannah and her assistant Lisa (Juliana Wimbles) happen to find a dead body in one of the offices. Once again, Hannah is thrust into a murder investigation. This time, however, the Sheriff is on the scene, so it doesn’t take long before he takes over and secures the crime scene.

While a murdered body lays in an office, everyone continues with their merriment at the party. Chad and Sheriff Ron do not want the murder to be known. The murderer, after all, is someone on the premises. Someone at the party is a murderer and everyone must remain on site to be questioned, once the word gets out.

Now, adding to this situation is the fact that a big storm is ravaging the town and the street leading to the Inn has been blocked by a tree. While the tree situation is being attended to, Hannah, Lisa, and Delores (you didn’t think she would be left out, did you?) take it upon themselves to do some investigating on their own. Chad, of course, understands he cannot keep them from using their uncanny instincts and capabilities from investigating the case.

In the end, viewers know that Hannah will lead the authorities to the ultimate killer.

The fun of the costume party adds to the entertainment, as Delores goes all out.

Alison Sweeney not only stars as Hannah Swensen, but she also co-wrote the story. This is the fourth Hannah Swensen film she has written.

Sugar and Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery is now available to stream on Hallmark+. Make sure you have a big glass of milk handy when you watch. Those cookies look delicious and definitely mouth-watering. Enjoy!

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 and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

‘Kentucky Roses’ blooms on Hallmark+

Posted on May 6, 2026 by Francine Brokaw

With this year’s Kentucky Derby in the rearview mirror, Kentucky Roses keeps the excitement alive. The entire production was filmed in Louisville, Kentucky and much of it was actually filmed at Churchill Downs!

This sweet and aromatic story stars Odette Annable as Sadie Moore, a young woman who works at the greenhouse with a second job in a florist shop. Her goal is to own her own shop. She loves designing floral arrangements and bringing color and delight to others.

Andrew W. Walker stars as Ashley (Ash) Taylor Reed. He is a successful contractor with his own company, but his father Frank Reed (Gregg Henry), the CEO of Churchill Downs, wants his son to follow in his footsteps.

There is a “meet cute” between Sadie and Ash, which leads them to reconnect and begin a friendship with romantic undertones. What neither of them know is that their ancestors had a history together and nearly got married.

Ash is hired by his father to repair the recently damaged Twin Spires at the racetrack. A bad storm did quite the damage to the structures, only two weeks before the big race.

And Sadie is asked to help with last minute floral arrangements for a big gala, which is hosted by Ash’s mother. After her success with that, there is another disaster when the big floral blanket for the winner needs to be recreated. But with a lack of red roses due to all the festivities surrounding the race, Sadie is at a loss to find enough flowers to create the iconic display.

So, while Sadie works frantically to complete the floral displays and while Ash is hard at work repairing the iconic spires, their budding relationship (no pun intended) grows.

There are some cute moments between the characters and the history of the Kentucky Derby and all the festivities that surround it come into play. Both of the main characters are engaging in their own right, but when they are combined, the sparks fly as they both work towards their goals in the two frantic weeks before the big race.

Kentucky Roses is now available to stream on Hallmark+.

About the Author

‘Ready or Not 2: Here I Come’ now on digital

Posted on May 6, 2026 by Francine Brokaw

If you saw Ready or Not, the 2019 horror movie, get ready for more gore and – horror. The sequel, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come is now available on digital platforms including Movies Anywhere, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home and will be coming out on Blu-ray and DVD release June 16, 2026. This is NOT for the faint of heart.

In Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, Samara Weaving returns as Grace, alongside an all‑star cast including Kathryn Newton, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Shawn Hatosy, Nestor Carbonell, with David Cronenberg, and Elijah Wood.

This action‑packed, darkly comedic horror sequel expands the Ready or Not mythology with another lethal game of hide‑and‑seek. Still reeling from her brutal escape from the Le Domas family, Grace is thrust into an even more unhinged bloodbath when she becomes prey once again – this time hunted alongside her estranged sister by four rival families, each ruthlessly vying for absolute power and control of the High Seat of the Council
Digital & Blu-ray Bonus Features –Bonus features may vary by product and retailer.
- The Game Goes On: The Making of Ready Or Not 2 – A 4-part behind-the-scenes featurette featuring filmmakers, talent, design and the practical effects.
- Part 1: Written in Blood – The directors and cast discuss what sets the sequel apart from the first film, and how the team expanded the story in a meaningful way.
- Part 2: Casting the Chaos – A spotlight on the film’s main cast and what they each brought to their roles.
- Part 3: Designed for Destruction – Dive deeper into the design and execution of the film’s finale with a look at the set construction, practical effects, and the bloody aftermath left behind.
- Part 4: Blood, Guts, and Practical Mayhem – Explore how the film’s explosive deaths and blood gags were created with this breakdown of the practical effects and innovations, highlighting how the team built and expanded techniques from the first film.
- Rules of the Game – Learn the rules of the deadly game of Hide and Seek, from the contained family ritual to the expanded high-stakes hunt.
- Gag Reel – Check out hilarious outtakes from the making of the movie.
- Audio commentary by directors / executive producers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, Samara Weaving, and Kathryn Newton.
- Audio commentary by directors / executive producers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, executive producers / writers Guy Busick and R. Christopher Murphy, producers James Vanderbilt and Tripp Vinson, and editor Jay Prychidny.

This is rated R and definitely NOT for kids. It’s a true HORROR film. It’s not for me, but there is a cult following for this franchise.

Francine Brokaw

6-Port Media Hub expands tablet capability

Posted on May 5, 2026 by Francine Brokaw

The folks at ZAGG are always coming up with items to make life easier. Another useful item is their 6-Port Media Hub. This portable unit is for tablets and other USB-C enabled devices, providing a handy stand as well as ports for various card readers and an audio jack for headphones.

Not only does this unit have ports for users to play their videos on their tablets (remember, iPads do not have any ports other than the USB-C), there are easy-to-touch buttons for Play/Pause, Forward, and Backward. These buttons make adjusting the videos easy. No longer does the user have to touch the tablet to pause/play, etc.

The integrated stand is useful even if videos are not being played. It keeps tablets firmly upright – vertically or horizontally. Just open the “door” and set the tablet in the channel, which is lined with a soft textile to keep the edge of the tablet from being scratched.

Besides the audio jack, the 6 ports are for HDMI, USB-C PD, USB-A, SD card reader, and micro SD reader. Basically, this unit has whatever plugs/ports you need to view your video on a iPad or Android tablet.

The attached USB-C connecter from the hub to the tablet easily stores inside the unit. It does not have to be carried separately. It’s all-in-one.

When initially connected to a tablet, select “headphones” when prompted. This allows the unit the connectivity to the speaker. That’s all there is to it. Viewing online content or, when a card is inserted, the tablet is a media center.

The bottom line is, this gives users an easy way to view media. Lightweight and compact, with a variety of uses, the 6-Port Media Hub is probably just what tablet users are looking for when it comes to listening and viewing content. It expands the capability of a tablet, giving users flexibility to use various sources.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw has been writing about products, entertainment, and travel for over 35 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as various Internet websites.

Note: This unit was sent to me for an honest review with no expectations.

Images are from the author as well as courtesy ZAGG

‘Swapped’ is a fun family film now on Netflix

Posted on May 3, 2026 by Francine Brokaw

The new animated film Swapped is filled with adventure, fun characters, combined with a little bit of danger. Ollie (voiced by Michael B. Jordan) is inquisitive and thoughtful. He is a tiny, furry little rodent, called a Pookoo. After a tragedy struck The Valley where the Pookoos and other animals live, Ollie and his family and all the Pookoos, were relegated to a small area underground.

This little fellow is inventive and very curious. That makes him such a fun little guy. On one of his outings above ground, Ollie encounters a young bird and teaches it how to open a pod to get to the food inside. This is the staple food for the Pookoos. Unfortunately, Ollie’s good intentions backfire and soon all the birds, known as Javans, are eating all of the food, leaving the Pookoos close to starvation.

Little Ollie ventures outside again to find a solution to their dilemma. After all, he is responsible for their situation. Unfortunately, he encounters a dangerous situation and falls upon a glowing pod that instantly turns him into a Javan, the arch enemies of the Pookoos.

Ollie, now in a Javan body, meets Ivy (voiced by Juno Temple), a bossy and outgoing bird. Once Ollie realizes what is going on, he knows the old tale of the Dzo is not fiction. His grandmother told him the tale when he was very young.

A long time ago the Dzo brought peace and stability to the land by helping all the critters understand each other. Their glowing pods gave the creatures the ability to talk to each other. Then a Firewolf came and brought destruction and separation. That is the world in which Ollie and his fellow Pookoos now live.

Ollie begins a trek to find another glowing pod to turn him back into a Pookoo. Along the way things get a bit turned around. Ivy encounters a glowing pod and accidentally turns into a Pookoo.

Ivy and Ollie befriend a large fish. This is a Boogle (voiced by Tracy Morgan) who has a secret of his own. The trio embark on a journey to locate more glowing pods so Ollie and Ivy can return to their normal bodies.

This is a wild adventure with some cute characters and an interesting storyline. While there are scenes of danger, the outcome is a happy one for all, as you probably expected. This is a fun family film with adorable characters and an engaging plot.

Swapped is now available to stream on Netflix. It is rated PG for action/peril and some scary images.

About the Author

Image supplied courtesy Netflix

Another handy item from the folks at mophie

Posted on May 2, 2026 by Francine Brokaw

Do you have devices that plug in via USB-C as well as devices that use Lightning plugs? If so, you are probably using two different cables to charge your devices – one for your lightning devices and one for your USB-C devices. That can be cumbersome and frustrating, especially when you’re traveling. Mophie has a solution.

The mophie Charge Stream 1M USB-C to USB-C Cable with Lightning Tip has a USB-C end to plug in to a charging outlet and the other end has a USB-C plug as well as an attached Lightning tip, all together on a single cable.

To use the cable for USB-C charging, plug the USB-C into a charging plug and the other end into a USB-C enabled device. To use this same cable to charge a Lightning device, simply attach the tethered Lightning tip to the end of the USB-C plug.

They call this a “Switch-Tip” as it easily switches from a USB-C to USB-C cord to a USB-C to Lightning cord. The cord can charge a device up to 60W fast charging.

Sure, you can buy a separate adapter to make a USB-C plug into a Lightning plug. But the problem is that the separate adapter is just that – separate. It can be mislaid, lost, or tucked away in a drawer. With this mophie cord the adapter (switch-tip) is attached to the cord with a flexible rubber strap that keeps it all together. It’s the simplicity and handiness that makes this a good product.

With just this one cable you can charge a Lightning enabled device and quickly switch to a USB-C device without having to change cables. A simple click attaches the Lightning plug into the USB-C end, converting it instantly from a USB-C to Lightning charging cable. How simple is that?

The mophie Charge Stream 1M USB-C to USB-C Cable with Lightning Tip has a durable braided cord that doesn’t kink when curled up. The only downside is that is only 1 M (39 inches) in length. As soon as they come out with a longer one, I’ll be first on the list to purchase a few.

If you’re struggling with two cords for your different devices, this might be your solution. Also, the company offers a 2 year warranty.

About the Reviewer

Note: This unit was sent to me for an honest review with no expectations.

Disneyland updates Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Posted on May 1, 2026 by Francine Brokaw

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland park in Anaheim, California and at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, transports guests to Black Spire Outpost, a village on the planet of Batuu. Guests will discover two signature attractions – Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. (Richard Harbaugh/Disneyland Resort)

Not really a long time ago and not in a galaxy far, far away, actually, in Anaheim, California, Disneyland Resort opened Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. This land in Disneyland has attracted fans of the franchise and immersed them in the planet of Batuu. When it opened in 2019, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge took guests on an exploration of this planet, complete with exotic galactic food and drinks, character meet and greets, plenty of merchandise, and two fan favorite attractions: Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. And with the background music by John Williams, guests feel like they are stepping into the movies.

There are two nighttime experiences in the land: a nightly projection show, “Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga” and on select nights, “Fire of the Rising Moons.”

Beginning April 29, 2026, visitors to Batuu may find Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa and Han Solo inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland park in Anaheim, Calif., as the land expands its timeline to include more Star Wars eras. The iconic group reunites with R2-D2 in Black Spire Outpost, where they may be spotted near the Millennium Falcon. (Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort)

The folks at Disneyland Resort have made some updates to the land.

Black Spire Outpost is rolling back in time several decades, enabling guests to experience multiple eras of the planet’s rich history, including the Galactic Civil War and New Republic, as well as the Age of the Resistance and First Order. Darth Vader, Leia Organa, Han Solo and Luke Skywalker join some existing characters that roam the Outer Rim outpost. Visitors are further transported into the world of Star Wars with the addition of selections of beloved scores from legendary composer John Williams, pulling musical themes from the first six films.

And coming on May 22, 2026, a new mission featuring Din Djarin, the titular Mandalorian from The Mandalorian, is coming to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in celebration of the release of Lucasfilm’s The Mandalorian and Grogu. For the first time, the crew will be in control of the destination, leading to potential adventures on Bespin, the wreckage of the second Death Star around Endor or the bustling city-planet, Coruscant.

With the new additions, including new characters to meet and greet, as well as fun food, fabulous libations, a journey to a new galaxy, and don’t forget the merch, the update to the land is one guests have been anxious to experience. Now, they can!

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry, including travel, for over 30 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Bring home ‘Hoppers’ for a hoppin’ good time

Posted on April 30, 2026 by Francine Brokaw

The Disney/Pixar film Hoppers is now available on digital platforms with plenty of bonus material. The story is filled with heart as one brave young girl sets out to help the animals in her beloved glade.

Mabel starts off in the film as a very young girl who has always tried to help animals, even going so far as to attempt to take them from her school and set them free. The story then jumps to Mabel as a 19-year old and living with her grandmother who teaches her about the environment and how we are all connected – animals and humans.

When the devious mayor begins to build a beltway through the glade, Mabel steps into action. Hoping to stop the construction, she sets out to get a petition, however that does not go the way she wants.

Then she accidentally discovers an experiment in the lab at her college. It involves transferring a human brain into a robotic animal and going out into the world to discover more about them. They call it “hopping.”

She says the experiment is just like Avatar, but her professor disagrees. Not wanting to waste any time saving the glade and the animals’ home, Mabel jumps right into the experiment, to the surprise of those in the lab.

Now, as a robotic beaver, Mabel sets out to find all the animals that were displaced by the construction project. She knows that if she can get just one beaver to return to the glade, then other animals will follow.

Mabel first meets George, the mammal king who is a well-intentioned beaver. George sees her as just another beaver. When George and the other animals resign themselves to living away from their home, it is Mabel who spurs them on to regain their habitat. And she is victorious, for a while.

Discovering the true evilness inflicted on the animals by the mayor, Mable puts her heart and soul into stopping the construction and helping the animals.

The friendship between Mabel and George is precious. And all the animals have interesting personalities and perspectives on life. The “pond rule” is that if an animal is captured by another animal, that’s just the way it is. He or she then becomes the other animal’s meal. That’s the circle of life, or as they say, the pond rule.

When push comes to shove, it is the animals who ultimately save the humans.

This is a cute story with a young hero who sets a good example for others. Although there are scenes of animals’ demise, on the whole it is a very entertaining film.

The bonus features take viewers into the movie-making process with insights from the filmmakers.

“The Critter Diaries” is a featurette showing how the team researched the lives and physiology of the animals. They went to Yellowstone National Park where they were able to get up close with the animals and even into a deserted Beaver lodge! The folks at Pixar always do extensive research when making a film, and this time they had a great time exploring nature and the wild life of Yellowstone.

“Hopping In: The Making of Hoppers” delves into the process of creating the story, refining it, and ultimately bringing it to the public.

“Meet King George” focuses on how George’s Superlodge was created. This was a daunting task but the final product was worth it.

“Beaverton Revealed” shows various easter eggs in the scenes which die-hard Pixar fans might have missed when viewing the film.

Bloopers and several deleted scenes are also included. The scenes that did not make it into the final production are introduced by director Daniel Chong and editor Axel Geddes. Honestly, many of them are so cute that they could be in the film, however they did not make the cut.

Keep in mind bonus features may vary by product and retailer.

Hoppers is rated PG for action/peril, some scary images, and mild language. It is now available on digital platforms including Movies Anywhere, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. On June 2, 2026 it will be available on Blu-ray and DVD, as well as a 4K UHD set.

About the Author

‘I’ll Be Seeing You’ takes viewers on a cute little road trip

Posted on April 23, 2026April 23, 2026 by Francine Brokaw

I’ll Be Seeing You brings together two popular actors in a fun story of love and fate. Tyler Haynes and Stacey Farber star as Mark and Amy, two people who are complete opposites.

Mark is the activities director at a retirement community. He’s effervescent, happy, and easy going. He is beloved by all the seniors who count him as a friend besides being on staff there. He’s a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of guy.

Amy, on the other hand, is a structured career woman who has her sights on a promotion and who works tirelessly to the point of neglecting her friends in favor of her job. She comes to visit her grandmother Vivien (Christine Ebersole) at the retirement community and they decide to take a road trip together. Amy needs to get a client to get some documents signed for her job, and taking the trip with her grandmother adds a little extra to the journey.

Vivien asks her friend Sue (BJ Harrison) to join them on a girls weekend. Amy is fine with this as long as she gets to her destination and gets those documents signed. They’re off on a fun-filled trip when Amy’s car malfunctions. As luck would have it, guess who happens to be on his way for a fishing weekend? Yep. Mark happens by and volunteers to take them on their little getaway. This sounds odd to Amy, but if they can get their road trip back on track, all the better. And Mabel, Mark’s old van, has plenty of room for them all.

They’re on their way when Vivien asks to detour through a little town from her past. It was there where long ago she met a man of her dreams. She wants to relive the memories.

This little road trip takes on a new dimension when they all learn Teddy, the man from Vivian’s past, lives close by. Why not track him down for old times sake?

Along the way, this little trip opens Amy’s eyes to the world outside of her job. As she becomes more carefree, she and Mark bond and they both begin to realize what is most important in their lives.

Of course there is a happy ending. It wouldn’t be a fun little Hallmark movie without one. But the characters’ interactions make this a cute little movie for an afternoon or a quiet evening.

I’ll Be Seeing You premieres April 25, 2026 on Hallmark Channel and will be available to stream beginning April 26, 2026.

About the Author

Image courtesy Hallmark