‘Cloudy with a Chance of Love’ streams on UP Faith and Family


Cloudy with a Chance of Love is a cute 2015 movie now streaming on UP Faith and Family. Katie Leclerc and Michael Rady star in this story of two people whose dreams are completely different but find they have something in common – love.

Deb (Leclerc) is working on her doctorate in meteorology. He life is dedicated to weather and she can’t wait to finish her dissertation and begin a fellowship at the university. The problem is, she is not guaranteed the fellowship and is up against another candidate who will stop at almost nothing to get it.

Deb spends her life at her desk at the university working on her job and PhD dissertation. She also does a brief university radio segment daily giving the weather forecast. Deb is high-spirited and devoted to all things having to do with weather.

Quentin (Rady) is the new news director at a San Diego TV station. Due to some differences at the NYC station he was sent to San Diego to get that station’s viewership up. When their meteorologist suddenly quits Quentin calls on Deb whom he heard on the radio earlier that day. She reluctantly comes to his rescue delivering her great and upbeat weather information and the forecast, via the phone.

Her enthusiasm is loved by the viewers and soon Deb is offered a temporary position – on camera – at the station, to the delight of the news anchor Grant Marshall (Gregory Harrison). The fun banter between Grant and Deb delights not only the viewers but everyone at the station. 

As her time as the local TV meteorologist winds on, she becomes famous in the city and begins to get noticed at the university, which will help in her application for the fellowship. But her appearance leaves a lot to be desired by the make-up and wardrobe people. So, again reluctantly, Deb agrees to be made over. Wow, what a difference outwardly but she is still the effervescent meteorologist that won everyone’s hearts, including Quentin’s.

Quentin’s brilliant idea to bring Deb onto the newscast is noticed by the network and could be his ticket back to the Big Apple, which is something he desperately wants. But will his big dreams clash with those of Deb’s?

Leclerc, Rady, and Harrison are fun to watch as they go about their jobs and relationships. This is a cute story and even though the movie is ten years old, it is still something today’s viewers can enjoy.

Cloudy with a Chance of Love is rated TV-G and is now exclusively available to stream on UP Faith and Family.

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 provided courtesy UP Faith and Family

Family Central has free Easter movies to stream

Whether you’re looking for some fun comedy, animated shows, or just nice viewing shows for this Easter season, VA Media’s Family Central YouTube Channel has what you’ll want….and it’s all free.

Family Central is the number one channel for full-length & free HD family movies and TV shows. Content for all members of the family, including adventure, comedy, faith, animated movies, romantic comedies, and holiday movies, is available all year round. Tune in every week for newly added content.

Check it out. They have a large variety of free movies and shows for the entire family.

 

IMAGES courtesy VA Media

 

Francine Brokaw

Disneyland guests can let their voices be heard

World of Color: Happiness lives up to the word “spectacular.”

This nighttime spectacular in Disney California Adventure celebrates many iconic Disney characters during the lighting and water show.

Guests will soon have the opportunity to vote on which emotion from Inside Out 2 they would like to see highlighted during the show: Sadness, Anger, Disgust, or Envy.  Eligible guests can vote for one of these four emotions on the Disneyland app prior to the first performance of the night.  The show runs twice each night.

So, which one will you be voting for?

Each guest is limited to one vote per night.

Disney is listening! It’s your vote. 

Images courtesy DISNEY

‘Mystery Island: Winner Takes All’ is now streaming

Mystery Island: Winner Takes All is the second installment in the Hallmark Mystery series which began in 2023. It is now available to stream on Hallmark Plus. 

The show stars Elizabeth Henstridge as Dr. Emilia Priestly, a London Police psychiatrist, and Charlie Weber as detective Jason Trent. The first show introduced the murder-mystery resort. In the pilot episode the founder of the Mystery Island is murdered which brings in Priestly and Trent to investigate.

In Mystery Island: Winner Takes All, there is not one but two murders. Priestly and Trent have worked with the owner to design a fictional murder mystery contest for the guests, but things don’t go according to plan. 

It’s not the greatest movie but it is interesting and learning who is behind the murders is intriguing. Mystery buffs might not be able to guess the outcome.

While the police are searching for the real murderer, or murderers, the guests decide to continue with their fictional murder-mystery so one of them will be able to win the prize. 

So, while there is the real murder mystery there is the fictional murder mystery being dissected in tandem.

This second show has not received the good reviews the first one did, however it is still interesting to watch and viewers can try to unravel both mysteries – the fictional one and the real one. 

And yes, there is a third movie on Hallmark Mystery, Mystery Island: Play for Keeps.

If Charlie Weber looks familiar to viewers it could be due to his starring role in the hit drama How to Get Away with Murder (2014-2020). And Elizabeth Henstridge was in the hit series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013-2020).

For now, Mystery Island: Winner Takes All is now streaming on Hallmark Plus.

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 Hallmark/Crown Media

‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ is a family affair

The Sonic team is back for more fun, action, and moments to remember. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a traditional Sonic movie filled with all the cuteness of Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails as well as many edge-of-your-seat exciting scenes.

This film introduces Shadow (voiced by Keanu Reeves), a colorful Hedgehog with a sad backstory. This fellow has been held in tight security for fifty years due to the danger he can cause. But his backstory that comes out through the film explains why he became the evil fellow everyone fears.

Also, enter The Professor, the grandfather of Rovotnik, who has devious plans using Shadow. He intends on using his super weapon, The Eclipse Canon,  to end life on Earth.

Team Sonic has it’s hands full with Shadow who is stronger and faster than they are and who provides a foe that might just be the demise of this cute little trio.

With the help of Tom (James Marsden) and Maddie (Tina Sumpter) they plan to get the keys to the weapon and disable it, but things don’t turn out as easily as they planned.

All along the Sonic team must remember to make the right choices, as they were instructed to do by Tom and Maddie. And sometimes the right choice isn’t as easy as it sounds, especially when revenge comes into play.

This third film in the franchise follows the stories of the Sega characters as they fight evil for good. But besides the main story of Shadow and the Eclipse Canon, threading through the film is the idea of family. 

Tom, Maddie, Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles are a family. They’re a little unorthodox, but they are a family nonetheless. And that entails all the love family members give to each other.

Jim Carrey reprises his role of Ivo Robotic and also plays his grandfather Gerald Robotic. Ben Schwartz continues to supply the voice of Sonic, Idris Elba as knuckles, and Colleen O’Shaughnessey as Tails. Tom Butler returns as Commander Walters and Krysten Ritter as Director Rockwell.

As viewers learned earlier in the story, Shadow’s heart has turned dark due to the death of his human friend Maria who became his family. But as Sonic reminds him, ‘A light shines even though the star is gone.” This is a sad scene and one that might bring a tear to viewers.

There are plenty of bonus features on this release whether it is digital or Blu-ray/4K Ultra.

“Sonic Family Fun” looks at the family connection between the characters of this blended family. “Robotic Family Reunion” looks at the newly reunited Robotics.

There is a featurette about Jeff Fowler who has directed all three Sonic feature films, and a cute featurette looking at the human actors providing the voices for Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles. 

This film utilized a larger set than the others and a bonus explains the various sets designed for the film. Another bonus is a look at Team Sonic versus Shadow, their most difficult foe. 

In the past the human actors had to act alongside – or with – tennis balls however this time the filmmakers provided puppets to portray the animated characters, which was a treat for everyone.

“A Very Sonic Christmas” video is included as well as a gag reel and deleted scenes that round out the bonus features. 

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is rated PG for action, some violence, rude humor, thematic elements, and mild language.

The digital is available now and the 4K Ultra Hd, Blu-ray, and DVD discs will be available on April 15, 2025, including a collectible SteelBooks version which includes both the 4K Ultra and HD in a collectible box.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is also screening on Paramount+.

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.

‘Paddington in Peru’ is fun for the whole family

 

The third movie in the Paddington franchise does not disappoint. It is a fun adventure with everyone’s favorite little British bear as he travels back to his homeland in search for his family. Paddington in Peru is adorable.

The movie begins with a look back at Paddington’s beginnings when he was rescued by Aunt Lucy who took care of him but eventually sent him to London where he was taken in by the Brown family.

Now, firmly ensconced in British life (even with his own British passport) and a beloved member of the Brown family, Paddington learns that his Aunt Lucy is missing from the home for retired bears in Peru. This upsetting news has the entire Brown family heading off to Peru to help find Lucy.

Paddington (voiced by Ben Whishaw), Henry Brown (Hugh Bonneville), Mary  Brown (Emily Mortimer), Judy Brown (Madeleine Harris), and Jonathan Brown (Samuel Joslin), along with their friend Miss Kitts (Jessica Hynes) are off for an adventure of a lifetime.

When they get to Peru the family hires a boat owned by Hunter Cabot (Antonio Banderas) who has a nefarious reason for taking the family to find Aunt Lucy once he discovers Paddington’s bracelet is the key to the lost city of El Dorado. It seems the Cabot family have long been gold hunters and El Dorado is legendary for being the lost city of gold.

Along the way, they all encounter one problem after another as they search for Aunt Lucy. In the meantime, Miss Kitts has stayed behind with the Reverend Mother (Olivia Colman) at the home for retired bears. It’s there she discovers things aren’t what they seem to be.

This adventure is filled with many dangerous situations but several emotionally charged scenes as Paddington is relentless in finding his Aunt Lucy. After all, she saved his life when he was a cub and now he needs to save her.

As he says, “You can take the bear out of the jungle but you can’t take the jungle out of the bear.” He is comfortable in the jungle. It is where he began, however he is equally comfortable in London.

What happens SPOILER ALERT is that Paddington does locate Lucy who has been rescued by a tribe of bears and these bears are Paddington’s real tribe. It is where he came from.

Now the question is – will Paddington stay with his tribe or return with his “family” the Browns? 

When Henry’s new boss instructed him to “embrace the risk,” he never knew how much that would affect him and on this journey he takes many risks, to the surprise of his family.

The movie was filmed on location in Peru, Colombia, and London.  There is no doubt Paddington is a beloved little bear and British character that has been embraced by the country and the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Stay tuned for the ending credits as Paddington shows his visiting bear tribe the sights of London.

Bonus material include a sing-along with the nuns as they performed a cute little ditty when they learned Paddington was returning to Peru to search for his Aunt Lucy.

Other bonuses include instructions on how to create your own adventure map and make your own friendship bracelet like the one Paddington wears. There are also set tours as well as a cute “Making Of” featurette.

Paddington in Peru won the 2025 Truly Moving Picture Award from Heartland Film. Yes, it is a touching story with plenty of heartwarming scenes. It is also filled with fun and funny moments adding to the love of the franchise and the characters – especially one little bear named Paddington.

Paddington in Peru is now available VOD and will be available on Blu-ray and DVD beginning April 29, 2025.

The movie is rated PG for action, mild rude humor, and some thematic elements.

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.

‘Meet Cute in Manhattan’ is a fun rom-com


Meet Cute in Manhattan is a fun romantic comedy within a romantic comedy. The film was written by Karen Morey along with Terence Chen who stars as Jason Lin, an actor/screenwriter who finds himself smack dab in the middle of a real rom-com.

Chinese-American Jason is stuck in a relationship with his “influencer” girlfriend Chloe Wang (Amanda Shi) who is obsessed with posting great photos. She’s shallow and her apartment looks like a carton of Pepto Bismol exploded there.

Nora Dawson (Kendall Leary) is intent on getting a job as an architect so she can design buildings that stand the test of time. Her boyfriend Kip (Martin K. Lewis) is a bit controlling and has their entire life planned out. It’s up to her to follow the steps he set out.

While waiting for a job offer Nora works in a coffee shop and one day “bumps” into Jason, spilling his hot coffee on his favorite jersey. When she asks how she can make it up to him, he asks her to go with him to an audition for a commercial casting real-life couples for a dating app. Nora agrees even though she is apprehensive because they are not a real-life couple. 

What happens next is the fun part. It seems the two have crossed paths all over Manhattan throughout the years but never met until that fateful day in the coffee shop. As they talk about themselves in the audition, their chemistry impresses the director and they are hired. And, it seems, they are a bit hit when the ad comes out. So they are signed to do several more ads, each one is a nod to a famous rom-com: Sleepless in Seattle, Singing in the Rain, Roman Holiday, and more.

Meanwhile, as their ads are splashed all over Times Square and the entire city, their significant others are taken aback. There is definitely a strong chemistry between Jason and Nora, although they are the last to know.

Throughout the film Jason is describing their story to filmmakers as he pitches his screenplay, which is really the story that viewers see unfolding throughout the film.

There are many nods to romantic films throughout the movie as the story of Jason and Nora plays out.

Jason is a true rom-com aficionado along with his sister and parents who learned to speak English by watching romantic comedies when they came to America.

This is a cute story made for lovers of romantic comedies and romantic films. It captures the essence of a good rom-com, and with the elements of popular films woven throughout the story, it is truly a little gem of a movie.

The movie will be available to stream VOD via Prime Video, and more. It premieres March 28, 2025. The movie is rated PG-13.

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.

Courtesy image used with approval

Harry Bosch’s solo crime stories come to a screeching halt!

 

Despite the outcry from fans, Harry Bosch’s solo crime stories come to a screeching halt!

Bosch: Legacy debuted on then-Freevee in 2022 as its first original series. It’s a continuing saga of Amazon Prime’s longest running and most popular character-based procedural series, Bosch, adapted from Michael Connelly’s novels. The next chapter (spin-off) of Bosch focuses on three returning characters; retired LAPD homicide detective-turned-private investigator Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver), attorney Honey “Money” Chandler (Mimi Rogers), and Maddie Bosch (Madison Lintz) as they explore and navigate through uncharted waters in their personal pursuit of justice.

It’s been a minute since Bosch: Legacy Season 2 left us hanging on a collect call from Preston Borders (Chris Browning) — a convict put away decades ago by Bosch serving a life sentence for murder — intimating Harry’s hand in the death of Kurt Dockweiler (David Denman).

The murder investigation of Dockweiler, the serial rapist who kidnapped and buried Maddie alive as his bargaining chip, threatens to ruin the lives of the Legacy trio. Maddie, now fully immersed in her calling as an LAPD patrol officer, gets entangled in a series of violent follow-home robberies. Although she has always been aware of the fine line between justice and vengeance her father walks, a whiff of such a transgression drives a wedge between them.

Harry is retained to look for a family vanished completely without leaving one single trace. With neither the authority nor the specialized resources for good old-fashioned police work at his disposal, Harry comes to grapple with the limits of justice.

Once a high profile defense attorney, Honey “Money” Chandler runs for District Attorney against the incumbent who stops at nothing to smear her and destroy her credibility. She’s had it with the corruption of the system; WIIFAM (What’s in it for me?) politicians abuse power for political gain and squander Angelenos’ faith and trust in the law and justice system.

Amazon wants us to buy the inane twaddle that Bosch: Legacy concludes this spring as planned. Translation? Expect the soft landing Amazon’s golden boy deserves. In your dreams! The streamer canceled the show long after Season 3 had wrapped filming; it wasn’t a creative decision but a financial one. The flagship series — not only Prime Video’s but also video streaming services’ longest-running and most popular franchise to date — has left an indelible mark on the crime drama genre thanks to Titus Welliver’s full embodiment of Harry Bosch (the TV version, mind you). Sure, ending a beloved series with a bang is no walk in the park, but Welliver deserves better. Bosch diehard fans deserve better!

Come to think of it, Amazon’s all-consuming passion for appealing solely to the lucrative younger demographic (new audience = ad revenue) at the expense of the authenticity of the story has been glaring at me from the get-go. The theme song attempts to infuse a sense of youthful energy: “There’s a fire of a new day coming ‘round/It’s a rhythm of a new song singing/(Oh, my, my) Times are changing/(Oh, my, my) Times are changing.” Although it’s reminiscent of the Big Three networks’ old-fashioned detective series — clearly contrary to Amazon’s intention —, I for one got the message loud and clear. It reminds me that my time is up and a dinosaur — a person with very old-fashioned values, out of step with the current times or about to become obsolete — like me must cease to exit.

When Bosch pays Mo Bassi (Chang), tech-forward gadget whiz, in cash, he makes fun of him. “Cash is so last century!” Dinosaur Bosch rejoins, “So am I, brother.” Mo’s off-the-cuff quips make me laugh, but I don’t appreciate sacrilege against my hero committed by Detective Christina Vega (Jacqueline Obradors) and Rondell Pierce (DaJuan Johnson). The new blood clearly resents the old guard; they don’t want to be bossed around and taken advantage of every time Bosch needs something from them. I thought Bosch is well respected among the law enforcement, but apparently there is no love lost between the old guard and the new blood. It’s appalling and heart-breaking to overhear how they condemn my hero behind his back.

Vexed, self-righteous and short-fused, but also loyal, compassionate and soulful lone wolf with a moral compass in tact, Harry Bosch is the whole hard-boiled cop package. Let’s not further tarnish the most iconic character of contemporary crime fiction as a means to win younger demographic and ad revenue.

Bosch: Legacy Season 3 returned with the first four episodes on March 27, followed by two episodes dropping every Thursday until the series finale on April 17.

About the Author

Meg Mimura is a TV critic who actually watches shows zealously in search of thought-provoking and paradigm shifting human drama worth our precious time. She is a member of Television Critics Association. Follow her on Twitter.

Image courtesy Prime Video

‘On Paper’ streams on UP Faith and Family


Now streaming on UP Faith and Family, On Paper is a cute story of love, confusion, and decisions in the workplace. Even though this was produced in 2014, it is still a fun story with interesting characters.

Natalie (Lindsay Hartley) is an associate book editor in Portland, Oregon. She loves real literature and poo-poos romance novels. When her good friend Avery (Haley Strode) offers her the job of editor in her Los Angeles publishing company, Natalie is on the next plane to LaLa Land. 

Avery has ulterior motives. Her best-selling pain-in-the-butt romance novelist Beverly Wilcox (Morgan Fairchild) is in need of a new editor and no one will take the job. When Natalie arrives she is eager to get to work, until she discovers her friend has pulled a fast one on her and assigned her the job of editing Beverly’s next romance novel.

In the meantime, Natalie must find an apartment, which she does, get a new wardrobe to fit in with her new job and city, which she does, and tackle the work of editing an author who does not want anything changed in her manuscript.

The handyman at her apartment is called Coop (Drew Fuller). He loves to surf and mentors a young child while looking out for the boys diabetic mother. He is sensitive and caring.

That is exactly the kind of man Avery wants her friend to stay away from. She instructs her to look for a man whose qualities are “good on paper” meaning he has a steady job, nice apartment, etc.

Then Natalie meets Bob (Kieren Hutchison), an attorney with a good future. Now he’s the kind of guy Avery wants her friend to date, which she does.

While Natalie is struggling with Beverly’s demands as well as her mixed feelings about Coop, her relationship with Bob gains traction.

Okay, so most viewers will realize from the beginning who Natalie will end up with, but there is a little twist that is an “I didn’t see that coming” moment in the story.

As Natalie confronts her decisions, she has an epiphany and as they say, all’s well that ends well.

On Paper is now available to stream at your convenience via UP Faith and Family.

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 and approval of UP Entertainment

LectroFan micro2 from ASTI bluetooth speaker/sound machine – Product Review

The LectroFan micro2 is a unique little gadget that does more than plays sounds and white noise. It works with bluetooth phones to make it a speakerphone and also can be used to listen to music, podcasts, audio books, or whatever you have on your mobile device.

First of all, it’s tiny, yet delivers big sounds. This little device measures a mere 2 inches high and 2 inches wide, and then the speaker can be positioned to different angles, depending on where you want the sound.

It comes complete with a variety of noises:

White Noises:

  • Super Dark Brown Noise
  • Darker Brown Noise
  • Darker Pink Noise
  • Hot Pink Noise

There are also preset sounds:

Fan Sounds:

  • Large Fan
  • Industrial Fan
  • Mellow Fan Low
  • Attic Fan
  • Vent Fan

Ocean Sounds:

  • Ocean
  • Surf

In total, there are 11 sounds from which to select.

The unit is easy to control with touchable buttons to turn it off, on, change sounds, and adjust the volume. And if you get two units you can pair them and have stereo sound. How cool is that?

The LectroFan micro2 comes with its own charging cable that fits USBA – USBC. Before using the machine it is necessary to charge it then you’re ready to go.

This portable little unit is so small it is easy to pack away in a suitcase or even a purse.

While many people find it easy to sleep with complete silence, that’s not the case for many. Adding some kind of noise helps people fall asleep and quiet the mind. Personally, I find the ocean noises are just what I need to relax and drift off.

The only downfall I can see with this is that it is not capable of pairing with a smart TV. Now that would be great. I have a feeling the folks at ASTI are working on that now. Fingers crossed.

In the meantime, this little unit lives up to its reputation. And it can be gently placed in a stroller or carriage to add some soft noise when baby is sleeping. Note: they do make a couple other designs that are useful in various situations.

And think of college dorms. They can get so raucous and noisy. This might just be what your college student needs to help him or her relax after a long day of classes and studying.
Check out their website for all their noise machines.

And if you’re looking for a small item to add to an Easter Basket this year, think about putting one of these in the basket. Purchasing several units to tuck away for “just because” gifts or hostess gifts might also be something to think about.

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.

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

Photo credit: Francine Brokaw