The Journey Home on DVD

Posted on September 17, 2015 by Francine Brokaw

Spectacular Arctic settings and scenery highlight this sensitive story of one boy who undertakes a special mission. The Journey Home stars Dakota Goyo as Luke, a boy with heart.

When Luke discovers a polar bear in the shed, he is annoyed with the authorities who tranquilize the animal and relocate it a hundred miles away from the town. But as soon as they remove the animal from his property, Luke comes across something else – the bear’s cub. Luke decides to take it upon himself to get the little guy to where his mother has been taken. He knows the cub is too young to survive alone and if he tells the authorities, they will send it to a zoo. Luke can’t let that happen. He knows he has to get the cub back to his mother.

Without any hesitation, Luke sets off to the North and the vast area where the mother has been relocated. He tries to enlist the help of Muktuk (Goran Visnjic), a family friend and the best guide in the area, but the man insists the journey would be too hazardous and sends the boy home. But Luke knows what he must do and takes the cub regardless of all the warnings.

With freezing temperatures, approaching storms and melting ice, Luke confronts one obstacle after another. It isn’t long before Muktuk joins him but soon the shifting ice separates them and Muktuk goes back to town for help.

With a strong sense of duty and love for the cub, Luke forges on. He confronts more difficulties yet remains steadfast about reuniting the cub with his mother. Even frostbite and near starvation isn’t enough to deter the young man.

Luke’s mother (Bridget Moynahan) sets out in a plane to locate her son, but with the hazardous weather conditions the search party misses the boy. Regardless of all the difficulties he faces, Luke never gives up. He has one goal and that is to get the cub back to his mother.

Dakota Goyo won a best young actor award and has been nominated for other awards in his budding career. Goran Visnjic co-stars in Extant and also played Dr. Luka Kovac from 1999-2008 in the hit series ER. And Bridget Moynahan currently co-stars as Erin Reagan-Boyle in the series Blue Bloods.

Note for parents: While the mother bear and the cub are not harmed in this story and there is a very happy outcome, there are scenes of dead animals – after all, this is the reality of life – so keep this in mind when showing the film to your children. It is an inspiring story and the finale will have viewers feeling satisfied and content.

The Journey Home is an entertaining film for the entire family. It’s rated PG for hazardous adventure action, a disturbing image, language and a rude gesture.

Check out a clip here.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 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, from Sourced Media Books.

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Key Art from New Disney Channel Animated Series Descendants: Wicked World

Posted on September 16, 2015 by Francine Brokaw

“Descendants: Wicked World,” an animated short-form series set in the fantastical worlds of Auradon and Isle of the Lost from Disney’s hit movie “Descendants” premiers September 18, 2015.

The Big Bang Theory – The Complete Eighth Season on Blu-ray

Posted on September 16, 2015September 16, 2015 by Francine Brokaw

One of the funniest sitcoms to hit the airwaves this decade is The Big Bang Theory. Season eight maintains the humor in this situation comedy focusing on the relationships between a group of nerds and their girlfriends, who can be just as nerdy as the guys. Well, all except Penny who doesn’t have the book-smarts that the rest of the gang has, but she sure can outsmart them in with her street smarts.

When the series premiered in 2007 it started off with a bang, no pun intended, and has continued to maintain its fan base and level of genius (again, no pun intended) thanks to the witty writers who keep raising the bar when it comes to creating the storylines for Sheldon (Jim Parsons), Leonard (Johnny Galecki), Howard (Simon Helberg), Raj (Kunal Nayyar), Penny (Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting), Bernadette (Melissa Rauch), and Amy (Mayim Bialik).

In season eight Penny’s new haircut shocked viewers but even more it disrupted Sheldon’s life, as he detests any kind of change. The season also advanced the relationship of Penny and Leonard who plan on getting married. But while they are moving forward, Howard has the biggest change in his life when his mother dies. Fans of the show know that Mrs. Debbie Wolowitz (Carol Ann Susi) has been a big part of Howard’s life and a mainstay character on the series although viewers have never seen her on camera. All they know about her is he voice – a loud and screeching yell.

Mrs. Wolowitz also took in one of the group’s friends, Stewart (Kevin Sussman) when he was homeless. This added stress to Howard when he saw his mother getting close to a new man.

Changes were abundant in the season with Raj’s parents announcing their divorce, Raj getting a girlfriend, and more, but the comedy never waned. There were also plenty of guest stars this year, including Billy Bob Thornton, Nathan Fillion, Will Wheaton, Laurie Metcalf (Sheldon’s mother), Christine Baranski (Sheldon’s mother), astronaut Michael Massimino, LaVar Burton, and Stephen Hawking.

Bonus features on the Blu-ray edition include a fun Q&A at ComiCon with the show’s writers who divulge some cute stories about the characters and their involvement in the show. There is another bonus feature focusing on the guest appearance of Billy Bob Thornton. The Academy Award-wining actor was asked to be on the show after his mother acknowledged she is a huge fan of the sitcom. The cast discuss having this actor on the set and how much fun it was. Hopefully viewers – and the cast – will be lucky enough to get him back in the next season.

Several of the cast and the creator Chuck Lorre have stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and there is a brief look at the ceremonies in which they were awarded their coveted stars. A tribute to Carol Ann Susi shows how beloved she was to the cast and crew and how her voice was a strong character on the show.

Every series has loyal fans, but The Big Bang Theory has super fans and when a worldwide contest was launched to find the biggest fans, three winners from around the world were chosen as the Super Fans. They were brought to California and spent a day at the studio with the cast and crew. It’s fun to see their enthusiasm about their time on the set. These guys are hardcore fans.

Rounding out the bonus features is a gag reel. Even though the cast has been playing their characters for eight seasons, they still make mistakes. Oh yes, there are plenty of misstates on this gag reel.

The Big Bang Theory The Compete Eighth Season is a “must have” for fans of the show. The show is a multi-nominated and multi-award winning show that fans love and hold dear, even after eight seasons. The season is also available on DVD.

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Cinderella – Host a Royal Ball Activity Sheets

Posted on September 16, 2015 by Francine Brokaw

Cinderella Activity Sheets and party planning ideas.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 Trailer

Posted on September 16, 2015September 16, 2015 by Francine Brokaw

The blockbuster Hunger Games franchise has taken audiences by storm around the world, grossing more than $2.2 billion at the global box office. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 now brings the franchise to its powerful final chapter in which Katniss Everdeen [Jennifer Lawrence] realizes the stakes are no longer just for survival – they are for the future.

With the nation of Panem in a full scale war, Katniss confronts President Snow [Donald Sutherland] in the final showdown. Teamed with a group of her closest friends – including Gale [Liam Hemsworth], Finnick [Sam Claflin] and Peeta [Josh Hutcherson] – Katniss goes off on a mission with the unit from District 13 as they risk their lives to liberate the citizens of Panem, and stage an assassination attempt on President Snow who has become increasingly obsessed with destroying her. The mortal traps, enemies, and moral choices that await Katniss will challenge her more than any arena she faced in The Hunger Games.

THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 2 – In Theaters November 20

Check out the new trailer.

My Little Pony – Friendship is Magic: Games Ponies Play DVD GIVEAWAY

Posted on September 14, 2015October 1, 2015 by Francine Brokaw

We’re all winners when we participate in the Games Ponies Play! The newest DVD release of the phenomenally popular My Little Pony – Friendship Is Magic contains 6 episodes.

Sportsmanship is put to the ultimate test in Equestria as your favorite Ponies — Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy — prepare for the Games Ponies Play! Included are six awesome adventures that will teach you all about overcoming the challenges of competition through the magic of friendship. Will Spike be able to build up the courage to light the ceremonial Equestria Games torch? Who’s the best athlete in Equestria? And will it matter, when true friendship is on the line? Find out!

We have some DVDs to giveaway.

To be eligible to win a copy of Games Ponies Play, email us at [email protected] with “Games Ponies Play Giveaway” in the title. Please supply your name, address, phone number and email address (so we can let you know if you are a winner).

The deadline for this giveaway is September 24, 2015.

The Goldbergs Returns for Season Three

Posted on September 14, 2015September 14, 2015 by Francine Brokaw

When the family sitcom The Goldbergs premiered in the fall of 2013, Adam F. Goldberg explained to the media that the show was mostly autobiographical. As the creator and executive producer, Goldberg thought his family life in the 1980’s was worthy of a TV series. Viewers often see actual pictures and home videos of Goldberg’s family when the end credits roll, which personalizes the stories for the viewers while at the same time gives them the perspective of the decade in which the show is set.

While the siblings in the series relate to his actual family, Goldberg acknowledged, “I thought adding a daughter into the mix would just open up the whole world and bring us different kinds of stories,” so instead of the oldest sibling being Eric, like in his real family, he created Erica who is played by Hayley Orrantia. Putting your family on display for the whole world to see might cause conflicts within the family, however before the show aired Goldberg said, “it’s a nice homage to us growing up, and my mom is the most excited. This [show] just validated everything she ever did.”

Sean Giambrone plays Goldberg’s younger self, who documented the family history via his video camera. “I was either ignored because I was the youngest or … my brothers would just beat me up over always having the camera.” But that camera was everything to this guy. “I had over a hundred tapes that I digitized” before pitching the idea to the network.

The show is a look at not only the life of the Goldberg family but also the decade of the 80s. The hair, wardrobe, and even the trinkets are typical of the era. “I can’t stand the jelly shoes,” Orrantia confessed to the media. “They’re just so uncomfortable and your feet are sweaty and it’s just not that attractive. I think they’re like the Crocs of the ‘80s.” She added “But I like the bright neon colors.” As they say, everything old is new again, and in the 2010’s neon colors are back!

For Wendi McLendon-Covey who plays Beverly Goldberg, the matriarch of the family, she insists, “I hate all the fashions of the ‘80s. None of them need to come back in daily life. I’m pretty much horrified every day when I get dressed (for the show) but it’s what the character would wear. And what I love/hate on our set are all the little [decorations].”

So far the sitcom has run two full seasons and the family has not aged. When asked if the timeline would correspond with the years on the air, Goldberg said no. “I haven’t even aged the kids yet in terms of their grades, and no one’s even really seemed to notice. So it’s definitely not chronologic. They’re like The Simpsons. It’s basically a live action Simpsons. So I think that’s a great thing, is I’m not locked into any time. So it’s as ’80s as long as we say it is. And then if we’re on long enough and we get bored, maybe we’ll go to the ’90s. Who knows?” That would be fine for fans of the show.

So what does season three have in store for TV’s funny family? “Every episode this season is about how I struggled with puberty, transitioning from middle school to high school, and that’s what it’s going to be for a little bit, which will be really fun, because those stories are pretty brutal,” explained Goldberg.

“I feel like that’s the thing about The Goldbergs,” said Orrantia, “is that not only is it nostalgic with the ’80s, but every family, no matter what background you come from, I feel like, can watch this show and say, ‘Oh, that person reminds me of my mom,’ or “’That’s my relationship with my brother.’ And I think that’s why it’s so popular now, is because so many people can relate to it.”

Season three of The Goldbergs premiers Wednesday, September 23, 2015 on ABC.

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Peanuts: Emmy Honored Collection DVD GIVEAWAY

Posted on September 8, 2015September 21, 2015 by Francine Brokaw

It’s Snoopy and Charlie Brown at their very best with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment’s release of Peanuts: Emmy® Honored Collection.This must-own collection brings together 11 beloved Peanuts specials that have been brilliantly remastered in all-new 4K Ultra HD transfers to DVD. Each of the featured specials has earned an Emmy® Award nomination or won an Emmy® Award.

Take a bow, Charlie Brown! Now fans have a front-row seat to a showcase of the most prestigious Peanuts features ever assembled into one collection. Peanuts: Emmy® Honored Collection includes 11 animated television specials on two discs. All of the specials featured in this release were recognized with either an Emmy® Award win or nomination. All specials have been remastered for gorgeous picture and sound quality. It’s a collection full of big laughs, best friends and life lessons that will delight the whole family.

We have some DVDs to giveaway.

To be eligible to win a copy of Peanuts: Emmy Honored Collection, email us at [email protected] with “Peanuts Giveaway” in the title. Please supply your name, address, phone number and email address (so we can let you know if you are a winner).

The deadline for this giveaway is September 17, 2015.

D23 EXPO 2015 – On the Showroom Floor

Posted on September 8, 2015September 8, 2015 by Francine Brokaw

While panels and presentations were where secrets were revealed at the D23 EXPO, the showroom floor was a crowded place filled with all things Disney. A walk around the large hall at the Anaheim Convention Center is a must for people coming to the EXPO. Even if you only want to attend the presentations and get the latest scoop on upcoming films and park attractions, the showroom floor was a place filled with electricity as Disney was on display at every turn.

Attendees were able to create their own personalized Coke cans as collectibles or souvenirs of the event. Okay, so that doesn’t have anything to do with Disney per se, but it was fun nevertheless. And there were plenty of games and activities for all ages.

There was an exhibit highlighted the upcoming Shanghai Disneyland Resort which is scheduled to open in the spring of 2016. Entering the exhibit attendees got a feel of the culture of the Far East and the chance to see what visitors to the Shanghai Disneyland resort will experience – and buy.

As Expo attendees meandered through the pavilions they were completely immersed in Disney products and characters. While the majority of attendees came in their street clothes, there were plenty who dressed as their favorite characters. Disney princesses were everywhere, from the very young to the not-so-young. The D23 EXPO is always a place where Disney fans of all ages gather to enjoy their mutual love of films, characters, theme parks, and products.

Another exhibit highlighted the Disneyland Resort through the years. For those who visited the park throughout the sixty years, this was a blast from the past as items that are long gone were on display.

The Expo also had an area where autograph seekers could get the ‘John Hancocks’ of their favorite characters and performers. And speaking of performers, there were several performances throughout the three days.

The nitty gritty of any Expo is, of course, the products. And Disney is famous for their consumer products divisions. Books, music, art, toys, collectibles, jewelry and just about anything you can think of were available to purchase. And they were doing a booming business. People were carrying bags filled with their treasures, with smiles on their faces.

Dedicated photo spots were popular locations. How about a picture with a life sized Gruff from Tinkerbell and the Legend of the Neverbeast? Or perhaps a photo with Wreck it Ralph? Maybe droids or Stormtroopers are more your thing. Or Sven from Frozen or the Pizza Planet truck from Toy Story? Wall-E and EVE were there too. There was no shortage of great photo ops for Disney fans.

Needless to say, the showroom floor was packed with plenty of things to do, see, experience, and buy. The hard thing at the D23 Expo is always deciding what to buy.

Pitch Perfect 2 Combo Pack GIVEAWAY

Posted on September 8, 2015September 21, 2015 by Francine Brokaw

The fabulous Bellas of Barden University are back to compete in the World Championships of A Cappella after a scandal threatens their legacy in Pitch Perfect 2.

Pitch Perfect 2 is packed with more original musical arrangements, memorable one-liners and offbeat romance as the original’s most beloved characters fight to regain their former glory on a worldwide stage facing off against the toughest competition on the planet.

Oscar®-nominee Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow, Anna Camp, Alexis Knapp, Hana Mae Lee, and Ester Dean return as the girls who run the a cappella world, with Hailee Steinfeld, Chrissie Fit, and Katy Segal joining the team for the first time. Elizabeth Banks, who also directed the infectiously funny film, and John Michael Higgins reprise their roles as clueless competition commentators Gail and John. Skylar

Hysterical behind-the-scenes bonus features, never-before-seen deleted footage, all-new musical performances and a hilarious gag reel are included in the combo pack.

We have some Blu-ray/DVD Combo Packs to giveaway.

To be eligible to win a copy of Pitch Perfect 2, email us at [email protected] with “Pitch Perfect Giveaway” in the title. Please supply your name, address, phone number and email address (so we can let you know if you are a winner).

The deadline for this giveaway is September 18, 2015.