Author: Francine Brokaw

‘Return to Sender’ unites 4 couples in this UP Faith and Family exclusive

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

In the latest romantic movie from UP Faith and Family, Return to Sender, the storyline diverts from a typical romance film. In this particular movie not one but four couples are brought together in a strange set of circumstances.

Meg (Maddy Hillis) movies into a new apartment to get some peace and quiet to study for her CPA exam. Interestingly enough, when she arrives there is already a letter in her mailbox. But the letter is not addressed to her. Thinking it is for the previous tenant Meg takes it to the building manager Ollie (Markian Tarasiuk) who is flummoxed by this as he has no idea who the previous tenants of that unit were.

Being curious, he opens the letter and he and Meg read a sad love letter that was written years ago but never arrived at the recipient’s location, so it was returned to sender, and that sender lived in Meg’s apartment.

The other residents of the building are a fun  group. There are Ellen and Pete (Sophie McDowell and Ian Collins), two friends who do a mystery podcast together, and Giselle (Tania Dolman) a woman who is a longtime resident and might be able to shed some light on the previous tenants.

Another resident is Ollie’s brother Darren (Michael Taylor) who has been sleeping on his couch while he saves enough money for his own apartment. Darren works at a coffee shop and is attracted to Meg’s friend Brittany (Sydney Scotia).

Those are the characters on this interesting chessboard. How they move around is the crux of the story.

First, Meg and Ollie tell the others about the letter and Pete and Ellen decide it would be a fun mystery to put this on their podcast and maybe their listeners might be able to fit some of the pieces together. Meg and Ollie are determined to hunt down the woman who wrote the letter and the person to whom it was meant. It’s a daunting task and they dive deep into this quest.

In the meantime, Darren is doing everything he can to impress Brittany and resorts to lying about his job and basically his life. When she finds out he is living in his brother’s apartment will she still be interested in him? 

It takes most of the story until Meg and Ollie finally track down the writer of the letter as well as the recipient it was meant for. When they do they  get a happy conclusion to the mystery of the heartfelt love letter. That was difficult at times but in the end it was worthwhile.

Another story threading through the film is that of Pete and Ellen. Their attraction to each other is evident but she does not want to start any romantic relationship for fear of ruining their successful podcast. Or is there another reason?

Throughout this whole escapade of the mystery love letter Meg begins to feel a sense of happiness and fulfillment that she doesn’t get from accounting. She comes to the realization that she must follow a different path to find what makes her happy.

And Ollie, a novelist who wonders if he is a one hit wonder, finally breaks his writer’s block.

So, if you’re keeping track, here are the four couples that are brought together: Meg and Ollie, Brittany and Darren, Pete and Ellen, and Felix and Mary, who’s letter started it all. 

It’s a cute little story for a cold winter’s day.

Return to Sender is now streaming 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 courtesy UP TV

 

‘Polar Opposites’ streams on Hallmark+

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

A new addition to Hallmark Plus is Polar Opposites, which takes viewers to the very bottom of the globe.

When Emma (Rhiannon Fish) gets a disturbing call from her father Ian (Dean McDermott) saying he needs help, she drops everything to go to her dad. But he is in Antarctica studying penguins and she is in the United States. She has a long trip in front of her.

How will she get all the way down to the South Pole? She books a flight to South America and finds a cruise ship that is going from there to Antarctica. But there are a couple problems with this plan. She does not have the time to get the appropriate permit to go to Antarctica. And she does not have a ticket for the cruise. However there is no stopping this woman so she pretends to be part of a team going down to the South Pole and stows away on the ship. 

Just how will she hide her presence on this cruise? It won’t be easy.

Andy (Marina Tarasiuk) is an engineer traveling to Antarctica with his team for six-months at the research station. After meeting Emma onboard and hearing her story he decides to help keep her hidden. This could be the end of his career if she is found.

When they get to Antarctica they discover the help Ian needs is not for himself but for a penguin who cannot get back to her mate. She was standing on the ice when it broke off and set her afloat away from the others. Killer whales patrolling the area in search of food so the poor little penguin cannot swim back for fear of becoming a whale’s lunch.

Emma and Andy immediately get to work to figure out how to get the little penguin safely back to her mate who has been standing guard and staring at her while she has been afloat on the chunk of ice.

For the humans it is heartbreaking to see the lovebirds separated by the broken off iceberg. With their ingenuity they craft a plan that will safely reunite the penguins. 

Spoiler alert – they do save the penguin and she is reunited with her mate. It’s a touching and heartening scene.

Being a Hallmark movie you know there is also going to be a love story between the two human characters. Although their focus is on the penguins, Emma and Andy do find themselves attracted to each other and yes, you guessed it, they do become a couple.

I like a good romance in movies but for animal lovers like me, the best part of the movie is not that Andy and Emma get together, it’s that the penguins get back together and are able to start their family. I’m a sucker for a good ending when it comes to animals.

This was filmed in Argentina and Brazil.

Polar Opposites is now streaming 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.

Image courtesy Hallmark

Disney California Adventure celebrates Lunar New Year 2025

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Photo: Sean Teegarden /Disneyland Resort

It’s that time again. Happy Lunar New Year! Celebrate at the Disneyland Resort with food, shows, activities, and fun with Mickey, Minnie, and the gang.

For those who enjoy sampling the resort’s various food designed for this festival, once again they offer their Sip and Savor Pass with 6 digital coupons. These can be exchanged at the Lunar New Year Market kiosks around Disney California Adventure and various dining locations there as well.

 

This year there are over 40 new food and drinks designed to celebrate Asian cuisine. The Lunar New Year festival celebrates Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean traditions. 

 

 

Make sure to check out “Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession” that takes place at various times in the park. It’s filled with colorful costumes, Asian music, and of course Mulan and Mushu. This bright and beautiful parade offers daytime guest a fun experience.

Photo: Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort

One of my favorite activities is always the Lunar New Year Wishing Wall. This is where guests can write their wishes for the year on special cards and add them to the wall along with all the other wishes of health and happiness for the coming year.

In the evening there is a pre-show of the World of Color – One, which features Mulan and others in a tribute to Asian culture. This “Hurry Home” water show runs nightly.

There are crafts for children to do where they can color and draw. These activities are available from 10 am to 6:30 pm every day.

Mickey and Minnie have their celebratory Lunar New Year outfits inspired by Korean culture.

Turning Red fans can meet Meilin Lee and her mom, Ming Lee who are available to chat and for photo ops at specific times throughout the day.

Photo: Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort

This is the Year of the Snake. Can you think of snakes from Disney movies? Of course, the first one that comes to mind is Kaa from The Jungle Book. Don’t forget about Juju from The Princess and the Frog. Sir Hiss appeared in Robin Hood. This is the perfect opportunity to rewatch those movies during the Year of the Snake.

Celebrate the Lunar New Year from January 17 through February 16, 2025 at Disney California Adventure. As always, check the Disneyland app for specific times for performances, parades, and activities as they might vary from day to day. 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry and travel 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.

‘Murdoch Mysteries’ 300th episode

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

It’s hard to believe that there have been 18 seasons of the hit detective series Murdoch Mysteries. The characters still entertain viewers in this milestone 300th episode titled “The Men Who Sold the World”.

William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) and his wife Dr. Julia Ogden (Helene Joy) retreat to an upscale English countryside inn. This place is not only picturesque but also provides the backdrop for a sinister case for Detective Murdoch.

While Julia was hoping for a romantic getaway with her husband, she is disappointed when on their first day he meets one of his idols, American detective Ronald Perle (Donal Logue) , who he claims is the world’s greatest detective. He is completely enamored by the man and his instincts tell him Perle is there on a case, which Perle denies. But Murdoch knows better.

Meanwhile, Julia runs into a man whom she took care of years ago when he was just a child. Wendell Stewart is now grown and at the inn to join a secret society of rich businessmen where he will take the place of his deceased father left. But what is really going on with these rich and powerful men and what does the society really do?

With Julia happy to be reacquainted with her former charge and William excited to be in the presence of his idol, things back home in Toronto continue as usual. Inspector Brackenreid (Thomas Craig) is planning a surprise birthday party for his wife Margaret (Arwen Humphreys) but things don’t go according to plan.

Back in England, a woman is found dead in the pond at the inn. Both Murdoch and Perle think she did not drown but was murdered. Murdoch is in heaven when he and Perle team up to solve the murder, with the help of Julia, of course.

So, there are several things going on in this 300th episode. The birthday party in Toronto brings viewers a taste of the series back at Station House 4, but the main storyline is in England with the murder mystery at the inn which has Murdoch, Perle, and Ogden uncovering a very sinister plot that might have viewers wondering just how fictional this story really is. It’s food for thought.

This is the 10th episode of the  22 in this 18th season.

“The Men Who Sold the World” premieres January 20, 2025 on Ovation TV. Murdoch Mysteries hits #300 and is still going strong as there is season 19 on the horizon. How many seasons will this last? Only time will tell.

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.

Photos by Stephen Scott for Shaftesbury. Copyright: Shaftesbury

 

Three classic and adorable comedies now on Blu-Ray

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Kino Lorber just released three classic comedies on Blu-ray starring some of Hollywood’s greatest actors. Teacher’s Pet (1958), Houseboat (1958), and That Funny Feeling (1965) are good for laughs, some fun moments, and pretty wholesome stories. Even though none of them is rated, they are approved for the whole family.

Teacher’s Pet

Teacher’s Pet stars Doris Day and Clark Gable, yes, the Clark Gable of Rhett Butler/Gone with the Wind fame. This is a cute comedy that shows Gable’s fun side as well as Day’s dramedy side, as she went on to star with Rock Hudson in several classic and memorable rom-coms of the day.

Day is Erica Stone who’s father had been a Pulitzer Prize winning editor of a small town newspaper. She holds him in high regard and teaches journalism at night school to help and guide prospective journalists in the vane of her late father. When it comes to her dad, she is blinded. She feels he was one of the very greatest journalists in the country and could do no wrong when it came to writing and editing.

Now enter James Gannon (Gable), a hard-nosed editor of a big-time newspaper. When Erica invites him to lecture at her class, he replies with a stern letter. To ease the tension his boss insists he smooths things over with her so he appears in her class. 

With mistaken identity, she thinks he is a new student and before long he is enrolled in her class. And yes, he is the star student. 

Erica thinks he has a great future ahead of him in journalism, completely unaware that he already has a notable career in the field. Their relationship grows and soon, as he is wooing her, he discovers who her father was.

Unfortunately, he points out the fact that her father’s paper, the one she holds up as one of the best in the country, was not as good as she thinks. With that, Erica decides to take a good look at the newspapers her father put out during his illustrious career. Lo and behold she realizes that James is right.

With the complication of his pretending to be a student and then his derogatory remarks about her father’s paper, their relationship comes to a halt. But wait, neither of them is too big to acknowledge their errors and yes, they do get together in the end. It’s really not a spoiler because everyone knows that will be the ending. 

 

Houseboat

Houseboat stars Cary Grant as Tom Winters, a widower with three young children. When his sister-in-law decides to take the kids he finally turns into the dad he has never been. He insists they remain with him and ends up moving them all onto a rickety houseboat. 

The kids are a handful, with David (Paul Petersen) being a trouble-maker, Robert (Charles Herbert) being a lonely bereaved little boy, and Elizabeth (Mimi Gibson) taking on the mother role to her brothers, as well as trying to help her dad learn how to take care of kids.

When Robert takes off and meets Cinzia (Sophia Loren), he brings her back to their houseboat.  The kids insist she stays on as their caretaker and maid. Well, Cinzia is happy to do so but she is no maid. Her father is a professional orchestra leader in town for a concert and Cinzia sees this as an opportunity to get away from the life of fancy parties and people fawning over her dad.

Things get pretty whacky on that little houseboat. Soon Tom finds himself leaning on his sister-in-law Carolyn (Martha Hyer) however their future is not to be. As in any good rom-com, the two main characters fall in love and this is no different. 

Thanks to Cinzia’s interference though, Tom has become a great dad. The family is once again a happy one with the addition of Cinzia who brings some lighthearted spirit to the entire group.

There is a touching scene on the back of the boat where David is depressed about the loss of his mother and his life being disrupted. Tom tells him that nothing is ever gone, and as they discuss how pouring water into the river isn’t the end of the water, it joins the river then evaporates and becomes rain and returns to the earth. It’s a sentimental scene and on a personal note, when I was having coffee with Paul Petersen several years ago, he informed me that Cary Grant told him this was his (Paul’s) scene and to make it his own. He was very impressed with Grant’s professionalism and helpfulness to all the children in the cast.

That Funny Feeling

Although it is said that Bobby Darin was not overly enthusiastic about the rom-coms he made with his wife Sandra Dee, That Funny Feeling is one that really brings a lot of fun and entertainment to viewers. The show co-stars Donald O’Connor, Nita Talbot, Larry Storch, and Leo G. Carroll.

Joan (Dee) lives with Audrey (Talbot) in a teeny tiny apartment. They are maids for hire and one of Joan’s apartments she cleans belongs to Tom (Darin). He’s a partying fool and her work is always more intense after one of his big parties.

She is happy when he informs her via a note that he will be away for a couple weeks. That means she has one less apartment to clean, and this one is a doozy. 

Joan bumps into Tom literally on the street and they start a friendship. When he asks to see her apartment, she can’t very well take him to her cramped little hovel so she takes him to Tom’s place knowing he is out of town. Because she always cleans when he is at work, they have never met. So when he goes to her place which is really his place, he is confused. 

To spruce up the place and make it less “manly,” Joan and her friends get some girly items to place in the apartment. By hocking Tom’s expensive suits they get the money to rent some cute chintzy items. And why stop there? They decide to move into this big place while Tom is away. After all, no one is using it so what’s the harm?

To say things get crazy is an understatement. But it’s a very cute story with some adorable situations and some funny lines.

So with the Blu-ray releases of these three entertaining movies, there are some fun hours in store for viewers. All three will be available January 28, 2025 and are available to preorder. Enjoy! (I do!)

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.

‘Wicked’ on digital, 4K Ultra, and Blu-ray for home viewing

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The digital version of the hit movie Wicked is now available and the Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD versions will be available for purchase on February 4, 2025. The film, which debuted in theaters November 22, 2024, has captured the hearts and minds of audiences of all ages.

The story of OZ before Dorothy visited that amazing place with Munchkinland and the Emerald City, is played out on a grand scale. It was a massive hit as a stage play but on screen everything is larger and more amazing than what could be accomplished on a stage.

Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba, who people know as The Wicked Witch of the West due to the iconic 1939 movie that brought Dorothy to OZ. Ariana Grande is Galinda – later changed to Glinda – who we all know as the Good Witch from the 1939 film.

In this story Galinda is a self-centered girl who wants desperately to enhance any magical powers she might have, but mainly she wants to be the most popular student at Shiz University. It’s here where she meets Elphaba who becomes a student at the school merely by chance.

Elphaba tells her personal history to Galinda when they become best friends. Elphaba is a very kind girl who thinks more about others than about herself, in direct contrast to her roommate Galinda. But when Galinda realizes how kind she is, her animosity changes and she embraces Elphaba. Because of this, Elphaba, who has been an outcast at the school, suddenly becomes popular too. 

There are many intricacies that happen in the school, and Elphaba becomes aware of the treatment of animals in the land. One by one they are disappearing and their usefulness is taken away. At one time animals were great teachers and helpful to all, but someone is changing this and Elphaba wants to go to the Emerald City to get the Wizard to help the animals.

Wicked is part one of the franchise. The story will be continued when Wicked 2 comes out in theaters this November. In the meantime, Wicked is available for those who have not seen it or those who have and want to see it again, and maybe many times before the continuation of the story of Elphaba and Glinda comes to audiences this fall.

There are additional features on the discs and digital versions. Ten deleted scenes as well as some little featurettes add to the background of the story and the film. “Welcome to Shiz” is an eight-minute featurette all about the school. 

A really cute featurette titled “The Wonderful Wizard” has Jeff Goldblum looking at his character of the Wizard. 

“A Wicked Legacy” has the cast discussing their experiences with the stage play and their memories of Kristin Chenoweth and Irina Menzel who originated the characters on Broadway. By the way, they make a brief cameo in this film.

A  45-minute “Making of” feature is entertaining and educational for those who want to deep-dive into the filmmaking process. It describes how a wide net was cast to find the perfect actors to bring the characters to the screen. They also talk about when the idea of making it a musical instead of a drama was floated, creators and producers were eager and anxious to bring Wicked to the stage. And the rest is history.

There is a “sing-along” version so those who absolutely love the songs will be able to join in the fun.

It is touted as the best movie of 2024. You be the judge and watch it in the comfort of your own home, or maybe have a wicked party, or Wicked party!

This is a highly produced and colorful film with amazing sets and song after song. Even though it is a fantasy there are a few elements that might be upsetting to young viewers – especially the aspects concerning the treatment of animals.

Wicked is rated PG for some scary action, thematic material, and brief suggestive material.

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.

The event calendar for Disneyland’s 70th anniversary year – 2025

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

If you’re a Disney fan you know this is the 70th anniversary of Disneyland. Yes, 70 years ago Walt Disney proclaimed “Disneyland is your land.”  Since then the resort has changed dramatically, especially with the addition of  Disney California Adventure, which, when Walt opened the park was actually a parking lot. Walt would be surprised if he were to come back today to check on his beloved Disneyland. It’s thriving and continuing to bring wonder and happiness to families – young and old.

Disneyland fans also know there are special events throughout the year and plan on attending them annually. There is no Princess Night this year but there are several other popular events that will please guests who plan their vacations accordingly.

Below is the complete event calendar for 2025.  Pick your favorite or favorites and make your reservations soon. The separately ticketed events sell out quickly!! Have fun!!

 

 

‘Love of the Irish’ brings the Luck of the Irish to Hallmark+

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The latest original movie for the Hallmark+ streaming service combines a fun story with beautiful scenery. Love of the Irish was filmed in Ireland in the southern part of the country in County Cork, which is absolutely beautiful and provides a wonder backdrop for the two stories weaving through the film.

Shenae Grimes-Beech is Fiona, an aspiring ballet dancer who never gets a break. Her auditions prove she is a good dancer but her luck never holds when it comes to the final casting. She has moved back in with her parents while she figures out what her next move will be and while she is waiting for her big break. She insists she has bad luck and is absolutely tired of it!

Moira Kelly is Helen, Fiona’s mother who is keeping a secret. She was adopted, which is not the secret. She is hiding the fact that her birth mother has contacted her and Helen is apprehensive about responding.

After a disastrous audition, Fiona discovers her mom’s secret an urges her to get in touch with her birth mom, who happens to live in Ireland. Fiona surprises her mom with a mother/daughter trip to Ireland to search out the woman. It’s the perfect time for this trip as Fiona is unemployed, her father is out of town on business, and Helen’s antique shop is closed for a couple weeks for repairs. 

Fiona and Helen book a quaint little cottage in an even quainter little village. It’s here where they hope to find MJ, Helen’s biological mother. 

They meet Liam (Stephen Hagan) who own the local pub. Fiona and Liam get off to a rocky start but soon they forge a nice friendship. Fiona says she needs to find the Luck of the Irish because she has nothing but bad luck. 

Liam leads her on a quest to find the luck, taking her to various locations and doing various tasks that local people do to improve their luck and cast out their dreams into the universe with hopefully good outcomes.

Fiona is a bit of a klutz. It’s cute to see her try to do some of the tasks with varying degrees of competence, or incompetence. 

Meanwhile, they locate MJ who is a tour guide at an historical manor. It takes some time and courage but soon Helen makes herself known to MJ and their relationship begins with an emotional hug.

While Helen and MJ are bonding, so are Fiona and Liam. It seems Fiona’s bad luck has changed. She now has the luck of the Irish, and with Liam, she has the love of the Irish as well.

Fiona finally realizes what it is she wants from her life. It’s not dancing in Giselle or The Nutcracker. She found another outlet for her love of dance. She found her true professional calling in Ireland, and as a bonus, her personal future with Liam. 

Love of the Irish is a nice little film with beautiful – and green – scenery. It’s streaming 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.

Image courtesy Hallmark

Franco’s Famous Mexican Kitchen and Cocktails in Southern California

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The southwest if filled with great Mexican restaurants. So what makes Franco’s Famous stand out among some of the other delicious restaurants serving up Mexican delights? 

Let’s start with their chips and salsa. They have some of the most delicious chips and salsa. The chips themselves are addicting. Then add some special salsa and wow. It’s really easy to get filled up on these before your entree arrives, so pace yourself!

One of the most requested entree is their fajitas. There are plenty of options, however you can’t go wrong with just the simple veggie fajitas. Of course, you can add chicken, steak, shrimp, or any combination. And you get your choice of corn or flour tortillas. The sizzling dish comes alongside a plate of tortillas, cheese, rice, beans, lettuce, and guacamole. 

They also offer several burritos, enchiladas, Chile Rellenos, and tacos among many other entrees.

Taco Tuesdays is always a popular day to visit Franco’s Famous. 

They have a full bar with margaritas being their specialty, and there are several varieties of this yummy libation, including the Franco’s Famous Margarita. If you want something different, perhaps the Cucumber Jalapeño Margarita would be of interest. Or just a plain blended fruit margarita is always a safe option. With a full bar they have several specialty crafted cocktails, so if you love to try new things, read through their specialty options: High Hopes, Shipwrecked, Lavender Dreams, FF Sangria, Yours Truly, etc.

Franco’s Famous has a happy hour for cocktails and food specialties, and they also have several vegan dishes. 

Southern California has plenty of Mexican restaurants. If you are in the area of San Clemente or Laguna Hills you and you enjoy fresh, delicious Mexican food, by all means, check out Franco’s Famous. It is a local favorite.

One tip: If you are ordering the fajitas or another large entree, consider splitting it with someone because the chips and salsa are too good to skip and you will most likely fill up a little bit on those before your entree is delivered. 

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about travel, products, books, and all aspects of entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, and is a contributor on Good Day Orange County.

‘Blind Date Book Club’ is about finding your place in life

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

This is a new year and people are making their resolutions. Many resolutions are to read more or to join a book club. There’s something comforting about actually holding a book and flipping the pages as opposed to looking at a screen and reading a digital book. Book clubs are also great places to exchange ideas and meet new people. 

Hallmark Channel’s popular stars Erin Krakow and Robert Buckley combine in a story about finding what it is that brings you joy and happiness. Blind Date Book Club is a fun story that is perfect for a wintry day.

Set in picturesque Nantucket, Meg (Krakow) has taken over her mother’s book store, Mimi’s Book Corner, after her mom passed away. She left her own real estate career to care for her mother’s dream. 

When her aunt wants to sell her own share of the store in which she is a silent partner, Meg is at a crossroads. Should she sell the whole store and go back to her old life or is she happier in Nantucket running the book store? 

Meg has created something fun and unique in the store. The “Blind Date with a Book Club” connects prospective couples while at the same time introducing them and the club to new books. Another interesting thing she comes up with is covering books and writing only a small blurb about the story so readers must discover the whole story for themselves and return to the club to discuss it. It’s a double-blind, so to speak – a blind book and a blind date. 

When bestselling author Graham Sterling (Buckley) hears about the store and the club, he decides to investigate. He has written a successful series of Young Adult novels but is anxious to spread his wings and write a historical romance. Unfortunately his publisher disagrees with that decisions and tries to point him back on the YA path where he has a loyal following.

Not deterred by his publisher, Graham self-publishes his new novel under a pseudonym and decides to have Meg and her book club review the book. This is risky and as soon as Meg discovers who the author is she wonders if they should go ahead with the reviews. 

While this is taking place, Meg and Graham form a close relationship. And yes, they do fall in love. But could Graham’s plot to have his new novel out in the public be the end of his new career. And also, if people find out Meg is promoting her boyfriend’s book could it be the end of the popular club?

The story comes to a climax when both Meg and Graham must decide in which direction they want their lives and careers to go. Should she sell the store or has her heart settled there with her books and clients? And Graham has an awakening about which direction his writing should go. 

Although this movie was released last spring, it is a nice way to start the new year. And it might even inspire viewers to search out a book club where they can meet new people and enjoy new books.

Blind Date Book Club streams 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 and YouTube. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.