If you’re looking for a fun and imaginative item to keep your kids (or yourself) occupied for hours, check out the Magnetic Pyramid Glow from TOSY. Forget the old Rubik’s Cube, this Magnetic Pyramid is more fun and more creative.
The item comes as a cube. Take it apart and see the 12 colorful sections that can be arranged in countless formations.
This cube comes with a rotating stand to display creative works of art, yes I said art. It also comes with a UV Flashlight that can be shined onto the pieces to make them glow in the dark.
By adding more products there is no end to the designs that can be arranged with these pieces. And what makes them even more interesting are the colors. They are beautiful. Just looking at the colorful pyramids is mesmerizing.
It’s a tactile and visual toy that encourages creativity and imagination. It is also fun for distressing.
Animals, letters, and beautiful designs can be created with these pieces.
The magnets are securely attached so they don’t come off.
These are a great birthday gift if you’re looking for something for your kids to take to a party. They also make fun after school projects – with or without parents. And if you’re planning on a long car ride, this will keep the kids occupied so you won’t keep hearing, “Are we there yet?”
For more about this and to order a set – or more – go to the Amazon website. There is currently a limited price decrease so perhaps getting a few now to store away for future presents might be a good idea.
There is a booklet that comes along with the set that provides images of several ways to arrange the pyramids. Besides the glow version, there is a stone version that isn’t as bright but looks just as amazing.
About the Reviewer
Francine Brokaw writes about books, products, travel, and all aspects of entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites.
The wait is over. Fans of Moana can now view Moana 2 in the comfort of their own homes. The movie, along with plenty of bonus features, is available from digital retailers, with the physical discs coming out later this spring.
This storytakes place three years after Moana met Maui and the whole adventure of the island princess began. Moana is a Wayfinder and loves exploring the ocean.
There are several new characters, not least of which is her little three-year-old sister Simea who absolutely steals every scene she is in! This little girl is adorable and a strong-minded kid.
Moana gets a call from her ancestors to travel the ocean to find other people. If she does not connect to other island people, Motunui will be doomed. She sets out on this new journey accompanied by her pet pig Pua, her chicken Heihei, and three villagers she selected for this adventure: Mono, Toto, and Kele.
What she learns is that she must step foot on a submerged island that has been cursed. This curse separated the islands and the island people. Moana is determined to break the curse and unite the people of the South Pacific. With the help of Maui and the Kakamora (yes, they’re back!), there are some perilous situations but in the end Moana accomplishes her task and the journey is successful.
Moana’s connection to the ocean is imperative and continues in this film. Also, the scenery is magnificent. It’s like a travel log to the South Pacific.
Bonus Features
The bonus features are numerous. There are six featurettes, each adding background and some fun and educational elements to the story and the making of the film.
“Call of the Wayfinder” looks at the way the filmmakers educated themselves on the culture and folklore of the Polynesian people. Their ancestors were “the greatest voyagers on earth” as they navigated their way across the ocean – and they didn’t have any instruments to help them. They used the stars and their observations and definitely needed good memories to help them retrace their journeys.
“Kakamora Chronicles” is a fun look at these characters that were inspired by mythological figures in the Solomon Islands.
“A New Voyage” gives viewers a look at how this story came about. What else is out there for Moana? As the cast and crew discuss various aspects of the first movie (the most watched streaming movie), they also talk about what they wanted to accomplish in the sequel. With consultants to help them with realistic folklore and oral history of Polynesians, the filmmakers wanted to bring the cultures of the Polynesian islanders to the screen. And, just a fun fact, the mudskippers are real animals specific to Samoa.
“Fun in the Booth” is a cute featurette looking at the actors as they provide the voice recordings for their characters.
“Song of the Sea” focuses on the music, which is an important element of both films. The music and style of the islands are brought to the film with island instruments adding authenticity to the songs.
“Join the Crew” looks at the new characters in this film, and yes, little Simea is a big focus of this featurette. The characters were designed to “showcase indigenous people” and their culture.
There are also nine deleted scenes, each introduced by one of the directors. Most of these scenes were not animated, but viewers can see how they would have played out in the film. A cute one is called “Simea’s Chant” and it would have been fun to have this part of the movie, but alas they decided this scene and the others did not help move the story along so they were axed.
And finally, there is a song selection where viewers can rewatch their favorite scenes that include the songs and music of the film.
Moana 2 is rated PG for action/peril. It is a fun film for family viewing.
Moana 2 is now available at Digital retailers, and will be released on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD March 18, 2025.
About the Author
Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.
Guests to the Disneyland Resort are in for a treat – literally. There are new places to dine and a new shop for fun items to keep the Disney memories alive. Downtown Disney is growing rapidly bringing many new places for more fun and fantasy.
Disney Wonderful World of Sweets
Most of us have a sweet tooth or two. This new shop is perfect for us! With fresh Werther’s Original Caramel popcorn, cake pops, candy, and sweet treats of all kinds, Disney Wonderful World of Sweets is filled with delicious treats. And there are new characters like Poppi the popcorn bucket, plus Jimmi, Fluffi, Bonni, and Lolli cake pops.
Walking into this shop reminds me of the Candyland game. It’s colorful and filled to the brim with sweets. And don’t forget to take home some treats for later!
Parkside Market
The Parkside Market food hall has several options for grabbing a snack or meal. Four culinary areas make this a unique place for foodies: Seoul Sister (Korean rice bowls), Sip & Sonder (lattes, frozen drinks, and things to nibble), GG’s Chicken Shop (chicken sandwiches, salads, and a variety of side dishes), and Vista Parkside Market (signature cocktails and cocktails along with plenty of full service food options).
Disney Storyland Boutique
Now, let’s not forget about shopping. The above locations feed our stomachs but we also need enjoy bringing home our favorite characters and Disney items.
Adding a new shop filled with plushies, clothing, and all kinds of gifts (for ourselves or others!) is a Disney lover’s dream come true. And this shop is absolutely adorable.
These are just the latest places to open in Downtown Disney, joining the recently opened Avengers Reserve with all kinds of items for Avengers fans and the D-Lander Shop with trendy jewelry, apparel, and accessories.
Downtown Disney is growing rapidly and adding some great new places to shop and dine for guests to the Disneyland Resort. And the best part is you don’t have to have a ticket and reservation to go to Downtown Disney. It’s a fun place just to hang out, people watch, and grab a meal.
About the Author
Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry and travel for over 30 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.
Nominated for three Academy Awards (including Best Animated Feature Film) The Wild Robot is a fun story filled with humor and heart. It is based on a book however the screenplay was written by Chris Sanders who wrote Lilo and Stitch, and there are many similarities between the two films.
The story begins when a package containing a robot crashes on a deserted island. This robot, Rozzum 7134 (now to be called Roz), is programed to help complete a task. She is intimidating to the wildlife on the island who wonder if she is there to kill them.
Roz accidentally destroys a nest of goslings however one egg survives. She takes care of the egg until it hatches then she thinks her task is completed. Wrong! The gosling attaches to the first thing it sees, and the first thing this little fellow sees is Roz.
Roz is instructed by the mother opossum that she is now the little guy’s mother. “I do not have the programming to be a mother,” she says. “No one does,” says Pinktail, the opossum mom.
Roz soon learns being a mom is “a full time thing.” She names the little guy Brightbill and sets out to help him perfect the three tools he will need to survive: eating, swimming, and flying. If he masters these he will be able to join other geese when they migrate for the winter, even though he is at a disadvantage due to his small size.
Fink the fox befriends the two and soon they are all working together to help Brightbill gain the tools he needs. Throughout this time Roz and Brightbill become a family. In Lilo and Stitch they call it “Ohana.”
Then Brightbill learns that Roz’s accident killed his real family yet she is the one who saved him. He is not keen to forgive her but they both realize they “love” each other and that together they are their own family.
Roz learns about love and all the animals on the island learn to trust each other and work together even though they are a mixture of predators. It is Roz and more so Fink who brings them all together to live happy lives.
Then – you didn’t think there wouldn’t be a “then” did you? – Universal Dynamics, the company that created Roz and all the Rozzum robots, sends a team to retrieve her and bring her back so they can find out how she deviated from her programming. They have never had a robot learn to love.
Just like in Lilo and Stitch when The Grand Councilwoman came to Earth to retrieve Stitch, Contra, a floating robot, brings her team to retrieve Roz. But Roz does not want to go back. She does not want to lose her memories of Brightbill, Fink, and all the others. She does not want to lose the love and family that is now programmed inside her.
When Roz realizes Universal Dynamics will keep coming after her, she relents and goes back. But don’t be discouraged. She found love once and that love is too strong to lose. And take heart, DreamWorks is working on the sequel to this heartfelt story of life, love, and family.
Yes, there are many similarities between Lilo and Stitch and The Wild Robot, but each movie has its own heartwarming story.
Lupita Nyong’o is the voice of Roz, Pedro Pascal voices Fink, Catherine O’Hara voices Pinktail, and Kit Connor is the voice of Brightbill.
The beautiful scenery on the island and the fun of the various characters combine to make The Wild Robot a great family film.
The Wild Robot is now streaming on Peacock. It is rated PG for action/peril and 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.
The latest product from the folks at Alpha Skin Care is their Revitalizing Body Lotion with 12% Glycolic AHA.Being extremely sensitive to new products I was apprehensive about trying this when they asked me to test it. After learning it is unscented, I agreed to give it a try – with no expectations from the company.
Being unscented to me is a must. Some products say they are unscented but still have a whiff of a scent. This lotion is totally unscented.
Besides being unscented, I look for products that are free of chemicals that often bother me, like parabens and sulfates. This is free of both.
The lotion is not watery. It’s not overly thick either.
When I first tried it I felt it might be a bit too sticky but as soon as I rubbed it in a little more it did not feel sticky. In fact, it felt velvety.
In the winter my main concern is my hands. They get dry and chapped in the cold weather. This is a complaint I hear all the time. With so many products on the market, it’s usually a try one, go onto another, then another to find the right lotion for your skin.
This lotion feels good right from the start and lasts. For dry feet I recommend applying the lotion to your feet right before you put on socks. This keeps it protecting your feet all day.
With ingredients like 12% Glycolic Alpha Hydroxy Acid and a pH balance of 3.8, if you have sensitive skin this might be a good solution for your dry skin.
It is also a “renewal body lotion” and is touted as being able to reduce dry skin and lift away dead skin leaving healthier looking and feeling skin. That’s what Glycolic Acid is meant to do. Coming from natural sugar cane, Glycolic Acid has been a popular ingredient in skincare products for awhile. It’s not a new fad ingredient. It has been tested for years.
So, the bottom line is, if you have sensitive skin you might want to give this lotion a try. It is cruelty free (very important) as well as being hypoallergenic. And it won’t break the bank like many skin care products.
We are all particular about what we put on our skin. If you are looking to try a product to help reduce the dryness of winter skin, or if you just want to test a different body lotion for a change, this is a good option.
Do I recommend it? Well, I’ve tried it, it makes my hands softer and I do think my skin looks smoother. So yes, I do like it.
About the Reviewer
Francine Brokaw writes about books, products, travel, and all aspects of entertainment -for over 30 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites.
The Murdoch Mysteries episode titled “Bombshells” brings up an issue of the time – the suffragette movement. This is episode 11 in the 18th season of this hit detective series on Ovation.
William Murdoch, his wife Julia Ogden, and their daughter Susannah are in England. The threesome are almost killed when a bomb explodes on the street as they are walking by. No one was injured but Murdoch discovers a dead body inside the building.
As he and Julia work on solving the mystery of who planted the bomb, Murdoch discovers his wife has been elemental in the suffragette movement in England. She has even been part of protests and some mischievous behavior. This does not please him at all. He knows she has strong beliefs, but insists she does not break the law in her struggles to bring the fruits of the movement to fruition.
Meanwhile, back in Toronto, coroner Violet Hart once again finds herself in a dangerous predicament when her husband from America tracks her down and intends on bringing her back to Ohio. He refuses to grant her a divorce, which she desperately wants.
Thanks to her boyfriend, all is well that ends well when it comes to Violet’s situation.
Back in England the mystery of the dead body and the bomb leads Murdoch to an interesting conclusion.
As faithful viewers of the series know, Julia has been living in England working at a new women’s and children’s hospital. This estrangement from her husband and Toronto has left viewers confused and saddened as she has been a fun character to watch through the years. Will she return to her full-time life in Toronto? Time will tell. Stay tuned…
Meantime, episodes of Murdoch Mysteries airs Mondays with repeats on Saturdays via Ovation Channel.
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 new Manta White Noise Machine has a lot going for it. First of all, it will block out annoying noises you might be hearing – like street noises. It’s easy to set up and with expandable speakers (for an additional price) it can block several directions from which annoying noises might be coming.
Also, for people who like to read, this is a great little item because it creates more enjoyable sounds while blocking out the neighbor’s lawn mower. And for those who have trouble sleeping because of noises around them, this is something that might help. That is why it was created.
The item consists of an AC (or USB-C) powered speaker that can be placed where the annoying sound is emanating from. Or, if you don’t have noises affecting you, you can simply place it near you so you’ll be able to enjoy some sounds that are relaxing.
Then there is the remote control that turns the machine on and off. It also allows the user to adjust the volume as well as change the sounds and set a timer.
There are 15 different sounds from which to select. Five different static (referred to as white noise) sounds provide a variety of steady noise. Five different fan sounds (which I prefer to the static) are more calming. My personal preferences are the rain sounds, of which there are three different options. And finally there are two different ocean sounds.
There is no set-up required other than plugging in the speaker.
The unit was “engineered for sleep optimization” disrupting annoying outside noise.
While it was designed to block noise it can also be used simply to add some background noise that, for some people, is just the ticket to falling asleep. Often comforting sounds help stop those thoughts that keep rolling around in you head keeping you from falling asleep.
The timer can be set if the user does not want the sound to play continuously throughout the night. Selections range from 30 minutes to 8 hours. It’s easy to program with just a couple presses on the remote. And if you decide to turn it off manually, just press the on/off button.
Many people are turning to white noise machines these days as we find getting to sleep is more and more difficult.
For more information or to order your own Manta Sleep White Noise Machine, check out their website.
About the Reviewer
Francine Brokaw writes about books, products, travel, and all aspects of entertainment for over 30 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites.
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.
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.
The item comes as a cube. Take it apart and see the 12 colorful sections that can be arranged in countless formations. 
Animals, letters, and beautiful designs can be created with these pieces. 
