Former Villain Kid (aka VK) Uma, now Auradon Prep’s newest principal, extends an invite to the school to another VK — Red, the rebellious daughter of the Queen of Hearts from Wonderland. After the Queen of Hearts incites a coup against Auradon, Red and Cinderella’s daughter Chloe travel back in time to undo the traumatic event that set Red’s mother down her villainous path.
The music-driven Disney Original movie starts streaming Friday, July 12, exclusively on Disney+, followed by a special encore Friday, Aug. 9, at 8:00 p.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Channel.
We all know that brushing and flossing our teeth is important for both oral and general health. Water flossershave become a regular part of our daily oral hygiene regimen, and the Guru Nanda Advanced Dental Water Flosser 2.0 is a great way to make sure you keep up with your dental routine when you’re away from home.
Whether you’re at your office or on vacation, this portable device can help with your oral hygiene. It’s lightweight and provides a good water stream to floss your teeth. The rechargeable unit comes with a USB cord (USB/USB-C) to charge on the go. And most hotels these days have USB outlets.
Once charged, fill the tank with water, press the button, and select the mode you want – soft, normal, or strong. They are all selected via one button so there’s no learning curve for using this little unit. The water flosser holds the memory of the last mode used, so once you know what feels best for you there is no need to reset it. And there is a UV mode for sterilization. Two flossing tips come with the unit.
A power indicator button blinks when the unit is charging then turns green when it is completely charged. It takes approximately 6 hours to fully charge the flosser. After it is charged it will last for about 4 hours before needing to recharge.
Because it is cordless and portable, it’s the perfect item to keep in your office desk or school locker. And when you’re on vacation there’s no need to stop your oral cleaning routine.
People with crowns or braced know how easy it is for food to get stuck in their teeth. With up to 1800 pulses per minute this little unit will make life easier.
This is a handy device for every household. The only thing it is missing is a travel case. Additional tips can be purchased through the website or on Amazon.
A water flosser added to daily brushing will help with oral care. Just ask your dentist!
About the Reviewer
Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, 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. 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.
Jack Black returns for a fourth film in the popular animated Kung Fu Panda series. Kung Fu Panda 4 retains the fun of the prior films with some new characters.
Po is legendary as the Dragon Warrior and takes his title seriously. He’s proud of what he has accomplished in this role, but now it is time for him to select a new Dragon Warrior. Why? Well, it’s now his turn to be the new spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace, which is something he is dubious about.
He cannot decide on the eligible candidates so puts off the selection of the new Dragon Warrior. Instead, he sets out on a new journey along with a sly, fast-talking fox named Zhen (voiced by Awkwafina). She is basically a full time thief and as such was apprehended by Po and put in jail. But she is the only one who can lead him to the devious Chameleon (voiced by Viola Davis) who is causing havoc by bringing back Po’s nemeses from the spirit world.
When Po and Zhen go to Juniper City in search of The Chameleon, Po encounters a different atmosphere as the city is bigger than the Valley of Peace and has a large population, some of which Zhen introduces to him. These are her kind, consisting of thieves and other “bad” guys. And, to his chagrin, these new folks have not heard of the Dragon Warrior. Holy cow.
Po’s two dads Mr. Ping (voiced by James Hong) and Li (voiced by Bryan Cranston) follow their son to Juniper City. They are concerned he is in bigger danger than usual.
After Po and Zhen locate The Chameleon, Po is in for a big surprise with his new friend. But in the end, they are triumphant with the help of some Bad Bunnies and others from Zhen’s former life.
And as usually, Po makes a pretty big screw up, but manages to come out on top, with the help of his friends and family.
The movie is colorful with several good messages for everyone, including that “it’s never too late to do the right thing.” And, as Po explains to Zhen, one peach pit can turn into a mighty tree, a lesson he learned from Master Shifu (voiced by Dustin Hoffman).
SPOILER ALERT
At the end of the film, and against Master Shifu’s advice Po selects Zhen as the next Dragon Warrior. She is a cute character and one that steals the hearts of viewers. And during the ending credits The Furious Five return to help train Zhen.
Bonus features
There are several bonus features including a new original short in which Po and Zhen battle to see whose dumplings are the best. Zhen has a Chai dumpling and Po has his usual and beloved Valley dumpling. So, which one do they each like the best? They discover they are both delicious.
Another bonus has Jack Black learning how to make dumplings. After all, his character is basically addicted to them so he takes it upon himself to learn how to make these delicious delicacies.
In another feature, The Bad Bunnies review the film. They are absolutely adorable.
Additional features include deleted scenes, a behind the scenes featurette, a shadow puppet theater, a lesson in how to draw Po, Zhen, The Chameleon, and The Bad Bunnies, and a featurette about how the actors voiced the characters with some pretty funny outtakes.
Kung Fu Panda 4 is now available on 4K Ultra combo pack (for the absolute brightest colors which I highly recommend), Blu-Ray, and DVD. The movie is rated PG for martial arts action, mild violence, scary images, and some mild rude humor.
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 mophie snap+wireless charging vent mount unit from Zagg is just what’s needed for hand’s free calling, talking, and texting while in the car. Sure, many newer cars are capable of synching your smart phone with the vehicle, however older cars still require some tricky “MacGyvering” for drivers to talk or call while in the car. Trying to set up a way to do this while still keeping eyes on the road is not easy. Enter the mophie snap+wireless charging vent mount.
The unit easily and safely clips onto a car vent. In the box is the adjustable arm which makes the unit a bit longer if desired, a charging plug, a 4.9 foot USB -C to USB-C cord, and an off-set additional arm so users can change the direction of their phone depending on the position of the car vent.
Simply set it on the easiest and closest vent that won’t distract you while driving. Of course, we all take our eyes off the road for a split second to adjust the temperature, change the music channel, and little things like that. The object of this unit is to make looking at your phone take less than a split second. In that split second you can let the phone know (via Siri on iPhones) what you want to do – make a call, take a call, send a text, ask for guidance, etc. And warning – only look at your adjustments or your phone when you know it is safe to do so and cars are not immediately in front of you.
Once the unit is connected to your car vent your smart phone magnetically connects to the mophie unit and you’re ready to go.
You don’t have to use the unit connected but it is just an additional option utilizing Qi2 technology for safe and fast charging (up to 15w). The iPhone 15 has built-in Qi2 compatibility so you can rest assured charging it won’t damage your new phone. It’s the newest charging technology. What else would you expect from the folks at ZAGG?
Even if your car is set up to synch with your phone, there are plenty of reasons to use a vent mount – rental cars, friend’s car, loaner car for when your vehicle is in the shop, etc. For safety sake, most people do not want to synch their phones to a secondary car that is only temporary. In this case bringing your own vent mount for your phone is the best option.
Check with the website for sales, which they do run quite often.
About the Reviewer
Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, travel, 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, 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.
Inside Out 2 is another emotional story, pun intended, as Riley enters puberty and confronts new emotions. Gone are the carefree days of childhood, only to be replaced by feelings that are new and somewhat troubling: Envy, Ennui, Embarrassment and Anxiety. These new emotions join Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Fear, and Anger. The Art of Inside Out 2 is the latest in the “Art of” series of books delving into the stories, backgrounds, and artwork of the films.
In the introduction by the film’s director Kelsey Mann, he writes about the ending of the first film. “After all, Riley’s twelve now, what could happen?” That’s exactly what Inside Out 2 is all about. Once she hits thirteen, everything changes. The book is a deep dive into this new film. “What is included in these pages is just a snapshot of the creativity and dedication that went into the making of the film.”
Readers will see the evolution of the artwork with sketches, digital artwork, and more. There are colorful images of all the emotions and artwork showing how they came to be the characters we eventually see in the film.
Character artists describe how they created their designs. For instance, “Anxiety is related to Fear, and I designed her accordingly,” says character artist Deanna Marsigliese. They share the same body type, yet Anxiety gets twisted up with worry.
As for little Envy, character art director Keiko Murayama admits they went through many versions to come up with just the right look for this little gal who is envious of just about everything, yet is still a likable character.
Throughout the pages readers get a sense of just what the artists did to imagine and create the various characters. The sketches add a lot to the understanding of the emotions.
The creative team that worked on the film lend their insights into how they worked and how they came up with the designs that made it into the movie. There is plenty of information about the making of Inside Out 2.
To say this is colorful is an understatement. It’s a fun book just to flip through or to read the comments from the creators. And, after seeing the film, this is a great book to look at with your kids because it will bring back the feeling (no pun intended here) and memories of watching the movie.
And speaking about feelings, after all this is what the whole movie is about, a separate companion book, Feeling Feelings, makes a great gift for kids, and especially teenager who are experiencing life just like Riley.
This book is basically a journal with pages on which to write. In the morning the user is expected to circle the feeling corresponding to their current mood. Then they can explain why they feel that way. The next step is to write down three goals for the day. Then in the evening the user once again circles the image of the emotion best representing how he/she feels at that time and explain why they are feeling that way. And finally, there is a section for different additions like “Tomorrow I will….” “Today I learned…,” “Today I let go of…,””Today I am grateful for…” and more.
This book is helpful for kids to sort out their feelings, and quite frankly, it’s also a good guide for adults. It provides a tool to help get in touch with yourself, and I am personally going to use it. It’s one way of helping sort out your life and set goals for yourself. There are also journaling pages and pictures throughout the book.
The Art of Inside Out 2 is another book dedicated to the making of a Disney film with information and plenty of art. It’s a good tool for animators and designers, as well as those interested in filmmaking. It is also just a fun book for kids and adults, and as mentioned earlier, it makes a good project for parents to look through with their kids.
Feeling Feelings is a guided emotions journal for everyone to use to get in touch with their inner selves. If you know someone going through a difficult time, this might just be exactly what they need to help them through the days.
The Art of Disney/Pixar Inside Out 2
Chronicle Books
For Preschool and up
ISBN-10:1797225057
ISBN-13:978-1797225050
Feeling Feelings
Chronicle Books
ISBN-10:1797229206
ISBN-13:978-1797229201
And there are plenty of other items to go along with this movie. Check out the plush emotions.
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. 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.
Last year guests watched the iconic dragon catch on fire and end the 2023 run of the nighttime spectacular Fantasmic! at Disneyland. Fans of this spectacular can rest assured that all is well once again, as Fantasmic! returns on May 24, 2024.
The longest-running nighttime spectacular once again takes over the Rivers of America as this colorful and musical extravaganza brings back memories of Disney favorites. Combining live performances with Disney characters, plenty of music, and wonderful projections, this is a show guests have missed but can enjoy once again.
Mickey Mouse hosts this wonderful event and implores guests to use their imaginations and wonder. With scenes from Fantasia, The Little Mermaid, The Jungle Book, Tangled, and more, Disney fans have been waiting for this new updated show since the demise of that poor dragon.
The battle between Sorcerer Mickey and Maleficent is reimagined for this updated show. Guests are treated to Maleficent “igniting” the Rivers of America in flames, but don’t worry, guests are safe. It’s just the magic of Disney.
Peter Pan, The Lost Boys, Wendy, and Captain Hook battle on a pirate ship in this reimagined scene from the film.
There’s much more to enjoy when Fantasmic! returns. The nighttime spectacular will have two nightly shows. (Check the Disneyland app for times and information).
For the best viewing location, enter by way of Frontierland and ask a Cast Member for the best viewing area. Guests may book a special Fantasmic! Dining Package for dinner at the Blue Bayou Restaurant, River Belle Terrace, and the Rancho del Zocalo Restaurant. Check DisneyParksBlog.com for all the details.
Enjoy Fantasmic! again, and again. It’s a wonderful nighttime show.
Click this link for a preview of Fantasmic! Nighttime Spectacular
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.
In the first film, Inside Out (2015), audiences were introduced to young Riley and four of the emotions that guided her through her days: Joy, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness. Joy and Sadness have become iconic Disney characters and even make an appearance in the new Pixar Fest parade at Disney California Adventure. In Inside Out 2 there are four new emotions that join the group as Riley enters puberty, with all the angst it entails: Embarrassment, Anxiety, Ennui, and Envy. It’s time to go shopping for all the new items featuring these new emotions.
The new plush emotions each portray their personalities and no matter which one you pick, they bring fun and enjoyment – to kids and adults. Each one is so cute they make a great combination for any bed or shelf with color and faces that depict what is going on inside them.As we know, feelings are what make us human and emotions are natural and part of life.
Anxiety is an emotion that we all have at one time or another. Riley begins to have anxiety as she matures and joins the ranks of teenagers. This little character depicts the worry that frustrates us all. Just looking at this little gal is enough to make even the most stressed out person feel a little less emotional and during times of major stress could bring a little chuckle and smile, although the plush definitely shows the worry and nervousness that she represents. Yes, she is frantic, but she is also so darn cute. Anxiety is about 10 inches tall.
Ennui. Well, what can we say about being blah? This guy definitely depicts apathy and malaise. Just looking at him brings out a feeling of melancholy. But even so, he is so cute you’ll just want to give him a hug to cheer him up. Kids will want to snap him out of his doldrums. At about 12 inches tall, he’s good for a kind word or a caring cuddle. He looks sad, so cheering him up might be a bit of a task, but well worth it. Come on, little guy. Let’s see a smile. Well, maybe tomorrow.
Envy is green, what else? She’s super adorable and her hair is soft and has a silky, velvety feel. It’s not hard to imagine her sitting on a little girl’s bed. She looks adoringly at everything around her. Even though she is green with envy, pun intended, she is the perfect companion and will be endeared by all. Just imagine a little girl asking her if she looks all right. And Envy will definitely reply, you’re gorgeous! Yep, that’s Envy all right. Little Envy is approximately 9 inches from feet to the tip of her head.
Teen age years are rife with embarrassment, and this plush says it all. He’s the largest of the plush assortment at approximately 16 inches high. With a red face and hoodie pulled up around it to hide, embarrassment is huggable and like the others will put a smile on faces as they feel the emotion he depicts. After all, haven’t we all wanted to hide ourselves and become invisible at one time or another? And there’s no hiding the blush on our cheeks when we do get self conscious. It’s a natural reaction.
So, together or alone, these new plush make a fun addition to anyone’s collection. If you already have the first emotions, by all means, these new ones are cute companions and additions to your Disney plush collection.
Parents might think about getting them for their kids and whenever he or she is filled with Anxiety, it will be time to bring out the plush as a comfort tool. The same goes for Embarrassment and Ennui. And little Envy makes a great companion when your kid comes home and brags about someone else’s dress, new toy, or whatever.
We all have these emotions at some point. They’re not always easy to deal with so the plush might be just what is needed to help you or someone out of a particular mood.
Puberty is a difficult time for both boys and girls, and in this new film Riley learns just how difficult it is to grow up. Yet even though these emotions make their first appearance around the time of puberty, they often remain for the rest of our lives.
Kids will enjoy playing with them and letting their imaginations soar as they interact with these new plush emotions. And adults will definitely see themselves in the emotions and even remember times when they have gotten the best of them. These plush are for ages 0+ and they are going to be enjoyed and loved by all ages. (available on Disney Store website beginning May 27, 2024)
MORE TO COME…
Besides these adorable plush dolls, there are books and other toys to accompany the new movie. After all, this is a Disney film and one thing Disney does better than other studios is their merchandising.
About the Reviewer
Francine Brokaw has reviewed books, products, 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. 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.
Terry Chen stars in the film Sight which takes viewers on a roller coaster ride of emotions as it follows the life and career of world-renowned eye surgeon Dr. Ming Wang. This is a true story and at the end of the film the real Dr. Wang appears to discuss what viewers saw and to provide additional information.
Simply put, Dr. Wang’s journey from his childhood in China to his exemplary career in America is nothing short of magnificent and awe-inspiring. It is definitely heartening to see how this man rose above the hardships of his experiences in China with the determination to be a doctor and help people. That was his goal in life and he has achieved that to the nth degree.
Greg Kinnear co-stars as his assistant Misha Bartnovsky at the Wang Institute in Nashville. While Wang is the super brain of the Institute, Bartnovsky is right there by his side nudging him on and encouraging him when he has doubts.
Ben Wang stars as the teenage Ming whose only goal was to be a doctor. The story goes back even further with Jayden Zhang as Ming when he was 8 years old. His parents encouraged his studies as they were both accomplished scientists. Then the uprising came to their town and all their hopes and dreams went up in flames… literally.
Dr. Wang man is brilliant and managed, as a teen, to get accepted to MIT where he performed at the top of his class. Being Chinese came with barriers, but he never wavered from his goal. Then, with his amazing MCAT scores, Ming was off to medical school.
The film jumps back and forth between Ming’s life in China and his life at the Institute in Nashville. All the while, his memories come flashing back. His best friend Lili was taken by the revolutionists and never seen again. This haunted him as he reflected back on all the ups and downs that his family experiences in China.
The uprising might have derailed him but that was only for a short time. He was too intelligent and had too much tenacity to let that stop him from being a doctor. And his goal and achievement of helping people is his legacy.
Ming’s main desire was and is to restore sight to those who have lost it or never had it. When a young Indian girl is brought to the Institute, her eyes had been completely damaged. Kajal (Mia SwamiNathan) was a sweet girl with a wonderful outlook on life, even though she had been treated so badly causing her to lose her sight. Ming tried his best to restore her vision. It was a case that still remains in his heart to this day.
The film takes viewers on a roller coaster ride of emotions. From the tragedies of China to the hope within his family in China, his young years were filled with ups and downs. Then in America his steadfastness to get into medical school was also fraught with ups and downs. And finally, as a last hope for blind children, he has been successful and also had some disappointments. Nothing is perfect, although Dr. Wang pushed himself to be perfect in every operation.
Dr. Wang has performed over 55,000 procedures (not all on the sightless) and he is one of the surgeons other doctors go to for their own eye surgeries, whether their issue is cataracts, LASIK, or something else. That alone is a testament to how well though of he is and how good a doctor he is.
He has received awards and published over 100 papers. Not only is he a top doctor, he is a philanthropist and set up an institute to restore sight to children, all without cost to their families.
Sight is a story that deserves to be seen. It will touch your heart and mind and give inspiration to those who have their own dreams.
The film is rated PG-13 for violence and thematic material. It opens nationally May 24, 2024. It’s a clear winner for upcoming awards (no pun intended).
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.
First of all, what is an IF? Well, IF stands for Imaginary Friend. The theme of this film is that even though we all get older, we’re never too old to imagine.
Spoiler alert – the mom dies. What else do you expect from an animated film? It’s really not an important element in the story so many people wonder why it is necessary to have the mother die.
Now for the story of IF. Cailey Fleming stars as Bea, a twelve year old who has had to grow up faster than she should have. Her mother died and her father (John Krasinski, who also wrote and directed the film) is in the hospital for a heart surgery. So Bea is staying with her grandmother in the apartment her family had visited when she was younger.
Bea discovers some weird things going on in the apartment above hers. While investigating, she meets Cal (Ryan Reynolds) who is a caretaker of IFs. And then there’s Blue (voiced by Steve Carell) who is really purple, cuddly, and somewhat depressed that his child has forgotten him. When children choose to forget about their imaginary friends, these fellows are thrown into oblivion, so to speak. In reality, they are living in a retirement home.
Bea is tasked with helping the forgotten IFs. She starts by trying to find them new children, however that doesn’t work. So in the end she realizes that she has to revive the memories in the adults who had abandoned their IFs when they were children. “Nothing you love can ever be forgotten.”As Bea discovers, “Memories live forever in our hearts.”
“You’re never really alone,” she realizes, as long as you have your friend, imaginary that is. Whether it’s a big furry purple monster-like fellow, an adorable flower, or anything else. These guys helped kids through their ups and downs as children, and now they are reunited with the adults whose memories are rekindled, thanks to the efforts of Bea.
The movie is somewhat convoluted and sometimes difficult to follow and understand, even for adults.
IF is rated PG for thematic elements and mild language. Little kids won’t understand the concept but will most likely enjoy the strange collection of IFs. The movie is now playing in theaters.
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.
Freeform presents 30 Days of Disney throughout the month of June, 2024.
While this schedule is subject to change, this is pretty much what Disney lovers will be able to view all day, every day in June. Mark your calendar for your favorite Disney show with your favorite Disney characters.
This month is the World Television premiere of Disney Pixar’s Lightyear and Freeform’s premieres of Soul and Disney Animations’ Fantasia.
Get your Disney fix all month long. June is Disney month on Freeform.
Former Villain Kid (aka VK) Uma, now Auradon Prep’s newest principal, extends an invite to the school to another VK — Red, the rebellious daughter of the Queen of Hearts from Wonderland. After the Queen of Hearts incites a coup against Auradon, Red and Cinderella’s daughter Chloe travel back in time to undo the traumatic event that set Red’s mother down her villainous path.
