Author: Francine Brokaw

‘Inside Out 2’ brings plenty of emotional entertainment for audiences

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


When we last saw Riley (Inside Out, 2015) she was settling in nicely to her new environment, thanks to not only her parents, but also five little guys (aka emotions) that help her navigate her life: Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Anger, and Fear.  Now, in 2024, Riley just turned 13 making her an official teenager, and we all know what that means – puberty!

As Riley’s puberty button is activated, the emotions that have guided her thus far are now joined by four new emotions: Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui. These new emotions, led by Anxiety, take over controlling Riley’s life and thoughts. 

They banish Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Anger, and Fear from the control room and start doing their best to remake Riley into a new girl. The film focuses on the initial five emotions doing everything they can to get back to the control room before Anxiety changes the sweet and caring girl into a devious girl only interested in impressing others and making new friends in High School. They succeed, in part, by alienating Riley’s besties Grace and Bree, while she tries to get into the cool group when they are all at summer hockey camp.

Hockey is Riley’s passion and she hopes to get onto the high school team. The team’s captain Valentina befriends her on her first day at camp. Riley, eager to be well-liked in high school, ditches her old friends in favor of some new ones. But this isn’t the Riley we all know and love. Puberty is changing her. Actually, the new emotions led by Anxiety are changing her. Can Joy and the gang get back to the control room before Riley is a completely new girl and can they save the nice person she has always been?

What comes through in this film, for kids as well as adults, is that emotions all work together to make us who we are and we cannot let one emotion rule our lives. The nine emotions finally see that Riley is made up of both good and bad memories and thoughts and keeping her on the straight and narrow is up to her, with a little help from the nine.

Amy Poehler returns to voice Joy, Tony Hale is Fear, Lewis Black is Anger, Liza Lapira is Disgust, Phyllis Smith is Sadness, Maya Hawke is Anxiety, Ayo Edebiri is Envy, Adèle Exarchopoulos is Ennui, and Paul Walter Hauser is Embarrassment. Kensington Tallman is the voice of Riley, the girl trying to manage her conflicting pubescent emotions. 

Inside Out 2 is just as enjoyable and entertaining as the original film, and even though the new emotions come into play, adult viewers will realize that they all stick with us throughout our lives and we do with them what we will. Kids will see how inner conflict and effect their lives. But in the end, this is a fun film about one little girl and nine emotions growing and learning from each other.

Inside Out 2 is rated PG for some thematic elements. It opens in theaters June 14, 2024.

And check out the Inside Out 2 merchandise from Disney, mainly the adorable new plush emotions.  

And for an inside look at how the film was created, there’s an “Art Of” book that is filled with images and information. 

 

 

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.

NEWPORT BEACH, CA – Crystal Cove Shake Shack

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


When you’re driving down the coast in the Crystal Cove area of Newport Beach, California, you might notice a little shack and a lot of cars. This is the famed Crystal Cove Shake Shack where locals and tourists love to come for the food, shakes, and view of the Pacific Ocean. And no, this is not part of the Shake Shack franchise of restaurants. It is its own burger/shake stand, and one of  a kind.

So what makes this place so popular? It could be the food, the shakes, the view, or all of these. The burgers (they also offer an Impossible plant based burger) come with a decent amount of french fries. There is a variety of burger selections as well as several sandwiches. They have hot dogs, fish and chips, fish tacos, other seafood, and chili and clam chowder. 

The Crystal Cove Shake Shack is also open for breakfast until 11 am. Pancakes, oatmeal, eggs, breakfast sandwiches, and more are available for the early birds. 

Several coffee options as well as beer and wine are on the menu and yes, they do have a kids menu featuring a kids breakfast combo, a kids burger, peanut butter and jelly, and grilled cheese.

Now, let’s get to the heart of the menu – the Shakes. Orangesicle, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Cup, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Chocolate Banana, Strawberry Banana, Banana, Oreo, Blackcherry, Chocolate Turtle, Salted Caramel, Banana Cream, Wintermint, and a few other flavors are on the menu and you can mix and match your favorite flavors. If this doesn’t get your mouth watering I don’t know what will.

Aside from the food, the view of the ocean is the next best part to this little place. There is no inside seating. Everyone sits outside on wooden benches and some chairs with the sound of the surf adding to the ambiance. The shack is on the bluff up from the ocean and usually gets a good breeze. 

This is a little treasure for the Newport Coast. It has had several incarnations since it opened in the 1940s. Today it’s part of the Crystal Cove State Park. The only downside to this place is the parking. There are very few parking spaces and at several times during the day cars are lined up back onto PCH waiting for someone to finish their meal and exit the lot. People spend a long time sitting in their cars waiting for a spot to open up. Is it worth it? For many folks the answer is yes.  Personally, I wouldn’t wait longer than 20 minutes, but many people do.

So, if you’re traveling down PCH on the Newport Coast and you see a small shack with a lot of folks outside, or a long line of cars on the highway waiting for their chance to park and eat, check out the Crystal Cove Shake Shack. Can you say “Yummmmm?”

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about places, people, 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.

GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE IS GOING ON TOUR – IT’S PARTY TIME ACROSS THE U.S.!

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

It’s time to celebrate with the Gabby’s Dollhouse “Party with Marty the Party Cat” tour! Get ready to meow your way into a new experience full of fun, free activities. Gabby invites your family to meet the ultimate cool cat, Marty the Party Cat, inside her dollhouse for a sneak peek into various character-themed rooms, including the new cat-tastic party room! With party supplies, a dance party with DJ Catnip and a special photo with Gabby – party guests will turn stars of their own celebration! Join us – it’s your party after all!

Cue the confetti, here’s what awaits you:

  • Sneak peek into character-themed rooms: Explore the Craft Room, Music Room, and the brand new Party Room!
  • Introducing Marty the Party Cat: The newest kitty friend, Marty the Party Cat, celebrating with all his new friends!
  • Dance party with DJ Catnip: Get funky in the Music Room and show off your moves!
  • Play with the latest Gabby’s Dollhouse toys: Let your imagination run wild!
  • Strike a pose with Gabby: Capture a purrfect moment! RSVP at the link at the bottom.

Tour Dates:

San Diego

  • July 3rd-4th: Walmart, 3382 Murphy Canyon Rd, San Diego, CA 92123
  • July 6th-7th: Parkway Plaza, 415 Fletcher Pkwy, El Cajon, CA 92020

Oakland

  • July 10th-11th: Walmart Connection Center, 30600 Dyer St, Union City, CA 94587
  • July 13th-14th: Bay Street Emeryville, 5616 Bay St, Emeryville, CA 94608

Salt Lake City

  • July 17th-18th: Walmart Supercenter, 7671 S 3800 W, West Jordan, UT
  • July 20th-21st: Station Park, 140 N W Union Ave, Farmington, UT

Chicago

  • July 27th-28th: Yorktown Mall Dr, Lombard, IL 60148

Detroit

  • August 1st: Walmart Supercenter, 7555 Telegraph Rd, Taylor, MI 48180
  • August 3rd: Twelve Oaks Mall, 27500 Novi Rd, Novi, MI 48377

Boston

  • August 8th: Walmart Supercenter, 550 Providence Hwy, Walpole, MA 02081
  • August 10th-11th: S Market St, Boston, MA 02109

Washington D.C.

  • August 14th-15th: Walmart, 7910 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22306
  • August 17th-18th: Springfield Town Center, 6500 Springfield Mall, Springfield, VA 22150

Miami

  • August 24th-25th: Dolphin Mall, 11401 NW 12th St, Miami, FL 33172

Houston

  • August 30th-31st: The Woodlands Mall, 1201 Lake Woodlands Dr #700, The Woodlands, TX 77380

RSVP here  

Manta Sleep Mask – product review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

We all know that sleep is important to our mental and physical well being. For some people light effects their quality of sleep. That’s where the Manta Sleep Mask comes in handy.

This is not like a regular sleep mask we’ve seen in the past. This is a unique design that wraps comfortably around your head and stays secure via velcro. But what makes this mask unique are the eye cups that are also connected to the headband with velcro. The mask is completely adjustable to fit your head and your eyes, so getting the most comfortable fit is easy. 

These cups can be aligned to a perfect fit for your face. They are soft and deep enough to let you open your eyes without any friction, but still keep the light out.

There are many reasons for having complete darkness when we sleep. First, the light often effects how much sleep and the quality of sleep depending on each individual. Some people can fall asleep easily in full sunlight while others need more darkness. When our eyes are closed there is still light coming through. The brain understands this and sometimes it is not easy to shut out the outside world without total darkness.

Blue light from computer screens and televisions can effect sleep. If your partner likes to watch TV or work on a laptop or table in bed the sleep mask is the perfect addition to your nighttime routine. What I like is turning on night music on YouTube however most of the sites that have relaxing music still have visuals on the screen so in effect that negates the entire situation. With the sleep mask I can still listen to the relaxing music on my favorite YouTube channels but do not have to deal with the visuals on my TV, even though they are quite nice to look at. Yes, there are some sites that have music and black screens, but many do not. 

And if your partner gets up in the night to go to the bathroom and turns on the light, even if it is a dim one, this can effect your sleep. You might not wake up completely, but your brain detects the light so your sleep might be effected.

In the summer when it’s lighter longer, the Manta negates the need for blackout blinds. You can still have your windows open and not get any light interfering with your sleep. This is a necessity in the far north like Alaska when the sun stays up for most of the 24 hours. Trust me when I say I relied completely on the blackout blinds while in the 49th state!

Migraine sufferers know that complete darkness is helpful when fighting the pain and symptoms of this dreaded headache. Migraines are more than simple headaches. Being in a dark room is often a necessity but sometimes not easy to find. With the Manta that problem is solved. It won’t get rid of the migraine but it will allow sufferers to block out all the light that many times makes the pain worse.

The folks at Manta have several additional options for users. There are a few different eye cups that can be purchased separately. There is one that cools the eyes. Simply place the cups in the freezer for a little while then attach them to the headband. Another cup can be heated in the microwave to give users a little warmth, which is a good idea when you have a sinus infection or sinus problems.

Whether you want to take a little nap during the day and don’t want to shut all the blinds, or whether you feel blackness will help with your sleep at night, it is worth trying this mask. 

The Manta is foldable and comes with its own carry bag so users can take it wherever they go. 

If you’re not used to a sleep mask, it might take a few nights to adjust so be patient.

Sleep is one of the best things you can do for your health. 

Check out the website for the different masks. They have several options. There is one for kids and believe it or not, one that connects via Bluetooth so users can listen to soft music or whatever while still staying in the dark. They also have additional eye cups.

Note – Manta sent me a mask to test for an honest review. I found it comfortable and easy to wear as well as helpful when I needed darkness to sleep. It is truly a unique design that has a purpose and can help users get a good sleep any time of day. I like the fact that when I turn over at night the eye cups stay adjusted to where I put them and do not cause any uncomfortableness.

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.

‘A Moving Romance’ on UP Faith and Family

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

With a variety of movies on UP Faith and Family, as well as too many to count, it’s fun to discover a film that is a few years old. The 2017 movie A Moving Romance is an entertaining story and even though it has the word “romance” in the title, that aspect does not come into the film until the end.

Olivia Wilson (Ambyr Childers) is a New York designer without any spark to her designs. For that reason she is fired. Oh well. So much for big dreams. Olivia heads back to California for her father’s big party for the family’s company’s 25th anniversary. With her mother begin gone for several years, the Wilson Moving company has been steered by her father Neil (Jim O’Heir) and his team: Scott (Keegan Allen). Pete (Walter Perez), and Robert (Blake Hood). The three have been a part of the business for a long time and consider themselves part of the family.

While home, Olivia takes over the Wilson Moving company when her dad goes on vacation. She reorganizes everything to the chagrin of the staff.

With the Acme moving company trying to take over the business for the entire area, they make an offer too good to refuse, however both Neil and Olivia do refuse their many offers. It has been a family company for 25 years and that is what it is going to stay!

With Acme running big sales to new customers, soon the Wilson Moving company is losing all its appointments. But Olivia uses her old skills to add something new to the business. Wilson Movers soon adds decorating to their offerings and in no time the customers are returning. Being able to not only move clients into a new house or apartment, but making it their new “home” is the key to keeping the company.

With her portfolio now including all the designs Wilson Movers incorporates, Olivia soon returns to her old job in New York, leaving the company, the team, and her father back in California. 

Now for the romance, as stated in the beginning, it does come. Olivia had encouraged Scott to follow his dreams and he does just that – all the way to the Big Apple, and Olivia. 

There you have it. This is an entertaining little movie perfect for a night when you don’t have anything special to do. It might just move you, pun intended??

A Moving Romance is rated TV-PG. It’s available to stream at your convenience 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 Faith and Family

‘Savoring Paris’ is a delight

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Take off on a fun adventure to the City of Lights when Hallmark Channel premieres Savoring Paris starring Bethany Joy Lenz, Stanley Weber, and Ben Wiggins. As part of the Passport to Love programming event on the channel, this film was shot on location in Paris.

When Ella (Lenz) realizes she is not happy at her job and needs a break, she returns to Paris to hopefully find herself. Why Paris? Because when she was there years ago it was the happiest she had ever been. So why not recover some of that happiness and joy.

Ella immediately sublets part of an apartment from Clotilde (Manon Azem), a woman who becomes her greatest ally in the city. On her first day she knows she must buy some of her favorite cheese and meets Serge (Weber), the owner of the local cheese shop, the Fromagerie,  who thinks she is only an American who loves Cheddar. But Ella surprises him when she talks about all different kinds of cheeses and yes, how Cheddar is good on chili cheese dogs. But her interest in cheese is something new to Serge.

Meanwhile, Ella meets Clotilde’s cousin Gaston (Wiggins) who has a reputation of being a cad. It doesn’t matter to her. She just wants to have new experiences and enjoy her time in Paris. She changes her wardrobe to reflect her new surroundings, and some of her outfits are absolutely adorable. (Where can I buy them here in America?)

She decides to try five different cheeses each day, and to help her with her cheese purchases, Ella takes a part time internship at the Fromagerie helping Serge. They have an unlikely friendship that might lead to more, if Ella opens up her heart.

As she is dating Gaston, her attitudes change and she rediscovers the fun-loving and exciting woman she once was. Is it Paris or is it love? Are they mutually exclusive? 

When her mother (Lucy Newman-Wiliams) comes to see how her daughter is getting along on her own in Paris, the two enjoy all that the city has to offer. And her mother sees how her daughter is happy, fulfilled, and has many friends. But this is only a brief time off from her “normal” life, isn’t it? Mom reminds her she must return to her old life and responsibilities. Or must she?

There’s a magic to Paris that envelops Ella. She encourages Serge to expand his shop and open a wine-tasting salon next to his Fromagerie, an idea he initially discards. However, her enthusiasm and his attraction to her win out.

This is an entertaining escape for viewers with a truly enjoyable main character by the name of Ella. Grab some cheese (not the processed kind), a glass of wine, put your feet up and take off for an adventure in Paris, no passport needed. Say “bonjour” to the City of Lights.

Savoring Paris premieres Saturday, June 8, 2024 on Hallmark 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.

Bring home ‘The First Omen’ – IF you dare!

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

In 1976 Gregory Peck and Lee Remick starred in the horror film The Omen. This new film, The First Omen, is a prequel to that movie. Arkasha Stevenson directed (and co-wrote) this film starring Nell Tiger Free, Ralph Ineson, Bill Nighy, and Sonia Bragg.

When a young American woman goes to Rome to start her new life in the church, she gets more than she bargained for. What she discovers is truly evil.

Horror fans will most likely enjoy this prequel, however if you are not a fan of these kinds of stories, it’s best to stay away as this has some frightening scenes.

There are some interesting bonus features that come along with the film. “The Director’s Vision” looks at how Arkasha Stevenson’s concept and vision of the story took it from the page to the screen. As she says, she loves horror movies, even as a child. 

“The Mystery of Margaret” is another bonus about the central character played by Nell Tiger Free. As Nighy says, she is a sweet, shy, and nervous young girl with a “destabilized sense of self.” 

And the final bonus, “Signs of the First Omen” look at how the film “can stand on its own” even though it is a prequel, meaning viewers do not have to have seen the original to understand this story. The movie was shot in Rome and as they say in the featurette, it has the same feel as the original film of the 70s. Rome is described as a beautiful museum and the perfect location for this story.

The First Omen is available now on Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu and Hulu and will be available on Blu-ray and DVD beginning July 30, 2024.

The movie is rated R for violent content, grisly/disturbing images, and brief graphic nudity. It’s not for kids or the faint of heart, like myself, but those who enjoy psychological horror thrillers will most likely enjoy this new film.

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.
*Bonus features may vary by product and retailer.

 

Sneak peek at ‘Camp Snoopy’ on Apple TV+

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

After discovering their troop is in danger of disbanding, Snoopy and the Beagle Scouts set off to immerse themselves in nature and the Great Outdoors to earn their badges, with the Beagle Scout Manual as their guide. Meanwhile, Charlie Brown and friends enjoy their summer at Camp Spring Lake, crossing paths with Snoopy as they experience hiking, swimming, sitting around campfires and everything summer camp and the outdoors have to offer.

Camp Snoopy with Snoopy and the Peanuts gang premieres June 14, 2024 on Apple TV+.

Sneak peek at Disney+ and Disney Channel’s ‘Descendants: Rise of Red’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

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.

Guru Nanda Advanced Cordless Water Flosser – Product Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

We all know that brushing and flossing our teeth is important for both oral and general health. Water flossers  have 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.