Author: Francine Brokaw

‘The Caine Mutiny Court-Marshal’ – same story, new cast

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

In 1954 The Caine Mutiny captured the imagination of viewers as Humphrey Bogart starred as the commander of the USS Caine who was, to be simplistic about it, a little off balance. The story of the Court-Marshall was redone on film in 1958 and 1988, and now this latest version stars Kiefer Sutherland as Commander Queeg with Jason Clarke as Greenwald, the defender of the Caine’s Executive Officer Maryk, played by Jake Lacy. The entire show takes place in the courtroom as Maryk and Greenwald attempt to show how unstable Queeg’s actions have been over a period of time and how Maryk felt it was imperative for the safety of the ship and the crew to relieve Queeg of his command during a violent storm.

The stakes are high. If Queeg is victorious in proving he is stable and his actions were just, his record will still indicate this incident and if Maryk is proven unjustified in his actions then he will spend time in jail. No one is happy about what happened however what is more important – the reputation of a veteran Naval Commander or the safety of a Navy ship and its crew?

While one after another take the witness stand, the stories come out. Professionals in the medical field do not believe Queeg is unstable, however Maryk’s crewmates relay story after story about some inconsistencies in the Commander’s behavior over the time they spent on board the Caine.

It is evident Maryk was hesitant to take the action he did, yet he is also adamant that he did the correct thing by relieving Queeg of his command. The prosecutor, played by Monica Raymund, tries to rip apart any gains made by Maryk’s team. She is defending the actions of a decorated naval commander.

This story has been played out many times on film and stage, yet it is always interesting to watch – especially the comments about “the strawberries” made famous by Bogart, as well as his playing with the steel balls in his hand. These are classic scenes that are never dull as time and time again viewers are treated to the unraveling of Queeg who earnestly believes his words and deeds are of importance.

The Caine Mutiny Court-Marshall is available on digital October 24, 2023.

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. Follow her on Twitter.

Celebrate ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ on 4K Ultra HD

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


The first ever animated full-length feature movie, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, started a whole new genre of movies. While it was being produced it was dubbed “Disney’s Folly” because people thought it would be a dud. But they were surprised. The film was loved by young and old and won the hearts of moviegoers around the world. It is now a top classic film among both general and animated movies. To celebrate Disney’s 100th anniversary there is an “Ultimate Collector’s Edition” consisting of two discs: a 4K Ultra HD disc and a Blu-ray disc along with a Digital Code.

4K Ultra HD makes everything sharper than a regular HD version. The colors are brighter and the movie looks like it was just created. Everything is crisp and colorful, and to add to that is the enchanting tale of the little princess who stole the hearts of viewers and that of the prince.

The whole story  (spoiler alert for anyone who has not seen this movie)

Snow White was a sweet young girl filled with kindness and beauty. Her looks made the queen jealous and finally this evil woman ordered the huntsman to take the princess out into the woods and kill her. He couldn’t do that to the sweet princess so he told her to run and hide and never return or the queen would kill her.

Poor little Snow White was scared, alone, and confused. Then all the animals of the forest took pity on her and befriended her. Leading her to the cottage of the seven dwarfs, it was there the princess too refuge and although they originally gave her a hard time, all seven of the dwarfs – Grumpy included – grew to love this girl.

When the evil queen disguised herself as an old woman and gave the princess a poison apple, everyone thought Snow White was dead. But loving her so much the dwarfs could not bring themselves to bury her so they fashioned a glass coffin for a resting place for this young princess. 

The queen died but the antidote for the poison spell did not. Having met the prince once before when she was living in her castle, they fell instantly in love but. So when he rediscovered her lying in the glass coffin, he was in grief yet kissed her sweet lips. That broke the spell (love’s first kiss) and Snow White awoke. She left with the prince and as they say, they lived happily ever after. 

Bonus Features

This new edition is filled with plenty of additional features.There is a fun look at the company during the creation of the film. From everything that is shown, it looks like it was the greatest place to work. Everyone had fun and it did not matter if someone worked in his/her office, on the grass, or wherever. Just having a good time while getting the job done was what was important. 

Another feature looks at the story itself. And yet another bonus gives viewers seven facts about the story. By, the way, can you name the seven dwarfs? hint: Doc, Happy, Sneezy, Bashful, Grumpy, Sleepy, and Dopey. (That often came up during The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson – for those of us old enough to remember those good old days).

A storyboard sequence where the prince and princess meet and a wonderful feature about creating the very first Disney Princess are also included. Yes, Snow White was the first of a long and continuing line of Disney Princesses who have taken the world by storm with their many adventures.

Ultimate Collector’s Edition

This animated feature is a true classic that can be viewed over and over again. It is filled with memorable songs including, “I’m Wishing,” “Some Day my Prince Will Come,” “Whistle While You Work,” “Heigh Ho,” “The Silly Song,” “With a Smile and a Song,” and more. 

Wonderful songs, a charming tale, spectacular restoration in 4K Ultra HD, and more make this a must-have.  

Note: for viewers who wish to watch the movie on Apple TV using MoviesAnywhere via the Digital Code that comes in the set, there have been a few issues, however to resolve them simply alter the Apple TV Video Format setting from 4K SDR to 4K Dolby Vision (HD). That should solve any issues.

So, once upon a time there was a sweet, lovable, and beautiful princess who happened to meet a sweet prince. They fell in love at first sight. Then after some harrowing experiences plus some love from a lot of animals and seven delightful dwarfs, the prince once again saw his true love and the two of them lived happily ever after. 

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is rated G.

 


(This trailer is not from the new 4K Ultra HD restoration)

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. Follow her on Twitter.

‘The Canterville Ghost’ – an animated fun film for all

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

When Oscar Wilde penned his now-classic story of “The Canterville Ghost” he probably never imagined it would be produced as an adorable animated feature for the entire family. This newest version is absolutely adorable with fun characters playing out the classic storyline.

It is truly a delightful animated movie based on the classic tale. 

Sir Simon de Canterville has been haunting his family home for 300 years, making everyone who moved in go absolutely mad with fear. But he never counted on the American Otis family moving in. They don’t scare easily. As a matter of fact, they don’t scare at all. Simon is no match for the parents, along with their teenage daughter Virginia and their two young sons who happen to cause chaos wherever they go. 

There are plenty of fun antics throughout the story as the two boys do their best to make things crazy around the house. And Virginia falls in love with the Duke of Cheshire, to her social-climbing mother’s delight. England never knew a family quite like this before.

The country home of Canterville Chase is being updated by Hiram Otis to include electricity. Yes, electricity will change everything in this dark house. After all, it is the beginning of the 20th century so as far as Hiram is concerned, this old mansion deserves some sprucing up, ghost or no ghost.

But exactly why is Sir Simon de Canterville still lingering on the property? Why has he not ascended, or gone to wherever people go when they leave their mortal bodies? That question is answered in the story and with the help of Virginia, Sir Simon finally learns how to love once again and not “haunt” the mortals. He is (Spoiler Alert) finally reunited with his long-departed wife and the evil that has haunted the house and its gardens is finally vanquished. And all it took was a brave young American girl.

This is a fun family film with cute animated characters. It is filled with some entertaining antics and is the classic tale turned into a fun animated adventure for the whole family.

The original story by Oscar Wilde was published in 1887. According to Directors Kim Burdon and Robert Chandler,
“The Canterville Ghost is a comedy of manners, a clash of cultures, a tale of redemption and love, but most of all it is a witty romp filled with humor and laughter …. with a perfect happy ending. One of our great writers of children’s fiction has created a magical story about a family invading the space and life of a grand old house … a house whose occupant just happens to be a ghost. With this fairytale, we are making the leap into animation, benefitting from all the visual and storytelling possibilities that only animation can bring to such a story.” 

With twists and turns throughout, this film is a fun new addition to Halloween viewing.

Voicing the characters are Stephen Fry (Sir Simon de Canterville), Hugh Laurie (Grim Reaper aka the Gardener), Freddie Highmore (The Duke Henry Cheshire), Emily Carey (Virginia Otis), David Harewood (Hiram Otis), and Meera Syal (Lucretia Otis).

The Canterville Ghost opens in theaters October 20, 2023. It is rated PG by the MPA for thematic elements, peril, and some violence.

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. Follow her on Twitter.

‘Lessons in Chemistry’ takes you on an unflinching journey of an accidental feminist

Posted on by Francine Brokaw
Based on Bonnie Garmus’ best-selling novel, Apple TV+ limited series Lessons in Chemistry follows Elizabeth Zott (Brie Larson) whose education and career are derailed in an era that imposed women to dim their light to make others comfortable and follow the wife-and-mother path. The pervasively unfair system — gross gender inequities including sexual predation — places Elizabeth “making excellent coffee for mediocre chemists” as a lab technician (slightly above secretaries) at Hastings Research Institute teemed with sexists, misogynists, bullies, and dopes.

Despite a rough start and their polar opposite temperament and quirks, Dr. Calvin Evans (Lewis Pullman), a world-renown scientist on whose coattails Hastings Institute rides, finds Elizabeth quite captivating. Once Calvin figures out what ticks Elizabeth and vice versa, the two ‘peculiar’ peas in a pod become not only lab/research partners but also life partners; they find a home they’ve never had in each other.

By a series of unfortunate circumstances, however, Elizabeth is left having to come to terms with unfinished research project as well as being unceremoniously fired from the lab due to an out-of-wedlock pregnancy. She is forced to make a sharp course correction — unimaginable to her tunnel-visioned quest for the goal, mind you — in order to survive her single motherhood.

After much trial and error, she stumbles upon such uncharted territory for any scientists who don’t watch TV. She morphs into a host of Supper at Six, a live TV cooking show with a twist. After all, the art of cooking itself is chemistry. Elizabeth uses her newfound celebrity status to challenge America’s homemakers bored silly by never-ending and mind-numbing duties and obligations imposed by the 1950s societal norms; You don’t have to choose between professional realization and personal fulfillment. Who knows what women can be when you are finally free to become yourselves? In other words, the chemist wannabe, so far ahead of the curve, models the idea of a modern, fiercely independent woman thriving against all odds.

I’m no brilliant scientist, but definitely a brain drain from Japan, the eternal Mad Men land, in search of greater independence, agency, and opportunities. My mother’s unhappy marriage informed me of the significance of being independent and self-reliant if I want to live my passion untethered. Although several decades and worlds apart, Elizabeth’s and my experiences of being treated as second-class citizens motivated us to fight back; it’s a matter of personal ambition and also a question of necessity, of persistence of a dream.

That’s why I’m a little miffed by the fanciful ending utterly out of left field. The natural genius à la Sheldon Cooper (The Big Bang Theory) — superior even to the world-renown scientist Dr. Calvin Evans — would not let go of her dream so easily, would she? Or did Elizabeth realize that her lack of political savvy and social skills doubtless ruffle a few feathers no matter where she works? Maybe her unwed motherhood and chosen family softened her stereotypical autistic traits; inflexibility, hyper-focused and detail-oriented personality. Whatever the reason might be, what Elizabeth fought for should not be in vain. Let it be a powerful but infuriating reminder of what our foremothers had to endure while America is sliding backward as far as preserving and protecting the fundamental rights of marginalized groups.

The first two episodes of Lessons in Chemistry premiere on Apple TV+ on Wednesday, October 13, 2023 followed by a new episode every Wednesdays until November 24, 2023.

About the Author

Meg Mimura is a TV critic who actually watches shows zealously in search of thought-provoking and paradigm shifting human drama worth our precious time. She is a member of Television Critics Association. Follow her on Twitter.

image curtesy Apple TV+

Disneyland offers special kids prices for a limited time

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

If you thought it would never happen, boy were you wrong. Disneyland Resort has discounted tickets for kids ages 3-9. For as low as $50 per child per day, this special kids’ ticket offer will definitely help parents during this run-up to the holidays when it’s time to keep expenses low to save for special holiday gifts. But this offer is limited for use between January 8 to March 10, 2024 and there are NO blockout dates. The tickets are subject to park reservations, however.

There will be 1, 2, or 3 Day Park tickets available.

Guests are able to purchase these special child discounted tickets beginning October 24, 2023, and they make a great holiday gift (leaving a little spare change in your wallet for all the goodies to purchase while in the parks.)

This is the time to plan your Disneyland Resort visit.

Now it’s a little less expensive for families to head to The Happiest Place on Earth.

 
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. Follow her on Twitter.

Bring Home ‘Haunted Mansion’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


When Disneyland opened the attractions were based on their films. Now we have films based on popular attractions – The Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion. The latter is the newest version of the story and this one is closer to the actual attraction than the 2003 film. In Disney’s Haunted Mansion (2023) recognizable ghosts, furniture, wall paper, paintings, and more bring viewers into the actual attraction they know and love in the parks.

This is the story of Gabby and her son Travis (Rosario Dawson and Chase Dillon) who move into a dilapidated mansion not far from New Orleans. They quickly discover it is haunted. Yes, the ghosts we know from Disneyland are living in the mansion, albeit not so friendly. 

First Gabby enlists the help of Father Kent (Owen Wilson) to exorcise the spirits. That doesn’t work so they get Ben Matthias (LaKeith Stanfield), a former physicist to help. They put together a “dream team” including historian Bruce Davis (Danny DeVito) and medium Harriet (Tiffany Haddish) to work together to find out why the ghosts are there and how to get them out. The house originally belonged to William Gracey (J.R. Adduci) whose spirit leads them to Madame Leota (Jamie Lee Curtis). 

So, what ghosts are living there? There is the bride, the hatchet ghost, the mariner ghost, and others we see when riding through the mansion in Disneyland. These ghosts are not the happy ones we know and love. No, on the contrary they are evil. Some evil spirit has taken over  and the entire mansion is possessed by wickedness. The task at hand is to find out who is the culprit and how to dispose of him once and for all.  

With non-stop action between the ghosts and the humans, there are plenty of scenes reminiscent of the theme park attraction. What viewers want, as well as those living in the mansion, is for the fun of what we all experience to return to this haunted house. And, Spoiler Alert, at the end we are treated to the fun and merriment of the dancing ghosts we all know and see in the mansion attraction. 

Haunted Mansion is now streaming on Disney+ and is available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD beginning October 17, 2023.

A number of bonus features add to the story including a “making of” featurette where viewers see how the spirits were created. There is a featurette about the 999 Happy Haunts inside the Disney Parks attraction, where there is always room for one more. Check out the Easter eggs (don’t forget the wallpaper) that appear in both the attraction and this film. Plenty of deleted scenes and a cute gag reel make up the remainder of the bonus features.

The film itself has not garnered a lot of positive reviews by reviewers, however fans of the actual attraction have enjoyed seeing the story and the house play out on screen. Happy Halloween!

Disney’s Haunted Mansion is rated PG-13 for some thematic elements and scary action.

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. Follow her on Twitter.

‘Swing Into Romance’ on GAF

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Danica McKellar is joined by David Haydn-Jones in this new romantic tale of life, love, and family. Coming from Great American Family, you know it’s going to be a warm and fuzzy film, and with McKellar you also know there will be plenty of sweet scenes. Swing Into Romance takes viewers from a country farm to a dancing competition where everything is at stake – including not only the farm but also the lives of two of the competitors, namely Christine Sims (McKellar).

Eight years ago Christine and her Russian dance partner/fiancé were at the top of their game. Going for their third championship just didn’t work out so when things fell apart in their final dancing competition, it also fell apart for their engagement. They went their separate ways and Christine went back to college to complete her business degree. Now, before beginning her new job – with a corner office – in Seattle, Christine decides to take a few weeks off and visit her home town, reacquaint herself with old friends, and help her parents in their general store. When she discovers they might lose the store due to financial difficulties, she begrudgingly dusts off her dancing shoes to attempt to win the competition and the prize money which would save the family store.

So, who will be her dance partner? Will it be her old fiancé with whom she has a past and a great dancing relationship or will it be her new “friend” Matthew, who just happens to have volunteered for the job. The prize money is on the line but even if they lose, between Matthew’s CPA and Christine’s MBA, they’re sure to find a solution to save the general store and her family’s farm.

McKellar is adorable and fun to watch as she struts her stuff on the dance floor. Just watching her graceful moves and especially her big, energetic smile is enough to put a swing into your own hearts and minds. It is a fun little story of losing something important in one’s life, starting fresh, rediscovering an enjoyment that was lost a long time ago, and also discovering a brand new love. Well, what do you expect from a GAC film –  a nice story with an enjoyable cast, and possibly a little toe-tapping along the way.  Plus, the fact that McKellar was a contestant on Dancing with the Stars adds to her professional dance moves on the dance floor. Also, professional dancer Gleb Savchenko, plays Sims’ ex-dancing partner and former fiancé.

Swing Into Romance premieres October 7, 2023 on Great American Family, TV’s fastest growing network for 11 straight months.

 

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. Follow her on Twitter.

‘A Harvest Homecoming’ premieres on GAF

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The new fall drama movie, A Harvest Homecoming, is filled with family antics as Drew Granger and his sister Della (Trevor Donavan and Sarah Fisher) come back to their childhood home in Chestnut Hollow for different reasons. When they get there they learn their parents are planning on expanding their orchard and mill instead of retiring. This is news to the siblings.

Drew has come back for a two-week temporary job substituting at the local school, and Della has come home because she is undecided about her future. Drew figures he will spend some time with his family, work the two weeks, then leave for greener pastures. What he doesn’t plan on is Lainie (Jessica Lowndes), the woman his parents just hired to help expand their family business. 

Drew and Lainie get off to a rocky start, but with her son Aiden in Drew’s class, they see more of each other than they originally planned. Plus, Drew befriends the lad who has just moved to town and doesn’t know anyone. Drew and Aiden become pals, and at the same time the relationship between Drew and Lainie takes on a new dimension. This was not in Drew’s plan. He was not supposed to fall in love. He had a strict roadmap for his life and she was definitely not part of it.

So, what is a guy to do? Follow his dreams or his heart? Or will they merge and become one?

Well, this being a wholesome family story on GAF, we all know what the outcome will be. After all, that is why we turn into this network, for wholesome, family entertainment. But the way their relationship grows has some cute aspects. And while the family business is expanding, both siblings feel more comfortable with their parents’ decision.

Both Lowndes and Donovan are also executive producers on the film. And, quite frankly, their pairing on screen is perfect. They make an attractive couple whose cuteness is matched by their own desires to do what is best for their families. After all, Lainie comes with Aiden. It’s a two-fer situation.

This is a sweet little film for the fall season. Every set is decked out in fall colors with plenty of leaves decorating the walls and everywhere. (I defy anyone to try to guess how many orange leaves the set decorators used in the making of this film.) Plus the fall scenery with all the fall colors makes a great backdrop for this story of leaving the old dreams behind and making new ones.

A Harvest Homecoming premieres Saturday, September 30, 2023 on GAF. It is a good way to bring in the fall season. 

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. Follow her on Twitter.

‘Sullivan’s Crossing’ drama comes to The CW

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The CW’s newest drama, Sullivan’s Crossing, is filled with family intrigue when Maggie Sullivan (Morgan Kohan) returns to her childhood home after 15 years. Thomas Wolfe proclaimed, “You can’t go home again,” but can you? 

After some issues with her career in Boston, neurosurgeon Maggie Sullivan decides to take a break from the hectic life and go home to Sullivan’s Crossing in Nova Scotia. Her childhood home seems like a nice retreat from the stress of her life in the big city. And it is a retreat – literally. Her father Harry ‘Sully’ Sullivan (Scott Patterson) owns a retreat in the mountains by a lake where his summer business brings back regulars year after year. Maggie remembers the solitude and enjoyment she had growing up there until her parents divorced and her mother took her away to Boston.

Reuniting with her old buddy Lindura (Sydney Shannon), Maggie slowly unwinds and enjoys the easy-going life at Sullivan’s Crossing. Helping her regain her old spirit are Lindura’s brother Rob (Reid Price) who runs the local diner, Edna and Frank Cranebear (Andrea Menard and Tom Jackson), longtime friends of the family and two people who provide insight and comfort to Maggie, and newcomer Cal Jones (Chad Michael Murray) who does all kinds of jobs around the retreat. 

Cal is a bit of a mystery to not only Maggie but the entire community. He is a nice guy but is he hiding a secret?

This drama is filled with interesting characters and interesting character relations. As Maggie tries to put her medical career back together after it was shattered, she also tries to figure out her relationship with her long-time long-distance boyfriend Andrew (Allan Hawco) and her new friendship with Cal. Old memories from childhood creep into her life. What does her future hold? Stay tuned as the season progresses and viewers discover all kinds of tidbits each week.

Kohan will be familiar to viewers for her role as Lillian Walsh in the Hallmark Channel drama When Hope Calls. And Chad Michael Murray has a long list of credits to his career, not least of which is One Tree Hill (2003-2012), Dawson’s Creek, and a slew of films both on the small and large screens.

Sullivan’s Crossing is a nice addition to the lineup of dramas on TV. It premieres on The CW October 4, 2023. The series is rated TV-PG.

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. Follow her on Twitter.

Bring home ‘Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken’ – a mother/daughter adventure

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

From DreamWorks and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment comes the delightful animated mother/daughter film Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken. Featuring the voice talents of Lana Condor as Ruby, Toni Collette as her mother Agatha, and Jane Fonda as her “grandmamah,” this Collector’s Edition Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Code is filled with a fun story as well as plenty of bonus material.

So, what, you might be wondering, is a Kraken? It’s a long story. Kraken’s have been protectors of the sea but have a reputation among humans as being monsters. Ruby’s parents moved to the town of Oceanside to live their lives on land and raise Ruby and her brother among the humans. Even though they are blue, they have blended in with the town, just telling everyone they are from Canada. Yep, that explanation is enough to satisfy the people of Oceanside. Everything was fine until Ruby accidentally went into the water, which was forbidden by her parents.

The ocean made her into a giant Kraken, and once she was back to her normal size, Ruby learned the truth about her family. Her grandmother, aka grandmamah, is the Queen Kraken and Ruby is royalty. Contrary to human beliefs, Krakens are the good guys and mermaids are the evil ones. 

Ruby made friends with a mermaid who told her a lie about why the mermaids and Krakens were at war and together they hatched a plan to set everything straight and bring peace to the inhabitants of the seas. 

Well, things didn’t go according to plan, although Ruby’s intentions were good. The war escalated leaving it up to Ruby, her mother, and grandmother to work together to fight the evil mermaid queen.

So, while Ruby is stressing about going to the school prom and asking a boy to be her date, she is confronted with a bigger problem. She now has to be the savior of the land and sea – along with her family. Teenagers have a lot to deal with, and now Ruby has the added problem of coming out as a Kraken. 

This is a magical story filled with teen angst but at the core is a story of mothers and daughters. Ruby’s mother and grandmother had their own issues as did Ruby and her mother once she learned about her heritage. But blood is thicker than water, no pun intended, and family bonds are the strongest bonds. 

There are some fun bonus features including a look at the human cast who voiced the characters, a look at some real prom stories from the cast, and a feature all about the “mythical beasts” of the sea. There are instructions for creating your own aquarium and how to draw the characters. Deleted scenes and trailers make up there remaining bonus features.

All in all, this is a fun story filled with magic, mystery, and mothers! 

Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken is rated PG for some action, rude humor, and thematic elements. Dive deep into the sea with Ruby Gillman in this animated family adventure.

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. Follow her on Twitter.