Author: Francine Brokaw

Stream ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

There is no doubt Avatar: The Way of Water is magical. James Cameron once again brings a spectacular experience to audiences around the world. Another trip to Pandora is well worth the three plus hours. And, let’s not forget about the bonus features that delve behind the scenes and show the making of this beautiful film. Watching the actors “perform” under water then seeing the actual CGI versions is amazing.

So, what’s the story with this beautiful sequel? Jake Sully, Neytiri, and their kids are enjoying a peaceful life in the forest. But when the “sky people” return with the mission to kill Jake, things go from idyllic to dangerous.  To keep his family safe Jake takes them to the reef people where they are welcomed (after a brief period of getting used to the people and their ways) and once again they begin to enjoy their lives together. Living in and around the water with all the sea creatures is a new experience for them but it is welcomed since they are safe…for the time being.

They are soon discovered by the evil humans and must once again fight for their survival. These scenes are not for the faint of heart. And yes, there are some deaths among the “good” people, so keep that in mind when showing this to young viewers who might be upset by this aspect of the story. 

The CGI scenes are magnificent, however, and the bioluminescence is nothing less than magical. As a matter of fact, this film has awoken a desire for me and my family to return to Walt Disney World in Florida to walk through Pandora. It might be a small recreation but it is a memorable experience.

As for the film, it does live up to all the hype. As far as sequels go, this is one of the best that has been produced in a long time.

The small Na’vis are adorable, especially when they are babies. And Jake and Neytiri’s youngest daughter Tuk is so cute to watch. 

This is an enjoyable, albeit long, movie. The two main deaths make it heartbreaking, however. Avatar: The Way of Water is rated PG-13 for sequences of strong violence and intense action, partial nudity, and some strong language.

Fans can now add the film to their digital movie collection in spectacular 4K Ultra HD™ quality and immersive Dolby Atmos audio. Plus, they can enjoy over three hours of never-before-seen bonus content featuring the filmmakers, cast and crew. ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ is available exclusively to purchase on Digital now.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 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.

COURTESY PHOTO

Delve into the history of Diana’s friend Dodi Fayed in a new documentary

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Diana and Dodi: The Princess and the Playboy is a new documentary streaming on True Royalty TV. It looks at the life and personality of Dodi Fayed, the escort of Diana, Princess of Wales, who died in the car accident with the princess in that fateful Paris tunnel. With interviews from Diana’s friends as well as Dodi’s friends and associates, this is a unique look at the man who garnered attention by “dating” Diana during the last months of her life.

The documentary includes contesting views about the romance between the two famous people. Many of Dodi’s friends say he was going to propose to Diana the night they died. However, Diana’s friends say she told them she was not going to marry Dodi and was not interested in getting married at that time anyway.

It also comes out in the film that Dodi happened to be dating two other women at the same time he was seeing Diana. We all know of the omodel who filed a lawsuit against him. Kelly Fisher claimed he had proposed to her and showed the press the engagement ring. Another woman finally broke her silence and admitted to being Dodi’s girlfriend and breaking up with him just prior to his famous courtship with Diana. She couldn’t take all the lies he was telling her.

So, as it looks, Dodi Fayed was definitely a playboy who loved the limelight, drugs, women, and fame. Was he marriage material for Diana? It doesn’t look that way. What might have transpired in the future we will never know. At this point, it is interesting to see how this man was “set up” with Diana, needed to please his father, and conducted his life prior to his final famous summer.

Diana and Dodi: The Princess and the Playboy streams on True Royalty TV.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 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 Company You Keep – A full circle moment for Milo Ventimiglia with his return to another lustworthy “good bad boy”

Posted on by Francine Brokaw
It’s probably sacrilegious to say it’s about time Milo Ventimiglia shed the picture-perfect This is Us patriarch Jack Pearson, but my dream is about to come true! Ventimiglia returns to ABC as a grown-up version of Gilmore Girls “good bad boy” Jess Mariano (remember Rory’s short-lived best boyfriend?).

Based on a Korean drama My Fellow Citizens!, The Company You Keep explores an intricate dance of intimacy and trust between a con man and an undercover CIA agent. Lust at first sight? Sure, we all crave intimacy and connection, but their ‘love at first lie’ could turn into a deadly game of cat and mouse sooner or later.

Charlie Nicoletti (Milo Ventimiglia) is dashing, self-confident and flirtatious. Emma Hill (Catherine Haena Kim) is attractive, smart and sassy. Recent victims of partner betrayal trauma, neither Charlie nor Emma is about to fall in love. With their self-esteem shaken to the core, they pussyfoot around and timidly embark on an intricate dance of intimacy and commitment.

Although they inadvertently blurt out the truth that he’s a criminal while she’s CIA early in their chance meeting, they brush it off as a sick joke in the flirtatious banter. But however undeniable their attraction to one another might be, they’re doomed to collide eventually because of what they do for living (or rather how they make money).

Charlie comes from a Baltimore family of grifters who level the playing field by swindling unwitting filthy rich out of their ill-gotten gains. The last high-stakes con job the Nicolettis tried to pull off went awry and his parents can’t afford to retire as planned.

Emma, on the other hand, is the black sheep of a political dynasty considered to be the ‘Asian American Kennedys’; her parents don’t even bother to find out what she’s passionate about. She is a hardheaded pragmatist firmly rooted in the reality hence all aspects of her life neatly compartmentalized and heavily guarded.

From the series title, it’s safe to infer that the two vastly different worlds Charlie and Emma come from define who they are. They grew up to be on opposite sides of the law, but mind you Charlie did not choose his profession; his family of origin groomed him to be a con artist. Romantic at heart and perhaps a little too naive, Charlie wants something different — maybe a normal life — after spending some time with Emma. Broken-hearted and disillusioned, Charlie might end up making life-altering decisions after all. We shall see.

The Company You Keep streams on Hulu.

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.

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‘Paint’ stars Owen Wilson

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The new movie Paint stars Owen Wilson as Carl Nargle, a celebrity painter in Vermont whose PBS show is highly rated. His personality, however, when it comes to women doesn’t rate as high. But his fans adore him and his personality is over inflated due to all the adoration.

Carl’s show instructs the viewers on how to paint landscapes – particularly Mt. Mansfield, one of Vermont’s famous landmarks and its highest peak. While the industry and indeed the world have moved forward, Carl is stuck in the past and in his heyday.

When the station brings in another painter who is younger, peppier, and a woman, Carl’s ego takes a hit.

The film’s director, Brit McAdams, said, “Carl Nargle’s been the biggest thing in Vermont Public Television since his van was cool. And while his jeans still fit, his world view does not. Owen had remarkable success at a young age and he’s aware firsthand of how that can affect people.”

Carl still drives his beat up van, wears his ‘70s style clothing, and is a child of the ‘70s in philosophy and manner. “The thought was that Carl Nargle is trapped in the past like Vermont is in some ways,” says McAdams. “Vermont has stayed very bucolic. We were coming from the perspective that if your jeans fit in 1982, why would you change them? If Carl is still comfortable, why would he change anything? We leaned into the feel of the ’70s, right down to the music.”

The score in this film is a blast from the past with many of the songs that made up the soundtrack of the time. According to McAdams, “I really fought for music that had two characteristics: I hadn’t heard it in other films and it told the story of this character. Like Carl, the music is trapped in the past. Owen and I gravitated towards Gordon Lightfoot in look and feel for Carl, so we included his classic ‘If You Could Read My Mind.’ It’s such a beautiful and haunting song, I couldn’t believe we were able to license it. Carl has some highs and lows along the way, and incredible songs like Heart’s ‘Barracuda’ and Dolly Parton’s ‘Coat of Many Colors’ help tell his tale. Hit songs from a few decades back by Black Oak Arkansas, Steve Forbert, Kris Kristofferson, Jerry Reid, Crow, and Don Williams (among others) set the whole film in a specific time and place.”

Carl might remind audiences of the painter Bob Ross due to his hair and his way of speaking. He speaks in soft tones and brings his viewers into his paintings, like Ross. Viewers might think this film was based on Ross but it really wasn’t. Carl and Bob Ross are two completely different people, however they do look and sound alike! Will audiences enjoy watching Carl as much as they have enjoyed watching Ross? We’ll see. It opens in theaters April 7, 2023.

Paint is rated PG-13 for sexual/suggestive material, drug use, and smoking.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 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.

HOTLOGIC Mini-Wall Plug – Product Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

We’re always on the lookout for convenient products and this HOTLOGIC Mini-Wall Plug definitely fits the bill. While it cannot be used to bake some thick items, it is still a very useful tool, especially for those who work in offices, go to school, or simply want to enjoy a hot meal or snack anywhere they go.

This item is a self-heating, portable soft lunchbox that simply plugs into any U.S. wall plug. Insert a small frozen meal (in the box) and plug the lunchbox into an outlet when you get to the office. By lunchtime the meal will be ready. (usually 40 minutes – 2 hours depending on the item). It might take a bit of learning to figure out exactly how long each item takes to completely cook, but once you figure it out you can always have a warm meal at the office. There’s no need to use a microwave or oven. This does the job right at your desk.

Besides cooking, this is a good tool to warm items. For school kids, this is a great way to kick the cold sandwich habit and give them a warm meal. Instead of a peanut butter or tuna sandwich in their lunch bag, why not make a grilled cheese sandwich and warm it up via this lunchbox? I would have appreciated that when I was in school. Or even a hotdog or fried chicken. This takes bag lunches to a new height. The handle on the unit makes it easy to carry from home to work or school, or wherever.

This lunchbox keeps food warm for up to 12 hours. It’s lightweight and easy to use. With plugs in newer model cars, trucks, and vans, the HOTLOGIC is a great way for truckers to keep their food warm. Or think about taking it on a camping trip or to the beach.

Imagine going to the beach this summer (if summer ever comes) and being able to enjoy some chips with hot guacamole while you sip your beverage of choice and watch the waves. Or even some hot nachos and a cold beverage. And what about tailgate parties or picnics? Everyone will enjoy something hot to eat.

Unlike microwaves, the HOTLOGIC can handle metal, aluminum, plastic, glass, and cardboard containers. Just put your precooked food in the lunchbox and it’s ready to reheat wherever you are, as long as there is a standard outlet. Without any buttons to push, this is handy for most ages.

Included in the package is a Quick Start Guide with all the information about how to use the lunchbox. This guide also has some easy to follow recipes.

The HOTLOGIC has been UL certified. The bag itself is hypoallergenic and uses a mere 45 watts of electricity.

If you want larger sizes, there are several options.

The mini version lists for $49.95 and is available in black, red, pink, and blue. Check the website for all selections.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, travel, and 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. Follow her on Twitter.

 

 

‘The Night Agent’ introduces us to a contemporary knight in shining armor

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Whether based on a true story or a bestseller, there has been a plethora of new espionage thriller series this spring; True Lies reboot, Damian Lewis’ A Spy Among Friends, Kiefer Sutherland’s Rabbit Hole, Richard Madden & Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ Citadel, just to name a few.

The one I’m absolutely head over heels in love with is The Night Agent, based on Matthew Quirk’s bestseller. It’s definitely a high-stakes, nail-biting, action-thriller anybody would be excited about. However, Timeless (NBC 2016 – 18) creator Shawn Ryan added some relationship elements exploring how men and women work together in different workplaces.

Peter Sutherland Jr. (Gabriel Basso) is a low-level FBI agent who is eager to prove himself. When Diane Farr (Hong Chau), the President’s Chief of Staff, takes him under her wing based on the merit of his heroic conduct in the recent Metro bombing in spite of his infamous last name, he is ready to show her what he’s made of.

In the White House basement, Peter works the night shift manning an emergency hotline for night agents in distress; ‘a glorified 911 dispatcher’ is utterly fitting for an underdog. On a fateful night the phone that never rings actually does and all hell breaks loose. Peter’s mundane life of public service instantly turns into a frenetic nightmare. “My orders are to protect you with my life!” vows Peter, when he meets a terrified civilian witness and a sole survivor of a home invasion.

Rose Larkin (Luciane Buchanan), however, is neither a shrinking violet nor a damsel in distress; she is whip-smart, fiercely independent, tough as nails and impressively resourceful. Recently ousted from her own cyber security startup company, Rose has retreated to her aunt and uncle’s house to get some respite. She, too, has to prove herself, but first and foremost she has to survive threats to surrender to government forces and relentless assassination attempts while trying to figure out why her aunt and uncle were brutally murdered.

Coming to Rose’s rescue like a knight in shining armor is what Peter is trained for and expected to do, but the son of the late alleged traitor can’t afford to break the rules. With the help of the swearing, rule-breaking, geeky yet definitely alpha Rose who trusts no one and questions everything, Peter embarks on a desperate hunt for clues and leads for a future catastrophic event to save the country. It’s not necessarily the alpha-beta budding relationship, but Rose calls the shots, hounds Peter for answers, nudges him in the right direction — forget the rules, I’m mad as hell — and encourages him to think outside the box.

Although fighting off bad guys is Peter’s domain, Rose doesn’t hesitate to pitch in and becomes his knight in shining armor from time to time. Peter, surprisingly, is neither threatened nor intimidated by Rose’s strength — her ‘alpha-ness’ — at all. Hmm,  maybe he is too busy trying to figure out the conspiracy unfolding in front of his eyes. Or maybe the younger generation finally realized that a romantic relationship is not a competition. Or the contemporary knight in shining armor only lives in Shawn Ryan’s imagination.

Ryan’s storytelling philosophy of ‘earning a romance’ also brightly shines in The Night Agent. I particularly appreciate the fact that sharing the rush of adrenaline-fueled adventure & misadventure doesn’t instantaneously ignite a spark between Peter and Rose. Slowly but surely (although in a very short span of time) they learn to work together while on the run, lean on each other to survive the ordeal, appreciate each other, and grow together. The slow burn contemporary fairy-tale romance between the button-down Boy Scout who sees the good in people and the unconventional damsel in distress is definitely the best part of Ryan’s latest creation.

The Night Agent is streaming on Netflix.

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.

Courtesy photo

Toontown reopens at Disneyland March 19, 2023

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Toontown has officially reopened at Disneyland after a year of being closed for a complete remodel. This is a colorful, fun, and great place for people of all ages. The decorations and backdrop are amazing and the interactive experiences make this a unique area of the resort.

There are three “attractions” in Toontown.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway opened a few weeks ago and is a favorite among visitors. Guests ride in a trackless train and experience a 360-degree cartoon in which they are immersed. The song in this attraction is as addicting as the “small world” tune. I love it.

Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster is a small coaster that was created with little kids in mind, however adults also get a thrill. It’s not a super fast track and the drops are minimal so most people will be able to enjoy this attraction.

Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin has guests riding in their own taxi as they encounter experiences surrounding their cab. The center wheel allows for guests to spin their car around as they desire.

Also in Toontown are areas for kids to play and explore, slide, and splash. Characters can be found throughout the town and Mickey and Minnie have scheduled times to greet guests in their respective homes. And speaking of homes, guests get to walk through them and see how these two iconic mice live.

 

Café Daisy and Good Boy! Grocers have a variety of food so it’s not necessary to leave Toontown to get something to eat. Guests are encouraged to set up their own picnics in centoonial park with baskets and blankets available to purchase to make a memorable picnic.

And speaking of purchases, EngineEar Souvenirs has some fun items commemorating the town. The remote controlled car is adorable. It looks like the car Mickey and Minnie ride in in the Runaway Railway attraction.

For the first time in it’s history, Pete is available to greet guests. This character has taken a back seat but is now front and center in Toontown.

 

Toontown is located next to it’s a small world, and also has a station on the Disneyland Railroad line that encircles all of Disneyland.

 

Jeff Shaver-Moskowitz, Portfolio Executive Producer at Walt Disney Imagineering, said, “Mickey’s Toontown first opened 30 years ago, so there are generations of Disneyland Resort guests who have grown up with and made magical memories here. Walt Disney Imagineering set out to keep the essence of what makes Mickey’s Toontown special for so many, while evolving it for the coming generations of families who can’t wait to make new memories here.”

The beautiful and enjoyable reimagined Toontown is just one of the new ways in which the company is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

Click on the link below to view a look at Toontown.

 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 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.

‘Maybe I Do’ is an adorable film with an amazing cast

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

We all wake up one day and discover the majority of our life is in the past. We take stock in what we have done and what we want to do with the remaining years. That is what happens in Maybe I Do, a fun film filled with humor, laugh-out-loud moments, and a heartening look at love and marriage.

The star-studded cast consists of Diane Keaton and Richard Gere as Grace and Howard, a long married couple with a daughter, Michelle (Emma Roberts). Susan Sarandon and William H. Macy are Monica and Sam, another long-married couple with a son, Allen (Luke Bracey). Michelle and Allen have been living together for a while and now Michelle wants a lifetime commitment, something Allen is not prepared to offer. He loves her but after seeing the tragedy within his parents’ marriage, he is afraid of making the same mistakes.

Grace and Howard have never met Allen’s parents Monica and Sam. But, and here’s the rub, Grace knows Sam and Howard knows Monica, although their spouses do not know about each other’s relationships. What happens when the young couple introduces their parents to each other’s family?

Macy is perhaps the most adorable character in this story. He’s endearing and wonderful to watch. Gere, although playing a cad, is also fun to watch as his life could unfold with just a word from Monica. His indiscretion could be the end of his marriage to a wonderful woman. Grace is religious and just a bit frustrated with the state of her relationship with Howard. He has not been as attentive as he should be to her, something Sam feels about his wife Monica.

Director Michael Jacobs said, “It is my hope that Maybe I Do balances real moments of comedy with authentic moments of heart. As we take on love vs. marriage and hope one survives the other, giving our audience something to talk about with the people they’ve chosen to love.”

After spending years with a spouse, what is the best course of action for the remaining years of our lives? We have selected the person with whom we wanted to spend our lives yet when those initial emotions fade into an endearing friendship, what are we to do? Howard wants to regain his original lust.

The story shows that although people age, their desire to connect both emotionally and physically with another person does not disappear. Love lasts, as Michelle tries to explain to Allen.

“I found myself laughing out loud as I got to understand these characters,” explained Jacobs, “and their deep frustrations borne of reaching the age of realization that we can count to the years left and we begin to question the best use of them.”

This is truly a delightful movie filled with some really funny scenes, along with a cast that shows the dichotomy of relationships and marriages.

Maybe I Do is rated PG-13 for sexually suggestive material and brief strong language. The film opens in theaters January 27, 2023.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 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.

‘Empire of Light’ is an emotional story

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Empire of Light is a touching drama set in the early 1980s in a small English coastal town. The story revolves around the Empire Theater where the employees interact and form friendships outside of their work. Olivia Colman stars as Hilary, a manager at the theater who has emotional issues and was recently released from a hospital. She seems fine now and is happy with her job. Colin Firth is her boss who fancies her in more ways than just an employee, even though he has a wife. Their affair is common knowledge within the theater but what happens in the theater stays in the theater.

Michael Ward plays Stephen, the new employee, Toby Jones is Norman, the projectionist, and Tom Brooke is Neil, another employee. Hilary takes an interest in Stephen and back in the 1980s their relationship was not highly sanctioned. After all, she is white and he is black. Their friendship, however, helps her mental health issues for a while.

The story deals with plenty of human issues. There is the interracial issue, the anti-black issue, the philandering issue,
the mental health issue, and more. While it is a deep and dark story, there are some lighthearted times. The theater itself is like a home to the employees and in many ways they are a family.

The bonus feature looks at how the film was created and how writer/director Sam Mendes brought out his love of film and music in this movie.

Coleman won an Oscar for her performance in the 2018 movie The Favourite and an Emmy in 2021 for her performance as Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown. Ward was nominated for a BAFTA for his performance in this film. Firth took home an Oscar for his performance in the 2010 film The King’s Speech. The caliber of actors in this film is phenomenal.

Empire of Light is now available on Blu-ray and DVD and digital. The movie is rated R.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 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.

‘Mickey and Minnie’s 10 Classic Shorts’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

2023 marks the 100th anniversary of the Disney Company. It all started with a mouse – Mickey. This new compilation of shorts features Mickey, Minnie, and many of their friends and also shows how they have changed over the years.

Mickey and Minnie are front and center as they introduce the collection, which includes:

Steamboat Willie (1928), the classic tale of Mickey as he works diligently on a boat while at the same time having fun and changing things up a bit.

Brave Little Tailor (1938) has Mickey bragging about how many giants he has killed, but in fact he has not done so. He is recruited by the king to kill the giant and he hopes will win the love of Minnie.

The Little Whirlwind (1941) puts Minnie in the kitchen. What Mickey discovers is that cleaning up is not as much fun as baking.

Mickey’s Delayed Date (1947) Could Mickey miss his date with his beloved Minnie?

On Ice (1935) Mickey and the gang enjoy skating on a frozen river but ice can be slippery, can’t it?

Hawaiian Holiday (1937) A vacation in Hawaii sounds like the ideal place to unwind and chill out. But is it?

A Mouse Takes a Trip (1940) When Mickey and Pluto travel on a train they soon learn dogs are not allowed.

Figaro and Frankie (1947) Minnie’s cat Figaro is being annoyed by the little bird Frankie but will it come to Figaro putting an end to the life of this adorable little bird?

Bath Day (1946) Minnie takes great care of her cat, but even after a bath this fellow has a hard time staying clean.

Thru the Mirror (1936) Mickey’s dreams take him through the looking glass like Alice in Wonderland.

This collection is a fun way to watch the antics and growth of Mickey and the gang. It is available on Blu-ray and DVD and also on digital.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 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.