Author: Francine Brokaw

‘Lyle, Lyle Crocodile’ finds a family

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

This live action show is both heartening and a little bit heartbreaking. It has a sweet ending so parents don’t need to worry about letting their kids watch it. Lyle, Lyle Crocodile stars an adorable but stage shy croc who ultimately finds a family that will love him.

Originally owned from the time he was a tiny, absolutely adorable croc by a show business wannabe named Hector Valenti (Javier Bardem), Lyle was raised in a brownstone in NYC as a show biz partner for this magician/grifter/conman. After all, Lyle can sing! He cannot talk but he can sing. Unfortunately once Valenti gets him in front of an audience – a paying audience – the little guy gets stage fright and they are laughed out of the theater. So Lyle (voiced by Shawn Mendes) is left to raise himself alone in the house while Valenti leaves to find his own stardom.

Enter the Primm family, who just moved to NYC. Young Josh (Winslow Fegley) is a fish out of water in the big city. He’s a depressed and shy boy whose parents (Constance Wu and Scoot McNairy) coddle him. They move into the brownstone vacated by Valenti. Their new downstairs neighbor Mr. Grumps (aptly named) is wary of having a family upstairs. He values quiet and does not take kindly to having a child in the building.

Well, one day Josh discovers Lyle in the attic and they become best friends. Lyle opens up a world to the young boy that he never knew existed, and they share plenty of great times together. But what will happen when his parents learn they have a large singing crocodile living in their attic?

It’s up to Josh and Lyle to prove that this scaly fellow is not dangerous. In fact, he is helpful around the house, a great friend to Josh, and ultimately an important part of their family.

But when Mr. Grumps and Valenti come back into the picture Lyle’s fate is not so rosy. Will the Primms be able to prove that Lyle belongs with them? It’s all up for grabs as this delightful, loving, and musical crocodile endears himself to the entire city.

There are plenty of bonus features on the Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K options, and the movie is also available to stream via Movie  Anywhere. With plenty of music woven through the movie, the film is a fun escape for kids. Obviously there are some bizarre aspects to the film. After all, when is the last time you ran into a singing crocodile? But that aside, it’s a cute little story with the message of love, friendship, and family.

Lyle, Lyle Crocodile is rated PG for mild peril and thematic elements.

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.

‘iMordecai’ brings together two generations

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

It’s nice that Hollywood is focusing more on seniors these days instead of 20-somethings. Judd Hirsh stars as Mordecai, a Holocaust survivor living in Florida with his wife Fela (Carol Kane) and near his son Marvin (Sean Astin) and his family. The two generations are often at odds, with Mordecai being stuck in the past while Marvin is trying his best to push him into the 21st century. He begins with his cell phone.

Mordecai’s old flip phone is still working, on and off, so when Marvin buys him a new iPhone the confusion sets in. Where are the buttons?

Suddenly the old man feels, well, he feels old so he decides to learn about all the new technology. And after awhile he forges friendships with the tech gurus at the store and they help him join the modern world and Mordecai feels young again. He is having fun for the first time in a long time.

In the mean time, Fela is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, which begins to affect her thinking. Fela is jealous of her husband’s new hobby but supports him in his effort to learn new things and get closer to their son.

Marvin’s business is about to fall apart and take his investment and his father’s investment down the drain. But what the son learns is that the father has much to teach him while the son has much to teach his father, although Marvin’s help to his dad is mainly in bringing him into the modern age.

Mordecai’s new friends, “the Einsteins” from the Apple store, enjoy his company and have fun watching him embrace modern technology. Nina (Azia Dinea Hale) takes him under her wings and her friendship with the old man adds spunk to his life. But does Nina have another motive for spending her spare time with Mordecai? While Mordecai’s world opens up, Fela’s world begins to close in, however she still has enough love and intelligence to inspire both her husband and son.

This is a bittersweet story. On one hand it shows that we are never too old to embrace new things and technologies and we do not have to be stuck in the past. We don’t have to feel our age. Seniors are still vital members of society. The human connections between the characters take viewers on a rollercoaster ride of emotions.

iMordecai opens in select theaters February 24, 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.

‘Operation Fortune’ is a fun spy film

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Jason Statham stars in Guy Ritchie’s newest film Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre. This is a combination of The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and James Bond. It’s a fun spy film with a lot of quick banter and plenty of punches along the way.

British Special Agent Orson Fortune (Statham) is tasked with an unusual job for his latest undercover assignment. He puts together a new “team” consisting of tech genius Sarah Fidel (Aubrey Plaza), and J.J. Davies (Bugzy Malone), a tough guy who knows his way around a gun. Their job is to find a stolen high value item and retrieve it. But they have no idea what the item is. All they know is that it is important and conceivably very dangerous.

With their boss (Cary Elwes) back in London, Fortune and his team take off to far off lands to track this item. To help them in this job they recruit a top movie star named Danny Francesco (Josh Hartnett) who has a history of playing smart, tough guys on the silver screen. The problem is that he now has to play himself, something new for him.

They are soon led to billionaire Greg Simmonds (Hugh Grant) who is enchanted with Sarah and is impressed with Danny. After all, Danny is one of the biggest movie stars.

With all their smarts and talents, not to mention their fighting abilities, they manage to save the day and from the time the team is formed until the time when all is well with the world once more, at least for the time being, the story is fun and enjoyable.

Directed and co-written by Guy Ritchie, Operation Fortune is a high-powered story of spies, cons, and international intrigue. Statham is known for playing smart-talking tough guys and his fans love that about him. In this film he will definitely not disappoint them on that regard. He is his usual loveable tough guy and in this case has a lot of idiosyncrasies, which add to his desirability. Yes, he is a top spy but he also has some quirks that make him even more amiable thank usual. And fans of Hugh Grant will also not be disappointed, as he is just as enjoyable as ever.

Operation Fortune is rated R for language and violence. The movie opens March 3, 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.

Keyboards for iPads

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Many people love the convenience of a tablet but the performance of a laptop. It’s nice to be able to use a touch screen but not having a keyboard can be a problem for those who need to write or correspond. So what do you do? If you want the best of both, there is an easy solution. The keyboards from ZAGG offer tablet users a way to set up their iPad to work similarly to a laptop. Of course, keep in mind there are differences between tablets and laptops (no additional ports), however tablets are most like cell phones so if you’re used to working on your phone, perhaps a tablet is for you. And then simply add a keyboard/case.

ZAGG makes two different keyboards for the iPad. They are both QUERTY so it’s easy for users to connect them and get started in a snap (literally). They both stand up without any problems. Plus, and here’s one of my favorite aspects, they are both backlit, so if you’re in a dark or dim location the keys are easy to see. Once you click your tablet into the case, the case can be used as simply a case to protect your tablet or it can easily snap into place on the keyboard.

The difference between the two models is the trackpad. The regular PRO KEYS is simply a keyboard while the PRO KEYS with Trackpad has a convenient trackpad at the bottom of the board. The keyboards and the keys are the same size in both of the models however with the PRO KEYS with Trackpad there is only one slot in which to position the tablet while in the regular PRO KEYS there are two slots.  So if you are used to using a trackpad the PRO KEYS with TRACKPAD will be the way to go. And, if you intend on doing a lot of work like spreadsheets, writing, etc., on your tablet, you’ll find the trackpad is the most convenient and fastest way to work.

The keys feel good to the touch and there are volume keys as well as all the function keys. The only difference between my Apple keyboard keys and my ZAGG keys is the shape. They feel the same but the ZAGG keys are round while the Apple keys are square.

The keyboards connect to the tablet via Bluetooth so pairing the iPad to the keyboard is no big deal. The keyboard charges via a USB C plug, and both models are slim and lightweight.

I love tablets and I love keyboards. I would not have a tablet without a keyboard. ZAGG is a wonderful and reliable company that has been a leader in technology products for years. And yes, I personally have used many of their products without any problems so I can honestly recommend them without hesitation.

So, if you are still on the fence deciding between a laptop and a tablet, adding a keyboard might just sway you in the direction of a tablet. And if you received a tablet for the holiday, adding a keyboard will make it much more functional.

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.

Uber Appliance Digital Air Fryer – 5 QT– Product Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

When Uber Appliance sent me their Air Fryer XL Deluxe 5 QT touch screen programmable air fryer I wasn’t sure what the difference would be between the 3.7 QT they sent last month. Well, this new one is smaller in size but bigger in action.

I have quickly become a fan of air fryers and the Uber is easy to understand, easy to use, and a great addition to my kitchen appliances. As a matter of fact, we have taken to using the air fryer more than any other appliance.

This unit comes with a manual mode if you want to set your own time and temperature. There is also a programmable option to quickly set the unit for specific foods. And don’t worry if you want to pull out the basket during cooking because the unit won’t shut off fully. It allows you to check and/or stir the contents then reinsert the basket. The cooking will continue where it left off. This auto shutoff and auto resume function is handy.

There are liners that can be purchased to make cleanup easy however I have not found a need for those. Cleaning this unit is a breeze with its non-stick surface. Plus, parts are dishwasher safe.

The digital pad on the front is easy to read and with the pre-set functions it is easy to use. Just press and go. That’s so simple even young kids can use it (adult supervision is recommended). Without fire it is safe to keep on the kitchen counter.

This 5 QT capacity unit is perfect for families from 2-5. There is plenty of room in the unit to cook several items at the same time. The thing about air fryers is that they do take a little time to learn exactly what temperature and time you prefer for each type of food. It’s a little learning curve to understand exactly how you like your food prepared. But with the pre-set options much of that learning is taken away.

Air frying is a healthier way to prepare food because they don’t require oil, which contains much of the fat that is in our diets. If you’re looking for a healthy option for your family, this is it.

This Uber Appliance Digital Air Fryer 5 QT only comes in black. It’s modern but can easily fit into a country kitchen

<strong>About the Reviewer</strong>

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, <a href=”http://francinebrokaw.com/” target=”_blank”>Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists</a>, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, <a href=”https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL42xcltr8DpNOHoYDAXbdt808jK4bZ-X7″>Beyond the Red Carpet</a>, on Village Television in Orange County. Follow her on <a href=”https://twitter.com/FrancineBrokaw” target=”_blank”>Twitter.</a>

 

 

Uber Appliance Air Fryer – Product Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Air Fryers are becoming a staple in kitchens. Frying and baking without oil is the healthier way to create meals for your family. When I was offered the opportunity to test the Uber Appliance Air Fryer, I decided to try it. This was my first experience with an Air Fryer.

This Uber Appliance Air Fryer is attractive and easy to use with a touch panel on the front as well as seven pre-sets: Fries, Shrimp, Bake, Chicken, Chips, Fish, Defrost and Steak. Selecting the time to cook and the temperature is simply a matter of touching the up and down buttons.

What I discovered is there is a slight learning curve when cooking food. But it is easy to learn and if you start with shorter cooking times and then add on if your food is not to your desired outcome, that is the best rather than overcooking.

This particular unit is 3.7 quarts, which is fine for one to four people. If you have a larger family, think about getting a larger capacity unit, however if you just want to dip your toes in the Air Fryer market, this is a good way to start.

So, what did I begin my Air Frying experience with? Many people say they begin by air frying fries. I selected frozen veggie patties. I usually cook them on a frying pan so I thought this would be a good comparison. After adding some sauce to the patties then placing them (this small unit was large enough to take 4 patties!) in the basket, I selected 360 degrees for the temperature and 5 minutes baking time. After five minutes (the unit beeped to tell me the time had been reached) I looked at the patties then restarted the unit for another 3 minutes. After 8 minutes the 4 burger patties were cooked and, in all honesty, my family said they preferred this way of making the burgers than my old way. That is a testament in itself.

The experience was easy and the unit is easy to clean. The basket and strainer can be placed in the dishwasher. There is a little recipe booklet that comes along with the air fryer however I will be creating my own recipes. This is a fun way to try new things. I definitely like air-frying fries. Without the oil in deep fried foods like fries, the healthier option is air frying.

If you already have a larger capacity air fryer, think about getting a small one in addition to that. It is good for RVs and smaller areas, and if you cook larger items in your large air fryer, you can cook your side dishes in the smaller one.

The bottom line is I think air frying is a good way to create healthier meals. This Uber Appliance Air Fryer is a great new addition to my kitchen. While this one is 3.7 quarts, they do make larger units

Price: Starting at $99.99

Available: uberappliance.com, Bed Bath & Beyond, WayFair, Amazon, and more.

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.

Margarita’s – and cocktails – in a can

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Southern California company Southnorte has created some delicious selections for margarita and unique cocktail lovers. Yes, these canned beverages do contain alcohol so they are not for those under 21, however even though National Margarita Day has come and gone, it’s still time to grab your cans to celebrate Cinco De Mayo or just enjoy with your dinner.

The company has crafted the beverages with the flavors of Mexico and from now until April 4, 2023 the following varieties will be available at local Stater Bros. in Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego, and the Inland Empire in Southern California.

So what varieties can you indulge in this spring? How about Paloma, Mexican Mule, and Matador and, of course, the mainstay in Mexico, the Margarita.  Crafted with premium tequila and orange liqueur, real lime juice, and agave syrup, there are no artificial flavores or ingredients. They are rich, smooth, and fizzy and ready made.

The Matador combines the tequila with pineapple, lime and club soda (hence the fizz), and is a refreshing libation. The Paloma mixes the tequila with red grapefruit and lemon-lime soda. It’s another refreshing concoction. The Mexican Mule has a kick (no pun intended) with tequila, ginger beer with lime, mint, and a touch of jalapeno. And the margarita is, well, a fizzy margarita.

With all of these cocktails premixed in easy-to-open cans, they are the perfect addition to any outdoor bar-be-que or get-together. Just chill them and they’re ready to drink.

Check their website for the locations offering the unique beverages. And yes, they were supplied to me for the reason of reviewing the quality and taste.

Of course, we definitely want to stress these are for ADULTS ONLY. Please drink responsibility.

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.

Coffee maker and Donut shop – for kids

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Red Toolbox’s Tasty Jr. line of interactive toys has some fun new products that will have kids creating donuts and serving up coffee just like grown ups. Let’s face it, many of us drive through the coffee houses all the time for our caffeine fix, or we create our own at home with one of the coffee makers on the market. And who drives past a Duncan Donut shop (or Krispy Kreme) and mentions how good a donut would be right now? Well, little kids catch on quickly to our everyday habits and now they have their own products to be just like mom or dad.

The Red Toolbox Tasty Jr. Donut Shop Set consists of a donut maker, several donuts, and a little cart to transport donuts. What makes this so much fun for kids is the fact the unit talks, has fun sounds, push buttons, and colorful decorations for their pretend donuts. Unfortunately these delicious looking treats are only for pretend, but if they were real they would definitely be delectable. Gather their stuffed animals and dolls around for a fun little party. With eight donuts included in the set, there is enough for a fun tea party or get together with pretend friends.For ages 3+, this cute and colorful set lists for $39.99. This unit requires 3 AA batteries which are not included.

And next time mom or dad pops a pod into a coffee maker or brews a delicious cup of java, kids can join in as well. With the Red Toolbox Tasty Jr. Coffee Maker Set kids can play barista in their own home. This pretend espresso machine might not brew up a real cup of joe, but for kids it is just as nice. There are lights and sounds and buttons to push for the perfect cup of coffee. And it really does spew out liquid. Fill the dispenser with water, place the pod into the machine, turn it on and voila – a nice cup of espresso. Unfortunately this isn’t real. The only thing this machine is missing is the scent of freshly made coffee.

For ages 3+ the coffee maker set lists for $27.99. It comes with 2 batteries.

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.

Food and Wine Festival returns to Disneyland Resort

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

It’s back. The Food & Wine Festival is an annual celebration at Disney California Adventure and from March 3 – April 25, 2023 guests can experience a variety of food, wine, and entertainment throughout the park.

 

Also returning is the “Sip and Savor Pass” which is an additional purchase but well worth it. It’s $59 ($54 for Magic Key holders) and includes eight tabs, which are redeemable at any of the Festival locations. If you don’t wan to purchase this pass you can still purchase items individually, however the pass makes it more convenient.

 

My recommendation is to look over the Foodie Guide before you go. Select a variety of items then once you enter the park you can exchange the tabs on the pass for all of your selections at the same time in the same place. This way you have your selections already made and all you have to do is, when you are ready to eat or drink, go to the “Pick Up” area of the booth where you item is created and show your receipt. This way you only stand in the “Order” line one time. Ordering everything in advance cuts down on the waiting in line process. Order your items then go off and play in the park. When you want one item, just retrieve it from the booth and enjoy your selection. Note: the Tasting Passport (foodie guide) is also available free in the park.

There are many new items on the menu this year and, sadly, some from last year are not returning. Here is what I selected:

 

California Artisan Cheese Plate featuring Marin French Cheese Co. Jalapeno Triple Cream Brie (delicious), Fiscalini Farmstead Purple Moon Cheddar (yummy), and Craft Beer Cheddar (excellent). This comes along with grapes, nuts, cranberries, and crackers.  This item is available at Uncork California.

IMPOSSIBLE Nacho Mac and Cheese with IMPOSSIBLE (plant based) ground beef, tomatoes olives, jalapenos, and guacamole. (Yummy) This item is available at Avocado Time.

 

IMPOSSIBLE Gyro-inspired naan, which includes Gyro-inspired flatbread with IMPOSSIBLE ground beef, chipotle hummus, tzatzike, and spiced crispy chickpeas. If you like Greek food you’ll enjoy this. This is available at LA Style.

 

Artichoke Toast with Olive Tapenade is a toasted slice of baguette with artichoke cream cheese topped with olive and artichoke tapenade with a drizzle of olive oil. It’s not fabulous but ok. This is available at I Heart Artichokes.

 

Petite Burrata is grilled ciabatta with tomato and olive jam, currata cheese, pesto, and balsamic. I don’t think I would recommend this unless you are wild about these ingredients. It’s available at Nuts About Cheese.

 

Elote Paleta is a sweet corn paleta with parm crema, chile-lime seasoning, corn crunch, and cilantro. It’s like a creamy corn soft popsicle. My first bite was not impressive however it did grow on me. It’s at Golden Dreams.

 

Also at Golden Dreams is the Roasted beet and Goat Cheese Flatbread with basil pesto. Again, not our favorite.

 

And for a beverage I selected from Golden Dreams the Central California Cooler concocted of peach puree, apple, orange and lemon juices. I thought this was OK.

Interestingly, I did not order any of the desserts this time around. Last year I did partake in plenty of the sweet delights and every one was superb. Besides the items listed above, there are many, many more choices available.

 

In addition to the festival food and beverage booths, many of the restaurants have festival selections.  And, besides the food and beverages, there is plenty of entertainment throughout the park to delight guests.

 

Enjoy your time at the Food & Wine Festival 2023 at Disney California Adventure. It’s well worth it.

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.