Author: Francine Brokaw

Dr. Seuss Baking Challenge is going to stream on Prime

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



Dr. Seuss Baking Challenge invites America’s best bakers to step into the world of Dr. Seuss. From classically trained pastry chefs, to self-taught cake artists, 9 teams of two bakers will compete for a grand prize of $50,000. From The Grinch to The Cat in the Hat, these bakers will use their limitless imaginations to craft jaw-dropping creations inspired by beloved Dr. Seuss characters. Hosted by Tamera Mowry-Housley, in each episode bakers will be given a challenge based around Seuss characters and stories, and their towering creations will be judged by Clarice Lam and Joshua John Russell based on taste, creativity, and storytelling.

Watch this fun baking challenge beginning December 13, 2022 on Prime Video and Amazon Freevee.

‘Batwheels’ comes to HBO Max and Cartoonito

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

They are a team of incredible crimefighters who have banded together to oppose evil, combat crime and clean up the streets of Gotham City.  They are…okay, they’re NOT Batman and Robin.  They’re the Batwheels – an awesome group of sentient super-powered crime-fighting vehicles defending Gotham City alongside Batman, Robin and Batgirl.

Having just been created by the Batcomputer, our heroes are essentially kids with little to no life experience.  Led by Bam (The Batmobile), the Batwheels – Bibi (The Batgirl Cycle), Redbird (Robin’s Sports Car), (Batwing the Batwing Jet Plane), and Buff (The Bat Truck) – must navigate the growing pains of being a newly formed super team as well as the growing pains that come with just being a kid.  This relatable and aspirational series will follow the journey of this dynamic team as they thrill and entertain with their heroic adventures as well as demonstrate to kids the value of self-confidence, friendship and teamwork.

Batwheels hits the streets – or I should say the TV screens – October 17, 2022. Vroom vroom.

‘Disenchanted’ is coming to Disney+

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


It has been 15 years since Giselle (Amy Adams) and Robert (Patrick Dempsey) wed, but Giselle has grown disillusioned with life in the city, so they move their growing family to the sleepy suburban community of Monroeville in search of a more fairy tale life. Unfortunately, it isn’t the quick fix she had hoped for. Suburbia has a whole new set of rules and a local queen bee, Malvina Monroe (Maya Rudolph), who makes Giselle feel more out of place than ever. Frustrated that her happily ever after hasn’t been so easy to find, she turns to the magic of Andalasia for help, accidentally transforming the entire town into a real-life fairy tale and placing her family’s future happiness in jeopardy. Now, Giselle is in a race against time to reverse the spell and determine what happily ever after truly means to her and her family.

Disenchanted begins streaming on Disney+ November 24, 2022.

‘Abomindable and the Invisible City’ now streaming on HULU and Peacock

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

He’s back. That adorable yeti is filled with love and caring once again.

Abominable and The Invisible City is a comedy adventure series that continues the wild and wooly fun of DreamWorks Animation’s Abominable. Through Everest the yeti, Yi, Jin, and Peng know that there’s a whole magical world out there, and now it’s even closer than they think! When they discover that their surroundings are teeming with magical creatures in need of their help, the kids will set out on extraordinary and heartfelt adventures throughout their city and beyond.

There’s much to love in this show, and everyone will be wishing they had a plush Yeti to hug as they watch. He’s cute, cuddly, and sweet. And there will be more to love with the 10 episodes in this delightful series for the entire family. It streams on HULU and Peacock.

Images courtesy DreamWorks

‘Oni: Thunder God’s Tale on Netflix

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

In a world filled with the oddball gods and monsters of Japanese mythology, one of the creature’s free-spirited daughters, Onari, is determined to follow in the footsteps of the mighty heroes of lore, but her unique powers are yet to be revealed. Does she have what it takes to fight to protect her peaceful village from the encroaching threat of the gods’ mysterious enemies, the “Oni”?

Oni: Thunder God’s Tale 4-episode series drops on Netflix October 21, 2022.
 

Oni: Thunder God’s Tale website

‘Wednesday’ is coming soon

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Wednesday is a sleuthing, supernaturally infused mystery charting Wednesday Addams’ years as a student at Nevermore Academy. Wednesday’s attempts to master her emerging psychic ability, thwart a monstrous killing spree that has terrorized the local town, and solve the supernatural mystery that embroiled her parents 25 years ago — all while navigating her new and very tangled relationships at Nevermore.

Wednesday drops November 23, 2022 on Netflix.

Wednesday website

‘Wendell & Wild’ comes to Netflix

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Wendell & Wild is an animated tale about scheming demon brothers Wendell (Keegan-Michael Key) and Wild (Peele) – who enlist the aid of Kat Elliot – a tough teen with a load of guilt – to summon them to the Land of the Living. But what Kat demands in return leads to a brilliantly bizarre and comedic adventure like no other, an animated fantasy that defies the law of life and death, all told through the handmade artistry of stop motion.

Wendell & Wild comes to Netflix October 28, 2022 in time for Halloween viewing.

Wendell & Wild website

‘The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse’ comes to Apple TV+

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

A story of kindness, friendship, courage and hope for viewers of all ages in a heart-warming, classically animated film based on Charlie Mackesy’s book, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. The poignant and heartfelt journey follows the unlikely friendship of a boy, a mole, a fox and a horse travelling together in the boy’s search for home.

“The journey of making the film of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse with my incredibly gifted animation team has been a magical one,” says author Charlie Mackesy. “I never dreamt it would happen – but it’s so moving to think the story will be watched at Christmas. I really hope it brings a bit of joy, laughter and comfort.”

Look for it Christmas Day on Apple TV+.

Disney turns 100

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Did you ever wonder why the D23 Disney fan club is called D23? Well, it’s because the Disney Company was formed in 1923. That makes 2023 the hundredth year. Marking this great milestone there will be celebrations throughout all the Disney brands, including Disneyland. The whole shebang kicks off January 27.

Throughout the Disneyland Resort, a new platinum décor will be unmistakable. And Mickey and Minnie, as well as some of the other characters, will be sporting new looks. New food and beverages, as well as merchandise (remember we’re talking about Disney, the king of merch) will be available to mark the anniversary. And not only do the characters get a festive celebratory look, the entire park including Sleeping Beauty Castle will be dressed up for the occasion.

Two special nighttime spectaculars will impress guests of all ages. “Wondrous Journeys” in Disneyland celebrates the Disney animation through the years with fireworks, music and projections. This new show will wow guests not only at the castle and Main Street, U.S.A., but also on the façade of “it’s a small world” and at the Rivers of America. There will be brand new song, “It’s Wondrous,” that will play on select nights.  And over at Disney California Adventure, the new “World of Color – One” has a new song, “Start a Wave,” as well as a fresh story playing out over the water. So guests in both parks will be able to see the new spectaculars honoring the 100 years of the Disney Company.

As the year progresses new features will be unveiled, including the reopening in the spring of Mickey’s Toontown, which has been closed for a complete overhaul. Mickey’s Toontown will have plenty of fun areas for families to enjoy.

And the new Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction is scheduled to open on January 27 when the celebrations begin.

Also in the spring the “Magic Happens” parade returns to Disneyland. This parade has been absent since the park closed due to the pandemic. The return of this daytime parade celebrated the magic of many favorite Disney stories. And since the company has now been around 100 years, there are plenty of them. This parade was created to mark the 65th anniversary of Disneyland and debuted in 2020 but was immediately halted due to the park closing. It returns to awe guests for the 100th anniversary of the company.

As mentioned above, the celebrations will take place in all the Disney parks with new and commemorative shows and merchandise marking the milestone.

Walt Disney was born in 1901 and passed away in 1966. His legacy is more than his movies and theme parks. His legacy is part of our culture.

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.

Thanks to Disneyland Resort for all the photos and concept art.

‘Beyond the Tiara – Disney Princess’ – Book Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Whether your favorite Disney princess is Aurora, Belle, Tiana, Snow White, or someone else, this new book covers them all. It’s a beautifully designed book with a hard cover that makes it nice to display.

 

Raya is the newest Disney princess so she is not included, however the following princesses are featured: Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Merida, Moana, Mulan, Pocahontas, Rapunzel, Snow White, and Tiana, with a shout out to Vanellope.

The book delves into the history of the characters, the films and the design of them all. With the advent of live-action Disney princess movies, this aspect is also included, although most of us probably most recognize the characters from their animated films. Also included are looks at the actors who play the famous women in the live action versions as well as those who voice the animated characters.

 

The Disney princesses are entrenched in pop culture. They are recognizable around the world. This book brings them all together, with the backgrounds as well as everything that goes into creating a Disney princess. Whether it is their iconic fashions, the songs, the dolls and games, and the art, the immense facts within the pages of the book are amazing and worth exploring.

With input from those who were part of the creation of the iconic characters, there are some eye-opening admissions about how they were created. To be honest, this is all encompassing when it comes to the Disney princesses. It is not a fluff book. It delves deep into all aspects of the characters.

 

Whether you’re five, fifty, or eighty, the Disney princesses have touched your life. In the back of the book is a timeline when the different princesses made their debuts and other appearances. Did you know that Snow White, Cinderella, and Jasmine were part of an episode of Full House?  Splash Mountain in the Disney parks is being transformed into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure to encompass this delightful princess and her story. (This part is not in the book. It’s just an additional fact.) The princesses are beloved characters throughout all the Disney parks and little kids love dressing up like their favorite Disney princess.

 

Jodi Benson, who voices Ariel, penned the foreword to the book. She admits, “Ariel and I are a lot alike.”

Disney Princesses have evolved over the years. No longer do they wait for their prince. Nevertheless, their true loves are still important in their lives.

While it is not a book for kids per se, sharing some of the background and the fashions with them might be of interest. And they will definitely enjoy the pictures.

Beyond the Tiara: Disney Princess is a great holiday gift this year, and a fun birthday gift for anyone who enjoys the characters.

Beyond the Tiara: Disney Princess – The Stories, The Influence, The Legacy

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Epic Ink (September 20, 2022)
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0760373620
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0760373620

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.