That adorable Mogwai that stole our hearts in the 1984 film Gremlins, returns for a new series Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai.” The series will debut on HBO Max next year and later on Cartoon Network. With Gizmo, it’s sure to be a hit. Watch for this new series coming in 2023.
The House of Windsor has been through some major disruptions and turmoil the last few decades. Reinventing the Royals is an educational documentary explaining how their relationship with the media has had its ups and downs and how they managed to survive some of the tragic events.
First of all, the death of Diana was a shock to the world as well as the royal family. This unexpected tragedy shone a spotlight on the relationship between the press and the royals. While being chased by paparazzi Diana’s car crashed and she subsequently died from her injuries. The set of circumstances surrounding the crash led her two sons to blame the media for their mother’s death. The hatred toward the media mounted not only in their own lives, but also in the UK.
Camilla’s relationship with Charles was brought front and center as a result of this tragedy. So how did the family and indeed the Commonwealth come to accept her? It was all done through careful and cunning planning by Mark Bolland, a spin-doctor hired by Charles to help Camilla’s public image thereby winning the affection of the people.
The press also had a pact with the royals to lessen their intrusion into the personal lives of the young members of the family, namely William and Harry. This was carefully crafted and allowed William to enjoy a pretty normal life in school.
To see how all of these events were staged and how the public was given enough information about the family without going over the line but also granting them personal privacy, watch this documentary. It is a good lesson in crafting image as well as mediating agreements to shelter –to some degree – the people who have had their lives scrutinized both personally and publically. With the advent of the Internet things have changed even more, but there are still rules in place that were agreed to long ago by the British press. In this age where everyone has a camera and can post truth and lies online, it is difficult to have total privacy. With public interest at a peak, it behooves everyone to have perspective on what they put out into the world.
Reinventing the Royals is available 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 Bob’s Burgers Movie is an animated feature film that includes all of the characters from the beloved series. In the movie the Belcher family is struggling to save their beloved restaurant. With the rent and no signs of the bank lending them money, they must hustle to sell enough hamburgers in a week to make enough money to survive. But all of a sudden a sinkhole forms smack dab in front of the restaurant. What else can happen?
Well, for starters, little Louise accidentally discovers a skeleton at the bottom of the sinkhole. So the kids begin a journey to solve the mystery of who was this person and what happened to him/her and why did he end up buried way down in the earth?
When it is revealed that the dead body belongs to Cotton Candy Dan, one of the carnival workers, the Belcher’s landlord is arrested for the murder. But the kids think he is innocent. Can they find the real murdered?
While this murder mystery is unraveling, all kinds of antics arise with the family. There are plenty of fun and dangerous aspects to this mystery, but it is all done with the love and affection of the family members.
In the end, everything turns out well for the Belchers and their restaurant. Plus, Louise loses her fears, Tina becomes brave enough to tell the boy she likes that she likes him, and Gene and his band get a small gig. So all’s well that ends well.
This is a cute film for followers of the TV series. It is peppered with songs and the love of this family. While it is rated PG-13 for rude/suggestive material and language, if your family already watches the series then there is nothing new in that regard.
Bonus features include some deleted scenes and animation extras. There is also a featurette about the making of the film.
The Bob’s Burgers series has been running on Fox since 2014 with a TV-14 rating.
The movie is available on digital, Blu-ray, and DVD.
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, was a longstanding member of the Los Angeles Press Club, and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.
When I was sent a package from Eat Me Guilt Free, the high protein low carb products, I was a bit skeptical. I received the following:
1 loaf of protein bread
1 chocolate cake mix
1 package of protein tortillas
1 box of assorted low carb brownies
Of course I ripped open the brownies immediately. Not knowing what to expect – they looked delicious – I took a bite. It was a little dry however it tasted good. So I put the remainder of the box in the refrigerator and the next day when I tasted a couple of the flavors, they were not as dry as my original bite. I do not know why this made a difference, but it did. I tasted several flavors that were included: 2 of each PB Bliss, Tuxedo, Red Velvet, Chocolate, Galaxy, and Birthday Cake. All I can say is “Yummy.” My favorite is the Birthday 
Cake. It is not chocolate yet it is really delicious. The chocolate flavors are good too, however do not expect Hershey’s super sweet chocolate. These are wonderful replacements for anyone who is watching their calories and/or carbs and boosting their protein intake (which is what my doctor advised me to do!) and still want something sweet.
The package of tortillas was a little different experience. Normally I love to eat a flour tortilla by itself or heated with butter and salsa, but for this test I tried the tortilla alone. The flavor was a little bland. Heating it in the microwave and spreading salsa on it helped. And knowing it is low-carb with zero sugar is a bonus.
The chocolate cake mix was easy to make, although I chose to make 12 cupcakes instead of one large cake. And it does not come with frosting so I added some along with sprinkles. By adding the frosting I did add a bit more calories and carbs but not too much. The cake itself without frosting is tasty but with the frosting no one could tell it was a low carb high protein cupcake. And I gave them to several people for honest opinions. Here is what these women said: “It’s delicious.” “It’s a bit dry but very good.” “It’s delicious and not too sweet.” “I would make it.” “Dry, but OK.” So in the end, the cake (cupcakes) was a hit. When they learned the cupcakes were low carb and high protein they were amazed. This was especially important to those who were watching their sugar intake too.
The bread, on the other hand, was not my favorite because I do not like textured bread and this bread is nutty and requires biting a lot. I spread some butter on the top and it tasted good, yet I was still not happy with the texture. People who are used to grainy bread probably won’t mind this, and knowing it is high in protein and low in carbs will help.
Parents will undoubtedly gravitate to these products for the health of their children. High carbohydrates are not healthy and neither are foods high in sugars. Also, adding protein to a child’s diet is always encouraged.
In these days when everyone is watching their carbs and even going Keto, with the Eat Me Guilt Free products as replacements for grocery shelf items, it is easy to stay on low carb high protein regimen. Without giving up flavor you can still have cake (or cupcakes), brownies, bread, and tortillas. And like it says in the name, they are guilt free.
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, from Sourced Media Books, 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.
Splash Mountain in Disneyland and Walt Disney World is going away. But before you get too upset, it is just for an update and reimagining. The current track will remain and when the attraction reopens in late 2024 (hopefully) it will be Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
There have been rumors about this for a long time but the final plans are set and in a short time Splash Mountain will cease to exist. So, if you are a big fan of this attraction, you better get to a park ASAP.
The new attraction will depict Tiana’s story and the scenery will represent New Orleans and the Bayou. The Imagineers that are transforming this attraction went to New Orleans to immerse themselves in the flora and fauna of the region along with the music and the residents.
As we all know, Tiana loves to cook so with a little luck, the folks at the resorts will find a way to add a Tiana restaurant nearby, or at least a cart with some goodies. After all, Tiana is all about food. How cool would it be to have Tiana’s restaurant next to the ride? Of course that probably won’t be an option as the space is limited, however it gives the powers that be something to ponder.
Disney lovers will either be excited to get this new attraction or disappointed that an iconic attraction is going away, but in any case Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is going to be an attraction that fans will look forward to experiencing. As they say, “that’s progress.”
There have also been rumblings about reimagining the Matterhorn, but as of now nothing has been confirmed to the media. Stay tuned.
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 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.
A hard-on-his-luck hound Hank (Michael Cera) finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain’s (Ricky Gervais) evil plot to wipe their village off the map. With help from a reluctant teacher (Samuel L. Jackson) to train him, our underdog must assume the role of town samurai and team up with the villagers to save the day. The only problem… cats hate dogs! Also starring Mel Brooks, George Takei, Aasif Mandvi, Gabriel Iglesias, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Kylie Kuioka, and Cathy Shim, Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank pounces into theatres July 15, 2022.
In what could be the ending of the Downton Abbey saga, Downton Abbey: A New Era immerses viewers in the drama, love, and family that has graced the screens since the series began in 2010. The Crawley family and their staff are each on their own paths and together they all bring back the charm of their characters and the stories.
This latest movie in the franchise has two main plots unfolding simultaneously in two different locations. A mystery man has bequeathed his French villa to Violet and most of the family travels to the beautiful French Riviera to get to the bottom of this generous gift and to inspect their new property. Meanwhile a film company is making a movie in Downton with the close supervision of Mary.
While in France, the characters make some rather interesting discoveries about none other than the Dowager Countess herself. Yes, we all have pasts and Violet has one as well. Will this discovery change the dynamics of the family?
And back in England the film has now turned from a silent movie to a talkie. After all, talkies are becoming the new way of movie making. But with shades of Singin’ in the Rain, the actress in the starring role does not have the voice talent to go with her “acting.” So one of the Crawley’s will have to step in for voice-overs in order to keep the production alive. Downton needs a new roof, which costs money, which is why the family is loaning out their domicile.
This movie has it all: love, engagements, death, marriage, new babies, conniving, mystery, secrecy, and some comedy as the characters make their way through this year of changes. As Mary says, ‘Marriage is a novel, not a short story.”
The Blu-ray disc includes many looks behind the scenes and discussions with the actors who have become a second family to each other. Plus there is a delightful tribute to Maggie Smith, the Dowager Countess of Grantham.
With this possibly being the swan song for the franchise fans definitely need to add this to their video libraries. The show and the characters are now well ensconced in pop culture. With this latest film, they demonstrate how their personal lives are growing and they are becoming more independent, although everyone will always carry Downton in their hearts.
Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Phyllis Logan, Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Allen Leech, Tuppence Middleton, Imelda Staunton, Laura Carmichael, Penelope Wilton and Maggie Smith delight fans of this series in a heartfelt and heartening story that wraps up many storylines for several characters.
Downton Abbey: A New Era is now available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital. It is rated PG for some suggestive references, language, 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. Follow her on Twitter.
Bugs Bunny Builders Breaks Ground July 25 on Cartoonito on Cartoon Network
and July 26 on Cartoonito on HBO Max
First-Ever Educational Looney Tunes Series Unlocks Preschoolers’
Wild Imaginations with Building and Design Curriculum“Filled with the big ideas and idiosyncratic humor of classic Looney Tunes, we think this will be one of the looniest building shows geared towards preschoolers out there,” said Amy Friedman, head of kids & family programming, Warner Bros. “This show will serve as a great entry point for little ones to observe that anything is both possible and hilarious — and with Lola front and center, this is built equally for girls and boys.”
“Like so many of us, Looney Tunes was a predominant part of my childhood. These iconic characters were a major influence on my personal style of comedy that I have applied throughout my career,” said Abe Audish, supervising producer, Bugs Bunny Builders. “It’s an honor to foster the next generation of Looney Tunes fans and offer them a new series that stays true to the core of each character while adding a fresh, modern spin.”
In Bugs Bunny Builders, Bugs and Lola are managers of the Looney Builders construction crew comprised of Daffy, Porky, Tweety, and more familiar Looney faces. Together, the team helps their fellow citizens of Looneyburg with zany building projects. Whether building a thrilling new racetrack or creating an out-of-this-world ice cream sundae, no job is too big or wild for the Looney Builders when they work as a team and utilize their super-looney tools and souped-up vehicles.
The show offers parents the chance to share their favorite Looney Tunes characters with their preschooler while also teaching little ones about the technical, creative, social, and emotional rewards of the building and design process. By watching the Looney Builders imagine, build, and fix their extraordinary creations, girls and boys will be inspired to create their own imaginative builds offscreen.
Meet the Looney Builders below:
The series premieres July 25, 2022.
Based on the best-selling book series by Bernard Waber, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is a live-action/CGI musical comedy that brings this beloved character to a new, global audience.
When the Primm family (Constance Wu, Scoot McNairy, Winslow Fegley) moves to New York City, their young son Josh struggles to adapt to his new school and new friends. All of that changes when he discovers Lyle – a singing crocodile (Shawn Mendes) who loves baths, caviar and great music-living in the attic of his new home. The two become fast friends, but when Lyle’s existence is threatened by evil neighbor Mr. Grumps (Brett Gelman), the Primm’s must band together with Lyle’s charismatic owner, Hector P. Valenti (Javier Bardem), to show the world that family can come from the most unexpected places and there’s nothing wrong with a big singing crocodile with an even bigger personality.
The movie hits theaters October 7, 2022.
Check out the trailer below:
In Bullet Train, Brad Pitt stars as Ladybug, an unlucky assassin determined to do his job peacefully after one too many gigs gone off the rails. Fate, however, may have other plans, as Ladybug’s latest mission puts him on a collision course with lethal adversaries from around the globe – all with connected, yet conflicting, objectives – on the world’s fastest train…and he’s got to figure out how to get off. From the director of Deadpool 2, David Leitch, the end of the line is only the beginning in a wild, non-stop thrill ride through modern-day Japan.
The movie will be released August 5, 2022.
This film is rated R so it is not intended for kids.