Author: Francine Brokaw

‘Inventing Anna’ depicts a Millennial scammer enraged at being born unlucky

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Inspired by the New York Magazine article “How Anna Delvey Tricked New York’s Party People” by Jessica Pressler, the Netflix limited series Inventing Anna portrays the rise and fall of Anna Sorokin, aka Anna Delvey (Julia Garner), through the lens of a disgraced journalist Vivian Kent (Anna Chlumsky), a stand-in for Pressler.

Desperate for her big break, the expecting Manhattan magazine reporter investigates the whys and hows behind the infamous Soho grifter and her glitzy crime saga. Anna maintains she did not do anything wrong and insists that this is how the society punishes women for aggressively going after fame and fortune. She sabotages Vivian’s attempt to connect the dots by pulling off the Hannibal Lecter move – manipulation with false information, deceit, character assassination, and then some.

Just how many doors can you open in the New York City socialite circles without a real fortune of your own? Quite a few, according to the financial, social, and emotional casualties left in her wake. Anna acted like an obnoxiously spoiled and entitled trust fund brat dressed to the nines like old money and browbeat her way into the old ‘catch-22’ situation — I can only get in if I am already in. The illusion of wealth, shameless name-dropping, self-aggrandizement, and arrogance go a long way towards obtaining the keys to the Kingdom. And once you’re in, you can totally cash in your credibility even if it’s merely by association; ‘She has to be good for the money.’ New York’s wealthy elites and big players vouched for Anna, the fake heiress who wanted to establish a lavish art club à la Soho House on Park Avenue South with their money.

Is it wishful thinking or willful blindness? In the face of all evidence to the contrary, Vivian still believes in redemption. Oh, come on, Vivian! Wake up and smell the coffee. Anna casts people in roles that increase her power and sense of importance as if she were the producer, director, writer, and only actor of her own show.

A liar is a liar, and a leopard cannot change its spots. In this current ‘fake-it-till-you-make-it’ culture, however even this textbook case of a narcissistic sociopath could be eventually rewarded just because she is a brand investors might throw money at. I just hope and pray Anna Sorokin is deported ASAP and that’s the end of the story, but I have a sneaking suspicion that we haven’t heard the last of this Instagram-legendary con artist. There is no shortage of shows about the millennial scammers these days, but very few pay attention to the victims of their criminal behavior. As a victim of crime and power abuse, I have a tremendous amount of empathy for those powerless supporting actors who are gaslighted, bullied, harassed, abused, and eventually discarded like trash. Trust me. I feel your pain.

The nine-episode limited series Inventing Anna premieres February 11, 2022 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

‘Gabby’s Dollhouse’ returns to Netflix

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Something special is in the air at Gabby’s Dollhouse as Gabby, Pandy Paws and all the Gabby Cats celebrate the happiest cat day of the year, Purrsday! Complete with Box Cat Family crafts, dress-up with Mercat, a steller safari adventure, and a performance from feline pop star sensation Fluffy Flufferton, there are so many things to celebrate! A special visit from a tin full of Cakey Cat’s cousins is the icing on the kitty-cupcake. Get tiny with Gabby for hug attacks, cat-tastic adventures, and some whoopsies along the way!

‘TrollsTopia’ arrives on Hulu and Peacock

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Inspired by the beloved DreamWorks Animation films, TrollsTopia is the next chapter in the hair-raising adventures of the trolls. Now that Poppy knows there are other musical trolls scattered throughout the forest, she bottles up her endless positivity and invites delegates from every troll tribe in the forest to live together in harmony in a grand experiment she calls TrollsTopia!

TrollsTopia begins its 6 episodes on February 17, 2022. The show is available on Hulu and Peacock.

‘And Just Like That…’ wraps up season 1

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Last December the Sex and the City gang reunited for the next chapter in their lives. And Just Like That… shows the characters as they are now in their 50s. Kim Cattrall does not appear as Samantha Jones in this series, however Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Evan Handler, Mario Cantone, and others revive their roles and this series brings in many new characters.

What is bothersome about the show is the stress on the “woke” culture. This has upset many fans of the original series. Some people have voiced their dissatisfaction at seeing the characters they have loved and enjoyed for decades as senior citizens, or at least middle aged. For me, that was not the aspect that was distressing. What I found off-putting about the show is the “woke” preachiness that is pervasive in each episode. Fans of the characters do not want to see them in this light. It takes away from the fun of the characters and their stories.

The initial episode started out with a sad note. By now we all know that Big dies in the episode. So the rest of the series has Carrie picking up the pieces of her life and trying to go on without the love of her life. She does have all her friends by her side and that helps.

Unfortunately Willie Garson who played Stanford Blatch passed away in real life so his character had to be written out of the series.

Many viewers have also voiced their displeasure that the fashions and jewelry, which were prevalent in the original series, was missing to some degree in this 10-episode series. Take heart. The final episode of this series is basically a redemption of that. The fashions are in full swing in this episode. Carrie manages to wear some of the best outfits of the season in this one episode. Whew. Maybe if they return there will be more of these great dresses.

Episode 10 finalizes the year since Big’s death. All of the characters are taking the next steps in their lives. At the time of this writing, it looks like a second season is on the horizon. If so, I know many of the die-hard fans of SATC would prefer the writers to step back from the “woke” speak and get back to the original fun of the characters. There is enough preaching on TV. SATC was a fun respite and great escape into the world of the four women who managed to get through their lives with amazing wardrobes and jewelry that we envied.

If executive producer Michael Patrick King and the writers are reading this, please take note. Dump the high-profile “woke” aspect and return to the recipe that made SATC a fan favorite. Please.

And Just Like That… streams on HBO Max.

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. 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.

 

Courtesy photo HBO Max

Allay Lamp – Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Sensitivity to light is a common problem for many people. Migraine sufferers are especially affected by light. And people with autoimmune diseases have light sensitivity as well as eye problems. One of the ways to lessen light sensitivity is with the Allay Lamp. It was featured in our Holiday Gift Guide and is something that can benefit people of all ages, even if you do not suffer from any of the above medical problems.

First, what is the Allay Lamp? It is a portable rechargeable lamp that emits soothing green light. We’ve all heard that blue light affects our sleep prompting experts to warn against having laptops and screens on in the bedroom before going to sleep. But with green light the brain is calmed. A calmer brain leads to faster and better sleep, and we all know that having a good night sleep can help our moods and how we feel.

Pregnant women and new parents suffer from sleep problems and deprevation. Even though we get tired, sometimes shutting down our minds is a difficult task. Take note: the wavelengths of this green light help calm the mind and help people get a better sleep. And what new parent can resist a better sleep?

As a migraine sufferer who has extreme light sensitivity, this is a product I was eager to try. The green light has definitely been helpful when it comes to trying to sleep while fighting a migraine. But more than that, being someone who also has autoimmune diseases, this is a useful item. My eyes are often in pain. People cannot imagine what it is like when eyes hurt. I’m not talking about having an eyelash or something else in my eye. I have real major pain behind and around my eyes, due to my disease. This lamp emits a soothing green light that does not make my pain worse (like regular light) and it even soothes my eyes. As a matter of fact, it relieves much of the eye pain. Hallelujah.

So how does this light work? It is rechargeable and comes with a micro USB plug. Once charged, place the palm of your hand over the top of the cylindrical lamp to turn it on. Adjusting the intensity is simply a matter of sliding a finger over the top. The lamp also comes with a click-on shade to focus the light in a specific direction. Or, you can remove the shade and have a full cylinder of soothing light.

If you need regular light, simply flip the cylinder over and voila, you have a normal white light. This light can also be dimmed as well as used with the shade.

The difference between blue light and green light is simple. Blue light energizes the brain and green light calms the brain. Think of all the times you have stayed in bed with a racing mind. The narrow band of green wavelengths quiets neurons in the brain, which helps lead to sleep. And sleep is necessary for all of us. The manufacturer recommends using the green light for at least 30 minutes and two hours for ultimate calming.

New parents, pregnant women, migraine sufferers, and autoimmune patients were the focus for inventing this unique lamp. However it is not solely for those people. Students can gain benefits from this as well. Studying and preparing for exams can cause anxiety and lead to sleepless nights. The calming Allay Lamp can help. Kids who are concerned about things or anxious and eager for the next day can also benefit from a good night sleep, and that is what this lamp does. It promotes a calmer brain leading to better sleep.

Discovered by Harvard migraine researcher Rami Burstein, the Allay has been a useful tool for people around the world. And it is based on science. So if you have problems falling asleep, turn off everything in your bedroom and turn on the Allay Lamp. Let the patented narrow-band green wavelengths calm your mind.

There is a 40-day return policy so it is worth trying. It is a little pricey yet with the return policy you have nothing to lose. And if it helps with any of your problems, then it is worth twice the price! As I mentioned earlier, I do suffer from several illnesses that affect my eyes. So this has been a product that I have tried and can recommend. By calming my eyes – and my brain – the symptoms are greatly diminished. Finally there is something that helps – without medications.

I want to stress the benefit of this lamp for pregnant women. For a healthy baby it is necessary for the mother-to-be to be calm and not stressed. And it is also important for a pregnant woman to get enough sleep. But worrying about the future can lead to problems falling asleep. And once the baby arrives, think about putting this lamp in the nursery. If it calms the brains of adults, it can do the same for babies. Pregnancy is often troublesome, with nausea and other issues. It’s just part of the process. However, anything we can do to alleviate some of the discomfort to be able to enjoy the months is welcome. This is one tool pregnant women can come to rely on. And without drugs, it is definitely something that is healthy for mom and baby. And after birth, well, let’s just say it keeps on helping everyone in the family. Give it a try. With their return policy you have nothing to lose.

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.

Bring home ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

In 1984 director Ivan Reitman brought us the original Ghostbusters movie. Now his son Jason resurrects the characters (literally) with some new and modern elements. Ghostbusters: Afterlife is filled with the same fun and ghosts as the original, adding a new cast and some throwbacks to the past.

When Callie (Carrie Coon) is evicted from her home, she brings her two children, Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) and Phoebe (Mckenna Grace), to the dilapidated house she just inherited from her recently deceased father. Phoebe is an exceptional young girl, in the way young Sheldon Cooper is in that sitcom. (Incidentally, Mckenna made a few appearances on Young Sheldon.)

Callie meets scientist Grooberson (Paul Rudd) who is interested in the strange phenomenon happening in the town. Trevor meets Lucky (Celeste O’Connor) who ends up being his good and only friend so far. And Phoebe connects with a tech savvy boy nicknamed Podcast (Logan Kim). That sums up the cast. Well, except for – you guessed it – the original Ghostbusters and some of the cast from the 1984 film (Annie Potts, Sigourney Weaver, and yes, Bill Murray, Ernie Hudson, Dan Aykroyd, and even Harold Ramis). Spoiler alert – Ramis died in 2014 so it took some great cinematic talent to resurrect him for this film.

To sum up the plot, Phoebe discovers some old Ghostbuster tools in the house and she also learns her estranged grandfather was Egon Spengler (Ramis) who had dedicated his life to ridding the world of all the ghosts once and for all. This led to his estrangement from not only his family but also the other Ghostbusters who thought he was crazy. After all, there had not been a ghost siting in decades.

The story has some adorable elements, not least of which are the tiny marshmallows. Unlike the original film with the giant Stay Puft marshmallow man, this film has dozens of tiny marshmallow kids who are full of mischief and mayhem. But they are absolutely adorable. Another new addition is Munchy, a ghost that eats metal. He’s also kind of cute at times, however he is not a nice guy.

The final scene in the movie is heartwarming, brining together all of the Ghostbusters in a tribute to Harold Ramis.  One of the bonus features on the disc shows exactly how the filmmakers did this. It is really interesting to see how they brought the actor back to life in the movie. Another bonus looks at the gadgets in the film.

An interesting 90-minute feature tells how this story came to be. This is truly a family project, with both Reitmans taking a role in creating this film. Deleted scenes and more add to the fun of this Blu-ray/DVD.

If you’re looking for a fun story that is new but also honors the past classic film, who are you going to call? Ghostbusters, of course.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife is rated PG-13 for supernatural action and some suggestive references.

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.

‘Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road’ looks at this music genius

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The Beach Boys were the quintessential American group. They were America’s answer to the British Invasion. Led by Brian Wilson, who wrote many of their hits, the group had an amazing run up the charts and still sell-out concerts, although two of the original Beach Boys have died. Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road is an interesting look back at their history with Brian Wilson.

The format of the film is different than most documentaries. In this film Rolling Stone editor and friend of Wilson, Jason Fine, drives Brian around the areas of Southern California that played a role in the Beach Boys and in Brian’s life. While some of the details about his past (his childhood and his life with a disreputable man who said he was only helping Brian recover from his mental illness yet was doing the opposite) are skimmed over so only fans of the singer/songwriter know what the backstory is, the film does take a deep look into the history of Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys.

Peppered throughout the film, as Brian and Fine drive through SoCal, are comments and insights from various musicians and friends of Wilson. They include Elton John, Linda Perry, Beach Boy Al Jardine, and Bruce Springsteen among others.

This is an interesting look at how Wilson’s mind works and how he created some of the most iconic songs that have helped shape the songbook of America. Bits and pieces of some of the songs play in the car as they drive around the streets, and included in the film is a new song, “Right Where I Belong” which was recoded specifically for the film.

Director Brent Wilson (no relation) said, “My partners and I set out to tell Brian’s story in a way that had never been done before.  With so many books, documentaries and films already out; I knew this was an almost impossible goal.  I needed our film to feel personal and intimate, but not be a hagiography.  I needed music to be at the heart, but with so many hits, I also wanted something new for the ear.  Most importantly, Brian Wilson is an icon as famous for beingBrian Wilson as he is being Brian Wilson, and I needed to bridge that gap between myth and reality.”

As viewers will hear from other musicians, Brian Wilson “had an orchestra in his head.” While the Beatles had George Martin to make them who they were, The Beach Boys had Brian Wilson.

Wilson says about his brothers who were part of the original group and who have passed away, Dennis was hyper and a ladies man and Carl was the easy-going brother. With his brothers, cousin, and friend, The Beach Boys climbed the charts and their songs continue to play on radio stations in in our heads!

The film is available on Blu-ray and DVD, as well as digital, and adds a good understanding about the life and career of Brian Wilson for people who think they know everything about him. Yes, he did do drugs, he suffers from mental illness, he had tragedies in his life, and he created some of the best music in the past 50 years. Brian Wilson is a musical genius, as those interviewed in the film profess. And by watching the film viewers will undoubtedly agree.


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.

‘The Art of Disney Encanto’ book review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Disney’s Encanto animated movie is the story of an amazing family who live in a bright and colorful house. Every member of the family has special powers. Well, all except one. Fifteen-year-old Mirabel has not been blessed with a magical power. But that does not stop her from being optimistic. This is a charming story of magic, family, and destiny. The story takes place in Colombia and the movie has captured the hearts and imaginations of viewers of all ages. The book, The Art of Disney Encanto, is filled with illustrations that represent the characters, scenery, and fun of the film.

The book not only takes readers into the story and the background of the illustrations, but it is also a good look at how animation is created. For budding artists and animators, this is a good introduction to the industry.

Besides the lessons about creating the design and look of the film, the pages are filled with the fun of the story and the characters. The house, or casita, is colorful as well as magical. The animals in the story add an entertaining element, and the clothes worn by the characters represent the culture as well as provide an additional colorful aspect. All in all, colors explode in the film.

The book has a preface by Disney Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee. She writes, “This book shares a selection of the incredible artwork created for the film by some of the best visual artists in the world, as well as gives a peek behind the curtain into the filmmakers’ creative process.”

The filmmakers traveled to Colombia to get the flavor of the country in order to bring realism to the movie. There are plenty of photos taken while they were there, however the majority of the book contains digital sketches that were used to put together the frames in the film. To go along with the images there is information about the background of the pictures that provide a deeper insight into the scenery and characters. The colors of each of the rooms in the house represent the individuals who reside in them. Providing a background to the specific locations of the house (even down to the furniture and plates in the kitchen) add greatly to viewers’ insight into the creation of the movie.

At the heart of the film is the story, yet it takes the images to create the atmosphere and bring the characters to life. This book shows how that process progressed and resulted in the beloved film that has become an instant classic. Mirabel as well as her casita are now well known. The book delves into the story, the creativity, and the imagery of Disney Encanto.

The Art of Disney Encanto is a treasure for fans of the film. It showcases the beauty and enjoyment viewers experience when they watch the movie.

 

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Chronicle Books (November 23, 2021)
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1797200860
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1797200866

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.

‘Anything is Possible’ is a heartening story

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Up Faith & Family has so many great movies and the 2013 film Anything is Possible is one of them. It is emotional on so many levels, and if it doesn’t pull at your heartstrings, nothing will.

The film highlights Ethan Bortnick who plays Nathan, a ten-year-old boy whose Army mother Margaret (Lacy Chabert) goes missing while she is on assignment in Japan to help with tsunami rescues. Nathan learns that his father (Jonathan Bennett) is not his biological father and once Margaret is MIA, child services steps in to take the boy while custody is being straightened out. This upsets him and he ends up running away. The rest of the story is heartbreaking, heartwarming, and heartening. Let’s just say the film has heart!

Many issues combine to make up this emotional tale: military family life, PTSD, homelessness, adoption, child disease, orphans, community bonding, and more. At every turn there is a new punch to the gut. But it does have a great ending. After all, it is on UP Faith and Family.

What is intriguing about the film, besides the emotional journey, is that Bortnick is himself a child prodigy. He co-wrote the music in the movie, and his amazing piano playing ability is highlighted throughout the film.

Ethan Bortnick began playing the piano when he was four years old. He was born in 2000 and has had a remarkable life to date. At age five he was composing music and when he was almost ten he headlined a show at the Wentz Concert Hall in Illinois. This little guy is an amazing talent and it comes into play in the movie.

Nathan uses his talent to help save the local orphanage. He also uses it as a way to connect with his mother, whom he misses greatly. He is befriended by another ten-year-old named Jessie who helps him when he is hiding from the Child Services, and a homeless vet who looks after the young boy.

Nathan’s journey is touching and definitely emotional for not only him but also the viewers. This is a show that brings out many poignant feelings and subjects and is worth checking out. Anything is Possible is available to stream on UP Faith & Family.

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.

‘The Eternals’ on Disney+, digital and discs

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

Marvel’s Eternals is now available on digital, streaming on Disney+, and will be available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD beginning February 15, 2022.

Besides the theatrical film, there is some additional content that includes a behind the scenes documentary looking at these superheroes from the Marvel Comic Universe, a feature about the large group of superheroes that make up the Eternals, deleted scenes, and a gag reel (yes, even superheroes make mistakes). The cast includes Gemma Chan as Sersi, Richard Madden as Ikaris, Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo, Lia McHugh as Sprite, Brian Tyree Henry as Phastos, Lauren Ridloff as Makkari, Barry Keoghan as Druig, Don Lee as Dane Whitman, Salma Hayak as Ajak, and Angelina Jolie as Thena. It is definitely a large cast of superheroes.

The story of the Eternals is that a group of heroes came to Earth at the time of the dawn of man. They came to protect the humans from monster creatures called Deviants. The film begins with this introduction to the story, and then it shifts to modern day where the Eternals have been living among the humans for thousands of years. Thinking that the Deviants were all destroyed thousands of years ago, they are surprised when the creatures return. It again falls on the Eternals to save the world and humanity once again.

Fans of Marvel know about the Eternals, however if you are not familiar with them do not worry. This film explains them and their story. It is filled with amazing visuals to go along with the heroes. As producer Nate Moore said, “We want audiences to discover a corner of the Marvel universe they’ve never seen before.  We want them to discover a mythology that is a challenging sci-fi movie but also has a human heart. And we want them to meet ten heroes who they hopefully can relate to.”

The Eternals comic books were first published in 1976. This movie might be an introduction to the characters for many viewers. The studio is banking on the public embracing the characters and has a second film coming out in the future.

The Eternals is rated PG-13 for fantasy violence and action, some language and brief sexuality.

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.