Author: Francine Brokaw

‘Supernatural Academy’ is actually an addicting show

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

From the books by Jaymin Eve, Supernatural Academy is a fun animated series for all ages. It’s really quite addicting. As a reviewer I had the chance to binge on the entire season over one weekend, and I have to admit I was hooked.

The story is part Disneyland combined with Hogwarts and a lot of other magical elements. It focuses on twins who were separated at birth and have no idea the other exists. Mischa went to live in the human world with her mother and Jessa stayed with her father in Stratford, an enclave where supernatural beings live safe from the humans. They consist of all kinds of entities: mermaids, fairies, vampires, shape shifters, trolls, etc.

When Mischa and her mother are discovered in New York, they return to Stratford where the girls are united and their story comes to light. They were separated to keep them safe. Having been born with a Dragon Mark, they would surely have been hunted and captured, but by separating them they have lived in safety for over fourteen years.

The legend is that those born with the Dragon Mark must be contained or they will raise the Dragon King who will rule unjustly. But the kids that have been contained are not evil.

When Mischa and Jessa join together, their sisterly bond grows and soon Mischa is welcomed into the “pack” of Jessa and her friends. Braxton (aka Brax) and his brother Maximus (aka Max) are part of the group and play an important role in the series, as do Jae, Terra, and others. The school is run by Headmaster Kristov, who has ulterior motives for letting Mischa into the school. The academy is for supernaturals and Mischa has no powers, at least she does not in the beginning. It takes time for her powers to develop.

Then the twins discover they are pawns in an evil plot to take over the world. They must learn to work together to save the worlds – both the supernatural realms as well as the human world.

To get to different locations, the supernaturals use special doors. This is a fun aspect, kind of reminiscent of the doors in Monsters, Inc. There are many fun elements involved in the series as well as several scenes of peril. And yes, not everyone gets through the season alive. But good triumphs over evil.

There are 16 episodes in this season, and if the final scene has a clue, it is that there will be another season coming later. The characters are interesting and although they are different from each other in many ways, they all have qualities that are worthy of the story. And even though this is an animated series and meant for young adults, there are plenty of parents who will enjoy watching the show with their children.

Supernatural Academy will begin streaming January 20, 2022 on Peacock. It is a fun and intriguing series that brings together magic along with familial relationships.

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.

Celebrate the Lunar New Year in style with Disney

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Lunar New Year at Disney California Adventure Park returns Jan. 21 through Feb. 13, 2022. This celebration commemorates traditions of Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures. The festival is filled with multicultural performances, special activities, culinary delights, beautiful decor, celebratory merchandise, and more. (Disneyland Resort)

Once again Disney California Adventure is decked out for Lunar New Year. This year’s festivities run from January 21- February 13, 2022 and the event is jammed packed with fun and food!

The “Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession” parade has a new float with Mulan and Mushu. Take in this event in the evening as the lanterns glow and provide an ethereal mood. The procession is colorful and musical, and gives guests the spirit of Asia, right in the heart of Anaheim.

Lunar New Year at Disney California Adventure Park returns Jan. 21 through Feb. 13, 2022. This celebration commemorates traditions of Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures. The festival is filled with multicultural performances, special activities, culinary delights, beautiful decor, celebratory merchandise, and more. (Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort)

This event is multicultural and in Downtown Disney a new mural commemorates the holiday from traditional “minwha,” or “painting of the people,” which portray the customs and spirit of everyday life in Korea.

By all means purchase a Sip and Savor Pass so you can taste some of the various – and delicious – food from the different cultures. It’s an additional price but well worth it. Once you get your pass, you do not need to purchase the food. Simply break off a tab from the pass and exchange it for the food or beverage of your choice. There are six tabs on each pass.

Downtown Disney also has merchandise (it is Disney, after all) to help commemorate the holiday. Or simply head to shopDisney.com and purchase items there. They have jerseys for adults and special costumes for the nuiMOs (the small, posable, plush that are loved by kids and adults).

Mickey, Minnie, Tigger, Mulan, Mushu, and the Three Little Pigs can be spotted around the park decked out in their holiday costumes. And making her debut at the Disneyland Resort is Raya (Raya and the Last Dragon).

To enjoy the Lunar New Year celebration and for a limited time this spring, Southern California residents may visit the Disneyland Resort for as little as $67 per day with the purchase of a three-day, one-park per day weekday ticket – available for redemption now through May 26, 2022, subject to park reservation availability.

 

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.

Rebecca Gibney stars in three series on Acorn TV

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

Rebecca Gibney is one of Australia’s favorite actors. Watching her onscreen she shows a kindness in her eyes that reflects in her roles. Fans of the actor can see her in three series streaming on Acorn TV.

Winter is an engaging 2015 mini-series about a homicide detective searching for the killer of a young woman. Gibney is Eve Winter, a woman who is completely dedicated to her job. She invests herself in tracking down the murderer, and when her former lover (Peter O’Brien) comes to her with information one of his cold cases might be linked to her current investigation, they join forces. But now the feds enter the scene and Eve finds herself juggling her murder investigation with the federal investigation. She also juggles her feelings between her former lover and the federal agent (Matt Nable).

During the investigation some of Eve’s personal history bubbles up to the surface. But that does not deter her. She is headstrong and determined to put all the pieces of the puzzle together.

This series was only 6 episodes. It is an appealing show that could have gone on with more stories, but it only lasted the six episodes.

Gibney also appears in Small Claims. These were a collection of TV movies in which Gibney plays Chrissy Hindmarsh, a former solicitor who gave up her promising career in law to stay home and raise her family. But her education comes in handy when she gets involved in several occurrences and must come to the legal aid of her friends.  Chrissy teams up with police officer Jo Collins (Claudia Karvan) to solve the crimes.

The Small Claims TV movies aired in Australia in 2004, 2005, and 2006.

Currently Gibney stars in the new series Under the Vines. The first season is now available and Acorn TV has picked up the series for another season.

Gibney (Daisy) and Charles Edwards (Louis) are two people from the city who jointly inherit a New Zealand vineyard. They do not know each other but are thrown together as co-owners. While Louis wants to sell the vineyard and split the money, Daisy decides she wants to keep it and try to make it into a profitable winery.

Daisy and Louis are completely different. She comes to this rural place with designer shoes and clothing. She is a society gal. And Louis is not used to working hard for his pay. The two make an unlikely pair, yet they manage to see things through. But can they turn this failing winery into a profitable business? This is a delightful show and worth checking out.

Watching these shows it is no wonder Rebecca Gibney is a popular actor in Australia. She is enjoyable to watch, whether she is solving crimes or working at the winery

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.

Up Faith & Family is worth checking out

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

Up Faith & Family is a streaming network filled with family-friendly content. In December they were overflowing with Christmas movies that definitely put viewers in the holiday spirit with plenty of good cheer. They also have series and other shows.

 

“Heartland” is a popular series that streams on this network. “Bringing up Bates,” and “Jo Frost: Nanny on Tour” are also showing on Up Faith and Family.

As the name suggests, there are plenty of shows that focus on faith. The “Love Comes Softly” Saga is available to stream. These films are always enjoyable to watch no matter how many times you’ve seen them. After all, love, no matter in what form, is heart warming.

There are also several true stories that, as the network says, are “UPlifting.”

Mysteries (“The Mystery Woman” “Jane Doe Mysteries”) and cute cop shows like “Hudson and Rex” are “go to” shows when you feel like a little pick-me-up. “Hudson and Rex” is a fun crime drama with Detective Hudson and his canine partner Rex, who always steals the show, as well as whatever snacks are lying around the police station.

Westerns, documentaries, comedies, kids shows, and music make up the list of great shows on UP Faith & Family.

I have to confess I recently discovered this streaming network and now it is my “go to” place for great entertainment. With all the stress in today’s world with the pandemic and political discord, it’s good and even necessary to escape. Escaping does not necessarily mean sticking your head in the sand. But we are mired in the depressing state of affairs the world is in at the present time. And UP Faith & Family takes us away without any of the untoward subjects and nudity that have overtaken the airwaves. With this streaming service, you can rest assured you won’t be taken aback by subject matters. This is wholesome entertainment. That is not derogatory. It is a compliment to the network. We need this, especially in these times.

Check out their website for more information and subscription options

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.

Jurassic Quest gets visitors up close and personal with dinosaurs

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Take Jurassic Park and add Land Before Time and you get Jurassic Quest. This is a step back in time to the world inhabited by dinosaurs.

There are animatronic dinosaurs to scale so visitors get an idea of how big they were. There are also fun things to do for kids. They can sit on a dinosaur or play in the dinosaur playground. Plus there are some slides and other activities to keep them busy.

While the kiddies are playing or coloring their favorite dinosaur – or picking something from the souvenir shop – there are fossils and castings of items from the dinosaur age. Check out those jaws from a jaws great white shark!

While inside the exhibit, the sounds of the dinos surround visitors. The only think I would have added would be some steam and a little more realistic floor. The exhibit is set up in a regular exhibition hall (I visited the one in the Anaheim Convention Center). But that aside, this is a nice little look at dinosaurs close up. And all the kids were anxious to get their picture taken beside their favorite dinosaurs.

 

Go to their website for upcoming events for 2022.

Also check out their website for downloadable activities and everything that guests can experience at the Jurassic Quest exhibition.

Click on the videos below to see some of the dinosaurs in action.

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.

‘Encanto’ is charming

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

The newest animated musical feature from the talented folks at Disney is Encanto. This is a charming story of magic, family, and destiny.

The story takes place in Colombia and focuses on the Madrigal family who all live in a magical house in the mountains. They call their casita “Encanto.” When each member of the family reaches a certain age, he/she is blessed with a different magic power. However, little Mirabel is not given any power. This is unusual. This has not happened before.

Mirabel, now fifteen years old, does not let the fact that she is the only one in her family without a magical power get her down. She is a loving, happy little girl, but looked down upon by others in the family.

She is not an outsider but she is not fully embraced by the entire family. She is, however, an adorable, generous, and wonderful little girl. And when she discovers the magic is about to go away and the fate of Encanto is in jeopardy, Mirabel decides it is up to her to save the house and her family.

This unlikely heroine is voiced by Stephanie Beatriz, who does a wonderful job of brining the love and excitement of life to Mirabel. “There’s something that clicks inside her where she realizes the wheels are in motion for her to chase down her destiny,” said Beatriz. “I like these heroine songs so much. We go on this major journey with the character and suddenly we know her better from the inside.”

The movie is filled with upbeat songs from the legendary Lin-Manuel Miranda. The film is colorful with the joy of family, love, and life in the forefront. Audiences around the country have fallen in love with little Mirabel. She is definitely a Disney heroine in the same style as Moana. Mirabel deserves to be among the musical Disney heroines and is a character that the entire family will enjoy watching.

The movie opened in theaters November 24, 2021 and is now streaming on Disney+. It will be available on DVD, Blu-ray, 4K, and digital February 8, 2022 with plenty of bonus features, including a look at the making of the film, a sing-along version, a trip to Colombia, deleted scenes, and more. Plus there is a featurette about the house and a feature to jump to specific songs.

Encanto is rated PG.

 

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.

Photo courtesy Disney

‘Ron’s Gone Wrong’ is a heartfelt story of friendship

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Ron’s Gone Wrong is an animated story of friendship as well as an inside look at how technology is influencing our lives. The focus of the movie is one lonely little boy who finds his best friend in an artificial intelligent being, but ultimately learns the biggest lesson in life for today’s world. It is that machines cannot take the place of human relationships.

Barney is a middle school student who does not have any friends. Every other child in the school has one of the new B-Bots, which are robots built to be a child’s best friend. All Barney wants for his birthday is his own B-Bot. The only B-Bot his father can find is a beat up bot that has not had its program uploaded. This little fellow has no idea what he is supposed to do, so Barney takes it upon himself to teach the bot how to be his best friend. Ultimately what happens is the bot, whom he named Ron due to his serial number, teaches Barney how to be a best friend.

This story is a comment on today’s world. The inventor of the B-Bots designed them to be a friend and to help children make new friends. The company, however, has other ideas about the bots. By uploading everything about the children, marketing can target specific ads to them. Sound familiar? How many times have you searched for a product or looked at a product online and all of a sudden you get ads for that specific product?

When the bots go crazy in the schoolyard, the situation is compared to “Mad Max meets Sesame Street.” But while the kids are spending all of their time with their own bots, they are missing out on interpersonal skills and relationships. This is something that kids today are facing. Spending all of their time on their phones or tablets is similar to what Barney and his fellow students do with their bots. Who needs people when a bot is your best friend?

The movie is a fun story and the characters of Barney and Ron are heartwarming. Even though Ron is not functioning the way he was supposed to, he teaches the people that friendship is the ultimate goal of their lives. We need each other, and Barney is just the guy to prove that.

Ron’s Gone Wrong is a cute story that will touch hearts of all ages. It is now available on DVD, Blu-ray, 4K, and digital. The movie is rated PG.

 

And look for the plush interactive Ron, your best friend in a box.

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.

‘Beanie Mania’ is now streaming on HBO MAX

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

It’s time to confess. Have you purchased a Beanie Baby at all or were given one since they hit the shelves in 1993? If so, then you are not alone. Beanie Babies took the country by storm and it was all the rage to collect these small stuffed animals. But how did this craze begin? You’ll be surprised.

Thanks to a few mothers in Illinois, the Beanie  Baby craze overtook the land. Not only were kids collecting them, trading, them, and enjoying playing with them, but adults got into the game. Adults became the biggest collectors of Beanie Babies and their popularity soared, thanks in a large part to these few women from outside of Chicago. 

The documentary, Beanie Mania, delves into the history of how the craze erupted and how these small stuffed animals became the sensation they were and still are – without the help of a large toy store or toy company supporting them. It’s an amazing story about capitalism and is a good demonstration of the “American Dream.”

Viewers will be in awe at how these stuffed animals grew to the popularity they have enjoyed, and how retiring some have caused the secondary market to surge. Collectors call stores around the country in attempts to track down specific Beanie Babies. This story is amazing, and shows how one man’s dream grew and became a major success. Ty Warner (the “TY” logo on the heart-shaped tag worn by every Beanie Baby) started with just a small amount of animals. Thanks to a group of women, this small amount grew and grew. 

The Chinese saw the popularity of this product and began producing fake Beanie Babies, and for a small fee, one woman is able to ascertain whether your animal is real or fake. Make no mistake, there are definitely fake Beanie Babies out there, but their worth is, well, worthless. Only authentic Beanie Babies hold their value and go up in price. And wow, do their prices go up, and up, and up.

Beanie Mania is now available to stream on HBO MAX. It could be time to check your attacks and garages to see if you have any Beanie Babies that are worth a small fortune. Cha-Ching!!

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.

 

Photo courtesy HBO Max

‘For Auld Lang Syne’ unites the Peanuts gang in a new New Year’s story

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Join Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Sally, Snoopy, Pig Pen, Schroeder, Franklin, Patty, Peppermint Patty, Violet, Shermy, Frieda, and the rest of the gang – even Snoopy’s siblings – when they get together to celebrate the New Year. This is a new holiday show for the entire family.

Lucy is excited for her grandmother to come visit for Christmas. When the visit is cancelled, Lucy thinks it is because of her. Maybe she is not loveable. To prove to herself that she is loved, Lucy throws an elegant New Year’s Eve party, with Snoopy and his family supplying the music, Peppermint Patty and Marcie carving the ice sculpture, Charlie Brown in charge of the decorations, and Linus leading everyone in “Auld Lang Syne” at midnight.

This seems like the best way to prove to herself that she is loved. But will her party be a success or a failure?

 

And in the meantime, Charlie Brown is worried because he has not been able to accomplish any of his resolutions for the year that is quickly coming to an end. Maybe he just needs to adjust his expectations.

This is a fun story of friendship, family, and love. Perhaps the most emotional part is the family reunion with Snoopy’s sister Belle and their brothers Spike, Marbles, Olaf, and Andy. (Molly and Rover did not come and are not mentioned in the show.)

This is the first new original holiday special on Apple TV+. Enjoy it with your entire family. After all, Good Old Charlie Brown and the whole Peanuts gang have always been part of our lives and continue to entertain us with their charm, wit, enthusiasm, music, and definitely their love. Happy New Year, Charlie Brown!

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 they met the Monarchy

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

Marrying into any family comes with some stress, but when it’s the royal family, well, it’s monumentally stressful. Combining two families is not often easy, as the new documentaries airing on True Royalty TV demonstrate.

The series includes the joining of the Spencer family with the Windsor family. When Lady Diana married Prince Charles the two families became forever entwined. The Spencers had a long relationship with the royals and Diana was no stranger to their social circle. The Queen said Diana “was one of us.” Joining the two blue-blooded families seemed like the perfect match, but that was not to be.

The fiery Spencers were internally more robust than the Windsors, and Diana was a true Spencer. But she did something no one ever thought she would do. She changed the monarchy in many ways. She was the first to have her children delivered in a hospital. She was the first to take her children with her on overseas visits. She was the first to take her children to “normal” places like McDonald’s and the like.

The Queen Mother was not as excited about joining the two families. She was still affected by the abdication and did not want the family to experience any more turmoil. But they did. And the Spencers were the family that added the spice to the royals.

The Middleton family joined the Windsors when Catherine wed Prince William. They were not from the same social circle as the royals and as they quickly discovered, the media scrutinized them all. Catherine’s sister Pippa and brother James became pop culture icons due to their older sister’s husband.

The Middleton family was the first to become a real part of the royal family. Their relationship with Kate and William is strong and they are included in family events, unlike in-laws of the past. This was a big step for the Windsors but a necessary one and one that has proven to be an asset to the royal brand. The Middletons have proven themselves to be upstanding and free from scandal. But scandal is too common when joining two families….

When Sarah Ferguson married Prince Andrew all seemed right with the world for the Windsors. The Queen got on splendidly with “Fergie” and they shared their love of horses and the outdoors. But this union produced more than one scandal for the royals.

Sarah did not adapt well to being a royal and defied several conventions. But that is not what got her into the trouble with the royals. First was the scandal involving her father who had been close to the Queen and Prince Philip. His massage parlor escapade quickly put him in bad standing with his in-laws. Then Fergie sought comfort with other men and her dalliances made the front page of the papers, which was the final straw for the Ferguson/Windsor union.

The Markles also caused even more turmoil in the family. What they learned, as all of the families that have joined with the Windsors learn, is that not only is the married person subject to scrutiny and media attention, but being in the royal family puts a spotlight on the entire family. Thus to date, the joining of the Markel and Windsor families have caused the most trouble for the Queen and her family. And the turmoil of the union is still going on today.

All of these documentaries are available on True Royalty TV, along with plenty more about the British royal family and royals around the world.

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.