Author: Francine Brokaw

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.

‘Meet the Mayhems’ coming to Disney Channel and Disney+ in 2022

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Disney Branded Television has begun production in Los Angeles on Meet the Mayhems, an original live-action comedy series about a family of raucous supervillains who recently ran afoul of the League of Villains and now must somehow beat a path to normalcy in a small Texas town. The series is scheduled to premiere in summer 2022 on Disney Channel and Disney+ platforms around the world.

At the center of the story is teenage Havoc, who stands up against the leader of all villains, forcing her entire family to change their identities and relocate to a Texas suburb where she now goes by the name Amy. With the help of her effervescent new neighbor Hartley, she must somehow hide her superpowers and quell her villainous nature in favor of something she’s fought against all her life — being normal.

 

Animated ‘Big Nate’ coming to Paramount+

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The all-new animated series Big Nate from Nickelodeon Animation Studio is based on the best-selling children’s books and comic strip written and drawn by acclaimed author and cartoonist Lincoln Peirce. Set to debut early next year on Paramount+. The 26-episode series follows Nate, a precocious 11-year-old boy, and his best friends as they navigate sixth grade with humor and style.

Paramount+’s BIG NATE animated series will feature brand-new original storylines centered on Nate, a sixth-grade kid who has a never-ending need to prove his awesomeness to the world. Whether he’s dealing with disasters at home or detention at school, Nate Wright is no stranger to a challenge. Luckily, he’s able to express himself through the world of cartoons that he creates. Charming, mischievous and a magnet for misadventure – trouble is always fun when Nate is around.

The beloved characters of BIG NATE include:

  • Nate Wright – Sixth-grader Nate Wright believes he is AWESOME. He’s funny, entertaining and even a little insecure, but he’s not about to let the rest of the world know that.
  • Ellen Wright – Ellen is Nate’s older sister and the object of much angst for Nate. If Ellen has flaws, Nate’s never seen them, but he’s determined to find them anyway.
  • Martin Wright – Martin is a great single dad to Nate and Ellen, but life has not gone exactly as he planned. Parenting two kids is tough, and he’s doing it alone. But Martin doesn’t complain. Well, he does complain, but who doesn’t?
  • Dee Dee Holloway – Dee Dee is smart, excitable and able to pull off whatever the boys are incapable (or unwilling) to do, which makes her an invaluable member of the group.
  • Francis Pope – Francis tries to keep Nate’s wild ideas in check, or at least keep Nate out of unnecessary trouble. They’ve been inseparable since they met in kindergarten, and Francis is the friend Nate counts on the most.
  • Teddy Ortiz – Teddy is Nate’s main co-conspirator, a partner in chaos always willing to go along with Nate’s crazy schemes. But if there’s a chance they’ll get caught, Teddy has an amazing way of disappearing.
  • Chad Applewhite – Chad is a sweet, harmless kid, and one of Nate’s good friends. Like Teddy, Chad is willing to help Nate with all his schemes, he’s just not quite bright enough to run away when things go sideways.
  • Principal Nichols – Principal Nichols is a good guy who struggles with being an authority figure. He tries to act like a friend to his students, but he always comes off as an adult who’s trying way too hard to be “cool.”
  • Mrs. Godfrey – Affectionately called the “Creature Teacher” by Nate, Mrs. Godfrey more than lives up to the name. The woman is perpetually on edge and always waiting for someone – usually Nate – to step out of line.

 

‘The French Dispatch’ movie review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

The French Dispatch is an eclectic collection of stories with a phenomenal cast. From director Wes Anderson, the movie delivers some cute scenes however there are plenty of disconnected attributes.

Fans of Anderson know his quirkiness, and this movie lives up to that reputation. It is an ode to journalism, but most viewers probably won’t find the stories included in the film very interesting. The cast, however, does deliver great acting.

The story delves into an American newspaper in a fictional French town. Bill Murray is Arthur Howitzer, Jr., the editor of the newspaper. Henry Winkler, Owen Wilson, Timothee Chalamet, Bob Balaban, Frances McDormand, Adrien Brody, Benicio Del Toro, and others join him onscreen. That’s an impressive cast, however even these great talents don’t bring much interest for viewers. The story is measured with only slight levels of levity.

Anderson’s other films like Moonrise Kingdom and The Grand Budapest Hotel are more interesting, however fans of the director will undoubtedly enjoy this new film. If you are not into his kind of filmmaking, this is not for you. It is imaginative and has glimmers of enjoyment for viewers. The movie has garnered positive reviews yet for me it didn’t quite hit the mark. I would not recommend this show for the general public. It is an artsy film done in the Anderson flair.

The idea of the film is definitely engaging. It is a celebration of journalism and journalists.

The French Dispatch is rated R. It is not a show for kids.

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.

 

 

A look ahead at Disneyland Resort for 2022

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

The Disneyland Resort in Anaheim is not taking a back seat to the festivities of the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World in Orlando in 2022. There will be even more fun, fantasy, food, and definitely magic happening in Southern California.

 

The Main Street Electrical Parade (my favorite, I might add) is returning in the spring. This parade is a nighttime spectacular with Disney characters all decked out in colorful lights with memorable music to accompany the floats. And look for Elliot the Dragon (he’s impossible to miss) spewing his smoke, which is always a delight. Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy kick off the parade so when you’re at the park, make sure to get up close to see all the spectacular lights making their way down Main Street.

Fantasmic! also returns. Definitely look for this spectacular along the Rivers of America in Disneyland. With scenes from Fantasia, The Jungle Book, The Little Mermaid and more, this is a must-see for families.

 

And World of Color returns to Disney California Adventure. This colorful show brings back memories of some of the iconic moments from many Disney films. It is truly an amazing experience to watch as the effects are shown on the water and the music fills the air.

 

Also returning in the spring is the Disneyland Forever fireworks spectacular. This is a show to experience several times from different locations in the park as the special effects are shown on several buildings throughout the park while the fireworks light up the sky.

 

The Lunar New Year celebrations run from January 21-February 13, 2022, and the Food & Wine Festival returns from March 4-April 26, 2022. Make sure to get your Sip & Savor pass!

 

It is also hard to believe but this year marks the 10th anniversary of Cars Land in Disney California Adventure. I was there for the grand opening and it seems like just last year.

 

Even more fun awaits guests at the Disneyland Resort in 2022, with some special surprises ahead in 2023. Yep, it never ends. Disneyland is always advancing with more and more excitement for families and guests of all ages.

Returning January 10 for a limited time, “Mickey’s Mix Magic,” will be presented nightly in Disneyland park. State-of-the-art projections, show lighting and lasers transform Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle and the façade of “it’s a small world” into a dazzling, high-energy, family fun dance party celebrating Mickey Mouse, with fireworks added on select nights. (Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort).

To ring in the New Year with many jubilant celebrations coming in 2022, the Disneyland Resort is introducing a special weekday ticket offer just for Southern California residents. On sale now for visits beginning Jan. 3, 2022, eligible guests may experience the magic of Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park for as little as $67 per day with the purchase of a three-day, one-park per day weekday ticket, subject to park reservations, at Disneyland.com/SoCal. 

 

Check Disneyland.com for all the information about times, admission, and everything you need to know before you go.

 

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.

 

Photos: Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort