Author: Francine Brokaw

For Keeps dolls promote positivity

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

With all the stress in the world these days, kids need positive messages. The new For Keeps dolls are designed to do just that while at the same time sparking imaginations and adding some fun and fashion enjoyment.

Each of the seven dolls come with a special message plus several additional items besides the cute little dolls. They are about five inches tall and each one has a cute – and in most cases colorful – hairstyle and they all have smiles that are pretty much addicting. Just looking at them brings out a spark of joy.

The dolls are dressed in colorful outfits and there is a special surprise t-shirt included in the package. There are accessories (some dolls come with their own pets) as well as plastic stands on which to display the girls. Included in the package is a little cupcake that opens and can hold a small keepsake or a message of love and inspiration. Inspirational stickers and headbands also come in the packages. So, not only is there a doll that will become a child’s good friend, there are also many additions that can be interchanged with the others in the collection.

The founder of the company The Loyal Subjects, Jonathan Cathey said, “For Keeps is truly the first positive affirmation- and message-driven Fashion Doll – still filled with a ton of fashion play, but better!” The idea is to promote self-awareness and inspire kids with the idea of keeping them away from those pesky screens that have devoured hours of time. Playing with the dolls lets imaginations soar.

Each doll has a powerful message – “You Are Brave,” “You Are Love,” “You Can Do It,” “You Are Beautiful,” and “You Are Awesome.”

Each girl is unique. Mia is a Veterinarian, Ella is a Music Producer, Emma is a Filmmaker, Bella is a Journalist, Sophia is a Choreographer, and London and Paris are creative twins. Combine them for hours of playtime bringing out imagination and inspiration in kids.

These dolls are easy to transport so keeping them in a handbag is not a problem. Think about purchasing a few different dolls and hanging onto them for a time when your child needs a little extra bit of encouragement. They also make great stocking stuffers for the holiday season.

The For Keeps line of dolls is a new way to not only inspire youngsters but also promote positivity. After all, they have a lifetime ahead of them for all the stress and negativity that comes with life in this modern world. Childhood is the time for fun, love, and joy.

The For Keeps dolls are available at Target and Amazon.

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.

‘Jungle Cruise’ taps into Disneyland’s classic attraction

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt star in the Disney film Jungle Cruise. Like Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise takes its cue from the popular attraction in Disneyland. This was one of the first attractions to open in the park. Originally the park created many rides (aka attractions) based on Disney films, however they are branching out creating films based on the attractions. Perhaps there is a Matterhorn film in the future.

Johnson plays Frank Wolff. He’s the skipper of his boat and takes visitors on whacky tours of the Amazon. Blunt is Lily Houghton, who has come to the jungle to search for a mystical tree that could change the fate of humanity. There is a long legend about this tree. (See the film for all the backstory.) She hires Wolff to take her down the river to a specific location. Hesitantly, he agrees.

Needless to say, the movie is a hodgepodge of magical creatures and mystical elements. There are many colorful scenes with amazing creatures and a beautiful tree (spoiler alert – they do find the tree!)

The chemistry between Blunt and Johnson is similar to that of Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart in The African Queen. Blunt is a feisty and eager woman. These two definitely get on each other’s nerves. He calls her “pants” because she wears trousers instead of a dress, which was a no-no for women of the time. And she calls him “skippy” instead of skipper, which annoys him to no end.

What adds to the fun of the film are the one-liners and quips that guests who have taken the Jungle Cruise ride in Disneyland are all too familiar. For instance, we all know when we board the boat that we will see “the back side of water.” While the story is more magical than the attraction, viewers do get a sense of the popular ride.

The bonus features include a “making of” featurette, which takes viewers behind the scenes with the actors. It’s fun way to get more inside information. The filmmakers were excited to get their first choice for each role. There is also a feature with several people who have been skippers on the park’s attraction. They have some fun stories to tell. A look at how the filmmakers created the Amazon and also filmed in Hawaii, as well as a cute feature with the two main actors also adds to the fun of the production. Deleted scenes and outtakes round out the bonus material.

Viewers may view the film in regular mode or “Expedition Mode” which shows Easter Eggs and some pop-up trivia and facts.

Jungle Cruise is available on DVD, Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Code, and 4K/Blu-ray/Digital Code. There are some frightening scenes so this film is rated PG-13 for sequences of adventure violence.

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.

New products from ZURU for holidays 2021

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Last year the folks at ZURU had some really fun toys. This year they have even more for the holidays and the following are designed for ages 3+.

Rainbocorns Fairycorn Surprises are large plastic eggs, each filled with a unique plush character along with several additional surprises. There can be hair ornaments, jewelry, scented items, and more.

RainBocorns Talkin’ Jelly Shake Surprise is a colorful plastic “egg” that resembles an ice cream sundae. Now you’re talking my language! The plush animals are adorable plus they talk and sing.(Click that link to see and hear them sing.)  They are colorful, have fun faces, and when their hand is pressed they sing and talk. (Make sure they are turned on first. The switch is located in the Velcro pocket under the animal.) They are sure to brighten even the gloomiest winter days and put a smile on everyone’s faces. Besides the talking plush animals, each container is filled with plenty of additional fun pieces.

The RainBocorns Epic Golden Egg is the cream of the crop for girls. This golden egg glitters with plenty of golden sparkles and sequins. And inside there is a plush animal along with some fun hair accessories as well as several small plastic figures. With over 25 surprises inside this great golden egg, the fun keeps coming. Think of these as one big item with many additional items inside, along with the very large plush. How they get everything in these eggs is a mystery. And exactly what is inside is a mystery. Unfortunately, parents will most likely be pressured by their kids into buying several of these surprising products. Also, think about getting some now and putting them away for Easter. Click this link to watch and hear what this little fellow can do.

The ZURU Pets Alive series of moving fluffy animals now has an adorable little Pug – Poppy. Poppy will be a fun addition to your family. She has big, expressive eyes, a floppy tongue, soft fur, and – wait for it – she barks and moves. When her button is pressed (4 AA batteries are included), Poppy will swing her head, shake, and even manage to spin around in a circle. And her little tail and backside shake to show she is having a great time. What a great way to add a new pet to any household – especially one that gives so much fun but doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. All she needs is love.

Calling all Paw Patrol fans! The Bubble Wow Paw Patrol gloves make bath time more fun than ever. Simply put on one of the gloves (they have all the pups) and there will instantly be bubbles everywhere. If you have a child who hates washing up, this is your answer. Paw Patrol and bubbles together make bath time fun time.

For more information about all the fun new products this season, check out their website. While there, check out the online games and activities.

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 ‘Paw Patrol: The Movie’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

In their first feature film, the PAW Patrol travels from Adventure Bay to Adventure City to save the city and the people from the evil new Mayor Humdinger. This guy is evil to the core, plus he hates dogs. PAW Patrol: The Movie also introduces the newest member of the team – Liberty.

PAW Patrol is on a roll when the loveable little puppies with big hearts and a desire to do good take on the troubles of the big city. Not only is the city bigger than Adventure Bay, their new headquarters is also bigger and everything has more technology and abilities to make their jobs much easier.

As always, the team works together to save the citizens of Adventure City and along the way little Chase realizes that even though he gets scared, if he keeps going he will still be a hero. That lesson is from little Liberty who assists the team while they are in the big city. Her cunning and gusto make her a great addition to the PAW Patrol and Liberty finally becomes one of the team.

This is a fun-filled adventure for all members of the family. Fans of the popular series will undoubtedly enjoy it and it will also introduce newbies to the loveable pups and their incredible machines. They can do just about everything.

One of the bonus features on the disc looks at each member of the team, their individual special machines, and the upgraded city headquarters. Marshall, Zuma, Rocky, Skye, Rubble, Liberty, Chase, and Ryder each have specific tools at their disposal and these are amazing, taking them up, digging, going under water, fighting fires, etc. And each tool or vehicle has multiple uses and can change into different configurations. I wish my car could do half of these.

Another bonus looks at Chase’s background and how he became part of the PAW Patrol. And the final bonus feature is a music video with a reimagined theme.

And before you ask, yes, there are plenty of toys to go along with this movie, including a replica of the city headquarters, as well as many transforming vehicles. After all, this is the time of year for holiday purchases so to go along with this Blu-ray or DVD, pick up a PAW Patrol toy to make it a super present. I wish they had these when I was a kid.

PAW Patrol: The Movie is rated G.

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.

Go inside Kensington Palace on True Royalty TV

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

There are many great documentaries on the True Royalty TV streaming channel. They not only educate but also entertain viewers. For instance, if all you know about Kensington Palace is that it is where Princess Diana lived and the site where those thousands of flowers were placed after her death, then you don’t know Kensington Palace.

This documentary (currently 2 parts), Kensington Palace: Behind Closed Doors, take viewers behind the scenes where the public is not privy but also traces the history of the rooms, the décor, and its most famous resident – Queen Victoria.  With up close and personal insights from those who work at the palace, to historical items and history of the rooms, this show is phenomenal. It brings a big part of British history to life.

The great sunken gardens, where Harry and Megan announced their engagement and where the new Diana statue sits, were a favorite locale for the late princess. The gardens have been through several incarnations and a complete transformation in time for the new statue. Watching it transform is a treat.

There is a truly amazing painting in the King’s staircase that is a must-see. History comes alive through the narration of what life was like during the 1720s when King George I ruled the land. This mural by William Kent takes viewers and visitors back in time.

Besides viewing these historical rooms and learning about the former occupants of the palace, viewers of this show see how those who work there as well as all British people treasure it. This building is currently an apartment complex, with several royals in residence. Half of the palace is for residents only, but a large portion is on view for visitors.

Prince William and Duchess Catherine (Kate) currently reside in apartment 1 A, which used to house Princess Margaret. And she was the ultimate party princess. This is definitely off limits to the public. But what visitors are treated to are the Queen’s State Apartments, The King’s State Apartments, and the rooms in which Victoria was born and lived.

Since Princess Diana holds a special place in the hearts of people around the world, there is always at least one piece of her wardrobe on display. And to see how carefully the caretakers of her collection judiciously handle and inspect the clothing (only while wearing gloves) is remarkable. They treat her clothes like the crown jewels. That is how much her legacy is cherished at this historic palace.

For a real intimate look behind closed doors of Kensington Palace, check out this 2-part documentary on True Royalty TV. For more information go to their website.

 

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.

Bring home the Audrey Hepburn 7-Movie Collection

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


With the new Blu-ray + Digital 7-movie collection, fans of Audrey Hepburn can have her popular and memorable films in one package. Hepburn (1929-1993) was one of the most iconic actresses of the twentieth century lighting up the big screen with her beauty, charm, and talent. She was also a humanitarian, working tirelessly for UNICEF, and in 1993 she was given (posthumously) the Academy Award Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.  Hepburn took home the Oscar in 1954 for her performance in the 1953 film Roman Holiday. She was also nominated four additional times for Academy Awards as “Best Actress in a Leading Role.”

Included in this collection from Paramount Home Entertainment is Breakfast at Tiffany’s, which is known for the title song “Moon River.” It is also known for Hepburn’s portrayal of Holly Golightly and her iconic black dress accented by her updo hair design.

Bonus features to go along with this movie include a “making of” featurette, a look at Audrey as a style icon, and an informative bio of Henry Mancini. There are also two interesting featurettes about Tiffany and Hepburn’s relationship with that iconic jewelry company. She was only one of two people who have ever worn the famous Tiffany diamond.  In 1987 for the 150th anniversary book about the company, Hepburn penned the preface where she wrote about the essence of the company.

Another movie in the collection is the 1953 film Roman Holiday, which has Hepburn playing Princess Ann. This princess goes AWOL while on a diplomatic mission to Rome and enjoys just being a regular girl traipsing through the city. But unlike a royal of today (whom I will not mention), Ann realizes her duty to her family and her country and ends up returning to her royal life. But wow, does she have great memories of her time in Rome.

One bonus feature is a short video log around Rome. The movie was filmed entirely on location in the eternal city. This was Audrey Hepburn’s first film. She was only 24 years old. Fans of the actress will be delighted with the great biography feature detailing the life of this beloved actress. A featurette about writer Dalton Trumbo addresses the Hollywood Blacklist, yet he went on to win an Oscar for the film.

In Paris When it Sizzles (1964) Hepburn plays Gabrielle, an assistant to William Holden’s character of Richard Benson. This is a film that does not have the wide popularity of the others in the collection, nevertheless it shows Hepburn’s adorable character and is fun to watch.

War and Peace is the adaptation of Tolstoy’s classic novel of romance during the war of 1812 when Napoleon invaded Russia. While the war progresses, the lives of two noble families are front and center.

Who can forget “The Rain in Spain” falls mainly on the plain? Or “I Could Have Danced All Night?” These are only two of the great musical numbers in the 1964 movie My Fair Lady, in which Hepburn plays a cockney flower girl taken in by linguist Henry Higgins (Rex Harrison) taught to be a refined lady.

There are numerous bonus features to go along with this film. The additional features are on a separate disc and include a one-hour history of the story of Pygmalion and the film itself. Movie historians discovered never before seen videos behind the scenes of the production as well as Hepburn’s original audio recordings of the songs. In the final version another singer dubbed her songs, but Hepburn proved she could handle the tunes. The movie was made and hyped to be the “event of the decade,” and it basically was just that.

Funny Face is a 1957 film, which also has Hepburn in iconic outfits, mainly her black slacks and top when she appears in a beatnik club.  Fred Astaire plays an international fashion photographer who discovers Hepburn and makes her a star in the fashion world.

A bonus feature looks at the world of fashion photographers and how they work. There is also a look at Paris itself and how the monuments of the city added to the story. The movie is considered a “love letter to Paris in the 1950s.”

The final film in the collection is Sabrina, a 1954 film where Hepburn is the daughter of a chauffeur to an aristocratic family. She falls in love with their youngest son (William Holden) to the disappointment of the family when he returns her affection. The family devises a plan in which the older son (Humphrey Bogart) woos Sabrina to get her mind off of her romance. But things go awry. This is a fun story, which was remade in 1995 with Julia Ormond taking the role originated by Hepburn.

A bonus feature looks at the career of William Holden and there are additional featurettes looking at the fashion and the film and the actors.

While Audrey Hepburn made many more unforgettable films (Charade, Two for the Road, Wait Until Dark, The Children’s Hour, and more), the seven films in this collection represent the amazing career of this beloved star.

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.

Tazzy Candy – no sugar added but plenty of flavor

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

We all, well most of us, crave something sweet from time to time. Tazzy Candy is a unique company that makes several delectable flavors of lollipops that are all sugar free. And to add to that, they are gluten free kosher, vegan, and made in the USA. You can’t get any better than that.

Friends Delia Hughes and Lindsay Simon founded this unique company. “Our obsession with candy started over 10 years ago, when Delia and I met in college,” said Lindsay. “We were studying Food Science and became close friends after joining a candy laboratory for school credit. We were always brainstorming products we would create if we ever owned our own candy business, but as many college graduates do, we entered the corporate world.”

 

“We found ourselves returning to the candy world. We were hard core candy lovers, but also getting into health & wellness, which is a conflicting combo to say the least,” Delia added. “Lindsay would buy “better-for-you” candy and complain they lacked flavor and had funky textures. My issue was I always ate snacks too quickly. We were just never satisfied.”

“And finally, after countless kitchen nightmares and late nights, we had a product that was juicy, delicious, and long lasting. So, we took a leap of faith, left our corporate jobs, and launched Tazzy Candy,” said Lindsay.

And the flavors they came up with are very interesting. With packages of sour watermelon, spicy mango and a combo package with lemon, mango, acai berry, and pink grapefruit, they have a collection of flavors for everyone. And they are working on more goodies to be produced soon.

While little kids might not enjoy the sour watermelon or the spicy mango, parents will definitely feel good about giving their kids the lemon, mango, and pink grapefruit lollipops. They are individually packaged in each packet so this is a great way to make Halloween a little healthier this year when small ghosts and goblins visit your home.

Sugar free, gluten free, kosher, natural flavors and colors, vegan, and made in the USA are good reasons to try these hard candies. But there is one more reason. This women-owned company will donate 10% of the proceeds from the Acai Berry packages to Metastatic Breast Cancer Research.

For more information or to order, go to their website.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. Follow her on Twitter.

Dragons: The Nine Realms

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Set 1,300 years after the events of How To Train Your Dragon, dragons are now just a legend to the modern world. When a geological anomaly opens up an immense, miles-deep fissure in the Earth’s surface, scientists from all over the world gather at a new research facility to study the mysterious phenomenon. Soon a group of misfit kids, brought to the site by their parents, uncover the truth about dragons and where they’ve been hiding — a secret they must keep to themselves to protect what they’ve discovered.

Dragons: The Nine Realms comes to HULU and Peacock December 23, 2021

‘Clifford The Big Red Dog’ is coming!

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


When middle-schooler Emily Elizabeth (Darby Camp) meets a magical animal rescuer (John Cleese) who gifts her a little, red puppy, she never anticipated waking up to find a giant ten-foot hound in her small New York City apartment. While her single mom (Sienna Guillory) is away for business, Emily and her fun but impulsive uncle Casey (Jack Whitehall) set out on an adventure that will keep you on the edge-of-your-seat as our heroes take a bite out of the Big Apple. Based on the beloved Scholastic book character, Clifford will teach the world how to love big!

Clifford The Big Red Dog comes to theaters and on Paramount+ NOVEMBER 10, 2021.