There’s a new season of Power Rangers Dino Fury on Nickelodeon. Saturday mornings are great fun!
Author: Francine Brokaw
‘The Croods: A New Age’ GIVEAWAY
The Croods: A New Age reunites the characters and the voice talent for a new look at the prehistoric family along with some new friends. The Crood family meets another prehistoric family, The Bettermans, who have managed to modernize their lives and invite the Croods to join them.
With all the characters – and voice talent – from the original movie plus new characters, this is a fun and entertaining film for the entire family.
We have a 4K version to giveaway. It includes a Blu-ray disc, a 4K Ultra HD disc, and Digital Code.
To be eligible to win a copy of The Croods: A New Adventure, email us at [email protected] with “Croods Giveaway” in the title. Please supply your name, address, phone number and email address (so we can let you know if you are a winner).
The deadline for this giveaway is February 25, 2021.
‘The Croods: A New Age’ is a true delight
The 2013 film The Croods was a fun film for kids and adults. Now The Croods: A New Age reunites the characters and the voice talent for a new look at the prehistoric family along with some new friends.
In this new adventure Grug (Nicolas Cage), Ugga (Catherine Keener), Thunk (Clark Duke), Sandy (Kailey Crawford), Eep (Emma Stone), Guy (Ryan Reynolds), and Belt (Chris Sanders), meet a new group of cave people, only this new family is different. They are more advanced and live in a tree rather than a cave. They have created tools to help with their lives. They are the Bettermans. There is the father, Phil (Peter Dinklage), the mother, Hope (Leslie Mann), and daughter Dawn (Kelly Marie Tran) along with Dawn’s sash (James Ryan).
The Bettermans were friends of Guy’s family when he was a young boy, and the reunion between them is a heartwarming surprise for Guy. Eep and Dawn become best friends. After all, neither of them has had a girlfriend before. They bond immediately.
Meanwhile, Grug cannot conform to this new way of living. He misses sleeping in a pile. With the Bettermans everyone has their own bed. So Grug decides his family must move on, but Guy and Eep want to stay.
Then the whole thing blows up when a monster, and some punch monkeys attack. Soon it is up to the women to save the men who have been taken by the monster. Girl power is on display as the four women, along with Thunk, use their brains and their brawn to come to the rescue.
If you are 4K compatible, by all means get the 4K edition. The colors are bright and beautiful and the visuals are stunning. Unlike the original movie, this sequel is filled with plenty of colors and even more imagination, if you can believe it. The modernizations made by the Bettermans are quite ingenious and when you add the Croods to the mix, everything is bumped up a notch. They are a loveable family with their own way of living. Now they must adjust to a more comfortable life created by the Bettermans. Can they hack it with the “modern” conveniences? Just try to stop them!
There are some fun bonus features on the disc, including a gag reel with the voice talent creating their memorable sounds. There are two short films with the characters and some deleted scenes. A family album and plenty more additions make this a fun-filled disc for the entire family.
The Croods: A New Adventure is rated G. It is a wonderful and comical way for families to spend an evening together.
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, 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. She is a longstanding member of the Los Angeles Press Club and the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.
‘Behind Her Eyes’ shows romantic abandonment can turn into psychotic jealousy fast!
Nothing can prepare you for this twisty psychological mystery/thriller unless you’ve read the source material – Sara Pinborough’s best-selling 2017 novel. Set in the domestic space of present-day London, Netflix’s new limited series, Behind Her Eyes, depicts a volatile entanglement of three lonely and unhappy people harboring dark secrets.
It’s impossible to find a decent man let alone an attractive eligible bachelor, particularly after you were betrayed and abandoned by your husband. Louise (Simona Brown) feels like she’s stuck in her mundane, uninspiring divorcée’s life revolving around her 7-year-old son Adam (Tyler Howitt).
As luck would have it, Louise meets a tall, dark, and handsome Scot at a local bar and shares a kiss with him. The mystery man, however, turns out to be her new boss, psychiatrist David (Tom Bateman). And just to rub salt into the wound, he happens to be married. Of course all the good ones are taken!
A ‘chance’ encounter with Adele (Eve Hewson), David’s Stepford wife, draws Louise right into her world of mind games. Adele appears to have it all, but she makes Louise privy to her emotionally suffocating marriage in so many subtle ways. She alternately bullies and charms Louise into a fast friendship behind David’s back.
Lurking beneath this picture-perfect couple is a tumultuous past in Scotland full of mysterious deaths, mental disorders, substance abuse, and then some. How far will the poor little rich girl go to guard her secrets? How long will her knight-in-shining-armor keep up appearances by skirting around the issues? The pathetic couple brings out the rescuer in Louise, but her acts of kindness backfire on her big time. No good deed goes unpunished.
Of all the psychological thrillers I’ve seen, Behind Her Eyes takes the cake for its spine-chilling revelation. I certainly hope there will be Season 2 soon and pick up where we left off. If not, the most disorienting ending I’ve ever seen will haunt me for the rest of my life.
Behind Her Eyes premieres February 17, 2021 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
‘Show Boat’ on Blu-ray
The 1951 musical Show Boat is actually the third version of this intriguing story of life on the river. Previous versions were produced in 1929 and 1936. They are all based on the popular novel by Edna Ferber, and each version adds more and more to the entertainment value of the story.
Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, Ava Gardner, Joe E. Brown, Agnes Moorehead, and Marge and Gower Champion are front and center in this classic musical. The story centers on the lives and loves of performers on a Show Boat as it travels down the Mississippi. The social mores of the day intrude on the happiness of the characters, as the divisions and racism of the time are predominant themes.
Memorable songs (“Ol’ Man River,” “Make Believe,” “Can’t Help Lovin’ That Man,” and more) make up this wonderful score, which was nominated for an Academy Award.
Captain Andy Hawks (Brown) runs the Show Boat with his wife Parthy (Moorehead). Their daughter Magnolia (Grayson) dreams of joining the cast however her mother has kept her in the background until now. Magnolia meets a suave traveling gambler named Gaylord Ravenal (Keel) who sweeps her off her feet.
In the meantime, the main star of the show, Julie (Gardner), finds herself in a difficult situation. She has been living as a white woman however has black blood running through her veins, and in this era, if there is one drop of black blood in a person, he or she is considered black. This causes upheaval on the boat when Julie’s secret is discovered.
As the story unravels the lives of the characters, the musical acts are woven through the film. Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein have created a memorable and delightful film.
Show Boat is part of the Warner Archive Collection. It is available from their website and online where Blu-rays are sold. This film is not rated however it is suitable for all ages.
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, 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. She is a longstanding member of the Los Angeles Press Club and the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.
The lives of William and Kate are examined on True Royalty TV
The royal couple we all know as William and Kate is the future of the British monarchy. Prince William and Duchess Catherine of Cambridge are taking on more and more responsibilities as Queen Elizabeth ages and reduced some of her duties. Prince Charles is next in line, and then the focus turns to William and Kate. The new four-part series on True Royalty TV examines their lives and looks at their future.
“William and Kate: The Early Years” examines their childhoods and school years. Their meeting at University was the beginning of their love affair that has lasted through the years. They did have a couple mini-separations throughout the years but managed to find their way back to each other. William wanted to make sure Kate knew what life she would lead and what would be expected of her if she decided to join the Royal family. He was thoughtful and gave her the time to discover what her future would be if they married. She took it on with gusto and determination, unlike Meghan who decided to bolt from the family at the first sign of trouble. Kate’s allegiance to William and the monarchy and Great Britain puts her in good stead with the public.
“William and Kate: The Wedding” examines the preparations and event that set the couple on their way to being the future King and Queen of Britain. All aspects of their wedding and the big day itself are looked at as viewers are transported back to that historic day.
“William and Kate: The Baby Years” looks at their lives as young parents. George is the next in line to the throne and Charlotte follows him even though she is a girl. The new law changed the succession allowing girls to retain their place in line. Had Charlotte been born before George, she would be the next in line after her father whereas in the past the males had priority over females. At least the monarchy is changing with the times!
“William and Kate: The Future” is an interesting look at what is ahead for this family. Both William and Kate have charities that are close to their hearts and will continue to be patrons of those organizations. While Kate might be compared to Princess Diana in many ways, she is forging her own path in the family and making her own mark on the establishment. Her parents are definitely front and center in their lives, which is a change from the past where those who joined the royal family basically put their own families aside in reference to the royal family. Kate and William are very close to her parents who have been instrumental in their lives.
Americans are enthralled with the royals, especially the young royals. Princess Diana captured the hearts of Americans and brought the monarchy back onto front pages and magazine covers. While Americans are happy they are not part of a monarchy, the lives of these people are interesting and definitely entertaining.
This four-part series is available on True Royalty TV along with many other shows about royals both in Britain and the world. Check out their website for subscription prices and promotions.
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, 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. She is a longstanding member of the Los Angeles Press Club and the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.
Disney’s new nuiMOs are great for kids as well as adults
The latest line of plush from The Disney Store and shopDisney.com is called Disney nuiMOs. These adorable small plush characters are approximately six inches high. They are all poseable, have magnets inside their hands so they can hold hands with each other, and have several outfits that can be purchased separately to create more fun and inspire young imaginations.
Currently the nuiMOs are: Mickey, Minnie, Stitch, Angel, Daisy, and Donald. Several outfits for the nuiMOs are available at this time with new ones on the horizon. The outfits can be mixed and matched for hours of fun and cuddles.
The sweet little characters do not need to be dressed. They are soft and cuddly on their own, but there are fun outfits to purchase to update their fashions. For instance, to celebrate The Chinese New Year, there are sets to dress Mickey and Minnie in elegant and colorful Chinese attire.
Angel, Daisy, and Minnie can be decked out in a cute sweater, skirt and headband set, while Mickey, Stitch, and Donald can wear the striped top, red vest, and blue pants set. Or perhaps the girls would prefer a pink tracksuit or a fancy red Valentine’s dress. Maybe the boys would like the Varsity set that includes denim pants, a cap, and lettered varsity jacket. There is a fun animal print set that would look great on both the boys and girls. Actually, there are too many adorable outfits to choose from. With more on the way, if a child has the plush a new outfit is a no-brainer gift for any occasion.
These plush characters are so cute and with their wardrobe collection, kids can create countless hours of fun by simply changing the attire. On snowy days, they can dress their nuiMOs in jackets and warmer clothes, and for formal occasions they can dress them up for a special day. And there is even a sequined backpack to add to their accessories. Creating new adventures for Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Stitch, and Angel is easy and inspires young imaginations.
New outfits, accessories, or plush will be released the first Monday of each month. There’s no time like the present to start a collection of Disney nuiMOs in your house.
The plush nuiMOs list for $17.99 each and the accessories start at $12.99. These are great for kids but also adults who love the characters. What a fun way to decorate and add some whimsy to an office or house. So, the bottom line is, this new collection is great for everyone.
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.
‘Hard to Hold’ stars Rick Springfield
The 1984 film Hard to Hold features Rick Springfield in his first feature film. Prior to this he had several roles in different television series’ including the hit daytime drama General Hospital where he played Dr. Noah Drake from 1981-2014. In this movie Springfield plays James Roberts, a rock musician/writer/singer who is at a junction in his career. The movie was written specifically for Springfield and highlights his songs and singing, along with his acting skills.
James Roberts is at the end of one of his tours in San Francisco and he bumps into Diana Lawson (Janet Eilber), literally. Lawson is a child psychologist and has no idea who this man is. And, to add insult to injury, she prefers the classics to rock music.
But that doesn’t deter Roberts. He pursues this woman and soon the two are falling in love. He wears his heart on his sleeve but she is too afraid of a commitment. In the meantime, James meets her father (Albert Salmi) and they become great friends. Diana sees a side of James his fans do not. He lets his hair down with her, and although he still has his career, he feels his life is lacking something.
During all this James’ band mate and songwriting partner Nicky (Patti Hansen) tries to rekindle their romance but James’ mind is on another woman. And, their collaboration is suffering. He is in love and wants upbeat and hopeful songs but she only comes up with dark ones.
While dating, James and Diana come up against the feverous rock fans that scream and grab at him when they see him. James Roberts is a rock superstar and his fans are out of control.
This new Blu-ray includes an interesting interview with director Larry Peerce who discusses the genesis of the story and how it was made. He says it was a fun experience filming a lot of the film on location in San Francisco but the dock scenes were filmed in San Pedro, outside of Los Angeles. Unfortunately for the filmmakers and actors, the building used for the movie was next to a cat food company and everyone had to put up with the horrible smell.
Hard to Hold is rated PG. (content and bare butts) It is a must-see for Springfield fans. The soundtrack is amazing however it is out of print but the songs are available on MP3.
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, 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. She is a longstanding member of the Los Angeles Press Club and the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.
‘Love, Weddings & Other Disasters’ comes to Blu-ray
The amazing cast makes Love, Weddings & Other Disasters enjoyable. While the story is a bit far fetched, the cast is wonderful. With stars like Diane Keaton and Jeremy Irons, how could it not be?
The opening scene is a great way to start this story. Jessie (Maggie Grace) is a free spirit and takes her boyfriend skydiving, but he chickens out. Well, it just gets funnier after that. Coincidentally, Grace also went skydiving in another film, The Jane Austen Book Club, in 2007.
Back on the ground, Jessie becomes a professional wedding planner and is hired by a couple to plan their perfect day – in one week. She has to take over from Lawrence Philips (Irons), the most prestigious planner in the city. Meanwhile, Lawrence is set up on a blind date with Sara (Keaton), and it is literally a blind date. She manages to impress him even though he has a complete OCD personality. Everything for him must be perfect. And Sara’s home is definitely not perfect, but she does not care because she cannot see and is used to it just the way it is.
Jessie hires Mack (Diego Boneta) and a handful of street musicians to play at the wedding. Did I forget to mention that the wedding is for the probable next mayor of the city? Jessie feels the pressure but manages to get things done.
During all this time, a duck boat captain (Andrew Bachelor) is searching the city for a woman who was on one of his tours. He has fallen in love with her even though he does not know her name or anything about her.
Now, add to the mix a couple from a local game show. This show chains two strangers together and the last couple to keep the chains and win the affection of the viewers wins one million dollars. Talk about whacky.
This group of zany characters manages to tie together all of their stories in this madcap look at love and marriage. Also, disasters!
The bonus feature is a look at how the movie came to be and the making of this screwball rom-com.
Love, Weddings & Other Disasters is rated PG-13 for crude sexual material and some strong language.
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, 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. She is a longstanding member of the Los Angeles Press Club and the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.
Vooks – streaming storybooks for kids
Vooks is a streaming platform for kids ages 2-8. It’s designed to be kid-safe so parents can rest assured their kids are in good hands. This is an ad-free platform with a free 30-day trial. After that, the fee is $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year and can be accessed via Apple TV, iPad, iPhone, and Roku and Amazon TV Fire Stick. With the subscription kids get unlimited access to the entire library of stories that are read aloud. This is a great way to occupy a rainy day or learn new things while being entertained. There are many familiar characters like Curious George and others, as well as those that might be new to your household.
LIST OF NEW VOOKS IN FEBRUARY – ALL LAUNCHING FEB.1
Curious George® Says Thank You
Buzzy’s Big Bedtime Book
Everyone is Someone
Gossie & Gertie
Hats Are Not For Cats
Slumberkins Otter
Wiggle Like An Octopus
What Do You Do With A Tail Like This
VOOKS LAUNCHING ON FEB. 12 FOR CHINESE NEW YEAR
PoPo’s Lucky Chinese New Year
Check out their website for more information and to get your free trial. This is a great way to use screen time while also giving parents another outlet for their kids to enjoy stories. Watch them together or rest comfortably knowing your kids are viewing appropriate content.