Author: Francine Brokaw

William Shatner has a ‘Senior Moment’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

William Shatner and Jean Smart costar in their new film Senior Moment. It takes place in Palm Springs, California and has many funny scenes as well as some sentimental ones.

Shatner is Victor Martin, a retired NASA test pilot. He loves speed and he loves his vintage Porsche. His greatest joys in life are driving his car and going after young women. His best friend is Sal (Christopher Lloyd), who goes along with what Victor does. And Victor does some reckless things.

Caroline (Smart) owns a cute little café and is famous for her strudel. She is a throwback to the 60s and only uses organic ingredients while living a pretty healthy lifestyle.

Victor meets Pablo (Carlos Miranda) on the road. Pablo drives a hopped up old sedan. He challenges Victor to a road race. Well, things don’t go according to plan and Victor spins out his car while jeopardizing the lives of pedestrians. His punishment from the court is the revocation of his driver license and the impounding of his beloved car. It will take weeks for him to take a test to restore his license and get his car back. In the meantime, he has to resort to walking, cabs, and, to his chagrin, taking the bus.

It is on the bus that Victor meets Caroline. Things go along in their lives and pretty soon the two become friends. She gets him involved in her cause to save the Desert Tortoise and he introduces her to the joy of speed.

The relationship between the two takes on a sweet tone. They show that age does not mean life has to stop and love can happen at any time in life. Will Victor forego his lust for young nubile women? That would be a big change for him.

While he is preparing for his driving test, Victor, Caroline, and Pablo join with Sal and some of their friends to help him get his car back and get on with life. What Victor discovers is that things that mattered in the past might be obsolete to him now.

Ruta Lee makes a fun cameo.

Senior Moment is available now in theaters and on demand. The movie was filmed on location in and around Palm Springs. It is not rated however it does include sex and some drugs.

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.

Magical Egg Hunt Adventure

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Fans can now join shopDisney for its annual  Magical Egg Hunt Adventure online, and “hunt” for their favorite Disney eggs from the comfort of their homes!

The online experience launched earlier this month, lets fans download and print their eggs at home and use the digital interactive map to go on the egg hunt adventure around the house.

Fans can also still purchase the collectible Mystery Figure Easter Egg to commemorate completing their own magical egg hunt!

The digital experience is FREE for all Guests and will be available from now until April 4.

 

Competition erupts on HBO MAX Family

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

There are two fun and very imaginative competition shows on the HBO MAX. Both of them will definitely inspire the budding crafter or baker in your family.

In each episode of Craftopia three kids vie for the trophy and the $5000 prize. They are given an assignment to create something specific. There is just about everything at their disposal. However they do have a time limit in which to complete their tasks. For instance, in one episode they are tasked to create an interesting and different invitation. The first part of the competition eliminates one of the three, having been judged on their creations. Then the final two are given another assignment, which is a little more difficult. The winner gets the cash award and a special “Craftrophia” trophy.

Having been in lockdown for a year, kids and families have been creating their own crafts together to fill up the time. Now it is time to see what some kids have learned and enjoyed with their own crafting. And this is a cute way to educate kids about imagination and creation. It’s a fun competition show for families to watch together. Craftopia has just returned for a second season with YouTube Influencer Lauren Riihimaki aka (LaurDIY) as the host

Baketopia is just about the same premise however in this sugar-coated competition adults use their baking skills for the $10,000 prize and the “Baketrophia” trophy. Just like in the other show, these contestants are tasked with creating specific delicious goodies. They are judged on taste and presentation, and if their creations fit the bill, as far as the assignment is concerned.

A word of warning – Baketopia will definitely get your juices stirring and viewers will undoubtedly be craving some sweet treats. You will need willpower to resist running to your fridge to get some cake or the freezer for ice cream, or even the pantry for some cookies. Can you say “delicious?”

The show is a fun experience for families who can then take on their own challenge and create something together. There are plenty of kids who desire to bake and this is a fun way for them to see what can be achieved and for families to enjoy a pastime together. Social Media Influencer and Executive Producer Rosanna Pansino hosts this sugary series.

These shows are part of the HBO MAX Family selections.

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 new 4K Blu-ray ‘The Ten Commandments’ bonus features

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


The classic film The Ten Commandments is now available on 4K Ultra High Definition Blu-ray, which makes a big difference when viewing this epic film. The story of Moses is timeless. Commemorating the 65th anniversary of Cecil B. De Mille’s wonderful film is this release on 4K HD, which includes the stunning 4K disc along with two Blu-ray discs for parts one and two.

Charleston Heston’s performance of Moses is looked at as one of the best portrayals of a biblical icon, and the best portrayal of Moses. Throughout the rest of his life Heston was pretty much synonymous with Moses that is how much the film has been revered over the years.

The bonus features include commentary by Katherine Orrison who wrote “Written in Stone: Making Cecil B. De Mille’s Epic The Ten Commandments.” The 4K disc has the Ultra High Definition version of the movie. One Blu-ray disc includes part one of the film in the High Definition and the second Blu-ray disc includes part two. There is a bonus feature with the New York premiere showing footage that was taken during that event. It’s quite entertaining to see the glamorous stars arriving for this event. Movie trailers are also included.

The final bonus feature is a “making of” short that was meant as a trailer in the past. This is an interesting look at the production and the story of Moses. De Mille explains how some artists have portrayed Moses with horns, however the Hebrew word from the Bible also means rays of light and many artists have portrayed Moses with beautiful rays of light coming out of his head. As De Mille says, there was a “lifetime between the baby in the basket” and Moses receiving the Ten Commandments. Though these years are excluded from the Bible, the filmmakers had to research historic documents to fill in those eventful years. In this 10-minute short, the various characters are introduced and De Mille said they filmed the movie “on the very ground that Moses walked.” For this filmmaker, Moses’ life is “one of the greatest adventure stories.” This 10-minute short is a great introduction to the story of Moses and the Exodus.

The Ten Commandments stars an impressive array of actors from the past: Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter, Edward G. Robinson, Nina Foch, Martha Scott, Cedric Hardwicke, John Derek, Debra Paget, Vincent Price, John Carradine, Yvonne De Carlo, and many more. This is a great film for family viewing.

The Ten Commandments is rated G. This 4K version is spectacular.

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.

Bring home ‘Earwig and the Witch’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Earwig and the Witch is another fantasy story from Studio Ghibli. At its center is a well-meaning and wise little girl.

Earwig is left at the door of an orphanage when she is just a tot. The note accompanying her explains that her mother is a witch and is running from other witches and will return for her sometime in the future. She is renamed Ericka by the head of the orphanage and the little girl grows up happy. Why isn’t she happy? After all, everyone there does whatever she wants. And she is a kind little girl.

One day a strange couple adopts her, even though she says she does not want to leave. She discovers the woman, Bella, is a witch and only wants her for an extra pair of hands. Earwig agrees to work hard if Bella will teach her spells. The Mandrake is the head of the house and never wants to be disturbed. This is a strange and upsetting place however Earwig accepts the challenge and goes to work.

After awhile she is tired of being treated like a slave and along with the talking cat named Thomas, decides to create some magic to reverse the situation.

When Earwig was left at the orphanage there was a cassette with her. This tape contains a song that Earwig plays and soon discovers it is magical. Life then turns around for Earwig.

Included on the Blu-ray disc is a full-length storyboard layout of the film complete with audio. It provides viewers a peek inside how animated films are created. Another bonus feature (in Japanese with English subtitles) is a look at how the film came to be, what the filmmakers thought about the story and the characters, how music plays an important part in the film, and more. The movie is taken from the novel by Diana Wynne Jones. The story of this clever little girl who faces darkness but turns it into light caught the attention of Studio Ghibli. Kids might want to search for the novel to read the story themselves.

While this is not the best movie from Studio Ghibli, it is entertaining, and Earwig is a delightful character. Earwig and the Witch is their latest film.

Other films from Studio Ghibli

  • When Marnie Was There
  • The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
  • The Wind Rises
  • From Up on Poppy Hill
  • Arrietty
  • Ponyo
  • Tales from Earthsea
  • Howl’s Moving Castle
  • The Cat Returns
  • Spirited Away
  • My Neighbors the Yamadas
  • Princess Mononoke
  • Whisper of the Heart
  • Pom Pom
  • Ocean Waves

Earwig and the Witch is rated PG for some scary images and rude material. The DVD is available April 6, 2021 and Digital platforms March 23, 2021.

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.

‘My Little Pony: Pony Life’ returns for a second season

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Mark your calendars, every pony! MY LITTLE PONY: PONY LIFE is back for a second season of friendship, magic and laughs with the Mane 6  on Discovery Family. The eOne produced series will also stream live and on demand on Discovery Family GO, the network’s TV Everywhere app.

Season 2 of MY LITTLE PONY: PONY LIFE continues to feature the Mane 6 galloping through Sugarcube Corner. Together, they discover mysterious objects, uncover puzzling scenarios and experience binding moments. The second season of MY LITTLE PONY: PONY LIFE challenges the Mane 6 with tough decisions that test their strength, such as Rarity having to choose between her friends or the opportunity of a lifetime she’s presented with. MY LITTLE PONY fans should look forward to endless adventures with unexpected twists and turns in every episode.

Each 11-minute bite-sized episode of season 2 of MY LITTLE PONY: PONY LIFE features stories accompanied with humor and sparks of magic. In the series premiere episodes titled “Cute Impact & The Crystal Capturing Contraption,” Twilight Sparkle makes a startling discovery but instead of telling her friends, she decides this is one problem she must solve alone. Meanwhile, in hopes of becoming Equestria’s newest pony news reporter, Fluttershy interviews the rest of the Mane 6 about the coming Cotton Candy Comet, but Pinkie Pie is too distracted to help.

Check out ‘The Mitchells vs. The Machines’ coming to Netflix

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

From the humans who brought you the Academy Award-winning Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse and The LEGO Movie comes The Mitchells vs. The Machines, an animated action-comedy about an ordinary family who find themselves in the middle of their biggest family challenge yet…saving the world from the robot apocalypse. No big deal, right? It all starts when creative outsider Katie Mitchell is accepted into the film school of her dreams and is eager to leave home and find “her people,” when her nature-loving dad insists on having the whole family drive her to school and bond during one last totally-not-awkward-or-forced road trip. But just when the trip can’t get any worse, the family suddenly finds itself in the middle of the robot uprising! Everything from smart phones, to roombas, to evil Furbys are employed to capture every human on the planet. Now it’s up to the Mitchells, including upbeat mom Linda, quirky little brother Aaron, their squishy pug, Monchi, and two friendly, but simple-minded robots to save humanity.

The Mitchcells vs. The Machines premieres April 30, 2021 on Netflix.

Playtime with Raya and her pals

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The latest animated Disney film Raya and the Last Dragon is getting rave reviews from all ages. There are some great new products that go along with the film. Here are a few of them.

Raya is the newest Disney Princess. Well, she’s not exactly a princess but close enough for Disney fans. The Raya plush is a fun way for kids to enjoy this delightful and heroic character. The Raya plush doll has stitched features and is approximately 17-18 inches high. She wears her traditional attire with a removable cape. Her expression is that of a sweet, caring girl who is ready to experience all the fun and excitement young minds can concoct. And, she is soft enough to cuddle and take to bed. Raya will bring out the warrior in any child. She is definitely a great role model for kids as well as adults. This plush doll is bound to be a favorite doll this year. ($22.99)

As we all know, Disney heroes have sidekicks. This young warrior’s bestie is Tuk Tuk, and there are two plush versions of this adorable little fellow that is part pill bug and part armadillo. He’s not only her best friend, he is also her mode of transportation. There is a plush adult Tuk Tuk and a Baby Tuk Tuk. The baby has the cutest expression with embroidered features so there is nothing little hands can pull off. This little guy is soft and squishable. He can stand on his four feet but is also able to be posed on his back. Baby Tuk Tuk is not overfilled with stuffing so he can be adjusted easily, to accommodate different positions. Also, Baby Tuk Tuk has magnets inside his chin and his tail to keep him rolled up. This is really a cute little guy, in any position. ($16.99)

The movie adds another dragon to the Disney line. Joining Figment and Elliot is Sisu, aka the last dragon. The Sisu plush also has embroidered features and is a colorful shade of light and dark aqua. She has a light blue mane, violet eyes, and a sweet little smile. Her tail and back have additional feather-like features however they are not part of the plush. They are stiffer than the rest of her body. Sisu is skinny but long, coming in at about 24 inches in length not counting her tail feathers. It takes some doing to stand her on her legs, however she is the perfect size for little hands and arms to easily hold onto. ($29.99)

These are only three of the fun items inspired by the popular movie. For more toys, accessories, and clothing, check out the shopDisney website or your Disney Store.

 

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.

‘Free Byrd’ is an interesting look at aging and family relationships

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Free Bird is a film about aging, which is what we all do, hopefully. The story revolves around two men, Jay Butler and Harry Byrd, who find their lives unexpectedly intertwined.

Jay Butler (Randy Nazarian) is a kind-hearted middle-aged man. He is divorced with two kids and currently works as a van driver for an assisted living community. He is easy-going and gets along with the residents and staff. Even though he is happy with his job, Jay had previously wanted to be an actor. The film begins with the unexpected death of his father.

Harry Byrd is a resident in the community however he is being kicked out for being a difficult and stodgy man. Harry is being transferred to another community and it is Jay who is assigned to drive him there. The trip is supposed to last just a couple days but it takes a little longer due to some unforeseen circumstances.

While the two men are on the road, Harry’s three kids are meeting with their attorney to get legal control of him.

The gist of the story is the bonding that goes on between the two men on their journey. Harry is nearing the end of his life and wants to enjoy every minute. This involves taking a side trip to a place he had visited with his deceased wife. This also involves the demise of the van, which, as luck would have it, turns out to be a good thing.

The two are rescued by a burlesque group led by RED (Shondrella Avery), who takes a liking to the men. The group takes the two to their next gig, which is in a casino, where Jay hopes to get a rental car so he can complete his assignment and deliver Harry safely to his new residence. But things get a little out of hand when the comedy group that was scheduled to perform with the dancers cancels. It is up to Jay and Harry to take their place, leading to an unplanned comedy routine with the burlesque dancers.

Harry is really a gentle soul, even though he comes off as being very brash and difficult. His words of wisdom and ultimate action have an affect on Jay and his life’s path. The two bond and in the end, well, things do happen for a reason.

Director Tony Vidal said, “I wrote the screenplay for ‘Free Byrd’ the year my father died. I was seeking to portray the challenges and redemption of a father-son relationship. … Over the course of their unexpected, quirky, and even spectacular journey, they bond and heal each other’s father-son wounds.”

Free Byrd is not rated. It is not for kids. While it’s not the best film about aging and family relationships, there are a few humorous and sentimental scenes. It is available April 1, 2021.

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.

Grogu Plush and Pins

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Grogu, aka The Child, from Star Wars: The Mandalorian, has captured the hearts of viewers of all ages. This little fellow is the highlight of the Disney+ series. The Disney Store and shopDisney have a limited release series of plush and pins for fans of the show and lovers of the little tot.

There are four different Grogu options in the series. The first is Grogu holding a one-eyed frog. Will he eat it? If he’s anything like his onscreen character he will. But in this case he is simply holding the soft green frog and possibly contemplating whether to keep it as a pet or have it for dinner.

The second Grogu is holding his cup waiting for something to drink or some broth. His expression is a delight and he looks like he is hoping to get the cup filled with something delicious.

Grogu #3 holds a bowl full of delicious squid. Yummy. He is a hungry little guy and is anxious for his dinner. If you know a chef, think about giving him/her this little fellow.

The fourth Grogu is sitting quietly in a Zen position. His eyes are closed and he looks like he is in deep thought. Ommm. Ommm. This little fellow is at peace and inspires a feeling of calm. He would make a great gift for anyone who practices yoga.

Each of the beanbag plush is soft and huggable. Grogu wears his tan robe with Sherpa collar and cuffs. The expressions on each of the four are different. And for little kids who just want a plain Grogu to sleep with, an adult can easily snip off the cup, bowl, and frog.

There are also four unique cloisonné pins in the collection that match the plush characters. The first one has a moveable cup that can slide up to his mouth for a drink. The second one, well, he is actually swallowing the frog! The frog’s legs are also moveable. Pin #3 is a peaceful Zen Grogu. And the fourth Grogu holds a moveable bowl filled with tasty squid. Because they are moveable, with the exception of the peaceful Zen child, these pins are cuter than a simple Grogu pin, especially for collectors.

The three standing plush measure about 7 ½ inches high. The sitting Grogu is about 5 ½ inches high. The pins are substantial, measuring approximately 1 ½ to 2 inches high.

These pins are $15.99 each and the plush Grogus are $16.99 each.

The Child, named Grogu, is a beloved character and has a fan base of young and not-so-young. Let’s face it – he’s adorable!

 


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.