Author: Francine Brokaw

Smithsonian Coloring Books are fun for all ages

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Discover Dinosaurs and Airplanes with the new Smithsonian Coloring Books. These wonderful books not only have beautiful illustrations to color, but they also have information about the dinosaur or airplane on the opposite page so not only do people see the models and the animals but they also learn about each one.

These wonderfully illustrated coloring books each list for $16.99 and because they are from Smithsonian, they are great reference guides as well as art projects. The IDW and Smithsonian Institution publishing program currently has these two books available however they will be bringing out more soon. Next to come out is “Birds: A Smithsonian Coloring Book” which will be released in May 2021. This next book is already popular with pre-orders as people are discovering the enjoyment and education in the books.

 

The coloring books provide a nice project for parents and children to do together. While the illustrations are a bit too intricate for tiny hands, they are definitely fun for older kids and adults. And who says you have to stay within the lines? Why not let your little ones explore their creativity with the graphics. Or they can help chose the colors and the older kids or parents can do the coloring. Whatever, they are definitely popular with families.

 

Just grab some colored pencils and soar into the sky with these amazing airplanes or learn about the dinosaurs that roamed the earth long before we got here.

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.

Smithsonian Coloring Books GIVEAWAY

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Discover Dinosaurs and Airplanes with the new Smithsonian Coloring Books. These wonderful books not only have beautifully illustrations to color, but they also have information about the dinosaur or airplane on the page. Just grab some colored pencils and soar into the sky with these amazing airplanes or learn about the dinosaurs that roamed the earth long before we got here!

We have several coloring books to giveaway.

 

To be eligible to win a special Smithsonian Coloring Book, email us at [email protected] with “Coloring Book 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 1, 2021.

 

Buddha Board – Product Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Let’s face it. We are living in stressful times. This is an unprecedented age with the pandemic, the political upheaval, and so much discourse. Everyone needs to unwind and take a deep breath. Some people find solitude in music, others in books. The Buddha Boards are the perfect remedy for the stress we all live with. It isn’t an electronic gadget or anything that has a cord. It lets users unplug from the world while unwinding from their stress.

So, what is a Buddha Board? Simply put, it is a lightweight board that doesn’t require a rocket scientist to set up. Simply adjust the board and you’re almost ready to start letting go of your cares and worries. Included in each of the sets is a brush so all the user needs to supply is good old H2O. There are little wells in the set however my suggestion is to get a small glass, jar, or cup and put water in that. That way if you should tip your board, the water won’t spill out.


Do you remember the old days…way back when, when there was a doodle pad that after you drew your picture you could wipe the slate clean by ripping up the top? Since that time there have been other creative ways to express oneself. But the Buddha Board is by far the most enjoyable. Why? Because it brings out the inner artist in everyone. You do not have to be creative or artistic. All you need to do is to start drawing and see how interesting your creations can be. It is truly relaxing.

When the water dries the board is a clean slate again. For darker strokes use more water and for lighter lines use less water. The more water you use the longer it takes to disappear. By adjusting the thickness of your strokes as well as the darkness, you will soon be creating things you never thought possible. And even if your drawing isn’t up to a museum’s standard, you will feel more relaxed and refreshed simply by drawing. Water drawing on the Buddha Board instills users with a Zen feeling. Trust me on this. Even though I do plenty of painting and drawing, when I use the Buddha Board I feel a different sense of calmness.

There are several different Buddha Boards.

The Original Buddha Board is the largest, measuring 12×9.5 and ¼”deep. It lists for#34.95.

The Enso version measures 10×10 and is 1 inch deep. It lists for $24.95.

And the Mini Buddha Board is perfect for tucking in a purse or backpack. It measures 5×5 and is ¼” deep. This one lists for $15.95.  They all come with their own brushes.

By using only water and no chemicals, parents can feel good about having their children create with the Buddha Board. And adults will enjoy the Zen feeling of water drawing.

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.

Two new releases from Warner Archive

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Good News

Good News is a lively movie from 1947 starring Peter Lawford and June Allyson. It’s filled with mayhem and music.

The setting is the 1920s on a college campus. Tommy Marlowe (Lawford) is the star football player. He is rich, handsome, and has a good personality. He sets his sights on Pat McClellan (Patricia Marshall) who is only after him for his money. But Connie Lane (Allyson) does not care about his family’s fortune. She has her heart set on Tommy. The problem is, can she make him see her for herself rather than just the French tutor that is helping him pass his class so he will be eligible to play in the big game.

With songs like “The Best Things in Life are Free,” “Good News,” and “Varsity Drag,” the film is filled with music as the collegiate set tackles their studies along with dating and the usual college chaos.

Mel Torme costars and sings along with both Allyson and Lawford. This is a big singing and dancing movie that was the popular genre of the time. And it’s definitely filled with toe-tapping songs.

Peter Lawford once commented years after making this movie that he was terrified of the fast-paced dancing in the film. But nevertheless, he pulled it off without a hitch.The movie was nominated for an Academy for best original song “Pass the Peace Pipe.” June Allyson and Peter Lawford costarred in the 1949 film Little Women and Two Sisters from Boston in 1946.

Room for One More

Room for One More is a fun and sensitive film about a family where everyone has a big heart – of gold. It’s a typical feel good story.

Poppy (Cary Grant) is a hard-working husband and father of three. His wife Anna (Betsy Drake) loves being a mother and has a loving and caring attitude toward everyone and everything. She is constantly bringing in lone animals. First it was a cat, then a stray dog, then a bunny. And when she visited an orphanage, well, you get the picture.

Anna sees the older children who are not being placed in foster care. So she decides her family can take in one more child. This little girl has been abused and is a brat. But little by little, with loving care, Poppy, Anna, and their three children get through to her and she turns from a brat into a loving sister. Then there is the situation with a little boy with braces on his legs. He has never had a normal life. Can this family show him how to be a real part of a loving family? What do you think? This family is amazing and filled with love, heart, hope, patience and care.

The film is fun and the fact that Drake and Grant were married in real life adds a bit of sparkle to their chemistry. When the final scene ends, viewers will undoubtedly have a smile on their face and a warm heart.

Both of these Blu-rays are part of the Warner Archive Collection and can be ordered at their website or wherever Blu-rays are sold.

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.

‘Spacewalker’ shows the guts and glory of two Russian cosmonauts

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The movie Spacewalker is a little different viewing experience than most feature films. It is in Russian however Americans only hear the English dubbed dialogue. This is the story of Russian cosmonauts that risked their lives for untested rockets and spacesuits in the name of their country.

It’s the 1960s – time of the Cold War and the race for space. Space travel is moving along at a record pace. Both the USA and the USSR are trying to be the first at many accomplishments. And the USSR is about to make history by being the first to have a man walk in space outside of the tiny capsule.

The story of a fearless test pilot, Alexei Leonov, and a war veteran, Pavel Belyayev, takes viewers into space on a mission that should have been tested a lot more but wasn’t. These men bravely decided to risk their lives to explore the vacuum of space for their country.

While the cosmonauts are up in space, the men on the ground are guiding them through their mission. But there are plenty of things they cannot do from the ground when something goes wrong in space. It’s up to the cosmonauts to find a way through all the problems and to get through the mission and safely back on earth.

The cinematography is wonderful however because it is dubbed into English, many viewers might not enjoy it as much as they might if it were filmed in English. The movie is a Russian production however, and meant to showcase this actual mission much like the film Apollo 13 was a movie meant to showcase the American’s story.

The movie is based on a true story, which is what makes it compelling. The heart of the story is the bravery of the men. Astronauts and cosmonauts were people who put their lives on the line for their countries and for the exploration of the unknown.

Spacewalker is a 2017 Russian production but released with English dubbing and available on DVD and Blu-ray on January 19, 2021. The two bonus features provide a little history of the film and the mission and are in Russian with English subtitles. The movie is not rated.

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.

‘Elmo’s World: Things Elmo Loves’ DVD GIVEAWAY

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Experience over two hours of fun with Things Elmo Loves. Little ones will learn along with their friend Elmo as he discovers the world around him, in segments covering…

  • Emotions
  • Grandparents
  • Bus Drivers
  • Drawing
  • Fruit
  • Supermarkets
  • Toys
  • Hair
  • Dog Walkers
  • Chickens
  • Scientists
  • Nursery Rhymes
  • Balls
  • Elephants
  • Games

Bonus Feature:

  • Elmo Loves You! (Full-length feature)

We have some copies to giveaway.  To be eligible to win a copy of Things Elmo Loves, email us at [email protected] with “Elmo DVD 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 January 27, 2021.

 

 

 

‘Stars Fell on Alabama’ is a cute rom-com

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Stars Fell on Alabama is a fun romantic comedy about going home to find your future. It’s a feel-good story for all ages.

Bryce (James Maslow) is a bright and successful Hollywood agent. He left his home in rural Alabama to follow his dream in Los Angeles. And he made it to the top. But there is one thing missing – someone to share it with.

Madison Belle (Ciara Hanna) is a Hollywood starlet on the rise. Bryce is her agent and on the verge of getting her a starring role in an upcoming feature film. Everything is looking up for both of these Hollywood professionals.

On a whim, and in a state of frustration, Bryce tells his friends in Willow Springs, Alabama that he is brining his girlfriend back for their high school 15th reunion. To seem like a big shot to the guys back home, he tells them she is Madison. This brings up several dilemmas for him. First, Bryce has a rule about not dating his clients. Second, he is not dating Madison. Third, in order to save face he has to convince her to come to Alabama with him for the weekend and pretend to be his girlfriend.

To his surprise, Madison agrees. She needs to get away from her former boyfriend and could really use a break. They leave LaLa land for Alabama. The town is head over heals about having a Hollywood star in their midst and accept this adorable woman with open arms. And Madison has the time of her life. She really enjoys herself.

All is going well until her ex-boyfriend shows up and wheedles himself back into her life. Bryce finds himself getting jealous, and when he gets a little too chummy with one of his former girlfriends, Madison gets jealous. What is happening to them? Simply put, they are falling in love.

This is a fun story filled with some pretty cute characters. Johnny Mack plays Bryce’s best friend David, a witty and adorable character to watch. The chemistry between Maslow and Hanna is spot on, making them a great on-screen couple. They are kind of like the Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan of the day.

Stars Fell on Alabama is rated PG-13 for some suggestive material. It is available beginning January 8, 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.

Win a free ZOOM call with Mariah Carey!

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

Everyone is eligible to win a ZOOM call with Mariah Carey. Here’s how to enter:

·       Download the iOS version of the Geojam App

·       Log-in or create an account using your Spotify® Premium account or Apple Music subscription 

·       Join the Mariah Carey crowd and the “Mariah Carey’s Christmas With Geojam” event crowd on the App

·       Enter now, ends December 31, 2020!

 

Make 2020 end on a bright note! (no pun intended)

 

‘The Sophistikids’ for the whole family

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


The Sophistikids concept – songs for children, with concepts and lyrics that entertain parents – evolved organically in real-time by founder, composer, and new parent Josh Klein. Originally from Houston, Josh is a Los Angeles-based and Boston educated composer who is most known for composing music on TV shows including TNT’s Rizzoli & Isles, The Closer, and Major Crimes; FX’s Nip/Tuck and Damages; USA Network’s Royal Pains; and CBS’ NCIS LA.

The Sophistikids is a new brand of original children’s content featuring songs and music videos that offer a refreshingly novel marriage of both children’s and adults’ entertainment. Featuring delightfully upbeat melodies and bright animation coupled with savvy and comedic adult lyrics and concepts, The Sophistikids songs fill a much-needed, yet rarely approached niche: a one-stop shop for modern parents who are in search of content that both excites and engages their children, and that also amuses parents themselves.

The first two animated music videos, created by Confidential Creative, can be viewed here, along with a behind the scenes video that showcases the making of the process:

Baby Mixology 101

Come Namaste With Me!

Behind the Scenes with composer/founder Josh Klein

Join them on YouTube and get the songs via Amazon.  Enjoy!

New preschool show from DreamWorks Animation on Netflix

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



On January 5, 2021 DreamWorks Animation premieres the new preschool show Gabby’s Dollhouse. Gabby magically jumps into an animated world filled with the cat characters that live in her dollhouse. This series emphasizes flexible thinking with Gabby’s signature phrase “we failed fantastically.” Problem solving with her resilience and hard work is what Gabby does best. There are also DIY activities, games, and recipes.