Car Problem...Help

Hey Everyone,
So grrrrrr.....I hate my car. I drive a minivan first off....town and country....more like town and shitville. Anyway, I know nothing about cars and was wondering if someone could tell me what they think could be wrong with it. Bare with me while I try to explain.
So I hadn't driven the car in about a week. I went to drive it and the car turned on fine...but wouldn't go forward or backward at all. It felt like the emergency brake was on (however I put it on/off/on/off...just to make sure that wasn't it) I would rev the engine both ways and the car was fighting me not to move backward or forward. So finally I just revved the engine until finally POP! and the car leaped forward. After that I drove it around my complex and everything drove find EXCEPT now the when I push on the brakes they seem to grind....ugh. I just moved to AZ and don't know a good mechanic or anything...or what it might be or how much it might cost...so any info would help....thanks! -Shitaycar