KIDS FIRST! New Endorsements

Description:

Over the course of his summer break, a teenager comes into his own thanks in part to the friendship he strikes up with one of the park's managers. Directors: Nat Faxon, Jim Rash; Writers: Nat Faxon, Jim Rash; Stars: Steve Carell, AnnaSophia Robb, Toni Collette

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, language, some sexual content and brief drug material

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

"The Way, Way Back" tells the story of Duncan, played by Liam James, who is an awkward teen dealing with his mom's boyfriend, Trent, played by Steve Carell. Trent and Duncan don't exactly see eye to eye on most things and when the two of them are forced to spend the entire summer together, things get a bit complicated. Duncan decides to get away from his family by getting a job at the local amusement park, Water Wizz. There, he becomes friends with the manager Owen, played by Sam Rockwell, and Duncan begins to find himself with the help of his new friend.

I personally do not like this movie very much. I feel like it has nothing too special about it and the acting seems somewhat forced, the lines are cheesy and the plot is unoriginal. All of the scenes are long with very few cuts which does make it feel more realistic, but it also makes the film too drawn out. I am also bothered by the fact that there is hardly any music in this film, so when there is silence it is awkward in a non comical way.

My favorite character is Owen because Sam Rockwell does this character justice. I like the character Owen because he is very sweet to Duncan. He sees that he is having a hard time and teaches him how to stand on his own.

My favorite scene would have to be when Duncan is working his first day at Water Wizz. There are a bunch of teens break dancing in the park and Owen is supposed to break it up. Since he is such a slacker he gives Duncan this task and it is hilarious to watch him try to get the people to listen to him. It really shows how awkward he is and even though he is uncomfortable doing this task, he still does it to help out a friend.

I recommend this film for ages 13+ because there are mild profanities, inappropriate humor and drug use. I rate this 3 out of 5 stars because it is entertaining for the time that you're in the theater, but it isn't memorable or something I would see again.

Reviewed by Raven D., age 15, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

Description:

A teenager finds herself transported to a deep forest setting where a battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil is taking place. She bands together with a rag-tag group characters in order to save their world -- and ours. Director: Chris Wedge; Writers: Tom J. Astle, Matt Ember; Stars: Colin Farrell, Josh Hutcherson, Beyonc� Knowles

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

coming soon, see youth reviews

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

If you want to enjoy an excellent 3D adventure comedy experience, then EPIC is the movie for you! The story involves the adventures of a smart and stubborn 17-year-old girl, Mary Katherine, who goes by the name M.K. M.K. returns to her childhood home to connect with her strange father, Professor Bomba, only to find him talking non-stop about unseen people who live in the woods. As she is about to return home, fed up with her visit and angry at her father, she is magically sent into this unseen world, and soon becomes involved in this world's fight between good and evil.

My favorite character in the movie is M.K., played by Amanda Seyfried. M.K. shows great courage and intelligence when, out of nowhere, she is changed into a tiny person with the duty to save the forest from forces of destruction called the Boggans. Through her knowledge of the "big world" M.K., with her father's help, is able to help save the forest. She is also able to reconnect with her father and, in the end, realizes that he was right about so many things.

"EPIC" is very well written and the special effects showing life in a forest, as seen through 3D and from a tiny person's view, are outstanding. It makes you wonder how many other universes are there out there that might be like our own.

My favorite scene in the movie is towards the end, when M.K. has to find a way to stop the evil Boggans from taking over the forest. This, she is able to do, by jumping into her father's pocket and pulling out her dad's cellphone to make a sound that scares away the evil bats who are blocking the full moon in order to try to prevent the new queen from being born in the forest. M.K.'s bravery and courage during this scene is amazing!

The film teaches very important life lessons. It shows us that forces of good and bad are always at war. Or, as the lead warrior for the forest explains to M.K.: "We are all individuals, but we are also all interconnected," "You get what you put into things," and "We are many leaves on one tree."

I give the movie five out of five stars. It is an excellent 3D adventure comedy that teaches life lessons to all viewers. It is also a great family movie appropriate for ages six and up as there are some scary parts of the movie that I wouldn't recommend to kids under the age of six.

Reviewed by Adam C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic (age 7)

Description:

After the crew of the Enterprise find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. Director: J.J. Abrams; Writers: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman; Stars: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Quite the spectacle. For those of us who grew up watching the TV series, this is like comfort food with iconic characters - Captain Kirk, Spock, Bones, Scotty, Uhura, Sulu - the whole gang. Die-hard Trekkies might be disappointed that it does not follow to the letter the original "Wrath of Kahn" storyline but, hey, get a life - there are more ways than one to play Hamlet as well. The 3D production is a visual feast, especially when flying objects are coming your way. Great performances, excellent costumes, love the futuristic landscapes and buildings. Among of my favorite things were the images of vehicles in the future - even the hospital beds that floated down the hallways. I dreamt afterwards about how that was done; I mean outside the magical world of filmmaking. Magnetism perhaps. Fun, action adventure flick with no graphic bloody images. Very enjoyable.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

Satirical, Emotional and Epic are the only words to describe the new movie Star Trek Into Darkness. I got a chance to visit the Paramount lot for an exclusive screening of this movie, which left me in awe and thrill. Although this movie is a sequel to the previous Star Trek series, movie goers who are not familiar with the story will understand the plot clearly. The actors portray their characters very well thanks to the director, J.J Abrams. The scenery and set for the futuristic year of 2240 are so vivid and realistic, audience members will forget they are in the year 2013. This movie is also produced for the IMAX 3D, which puts all the explosions and fight scenes in your face. Satirical, Emotional and Epic are the only words to describe the new movie Star Trek Into Darkness. I got a chance to visit the Paramount lot for an exclusive screening of this movie, which left me in awe and thrill. Although this movie is a sequel to the previous Star Trek series, movie goers who are not familiar with the story will understand the plot clearly. The actors portray their characters very well thanks to the director, J.J Abrams. The scenery and set for the futuristic year of 2240 are so vivid and realistic, audience members will forget they are in the year 2013. This movie is also produced for the IMAX 3D, which puts all the explosions and fight scenes in your face.

The relationship of all the characters on the iconic Starship Enterprise are deep and meaningful. Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachery Quinto) develop a brotherly love through the struggles they conquer. The Villain, Khan (Benedict Cumberpatch) is a scary two-faced character that will leave the audience guessing his fate until the very end. Not only does the main star achieve his role perfectly, but the co-stars also do an superb job. The writers, Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Damon Lindelof successfully add comedy in the script to bring an emotional roller coaster to the audience.

The set ranges from modern skyscrapers to futuristic spaceships. The designers portrayed the theme very well, using many computer generated images to create the year of 2240 in a way that makes it seem so real. The 3D element is an added bonus because it brings the action up close. The beginning scene has lots of running and fighting sequences and yet it is all filmed in such detail that the characters seem like they are going to run off screen.

After watching this movie, my passion for Star Trek has been sparked! I rate this movie 5 out of 5 because it balances the comedy and action scenes so well. It has multiple themes taking place but the on-going theme "the power of friendship can build you or destroy you" is present throughout. This movie contains a hand-full of violence but is not bloody or graphic. The action sequences, violence and realistic make-up could be scary for younger audience members so, I recommend this for ages 13 to18. This movie has sparked an interest in Star Trek for me and hopefully, it will do the same to you.

Reviewed by Patrick N., age 14, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

Since Dom (Diesel) and Brian's (Walker) Rio heist toppled a kingpin's empire and left their crew with $100 million, our heroes have scattered across the globe. But their inability to return home and living forever on the lam have left their lives incomplete. Meanwhile, Hobbs (Johnson) has been tracking an organization of lethally skilled mercenary drivers across 12 countries, whose mastermind (Evans) is aided by a ruthless second-in-command revealed to be the love Dom thought was dead, Letty (Rodriguez). The only way to stop the criminal outfit is to outmatch them at street level, so Hobbs asks Dom to assemble his elite team in London. Payment? Full pardons for all of them so they can return home and make their families whole again.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Coming soon, see youth comments

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

This action-packed thriller is very exciting to watch.

This film is the next chapter in the "Fast & Furious" series. Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) gets the help of Dominic Tourette (Vin Diesel) and his team to take down an ex- Special Ops soldier, Owen Shaw (Luke Evans) who is the leader of a unit specializing in vehicular combat. The only way to stop this criminal activity is to beat them on the streets.

When I see "Fast & Furious 6" all I can say is WOW! It has tons of action, powerful music and some really great fighting scenes. Luke Evans plays an amazing villain and you really wish something bad would happen to him. The special effects are incredible and the story line kept my interest, so much that I am wanting more and more. The car racing scenes are astonishing with lots of speed and constant momentum throughout. This film has something for everyone. It has action, suspense, a little humor and one great climax. My favorite character is Luke Hobbs because he is very funny and is in a lot of the action. My favorite scene is when Luke shoots the vending machine and all the candy comes out. You really do not expect someone to actually shoot a machine just because the coins are not working or they do not have any. The stunts are incredible and amazing. The scenery and landscape cinematography from the different countries is great to see.

Writers, Chris Morgan and Gary Scott Thompson, along with Director, Justin Lin, have created an incredible storyline that is very enjoyable and thrilling to watch. "Fast & Furious 6" also stars actors, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Elsa Pataki and Jordana Brewster.

One message here is "you should not turn your back on family, even if they do! They may still need you for one thing or another so be there for them."

I give this film a roaring 5 out of 5 stars and recommend to ages 13 to adults. I love the plot, action and the suspense. "Fast & Furious 6" is rated PG-13 and there is a little content that is not suitable for younger ages, so please be aware of this.

All roads lead to a theater near you showing "Fast & Furious 6" on May 24th, so check it out with your family. You will be so happy you did.

Brianna Hope Beaton, Age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

Description:

Sparks fly when Wade Walker crashes the Peeples annual reunion in the Hamptons to ask for their precious daughter Grace's hand in marriage.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

coming soon. See youth critic's comments.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

This film has really good comedy and I like it.

Wade Walker (Craig Robinson) wants to marry the lovely Grace Peeples (Kerry Washington (Scandal). They attend the Peeples annual reunion in the Hamptons where Wade wants to ask Grace for her hand in marriage but everything is not going as he plans.

"Peeples" is a good family comedy. I like the way the two families get together, as this is not your ordinary family reunion. However, I can see this happening. I like the plot and it keeps my interest. The cast does a wonderful acting job and I truly enjoy it. The soundtrack is very entertaining. My favorite character is Chris Walker (Malcolm Barrett), brother of Wade Walker, because he is very funny and does things you would not expect people to do. My favorite scene is when Wade accidentally drinks Grace's mother "shroom juice" and starts hallucinating at the Moby Dick Festival. Then he begins to argue with Judge Peeples because he thinks he is insulting him while he is giving a speech. They start fighting and Wade passes out. This is so hilarious and kept me laughing!

Writer and first-time Director Tina Gordon Chism (Drum Line) and Tyler Perry (Good Deeds, Madea's Witness Protection) present great humor about families coming together. "Peeples" also stars comedian and actor, David Alan Grier who gives us a lot to laugh about.

There are a lot of great lessons and messages in this film. One is to always be open with whatever problems you may have so that you can get help. Another is to always be yourself no matter what people think about you.

"Peeples" is rated PG-13 and I recommend it to ages 13 to adults. Please be aware that it does have some content that is not suitable for younger viewers. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars. It's very enjoyable; the cinematography is great and has an exciting climax. It has tons of comedy and keeps me laughing.

Laugh with your family and have a great time enjoying "Peeples."

Reviewed by Brianna B., age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

Description:

An adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's Long Island-set novel, where Midwesterner Nick Carraway is lured into the lavish world of his neighbor, Jay Gatsby. Soon enough, however, Carraway will see through the cracks of Gatsby's nouveau riche existence, where obsession, madness, and tragedy await

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

coming soon. See youth critic's review.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

"The Great Gatsby" tells the story of Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio), a secretive millionaire who is in love with a wealthy woman named Daisy Buchanan, played by Carey Mulligan. When Daisy's cousin, Nick Carraway, played by Tobey Maguire, moves in next to Gatsby, he doesn't hesitate to use Nick to get close to his lost love. With the publicity constantly involved in his life, Gatsby finds it hard keeping his love for Daisy hidden from her husband. When Daisy's Husband, Tom Buchanan. Played by Joel Edgerton, discovers his wife's affection for Gatsby, he is quick to make sure it doesn't last. When Jay Gatsby's past is revealed, his entire life begins to unravel. Can Gatsby and Daisy make a life for themselves or will the past control the future?

I am in love with this movie! Words can't describe how incredible the entire film is, but I'll do my best. This film is in 3D, which makes the incredible set and costume design come to life. The visuals in this film could have been a movie of its own because they are so breathtakingly beautiful. The rich colors and textures make the cinematography pop. This film is set in the 20s, where life for the wealthy was lavish and over the top 24-7 and the wardrobe really shows that off. The entire look of this movie is so rich and lavish that it sucks you in and you feel as if you can grasp the fabrics and streamers of Jay Gatsby's parties because everything is so full-bodied with color. I feel like you could take a screenshot of every frame in this film and then send it off to a photography museum because it is just so striking.

The soundtrack is another thing of wonder in this film. It features modern songs such as Jay-Z and Kanye West's "No Church in the Wild" as well as Lana Del Rey's "Young and Beautiful" and other artist such as Florence + the Machine, Beyonce, William and even a few dubstep mixes, however all these modern hits are meshed with 20s rag time, giving it an authentic feel with a modern edge. It took me a few scenes to get used to because when I first heard modern artist Frank Ocean singing while a 20s-themed trumpet tune played, I was a little shocked. Once I warmed up to it, I fell in love with the unique sound. I actually think it is a very clever way to make the younger generation become more enthralled with the movie because the music we are used to at parties is the more modern sound. I think it is a clever way to make the festivities of this movie more appealing to a younger crowd.

My favorite scene would have to be when Nick goes to one of Gatsby's massive parties. People from all over New York and from all walks of life would flock to Gatsby's house weekend after weekend to indulge in his lavish lifestyle, even though none of them knew Gatsby or had ever met him. In the very first party scene you really become engorged in the luxurious accommodations of Gatsby's palace. His house is filled with streamers, dancers, outrageously dressed guests and vivid decor. The entire scene is so visually pleasing. I also really enjoyed the scene where Gatsby plans for Daisy to visit Nick at his house and then "coincidentally" stop by so he can see her again after 5 years. I like this scene because Gatsby always seems like such a confident man who is on top of the world but, when he is faced with seeing his true love after so many years apart, he gets the demeanor of a squeamish school boy. It is so cute how he obsesses over Daisy in the beginning of the scene and it is touching how nervous he gets before she comes over. Leonardo's acting in this scene is truly astounding and his subtle display of emotions accents the fact that he is frantically trying to conceal his emotions.

My favorite character is Jay Gatsby because he is such a complex man. He builds his entire dream life to impress Daisy. He builds his home across the lake from her house so he can see her, throws parties hoping she'll attend, and does everything in his power to be near to her which is very humbling considering he could do virtually anything with his riches. Leonardo's performance in this film deserves an award because of how realistically he portrayed Gatsby. I truly respect Leonardo as an actor because no matter what role he is playing I never see it as Leo playing so and so, but I see him as the actual character. He full-heartedly embodies Jay Gatsby and shows the depths of the character in such a remarkable way. I loved every second of his performance.

Overall I give this film 5 out of 5 stars, I would give it more if I could! "The Great Gatsby" has everything I look for in a film - well executed plot, excellent visuals, unique music, and a brilliant cast and crew. I recommend this film for ages 13 and up for excessive drinking and mature situations. I can't wait to see this film again, so be sure to go see "The Great Gatsby" when it hits theaters May 10th.

Reviewed by Raven Devanney, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

Description:

When Bruce Wayne receives the man of the year award, fellow billionaire Lex Luthor becomes jealous and decides to run for President. To create the atmosphere for his type of fear-based politics Lex recruits the Joker to perfect a Black LEGO Destructor Ray which wreaks havoc on Gotham. As Lex destroys Batman's tech, Batman reluctantly turns to Superman for help.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Want a positive film that portrays teamwork and friendship for your superhero loving or LEGO loving child? Look no further. Just out on DVD and Blu-ray, "LEGO Batman: The Movie - DC Superheroes Unite" will not let you down. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Gerry O., age 11, says this DVD teaches us that "sometimes you can't do things all by yourself, you need help" and that relationships aren't always easy. To make this an even more exciting gift for your favorite LEGO kid, it comes with a Clark Kent/Superman LEGO mini-figure!

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

At first I thought this movie would be kind of like "The Avengers." The movie turns out to be very different! All the Marvel superheroes and everything else are made out of Legos. It is more focused on Batman as a man and other heroes like Robin, Super Women, Super Man, the Green Lantern and many others.

This move has a mix of comedy which I've noticed is in every Lego movie. It has action, adventure, great actors and even a lifelong lesson - sometimes you can't do things all by yourself, you need help. There are some pretty cool structures and machines. All these structures are built out of Lego bricks so you can really build them yourself if you knew how!

The adventure begins when Bruce Wayne wins the "Man of the Year" award. If you don't know who Bruce Wayne is, he is Batman undercover. Then, the Joker commits a crime and Batman and Robin have to capture him once again. As they are trying to achieve their goal, Superman helps him. Batman gets annoyed with Superman but, at the end they work together and call in all the superheroes to defeat the Joker! If you want to know what happens at the end you must watch the movie.

What I love about this funny, action-packed film is how it shows the relationship between Robin and Batman as somewhat difficult. This isn't very good for a side-kick and a hero. At the end though, they become good friends. Also, it shows all the heroes' powers like Superman's strength and Batman's throwing skills. The best part for me is how everything is made out of Legos. And, as in most Lego movies, there are cool animations, good actions and great voiceover actors.

My favorite scene is when the bat cave gets destroyed. It's action packed and shows Joker's "funny" side with his strange humor and his pie bombs. Superman helps them. But, the Joker and his partner Lex, who is running for president and using Joker to win election, gets away. Would you like to know how he was able to defeat Superman's power? Get a copy of this wonderful film and find out!

I recommend this film for ages 3 and up. There's really no violence or harsh language in this movie. "Lego Batman the Movie" is extremely kid-friendly. I give this movie 5 out 5 stars. You can find it on DVD everywhere now.

Reviewed by Gerry O, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

An adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's Long Island-set novel, where Midwesterner Nick Carraway is lured into the lavish world of his neighbor, Jay Gatsby. Soon enough, however, Carraway will see through the cracks of Gatsby's nouveau riche existence, where obsession, madness, and tragedy await. Directed by Baz Luhrmann. Starrring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joel Edgerton, Tobey Maguire and Carrie Mulligan.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Rated PG-13 for some violent images, sexual content, smoking, partying and brief language. More comments coming soon. See youth review.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

"The Great Gatsby" tells the story of Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio), a secretive millionaire who is in love with a wealthy woman named Daisy Buchanan, played by Carey Mulligan. When Daisy's cousin, Nick Carraway, played by Tobey Maguire, moves in next to Gatsby, he doesn't hesitate to use Nick to get close to his lost love. With the publicity constantly involved in his life, Gatsby finds it hard keeping his love for Daisy hidden from her husband. When Daisy's Husband, Tom Buchanan. Played by Joel Edgerton, discovers his wife's affection for Gatsby, he is quick to make sure it doesn't last. When Jay Gatsby's past is revealed, his entire life begins to unravel. Can Gatsby and Daisy make a life for themselves or will the past control the future?

I am in love with this movie! Words can't describe how incredible the entire film is, but I'll do my best. This film is in 3D, which makes the incredible set and costume design come to life. The visuals in this film could have been a movie of its own because they are so breathtakingly beautiful. The rich colors and textures make the cinematography pop. This film is set in the 20s, where life for the wealthy was lavish and over the top 24-7 and the wardrobe really shows that off. The entire look of this movie is so rich and lavish that it sucks you in and you feel as if you can grasp the fabrics and streamers of Jay Gatsby's parties because everything is so full-bodied with color. I feel like you could take a screenshot of every frame in this film and then send it off to a photography museum because it is just so striking.

The soundtrack is another thing of wonder in this film. It features modern songs such as Jay-Z and Kanye West's "No Church in the Wild" as well as Lana Del Rey's "Young and Beautiful" and other artist such as Florence + the Machine, Beyonce, William and even a few dubstep mixes, however all these modern hits are meshed with 20s rag time, giving it an authentic feel with a modern edge. It took me a few scenes to get used to because when I first heard modern artist Frank Ocean singing while a 20s-themed trumpet tune played, I was a little shocked. Once I warmed up to it, I fell in love with the unique sound. I actually think it is a very clever way to make the younger generation become more enthralled with the movie because the music we are used to at parties is the more modern sound. I think it is a clever way to make the festivities of this movie more appealing to a younger crowd.

My favorite scene would have to be when Nick goes to one of Gatsby's massive parties. People from all over New York and from all walks of life would flock to Gatsby's house weekend after weekend to indulge in his lavish lifestyle, even though none of them knew Gatsby or had ever met him. In the very first party scene you really become engorged in the luxurious accommodations of Gatsby's palace. His house is filled with streamers, dancers, outrageously dressed guests and vivid decor. The entire scene is so visually pleasing. I also really enjoyed the scene where Gatsby plans for Daisy to visit Nick at his house and then "coincidentally" stop by so he can see her again after 5 years. I like this scene because Gatsby always seems like such a confident man who is on top of the world but, when he is faced with seeing his true love after so many years apart, he gets the demeanor of a squeamish school boy. It is so cute how he obsesses over Daisy in the beginning of the scene and it is touching how nervous he gets before she comes over. Leonardo's acting in this scene is truly astounding and his subtle display of emotions accents the fact that he is frantically trying to conceal his emotions.

My favorite character is Jay Gatsby because he is such a complex man. He builds his entire dream life to impress Daisy. He builds his home across the lake from her house so he can see her, throws parties hoping she'll attend, and does everything in his power to be near to her which is very humbling considering he could do virtually anything with his riches. Leonardo's performance in this film deserves an award because of how realistically he portrayed Gatsby. I truly respect Leonardo as an actor because no matter what role he is playing I never see it as Leo playing so and so, but I see him as the actual character. He full-heartedly embodies Jay Gatsby and shows the depths of the character in such a remarkable way. I loved every second of his performance.

Overall I give this film 5 out of 5 stars, I would give it more if I could! "The Great Gatsby" has everything I look for in a film - well executed plot, excellent visuals, unique music, and a brilliant cast and crew. I recommend this film for ages 13 and up for excessive drinking and mature situations. I can't wait to see this film again. Reviewed by Raven D, age 15, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

Description:

A boy and his family adopt a dachshund with a racing pedigree. But is the little dog and his new family ready for the nation's greatest wiener dog race when a competitor tries to cheat? Ultimately they are reminded about honor, values and pride.

Description:

When Tony Stark's world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Wow! This is a big action, adventure film that will not disappoint fans of this genre. It is very intense from beginning to end so we would recommend it for older kids - ages 13 and up. It delves a big more into Tony's back story and we see his vulnerability as well as his eccentric genius. The suits play a major role here, particularly at the end. Gwyneth's character, Pepper Potts, has a bit more substance than in the previous two films. And, Ben Kingsley as the "Mandarin" is quite hysterical. He had to enjoy playing that role. The introduction of the young boy, Harley, who helps Tony in his time of need leads one to wonder what might next be in store for this lad who shares an ironic interest in tinkering with Tony. All in all, it is full steam action and for your sensitive young ones, I would hold off. There is a bit of sexual references but nothing overt. I still think it's best for teens.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

This is a blockbuster, serge forward, non-stop action movie with a few surprises, a couple disappointments and wallop of bigger-than-life, special effect-filled screens.

Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is back, and after fighting with the Avengers, faces a new threat, a terrorist named Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) and a new foe Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce).We also see James Rhodes/Iron Patriot ( Don Cheadle) who helps Tony out in his time of crises. Not only is Tony facing the anxiety of keeping Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) safe, but also learns that it's the man that makes the suit.

I love the special effects in this flick. The suits get better and better. The way they move, attach, fight and look is wonderful. Robert Downey Jr. continues his character development as Tony Stark and I love every minute he's on screen. Gwyneth Paltrow is fantastic. She's not just a damsel in distress. She saves Tony two different times and has a likable, lovable personality. The story is very engaging and the dialogue is great. The one thing I don't like is the intellectual twist. I have mixed feelings about the turn of events in this film. My inner die-hard, comic book-loving side is disappointed, but my film critic side sees it as genius.

My favorite character is Harley (Ty Simpkins), a boy who befriends Tony and helps repair the Iron Man suit. Harley is bright, independent and a little too much like Tony. When you put the two together, you get non-stop laughter.

The moral of the story is: it's not the suit that makes the man, it's the man that makes the suit. Tony can't sleep because he gets nightmares, so he spends all his time at night making more suits to protect himself and Pepper. The truth is, he saves Pepper without the suit.

My favorite scene is the final battle. The action is larger-than-life. The different suits, the way they fight, make you want to cheer. It gets you to the edge of your seat; it's intense, fast and action-packed.

I recommend this to 11-year-olds and up. Bad language is low and the action not too intense for this age range. They will love the comedy. I give this 5 stars. Even if the twist is a little disappointing, it's still amazing. Robert Downey Jr. continues his character development as Tony Stark and I love every minute he's on screen. Gwyneth Paltrow is fantastic. She's not just a damsel in distress. She saves Tony two different times and has a likable, lovable personality. The story is very engaging and the dialogue is great. The one thing I don't like is the intellectual twist. I have mixed feelings about the turn of events in this film. My inner die-hard, comic book-loving side is disappointed, but my film critic side sees it as genius.

Reviewed by Keefer B., age 12, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

"Iron Man 3" picks up just months after where the "Avengers" left off. Tony Stark, played by Robert Downey Jr., is still trying to deal with the traumatic events that took place in New York when Loki tried to take over the world and the stress is ruining Tony's life. Now, a new threat, the Mandarin, is brought into the equation and Tony has to balance his duties as a hero with protecting his true love, Pepper Pots. If that isn't enough of a challenge, he also has to deal with a biological warfare going on by vengeful colleagues.

I love this film. I think it is by far the most intense addition to the "Iron Man" series thus far. The amount of explosions, fight sequences and new Iron Man suits in this film are incredible, plus the stunning 3D make this film a must see. The special effects are outstanding and I absolutely love all of the different suits that Tony has created in this movie.

My favorite scene is the final battle sequence when Tony and the Iron Patriot have to save Pepper and the president from the Mandarin, a terrorist who is wreaking havoc across the world. I enjoyed this scene because you get to see all of the different Iron Man suits that have been waiting in Tony's basement to be shown off. They remind me a lot of Transformers in a way because all the suits have the same general design, but they range in size and ability. I also think it's really cool how in this film Jarves, Tony's electronic assistant is piloting the suits because it gave a lot more room to add the thrill of destroying the suits without having to worry about killing off characters. I also enjoy the scene when Tony meets his biggest fan, Gerry. Even though this scene is very brief, it is so funny. Tony needs Gerry's help in order to use a news van to check government files and, Gerry is so obsessed with him. The whole situation is awkward, creepy and so hilarious. It may not be an important scene, but it is memorable.

My favorite character is actually a new one. When Tony (Robert Downey Jr.) crash lands in a small town with his damaged suit, he meets a young boy named Harley Keener, played by Ty Simpkins. I really like him because he is only a young boy but he isn't afraid to match Tony when it comes to being head strong and spunky. Harley is a character that younger audiences will resonate with and I appreciate him for that.

Overall I give this film 5 out of 5 stars because it is the perfect addition to the "Iron Man" series and is the most intense and driven film in the series so far. I recommend it for ages 10 to 18 due to intense and mature action scenes. Adults will enjoy this film as well.

Reviewed by Raven D., age 15, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

Description:

Two teenage boys encounter a fugitive and form a pact to help him evade the bounty hunters on his trail and to reunite him with his true love.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

coming soon. See youth comments

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

I have recently watched Mud, and I must say that it was exceptional, entertaining and pleasantly intense. I attended this movie at the 35th Annual Atlanta Film Festival. This was my first time ever going to a film festival, and it was an amazing experience. I interviewed Ray McKinnon, who played Senior, the main character's father, and he gave me some insight into the movie implying that this movie is a sort of coming-of-age story for an adult and a boy, a story of love and a story of reality.

This movie follows a fourteen-year-old boy named Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and his best friend Neckbone (Jacob Lofland) who go to an island to claim a boat in a tree. They are surprised to find a man living in their boat. The man says that his name is Mud (Matthew McConaughey) and he is waiting for his true love Juniper (Reese Witherspoon.) Eventually Mud earns the boys trust, and even after Mud is able to leave with his boat running, he still stops again in danger to say goodbye to Ellis, leading to a whirlwind of danger and intensity and cannot be explained, but you can watch it in theaters.

I love this movie and recommend it to ages fourteen and up because it shows a lot of abusive scenes, intense language and violence. It deserves five out of five stars from me, for its pleasant intensity. Victoria Burns, age 14, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

Critically acclaimed and broadcast nationally, this multi-award winning series teaches kids of all ages how to draw while including educational journeys to fun and exciting destinations. Each DVD includes 2 episodes plus a specially designed insert with drawing exercises. This episode includes two visits to the Science Museum result in learning to draw a tyrannosaurus rex, a pterodactyl, planets, astronauts and more.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

coming soon. See youth comments.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

"Drawing with Mark" is a great show to learn tips about how to draw and/or improve your drawing. Mark is really helpful and easy to understand. He plays with, and is like a coach for the Angels From The Attic - Eclipse Doggy, Crystal Cat, Looner Bunny, Sunray Bear, Twinkle Mouse and Misty Pig.

In "A Day With The Dinosaurs" I learned how to draw a Pterodactyl and a T-Rex. Mark visits the Museum of Boston and speaks to an expert to learn more about them and to get an idea of how the dinosaurs lived, what they ate and how long they lived. I learned that sometimes they call dinosaurs very large lizards.

In the other episode, "Reach For The Stars" I learned how to draw an astronaut and the planet Saturn, the planet with the rings around it. At the Museum of Boston, he speaks to another expert about the stars, the galaxy, the astronauts and of course, about Saturn. I also learned how far we are from the stars. I thought that the stars were probably about 270 miles from us, but they are actually millions of miles from us, that's really far! You can see the stars look kind of close, but they are so far away!!

Mark taught me that a drawing takes time and you don't have to rush. Always draw the stick figure, the foundation, before you start adding details and other special little things you can always add. You need to draw the outline and just sketch it, don't hold your pencil so hard, sketch lightly and softly.

I recommend this show to anyone who loves to draw and wants to improve their drawing. You can have fun with the tips he gives you which may lead you to become and artist or to illustrate books. I give the show 5 stars out of 5 and recommend it to all ages because it's never too late to learn to draw. "Drawing with Mark" is a really fun, artistic and colorful show that will be open a new world to future artists around the world. Get your copy of Drawing With Mark available now on DVD. Stacy-Love Belizaire, age 10, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

Critically acclaimed and broadcast nationally, the multi-award winning series teaches kids how to draw while also including educational journeys to fun and exciting destinations. Each DVD includes 2 episodes plus a specially designed insert with drawing exercises. Visits to the Buddy Dog Humane Society and a local ice cream shop result in learning to draw our favorite four-legged friends, an ice cream cone and an ice cream truck. ! Visits!to!the!Buddy!Dog!Humane!Society!and!a!local!ice!cream!shop!result!in!learning!to!draw! our!favorite!44legged!friends,!an!ice!cream!cone!and!an!ice!cream!truck.!

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Coming soon.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

If you love drawing like me, then you'll love "Drawing With Mark." "Drawing With Mark" is a show that teaches kids how to draw while also teaching them their shapes and some history about the things they draw. Kids also learn three or four fun facts about what they are drawing.

The "Happy Tails" part of this show is about cats and dogs and how to draw them. He also talks about how much responsibility it is to have a dog; you have to groom it, take care of it, bring it to the vet and feed it. In the "Ice Cream" episode, Mark goes to the ice cream shop and learns about children's' favorite ice cream flavors and you'll never guess: it's cake batter flavor! When I heard this I thought that it was funny because I would never think that they would make a cake batter flavored ice cream. The lead characters in these episodes are Mark (Mark Marderosian), Crystal Cat and Eclipse Doggy.

I like that this show helped me be a better artist and I learned how to draw a dog and a cat better than I already did. I also learned how to draw an ice cream truck and a man holding an ice cream. I love watching this because I learned a lot and it made me understand the fundamentals of drawing. I also like that they put a live-action human with animated characters. I also like it when they went into the ice cream shop and they saw Crystal Cat On the toppings section, they thought that it was funny because they were talking about all of the toppings that the kids pick every time they come in and Crystal Cat was right there so they started laughing. There is no underlying message in this story, because it's about drawing, except maybe that no matter how old you are, you can draw big things.

I recommend this show to anyone that loves to draw to express their feelings, or to just have fun. I recommend this for people ages six and older because anyone can draw if they want to. I would give this DVD four out of five because overall I liked it but I hoped that it had more music. "Drawing With Mark" is available for all art lovers on DVD. Valdi Belizaire, age 11, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

Six highly skilled teenagers are handpicked to be part of a summer space camp competition at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. As the competition heats up, the kids have no idea that their ultimate challenge will be to solve a life or death crisis aboard the International Space Station as the world anxiously watches. Starring Thomas Horn, Danny Glover, Josh Lucas, Dermot Mulroney, Mira Sorvino and Booboo Stewart.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

coming soon. See youth critics' comments.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

When I first found out about this film, I didn't know what to expect. I thought this movie would be similar to Star Wars with some good guys fighting bad ones. It turned out it wasn't exactly like that. It was better! I liked this movie because it feels very real and positive.

Even though the main story of the film is fiction, the characters are based on real people. This is a story of a wonderful relationship between two people who dedicated their life to what they love the most - space. This is a story about a man and his 15-year-old son and a real space camp that is located at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL. The movie was mostly shot there and I myself now can't wait to visit it.

The story starts when Jimmy (Thomas Horn) is being selected for the competition in Space Camp. He is very excited. You can imagine what it means to a kid that dreamed all his life about going to space and now he has a possibility of making it a reality. Sadly, his mother is against it and doesn't agree with her son's choices. Jimmy decides to lie to his parents and makes it to the camp anyway. Now, if you would like to find out if Jimmy and his teammates made it to space or if you are curious to know how his parents reacted when they found out where Jimmy truly was - you have to watch the movie.

What makes this film special, for me, is the fact that Jimmy is very passionate about his love for space and works hard on trying to be the best at what he does. He keeps pushing himself to become a more educated, better person. I love the friendship Jimmy develops with his teammates even though it gets off to a rocky start. They learn to respect and accept Jimmy for who he is.

My favorite scene in the movie is when NASA's representative decides to listen to the kids' suggestion during critical time and gives them a chance to prove that they are right which leads to a very cool outcome for Jimmy's team.

I recommend this fabulous film to kids ages 5 to 18. Some things and terminology may be too complicated to understand for younger kids. This movie is very inspirational and teaches viewers a lot of valuable lessons! I give "Space Warriors" 5 out of 5 stars. The film will premiere on the Hallmark Channel on Friday, May 31 at 8 p.m. ET (Check your local listings) Later, it will be available on DVD at Wal-Mart.

Reviewed by Gerry Orz, age 11, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

Description:

Journey down under and meet a whole new breed of hero in this laugh-filled, action-packed animated adventure with an all-star voice cast, including Rob Schneider, Tim Curry and Alan Cumming. Johnny (Schneider) is a rare white koala bear who just wants to fit in and make friends. But when a twist of fate mistakenly transforms him into a fearless protector of animals, called "Koala Kid," Johnny finds himself in over his head on a thrilling trek across the outback. With help from his hilarious new sidekicks, including a crafty Tasmanian devil, a lovable lizard and a boomerang-flinging female koala, Johnny may just outwit a villainous crocodile named Bog (Cumming) and become a true hero after all. Exclusively from Walmart & Walmart.com.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

coming soon.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

I like this movie because it has a funny story and at the same time, action and suspense is thrown in with lots of twists and turns.

"Koala Kid" is a animated film about a white Koala who doesn't he think he fits in with his community of gray Koalas and comes to believe that he has special talents which he thinks can prove to everyone that he belongs. He does this by going on a miraculous journey to defeat an evil crocodile named Bog.

The Koala Kid's name is Johnny and he's voiced by Rob Schneider. As his journey continues he meets Miranda, a gray Koala (Yvonne Strahvoski), Hamish the Tasmanian Devil (Bret McKenzie) and his Monkey Photographer Lokie (Charlie Bewley). They battle with their wits and through action with Bog the villainous Crocodile (Alan Cumming, the Bad Guy from Spy Kids!) and his chief henchman, Blacktooth the Dingo (Tim Curry).

There is one moment that seems to capture the humor and suspense of this movie perfectly. When Bog the evil Croc is sleeping, the tiny wombats take Snorkles into the pond and capture Bog with a net. When Bog awakes, he shrugs them off of him as if it is nothing. I didn't want to laugh because the Wombats are so cute, but it is funny.

I really like the animation in this film because it feels as if you're really in the hot outback with all these fun characters.

The colorfulness adds to the fun I experienced. There is also one song in the movie which continues the colorfulness and had both me AND my mom tapping our feet, "Do You Come From a Land Down Under." I think I'm still tapping my feet.

I think the message of this movie is no matter what you look like, you can always become a hero.

If you like adventurous cartoons as much as I do, then "Koala Kid" is the movie for you. I recommend this to kids ages six to sixteen because as much as it is a lifelong lesson that you can always use. There are some suspenseful moments that could be scary to the younger ones.

I rate this movie five out of five stars because it's hilarious and colorful which speaks to the mind of kids and teens. Reviewed by Canela Roey, age 10.

Description:

The life story of Jackie Robinson and his history-making signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers under the guidance of team executive Branch Rickey.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Out in theaters on April 12 is the inspirational story of an American Legend, Jackie Robinson. This long-awaited story shows how the history-making signing of a black man with the Brooklyn Dodgers changed not only baseball but all sports - forever. It has received rave reviews from our KIDS FIRST! Film Critics who were lucky enough to have seen advance screenings. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Raven Devanney, age 15, says this film was more than just educational, but also "has a sense of humor, wit and a whole lot of inspiration." She cautions that the PG-13 rating is due to "racial slurs and slanderous language that may be hard for [some] children to understand."

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

"42" tells the story of the American legend Jackie Robinson, the first African-American major league baseball player. This film takes place in the 1940s when racism and segregation were very prominent, so Jackie has to overcome many challenges and deal with the doubt and judgment people have towards him. With the support of journalist Wendell Smith (Andre Holland), Rachel Robinson (Nicole Beharie) and Dodger's owner Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford), Jackie proves he has what it takes to make it.

I really love this film. Not only is "42" educational, but it also has a sense of humor, wit and a whole lot of inspiration. This film captures the hardships that not only Jackie and his family dealt with, but also the hatred that was shown towards the people that supported him. I really like the cinematography and the way the camera angles are able to capture the movement of the players and the unspoken communication between the team members. The costume and set design is also very well done and accurate for that time period.

My favorite character is Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) because he really shows emotion in a realistic way. Jackie is faced with challenge after challenge, but always overcomes, and Chadwick did a phenomenal job of displaying all that was going through his characters mind with nothing but a simple expression. Chadwick also captured Jackie's spunk and defiance towards the norms. Jackie Robinson is such an inspirational person and character. At any given moment he could have given up, let down the people that looked up to him, believe all the hate that was thrown at him, but he didn't, and that's what makes him a hero. I believe Jackie is a character that every man, woman and child can look up to and find inspiration in.

My favorite scene is when Jackie plays one of his first games as a Dodger. The manager of the opposing team is very slanderous and vile towards Jackie. He calls out awful racial slurs while Jackie is out on the field, but Jackie knows if he did anything about it he would be the one who gets punished. Finally after the other Dodgers had enough, Eddie Stanky marched over to the opposing team and told the manager to sit down. He knows he is breaking the rules, but when he sees a team member of his being harped on he takes a chance and stands up of for him. This scene shows that the color of one's skin doesn't matter and that Eddie would have done that for any one of his teammates. It's a wonderful example of equity and sportsmanship and it is very moving.

I give "42" 5 out of 5 stars because it is touching, funny, educational and inspirational. It's rated PG-13 which I agree with because it does run a bit long and younger children may find it hard to sit through, but it also contains a lot of racial slurs and slanderous language that may be hard for children to understand. This film is so incredible, you owe it to yourself to go see it. Reviewed by Raven Devanney, age 15, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

Description:

During a typical lazy summer, ten-year-old Olivia Anderson and her best friend Jill discover a mystery. Food is disappearing from their homes during the night, and the girls decide to form a detective agency to uncover the answers. They are soon engulfed in intrigue and danger, and the answer to the mystery turns out to be close to home.

Description:

Old school grandfather Artie (Billy Crystal), who is accustomed to calling the shots, meets his match when he and his eager-to-please wife Diane (Bette Midler) agree to babysit their three grandkids when their type-A helicopter parents (Marisa Tomei, Tom Everett Scott) go away for work. But when 21st century problems collide with Artie and Diane's old school methods of tough rules, lots of love and old-fashioned games, it's learning to bend - and not holding your ground - that binds a family together. Directed by Andy Fickman. Starring Billy Crystal, Bette Midler, Marisa Tomei, Tom Everett Scott, Bailee Madison, Joshua Rush and Kyle Harrison Breitkopf.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Bette Midler and Billy Crystal are two actors any parent or grandparent will relate to and their role in this multi-generational movie are not only believable but hysterically so. I found myself laughing out loud at this film which plays the whole idea of differing styles of parenting to the hilt. The high tech house, the food phobic parents, the whole idea of pushing your kids to pursue a musical career at such an early age are themes based on reality. I took my grandson to this and he and I both found it amusing, enjoyable and repeatable - for the same and different reasons.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

This is an experience! It was interesting to see different styles of parenting, from generation to generation. This movie gives an unusual perspective on parenting whether it be by using a smart house, or screaming at teachers; this movie is enlightening. When I stepped in the theater to see the movie, I did not know what to expect. It is hilarious; I can relate to the strange transition from what parents would let a children do, and grandparents that let children do anything. This movie follows the Simmons family who believe in a more, "I'll let you consider the consequences and make the right choice" type of parenting; and the parents that never get to have time alone together. So when the inventor father: Phil Simmons (Tom Everett Scott) is nominated for an award out of state, he and his wife Alice (Marisa Tomei) decide to take this trip for some much needed alone time. They call Phil's parents to watch them, but they are away on vacation; Alice dreads to ask her judgmental parents, but they say yes. Let the games begin. Meet Artie Decker (Billy Crystal) a newly fired baseball announcer and his wife Diane (Bette Midler), a retired weather girl. These grandparents' main goal is to make their grandchildren, love them, and to no longer be the "other grandparents." They are being entrusted to care for three children: Harper (Bailee Madison)- twelve going on fifty and an aspiring violinist, Turner (Joshua Rush) - a shy boy with a stutter, and Barker (Kyle Harrison Breitkopf)- the youngest with a hard time making real friends, so he has an imaginary one. This is a new type of environment for Artie and Diane, and they try their best to do a good job, but cannot because their daughter will not release her hold and go with her husband. We see how Diane and Artie form a relationship with their grandchildren, and Artie and Alice rekindle theirs also. Personally, I would probably only watch this movie once because these types of movies are entertaining but become tiring quickly. I think that children and most adults would enjoy it because of the comedy aspect. This movie also is not too long so younger children will not get restless. I recommend this movie for ages six and up because they can relate to the differences between parents and grandparents. I give this movie four and a half stars out of five because I do not usually favor quirky family comedies. All in all, this is a good movie and a great movie to watch with you family. Reviewed by Victoria Burns, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14.

The preview of this movie was very cute. It is a story about a mom and dad who want to go on a vacation together. The question is, who will watch the three children. They decide to ask the grandparents. The favorite grandparents are busy and cannot come so they have to call the other grandparents. R I is a new house that is all computerized and the dad's project. The technology is very confusing to the grandparents. It is a very cool house that everyone will want to own. Marisa Tomei is a mother, trying to juggle a family and a job. She is trying to do the best job she can but there are many choices of how to raise your children. Tom Everett Scott plays dad, who just wants his wife to be proud of him and misses spending time with her alone. The kids are adorable. I love the kangaroo. Barker has a strong grip and doesn't want his mother to leave. This will have you laughing. Harper is an amazing violist and the perfect big sister. Turner has issues but learns to overcome them. The old grandparents do not always understand the way their daughter is raising her children. They do not follow her rules. When they find out they are not the favorites they decide it is time to take action and make the children love them. Even I know sugar makes kids crazy. Cake any one? My favorite scene was when they play kick the can. Playing in the rain is always fun; add a game and it is funtastic. My favorite character was the grandmother because Bette Midler stood up for her granddaughter. She was funny and even had scene with her famous singing voice. The grandfather, Billy Crystal would be great to hang out with because he loves baseball and so do I. He believes in this movie so much that he also signed on as a producer. The moral is, if everyone works together things will come out all right. Sometimes it takes a little time to understand someone else's ways. All ages will love this move from the young 5 to the elder 105. It is about different ages all trying to understand each other, learn from each other and getting to place of being a happy family. I give this movie 5 twinkling stars it was cute, funny and made for everyone. Morgan Bertsch, age 8, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

"Parental Guidance" is extremely funny and enjoyable. Artie Decker (Billy Crystal) is let go from his baseball announcing job which he truly loves. His only daughter, Alice Simmons, (Marisa Tomei) and her Husband, Phil Simmons (Tom Everett Scott) get a chance to go on a vacation and need someone to look after their three school-age kids. Artie and his wife, Diane Decker (Bette Midler), agree to look after them for a week and will do anything to not be the "other grandparents." But their style of parenting clashes with Alice and her husband's parenting ways. This film keeps me laughing a lot and I must admit, shedding a few tears. My favorite character is Barker Simmons (Kyle Harrison Breitkopf). He has the cutest little face, with red curly hair, and cracks me up with some of the things he is doing. The acting is really good and believable. I can actually see this plot happening in real life that's how believable it is. I also like Harper Simmons, (Bailee Madison) as she acts very well. She is so intense with her acting and so believable with her crying scenes. I have two favorite scenes, one is when Harper has a mouthful of cake and then says to her mother, Yogurt is not like ice cream, you lied; and second is when Artie is at the little league baseball game with his daughter and causes trouble because there is no 3 strike game rule. Andy Fickman directs "Parental Guidance" and Lisa Addario along with Joe Syracuse writes this very funny script. Other talents include Jennifer Crystal Foley, Rhonda Griffis and the very funny Gedde Watanabe. A lesson in this film is to live your life, love yourself and laugh a lot. I recommend "Parental Guidance" for ages 6 and up. This is a great film for the family and your friends to see. This is really good comedy that will keep you laughing. Get ready to laugh, cry and have a good time. I give this film 5 out of 5 five stars. I love the actors, the plot and comedy. Billy Crystal and Bette Midler are hilarious together with their style of parenting. Have some fun with your grandparents and see "Parental Guidance." It arrives in theaters on December 25 and I'm sure you will love it. Brianna Hope Beaton, age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

I love this movie; it has something for every age group to relate to. Artie (Billy Crystal) and Dianne (Bette Midler) are asked by their daughter Alice (Marisa Tomei) to watch her three kids for one week. Alice and her husband win a trip for two to celebrate their success. However, Alice wants Artie and Dianne to use her method of parenting, not the old school way that Artie and Dianne use to raise her. The children are Harper (Bailee Madison), Turner (Joshua Rush) and Barker (Kyle Breitkopf). They are not to have any sugar and live a very structured life. Each has their own issues. Artie and Dianne have to learn how to deal with their issues using the 21st century method. Billy Crystal owns his character. I really see Billy Crystal as Artie I did not see any acting with this character. Bette Midler also does a great job as Diane, funny and great voice. Artie and Dianne's lines seems like they are improvised, and their comic timing is awesome. The child actors are great too. Harper's look of awkwardness when her crush asks her to his party is so true to life. Turner's speech impediment is so real; I thought he really has the impediment. Barker is a riot; he has that face that looks as if he's up to something. The movie quality is very clear. The props for the smart house are awesome. One day we will all have a smart house and our parents will think it's creepy. The small home town setting looks just like it's in Fresno, California. My favorite character is Turner. He is determined to overcome his speech impediment and defend himself with the bully. He does a great job of stuttering. The lesson in this movie is each generation has their own way of parenting. I rank this movie 5 out of 5 stars. This movie age range is 5 and up. This movie comes out December 25, 2012 in theaters near you. Cheyenne Nguyen, age 9, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

A Princeton admissions officer who is up for a major promotion takes a professional risk after she meets a college-bound alternative school kid who just might be the son she gave up years ago in a secret adoption. Starring Tina Fey, Paul Rudd, Nat Wolff. Directed by Paul Weitz.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

coming soon

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

"Admission", starring Tina Fey and Paul Rudd, is about a middle aged woman named Portia who works as an Admissions Officer at Princeton. When her longtime boyfriend leaves her and she finds her secret past resurfacing, she turns to her new friend, John Pressman, the principal of an alternative school. John introduces her to a senior, Jeremiah, who desperately wants to get into Princeton and seeks advice from Portia. But when Portia is led to believe that Jeremiah is her son that she gave up for adoption, she will do anything to secure him a place at Princeton. Portia risks everything for this young man, but will it pay off?

I find this movie entertaining, but is quite different than what I expected it to be. In all honesty it's more of a witty chick-flick than a comedy. I think the storyline was pretty funny and touching which works for this movie. It really shows off how clever of an actress Tina Fey is, which is why she is my favorite in this film.

I like Portia (Tina Fey) because she has so many ups and downs with her emotions and it's hilarious to watch her go from crying to being hilarious all in a scene. She deals with situations very calmly, but you can tell that behind her deserved mask, she is freaking out. Portia has some tension with her co-worker Corrine who is running for the same promotion as her. I love the way Portia shows her disdain for Corrine, and how she tries to cover up her dislike for her around the boss. She is definitely the highlight of comedy in this film.

My favorite scene is when Portia checks in on Jeremiah when he stays the night on campus. She tries to sneak into a party he is at and awkwardly asks him if he needs anything, like a toothbrush! You can tell he is really weirded out by her questions, but he goes with her anyway to get a toothbrush. Their interaction at the store was so hilarious because Portia is trying to act motherly and Jeremiah has no clue what's going on. It's a very awkward, yet funny scene. I really enjoy this whole movie and each scene is very well composed and I don't feel like a single scene was out of place or necessary for the plot.

Overall I recommend this film for ages 12 and up because there isn't any violence or excess cursing, but there are a few mild sexual situations. I give "Admission" 4 out of 5 stars, so go enroll at a theater near you! Raven Devanney, age 15, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

When a street magician's stunt begins to make their show look stale, superstar magicians Burt Wonderstone and Anton Marvelton look to salvage on their act - and their friendship - by staging their own daring stunt. Starring Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, Olivia Wilde, Jim Carrey, James Gandolfini and Alan Arkin.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

This movie starts out a bit over the top in terms of its cheesiness. Don't get me wrong, it's well played. Steve Carell as Burt and Steve Buscemi as his sidekick Anton take on the task of portraying some tired Las Vegas show biz types with a verge that fringes on craziness. We see the seedier side of things as Burt hits on everything in a skirt while under the illusion that he is truly a gift to women! Olivia Wilde, who I adored in the role of Thirteen on House, attempts to bring a sense of reality to Burt's life but to no avail. She ends up joining the flashy showman, Steve Gray (Jim Carrey) whose magic acts are enough to make you nauseous. His idea of magic takes a black turn as he cuts open his own cheek to pull out a playing card, lies down upon a bed of hot coals and more. I found myself closing my eyes during portions of his performance. Ug. But, there is a little light in this show in the form of Alan Arkin who plays Rance Holloway, an aging magician whose magic "kit" was the inspiration behind Burt's career. During a chance encounter at a nursing home, Lance helps bring the sparkle back to Burt's performing career. In the end, the movie redeems itself with Burt and Anton's "great trick" - something that is sure to bring a giggle out of even the most seasoned movie goer. I thought I didn't like this movie about a third of the way in and then, it turned and I walked out with a smile on my face. So did my 10 year-old grandson though I would have not taken him had I a better idea of what took place earlier in the film.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

This movie tells the story of a Las Vegas magician named Burt Wonderstone played by Steve Carell. He has been doing the same magic act with his best friend Anton (Steve Buscemi) for 10 years and his life is grand, but when a new street magician threatens to steal Burt's spotlight, Burt will do whatever it takes to keep his fans.

I'm actually that impressed with this movie. When you think of Steve Carell and Jim Carrey (stars of this film) you think of all-out humor, but this movie is lacking in laughs. I feel like they put most of the funny parts of the film into the trailer and left nothing for the movie. I had such high expectations for this film and they were let down. Don't get me wrong, the movie is entertaining and has a few hilarious moments, but it isn't what I expected from a film with so much hype.

There is nothing special about the cinematography, it is a quality picture, just like any other 2D film you would see in a theater today. However, I do like the use of colors when it comes to costume and set design by Dayna Pink and Andrea Fenton because they show the more cheesy side of Las Vegas entertainment.

My favorite scene is the very end of the film when Burt and Anton pull their biggest stunt. It's so funny when you see the "behind the scenes" work that goes into their trick because it seems so ridiculous and over-the-top-funny.

My favorite character is Rance Holloway played by Alan Arkin because he is such a witty character. Rance is the old magician who inspired Burt to become a magician and when Burt meets Rance later in life, it is very comical. Not only are their interactions funny, but also touching. Burt had lost touch with the wonder and amazement that magic brings and Rance is able to re-teach Burt a few old tricks that help him rediscover why he first became a magician.

Overall I give The Incredible Burt Wonderstone 3.5 out of 5 stars because it isn't as incredible as I expected, but it does have an entertaining quality to it. I recommend this film for ages 13+ because it contains quite a bit of rude humor, sexual situations and references and some disturbing images. So if you want to check out the magic, be sure to head to a theater near you when this film hits the big screen on March 15th. Reviewed by KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Raven Devanney, age 15.

Description:

The writer and producer of the smash hit NIM'S ISLAND brings you the much anticipated sequel, RETURN TO NIM'S ISLAND! Featuring Bindi Irwin in a wild ride filled with pristine beaches, exotic animals, dastardly pirates, and all your favorite characters from the original. After his cruise ship discovery of Nim and her beautiful island, Edmund tries to explain the wonder of his find to his classmates only to find that nobody will believe him. Frustrated, Edmund runs away and sneaks aboard the same fateful cruise ship as his last adventure and steals a row boat to make his way to Nim s Island. At the same time, Nim s world is turning upside down, as she s faced with the possibility of having to move to the mainland for her father to pursue his scientific research. Left alone for her last weekend on the island, Nim finds Edmund, as well as the pirate animal poachers that followed him! Soon, Nim and Edmund are in a stealth battle of cunning and wits to rescue her beloved sea lion Selkie. With Nim s know-how and Edmund s bravery, they are able to defeat the pirates and maybe even solve the scientific mystery that would allow Nim to stay on her beloved Island.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Return To Nim's Island, a Hallmark Channel Original Movie, premieres on the Hallmark Channel on Friday, March 15, 2013. Following up on the success of Nim's Island, this sequel is a great platform for Bindi Irwin, through her portrayal of Nim, to introduce young people to the importance of protecting our earth and its fragile species.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

This film has lots of action, very funny and is definitely great for the whole family to see.

Let's return to Nim's Island to see how things are going with Nim (Bindi Irwin) and her Father (Matthew Lillard). One day they get a message that some people will be buying the island to build an attraction there, but Nim will not stand for it and comes up with some things to do to save what she calls home. She will do almost anything to protect the island and the animals that she loves so well. Everything is going fine until Edmund, (Toby Wallace), comes along to help but brings trouble. Will Nim get to keep and stay living at her personal resort or will she have to pack up and leave?

I really love this film. It's the sequel to Nim's Island. I love the underwater shoots and the humor. The cast is doing an incredible job in interacting with the animals and making it all believable. My favorite character is Nim because she is not afraid to speak her mind, and will not let anyone push her around. My favorite scene is when Nim is going on the zip line. It looks really cool to ride and I would love to do it. I love the music as it fits in perfectly with the scenes.

Brendan Maher directs "Nim's Island." Author of the "Nim's Island" series, Wendy Orr, is the inspiration behind this film. Everyone does an amazing job - from the animals to all the cast - it makes an impact with an environmental message. The big message is that you should do everything you can to help the marine and wildlife, if you cannot, please do not harm it. Additionally, it emphasizes the idea to "never give up on what you want to do."

I recommend, "Return to Nim's Island" for ages 7 to 14. Parents will enjoy it as much as their kids. If you love the wild you will love this film.

I give this film an overwhelming 5 out of 5 stars. I love the adventure, cinematography, action and, of course, the humor. Reviewed by Brianna Hope Beaton, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

The magic of the 2008 blockbuster hit "Nim's Island" is back in its sequel, aptly named, "Return to Nim's Island." The film is made up of a completely different cast, but the charm, quirkiness and the aura of excitement makes the island an endearing getaway for the adventurous child that lives in all of our hearts.

Nim (Bindi Irwin), a precocious 14-year-old, still has a gift of immersing herself in nature. She lives on a tropical island with her scientist father Jack (Matthew Lillard) and her animal friends. When a boy named Edmund (Toby Wallace) shows up to explore the island, a wild series of events unravel. Nim, Edmund, and Jack must fight to defend their island and its abundant animal ecosystems from developers and poachers.

Directed by Brendan Maher, the film opens up with amazing underwater cinematography, capturing my attention from the start. The shots of exotic creatures of all shapes and sizes are simply breathtaking. There is, of course, the environmental message behind the storyline. Not only will kids love the fun antics of Selkie the sea lion, but families will also be inspired to learn more about endangered animals and their habitats.

I love the film's new cast. Bindi Irwin, daughter of the Crocodile Hunter star Steven Irwin, is perfectly cast as Nim because of her experience with nature and animals. Her portrayal of Nim takes the character to a whole new level. Nim has transformed into a tough, determined, feisty young lady who will do anything it takes to protect her human and animal friends. Toby Wallace's performance as Edmund is flawless - he has the good looks, the comic charisma, and the right amount of shyness around Nim. I love seeing Nim and Edmund bonding as friends. Their chemistry on screen is completely believable. Also, John Waters is certainly menacing as the antagonistic poacher.

"Return to Nim's Island" will take families on a spectacular expedition underwater, into dark mysterious caves, and up awfully steep cliffs. The dialogue is hilarious and will make viewers laugh out loud throughout the movie. The music score truly captures the spirit of adventure. The wind instruments give the film a wild, natural down-to-earth feel. The movie has no profanity or slapstick humor - the lighthearted, clean quality carries the film on its own. I wish I could live on Nim's island and embrace the nature. It's a relief to see a movie with teenagers exploring the wild instead of being glued to their electronics. I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for all ages! Sail away with Nim and catch "Return to Nim's Island" on DVD available at Wal-mart. Cassandra Hsiao, age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

"Return to Nim's Island" is an adventurous movie that will sail audience members to a far island where nature and people live happily together. Nim, now portrayed by Bindi Irwin, is a playful and smart girl that wants to save her island from a group of men who want to capture the exotic animals and birds. Once her father (Matthew Lillard) travels back to the mainland, a young boy named Edmund (Toby Wallace) lands on the island and meets Nim. They quickly become friends and both save the island from the invaders.

"Return to Nim's Island" is a refreshing movie with tropical scenery, brave characters and a touching theme. The scenery in the movie, designed by Scott Bird, is so believable that I felt I was on the salty island. Furthermore, the art director makes Nim's tree house creative by adding the daring zip line. Judd Overton, the cinematographer, portrays the movie setting very well in the movie poster. Bindi and Toby play the role of Nim and Edmund perfectly. They build such a strong bond together, thus when Edmund leaves the island I felt sad for their broken friendships. The movie's theme: young people can be triumphant in anything they believe in, is a great incorporation by the writers Ray Boseley and Cathy Randall.

The scene where Nim sneaks in the invaders' camp is so intense. The invaders could have come back any moment but Nim's plan is smart enough to lure the invaders long enough to rescue the birds. The first time she forgets to bring a pocket knife which is a bit funny because if someone is going to rescue they should be prepared. The scene I don't like is when Nim and Edmund are in the burning cave because it a bit dramatic and gave a scary image to young audiences. Yet, the director (Brendan Maher) films the scene to be so realistic, that I felt the heat of flames!

Putting all the scenes together must be hard work, but Geoffrey Lamb successfully edits the film well. All the right angles and shots are placed in the right time sequence. The scenes from the city then to the island are all flawlessly edited. Along with film editing is the element of sound. Ocean waves, tropical winds, and music are beautifully harmonized in the movie. Nerida Tyson-Chew, the music director, perfectly unites the music along with the movie scenes.

My favorite scene is at the end of the movie when Nim and her dad are finally together. It is a bit sad to see Edmund leave but now she has her father to help and guide her. I am so surprised with the animals used in the film. The sea lion was so smart and treated Nim like a sister. The movements of the sea lion are amazing and will leave the audience in awe. The white python snake is also intriguing because I have never seen a white snake before. Overall all the animals are unique to movie.

I recommend "Return to Nim's Island" for 7 years old and up. This movie is great for the nature lovers and eco-friendly enthusiasts. I give This movie 5 out of 5 stars. This movie set sails into theaters April 4, 2013. But, you can purchase it sooner on DVD at your local Walmart. Patrick Nguyen, age 14, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz. At first he thinks he's hit the jackpot-fame and fortune are his for the taking. That all changes, however, when he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz), and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone's been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity-and even a bit of wizardry-Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

coming soon

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

Oz The Great and Powerful tells the story of circus magician Oscar Diggs (James Franco), who dreams of becoming a great wizard. When he sets off in a hot air balloon, he encounters a tornado that sweeps him away to the brilliantly enchanting 3D world of Oz. Seeing this as an opportunity to make something of himself, Oscar aka Oz convinces the good people that he is the great wizard they have been waiting for. But, once he realizes that being the king of this great land is more work and less play, he has to decide whether or not to stay and protect the people that look up to him most, or continue in his ways of being a scammer.

This movie is beautiful! The CGI is breathtakingly clear and crisp and the 3D pops. I especially love the opening credits because they are done in black and white and look like vintage pop-up books. I also love that when it shows dusty Kansas it is in black and white and the screen is small, but as soon as you reach Oz, the images morphs into vivid colors and the screen widens to reveal Oz in all its splendor.

The musical score in this film is wonderful. The composer, Danny Elfman, keeps it lively and whimsical, while diming the mood of the music when the moment is right.

My favorite characters are Oz, played by James Franco and Finley, voiced by Zach Braff. I like Oz because he is so cheesy and such a con man. He always plays girls and lies his way through every possible opportunity. But, Franco does it in a tasteful way that brings cleverness and humor to the film.

I also like Finley who is Oz's assistant, an adorable little flying monkey. He is always making the funniest comments and is so honest. There is one scene when he is trying to distract someone, and he does the funniest things.

I like how original this plot is because there have been countless numbers of films, plays and stories based on the Wizard of Oz, but I haven't seen one like this. It is a predictable story line which is usually a thumbs down for me, but this film is so good that it works. The land of Oz is so beautiful and uniquely designed, it is very visually pleasing. There are definitely some jump scares in this film because of the wicked , witches baboons and the evil forest. So, parents taking children, be advised that they may get frightened.

I give Oz: The Great and Powerful 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 and up.

Reviewed by Raven Devanney, age 15, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

I have to say I loved this movie with a capital "L." "Oz the Great and Powerful" is 3-delicious and it's sure to be a huge hit. Disney did an awesome job of telling the story of how Oz came to the Land of Oz. Did I say I loved it? Just checking.

The story starts as the classic Oz did in black and white. You meet Oswald who goes by Oz for short. He's a conman and two-bit magician in a traveling circus. He's not that great or powerful but he is smooth and knows how to be charming. He has a great story about a music box that he seems to use on every girl he meets and surprisingly it works, probably too well. Watch the movie to see how much trouble his sweet-talking can get him into. Oz is played by James Franco and he did an amazing job.

In the land of Oz you meet three witches. Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams.) One is a wicked witch, one is a good witch and one is most likely a neutral witch as she states she only wants peace in the land. Then drops the Great Wizard from the sky that has been prophesized of and that they have been waiting on for a very long time. The wizard will bring peace to the land and be King. Oz however isn't interested until he see's the treasure of Oz. Well then of course he's all in.

All of the witches did a great job, but kudos to Mila as she really got a good acting muscle workout. She was fabulous.

My favorite character was the China Girl (Joey King.) She was beautiful, tender and brave. Her town was destroyed by the wicked witch's flying baboons. Yes, I said baboons and let me tell you they were frightening. I jumped more then once when they came into the story. But then again it wouldn't be a complete Oz adventure if there weren't frightening flying baboons or monkeys. It's an absolute must in any and all adventures based in Oz.

The story is intertwined really well and when you think you know what's going on there comes a twist to make it even clearer. That is funny but the twists are what make this movie so great. That and the wonderful scenery, colors, costumes, characters and awesome 3D.

My favorite scene was when Oz fixes the broken China Girl's legs. After all she was my favorite character. But a really close second was when Oz met Glinda in the graveyard at night in the middle of the enchanted forest. I would have liked to see more of the enchanted forest but there was a story that needed to be told.

The age range is 8 and up because, monkey or baboon, those flying creatures are scary.

I give this movie 5 out of 5 twinkling stars and it's a must see for all those that were ever enchanted by the Land of Oz. Morgan Bertsch, age 8, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

This movie is an incredible spin on an American movie classic. I think that the CG and the other effects in the movie do a really good job at telling the story better. Another thing that I like is that the movie can be seen in 3D which made it look really cool. This movie is awesome and if you see it I hope you like it too.

This movie is all about a guy named Oz who is kind of a selfish man at first, but then he goes through this big journey through a land called Oz. When he gets to Oz everyone thinks he is the wizard. He is not but he still helps the land of Oz. He learns to treat people nice and with respect.

The main characters in this movie are Oz, Theodora, Evanora, Glinda, Finley, Master Tinker, China Girl and Knuck. My favorite character in the movie is Oz because he is not very nice at first but does become nice on his journey. He is risking his life to save the world of Oz from the wicked witch of the west. That is why he is my favorite.

My favorite part is at the beginning of the movie when he is doing a magic trick and he starts to make a girl float but someone watching sees a wire. He says, "Why am I in the need of wires?" and with that he got a sword and cut the wire and the girl was still floating. It was so cool! I bet you are going to love this part just as much as I do.

I would recommend this movie for ages 7 and up. The movie is rated PG and there are some of things that could scare a younger audience. I think that kids should see this with their parents because it's a movie most parents watched when they were kids but a different take on it.

Description:

The world's very first prehistoric family goes on a road trip to an uncharted and fantastical world.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

coming soon

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

This movie is about a family adventure that gave me tears and joy.

A caveman and his family are forced to change because the earth is changing. They Croods are the last prehistoric family left to fend for themselves against the animals and elements. Everyone in the family goes by the simple rule "Fear keeps us Alive." The family hunts for food, including the super hyper 4-year-old Sandy.

Grug (Nicolas Cage) is the father and his job is to take care and protect his family. Eep (Emma Stone) is the teenage daughter who always wants to be free to roam around. One day she sneaks out at night to follow the light and meets Guy (Ryan Reynolds) who is really skinny and super smart. Guy will forever change the Croods' lives.

The plot in this movie made me laugh, think, cry and laugh again. I like the way they make Eep look like a normal healthy girl instead of a skinny "princess" like girly look. They make Guy a super skinny dude who needs belt to hold up his pants. My favorite part of the movie is when the family escape from danger - Grug always counts and makes sure everybody is safe. He likes to stop at 4 but Gran always come out alive as number 5.

The special effects in this movie are so great. You can see the landscape, rocks and larva as if they are real. The 3-D effects makes everything so close that you want to reach out your hands to touch it.

The cinematography shows how beautiful the earth is. It is filled with rocks, beautiful bright flowers, lush jungle, bright stars and the sun. There are so many different animals in this movie. All the animals are so detailed with colors, feathers, stripes and they are all so cute, even the dangerous ones.

The only part I did not like is when the creatures are trying to catch the family for food. This part with 3-D effects seems too real with all the sharp teeth and claws. I was so scared when the claws come out so sharp and so close to you.

The message in this movie is to face fear and accept changes.

My favorite character is Sandy. She is a hyper creature in this very cute baby body. She's a great hunter and so cute.

I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 18. Reviewed by Cheyenne Nguyen, age 9, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

Want to do something new that won't get you killed? Well then, this hilarious movie is for you! Written and directed by Chris Sanders and Kirk De Micco, this film has been five years in the making. This animated movie is the first animated movie about a family from Dreamworks, and they hit a home run with it. This film captures the voice over work of some of Hollywood's biggest stars. With Nicholas Cage as Grug, the father of the Crood clan; Catherine Keener as Ugga, the mother; Emma Stone as their daughter Eep; Clark Duke as their son Thunk; Sandy Thorn as the adorable yet terrifying baby Sandy; and Cloris Leachman as Gran.

This film is about a pre-historic family that may have their differences but in the end, family comes first and they work through any problems. Follow them on a comedic adventure as they venture through a world entirely new to them and see how the adventure kicks in when they meet Guy, a pre-historic genius caveboy (Ryan Reynalds.)

My favorite character is hard to choose because this is an amazing film and I love the entire Crood family because they are so relatable. They fight and make fun of each other and have fun together, but you can still see that they love each other and that reminds me of my family. No one scene stands out as my favorite, because this film is so entertaining from beginning to end. There is also a great message that this film delivers in telling you to not be afraid of change. Be fearless and go out and live life to its fullest. The animation in this film is extremely well done, from the detail in the animals fur, to the how realistic the water looks. Dreamworks Animation does a phenomenal job with this film and the 3D was outstanding. Alan Silvestri composed the original music for this film and does a great job in capturing the tone of every scene.

This film is great for the entire family, it's a family film about a family! I rate this film a 5 out of 5 stars because it was just one of the best animated movies I have ever seen. I can't wait for this film to come out on Blu-ray so I can buy it and watch it again! Remember, "ride the sun into tomorrow." Julianna Noone, age 12, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

This animated film is incredibly funny and is a joy to watch.

Eep (Emma Stone) and her family are the classic cave people. They grunt when they get mad, they have never seen fire and they hunt with their bare hands. They are stuck in a cave by their family leader, husband and father, Grug (Nicolas Cage.) The reason Grug is having his family stay in the cave is to keep them safe and away from harm. One night Eep, the oldest daughter, lets curiosity get the best of her and finds out that the earth is starting to end and they have to find higher ground to survive. Will they accept the challenge or will they keep hiding in their cave?

I really like this film. It's very funny and keeps me laughing at the different situations and scenes. I feel a wide range of emotions as I go from hysterically laughing to a little crying. I absolutely love the 3D animation. It's vivid in colors with the scenes of the landscape, nature and animals in great depth. This is such a fantastic plot and I really like the characters. My favorite character is Eep because she is very brave, curious and just wants a real life. My favorite scene is when Eep is introducing herself and her family from her point of view. I like how she is telling the viewers how life is like for them.

"The Croods" is rated PG with Kirk De Micco (Space Chimps) and Chris Sanders (How to Train your Dragon) directing it. It also stars the voice talents of Ryan Reynolds (Guy), Catherine Keener (Ugga), Cloris Leachman (Gran) and Clark Duke (Thunk). This is DreamWorks first animated film about a family going trough and dealing with changes.

A big message in this film is that change is not always a bad thing. In addition, it's always good to listen to your parents because they know what's best for you.

I recommend "The Croods" for ages 6 to 15 but adults will also enjoy it too.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars. It has great detail in the animation and makes me laugh a lot.

Join the adventure and explore the outside world with "The Croods". Brianna Hope Beaton, Age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

"The Croods" tells the story of a caveman family who has survived longer than any of their neighbors because they follow the simple rules of survival. One: stay in the cave; two: stay together; and three: never not be afraid. But when the world starts to change, so does their life. The Croods now have to travel to a new land and break all the rules they once lived by with the help of a new companion, Guy (Ryan Renolds.) Will the Croods make it on their journey of a lifetime, or will their old ways hold them back?

I love this movie! It's actually a lot better than I thought it would be. I especially love the animation and 3D because there is so much attention to detail. The 3D is wonderful because it takes scenes that would otherwise be dull and adds really interesting visuals that pop. For example, there is a scene when the earth is shifting and there is quite a bit of dust, instead of it being a non-memorable shot, they add 3D dust particles everywhere that really make the imagery come to life. I also enjoyed the creativity of the animation. I was expecting the animals to be the typical prehistoric creatures you might see in a caveman film, but they are actually so cute and creative. They seemed to mix two separate species into one, like flying turtles, piranha birds, walking whales and rainbow tigers. The film is very visually entertaining.

I love all the characters in this film because they all play such an important role and they all have such unique and interesting interactions with each other. Eep (Emma Stone), is the rebellious teenager who doesn't want to listen to her father. She falls for Guy and I like her because I can completely relate to her and her relationship with her dad. Then there is Grug (Nicholas Cage) who is the protective father. He wants to follow the ways that he has always known, but gets envious that his family is following the strange instructions of Guy instead of the leader of the family. Thunk (Clark Duke) is Eep's younger brother. He always listens to his fathers rules and is very cautious and hilarious. Sandy (Randy Thom), is the crazy baby sister who is always attacking the rest of the family. She acts more like a dog then a toddler. Gran (Cloris Leachman) is the grandma of the family. She is so rambunctious and lively and Grug is always trying to find ways to finally make her die so he doesn't have to deal with his wife's mother, but Gran never passes away. Ugga is the protective yet understanding mother voiced by Catherine Keener. And last but not least is Guy (Ryan Reynolds) as the new age caveman who helps the Croods on their journey and has to put up with their strange methods of survival.

My favorite scene is when the Croods come into jungle for the first time because you get a look at all the creatively designed creatures and environment. Overall I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars because it is funny, touching and a perfect family film. It shows a wonderful and surprisingly realistic family dynamic and it made me burst out laughing, as well as bringing me to tears. I recommend this movie for ages 6 and up, so be sure to head to your nearest theater to embark on a journey with "The Croods!" Raven Devanney, age 15, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

The Dark Knight and Robin have finally reclaimed Gotham City. With Batman back in the spotlight, the media coverage has awoken a far worse evil. The Joker! He has a diabolical scheme that may pull Batman down to the darkest levels of insanity. While on the horizon, a global catastrophe races toward Gotham and with it comes The Man of Steel, though this time he has Batman in his sights. Animated film based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

I'm a Batman fan and LOVED IT! So in my opinion I give it 5 firecracker flashes out of five flashes! I think they really captured that side and the transition from novel through screen. The death of the joker is epic even more so then the Superman confrontation. However, there is a lot of violence. It is very intense and bloody. But, no cursing.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

Mark Twain once said, "Every one is a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody." Well, this rings true in the animated move, "Batman the Dark Knight Returns part 2" which is adapted from the graphic novel written by Frank Miller. Let me just say, this film is very graphic and mature in its presentation. This film has voice overs by Arielle Winter as Robin, Michael Emerson as The Joker, Mark Valley as Superman and Peter Weller as Batman. This film is about Batman's return from his self-imposed exile and how he is faced to deal with the Joker and his robot children. He also must face his greatest opponent yet, Superman himself. This film picks up where part 1 left off and Gotham City is in very dark time where crime is rampant and the city is in fear of the criminals. The Joker has been locked up for many years and while he seems lost and harmless, he is biding his time to make his escape and take control of Gotham. Batman's quest is none other than to save Gotham and once again make the city a safe place to live at any and all costs. My favorite character is Robin, as I like the spin of Robin being female in this film. I like how, though she is a girl, she is still very tough and courageous. My favorite scene is the ending but you'll have to watch the movie to see what happens then. Is Batman gone for good? Time will only tell. The animation in this film is very good and so well done that it seems very real. As I stated earlier - for an animated film, this is extremely graphic with many violent and bloody scenes that you don't normally expect in an animated file. This is a film geared towards teenage boys, at least 13 and up, due to the violence and graphic details. Because of this, I rate this movie 3 out of 5 stars. However, the visual presentation is done well, and the music matches so well with the scenes you are intrigued to continue watching. Graphic novel and DC Comic fans will love this film. Review by Julianna Noone, age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. And remember, there's a storm coming........

Description:

The ancient war between humans and a race of giants is reignited when Jack, a young farmhand fighting for a kingdom and the love of a princess, opens a gateway between the two worlds.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Rated PG-13 by the MPAA for intense scenes of fantasy action violence, some frightening images and brief language.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

"Jack The Giant Slayer" tells the familiar story of Jack and the Beanstalk with an entertaining twist. Jack (Nicholas Hoult) is a farm boy who grew up hearing stories of a time long ago when giants and men were at war in the kingdom. You know that he goes to the market, comes back with magic beans, spills them and a giant beanstalk grows all the way up to a magic land, but here's the twist. The Princess Isabelle (Eleanor Tomlinson) is captured by the giants and Jack, along with the kingdoms guardians, has to rescue her. But, they are betrayed by Roderick, the Princess' elderly fianc�e and the whole kingdom has to fight against the giants to save the land.

I really enjoyed this movie. I absolutely love the more modern twist on this age-old tale. One thing that I really enjoyed about the story line is when, at the end of the film, it shows the story being passed down from generation to generation and shows how the story gets "misinterpreted" into being the fairy tale we've all heard.

The CGI animation is very good. It isn't one of those movies that blows me away with special effects and cinematography, but it is definitely well-made.

My favorite character is Jack because I really enjoy Nicholas Hoult in this film. He is the British actor who recently starred in "Warm Bodies" and has played supporting roles in many other films such as "X-Men: First Class" and "Clash of the Titans." He has also starred in the British TV series "Skins" which I am absolutely obsessed with. I love his acting skills when it comes to conveying emotion in a very simple way. Not only do I love Nicholas Hoult, but I really enjoy the fact that Jack is just a farm boy and he is given the chance to prove himself as more than a commoner. He never gives up and he shows that he is clever and there is more to him than meets the eye.

I like that in the first few scenes of the movie it cuts back and forth between Jack and Princess Isabelle as children. It shows their parents reading them the stories of the days when giants and men fought in the kingdom and later in the film it cuts back and forth between the two arguing with their parents. I like these scenes because it shows that even though they were brought up in different ways and live completely different lives, they still have a lot in common.

One thing I want to mention is that the ending is very intense. It's not necessarily scary, but it's very suspenseful and I found myself sitting at the edge of my seat for the last 30 - 45 minutes. The film seems like its ending and I thought that there would be a second film to finish off the story, but then it continues to show the giants attacking the kingdom. This has its pros and cons. The good thing about putting the rescue of the Princess and the invasion of the city all into one film is that I honestly don't think there is enough material to make a second film. The bad thing about this is I feel like the last half hour is very rushed and hectic. Everything happens really fast and I feel like something should have been embellished. Then again, it is an hour and 54 minutes so adding anything else would make the film to long.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars because it is very entertaining and is a wonderful adaptation of the fairytale that has been passed down for generations. I think it's suitable for ages 10 and up because there is no foul language or sexual scenes but there is action, suspense and violence. I think everyone will enjoy this movie because it has action, adventure, comedy, romance, fantasy, drama and it's a classic story! So go check out "Jack the Giant Slayer" in theaters March 1, 2013. Raven Devanney, age 15, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

This movie is the best movie I have ever seen! For me that's saying a lot because I get to see a lot of movies. This movie has so much adventure and the 3D is really cool because it made everything pop out. This movie is awesome.

This movie is all about a guy named Jack who likes the princess but he is only a commodore. By accident the princess gets pushed up in the air by a bean stalk. Jack goes to bring her back and he has to fight a lot of giants along the way. This is when the movie has the most adventure and action. Jack decides that fighting giants is worth it to save the princess.

The main characters in this movie are Jack, Isabella, Rodrick and the giants. My favorite character is Jack because he is risking his life to save the princess, Isabella, and does it. He goes through a really awesome journey that all people would like to do. He is such a good guy and is really smart when he needs to be.

My favorite part in this movie is when Jack kills his first giant. He gets the princess out of the cage and saves another soldier. He kills a giant but the kings best men could not. He saves the princess by sticking a knife in the giants back and the giant starts walking around until his back hit the wall and the knife went all the way through him. It was really cool.

I would recommend this movie for ages 10 and up. It is rated PG-13 because there is a lot of violence and suspense that could scare a younger audience. Kids ten and older will love this movie because it has everything you could want; action and suspense. Anthony Aranda, age 10, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

The Mega Mondo Pop Cartoon-a-Con in sunny California marks the spot for mystery in this all-new original Scooby-Doo adventure! Herculoids Frankenstein Jr. and Space Ghost are just a few of the celebrated comic book characters headlining at the unconventional convention plus there's a megabucks movie premiere starring Scooby-Doo and Shaggy's all-time favorite super heroes Blue Falcon and Dynomutt! So when the gruesome villain Mr. Hyde unleashes monster bats howling hounds and sinister slime upon the festivities it's time for Mystery Incorporated to follow the clues and set their monster traps. But it's the pizza-snacking super-powered tag team of Shaggy and Scooby-Doo who tap into their inner super hero to prevent the entire event from being smothered in ghoulish green goo! Like right on Dog Wonder! Available now on DVD and Blu-ray.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. gang return to solve another mystery! In this feature length release, Scooby-Doo! Mask Of The Blue Falcon. Very entertaining for children and parents. I like that it has the style of old-school classic Scooby-Doo cartoons of the past, but with a more modern theme that kids today will relate to. It's a great mystery with a twist at the end that proves that not everything is as it seems - an important message in life. The DVD has easy menu access and fun bonus vintage cartoons. A great theme of friendship, respect and fun.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

This animated film is very comical; action packed and is good to watch with the whole family. Scooby-Doo (Frank Welker) and the gang are out on another adventure. They all go to a comic convention in California to see the Blue Falcon and the Dog Wonder. While there, they come under attack by Mr. Hyde, who is Blue Falcon's arch enemy. He keeps appearing, disappearing, reappearing and creating destruction all over town. The gang has to solve another mystery. Will they discover who the crook really is or will they come up empty handed?

I absolutely love this film because I love Scooby-Doo. The animation and the cinematography are very lively and colorful with great detail. I like how the previous voices of the past Scooby-Doo films are included in this production. My favorite character in this film, and all the other Scooby-Doo films, is Scooby-Doo. I like him because he is funny, he speaks his mind and he is the one that usually finds the hardest clues. Michael Ryan, wrote an amazing script with great humor and mystery. Characters Velma (Mindy Cohn), Shaggy and Scooby are right on with the classic Scooby-Doo films but more up-to-date. Director, Michael Goguen has made this film very up-to-date.

A message found is that the person inside of you is what really matters not what you wear, who you are around or what you have. Also, you can be anything you want to be no matter what people say or do. Just work hard and put your mind to it.

I recommend this film for ages 7 to 15 and give it 5 out of 5 stars. People who love Scooby-Doo mysteries, will definitely love and adore this film. It really has a great story line that flows smoothly and had me smiling and laughing a lot. I truly loved watching this great mystery film.

See another Scooby-Doo and the gangs' adventure in Scooby-Doo! Mask of the Blue Falcon. It is available on a Combo Pack of Blu-Ray, DVD and Ultraviolet, with special features of Bonus Vintage Cartoons: Comic Book Caper, Reflections in a Ghoulish Eye and The Scooby Coupe. Brianna Hope Beaton, age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

I've been a fan of Hanna-Barbera cartoons my whole life. It started with The Flintstones, Jetsons and Tom and Jerry, but I've also enjoyed less known favorites like Spaceghost, Captain Caveman, Josie and the Pussycats, Jabberjaw, Hong Kong Phooey and of course The Blue Falcon and his sidekick Dynomutt.

This new addition from Twentieth Century Fox was good; however, I was missing something for it to be fantastic. The movie is set at the Mega Mondo Pop Cartoon-a-Con and it's to feature an advanced showing of the full length animation feature of the all new Blue Falcon movie. The Blue Falcon has been retired for many years and has come to only making money peddling t-shirts and autographs at these conventions. Poor Blue Falcon he deserved much more then that. The new Blue Falcon is all about blowing things up with very little left to the imagination of solving crimes. It's a good thing the Mystery Incorporated kids show up when they do because there is a mystery to solve and Fred, Daphne, Velma, Scooby and Norville "Shaggy" (I bet you didn't know that) show up to foil the Blue Falcon villain Mr. Hyde.

In Mystery Incorporated fashion Velma is the brains of the operation while Fred is the trap operator and Scooby and Shaggy are the bait. Daphne, well she's preoccupied with collecting soft cuddly stuffed animals.

The aging Falcon is insanely jealous of the new Blue Falcon movie has sworn that the new Blue Falcon movie will never be shown, putting himself in the position of suspect number one. Have you watched Scooby-Doo? Does the number one culprit ever become the actual villain? I'm just asking.

What did this story miss? It missed the original Blue Falcon and Dynomutt. Yes, Scooby is the most famous talking dog but Dynomutt should have been given his kudos too. The cartoon characters never aged and it was sad to see what they did with Blue Falcon. Blue Falcon is reduced to a sad old man who snaps in and out of reality while ranting about how great he once was and how he hates what's become of his career. Sorry Falcon I apologize for what became of your character and wished they would have scripted this differently.

My favorite scenes are actually inside the convention. Pay special attention to the posters on the wall and see how many of your old favorites made the cut into the movie. Many of mine did not but that doesn't stop me from reminiscing to a simpler time of when I was 4 and 5. Also when the Mystery Inc kids dress up as The Hurculoids I laughed my butt off as Fred wanted to stay in character as Zandor. Sorry Fred you are no Zandor but you looked cute in your costume.

Who is the culprit trying to ruin the convention? Why does he/she want it ruined? Can the Mystery Inc kids solve the crime before the convention gets canceled? Does the Blue Falcon and Dynomutt ever make it to the big screen? Watch the movie to see.

The recommended age range is 5 and up. I give this movie 4 out of 5 twinkling stars because I would really have liked to see more of the original Hanna-Barbera characters make special guest star appearances like they once did with Bewitched, The Harlem Globetrotters and even when the Jetsons met the Flintstones, but I guess that will be their next offering. Morgan Bertsch, age 8, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

A great mystery movie with a surprise ending that you will never expect.

A Cartoon-A-Con is where the mystery starts. Shaggy and Scooby-Doo are enjoying their day visiting their favorite hero "Blue Falcon" at the Cartoon-A-Con. Bad things started to happen. Mr. Hyde begins terrorizing the Cartoon-A-Con. The suspects are; Garrison, the producer of the Blue Falcon movie, who will do anything to promote the movie, Brad Adams, the actor playing Blue Falcon and has no interest in being in the movie, looking for a way out and Hank Prince, owner of a comic book shop that Shaggy always go to.

The plot makes me laugh throughout the movie. There are a lot of funny parts with Shaggy and Scooby trying to find the bad guys. The animation stays the same as the classic cartoon on TV, but this DTV movie has clear and crisp colors.

The plot is just perfect, not too goofy or scary. The voice overs fit the characters and bring out the chemistry between Shaggy and Scooby-Doo. I love the relationship that Shaggy and Scooby-Doo have through out the movie.

The part that I did not like is Velma seems to be very mean and hard on Shaggy and Scooby in this movie.

My favorite parts of this movie are they are making fun of the comic convention attendees, the impression of Adam West by Brad Adams and the nerdy geeks dress up as superheroes. Also, it's making fun of the studio for pitching their latest movie.

The message in this movie is things are not always what they seem.

My favorite character is Scooby-Doo. He makes me laugh and he's a life saver.

I rank this movie 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 and up.

This combo pack has Blu-ray, DVD and Ultraviolet. Cheyenne Nguyen, age 9, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

I love Scooby-Doo because I love mystery movies and I also love the silly characters!

This film is about The Mystery Incorporated Gang: Scooby, Shaggy, Velma, Daphne and Fred (Frank Welker, Mindy Cohn, Grey DeLisle and Matthew Lillard.) Frank Welker voices Scooby and Fred. The five friends go to the annual Pop-Comacon-Palooza, a comic book convention in California. While they are there visiting the original Blue Falcon lead actor, Owen Garrison (Jeff Bennett), there's a new Blue Falcon movie being screened. While Shaggy and Scooby are upset about the studios forgetting about Owen Garrison and the old Blue Falcon and Daphne is collecting 'Littlest Fuzzies," Velma and Fred are looking for a mystery. As soon as the premier to the new Blue Falcon starts, The Blue Falcon's arch nemesis appears at the scene, threatening all the people at the convention. You'll have to watch to find out if the whole town will be destroyed.

My favorite scene in this film is at the end when they solve the mystery. I can't give the ending away, but it's very exciting!

My favorite character in this film is Brad Adams (Diedrich Bader), the star of the new Blue Falcon movie. I like Brad because he is the stereotypical, full of himself movie actor. I find him quite amusing!

"Scooby-Doo and the Mask of the Blue Falcon" is written by Michael Ryan, directed by Michael Goguen, and produced by Ben Maloney at Hanna-Barbara studios. It is the nineteenth installment in the direct-to-video Scooby-Doo film series released by Warner Home Video. As a bonus there are three old Scooby-Doo episodes to watch: "Comic Book Caper," "Reflections in a Ghoulish Eye" and "The Scooby Coupe."

I recommend this film to kids between the ages of six through ten. I give "Scooby-Doo and the Mask of the Blue Falcon" 4 out of 5 stars because it is a bit slow at times and there is some crude humor. Camille Bajema, age 11, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

When orphan Calvin finds old shoes with the letters MJ fading on the side, he is transformed into a basketball powerhouse with skills that lead to the NBA.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Originally released in 2002. Playing throughout the month of March, 2013, on HDNet Movies - kidScene.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

Like Mike tells the story of Calvin, a 13-year-old orphan who likes playing basketball. He's given a pair of sneakers that were supposedly worn by Michael Jordan, and when he wears them he plays wizardly on the basketball court. He gets tickets to a basketball game and wins a rare chance to flaunt his moves on the court.

The Knights team is impressed and takes him as a player, and Calvin forms a bond with one of the basketball players. Despite his fame, Calvin feels lonely without a family. Will he find one? Although the plot of the movie is predictable, it's a lighthearted and amusing family film.

I recommend this movie to kids 6 and up because the storyline is very easy to follow, and will appeal to more kids around this age group. Raven Devanney, age 14, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

This is a great movie for Family night. Lil' Bow Wow plays Calvin, a teenage orphan in Los Angeles. Jonathan Lipsnicki (Murph ) and Brenda Song (Reg) play his best friends living in the same orphanage.

Sister Theresa (Anne Meara) runs the orphanage school. She brings some clothing donations to the orphanage. Calvin found a pair of old sneakers with the letters "MJ" inside the shoes. Ox, the orphanage bully, takes the sneakers and throws then onto a power line. Calvin climbs up to the roof to get them back during a storm and falls off with the sneakers on his chest. He starts to play basketball like a pro.

Calvin is chosen at random during a halftime game to play one-on-one with the LA Knight's "Tracy". He was able to score against the basketball pro and his life changes from this moment.

The quality of the movie is awesome. It's clean and sharp. I love how they make it seems real that Calvin can play ball with the pros. The colors are vibrant. The movie soundtrack works well with its comedy. I love it when Tracy tells Calvin that he can't rap and to listen to him, the real rapper.

The beginning of the movie is sad, because all the older orphans consider themselves as dogs, and the toddlers and babies as puppies. All the adopting parents only want puppies. However, the ending is awesome. There are several unexpected twists.

The acting in this movie is amazingly above average. Rapper, Lil' Bow Wow, proves that he's a great rapper and a great actor.

The only part I did not like is the bullying part and the danger that Calvin put himself in when he climbs the roof to get the sneakers.

My favorite characters are Calvin and Tracy. They are such good actors that you can feel how they are connected.

The lesson in this movie is never give up on your dreams and focus on what is good in your life.

I rank this movie 5 out of 5 stars. This movie age range is 5-17. Cheyenne Nguyen, age 9, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

Based on the best-selling novel by Yann Martel, is a magical adventure story centering on Pi Patel, the precocious son of a zoo keeper. Dwellers in Pondicherry, India, the family decides to move to Canada, hitching a ride on a huge freighter. After a shipwreck, Pi finds himself adrift in the Pacific Ocean on a 26-foot lifeboat with a zebra, a hyena, an orangutan and a 450-pound Bengal tiger named Richard Parker, all fighting for survival. Directed by Ang Lee. Starring Suraj Sharma, Infan Khan and Adil Hussain. Available on DVD, Blu-ray 3D and Blu-ray, March 12, 2013.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

I am such a fan of master filmmaker, Ang Lee and his latest masterpiece is just that! Life of Pi brings to the screen the best-selling book by Yann Martel in a visual extravaganza. From the very beginning, you can almost smell the Indian world of Pi and his family in Pondichery, India. During his 227 days at sea in a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger, we experience the range of emotions that Pi experiences dealing with his situation and his survival. Newcomer, Suraj Sharma's portrayal of Pi just pulls you in. He completely embraces his role and, although much of the footage was computer generated, you really believe that he is there on the boat with this Bengal tiger. It is at times terrifying. I had to cover my eyes at times. It is truly an extraordinary story, told in an extraordinary way.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

The most amazing 3D quality movie that shows underwater footage and sea life. "Life of Pi" is based on a popular book by Yann Martel's novel that sold over 7 million copies. It's about a boy name Piscine Patel known as Pi (Suraj Sharma). He has a good life growing up in his father's zoo in Pondicherry, a French colony. Due to hard times, they have to close down the zoo and move some of the animals to Canada with them. The move to Canada is in a big Japanese cargo ship and all the animals are at the bottom of the ship. A big storm hits the ship and sinks it. The survivors are Pi, a tiger (Richard Parker), zebra, hyena, orangutan and a rat. They are all in a small life boat from the cargo ship. After several days, the only two survivors are Pi and Richard Parker. They were afraid of each other but need each other to survive.

There are so many scenes with great cinematography. The most memorable ones are the underwater footage and the sinking of the cargo ship is so real and clear. The 3D brings out the glowing of the jelly fish and the blue wale vividly. Special effects of the tiger is the best part. It seems so real, I thought that the tiger was actually in the boat with Pi. The part I did not like is when the animals were fighting each other. It's too hard to watch the survival of the fittest.

The acting in this movie is so great. Suraj show a lot of emotions with his eyes and he stay in character and the audience can feel his emotions. It's so amazing to see his weight loss as the days go by at sea. My favorite character is Richard Parker. He helps Pi survive the shipwreck and at times he seems more human than creature. The lesson in this movie is anything is possible. Pi survives over seven months in the Pacific Ocean with just faith and Richard Parker. I rank this movie 4 out of 5 stars. I give this age range 8 and up. Cheyenne Nguyen, age 9, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

This is truly an amazing story, with a great adventure that is hard to believe. Pi, (Suraj Sharma) an Indian boy, is on a ship with his family who is moving to Canada. One night there is a terrible storm that sinks the ship and only Pi, a Hyena, Zebra, Orangutan and a Bengal Tiger whose name is Richard Parker survive. They are all in one of the small life boats trying to stay alive. After a while it only becomes Pi and Richard Parker who are adrift in the Pacific Ocean. Pi is now trying to survive, but is in fear of Richard Parker.

Based on the best-selling novel by Yann Martel, this adventure is created in 3D and is one of my new favorites. The visual effects are amazing and capture the marine life really well with all its beautiful colors. I like the way this film is set up like someone is telling it as a story, this really keeps my attention. One of my favorite scenes is when a big whale comes out of the ocean; it is so big and pretty to see. It is incredible. I also like the way we learn how the Tiger is named Richard Parker. It is somewhat funny and unusual. I would love to know How Director, Ang Lee, directs all the animals in this film, it is truly amazing how they act. David Magee, (screenplay writer) does a remarkable job on transforming a great novel into an amazing script. Other casts in Life of Pi include Vibish Sivakumar (Ravi Patel) and Rafe Spall (The Writer).

A big message I found is to never lose hope no matter where you are in life. Pi is in the middle of the ocean for many many days with a big storm, and a Tiger, but thru it all he never loses hope to be rescued.

I recommend this film for ages 8 to adults. Younger ages may be a little frightened when they see some of the animal scenes, but other than that, this is a must see. You can enjoy it with your family and friends. I give Life of Pi 5 out of 5 stars. I love the message and the visual effects. This is a great story of hope and determination. Believe the unbelievable and see the amazing adventure in Life of Pi. Brianna Hope Beaton, age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Do you love an inspirational fill as much as I do? Well if you do, go out and buy "Life of Pi", out now on Blu-Ray and DVD. This inspirational movie is about a young man who overcomes a disaster at sea, which sends him on an amazing adventure. The Life of Pi was written by David Magee and directed by Academy Award winning Ang Lee and is adapted from the best-selling book of the same name, which was written by Yann Martel.

This film recounts the voyage that Piscine Molitor Patel, better known as Pi, played by newcomer Suraj Sharma, and his family take that goes horribly wrong. See how this life changing voyage will take Pi and an epic adventure of self-discovery.

My favorite character is Pi, because his inner strength is truly inspiring and I find it so up lifting to watch how he changes and grows as a person throughout this movie. Suraj is brilliant in playing the lead role of Pi. This is a great film, so while I don't have a favorite scene, I will say that I love the special features so much. They take you on the nearly four year journey that it took for Ang Lee to complete this film. Ang takes you through process of making this film, from the 3,000 plus actors that they audition to find the right person to play Pi, to Ang's attention to detail in creating his own ocean. I love seeing the amount of hard work and preparation that Suraj Sharma went through to prepare to play Pi.

The cinematography, headed by Claudio Miranda, is nothing short of extraordinary. I love how he has a giant wave tank built on the end of runway in Taiwan. It is amazing to see the transformation from an open wave pool, to the final product in the middle of an "ocean". The CGI, created by Rhythm and Hues, was absolutely mind blowing. The CGI animation used to create the Bengal Tiger was amazing. You can't tell which scenes use the live Bengal Tiger and which were the CGI created Tiger.

I rate this movie 5 out of 5 stars. This is a great story of faith and perseverance. With a great director and a cast that is remarkable story that you will love. While geared towards adults, I think even those 13 and up will really love this film. And remember "It is true that those we meet can change us, sometimes so profoundly so that we are not the same afterwards." Julianna Noone, age 12, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

Ethan longs to escape his small Southern town. He meets a mysterious new girl, Lena. Together, they uncover dark secrets about their respective families, their history and their town. This PG-13 rated film, based on the book by Margaret Stohl (2009) stars Academy Award Nominee Viola Davis alongside Academy Award Winner Jeremy Irons, Emmy Rossum, Alice Englert and Alden Ehrenreich. Directed by Richard LaGravenese.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

coming soon.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

"Beautiful Creatures" is a refreshing twist of the age old tale of young love, sacrifice and the battle between good and evil. When Ethan Wate, played by Alden Ehrenreich, meets a mysterious girl named Lena, he immediately falls for her. But Lena and her family have a secret. They are all Casters and when Lena turns 16 her powers will be claimed for the light or the dark. Will Lena be strong enough to change her fate, and will Ethan be strong enough to deal with what happens if she goes dark?

I absolutely love "Beautiful Creatures." It is so aesthetically pleasing and the sets and costume design are beautiful. This is a far better film than I expected. It isn't just another teen romance, I believe it has something for everyone. There is quite a bit of humor in this film that is an unexpected bonus, as well as political and religious quips that I found quite entertaining. One thing that really makes this film stand out from the rest is that the main characters aren't visually perfect. They don't look like cut -outs from magazines. I found it extremely pleasing to see that there is more than looks to film stars. I love all the emotion in this film, it is definitely a tear jerker and it pulled at my heartstrings. I love that the acting in this movie. It really made me feel something beyond pure entertainment.

I really enjoyed the relationship between Lena and Ethan because it feels very real and natural. My favorite character is Link, played by Thomas Mann, is by far the funniest character. He is Ethan's right hand man and is always cracking clever remarks and causing laughable moments. I love Thomas Mann from other films such as "Hansel and Gretel," "Project X," "Fun Sized" and other films, so I was pleasantly surprised when I saw him in this. He has a way of making an audience laugh at awkward moments which is perfect for this movie.

My favorite scene is when Ridley Duchannes comes to town. She is Lena's cousin who has become a dark Caster and is trying to assist her aunt in making sure Lena goes dark and she is quite the character. She pretty much does whatever she wants, whenever she wants and she brings an edgy quality to the quiet town where this movie takes place.

I recommend "Beautiful Creatures" for ages 13 and up. It is a bit mature for younger audiences but it is perfect for teens and adults. It will make you laugh, cry and want to fall in love. I give "Beautiful Creatures" 5 out of 5 stars so go check it out. It releases theatrically on February 14. Raven Devanney, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15.

Description:

When young Jay Moriarty discovers that the mythic Mavericks surf break, one of the biggest waves on Earth, exists just miles from his Santa Cruz home, he enlists the help of local legend Frosty Hesson to train him to survive it.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

coming soon

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

This movie is based on a true story that will inspire the audience. Jay Moriarity (Jonny Weston) is raised by a single mom (Elizabeth Shue) who is never around. He almost died of drowning when he was younger and Frosty Hesson (the local surfing legend) saved him. Since that day, Jay follows Frosty Hesson (Gerard Butler) and notices that Frosty often goes out very early in the morning. One day, Jay follow Frosty to see what he's doing out so early in the morning. On this trip Jay discovers the secret place where some of the local surfer legends surf. Frosty tells him that the biggest wave will come to this spot one day. He asks Frosty to help him train to ride the biggest waves. During the training process many life events happen and it turns out that Jay is helping Frosty as much as Frosty is helping him. They build a father and son bond. This movie has so many different emotions. There are the relationships between a Jay and his mom, Jay and his first crush, Jay and his best friend and Jay and his father-figure neighbor. There is so much awesome footage of the waves and the surfing culture that the audience can really enjoy watching while learning. The music is so perfect for all the scenes, especially with the skateboarders and surfers. The sceneries of the 80's and the small town lifestyle is awesome to see. The special effects in this movie are above average. The big wipe out captured in this movie is like no other picture I've seen. The message in this movie is never give up. Sometimes it is so much work to achieve your goals, but if you practice everyday, you will be better than yesterday. My favorite characters are Jay and Frosty. Jay is so friendly and never hold grudges; he always forgives. Frosty is a great surfer with a big heart. I rank this movie 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend this for ages 7 and up. Cheyenne Nguyen, age 9, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

I recently watched Chasing Mavericks and really enjoyed it. I saw it with my mom and she even cried in some parts; everyone needs a good movie to cry in sometimes. Throughout this entire movie, I obsessed over the main character, Jay Moriarity (Jonny Weston.) He is just so adorable in the whole movie. I did a little research on the story; and it is pretty accurate. I have never really watched movies primarily filmed in water, but I think it makes the acting and storyline more intense, which I liked. This movie is about a fifteen-year-old boy named: Jay Moriarity who, since he was eight, has been passionate about waves and surfing. It all starts when he was timing the swell of the waves to determine how large they were and fell in. His later mentor, Frosty (Gerard Butler) saved him and ever since he is always in the water. One day Jay hops off Frosty's truck and follows him to a place where he sees the biggest waves existing - known to be a myth, the Mavericks. Jay begs Frosty to train him to surf the Mavericks. Frosty agrees and they spend everyday intensely training. Jay has had a hard life; his dad left him, and he acts as a mother to his struggling mother. But, he is very optimistic - which is inspiring. This movie portrays Jay as a good role model, showing how to find happiness in spite of everything. I have now seen this movie twice because it was so good! I probably will soon watch it again. All of the acting is great, and from researching the cast I found out that the main character Jonny Weston (Jay Moriarity) is a new actor. He was amazing in this movie. Even though this movie is based on a true story, it feels unreal because the life of Jay is inspiring, and hard to believe that someone could be that positive. Also there is a good soundtrack. It is the first movie where I actually noticed the sound track. Usually it does not jump out at me, but this time it does. I give this movie five out of five stars because it held my attention the entire time. I recommend it for ages six and up because smaller children might get bored by a long movie Victoria Burns, age 14, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

The surf is up and we are heading to the ocean for this amazing movie. The movie, based on the real life experience of Jay Morierty, played by new-comer Jonny Weston. Jay moves to Santa Cruz, California when he is 9 and learns to surf from a boy he befriends. He is drawn to the waves and the ocean. He counts the seconds between the breakers for fun. Once he learns to surf and has made a name for himself as a good local surfer he meets a legendary big wave surfer named Frosty Henderson, played by Gerrard Butler. The cinematography is hypnotizing. Some of the shots of the ocean and surfing are more then incredible. Your eyes are glued to the screen from the beginning to the end and you can make a really strong connection to surfers and surfing as a lifestyle. Some people call it sour surfing and Jay Morierty was the youngest and the best. In the movie they show the relationship between Jay and Frosty as having only being a few weeks of training seasons but in real life Frosty trained Jay for years before his first attempt at riding a Maverick. These waves can be 50 feet high and are very dangerous. There are so many things that can go wrong. Having us believe that all the training happened in one small stretch of weeks would be impossible but that's just Hollywood telling the story. Go watch this touching story and bring a friend but leave the boards outside. You don't have to surf to enjoy the movie but it could open your eyes to a glimpse of what some of these amazing athletes will do for the sport. Once you see it, you will know why once you start, the ocean is always calling you to back to play again. I think I would love to learn to surf but I will stick with the small waves. The age range is 9 and up but really the photography in the movie will keep anybody entertained. I give it 4 1/2 out of 5 twinkling stars. Morgan Bertsch, age 7, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

A young woman is entranced by an Aerialist. When they fall into the dreamlike world of Cirque du Soleil and are separated, they travel through the different tent worlds trying to find each other.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

coming soon

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

This movie is all about a girl named Mia who meets a guy called The Aerialist and they go on a huge adventure, but will never give up until they find each other. It is really nice how they care about each other throughout the movie. I think they should have more talking to each other or other people. I really like the movie because it is in 3D. It makes it look so real that I would want to reach out and touch it. There were also so many acrobats that were doing things that seemed like they are going to kick you in the face. It is really cool and I hope you like it too. The main characters in the movie are Mia and The Aerialist. They are both my favorite characters because they don't care what they come up against each time because they love each other and will not rest until they find each other. My favorite part of the movie is when they are doing one of the shows and they are falling off walls on to trampolines and got back on the wall. They must be really brave to do all of those stunts. The cast was amazing and I wish I could do that too. I would recommend this movie for ages 8 and up because younger kids would probably think it's boring. In fact, it is kind of boring at the beginning, but I keep an open mind and they do acrobat things that catch my attention. I hope you like the movie as much as I did. Go out and see this movie in theaters on December 21. Anthony Aranda, age 10, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

Prisoner 24601, known as Jean Valjean, is released from prison and breaks parole to create a new life for himself while evading the grip of the persistent Inspector Javert. Set post-revolutionary France, the story reaches resolution against the background of the June Rebellion. Directed by Tom Hooper. Starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway and Amanda Seyfried.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

coming soon

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

The epic musical Les Miserables tells the story of a man named jean Valjean played by Hugh Jackman set during the dawn of the French revolution. After serving 19 years as a slave because he stole a loaf of bread, he breaks parole and spends years reinventing himself as a new man. Jean is being hunted by officer Javert played by Russell Crowe, who swears he will not rest until Jean is behind bars. While running from Javert, Jean Valjean finds himself caring for a factory workers young daughter, Cosette. The young child changes his life forever.

Les Miserables is honestly one of the greatest films I have ever seen. This film is almost three hours long and I still wanted it to go on longer. Les Miserables is a very well known Broadway musical and it stays so true to the play it is unbelievable. Not a single word is off. However, the one thing that changes for the better is they made the movie easier to understand and follow. I have been a huge fan of Les Mis for a long time and I know almost every single song by heart. I was trying so hard not to start singing along with the film, the musical score was amazing. The whole film is better than I could have ever hoped for, but seeing this tale up on the big screen was phenomenal!

The visuals and special effects are truly breathtaking. It is set in France at the beginning of the French revolution when life for the poor was awful and life for the rich was grand. They capture the hard times of the streets perfectly by using dark colors and wonderful lighting contrasts. I loved seeing the world of Les Mis on a grand scale and it is exactly as I imagined it would be. I love this entire movie so much that when it was over I immediately wanted to see it again. I'm definitely going to see it again when it comes out in theaters. I have so many scenes that I love so much, but my favorites are the Lovely Ladies scene and the Master of the House scene. I like the Lovely Ladies scene because that's where Fantine, Cosette's mother turns to the streets as a home after losing her job at the factory. It is a wonderful musical number and Anne Hathaway's performance is amazing! It is so historically accurate showing how people would do anything to make a quick penny from selling their teeth, to chopping off their hair, it was hard for everyone. I also love the Master of the House scene because it is so hilarious. It has Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter as the innkeeper and his wife. They con people into staying the night at their inn, then trick them into never leaving. They are so crafty and hilarious and they rob everyone blind. This scene is so clever and hilarious. Sacha and Helena make an amazing duo.

I love all of the characters equally, but I'll only pick a few to talk about. Jean Valjean is a truly amazing character and Hugh Jackman brings him to life so well. Hugh's talents are really shown off during this film and I was very impressed by him. Fantine, played by the remarkable Anne Hathaway is a very memorable character. Anne is perfect as Fantine and this was, in my opinion, her best role. The last character that I really enjoyed is Eponine played by Samantha Barks. Eponine sings all of my favorite Les Mis songs and her incredible duo of A Little Fall of Rain with Eddie Redmayne. A little fun fact is that Samantha Marks played Eponine in the Broadway version of Les Mis.

Overall, I give Les Miserables 5 out of 5 stars because it is truly the most amazing film I've seen in a long time and it far surpassed my expectations. This film is definitely for ages 13 and up because of the dark period it is set in and the violence and cruelty that occurs. Raven Devanney, age 15, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

I have recently seen the new remake of "Les Miserables" and it was amazing; I had never heard of, read, or seen this movie. The first time that I had heard of it was in my French class. This movie is about France during the French Revolution, and based on a book written by Victor Hugo. I unexpectedly love this movie. It has the right amount of everything: action, sadness, thrill, drama and of course music. I have never really been a fan of musicals because of the random outbursts of song, but this one fit perfectly, mainly because there was little to no spoken words. The whole script is music and the voices are beautiful. This movie follows the life of Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman), and ex-convict number 24601. When released from prison he turns his life around to be a mayor. His past life till haunts him when a haunting inspecting officer, Javert (Russel Crowe), shows up and starts to suspect his true identity. Javert's appearance came at a crucial time, during a employee conflict which leads to the termination of an employee named Fantine (Anne Hathaway.) Fantine has a small child named Cosette (Amanda Seyfried and Isabelle Allen). Now fired Fantine works as a prostitute and sends all of the money she makes to her daughter in Paris. She has a run in with the law then Jean Valjean saves her and promises to take care of her little girl when she dies. Fontaine dies and Jean retrieves Cosette from some scheming inn keepers and raises her as his own daughter, but Javert refuses to leave him alone. Cosette grows up and her life changes when walking with her "father"; she catches the eye of a young gentleman name Marius (Eddie Redmayne) and immediately falls in love. This happens when Marius is involved in a Revolution for the people and could lose his life. We see him choose between Cosette and the Revolution; Javert chooses whether or not to seize Valjean; and Valjean decides if Marius is good enough for his little girl. I love this movie and would watch it again; it is very heartfelt, and some of the audience members cried. I like that the singing made the drama and sadness seem lighter. I plan to buy the soundtrack; some of the songs were stuck in my head as I left the theater. I recommend this movie for ages thirteen and up for the violence and intense connotations. This movie deserves more that five stars and an award; I look forward to seeing it again on Christmas. Victoria Burns, age 14, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

Tranhopping is the quickest way to get from one planet to another. A person would vanish in a little black box, and reappear in a box across the galaxy. One Christmas, little Jaymee Sky went to visit her grandmother on a distant planet and never made it.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Though odd, the story of the little girl visiting her grandmother has appeal. She cares for her family, and teamwork is exhibited. However, the pace is slow and the production quality is choppy and not particularly well edited. It is a fun idea to imagine how one might travel in the future. Some of the actors are very believable, but others are awkward and hard to watch. It might make a nice cult film for a niche audience. The special effects were very amateur and didn't hold my interest. Older kids might appreciate the cultish quality of the film.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

Jaymee is going to visit her grandmother through a teleporting thing. She gets lost and Cortez has to come to her house and find a way home. Her parents are very worried about her. "It seems kind of old, and it's weird that she was supposed to be able to go in a box and get to a different planet." "The house seemed real, but they didn't show much else." "It didn't look real when they traveled in space."

Description:

Scrat's nutty pursuit of the cursed acorn, which he's been after since the dawn of time, has world-changing consequences - a continental cataclysm that triggers the greatest adventure of all for Manny, Diego and Sid. In the wake of these upheavals, Sid reunites with his cantankerous Granny, and the herd encounters a ragtag menagerie of seafaring pirates determined to stop them from returning home. Starring voice talent of Ray Romano, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, Aziz Ansari, Peter Dinklage, Nick Frost and Queen Latifah. Directed by Steve Martino and Michael Thurmeier.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Classic cartoon humor is brought up-to-date in the fourth of a well-produced animation series with strong, likeable creatures that are more than just clich�s. As preposterous as the story line is: a motley crew of anthropomorphized survivors of the Ice Age, the characters have depth, dimension and can be easily identified with. It is a fun, unscientific romp through the trials of tweens and the meaning of family and friendship. There were some sensitive emotional aspects of this film that earn it a rating of PG. Expect pratfalls, mild cartoon violence and insults, mild enough for older kids, but with enough redeeming positive messages of family and friendship to satisfy most. Overall, very entertaining!

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

HOLY CRAB! What a great movie! This film really kicks some pirate booty. From Blue Sky Studios and 20th Century Fox comes "Ice Age: Continental Drift." This fantastic film is about a group of different families that come together to form their own herd and together they overcome obstacles to stay together. Once again, Manny (voiced by Ray Romano), Sid (voiced by John Leguizamo) and Diego (voiced by Dennis Leary) set off on another wild adventure caused by Scrat's continued chase of that elusive acorn. Along the way, they will overcome pirates, sirens and many other life and death obstacles.

While I love all the characters and they are voiced by a terrific and funny set of actors, my favorite character is Granny (voiced by Wanda Sykes), who is a new addition to the cast. Granny is so hilarious and a little zany and crazy. Everyone thinks Granny has an imaginary friend, but as the movie goes along, we find out that the friend is not so imaginary. It's a very precious moment in the movie.

My favorite scene is when Manny, Sid, Diego and Granny are having hallucinations that are unique to each of them. Sid's is about a female sloth; Diego sees Shira, a female pirate and also a saber tooth; Granny sees a muscular sloth and finally Manny sees his wife Ellie (voiced by Queen Latifah), who says to him "Manny, you were right, you're always right." Manny hears that and he snaps out of his hallucination because he knows that Ellie would never say that to him. It's such a funny moment in the film, but also saves them all from dying.

The music is very catchy and fits the movie well. My favorite song is at the very end, because it's about family and it is an adorable song. The animation is so well done that the characters appear lifelike as you can see the details in the sheen of their fur and the muscle movements. Also, the 3D is well placed and not overdone, so it doesn't take over the film. Well done.

I rate this film 5 out of 5 stars as it is funny, well written and has a great message for the audience. It is a perfect movie for everyone in your herd. Always remember, stick with your herd because they always have your back, no matter what.Julianna Noone, age 12, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

This movie is an adventure and comedy animation. Ice Age 4 picks up where Scrat still did not catch that acorn, and the results of his chasing after the acorn created the continental drift apart. Manny (Ray Romano) an over protective father, trying to keep his teenage daughter Peaches (Keke Palmer) from hanging out with the bad group of mammoth. However, Peaches is desperate to proof that she is cool so she can hang out with the cool kids. Manny and his daughter had a fight in front of her friends and the last thing Peaches said to her father was "I wish you were not my father". This is when the earth shakes; Manny, Diego and Sid were separated from the rest of the pack. They encounter ice pirates and many different sea creatures. They all are home sick and wanted to find a way home. However, the ice pirate wanted to capture them as prisoners. Manny and his gang have to come up with a plan to escape from the pirates and use his ice ship to go home. This movie has a lot of jokes that make me laugh throughout the movie. The love story between Diego and the white tiger Shira (voice by Jennifer Lopez) is so cute. The 3D is totally awesome. The message of this movie is the important of family and we do not have a choice to pick who is in our family. My favorite character in this movie is Granny. Everything about her is funny and unpredictable. One thing that I did not like is there are too many new characters. I would like to see more of Granny. I rank this movie 5 out of 5 stars because it's exciting, funny and all the characters are so strong and different. I give this movie age ranged 3-18. Reviewed by Cheyenne Nguyen, age 8, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. A woolly mammoth is fighting to get back to his family. They were separated from their herd, and get hijacked by a band of pirates. While trying to get back home the gang goes on incredible journeys, while trying to avoid the pirate band. The music is great, and in every scene the music matched the feel of the scene. Now let's talk prehistoric chipmunks. They were adorable and I love it when they decide to go and fight. It is so cute and I think you'll love it just like I do. Their little gliders and fighting swords are too much! Ages are 5 and up. It's really cute and adorable for all families. I give it 5 twinkling stars. It is an amazing movie. "Ice Age III Continental Drift" is in theaters July 13th. I'm sure you'll love it as much as I did. Morgan Bertsch, age 7, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

Monsters generate their city's power by scaring children, but they are terribly afraid themselves of being contaminated by children, so when one enters Monstropolis, top scarer Sulley finds his world disrupted.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

coming soon

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

One of Pixar's all-time favorite movies Monster Inc. is coming to theaters December 19, 2012 in 3D. Monstropolis is the home to monsters. They get all their electricity from the screams of children. Each child has a different door to their closet and when the monsters go in the children scream and they save these in special containers. The monsters are competing to see who gets the most screams. The monsters are scared of children. When a child gets out and into the scream factory, craziness happens. Sulley (John Goodman) is to blame for this accident. He has a side kick named Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) who has only one eye. They must hide the child and get her back home. She is a little confused and calls Sully, Kitty and he calls her Boo. A monster named Randall Boggs (James Coburn) is Boo's monster and he wants to find her and steal all her screams. He not only wants to win the contest he wants to take over the company. There are others on his side and once you watch it the mystery will be revealed. My favorite character is Boo because she is so cute, with the sweetest voice and funniest outfit. She thinks scaring is fun. I love the part when Boo runs into the other monster children and fits right in. They were adorable and you cannot say that about many monsters. She is always pulling at your heart strings and you root for her throughout the movie. The 3D graphics brought the colors out and the monsters in and closer to you. The monsters seem much bigger, and scarier, and funnier. The music is catchy and fit in with all the different scenes and moods of the movie. There are funny, sad, scary and happy times with the music to match. Watch this 3D version so you will be ready for Monster University coming out next summer. I can hardly wait. The age range is 5 and up because the monster are scary after all. Adults will find it fun and will remember when they first saw this movie. I give this movie 5 twinkling stars because it was even better with the 3D than the original movie. This movie will stand the test of time. Be sure to watch until the very end for the must see out-takes. Morgan Bertsch, age 8, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

A curious Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, journeys to the Lonely Mountain with a vigorous group of Dwarves to reclaim a treasure stolen from them by the dragon Smaug. Directed by Peter Jackson. Starring Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Ken Stott, James Nesbitt and Aidan Turner.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey opens today, breaking records around the globe. Rated PG-13 for extended sequences of intense fantasy action violence and frightening images, you might want to think twice before taking your tweens or teens. Filled with battle scenes, decapitation, amputation, and repeated stabbing and slashing with swords, it's not for the squeamish. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is the prequel to the epic trilogy, Lord of the Rings. This story follows the simple Hobbit Bilbo Baggins who is recruited by a group of Dwarves and Gandalf the Grey to be a burglar on their journey to the Lonely Mountain. They must make it to the Mountain to reclaim their treasure and home stolen by the Dragon Smaug.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

I thought this movie was okay, but I only think that's because I watched the Lord of the Rings when I was 5 and can hardly remember anything about it at all. Plus fantasy films aren't my thing. However my mother who happens to be a huge Lord of the Rings fan loves the movie. I have to give the movie props for the cinematography. I mean, oh my God, the visuals are beautiful!! All of the images are so clear and crisp, I literally felt like I was right there with Bilbo. I especially love the Elf kingdom and the graphics for that are amazing. I can't even explain with words how beautiful the imagery and 3D are in this film, you just have to see it for yourself. There are a few things that bothered me about the visuals though. Some of it is almost too perfect and too clear. You can see every piece of grass in the field and every pore or drop of sweat on the Dwarves. It is a bit too much. The other thing that pulled me away from the movie is how the Orcs look. They look like videogame characters and they don't have the same quality of the rest of the CGI in the film. My favorite character in The Hobbit is, by far, Gollum. Even though he is only in one scene of this movie, he is really funny in a creepy way. I really want to go back and re-watch the Lord of the Rings just to see more of him! I also like Bilbo Baggins because everyone doubts him, but he never gives up or turns back. My favorite scene is a toss up between when Bilbo meets Gollum and when the Dwarves are in the underground world of the Goblins. I love when Bilbo meets Gollum because the two of them have a very funny interaction of riddling each other. I also like when the Dwarves are escaping the Goblins because their world is underground and very rickety. I think the biggest downside of this movie is the length. It is way too long in my opinion, but then again, all of the Lord of the Rings films have been very long as well. If you enjoy the Lord of the Rings then you will love The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, but will I see it again? No. The cinematography deserves 5 out of 5 stars but, the overall film only gets 3.5 out of 5 from me. Raven Devanney, age 15, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

This movie is awesome, adventurous, and I guess scary for some people. It is also really funny. I just love it. This movie was really good, it had really good graphics and lots of action, and some parts that could creep you out but with all of it together, it is perfect. This movie is all about a guy named Bilbo Baggins who is chosen to go on a huge adventure but the best thing is, there is going to be a second movie. All the action is really cool with the dragon, the Orcs, the weapons and their enemies. It is a really cool movie that I love. The main characters in the movie are Bilbo and Gandalf. My favorite character is Bilbo Baggins because he isn't sure he wants to accept Gandalf's instruction but then he realizes it would be fun to go on an adventure. There are a couple twists and turns but everything turns out okay, or does it? My favorite part of the movie is when they find out the mountain monsters are real. They throw big chunks of mountains at each other which is really cool but the most exciting thing is that they find out they are standing on a giants knee, so it was a little crazy, but they all survive. This is the best part of the movie and really cool to see in 3D. It really feels like they are standing right in front of me. I would recommend this movie for ages 8 and up. Kids seven and under would probably get scared of some things. There is a lot of violence and killing and stuff that could encourage kids to smash plates and cups trying to do a scene in the movie. Kids older than seven should see this movie because they would like all the things they do in the movie. I mean lots of kids like adventures movies and would probably like this one too. Go out and see this movie in theaters now. Anthony Aranda, age 10, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

A science fiction tale of bright teens struggling for normalcy in spite of WWII and their dysfunctional families. When The Orb makes its move, the kids face decisions that could alter their future, and perhaps that of the world. A patriotic story for all who believe that good must triumph, and that what is lost must be found - or found out.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

A sci-fi tale about bright teens struggling for normalcy despite WWII and dysfunctional families. The dysfunction is deep and the screenplay deals with some pretty heavy-duty issues in a way that many teens today would be able to relate to. Although the script touches on issues of child sexual abuse and alcoholism, it is approached in a realistic, true-to-life manner. The sci fi military twist makes this quite unique and interesting. Some of the story line makes me uncomfortable, such as Bruno (age 23) dating and having sex with another character's mother. These intense issues and sexual conduct is also the reason we do not recommend the title for kids under age 15.

Description:

A ten-year-old boy must save his sister when a ghostly force taps into their imagination, creating a mystical fantasy world with dangerously real consequences.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Interesting story with great dialogue. The main characters are strong and likeable. They all learn that even during hard times that it is better to choose real-life over fantasy. The kids mature and learn to deal with their parent's divorce appropriately. A fun, exciting adventure that encourages siblings to watch out for one another and protect each other. There is some negative adult behavior that could be confusing to younger children. It would be nice to see the adults learn the same maturity as the kids do in this story.

Description:

Part of the award-winning Ruby's Studio series. Features adorable live-action host, Ruby, who leads viewers on an engaging adventure through fun animated sequences, art projects and original music - all geared toward helping children resolve conflict and show empathy, kindness and loyalty toward their peers.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

This is such a simple and sweet video about friends. The main character is so nice and the kids will love watching her. She is very inviting and her studio is warm and welcoming. This is a wonderful show for preschoolers and young children to learn about what it means to be a friend, have a friend and get along with others. The golden rule is taught early on and the kids in the video talk a lot about their friends. The actual studio is very colorful, warm and engaging. The pace changes often from talking, to singing and dancing, to animation, etc., and it keep your attention as a result. Kids are given a chance to think about their feelings and how to behave with others. Ruby's studio is very colorful and engaging. It resembles a preschool classroom. Ruby breaks into song and dance with the kids occasionally and it breaks up any monotony in the flow. There is also an animated cartoon, "Friendship", after activity time, which explains step-by-step how to make a friend.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

This award winning show is a must have for every child and will definitely help with their childhood. In "Ruby's Studio", Ruby tells you everything there is to know about friendship. She tells you how to make friends, keep friends, how to treat your friends and cover real life situations on how to relate to them. She also tells stories that show you what to do if you and your friend have a disagreement. Most importantly, Ruby covers the golden rule; treat others the way you want to be treated. I like "Ruby's Studio: The Friendship Show" because of the real life scenes, the activities and the songs which teach you valuable lessons. It seems as though the kids on the show are giving real honest answers, not fake at all. I like that it's interactive with the kids on the show and the fun they are having with the different activities. One craft activity I like is the making of a friendship tree. You can place the names of your friends on it with what you think they enjoy or like. I like that this is a show that is very kid friendly. It's fun with bright colors, upbeat songs, and interesting stories. It provides great tips and gives you a recap of everything. Kids 3 to 7 well definitely love this show because it is interactive with its viewers, making you feel like you are included. Kids will also like it if they are seeking help for their relationships with their own friends. I give Ruby's Studio 5 out of 5 stars. It gives great lessons, it's interactive and has real life examples of problems that kids may face with their friends. There is not one thing that I dislike about this show. I believe it is a great program. For parents, this show is educational in every way and you will love it with helping to raise your child. "Ruby's Studio: The Friendship Show" is available now on DVD. Brianna Hope Beaton, age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

This is a great movie for kids to learn the Golden Rule. Ruby's Studio has many different shows. This particular one is about Friendship. This movie shows children how to make friends, understand to their friends and how to talk to them. The movie shows real kids feelings and has a lot of colorful displays, arts and crafts to keep children's attention. It also repeats the messages several times so younger children can remember what the messages of the movie are all about. We need to hear how other kids are feeling so we can understand better. We should try to talk to our friends and see why they are feeling the sadness or not want to play. My favorite character is Ruby. She is pretty and speaks slowly and make sure that all the children understand the message. The movie is fun and full of arts and crafts. The lesson in this movie is "The Golden Rule"; you treat others like you want to be treated. I rank this movie 5 out of 5 stars. This movie's age range is 3 -5. Cheyenne Nguyen, age 9, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

I like this show because it really explores the elements of friendship and what it means to be a friend. "Ruby's Studio: The Friendship Show" stars a daycare manager named Ruby played by Kelsey Collins who teaches four kids, played by Skylar Cano, Levi James, Armani Pickett, and Maxwell Vu, about friendship and how to be a good friend. Many fun activities and videos help promote friendship. My favorite scene in this episode of "Ruby's Studio" is a video clip with animated cartoon soccer balls, basketballs, and bowling balls who teach kids that they can overcome their differences and become friends. My favorite character is the soccer ball in the video clip. I like the soccer ball because he is not afraid of anything and he stands up for himself. This forty-five minute preschool show is directed by Samantha Kurtzman-Counter, produced by Christine Ecklund, and written by Ruby Vanderzee. I recommend this show for kids ages five through eight because it teaches kids skills that they should know before fourth grade. I give this show three and a half out of five stars because although this show does teach helpful skills, it can be very slow at times. Camille Bajema, age 11, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

A heart-warming tale of two friends and an oversized bug, caught up in an unexpected adventure. Set in Paris in 1910, featuring the vocal talents of Vanessa Paradis, Sean Lennon, Adam Goldberg and Catherine O'Hara. From producer Luc Besson.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

A beautifully made film. The visual and audio effects are so relaxing, easy to watch and enjoyable to listen to. The story is interesting, even funny at times. Adults will like this film, possibly more than kids, as it has some resemblance to "Phantom of the Opera." Stunning animation and scenery combine to tell a somewhat mature story about magic potions and monsters. Lovely lesson about learning about others before making assumptions about their character.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

I absolutely love "A Monster in Paris." The 3-D animation of the film is great and the characters' personalities engage you and makes you feel as if you are there.

The power of music can break barriers and build a friendship. "A Monster In Paris" is an extraordinary French film, translated in English, about two friends - one, a shy guy interested in film and the other, a very curious, mischievous delivery guy who rumble up lots of trouble after sneaking into a scientist's house and carelessly unleashing a seven-foot-tall monster in the streets of Paris.

Unlike other animated films, "A Monster in Paris" stands out with its amazing message that we can't judge a book by its cover and how true friendship doesn't judge. Lucille loves Francoeur even though he is a gigantic flea. I also like Emilie. He is a loving yet, shy guy with a love for cinematography. I like how the animators exaggerate some of the characters' features and make them stand out and look hilarious. The bartender has a gigantic nose that makes it funny every time he talks. The film has a French feel and Lucille brings it together when she sings beautifully. However, I do not like how the ambitious commissioner mistreats Lucille and does not stop at nothing to make himself look good.

My favorite character is the professor's monkey Charles as he is intelligent and tries to guard the lab from Raoul and Emile from entrance to the professor's lab and making a mess. He anticipates when something is about to go wrong. He also makes me laugh when he tries to sing.

My favorite scene is when Raoul and Emile are at the professor's lab testing chemical mixes on Charles and one of the chemicals makes Charles sing like opera singer and then makes Charles feel emotion. The best part is when Raoul puts three drops of chemicals on a sunflower seed and in a matter of seconds the tiny seed grows to a 15-foot-tall giant sunflower. It is the reaction of Charles' face that really made me laugh.

I recommend "A Monster in Paris" for ages 6-14 because it is very hilarious and family friendly. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars. This film can also be seen on the Los Angeles Children's Film Festival April 26 - May 5, 2013 and is available now on DVD.

Reviewed by Jailene Arias, age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

Bond's loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost. Directed by Sam Mendes. Starrring Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris and Albert Finney.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

The latest of the Bond movies delivers action and adventure just as we've been prepped to expect since the 1960s when Ian Flemings' books first hit the silver scene. The difference between the traditional Bond films and this one is that Bond is shown as a somewhat aging agent who many wish to retire, particularly after he is shot in the opening scene. M has another idea and approves his return to active duty. What I really enjoyed about this film is its introspective aspect. We see Bond returning to the home he grew up in and where his parents lost their lives. When the house blows up, his response is, "I never liked that house anyway." But, we meet the house's caretaker who knew Bond as a youngster and hear him talk about worthy of her talents. Daniel Craig's performance is spell-binding. Javier Bardem plays an artful smart and cunning villain. And, Bond's Aston Martin DB5 makes a brief reappearance. This film is filled with action starting with the opening scene and continuing throughout. It's thoroughly appealing for an adult audience and for teens as well.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

I recently watch the new James Bond movie and it was amazing. I have seen every James Bond movie and this one is by far the best and everyone I have asked agrees. I love the antagonist in the movie and as weird as it sounds I thought that he was pretty crazy but in an acceptable way. The villain's name is Silva and Javier Bardem deserves an Oscar for the great job that he does portraying Silva. While I watched the movie, I was constantly wishing and imagining that I was a British secret agent. This movie follows James Bond (Daniel Craig) who is shot on a mission and ever since his wounding, people are saying the he is too old to still be doing dangerous field missions. Bond refuses to hang his hat just yet and returns to MI6 when he finds out that M (Judi Dench) is being threatened. An ex- agent of MI6 seeks revenge on M for reasons only known by them. His name is Silva and he is a psychopath. We find out that M has allowed something to turn him this way later in the movie. Everything that Silva does or allows to happen is a part of a plan because he is just that much of a genius, but James Bond is determined to best him. Bond has to go through everything to get to Silva and save M and, as usual, there is a new love interest named Eve (Naomie Harris) who helps him. In order to save M, Bond has to come to terms with his childhood because his parents were killed; and in the final face off Bond leads him to the one place that no one would think - Skyfall, his childhood home. This movie deserves all of the stars in the sky, but since the highest is five; then I give this movie five out of five stars. I love how all of the James Bond movies have the same concept so that there are no shake ups, and the writers give just enough prediction, but not too much to make the movie predictable. Some of the scenes in this movie have sexual connotations and are violent, so this movie is not appropriate for small children. I recommend this movie for ages thirteen and up because of the mature content. Victoria Burns, age 14, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

After the birth of Renesmee, the Cullens gather other vampire clans in order to protect the child from a false allegation that puts the family in front of the Volturi. Directed by Bill Condon; Screenplay by Melissa Rosenberg; Novel by Stephenie Meyer. Starrring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

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KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn pt. 2 is the final installment in the Twilight series, adapted from Stephenie Meyer's novels. This dramatic ending concludes the tale of Bella and Edward on their journey, defying the odds of love. I have never really been a fan of the Twilight series, never read any of the books or waited in line at the midnight premieres. I'm not a huge fan of dairy products, and this series contains an awful lot of cheese. But food jokes aside, I didn't completely dislike this film. Don't get me wrong there were definitely some parts that were way too dramatic, but overall I would say this is by far the best film in the Twilight Saga. The cinematography and special effects weren't anything different from the previous films, so I think they were pretty well done. However, I was very confused when I saw Renesmee. I couldn't tell if she was real or not because she looked so computer edited. I also have a problem with Bella's makeup in the opening scene. This movie picks up right where it left off and in the last film, the final scene is Bella lying on the table after she gives birth. When this movie starts, it is Bella waking up on the table two days after the birth of her daughter. But her makeup and hair are perfect. If she had been unconscious for two days how would she have on spotless makeup? Another detail that I noticed that didn't seem right was Edward and Bella's new home. Who made it? And who could design, build and furnish an entire home in only two days? I pretty sure vampires don't have super-human-carpenter powers. One last visual detail that was weird for me was Renesmee's room. When you first see it, it's a nursery, but then a day or two later it's completely different and completely refurbished. How on earth do the Collins afford to refurbish their homes every week?! I can't say I have a favorite character because the acting done by each character is a little far-fetched. I understand that the storyline itself is far from realistic, but I feel like all of the actors over-played their roles. I do have a favorite scene though. The final battle scene completely shocked me, and made me actually enjoy the movie. I haven't read the books so I had no idea what to expect, but I got completely sucked into it. I watched this film with my friend who isn't a Twilight fan either, but she and I were squealing in shock during the ending scene. After the movie I felt like such a nerd because I got so into the film, but in all honesty I actually enjoyed it. No, I will not become a Twi-hard fan now, but I do have a lot more respect for this series now. And I'm thinking about reading the books. This film is the most violent and sexual out of the whole series so I recommend it for ages 13 and up. Obviously if you're a huge Twilight fanatic, you're going to see this movie no matter what anybody else tells you. And if you completely despise the movies (which I'm sure some of you probably do) you're not going to see the film no matter what your told. But if you're in the neutral category of loving/hating Twilight like I am, give it a shot and you might actually be surprised. Overall I give Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn pt. 2 four out of five stars because it definitely surpassed my expectations. Raven Devanney, age 15, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

Totem traces the fascinating journey of the human species from its original amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly. The characters evolve on a stage evoking a giant turtle, the symbol of origin for many ancient civilizations. Inspired by many founding myths, Totem illustrates, through a visual and acrobatic language, the evolutionary progress of species. Somewhere between science and legend, Totem explores the ties that bind man to other species, his dreams and his infinite potential.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

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KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

I have recently seen the new Cirque du Soleil show: Totem, and I think that it is the best as far a circuses go. This was my first time to ever see a Cirque du Soleil show and my experience was a nice introduction. For those who have not seen the show, no circus compares to this circus. I hope to start seeing the show every time there is one in town. During the show I was awestruck when I found out that all of the music in the show is live; the artists sounded so good that it was unreal. The show's themes goes from swimming to evolution, to science, to space, to aliens, to clowns and more. It can be hard to follow at times, but that hardly matters because of the amazing performers and performances. The performers' costumes are uniquely beautiful. The costumes depicted the setting for each performance and shows the theme in each, again like evolution. The title of the show itself: Totem, means a natural object or animal believed by a particular society to have spiritual significance and adopted by it as an emblem, and this show had spiritual significance. In the beginning of the show, the aerialists are emerging from what looks like a giant jungle gym and do so many twists and turns that I felt dizzy for them. I always wanted to be in the circus when I was younger, but now that I look back; I realize that I can barely walk on my two feet let alone a moving object. My favorite act was a group of what I call synchronized uni-cyclers with bowls balancing on their heads. On top of all this coordination, they blindly toss them into the bowls on top on each other's heads. This is just amazing and I think that the audience went the craziest for this. This show is child-friendly and there is only one crude joke. Depending on how old the child is, they might not catch it. I ironically recommend this movie for children and adults of all ages; this show can entertain anyone. Also, luckily and randomly, I met the actor Terrence Howard while seeing the show and sat next to another film critic. I give this show five out of five stars because of the great introduction to a Cirque du Soleil show, and for the constant astonishment and entertainment. I look forward to seeing another show. Victoria Burns, age 14, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

As the Civil War continues to rage, America's president struggles with continuing carnage on the battlefield and as he fights with many inside his own cabinet on the decision to emancipate the slaves. 2012. Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Spader and more.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

This period film, directed by Steven Spielberg, delivers a message that strikes you about how down to earth Abraham Lincoln was and how he dogged his cabinet members to get the 13th amendment passed. Daniel Day-Lewis' portray of the man is so believable, I can't imagine Lincoln performing himself any better. The film really focuses on the last 18 days before the amendment is passed, ending slavery, ending the Civil War and, of course, his assassination. We see the inner workings of politics here as Lincoln's supporters connive how to garner enough votes from the Democrats to get the amendment passed. Congress is seen as a haven of politicians who are a bit rough around the edges and not adverse to bribes and other means as an impetus for changing their vote. Lincoln's Republican colleagues aid him by buying votes, granting jobs and titles and other questionably moral trade-offs. One wonders how much has really changed in politics today other than the figures acting under the pretense of a bit more civility. Oh, and the roles of the Republicans and Democrats the reverse of what they were in 1863.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

This movie is pretty good but it is made for an older audience. I usually don't watch too many movies that are this serious, but the history is important to kids like me. This movie is all about President Abraham Lincoln and in the movie it is the middle of the civil war so Lincoln is trying to make peace between the North and the South. He creates the thirteen amendment so there will be peace in the country. The main characters in the movie are Abraham Lincoln, Lincoln's wife, and Lincoln's son. My favorite character is, of course, Lincoln because he is a good guy but he needs to spend time with his family more. He is too distracted by the thirteenth amendment that he almost forgets about his family. He really loves his family, but he also really loves the citizens of the country. My favorite part in the movie is when Lincoln's son is riding in the White House with a goat and a carriage. Another funny part is when one of Lincoln's advisors walks in looking for the president and sees his son sitting reading the paper like a grown-up. There are some scary parts during the movie when the soldiers are fighting and getting hurt. This is a sad part for me also to watch. To me the movie is more than just what we know from the history books. It shows me a little more about Abraham Lincoln as a regular person. It is also a really good movie to teach more about slavery and the civil war, which is a really important part of our history. I would recommend this movie for ages 12 and up, only because the movie was meant for an older audience and there is some pretty graphic stuff in there. But if you love history this is a great movie for you. Go out and see this movie in theaters now. Anthony Aranda, age 10, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

The word FREEDOOM means so much more to me now after watching this movie. This movie is about our 16th president Abraham Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis) felt that slavery is wrong so he led the Union (non-slavery states) to fight the slavery states to end slavery. This is our country's civil war. The civil war is going strong and many soldiers die from both Union States and Non Union States. Everybody wants the war to end. However, President Lincoln needs to pass the 13th amendment to outlaw slavery before he ends the war. This movie really brings our history to life. I did not understand fully what slavery is all about. Watching this movie helps me understand and realize how import freedom is. So many soldiers died for freedom. The actors in this movie are awesome. Daniel Day-Lewis did an excellent job of portraying Mr. Lincoln. His mannerism and movements are so like the 1800's. It seems like they made him a little bit taller. Tommy Lee Jones also did an excellent job portraying Thaddeus Stevens. Also, Sally Field as Mrs. Lincoln totally fits the role. The make-up and wardrobes are so unbelievable. Daniel Day-Lewis looks just like Mr. Lincoln with all the lines on his forehead and the wrinkle skin. The most amazing make-up is Thaddeus Stevens. The cinematography in this movie is mostly done in natural light. In 1865 there is no electricity, so the setting must be dark with candles as light. My favorite part of this movie is when the politicians are bargaining for votes. My favorite character is Mr. Lincoln. He holds his emotions so well. He has a goal of passing the 13th amendment and he did his best to pass it and end the war. He instructed his general to treat the enemy with respect and release them to go home and not top jail them. He is such an awesome person. I rank this movie 5 out of 5 stars. I give this age range 13 and up due to some body parts and blood. Cheyenne Nguyen, age 9, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

When the evil spirit Pitch launches an assault on Earth, the Immortal Guardians team up to protect the innocence of children all around the world.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

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KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

I have seen a lot of movies and this movie has the most amazing graphics and best 3D I have ever seen. I felt like I was in the same room as the scenes. The snowflakes come right at you and make you feel like it is really snowing on you. The man in the moon needs the help of The Guardians to defeat the evil pitch. The Guardians are amazing. The animators and writers do a stupendous job of creating believable characters. The Guardians consist of Santa, who is from Russia - He is jolly and lives in an amazing castle. He has the cutest elves with jingle bells on their heads. They are very funny and helpful. The Easter bunny - who is tough, from Australia and has a boomerang. His adorable eggs actually have legs and can run around. The Tooth Fairy is very different; she is a bird. She has pink wings and blue and green feathers. Her baby birds that help her are the sweetest little creatures. The Sandman is the one who makes all your dreams come true while you are sleeping. The graphics for his amazing talents are fabulous. Jack Frost is one of my favorites. Everything he touches turn into frost. The animation of the frost covering everything is absolutely beautiful. Pitch wants the world to be dark and sad and to lose all hope. The children keep the world safe by having hope. Santa has a magic globe which is bright with lights as long as the children believe but once they stop believing their light goes out. The intricate design of the scenery is the best I have ever seen. Everything, from smallest detail to the large wondering dinosaurs, is breath taking. This movie is humorous, adorable and magical. My favorite scenes are when the Easter Bunny goes on a sleigh ride with Santa Clause and when the baby eggs are running around. The Sandman's magic makes your heart glow. The message is to stop and find out what makes you special. You have to find out what it is that you do best and find your center so you know how to make yourself and others happy. I loved this movie that mixes up holidays so you can watch it year round and get into the mood for the seasons. I recommend this for ages 6 and up. Pitch is frightening. The oversized Santa might be too much for the little ones because I am not joking he looks like you are right next to him. I give this movie 5 out 5 twinkling stars. Morgan Bertsch, age 8, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

A magical movie with all your favorite childhood Guardians who come together to protect the children. Santa Claus (Alec Baldwin), Easter Bunny (Hugh Jackman), Tooth Fairy (Isla Fisher), Sandman and Jack Frost (Chris Pine) are chosen by the Man in the Moon to guard the children. They make sure that all children have wonderful dreams and faith. The more the children believe in the Guardians the more power they have. However, the Boogieman (Jude Law) rises to take over the sweet dreams and create nightmares and children begin to lose faith in the Guardians. Without faith or belief, the Guardians will disappear, the lights will turn off and the earth will be filled with darkness. This is when the Guardians join forces to fight the Boogieman. However, Jack Frost does not join forces to fight. He just wants to have fun and not worry about anything. There are so many funny lines in this movie. My favorite part is when the Tooth Fairy looks at the collection of teeth; she knows which one flosses and exactly who it belongs to. I did not like the Boogieman because he seems so real and I don't want to see him when I sleep. The 3D special effects in this movie are so clear; they are unbelievable. When Jack Frost is flying it feels like you are flying with him and you can actually feel the cold air. The rivers of colors are so bright and clear. However, the music is so-so - not very exciting. The lesson in this movie is find your passion and you will know your purpose in life. The costumes are so awesome, especially the Fairies and Santa and his elves. The message in this movie is that joining forces can be more powerful than being by yourself. My favorite character is Jack Frost. He's very fun. I rank this movie 4 out of 5 stars. I give this age range 3 and up. Cheyenne Nguyen, age 9, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

This movie is awesome. It has a lot of action, a lot of funny parts, and I guess there could be some parts that can be seen as scary too. This movie is all about a guy named Jack Frost who came out of the ice but no one believes in him and so no one can see him. So he is turned into a guardian because the moon chooses him. Kind of strange, right? Well he was chosen to help save the world. He meets a lot of other guardians too but they aren't very nice at first so he isn't sure if he wants to be a guardian! Some of the main characters in the movie are Jack Frost, North, Tooth, Bunny, Pitch, and Jamie. My favorite characters are Jack Frost and Jamie because Jack Frost doesn't want to be a guardian at first but then he fights Pitch and decides he would like to help the world which I like. Jaime is a good boy who believes in the guardians no matter what. He loves to have fun like me, so that proves he is a good character. I hope you like them as much as I do. My favorite part in the movie is when Jack Frost sees his memories because he learns that he had a sister and he saved her from falling in the ice. Sadly he didn't make it and fell into the ice. I felt so bad that he didn't make it but it was good that he saved his sister. I would recommend this movie for ages 4 and up. Pitch can be a little scary at times but I love the movie and there isn't too much to be scared about. Go out and see this movie in theaters on November 21. Anthony Aranda, age 10, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Rise of the Guardians tells the story of Santa Claus (North), The Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, Sand Man and Jack Frost. Except there's a twist. This isn't your average holiday film. When the Boogie Man (Pitch) threatens to steal Sandy's dreams and turn them into nightmares, the Guardians come together to fight and save the joy and wonder of the children. I love this movie, and so does my little brother. This film is so different than any other holiday film I've ever seen. North, voiced by Alec Baldwin, isn't depicted as some jolly old fat man, but instead he is a tough Russian fighter who will do anything to save the children from the Pitch, and keep them believing in the Guardians. I love that the elves don't make the toys, but instead big furry yetis do. They are very funny, and one yeti keeps painting all of the toys the wrong colors, it is hilarious. The 3D in this film is amazing. The animation is truly beautiful, I love the way the bright colors of the Guardians and their worlds contour the darkness of Pitch and his nightmares. My favorite character would have to be Jack Frost voiced by Chris Pine, because he is the newest Guardian. No one really believes in him so he is often really doubtful of himself and always causes mischief. He ends up staying true to himself and becoming a full on Guardian, with the help of one little boy who believes. I love this whole movie, and there isn't a single scene that I don't enjoy, but my favorite scene definitely has to be when Jack takes on Pitch. Pitch has been trying to get Jack on his side the whole time because they both want to be believed in, but one of my favorite lines is when Jack says to Pitch "You want them to fear you, not believe in you." All Pitch wants is to strike fear into the hearts of the children and to take away their beliefs of the Guardians, but goodness and wonder prevail. Another scene that I really like is when the Tooth Fairy first meets Jack because all of her little helpers, or "Baby Teeth" have crushes on Jack. Whenever he smiles they faint because his teeth are so white and it was very funny. This film is absolutely wonderful, but there are some scary and dark parts so I recommend it for ages 6 and up. This film is perfect, for not only the holidays, but whenever you need some extra wonder in your life. Rise of the Guardians truly deserves 5 out of 5 stars so be sure to check it out when it hits the theater on November 21. Raven Devanney, age 15, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

A video game villain wants to be a hero and sets out to fulfill his dream, but his quest brings havoc to the whole arcade where he lives.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

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KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

A great Disney movie with Arcade games, Hero's Duty and Sugar Rush and Game Central Station. This is an animated movie about Wreck-It Ralph (John C. Reilly) who is one of the most famous bad guys in the arcade game. Ralph is very sensitive and is tired of being left out because he plays a bad guy. One day Ralph goes "Turbo", escapes from his own game and wanders into other arcade games to gain hero status. Fix-It Felix has to go find Ralph to get him back to the right game or else the owner will unplug their game machine. Fix-It Felix teams up with Hero's Duty Sergeant Calhoun (Jane Lynch) to find Ralph. They go through 8 bit arcade games from the 80s and 90s to find Ralph. This is when we get the see old characters like Pac-Man, Sonic the hedgehog, Super Mario and Sugar Rush and Vanelleope. All the famous Arcade Games characters come alive in this movie. The storyline connects all the characters so well. Watching this movie makes you feel like you is traveling with these characters and they are alive with feelings. The special effects in this movie are is out of this earth. They have almost 190 unique characters in all the game worlds. And Ralph is the character that pulls all the different game worlds together. It's amazing to see the difference the games in the 80s to the current games. The 3D really put the characters right in front of your face like you are playing at the arcade. The music in this movie, ranges from the 80s with Kool and the Gang, and current pop stars like Rihanna. This is a big range of music. The message in this movie is becoming whatever you want to be just because you really want it. Ralph is programmed to be a bad guy but he feels that he can be a good person too and this pushes him to go for what he wants. My favorite character is Vanellope Von Schweetz, her attitude makes her very funny and spunky. I rank this movie 5 out of 5 stars. I give this age ranged 5 and up. Cheyenne Nguyen, age 9, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

With names like John C. Reilly, Jane Lynch, Jack McBayer, Sarah Silverman, Adam Carolla and Mindy Kaling the expectation for this movie are high. They are definitely met. The animation is done in 3D and brings the action to life. It is very detailed, colorful and original. The characters are amazing. There are new ones and old favorites you will be sure to recognize. This is gamer heaven. Every gamer dreams of the day they can actually be in the game they are playing and this movie tries to make that a reality. We get to see what goes on inside video games and what they do when you are not playing them. Ralph decides he is tired of being the bad guy and wants to be the Hero. All he wants is a medal to make everyone love him. This proves to be easy but keeping it is a challenge when a small girl decides she wants it more. Ralph is not getting it back until he helps her. This adventure has spectacular, reach out and touch scenery and awakens all your senses. Sugar Rush is an amazing candy land that had every kind imaginable. Even the cars are made of candy. There are mysteries and a big race at stake. Warning, you will crave candy, so be sure to have some on hand. King Candy, Sour Bill, Vanellope and all the racers were fantastic. Meanwhile, Sergeant Calhoun and her gang are on a bug hunt. You do not want these bugs in your house. She comes with her own great adventure. Fix-It Felix and his golden hammer are on the hunt to fix Ralph. I think this movie is fantastic because several stories are going on at once and make it a perfect movie for everyone. It is easy to keep track of everything that is going on and just when you think you know what is happening there are more surprises and a new character you will love. Wreck-It Ralph keeps you laughing. The stories of love and friendship make your heart leap. The emotional ride is complete with believable characters full of human traits, as well as flaws. It makes you stop and think about the way we all treat each other and how we should open our eyes and be aware of other people's feelings. Everyone will find someone they can relate to and an arcade game they will want to go out and play. The age range is 4 and up, a few scary bugs but otherwise the candy scenes will make the young kids love this movie. I give it 5 twinkling stars. Morgan Bertsch, age 8, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

This movie, to me, was the best movie I have ever seen. And I have seen a lot of movies so that is saying something. It has easily become my favorite. It has such a good story line and made me laugh a lot. Another thing that I liked about this movie was the 3D which made it look really cool and made me want to see more. This movie is all about a guy named Wreck-It Ralph who is tired of being a bad guy so he left his game to win a medal so, for once, he could be the hero. First he goes to a game called Hero's Duty but while in that game he ends up flying into a different game called Sugar Rush. When he was in that game he made a new friend named Vanellope. The main characters in this movie are Wreck-It Ralph, Fix-It Felix Jr. and Vanellope. My favorite characters are Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope because Wreck-it Ralph is a nice guy but can do mean things. He also doesn't like be treated meanly so he leaves his game to try to win a game to earn a medal. He does finally win a medal but then it gets stolen. That's when Vanellope comes in. She is a really nice girl except she was mean to Ralph for a little bit. She has a glitch in her so everybody says she is a freak but really she is a good person. My favorite part is when Vanellope is making a car with Ralph and he wrecks everything. But when the car is complete she really loves the car. I thought it was really cool how it was just like a mini game. You will have to watch to see what I mean! I would recommend this movie for ages 4 and up because there are some things that could scare a younger audience. But mostly it's just really cool and I think it is a great family movie that kids and parents will both enjoy. Go out and see this movie in theaters on November 2. Anthony Aranda, age 10, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Wreck it Ralph featuring the voices of Jane Lynch, John Riley and Sarah Silverman is a breath of fresh air. It's so original and funny! You'd be crazy to miss this epic adventure. I absolutely love this movie! It's so clever, there are so many hilarious references of older movies and the comedy reaches out to children, teens and adults. Not only were my brother and I laughing throughout the film, but my parents were too. The animation is amazing because the way the characters move and act really portrays the fact that they are from a video game. I especially love the way the do-gooders dance and move about because it's very abrupt and choppy and it gives them all a virtual feel. I love all of the characters so much because they all have their own funny little quirks. I like Ralph because even though he is the bad guy, he isn't a bad guy and he proves that when he helps Vanellope. I also like Vanellope because she is supposedly a glitch but she never lets that stop her. She is adorable and determined and says some of the funniest things! I really enjoyed Fix it Felix Jr. because he is so innocent and last but not least, I love King Candy! He is the ruler of Sugar Rush and he is so wacky. He reminds me a lot of the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland. I don't have a favorite scene because I love this whole film. But there were so many funny one-liners and jokes that I love. Also, the references to other films were hilarious. For instance outside of the Candy King's castle there were oreos marching and they were singing the song that the flying monkey's in the Wizard of Oz sing. It was very funny. Wreck-it Ralph teaches you that you aren't a label and that everyone is unique. It shows that you don't have to prove yourself to anyone, you just have to believe in yourself. I recommend this film for all ages because it is so cute, funny, touching, original and has some killer 3D scenes. Wreck-it Ralph is in theaters near you starting November 2nd, So grab your 3D glasses and check it out! Raven Davanney, age 15, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

Wren's Halloween plans go awry when she's made to babysit her brother, who disappears into a sea of trick-or-treaters. With her best friend and two nerds at her side, she needs to find her brother before her mom finds out he's missing.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

coming soon

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

This movie will make Halloween more fun with teenagers. This comedy movie is about a senior in high school name Wren (Victoria Justice) and her mom Joy (Chelsea Handler) and her brother Albert (Jackson Nicoll.) A high school senior Wren (Victoria Justice), who is looking forward to college to be away from her family. She also wishes she can be away from her little brat brother. Wren's mother, Joy, wants her to babysit her little brother Albert on Halloween night. Mom wants to go to an adult party with her boyfriend. Wren is also invited by her high school crush to the "party of the year." So Wren tries to rush her brother home and put him to bed so she can go to her own party. However, Albert disappears in the crowd so he doesn't have to go home. The adventure begins when Wren and her best friend April, Peng and Roosevelt begins their search for little Albert. There are so many fun characters in this movie. All the make-up and costumes in this movie are epic. Albert's Spiderman costume is so original with one arm missing. Wren's costume is so cute without showing too much skin. Some of the characters in this movie do not need a costume for Halloween, they look naturally scary! The special effects in this movie are above average. Some of the scenes are so real and scary. There are so many flash back scenes and music that all ages can relate to. All the actors in this movie are so awesome. The boys are true nerds and the girls are so beautiful. This makes it so real. The setting with the teenage friends, personal and sibling problems are very understandable. I can relate to the same feelings between my brother and me. The best scene is with Albert at the end, he's always a little terror but a lovable one. The message in this movie is family. No matter how annoying your family members are, they are still the people that we care the most about and will give up anything to be with. And be careful of what you wish for. My favorite character is Albert. He does not know how to express himself until he is in deep trouble. I rank this movie 5 out of 5 stars. I give this age ranged 10 and up. Cheyenne Nguyen, age 8, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Fun Size is run around town teenager movie that creates trouble for our heroin around every corner. The story starts with Wren, played by Victoria Justice, having to change her Halloween plans and babysit her brother because her mother, played by Chelsea Handler, has a date. Albert is a disturbed little boy because his father died a few months before the story takes place and this is the first Halloween that Albert and his father won't be together. That's why Wren has to babysit this year. The challenges start when Albert gets lost in a flood of Trick or Treaters. Wren must find Albert and return home before her mother returns from her party and that is much more difficult then the group can imagine. Albert has some fun crazy adventures for a little kid and he loves his pranks. This movie is about friendships, relationships, life changes, family bonds and growing up. I understand the PG 13 ratings as there are inappropriate parts for us little kids but I don't know what they are. There were a couple of times mom covered my eyes but I did hear some questionable language and I didn't think you could drink alcohol until you were 21. Our foursome of Wren, Peng, April and Roosevelt are continually hounded by the Hulk and Julies Caesar until the showdown at the chicken shack. I know I'm only 7 but even I know that you don't bring a drumstick to a gun fight. My favorite part was the end of the movie with Albert. I also really enjoyed the costumes. They were colorful, creative and gave me some great ideas for Halloween this year. So if you're still undecided about what you are going to do this year you might accidentally stumble across that next really great costume idea. While you are at it grab some popcorn and a soda and a couple of Fun Size candy bars because you preens and teens will enjoy this movie. Little kids and adults probably won't like this as much. I think the cast really worked well together and their characters were believable even if all of the situations they are in were not. The age range is 11 and up. I give it 4 out of 5 twinkling stars. Fun Size will be in theaters October 26. Morgan Bertsch, age 7, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

A high school biology teacher looks to become a successful mixed-martial arts fighter in an effort to raise money to prevent extra-curricular activities from being axed at his cash-strapped school.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

coming soon

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

I love this movie; it is so hilarious! It is the funniest movie I have ever seen. The main character in this movie is Kevin James, who plays Scott Voss and of course he is what makes the film the comedy it is. This film is about how an apathetic high school biology teacher Scott Voss (Kevin James) decides to find a way to raise money for his school to keep the music program going. He quickly figures out that mixed martial arts fighters get large sums of money, even if they loose the fight. Even though everyone thinks he is crazy, Kevin goes on the risky adventure of being a MMA fighter. Scott Voss turns the falling high school around as he becomes the tough and daring MMA fighter. Boy, does he take a beating! Yet, he never gives up as he becomes inspired by the music teacher and his students. Salma Hayek plays Bella Flores in this movie. She is the school nurse and is sweet, helpful, and always giving Scott a hard time. When Scott gets hurt in a fight she is there for him, in a not-so-nice way. Henry Winkler plays Marty Streb in this film. He is also hilarious. He is the school music teacher who believes "without music, life would be a mistake." Marty is there for every fight and nervously cheers Mr. Voss on. It is jam packed in every scene with funny parts. The one I like best is at the end when Scott is fighting someone. He makes a move that is slow and can hurt his opponent really bad. Suddenly, the opponent is picked up by Scott, and his face is so funny. His face goes from fierce and competitive to terrified. This movie is hilarious! I give it 5 out of 5 stars because it inspires everyone to follow your dreams and never give up! I recommend it for ages 9 all the way to adults. It does get violent during the fighting scenes. Here Comes the Boom comes out in theaters October 12 and is rated PG. You don't want to miss this movie! Julia Chestnut, age 12, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Description:

A single dad discovers his daughters imaginary friend is real... and he is an invisible dog.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

This is a definite feel-good story. Appeals to both children and adults. A modern day tale about an inventor dad and his girlfriend who trains dogs - special agent dogs! This is not your typical talking dog film, but a modern day twist - a trained dog that accidentally becomes invisible and finds a young girl who longs for a dog of her own. With the invention of HAL, the dog is able to communicate with humans. The characters are warm and engaging.

Description:

Decepticon leader Megatron has worked to und\cover Dark Energon's power! Now Optimus Prime must stop his nemesis for good. He will not only face Megatron in this rematch, but must defeat an even greater foe - Unicorn, who threatens all humankind.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

This is a good film of the Transformer universe. The animation surprised me in its use of color and depth. The attention to detail, like scratches on the bots painted surfaces after battles, and the different points of view, like looking at the destroyed Cybertron through Jack's helmet visor, make the story more realistic. I took an interest in Cybertron's history and how it effected Earth, and the relationships between the Autobots. The human characters, however, seem a bit dysfunctional, superfluous, unnatural and lacking in a united mission. Some tense moments and solid storyline make this enjoyable to watch.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

Quality computer graphics and sound effects, a smooth engaging plot line, interesting characters and mostly good voice-overs. "Exciting." "Intense." "Starscream's crafty attitude and unique personality, as opposed to the other Transformers, is quite refreshing." "Optimus Prime's voice is epic, he has nice eyes and is kind mannered." "The Transformers have very strong and important goals they are trying to accomplish, the things they are doing matter."