SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT Series: FEATURES, AGES 10-18 Topic - Family Description - The true story of Hollywood's greatest comedy double act, Laurel and Hardy, is brought to the big screen for the first time. Starring Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly as the inimitable movie icons, Stan and Ollie is the heart-warming story of what would become the pair's triumphant farewell tour. With their golden era long behind them, the pair embark on a variety hall tour of Britain and Ireland. Despite the pressure... read more KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - see youth comments KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say -
Stan & Ollie is a fine biopic with great performances, beautiful scenarios and a powerful story about the value of friendship.
I didn't know much about these comedians and this film offers a great introduction to Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy (affectionately nicknamed Babe), two of the most fascinating entertainers of the Golden Era of Hollywood. I like discovering the roots of filmmaking and physical comedy. The m... read more
PBS DISTRIBUTION Series: DVD, AGES 12-18 Topic - Family Description - Early warnings about Facebook's impact on privacy and democracy in the U.S. and around the world. Dozens of original interviews and rare footage show how the company faced claims of misuse while becoming an unprecedented global power. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This two-hour Frontline episode offers a fascinating and much-needed critical look at the influence and effects of Facebook. From its gathering of users' data to the website's open forum being manipulated by propagandists, the fast-paced program portrays the dangers inherent when a company does little to verify the information being disseminated on its platform. Emphasis is placed on Facebook leaders identifying the ... read more KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say -
see adult review Runtime: 106 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age:
12-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ 12.99
Media: Video and DVD
Video Trailer Click to see video reviews FOCUS FEATURES Series: FEATURE, AGES 10-18 Topic - Family Description - The story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, her struggles for equal rights and what she had to overcome in order to become a U.S. Supreme Court Justice. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - see youth comments KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say -
On the Basis of Sex is such a fun and empowering film. I enjoyed it quite a bit as it was equally entertaining and informative. The characters are well crafted and the aesthetic of the 50s to 70s time period really sets the tone of the movie. It feels real and true, as opposed to the glorified version of the story that some biographical films show. The authenticity and uniqueness of the film really helps it stand ou... read more
Video Trailer Click to see video reviews GKIDS Series: DOCUMENTARY, AGES 8 TO 18 Topic - Family Description - A look at famous Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki following his retirement in 2013. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - see youth comments KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say -
Never Ending Man: Hayao Miyazaki is a poignant, revealing portrait of the Oscar�-winning Japanese director, Hayao Miyazaki. Directed by Kaku Arakawa and produced by NHK, this documentary shows Miyazaki's fans what the legendary director is planning for the future, since his decision to retire in 2013. The film uses chapters to title each section of the film, which makes it seem more personal, as if each piece is a pa... read more
Video Trailer Click to see video reviews WARNER BROS. PICTURES Series: FEATURE, AGES 10-18 Topic - Family Description - Arthur Curry learns that he is the heir to the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, and must step forward to lead his people and be a hero to the world. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Origin stories are always fun. Learning the back-story of a character is a wild ride, especially when discussing Aquaman. The unlikely and forbidden union of a human man and a queen from the depths of the seas resulted in a boy with surreal aquatic skills and knowledge. As the narrator of the film, Aquaman/ Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa) tells the tale of his birth and youth in a lovely way - until his Mother Queen Atlan... read more KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say -
I really like this film because the message is so powerful. It's about training to be the best you can be. Then, when you are ready, your task is to beat anything that's in your way, with a humble heart because good always wins. Another reason why I like it is because of the action between Arthur and King Orm. These two teach that, no matter what the situation is, violence is never the answer. I also really like the ... read more
Video Trailer Click to see video reviews N CIRCLE ENTERTAINMENT Series: DVD, AGES 5-12 Topic - Family Description - 'Twas the day before Christmas and all through the yard the Cat in the Hat and his guests partied hard. When the party was over, and the guests all departed one poor baby reindeer was left broken-hearted! Can the Cat in the Hat, Sally, Nick and the Fish help make come true little Ralph's Christmas wish? to be with his family, in far-off Freeze-Your-Knees. Will you help see him home? Come be our guests, please! KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Looking for an original family fun DVD to watch with the younger kids during the Holiday Season? The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About Christmas is the one to watch This is a great addition to the other Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About That shows. Like the others, it features Martin Short as the voice for the Cat, is colorfully animated, has very catchy music and is just fun to watch. It starts out at the Cat's big C... read more KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say -
The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About Christmas is filled with excitement, adventure and teamwork. The setting takes place on Christmas Eve and is based on the struggles of an inquisitive reindeer, Ralph, who needs to get home in time for Christmas. We travel through a town called Freeze Your Knees, a waterhole, and even Christmas Island where the crew faces lots of mysterious circumstances. There are creative mome... read more
Runtime: 60 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age:
5-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ 5.99
Media: DVD
Click for ordering link (Amazon.com)
Video Trailer Click to see video reviews UNIVERSAL STUDIOS - THEATRICAL DIVISION Series: FEATURE, AGES 10-18 Topic - Family Description - A mysterious young woman, Hester Shaw, emerges as the only one who can stop a giant, predator city on wheels devouring everything in its path. Feral, and fiercely driven by the memory of her mother, Hester joins forces with Tom Natsworthy, an outcast from London, along with Anna Fang, a dangerous outlaw with a bounty on her head. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - see youth comments KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say -
Mortal Engines is a visually incredible movie. Unfortunately, the story is quite hard to follow, and a lot seems to have been cut.
The film is set in a post-apocalyptic future where civilization has been wiped out. What's left of the human race has rebuilt cities as war vehicles designed to destroy and loot other cities. A girl named Hester Shaw tries to revenge her mother and stop London from destroying the shiel... read more
Video Trailer Click to see video reviews TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM CORPORATION Series: FEATURE, AGES 12-18 Topic - Family Description - "Fox has been asking for a PG-13 basically since the start in 2006," Ryan Reynolds told Deadline. "I've said no since 2006. Now, this one time, I said 'Yes' on two conditions. First, a portion of the proceeds had to go to charity. Second, I wanted to kidnap Fred Savage. The second condition took some explaining..."Fred Savage will join Reynolds in new scenes for ONCE UPON A DEADPOOL in an homage to Savage's starring ... read more KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - See youth comments. KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say -
Deadpool had much attention recently for its fame of being highly mature, but at the same time incredibly entertaining. Once Upon a Deadpool attempts to break that by releasing a PG-13 cut of Deadpool 2 and, while it will make the audience laugh as much as the previous version, it fails to expand the Deadpool audience to younger viewers.
Similar to the original film, the story holds is action-packed with some roma... read more
Video Trailer Click to see video reviews N CIRCLE ENTERTAINMENT Series: DVD, AGES 5-18 Topic - Family Description - One crisp, winter morning, a young boy wakes up to find a thick blanket of snow has covered the ground as far as the eye can see. Filled with excitement, the boy decides to build a snowman using a tangerine for his nose, coal for his buttons and eyes, and tops him off with a hat and scarf. Later that night, at the stroke of midnight, the snowman comes to life! The young boy and the snowman embark on a magical adventu... read more KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This classic animated film, based on the Raymond Briggs book, is one of my all-time holiday favorites. I have seen it shown with a live orchestra accompanying it, which was an incredible event. I'm so that that NCircle is celebrating its 40th anniversary as I firmly believe it belongs in everyone's holiday film collection, to be shared with youngsters and family members annually. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Adu... read more KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say -
The Snowman is a masterpiece that will bring families closer together for the holidays. The film is based on the classic UK picture book by Raymond Briggs, which has sold more than 8.5 million copies since it was first published in 1978.
In The Snowman, a young boy James wakes up one morning and finds snow on the ground. He quickly gets dressed and runs outside. He then builds a huge snowman. He gives it eyes, a n... read more
Video Trailer Click to see video reviews SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT Series: FEATURE, AGES 8 - 18 Topic - Family Description - Miles Morales comes across the long-dead Peter Parker. This Peter Parker is not from his world though; he's from somewhere else in the multiverse. With Parker's guidance, Miles will become Spider-Man: and through that he will become part of the ever-expanding 'Spider-Verse'. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - see youth comments KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say -
What would you do if you could be a superhero? What if you have no choice? From the very beginning, Spider-Man: Into the Spicer-Verse is very energetic and captures your attention. This animated film has impressive visuals. The music creates a fantastic rhythm. And you just want to watch more.
The story follows a high school student named Miles Morales, who just changed school. He goes into an abandoned subway stat... read more
Video Trailer Click to see video reviews WALT DISNEY STUDIOS MOTION PICTURES Series: FEATURE, AGES 8 - 18 Topic - Family Description - In Depression-era London, a now-grown Jane and Michael Banks, along with Michael's three children, are visited by the enigmatic Mary Poppins following a personal loss. Through her unique magical skills, and with the aid of her friend Jack, she helps the family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This charming musical is not a remake of the original Mary Poppins, like some expected. Rather it is a sequel to the wonderful original, with the children grown and parents themselves. Lin-Manuel Miranda plays the lamp-lighter with his usual panache and flair. I swear, I could watch him on screen forever. He is ever so charming and sprightful. Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins is equally engaging, bringing her own magical ... read more KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say -
Mary Poppins Returns is a charming musical filled to the brim with imagination and whimsy. It is quite entertaining and Emily Blunt is very good as the magical, manners-focused nanny.
The storyline follows the title character as she returns to the Banks' family home, decades later. Siblings Michael and Jane Banks are grown up. Michael, with kids of his own and mourning the loss of his wife, is about to lose the hom... read more
Video Trailer Click to see video reviews SLR PRODUCTIONS Series: FOREIGN SHORT, AGES 2-7 Topic - Family Description - On a snow-covered Christmas Eve, Little Nutbrown Hare and his friends stumble across a little Brown Bear who is lost. Determined to return their young friend back to his mother in time for Christmas, the friends venture bravely into the unknown woods. Through this epic journey we are reminded that the greatest gift of Christmas is being with the ones you love. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I thoroughly enjoyed this short film and highly recommend it for kids and families. This is a heartwarming tale about Little Nutbrown Hare who wanders outside one night when he can't sleep and discovers a rare, all white fawn dancing in the snow. He knows all white fawns are rare and when he talks to her she runs away. Through lots of escapades Little Nutbrown Hare finally is able to convince his forest friends the ... read more KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say -
This film is based on the British book series written by Sam McBratney and illustrated by Anita Jeram, published in 1994 in the UK and in 1995 in the US. The book was a ALA Notable Children's book and sold over 28 million copies worldwide!
Now, I have an adorable special guest who helped review the film with me, Little Field Mouse. I really love this film because it captures the Christmas spirit by showing us all ... read more
ON THE BASIS OF SEX
NEVER-ENDING MAN: HAYAO MIYAZAKI
CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT CHRISTMAS
ONCE UPON A DEADPOOL
SNOWMAN, THE
SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE
MARY POPPINS RETURNS
