Ages 12-18 Titles from KIDS FIRST!

The storyline follows Ricky, a tour guide, who has a group of people he is guiding, but they do not find it interesting. Then, a girl named Tara tells him that there is a group of other tour guides which are not actually tour guides, in fact they are there to take an artifact. Tara and Ricky go on an adventure to get the artifact back.

I really enjoyed the story, especially when they have a fight to try and get the artifact back. It is really funny and suspenseful. The camera work is quite good, as is the audio recording and editing. . I really like the scene where they zoom into the glowing stone. The locations are well selected; my favorite is the hall that is decorated with Christmas lights. The scene when the Christmas lights do not light up is funny. I also enjoyed the little fight scene. Yes, one special effect that is pretty cool is when Ricky is looking at the crystal in the beginning. It is not believable, but that is the intention. I really enjoyed the character Ricky (Ray Cuevas) and how he develops. In the beginning he does not know who he truly is; at the end he finally figures it out. I appreciate the director's (Jackson Huffman) work. My favorite part is the adventure and the battle they have to get the artifact back.

The film's message is about how, even if something may seem boring, it may have an exciting twist to it. Be aware that there is a fight scene; it is not bloody or realistic.

Gato Galactico, known as Roni (Ronaldo de Azevedo), receives a pocket watch made by his great-grandfather, Pedro Pontual (Blota Filho), the former watchmaker from Cron�polis. However, there is no battery for it, so Gato runs away to Cron�polis to look for a battery. Upon arriving, Roni learns that the entire village is completely frozen in time once an hour. Roni tries to escape but can't. Meanwhile, he is befriended by Pepe (Erick Torres) and Lisa (Luiza Mezadri), who reveal the legend of the Phantom of Time. Perpetuo (Daniel Infantini) is responsible for the curse and the only way to defeat him is with the watch that Roni has. The kids join forces and when they finally repair the clock and imprison the ghost, the spell is undone and a big surprise is revealed.

This film has a lot of depth, a few heroes and one nasty villain. It's a twisty little tale with a young man who undertakes a big adventure, is befriended by some young people and learns an important lesson about friendship, bravery, and teamwork.

The film is well constructed and lead us on a fantastical adventure. The ghost, Perpetuo, is extra creepy with his distorted face, dark teeth, long nails and tongue movements. Although Roni is pretty disrespectful to his parents at the beginning, his attitude definitely changes as the film develops and he steps up to the plate as a hero. The camera work is outstanding, as is the audio track, the locations and sets. The costumes vary according to the location, wearing ancient clothing in Cronopolis and contemporary clothing in current day. The setting in his home is very contemporary with books, a computer, and a tablet and quite 18th century looking in the town in Cronopolis. The background music is well selected and when the clock chimes and everyone freezes, there is complete silence. I commend the special effects coordinator, Rafael Mancini, for making the magic elements seem believable, eye-catching, and entertaining.

The film's message is about believing in yourself and not being afraid to seek the truth. Friendship and the importance of family are also great messages of this film. Be forewarned that there are scary parts showing potential danger to children. For example, the ghost has a machine that turns children and humans into dolls. There is a child yelling, "Help me, help me," because he is caught by the ghost. There is some mild profanity.

The story follows Pip (Natalie Lane), an 8-year-old girl, who finds a homeless man at the playground alone and begins to play with him. Pip shows Jessie (Michael Merritt) the friendship that he has been longing for when he needs it most.

This is a tricky story because it triggers people's concerns about talking with strangers and the mom reminds her daughter about her concern as they walk away. The young girl behaves in the most innocent way and she is guided by her faith. She only wants to help the man and her efforts pay off as we see the girl, her mom and the homeless guy enjoying flying kites and having a picnic together. The film is well produced from its writing to direction and editing. It has good camera work and good audio recording and a terrific music track by Michael Merritt, who also plays Mr. Jesse. I love the music; it really adds another dimension to the film. The costumes and locations all work well for the story. Jessie's clothes are typical of a homeless person and the girl and her mom are dressed as typical middle class Americans. The person who has the most visible character change is Jessie -- he goes from being lonely and sad to having a friend and being the happiest he has been in some time. Pip's mom, Jackie (Jackie Marsden) goes from being mad at Pip for talking to strangers to showing real compassion for Jessie and taking him into her heart. The ending is heartbreaking and may be too much for some audiences. Jessie passes away and is found by Pip and her mom. The striking part is the reveal at Jessie's funeral when the pastor tells his life story about how he lost his wife and daughter in a car accident with a drunk driver. In the end Pip's kindness brought happiness to a man who was alone and broken and he was not alone anymore.

The film's message is about how being kind to someone, being their friend, could change their lives forever. It's a beautiful message, but one might add that you should be careful about how you interact with strangers, because they are not all that nice. The film does have a slight Christian element to it, so be aware of that.

I give The Light of Pip 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults.

The story follows a young boy, who, together with his pet pigeon, walk into a cave where they stumble upon a bat like creature who turns out to be a vampire, a youth vampire. Their mutual parents show up to pull them apart but, surprisingly, they establish a friendship that proves to be long lasting.

Very impressive animation work by these young filmmaker. Interesting storyline and great voice overs by the cast. I also love the soundtrack which adds a lot to the story. And, one of my favorite scenes is the one at the very end, showing both families picnicking together, the vampire family all sitting under the shade.

The film's message is that friendship comes in many different flavors, sometimes with people who are completely unlike you.

The film uses the metaphor of birds as it explores various what ifs.

This high school student-made short definitely has some legs to it. It would be confusing if you tried to understand exactly where it is going, but as a collection of images I find it fascinating. It is very well made. I especially enjoyed the "paper" animation, but really all of it is well executed.

The film doesn't really offer a message but opens up your mind to new ideas.

This CD takes the listeners on a journey through a zoo, concentrating on different animals that you might find there including lions, flamingos, ostriches, giraffes, and monkeys, just to name a few, all while learning the French language. Each song has its own concept which acts as a mini-lesson. The songs introduce and repeat vocabulary, which builds language skills bit by bit.

The appealing thing about AU ZOO (At the Zoo) � French Learning Songs is the creativity of the lyrics along with the fun, upbeat vibe of the music. I found myself humming along immediately to every song that played. I also appreciated the animal noises and sound effects, especially the lion's ferocious roar! The music provides a solid, creative avenue for students to learn the French language. They won't even know they are learning because the songs take the hard work out of learning a new language. The songs do not just focus on animals; they also focus on concepts like holidays, back to school, the alphabet, and dancing. All of these are appropriate for younger audiences, because they are things that young kids are familiar with. Adding another language with content that kids are familiar with in song form helps them easily learn a new language. The CD�s animal them emphasizes an appreciation for nature and animals. The repetitive nature of the songs helps the children enjoy a sense of achievement as they learn new words in French. Learning a new language also promotes a sense of openness to accepting other cultures and languages.

The songs on this CD are unusual. The background instrumentals are extremely catchy and definitely had me bobbing my head, clapping my hands, and tapping my feet. There were a few songs that I immediately recognized such as The Itsy Bitsy Spider. The lyrics are selected to help the beginning student learn and understand the French language. The biggest educational benefit of this CD is that it helps even the youngest audiences begin to learn and understand French in a new and exciting way. It engages them to want to learn more because it takes the stress out of learning and makes it less of a chore. The songs are easy to sing along to and remember. The emotional support that Au Zoo offers children is a sense of pride and confidence as they increase their knowledge of French. The CD definitely encourages children to want to practice and perfect the French words they have learned.

Included are 20 quirky, fun, and vibrant songs. They are not long and are repetitive for language learning purposes and fun. It didn�t take me long to sing along to most of the songs. Artist, Didier Prossaird does an exquisite job of mixing an instrumental element with lyrics and lively background noises. I truly felt that I was on a safari at one point! Besides the animal songs, songs like Your Birthday, Happy Father�s, Happy Valentine�s Day, and Happy Back to School are included as well. My favorite songs are My Donkey, Have You Seen Fritzi, and Move and Dance. My Donkey is a silly song about a sick donkey who gets a lot of items from the doctor to feel better. And don�t worry, the donkey gets better! Have You Seen Frizti had a memorable tune that I really enjoyed. Move and Dance made me want to � well move and dance! Although the songs are geared toward younger children, I found myself engaged and wanting more! Whether you're a young kid or just someone who loves animals and music, this CD makes learning French enjoyable.

I give AU ZOO (At the Zoo) � French Learning Songs 5 out of 5 �toiles (that�s French for stars!) and recommend it for ages 2 to 12, plus adults. It is available now through online retailers so look for it.

By Junior R., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic age 10

The Au Zoo French Learning Songs CD is an entertaining and creative way to teach the French language to beginners. I enjoyed the wide selection of songs from a variety of genres and found this CD enjoyable from start to finish.

This language learning program teaches children how to speak French at an early age. It has a wide selection of songs about animals from the zoo, foods, and holidays throughout the year, like Father�s Day, Valentine�s Day, and even the start of school! It uses storytelling and repetition to help listeners learn the language.

This CD is excellent! All the songs are fun and well written. The lyrics include a lot of beginning French words, and the music uses multiple genres. Everything is designed to help beginning French language students learn vocabulary and pronunciation. My favorite song is La Tortue A Faim, which means The Hungry Turtle, and is about a turtle trying to get across a yard. It is extremely catchy and creative, plus it is very educational and has lots of action words and adverbs. This song uses a lot of repetition as well as call and response methods. The singers are quite talented and have very melodic voices that are a pleasure to listen to. The music includes many different instruments, as well as scatting and whistling which fit the songs perfectly and makes them unforgettable. Many of the songs feature children�s voices, which is great representation for the target audiences and makes the songs even more relatable.

The CD�s purpose is to teach children how to speak beginning French at a young age. It definitely hits the mark for its educational impact while delivering fun and entertaining music.

I give The Au Zoo Learning Songs 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8. It is available now through online retailers so look for it.

The storyline follows a cat named Thumper as she moves about her home, lies down to sleep and dreams. Her dreams reveal experiences of Blackfoot culture and beliefs. The dialogue is in Blackfoot language with both Blackfoot and English subtitles.

I loved learning more about the Blackfoot people through this animated film. The images are exquisite. I especially enjoyed the buffalo images during the dream sequence. But the cat and the woman are delightfully animated also. The background music by Lance Tailfeathers perfectly suits the storyline, particularly during the dream sequence. I loved hearing the native language and seeing the written words. My hats off to creators Celestine Twigg, Celestine Twigg, Troy Emery Twigg and Xstine Cook for creating such an original film that is both educational and entertaining.

The film is a reminder of the influence of First Nations' people worldwide and to honor their stories.

The documentary very thoroughly explains what transgender people are and are not. It shows the history of trans people through the ages and offers ways to deal with issues if you are transgender yourself or if you have a child or friend that is.

I like how this documentary is put together. It is really chock full of useful information that is easy to understand. There has been so much prejudice about transgender people and this tackles questions about who they are and how they live and love, about how transgender people have been around and been acknowledged for centuries. It's beautiful executed with excellent visuals and lots of them. The narrator, Timothy Holland, is superb. His voice is calm and consistent. The list of people in the credits is extensive and impressive. I highly recommend this for a youth and family festival. It is certain to be a great conversation started.

The film's message is to demystify what transgender people are all about and to defray any prejudice towards them.

Two city girls (Lei Leong and Paige Stepherd) explore rural life when they join Peter at his farm overlooking the ocean in Taiwan. They go through all of Peter's task that he usually does - feeding chickens, picking fruit, making jam, even helping dig a new humanure toilet. The girls are unfamiliar with nature but they slowly start to enjoy being in nature and learn to enjoy its many gifts. The dialogue is in Mandarin Chinese with English subtitles.

This documentary really gives an inside look at rural life in Taiwan. The camera work and audio recording are terrific. I really enjoy the creative camera work at the beginning. I also love the scene when the camera follows them while they are walking through the trees. The girls' enthusiasm for learning new things is palpable and it's fun to observe and learn from their experience. Peter is a wonderful guide and very patient with the girls. They always find a way to mix play in with getting chores done. I enjoyed watching the girls experience everything that goes on at the farm and develop a new relationship with nature. My favorite part of the film is when they feed the ducks and chickens. In the end, the girls experience a whole different side of life by living "off the grid" in a marvelous sustainable rural environment where one works hard but has a lot of fun at the same time. It's quite a contrast to city life.

The film's message is that nature is your friend and could be exciting and lead to great adventures. There are some scenes that may be considered a bit too risky for US audiences like when they are standing up in the back of the truck or cracking open coconuts with machetes.

Based on a true story, this musical film follows Corinne (Arielle Joy Hubbard) who dreams of becoming a championship figure skater and then receives news that changes her entire life. She visits her doctor and learns that she has Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Corinne struggles to cope with her disease and distances herself from her boyfriend Tony (Scott Fraser O'Brien) until he wins her over and gives her hope.

What a beautiful and inspiring film. I like how the film makes sure that Corinne's struggles with MS are seen. It allows the audience to understand why she is so frustrated and why she does not want to marry Tony initially. This film is a musical - the entire story is told by the lyrics and the music. The music is quite wonderful and I enjoyed seeing the characters express their story through song. The camera work and the audio recording are spot on - very professional. After a wonderful montage opening showing Corinne ice skating and she and Tony together, we see Corinne at the doctor's office where she gets her diagnosis. Her friend Anna is by her side. When she returns from the doctor's appointment, she breaks down to Anne explaining how broken she feels and when Tony comes to see her, she refuses to see him. Her world is crumbling around her. She is very angry that she cannot live her dream of being a figure skater. Throughout the film, we see Corinne's character develop. Initially she is devastated when she learns about her diagnosis and that she will be unable to have children. Towards the end she accepts that she will have to live with her disease but it doesn't mean she can't live her life the way she wants. After first telling Tony she can't marry him, they marry eventually and have a daughter together. There are many wonderful moments in the film, like the Miracle Man showing up just when Tony needs a lift. I guess my favorite scene is at Corinne's physical therapy appointment. At first she is skeptical that she will be able to stand up. When she does stand up and starts taking slow steps she feels like she is taking control of her life and not letting her disease define her. I love that the filmmaker includes still photos of the actual Corinne and her family at the end. The incredible cast includes many Broadway veterans. Arielle Joy Hubbard as Corinne, Scott Fraser O'Brien as Tony, Hannah Thompson as Anne, Davon Cochran as The Miracle Man, Bart Shatto as Doctor Gerard and Keith Crowningshield as Mister Keith the physical therapist. I commend all of the actors for their terrific acting and singing. Watching this reminded me of going to the opera - the voices are so incredibly wonderful and inspiring. Lastly, and most importantly, my hat's off to Emmy Award-nominated Charles Mandracchia, the film's producer, writer, composer and director.

The film's message is about pushing through obstacles no matter what. It also reminds us that we do not go through life alone. Corinne is helped by so many loving people around her who support her on her journey - her friend Anna, her boyfriend Tony, the physical therapist, the Miracle Man who motivates Tony, and more.

The story follows a drop of water and chloroplast who unexpectedly meet and fall for each other, but they have some serious differences that make it difficult to even kiss each other. Fortunately, things evolve and they at last... well, you'll have to watch to find out.

The animation in this short film is terrific and the storyline has classic elements to it. Not exactly a Romeo and Juliet because there are no warring families, but the two protagonists definitely come from different worlds. Their efforts to make things work eventually pay off and we have a happy ending. Great background music. All around well executed short film that would make lovely interstitial for a KIDS FIRST! festival.

The storyline is about how two individuals from different backgrounds can somehow make things work out between them if they are clever and focused enough.

The film follows the traditional documentary formula -- it starts off examining Pharrell's beginnings. He discovered music at a very young age and instantly felt a strong connection with music beyond just listening to it. He started a band with his friend Chad Hugo who was just as passionate about music; they called themselves the Neptunes. When a record label moved in across the street from them, Pharrell insisted on being heard, and eventually he was. From there his career skyrocketed. He eventually lost himself and his touch as he became obsessed with creating music for people rather than making music for himself. When he reconnected with his sense of self, his career once again went above and beyond. It was Pharrell's idea to utilize LEGOs to tell his story, which I think is such a great choice. The beauty of using LEGOs is that it's free to interpret in any way, and the animators were free to create any world imaginable. The LEGO animation is perfect. I love the sets and other visual creations. Pharrell William is a very important person in the music industry, and I think the choice of LEGOs emphasizes how unique and special his story is. So many other artists have also been a part of his journey -- Gwen Stefani, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Justin Timberlake, Daft Punk, Snoop Dog, and many other artists. The cast is incredible and they all voice themselves. Of course, one of the most important aspects of this film is the score. This film takes us back in time with some of Pharrell's greatest hits. Director Morgan Neville captivates the essence of Pharrell's story while making it interesting, fresh, and new for the audience through a completely mesmerizing cinematic experience.

The film's message is that you can reach any goal you strive for with hard work and perseverance.

I give Piece by Piece 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. You can watch Piece by Piece in theaters October 11, 2024.

The documentary follows the Haenyeos, divers who work in a tradition handed down from mothers and grandmothers, as they tackle two main problems. One, the lack of younger Haenyeos to help with the physically hard and dangerous work. To collect seafood, they have to hold their breath underwater for up to 2 minutes and withstand water pressure, starting from a depth of 5 meters that is like a giant blue glass pushing them down. So, when emerging, a diver must break through this "blue glass" with all their strength, repeating this effort 100-300 times per dive. Also, today there are fewer women who risk becoming a Haenyeo. This documentary explores how their way of life may go extinct. Soon-E Kim (historian, Haenyeo tradition preservation committee) says being a Haenyeo is an extremely difficult occupation particularly because it's so dangerous, which is why there are so few now. Young Haenyeos have asked why they can't use an oxygen mask and yet that is not the way of the Haenyeo.

The declining population of Haenyeo is concerning, but these days, no one wants to become a Haenyeo, perhaps understandably: If you try to collect too much in one dive, you'll "eat your breath" (die). And if you go too far out to sea, the waves become much stronger. When you dive down, you can get swept too far out by the current. Death is always around the corner for Haenyeo. Another main concern of the Haenyeo is water pollution due to rising global temperatures which have changed the ocean. Soon Deok Jang, a 72-year-old Haenyeo, says she never saw trash like styrofoam in the sea when she was young - now she sees truckloads.

Directors of photography, Iris Ng and Eunsoo Cho, created a film with powerful images and Justin Turkowski's underwater cinematography brings this story to life - it's stunning. Some archival film clips are included which demonstrate that the Haenyeo have been around for a long time. The Last of the Sea Women's encourages you to be invested in what they see as their calling. And they say that, in the old days, people looked down on Haenyeos, but now they are respected for who they are. The director and producer, Sue Kim delivers a compelling story with the help of the editors, Erin Casper, Yeong-A Kim, and Stacy Kim.

The Last of the Sea Women's purpose is to bring awareness to the Haenyeo and their plight. The film's message is that we need to take care of our planet, including our seas. The message is also to celebrate and learn about different cultures. Near the end of the documentary we see a Haenyeo festival. One of the Haenyeo, Hee Soon Lee explains that the festival is to teach people about their culture and their livelihood so that it is not forgotten.

I give The Last of the Sea Women 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. You can watch The Last of the Sea Women on AppleTV+ beginning October 11, 2024.

My Partner tells a story of how two groups of high school boys are drawn into conflict defending their cliques and cultures, Hawaiian and Filipino and, through an interesting turn of events, work out their issues and develop a close bond. Assigned to work together as partners on a class project, two of the high schoolers actually become attracted to each other.

The locations are beautiful; Hawaii is shown throughout the film in all its splendor. The actors play their parts well and, yet their stereotypes (jocks and nerds) are not overplayed. The jocks are athletic 'hunks' and the nerds are 'top of the class' smart, but each character is authentic and reveals their endearing humanity as they grew into maturity. Also, the storyline includes many aspects of Hawaiian culture and language that is rarely seen in films. There is also a land ethic theme that adds value to the story. The film does lag a bit and, as a result, feels overly long.

High school movies have a familiar flare that kids can relate to - from the 'hot' teacher gags, to the secrets told at the lockers, how the bully scenes are resolved and how 'enemies' become buddies. Teens would enjoy the things that adults like, as stated above -- the beautiful locations, environmental themes, and the actors. They might also be curious to watch how a same gender attraction expresses itself in a positive way and in a supportive society. The filmmakers play up the physical beauty of Pili (Kaipo Dudoit), using slow motion, and this could make some youngsters uncomfortable, but it feels appropriate to the story line. The humanistic beauty of Pili's and Edmar (Jayron Munoz)'s relationship sets a good example for community and love between same sex individuals.

My Partner is a well-structured film; the story flows at a steady pace; even if it feels a bit slow towards the end. The scene is a modern one, set in rural Hawaii. The Filipino tradition of arranged marriage is introduced, as is one of the Hawaiian agriculture rituals. The film's character development is excellent, and the back-story for the tree main characters, Pili, Edmar and Zach covers three different cultures and economic classes. This draws in viewers who are fascinated with other cultures and attractive people in a new way. Subtitles need to be read when the actors are speaking in various Hawaiian languages. I love that the closed captions include which Hawaiian language is being spoken. Sadly, swear words like 'mofo' and 'bitch' are used and the F-word flows like butter, but otherwise the language is suitable for high schoolers.

Unfortunately the film has an excessive amount of profanity. The F-word seems to flow out of the mouths of these young teen boys and G-damnit is heard once. The attraction that develops slowly throughout the film shows some touch and a kiss between two boys. It is implied that Pili and Edmar sleep together in a tent. They are clothed in their jeans and there is no nudity, but the music has suggestive lyrics of attraction and desire.

The main actors include seven people, but most of the drama is acted by Kaipo Dudoit as Pili, Jayron Munoz as Edmar and Dan Francis Rodriques as Zach. Sometimes what they seem to be doing is 'horse-play' but sometimes the drama is acted out in fights. No blood is spilled and the ganging up on each other is well directed and realistic. The music design is awesome. Hawaiian tunes are used as source music when musicians appear on-screen during the family luau. Modern reggae and guitar discretely seam these scenes together. Some sensual music with lyrics reinforces the attraction that is occurring between Pili and Edmar.

My Partner is a great expose on the cross-cultural aspects of Asian-Pacific cultures in a high school setting. The fresh viewpoint from teenagers on environmental exploitation and hierarchy prejudice - rich vs. poor - is educational and encouraging to see. The budding friendship between two of the boys pushes cultural norms in a tasteful way. The music includes Hawaiian, reggae, and rhythm and blues styles. This film seems good for teens, even if it uses foul language and a same gender attraction. The cultural positives along with, what I would call a realistic 2024 modern life, make it feel like a valuable film. The gang related fights end as the whole group of boys becomes friends in defense of the planet's health. The music is sensual and lovely, and the expose of the authenticity of the characters is heartwarming.

The film's message is that barriers between cultures can be broken down through dialog and forgiveness. It's okay to love who you love - period.

I give My Partner 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for adults, due to the profanity as described above. It is available on digital platforms beginning October 4, 2024.

The storyline follows California surfer Leah (Charity Rose) who must move to the dreary small town of Carterville, where she makes friends with fellow outcasts Marshy (Sean Jay) and Tessa (Amelia Salazar) to solve the town's hundreds of years' old mystery and find the lost treasure that comes with it. When the trio uncovers the truth behind the treasure's Halloween curse, they must outsmart the high school troublemakers before an evil spirit is accidentally released.

This storyline is very enjoyable - the whole concept of this mystery is very entertaining. The fact that the three underdogs work together makes it even cooler! As the trio tries to solve the mystery and find the treasure they form a truly amazing bond and each one develops their own strengths. For example, in the beginning, Marshy is a typical geek who's always scared, but by the end he helps solve the mystery and has lots of fun doing it. He learns to face his fears and this sends an awesome message to viewers. Something that really makes this film stand out is the quality. The audio is perfect; you can hear the snap of a branch. And the video is crystal clear - the quality is so coherent that it really heightens your experience and you can truly feel each scene like it's happening right before your eyes. The acting in this film is extraordinary. Charity Rose, as Leah, is perfectly cast. Charity's strong facial features really accentuate Leah's determined attitude and confident demeanor. Her acting is also incredible - there is one scene where there are spirits overtaking her, and her expressions look so haunted and out of this world, which makes that scene even better. When it comes to the plot, I can only say how much I enjoyed it from the heartfelt scenes to the action, every one hits home. There are some parts that are a bit drawn out, which make the film a bit lengthy; for example, one of the scenes displaying a search for a clue seems rather long. On the other hand, the sets are astounding; in one cave scene, there are stalagmites and stalactites that look so real. There is even lava. The lava really blew me away because it looks super life-like.

The film's message is that when you work with people you love by your side, you can do anything. Be aware that there are some dark themes in this film such as dark magic, ghosts, and evil spirits, which may frighten younger viewers.

I rate Treasure Trackers 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12. Treasure Trackers will be available to purchase on Digital platforms starting October 1, 2024, just in time of the Halloween season.

By Sofia T., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

I really love the film Treasure Trackers because it is a detective mystery film that leads you on a complex treasure hunt that leaves you guessing what the next clue may be or how they will get out of the next predicament.

The storyline follows a girl named Leah (Charity Rose) who is forced to move from coastal California to a small country town named Carterville. Upon starting school, she learns of the town's legendary gold hoard hidden by its founder, Silas Carter, hundreds of years earlier. She is intrigued by this legend and decides to search for the gold with her two new friends Tessa (Amelia Salazar) and Marshy (Sean Jay). The story follows this trio of middle schoolers on their quest in which they face numerous obstacles.

Early in the film, the diary of Silas Carter is stolen from the school library. This is how Leah learns about the legend and that the diary may provide clues to the location of the buried gold. This inspires her to figure out who stole the diary and to join forces with Tessa and Marshy. During their journey in search of the gold, they face many obstacles -- another group searching for the gold, others stealing their clues, and various dead ends. One of my favorite parts is when the trio ends up in a cave with a lava pit and Leah must walk along the cliff or risk dying. It's very suspenseful part that made me hold my breath. My favorite character is Tessa because she is fearless, daring, and willing to try anything. The country setting is beautiful which contrasts well with the scary scenes. The special effects are very realistic including the flowing lava and the talking raven. The spooky music definitely kept me on edge of my seat.

The film's message is "life is a blessing in disguise." In other words, although things may not seem desirable at first, they have a way of becoming exactly what you need. This film deals with aggressive behavior such as bullying which may be disturbing for younger children.

I give Treasure Trackers 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12. Treasure Trackers will be available on VOD beginning October 1, 2024.

This story is told by the great Bichon Frise detective, Upton Charles, with assistance from his feline friend, Watson. It begins at a time when things seem to have reached a new calm in his household until, quite unexpectedly, a new dog joins the family. A walk on the beach reveals a possible problem when an abandoned sailboard is spotted on a nearby island and suddenly, everyone jumps into action trying to figure out what is going on.

I was not surprised that the new dog, Upton's brother, Arthur, turns out to have natural "detective" instincts, just like Upton and, as they join the police chief investigating the stranded sailboat, he proves his skills. Bit by bit, the mystery unravels and the reader begins to make presumptions about what happened. I like how the clues are reiterated once a few have been collected, as a way to help the reader engage their deductive reasoning. I also like that there's a lot of knowledge to be gained about boats, boat parts and how boats operate. If you've never been in the boating community, this story definitely teaches a thing or two about how things work. The dialogue between the family members, Upton, Watson and the new dog, Arthur, allows us an inside look at who is thinking or saying what. It makes me wonder how much the author listens to the dogs in his universe. I like how certain words, like wake, which might be unfamiliar to the reader, are explained. Another plus is how a few lessons are intertwined into the story about environmental awareness, such as the police chief's disgust at finding plastic bottles in the sand and commenting on how long they take to disintegrate. There are a few typos such as: Chief O'Brien gives s 'thumbs' up (the a is missing). Also, there are some punctuation errors such as: type in the hospitals number (missing an apostrophe). But, for the most part, this is well written and definitely age appropriate.

The story reminds us of how to collect clues when solving any mystery we run into as they progress step by step in solving the mystery of the missing sailor.

I give Upton Charles: Double Trouble 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12. It can be found online where books are sold and in select bookstores.

From the world of Wonder and Academy Award-winning director Marc Forster, comes the sequential film White Bird, which takes us a step further into the life of Julian (Bryce Gheisar) who must finally face the consequences of past actions -- particularly the bullying of Auggie Pullman, a 10-year-old boy born with facial differences. Expelled from school as a result of his unkind acts toward others, Julian gets a taste of his own medicine as he is alienated and challenged to make friends at his new school. His grandmother, Sara Blum (Helen Mirren), pays him a visit with hopes of sharing her haunting and deeply moving story about her survival in Nazi-occupied France during one of the darkest moments of history.

Intricately narrated, White Bird gives us two stories; one about Julian's present-day struggles and the other a stirring tale of his grandmother's harsh struggles during World War II. Flashbacks of young Sara (Ariella Glaser) and her courageous classmate Julian (Orlando Schwerdt), demonstrate for viewers how traumatic life was being a Jew during Nazi-run territories. Their relationship is more than one of survival -- it is one of kindness, love, and sacrifice. What I love most about White Bird is the visualization of young Sara Blum's life and how her story had a purpose. I connected with her story emotionally as she teaches her grandson the valuable lesson of showing kindness. The stories of two troubled teens -- young Sara and her grandson Julian, are well-channeled and they flow with ease. Although both stories contain heartache; they both end in hope. This film is a masterpiece filled with a nice balance of warmth and wisdom. The historic drama combined with the modern coming-of-age scenes adds a special touch to White Bird and kept me engaged throughout the entire film. A box of tissues nearby is a must while watching this film. White Bird has many teachable moments and contains many life lessons. This is a must-see family film.

The film's message rings loud and clear - it's a message of kindness and how kindness must be shared and practiced. Hate surrounds us; that's a fact of life. However, the smallest gestures of goodwill can lead to the greatest change. This film is also about bravery as that is what allows us to take risks and speak up for those who don't have a voice. It takes a lot of courage sometimes to be kind.

I give White Bird 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. White Bird opens in theaters on October 4, 2024. Be sure to check it out. You're not going to want to miss this one!

By Dominic D., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 14

White Bird is mesmerizing and one of the most beautiful and emotional films I've ever seen! The fantastic storytelling with its realistic costumes and exquisite imagery left me in awe. By the end, I wanted to watch it all over again!

The story starts with Julian (Bryce Gheisar ) going to a new school and struggling to fit in and find his place. When he gets home, his Nonna, Sara (Helen Mirren) is there visiting and starts telling him a story of her childhood. The story takes us back to the 1940s and World War II in France. Young Sara (Ariella Glaser) and her Jewish family thought they would be safe in France but quickly find out this is not the case. Sara's Jewish classmates are captured but she is able to escape with the help of fellow classmate Julian (Orlando Shlwerdt). He takes Sara to his family's barn to hide from the Nazis. Over several months, Zara and Julian build their friendship and admiration for each other. As time moves on, you realize her classmate Julian is someone Sara will always think of fondly.

The production team really paid attention to detail and it definitely adds to the story. I absolutely love the costumes in this film as they really fit the 1940s era in France. I especially adore Sara's red heels and her beautiful dresses! The soldiers' war time uniforms represent the period well. The sets and props are equally outstanding. The imagination scene with Zara and her classmate Julian is so gorgeous and makes you feel like you are there with them. From the old time truck to the authentic movie reels you are on a journey. It is so engaging to watch the fantastic places come to life on screen and watch the relationships grow. What excites me most is how the directors and writers connect the storytelling from present to past and back again. The acting in this movie is so convincing. I felt like I was stepping back into the 1940s during the war with each scene. Helen Mirren's calming voice is completely captivating. I could feel her emotion as she spoke and also see it in her eyes. The story is woven through time and shows how kindness is timeless. How will Sara's story affect her grandson's life choices? In the end, the film encourages you to always follow your biggest passions and aspirations to make a difference.

The film's message is to always be kind to others because you never know how they can impact your life. Be forewarned that there are several instances of gun use, flashing lights, and other violence.

I give White Bird, 5 out of 5 stars and recommended for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. The film releases in theaters October 4, 2024.

By Adele Rayna B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 10

White Bird is a truly charming story. With its in-depth scenery, wide range of characters and a message that still resonates with us today, this film encourages you to think twice about someone before you devise a conclusion about them.

Following the adventure of Wonder, Julian Albans (Bryce Gheisar) who was expelled from his school due to his bullying another boy, is told a tale of his grandmother's (Helen Mirren) childhood. As a young Jewish girl in Nazi occupied France, Sara Blum (Ariella Glaser) is hidden away by a boy named Julian (Orlando Schwerdt) who was born with polio. At his farm while his family searches for her parents, she starts spending time with Julian, and begins to see him not as the boy with the crutch, but as her guide, her friend, and her light.

I love the film angles in this movie. Depending on the scene, there is a great deal of variety. There may be a wide angle for a happy moment, or a close-up for an intense dialogue between the characters. However, some of the times when they talk, it is a bit hard to hear. It sounds like they are whispering most of the time. I especially like how director Marc Forester incorporates some imaginative flair into the production, showing not only the dark and truthful reality of World War II, but also the happy and comforting moments that existed during that time. Speaking of which, my favorite part is when young Sara and Julian are imagining that they are traveling the world, although they never really leave the barn. It shows that kids will still be kids no matter what might be happening around them. I also like how, as she is telling her story, Grand'Mere Sara sprinkles in bits and pieces of humor that keep the audience entertained.

The film's message is to always look for the good in people, no matter how small. Despite being the odd one out at school, Julian still shows kindness to Sara, and he keeps her company during the war, which results in a wonderful friendship between the two.

I give White Bird 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. White Bird opens in theaters on October 4, 2024.

When a shipping container is lost at sea during a typhoon, Roz the Robot (Lupita Nyong'o), emerges as the sole survivor on an island with nothing but wildlife. Programmed to complete a task, she has to learn to understand and interact with the animals there and she struggles with connecting and acceptance. Her journey takes a turn when she assists an orphaned goose, Brightbill, (Kit Connor) and gets help from a fox named Fink (Pedro Pascal). Every new and confusing experience shifts Roz's programming as she experiences things she was never programmed to imagine and finds a new way to live.

I enjoyed the humor of this film from DreamWorks Animation. The writing is great. The absurd, yet accurately dark humor, parental comments from Pinktail, a mother opossum, (Catherine O'Hara) are so relatable. Her shocking statements make her character so enjoyable. The animators illustrate the emotional reactions of island animals to perfection. Roz's help initially causes more chaos than assistance. When Roz sees a beaver building a damn, rather than help build it, her programming tells her it's an obstacle and she destroys it. The beaver's response is priceless. The confusion and disbelief when Roz provides a sticker communicating that the task is complete is hysterical. These moments contribute to the humor and build on the character development of The Wild Robot as we watch her struggle to connect with the animals on the island. Her adventures with Fink and Brightbill create bonding moments and we see how belonging, acceptance and connection can be influenced by kindness.

The Wild Robot provides an uplifting message of how belonging and acceptance come from one's heart. It successfully shows how kindness and caring are valued by all. Parents and viewers should be aware there are flashing and strobe lighting effects, loud noises and dark humor, which may be unsuitable for some viewers.

I give The Wild Robot 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. The Wild Robot releases in theatres on September 27,, 2024.

Emma O., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

I love The Wild Robot. It is beautifully animated, heartwarming and has powerful messages about stepping out of your comfort zone, being brave, kind, and showing compassion for others.

From DreamWorks Animation comes a new adaptation of a literary sensation, Peter Brown's beloved, award-winning, #1 New York Times bestseller, The Wild Robot. The epic adventure follows the journey of a robot named Roz, that is shipwrecked on an island and must learn to adapt to the harsh surroundings, gradually building relationships with the animals on the island and becoming the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling.

This movie is amazing. I really love that it explores the importance of self-discovery, the bridge between technology and nature and the question of what it means to be alive and connected to all living things. The film has the most beautiful animation I have ever seen. The colors of the island and forest look so realistic and I like the way the animals talk. I appreciate the scene when Roz is teaching the orphaned gosling how to fly. The music goes so well with this particular scene and clearly emphasizes the idea of learning how to soar on your own and doing things you did not think were possible. The Wild Robot stars Lupita Nyong'o as Roz the robot. It's remarkable how she is able to change her voice to sound like a robot, but with feeling and so much emotion. Pedro Pascal voices Fink the fox and he is devious and incredibly loving. Catherine O' Hara voices an opossum, Pinktail and she mothers with a sense of humor. Kit Connor voices BrightBill, the gosling who is adorable and so funny.

The Wild Robot is full of comedy, heart, bravery and incredible animation. It is a heartwarming movie with powerful messages about trying new things, showing compassion for others and how a mother's love is unconditional.

I give The Wild Robot 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. This film has something for everyone. It made me leave the theater with a smile on my face and wanting to see it again immediately. You can watch The Wild Robot in theaters September 27, 2024.

By Carter P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

The beloved award-winning children's book, The Wild Robot, comes to life in a visually stunning feature film. The Wild Robot movie highlights what it really means to be alive and connected to others in a family and in a greater community. This animated drama is sure to become a classic in the family genre and appeals to young and old alike.

The Wild Robot is an animated drama that tells the tale of Roz (Lupita Nyong'o), a robot who finds itself stranded on a remote island inhabited only by animals as Roz searches to find a purpose. Roz is programmed to find a task, and without humans to direct it, activates "learning mode" so the animals or organisms in that environment can be understood. Along the journey of self-discovery, Roz becomes the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling (Kit Connor). In accepting the task to take care of the gosling "unit," Brightbill, Roz connects with both predators and prey in the island eco-system and, in turn, finds the home where she belongs. Even though Roz doesn't have the programming to be a mother, she learns that there is no manual or predetermined path to nurture another life.

DreamWorks Animation has done it again, adapting a wonderful book to the big screen. There are many fun and delightful characters which bring to life the humorous situations that develop in this story. I really enjoyed the interaction between Roz and her new fox friend, Fink (Pedro Pascal). The cleverness in their developing relationship is shown by both Lupita and Pedro, along with other talented cast members including opossum Pinktail (Catherine O'Hara), goose Longneck (Bill Nighy) and my favorite, the curmudgeon beaver Paddler (Matt Berry). My favorite scenes and ensemble cast interaction is when Roz teaches Brightbill how to fly and when the diverse animals work together on the island. The voice contributions of the entire cast match the quality of the animation in this production and that is praise indeed. The Wild Robot is written and directed by Chris Sanders and he really builds the emotion and characters as he masterfully creates this memorable film. The film's production is really beautiful - I would be remiss if I did not mention the Art Direction by Ritchie Sacilioc as well as everyone who contributed to the art, sound, music, animation and visual effects in this movie.

The film's message is that kindness is a survival skill; and isn't that a timely message. Roz becomes more than what she was programmed to be; after all she was not meant to ever feel anything. The Wild Robot is an interesting exploration about the adaptation of technology in the natural world and how life evolves through adaptation. Roz discovers love and a sense of community which helps Roz truly find her way home.

I give The Wild Robot 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18 and, of course, adults will enjoy the message and storyline as well. It is available in theaters September 27, 2024, so don't miss this heart-warming tale!

The storyline is pretty simple. Kid President dislikes vegetables so he issues a ban on all vegetables. What a concept!? Ultimately, he is faced with the reality that french fries are made from potatoes, which are a vegetable.

This is truly a silly film, but perhaps it evokes a call to kids as to what they might do to change the world they live in like banning vegetables. Don't panic, vegetarians, it's only a joke! I love the animation and the pace of this short film. It would make a perfect interstitial for a KIDS FIRST! Film Festival. And, it makes an interesting conversation starter for kids and families. It's a treat to see such comedy that is so well executed.

This film makes you think about what you might do to change the world, if you could.

The storyline is about a slave girl called Ping (Mayalinee Griffiths), who dreams about meeting dragons. Her dream comes true, but one of the magical creatures dies and she goes on a quest to save the dragons and hatch the last imperial dragons' egg. Joining her is a dragon (Bill Nighy) as her protector and a funny "very helpful" mouse. She soon finds out that she has mystical powers and learns to use them to stop bad guys who want to steal the egg and use its powers for evil.

I really enjoyed this film. It's an animated film with special effects. It also has lots of humor - there are all sorts of humorous scenes like my favorite, where the mouse tries helping. He marches up to the big fight against something 2,000,000 times his size. Another fun scene is when he rolls the egg away from the bad guys. The movie is also sad and heartfelt because one of the dragons dies. The visual effects are great and really stand out. For example when one of the dragons heals Ping's wound with the power of the egg as shown in the trailer. I do have to admit that some parts of the movie are a little childish. For example, there is a scene about 30 seconds long of two kids blowing raspberries at each other.

The film's message is "you can do whatever you want; only you decide your destiny."

I give Dragonkeeper 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. It is available on digital in the US now and opens in theaters in UK & Ireland on September 27, 2024. I hope you enjoy it.

This touching story follows a young girl and her mom on her 8th birthday. We learn that her dad has passed, but has left a recorded tape wishing her a happy birthday and, as her mom carefully puts the tape away, we see how the Dad planned for subsequent mile markers in her life.

Well produced. The camera work, audio recording, background music, editing and editing are all terrific. The storyline, even if a bit predictable, pulls at your heartstrings. Who can't empathize with a widowed young mother and her daughter? The filmmaker, Dean Milan, definitely has a way of creating a story that touches on the raw emotions of its characters, even as told in a short five minute film. Kudos to him.

The film's message is about the love between a dad and husband for his child and wife.

The story centers around a woman named Preeti Agarwal on her journey to learn English at age 35. It follows her from childhood to the time of filming and describes the obstacles she overcame, such as how her grandfather did not want her to learn English, and how challenging it is to learn a new language as an adult.

I was inspired by listening to Preeti's responses. I like that the film shows not just her achievements and accomplishments but also the hardships in learning a new language, and her strength and passion in continuing to pursue it. She has a lot of faith in herself, which drives her and eventually leads her to success. The cinematography is clear as is the audio.

The speakers are positioned well, usually off to the side. The settings are the speakers' homes, which suits the documentary style. The speakers talk clearly and descriptively, adding humor at times, such as when Preeti recalls that her family thought she was losing her mind when she'd stay up late studying. Preeti and Shipra, the film's other subject, speak candidly and conversationally, and their stories feel very real. Preeti maintains an engaging, making her easy and entertaining to listen to. Shipra is Preeti's personal cheerleader and expresses support of her cousin throughout the film. Both have a strong on-screen presence. My favorite part is learning how Preeti used techniques to overcome blocks in the road. She not only inspires viewers to reach for their goals, but also provides tips from her language-learning journey and what worked for her - such as beginning with a preschool-level online course and advancing from there. Anyone can connect with her story and it will especially appeal to those who are new to learning English.

The film's message is that when the going gets tough, the tough have to get going. If you want something, you have to have the courage to go for it and you have to stick it out.

The storyline follows a girl who has a pencil that is now dead and she calls it useless. She has a flashback showing her as younger with the pencil. Then she experiences a lack of thoughts (her project) and has visions of her pencil everywhere- in the book, cooking pot, and bathroom. Finally she learns that it's okay to miss things and grieve for something you loved because it helps you move on.

I really enjoyed the movie and I believe that children and parents will too; plus, it gives a good message. I really appreciate the camera work. I like how the camera zooms in to the most important thing in every scene. My favorite one is when they are in the kitchen and she sees pencils. The camera zooms in to the pencils, then her reaction, then the pencil again, then the reaction again. I really enjoyed the flashback because it contributes to the plot in a good way and helps the viewer see what the short film is about. The film is amazingly well written and the other aspects of the production are quite good. The costumes go well with the timeframe and the story line. My favorite costume is the one in the flashback. I like her artistic outfit and it goes well with the film. The sets suit the story well. The set that I really like is the animated one when she is throwing the paper. It includes the world, the Eiffel Tower and space. It stands out the most because it is cool and funny. The background music is well chosen; though there are a lot, my favorite one is the background music played in the kitchen. It really brings tension and suspense to the film. This movie used a lot of effects; they are not realistic, but they bring excitement to the movie so they are effective. My favorite one is the coffee pot, which made me laugh. The main character is an illustrator, (Lucia Schaab), who goes through a character change by ignoring her grief, which makes her lose ideas and go through not being able to move on, to finally embracing the grief which allows her to move on and accomplish things. My favorite part of the film is when the paper is thrown across the world and the animation takes us 'round the world. That is funny and cool. This could be considered an educational film, because it teaches people that grieving something that is lost is the best way to move on.

The film's message is about how grieving for something you used to love is the best way to move on to something new. Be aware that the film talks about death, although in a good way, but it could be a sensitive topic for some kids.

The storyline follows a young alchemy student who attempts to solve issues with his mentor's greatest creation without getting caught.

I really enjoyed the film and I think it's perfect for younger kids. It begins with the master making a potion and he keeps messing up. His young apprentice tries to help and when the master tells him to go away the boy gets sad. The 2D animation is very good; it's bright and colorful and well designed. This could easily turn into a longer film because it holds up well. There is no dialogue, only computer-like sounds. The backgrounds are excellent. The kingdom is so colorful and beautiful. The characters are all designed very well; it definitely brought to mind the classic Disney film, The Sorcerer's Apprentice - without the whole craziness of that. What I like most is when the apprentice is able to get the potion right. The apprentice is the most interesting character to me; he starts out sad because the master won't let him help, but after he fixes the potion, he's happy, even though the mast still doesn't let him help. My favorite part of the film is the cute little frog. I like when the scene zooms into the frog after it jumps out of the cauldron and the frog is glowing. I kept watching the frog after the credits.

The film's message is that helping does not always mean you get a reward but it still makes you feel good.

The dialog in this script is really on the spot. The way the boys speak to each other feels very honest. Their joking around, their young attitudes and fears are age-appropriate and very clear. Their individual characters are easy to distinguish through the language they use. The writing is strong and carries the boys through a myriad of incidents and interactions with a large number of peripheral characters. The narrative is, at times, more like a novel than a screenplay, describing internal thoughts and feelings rather than letting the action of the characters show us what's happening. The story development is, at times, problematic. Some scenes don't seem to move the story forward. Some are too long. That said, the writer is obviously knowledgeable with a good ear for language. This is a good story and one that should find an avid audience. While it's obviously a boys' movie, it has significant enough heart to win over older folks, especially men who relate to the social dynamics of a neighborhood team of kids.

Up and Away is a short animated film that follows a journey by a young girl and boy through space in a quirky looking spacecraft exploring the universe.

This film is fairly esoteric and leaves much to the viewer's imagination. This non narrative film, by Edward Ramsay-Morin, is well crafted although I need to point out that the animation is limited. The two child characters look like cutouts from a Dick and Jane reader and are not animated. They travel about without any movement from their bodies or mouths, which can be an issue for younger kids. The kids travel past various objects in space - rocks, piles of blue things. The film begins and ends with a face floating in space and it's unclear exactly what that face represents. One of the key characters is a bird who appears early on and later, attacks Dick and Jane's craft with lightning bolts. The bird doesn't have any motion in its body either, it moves as a still image across the screen. The bird's attack is odd and we have no idea what it is all about or why it is attacking Dick and Jane. Once the spacecraft crashes other birds appear and attack the "big" bird until it disintegrates and, la voile, the craft rises to continue its journey and the face reappears - perhaps happily so? The score, by Trent William Hanna, is well designed also. It consists of various pieces of music assembled into sort of a musical collage that helps create the mood of the film.

The film's message is to never get too off-guard because there could always be an obstacle.

The storyline is pretty simple. An older brother, nagged by his little sister to read her a bedtime story, thinks he's pulled a fast one on her by reading a horror story. But, it backfires on him.

This is well shot and well edited with good audio and a comprehensive storyline. Kudos to the 12-year-old filmmaker. As an advocate for student filmmakers I give credit for Dylan Langendorf's attention to detail here. The story, if predictable, is still a good one and one that siblings can easily relate to. My favorite part is how the little girl responds to her brother's distress. She is non-pulsed.

The storyline follows an 11-year-old girl who is stranded on an evergreen island after a man-made disaster from an atomic bomb explosion decimates the island. She has to find the will to leave the island with the help of an unlikely friend.

There is an explosion at the beginning of the film, which comes from the explosion of an atomic bomb. Afterwards, the girls' grandpa gets sick and passes away. The young girl, Ava (Maia Ann Pu-uwai), learns to survive on her own but she is eventually she gets sick as well. I enjoyed the flashbacks of the girl with her grandpa - it gives us insight into what their relationship was like and how important he was to her. After he passes, I was really afraid for her. We all know the danger of nuclear fallout and we know that it is only a matter of time before it affected her. I really enjoyed how the stingray helps her. Her childhood stuffed animal was a stingray and it is sort of her totem animal it seems, as it guides her in unspoken ways. The stingray helps her in many ways, both the live one and the stuffed toy - the symbolism of the stuffed toy sinking after she is rescued is starkly accurate. I have to give credit to this young girl, Maia Ann Pu'uwai and the actor that plays her grandpa, Romeo Garcia, for their excellent acting. Also, the director, Kateryna Kurganska, for her grasp of capturing a moment in time that is heartbreaking. The camera work is outstanding, as is the editing. The opening scene is exceptionally well shot and edited. It sets up the film for what is to come and gives us a premonition of the tragedy about to happen. The flashbacks to the explosion help us understand more about exactly what happened. I was aware of these bomb tests back in 1946 and 1958, but we were led to believe that no one lived on these islands. Another aspect of the film that stands out is the musical score, which is off the charts spectacular. As Ava realizes that she has to leave the island, we feel the emotional impact of letting go of her treasured past, even when faced by the necessity of doing so. My favorite part is the suspense at when Ava gets stuck on the rock trying to get Mr. Fish.

The film's message is about the tragedy of having to leave your home and leaving part of yourself behind. The filmmaker is a Ukrainian refugee who had to leave her home and you can feel how this film resonates with the loss of something you'll never replace.

Be forewarned that the grandpa dies in the movie which could be a sensitive topic to some children. Other than that the movie is kid friendly.

Hi Noel follows a shy young boy, Leon (Zane Asher Quek), who is very sad because he realizes that his parents might be headed towards a divorce. As his parents argue with each other, Leon feels a sense of loneliness and he creates an imaginary friend for himself named Noel (Oscar Ow). Noel is the perfect friend that Leon needs during this tumultuous time. Together, Leon and Noel take off on an adventure trying to get his parents back together and, eventually they end up getting trapped in a room. When Leon's parents look for him they finally work together and it changes everything. The dialogue is in Mandarin Chinese and English, with English subtitles as needed.

This is a great film that addresses a difficult topic - divorce. It is very suitable for school aged kids and their parents. The production levels are quite good with excellent camera work and audio recordings and a great soundtrack. I especially like the beginning when a number of kids are interviewed; they are very real and charming. The stars of the show are Zane Asher Quek and Oscar Ow, who play the two boys. They are absolutely adorable. The parents, played by Jaime Teo and Dylan Quek, are also quite good. They seem like typically busy and distracted young parents. When the mom asks Leon who he would live with if they separated, she is surprised to hear him say, "Daddy." And the reason why? Daddy plays with him.

I like the scene when we first learn that Leon has an imaginary friend. Although it is sad, it contributes to the story and introduces the stress of his home life where his parents fight a lot and are headed for divorce. I enjoyed watching him play soccer with his imaginary friend and when they wander off to the park. Later when Leon learns that another girl at school also has an imaginary friend, it vindicates his own. The background music is excellent; it really enhances the tone of each scene and brings home the emotional context. I especially love the circus sounding music when Leon and Noel head to the playground. And, it really emphasizes the sadness in the scene where the parents have finally acknowledged they are divorcing and individually are packing up their stuff. This film doesn't hold back on the issues causing unhappiness in this family. We see how the relationship between the parents has become physically abusive in addition to being mentally abusive. We see Leon blaming himself for his parents' behavior and thinking he should run away so they could be happy. It drags a bit past the midpoint, but picks up again and the ending is a happy ending. I enjoyed seeing the transition the mom and dad make as the film progresses. They finally stop fighting and focusing on themselves when they have to work together to find their child and, somehow in the midst of that, remember what they mean to each other. It may be a bit of a far-fetched ending because we all know that relationships are complicated, but who doesn't love a happy ending?

The film's message is about working out your issues for your family, because family is important.

The plot follows a boy named Oke who meets an elderly fairy and travels through time on a journey that impacts his view of life. Oke is given the responsibility to save his culture from being forgotten in the technology-filled future. Humans have destroyed nature by building large skyscrapers on top of the native land and Oke develops a sense of knowing what is to come and tries to stop it. He helps the fairy find her children and, along the way, her children give Oke gifts that will help him in the future.

I found the story line very engaging and entertaining. There isn't a dull moment! The story takes a regular boy on a journey with divine beings, while relating to Filipino culture. It's adventurous, cultural, funny, and visually appealing. The animation is incredible with a very unique style that I have never seen before. The backgrounds are suited to Filipino culture. The architecture is traditional, such as the nipa huts. They are often blurred in order to focus our attention on the character speaking in the foreground. One captivating scene is when Oke visits the modern day world and the background zooms out but the focus zooms in on Oke. This sets an emotional focus. Nature plays a significant role in the film, including tropical forests and rice paddies, which were found in that area historically. The color of the sets changes depending on the scene. For instance, when Oke visits the modern day city, everything is dark with splashes of bright pinks and blues. However, in Oke's day, the colors are golden and natural. The difference of the colors contrasts the time difference very well. The costumes suit the culture and the story -- the girls wearing baro't saya and balintawak, which are Filipino dresses. At some points Oke wears a salakot, a traditional Filipino hat. The background music helps enhance the mood, switching from exciting to daunting depending on what's needed.

The main voice actors are Sigmund Roy Pecho (Oke), Margie Moran Floirendo (Impong Grayat), and Adrienne Vergara (Lola Basyang). The writer, Christine Bellen-Ang, has created a script that goes back in time but still relates to every one today. She captures the true meaning of the film through her clever writing but also doesn't fail to keep it entertaining. Kudos to her. My favorite part of the film is the animation. It's so unique, vibrant, and detailed. The animation really sets the film apart. It emphasizes the character's expressions and also supports the storyline by spotlighting certain scenes. The animation is carefully and has a lot of attention to detail. I really appreciate how the film recognizes Filipino culture with an invoking message.

The film's message is about respecting the environment, honoring your culture and working hard for what you believe in. It is demonstrated in Oke who helps save the land, works very hard every day, and respects his elders and his heritage.

The story follows a young girl who moves in with her grandmother and soon discovers a tiny boy living in the basement, no bigger than a finger. The boy possesses a magical amulet, which sets them off on an extraordinary adventure that alters both their lives in unexpected ways. Together, they explore new worlds, confront challenges, and form a strong bond, all while unraveling the amulet's powers. Their journey is filled with magic, friendship, and personal growth.

The film is a bit odd, but its unique animation style and cinematography would appeal to younger creatives. What I like most about the film is how the storyline blends elements of whimsy and magic, reminding me of movies like Thumbelina and the Arthur series. The idea of a tiny boy living in the basement with a magical amulet adds an adventurous and fantastical layer to an otherwise simple premise. I also appreciate how the story focuses on the bond between the girl and the boy, making their journey not just about external challenges, but also about their emotional growth and friendship.

The animation style is cool and unique, making it appealing to younger audiences. The animation stands out with its distinctive use of paper figures and vibrant colors, creating a visually engaging experience. The one aspect that is a drawback is the lack of movement of the characters for the most part and also, that their mouths don't move when they speak. I do like that the animators use stop-motion techniques to make the characters move at times, with a charming, handcrafted feel. Their facial expressions are similar to classic anime, adding emotional depth and humor, especially during key moments like when the tiny boy discovers the amulet's powers.

The costumes are simple and basic, fitting well with the minimalist design of the characters. Since the characters are made of paper, their attire is represented through vibrant colors rather than intricate details. For example, the young girl wears a plain dress in bright colors, which helps her stand out against the simple backgrounds. The boy's tiny, finger-sized appearance is matched with equally straightforward attire, emphasizing his small size and magical nature. While the costumes don't carry elaborate designs, they suit the whimsical and magical tone of the story perfectly. The backgrounds are simple yet effective, with minimal detail, allowing the focus to remain on the characters and their magical journey. The lighting is particularly well done, enhancing the vibrant colors and giving a soft, glowing feel to scenes like when they first activate the amulet. The background music plays a significant role in setting the magical and adventurous tone, but at times it overshadows other audio elements like dialogue and sound effects. For example, during the first encounter between the girl and the tiny boy, the music swells in a way that distracts from their dialogue, reducing the impact of their initial bond. While the music fits the mood, better balance would enhance the overall experience.

The characters in this animated film are brought to life with distinct personalities and emotional depth, thanks to the voice acting of Anja H�vik Str�msted, who plays several key roles, including Blossomele, Wahkeen-Lee, Grandma, The Hare, The Neighbor, and Baddle-Bart. The voice acting on some level is odd, as each character has a different personality that needs to be embodied by one person. The behind-the-scenes contributors of this animated film have made notable contributions that elevate its unique style and storytelling. The director stands out with the way they blend various animation techniques, like paper animation and stop-motion, to create a visually distinct world that feels fresh and engaging. The decision to use vibrant colors and exaggerated facial expressions to enhance character emotions is a testament to their creative vision, helping to make the film appealing to younger audiences. My favorite part of the film is the scene where Blossomele and Wahkeen-Lee first activate the magical amulet and are transported to a vibrant, mystical world.

The film's message is about the power of friendship and self-discovery. Through Blossomele and Wahkeen-Lee's journey with the magical amulet, the story highlights how forming connections with others can lead to personal growth and reveal new possibilities. It emphasizes that, even in the midst of seemingly ordinary circumstances, there is magic to be found when we embrace new experiences and build meaningful relationships.

The storyline follows a young girl, Jaz (Leah Park), who doesn't want her step dad, Lloyd (Garfield Wilson) to join her family so she tries to make her friends steal some of his stuff - but they end up not going along with it and actually liking him.

The plot is a bit confusing. It is a story about the child of divorced parents who doesn't want change in her life. Although the film doesn't offer anything new in terms of blended families, the story plays out well and is well developed from writing to execution. Plus, I love their very diverse group of cast and crew. The production values are quite good. I particularly enjoyed the varied camera angles, showing different points of view from the girl, her friends and the stepdad. The lighting is exceptionally well done, which is a challenge with so many indoor shots. I like the quirky movements like when the girls do cartwheels in the hall to move from one room to another. And the props are fun and slightly goofy also. The background music works - although I found it annoying at times. Jaz (Leah Park) shows noticeable growth. At the beginning she is abrupt, irate and whiney. She just wants to get rid of her stepdad - even to the point of planning to violently attack him - though her friends are terrified at that idea. As the film develops, and her friends tell her that the guy is cool, she finally manages to accept that her step dad is now part of her family and discovers that change may not be so horrible after all. The best part of the film is how they switch from young girls to adults and portray themselves as secret agents.

The film's message is that not all change is bad. It can be exciting and beneficial. It can still be hard though.

The story begins three years after Wanda has taken Agatha's (Kathryn Hahn) powers. She has no powers and no recollection of who she is. Under a spell, she believes she is a detective in a small town solving a murder. With the help of a goth Teen (Joe Locke), the spell is broken. She must form a coven and travel the witch's road to regain her powers.

This show exceeded my expectations. It magically casts a coven of witches with great chemistry - Sasheer Zamata (Jennifer Kale), Rio Vidal (Aubrey Plaza), Alice Wu-Gulliver (Ali Ahn), Lilia Calderu (Patti LuPone), Mrs Hart (Debra Jo Rupp). The coven is hesitant to trust Agatha; her reputation precedes her. The witch's road challenges the fears of each witch on their journey to release a curse and help Agatha regain her powers. The witch's road offers five houses with a trial at each. Each house is themed and focuses on a weakness or fear of a specific witch. The trials bring chaos, suspense and self-doubt. Through this adversity, each witch faces their own fears, and the coven forms a bond strengthening their resolve as they continue their journey. Everything about this series is fabulous. The scenes are elaborate and transition into dark, fantasy-creating, spell-binding effects. From living rooms and basements, from the witch's road of glowing forests, all of the set designs and lighting bring this Marvel series to life. The costumes are elaborate and reflect the theme of each house. Special effects, combined with music, make each scene suspenseful. Agatha's character is self-centered, yet conflicted. We see her as evil and yet cannot help but love her.

The show's message is about teamwork and how trust and respect are proven through one's consistent actions. Viewers should be aware this contains witch horror, suspenseful scenes, partial nudity, foul language and other adult content.

Agatha All Along: Season 1 gets 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. The series streams on Disney + beginning Sep 18, 2024.

Emma O., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

It was Agatha All Along! I love this show! It is witchy, smart, dark, and so good. It is insanely fun and the best bewitching follow up to WandaVision. Speaking of which, I highly recommend watching it before watching Agatha All Along because you learn all about Agatha there. If you are a fan of Marvel this series is a must watch.

Agatha All Along picks up right after WandaVision, when Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) is left powerless, thanks to the Scarlet Witch/Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen). In a mission to get her sorceress powers back, Agatha creates a makeshift coven of her own, but not every member has the same intention. A spell-bound Agatha regains freedom thanks to a goth Teen's help. Intrigued by his plea, she embarks on the Witches' Road trials to reclaim her powers and discover the Teen's motivations.

This is the perfect show for the spooky season. The series is engaging, fun, dramatic and scary. I love the cast portraying the coven. I love the cast portraying the Coven - Sasheer Zamata (Jennifer Kale), Rio Vidal (Aubrey Plaza), Alice Wu-Gulliver (Ali Ahn), Lilia Calderu (Patti LuPone), Mrs Hart (Debra Jo Rupp). Kathryn Hahn is brilliant as Agatha and Aubrey Plaza, as Rio is equally outstanding. I really like seeing the two of them on screen together -- they are a dynamic duo. The entire cast delivers devious and spellbinding performances plus there is lots of magic, spells, sudden reversals, and otherworldly action. I love seeing the characters flying across the room or getting blasted with light filled explosions. The special effects are incredible. There are some wicked battles and it is all done so well on screen. I enjoy how all the characters generally have positive relationships and support one another. This show is a solid choice for family viewing if your kids are mature enough for the levels of violence and dark humor.

The message of this series is about teamwork, trusting others, respect and believing in yourself.

I give Agatha All Along 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. You can watch the first two episodes of Agatha All Along on Disney+ now and the series will continue to air a new episode each week. There are 9 episodes total and the finale will be on October 30, 3024.

In LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy, the entire Star Wars galaxy gets completely mixed up when an ordinary nerf-herder, Sig Greebling (Gaten Matarazzo), unearths a powerful artifact called the Cornerstone from a hidden Jedi temple. He finds himself thrust into adventure in a new, wild and twisted version of the galaxy where good guys are bad, bad guys are good, and the fate of all depends on Sig becoming the hero who can put all the pieces back together.

LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild The Galaxy is full of comedy, action and incredible animation. This show is filled with heart, laughter, and the important message of believing in yourself. It is a family friendly special and for fans of LEGO or Star Wars this is a must watch. I could not take my eyes off the screen. The animation and visuals are stunning - I love when the light sabers light up and the flying sequences are awesome. They could not have picked a better cast to voice these characters. It features the vocal work of Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Gaten Matarazzo (Sig Greebling), Bobby Moynihan (Jedi Bob), Tony Revolori (Dev Greebling), Marsai Martin (Yesi Scala), Michael Cusack (Servo), and Ahmed Best (Darth Jar Jar). The writing is so smart and funny. I think this movie will create a whole new generation of LEGO and Star Wars fans because it has something for everyone.

This film teaches you to believe in yourself and to embrace teamwork.

I give LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild The Galaxy 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. You can watch LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild The Galaxy on Disney+ beginning September 13, 2024 on Disney +.

The film is about the untold origin of Optimus Prime and Megatron. We now know that the now sworn enemies were once like brothers and their differences would create strife in their relationship. This change will forever impact Cybertron.

Going into this film I was excited but had low expectations because of the complex history of Transformers media. Transformers films in the past have often deviated from the original story that I love, however this film is unlike all the others, rooted in the origins of the Cybertron universe. I left the theater speechless at how excellent the film was. It has numerous perfectly executed moments with well paced moments. The movie introduces the lore of Transformers to new audiences rather quickly while keeping it simple, which helps someone understand everything if they are new to Transformers, while keeping long-time fans like myself happy.

The animation style is just breathtaking, I thought it would take me a while to get used to the new style but I was blown away at how colorful a planet made of metal looks. Of all the standout elements, the best part of this film is the third act, because the whole film builds up to it effortlessly, and by the time the second act ended and the third act started to kick in I was glued to my seat with my eyes locked on to the screen, excited at every moment. It had me smiling the whole way through. The hardest part for me were the voice overs, which might be a concern for long-time fans who are used to Peter Collin voicing Optimus Prime. It was a challenge for me to get to hear Chris Hemsworth's performance as Optimus Prime. While he doesn't sound like the voice we are used to, his interpretation adds a unique flare to the younger version of the character. For those of us who are concerned about the voice of Megatron by Brian Tyree Henry, there is nothing to be worried about - he kills it! I was blown away by how well he adds a new tone of voice to the character while keeping it classic. All in all, it's phenomenal casting and an amazing performance by Henry, especially in the third act. These are a few minor concerns I had. The writers, directors, and animation team knew what was best for the Transformers franchise because this film is possibly the best film of the summer, if not the best animation film of the year. It keeps what we love about Transformers while adding new elements to be excited about.

The theme in Transformers One is about how we change as individuals whether it is through ourselves or the situations we are put in. This is demonstrated by Megatron and Optimus Prime and is portrayed so well because we all know Megatron and Optimus Prime become enemies, which makes it even more engaging to find out how that happened for the very first time. The theme is touching, emotional, and impactful. You might walk out of the film feeling a little bit different after watching it.

I give Transformers One 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12. This film releases in theaters September 20, 2024

By Rayce S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

Gear up and roll out! I love Transformers One. It is fun, laugh-out-loud funny, has some heartfelt moments, and the chemistry between the transformers is outstanding. The film definitely kept me entertained from beginning to end. There is lots of action, incredible animation and the battle scenes are so cool.

Transformers One is the untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, who are sworn enemies, but once were friends, bonded like brothers and changed the fate of Cybertron forever. The film is definitely inspiring. I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next.

Transformers One is incredibly well animated. I love how it makes the Transformers feel very human-like. The expressions on their faces are realistic and you can feel the emotions through the big screen. It made me feel like each one has a mind and heart of its own. The soundtrack, in some of scenes, brings out the right atmosphere and emotion. I love the songs during the battle scenes, especially when B-127 (Keegan-Michael Key) is taking down the bad guys. This animated version features great voice actors. All of them are great, but Keegan-Michael Key steals the show! His comedy is fantastic. He kept me laughing throughout the entire movie. I also liked learning how Optimus Prime (Chris Hemsworth) and Megatron (Brian Tyree Henry) once were friends and what happened to make them enemies. They are so good on screen together.

This film's message is about believing in yourself and doing what is right. It is very family friendly and, for fans of Transformers, this is a must watch, but even newcomers can enjoy it.

I give Transformers One 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. You can watch Transformers One in theaters on September 20, 2024.

By Carter P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

I love the new animated film Transformers One! It captures the excitement and action of the Transformers movies in a new light. The film allows both long-time fans and newcomers to experience its expressive animation and engaging storyline.

The plot travels back in time to the origin story of Cybertron and the beginning of the Autobots and Decepticons. Four miner bots stumble upon the greatest secret of their time. Optimus Prime and Megatron--who are current rivals--are best friends until power puts their friendship to the test. The war that becomes all or nothing is on the horizon.

The main characters are Orion Pax/Optimus Prime (Chris Hemsworth), Megatron/D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry), Elita (Scarlett Johansson), Bumblebee/ B-127 (Keegan-Michael Key), and Sentinel Prime (Jon Hamm). These actors exquisitely bring life to their characters through their voices. The beloved characters are brought into a new perspective that expresses their backstory. Before Optimus Prime and Megatron become enemies, they were best friends that worked together all the time. This part of the story is explained throughout the film and it's very intriguing. Transformers One heled me understand the origin of the Transformers. Before, I wasn't as interested in the franchise because I was confused about their mission and purpose. However, this film changes the game for me. The pacing is excellent; it's neither too fast nor too slow. The film kick starts with the lives of the miners, which is contrary to the heroic figures we've seen them as. Optimus Prime is hiding in a trashcan - can you believe it? Right off the bat, I became invested in the plot line because it shows the heroes from another point of view. Two generations can experience the joy of this fandom in different ways. In addition, the animation is breathtaking. It's realistic yet creative, bringing the out-of-this-world imagination to life in a way that wasn't possible before. The attention to detail in the animation allows the bots to show lifelike emotions. For instance, Elita's feelings of anger and awe are very recognizable. This helps connect the audience to the plot. My favorite part is when Alpha Trion shows the group what happened during the Cybertronian War. In this scene, there's a huge plot twist that affects the whole storyline.

The film's message is to be loyal to your friends and always do what is right. Optimus Prime consistently chooses the path that will benefit his friends. Leadership is another central theme. If you're given the opportunity to lead, how would you approach it? In reality, I'm not going to be a leader of Cybertron, but I am the leader of my own life. The Transformers need to learn to choose the right direction, which is an important lesson throughout the film.

I give Transformers One 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. Transformers One releases in theaters on September 20, 2024.

The storyline dives once more into the world of the afterlife with Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) and his quest to be in the world of the living. His need to become human intensifies when he realizes his soul-sucking ex-wife, Delores (Monica Bellucci) is out for revenge. Beetlejuice renews his focus to unite with human sweetheart, Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) to avoid death. Lydia is a grown adult and a famous medium. Her daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega) does not believe in seeing ghosts and their relationship is broken from the death of her dad. Plots and sub-plots merge to create a chaotic and fun ending.

The opening musical score made me feel anticipation from the start. The film returns to the original white house on the hill in Winter River as the family morns for grandpa. Memories of the house from childhood have Lydia seeing flashes of Beetlejuice. The town offers an escape for her daughter to make new connections and a special friend. The original house is not the only nod to the original Beetlejuice. We revisit the long wait lines in the afterlife, shrunken head Bob, misshaped hallways and the sandworm. There's an awesome Day O serenade. All of the special effects and makeup for the dead are fabulous. Delia (Catherine O'Hara) stands out to me -- her dark tendencies for art become dark comic moments of dealing with grief. Her character is spunky and artistically fun. Beetlejuice is the consistent demon with head twirls, raspy voice and raunchy jokes. From costumes, sound effects, makeup and set design, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice does not disappoint.

The film's message is to value the love of your family, here and now. Create memories for today and not dwell on the past. As amazing as this film is, it is a bit edgy with profanity, slight intimacy, violence, unsettling imagery, gore, jump scares and endless mentions of death and the afterlife.

I give Beetlejuice Beetlejuice 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters September 6, 2024.

By Emma O., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

I had a blast watching Beetlejuice Beetlejuice! Tim Burton's original Beetlejuice (1988) was a quirky, darkly comedic journey through the afterlife, and the 2024 sequel brings that same manic energy with a fresh, ghostly twist. This film is a great pick for a fun night out with friends and family.

Set years after the original, the movie revisits the afterlife with an exciting new spin. Still haunted by Beetlejuice (Tim Burton), Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) is now a renowned ghost hunter and paranormal investigator. Her life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), accidentally opens the portal to the Afterlife. When someone says Beetlejuice's name three times, the mischievous demon gleefully returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.

The story cleverly blends themes of family, identity, and the supernatural, creating a nostalgic yet innovative experience. The pacing is dynamic, combining humor and suspense to keep viewers engaged from start to finish. It was a joy to see Delia Deetz (Catherine O'Hara) return, alongside Lydia, and to meet new characters like my favorite, Astrid Deetz, as well as Rory (Justin Theroux) and Delores (Monica Bellucci). Visually, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a treat for the eyes. The film's creative team has expertly merged Beetlejuice's iconic gothic style with cutting-edge special effects, resulting in a visually stunning and imaginative world. The special effects are impressively whimsical and grotesque, perfectly capturing the film's dark humor and surrealism. One standout scene is when Astrid rides a bike around town, navigating a series of challenges and surprises that reflect her personal struggles and growth.

The film's core message centers on self-acceptance, authenticity, and the value of true friendship. It encourages young audiences to embrace their unique selves and stay true to their identity, rather than fitting into others' expectations. Additionally, it underscores the importance of loyalty and support in relationships, showing that genuine friends are those who accept you for who you are and stand by you no matter what.

I give Beetlejuice Beetlejuice a solid 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. Don't miss it when it hits theaters on September 6, 2024!

The plot follows the magician Augustus Semprini (Cory Philips) as he performs one of his magic acts. Desperate for money, he steals a golden pin from a woman named Gertrude Cambellton (Ashton Leigh). She approaches him after the show, asking if he stole her broach. He denies her accusations, causing her to harness her witch powers and trap him inside his raincoat. The only way he can free himself is to return it. Almost 86 years pass and we meet Jack, a simple high schooler. Jack (Jake Alexander William) and his siblings come across the raincoat in their grandmother's attic. The raincoat possesses the ability to turn the wearer into the spitting image of Augustus Semprini. A seemingly normal, but mean middle school teacher, Mrs Weaver (Laura Shatkus) is not that normal after all. She is a witch, and also after the raincoat!

The humor in this movie is what I am most impressed with. My favorite scene where this is shown is when Mrs Weaver's cat puts on the raincoat and is turned into Semprini. The actor's performance really convinced me that he was a cat, just in a human body. I also love that this movie has amazing actors that can really make these scenes come to life. Along with the acting, the graphics, costumes and sets of this movie are amazing. When the setting is in the 1900s, there are fitting sets and costumes that make this film come to life. The background music is always extremely fitting. When Mrs Weaver fights Jack, there is suspenseful music to match it. And when there are happy scenes, there is jolly, happy music.

The theme of The Magician's Raincoat is that not everything is always as it seems. Augustus seems like a perfectly reasonable man, but he steals just to get money. Mrs Weaver seems like a normal teacher, but she turns out to be a witch.

I give The Magician's Raincoat 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12. It is available for streaming beginning September 3, 2024.

By Zoey F., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

What a spectacular film! The Magician's Raincoat is a magical and fantastical journey. The special effects are on point and look very realistic. The plot, sets, and script are all spectacular and organized in a way that ties the storyline together.

This story begins with a magician (Cory Phillips) performing his show in the late 1920s. He doesn't have the money to stay in the magic business so he pickpockets his attendees for money. Then, one of his victims turns his life into a disaster. So 86 years later, in present time, three siblings work together to help save the magician from an eternity of tragedy.

This film is high quality, and the plot is creative and fun. What stands out most are the camera work, acting, and storyline. The camera work is excellent and provides a variety of angles perfect for the scenes themselves. For example, when the kids are riding their bikes, the camera provides a bird's eye view that follows them on their journey. The acting is exceptional and the actors are well cast and their portrayals are believable. Olivia (Taylor Bedford) is brilliant and the actor who plays her shows this during a discussion with her science teacher (Laura Shatkus). I also like the part when the cat puts on the raincoat and "becomes" the magician; Cory Philips, who portrays him, is excellent. The story is clear, enjoyable, innovative and intriguing, providing for the overall excellent experience. My favorite part is when Jack (Jake Alexander Williams) tries to talk to his crush, Kristy (Jenna Thaxton) and is not successful, which makes for a hilariously embarrassing scene.

The film's message is that, over time, comes forgiveness, and eventually desperation. There are also strong themes of the importance of family.

I give The Magician's Raincoat 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It is available for streaming beginning September 3 2024.

Monster High 2 is the sequel to Monster High in which Clawdeen Wolf (Miia Harris) is a half werewolf, half human that is running for prefect of Monster High against the new student Toralei (Salena Qureshi). Toralei ends up getting magic banded at Monster high so Draculaura (Nayah Damasen) runs off with a boy who promises that he can reunite vampires and humans as fellow witches. From there the chaos of this movie continues to unfold.

One of my all-time favorite parts of this film is the choreography. It's all very fun to watch and also believable and makes sense within the context of the storyline. The vocals, combined with the choreography, make it even better. Two of my favorite songs from the film, for both vocals and choreography, are "Reason We've Got Magic" and "You Don't Know." They both add so much to the story and are very engaging to watch. Definitely keep a look out for those in the movie. Something else I love is the costumes and sets. The whole show is set at the mythical school of Monster High and thus, they must have very elaborate costumes and sets in order to bring this school to life - the movie really pulls that through. Toralei and Draculaura have some of the coolest costumes in the film. Finally, the characters are terrific; each character is so well fleshed out and their personalities add so much to the film.

The message of this film is you don't have to change who you are for anyone else. Stay true to yourself always. Monster High 2 gets 5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. Available now on DVD.

It begins watching two boys innocently tossing pinecones in the woods. Another boy joins them and convinces one to join him in an illegal activity, but mid way through the conned boy abandons it when his better self reminds him to stay true to his better self.

I enjoyed the way this film is constructed and the character development of Eli. This is a very relatable experience that most of us have experienced at some point in our life and the lessons of being true to yourself is well established. The acting is good, the direction is good, and the message is the best part of this short film.

The film's message is about staying true to yourself.

This short film starts by pointing out how more people interact with friends, yet feel lonely. Then it shows people from all around the world sharing their personal experiences with their friends. The ending implies that the way to feel connected is to be disconnected.

This is an amazing film that has a lot of powerful messages. I really like the closeups of different areas that people are from - Spain, Malta, Greece, South Africa and California. There is a lot of background music throughout the film and lots of natural sounds. Everyone in the film shows growth in their personal stories. One that I resonated with in particular is Angel and Xolisa's story because she goes from feeling lonely because she can't find any friends on the right path to finally finding people who made her grow. My favorite part of the film is how we see so many different stories and messages, but in the end, they all form one central message.

The film's message is about connecting with friends and how it is better to do things in person with no devices in order to enjoy the experience and live in the moment.

This short student film explores the emotions of a small group of California high school seniors on the brink of graduating and moving forward, wondering how their lives will be impacted as they move to another place in their lives.

There is a last time for everything I guess - whether you know it or not. Fishing together with your buddies is a metaphor for hanging out with your peers, kids you have gone through childhood with and you wonder what will happen to your friendship as you all spread out to the world beyond this - to colleges far and wide. This is well made and thoughtful -- good camera work and editing. I appreciated the captioning because I couldn't always make out what they were saying. The words, "we like the way it is" rings true, but we all know that things never stay the way they are. Life is all about change.

The film's message is about the uncertainty of change and how a group of high school students question what is ahead for them.

This documentary covers the highlights of Gandhi's life, and his impact on the world.

This film gives a good overview of Gandhi's life and is sensitively created, using archival images and video, two live speakers (Yohuru Williams and one not identified) and narration. Daniel Taylor is not only the director, writer and producer; he is also the narrator of this film. The images are well selected, as are the speakers. The narration leaves something to be desired as it is read rather quickly without any emotion - very disappointing since the other aspects of the film are so good. The editing is quite good and the background music is inspiring. However, setting that aside, Gandhi remains one of the significant influencers of the 20th century.

The film is a reminder of Mahatma Gandhi's impact on civil rights and the influence of nonviolence resistance.

This silent film follows two middle school boys that are competing for the same girl.

Good storyline that is told without any dialogue, but we all get what's going on and can relate to it. The two boys really steal the show here, although the "girl" definitely holds her own as well. The location, at a school, works well and is something that kids will definitely relate to. This would play well at a student film festival or as an interstitial at a family film festival. It's well made - from the camera work, to the background music and the editing.

The film's message is to never presume you know what's going on with someone else, particular a classmate.

The storyline follows a kid who leads a group of other kids in attaching a Jewish boy in their class. Eventually, the kids realize how wrong this is and turn on the leader, refusing to participate.

Anti-Semitism is a form of racism that has no place in the world we live in today. As someone who has a number of Jewish friends, I was appalled at the first part of this film, watching the kids beat up on an innocent kids from their class. Fortunately, they have a wake up call and turn on the leader and refuse to participate in a subsequent hate act against this kid. The production is well shot and edited and definitely makes an important statement. This belongs in a youth film festival.

The film's message is that hate violence is just wrong.

The storyline follows a young woman, Larkspur, whose town is hit by an earthquake and, in the midst of the confusion, a mysterious cavalryman appears. Larkspur has the gift of healing people and cures the young man of his injuries only to discover eventually that they have shared skills, which may just save her town from complete oblivion. This is a pilot for a new animated series.

Great animation - simple and straightforward, and quite charming. The characters are interesting and well developed. The storyline begins here and has a cliff-hanging ending. The voiceover talent is excellent; each character is well defined by the individual voices. The background music is reminiscently medieval which suits the story.

The film's message is yet to be determined, but we can see from this pilot that it's about chivalry and taking care of your community.