The story is about a kindergarten girl who is new to an elite school and is assisted by her big buddy who teaches her how to navigate the politics of a classroom full of over-privileged and sometimes vicious kids. The question is: will she make it past lunch?
I like that the "big buddy" gives the new kindergartener the hard truth, even though it seems over the top. However, this film, made by a 10-year-old whose outlook on over privileged kids, is pretty glum. The cinematography is pretty good, with good lighting and audio. For that I commend her. The choice of location is perfect. The camera work is quite good; I especially like the use of close-ups which are perfectly timed for the most dramatic effects. I like how the wardrobe stereotypically defines each character, especially the very affluent girl in a Chanel-like outfit with a chic bag to match. The interiors of the classroom are fitting, but perhaps not that of a kindergarten class. I like how the background music moves the scenes along, while remaining subtle and not overpowering. Also, it is well used to build up suspense. The acting is all quite good. Alice (Thalia Anne Oliver) is quite believable as an upper-level student, maybe sixth grade. However, she states she has been at the school for five years, since preschool, which would make her a third grader, which is closer to the grade-level of the other characters. This makes it hard to believe the story is really about the truth about kindergarten; maybe it's more accurately the truth about grade school. The scenes move in a very realistic manner and the direction really is quite good. The scene with the three girls talking about of their haircuts has great acting, but seems a bit too pretentious. In some ways it's kind of cringy. The story lacks humor to offset the extreme stereotypical characters.
The message is that kindergarten at elite schools is not all sunshine and rainbows. Note that it does promote negative behavior, as no one is reprimanded for their poor behavior and it shows kids doing risky things that kids might imitate - the characters are vicious and snotty. One of them plays with a lighter.
I give this film 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. Reviewed by Madeleine H. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
The story is about a kindergarten girl who is new to an elite school and is assisted by her big buddy who teaches her how to navigate the politics of a classroom full of over-privileged and sometimes vicious kids. The question is: will she make it past lunch?
I like that the "big buddy" gives the new kindergartener the hard truth, even though it seems over the top. However, this film, made by a 10-year-old whose outlook on over privileged kids, is pretty glum. The cinematography is pretty good, with good lighting and audio. For that I commend her. The choice of location is perfect. The camera work is quite good; I especially like the use of close-ups which are perfectly timed for the most dramatic effects. I like how the wardrobe stereotypically defines each character, especially the very affluent girl in a Chanel-like outfit with a chic bag to match. The interiors of the classroom are fitting, but perhaps not that of a kindergarten class. I like how the background music moves the scenes along, while remaining subtle and not overpowering. Also, it is well used to build up suspense. The acting is all quite good. Alice (Thalia Anne Oliver) is quite believable as an upper-level student, maybe sixth grade. However, she states she has been at the school for five years, since preschool, which would make her a third grader, which is closer to the grade-level of the other characters. This makes it hard to believe the story is really about the truth about kindergarten; maybe it's more accurately the truth about grade school. The scenes move in a very realistic manner and the direction really is quite good. The scene with the three girls talking about of their haircuts has great acting, but seems a bit too pretentious. In some ways it's kind of cringy. The story lacks humor to offset the extreme stereotypical characters.
The message is that kindergarten at elite schools is not all sunshine and rainbows. Note that it does promote negative behavior, as no one is reprimanded for their poor behavior and it shows kids doing risky things that kids might imitate - the characters are vicious and snotty. One of them plays with a lighter.
I give this film 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. Reviewed by Madeleine H. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
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