Cookie Queens * A Heartfelt Look At Growing Up In Girl Scouting Shown From The Stories Of Four Girl Scouts
Tuesday, August 18th, 2026
A celebration of girlhood and the complexities that come with it, Cookie Queens is a coming-of-age story about the joys, pressures, and tensions woven into one of America’s most cherished rituals: Girl Scout Cookie season.
KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Miral G. comments, “I love the film Cookie Queens because it tells the stories of four Girl Scouts and the ups and downs of running their cookie businesses. I like how it shows everything through their eyes as they grow throughout the process.” See her full review below.
Cookie Queens
By Miral G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 12
I love the film Cookie Queens because it tells the stories of four Girl Scouts and the ups and downs of running their cookie businesses. I like how it shows everything through their eyes as they grow throughout the process.
This documentary follows Ara, Olive, Nikki, and Shannon Elizabeth during an entire “cookie season” as they set goals, sell cookies, and learn more about themselves. These girls differ in age, cultural backgrounds, and locations, but they all share one common goal: fulfilling their dreams through selling Girl Scout cookies.
Olive, a Cadette from Charlotte, North Carolina, hopes to remain the top seller in her council. Nikki, a Brownie from Chino, California, dreams of following in her older sisters’ footsteps, earning a cookie trophy, and traveling to Europe with her troop. Shannon Elizabeth, a Brownie from El Paso, Texas, wants to sell enough cookies to attend Girl Scout camp for the first time. And Ara, a Daisy from San Diego, California, aims to sell 55 boxes of cookies during her first cookie season.
I like everything about this film, but my favorite thing is the performances of the four girls, especially Ara. She stands out and she stole my heart with her innocence and authenticity. Her reactions feel so genuine that I sometimes forgot she was performing at all. While selling cookies in her neighborhood, she meets someone with diabetes, just like her, who tells her that he can’t eat them. After cookie season ends, she sets out on a mission to create a sugar‑free cookie, and she succeeds. Her sense of humor, her determination to pull her wagon, and her creative ways of attracting customers are both admirable and adorable. I also enjoyed the film’s cinematography, especially the outdoor shots that show different settings and highlight the diversity of cities across the United States.
This documentary moved me deeply. As a Girl Scout myself, I relate to these girls and the struggles and joys they share. It presents a realistic and human side of Girl Scouts today and shows that Girl Scouting is more than selling cookies, it’s about discovering who you are and your place in the world.
The film’s message is about perseverance, because all the girls face challenges and big obstacles, yet they push through and reach their goals.
I give Cookie Queens 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters on August 7, 2026.
After a mysterious cosmic event rips Oak Street from suburbia and transports their neighborhood to someplace unknown, the Platt family soon discovers that their very survival depends on them sticking together as they navigate their now unrecognizable surroundings.
Have you ever imagined what it would be like to live in ancient carnivorous dinosaur times? Well the Platt family experienced exactly that in the film The End Of Oak Street. The special effects are absolutely phenomenal, yet realistic. Plus, there are funny parts that kept me engaged and connected with the characters. Before you watch this film make sure you bring someone to hold on to during the scenes where the audience all gets jump scared.
I really enjoyed watching this film. I love the story and the actors’ ability to connect with each other. The plot develops logically and makes perfect sense. The CGI and special effects are quite incredible. I especially like when a giant dinosaur walks past the family’s window and you can only see a close-up of fur. Another part that is absolutely amazing is when the family attempts to escape their neighborhood and ends up at the edge of the cliff as if their whole neighborhood has just been cut out of the land and placed in the past. This scene is absolutely unforgettable. It is quite hard to picture my favorite part of the film, but I would pick a part at the very beginning when the family’s grumpy neighbor, Mel (P. J. Byrne) walks up angrily to the mom, Denise (Anne Hathaway), and yells at her about her dog. She firmly replies that if he ever points a gun at her dog she will burn his house down. This shows how much the family loves their dog, Starbuck (Buzz and Brisket). Denise (Anne Hathaway) is my favorite character because she shows her emotional pain through the screen, which gives the film an emotional touch. Anne Hathaway connects to the other cast members so well, making them seem like they are actually a family.
The film’s message is to always be thankful for what you have. It begins with Denise wondering if this is what she really wanted for her life and, when the tragedy happens she becomes more thankful than ever. Be forewarned that there is bloody, gory violence, and a little sexual behavior.
In this new series, Lah Kara continues to train in the ways of the Jedi under Margrave Juro. Kara goes on an epic journey of self-discovery as she and Juro’s small fellowship of Jedis-in-training embark on a quest to save her father and stop a mysterious Sith leader from unleashing darkness upon the galaxy.
Washed up former tennis prodigy Dusty Boyd (Jake Johnson) has been reduced to coaching unruly children at his father Chuck’s (Ed Harris) suburban country club. Desperate for his father’s approval, Dusty blindly supports Chuck’s vendetta against the new craze taking over the club: pickleball. But when Dusty reaggravates an old injury, taking away his ability to play tennis, he resorts to the unthinkable in the name of rehab. He not only tries pickleball, but, thanks in part to his enchanting new partner, Candace (Mary Steenburgen), he finds himself actually enjoying it. Torn between two worlds, Dusty is forced to finally face the ghosts of his past athletic failures, including his childhood nemesis, Andy Roddick (Andy Roddick). Ultimately, Dusty is drawn into a desperate battle for the future of the club, his father’s affection and his very identity.
The Dink is a hilarious, action-packed movie that uses humor to deal with heavy issues like self-identity, accepting changes, and difficult relationships with parents. I laughed throughout the entire film and found myself constantly rooting for Dusty.
I really enjoy how the story centers on one character, Dusty, and how he is managing his relationships with family, friends, and himself while using the rivalry between tennis and pickleball as a subplot. The conflict between the two sports is hilarious. I love that the film shows how everyone is good at something, regardless of age and perceived ability. I also like the pacing of the film and how it primarily focuses on the main character over a short period of his life. Most of the scenes are set at the tennis club or the pickleball courts. My favorite part is all of the celebrity cameos and how Dusty gets his new nickname.
The film’s message is that it is never too late to create the version of yourself that you want to be. The film also focuses on the importance of being open-minded and willing to try new things. Parents should be advised that the film contains profanity and some sexual references.
Thirteen-year-old Willis Gibson’s life changes overnight when he becomes the first to beat Tetris. It explores grief, community, and the rise of an unexpected internet icon.
Blue Scuti: Tetris Crasher is one of the best movies I’ve ever watched. It wouldn’t be possible without the story of Willis Gibson or the game Tetris itself.
As a young child, Willis Gibson loved to memorize presidents, was amazed by trains, infatuated with space, and intrigued by puzzles. But all of those interests did not compare to Willis’s love for Tetris. In 2023 Willis won the Classic Tetris World Championship (CTWC) Kansas City Regional. Then in 2024 Willis won the CTWC Desert Regional to punch his ticket to Pasadena. And then, right then, Willis’s father lost his battle with heart disease just weeks before the historic December run. That didn’t stop Blue Scut; a few days after his father’s death Willis beat Tetris. The only way to “beat” Tetris is if the game crashes at a certain point and Willis was the first to ever do it! He cleared a single line on Level 157, causing the game’s 34-year-old code to malfunction and freeze entirely. Multiple news stations, including Fox, CNN, CBS, and NBC interviewed Willis and brought him fame overnight. After going to Modretro Tetris Championship, Willis was invited to the CTWC Paris Regional. In the finale, Willis lost to DanV in heartbreaking fashion, but he was invited to Pasadena, California for CTWC in 2024. In the qualifying round, Willis secured the one seed and beat Rhubarb in round 32. In Day 2, Willis beat his best friend, CoalBucket, in the first match of the day. In the quarter finals, he beat Tristop in game one but lost three consecutive games afterwards. In the end, Willis came so close to winning CTWC and beating Tetris in the same year.
The film’s message is to always persevere through tough times and never give up on your dreams. No matter what your situation is, it will always work out in the end.
The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu.
A buddy comedy about a small woodland creature (voiced by Academy Award-winning Michael B. Jordan) and a majestic bird (voiced by Juno Temple) — natural sworn enemies of The Valley — who suddenly swap bodies and must team up (while walking in each other’s feathers and fur) to survive the wildest adventure of their lives.
When a minotaur raised by humans starts dreaming of his mythical past, he sets out on a wild adventure — with help from his brother and friends — to understand who he really is. A thrilling mix of folklore, mystery and adventure about a young minotaur – half boy, half bull – found and raised in the human world. With the help of his fiercely loyal human brother, he recruits a bold group of friends to uncover the mystery of his minotaur past and fulfill his destiny, all while battling dark forces determined to see him fail. The animated series features voice performances from rising stars Ely Solan, Billy Jenkins, Luciana Akpobaro and Billie Boullet, alongside Michael Sheen, Brian Cox, Paul Kaye and T’Nia Miller.
I truly enjoyed My Brother The Minotaur, from its Irish twist, amazing story, and touches of Greek mythology. The series genuinely surprised me. When I first watched My Brother The Minotaur, I thought it was going to be the average animated Apple TV show. But instead, it turned out to be a true gem.
Lorcan and the island are experiencing problems from a shapeshifting mythical creature to the uncovered ruins that turn out to be a labyrinth. It’s up to Lorcan, Charlie, Harper (Luciana Akpobaro), and Dana (Billie Boullet), to uncover the island’s secrets, history, and Lorcan’s destiny. This series speaks to young teenagers by not being too colorful. Many animated series suffer from having too much happening on the screen, but this one focuses on making jokes at the right time and playing it safe with the artwork. Sometimes that’s exactly what a show needs to go from great to remarkable.
I love how Charlie’s character is designed – his youthful innocence paired with his detective skills made me smile. The way he loves his brother is so heartwarming. Additionally, Dana and Harper have great chemistry and this ultimately helps Lorcan and Charlie more than they realize.
A Great Awakening tells the true story of an unlikely friendship between the Reverend George Whitefield and Benjamin Franklin that resulted in one of the most defining moments in American history. With the colonies on the brink of collapse, the Reverend George Whitefield ignites the first Great Awakening, uniting an entire generation with his thundering and faithful sermons and proclamations of liberty. In a miraculous turn of events, one of Whitefield’s closest friends and greatest promoters becomes none other than Benjamin Franklin. With the nation’s freedom hanging in the balance, the founders discover true liberty cannot only be written into law – it must be awakened in the hearts of the people.
A Great Awakening is an extraordinary movie that takes you on an unanticipated, yet entertaining journey through history. With incredible storytelling and well composed visuals, I was in awe as it unfolds.
This film shines in its visual aspects and definitely kept my attention. The lighting is spectacular and made me feel like I was experiencing and seeing history with new eyes. The realistic costumes reflect the late 1700s style accurately. The transitions between scenes are very well put together and are satisfying to watch. The movie really comes to life as the sets look accurate to the time period. When I was watching it, I was completely invested! The cast’s performance is truly amazing and definitely makes this movie breathtaking. George Whitfield, played by Jonathan Blair, is one of the most enjoyable to watch. The way he expresses his character’s emotions is effortless and very believable. The relationship between Benjamin Franklin and George Whitefield unfolds with care and attention. They go from not knowing each other and being wary of each other to becoming best friends for many years. I love the way we see how they influence each other to be better and make a lasting impact, and how Benjamin Franklin learned from Whitefield and contributed to history in his own way.
Shakespeare’s most enduring tragedy is reimagined in a bold, modern adaptation set within London’s elite South Asian community. When Hamlet (Riz Ahmed) returns for his father’s funeral, he is stunned to discover his uncle Claudius is marrying his newly widowed mother.
What if you could step inside William Shakespeare’s creative mind and feel every emotion that shaped Hamlet, his most iconic and famous tragedy? This film draws you into the story in a haunting and unforgettable way through its protagonist, Hamlet, while introducing this timeless story, originally performed in the 1600s, to a new generation.
I highly recommend this film! The classic story is reimagined within a South Asian family living in modern-day London, which makes it feel fresh and culturally resonant. Every scene feels alive, with engaging performances that make it impossible to look away for even a second. Riz Ahmed is the perfect actor to play Hamlet, as he has the ability to portray the character’s complexity. He shows both his grief after losing his father and his suspicion and growing revenge against Claudius in an impactful way through his subtle body language and chilling dialogue delivery. Additionally, Sheeba Chaddha’s gentle portrayal of Gertrude captures her vulnerability and weakness, so it contrasts nicely with Hamlet’s intensity. Art Malik is also well-suited for Claudius, as he brings an authoritative presence on the outside, but extremely tense on the inside, which makes his performance convincing and natural. I especially love how the film incorporates many lines from the original play, like the famous line “To be, or not to be, that is the question” – they are woven beautifully into the story.
Even though the film is set in modern times, these classic lines feel natural and meaningful without feeling out of place. The film also captures the business of London at night, using the loud sounds of traffic and the city, which creates a strong contrast with the timeless, poetic tone of Shakespeare’s language.
