The French Italian * Humorous Touches With Real-World Examples
October 28th, 2025
When a young New York City couple are terrorized by their noisy downstairs neighbor, who happens to be a failed actress, they decide to get revenge by casting her in a fake play in order to humiliate her. However, the couple soon get sucked into the process of producing theater and start to believe that becoming artists is their true calling.
KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Elsy S. comments, “I like the film The French Italian because of its humorous touches, real-world examples, and the two main characters’ unrealistic opinions of what they believe to be an amazing play.” Leo G. adds, “I enjoyed The French Italian because it has funny moments and quirky humor, but it is a bit slow at times.” See their full reviews below.
The French Italian
By Elsy S. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 13
I like the film The French Italian because of its humorous touches, real-world examples, and the two main characters’ unrealistic opinions of what they believe to be an amazing play.
The story takes place in modern day New York City, and follows a couple, Valerie (Cat Cohen), and Doug (Aristotle Athari), who are antagonized by their downstairs neighbor (Jon Rudnitsky), and his new girlfriend, Mary (Chloe Cherry). When they find out that Mary is an actress, Valerie and Doug come up with a plan to get revenge on her, by writing a fake play and casting her in it.
They write the play as a joke, but get really into it, envisioning themselves as great playwrights. The play takes place, but Mary finds out about their plan and leaves, and eventually, the play is a success as a one man show starring their other actor, Joe (Ikechukwu Ufomadu).
The story really symbolizes real-world examples of getting too caught up in something and believing yourself to be a genius. One aspect that really impressed me is how it manages to portray the characters in a way that is both comedic and authentic. Although the acting is generally impressive, a few characters don’t seem to portray any emotion throughout the film, such as Mary, who just looks bored throughout the entire film. My favorite part is when the play takes place, starring Joe, and is a complete success, due to its humor that made both the audience in the film and me laugh. My least favorite part is when Mary and her boyfriend are fighting and prevent Valerie and Doug from getting any sleep.
The film’s message is about realistic expectations and not overestimating your abilities. It also reminds us to be self-aware. Be forewarned that there are some references to adult concepts, mild nudity, language, and drinking.
I give The French Italian 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18. It will be available on VOD starting on October 28, 2025.
The French Italian
By Leo G. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 13
I enjoyed The French Italian because it has funny moments and quirky humor, but it is a bit slow at times.
The story follows a couple, Doug (Aristotle Athari) and Valerie (Catherine Cohen), as they carry out an elaborate plan to get back at an ex-neighbor, Mary (Chloe Cherry). Doug and Valerie feel forced to move from their amazing New York apartment because Mary and her boyfriend are so loud. To get back at them, they trick Mary into accepting a role in a play that Doug and Valerie write specifically to humiliate Mary.
Valerie’s character has funny moments at her job as she tries to hide the revenge plan from her boss and when she discovers that a friend helping her with the play is crazy. The movie gets quirkier as Valerie and Doug get increasingly obsessed with their play, which includes a human playing a pet dog and a huge talking karaoke machine. However, the movie is a bit slow at times because the characters talk a lot about the play and there is not a lot of action. For example, when Doug and Valerie run a marathon, they talk about the play the entire time.
In the end, I think Doug and Valerie are self-centered characters and it makes me question whether it is Mary’s fault that they move away. It might just be that Doug and Valerie only see things from their point of view.
The film’s message is that there are always two sides to a story.
I give The French Italian 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It will be released on demand on October 28, 2025.
In New York City’s most quickly gentrifying neighborhoods, a group of fearless residents, activists, and nonprofit attorneys fight corrupt landlords and developers for the basic human right to a home.
I like the documentary Slumlord Millionaire because it is extremely educational and highlights so many powerful voices. It is a powerful documentary about activism and many brave initiatives and individuals.
Landlords, especially for lower- and middle-class families, have so much power over their tenants. They constantly raise prices of housing, while the tenants’ income stays the same. A landlord determines what kind of conditions their tenants live in. This film explains that there are both good and corrupt landlords. The “good” landlords will have fair prices, showing their care for their tenants. The corrupt landlords will charge unfair prices to their tenants and not fix any damage in the apartment. The reason this is so impactful and important is because NYC is driven by the real estate industry. Most people in New York City have been housing insecure since after World War II. Housing costs have increased unfairly over the years. In fact, one-third of New Yorkers spend over fifty percent of their income on rent. Housing insecurity remains a big issue because, instead of helping people who already live in New York City, big companies are choosing to continue building apartments for middle to high class income people.
Grow is a tale of pumpkins, sabotage, and unlikely family bonds. A no-nonsense farmer living in the self-proclaimed ‘Pumpkin Capital of the World’ takes in her estranged niece Charlie. Charlie decides to enter the local pumpkin growing competition where she and the other pumpkin growers face fierce competition, sabotage and a genetically engineered rival. As she nurtures her pumpkin ‘Peter’ and watches him grow, so does her bond with the townsfolk, farm and her new way of life.
“It’s better to do the right thing than the easy thing.” Grow is a heartwarming story about a little girl’s dream to win a pumpkin-growing contest. With awesome tales of love, laughter, and the power of persistence, Grow encases Halloween magic with some sweet family elements to make it a blast for all ages.
While Halloween is often celebrated with a bunch of horror films and stories, Grow is a story about family connection and a sweet Halloween film for all ages. Grow is filled to the brim with great actors, like SAG-nominated Golda Roshuevul (Bridgerton), Nick Frost, who will play Rubeus Hagrid in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series, and Jeremy Swift (Higgins in Ted Lasso). It also includes new faces, like up-and-comer Priya-Rose Brookwell, who I predict we will see a lot more of after her first starring role here. As Charlie, she is a perfect example of persistence. She really thinks she will win, even in the face of countless unknowns.
The humor in this film is outstanding, with hilarious moments and awesome nods to other movies, like when a gruesomely stabbed pumpkin ends up in the owner’s bed in a nod to The Godfather. The set and costume designers have created bright, fun costumes and larger-than-life pumpkins that add vibrancy to the neutral background of the town and farm. Hats off to Director John McPhail for a non-scary Halloween movie that families can enjoy.
Grow is a wonderful film about family, friends, and loyalty. I like this movie because the lessons of keeping promises run deep. I also love this film because it kept me on my toes and I never knew what would happen next.
This film is phenomenal. It is wonderful in every aspect, from the setting to the writing and the acting. I love the setting because it made me feel as if I was really there. It is filmed in Scotland. The actors are phenomenal – my favorite character is Dianah Little because of how much patience she has no matter what happens. The background music enhances the film extremely well. It made me feel things I would not have felt otherwise. Going into the film I had very high expectations for it and it fulfilled all that I thought it would be.
The film is also directed very well, particularly by how relationships are shown between Charlie and Dianah Little. When they are separated, they do not feel whole. They have a very deep connection to each other. Polly’s and Dianah’s relationship is also worth noticing. They both are from the Little family, but Polly is popular and Dianah knows how to work hard. Many siblings will relate to this as we see one of them in the spotlight while the other works behind the scenes, without being noticed. We also see Charlie break a promise to her friends, family, and herself. She knows what she must do, but the question is, will she do it?
The Short Game follows Texas high school student Jeremy Avery, a golf prodigy vying for a prestigious college scholarship awarded to the winner of the State Championship, but his preparation and game are affected by family pressures related to his mother’s recovery from cancer and having to take care of his younger autistic brother Ethan. These challenges, along with the burden of carrying his team to State against an opponent who will do anything to win, force Jeremy to reconsider his priorities and see his brother’s savant-like gifts, which if embraced can create an unstoppable pair. On the brink of his greatest victory, Jeremy is forced to make a life-altering decision between finally realizing his own personal dreams or standing by his brother.
The Short Game is a heartwarming movie with great interpretation by incredible performances from the cast. It has a great message along with amazing character development from the protagonist and his relationship with his brother.
The character development in this movie is outstanding, especially with Jeremy. It feels completely realistic for the situation he is in, and I found myself easily understanding and liking his character. His change is paced very well; it never seems too fast. This is also enhanced by the great acting from both Ben Krieger and Owen Himfar, as Jeremy and Ethan. Himfar’s portrayal of Ethan is heartwarming; however, both he and Krieger portray their characters extremely well, and their chemistry adds so much to the story. They seem like actual brothers, which makes Jeremy feel believable and understanding. The cinematography, by Greg Matthews, is gorgeous, and I love that it’s shown through a teenager filming a documentary. That is so unique and adds to the realism of the story.
Another technical aspect I appreciate is the music, composed by Brandon Maahs, which adds emotion to the story. The story itself is wonderfully written and presents an amazing depiction of autism and how people view it.
FORE! If you think golf is a snoozefest, the film, The Short Game will definitely change your mind. In fact you don’t even have to love golf to enjoy this movie – you just have to care about people in general.
The performances in The Short Game are nothing less than excellent. Owen Himfar portrays the autistic brother, Ethan with depth and sincerity, capturing just how special he is. Ethan’s character brings a magical element to the film, keeping the audience on their toes. The heart of the film focuses on family, faith, and bonds. Jeremy’s friend, Tommy (Tyler Lofton), is a great example of a positive friend – he always encourages others, stays loyal, and shows his strong Christian faith throughout the movie. The golf course scenes are amazing, with huge open spaces and shiny sunlight that makes everything glow. Additionally, the out-of-this-world drone shots from above make it feel like a real adventure. My favorite part is when Ethan truly becomes a key element to Jeremy’s team.
I really like the film The Short Game because there is so much excitement and hard work going on in the film. It is super exciting to watch and learn what the movie is about. I also love how real it feels.
The theme of this film is very positive and the actors all deliver believable performances. Ben Krieger, as the protagonist Jeremy, gives a great performance; even his golfing looks realistic. The relationship between Jeremy and his brother Ethan is critical to the storyline. Initially, Jeremy is upset because he has to help care for his autistic brother, but then Jeremy and his friend Tommy (Tyler Lofton) are golfing and figure out how to involve Ethan in the game. Ethan’s super power is his insight into knowing which putter to use and things like that. The other relationship that is important is Jeremy’s relationship with his best friend Tommy; when Tommy dies unexpectedly in a motorcycle accident Jeremy is torn apart since his last words with him were unkind, but his mom helps him recall how much Tommy loved him and that helps him forgive himself. One of the things that stand out in this film is the golf course setting, especially at sunset. Community is important – I like how the characters all support the high school tournament. The costume designs stand out as they work very well for the film, especially the dress that Jeremy’s mom (Katherine Cunningham) wears, which is very pretty.
This summer, celebrate the joy and magic of summer camp and the importance of preserving what you love. Charlie Brown loves camp and is determined to make his final year special, but Sally – a first-time camper – is nervous and skeptical of the new and unfamiliar place. While everyone settles into camp, Snoopy and Woodstock discover a treasure map that takes them on a wild adventure nearby.
One word can sum up this musical film – adorable. It feels like it jumped right out of the comic strip, and onto the screen. It stays true to the special history of Peanuts and doesn’t deviate from the original characters.
This show has the remarkable feature of two separate adventures, one with Snoopy and Woodstock, and the other starring the kids at camp. These combine at the end of the feature, and the results are somehow both surprising and expected. Bright color is everywhere, and I love how the animation looks like a moving illustration, similar to other Snoopy Presents titles. My favorite element is the music, and how well it spotlights the different emotions of camp – excitement for the unknown, and yet the trepidation that comes with being unsure of what to expect, the happiness of old friends, and the sadness of leaving them for a year.
The idea of a time-honored summer camp is alive and well. Items like a picture wall and adventurous tales told by veteran campers capture the feeling that this place holds fond memories. It reminded me a lot of my childhood camp. It also does well explaining how these natural places are important to our well being, and must be protected.
The Bad Guys 2 is a 2025 American animated heist comedy film loosely based on the children’s book series The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey, produced by DreamWorks Animation. The sequel to The Bad Guys (2022), it was directed by Pierre Perifel, co-directed by JP Sans, and written by Yoni Brenner and Etan Cohen. The film stars Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Awkwafina, Zazie Beetz, Richard Ayoade, Lilly Singh, and Alex Borstein, reprising their roles from the first film, with Danielle Brooks, Maria Bakalova and Natasha Lyonne joining the cast. The film sees the Bad Guys come out of retirement and join forces with an all-female criminal squad to perform one last heist.
A Puppy’s Tale is a heartwarming picture book about the bond between a boy and his puppy as they grow up together. Their playful journey explores friendship, love, and the lifelong imprint a beloved pet can leave — even after they part.
The book, A Puppy’s Tale, is a heartfelt and adorable story with perfectly aligned illustrations.
They are gorgeous and immediately appeal to the eye. My favorite detail about this book is the little ways the illustrations portray Achilles and Evan growing up so they get older and older with every page. The character Evan is lovable and relatable as we see his struggles trying to fit in with his peers. Achilles seems to be the pup everyone needs in their life. At one point the book reads “After ruff days at school, my favorite thing is being your comfort.” This line shows the impact Achilles has on Evan’s life and includes an adorable and fitting pun. Although the ending is sad, it truly made me feel all the emotion and love written onto the pages.
Puppy’s Tale is heartfelt, has a sweet story line, and takes you through a wave of emotions. I think others would like it because it makes you feel warm inside. I think dog owners would connect to it. I also feel that readers will enjoy the lessons of loyalty and friendship.
As a dog lover I can relate to the characters. It is correct on what dogs like and don’t like. The vocabulary and concepts are perfect for its intended audience. They do introduce the topic of a dog dying, which may be sensitive to younger viewers. The cover is colorful and appealing. This story is genuinely entertaining and absolutely suitable for kids, whether they are dog lovers or not.
A Puppy’s Tale is filled with joy, sadness and hope. The illustrations, by Elena Ciolacu, are absolutely beautiful. They’re very detailed and, as the book develops, you really see both the dog and the boy get older gradually. The story is relatable.
It’s about a dog named Achilles and his owner, a boy named Evan, who are best friends and they do everything together. Every page is about something they do together – baking with mom on Saturday mornings, soccer, movie nights, trick-or-treating, catch, and so on. The one fault for me is that the beginning feels very rushed – the first page says: “the dog is lonely, the boy is lonely” and then the next page has them both waking up, determined to find a friend today and then, bam, they’re automatic besties. It happened so fast I got whiplash. I really love how descriptive the book is. Achilles tells us he doesn’t like going to the doggy doctor and then he explains why.
He loves watching Evan play soccer but doesn’t like it when he accidentally deflates the ball because then he doesn’t get a treat. There are some vocabulary words that might be challenging for kids – switching the word ‘rough’ with ‘ruff’, for example, is not a joke that everyone will get. The last few pages are about Achilles getting older and losing the ability to do all kinds of things and how Evan, now an adult, takes Achilles to the doctor where he has to be put to sleep. The book ends with Evan at Achilles’s grave and Achilles tells him saying that loss is a part of life and that he’s waiting for them to meet again. He says he’ll always be with Evan and that, though it hurts now, with time his heart will heal and that he can’t wait to meet again.
Wealthy businessman, Zsa-zsa Korda appoints his only daughter, a nun, as sole heir to his estate. As Korda embarks on a new enterprise, they soon become the target of scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists, and determined assassins.
Ella‘s story begins in Greece, she is the only child of Jack, an American singer-song writer and Despina, a Greek, zany, overprotective Gyros owner. Nick, Ella’s only friend, is a 10 year old shy, nerdy looking boy. Ella and Nick grow and their friendship turns into love but in 2010 the Greek economy collapses, Nick vanishes and Jack dies. Despina and Ella have to move overnight to America for their survival. Now Ella is a 27 years old late-bloomer, with zero love life, dreaming of becoming a singer, but Despina pressures her to take over the Gyros. During their daily fight, Despina drops dead of a heart attack only to returns as an intervening ghost, haunting Ella with unwanted advice and romantic guidance after Nick re-surfaces as a handsome doctor (and something of a playboy). In this supernatural heartwarming romantic comedy-drenched in Greek Drama – Ella will ultimately take control of her life. Find the meaning of true love and learn how to deal with the passing of her mother.
Greek Mothers Never Die is a comedic, warm-hearted movie. I really like this film and the way that it highlights the Greek experience. It’s over-the-top dramatic in such an exciting way!
I really enjoyed all the comedic aspects of this film. Getting to learn about the Greek mother-daughter relationship was really interesting to me. Seeing how overprotective Greek mothers are, yet so loving, and always putting their children first is so special. I could feel the energy and joy that this film created with the audience in the theater. For example, at one point, Despina is spying on Ella while she is interacting with a boy. This moment is quite funny, and something that people can easily relate too. Another standout is Rachel Suissa’s talent. Not only does she play the leading role of Despina, she also directed the film, wrote the script, and wrote most of the music. Her work ethic and quality of work is extremely impressive. Rachel’s passion and love for this project is so evident, and shines through as you watch the film.
The storyline was inspired by her own life, making everything feel very authentic. There certainly would be no better person to take on this project than her. Lastly, the chemistry and connection between Abby Miner, and Simon Rérolle, who plays Nick, is outstanding. These two actors work so well together, and you can feel the love they have for each other bouncing off the screen. I learned that they had very little time from meeting one another, to filming, which makes their connection even more incredible. It is almost natural — I found myself smiling at the screen because of their lovely admiration for one another. All of their moments on the boat dock are key to the development of their relationship, and establish such a genuine connection.
I like Star Trek: Section 31 because the actors seem like they were made for their roles, the costuming is incredible, and the CGI is realistic.
I particularly enjoyed the actors’ performances in this show – they each have an important role to play. For example, Kacey Rohl, who plays Rachel Garret, a member of Section 31, has brilliant facial expressions, the most common ones being arrogance, annoyance, and determination. Her facial expressions truly make the film seem as if it is happening right in front of us. Another notable performance is by Sam Richardson who plays Quasi, another member of Section 31, who has fantastic voice inflections expressing determination, comedy, and annoyance. These contribute to the believability of the film.
Another aspect that contributes to the believability of the film is the costuming. The costumes help us believe that there truly are parallel universes and different human-like species. Details like the color of a character’s eyes or a character’s skin tone show a different species as well as bigger differences. For example, Virgil (Augusto Bitter), a servant to Georgiou, is half white and half black body in his body design and his attire. The CGI also draws us into the movie. There are many various explosions created with CGI and they are very realistic. Following the explosions, fire flares up or when it damages a ship, there are flickering lights and sparks flying everywhere.The sound effects and the background music help enhance the mood of the film. For example, in a bar scene, the clever combination of footsteps in the background and the soundtrack make the scene feel like a true bar – lively and a little chaotic.
The show’s message is that, even when things go wrong, if you lean on others, you can get through it. Be aware that there are scenes showing suicide, cursing, violence, and death.
