KIDS FIRST! News

This closing film to The Hunger Games trilogy shows Katniss Everdeen, the reluctant leader of the rebellion leading an army against President Snow. Her tragic journey finally comes to an end with this emotional finish. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Clayton P. comments, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 is surprisingly more creative and suspenseful than all the prior films in the franchise.” See his full review below.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2
Clayton P, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 is surprisingly more creative and suspenseful than all the prior films in the franchise. However, there are a couple of things about the film that are not fantastic. I don’t think that Jennifer Lawrence does a great job in this film. It seems as if she was asleep throughout the movie. This film again stars Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen and Josh Hucherson as Peeta Mellark. They are supported by Julianne Moore, Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland and Phillip Seymour Hoffman. The film is directed by Francis Lawrence, who directed all the Hunger Games films except the first.

This romantic drama follows an Irish immigrant who lands in 1950s Brooklyn where she quickly falls into a new romance. When her past catches up with her, however, she must choose between two countries and the lives that exist in each. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Mia A. comments, “Brooklyn is a romantic drama that I would watch again and again because of its heartfelt moments and the relationship between the characters. “ See her full review below.

Brooklyn
By Mia A, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

Brooklyn, directed by John Crowley, is a romantic drama that I would watch again and again because of its heartfelt moments and the relationship between the characters.

Brooklyn is about a girl named Eilis who lives in Ireland with her sister and mother and is going to America to find a better opportunity for work.  It is hard for her when she first moves to America because she grieves over leaving her family and is terribly homesick.  She falls madly in love in New York. Eilis returns to Ireland for a family crisis and she puts herself in a very complicated situation, making her wonder if she ever wants to leave Ireland again.

The acting in Brooklyn makes it realistic and a pleasure to watch.  The cast members are chosen very well and they play their parts with a lot of character and emotion.  My favorite character is Eilis, played by Irish American actress Saoirse Ronan.  She is a perfect Eilis because she is so believable which helps build the audience’s love for the story.  

I really felt the love between Tony and Eilis.  Tony, played by Emory Cohen, is sweet, funny, and sweeps Eilis off her feet when she is vulnerable and needing comfort the most.  Tony’s Italian heritage both attracts her and stretches her as a character.

The settings, scenery and costumes are appropriate for the time period of the 1950s and really captures the essence of what it life would have been like in Ireland and Brooklyn at that time.  The costumes are very realistic and transport the viewer to a different time and place.

My favorite scene is when two of her boarding school friends teach Eilis how to eat spaghetti properly in preparation for dinner with Tony’s Italian family.  This scene got many people in the audience laughing.

The moral to this story is that “home is home.”  We also see that home is where the heart is. Eilis loves both Ireland and America, and a gentleman in both places.  Which man and which home will she ultimately choose?

I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars for the beautiful romance and the amazing settings.  I recommend this for ages 13 to 18.  Parents should be aware that there is some bad language and there is a sex scene that they might not want their younger kids to watch.

If you are a romance lover or looking for a cinema vacation, aka “cinecation”, then Brooklyn is just right for you!  Check out this movie on November 4^th in theaters near you.

Five years ago, the world followed this tragic accident in an unknown small mining town in Chile where 33 miners were trapped 2000 feet below the surface. We have heard about this type of mining accident before but, what stood out here were the family members who never lost hope and set up camp near the mine to force the powers that be to pay attention and rescue their loved ones trapped below. We know how the story ends, how against all odds, after two months these miners emerged from their death trap. The miners were in the news again recently when they visited the Pope who celebrated the 5^th anniversary of their rescue. This film brings their story into perspective and makes you feel their pain. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Harmony M. comments, “Watching this film made me feel the pain of the miners, the anxiety of the families and the stress of the rescue team. I could personally feel the struggle from every side of the story.” Lainey A. adds, “This movie is so suspenseful because it connects the audience to the characters and I did not want to see any of them die.” See their full review below.
The 33

By Harmony M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

With its empowering story, visuals and acting, this film brings another true survival story to life. A group of thirty three gold miners go to work in the underlying mountains of Chile when their lives quickly turn upside down. Stranded by the collapse of the rocks, the men are forced to work together, struggle for food, stay optimistic despite their life threatening condition. With every second so crucial, the intensity of the film leaves the audience on the edge of their seats.

Watching this film made me feel the pain of the miners, the anxiety of the families and the stress of the rescue team. I could personally feel the struggle from every side of the story. This is an amazing aspect of the film, especially because it is based on a true story. What better way to gain awareness than to make individuals feel the experience for themselves. I felt like throwing up throughout the whole movie and that just shows how amazingly the filmmakers depicted this horrifyingly true story of the innocent men who were stranded and their struggle to survive.

The filmmakers have created a film that makes the audience feel as though they are experiencing the struggle rather than just watching it. I felt as if I was starving and becoming dehydrated just by watching. It’s what makes the movie feel so real.

The persuasive acting contributes to the empowering movie, especially Antonio Banderas whose performance as the leader, Mario was so believable. It’s a role completely different from what he usually plays and he made me believe he was a Chilean miner.

Usually films based on tragic events feel depressing but this film feels empowering and comedic in certain scenes. I enjoyed that.  

The film didn’t make the best impression at first but, it became very engaging and strong towards the end. I give a lot of credit to its great ending because, in my opinion, an ending can really make or break a movie.

I give the movie four out of five stars and recommend it for people between the ages of 13 and 18. Adults will enjoy it as well. Check this film out in theaters today.

The 33
By Lainey A., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

This live-action feature film directed by the Patricia Riggen is truly inspirational and I love it!  The 33 is based on the true story of the 2010 Chilean San Jose mine collapse and the 33 miners trapped 2,300 feet below ground.  This movie is so suspenseful because it connects the audience to the characters and I did not want to see any of them die. 

This movie taught me that you should be hopeful and not think the worst even when it seems hopeless.  The miners kept up hope that they are going to be rescued even though they only have 14 cans of tuna to split between them for an unknown period of time.  This film also shows the importance of team-work because, without it, they would  all perish.

Antonio Banderas really steps out of his typical roles and his rendition of Mario Sepulveda is truly outstanding!  He really transforms into a Chilean miner and he is a true leader among the miners.  Another stand out actor is Rodrigo Santoro who plays Laurence Golborne, Minister of Mining for the Chilean President. He is caring, loving and compassionate and does an outstanding job making me believe that he really cares about these men trapped in the mine.  He does everything in his power to make sure that the miners stay alive and pulls together mining teams from across the world to drill into the ground in hopes of saving the miners.  Josh Brolin plays the role of Jeff Hart, one of the miners sent from the U.S.A. who eventually succeeds in drilling a hole large enough to send in a body cage for the miners.

The target audience for this film is anyone who enjoys adventure and suspenseful movies.  I recommend this movie for ages 10 to 18 because this isn’t gory or a violent movie, but it is suspenseful.  This movie is good for kids because it makes you learn what the lifestyle of a miner in Chile is like. Everyday, they face life or death situations such as this one.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars because it made me feel like I was there every step of the way.  As the miners said, “All we have is family.”  The love of family, teamwork and hope brought these 33 men back from the depths of despair.  You will be cheering from your seat! Come see this outstanding film when it opens nationwide on November 14! 

The message of this film is DO NOT let anything come in the way of you completing your mission. In the movie, there are a few who know they are not going to live to complete their mission. However, they did not let death stop them from completing it. They are able to set up a plan to have the mission completed by someone else so the job still gets done which also proves no one is an island and we all need help to accomplish our goals. 

My favorite scene is when James is protecting Madeline while she is sleeping and he is half awake. A rat appears in the dark. He takes out his gun and says to the rat, “Who are you and who sent you?” He does not realize that he is talking to a rat the whole time.

My favorite character is Madeline Swann (Lea Seydoux) because she’s really cool. She is extremely smart, well trained and very quick.  She is the perfect wing woman!

I highly recommend this movie for boy’s ages 14 to 18 as well as girls who like action filled movies. I give this film 4.5 shinning stars. Spectre opens in theaters November 6, 2015.

Spectre
By Miles T, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10

The new James Bond movie, Spectre, is an interesting and exciting film, but might be a bit too scary for most kids under thirteen. In fact, one of the scenes was so scary that I’m not even going to write about it! The movie begins with an amazing action scene where James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, gets a ring with a symbol on it from a bad guy. This ring and this symbol becomes the mystery that James Bond has to solve.

I have been told that the title sequel is typical of a James Bond movie, but other parts of the film may not be appropriate for kids under thirteen. The title sequence contained animation, partially naked women and octopus; it was pretty strange.

The main plot involves James Bond trying to track down a mysterious and deadly organization. He is trying to piece together what the organization is really up to. Discovering how all of the people and events are connected from his present and his past are vital in cracking the mystery. Like most James Bond movies, it takes place in many exotic locations and several languages are spoken. There are some subtitles in parts which add a special element as well.

The movie is action packed and full of fight and chase scenes. The special effects are very good but I got annoyed during the action-packed scenes. In almost every fight scene there were so many quick cuts that I couldn’t follow the action, everything was like a white blur.

I read that this is the second-most expensive movie ever made. Spectre has many special effects including lots of explosions, stunt doubles, special makeup and wires. Spectre ended up spending over 300 million dollars making this film. Unfortunately, there are many other movies that are just as good with only half as much of a budget.

Spectre is two and a half hours long and there were several times I thought the movie might end, but it kept going. The music is very suspenseful, which is one of the main reasons it is so scary. The sound effects are also very realistic, but they were almost too loud which amplifies how scary the movie is.

I rate this movie 3.5 out of 5 stars, mainly because it was so scary. I would recommend this for ages 13+ due to the amount of violence and the nudity in the title sequence. I think that adults would definitely like it more than kids.

Whether you grew up reading Peanuts in the Sunday comics or watched the Peanuts Specials on TV, you will know the names of these iconic characters – Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus… This film brings the entire Peanuts gang to the big screen in state of the art 3D animation. Charlie Brown, the world’s most beloved underdog, embarks upon an epic and heroic quest, while his best pal, the lovable beagle Snoopy, takes to the skies to pursue his arch-nemesis, the Red Baron. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Gerry O. comments, “The Peanuts Movie has a lot to offer. It’s funny, lighthearted and has a great message to share. In addition, the creators worked in a few surprises that will captivate new viewers and bring back childhood memories for adults..” Mia A. adds, “The moral to this film is,  “if you see yourself as a winner or a loser in life, you are probably going to act like one. If you think you are a winner, act like one and others might think so too.” Brandon wraps it up with, “Visually, the world in The Peanuts Movie is stunning. The hair detail is the one thing that really stands out to me, maybe not hair movement but the detail.” See their full reviews below.

The Peanuts Movie

By Mia A., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

I really enjoy The Peanuts Movie. It reminds me of the classic Charlie Brown movies, but even better!  Even though the Peanuts creator, Charles M. Schulz passed away in 2000, this movie is a tribute to his memory and the legacy that he left behind.

While the members of the Peanuts Gang look and act like their loveable selves, there are many updates to this film.  The animation is much more detailed than the previous movies and viewers are able to watch it in 3D.  There are many new upbeat songs in addition to the much loved tunes.  “Better When I’m Dancin’” by Meghan Trainor is a great addition to the original songs.

The Peanuts Movie is about Charlie Brown trying to break his losing streak so the little Red Haired Girl (voiced by Disney’s Francesca Capaldi) will view him differently than his friends do.  He tries to change his luck in a dance contest, a talent show, flying a kite and writing a book report.  Also, Snoopy tries to defeat the Red Baron in order to win the love of his life Fi Fi, voiced by Kristen Chenoweth.

My favorite character is Snoopy because he is very funny. His story is well written and filled with love, comedy and adventure.  Some of the funniest characters are Lucy, Sally, Snoopy and Woodstock.  They got great laughs from the audience including kids as young as three. All the voice talent perfectly suits their characters.  Fans of Linus, Schroeder, Pig Pen, Peppermint Patty and all the others will not be disappointed.

The moral to this film is,  “if you see yourself as a winner or a loser in life, you are probably going to act like one. If you think you are a winner, act like one and others might think so too.”

I rate The Peanuts Movie 5 out of 5 stars because of the colorful animation and it being true to the original Peanuts Gang.  I recommend this movie for ages 3 to 15 or any people who have enjoyed the other Peanuts movies.  At the end of this film there is a 3 second clip.  The credits are very long so be sure to stick around until the end.  You may love it!

The Peanuts Movie opens on November 6^th in theaters nationwide.

The Peanuts Movie
By Gerry Orz, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 13

Many kids today have never heard about the Peanuts Gang and some don’t even know who Charlie Brown and Snoopy are. Well, that’s about to change! So many children will have the opportunity to discover characters that their parents grew up with. That’s right! The Peanuts Gang are back and they are stronger than ever!

The Peanuts Movie has a lot to offer. It’s funny, lighthearted and has a great message to share. In addition, the creators worked in a few surprises that will captivate new viewers and bring back childhood memories for adults, keeping the whole audience entertained.

The story is about a well-known Peanut named Charlie Brown and his interactions during a new school year. Although Charlie is always running into bad luck, he still remains good old Charlie Brown. Always doing the right thing and never giving up is what Charlie Brown is all about. Even when he hits a moment of good luck, Charlie remains the same endearing character everyone has grown to love.

This story is beautiful, colorful, and the animation is unique. Even though it is based on familiar characters, the story itself is original and prepared so well. Director Steve Martino manages to make use of  modern technology and CGI to makes the Peanut’s world 3D while keeping the feel of the original comics. The son and grandson of the Peanuts creator Charles Schultz are the screenwriters of this story. There’s no question of whether or not you can feel how much love and affection is put into every line and every scene. It jumps off the screen.

My favorite scene is when Charlie Brown is trying to impress his object of affection. He decides to learn how to dance for a school competition. As he starts, his friend Snoopy comes in and starts dancing to Latin tunes. This comical scene shows the bond that Charlie and his dog have like no other. Viewers can’t help but hold their breath to see if they will succeed and Charlie Brown becomes the best dancer.

This film is very child friendly! I recommend it for ages 4 to 18. Younger kids will enjoy the colors and catchy music but may not completely understand the story. I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars for an engaging story line and a successful effort to bring the beloved Peanuts Gang back to us.

The Peanuts Movie
By Brandon C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

The Peanuts Movie is mildly entertaining…yeah! This movie follows Charlie Brown, voiced by Noah Schnapp and the gang through fun times and adventures. The story itself revolves around Charlie Brown’s obsession over the Little Red-Haired Girl, voiced by Francesca Capaldi.

Everyone’s favorite characters are on full display in this cute movie, featuring Snoopy, Linus, Patty, Lucy and many more. Everyone gets their big quote or line, which is great for older fans yet still funny to younger ones. As a fan of the Peanuts comics, I believe director Steve Martino does every character justice and stays true to every character’s funny quirks and qualities.

Visually, the world in The Peanuts Movie is stunning. The hair detail is the one thing that really stands out to me, maybe not hair movement but the detail. The audio is very clear. However, the musical score could use some improvement.

I was going to give this film 4 out of 5 Woodstocks because it is a fun, cute movie. However, I got slightly bored towards the end. Everything carries on just a bit too much. The characters  get a bit old. So, I’ll admit it. I took a nap. Now, I did not completely doze off. But, I just was not feeling it.

The Peanuts Movie has a very wide appeal, as the film contains slapstick comedy for the kids and great, funny dialogue for parents and older fans. Because the movie got a bit boring towards the end, I give The Peanuts Movie a reluctant 3 out of 5 Woodstocks for its great dialogue and funny moments. If only the movie was a bit shorter, I would have probably given it 4 out of 5 Woodstocks.