Who didn’t fall in love with the Minions when we first saw them in Despicable Me? Now, they have a movie all of their own with the ever-so-talented Director Pierre Coffin voicing all 899 minions in this film. The story shows Stuart, Kevin and Bob being recruited by Scarlet Overkill, a super-villain who, alongside her inventor husband Herb, hatches a plot to take over the world. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Kayla P. comments, “Minions is a wonderful summer movie. It is filled with action and funny moments that will entertain many.” See her full review below.
Minions
By Kayla P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 13
Minions is a wonderful summer movie. It is filled with action and funny moments that will entertain many. It begins with a single yellow organism at the dawn of time, which evolves into minions. The Minions travel through different periods of time and encounter people from T-Rex to Napoleon. The minions exist to serve. When they find themselves without a leader they fall into depression. Kevin has a plan to help his Minion friends find a new leader. He convinces Bob and Stuart (Pierre Coffin) to accompany him as they search for a new boss. Soon their journey leads them to villain-con and they find themselves with the biggest, baddest and the world’s first female villain, Scarlet Overkill (Sandra Bullock).
My favorite part is when Bob is the King of England for a few hours and he has to make a speech. At the beginning of the speech he shouts, “King Bob!” and everyone starts to cheer for him. Then, he delivers his speech and, of course, he speaks in Minion-speak. Once Bob finishes his speech everyone is appalled and stands in complete silence. Bob then grabs the microphone and shouts, “King Bob”! Then everyone cheers. Bob sticks his hand out and drops the microphone and walks away.
My favorite character is Bob. He is very adorable and he is the baby of the group. Bob is frightened by the real world and tries hard to be brave for his Minion buddies. Bob has a little stuffed bear name Tim that he is very attached to. Whenever he is in a fight and drops Tim he runs back to get him.
The message of this movie is never give up! Throughout the movie the Minions are really determined to find themselves an evil villain to serve and when they do, they work hard to do whatever it takes to make their boss happy.
Minions is a wonderful movie! I recommend it for boys and girls ages 5 to 18-years-old. I give this movie 5 out of 5 golden stars. Minions opens in theaters July 10, 2015.
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Not all dogs are created equal. This story features a U.S. Marine dog that served in Afghanistan and suffers from post traumatic stress syndrome. When he returns to the U.S., he has issues not uncommon to humans who’ve experienced similar experiences. This original story will pull on the heart-strings of any animal lover. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Gerry O. comments, “Max is truly an inspirational adventure many will love and enjoy.”
Max
Reviewed by Gerry O., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13
This movie is about a marine who faces challenges on and off the battlefield. However, this marine is not a human. This marine is a dog, a dog that inspires many. Max is truly an inspirational adventure many will love and enjoy.
This movie is truly a thriller with a pinch of mystery, however in the form of an adventure that is full of dramatic scenes. There is action with a sparkle of romance spicing up the story as well. At the end, and at its core, it is an inspirational and heartwarming story.
Max starts off when a soldier named Kyle, his squad and his search dog Max are heading to a town in Afghanistan to do their mission. On the way there, they get ambushed and Kyle passes away. Max is traumatized and develops post dramatic stress disorder. The only person who seems to have a positive affect on Max different is Kyle’s younger brother. Soon the two bond and start an epic adventure that holds a answer to a mysterious question. If you want to know what it is you have to watch the film!
This film tells an original story and very nicely too. Actors of all species are wonderful in portraying their parts and showing all the varied emotions of those characters. The director makes the story unfold smoothly. I think that some parts of the film are a little bit stretched out. However, Max will make you laugh, cry, gasp and awe. It is a joy to watch.
My favorite scene is when Max and Kyle’s little brother, Justin are just starting to get to know each other. Justin brings Max to his group of friends and they race down the hill together. Justin quickly picks up speed and not only does Max easily follow but, he also guides Justin down a safe path. I like the scene because it’s really the first time that Max and Justin work as one and it shows the full range of skills that Max has.
This film is rather violent and also has some very mature scenes. The story itself is sad at times and it does contain a bit of gore and intense violence, so I recommend it for ages 11 to 18. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars. For even with its minor imperfections, the creators did a wonderful job showing a heartwarming and original story that generation after generation can be inspired by.
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On one day, in one city, the world comes together to grant one 5-year-old cancer patient his wish. Batkid Begins looks at the ‘why’ of this flash phenomenon. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Nathaniel B. comments, “ I loved this documentary film about a five-year-old boy, Miles Scott, who battled leukemia for half of his life and his wish to be a real super hero. “ See his full review below.
Batkid Begins
Nathaniel B. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 9
I just watched Batkid Begins. I loved this documentary film about a five-year-old boy, Miles Scott, who battled leukemia for half of his life and his wish to be a real super hero.
The Make-a-Wish Foundation helps kids whose childhoods have been affected with life-threatening diseases get a little part of their childhood back. They start planning his special day the same way they do all the time but, the event grew into a huge deal. They turned San Francisco into Gotham City and arranged for Batkid to fight fake villains and protect the people of the city. Miles is accompanied by an adult Batman who is Eric Johnson (EJ). He had worked with Make-a-Wish before, helping a young cancer survivor with his wish to make a computer game based on fighting cancer that he could send to his friends who were still battling the disease.
The organizers hoped to get about 200 people to come out to watch Batkid save the day but, because of social media, over 25,000 people come out and over 2 BILLION around the world got involved online – even President Obama! This would not have become such a big deal without social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Email and others).
The streets of Gotham City were packed and many people had signs they waived in the air and they waived and cheered for Batkid. The people in San Francisco were truly great and kind to the sick kids in the world.
To challenge Miles, they brought in super villains for him to fight and take to jail. He disabled the Riddler’s bomb and captured him. Then, he caught the Penguin, who was actually a friend EJ’s, his real name is Mike Jutan.
This heartwarming documentary film is a great story and features many people who wanted to help Miles become Batkid and stop being shy and be proud like a superhero. Director Dana Nachman used some comic strip animation to depict the real people and parts of the story. It looks really cool. I think this movie is good for all ages really but will recommend it for ages 7 to 15. I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars because sometimes it got a bit boring.
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This new Disney / Pixar film explores the bumpy road of pre-teens and the emotions they experience when growing up. Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwest life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco is guided by her emotions – Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness. The emotions live in Headquarters, the control center inside Riley’s mind, where they help advise her through everyday life. As Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to a new life in San Francisco, turmoil ensues in Headquarters. Although Joy, Riley’s main and most important emotion, tries to keep things positive, the emotions conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house and school. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Mia A. comments, “This animated movie is incredible! The animation is spot on. It is so detailed and life-like that sometimes, it made me forget that it is a cartoon and not real.” Tre’ana H. adds, “It captures some comedic moments and connects you to to your inner self. It makes you become more aware and in touch with your conscience.” See their full reviews below.
Inside Out
By Mia A., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13
This animated movie is incredible! This is one of my favorite Disney / Pixar movies. The story is about a young girl named Riley (Kaitlyn Dias) who moves from Minnesota to San Francisco with her family and how her emotions support and confuse her through the move. Amy Poehler as Joy, Bill Hader as Fear, Mindy Kaling as Disgust, Phyllis Smith as Sadness and Lewis Black as Anger are perfect for the roles. It gets the audience attached to her emotions.
The animation is spot on. It is so detailed and life-like that sometimes, it made me forget that it is a cartoon and not real. For instance, people say that memories can be kept in file cabinets in your brain. In this movie, they are kept in storage cabinets and it looks like what actually could be in our brains. Also, they introduce little characters that are very funny. In one part, they have a machine that makes imaginary boyfriends and the boyfriends say “I would die for you, Riley.”
We also meet Riley’s imaginary friend Bing Bong (Richard King) which many people get attached to. There are bittersweet scenes and also very funny scenes. Kids and adults in the theater teared up on some of the bittersweet scenes.
Many people might enjoy the movie because some of the emotions, characters and scenes have happened to you or you have felt the same things. That’s what makes it so relatable and realistic. In one scene, all the emotions are taking charge of a young Riley and they are reacting to her trying broccoli for the first time. During that scene, I was laughing and relating to what the emotions were saying.
This animation is very fascinating. I give it a five out of five stars because of all the funny and bittersweet moments. I recommend Inside Out for ages 3 to 18 because it has joy for younger kids to like it even though it does have some sad moments. I believe that adults will like it too. Remember to go watch this amazing film when it comes out in theaters June 19 because It is totally worth it.
Inside Out
By Tre’ana H., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11
Inside Out is a Disney / Pixar film that is filled with emotions tied up like a shoe lace. It captures some comedic moments and connects you to to your inner self. It makes you become more aware and in touch with your conscience.
The movie is about a girl named Riley (Kaitlyn Dias) who lives in Minnesota with her parents. Due to some circumstances, the family relocates to San Francisco. Riley starts to have different emotions going on throughout this tenacious move. She misses her friends; she is starting at a new school. Her emotions are all over the place. These five emotions in Riley’s brain are Joy (Amy Poehler), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Mindy Kaling) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith). These emotions play a very important role in her life and keep her balanced. When one is out of whack it definitely affects her mood. She goes through so many obstacles as a pre-teen which is very trying. I can relate because I am also eleven and I am very in touch with my emotions and pre-teen feelings. It touches on so many ideas that are realistic in my everyday life.
The director and writer Pete Docter does an outstanding job creating the visual effects of these animated characters and their emotions. The bright colors and costumes distinguish each emotion’s individuality. The pitch of their voice captivates and draws you into their character. Each emotion has a unique personality.
My favorite part of this movie is when Disgust says, “What does this button mean?” It is Puberty! I can relate because this is the next phase of my life that I am approaching.
I recommend this movie for ages 8 to 18 and I give it 4 out of 5 stars because it connects to an older audience even though it is targeted to a younger audience. I think younger children can see this, but the parent will have to give them some explanation after the movie. I really enjoyed it because I could relate to this movie. Inside Out comes out Friday, June 19, 2015. Go and check it out.
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This film follows high schooler Greg, who spends most of his time making parodies of classic movies with his co-worker Earl and finds his outlook forever altered after befriending a classmate who has just been diagnosed with cancer. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Raven D., comments, “This film is beautiful, truly a must see for not only teens, but adults as well. It is so refreshing. It’s very rare that I find a movie that depicts what it’s like to be a teenager and grow up in this day and age with such honesty and genuine emotion.” See her full review below. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Reviewed by Raven D., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is a brilliant new coming of age film that follows coworkers Greg and Earl through their senior year of high school. Their seemingly quiet and low key lives are altered forever after befriending a classmate who has been diagnosed with cancer. In this new age masterpiece, Greg, Earl and Rachel must navigate through the treacherous territories of high school and growing up while dealing with Rachel’s illness.
This film is beautiful, truly a must see for not only teens, but adults as well. It is so refreshing. It’s very rare that I find a movie that depicts what it’s like to be a teenager and grow up in this day and age with such honesty and genuine emotion. The movie is narrated by Greg, played by Thomas Mann, with his internal dialogue. I resonated with that so much. This is not your typical high school, coming of age movie. This is a raw, real film that will move just about anyone.
Director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon and cinematographer Chung Hoon-Chung do an extraordinary job with the visuals of this film and creating characters out of the locations and sets. The unique and creative stance taken with the shot sequences and camera angles is fascinating. There are many scenes that are one long continuous shot or filled with unique zooming and panning techniques. Every shot is captivating and draws you deeper into the film, making every aspect of the movie flow seamlessly and take on a personality of its own.
In this movie, Greg and Earl occupy most of their time by making parodies of classic and foreign films. In many scenes, we get to watch a few clips from their homemade movies and it is very interesting to see all of the different styles and filmmaking tactics they use. They experiment with puppetry, stop motion, live action and many other film styles. It is so cool to see all of these different techniques in one movie, making Me and Earl and the Dying Girl feel like a true ode to cinema.
The heavy subject matter of cancer, life and death is balanced by brilliant humor that will leave you laughing out loud. But, this film is definitely not a comedy. I found myself crying on multiple occasions. This film really makes me think about my life and the people that are in it. I think one of the best things about film is when it makes you think long after the credits have stopped rolling. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is one of those gems of a film that really leaves you asking questions and delving into your thoughts.
It’s difficult to pick my favorite character because the cast is so studded with insanely talented individuals. The three main characters – Greg, played by Thomas Mann, Earl, played by RJ Cyler and Rachel played by Olivia Cooke, all work together so flawlessly. Watching their relationship grow and develop over the course of the film is wonderful. Thomas Mann is an amazing actor and this film really shows off his talent. In most of his feature films he plays the goofy awkward teen and it’s never much of a serious character, but in this film you are able to see the variety he brings to the screen. I am a huge fan of Olivia Cooke, she stars in Bates Motel and The Signal which is one of my favorite movies, watching her in this very challenging roll is phenomenal. Her character development over the course of the film is so moving. She deals with her illness in such a raw and real way while gracefully accepting what she cannot change. This is RJ Cylers’ first feature film and he does a wonderful job. His character Earl provides quite a bit of comedic relief while also staying very real and grounded. Although he’s not one to talk up a storm, when he does speak he often delivers a powerful message. There are so many amazing supporting actors in this film that really tie everything together, but it would take me forever to go over all of them so I’ll move on.
I can’t say I have a favorite scene because as I said before, every shot and every scene is captivating. There isn’t a single moment when I am uninterested in what I am seeing. The brilliant use of color, lighting, movement and setting to convey emotion is truly remarkable and should be inspiration for filmmakers everywhere.
This film does feature a bit of mature language since it is centered around high schoolers who are not always known to have the cleanest mouths, but I don’t think the profanity is gratuitous or unnecessary. It keeps the film very real. This movie is heavy because of the topics of illness and death. It definitely brought most of the audience to tears, myself included. So be prepared to have your heart strings pulled. I recommend this film for ages 13 to 18 and highly suggest that adults watch it as well because I believe that people of many age groups can relate to the film and find it enjoyable.
I give Me and Earl and the Dying Girl 5 out of 5 stars, so make sure you check it out in theaters this summer!
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Who didn’t fall in love with the Minions when we first saw them in Despicable Me? Now, they have a movie all of their own with the ever-so-talented Director Pierre Coffin voicing all 899 minions in this film. The story shows Stuart, Kevin and Bob being recruited by Scarlet Overkill, a super-villain who, alongside her inventor husband Herb, hatches a plot to take over the world. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Kayla P. comments, “Minions is a wonderful summer movie. It is filled with action and funny moments that will entertain many.” See her full review below. 
