Your favorite cat and mouse are back with song, sorcery, and slapstick in this enchanted tale. The adventure begins when Tom and Jerry happen upon a mysterious glowing egg. Little do they know, this egg was stolen from a very large fire-breathing dragon! In a short time, baby Puffy hatches from his egg and chooses Tom as his mommy. The angry mama dragon wants her baby, but she’s not the only one…a powerful witch named Drizelda captures the baby dragon for her own wicked plans! With the help of powerful allies and animal friends, Tom and Jerry fight tooth and claw to stop the witch and get the baby dragon back to his mother. The action takes flight in a climactic ending filled with might, magic and cartoon mayhem, of course! KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Gerry Orz comments, “This is a story with a lot packed in it – adventure to start with covered in Tom and Jerry classic humor, with a sprinkle of thrills and all topped with family wrapped in one huge delicious story sandwich.” See his full review below.
Tom And Jerry: The Lost Dragon
Reviewed by Gerry O., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12
This is a classic Tom and Jerry film with all the goodness included! I thought Tom and Jerry would find a lost dragon in their normal house, but no! Tom And Jerry: The Lost Dragon is a hilarious family friendly adventure with a lot of unexpected turns.
This is a story with a lot packed in it – adventure to start with covered in Tom and Jerry classic humor, with a sprinkle of thrilling and all topped with family wrapped in one huge delicious story sandwich.
The story begins with a girl who owns an animal-care shop but, it is going out of business. Then, they find a dragon egg and a whole bunch of stuff happens including the girl facing her evil Aunty Witch! Of course, the girl’s two little helpers are a cat named Tom and a mouse named Jerry!
What a fantastic Tom and Jerry film! This has everything right about it. Tom and Jerry don’t talk, but imitate talking. The slapstick humor makes you crack up throughout the entire film and much, much more! They cover all of it! The voices of the talking characters are fantastic and they also make it so that Tom and Jerry are very close to main characters but are not in every scene. I like this because it lets the story develop much smoother and takes it much further.
My favorite scene is probably in the very beginning when Jerry is awake and running around doing chores while Tom is lazily chilling on his pillow not doing anything – the classic Tom and Jerry scene. As usual, Jerry gets upset and teaches Tom a lesson. I love it because it’s such a classic moment for these favorite characters.
This film is extremely family friendly. Even kids who don’t understand the characters will enjoy the bright colors, so a good age rating is 4 to18. I also give it 5 out of 5 stars for just an overall fantastic Tom and Jerry adventure.
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Opening last weekend, this film received rave reviews from our teen film critics. The story involves a teen who is deposited into a community of boys with no memory of his past save his own name. The world he is deposited to is comprised of 60 teen boys who have learned to survive in this completely closed-off environment, subsisting on their own agriculture and supplies. The original group has been in “The Glade” for two years, have tried to escape and have, for the most part, given up hope. Their world begins to change with the latest boy and then, the first girl arriving. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Raven D, age 17, comments, “It kept me on the edge of my seat and made me hold my breath during the intense situations, and I love when a film gets me so involved, but that may be too much for some to handle.” Willie J adds, “Using the element of surprise and leaving unanswered questions, this film proves to be a very formidable mystery, action-thriller.” See their full reviews below.
The Maze Runner
Reviewed by Raven D.
The Maze Runner is an action packed, visually stunning new film that made hold my breath and kept me on the edge of my seat till the very end. The Maze Runner tells the story of Thomas, played by Dylan O’Brien, who wakes up in a giant crate with no memory of his passed. He is taken to “The Glade,” a place full of boys who were taken and had their memories erased as well. Thomas soon learns that they are trapped in a giant maze, and once you’re stuck inside, you never make it out alive. Everything begins to change when a girl is brought to the Glade and so Thomas decides it is time to face the maze and find the whole truth about the people who placed them there. But the truth they find might be even more horrible than the maze itself.
I absolutely love this film. It is so intense and visually stunning. It kept me on the edge of my seat and made my heart race through the entire the film. Every time Thomas is inside the maze, I felt as if I was there with him, running for my life. But this isn’t just an adrenaline packed adventure. The Maze Runner also moved me to tears and made me think about the way we can work together when we are truly faced with a challenge. The visuals are incredible as well. The maze is so complex and ever changing and it’s so cool to be able to “explore” it in a sense and see all of the detail put into the CGI.
The entire cast is incredible. All the characters are so unique and have their own personality and quirks, but they work together in such a seamless way. My favorite character is Thomas played by Dylan O’Brien. He is the main character in this film and really makes the whole thing come to life. The boys that live in the Glade have been there for three years and, of course, they have tried to find a way out. But, most of them have essentially decided that they will live out the rest of their days there. When Thomas shows up, he tests the system and refuses to accept his fate of being stuck in the maze. I admire his character because he thinks outside of the box and finds his own way. He looks past his fear and is a strong leader despite the doubts people may have in him.
It’s been very interesting seeing the theme of films that have been coming out recently. Hunger Games, Divergent, Enders Game, The Giver and now The Maze Runner all have something in common. They tell the story of young adults, children really, who have to group together and take on some very serious situations, sometimes things even adults can’t handle. It shows youth questioning authority, standing up for what’s right and making their own way. These strong themes send out a message of empowerment to the youth of our generation, but this can also be a bit overwhelming. I know it’s difficult watching adults fight for their lives, kill and be killed, and have their worlds torn apart. But it’s even more shocking to see children go through these trials.
Because of this, I recommend The Maze Runner for ages 13+ because of the intense situations and violence. It kept me on the edge of my seat and made me hold my breath during the intense situations, and I love when a film gets me so involved, but that may be too much for some to handle. I give The Maze Runner 5 out of 5 stars and can’t wait to see it again. Catch it in theaters near you now!
The Maze Runner
Willie J., age 15, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic
In a generation where the “teenagers face adversity in a dystopian future” is the popular piece of entertainment, The Maze Runner is a refreshing entry. Using the element of surprise and leaving unanswered questions, this film proves to be a very formidable mystery, action-thriller.
The acting in this film isn’t much different than many other films with teen or child ensembles. They give good performances and they all come off as veterans, especially Blake Cooper (Chuck) who, in only his second feature film, seems like he’s been acting on-screen for years. I found him very impressive. The leading performance by Dylan O’Brian is also very good but, is limited to his rather conventional and predictable character. The most impressive performance in the cast comes from Will Poulter who plays Gally. His performance earlier this cinematic season in The Giver was also impressive and his performance in We’re the Millers was hilarious so, he is really showing his range. His character is wonderfully written and wonderfully portrayed, so props to him.
The visual effects in the film are also quiet amazing. Enrique Chediak, whose beautiful cinematography was at its best in 127 Hours, gives this film a very crisp look. He doesn’t over do his shot composition nor does he try to give unnecessary landscape shots. He lets the beauty of the film come from the special effects, which is a smart move (although there are some genuinely stunning shots). The seemingly effortless movement of giant set pieces is a testament to the great work of the visual effects team.
But, the best aspect of this film is the writing. The secret this film has is what Alfred Hitchcock famously called the “MacGuffin.” It is a plot device that the main protagonist pursues with little or no explanation. This film starts with a boy entering the world but we don’t know why. We get to the middle of the film and we still don’t know why these kids are isolated, who is keeping them there or how big their obstacle is and what stakes are attached. Usually, in a movie of this kind, those questions are all answered in the exposition of the film. Even when this film ends, we are still uncertain about why what we just saw happened. What is the motivation and who is behind it? Then, in a wonderful plot twist we leave with questions that only a next installment can answer or maybe not.
This is the rare case of a film that makes us WISH FOR a sequel not because more books were written and a bunch of producers feel the need to adapt every book in series, but because we are generally interested in what happens next. That is why I give this film 4 out of 5 stars. I recommend it for anyone age 14 and up, as it is a little bloodier and more profane than your average pg-13 thriller.
The Maze Runner is a tense, suspenseful mystery thriller, that keeps you asking and on the edge of your seat.
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Innocence is a thrilling new film based on the best selling novel by Jane Mendelsohn. After her mother dies unexpectedly, 16-year-old Beckett moves to the city with her father to get a fresh start. When she begins attending a prestigious preparatory school, Beckett becomes consumed by the past as a string of mysterious suicides unfold at Hamilton Prep and Beckett is determined to get to the bottom of it before this mystery claims another life, or even worse, her own.
Innocence
Reviewed by Raven Devanney
I really enjoyed this film. Director Hilary Brougher creates a suspenseful, psychological teen thriller while also keeping it very grounded and real. I love the cinematography. It’s dark and overcast, which is my favorite type of weather and the rainy feel of the film adds an eerie element of fear. The sound effects are also a huge part of the thrill and suspense. From attention grabbing bass to shrill and off-putting violin notes, the musical score and sound effects gave me chills and captivated me from the very beginning.
My favorite character is Beckett played by Sophie Curtis. She goes through so much over the course of the film and does a wonderful job of subtly showing what she’s going through. She’s in shock from watching her mother die, then she is trying to fit into a new home and a new school, and on top of that she witnesses a suicide and begins hallucinating and hearing voices! As if that is not enough to make someone lose their mind, I don’t know what is. She is very closed off and doesn’t want to speak out about what she’s going through, but you can still sense her inner turmoil. She is very relatable and unique from most leading ladies you might find in teen films. Not all of us can be bubbly and confident all the time. Beckett shows the shy, quiet side of young girls, but also proves that she has the power to take on whatever comes her way.
I recommend this film for ages 14 to 18. It is definitely in the horror/thriller category and will scare younger kids, plus it has mild language and sexual situations. I give Innocence 4 out of 5 stars. This film opens in theaters on Sept 19.
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My Little Pony, Friendship is Magic: Spooktacular Pony Tales is a sure hit with fans of the franchise. It’s collection of spooky tales includes Boast Busters, Stare Master, Luna Eclipsed, Sleepless in Ponyville, Castle Mane-ia and Bats! And, there’s a sing-along. Your younger kids, as well as older fans will find this collection a charming addition to fall and Halloween stories. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Kendyl P (age 12) comments, “This series is a Halloween/spooky edition, but don’t worry it is not scary at all, but there are a few really great lessons in each series. ” See her full review below.
My Little Pony Friendship is Magic: Spooktacular Pony Tales
By Kendyl P.l, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12 Video review here:
My Little Pony Friendship is Magic: Spooktacular Pony Tales is a clever and amusing collection. This exciting and adventurous DVD is comprised of six episodes and a bonus sing-along. When you watch this DVD it surely makes you smile with great delight.
This series is a Halloween/spooky edition, but don’t worry it is not scary at all, but there are a few really great lessons in each series.
My favorite episode is Boast Buster. It is really interesting and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The Boast Buster episode teaches you a really impressive lesson, which is do not boast or brag instead remain humble. If you have a special talent or, if you learned how to do a really cool trick, do not use your talent to make others feel bad. Another lesson you will glean from this particular episode is to have an admirable spirit and use your special talents for good and not just to show off or brag that you are better than others.
My favorite character is Apple Jack, who is very enthusiastic, gracious and good-natured. Everyone loves her. She has a very unique southern accent that brings a new style to the My Little Pony series.
The voiceover actors Tara Strong, Ashleigh Ball and Andréa Libman are simply stupendous at making each pony unique and special.
My Little Pony, Friendship is Magic: Spooktacular Pony Tales is definitely an entertaining series that you will not want to miss. I recommend this DVD series for ages 5 to 12, probably more to girls than boys but, who knows. And, I give it 5 out of 5 shining stars. This DVD will be in stores September 9, 2014 so go check it out.
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In this sequel to the popular film, Dolphin Tale which follows the rescue and recovery of the beloved dolphin Winter, young Sawyer Nelson and the dedicated team at the Clearwater Marine Hospital face another crisis when her surrogate mother, the elderly Panama, passes away. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Katherine S. comments, “I love this film! It is a fun and heartwarming movie that I think families will love too.” Samantha A., age 11 adds, “Dolphin Tail 2 is a movie based on a true story that teaches you about friendship, to NEVER give up and ALWAYS HAVE HOPE – literally. See their full reviews and Gerry O’s coverage from the World Premiere below.
Dolphin Tale 2
By Katherine S, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 9
I love this film! It is a fun and heartwarming movie that I think families will love too. It is a sequel to the original film Dolphin Tale, where Winter, a stranded dolphin was injured and a team of people care for and give her a prosthetic tail. It is now three years later and Nathan Gamble and Cozi Zuehlsdorff return as Sawyer and Hazel along with star studded cast of Morgan Freeman as the Doctor, Ashley Judd as Hazel’s mom, Harry Connick Jr. and Kris Kristoferson as Sawyer’s dad and grandfather. This time, Winter’s mother dies and the team needs to find her a new companion or they will lose her to another aquarium. Soon, they get a call about a new dolphin they are thinking of putting her with. Now the question is will it work out?
Sawyer is also faced with an opportunity of a lifetime, but he struggles with the decision to stay and care for Winter or, go on a new adventure.
My favorite part is when Sawyer swims in the tank with Winter and the real Bethanie Hamilton, who quest appears as herself. I also love when they rescue Mandy, another hurt dolphin and potential companion for Winter. And, the Pelican provides great comic relief – it is especially funny when they are x-raying a rescued sea turtle and the pelican goes crazy!
My favorite character is Sawyer who does an amazing job in this film, showing a range of emotions – looking worried, happy and confused as he faces tough decisions for Winter and for his future.
The sets in the film are spectacular – at both the ocean and inside the aquarium. The Cinematography by Daryn Okada is awesome, especially the underwater photography.
One of the main messages in this film is “to never give up.” Another is that “Change is good. But, to experience new things, sometimes you have to leave old things behind.”
Dolphin Tale 2 is a great family film. I recommend it for both boys and girls ages 6 to 18 but, adults will love it too because, who doesn’t love dolphins? I rate this 5 out of 5 stars.
Be sure to check out Dolphin Tale 2 which will be in theaters nationwide on September 12. Reviewed by Katherine Starr, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 9.
Reviewed by Samantha A, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11Dolphin Tail 2 is a movie based on a true story that teaches you about friendship, to never give up and always have hope – literally. In this sequel to the first movie, Dolphin Tale, the Clearwater Rescue Team bands together because of a tragedy that involved the death of Winter’s best friend Panama, which leaves Winter without the only pool mate she has ever known. Winter goes in deep depression and the clock is ticking. They need to pair Winter with another dolphin fast.
Dolphin Tale 2 is one of those movies that might not catch your eye because it doesn’t appeal to you, or it just doesn’t look like much but trust me, I thought the same thing and this movie changed my mind fast. It’s one of my favorite movies now because it’s so much more than just an average movie about a dolphin that needs help. It’s also an educational, feel-good movie. And, it has messages about companionship and love, about never giving up and about exploring new possibilities. This movie is not only fantastic, it is also hilarious, mostly because of a crazy pelican that flies in and out of the aquarium and does unpredictable and wild things. For example, it steals food from unsuspecting visitors and stands guard over a wounded turtle that was found in wrapped in fishing line.
I was really excited to see Dolphin Tale 2 because the first one was so good. It is really fun seeing what happened to Winter and everybody at Clearwater Aquarium. This movie isn’t just heartwarming and fun, it is also such an emotional roller coaster when something unexpected happens (which is often). My eyes were glued to the screen. I learned that dolphins have feelings to and, as Sawyer says “That’s not a bad thing”.
Dolphin Tale 2 is a phenomenal film. I would give it 4 out of 5 golden stars and recommend it for ages 7 to 18 because some scenes are a little mature and might be scary for any kids under 7.
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Your favorite cat and mouse are back with song, sorcery, and slapstick in this enchanted tale. The adventure begins when Tom and Jerry happen upon a mysterious glowing egg. Little do they know, this egg was stolen from a very large fire-breathing dragon! In a short time, baby Puffy hatches from his egg and chooses Tom as his mommy. The angry mama dragon wants her baby, but she’s not the only one…a powerful witch named Drizelda captures the baby dragon for her own wicked plans! With the help of powerful allies and animal friends, Tom and Jerry fight tooth and claw to stop the witch and get the baby dragon back to his mother. The action takes flight in a climactic ending filled with might, magic and cartoon mayhem, of course! KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Gerry Orz comments, “This is a story with a lot packed in it – adventure to start with covered in Tom and Jerry classic humor, with a sprinkle of thrills and all topped with family wrapped in one huge delicious story sandwich.” See his full review below.
