KIDS FIRST! News

Long awaited, The Croods hits theaters nationally on March 22, 2013. KIDS FIRST! Film Critics catch a first look at this film and found it to be a funny and emotional family friendly film. Cheyenne Nguyen, age 9, says it “made me laugh, think, cry and laugh again.”

The Croods

Reveiwed by Cheyenne Nguyen

Click here to see Cheyenne’s full video review!

This movie is about a family adventure that gave me tears and joy.

A caveman and his family are forced to change because the earth is changing. The Croods are the last prehistoric family left to fend for themselves against the animals and elements. Everyone in the family goes by the simple rule “Fear keeps us Alive.” The family hunts for food, including the super hyper 4-year-old Sandy.

Grug (Nicolas Cage) is the father and his job is to take care and protect his family. Eep (Emma Stone) is the teenage daughter who always wants to be free to roam around. One day she sneaks out at night to follow the light and meets Guy (Ryan Reynolds) who is really skinny and super smart. Guy will forever change the Croods’ lives.

The plot in this movie made me laugh, think, cry and laugh again. I like the way they make Eep look like a normal healthy girl instead of a skinny princess-like girly look. They make Guy a super skinny dude who needs belt to hold up his pants. My favorite part of the movie is when the family escapes from danger – Grug always counts and makes sure everybody is safe. He likes to stop at 4 but Gran always come out alive as number 5.

The special effects in this movie are so great. You can see the landscape, rocks and lava as if they are real. The 3-D effects makes everything so close that you want to reach out your hands to touch it.

The cinematography shows how beautiful the earth is. It is filled with rocks, beautiful bright flowers, lush jungle, bright stars and the sun. There are so many different animals in this movie. All the animals are so detailed with colors, feathers, stripes and they are all so cute, even the dangerous ones.

The only part I did not like is when the creatures are trying to catch the family for food. This part with 3-D effects seems too real with all the sharp teeth and claws. I was so scared when the claws come out so sharp and so close to you.

The message in this movie is to face fear and accept changes.

My favorite character is Sandy. She is a hyperactive creature in this very cute baby body. She’s a great hunter and so cute.

I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 18.

If you missed Chasing Mavericks when it was recently in the theater, or just can’t get enough of those awesome surfing scenes, you are in luck. Released to DVD and Blu-ray on February 26, 2013 by Twentieth Century Fox, you can now bring the excitement and inspiration – not to mention a bit of the beach – to your own living room!

Enter our KIDS FIRST! Critics Go Local Campaign, by submitting your review of Chasing Mavericks and win free movie tickets or a free skin for your favorite mobile device. Go here for details.

Chasing Mavericks

Reviewed by Cheyenne Nguyen

Click here to see Cheyenne’s full video review!

This movie is based on a true story that will inspire the audience. Jay Moriarity (Jonny Weston) is raised by a single mom (Elizabeth Shue) who is never around. He almost died of drowning when he was younger and Frosty Hesson (the local surfing legend) saved him.

Since that day, Jay follows Frosty Hesson (Gerard Butler) and notices that Frosty often goes out very early in the morning. One day, Jay follow Frosty to see what he’s doing out so early in the morning. On this trip Jay discovers the secret place where some of the local surfer legends surf. Frosty tells him that the biggest wave will come to this spot one day. He asks Frosty to help him train to ride the biggest waves. During the training process many life events happen and it turns out that Jay is helping Frosty as much as Frosty is helping him. They build a father and son bond.

This movie has so many different emotions. There are the relationships between a Jay and his mom, Jay and his first crush, Jay and his best friend and Jay and his father-figure neighbor. There is so much awesome footage of the waves and the surfing culture that the audience can really enjoy watching while learning. The music is so perfect for all the scenes, especially with the skateboarders and surfers. The sceneries of the 80’s and the small town lifestyle is awesome to see. The special effects in this movie are above average. The big wipe out captured is like no other picture I’ve seen.

The message in this movie is never give up. Sometimes it is so much work to achieve your goals, but if you practice everyday, you will be better than yesterday. My favorite characters are Jay and Frosty. Jay is so friendly and never hold grudges; he always forgives. Frosty is a great surfer with a big heart.

I rank this movie 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend this for ages 7 and up.

Listen to the KIDS FIRST! Coming Attractions Radio Show on Voice America Kids. Airing soon, our film critics interview the real Frosty Hesson,  who is played by Gerard Butler in the film.

Take heart DC Comics and Graphic Novel fans, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 is out on DVD and Blu-ray. Released on January 29, 2013, this graphic and violent PG-13 film packs a real punch with its realistic animation style and twists on the classic Batman theme. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Juliana Noone, who doesn’t much care for violent films, found herself on the edge of her seat, “intrigued to continue watching.”

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2

Reviewed by Julianna Noone

Click here to see Julianna’s full video review!

Mark Twain once said, “Everyone is a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody.” Well, this rings true in the animated move, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 which is adapted from the graphic novel written by Frank Miller. Let me just say, this film is very graphic and mature in its presentation. This film has voice overs by Arielle Winter as Robin, Michael Emerson as The Joker, Mark Valley as Superman and Peter Weller as Batman.

This film is about Batman’s return from his self-imposed exile and how he is forced to deal with the Joker and his robot children. He also must face his greatest opponent yet, Superman himself. This film picks up where part 1 left off and Gotham City is in very dark time where crime is rampant and the city is in fear of the criminals. The Joker has been locked up for many years and while he seems lost and harmless, he is biding his time to make his escape and take control of Gotham. Batman’s quest is none other than to save Gotham and once again make the city a safe place to live at any and all costs.

My favorite character is Robin, as I like the spin of Robin being female in this film. I like how, although she is a girl, she is still very tough and courageous. My favorite scene is the ending but you’ll have to watch the movie to see what happens then. Is Batman gone for good? Time will only tell.

The animation in this film is very good and so well done that it seems very real. As I stated earlier – for an animated film, this is extremely graphic with many violent and bloody scenes that you don’t normally expect in an animated file.

This is a film geared towards teenage boys, ages 13 and up, due to violence and graphic details. Because of this, I rate this movie 3 out of 5 stars. However, the visual presentation is done well, and the music matches so well with the scenes that you are intrigued to continue watching. Graphic novel and DC Comic fans will love this film.

KIDS FIRST! wants to hear from you!

Does your child love movies and love to talk about them? Do you love free stuff?

In our KIDS FIRST! Critics Go Local campaign, your child can be a film critic too. Send us your child’s video review of Chasing Mavericks, Life of Pi or Scooby-Doo! Mask of the Blue Falcon and you will receive free movie tickets or a free skin for your favorite mobile device from Zing Revolution (while supplies last) – just for sending us your review!

Chasing Mavericks and Scooby-Doo! Mask of the Blue Falcon are out on DVD and Blu-ray on February 26, 2013 and Life of Pi is available on DVD, Blu-ray, HD and 3D on March 12, 2013. You can purchase any of these movies on Amazon.com, or at your favorite retailer.

Click here to visit our KIDS FIRST! Critics Go Local website and see the details and instructions for participating. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Everyone loves a dog story, but Because of Winn-Dixie is no ordinary take on cute pets. Instead, it is a story of love, hope, friendship and community that takes us beyond appearances and digs deeply into the characters that make up this heart-warming film. Winn-Dixie isn’t just a dog, he is a symbol of hope, a reminder that we are all responsible for one another.

Originally released in 2005, this timeless family film is appearing throughout this month, February 2013, on HDNet Movies – kidScene.

Because of Winn-Dixie

Reviewed by Raven Devanney

Click here for Raven’s full video review!

Because of Winn-Dixie is a fantastic adaptation from the bestselling novel Winn-Dixie. I think this movie is absolutely adorable. The cinematography is so perfect because it’s exactly how I imagined it would be when I read the novel. The colors and feel of the story are captured beautifully.

My favorite character is Gloria because she doesn’t hold any harsh judgment over anyone and is a great friend to Opal. I also like Ana Sophia’s character, Opal, because she is very kind and strong even when she is sad. I like the scene when Opal first finds Winn-Dixie because it is a chaotic and funny scene. I also enjoy watching the relationship grow between Opal and the preacher (her father.)

This movie is for all ages because it’s a cute, funny family film that deserves 5 out of 5 stars. Because of Winn-Dixie is one of the many classic films brought to your home by HDNet Movies – kidScene.

Because of Winn-Dixie

Reviewed by Camille Bajema

Click here for Camille’s full video review!

I love this film because it has a great message: Friendship. This film is an adaptation of the book Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo and is about a girl named Opal (Anna-Sophia Robb) and her dad, the Preacher (Jeff Daniels), who just moved to a completely new town.

When Opal is sent to the Winn-Dixie grocery store to get macaroni and cheese, some white rice and two tomatoes, she finds a dog running wild through the store and names him Winn-Dixie, after the place she found him in. Opal befriends him and takes him home. Opal doesn’t have any friends yet and Winn-Dixie helps her fit into the new town, just like a true friend would.

My favorite scene in this film is when Opal makes friends with an old woman named Gloria (Cicely Tyson), and they have lunch together. I really like this scene because there’s a very nice bond between the two and this is when Opal meets her first human friend in Naomi. My favorite character is another one of Opal’s adult friends, Miss Franny, the town librarian. I like Miss Franny because she’s a kid at heart.

Because of Winn-Dixie is directed by Wayne Wang and produced by Kathleen Courtney.

I recommend this film to people of all ages because everyone can enjoy it, it has a great message, and in my opinion, this movie is just fantastic! I give this film five out of five stars because it’s an absolutely enthralling tale! Look for this classic family film on HDNet movies – kidScene this month!