KIDS FIRST! News

Just out in theaters on January 20, 2013, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Raven Devanney bravely went to see a screening of the new thriller/chiller, Mama. This PG-13 rated movie isn’t for everyone, but if your a fan of horror, and like to be scared silly, you shouldn’t miss it. Though not the most original film, it packs a heavy fear-factor for every ghost-loving movie goer.

Mama

Reviewed by Raven Devanney, age 15, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

Click here to see Raven’s full video review!

Mama tells the story of two young sisters, Lily and Victoria, who are abandoned in the woods for five years. When the girls are found and taken into custody by their uncle and his girlfriend Annabelle, everyone begins to wonder how these toddlers could have survived for so long on their own. The girls’ strange behavior leads Annabell to believe that the girls weren’t alone in the woods after all, and in fact, a troubled ghost called Mama was caring for them. But when they leave the forest, they don’t leave Mama.

I really enjoy this movie. It is definitely scary to watch, but when it is over it doesn’t leave you feeling afraid. I’m convinced this movie is a mix between The Woman in Black and The Possession. It has a very similar ghost with the same motives as The Woman in Black, and has the same creepy bugs from The Possession. The ending is especially similar to The Woman in Black. No spoiler alerts or anything, but you think all will be fine but it’s not. I guess you shouldn’t go to a horror film if you’re looking for a happy ending.

I like the cinematography, and the use of lighting and sound track, to set the ominous mood for this film. The dull colors and grey wash of the scenery really helps the spook level of the movie. The one thing I have a real problem with was the animation of Mama’s face in the last few scenes. This is supposed to be the height of the horror, the film’s climax, but Mama’s face was so unrealistic that it pulls me out of my horrified trance and I am no longer scared.

My favorite character is Annabell (Jessica Chastain), because she isn’t too enthusiastic about suddenly having to take on a motherly role, especially since the girls have serious social problems. Her boyfriend, the main caretaker of the kids, gets seriously injured, leaving Annabell in charge. I love watching her relationship develop into love for Lily and Victoria, and when Mama comes to play, she does a wonderful job showing her fear.

My favorite scene is in the very beginning of the movie, when it shows how one-year-old Lily and three-year-old Victoria end up in the woods. It is a very twisted scene, but I like how they show the girls adapting to their new surroundings. They adapt through crayon drawings on the walls, which is very creative.

I give Mama 4 out of 5 stars because it was definitely thrilling, but since it was so similar to some other films in this genre, I have to take a point away for lack of originality. I recommend Mama for ages 13 and up because of it’s intense content. If you’re into anything Horror, Thriller or ghost related, then you’ll love Mama so go check it out!

Originally released in 1979, The Black Stallion is a classic film sure to please horse lovers and adventure seekers alike. It’s beautiful cinematography and captivating story have stood the test of time. The Black Stallion is perfect for the whole family, and as Brianna Beaton, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic sums it up, it is “appealing to the eye, inspirational and touching.” Don’t miss this exciting tale, playing throughout the month of February 2013, on HDnet Movies – kidScene.

The Black Stallion

Reviewed by Brianna Beaton, age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

Click here to see Brianna’s full video review!

This film is very appealing to the eye, inspirational and touching.

Alec Ramsey (Kelly Reno) is on a ship with his father and a very wild black Arabian stallion, which Alec calls Black. A terrible storm happens and only he and Black survive. They end up on a small island and Alec befriends Black. Some travelers stumble across the island and bring them to England, where retired horse trainer, Henry Dailey (Mickey Rooney) helps Alec train Black.

I like this film because of the cinematography and the plot. This is a beautiful story and there are a lot of scenes with great angles and close ups which catches my eye. Black is a very pretty, strong and fast horse. The acting is very believable and I can sometimes feel their emotions. My favorite character is Alex because he is able to earn the trust of Black and this is very hard to do. My favorite scene is when Alec is trying to get Black to like him so he gives him some food and after that he puts some food in his hand and then walks around the beach of the island to get the horse to follow him. After a while this turns into a game. If Black follows Alec then he will get some food.

Carroll Ballard directs The Black Stallion while Melissa Mathison along with Jeanne Rosenberg writes the screen play. Other actors in this film are Clarence Muse (Snoe), Hoyt Axton (Alec’s Father), and Ed McNamara (Jake).

A message in this film is that you can become friends with any person or any animal and it doesn’t matter if you’re young or old. Also, everything that happens happens for a reason.

I recommend, The Black Stallion for ages 7 to 14. Younger ages may be scared at some of the scenes, but if they are watching with this family, it may not be too scary. Of course, if you are a horse lover, this film is for you and you can add this to your collection.

I give this film 4 out of 5 stars. Some of the scenes are a little too short and has too little details, but even with that, this is still a great family film.

See how Alec and Black create their friendship in this 1979 film, The Black Stallion. It plays all month on HDNet movies kidScene.

Pixar Studios has taken one of the favorite films of the past decade and made it even more fun by adding 3D. For kids who haven’t seen the original, and for everyone who would like to see it again, Monsters Inc 3D is still showing in theaters across the country. Morgan Bertsch, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, says adding 3D makes “the monsters seem much bigger, and scarier, and funnier.”

Click here to listen to the KIDS FIRST! Coming Attractions Radio Show on Voice America Kids, where our film critics discuss this film and many others.

Monsters Inc 3D
Reveiwed by Morgan Bertsch

Click here to see Morgan’s full video review!

One of Pixar’s all-time favorite movies, Monster Inc. is in theaters now in 3D. Monstropolis is the home to monsters. They get all their electricity from the screams of children. Each child has a different door to their closet and when the monsters go in the children scream and they save these in special containers. The monsters are competing to see who gets the most screams. The monsters are scared of children.

When a child gets out and into the scream factory, craziness happens. Sulley (John Goodman) is to blame for this accident. He has a side kick named Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) who has only one eye. They must hide the child and get her back home. She is a little confused and calls Sully, Kitty and he calls her Boo. A monster named Randall Boggs (James Coburn) is Boo’s monster and he wants to find her and steal all her screams. He not only wants to win the contest, he wants to take over the company. There are others on his side and once you watch it the mystery will be revealed.

My favorite character is Boo because she is so cute, with the sweetest voice and funniest outfit. She thinks scaring is fun. I love the part when Boo runs into the other monster children and fits right in. They were adorable and you cannot say that about many monsters. She is always pulling at your heart strings and you root for her throughout the movie.

The 3D graphics brought the colors out and the monsters in and closer to you. The monsters seem much bigger, and scarier, and funnier. The music is catchy and fits in with all the different scenes and moods of the movie. There are funny, sad, scary and happy times with the music to match.

Watch this 3D version so you will be ready for Monster University coming out next summer. I can hardly wait. The age range is 5 and up because the monster are scary after all. Adults will find it fun and will remember when they first saw this movie.

I give this movie 5 twinkling stars because it was even better with the 3D than the original movie. This movie will stand the test of time. Be sure to watch until the very end for the must see out-takes. Morgan Bertsch, age 8, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Every year, KIDS FIRST! puts together a list of what we believe to be the best feature films of the year. These are all major feature releases that were released theatrically in 2012 and some are already out on DVD/Blu-Ray. So, be sure to check them out before the Oscar nominees are announced.

Click here to see KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Cheyenne announcing the winners!
(Drum roll please) In no particular order, the KIDS FIRST! Top Ten Kid Films 2012 are:

Ice age: Continental Drift

Life of Pi