KIDS FIRST! News

Nine-year-old KIDS FIRST! youth film critic Anthony Aranda has seen and reviewed a lot of movies during this past year, since being named one of the winners of the inaugural KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Search, and while he’s given many a positive recommendation, this is the first to earn the raves he gives The Adventures of Tintin: “… one of the best adventure movies that I have ever seen.” Featuring the extremely life-like animaiton of The Polar Express, the movie is another triumph for acclaimed filmmakers Steven Spielberg, who directed, and Peter Jackson, who produced. It opens in theaters today.

The Adventures of Tintin
Reviewed by Anthony Aranda
(See his full review on video.)

This movie is really cool. This movie is one of the best adventure movies that I have ever seen. It kept me on the edge of my seat.

This movie is all about Tintin, who sees a model of a boat called the Unicorn, which has a secret passage to find a riddle. There are three models, and if he finds all three and holds them up to the sun he would see a clue to find out where the real Unicorn sank so that he can find all the treasure. Tintin goes on this adventure with his dog, Snowy, and meets Captain Haddock, who helps him along the way.

Some of the main characters in the movie are Tintin, Snowy, Captain Haddock and Inspector Thompson. My favorite character is Captain Haddock because he is a really funny character. Sometimes when he drinks he breaks down doors, and he doesn’t really know what water is because he is always drinking alcohol. I also like Tintin because he loves adventure and is always solving mysteries.

My favorite part in the movie is when Tintin, Snowy and Captain Haddock are on an airplane and are running out of fuel. They are going to pour alcohol into the fuel tank so Captain Haddock gets on top of the airplane — but he accidently left the alcohol inside of the plane. Since he always drinks alcohol, he burps inside of the fuel tank and that makes the engine start going really fast! That was really funny!

I would recommend this movie for all ages 6 and up because kids any younger would probably think this movie is kind of scary. The movie also references alcohol and has some violence. They have sword fighting, big machines that shoot guns, and bottles being thrown at people. The scenes are really cool action scenes but not appropriate for everyone. Go out and see this movie in theaters on December 21st.

For more information about this year’s KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Search (submission deadline of midnight Dec. 31 coming up soon), visit http://www.kidsfirst.org/become-a-juror/2011FilmCriticsCampaign.html.

Photos: The Adventures of Tintin poster (top), Anthony Aranda (bottom)

No need for the usual “suspension of disbelief” to enjoy this family entertainment offering from Twentieth Century Fox, as this rather whimsical premise is based on the real experiences of a real family. Nine-year-old Anthony Aranda, enjoying the perks of a film critic as one of last year’s KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Search winners, got to preview the movie prior to its upcoming release on Dec. 23. (The KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Search for next year’s youth film critics is open through Dec. 31.) The movie has its sad parts, KIDS FIRST! youth film critic Anthony shares, but many more funny parts that kept him laughing.

We Bought a Zoo
Reviewed by Anthony Aranda
(See his full review on video.)

Hello, everyone. My name is Anthony Aranda from KIDS FIRST! and I am reviewing a really cool movie called We Bought a Zoo. I really like this movie; it is kind of funny, a little sad, but really cool.

This movie is all about Benjamin Mee, played by Matt Damon, who is living with his family in the city trying to deal with the death of his wife and raise his two kids. His son Dylan is not doing so well and keeps getting into trouble. Dylan finally gets expelled and so they have to find him a new school. Benjamin decides that it’s time for them to move and start a new life, and they find a really cool house out of the city and want to buy it. But they soon realize that this house comes with a zoo. His daughter Rosie loves the house, though, so they decide to give it a try.

Some of the main characters in the movie are Benjamin Mee, Kelly Foster, Duncan, Dylan and Rosie. My favorite character is Benjamin because he is a really funny character. When he gets mad he does some really funny stuff like throwing a tantrum all by himself, which kept me laughing. He is also a really good dad even though he doesn’t exactly know what he’s doing.

My favorite part in the movie is when Benjamin Mee is inside the porcupine pit and he thinks they are nice at first but then the porcupine starts running after him and he jumps over the fence and lands on pointy stuff. So when they try to take them off he keeps screaming! That was really funny.

I would recommend this movie for ages 10 and up because there are some scary parts in this movie that younger kids might not like. The movie is sad because the mom dies and the family is still trying to deal with that. The pictures that Dylan draws are kind of violent and scary and there is also some kissing in the movie that is not appropriative for younger viewers. Go out and see this movie in theaters on December 23rd.

Photos: We Bought a Zoo poster (top), Anthony Aranda (bottom)

As Breaking Dawn draws fans to the theaters for Summit Entertainment’s release of the latest installment of The Twilight Saga, KIDS FIRST! youth film critics Daniel and Jonah Menegaz (age 13) each share a thoughtful analysis of the movie.

Eight new KIDS FIRST! youth film critics will get their chance to review films and experience the thrill of red carpet interviews as we hold our second annual KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Search.

Entering is fun and easy – and, if you live in the New York City area, entering includes the extra opportunity of a chance to receive a ticket to the Mama Doni Band’s Chanukah Fever concert Dec. 18 at the famed 92nd Street Y located on Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street in Manhattan or a copy of the Mama Doni CD “Chanukah Fever.” Scroll down for more information.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Park 1
Reviewed by Daniel Menegaz

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 is the first half of the final installment of the Twilight Saga movies based on the novel by Stephenie Meyer that has gripped the nation since Twilight first came out on print. It is the tortured love story between Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), the vampire.

In this first part, Bella gets married and then gets pregnant on her honeymoon. The movie ends with her opening her bright red eyes as a vampire.

Having read Breaking Dawn, I thought it was fairly accurate to the story. However, the book doesn’t have quite enough information to stretch into two movies, so the movie was a little boring. The movie had some heavy drama; in fact, that was something I didn’t like. All the characters seemed to be depressed at what should have been a happy moment. Other than that, the movie was fairly good.

I really enjoyed the soundtrack and particularly the scenes. The movie had some very stunning nature shots.

I think this movie is for ages 13 and up because of very inappropriate subject matter regarding the sex and Bella’s pregnancy.

Overall, I would give this movie 3.5 out of 5 stars. If you are looking for a movie filled with drama, vampires and werewolves, this is your movie.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1
Reviewed by Jonah Menegaz

Twlight. I shouldn’t have to say another word. The iconic books have swept the nation, and every girl who reads it loves it. Every girl who reads it sees and loves the movie, hence why the movies are so popular.

In case you haven’t read the books, this particular movie, based on Breaking Dawn, is about Edward (Robert Pattinson) and Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) getting married, and, while on their honeymoon, having sex. Edward being a vampire, they didn’t know it was possible to have a baby, but they did.

The acting and the portrayal of the characters were good and pretty believable, except for the fact that every time the main characters were supposed to look happy, they look all weary and depressed.

The make-up was good, considering how much of it they needed to put on and make it look the same in every scene, perfect in every scene, although sometimes it got to be a tad bit too much.

The sets were amazing, and they shot on location. The scene where Edward and Bella had the wedding was beautiful. The [sound stage] sets were great, too, if they used any.

Breaking Dawn was rightfully rated PG-13 because of sexual content and some violence. I would not recommend this movie for people under the age of 11. 

Overall, I’d rate this move 5.5 out of 10.

Photos: Breaking Dawn poster (top), Daniel Menegaz (middle), Jonah Menegaz (bottom)

Know a child who wants to be like Daniel and Jonah – or who aspires to become the next Roger Ebert? Here’s an opportunity for them. Enter the KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Search. http://bit.ly/rGImlF

Entering is fun and easy – and, if you live in the NEW YORK CITY area, entering includes the extra opportunity of a chance to receive a ticket to the Mama Doni Band’s Chanukah Fever concert Dec. 18, 2011 at the famed 92nd Street Y located on Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street in Manhattan or a copy
of the Mama Doni CD “Chanukah Fever.”

To enter, “LIKE” KIDS First Film Festival Official Site, https://www.facebook.com/KIDSFIRSTFilmFestival, and let us know you have entered the campaign for youth film critics. We will draw from entries tagged on our wall beginning Nov. 22, 2011. Winners will be notified by Dec. 15, 2011.

For more information about the prize, read all about it @https://www.facebook.com/events/275692132468415/ and then let us know you want to win tickets or a CD to New York’s CHANUKAH FEVER CONCERT.

KIDS FIRST! youth film critic Anthony Aranda (age 9) follows up his recent review of Happy Feet – a KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Search title released on DVD and Blu-ray earlier this month – with a reivew of the animated film’s sequel, Happy Feet Two. Awesome animation is just part of what makes Anthony urge families to go see it.

Happy Feet Two
Reviewed by Anthony Aranda

I just finished watching a really funny movie called Happy Feet Two! This movie is about Mumble (voiced by Elijah Wood) and Gloria’s (voiced by Pink) baby penguin named Erik (voiced by Ava Acres), who wanders off from all the other penguins. His father, Mumble, tries to find him, and while he is gone a big iceberg blocks the penguins from going anywhere.

My favorite characters are Mumble, Erik and two krill named Will and Bill (voiced by Brad Pitt and Matt Damon, respectively). I like Mumble because he is really funny and he sometimes gets mad at Erik. I like Erik because he tries to get his father to take more chances and he is almost always happy. I like the two krill because they show how friendships take work. They split up in the movie, get lost and then find each other again and make a stronger friendship.

My favorite part of this movie is when Will and Bill start tapping on the ice from underneath —kind of like how Mumble taps on the ice from above. Then a whole bunch of other krill join in and they light up the ice with all of their tapping. I think this is really cool because it is neat to see all the lights and how they actually do that.

The animation and special effects in this movie are really cool. When the krill light up the sea, that is really cool. When some of the ice goes tumbling down, the effects of that are really neat. The animation in this movie is awesome. The penguins look very real and [the filmmakers] do a good job at making them talk.

I recommend this movie for ages two and up. This movie does have a few scary parts that might be frightening for kids younger than two. For example, when one of the elephant seals falls into a big hole, his kids get really scared because they think he might get stuck down there forever. That part made me a little nervous. This is a great family movie that shows happiness and friendship. Go out and see this movie when it comes out in theaters near you.

Photos: Happy Feet Two poster (top), Anthony Aranda (bottom)

It’s a swashbuckling adventure on par with any of the live-acted extravaganzas it’s sharing theater time with this season. Puss in Boots combines a clever script, sharp animation, fun special effects and the voice talent of A-list actors … But to really get the picture, read KIDS FIRST! youth film critic Gabriella Chu’s full-on review (and for a chance for you to walk in her KF Youth Film Critic footsteps for a year, visit the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Search page on our website to learn about entering the 2012 KDIS FIRST! Film Critics Search).

Puss in Boots
Reviewed by Gabriella Chu (age 14)
(See her full review on video.)

If you’ve enjoyed the movie Shrek, you will definitely like Puss in Boots. I’m glad I saw this movie. It is about an outlaw cat that has been searching for the magic beans all his life with his partner and “brother” Humpty Dumpty. However, tension forms between Puss and Humpty Dumpty over jealousy, so they plan revenge against one another. Who will find the magic beans? Discover the legend of Puss in Boots!

The voiceovers of the characters in the movie are excellent. Antonio Banderas’s accent matches Puss’s sly and adventurous character perfectly. Salma Hayek’s voice fits the tough and flirty character of Kitty Softpaws.

Aside from the voiceover, I was even more impressed with the adventure in the movie. It seemed magical and thrilling. Scene after scene, Puss is on an exciting escapade. The animation of the movie adds to the excitement because it details even on subtleties, making the characters seem more realistic. The facial expressions and close-ups on the characters are adorable. I love the close-ups of baby Puss and huge-eyed Puss because they are undeniably cute.

I recommend this movie to kids 10 and up. Anyone can enjoy the enthusiasm and exhilaration in the movie, but younger kids will probably have a hard time following the intricate plot. There are some twists and turns as Puss’s allies and enemies keep changing. Puss in Boots is an adventurous family film that will keep the entire family entertained.

Photos: Puss in Boots poster (top), Gabriella Chu (bottom)