KIDS FIRST! News

Howl’s Moving Castle, from the renowned Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki (who also wrote the screenplay adaptation from the novel of the same name), was nominated for numerous film awards followiong its theatrical release in 2004. Among its wins was Animation of the Year from the 2005 Hollywood Film Festival. The film is presented in July on HDNet KidScene. KIDS FIRST! film critic Sam Connan (age 12) gives us the low-down on it, with high praise:

Howl’s Moving Castle
Reviewed by Sam Connan
(and see his review on video)

I just finished watching Howl’s Moving Castle and I thought it was a wonderful movie. I’ve seen it before and I still think it’s a wonderful movie. It’s about a young girl named Sophie who gets turned into an old woman by the evil Witch of the Waste. She seeks the help of a wizard named Howl, but the problem is that she can’t tell anybody about this curse that she’s under.

There are a lot of references to war in this. Howl is against the war. He doesn’t care what flag the ship is flying or what uniform the soldiers are wearing, he just wants the war to end. He doesn’t want to hurt anybody; he just wants a peaceful resolution.

Hayao Miyazaki is the man who directed and animated this film, and he did an absolutely wonderful job. Each frame is like its own piece of art, and when it’s all strung together, it makes a beautiful movie.

The music is also very good.

I would recommend this for all ages. For littler kids, there are no real scary parts, and there’s a lot of colors and excitement and funny parts. And for older kids and adults, it’s a very interesting plot line.

If I had to characterize this, which would be very hard to do because it’s a very unique kind of movie, I would categorize this in the “great” category. I would put it up with Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Lord of the Rings – not that it’s anything like them, but it’s just as wonderful as them.

All in all, I would have to give this a three out of three stars, which is a very hard ranking to get.

Photos: Howl’s Moving Castle poster (top), Sam Connan (bottom)

Howl’s Moving Castle is one of many film classics being brought to your home by HDNet Movies, a KIDS FIRST! sponsor. HDNet Movies offers subscribers a premium movie viewing experience in true HD, including the best classics of the 1950s-1970s, favorites from the 1980s and 1990s, to recently released theatrical films. Additionally, HDNet Movies offers kidScene, a morning and Friday night programming block specifically for kids and families. HDNet Movies kidScene can be followed at hdnetmovies.com and via Facebook at facebook.com/HDNetMovies.

Launched in 2001 by Mark Cuban and General Manager Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available in the U.S. via AT&T U-verse, Charter, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight and Verizon FiOS.

During the lead-up to today’s theatrical release of Relativity Media’s Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer, KIDS FIRST! film critic Gabriella Chu enjoyed the rare opportunity of a sit-down chat to interview the movie’s star, Jordana Beatty, and the author who penned the books that the film is based on, Megan McDonald. As a long-time fan of the Judy Moody series, 14-year-old Chu brought a special appreciation to those interviews as well as to the review that follows here.

Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer
Reviewed by Gabriella Chu (also on video)

Get ready to have an exhilirating ride this summer! The renowned author Megan McDonald has brought her Judy Moody series to life on screen! The movie tells the story of a third-grader named Judy Moody who plans to have the most thrilling summer of her life, until she finds out that her best friends are going away to exotic camps. She is bummed out because she does not think she can have a fun summer without her friends, but she changes her mind when awesome Aunt Opal comes to stay for the summer. She realizes that a fun summer does not always mean going away to foreign places, but instead, imagination is the key. If you’re wondering how wild Judy Moody’s imagination is, go see for yourself!

The acclaimed writer of the Judy Moody series, Megan McDonald, is also the screenwriter of the movie. Her imagination went wild. Aunt Opal and Judy Moody are always thinking of such creative, cool, hilarious and brilliant ways to have fun. I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen. From scene to scene, the movie is like a rollercoaster ride. It is so much fun and you can never predict what Judy Moody is going to do next. By the time you finish the movie, you don’t even know what passed. She has so many wonderful ideas that you cannot keep track of all of them. Jordana Beatty, who stars as Judy Moody, fits her character’s personality and appearance like a glove. Literally, director John Schultz used the set, wardrobe, animation and bright pops of color to bring Judy Moody’s world to life.

This movie will inspire you to have a magical summer or it may bring back happy childhood memories. It is perfect for all ages. I highly recommend it for you to watch with your entire family, but it is also a fantastic choice to go see with friends.

Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer will be in theaters nationwide on June 10. Don’t miss it!

Photos: Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer poster (top), Gabriella Chu (bottom)
View Gabriella Chu’s interviews with Jordana Beatty and with Megan McDonald.

The sixth film of Walmart’s Family Movie Night collection, Field of Vision includes a compelling character for both sexes – and a wide range of ages – to identify with. It offers a lot of food for thought and family discussion, as KIDS FIRST! film critics Sam Connan, Raven Sky Devanney and Gabriella Chu describe in their reviews below (and on YouTube). Among the themes they recognize:
Being understanding of other people (Connan explains that, when a new boy at a high school shows skill on the football field, “some people at his new school take that to mean that he is trying to make them look bad, which is not his intention at all”).
Standing up for the truth (Devanny, describing the lead girl character, says, “It is inspiring that she stays with what she knows is true”).
Redemption (Chu says of the high school guidance teacher, “Now that she sees a struggling student, Corey, she won’t let the opportunity pass to help him out” — spurred by regrets about not having supported a student years ago who needed help).

Bullying is another big theme in Field of Vision, a topic that has been getting more and more attention as the incidence of it – among boys and girls even as young as first grade – becomes more pervasive thanks to the Internet.

Field of Vision
Reviewed by Sam Connan (age 13)

I just finished watching Field of Vision, and I thought it was a really good movie. It’s about an orphan boy who is moved around from foster home to foster home and from school to school, and he’s really a smart guy and he’s really good on the football field. However, some people at his new school take that to mean that he is trying to make them look bad, which is not his intention at all.

I think the acting in this was just phenomenal, especially Joe Adler who plays Corey, the orphan boy. I hope I see this guy in another film because he was quite good.

I think that this would be appropriate for ages 10 and up because it probably wouldn’t hold the attention of younger kids. There’s a lot of talking and there aren’t many bright, flashy colors or movement or that kind of thing. It’s more psychological than anything else.

All in all, I’d give this movie a two out of three.

Field of Vision
Reviewed by Raven Sky Devanney (age 13)

Field of Vision is a great movie about standing up for the truth and always pushing towards your goals.

This movie is very enjoyable; however, the cinematography and visual aspects aren’t very impressive because the colors are dull and simple.

My favorite character is Lucy, played by Alyssa Shafer, because she does an excellent job and the character is so caring and always backs up her belief of the “magic” camera even when she is doubted. It is inspiring that she stays with what she knows is true.

My favorite scene would have to be when Corey, played by Joseph Adler, and Lucy exchange books for the first time, because her compassion towards him is very sweet. The scene is also important because Lucy becomes very involved in Corey’s life later in the film.

This movie is for ages 10 and up because younger children will lose interest in the storyline and plot quickly. Also, younger children may not quite get some of the more mature situations. This is a wonderful family film, as it gives families a chance to talk about the important issue of bullying.

Overall, I give Field of Vision a thumbs up!

Field of Vision
Reviewed by Gabriella Chu (age 14)

Field of Vision tells the story of a new kid named Corey who transfers to a different high school. He joins the football team there and is bullied by a few of the guys, which causes him to not want to play football anymore. However, the captain of the football team, Tyler, still needs Corey because he is a good player. In order to try to get Corey back on the team, he has to confront the bullies who are also his best friends — since 4th grade! Will Corey decide to go back on the team? Find out for yourself.

This movie is very inspiring. Tyler learned that it is important to do the right thing, even when it means sacrificing your relationship with your best friends.

Tyler’s mother, Jody, learned that it is always helpful to support someone in need. Jody is the guidance counselor of the high school, but she used to be a teacher who taught Corey’s mother! She regrets that she did not help his mother, who was pregnant when she was only 18. Now that she sees a struggling student, Corey, she won’t let the opportunity pass to help him out. She learned that it is always nice to give a helping hand. If you’re wondering how Jody helped Tyler out, watch out for the surprise ending of the movie!

I would recommend this movie to kids ages nine and up. It is a great family movie, but younger kids might not understand the complications between the characters and the drama that occurs.  

Photos, top to bottom: Field of Vision poster, Sam Connan, Raven Sky Devanney, Gabriella Chu
Check out the Field of Vision trailer to get a taste of the film yourself.
The film has also received a lot of attention for dealing with cyber bullying. View Miami Dolphins’ Ronnie Brown discussing the issue of kids bullying other kids – and bringing the discussion to a Field of Vision Generation Next event.

Po, that immensely huggable martial arts hero, is back. Kung Fu Panda 2 is directed by Jennifer Yuh, who stepped to the helm here after being storyboard artist for the original Kung Fu Panda. Jack Black’s voice is again perfectly cast as the ungainly panda, joined by a host of other actors whose names and faces are as well-known as their voices, among them Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Seth Rogen and martial arts master himself, Jackie Chan.

“This movie is so awesome. All the characters from the first movie are back, along with some new faces. The animation is phenomenal and Jack Black does an exceptional job as the voice of Po!” says KIDS FIRST! film critic Raven Devanney (age 13). And fellow KIDS FIRST! film critic Gabriella Chu (age 14) shares, “Watching this movie in 3-D felt so life-like, espcially thte action scenes. There are so many action sequences and they all are very intense.”

Check out Raven‘s and Gabriella‘s reviews on YouTube, and read their full reviews below:

‘Kung Fu Panda 2’
Reviewed by Raven Devanney

The lovable yet ferocious panda is back in Kung fu Panda 2. Po and the Furious Five are here to save China, and things get a little crazy!

This movie is so awesome. All the characters from the first movie are back, along with some new faces. The animation is phenomenal and Jack Black does an exceptional job as the voice of Po!

My favorite character is Tigress, played by the brilliant Angelina Jolie, because you get to experience the softer side of Tigress.

All the battles in this film are amazing because they are not only action-packed, but are also hilarious. This movie should be viewed by ages 5 and up because this movie is a lot more emotional and sad than the first film and there is a little bit more death.

Overall, I give Kung Fu Panda 2 two thumbs up!! 

‘Kung Fu Panda 2’
Reviewed by Gabriella Chu

The Kung Fu Panda is back with more adventure! This movie is an irresistible action comedy that’s pure fun. In case you have not watched the first Kung Fu Panda before, the protagonist, Po, is a panda who transforms from noodle-shop employee to kung fu master, joining the Furious Seven (a group of heroes who fight villains). In this sequel, Po finds himself conflicted with his past. He starts to question where he has come from and why his father is a goose instead of the panda. He also has to defeat evil Lord Shen, a peacock who plans to use a secret weapon to conquer China and destroy kung fu. Will Po be able to defeat Lord Shen even when conflicted with this past? You will have to watch this movie for yourself!

Watching this movie in 3-D felt so life-like, especially the action scenes. There are so many action sequences and they all are very intense. My favorite sequence is the one where Po finds his inner peace because the movie is in slow motion and incorporates scenes of his past as well as scenes from Master Shifu’s technique of inner peace. The slow motion emphasized Po’s technique, and made the scene much more interesting. I also thought the humorous voice of Po, Jack Black, is perfect for his role as a lively and entertaining panda. The movie also has inspiring messages, such as: Look to the future instead of the past, and discover who you are. However, I did not think this movie was as good as the first one. I did not find the story as touching and upbeat. I also didn’t find the voices of the characters recognizable, except for Po and the Tigress’s voice. In addition, the colors of the movie were not very vibrant. They did not fit the comical mood of the movie so much.

Overall, though, I think this is a great animated family comedy. I would recommend it to children ages 8 and up because younger kids might not be able to follow the storyline. You should definitely go see this if you are into adventure!

Photos: Kung Fu Panda 2 poster (top), Raven Devanney (middle), Gabriella Chu (bottom)

White Lion is a magnificently lensed coming-of-age film that follows the titular white lion from cub to king. A 25-year labor of love from producer Kevin Richardson, who was also the lead animal wrangler, and director Michael Swan, the Screen Media Films release features cinematography that ranges from awe-inspiring panoramas of flat-topped mountains rising out of densely verdant valleys to closer shots of dew-dropped flowers glistening in the moonlight.

The lion’s saga is related as a narration by an African storyteller (veteran actor John Kani) holding his audience of children in thrall around a campfire. While we return to the campfire from time to time to connect with the children and their reactions, the camera cuts away to what is essentially a nature film of the unfolding story: A white cub, Letsatsi, is born into a lion pride. Playful as any kitten, he has some close calls with hyenas and venomous snakes as romps in the tall grass. And just being different from a lion’s usual tawny color causes challenges for him with the other lions in his pride. He slowly learns the skills he needs to survive the natural perils of the wilderness – lightning-sparked fires, hidden dangers such as alligators in the river from which he must get water to drink – as well as meeting the basic need to find food. Humans pose yet another danger.

Giving a framework for the story of Letsatsi’s life is a secondary story of Gisani, a native villager who has been raised with the traditional legends that revere the rare white lion as a messenger of the gods that brings peace and prosperity. Gisani is little more than a child when he first sees Letsatsi, and he takes on himself the responsibility for watching over the lion through the years, to be his storyteller. This culminates in a showdown with hunters who see value in Letsatsi only as a trophy.

As a nature film, White Lion is true to the genre in its honest depiction of the animals’ lives. Kills are acknowledged, although the camera takes a respectful view and avoids grisly sensationalism. Nor are there groomed manes or other attempts to prettify the animals. Life includes moments of heart-pounding adventure punctuating long days of quieter existence, and the film’s slow pace – with music as a low-key accompaniment – seems to capture life in real time.

The DVD’s bonus feature on how the wranglers worked with the lions to capture authentic actions is a livelier piece, and the behind-the-scenes views add to rather than detract from an appreciation of the feature film.