KIDS FIRST! News

With Columbia Pictures’ Moneyball opening in theaters today, KIDS FIRST! film critic Jonah Menegaz (age 13) scoops a preview for our KIDS FIRST! community. Yes, the movie’s got Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill and Philip Seymour Hoffman onscreen, but Menegaz point to the cinematography as also worth paying attention to. Fellow KIDS FIRST! film critics Daniel Menegaz (age 13) and Gabriella Chu (age 14) make it unanimous: Moneyball scores a hit on all counts.

Moneyball
Reviewed by Jonah Menegaz

Moneyball is a great movie, starring Brad Pitt as Billy Beane and Jonah Hill as Peter Brand. Together, the two completely recreate how baseball is looked at and how it changed [as to] how the players are picked.

Since I am not a sporty person, I don’t like baseball very much and it kind of bores me, but this movie was fantastic and very interesting. I thought the acting was great and the actors got into their characters, and it kept me wondering what will happen next. I also thought the DP (director of photography) was awesome and how [the movie] displayed shots that set the mood for the scene. I also thought it was really cool how they used real footage from when the game was actually being played.

This movie was rightfully rated PG-13 because of the language — there was often cussing — and I think this movie is great for kids 11 and up. Overall, this is an excellent movie and you should go see it!

Moneyball
Reviewed by Daniel Menegaz

Moneyball is the invigorating true story about the rise of the Oakland A’s — a baseball team with a tiny budget. Starring Brad Pitt as Billy Beane and Jonah Hill as Peter Brand, the duo try to re-invent the game of baseball by using a new way of recruiting players. 

The movie was serious at times, but the comic relief is very funny. I thought it was really clever when they used real footage of baseball games in the film, as well as recreating games. The acting was also spot on. Considering I’m not the biggest baseball fan, this movie was actually really good.

I think the age group is about ten and up because, aside from two or three curse words, all of the subject matter was appropriate. Over all, I would give Moneyball 4 out of 5 stars.

Moneyball
Reviewed by Gabriella Chu

If you are a baseball fan, then Moneyball is an inspirational movie for you. It’s about a baseball team manager, Billy Beane, played by Brad Pitt, who tries his best to repair the Oakland A’s baseball team with his constrained budget. He hires a Yale graduate, Peter Brand, played by Jonah Hill, who teaches him to use statistics to compare baseball players among each other, instead of the conventional method of following his instincts to decide which players to choose and keep. If you’re wondering whether Beane’s uncommon and distrusted method will help his baseball team win more games, watch the movie to find out!

I think this movie is inspirational because its messages are very straightforward. The movie shows that sticking to the status quo is not always the best decision you can make, and it’s not money that makes something worthwhile, but it’s the journey that counts. Brad Pitt’s acting is exceptional, and the strong personality and ambition his character possesses emphasizes these messages.

Besides a few well-timed flashbacks, the director made the movie seem more like a book told through visuals, and not so much as a film. In addition, if Peter Brand didn’t exist as a character in the movie, there would be no story to the film.

I recommend this movie to teens 13 and up because there is some cursing, but nothing too serious. Moneyball tells a splendid story, and will be sure to delight baseball fans.  

Photo, top to bottom: Moneyball poster, Jonah Menegaz, Daniel Menegaz, Gabriella Chu 

Animation is for every age, especially when it comes from leaders of the genre at Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Pictures. This sequel to 2006’s award-winning movie Cars is in theaters now, and KIDS FIRST! film critic Ny’Asia Bell (age 7) gives us several reasons to make Cars 2 a summer entertainment choice.

Cars 2
Reviewed by Ny’Asia Bell

Today I will be reviewing the new Cars 2.

This movie was great – full of fast cars, lots of action and flawless animation.

Lightning McQueen is voiced by Owen Wilson, and his long-time best friend, tow Mater, is voiced by Larry the Cable Guy. They accept a challenge from Francesco Bernoulli (John Turturro) to compete in the World Grand Prix in Tokyo. While there, Mater gets mistaken for an American secret agent, and eventually helps to solve a big and dangerous case.

My favorite characters are Mater, because of his courage and humor. He is a real hero.
Then there are the characters Holley Shiftwell (Emily Mortimer) and Finn McMissile (Michael Caine). I loved all their cool gadgets.
 
My favorite part of the film is when Mater cracks the case and finds out what car is behind all this mayhem.
 
I rate this movie 4 out of 5 stars, because it does contain some violent scenes. I recommend this movie to kids ages 7 and up.
 
Photos: Cars 2 poster (top), Ny’Asia Bell (bottom)

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.