Out Of My Mind * Everyone Deserves To Be Heard And Understood, Regardless Of Their Physical Limitations
Thursday, November 21st, 2024
Melody Brooks is navigating sixth grade as a nonverbal wheelchair user who has cerebral palsy. With the help of some assistive technology and her devoted allies, Melody shows that what she has to say is more important than how she says it.
KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Kennedy P. comments, “I love Out of My Mind, based on the novel of the same name by Sharon Draper… I love the book and was so excited to learn that they were adapting the book into a movie. The film explores the concept that a person’s intelligence and worth are not defined by how they communicate, and that everyone deserves to be heard and understood, regardless of their physical limitations.” Ayra B. adds, “One of my favorite parts is when Rose takes Melody to the mall — they laugh and have so much fun together that Rose forgets Melody has a disability. My favorite character is Melody because she is confident and strong in the face of adversity. The cinematography is great and some scenes are shot in an interesting way, such as through a mirror. I also love the upbeat and positive music.” See their full reviews below.
Out Of My Mind
By Kennedy P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10
I love Out of My Mind, based on the novel of the same name by Sharon Draper that is about family and friendship. I love the book and was so excited to learn that they were adapting the book into a movie. The film explores the concept that a person’s intelligence and worth are not defined by how they communicate, and that everyone deserves to be heard and understood, regardless of their physical limitations.
Born with cerebral palsy, Melody (Phoebe-Rae Taylor) is nonverbal, and she is placed in a preschool level remedial academic program where her greatest source of stimulation comes from listening to Judy Blume audiobooks. When Dr. Katherine Post (Courtney Taylor) recognizes that Melody’s cognitive abilities exceed what the class offers, she advocates for Melody to join Mr. Dimming’s (Michael Chernus) class, which puts Melody on track for the life she has always dreamed of. Best of all, it puts her on a path to receive an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device so she can finally have the opportunity to make friends. But, like her journey thus far, nothing comes easy.
I really like how the film is told through Melody’s first-person narrative, with Jennifer Aniston as Melody’s voice, since Melody’s favorite TV show is Friends. Jennifer Aniston delivers a lot of heart, love, and laughter in the role, which is paired perfectly with Phoebe-Rae Taylor’s emotional performance as Melody. I was so invested in watching Melody’s dreams come true, but also feeling for her parents Chuck and Diane (Luke Kirby, Rosemarie DeWitt). You can feel the struggle they have been fighting for their daughter’s future and wanting what is best for her. I also love the next door neighbor, Mrs. V (Judith Light), who often helps Melody and her family. You can feel the love Mrs. V has for Melody through the screen. Mrs. V has some great moments and she always makes me smile. If you enjoy reading, I recommend reading the book Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper. Also available is the sequel, Out of My Heart, where Melody goes to camp for the first time and Out of My Dreams where Melody travels on an airplane for the first time and visits London.
Out of My Mind highlights the importance of looking beyond outward appearances to see the vibrant inner world of people with disabilities, particularly those who are non-verbal like Melody, who struggles with cerebral palsy but possesses a brilliant mind.
I give Out of My Mind 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. You can watch Out of My Mind on Disney beginning November 22, 2024.
Out of My Mind
By Arya B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12
Out of My Mind is a coming-of-age film about a 12-year-old non-verbal girl with cerebral palsy – she must stand up for herself in order to have the same rights as other kids her age.
The storyline follows Melody (Phoebe-rae Taylor) who is born with cerebral palsy and can’t walk or speak. Although she is extremely bright and understands complex topics similar to those her age, she has limited opportunities to learn more advanced things. All her life, she attended school in the same special education classroom since kindergarten because of her disability. Melody desperately wants the chance to be able to go to school in a regular classroom with other sixth graders. Although her mom Diane (Rosemarie Dewitt) and her dad Chuck (Luke Kirby) are both caring and dedicated parents, they disagree about her ability to learn and survive in a regular sixth grade classroom.
Early in the film, Melody is given the chance to attend a regular sixth grade classroom with a visiting doctor Katherine Post (Courtney Taylor) at her side. Melody falls in love with the classroom experience because she can understand what is being taught and also makes a new friend Rose (Maria Nash). However, Melody cannot raise her hand to answer questions because she communicates by pointing to letters or to her surroundings. The classroom teacher, Mr. Dimming (Michael Chernus), becomes frustrated and does not want Melody there. The main plot of the film involves a Whiz Kids competition in which the four smartest kids in the class compete on a national level.
However, Mr. Dimming refuses to grade Melody’s exam because he does not think she can compete. The movie shows the various obstacles in Melody’s way: fighting to stay in the sixth-grade classroom, fighting to be on the Whiz Kids team, and fighting to make friends with other sixth graders and show them she is just as capable and interesting. One of my favorite parts is when Rose takes Melody to the mall — they laugh and have so much fun together that Rose forgets Melody has a disability. My favorite character is Melody because she is confident and strong in the face of adversity. The cinematography is great and some scenes are shot in an interesting way, such as through a mirror. I also love the upbeat and positive music.
The film’s message is that people won’t know what you are capable of unless you show them. Melody is brave enough to advocate for herself being in a regular sixth grade classroom, which allows others to see she belongs there. A few scenes demonstrate inappropriate behavior that may not be suitable for young children.
I give Out of My Mind 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. You can watch Out of My Mind when it releases on Disney+ on November 22, 2024.
St. Nick (Gerard Butler) receives a delayed letter on Christmas Eve from the Princess of Hearts. He and his dedicated team of reindeer set off to Wonderland where they’re greeted by the mean and miserable Queen of Hearts (Emilia Clarke) who hates all things Christmas… especially presents! Can St Nick, aided by Alice (Simone Ashley), the Mad Hatter and March Hare, show the Queen the true meaning of Christmas and save the day before it’s too late?
The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland is a mashup of upbeat music, the twists and turns of Wonderland, and the holiday spirit! It’s perfect for families and it definitely brought up some Christmas memories for me.
The main characters are St. Nick, Alice (Simone Ashley), Prancer (Mae Muller) and the Queen of Hearts! I love how the music is super catchy and fits the holiday theme, but it also gives you a little something to dance to. I love the fun combination of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland and Clement Clarke Moore’s poem “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
The story is well-developed. The animation is unique, especially since it is not a style you see much today; it’s a line-drawn style that is reminiscent of older-style holiday films. I got to speak with Gerard Butler who plays St. Nick, and he told me about how special this movie is for him. It can definitely impact people who may have lost the Christmas spirit and remind them what Christmas is all about — having a great time during the holidays with their families. Just like the Queen of Hearts who has lost her faith in the holidays and developed a large hatred for them is helped by St. Nick who allows her to feel better and lose her bitterness.
This film reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas and allows viewers to become immersed in the happiness and fun of Christmas.
I found myself going, “Ho Ho Ho” and “Ha Ha Ha,” while watching the original Christmas movie, Red One. This hilarious, innovative film has a power cast that includes Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, J.K. Simmons, Lucy Liu, Kiernan Shipka and more. It is full of action-packed adventure and comedy.
Red One has an incredible ensemble cast, including some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Dwayne Johnson brings his signature humor, heart, and action to the magical, larger-than-life role of Callum Drift. Chris Evans’s sharp wit and undeniable chemistry with Dwayne Johnson make their unlikely partnership a movie highlight. The memorable performances of J.K. Simmons, Lucy Lou (Zoe), Kiernan Shipka (Gryla), Wesley Kimmel (Dylan), Kristofer Hivju (Krampus), Bonnie Hunt (Mrs. Claus) and Mary Elizabeth Ellis (Olivia) create a holiday adventure like no other.
Red One embraces the holiday spirit. The film’s message is that everyone deserves a second chance and that you should always look for the good in people. Jack O’Malley becomes an unexpected hero by turning around his past. He gets a second chance to help save Santa and become a better dad. Even with all the action scenes, Red One highlights the importance of family and friends and cherishing those relationships.
Red One is a very action-packed, high-energy film. From talking polar bears to “The Rock” fighting a snowman, the film mixes humor, adventure, and fantasy all together in one. However, so much is happening at once that the plot gets confusing, making it difficult to keep up.
The plot takes us on a wild ride as Santa Claus gets captured by evil villains. A famous tracker and mythical forces team up to save Christmas. Along the way, they get slowed down by many “obstacles” (scary mythological creatures).
Meanwhile, Jack is trying to repair his relationship with his son. The actors embody their characters well. The camerawork is shaky and messy. In the beginning of the film, I couldn’t even focus on the screen for a while because of the camerawork.
Next, the music adds depth by matching the various scenes in the film. For example, when they’re going to the evil witch’s land, the music becomes dark. Before that, it was lighthearted Christmas music. My favorite part of the film is when Callum very seriously says, “He knows when you’re sleeping…” (referring to Santa). The tone in this scene is perfect and it’s very hilarious.
Steve McQueen’s Blitz follows the epic journey of George (Elliott Heffernan), a 9-year-old boy in World War II London whose mother Rita (Saoirse Ronan) sends him to safety in the English countryside. George, defiant and determined to return home to his mom and his grandfather Gerald (Paul Weller) in East London, embarks on an adventure, only to find himself in immense peril, while a distraught Rita searches for her missing son.
Blitz is a very intense, immersive war-time drama right from the start. This movie has stunning performances, incredible visual effects and suspenseful scenes.
Determined to get back to his family, George jumps off his train and embarks on a challenging journey back home as his mother desperately looks for him.
I became very invested in what happened to the characters. However, this film isn’t for everyone. At times, it can be very dark, violent, and sad, just as World War 2 was for many millions of people. The pacing and plot may seem somewhat choppy, but this is for a reason. In war, regardless of being on the winning or losing sides, everyone loses something. So, when something starts, it may abruptly end, as many of the scenes in this movie do.
As I watched it, one thing I found very interesting was that the music, when the characters aren’t singing, seems more fitting for a horror movie, which makes sense as the events during WWII were horrifying. When the characters are singing, which they often do, it feels more cheerful; displaying the hope and comfort that music brings to people.
The acting is phenomenal. Saoirse Ronan gives an impactful performance with her beautiful singing voice as well as her fierceness for fighting for what she cares about most – her son! Elliott Heffernan outstandingly captures the defiant nature of his character and I sometimes forgot he is acting. The two of them perfectly portray a relationship between a single mother and her son.
Blitz highlights the importance of family, fighting for your beliefs, and having resilience during extremely difficult circumstances. This movie may not be fit for sensitive viewers as there are many depictions of death, violence, war, racism, and profanity and it is not targeted to young children.
When a shy young girl and her outgoing brother come across a mysterious egg, they are shocked when a dinosaur hatches from it. When it gets loose, they have to get to it before a documentary film crew does. Along the way, they meet an older man and barista who know more about where the dinosaur came from and together, they work to get it back to its home so it won’t be exploited in our world.
Jurassic Pet 3 is an entertaining family movie that kept me laughing and on my toes until the end. I was immediately engaged with its realistic CGI effects, intriguing storyline and fun wardrobe.
I was drawn in immediately with the realistic opening CGI. I felt like I was looking at actual dinosaurs and couldn’t wait to see how the story developed. The writers created a gripping storyline where I wasn’t sure what was next in the journey to find the dinosaur. And at the same time, I couldn’t stop laughing. The cast has fun on-screen chemistry and are very natural in their delivery. One of my favorite parts is the scene where they go to the theater and get in with a silly made up story. The wardrobe really caught my eye. I love Wendy’s outfits as they perfectly match her bold personality. And Madison‘s couture at the beginning of the movie really captures her as a caring and curious kid. There are quite a few short falls in this movie – some scenes drag on and are not truly needed for the overall storyline. Also, as the movie develops, the CGI decreases in quality and it doesn’t quite live up to what it is at the beginning.
There are a few important messages in the film – nature should be preserved and animals should be handled with care at all costs. Even when a situation seems impossible, if you work together, you can solve any problem with a little humor and fun.
I really enjoyed Jurassic Pet 3 because it is a fun and adventurous movie that kept me hooked from start to finish!
One of the best things about Jurassic Pet is the adventure. It’s not just about finding a dinosaur; it’s about keeping Spike hidden and safe while figuring out how to get him back to his home in the dinosaur realm. Our heroes have to think quickly to keep Spike a secret from the townspeople and the film crew who want to use him in their movie. There’s a lot of suspense as they try to hide him, especially when Spike gets bigger and harder to keep out of sight. The adventure really picks up when they have to figure out how to get Spike back to his world before it’s too late. The idea of a dinosaur realm adds a fun twist, suggesting that dinosaurs didn’t go extinct—they have their own world to return to. The mystery of this hidden world keeps the adventure fresh and exciting, making it feel like you’re discovering something new with the characters. The background music is great and really stands out. My favorite part is the cliffhanger at the end.
Jurassic Pet 3 is a fun and lighthearted movie that blends adventure, humor, and a little bit of mystery. It has a lot of heart. If you enjoy movies with creative storylines, this is the film for you. The movie’s message is that all living things deserve respect.
Jurassic Pet 3 is a delightful adventure that captures the imagination with its heartwarming story and engaging characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the film’s blend of humor and excitement, which kept me entertained from start to finish.
What sets Jurassic Pet 3 apart is its charming portrayal of sibling dynamics and personal growth. Madison’s character arc is particularly resonant; her journey from timid to courageous is beautifully depicted. The film deftly balances lighthearted moments with deeper themes of friendship and responsibility. The special effects used to bring the dinosaur to life are impressive, creating a believable and adorable creature that audiences will root for. The humor is cleverly woven throughout, appealing to both children and adults, making it a family-friendly film that invites laughter and wonder.
Additionally, the soundtrack complements the action perfectly, enhancing the emotional beats without overshadowing the story. Overall, Jurassic Pet 3 is an engaging and heartwarming film that combines adventure, humor, and a touch of nostalgia, leaving viewers eagerly anticipating the next escapade.
Roar, get ready to be amazed! Jurassic Pet has come back in Jurassic Pet 3, but we have a problem, another dinosaur has entered earth. What will they do?
This movie is very funny, energetic and suspenseful. When I watched it, I was at the edge of my seat trying to guess what would happen next. I love the sets by Steve Maddox and the costumes by Valerie Parker are outstanding. I love the CGI and how the dinosaurs are animated. The acting is quite real and expressive, especially Ava Torres as Madison. The movie is so funny, especially when the two men are interviewed. Oddly enough the scene when the car hits a man and the driver starts panicking, is hilarious.
The tree house scene is my favorite part because this is where the egg hatches and that is where a big chunk of comedy happens. I also like the film crew because they make the movie funnier and very interesting.
