KIDS FIRST! News

Accepted offers a unique and intriguing look at the world of Ivy League college admissions and the true cost of getting that first foothold into elite American society. In his first documentary feature, director Dan Chen grounds a broader look at the inequities in the American education system with unbelievable access to T.M. Landry and the deeply personal stories of four dynamic students looking to overcome countless obstacles to achieve their dreams. Four high school seniors in rural Louisiana attend T.M. Landry, an unconventional K – 12 school housed in a sparse warehouse made famous for sending its graduates to elite universities like Harvard, Yale, and Stanford. The students aim to meet the intense expectations of Mike Landry, the imposing founder of the school who charts a relentless course towards their college dreams. When the New York Times publishes an expose on Landry’s controversial methods, the school buckles under the scrutiny. Each senior is left to contend with uncomfortable truths about their school and the college admissions system, and decide for themselves what they are willing to do to be accepted.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Eshaan M. comments, “Accepted offers a unique and intriguing look at the world of selective college admissions in the US; it shows the cost of climbing the social ladder through education and the extent to which people will go to get to the ranks of the country’s intelligentsia.” See his full review and interview with the director below.

Accepted
By Eshaan M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

Accepted offers a unique and intriguing look at the world of selective college admissions in the US; it shows the cost of climbing the social ladder through education and the extent to which people will go to get to the ranks of the country’s intelligentsia.

T.M. Landry College Preparatory is an unconventional K-12 school in a poor rural town in Louisiana famous for sending its students to elite universities like Harvard, Yale, Wellesley and Stanford. Students aim to meet the intense expectations of Mike Landry, the imposing, relentless, rousing-speech-giving founder of the school who has a personal and professional stake in the process. When the New York Times publishes an exposé on T.M. Landry falsifying student transcripts and its controversial and, at-times, abusive methods, the school crumbles. Each senior has to figure out school and the college admissions system on their own from there, and they have to decide for themselves what they are willing to do to get into college.

In his first documentary, director Dan Chen beautifully captures the personal stories of four dynamic students looking to overcome the seemingly insuperable obstacles they face to achieve their dreams. One, for example, has a widowed mother and two disabled sisters, and she must care for them while balancing an 11-hour school day at T.M. Landry. The interviews of the four seniors guide the film, as does interwoven footage of Landry working with students, hyping them up, and continuing his work at home.

The film is incredibly well-constructed — holes in T.M. Landry’s story are reflected in the plot (such as when it is revealed that Mike Landry told one of his students to call him when the filming team came to his house so he could project the image of a caring, fatherly figure). The footage is stable; lighting is modulated to reflect the mood of each scene (dark in times of despair, bright in times of hope), and the storytelling is seamless. Accepted keeps your attention throughout; there’s not a single dull moment. As a student going through the admissions process right now (albeit with a very different background and very different schools than those in the film), Accepted resonates with me on an emotional level at various points. It’s one of the best traditional documentaries I’ve watched this year.

Accepted is a film all about finding success with honesty and hard work. Where T.M. Landry fails, as a student says, is that they set out to solve the problem of a ridiculously selective university system, but became a part of the problem by falsifying records and losing integrity.

I give Accepted 5 stars out of 5 and recommend if for ages 13 to 18, plus adults. Accepted releases July 1, 2022 in theaters and on demand.

In the heart of the 1970s, amid a flurry of feathered hair and flared jeans, Gru is growing up in the suburbs. A fan boy of a supervillain supergroup known as the Vicious 6, Gru hatches a plan to become evil enough to join them. Luckily, he gets some mayhem-making backup from his loyal followers, the Minions. Together, Kevin, Stuart, Bob and Otto–a new Minion sporting braces and a desperate need to please–deploy their skills as they and Gru build their first lair, experiment with their first weapons and pull off their first missions. When the Vicious 6 oust their leader, legendary fighter Wild Knuckles Alan Arkin, Gru interviews to become their newest member. It doesn’t go well (to say the least), and only gets worse after Gru outsmarts them and suddenly finds himself the mortal enemy of the apex of evil. On the run, Gru will turn to an unlikely source for guidance, Wild Knuckles himself, and discover that even bad guys need a little help from their friends.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Maica N. comments, “In his world, Gru is the most powerful villain anyone has ever seen. But the question is: how did he become this dominant force? This film shows us the exciting story of 12-year old Gru and the path to his villainous life.” Ava C. adds, “The main message of this movie is that no matter how independent you think you are, everyone can use some help. Even the best supervillain needs help every now and then. We see this message portrayed throughout the entire film.” Miguel wraps it up with, “. In this film we see who Gru’s idols are and who he looks up to when becoming a villain. I definitely could not stop laughing while watching this film and I bet you won’t be able to stop, too!” See their full reviews below.

Minions: The Rise of Gru
By Ava C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

Minions: The Rise of Gru is exemplary, in that it contains all the wow factors I look for in a movie.  It is funny and intriguing. The animation is amazing.

Minions: The Rise of Gru takes place in the 1970s when Gru (Steve Carell) was a child. The storyline follows his journey of trying to become the most dangerous supervillain. To make his dream come true, he tries to join a group of villains called the Vicious 6. His audition quickly goes downhill and suddenly Gru and his minions are on the run from the Vicious 6 villains.

They’ve come a long way since the original 2015 Minions movie. Gru’s life story is told throughout the Minions and Despicable Me series, however, this addition to the storyline adds more details and fills the gaps of Gru’s life that was missing. Just like the prior films, the minions are so hilarious and never lack for personality. A good thing about the Minions and Despicable Me films is that they are consistent with the character’s personalities.

There is the right amount of character development that brings all the characters to life, which gives it a realistic feel. The minion’s language is interesting because it is mostly gibberish, called “minionese,” mixed with a few recognizable Spanish words. Although most times you cannot understand them verbally, you can figure out what they are trying to communicate by their tone and facial expressions. They are just so cute! The minions wear their classic denim overalls, but some wear other outfits that fit their personalities. My favorite part of the movie is seeing the perseverance by the characters. It sends a positive message about not giving up and continuing to reach for your dreams, even when it gets tough.

The main message of this movie is that no matter how independent you think you are, everyone can use some help. Even the best supervillain needs help every now and then. We see this message portrayed throughout the entire film.

I give Minions: The Rise of 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it movie for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. It is a very funny and adventurous film that kids and adults will enjoy. It opens in theaters July 1, 2022.

Minions: The Rise of Gru
Maica N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critics, Age 14

In his world, Gru is the most powerful villain anyone has ever seen. But the question is: how did he become this dominant force? Minions: The Rise of Gru shows us the exciting story of 12-year old Gru and the path to his villainous life. Both the familiar faces and the new characters come together to make this make this film highly entertaining, yet nostalgic.

Minions: The Rise of Gru provides the backstory for how Gru (Steve Carell) came to be the notorious villain he is today. After being rejected as a replacement for Wild Knuckles (Alan Arkin) and failing to earn a much-coveted spot in the supervillain group Vicious 6, Gru unexpectedly finds himself on the run. As fate would have it, Gru’s dream of being mentored by Wild Knuckles soon comes true, but not without Gru having to now lean on Wild Knuckles and his minions to fight back against the Vicious 6.

The three main minions—Kevin, Stuart, and Bob—each have unique character traits that make these films work. In Minions: The Rise of Gru, you can see how each minion plays a different role in how Gru grows as a villain and as a person. Kevin is the smart and responsible leader—he makes sure everything is going according to plan. Stuart is the one who is always in touch with reality, and makes sure the truth is known—he may seem uninterested, but he’s very helpful. Bob is the lighthearted and innocent soul who always tries to make the best out of a situation. Without all three of these characters, this movie wouldn’t be the same. There are many subtle references to the previous movies that add to the comedic tone, as well. For instance, in the scene where Gru and Wild Knuckles attempt to rob the bank, the bank president shows them an image of his grandson, who turns out to be none other than the aspiring villain, Vector. Of course, young Gru isn’t aware that Vector will play a big role in his future, but the audience definitely is. These subtle references are what contribute to the nostalgic feel we get from watching this film. And, of course, we can’t forget about Gru’s iconic wardrobe, which he’s already wearing as a young kid.

The message of Minions: The Rise of Gru is that everyone needs a little help sometimes. Even though he doesn’t realize it right away, Gru eventually recognizes that he needs help in order to be the successful villain he desires to be. 

Minions: The Rise of Gru is such a fun movie to watch. The lovable characters just make the audience continue to yearn for more. I give it 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, though anyone can enjoy this movie. Minions: The Rise of Gru releases in theaters on July 1, 2022. Make sure you check it out!

Minions: The Rise Of Gru 
By Miguel C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

The writers of the exciting film Minions: The Rise Of Gru, Matthew Fogel, Brian Lynch, and Matthew Fogel, definitely created a strong storyline. In this film we see who Gru’s idols are and who he looks up to when becoming a villain. I definitely could not stop laughing while watching this film and I bet you won’t be able to stop, too!

The film starts off with an object, which looks like an amulet, being stolen, and we meet the Vicious 6 (Gru’s idols.) They betray their master and kick him off the team. So now Gru has an interview to work alongside the people he looks up to and become a Vicious 6 villain. If you want to see if he joins the team you’re definitely not going to want to miss this film. We also see what things are like at home, school, with his mom and the overall backstory.

This film is definitely a fan favorite and with Steve Carell playing the voice of Gru it will be a crowd-pleaser. There are so many jokes and the things the minions do and say will make you laugh so hard. For example, the way they speak and, especially in this film, the mix of Spanish with “minionese.” Like every previous Minion film, it has such a spark, the kind that truly entertains you and makes you laugh. What is unique in this film is the creation of a storyline that reveals Gru’s childhood. We learn how rough it was for Gru at school and how his relationship with his mom caused him to become the person is in the future. The animation in this film is similar to the previous films, but way better.

The message of this film is to never leave a friend or someone you care about behind because one day they might save your life. There are a lot of action scenes, including ones where they fight and one where they use needles.  So, I would warn parents that this may not be suitable for younger kids.  

I give Minions: The Rise Of Gru 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. You can find it in theaters July 1, 2022. 

When she fails to meet an item on his list of requirements for a bride, Julia Thistlewaite (Zawe Ashton) is jilted by London’s most eligible bachelor, Mr. Malcolm (Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù). Feeling humiliated and determined to exact revenge, she convinces her friend Selina Dalton (Freida Pinto) to play the role of his ideal match. Soon, Mr. Malcolm wonders whether he’s found the perfect woman…or the perfect hoax. Also starring Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Ashley Park, with Theo James.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Heather S. comments, “Mr. Malcolm’s List is the glamorous adventure of the year! The film transports fans into the Regency era for a tale filled with romance and exquisite music.” Mikella G. adds, “Something that I really enjoyed about this movie is its comedic aspects. There are multiple jokes thrown in here and there that really lighten the mood. Julia’s character has quite a strong personality, and often says things that are very funny.” See their full reviews below.

Mr. Malcolm’s List
By Heather S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

Mr. Malcolm’s List is the glamorous adventure of the year! The film transports fans into the Regency era for a tale filled with romance and exquisite music. 

Mr. Malcolm’s List is set in 1818, where the most eligible bachelor, Mr. James Malcolm (Sope Dirisu) looks for a wife. He meets Julia Thistlewaite (Zawe Ashton) who he believes isn’t worthy of his courtship because she does not meet his list of qualifications for a wife. Julia is embarrassed in society’s newspaper so she plans her revenge on Mr. Malcolm. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Suzanne Allain. 

This film shows how Regency era pieces have taken the world by storm. The movie is lighthearted, overflowing with gorgeous dresses, beautiful ballrooms and witty comedy. There was a short film based on Mr. Malcolm’s List previously released, with several cast members returning for this feature. It’s wonderful to have the entire story fleshed out, taking its time to tell the entire tale without feeling rushed. Sam Heughan reprises his role as Henry. Audiences can see that he feels more comfortable with this role, which adds to the greatness of this character.

The story itself is unique and keeps viewers on the edge of their seat. With the series Bridgerton giving fans several love stories with people who are head over heels for each other, it’s refreshing to have Mr. Malcolm’s List be the complete opposite. A woman taking revenge on a man for embarrassing her in society is as comedic as it is powerful. The writers have given Julia such power in proving herself worthwhile and she ends up finding love under unlikely circumstances.

The film gives personality and color to our ideas of what people were like in the early 1800s. Two friends spending their free time pondering on how to ruin the life of the most eligible bachelor in London, just because they think it’ll be fun, is exciting and totally unpredictable. Every second of this film is compelling.

The moral of this story is to honor yourself. Julia never lets anyone degrade her. Whereas some women during this time period would have let a man embarrass her and move on, Julia gives James a taste of his own medicine. She is never upset about not meeting his requirements, but instead becomes furious that he has a list to begin with. 

I give Mr. Malcolm’s List 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. The film releases in theaters July 1, 2022. 

Mr. Malcolm’s List
By Mikella G., KIDS FIRST!, Film Critic, age 16

Mr. Malcolm’s List is a heartwarming rom-com film. It’s great to unwind to and I enjoyed it a lot.

The storyline takes place in the 19^th century, following the lives of some of England’s elite. It focuses on the actions of a mysterious wealthy suitor, Mr. Malcolm (Sope Dirisu) who is in search of the perfect wife, and every eligible lady is trying to get in front of him. However, Mr. Malcolm is very picky, and doesn’t really care when he lets women down. When the main female character Julia (Zawe Ashton) isn’t enough for him and gets publicly humiliated, she doesn’t back down. Instead Julia brings in her good friend Selina (Freida Pinito) to give Mr. Malcolm a taste of his own medicine. In the end, things may not turn out as planned, but when they listen to their hearts, it all works out.

Something that I really enjoyed about this movie is its comedic aspects. There are multiple jokes thrown in here and there that really lighten the mood. Julia’s character has quite a strong personality, and often says things that are very funny. Even the way that she talks about other people, or things she doesn’t agree with are funny. It seems that most films today are very serious, so it’s great to see a strong light-hearted movie. Additionally, there’s a very strong storyline that kept me interested and wanting more. There is a lot of suspense throughout the film, as well as some surprising turnouts. I could never predict what would happen next. I also love the costume design, which suits the 19^th century time period. Each outfit has so much attention to detail.

The message of Mr. Malcolm’s List is that in the end, love and honesty will always make things right.

I give Mr. Malcolm’s List 4 out of 5 stars, and recommend it for ages 10 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters July 1, 2022.

Audiences have never seen a story like that of the Antetokounmpos. After emigrating from Nigeria to Greece, Charles and Vera Antetokounmpo (Dayo Okeniyi and Yetide Badaki, respectively) struggled to survive and provide for their five children, while living under the daily threat of deportation. With their oldest son still in Nigeria with relatives, the couple was desperate to obtain Greek citizenship but found themselves undermined by a system that blocked them at every turn. When they weren’t selling items to tourists on the streets of Athens with the rest of the family, the brothers– Giannis and Thanasis — would play basketball with a local youth team. Latecomers to the sport, they discovered their great abilities on the basketball court and worked hard to become world class athletes, along with brother, Kostas. With the help of an agent, Giannis entered the NBA Draft in 2013 in a long shot prospect that would change not only his life but the life of his entire family. And last season, Giannis and Thanasis helped bring the Milwaukee Bucks their first championship ring in 50 years, while Kostas played for the previous season champs, the Los Angeles Lakers.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Tiana S. comments, “All rise for the heartwarming, inspirational biographical story of Giannis Antetokounmpo and his family!  Rise is a story of family, sacrifice, love, and basketball. Perfect for the entire family, the Antetokounmpos’ story is sure to score in the hearts of viewers.” See her full review below.

Rise
By Tiana S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

All rise for the heartwarming, inspirational biographical story of Giannis Antetokounmpo and his family!  Rise is a story of family, sacrifice, love, and basketball. Perfect for the entire family, the Antetokounmpos’ story is sure to score in the hearts of viewers. 

Rise follows parents, Charles (Dayo Okeniyi) and Veronica (Yetide Badaki) Antetokounmpo, as they leave their home, and oldest son, in Nigeria due to immigration laws and head to Greece. There the couple struggles to find work and raise their children, Thanasis (Ral Agada), Giannis (Uche Agada), Kostas (Jaden Osimuwa), and Alexandros (Elijah Shomanke). Even though they are struggling to survive and dodging immigration, Giannis and Thanasis take up basketball for a local youth team. They find a passion for the sport and eventually are noticed by scouts, which starts their quest for the NBA … but not without still playing defense against deportation, racism, and laws preventing them from getting work permits.

While the movie focuses on the rise of the Antetokounmpo brothers, the entire family is the star of this film. Everyone makes sacrifices in order for Giannis to get drafted into the NBA, which opened doors for his brothers. Every day leading up to the 2013 NBA draft is a challenge to avoid deportation. One wrong move can expose them and send everyone back to Nigeria. The film is an emotional rollercoaster as you follow the Antetokounmpos’ journey from Nigeria to Greece to the NBA. My favorite aspect of the movie is seeing all the sacrifices each family member made for the overall goal. I enjoyed the old-school and hip-hop songs, which will draw in audiences of all ages. The camera angles also help engage viewers and give a close up understanding of the family.

Rise is all about family and sacrifice. The family shows what you can accomplish when everyone sticks together. Throughout the film, we see how Charles Antetokounmpo constantly reminds his children that “if one scores, then they all score.” He instills in them the value of family and how they can’t make it by themselves. Considering that Giannis, Thanasis and Kostas became the first trio of brothers to win championships in NBA league history, I would say they understood the assignment.  

Rise is not just for basketball fans … it’s the perfect family movie that is just the inspiration we all need to keep pushing forward. I give Rise 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for kids ages 10 to 18, plus adults. Rise tips off on Disney+, June 24, 2022.

Dinosaur Cove is a family adventure film about a boy who discovers dinosaur eggs and must protect them from a crazy scientist.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Eshaan M. comments, “Dinosaur Cove is an enthralling adventure film with a simple, yet sweet plot and high-quality cinematography. It’s a superb family-friendly film and will certainly entertain dinosaur-lovers!” Maica N. adds, “Who doesn’t love a good dinosaur story? Dinosaur Cove is here to entertain you and widen your imagination. With a fun mystery, interesting characters, and a surprising twist, this movie will have you wondering… could dinosaurs still exist?”

Kendall B. wraps it up with, “Something about this film that really sticks out is the songs. I love their poetic lyrics and the melodies are great too. The scenery and cinematography is really beautiful, specifically the shots of ocean. I love the scene when the dad is driving his boat, because the water looks amazing.” See their full reviews below.

Dinosaur Cove
By Eshaan M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

Dinosaur Cove is an enthralling adventure film with a simple, yet sweet plot and high-quality cinematography. It’s a superb family-friendly film and will certainly entertain dinosaur-lovers!

The film follows Riley Harrison (Brayden Eaton), an adventurous young boy. Riley discovers pteranodon eggs in the town where his grandfather lives, aptly named Dinosaur Cove. With the help of Dr. Theresa Starr (Holly Houk), he must protect them from a mad scientist named Dr. Victor Vandersaurian (James Pilachowski) and get them to safety. Throughout his journey, he strengthens old bonds, especially with his writer father Wyatt Harrison (Jared Withrow), whom he has grown distant from after his mother’s passing.

Director Daniel Knudsen hits another home run with Dinosaur Cove. It’s evident he’s coached the talented actors very well — they deliver dialogues naturally and emote organically. The script by Derrick Steele is also wonderful; there are no stilted scenes where dialogue feels unnatural. I also love Knudsen’s cameo in the film as egg expert Terrance Walker. The cinematography is incredible and I especially love the ending shot of pteranodons flying across the horizon at sunset. It’s easy for a romantic subplot to be underdeveloped in an indie film, but the subtle romance between Wyatt Harrison and Dr. Theresa Starr is one of the most heartwarming parts of the film and provides for superb character development, especially in the case of Wyatt, who is recovering from the loss of his wife just a year ago. Jared Withrow and Holly Houk do justice to their roles.

Dinosaur Cove promotes always doing the right thing, even if no one is watching. It also emphasizes teamwork and protecting the vulnerable. It truly is a film with great, family-friendly messages.

I give Dinosaur Cove 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8-125, plus adults. Dinosaur Cove released on June 1, 2022 on digital.

Dinosaur Cove
Maica N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critics, Age 14

Who doesn’t love a good dinosaur story? Dinosaur Cove is here to entertain you and widen your imagination. With a fun mystery, interesting characters, and a surprising twist, this movie will have you wondering… could dinosaurs still exist?

Dinosaur Cove is about a young boy named Riley (Brayden Eaton) who moves with his dad Jared (Wyatt Harrison) to his grandfather’s house after his mom passes away. While they are there, Jared is busy working on a book and Riley is running into trouble. After seeing something that he thinks is a dinosaur, he has to prove that what he saw was real, and then protect it from an evil scientist.

Although the CGI isn’t the best, it really helps enhance the plot of the movie. The images of the dinosaurs and the eggs allow the viewers to visualize what it would be like to live amongst dinosaurs. There aren’t many dinosaur movies aimed at younger children being released, so Dinosaur Cove is really refreshing. It’s a clean and entertaining movie that kids can enjoy. However, although its focus is younger children, there is a deeper meaning and a thicker storyline as Jared is grieving the loss of his wife and Riley’s mom. It also shows the process of moving on, and how resilience is a key part of life. This creates a part of the story that older audiences may relate to. At some points of the film, the audio track is uneven, which can be distracting. Nevertheless, Dinosaur Cove is a humorous and action packed movie that will be enjoyed by kids and families.

The message of Dinosaur Cove is that being open-minded can lead you to something amazing. If you rule something out too quickly, you could be missing out on a significant opportunity.

I rate Dinosaur Cove 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 4 to 11. Dinosaur Cove is available now on Digital, so make sure you check it out!

Dinosaur Cove
By Kendall B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

Dinosaur Cove is an exhilarating and fun new film that younger children will love! It has great characters and a story that is equally fun. The dinosaurs add the perfect amount of fantasy to the story.

The storyline follows Riley (Brayden Eaton), his dad and his grandpa who have just moved to Dinosaur Cove! As soon as he arrives he finds a creature (a dinosaur) obviously. But the problem is, nobody except for his best friend, Savannah (Addilyn Houk), believes him. Little does he know there’s an evil scientist that wants to capture the dinosaur. Can Riley keep his new friend safe?

Something about this film that really sticks out is the songs. I love their poetic lyrics and the melodies are great too. The scenery and cinematography is really beautiful, specifically the shots of ocean. I love the scene when the dad is driving his boat, because the water looks amazing. But by far my favorite scene is earlier in the film, when one of Riley’s new friends hits a golf ball into a man’s window, hands the golf club to Riley and runs away.

The message of Dinosaur Cove is that teamwork is great. The kids work together in many different situations, but it’s not just the kids. The adults also help out in some circumstances. One thing to be aware of is the use of a tranquilizer gun and the fact that the kids go exploring a lot without telling their parents and, in a few cases, end up in dangerous situations as a result.

I give Dinosaur Cove 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 4 to 12. Dinosaur Cove is available now on digital platforms.