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)

Yes, there’s still time – and it’s fun and easy to enter. KIDS FIRST! is looking for eight kids aged six to 14 who love movies and love to talk about them to be the KIDS FIRST! youth film critics for 2012. You’ve been reading, all this year, reviews and interviews by the 2011 KIDS FIRST! youth film critics – and seeing their enthusiasm shine through in the video versions. That’s the experience KIDS FIRST! is now offering to a new roster of KIDS FIRST! youth film critics.

Choose one of these titles: Happy Feet; Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer; Glee, Season 2; Spy Kids: All the Time in the World; and Barbie: A Perfect Christmas.

Watch the movie, write a review of it and create a video of yourself reviewing it, and submit your entry by midnight, Dec. 31. Post your video on our partner site WonderWorldTV for public voting. The new voting deadline is Jan. 15.

The guidelines and the tips we’ve put together for you on our website are full of suggestions to help you.

Finalists will be chosen by public voting, so tell your friends to be sure to visit www.wonderworldtv.com/kidsfirst often to vote their favorite. EVERYONE IS WELCOMED TO VOTE – VISIT OFTEN TO SEE THE LATEST ENTRIES. Last year’s contest generated 11 million votes! Then, in late January, we’ll announce the winners.  

The eight KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Search winners will experience life as a film critic for 12 months — being among the first to view new theatrical releases and writing blogs and reviews for KIDS FIRST! and our media partners, and even attending red carpet events and interviewing the celebrities there. Wow! And not only is it a blast, it’s educationally sound – we don’t expect everyone who enters to pursue a career as a film critic, but the skills the child learns simply by entering the campaign are useful. And the winners are coached by leading professionals who help them develop skills that will last them a lifetime.

In the final selection, the eight winners will be chosen from the finalists by our panel of distinguished judges: Thelma Adams, who was the film critic at Us Weekly for 11 years following six years at the New York Post and whose debut novel, Playdate, was an O Magazine pick; Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Landmark Theaters and Magnolia Pictures; Ben Lyons, E! film critic and frequent contributor to “Good Morning America”; and George Pennacchio, the entertainment reporter for “ABC7 Eyewitness News” and host of ABC7’s “Evening at the Academy Awards” pre-show and post-show, whose career has been studded with three Emmy Awards, the Publicists Guild of America’s Press Award and the Critics’ Choice Movie Award from the Broadcast Film Critics Association, North America’s largest critics group.

Campaign support comes from national nonprofit organizations that include the National Council of Women’s Organizations, with a cumulative 17+ million members, and the National Education Association. And our thanks also to our industry supporters: Amazon.com, Anchor Bay Entertainment, Feature Films for Families, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Warner Home Video and WonderWorld Entertainment.

Direct from Sea World, the world-famous attraction in Southern California where this film’s DVD-launch festivities were just held, nine-year-old KIDS FIRST! youth film critic Anthony Aranda offers this review of last summer’s theatrical release Mr.Popper’s Penguins. Anthony, one of the 2011 winners of KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Search, has a full year under his belt of being a KIDS FIRST! youth film critic, and shares some of his Sea World/DVD launch activities here and on an upcoming segment of the KIDS FIRST! radio show “Coming Attractions,” which streams on VoiceAmerica Kids.

“I was able to see Mr. Popper’s Penguins at Sea World San Diego camp. They held an overnight camp that was really fun. We got to sleep next to the penguin exhibit, get a tour of Sea World and watch Mr. Popper’s Penguins while lying in our sleeping bags. The next morning, we got to go and feed the sea lions and then went to see the turtles. My favorite part was seeing the penguins, though, because they are really cool. The movie was really awesome but even cooler to watch while lying right next to actual penguins!”

Mr. Popper’s Penguins
Reviewed by Anthony Aranda
(See his full review on video.)

I am reviewing a hilarious movie called Mr. Popper’s Penguins. I love this movie a lot because it is really funny and a little bit crazy!

This movie is all about Mr. Popper, played by Jim Carrey, whose father passes away and leaves him six penguins. After Mr. Popper’s son and daughter come over, they name the six penguins: Stinky, Bitey, Nimrod, Lovey, Captain and Loudy. Three of the penguins lay one egg each and one of the eggs doesn’t make it. Mr. Popper did everything he could to help the egg survive but it didn’t work. Later, the penguins get stolen by someone at the zoo. They plan to separate the babies from the older penguins. Mr. Popper goes into the zoo, frees the penguins and traps the people who stole the penguins.
 
Some of the main characters in the movie are Mr. Popper, the six penguins, Janie and Billy. My favorite character is Mr. Popper because he takes care of the penguins throughout the movie even though sometimes he doesn’t want to. He is also a really funny character; sometimes he goes nuts when he gets really mad.

My favorite part in the movie is when Mr. Popper opens up his shower door and a whole bunch of water comes rushing out because Captain had filled the whole shower up. Mr. Popper is pushed toward the stairs and has to hang on because the water is pushing him over. Then Captain comes over and poops in his face, which causes Mr. Popper to fall. It is hilarious!!

I would recommend this movie for all ages because it is super funny and there is no violence or parts that would scare anyone. This movie is a good movie because it helps to show the importance of family. Go out and buy this movie when it comes out on Blu-ray and DVD on December 7.

The 2012 KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Search is going on now. Entries must be received by KIDS FIRST! by midnight December 31. For full information, click here.

Photos: Mr. Popper’s Penguins DVD box cover (top), Anthony Aranda (bottom) 

Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer, reviewed below by then-nine-year-old KIDS FIRST! youth film critic Makai Weber Colvin, is one of many titles Makai has reviewed over this past year. The KIDS FIRST! youth film critic role has also given her the opportunity to attend red carpet events and interview film talent in person. The campaign is now on (through midnight December 31) for eight lucky kids aged six to 14 who will be next year’s KIDS FIRST! youth film critics, and Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer is one of five titles now available on DVD and Blu-ray they can choose from to enter. Click here for information and tips on how to enter.

Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer
Reviewed by Makai Weber Colvin
(See her full review on video.)

I’ve been watching Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer, based on the best-selling books by Megan McDonald. Jordana Beatty plays the part of Judy Moody, a young girl with a really wild imagination. When her summer plans get turned upside-down, Judy starts a “Thrill Contest” with her three best friends. Unfortunately, all Judy’s thrills get spoiled — until she joins her brother, Stink, on the hunt for Big Foot, who’s been seen around their town.

I liked this movie because it has a lot of fun and action in it. The super-silly mix of animation and live action is the perfect way to tell this story; it makes you feel like you’re actually there having fun with the characters.

I really liked Aunt Opal, played by Heather Graham, because she’s like a kid in a grown-up’s body. She makes every scene exciting. Judy’s teacher, Mr. Todd, (Jaleel White), is every kid’s dream — he’s charming and makes learning a joyful adventure.

If your summer is getting boring, or if you want to make it even more fun, check out Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer when it comes to a theater near you. I suggest this movie for kids of all ages and even most parents will like it. I give it five out of five stars. Catch Judy Moody to make your summer a “Not Bummer.”

Photos: Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer DVD box cover (top), Makai Weber Colvin (bottom)