KIDS FIRST! News

If a lie isn’t made on purpose, it should be easy enough to clear up, right? Except that when there are a lot of people involved, each person has a different idea of when would be the best time to explain it away.

In Truth Be Told, the innocent mistake starts when a widower with two kids runs into a college friend at a museum event, and the event photographer assumes they are one happy family and poses them for his camera. The impression is picked up by a wealthy man whose position and money could be a beneficial force for, respectively, the woman’s career and the man’s nonprofit fundraising needs. There’s an undercurrent that “Bish,” the potential benefactor, has problems of his own, and the audience is pulled into watching for how Annie Morgan, the marriage and family counselor who would love to have a radio show of her own “to help people who can’t afford therapy,” and Mark Crane, who runs an after-school program to help kids in a tough neighborhood, are going to help him find the answers he needs. But in the meantime, it’s a sort-of comedy of errors as Annie, Mark, Mark’s middle-school-aged daughter Zoe and high-school-aged son Kenny have their attacks of conscience and determine to confess the charade — only to be thwarted by one of the others who, at that particular moment, feels there is something to be gained by stalling just a little longer.

Most of the story takes place at Bish’s ranch in Colorado. He had been impressed with Annie when he met her at that museum event and became interested in offering her the radio show. Family, it develops later, is very important to him, and the photographer’s mistake led to Bish inviting Annie and “her family” for a weekend at his ranch to get to know them. Real learning, however, can’t start until they can base it on honesty.

KIDS FIRST! film critic Raven Devanney (age 13) shares her review of the made-for-TV movie (and view it online): 

‘Truth Be Told’
Review by Raven Devanney

Truth Be Told is a fantastic movie to watch with family or by yourself.

This film is great. There are lots of funny parts and also some serious situations when Annie, played by Candace Bure, and Mark, played by David Elliott, pretend to be married so they can qualify for a job offer.

The visual aspects of the film are awesome. However, in the climax of the movie, when Zoe runs away, the cinematography is very dark and the lighting is poor. It feels weird. 

My favorite character is Zoe because she is very believable and really sweet.

Another thing I really enjoy from this film is that the main characters are from Denver, Colorado, and since I’m from Colorado as well, it is really cool to be able to relate to them.

I think Truth Be Told is a great move for family night or for young teens to enjoy on their own. Truth be told, the movie is great!

The newest Walmart and Procter & Gamble family movie, Truth Be Told, stars Candace Cameron Bure (“Full House”), Ronny Cox (“Stargate SG-1”) and David James Elliot (The Stranger I Married). “American Idol” star Danny Gokey makes his acting debut, and provides some of the songs. There are good rock ‘n’ roll vibes throughout the film, and an appealing thread of romance for the young, old and older.

Truth Be Told world premieres on FOX on April 16 at 8/7c.

Watch the film’s stars talk about making a family movie.

View the trailer.

Photos: Annie Morgan and Mark Crane, with Alexander Bishop and wife looking on (top); KIDS FIRST! film critic Raven Devanney (bottom)

Hollywood-style excitement hit Marine Corps Air Station Miramar on Saturday, April 2, with a red carpet movie event in honor of the Month of the Military Child. Brooke White and Danny Gokey, who came to acclaim on “American Idol,” smiled for the fans and flashbulbs as they walked the red carpet to the Bob Hope Theater aboard the air station. The invited audience – limited to military families for this special event – followed them into the theater for the feature screening of White’s movie Change of Plans and a sneak peek at upcoming release of Gokey’s Truth Be Told. White makes her acting debut in Change of Plans; Gokey – and some of his songs – makes his in Truth Be Told.The much-beloved puppet Lamb Chop assisted her sidekick Mallory Lewis, Mistress of Ceremonies, to open the show. The idea for the screening originated with Lewis, who took her idea to KIDS FIRST!, with which she has collaborated on other events and now also sits on the board. It struck an immediate chord with KIDS FIRST! founder and president Ranny Levy, who upped the impact by arranging for the star power of the popular “American Idol” performers. White and Gokey, expressing their reasons why it was especially meaningful to them to participate in the event for the military families, delighted the audience with a performance prior to the movie screening. (Look for interviews with these stars by KIDS FIRST! film critic Anthony Aranda.)

The much-beloved puppet Lamb Chop assisted her sidekick Mallory Lewis, Mistress of Ceremonies, to open the show. The idea for the screening originated with Lewis, who took her idea to KIDS FIRST!, with which she has collaborated on other events and now also sits on the board. It struck an immediate chord with KIDS FIRST! founder and president Ranny Levy, who upped the impact by arranging for the star power of the popular “American Idol” performers. White and Gokey, expressing their reasons to participate in the event for the military families, delighted the audience with a performance prior to the movie screening. (Look for interviews with these stars by KIDS FIRST! film critic Anthony Aranda.)

The Walmart and Procter & Gamble made-for-TV family movie Change of Plans stars Brooke White, Joe Flanigan and Phylicia Rashad. The movie demonstrates how our lives can be turned upside-down with a single phone call. When Sally Danville (Brooke White) finds out that her best friend from college has died in a tragic accident, Sally also learns that she has been named the legal guardian of her friend’s four children – three of whom were adopted from third-world countries. Now, Sally and her husband, Jason (Joe Flanigan, “Stargate: Atlantis”), must quickly learn to parent this instant family and help the kids deal with culture clashes and life in America. The story is both humorous and heartwarming, revealing how fulfilling life can be when you look beyond your own plans and invest in the lives of others. The Change of Plans DVD and soundtrack are sold together in a bonus pack, available April 26, exclusively at Wal-Mart.

The newest Walmart and Procter & Gamble family movie, Truth Be Told, stars Candace Cameron Bure (“Full House”), Ronny Cox (“Stargate SG-1”) and David James Elliot (The Stranger I Married), and the world premiere airs on FOX on April 16 at 8/7c.

Photos, from top: KIDS FIRST! film critic Anthony Aranda, Lamb Chop and Mallory Lewis, Brooke White and Danny Gokey; Brooke White; Danny Gokey. For more photos, visit: http://flickr.com/gp/rannynm/999eJe/.

Chuggington’s appealing train-yard toddlers … er, trainees, are ready to ride into your home on Anchor Bay Entertainment’s DVD Chuggington: Chuggers to the Rescue, released April 5. In each of the six 10-minute episodes starring the young locomotives, Brewster, Wilson and Koko eagerly rush into a new escapade in their pleasingly pastel world much like any human child would do.

Which is a big part of why the TV series connects with its 2- to 5-year-old audience. And the simplified sets add to the sense of playfulness. But there’s a serious lesson within each adventure as the three trainees test where the limits are and learn what the consequences may be for not listening to the older-and-wiser trains.

In the first episode, trains not only talk but they fly. Not with wings, of course — grounding the fantasy with a little reality, the trains achieve this feat by being outfitted with jet packs. But it’s no joy ride. In “Jet Pack Wilson,” the threesome take training from Action Chugger, a Superman-like hero who makes girls swoon but keeps a level head and concentrates on the rescue at hand. Training isn’t the fun and games that Wilson, Koko and Brewster had anticipated, as they push and pull heavy loads up steep hills to build stamina. Even the practice rescue of a kitten from a tree seems a little silly to Wilson, who points out the practice “kitten” is a teddy bear. But Action Chugger stays serious, pointing out, “I can’t put [real] small creatures in danger while you learn.”

Always the hot-headed one, Wilson finds some jet packs in the train yard and takes off with them in spite of Koko’s and Brewster’s warnings that he’s not ready yet. He can’t handle himself in the air, and, after Action Chugger saves him, Wilson admits, “It looked easy in the movies.” Action Chugger drives home the point: “Real life isn’t like the movies.”

In “Wilson and the Wild Wind,” it isn’t just himself whom Wilson puts in danger. Dunbar, another mentor for their training, has created a weather simulator and can call up wind storms, rain storms, even thunder and lightning so the trainees can learn how to handle such weather. The simulator responds only to Dunbar’s voice, so Wilson practices copying it — and sets off gale-force winds that blow the train yard topsy turvy. But at least Wilson remembered one lesson, that they should couple-up in a headwind so they’ll be heavier. Hooking together their couplings, Brewster, Koko and Wilson chug back to the weather simulator to try to turn it off. “I didn’t think about what could happen,” Wilson admits to Dunbar. 

In spite of the main characters being metal machines, there’s a sense of warmth among the characters. And whatever the challenge, the fear factor stays in the mild range, just enough for young viewers to understand that something bad could happen without being so alarming as to send them hiding under the bed.

Tangled, Disney’s update of the Rapunzel fairy tale, garnered rave reviews from our KIDS FIRST! film critics (visit www.kidsfirst.org/filmfestival/Tangled.htm for their full reviews, written and video.) Due out on DVD March 29, Tangled earned five out of five stars from Makai Weber Colvin (9 years old), who sums it up, “If you like a classic story, great songs and one BIG adventure, this is the DVD for you. Fun, fun, fun for the whole family!” Raven Devanney (13 years old), recommending it to all ages – “even teens” – says, “The colorful animation is great as well and adds brilliance to a familiar story.” Ny’Asia Bell (8 years old) points out especially that it is “full of lots of action and great special effects.”

Rapunzel, who has been locked away in a tower for years, captures the kingdom’s most-wanted bandit, Flynn Rider, when he tries to hide out in her tower. Seeing an opportunity to escape her tower prison, the beautiful and feisty teen tressed with 70 feet of magical, golden hair strikes a deal with the charming thief, and the unlikely duo set off on an action-packed escapade, complete with a super-cop horse, an overprotective chameleon and a gruff gang of pub thugs. Spiced with humor and heart, the story is only one part of what Raven Devanney liked about the film.

Go On and Get ‘Tangled’!
A review by Raven Devanney

The story we all grew up with is back and better than ever. The lovable tale of Rapunzel is here with an all-new comical and musical twist, and things are about to get Tangled! I really enjoyed this film. The music is excellent and extremely funny. The voice of Mandy Moore as Rapunzel is fantastic. She is really talented. She is totally perfect for Rapunzel’s bubbly voice and character, while empowering viewers to follow their hearts. Plus, she can really sing. Her voice is super clear, and I really loved hearing her beautiful singing.

Zachary Levi, the voice of the kingdom’s most wanted bandit, Flynn Rider, is amazing! Just listening to him talk makes me laugh. He does an excellent job.

The colorful animation is great as well and adds brilliance to a familiar story. I wasn’t sure how I would like this movie, especially because of the fact that it is a musical, but I was so surprised how much I fell in love with it. My favorite character is Maximus, Flynn Rider’s bloodhound of a horse. I like this character because of his hilarious facial expressions and outstanding personality. My absolute favorite scene that sticks with me is the montage right after Rapunzel leaves the tower with Flynn, because she is totally battling with herself.

This movie is most definitely for all ages, even teens. So if you want a good laugh, and awesome animation, then this movie is perfect for you.

So go on and get Tangled!!!

A popular book for little kids, The Little Engine That Could features a scrappy little engine determined to get her load of toys over a steep mountain to all the good little boys and girls waiting on the other side. Cheering herself on with an “I think I can,” she succeeds.

Universal’s film The Little Engine That Could (scheduled for DVD release March 22) is for kids a tad older, and steps back to tell the story of where the little engine came from and expand the adventure with more challenges for children to relate to.

We’re introduced to Dreamland, focusing in on talking trains happily and busily chugging around a train yard. A small shunter engine shares with an obviously older engine that she, too, would like to be a dreamhauler that makes special deliveries to children in the real world. Rusty responds to Little Engine with prophetic words: “If you think you can, you will; if you think you can’t, you won’t. Either way, you’re right.”

Cut to the “real world”: In a schoolyard, two bullies nab another boy’s prized possession — a silver pocket watch that had been his grandfather’s. Ashamed to go home without the watch, he heads over to the nearby park instead and discovers a train he is sure has never been there before. Mysterious it is, but it offers shelter from the snowy winter, so he climbs into one of the freight cars. The movement causes Rusty, up front, to awaken from his nap; he realizes he’s been discovered where he shouldn’t be, and tries unsuccessfully to shake off his unwanted passenger as he rushes back to Dreamland.

A real boy in Dreamland puts “a hole in the dream/reality continuum,” according to the tower in charge of the train yard, explaining why the tunnel between the two worlds has collapsed and then organizing work shifts for the dreamhaulers to re-open the tunnel so they can get the boy back to his real world. Little Engine thinks it would be faster to use the tracks she’s heard about that go over the mountain, but most of the other trains think those tracks exist only in old stories.

Adding a dangerous time element to the emergency is a trainload of toys worried about getting to their intended children before the children forget they wished for the toys. “Once we’re forgotten, we disappear,” they tell Little Engine. Many adventures ensue, including a run-in with the foreboding Nightmare Train, before we finally get to the well-known refrain, “I think I can, I think I can …”

The Little Engine That Could is a film with a moral. Several of them. And it foregoes subtlety to get them across (e.g., “You’re not annoying; you’re unique,” one toy reassures another). Sweet songs written for the film further spell out the lessons.

The Little Engine That Could mixes in some vocabulary-stretching dialog, with words like “grueling” and “naïve,” with enough context for elementary-school-aged kids to understand them. Younger kids, too, could keep up with the story, but the Nightmare Train sequences might be too intense for them.