KIDS FIRST! News

Twenty six cuddly ABC Monsters live within the walls of Capital Castle. Each monster represents a letter of the alphabet. Should any of the monsters go missing for longer than a day, all the letters will be wiped clean from every book in Capital Town! In this DVD, embark on adventures with Alice, Brian and Cherry Berry to search high and low for the letters Q, R, S, T and U. It’s a rainy day at Capital Castle. The big Capital Castle raffle is supposed to happen today but it has been canceled! The raffle is to be held in Alphabet Garden but with all this rain there is no way the raffle can happen. Get set for a spellbinding series of magical adventures that engages preschool children’s imaginations, while making learning exciting and entertaining. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Morgan B comments, “I definitely want to recommend this colorful, quirky show that teaches your kids about letters and words. It will definitely have them singing and laughing while they learn.” Ella L. adds, “ABC Monsters: Starring QRSTU is very impressive with its colorful animation and learning style. I really like the nature backgrounds when the characters are outside.” Jennifer V. sums it up with, “I really enjoyed this DVD along with the 4 young children who watched with me… My kids danced, acted out the letter shapes, and sang for the rest of the night. This DVD will definitely be watched again as the sing-along and word puzzle sections are awesome.” See their full reviews below.

ABC Monsters: Starring QRSTU
By Morgan B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

I definitely want to recommend this colorful, quirky show that teaches your kids about letters and words. It will definitely have them singing and laughing while they learn. I found myself doing that.  I even found myself doing exercises and having a wonderful time with all the fun characters including Cherry Berry who’s a magical fairy. I love her because she is very inquisitive and she knows what to do. We also have the funny and adorable Alice who is a princess that lives at Capital Castle with her mother and father, the King and Queen. I love them. She also has her BFF with her named Brian who wants to help all the ABC Monsters, just like Alice and Cherry Berry. And, he wants to help his BFFs Alice and Cherry Berry. I love that about his character. He is very kind and sweet.

This is a perfect show for all little kids because it teaches phonics, writing and reading, how to recognize words and letters and so much more. It’s really important for kids to learn how to solve puzzles and how to solve problems. This DVD is great at teaching them how to do those things as well. This is a perfect series. It has a wonderful, fun way of teaching. It’s energetic and gets them up, dancing and laughing and, the next thing you know, they’re singing the alphabet just like Alice, Cherry Berry and Brian. You’ll be smiling and telling them what a great job they’re doing.

I definitely encourage you to share this with your preschoolers because it teaches things that most kids don’t want to learn, but makes it fun and energetic so they will want to watch this DVD over and over again. My favorites episode is Rain and Raffles. I love that one because there is the adorable R-Monster, who is my favorite monster or alphabet letter. One of my favorites I should say, because there are many. Other than that episode, I really like the way that they have so many fun and new characters such as the adorable rabbit who has a magnificent garden full of radishes, carrots, tomatoes, lettuce, any kind of vegetable you can think of. They’ve probably got it. There is even a gigantic radish that you’ll learn more about when you watch the DVD. I love this DVD because it’s fun and exciting and I love how it teaches so many different letters and so many different words. I mean, they have one amazing episode about the letter R. That’s what I call terrific. All these letters are just magnificent because they all are so different from each other. None of them are the same color and they all have their own perspective and personality which I love.

I recommend this DVD for ages 2 to 5. Kids will learn and have a great time. They’ll have fun as they sing, dance and learn. It’s also great teaching kids how to solve problems. Have fun. I give this 4 out of 5 Alphabet Fantastic Stars. This is available on DVD January 24, 2017 so, go check it out.

ABC Monsters: Starring QRSTU
By Ella L., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

ABC Monsters: Starring QRSTU is very impressive with its colorful animation and learning style. I really like the nature backgrounds when the characters are outside. I also like how, at the end of every episode, a song plays and the characters sing and dance. The color and life put into the animation accentuates the themes of happiness and playfulness that the show exudes.

In this DVD, there are five different stories – Queen Scribble’s Quiz, Rain and Raffles, Sandy Shores, Ticket to Ride and Unique Cycle. Each story follows Alice, Bryan and Cherry Berry in  finding missing the letters Q, R, S, T and U. They follow clues and have to find words starting with the featured letter. For example, in the Q section, one of the clues is “Q Monster was nervous for the Q – – Z.” You have to fill in the blank with the clues the show provides the audience with (such as Q Monster saying, “I’m nervous for the quiz”). The show is a great educational experience for young learners.

This DVD targets preschoolers who are learning how to spell and they deliver a great production. This is a wonderful show for teaching young learners alphabet letters and simple words. The producers have been careful to make sure that the spelling and reading comprehension skills are tattooed into the audience’s brains by including songs and cute little riddles I’m impressed with what the team at ABC Monsters has created.

This DVD is a colorful and energetic learning show suitable for ages 2 to 5 and I give it 3 out of 5 stars. If you’re looking for a great learning show for your wee ones, be sure to check this out. It’s available on DVD January 24, 2017 wherever DVDs are sold.

ABC Monsters: Starring QRSTU
By Jennifer V., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror
https://youtu.be/Q81hFQ40yNw

I really enjoyed this DVD along with the 4 young children who watched with me. Cherry Berry is great guide throughout the episodes. The kids also enjoyed Una Underhill and her umbrella. The songs are fun and very catchy. The characters are colorful and helpful to one another and there is not any violence of any sort. The kids really enjoyed the music and they really liked that music is included within each episode, not just at the very end. The DVD has a sing-along portion as well as dancing and acting out letter shapes that are very kid friendly. My team clapped and laughed a lot while watching this. They shouted out answers to the word and alphabet questions.

One thing I really appreciate is how this DVD really gets kids involved. It is not just something that they sit back and watch. There is a lots of interaction and learning. In addition, each episode is short enough to hold the younger ones’ attention. Also, there is repetition of the letters within each episode which helps younger ones learn their letters. After watching this DVD, my kids were still singing the alphabet song and talking about the letters.

This DVD is perfect for preschoolers or young ones learning the alphabet (ages 2 to 5).  There is lots of interaction, helpful characters and a fun sing-along that will entertain your kids and have them dancing. The bright colors and calling out answers to the word puzzles make it even more exciting. My favorite part is the assortment of songs which really help kids to remember the letters they just learned, even after the episodes has ended. My kids danced, acted out the letter shapes, and sang for the rest of the night. This DVD will definitely be watched again as the sing-along and word puzzle sections are awesome. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Long Way North is set in late 19th Century Saint Petersburg. Sacha, a young girl from the Russian aristocracy, has always been fascinated by the exciting life of her grandfather, Oloukine, a renowned scientist and Arctic explorer who has yet to return from his latest expedition to conquer the North Pole. But Sacha’s parents, who have already made arrangements for her marriage, strongly disapprove of her fascination, to say the least. Defying her parents’ wishes, Sacha flees her home and launches an adventure-filled quest toward the Great North in search of her grandfather and his ship. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Gerry O. comments, “There are animated films that don’t use animation to its full potential and treat it as a tool instead of an art. Long Way North is not one of these films for it is a beautifully crafted animated masterpiece.”  Alejandra G. adds, “I like the film because the events are so unexpected. I would predict that something would happen and then, something completely different happened and I would stare at the screen in shock.” See their complete reviews below.

Long Way North
By Gerry O., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 14

There are animated films that don’t use animation to its full potential and treat it as a tool instead of an art. Long Way North is not one of these films for it is a beautifully crafted animated masterpiece. Long Way North, at its core, is an adventure – not just a physical one, but an emotional one for the protagonist, Sacha. With so many dangerous moments, there is a multitude of action scenes filled with drama and intensity. This film will inspire you with its heartwarming story.

The story takes place in 1880s St. Petersburg, Russia. Sacha (Christa Théret) is a young girl from a very successful family. She doesn’t have her eyes on politics or wealth. Instead, Sacha has her eyes on the North Pole. After her grandfather disappears on a voyage to the North Pole, she makes it her mission to find him. It won’t be easy, she has never worked in her entire life and she will have to do it without her wealthy parents’ support.

One thing that is truly spectacular about this movie is how quickly you understand the conflict, protagonist, plot and goals of the protagonist. Within the first five minutes, I knew the names of each character, Sacha’s hopes and dreams, her challenges and why her character is unique. Very few films can achieve this with even a simple plot which shows how well the film’s story is shown. Another beautiful part of the film is the animation. It is hand drawn and very colorful. The style perfectly suits the story and seamlessly shows the different elements of the movie, from big ice cliffs to the stormy seas. One aspect of the film I disliked is the voice-over acting and dubbing. The movie was recorded originally in French and is dubbed in English. Many times, the voices are very emotional and perfectly fit the characters, but at times the voices are too soft and sound as if they were recorded in a room somewhere and not where the action is taking place. Despite this, turning on sub-titles completely removes this issue and it is still a very entertaining and enjoyable film.

My favorite scene is when Sacha first leaves the large mansion, surrounded by the maids she grew up with. What appeals to me about this scene is how connected you feel to this young girl. You can feel her fear, excitement and wonder that she is experiencing. It is all achieved, thanks to the amazing story, wonderful animation and unique, but relatable characters.

Parents have very little to worry about in this film. In a few scenes, there is some mild language, but that’s it. I recommend it for ages 5 to 18. It is intended to be a kid’s film, but because of the mature and inspiring story, I believe that teenagers and young adults will enjoy it as well. I give it 4 ½ out of 5 stars because it only has one small issue with the dubbing and voice-overs, but it is truly a work of art and something the whole family can enjoy watching. This film is available on DVD on January 17, 2017 so, go check it out. You’re sure to enjoy this adventure.

Long Way North
By Alejandra G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

I loved this film. It surprised me a lot. In the beginning, it was a bit boring, but as the movie progressed, it got better and better. I like the film because the events are so unexpected. I would predict that something would happen and then, something completely different happened and I would stare at the screen in shock. I love that feeling because it’s exciting. For me, when that happens, when you don’t know what’s going to happen next or that anything could happen, it makes the film intriguing and interesting. You are curious about what will happen next.

The movie takes place in 19th Century Saint Petersburg when a young girl from the Russian aristocracy named Sacha suffers over the fate of her grandfather. He is a renowned scientist and Arctic explorer who has yet to return from an expedition to the North Pole. Against the wishes of her parents, who have made marriage arrangements for her, Sacha flees home and launches her quest to search for her grandfather and his ship.

My favorite part is when Sacha saves the captain from falling off a cliff and dying. I like this scene because Sacha manages to win the captain’s respect. Sacha was very judged and underestimated by the crew and captain, but she manages to prove all of them wrong. With her hard work and dedication, she shows them who she really is. Everyone finally starts respecting her and treats her respectfully. After she saves the captain’s life, they stopped judging her.

The life lesson taught in this film is to never underestimate anyone, because you can be surprised. You can be surprised at who they really are or how they might change to attain a goal. Don’t ever judge a book by its cover. Sacha changes throughout the movie in a huge way. She starts out as a spoiled girl that doesn’t know how to work or make herself useful. But she is also very decided and dedicated in what she wants to accomplish and she will do anything to get that, even if it means preparing herself to work. During her journey, the sailors have very little faith in her and judge her heavily. They think she is a superficial girl that doesn’t know what she is doing, but they are wrong. Sacha manages to prove the ship’s crew that she is courageous, determined and a special young woman through her actions. So, this film teaches us an important lesson, to never judge a person by they way they look. You don’t know what that person is capable of doing to achieve something that’s important to them.

I recommend this movie to kids ages 6 to 14 and give it 5 out of 5 stars. This film is available now on DVD so, go check it out.

The time is now. The city is Paris. And two amazing heroes, Ladybug and Cat Noir, stand to protect its citizens against evildoers. But can this uncanny duo continue to keep their city safe from these dastardly ne’er-do-wells… and get their homework in on time?! That’s right. The superheroes known as Ladybug and Cat Noir are actually Marinette and Adrien, two young students with super-secret lives filled with super-awesome excitement! KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Calista B. comments, “This show is actually pretty entertaining. I am legitimately intrigued by the fascinating characters, the story and what is happening. As a big superhero fan, I can say, this is a good superhero style cartoon.” Rohan F., adds, “It is cool how they show scenes from both sides of the characters’ lives. We see them both as normal teenagers living with their parents to their hidden identities of crime-fighting, world-saving superheroes.” See their full reviews below.

Miraculous: Tales Of Ladybug And Cat Noir: Be Miraculous
By Calista B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 13

This show is actually pretty entertaining. I am legitimately intrigued by the fascinating characters, the story and what is happening. As a big superhero fan, I can say, this is a good superhero style cartoon.

The story is about two teenagers, Marinette and Adrien, who are granted the powers of “The Ladybug” and “The Cat. ” They use their new powers to fight evil villains that have started appearing in Paris. The friendship between these two characters is quite charming.

One thing I enjoy a lot about this show is the animation. I can’t exactly figure out why, but the animation feels different and I really like it. I especially like Ladybug and Cat Noir’s transformation scenes. I think they are really well done and nicely animated. Something about them gets me pumped for the fight scenes.

The characters are also really likeable, especially Marinette. She’s awkward and clumsy, but also smart and strong. She’s not the Queen Bee, instead she’s a Ladybug! I can see her as a positive role model for young girls. Adrien is also a good-natured, enjoyable character. I like both of them equally.

Most of the other characters are cool as well. I especially like Marinette’s best friend, Alya. I think she’s a quirky, funny, charming character and a good friend. She is supportive and kind. She also helps Marinette with her love life.

My only suggestion to the show’s creator is to make the main antagonist more exciting. He’s pretty bland and is honestly the only dull character in the show. He stands in a room, by himself, doing a monologue in all of his scenes in every episode. Super hero’s need an exciting villain to defeat. Another thing that’s interesting, is that this show is actually dubbed in English. It first aired in France, then in South Korea, then in America on Nickelodeon.

I give this show 4 out of 5 stars. I recommend it for kids between the ages of 6 to 12. I recommend it for kids of both genders. Girls will enjoy the main lead, while boys will enjoy the action and superheroes. Heads up though – the theme song is super catchy. You will be singing it in your head all night! In fact, I am singing it right now! This comes out on DVD on January 10, 2017 so, go check it out.

Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir: Be Miraculous
By Rohan D. F., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir: Be Miraculous is a fun and entertaining animated show on DVD. It is a set of seven short stories, including two episodes explaining how they get their powers., all on one DVD that brings the viewer through many exciting adventures. It is cool how they show scenes from both sides of the characters’ lives. We see them both as normal teenagers living with their parents to their hidden identities of crime-fighting, world-saving superheroes. It’s also exciting how both human teenagers each have a crush on the other’s superhero counterpart. This is a will they – won’t they theme that goes through the whole series.

The first origin story on the DVD is about how Ladybug and Cat Noir got their superpowers. They were given jewelry by an old man on the street that they randomly helped. The jewelry gave them powers  just in time to stop Hawk Moth’s rock monster called a stone hearth get his revenge on everyone who ever wronged him. In the second episode, they must try and save Paris from more stone hearths. In the third episode Animan, Ladybug and Cat Noir must fight another one of Hawk Moth’s monsters called Animan. The next episode, called Simon Says is about a hypnotist that gets controlled by Hawk Moth to capture Ladybug’s and Cat Noir’s powers. In pixelator one of Jagged Stone, a rock star, gets controlled by Hawk Moth and starts storing people digitally in is camera.

This DVD has some very clear storylines and detailed animation. It contains many bright colors and teaches some important lessons about teen life.  I would have liked to know more about how their  powers work and what Hawk Moths motives were.

My favorite episode was Simon Says.  I enjoyed this episode because it was very funny and had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. It also contained some of the coolest pieces of technology and has the deepest storyline of the bunch.

Each episode has its moral. Overall, the main moral is to be kind and not let negative feelings control you. Other lessons you could learn are that good always conquers evil and that if you believe in yourself you can do anything.

Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir: Be Miraculous is a fast-paced and entertaining DVD. I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars because it was very creative. I recommend it for ages 6 to 15.

The universe is in danger. The evil Snake extinguishes the stars as he passes through the galaxy, causing chaos and plunging the planets into darkness. The Little Prince must leave his Asteroid home and beloved friend, Rose, in his quest to outsmart the Snake and save the universe from doom. Accompanied by his trusted companion, the Fox, the Little Prince travels from planet to planet, braving danger and discovering vast and enchanted worlds. Will the extraordinary gifts of the Little Prince bring each of the planets back to life? And will he ever find his way home? KIDS FIRST! Film Rohan F. comments, “The Little Prince: The Planet the Snake is a twisting, action-packed animated show for kids.  It is based on characters from a famous book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry called The Little Prince. It comes as a set of three episodes that create one adventure-filled story.” Carla P. adds, “I like how the producers adapted this iconic novel into a contemporary animated video for kids.  Through this film, kids get to know another tale of adventures based on this classic children’s literature.” See their full reviews below.

The Little Prince: The Planet the Snake
By Rohan D. Foxe, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

The Little Prince: The Planet the Snake is a twisting, action-packed animated show for kids.  It is based on characters from a famous book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry called The Little Prince. It comes as a set of three episodes that create one adventure-filled story. It is fun, fast-paced and very exciting. I enjoyed how it made me feel for The Prince while keeping me excited and interested.

The Little Prince: The Planet the Snake is about The Little Prince’s journey to rescue his Rose who has been kidnapped by an evil Snake. The prince uses his magic, the help of his friends and his courage to follow the clues to get to the Snake’s planet.  He faces many treacheries and traps set up by the Snake on his journey, but he perseveres to rescue his Rose.

The series has some very detailed animation and the characters show some great expressions. The overall result  very visually interesting.  This DVD is a bit darker than other titles in The Little Prince series. I didn’t like how it references other episodes of the series because, this makes it unable to stand alone, but it does make me want to see the others! Aidan Drummond and Brian Drummond do the voices of The Little Prince and his Fox. Their expressions, like sadness and joy, are done with great character in their voices.

My favorite part of the DVD are the fight scenes between The Little Prince and the Gloomies. These are monsters that are created out of sadness and the loss of hope. These scenes are always very exciting and kept me on the edge of my seat. I also felt that they are spread out enough that they don’t get boring or repetitive but keep a consistent theme throughout the show.

The moral of the show is to never lose hope. I feel this is important because it teaches kids to never to give up on their dreams. It also teaches the importance and power of love and reassures us that good always conquers evil. The Little Prince: The Planet the Snake is an interesting film and makes a great addition to the The Little Prince series. I give it 5 out of five stars because it is dramatic and exciting. I recommend it for ages 5 to15. It is available on DVD January 10, 2017 so, go check it out.

The Little Prince: The Planet of the Snake
By Carla Paz, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 12

The Little Prince: The Planet of the Snake is one of the sequels of the series based on this book.   This is a wonderful movie for children and I like it because of its message.

Some of you might know the very popular novel The Little Prince by French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.  The Little Prince has been adapted into numerous forms over the decades, books, theater, film, audio record, as well as movies. The Little Prince: The Planet of the Snake is about a young boy that should leave his home planet with his companion Fox to try to defeat the snake that is creating chaos, putting the universe in danger and has also kidnapped his flower friend, Rose.  The Little Prince and Fox go on a quest to save Rose, but in their journey, they fight danger and go through many adventures. The Little Prince and Fox discover many interesting things in their journey to rescue Rose and protect the planets.  The other challenge is to find their way back home.

I like how the producers adapted this iconic novel into a contemporary animated video for kids.   Through this film, kids get to know another tale of adventures based on this classic children’s literature. The voice actors are quite wonderful. I particularly like Paul Dobson’s voice as the Snake as his sinister act was very believable.  The animation is modern CGI which brings this classic into a contemporary format.  However, the animation isn’t like a Disney film; it is more like the show Miraculous Ladybug.

My favorite character is Fox.  I love how comic he is and laughed a lot at his funny comments.  I also like how the Fox helps The Prince not lose hope when they think they lost Rose. The message of this movie is to not lose hope. The Prince loses hope but the Fox helps him carry on in saving Rose.   That is a good message for children. They can learn to help their friends when they feel sad or want to give up. I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 4 to 7. You can find this movie at your local store or on Amazon on January 10, 2017 so, go check it out.

12-year-old Conor, dealing with his mother’s illness, a less-than-sympathetic grandmother, and bullying classmates, finds a most unlikely ally when a Monster appears at his bedroom window. Ancient, wild, and relentless, the Monster guides Conor on a journey of courage, faith and truth. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Jolleen M. comments, “This film is just amazing! The monster is very realistic, the plot is new, unique and compelling, and the movie moved me to tears.” Brianna B. adds, “This movie adaptation, while a bit confusing, is touching at times and portrays a plethora of different visual aspects. It’s interesting and keeps you wondering what will happen next.” See their full reviews below.

A Monster Calls
By Jolleen M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic age 12

This film is just amazing! The monster is very realistic, the plot is new, unique and compelling, and the movie moved me to tears.

This is an adapted story from the award-winning novel. The story begins when Conor O’Malley (Lewis MacDougall) meets a monster (Liam Neeson) during what Conor thinks is a dream. Conor already has enough on his plate with bullies at his school, his mother’s (Felicity Jones) illness and the pressure that his grandmother (Sigourney Weaver) will take him away from his mother. Plus, Conor’s father is living far away where he cannot support his child through the mental and physical challenges that he  is undergoing.

Lewis MacDougall portrays Conor O’Malley extremely well. He draws the audience into his world and really makes them experience his pain. The way that MacDougall shows how Conor loves his mother and doesn’t want her to go makes everyone feel heartbroken. MacDougall pulls you in with his great acting skills that make this film enjoyable as your mood swings form tears of joy to extreme sadness throughout the whole movie.

The monster’s appearance looks extremely realistic. The monster’s body is very detailed with multiple branches sticking out of it and you see the branches grow and entangle everything they come across. I also love the sound effects. Whenever the monster wakes up and comes out of the ground, the sound of breaking branches and his growl are very realistic which make him seem completely real.

My favorite part of the movie is when Conor and his mother are together in his mother’s final moments and the monster is there watching over them. It is really touching to see them together, but sorrowful at the same time because, you know that the mother has to go. It really moved me seeing how much they love each other.

The message of this story is that you have to learn to face the truth and accept it. You can’t hide from your problems and expect them to go away. You must accept the truth. You have to be strong and learn to let go and move on.

This movie is really spectacular and riveting. I give it 5 out of 5 monster stars. I recommend it for ages 12 to 18. There is too much drama and death for younger viewers. You can find this movie in theaters January 6, 2017. It is truly wonderful and you should definitely check it out.

A Monster Calls
Brianna Hope B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 17

This movie adaptation, while a bit confusing, is touching at times and portrays a plethora of different visual aspects. It’s interesting and keeps you wondering what will happen next.

Conor O’Malley (Lewis MacDougall) is a 12-year-old boy who’s trying to cope with his mother’s terminal illness, being bullied at school and other problems. One night at exactly 12:07a.m., Conor is visited by The Monster (Liam Neeson) who, throughout the film, gives him advice on his situations and tells him stories.

I must say that the visuals have to be my favorite part of this film, from the live action to the CGI, to the visuals of water coloring. I love the detail everywhere, especially the attention to detail with the tree, the set and the wardrobe. It’s visually extremely pleasing. I also really enjoy how relatable the different situations are. There are plenty of kids being raised by a single parent, dealing with a sick relative or having nightmares.  The relatable moments are not just for kids however, there are some for adults as well. This is a good film that will make you laugh, cry, and sometimes get mad about how Conor is treated. It has little comedic moments, but not a lot.  Thee are just enough to lighten the mood. Overall, I like this film a lot, but there are a few things that I don’t particularly enjoy. I’m confused about the need for the tree stories or the need for the tree at all. The truth that Conor has to confess to the tree does not measure up to the angst or drama that is presented. I also feel that the film is a bit too long. Some of the scenes are drawn out. Liam Neeson’s deep voice with music enhancements is incredible. He is one remarkable Monster. His voice is strong, confident, and a little bit scary in the beginning, but afterwards, you get use to it. Lewis MacDougall’s performance is outstanding.  He’s in that in-between stage of being too old to be considered a child and definitely too young to be a man.  A young man you could say, but its still a difficult stage and he is doing great.

I recommend this film for ages 12 to 18. The title would lead you to believe that this is one scary film, however it’s not too bad. It’s rated PG 13 for the scary scenes, mentions of terminal cancer and bullying.  I give this film 3½ out of 5 stars, for its sometimes confusing plot and length. This film is in theaters January 6th, so please check it out.