KIDS FIRST! News

The Herdmans are absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, they steal, they bully…and now they’ve hijacked the town Christmas pageant. Directed by Dallas Jenkins (The Chosen) and based on the international bestseller by Barbara Robinson, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever follows six siblings who sneak into church searching for snacks and walk away with the lead roles in the town pageant. Grace (Judy Greer) is directing the performance for the very first time; she and her daughter Beth (Molly Belle Wright) and husband Bob (Pete Holmes) are in over their heads, especially against a town that wants them to kick the Herdmans out. But the play’s mischievous stars might unwittingly teach a community the true meaning of Christmas. Featuring Lauren Graham. Screenplay by Ryan Swanson, Platte F. Clark and Darin McDaniel.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ryan M. comments, “In Emmanuel it’s Christmas time and it’s time for their annual pageant. But, the Herdmans family, a group of bullying kids led by their older sister Imogene, ruin everything they touch, decide that they will be part of the pageant. Will it be the best pageant ever?” Carter P. adds, “I like The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.  It is about family, the true meaning of Christmas, helping others in need and is heartfelt and funny at times.” See their full review and interview with director Dallas Jenkins below.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
By Ryan M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

In Emmanuel it’s Christmas time and it’s time for their annual pageant. But, the Herdmans family, a group of bullying kids led by their older sister Imogene (Beatrice Schneider), ruin everything they touch, decide that they will be part of the pageant. Will it be the best pageant ever?

Kynlee Heiman, Matthew Lamb, Mason Nelligan, Beatrice Schneider, Ewan Wood, Essek Moore. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Photo Credit: Allen Fraser

The storyline is about a town preparing for their much awaited 75th Christmas pageant. Unfortunately, the organizer, Mrs. Armstrong (Meriam Bernstein) breaks both her legs, so Grace (Judy Greer) volunteers to replace her to organize the pageant. Hoping to get free snacks, the Herdmans force their way into the pageant, creating chaos all around them and putting Grace under a lot of pressure to replace them.  Grace is facing a difficult time to get the pageant going and the final results leave everyone speechless.

I love every character in this movie, especially the Herdmans – Beatrice Schneider as Imogene, Mason D. Nelligan as Ralph, Matthew Lamb as Claude, Evan Wood as Leroy, Essek Moore as Ollie, Kynlee Heiman as Gladys.

The main characters are almost all kids and their performances as bullies are outstanding, and we also see their vulnerability eventually.

Beatrice Schneider as Imogene Herdman and Judy Greer as Grace in Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Photo Credit: Allen Fraser

There are so many funny moments like when Gladys jumps and scares the three boys. This movie is based on a best-selling book by Barbara Robinson. Dallas Jenkins’s direction shines in the selection of locations, sets, decor and acting.  The film does switch eras between current and the 1920s.

There are a couple of important messages in this movie –  a reminder that we should not judge a book by its cover and that everyone deserves a chance to prove what they can do when they feel supported. Be aware that this is a Christian oriented movie presenting the nativity in a very refreshing way.  Will it become another recurring Christmas movie?  Let’s hope so!

I give The Best Christmas Pageant Ever 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12 plus adults. It is available in theaters beginning Nov 8, 2024. Check it out.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
By Carter P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

Essek Moore, Ewan Wood, Lorelei Olivia Mote, Matthew Lamb, Molly Wright as Beth, Beatrice Schneider as Imogene Herdman, Mason Nelligan, Kynlee Heiman, Sebastian Billingsley-Rodriguez in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Photo Credit: Allen Fraser

I like The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.  It is about family, the true meaning of Christmas, helping others in need and is heartfelt and funny at times.

The storyline is about the Herdmans who are absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, bully, and now they’ve hijacked the town Christmas pageant. The film is based on the international bestseller by Barbara Robinson.  It follows six siblings who sneak into church searching for food and walk away with the lead roles in the town’s Christmas pageant. Grace (Judy Greer) is directing the performance for the very first time, and she and her daughter, Beth (Molly Belle Wright), along with her husband Bob (Pete Holmes), are in over their heads, especially against a town that wants them to kick the Herdmans out. But the play’s mischievous stars might just end up teaching the community the true meaning of Christmas.

This movie is full of heart and, although the antics of the Herdmans are outrageous, the behaviors of the church children and adults are humorously familiar.

Pete Holmes as Bob and Judy Greer as Grace in Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Photo Credit: Allan Fraser

It is an entertaining and heartwarming movie for the whole family at Christmas time. It highlights the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ in the most beautiful nativity scene. The costumes and the nativity scene are exceptional.  The setting makes it look just like a barn the night Jesus was born.  My favorite part is the ending when the children are acting out the play and the nativity scene.  The community comes together and realizes what is really important on Christmas.  Judy Greer, as Grace, gives a very believable performance as the mother and director of the church performance.  She is patient and loving with her community and all of the children.

The children in the film are Charlie (Sebastian Billingsley-Rodriguez), Imogene (Beatrice Schneider), Claude (Matthew Lamb) Gladys (Kynlee Heiman), Ralph (Mason Nelligan). Speaking of the children, they all give fantastic performances, especially Molly Belle Write as Beth.  She is funny and teaches the importance of Christmas and being kind to others.

Pete Holmes as Bob, Molly Wright as Beth and Judy Greer as Grace in Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Photo Credit: Allan Fraser

There is so much chemistry between these characters that I could feel it as I watched the film.  They all connect to being there for each other, their church and community.

The film’s message centers on how people should not be judged, how redemption is important, and how tradition can be altered by perspective. It is important for children to learn the lesson of not judging a book by its cover, and this story does just that.

I give The Best Christmas Pageant Ever 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults.  You can see The Best Christmas Pageant Ever in theaters beginning November 8, 2024.

Based on the best-selling children’s books by acclaimed author and cartoonist Lincoln Peirce (Big Nate), this show follows an adventurous 10-year-old girl named Max who embarks on a quest with her newfound friends to save the Kingdom of Byjovia from ominous forces. Throughout the series, Max leads the rest of the Midknights on challenging quests filled with all-new original songs. After King Gastley steals the throne and forces an unjust rule on the Kingdom of Byjovia, Max must come to the rescue to overthrow the power-hungry foe. With her friends and Uncle Budrick by her side, Max’s courageous spirit won’t back down no matter how difficult the quest gets.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ashleigh C. comments, “This hilarious and action-packed animated series is an absolute blast for viewers of all ages! Max & The Midknights brings medieval adventure to life. I love how the show combines humor, excitement, and a heartfelt message in a way that captivates both kids and adults.” See her full review and interview below.

Max & The Midknights
By Ashleigh C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 20

This hilarious and action-packed animated series is an absolute blast for viewers of all ages! Max & The Midknights brings medieval adventure to life. I love how the show combines humor, excitement, and a heartfelt message in a way that captivates both kids and adults. The high-quality animation and clever storytelling make this a must-watch.

Max & The Midknights follows the journey of Max (Blu del Barrio), an adventurous ten-year-old girl with a big dream: becoming a knight. She leads her friends on thrilling adventures in a fantastical medieval kingdom — battling zombies, outsmarting evil sorcerers, and even taming dragons. Max’s determination and bravery drive the story, making each episode full of surprises and laughs, while teaching valuable lessons about courage and friendship.

The voice acting is top-notch, with a cast that brings the characters to life in a truly dynamic way — including Blu del Barrio as Max, Melissa Villaseñor as Millie, Zeno Robinson as Simon and Caleb Yen as Kevyn. Max is voiced with a perfect mix of sass and sincerity, making her a standout lead character. The 3D animation is stunning, especially during the action sequences, which are full of sword fights, magical duels, and explosive moments.

The world of Max & The Midknights is colorful, immersive, and full of detail, making each scene feel like a mini-movie. One of my favorite parts is the series’ use of humor. The show is genuinely funny, with plenty of clever jokes that will make both kids and adults laugh. Max’s imagination also plays a huge role in the series, adding another layer of fun as she dreams up wild and creative solutions to the challenges she and her friends face. The combination of humor, heart, and action makes it an exciting adventure from start to finish.

The message of Max & The Midknights is about pursuing your true passions, no matter what others may say. Max is determined to become a knight, despite those around her doubting her abilities because she’s a girl. The show encourages kids to follow their dreams and not let anyone tell them they can’t achieve their goals.

I give Max & The Midknights 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, though older audiences and adults will enjoy it as well. This fantastic series makes its television debut on Nickelodeon on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.

This lively musical introduction to French invites kids to dance and sing along to playful rhythms from reggae, merengue, and blues to African soukous, country, and more. The album enhances children’s language skills as they embark on a musical journey to the zoo filled with French-learning fun!

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Junior R. comments, “Singing and dancing? Sign me up! Wait, and you learn French at the same time. I love this CD. It is amusing, enjoyable, and entertaining. I was having so much fun that I forgot I was learning French at the same time.” Josephine K. adds, “This CD is excellent! All the songs are fun and well written. The lyrics include a lot of beginning French words, and the music uses multiple genres. Everything is designed to help beginning French language students learn vocabulary and pronunciation.” Zoey F. wraps it up with, “Au Zoo: French Learning Songs reminds us that learning a new language can be fun. With a playlist like the one here, it makes it much easier and enjoyable to learn French.” See their full reviews below.

Au Zoo (At The Zoo): French Learning Songs
By Junior R., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic age 10

Singing and dancing? Sign me up! Wait, and you learn French at the same time. I love Au Zoo (At the Zoo): French Learning Songs CD. It is amusing, enjoyable, and entertaining. I was having so much fun that I forgot I was learning French at the same time. As soon as the music started, I was up on my feet and didn’t sit down until the entire CD was over.

This CD takes listeners on a journey through a zoo, concentrating on different animals found there like lions, flamingos, ostriches, giraffes, and monkeys, while learning to speak French. Each song has its own concept which acts as a mini-lesson. The songs introduce and repeat vocabulary, building language skills bit by bit.

The appealing thing about this CD is the creative lyrics and the fun, upbeat music. I was humming along to every song. I also appreciated the animal noises and sound effects, especially the lion’s ferocious roar! The music provides a solid, creative avenue for students; they won’t even know they are learning because the songs take the hard work out of learning a new language. Besides animals, the songs focus on holidays, back to school, the alphabet, and dancing – all familiar things for young kids. The animal theme also emphasizes an appreciation for nature and animals and learning a new language promotes an accepting other cultures and languages.

Included are 20 quirky, fun, and vibrant songs. Artist, Didier Prossaird, has exquisitely mixed an instrumental element with lyrics and lively background noises. I truly felt that I was on a safari at one point! They are all easy to sing along to and remember. I immediately recognized some, such as The Itsy Bitsy Spider. All the lyrics help beginning students learn and understand the French language. It didn’t take me long to sing along to most of the songs. Besides the animal songs, songs like Your Birthday, Happy Father’s, Happy Valentine’s Day, and Happy Back to School are included as well. My favorite songs are My Donkey, Have You Seen Fritzi, and Move and Dance. My Donkey is a silly song about a sick donkey that gets a lot of items from the doctor to feel better. Have You Seen Frizti has a memorable tune that I really enjoyed. Move and Dance made me want to move and dance!  Although the songs are geared toward younger children, I was completely engaged and wanting more. Whether you’re a young kid or just someone who loves animals and music, this CD makes learning French enjoyable.

I give Au Zoo (At the Zoo): French Learning Songs 5 out of 5 étoiles (that’s French for stars!) and recommend it for ages 2 to 12, plus adults. It is available now at online retailers.

Au Zoo French Learning Songs
By Josephine K., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

The Au Zoo French Learning Songs CD is an entertaining and creative way to teach the French language to beginners. I enjoyed the wide selection of songs from a variety of genres and found this CD enjoyable from start to finish.

This language learning program teaches children how to speak French at an early age. It has a wide selection of songs about animals from the zoo, foods, and holidays throughout the year, like Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, and even the start of school! It uses storytelling and repetition to help listeners learn the language.

This CD is excellent! All the songs are fun and well written. The lyrics include a lot of beginning French words, and the music uses multiple genres. Everything is designed to help beginning French language students learn vocabulary and pronunciation. My favorite song is La Tortue a Faim, which means The Hungry Turtle, and is about a turtle trying to get across a yard. It is extremely catchy and creative, plus it is very educational and has lots of action words and adverbs. This song uses a lot of repetition as well as call and response methods. The singers are quite talented and have very melodic voices that are a pleasure to listen to. The music includes many different instruments, as well as scatting and whistling which fit the songs perfectly and makes them unforgettable. Many of the songs feature children’s voices, which is great representation for the target audiences and makes the songs even more relatable

The CD’s purpose is to teach children how to speak beginning French at a young age. It definitely hits the mark for its educational impact while delivering fun and entertaining music.

I give The Au Zoo Learning Songs 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8. It is available now through online retailers so look for it.

Au Zoo (At The Zoo) – French Learning Songs
Zoey F. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

I really like the new Au Zoo: French Learning Songs CD! It has catchy beats that are appealing to young kids and includes new and remade classics that make learning a new language a wonderful experience!

Au Zoo: French Learning Songs is a new immersive language learning CD from Whistlefritz! It uses fun songs, skits, and more to teach kids a new language – French! This CD helps kids learn French with catchy beats and simple lyrics that are easy to learn. The artist, Didier Prossaird, uses his diverse background to influence his music.
My favorite songs are Pour Faire Une Chanson and L’araignée Gypsy. Pour Faire Une Chanson is a song instructing kids about the joy of singing. I love it because the children’s vocals sung by Laura Prossaird make the mood of the song very warm and natural. She makes the children’s vocals imperfect, just as a child would sound singing it. L’araignée Gypsy is a French rendition of The Itsy-Bitsy Spider. It is a bit simpler than the other songs, and still a good song. For kids from an English-speaking country learning French a classic like this would be extremely helpful. Prossaird includes catchy rhythms from a variety of genres — reggae, African soukous, and country music. His rendition of these songs is what makes his songs so enjoyable, even for older kids.

Au Zoo: French Learning Songs reminds us that learning a new language can be fun. With a playlist like the one here, it makes it much easier and enjoyable to learn French.

I give the Au Zoo: French Learning Songs CD 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. It is available now through online retailers so look for it.

Bookworm follows 11-year-old Mildred (Nell Fisher) whose life takes a wild turn when her estranged father, Strawn Wise (Elijah Wood), a washed-up Las Vegas illusionist, suddenly reappears. Years ago, after a magical encounter with the once-charming Strawn, Mildred’s mom moved back to New Zealand. Now, a comical mishap leaves Strawn caring for Mildred while her mom is hospitalized. Their first adventure? Camping to hunt for the mythological Canterbury Panther. As this mismatched duo navigates the wilderness, magic tricks, and an extraordinary quest, hilarity ensues, and they might just find a way to piece their family back together.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Braedyn M. comments, “Bookworm is an interesting take on a classic adventure.  Full of humor, and surprising twists and turns, Bookworm is a quest with a magical touch that kept me on the edge of my seat. The film’s message is that there is always a way to solve a problem.” See his full review below.

Bookworm
By Braedyn M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

Bookworm is an interesting take on a classic adventure.  Full of humor, and surprising twists and turns, Bookworm is a quest with a magical touch that kept me on the edge of my seat.

Mildred (Nell Fisher) is an 11-year-old girl who has devoted her childhood to proving that the elusive Canterbury Panther exists in the mountains of New Zealand.  When a household accident renders her mother (Morgana O’Rielly) incapable of going camping in search of the cat, she is pretty disappointed.  However, when her illusionist father Strawn Wise (Elijah Wood) shows up for the first time in her life, she decides to head out anyway. What happens next?  An expedition that not only has a classic adventure feel, but also shows that relationships can heal over time.

What I like best about this film is not the scenes, characters, or music; it is how the story is told.  The way the action develops is different from most movies; it is broken up into chapters with each one adding depth to the plot.  And, the plot isn’t the best.  It starts off fine, but changes midway during their adventure.  While the twists and turns kept me wondering what would happen next, they also undermine the main idea of the quest, which is to find the panther.  Humor plays a crucial role in the film.

With Mildred being a rather to-the-point kid who doesn’t have time for nonsense, her dad, Strawn, is the exact opposite. Trying to practice his magic tricks while Mildred is working hard to set up camp is one example. This movie originated from outside of the U.S. and does some very untypically Hollywood things such as when we are observing the conversations between the characters and suddenly the camera zooms out and focuses on a mushroom.  It’s an odd transition but it does help in rounding out the unusual take of a jungle adventure.

The film’s message is that there is always a way to solve a problem. An example of this is how Mildred shows that she is always ready to put her bookworm brain to the test to achieve her goal. Be forewarned that there is some profanity in this film and a bit of blood, but nothing gruesome or gory.

I give Bookworm 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18. Bookworm swings into theaters on Oct 18, 2024.

LEGO bricks tell the life story of singer/songwriter and record producer Pharrell Williams — from his childhood in Virginia to his success in the music and fashion industry. Piece By Piece is a unique cinematic experience that invites audiences on a vibrant journey through the life of cultural icon Pharrell Williams. Told through the lens of LEGO® animation, turn up the volume on your imagination and witness the evolution of one of music’s most innovative minds.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Zoe C. comments, “This film is such an innovative approach to the music-documentary genre as it tells Pharrell Williams’ life story in the form of LEGO bricks. I absolutely love the music, colors, visuals, storytelling, and so much more.” See her full review below.

Piece by Piece
By Zoe C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

Jay-Z and Pharrell Williams in director Morgan Neville’s PIECE BY PIECE, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features © 2024 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

Piece by Piece is the perfect addition to the LEGO movie franchise. I was so excited for this film since the LEGO movies hold a special place in my heart. I not only grew up playing with LEGOs, and The LEGO Ninjago Movie was my first ever press interview! I love that all the LEGO movies have been so diverse and different. This film is such an innovative approach to the music-documentary genre as it tells Pharrell Williams’ life story in the form of LEGO bricks. I absolutely love the music, colors, visuals, storytelling, and so much more.

The film follows the traditional documentary formula — it starts off examining Pharrell’s beginnings.

Director Morgan Neville in PIECE BY PIECE, a Focus Features release.
Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features © 2024 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

He discovered music at a very young age and instantly felt a strong connection with music beyond just listening to it. He started a band with his friend Chad Hugo who was just as passionate about music; they called themselves the Neptunes. When a record label moved in across the street from them, Pharrell insisted on being heard, and eventually he was. From there his career skyrocketed.

He eventually lost himself and his touch as he became obsessed with creating music for people rather than making music for himself. When he reconnected with his sense of self, his career once again went above and beyond.

Pharrell Williams stars in director Morgan Neville’s PIECE BY PIECE, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features © 2024 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

It was Pharrell’s idea to utilize LEGOs to tell his story, which I think is such a great choice. The beauty of using LEGOs is that it’s free to interpret in any way, and the animators were free to create any world imaginable. The LEGO animation is perfect. I love the sets and other visual creations. Pharrell Williams is a very important person in the music industry, and I think the choice of LEGOs emphasizes how unique and special his story is.

So many other artists have also been a part of his journey — Gwen Stefani, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Justin Timberlake, Daft Punk, Snoop Dog, and many other artists. The cast is incredible and they all voice themselves.

Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams in director Morgan Neville’s PIECE BY PIECE, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features © 2024 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

Of course, one of the most important aspects of this film is the score. This film takes us back in time with some of Pharrell’s greatest hits. Director Morgan Neville captivates the essence of Pharrell’s story while making it interesting, fresh, and new for the audience through a completely mesmerizing cinematic experience.

The film’s message is that you can reach any goal you strive for with hard work and perseverance.

I give Piece by Piece 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults.  You can watch Piece by Piece in theaters October 11, 2024.