KIDS FIRST! News

With Lent starting tomorrow, this film is timely and appropriate for Christians. The life story of Jesus is told from his humble birth through his teachings, crucifixion and ultimate resurrection. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Jailene A., age 13 says, “This is the most eye-opening, magnificent film I have ever seen.” See her full review below.

The Son of God
Reviewed by Jailene A.
Full video review here.

This is the most eye-opening, magnificent film I have ever seen. “The Son of God” is about the story of Jesus. This movie modernizes the scriptures of the Bible along with showing everyone the miracles of Jesus. This movie really touched me because of the intensity and power it contains. From the minute Jesus is born, this movie shows every sin he forgives to the crucifixion and resurrection of the Holy Spirit. This movie will make you want to learn more about the Bible and everything about religion. I think the entire cast does such a great job portraying such powerful characters and I think everyone should watch this movie.

This movie has so many qualities that make it great but a key quality is the incredible location where they shot the movie. The movie is filmed in Morocco which is an incredible touch because it really makes the surroundings look like Jerusalem. I really like how Diogo Morgado, who plays Jesus in the film, really got into character and prepared fr such a powerful role.
My favorite character is Mary Magdalene because of her bravery and intense courage. She was one of Jesus’ disciples. She is the first one to find out that Jesus has resurrected and she never had one doubt about who Jesus was. I admire her loyalty and I think she doesn’t get as much recognition as she should.

My favorite scene is when Jesus gets into Peter’s boat and Peter says that there are no fish in the lake anymore. Jesus puts his hands in the ocean and in a matter of seconds; Peter’s net is filled with tons of fish. Peter asks what they are going to do and Jesus says that they are going to change the world. I think this is the best scene because of how touching and inspirational it is. It really shows that if you have faith and believe in the Son of God, anything is possible. This scene is the start of something powerful and I loved it.

I recommend this movie for audiences 13 and over because of the intense and bloody depiction of the Crucifixion and other violent scenes. This movie is very touching and inspirational. I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars because I enjoyed it a lot and it makes me want to know more about the life of Jesus and more of his miracles. This movie is in theaters February 28, 2014 so make sure you check it out!

“Non-Stop” is an intense thriller that features Liam Neeson as an air marshal who springs into action during a transatlantic flight after receiving a series of text messages that put his fellow passengers at risk unless the airline transfers $150 million into an off-shore account. Rated PG-13 for action, violence, language, drug reference and sensuality, it’s not for your younger kids but for older kids, and yourself, it’s worth checking out. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Keefer B. says, “The movie keeps your attention and you really want to know what’s going to happen.” Gerry O. adds, “”Non-Stop” is a great action packed dramatic film many people will want to see over and over and over again.” See their full reviews below.

Non-Stop
Reviewed by Keefer C. Blakeslee, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13
See full video review here.

This is a suspenseful film that keeps you guessing until the end and it had me biting my nails from the beginning. This plot starts with an air marshal named Bill Marks (Liam Neeson) who is on a plane from New York to London. On the flight he receives a disturbing text that tells him, “I’ll kill someone every 20 minutes,” if he doesn’t do what the person says. While trying everything to find the person who’s sending him these messages, the passengers, crew and his boss start to think he’s hijacking the plane. Even Bill starts to question himself. So with no one to trust and everyone against him, he must try to stop this anonymous character in this crowded plane.

With a plot like this, how can you not be somewhat interested? The movie keeps your attention and you really want to know what’s going to happen. This movie’s atmosphere is uncomfortable, which it’s supposed to be. The wide angle lens is appropriate and makes the confined space even more real. The script is terrific! It’s a perfect example of a movie where, once you watch it, you want to watch it again. All the pieces of the puzzle come together. There are reasons and evidence that lead you to the outcome without giving it away. That’s a sign of a great mystery.

The acting in this film is fantastic and all the actors like Julianne Moore as Jen Summers, who had to act in these claustrophobic sets, do an impressive job portraying their roles. I enjoy Liam Neeson and fully appreciate his acting skills in this film. He shows why he continues to be a top rated star.

My favorite scene is when Bill thinks he’s found and stopped the terrorist. For a moment Bill is relieved it’s over. Then he hears his phone bing an incoming text and the music gets your heart racing.

The moral is, “Honesty is the best policy.” The passengers and crew are against him because Bill’s hiding the truth. As humans we automatically think the worse if we have to piece a situation together. Bill finally realizes that.

I give this 5 out of 5 stars and recommend this to 12 to 18-year-olds. There is smoking and intense moments that are not intended for kids. This is a investing and spine tingling film that is worth checking out in theaters February 28.

Non-Stop
Reviewed By Gerry Orz, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11
See full video review here.

I expected this movie to be about a plane hijack, that sort of thing. It was that, but WITH A HUGE TWIST! I was so surprised and lots of other people will be too. “Non-Stop” is a great action packed dramatic film many people will want to see over and over and over again.

Non-Stop has an extremely great selection of styles as well, there is action, drama, romance, suspense, adventure, education and so much more to wrap up in awesome movie.

The story is about an Air Marshal with a kind of dark history. He’s on a plane to London. So far so good – it’s a normal flight. Soon he gets a text on a strict network threatening him. Chaos strikes the plane as he tries to find the culprit. Will he (or she) be caught? Or will something even more terrible happen? You have to watch the film to find out.

This movie must have been hard to make with the plane action and the fighting and crashing and all the special effects, but they pull it off. I came out of the theater feeling like I had been on the plane and it was different than just walking out of a movie theater. I could barely walk. The main character Bill (Liam Nelson) is fantastic and, I was amazed by the camera work. Not one shot could have been better.

My favorite scene is when everybody is thinking he’s a terrorist, because of spoiler reasons, so he stops looking and tells everyone his past and what he is doing. I love that scene because his story is close to my heart and very sad too.
However, it’s probably one of the most important scenes in the plot of the story.

I’d say this movie is definitely for older ages, so kids 11-18 would be comfortable with the style of the movie. I give “Non-Stop” easily 5 out of 5 stars.

This beautiful new film from India explores the relationship between a young housewife and a newly widowed man. They are connected quite by mistake when Mumbai’s famously efficient lunchbox delivery system delivers the lunchbox to the wrong person. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Keefer B comments, “For anyone who has lost a loved one, you can really identify with his (Mr. Saajan’s) emptiness.” See Keefer’s full review below.

The Lunchbox
Reviewed by Keefer C. Blakeslee
Full video review available here.

This movie creates a touching new twist on a story that might have come across as corny, but doesn’t. Mr. Saajan (Irrfan Khan), a retiring accountant, is grieving over the death of his wife and Lla (Nimrat Kaur), a young mother, desires more attention from her husband. Lla sends her husband a special lunchbox and, by accident, the lunchbox is delivered to Mr. Saajan instead. Realizing the meal was misdirected, Lla writes a letter, places it inside the next day’s lunchbox and what unfolds are sincere and beautiful messages that changes their lives.

The plot’s not unique, but the writers produce an atmosphere in this script that sets it apart. Shot in Mumbai City, India, we roam through the streets and are allowed to observe the people, their traditions, their homes and their work establishments. The dialog is in English much of the time but at times in Hindu with English subtitles, which immerses you further into the culture. Irrfan and Nimrat’s characters have their own stories that are spectacular to watch and, once these characters start writing to each other, we see a whole new side to both.

My favorite character is Mr. Saajan. Khan creates this man who reaches out to someone who he does not even know. His role is heartbreaking to see and you feel the emotions he is experiencing. For anyone who has lost a loved one, you can really identify with his emptiness.

My favorite scene is when Mr. Saajan is watching a show that his wife had taped. He remembers watching her and watching the show that made her laugh. You see his face change as he understands the joy she got from the comedy. We see how, a moment that brought joy in the past can still bring joy now, only in a different way.

The message in this story is, “Sometimes the wrong train can bring you to the right station.” Lla is unsure what to do when she realizes the lunchbox is going to a perfect stranger. Mr. Saajan is not sure what to do when the notes start to touch his heart. So they both feel they are on the wrong train.

I give this 5 out of 5 stars and recommend this to age 11 to 18. There is use of cigarettes and subject matter that is not appropriate for younger audiences. Check it out to see what I’m talking about.

If you’re a DC Comic fan, then you’ll enjoy their latest DVD release, Justice League: War where the world’s finest heroes collaborate in order to stop an alien invasion of Earth.

I expected this movie to be about heroes hating each other and becoming a team in a heartwarming story! Right? Wrong! “Justice League War” is a great and action pack animated film many people will adore. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Gerry O says, “The film is extremely intense for a DC Comic animation.” And Keefer B adds, “This film provides great animation through its characters and sets.” Their full reviews are below.

Justice League: War
Reviewed by Gerry O, age 11, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic
Video review available here:
This adventure has much to love! It has action, adventure, comedy, romance (with Wonder Woman), suspense, and so much more including, of course, the heroes!

Now, everything is fine on Earth. Heroes are chilling, doing their thing. But, it’s all interrupted when each of them is stopped and has to find the others to destroy a horrible alien race that will harvest humans to destroy the planet! Will the group of super heroes be enough force to stop the ‘the Dark Side’? You have to watch the film to find out the ending!

The movie is surprising in a couple of ways. For one, I did not expect the adult language!  And second, there are a couple of new heroes such as Shazam who replaces Aqua Man. The film is extremely intense for a DC Comic animation. I think that this film has wonderful voices though. The only small flaw is the voice of Wonder woman – for such a wonderful character, her voice sounds a bit fake. The script and animation are also done nicely.

My favorite scene is when they introduce this kid that gets into a football game for free, gets front row seats and also steals one of the player’s jerseys. It takes you time to realize it but, that scene shows two people that look ordinary, but are not.

I recommend this film to ages 12-18. The movie does have a lot of adult language and intense scenes. I give this film 4 out of 5 stars.

Justice League: War
Reviewed by Keefer B., age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic
Video review available here  

Justice League: War has good animation and action scenes that comic-book fans can devour but for me, it’s mediocre. The story is about the origin of the most powerful team in the D.C universe, The Justice League. Aliens place unknown technology around the Earth and heroes such as Batman (Jason O’Mara), Cyborg (Shemar Moore) have to save the Earth from the invasion of Darkseid (Steven Blum).

This film provides great animation through its characters and sets. The animators give these super-heroes, that we’ve seen time and time again, enough of their own voice to make their personas different. The action scenes are fun to watch. We see all of these individual powers fight together to create impressive fight sequences. When you watch Green Lantern (Justin Kirk) use his ring to manifest weapons and Batman using his gadgets, it gets your blood pumping. The characters’ dialog can be corny but that’s what the general audience is looking for – comic-book lines and humor. One aspect of the film that bothered me is the unnecessary fowl language. Yes, this film is PG-13 and you would expect some language, however I wouldn’t mind it so much if it wasn’t in every scene. It’s just not needed.

My favorite character is Cyborg (Shemar Moore). Victor Stone’s an all-star football player who is injured in an explosion. To save his life, his father makes him half-human, half-computer. thus creating Cyborg. All Victor wants is his father’s acceptance but once he’s turned into this machine he feels he has no place in this world. However, when he fights he kicks alien butt.

My favorite scene is the big ending battle with Darkseid. I can’t help myself, when I see a superhero movie I’m a sucker for the big battle. This one is no exception with the most monumental visuals being all the heroes giving everything they have to defeat this unstoppable force.

The moral of the story is, “When we fight together, we can do anything.” These heroes are used to fighting crime by themselves, so at first there’s no teamwork. Solo failure forces them to quit bickering and work together.

I give this film 3 our of 5 stars and recommend it to 13 to18 year olds, because this is not a kid’s movie. It has fowl language, brief graphic blood and violence. It’s well worth checking out on DVD now.

From master animator Hayao Miyazaki comes this wonderful film that examines the life of Jiro Horikoshi, the man who designed Japanese fighter planes during World War II. Jiro is inspired by the famous Italian aeronautical designer Caproni, Jiro became one of the world’s most innovative and accomplished airplane designers. The film chronicles much of his life including his love story with Nahoko. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Keefer B. comments, “This is a breathtaking masterpiece of art that allows your mind and heart to soar like the wind.” Gerry O adds, “This film has something for everyone to enjoy – action, drama, suspense, romance, history, Japanese culture, adventure and, of course, planes.” Their full reviews are below.

The Wind Rises
Reviewed by Keefer C. B.
Video review available here.

This is a breathtaking masterpiece of art that allows your mind and heart to soar like the wind. The story is loosely based on the real life story of Jiro Horikoshi (Joseph Gordon- Levitt). He dreams of flying but, because he’s nearsighted, decides to be a Japanese airplane designer. We observe his life from child to adulthood as he makes his dream plane and, in the process, falls in love with Naoko (Emily Blunt). Will Jiro create the beautiful plane or realize that the beauty he’s seeking is right in front of him all along?

The film is a work of art. Hayao Miyazaki (Director and Writer) creates unique color palettes and designs. Since the movie takes place in the sky, the animators go above and beyond to hand draw backgrounds and movements for the planes. We witness them majestically soaring through the skies and you feel as if you’re with them. The voice acting is well done. I think they portrayed the characters and their relationships exceptionally well. Much of the film focuses on the romance between Naoko and Jiro. Their connection is both loving and tragic. The film was first released in Japan, so American voice-overs are dubbed over the animation and yes, it can be distracting. They confront actual events that happened in Japan, such as the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and Japan entering the war. I love the truth in this film. It doesn’t shy away from talking about the real issues that happened during this time.

My favorite character is Mr. Caproni (Stanley Tucci) a historical Italian aircraft designer who is Jiro’s mentor in his dreams. I enjoy Stanley’s voice acting skills. He’s one of those character actors who is fantastic at everything he does. The character himself is fascinating. He looks at aircraft not as a bringer of war, but a creator of dreams.

My favorite scene is the last dream sequence, after Jiro goes through a life changing experience. This is one of those bitter sweet endings, where you don’t know what to think at first. You just need to take it all in.

The message in this film is, “Sometimes the outcome to your dream is not always what you expect.” Jiro spends his whole life wanting to make his aircraft, determined to do anything to fulfill his goal. After a few sacrifices, he realizes his potential but it’s not what he expects. Mr. Caproni then asks him, “Did you have a good ten years?”

I give this 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to 11 to18-year-olds. This film shows people smoking and deals with serious issues of the time. This is a must see film!

The Wind Rises
Reviewed by Gerry Orz, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11
Video review available here
I didn’t know what to expect from this movie. When I saw it, however, I was pleasantly surprised! “The Wind Rises” is a heartwarming movie that many people will love. Especially, since it is based on true events.

This film has something for everyone to enjoy – action, drama, suspense, romance, history, Japanese culture, adventure and, of course, planes.

The story is about a life of a young boy, who dreams of flying and designing planes. However, he can’t see very well and has to wear glasses. Luckily, he grows up during pre-World War II in Japan to become a super successful engineer. Then, though, he needs to build a plane for the military – a powerful one.

I love this movie. The animation is breathtaking and pretty. The plot is interesting and it is also based on a true story as well. However, there are many time transitions and some can be a bit confusing. Everything else though is fantastic. This is the last film of a famous director Hayao Miyazaki and it sparked a lot of controversy in the U.S. and Japan.

My favorite scene is when the boy is a bit older. He is on a train and everything is fine until – BAM, the infamous earthquake of Japan that shook the world. The boy gets off the train very calmly. He sees a girl crouching next to a lady and goes to them. He rescues the lady who was injured and becomes a hero.

I recommend this movie for ages 13 -18. It is very mature and contains a lot of adult concepts that younger kids may not understand or appreciate. I also give it 4.5 out 5 stars.