KIDS FIRST! News

Dance sensation “Glee” makes its second season available next week on DVD. The TV show has generated a lot of buzz, but KIDS FIRST! youth film critic Sam Connan (age 13) urges you to see it for yourself. Admitting all the hype had made him uninterested in watching it before now, he pulls out all the stops in giving it a 5-out-of-5-star rating. To get the full flavor of his review, watch the video of it.

And remember, the KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Search is ON right now for next year’s KIDS FIRST! film critics. Glee: Season 2 is one of the official search titles.

Glee: Season 2
Reviewed by Sam Connan
(See his full review on video.)

I just finished watching Glee: Season 2, and I loved it! It was amazing! I’d never bothered to watch it because there are all these parodies and put-downs of Glee, so I just assumed it was stupid, like everybody was saying.

Not true. Not true. Not true.

It was amazing. No matter what you might hear about it, just try it for yourself. You’ll love it.

It’s about these kids in a high school glee club, and their lives and the lives of the people around them. I’d have to say that one of the things I love the most about it is the performances. There is incredible dancing and singing and playing of various instruments and acting. Especially acting.

Sue Sylvester is the cheerleading coach and one of the big, key characters in the show. She is played by Jane Lynch, who has won a Golden Globe Award for her performance. Sue is so effortlessly manipulative. It’s great to watch her. She is on her team; she helps other people [only] when it suits her needs. That’s it.

But I’d have to say that the character that I can relate to the most would be Artie, the kid in the wheelchair (played by Kevin McHale). I just really admire him because, despite the fact that he’s in a wheelchair, he’s found ways to function like any other kid. And another really cool thing about him is, despite the fact that he is in a wheelchair, you’d assume he’d have a sort of subdued personality. Man, is he flamboyant! Like, way out there. And it’s really cool.

But I’d have to say that the character that I can relate to the most would be Artie, the kid in the wheelchair (played by Kevin McHale). I just really admire him because, despite the fact that he’s in a wheelchair, he’s found ways to function like any other kid. And another really cool thing about him is, despite the fact that he is in a wheelchair, you’d assume he’d have a sort of subdued personality. Man, is he flamboyant! Like, way out there. And it’s really cool.

I’d have to say for the age group: mature middle schoolers and up. Because they deal with some pretty hard topics. Namely, religion, death of a close family member, and sex. A lot of sex. They don’t actually have any sexual imagery, because, obviously, it wouldn’t be on TV, but they talk about it a lot. So younger than that, well, it’s just too mature [a movie].

All in all, I’d have to say this one gets a five out of five stars.

Photos: Glee: Season 2 DVD box art (top), Sam Connan (bottom)

With a year under his belt as a KIDS FIRST! youth film critic, nine-year-old Anthony Aranda brings his signature exuberance to his review of Happy Feet as he recommends the film for everyone from age three on up because “it can teach kids and adults how to be more accepting of people” and has “a lot of funny parts that the whole family will enjoy.”

The search is now on for the next lucky group of KIDS FIRST! youth film critics, and Happy Feet – released theatrically in  2006 and now available on DVD and Blu-ray to coincide with Warner Bros. Pictures’ theatrical release of Happy Feet 2 – is one of five titles for the 2012 KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Search. It’s easy to enter, and the eight lucky kids (ages 6-14) who win will get to experience the thrill of interviewing film talent on the red carpet and screening films for review before the general public sees them – all while learning critical literacy skills in evaluating the visual media that constantly surrounds us.

The earlier you enter, the more votes you’re likely to amass, so check it out now: 2012 KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Search.

Happy Feet
Reviewed by Anthony Aranda

I just finished watching an awesome movie called Happy Feet. This movie is really great because it is really interesting and shows how a penguin that is a little different from everyone else makes it through and proves to everyone that it is OK to be yourself.

The movie is about a penguin named Mumble who was born with happy feet. He is always bouncing up and down with his feet and dancing around. When he was just an egg, his dad dropped the egg, and that is why his father thinks he is always dancing. Mumble sets out on a journey to discover why all of the fish are missing and prove to his family that he is just another penguin like everyone else.

My favorite character in the movie is Mumble. I like Mumble because he is really funny and he never gives up. He is determined to find out who has taken all of the fish and he believes in himself. I also like Gloria because she is one of the only penguins who believe in Mumble besides Mumble’s mom.

I would recommend this movie for kids ages 3 to 18. The movie doesn’t have any inappropriate parts for younger viewers and it is a movie that can teach kids and adults how to be more accepting of people and not be mean just because someone is a little different. The movie also has a lot of funny parts that the whole family will enjoy. Happy Feet is an official movie title for the 2012 KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Search.

Photo: Happy Feet poster (top), Anthony Aranda (bottom)

As a KIDS FIRST! youth film critic, nine-year-old Anthony Aranda has had a heady year. Recently returned from a trip to Pixar Studios in the Bay Area of California – where he interviewed Cars 2 writer/director John Lasseter – Anthony shares his review of the animated film that is now available from Disney on DVD and Blu-ray. In one word, he says it’s “amazing” – but he gives a lot more than one word to describe the story, the humor, the special effects … And his views are published online for a global audience and he even appears on a Web-streamed radio show as a regular contributor!

All that is part of the experience of being a KIDS FIRST! youth film critic, and the KF Film Critics Search is on now to give eight lucky kids ges six to 14 a chance to spend a year as a film critic, reviewing films before they’re released, attending red carpet events and interacting with film talent. The program is based on educationally sound principles that foster an ever-more-critical visual literacy, and it’s also an amazingly fun and exciting opportunity of a lifetime. Entering is easy, and we’ve got a lot of tips and guidelines to help you out. Check it out here. And remember – finalists are chosen by popular vote, so get your entry in early to build up those votes!

Cars 2
Reviewed by Anthony Aranda

Hello, everyone. My name is Anthony Aranda from KIDS FIRST! I just got finished watching an amazing movie called Cars 2! Race car Lightning McQueen and his best friend Mater travel to compete in the World Grand Prix. Cars 2 brings back our favorite car friends in this excellent adventure movie!

My favorite characters are Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson), Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) and Finn McMissile (Michael Caine). I like Lightning McQueen because he is really fast and he is really friendly. I like Mater because he is a really funny character and he doesn’t always know what’s going on. But even if he doesn’t know what’s going on, he is always the best friend McQueen could ever have. I like Finn McMissile because he is a great spy car and he helps Mater to see who he really is. Mater realizes that he is perfect just the way he is.

My favorite part of this movie is when Mater is being a spy and gets into a fire fight with the bad cars, but not on purpose! He says, “Dag Gum,” and then a gun pops out of his truck. Then he says, “Oh shoot,” and then the gun starts shooting! And then he says, “Not that kind of shoot,” and then a parachute pops out of his truck and he starts to fly away. It is sooo funny!

The animation and special effects in this movie are really cool. The bright lights and colors in the cars are amazing. The opening scene where Crabby is coming through the ocean is really cool. They had to use a lot of computer graphics in order to make the water actually look like it is waves. And of course the explosions are super cool.

I would recommend this movie for ages three and up. This movie does have some violence but it isn’t really scary or noticeable to younger kids. All in all, this is a great family movie that shows friendship and teamwork. Go out and buy this movie when it comes out on Disney DVD and Blu-ray.

Photos: Cars 2 DVD box art (top), Anthony Aranda (bottom)

It’s a swashbuckling adventure on par with any of the live-acted extravaganzas it’s sharing theater time with this season. Puss in Boots combines a clever script, sharp animation, fun special effects and the voice talent of A-list actors … But to really get the picture, read KIDS FIRST! youth film critic Gabriella Chu’s full-on review (and for a chance for you to walk in her KF Youth Film Critic footsteps for a year, visit the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Search page on our website to learn about entering the 2012 KDIS FIRST! Film Critics Search).

Puss in Boots
Reviewed by Gabriella Chu (age 14)
(See her full review on video.)

If you’ve enjoyed the movie Shrek, you will definitely like Puss in Boots. I’m glad I saw this movie. It is about an outlaw cat that has been searching for the magic beans all his life with his partner and “brother” Humpty Dumpty. However, tension forms between Puss and Humpty Dumpty over jealousy, so they plan revenge against one another. Who will find the magic beans? Discover the legend of Puss in Boots!

The voiceovers of the characters in the movie are excellent. Antonio Banderas’s accent matches Puss’s sly and adventurous character perfectly. Salma Hayek’s voice fits the tough and flirty character of Kitty Softpaws.

Aside from the voiceover, I was even more impressed with the adventure in the movie. It seemed magical and thrilling. Scene after scene, Puss is on an exciting escapade. The animation of the movie adds to the excitement because it details even on subtleties, making the characters seem more realistic. The facial expressions and close-ups on the characters are adorable. I love the close-ups of baby Puss and huge-eyed Puss because they are undeniably cute.

I recommend this movie to kids 10 and up. Anyone can enjoy the enthusiasm and exhilaration in the movie, but younger kids will probably have a hard time following the intricate plot. There are some twists and turns as Puss’s allies and enemies keep changing. Puss in Boots is an adventurous family film that will keep the entire family entertained.

Photos: Puss in Boots poster (top), Gabriella Chu (bottom)

KIDS FIRST! has just launched the Film Critics Search for eight lucky kids who will be 2012’s KIDS FIRST! youth film critics. You’ve been reading, all this year, reviews and interviews by last year’s winners – and seeing their enthusiasm shine through on the video versions. That experience is now open to a new roster of KIDS FIRST! youth film critics.

Kids aged six to 14 who love movies and love to talk about them – universal attributes, right, parent? – have the chance of a lifetime as KIDS FIRST! opens our second annual Film Critics Search on Oct. 25.

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 the movie and create a video of yourself reveiwing the movie, and submit your entry by midnight, Dec. 31. We’ll post the video on our partner site at WonderWorldTV.

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. Last year’s contest generated 11 million votes! Then, on or about Jan. 11, we’ll announce the winners.  

The eight KIDS FIRST! Film Critic 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.