NOAH: Live! * Stunning! A Very Immersive Account Of The Biblical Story Of Noah And The Flood
September 23rd, 2025
With a catastrophic storm on its way, Noah is given a monumental task: build a boat big enough to save his family – and two of every kind – from a flood that will cover the entire earth. As Noah endeavors to live faithfully in the midst of an increasingly chaotic world, can he trust that God’s promises run deeper than the rising waters around him? Filmed in front of a live audience, this special event invites you to gather your crew two by two and join us onboard the ark for an unforgettable adventure.
KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Braedyn M. comments, “NOAH: Live! absolutely blew me away. The unique perspective of Sight and Sound’s filmed stage musical, the quality of the production, and relatable characters whose concerns and mistrusts still ring true in the present day bring one of the most immersive accountings of the Biblical story of Noah and the flood to life.” Isabella V. adds, “The scale of this production is unbelievable as it features so many unique elements. I am most impressed with the inclusion of live animals, which is hard to pull off, and there are over 80 that appear in each live event.” See their full reviews below.
NOAH: Live!
By Braedyn M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16
NOAH: Live! absolutely blew me away. The unique perspective of Sight and Sound’s filmed stage musical, the quality of the production, and relatable characters whose concerns and mistrusts still ring true in the present day bring one of the most immersive accountings of the Biblical story of Noah and the flood to life.
The storyline follows Noah (Tom Sharpes), a man with strong faith and trust in God, who is terribly saddened by the ways of the world as people choose their own path over God’s. God is heartbroken by their sinful behaviors as well, and so He informs Noah of his plan to wipe out every living thing by a flood except for Noah, his family and two of every kind of animal on Earth. Armed with God’s instructions, Noah must now find a way to build an ark big enough for all its passengers, solve conflicts with the people around him, and still find a way to remain trusting in God despite the chaotic, sinful, and broken world that he knows.
There is so much to love about this film, that I honestly don’t even know where to begin. One thing that makes it stand out is how much detail is put into the sets. Though this is a filmed version of a live stage performance, the immensity and perspective of the ark make it feel like one is really on the boat with Noah. The big thing that makes it feel that way is the inclusion of live animals – they are everywhere in this film, and a very diverse variety at that. There are cats, horses, dogs, pigs, sheep, camels, parrots, ducks, and even skunks! Yes, even skunks. These are all real animals, and only a few animatronics are used for the elephants and pandas. My favorite scene is when Noah and his family are loading all the animals onto the ark. They are flying, walking, and running around the stage, and I got a sense of just how massive this production is.
The animals aren’t the only stars of this film. Tom Sharpes is excellent in his role as Noah; the emotion he brings made me really feel for him and his family in the events that lead up to The Flood. Following God is not always easy, but Noah’s dedication to the Lord shines a light on the darkness of his world, and even changes lives.
This film’s message is that you always have a choice. Even with all the problems that Noah saw in the world, he chose to trust in the timing of the Lord. By doing so, he was able to stay grounded and calm, even on the most wild of waters. Note that there are a few instances of violence and slavery shown in this film.
I give NOAH: Live! 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It is available now in theaters for a limited time and releases to streaming shortly. I definitely recommend it.
NOAH-Live!
Isabella V., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14
NOAH-Live is a breathtaking musical with amazing vocals and acting performances from the entire cast. Filmed in front of a live audience, it includes images I have never seen before from the live production and truly left me speechless at multiple points. I applaud the hard work from the crew.
The film follows the story of Noah (Tom Sharpes), as told in the Bible, as a live musical, with behind-the-scenes details shown throughout. It follows Noah and his family as they deal with the hardships of not only the world around them but also their faith – yet, they still choose to help others.
The scale of this production is unbelievable as it features so many unique elements. I am most impressed with the inclusion of live animals, which is hard to pull off, and there are over 80 that appear in each live event. Featuring animals in the cast at a live setting is not easy considering that they don’t always listen, so seeing how well they work here is incredibly impressive. The songs are well written, unique, and extremely catchy. I found myself looking forward to the next one and excited to see what it would feature. I especially like “The Gates of Nod” and “Noah’s Lament,” for completely different reasons. The “Gates of Nod” has great vocal performances, amazing choreography, and is extremely catchy. “Noah’s Lament” made me feel for Noah and Tom Sharpes’ acting is immaculate.
The cast gives great vocal performances; there are no weak links, and the ensemble blends together so well. The songs have some extremely high and low notes so the singers’ virtuosity is challenged. All of the actors give outstanding performances and each character is portrayed realistically. I couldn’t help but wish that certain plot elements had more time to shine, especially some of the romantic elements.
The film’s message is to put faith in what you believe in, but also allow yourself to be your own person rather than what other people tell you to be. Be forewarned that there is death within the film and some onstage fighting.
I give NOAH-Live! 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It has a limited release in theaters starting September 18, 2025 and releases to streaming shortly.
In Eleanor The Great, June Squibb brings to vivid life the witty and proudly troublesome 94-year-old Eleanor Morgenstein, who after a devastating loss, tells a tale that takes on a dangerous life of its own. Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut is a comically poignant exploration of how the stories we hear become the stories we tell.
I really like the film, Eleanor The Great. It has a simple but yet incredibly complex storyline, and conveys emotion in a beautiful way. It highlights different perspectives, and shows multiple sides to one story. I am really touched by this movie, and feel that it’s important for us as a society to bring more attention to films like this.
Scarlett Johansson’s directing style is a notable standout in this film. This movie highlights the often quietness and loneliness in people’s lives. Each camera angle brings that feeling to the screen. There are so many moments of stillness, where the audience is focused on one thing even, for example, watching Eleanor come back to New York. This is a place that she once called home, and you can really tell how much she’s taking it all in. It feels like I’m really seeing New York City through her eyes. Additionally, I enjoy the simplicity of this movie. It isn’t a huge blockbuster film, and it doesn’t take big expensive sets to make it happen. Everything feels extremely realistic, as if I’m just watching Eleanor’s life right beside her. Something else I enjoy is the storyline.
This is one of the first movies I’ve ever watched with an older woman as the main character. Getting to see her perspective on life is so interesting and refreshing. In most films the older characters are often pushed to the side, and seen as someone who has a lot of wisdom. Here, Eleanor is so much more than that. Of course we get her wise advice, but we also get to understand her life. We learn her struggles and dreams, but also what brings her happiness. Hearing her perspective on why she does certain things is fascinating and educational.
Eleanor The Great is the most heartfelt movie I’ve ever seen. Its story was handled with expert care, and the acting left me in awe.
Eleanor is a beautiful character, and June Squibb’s brilliant acting really brings her to life. Right off the bat, I could sense her grief through the screen. Later, after a major event, when her fighting spirit is gone, the vacuum left behind is so palpable that she does not need to say anything to convey. I will go a step further and say that everyone’s performance in this film deserves a round of applause. They all tell this story with an outstanding authenticity that’s not typically found. Their emotions are raw, ugly and justified. I also enjoyed the suspense of Eleanor managing two identities. You can feel the tension building as you see how minor inconsistencies snowball into unbearable contradictions that Eleanor must keep up to maintain these two separate worlds. The measured pacing is the cherry on top. It feels real, as if everything is happening in real time.
The transitions from Bessie to Eleanor after Bessie passes convey so much emotion and the cuts in the middle of scenes are perfectly placed. No one is interrupted, and instead, I was left wondering what they could have said. Another thing I found interesting is Nina’s character being a parallel to Eleanor’s. While Eleanor is old, confident and stands her ground, Nina is young and easily influenced. However, they have both lost someone close to them. They understand and share their feelings with each other, which leads to their friendship. Later, when Nina confronts Eleanor, we see that they are not so different after all.
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, the cinematic return of the global phenomenon, follows the Crawley family and their staff as they enter the 1930s. When Mary finds herself at the center of a public scandal and the family faces financial trouble, the entire household grapples with the threat of social disgrace. The Crawleys must embrace change as the staff prepares for a new chapter with the next generation leading Downton Abbey into the future.
Party Time with Patrick is an album for kids and families that celebrate fun things in life like birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, summer, holidays and more. Upbeat and fun, this album is meant to make you smile and sing along.
I really like the album Party Time With Patrick because the lyrics are super catchy, the topics are goofy, and the songs are enjoyable to listen to. The instrumentals are especially noteworthy.
The songs have a 1990s to early 2000s vibe, which might give some parents a bit of nostalgia. The instrumentals are my favorite part of each song. Props to Erik Gatchalian, who provides instrumentals for this album. He really works his magic and gives the songs that professional feel. However, at times it seems that the vocals and the instrumentals don’t mix all that well. Note that this album focuses primarily on fun topics. My favorite song is Champions because both the instrumentals and vocals really shine.
On first listen, I was not a fan of Party Time With Patrick. The frenetic, in-your-face vocals and relentless bounce of the music were off-putting to my dainty musical tastes. Imagine a marching band colliding with a sugar rush, and you’ll have the general idea. But in fairness, first impressions can be deceiving. So I did what any fair-minded reviewer does: I stepped back, looked to the margins, opened the blinders, and gave the whole thing a poke with a stick.
The album’s theme is celebrations—holidays of all shapes, sizes, and calendars. If you’ve ever thought, “We should throw a parade for Arbor Day,” Patrick’s your guy. It’s about year-round license to let your hair down (or up, or sideways—free country). It’s a rousing, rip-roaring sing-a-long of yearly celebrations from birthdays to New Years.
So, here’s my advice: give it a listen and decide for yourself. Maybe you’ll dance. Maybe you’ll wince. Maybe you’ll end up somewhere in between, tapping your foot in spite of yourself. Either way, it’s a party, and Patrick has already passed out the noisemakers.
A rebellious young boy, Ne Zha, is feared by the gods and born to mortal parents with wild, uncontrolled powers. Now he’s faced with an ancient force intent on destroying humanity, he must grow up to become the hero the world needs.
I love the movie Ne Zha 2, because of the humorous touches, incredible animation, and the several meaningful themes, such as family and good versus evil. It is extremely complex, and the characters all have their own stories.
The animation is incredible! This is visual storytelling at its best. This is a heartfelt movie with heartbreaking, yet sweet moments. One thing that really impressed me is how intense this film is; it fully immersed me in the story, as if I was a part of it. The message is inspiring and hopeful, which really gives the movie a meaningful touch. Ne Zha is portrayed as a demon child grappling with feelings of being replaced; Crystal Lee and Griffin Puatu provide the voice of Ne Zha, for his child and teenage form, very well. Michelle Yeoh and Vincent Rodriguez III portray the emotional depth of their characters so well with their voices. Ao Bing, one of the characters with the most internal conflict, is voiced by Aleks Le, whose voice perfectly matches the character. My favorite scene is when Ao Bing and Ne Zha break free of Master Wuliang’s (Robert Clotworthy) trap.
The film’s message is to be yourself. It reminds us of how we are perfect just the way we are. Be forewarned that it has several violent scenes, many deaths, and mild language, making it slightly unsuitable for younger children.
Ne Zha 2 is an epic film about two destined enemies becoming friends. I love this film because of the characters and the emotional aspect.
This film surprised me in all the ways a person can be surprised. Starting with the phenomenal animation, this film truly brings the story to life. The battle scenes in particular are stunning visually and very creative. My favorite scene is the final battle scene. The background music is astonishing and the sound effects are extremely realistic. I really enjoyed watching Lady Yin evolve into the caring mother she was born to be. I also enjoyed watching Taiyi Zhenren (Rick Zieff), taking Ne Zha under his wing. This film is an emotional roller coaster — it made me laugh, cry, and truly brought me joy like I have never experienced before from watching a film. Compared to Ne Zha, Ne Zha 2 is even better. The characters are very similar with some of the same qualities and some differences which made watching the movie fun. Ne Zha 2 taught me life is not in black and white, there is some gray too. The people of Chentang Pass come to understand why people do certain things to protect their people.
The film’s message is that not everyone is all good or all bad. When we see other’s differences and celebrate them, then we can all become one team and defeat the real enemy. Note that there are some violent scenes that are inappropriate for younger children.
