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N CIRCLE ENTERTAINMENT Series: DVD, AGES 4-12 Topic - Family Description - It s the first day of Summer Vacation and The Cat in the Hat whisks Nick, Sally and Fish off on the greatest great outdoor camping adventure ever! Our gang gets back to nature as they hike through the Fickle Fern Forest, camp out overnight, trek over Mt. Weewobble and canoe down the Tickle Drop River....just in time for Fish to meet up with his family for a grand reunion. Along for the ride are Little Cats A, B and C, who discover there s wonder in nature once their electronic devices are powered off! Nick and Sally help keep the Little Cats out of trouble, while Fish tries to keep his jacket pressed and the mud out of his fancy fishbowl...all while getting up close to some of nature s most awesome sights, and learning how best to respect them. After being lulled to sleep under the stars by a chorus of animals, the morning brings fresh adventure with a spectacular race up Mt. Weewobble, complete with a cliffhanger ending! It s a slippery ride down the slope and into the Tickle Drop River, where a harrowing raft ride finally delivers them to the shores of Fish s family reunion. The Cat in the Hat and his loveable Little Cat cousins, Nick, Sally, Fish and all his family, gather together in a great Suessian-style musical finale... in which Fish and the gang are celebrated as true adventurers. Everyone agrees it really has been the Greatest Great Outdoors Adventure ever! KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - What a great DVD to get you in the mood for the upcoming summer vacation! I'm a big fan of the Cat in the Hat and his shenanigans. This one does not disappoint! It's entertaining for the whole family and children, ages 3 to 9 will love it! I like that all the characters such as the Fish are included in this fun outdoor adventure. It also has a great story line from the beginning to end and it's just so fun to watch. I found myself laughing out loud more than a few times. I also like that it is rather original and the animation and soundtrack are great. I give this 5 out of 5 stars and think that the adults will also enjoy watching this one with their young children. Reviewed by Denise Bloomfield, KIDS FIRST! Juror KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Looking for adventure this summer? Look no further than the new DVD The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Camping! Join The Cat in the Hat, Nick, Sally and Fish on their trip to Fish's family reunion. Along the way they are joined by the Little Cats as well as an appearance by Thing 1 and Thing 2! Plenty of trouble ahead for this group. On the way to Fish's family reunion his fancy new fishbowl starts to leak. The Cat in the Hat tries to fix this problem for his friend and as usual lands the group in more trouble. The "thingamajig" heads to a crash landing and Thing 1 and Thing 2 appear to help their friends. The group starts on a wilderness trek to help Fish make his way to his family when they discover the joys of nature. This DVD features the incredibly talented and funny Martin Short as the voice of the Cat in the Hat! The illustrations and animation are what you would expect from the Cat in the Hat's world and I especially enjoyed the fantastical wilderness scenes. The river scenes in particular are my favorite animation on this journey. The message of this adventure is to enjoy the great outdoors and don't get lost in your screen-time. Interacting with people, things and the world around you is more important than viewing life on a screen. The Little Cats learn this lesson several times on this DVD. I rate this DVD 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 4 to 12. The DVD is available now so look for it. Reviewed by Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11 I like this DVD because it is very entertaining and useful. The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Camping has a duration of one hour and you can watch it in English or Spanish. This DVD is about two kids named Nick and Sally pretending to camp in their backyard on their first day of summer vacation. The Cat in the Hat (Martin Short) comes to visit them with his friend Fish who has a family reunion at the time. The Cat in the Hat tells Nick and Sally that he is going to set up a camp at Fish's family reunion. Nick and Sally are very excited because they really are going camping. The Cat in the Hat takes his hat off and his three little cousins come out of the hat, Little Cat A, Little Cat B and little Cat C. During their journey to Fish's family reunion, The Cat in the Hat teaches the kids and the little cousins a lot about nature, insects and the beautiful landscape, with the help of a special electronic device. Meanwhile, Fish is worried about his special suit not getting ruined during their journey to the reunion and his fancy fish bowl not getting muddy (so he can show it off to his family). Unfortunately, this trip is not going the way Fish wanted to go. The animation on this DVD is the same as other Cat in the Hat movies. The songs are catchy and pleasant to listen to. The show features Martin Short, from The Three Amigos, as the voice of the Cat in the Hat. My favorite scene is when the Cat in the Hat, Fish, Nick and Sally are flying in the air in the Thingamajigger singing "Go, go, go, go on an adventure." The moral of this show is "no matter how you dress, how look, or what you have, your family will love you for who you are." Family doesn't care about your appearance or your possessions. I give this DVD 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3 to 8. Adults can watch this with their kids and might even learn some tips about camping. The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Camping! is available now, so you can enjoy it as much as I did. Reviewed by Ethan P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10 I absolutely love all the different things I learned about from this DVD! The animation is spot on for this show which brings out a lot of cool stuff. In this collection, the Cat in the Hat, Nick, Sally, Fish, Thing One and Thing Two are all back for new and exciting adventures about camping. It makes the perfect summer DVD for kids who love Dr. Seuss's terrific characters and stories. I enjoyed watching this so much because it is interesting and enjoyable and shows so many different people from all around the world. I imagine that kids from everywhere will enjoy this since camping is something everyone can do. My favorite scene features a crafty squirrel who borrows food. We are in the great outdoors and have to remember that humans are in animal territory so, they need to be kind to the animals. The voice actors truly fit their characters, especially Martin Short as the Cat in the Hat. Mr. Short's energetic voice over suits the Cat so well. His voice is very unique which makes his character always so fun, happy, encouraging and knowledgeable. He makes watching the show a treat. Electronics rule the world today, so camping is great way to get back to nature. Leave the phones at home and go outside and enjoy the world. This is the great lesson on this DVD. I would like to go camping this year for a fun vacation. It might even start a family tradition that my family and I would enjoy - time away from electronics exploring the wonderful world we live in. It is so easy to sit and worry that everything will go wrong, but things tend to always work out. Spend less time worrying and more time enjoying life is a message I took away from this. There is no fishing on this camping trip since the goal is to take Fish to his family reunion. We see family members coming together from all difference places to get reacquainted with one another and connect in new ways. It is always fun to see our family members from far away, listen to their stories about the past and learn about others in your extended family. I'm going to make this part of my summer plan. I recommend this DVD for kids ages 4 to 12. You can learn a lot about camping, friendship and family reunions while watching this adventure. It is very catchy and perfect for summer. If you're looking for something to do this summer, then this will give you some wonderful ideas. I give this terrific DVD 5 out of 5 camping adventure stars. This fun DVD is available now so, go check it out. By Morgan B. B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 12 To start off, I want to comment this DVD on how it impacts children in a positive way with its great vocabulary and important lessons that are taught in each episode. This series is very enjoyable for kids to watch. The plot is well designed for kids to understand and relate to the stories. I can understand why kids are attracted to it. The way the show is made, with all the colorful objects and cute plots draw the kids in quite easily and, in that moment, their life seems interesting. All the episodes on this DVD have different stories and plots, but the format and the meaning is pretty much the same. All the adventures are different, but every one teaches the lesson that you can play and have fun in nature enjoying the most awesome sights. You can have a great time without damaging the environment yet, you still need to respect and take care of it. Along with that, the viewer experiences some great adventures that are unforgettable. My favorite scene is at the end of one episode when The Cat in the Hat, Nick, Sally, Fish and all his family gather together in one musical finale extravaganza where they are all celebrated as true adventurers. I like this scene because it is very creative, has great songs and the little musical finale is so well organized. It definitely gets children's attention since it really stands out. The important message gleaned from these episodes is that people and children can have fun without electronic devices. This DVD teaches kids about the wonder in nature. It shows how phones, computers and other electronic devices are not more fascinating than the activities you can do in nature. It shows you how to share quality time with the people you love and learn about your surroundings. This DVD is available now so, go check it out. It's just in time for summer vacation. By Alejandra Garcia, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15 KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 4-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ 9.99 Media: DVD |
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N CIRCLE ENTERTAINMENT Series: DVD, AGES 2-7 Topic - Family Description - Every day Henry meets something new! I wonder what Henry's going to meet today? Henry is a 4-year-old boy who always wants to learn and find out more. In each episode, Henry has a friendly chat with whatever he meets and discovers something new... Hello, Caterpillar. How do you turn into a butterfly? Hello, Bear . What is hibernation? Hello, Telescope. What is a constellation? No matter what Henry meets, they're always delighted to talk, laugh and share their amazing world with him. After finding out so many amazing things about his new friends, Henry let's his imagination run wild and imagines himself... As a Paleontologist discovering dinosaurs... As a skateboarder learning how to jump, flip and grind... As a show jumper to help a horse win a top prize... As a teacher learning all about school... As a detective solving cases... And more! KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Henry is an inquisitive and playful little boy who loves to learn! Every day he meets new friends, whether they are a human, animal or an object, they are all of interest to him. The Day Henry Met DVD has 26 episodes to inspire curiosity. Who or what will Henry meet next? My favorite episode is The Day Henry Met... A Dinosaur Bone as I love the museum setting and the fact that he travels back in time. This episode is both educational and fun. There are so many good moments in this series including The Day Henry Met... a Violin, a Tennis Racquet and an Ice Cream Van. Can't forget The Day Henry Met...A Comic Book! Super Henry appears to make the city safe and happy. Love all the fun characters and situations in this episode. The voices in this series reflect all of the diverse characters that Henry meets and really bring the characters to life. This series, directed by Gary Gill, is playful and will appeal to younger children. The illustrations are reflective of children's drawings and are quite appealing. It is so imaginative that it makes you view the world around you in a different light as Henry talks to whomever or whatever he meets each day. The message of this series is to explore life, friendship, be curious and learn from those around you. There is something to learn in every situation, even if you are with a dustbin or a sponge! I rate this DVD 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3 to 8. Reviewed by Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. I like this DVD because the music is very catchy and the episodes are short and entertaining. The Day Henry Met; Season Two has 26 episodes of cute little stories. The storyline is about a 4-year-old, red-head boy named Henry, who has a big imagination. In every episode Henry meets something new. He talks to different objects, animals or things. Once Henry interacts with the objects such as a violin, a skateboard, a camera, a horse or a bear, these things or animals make Henry's imagination go wild. For example, Henry imagines such things as being a conductor or a detective. Henry also wants to learn and find out more about the objects he interacts with. At the end of each episode, Henry's mom calls him and Henry's imagination ends by him saying goodbye to the objects he was talking to. The animation style of this DVD is simple and plain, looking as if it is hand drawn. Basically, all the objects have eyes and a mouth, including the house. What caught my attention is that Henry has a voice like a 12-year-old. He sounds much older than a little kid. I like how friendly his chats are with the different animals and objects. The episodes are so short that I didn't lose interest while watching them. My favorite episode is "The Day Henry Met A Dustbin" because, out of all the episodes, this particular one is the most realistic one for my age. Henry wants to be a garbage man so he can help his trash can and all the other trash cans in his neighborhood to be emptied, because the garbage man who had that route is sick and cannot pick up the trash that day. The moral of these episodes is not let people, well in this case things, underestimate your abilities to do something you want to do or be. Henry is always positive; he can do whatever his imagination tells him to do. I give this DVD 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3 to 8, but adults can watch it with their kids and might find it interesting. This DVD is available now, so look for it. Reviewed by Ethan P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10 KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 2-7 Suggested Retail Price: $ 6.99 Media: DVD Buy Here (Amazon.com) |
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KENDRA K Series: AUDIO CD FOR AGES 2-5 Topic - Family Description - Songs for a Healthy Mind and Body is a music album written and recorded by children's music artist Kendra K. The songs are all about health and wellness of the mind and body. The songs teach kids about the importance of exercising and being active, eating healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, positive thinking, having good manners, respecting others and oneself, and being kind and loving to other people. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Kendra K. has delivered a bouncy fun collection of songs for the younger set with a positive message entitled 'Songs for a Healthy Mind and Body' and she hits the rubber nail on the head. Sweet accessible vocals and pop-flavored production values will have the crowd going crazy and eating fruits and vegetables, not throwing them. Step away from the TV, crank up the turntable (huh?) and dance, dance, dance, 'til the cows, cows, cows, come home! This upbeat CD is engaging for its intended age group, with lots of fun instrumentation. Absolutely positive messages, engaging and movement oriented. The songs are constructed around a theme of healthy mind and body and they all follow suit in a light pop style. Kendra K knows her young audience well, so all the songs are age appropriate. Lots of healthy exercise and healthy eating behaviors are encouraged, as well as other positive actions are modeled. She talks directly to the intended age group. I believe the artist leads and projects healthy choices for young people. Kendra K's voice is sweet and soothing. The production value supports her songs with fun arrangements. This album will be worn out by repeated listening, which is a good place to be when motivating youngsters. This definitely meets and exceeds the KIDS FIRST! criteria, is pretty well produced and entertaining. Recommended for ages 2 to 5 and 4 out of 5 stars. Reviewed by John Wood, KIDS FIRST! Music Specialist. KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Songs for a Healthy Mind and Body is a positive, fun and educational collection of music that young children can both groove to and learn from. All the songs have their own unique sound and feeling that makes them special. There are many important messages included in the songs. It is refreshing for me, as a teenager, to listen to music that promotes a healthy mind and a healthy body, even if it isn't geared towards my age group. A few of my favorite songs are "Beautiful Beautiful Day," "Fruits and Vegetables" and "Celebrate Everybody." They all have very powerful and significant messages incorporated into them. "Beautiful Beautiful Day" teaches kids to be grateful that you are alive and healthy and to embrace the fact that today is a new day. "Fruits and Vegetables" demonstrates the importance of healthy eating for kids. Finally, "Celebrate Everybody" encourages diversity and educates the importance of accepting people for who they are, regardless of their race or what they look like on the outside. The lyrics on this CD are influential and educational and there is also a lot of fun and childish innocence in them. The album has a fairly diverse mix of sounds made up of tropical sounds, country sounds and much more. The music is cheery and energized, with many of the songs encouraging kids to dance. I give Songs for a Healthy Mind and Body 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 6. Even though the songs are meant for younger kids, I had fun listening to them. The sentiments within the songs are sentiments that everybody should hold onto and think about regardless of their age. It's essential that kids are taught how to act in order to prepare them for a better future. Music affects the way people perceive the world, especially when you're young, so it is crucial that kids listen to music with kind and encouraging attitudes. Parents can feel assured knowing that their child is listening to a healthy, yet entertaining soundtrack, with positive messages when they let their children listen to this CD. Reviewed by Ella L., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15 On this CD, everyone get ready to move and grove to a whole new world with fun filled songs that tell us how to eat healthy and feel great, while having a fun time with our friends. The songs are ready, so turn them on and dance to the amazing beat that lies in Kendra K.'s Songs for a Healthy Mind and Body. These songs are superb. Each one is very quick with a cute rhythm and rhyme to it. They also have fun morals for kids that want to learn how to eat right, learn how to get in shape and work out in fun new ways. This is one thing I enjoy, because it can help if we start healthy habits at a young age. The first thing I noticed is the cover. I adore that it is so colorful and vibrant. It is also full of animated kids and animals. Singer and song writer Kendra K. stands out because she is a live, non-animated person on the cover. We get to see who she is and what she looks like in person. This is one thing that I found endearing, because it gives us a chance to get up close and personal with the artist of the songs we are listening to. Even though I like all the songs, my favorite is Number 5, also known as "Be Kind." This song helps kids know their manners and how to treat others with kindness. This song is not only fun to listen to, but the moral behind it is fabulous. I recommend this CD for ages 4 to 9 and give it 5 out of 5 stars. It is available now, so look for it. Reviewed by Morgan B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14 KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 2-5 Suggested Retail Price: $ 9.97 Media: AUDIO |
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SONY CLASSICAL Series: FEATURE, AGES 10-18 Topic - Family Description - The story of Tracy Edwards, a 24-year-old cook on charter boats, who became the skipper of the first ever all-female crew to enter the Whitbread Round the World Race in 1989. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - see youth review KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - This documentary is an incredible example about finding your passion. I found it very engaging and interesting. Before seeing Maiden, I did not know much about long-distance ocean sailing and how challenging it is. This documentary goes beyond my expectations. Maiden follows Tracy Edwards and her all female crew as they are the first women to enter an 'around-the-world' sailing race. She goes against the odds and makes it happen. Maiden tells the story of her struggle for equal rights by entering a very dangerous race. This documentary shows us how scary long-distance sailing is, whether you are male or female. It is one of the most challenging sports ever. We learn so much about Tracy Edwards and all that she accomplishes. She now advocates for girls' education. One thing that makes Maiden really fascinating is that Tracy, some of her crew and even her competitors narrate it. The message of this documentary is about determination, finding your way, making sacrifices, putting fate into your own arms, having a voice event when it may not be heard, teamwork, friendship and so much more. It has some mild profanity and risky things that kids might try to imitate, such as running away and sailing in dangerous areas. There is some bad behavior like an abusive step-dad, getting expelled and being stereotyped. I give this documentary 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 9 to 18, as well as adults. Maiden opens in theaters July 12, 2019. Reviewed by Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11 KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: FeatureFilm |
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WOW NOW ENTERTAINMENT Series: FEATURE, AGES 8-12 Topic - Family Description - Kidd Mane is a lion cub without a home - that is, until he wanders into the western settlement of Tuckerville, which happens to be a town without a sheriff! Meeting folks and making friends, Kidd applies for the job and, with a little help from the long-suffering town council - Judge Ryker, Miss Scarlet, and Miss Clarabelle - he becomes the new sheriff of Tuckerville! Unfortunately, this puts Kidd at odds with the notorious town founder, Mr. Bucktooth Tucker! With a new sheriff in town, Tucker's crooked schemes are in jeopardy - until he resolves to run Kidd out, just like he did to the previous sheriff. Teaming with his devious lawyer, Jeb Easton, and recruiting two brutish thugs, Cliff and Gnash McGavin, Mr. Tucker pulls out all the stops to retain control of Tuckerville! On a collision course with the town's old guard, it's up to Sheriff Kidd and his loyal deputy, Tibs, to stand strong and turn back Mr. Tucker's threat - or lose Tuckerville forever! KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This animated tale tells of a lion that comes to the town of Tuckerville to take on the job as the sheriff. The town readily accepts Sheriff Mane as their new law enforcer. But some local politicians, such as Mr. Jeb Tucker, are envious of this young, new sheriff and he attempts to sabotage Mane's good name with falsified orders. The setting is of the Old West with the narrow, wooden, two-story buildings, old-fashioned carriages and outfits reminiscent of that time period. The only thing disconnected from the Old West setting is the airborne (Argonaut) carriages. In the end, Mr. Jeb Tucker's feelings' about Sheriff Mane come full-circle for very good reason. The production quality of this film is excellent. The CGI visuals are of a Dreamworks' animation quality. The sound quality is clear and suitable for most people, as is the soundtrack. The animated location of The Old West is pretty accurate for its time, as are the costumes. The dialogue is appropriate for its target audience. There is no overly complicated jargon. Taking all that in consideration, this production could be a bit more sophisticated. The scenes are a bit long and drawn out at times. As an adult viewer, I wondered if a young child would notice that and lose interest in some scenes. The Lion Kid appears to be modeling a Dreamworks' production such as Shrek, but its humor and overall liveliness isn't quite on the same par, although it is still entertaining. I would love to see more wit to the characters' repartee. The plot is rather straightforward and suitable for a young audience. Parents should know that there are a couple of places when a character calls the donkey bureaucrat a "jackass," as a play-on-words. Unfortunately, this "blurs the line" in terms of mild profanity. I recommend this for ages 7 to 12 and give it 3.5 out of 5 stars as I did enjoy the themes and animation of this film. It releases July 2, 2019 so, check it out. Reviewed by Kimberly M., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror There are honest characters that I wanted to root for. The villainous characters entertain, but I still want them to be exposed. The content and language is suitable for its target age group. Some words might be a bit advanced for some kids, but are not at all inappropriate. The main villain, Mr. Tucker expresses hope for continued inequality and uncivil treatment. His comments are more thought-provoking than violent. The storyline involves problem solving and is thought provoking. There are plenty of lessons to be learned that most will find relatable. I like the message that it doesn't take experience to recognize and protest against unfair treatment. The Lion Kid is one of my favorite new films. I found it funny, thought-provoking and courageous. Kidd Mane is sure to become a fan favorite, because he has the heart for any job. He stumbles upon a town called Tuckerville. Oddly enough, this town is without a sheriff. Kidd is nervous, but he accepts the job with honor. There are important messages in this film about facing fears, being an honest and hard worker and standing up for equality. Kidd Mane (aka The Lion Kid) is awarded the chance to transform a shattered community. He has support from his fellow animals, especially deputy Tibbs. Manipulation and rumors threaten Kidd's mission to transform this oppressed western town. I recommend The Lion Kid for ages 8 to 12, as they would really appreciate the continuous learning and acts of courage throughout this film. Most will find the problems addressed easy to relate to. I give it 5 out of 5 stars. It will be released July 2, 2019 so look for it. Reviewed by Elle S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16 The animated film The Lion Kid is full of surprises. The story focuses on a lion named Mane who is looking for a job. The first surprise is that he is not what we think when we think of in lions: He's nice, not mean, and he's friendly. Mane is traveling alone in a new town and meets a member of the town council who wants him to become the sheriff. Mane is interested in the job, but he doesn't realize that becoming the sheriff will bring him problems. Not everyone in the town is happy about this idea. There is a man who is running the town, and everyone is too scared to stand up to him. The problems Mane has to face will teach him that he is able to be strong and brave. The animation is basic. There are not many special effects in this movie, and it doesn't look as real as some animated films. The cinematography is like the town: simple. I have to say that the movie is a bit slow at times. I was looking for more action and adventure, since it is set in a Western town. I thought it might have a little more violence, but I'm glad that it doesn't because a lot of kids' movies have too much. I will say that I learned a lot, though. Some of the things I learned, I already knew, like that sometimes life is a big challenge. At first Mane faces challenges because no one wants to hire him without experience. That is why I was surprised when he becomes the sheriff. It is almost like he is forced into becoming the sheriff, and when he does, Mane promises to do his best and makes rules for people to follow. Another good thing The Lion Kid teaches is that we should believe in ourselves. This is when the film shows that we should always have courage. For example, Mane doesn't back down to the people who try to run him out of the sheriff position. He stands up to them and for what is right. He shows that doing what's right is the best thing to do. I was happy to see that Mane does not back down and doesn't run away. I give this film 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for kids ages 5 to 8. The Lion Kid releases July 2, 2019, so give it a shot and watch it because there's always something to learn. Reviewed by SaniyaRain F., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11 This wholesome movie really made me smile. My mom strictly monitors the TV and movies that my siblings and I watch. There are actually a few PBS shows that my mom has banned. She says "they promote negative social behaviors." This film, however, exudes the positive qualities most parents want to teach their children. We are now allowed to watch anything written by B.C. Furtney without mom's prior approval. Old-fashioned Western music introduces us to this high-flying town. This old west desert is complete with a general store, a showdown at high noon and, of course, a new sheriff in town. Animals from land, sea and air all live and work together in this oasis in the clouds. The town is run by a sinister donkey that plans and plots to turn the hard-working citizens into slave laborers. Hopefully, the new Sheriff, Kid Mane and his deputy can keep the inhabitants of "Skytern" free and happy. Director James Snider and writer, B.C. Furtney join to bring us this CGE animated film. The two have teamed up for more than ten of this new film director's 18 animated movies. K.J. Schrock and Simon Hill give the main characters believable Western accents. Unfortunately, the voiceover and the animation is inconsistent. The movement of the character's mouths do not match the words being said. Young children will definitely enjoy the variety of talking animals, though, the dinosaur adds a lack of continuity. Some of the vocabulary and idioms give us older children a welcome challenge. I really enjoy the idea of different animals living peacefully together. It makes me hopeful for a time when all humans can do the same Despite the needed improvements with the CGI, the lessons in this film make it extremely worthwhile. This movie teaches us to welcome change and encourages us to try new things and stay open to opportunities. It warns us against the perils of listening to gossip. Most of all, it exemplifies the Golden Rule: Do unto others as we would have them do unto us. There's a bit of borderline profanity, but it could be used as a teachable moment. After all, a donkey by any other name is still a donkey. I give this 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 13. You can find this movie on DVD July 2, 2019. Reviewed by Ian C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11 This animated, unique, funny and creative film tells a imaginative story that will keep you interested the entire time. This film takes you through the eyes of a fearless leader who is brave. This film was created by B.C. Fourteen (BC Furtney). This film follows Kidd Mane who is a Lion Cub without a home - that is until he wanders into the western settlement of Tuckerville, which happens to be a town without a sheriff. As he searches for a place to settle, he comes across a helpful citizen named Tibs. Tibs suggests he find a job. Since Tuckerville had no sheriff, he applies for the job and is surprisingly hired. Unfortunately, this puts Kidd Mane at odds with the notorious town founder, Mr. Bucktook Tucker. The lead characters in this film are the protagonist Kidd Mane, his helpful Deputy Tibs and Mr. Bucktook Tucker. My favorite character is undeniably Kidd Mane, because during Mr. Bucktooth Tucker's evil plan to turn every citizen of Tuckerville against Kidd, he stands by his word and tries to persuade each individual person into believing he wasn't apart of Tucker's evil plan. I also love how Kidd Mane cares about his new city and wants to protect it and everyone who lives in Tuckerville. My favorite scene is unquestionably when Kidd Mane's problem becomes resolved and everyone realizes they were wrong. It brings peace to the community and is a very enjoyable moment. This film does have some bad language, also some things kids might try to imitate. There are important messages in this film about how you should never stop believing in yourself, even when others don't, facing fears, being honest and working hard. I'd give this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 10 to 15. This film is available on DVD July 2, 2019. Make sure to check it out. Reviewed by Nathalia Marie J., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10 My grandfather would be so happy that they are bringing westerns back and I am to wear to my "Howdy Sheriff" hat and my horseback riding. On top of that, I absolutely love westerns and the innovation in this film. The animation in this film is actually very dimensional and very colorful. Both combine to make a brand new world, filled with animals that can talk such as aardvarks, elephants and lions (of course). Oh my! And on top of that, flying high are sky-high balloons that can float up into the air, evil villains and so much more, which is a brand new twist on the Western tale. Speaking of villains, we have Tucker the evil villain, who wants to take over the whole town and the Lion Kid comes in to save the day. He's my favorite character in this film. He's not only kind and courageous; he's adorable. All characteristics of good lions of course. He's also the character who tells the moral of this story, which is that you need to stand up to the villains and, of course bullies, and tell them that they can't take over your town or your life. I actually love this character because of that. I would have to say that one of the off things about this film is that when the characters talk, some of their mouths move a little weird and it seems dubbed. Other than that Dream Machine Animation, which created this film and James Snider, who directed it, did a terrific job. I recommend this for ages 4 to 10, because of the lessons that we learn and the animation will captivate the audience. They will love the characters and the animation. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. This movie comes out July 2, 2019. Be sure to look for it. Reviewed by Morgan B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14 KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: DVD |
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SHOUT! FACTORY Series: DVD, AGES 4-8 Topic - Family Description - Everyone loves to dance--from furry little monsters to furry BIG Snuffleupaguses. This special collection includes over two hours of content that will make your child want to move and groove. Little ones will love to see real kids dancing flamenco, doing an Irish stepdance, clapping out West African beats, and cha-cha-ing all over the place. They'll learn to dance like a dinosaur, a robot, and Elmo! Includes appearances by Amy Ryan, Liev Schreiber, Maria Menounos, Naomi Watts, Nicole Kidman, Jason Derulo and performances by Ne-Yo, Feij�o Sisters, Janelle Mon�e and Sara Bareilles. Bonus Features - Elmo's Music Magic KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - coming soon KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - This DVD is absolutely awesome! It is so enjoyable to watch and it's educational at the same time. It teaches you how to perform different dances, which can be very entertaining for active children. Sesame Street: Dance Party has so much to watch. Every single scene is adorable, from Rosita and some friends learning how to do the chicken dance to Elmo teaching you the happy dance. And it has all of our most favorite and lovable characters such as Elmo, Rosita, Cookie Monster, Big Bird and Mr. Snuffleupagus. This DVD teaches your children what a choreographer is and does. Also, the episodes teach you different dances and you learn about where they came from. My favorite scene is when Big Bird and Mr. Snuffleupagus try to find their favorite dance. Throughout the DVD, there are a bunch of great messages. Some of my favorites are: learning is fun, dance can show different cultures and our voices can do amazing things. This DVD has no bad language and no bad behavior. There is nothing risky or dangerous that kids might try to do. I give this DVD 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 7. Adults will also think that it is cute to watch with their children and can participate in some of the dances. It is available August 6, 2019. Look for it. Reviewed by Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11 Stomp and slide while watching Sesame Street: Dance Party! What could be more fun than clapping your hands, stomping your feet, touching your toes and wiggling and jiggling your way to learning new dance moves with the Sesame Street characters and their special guests? All of your favorite characters are included in this party, which starts off with Elmo's "Happy Dance." Elmo and friends learn about dances from all around the world with their friend Nina. Nina explains that you can learn to dance by learning one step at a time and to find the dance that's perfect for you. Different Sesame Street characters appear in various segments while learning about different cultural dances as well as the joys of counting and helping friends. What dance party would be complete without Zoe who makes her appearance throughout this dance party! Love the settings throughout the party and especially the costumes in Zoe's production of "Six Swans," which is one of my favorite scenes. The message of this DVD is to keep learning and to learn new things - including dance moves. Have fun while watching the Elmo Slide, Big Bird ChaCha, the Dinosaur, Snuffie's Hokey Pokey, the Conga and the Chicken Dance! It's always more fun to learn with friends and of course everyone loves Elmo! I rate this DVD 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 6. This DVD comes out August 6, 2019 so watch for it. Reviewed by Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11 This DVD is educational and inclusive! All of the storylines enlighten the audience with morals or teach new skills. The puns, irony and jokes are hilarious. Even though I am not in the target age range, I still enjoyed watching this DVD. The different scenes feature the Muppet characters of Sesame Street learning all about dance. They learn different styles of dance from all over the world, how to dance, what a choreographer is and much more. The DVD also teaches the audience the dances and then they encourage people to get up and dance. The Sesame Street Muppets are very colorful. Each looks very unique. I love that each one has a different personality. Some of them have best friends and others get along with everyone. The humans are also included in this community and interact with the Muppets. This complexity makes the DVD even more interesting. The set of Sesame Street looks realistic and is so colorful. The characters seem to have access to every part of the shops and buildings. My favorite part is when Alan is pressured into being a swan for Zoe's "Six Swan Dance." He has to put on a swan costume, which includes a tutu. He also has to carry Snuffy, who is a large monster. I think Alan is very inspiring, doing all of these things for Zoe and remaining determined. It is really funny to watch his reaction to the seemingly impossible task requested of him. Each of the scenes have different messages. All encompass taking dance, one step at a time, asking for help from the choreographer when needed and encouraging everyone to dance. Nina is the main teacher in this DVD and she is quite knowledgeable about all types of dances from all over the world. She helps the Muppets find their personal dance style and prevents them from becoming overwhelmed when trying to learn the dances. This DVD is so adorable. It would be a great introduction to dance for children. I give it 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages of 2 to 6. This is releases August 6, 2019, so go check it out! Reviewed by Jolleen M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14 KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 4-8 Suggested Retail Price: $ 14.98 Media: DVD Buy Here (Amazon.com) |
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WARNER BROS. PICTURES Series: FEATURE, AGES 8 - 18 Topic - Family Description - In a world where people collect Pok�mon to do battle, a boy comes across an intelligent talking Pikachu who seeks to be a detective. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - see youth comments KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I love this movie so much. I couldn't stop laughing and crying with tears of joy. Even the adults in the movie theatre laughed and enjoyed this movie. Pokemon Detective Pikachu is about a city named Ryme City where people are living with Pokemon. A young man named Tim Goodman travels to Ryme City to find out the reason for the mysterious disappearance of his father, Harry Goodman. In the process, Tim finds a strange, purple substance or gas that makes all the Pokemon act weird. Tim also finds his father's Pokemon Pikachu. For some reason, Tim can understand Pikachu. Yes, Pikachu can talk in this movie! The movie is hilarious because of Ryan Reynolds, even though there are some jokes not suitable for children. Also, Justice Smith, who plays Tim Goodman, is so good. He is pretty funny, and he makes the audience feel emotional when he has sad moments. The visual effects are incredible, which make this movie different and better than other Pokemon movies or Pokemon TV shows. The moral of this film is not to give up. Tim wants to give up on his mission. Instead, he teams up with Pikachu, and together they make a great team. Pikachu saves Tim from going home. The end has a very twisted mystery that leaves everyone in the audience with their mouths wide open. If you want to find out why, you'll need to watch this awesome film before your friends spoil it for you. I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 10 to 18, but adults over 18 can enjoy it, too You can watch Pokemon Detective Pikachu in any theater near you starting Friday, May 10, 2019. Reviewed by Ethan P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10 Pokemon Detective Pikachu is a movie that takes place in a world where people live with Pokemon and catch them in poke balls and battle them. I enjoyed this movie because the storyline is a mystery with a lot of twists that keeps you guessing. This story is about a boy named Tim Goodman (Justice Smith) whose father, Harry Goodman (Ryan Reynolds) dies in a car crash. Tim goes to Ryme City and meets a Pikachu with a detective hat who says that he is Harry's Pokemon, and a brilliant detective. Tim and Detective Pikachu (Ryan Reynolds) must find out who killed Tim's father and why. This movie is great, all the Pokemon in the movie look realistic and lifelike. I found it very fun to search the movie and spot all the different Pokemon that they have in the movie such as Bulbasaur, Jigglypuff, Lickitung, Charmander and many more. There is also a video game version of the movie called Detective Pikachu where you play in the Pokemon world and join Detective Pikachu in Ryme City to solve mysteries and crimes that Pokemon cause. It has a similar plot to the movie, so it is fun to get to play what you see in the film. My favorite scene in this movie is one where Pikachu is very sad and starts singing some short pieces of the Pokemon theme song as he walks away from Tim, acting depressed. I like this scene because the way that Pikachu sings it is hilarious. Another good scene is when Tim, Detective Pikachu, Lucy Stevens (Kathryn Newton) a journalist, and her Psyduck are running away from some Greninjas and Psyduck gets a headache. This is very dangerous because his head could explode. I like this scene because it is full of action and the way Pikachu gives Psyduck a headache is hilarious. My favorite character in this movie is Detective Pikachu because he makes a lot of great jokes about other Pokemon and his obsession with coffee. His humor is sarcastic and dry, but he is also cute and fluffy. This contrast is very amusing. The message of this movie is that you should stay loyal to your friends and trust them. There is also a strong storyline about the relationships between father and son. I rate this movie 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 7 to18 because younger children may not understand the storyline. It opens in theaters May 10, 2019 so look for it. Reviewed by Damon F., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11 KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: FeatureFilm |
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COALITION FOR QUALITY CHILDREN'S MEDIA Series: FEATURE FILM, AGES 8-18 Topic - Family Description - A headstrong Chinese-American woman returns to China when her beloved grandmother is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Billi struggles with her family's decision to keep grandma in the dark about her own illness as they all stage an impromptu wedding to see grandma one last time. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - see youth review KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - This film rocked everyone's emotions. Although there are multiple instances where the film is a bit slow, the overall emotional impact is great. There are moments of comedic relief throughout. I think that everyone can relate to this film in some way. I made connections with some of the ideas and scenes even though I am not Chinese. The Farewell is about Billi and her family's reunion in China. They reunite because their grandma has developed lung cancer and the doctor says she only has weeks to live. The family chooses not to tell Nai-Nai (grandma) that she has lung cancer. Instead, they tell her that they are reunited for a wedding. Billie's family tells her that the reason for not telling Nai-Nai is that it's not the cancer that kills, but the fear. The film is all about appreciating the time you have on earth and with your family. There are many moments of stillness, included watching the wind blow through the trees, for 30 seconds or more. I find this aspect of the film beautiful, as it reminds me of the phrase, "stop and smell the roses." But others might interpret these moments as filler scenes and pointless. Awkwafina, as Billie, is an exceptional actress. You can feel the emotion she conveys through the screen, even if she doesn't say anything. For her role she needs to show the audience that she is deeply troubled, but also show that she tries to hide her feelings from her grandma. That is very difficult to do and she does it perfectly. Without this, the film would lose a lot of its emotional impact. The music sets the mood very well for some scenes, but in others silence and black screens are set the mood. Sometimes it's the noise of nature, like the wind blowing through the leaves. Scenes like these are what makes the film divergent. The message of this film is about being appreciative of all aspects of life. Billie begins to realize that while she spends time with her family in China. Every moment is a gift. I love that the film is quite simple yet it has such a powerful effect. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 11 to 18, as well as adults. There are innuendos, use of alcohol, cigarettes and some bad language. Despite this, the film will move you to tears so check it out! It comes out July 12, 2019 in theaters! Reviewed by Jolleen M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14 I surprisingly loved this film. I was not excited about watching it, but after the screening, I realized that I have a lot of sympathy for this movie and the story resonates with me. It is about family grief and love, identity, having confidence and cultural identity. This is the story of a girl named Billie (beautifully played by Awkwafina) who lives in NYC. She loves her grandmother Nai Nai who lives in China and she calls her every day. They lie to each other about how their lives are going. Billie does not know that Nai Nai has stage four lung cancer. And, when she finds out Billie is devastated. It is a Chinese tradition to not tell a person when they have terminal cancer, because they want to keep their spirit alive. There is a Chinese saying: "Is not of the cancer but of the fear." Nai Nai's family plans a fake wedding so everyone gets a chance to get together and say goodbye, without telling the truth. Billie struggles with the lies and debates between her life in the west, being from the east. I found this film very interesting because it is based on a actual lie and is director's Lulu Wang's real life story. The storytelling is delicate and touching; the performances are absolutely honest. I love the cultural richness of the movie and the colors. If you like art films or slow paced ones, I definitely recommend this movie. In the film, there is a little bird that constantly comes into a room that Billie is in and doesn't fly. I think the director wanted to use the bird as a reference to Billie, as if she is trapped in her own mind and inertia. I like the comedy, but I think the grownups watching this film enjoyed the jokes a lot more than I did. The Farewell is a drama that is intended to lift your heart and not make you laugh. Throughout the film and for almost half of it, Billie's family speaks Mandarin, but it didn't bother me and I understood the film perfectly by reading the subtitles. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 16, as well as adults. The message of this film is that expressing our true feelings impacts our family bond. It opens in theaters July 12, 2019 so look for it. Reviewed by Zoe C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10 KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: FeatureFilm |
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ERIC WHITE Series: SCREENPLAY, AGES 8-18 Topic - Family Description - When a sleazy businessman plans the demolition of the town's beloved youth center, eleven-year-old Briana must take matters into her own hands. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This has potential. I really like the main storyline, message and the characters. I like the whole idea of standing up for what you believe in, but recommend less violence, especially when the pre-school characters are included towards the end. This would be suitable for a wider age range with less violence and better problem solving. I give this a Qualified Yes because I see potential and enjoyed the over all story. As is, I recommend for ages 13 through 18 years. With appropriate changes it would be suitable for ages 8 through 18. I give this 3 out of 5 stars. Reviewed by Denise B., KIDS FIRST! Juror. KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - see adult comments KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: Screenplay |
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HULU, LLC Series: WEBSERIES, AGES 5-8 Topic - Family Description - The new series "The Bravest Knight" is breaking boundaries, featuring a household with two dads (Sir Cedric and Prince Andrew), making it one of the first children's television series with an openly gay main character. Following the inspiring and perseverant former pumpkin farmer, Sir Cedric, now grown and married to the prince of his dreams, "The Bravest Knight" recounts personal tales of his journey. Sir Cedric shares his story with his adopted 10-year-old daughter Nia, on how he transformed from day-time farmer to full-fledged knight. Nia, who is training to become a brave knight herself, learns important values such as honor, justice and compassion; proving that knighthood is much more than slaying dragons. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - In this children's animated series, The Bravest Night, the main character, Sir Cedric tells his adopted daughter Nia, vignettes of his younger days, as a way of explaining to her many of life's lessons. For example, in the second episode, Sir Cedric explains how losing to a "tiny" jouster in his younger days made him a better jouster in the long run. The moral of the tale is to never underestimate the other player or, in other words, learn humility. The series is to be considered groundbreaking, because of its openly gay characters - Sir Cedric and his husband Prince Andrew - along with the multicultural aspect of the two dads adopting an African-American child. A very positive aspect about groundbreaking programs is the potential for storylines the public has never before witnessed in other series. The animation is pretty simple and appealing to the target audience. Each episode runs approx. 19 minutes long, is concise and flows well. The screener copy showcased three episodes. The pictures and sounds are clear enough. I recommend it for ages 5 to 8 and give it 4 out of 5 stars. The release date on Hulu is June 21, 2019. Reviewed by Kimberly M., KIDS FIRST! Adult reviewer I found this animated series to be both engaging and entertaining for its intended age group with its bright colors and well-drawn characters. There are funny moments, including the phrase "not-yet-knight," that is sure to bring a smile or even a laugh from the audience. The Bravest Knight is about a young boy and his adventures on the way to becoming a knight and how, as a grown up, he uses the stories to encourage his daughter to the same achievement. Each episode has a clear story line, following the same format, about the father using his younger self to solve a problem. It celebrates the inclusion of all the characters for the task in hand and celebrates achievements by both boys and girls equally. The three episodes I watched certainly made me want to see more, especially as the underlying theme of a missing dragon made ne wonder if it would ever appear and, if so, what would it look like. I particularly like the theme of learning new tasks that is featured in each episode. Each episode feels almost like reading a chapter of a good book where you are keen to start the next chapter (or in this case episode). The stories are easy to understand and will capture any child's imagination. I should mention that each episodes works well as a standalone and can be watched on its own, which is useful for a child viewer. There is an underlying theme about a troll searching for a lost bridge and a missing dragon, which helps to bring continuity to the series. As a viewer, you get to know the main characters thru the stories and learn their weaknesses and strengths. The stories are shown from a child's perspective and the vocabulary is appropriate for the target audience. The concepts of respecting others and working as a group are well tailored to a child's understanding. This animated series has very good quality. I particularly like the backgrounds, which are very detailed. The characters are all drawn well. The daughter of the protagonist is particularity well drawn and portrays the energy and enthusiasm of youth. The father as a young boy is also excellent. I suspect that this series might invite inquiry by some children into learning more information about knights or kings and queens. There is some mild risky behavior that children might imitate. One is a scene of a child climbing up to a tower and in another, a tree. Also there is a scene of jousting, but I don't find it worrisome. The word poop is used twice in episode two and three, but its in the context of the joke and isn't derogatory. I recommend it for ages 5 to 10, as well as adults who would enjoy watching with their children. It has a good story line, fun non-offensive characters and even the so-called bad characters are not particularly scary. It is about inclusion and fun in learning new tasks, but also about recognizing achievements of others and yourself. I give this 4 out of 5 stars. This series premieres on Hulu June 21, 2019 so look for it. I think you'll enjoy it greatly. Reviewed by Richard L. KIDS FIRST! Reviewer. The show follows a knight named Sir Cedric, who is retelling the story of how he became a knight to his daughter Nia, who wants to be a knight as well. The episodes focus on Cedric teaching Nia important morals and lessons about being a knight. While the main focus of the show seems to be teaching lessons, there is also an overarching story based on how Cedric became a knight. The animation in this series is very simplistic, but very adorable. The style gives me the vibe of a children's book. Which fits the fairy tale theme and overall tone. There really isn't much else I have to say about the animation other than I really enjoy it. Now arguably the most notable aspect of this show so far is the representation. On the surface it seems like a simple enough kids show, however I was excited to learn about the amazing diversity in the cast. I mentioned that Cedric has a daughter. Well it turns out that Cedric is married to another man and Nia is his adopted daughter. Not only that, but Cedric's husband Prince Andrew and their daughter are both people of color. While Andrew and Nia are the major examples of representation, there does appear to be themes of discrimination with the troll characters. Cedric's companion on his quest is a troll named Grunt and there are two instances where other characters assume the worst or are rude to Grunt because he's a troll. I think the theme of discrimination is presented really well and in a subtle way. I'm a firm believer that children are able to handle complicated subjects in media, so I always get kind of happy when I see media treating kids as smarter than most people give them credit for. However, the representation is not all there is to this show. After all, this show is not mainly about the diversity. Although I must say, I think the characters so far are really fun and likeable. Nia is adorable and fun while Prince Andrew, who kind of plays the role of the straight man to balance out Nia and Cedric rounds out the central trio very nicely. Cedric is a bit of a basic protagonist, but it's clear he'll develop as the series goes on, which is always a good sign. I give this show 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. And episodes are currently premiering on Hulu, so check it out! Reviewed by Calista B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15 The Bravest Knight, directed by Shabnam Rezaei, is a perfect opportunity for younger audiences to learn important life lessons in adventurous ways! The fairytale setting, featuring knights and trolls, creates a fun and imaginative world for children to become immersed in. Each episode contains multiple messages that are explained as a short lesson at the end. The story follows Nia (Storm Reid), a "not-yet-knight," who strives to learn the skills to become a real knight. Her father, Sir Cedric (T.R Knight) teaches her lessons that are necessary to achieve knighthood. Through his tutelage, Cedric tells Nia stories of his own childhood with his best friend Grunt (Chance Hurstfield). These stories often follow tales of when Sir Cedric was a "not-yet-knight" and the adventures he faced. The animation made me feel as if I was in a pop-up fairytale book. In the beginning of each episode, trees or hills appear to move in such a way that the focus on Nia or their home becomes clear. The animation resembles the way that pop-up story books become clear when the page flips. This illusion continues throughout the episode as the characters are drawn simplistically. However, the background is more detailed with a wide variety of colors and ornamentation wherever Cedric and Nia's adventures take them. My favorite part is how there is an overarching story that continues throughout several episodes. In Cedric's stories, young Cedric is determined to help Grunt find the troll who ousted Grunt from his bridge. Every episode contains a clue that brings them closer to achieving this goal. This form of storytelling intrigued me and made me want to watch the next episode. In contrast, there are elements of the screenplay that made me lose interest at times. Grunt and Nia have personalities that separate them from the other characters in the show. Cedric, the main character, lacks such a personality and he is less compelling to watch. Nevertheless, Grunt and Nia's characters make up for this downside and it will not be noticed by younger audiences. The messages of the series are about not giving up and that things are not always what they seem. I give The Bravest Knight 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 4 to 8. Be sure to check out The Bravest Knight on Hulu when it launches June 21, 2019. Reviewed by Sahiba K., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17 The Bravest Knight is a sweet and fun animated series for younger kids. Each 12 minute episode is funny and entertaining and held my interest even though I'm a little older than the target audience. The Bravest Knight is about Sir Cedric and Prince Andrew and their adopted daughter Nia. Nia really wants to be a knight like her dad, each episode has a story Sir Cedric tells her about when he was also a "not-yet knight." Young Cedric has a troll friend named Grunt who accompanies him on his adventures. Together, they save people from a witch, enter a jousting tournament and escape a giant's vault in the clouds. My favorite part of this show is the character Grunt, the troll. He gets the best lines and got a few laughs out of me. The animation uses nice colors that will appeal to kids and the music really fits the style of the show. The voice actors, both young and old, are great at bringing their characters to life. The message of this series is summed up in the theme song: "Be the real you, be the true you, it's the bravest thing you can do." There are some positive messages about teamwork, caring for others and avoiding stereotypes. There's a bearded fairy named Lucy who replies that names belong to people, not genders, when Grunt the troll asks if he has a girl's name. I give this series 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8. Adults probably won't mind watching it with their kids if they ask them to. The Bravest Knight is available for streaming on Hulu starting June 21, 2019. Reviewed by Will C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 9 KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-8 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: Web Series |
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N CIRCLE ENTERTAINMENT Series: DVD, AGES 7-15 Topic - Family Description - It's a Sonic you haven't seen before -- an ensemble comedy that pokes fun at action-adventure storytelling, but still manages to deliver plenty of adrenaline! Wherever he goes and whatever he's up against, Sonic the Hedgehog is aided by his sidekick, Tails, and his friends Knuckles, Amy, and Sticks and, of course, attacked by his arch nemesis, Dr. Eggman. On this action-packed DVD, join Sonic and the gang as they accept a dare from Dr. Eggman. Tag along with Sonic and Knuckles as they enter a game show. And find out what happens when Sonic's status as the town's biggest hero is threatened. And so much more! KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Though somewhat predictable, the show has some very funny moments and can serve as an entertaining break during the day, since the episodes are so short. The message of the story centers around the conflicts between friends. This includes Doctor Eggman, whose role is more of a rivalry than a serious threat of evil. If parents want their kids to get more out of this show, then they should pause between episodes and discuss the characters' adventures with their child, comparing to their child's own experiences with questions such as, "What would you do if your friend acted like that? Can you think of better ways to solve that problem? How might this whole scenario have gone differently?" Younger kids will enjoy the bright, energetic characters' antics with their friends, as well as making fun of Eggman for always losing. Slightly older kids might appreciate the show, because they're familiar with other materials from the Sonic franchise. The plots of each episode, though simple, make the usual cartoony sort of sense. Problems are set up, faced and resolved in the next episode. Further consequences are glossed over. The show is not designed to be accurate in the way it portrays animals or technology. There is plenty of punching, lasers, breaking robots and making things explode, but nobody actually gets hurt. Both heroes and villains engage in "don't try this at home" stunts. On another note, nearly all the characters are portrayed as gullible and unintelligent, particularly the stronger ones, like Knuckles. This could be interpreted as the common prejudice that big plus strong equals dumb. Though less stunning and more simple than the computer animation seen in most contemporary cartoons, the show has some pretty background sets. The action sequences are also well-animated. This show could be considered educational by its portrayal of the frictions that often arise between a group of people, particularly friends. The gang's interaction with Eggman could even provide a teachable moment, such as showing kindness to your enemy, even when you know he'll turn around and try something bad again tomorrow. This program is a collection of episodes having to do with solving conflicts between friends. The episodes point out problems that often arise such as jealousy, feeling underappreciated, unpopular hobbies and wanting to make up for thing's you've done wrong. I give this 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 12. Reviewed by Beth T., KIDS FIRST! Adult Reviewer This DVD includes eight episodes and a bonus episode from Season 2, "If You Build it They Will Race". It also gives you a choice to watch the episodes in English or Spanish. Each episode is approximately ten minutes with a total of 90 minutes of fun. In every episode, Sonic and his friends -Tails, Knuckles, Amy and Sticks - come together to stop crimes against their number one enemy, Dr. Eggman. Dr. Eggman is an evil scientist who wants to destroy Sonic and his crew. In every episode something evil happens to Sonic and his friends, but they always manage to save the day. My favorite episode is "Counter Productive" because it is about Sonic's friend, Knuckles, fighting a giant robot. This archaeologist named Charlie meets Knuckles and, from there on, Knuckles decides to help him with his work. At one point, Knuckles becomes a bit annoying because, instead of helping Charlie, he interrupts his work by messing it up. Knuckles and Charlie do not get along, to the point that Charlie constructs a giant robot to fight big, red Knuckles. Of course, I am not going to tell you who wins the fight, because you need to watch this cool DVD to find out. I like the graphics and the music is intense. The voice-overs are so cool, especially because it's the first time I hear Sonic and his friends talk. They do not talk in the video game, rather than saying "Oh Yeah!" Each episode is funny and fun to watch, because they are short, so it keeps your attention the whole time. I got to see a sneak peek of the first episode of Season 2. I like how the bonus episode of Season 2 plays the theme song from the "Knight Rider" show. The message of this DVD is "team work makes the dream work." When Sonic and his friends work as a team, they accomplish their mission by defeating the bad guy, Mr. Eggman. I rate Sonic Boom, Go Team Sonic! 5 out of 5 stars, because I enjoyed watching Sonic and his friends in a cartoon show, besides playing the game. I recommend this for ages 7 to 18 because teenagers will also enjoy watching this DVD. The DVD is available now so look for it. Looking forward to watch Sonic Boom Season 2! Reviewed by Ethan P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10 Go Team Sonic! This DVD includes eight Sonic-Powered episodes that will take you on numerous wild adventures alongside Sonic the Hedgehog and his pals. This 90 minute DVD also includes a bonus episode. How fun is that! On this action-packed DVD, you get to tag along with Sonic the Hedgehog and his pals as they escape from the evil enemies, fight for justice, work together as a team, defeat evil and so much more. This DVD follows Sonic the hedgehog aided by his sidekick, Tails and his friends Knuckles, Amy and Sticks. Each episode focuses on a new wild adventure as the whole gang fights their evil arch nemesis, Dr. Eggman. As each action-packed episode goes along, you find out how Sonic's status as the town's biggest hero is threatened. Not only do you get to fight alongside the leaders, you get to find out what life is like being a hero. The lead characters are Sonic the Hedgehog, his sidekick Amy, Tails, Knuckles and Dr. Eggman. My favorite character is, without-a-doubt, Amy because she's very outspoken, brave, fearless and powerful. What I love most about Amy is the fact that she brings excitement to each episode, whether it's through her ambition to fight, her unexpected plans or even the real truth (which always ends up coming out of Amy's mouth). My favorite episode on this DVD is Episode 4, "Fuzzy Puppy Buddies". I enjoyed this episode more than others, because it has a surprising twist when one of Sonic's pals becomes Fuzzy Puppy Buddies with their enemies. It brings so much suspense to the table. There is no bad language in this DVD, no risky actions that younger kids might try to imitate. This film shares an important message about always helping a friend in need. I give this DVD 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 16, as well adults. Reviewed by Nathalia J., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10 I really enjoyed watching the DVD Sonic Boom: Go Team Sonic, because the characters are super fun. There are a couple of things I found somewhat distracting such as the mouthing of the characters which is out of sync and the characters seem a bit bland, which detracts from the show. Sonic Boom: Go Team Sonic is a collection of nine episodes from the computer animated Sonic Boom TV series produced by Sega of America and Technicolor Animation Productions based on the video game Sonic the Hedgehog. It stars Sonic the Hedgehog and his friends. In every episode, there is a funny and creative conflict with one of the characters and their band of friends come together to help them solve it with the main leader Sonic. There is a fully developed plot and each of the characters have their own quirky personality. This series stars Robert Craig Smith voicing Sonic the Hedgehog. His friends are voiced by Colleen O'Shaughnessey (fun fact, she is the first female to ever voice the character Tails), Cindy Robinson and Travis Willingham. It is created by Evan Baily, Donna Friedman and Sadrine Nguyen. Their voices have distinct personalities, so the lip synch issue is not too noticeable. The characters are very well constructed and you really see their personalities come through. However, the animation gives them very blank expressions, which distracts from what is actually going on. This series is entertaining and doesn't have a great moral message, except reinforcing the concept of friendship and solidarity. I would give this series 3 out of 5 stars with an appealing age range of 5 to 8 years old and you can find this on DVD and at the KIDS FIRST! Film festival. Reviewed by Lukas L, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12 KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-15 Suggested Retail Price: $ 9.99 Media: DVD Buy Here (Amazon.com) |
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PETARDA PRODUCTION LTD. Series: FEATURE 6 - 12 Topic - Family Description - Barbara and Thomas are spending the summer holidays with their grandparents in the blacksmith's shop 'Under the Dragon Rock', where the unusual helper, the two-headed little dragon, Smokey, works flat out. One day, the children discover an old map in the dragon's cave. Smokey, whose one head speaks Czech and the other Slovak, begins to tell a story about the Dragon Kingdom, the love of Princess Adele and Prince John, the long-lasting curse, the malicious dragon, the goblin Spitup, the mystery of the Forget-me-not Meadow, the lost dragon egg and a couple of kangaroos. Would you like to know how dragons dance hip hop, how Christmas is celebrated in a dragon's cave, what the magic power of a dragon's tooth which has not been cleaned for 100 years is and why the dragon has got a headache? KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - The Secret of The Two-Headed Dragon. This film is very appealing due to excellent storyline and acting. It is somewhat of a Romeo and Juliet plot, about a girl and a boy who fall in love but their love is forbidden. I love the fantasy aspect of it, especially flying with the dragon. The locations are excellent as are the special effects. It's not quite as believable as I would like, but it is still very enjoyable. Adele, the young girl stands out. She is very beautiful and sings quite well. I learned that through the world, great movies are made. My favorite part is the ending, but you'll have to see it to find out what happens. I highly recommend this for the KIDS FIRST! Film Festivals and give it 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 12. It's a wonderfully fun fairy tale. Reviewed by Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. Runtime: 99 minutes KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 6-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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KAMAL MOOLWANI Series: SHORT, AGES 5 - 18 Topic - Family Description - Neem Jamun is a short film which explains relationships we have with our grandparents. Upon realising that his father is not letting his Grandmother go to his Uncle's place, Sonu, a 12 year old boy takes up a journey with his Grandmother to make sure she reaches where she wants. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This is a lovely short film for the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival partners. The story is about a boy named Sonu taking his grandma to go visit his uncle. I enjoyed the focus on the relationships between kids and grandparents. I have a strong relationship with my grandparents and I like seeing a story all about this relationship. I don't think I've seen many other films that cover this bond. The story feels rather basic and isn't all that engaging. It takes place in India and the dialogue is Hindi, with English sub-titles. It gives us an inside look at the lives of an Indian family, and some of the family relationship struggles they have that are not unlike those we experience in our own culture. When the father tells his mother she cannot go visit her other son, her grandson takes her and they sneak out in the middle of the night. They clearly have a close bond with each other and the boy is quite adept at finding their way. The scenery when grandma and Sonu are travelling is quite beautiful and gives us an overview of the topography and architecture of India. The attire looks very typical of what people wear in India, which is also interesting. We don't really know where the grandma and Sonu are travelling to, but I'm not sure that matters. One thing I really enjoyed is the song that plays while they are traveling. It sounds nice. Ssince it is in Hindi, I couldn't really understand the lyrics, but that didn't get in the way. It still gives a joyful feeling to the traveling scenes. It does show the boy doing a risky thing (sneaking out in the middle of the night to take his grandma to see her son). It made me appreciate my grandparents more. I enjoyed the focus being about the relationship between the boy and his grandma. I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18. Reviewed by Calista B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic and Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror. Runtime: 12 minutes KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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UNNUR J�NSD�TTIR Series: SHORT, AGES 8 - 18 Topic - Family Description - Adela is a 7 year old girl who struggles with social isolation. She's bullied at school and desperately needs a friend for support. Her mother is feeling quite helpless regarding her daughters isolation but when she sees how strong Adela's need for social interaction is, she realizes the perfect solution. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This beautifully constructed film from Iceland addresses an issue often overlooked - social isolation. The relationship between the little girl and her mother is so lovingly depicted and the mom's concern about her daughter is very tangible. Also, her solution for her daughter's isolation is perfect. I really love this film and highly recommend it for any youth or family film festival. It's perfect for kids ages 8 to 18, as well as adults and I give it 4 out of 5 stars. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Juror. KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - see adult review Runtime: 19 minutes KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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HANGIN' OUT WITH HEATHER Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 4-8 Topic - Family Description - Based on my children's book; Herbie an adorable Boston Terrier gets bullied at the dog park and goes on a journey meeting new doggy friends as they all discuss how they were bullied and become friends through this bond. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This animated short addresses the issue of bullying, showing it from a dog's point of view. It has a happy ending, which I like and the dogs are all super cute. If you like dogs, you'll love this. In the beginning, Herbie (a dog) is in the park with his human mom. Another dog takes Herbie's toy and refuses to give it back. After they go home, he makes friends with some other smushie-faced dogs. It is well made with 2D animation. The animation is pretty simple, not great, but it's the story line that drives this film. The message about bullying is appropriate for humans, as well as dogs and the characters are all super cute. I really enjoyed the little theme song. The message is: be happy that you are different and don't bully others. I like the anti-bullying message of the film. I never thought about dogs getting bullied before watching this film. My favorite character is Tony because he is very lovable. I give this 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it or ages 4 to 8. If it helps to stop bullying, that's definitely a plus. Kudos to the director for taking on this difficult topic and giving it a fresh look, from a dog's point of view. Reviewed by Katherine S. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic and KIDS FIRST! juror. KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - This animated short addresses the issue of bullying, showing it from a dog's point of view. It has a happy ending, which I like and the dogs are all super cute. If you like dogs, you'll love this. In the beginning, Herbie (a dog) is in the park with his human mom. Another dog takes Herbie's toy and refuses to give it back. After they go home, he makes friends with some other smushie-faced dogs. It is well made with 2D animation. The animation is pretty simple, not great, but it's the story line that drives this film. The message about bullying is appropriate for humans, as well as dogs and the characters are all super cute. I really enjoyed the little theme song. The message is: be happy that you are different and don't bully others. I like the anti-bullying message of the film. I never thought about dogs getting bullied before watching this film. My favorite character is Tony because he is very lovable. I give this 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it or ages 4 to 8. If it helps to stop bullying, that's definitely a plus. Kudos to the director for taking on this difficult topic and giving it a fresh look, from a dog's point of view. KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 4-8 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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PUBLIC TELEVISION SERVICE, TAIWAN Series: EPISODISC, AGES 8 - 18 Topic - Family Description - Expand your horizons with The Wonders of Museums. The Wonders of Museums is an eight part series profiling museums in seven international cities: Taipei, Taichung, Singapore, Okinawa, Kyoto, Berlin, and Belfast. Audiences both young and old will enjoy an unforgettable journey through these family friendly exhibits. This season includes: The Berlin Museum of Natural History, The Titanic Museum in Northern Ireland, The Kyoto Railway Museum, The Churaumi Aquarium in Okinawa, The Gardens by the Bay in Singapore, The Singapore Zoo, The National Taiwan Museum, and The National Museum of Natural Science in Taichung.While The Wonders of Museums features world-class destinations, each travel documentary is also infused with the educational merits of each institution. These include painstaking efforts to uncover human history and to document the course of human evolution (Natural History Museum); the human ingenuity that utilized the railway, a marvel of the Industrial Revolution, to expand our perceptions and experiences (Railway Museum); a reminder that technological advancement will never overcome the interventions of Mother Nature (Titanic Museum); an exploration of how renewable energy inspired the construction of a virtual garden and a cityscape more beautiful than even nature intended (Gardens at the Bay); and how humans can truly live in harmony with the natural world (Singapore Zoo and Churaumi Aquarium). Why choose these eight locations from the many museums worldwide? What is it about these collections and their behind the scenes construction that mystifies visitors? What is the secret behind their innovative approach to harness the joy of learning? Would you believe that these museums are also important hubs for researchers? Do you know how to distinguish true dinosaur fossils from a replica? Why does a natural history museum need taxidermy? Why is the Titanic such a memorable disaster? What is the imaginative design behind an open concept zoo? How do you display flourishing Japanese railway culture in a museum? How does a man-made garden harness renewable energy to become more environmentally friendly? What's the use of a pollen sample database? What does the appearance of both the many visible and invisible insects living in our homes mean for us? The Wonders of Museums will reintroduce audiences to museums on a journey through the mystifying splendor of the unknown. This program is sure to provide a fresh perspective as we explore a familiar institution through new vantage points. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This is a show about the joys of visiting a museum. You follow the presenters as they check various exhibits & get to see the work behind the scenes where they meet people who work there. The presenters are extremely enthusiastic about the subject which makes you want to watch right from the start. The combination of interesting facts to go along with the exhibits shown is very engaging. It shows how much there is to learn from museums. I like way the presenters treat the viewing in similar way to perhaps a child would view items. The whole story, whether viewing or looking at the behind the scenes work of the museum, moves along in a clear and understandable way. The camera work follows closely the presenters, giving the viewer the feeling they are walking with them. The angles help to show the size of larger exhibits viewed and close-ups allow easy viewing of smaller objects. On a couple of occasions, the view is slightly darker than would be ideal, but again that does help the viewer feel what the inside of the museum is like. Also the subtitles are at bottom of the screen and are not intrusive or impacting to the viewer. The presenters dress in casual wear, similar to most kids would wear and thus helps keep the format of a exciting day out. The sets are effectively the main areas of the museum that the public sees, these are chosen well, helping give an understanding of the inside of a the building and how exhibits are displayed. The behind the scenes visit helps show the technical side of the work. Additionally the scenes in the catalogue rooms help bring to life the vastness of the collections. The music at the beginning helps build excitement to viewing the episode. It clearly portrays this is going to be entertaining. The two main presenters really work well and are incredibly enthusiastic, which helps engage the viewer. Both come across as genuinely interested in the things they learn along the way. They show amazement and also respect the exhibits and the museum, making the trip fun but educational at same time. I think the title explains the message ideally. The messages are: Museums are fun to visit, do an important job and there is plenty of stuff to learn - so plan a visit. I actually learned a really interesting fact about dinosaur teeth that I was truly amazed by. The way the experts explain details of their research gives plenty of food for thought. I can imagine if I was watching with my kids much discussion would be created by these insights. I certainly felt I should plan a museum trip this summer with them. My favorite, but also most poignant scene, is when the taxidermist shows the catalogue of extinct birds. Both producer and director have won awards for their work previously in various countries. I heartily give this 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 10 to 18 plus adults. It is just so interesting. Viewing makes you want to learn more and see more episodes. The facts are well presented and I imagine kids will be engaged from the start. This would be suitable for a KIDS FIRST! Film Festival for an educational component. Don't get me wrong, it is also quite entertaining. Reviewed by Richard L., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror Runtime: 27 minutes KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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KASHA FAUSCETT Series: SHORTS, AGES 4 - 8 Topic - Family Description - It's an ordinary birthday party for Adam, with his ordinary friends having an ordinary good time. When he loses a tooth like most ordinary kids, his Grandpa August tells a not-so-ordinary tale of the Tooth Fairy over slices of pizza, leaving Adam and his friends to wonder whether the legend really was real, or just a myth. After Grandpa August gives a beautiful but mysterious doll as a gift to Adam's sister, something extraordinary happens while Adam and his friends sleep, waking them up to a whole new world of discovery. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Cute rendition about the mysterious tooth fairy. Although the storyline is quite predictable, it is well made with good camera work, audio, and special effects. I recommend this for ages 4 to 8 and give it 3.5 out of 5 stars. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! juror. KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - see adult comments Runtime: 16 minutes KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 4-8 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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RONI BROWN Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 5 -18 Topic - Family Description - With mommy out of town, a father nearly loses his relationship with his little girl and his sanity when he uses a mysterious magical comb in order to do her hair. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Very sweet story about a dad and his little girl trying to survive together while momma's away. It all comes down to the girl's hair! And Dad has one heck of a time dealing with it until he discovered what he thinks is the solution. Well shot. Terrific actors. Very believable storyline. I recommend this for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. The actors are African American but this story is relatable to any culture. I give this 4 out of 5 stars. Will play in any children's or family film festival. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Juror. KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - see adult comments Runtime: 10 minutes KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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BENJAMIN FOLSTEIN Series: SHORTS, AGES 8 - 18 Topic - Family Description - This four minute animated ballad chronicles the adventures of a prehistoric feminist. Almost 250,000 years ago, Zog, the first feminist, is born. She spends her life railing against societal expectations. After revolutionizing systems of hunting and agriculture and receiving no credit from the patriarchal establishment, she convenes a village meeting for women only. To the women of the village, she says: "Don't let those men tell you can't, because you can!" The village chief is not pleased, and orders her execution. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Oh my word - best film I've seen all day! This pro-feminist short that has a clever combination of animation and live action truly delivers a positive message about women. Delightful humor. Excellent production values. This will play in a youth or family festival for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Juror. KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - see adult comments Runtime: 4 minutes KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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This title has online video!
N CIRCLE ENTERTAINMENT Series: DVD, AGES 2-11 Topic - Family Description - Llama Llama springs to life in these heart-warming tales based on the award-winning book series by author and illustrator Anna Dewdney. Join Llama Llama, Nelly Gnu, Luna Giraffe, Euclid the Sheep and Gilroy Goat as they explore their safe, friendly hometown and make childhood memories. On this DVD, join Llama Llama as he camps, boats, floats and swims his way through his BEST summer ever! Adventure and learning awaits with Llama Llama and pals! KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Llama Llama Best Summer Ever! DVD is tons of fun and will appeal to kids and families. It's a bright and happy animated series that is based on Anna Dewdney's books about an adventurous llama and his circle of family and friends. This DVD has eight episodes with an option to play all the episodes or select them one at a time at an approximate run time of 90 minutes of lively entertainment. The series employs bright colors, fun animals and engaging story lines that align with the daily activities that many kids are involved in, to capture their interest. The cute story lines deliver positive messages. For example, Llama Llama's kite is torn on the last day of summer and his mom teaches him resourcefulness. There's no need to buy a new one, we can fix this one and it will be better than before. The writing structure is straightforward and geared towards its target audience. The continuity and style reinforce each episode's message, teamwork, resourcefulness and helping others. The series uses vocabulary that appeals to young kids. For example, when Llama Llama's kite is torn his mom states that she will help him make a swirl-o-rama kite! Through Llama Llama and his friends Nelly Gnu, Luna Giraffe, Euclid the Sheep and Gilroy Goat, kids will learn how to problem-solve, work as part of a team, help others, develop friendship and enjoy their families with awesome summer activities such as making lemonade, camping, boating, swimming and kite flying. The series visually appeals to kids with its bright colors and cute animal friends. The DVD cover is appropriate and appeal as it features Llama Llama and his friends. There is also a listing of each episode included, with a picture next to it representing what the episode is about. There are educational benefits as kids are taught about problem solving and teamwork. For example, Llama Llama wants to help his friend buy a new bike tire, so he opens a lemonade stand to earn the money. His friends help him improve his product and help with marketing it. Additionally, kids are shown that everyone can be included even if they don't do the same things. i.e. Euclid the Sheep shows up when everyone's flying kites. He doesn't have a kite, but he can make calculations on wind, temperature and time to help the other kites fly. There are several messages in this series about teamwork, resourcefulness, friendship, family and helping others. The DVD menu has an option to watch all the episodes or select them one at a time. I give this DVD 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 11. Reviewed by Jennifer V., KIDS FIRST! juror. Llama Llama has exciting adventures with his family and friends which include valuable life lessons at the beach, camping and around the town. The series features Jennifer Garner as the voice of the loving Mama Llama. My favorite episode is "Last Day of Summer" where Llama Llama seizes the day with friends and goes to the park to fly kites and ends up using imagination when the weather complicates their plans. Change can be exciting and fun! The message of this series is to learn from family and friends and to enjoy childhood. Change can be tough but you can always enjoy time with family and friends. I rate this DVD 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3 to 6. The DVD is available now. Reviewed by Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11 Llama Llama's Best Summer Ever! is so entertaining to watch. It has adorable characters, fun animation, great music and lots vibrant content. The short episodes are the perfect length to keep young children entertained. This DVD is about Llama Llama and his friend having the time of their lives on their summer vacation. Episodes include Let's Go Camping, Beach Day, Boat Float and Last Day of Summer. Wherever Llama Llama goes, there will always be fun. The Llama Llama animated series is so cool, because they are based on the award-winning book series by author and illustrator Anna Dewdney. There are several lovable characters including Llama Llama, Nelly Gnu and Luna Giraffe. This DVD is approximately 90 minutes long with eight episodes. My favorite episode is Last Day of Summer, because it shows that even if the weather is bad you can still have fun indoors during the summer. There are a lot of positive messages in this DVD including keeping a positive attitude when your plans change unexpectedly and, if you go with the flow and have a positive attitude, the outcome can still be fun. We also learn that a little bit of practice can make you feel more confident and that if you feel as if you are not getting enough attention from your parents, just know that they still love you. This DVD has no bad language and there is nothing risky or dangerous that kids might try to do. However, there are scenes showing jealously. I give this DVD 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8. This DVD is available now. I totally recommend this DVD for your kids. Reviewed by Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11 KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 2-11 Suggested Retail Price: $ 6.99 Media: DVD Buy Here (Amazon.com) |
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This title has online video!
WALT DISNEY STUDIOS MOTION PICTURES Series: FEATURE, AGES 5-18 Topic - Family Description - When a new toy called "Forky" joins Woody and the gang, a road trip alongside old and new friends reveals how big the world can be for a toy. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - see youth comments KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I absolutely love this film! It is funny, colorful, joyful and impeccably made. The animation is a lot better too! This sequel to Toy Story is not like the other ones, which I like; so it does not repeat the first three. Toy Story 4 goes one step forward and closes the circle... uhmm, maybe? There will be always room for more toy adventures. In this new film there are some awesome new and unique characters. And there is a transformation of an old character, but you need to see the movie to find out which one I mean! The story is basically about a little girl, Bonnie, who gets all of Andy's toys because he goes to university. Bonnie loves all her new (at least new for her) toys, but she doesn't play with Woody often. He feels sad but doesn't want to show it. Then one day comes, and it's Bonnie's first day of kindergarten. In class she feels lonely but Woody, breaking all laws (toys don't go to school because they can get lost) comes in her backpack. Woody gets some material and Bonnie makes, literally, a new best friend: Forky. But there's one problem: Forky thinks he's made out of trash and consequently he has issues. When Bonnie's family goes on a road trip, Forky feels he doesn't belong--he gets lost, and from there the toys have to face multiple obstacles to rescue Forky. The story is mainly focused on Forky and Woody and some new characters that you meet. What is interesting is that you don't really see the other group of old toys that much. Like every Toy Story film, the toys work together to help fix a conflict. But this film focuses on a completely different character, Bonnie, and not on Andy. Woody will go to infinity and beyond to rescue Forky. His sense of loyalty is contagious, and Forky is so funny with his issues. Completely different characters, brand new conflict and new frontiers make this film unique. I also love the colors which are beautiful. Something I find very interesting is that the animation is so well done that you sometimes forget that you're watching an animated movie. I loved the new characters like Duke Caboom, and I think Keanu Reeves is the only person who could bring life to Caboom with a distinctive voice. I also like the character of Gabby Gabby; she was very interesting, intriguing and the more you find out about her the more you want to know. The message of this film is be loyal, be the best you can be and listen to your inner voice, so that you can decide your own destiny. I would recommend watching other Toy Story movies before this one if you haven't already. I love this film so I would give it 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5-10 and adults as well. Toy Story 4 is in theatres June 21, 2019 Reviewed by Zoe C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10 This movie is the best Toy Story film yet! It has our favorite old characters, very funny new characters, a fun and emotional story line and a fantastic new director. Toy Story 4 begins with Bonnie making a new friend in her kindergarten orientation and bringing it home. His name is Forky and, when he comes alive, all he knows is how to be trash. Forky spends most of his time trying to escape and eventually does so from a moving RV when his family is on vacation. Our hero Woody is forced to go after Forky to make sure Bonnie is happy and to convince Forky that he is Bonnie's toy. During their travels they encounter several new toys and a few old ones as well. It is so amazing that the Toy Story saga has been going on for 24 years and that so many of the main characters are voiced by the same actors from the previous movies including Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Annie Potts. The voices behind some of the new characters include Keanu Reeves, Christina Hendricks and Tony Hale. We all thought that Toy Story 3 had the perfect ending, but this movie is even better. The director, Josh Cooley, is brilliant as he is able to pull out the best performance from all of the actors, to the point that you think that the toys are real people, not just animated characters. My favorite part is when Buzz finds his inner voice. The message of Toy Story 4 is about transitioning from one situation to another through bravery, perseverance and friendship. You should know that there are a few risky things that kids might try to imitate such as jumping out of a RV, messing with a car and going under a carousel. I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 4 to 15. Adults will love this movie as well. This movie opens nationwide in theaters on June 20, 2019. Reviewed by Katherine S, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10 I absolutely LOVE this film! Not only does Toy Story 4 contain hilarious humor, but also emotional scenes, which make the film well balanced with seriousness and laughter throughout and make an interesting storyline. I love the way the characters use their feelings and gut to help lead themselves throughout the story. In the film, Bonnie makes a new toy out of recycled materials in kindergarten and instantly falls in love with it. But her new toy, Forky, feels like he is not meant to be a toy. Instead, his heart's desire is to belong to the trash. This results in Forky trying to escape to the trash at every chance he is given. Fortunately, Bonnie's other toy, Woody, stops Forky from running away, but then the toys find themselves lost on the search for their beloved Bonnie. Will they fine Bonnie or stay lost in the woods for good? You will have to see the film to find out! My favorite part of Toy Story 4 is definitely when Woody and Forky find their friendship through many changes of plans and difficulties. Their journey shows how things can change over time. I also really enjoyed the animation and how clear the voice actors voices are during the movie. The plot, characters, and voice acting are all groundbreaking. The message of this film is to always follow your heart and do what your heart desires. It is always important to do what you feel is better for you. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12. Toy Story 4 releases in theaters, June 21, 2019. Be sure to look for it. Reviewed by Jada P., KID FIRST Film Critic, age 12. KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: FeatureFilm |
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DYEHOUSE FILMS Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 8-12 Topic - Family Description - A slapstick comedy about an unhappy young girl whose life is turned upside-down when she finds a mysterious runaway with psychic powers in her back garden. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Lucy, a young unhappy girl lives with her single mother who cannot afford to purchase a tablet device she desperately desires. However, a chance encounter in her back garden, with a young refugee camp runaway possessing psychic powers, changes her life. Children do not want to have to figure out how to generate income. They prefer a world where things are simple, where they are happy and all their needs are met. This film captures the essence of a child's wide imagination. I like that the story explores serious social issues, such as poverty and the ills of war through themes such as man against society, from a child's point of view and the universal concept of friendship. This film has great cinematography! The camera angles effectively move the story along, without being on the nose. The dreary Irish weather and the night scenes are very believable. I like the gray skies, which are characteristic of Ireland's weather. The scene of Lucy in the garden at night and of Zed when the door opens work effectively to build tension. The costumes suit the story and work well. The background music and sound effects certainly drive the plot forward. At one point when Lucy sees Zed in her garden at night, the music rises, builds tension and comes to a climax when Lucy finds Zed hiding in the shed. In another scene when Lucy's mum comes home early and Zed falls as he attempts to escape, the music builds tension as Lucy has successfully switched places with Zed when the blanket is pulled back. There are no grand special effects that stand out, except for the magic tricks, which fooled me initially. The most believable characters are Lucy, Zed and Lucy's mother. They very much own their roles. Lucy reminds me of a young Dakota Fanning, endearing yet feisty. The interplay between the two children is very convincing. My favorite scene is the ending one when the two families are united because of the chance meeting between the two children. The message is about how our differences really do connect us. You should know that it does show kids doing risk y things, that other kids might imitate. I have to say that it heightened my interest in conspiracy theories. I give this 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. It validates children and youth in their views about life. It's educational in that Lucy, who could have been prejudiced against a black kid who appears even needier than her, isn't. She simply sees another human being, just like her. I think this would make a great addition to a youth or family film festival. Reviewed by Frances B., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror. Runtime: 6 minutes KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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LINDSAY LEE Series: FOREIGN SHORT, AGES 6 - 16 Topic - Family Description - Shy sheep scientist Miikshi has just launched a potato into orbit, and her journalist best friend Chickelyna begs for the first radio interview. Miikshi's fear of public speaking soon takes back seat when her science experiment is on a collision course with Mibukiville! KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Very professional production. Love the quirky puppet characters and the storyline. Love the close-ups and the miniature backgrounds. The sheep scientist is quite wonderful and the idea of launching a potato into space absolutely hysterical. This is a great take off on the space program. I recommend it for ages 6 to 16, as well as adults and give it 4 out of 5 stars. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Juror. KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - see adult comments Runtime: 14 minutes KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 6-16 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: Video and DVD |
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JENNIFER TREUTING Series: DOCUMENTARY, AGES 8 - 14 Topic - Family Description - When a fire destroys the apartment that nine-year-old London and her family have called home for years, everything's suddenly different. Everyone's ok, but where will they stay? The apartment building is no longer safe. Learn what happens to London and her family when disaster strikes, and how the idea of "home" changes when you don't have one. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This is a well constructed documentary about a subject that most kids are not thinking about until tragedy strikes. I love the cheerfulness of London who guides us through her family's experience of losing their home, living in a shelter temporarily and finding a new home. She is the epitome of positive energy, as are the other members of her family that we meet. I recommend this for a tween and teen festival, ages 12 to 18, plus adults, and give it 3.5 out of 5 stars. If you are looking for something that reflects how families respond to tragic circumstances in their lives in a positive way, you will love this film. reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Juror. To submitter: Congratulations! We are delighted to include your film in our national KIDS FIRST! Film Festival where it will be available to 50 venues that partner with us. Please see required deliverables in the official letter of acceptance from film freeway. Send your digital file through dropbox, google docs or similar. Allowing a download from film freeway is also acceptable. And, we need your poster art in 72 dpi (max height 3") or a production still for online publicity purposes. One more thing, KIDS FIRST! is starting a new Digital Channel in association with xerb.tv. We will send you more information about how you can participate in that, if you so choose. KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - see adult comments Runtime: 7 minutes KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-14 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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MARIE-HELENE COUSINEAU Series: FOREIGN FEATURE, AGES 8-15 Topic - Family Description - Tia is a 10-year-old girl Syrian refugee who has recently moved to Montreal with her parents. With her father taking classes and her sick mother confined to her bed, summer moves by slowly for Tia, who struggles to make new friends. Her summer changes when she finds a magic portal that transports her to the arctic tundra. Here she befriends Piujuq, an Inuk girl of her age, camping with her grandmother. She starts making frequent trips, becoming more confident through her adventures until strange things begin to occur, as if a mysterious force is following her. When something or someone threatens Tia's return, the girls immerse themselves in a world of Inuit myth and magic, using all their bravery and smarts to bring Tia home. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Oh gosh, what a beautiful film that explores the magical friendship between two girls from such different cultures - Tia, a Syrian refugee and Piujuq, an Inuk girl. We learn Tia's backstory through her interactions with her mother and dad and see how difficult it is for her to make new friends in her new surroundings. The story follows Tia's adventures once she discovered a portal that takes her to the Arctic where she meets Piujuq. This film is beautifully shot, combining wonderfully animated illustrations at times and shots of the arctic landscape at other times. The heartwarming storyline is exquisitely told and holds the viewer's attention as one adventure follows another. I applaud all the actors, but especially Tia Bashra who plays Tia. I highly recommend this for KIDS FIRST! Film Festivals, give it 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 15. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Juror. KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - see adult review Runtime: 75 minutes KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-15 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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UNIVERSAL STUDIOS - THEATRICAL DIVISION Series: FEATURE, AGES 5-15 Topic - Family Description - Max the terrier must cope with some major life changes when his owner gets married and has a baby. When the family takes a trip to the countryside, nervous Max has numerous run-ins with canine-intolerant cows, hostile foxes and a scary turkey. Luckily for Max, he soon catches a break when he meets Rooster, a gruff farm dog who tries to cure the lovable pooch of his neuroses KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - see youth comments KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Love, love, love this movie! Can't wait to see it again this Friday. This film is absolutely hysterical. Both the audience and I laughed throughout the screening. Everything about this film is dog-tastic, from the screenwriting to the art, animation, sound, special effects and characters. Secret Life of Pets 2 continues with the story of Max and Duke, but this time Katie gets married and has a son named Liam. At first, Max doesn't really like having Liam around, because he never leaves him alone. Then they start to bond. Max starts to really care about Liam and vows to protect him. Katie decides to take a family trip to a farm and this introduces a whole new cast of characters and funny situations on the farm. Max meets Rooster, a brave dog who rules the farm and teaches Max how to handle a lot of his issues. Meanwhile, back in New York City, all of Max and Duke's pet friends continue with their crazy antics, including rescuing a white tiger from the circus and Chloe helps transforming Gidget into a cat, to get out of a messy situation. My favorite character is Snowball, the white rabbit. His superhero scenes rescuing the tiger with his new pal Daisy are hysterical. Max's voice is portrayed by Patton Oswalt and Duke is, once again, performed by Eric Stonestreet. The introduction of Rooster, voiced by Harrison Ford, adds a lot of depth and meaning to Max's outlook and the film. The animation is breathtaking, from the first scenes in Central Park, to the various scenes around the farm. The cast are all very talented portraying their various vocal roles. Brian Lynch's screenplay pulls it all together, with amazing humor for every character. The message of this film is to be brave and embrace change. Max worries about the changes a baby will bring to his family, but learns to love Liam and become his best friend. Max continues to learn about changes at the farm and how to deal with them, as Rooster advises, "Some stuff happens and then it's over." Accept and move on, because change can be positive. I rate this movie 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3 to 18, but adults will enjoy it as well as evidenced by all of the audience laughter. This movie opens in theaters June 7, 2019. Look for it! Reviewed by Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11 I absolutely love this family-friendly animated sequel. It has so many superstar voice actors and the animation is dramatic and ingenious. The creators introduce new zany and lovable characters. The Secret Life of Pets 2 is about a bunch of New York city pets and their daily adventures - from parks to farms and more - while their owners are away at work. The writers are very creative. They are successful intertwining different stories throughout the entire movie. For example, when Max and Duke get a new kid named Liam, they take a trip out to a farm where they meet a new character named Rooster. Snowball meets a darling new friend named Daisy and the two of them save a white tiger named Hu. My favorite part is when Pops is doing puppy school. The best thing about this film is that you don't have to see the previous movie to enjoy the sequel. I think The Secret Life of Pets 2 blows The Secret Life of Pets out of the water with its incredible music and star-studded cast. The voice actors include Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish, Harrison Ford and Eric Stonestreet. The messages in The Secret Life of Pets 2 are: It is okay to be afraid and 2. Teamwork is important. Note that it does have some mild violence, a couple fight scenes and some chase scenes. There are a few risky things that kids might try to imitate such as running into forests unsupervised, fighting wolfs and saving a wild animal. But, really, it's pretty tame. I give this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 15, as well as adults. I highly recommend this to all pet lovers. This film opens in theaters June 7, 2019 so look for it. Reviewed by Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11 The Secret Life of Pets 2 is a phenomenal, all-around fantastic movie. The film is enjoyable and puts a smile on your face. It's a movie for everyone to enjoy with their friends and families. The movie has different aspects to it. It is also cool to see how the pets interact with each other and seeing how they work together as a team. The storyline is about different pets going on adventures and exploring New York City. The protagonist Max goes through changes in his life, when his owner gets married and has a child. On the other hand, a cute bunny named Snowball and a puppy Daisy go on a crazy adventure saving a tiger from an evil circus owner. The movie has crazy, funny jaw-dropping moments that you don't want to miss. Some of the highlights of this is the cast and storyline. Big ups to writer Brian Lynch for a great screenplay. The message of the film is to always look out for each other, not just family and friends, but others we may not know. In this movie, these pets always have each others' backs and really look out for one another. As human beings, we should do a better job of that, especially in our society. It would make the world a better place. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to18, as well as adults. Note that it has some rude humor. It opens in theaters nationwide June 7, 2019. Reviewed by Kendall M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14 KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-15 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: FeatureFilm |
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N CIRCLE ENTERTAINMENT Series: DVD, AGES 2-5 Topic - Family Description - Join Molang, a round, fluffy, and happy rabbit, and his friend, Piu Piu, a poised, timid, and reserved yellow chick, as they explore everyday life. Despite their many differences, Molang and Piu Piu enjoy a special friendship. They have amazing times together ranging from the ordinary to the extraordinary. From finding themselves in the middle of the jungle, going to the circus or enjoying a rainy day, Molang and Piu Piu embrace every daily adventure together. Who knew dancing in the rain with your best friend could be so much fun? No matter what happens, every single moment with these two is filled with sheer happiness. Embark on 52 lovable adventures with Molang and Piu Piu! KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This charming DVD takes you from point A to point B quickly in a manner appropriate for the target age. There is no language spoken except an alien language spoken by visitors. We follow a day in the lives of Molang and Piu, Piu and how they get along on Earth. The show is filled with bright colors along with characters and images that are drawn big and simple. This is an animated series with 52 five-minute adventures. The menu allows one to select a specific episode. You can also select different languages. The show demonstrates positive social skills such as how to get along with others. Themes covered in all the shows include happiness, friendship, caring and respect. I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it quite appealing and engaging. I highly recommend it for ages 1 to 5 and give it 4.5 out of 5 stars. Reviewed by Kimberly M., KIDS FIRST! Juror. KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Molang: Season 2 is 52 episodes of animated fun for kids. I enjoyed these funny cartoon shorts, each only about 3 to 4 minutes long, following the friendship between a chubby bunny and a tiny little chick. Together they have little adventures, both ordinary and extraordinary. They go on safari, plant a vegetable garden, act in a movie, and dance in the rain. There's no real dialogue in these short animations, because the characters speak their own made-up language. The only words they use consistently are their names- Molang, the bouncy, happy rabbit, and Piu Piu, the shy and timid chick. This must be a fun challenge for the animators and voice actors because they have to use body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice to help the audience understand what's going on. When there's a more complex idea that needs to be communicated, a speech bubble with a picture appears above the character to show that they're thinking about doing the dishes or riding on a mechanical bull. The art direction uses soft, beautiful pastel colors to create a peaceful, friendly world that preschoolers will enjoy. The characters are drawn in such a simple way that they look like icons, which makes sense if you've ever noticed them as stickers in apps like Facebook Messenger or on merchandise from night lights to face cream. The music is bright and cheerful, and creates a positive atmosphere that really suits the characters and action. This series has some positive messages about friendship, working together, and problem-solving in difficult situations. My favorite part is when Piu Piu and Molang grow a prizewinning watermelon so big they have trouble moving it to the competition. They don't give up, though, and eventually they find that a helicopter with a plunger is the solution! I give this show 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 8, but older kids and parents will also be amused, especially since these episodes are so short. Molang: Season 2 is available on DVD now. Reviewed by Will C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 9 Molang is an adorable and funny series that's great for kids! My favorite episode is Chickenpox; when cute Piu Piu, the little chick, gets chickenpox all over his face. I also love the other episodes, but that one is my favorite. There are so many good episodes in this series including The Side Car, The Aquarium, At the Circus and The Competition to name a few. Each episode is overrun with happiness, which makes me smile nonstop. Molang is a round, fluffy and happy rabbit who has adventures with his friend Piu Piu. Molang and Piu Piu enjoy a special friendship, filled with laughter and giggles. They have amazing experiences such as finding themselves in the middle of the jungle, going to the circus or enjoying a rainy day. Who knew dancing in the rain with your best friend could be so much fun? The music for this series, by Nicholas Varley, is upbeat and really adds another dimension to the various scenes. The music is playful and fun for kids to dance or move to and will hold their attention. I love the animation of the imaginative and pastel world created for Molang and thank the many artists that contributed to the production. The message of this series is to enjoy life and value friendship. In all of the 52 episodes, Molang and Piu Piu find every good thing in each bad or sad moment and they always stick together, no matter what. Friendship is important and the two of them find ways to have fun together. I rate this DVD 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3 to 7. The DVD is available now so look for it. Reviewed by Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11 The adorable, warm-hearted duo of Molang and Piu Piu are back in Molang Season 2 directed by Marie-Caroline Villand and Stephanie Miziak! The writers compose plots that are incredibly simple, yet engaging and expressive. The directors are skilled in easily conveying the plot, jokes and emotion without the use of dialogue. These stories take Molang and Piu Piu on adventures near and far, as they help others and bring joy to the lives of everyone they touch. They often run into a friend or neighbor who could use a helping hand or a mood boost. Molang and Piu Piu find unique solutions to everyday experiences and make many friends along the way. The lexicon of Molang and Piu Piu is incomprehensible, so the animation, sound effects and music work together to transcend words. The animation uses simple images to convey the characters' ideas and concepts. For example, when Piu Piu or Molang have a solution to a complication, a thought bubble pops up to show it in a quick image. The sound effects are either bright or dark, based on the mood of the scene. For example, when Piu Piu gets stressed, which is quite often, he screeches in distress. Furthermore the music, composed by Nicholas Varley, is very adventurous and upbeat, especially during the traveling scenes. It is lively and adds all the more to the jovial ambience. The art of the animation is pure and simple, yet gives a relaxed and easy going aura. The colors are soft, not too bright or too dark, making the visuals sweet and appealing. Many of the objects such as the houses, characters, trees, vehicles and hills are all rounded creating the huggable, lovable world of Molang. For me, the most appealing part is the happiness that surrounds each and every episode. Piu Piu and Molang are inseparable and their friendship is beautifully strong. This foundation sets the mood of each episode and their kindness reaches out to my heart. The message of Molang Season 2 is to brighten the days of those around you and to help those in need. I give this DVD 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 10. It is available on DVD now so, be sure to check it out. Reviewed by Sahiba K., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16 KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 2-7 Suggested Retail Price: $ 12.99 Media: DVD Buy Here (Amazon.com) |
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SHOUT! FACTORY Series: DVD, AGES 2-7 Topic - Family Description - It's time for A to Z with Sesame! Little ones will love to learn their ABCs with classics such as "The Beetles Perform Letter B" and "C is for Cookie" plus animation, parodies, and the best from recent seasons covering all 26 letters. Celebrating the alphabet alongside their furry friends are Norah Jones duetting with the letter Y, Tori Kelly trying a little kindness, and Pharrell Williams belting it out for the letter B. Maya Angelou stops by to talk hugs, Sheryl Crow helps "I" soak up some sun, and Ricky Gervais attempts a lullaby. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - The most appealing aspect of this DVD are the characters. The monsters are so sweet, funny and colorful. The songs are also quite appealing and fun. As an adult, seeing celebrities featured in some of the segments, I found it great fun. It's perfect for co-viewing with your kids or grand kids. I believe a child will enjoy this DVD because of the characters, the music and how colorful everything is. The segments are short enough for younger minds to stay engaged. Also a child will enjoy that there are so many segments and they are all different. I love that the DVD starts with a song that covers the entire alphabet in a short, fun way. The use of a white background lets the eye focus on the characters and the messages they are delivering. After the first song we see one or two segments for each letter, which is great. I believe that kids are drawn to this content, as every segment is delivered in a different style of media - puppets, live action, animation. Some of the segments seem to be older, which is great for parents, as I'm sure some parents watched them when they were young children. This DVD definitely uses concepts that are suitable for its intended audience. The songs talk about one letter at a time. We see the letter displayed in each segment. The vocabulary is simple and suitable for the target audience. This is really perfect for kids that are just learning how to speak. I can see them repeating and learning as they watch each segment. In some segments, you not only learn about the letter of the day, you also learn about animals, different languages and other age-appropriate themes. The visual appeal is really good. Some segments are newer than others and more appealing for today's audiences. At the same time, the older segments are still fun. I'm just uncertain how kids will respond to them. The cover of the DVD is colorful and appealing, and it represents the content accurately. The menu is pretty standard. It lets you choose different chapters and is clear and very straight forward. This DVD has a great deal of educational benefits. The kids watching are learning about letters, pronunciation, rhyming and even scientific facts, to name a few benefits. It has segments that teach some Spanish words too. The material is definitely appropriate for preschoolers and supports inquiry and investigation. I'm sure kids watching will be interested in learning more about the letters and the information given in the various segments. I loved watching this DVD and can't wait until my daughter is older so I can watch it with her! The most appealing aspect of it are the characters, which are so sweet, colorful and funny! They are also great role-models. The songs are very appealing and fun. As an adult seeing celebrities featured in some of the segments makes for a more enjoyable co-viewing experience. The DVD starts with a song that covers the entire alphabet in a short, fun way. I found that the one to two segments following the initial song are a great tool for preschoolers to learn literacy in a fun way. I love the diversity shown on this DVD. There are kids from all sorts of backgrounds, and some of the segments seem to have been filmed in different parts of the world. I wish more of what is shown in TV would show the type of diversity found here. I really appreciate the fact that the Sesame Street content manages to make educational content so enjoyable to watch by both kids and parents. Reviewed by Martha S., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror Sesame Street: Awesome Alphabet has two hours of fun for everyone! It spends approximately five minutes on each letter. We see a wide range of themes from Tori Kelly singing about kindness to Chance the Rapper in a play with Cookie Monster. In all cases, we are learning about the alphabet with so many talented artists. It's a mix of old and new Sesame Street episodes such as Big Bird and Mr. Snuffleupagus singing a song together to Sia singing about how she loves songs. The DVD includes many of our favorite Sesame Street characters including Elmo, Big Bird and Cookie Monster as well as some of our favorite people in real life including Maya Angelou and Pharrell Williams. I love the songs because it makes you want to sing along. Also, some of the songs are parodies, which I very much enjoy. My favorite part is when Elmo can't sleep so Ricky Gervais comes in and sings a "celebrity lullaby". Throughout this DVD, there are a lot of positive messages. My favorites are learning is fun and using your voice in a fun way. I give this DVD 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 7. Adults will also like all of the parodies of the songs. This DVD is available now. I totally recommend buying this for your young kids. Reviewed by Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11 Sesame Street: Awesome Alphabet Collection is a fun introduction to the alphabet for preschoolers. This is a two-hour compilation of animation, pop-culture parodies and favorite segments for each letter of the alphabet. The all-star lineup of celebrity guests is enough to hold the interest of parents too. Sia, Pharrell Williams, Maya Angelou, Tori Kelly, Chance the Rapper and others introduce Elmo and his friends to each letter of the alphabet. There's even a bonus feature, Elmo's Amazing Alphabet Race and ABC-themed printable activities. Since it's a compilation of segments from over the years, there's a wide range of styles representing older and newer segments. Even though I'm not in this film's target audience, I still found it entertaining to see various celebrities on the same screen, with puppets, helping kids learn the alphabet. My favorite segment is Ricky Gervais singing Elmo a lullaby for the letter "N", that's anything but relaxing! I give this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for children ages 2 to 5. Sesame Street: Awesome Alphabet Collection comes to DVD and digital download May 7, 2019 from Shout! Kids and Sesame Workshop. Look for it. Reviewed by Will C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 9 The Sesame Street: Awesome Alphabet Collection DVD is just that - awesome! It really brought back amazing childhood memories of watching the show. This particular collection teaches kids the alphabet. Not only is it educational, but provides a source of entertainment which will keep kids interested while learning. All of my favorite characters make an appearance such as Big Bird, Bert, Elmo, Cookie Monster, the Grouch and many more. The music, songs and lyrics are fun to sing along with and are education as well. I love how everything in the video relates to the topic of learning your ABC's. There is lot of repetition, which is a great technique for learning. Something else that caught my eye is how they use different types of animation, such as clay and paper. I really enjoy the mix of puppetry, real people, animals and insects. Some episodes even have celebrities singing along. Look out for Norah Jones, Tori Kelly, Cheryl Crow and many others. All the Muppet characters are so cute and adorable. My favorite is Cookie Monster (Frank Oz, David Rudman), because he brings laughter to this collection. My favorite skit is when Cookie Monster sings about the letter "C" and how cookies are good enough for me. Ryan Dillon plays the role of everyone's favorite loveable character - red, fluffy Elmo. Carol Spinney plays another fan favorite - Big Bird. They use many real life animals to help you associate with the words that are being taught. This video is very bright, colorful and cheery. You will enjoy every minute. I recommend this for ages 2 to 7, depending on the maturity level of the child. It's always a good refresher for anyone who is having trouble with their letters or spelling to review the basics. The star rating I give this is 4 out of 5 stars. Reviewed by Ivey H., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13 I enjoyed the Sesame Street: Awesome Alphabet Collection on DVD because it is funny, even for me, and I'm 10. It is made for small children, but I still could not stop laughing and enjoying the music. This DVD is about learning the alphabet. Mostly all of the characters from Sesame Street sing the alphabet and encourage the kids to sing along. There are about three scenes or songs for each letter so that you can understand how to use each one. There are also very different types of scenes and songs, each of them really cool and fun, so it keeps you entertained. The songs are very catchy, and the scenes are really funny and cute. I like how they use celebrities like Chance the Rapper. I think kids will enjoy seeing these celebrities because they know them. My favorite part is when Sia sings for the letter "S", and it shows her face, because she has not shown her face before on TV. One funny scene is when two detectives confuse the "W" for an "M" when trying to find the criminal W. The message or point of this DVD is to teach kids how to use the letters of the alphabet and how they sound -- the scenes are put together from all of Sesame Street's "Letter of the Day" specials. This DVD makes it fun for kids to learn the alphabet. I believe these songs can make the process of learning the alphabet simple and fun, and that students will like the characters. I can see it might be particularly helpful for kids with special needs or learning disabilities. I give Sesame Street Awesome: Alphabet Collection 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 5. This DVD is available now so look for it. Reviewed by Ethan P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10 KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 2-7 Suggested Retail Price: $ 14.98 Media: DVD Buy Here (Amazon.com) |
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PARAMOUNT PICTURES Series: FEATURE, AGES 4-12 Topic - Family Description - June, an optimistic, imaginative girl, discovers an incredible amusement park called Wonderland hidden in the woods. The park is full of fantastical rides and talking, funny animals - only the park is in disarray. June soon discovers the park came from her imagination and she's the only one who can fix it, so she bands together with the animals to save this magical place and bring back the wonder in Wonderland KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I love the characters, the animation and the imagination. I also like that it does not drag, flows smoothly and the conflict is resolved. I love the message of always remembering that, even when there is darkness, there is light that surrounds us. The characters are original and the dialogue and animation are something that children will enjoy. The vocabulary is perfect for the target audience. It is fun. The animation stands out as quite amazing. There is conflict, but it is resolved and there is a happy ending. It flows well from beginning to ending. There is sadness at times, but there is so much more happiness. The characters are all very likable, especially the main characters. June is creative, bright and has a wonderful imagination. There is a very important lesson throughout the film about using your imagination. The other message is that even if that even though darkness may be there to never forget about the lightness that also surrounds you. I love this message! Wonder Park delivers more than I had expected. It shows how important imagination is and shows teamwork and hope. It is entertaining with likeable characters and amazing animation. I recommend for ages 7 through 18, as well as adults. I give it 5 stars out of 5. Reviewed by Denise B., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror This film follows a wildly creative girl named June who, with her mother spend countless hours imagining, designing and building models of an amazing park, all from their imagination. The heart of Wonder Park exists in the relationship between June and her mom, which is extremely beautiful to me. It reminds me of my mom and me. As the film progresses, you get to see June enter this world in real life and from a different perspective. You also get to see June go on a wildly and festive ride through her imagination. She gets to encounter her own fantasy characters, which she created when she was little. The lead characters are young June (Sophia Mali), Cooper (Ken Jeong), older June (Brianna Denski), Greta (Mila Kunis), Boomer (Ken Hudson Campbell) and many more. My favorite character is clearly the favorable and cheerful Boomer. I adore Boomer because he is the friendliest and most outgoing character of them all. I also love that he is always positive and gives second chances to all his boon companions. An example is when June explains how she generated the darkness in Wonder Park. When June apologizes to Boomer she feels as if she disappointed him. Though he is always friendly, he felt unhappy when June let him down. The animation by Peter Chan and Nathan Fowler is simply marvelous. It is colorful, unique and imaginative - from the beautiful sky to the detailed roller coasters, to the crazy popping popcorn machine. This animation should be acknowledged because it is amazing to see the Wonder Park as such a bright and innovative Wonder Land. The bonus features on the DVD include a heart-warming set of scenes which go along with the original film. You'll understand the meaning behind June, the main characters backstory and the reason of her sadness. I enjoyed the bonus features because they gave me more information to go with the original movie and helped me understand the characters better. In the beginning of the bonus features, there are many scenes showing how June's mother became sick and how Wonderland was created when June was a little girl. My favorite scene is when June and her Mom began to build their own Wonderland. This film has no bad language or dangerous actions that children might attempt to imitate. It does teach children to always carry an imagination throughout their life because it can be healthful and healthy throughout good and bad times. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, as well as adults. This film is available on DVD June 18, 2019. Reviewed by Nathalie J., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10 This animated fantasy film is awesome! It has a good message for younger viewers, is whimsical, bright and colorful. The music is very inspiring. The storyline is about a little girl's extraordinary imagination. She and her mom have a special bond, sharing a passion for creating a magical place called Wonderland. Then, an unexpected life-changing event occurs, causing June's world to change forever. She becomes very depressed and decides to put Wonderland away. She quits doing the things she loves most. Will the wonder ever come back to Wonderland? The lead character June is played by Sofia Mali. Her voice-over work is outstanding. You're really able to connect with her adventurous heart, emotions and struggles as she experiences them. Steve, the porcupine is played by Jhon Oliver. He secretly admires Greta the hog. He had me laughing throughout the film. Whenever he gets nervous, he loses his sharp quills and you had better run! The jokes in this film are very practical, as June is somewhat of math genius. Some of my favorite scenes are the homemade roller coaster that June and the neighborhood kids attempt to make. One particularly funny scene is when they are on the bus and June wants to escape. This is when she discovers there is really a Wonderland. The park is full of unexpected rides, zero gravity fun and chimpanzee zombies. June remembers how she created Wonder Park by whispering into her stuffed animal Peanut's ear and remembers that anything is possible. Her stuffed animals are her inspiration and caretakers of the park. The music and singing really carries you through the scenes. They are very relaxing and beautiful. The theme song "Wonder" was written by Ali Dee, Doug Davis and Anthony Mirabella and performed by Rachel Platten. The screenplay is written by award-nominee Josh Appelbaum. I like that this film, which is a fun animation, has a much deeper meaning. It is very emotional and I cried a few times. Junes has a loving father and mother that encourage her to create and dream. However they face difficult times, as many families do. Many children may face times in their life that are not easy to understand. Losing someone close to you and having your life turned upside down breaks your spirit. So you stop being a kid and stop enjoying life and doing the things you love to do. Here, June stops imagining a land where everything is different. There are some scenes where June and her friend make risky decisions like going off on her own. I recommend this film for ages 4 to 12. Teens may enjoy it also. It is available on DVD June 18, 2019. Look for it. Reviewed by Ivey H., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13 This movie is really appealing, from beginning too end. There is not a moment when I got bored watching, nor wanted to stop. Not only that, but the movie has a really different and amazing plot. Wonder Park is about a girl named June that, with her mother, creates a park named Wonderland. They would stay up late to create new rides and attractions for the park, but as time passes June's mother gets sick and has to leave to get treatment. That causes June to loose inspiration to continue creating Wonderland, until one day she comes across something that leads her back to Wonderland. I like the originality of the story line. I have never before seen a movie with such an idea and it makes the movie catch the attention of the viewer. The animation of the film is very detailed and cute. I like that the characters of June and her mother aren't ones commonly used in movies. The way Wonderland is brought to life is also great. It makes one want to go visit the park in real life. The songs are all quite beautiful and enjoyable. The protagonist, June definitely stands out the most in her very energetic way of being, which makes her unique. My favorite scene is when June and her mother sit in her room and create new rides for Wonderland. Greta the pig's voice is played by the amazing actress Mila Kunis and Mila's Mom's voice is played by Jennier Garner, who is also quite brilliant. Its message is to not let fear consume you, as it will only things worse and makes you become different that you really are. It affects not only you, but everyone surrounding you gets affected as well. I learned to always keep the light shining within me, no matter how bad thing can get, to always keep going and make the worst things and moments become better. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 4 to 12, as well as adults. It really is a family friendly movie that parents will easily enjoy with their young children. This comes out on DVD June 18, 2019 so look for it. Reviewed by Hennesi V., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16. KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 4-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: FeatureFilm |
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WALT DISNEY STUDIOS MOTION PICTURES Series: FEATURE, AGES 8 - 18 Topic - Family Description - Young Aladdin embarks on a magical adventure after finding a lamp that releases a wisecracking genie. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Aladdin is one of my favorite stories and I enjoyed Disney's live-action remake of Aladdin with its mesmerizing, exciting, colorful and heartwarming scenes. I particularly enjoyed the way the movie begins with the story telling by the Mariner (Will Smith) to his two young children. The performances by Aladdin (Mena Massoud) and Jasmine (Naomi Scott) are very good. They display warmth and love for each other in a playful way. Will Smith plays Genie and makes the character his own. I could feel the rapper, actor and creativeness of Will Smith. My favorite scene is when Aladdin uses his first wish to be a prince because Princess Jasmine is required to marry a prince. Genie creates several possibilities and finally gets to Prince Ali. The pomp and circumstance and pageantry of his entrance into the kingdom of Agrahbah is spectacular with color and thunderous music and marching bands. The CGI is excellent. The scenery is breathtaking. There are some scenes that are a bit scary but exciting such as when Aladdin is in the cave to retrieve the magic lamp, an eruption causes him to be thrown around. Aladdin is a film with messages about the value of friendship, courage, integrity and a clear reminder of love and family. I give Aladdin 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18. Some adults will like it too. It opens May 24, 2019 in theaters nationwide. Hop on your magic carpet and see it! Reviewed by Juanita Seon L., KIDS FIRST! Adult reviewer The film centers upon the beloved classic story, taking a few liberties. The adventure roams as "street rat" Aladdin (Mena Massoud) frees a genie (Will Smith) from a lamp, granting all his wishes and transforming himself into a charming prince so that he can please beautiful Princess Jasmine (Naomi Scott). But, every hero has his villain as evil sorcerer Jaffar (Marwan Kenzari) is determined to secure the lamp for his own sinister purposes. He threatens to do this at any cost necessary, and only Aladdin can outsmart him. First off, Mena Massoud, as Aladdin, is fantastic with his charisma and kind heart, while also proving his physical prowess in the adventurous parkour scenes. His chemistry with Jasmine is well realized and moves forward their iconic romance. However, his singing does not fare well, with most of it appearing like a mediocre lip dub. This appears to be more of an error on the production side, than that of Massoud's. Will Smith, as Genie, is my favorite character because it's really just a medley of charm and swagger. I was worried that he would just try to imitate Robin William's signature fast talk. Thankfully, he really does his own thing, and it works. Naomi Scott, as Jasmine, is stellar with her overall strength, and a few liberties are taken to establish her as more independent than her predecessors. Her aspirations to become a ruler among Abragah are well-fleshed, and her singing fares the best, despite some choppy editing. Unfortunately, Marwan Kenzari, as Jaffar, gives his best, but fails to leave an impression. His character is terribly one-note with his nefarious intentions. The script fails to develop his motive, but then again, he was never the classic cartoon's strength. He always was a moustache-twirling villain. Guy Ritchie elegantly writes and directs with many dazzling musical numbers and soaring perilous adventures. His movies always contain a unique style, but at times, style outweighs substance. Here, it's mostly not the case as the brilliant acting talent carries emotional and humorous scenes relating the story. The pace moves fast from one Saharan setting to the next. The production value and costume design are always wondrous. My favorite scene is the "Friend Like Me" number which doubles down on the craziness of the original. It's a familiar, but faithful take that highlights Will Smith's ability to helm the iconic musical number. New numbers such as "Speechless" are welcome additions that highlight the changes in Jasmine's overall character in this version. They also showcase Naomi Scott's range as a singer, and that musical number also stands among my favorites. The message of this film is that love conquers all. It is not just in Aladdin and Jasmine's love for each other, but also in the brotherly fulfillment of promise on the Genie's side. I give this film 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 18 due to some action and peril. The movie released in theaters on May 24, 2019, so check it out. Reviewed by Arjun N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17 Aladdin is an enchanting retelling of the classic Disney animated film. Aladdin (Mena Massoud) is a streetwise thief living in Agrabah, stealing to survive with his monkey Abu. He has a chance encounter with the Princess of Agrabah, Jasmine (Naomi Scott), disguised as a handmaid and romance blossoms. While sneaking into the palace one day, he is seized by the nefarious Jafar (Narwan Kenzari), an advisor to the Sultan, who sends him to retrieve a powerful lamp in the magical Cave of Wonders. Once he gets the lamp, he is granted three wishes by mystical Genie (Will Smith). Aladdin wishes to look like a prince in order to get closer to the Princess, but has to prove to her and to himself that he is worthy without truly being a prince. Aladdin keeps the best parts of the original, while adding a few really awesome new things. None of these tweaks to the story feel like filler, but necessary changes that bring this story to life for a new audience. I really like that characters Genie and Jasmine get more to do. Jasmine, in particular, takes on a much more active role in this version. I love the performances in this film. Will Smith is measuring up against the pretty iconic voice performance of Robin Williams as Genie in the previous film. He makes the role his own and really gives a unique, colorful flair to it. Smith's performance is charismatic, energetic and, above all - fun. Naomi Scott is very powerful as Princess Jasmine. She does a lot of this film's emotionally heavy lifting and has amazing vocals. Mena Massoud is likable and relatable as Aladdin and has a strong, comedic rapport with the Genie. Jafar is a weak antagonist in this film. I think the character's motivations are well-executed, but Marwan Kenzari's overdone performance lacks the qualities that make the character compelling. This is one of those films made to be seen on the big screen. From the sprawling landscape of Agrabah, to the magical, magnificent Cave of Wonders, the visuals in the land are excellent. Director Guy Ritchie mixes in some of his familiar trademarks with a lot of really colorful set pieces. Every musical number feels huge and well-made. From costumes to sets to cinematography, on a visual level, Aladdin is astonishing. I recommend Aladdin for ages 8 to 16, for some implied violence and scenes of peril and give it 3.5 out of 5 stars. Aladdin is a feel-good summer movie and a magical ride well worth taking. I highly recommend you check it out when it swoops into theaters May 24, 2019. Reviewed by Benjamin P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13 This action filled movie is incredible. The acting is remarkable and the music is excellent. It will truly touch your heart. The story is about a poor boy named Aladdin (Mena Massoud) who lives in Agrabah and falls in love with the Princess Jasmine (Naomi Scott). At the beginning of the movie Aladdin faces challenges when he is kidnapped by an evil sorcerer named Jafar (Marwan Kenzari). The sorcerer sends him into a dangerous, but treasure filled cave to retrieve a magical golden lamp. After getting trapped in the cave, Aladdin accidentally rubs the lamp and, voila - the Genie (Will Smith) appears. Soon after, Aladdin sets out to impress Princess Jasmine and their adventure begins. Disney has make so many spectacular movies from Snow White to Moana, and now this live action movie Aladdin, which is by far one of the best. Of course this is no surprise, because it has many wonderful actors like Will Smith, Mina Massoud and Naomi Scott. The costumes are dazzling. Not one detail is missed. I absolutely love all the costumes. My favorite scene is when the Genie describes how he lives inside of the itty-bitty golden lamp for 1,000 years. It's very cramped. My favorite characters are Dalia and the Genie. Dalia is innocent, giddy and funny. The Genie is magical, entertaining and charismatic. The message of Aladdin is to be yourself and don't do anything to change that. It has some negative behavior and some risky things that kids might imitate, but that's unlikely. I give this movie a 5 out of 5 stars I recommend this for ages 6 to 15. Adults might like watching this with their kids. This movie is in theaters on May 22, 2019. Reviewed by Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10 Aladdin is one of the best re-created films that I have seen. It's funny, colorful, has lots of action and amazing special effects, and the hip hop flavor of the songs and choreography helps to keep the audience alert and watching. Although all of this makes me happy, there are times when little ones, like my four-year-old sister, tend to close their eyes and ears. So, I recommend this movie for ages 6 to 18, as well as for adults who are still kids at heart. In this upgraded adaptation of Disney's 1992 animated film, you still get that magical feel of the original Arabian Nights in Agrabar. There's singing, dancing, princesses, sultans, sorcerers, monkeys, magic carpets, parrots, tigers and even a charismatic "street rat". The infamous Cave of Wonders, while a bit more scary, still offers jewels and gems, and houses the lamp of that big, blue, blubbery genie, that we all know and love, once brought to life by Robin Williams.... That character is now portrayed by Will Smith, who takes on the comedic challenge, sensitivity, and power like a champ! Bringing a touch of that "Fresh Prince" swag and humor to this live-action film really sets it apart from other remakes. Seeing this newly-improved genie as a buff, ladies man definitely flips the script from the original, and gives moviegoers a little bonus. Other characters, such as Marwan Kenzari, who plays Jafar, are not as frightening in this movie, but nonetheless he is a beast as a result of its booming CGI. The sultan, Navid Negahban, not as clumsy and stubby as in the Disney version, also helps to keep the sacred story of Aladdin together. Writer/Director Guy Ritchie sticks to the original story. This film is straight to the point, has some intense moments, and teaches the importance of just being yourself. The best part is seeing the heart to heart talks that Genie and Al have, and being able to feel for both characters. Actress Naomi Smith brings strength and "woman power" to Princess Jasmine's character, which makes you forget that at some point she kind of becomes a prisoner, and her handmaiden, Dalia, played by Nasim Pedrad, serves as a great comic relief. Although I like this 2019 reboot, Iago should be funnier, and Raja is supposed to be more fierce! At the end of the day, it's our charming thief who steals the show and his way to Princess Jasmine's heart. Mena Massoud, real-life actor playing Aladdin, is awesome! He executes backflips and popping when he dances. His swag makes all of the ladies love him, and his good heart and promise keeps him right with Genie. Overall, this movie is a must-see for anyone who calls themselves true Disney fans. Aladdin not only continues to bring smiles to faces of many, it also represents doing the right thing. Sometimes we get caught up in our own problems, and forget that if we help others first, everyone can come out "royal". I give Disney's Aladdin 5 out of 5 stars. It's another one for the entire family, unless loud noises, flashes, and some mild violence bothers you. Go see Aladdin at a theater near you Friday, May 24, 2019. Remember to like and subscribe to our channel and newsletter. Reviewed by Brandon James R., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 9. That's a wrap. Peace out! KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: FeatureFilm |
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JONATHAN DE LA UZ Series: STUDENT SHORT, AGES 2-18 Topic - Family Description - A wide-eyed, newborn sea turtle named Fin finds himself on the illuminated beaches of Miami. It is a perilous time to be a hatchling, with hazards of artificial light and debris present at every turn. With the help of Abueluna, his caring, celestial guide, Fin will make the daring trek from his cluttered nest to the open seas. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - see youth comments KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I love this animated short film! It has a great message about how sea turtles are threatened. It also has great animation and amazing music. What I like about the story line is how it is all put together in a way that makes the theme really clear. The playfulness between the sea turtle and the light bulb character is very cute. The story line is about a sea turtle wrangler, Abueluna, who helps baby sea turtles reach the ocean after they hatch. When one sea turtle gets left behind, a little light bulb finds him, doesn't tell the wrangler and they get into an argument about it all and the baby turtle wanders off, almost getting killed by a car. This animation is absolutely fantastic. The sea turtle's eyes are so expressive. I especially like the beginning when the babies are hatching and their heads pop out of the sand. The colors are brilliant. I love the turtle wranglers outfit and her moon wand. I love the sets. The streets are lit up and the beach has incredible detail! The music definitely drives the action of the story line. I love how the music is calm, then suddenly gets really dramatic! It's light and playful, just like the baby sea turtle. My favorite scene is when the little baby sea turtles pop their heads out of the sand after hatching. It's so cute! All the characters are charming - the Sea Turtle Wrangler, the baby sea turtles, and the little light bulb. The baby sea turtles are particularly adorable and lovable. The message of this film is about protecting baby sea turtles because their survival is threatened by both natural and man-made materials. Light pollution causes interruption of the hatchlines' natural instinct to follow moonlight into the ocean. Although I have learned about this in school, seeing it on screen emphasizes its importance. I live near where this film was made and have attended educational seminars about sea turtles as it is an important part of my local environment. For kids who don't live hear the ocean, they are probably not as aware and this film would definitely bring new awareness to them. I give this 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 11, plus adults. I think this is very suitable for a KIDS FIRST! Film Festival because it teaches you many things and is fun to watch. Any festival near the ocean would be particularly interested in it. Protecting the environment and the animals that live here is so important. Reviewed by Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 2-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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TREVOR LAWRENCE Series: SCREENPLAY, AGES 8-18 Topic - Family Description - In the vile orphanages of the 1940s there flourishes a monthly flying class whose devious design is to keep overcrowded children docile by toying with the imagination. The program is a rousing success until one child does the unthinkable, and sparks a revolution. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This script has an original theme and is inspirational with its message of hope. Its greatest strength is the message of hope and a happy ending. It flows well especially from the middle to the ending. The weakness is that it took me more than a few pages to get into it and understand exactly what was going on and I feel that this may be the case with many people. The characters are well developed and the story flows quite well, especially from the middle to the end. There are very few punctuation, grammatical or spelling mistakes. I found the theme interesting. I recommend for ages 12 though 18. This script has it all, from conflict to bad to good to friendship. I give it 3 out of 5 stars. Reviewed by Denise B., KIDS FIRST! Juror KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - see adult comments KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: Screenplay |
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JOSSELIN CHARIER Series: FOREIGN SHORT, AGES 8-18 Topic - Family Description - As soon as the Forest Ranger is away, GRIZZY feels it's only natural that the Ranger Station becomes his territory. And no other animal dares to contest this privilege. Except the LEMMINGS! They are small, but there are a lot of them - and they want their share of the Eldorado! The Lemmings play with poseable figurines of wild Canadian animals. When Grizzy sees that the bear figurine has been put inside a little cage, whereas those of the Lemmings are gathered around a mini-jar of chocolate spread, he decides to join in the party and take control of his own figurine. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Truly a brilliant piece of animation. Beautifully executed visuals and an extremely clever storyline. The "toys" of the animated characters take on a life of their own and, in this 2nd episode of the series, we see the awkwardly greedy bear get outsmarted once again by the team of lemmings. There is some mild violence, but nothing bloody or replicable. I highly recommend this for a kids or family film festival for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. Younger kids may find the storyline a bit challenging, but it all depends on the kid. 5 out of 5 stars! Excellent work. Wow! Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Juror. KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - see adult comments Runtime: 7 minutes KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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RAYMOND TAN Series: FOREIGN FEATURE, AGES 8-18 Topic - Family Description - A feel-good comedy about a boy named Open who has autism. Open is good at drawing and dreams about taking part in a performance. A girl called Baoer discovers Open's dream and, together with the classmates, they help Open fulfill his dream. This is a film about accepting others for who they are, depicting human differences and that, in the end, we can unite. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - see youth comments KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I really love this film. It portrays a group of kids performing a Chinese opera with the main character being autistic. I am autistic myself and because of that, I've always wished to see more autistic characters represented in films. I was very happy to see an autistic character as the protagonist. Not only that, but I thought the protagonist was very realistic. I enjoyed the way autism is portrayed in this movie. The cinematography of this film is well done, however there is nothing really extraordinary. The attires look mostly modern except for the costumes, which stand out the most. The movie takes place in Singapore and is beautifully produced. The music sounds very Asian, which enhances the scenes about the Chinese opera that the kids are performing. There is one scene that uses a green screen. It looks alright and it's only for this one scene. The main characters are Open and Bao Er. Open stands out to me as he is the character with autism and I enjoyed his portrayal of autism very much. What I like about this most is the message that everyone is different yet special in their own way. My favorite scenes are the scenes that focus specifically on Open's autism. I give this 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 18. This would definitely play well in the KIDS FIRST! Film Festivals. It is perfect for kids and families to enjoy together. Reviewed by Calista B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: FeatureFilm |
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MONIQUE AMADO Series: SCREENPLAY, AGES 5-18 Topic - Family Description - An isolated and wingless dragon is transformed through his friendship with a brave and compassionate young girl. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I wasn't sure what to expect with a fantasy story about a talking dragon and I was pleasantly surprised. The characters are very likable and easy to relate to. The story is quite solid and flows well. It is quite entertaining and has some very important moral lessons that most children in today's world need to learn, especially about judging others and that violence is not always the answer. I give this 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for children ages 8 through 18. Reviewed by Denise B., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror. KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - see adult comments KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: Screenplay |
