KIDS FIRST!
35 Most Recent Endorsements

Based on the book written by Andre-Morgan and directed by Karsten Kiilerich, the show is about a wolf named, Little Wolf and his perceptions about being bad. His family is disgusted as they watch Little Wolf comb his hair and brush his teeth because, being a wolf you must be unclean and rude. Little Wolfs' Dad and Mom can't put up with his behavior any longer, so they send him to his uncle Big Bad. Big Bad is the head of Cunning College where Little Wolf is taught the nine rules for being bad. In reality though, Big Bad doesn't care about teaching his nephew, he only cares about how much food Little Wolf can give to him.

Big Bad is voiced by Michael Gambon who puts a 'great bad wolf' in his voice. Little Wolf is voiced by Alexander Pownall. Smellybreff, Little Wolf's younger brother is voiced by Matthew Gillespie. Smellybreff knows that Little Wolf isn't acting like a terrible wolf like their parents raised them to be. Lucy Whybrow voices the mom and Richard Hope, the dad.

I enjoyed watching the story come to life. The animation looks like drawing from the book which is very delightful. My favorite part is when Little Wolf tries to warn his uncle of the effects of eating baked beans too fast, but Big Bad just waves his comments away. As he gobbles up all the beans, Little Wolf continues to warn his uncle when he stands to close to the fire. Big Bad once again doesn't listen and toots right in front of the fire, making an explosion at Cunning College. This was my favorite part because it brought some great humor to the climax of the story.

The story is about a young boy, Sonny (Jeremy Ray Taylor) and his best friend, Sam (Caleel Harris) who finds a book. When they open it, a doll called Slappy comes out! The boys lose the book, but keep Slappy. The friends are very surprised and a bit scared when they discover that the doll can talk. He seems nice at the beginning. He wants to have a family. But later, the boy, his sister Sarah (Madison Iseman) and his best friend realize he is strange and don't want him to be part of their family anymore. Slappy has his own personal agenda and decides to create his own family. He makes Halloween come to life as he invades the whole town with monsters and all the creatures as allies. This is a very scary Halloween for the town of Wardenclyffe, where the story takes place, as all creatures make real chaos. Sonny, Sam and Sarah team up with neighbor Mr. Chu (Ken Jeong) to find the book that Slappy from to figure out how to stop him. They discover that the book can suck up monsters and they are determined to save the city.

The story is based on R.L Stine's books. This is where Jack Black comes in as he reprises his role from the 2015 film, playing the writer who came to help. His performance as the author is excellent. I love him.

The movie is funny and spooky in equal amounts. There is mystery and discovery all combined in the storytelling. There's kind of a homage to horror films, as we see some classic monsters. My favorite scenes are the ones with the Halloween decorations coming to life in the store and the fight with the gummy bears that become real and attack Sonny and Sam.

The effects are very well done. This story focuses on the 3 main characters and the actors did a good job carrying the film. There's a tribute to the books and literature. There's a beautiful metaphor with the blank pages in the book which is powerful. It is so interesting and kind of reminded me that reality is scarier than fantasy and there will be more stories to be written. The message of this film is, "when we face our own fears we learn how not to be scared."

Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween opens October 12, 2018 and is the perfect movie for kids this Halloween. I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommended it for ages 6 to 13 and grown ups as well.

Reviewed by Zoe C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10

Boo! Trick or treat! Who is ready for a perky piece of family entertainment? Giant spiders made of balloons, pumpkin-headed scarecrows, witches with glowing heads are the factual stars of Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween. Who's ready to pop some popcorn with a fresh drink and enjoy the film?

This very funny, energetic, colorful and well-crafted film is directed by Ari Sandel. The film follows best friends Sonny and Sam, who meets Slappy, a frisky talking dummy from an unpublished "Goosebumps " book by R.L. Stine. Slappy hopes to start a family of his own. Well you will see how that unfolds. Slappy kidnaps Sonny's mother and brings all of his frightening friends back to life, literally bringing Halloween back to life! Just in time for Halloween. As the Slappy town becomes infested with monsters, witches and other shadowy creatures, Sonny joins powers with his sister, Sam and a concerned neighbor to save Sonny's mom and stop Slappy's strategy.

The lead characters are Kathy Quinn (Wendi McLendon-Covey), Sarah Quinn (Madison Iseman), Mr. Chu (Ken Jeong), Sonny Quinn (Jeremy Ray Taylor), Sam Carter (Bryce Cass) and Slappy (Mick Wingert).

My favorite part of the movie is pretty much, the whole movie. This movie is one of those sequels where it gets restated in a new way, greater and sillier than before. I love how Slappy uses his magical powers to bring typical "Goosebumps" monsters to life.

Wow! Can I say the music in this film is surprising? Composer Dominic Lewis creates a perfect match to the Halloween theme. Every action coordinates with perfect music accompaniment. The music provides escalating emotions and had me jumping out of my seat a few times - in a good way, not a super spooky way. The animation has lively, attractive colors and put me in the spirit for Halloween.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 16, as well as adults. I believe the whole family will enjoy this film. The film is designed with so much fun reaction moments. It delivers on what Goosebumps fans have come to expect. Don't miss this live-action film when it opens nationwide October 12, 2018.

The film flows well. I like seeing the diversity in both race and genders, when it comes to forming a team - on both the child and adult side. I was drawn in from the beginning to the end.

There are various characters and scenes that involve bullying. Some of that goes unresolved or are dealt with retaliation. There are moments when kids get revenge on adult thieves, but it is handled in a more imaginary and comedic way.

As a viewer, I wanted to see how the kids would find the villain and recover the treasure. The way the kids handle the situation lines up with what a tween or young teen would do if they were trying to confront a thief.

I found the production value of this film above average for a lower budget film. I watched an online screener which included bonus footage showing bloopers and behind the scenes content on which was enjoyable.

The message of this film is that children can join forces and fight for not only their community, but for being respectful human beings. Children of all types can be their own advocates and fight for what they believe in. I think those are compelling messages to learn.

Lewis Barnavelt (Owen Vaccaro) is a wonderful warlock. As a mater a fact, he is my favorite warlock throughout the entirety of this film, because he grows during his adventures and becomes a better warlock, friend and family member. As he becomes a better person, we see him learn magic with the help of a few friends and family members. These scenes are just adorable.

Jonathan Barnavelt (Jack Black) and Florence Zimmerman (Cate Blanchett) are the two best magic teachers in all the land. After all, they have an entire enchanted house which they use to teach magic and they also know how to be great family members when you stay with them. These two characters have totally different personalities and that is what makes them the perfect couple. Jonathan Barnavelt is very funny and acts just like the person who portrays him, Jack Black. While Florence Zimmerman is very serious and kind, she is a lady and acts like it too. She is the perfect replica of Cate Blanchett who portrays her perfectly.

Isaac Izard (Kyle MacLachlan) and Selena Izard (Ren�e Elise Goldsberry) are the villains we love to hate. I have to say that their plan for world domination is actually very scary. They make this film perfect for Halloween by adding scary little trick and treats up their sleeves that gets us into the mood for this special holiday that comes once a year.

The best scene in this film is when Lewis Barnavelt taps a water fountain and makes plants come to life as he taps it. I found my eyes lighting up, just like the stars as I watched the plants pass me by in the blink of an eye. Also, I like that it has so many different plants and that the cast interacts with them by juggling them and bouncing them on top of their heads.

I love the graphics because they not only look lifelike, but they act as if they are real, not just computerized graphics. This is one of the many reasons why I love the Griffin, the Couch and the Glass Mural. Each and every one of them has a personality and they act like people, not just old abandoned furniture that you might see in an old house such as the one that Jonathan Barnavelt and Florence Zimmerman live in.

Since this film has some scary aspects such as ventriloquist dolls, live pumpkins with faces, demons, the devil, witches, warlocks and many more, I recommend that your kids know that they are all fake and not real. As long as they know this, then they are okay and will enjoy the movie with no problems. I recommend it for ages 10 to 18 and give this film 5 out of 5 stars.

Reviewed by Morgan B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

This is an amazing live-action film. It is funny, exciting and a little spooky. I don't usually like scary movies, but this one has just the perfect amount of scary. This film is based on a novel of the same name from 1973 from writer John Bellairs. I haven't seen too many movies with Jack Black in it, but I can tell you Jack Black has usually played funnier roles. This time he plays a more serious character. Cate Blanchett is the perfect addition for this cast. I think the editing is very well done. The sound effects and the film effects are also really good and create an enchanting atmosphere. This story is a classic tale about self discovery in a beautiful magical set up, just like a good old magic trick.

The movie is directed by Eli Roth who is better known as a producer, but has directed a few films with some dark content. This is actually the director's first film not rated R.

The storyline follows a 10-year-old boy, Lewis (Owen Baccaro) who lost his parents and goes to live with his uncle Jonathan (Jack Black) in a very old house with a peculiar thinking heart. His uncle is quite mysterious. He is a warlock and his neighbor, Florence is a good witch (Cate Blanchett). A warlock is basically a boy witch and Jonathan is not a very good one, but he is sweet and has the best intentions. Florence's spells do not always come out right, but she is very caring.

Lewis wants a normal life, but he soon discovers some strange forces dormant within the house. His new home is magical, because a long time ago, a man named Isaac (Kyle McLachlan) lived there with his wife Selena (Ren�e Elise Goldsberry) and they constructed and hid a powerful clock to bring the world into apocalypse. One day, he was doing a spell that accidentally killed himself and his unfinished purpose was hidden in the house with a clock in its walls. Lewis tries to adapt to his new strange home and school. He tries to make new friends and impress the popular boy in the school. By doing so, he releases Isaac and Selena from the tomb on Halloween night, causing chaos in the old pacific town. Lewis goes through an incredible journey in order to have the life he wants.

The story is very engaging at the beginning, but loses a bit of interest as it progresses. The actors are very good. The cinematography and production design are beautiful and immerse the audience in a fantastic world. The music and sound effects are my favorite technical aspects. To me, they become a character themselves.

I definitely give this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommended from ages 8 to 18, as well as adults. The message is that things happen and you can't really change them, but magic and great things are always within our hearts. This film opens in theaters September 21, 2018.

Pick of the Litter follows a litter of puppies from the moment they are born through their journey to become Guide Dogs for the Blind. The "P" litter has to go through two years of training with many different owners to train them on their journey to become Guide Dogs. But only the pick of the litter will get the chance to become Guide Dogs.

This documentary is such a feel good movie. There are some moments that bring tears to your eyes. When my family and I watched the movie, it was fun for us to guess which dogs would pass the tests and become Guide Dogs. All the dogs are so cute and the relationships the dogs go through with their trainers and finally when they get paired with their official owners, is very emotional. The five dogs in the litter are Patriot, Potomac, Phil, Primrose and Poppet. All the dogs have such unique personalities. My favorite out would have to be Patriot because he has a lot of different trainers and he has so much energy. He has the biggest personality. He also ends up with such a sweet family and really helps the family he's with. The movie has so much for people of all ages. The charming dogs are enjoyable for everyone and the story they tell is delightful and sends a great message.

The message The Pick of the Litter sends is that dogs go through a lot of work to become Guide Dogs and, even if they don't become one, they still bring joy to whomever owns them. I recommend this film for ages 8 to 17. There is so much to learn about the training Guide Dogs go through and this film has lots of things for kids to learn. I give it 5 out of 5 stars, because it has such a great topic and the dogs are super adorable. You can find this film in a theatre near you on August 31, 2018 so, check it out!

I like the originality of having the real-life backgrounds juxtaposing with the animated characters. The episode with the record player is particularly funny, since it is an older generational way of listening to music. Young children might be as clueless as the Floogals with regards to this "strange object," more so than any other object they explore.

This DVD consists of approximately nine, 8 minute episodes. I recommend this for ages 3 to 6 who will find it really fascinating for expanding their imagination (with every room the Floogals explore) and keep their attention with the pastel-type colors. Curious slightly older kids might tune in for the same reasons. I give this DVD 5out of 5 stars.

The Frankie Drake Mysteries is a very female-friendly program, set in the Roaring 20s, the era when one of the first big Feminist Movements occurred. Young girls, in particular, can look up to Frankie as being ahead of her time. Young black girls can also look up to Trudy as being equal to Frankie at the detective agency. She will also be considered ahead of her time, working as a professional private eye. In this era, many black woman could only find servitude work, as Nora Drake assumes Trudy for when she first visits Frankie's agency.

As a serial drama, the Frankie Drake Mysteries is straightforward and flows easily from beginning to end - the set-up of the mystery; Frankie and Trudy notified of the case; the who, what, where, when, how; the conflict, climax, and conclusion of the case.

Based on watching this pilot, I would guess that the rating would be TV-PG or TV-G. It is witty and the humorous dialogue will hold your attention. The setting and costumes make it interesting for the viewer, especially children, since most are unfamiliar with the timeframe. There appears to be little or no bloody violence. I recommend it for ages 8 to 18, as well as adults and give it 5 out of 5 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed this mini-series and will remind myself to catch an episode or two whenever I can, on PBS this season.

I like everything about this collection, because every song has a lesson. Some children learn best through music. They stick in your head and get you singing along. It makes it easier to remember how science, technology, engineering and math works and how they affect our daily lives. I think that using songs that kids will listen to makes learning more lively for children. I felt as if I was a part of creating this CD. It is definitely is my kind of feel good music.

Children's music artist Dan Crow and his partners at KidzMusic Records have collaborated with various children's performing artists to make learning about the STEM subjects more fun, through the art of music. This collection of CDs will draw a large audience of children. Dan Crow captures your attention as well as your parent's attention. On this CD you get music and learning, all to a fun beat.

My favorite song has to be "Technology," on the Dan Crow concoctions CD. Technology goes as far back as the 1860s. Everyday technology is improving and innovating all the time and we try to keep up with it. Children today use technology a lot more in schools than they use textbooks. We use technology on a daily basis - our phones, TVs, cars, laptops and iPads, just to name a few. Technology never goes out of style. It changes constantly and only gets better and easier to use.

This pilot reflects the overall spirit of the program, if it is developed into a series. This reflects some revisions which the producer made after KIDS FIRST! expressed concerns about safety issues in a segment, which has now been deleted. Therefore, I give them credit for listening to constructive criticism. I believe that the rapping kangaroo segment would be engaging to many young viewers. I particularly like that it teaches children manners. The pilot is simply okay. The Dracula segment could be seen as too scary for preschool viewers. The talent's name, Tashi, is original and likeable. The vocabulary is basic enough to be understood by the intended viewer. The live action visuals are clear, big, colorful and bright. This is good for the intended audience. The segments are structured well. The show basically features Tashi throughout each episode, without any additional cast members. In one segment, she shows children how to cover a sneeze correctly as to not spread germs. This concept is appropriate for the target audience. The other entertainment elements include the rapping animal, a vampire, and a cook. Overall, it is entertaining and educational show for young children. I recommend it for ages 4 to 8 and give it 3.5 out of 5 stars. Reviewed by Kimberly M., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror.

My favorite song is "ABC Jones." I couldn't help but sing this song to my mom because her last name is Jones and it made me think of her and my family. This song is perfect for young kids who don't yet know their ABCs because it is funny and catchy. At the same time, it is a fun new way to think about the Alphabet. If you want, you can even make a version for yourself.

I can see why Move, Move, Move has won multiple awards including NAPPA, Tilliwig and Parents' Picks. It is due to the catchy music and upbeat rhythm, which has everybody dancing and singing. Kids as young as 2 to even 13-year-old kids will enjoy this. Some of the songs are very quirky, so they are bound to grab the attention of younger audiences.

The creators of this CD are very talented and they know how to appeal to different ages. Both kids and adults will want to listen to the same songs on the CD and adults won't get bored. A;; the music is catchy and fun to listen to and there is a variety of music genres so there is something for every one.

Another thing to like about this CD is its versatile language. The songs use simple words that younger kids will understand and more complex words that older kids will understand. I recommend this CD for ages 2 to-11 and give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Reviewed by Morgan B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

Kids, are you ready to move, move, move? Let's get ready to listen to some catchy, kid-friendly and fun songs. Then get ready to dance, bounce, move your feet and clap your hands to the beat. I fully love all eleven songs plus the hidden bonus song. Yes, there's a bonus song that completes this lovely adventure. There is no way you won't be dancing to these songs. Each one is highly entertaining and definitely interactive. This is a great CD to add to your music collection.

This CD is filled with kid-friendly, enjoyable, funny, fun, curriculum-based music for kids. The songs are full of rhymes, fun beats and stick-in-your-head lyrics. I love each and every song because they all have a specific tone from fun and festival, to slow, to upbeat!

My favorite song is definitely "ABC Jones," because it brings such a cheerful and upbeat feeling with great laughter and joy. The song had me giggle with its rhyming, high energy and drums that had me bouncing off the walls - literally. My favorite lyric is "I know I won't forget his name, even though it's long because I learned to sing this song, ABCD...Jones!" This song made me dance and sing along. Such active music!

Who is the creator of this CD full of songs? Vincent Nunes who just released his tenth recording of original music for children. He sure knows how to make little ones want to dance and move. Vincent is the winner of the 2018 NAPPA Awards, the 2018 Parents' Pick awards, and the 2018 Tillywig Awards. He is a musical artist, award winning composer and a fantastic performer. Vincent Nunes music is adored by many children.

I believe every child will enjoy this astonishing collection of songs. I give it 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 7. This CD is now available so look for it. For more information on Vincent Nunes please visit: www.VincentNunes.com

Billie's original owner, who walked with a cane, dies suddenly in his sleep. Billie has fond memories of playing ball with that owner. When a new family adopts him, their ball toy doesn't seem to interest Billie. But the grandmother, who walks with a cane, gets his spirit going again.

This short has some issues with continuity. Jump cuts take place that move the story along very quickly but make it a little hard to follow at times. I liked the zooming-in special effects that highlight Billie's facial features and the curly patterns of his fur. Also, the visual effect of the thrown ball rolling into a washed-out, featureless wasteland emphasizes Billie's initial feeling of loneliness after his original owner dies.

My favorite part is when Billie warms up to the new family, after Grandma shows up with her walking cane. The message of this film is to give dogs and other shelter animals a chance. They can very easily learn to love again.

This film is about the Teen Titans trying to get their own movie in order to become official superheroes. To do that, they need an arch nemesis and they come across Slade (Will Arnett). This causes them to get a movie deal with Jade Wilson (Kristen Bell) who has some ulterior motives.

As an original viewer of the TV show, I can tell you that it's classic Teen Titans with many added aspects. One of which is the songs. There are occasional songs in the TV show, but this movie is jam packed with amazing songs by Jared Faber that help keep it interesting and move the story along. They are so catchy that I could hear people singing them as they left the theatre. The jokes in this film only make it better. This film just keeps you laughing throughout and at the edge of your seat with all the action.

The cast is really spectacular! They have the original five from the TV show - Tara Strong (Raven), Greg Cipes (Beast Boy), Khary Payton (Cyborg), Hynden Walch (Starfire) and Scott Menville (Robin). They also have a couple of new voices, including Kristen Bell (Jade Wilson), Will Arnett (Slade), Nicolas Cage (Superman), Stan Lee (Stan Lee), Halsey (Wonder Woman) and Lil Yachty (Green Lantern) who also does a remix of Go! My favorite character would have to be Beast Boy, because he is so hilarious and is always there for all the Titans. My favorite line is Robin's catchphrase, "Crack an egg on it... ca caw!" It's just so ridiculously funny and random.

The message of this film is the classic: "You don't have to be super to be a superhero, you just have to be yourself." I give this film 5 out of 5 stars, because it kept me laughing and smiling for an hour and a half. I recommend it for ages 7 to 14, because the jokes are more geared to older audiences, with some really more for adults. Check it out when it opens, July 27, 2018.

Although the young performers are quite adorable, their performances are a tad lackluster. However, they speak clearly, which is a plus. The audio and video aspect has some quality issues. At times, there is a lot of background noise and sometimes the actors lines are lost. The camera work is pretty good. The sets, costumes, hair and make up are extraordinary, particularly for the historical characters. Kudos to the production team for executing those so well. The film has good structure and makes sense. It has good continuity, age appropriate vocabulary and a topic suitable for its target audience.

The film reveals stories about different engineers who all want to make the world a better place. They create buildings that won't collapse in earthquakes and build bridges across rivers so people can get to school. It shows that engineering is an occupation that can really impact the world and make it a safer place.

Jeff Bridges, as narrator of the film, has the sort of deep voice that suits the documentary. Some of the information seems a bit random and doesn't enhance the story. The best parts for me are when they tell the back stories of peoples' lives and how difficult they are. After the engineers help them, I love seeing them so happy and having easier lives. Those are things that inspire people to want to become engineers.

I have to say, the camera shots and angles are truly amazing. They capture massive cities and buildings beautifully. There is obviously lots of effort that went into editing this film and adding suitable background music. These all really help the viewer picture engineering as an art, that is very helpful. They show majestic buildings that glow at night, roller coasters that give so much happiness and thrills, and bridges that help you access high areas and look down at the scenery or up at the beautiful stars.

My favorite scene is definitely the story about the engineers building a bridge across a river so kids could get to their school. Before the bridge, they literally risked their lives getting to school. Many people have drowned in the river, but they crossed it everyday in order to get an education. After the bridge is built everyone, including the children, is extremely excited and relieved. They are dancing, playing music and getting to school without risking their lives or getting wet. The bridge changed their lives.

The moral of this film is that engineering is a profession that helps people. This film shows that engineering is interesting and rewarding. However, I did find parts of it a bit boring, with the exhaustive information. I give this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages of 11 to 18, as well as adults. If you are interested in engineering, you will definitely enjoy this documentary. It is available now on DVD so check it out.

This CD is filled with strikingly crafted pop songs for kids, stick-in-your-head lyrics and catchy melodies - plus, a memorable cast of characters that bring kids into Andy Z's world. This infectious collection of songs contains many from the popular AndyLand series such as "Welcome to AndyLand," "Return to AndyLand" and "Summer in AndyLand."

This collection includes 16 songs, each with a catchy melody and memorable lyrics. I must say, it's an astonishing set of songs. Each song puts you into the camp vibe. Plus, the memorable cast of characters brings kids into Andy Z's world. You can see Andy's creativity and imagination in each song. This whole CD definitely kept me engaged from the beginning to the end.

My favorite song is definitely "I Went to a Party with Dinosaurs," because the lyric are outstandingly funny. This song certainly gave me a laugh-out-loud moment. The rhymes have a way of making you giggle. For example, here's one of my favorites lyrics: "I went on over to say 'hello' and he almost bit off my nose." That rhyme shows why it made me laugh like crazy. The song brings has a professional vibe with its high pitch instruments and great vocals.

Who is Andy Z? Andy is the creator of Camp AndyLand and all its humorous songs. He is an multiple award-winning children's performer, singer, songwriter and educator who combines music, movement, storytelling and character puppets to create a experience that capture children's attention.

I believe the whole family will enjoy this musical collection and kids will enjoy the funny, kid-friendly, exciting, intriguing set of songs. I give this 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8. This CD is now available online and at discriminating music stores.

The story follows the monster family embarking a vacation on a monster cruise ship. They mostly go so that Drac can take a summer vacation from providing everyone else vacations at his hotel. The whole pack starts to have fun by getting involved in all of the activities the cruise has to offer such as monster volleyball, excursions and tanning. But, the amazing vacation turns into a nightmare when Mavis realizes her father likes Ericka, the captain of the ship, who she suspects to be hiding something from Drac and his family.

My favorite scene is when Ericka, the captain of the ship, welcomes all the guests and informs everyone that the first time that a monster cruise has been created. Because monsters are not allowed to live and socialize with people that are not monsters, they have had the opportunity to take a cruise before. I like this scene because, in it the variety of creatures are shown and I was amazed at the creative animations that the creators designed and brought to life.

The important message of this film is that letting go of old grudges and being open to changes in your life are very important. This film is a reminder that one has to honor the past, but be willing to allow new aspects to take place in your life. For example, since his mother's death, Drac has never fallen for anyone else. But when the family arrives for the cruise, the head of the pack starts having feelings for someone else, making it weird for the rest of the family. As time progresses, Mavis, her daughter and the rest of the family accept the fact that they have to let go of the past and be open to new changes in their lives. I recommend this film for ages 5 to 18 and I rate this 5 out of 5 stars. This film opens in theaters July 13, 2018 so look for it.

An Indian boy named Prince Veer is seemingly hypnotized by a blonde-haired Russian girl, Masha. Prince Veer's wooden sword that he carries around is his constant reminder that life is truly an adventure, with many opportunities to be a hero.

The production quality is terrific, from the camera work to the background music to the editing. I didn't want this film to end. It truly exemplifies excellence in filmmaking and is quite appropriate to a youth and family audience. Coming from India, it offers the viewer the opportunity to glimpse into the world of another culture. The dialogue is in both English and Hindi, with the latter sub-titled. I like the use of slow-motion and the distant shots.

There is simplicity in the lives of these villagers and we see the children playing simple games. I enjoyed the emphasis on the trees in Veer's village. They serve as a fun place to hang out with friends to relax. They use some simple 2D animation to portray Dada's stories. These moving images help convey the sense of far-flung travel, magic and mystical characters. There are sweeping scenes of the beautiful mountainside where Veer believes God resides.

My favorite part is when Veer plunges his sword into the rocky terrain as a way of praying for the rains to return to his village. It's almost an Excalibur kind of moment. The spiritual message is that, despite our struggles, God is always there to help everyone. It's very important to keep the faith! Dreams can come true, if you make special sacrifices such as giving up your precious warrior's sword! You must understand that dreams may take a while to come true. They can turn into stories for future generations to enjoy. Dreams are what legends are made of!

Sharks are one of the most popular types of fish, but they're dangerous too. Learning about them, in an informative but not as scary way, is fun. Sharks, science, cartoon characters and lab experiences are all included in this DVD. We see a shark being lured up a mega slide that the kids help build, in hopes for a piece of famous fried chicken. The colors are bright. The motion from the wind gadgets, teleport and even the non-fat garlic butter dripping from the slide look appealing. The only thing I would change, because I am a fan of fried chicken, is to add more of a crunch sound since this chicken is supposedly so good! There is a menu that helps you selecting a certain episode or play everything. The DVD cover shows each episode title as well. There is a bonus segment but I did not see different language options.

This DVD flows well and has tons of educational benefits. I learned that sharks can smell one part of blood per every million parts of water. The social benefits are endless. There are some jokes and phrases that I, as an adult found comical and relatable, such as "ultimate negative vibes." I should mention that some of the characters sound a bit stuffy so it took a replay to hear the names clearly. The music video and breakdown from Charles Darwin to Thomas Edison to Von Bolt provides a helpful recap of scientific terms and facts.

The story follows a group of five teenagers who can't seem to escape trouble, in or out of school. When their daily actions lead them to trouble, or Alisa becomes entangled in one of her father's scientific cases, they work together to solve the case in front of them. Through a series of hysterical events and intense scenes, each teenager's unique personality plays a role in their exciting victory.

The animation is a combination of a variety of elements because of its realistic yet science fictional story. On Earth, the humans are life-like with their facial features but their hair and outfits are an original, special addition to the teenagers. The city has skyscrapers with soft and circular edges forming distinctive spires. However, these obscure features are contrasted with the familiar bushes and trees decorating the streets. Each episode also consists of a journey to a different planet. On these journeys the clips of space are the most naturalistic, with beautiful hues of all different colors and millions of stars decorating the night like glitter. Once they land on the planet, any familiarity with our world today diminishes and a new surprising and imaginative world is created. These were my favorite parts of the shows because even though there is a world like ours, there are a variety of other ones in this episode which are fascinating and captivating to watch.

Although the story and animation are original and engaging aspects, the dialogue and jokes can be clich� at times which takes away from the story. However, there are an abundance of humorous scenes and dialogue which made me smile and relate to these characters.

The messages of Alisa Knows What to Do: Season 1 are countless but some of the most pertinent are to being different is wonderful, and teamwork can help you in any situation. I give this show 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. Be sure to check out Alisa Knows What to Do: Season 1 on DVD June 13, 2018.

Mickey's loving sister really gets what he's about and supports him. She shares her belongings with him and helps him see the lighter side of life, even though he doesn't act like a traditional boy. She accepts him for what he is.

There is one funny scene where Mickey is hiding under his bed sheet with his flashlight on. His sister knocks on his head to ask if she can come in. It's a fun way to see how siblings can comfort each other when life gets tough.

My favorite part of this film is when Mickey's black team mate, with his toes painted purple, sits down next to Mickey and cracks a good-natured joke. It's great to see Mickey smile and feel accepted. If only life's differences could be solved by accepting the color of each other's toes!

We see the control-freak mom lose her balance when she tries on some old ballet slippers. She gets teary eyed when she realizes she can no longer perform and rigidly expects her daughter to follow in her footsteps. Then, the mother turns to booze and screaming when she finds evidence that her daughter is finding her own way. I wanted to cheer when Amelia shows signs of independence and daring, borrowing the red dance shoes, brushing her own hair and putting on her own makeup. The French-speaking dance instructor seems very realistic.

This is well produced with good video and audio. It is well cast. The young protagonist dances well and is suited for this role. The mother is also quite believable. At times the lighting could use some work as the images are very flat at times.

My favorite part of this film is when the heel of one red shoe breaks off, at the start of Amelia's audition. It makes you wonder if her mom is trying to sabotage her daughter's future. Jealousy and anger rear their ugly heads, inside the mom's private world. At the same time, the girl's performance truly breaks out of the boundaries she has been held back by.

The message is how restricting it can be to live someone else's dreams. It is better to be brave and reach for one's own stars. There is also a darker message that resorting to drinking does not solve one's problems.