Archives for February 2014

“The Lego Movie” comes out this weekend and we can’t say enough good things about it. The story is a simple one about how an ordinary guy behaves extraordinarily. What’s cool about this film is that everything in the movie is designed to look as if it was built out of Lego pieces – water, fire, laser bolts, explosions and smoke amongst them. The animation is a combination of stop-motion and CGI that looks like Lego-mation. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Keefer B says, “I love this movie! Just watching it makes me wonder what you can’t make out of Legos.” Gerry O adds, “This great film has comedy, adventure, suspense, music, romance, Legos and a great story line.” See their full reviews below.

The Lego Movie

Reviewed by Keefer B, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic age 13.
Full video review here.

This is a fast pace action, comedy, that shows that Lego’s are more than just plastic bricks. The story is about Emmet (Chris Pratt) who is just an ordinary guy that always follows the instructions. However, once he finds a magical relic, he is now known as the special person who is supposed to defeat Lord Business (Will Ferrell) from launching an evil plan. So with the help of Wildstyle (Elizabeth Banks), Vitruvius (Morgan Freeman), and more hilarious characters, he sets out to save the world.

I love this movie! It has a “Toy Story” atmosphere to it that makes it entertaining. The writers don’t try to hide the fact that the Lego people are plastic figures, they just write it in the way that Lego figures would move and act. Even the characters sort of know what they are, although they don’t know everything. The jokes are always thrown at you and all of them get a laugh. It has a parody element to it that is surprisingly funny for kids and adults. When a company that has been around for generations and has so much merchandise, you can’t help but admire the creators for making fun of their toy. It does is heart-warming how creativity is important. The animation is marvelous – the way the characters build structures, vehicles and double-decker couches is an experience to see. Just watching this imaginative universe makes me wonder, “What can’t you make out of Legos”?!

My favorite character is hard to pick out of dozens of lovable characters. I would have to choose Good Cop / Bad Cop (Liam Neeson). I love this character’s double personality and he cracks me up every time I see him.

My favorite scene is when Emmet talks to Lord Business about how you don’t how to follow the instructions all the time. This scene shows and proves how Legos are important to people. How the simplicity of building a spaceship or anything, can spark inspiration for kids and adults to build.

The moral of the story is that everyone is special. Emmet does not think he has the mind or experience to fulfill his prophecy. He soon learns that if you believe in yourself you can do extraordinarily things.

I give this 5 out of 5 stars and recommend this to 5 to18-year-olds. This film reminds us on how Legos can change our lives. We all had Legos once in our lives, whether you follow the instructions, build or just played with them, it does not matter. Legos have been around for generations and these bricks have shown us new worlds to explore and enjoy. This film is timeless and I hope it will be know for a long time.

The Lego Movie

Reviewed by Gerry O, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

This movie is something special. This movie will make kids’ dreams come true everywhere. What movie I’m talking about?  Well it’s “The Lego Movie” of course.

This great film has comedy, adventure, suspense, music, romance, LEGOS and a great story line.

The story is about an unlikely hero, who turns out to be part of a big prophesy and a lot of exciting battles and adventures. But, is this just all a part of a kid’s imagination or do Legos truly come to life when we are not looking?

I love so many things about this movie! A very unique part is the animation. It’s plastic, smooth and looks a lot like real Lego pieces. At parts it feels like its stop motion but it’s not. Most of the sets where were made out of hundreds of Legos. Imagine it, five adults playing with a whole bunch of Legos for work. I am sure most kids would wish to be a part of such production. If you add to the mix the voice-overs by amazing actors such as Morgan Freeman, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett and Will Ferrell – you get an animated film that will captivate your heart for sure.

I have a couple of favorite scenes. First, when Batman, Emmet, Wyldstyle, the Wizard and Benny are all stuck in the ocean on a ‘double decker couch.’ Batman says “It’s not like a gigantic ship will show up” and right when he says that, a ship comes out of nowhere. Then later, when they need a part and he says “It’s not like there’s a spaceship or anything” and what do you know, the Millennium Falcon drops by!

I recommend this movie to ages 2 to 17. Older people may not enjoy the humor as much as younger kids. I also give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Credit: KIDS FIRST! Coming Attractions

From the city to the country, families from coast-to-coast will experience an uplifting coming-of-age adventure when Anchor Bay Entertainment unleashes My Dog the Champion on DVD. The inspiring story of an unlikely friendship between a born-and-bred teenage city girl and a cattle dog, the new feature film starring Dora Madison Burge (“Dexter,” “Friday Night Lights,” Cowgirls ‘n Angels), Lance Henriksen (Aliens, The Terminator, Aliens vs. Predator) and Cody Linley (“Hannah Montana,” Cheaper by the Dozen) makes its national retail debut on February 4, 2014.

A moving and meaningful story for the whole family, My Dog the Champion (SRP $24.98) begins when Madison (Burge), a spoiled city teen, learns that her mother is being deployed to Afghanistan. She is suddenly forced to uproot to the country and live on her grandfather Billy’s (Henriksen) cattle ranch – in the middle of nowhere. Facing the hardships of farm life and her feelings of loneliness, she befriends Scout, the farm’s old and “useless” cattle dog. The new companions quickly form a special bond. And when the family farm becomes threatened, Madison, with some help from Eli (Linley), a teenage dog trainer, trains Scout to be an agility champion and together they compete with the hope of saving their home. Side by side, the determined duo proves the heart of a champion never dies.

My Dog the Champion, a story of friendship, love, teamwork, and challenges, is a must-have release for families nationwide. The film is executive produced by Arthur E. Benjamin, the founder of the American Dog Rescue, an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that works to rescue and promote the health and well-being of dogs and other animals all across the world. In addition, Scout, the movie’s starring dog, is herself a rescue!

We received this DVD to review and loved it! I especially loved the whole story of friendship and my son always loves a heart-warming animal story! I highly recommend this for all families! The film makes you laugh, may make you cry but it is a heart-warming story that I really enjoyed!

We are having a Giveaway! Simply leave us a comment below about your favorite animal story or movie! One winner will win the DVD! Deadline to enter is February 7th, 2014 at midnight. One winner will randomly be selected from all entries!

Self Disclosure: I received a DVD to facilitate this Review/Giveaway but any opinions expressed are my own.

About Anchor Bay Entertainment

Anchor Bay Entertainment is a leading home entertainment company.  Anchor Bay acquires and distributes feature films, original television programming, including STARZ Original series, children’s entertainment, anime (Manga Entertainment), fitness (Anchor Bay Fitness), sports, and other filmed entertainment on DVD and Blu-ray^™ formats.  The company has long term distribution agreements in place for select programming with AMC Networks, RADiUS, and The Weinstein Company.  Headquartered in Beverly Hills, CA, Anchor Bay Entertainment has offices in Troy, MI, as well as Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.  Anchor Bay Entertainment (www.anchorbayentertainment.com) is a Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA, STRZB) business, www.starz.com.

My Dog the Champion

Street Date:                 February 4, 2014

Pre-Book:                    January 8, 2014

DVD Catalog #:          AF00336

DVD UPC #:              01313261669881

Audio:                         Dolby Digital 5.1
Aspect Ratio:              Anamorphic
Subtitles:                     English SDH, Spanish
Retail Price:                 $24.98
Genre:                         Action/Adventure, Family
Rating:                        G
Run Time:                   87 Mins
Year:                           2013