Archives for May 2014

Here is a remarkable film about the cult film director Alejandro Jodorowsky whose ambitious attempts to create a film based on Frank Herbert’s seminal science fiction novel, “Dune,” failed but ultimately changed modern science fiction filmmaking forever. The names dropped in this film are nothing short of fantastic and the story insightful – not just for the world of filmmaking but life in general. When is a failure not a failure? “When I first started watching this film, I thought it was a story about a director but, it is completely different, unexpected and unique,” comments KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Gerry O, age 12. His full review is below.

Jodorowsky’s Dune
Reviewed by Gerry Orz, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 12

What an inspirational and meaningful story. When I first started watching this film, I thought it was a story about a director but, it is completely different, unexpected and unique. It is the marvelous story about Jodorowsky’s Dune journey.

This documentary has tons to offer if you are a sci-fi fan or simply interested in inspirational stories. It is thrilling, funny and interesting, especially for cinema enthusiasts like me. I also believe that anyone who loves classics will enjoy it as well. The documentary is unique and different, in its own way.

The story is about a “French Steven Spielberg” named Alejandro Jodorowsky who made famous and mind-blowing films that always had a deeper meaning behind them. He had a dream of making a movie based on the famous book “Dune” by Frank Herbert. We join this extremely inspiring adventure where he tries to make this film but sadly fails after two years of hard work. Fortunately, his work is not wasted as it became the basis for many sci-fi movies that followed thus making Jodorowsky’s dream become bigger than he could have ever imagined.

I absolute loved this documentary. The angles of the camera are very different, never fixed on one person or one place, which makes it look like you are there in the same room with the people that are talking. It includes narration by people that helped make the film which fits really nicely. The director also includes clips from some of the films that used some of Jodorowsky’s ideas to support what the narrator is discussing. That made me want to watch those films. The layout is unique and clean because it shows the passing of time. Since the film was never made, they animated the drawings to give you an idea of how it would have look had it been finished. That, in turn, made me want to watch it over and over again. The story inspired me and will inspire others.

My favorite part is when they talk about the very opening scene. The scene opens in a galaxy than zooms in on a specific area. For the 70s, this was very advanced and hard to do. Since they drew it, the animators made it come to life in the documentary. Also, at the end, the film shows how this work inspired other producers to create similar shots. There is a secret meaning, which I love, and that is advanced and was never before done.

This movie has a lot of adult content and terminology so I recommend it for ages 13 to 18 and give it 5 out of 5 stars. Be sure to look for this in theaters on June 14.

Reviewed by Gerry O., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

Looking for something special for your preschoolers? Check out Poppy Cat: Birthday Treasure and Other Adventures based on the British author Lara Kate Jones and airing on Sprout. The series is seen through the eyes of Poppy’s imaginative young owner, a little girl named Lara. Each episode tells the tale of a very special cat and her colorful band of friends as they embark on extraordinary adventures through fantastical lands. “A great thing about this DVD is that it makes my imagination fly. I immediately wanted to create boots that had magnets in them so that I could walk on walls, just like Rocket Cat,” comments KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Jeremy B., age 7. Morgan B. (age 9) adds, “My favorite character is Alma because she is an adorable white bunny with a cute Southern accent.”

Poppy Cat: Birthday Treasure and Other Adventures|
Reviewed by Jeremy B., age 7, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

Poppy Cat: Birthday Treasure and Other Adventures is an exciting, funny, and adventurous series of animated films for preschoolers. They are based on the best-selling books by Lara Jones. There are lots of bright colors and friendly characters throughout the film which will keep kids entertained for a long time.

This DVD is a collection of seven animated films. In the main episode, Poppy Cat celebrates her birthday. She receives a lot of presents from her friends including a treasure map. Poppy and her friends journey to the Mystery Jungle to find the treasure.

Each episode on this DVD takes you on a different adventure and they all are really cute. The characters are friendly and treat each other nicely, which is good for preschoolers to see.  Each episode only lasts for eleven minutes so it is a good length for young children whose attention span is pretty short. The episodes are full of bright colors that are very appealing and I think young children will really like. The music is very pleasant too. My favorite episode is “Marshmallow Mines” because one of my favorite characters, Rocket Cat, is in it. Rocket Cat is brave and thankful throughout the episode, which I really appreciate and I know parents will too. Another great thing about this DVD is that it made my imagination fly. I immediately wanted to create boots that had magnets in them so that I could walk on walls, just like Rocket Cat.

What I like best about Poppy Cat: Birthday Treasure and Other Adventures is that each episode teaches an important lesson about friendship and teamwork. At the end of each segment, Poppy Cat’s owner explains the message and gives examples.

I give this DVD 5 out of 5 stars because it is educational, adventurous and funny. I recommend it for kids ages 2 to5, especially for kids who like animals, music and bright colors.  I think young kids will really enjoy the friendly and silly characters.

Poppy Cat: Birthday Treasures and Other Adventures
By Morgan B., age 9, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

Are you ready for fun and adventure?

Our stories begin with Poppy’s owner, Lara, telling her cat a story. In Poppy Cat:

Birthday Treasures and other Adventures we see seven episodes with Poppy’s friends – Owl, Zuzu, Mo, Egbert and Alma. My favorite character is Alma because she is an adorable white bunny with a cute Southern accent.

I loved “The Birthday Treasure” because it has lots of adventures. This episode is about Poppy receiving a treasure map for her birthday and following the treasure map as it leads them to a mysterious jungle. A Bad Robot attacks Poppy and her gang’s favorite superhero, Rocket Cat so they take a spaceship to see if they can help him. When Owl performs his magic show, Owl makes Zuzu’s skateboard accidentally disappear. Then, Owl’s magic wand breaks and the gang must find a way to fix it or lose the skateboard forever. This leads them to a dark and dangerous cave. “Sunken Ship” has the gang making a statue for their friend the Frog Prince.  Egbert the Badger ruins the day by telling them they need gold for their statue and they set out to find some. They head to the ocean in hopes of finding a sunken ship full of treasure. “Bumble Fumble” is about a bird that loses her baby egg. Poppy Cat and friends are at a picnic and they spot the lost polka dotted egg. Owl notices that the egg is from a Bumble Fumble who is known for his poor eyesight and the gang tries to find the mother and the nest. “Cheese Mountain” begins when the gang slides down a slide and decides to go to Cheese Mountain. “Marshmallow Mines” is another story featuring Rocket Cat. The electricity goes out during a show and they decide to help Rocket Cat out of his marshmallow world.

All the episodes feature Egbert the Badger causing some sort of trouble. Plus, there are all kinds of ways that they travel – an airplane, rocket ship, car, submarine and a hot air balloon. My favorite was the rocket ship. I like the animation of the ship traveling in space.

I really enjoyed the DVD because it took back to my youth when I used to love watching Poppy Cat on Sprout. I recommend this for ages 2 to 9. I loved this DVD because it is fun and full of adventure.

Credit: KIDS FIRST! Coming Attractions