Archives for June 2014

Every summer film line up should have a heart-warming love story, right? Well, this one suits the bill but isn’t quite like the usual fare that comes out this time of year. Based on the novel by John Green, the story follows two teens that meet and fall in love at a cancer support group. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Raven D., age 16 comments, “I was very hesitant when I saw that they were making a film based off of the novel by John Green because the book is so amazing and I wasn’t sure if a movie would do it justice. But this film goes above and beyond.” Jailene A., age 13 adds, “This movie shows the hardships of being in love and fighting for your life in such a beautiful but realistic manner. I absolutely love this film.” See their full reviews below.

The Fault In Our Stars

Reviewed by Jailene Arias, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13.

Never have I seen a movie so heart wrenching as this one. The Fault In Our Stars is an exceptional movie that will have you crying, laughing and anxious all at the same time. It is based on the amazing novel written by John Green. In this movie, Shailene Woodley plays Hazel Grace, a girl diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. Ansel Elgort plays Gus Waters who is diagnosed with cancer as well. They fell in love with each other the way we fall asleep, slowly and then all at once. Their journey goes from meeting their favorite author in Amsterdam to rushing to the hospital for immediate chemotherapy.  This movie shows the hardships of being in love and fighting for your life in such a beautiful but realistic manner. I absolutely love this film.

There are so many great aspects about this movie that it’s hard to highlight a few. However, one of my favorite things is the whole plot and its meaning. It creatively captures a teenager’s perspective of love but also of dealing with cancer. It reaches out to a younger audience but still allows an older audience to enjoy it.  John Green knows how to grab the audience’s attention by intertwining the two most heart-wrenching aspects of life – love and death. Another thing I really love about the movie is how well it depicts the book it is based on. I read the book a few months ago and I loved how the director put in just enough of the details to keep its authenticity. I didn’t feel like there was anything missing. Overall, this movie is extremely great and I want everyone to enjoy it as I did.

My favorite character is Hazel Grace Lancaster. Hazel is witty and smart but also strong and understands things. She teaches Gus a lot about books and how not to be afraid of oblivion. Hazel knows she’s going to die but she accepts that and she wants her parents to accept that too. I think a lot of teens going through love or even pain can relate to Hazel Grace.

My favorite scene is when Hazel, Gus and Isaac go to Isaac’s ex-girlfriend’s house. Isaac’s ex-girlfriend, Monica, dumped Isaac because he was going to have eye surgery which would leave him blind. Right before the surgery, Monica dumped Isaac and never even asked if he was okay. Hazel, Gus and Isaac want revenge so they go to egg her house. This part is so funny because Isaac is blind and he can’t see where he’s throwing the eggs. This struck me as so funny because he’s throwing the eggs in the bushes and at the trees but Hazel and Gus try to keep his spirit up by giving him encouragement. It is just a funny scene.

I recommend this movie for ages 12 to 18 because it is a lot to comprehend and some of the information about death may be too much for young children. I am 14 and have never cried so much in two hours. This is an amazing movie and I give it 5 out of 5 stars. This is a great movie for teens to go out and watch with friends. It comes out this weekend so make sure you get to watch this movie, you won’t regret it!

The Fault in Our Stars

Reviewed by Raven Devanney

The Fault in Our Stars based on the best-selling novel by John Green is a beautiful, refreshing and witty love story about two teenagers and the remarkable love they share. Hazel, played by Shailene Woodley, is a teen girl living with cancer. Accompanied by her oxygen tank, she attends support groups in the hopes that it will ease her parents worry for her. One day at a group gathering, she meets a boy unlike any she has ever met before. Augustus Waters is a cancer patient with a prosthetic leg and a heart of gold. The two of them bond immediately over their shared sense of humor and disdain for ordinary things. The two of them go through incredible ups and downs dealing with their illnesses while taking a beautiful journey of love places the never thought they’d go.

This film is incredible. I was very hesitant when I saw that they were making a film based off of the novel by John Green because the book is so amazing and I wasn’t sure if a movie would do it justice. But this film goes above and beyond. It stays so true to the characters and their personalities. The feel of the book is captured perfectly in the film and I cannot wait to see it again. The sets and locations are great because it really shows everything as I imagined it in the book. I feel like everything is as it should be. They even captured Hazel’s depressing and run down swing set exactly as I imagined it. The musical score by Mike Mogis and Nate Walcott fits the film amazingly well. It really helps carry the emotions throughout the film and is wonderful to listen to.

I’m very pleased with the actors chosen for this film. I honestly did not imagine Shailene Woodley when I thought of actresses to play Hazel Grace but, she does an incredible job portraying her. Hazel is such a wonderful character. She looks at the world in such a unique and honest way and is such a genuine person. She has a very interesting, witty personality and even though her life seems very bleak at times, she is a very positive. John Green created such a complex character while also keeping her extremely real and I think Shailene was the perfect choice to play such an imperfect role.

I think what makes this film so amazing is its uniqueness. You don’t hear many stories about two teenagers with cancer meeting and falling so deeply in love at a support group. Yet, even though this film is so unique, it sends a universal message about love and loss that everyone can relate to in some way. This film is so refreshingly real and authentic and I think it’s been a while since I’ve seen that in theaters. We get so caught up with all the explosions and fantasy and unrealistic scenarios that big blockbuster films bombard us with that it’s really nice to finally see a film like this. These two individuals are able to share such a deep connection and love each other for all of their flaws and quirks, which is something that everyone deserves to have in their life. This film shows love on such a real level in so many ways, from romantic love to the love of parents and children. But it also shows loss and heartbreak just the same. I can’t accurately describe everything I felt while watching this movie, but I can say that it is epic.

The entire audience was sobbing by the end and this film does look at life and death in a very blunt and real fashion. There are also a few moments with mature language and some sexual situations so I recommend this film for ages 13 to 18. I think this is a must see and definitely a wonderful summer film, whether or not you’re a teen. This is a wonderful love story that everyone in their teens and older should experience. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars so make sure you see this remarkable film in theaters June 6th!

Credit: KIDS FIRST! Film Critics