Archives for April 2015

This 21st Century version of Paddington comes with all the charm that this classic British character deserves. Now out on DVD, it has lots of insightful bonus features to enhance the viewing experience. The storyline follows a young Peruvian bear who travels to London in search of a home. Finding himself lost and alone at Paddington Station, he meets the kindly Brown family, who offer him a temporary haven. KIDS FIRST! Critic Samantha comments, “This movie is great movie that is funny and enjoyable in every way.” Kamren adds, “This movie is hilarious and heartwarming. Paddington has so many good parts it is hard to choose just one.” See their reviews below.

Paddington

By Kamren W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 8

Paddington is a British film based on the book A Bear Called Paddington, by Michael Bond. This movie is about a young bear from Peru and his crazy adventures in London, England. The movie shows how one family learns to love and accept Paddington as their own.

This film stars Tim Downie as Montgomery Clyde, Ben Wishaw as Paddington, Hugh Bonneville as Henry Brown Sally Hawkins as Mary Brown, Nicole Kidman as Millicent (Montgomery’s daughter). All of the actors and actresses have British accents, even Nicole Kidman who is Australian. This to me, makes the film seem more authentic.

This movie is hilarious and heartwarming. Paddington has so many good parts it is hard to choose just one. One of my favorite scenes is when Paddington is in the bathroom and he mistakenly floods it. This is my favorite because it shows how curious Paddington is. The part that I disliked is when the explorer’s daughter (Nicole Kidman) wants to do something mean to Paddington.

The visual effects don’t look real but they are exciting. I like the realness of Paddington the bear. The visual effects team, Framestore does a fine job in making this bear warm and cuddly from his wet nose to his flowing fur. I love that Paul King (Director) stays true to Michael Bond’s original story. Paddington contains a hidden message about being caring and working together, without having too much drama.

This movie is rated PG for mild language. I did not understand some of the British wording, so I recommend this film to kids ages 6 to 18. This is a great film for the whole family to enjoy together. Younger kids will enjoy the many adventures Paddington experiences and older kids and adults will appreciate the entire story. The film proves that a family feature does not have to be too silly or mean. This is a total feel-good movie. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. The DVD/Blu-ray has a few bonus features which show how the movie was made, gives you insight into the characters and more.

Paddington

Samantha A., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

Paddington is a heart-warming family film about a small curious bear living in Peru with his aunt and uncle. They have been talking about a trip to England for 40 years but never got around to actually going, because they never had a good enough reason to go. One day, they get a reason to go but it’s very tragic and unfortunately, only Paddington can go on this long and tiring journey by himself.

This DVD of the movie contains many bonus features that are very fun to watch and give a different perspective on the movie and its characters. Some of the bonus features include a lyric video to the song “Shine,” one of the songs featured in the film, by Gwen Stefani and Pharrell Williams. Another bonus features lets you “meet the characters.” This is basically and inside look at the actors and their feelings about the movie while it was being made as well as the finished product. There are also two bonus features about Paddington coming to life during animation and another about how Paddington evolved from the pages of the book and then became a very well-loved animated character.

Another thing that is great about this movie are the actors – Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters and Nicole Kidman. Their performances are outstanding and extremely entertaining. While watching the movie you can see their characters progress and watch them change in thoughts and feelings. It’s something I always like to see in movies because it makes it all that much more interesting to watch. Another reason I like the actors in this film is because their roles tell a little bit about them when they are not acting. This is part of the “meet the characters” bonus feature.

This movie is great movie that is funny and enjoyable in every way. I give it 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 15. At times, the humor is “silent humor” and some things are hard to understand but they are funny if you “get” them. It is certainly a great film for the whole family!

Credit: KIDS FIRST! Coming Attractions, www.kidsfirst.org

Storied Streets explores homelessness across America by telling the stories of those who live it every day. Storied Streets explores the issue of homelessness across the country. The journey starts in LA and ends in New York covering 13 cities across the country. The film will shatter the stereotypes most of us have about the homeless population. Their stories are real, raw and compelling. These stories, coupled with the fact that right now homelessness is growing at an unprecedented rate in America, is the genesis behind this film. It will provide a window into their struggles, question stereotypes and change the way you feel about homelessness. Directed by Thomas A. Morgan & Jack Henry Robbins. Executive Produced by Susan Sarandon & Morgan Spurlock.

Storied Streets

Reviewed by Gerry O., KIDS FIRST! Critic, Age 13

See Interviews below:

This film completely destroys the stereotypical image of the homeless and makes you rethink what you should have said to that person you saw on the street. Storied Streets is truly inspiring and I believe everyone should watch it.

This is a documentary. But, it tells stories like none other that are not only terrible and sad, but also inspirational and heartwarming. The story looks at different homeless people and shows that they are not people who are lazy and just want to make money without any work. It shows hard working people who just, sadly, can’t afford a home. And, because of that, they are dehumanized and try not to appear homeless because they believe it is shameful.

This documentary not does a phenomenal job of showing statistics and evidence of this problem and what should be brought to our attention. It also shows how we as normal, every day people can easily fix it. This is something that a lot of documentaries don’t have. This film is well produced and directed which makes it enjoyable to watch and thought provoking at the same time.

One of my favorite stories in the film is about a boy who is now around 18-years-old. His mother abandoned him in his freshman year of high school and, instead of finding her, he concentrated on his education and worked hard. He doesn’t appear to be homeless and is pretty much the complete opposite of what you might think to be a homeless person. I was happy to see that he is now going to college.

This film is rather mature so I recommend this to ages 12 to 18 and give it 5 out of 5 stars. It is a well told story and also offers good pro-active solutions for dealing with homelessness. This film is playing in select theaters now and is available for digital download and streaming.

Credit: KIDS FIRST! Coming Attractions, www.kidsfirst.org

Veteran documentarian Albert Maysles shares the life story of Iris Apfel, the quick-witted, flamboyantly dressed 93-year-old style maven who has had an outsized presence on the New York fashion scene for decades. More than a fashion film, the documentary is a story about creativity and how, even at Iris’ advanced age, a soaring free spirit continues to inspire. Iris portrays a singular woman whose enthusiasm for fashion, art and people are life’s sustenance and reminds us that dressing, and indeed life, is nothing but an experiment. Despite the abundance of glamour in her current life, she continues to embrace the values and work ethic established during a middle-class Queens upbringing during the Great Depression. I feel lucky to be working. If you’re lucky enough to do something you love, everything else follows. KIDS FIRST! Critic Kendyl P. comments, “Iris is very witty, funny and inspirational. Even in her 90s, she continues to educate young aspiring fashion designers.” See her full review below.

Iris                  

Kendyl Powell, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 13

Iris is a great documentary, particularly if you have a passion for fashion.  Iris Apfel is a 94-year-old woman who embraces her unique eye for fashion and style. She takes the simplest things from shops and stores all over town and dresses them up in a variety of ways. She accessorizes her clothing by accenting them with very large and unique pieces of jewelry. Large pearl necklaces with big, bright colorful bracelets are only a few items that Iris uses.  She believes each outfit needs to have color and sometimes lots of it.  A lot of designers and fashion icons love her style and creativity.

The message of this documentary, produced by veteran documentarian Albert Maysles, is “success is a sacrifice.” Iris talks about how she always wanted to have kids, travel and have a successful career. She realized that she could not have it all and be successful. She did not want her kids to be raised by someone else. So, she chose to purse her career and travel the world with her husband, Carl Apfel.  Although Iris did not have kids as she once hoped, she still feels successful and that her life has made a positive impact in the fashion industry.

Iris is very witty, funny and inspirational. Even in her 90s, she continues to educate young aspiring fashion designers. She believes it will be a lost art if people do not learn the history of fashion and its origin.

The film Iris is a wonderful documentary. It is perfect for girls and boys ages 13 to 18-years-old who aspire to learn more about the fashion industry.  Even if you are not in the industry and want to watch a good film about a wise woman who continues to inspire others, this film is a perfect selection. Iris will be released in select theaters April 29, 2015. I give this movie 4 out of 5 shining stars.

Credit: KIDS FIRST!