The time is now. The city is Paris. And two amazing heroes, Ladybug and Cat Noir, stand to protect its citizens against evildoers. But can this uncanny duo continue to keep their city safe from these dastardly ne’er-do-wells… and get their homework in on time?! That’s right. The superheroes known as Ladybug and Cat Noir are actually Marinette and Adrien, two young students with super-secret lives filled with super-awesome excitement! KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Calista B. comments, “This show is actually pretty entertaining. I am legitimately intrigued by the fascinating characters, the story and what is happening. As a big superhero fan, I can say, this is a good superhero style cartoon.” Rohan F., adds, “It is cool how they show scenes from both sides of the characters’ lives. We see them both as normal teenagers living with their parents to their hidden identities of crime-fighting, world-saving superheroes.” See their full reviews below.

Miraculous: Tales Of Ladybug And Cat Noir: Be Miraculous

By Calista B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 13

This show is actually pretty entertaining. I am legitimately intrigued by the fascinating characters, the story and what is happening. As a big superhero fan, I can say, this is a good superhero style cartoon.

The story is about two teenagers, Marinette and Adrien, who are granted the powers of “The Ladybug” and “The Cat. ” They use their new powers to fight evil villains that have started appearing in Paris. The friendship between these two characters is quite charming.

One thing I enjoy a lot about this show is the animation. I can’t exactly figure out why, but the animation feels different and I really like it. I especially like Ladybug and Cat Noir’s transformation scenes. I think they are really well done and nicely animated. Something about them gets me pumped for the fight scenes.

The characters are also really likeable, especially Marinette. She’s awkward and clumsy, but also smart and strong. She’s not the Queen Bee, instead she’s a Ladybug! I can see her as a positive role model for young girls. Adrien is also a good-natured, enjoyable character. I like both of them equally.

Most of the other characters are cool as well. I especially like Marinette’s best friend, Alya. I think she’s a quirky, funny, charming character and a good friend. She is supportive and kind. She also helps Marinette with her love life.

My only suggestion to the show’s creator is to make the main antagonist more exciting. He’s pretty bland and is honestly the only dull character in the show. He stands in a room, by himself, doing a monologue in all of his scenes in every episode. Super hero’s need an exciting villain to defeat. Another thing that’s interesting, is that this show is actually dubbed in English. It first aired in France, then in South Korea, then in America on Nickelodeon.

I give this show 4 out of 5 stars. I recommend it for kids between the ages of 6 to 12. I recommend it for kids of both genders. Girls will enjoy the main lead, while boys will enjoy the action and superheroes. Heads up though – the theme song is super catchy. You will be singing it in your head all night! In fact, I am singing it right now! This comes out on DVD on January 10, 2017 so, go check it out.

Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir: Be Miraculous

By Rohan D. F., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir: Be Miraculous is a fun and entertaining animated show on DVD. It is a set of seven short stories, including two episodes explaining how they get their powers., all on one DVD that brings the viewer through many exciting adventures. It is cool how they show scenes from both sides of the characters’ lives. We see them both as normal teenagers living with their parents to their hidden identities of crime-fighting, world-saving superheroes. It’s also exciting how both human teenagers each have a crush on the other’s superhero counterpart. This is a will they – won’t they theme that goes through the whole series.

The first origin story on the DVD is about how Ladybug and Cat Noir got their superpowers. They were given jewelry by an old man on the street that they randomly helped. The jewelry gave them powers  just in time to stop Hawk Moth’s rock monster called a stone hearth get his revenge on everyone who ever wronged him. In the second episode, they must try and save Paris from more stone hearths. In the third episode Animan, Ladybug and Cat Noir must fight another one of Hawk Moth’s monsters called Animan. The next episode, called Simon Says is about a hypnotist that gets controlled by Hawk Moth to capture Ladybug’s and Cat Noir’s powers. In pixelator one of Jagged Stone, a rock star, gets controlled by Hawk Moth and starts storing people digitally in is camera.

This DVD has some very clear storylines and detailed animation. It contains many bright colors and teaches some important lessons about teen life.  I would have liked to know more about how their  powers work and what Hawk Moths motives were.

My favorite episode was Simon Says.  I enjoyed this episode because it was very funny and had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. It also contained some of the coolest pieces of technology and has the deepest storyline of the bunch.

Each episode has its moral. Overall, the main moral is to be kind and not let negative feelings control you. Other lessons you could learn are that good always conquers evil and that if you believe in yourself you can do anything.

Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir: Be Miraculous is a fast-paced and entertaining DVD. I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars because it was very creative. I recommend it for ages 6 to 15.

Credit: KIDS FIRST!

The universe is in danger. The evil Snake extinguishes the stars as he passes through the galaxy, causing chaos and plunging the planets into darkness. The Little Prince must leave his Asteroid home and beloved friend, Rose, in his quest to outsmart the Snake and save the universe from doom. Accompanied by his trusted companion, the Fox, the Little Prince travels from planet to planet, braving danger and discovering vast and enchanted worlds. Will the extraordinary gifts of the Little Prince bring each of the planets back to life? And will he ever find his way home? KIDS FIRST! Film Rohan F. comments, “The Little Prince: The Planet the Snake is a twisting, action-packed animated show for kids.  It is based on characters from a famous book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry called The Little Prince. It comes as a set of three episodes that create one adventure-filled story.” Carla P. adds, “I like how the producers adapted this iconic novel into a contemporary animated video for kids.  Through this film, kids get to know another tale of adventures based on this classic children’s literature.” See their full reviews below.

The Little Prince: The Planet the Snake

By Rohan D. Foxe, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

The Little Prince: The Planet the Snake is a twisting, action-packed animated show for kids.  It is based on characters from a famous book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry called The Little Prince. It comes as a set of three episodes that create one adventure-filled story. It is fun, fast-paced and very exciting. I enjoyed how it made me feel for The Prince while keeping me excited and interested.

The Little Prince: The Planet the Snake is about The Little Prince’s journey to rescue his Rose who has been kidnapped by an evil Snake. The prince uses his magic, the help of his friends and his courage to follow the clues to get to the Snake’s planet.  He faces many treacheries and traps set up by the Snake on his journey, but he perseveres to rescue his Rose.

The series has some very detailed animation and the characters show some great expressions. The overall result  very visually interesting.  This DVD is a bit darker than other titles in The Little Prince series. I didn’t like how it references other episodes of the series because, this makes it unable to stand alone, but it does make me want to see the others! Aidan Drummond and Brian Drummond do the voices of The Little Prince and his Fox. Their expressions, like sadness and joy, are done with great character in their voices.

My favorite part of the DVD are the fight scenes between The Little Prince and the Gloomies. These are monsters that are created out of sadness and the loss of hope. These scenes are always very exciting and kept me on the edge of my seat. I also felt that they are spread out enough that they don’t get boring or repetitive but keep a consistent theme throughout the show.

The moral of the show is to never lose hope. I feel this is important because it teaches kids to never to give up on their dreams. It also teaches the importance and power of love and reassures us that good always conquers evil. The Little Prince: The Planet the Snake is an interesting film and makes a great addition to the The Little Prince series. I give it 5 out of 5 stars because it is dramatic and exciting. I recommend it for ages 5 to15. It is available on DVD January 10, 2017 so, go check it out.

The Little Prince: The Planet of the Snake

By Carla Paz, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 12

The Little Prince: The Planet of the Snake is one of the sequels of the series based on this book.   This is a wonderful movie for children and I like it because of its message.

Some of you might know the very popular novel The Little Prince by French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.  The Little Prince has been adapted into numerous forms over the decades, books, theater, film, audio record, as well as movies. The Little Prince: The Planet of the Snake is about a young boy that should leave his home planet with his companion Fox to try to defeat the snake that is creating chaos, putting the universe in danger and has also kidnapped his flower friend, Rose.  The Little Prince and Fox go on a quest to save Rose, but in their journey, they fight danger and go through many adventures. The Little Prince and Fox discover many interesting things in their journey to rescue Rose and protect the planets.  The other challenge is to find their way back home.

I like how the producers adapted this iconic novel into a contemporary animated video for kids.   Through this film, kids get to know another tale of adventures based on this classic children’s literature. The voice actors are quite wonderful. I particularly like Paul Dobson’s voice as the Snake as his sinister act was very believable.  The animation is modern CGI which brings this classic into a contemporary format.  However, the animation isn’t like a Disney film; it is more like the show Miraculous Ladybug.

My favorite character is Fox.  I love how comic he is and laughed a lot at his funny comments.  I also like how the Fox helps The Prince not lose hope when they think they lost Rose. The message of this movie is to not lose hope. The Prince loses hope but the Fox helps him carry on in saving Rose.   That is a good message for children. They can learn to help their friends when they feel sad or want to give up. I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 4 to 7. You can find this movie at your local store or on Amazon on January 10, 2017 so, go check it out.

Credit: KIDS FIRST!

12-year-old Conor, dealing with his mother’s illness, a less-than-sympathetic grandmother, and bullying classmates, finds a most unlikely ally when a Monster appears at his bedroom window. Ancient, wild, and relentless, the Monster guides Conor on a journey of courage, faith and truth. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Jolleen M. comments, “This film is just amazing! The monster is very realistic, the plot is new, unique and compelling, and the movie moved me to tears.” Brianna B. adds, “This movie adaptation, while a bit confusing, is touching at times and portrays a plethora of different visual aspects. It’s interesting and keeps you wondering what will happen next.” See their full reviews below.
A Monster Calls

By Jolleen M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic age 12

This film is just amazing! The monster is very realistic, the plot is new, unique and compelling, and the movie moved me to tears.

This is an adapted story from the award-winning novel. The story begins when Conor O’Malley (Lewis MacDougall) meets a monster (Liam Neeson) during what Conor thinks is a dream. Conor already has enough on his plate with bullies at his school, his mother’s (Felicity Jones) illness and the pressure that his grandmother (Sigourney Weaver) will take him away from his mother. Plus, Conor’s father is living far away where he cannot support his child through the mental and physical challenges that he  is undergoing.

Lewis MacDougall portrays Conor O’Malley extremely well. He draws the audience into his world and really makes them experience his pain. The way that MacDougall shows how Conor loves his mother and doesn’t want her to go makes everyone feel heartbroken. MacDougall pulls you in with his great acting skills that make this film enjoyable as your mood swings form tears of joy to extreme sadness throughout the whole movie.

The monster’s appearance looks extremely realistic. The monster’s body is very detailed with multiple branches sticking out of it and you see the branches grow and entangle everything they come across. I also love the sound effects. Whenever the monster wakes up and comes out of the ground, the sound of breaking branches and his growl are very realistic which make him seem completely real.

My favorite part of the movie is when Conor and his mother are together in his mother’s final moments and the monster is there watching over them. It is really touching to see them together, but sorrowful at the same time because, you know that the mother has to go. It really moved me seeing how much they love each other.

The message of this story is that you have to learn to face the truth and accept it. You can’t hide from your problems and expect them to go away. You must accept the truth. You have to be strong and learn to let go and move on.

This movie is really spectacular and riveting. I give it 5 out of 5 monster stars. I recommend it for ages 12 to 18. There is too much drama and death for younger viewers. You can find this movie in theaters January 6, 2017. It is truly wonderful and you should definitely check it out.

A Monster Calls

Brianna Hope B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 17

This movie adaptation, while a bit confusing, is touching at times and portrays a plethora of different visual aspects. It’s interesting and keeps you wondering what will happen next.

Conor O’Malley (Lewis MacDougall) is a 12-year-old boy who’s trying to cope with his mother’s terminal illness, being bullied at school and other problems. One night at exactly 12:07a.m., Conor is visited by The Monster (Liam Neeson) who, throughout the film, gives him advice on his situations and tells him stories.

I must say that the visuals have to be my favorite part of this film, from the live action to the CGI, to the visuals of water coloring. I love the detail everywhere, especially the attention to detail with the tree, the set and the wardrobe. It’s visually extremely pleasing. I also really enjoy how relatable the different situations are. There are plenty of kids being raised by a single parent, dealing with a sick relative or having nightmares.  The relatable moments are not just for kids however, there are some for adults as well. This is a good film that will make you laugh, cry, and sometimes get mad about how Conor is treated. It has little comedic moments, but not a lot.  Thee are just enough to lighten the mood. Overall, I like this film a lot, but there are a few things that I don’t particularly enjoy. I’m confused about the need for the tree stories or the need for the tree at all. The truth that Conor has to confess to the tree does not measure up to the angst or drama that is presented. I also feel that the film is a bit too long. Some of the scenes are drawn out. Liam Neeson’s deep voice with music enhancements is incredible. He is one remarkable Monster. His voice is strong, confident, and a little bit scary in the beginning, but afterwards, you get use to it. Lewis MacDougall’s performance is outstanding.  He’s in that in-between stage of being too old to be considered a child and definitely too young to be a man.  A young man you could say, but its still a difficult stage and he is doing great.

I recommend this film for ages 12 to 18. The title would lead you to believe that this is one scary film, however it’s not too bad. It’s rated PG 13 for the scary scenes, mentions of terminal cancer and bullying.  I give this film 3½ out of 5 stars, for its sometimes confusing plot and length. This film is in theaters January 6^th, so please check it out.

Credit: KIDS FIRST!

Looking for a delightful Children’s book?

This is one I highly recommend for young children! It is absolutely delightful!

The Secret Life of Lilykins — the charming children’s book debut from author Max Goodman is a Must-Read!

On the surface, Lilykins lives the life of a typical house cat. But Lilykins has another life – a secret life – that transports her to a world of incredible adventures.

This story is a fun one with beautiful illustrations!  I also like that there is diversity such as Lilykins and her cat brother have two dads and that it teaches about environmental awareness.

In twenty-six bright, beautifully illustrated pages, The Secret Life of Lilykins reveals to readers, through fun rhyming verse, the fantastical world of its feline protagonist. From hunting a “plain old pigeon, small and mild” who “turned into something else quite wild!” to lording over her couch cushion queendom and striking up conversation with her window perch pal, Mr. Squirrel, Lilykins is a clever, creative, and enchanting kitty who parents and children will delight in telling the tale of, time and time again.

About the Author:

Max Goodman lives in New York City with his husband and two very important cats. By day, he works as an advertising copywriter. The Secret Life of Lilykins is Max’s first book.

The Secret Life of Lilykins is currently available in paperback via Barnes & Noble and CreateSpace, and in both paperback and Kindle editions via Amazon.

Find The Secret Life of Lilykins on the web at http://lilykinsbook.com.

Self Disclosure: I received a free copy of the book to facilitate this post.

From the producers of The Blaze TV’s For the Record comes a documentary investigating the troubling rise of anti-Semitism in Europe, a story told through the eyes of a woman who fled to America in 2004 to escape it. Evelyn Markus was raised in Holland by parents who witnessed the growing anti-Jewish violence of the 1940s. Her parents survived the Holocaust when Allied soldiers liberated them in 1945. When Markus saw signs of the same disturbing trends returning to the Netherlands, she left the land her family called home for centuries. Today she confronts the hatred that drove her out, and embraces her life’s mission — to prevent one of history’s darkest chapters from repeating. The documentary is now available at The Blaze TV. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Gerry O. comments, “I absolutely love this documentary. Never Again is Now not only tells inspirational stories of the Holocaust, but also brings to light problems that are taking place in the world today that many people know nothing about.” See his full review below.

Never Again is Now

By Gerry O., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 14

I absolutely love this documentary. Never Again is Now not only tells inspirational stories of the Holocaust, but also brings to light problems that are taking place in the world today that many people know nothing about. In Europe, there is a rise in anti-Semitism, with no foreseeable end. This documentary informs you about this hidden threat in a compelling and passionate way.

Never Again is Now focuses on educating the world about what is happening in Europe. The stories they reveal are inspiring, but also dramatic, very sad and unbelievably real. Especially when the creator talks about how her door was marked with a pink Star of David, not just targeting her and her wife as Jews but indicating, in a Nazi fashion, that they are a gay couple.

The documentary starts with stories of families who lost someone in the Holocaust or who witnessed the horrible acts of Nazi Germany first-hand. A unique aspect of the film shows the American Veterans who liberated cities from Nazi Germany’s hold and discovered the concentration camps. They never knew they existed, nor were they trained to ever deal with such things or to have empathy for the survivors. The movie then talks about the rise of Anti-Semitism in countries such as Netherlands, France and United Kingdom. It talks about events that took place from 2001 to 2015, the rise of hate speech and assaults on Jewish people and Israel. The entire documentary keeps referring to one strong message, the necessity to inform people and not let those who try to destroy Judaism and destroy its communities win.

What Never Again is Now does so well is it tell the history of the Holocaust and draw a parallel to today, while delicately connecting the two. Many documentaries do either one but rarely both and this truly allows you to listen to people who experienced concentration camps and the Nazi rule that happened 70 years ago, is happening again. The narration is done by Evelyn Markus, who is also the creator of Never Again is Now. Her vision not only makes the whole story flow brilliantly, but has other excelling aspects. One of its most unique things it brings out is how many Islamic people were raised to believe Jewish people are horrible. It shows how these people grew up hating Jews, without even knowing anything about the atrocities of the Holocaust.

My favorite scene is when the film shows the Veterans who liberated a train heading to a death camp. We hear stories of WWII Veterans who fought bravely to free Europe from Hitler’s rule, but you never hear stories of how they handled liberating the concentration camps. A Veteran talks about how they had never heard the words concentration camp before and never were trained to be a humanitarian in any fashion. When they freed those who survived the train, they had to take them to a liberated city with artillery on its way. I love this scene because it just shows such a unique aspect I have never seen in a documentary before. The art direction is also beautiful. They make old black and white photographs look almost 3D and move just a slight bit to attempt to bring them to life.

Despite this being a film everyone should watch, it is very mature. I recommend it to ages 11 to 18. Parents should know that it does not hide the truth in any way. It talks openly and directly about issues and brutalities of the world. I give Never Again is Now 5 out of 5 stars for its fantastic narration, story, message, concept and special effects. This is one the most meaningful documentaries I have ever seen. I urge kids and adults to see it, not just because I’m Jewish, but because, when hate like this rises in the world, it eventually affects everyone, not just one ethnic group. This film is in limited release. For a list of screenings, go to http://www.neveragainisnowfilm.com

Credit: KIDS FIRST!