Archives for 2021

When middle-schooler Emily Elizabeth (Darby Camp) meets a magical animal rescuer (John Cleese) who gifts her a little, red puppy, she never anticipated waking up to find a giant ten-foot hound in her small New York City apartment. While her single mom (Sienna Guillory) is away for business, Emily and her fun but impulsive uncle Casey (Jack Whitehall) set out on an adventure that will keep you on the edge-of-your-seat as our heroes take a bite out of the Big Apple. Based on the beloved Scholastic book character, Clifford will teach the world how to love big!

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Benjamin P. comments, “Clifford the Big Red Dog is the kind of lightweight, zippy children’s entertainment that keeps kids engaged and parents from eyeing the theater’s exits.” Giana N. adds, “Clifford the Big Red Dog is an action-packed film, filled with fun adventures and non-stop-entertainment. It’s based off the original show from the 2000s, but it’s made more modern. If you are a fan of the original Clifford the Big Red Dog, then you will definitely enjoy this.” Selene W. adds, “The message of this film is that love comes in many shapes and sizes.  Being different doesn’t exclude you from being loved, but rather expands love’s possibilities.  Clifford teaches Darby how love can bring new experiences and confidence when you allow it to grow.” See their full reviews below.

Clifford The Big Red Dog

Giana N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 10

Clifford the Big Red Dog is an action-packed film, filled with fun adventures and non-stop-entertainment. It’s based off the original show from the 2000s, but it’s made more modern. If you are a fan of the original Clifford the Big Red Dog, then you will definitely enjoy this.

The storyline follows Emily Elizabeth (Darby Camp) who is an outcast at her new school and, while her mom is away, she is being taken care of by her Uncle Casey (Jack Whitehall) who is a bit irresponsible. On her way to school she comes across an animal petting tent and meets Clifford, a little red dog. One morning she wakes up and Clifford is ten feet tall. Emily needs to find a way to get Clifford small again before she gets into a whole lot of trouble.

My favorite aspect of the film is that this one keeps to the same concept as the original show. Although Clifford starts out as a small puppy, he grows bigger and bigger the more he feels loved by Emily Elizabeth. And the bigger he gets, the more noticeable he is to everyone. Clifford is obviously animated and you know he’s not real. However, the animation makes him look pretty realistic and he’s so cute. I also like the relationships Emily had with her family and friends. Even though the officials claim Clifford belongs to someone else, the people that are closest to Emily stick with her until the end. My favorite character is Uncle Casey because he is funny and fun to be around. He is hilarious when the time is right, and he also knows how to be serious, keep focused and get the job done when he needs to. The acting in this film is just really believable. With all the emotional and exciting scenes in this film, you’ll find yourself entertained the whole time. You may even shed a tear while watching.                                                                                    

The message of Clifford The Big Red Dog is that it’s okay to be different. Everybody is different and it’s a normal thing. So we should just accept each other the way we are.

I rate Clifford The Big Red Dog 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 18, plus adults. It opens in theaters and on Paramount+ November 10, 2021. Be sure to check it out!

Clifford the Big Red Dog

By Benjamin P. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 16

Clifford the Big Red Dog is the kind of lightweight, zippy children’s entertainment that keeps kids engaged and parents from eyeing the theater’s exits. It doesn’t stray away from what Clifford stands for, but it fundamentally misunderstands what has made Clifford’s adventures iconic.

Emily Elizabeth (Darby Camp) is a pre-teen on a scholarship at her private school, picked on by her classmates for her comparative lack of wealth. She trudges home each day, worn down by her classmates’ ridicule, but that changes when her mom has to leave town and her unruly Uncle Casey (Jack Whitehall) arrives. On the way to school, they come across a tent shrouded in mystery with an eccentric owner named Mr. Bridwell (John Cleese), and there they find a little red dog named Clifford. Casey lets his niece know she can’t take the puppy home and, despite her sunken shoulders and the hanging head, she agrees. But little Clifford gets into her backpack and later she finds him. Emily wishes that she and the dog would grow big and strong so they could be protected from the world’s cruelty. A tear tinged with magic runs down her face and brushes against Clifford’s bright red fur and—just like that!—the next day, he’s grown to his familiar grand size.

Emily and Clifford’s serenity is short-lived, and you can’t keep a 10-foot dog a secret for long; from there, Emily, the dog and her uncle, dash back and forth across New York City in search of a home for Clifford as a genetics company wants to harness Clifford’s traits for their next product and tries to capture him.

Clifford the Big Red Dog gets lost in grounding their characters in the real world. The simplicity of the Clifford stories is part of what make these best-selling books so well-known and loved.  As this story goes deeper into the corporate troubles of the genetics company, the fun of placing Clifford in the real world isn’t developed, with the exception of Clifford chasing a giant inflatable ball across a park.  Also, there is a bit of a message in this film that the minute you are made fun of, that you should put your aggressor through the same humiliation which did not sit right with me.

I give Clifford the Big Red Dog 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 13 for some crude and rude humor as well as some cruelty toward a bully. Clifford the Big Red Dog paws its way into theaters and onto Paramount+ November 10, 2021.

Clifford the Big Red Dog 

By Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13  

Adventure has never been bigger than in Clifford the Big Red Dog, based on the beloved Scholastic book series.  This movie really grows on you as quickly as Clifford grows from a small puppy to a big red dog.

Clifford the Big Red Dog is a story about Emily Elizabeth Howard (Darby Camp) who is gifted an adorable red puppy after she and her Uncle Casey (Jack Whitehall) discover a magical pet rescuer (John Cleese) on their way to school.  The puppy grows overnight into a big red dog and Emily Elizabeth and her uncle have many adventures trying to adjust to Clifford’s new size and the various problems that arise.  An antagonist shows up to seize Clifford for his scientific experiments. Emily Elizabeth and her friends rescue Clifford and, in the end, it is Clifford that rescues Emily.

My favorite character is obviously Clifford, but I also enjoyed Jack Whitehall’s (Uncle Casey) performance which is so humorous, especially the interesting situations as he tries to grow into his role as the supervising adult.  Darby Camp (Emily Elizabeth) really shows a great deal of emotional depth as her special bond with Clifford grows along with his size.  My favorite scene is the one where Clifford is playing fetch with a blow-up ball in New York City’s Central Park.  I really enjoyed all of the New York scenery and characters from the Big Apple which add to the story.

The message of this film is that love comes in many shapes and sizes.  Being different doesn’t exclude you from being loved, but rather expands love’s possibilities.  Clifford teaches Darby how love can bring new experiences and confidence when you allow it to grow.

I rate Clifford the Big Red Dog 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 10, plus adults who will enjoy the humor as well. The film is available in theaters and on Paramount+ November 10, 2021. Don’t miss this classic story as it comes to life!

English artist Louis Wain rises to prominence at the end of the 19th century for his surreal cat paintings that seemed to reflect his declining sanity. After his father’s death, Louis Wain tries to look after his five sisters and his mother as a freelance artist. He is fortunate that Sir William Ingram, editor of the Illustrated London News, offers him a job as an illustrator. His life takes another positive turn when Emily Richardson, the new governess of his sisters, steps into it. She becomes the love of his life, and soon they take in a stray kitten they call Peter. It is unusual in the Victorian era to keep a cat as a pet, and the cat pictures that Louis paints from then on are just as unusual.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ethan P. comments, “I like The Electrical Life of Louis Wain because I learned facts about electricity that I didn’t know before. I learned to see electricity in a different way. What I like about this movie is that it is based on the life of the painter Louis Wain and it is filled with drama, comedy, romance and tragic events.” Mikella G. adds, “I really like The Electrical life of Louis Wain because it is intense and emotional, but still very attention grabbing. It really locks you in and reveals a shocking, but heartwarming story.” See their full reviews below.

The Electrical Life of Louis Wain

Ethan P., KIDS FIRST!, Film Critic, Age 13

The scenes in this film are exquisite, showing Victorian style furniture, houses and beautiful landscapes of 1880s London. The costumes are also from the Victorian era. We see British traditions like drinking tea at midday, visiting the opera house to watch a film and gossiping between nosey neighbors. The instrumental music is very appealing as well. The movie is narrated by Olivia Coleman. I believe this film will be nominated for Best Picture of 2021 and I predict Benedict Cumberbatch will be nominated for Best Actor, because his performance as Louis Wain from each stage of his life is magnificent. Mr. Wain’s world was full of eccentric and colorful imagination. His infatuation with cats made him one of the most acclaimed painters of his era. His last work was about cats wearing Victorian outfits and acting as humans. What if Mr. Wain was smart enough to see beyond what normal people can see?

The moral of this film is to understand that mental health, besides being an illness, can also be a gift, if treated. This film does contain some mature content and strong language.

I give The Electrical Life of Louis Wain 5 out of 5 stars and recommended to ages 12 to 18. plus adults. The movie will be released in theaters and on Amazon Prime November 5, 2021. And remember, if you or your loved ones suffer from mental health, don’t hesitate to look for help. Mental health requires a great deal of attention and it needs to be faced and dealt with.

The Electrical life of Louis Wain

By Mikella G, KIDS FIRST!, Film Critic, age 15

I really like The Electrical life of Louis Wain because it is intense and emotional, but still very attention grabbing. It really locks you in and reveals a shocking, but heartwarming story.

This storyline is set in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It follows Louis Wain (Benedict Cumberbatch) as he navigates his way through life. Louis is an aspiring artist, most known for his infamous cat paintings, and always looks at things from a different perspective. He goes through quite a bit of trauma, but learns from it and never gives up his loves and passions in life.

Something that I really enjoy about this film is the acting. Each of the actors brings a raw, genuine feeling to their character and each character has its own storyline. I was really drawn to Marie’s (Hayley Squires) character, which is one of Louis’ younger sisters. She is a very complex character with so many emotions. In addition, Claire Foy, who plays Emily, really intrigued me. Emily is Louis’s wife and is a uniquely emotional character. All her lines have a very specific meaning, and Claire really brings them forward. Another thing I enjoyed is the time period; the film takes place in the late 1800s and early 1900s, a time period I particularly enjoy. The wardrobe from that time period is something I love, particularly the costumes of all the women wearing these extremely detailed dresses. Each of Louis’ sisters has a personal that matches the times. Even Marie (Anya Mackenna), who is so young, wears outfits suited to the era. Plus, the house interiors show us so much about what life was like back then, including what kind of technology they used.

The message of this film is that, no matter how many obstacles life throws at you, if you strive for better days then they will come. This film does include some profanity.
I give The Electrical Life of Louis Wain 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. The Electrical Life of Louis Wain releases in theaters and on Amazon Prime November 5, 2021

Cute cats, quirky crafts and colorful magic! Join kitty enthusiast Gabby and her sidekick Pandy Paws as they team up for a series of animated adventures. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Kyla C. comments, “Season 3 of Gabby’s Dollhouse is coming, and you can’t miss it! With impeccable acting, adorable animation, cute songs, fantastic characters and educational values, Gabby’s Dollhouse is a must-see for any little kid or little kid at heart.” See her full review below.  

Gabby’s Dollhouse

By Kyla C, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 12

Season 3 of Gabby’s Dollhouse is coming, and you can’t miss it! With impeccable acting, adorable animation, cute songs, fantastic characters and educational values, Gabby’s Dollhouse is a must-see for any little kid or little kid at heart.

Each episode of Gabby’s Dollhouse features a transformation from live-action to animation that is important to the overall storyline. Gabby (Laila Lockhart Kraner) starts as a person and Pandy Paws (Tucker Chandler) as a stuffed animal. The plot begins here and then dives into the dollhouse where Gabby and Pandy Paws become animated, along with the other dollhouse characters. The episodes are individual storylines, so each show is a brand new experience with the same high quality.

Gabby’s Dollhouse checks all of the boxes. The acting fits the characters well and they sound simply adorable. These characters are far-fetched, like funky kitties and fairies, so the voices can be unique and dripping in characterization to fit the individual creature and personality. It also adds so much to the series that the characters’ lips move in sync with their cute voices. The in-sync animation takes Gabby’s Dollhouse to a level that some animated shows don’t reach. Every character is unique and there is diversity in their appearances. The animated objects are colorful, bright and very cute. They create an interesting background that adds to the storyline in many ways. Whether these objects are used to create foreshadowing or to make the visuals more appealing, they always have a purpose. The same can be said for the animated and live-action locations, which are unique. Another outstanding element of these episodes is the consistent educational breaks. Sometimes it involves choosing to solve a problem or choosing to make a decision that makes everyone happy. These are short breaks and they get important messages across and teach life skills. The entertaining and often educational songs are another wonderful aspect. Each piece of music is woven naturally into the story. The writers have created interesting lyrics that add to the story. All of the singers and musicians mix their acting talent with their musical abilities to create a characterized, yet incredibly musical performance with each song.

The overall message of this show is about teamwork and problem solving. There are subplots and sub-messages as well, about cooking, music and art skills.

I give Season 3 of Gabby’s Dollhouse 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 4 to 8, plus families. You can watch season 3 of Gabby’s Dollhouse on Netflix now.

Marvel Studios’ Eternals features an exciting new team of Super Heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, ancient aliens who have been living on Earth in secret for thousands of years. Following the events of Avengers: Endgame, an unexpected tragedy forces them out of the shadows to reunite against mankind’s most ancient enemy, the Deviants. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Mikella G. comments, “I really like Eternals. It’s an action filled blockbuster that teaches you about cultures from so many different centuries. Most importantly, it brings you into a whole new world of marvel.” See her full review below.

Eternals

By Mikella G, KIDS FIRST!, Film Critic, age 15

I really like Eternals. It’s an action filled blockbuster that teaches you about cultures from so many different centuries. Most importantly, it brings you into a whole new world of marvel.

This film centers on the life of the eight eternals that are the first of their kind and have immortal life. Each character has their own unique characteristics, and powers. Throughout the movie they work together to help create a better planet, and learn many things along the way.

Something that really stands out to me is the amount of surprises that are thrown along the way. This movie is extremely unpredictable, which creates a suspense that really grabs the viewer’s attention. There are so many turns of events that I never expected! Another thing that I really enjoy is how many different locations are involved in the film. For instance, they talk about Mesopotamia and ancient times. We see so much about their cultures and how people back then lived their lives. The camera highlights how people used natural resources to survive. We also learn about their religion and life skills. This is especially interesting to me because I am currently learning about these places in my history class. Finally, I love how unique and diverse each character’s costumes are. For example, Thena (Angelina Jolie) has a very classically elegant wardrobe, whereas Sersi (Gemma Chan) wears more armor and structured outfits. I love fashion, and enjoy when movies put a lot of attention into it and that is definitely the case here.

The message of this film is to never lose sight of who you are, no matter what unexpected surprises life throws at you. This film does include a slightly sexual scene, as well as violence with fire and open wounds.

I give Eternals 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 11 to 18, plus adults. You can watch Eternals in theaters starting November 5, 2021.

The Mustangs: America’s Wild Horses is a feature documentary that takes audiences on an odyssey throughout America to places few people have seen or know about. There are more than 80,000 wild horses on our public lands and 50,000 in government corrals. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Philipps says, “The wild horse is so ingrained in the American imagination that even for those who have never seen one know what it stands for: fierce independence, unbridled freedom, the bedrock ideals of the nation. From car ads to high school mascots, the wild horse — popularly known as the mustang — is the enduring icon of America. But in modern times it has become entangled in controversy and bureaucracy, and now its future is in question.” The film features songs by Bruce Springsteen, Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson and an original song written by Diane Warren and performed by Blanco Brown. “America’s wild horses are fighting their last stand,” said Executive Producer Robert Redford. The Mustangs….the fight for freedom has begun!

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Eshaan M. comments, “The Mustangs: America’s Wild Horses is a cinematic masterpiece that tells the story of one of America’s most iconic animals: the mustang. The impeccable cinematography and emotionally-compelling narrative make up for times when the film feels a bit more like an advertisement than a documentary.” See his full review below.

The Mustangs: America’s Wild Horses

By Eshaan M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

The Mustangs: America’s Wild Horses is a cinematic masterpiece that tells the story of one of America’s most iconic animals: the mustang. The impeccable cinematography and emotionally-compelling narrative make up for times when the film feels a bit more like an advertisement than a documentary.

The Mustangs: America’s Wild Horses follows an array of stories, including how an organization is helping veterans deal with their PTSD by matching them with horses.  Another story follows a group that manages mustang population growth through a unique form of fertility control, and yet another narrative follows “Wild Horse Annie,” who motivated kids to save wild horses 50 years ago.  An additional storyline focuses on a sanctuary reuniting rounded-up wild horses.

Hearing perspectives from individuals like Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Philipps enhances the film’s compelling mission, as does the breathtaking cinematography! The symbolism of the mustang, independence and freedom, is conveyed through panoramic shots of these majestic horses traveling across lush expanses of the American countryside, their manes billowing and hooves clip-clopping. Every individual interviewed for The Mustangs: America’s Wild Horses brings a fresh take to the story, and the genuine passion and commitment each of them have for what they do is palpable. The Mustangs: America’s Wild Horses is certainly a magnificently-produced documentary!

The Mustangs: America’s Wild Horses promotes kindness to animals as well as preserving history. It takes a strong stance against animal cruelty and sheds light on an alternative therapy, matching veterans to horses.

I give The Mustangs: America’s Wild Horses 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 13 to 18, plus adults. The Mustangs: America’s Wild Horses opens theatrically nationwide on October 15, 2021, and premieres on VOD on November 23, 2021.

With Art Makers: Empowered Embroidery, learn to sketch and stitch strong, recognizable women from all walks of life. Featuring sketching and illustration instructions, basic stitches, embroidery techniques, and 6 projects with portraits of famous women (Maya Angelou, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Frida Kahlo, Michello Obama, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Harriet Tubman), this book is a must-have tool for hands-on artists and crafters. If you’re a beginning embroiderer, start with the basic stitches and embroidery instructions at the beginning of the book. Essential tools, warm-up exercises, tips for embroidering facial features and hair, and general information on embroidery will give you the know-how you need to get started.

If you love to do embroidery, you will love this book!

The Art of Paint Marbling takes you through all the tools, techniques, and tips you need to create your own marbled artwork. Closely following the successful The Art of Paint Pouring and its follow-up, The Art of Paint Pouring: Swipe, Swirl & Spin, The Art of Paint Marbling features a similarly easy-to-follow format and appealing aesthetic.  Paint marbling serves as a fun hobby for beginners, a new art form for more advanced artists looking for alternative techniques, and a family activity perfect for artists young and old. With The Art of Paint Marbling, you can learn to use paper, paint, and water to create your own on-trend artwork!

I really enjoyed this book and love that it is also for beginners! What a wonderful hobby to start this holiday season!

I am a big Nature lover so I really enjoyed this next book!

In Nature Painting in Watercolor, the focus is all on the great outdoors—specifically, the plants that grow there. Beginning and aspiring artists can learn to create their favorite ferns, leaves, trees, florals, as well as animals, using the popular watercolor medium. Start by learning about the tools and materials needed to paint in watercolor; then dive into a thorough and fun painting techniques section, which covers washes, glazes, how to add detail in watercolor, and much more. If you’d like to spend more time outside (who doesn’t?), check out the section on finding inspiration outside for tips on viewing and gathering natural painting subjects, such as trees, grasses, flowers, and many other plants.

You can find these and many more books at https://www.quarto.com/

Self Disclosure: I received free samples of the above books to facilitate this post. Images and information were also provided.