Archives for March 18, 2023

Follows the iconic Pulitzer Prize-winning author Robert Caro and his editor, the literary giant Robert Gottlieb, in this chronicle of a unique 50-year professional relationship. Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Robert Caro and legendary editor Robert Gottlieb, have worked and fought together for 50 years, forging one of publishing’s most iconic and productive partnerships. Directed by Gottlieb’s daughter, Lizzie Gottlieb, Turn Every Page explores their remarkable creative collaboration, including the behind-the-scenes drama of the making of Caro’s The Power Broker and the LBJ series. With humor and insight, this unique double portrait reveals the work habits, peculiarities and professional joys of these two ferocious intellects. It arrives at the culmination of a journey that has consumed both their lives and impacted generations of politicians, activists, writers and readers, and furthered our understanding of power and democracy.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Katherine S. comments, “I found this documentary so interesting because it balances entertainment, humor and education. I like that this documentary teaches us about many people that no one truly knows about, especially those from my generation. I learned so much about the power and influence Robert Moses held in New York City and the power and influence President Johnson wielded during his political career.  Their impact is so deep and wide and yet so different.” See her full review below.

Turn Every Page – The Adventures of Robert Caro and Robert Gottlieb

By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

Turn Every Page – The Adventures of Robert Caro and Robert Gottlieb is not only a terrific documentary, but also a very entertaining film. It isn’t an action-packed movie where you’ll be glued to your seat, but it is a wonderful story about two of the most important people in our literary community – Robert Caro and Robert Gottlieb.

Robert Caro is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American author best known for his biographies of President Lyndon B. Johnson and New York political figure Robert Moses.  Robert Gottlieb is an American editor who has been editor-in-chief of Simon & Schuster, Alfred A. Knopf, and The New Yorker.  Caro and Gottlieb have worked together for more than 50 years. Documentarian Lizzy Gottlieb, Robert Gottlieb’s daughter, spent five years on the film and gives us an up close and very personal view of each of these amazing men, their work, their passion for their work and their working relationship.

I found this documentary so interesting because it balances entertainment, humor and education. I like that this documentary teaches us about many people that no one truly knows about, especially those from my generation. I learned so much about the power and influence Robert Moses held in New York City and the power and influence President Johnson wielded during his political career.  Their impact is so deep and wide and yet so different.  And this is also true about Robert Caro and Robert Gottlieb, as they contributed so much to American literature working together and also are very different.  They have such a passion for what they do—they even ‘go to war’ over commas and semicolons. One of my favorite lines from the movie is from Robert Gottlieb, “He does the work.  I do the cleanup.” This movie also shows what goes on behind the scenes of writing a book. There is so much that goes into it, and it’s enlightening to know what that is. Watching this documentary may even inspire you to read The Power Broker about Robert Moses or the Lyndon Johnson biography series.

The message and purpose of this documentary is to highlight the shared dedication and working relationship of these two literary men. There is some language that might be offensive to some.

I give Turn Every Page – The Adventures of Robert Caro and Robert Gottlieb 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, but especially adults. The film is playing now in select cities.

Trailer:

The Magician’s Elephant follows young Peter, who is searching for his long-lost sister, and crosses paths with a fortune teller in the market square. There is only one question on his mind: is his sister still alive? The answer — that he must follow a mysterious elephant — sets Peter off on a remarkable journey to complete three seemingly impossible tasks that magically change the face of his town forever. The Magician’s Elephant is based on Newbery Award-winning author Kate DiCamillo’s classic novel.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Avalon N. comments, “The Magician’s Elephant is a magnificent movie that totally transports you to the world of the story. It is one of my favorite animated movies that I’ve ever seen. The message of this film is to never give up hope because you never know what may come along to change your situation.” Keila V. adds, “I absolutely recommend watching this astounding film! The Magician’s Elephant is so well-done that it made me and my whole family get very emotional. The animation of this film is wondrous; the visual effects are glorious, beautiful and realistic.” See their full reviews and interviews below.

The Magician’s Elephant

By Avalon N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

The Magician’s Elephant is a magnificent movie that totally transports you to the world of the story. It is one of my favorite animated movies that I’ve ever seen.

This movie is about a young boy named Peter (Noah Jupe). He lives with a retired veteran of war who saved him in battle. The veteran, unfortunately, had to leave Peter’s sister, and she was blown up in an explosion. However, things take a turn when Peter sees a fortune teller who tells him his sister is still alive and to find her he must follow a magician’s elephant. When Peter tries to take the elephant, the king challenges him with three impossible tasks, and then after he performs those tasks — and only then — he will get the elephant.

The Magician’s Elephant has many notable characteristics, one of which is the animation style. Overall, the animation is flawless and very realistic. However, the clouds are one thing that doesn’t look quite as realistic, even though there is a real cloud formation called Mammatus Storm Clouds. There are also many cool locations, like narrow, twisting streets, and interesting characters throughout the film. One of my favorite parts of the movie is when the veteran has Peter march around his house saying, “Fish is small. Bread is stale. Life is not a fairy tale.” It is a very comedic moment. Another part that is very impressive is how they bring the story full circle, starting and ending with the fortune teller. Her main role is to tie together the whole story, which could make her the most important character of all. 

The message of this film is to never give up hope because you never know what may come along to change your situation.

I give The Magician’s Elephant 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. It is available in select theaters on March 10, 2023 and on Netflix on March 17, 2023. 

The Magician’s Elephant

By Keila V., KIDS FIRST!, Film Critic, age 11

The Magician’s Elephant is an exceptional film that also provides a very important, valuable life lesson and it is a perfect movie to watch with family or close friends.

The story follows an orphan boy named Peter (Noah Jupe) who loses his sister at a very young age. Peter has always wanted to meet again with his sister but she has been lost since a newborn. Both of his parents passed away in a war and, ever since then, a strict and old soldier has taken care of Peter. On one special day Peter goes to the market to buy a small fish and stale bread, as that is what Peter and the soldier have for dinner every night, but instead of Peter buying dinner Peter spends his money on a fortune teller to answer his lifelong question. He asks, “Where can I find my sister?” and the fortune teller’s response is “Follow the Elephant…”

I absolutely recommend watching this astounding film! The Magician’s Elephant is so well-done that it made me and my whole family get very emotional. The animation of this film is wondrous; the visual effects are glorious, beautiful and realistic. The special effects are extraordinary — I love how all the colors and scenes match the storyline so incredibly well. My favorite scene is when the magician (Benedict Wong) brings the elephant back to the animal’s habitat and we realize that Peter is also helping another family get back together. This shows that Peter is not selfish at all. Peter is a kind-hearted soul who deserves to be reunited with his sister. He wants to find his sister so badly and so he obeys whatever the fortune teller tells him to do like, follow the Elephant, which he does. To get to the elephant Peter has to complete three impossible tasks given to him by the King. If Peter completes the three tasks he will earn the right to have the elephant and that will lead him to his dream. You will have to watch to see if Peter’s dream comes true!

The film’s message is to always care and love your family because, if you don’t have them, then who do you have to love? Another message is to always have hope for whatever you do or believe.

I give The Magician’s Elephant 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. It is available in theaters now and releases on Netflix March 17, 2023.