Archives for July 2023

In Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team embark on their most dangerous mission yet: To track down a terrifying new weapon that threatens all of humanity before it falls into the wrong hands. With control of the future and the fate of the world at stake, and dark forces from Ethan’s past closing in, a deadly race around the globe begins. Confronted by a mysterious, all-powerful enemy, Ethan is forced to consider that nothing can matter more than his mission – not even the lives of those he cares about most.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Zoe C. comments, “This film is one of my favorites of the year. I had little to no expectations for Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One since was unfamiliar with the franchise, but this movie really blew me away.” Mikella G. adds, “The outstanding aspects of this film are the visual effects and the editing during the high-action scenes. For instance, there are multiple car chases throughout this movie. They all feel so realistic and exciting, which definitely had me on the edge of my seat. Everything happens so fast, but yet the imagery is clear.” Katherine S. remarks, “The 7th installment of the Mission: Impossible doesn’t disappoint. It’s full of blade fights, fast-moving car chases, speeding trains, crazy motorcycle stunts, cyber-attacks and more – perfect for adventure-movie lovers.” Rayce S. wraps it up with, “Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One is like a roller coaster ride. There are many ups and downs and twists and turns, and by the end of it you’re left wanting more. What makes it such an enjoyable ride is the action—this movie takes its action sequences to a whole other level.” See their full reviews below.

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

By Zoe C, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

I left the theater in awe after seeing Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One. This film is one of my favorites of the year. I had little to no expectations for Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One since was unfamiliar with the franchise, but this movie really blew me away. 

The film opens with Ethan Hunt, (gracefully played by Tom Cruise) and his team who are trying to track down the second half of a key. Many other people are also after the same parts of the key, but no one knows what it unlocks. This scary weapon has the power to control the whole world, so it’s pivotal that both halves of the key go to the right person. The entire film showcases the journey in tracking down the key, and the many scary life-threatening obstacles everyone must go through.

I love the way this film was shot. The cinematography by Fraser Taggart caught my attention almost immediately. The only wide or full body shots are the intense action scenes. Every other moment is captured beautifully. 50% of this film is pure acting and the close-ups serve that purpose. The other half is the action scenes – those had the whole theater at the edge of their seats. Director Christopher McQuarrie really knew what he was doing as the action scenes are absolutely incredible. Tom Cruise is one of those actors who truly goes above and beyond for his films. The stunts he pulls off in this film are jaw-dropping. His stunts, together with the crazy action scenes, really add a whole other level of excitement for the viewer. This film has such an incredible cast — of course, Tom stands out as one that always excels in his films. I love the performance by Hayley Atwell who plays Grace, a character Ethan meets who is also after the key. I love that Hayley plays her character in such a way that makes it impossible to know what is coming next — she is so unpredictable! Simon Pegg, as Benji Dunn, and Ving Rhames, as Luther Stickell, are two fascinating actors as well. They work together beautifully on the big screen, and they both carry their characters in an outstanding way. If you’re like me and have not seen the Mission Impossible films before or any of the franchise for that matter — don’t worry! I was skeptical that, since I don’t have much context, the story could be confusing, but I followed along perfectly. Of course if you have seen the previous films or the TV series, certain elements of the plot might be more exciting. Nonetheless, this film delivers the wow factor 100%!

The message of the film is that everything we do in our lives matters and we shouldn’t waste a second. Be aware that there is a lot of intense action violence.

I give Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. Check out this film when it releases in theaters July 12, 2023! 

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

Mikella G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is an attention-grabbing blockbuster film that took me on an exciting world of mystery and adventure.

The film follows Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and the IMF team as they embark on a mission to gain possession of a dangerous gold key, which threatens the humanity of the world. While on this journey, Ethan encounters many obstacles, along with some familiar faces and some new ones. However, this mission is unlike any other, and he must put everything aside in order to achieve his high stakes goal.

The outstanding aspects of this film are the visual effects and the editing during the high-action scenes. For instance, there are multiple car chases throughout this movie. They all feel so realistic and exciting, which definitely had me on the edge of my seat. Everything happens so fast, but yet the imagery is clear. I really enjoy these scenes because it makes me focus on what’s happening. The suspense in this film ties right into that excitement factor and is extremely powerful. The entire airport scene had me on my toes, fully engaged with what was happening. The whole movie feels like this and, by the end, I was completely blown away with what I’d just watched. Additionally, I enjoyed the storyline. It definitely lives up to the Mission Impossible name and is relatively easy to understand. Sometimes films like this can get complicated and the main objective can get thrown on the back burner, but that is definitely not the case with this film — the message and mission are definitely clear. This is important because it is likely to appeal to a wide age range, as well as many different types of personalities. Lastly, Tom Cruise’s performance is one to remember. He once again embodies the character of Ethan Hunt in a way that feels so realistic and exciting. Ethan goes through a whirlwind of emotions and Tom Cruise executes them so well, whether he’s risking his life jumping off a cliff, or having a vulnerable moment with a loved one, Ethan Hunt fully comes to life.

The message of this film is to always make it work with what you have and to never give up. Be aware that there is some action violence and use of weapons.

I give Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters July 12, 2023.

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

I love Mission: Impossible – Dead reckoning Part One! The 7th installment of the Mission: Impossible doesn’t disappoint. It’s full of blade fights, fast-moving car chases, speeding trains, crazy motorcycle stunts, cyber-attacks and more – perfect for adventure-movie lovers.

Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is back and tasked with yet another impossible mission. He must hunt down a threatening weapon that could destroy humankind if it is in the wrong hands. This assignment takes him and his team across the globe on a mission that could cost him not only his life but also the lives of everyone he cares about.

There is no need to see any of the other Mission: Impossible movies before watching this one because I hadn’t seen any before this one and followed the storyline quickly. There are a few references and characters from previous movies, but not enough to be confusing. Even though this movie is a whopping 2 hours and 43 minutes long, it leaves you wanting even more, and I can’t wait for part two. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One has the funniest and most intense high-speed car chase I’ve ever seen. The humor is subtle and very nicely placed as it breaks up the intensity at key moments. It also deals with very current topics like AI. The various filming locations, such as Italy, Abu Dhabi and Norway, makes this a visually stunning movie. I have only one word for the stunts in this movie: insane. And even though he is 61, Tom Cruise performs almost all of his stunts, including one where he rides off a cliff on a motorcycle. Since a lot of stunts today are computer generated or performed by stunt people, this aspect really sets the movie apart and makes it even more enjoyable. I love the dynamic of Benji (Simon Pegg), Luther (Ving Rhames) and Ethan because they reflect the comradery and jokes only a close team of people can share. Some other notable performances are from Hayley Atwell as Grace, the cunning pick-pocketer, Rebecca Ferguson as the talented sniper, and Esai Morales as Gabriel.

The film’s message is that with the power of teamwork, you can accomplish impossible things. There is some profanity, intense fighting scenes, and death. This movie shows that no one is truly good, and no one is truly bad.

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One gets 5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. Fans of the Mission Impossible movies and any adventure movie will love this. This movie releases in theaters on July 12, 2023.

Mission Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One

By Rayce S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

I liked Mission Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One. The action sequences are the best part of this film; what also stands out is the suspense it creates and the characters.

The storyline follows Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) as he is tasked with an impossible mission to find and destroy an AI machine before it gets into the wrong hands.

Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One is like a roller coaster ride. There are many ups and downs and twists and turns, and by the end of it you’re left wanting more. What makes it such an enjoyable ride is the action—this movie takes its action sequences to a whole other level. A strong example of this is when Ethan Hunt is fighting against Paris (Pom Klementieff) and her partner in a small narrow alleyway. The choreography that shows him having to fight and defend both of them at the same time is spectacular to watch. Another key aspect of this film is the way it builds suspense. Every moment of this film is builds suspense and there’s always a big payoff and that works surprisingly well. For example, the airport scene has a dual mission happening: One involving a physical person that they have to stop, and the other involving the AI machine trying to sabotage the mission. This creates a great sequence where you as an audience member are focusing on two stressful things at the same time.  The final part that makes this film is its characters. Ethan Hunt and Grace (Hayley Atwell) are a really fun duo to watch in the car chase scene.  I also really enjoyed watching Benji (Simon Pegg) as he was kind of the comedy relief for this film.

The message of this film is that your past doesn’t matter but your future does—this is mainly shown through the character of Grace. Her life was terrible and meaningless and she was a bad person, but by the end of the film she’s given a choice to become a little bit better, showing us how your past doesn’t define you but your future does.

I give Mission Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One 4 out of 5 stars. And I recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. This film will release in theaters on July 12, 2023.

The League celebrates the dynamic journey of Negro League baseball’s triumphs and challenges through the first half of the twentieth century. The story is told through previously unearthed archival footage and never-before-seen interviews with legendary players like Satchel Paige and Buck O’Neil — whose early careers paved the way for the Jackie Robinson era — as well as celebrated Hall of Famers Willie Mays and Hank Aaron who started out in the Negro Leagues. From entrepreneurial titans Cumberland Posey and Gus Greenlee, whose intense rivalry fueled the rise of two of the best baseball teams ever to play the game, to Effa Manley, the activist owner of the Newark Eagles and the only woman ever admitted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, THE LEAGUE explores Black baseball as an economic and social pillar of Black communities and a stage for some of the greatest athletes to ever play the game, while also examining the unintended consequences of integration.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Eshaan M. comments, “The League is an intriguing sports film documenting the camaraderie and competition embedded in the evolution of the Negro leagues.” Sydney S. adds, “I like the documentary, The League, and how it celebrates racial justice through a common passion: baseball. The combination of animation and film footage makes it visually appealing. I admire all the people involved in the film, as well as its historical perspective.” See their full reviews and interviews below.

The League

By Eshaan M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17

The League is an intriguing sports film documenting the camaraderie and competition embedded in the evolution of the Negro leagues. Despite its mix of newly unearthed interviews, carefully chosen music, and crisp and clear b-roll, the film falls short of a home run due to its slightly sluggish pace.

The League uses Black baseball as a lens to view the US pre-, post-, and during integration. An economic and social pillar of Black communities and a stage for some of the greatest athletes to ever play the game, The League also explores many unintended consequences of integration. It’s a story of trials and tribulations, but also rousing victories.

The film offers a portrait of a community that weathered discrimination and marginalization and used a common passion — the sport of baseball — to shape their community in a time of new rights and a more integrated society. A jazz fan and lifelong film student himself, director Sam Pollard effectively sews together never-before-seen interview footage, historically rooted jazz tunes and a clear, if at times circuitous, narrative in The League. At times, the film loses itself in descriptions of individual players and it becomes hard to maintain the big-picture view of the Negro leagues. However, the crisp visuals and voiceovers – one by Pollard himself, of the late Negro league umpire, author and US marine, Bob Motley.

The League promotes resilience through a mix of self-reliance, resourcefulness and teamwork.

I give The League 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. The League releases exclusively in AMC Theaters on July 7, 2023.

The League

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

This documentary is perfect for anyone interested in sports and/or history. It has eye-opening material that is very educational while keeping one invested in the story. I learned so much about the Negro leagues and their importance to baseball and all of America.

The League honors the journey of the Negro leagues baseball and highlights the contributions of many, including Bob Motley, Rube Foster and Effa Manley, while also spotlighting the incredible teams like the Newark Eagles, Kansas City Monarchs, Pittsburgh Crawfords and Homestead Grays. It investigates the start, the glory days, the challenges and the decline of the Negro leagues from many different points of view. It also explores the impact the Negro leagues had on the communities where they played.

If you have a passion for history and baseball, this is a great watch. It goes behind headlines and takes an opportunity to dig deeper into everything about the leagues and the MLB. Even if you’re not very knowledgeable about baseball (like me), this documentary is certainly one to watch. The director, Sam Pollard, gives a very thoughtful performance as he voices Bob Motley’s perspective and experience as an umpire in the Negro leagues. In addition to Bob Motley’s thoughts, this movie also uncovers never-before seen interviews with Negro leagues’ players and explanations from amazing historians and authors such as Larry Lester, Andrea Williams, Bob Kendrick and Dr. Lawrence Hogan. 

The League demonstrates all the courage, passion, and determination of so many people. It gives you an in-depth view of the complexity of the Negro leagues. There are a few heavy topics covered in this movie that may not be suitable for a younger audience.

I give The League 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. I especially recommend it to those interested in baseball. It releases in theaters July 7, 2023.

The League

By Sydney S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

I like the documentary, The League, and how it celebrates racial justice through a common passion: baseball. The combination of animation and film footage makes it visually appealing. I admire all the people involved in the film, as well as its historical perspective.

This storyline follows the creation of the Negro League and how playing baseball changed the course of history forever. Despite their obstacles, the league is part of an important social movement.

The directors of the film are Jeff Schaffer and Jackie Marcus Schaffer, both of whom are also part of the fifteen person writing team. They excel at spotlighting the various points of view and personal stories for the large number of people involved. The interview subjects include Phil Dixon, Andrea Williams, Larry Lester, Bob Kendrick, Leslie Heaphy, Rob Ruck, James Brunson, Layton Revel, Larry Hogan and Jim Overmyer. Each of them has a story about how the Negro League changed their life or their family’s lives.  A big part of bringing together the Negro League is collaboration. Every person involved helped grow the league and connect it altogether. Baseball is for everyone. That is shown when the Eastern Colored League and the Negro National League play each other in the very first Colored World Series. Fantastic players such as Hank Aaron and Willie Mays actually started their career in the Negro League. They made it into the Baseball Hall of Fame. This shows how foundations are built from the ground up. These players were not spectacular when they started, but they kept practicing and were dedicated to learning the sport. In fact, the League was pretty unprivileged at first, but that didn’t stop them from playing their hearts out. They did the best they could with what they had and that led the Negro League to victory later on. It brought people together and also brought better opportunities to their lives. The League is full of pride about how much they have accomplished and how it sparked the rise of Black professionals in the 20^th Century. I like how animation is used in this film, varying from never-before-seen footage to animated run-throughs of the game in action. The music also adds to the effect because it builds anticipation. Despite the Great Depression and segregation through America, baseball was a tie that kept people together. 

The film’s message is that passion and stamina are essential for achieving your dreams. It also enforces that idea that your ethnicity, or what someone else thinks about you, doesn’t dictate who you are as a person or an athlete.

I give The League 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases  in Theaters July 7, 2023 and will begin streaming July 14, 2023. 

Trailer:

The Kingdom Over the Sea is a lavish adventure following a girl who must travel to a mystical land of sorceresses, alchemists, jinn, and flying carpets to discover her heritage and fulfill her destiny. When Yara discovers the political turmoil that has turned a land that was once a magical paradise into an anti-magic police state, she is determined to do whatever it takes to help them.

This is Zohra Nabi’s first novel, and it’s inspired in part by her family’s experiences in Kashmir. Her incredible prose and descriptive powers will transport you with Yara. Kirkus Reviews has called this “a debut that marks the author as an exciting storyteller to watch.”

This is a wonderful one for middle schoolers and high schoolers this summer!

When twelve-year-old Yara’s mother passes away, she leaves behind a letter and a strange set of instructions. Yara must travel from the home she has always known to a place that is not on any map—Zehaira, a world of sorcerers, alchemists and simmering magic. But Zehaira is not the land it used to be. The practice of magic has been outlawed, the Sultan’s alchemists are plotting a sinister scheme—and the answers Yara is searching for seem to be out of reach.

Yara must summon all her courage to discover the truth about her mother’s past and her own identity…and to find her place in this magical new world.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Zohra Nabi grew up inventing stories for her two younger sisters. She studied law at Cambridge and Oxford universities, but secretly dreamed of being an author. Now she lives in London, browsing bookshops and writing magical adventures. The Kingdom over the Sea is her first book. You can find her online on Instagram at @zohra_nabi and Twitter at @Zohra3Nabi.

This next one is recommended for elementary school age!

Can YOU tell a butt from a face? Discover fascinating facts about animals with this hilarious guessing game picture book!

Also included are factual animal details along with how these animals use camouflage or other trickery to engage with their home. Readers will discover animals like the Cuyaba dwarf frog whose backside looks like a pair of eyes, the Mary River turtle that breathes through its butt, and many more!

A hilarious and irreverent STEM book: Learngreat facts about animals while laughing your rear off! This book is equally informative and hilarious. My favorite thing is the Interactive quiz format: Reader guesses before flipping the page to reveal the answer, so there’s an interactive element for an added layer of fun.

Author: KARI LAVELLEis the author of We Move the World (HarperCollins 2021) as well as the forthcoming An Ode to Grapefruit – a picture book biography of James Earl Jones (Knopf 2024). She is a member of SCBWI and 12×12 and enjoys taking classes at the Writing Barn. She lives in Austin, Texas.

For your animal-obsessed kid’s next birthday party, look no further for the perfect activity! The next time a babysitter comes around on Friday night, steer the kids away from the television screen and toward Paperfold Wild Animals (Workman Publishing; $12.99). An activity book filled to the brim with facts about animals, this book allows children to create, plan, and learn – all in one.

It’s difficult to pull kids away from accessible distractions like video games, but this unique activity book makes the task easy – and can quickly be turned into a game for family bonding. Similar to origami but utilizing structural engineering, this book is filled with punch-out paper that can be folded and locked to form a jungle animal.

Paperfold Wild Animals will tear kids away from the TV screens and toward the craft table with:

·         10 illustrated wild animals, easily brought to life with a few punches and folds,

·         10 fact sheets to accompany each animal, teaching kids about the vivid lives these creatures lead, and

·         10 new toys to play with, once creation is complete!

For the reluctant reader comes a book that doesn’t feel like reading, Paperfold Wild Animals gives young minds a chance to be active and use their hands – and stumble upon some learning in the process.

This book is about an emotionally unaware tornado who learns how to de-escalate its anger when it picks up an empathetic cow during its tirade. This is a good book for younger children.

his stunning picture book with a fresh art style, similar to that of Jon Klassen’s, has a funny and unique premise that will draw young readers in while subtly demonstrating important social-emotional skills such as mindfulness and active listening. I think this is a great way to teach young children about social-emotional skills!

In addition to that, there are also STEM elements to this book showing how tornadoes form, and how once it transforms back into wind that’s there is no longer a destructive element but rather a positive quality, as it powers turbines and weather vanes. Find out more at https://www.simonandschuster.com/p/kids

Self Disclosure: I received free copies of the above books to facilitate this post. Cover images were also provided.