Archives for June 2024

Remember the Welcome Back, Kotter series? Were you a fan? You won’t want to miss this!

“Welcome Back, Welcome Back, Welcome Back!” For the first time ever, all episodes from the classic TV series are brought together in one set with the release of Welcome Back, Kotter: The Complete Series on DVD June 11^th, available for purchase online and in-store at major retailers.  Get ready to binge on all 95 episodes, and go down memory lane as our favorite high school teacher Gabe Kotter, returns to his childhood inner-city high school to teach a new generation of trouble making kids.

Welcome Back, Kotter premiered in 1975 and aired for four seasons. The series was nominated for four Emmy Awards® including Outstanding Comedy Series in 1976.  The original cast includes a young John Travolta playing the role of Vinnie Barbarino in his first principal TV role. The series also stars Gabe Kaplan as Gabe Kotter, Marcia Strassman as Julie Kotter, John Sylvester White as Mr. Woodman, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs as Washington, Robert Hegyes as Epstein, and Ron Palillo as Horshack.

SYNOPSIS:

Gabriel Kaplan stars as Kotter, a graduate of a tough Brooklyn high school who returns to teach a classroom of underachieving “sweathogs” – Epstein, Washington, Horshack, and leader of the pack Vinnie Barbarino.  Comedy class is in session!

Pricing and series information:

Welcome Back, Kotter: The Complete Series

Includes all 95 episodes from all four seasons

PRODUCT                           

DVD                                       

Audio: English SDH

Subtitles: English

Running Time: 35 hours, 30 minutes

Rated: PG

Self Disclosure: I received a free DVD series to facilitate this post. Information and images were also provided.

When Patsy Lee discovers an ancient relic box, she has no idea that it will transport her, her grandfather, and her friends to a mystical world of vampires, goblin witches, talking turtles, and an evil sorceress who will stop at nothing to get the box. Their only chance of returning home is to stop her before she finds the key to the 5 Kingdoms and destroys the entire world. Directed by former child actor Zack Ward (Scut Farkus), from A Christmas Story.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Avalynn G. comments, “The film The Keeper of the Five Kingdoms has a ton of magic and mythical characters such as sorcerers, talking lizards, and trolls. This film is very cultural. I love its focus on Chinese culture.” Ryan M. adds, “If you like a youth-aimed action movie coupled with some ancient Chinese magic and funny situations, you will definitely like The Keepers Of The 5 Kingdoms. It is light, has no violence and is funny.” Gloria J. wraps it up with, “I found The Keepers Of The 5 Kingdoms appealing due to its rich incorporation of Chinese culture, which brings authenticity and educational value as seen with the traditional elements like the Chinese leopard water, traditional attire, and the artifacts in the grandfather’s store. The fantasy and adventure aspects, such as the magical land with a Chinese dragon and creative escapes like the car transformation, create an engaging, imaginative world.” See their full reviews below.

The Keeper of The Five Kingdoms

By Avalynn G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 10

The film The Keeper of the Five Kingdoms has a ton of magic and mythical characters such as sorcerers, talking lizards, and trolls. The film takes place in a forest and that setting definitely fits the characters and scenes. The costumes also stand out as they fit the story so well.

The storyline follows a girl named Patsy Lee (Michelle Mao), her friend squirrel (Anna Harr), her brother Hopper (Matthew Sato) and her grandfather Chuck Lee (James Hong). One day they all get sucked into a portal in a stone and are transported to a magical kingdom where they face a lot of obstacles – in order for them to go back home they have to defeat the evil sorcerer.

This film is very cultural. I love its focus on Chinese culture. The costumes are outstanding, especially Allura’s outfit before she turns into a troll – it’s very detailed and beautiful. I like this film although it isn’t really my style. The acting seems too unnatural; sometimes it’s very overly dramatic and, in some scenes, you can tell there is a green screen behind them. Other than that the production is great! My favorite part is when Patsy gives the lizard the box with the bad magic stone. Then, the lizard puts the entire family in a gigantic hole in the ground, and starts dancing wildly above them. The way he dances is really funny.  I love the relationship between the grandfather, Patsy, and Hopper. They always have each other’s back. You can tell that they love each other.

The film’s message is about friendship and a reminder that our family always has our back, no matter what. Hopper always has Patsy’s back like when the bad guys try to force Hopper to give them the box and threaten his sister. Hopper protects his sister first and foremost.

I give Keeper of the Five Kingdoms 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it ages 8 to 12. This film releases on VOD and streaming June 18, 2024. 

The Keepers Of The 5 Kingdoms

By Ryan M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 10

If you like a youth-aimed action movie coupled with some ancient Chinese magic and funny situations, you will definitely like The Keepers Of The 5 Kingdoms. It is light, has no violence and is funny.

The story follows a queen named Lord Kuang (Bai Ling) who wants a box that contains magic. She sends two servants, Mr. Rat (Dante Basco) and Mr. Chicken (Dave Sheridan), some kids Patsy (Michelle Mao), Squirrel (Anna Harr) and Hopper (Matt Sato), plus a Chinese uncle named Chuck (James Hong) to find the box which leads them to an amazing adventure.

I commend the director, Zack Ward, for his work here. There are a lot of comical situations, like when Pasty’s mom is trying to make Grandpa Chuck say that something was leopard pee. However, the animatronic and green screen work sometimes lack synchronization with the puppets’ mouths, and some hair fades onto the green screen, like when they get out of the deep hole. Some actors could have been a bit more convincing, like when they are falling, the only person that looks convincing is Hopper.

The film’s message is that love is a very strong power.

I give The Keepers Of The 5 Kingdoms 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12. This movie releases on VOD and streaming on June 18, 2024.

The Keepers Of The 5 Kingdoms
By Gloria J., KIDS FIRST!

I found The Keepers Of The 5 Kingdoms appealing due to its rich incorporation of Chinese culture, which brings authenticity and educational value as seen with the traditional elements like the Chinese leopard water, traditional attire, and the artifacts in the grandfather’s store. The fantasy and adventure aspects, such as the magical land with a Chinese dragon and creative escapes like the car transformation, create an engaging, imaginative world. The film also delves into complex family dynamics, particularly the reconciliation between Patsy and her grandfather. The moral lessons, like the queen’s redemption through Patsy’s love spell, provide meaningful themes about forgiveness and transformation. However, the complex plot, numerous characters and rapid scene changes can be overwhelming, and the fast-paced narrative leads to a lack of depth at times. While the reliance on familiar fantasy tropes can feel predictable, the cultural richness and emotional arcs make it a compelling watch. Children will enjoy its exciting fantasy elements, like the magical portals, the Chinese dragon, mythical creatures and spells, and young characters like Patsy, which offer a sense of thrill and connection. 

The film begins with a slave informing his master of finding a key to her freedom. Two men from the mythical world are sent to hunt for a treasure box with the key; they evade police using magic and communicate with the master through Chinese characters on a scroll. Patsy accidentally picks up a mystical box, which leads to a series of events where her friend, Harper, is taken hostage and will only be released on the condition that she gives the box back, thus leading them to travel to a magical land. There they encounter mythical creatures, solve ancient puzzles, and ultimately confront an evil queen, who is redeemed by Patsy’s love spell, helping them return home.

The Keepers of the 5 Kingdoms offers a captivating blend of fantasy escapades and cultural exploration that are delightful. From mesmerizing magical portals to mythical creatures, the visuals are breathtaking. What sets this film apart is its rich cultural tapestry, with traditional Chinese music, clothing, artifacts, and beliefs seamlessly woven into the narrative. Viewers are not only entertained but also enlightened as they embark on a journey of cultural appreciation and understanding. The themes of family, friendship, and forgiveness resonate deeply, as characters like Patsy and her friends, with her grandfather’s guidance, navigate challenges and ultimately find redemption through love and empathy. Through its intricate plot and dynamic characters, it encourages viewers to question, probe, and problem-solve, fostering critical thinking skills and igniting curiosity. The program strikes a perfect balance between educational value and entertainment, leaving audiences both enchanted and inspired.

The film bursts with cultural richness, although pacing issues, awkward scene transitions, and a complex plot affect its impact. It takes you on a wild ride and what really brings the story to life is the intelligent use of traditional Chinese music, artifacts and beliefs, magical portals and dragons. You feel as if you’re stepping into another world! The film keeps things exciting with thrilling adventures and relatable young characters like Patsy. The reconciliation between Patsy and her grandfather adds emotional depth. The writer’s mix of magic, adventure, and family drama is excellent. The storyline strikes a balance between fantasy, adventure and cultural education, providing an enriching experience for young people. Stunning visuals bring this film to life. The attention to details such as the majority of the cast being of Chinese descent, Joe’s traditional clothing, and the grandfather’s shop contribute to cultural authenticity. The mystical world set is well portrayed with its creatures, the queen’s soldiers, the talking tortoise, invisible bridges, and the architecture of the castle. The skilled direction captures all of this – in both animated and live-action scenes there are clear, detailed visuals and high production values.

The film supports inquiry and investigation, and the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. For example, the incorporation of cultural elements encourages viewers to explore and learn about an unfamiliar culture, which fosters curiosity and understanding. Additionally, the fantastical elements, such as magical portals and mythical creatures, invite viewers to question and probe the boundaries of reality, stimulating their imaginations and creativity. The complex plot and character dynamics provide opportunities to analyze motivations and consequences, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The film offers a blend of educational value and entertainment that encourages viewers to engage with the content on multiple levels.

The film’s message revolves around themes of family, friendship, cultural appreciation, and the power of love and forgiveness. The film emphasizes the importance of reconciliation and understanding within families, as seen in Patsy’s reconciliation with her grandfather. The cultural elements of the film promote appreciation and respect for different cultures. The redemption of the evil queen highlights the transformative power of love and forgiveness, suggesting that understanding and empathy can lead to positive change.

I give The Keepers Of The 5 Kingdoms 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults.  This film releases on VOD and streaming June 18, 2024. 

A fun-to-read children’s book for the Summer! The book is a joyful celebration of family, community, and showcases the importance of representing all kinds of hair but also fun at the beach! I highly recommend for young children as it really is an engaging and entertaining book with wonderful illustrations!

With gentle, heartfelt prose, author-illustrator Ellie Peterson explores the difficult feelings of loss and sadness that come when a friend moves away. Young readers will see that with the right tools—and a willingness to build again tomorrow—who’s to say the things you love can’t last forever?

Sandcastles Are Forever is the perfect, heartfelt read about summertime and sandcastles with important messages about lasting friendships.

This book is perfect for Summer reading and I love the overall message! Young children will be able to relate to the characters and will love the story and illustrations!

Who says Elephants can’t dance?! Ella Learns to Dance is such a fun book to read! It gives the message that you can do anything if you believe you can. Ella Learns to Dance is a heartwarming children’s book that follows the enchanting journey of an elephant who only wants to take ballet classes. Young children will fall in love with Ella and enjoy this story. I love how it teaches the importance of having self-confidence and to keep trying!

In this uplifting picture book, IT’S PRIDE, BABY! follows a queer family as they prepare for and celebrate Black Pride in Washington, D.C. Readers will see such a special day packed with loads of fun while ending the celebration with fireworks!

Allen’s lyrical text and Dia’s joyful art perfectly captures the expansiveness of a parent’s love and acceptance. Readers will also enjoy the extensive backmatter of the book that includes an author’s note and a brief history of the gay Black Pride movement – the perfect companion to this uplifting picture book!

I love the positivity and the overall message of love & acceptance in this story. I also enjoyed reading the author’s note and the brief history of the gay Black Pride Movement. I highly recommend this book for young children.

Self Disclosure: I received free copies of the above books to feature in the books of the week. Images were also provided.