Archives for October 2025

Just in time for Halloween comes the perfect story that offers a heartfelt twist on the Frankenstein legend. High above the little town of Grubbers Nubbin, in a castle laboratory, the maddest of all mad professors brings monstrous creations to (almost) life… and then promptly forgets all about them. So, who runs the castle? Who keeps the monsters in line, so the townsfolk don’t form an angry mob? That job falls to Stitch Head – the professor’s very first creation. He does it all, unnoticed and unthanked. But when a ramshackle freak show rolls into town, its sly owner, Fulbert Freakfinder, comes knocking, offering Stitch Head fame, fortune… and maybe even love. A whimsical tale Stitch Head offers a comedy adventure for monsters of every age.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Spencer C. comments, “Stitch Head is such a great movie! It’s super funny; the characters are awesome, and I love its message. I laughed a lot because the characters do silly things that make their scenes even more fun…” Ryan M. adds, “The action, the comedy and most importantly the monsters are just so funny, gross and cool. It`s the monsters that make this movie so amazing because they add so much comedy into the film. My favourite character is Fulbert the money hungry director because he’s so funny…” Tiana S. wraps it up with, “Stitch Head is a movie filled with (almost) life, inspiration, and music. I predict that fans of the Stitch Head books will love this lively animation, and newcomers will certainly want to read more about him.” See their full reviews and Spencer’s talent interviews below.

Stitch Head

By Spencer C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

Stitch Head is such a great movie! It’s super funny; the characters are awesome, and I love its message. I laughed a lot because the characters do silly things that make their scenes even more fun, like when one character falls out of a tree instead of just walking into the scene. 

The storyline is about a boy named Stitch Head (Asa Butterfield), a small creature who is the Mad Professor’s (Rob Brydon) very first creation. He lives in a castle in the town of Grubbers Nubbin with a bunch of other monsters, who are all kept hidden from the townspeople. The Professor never really notices Stitch Head, which makes him feel unloved. A new creation called Creature (Joel Fry) comes along and calls Stitch Head his “bestest of best friends.” When a circus called “Are You Ready for Monsters” comes to town and tries to scare people, things get wild. 

The animation is cool and colorful. The monsters are super fun and creative, and the castle feels like a monster orphanage, in a good way. Creature is one of my favorite characters because he’s so wild and loves Stitch Head like a best friend. One of the funniest parts is when Stitch Head runs away and Creature says he will bring him home, or not come home at all. When he finally finds Stitch Head hanging out with a girl, he totally freaks out and falls out of a tree. My favorite scene is when Creature picks up an entire trailer and runs away with it. It is so hilarious!

The film’s message is that you might be more loved than you think – and it’s a reminder to show your love for others too. There’s no bad language or scary parts, but there is a fire and an angry mob.

I give Stitch Head 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. It will be released in theaters on October 29, 2025. 

Stitch Head
By Ryan M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

Welcome to the super creepy and awesome world of Stitch Head. Created by the Mad Professor, Stitch Head and other monsters live in a castle where lots of monster mayhem takes place. This movie was a blast to watch.

The storyline follows Stitch Head (Asa Butterfield), a forgotten creation of the Mad Professor, who joins the circus with a money hungry director Fulbert Freakfinder (Seth Usdenov) in the town near their castle. Misled by Fulbert, the townspeople plan to attack the castle to try and eradicate the monsters.  Then BOOM! It breaks into a very epic fight scene.

The action, the comedy and most importantly the monsters are just so funny, gross and cool. It`s the monsters that make this movie so amazing because they add so much comedy into the film. My favourite character is Fulbert the money hungry director because he’s so funny; when he tries to convince Stitch Head to join the circus and when he sees Stitch Head’s real face. The animation, by David Nasser, is phenomenal; it is smooth and very fun to watch. I love how the monsters all move in different ways; Creature has three hands but they move way differently than you would expect. The story, by Dietmar Kremer, kept me hooked the entire time and got me thinking about the message of this movie. The music, by Nick Urata, helps to give this movie life in so many different ways, just like at the circus. The big chase scene made me think I was in the movie.

The film’s message is that making money off of people will not make you rich and it’s just wrong.  It is also a reminder to recognize who your true friends are.

I give Stitch Head 4.5 out of 5 and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. It will be released in theaters on October 29, 2025.

Stitch Head

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

Stitch Head is a movie filled with (almost) life, inspiration, and music. I predict that fans of the Stitch Head books will love this lively animation, and newcomers will certainly want to read more about him. Stitch Head is touching to watch and made for an all-around fun and inspirational family watching experience at my house — from the characters to the message.

Based on Guy Bass’s books with the same name, Stitch Head follows the story of Stitch Head (Asa Butterfield), a boy who lives in a castle working for the Mad Professor to take care of all his almost-life monsters from an angry mob they’re taught to be afraid of. Being the first creation, he deals with being left out at times, and being unappreciated starts to affect him. One day, Fulbert Freakfinder (Seth Usdenov), a circus-owner in need of a new act, shows up at the castle and is impressed with his appearance. He tells Stitch Head that people will love him. From there, Stitch Head has to decide whether to stay at the castle and house the monsters or go live out what could be a new chapter for him.

The main character of the movie is Stitch Head, but it also includes Creature (Joel Fry), Fulbert, and Arabella (Tia Bannon). The animation of Stitch Head is bright, smooth, and lively, making for an entertaining film. The 3D style truly stands out with its bright color palette, light, and fun style. The characters add a unique element to the film; all the different monsters, are unique in the colors and special designs used. Being monsters, they’re made to look like monsters, but at the same time, they don’t feel like monsters based on their fear, personalities, and human-like natures. Stitch Head is always worrying about the approval of the Professor and thinking that he truly needs him there to help. The monsters, though, see him as someone who is brave and could protect them. Stitch Head stays so worried about being loved by the Professor and others; in a way, he holds himself back and does not allow himself just to be free and content with who he is.   

The film’s message is to be true to yourself and confident in who you are. This is a great movie for families to go see together.

I give Stitch Head 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. Head releases in theaters on October 29, 2025.

The Chosen Adventures is a 14-episode animated series following nine-year-old Abby and her best friend Joshua as they navigate life in the ancient city of Capernaum. When the children encounter a wise craftsman and teacher, Jesus of Nazareth, he changes the way they see the world. And did we mention that she has a talking sheep?

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Braedyn M. comments, “The Chosen Adventures is one of the most adorable series I have ever watched with a charming and unique animation style, characters that are full of humor, and lessons that even adults can learn from. They all add up to make an absolutely wonderful show.” Ari C. adds, “I like The Chosen Adventures. It has great graphics, amazing voice actors, and it teaches valuable faith-based lessons. I also like its fun and wacky nature.” See their full reviews and talent interviews below.

The Chosen Adventures
By Braedyn M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

The Chosen Adventures is one of the most adorable series I have ever watched with a charming and unique animation style, characters that are full of humor, and lessons that even adults can learn from. They all add up to make an absolutely wonderful show.

Abby (Romy Fay) is a big-hearted nine-year-old girl, and a very curious one at that. Everywhere she goes in the town of Capernaum, she asks questions, lots of questions, sometimes more than her Abba, Eli (Danny Nucci), and her Eema, Hannah (Zehra Fazal) can answer.  This is when she and her best friend, Joshua (Jude Zarzuar) meet Jesus of Nazareth (Jonathan Roumie) who helps them with all of their questions, and gives them answers that help them understand the true meaning of life.

I really enjoyed the style of animation in this series.  It has sort of a clay-like look to it, with the scenery and characters faithfully crafted to match the setting of an ancient middle eastern fishing village.  Important individuals like Abby and Joshua are easy to spot in a crowd, thanks to unique outfits and traits, and this helps make the story easy to follow.  However, sometimes the characters are a bit difficult to understand when they are speaking. My favorite scene is when Abby returns home from the most terrible day, and is wondering why God would give her a day in which nearly everything has gone wrong. While her Eema teaches her that, even though we might not understand all things, we should still trust God because He does know, a bird named Pigeon (Yvonne Orji) shares the good things that came from Abby’s misfortunes, even though Abby didn’t see them at the time. Speaking of Pigeon, my favorite character is her best friend, Sheep (Paul Walter Hauser). Honestly, the best word to describe Sheep is… satirical. Despite his big, soft, and fluffy physical appearance, his words are often razor sharp. Yes, he does love Abby and her family very much, but he is never without a comment, remark, or some other form of general sarcasm that keeps everyone laughing, and reminds them to not take life too seriously.  

The series’ message is that, in every situation, there is something you can learn.  Abby and Joshua go on many adventures and often end up in very surprising situations.  But in all they do, Jesus teaches them some valuable life lessons, ones that will be cherished and remembered for years to come. 

I give The Chosen Adventures 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12.  It releases on Prime Video on October 17, 2025.

The Chosen Adventures                                                                                                                                                  By Ari C., KIDS FIRST Film Critics, age 13

I like The Chosen Adventures. It has great graphics, amazing voice actors, and it teaches valuable faith-based lessons. I also like its fun and wacky nature.

This incredible show, based on the award-winning series The Chosen, follows a young girl named Abby (Romy Fay), her friend Joshua (Jude Zarzaur), her talking pet sheep, Sheep (Paul Walter Hauser), and her pet pigeon, Pigeon (Yvonne Orji), as they undertake a bunch of wacky adventures and make new friends like Hilarious (Banks Pierce)  Abby has a lot of questions and no one to answer them, until she and Joshua come across a pre-mortem Jesus (Jonathan Roumie) who gives them new insight on life.

The animation, supervised by Denis Couchon, really makes this show. The details of the faces and the characters’ movements are wonderful. Lots of details are put into the nature and animal shots, which make them look very real. I love how every now and then we see a huge splash of color. This series teaches some faith-based lessons like the love of God and even non-faith-based lessons like friendship.  The show takes us through fun adventures that I found enjoyable and think other kids will also. It definitely has a wacky feeling to it – showing stories not only from a human perspective, but also the animals’ perspective, such as from Sheep and Pigeon. The interactions between Sheep and Pigeon add a hilarious feeling to the show. Romy Fay voices Abby perfectly; it’s almost as if she and Abby are literally the same person. Jonathan Roumie plays Jesus perfectly just as he did in The Chosen.  My favorite part is when Joshua overcomes his fear of heights and climbs a ladder – it is very heartwarming. While everyone in the show does not understand Sheep, the viewers and other animals can.

This series has many important lessons including the power of friendship and a reminder that miracles happen all around you.

I give The Chosen Adventures 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. It releases on Prime Video on October 17, 2025.

Tron: Ares follows a highly sophisticated security AI program named Ares who is sent from the digital world into the real world on a mission to find the “Permanence Code.” This code could allow digital programs and constructs to become permanent in reality, ending the 29-minute limit currently imposed by technology from rival companies, Dillinger Systems and ENCOM. After Ares questions his orders and goes rogue to help a human, a conflict ensues with his original creator, Julian Dillinger, and his lieutenant, Athena, who wants to use the code for military purposes.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Rayce S. comments, “Tron: Ares delivers dazzling visual effects and clever nods to its predecessors but struggles to land its emotional core… It has its strengths — the CGI and visual effects are top-tier, immersing viewers in a sleek futuristic world. Jeff Bridges (Kevin Flynn) makes a late appearance, bringing grounded energy that elevates the scenes he is in.” See his full review below.

Tron: Ares
By Rayce S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

Tron: Ares delivers dazzling visual effects and clever nods to its predecessors but struggles to land its emotional core.

The storyline follows Ares a highly advanced program, sent from the digital realm on a very important mission into the physical world as he tries to understand human emotion.

Tron: Ares has its strengths — the CGI and visual effects are top-tier, immersing viewers in a sleek futuristic world. Jeff Bridges (Kevin Flynn) makes a late appearance, bringing grounded energy that elevates the scenes he is in. Jared Leto’s portrayal of Ares adds intrigue, especially as he wrestles with the film’s central theme — what it means to be human. There are also a few well-placed comedic moments that earn genuine laughs without trying too hard. The film’s biggest flaw lies in its characters. Despite the attempts to build emotional stakes, most of the cast of characters feel underdeveloped. They lack depth which makes it hard to connect emotionally to them.  Even in moments meant to evoke sadness or triumph, the emotional impact doesn’t land. The pacing also fails at the end. The story builds intriguing concepts and ideas, but the ending feels rushed and unresolved. The movie is not bad but it’s not great either. It’s worth watching for fans of the franchise or those drawn to high concept sci-fi but don’t expect it to be a deeply moving experience.

The theme of this movie is about understanding what makes a being human and this is mainly portrayed by Ares as he navigates his purpose. The film has stylized sci-fi combat and mild to moderate profanity.

I give Tron: Ares 2.5 out of 5 stars and I recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. This film releases in theaters on October 10, 2025.