Archives for 2026

Based on the bestselling novel from Nobel Prize-winner Kazuo Ishiguro and written and directed by Academy-Award® winner Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit), Klara and the Sun introduces audiences to Klara (Jenna Ortega), an Artificial Friend who wants nothing more than to find the perfect home. When Klara meets Josie (Mia Tharia), each immediately senses a kindred spirit in the other. Josie has a fraught relationship with her mother (Amy Adams) and they’ve suffered great loss, but Klara’s innocent wonder and unwavering loyalty begin to heal the family and bring light to Josie’s complicated world.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Raasti K. comments, “Can a machine love us more deeply than a human? The timing of this film couldn’t be more perfect, since our current world is quickly being taken over by AI…” Valerie M. adds, “I love Klara. She is a fun, relatable character that gives the film an interesting perspective. Watching Klara explore her new world as she moves into the house, was like watching a young child learning about the world and being hopeful of all the good that can come from it.” Julie O. wraps it up with, “The film’s message is about how grief can change people and the importance of relying on others to get through difficult times. Parents should be advised that this film deals with death, sickness, and loss as well as mild violence and injury.” See their full reviews below.

Klara and the Sun

Raasti K., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 14

Can a machine love us more deeply than a human? Based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s bestselling novel, Klara and the Sun reimagines science fiction by asking whether kindness matters more than being gifted. The timing of this film couldn’t be more perfect, since our current world is quickly being taken over by AI and, although the film is depicted as dystopian fiction, it could very well be our reality soon.

In a future where Artificial Friends (human-like robots) accompany youth, solar-powered robot Klara (Jenna Ortega) is chosen by Josie (Mia Tharia), a lonely, sick girl ailing from genetic “lifting.” Despite initial skepticism from Josie’s busy mother (Amy Adams), Klara becomes a devoted companion. Meanwhile, Josie’s unlifted friend Rick (Aran Murphy) uses custom drones to apply to an elite academy. When Josie’s health declines, her mother considers a plan by Mr. Capaldi (Steve Buscemi) for Klara to replace Josie if she dies. Devoted to Josie, Klara risks her own life and prays to the Sun to save her.

Klara and the Sun is so emotional and thought-provoking. The cast is phenomenal; Jenna Ortega plays Klara with such optimism that I truly felt her warmth, sincerity, and humor as she wins over Josie’s family. It really made me fall in love with the idea of having an AF who is such a loyal friend. We see the world through Klara’s pixelated eyes, and see her struggle with even the simplest tasks like climbing stairs. One particularly funny moment is when Klara, despite feeling pain at losing her fellow AF friend, is asked by Rick to say some parting words. Since Klara is a robot, she simply says, “You’re dead,” which shows us the emotional limitations of being a robot! Aran Murphy plays Rick so genuinely, and the most moving scene is when he is with other lifted children, who are cruel and treat their AFs badly, questioning whether being gifted is worth it if humans lose their basic quality of kindness. The pace of the film is perfect, giving us enough time to let the plot sink in while still enjoying the characters’ growth throughout the film, especially Klara’s.

This film questions whether being lifted is worth it if someone loses their kindness in the process. The finale is both heartbreaking and beautiful, and it left me with a huge question: can an AI actually love, or is it just sophisticated programming?

I rate Klara and the Sun 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It releases in cinemas on October 23, 2026.

Klara and The Sun
By Valerie M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic age 13

Klara and The Sun is a beautiful film! It is visually stunning, has relatable characters, relevant themes and a powerful message that make the film unforgettable.

In a dystopian future, an older model of a solar-powered Artificial Friend, aka AF, named Klara (Jenna Ortega) is waiting to be purchased. She believes the Sun has godlike powers and can grant wishes. Eventually, a sickly teenage girl named Josie (Mia Tharia) and her hesitant mother Chrissie (Amy Adams) buy Klara to take care of Josie. As Klara learns about Josie and her health, she starts to look for ways to get her wish to save Josie to the sun.

I love Klara. She is a fun, relatable character that gives the film an interesting perspective. Watching Klara explore her new world as she moves into the house, was like watching a young child learning about the world and being hopeful of all the good that can come from it. Speaking of the world, the scenery and visual design of the sets are amazing. The bright city streets, retro interiors of the house, and surrounding vast fields enhance the story. I like how the use of special effects, like glitches in her eyes as Klara takes in new spaces, helped me see the world from Klara’s point of view. It gives the film more depth without being overstated. The build-up and reveal was shocking. At first, I was just enjoying the little adventures Josey and Klara were on. But when all the little pieces clicked into place, and I saw the whole picture, the emotional payoff was surprising. While I love this film, it is certainly not perfect. First, the pacing is a bit off in the beginning, with some scenes feeling undercooked. The film also condenses a lot of information into explanatory monologues which made me feel like I was being talked at. It’s important to note that this film is not a faithful adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s original novel of the same name. However, even with its faults, I still love the film.

The film’s messageis that true love is not something that can be manufactured, and sometimes people can be so heartless they act like robots. Note that there are themes and visuals of death, blood, explosions, abuse and self-harm.

I give Klara and The Sun 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters on October 23, 2026.

Klara and the Sun

By Julie O. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

I absolutely love the beautiful film, Klara and the Sun. It is an exciting futuristic sci-fi drama that emphasizes the power of love, friendship, and coping with grief.

The storyline follows Klara (Jenny Ortega), an AF (Artificial Friend) robot, that was designed to be a friend to a teenager to help them through their lonely awkward teen years. She spends years waiting to be selected until one day a girl, Josie (Mia Tharia) picks her to be her AF. Josie and her mom, Chrissy (Amy Adams) are still dealing with the death of Josie’s older sister. As Klara adapts to life in the real world she learns about love, friendship, and loss.

Klara and the Sun takes place in the future and I like that much of the futuristic technology is only slightly more advanced from the technology we have today which makes the film feel relatable. For example, every car is self-driving. The imagery in the movie is really beautiful and adds to the overall beauty of the film. I especially love the scenes where Klara explores nature. I also love that the camera angle switches to first person when Klara is calibrating her new surroundings and we get to experience what she sees and how she adapts. I really like the storyline of the store manager (Natasha Lyonne). She adds a lot of humor and sweetness. I love how she has so much compassion for the B1 model AF’s she sells and how she cares for them. I genuinely love every part of this film but my favorite part of the movie is how Klara interprets and experiences love.

The film’s message is about how grief can change people and the importance of relying on others to get through difficult times. Parents should be advised that this film deals with death, sickness, and loss as well as mild violence and injury.

I give Klara and the Sun 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. Klara and the Sun releases in theaters on Friday, October 23, 2026.

When a stray dog begins trailing 12-year-old Bridget through her small town, she tries everything to shake him. The more they wonder, they more she learns about loyalty, courage, and the kind of friendship she never knew she needed. “Not My Dog” is a heartfelt family film about letting go of fear and opening your heart, one paw-step at a time. 

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Spencer C. comments, “I really like Not My Dog. I enjoyed how we get a perspective at the beginning from Nudge’s point of view, showing Nudge (black German Shepherd named Inkois) being chased by Animal Control. I also like how we get a clear perspective on what the main character, Bridget (Rylie Pennington), is like.” Julie O. adds, “Not My Dog is a touching coming-of-age story thanks to the help of man’s best friend. I like that this film has a small cast and the focus is just on the single walk between Bridget’s house and her father’s work place.” Julianna S. wraps it up with, “I like the movie Not My Dog because it is a really sweet, enjoyable family film to watch, with a heartwarming story. The relationship between the main character, Bridget and “not her dog,” Nudge is the strongest part of the film, and the movie excels at mixing humor and sarcasm with emotion.” See their full reviews below. Note: This film is also available to play at our KIDS FIRST! Film Festivals.

Not My Dog

By Spencer C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 12

I really like Not My Dog. I enjoyed how we get a perspective at the beginning from Nudge’s point of view, showing Nudge (black German Shepherd named Inkois) being chased by Animal Control. I also like how we get a clear perspective on what the main character, Bridget (Rylie Pennington), is like.

The storyline follows a stray dog, Nudge, and 12-year-old Bridget, through their small town, as they embark on an unexpected journey, discovering the joy of an unlikely friendship along the way. Bridget is sent to bring lunch to her father at his barbershop when she encounters a stray dog that the Animal Control Officer Phil (Sal Rendino) has chased off. As the dog persistently trails her, Bridget insists to everyone she meets that “he’s not my dog.” As they wander together, Bridget’s initial frustration turns into compassion, pulling her away from her phone and teaching her valuable lessons about loyalty, courage, and friendship.

The movie is set in Vernon, Connecticut, specifically the Rockville section, during the winter. I can tell it is winter because they all are wearing big winter jackets and there is a lot of snow. Something that stands out to me is the original song that Bridget and Jessie (Analise Scarpaci) sing together, which is written by Analise, an actor in the movie. Something else that stands out to me is how, at first, Bridget does not like dogs, because in most movies there is a big bond between the protagonist and animals. The scenes with Nudge running past the local chess players Chuck (Eric Roberts) and Carl (Jeremy London), store owners, and bullies is funny. My favorite character is Nudge the black German Shepherd, because he is very smart. He can always get away from Officer Phil, knows a lot of simple commands and even seems to understand English. But the real reason I like him is because Nudge is very persistent. When Bridget doesn’t like him at first, he just keeps following her. She tells him to stop, but he keeps going until Bridget starts to like him. The turning point in the movie is when a rude woman, Miss Athelia (Marika Domińczyk) teams up with Animal Control Officer Phil to find the dog, and Bridget starts protecting Nudge. I like how the film reminds us that our feelings about someone, or an animal, can change once we actually get to know them.

The film’s message is that the best adventures are face to face instead of through a phone or on a screen.

I give Not My Dog 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. Not My Dog is available on VOD, AVOD and Streaming now.

Not My Dog

By Julie O. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

Not My Dog is a touching coming-of-age story thanks to the help of man’s best friend. I like that this movie conveys a lot of meaning with a small cast and a minimal script.

Bridget (Rylie Pennington) is a typical 12-year-old girl who has to walk across town to take her father his lunch. A decision on which path to take – the long way or the short cut, changes her life in an unexpected way. A stray dog joins her on her trip and refuses to leave her side. Along her way she comes across two chess players (Eric Roberts and Jeremy London), a singer, some high schoolers, a dog catcher, and Mrs. Athelia who tries to get Bridget in trouble for having the dog off of a leash.

I like that this film has a small cast and the focus is just on the single walk between Bridget’s house and her father’s work place. I really enjoyed the slower pace of the film and the detail put into all of the interactions Bridget has on her journey. Most of the film is shot with close-ups, which gives a first person feeling. I love the use of the colors black, white, and red. The ground is covered in snow, the stray dog is black, and several of the characters wear red hats. These colors provide a nice contrast. I also like that Mrs. Athelia is dressed to look like Cruella from 101 Dalmatians. She wears a bright red hat and a long white and black fur coat. Every time she runs into Bridget there is conflict about the dog and her costume helps make her character larger than life. My favorite part of the story is whenever Bridget runs into Carl, one of the chess players in the park; he always imparts some life wisdom using chess as an example. He always says, “Life is like chess…”

The film’s message is that the unexpected can open new opportunities. I also like how the movie emphasizes the power of community and building relationships. This is a family friendly movie.

I give Not My Dog 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12. Itis available to stream on VOD and AVOD now.

Not My Dog

By Juliana S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17

I like the movie Not My Dog because it is a really sweet, enjoyable family film to watch, with a heartwarming story. The relationship between the main character, Bridget and “not her dog,” Nudge is the strongest part of the film, and the movie excels at mixing humor and sarcasm with emotion.

The storyline follows Bridget (Rylie Pennington), a guarded, sarcastic 12-year-old girl living in a small town. Her mom sends her on an errand to take lunch to her father and Bridget’s day takes an unexpected turn when a stray dog begins following her. After many attempts to get rid of him, she eventually takes him on and names him Nudge, based on the fact that he won’t leave her side. She repeatedly tells people that he is “not my dog,” but he becomes intertwined with different relationships with various people, who all comment on the dog. While Nudge begins the story as an annoying interruption to Bridget’s chore, he becomes something much more meaningful.

The person who stands out to me the most is Rylie Pennington, who plays Bridget. Pennington portrays Bridget’s stubbornness and sarcastic-ness perfectly, while still showing a softer, more scared side of her character. At the beginning, Pennington demonstrates feeling annoyed by Nudge, and her body language shows us how she does not want to take responsibility for him. However, as the film develops, Pennington physically and emotionally opens up more to Nudge and her surroundings. I love how she shows Bridget’s emotions through her facial expressions! I was also impressed by Inkosi, the dog that plays Nudge. Even though he cannot speak, his expressions, movements, and reactions make him feel like an important character rather than a simple dog. Inkosi develops a connection with Bridget, making their relationship feel authentic and sweet. Together, these two create a friendship that has a natural feel and produces heartwarming moments.

The film’s message is that sometimes, relationships we never expect can become the most important. Bridget begins her story trying to push away Nudge, but he ends up teaching her about loyalty, responsibility, and being kind and open to others. This film reminds us to be more open to the world, and take a chance beyond first impressions.

I give Not My Dog 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. Not My Dog is available now on VOD, AVOD, and streaming platforms.

Shaun The Sheep: The Beast Of Mossy Bottom sees the residents of Mossy Bottom Farm looking forward to Halloween – until the clumsy Farmer trashes the Flock’s beloved pumpkin patch! When Shaun turns MAD SCIENTIST to fix the problem, things rapidly spiral out of control… With The Farmer missing and a wild beast roaming the woods of Mossingham, all the ingredients are in place for a monstrously fun family adventure. From Aardman, the Academy Award ® -winning animation studio behind Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run, Shaun The Sheep: The Beast Of Mossy Bottom continues its 50-year legacy of hand-crafted claymation with instantly lovable characters and hysterical down-home charm. In theatres on September 18, 2026.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Raasti K. comments, “If you’re looking for a hilarious Halloween cartoon, the new movie Shawn the Sheep – The Beast of Mossy Bottom, should definitely be considered! It’s a sweet movie that your whole family can snuggle together with a bowl of popcorn and watch, share some laughs, and create unforgettable memories.” See her full review and talent interviews below.

Shaun the Sheep – The Beast of Mossy Bottom
By Raasti K., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 14

If you’re looking for a hilarious Halloween cartoon, the new movie Shawn the Sheep – The Beast of Mossy Bottom, should definitely be considered! It’s a sweet movie that your whole family can snuggle together with a bowl of popcorn and watch, share some laughs, and create unforgettable memories.

The storyline follows some clever sheep in a fictional town who are growing their own pumpkins for Halloween, until a hated vet’s visit accidentally destroys them. In an attempt to fix the mess, an especially smart sheep named Shaun decides to brew his own mixture to help the pumpkins grow quickly, which turns out to be extremely dangerous. However, the shy farmer accidentally takes it, hoping to grow his hair for a date with the vet. The potion turns him into a giant, hairy Bigfoot monster that is now on the loose, scaring the townsfolk and appearing to be a monster trying to terrorize the town.

I love this movie since it is totally different from the ones I usually see, as it has no words. The stop-action style animation is eye-catching, and I especially love how the sheep’s mouths jut out from the side of their heads, giving them a lopsided, cute smile. The farmer’s dog is such a funny character because he is portrayed as a real human, doing things like raking leaves or drinking a mug of coffee. The music is also very catchy, especially the song that plays when Bigfoot climbs the hill. Another song that sticks with me is the harmony the sheep sang and played by the dock as a distraction for Shaun to sneak onto the boat.

Ultimately, the film serves as a powerful reminder to always stay cautious. It highlights how tempting situations can often hide hidden dangers and stresses the importance of paying attention to avoid making costlier mistakes down the road.

I rate Shaun the Sheep – The Beast of Mossy Bottom 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8. It releases in theaters on September 18, 2026.