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My favorite character in the movie is M.K., played by Amanda Seyfried. M.K. shows great courage and intelligence when, out of nowhere, she is changed into a tiny person with the duty to save the forest from forces of destruction called the Boggans. Through her knowledge of the "big world" M.K., with her father's help, is able to help save the forest. She is also able to reconnect with her father and, in the end, realizes that he was right about so many things.
"EPIC" is very well written and the special effects showing life in a forest, as seen through 3D and from a tiny person's view, are outstanding. It makes you wonder how many other universes are there out there that might be like our own.
My favorite scene in the movie is towards the end, when M.K. has to find a way to stop the evil Boggans from taking over the forest. This, she is able to do, by jumping into her father's pocket and pulling out her dad's cellphone to make a sound that scares away the evil bats who are blocking the full moon in order to try to prevent the new queen from being born in the forest. M.K.'s bravery and courage during this scene is amazing!
The film teaches very important life lessons. It shows us that forces of good and bad are always at war. Or, as the lead warrior for the forest explains to M.K.: "We are all individuals, but we are also all interconnected," "You get what you put into things," and "We are many leaves on one tree."
I give the movie five out of five stars. It is an excellent 3D adventure comedy that teaches life lessons to all viewers. It is also a great family movie appropriate for ages six and up as there are some scary parts of the movie that I wouldn't recommend to kids under the age of six.
Reviewed by Adam C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic (age 7)
This film is the next chapter in the "Fast & Furious" series. Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) gets the help of Dominic Tourette (Vin Diesel) and his team to take down an ex- Special Ops soldier, Owen Shaw (Luke Evans) who is the leader of a unit specializing in vehicular combat. The only way to stop this criminal activity is to beat them on the streets.
When I see "Fast & Furious 6" all I can say is WOW! It has tons of action, powerful music and some really great fighting scenes. Luke Evans plays an amazing villain and you really wish something bad would happen to him. The special effects are incredible and the story line kept my interest, so much that I am wanting more and more. The car racing scenes are astonishing with lots of speed and constant momentum throughout. This film has something for everyone. It has action, suspense, a little humor and one great climax. My favorite character is Luke Hobbs because he is very funny and is in a lot of the action. My favorite scene is when Luke shoots the vending machine and all the candy comes out. You really do not expect someone to actually shoot a machine just because the coins are not working or they do not have any. The stunts are incredible and amazing. The scenery and landscape cinematography from the different countries is great to see.
Writers, Chris Morgan and Gary Scott Thompson, along with Director, Justin Lin, have created an incredible storyline that is very enjoyable and thrilling to watch. "Fast & Furious 6" also stars actors, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Elsa Pataki and Jordana Brewster.
One message here is "you should not turn your back on family, even if they do! They may still need you for one thing or another so be there for them."
I give this film a roaring 5 out of 5 stars and recommend to ages 13 to adults. I love the plot, action and the suspense. "Fast & Furious 6" is rated PG-13 and there is a little content that is not suitable for younger ages, so please be aware of this.
All roads lead to a theater near you showing "Fast & Furious 6" on May 24th, so check it out with your family. You will be so happy you did.
Brianna Hope Beaton, Age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic
This move has a mix of comedy which I've noticed is in every Lego movie. It has action, adventure, great actors and even a lifelong lesson - sometimes you can't do things all by yourself, you need help. There are some pretty cool structures and machines. All these structures are built out of Lego bricks so you can really build them yourself if you knew how!
The adventure begins when Bruce Wayne wins the "Man of the Year" award. If you don't know who Bruce Wayne is, he is Batman undercover. Then, the Joker commits a crime and Batman and Robin have to capture him once again. As they are trying to achieve their goal, Superman helps him. Batman gets annoyed with Superman but, at the end they work together and call in all the superheroes to defeat the Joker! If you want to know what happens at the end you must watch the movie.
What I love about this funny, action-packed film is how it shows the relationship between Robin and Batman as somewhat difficult. This isn't very good for a side-kick and a hero. At the end though, they become good friends. Also, it shows all the heroes' powers like Superman's strength and Batman's throwing skills. The best part for me is how everything is made out of Legos. And, as in most Lego movies, there are cool animations, good actions and great voiceover actors.
My favorite scene is when the bat cave gets destroyed. It's action packed and shows Joker's "funny" side with his strange humor and his pie bombs. Superman helps them. But, the Joker and his partner Lex, who is running for president and using Joker to win election, gets away. Would you like to know how he was able to defeat Superman's power? Get a copy of this wonderful film and find out!
I recommend this film for ages 3 and up. There's really no violence or harsh language in this movie. "Lego Batman the Movie" is extremely kid-friendly. I give this movie 5 out 5 stars. You can find it on DVD everywhere now.
Reviewed by Gerry O, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
I am in love with this movie! Words can't describe how incredible the entire film is, but I'll do my best. This film is in 3D, which makes the incredible set and costume design come to life. The visuals in this film could have been a movie of its own because they are so breathtakingly beautiful. The rich colors and textures make the cinematography pop. This film is set in the 20s, where life for the wealthy was lavish and over the top 24-7 and the wardrobe really shows that off. The entire look of this movie is so rich and lavish that it sucks you in and you feel as if you can grasp the fabrics and streamers of Jay Gatsby's parties because everything is so full-bodied with color. I feel like you could take a screenshot of every frame in this film and then send it off to a photography museum because it is just so striking.
The soundtrack is another thing of wonder in this film. It features modern songs such as Jay-Z and Kanye West's "No Church in the Wild" as well as Lana Del Rey's "Young and Beautiful" and other artist such as Florence + the Machine, Beyonce, William and even a few dubstep mixes, however all these modern hits are meshed with 20s rag time, giving it an authentic feel with a modern edge. It took me a few scenes to get used to because when I first heard modern artist Frank Ocean singing while a 20s-themed trumpet tune played, I was a little shocked. Once I warmed up to it, I fell in love with the unique sound. I actually think it is a very clever way to make the younger generation become more enthralled with the movie because the music we are used to at parties is the more modern sound. I think it is a clever way to make the festivities of this movie more appealing to a younger crowd.
My favorite scene would have to be when Nick goes to one of Gatsby's massive parties. People from all over New York and from all walks of life would flock to Gatsby's house weekend after weekend to indulge in his lavish lifestyle, even though none of them knew Gatsby or had ever met him. In the very first party scene you really become engorged in the luxurious accommodations of Gatsby's palace. His house is filled with streamers, dancers, outrageously dressed guests and vivid decor. The entire scene is so visually pleasing. I also really enjoyed the scene where Gatsby plans for Daisy to visit Nick at his house and then "coincidentally" stop by so he can see her again after 5 years. I like this scene because Gatsby always seems like such a confident man who is on top of the world but, when he is faced with seeing his true love after so many years apart, he gets the demeanor of a squeamish school boy. It is so cute how he obsesses over Daisy in the beginning of the scene and it is touching how nervous he gets before she comes over. Leonardo's acting in this scene is truly astounding and his subtle display of emotions accents the fact that he is frantically trying to conceal his emotions.
My favorite character is Jay Gatsby because he is such a complex man. He builds his entire dream life to impress Daisy. He builds his home across the lake from her house so he can see her, throws parties hoping she'll attend, and does everything in his power to be near to her which is very humbling considering he could do virtually anything with his riches. Leonardo's performance in this film deserves an award because of how realistically he portrayed Gatsby. I truly respect Leonardo as an actor because no matter what role he is playing I never see it as Leo playing so and so, but I see him as the actual character. He full-heartedly embodies Jay Gatsby and shows the depths of the character in such a remarkable way. I loved every second of his performance.
Overall I give this film 5 out of 5 stars, I would give it more if I could! "The Great Gatsby" has everything I look for in a film - well executed plot, excellent visuals, unique music, and a brilliant cast and crew. I recommend this film for ages 13 and up for excessive drinking and mature situations. I can't wait to see this film again. Reviewed by Raven D, age 15, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic
Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is back, and after fighting with the Avengers, faces a new threat, a terrorist named Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) and a new foe Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce).We also see James Rhodes/Iron Patriot ( Don Cheadle) who helps Tony out in his time of crises. Not only is Tony facing the anxiety of keeping Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) safe, but also learns that it's the man that makes the suit.
I love the special effects in this flick. The suits get better and better. The way they move, attach, fight and look is wonderful. Robert Downey Jr. continues his character development as Tony Stark and I love every minute he's on screen. Gwyneth Paltrow is fantastic. She's not just a damsel in distress. She saves Tony two different times and has a likable, lovable personality. The story is very engaging and the dialogue is great. The one thing I don't like is the intellectual twist. I have mixed feelings about the turn of events in this film. My inner die-hard, comic book-loving side is disappointed, but my film critic side sees it as genius.
My favorite character is Harley (Ty Simpkins), a boy who befriends Tony and helps repair the Iron Man suit. Harley is bright, independent and a little too much like Tony. When you put the two together, you get non-stop laughter.
The moral of the story is: it's not the suit that makes the man, it's the man that makes the suit. Tony can't sleep because he gets nightmares, so he spends all his time at night making more suits to protect himself and Pepper. The truth is, he saves Pepper without the suit.
My favorite scene is the final battle. The action is larger-than-life. The different suits, the way they fight, make you want to cheer. It gets you to the edge of your seat; it's intense, fast and action-packed.
I recommend this to 11-year-olds and up. Bad language is low and the action not too intense for this age range. They will love the comedy. I give this 5 stars. Even if the twist is a little disappointing, it's still amazing. Robert Downey Jr. continues his character development as Tony Stark and I love every minute he's on screen. Gwyneth Paltrow is fantastic. She's not just a damsel in distress. She saves Tony two different times and has a likable, lovable personality. The story is very engaging and the dialogue is great. The one thing I don't like is the intellectual twist. I have mixed feelings about the turn of events in this film. My inner die-hard, comic book-loving side is disappointed, but my film critic side sees it as genius.
Reviewed by Keefer B., age 12, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic
"Iron Man 3" picks up just months after where the "Avengers" left off. Tony Stark, played by Robert Downey Jr., is still trying to deal with the traumatic events that took place in New York when Loki tried to take over the world and the stress is ruining Tony's life. Now, a new threat, the Mandarin, is brought into the equation and Tony has to balance his duties as a hero with protecting his true love, Pepper Pots. If that isn't enough of a challenge, he also has to deal with a biological warfare going on by vengeful colleagues.
I love this film. I think it is by far the most intense addition to the "Iron Man" series thus far. The amount of explosions, fight sequences and new Iron Man suits in this film are incredible, plus the stunning 3D make this film a must see. The special effects are outstanding and I absolutely love all of the different suits that Tony has created in this movie.
My favorite scene is the final battle sequence when Tony and the Iron Patriot have to save Pepper and the president from the Mandarin, a terrorist who is wreaking havoc across the world. I enjoyed this scene because you get to see all of the different Iron Man suits that have been waiting in Tony's basement to be shown off. They remind me a lot of Transformers in a way because all the suits have the same general design, but they range in size and ability. I also think it's really cool how in this film Jarves, Tony's electronic assistant is piloting the suits because it gave a lot more room to add the thrill of destroying the suits without having to worry about killing off characters. I also enjoy the scene when Tony meets his biggest fan, Gerry. Even though this scene is very brief, it is so funny. Tony needs Gerry's help in order to use a news van to check government files and, Gerry is so obsessed with him. The whole situation is awkward, creepy and so hilarious. It may not be an important scene, but it is memorable.
My favorite character is actually a new one. When Tony (Robert Downey Jr.) crash lands in a small town with his damaged suit, he meets a young boy named Harley Keener, played by Ty Simpkins. I really like him because he is only a young boy but he isn't afraid to match Tony when it comes to being head strong and spunky. Harley is a character that younger audiences will resonate with and I appreciate him for that.
Overall I give this film 5 out of 5 stars because it is the perfect addition to the "Iron Man" series and is the most intense and driven film in the series so far. I recommend it for ages 10 to 18 due to intense and mature action scenes. Adults will enjoy this film as well.
Reviewed by Raven D., age 15, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic
This movie follows a fourteen-year-old boy named Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and his best friend Neckbone (Jacob Lofland) who go to an island to claim a boat in a tree. They are surprised to find a man living in their boat. The man says that his name is Mud (Matthew McConaughey) and he is waiting for his true love Juniper (Reese Witherspoon.) Eventually Mud earns the boys trust, and even after Mud is able to leave with his boat running, he still stops again in danger to say goodbye to Ellis, leading to a whirlwind of danger and intensity and cannot be explained, but you can watch it in theaters.
I love this movie and recommend it to ages fourteen and up because it shows a lot of abusive scenes, intense language and violence. It deserves five out of five stars from me, for its pleasant intensity. Victoria Burns, age 14, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
In "A Day With The Dinosaurs" I learned how to draw a Pterodactyl and a T-Rex. Mark visits the Museum of Boston and speaks to an expert to learn more about them and to get an idea of how the dinosaurs lived, what they ate and how long they lived. I learned that sometimes they call dinosaurs very large lizards.
In the other episode, "Reach For The Stars" I learned how to draw an astronaut and the planet Saturn, the planet with the rings around it. At the Museum of Boston, he speaks to another expert about the stars, the galaxy, the astronauts and of course, about Saturn. I also learned how far we are from the stars. I thought that the stars were probably about 270 miles from us, but they are actually millions of miles from us, that's really far! You can see the stars look kind of close, but they are so far away!!
Mark taught me that a drawing takes time and you don't have to rush. Always draw the stick figure, the foundation, before you start adding details and other special little things you can always add. You need to draw the outline and just sketch it, don't hold your pencil so hard, sketch lightly and softly.
I recommend this show to anyone who loves to draw and wants to improve their drawing. You can have fun with the tips he gives you which may lead you to become and artist or to illustrate books. I give the show 5 stars out of 5 and recommend it to all ages because it's never too late to learn to draw. "Drawing with Mark" is a really fun, artistic and colorful show that will be open a new world to future artists around the world. Get your copy of Drawing With Mark available now on DVD. Stacy-Love Belizaire, age 10, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
The "Happy Tails" part of this show is about cats and dogs and how to draw them. He also talks about how much responsibility it is to have a dog; you have to groom it, take care of it, bring it to the vet and feed it. In the "Ice Cream" episode, Mark goes to the ice cream shop and learns about children's' favorite ice cream flavors and you'll never guess: it's cake batter flavor! When I heard this I thought that it was funny because I would never think that they would make a cake batter flavored ice cream. The lead characters in these episodes are Mark (Mark Marderosian), Crystal Cat and Eclipse Doggy.
I like that this show helped me be a better artist and I learned how to draw a dog and a cat better than I already did. I also learned how to draw an ice cream truck and a man holding an ice cream. I love watching this because I learned a lot and it made me understand the fundamentals of drawing. I also like that they put a live-action human with animated characters. I also like it when they went into the ice cream shop and they saw Crystal Cat On the toppings section, they thought that it was funny because they were talking about all of the toppings that the kids pick every time they come in and Crystal Cat was right there so they started laughing. There is no underlying message in this story, because it's about drawing, except maybe that no matter how old you are, you can draw big things.
I recommend this show to anyone that loves to draw to express their feelings, or to just have fun. I recommend this for people ages six and older because anyone can draw if they want to. I would give this DVD four out of five because overall I liked it but I hoped that it had more music. "Drawing With Mark" is available for all art lovers on DVD. Valdi Belizaire, age 11, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
Even though the main story of the film is fiction, the characters are based on real people. This is a story of a wonderful relationship between two people who dedicated their life to what they love the most - space. This is a story about a man and his 15-year-old son and a real space camp that is located at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL. The movie was mostly shot there and I myself now can't wait to visit it.
The story starts when Jimmy (Thomas Horn) is being selected for the competition in Space Camp. He is very excited. You can imagine what it means to a kid that dreamed all his life about going to space and now he has a possibility of making it a reality. Sadly, his mother is against it and doesn't agree with her son's choices. Jimmy decides to lie to his parents and makes it to the camp anyway. Now, if you would like to find out if Jimmy and his teammates made it to space or if you are curious to know how his parents reacted when they found out where Jimmy truly was - you have to watch the movie.
What makes this film special, for me, is the fact that Jimmy is very passionate about his love for space and works hard on trying to be the best at what he does. He keeps pushing himself to become a more educated, better person. I love the friendship Jimmy develops with his teammates even though it gets off to a rocky start. They learn to respect and accept Jimmy for who he is.
My favorite scene in the movie is when NASA's representative decides to listen to the kids' suggestion during critical time and gives them a chance to prove that they are right which leads to a very cool outcome for Jimmy's team.
I recommend this fabulous film to kids ages 5 to 18. Some things and terminology may be too complicated to understand for younger kids. This movie is very inspirational and teaches viewers a lot of valuable lessons! I give "Space Warriors" 5 out of 5 stars. The film will premiere on the Hallmark Channel on Friday, May 31 at 8 p.m. ET (Check your local listings) Later, it will be available on DVD at Wal-Mart.
Reviewed by Gerry Orz, age 11, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic
"Koala Kid" is a animated film about a white Koala who doesn't he think he fits in with his community of gray Koalas and comes to believe that he has special talents which he thinks can prove to everyone that he belongs. He does this by going on a miraculous journey to defeat an evil crocodile named Bog.
The Koala Kid's name is Johnny and he's voiced by Rob Schneider. As his journey continues he meets Miranda, a gray Koala (Yvonne Strahvoski), Hamish the Tasmanian Devil (Bret McKenzie) and his Monkey Photographer Lokie (Charlie Bewley). They battle with their wits and through action with Bog the villainous Crocodile (Alan Cumming, the Bad Guy from Spy Kids!) and his chief henchman, Blacktooth the Dingo (Tim Curry).
There is one moment that seems to capture the humor and suspense of this movie perfectly. When Bog the evil Croc is sleeping, the tiny wombats take Snorkles into the pond and capture Bog with a net. When Bog awakes, he shrugs them off of him as if it is nothing. I didn't want to laugh because the Wombats are so cute, but it is funny.
I really like the animation in this film because it feels as if you're really in the hot outback with all these fun characters.
The colorfulness adds to the fun I experienced. There is also one song in the movie which continues the colorfulness and had both me AND my mom tapping our feet, "Do You Come From a Land Down Under." I think I'm still tapping my feet.
I think the message of this movie is no matter what you look like, you can always become a hero.
If you like adventurous cartoons as much as I do, then "Koala Kid" is the movie for you. I recommend this to kids ages six to sixteen because as much as it is a lifelong lesson that you can always use. There are some suspenseful moments that could be scary to the younger ones.
I rate this movie five out of five stars because it's hilarious and colorful which speaks to the mind of kids and teens. Reviewed by Canela Roey, age 10.
I really love this film. Not only is "42" educational, but it also has a sense of humor, wit and a whole lot of inspiration. This film captures the hardships that not only Jackie and his family dealt with, but also the hatred that was shown towards the people that supported him. I really like the cinematography and the way the camera angles are able to capture the movement of the players and the unspoken communication between the team members. The costume and set design is also very well done and accurate for that time period.
My favorite character is Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) because he really shows emotion in a realistic way. Jackie is faced with challenge after challenge, but always overcomes, and Chadwick did a phenomenal job of displaying all that was going through his characters mind with nothing but a simple expression. Chadwick also captured Jackie's spunk and defiance towards the norms. Jackie Robinson is such an inspirational person and character. At any given moment he could have given up, let down the people that looked up to him, believe all the hate that was thrown at him, but he didn't, and that's what makes him a hero. I believe Jackie is a character that every man, woman and child can look up to and find inspiration in.
My favorite scene is when Jackie plays one of his first games as a Dodger. The manager of the opposing team is very slanderous and vile towards Jackie. He calls out awful racial slurs while Jackie is out on the field, but Jackie knows if he did anything about it he would be the one who gets punished. Finally after the other Dodgers had enough, Eddie Stanky marched over to the opposing team and told the manager to sit down. He knows he is breaking the rules, but when he sees a team member of his being harped on he takes a chance and stands up of for him. This scene shows that the color of one's skin doesn't matter and that Eddie would have done that for any one of his teammates. It's a wonderful example of equity and sportsmanship and it is very moving.
I give "42" 5 out of 5 stars because it is touching, funny, educational and inspirational. It's rated PG-13 which I agree with because it does run a bit long and younger children may find it hard to sit through, but it also contains a lot of racial slurs and slanderous language that may be hard for children to understand. This film is so incredible, you owe it to yourself to go see it. Reviewed by Raven Devanney, age 15, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic
The preview of this movie was very cute. It is a story about a mom and dad who want to go on a vacation together. The question is, who will watch the three children. They decide to ask the grandparents. The favorite grandparents are busy and cannot come so they have to call the other grandparents. R I is a new house that is all computerized and the dad's project. The technology is very confusing to the grandparents. It is a very cool house that everyone will want to own. Marisa Tomei is a mother, trying to juggle a family and a job. She is trying to do the best job she can but there are many choices of how to raise your children. Tom Everett Scott plays dad, who just wants his wife to be proud of him and misses spending time with her alone. The kids are adorable. I love the kangaroo. Barker has a strong grip and doesn't want his mother to leave. This will have you laughing. Harper is an amazing violist and the perfect big sister. Turner has issues but learns to overcome them. The old grandparents do not always understand the way their daughter is raising her children. They do not follow her rules. When they find out they are not the favorites they decide it is time to take action and make the children love them. Even I know sugar makes kids crazy. Cake any one? My favorite scene was when they play kick the can. Playing in the rain is always fun; add a game and it is funtastic. My favorite character was the grandmother because Bette Midler stood up for her granddaughter. She was funny and even had scene with her famous singing voice. The grandfather, Billy Crystal would be great to hang out with because he loves baseball and so do I. He believes in this movie so much that he also signed on as a producer. The moral is, if everyone works together things will come out all right. Sometimes it takes a little time to understand someone else's ways. All ages will love this move from the young 5 to the elder 105. It is about different ages all trying to understand each other, learn from each other and getting to place of being a happy family. I give this movie 5 twinkling stars it was cute, funny and made for everyone. Morgan Bertsch, age 8, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
"Parental Guidance" is extremely funny and enjoyable. Artie Decker (Billy Crystal) is let go from his baseball announcing job which he truly loves. His only daughter, Alice Simmons, (Marisa Tomei) and her Husband, Phil Simmons (Tom Everett Scott) get a chance to go on a vacation and need someone to look after their three school-age kids. Artie and his wife, Diane Decker (Bette Midler), agree to look after them for a week and will do anything to not be the "other grandparents." But their style of parenting clashes with Alice and her husband's parenting ways. This film keeps me laughing a lot and I must admit, shedding a few tears. My favorite character is Barker Simmons (Kyle Harrison Breitkopf). He has the cutest little face, with red curly hair, and cracks me up with some of the things he is doing. The acting is really good and believable. I can actually see this plot happening in real life that's how believable it is. I also like Harper Simmons, (Bailee Madison) as she acts very well. She is so intense with her acting and so believable with her crying scenes. I have two favorite scenes, one is when Harper has a mouthful of cake and then says to her mother, Yogurt is not like ice cream, you lied; and second is when Artie is at the little league baseball game with his daughter and causes trouble because there is no 3 strike game rule. Andy Fickman directs "Parental Guidance" and Lisa Addario along with Joe Syracuse writes this very funny script. Other talents include Jennifer Crystal Foley, Rhonda Griffis and the very funny Gedde Watanabe. A lesson in this film is to live your life, love yourself and laugh a lot. I recommend "Parental Guidance" for ages 6 and up. This is a great film for the family and your friends to see. This is really good comedy that will keep you laughing. Get ready to laugh, cry and have a good time. I give this film 5 out of 5 five stars. I love the actors, the plot and comedy. Billy Crystal and Bette Midler are hilarious together with their style of parenting. Have some fun with your grandparents and see "Parental Guidance." It arrives in theaters on December 25 and I'm sure you will love it. Brianna Hope Beaton, age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
I love this movie; it has something for every age group to relate to. Artie (Billy Crystal) and Dianne (Bette Midler) are asked by their daughter Alice (Marisa Tomei) to watch her three kids for one week. Alice and her husband win a trip for two to celebrate their success. However, Alice wants Artie and Dianne to use her method of parenting, not the old school way that Artie and Dianne use to raise her. The children are Harper (Bailee Madison), Turner (Joshua Rush) and Barker (Kyle Breitkopf). They are not to have any sugar and live a very structured life. Each has their own issues. Artie and Dianne have to learn how to deal with their issues using the 21st century method. Billy Crystal owns his character. I really see Billy Crystal as Artie I did not see any acting with this character. Bette Midler also does a great job as Diane, funny and great voice. Artie and Dianne's lines seems like they are improvised, and their comic timing is awesome. The child actors are great too. Harper's look of awkwardness when her crush asks her to his party is so true to life. Turner's speech impediment is so real; I thought he really has the impediment. Barker is a riot; he has that face that looks as if he's up to something. The movie quality is very clear. The props for the smart house are awesome. One day we will all have a smart house and our parents will think it's creepy. The small home town setting looks just like it's in Fresno, California. My favorite character is Turner. He is determined to overcome his speech impediment and defend himself with the bully. He does a great job of stuttering. The lesson in this movie is each generation has their own way of parenting. I rank this movie 5 out of 5 stars. This movie age range is 5 and up. This movie comes out December 25, 2012 in theaters near you. Cheyenne Nguyen, age 9, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
I find this movie entertaining, but is quite different than what I expected it to be. In all honesty it's more of a witty chick-flick than a comedy. I think the storyline was pretty funny and touching which works for this movie. It really shows off how clever of an actress Tina Fey is, which is why she is my favorite in this film.
I like Portia (Tina Fey) because she has so many ups and downs with her emotions and it's hilarious to watch her go from crying to being hilarious all in a scene. She deals with situations very calmly, but you can tell that behind her deserved mask, she is freaking out. Portia has some tension with her co-worker Corrine who is running for the same promotion as her. I love the way Portia shows her disdain for Corrine, and how she tries to cover up her dislike for her around the boss. She is definitely the highlight of comedy in this film.
My favorite scene is when Portia checks in on Jeremiah when he stays the night on campus. She tries to sneak into a party he is at and awkwardly asks him if he needs anything, like a toothbrush! You can tell he is really weirded out by her questions, but he goes with her anyway to get a toothbrush. Their interaction at the store was so hilarious because Portia is trying to act motherly and Jeremiah has no clue what's going on. It's a very awkward, yet funny scene. I really enjoy this whole movie and each scene is very well composed and I don't feel like a single scene was out of place or necessary for the plot.
Overall I recommend this film for ages 12 and up because there isn't any violence or excess cursing, but there are a few mild sexual situations. I give "Admission" 4 out of 5 stars, so go enroll at a theater near you! Raven Devanney, age 15, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
I'm actually that impressed with this movie. When you think of Steve Carell and Jim Carrey (stars of this film) you think of all-out humor, but this movie is lacking in laughs. I feel like they put most of the funny parts of the film into the trailer and left nothing for the movie. I had such high expectations for this film and they were let down. Don't get me wrong, the movie is entertaining and has a few hilarious moments, but it isn't what I expected from a film with so much hype.
There is nothing special about the cinematography, it is a quality picture, just like any other 2D film you would see in a theater today. However, I do like the use of colors when it comes to costume and set design by Dayna Pink and Andrea Fenton because they show the more cheesy side of Las Vegas entertainment.
My favorite scene is the very end of the film when Burt and Anton pull their biggest stunt. It's so funny when you see the "behind the scenes" work that goes into their trick because it seems so ridiculous and over-the-top-funny.
My favorite character is Rance Holloway played by Alan Arkin because he is such a witty character. Rance is the old magician who inspired Burt to become a magician and when Burt meets Rance later in life, it is very comical. Not only are their interactions funny, but also touching. Burt had lost touch with the wonder and amazement that magic brings and Rance is able to re-teach Burt a few old tricks that help him rediscover why he first became a magician.
Overall I give The Incredible Burt Wonderstone 3.5 out of 5 stars because it isn't as incredible as I expected, but it does have an entertaining quality to it. I recommend this film for ages 13+ because it contains quite a bit of rude humor, sexual situations and references and some disturbing images. So if you want to check out the magic, be sure to head to a theater near you when this film hits the big screen on March 15th. Reviewed by KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Raven Devanney, age 15.
Let's return to Nim's Island to see how things are going with Nim (Bindi Irwin) and her Father (Matthew Lillard). One day they get a message that some people will be buying the island to build an attraction there, but Nim will not stand for it and comes up with some things to do to save what she calls home. She will do almost anything to protect the island and the animals that she loves so well. Everything is going fine until Edmund, (Toby Wallace), comes along to help but brings trouble. Will Nim get to keep and stay living at her personal resort or will she have to pack up and leave?
I really love this film. It's the sequel to Nim's Island. I love the underwater shoots and the humor. The cast is doing an incredible job in interacting with the animals and making it all believable. My favorite character is Nim because she is not afraid to speak her mind, and will not let anyone push her around. My favorite scene is when Nim is going on the zip line. It looks really cool to ride and I would love to do it. I love the music as it fits in perfectly with the scenes.
Brendan Maher directs "Nim's Island." Author of the "Nim's Island" series, Wendy Orr, is the inspiration behind this film. Everyone does an amazing job - from the animals to all the cast - it makes an impact with an environmental message. The big message is that you should do everything you can to help the marine and wildlife, if you cannot, please do not harm it. Additionally, it emphasizes the idea to "never give up on what you want to do."
I recommend, "Return to Nim's Island" for ages 7 to 14. Parents will enjoy it as much as their kids. If you love the wild you will love this film.
I give this film an overwhelming 5 out of 5 stars. I love the adventure, cinematography, action and, of course, the humor. Reviewed by Brianna Hope Beaton, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
The magic of the 2008 blockbuster hit "Nim's Island" is back in its sequel, aptly named, "Return to Nim's Island." The film is made up of a completely different cast, but the charm, quirkiness and the aura of excitement makes the island an endearing getaway for the adventurous child that lives in all of our hearts.
Nim (Bindi Irwin), a precocious 14-year-old, still has a gift of immersing herself in nature. She lives on a tropical island with her scientist father Jack (Matthew Lillard) and her animal friends. When a boy named Edmund (Toby Wallace) shows up to explore the island, a wild series of events unravel. Nim, Edmund, and Jack must fight to defend their island and its abundant animal ecosystems from developers and poachers.
Directed by Brendan Maher, the film opens up with amazing underwater cinematography, capturing my attention from the start. The shots of exotic creatures of all shapes and sizes are simply breathtaking. There is, of course, the environmental message behind the storyline. Not only will kids love the fun antics of Selkie the sea lion, but families will also be inspired to learn more about endangered animals and their habitats.
I love the film's new cast. Bindi Irwin, daughter of the Crocodile Hunter star Steven Irwin, is perfectly cast as Nim because of her experience with nature and animals. Her portrayal of Nim takes the character to a whole new level. Nim has transformed into a tough, determined, feisty young lady who will do anything it takes to protect her human and animal friends. Toby Wallace's performance as Edmund is flawless - he has the good looks, the comic charisma, and the right amount of shyness around Nim. I love seeing Nim and Edmund bonding as friends. Their chemistry on screen is completely believable. Also, John Waters is certainly menacing as the antagonistic poacher.
"Return to Nim's Island" will take families on a spectacular expedition underwater, into dark mysterious caves, and up awfully steep cliffs. The dialogue is hilarious and will make viewers laugh out loud throughout the movie. The music score truly captures the spirit of adventure. The wind instruments give the film a wild, natural down-to-earth feel. The movie has no profanity or slapstick humor - the lighthearted, clean quality carries the film on its own. I wish I could live on Nim's island and embrace the nature. It's a relief to see a movie with teenagers exploring the wild instead of being glued to their electronics. I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for all ages! Sail away with Nim and catch "Return to Nim's Island" on DVD available at Wal-mart. Cassandra Hsiao, age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
"Return to Nim's Island" is an adventurous movie that will sail audience members to a far island where nature and people live happily together. Nim, now portrayed by Bindi Irwin, is a playful and smart girl that wants to save her island from a group of men who want to capture the exotic animals and birds. Once her father (Matthew Lillard) travels back to the mainland, a young boy named Edmund (Toby Wallace) lands on the island and meets Nim. They quickly become friends and both save the island from the invaders.
"Return to Nim's Island" is a refreshing movie with tropical scenery, brave characters and a touching theme. The scenery in the movie, designed by Scott Bird, is so believable that I felt I was on the salty island. Furthermore, the art director makes Nim's tree house creative by adding the daring zip line. Judd Overton, the cinematographer, portrays the movie setting very well in the movie poster. Bindi and Toby play the role of Nim and Edmund perfectly. They build such a strong bond together, thus when Edmund leaves the island I felt sad for their broken friendships. The movie's theme: young people can be triumphant in anything they believe in, is a great incorporation by the writers Ray Boseley and Cathy Randall.
The scene where Nim sneaks in the invaders' camp is so intense. The invaders could have come back any moment but Nim's plan is smart enough to lure the invaders long enough to rescue the birds. The first time she forgets to bring a pocket knife which is a bit funny because if someone is going to rescue they should be prepared. The scene I don't like is when Nim and Edmund are in the burning cave because it a bit dramatic and gave a scary image to young audiences. Yet, the director (Brendan Maher) films the scene to be so realistic, that I felt the heat of flames!
Putting all the scenes together must be hard work, but Geoffrey Lamb successfully edits the film well. All the right angles and shots are placed in the right time sequence. The scenes from the city then to the island are all flawlessly edited. Along with film editing is the element of sound. Ocean waves, tropical winds, and music are beautifully harmonized in the movie. Nerida Tyson-Chew, the music director, perfectly unites the music along with the movie scenes.
My favorite scene is at the end of the movie when Nim and her dad are finally together. It is a bit sad to see Edmund leave but now she has her father to help and guide her. I am so surprised with the animals used in the film. The sea lion was so smart and treated Nim like a sister. The movements of the sea lion are amazing and will leave the audience in awe. The white python snake is also intriguing because I have never seen a white snake before. Overall all the animals are unique to movie.
I recommend "Return to Nim's Island" for 7 years old and up. This movie is great for the nature lovers and eco-friendly enthusiasts. I give This movie 5 out of 5 stars. This movie set sails into theaters April 4, 2013. But, you can purchase it sooner on DVD at your local Walmart. Patrick Nguyen, age 14, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
This movie is beautiful! The CGI is breathtakingly clear and crisp and the 3D pops. I especially love the opening credits because they are done in black and white and look like vintage pop-up books. I also love that when it shows dusty Kansas it is in black and white and the screen is small, but as soon as you reach Oz, the images morphs into vivid colors and the screen widens to reveal Oz in all its splendor.
The musical score in this film is wonderful. The composer, Danny Elfman, keeps it lively and whimsical, while diming the mood of the music when the moment is right.
My favorite characters are Oz, played by James Franco and Finley, voiced by Zach Braff. I like Oz because he is so cheesy and such a con man. He always plays girls and lies his way through every possible opportunity. But, Franco does it in a tasteful way that brings cleverness and humor to the film.
I also like Finley who is Oz's assistant, an adorable little flying monkey. He is always making the funniest comments and is so honest. There is one scene when he is trying to distract someone, and he does the funniest things.
I like how original this plot is because there have been countless numbers of films, plays and stories based on the Wizard of Oz, but I haven't seen one like this. It is a predictable story line which is usually a thumbs down for me, but this film is so good that it works. The land of Oz is so beautiful and uniquely designed, it is very visually pleasing. There are definitely some jump scares in this film because of the wicked , witches baboons and the evil forest. So, parents taking children, be advised that they may get frightened.
I give Oz: The Great and Powerful 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 and up.
Reviewed by Raven Devanney, age 15, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
I have to say I loved this movie with a capital "L." "Oz the Great and Powerful" is 3-delicious and it's sure to be a huge hit. Disney did an awesome job of telling the story of how Oz came to the Land of Oz. Did I say I loved it? Just checking.
The story starts as the classic Oz did in black and white. You meet Oswald who goes by Oz for short. He's a conman and two-bit magician in a traveling circus. He's not that great or powerful but he is smooth and knows how to be charming. He has a great story about a music box that he seems to use on every girl he meets and surprisingly it works, probably too well. Watch the movie to see how much trouble his sweet-talking can get him into. Oz is played by James Franco and he did an amazing job.
In the land of Oz you meet three witches. Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams.) One is a wicked witch, one is a good witch and one is most likely a neutral witch as she states she only wants peace in the land. Then drops the Great Wizard from the sky that has been prophesized of and that they have been waiting on for a very long time. The wizard will bring peace to the land and be King. Oz however isn't interested until he see's the treasure of Oz. Well then of course he's all in.
All of the witches did a great job, but kudos to Mila as she really got a good acting muscle workout. She was fabulous.
My favorite character was the China Girl (Joey King.) She was beautiful, tender and brave. Her town was destroyed by the wicked witch's flying baboons. Yes, I said baboons and let me tell you they were frightening. I jumped more then once when they came into the story. But then again it wouldn't be a complete Oz adventure if there weren't frightening flying baboons or monkeys. It's an absolute must in any and all adventures based in Oz.
The story is intertwined really well and when you think you know what's going on there comes a twist to make it even clearer. That is funny but the twists are what make this movie so great. That and the wonderful scenery, colors, costumes, characters and awesome 3D.
My favorite scene was when Oz fixes the broken China Girl's legs. After all she was my favorite character. But a really close second was when Oz met Glinda in the graveyard at night in the middle of the enchanted forest. I would have liked to see more of the enchanted forest but there was a story that needed to be told.
The age range is 8 and up because, monkey or baboon, those flying creatures are scary.
I give this movie 5 out of 5 twinkling stars and it's a must see for all those that were ever enchanted by the Land of Oz. Morgan Bertsch, age 8, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
This movie is an incredible spin on an American movie classic. I think that the CG and the other effects in the movie do a really good job at telling the story better. Another thing that I like is that the movie can be seen in 3D which made it look really cool. This movie is awesome and if you see it I hope you like it too.
This movie is all about a guy named Oz who is kind of a selfish man at first, but then he goes through this big journey through a land called Oz. When he gets to Oz everyone thinks he is the wizard. He is not but he still helps the land of Oz. He learns to treat people nice and with respect.
The main characters in this movie are Oz, Theodora, Evanora, Glinda, Finley, Master Tinker, China Girl and Knuck. My favorite character in the movie is Oz because he is not very nice at first but does become nice on his journey. He is risking his life to save the world of Oz from the wicked witch of the west. That is why he is my favorite.
My favorite part is at the beginning of the movie when he is doing a magic trick and he starts to make a girl float but someone watching sees a wire. He says, "Why am I in the need of wires?" and with that he got a sword and cut the wire and the girl was still floating. It was so cool! I bet you are going to love this part just as much as I do.
I would recommend this movie for ages 7 and up. The movie is rated PG and there are some of things that could scare a younger audience. I think that kids should see this with their parents because it's a movie most parents watched when they were kids but a different take on it.
A caveman and his family are forced to change because the earth is changing. They Croods are the last prehistoric family left to fend for themselves against the animals and elements. Everyone in the family goes by the simple rule "Fear keeps us Alive." The family hunts for food, including the super hyper 4-year-old Sandy.
Grug (Nicolas Cage) is the father and his job is to take care and protect his family. Eep (Emma Stone) is the teenage daughter who always wants to be free to roam around. One day she sneaks out at night to follow the light and meets Guy (Ryan Reynolds) who is really skinny and super smart. Guy will forever change the Croods' lives.
The plot in this movie made me laugh, think, cry and laugh again. I like the way they make Eep look like a normal healthy girl instead of a skinny "princess" like girly look. They make Guy a super skinny dude who needs belt to hold up his pants. My favorite part of the movie is when the family escape from danger - Grug always counts and makes sure everybody is safe. He likes to stop at 4 but Gran always come out alive as number 5.
The special effects in this movie are so great. You can see the landscape, rocks and larva as if they are real. The 3-D effects makes everything so close that you want to reach out your hands to touch it.
The cinematography shows how beautiful the earth is. It is filled with rocks, beautiful bright flowers, lush jungle, bright stars and the sun. There are so many different animals in this movie. All the animals are so detailed with colors, feathers, stripes and they are all so cute, even the dangerous ones.
The only part I did not like is when the creatures are trying to catch the family for food. This part with 3-D effects seems too real with all the sharp teeth and claws. I was so scared when the claws come out so sharp and so close to you.
The message in this movie is to face fear and accept changes.
My favorite character is Sandy. She is a hyper creature in this very cute baby body. She's a great hunter and so cute.
I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 18. Reviewed by Cheyenne Nguyen, age 9, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic
Want to do something new that won't get you killed? Well then, this hilarious movie is for you! Written and directed by Chris Sanders and Kirk De Micco, this film has been five years in the making. This animated movie is the first animated movie about a family from Dreamworks, and they hit a home run with it. This film captures the voice over work of some of Hollywood's biggest stars. With Nicholas Cage as Grug, the father of the Crood clan; Catherine Keener as Ugga, the mother; Emma Stone as their daughter Eep; Clark Duke as their son Thunk; Sandy Thorn as the adorable yet terrifying baby Sandy; and Cloris Leachman as Gran.
This film is about a pre-historic family that may have their differences but in the end, family comes first and they work through any problems. Follow them on a comedic adventure as they venture through a world entirely new to them and see how the adventure kicks in when they meet Guy, a pre-historic genius caveboy (Ryan Reynalds.)
My favorite character is hard to choose because this is an amazing film and I love the entire Crood family because they are so relatable. They fight and make fun of each other and have fun together, but you can still see that they love each other and that reminds me of my family. No one scene stands out as my favorite, because this film is so entertaining from beginning to end. There is also a great message that this film delivers in telling you to not be afraid of change. Be fearless and go out and live life to its fullest. The animation in this film is extremely well done, from the detail in the animals fur, to the how realistic the water looks. Dreamworks Animation does a phenomenal job with this film and the 3D was outstanding. Alan Silvestri composed the original music for this film and does a great job in capturing the tone of every scene.
This film is great for the entire family, it's a family film about a family! I rate this film a 5 out of 5 stars because it was just one of the best animated movies I have ever seen. I can't wait for this film to come out on Blu-ray so I can buy it and watch it again! Remember, "ride the sun into tomorrow." Julianna Noone, age 12, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
This animated film is incredibly funny and is a joy to watch.
Eep (Emma Stone) and her family are the classic cave people. They grunt when they get mad, they have never seen fire and they hunt with their bare hands. They are stuck in a cave by their family leader, husband and father, Grug (Nicolas Cage.) The reason Grug is having his family stay in the cave is to keep them safe and away from harm. One night Eep, the oldest daughter, lets curiosity get the best of her and finds out that the earth is starting to end and they have to find higher ground to survive. Will they accept the challenge or will they keep hiding in their cave?
I really like this film. It's very funny and keeps me laughing at the different situations and scenes. I feel a wide range of emotions as I go from hysterically laughing to a little crying. I absolutely love the 3D animation. It's vivid in colors with the scenes of the landscape, nature and animals in great depth. This is such a fantastic plot and I really like the characters. My favorite character is Eep because she is very brave, curious and just wants a real life. My favorite scene is when Eep is introducing herself and her family from her point of view. I like how she is telling the viewers how life is like for them.
"The Croods" is rated PG with Kirk De Micco (Space Chimps) and Chris Sanders (How to Train your Dragon) directing it. It also stars the voice talents of Ryan Reynolds (Guy), Catherine Keener (Ugga), Cloris Leachman (Gran) and Clark Duke (Thunk). This is DreamWorks first animated film about a family going trough and dealing with changes.
A big message in this film is that change is not always a bad thing. In addition, it's always good to listen to your parents because they know what's best for you.
I recommend "The Croods" for ages 6 to 15 but adults will also enjoy it too.
I give this film 5 out of 5 stars. It has great detail in the animation and makes me laugh a lot.
Join the adventure and explore the outside world with "The Croods". Brianna Hope Beaton, Age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
"The Croods" tells the story of a caveman family who has survived longer than any of their neighbors because they follow the simple rules of survival. One: stay in the cave; two: stay together; and three: never not be afraid. But when the world starts to change, so does their life. The Croods now have to travel to a new land and break all the rules they once lived by with the help of a new companion, Guy (Ryan Renolds.) Will the Croods make it on their journey of a lifetime, or will their old ways hold them back?
I love this movie! It's actually a lot better than I thought it would be. I especially love the animation and 3D because there is so much attention to detail. The 3D is wonderful because it takes scenes that would otherwise be dull and adds really interesting visuals that pop. For example, there is a scene when the earth is shifting and there is quite a bit of dust, instead of it being a non-memorable shot, they add 3D dust particles everywhere that really make the imagery come to life. I also enjoyed the creativity of the animation. I was expecting the animals to be the typical prehistoric creatures you might see in a caveman film, but they are actually so cute and creative. They seemed to mix two separate species into one, like flying turtles, piranha birds, walking whales and rainbow tigers. The film is very visually entertaining.
I love all the characters in this film because they all play such an important role and they all have such unique and interesting interactions with each other. Eep (Emma Stone), is the rebellious teenager who doesn't want to listen to her father. She falls for Guy and I like her because I can completely relate to her and her relationship with her dad. Then there is Grug (Nicholas Cage) who is the protective father. He wants to follow the ways that he has always known, but gets envious that his family is following the strange instructions of Guy instead of the leader of the family. Thunk (Clark Duke) is Eep's younger brother. He always listens to his fathers rules and is very cautious and hilarious. Sandy (Randy Thom), is the crazy baby sister who is always attacking the rest of the family. She acts more like a dog then a toddler. Gran (Cloris Leachman) is the grandma of the family. She is so rambunctious and lively and Grug is always trying to find ways to finally make her die so he doesn't have to deal with his wife's mother, but Gran never passes away. Ugga is the protective yet understanding mother voiced by Catherine Keener. And last but not least is Guy (Ryan Reynolds) as the new age caveman who helps the Croods on their journey and has to put up with their strange methods of survival.
My favorite scene is when the Croods come into jungle for the first time because you get a look at all the creatively designed creatures and environment. Overall I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars because it is funny, touching and a perfect family film. It shows a wonderful and surprisingly realistic family dynamic and it made me burst out laughing, as well as bringing me to tears. I recommend this movie for ages 6 and up, so be sure to head to your nearest theater to embark on a journey with "The Croods!" Raven Devanney, age 15, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
I absolutely love this film because I love Scooby-Doo. The animation and the cinematography are very lively and colorful with great detail. I like how the previous voices of the past Scooby-Doo films are included in this production. My favorite character in this film, and all the other Scooby-Doo films, is Scooby-Doo. I like him because he is funny, he speaks his mind and he is the one that usually finds the hardest clues. Michael Ryan, wrote an amazing script with great humor and mystery. Characters Velma (Mindy Cohn), Shaggy and Scooby are right on with the classic Scooby-Doo films but more up-to-date. Director, Michael Goguen has made this film very up-to-date.
A message found is that the person inside of you is what really matters not what you wear, who you are around or what you have. Also, you can be anything you want to be no matter what people say or do. Just work hard and put your mind to it.
I recommend this film for ages 7 to 15 and give it 5 out of 5 stars. People who love Scooby-Doo mysteries, will definitely love and adore this film. It really has a great story line that flows smoothly and had me smiling and laughing a lot. I truly loved watching this great mystery film.
See another Scooby-Doo and the gangs' adventure in Scooby-Doo! Mask of the Blue Falcon. It is available on a Combo Pack of Blu-Ray, DVD and Ultraviolet, with special features of Bonus Vintage Cartoons: Comic Book Caper, Reflections in a Ghoulish Eye and The Scooby Coupe. Brianna Hope Beaton, age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
I've been a fan of Hanna-Barbera cartoons my whole life. It started with The Flintstones, Jetsons and Tom and Jerry, but I've also enjoyed less known favorites like Spaceghost, Captain Caveman, Josie and the Pussycats, Jabberjaw, Hong Kong Phooey and of course The Blue Falcon and his sidekick Dynomutt.
This new addition from Twentieth Century Fox was good; however, I was missing something for it to be fantastic. The movie is set at the Mega Mondo Pop Cartoon-a-Con and it's to feature an advanced showing of the full length animation feature of the all new Blue Falcon movie. The Blue Falcon has been retired for many years and has come to only making money peddling t-shirts and autographs at these conventions. Poor Blue Falcon he deserved much more then that. The new Blue Falcon is all about blowing things up with very little left to the imagination of solving crimes. It's a good thing the Mystery Incorporated kids show up when they do because there is a mystery to solve and Fred, Daphne, Velma, Scooby and Norville "Shaggy" (I bet you didn't know that) show up to foil the Blue Falcon villain Mr. Hyde.
In Mystery Incorporated fashion Velma is the brains of the operation while Fred is the trap operator and Scooby and Shaggy are the bait. Daphne, well she's preoccupied with collecting soft cuddly stuffed animals.
The aging Falcon is insanely jealous of the new Blue Falcon movie has sworn that the new Blue Falcon movie will never be shown, putting himself in the position of suspect number one. Have you watched Scooby-Doo? Does the number one culprit ever become the actual villain? I'm just asking.
What did this story miss? It missed the original Blue Falcon and Dynomutt. Yes, Scooby is the most famous talking dog but Dynomutt should have been given his kudos too. The cartoon characters never aged and it was sad to see what they did with Blue Falcon. Blue Falcon is reduced to a sad old man who snaps in and out of reality while ranting about how great he once was and how he hates what's become of his career. Sorry Falcon I apologize for what became of your character and wished they would have scripted this differently.
My favorite scenes are actually inside the convention. Pay special attention to the posters on the wall and see how many of your old favorites made the cut into the movie. Many of mine did not but that doesn't stop me from reminiscing to a simpler time of when I was 4 and 5. Also when the Mystery Inc kids dress up as The Hurculoids I laughed my butt off as Fred wanted to stay in character as Zandor. Sorry Fred you are no Zandor but you looked cute in your costume.
Who is the culprit trying to ruin the convention? Why does he/she want it ruined? Can the Mystery Inc kids solve the crime before the convention gets canceled? Does the Blue Falcon and Dynomutt ever make it to the big screen? Watch the movie to see.
The recommended age range is 5 and up. I give this movie 4 out of 5 twinkling stars because I would really have liked to see more of the original Hanna-Barbera characters make special guest star appearances like they once did with Bewitched, The Harlem Globetrotters and even when the Jetsons met the Flintstones, but I guess that will be their next offering. Morgan Bertsch, age 8, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
A great mystery movie with a surprise ending that you will never expect.
A Cartoon-A-Con is where the mystery starts. Shaggy and Scooby-Doo are enjoying their day visiting their favorite hero "Blue Falcon" at the Cartoon-A-Con. Bad things started to happen. Mr. Hyde begins terrorizing the Cartoon-A-Con. The suspects are; Garrison, the producer of the Blue Falcon movie, who will do anything to promote the movie, Brad Adams, the actor playing Blue Falcon and has no interest in being in the movie, looking for a way out and Hank Prince, owner of a comic book shop that Shaggy always go to.
The plot makes me laugh throughout the movie. There are a lot of funny parts with Shaggy and Scooby trying to find the bad guys. The animation stays the same as the classic cartoon on TV, but this DTV movie has clear and crisp colors.
The plot is just perfect, not too goofy or scary. The voice overs fit the characters and bring out the chemistry between Shaggy and Scooby-Doo. I love the relationship that Shaggy and Scooby-Doo have through out the movie.
The part that I did not like is Velma seems to be very mean and hard on Shaggy and Scooby in this movie.
My favorite parts of this movie are they are making fun of the comic convention attendees, the impression of Adam West by Brad Adams and the nerdy geeks dress up as superheroes. Also, it's making fun of the studio for pitching their latest movie.
The message in this movie is things are not always what they seem.
My favorite character is Scooby-Doo. He makes me laugh and he's a life saver.
I rank this movie 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 and up.
This combo pack has Blu-ray, DVD and Ultraviolet. Cheyenne Nguyen, age 9, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
I love Scooby-Doo because I love mystery movies and I also love the silly characters!
This film is about The Mystery Incorporated Gang: Scooby, Shaggy, Velma, Daphne and Fred (Frank Welker, Mindy Cohn, Grey DeLisle and Matthew Lillard.) Frank Welker voices Scooby and Fred. The five friends go to the annual Pop-Comacon-Palooza, a comic book convention in California. While they are there visiting the original Blue Falcon lead actor, Owen Garrison (Jeff Bennett), there's a new Blue Falcon movie being screened. While Shaggy and Scooby are upset about the studios forgetting about Owen Garrison and the old Blue Falcon and Daphne is collecting 'Littlest Fuzzies," Velma and Fred are looking for a mystery. As soon as the premier to the new Blue Falcon starts, The Blue Falcon's arch nemesis appears at the scene, threatening all the people at the convention. You'll have to watch to find out if the whole town will be destroyed.
My favorite scene in this film is at the end when they solve the mystery. I can't give the ending away, but it's very exciting!
My favorite character in this film is Brad Adams (Diedrich Bader), the star of the new Blue Falcon movie. I like Brad because he is the stereotypical, full of himself movie actor. I find him quite amusing!
"Scooby-Doo and the Mask of the Blue Falcon" is written by Michael Ryan, directed by Michael Goguen, and produced by Ben Maloney at Hanna-Barbara studios. It is the nineteenth installment in the direct-to-video Scooby-Doo film series released by Warner Home Video. As a bonus there are three old Scooby-Doo episodes to watch: "Comic Book Caper," "Reflections in a Ghoulish Eye" and "The Scooby Coupe."
I recommend this film to kids between the ages of six through ten. I give "Scooby-Doo and the Mask of the Blue Falcon" 4 out of 5 stars because it is a bit slow at times and there is some crude humor. Camille Bajema, age 11, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
The Knights team is impressed and takes him as a player, and Calvin forms a bond with one of the basketball players. Despite his fame, Calvin feels lonely without a family. Will he find one? Although the plot of the movie is predictable, it's a lighthearted and amusing family film.
I recommend this movie to kids 6 and up because the storyline is very easy to follow, and will appeal to more kids around this age group. Raven Devanney, age 14, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
This is a great movie for Family night. Lil' Bow Wow plays Calvin, a teenage orphan in Los Angeles. Jonathan Lipsnicki (Murph ) and Brenda Song (Reg) play his best friends living in the same orphanage.
Sister Theresa (Anne Meara) runs the orphanage school. She brings some clothing donations to the orphanage. Calvin found a pair of old sneakers with the letters "MJ" inside the shoes. Ox, the orphanage bully, takes the sneakers and throws then onto a power line. Calvin climbs up to the roof to get them back during a storm and falls off with the sneakers on his chest. He starts to play basketball like a pro.
Calvin is chosen at random during a halftime game to play one-on-one with the LA Knight's "Tracy". He was able to score against the basketball pro and his life changes from this moment.
The quality of the movie is awesome. It's clean and sharp. I love how they make it seems real that Calvin can play ball with the pros. The colors are vibrant. The movie soundtrack works well with its comedy. I love it when Tracy tells Calvin that he can't rap and to listen to him, the real rapper.
The beginning of the movie is sad, because all the older orphans consider themselves as dogs, and the toddlers and babies as puppies. All the adopting parents only want puppies. However, the ending is awesome. There are several unexpected twists.
The acting in this movie is amazingly above average. Rapper, Lil' Bow Wow, proves that he's a great rapper and a great actor.
The only part I did not like is the bullying part and the danger that Calvin put himself in when he climbs the roof to get the sneakers.
My favorite characters are Calvin and Tracy. They are such good actors that you can feel how they are connected.
The lesson in this movie is never give up on your dreams and focus on what is good in your life.
I rank this movie 5 out of 5 stars. This movie age range is 5-17. Cheyenne Nguyen, age 9, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
I absolutely love "Beautiful Creatures." It is so aesthetically pleasing and the sets and costume design are beautiful. This is a far better film than I expected. It isn't just another teen romance, I believe it has something for everyone. There is quite a bit of humor in this film that is an unexpected bonus, as well as political and religious quips that I found quite entertaining. One thing that really makes this film stand out from the rest is that the main characters aren't visually perfect. They don't look like cut -outs from magazines. I found it extremely pleasing to see that there is more than looks to film stars. I love all the emotion in this film, it is definitely a tear jerker and it pulled at my heartstrings. I love that the acting in this movie. It really made me feel something beyond pure entertainment.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Lena and Ethan because it feels very real and natural. My favorite character is Link, played by Thomas Mann, is by far the funniest character. He is Ethan's right hand man and is always cracking clever remarks and causing laughable moments. I love Thomas Mann from other films such as "Hansel and Gretel," "Project X," "Fun Sized" and other films, so I was pleasantly surprised when I saw him in this. He has a way of making an audience laugh at awkward moments which is perfect for this movie.
My favorite scene is when Ridley Duchannes comes to town. She is Lena's cousin who has become a dark Caster and is trying to assist her aunt in making sure Lena goes dark and she is quite the character. She pretty much does whatever she wants, whenever she wants and she brings an edgy quality to the quiet town where this movie takes place.
I recommend "Beautiful Creatures" for ages 13 and up. It is a bit mature for younger audiences but it is perfect for teens and adults. It will make you laugh, cry and want to fall in love. I give "Beautiful Creatures" 5 out of 5 stars so go check it out. It releases theatrically on February 14. Raven Devanney, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15.
I recently watched Chasing Mavericks and really enjoyed it. I saw it with my mom and she even cried in some parts; everyone needs a good movie to cry in sometimes. Throughout this entire movie, I obsessed over the main character, Jay Moriarity (Jonny Weston.) He is just so adorable in the whole movie. I did a little research on the story; and it is pretty accurate. I have never really watched movies primarily filmed in water, but I think it makes the acting and storyline more intense, which I liked. This movie is about a fifteen-year-old boy named: Jay Moriarity who, since he was eight, has been passionate about waves and surfing. It all starts when he was timing the swell of the waves to determine how large they were and fell in. His later mentor, Frosty (Gerard Butler) saved him and ever since he is always in the water. One day Jay hops off Frosty's truck and follows him to a place where he sees the biggest waves existing - known to be a myth, the Mavericks. Jay begs Frosty to train him to surf the Mavericks. Frosty agrees and they spend everyday intensely training. Jay has had a hard life; his dad left him, and he acts as a mother to his struggling mother. But, he is very optimistic - which is inspiring. This movie portrays Jay as a good role model, showing how to find happiness in spite of everything. I have now seen this movie twice because it was so good! I probably will soon watch it again. All of the acting is great, and from researching the cast I found out that the main character Jonny Weston (Jay Moriarity) is a new actor. He was amazing in this movie. Even though this movie is based on a true story, it feels unreal because the life of Jay is inspiring, and hard to believe that someone could be that positive. Also there is a good soundtrack. It is the first movie where I actually noticed the sound track. Usually it does not jump out at me, but this time it does. I give this movie five out of five stars because it held my attention the entire time. I recommend it for ages six and up because smaller children might get bored by a long movie Victoria Burns, age 14, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic
The surf is up and we are heading to the ocean for this amazing movie. The movie, based on the real life experience of Jay Morierty, played by new-comer Jonny Weston. Jay moves to Santa Cruz, California when he is 9 and learns to surf from a boy he befriends. He is drawn to the waves and the ocean. He counts the seconds between the breakers for fun. Once he learns to surf and has made a name for himself as a good local surfer he meets a legendary big wave surfer named Frosty Henderson, played by Gerrard Butler. The cinematography is hypnotizing. Some of the shots of the ocean and surfing are more then incredible. Your eyes are glued to the screen from the beginning to the end and you can make a really strong connection to surfers and surfing as a lifestyle. Some people call it sour surfing and Jay Morierty was the youngest and the best. In the movie they show the relationship between Jay and Frosty as having only being a few weeks of training seasons but in real life Frosty trained Jay for years before his first attempt at riding a Maverick. These waves can be 50 feet high and are very dangerous. There are so many things that can go wrong. Having us believe that all the training happened in one small stretch of weeks would be impossible but that's just Hollywood telling the story. Go watch this touching story and bring a friend but leave the boards outside. You don't have to surf to enjoy the movie but it could open your eyes to a glimpse of what some of these amazing athletes will do for the sport. Once you see it, you will know why once you start, the ocean is always calling you to back to play again. I think I would love to learn to surf but I will stick with the small waves. The age range is 9 and up but really the photography in the movie will keep anybody entertained. I give it 4 1/2 out of 5 twinkling stars. Morgan Bertsch, age 7, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
Les Miserables is honestly one of the greatest films I have ever seen. This film is almost three hours long and I still wanted it to go on longer. Les Miserables is a very well known Broadway musical and it stays so true to the play it is unbelievable. Not a single word is off. However, the one thing that changes for the better is they made the movie easier to understand and follow. I have been a huge fan of Les Mis for a long time and I know almost every single song by heart. I was trying so hard not to start singing along with the film, the musical score was amazing. The whole film is better than I could have ever hoped for, but seeing this tale up on the big screen was phenomenal!
The visuals and special effects are truly breathtaking. It is set in France at the beginning of the French revolution when life for the poor was awful and life for the rich was grand. They capture the hard times of the streets perfectly by using dark colors and wonderful lighting contrasts. I loved seeing the world of Les Mis on a grand scale and it is exactly as I imagined it would be. I love this entire movie so much that when it was over I immediately wanted to see it again. I'm definitely going to see it again when it comes out in theaters. I have so many scenes that I love so much, but my favorites are the Lovely Ladies scene and the Master of the House scene. I like the Lovely Ladies scene because that's where Fantine, Cosette's mother turns to the streets as a home after losing her job at the factory. It is a wonderful musical number and Anne Hathaway's performance is amazing! It is so historically accurate showing how people would do anything to make a quick penny from selling their teeth, to chopping off their hair, it was hard for everyone. I also love the Master of the House scene because it is so hilarious. It has Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter as the innkeeper and his wife. They con people into staying the night at their inn, then trick them into never leaving. They are so crafty and hilarious and they rob everyone blind. This scene is so clever and hilarious. Sacha and Helena make an amazing duo.
I love all of the characters equally, but I'll only pick a few to talk about. Jean Valjean is a truly amazing character and Hugh Jackman brings him to life so well. Hugh's talents are really shown off during this film and I was very impressed by him. Fantine, played by the remarkable Anne Hathaway is a very memorable character. Anne is perfect as Fantine and this was, in my opinion, her best role. The last character that I really enjoyed is Eponine played by Samantha Barks. Eponine sings all of my favorite Les Mis songs and her incredible duo of A Little Fall of Rain with Eddie Redmayne. A little fun fact is that Samantha Marks played Eponine in the Broadway version of Les Mis.
Overall, I give Les Miserables 5 out of 5 stars because it is truly the most amazing film I've seen in a long time and it far surpassed my expectations. This film is definitely for ages 13 and up because of the dark period it is set in and the violence and cruelty that occurs. Raven Devanney, age 15, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
I have recently seen the new remake of "Les Miserables" and it was amazing; I had never heard of, read, or seen this movie. The first time that I had heard of it was in my French class. This movie is about France during the French Revolution, and based on a book written by Victor Hugo. I unexpectedly love this movie. It has the right amount of everything: action, sadness, thrill, drama and of course music. I have never really been a fan of musicals because of the random outbursts of song, but this one fit perfectly, mainly because there was little to no spoken words. The whole script is music and the voices are beautiful. This movie follows the life of Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman), and ex-convict number 24601. When released from prison he turns his life around to be a mayor. His past life till haunts him when a haunting inspecting officer, Javert (Russel Crowe), shows up and starts to suspect his true identity. Javert's appearance came at a crucial time, during a employee conflict which leads to the termination of an employee named Fantine (Anne Hathaway.) Fantine has a small child named Cosette (Amanda Seyfried and Isabelle Allen). Now fired Fantine works as a prostitute and sends all of the money she makes to her daughter in Paris. She has a run in with the law then Jean Valjean saves her and promises to take care of her little girl when she dies. Fontaine dies and Jean retrieves Cosette from some scheming inn keepers and raises her as his own daughter, but Javert refuses to leave him alone. Cosette grows up and her life changes when walking with her "father"; she catches the eye of a young gentleman name Marius (Eddie Redmayne) and immediately falls in love. This happens when Marius is involved in a Revolution for the people and could lose his life. We see him choose between Cosette and the Revolution; Javert chooses whether or not to seize Valjean; and Valjean decides if Marius is good enough for his little girl. I love this movie and would watch it again; it is very heartfelt, and some of the audience members cried. I like that the singing made the drama and sadness seem lighter. I plan to buy the soundtrack; some of the songs were stuck in my head as I left the theater. I recommend this movie for ages thirteen and up for the violence and intense connotations. This movie deserves more that five stars and an award; I look forward to seeing it again on Christmas. Victoria Burns, age 14, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
While I love all the characters and they are voiced by a terrific and funny set of actors, my favorite character is Granny (voiced by Wanda Sykes), who is a new addition to the cast. Granny is so hilarious and a little zany and crazy. Everyone thinks Granny has an imaginary friend, but as the movie goes along, we find out that the friend is not so imaginary. It's a very precious moment in the movie.
My favorite scene is when Manny, Sid, Diego and Granny are having hallucinations that are unique to each of them. Sid's is about a female sloth; Diego sees Shira, a female pirate and also a saber tooth; Granny sees a muscular sloth and finally Manny sees his wife Ellie (voiced by Queen Latifah), who says to him "Manny, you were right, you're always right." Manny hears that and he snaps out of his hallucination because he knows that Ellie would never say that to him. It's such a funny moment in the film, but also saves them all from dying.
The music is very catchy and fits the movie well. My favorite song is at the very end, because it's about family and it is an adorable song. The animation is so well done that the characters appear lifelike as you can see the details in the sheen of their fur and the muscle movements. Also, the 3D is well placed and not overdone, so it doesn't take over the film. Well done.
I rate this film 5 out of 5 stars as it is funny, well written and has a great message for the audience. It is a perfect movie for everyone in your herd. Always remember, stick with your herd because they always have your back, no matter what.Julianna Noone, age 12, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
This movie is an adventure and comedy animation. Ice Age 4 picks up where Scrat still did not catch that acorn, and the results of his chasing after the acorn created the continental drift apart. Manny (Ray Romano) an over protective father, trying to keep his teenage daughter Peaches (Keke Palmer) from hanging out with the bad group of mammoth. However, Peaches is desperate to proof that she is cool so she can hang out with the cool kids. Manny and his daughter had a fight in front of her friends and the last thing Peaches said to her father was "I wish you were not my father". This is when the earth shakes; Manny, Diego and Sid were separated from the rest of the pack. They encounter ice pirates and many different sea creatures. They all are home sick and wanted to find a way home. However, the ice pirate wanted to capture them as prisoners. Manny and his gang have to come up with a plan to escape from the pirates and use his ice ship to go home. This movie has a lot of jokes that make me laugh throughout the movie. The love story between Diego and the white tiger Shira (voice by Jennifer Lopez) is so cute. The 3D is totally awesome. The message of this movie is the important of family and we do not have a choice to pick who is in our family. My favorite character in this movie is Granny. Everything about her is funny and unpredictable. One thing that I did not like is there are too many new characters. I would like to see more of Granny. I rank this movie 5 out of 5 stars because it's exciting, funny and all the characters are so strong and different. I give this movie age ranged 3-18. Reviewed by Cheyenne Nguyen, age 8, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. A woolly mammoth is fighting to get back to his family. They were separated from their herd, and get hijacked by a band of pirates. While trying to get back home the gang goes on incredible journeys, while trying to avoid the pirate band. The music is great, and in every scene the music matched the feel of the scene. Now let's talk prehistoric chipmunks. They were adorable and I love it when they decide to go and fight. It is so cute and I think you'll love it just like I do. Their little gliders and fighting swords are too much! Ages are 5 and up. It's really cute and adorable for all families. I give it 5 twinkling stars. It is an amazing movie. "Ice Age III Continental Drift" is in theaters July 13th. I'm sure you'll love it as much as I did. Morgan Bertsch, age 7, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
This movie is awesome, adventurous, and I guess scary for some people. It is also really funny. I just love it. This movie was really good, it had really good graphics and lots of action, and some parts that could creep you out but with all of it together, it is perfect. This movie is all about a guy named Bilbo Baggins who is chosen to go on a huge adventure but the best thing is, there is going to be a second movie. All the action is really cool with the dragon, the Orcs, the weapons and their enemies. It is a really cool movie that I love. The main characters in the movie are Bilbo and Gandalf. My favorite character is Bilbo Baggins because he isn't sure he wants to accept Gandalf's instruction but then he realizes it would be fun to go on an adventure. There are a couple twists and turns but everything turns out okay, or does it? My favorite part of the movie is when they find out the mountain monsters are real. They throw big chunks of mountains at each other which is really cool but the most exciting thing is that they find out they are standing on a giants knee, so it was a little crazy, but they all survive. This is the best part of the movie and really cool to see in 3D. It really feels like they are standing right in front of me. I would recommend this movie for ages 8 and up. Kids seven and under would probably get scared of some things. There is a lot of violence and killing and stuff that could encourage kids to smash plates and cups trying to do a scene in the movie. Kids older than seven should see this movie because they would like all the things they do in the movie. I mean lots of kids like adventures movies and would probably like this one too. Go out and see this movie in theaters now. Anthony Aranda, age 10, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
The power of music can break barriers and build a friendship. "A Monster In Paris" is an extraordinary French film, translated in English, about two friends - one, a shy guy interested in film and the other, a very curious, mischievous delivery guy who rumble up lots of trouble after sneaking into a scientist's house and carelessly unleashing a seven-foot-tall monster in the streets of Paris.
Unlike other animated films, "A Monster in Paris" stands out with its amazing message that we can't judge a book by its cover and how true friendship doesn't judge. Lucille loves Francoeur even though he is a gigantic flea. I also like Emilie. He is a loving yet, shy guy with a love for cinematography. I like how the animators exaggerate some of the characters' features and make them stand out and look hilarious. The bartender has a gigantic nose that makes it funny every time he talks. The film has a French feel and Lucille brings it together when she sings beautifully. However, I do not like how the ambitious commissioner mistreats Lucille and does not stop at nothing to make himself look good.
My favorite character is the professor's monkey Charles as he is intelligent and tries to guard the lab from Raoul and Emile from entrance to the professor's lab and making a mess. He anticipates when something is about to go wrong. He also makes me laugh when he tries to sing.
My favorite scene is when Raoul and Emile are at the professor's lab testing chemical mixes on Charles and one of the chemicals makes Charles sing like opera singer and then makes Charles feel emotion. The best part is when Raoul puts three drops of chemicals on a sunflower seed and in a matter of seconds the tiny seed grows to a 15-foot-tall giant sunflower. It is the reaction of Charles' face that really made me laugh.
I recommend "A Monster in Paris" for ages 6-14 because it is very hilarious and family friendly. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars. This film can also be seen on the Los Angeles Children's Film Festival April 26 - May 5, 2013 and is available now on DVD.
Reviewed by Jailene Arias, age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
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When most people think about street harassment, they think about what women wear or about how women should respond to catcalls. But there are other, more subtle, effects of street harassment and how it affects women's existence in public space. Recently, The Wall Street Journal noted that only 11 percent of the participants in India's Delhi Half Marathon were female and one of the reasons they gave for why women in India don't run is the "stares and calls from drivers, cyclists and pedestrians." In other words, women don't go outside to exercise when they live in fear of street harassment. Keep reading »
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We stayed there for 3 nights with our 4 and 6 years old kids. We took a standard room with an additional bed. The room was not to big for us four but it was okay. The bathroom was fantastic and had a very luxurious look. The restaurant was in one of the higher floors and we had fantastic views.... More
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January 26, 2012
Listen Up, Freshmen Rush ended. Bids went out, and invitations were accepted. Now, chapter houses across campus are swarming with fresh, eager faces ready to dive into the pledging process. Aside from a couple stray parties they snuck into and the rush events, though, these newbies have yet to truly experience Greek life. For them, New Member Education can seem like a murky trek at first. Listen up, pledges – since every fraternity is different, I cannot speak for them all, but there are some general ground rules every freshman should realize about pledging. What New Member Education is NOT about: 1. Impressing the brothers. You freshmen, with delusional minds, sometimes make the unfortunate mistake of putting on an act in front of the rest of the fraternity in order to make yourselves look "more frat." There are a couple problems with this method. First, while it may be easy to fool one or two people, it's much harder to deceive dozens of older brothers. Putting on a persona takes you out of your comfort zone, which adds a whole new dimension of unnecessary difficulty to the pledging process. You can't keep it up for long. Second, there is no need to fool or deceive anyone. The majority of fraternities offers bids only to freshmen who had received the unanimous vote of the brothers. Therefore, if you are pledging, every brother voted for you to do so. In other words, calm down. We've already been impressed. 2. Forgetting about school. Joining a fraternity is the most exciting thing in your collegiate life thus far. You are lifted from the drudges of freshmen dormitories and thrown into the exciting atmosphere of Greek camaraderie. Your minds fill up with the history and traditions of your fraternity, and you quickly become the focus of the entire group of men. It's easy to get caught up in the spirit and forget about why you are attending college in the first place. New Member Education is not a schism from schoolwork, but instead it works in intimate conjunction with academics. The pledging process helps students develop strong time management skills that they may not have needed prior to their Greek involvement. Identify and kick bad habits, such as excessive video gaming and other time-wasting activities. If you set yourself up an effective schedule, balancing the pledging process and schoolwork will be a challenge you can easily overcome. By the time initiation rolls around, you'll be a more efficient scholar. What New Member Education is about: 1. Developing your talents. Whether sports, music or school, so many of us arrive to where we are in life by relying on our God-given abilities. Some things come more naturally to certain people, but skills only develop if they are tested. Therefore, treat New Member Education as an opportunity to improve yourself. Older brothers will trust you with responsibilities, ranging from understanding the history of the fraternity to assisting the organization of social events. Take these seriously, applying the talents you already have to the situation. With a constant and conscious effort, your mind and body will only grow stronger. 2. Forming bonds. Human beings are social animals, and through our natural instincts have formed various communities from churches to nations. You, even though a freshman, are part of the same genome, and you can't go down this road alone. Luckily, now is the time to embrace the brotherhood found within your fraternity. During New Member Education, work with your fellow pledges in order to piece together your success. The entire point of the pledging process is to learn how to help each other for the betterment of the team. With a little help from your brothers, you'll discover that even the hardest looking obstacles become much easier. Leonard is a sophomore studying English. You may contact him at firstname.lastname@example.com. |


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#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!
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9-volt amp & drum
drum has piezo pickup & out jack
amp has 1- 6 inch 50 watt fullrange speaker
on/off vol & tone knobs
pop out battery holder
led light
2 input jacks 1- for amp 1- for drum
thanks FB & Fernando
Sweet looking set-up!
thanks Anders & StumbleCol I got the idea way back when from you for a suitcase drum Col yours are way cool with the tambourine attached
Very Cool Man!
thanks Jason & John - those crows did keep at it
Ha, that's one to crow about. Glad that gator didn't get you. Cool that the pedal goes in the case. And double good that the amp runs git and drum. Already for some buttoned down blues.
Very cool Wes!!
thanks Bug Digly Ritz & Jim the shop is half of the garage no as much space as in PA but it works
COOKING!!!!... matching luggage!!!!....how cool is this!!!!!!!!!!!! !!
Beat the shit out of the aligator!!........I WANT ONE !!!!!!!!!! (no I mean two)
(got one covered in swampfrog skins?)
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A conversation about the economy with Paul Volcker, Former Chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank and Joseph Treaster, "The New York Times" journalist and author of "Paul Volcker; The Making of a Financial Legend".
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