Beyond the Grave * One Of The Most Informative And Awakening Documentaries I Have Ever Watched
Death is the only certainty we have in life, and yet we know so little about it. This documentary...
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Author: Kids First
American: An Odyssey to 1947 * Vivid Interviews And B-Roll Enhanced My Understanding American History During This Time Period
Following the rise and fall of Orson Welles, while interweaving stories of diverse individuals amidst the backdrop of the Great Depression, World War II, and the dropping of the atomic bomb, director Danny Wu’s American: An Odyssey To 1947 sheds light on the defining moments that shaped the destinies of the subjects, and the nation’s collective consciousness. In the early 1940s, director Orson Welles navigates his meteoric Hollywood rise. As WWII begins, a Japanese American boy visits abroad, and an African American soldier enlists in the army. As the story heads towards 1947, each character follows their own ambitions in search of their American identity. The tone of the film is split into two halves, with the first half being about the romantic rise of a great American director, and the second half transitioning into the realities of race and life in the Jim Crow era. In the end, as one American returns home, another American is forced into exile.
KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Eshaan M. comments, “With vivid interviews and b-roll to complement its engaging narrative, American: An Odyssey to 1947 had me glued to the screen and enhanced my understanding of a transformative era in American history.”
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My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 * A Reminder That Time With Our Loved Ones Is Valuable, And We Should Make The Most Of It
From writer and director Nia Vardalos, the worldwide phenomenon MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING is coming back to theaters with a brand-new adventure. Join the Portokalos family as they travel to a family reunion in Greece for a heartwarming and hilarious trip full of love, twists and turns. Opa!
KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ella S. comments, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 is the latest of the hilarious trilogy — this time with more emotion and nostalgia added to its humor. I was amazed by the cinematography, the characters and, of course, the jokes!”
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Golda * Helen Mirren’s Performance As Golda Meir Is The Film’s Strongest Asset
Golda is a ticking-clock thriller set during the tense 19 days of the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir (Helen Mirren), faced with the potential of Israel’s complete destruction, must navigate overwhelming odds, a skeptical cabinet, and a complex relationship with US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (Liev Schreiber), with millions of lives in the balance. Her tough leadership and compassion would ultimately decide the fate of her nation and leave her with a controversial legacy around the world.
KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Daniel S. comments, “Golda is a somewhat bland, but interesting look at how Israel’s prime minister from 1969 to 1974, Golda Meir confronted the forces that threatened her country. Helen Mirren’s performance as Golda Meir is the film’s strongest asset. Mirren commits to the role and transforms herself physically.”
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You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah * Regardless Of Your Religious Beliefs You Will Relate To This Film
Lifelong best friends Stacy (Sunny Sandler) and Lydia (Samantha Lorraine) have long dreamt of epic bat mitzvahs but when popular boy Andy Goldfarb (Dylan Hoffman) and Hebrew school drama come between them, their perfect plans go comically awry. Directed by Sammi Cohen, produced by Happy Madison and Alloy Entertainment, and also starring Idina Menzel, Sadie Sandler, Sarah Sherman, Luis Guzmán, and Jackie & Adam Sandler, You are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah chronicles the high comedy and modern teen angst that comes with family, friendship, and first crushes.
KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Zoe C. comments, “I really enjoyed watching You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah and felt very connected with it for so many reasons. I definitely feel that, regardless of one’s religious beliefs you can find a way to relate to this film, which I especially love. The story is very well written and I love the way this film was shot.”
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Into the Spotlight * A Remarkable Film With Lots Of Singing, Dancing, And Romance
Into the Spotlight centers on a high schooler who grew up writing music with her rockstar dad but always preferred to stay out of the limelight. When her best friend isn’t able to perform, she steps in as her substitute at their high school talent show. The incredible performance goes viral, and she becomes an overnight star.
KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Saniyarain F. comments, “Into the Spotlight is a remarkable film! The film includes lots of singing, dancing, and some romance as well. It is also great if you are a fan of plot twists because there is definitely a jaw dropper for this one, it was extremely fun to watch!” Anna Clara B. adds, “Into the Spotlight is a film full of teaching that I enjoyed and felt thrilled because it talks about success and this film really defines that!”
Read MoreThe Slumber Party * You Have Never Been To A Slumber Party Like This! Brilliantly Captures The Essence Of Teenhood
The Slumber Party depicts the hilarious aftermath of a sleepover birthday party hypnotism gone wrong as best friends Megan and Paige, along with soon-to-be step-sister Veronica, wake up with absolutely no memory of the night before. Now they must retrace their steps to find missing birthday girl Anna Maria and explain why there’s a flock of baby ducks in the bathtub, what happened to Megan’s eyebrow, and why she’s wearing unattainable hottie Jake Ramirez’s signature black hoodie.
KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Hanadie K. comments, “I love The Slumber Party. It is a heartwarming Disney film that brilliantly captures the essence of teenage friendships and the journey of self-discovery. With its enchanting storyline and captivating moments, the movie celebrates the power of friendship while encouraging viewers to break free from insecurities, making it a genuinely empowering cinematic experience.” Giana N. adds, “Sure you have been to a slumber party before, but trust me you have never been to one like this. This film has a great message that anybody no matter what age they are, can take away. This movie is fun, enjoyable, and it kept me wondering throughout the whole movie.”
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The Hill * A Hard-Hitting Cast And Beautifully Written, Evocative Script
Growing up impoverished in small-town Texas, young Rickey Hill shows an extraordinary ability for hitting a baseball, despite being burdened by leg braces from a degenerative spinal disease. His stern, pastor father discourages Rickey from playing baseball to protect him from injury, and to have him follow in his footsteps and become a preacher. As a young man, Ricky becomes a baseball phenomenon. His desire to participate in a try-out for a legendary major league scout divides the family and threatens Rickey’s dream of playing professional baseball.
KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Eshaan M. comments, “With a hard-hitting cast and beautifully written, evocative script, The Hill surely captured my attention and should appeal to sports, drama and biographical film fans as well.”
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Blue Beetle * Terrific Sci-Fi Film, With A Great Tone And Some Pretty Fun Comedic Scenes And Characters
Recent college grad Jaime Reyes returns home full of aspirations for his future, only to find that home is not quite as he left it. As he searches to find his purpose in the world, fate intervenes when Jaime unexpectedly finds himself in possession of an ancient relic of alien biotechnology: the Scarab. When the Scarab suddenly chooses Jaime to be its symbiotic host, he is bestowed with an incredible suit of armor capable of extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes the Super Hero Blue Beetle.
KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Connor S. comments, “I really love the film Blue Beetle! One thing I enjoy is the strong cultural theme at its center. It is a great sci-fi film, with a great tone and some pretty fun comedic scenes and characters, which is different for a DC movie.” Mikella G. adds, “Blue Beetle is a fascinating adventurous movie that checks off every box. It brings you to laughter, tears and everything in between all while being an intense blockbuster film!” Kira O. wraps it up with, “You won’t want to miss this heart-warming action-packed film. Throughout the entire film, the cinematography is so good that it feels like you are right in the middle of all the action. My favorite part is when Jaime is in danger and his family and Jenny rescue him by using advanced technology developed by Jenny’s late father.”
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Snoopy Presents: One-Of-A-Kind Marcie * Revealing The True Essence Of The Beloved Marcie
One-of-a-Kind Marcie follows Marcie, an introvert who loves her solitude but also enjoys helping her friends. During the school golf championship, Marcie assists Peppermint Patty as her caddie, offering thoughtful and deliberate advice to help her win. Meanwhile, back at school, Marcie is nominated for class president and starts to observe other friends and classmates needing help — from traffic jams in the hallway to not having enough to share with everyone at lunch. Full of great ideas, Marcie wants to offer help but struggles to share them in a way that doesn’t force her to be in the spotlight. She is eventually empowered to buck other people’s expectations and embrace her own unique way of doing things — allowing her to help her friends in her own way out of the spotlight.
KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Tiana S. comments, “In the new and first feature film about the infamous and brilliant Marcie from the Peanuts gang, the true essence of the beloved character is revealed. It’s quite different from the style and messages of previous Peanuts films but still with the look and feel we’ve come to love of the classic franchise.”