KIDS FIRST! Holiday Gift Guide – Picking the Right DVD for the Right Kid
As the holidays approach, you are looking for the perfect gift for that niece, nephew, sister-in-law and, of course, your own kids and family members. You probably know what the people closest to you want and need but those further relations are a bit of a challenge. We want to share with you the films and DVDs that we’ve watched this year along with reviews by our KIDS FIRST! Film Critics so you get the kids’ point of view. After all, kids are the audience for these films, so let’s listen to what the kids have to say about them. More film reviews are available at kidsfirst.org. Happy holidays!
FOR YOUNG GIRLS
Dear Dumb Diary
Based on the best-selling series “Dear Dumb Diary” by Jim Benton. Follow Jamie Kelly as she navigates Mackeral Middle School with the help of her best friend Isabella, her nemesis Angeline and the boy of her dreams Hudson. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic review.
My Little Pony: Equestria Girls
Via a magic mirror, Twilight Sparkle travels into an alternate universe in order to recover a crown that was stolen from the Crystal Empire. Upon her arrival she is surprised to learn that she has turned into a teenage girl. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic review.
FOR THE MEN IN YOUR LIFE
Iron Man and Hulk: Heroes United
When “Zzzax,” a seemingly invincible, energy devouring monster threatens to destroy the planet, Marvel’s unlikeliest pairing of Avengers is mankind’s only hope. Alone, neither can defeat the awesome power of Zzzax. As a duo, they just might have a chance – if they can find a way to work together without smashing heads before time runs out! Trailer.
Transformers Prime: Predacons Rising
A resurrected UNICRON has taken over the now-lifeless body of MEGATRON to seek vengeance on the AUTOBOTS and ultimately, the destruction of Cybertron. This formidable enemy forces an unlikely alliance between the AUTOBOTS, DECEPTICONS, PREDAKING and two new Predacons, who come together in an epic battle to help protect their newly restored planet! KIDS FIRST! Film Critic review.
The Wolverine
Hugh Jackman returns as The Wolverine and faces his ultimate nemesis in an action packed life-or-death battle that takes him to modern day Japan. Vulnerable for the first time and pushed to his limits, Logan confronts not only lethal samurai steel but also his inner struggle against his own immortality; an epic fight that will leave him forever changed. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic review. 
FOR THE WOMEN IN YOUR LIFE
The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec
An epic tale set in the early part of the 20th century and focused on a popular reporter and her
dealings with would-be suitors, the cops, monsters, and other adventures. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic review.
FOR THE YOUNGER ONES
Planes
A crop-dusting plane with a fear of heights lives his dream of competing in a famous around-the-world aerial race. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic review.
Merry Christmas, Splat…And More Winter Stories
Ready for this season’s holiday family viewing, Merry Christmas, Splat… and More Winter Stories brings best-selling children’s storybooks to life and promotes a love of literature. Includes: Merry Christmas, Splat; Fletcher and the Snowflake Christmas; Owl Moon. Trailer.
Thomas & Friends®: 3- Movie Pack
Start your engines for the most-action packed movie night of the year! Thomas & Friends®: 3-Movie Pack, is filled with rip-roaring adventures, mysteries to be solved, heroic rescues and new discoveries. Includes: Thomas & Friends: Blue Mountain Mystery – The Movie; Thomas & Friends: Day of the Diesels – The Movie; Thomas & Friends: Misty Island Rescue – The Movie. Clip.
FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Christmas Bounty
A former bounty hunter turns into an elementary schoolteacher. Determined to have a normal life and keep her bounty hunter past a secret, she reluctantly returns home for Christmas to help save the family business by catching the one bounty that got away. But when her fiancé follows her home for the holiday, she struggles to hide her wild family business and a bounty hunter ex-boyfriend she thought she’d left behind.
The Croods
After their cave is destroyed, a caveman family must trek through an unfamiliar fantastical world with the help of an inventive boy. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic review.
Despicable Me 2
Gru is recruited by the Anti-Villain League to help deal with a powerful new super criminal. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic review. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff7nDHZPfsU
Epic
From the creators of Ice Age comes a funny animated adventure starring Amanda Seyfried and Beyoncé Knowles. A teenager finds herself transported to a deep forest setting where a battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil is taking place. She bands together with a rag-tag group characters in order to save their world — and ours. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic review. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcAZGex5woQ
The Hunters
A family of archeologists hunt down artifacts from fairy tales that have been hidden around the globe. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic review.
Mama Doni’s Jewish Holiday Party
Mama Doni’s “”Jewish Holiday Party”” is her debut DVD with a brand new bonus soulful, acoustic CD soundtrack. From a bluegrass “”Chanukah Oh Chanukah”” medley sing-along to a fun instructional “Making Challah with Mama Doni” video throw-down in the kitchen, this DVD celebrates Chanukah, Passover and Shabbat like never before. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic review.
A Monster in Paris
A 3D-animated movie set in Paris in the year 1910 and centered on a monster who lives in a garden and his love for a beautiful, young singer, Lucille. KIDS FIRST! Film Critics review.
Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters
The magical, mythical adventures of teenager Percy Jackson — son of the Greek god Poseidon — continue in this heroic, action-packed thrill ride! Out to prove he’s not just a “one-quest wonder,” Percy and his demigod friends embark on an epic, cross-country journey into the treacherous Sea of Monsters, where they battle terrifying creatures, an army of zombies, and the ultimate evil. With time running out, Percy must find and bring home the fabled Golden Fleece, which has the power to save his world…and save us all! KIDS FIRST! Film Critic review.
Pete’s Christmas
An overlooked middle child finds himself in the unexpected spotlight when he realizes his family’s terrible Christmas day keeps repeating. As the only one experiencing the day over and over, he decides to use his unique gift to give the holidays a makeover and his family a Christmas they will never forget. KIDS FIRST! Film Critics review.
The Smurfs 2
The Smurfs team up with their human friends to rescue Smurfette, who has been kidnapped by Gargamel since she knows a secret spell that can turn the evil sorcerer’s newest creation into real Smurfs. Trailer.
Turbo
A freak accident might just help an everyday garden snail achieve his biggest dream: winning the Indy 500. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic review.
Brought to you by the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics!
