KIDS FIRST! News

Mrs. Harris Goes To Paris tells the story of a widowed cleaning lady in 1950s London who falls madly in love with a couture Dior dress, and decides that she must have one of her own. After she works, starves and gambles to raise the funds to pursue her dream, she embarks on an adventure to Paris which will change not only her own outlook, but the very future of the House of Dior.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Mikella G. comments, “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is an exciting fashionable adventure. It’s comedic and moving at the same time, and is definitely entertaining.” Kendall B. adds, “I love everything about how this film looks from the scenery, to the actors, the music, the script — everything fits the storyline so perfectly.” See their full reviews and interview with Alba Baptista below.

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris
By Mikella G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is an exciting fashionable adventure. It’s comedic and moving at the same time, and is definitely entertaining.

Based on the 1958 book by Paul Gallico, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is set in the 1950s and follows Mrs. Harris (Lesley Manville), a widowed cleaning lady from London who feels very lost after the recent death of her husband. She seems to be struggling with what to do next, but realizes that when she listens to heart, her husband is leading her in the right direction.

With hard work and a little luck, Mrs. Harris is able to save up and take a trip to Paris to come in contact with her real dream — a Christian Dior couture gown. While visiting the House of Dior, she realizes the true importance of Dior and helps others acknowledge this along the way.

This film really taps into the 1950s era with sets, costumes and locations that fit the decade. The film takes into account all the events happening at the time and incorporates them into the storyline. For example, the war had just ended and that is referred to multiple times, and woven into the story. There was also a strike in Paris going on that led to dirty streets, which we see in the film. In so many ways, the film is so true to the era and you see it in a multitude of details.

I really enjoyed seeing how fashion is incorporated into the movie. Since the storyline revolves around a major fashion designer, Christian Dior, and his brand, we see how that affected society across from many socio-economic backgrounds. There is a lot of fashion history included in the film, which is especially interesting to me, since I love fashion. I enjoyed how each character’s wardrobe is so outstanding and typical of the 1950s.

The message of Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is to always follow your heart, and stick up for what you believe in.

I give Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 10 to 18, plus adults. Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris opens in theaters July 15, 2022.

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris
By Kendall B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

I enjoyed Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris and so will people who stand up for what they believe. Ada Harris is an admirable character that serves as a positive role model.  

The storyline follows Ada Harris (Lesley Manville), a 1950s widowed housekeeper. After falling in love with a Dior dress, Mrs. Harris decides she must have one of them and takes off on a journey to Paris, where she discovers what she truly needs in life.

I love everything about how this film looks from the scenery, to the actors, the music, the script — everything fits the storyline so perfectly. All the actors are fabulous; every prop is in the exact right place; there is just so much hard work put into this film and it really shows.

One of the most outstanding contributions to the movie is from the writers. The script is so perfect. Mrs. Harris’ story sticks out to me because, while all of the other characters are young and have years to figure out what’s important to them, Mrs. Harris is already half way through her life, and still isn’t truly happy. Alba Baptista who plays Natasha did an amazing job! I loved her performance so much!

My favorite scene is the Dior fashion show. Everything about that scene is terrific; the dresses are beautiful, the actresses playing the models made me feel as if I was in the Dior showroom.

The message of Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is to never give up. Mrs. Harris is determined to help the workers at Dior when she helps them strike. She is determined to buy the dress, and best of all, she never gives up.

I give Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18 plus adults. It releases in theatres on July 15, 2022.

Photo: Lambert Wilson stars as Marquis de Chassange, Lesley Manville as Mrs. Harris, Guilaine Londez as Madame Avallon, Dorottya Ilosvai as Mathilde Avallon and Alba Baptista as Natash in director Tony Fabian’s MRS.HARRIS GOES TO PARIS, a Focus Features release. Credit: Dávid Lukács / © 2021 Ada Films Ltd – Harris Squared Kft

From the best-selling novel comes a captivating mystery. Where the Crawdads Sing tells the story of Kya, an abandoned girl who raised herself to adulthood in the dangerous marshlands of North Carolina. For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” haunted Barkley Cove, isolating the sharp and resilient Kya from her community. Drawn to two young men from town, Kya opens herself to a new and startling world; but when one of them is found dead, she is immediately cast by the community as the main suspect. As the case unfolds, the verdict as to what actually happened becomes increasingly unclear, threatening to reveal the many secrets that lay within the marsh.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Katherine S. comments, “Where the Crawdads Sing is a must see coming-of-age and murder mystery movie based on the blockbuster novel by Delia Owens. The movie is wonderfully cast as every performance is stellar.” Ava C. adds, “Daisy Edgar-Jones brings Kya’s character to life very powerfully. When we first see her, she is shy and reserved; she rarely leaves the marshes. Kya enjoys the beauty of nature and loves drawing pictures of insects. As a person who loves nature, I really appreciate the scenery in the film with the details of the water, grasses and plants. It is beautiful.” See their full reviews below.

Where the Crawdads Sing
By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

Where the Crawdads Sing is a must see coming-of-age and murder mystery movie based on the blockbuster novel by Delia Owens. The movie is wonderfully cast as every performance is stellar.

The story follows two different timelines that slowly come together as the movie progresses. The first is the trial for the murder of Chase Andrews (Harris Dickinson) and the second is about Kya Clark (Daisy Edgar-Jones), a young girl who, after being abandoned by her family, learns to thrive in the marshes of North Carolina in the 1950s and 1960s.

The movie mostly follows the storyline of the book it’s based on, Where the Crawdads Sing,with a few slight changes. The storyline is engaging and keeps you guessing right until the very end. The sets and locations, along with the costumes of the marsh and the town, transport us into the 1950s and 1960s so much that it feels like we are living at that time.

Each and every member of the cast have spectacular performances; my favorites come from Daisy Edgar-Jones and Jojo Regina. Daisy Edgar-Jones, as the older Kya, and Jojo Regina, as young Kya, have absolutely phenomenal performances. It feels as though they are real people in a documentary. You feel their pain, their joys and their triumphs. Other stand out-performances come from Harris Dickinson (Chase Andrews) and Taylor John Smith (Tate Walker) as they elicit a range of emotions with the portrayal of their roles and interactions with Kya.

The strongest message of Where the Crawdads Sing is the power of perseverance and one’s ability to overcome challenges. Nature also plays a big role in this movie. You should be aware that this film has several adult themes and scenes, including rape, domestic violence, and similar, as well as profanity, so I do not recommend it for young audiences.

I give Where the Crawdads Sing 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 13 to 18, plus adults. It comes out in theaters July 15, 2022.

Where The Crawdads Sing
By Ava C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

Where the Crawdads Sing is a great movie that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The acting is terrific and the excitement and suspense of the plot are incredible. I love a roller coaster of a good mystery and highly recommend this one.

Where the Crawdads Sing is based on the book by Delia Owens. It follows the life of a young woman, Kya (Daisy EdgarJones) who survives growing up in the marshlands of North Carolina by herself.  Although she is considered an outsider and does not fit in with the people of the surrounding town, she finds a way to persevere. A major turning point in her life occurs when she becomes the prime suspect of a crime.

Daisy Edgar-Jones brings Kya’s character to life very powerfully. When we first see her, she is shy and reserved; she rarely leaves the marshes. Kya enjoys the beauty of nature and loves drawing pictures of insects. As a person who loves nature, I really appreciate the scenery in the film with the details of the water, grasses and plants. It is beautiful. Although the movie takes place in the 1960s, the attire is similar to what people wear today and seems realistic. My favorite part of the film is the ending when we the truth about the murder is revealed. My sister and I enjoyed discussing the outcome of the story. There are so many possible outcomes of this story. It is interesting to see the many different interpretations from other people. This will definitely be a conversation piece for me and my friends for a while.

The message of the movie Where the Crawdads Sing shows how being abandoned by the people you love impacts your life and relationships. Although Kya survived on her own and created a life for herself, she never had the opportunity to deal with her past and how it affects her life in the present. You should be aware that there are some very suggestive sexual scenes in this film that make it unsuitable for younger children. I felt quite uncomfortable seeing those myself.

I give Where the Crawdads Sing 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 18 to adult. It releases in theaters July 15, 2022.

Thor: Love and Thunder finds Thor (Chris Hemsworth) on a journey unlike anything he’s ever faced — a quest for inner peace. But his retirement is interrupted by a galactic killer known as Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), who seeks the extinction of the gods. To combat the threat, Thor enlists the help of King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), Korg (Taika Waititi) and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who — to Thor’s surprise — inexplicably wields his magical hammer, Mjolnir, as the Mighty Thor. Together, they embark upon a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance and stop him before it’s too late.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Jude A. comments, “This is incredibly aesthetically pleasing and, quite frankly, nothing that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has shown us before. Matched with a rocking soundtrack — Appetite for Destruction from Guns N’ Roses, Thor: Love and Thunder is quite literally an “appetite for destruction.” Tiana S. adds, “This ends here and now … Thor is back with a comedic, out-of-this-world all-new adventure! This new installment about the God of Thunder, Thor: Love and Thunder has everything a Marvel fan could want.With two Thors making an appearance, you get things you didn’t know you wanted and needed.” Ethan P. wraps it up with, “The graphics and CGI in Thor: Love and Thunder are exciting. The visual effects technology used in this movie is the same as used in The Mandalorian. The audience can see a muscular Jane Foster with arms noticeably bigger in this film. Her costume is on point, similar to Thor’s. The music really rocks on every scene, literally.” See their full reviews below.

Thor: Love and Thunder
By Jude A., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

Marvel Studio’s Thor: Love and Thunder officially redefines the definition of film and on-screen art. Taika Waititi’s background as a painter can be seen throughout the film, through the use of a vibrant color scheme and specific tint isolation. This is incredibly aesthetically pleasing and, quite frankly, nothing that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has shown us before. Matched with a rocking soundtrack — Appetite for Destruction from Guns N’ Roses, Thor: Love and Thunder is quite literally an “appetite for destruction.”

Thor: Love and Thunder picks up after the events of Avengers: Endgame. Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is still tagging along as one of the Guardians of the Galaxy. After all his paths have been severed from his battles with Thanos, he finds himself without a pathway. In all of his thousands of years of living, this has never been a concept that Thor has had to tackle. This puts him on a journey of self-exploration. Although, obviously in the Marvel Universe, that can only last so long when the new villain Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale) comes to town. Gorr vows that “all gods will die.” Thor recruits the help of his ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) who seemingly became a Thor herself. These two learn to work together to defeat Gorr and how to navigate the world while rekindling their old relationship.

Thor: Love and Thunder emphasizes the idea of “love” in the title because that’s how audiences will feel about the film’s color variations and banging soundtrack. Christian Bale completely steals the entire show as Gorr the God Butcher. In every scene he is in, your eyes are glued to his worldly-like presence on the screen. Although he is terrifying, the audience will not be able to get enough of him.

Christian Bale finds a way to make this a Christian Bale film and not a Chris Hemsworth film. As much as Gorr the God Butcher’s storyline is golden, which is ironic given his black and white color scheme, other branches of the film feel unnecessary. During the film, certain plot points are used that feel somewhat like a cheap excuse to move the story forward. The characters spend a solid 30 minutes exploring something new, yet later we learn that it has no overall impact or relevance to the story. Part of the film is wasted on the focus of Zeus. It may be comedic and light-hearted in the moment, yet it almost feels like it is only introduced to help set up future Marvel projects, rather than focus on the film we are currently watching.

If the title doesn’t make it obvious, the film deals with the theme of love persevering and expresses the concept that relationships aren’t forever, but the love behind them is eternal. Following previous Marvel content Thor: Love and Thunder continues the trend of pushing PG-13 boundaries and getting darker. When I say that Christian Bale is incredibly terrifying, that is really true. Marvel does not hold back on his character, especially when a large part of his role is about abducting children. Given that, plus the barrel of intense action throughout the film, this film is not to be taken lightly.

I give Thor: Love and Thunder 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. You can find Thor: Love and Thunder raining its way into theatres on July 8, 2022. So make sure to check it out!

Thor: Love and Thunder
By Tiana S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

This ends here and now … Thor is back with a comedic, out-of-this-world all-new adventure! This new installment about the God of Thunder, Thor: Love and Thunder has everything a Marvel fan could want.With two Thors making an appearance, you get things you didn’t know you wanted and needed. It’s called “Love and Thunder,” so of course there is plenty of love.

Thor: Love and Thunder starts with a backstory about a villain named Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale) as he experiences a great loss and seeks help from a God. When he refuses to help him, Gorr wants revenge and goes on a mission to kill all Gods. Thor (Chris Hemsworth)learns of Gorr’s quest and un-retires to go save his home, Asgard. Along the way, his ex-girlfriend, Dr. Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), now the Mighty Thor with Thor’s powers, joins him to help save Asgard and the Gods.

The main characters in this film are Thor, Jane Foster, King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), Korg (Taika Waititi) and Gorr the God Butcher. Thor’s comeback, wearing a rock-and-roll outfit and set to 80s music, is epic! Make-up, especially for Gorr, is realistic, creepy and jaw-dropping.  This film allows you to connect with each character on a different level where you care about each of them, even Gorr. It’s the perfect balance between romance, tragedy, comedy, drama and action.

My favorite part is the fight scene with a new generation of warriors, including a surprise appearance from another Marvel character’s son. There is even a hilarious scene with a stuffed bunny used as a weapon. Marvel and Disney are leading the way for more LGBTQ+ representation in their movies, and Thor: Love and Thunder is a great reflection of today’s society. 

Thor: Love and Thunder’s theme is that love is worth fighting for. All the main characters battle for the thing and/or person that they love the most. They are all in pain, seeking love and want revenge for how they feel, and are willing to fight for it. Parents should be aware that there is a brief nudity scene, some mild cursing, and heavy topics such as cancer and relationships.

Marvel has outdone itself with Thor: Love and Thunder and I give it 5 out of 5 hammers. This may be the funniest, “lovingest,” and most entertaining Marvel film yet. I recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. You can watch this movie in theatres starting July 8, 2022. 

Thor: Love and Thunder
Ethan P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 13

I like the new Marvel Cinematic Universe release Thor: Love and Thunder because of how comical and emotional it is. I also like that the movie has a female kind of Thor, Jane (Natalie Portman), who becomes as powerful or more than Thor.

Continuing from Avengers: Endgame, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) has to get in shape so he can help the Guardians of the Galaxy’s team fight off enemies on other planets. While this is happening, somewhere in the desert, Gorr (Christian Bale) the God Butcher is trying to save his daughter from dying and asks the god of his planet for help, but the god declines, laughing at him. The god previously kills a man holding a sword called the Necrosword, the only sword that can kill gods. The sword chooses Gorr, and then Gorr grabs the sword and kills his god and sets out to kill all gods.

The graphics and CGI in Thor: Love and Thunder are exciting. The visual effects technology used in this movie is the same as used in The Mandalorian. The audience can see a muscular Jane Foster with arms noticeably bigger in this film. Her costume is on point, similar to Thor’s. The music really rocks on every scene, literally. My favorite part is when Thor has to help a planet, since the Guardians of the Galaxy couldn’t, so he took off his cloak and went on a rampage while throwing in some comedy at the same time. Another favorite part is when Zeus (Russell Crowe) flicks his disguise and that accidently takes all of it off—at that point Thor screams, “You flicked a little too hard.” This film has other great actors, including Matt Damon, Chris Pratt, Melissa McCarthy, Sam Neill, Vin Diesel and Taika Waititi.

There are multiple moral messages in this film, but the most important one is love is more important than greed or revenge. Gorr learns this the hard way while facing Thor.

I give Thor: Love and Thunder 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18 plus adults. Thor: Love and Thunder will be released on July 8, 2022. 

Accepted offers a unique and intriguing look at the world of Ivy League college admissions and the true cost of getting that first foothold into elite American society. In his first documentary feature, director Dan Chen grounds a broader look at the inequities in the American education system with unbelievable access to T.M. Landry and the deeply personal stories of four dynamic students looking to overcome countless obstacles to achieve their dreams. Four high school seniors in rural Louisiana attend T.M. Landry, an unconventional K – 12 school housed in a sparse warehouse made famous for sending its graduates to elite universities like Harvard, Yale, and Stanford. The students aim to meet the intense expectations of Mike Landry, the imposing founder of the school who charts a relentless course towards their college dreams. When the New York Times publishes an expose on Landry’s controversial methods, the school buckles under the scrutiny. Each senior is left to contend with uncomfortable truths about their school and the college admissions system, and decide for themselves what they are willing to do to be accepted.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Eshaan M. comments, “Accepted offers a unique and intriguing look at the world of selective college admissions in the US; it shows the cost of climbing the social ladder through education and the extent to which people will go to get to the ranks of the country’s intelligentsia.” See his full review and interview with the director below.

Accepted
By Eshaan M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

Accepted offers a unique and intriguing look at the world of selective college admissions in the US; it shows the cost of climbing the social ladder through education and the extent to which people will go to get to the ranks of the country’s intelligentsia.

T.M. Landry College Preparatory is an unconventional K-12 school in a poor rural town in Louisiana famous for sending its students to elite universities like Harvard, Yale, Wellesley and Stanford. Students aim to meet the intense expectations of Mike Landry, the imposing, relentless, rousing-speech-giving founder of the school who has a personal and professional stake in the process. When the New York Times publishes an exposé on T.M. Landry falsifying student transcripts and its controversial and, at-times, abusive methods, the school crumbles. Each senior has to figure out school and the college admissions system on their own from there, and they have to decide for themselves what they are willing to do to get into college.

In his first documentary, director Dan Chen beautifully captures the personal stories of four dynamic students looking to overcome the seemingly insuperable obstacles they face to achieve their dreams. One, for example, has a widowed mother and two disabled sisters, and she must care for them while balancing an 11-hour school day at T.M. Landry. The interviews of the four seniors guide the film, as does interwoven footage of Landry working with students, hyping them up, and continuing his work at home.

The film is incredibly well-constructed — holes in T.M. Landry’s story are reflected in the plot (such as when it is revealed that Mike Landry told one of his students to call him when the filming team came to his house so he could project the image of a caring, fatherly figure). The footage is stable; lighting is modulated to reflect the mood of each scene (dark in times of despair, bright in times of hope), and the storytelling is seamless. Accepted keeps your attention throughout; there’s not a single dull moment. As a student going through the admissions process right now (albeit with a very different background and very different schools than those in the film), Accepted resonates with me on an emotional level at various points. It’s one of the best traditional documentaries I’ve watched this year.

Accepted is a film all about finding success with honesty and hard work. Where T.M. Landry fails, as a student says, is that they set out to solve the problem of a ridiculously selective university system, but became a part of the problem by falsifying records and losing integrity.

I give Accepted 5 stars out of 5 and recommend if for ages 13 to 18, plus adults. Accepted releases July 1, 2022 in theaters and on demand.