KIDS FIRST! News

As the year comes to an end, remember that your donation is tax deductible; so, rather than send your hard earned dollars to the government, you can decide how to make a difference in the lives of children nationwide. How can we tell you how much your support means for KIDS FIRST! It really makes a difference because without your support, we would not have a program. We still have just a bit over $3,000 to raise, so please keep spreading the word – we are so close now!

Launched in 2012, KIDS FIRST! Film Critics is the only program that teaching tweens and teens to become entertainment reporters. Their reviews and interviews are shared reviews with other kids, teachers, parents and grandparents. At the same time, they are developing lifelong skills in writing, presentation and on-camera appearances. We are teaching a community of young creatives build skills and develop relationships in the entertainment industry and beyond.

Our alumni have shared how their experience as KIDS FIRST! reporters affected them in college and as young professionals. Check out Keefer Carteen‘s story below. Keefer was a member of our team from 2013 to 2021, is a 2022 college graduate and now fully employed in the entertainment business.

If you were to make a “statement of support” about what you gained from your KIDS FIRST! experience, something that you would like to tell potential benefactors or media industry professionals, what would that look like?

I learned how to express my passion for films in a clear and concise way through my video reviews. As a writer, they pushed me to analyze what makes a good film and how media influences our youth. KIDS FIRST! gave me a voice when I felt my opinion as a kid didn’t matter.

My time at KIDS FIRST! was the most influential period of my life. I joined when I was 13 with a speech impediment and no experience in the film industry. Thankfully, Ranny Levy took me under her wing. From exciting private screenings to unforgettable red carpet events, KIDS FIRST! gave me opportunities that I could only dream of. Under the tutelage of Ranny Levy, I learned how to be a professional presenter and a conscientious writer. My education at KIDS FIRST! was intensive but never patronizing because Ranny sees the limitless potential in children and pushes them to be the best they can be. 

What are you currently doing related to school, film, media and/or the entertainment business?

I recently earned my BA in Practical Filmmaking at MET Film School in Ealing, London. Still residing in London, I’m pursuing a career as a director/writer/producer. I’ve worked on feature films, high end commercials and award winning short films. My most recent accomplishment was being a Production Manager for the Short Film Last Call Starring Tom Holland and Lindsay Duncan which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival.  With every project I still use the same communication skills that KIDS FIRST! equipped me with. 

Can you share one or more memories of your experience as a KIDS FIRST! Film Critic that you fondly remember and something that affected your life – in terms of your college experience, your professional work or just your own self esteem?

My fondest memory in my life was because of KIDS FIRST! Mel Brooks is my comedy hero and when he was presented his AFI Life Achievement award, it was Ranny Levy that gave me the chance to interview my hero. On the red carpet Mr. Brooks came forward and shook my hand. His warm smile and energetic nature overwhelmed me. I was able to ask him one question about why he wanted to be a filmmaker. He listed off the comedy legends that inspired him; Marx Brothers, Ritz Brothers, etc. and he said “Comedy, that’s the way to go kid! To this day I keep that memory in my heart. Writing this made me very nostalgic. I truly miss you. 

Cruising memory lane, here’s one of my favorite reviews of Keefer’s:

At KIDS FIRST!, we strive to give the young people we work with the best possible experience as we introduce them not just the latest films, but to key players in the entertainment business. And, as much as they benefit from this, they also impact millions of people who read and watch their reviews and interviews as well – making them more conscientious media users.

Additionally, their help in curating films for our KIDS FIRST! Film Festivals has reached new heights this year as live film festivals return and virtual ones remain robust. This fall we programmed for 5 festivals – 3 in the US, one in Pakistan and one in Ukraine. The Ukraine event was particularly uplifting as educators there wanted to provide positive activities for kids who are living in a country that is at war. We couldn’t do this work without the valuable contribution of our young reporters as festival jurors.

That’s why we are asking you to continue to support KIDS FIRST! with a donation of any amount you are comfortable with. Our goal is to raise $15,000 with this campaign. Every penny will go to support the KIDS FIRST! program so we can share their authentic film reviews with the world and positively affect the way kids and families absorb media.

Here’s a story from Harmony: https://www.kidsfirst.org/about-us/KFFC.Bio.HarmonyMakhfi.html

And one more from Samantha: https://www.kidsfirst.org/about-us/KFFC.Bio.SamanthaMarcus.html

You can donate here: https://fnd.us/kidsfirst?ref=sh_bCo1e4 or, you can mail us a check.

Thank you in advance for your generosity,

Ranny and the KIDS FIRST! team

Torn apart from her sister and her children, Celie faces many hardships in life, including an abusive husband. With support from a sultry singer named Shug Avery, as well as her stand-her-ground stepdaughter, Celie ultimately finds extraordinary strength in the unbreakable bonds of a new kind of sisterhood.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Katherine S. comments, “I love this reimagined, musical version of The Color Purple! It has a really good balance of joyful and sorrowful scenes, which made me care deeply about the characters. Its cast is brilliant, as all of them fit their roles perfectly and have absolutely outstanding and powerful voices.” Sydney S. adds, “I absolutely love the film, The Color Purple! This musical remake of the 1985 film is a tear-jerking story with engaging musical numbers and brilliant acting. The film holds so much power and I like that it promotes hope.” See their full reviews below.

The Color Purple (2023)
By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

I love this reimagined, musical version of The Color Purple! It has a really good balance of joyful and sorrowful scenes, which made me care deeply about the characters. Its cast is brilliant, as all of them fit their roles perfectly and have absolutely outstanding and powerful voices.

This movie is a musical adaptation of the novel The Color Purple by Alice Walker and also the movie The Color Purple from 1985. It follows two teenage sisters named Celie (Phylicia Pearl Mpasi/Fantasia Barrino) and Nettie (Halle Bailey/Ciara) in the American South in the early 1900s. Celie and Nettie are best friends, but then they get separated once Celie gets married to a man named Mister (Colman Domingo). The movie then tells the story of the struggles that Celie faces and her attempts to find her sister.

If you’ve seen the original movie and or read the book, you will notice the storyline is the same. However, how the story is portrayed is very different. It’s full of singing and dancing as in a Broadway musical. I like this rendition of The Color Purple the best out of the three because thesinging and dancing are so engaging – I really connected with the characters and their emotions. My favorite character is definitely Sophie, played by Danielle Brooks, because she is very funny and powerful, has a rich voice, and I loved every scene she was in.  The actors with the strongest performances are Fantasia Barrino as Celie and Colman Domingo. Celie, is such a dynamic character as we see her grow and change so much while she overcomes all of her traumas. Also, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi is definitely the right choice to play young Celie since she and Fantasia look very similar. Also I absolutely despise Mister because of Colman Domingo’s incredibly convincing performance!  The Color Purple also stars Taraji P. Henson, Corey Hawkins, Deon Cole, and H.E.R. Be sure to look for a couple cameos by people who were in the original movie adaptation.

The messages of this movie include the power of perseverance, the importance of forgiveness and of having the fortitude to overcome oppression and abuse. It also emphasizes the importance of family. Be aware that there is profanity, alcohol consumption, and rape.

I give The Color Purple 5 out of 5 stars, and I recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters December 25, 2023.

The Color Purple
By Sydney S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

I absolutely love the film, The Color Purple! This musical remake of the 1985 film is a tear-jerking story with engaging musical numbers and brilliant acting. The film holds so much power and I like that it promotes hope.

The storyline follows Celie who struggles to find freedom in her life. After her children are taken from her, she is sent away to live with a husband who doesn’t allow Celie to contact her sister. 

The main characters in the film are Celie (Fantasia Barrino), Young Celie (Phylicia Pearl), Young Nettie (Halle Bailey), Nettie (Ciara), Shug Avery (Taraji P. Henson), Sofia (Danielle Brooks), Harpo (Corey Hawkins), Mister (Colman Domingo), and Squeak (H.E.R.). The actors are incredible. They bring so much emotion that enhances the storyline and brings the movie to life. You can tell how they’re feeling by the look in their eyes! I love the amount of laughter in this movie. Sofia’s remedy to her depression is laughter. Celie never fails to laugh and smile when she’s happy. The relationship between Celie and her sister Nettie is so heartwarming, but seeing them get separated is crushing. I found my emotions flailing all over the place. There’s tension between some of the characters, too, which adds suspense.

The costumes are relative to the time and setting. They get interesting when Shug Avery comes to town, though. The lighting dims when there’s tension or something awful happens, which is a great touch. The direction of this film is incredible because it focuses on important details, such as body language or angles. Steven Spielberg did a wonderful job once again. I really like the musical theater side incorporated in the film. The music touches hearts and helps the characters express their feelings. The songs are catchy, too. The dances are so well-choreographed and detailed. There’s a perfect balance of musical theater. It’s also beautiful to see the characters brought together by music. My favorite part of the film is the character Celie and her breakthrough with finding herself. No matter how difficult her life gets, she pushes through and finds joy in the little things. She’s grateful for what she has and deals with abuse at the same time. At the end, her message about herself and her life is beautiful. 

The message of this film is that life can be difficult, but life is beautiful when you learn to persevere and stay positive. It also encourages you to stand up for yourself. Themes of family and friendship are also included. You should be aware there are some sensitive scenes that contain abuse, foul language and sexual content.

I give The Color Purple 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. The Color Purple comes out in theaters December 25, 2023.

Percy Jackson is on a dangerous quest. Outrunning monsters and outwitting gods, he must journey across America to return Zeus’ master bolt and stop an all-out war. After losing his mother, Percy is sheltered at Camp Half-Blood, a sanctuary for demigod children. He must prove himself and confront his origins once he discovers he too is a demigod, and will take off into the perils of pursuing enemies in search of the Underworld. With the help of his quest mates Annabeth and Grover, Percy’s journey will lead him closer to the answers he seeks: how to fit into a world where he feels out of place, if he’ll ever see his mother again, and if he can ever find out who he’s destined to be.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Avalon N. comments, “Percy Jackson and the Olympians is a phenomenally executed TV series based on the first book in the Percy Jackson series written by Rick Riordan. One of its highlights is that it features a young, yet talented, cast.” Mikella G. adds, “Percy Jackson and the Olympians is an action packed series following the intense adventures of Percy, taking his audience on a wild adventure! Due to its high-tech quality, my attention was locked in the entire time.” See their full reviews and Connor’s interviews below. 

Percy Jackson and the Olympians 
By Avalon N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

Percy Jackson and the Olympians is a phenomenally executed TV series based on the first book in the Percy Jackson series written by Rick Riordan. One of its highlights is that it features a young, yet talented, cast.

The series follows a young boy named Percy Jackson (Walker Scobell) who is living his relatively normal life until suddenly and unexpectedly he finds out he’s a demigod which is essentially a child of a mortal and a god. After finding this out he gets thrown into one dangerous situation after another and eventually embarks on a quest where the fate of humanity, as we know it, is at stake.

One of the most spectacular parts of the series is the realistic creatures. The show is live action however it features a lot of mythological creatures from classic Greek myths. All those creatures have to be brought to life in a way that makes them look like they actually belong in this world. Another very impressive point is the acting. A lot of the actors are quite young. In fact the two leads are only 14 years old. Despite their young age, their acting is very impressive and they portray a range of emotions from devastated to determined, and everything in between. One of the very best parts of the show that all fans will enjoy is that the series stays very close to the original storyline of the books. Sometimes films and series stray quite off course from the books they are based on. However this one is so true to the original plotline and even brings some of the fan favorite small moments to life.

The series’ message is to be proud of who you are and who you’ve become and never stop trying. Be aware that there are a few loud and violent moments that could startle younger children. 

I give Percy Jackson and the Olympians 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. You can watch the first two episodes starting December 20 2023 on Disney+ and the remaining shows will launch once a week every Wednesday.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Mikella G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17

Percy Jackson and the Olympians is an action packed series following the intense adventures of Percy, taking his audience on a wild adventure! Due to its high-tech quality, my attention was locked in the entire time. 

Percy Jackson and the Olympians retells the story from the well-known book series, by Rick Riordin, creating a live action TV series. We follow Percy on his journey of coming into himself as a half-blood and the discoveries he begins to make. After joining a camp to learn more about who he is, Percy is faced with the ultimate challenge, where he finds himself on a life threatening quest, in which the weight of the world is quite literally in his hands. The Gods are fighting, and it’s up to Percy to save the day!

A standout in Percy Jackson and the Olympians is the action and adventure. Starting from the very first episode, the characters’ fight scenes were top notch. The CGI is incredible, specifically when it comes to the creation of the monsters. Everything feels so real and looks like these strong kids are really battling enormous giants. It doesn’t feel cliche at all. From the very start of the show, there isn’t a moment where I was bored or not entertained. Everything is so interesting, and kept me wanting more.

The execution of the show is very impressive. Recreating a well-known story can sometimes get lost in the idea, however the writers brought everything to life perfectly while staying true to the storyline. This show reaches its fans, while creating new ones. The cast is very impressive – each character is spot on. Walker Scobell as Percy makes so much sense – his execution of Percy brings exactly who I envisioned in the books to life. Dior Goodjohn, as Clarisse, also becomes her character with emotional depth.

The message of Percy Jackson and the Olympians is to always believe in yourself, because you can truly make anything that you want happen. Be aware that this series contains violent scenes, and uses swords and other weapons.

I give Percy Jackson and the Olympians 4.5 out of 5 stars, and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults.  It launched on December 20 2023 on Disney+ and the remaining shows launch once a week every Wednesday. 

Keywords:

After failing to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta wields the power of the mythic Black Trident to unleash an ancient and malevolent force. Hoping to end his reign of terror, Aquaman forges an unlikely alliance with his brother, Orm, the former king of Atlantis. Setting aside their differences, they join forces to protect their kingdom and save the world from irreversible destruction.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Sydney S. comments, “I really like Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom; it’s very action-packed and the plot is detailed. It isn’t too overwhelming, with just the right amount of storyline and adventure. Plus, the characters are quite enjoyable.” Miguel C. adds, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, directed by James Wan, is one of the best films I have seen by DC so far. It really reminds me of some of my favorite Marvel movies – filled with action and excitement. I honestly got a lot of that from watching this film.” See their full reviews below.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
By Sydney S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

I really like Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom; it’s very action-packed and the plot is detailed. It isn’t too overwhelming, with just the right amount of storyline and adventure. Plus, the characters are quite enjoyable. 

The plot follows Aquaman, who spends his time both on land and in the sea. Black Manta aspires to kill Aquaman, guided by an evil power. It’s up to Aquaman and his brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis, to defeat the evil, save his son, and keep Atlantis safe.

The main characters are Aquaman (Jason Mamoa), Mera (Amber Heard), Orm (Patrick Wilson), Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), Atlanna (Nicole Kidman) and Dr. Stephen Shin (Randall Park). Aquaman is a hilarious character – his lines are delivered smoothly and easily, and made me laugh. The brother relationship between Orm and Aquaman is heartwarming but also amusing. They say they hate each other, but deep down, they care a lot for each other. This film is unlike any superhero movie I’ve seen before. It’s very unique in its storyline and its special effects. This movie is available to be seen in 3D, but sometimes that interferes with the quality of the green screen imagery. Other than that, the special effects are absolutely wonderful. The fighting scenes look realistic and it seems very believable that the underwater scenes are real. It sure made my heart beat fast.

The sets in the ocean and the lost kingdom have a spooky, cold feeling. The lost kingdom is underwater, but it’s dark and entirely made up of ice! I also especially like the costumes, especially Aquaman and Black Manta’s suits. They are well-designed and look impressive. The camerawork is breathtaking. Kudos to director, James Wan, for really capturing all these aspects to make an exciting and enjoyable adventure movie. My favorite part of the movie is the transitions. In the beginning, the aquarium in Aquaman’s house changes into an iceberg so smoothly! 

The film’s message is about the importance of family. We see this when the two brothers form an alliance and eventually forgive each other. Also, Aquaman and Mera’s top priority is keeping their son safe. You should be aware there are violent scenes and some foul language used.

I give Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. Aquaman is available in theaters now.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
By Miguel C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, directed by James Wan, is one of the best films I have seen by DC so far. It really reminds me of some of my favorite Marvel movies – filled with action and excitement. I honestly got a lot of that from watching this film.

The storyline starts showing Aquaman (Jason Momoa) and his son, Junior (Tyler Burger, playing around and having fun. Later we learn that he is now King of Atlantis and rules it alongside his wife Mera (Amber Heard). Then, we discover that the kingdom is being invaded and Aquaman needs to free one of his biggest enemies to destroy the one who wants to bring him down. 

There are a lot of war scenes in this film as Aquaman battles some of his biggest enemies, such as Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II). We also see how his relationship with his brother, King Orm (Patrick Wilson), has grown. There are a lot of similarities between Aquaman and his brother. Throughout the film we see a lot of different worlds and kingdoms created by CGI but it’s not over exaggerated like many films. The story is very well thought out. At the beginning it is a little slow but gets better as it develops and definitely held my interest.

The film’s message is to never leave a brother behind and to stick together. Be aware that there is a lot of fighting and acrobatic action. I give Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom releases in theaters December 22, 2023.

A 25-yr-old influencer struggles to cling on to her status but is running out of tricks. Will she have to separate her online persona from her authentic self?

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic SaniyaRain F. comments, “Under The Influencer is one of the most optimistic films I’ve ever seen! You get a taste of what it’s like behind the scenes in a social media influencer’s life, including all the struggles and accomplishments, too.” Avalon N. adds, “Under The Influencer is an amazing tale of social media and self-identity. The topics are very relatable and modern to teens as well as others.” Kyla C. wraps it up with, “Under the Influencer is an uplifting and satisfying film with a very important message. Romance is blended with working and friendship elements, which gives it a little bit of everything. The acting and writing deliver an important message, despite some slower patches in the film.” See their full reviews below.

Under the Influencer
By SaniyaRain F., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

Under The Influencer is one of the most optimistic films I’ve ever seen! You get a taste of what it’s like behind the scenes in a social media influencer’s life, including all the struggles and accomplishments, too. Not everything turns out as planned and life gets in the way, which makes for a great film for those on a journey to finding themself.

We follow Tori (Taylor Scorse) as her YouTube account following begins slowly plummeting but that’s all she eats, sleeps, and breathes. During this time she is not only desperately trying to find ways to fix it, but is also trying to heal from a messy Internet break up . Throughout this time Tori  is coming to terms with the fact that her personal life and her social media life might need to cross paths, but she is not comfortable with making that happen. She enjoys learning new things about herself but struggles to grasp the fact that her content is taking over her life, and not in a good way. Tori hits complete rock bottom, and that’s when she starts to make a breakthrough. She lets go of some people and has new experiences with others that affect her for the better. As for locations, from the sunsets to the mansions the settings were great. The acting was pretty spot on as well and some of the characters make their mark when it comes to learning the life lessons. Overall this film is great and watching it unravel will definitely prompt emotions in audiences.

Under The Influencer is relatable and shows realistic challenges for not just influencers but all people, too. When you see what the true meaning behind this film is it really touches the heart. Tori starts to see how social media is crushing the real her behind the mask she puts on. And yet she is not completely alone, as her best friend and employee Sara (Chandler Young) helps her through her journey of showing who she really is. Tori never really stays low when she gets knocked down; she just keeps learning and doing what’s best for her.

The film’s message is to not be afraid to show the world the real you. You never know what is going to happen or change in your life. So learn from the mistakes you make to improve yourself.

I give Under the Influencer 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 13 to 18, plus adults. Under The Influencer is available now on VOD!

Under the Influencer
By Avalon N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic age 15

Under The Influencer is an amazing tale of social media and self-identity. The topics are very relatable and modern to teens as well as others.

The plot of this film centers around a girl named Tori who has a large following on her YouTube channel. No matter what she does though, the channel gets a large amount of hateful comments on it for no reason. As the film progresses she begins to resent the life she’s built and the tension continues as the plot develops..

One of the most exquisite parts of this film is simply how relatable it is today. The presence of social media and the hate that spirals from it is not uncommon. This sort of tension is what a lot of people face now with the influence of the internet growing as rapidly as it has. It helps the film’s relatability to teens and other influencers. Another spectacular part of the film that is very interesting to see is the way they portray YouTube channels as a type of business or enterprise. Rather than just one person filming videos in their basement they showed a team of people working to plan everything out perfectly and keep the image of the influencer intact. It’s one of the reasons the fans of the fictional channel in the film thought everything was so fake. It just didn’t seem genuine. Going off of that another really important part of the movie is the way the fans react when the content is fake vs genuine. People like to see the real and unfiltered side of people on YouTube and other social media platforms rather than just the scripted highlights of others’ lives. It makes the whole thing a lot more relatable.

The film’s message is to just be yourself and never change or destroy yourself for others, because that’s never going to get anyone anywhere.

I give Under The Influencer 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. The film is available now on DVD and VOD.

Under the Influencer
By Kyla C, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 14

Under the Influencer is an uplifting and satisfying film with a very important message. Romance is blended with working and friendship elements, which gives it a little bit of everything. The acting and writing deliver an important message, despite some slower patches in the film.

Under the Influencer follows Tori (Taylor Joree Scorse) as she starts off as a very successful influencer. Her views and popularity start to decline significantly, and she can’t figure out why. She realizes that, not only has she lost the approval and support of fans, but she’s also lost herself. She put all of her effort and focus into her social media persona. When she can no longer rely on fame and positivity, she takes off on a journey to determine who she really is when she’s not in front of a camera. She has to figure out what she, not the girl on the camera, enjoys.

The highlight of this film is how the message is incorporated in a way that not only emphasizes it, but also keeps it entertaining and related to the storyline and the protagonist. Taylor Joree Scorse places such a strong emphasis on this message through her acting. She lets her emotions shine through; demonstrating how being lost and not knowing who she is affects her.  She uses her facial expressions and body language to accentuate the theme, plus, her dialogue allows the message to shine through. There are lines and moments when her inner struggle is so clear — she doesn’t know who to be, and the things she says or doesn’t say really show the impact this has on her. The ending wraps up the film so nicely, tying the new romantic element into the message, and leaving viewers with a positive feeling. While this part of the film is very enjoyable, there are definitely some weaker aspects. There are a few stretches that seem unnecessarily long and get a bit boring. There are some very important scenes and moments within these stretches, but there’s a bit too much extraneous stuff that takes away from the stronger, more important parts of the film.

The film’s message is that finding yourself is the most important thing in life. It’s easy to get lost in pretending to be someone else, especially as a social media influencer who’s constantly trying to please other people. This theme makes the film uplifting, encouraging people to find parts of themselves they either didn’t know they had or wanted to hide before.

I give Under the Influencer 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18. You can watch Under the Influencer on VOD beginning December 12, 2023.