KIDS FIRST! News

Tired of family chores, and only caring about his gifts, a teenager wishes a little too hard and accidentally makes Christmas disappear! As the only one who remembers its existence, it’s now up to him to bring the holiday back to the world and learn the true meaning of Christmas.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Adele B. comments, “Saving Christmas is pure entertainment and kept a smile on my face until the end! It could easily be the next holiday classic. I like the juxtaposition of funny moments, with more deep and heartwarming ones.” Braedyn M. adds, “Saving Christmas has everything I would expect from a Christmas movie, and some things that I didn’t.  Humor, charm, and the holiday spirit give this movie an original Christmas feel, but the mystery and dual reality make it enjoyable not just in December, but throughout the year as well.” See their full reviews below.

Saving Christmas
By Adele B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 10

Saving Christmas is pure entertainment and kept a smile on my face until the end! It could easily be the next holiday classic. I like the juxtaposition of funny moments, with more deep and heartwarming ones. All of the visuals and acting are engaging and definitely draw you in.

The story starts with a glimpse at a typical teenager, Nick (Ricardo Ortiz), annoyed that his computer isn’t working and he could care less about Christmas. Meanwhile, his family is passionately preparing for Christmas and, despite Nick’s lack of enthusiasm, they make him participate.

Nick is shocked while putting up the lights and awakens only to discover that his family has drastically changed and Christmas has disappeared. With tables turned and as the only one who remembers its existence, Nick enlists the help of his best friend Ben (Josh Zaharia) to help him save Christmas and bring the magic of the holiday back to life for his family.

This film definitely kept my attention and I stayed curious wondering what was next in this crazy adventure. Richard Ortiz, as Nick, has great comedic timing and is very relatable. I couldn’t help but root for him in his fight to save Christmas.

It is so touching the great lengths he goes to get his family into the holiday spirit. The camera work is terrific with seamless transitions that make it easy to watch. The sets and props look so realistic and typical of everyday life by a middle class American family. I also enjoyed the costumes, especially when they dress up for Christmas as each outfit s personalized for each member of the family. My absolute favorite costumes are his sister Jojo’s outfits and her hair styles as they perfectly match her personality.

We quickly see the fun relationship that Jojo and Nick have as well as the bond between all of the family members. I love how Nick uses simple items like pom-poms and candy canes all around and his family loves them. It really shows how much he adores his family and the strong bond between them. I love seeing the actors get into their different characters both with and without Christmas. The one shortfall is that the supporting actors didn’t quite stand up to the dynamics of the main characters. Also, I was not so fond of the background music in some scenes and in a few spots the lip movements are out of sync with the person speaking.

The film’s message is to always be grateful for what you have and to appreciate loved ones. It highlights the true meaning of Christmas and how traditions bring us joy. It also reminds us to never give up when we are faced with a challenge, especially if we are fighting for something we truly believe in.

I give Saving Christmas 4 out of 5 and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. This film premieres on VOD and streaming on November 5, 2024.

Saving Christmas
By Braedyn M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

Saving Christmas has everything I would expect from a Christmas movie, and some things that I didn’t.  Humor, charm, and the holiday spirit give this movie an original Christmas feel, but the mystery and dual reality make it enjoyable not just in December, but through out the year as well.

Nick Baker (Ricardo Ortiz) is a 16-year-old boy whose only goals in life are to make movies, and open presents.  So when his Mom (Casey James) tosses a thousand and one Christmas chores his way, he wishes for Christmas to disappear.

My favorite character in the film is Nick’s best friend, Ben (Josh Zaharia).  No matter what crazy idea Nick has, such as Christmas, Ben tries to find the positive in it.  When Nick is late for a film group meeting, Ben tries to reason with the other members, telling them that Nick must have a reason for being late, and not to kick him out of the club.  Nick’s family is quite interesting.  Each member of their clan brings something different to the table.  When Christmas is forgotten, the way they change is fun to watch.

Nick’s younger sister, Jojo (Ella Wejr / Ellexis Wejr), goes from being a regular girl who loves the atmosphere of Christmas, to a professional, business women who is president of the debate club.

Some parts of the film are kind of hard to understand, and make it slightly confusing.  For example, in the beginning, we see Nick having the time of his life on his computer, but the montage ends and we see him sleeping at his desk.  At first I thought that he only dreamed the whole thing, but later we learn that he often works during the night, as it “brings out his creativity.”  Some parts are kind of corny, but nothing that detracts it as a good holiday movie.

The film’s message is that it is better to give than receive. Before Nick erases Christmas, he is on the receiving team when it comes to gifts. But once the holiday is gone, he sees how he took the kindness of others and everything they did for him for granted. Be forewarned that there is a bit of profanity in this film.

I give Saving Christmas 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 8 to 18, plus adults. Saving Christmas flies into theaters on Nov 5, 2024.

The Herdmans are absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, they steal, they bully…and now they’ve hijacked the town Christmas pageant. Directed by Dallas Jenkins (The Chosen) and based on the international bestseller by Barbara Robinson, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever follows six siblings who sneak into church searching for snacks and walk away with the lead roles in the town pageant. Grace (Judy Greer) is directing the performance for the very first time; she and her daughter Beth (Molly Belle Wright) and husband Bob (Pete Holmes) are in over their heads, especially against a town that wants them to kick the Herdmans out. But the play’s mischievous stars might unwittingly teach a community the true meaning of Christmas. Featuring Lauren Graham. Screenplay by Ryan Swanson, Platte F. Clark and Darin McDaniel.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ryan M. comments, “In Emmanuel it’s Christmas time and it’s time for their annual pageant. But, the Herdmans family, a group of bullying kids led by their older sister Imogene, ruin everything they touch, decide that they will be part of the pageant. Will it be the best pageant ever?” Carter P. adds, “I like The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.  It is about family, the true meaning of Christmas, helping others in need and is heartfelt and funny at times.” See their full review and interview with director Dallas Jenkins below.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
By Ryan M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

In Emmanuel it’s Christmas time and it’s time for their annual pageant. But, the Herdmans family, a group of bullying kids led by their older sister Imogene (Beatrice Schneider), ruin everything they touch, decide that they will be part of the pageant. Will it be the best pageant ever?

Kynlee Heiman, Matthew Lamb, Mason Nelligan, Beatrice Schneider, Ewan Wood, Essek Moore. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Photo Credit: Allen Fraser

The storyline is about a town preparing for their much awaited 75th Christmas pageant. Unfortunately, the organizer, Mrs. Armstrong (Meriam Bernstein) breaks both her legs, so Grace (Judy Greer) volunteers to replace her to organize the pageant. Hoping to get free snacks, the Herdmans force their way into the pageant, creating chaos all around them and putting Grace under a lot of pressure to replace them.  Grace is facing a difficult time to get the pageant going and the final results leave everyone speechless.

I love every character in this movie, especially the Herdmans – Beatrice Schneider as Imogene, Mason D. Nelligan as Ralph, Matthew Lamb as Claude, Evan Wood as Leroy, Essek Moore as Ollie, Kynlee Heiman as Gladys.

The main characters are almost all kids and their performances as bullies are outstanding, and we also see their vulnerability eventually.

Beatrice Schneider as Imogene Herdman and Judy Greer as Grace in Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Photo Credit: Allen Fraser

There are so many funny moments like when Gladiys jumps and scares the three boys. This movie is based on a best-selling book by Barbara Robinson. Dallas Jenkins’s direction shines in the selection of locations, sets, decor and acting.  The film does switch eras between current and the 1920s.

There are a couple of important messages in this movie –  a reminder that we should not judge a book by its cover and that everyone deserves a chance to prove what they can do when they feel supported. Be aware that this is a Christian oriented movie presenting the nativity in a very refreshing way.  Will it become another recurring Christmas movie?  Let’s hope so!

I give The Best Christmas Pageant Ever 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12 plus adults. It is available in theaters beginning Nov 8, 2024. Check it out.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
By Carter P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

Essek Moore, Ewan Wood, Lorelei Olivia Mote, Matthew Lamb, Molly Wright as Beth, Beatrice Schneider as Imogene Herdman, Mason Nelligan, Kynlee Heiman, Sebastian Billingsley-Rodriguez in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Photo Credit: Allen Fraser

I like The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.  It is about family, the true meaning of Christmas, helping others in need and is heartfelt and funny at times.

The storyline is about the Herdmans who are absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, bully, and now they’ve hijacked the town Christmas pageant. The film is based on the international bestseller by Barbara Robinson.  It follows six siblings who sneak into church searching for food and walk away with the lead roles in the town’s Christmas pageant. Grace (Judy Greer) is directing the performance for the very first time, and she and her daughter, Beth (Molly Belle Wright), along with her husband Bob (Pete Holmes), are in over their heads, especially against a town that wants them to kick the Herdmans out. But the play’s mischievous stars might just end up teaching the community the true meaning of Christmas.

This movie is full of heart and, although the antics of the Herdmans are outrageous, the behaviors of the church children and adults are humorously familiar.

Pete Holmes as Bob and Judy Greer as Grace in Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Photo Credit: Allan Fraser

It is an entertaining and heartwarming movie for the whole family at Christmas time. It highlights the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ in the most beautiful nativity scene. The costumes and the nativity scene are exceptional.  The setting makes it look just like a barn the night Jesus was born.  My favorite part is the ending when the children are acting out the play and the nativity scene.  The community comes together and realizes what is really important on Christmas.  Judy Greer, as Grace, gives a very believable performance as the mother and director of the church performance.  She is patient and loving with her community and all of the children.

The children in the film are Charlie (Sebastian Billingsley-Rodriguez), Imogene (Beatrice Schneider), Claude (Matthew Lamb) Gladys (Kynlee Heiman), Ralph (Mason Nelligan). Speaking of the children, they all give fantastic performances, especially Molly Belle Write as Beth.  She is funny and teaches the importance of Christmas and being kind to others.

Pete Holmes as Bob, Molly Wright as Beth and Judy Greer as Grace in Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Photo Credit: Allan Fraser

There is so much chemistry between these characters that I could feel it as I watched the film.  They all connect to being there for each other, their church and community.

The film’s message centers on how people should not be judged, how redemption is important, and how tradition can be altered by perspective. It is important for children to learn the lesson of not judging a book by its cover, and this story does just that.

I give The Best Christmas Pageant Ever 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults.  You can see The Best Christmas Pageant Ever in theaters beginning November 8, 2024.