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ABC Monsters: Starring ABCD – Fun and Creative Way Supporting Early Language Skill Building

Friday, August 21st, 2015

This DABCMeetMonsters.2D.jpgVD from N Circle Entertainment, a leader in children’s entertainment is a compilation of four episodes of this charming TV show for preschoolers. Produced by the French production company La Pompadour, it pairs letters of the alphabet with a corresponding, and not too scary, movie monster.

These four stories follow a crew of big, hairy and not too scary “Monsters.”  Twenty six cuddly ABC Monsters live within the walls of Capital Castle, each representing a letter of the alphabet. Should any of the monsters go missing for longer than a day, all the letters will be wiped clean from every book in Capital Town, so it’s very important to make sure that all the ABC Monsters are safely back in Alphabet Gardens before the sun goes down. This isn’t as easy as it sounds as the ABC Monsters are always curious and happy creatures so they tend to wander off from Alphabet Gardens and get lost in the process.

KIDS FIRST! Reviewer, child development specialist Eli B comments, “What a great DVD! This titleEli2.jpg offers singing, dancing, puzzles and lots of character/viewer interactions throughout the DVD. This did supports inquiry and problem solving. The viewer is prompted to participate in phonic skills and word building via puzzles, games and songs. The animation is clear and colorful and fun to watch. This title is all about learning the alphabet. Each episode is centered around a specific letter. Within that episode, there are fill in the blank word games, songs and repetition of phonics. Any child learning the alphabet would enjoy this DVD. This title is visually very appealing! The animation is great and the songs are original and fun. The DVD cover and box are colorful and have a raised image that makes it stand out.

ABC Monsters: Starring ABCD
Reviewed by KIDS FIRST! youth reviewers, ages 4 and 6

The kids really loved it. They sat there forever and were completely entertained. “ABC Monsters is about some kids who try to find Monster letters like one that looks like a G. They find all the letters so that they don’t disappear. The monsters do things that start with their letter, like practicing arrows for A and looking for a bell for B. They sing songs when it’s the end, and they ask questions. Actually the kids ask the questions in it. The monsters were nice. Kids would learn the ABC song and a little bit of reading and spelling from watching this. The monsters were funny, and I think kids will like that.” “We liked that they were trying to find stuff. It was like a mystery treasure hunt. It was exciting, and we liked all the colors. The people in it were nice, and we thought the dancing and singing was fun! We really, really liked it!

ABC MONSTERS: Starring ABCD

Haley_2015.3.jpgReviewed by Haley P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 12

ABC Monsters helps young children learn the difference between all the letters in the alphabet through a fun adventure similar to Dora the Explorer. It captures their small attention span in an exciting way that children can easily relate to. There are four fun episodes on this DVD for kids to learn from.

This DVD stars letters A, B, C and D with 20-minute episodes about each one of these letters. The ABC Monsters live in Capital Castle along with King Wordy, Queen Scribble, their daughter Alice and friend Brian.  There is also Cherry Berry who looks like a fairy that assists in finding the letters when they go missing.  The hairy ABC Monsters spend all their time happily in Alphabet Garden except when one goes missing.  During the adventures of trying to find the missing Monster, kids learn different words that begin with the letter of the episode.  There is also an ABC book that gives clues to the direction of the missing ABC Monster.  While looking for the missing Monster, the child will also have to fill in the blanks for the clues as a part of the adventure.

My favorite part is when Cherry Berry lines up all the ABC Monsters to see who is missing by singing the Alphabet song.  It reminds me of how much fun I used to have singing that song in preschool.  The name “Queen Scribble” made me laugh so she is my favorite character.  The graphics are extremely colorful which will captures the attention of a child and in each adventure kids learn new words along the way.

This DVD is made specifically for preschoolers and helps with the learning process of the alphabet. Even younger toddlers can benefit from this learning tool. It is a great fit for ages 1 through 5 and both boys and girls will enjoy it bNCircle.jpgecause its fun to watch and they can sing along too. I rate this DVD a four out of five “dazzling” stars! ABC Monsters: Starring ABCD is in stores now.

N Circle’s Creed: We believe in the importance of preparing your child for school. Early learning skills empower children for future success. N Circle offers DVDs that engage your child with entertainment while teaching reading readiness, science concepts, problem solving tactics, social skills and environmental awareness. N Circle Entertainment’s award-winning children’s programs offer Entertainment That Educates!

KIDS FIRST! Coming Attractions interviews Mary Flynn, CEO, N Circle Entertainment about ABC Monsters. http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/87223/the-7th-dwarf-z-for-zacharia-shaun-the-sheep-mission-impossible-rogue-nation-mary-flynn-from-n

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1913: Seeds of Conflict – Eye-Opening and Enlightening

Monday, June 29th, 2015

1913.SeedsConflict.jpgBreaking new ground and laying bare old myths, this PBS program, directed by award-winning filmmaker Ben Loeterman, explores the little-known history of Palestine during the latter part of the Ottoman Empire, a time of relative harmony between Arabs and Jews. Living side by side in the multi-lingual, cosmopolitan city of Jerusalem, Jews, Christians and Muslims intermingled with a cultural fluidity enjoyed by all. How did this land of milk and honey, so diverse and rich in culture, become the site of today’s bitter and seemingly intractable struggle? Was there a turning point when things could have been different? Weaving the raveled threads of Arab and Jewish narratives back together, “1913: SEEDS OF CONFLICT” provides new and fascinating insights into events that took place in Palestine which presaged a century of unrest. KIDS FIRST! juror, Juanita S. comments, “I enjoyed the film because it gave me answers to some questions I have about the conflict between Jewish and Arabic people.” See her full review below.

1913 Seeds of Conflict
Juanita S., KIDS FIRST! adult juror

The film is very eye opening about a very old and difficult conflict between Arabs and Jews and who owns Palestine. I enjoyed the film because it gave me answers to some questions I have about the conflict between Jewish and Arabic people.  It enlightened me about the geography.  I was not aware of the area called Ottoman and what was the Ottoman rule.

The film opens with the re-discovery of a film from 1913 that documents a time in history that few people know about.  I have often wondered what is the cause of this hatred between Jewish and Arab people?

The actors who portray the characters, Albert Antebi, a Sephardic Jew known as the Jewish “pasha”, Ruhi al-Khaalidi, the scion of a Palestine family and Jerusalem’s elected representative to the Ottoman Parliament, Khalil Sakdkini, a Christian schoolmaster and voice for Palestinian culture and Arthur Ruppin, a German Zionist who opens the Palestine Office to strategize the shape of a Jewish homeland that was to come are very authentic and speak in the native language.

I had to pay attention and read the subtitles.  Normally, I really do not like films with subtitles. However, 1913 Seeds of Conflict has very interesting and historical information.  The ending leaves you thinking about how something very small can trigger something very enormous.

I recommend this film for ages 12 to 18. The film meets the baseline KIDS FIRST! criteria and I rate it 4 out of 5 stars. PBS Distribution is releasing it on DVD on June 30.

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Paddington – A Beloved British Icon That Delivers Charm and Class, Out April 28 on DVD

Friday, April 24th, 2015

215175.Paddingtom.DVD.jpgThis 21st Century version of Paddington comes with all the charm that this classic British character deserves. Now out on DVD, it has lots of insightful bonus features to enhance the viewing experience. The storyline follows a young Peruvian bear who travels to London in search of a home. Finding himself lost and alone at Paddington Station, he meets the kindly Brown family, who offer him a temporary haven. KIDS FIRST! Critic Samantha comments, “This movie is great movie that is funny and enjoyable in every way.” Kamren adds, “This movie is hilarious and heartwarming. Paddington has so many good parts it is hard to choose just one.” See their reviews below.

Paddington
By Kamren W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 8

Paddington is a British film based on the book A Bear Called Paddington, by Michael Bond. This movie is about a young bear from Peru and his crazy adventures in London, England. The movie shows how one family learns to love and accept Paddington as their own.

This film stars Tim Downie as Montgomery Clyde, Ben Wishaw as Paddington, Hugh Bonneville as Henry Brown Sally Hawkins as Mary Brown, Nicole Kidman as Millicent (Montgomery’s daughter). All of the actors and actresses have British accents, even Nicole Kidman who is Australian. This to me, makes the film seem more authentic.

This movie is hilarious and heartwarming. Paddington has so many good parts it is hard to choose just one. One of my favorite scenes is when Paddington is in the bathroom and he mistakenly floods it. This is my favorite because it shows how curious Paddington is. The part that I disliked is when the explorer’s daughter (Nicole Kidman) wants to do something mean to Paddington.

The visual effects don’t look real but they are exciting. I like the realness of Paddington the bear. The visual effects team, Framestore does a fine job in making this bear warm and cuddly from his wet nose to his flowing fur. I love that Paul King (Director) stays true to Michael Bond’s original story. Paddington contains a hidden message about being caring and working together, without having too much drama.

This movie is rated PG for mild language. I did not understand some of the British wording, so I recommend this film to kids ages 6 to 18. This is a great film for the whole family to enjoy together. Younger kids will enjoy the many adventures Paddington experiences and older kids and adults will appreciate the entire story. The film proves that a family feature does not have to be too silly or mean. This is a total feel-good movie. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. The DVD/Blu-ray has a few bonus features which show how the movie was made, gives you insight into the characters and more.

Paddington
Samantha A., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

Paddington is a heart-warming family film about a small curious bear living in Peru with his aunt and uncle. They have been talking about a trip to England for 40 years but never got around to actually going, because they never had a good enough reason to go. One day, they get a reason to go but it’s very tragic and unfortunately, only Paddington can go on this long and tiring journey by himself.

This DVD of the movie contains many bonus features that are very fun to watch and give a different perspective on the movie and its characters. Some of the bonus features include a lyric video to the song “Shine,” one of the songs featured in the film, by Gwen Stefani and Pharrell Williams. Another bonus features lets you “meet the characters.” This is basically and inside look at the actors and their feelings about the movie while it was being made as well as the finished product. There are also two bonus features about Paddington coming to life during animation and another about how Paddington evolved from the pages of the book and then became a very well-loved animated character.

Another thing that is great about this movie are the actors – Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters and Nicole Kidman. Their performances are outstanding and extremely entertaining. While watching the movie you can see their characters progress and watch them change in thoughts and feelings. It’s something I always like to see in movies because it makes it all that much more interesting to watch. Another reason I like the actors in this film is because their roles tell a little bit about them when they are not acting. This is part of the “meet the characters” bonus feature.

This movie is great movie that is funny and enjoyable in every way. I give it 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 15. At times, the humor is “silent humor” and some things are hard to understand but they are funny if you “get” them. It is certainly a great film for the whole family!

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Russell Madness – A Hilarious, Adventurous Film Perfect for Sharing with Younger Kids

Thursday, March 5th, 2015

RussellMadness.jpgThis film tells the story of Russell, an undersized but big-hearted terrier who dreams of having a family of his own. After running away from his pet story, Russell gets taken in by The Ferraros, a family desperate to revive their grandfather’s pro wrestling arena. That’s when they discover their new pet pooch has incredible wrestling skills and the conflicts evolve from there. Starring John Ratzenberger, Mason Vale Cotton and Crystal the Monkey, this PG rated film is something to share with your kids and grandkids. KIDS FIRST! Critics Gerry O., age 12 comments, “Russell Madness has a feel of comedy with a wrap-around of family ties, while still having a core of wrestling and a little sprinkle of suspense.” See his full review and interviews with the cast and crew below.
Russell Madness

Reviewed by Gerry Orz, KIDS FIRST! Critic, age 12

This film is hilarious, adventurous and much more! It will appeal to kids as well as adults and has a very unique idea. Russell Madness is a perfect family story that will be enjoyed by many. Russell Madness has a feel of comedy with a wrap-around of family ties, while still having a core of wrestling and a little sprinkle of suspense.

The story starts when a family moves back to Oregon to take over an old wrestling ring which belonged to the family for a long time. It is a bit run down, but a new generation opens it back up. Then, during a first match, something very interesting happens. A dog named Russell (completely by coincidence) comes into the ring where a big tough and strong wrestler is. What happens next is absolutely unexpected and surprising.

This film is stupendous! Something I really like about it is that Russell’s coach is a monkey named Hunk. And yes, it is a talking monkey, played by a very smart and adorable monkey named Crystal, except for the talking parts of course, which I think is a great and smart idea. The acting is wonderful and the whole film has that perfect amount of cheesiness, cuteness and positivity to make it a wonderful family film. Also, the jokes are original and hilarious.

My favorite scene is about the family’s first encounter with Hunk. Hunk tells them to take in Russell as a family dog and offers to train Russell to be a wrestler. But, his price is many things doing with bananas. It is funny and an important scene in the movie.

I recommend for kids ages 5 to 18 and I give it 5 out of 5 stars for fantastic acting, production, directing, and unbelievable animal training. Don’t miss it when it comes on DVD/Blu-ray/Digital March 10.

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