KIDS FIRST! News

Miss Minoes has charmed audiences around the world, earning awards not just in its home of the Netherlands but at festivals as far-flung as the Artek International Children’s Festival in the Ukraine and the Chicago International Children’s Festival in the United States. Theatrically released in the U.S. last Christmas season, it is available on home video DVDs, Internet downloads and cable Video on Demand starting June 12. Ed Arentz, managing director of Music Box Films, which brought the film to the U.S., chats with KIDS FIRST! on our radio show Coming Attractions and shares more about the film in interview blog “‘Miss Minoes’ an Art-house Treasure for Kids,” posted separately from these reviews by KIDS FIRST! youth film critics Camille Bajema and Brianna Beaton.

“This film is a blend of fantasy and comedy that the whole family can watch together,” says Camille (age 10), noting that “there are so many funny parts.” The Dutch dialog of the original has been replaced with English dubbing, and Brianna (age 12) says the film is “easy to follow and enjoyable.” Brianna especially credits the acting of Carice van Houten, who, as the title character, “turns from a cat into a human and still has all her cat-like instincts.”

Miss Minoes
Reviewed by Camille Bajema
(See her full review on video.)

Miss Minoes was made in 2001 and filmed in The Netherlands. This film is a blend of fantasy and comedy that the whole family can watch together. I really enjoy this movie, based on the novel Minoes by Annie Schmidt and directed by Vincent Bal, because there are many cats in this film and I absolutely love cats. I also really like this film because there are so many funny parts, like when Miss Minoes is human but doesn’t know how to act like one.
 
This film is about a cat named Minoes (played by Carice van Houten) who gets turned into a human after drinking some chemicals from a deodorant factory. This part of the movie is a little confusing and hard to follow because they jump right into the story before the characters and plot have been developed. So make sure you pay close attention right at the beginning of the movie. Soon after [Minoes turns into a human], she meets a reporter named Tibbe (played by Theo Maassen), who writes for the local newspaper and is in desperate need of a good story in order to keep his job. Miss Minoes can talk to the neighborhood cats and helps Tibbe by organizing the cats to go out and find news, then bring it back, so she can tell Tibbe. He has lots of exciting stories to write about and becomes successful in his job. Throughout this film, Miss Minoes still acts like a cat though she’s a human from drinking the chemicals. Therefore, she still exhibits many feline behaviors such as nuzzling noses, sleeping in a box, climbing trees when she sees a dog, and climbing all over the rooftops at night. This is the funny part about her that makes you like her character.
My favorite scene is when Miss Minoes teaches Bibi (played by Sarah Bannier), who is Tibbe’s landlord’s daughter, to climb up on the roof. I like this part because I think it would be fun and adventurous to climb up on rooftops and in and out of windows! The part I don’t like in this film is when the villain named Ellemeet (played by Pierre Bokma), the owner of the deodorant factory, is shooting a gun at the cats in his garden. There is also more violence when Ellemeet kicks a cat in an alley and hits a cat’s paw with a bottle. Don’t worry, none of the cats get hurt. Ellemeet is a really bad guy, but he pretends to be nice to everybody and the animals. The townspeople think he’s a model citizen, but he’s anything but that! This film was originally [filmed] in Dutch and then they dubbed the voices, which doesn’t look too good.
 
I recommend this movie for boys and girls ages seven through twelve because there is some violence and suspense that might frighten younger children and the storyline is a little hard to follow. I give this film four out of five stars.

Miss Minoes
Reviewed by Brianna Beaton
(See her full review on video.)

This is a very cute, entertaining and enjoyable film with lots and lots of cats.

I like this film because it has a little humor and creativity. I love how Miss Minoes (Carice van Houten) turns from a cat into a human and still has all her cat-like instincts. To me, this is a very challenging role to be able to switch back and forth like that throughout the film. I really start to enjoy this film when Miss Minoes becomes friends with the humans and [I] see how she is communicating and reacting to them. This is really cool. I like how most of the background music is upbeat and goes beautifully with the specific scenes.

Miss Minoes is a Siamese cat that is curious and gets herself changed into a young woman by drinking some dangerous chemicals. She dresses and talks like a young woman, but also eats and climbs trees like a cat. She finds and helps a shy journalist, Tibbe (Theo Maassen), prove to his town that they have a villain for a factory boss who is not to be trusted. She gets all the latest and greatest information from all her little cat friends and passes it to Tibbe. Another main character is Bibi (Sarah Bannier), who is Tibbe’s closest friend but also is a kid.

Vincent Bal directs Miss Minoes, which is an adaptation of the 1970 novel by Annie M.G. Schmidt that was released in the Netherlands in 2001. This film is dubbed in English, is easy to follow and enjoyable.

A couple of great messages in this film are to respect each other’s differences and to not judge a book by its cover, because Miss Minoes’ outside appearance is a woman but underneath she is truly a cat.
Miss Minoes is great for ages eight to twelve and mostly girls who love cats; they will definitely enjoy this film.

I give this film four out of five stars because, although it’s a great cat film, I just think it has a little too many cats for a dog lover like me.

Miss Minoes is overall a good film and I’m sure you will like it as well. So don’t forget to get your copy on DVD — and always listen to your felines.

Photos: Miss Minoes poster (top), Camille Bajema (middle), Brianna Beaton (bottom)

KIDS FIRST! youth film critics Camille Bajema (age 10) and Morgan Bertsch (age 7) give enthusiastic kudos to a couple of DVDs that are highly educational in their purpose. Growing Up with Hello Kitty – a two-DVD series released today – teaches kids about manners and about some very basic personal skills. The reason for Camille’s and Morgan’s enthusiasm is clear – it’s Hello Kitty, of course! The fact that it’s Hello Kitty whose experiences are the teaching moments is exactly what drew Natsumi Ueki and Robert Woodhead to the videos’ potential, and their company AnimEigo prepared the Japanese videos for the United States audience. Robert Woodhead visited on the KIDS FIRST! Coming Attractions radio show to talk about the project, and shares more in the blog posted just before this one with Camille Bajema’s and Morgan Bertsch’s reviews (below).

Growing Up with Hello Kitty 1
Reviewed by Camille Bajema
(See her full review on video.)

I’m reviewing the movie Growing Up with Hello Kitty 1. This movie is about two sisters, Mimi and Hello Kitty, growing up. Throughout these six seven-minute episodes, Mimi and Hello Kitty learn how to answer the telephone, eat their vegetables, clean up their messes, change their clothes, sleep by themselves and help their mother with chores around the house.

I like this movie because Mimi and Hello Kitty learn to have a positive attitude toward doing things that their parents want them to. They also learn how to be more independent. Parents will like these movies for their kids because it teaches basic skills and to respect and listen to their parents.

These episodes are short, so they hold a young child’s attention.

I recommend this movie for girls aged 4 through 7. I give this movie four out of five stars.

Growing Up with Hello Kitty
Reviewed by Morgan Bertsch
(See her full review on video.)

Today, we’re going to learn about the movie Growing Up with Hello Kitty. She has six episodes in each of two DVDs. You guys will love these episodes, just like I did.

It teaches you these: Talking on the phone; eating their vegetables; and also saying, “I’m sorry.” And cleaning your own mess. Oh, and [Hello Kitty] also has a twin sister – which they are nothing alike – and she has friends.

I loved it! Five twinkling stars. [It’s for] boys and girls, or anyone who’s a fan of Hello Kitty. The ages are 2 to 7. It’s coming out on March 27.

Photo: DVD box art for Growing Up with Hello Kitty 1 and Growing Up with Hello Kitty 2 (top), Camille Bajema (middle), Morgan Bertsch (bottom)

Paramount Pictures now offers you on DVD and Blu-ray last year’s theatrical hit The Adventures of Tintin. Racking up an impressive list of award nominations, including an Oscar for the music, the film took home the International Animated Film Association’s Annie Award for Animated Effects in an Animated Production. The characters, although animation, look mroe like real people than cartoon. In fact, 12-year-old KIDS FIRST! youth film critic Brianna Beaton says, “I almost forget that I am watching an animated film, and several times I get lost in the moment and think it’s real life.” It’s an appreciation fellow KIDS FIRST! youth film critic Blake Hawes (age 15) shares in his review, too (which can also be seen on video).

The Adventures of Tintin
Reviewed by Brianna Beaton
(See her full review on video.)

This is a great animated film! I absolutely love it. The Adventures of Tintin has lots of action and mystery, and will keep you on the edge of your seat. I almost forget that I am watching an animated film, and several times I get lost in the moment and think it’s real life. I like Snowy, Tintin’s dog, because he is very loyal and will go anywhere with Master.
 
The fearless reporter, Tintin (voiced by Jamie Bell), and Captain Haddock (voiced by Andy Serkis) set off on an adventure, hunting for a sunken ship, the Unicorn, which had been commanded by Haddock’s ancestor. Trying to find three scrolls, which contain clues to where the treasure is hidden, Tintin and his new friend, the Captain, become closer and closer friends as they get deeper and deeper into their adventure.

Steven Spielberg (War Horse) directs this outstanding film and reminds me there is a little kid in all of us. This film sends a great message that sometimes you just need someone to rely on when going through your own adventure.

I recommend this film for ages 8 to 13. And because of all the suspense and tons of action it has, I give this film 5 out of 5 stars.

The Adventures of Tintin is truly a great treasure and a must-see, so get your copy on DVD or Blu-ray and enjoy the adventure!

Photos: The Adventures of Tintin DVD box art (top), Brianna Beaton (bottom)

Full of optimism and cheerful color, the animated adventures of the My Little Ponies in their land of Equestria have delighting kids on their TV show for several years. Now released on DVD by Shout! Factory, the episode “The Friendship Express” is 20 minutes of the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic series. Sweet entertainment comes with a moral and the series’ signature valuable educational benefit; as 8-year-old KIDS FIRST! youth film critic Cheyenne Nguyen explains in her review of the movie, it “is about friendship and how evil could be disguised.”

My Little Pony: The Friendship Express
Reviewed by Cheyenne Nguyen
(See her full review on video.)

I totally love this movie. It has great music and adventures. This movie is about friendship and how evil could be disguised. Twilight Sparkle is on a mission to find all six gems of the magic spell to make the darkness pony vanish so the night will NOT last forever. There were other ponies that joined Twilight Sparkle to search for these gems. These other ponies have special gifts and this makes everything entertaining. They have to go to the Evergreen Forest and face many dangers and challenges.

This movie is good for 4-8 years old. I recommend this age group because the story line is easy to follow and the music is upbeat. I give this movie 5 stars.

Photos: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic box art for the episode “The Friendship Express” (top), Cheyenne Nguyen (bottom)

This week’s DVD and Blu-ray release by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment of Tooth Fairy 2 gives some great opportunities to let loose and laugh a lot. As KIDS FIRST! youth film critic Jennifer Huntoon says of her experience screening the film, “There wasn’t a … moment when I did not laugh.” One of this year’s KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Search winners, 13-year-old Jennifer offers an entertaining view of the movie and invites kids and parents to enjoy it together.

Tooth Fairy 2
Reviewed by Jennifer Huntoon
(See her full review on video.)

Today, I watched Tooth Fairy 2. Ten teeth in 10 days sounds impossible for a brand-new tooth fairy helper, right? Well, Larry Guthrie, played by Larry the Cable Guy, makes it possible. He is on a mission, but not just any mission – a mission to restore faith in the tooth fairy and to keep his best memory. This was an enjoyable movie. There wasn’t a dull moment or a moment when I did not laugh.
 
The main characters in this film include Larry Guthrie (Larry the Cable Guy; Cars 1 and Cars 2). Other main characters are Beauregard “Bo” Billings (David Mackey); Brook (Erin Beute), the adorable tooth fairy; and Nyx (Brady Reiter). All of the tooth fairy costumes are out of this world. When I saw Larry Guthrie in a pink tutu and tights for the first time, I started to laugh my head off! That has to be one of my favorite costumes and scenes.
 
I would recommend this movie for ages 5-12. If parents watch this movie with their kids, they would find it to be funny and a good story. These ages would like this film because of the jokes and comedy. Tooth Fairy 2 ranges from physical and exaggerated comedy to romance and love. There are things like “fart” jokes and funny dancing that even made my mom and me laugh. I knew from the moment I saw Larry the Cable Guy that this movie would be hilarious and I was right.

Even though some of the silly jokes did not fully grab my attention and make me laugh, I would still give Tooth Fairy 2 four stars. This film comes out on March 6, 2012. So if you are in the mood for some comedy or if you are a fan of Larry the Cable Guy, mark your calendar for the release of Tooth Fairy 2 on DVD.

Photos: Tooth Fairy 2 DVD box art (top), Jennifer Huntoon (bottom)