The Boss Baby – Dreamworks’ fun, lighthearted film with a stellar performance by Alec Baldwin
April 7th, 2017
A new baby’s arrival impacts a family, told from the point of view of a delightfully unreliable narrator — a wildly imaginative 7-year-old named Tim. The most unusual Boss Baby (Alec Baldwin) arrives at Tim’s home in a taxi, wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase. The instant sibling rivalry must soon be put aside when Tim discovers that Boss Baby is actually a spy on a secret mission, and only he can help thwart a dastardly plot that involves an epic battle between puppies and babies. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Tristan T. comments, “The Boss Baby is fabulously directed by Tom McGrath, who you might recognize from his work on all three Madagascar movies and Megamind. He says that the movie is partially an apology letter to his own brother for all the grief he put him in when they were young.” Mia A. adds, “This film is very funny because Tim and the baby are always fighting. Sometimes they put scenes in slow motion which makes them extra funny. In one scene, the babies are going against Tim and everything is over exaggerated. I went with a 6-year-old and she and the rest of the audience laughed a lot.” See their full reviews below.
The Boss Baby
By Tristan Tierce, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14
Dreamworks’ The Boss Baby, is an extraordinary, fun and lighthearted animated film based on an 
award-winning picture book by Marla Frazee. 7-year-old Tim (Miles Christopher Bakshi) had the perfect life and the full attention of his parents until one day, a new arrival took it all away and became the Boss of his family. Tim and Boss Baby face sibling rivalry, trying to both win the affection of their parents. Much to Tim’s surprise, the two bond when they join forces to uncover the evil plot of the CEO of Puppy Co. And in the midst of it all, Tim and his new brother Boss Baby (Alec Baldwin) learn the true meaning of the love of family.
The Boss Baby is fabulously directed by Tom McGrath, who you might recognize from his work on all three Madagascar movies and Megamind. He says that the movie is partially an apology letter to his own brother for all the grief he put him in when they were young.
My favorite character is Boss Baby. Alec Baldwin voices this character with great panache. His witty 
personality mixed with a take-charge attitude bursts through the screen. I feel that Baldwin’s voice talent in this is one of the key reasons this movie shines.
My favorite scene is when Tim and Boss Baby work together to sneak into Puppy Co. and attempt to steal the secret file. Watching a working large scale replica of one of my favorite games when I was young (Mouse Trap) was particularly fun. Also, there are many toys from the 70s and 80s included which I enjoyed. Several times I found myself times trying to find them in the scene. There are so many magical moments throughout. As an only child, it’s funny that there are 
times the movie made me want to have a brother and, other times, I’m happy to be an only child.
The Boss Baby is an enjoyable film, safe to keep you and your family thoroughly entertained. Director Tom McGrath states “I want this movie to draw you in and make you move to the edge of your seat, not pull away from the screen” and I believe he achieved that goal. It is rated PG for mild humor and I recommend it for ages 6 to 14, although the whole family will enjoy it. I give this film 4.5 out of 5 stars. It opens in theaters nationwide on March 31, 2017 so, go check it out.
The Boss Baby
By Mia Anderson, KIDSFIRST! Film Critic, age 13
The Boss Baby is a hilarious movie about a boy named Tim (Miles Christopher Bakshi) who has a pretty great life with his parents, until one day he gets a baby brother (Alec Baldwin) who wears a sui
t and tie. Tim is very skeptical about this new baby brother, but eventually he works with his baby brother to help stop the antagonist, the CEO of Puppy Co.
This film is very funny because Tim and the baby are always fighting. Sometimes they put scenes in slow motion which makes them extra funny. In one scene, the babies are going against Tim and everything is over exaggerated. I went with a 6-year-old and she and the rest of the audience laughed a lot.
The animation in this movie is very detailed and brightly colored. The creative use of so many colors help give each scene a happy feeling. There is a lot of detail in this movie such as the characters’ hair. You can see little strands of hair and each individual eyelash. Having so much detail on each character helps make it more realistic.
The moral to this film is “don’t judge a book by its cover.” Although Tim is right to be skeptical about
the new baby, he doesn’t get to know the baby before judging him and jumps to the conclusion that he is bad. My favorite scene is when Tim tries to show the parents that the baby can talk. This is a very funny scene because everything is so over-the-top and the slow motion parts are hysterical. The music is primarily one song, Black Bird. This song is sung throughout and is Tim’s favorite song. Black Bird brings a sweet mood to the film whenever it is sung.
I recommend this film for ages 4 to 14 because. It is a pretty funny movie parents can take their kids to, but you should know that there is a reference to killing people which might be scary to little kids. I rate this movie 5 out of 5 stars, because the plot is really developed and it is very funny. Go see The Boss Baby in theaters when it opens March 31, 2017. I think you will love it!
loogals on a mission of discovery as they explore Earth and the funny “hoomans” who live there! Captain Fleeker, First Officer Flo, and Junior Boomer are pocket sized alien adventurers on a mission to observe and experience a new and exciting world Planet Earth! Arriving in their spaceship from the distant planet of Floog, the Floogals are on a mission to document everything around them in the peculiar world of the “hoomans”. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Lara M. comments, “I love how this show demonstrating the power of exploration and critical thinking. Floogals is a children’s TV show that mixes animated and real life images, exciting characters and unique episodes.” KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror Rachael V. comments, “This show follows three little explorers observing the hooman (human) world in a way that we can only observe by watching a show like this. All the stories are fantastic…” See their full reviews below.
s to change into butterflies. Episode #2 is Project Balloon, where the Floogals discover what a balloon is, how it works and why they are needed. The next Episode, #3 is Project Baby. The Floogals discover what a baby is exactly. Episode #4 is Project Bubbles. Along with discovering what a bubble is made of, the Floogals learn to work together to blow bubbles. In Project Hamster, the Floogals have to catch the Hooman’s hamster that escapes the cage. In Project Robot, they take Hooman’s son’s robot to rescue officer Flo. The episode Project Garden Hose has them finding out that the hose is turned on by a lever and learning that hoses are used to water plants. The final episode is Project Magnet where the Floogals’ learn what a magnet is and how it works. In each episode, kids learn the use of objects in our world.
curiosity is fun to watch throughout every episode. Of course, the other characters are exciting to watch too. Officer Flo’s intelligence and Captain Fleeker’s leadership qualities greatly enhance the show. In addition, I enjoyed the live elements incorporated into the show. In Project Hamster, I like how a real hamster is in the show along with the animated Captain Fleeker, who are both in the hamster’s cage.
teaches something different. Project Caterpillar teaches the audience about Metamorphosis. Project Balloon shows how balloons float. Project Baby demonstrates how we grow. Project Bubbles shows us what bubbles are made of. Project Hamster teaches about live animals and how to keep them in a cage. Project Robot shows how electronics work and how they run on batteries. Project Garden Hose demonstrates how a hose is used and how it works. Finally Project Magnet shows us how magnets work. As each episode teaches kids how ordinary objects in our world work, the Floogals’ comedic characters and unique adventures make the show enjoyable. I recommend Floogals for ages 2 to 6 and give it 5 out of 5 stars. This DVD is available now wherever DVDs are sold so, go check it out. You’re missing out if you don’t share it with your preschoolers.
rogram that had me worried at first is that it mixes animation with live action. The Floogals and their belongings are shown in CGI, but the world in which they explore is all shown in live action. I’ve seen this before and didn’t care for it. Iwas not looking forward to watching it because of that. But the Floogals really pull it off! I can honestly say that the exploration would not be nearly as entertaining without the brilliant visual media mix along with the fun writing. I look forward to showing this to my son when he gets a bit bigger. I recommend this for ages 2 to 5 and give it 5 out of 5 stars!
Join Mack, a blue moose with a heart of gold and two left feet, and Moxy, a perky pink raccoon, on four new exciting adventures! Watch Mack & Moxy rescue another Great Helpee in a far off mystical place called HelpeeLand. In the first adventure, Mack & Moxy start a lively game of foursquare at the HelpeeLand School. When a disagreement develops over who won, Trooper Sydnee suggests Rock, Paper, Scissors to settle the dispute. It works like a charm except for one problem Shelfish Sheldon (Hank Azaria) is about to snatch the Great Helpee and keep all its happiness for himself. Guest celebrity, Simone Biles (Olympic Gymnastic Gold Medal winner), helps the Heroes on their mission. Three more adventures introduce kids to subjects like autism, buckling-up for safety and eating healthy foods. KIDS FIRST! Juror Tina B. comments, “This DVD has a beautiful way of explaining and expressing important ways of helping children understand some of life’s complicated issues.” KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Rohan F. adds, “Mack & Moxy: Adventures in Helpeeland! is a great DVD for preschoolers. It teaches basic lessons that kids will need for school.” See their full reviews below.
s easy for children to understand and the Mack & Moxy series really helps parents instill good values in their children and helps parents find ways to teach these qualities to their children in a playful, colorful yet firm way. A must for all parents!
s discussed, the music, the lyrics, the funny and unusual characters, and the vibrant colors are all spot on and will all appeal to children. Each story has a great topic and the characters are lively, honest, funny, believable and colorful. Each segment concentrates on a powerful message to help young children understand. The songs emphasize the message and make a great addition at the end of each segment. Having the words written on the screen also helps parents relay the words. The material in each segment is very relevant and is very easy for children to follow. Subjects such as honesty, proper car seats for children of different ages, healthy eating, friendship, cooperation, team work, understanding children with autism, respect and organized games at recess time, are all introduced. At the end of each segment a mention of where to find more information is listed.
tches the tiger, Little Bird is Autistic as well as Trooper Charlie, who dances very well, and so many others.
The third talks about healthy eating and the fourth is about autism. In each episode, Mack (a moose-like giant) and Moxy (a perky pink raccoon) and their friends go to Helpee Island to save the great Helpee egg? One day they meet a new friend who helps them get the Helpee Egg. Meanwhile, the show’s enemy, Shellfish 
Sheldon is trying to steal the Great Helpee and keep all its happiness for himself. My favorite part of each episode is when Shellfish Sheldon is about to achieve his goal but fails, usually helping Mack and Moxy get the Helpee Egg. This show contains lots of repetition. At the end of each episode, they use exactly the same script as they did at the beginning. Repetition is good for younger children but can get tedious for older kids and adults so, I recommend this film for ages 1 to 4 and give it 4 out of 5 stars. Reviewed by Rohan F., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12.
Disney’s animated classic takes on a new form, with a widened mythology and an all-star cast. A young prince, imprisoned in the form of a beast, can be freed only by true love. What may be his only opportunity arrives when he meets Belle, the only human girl to ever visit the castle since it was enchanted. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Maria G. comments, “. This live action film has made my “Top 10 List” due to its incredible singing performances, marvelous set designs and accuracy of the original Disney story. As a Disney fanatic, I absolutely love that this film has the power to take me back to my younger days.” Gerry O. adds, “It has been 26 years since Disney released the animated film, Beauty and the Beast. Now, we have a remake with a slightly updated story, stunning visual effects, beautiful acting and an epic soundtrack. Here is another attempt to convert an animated film into a live action film.” Ryan R., sums it up with, “I was enchanted as I watched Disney’s live-action remake of the 1991 animated classic, Beauty and the Beast. This film is different enough and certainly strong enough to stand on its own, and much better than the remake of Cinderella.” See their full reviews below.
independent young lady who will be taken as a prisoner by a monstrous beast (Dan Stevens) in place of her elderly, caring father. As prisoner of the Beast in his cold dark castle, Belle soon builds a strong bond with the talking enchanted objects of the castle. Who will help break the lasting “forever curse” by bringing the Beast and Belle closer? Belle learns to look past the frightening physical appearance of the Beast and looks upon his caring gentle soul. But, will this be enough to break the lasting forever curse upon the castle and the Beast?
what seems an impossible romance at first. There are challenges, as Belle still feels she is a prisoner and the townspeople think the Beast is a monster that needs to be destroyed.
Out of all the wonderful cinematics and special effects, I would choose one musical number as my favorite scene – the Gaston number. In this scene, Lefou sings a song and gets the entire village to join in – about how great Gaston is. Not only does the song come out as entertaining, but the scene has fantastic visuals by everyone participating and truly brings justice to the scene. I prefer this version of the song over the original, which doesn’t happen often with the remakes.
stand on its own, and much better than the remake of Cinderella. Meet Belle (Emma Watson), who is a young woman who loves to read. She feels different because no one in her village knows how to read. They choose not to and treat her as if she is the oddball because of it. All she wants is an adventure. One day, her father, Maurice (Kevin Kline), gets taken and imprisoned by the Beast (Dan Stevens) in his remote castle. Belle searches for her father and finds him. To free her father, she exchanges her freedom for his and stays in the castle with the Beast. She starts to befriend everyone in the castle and she begins to develop a friendship with the Beast. If you want to know what else happens, you should go see the movie.
I enjoyed this movie because as soon as you see Emma Watson in action, you are enchanted by how she brings Belle to life. Her portrayal of the Disney princess, Belle, is perfect. I have never seen Ms. Watson sing before, and she sings considerably well. Dan Stevens is hilarious as the grumpy Beast. The CGIs are outstanding, especially the Beast. It is incredible how he transforms. I also like how they designed all the talking objects. Lumière, the candelabra (voiced by Ewan McGregor), Cogsworth, the pendulum clock (Ian McKellen) and Garderobe, the wardrobe (Audra McDonald) all look like real talking objects and are very comedic. 
On another note, the soundtrack is beautiful. I love the song, Beauty and the Beast by Ariana Grande and John Legend.
diversity in their films.
A diverse team of scientists, soldiers and adventurers unites to explore a mythical, uncharted island in the Pacific, as dangerous as it is beautiful. Cut off from everything they know, the team ventures into the domain of the mighty Kong, igniting the ultimate battle between man and nature. As their mission of discovery becomes one of survival, they must fight to escape a primal Eden in which humanity does not belong. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Arjun N. comments, “Kong: Skull Island is a fun sci-fi movie which is a breathtaking visual treat. I really found the direction and special effects to be fantastic in this movie. This will appeal to all those sci-fi fans.” See his full review below.
Captain James Conrad (Tom Hiddleston), an anti-war photographer Mason Weaver (Brie Larson), a government agent Bill Randa (John Goodman), a seismologist Houston Brooks (Corey Hawkins), and an army led by Preston Packard (Samuel L. Jackson) who head to Skull Island. 
Upon arriving, they are attacked by Kong, a huge gorilla, who destroys their helicopters and splits the team up. Packard wants revenge for the men he lost in the helicopter crashes and he wants to kill Kong. Conrad and Weaver realize a bigger threat known as the Skullcrawlers lurk beneath them. The only one who can protect them is Kong and only he can ensure the team’s safety in escaping the island.
arson as Mason Weaver is very impressive as a bold photographer. John C Reilly as Hank Marlow, a war veteran, is my favorite character in the movie due to his comic relief and interesting backstory. Samuel L Jackson as Preston Packard brilliantly expresses his revenge with his angry facial expressions.
primarily used whenever we see Kong especially in the first Kong encounter. The focus is more on Kong’s face than just his whole body, and this adds tension. Also, the special effects by Chris Brenczewski really add detail to the monsters, and makes them look real. The scene that I liked the most is the final fight scene between Kong and a big Skullcrawler. It is absolutely a blast and, the fact that it is a hand to hand combat scene made it particularly fun to watch. My only problem with the film is the characterization. While all the talent gives pretty believable performances, somehow their characters feel like bland stereotypes. I 
didn’t find myself caring for anyone other than John C. Reily’s character who has some interesting story beats.
