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Marvel’s Doctor Strange follows the story of the talented neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange who, after a tragic car accident, must put ego aside and learn the secrets of a hidden world of mysticism and alternate dimensions. Based in New York City’s Greenwich Village, Doctor Strange acts as an intermediary between the real world and what lies beyond, utilizing a vast array of metaphysical abilities and artifacts to protect the Marvel Cinematic Universe. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Gerry O. comments, “This superhero movie will disorient you, confuse you, make you ponder time itself and is easily the greatest superhero film ever made.” Benjamin P. adds, “Doctor Strange is an excellent introduction to magic in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with mind-bending visuals and a great performance from Benedict Cumberbatch, who perfectly embodies the character of Dr. Stephen Strange.”  Miles T. wraps it up with, “This is one of my favorite Marvel movies because it might have the best animation in the world.” See their full reviews below.

Doctor Strange
By Gerry O., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 14

This superhero movie will disorient you, confuse you, make you ponder time itself and is easily the greatest superhero film ever made. Doctor Strange combines humor, action and science fiction to make a legendary film unlike any other.

There are dozens of elements that make Doctor Strange so great. One of the main parts of this film is the action. The action is highly supported by the dramatic interactions between characters. There is also a large amount of perfectly timed humor. It’s so light and enjoyable that it makes you laugh every time. On top of that, there is even a small element of romance in Doctor Strange.

Doctor Strange begins when a very talented neurosurgeon, Steven Strange, (Benedict Cumberbatch) gets in a bad car accident and gets injured. His injuries make it impossible for him to continue practice medicine and he desperately looks for a cure. His search takes him to India where he meets a group of people that do magical things. He joins their group to be healed, but as he trains in their art, he learns there is much more then what meets the eye in the reality he lives in.

Perfect. That is the only word that can describe Doctor Strange. Easily the most breathtaking part is the special effects. There are scenes where they warp and distort the world around them in such elegant and spectacular ways that it makes you feel slightly disoriented. That is not where the special effects end though. The powers they have look magical and so realistic, you won’t think it is done by CGI. The acting is another perk for the film. Benedict Cumberbatch excels as Doctor Strange, not only in the intense action scenes but also in the comedy scenes. He truly makes the character come to life and the entire cast portrays the story perfectly. On top of that, the costume design and makeup is another huge achievement in the movie. There are parts where even slight details on a character’s face or costume add huge additional meaning to the story. The costumes in general are beautiful and amazingly well constructed.

My favorite scene is when Doctor Strange discovers how to warp and twist time. He tries it on an apple he is eating and you watch the apple turn from half eaten to ripe and new, to fully eaten and slowly decaying. I love this scene for so many reasons, primarily the extraordinary special effects. This is an example of how well they integrate set design, the live footage and the CGI. This is not the only scene where they integrate these so well. On top of that, just looking at how Doctor Strange discovers this power is very entertaining and enjoyable to watch.

Although Doctor Strange is a great movie, it is clearly not meant for young kids. There are lots of scenes containing gore and violence and scenes that are dark in general. For that reason, I recommend it for ages 12 to 18. I also absolutely give it 5 out of 5 stars for its phenomenal special effects, beautiful costumes and sets, breathtaking acting and exciting story.

Doctor Strange
By Benjamin P, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

Doctor Strange is an excellent introduction to magic in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with mind-bending visuals and a great performance from Benedict Cumberbatch, who perfectly embodies the character of Dr. Stephen Strange.

This film centers on an egotistical neurosurgeon named Stephen Strange. After a terrible car accident ruins his hands, he searches for treatment that can help him heal and return to the operating room. He ends up in Nepal and meets Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) who saves him from being robbed and shows him to Kamar-Taj, a place where healing is done through spirit.

At first, Stephen thinks it is all a hoax, but The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton), a teacher of the mystic arts shows him what he’s capable of. When the world’s sanctums are under threat from Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen), a former student of The Ancient One, Stephen must step up and become the sorcerer supreme.

My favorite part of this film is when the New York sanctum is under attack. This scene is rewarding as a comic book fan, as you finally get to see Doctor Strange don the Cloak of Levitation, a trademark for the character.

My favorite character in this film is The Ancient One. This character is very wise and helps Stephen become Doctor Strange. Benedict Cumberbatch excellently captures the arrogant personality of Stephen Strange at the beginning of the film as well as the changes the character undergoes throughout the movie.

The special effects in this film are crazy, at times psychedelic. This makes the action scenes all the more captivating. I recommend you see this in IMAX 3D. It’s worth the extra money for the visuals. In fact, there is more than an hour of IMAX footage in this film. Michael Giacchino’s almost gothic score captures the trippy nature of this film.

I like that this film doesn’t take itself too seriously and has a sense of humor. My only problem with this film is I feel there is a little too much going on plot-wise. I give Doctor Strange an age rating of 12 to 18 because of its fantasy violence and language and a scene involving a car crash.

I give Doctor Strange 4 out of 5 stars. Make sure to stay after the credits for not one, but two post-credit scenes.

Doctor Strange
By Miles T., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

This movie is filled with the type of CGI everybody wants in every movie. I was trying to turn my head around it the whole movie since it is so detailed. 160 million dollars went into this film making the Marvel Universe much wider a possibility. Doctor Strange makes the mind confused and entertained at the same time. Along with the fact that it is in IMax 3D, which makes it that much better, the settings are something you would imagine in a Harry Potter property.

In this movie, Doctor Strange, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, is hurt in a car accident and wants to get healed but his hands are too damaged. He asks the one and only recovered person who had the same medical condition how he relieved it and goes to the place he refers him to and discovers a place of magic and wisdom.

This is one of my favorite Marvel movies because it might have the best animation in the world. Yes, this movie takes place around the world. I really cannot explain the amazingness of this animation. It is so detailed that it looks totally real. However, the music does not compare with Guardians of the Galaxy. If it did, this movie would be my favorite movie. The acting is impeccable. The animation is stunning. And the plot is enjoyably complicated. Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton, Mads Mikkelsen, Benedict Wong and Rachel McAdams deliver incredible performances as they show struggle, heartbreak and wisdom. One of the biggest holes in this movie is the characters. Doctor Strange is deep and well defined, but all the other characters come out of nowhere. It would have been better had they made the characters deeper and more profound.

The moral of this story is that no matter what anybody else does, you can always do what you want to do. That’s my take away. You might have a different message that you get from the film.

I recommend this movie for kids ages 7 to 18 and adults will love it too. If you are one of those parents who don’t let their kids see Marvel movies, you should know that I caught no cursing. I give this movie 4 ½ out of stars because the characters aren’t so deep and the music could be better. But, everything else is spot on! Even the post-credit scenes have really interesting things that set new things up for more future movies.

From the creators of Shrek comes the most smart, funny, irreverent animated comedy of the year, DreamWorks’ Trolls. Featuring original music from Justin Timberlake, and soon-to-be classic mash-ups of songs from other popular artists, Trolls is a fresh, broad comedy filled with music, heart and hair-raising adventures. From the beginning, Trolls takes you on a vivid colorful, musical journey including the magic of the Trolls and the roughness of the Bergens. The Trolls daily routines –  hugging every hour, singing and dancing and living everyday partying is endearing and the messages are life-affirming. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ryan R. comments, “If you didn’t know, this movie is a musical.  It is fantastic! I love how they turn well-known songs into their own new version of the song by changing the arrangement.” Morgan B. adds, “The animation is very vivid, extraordinarily colorful and detailed which is perfect for little ones who will love the colors and the fun characters in this film. The way everything so detailed, realistic and whimsical makes this film really stand out in a way that appeals to both kids and adults.” See their full reviews below.

Trolls
By Ryan R., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 12

I love the new Dreamworks film, Trolls because it is entertaining, has a good message, has a great soundtrack filled with incredible music and is virtually impossible not to like.  In this movie, it is 20 years since the Trolls escaped from the Bergens. Bergens are giants compared to Trolls. Meet Poppy (Anna Kendrick) who is going to be queen of the Trolls. She decides to have a party, but Branch (Justin Timberlake) warns them not to make a bunch of noise or their enemies, the Bergens will find them. Poppy doesn’t listen and, because of that, the Bergens, capture some of the Trolls. Poppy decides to find and rescue them. Will she save the Trolls or will the Bergens do something to them before she does? You have to see the movie to find out.

I enjoyed watching this movie because I love the music.  If you didn’t know, this movie is a musical.  It is fantastic! I love how they turn well-known songs into their own new version of the song by changing the arrangement. Another reason why I love this movie is because of its cast. The cast’s chemistry is evident as you watch the interaction between the characters throughout the film. Anna Kendrick’s and Justin Timberlake’s performances are fantastic because they take you on an emotional journey and make you feel it. I love how Justin Timberlake’s character goes through changes throughout the film and Anna Kendrick’s character Poppy is hilarious. She made me laugh a lot.

The supporting cast members are superb as well and their characters, in some scenes, steal the show. For instance, Biggie (James Corden) is so hilarious in one scene, but I can’t say which one because it would spoil the movie. Also the performances of Gwen Stefani, Russell Brand, Zooey Deschanel and many others will have you laughing as they deliver a bunch of jokes as well.

This film is amazing and has a positive message – “You don’t need things or people to be happy.  Your happiness lies within yourself and you should be proud of who you are.”

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to kids ages 6 to 18. I think adults may like this as well. The Bergens may be a bit scary looking so kids under age 6 might find it too intense. I also recommend this to people who like action, adventure, musicals and family movies. This film comes out November 4, 2016 in theaters nationwide. Make sure to see this movie, because it is worth seeing.

Trolls
By Morgan Bertsch, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 12

This is a terrific film. The small, adorable and fun Troll dolls are making a comeback in the new feature film Trolls. The cutest ever Trolls play opposite the pessimistic Bergens. These are fun, energetic characters as well as grumpy characters who blend together to make this film perfectly engaging. There are also stupendous songs that make you just get up and out of your seat, singing and dancing.

The animation is very vivid, extraordinarily colorful and detailed which is perfect for the little ones who will love the colors and the fun characters in this film. The way everything so detailed, realistic and whimsical makes this film really stand out in a way that appeals to both kids and adults.

The cast is brilliant especially Poppy (Anna Kendrick) who is the happiest, kindest, sweetest troll of them all. She always see the bright side of things and reminds me of myself when I was younger. Maybe that’s why she is my favorite character. Plus, Poppy is an amazing singer just like Branch (Justin Timberlake).

Branch the grumpy, sad troll is also very sarcastic and funny. He is a favorite because of how his smart remarks add a lot of humor to this film. Justin Timberlake, who I recently met, is nothing like his character in real life. He is an absolute sweet heart in person. I got to talk with him recently on the rainbow carpet for Trolls and learned that he loves to sing and dance and he had a splendid time working on this film. He is also the executive music producer for this movie.

Bridget (Zooey Deschanel) is an unhappy scullery maid who is in love with someone. She needs a little help to get him to notice her and hence, the matchmaking begins. Last, there is Chef (Christine Baranski), the villain we all love to hate. She is crazy and frightful.  She likes to eat trolls and that keeps the story interesting and intriguing for older kids.

My favorite scene is when Poppy is singing a fun song called “Get Back up Again” while she is almost eaten, stepped on and everything painful and horrible happens. I love this scene because it made me laugh so hard.  It makes you want to get out of your seat and sing along with her. I also love the way that she gets back up no matter what, thinks positive and tries her best to help everyone, no matter what happens to her along the way.

I recommend this film for ages 5 to 18 because younger kids will love the fun songs, colorful animation and the silly adorable characters and older kids will love the scary villain and the story line. This is a feel good family friendly movie that parents will enjoy as well. I give this film 5 out of 5 rainbow troll stars. Be sure to check my interviews on the rainbow carpet where you can meet actors who play these characters and learn more secrets. This film comes out November 4 in theaters nationwide so, go check it out.

Academy Award® winner Ron Howard returns to direct the latest bestseller in Dan Brown’s (Da Vinci Code) billion-dollar Robert Langdon series, Inferno, which finds the famous symbologist (again played by Tom Hanks) on a trail of clues tied to the great Dante himself. When Langdon wakes up in an Italian hospital with amnesia, he teams up with Sienna Brooks (Felicity Jones), a doctor he hopes will help him recover his memories. Together, they race across Europe and against the clock to stop a madman from unleashing a global virus that would wipe out half of the world’s population. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Tre’ana H. comments, “It is interesting, but not for me. The director Ron Howard keeps you in suspense and on the edge of your seat, but there is so much going on in this film that it’s difficult to keep it all straight.” See her full review below.

Inferno

By Tre’ana H., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

I did not enjoy this film very much because it is like a jig saw puzzle where the pieces all need to be in place to figure it out and they’re not. It is interesting, but not for me. The director Ron Howard keeps you in suspense and on the edge of your seat, but there is so much going on in this film that it’s difficult to keep it all straight.

When Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) wakes up in an Italian hospital with amnesia, he teams up with Dr. Sienna Brooks (Felicity Jones) and together they must race across Europe against the clock to foil a deadly global plot that would wipe out half of the world’s population. I can’t reveal any more so please  go check it out for yourself.

The most memorable moment is when Robert Langdon and Sidse Bebett Knudsen (Elizabeth Sinskey)  get to Europe and, in order to stop the global plague, Sidse jumps into the water to help the police get control of the deadly plague. It is awesome the way she joins right in without any hesitation.

The film takes place all over Europe with beautiful scenery and amazing buildings with great artifacts. The moral message of this film is be aware of who you encounter when doing professional business. A person can befriend you, but that definitely does not mean they will be a true friend. In any job or something you play a part in, pay close attention to your surroundings.

I recommend this film for ages 15 to 18 and give it 3 out of 5 stars because it is not particularly child friendly. This film is better suited for older teens and adults. I talked with some adults about this film and even they stated that they had a hard time grasping this movie.

This movie hits theaters Friday, October 28, 2016 so go check it out and let me know what you think.

From NCircle Entertainment comes a collection of Halloween DVD that are perfect for the younger kids in your family, from preschool to early elementary. Starting out with the delightful Room on the Broom based on the best-selling children’s picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. The story follows a kind witch who invites a surprising collection of animals to join her on her broom, much to the frustration of her cat. When the gang saves the witch from a fearsome dragon she rewards them with a magnificent new broom, which has room for everyone! KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Rohan F. comments, “Overall the film is magical… I like the animation because it is very detailed.  I imagine that it must have taken a lot of hard work to make this film. The expressions of the characters are very amusing and made me laugh.” See his full review below and information about the entire Halloween Collection from N Circle.

Room On the Broom
By Rohan D. Foxe, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

This film is very funny and has great animation. I enjoyed that they quote directly from one of my favorite old books, “Room On the Broom” by Julia Donaldson. I also like how the words all rhyme. I watched it with a toddler and he loved the movie because he liked making the WHOOSH noise when they took off. He also enjoyed all the different animals and the repetitiveness. Overall the film is magical.

Room On the Broom is about a witch and her cat. They go on a trip and the witch drops something from her broom. She flies down to get it and a wild animal finds it. When they give it back they ask her if they can come with her. Meanwhile, a scary monster is chasing them, but they don’t know. This happens three times and soon there are so many creatures on the broom that it becomes too heavy.

I like the animation because it is very detailed.  I imagine that it must have taken a lot of hard work to make this film. The expressions of the characters are very amusing and made me laugh. I also enjoyed the music because it sets the mood for each scene.  My favorite part is when the monster has the witch and it seems like she’s doomed. I like this part because it is a twist on the rest of the film. It is also the scariest part of the film. I like this scene because it is action packed and you wonder if they’ll escape.

The cast includes Simon Pegg as the narrator and Gillian Anderson as the witch’s voice. The four animals are played by Rob Brydon, Martin Clunes, Sally Hawkins and David Walliams.

The story is about a witch who meets lot of creatures that become her friends and then save her. The moral of this film is to be kind and make friends and it emphasizes the importance of friendship. Parents could have their children read the book along with the narrator and that would enhance their learning experience.

I give this film 4 ½ out of 5 stars and I recommend it for ages 2 to 8. I think parents would enjoy watching with their younger kids. It is available now on DVD so, go check it out.

Other Favorites in this collection include:

Sid the Science Guy: Sid’s Spooky Halloween – It’s Halloween! Join Sid and his friends as they discover how bats catch mosquitoes, why spiders are expert engineer web builders, and how skeletons make up the foundation of our bodies. The kids dress up to celebrate Halloween at school, and Teacher Suzie leads them in a special Halloween parade song to show off their costumes! With Sid the Science Kid, Halloween can be spooky and scientific!

Cat in the Hat: Tricks and Treats  – A new spooky adventure this DVD brings, with the Cat, Nick and Sally, Fish and the Things. Meet the eeriest critters you’ve ever seen, arrived just in time for Halloween. Therell be lots of tricks and of course, lots of treats, to share with the animal friends you will meet! There’s coconut crab, spider monkeys and bats, and plenty more fun with the Cat in the Hat.

Doozers: Spookypalooza – Welcome to Doozer Creek where the Doozers live! They’re green. They’re cute. They’re three inches tall and they’re full of energy, ideas, and enthusiasm! It’s Spookypalooza! The time of year when all Doozers get together to spook each other. The Pod Squad makes the spookiest pumpkin ever a cool Pumpkin Doozer made by stacking three pumpkins together. But when their new invention starts rolling all around town, the Doozers have to find a way to reign in their spooky creation! Enjoy four STEM-based adventures with the Doozers!

Houdini – Twelve year old Harry has lived and breathed magic since his early childhood.  Unfortunately, his hometown, Appletown, is not the best place for his natural talent to blossom. One day Harry catches the glimpse of a chance: the New York mayor has announced a magic competition due to the official opening of the Statue of Liberty. In order to try out one must be trained by a real magician and Harry doesn’t know one.  Harry’s father runs into the magician, the Great Tesla, in town and Tesla promises to see Harry, spots his talent, creativity and decides to give him a chance.

Chica Show: Chica’s Halloween Adventure – It’s Chica’s favorite time of the year but her indecision on what costume to wear stops her from enjoying all the Halloween fun. Will she be able to make up her mind in time? Find out in Chica’s Halloween Adventure! Then continue the fun with four more adventures in the Costume Coop. What are you waiting for? It’s time to dress up!

The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Halloween! – The Cat in the Hat takes Nick and Sally on a Halloween ride filled with howlers and shockers and scary fandangles, big laughs and music and fun from all angles! Their fright-filled adventure takes them deep into the Oooky-ma-kooky Closet where Nick and Sally discover the very best Halloween costumes ever.

Pocoyo: Boo! – Join Pocoyo and his friends on seven playful adventures. Whether it’s playing a new game called Boo!, enjoying a monster mash party or pretending to be Godzilla & King Kong, every day is fun & engaging with Pocoyo and his friends!

THE ANIMATION SHOW OF SHOWS will open in the Los Angeles area on October 21 at the Sundance Sunset in West Los Angeles, Laemmle’s Playhouse 7 in Pasadena and The Frida Cinema in Santa Ana.  (Please see press release pasted below for more details.)  It is also scheduled to play in a number of other cities, with more being added all the time, per this list  http://www.animationshowofshows.com/pages/upcoming-screenings

The full-length ANIMATION SHOW OF SHOWS is definitely for adult audiences but many of the theaters where it will be playing are offering “family-friendly” matinee screenings with just 12 short animated films which tackle a variety of themes and subjects in a variety of animation styles. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Morgan B. comments, “This family-friendly animation collection consists of 12 short films. Each film has a different story and inspiration. There are films about families, children, mothers, fathers, animals and many other subjects. This is what really made this collection of animation films very special.” See her full review below.

The 18th Annual Animation Show Of Shows
By Morgan Bertsch, KIDS FIRST Film Critic, Age 11

This family-friendly animation collection consists of 12 short films. Each film has a different story and inspiration. There are films about families, children, mothers, fathers, animals and many other subjects. This is what really made this collection of animation films very special.

My absolute favorite film is About a Mother by Dina Velikovskaya.  This short film is about a mother who is willing to give up everything she has to make sure that everyone in her family is safe and sound. I love this film because it reminds me of my mother and how she has given up so much so I can be safe and happy. The animated black and white figures are very simple which makes this story unique and brilliant at the same time.

My other favorite film is Pearl by Patrick Osborne. This short film is about a father and daughter’s relationship over many years and shows how things change and yet how things stay the same. I like this film because it is very sweet and it touched my heart. The animation is hand drawn and it looks like a cartoon that came from a story book.

I also really like a short film called Piper by Alan Barillaro about an adorable baby bird trying to find food and learning to grow up. It is adorable, has a unique story and stupendous animation. This one was made  by PIXAR and played in theaters prior to the feature film Finding Dory. I also love the comedy films which really help lighten up the mood of the whole event. Another favorite is Mirror by Chris Ware. This is a funny story about a mother who might have said the wrong thing to her child accidentally. It shows both the mother’s and the child’s points of view. This story is quite different way than all the other short films which makes it stand out from the rest. The animation is very simple, yet complex at the same time and that is what makes it so brilliant and unique. This film is a comedy which had me laughing the entire time.

This festival really stands out in a magnificent way. It shows young illustrators and animators that they can accomplish their dreams and that they can do anything. I recommend that when you watch these films, you think about how much time and effort it takes to draw and animate these ideas that brighten our world. These animators are our future filmmakers and seeing their work helped me dream big and touch the sky.

I recommend this collection for ages 6 through 18. They will enjoy this animated film collection and the great story lines. I give these films 4 ½ out 5 stars. This festival plays in Los Angeles, CA October 21-27, 2016 and travels around the country.