KIDS FIRST! News

Christmas is anything but ordinary when three bickering siblings from a newly blended household cannot see eye to eye. The youngest one, while completing his annual science project, accidentally calls upon the spirit of Christmas. They wake up to find themselves having switched bodies, unable to change back until they learn to spend the holidays together as a loving family.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Tiana S. comments, “The “switch-mas” spirit is in the air with the new film, A Family Matters Christmas! It’s a fun family film that forces you to think about the true meaning of Christmas and shows just how important it is for family to come together and get along.” Mikella G. adds, “This film is truly an enjoyable viewing experience…I really enjoyed the plot; the concept of the characters swapping bodies is really cute, and definitely creates a fun twist for a Christmas movie.” Kendall B. adds, “The message of A Family Matters Christmas is that family is important, whether you are related by blood or not. Throughout the film, Brandon has a hard time learning to love his new siblings, but the body switch really helps him realize what family means.” SaniyaRain F. wraps it up with, “A Family Matters Christmas is a family-friendly, comedic, lesson-learning film that includes a bit of romance. The film is also great to watch if you are, like me, a fan of Christmas miracle stories.” See their full reviews below.

A Family Matters Christmas 
By Tiana S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

The “switch-mas” spirit is in the air with the new film, A Family Matters Christmas! It’s a fun family film that forces you to think about the true meaning of Christmas and shows just how important it is for family to come together and get along.

A Family Matters Christmas follows siblings, Aiden (Randy Vince III), Emily (Cheyanne Cummings), and their soon-to-be brother, Brandon (Chase X. Drewery), whose parents are looking forward to getting married and spending their first family holiday together. However, the sibling’s constant bickering threatens to make Christmas not-so-merry. Aiden creates an experiment to bring his family together, but with a little “help” from the “forgotten Christmas Spirit,” Alternis (Stephen Fisher), his spell causes the three siblings to switch bodies. They must work together to learn the true meaning of family to break the spell and switch bodies back before Christmas morning.

The main characters are Aiden, Emily and Brandon. I love how much each sibling changes the other sibling’s life, just by switching bodies. My favorite part was seeing the sacrifices each sibling makes for the sibling whose body they took over. It forces each one to experience life as that sibling, and even helps them. For example, since Emily is more outspoken, while she is in Aiden’s body, she is able to stand up for him against bullies at school — something Aiden would never do himself.

The “switch” really creates some hilarious moments, like when Brandon is in Emily’s body and get a dose of what it is like to be a girl. The film is so entertaining, that you forget it starts off as a story being read about the characters’ journey. This is a storyline that some people will say has been made before and, while that’s true, what’s important is the message behind it; plus it is entertaining.

A Family Matters Christmas shows us that family really does matter and that it’s possible to get along if you take the time to get to know one another. While you may not always agree with your siblings or be best friends, it’s still good to create some kind of bond with them. Parents should look out for adult drinking and some slightly intimate parts.

I give A Family Matters Christmas 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to18, plus adults. A Family Matters Christmas releases on Digital and DVD November 8, 2022.

A Family Matters Christmas
By Mikella G, KIDS FIRST!, Film Critic, age 16

A Family Matters Christmas is a fun, enjoyable film that really puts you in the Christmas spirit. It teaches an important lesson, while delivering a cute and interesting storyline.

A Family Matters Christmas follows the lives of three siblings living in a newly blended household. They are all struggling to adapt to their new family, especially during the holidays and this causes them to fight all of the time. However, when the youngest sibling Aiden, (Randy Vince Iii) starts to read fairy tales about Christmas legends who haunt siblings who can’t get along, he realizes that they need to stop the bickering. Unfortunately, it’s a little too late and their household is greeted with a special elf who causes all three of them to swap bodies. Now, the siblings must learn to tolerate and help each other, or else they will be stuck inside these different identities forever.

This film is truly an enjoyable viewing experience. The cinematographic quality of this film really stands out — the camera work is very clear, and the colors jump. I really enjoyed the plot; the concept of the characters swapping bodies is really cute, and definitely creates a fun twist for a Christmas movie. It’s really interesting to see how they all work things out in the end. Plus, all three actors portray multiple personas in different bodies exceptionally well, as they show us how their switched character might react to a particular situation.

Additionally, the message of the film is really strong. It really emphasizes the importance of family, particularly around Christmas time, and reminds viewers how valuable our families are. This is an important highlight, especially for younger audiences, because it’s something that can sometimes be forgotten.

The message of A Family Matters Christmas is that family is very valuable, and you should always hold to them.

I give A Family Matters Christmas 3.5 out of 5 stars, and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. It releases on VOD and DVD November 8, 2022.

A Family Matters Christmas
By Kendall B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 12

A Family Matters Christmas is all about family and love; it’s the perfect movie to get you ready for the holiday season.

The storyline for A Family Matters Christmas is told by a grandma to her grandchildren. The story follows a boy named Aiden (Randy Vince III) and his sister Emily (Cheyenne Cummings) who are having a hard time getting along with their new step-brother, Brandon (Chase X Drewery). Ayden conducts a science experiment gone wrong and ends up summoning a Christmas spirit who makes him and his siblings switch places. They now must figure out how to walk in each other’s shoes, and how to switch back.

The plot of this film may seem kind of basic, but there are a lot of twists that turn the basic story into something more. I really love the cinematography — at the beginning, behind the opening credits, are some beautiful shots of the city which are just stunning. All the acting is outstanding and so is the script. I love the character of Grandma (Jo Marie Payton), because she’s really sassy; I love the way she teaches her grandchildren to be nicer to each other.

Another great character is Aunt Tracy (Tamieka Chavis), who is quite feisty as well and has a very powerful personality. I especially love the character Alternis (Stephen Fischer), the Christmas spirit, because his eccentric and loud personality is very exciting and fun. My favorite part of the film is when the kids first change places and don’t know how to behave in each other’s bodies.

The message of A Family Matters Christmas is that family is important, whether you are related by blood or not. Throughout the film, Brandon has a hard time learning to love his new siblings, but the body switch really helps him realize what family means.

I give A Family Matters Christmas 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. This film releases on VOD and DVD November 8, 2022.

A Family Matters Christmas
By SaniyaRain F., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14 

A Family Matters Christmas is a family-friendly, comedic, lesson-learning film that includes a bit of romance. The film is also great to watch if you are, like me, a fan of Christmas miracle stories.

The film digs deep into the story of Alternis (Stephen Fischer), The Christmas Spirit who teaches lessons to all the kids who need them. Aiden (Randy Vince), a ten- year- old kid who is a science wizard, just wants his new family to be close for the New Year and the upcoming year.  His older siblings, Emily (Cheyenne Cummings) and stepbrother Brandon (Chase Drewery) are not on the same page about anything and it makes everything worse, so as Aiden keeps experimenting with potions he gives up on the idea of making everything right but Alternis does not sit back and allow this to happen.

This movie has funny scenes and you never know what happens next; whenever Alternis makes an entrance, you always wonder where he is going to come from next. An important theme of the film is that family does matter and will always be there for you. At the very beginning you see the family’s drama and how most of them don’t connect with one another. It makes them depressed and, in the end, all the characters change as they connect with one another. Most of the CGI is not too impressive, although one nifty thing the editors use is a book image to segue between scenes. The music matches each scene very well especially during the dance scene.

The message of A Family Matters Christmas is to never lose sight of who your family is and always know they matter and will be there for you. There will be times when you don’t get along with them, but in the end they are the people who you can always count on to be there. We are also reminded to put ourselves into someone else’s shoes and see the situation from their point of view.

I give A Family Matters Christmas 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 10 to 18, plus adults. You can find it on VOD and DVD beginning November 8, 2022.

From producer Oprah Winfrey and directed by Academy Award nominee Reginald Hudlin, this revealing documentary honors the legendary Sidney Poitier and his legacy as an iconic actor, filmmaker and activist at the center of Hollywood and the Civil Rights Movement. Featuring candid interviews with Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Robert Redford, Lenny Kravitz, Barbra Streisand, Spike Lee and many more, the film is also produced by Derik Murray, in close collaboration with the Poitier family.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Tiana S. comments, “Sidney is an inspiring documentary that will ensure generations to come to love and appreciate the impact of Oscar award-winning actor, Mr. Sidney Poitier…Described by producer Oprah Winfrey as one of the most extraordinary people she’s ever met, Mr. Poitier would be proud of this documentary about his life.” See her full review below.

Sidney
By Tiana Sirmans, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

Sidney is an inspiring documentary that will ensure generations to come to love and appreciate the impact of Oscar award-winning actor, Mr. Sidney Poitier. The techniques used to tell his story, the events shared and the contributions to the film will keep viewers engaged. Described by producer Oprah Winfrey as one of the most extraordinary people she’s ever met, Mr. Poitier would be proud of this documentary about his life.

Sidney reflects on the life and legacy of iconic actor, filmmaker, and activist, Sidney Poitier. Born and raised in the Bahamas, the film shows life for him once he arrived in the USA as a colored man and how he rose to become an icon and the first Black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, despite racism and other obstacles. The documentary creatively tells Poitier’s story in his own words from interviews from Ms. Winfrey’s personal collection. Anecdotes from his family and heavy hitters such as Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Halle Berry, and Oprah Winfrey herself included.

This film is truly a celebration of Mr. Poitier’s legacy, the contributions he made, and a life well-lived. I love how the interview clips from the younger Poitier seamlessly blend together with the elder Poitier picking up the story.

My favorite part of the documentary is the clip from Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner when he says, “You think of yourself as a colored man. And I think of myself as a man,” because it perfectly summarizes how he felt about himself and how he demanded other people to look at him. For me, this is what enabled him to break so many barriers and pave the way for other actors, including myself. The film does not hold back and includes some of Mr. Poitier’s not-so-proud moments, which really help show the different sides of his complex life.

This film is about perseverance and being confident in who you are despite how the world sees you. I love that Mr. Poitier understood that he was not identified by his color and made sure everyone else knew it too, on and off-screen, even demanding scripts be rewritten to make his character stronger.

I rate Sidney 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. You can watch Sidney on Apple TV+ starting September 23, 2022.

The second of eight installments in the Boonie Bears: Monster Plan series. This film will be available on DVD, DISH, InDemand, and Comcast on 11/1. AVod platforms, such as The Roku Channel and TubiTV to follow. We are also releasing Boonie Bears: Forrest Frenzy – all 16 films – on AVOD platforms starting in November.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Gavin S. comments, “I enjoyed the film Boonie Bears: Monster Plan 2 a lot, mainly because it is funny, has great animation, wonderful characters, and is suitable for young kids…” Ari P. adds, “The Boonie Bears: Monster Plan 2 is one of the cutest children’s movies I have ever seen! It’s all about nature and saving the day. It also shows the importance of friendship and perseverance. This is definitely a children’s movie favorite for me.” Emma D. contributes, “The animation is, by far, my favorite part of the film. The animators’ creation of the forest filled with beautiful creatures and plants is superb. The animals are especially well done and beautifully detailed.” Kyla C. wraps it up with, “The message of Boonie Bears: Monster Plan 2 is that everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Many of the characters wish to be stronger or smarter, but they realize that, just because they aren’t smarter or stronger, doesn’t mean that they aren’t talented in other ways.” See their full reviews below.

Boonie Bears: Monster Plan 2
By Gavin S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

I enjoyed the film Boonie Bears: Monster Plan 2 a lot, mainly because it is funny, has great animation, wonderful characters, and is suitable for young kids, plus it could also entertain older kids. This film really held my attention.

The storyline follows two bears, Briar (Ricky Jay Glen) and his brother Bramble (Justin J. Wheeler). Briar, Bramble and their friends run into many problems with their arch nemesis Rex Vector, who wants to steal their powers and use them to destroy them. So Briar, Bramble and all their friends jump in to solve their problems with Rex Vector and others.

This film is really great. I really found the characters and humor outstanding and perfect for its target age group. All the characters have outstanding personalities; each with a terrific sense of humor. They are also thoughtful and kind to their friends, as well as people or animals around them. The humor in this film is also commendable; there are many things that made me laugh or smile. Even when something bad is happening it always finds a way to make me laugh. However, apart from all these positive things is one not so good thing – the sound. The characters’ voices have issues with the sound quality, but the film was still very interesting. I also love the life lessons of this film – they are very heartfelt and real.

This film’s life lesson is an inspiring reminder that no matter what happens to you, you are unstoppable as long as you have someone there for you. I relate to this because I have found the importance of support from a friend or family member in my life and believe that you can do anything and maybe even everything with the right support.

Boonie Bears: Monster Plan 2 gets 3.5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 5 to 8, plus adults. This film can entertain people young and maybe even old. It will be available on most streaming platforms and DVD November 1, 2022. Be sure to check it out.

The Boonie Bears: Monster Plan 2
By Ari P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

The Boonie Bears: Monster Plan 2 is one of the cutest children’s movies I have ever seen! It’s all about nature and saving the day. It also shows the importance of friendship and perseverance. This is definitely a children’s movie favorite for me.

The storyline follows a bear named Briar (actor) who needs to save his friends from the evil Rex Vector (actor) and his hamster, Mr. Pete (actor). Once Vector and Mr. Pete realizes the group has escaped, they start to work on another project that they think will be their greatest one yet. Briar, his partner Bramble (Joseph S. Lambert), and his human best friend Vick (actor) know that they need to save the day and they have a few adventures along the way.

My favorite part of this film is the funny voices used by the actors for their characters. I love how the bears’ voices are all just so cute and adorable and Dr. Vector’s voice is perfect for a young villain. I also love the setting of this film. It seems so peaceful and quiet when there isn’t an evil scientist trying to rule all the animals. It’s set in a park with all kinds of monkeys, skunks and other cute animals. The only thing I didn’t exactly capture from the film is the emotions from the characters. Neither Rex Vector nor Mr. Pete show as much enthusiasm as I hoped for. For example, when Rex Vector laughs maniacally about a gadget of his working, he doesn’t seem so excited. Also, once Mr. Pete answers a question Briar asks him, there is a small amount remaining of “unsureness” in his answer. Otherwise, I absolutely adore this film. 

The message of this film is that you have to persevere in order to succeed. If the characters didn’t persevere through the different challenges throughout the movie, they never would have stopped Doctor Rex Vector. They also would not have made it through the other challenges along the way.

Boonie Bears: Monster Plan 2 gets 5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 5 to 10. It is available on DVD and many streaming channels beginning November 11, 2022. 

Boonie Bears: Monster Plan 2
By Kyla C, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 13

Boonie Bears: Monster Plan 2 is a fun, comedic film that’s perfect for a kid’s first action movie. Colorful animation brings out the best in the plotlines. Each character is funny, relatable, and helps to highlight the important messages and educational aspects.

The storyline follows a grou[1] p of animals including bears, skunks and squirrels who navigate through life in the forest with various enemies and problems along the way.

Boonie Bears: Monster Plan 2 has colorful and vibrant animation. The settings are realistic, yet creative and bright. One example that stands out is s the hunter’s pit. Some of the animals get stuck in a poacher’s trap, and we see various angles from inside the hole. The attention to detail is incredible. There are little worms on the ground, weeds growing out of the sides of the walls and even indents in the dirt. Although these tiny details don’t affect the plot, it makes situations seem so much more realistic and truly engages viewers. In addition, each character has its own unique features and physical characteristics that are emphasized in the animation. These characters also have very fun personalities. Each trait helps develop an important theme or subtly teach a lesson. The comedy is perfect for the intended audience; little kids will laugh their heads off while watching. It’s cool that there are so many smaller, individual conflicts and plotlines that take place throughout the film. However, sometimes having multiple plotlines makes it difficult to stay engaged, follow the main plot, and keep watching.

The message of Boonie Bears: Monster Plan 2 is that everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Many of the characters wish to be stronger or smarter, but they realize that, just because they aren’t smarter or stronger, doesn’t mean that they aren’t talented in other ways. There are also other themes such as teamwork, kindness and friendship that are built upon throughout the film.

Boonie Bears: Monster Plan 2 gets 4 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 2 to 8. You can watch Boonie Bears: Monster Plan 2 on DVD and many streaming services beginning November 1, 2022.

Boonie Bears: Monster Plan 2
By Emma D., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

Boonie Bears: Monster Plan 2 is an exciting and kid-friendly film, with beautiful animation and color, but it lacks some cohesiveness in its storyline.  

The storylinefollows Bramble (Joseph S. Lambert) and his friends on a fun adventure in the forest, on their quest to defeat the evil Doctor Rex and his sidekick Mister Pete. The evil duo devises a plan to steal some of Bramble and his friends’ animal abilities in order to create a robotic monster. The gang uses teamwork and friendship to prevent Doctor Rex and Mister Pete from stealing all of their abilities and ruining their home.

The animation is, by far, my favorite part of the film. The animators’ creation of the forest filled with beautiful creatures and plants is superb. The animals are especially well done and beautifully detailed. At first, I was a somewhat put off by the voices, but once I got over my shock, I found them very entertaining.  Some of the voices are difficult to understand, particularly the skunk. I couldn’t make out what it was saying at times. The storyline picks up at the end and I wish there was a recap at the beginning to give us a bit more context, since it left me with a few questions regarding the plot. Bonnie Bears: Monster Plan 2 is split into five parts, all with different plots. I wanted to better understand what took place in the episode prior to this one.

Boonie Bears: Monster Plan 2 promotes friendship, teamwork, kindness and resilience. It also highlights the importance of fighting for those you love and how important it is to overcome your fears if you are to obtain your goals.

Boonie Bears: Monster Plan 2 gets 3 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 4 to 10. It will be released on November 1, 2022, on DVD and many streaming networks.

Nearly 5,000 years after he was bestowed with the almighty powers of the Egyptian gods–and imprisoned just as quickly–Black Adam is freed from his earthly tomb, ready to unleash his unique form of justice on the modern world.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Katherine S. comments, “Black Adam is an action-packed movie filled with insane fight scenes and unexpected plot twists. The CGI looks virtually flawless, and the world-building is so detailed.” Ethan P. adds, “Black Adam includes outstanding performances from Dwayne Johnson, Marwan Kenzari, Joseph Gatt, Jennifer Holland, Pierce Brosnan, Sarah Shahi, and Aldis Hodge. There is just the right amount of humor throughout the movie without taking away from the seriousness of the threat of the evil that is present.” Kendall B. wraps it up with, “If you love action-packed superhero movies then Black Adam is the film for you. It has all of that and much more.” See their full reviews below.

Black Adam
By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

Black Adam is an action-packed movie filled with insane fight scenes and unexpected plot twists. The CGI looks virtually flawless, and the world-building is so detailed.

In the story, Teth Adam (Dwayne Johnson) is bestowed with unusual and strong powers by The Rock of Eternity in ancient Kahndaq.  However, he uses these powers for revenge and gets imprisoned for nearly 5 millennia. Once freed Teth Adam (a.k.a. Black Adam) is met by the newer heroes of the Justice Society. What will Teth Adam  do and can the Justice Society stop him?

This movie is intertwined with the origin story of Shazam, but it’s not necessary to see it prior to watching Black Adam. It’s also based on the comic characters originated by DC. I love the introduction of new characters and new worlds that are most likely relatively unknown to and unexplored by most people. In this movie, you’ll find a few familiar faces along with the new ones, which makes it feel very fresh. Some of those characters include Doctor Fate (Pierce Brosnan), Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo), Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell), and Hawkman (Aldis Hodge). Speaking of characters, my favorite performances come from Dwayne Johnson (Black Adam), Sarah Shahi (Isis), and Marwan Kenzari (Sabbac). Dwayne Johnson has a more serious role in this movie, and yet he balances it with his impeccable comedic timing. Sarah Shahi is such a caring and brave person in her role as Isis and inspires us to speak up for all of the injustice in the world. I can’t reveal too much about Marwan Kenzari’s character, but I think he is the perfect fit and will definitely keep you on your toes.

The message of Black Adam is to remember that there is a difference between a hero and a protector, and between justice and vengeance. There is violence and some scary scenes that may not be suitable for young children.

I give Black Adam 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It comes out in theaters October 21, 2022.

Black Adam
By Ethan P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

Black Adam is a very funny and interesting movie. I like seeing Dwayne Johnson as a DC antihero for the first time in his career.

Black Adam takes place in ancient Kahndaq where a boy was almost killed for being a hero but saved by the power of the gods. Five thousand years have passed, and Teth-Adam (Dwayne Johnson) wakes up to find himself in a modern age of Kahndaq where Teth helps the oppressed people in a very dark way. A new team of heroes is also introduced in this DC Universe:  the Justice Society, which includes Doctor Fate (Pierce Brosnan), Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell), Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo) and Hawkman (Aldis Hodge). Together they must team up and defeat Sabbac (Marwan Kenzari), a powerful demonic villain who wants to unleash hell on Earth. I would have liked to see a little backstory on these new characters, though, instead of them just showing up with these abilities that audiences have not seen before in the DC extended universe.

Black Adam includes outstanding performances from Dwayne Johnson, Marwan Kenzari, Joseph Gatt, Jennifer Holland, Pierce Brosnan, Sarah Shahi, and Aldis Hodge. There is just the right amount of humor throughout the movie without taking away from the seriousness of the threat of the evil that is present. The director, Jaume Collet- Serra, brought the same dark Teth-Adam from the comics to the big screen. Teth is kind of good but in a very bad way as he kills to stop people. The graphics and CGI are are impressive — the fight sequences were especially action-packed and showed the true power of Black Adam. Costume designs are very interesting, and the background music is fitting to each scene. My favorite part of the story when Black Adam learns the word “sarcastic,” and he starts using it and being sarcastic himself. 

The moral of this movie is to learn to work together with someone, even if you don’t like that person.  Instead, focus on the main priority. For example, Black Adam and Hawkman did not want to work together but soon realized they had to, as there was no other choice for them to succeed in their mission.

I give Black Adam 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. For the amount of violence, I am amazed this film is rated PG-13. Black Adam comes out in theaters October 21, 2022, in a theatre near you. Don’t forget to stay during the credits to see a “Super” mid-credit scene.

Black Adam
By Kendall B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 12

If you love action-packed superhero movies then Black Adam is the film for you. It has all of that and much more.

The storyline of Black Adam starts with Teth Adam who has been given a gift from the gods right before his execution, becoming Black Adam (Dwayne Johnson). He uses these powers to overthrow the evil leader of ancient Kahndaq and becomes known as the champion. WheIt is believed that one day the champion will come back to save Kahndaq. In the present, Adrianna (Sarah Shahi) and her brother, Karim (Mohammed Amer), uncover Black Adam’s tomb where he has been imprisoned for 5000 years. Kahndaq is in need of a warrior, but a group of heroes called The Justice Society believes that Black Adam is not who he seems to be.

The film’s strongest point is definitely the setting. Kahndaq is brought to life in this film so vividly. The buildings, the people, the scenery — everything fits together perfectly. I love Black Adam’s backstory and how well thought out everything about his character is. The movie has so much action and excitement it’s hard to not watch. The acting is great, too. I especially love the character of Karim — he’s such a nice guy and some of my favorite scenes include his character. My favorite scene is when he’s singing in the car by himself as his sister goes in to explore a cave and he stayed behind. Then his sister comes running out screaming because they are in danger and he has no idea what’s going on.

The message of Black Adam is that family is everything. Between Adriana and her brother, or Adriana and her son, and even in Black Adam’s own past we see this message play out. This movie has a lot of violence and a bit of bad language that parents should watch out for.

I give Black Adam 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. This movie releases in theatres October 21, 2022.

A 14 year old girl in medieval England navigates through life and avoiding potential suitors her father has in mind.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Eshaan M. comments, “Lena Dunham’s newest film Catherine Called Birdy tackles gender norms in the Middle Ages with tact and humor…” Heather S. adds, “Catherine Called Birdy is absolutely hilarious! The film is light hearted and funny, with a star-studded cast.”Tiana S. contributes, “Set in England’s medieval era, this movie takes you through a year in the life of teenager who has to use her wits to get out of tough and almost impossible situations.” Selene W. wraps it up with, “Boredom is for the dull-witted”– and the heroine in Catherine Called Birdy is anything but dull-witted!  Catherine Called Birdy is relatable to modern audiences and kept me guessing while entertained.” See their full reviews below.        

Catherine Called Birdy
By Eshaan M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

Lena Dunham’s newest film Catherine Called Birdy tackles gender norms in the Middle Ages with tact and humor, making it a great introduction to medieval comedy for those of appropriate age to handle the gore and thematic elements.

Catherine Called Birdy, as you might expect, follows the 14-year-old Lady Catherine (Bella Ramsey), whose nickname is Birdy. She’s a tomboy to the nth degree, playing with her best friend, a goatherd, rolling in mud and dirt and scorning all that the Middle Ages would deem “ladylike” comportment. Her father, Lord Rollo (Andrew Scott), is deeply financially destitute and utterly greedy, so he aims to use his daughter as his path out of financial ruin by marrying her off to a wealthy man for money and land. What ensues is comedy gold, but also empowering, as Lady Catherine fights back against the repressive expectations for women of the time.

Lena Dunham’s direction and Bella Ramsey’s performance really add to this film. Dunham crafts every scene to be perfectly shot and cut, and the young Ramsey shows her talent as Lady Catherine, standing up to injustice and sexism with superb dialogue delivery and emoting throughout the film.

I also love how the writers have crafted Lord Rollo’s role; besides fueling the main conflict of Catherine Called Birdy, his character flaws make him perhaps the most complex character of the whole film. Andrew Scott works magic as Lord Rollo, especially in the final scenes of the film where the message is hammered in.

Catherine Called Birdy promotes standing up to rules you feel are unjust. There are some violent (but not graphic) and disturbing scenes, including a difficult childbirth.

I give Catherine Called Birdy 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 13 to 18. Catherine Called Birdy releases globally on Prime Video October 7, 2022.

Catherine Called Birdy 
By Heather S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

Catherine Called Birdy is absolutely hilarious! The film is light hearted and funny, with a star-studded cast. There is not a dull moment in this medieval comedy. 

Catherine Called Birdy follows Catherine (Bella Ramsey), a 14-year-old Lady in medieval England. Catherine navigates life, dodges her father’s suitors, and tries to find her place in the world as a woman. The film is based on the book of the same name. 

This film is as hilarious as it is sweet. Catherine and her family are witty and messy. Catherine is a strong young girl, ready to make the best out of her situation. She loves her family and her friends, which makes audiences love her. Meanwhile, her father, Lord Rollo (Andrew Scott), is the funniest man in England. He’s funny and crude, his comedic timing is on point. Each character has their own kind of humor, which adds to their dynamic.

The best scenes are when the entire family is together and each one tries to lie through their teeth and diffuse the problems that Catherine has created. The costumes and wardrobe are another factor that makes this film a success. Each dress and accessory is elaborate and glamorous, effortlessly beautiful. Every Lord and Lady, members of nobility, has robes and layered dresses, showing their status as the elite rich. The wedding outfits are exquisite. The soundtrack is extremely creative. Modern songs are included with genres ranging from pop to rock. These tunes aren’t overused and fit perfectly into the story and add more emotion. 

The moral of the film is to make the best of every situation. Catherine watches the man she loves marry another woman; she fights with her best friend; her mother has several stillbirths – yet she still has a positive outlook on life. She’s determined to have ownership on her life and never conform to the roles laid out for her. 

I give Catherine Called Birdy 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 14 to 18, plus adults. Catherine Called Birdy releases globally on Prime Video October 7, 2022.

Catherine Called Birdy
By Tiana S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

When you’re just 13 years old and forced to grow up, life can be hard, but you have to make it through. Set in England’s medieval era, this movie takes you through a year in the life of teenager who has to use her wits to get out of tough and almost impossible situations.

Catherine Called Birdy follows Catherine, aka Birdy (Bella Ramsey), who is being forced to marry a rich man, because her family doesn’t have money. Birdy doesn’t want to leave her home, get married or have to act like a lady. While dealing with puberty, betrayal and wanting to live the way she wants, Birdy has to find a way to change her father’s mind before it’s too late.

The main character is, of course, Birdy. I love the relationship Birdy has with her family, as well as her community. She’s young and just wants to have fun, not fall in love, be formal, or have children yet. I love how she uses her voice throughout the film. My favorite part of the film is seeing the relationship Birdy has with her town and, even when she is playing in mud fights, or casually having fun with her friends.

This film is based on the novel of the same name by Karen Cushman. It’s a great adaptation of the novel and the costumes and setting really fit the era in which it is set. The storytelling method used for this film is creative, in that they feel like journal entries. While I agree it isn’t the best for young viewers, it still has a good message behind it and will offer more mature audiences certain life lessons.

This film really drives home how you have to fight for what you want in life, and that it’s okay for children to take their time growing up. Catherine just wants to have fun and live, not worry about making decisions that adults have to make, such as getting married and having children. She stands up for herself and doesn’t give up, until her voice is heard. Parents need to be aware that it covers topics such as sexuality and abuse, plus has scenes addressing puberty, other adult behaviors and drinking.

I give Catherine Called Birdy 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 13 to 18, plus adults. Catherine Called Birdy releases globally on Prime Video October 7, 2022.

Catherine Called Birdy
By Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14 

“Boredom is for the dull-witted”– and the heroine in Catherine Called Birdy is anything but dull-witted!  This timeless coming-of-age story which takes place in 13th Century England is witty and engaging.  Catherine Called Birdy is relatable to modern audiences and kept me guessing while entertained.   

Lady Catherine (Bella Ramsey), known around the manor as Birdy, is a clever and stubborn 14-year-old girl who valiantly fights against medieval traditions for her independence.  Her father, Lord Rollo of Stonebridge (Andrew Scott) seeks to find a foolish young man who will trade his fortune for a title by marrying off his only daughter.  Fortunately, Birdy is not foolish and her rebellion proves to be entertaining as we see that her truest passion lies in avoiding chores, causing mischief at home and in her village, as well as routing her various suitors on her own personal crusade. 

The incredibly clever screenplay, written by Lena Denham, is based on the book of the same name by Karen Cushman.  Bella Ramsey, as Birdy, has wonderful comedic timing and utilizes the witty dialogue to capture the audience, while confusing her various suitors.  I enjoyed watching Birdy’s cleverness and frustration in overcoming social norms and assumptions from that time.  All teenagers can relate to parent’s expectations and interference while struggling against them.  Lena Denham also directs the film and you can tell that it is certainly a labor of love.  The scenes in the countryside and manor are quite beautiful and the cinematography, under the guidance of Laurie Rose, truly adds to the story and film.  The set decorator Stella Fox, along with costume designer Julian Day, complete the audience’s immersion into the manor and village of Stonebridge.

The message of this film is that you should not be burdened by the expectations of others – even if they come from those you love or feel an obligation to.  Under pressure, Birdy doesn’t fly the coop, but instead she stays and fights for her future and her independence.

I rate Catherine Called Birdy 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. The film opens in select theaters September 23, 2022 and on Prime Video October 7, 2022.  Don’t miss this relatable and enchanting tale.