KIDS FIRST! News

Big Nate is an American computer-animated streaming television series developed by Mitch Watson and based on the comic strip and book series of the same name by Lincoln Peirce. It follows the adventures of titular protagonist, alongside his friends, in sixth grade. Big Nate follows the adventures and misadventures of Nate Wright, an incompetent, spirited and rebellious sixth-grader. His friend group includes Francis, Teddy, Chad and Dee Dee. Nate hates social studies teacher Mrs. Godfrey, whom he considers his nemesis and calls her names like “the school’s Godzilla,” and the firm Principal Nichols. At home, Nate lives with his single father, Martin and girly sister Ellen.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Heather S., comments, “Big Nate is an excellent show for kids of all ages! The show has wonderful characters, amazing comedy and teaches valuable lessons. It’s an ideal series for families.” See her full review below.

Big Nate

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

Big Nate is an excellent show for kids of all ages! The show has wonderful characters, amazing comedy and teaches valuable lessons. It’s an ideal series for families.

Big Nate is an animated series based on books of the same name. Big Nate follows Nate (Ben Giroux), a boy in sixth grade, as he learns about life and grows into his own, while accompanied by his friends, Dee Dee (Bryce Charles), Francis (Daniel MK Cohen), and Teddy (Arnie Pantoja).

The comedy of Big Nate is genius. Nate, Dee Dee, Francis, and Teddy each have their own sense of humor, giving balance to the group and adding to their individual personalities. The animation stands out—it’s computer animated, and the heads of the characters are bigger than their bodies; their hair has specific lines and an exaggerated, stiff shape to look like the comics the show is based on.

The characters all have depth, giving them as much importance as the titular character. They all have their own backstories and lines that they mutter under their breath. These expression make viewers laugh and provide clues about their personas. By the end of the episodes, we’re left wanting more of Nate and his friends. The translation of the books to the small screen is spectacular. It’s clear how much the creators of the show cared about doing justice to its published material. The execution of the animation, Nate, and his journey through sixth grade is done with precision and attention.

The messages of this series are learned through Nate.  He learns about discovering who you are and who you want to be, the power of friendship, and the hardships of family. Nate makes some enemies and at times doesn’t know who he can trust, and yet he always has his friends in his corner.

I give Big Nate 5 out 5 stars and recommend it for ages 11 to 16. It begins streaming on Paramount+ February 17, 2022.

https://youtu.be/huTB1q6r0e0

Tucked among the magical redwood trees of Northern California and surrounded by her grandmother’s gargantuan roses, 17-year-old Lennie Walker, a radiant musical prodigy, struggles with overwhelming grief following the sudden loss of her older sister, Bailey. When Joe Fontaine, the charismatic new guy at school, enters Lennie’s life, she’s drawn to him. But Lennie’s complicated relationship with her sister’s devastated boyfriend, Toby, starts to affect Lennie and Joe’s budding love. Through her vivid imagination and honest, conflicted heart, Lennie navigates first love and first loss to create a song of her own. Acclaimed filmmaker Josephine Decker directs this moving adaptation of the beloved novel of the same name.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Katherine S. comments, “The Sky is Everywhere is a whimsical movie that tells a story of teenage loss, discovery and love. Throughout the film, director Josephine Decker expresses her artistic eye with imaginary landscapes that are harmoniously fused with dramatic choreography and rhythmic music.” Samantha B. adds, “The colorful and beautifully-acted film The Sky Is Everywhere by director Josephine Decker and writer Jandy Nelson blends magic and romance in a perfect story just in time for Valentine’s Day. The film’s setting in the redwood forests of Northern California creates the perfect backdrop for scenes that include magical realism.” See their reviews and interviews below.

The Sky is Everywhere

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

The Sky is Everywhere is a whimsical movie that tells a story of teenage loss, discovery and love. Throughout the film, director Josephine Decker expresses her artistic eye with imaginary landscapes that are harmoniously fused with dramatic choreography and rhythmic music. Adapted by a novel of the same name by Jandy Nelson, the screenplay of The Sky is Everywhere was also written by the author.

The Sky is Everywhere follows the dramatic evolution of its lead character, Lennie Walker (Grace Kaufman). Lennie is a musical prodigy who is grief-stricken from the sudden death of her best friend and sister Bailey (Havana Rose Liu). As the story twists and turns, Lennie finds herself in a whirlwind of emotion when she is unexpectedly attracted to two different boys, Toby (Pico Alexander), her late sister’s fiancé, and Joe (Jacques Colimon), a fellow musician at her school.  

Grace Kaufman’s performance as Lennie radiates in the film. She is my favorite character because Kaufman’s acting is raw and alive. There are scenes in the film that will tether you to her and scenes that will drive you away. Overall, I really enjoyed Lennie’s spiritual journey. Other notable character performances include Gram (Cherry Jones) and Joe (Jacques Colimon.). Cherry Jones portrays Lennie’s spirited grandmother perfectly. Jacques Colimon gives a blazing performance as Joe, a handsome musician and love interest of Lennie’s. Many of the film’s scenes are set underneath a lush canopy of redwood trees with magical skylines. The cinematography is outstanding with its bold filming techniques. The cameras twirl, zoom and flow perfectly with the characters’ movements.

The messages of the movie are to not let grief take over your life and damage closest relationships, and to be considerate of others with similar experiences. There is also the theme of encouraging us to embrace music. The Sky is Everywhere does have some profanity and drug use. There is no shown sexual content, but it is mentioned several times. 

I give The Sky is Everywhere 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 14 to 18, plus adults. This movie releases in theaters and Apple TV+ on February 11, 2022.

The Sky is Everywhere
By Samantha B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 12

The colorful and beautifully-acted film The Sky Is Everywhere by director Josephine Decker and writer Jandy Nelson blends magic and romance in a perfect story just in time for Valentine’s Day. The film’s setting in the redwood forests of Northern California creates the perfect backdrop for scenes that include magical realism. In addition, Grace Kaufman, Jacques Colimon and Pico Alexander all act their hearts out in this dramatic story about moving through grief and loss.

The Sky Is Everywhere tells the story of a high school senior named Lennie (Grace Kaufman) who suffers the sudden loss of her older sister, and, in her grief, also loses the ability to play her clarinet. She bonds with her sister’s devastated boyfriend Toby (Pico Alexander), and yet is also intrigued by a new boy in her advanced band class named Joe (Jacques Colimon). We watch Lennie navigate her feelings about both boys while also processing her sister’s death.

Grace Kaufman does not hold back in her portrayal of Lennie, showing how she moves in and out of different stages of grief. Her acting feels natural as does her chemistry with both of her male co-stars. Pico Alexander gives a sympathetic performance as Toby who is distraught and confused. Jacques Colimon’s Joe comes off as playful and flirtatious. You really feel the chemistry between Lennie and Joe. One of the best parts of The Sky Is Everywhere is how magical realism is used to bring Lennie’s emotions to life. People break out in dance, musical notes float across the screen and Lennie’s grandmother’s rose garden comes alive, which is also my favorite scene in the film.

The main message of The Sky Is Everywhere is the importance of letting yourself experience grief after a big loss. In the film, you see Lennie clinging to her sister’s belongings, breaking out in tears and getting angry at her grandmother. She has to experience the full range of emotions before she can move forward with her life. There is some light sexual content and a stereotypical “mean girl” who competes with Lennie for first chair in clarinet.

I give The Sky Is Everywhere 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend this film for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. The Sky Is Everywhere opens in select theaters and on Apple TV+, Friday, February 11, 2022.

Street-smart thief Nathan Drake (Tom Holland) is recruited by seasoned treasure hunter Victor “Sully” Sullivan (Mark Wahlberg) to recover a fortune lost by Ferdinand Magellan 500 years ago. What starts as a heist job for the duo becomes a globe-trotting, white-knuckle race to reach the prize before the ruthless Moncada (Antonio Banderas), who believes he and his family are the rightful heirs. If Nate and Sully can decipher the clues and solve one of the world’s oldest mysteries, they stand to find $5 billion in treasure and perhaps even Nate’s long-lost brother…but only if they can learn to work together.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ethan P. comments, “I like Uncharted because it is based on the 2007 PlayStation video game of the same name.  You never know who to trust in this action-packed, two-hour treasure hunt game turned movie.” Katherine S. adds, “I love Uncharted! Uncharted has been a mega-successful game franchise, and now, Sony is transforming it into a swashbuckling prequel film fit for all:  gamers and non-gamers alike. It is full of massive, action-packed sequences, comedy, objects of desire, globetrotting, booby-traps, and loads of double, and even triple, crossers.” See their full reviews below.

Uncharted
Ethan P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 13

I like Uncharted because it is based on the 2007 PlayStation video game of the same name.  You never know who to trust in this action-packed, two-hour treasure hunt game turned movie.

Uncharted is about the adventures of treasure hunter and fortune seeker Nathan Drake (Tom Holland) as he discovers the truth behind a mythical treasure during his journey with Victor “Sully” Sullivan (Mark Wahlberg). Nathan and his brother grew up in an orphanage until one day they got caught stealing a map. Nate’s brother runs away. Sometime later Nate meets Sully who convinces Nathan to look for the lost treasure. Nathan and Sully team up to get the keys that open doors and traps in order to find more clues. Nate follows what his brother and him wanted to do ever since they were younger and that’s when the action begins.

This film has extraordinary computer-generated imagery effects. The explosion scenes look real. The cargo airplane scene is one of the most breathtaking and intense scenes of this film, keeping the audience at the edge of their seat. The actors’ wardrobe is the same wardrobe as the characters in the video game: typical explorer or hunter’s clothes and gear. Mark Wahlberg and Tom Holland work masterfully well together while Antonio Banderas as villain Santiago Moncad will stop at nothing to get what he wants, including killing his own father. You don’t have to be a video game fan to enjoy this treasure-hunting movie. Director Ruben Fleischer expressed that Tom Holland, as the younger version of the video character Nathan Drake, is a key to making a movie adaptation that offers something for gamers and newcomers alike. My favorite scene is when Nate gets hit by a car when he finally gets to the cargo plane.

The moral of this film is to be very careful who you trust. Don’t trust anyone, only yourself and your instincts. The audience will confirm my statement when watching the movie: Every character pursues same goal—the mystical treasure—and they will do anything and everything in order to get it, even if that means they have to kill.

I give Uncharted 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 12 to 18, plus adults. This movie is available in theatres February 18, 2022. If you are an Uncharted video game fan, you will recognize a special cameo appearance that you just have to “listen” for.

Uncharted

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

I love Uncharted! Uncharted has been a mega-successful game franchise, and now, Sony is transforming it into a swashbuckling prequel film fit for all:  gamers and non-gamers alike. It is full of massive, action-packed sequences, comedy, objects of desire, globetrotting, booby-traps, and loads of double, and even triple, crossers.

Nate Drake (Tom Holland) is a bartender and street-smart criminal, who, along with his brother Sam, dream of finding the long-lost fortune of Ferdinand Magellan. But when Sam disappears, Nate is left with nothing but Sam’s ring, some old postcards and his undying love of adventure. One night, he meets the professional treasure hunter and scoundrel, Victor “Sully” Sullivan (Mark Wahlberg), who tries to recruit Nate to set out on a thrilling expedition to find the lost treasure of Ferdinand Magellan and his crew. At first, he is hesitant, but he joins Sully to carry on Sam’s unfinished work. But they must do this before Santiago Moncada (Antonio Banderas), a man who believes he’s the heir to the lost riches, gets to it—if they don’t, all their work will be lost forever. Who will get there first and what lengths will they go to?

Getting Uncharted to the big screen has been a wild ride. I heard it went through six directors before hiring Rueben Fleischer for the job.  And Mark Wahlberg was originally cast as Nathan Drake. True to the game, the adaptation features unrealistic fight scenes and a clichéd storyline. I still find Uncharted to be very fun and entertaining. The violent combat scenes kept me on the edge of my seat, and the perfectly timed comedic lines kept me laughing. Make sure to watch this on the biggest screen possible. The sets are realistic, the props pack a big punch, and the historical symbolism blends everything together perfectly. The beaches and caves provide the perfect backdrop for some of the film’s biggest scenes. Tom Holland delivers a knockout performance and his performance is very likeable:  he’s charismatic, handsome, intelligent, and naïve perhaps to a fault. Tom does some of the biggest action sequences of his career in this film, and he kills it! Mark Wahlberg and Antonio Banderas also have notable performances.

The messages of the movie are that family bonds last forever and that adventure awaits. There is some profanity, intense fighting scenes, alcohol use and weapons.

I give Uncharted 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 11 to 18, plus adults. Fans of basically any adventure movie will love this. This movie releases in theaters on February 18, 2022.

Four teens are swept into an adventure of a lifetime when they discover a connection between an urban legend (Big Foot!) and a missing father who uncovered a mysterious reel of “creature” footage. Threatened by shady characters and stalked by a mysterious entity, they go deep into the woods to look for clues to unravel a decades old conspiracy that leads to proof of the unexpected.  

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Kendall B. comments, “If you want to watch an adventure-filled film with a little bit of drama then Reel Monsters is a great choice for you! It has all those things and more, including a great plot and characters—and some mystery along with that, too.” Ayden P. adds, “Reel Monsters stood out to me because I had an immediate connection with the main character. We both want to make movies. If you’re a teen like me, and you have a love for acting, writing and movies, then you will also relate with the characters.” Anna Clara B. adds, “Reel Monsters is a breathtaking film—full of suspense and big revelations throughout the movie that made me excited wondering how it would end.” Kyla C. wraps it up with, “Reel Monsters has an interesting storyline, awesome props and cinematography that captures everything in a unique way.” See their full reviews below.

Reel Monsters

By Kendall B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

If you want to watch an adventure-filled film with a little bit of drama then Reel Monsters is a great choice for you! It has all those things and more, including a great plot and characters—and some mystery along with that, too.

Reel Monsters follows four teen sophomores who find a connection between an urban legend and a father and a mystery surrounding both. They get stuck in a situation that leads them into crazy adventures—including a mysterious forest and film footage of a monster—as they search for the  truth about what’s really going on.

This film is exciting, especially when the plot seems to be dying down a bit, but even then the characters find things that keep one glued to the screen wondering what they might discover. The cinematography isn’t always the highest quality, but that really doesn’t take away from the movie because the great story makes up for it. I really love how they switch up the timeline in this movie. They go back and forth from the ‘80s to the present day which definitely adds some interest to the plot. My favorite part is when the kids are watching the film strip and discover more about the secret because I love mysteries and the vibe they create.

I give Reel Monsters 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. This film releases on February 15, 2022 in theatres and on digital platforms.

Reel Monsters

By Ayden P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

Reel Monsters stood out to me because I had an immediate connection with the main character. We both want to make movies. If you’re a teen like me, and you have a love for acting, writing and movies, then you will also relate with the characters.

The story is one that has been told before (finding Big Foot in the woods), but this one is different because it is from the perspective of teens. This helps keep the attention of younger audiences. All the kids want to be directors, so it’s not like other movies where only one person has a skill or dream. So it is a nice plot twist to have all the main characters share so much in common. Also, the film manages to be suspenseful and funny. For example, the creative ways Cory, Boone and Sophia deal with the two bullies. Also, the actors are believable as teens dealing with regular teen problems like bullies and major family issues—like the missing dad. 

The message of the film is that if you have a goal then stick to it and be prepared for any opportunity. Another message is that it is okay to be nervous and afraid, and to get others to help you accomplish your goal.

I give Reel Monsters 4 out of 5 stars and I recommend it to ages 11 to 18, plus adults who will enjoy it, too. Reel Monsters releases digitally February 15, 2022.

Reel Monsters

By Anna Clara B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

Reel Monsters is a breathtaking film—full of suspense and big revelations throughout the movie that made me excited wondering how it would end.

The storyline follows four teenage friends named Cory (Dawson Hilfiger), Sandra (Sophie Guss), Boone (Nicholas Olson) and Millie (Grace Hines) who get mixed up in an adventure when they find a connection between an urban legend about a monster, some film footage and a missing father. They journey deep into the woods to discover a conspiracy and a mystery from the past.

This film is really terrifying! The script is very well written and the acting is very well done. My favorite part is when the teenagers are in the forest, and they hear something exploding, and they go see what’s happening, and solve the catastrophe. I like it because seeing someone saving and resolving the situation is exciting. The brave teenagers in this story made me feel like we have superheroes to protect us. I also really enjoyed it when Millie looks at Cory with an interested eye when they meet each other—it’s very cute. The costumes are very well done, too. The soundtrack strongly supports the tone and theme of the movie.  During the film, because of the soundtrack, there are times that I was very nervous imagining what would happen in the end. The camera angles and shots are really well positioned, and the scene transitions keep the story moving. I am filled with admiration for Reel Monster´s production team overall.

The message of this film is that we don´t need others’ opinions to follow our dreams.  And that it’s important to know who your real friends are. I give Reel Monsters 5 out of 5 stars and I recommend it for ages 14 to 18, plus adults. Reel Monsters releases digitally February 15, 2022.

Reel Monsters

By Kyla C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 12

Reel Monsters has an interesting storyline, awesome props and cinematography that capture everything in a unique way. However, there is a shortage of important themes and suspenseful elements despite the plot being action-packed. Overall, Reel Monsters is a fine film with some positive and negative aspects.

Reel Monsters follows four teens, members of the film club at school, as they find evidence that a supposedly fake monster, Bigfoot, actually exists. They venture into the woods on a camping trip to find out more and capture the monster on camera. At the same time, we flip back to the past to find out more about the monster. Can the teens survive the monster, two scary hunters and their parents searching for them?

Reel Monsters has a very intriguing plot. The way it flashes back and forth in time allows us to see two different run-ins with the antagonists as well as understand certain characters’ motivations. There are mysteries in the present time period that are gradually solved in the past, and vice versa. The props are also incredibly cool—since even the present time period is a couple decades ago, we get to see what the cameras and film looked then. This is especially cool for kids and teens who are interested in the business and history of movie making. We also get to experience old-fashioned cars. The cinematography in Reel Monsters is done really well. Shots from all different angles highlight the important parts of a scene and show the body language and facial expressions that are vital to understanding the characters. The views from above also make it easier to understand distances between places. The acting, though, isn’t fantastic enough to match the wonderful story, props and camera work. Even the primary protagonists aren’t very developed. Their motivations and strong traits aren’t shown, so it’s hard to make connections to the characters in order to root for them. Millie (Grace Hines), one of the four teenagers, emerges as the most developed character despite her being probably the least important to the story. Grace Hines delivers one of the best performances here. She clearly understands the character and captures the quiet determination and slight shyness of Millie.

The message of Reel Monsters is to be careful where you let hobbies and curiosity lead you. It emphasizes the importance of exploration and love but warns against letting these things put your life in danger. There is some violence including guns and scary monsters, but nothing too scary.

I give Reel Monsters 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 11 to 15. If you are interested in Bigfoot or creating movies, this film will be very engaging. You can view Reel Monsters online beginning February 15, 2022.

The child in us yearns for simple answers to complex questions. How do we open to new ways of thinking? How can we live in community and still respect the individual? Who are we, and do we have the ability to transform ourselves and, perhaps, each other? This book starts with a set of values that can be true for anyone and a reminder that our hearts hold goodness waiting to be revealed. These stories and drawings are for our children, our future, and they are for you, too. Let the magic transform you and inspire a world filled with unity, compassion and love.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ashleigh C. comments, “Author Genie Valen writes camp stories in a very unconventional way. This book sets itself apart from other popular stories such as Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Ms. Valen tells important and modern life lessons for an evolving world where future generations are facing different issues that call for a different type of campfire stories.” Dominic D. adds, “Exciting, educational, powerful, delightful, and so many other adjectives can be used to describe Genie Valen’s new book, Campfire Stories for an Evolving World.  This collection of inspirational short stories not only serves to provide readers with ways to critically think about the ever-changing world we live in, but also gives us strategies to help us face the unknown challenges of an evolving society.” See their full reviews below.

Campfire Stories for an Evolving World

By Ashleigh C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, 17

Author Genie Valen writes camp stories in a very unconventional way. This book sets itself apart from other popular stories such as Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Ms. Valen tells important and modern life lessons for an evolving world where future generations are facing different issues that call for a different type of campfire stories.

Campfire Stories for an Evolving World uses bookending where two stories are happening simultaneously. The story starts off with a family traveling to go camping. As issues arise a prayer from the father of the family creates the start of a mystical storytelling. This then ignites into the telling of different stories with different lesson. Will the family be able to learn from this lesson and navigate this evolving world?

This book is such an interesting approach to telling a camp story. It really challenges the idea that the real monsters we should fear are the fear to dream and to not be afraid of change. In the age of social media this is a great guide for younger kids who may need help with self-worth and image. That brings me to my favorite part of this book. I love the story of Lizard Boy best. It really captures the message of being comfortable with your circumstances without letting it define who you are and how you feel. My favorite character, however, is the elder who appears at the campfire to tell the stories. Her character represents any person you may look up to.

There are so many messages in this book. The main message is to be confident in navigating this modern new world. Make sure you take advantage of the people around who can help you on your journey, highlighted in the story entitled Lellie’s Adventure. This book promotes positive social behavior.

I give Campfire Stories for an Evolving Stories World 5 out 5 stories. I recommend for ages 6 to 18, plus adults.

Campfire Stories for an Evolving World (2021)

By Dominic D., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

Exciting, educational, powerful, delightful, and so many other adjectives can be used to describe Genie Valen’s new book, Campfire Stories for an Evolving World.  This collection of inspirational short stories not only serves to provide readers with ways to critically think about the ever-changing world we live in, but also gives us strategies to help us face the unknown challenges of an evolving society. This is a book that people of all ages should keep within arm’s reach to read when times get tough.

Author Genie Valen has created a small masterpiece of literature built on a foundation of love. Her book starts off with an author’s note that sets the stage with, “if every cloud has its silver lining, then every silver lining is a doorway to transformation.”  Life has its many challenges and these challenges only get more complex in an evolving world. Stories in the book help readers get through difficult times and offer positive strategies to transform us—to help conquer our battles, and to make us better people altogether. Her practical stories of overcoming fear, finding one’s self, embracing friendship, and having a strong connection to nature are all great reminders of how we should live our lives.

What I enjoyed most about this book is that the stories are short yet chock-full of uplifting messages for teachable moments. The stories reflect the reality of what kids and adult face within our society today. With critical thought and strategies built on understanding and love, we should all feel empowered to move beyond those challenges. The stories are engaging and written such that kids of all ages can connect and interact with them. Leslie Cook’s illustrations are a simple yet enjoyable bonus.

Each story in Campfire Stories for an Evolving World carries its own message; however the overall message of the book is that if there is love in our hearts, there is love in this world. Our evolving world can appear “ugly,” hardened, and hopeless at times, yet each of us has the ability to change that.  Love runs deep within us all and softens the heart, which is the most powerful tool for transformation! This book is more than a book to be pulled out and read around a campfire, but rather its powerful messages are a great tool, and can be read and shared on any given day.

I give Campfire Stories for an Evolving World 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend it for ages 5 to 18. Adults will also love and appreciate this book. The book is available now and you can purchase a copy wherever books are sold.