Coalition for Quality Children's Media / KIDS FIRST

If you love #cartoons about #cuteanimals that go on wild #adventures, then #BoonieCubs is the perfect show for you. I found myself engaged, intrigued, and happy during each episode. Boonie Cubs is a #TV series about two bear cub brothers, Briar (#NichaliaSchwartz) and Bramble (#JosephSLambert), who live in the forest and have all kinds of expeditions with their friends Vick, Babu, Tiki, Coach Mack, and several others. Together, Briar and Bramble are hilarious! Briar is the smarter, adventurous, and more responsible brother, while Bramble relies on his brother for help, and is more laid-back and loves to eat. The forest friends all attend Pine Tree #Kindergarten and the wise #owl, Miss Olivia teaches them math. They also learn valuable lessons along the way while having fun in the forest. There are four seasons of Boonie Cubs. Each episode is around 25 minutes long, so it can easily hold the attention of younger audiences. The animation is vibrant and detailed, creating a work that feels alive and magical. The forest isn’t just the backdrop for the show, it feels like its own character, full of surprises and beauty. Even the bark on the trees has such a strong texture. The detail in the character’s faces really gives them each their own special personality. My personal favorite character is the squirrel, Warren, with his emerald green bright eyes. Boonie Cubs provides interesting facts about animals and nature. My favorite fun fact is how fireflies glow. Did you know they need oxygen to light their light? The more oxygen they have, the brighter their light is. I commend the director, #LeonDing, for balancing humor, adventure, and heartfelt lessons in this show, creating a series that entertains while teaching kids about teamwork, kindness, and protecting the environment. Available now on #Peacock and other streaming outlets! https://ow.ly/Qbeq50Uetja

This deserves a repost because it is so terrific. Arya B. interviews #PhoebeRaeTaylor and #RosemarieDewitt, actors in the upcoming film #OutofMyMind which is available on #Disney+ now. Ms. Taylor makes her acting debut in this film playing the lead role of Melody. Ms. DeWitt plays the role of Melody’s mother, Diane, and is best known for her performances in #RachelGettingMarried, #LaLa and, the remake of #Poltergeist, and more. Out of My Mind is a 2024 American #comingofage drama film based on the 2010 novel of the same name by #SharonMDraper. It is directed by #AmberSealey and written by #DanielStiepleman. The film stars Phoebe-Rae Taylor, Rosemarie DeWitt, #LukeKirby, #JudithLight, and #JenniferAniston. The story follows a young girl, Melody Brooks navigating sixth grade as a non speaking wheelchair user who has #cerebralpalsy and a photographic memory. With the help of some #assistivetechnology, plus her friends and the adults around her, Melody becomes more independent. The film premiered at the 2024 #SundanceFilmFestival on January 19, 2024, and is available now on Disney+ https://ow.ly/Fln650Uet6G

#Wicked is a masterpiece of enchanting visuals, a beautiful score, amazing acting, and it is a timeless tale. As someone unfamiliar with the music and storyline, this film was an absolute delight. Director #JonMChu masterfully embeds such great components to make this film truly something worth watching. The story tells the backstory of the “Good” and “Bad” witches, #Elphaba and #Glinda. The film opens by showing Elphaba’s past. She was born completely green, and society constantly rejects her until she is welcomed at Shiz University where she meets Glinda. At Shiz, Elphaba is granted the opportunity of new beginnings, and fights back against societal norms as she speaks out for what she believes in. While the two girls are very different, they work together in Elphaba's hopes of meeting the #Wizard whom she glorifies. However, once she meets the Wizard, she realizes what her heart truly desires. This film adaptation of the popular musical combines a compelling story line, a great soundtrack, and an amazing cast. #CynthiaErivo is perfectly cast as Elphaba, as she vocally, emotionally, and physically embodies her character perfectly. Erivo and #ArianaGrande, as Glinda, work so well together and create such a unique dynamic on the big screen. Their chemistry is what really ties this story together. However, the entire cast is packed with tons of iconic actors: #KristinChenoweth, #IdinaMenzel, #MichelleYeoh, and many other actors. The sound track is spectacular; the songs are the same as the original musical, but hearing them in this film is so satisfying. I’ve always loved “Popular” and “Defying Gravity,” so hearing Erivo and Grande’s interpretations blew me away. The cinematography by #AliceBrooks is remarkable. Watching the film I truly felt transported to the Land of Oz and I find it especially interesting how this iconic classic tale truly feels reinvented and brings a new light to the Land of Oz. In theaters Nov., 22 https://lnkd.in/ePJYRRzi

I absolutely love #Wicked! This ‘gravity defying’ movie is adapted from the hit musical of the same name that explores the beloved characters even deeper than before. Right from the start, this spectacular movie captured my attention. Wicked conveys the untold backstories of the witches of Oz - Elphaba (#CynthiaErivo) and Galinda (#ArianaGrande). Elphaba, a misunderstood young woman due to her green skin, attends Shiz University in Oz and creates an unexpected friendship with Galinda, who is obsessed with popularity. When they get the opportunity to meet the Wizard of Oz (#JeffGoldblum), everything changes, and the Wizard and the land of #Oz are not as they seem. Every fan of the musical or the book must see Wicked. Even though this movie covers just part one of Elphaba and Galinda’s story, it is ten minutes longer than the Broadway musical at two hours and 40 minutes. While this movie is long, it is definitely worth watching. I enjoyed it so much I could’ve watched another three hours of it. The set designs and costumes are magical. The costumes have so many details and the sets are perfectly crafted to fit the world of Oz. The Ozians even have their own funny versions of words. Both Ariana Grande as Galinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba give absolutely show-stopping-performances. Ariana Grande emulates Kristin Chenoweth’s voice, who played Galinda when the show opened on Broadway, while putting her own unique spin on the character. Cynthia Erivo has such a beautiful and powerful voice and she nails all of her songs. The songs are as catchy as ever. I left the movie theater with so many songs stuck in my head, and the movie magic this film brings really amplifies the impact of the songs. Additionally, be sure to look out for cameos from the original Broadway musical! Available in theaters November 22 https://lnkd.in/e95buD6G

#Wicked is one of the must-see films of this year. I absolutely loved seeing this film, full of music, dancing, and of course, magic. Following the long awaited death of the evil Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West (#CynthiaErivo), Glinda (#ArianaGrande) recalls her history with her once close friend, Elphaba, before she turned into someone feared by all in Oz. While attending school, Elphaba, who was bullied her entire life due to the color of her skin meets the preppy #Galinda. After discovering problems in Oz, Elphaba worked towards her lifelong dream of meeting the famous and great Wizard of Oz (#JeffGoldblum). However things are not always as they seem. Wicked brings the land of Oz to life in incredible and unreal ways. The scenes look so realistic as if it was truly filmed in #Oz. Fans of both the #Broadway musical and the original film will appreciate the larger than life enchantments of the sets. I was really looking forward to seeing Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s outstanding vocal performances. The iconic song, “Defying Gravity,” left me speechless. Their voices so perfectly merge and their chemistry is incredible. Something I was not aware of with this movie is that it is part one of two, with part two releasing next November. This film’s production is so amazing; I can’t imagine how the second one can surpass it. I love the story of this film, especially the deep morals of Elphaba’s character that define how she grew up. She looks out for everybody and makes sure to look out for herself as well. Elphaba is so strong and never lets anybody get in her way because she knows her goals and intends to achieve them. Such strong female characters really empower this film. I love the way Elphaba’s character brings out the best in Glinda and always pushes her to care less about what others think. My favorite scene is the end scene. It shows Elphaba escaping from the guards after using her powers to make her broom fly for the first time. She doesn’t let anybody get to her and flies around the sky singing “Defying Gravity,” of course hitting every note. Elphaba shows her independence and her drive during this song. This scene shows the true values of the film and it was life changing to watch. The film’s message is to always fight for what you believe in. People say that you can do anything you put your mind to and Wicked takes that idea to a new level. Elphaba has been through so many difficult situations in her life and never lets them keep her down. When she sees something wrong in Oz she strives for change and will undertake it alone if she has to. I give Wicked 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters November 22, 2024. https://ow.ly/kRh550UeivF

An Almost Christmas Story: A Delightful Holiday Short That Perfectly Embodies The Magic Of The Season #AnAlmostChristmasStory follows Moon, a curious young owl who unexpectedly finds himself stuck in a #Christmas tree destined for #RockefellerPlaza. In his attempts to escape the bustling city, Moon befriends a lost little girl named Luna. Together, they embark on a heartwarming adventure, discovering the magic of the holiday season and forming an unlikely bond as they journey back home to their parents. This animated short film is inspired by the true events of a tiny owl rescued from New York City’s Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in 2020. See our full review on Upscale Magazine: https://ow.ly/oeqy50UehsI

Enjoy Arya B.'s interview with #PhoebeRaeTaylor and #RosemarieDewitt, actors in the upcoming film #OutofMyMind which releases on Disney+ on November 22, 2024. Ms. Taylor makes her acting debut in this film playing the lead role of Melody. Ms. DeWitt plays the role of Melody’s mother, Diane, and is best known for her performances in Rachel Getting Married, La La Land, the remake of Poltergeist, and more. Out of My Mind is a 2024 American coming-of-age drama film based on the 2010 novel of the same name by #SharonMDraper. It is directed by #AmberSealey and written by #DanielStiepleman. The film stars Phoebe-Rae Taylor, Rosemarie DeWitt, #LukeKirby, #JudithLight, and #JenniferAniston. The story follows a young girl, Melody Brooks navigating sixth grade as a non speaking wheelchair user who has cerebral palsy and a photographic memory. With the help of some assistive technology and her friends and the adults around her, Melody is a little more independent. The film premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2024, and will be released on Disney+ on November 22, 2024. https://lnkd.in/eiENuNDN

Spellbound is a heartfelt, fantasy-adventure movie about family and what family means. Done with beautiful animation and fantastic songs, there is a lot to love here! #Spellbound follows the adventures of Ellian (Rachel Zegler), the tenacious young daughter of the rulers of Lumbria, who must go on a daring quest to save her family and kingdom after a mysterious spell transforms her parents. The movie is a modern take on a fairy tale that uses familiar elements like a kingdom, princess, king, queen, and a spell to express the story of a family. I like that Spellbound shows unhealthy family dynamics, and the idea that many of us view our parents as monsters. And yet for Princess Ellian (Rachel Zegler), a spell really did transform her royal parents (Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem) into monsters. In making this dark fantasy come true, this transformation makes for a good analogy with tweens and parents. The movie is full of heart, laughter, and family -- all done with vibrant, colorful animation. Every scene is so beautiful that I could not take my eyes off the screen. All the characters are adorable. Spellbound features an all-star voice cast led by Rachel Zegler, who voices Ellian, playing the perfect princess with a beautiful voice. Ellian is independent, optimistic, and I like that in a princess. Nathan Lane voices Sunny the Oracle of the Sun and Tituss Burgess does Ludo the Oracle of the Moon – they are perfect together. Other excellent voice cast includes John Lithgow and Jenifer Lewis. Spellbound is about what it is that really makes a family. It is a modern fairy-tale that combines magical elements with a relatable story about family dynamics and overcoming alienation. On Netflix starting November 22, 2024. https://ow.ly/uH9V50UcObO

#OutofMyMind is a coming-of-age film about a 12-year-old non-verbal girl with #cerebralpalsy who must learn to stand up for herself. The storyline follows Melody (#PhoeberaeTaylor) who is born with cerebral palsy and can’t walk or speak. Although she is extremely bright and understands complex topics similar to those her age, but has limited opportunities to learn as she's been stuck in the same special education class since kindergarten. Melody desperately wants to be able to attend a regular classroom with other sixth graders. Although her mom Diane (#RosemarieDewitt) and her dad Chuck (#LukeKirby) are both caring and dedicated parents, they disagree about her ability to survive in a regular sixth grade classroom. Melody is given the chance to attend a regular 6th grade classroom with a visiting doctor Katherine Post (#CourtneyTaylor) at her side. Melody falls in love with the experience because she can understand what is being taught and also makes a new friend Rose (#MariaNash). However, Melody cannot raise her hand to answer questions because she communicates by pointing to letters or to her surroundings. The classroom teacher, Mr. Dimming (#MichaelChernus), becomes frustrated and does not want Melody there. The main plot involves a Whiz Kids competition in which the four smartest kids in the class compete on a national level. However, Mr. Dimming refuses to grade Melody’s exam because he does not think she can compete. The movie shows the various obstacles in Melody’s way: fighting to stay in the sixth-grade classroom, fighting to be on the Whiz Kids team, and fighting to make friends with other sixth graders and show them she is just as capable and interesting. One of my favorite parts is when Rose takes Melody to the mall -- they laugh and have so much fun together that Rose forgets Melody has a disability. My favorite character is Melody because she is confident and strong in the face of adversity. On Disney+ on Nov. 22

#Wicked is a visually stunning and emotionally powerful film. The film tells a story of friendship, courage, and staying true to yourself. It challenges the idea of good versus evil. Wicked tells a story of how a green-skinned girl named Elphaba (#CynthiaErivo), who everyone thinks is bad, and Glinda (#ArianaGrande), a popular girl, become unlikely best friends. It shows how being different can be powerful and how people aren’t always what they seem. Wicked isn’t just a movie—it’s an experience. Jon M. Chu’s direction, a stellar cast, and breathtaking visuals come together to create something truly magical. The performances are outstanding. Elphaba has an incredible heart and strength of character. Her journey from being an outcast to embracing her power is inspiring. Glinda is equally captivating. Her bubbly, lighthearted charm balances the story beautifully, and Glinda’s evolving bond with Elphaba adds emotional depth. Their relationship is the heart of the film, showing how true friendship can overcome differences. The supporting cast also excels. Boq (#EthanSlater) and Fiyero (#JonathanBailey) are portrayed with depth and complexity. Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) commands attention. Visually, Wicked is stunning. The costumes and set designs are so detailed; they make every scene magical. From the vibrant Shiz University and dazzling Emerald City, to small touches like Elphaba’s sharp green nails and Glinda’s golden locks, the Land of Oz feels alive. The clever use of pink and green throughout the film reflects the contrasting personalities of the two leads. The music and vocals are the soul of the movie and each song is packed with emotion, from the empowering “Defying Gravity” to the bubbly “Popular.” Christopher Scott’s choreography is big and joyful. The story’s arc is deeply satisfying, exploring how Elphaba and Glinda start as rivals and grow into strong, complex women. Wicked opens in theaters November 22, 2024. https://ow.ly/8zKt50UcNsu