Meet the Critics |
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At KidsPickFlicks, all kids are movie critics. We have a team of professional kid critics to make sure every movie has at least one review. Meet the KidsPickFlicks Critics:
In 2004, Cole McNamara conceived the idea for KidsPickFlicks after seeing Van Helsing. The special-effects film about slaying legendary monsters was panned by the critics, but Cole and all fourth-grade friends thought Van Helsing was thrilling. In fact, Cole noted, Van Helsing action figures were in the stores and the film had a merchandising deal with Burger King Kids Meals. Van Helsing was clearly a kids’ movie being evaluated on adult terms. And that’s unfair. The 9-year old envisioned a place where kids could put their own two cents in and decide for themselves which movies are good and which ones aren’t worth wasting their movie nights on. In 2004, he created KidsPickFlicks, a movie site where all kids can be movie critics. Cole is now 18 and was featured in the prestigious Variety Power of Youth/Youth Impact Report issue in 2010. Besides movies, Cole enjoys video games and boxing.
As president of KidsPickFlicks, Riley handles all of the face-to-face business for the site including red carpet celebrity interviews and making original webisodes! She's interviewed all kinds of stars including Adam Sandler, Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Anne Hathaway and Dwayne Johnson! Riley also is lead critic on movies for younger audiences. Riley is the world's youngest professional movie critic since she started reviewing movies for KidsPickFlicks at age 4 and Reelz Channel at age 6; additionally, she started her career as a red carpet reporter at age 8 with the movie Planet 51.
While filming Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn in the summer of 2012, Joel and Kat realized they shared more than a love of acting, they both love going to the movies! The duo started writing reviews for KidsPickFlicks with their unique perspective of being in the business, now titled Movie Star Movie Critics Movie Reviews. Joel is the star of Steven Spielberg's Super 8 and his upcoming films include Stephen King's Mercy and The Between. Kat is a Disney Channel/Disney XD alum as the star of "Girl vs. Monster" and a recurring character on "Kickin' It." She stars in this summer's movie about bullying, The Contest, and may be best known for stealing a kiss from Jake T. Austin in New Year's Eve.
Most kids know Ryan Ochoa as Lanny on Disney XD's "Pair of Kings" or Chuck on Nick's "iCarly," but KidsPickFlicks was impressed by him long before when he played a young Mexican Little Leaguer in the must-see movie The Perfect Game. Ryan's desire to share his love of film with other kids inspired him to become KidsPickFlicks.com's Celebrity Ambassador. In addition to making appearances on KidsPickFlicks behalf, Ryan also helps out Kat and Joel with the Movie Star Movie Critics Movie Reviews. Ryan is not only a very busy actor, he's also a rapper in the band Ochoa Boyz.
At 15 years old, Miranda R. is already an award-winning prolific writer. She's already written a novel, a screenplay and was her school's newspaper editor! Miranda R. loves sci-fi movies, reading, "Dr. Who," art and science. Miranda R. is also a reporter for Scholastic Kids! Cassandra H., Star Reporter
Jeremy H., Critic Boy Wonder Jeremy H. is a regular KidsPickFlicks contributor. He's 10 years old and loves to watch movies, especially films that are action-packed. He started writing reviews for KidsPickFlicks at age 8 and gets excited to go to advanced screenings. Jeremy values any movie which displays stunning visual artistry. Besides movies, he also likes to do program coding, video games, sports and reading. His favorite kids movie is Wreck-It Ralph. Cassandra and Jeremy pictured with Riley.
KidsPickFlicks is a site for kids but parents like to check in from time to time as well. Tara offers parent-to-parent information on what to expect in a film. Tara the Mom's reviews can always be found as the last entry for every film. Tara the Mom is a freelance writer and has written for "Variety," Fandango and ParentsAsk.com.
At KidsPickFlicks, all kids can be movie critics. Submit your review ("user review") on the listing page of each movie. You can also join the KidsPickFlicks Advisory Board, potentially be the lead critic for a film and have your movie reviews featured on the Home Page of KidsPickFlicks. To join the KPF Advisory Board, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it !
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Cole the Kid Critic, Lead Teen Critic, Film and Box Office Analyst
Monkey Riley, President and Lead Children's Critic
Joel Courtney and Katherine McNamara, Movie Star Movie Critics
Ryan Ochoa, Celebrity Ambassador
Miranda R., Chief Film Critic
Cassandra H. is a 13-year old student at a performing arts school who loves to watch movies and tell her peers what she thinks. As KidsPickFlicks "star reporter," Cassandra is in charge of print interviews and shares on-camera interview responsibilities with Riley. She's interviewed Justin Bieber, Billy Crystal, Bella Thorne, Debby Ryan and The Wanted, among many others. Cassandra loves to read, write and draw and has a passion for the arts.
Tara the Mom, Parent Reviewer
YOU!
