Lassie
"Lassie", written and directed by Charles Sturridge, takes us back to the original story of the love between a young boy and his dog, and scores a C+...
Most Americans remember the 1943 MGM movie titled "Lassie Come Home" starring Roddy McDowall and Elizabeth Taylor. Following in the 50's is the TV series "Lassie" (1954-74) starring Tommy Retting (played Jeff Miller) and June Lockhart. In syndication such titles appeared as "Jeff's Collie" and "Timmy & Lassie". When Tommy Retting died, he was replaced by Jon Provost (who played Timmy) in 1957, with 591, 30-minute episodes being filmed between the two stars.
Both the movie and the TV series are based on Eric Knight's 1940 novel called "Lassie Come Home" with its roots in Britain's onset to World War II as the back drop. This version takes us back to the beginning in Britain, in the 30's...
The story opens with a foxhunt through the narrow streets of a small town in near Yorkshire in northern England, led by the Duke of Rudling (Peter O'Toole). The fox runs through town, being chased by the foxhounds, into the mines where the majority of the men in town work. The men help the fox escape, and, we're introduced to Sam John Lynch). Sam and his wife Sarah, have a 9 year old son, Joe (Jonathan mason) who's pet is a Collie named Lassie. Joe is a lonely boy whose dog is his best friend. Lassie, who knows when she hears the church bell ring, its time for Joe to leave school, makes her way through the streets to meet Joe each day after school. The residents of the town know Lassie and nod as she makes her daily trek through the streets. The Duke sees Lassie and makes an offer to Sam for Lassie. The Duke wants Lassie for a present to his granddaughter Cilla (Hester Odgers). Sam refuses to sell, but as times get really tough when the mine is closed and out of work, Sam reluctantly agrees to sell Lassie, which breaks his son's heart.
Lassie is shipped off to Scotland, 500 miles away, where the Duke's granddaughter is staying and comes under the care of kennelman Hynes (Steve Pemberton) who is quiet abusive to Lassie as he tries break her spirit. After a few unsuccessful attempts at escape, with the subtle help of Cilla, Lassie makes her escape from the estate kennel and starts her journey from Scotland back to Joe. Along the way, Lassie meets a hosts of people, some nice and some, not so nice. Lassie crosses mountains, swamps, grasslands, and forestlands, sometimes almost starving to death, but pushes on to get home.
Solid performances, along with beautiful scenery, make this version of the Lassie classic very watchable. Interesting characters Lassie meets include two Loch Ness monster seekers, and a puppeteer named Rowlie (affectionately played by Peter Dinklage) who saves Lassie's life. Samantha Morton and John Lynch as Joe's parents are solid, and Jonathan Mason as Joe comes across as an average 9 year old and not an actor, who refuses to let go of his best friend. Peter O'Toole demonstrates why he's an icon with a sometimes funny and serious side to the Duke. Other notable English actors include Edward Fox and Robert Hardy who are British staples in English films. This version of "Lassie", under the direction of Charles Sturridge, is solid and unpretentious without getting too melodramatic with just the right balance between humor, action, and drama for an entertaining family film, for the whole family...
"Monster House", Directed by Gil Kenan, with producers Robert Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg, used the digital animation technique of motion capture Zemeckis brought upfront with "The Polar Express" and scores a B+...
Sky High is the newest film to tackle super-heroes, a topic that has become so common in film that it should soon be awarded its own genre. The characters are all original, so no ridiculously long running concepts have to be honored, but the film dives into comic book stereotypes with unusual candor. 
Quite possibly one of the greatest holiday specials ever created, this Muppet special was released to DVD in 2001. The classic story of Emmet and friends trying to scrape enough together for the holidays, deciding to compete in the local talent show to raise money, only to be threatened by the Riverbottom gang. The story demonstrates the possibility of unity and togetherness even in the face of adversity. Not your typical holiday tale, but I think that's why it works. This was one of the initial Muppet forays beyond the variety show style atmosphere of the Muppet Show, demonstrating the ability of puppets to carry an entire production. As with other Muppet features, the story has elements designed to appeal to both kids and adults, without dumbing anything down or needing to offend to carry a point. Possibly the coolest plus about this DVD version is the Dolby 5.1 sound, which adds an element missing in the previous VHS release,although scenes containing Kermit the Frog are removed. The DVD is lacking in any exciting additional features, only including a couple of trailers, which are mere advertisements for other video.
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