My Take - Click - review

My Take on the Movies
A Mini-Review of
CLICK
By: A. L. “Toni” Anderson

Adam Sandler stars in the 2006 film Click, the story of an oppressed family man whose search for a “universal” remote nets him more control over his universe than he bargained for. The screenplay is written by Steve Koren and Mark O’Keefe. The film is directed by Frank Coraci (The Wedding Singer - 1998).

As the film opens, Michael Newman (Sandler), the father of two small children, is overworked at his job and harassed at home. Of the many things his annoying young neighbor continually points out that he is lacking, all he asks is to trade in the hodgepodge of remotes which operate everything from his garage door to his ceiling fan. He makes a late-night trip to the local Bed, Bath & Beyond (with emphasis on the “Beyond”), and meets a very unusual gentleman (Christopher Walken), who grants his wish in an unusual fashion. Life is good—for all of fifteen minutes. Things soon go haywire, as they are prone to do in Sandler films, and what had initially seemed like a good idea turns really bad—rapidly!
To make matters worse, there is no going back.

Newman’s wife is played by Kate Beckinsale (The Aviator - 2004); his loving children are played by Joseph Castanon and Jake Hoffman (Liberty Heights - 1999) as Ben, and Tatum McCann and Katie Cassidy (When a Stranger Calls - 2006) as Samantha. Newman’s parents are played by Henry “Fonzie” Winkler and Julie Kavner (the voice of Marge Simpson). The lying boss, Ammer, is played by David Hasselhoff (Knight Rider and Baywatch).

In some places the film is funnier than expected, but it is not all giggles and smiles. The film takes an unexpected detour and explores a more serious side of life. It plausibly addresses some issues that concern most of us as parents, and as adult children of aging mothers and fathers. It is a cautionary tale about being careful of what you wish for, and about too much of a good thing.

Surprisingly I sort of liked Click, and the idea of being in control for a change has a certain appeal. I want to think I would have made wiser choices, however, but that may not be the case. It is surely something worth considering. I am kind of on the fence on this one, neither advocating for nor against. Perhaps you’ll want to wait for the DVD, and judge for yourself. [1:38]

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[© 06/28/2006]

My Take - Waist Deep - review

My Take on t he Movies
A Mini-Review of
WAIST DEEP
By: A. L. “Toni” Anderson

Tyrese “Baby Boy” Gibson stars in Waist Deep (2006), the action-filled drama about a man determined to recover his kidnapped son from the clutches of a cold-blooded murderer. He is aided and abetted by Meagan Good (Eve’s Bayou - 1997) as Coco, the initially reluctant love interest, and by Larenz Tate (Crash - 2004) as Lucky, the unreliable cousin. Rapper The Game plays the role of “Big Meat,” a ruthless crime czar, who looks as mean and ugly as his character is portrayed to be. The film is directed by Vondie Curtis Hall, with music by Terence Blanchard.

O2 (Gibson) is a convicted career criminal whose only wish is to be there for his son, Otis Junior (H. Hunter Hall). Unfortunately, events (and Big Meat) conspire to separate them. O2 is committed to doing whatever it takes to rescue Junior, even if it means teaming up with hustler Coco and depending on the undependable Lucky.

A gang war of sorts ensues, as well as a string of highly publicized safety deposit box robberies. A backdrop to all of the carjacking and other miscellaneous illegal activity is a “Save Our Streets” rally, the volume of which actually helps to camouflage the robbers’ escape, as well, ironically, as a jacking of a more personal nature. The extreme violence is nearly sickening, but not enough to cause most people to leave the theater.

The heists pulled off by O2 and Coco are well-thought-out, in contrast to some other films of this variety, and the plot only improves as it goes along. [It is too bad that the electrical power in my local theater went out, just as the action was getting really interesting!] The car chase scenes were as realistic as they could be, in a city where gridlock is a 24-hour condition.

The voices of author Michael Eric Dyson and rapper Yo-Yo (Yolanda Whittaker) appear as part of a radio program on Los Angeles’ KDAY, adding another dimension of reality to the film. There are small appearances by Kimora Lee Simmons (wife of Russell Simmons), William Duffy (The West Wing), Shawn Parr (Heist), and Darris Love (Without a Trace).

I love intelligent criminals, fast car chases, and even a degree of violence. This film contains all of these, plus the element of surprise! Put all of that together with a fully grown up Larenz Tate and a satisfying sense of street justice, and you have my idea of a movie. The sound track featuring Ice Cube and Mack 10 also doesn’t hurt. This one gets my vote! It was well worth returning to the theater the following day, to see the end of the film. [RT 1:37]

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[© 06/25/2006]

My Take - Cars - review

My Take on the Movies
A Mini-Review of
CARS
By: A. L. “Toni” Anderson

Cars (2006) is an enchanting little film that does what any children’s film should do—it entertains, it makes one think, and it touches one’s heart. The screenplay is written by Dan Fogelman, and directed by John Lasseter (Toy Story 2 - 1999). (Co-director credit is given to Joe Ranft, who died in a car crash last year.)

Cars is an animated tale of a sporty little hot rod car, Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson of Meet the Fockers - 2004), who aspires to be the winner of the Piston Cup, and to achieve all of the fame and prestige that a win would entail. Unfortunately, he must prevail against The King (voice of famed NASCAR driver Richard Petty) and the unscrupulous Chick Hicks (voice of Michael Keaton of Batman and Batman Returns - 1990/1992). When the Southern Classic race ends in a three-way photo finish, the race moves on to Los Angeles. Lightning makes an unintended detour along Old Route 66, and changes his life forever.

All of the “people” in the film are cars, including the race spectators. Even the “horse flies” are tiny little cars, and are no less annoying for that fact. Despite the film’s flights of fantasy, the reality is that the film celebrates a simpler time—pre-omnipresent interstate, and place—where individuals put the needs of their neighbors before their own. Lightning discovers the meaning of a true friend at the hands of Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy), and of a true love at the hands of Sally (voice of Bonnie Hunt of Cheaper by the Dozen 2 - 2005).

A collection of additional film and television stars lend their voices to the mostly lovable characters in Cars—Paul Newman (as Doc Hudson), George Carlin (as Fillmore) Cheech Marin (as Ramone), Jenifer Lewis of Madea’s Family Reunion - 2006 (as Flo), and Katherine Helmond of Everybody Loves Raymond (as Lizzie). It only adds to interest in the film as one attempts to match the vaguely familiar voices with the names one knows so well.

Just like my favorite fairy tales, I found this movie was actually fun to watch. It was a good thing, too. I went to see it on a Friday, alone, and wouldn’t you know it, my grandson coerced me into seeing it again on Saturday. I didn’t mind a bit; some lessons it takes me twice to learn. I am confident that he learned some important things, as well.

I recommend this adorably cute film, for the child in all of us! [RT 1:56]

♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠
[© 06/17/2006]

My Take - Over the Hedge - review

My Take on the Movies
A Mini-Review of
OVER THE HEDGE
By: A. L. “Toni” Anderson

Over the Hedge (2006) is a delightful animated children’s movie about a close-knit group of wild creatures living in a wood. An assortment of bears, turtles, skunks, porcupines, opossums, and one crafty raccoon wake up one spring after hibernating all winter, to discover that suburbia has crept up on them while they slept.

The film is adapted from a comic strip of the same name, written by Michael Fry and T. Lewis. The screenplay is by Len Blum, Lloyd Cameron, Karey Kirkpatrick, and David Hoselton, and the film is directed by Tim Johnson and Karey Kirkpatrick. The original score is furnished by Ben Folds and Rupert Gregson-Williams.

The voices of the cute little furry animals are provided by such noted actors, comedians, and singers as Bruce Willis, Garry Shandling, Wanda Sykes, William Shatner, Nick Nolte, and Avril Lavigne, among others. The voices fit each of the characters perfectly, adding to the beauty of the complete experience.

The two worlds (wilderness and civilization) collide as a result of the pilfering of a stash of the winter’s store of food. It must be replaced on penalty of a severe thrashing. Working together, the animals accidentally stumble upon more provisions than they could have ever imagined. The humans, meanwhile, cannot imagine sharing their food (and their living space) with wild animals. Being humans, they naturally fight back with an arsenal of modern technology.

The underlying premise here is not very far-fetched. It is happening all around us. The once beautiful scenery that lies thirty minutes away from urbania is now marred by densely packed matchbox houses dotting the hillsides. Vistas of landscape filled with grazing cows, horses, and even sheep are much more rare today. Civilization is encroaching on nature at an ever-increasing pace.

And there is a lesson here for all of us about what it means to be family, as different as we all might look. The lesson will not be lost on your offspring. Gather up the kids (or the grandkids), and prepare for an hour and a half of pure enjoyment—just like when we were kids. [RT 1:23]

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[© 06/06/2006]

My Take - The Da Vinci Code - review

My Take on the Movies
A Mini-Review of
THE DA VINCI CODE
By: A. L. “Toni” Anderson

Amidst a flurry of news articles, protests, and international litigation, The Da Vinci Code (2006) opened in theaters this past weekend, earning more than $200 million worldwide over the course of the three days. Undoubtedly, the controversy helped to increase the film’s opening revenues, which were the largest so far this year.

The film is director Ron Howard’s interpretation of Dan Brown’s 2003 book, which itself evoked the ire of the Catholic Church. Claims made concerning Mary Magdalene and Jesus Christ; Opus Dei (literally the work of God), a conservative Catholic group; and the Priory of Sion (depicted as the protectors of the Holy Grail) have apparently offended The Vatican. The litigation filed by the authors of Holy Blood, Holy Grail (1982), upon which Brown purportedly based his novel, concerns an alleged copyright infringement.

The Code opens with the murder of Jacques Saunière (French actor Jean-Pierre Marielle), curator of the internationally famous Louvre museum in Paris. In the moments before he finally succumbs to the gunshot wound inflicted by Opus Dei member Silas, Saunière leaves clues which lead police to Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks), a published symbologist, and indirectly to Saunière’s granddaughter Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou), a police cryptographer. Thus begins a treasure hunt which leads the seekers to renowned landmarks and through several European countries, in search of the Holy Grail. Clues are found in the various works of Leonardo Da Vinci, including the Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, and the Vitruvian Man.

The movie follows Brown’s novel, to a large degree. Much of the repetition of the novel is excised in favor of time, as is a good deal of the annoying inner dialogue of several of the characters. The sequence of some events is altered in relation to other events, and some of the language is changed. Sadly, none of this alteration seems to have clarified the many confusing aspects of the novel.

Tom Hanks seems somewhat out of his element as the serious, tight-lipped Langdon. Much of his dialogue and that of his partner Neveu seems stilted. Conversely, Jean Reno (The Pink Panther - 2006) is excellent as Captain Bezu Fache, as is Paul Bettany (A Beautiful Mind - 2001) as Silas, and Ian McKellen (The Lord of the Rings - 2006) as Sir Leigh Teabing.

After having read the novel a couple of years ago, and then again immediately prior to the film’s release, I had some idea of what was transpiring. It is not clear to me, however, that anyone who has not read the novel will fully comprehend the film without some independent research. Although I did enjoy the book, I was not thrilled by the film. Possibly the story was a bit complex to translate well onto the screen.

I did learn some things as a result of the controversy surrounding the movie, and that can never be minimized. You may not be crazy about The Da Vinci Code, but how can you not see the movie that is being seen by millions? [2:20]

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[© 05/22/2006]

My Take - RV - review

My Take on the Movies
A Mini-Review of
RV
By: A. L. “Toni” Anderson

Comedian Robin Williams (perhaps best known for his role in Mrs. Doubtfire - 1993) stars as Bob Munro in RV (2006), a hilarious comedy about a road trip from California to Colorado. The real purpose for the trip, however, is kept a secret from the wife and kids.

Bob is a sales executive for a national beverage company. This unscrupulous distributor is seeking to control the operations of a small Colorado-based, family-owned business, with Bob’s help. The ethical considerations of the acquisition, however, take a back seat to his domestic issues. One major problem is the involuntary postponement of an eagerly anticipated trip to Hawaii, in favor of the dreaded drive in a rented recreational vehicle nicknamed “the rolling turd.”

To make matters worse, the Munros meet (and are haunted by) a weird family whose entire life is spent in a big red bus. The Gornickes are played by Jeff Daniels (Dumb and Dumber - 1994), Kristen Chenoweth (The West Wing), Hunter Parrish, Alex Farris, and Chloe Sonnenfeld (daughter of director Barry Sonnenfeld). (The screenplay is written by Geoff Rodkey (The Shaggy Dog - 2006 and Daddy Day Care – 2003.)

Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm) is Jamie Munro, Bob’s somewhat clueless wife. Top 40 singer JoJo Levesque (Total Request Live) and Josh Hutcherson (Zathura: A Space Adventure - 2005) play Bob’s rebellious and generally unimpressed children. Bob’s continuing attempts to connect with his teens provide most of the genuine comedy.

In several places, I was laughing out loud at Bob’s inappropriate use of street slang and generally at the unlikely situations in which the Munros find themselves. Even if Williams’ humor is not quite your cup of tea, e.g., overflowing septic tanks and references to the “South Bitch” diet, the breathtaking scenery in both Utah and Colorado are worth the price of admission.

Earlier that day, I left another theater feeling unfulfilled and needing a lift. Unexpectedly, RV provided just what I needed. If you like Robin Williams, or even if you don’t, I would recommend that you see RV. It made me believe that there is still hope for mankind; it will make you believe, too.

♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠
[© 05/17/2006]

My Take - Poseidon - review

My Take on the Movies
A Mini-Review of
POSEIDON
By: A. L. “Toni” Anderson

The adventure film of the summer, Poseidon (2006), began this weekend in my local theater. Harkening back to the early 1970s, Poseidon is the reincarnation of the disaster movie genre that began with films such as Airport (1970) and continued with The Towering Inferno (1974). The star of this film is a behemoth oceanliner named for the Greek god of the sea. The film is from the 1969 novel The Poseidon Adventure by Paul Gallico, and is directed by Wolfgang Petersen (Troy - 2004).

The story takes place on New Year’s Eve, amidst celebration, laughter, and an abundance of life. The celebration is short-lived, however, as a rogue tidal wave broadsides the ship, and the real fun begins! As in the original 1972 film (The Poseidon Adventure), a motley group of passengers splits off from the main body, in an effort to survive until they can all be rescued—or not.

André Braugher (Thief - 2006) is Captain Bradford, , responsible for the lives of several hundred passengers. Josh Lucas (Glory Road - 2006) is Dylan Johns, a professional gambler and an ex-Navy man. Kurt Russell (Vanilla Sky - 2001) is Robert Ramsey, former mayor of New York and a father trying to reconnect with his adult daughter. Richard Dreyfuss (Jaws - 1975) is architect Richard Nelson, a gay man whose lover has luckily ditched the ship—and Richard. Jacinda Barrett, Jimmy Bennett, Emmy Rossum, Mike Vogel, and Mia Maestro make up the balance of the escape party, not all of whom make it to the finish line.

As movies go, Poseidon has its fair share of suspense and drama. The main characters work well together in discovering solutions to each new challenge, but there is no real chemistry between any of them. The disaster scenes are spectacular, as is the ship itself, but one tends to become immune to calamity after the ninety-ninth dead body.

Poseidon is being shown on at least three screens at my regular theater, but that was a decision that may turn out to be ill-considered. The film likely won’t live up to Hollywood’s expectations, and it certainly does not live up to mine. The most thought-provoking aspect of the film involves the use of a religious symbol as a tool. What happens next is sort of ironic, but you can judge that for yourself should you decide to see the film.

In my opinion, there is nothing and nobody in this movie that would make it worthwhile rushing out to see. My advice is take your time. Wait for this one to appear on DVD.

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[© 05/14/2006]

My Take - Capote - review

My Take on the Movies
A Mini-Review of
CAPOTE
By: A. L. “Toni” Anderson

Due no doubt to the furor over the 2006 Academy Awards, Capote (2005) has been re-released into local theaters. I am not certain how I managed to miss it the first time, but I am glad that I did not repeat that initial mistake.

Philip Seymour Hoffman (Empire Falls - 2005) is a splendid Truman Capote, bringing the spirit of the famous author back to life. Seymour deftly duplicates the voice and speech patterns, the mannerisms, and the wit of Capote, and even resembles him somewhat. He recreates the unmistakable essence of Capote, down to his incessant smoking and drinking and dirty fingernails. The movie is “based on” true events, but one cannot help but believe that the characteri­zation of Capote is right on the money!

The film tells the story which is the basis of Capote’s 1966 book In Cold Blood (perhaps the first non-fiction novel), the product of his increasing fascination with journalism. His nose for news results in a trip to Holcomb, Kansas on behalf of The New Yorker to investigate the grisly murders of the Clutter family in 1959. Richard Hickock (Mark Pellegrino) and Perry Smith (Clifton Collins Jr.) (who are both portrayed sympathetically in the film) are subsequently apprehended for the crime, and thus begins a long series of meetings and correspondence between the accused and Mr. Capote.

Catherine Keener (The Interpreter - 2005) depicts Nelle Harper Lee, Capote’s childhood friend and the author of To Kill a Mockingbird (in which a character is in fact patterned on the real Capote). Chris Cooper (Syriana - 2005) portrays the character of Alvin Dewey Jr., lead detective of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, who was largely credited with solving the case.

Capote’s duplicitous relationship with Perry Smith is at the center of the film, although representations of Truman’s “friendships” with many luminaries of the time are woven throughout. Bruce Greenwood (The World’s Fastest Indian - 2005) portrays Capote’s companion and fellow author, Jack Dunphy.

The dismal rural Kansas landscape is recreated in Manitoba, Canada, and the atmosphere is thoroughly reminiscent of the American Midwest of the 1960s. The film feels authentic, down to the famous Dick Avedon photographs, if one is not too picky. It keeps one on the edge of one’s seat, even as Capote is himself edgy over the eventual outcome of the Smith and Hickock trial and subsequent appeals.

I was thoroughly intrigued by the film, although I am certain that I missed some of the movie’s finer points. I would recommend the film to anyone who has a thirst for true life stories and a passion for the macabre.

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[© 02/08/2006]

My Take - Monster House - review

My Take on the Movies
A Mini-Review of
MONSTER HOUSE
By: A. L. “Toni” Anderson

At the request of my grandson, Rashad, I spent a very hot Saturday afternoon viewing Monster House (2006), the latest beautifully animated project of executive producers Robert Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg. Honestly, though, I had wanted to see this film ever since I saw the first previews, months ago. It represents Gil Kenan’s debut as a director, and the screenplay is co-written by Dan Harmon and Rob Schrab.

The film begins with sunlight and happiness and singing, which quickly turn to frowns and tears and hurt feelings, under the watchful eye of the boy living across the street. In the past, he has reported other strange events at the wicked-looking house, and his accounts have been entirely discounted as products of an overactive imagination. When he reports this sorrowful incident, the outcome is the same.

The nonchalant parents of D.J. (voice of Mitchell Musso of Avatar: The Last Airbender) leave him and his best friend Chowder (voice of Sam Lerner of Malcolm in the Middle) alone on the day before Hallowe’en, to await the arrival of the babysitter Elizabeth/Zee (voice of Maggie Gyllenhaal of Mona Lisa Smile - 2003). All of the scary things that never transpire when grownups are around naturally begin to happen with much more frequency now that Mom and Dad are away.

After a freaky “accident” following which Nebbercracker (the house’s owner) is taken away in an ambulance, the house develops an unpleasant face and personality of its own, and begins to seem almost human. The two boys take on the task of saving the neighborhood from the predatory monster house, and they, along with the brilliant Jenny (Spencer Locke of Phil of the Future), are left to solve its mystery. The town’s only two police officers are of no help, of course, and being the next best thing to children themselves, they are attacked by the house as well.

The children learn several lessons in humanity in their quest for the perfect solution, and the audience will also. Here is where I would normally list the names that go along with the voices of the remainder of the main characters, but I decline to do so this time. Some of the characters’ voices are of well-known actors, and if I give those names away, it might spoil the fun of trying to figure out the voices for yourself. I highly recommend this film, for children and for those who are still children at heart. The animation and the performances are all superb, as is the writing. The film is utterly satisfying in every respect, even providing a measure of good natured chills for those of us who still like a good Hallowe’en story. [RT 1:31]

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[© 07/24/2006]

My Take - Mission: Impossible III - review

My Take on the Movies
A Mini-Review of
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE III
By: A. L. “Toni” Anderson

Tom Cruise is back as Impossible Mission Forces agent Ethan Hunt in the 2006 installment of the Mission: Impossible series. He is retired from field work in favor of training recruits, but when his best student (Keri Russell) is captured, he is forced back into the game. The screenplay is written by Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, and J. J. Abrams, and is based on the 1988 television series created by Bruce Geller. The film is directed by J. J. Abrams, creator of television’s Lost and Alias.

Agent Hunt, like any good agent, is living a secret life. To his friends, he is an engineer with the Virginia Department of Transportation, spending his days studying boring traffic patterns. He is engaged to a nurse (Michelle Monaghan of Mr. & Mrs. Smith - 2005), who necessarily knows nothing about his other life. A major problem develops when his home life becomes intertwined with his work life, in the worst possible way.

The film’s story line involves the search for and recovery of a “rabbit’s foot”; for Hunt, this rabbit’s foot is very unlucky indeed. His adversary in this enterprise is Phillip Seymour Hoffman (Capote) as Owen Davian, an unscrupulous and notorious black marketeer. Hoffman is so convincing in this villainous and cold-blooded role that one’s perception of him as a man could subconsciously be altered. The perception of him as a very fine actor, however, remains unchanged.

Hunt’s IMF team members consist of Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Alexander - 2004) as Declan, Maggie Quigley (Rush Hour 2 - 2001) as Zhen, and Ving Rhames (Baby Boy - 2001) as Luther. Billy Crudup (Almost Famous - 2000) plays Musgrave, the operative who draws Hunt into this fine mess, and Simon Pegg (Land of the Dead - 2005) plays Dunn, the electronics whiz who helps to get him out. Laurence Fishburne is John Brassel, the take-no-prisoners supervising agent. Although all of the support roles in the film take a back seat to the various explosions and chases, Fishburne in particular makes the most of his limited part.

The movie contains a small measure of the intrigue of the original television series. Certainly it contains just as much action and better special effects. Two things that do appear to be lacking, though, are the intricate planning on the agents’ behalf and the cohesive teamwork of the original force. Somehow, too, the disguises and impersonations do not seem quite as believable as in the original.

The film is a travelogue of sorts, with several scenes taking place in Rome, Italy; in Berlin, Germany; and in Shanghai, China. Some of the scenery is pretty spectacular. Unfortunately, much of it is overshadowed by Hunt’s Spiderman-like antics. Let’s not kid ourselves. The movie is not about Oscar-quality acting, but about peril and risk, about flashy sports cars and exciting speedboats. Maybe it’s even about Tom Cruise. If those things strike your fancy, you can’t go wrong with M:I:3.

♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠

[© 05/07/2006]

My Take - Akeelah and the Bee - review

My Take on the Movies
A Mini-Review of
AKEELAH AND THE BEE
By: A. L. “Toni” Anderson

Keke Palmer (Madea’s Family Reunion - 2006) is Akeelah Anderson of Akeelah and the Bee (2006). This “feel-good” movie, which stars Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett, is directed by Doug Atchison. The screenplay is also by Atchison, who received an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences fellowship for this work in 2000.

The film tells the story of an 11-year-old Crenshaw (Los Angeles) Middle School student who enters a school spelling bee against her will, with predictable results. She is encouraged, however, by the spirit of her murdered father, who is reduced to a photograph on a desk. She faces and overcomes the expected obstacles of an unhappy home and family life and a depressing school atmosphere. Consequently, the entire first half of the movie is dispiriting and flat.

The usually brilliant Fishburne (as Dr. Larrabee, a former UCLA English professor and Akeelah’s spelling bee coach) initially seems to have “phoned in” this performance. He appears to have morphed into Heathcliff Huxtable, minus the humor. It is not until the final minutes of the movie that his character shows any sense of humanity, while allowing his internal demons to show. As Akeelah’s mother Tanya, Bassett likewise does not deliver her usual winning performance. Despite her character’s justifiable anger over her daughter’s deception, the fire in Bassett’s pretty eyes is somehow missing.

Akeelah’s older brother is played by Lee Thompson Young (Jett Jackson: The Movie - 2001); her sister and remaining brother are played by Erica Hubbard (Everybody Hates Chris) and Julito McCullum (who appeared in The Wool Cap - 2004 along with Ms. Palmer). Akeelah’s best friend Georgia is played by Sahara Garey (That’s So Raven).

One bright performance in this otherwise bland film is the one delivered by J. R. Villareal (House) as Javier, Akeelah’s only ally in the beginning stages of her journey. For the most part, all of the other bee contestants are unremarkable, and utterly forgettable. Tzi Ma (Rush Hour - 1998) is very effective as the father of one of the bee’s participants; however, his role is very minor and otherwise limited.

The best aspect of the movie is that it momentarily put me in touch with my own inner child. The worst is that the basic story is too cliché, and the outcome is too predictable. The final half hour is warm and fuzzy—full of community spirit and the finest in human nature; unfortunately, it is just not enough to make the first hour and fifteen minutes worth watching.

Interestingly, BET has begun airing Keke Palmer’s new video “All My Girlz,” allegedly from the movie. Although Keke appears older in the video, her performance is unimproved. Regrettably, the video is every bit as dull as the film.

♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠

[© 04/29/2006]