Snow Jam

In this winning combination of puppetry, computer animation, and rappin' song, homeboy Butch only wants one thing: snow. Unfortunately, he appears to be living in an unnamed but--judging from the weatherman's map--definitely Southwestern city where the prevailing forecast is: sun. Undeterred, Butch bundles up in his snow outfit, heads off to school, and checks out the library, where he learns about Native American rain dances. Spreading a little cheer amongst the squabbling black and Jewish tenants in his apartment complex, Butch and his crew draw on the various musical tastes of the community to concoct a potent audio mix that just might work a little meteorological magic. Amusingly narrated by Ossie Davis (as Asphalt, "the word on the street"), Steve Commer's infectious Snow Jam is a wonderful tribute to youthful persistence and pluck. Highly recommended. Aud: K, P. (R. Pitman)