My Dog Skip

Based on the late Willie Morris's bestselling memoir, this heartstring tugging boy and his terrier story stars Frankie Muniz (Malcolm in the Middle) as the young Morris, an almost stereotypical bookworm who automatically drops any kind of ball thrown to him. Picked on by local bullies, lacking friends, too shy to strike up a conversation with girls, our Willie's prayers are answered when his mother (Diane Lane) gives him a puppy for his 9th birthday in 1942. While the subplots (a sports hero turned town pariah for leaving the WWII battlefield; racism in sports--among other areas--in the deep South) provide narrative breadth, the central relationship of a boy and his best friend is what sticks in the mind after the credits roll. P.S.--While not as emotionally devastating as Old Yeller or Bambi, if you watch this with kids, bring Kleenex and hugs (and, truth be told, I had to clear my throat once or twice). Given the dearth of decent family fare and the sell-through price, we recommend you overlook the annoying conventions (the goofball action subplot with moonshiners; Willie's newfound self-confidence landing him the prettiest girl in the whole school) and give this puppy a home on your shelves. (R. Pitman)