Cody Linley

Mystery novelist and Miami Herald columnist Carl Hiaasen aimed his book Hoot at young adults, so it's fitting that the movie version ends up filling the widening generational gap at the cinemas. Adapted by television director Wil Shriner, this topical tale provides mildly suspenseful and mostly rewarding entertainment the whole family can enjoy.

Everything about Hoot feels relaxed, from the leisurely pace of the central mystery to the laid-back soundtrack of Jimmy Buffet tunes - the singer acts as executive producer and even takes a break from touring the globe to play a high school science teacher.

Continue reading: Hoot Review

Nobody survives the gauntlet... no one, that is, except for the filmmakers of My Dog Skip.

Continue reading: My Dog Skip Review

An old fashioned kids' flick that embraces its clichés and serves them up with a contagious, indomitable spirit, "My Dog Skip" is a genuine I-laughed-I-cried pic that miraculously sidesteps the kind of eye-rolling material it could have easily become.

Based on an autobiographical book by Willie Morris about the World War II-era adventures of a lonely, small-town pip-squeak (Frankie Muniz from "Malcolm In the Middle") and his dog (duh!), "Skip" affectionately visits all the expected territory -- bullies, baseball and the prettiest girl in town -- without ever feeling trite.

Young Willie's only real friend is his next door neighbor and hero, Dink Jenkins (Luke Wilson) -- Yazoo, Mississippi's star athlete and a recent Army recruit who promises he'll teach the boy to throw a curve ball upon his return from war.

Continue reading: My Dog Skip Review