AnnaSophia Robb and Josh Hutcherson in "Bridge To Terabithia"
courtesy of Disney Home Entertainment
"Better the Second Time Around"

When I saw "Bridge To Terabithia" in the movie theater a few months ago I was not overly impressed with it. I thought maybe the subject matter was too downbeat for children and maybe even for adults. Then I watched the film on DVD with my grandchildren And saw it through their eyes. It was a different and more rewarding experience. The movie is actually better than I remembered.

"Bridge To Terabithia" is a Disney film that is aimed at the entire family. I had thought the sad twist in the middle of the movie might make it a little too intense for smaller children. But my grandchildren accepted the death of one of the characters as part of the story and sailed on. For all else it is a heart-warming tale of childhood friendship. AnnaSophia Robb and Josh Hutcherson provide winning performances as the two lead children. 

The film tells the story of Jesse Aarons (Hutcherson), an eleven year old boy living in a family with four sisters. His mom (Katrina Cerio) is a stay at home parent while his father (Robert Patrick) raises vegetables and works at the hardware store. Times are tough so the family does not have a lot of extra money.

Jesse lives in a fantasy world of sorts. He likes to draw super heroes and his a talent for painting. At school he is a fast runner but that is his only claim to fame. He is constantly being bullied by older kids who see him as a willing victim. The only time he tends to stand up to the bullies is when his younger sister Belle (Bailee Madison) is being picked on.

One day a new student arrives in his class. Her name is Leslie Burke (Robb) and she lives down the road from Jesse and his family. Leslie immediately decides that she and Jesse will be friends. She invites him to go into the woods with her and while there she begins to create a wonderful fantasy world she calls "Terabithia." Leslie is so good with her imagination that Jesse begins to see all the wonderful things she sees in her mind.

Each day Jesse and Leslie escape into the world of Terabithia and wage wars against the demons there. They also build a fortress where they can leave all their troubles behind. There are dangers in Terabithia but Jesse and Leslie are the reigning powers and can vanquish anything and everything that challenges them.

The movie is enchanting as it goes into the imaginary world the children inhabit, but when the reality of the world penetrates the beauty and tragedy happens then the movie takes a serious turn. This is when I thought the smaller children might become confused.

Robb was the young star of "Because of Winn Dixie" and Hutcherson starred in "Zathura." Both are becoming solid actors and lend real credibility to their roles in this film. They act like normal children and not as actors playing children. Bailee Madison is also a scene-stealer as young Belle.

I have a new appreciation for "Bridge To Terabithia" after having watched it on DVD. I can recommend it without hesitation to you and your family.

Hollywood is at it's best when it is making the "Rocky"/"Hoosiers"/"Rudy" type of movies. These movies are always sure to put a lump in your throat and a tear in your eye. And that is certainly what the new DVD movie "Pride" does with its "based on truth" story about a swim team from a low income area beating the odds to become champions.

Jim Ellis (Terrence Howard) is a man looking for a job, any job. What he gets is a chance to work at a recreation center while it is waiting to be closed. In other words this is not a long term, permanent position. The only other person working at the center is a maintenance man named Elston (Bernie Mac) and he is very upset the center is going to be closed.

The local councilwoman, Sue Davis (Kimberly Elise), says the reason it is being closed is that the kids in the neighborhood don't use it any more. If they used it, then it would stay open. This gives Jim Ellis an idea. He opens up the swimming pool and coaxes some kids into starting a swimming team. He has had some experience in his high school and college career as a swimmer so he knows a little about the sport.

His biggest supporter from the start is Elston. He is his "assistant" and his biggest cheerleader. Eventually Sue Davis and the rest of the community come around too. But when the kids go up against a privileged private school swim team, even the most loyal supporters have their doubts.

Terrence Howard is a very talented actor. He can be tough and he can be tender, and he is believable whatever he is portraying. Plus nobody cries on camera like he does. Those tears just seem to drip from his eyes.

So watch "Pride" for the upbeat story. It isn't the best movie of this type but it is enjoyable.

Also good is "Ruffian," a true story about a prize-winning horse. "Ruffian" was the greatest filly racehorse of all time and this DVD shows you how and why. She had won ten races when her owner decided to match her one on one with the winner of the Kentucky Derby. 

Sam Shepard and Frank Whaley star in this sports movie and they are overshadowed by the horse. It is her story from start to finish and it is a good one. So watch "Ruffian" and see how great this legendary horse was.

Three of the best Winnie the Pooh stories are found in the new DVD titled "The Many adventures of Winnie the Pooh: The Friendship Edition DVD." This DVD is made up of the classics (1) "Honey Tree," (2) "The Blustery Day" and (3) "Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too." These are the stories and films that started the entire Pooh craze.

All of the characters you love from the Pooh series are on view and their adventures are ones that will warm the heart of any child. So get this new DVD and have a "Pooh" celebration at your house.
 

 

 

 

 

©2007 Jackie K. Cooper

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