Posted on: Saturday, August 19, 2006
SATURDAY SCOOPS
Family DVD inspires kids to give a 'Hoot'
Advertiser Staff
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New kid Roy (Logan Lerman) and Beatrice (Brie Larson) fight to protect a population of endangered owls in "Hoot."
GENN WATSON | New Line Cinema
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Looking for a family DVD? Here's a suggestion from Nancy Churnin of the Dallas Morning News.
The film: "Hoot," rated PG. Protests aren't meant to go down easy. Still, it's puzzling why this faithful, winning adaptation of Carl Hiaasen's Newbery Honor-winning book didn't do better at the box office.
The story: Roy (Logan Lerman) isn't happy his family moved to Florida, especially when he gets bullied on the bus the first day. But then he finds a mysterious boy, Mullet Fingers (played by charismatic Cody Linley), who is trying to save an owl habitat threatened by the construction of a new pancake house. Roy, with the hindrance and, ultimately, help of a well-meaning policeman (played with comic verve by Dallas' Luke Wilson), has to decide whether to join the fight.
Best extra: The close-up look at the feathered stars is the highlight of "Animals in Action." Hiaasen's fans should like "Meet the Creator of Hoot" and follow up on Walden.com to read transcripts from his chat with students.
Bottom line: It's a special film that makes kids think and, possibly, take action.
