A sweet, touching tale and a gem of a DVD

Because of Winn Dixie; 1:46; PG, for thematic elements, and mild language; Grade: C+; now playing at Hollywood Theater

Holes; 1:57; PG, for violence, mild language, and thematic elements; Grade: B+; currently available for DVD rental

Because of Winn Dixie, the big screen adaptation of the award-winning children’s novel, opened at #3 at the box office, trailing behind Hitch and Constantine. That’s a fairly solid opening for a movie in this genre, and I imagine it will probably not stray too far from the top over the coming weeks as positive word-of-mouth spreads. Because of Winn Dixie is a flawed movie in many ways, but ultimately, it’s a sweet and touching tale about love and acceptance.

Targeted at the 10-and-under crowd, Winn Dixie is bursting at the seams with all sorts of positive messages and morals. Personally, I don’t think the multiplex is the place to go to learn life’s lessons but nevertheless, a movie like this is a breath of fresh air when compared to what else is out there, and could serve as a useful conversation piece for parents and children.

In her feature-film debut, Annasophia Robb plays a young preacher’s daughter. Her father (Jeff Daniels) carts her from town to town, as he opens new churches. She has a difficult time making friends, and longs to remember mom. When she happens upon a lost dog, she convinces dad to adopt it, and gains a new best friend. Her furry buddy creates all sorts of trouble, but also helps her find friendship in unexpected places all over town.

The problems with Because of Winn Dixie are many. For starters, Wayne Wang (Maid in Manhattan) can’t seem to decide if this movie is supposed to be a serious drama or a wacky over-the-top farce. I’m not saying drama shouldn’t have comedy within it, but the kind of comedy Wang goes for in Winn Dixie doesn’t fit well with its surroundings. Additionally, the bulk of the movie’s weight rests on the shoulders of our young actress, Annasophia Robb, and I’m afraid to say she’s just not up to the task.

It takes a while for the true story in Winn Dixie to get started. The first third or so of the movie plays as a children’s comedy, with very few dramatic elements. Once it finally gets moving, it touches on some fairly heavy subjects. To screenwriter Joan Singleton’s credit, these mature subjects are broached with a simplicity that young children can understand, without ever dumbing anything down.

On top of everything, Because of Winn Dixie has some very nice music, including a few pieces from costar Dave Mathews. My personal favorite is when Wang steals a scene from Bambi, allowing Mathews to serenade the animals in his pet shop. This scene has been spoofed a million times, but to the best of my recollection, this is the first time anyone has tried to play it straight, and that takes some major chutzpah. Bravo!

Because of Winn Dixie reminds me of another, much better, children’s literature adaptation from a couple years back, so I figured this would be a good time to point out a gem that shouldn’t be missed. Holes, starring Shia LeBeouf (now costarring in Constantine), is the rare children’s movie that might actually be enjoyed more by the adults in the crowd, than by the children sitting next to them.

When Stanley Yelnats IV (LeBouf) is wrongfully convicted of theft, he’s sent to a labor camp, like the kind you see sexually active teens sent to on Jerry Springer, to spend the summer digging holes in the middle of the desert. While hunting for lost treasure, Stanley discovers that his family curse may actually be a blessing.

Holes boasts terrific performances from its children and adult actors alike (including John Voight and Sigourney Weaver). It’s an imaginative movie, engrossing and entertaining, from reel to reel. Holes has some great comedy, and is, surprisingly, very poignant.

Comments? E-mail Weindl at joewatchesmoviews@yahoo.com.