LEARN ABOUT LIFE WITH POOH.Byline: Glenn Whipp Film Critic IN THE WAKE of James Dobson James Clayton "Jim" Dobson, Ph.D. (born April 21, 1936 in Shreveport, Louisiana) is the chairman of the board of Focus on the Family, a nonprofit organization he founded in 1977. blasting a recent ``SpongeBob SquarePants'' educational video that had the gall to promote tolerance - even in the case of sexual identity - you have to wonder what the founder of Focus on the Family is going to say about the radical ideas contained in ``Pooh's Heffalump Movie.'' Here, the denizens of the Hundred Acre Wood The Hundred Acre Wood (also spelled as '"100 Aker Wood," Hundred-Acre Wood, and 100 Acre Wood; also known as simply The Wood') is the fictional land inhabited by Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends in the Winnie-the-Pooh series of children's stories by author A.A. venture forth to capture the scary and horrible Heffalump, a creature none of them have actually seen or met, but they're sure it must be awful. Meanwhile, little Roo goes out on his own, finds a Heffalump and learns that the wee creature is just as terrified ter·ri·fy tr.v. ter·ri·fied, ter·ri·fy·ing, ter·ri·fies 1. To fill with terror; make deeply afraid. See Synonyms at frighten. 2. To menace or threaten; intimidate. of Tigger and Rabbit and Pooh. It's not giving anything away to say that once everyone gets to know each other, they find out they have plenty in common. It's a simple message that preaches tolerance and denounces bigotry. For the preschool set, the presentation couldn't be more innocuous. And besides, as Elvis Costello  The of this article or section may be compromised by "peacock terms".You can help Wikipedia by removing peacock terms. once put it, what's so funny 'bout peace, love and understanding? Maybe plenty, since it's coming from a cartoon character that's pink and purple (kind of fishy fish·y adj. fish·i·er, fish·i·est 1. Resembling or suggestive of fish, as in taste or odor. 2. Cold or expressionless: a fishy stare. 3. ... remember Tinky Winky! Eh-oh). Of course, a 5-year-old doesn't look at a Heffalump or an animated yellow sponge a common and valuable commercial sponge (Spongia agaricina, variety See also: Sponge and think, ``I wonder if this guy is gay. I'd better ask my dad.'' Prejudice is something that's taught. Just something to think about while breezing through the pretty slight - even by ``Pooh'' standards - 68-minute running time (including several minutes of credits). ``Heffalump'' itself isn't as charming as its predecessor, ``Piglet's Big Movie,'' mostly because soundtrack contributor Carly Simon's role has been reduced to a mere four contributions (and only three featuring her vocals). But the baby Heffalump, Lumpy lumpy characterized by the presence of a lump or lumps. lumpy disease see lumpy-skin disease (below). lumpy jaw see actinomycosis. (voiced by British youth Kyle Stanger), is funny and adorable and carries the film, especially in the eyes of little ones young children. See also: Little who will discover a new character to love (not fear) - and to ask mommy and daddy to buy for them next time they're at Disneyland. Which, of course, may be the primary concern of the film. Glenn Whipp, (818) 713-3672 glenn.whipp(at)dailynews.com POOH'S HEFFALUMP MOVIE - Three stars (G: nothing objectionable for any rational human being) Director: Frank Nissen. Running time: 1 hr. 8 min. Playing: Wide release. In a nutshell: Not as charming as its predecessor, ``Piglet's Big Movie,'' but agreeable enough for the preschool set. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: ``Pooh's Heffalump Movie'' teaches its young viewers a lesson in tolerance. |
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