Frankie Muniz, Diane Lane, Kevin Bacon.
Warner Bros., Jay Russell, 2000. PG, Drama.

Synopsis: A story about coming of age in Yazoo City, Mississippi during World War II. A nine year-old boy, Willie Morris (played by Frankie Muniz before his "Malcolm in The Middle" days), is shy and withdrawn until he receives a terrier pup as a birthday present. The dog draws the boy out and the community together. A good story for children in the tradition of Old Yeller, even though there is some mildly violent content and a few coarse words. Based on the true life experiences of writer William Weaks Morris.

Harrison Ford, Annette Bening
Paramount, Mike Nichols, 1991. PG-13, Drama.

Synopsis: The story of a high-flying lawyer who gets shot in a convenience store robbery. His injury causes him to forget his old life and the things he discovers about it astound him. In excellent performances by Ford and Bening we see what happens to a couple when they have too much money and too few values. But the random act of violence changes Henry’s view of life and the couple is able to get back to basics before they lose it all. This story may bring a tear to the eyes of some, but is likely to bring hope to all.

Robert Duvall, Tess Harper, Ellen Barkin
Universal, Bruce Beresford, 1983. PG, Drama.

Synopsis: Down and out country singer Mac Sledge (Robert Duvall) meets a young woman (Tess Harper) and her son. This is an uplifting story told in sparse, low-key fashion. One of the few movies you’ll see where a baptism in a Baptist church in Texas is portrayed in a serious, meaningful and authentic manner. At the end of the film Mac questions the meaning of life, but it’s no accident that he finds it in the final scene with Sonny. Duvall received the Best Actor Oscar for this performance.