Cinema that's a mouthful

THERE IS this little mouse that is going to be regaling children and adults this summer. Well, on second thoughts, that statement would be blasphemy. For ``Stuart Little'' is not just a mouse. He may have started off being a mouse, but now he has grown into a legend.

That legend, then, will be coming to town soon. Part of the first batch of kids' movies to be playing this summer in the city, Mr. Little will fight his bugbear, or bug cat, Snowbell, and learn the true meaning of family, loyalty and friendship. Stuart is brought up lovingly by the Littles, whose name he takes and lives as a family in this film starring Oscar winner Geena Davis, Hugh Laurie and Jonathan Lipnicki.

What is more interesting about this movie is that the story, written by E.B.White has been adapted by our very own son of the soil: Manoj Night Shyamalan. Chennaiites can wash down the disappointment of Sixth Sense failing to win an Oscar, by watching the antics of Mr. Stuart Little on the screen. With what has been touted as `ground breaking visual effects technology' Stuart Little will be on show at Shree from Friday.

A double barrel at that, as `Anna and the King' will be playing in the matinee and night shows at Shree. This drama of the subtle romance between the King of Siam and an English school teacher also promises to be a pleasant experience. Based on the 1860's true life story of widowed British school teacher Ms. Ana Leonowens' experience in Siam, Anna and the King dramatises the `nice something' that crops up between the two.

More Indian fare comes in the form of `Chota Chetan', or what Tamilians and Malayalees are familiar with as `Kutti Chathan'. Kutti Chathan has become a mini industry all by itself. The stunning visual effects of the old movie will `boo' children again as the sound comes this time on Digital DTS sound. In addition to the three-D effect, it is going to sound much better, exhibitors promise. Watch out, though. It's merely 3D.

Tom Hanks will speak for Woody again as he is kidnapped by an obsessed toy-collector, in the sequel to Toy Story- Toy Story 2. As Woody disappears again, Buzz Lightyear and gang, Rex, Hamm, Mr. Potato Head, are left to `get by' on their own. Kids, if you feel like watching the toy cowboy again, you just have to be in town this summer.

For boys in search of action, kindly take in Three Kings in which George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg and Ice Cube (that's right) are three American soldiers in search of a huge cache of gold hidden in the desert, after the Gulf War.

Halo, Santhosh Sivan's movie might also make it right in time before the school bell starts ringing again. If it does, we are lucky. In addition, movies that got as far as winning the Oscar and others that were not so lucky will be trotted out too this hot summer: the Oscar winner, ``American Beauty'' and Tom Hanks' ``Green Mile''.

By Ramya Kannan

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Section  : Entertainment