See Spot Run (2001)

Gordon (a blonde David Arquette) is a mailman who often runs into trouble with the canines on his route, one especially so. As a joke, fellow carriers place a spotted stuff dog in his locker, making him jump. Very funny, says Gordon. But, the stuffed puppy comes in handy, for Gordon gives it to the son, James (Angus T. Jones) of a lady, Stephanie (Leslie Bibb) he has been courting. They all live in the same apartment building. Meanwhile, a talented police dog, Spot, has taken a bite out of a local mobster (Paul Sorvino), in the process of his capture. This goon vows to "get" the boxer cop so the feds decide to send the canine to a safe place in Alaska. However, the mob has one of their own planted as the escort and she arranges a different route to the mob headquarters. Spot, very bright, sees a way to escape and does so. He ends up jumping into the back of Gordon's mail car, where James is also riding, due to an emergency babysitting need of Stephanie's. Although initially petrified of Spot, Gordon grows to love him and James, too. But, naturally, the mob is still searching for the dog and the trail is not hard to follow. Will Gordon, James, and Spot be in captured by the bumbling mob henchmen? This an entertaining flick in many ways, despite humor that is more of the low-brow, slapstick variety. The cast is fine, the action rarely slows and, of course, the canine is adorable and expressive. Angus T. Jones, who went on to fame as the child in Two and a Half Men is very young and cute here while Arquette generates big laughs. Ditto the gentleman who plays Spot's partner in policework. The California setting, the costumes, the camera work, and the lively script/direction add up to fun. However, there are a few possibly objectionable moments. The mobster is bitten in the private parts area, which some will find sleazy. Also, a dog's shock collar ends up on Gordon and the remote in James' hands, with the resulting electrocution played for laughs but of which parents may find rather unfunny. There are one or two other such moments that could have been eliminated or changed. But, all in all, this movie will result in some big smiles for its viewers. Therefore, do See Spot and share it with others.

SEE SPOT RUN is not a good movie, but we did laugh at many of the antics. Spot is a highly trained police dog that is being transported to a remote location, Alaska, because a mob boss (Sorvino) has put out a hit on him. But Spot escapes and is adopted by a man (Arquette) who is watching a neighbor's (Bibb) son for a couple of days when the babysitter got sick. The antics that ensue involve too many scenes of destroying things, or people ending up in dog poo, and other such juvenile humor. The critic Ebert has a complete and accurate review. The DVD picture and sound are good, but the movie has little redeeming value. However, it does contain some of my favorite gangster types in Joe Viterelli and Paul Sorvino. The pretty mom, played by Stephanie Bibb, looks remarkably like the blonde who played Nomi in Showgirls.

Apparently a lot of people like to watch little kid's movies and then complain because they aren't cinematic masterpieces. How ridiculous. This is a film that was made to entertain young kids, and it's entertaining enough for parents to watch along with them. My little boy enjoyed it, but then he isn't much of an intellectual, since he's only six! Anything that makes him laugh is okay with me, though. Also, I have to say that people are WAY too hard on David Arquette. I'm not a serious fan of his, or anything, but I feel bad for the guy when people trash him. I have noticed that it's mainly men who are so down on him. Gee, I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that he's married to one of TV's most popular, attractive, and highly-paid stars? He seems like a perfectly sweet, charming man who is having fun with his life and enjoys making silly films. He doesn't seem to take himself seriously, so why do so many people hate him? It's ridiculous. Oh, and just to let you know, he doesn't get film roles because of his wife. He was acting before he married Courtney Cox, and he is actually quite a talented actor. If you don't believe me, check out a little gem of an indie film called Dream with the Fishes. He gives quite an engaging and touching performance as a man on the verge of suicide whose life is changed when he befriends a terminally ill man, proving that he CAN do serious dramatic work. He just chooses not to. So why don't you people lay off of him? Not that he cares either way, I'm sure. He is having the time of his life. You go David!

This is a good movie. Sorry it isn't for everyone. The actors act and the director directed. Funny sequences were funny. The theater was filled with laughter. Isn't that what living is about. True laughter and tears? David Arquette has found a fan. Thank the makers of this movie for not being pretentious.