Million Dollar Kid

Those who are wondering what became of C. Thomas Howell and Corey Feldman--child actors turned direct-to-video stars--need look no further. Here they've found more work in yet another direct-to-video venture. Unfortunately, this film won't raise filmmaker Neil Mandt's directorial status from his previous minor ventures, Arthur's Quest (1999) and Hijacking Hollywood (1997). Written by Mandt collaborator Gregory Poppen, this silly and sweet little film chronicles the adventures of a family who win the lottery but lose the ticket. Wackiness ensues. The featured family includes former "John Boy Walton" Richard Thomas as the workaholic dad married to former "Marcia Brady" Maureen McCormick, who plays a love-starved, chat-room-junkie mom. Other recognizable faces include the ubiquitous Clint Howard; Golden Girl Estelle Getty; '60s TV staple Kaye Ballard; country singer Randy Travis; and Animal House's "Neidermeyer," Mark Metcalf. Despite its predictability, the film does express messages of family unity and of overcoming the precipitous greed that stems from sudden possible wealth. (Ages 6 and older.) --N.F. Mendoza