Shiloh

They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks. But can a kid help an old grouch change his ways? Picking up immediately where the 1996 family favorite Shiloh left off, Shiloh 2: Shiloh Season continues the drama of a boy, his dog, and the dog's menacing original owner. Zachary Browne plays the part of Marty Preston, the young boy who rescued an abused beagle by standing up to local troublemaker Judd Travers (another convincing performance by Scott Wilson). Although Marty and Judd struck a deal, Judd seems bent on making the boy and his family pay in more ways than one for keeping Shiloh. Fueled by alcohol, Judd's suspicious character and his tendency to shoot whatever critters he pleases deeply disturb young Marty. Once again, the boy risks his own safety and exercises immense courage and compassion to turn Judd into a friend. Michael Moriarty and Rod Steiger reprise their roles as Marty's father and Doc Wallace, respectively. Because the sequel leans heavily on the original movie's plot, it loses its punch as a stand-alone show. Slightly tougher subject matter (the effects of alcoholism, in particular) warrants a slightly older audience; families with 7- to 12-year-olds should fare well. Based on the second book, Shiloh Season, in Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's popular children's trilogy. --Liane Thomas