Air Bud (1997): Dir: Charles Martin Smith / Cast: Kevin Zegers, Wendy Makkena, Michael Jeter, Bill Cobb, Eric Christmas: About as exciting as a dog food commercial and has all the originality of the other countless family dog movies. Air Bud is owned by a clown but is locked up after an accident. The back isn't latched allowing the cage to tumble off. That simple-minded gesture is followed by the cage nearly hit by a car and the passengers not checking. Then a boy meets the dog with its ability to bunt basketballs. The dog will eventually and predictably become school mascot. Directed by Charles Martin Smith who does his best but the characters do illogical things such as not having the dog checked. Sure, the dog is friendly but so was Cujo at one point. Then comes the embarrassing court case to decide the dog's owner. That is when the dog should have fled the set. Kevin Zegers is given little challenge reciting what countless other kids have played. Michael Jeter's clown is an idiot, plain and simple. Wendy Makkena plays Zegers' less than swift mother. Bill Cobb plays former basketball player turn toilet attendant who delivers his two cents worth after we have long drifted off to sleep. Eric Christmas plays a judge who obviously should quit his practice after listening to a dog. Perhaps he can do us all a favor and flush this tiny tot film down the toilet. Score: 1 / 10