Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • Page 419

'1 1 Chicago Tribune, Sunday July 23, 2000 Section 13 7 Family REFRIGERATOR DOOR Compiled by Maria Krause Hot on the heels of here comes the next big thing By Donald Uebenson Special to the Tribune arents who were late catching on to "Pokemon" have a chance to get in on what may be the Next Big Thing. From Ash Ketchum and Pikachu, comes -EL. li i i in jjmm ii ftmmmtmmw ii ruttjw iIiipt n- imu imn'H ''-J" mf i 1 mi, M. Sakura and Kero, the "cardcaptors." Mystical and magical Klow cards, which embody the forces of nature, have accidentally been set free from a sorcerer's book of magic, and it is up to 10-year-old roller-skating Sakura, under the guidance of Kero, a guardian beast, to catch 'em all excuse me collect 'em all. In the premiere episode, Sakura was compelled to form an uneasy alliance with Li, a mysterious new exchange student who had been making ominous appearances in Sakura's dreams.

Besides "Pokemon," there are other recognizable Take a look on Nick Jr. Dora is a bilingual 7-year-old Latina who uses her knowledge of English and Spanish to guide viewers through learning adventures. Like Steve on "Blue's Clues," Dora talks directly to the audience. "Do you see anything we can use to dry off baby bird?" she asks at one point Unlike "blue Clues," children's responses are not heard on the soundtrack. Bless this mess Hollywood takes a holiday from family films in August, leaving the field open for Warner Home Video's "Family Tree" (Aug.

15), a live-action drama that received scant theatrical release. This is a film that Julia Butterfly Hill, the protester who for 738 days literally went out on limb to save an ancient redwood from being cut down, would cheer. Andrew Lawrence stars as Mitch, nicknamed "Mess." Unlike his brother (real-life sibling Matt Lawrence), who is poised to be his varsity team's starting quarterback, he is a bust at sports. His best friend is Old Oak, a tree that is his sanctuary and confidant. Mitch takes to heart his father's dictum that "Anything worth having is worth fighting for" when Benjamin Plastics (an in-joke reference to "The Graduate," perhaps?) agrees to build a factory in Mitch's economically depressed small town unfortunately on the site of Old Oak.

One hesitates to chop down "Family Tree." Its heart is in the right place, and there is no arguing with the values it espouses. But it may be too sappy for teenagers. Volunteers of America "In a Heartbeat," a new live-action series premiering at 6 p.m. Aug. 26 on the Disney Channel, begins like any generic high school drama, until two football players and a cheerleader are paged during practice, jump in an ambulance and race to the scene of a grisly accident, where they help save a skeptical victim's leg.

"You're 12 years old," the victim screams. "I need a real doctor." This hourlong drama was inspired by the real-life experiences of teen volunteer emergency medical technicians. Tyler (Shawn Ashmore), Val (Reagan Pasternak), Hank (Danso Gordon) and new court-ordered, chip-on-his-shoulder recruit Jamie (Christopher Ralph) struggle to balance the pressures of the job (in the first episode, an infant's injury undoes rigid perfectionist Hank) with those of family, friends and school. Cardcaptors on KidsTVB! features characters who have been set free from a sorcerer's book of magic. saddled with three aspiring space rangers, including the Princess Mira Nova, the bumbling custodian Booster and the experimental XR, billed as "the future of space justice." Together, they must foil Zurg, who has stolen something called the Uni-mind, a mysterious telepathic force with which he can control innocent minds.

The near non-stop action will occupy young viewers for its 70-minutes, but as a traditional cartoon, frames of reference. Like muggle-born wizard Harry Potter, being a cardcaptor is not in her blood. Like Buffy (as in "the Vampire Sakura is initially a reluctant hero who denies her destiny to be a cardcaptor. She has been chosen, Kero tells hen "You found the book. You broke the seal.

You are destined to have them." Sakura's relationship with Kero is also reminiscent of the late, lamented "Calvin and Hobbes" comic strip. Kero looks like a stuffed toy, but alone with Sakura, the beast comes to life to offer no-nonsense advice. "Cardcaptors" debuted in late June. Broadcast Sunday mornings at 10:30 on WCIU-Ch. 26, the fledgling series has what Kids' WB! senior vice president Donna Friedman calls the "core elements" that made "Pokemon" such a breakthrough for Japanese anime.

"It's a cool, interesting world," she said in a phone interview. "It has a very different mythology from 'Pokemon' and a different kind of quest. It has relatable characters and a mix of adventure and humor that is consistent with "Buzz Lightyear" squanders the magic and wonder of the "Toy Story" films. Woody, Rex, Hamm and Jessie do appear in an all-too-brief computer-animated prologue in which they anxiously await the arrival of the "Buzz Lightyear" video. And yes, that is the voice of William Shatner performing "To Infinity and Beyond" over the final credits.

She's got a clue In the engaging interactive tradition of "Blue's Clues" comes a new animated preschool series, "Dora the Explorer," premiering at 10 a.m. Aug. 14 Get a buzz In anticipation of the October video and DVD release of "Toy Story 2," Disney is hoping to take its "Toy Story" franchise to infinity and beyond with the Aug. 8 release of "Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins." Produced for video (also available on DVD), this cartoon cleverly casts Buzz (voiced by Tim Allen) in the role upon which his "Toy Story" action figure was based: as a defender of the universe against the Evil Emperor Zurg (Wayne Knight). Vowing to work alone after losing his partner, Buzz is instead 4V Can we expect an onslaught of i caracaprars mercnanaise, irom little stuffed Keros to Klow trading games? It's in the cards.

-re Editor's choice If a wise owl can draw and a trapped moon can eat Stardust, then who knows what youngsters might dream up when given a chance to dabble in News briefs etable broth, olive oil and Parmesan cheese. Now be thankful you don't have to wash flounder and spinach stew stains out of little Johnny's bib. top concerns from a list of 12. Their top four concerns were that damage to the global environment will become irreparable (54 per surrealism? Families have an opportunity to find out cent), nuclear, biological and chemi during Family Days at the Pilsen neighborhood's Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday and Aug.

20. The event, a mini-gallery tour and hands-on painting experience sponsored by Sears, Roebuck and ties into the critically acclaimed work of late Hispanic surrealist artist Remedios Vara Her work is on exhibit at the museum through Aug. 20 in "The Magic of Remedios Varo." "The exhibit lends itself to a lot of creativity and imagination. Strained rabbit stew? The next time little Johnny turns up his nose at strained carrots, you might want to consider what parents in other countries are trying to get their babies to eat (as reported in the June July issues of Parenting magazine): Egypt: Rice porridge and fava beans India: Kichuri (rice and lentils); dal (lentils, tomatoes and onions) Israel: White cheese, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and fruit. cal weapons will proliferate (49 percent), the U.S.

will drain its resources trying to solve other countries' problems (37 percent), and increasing immigration will exacerbate strains in our society (31 percent). The Illinois schools that participated included Gordon Tech and Lincoln Parkin Chicago, Maine Japan: Flounder and spinach stew, cod roe spaghetti; mugwort Because surrealist artwork is a little different from straightfor-. ward painting or sculpture, you can read a lot more into it," said Oscar Sanchez, museum education specialist Although people can view Varo's work anytime during its run, including before and after Family Days hours, Sanchez points out that the special event is geared to families. "Older people who come have to bring a child with them. It's not for parents to sit on the side, but join in," he said.

Because space and materials are limited, reservations are The kids are all right What worries high school students? According to more than 1,500 students from 64 high schools in Illinois, Connecticut Nebraska and Rhode Island, their top concerns are damage to the global environment and the proliferation of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. The students were recently polled as part of their participation in the Capitol Forum on America's Future, an education program developed by Brown University's Choices for the 21st Century Education Project. They were asked to choose their three Township High School in Park casserole. Korea: Rice gruel with veg- Ridge, Streamwood High School and Wheeling High School. Complete poll results are available at etables.

Poland: Rabbit stew with vegetables; pureed meat and egg "ZZs yolk. Italy: Rice cereal with veg- Magnets courtesy of fndgedoor.com 'A suggested. The Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum is at 1852 W. 19th Chicago. Museum hours are 10 a.m.

to 5 p.m. Tuesday i through Sunday Admission is free. For more information or Family Days reservations, call 312-738-1503. JodieJacobs William Hageman If cDOO lElSllibliEd win 20927 S. Cicero in Matteson 708-743-1700 We Go Where You Go With Our USA Plans.

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