Old Dogs (John Travolta, Robin Williams, Kelly Preston, Seth Green) – Old Dogs, no new tricks. This film, by the same director 9Walt Becker) and star (John Travolta) as Wild Hogs, is fine family fun. The people don’t spend the whole movie smoking pot or taking illegal drugs. This is a throwback comedy like the ones featuring movie stars like, well, Robins Williams and John Travolta. Don’t misunderstand me: this is not high comedy or great film. But for a holiday movie without a holiday theme that you can feel comfortable taking the kids to see, Old Dogs beats the heck out of a lot of what goes as amusing in film these days. Charlie (Travolta) and Dan (Williams) own a sports marketing firm. They are trying to land a big Japanese client, which serves as the plot line threading through the film. These are best friends whose personal lives are a mess. Charlie lies with his old dog and dates younger women, filled as he is with charm and that gift of gab marketing executives are known for. Dan is the creative guy who still pines for Vicki (played by Travolta’s wife, Kelly Preston), the girl who got away years ago. She shows up again, toting a son and daughter (played by the Travoltas’ daughter Ellen Bleu), who are … SURPRISE … the children of Dan’s. He immediately takes to the kids and vice versa when Vicki leaves the pair with him while she goes off to spend a couple of weeks in prison after being arrested for protesting. It’s totally predictable. Yes, there are stupid, slapstick moments (what do you expect in a Robin Williams’ comedy?) highlighted when the old guys accidentally take each other’s prescription drugs. But it is harmless – really. Plus, there are wonderful cameos by Bernie Mac (in his last film), Rita Wilson, Ann-Margret and Matt Dillon. The critics did not like this film (Ebert couldn’t even find a full “star” for it) but I disagree. The kids will love it and, if you like to see old friends Travolta and Williams have fun, see it.