Of fast cars and dog sleds

Movies about car races don't appeal to me, but those with canine characters and uplifting story lines do -- which is why even though most people who know Paul Walker associate the actor with the Fast and the Furious films, I remember him from Eight Below. The 40-year-old actor died in a car crash, and what makes it all the more significant to Filipinos is that was involved in raising funds to help typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) survivors in the Philippines. The crash happened on a day that a charity event organized by the actor and partners took place.

From a CNN story:

Walker and Rodus had planned Saturday as a day to help survivors of victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. The car shop website invited customers to the Charity Toy Drive & Automotive Social Gathering.

'During the holiday season, many economically disadvantaged children from around the world are faced with the same dilemma year after year; the lacking of joy and cheer," the invitation read. "Our goal here is to be able to provide aid to these less fortunate children in hopes of helping them grow up to become confident, responsible and productive young adults.'

Full story

Eight Below is a 2006 adventure film inspired by a true story. It's great to watch with the kids as well -- it's two hours long, though, so you may want to watch it with them in installments.