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CNN Live Today

Concerns Over Pre-Election Terrorism High

Aired May 28, 2004 - 10:31   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's check the top stories at this hour.
A strong earthquake struck northern Iran today. The quake registered 6.2 magnitude. It was centered about 40 miles north of Tehran. We are waiting to hear about possible damage or casualties.

There's some confusion over how U.S. prosecutors could handle the case against Abu Hamza al Masri. That is the Muslim cleric accused of supporting al Qaeda. Attorney General John Ashcroft has said that if Hamza is extradited to the U.S., he could face the death penalty. British officials say Washington assured them the death penalty would not be pursued. Britain has a long-standing policy of not allowing extradition in capital cases.

Meanwhile, immigration agents arrested a Saudi Arabian national believed to have ties with two of the 9/11 hijackers. The 34-year-old man is being held without bail pending deportation proceedings for convictions of domestic violence. Investigators say he shared a room with a man closely associated with two hijackers.

The head of the FAA says that airport security has been stepped up for this holiday weekend. The move follows this week's terror warnings. Screeners had been redeployed to some of the busier airports to handle the heavy weekend Memorial Day weekend travel. Two-hundred million people are expected to fly over the summer as domestic air travel approaches the volume from pre-9/11.

And now to the war on terrorism and Washington's concern that an attack could be timed to affect the presidential election. Such a strategy apparently worked in the deadly Madrid bombings, as we hear from CNN justice correspondent Kelli Arena.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Terror experts say it's not about who wins the U.S. election, it's about impact.

M.J. GOHEL, ASIA-PACIFIC FOUNDATION: If, for instance, say, George Bush was in the lead in the opinion polls right now and an attack took place and that changes the equation as it did, for instance in Spain, then al Qaeda would feel that it has scored a major success.

ARENA: Al Qaeda affiliates attacked Spain just before its elections in March. Some suggests that cemented an overwhelming win for the socialist party.

ASHCROFT: We believe, for example, the attack in Spain is one that is viewed by al Qaeda as particularly effective in advancing al Qaeda objectives.

ARENA: The attack did result in Spain pulling its troops out of Iraq. Experts say the less Western influence in Iraq, the better for al Qaeda.

GOHEL: Iraq is a key battleground for the terrorists. The terrorists want to turn Iraq into another Taliban Afghanistan. They would like to see the premature withdrawal of the U.S.-led coalition forces.

ARENA: Neither John Kerry nor the president has said troops pulled out of Iraq any time soon. But there is some speculation that al Qaeda believes it has a better chance of winning in Iraq if John Kerry is in the White House.

BEN VENZKE, INTELCENTER: Al Qaeda feels that Bush is, even despite casualties, right or wrong for staying there is going to stay much longer than possibly what they might hope a Democratic administration would.

ARENA: While U.S. officials say they are concerned about an attack as early as this summer, some experts believe if al Qaeda strikes with the election in mind, it will do it just before November 2nd.

(on camera) And while much attention is focused on the political conventions, experts say al Qaeda usually attacks targets it can hit on any given day.

Kelli Arena, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: John Kerry has launched his own offensive on national security with a speech in Seattle. Kerry says that his policies would better define the nation's anti-terror campaign, both in the eyes of the Americans and the terrorists.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This is my message to the terrorists. As commander in chief, I will bring the full force of our nation's power to bear on finding and crushing your networks. We'll use every resource of our power to destroy you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Kerry also says the Bush administration has weakened the U.S. with an ill-planned war in Iraq.

To the Pentagon now. It has changed the status of a soldier who was killed in the opening days of the Iraq war. Military investigators first believed that Sergeant Donald Walters was killed in combat when insurgents attacked 507th Maintenance Company. That is the one that, by the way, included Private Jessica Lynch. But now, military officials say, that Walters survived the ambush, only to be murdered by his captors. More now from our Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Sergeant Donald Walters, a soldier who was riding in that doomed convoy of the 507th Maintenance Company, the convoy of Jessica Lynch, was initially listed last year as killed in action. That, of course, has now changed. Sergeant Walters, his death now listed as a homicide, according to the U.S. military, part of a war crimes investigation into the entire ambush incident. The Army notified the widow and parents of Sergeant Walters earlier this week of the change.

The Army now believes that Sergeant Walters was wounded, but alive, captured by the Iraqis, taken to another location, and executed. The family spoke last night in Oregon.

NORMAN WALTERS, FATHER: According to two Iraqi ambulance drivers that witnessed some of the events of his capture, he was held separately from other prisoners and kept under guard by six enemy combatants. The same Iraqi ambulance driver then witnessed, as his body was brought out of the building and into his ambulance.

STARR: The Pentagon is also investigating possible war crimes involving the deaths of 10 other soldiers in that convoy ambush. Sergeant Walters family was posthumously awarded his Silver Star for gallantry with distinction and his purple heart.

Barbara Starr, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: It has been nearly 60 years in the making, and the young men and women who marched off to war are now seeing time as their common enemy, but that, too, has been conquered as the nation's oldest combat veterans converge on Washington for tomorrow's unveiling of the World War II Memorial.

Our Sean Callebs is in Washington D.C. on the national mall, the site of the memorial -- Sean.

SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Daryn.

A bit of a sound check going on now, as they get ready for the big celebration over this weekend. And really walking through the plaza of the World War II Memorial does invoke the same kind of sobering emotions as the wall, the Vietnam Memorial does, where it lists the name of those who died during that conflict. But this memorial does offer very hands-on structure, that is an interactive site that recognizes not only those who lost their lives during the war but all of those who served.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CALLEBS (voice-over): Eleven years after President Clinton authorized construction, nearly three times as long as U.S. involvement in the war, World War II veterans are embracing a memorial they proudly call their own.

FRED WOLFF, WWII VETERAN: Everybody out there is screaming we want a memorial for this and for that. And I thought it was about time that the guys got a break.

CALLEBS: Friedrich St. Florian's design was selected from 400 hundred entries. At each end, large granite arches. One reads "Pacific", the other "Atlantic." They denote the two theaters of U.S. involvement.

Fifty-six smaller pillars ring the plaza, one for all 50 states, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.

Bronze wreaths, one oak, the other wheat, are meant to symbolize U.S. agricultural and industrial strength.

Beyond the civic plaza, a wealth of subtle touches to inform and inspire.

Many veterans like John Nicholas have heard complaints about the design. Where some see a bland structure, he finds grandeur.

JOHN NICHOLAS, WWII VETERAN: It can bring tears for those who aren't here.

CALLEBS: One item decided early on, any memorial had to be built around a refurbished rainbow pool. Still for all of the planning and the $195 million in donations that rolled in, construction was a battle of a different kind.

Critics filed legal challenges, upset the sprawling structure would break up the sweeping mall between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CALLEBS: The memorial actually sits down in a recessed area and a lot of people says it doesn't take away the aesthetic beauty of this to here.

A great deal has been made about all of the security precautions that will be in the area over the next 72 hours. The National Park Service is also going to great lengths to get medical and health officials out here as well. They're concerned about the number of veterans that will be here and they say they're going to do everything possible to make everybody comfortable. Daryn, back to you.

KAGAN: Sean Callebs in Washington, D.C.

And we invite you to stay with CNN for live coverage of tomorrow's dedication ceremonies. Paula Zahn will lead our extensive coverage beginning tomorrow at 2:00 Eastern, 11 a.m. Pacific.

We are back in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(MARKET UPDATE)

KAGAN: Kate Hudson has a new film that hits theaters this weekend. Stay with us for a preview of "Raising Helen." Mr. Moviefone will be along.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are there, (UNINTELLIGIBLE)?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I'm here. These tornadoes are forming so fast.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, my God! Lisa! Are you getting this on camera? This tornado just came and raised the Hollywood sign. The Hollywood sign is gone!

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Is anyone hurt?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Twisters and blizzards and tidal waves, oh my! Nothing like the violent arrival of the next ice age to take your mind off the hot summer weather this Memorial Day Weekend. We are going to talk next hour about whether this is actually science fact or fiction. Bill Nye the Science guy will be along.

But we go from a science guy to Mr. Moviefone. Russ Leatherman joining us from his perch in L.A.

Apparently, the Hollywood sign has not blown away from behind you.

RUSS LEATHERMAN, "MR. MOVIEFONE": Not yet. It's still there.

And by the way, I'm sort of a science guy, in my own...

KAGAN: How is that?

LEATHERMAN: Not really. Here is what I do know, this is not going to happen. Al Gore says it's happening within the next week. I'm pretty sure it's not going to happen.

KAGAN: But is the movie happening?

LEATHERMAN: The movie is sort of happening. This movie is exactly what you would think it would be. It's the big disaster flick, sort of opens this summer. Dennis Quaid, Jake Gyllenhall. Really global warming and the greenhouse effect has melted the polarized caps, which are flooding New York, turning it into ice age, like you said, tornadoes, hurricanes, everything else.

The good thing about this movie is it's got some really good special effects. It's cool to watch, some killer special effects. The problem is when the people start talking actually.

KAGAN: I hate that.

LEATHERMAN: I hate that, too. The movie actually gets relatively preachy. Really, they're trying to give us some sort of lesson here or some sort of warning. And I don't know that I want to pay 10 bucks to have somebody tell me that the world is coming to an end unless we stop using hairspray. That's sort of what happens here.

If you like this kind of me movie, if you like the big disaster movies, you're going to like the first hour or so of this thing, but the second half sort of tails off, gets a little preachy. So it's not a terrible movie, but it's not great either.

KAGAN: And, see, here's the thing. Here's I know what you're saving your $10 for, a little romantic comedy. Speaking of hairspray, how about Kate Hudson in "Raising Helen?"

LEATHERMAN: I knew this was coming. I knew it was coming. And in fact, Daryn, I'm starting to think that might be right. I may have trouble with romance. I don't know what my deal is.

KAGAN: Really?

LEATHERMAN: It stars Kate Hudson, Joan Cusack, John Corbett. She plays sort of a carefree New York maven. She's is forced to grow up when her sisters' three kids are sent to live with her because she dies. The sister is dead. Now she has to raise these kids.

Well, there you go, what you're looking on the screen right now is pretty much what you get.

KAGAN: Looks good to me.

LEATHERMAN: OK then, it's got your vote. We've seen this movie over and over and over again -- "Baby Boom," "Big Daddy," even as recently as "Jersey Girl." And I love Kate Hudson, I really do. I think she's very cute. But it seems to me that she's playing the cute card a little too much here. I mean, it seems like she wants to be her mother, and frankly, in my opinion, one Goldie Hawn is plenty. We don't necessarily need another one.

KAGAN: Joan Cusuck, though, I love Joan Cusack.

LEATHERMAN: She steals this movie. If you're going to see the movie, she's probably the reason to go see it. But it's not a great movie. It's not a terrible movie. It's just sort of middle of the road.

KAGAN: It's a romantic movie and that kills you.

LEATHERMAN: I want to love, Daryn.

KAGAN: I think you need to recuse yourself from any romantic comedy reviews.

LEATHERMAN: By the way, here's a quick list, OK: "Bruce Almighty," "Love Actually," "50 First Dates," "Breaking All the Rules." I like the romantic comedies. I'm just looking for a good one.

KAGAN: You came ready for defense.

LEATHERMAN: I did. I did. I knew it was coming.

KAGAN: Now for a different type of comedy,"Soul Plane. Does this have every stereotype in the book?

LEATHERMAN: I'm ready for taking a ride on the "Soul Plane." It's got Kevin Hart, Snoop Dogg, Tom Arnold, who's usually a movie killer, and Method Man. Really, this is Snoop Dogg is the captain of a new airline that promises to put the get down in the get down. And really, I was disappointed with this movie. It was one of those that I thought that maybe it's just so bad that it's going to be really good? Not so much. It's actually just pretty bad. So I would say if you're going to the movies this weekend...

KAGAN: Yes, what do we see?

LEATHERMAN: Well, you got to go see "Shrek 2," but also "Mean Girls," "Man on Fire." There are lots of good movies out there; the new ones just aren't the greatest. But have a great weekend. There are plenty of movies for you and me alike.

KAGAN: There you go, enough love to go around. Russ, thank you.

LEATHERMAN: Let's have some love. I need some love.

KAGAN: That you do. Thanks for stopping by. We'll see you next week.

LEATHERMAN: Bye-bye.

KAGAN: Russ Leatherman, Mr. Moviefone.

And if you'd like more information and more film reviews, you can go to Web site, CNN.com/entertainment. Among some of the other notable films, recipes for rum, brown sugar glazed shrimp, and the ultimate margarita -- other food ideas for your Memorial Day holiday.

All right. Coming up, in the next hour of CNN LIVE TODAY, we're going to break down the mayhem from "The Day After." You've heard about the movie side. We're going to talk with the science guy. None other than Bill Nye the Science Guy will be back to talk about, can this really happen? And can it really happen in a weekend, or is it just sparking some good debate over global warming? That is ahead, as CNN LIVE TODAY continue after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com


Aired May 28, 2004 - 10:31   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's check the top stories at this hour.
A strong earthquake struck northern Iran today. The quake registered 6.2 magnitude. It was centered about 40 miles north of Tehran. We are waiting to hear about possible damage or casualties.

There's some confusion over how U.S. prosecutors could handle the case against Abu Hamza al Masri. That is the Muslim cleric accused of supporting al Qaeda. Attorney General John Ashcroft has said that if Hamza is extradited to the U.S., he could face the death penalty. British officials say Washington assured them the death penalty would not be pursued. Britain has a long-standing policy of not allowing extradition in capital cases.

Meanwhile, immigration agents arrested a Saudi Arabian national believed to have ties with two of the 9/11 hijackers. The 34-year-old man is being held without bail pending deportation proceedings for convictions of domestic violence. Investigators say he shared a room with a man closely associated with two hijackers.

The head of the FAA says that airport security has been stepped up for this holiday weekend. The move follows this week's terror warnings. Screeners had been redeployed to some of the busier airports to handle the heavy weekend Memorial Day weekend travel. Two-hundred million people are expected to fly over the summer as domestic air travel approaches the volume from pre-9/11.

And now to the war on terrorism and Washington's concern that an attack could be timed to affect the presidential election. Such a strategy apparently worked in the deadly Madrid bombings, as we hear from CNN justice correspondent Kelli Arena.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Terror experts say it's not about who wins the U.S. election, it's about impact.

M.J. GOHEL, ASIA-PACIFIC FOUNDATION: If, for instance, say, George Bush was in the lead in the opinion polls right now and an attack took place and that changes the equation as it did, for instance in Spain, then al Qaeda would feel that it has scored a major success.

ARENA: Al Qaeda affiliates attacked Spain just before its elections in March. Some suggests that cemented an overwhelming win for the socialist party.

ASHCROFT: We believe, for example, the attack in Spain is one that is viewed by al Qaeda as particularly effective in advancing al Qaeda objectives.

ARENA: The attack did result in Spain pulling its troops out of Iraq. Experts say the less Western influence in Iraq, the better for al Qaeda.

GOHEL: Iraq is a key battleground for the terrorists. The terrorists want to turn Iraq into another Taliban Afghanistan. They would like to see the premature withdrawal of the U.S.-led coalition forces.

ARENA: Neither John Kerry nor the president has said troops pulled out of Iraq any time soon. But there is some speculation that al Qaeda believes it has a better chance of winning in Iraq if John Kerry is in the White House.

BEN VENZKE, INTELCENTER: Al Qaeda feels that Bush is, even despite casualties, right or wrong for staying there is going to stay much longer than possibly what they might hope a Democratic administration would.

ARENA: While U.S. officials say they are concerned about an attack as early as this summer, some experts believe if al Qaeda strikes with the election in mind, it will do it just before November 2nd.

(on camera) And while much attention is focused on the political conventions, experts say al Qaeda usually attacks targets it can hit on any given day.

Kelli Arena, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: John Kerry has launched his own offensive on national security with a speech in Seattle. Kerry says that his policies would better define the nation's anti-terror campaign, both in the eyes of the Americans and the terrorists.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This is my message to the terrorists. As commander in chief, I will bring the full force of our nation's power to bear on finding and crushing your networks. We'll use every resource of our power to destroy you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Kerry also says the Bush administration has weakened the U.S. with an ill-planned war in Iraq.

To the Pentagon now. It has changed the status of a soldier who was killed in the opening days of the Iraq war. Military investigators first believed that Sergeant Donald Walters was killed in combat when insurgents attacked 507th Maintenance Company. That is the one that, by the way, included Private Jessica Lynch. But now, military officials say, that Walters survived the ambush, only to be murdered by his captors. More now from our Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Sergeant Donald Walters, a soldier who was riding in that doomed convoy of the 507th Maintenance Company, the convoy of Jessica Lynch, was initially listed last year as killed in action. That, of course, has now changed. Sergeant Walters, his death now listed as a homicide, according to the U.S. military, part of a war crimes investigation into the entire ambush incident. The Army notified the widow and parents of Sergeant Walters earlier this week of the change.

The Army now believes that Sergeant Walters was wounded, but alive, captured by the Iraqis, taken to another location, and executed. The family spoke last night in Oregon.

NORMAN WALTERS, FATHER: According to two Iraqi ambulance drivers that witnessed some of the events of his capture, he was held separately from other prisoners and kept under guard by six enemy combatants. The same Iraqi ambulance driver then witnessed, as his body was brought out of the building and into his ambulance.

STARR: The Pentagon is also investigating possible war crimes involving the deaths of 10 other soldiers in that convoy ambush. Sergeant Walters family was posthumously awarded his Silver Star for gallantry with distinction and his purple heart.

Barbara Starr, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: It has been nearly 60 years in the making, and the young men and women who marched off to war are now seeing time as their common enemy, but that, too, has been conquered as the nation's oldest combat veterans converge on Washington for tomorrow's unveiling of the World War II Memorial.

Our Sean Callebs is in Washington D.C. on the national mall, the site of the memorial -- Sean.

SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Daryn.

A bit of a sound check going on now, as they get ready for the big celebration over this weekend. And really walking through the plaza of the World War II Memorial does invoke the same kind of sobering emotions as the wall, the Vietnam Memorial does, where it lists the name of those who died during that conflict. But this memorial does offer very hands-on structure, that is an interactive site that recognizes not only those who lost their lives during the war but all of those who served.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CALLEBS (voice-over): Eleven years after President Clinton authorized construction, nearly three times as long as U.S. involvement in the war, World War II veterans are embracing a memorial they proudly call their own.

FRED WOLFF, WWII VETERAN: Everybody out there is screaming we want a memorial for this and for that. And I thought it was about time that the guys got a break.

CALLEBS: Friedrich St. Florian's design was selected from 400 hundred entries. At each end, large granite arches. One reads "Pacific", the other "Atlantic." They denote the two theaters of U.S. involvement.

Fifty-six smaller pillars ring the plaza, one for all 50 states, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.

Bronze wreaths, one oak, the other wheat, are meant to symbolize U.S. agricultural and industrial strength.

Beyond the civic plaza, a wealth of subtle touches to inform and inspire.

Many veterans like John Nicholas have heard complaints about the design. Where some see a bland structure, he finds grandeur.

JOHN NICHOLAS, WWII VETERAN: It can bring tears for those who aren't here.

CALLEBS: One item decided early on, any memorial had to be built around a refurbished rainbow pool. Still for all of the planning and the $195 million in donations that rolled in, construction was a battle of a different kind.

Critics filed legal challenges, upset the sprawling structure would break up the sweeping mall between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CALLEBS: The memorial actually sits down in a recessed area and a lot of people says it doesn't take away the aesthetic beauty of this to here.

A great deal has been made about all of the security precautions that will be in the area over the next 72 hours. The National Park Service is also going to great lengths to get medical and health officials out here as well. They're concerned about the number of veterans that will be here and they say they're going to do everything possible to make everybody comfortable. Daryn, back to you.

KAGAN: Sean Callebs in Washington, D.C.

And we invite you to stay with CNN for live coverage of tomorrow's dedication ceremonies. Paula Zahn will lead our extensive coverage beginning tomorrow at 2:00 Eastern, 11 a.m. Pacific.

We are back in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(MARKET UPDATE)

KAGAN: Kate Hudson has a new film that hits theaters this weekend. Stay with us for a preview of "Raising Helen." Mr. Moviefone will be along.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are there, (UNINTELLIGIBLE)?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I'm here. These tornadoes are forming so fast.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, my God! Lisa! Are you getting this on camera? This tornado just came and raised the Hollywood sign. The Hollywood sign is gone!

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Is anyone hurt?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Twisters and blizzards and tidal waves, oh my! Nothing like the violent arrival of the next ice age to take your mind off the hot summer weather this Memorial Day Weekend. We are going to talk next hour about whether this is actually science fact or fiction. Bill Nye the Science guy will be along.

But we go from a science guy to Mr. Moviefone. Russ Leatherman joining us from his perch in L.A.

Apparently, the Hollywood sign has not blown away from behind you.

RUSS LEATHERMAN, "MR. MOVIEFONE": Not yet. It's still there.

And by the way, I'm sort of a science guy, in my own...

KAGAN: How is that?

LEATHERMAN: Not really. Here is what I do know, this is not going to happen. Al Gore says it's happening within the next week. I'm pretty sure it's not going to happen.

KAGAN: But is the movie happening?

LEATHERMAN: The movie is sort of happening. This movie is exactly what you would think it would be. It's the big disaster flick, sort of opens this summer. Dennis Quaid, Jake Gyllenhall. Really global warming and the greenhouse effect has melted the polarized caps, which are flooding New York, turning it into ice age, like you said, tornadoes, hurricanes, everything else.

The good thing about this movie is it's got some really good special effects. It's cool to watch, some killer special effects. The problem is when the people start talking actually.

KAGAN: I hate that.

LEATHERMAN: I hate that, too. The movie actually gets relatively preachy. Really, they're trying to give us some sort of lesson here or some sort of warning. And I don't know that I want to pay 10 bucks to have somebody tell me that the world is coming to an end unless we stop using hairspray. That's sort of what happens here.

If you like this kind of me movie, if you like the big disaster movies, you're going to like the first hour or so of this thing, but the second half sort of tails off, gets a little preachy. So it's not a terrible movie, but it's not great either.

KAGAN: And, see, here's the thing. Here's I know what you're saving your $10 for, a little romantic comedy. Speaking of hairspray, how about Kate Hudson in "Raising Helen?"

LEATHERMAN: I knew this was coming. I knew it was coming. And in fact, Daryn, I'm starting to think that might be right. I may have trouble with romance. I don't know what my deal is.

KAGAN: Really?

LEATHERMAN: It stars Kate Hudson, Joan Cusack, John Corbett. She plays sort of a carefree New York maven. She's is forced to grow up when her sisters' three kids are sent to live with her because she dies. The sister is dead. Now she has to raise these kids.

Well, there you go, what you're looking on the screen right now is pretty much what you get.

KAGAN: Looks good to me.

LEATHERMAN: OK then, it's got your vote. We've seen this movie over and over and over again -- "Baby Boom," "Big Daddy," even as recently as "Jersey Girl." And I love Kate Hudson, I really do. I think she's very cute. But it seems to me that she's playing the cute card a little too much here. I mean, it seems like she wants to be her mother, and frankly, in my opinion, one Goldie Hawn is plenty. We don't necessarily need another one.

KAGAN: Joan Cusuck, though, I love Joan Cusack.

LEATHERMAN: She steals this movie. If you're going to see the movie, she's probably the reason to go see it. But it's not a great movie. It's not a terrible movie. It's just sort of middle of the road.

KAGAN: It's a romantic movie and that kills you.

LEATHERMAN: I want to love, Daryn.

KAGAN: I think you need to recuse yourself from any romantic comedy reviews.

LEATHERMAN: By the way, here's a quick list, OK: "Bruce Almighty," "Love Actually," "50 First Dates," "Breaking All the Rules." I like the romantic comedies. I'm just looking for a good one.

KAGAN: You came ready for defense.

LEATHERMAN: I did. I did. I knew it was coming.

KAGAN: Now for a different type of comedy,"Soul Plane. Does this have every stereotype in the book?

LEATHERMAN: I'm ready for taking a ride on the "Soul Plane." It's got Kevin Hart, Snoop Dogg, Tom Arnold, who's usually a movie killer, and Method Man. Really, this is Snoop Dogg is the captain of a new airline that promises to put the get down in the get down. And really, I was disappointed with this movie. It was one of those that I thought that maybe it's just so bad that it's going to be really good? Not so much. It's actually just pretty bad. So I would say if you're going to the movies this weekend...

KAGAN: Yes, what do we see?

LEATHERMAN: Well, you got to go see "Shrek 2," but also "Mean Girls," "Man on Fire." There are lots of good movies out there; the new ones just aren't the greatest. But have a great weekend. There are plenty of movies for you and me alike.

KAGAN: There you go, enough love to go around. Russ, thank you.

LEATHERMAN: Let's have some love. I need some love.

KAGAN: That you do. Thanks for stopping by. We'll see you next week.

LEATHERMAN: Bye-bye.

KAGAN: Russ Leatherman, Mr. Moviefone.

And if you'd like more information and more film reviews, you can go to Web site, CNN.com/entertainment. Among some of the other notable films, recipes for rum, brown sugar glazed shrimp, and the ultimate margarita -- other food ideas for your Memorial Day holiday.

All right. Coming up, in the next hour of CNN LIVE TODAY, we're going to break down the mayhem from "The Day After." You've heard about the movie side. We're going to talk with the science guy. None other than Bill Nye the Science Guy will be back to talk about, can this really happen? And can it really happen in a weekend, or is it just sparking some good debate over global warming? That is ahead, as CNN LIVE TODAY continue after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com