DVD Reviews

"Waltz With Bashir," (2008, Sony) ****

Told from the perspective of Ari (the film's director/writer), a soldier in the two decades old Lebanon War, this film traces him and his fellow Isreali soldiers' memories and skewed perspectives resulting from the war. What sounds ultimately like your average narrative on the horrors of battle turns out to actually be a documentary told through an animation style akin to a graphic novel. Employing it's own unique marriage of documentary and animated narrative, "Waltz With Bashir" takes the viewer on a trip it has rarely been on before. Writer/director Ari Folman's bold film won several awards and nominations (including an Oscar nomination for "Best Foreign Language Film"). Directed by Ari Folman. Starring Ari Folman and Ron Ben-Yishai. Rated R for some disturbing images of atrocities, strong violence, brief nudity and a scene of graphic sexual content.

DVD features: Commentary, Q&A panel discussion, animatics and a featurette. Recommended if you like: "Persopolis" and "Waking Life."

"Pink Panther 2," (2009, MGM) **

As a kid, this sequel to the remake of the Blake Edwards original "Pink Panther" series, this film may be a little fun but, when held up to the previous output of the original series and it's star, Steve Martin - it pales in comparison. Returning to the role of Inspector Clouseu, Martin is on the hunt for the elusive Pink Panther diamond again. This time, the diamond looks to have fallen into the hands of a thief known for his many illegal acquisitions, such as the Magna Carta, the Shroud of Turin and the Imperial Sword. While there are gags and silliness to be found throughout the film, only a handful of scenes register as funny. Directed by Harald Zwart. Starring Steve Martin and John Cleese. Rated PG for some suggestive humor, brief mild language and action.

DVD features: two featurettes and a gag reel. Reccomended if you like: "The Pink Panther (2006)" and "Sgt. Bilko."

"Legend Of The Bog," (2008, Lion's Gate) *

Sometimes you rent a movie with the knowledge that the film's probable badness is a given but, you hope that it will be a fun mind-numbing escape for a couple hours - this is not one of those movies. When a centuries old murder victim preserved in a peat bog is roused from his "sleep" by burgeoning land developments in rural Ireland, an archaeologist, a hunter and others go on the warpath to get rid of the violent menace. While the film's B-movie storyline should have guaranteed a nice round of brain rot, "Legend Of The Bog" commits the worst sin of any film - it's boring. Directed by Brendan Foley. Starring Nora-Jane Noone and Vinnie Jones. Rated R for some violence, disturbing images and brief sexuality.

DVD features: Trailers. Reccomended if you like: "Boa" and "Boa Vs. Python."