DVD Reviews

Acclaimed anime master Hayao Miyazaki (SPIRITED AWAY) returns for his ninth animated feature with PONYO, which deals with a friendship between a five-year-old boy and a goldfish princess who yearns to be human. The daughter of the king of the ocean, Ponyo is no ordinary goldfish – she has all the magic of the sea at her disposal. But when five-year-old Sosuke befriends the spunky little fish near the seaside home he shares with his mother and father, a special connection sparks between the two children, and Ponyo becomes determined to become human. Transforming into a little girl, Ponyo shows up at Sosuke's doorstep, delighted to make herself at home with her new land-dwelling family. But having a magical fish princess walking around on dry land begins setting the mystical balance of the world off kilter, and even though the innocent love Ponyo feels for her dear friend is strong, it will take some help from the greatest powers in the ocean to make things right again.

From Roland Emmerich, director of The Day After Tomorrow and Independence Day, comes the ultimate action-adventure film, exploding with groundbreaking special effects. As the world faces a catastrophe of apocalyptic proportions, cities collapse and continents crumble. 2012 brings an end to the world and tells of the heroic struggle of the survivors.

Maurice Sendak's classic book Where the Wild Things Are comes to the big screen in an adventure tale for every generation. Directed by innovative filmmaker Spike Jonze, Where the Wild Things Are follows the adventure of Max, a mischievous young boy who is sent to his room after rebelling against his mother. However, Max's imagination is free to roam, and it soon transports him to a thriving forest bordering a vast sea. Delighted, Max sets sail for the land of the Wild Things, where mischief reigns and Max rules.

Alvin, Simon and Theodore meet their musical match after returning to school and entering into a battle of the bands competition in hopes of saving the school's troubled music programme. Sent to live with Dave Seville's younger nephew Toby (Zachary Levi), the three lovable marmots decide that getting an education is more important than belting out pop tunes. But the school's music programme is about to go belly up, and the only way to save it is to win the 25,000-dollar prize in the upcoming battle of the bands. Though the Chipmunks are confident they have the songwriting skills to steamroll the competition, a newly formed singing trio dubbed the Chippettes promises to give them some stiff competition on-stage. Brittany, Eleanor, and Jeanette are indeed the real deal, and the closer the competition gets, the more Alvin, Simon and Theodore realise that in order to win, they'll have to give it everything they've got.

The Men Who Stare At Goats is an hilarious comedy inspired by a real life story you will hardly believe is true. 
Reporter Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor) is in search of his next big story when he encounters Lyn Cassady (George Clooney) who claims to be part of “The New Earth Army”, an experimental US Army unit. According to Cassady, a legion of psychic warriors with unparalleled powers can read the enemy’s thoughts, pass through solid walls, and even kill a goat simply by staring at it. Now, the programme’s founder, Bill Django (Jeff Bridges), has gone missing and Cassady’s mission is to find him. Intrigued by his new acquaintance’s far-fetched stories, Bob impulsively decides to accompany him on the search.

Inspired by Jon Ronson’s bestselling book, this is an eye-opening and hilarious comedy led by an all-star cast.