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If it sounds a little offbeat, that's because Ponyo isn't like anything you'll ever see. It's absolutely gorgeous animation in the traditional format, where Miyazaki and Ghibli excel. I would argue that it's his most accessible film since Totoro, which means that even small children could easily understand the story - mainly because the protagonists are such small folk themselves. It's a glorious little film that celebrates friendship and determination, with some really lovely imagery to boot. I recently read a quote from Miyazaki about Fujimoto, Ponyo's father and the ostensible "bad guy" of the picture: "When I start creating a villain, I start liking the villain and so the villain is not really evil." I really liked the character's complexity, even if he is rather...odd. That's the thing about Miyazaki films - the characters are ultimately unforgettable.

Disc includes: The World of Ghibli featurette, Meet Ponyo: Introduction by the Producers featurette, Storyboard Presentation of the Movie featurette

For people who liked Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: Cold Souls

Here's a movie that is bound to amuse people who enjoy movies by Charlie Kaufman. It's Cold Souls, from first time writer-director Sophie Barthes. So as to not confuse you, no, Kaufman had nothing to do with the movie. But, you could probably make a fair argument that his oeuvre inspired it. The movie stars Paul Giamatti as Paul Giamatti, an actor who allows a shady company to extract his body's soul. Why? Paul figures that removing the thing he thinks is weighing him down will allow him to better prepare for the theater production, Uncle Vanya, he's supposed to star in. When things don't go as expected, Paul wants his soul back. Problem is the company no longer has it.

I liken Cold Souls to a movie like Kaufman's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. In both movies, procedures that thankfully do not exist enable people to undo the past. For Eternal Sunshine, it's the ability to cope with sadness by removing specific memories from the brain altogether. For Cold Souls, the stakes have been raised. We're talking about the human soul here!

Though I'd consider it a drama before anything else, Cold Souls does have its share of dark humor. One moment in particular would be Paul Giamatti's experiences post-extraction. As expected, it's a struggle. The movie isn't groundbreaking, but it's a neat little film that explores the human condition in an exciting new way.

Disc includes: Soul Extractor featurette, deleted scenes

For morbid people: 2012
Though the Mayan Long Count calendar "ends" about 2.5 years from now, most of us have realized that it probably doesn't spell Armageddon. In fact, many New Agers believe the date marks a positive transformation – or, the opposite of everything you may have seen in Roland Emmerich's 2012. Well done, Columbia. You released this beast before we had a chance to wise up!

For me, the mystery isn't about what may or may not happen two years from now. Instead, I'm much more invested in finding out how many times the Earth needs to be destroyed to satisfy Roland Emmerich. He did it over a decade ago in Independence Day, then again in The Day After Tomorrow (which, by the way, is a terrible in-flight entertainment choice. I experienced it firsthand a few years ago when my airline thought a movie with a breathtaking plane crash, among other calamities, would be a fitting way to entertain its customers on a long flight). Of course, Emmerich then released 2012.

As for me, I didn't see 2012 in November because I watched it about five years ago when it was called The Day After Tomorrow. I'm also not fond of movies that blow stuff up without reason, so the choice to skip was an easy one.

Disc includes: Alternate ending, Picture-in-Picture: Roland's Vision featurette, audio commentary, MovieIQ, Interactive Mayan Calendar featurette

March 2nd, 2010
Blu-ray
2012 (Special Edition)
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin
Alice
Clash Of The Titans
Edge Of The Earth / Corner Of The Sky
Eureka Seven: Good Night Sleep Tight Young Lovers
3/2/10 Gentlemen Broncos
Hawaii
Kurokami Part 1
Lily Town
The Neverending Story
Ninja
Ponyo
The Private Lives of Pippa Lee
Where the Wild Things Are
The Who: The Kids Are Alright
Wild Asia: Arid Heart

DVD
2012 (Special Edition)
Alice
Believe: The Eddie Izzard Story (Widescreen)
Bitch Slap
Cold Souls (Widescreen)
Dr. Who: Remembrance Of The Daleks (Special Edition)
Gentlemen Broncos
Hawaii
Jethro Tull: Live at Avo Session Basel
The Life (Unrated)
Lily Town
Love Me Tender (Special Edition)
Matlock: The Fourth Season
Ninja
Once / Slumdog Millionaire / Walk The Line (Triple Feature)
Ponyo (Widescreen)
The Private Lives of Pippa Lee
Where the Wild Things Are
Where the Wild Things Are (Widescreen)
The Who: The Kids Are Alright
The Wraith (Special Edition)

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