Take a magical journey with "The Red Balloon"

It's really slim pickings this week on DVD, especially since I can't see myself springing for any kind of glossy "Golden Compass" package.

There is, however, one little surprise from Janus Films and Criterion that I guarantee will bring a smile to the face of kids of all ages.

Albert Lamorisse's "The Red Balloon" ("Le Ballon rouge") has apparently been available on some kind of DVD for a few years now (I've only seen it on a very grainy VHS copy), but now the folks at Criterion have given this magical short film the proper respect it deserves.

As premises go, it really doesn't get much simpler than this one. Our hero, Pascal (the director's son, Pascal Lamorisse), finds the titular red balloon, which ends up following him through the streets of Paris and even to school. Sappy? Sure, but also just a lot of fun and a moving tale about the power of friendship.

A fun fact: Despite its scant dialogue, the movie actually won the Academy Award in 1957 for Best Original Screenplay, still the only short film to win an Oscar in competition with feature-length flicks. It's also set in the neighborhoods of Belleville and Montmarte, making the balloon's journey a fun one to follow.

You can apparently wait and get a twin bill of this and another Lamorisse film I've never seen, "White Mane," also from Janus/Criterion, but I'm not sure when that will come out. And besides, even if you buy this one rather then rent it, it's only listed as $9.99 at Amazon.

Take a chance and I guarantee you'll be rewarded with a very entertaining little flick.

Bob and Doug get animated?

Well, except for that DVD nugget, all I really have for you is something that will hopefully make at least a few people laugh.

Remember Bob and Doug McKenzie? If you don't, I probably can't help you, because as far as silly but fun movies go they really don't get much better than "Strange Brew."

Now, from ANIMAX Canada, Bob and Doug (a k a Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas) are coming in 2009 to Canadian TV, but not as of yet to my American TV (which, oddly enough, looks a lot like a Canadian TV, except mine doesn't get "The Animated Adventures of Bob & Doug McKenzie.") Here, thanks to QuickStop Entertainment, is the preview that was just shown at New York's ComicCon, introduced by Dave Thomas. Enjoy, and have a pleasant enough Tuesday. Peace out.