Recently Viewed on DVD

'Nanny McPhee' - Rated PG

Emma Thompson directs and stars in 'Nanny McPhee' a wonderful, candy colored fairy tale about an overworked and out of his element recently single dad who requres the use of a nanny for his seven, yes, seven young children.

After several governesses don't work out [the children are really rotten to them], enter Nanny McPhee, a gruesome looking Thompson covered in a thick make-up of warts, a giant nose, and a snaggletooth. McPhee has a peculiar personality who deals with the children in a quiet, yet powerful way - part Mary Poppins, part Confucius.

The children are wonderful, authentic British accents and all, and do a superb job of being complex, fully realized kids.

Collin Furth's performance as the stoic father who is really trying to do well, is excellent, and Thompson as Nanny McPhee is superb.

'Duma' tells the story of a young South African boy who finds a cheetah cub on the side of the road, raises him, and then realizes that he must return the cheetah to the wild.

On the surface, it's a simple story, and while I don't want to give too much away, know that 'Duma' works on many levels, and delves into themes about friendship, family, loss and growing up.

Beautifully photographed by Werner Maritz, and directed by Carroll Ballard [who did a sensational job years ago with 'The Black Stallion'], the scenery alone is just spectacular.

'Duma' also uses very little dialogue and no voice over. Very refreshing.

It reminds me of those great Disney movies from the early 60s -- 'Charlie, The Lonesome Cougar' or 'The Incredible Journey' - before producers felt we had to see the animals talk to each other - lips moving, and with the voice of Chris Rock.

Although a tight hour and forty minutes, the middle of the story felt a tad repetitive. Overall, 'Duma' works very, very well. It's a movie that the entire family can enjoy together.

'Duma' is an really great movie. Really good acting, great scenery, and I think it's clever, because you don't see many movies with a cheetah as the main character.

It wasn't bad, but the whole movie was a little boring. Almost predictable in some ways. I found myself saying 'Get to it, already.'

Camp - Rated PG-13

I had heard about 'Camp' - and it sounded like a movie that we might enjoy. Young teenagers go to a performing arts camp, sing and dance, perform in musical numbers. You know, sort of like Disney's 'High School Musical' but more real, or something.

Dianne and I decided to watch it first, as PG-13 ratings have been a bit, questionable lately.

We need not have worried. Sure, there are some gay actors [this is musical theatre, afterall], and some implied sexuality, but pretty tame stuff.

The musical numbers are pretty good. We see a scene from 'Promises, Promises,' another gal does 'Here's to the Ladies Who Lunch' from 'Company,' a scene from 'Dreamgirls' -- decent singing and dancing for the most part.

The problem is with the 'scene' scenes. Where these young kids have to interact and speak dialogue to one another -- they are downright cinge inducing. Plus, the characters are so one-dimensional, it's tough to even buy what they're saying.

We have the closeted gay kid who likes to dress up in women's clothing, the homely, nerdy girl who's misunderstood, the witchy know-it-all who treats everyone like they're garbage, the old has-been director who is cranky and drinks too much - they're all here.

Then there's the lead kid. A handsome young man who's main intent is to get everyone to like him. Including the homely, nerdy girl and the gay kid who likes to dress up in women's clothing. 'I need the attention' he tells the gay kid. Whatever, dude. We just aren't buying it.

'Camp' felt like a neat idea for a movie that needed another year of development, a better script and a crop of better actors.

Save your time - or watch 'High School Musical' again.