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A DVD Review of...
  
Images (C) New Line |
Genre: Horror/Suspense
Cast: Snoop Dogg, Pam Grier, Michael T. Weiss, Clifton Powell, Bianca Lawson
Synopsis: Internationally acclaimed, Grammy nominated rap artist, Snoop Dogg, makes his motion picture starring debut in the horror-thriller Bones. A mythic story of betrayal, revenge, retribution and terror, Jimmy Bones (Snoop Dogg) in the 1970’s, is a legendary protector and patron of his thriving neighborhood. Cool, handsome and respected – Bones is the benevolent caretaker of his people until he is betrayed by those closest to him. Flash forward 20 years. Crime and drugs have crumbled the neighborhood and Jimmy Bones has become a charismatic emblem of better times. But his spirit is about to make a comeback.
Film Review: What is it with music star vanity projects all of a sudden. As if Mariah Carey's "Glitter", a woman who when she hits the high notes produces the same effect as 200dB feedback, wasn't bad enough we've had N'Sync-er Lance Bass doing "On The Line", Mandy Moore in "A Walk to Remember", Britney Spears in the Thelma & Louise-lite "Crossroads", and Eminem in the upcoming street gang drama "8-Mile". Sure some have been able to crossover like J-Lo, Mark Wahlberg, etc. but for the most part attempts by singers usually crash and burn - anyone remember the Vanilla Ice movie? (just be glad Rick Astley didn't do romantic comedy). Indeed, none of the new batch have been impressive at all - Bass, Moore & Spears are smart people (in interviews Bass is easily the most interesting of the five guys) but nevertheless both have chosen dud projects, "Glitter" was just a mess and the less said about the likes of "How High" the better. They didn't work because not only were they uninteresting concepts, they didn't play to the singer's strengths. Sure Madonna isn't that great an actress, but at least with "Desperately Seeking Susan" she debutted with a role well suited for her - which is why Eminem at least has a chance because "8 Mile" seems to be doing that too.
Of late, its only really been Vitamin C with a small supporting role in "Dracula 2000" that stands out - sure it was a dud film but she was fresh and full of energy which allowed her to steal it. Now comes "Bones" from rapper Snoop Dogg (formerly Snoop Doggy Dog till legal problems forced the name change...sigh, at least it aint P.Diddy or whatever he's called now). "Bones" at lest feels like an attempt at a horror project which hired a rap star rather than a cheap movie constructed around a musician's ego. Still the tagline "Unleash the Dogg" is pretty much what the filmmakers have done here with this effort. Aside from some great cinematography, clever imagery, and urban legend back history there's not much here - but still its enough to pull off a horror film with more creativeness than most efforts of the genre of late. In many ways it reminded me the most of an effort a few years back called "Candyman" in its style, even though that movie was much scarier, better written and featured some great performances from Virginia Madsen and Tony Todd. Performances here though aren't much with Grier over the top as usual, Dogg's acting is exactly as you'd expect, but its Bianca Lawson as the daughter character who proves the most likable of the lot. The brownstone house setting is a great idea and there's some cleverly creepy or gross images such as a maggot spewing dog, a billiard table that bleeds (albeit the fakest looking blood I've seen in a movie), and a wall of oozing black bodies. One effect I also quite liked was the rose tinted POV of Bones himself in several scenes. Still, someone needs to put this Dogg down and out of its misery as I think its got rabies (albeit a mild case). - Garth Franklin
"Bones: Platinum Series"
DVD Details In Brief (Region 1)
Rating: R
Runtime: 92mins
Versions: 16:9 Enhanced Widescreen, 4:3 Letterboxed
Aspect Ratio: 1.85: 1
Sound: Dolby Digital EX5.1, DTS ES6.1
Language & Sub-Titles: English, Spanish, French
Audio: Commentary Track by Director Ernest Dickerson, Actor Snoop Dogg and Writer Adam Simon
Documentaries: "Digging Up Bones" & "Urban Gothic"
Clips: Deleted Scenes, Music Video (clip and live), Trailer
DVD-Rom: Script-To-Screen, Website Links
Region 1 vs. Region 4: No Region 4 Available. |
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DVD Review: New Line comes through again, even though this is one of their weakest releases in ages its still got more to it than many discs you might expect. The print is superb - this film makes a lot of use of both subtle and loud colours/shadows which are all rendered superbly, grain is absent and edges are just right. The audio is just as good - fantastic use of surround, superb balance between elements (though dialogue is a little soft at times) and FX noises that'll pound your woofer crazy. The audio commentary isn't much sadly, Snoop remains muzzled for most of it whilst Dickinson does ok with the occasional interesting bit (such as the '79 flashback being shot in Vancouver on some of its hottest days on record).
The extras kick off with two 20-minute docos about the film's making - "Digging Up Bones" is pretty ordinary despite some good interviews, better is "Urban Gothic" which uses copious amounts of "Nosferatu" footage and various people trying to explain the appeal of horror films. There's a whopping fourteen deleted/extended scenes here totalling in about 25 minutes of extra footage - all presented in proper finished footage quality video (though audio isn't as touched up in some segments) and with optional commentary. The highlights include 70's era Snoop and Pam Grier talking dirty whilst fondling a melon, two guys talking with members of the neighbourhood about Bones, and the white girl in the bathtub finding her curtains catch on fire.
Two music videos of "Dogg Named Snoop" are here - the standard made for MTV clip which is basically an ego wank for the star (though I like the subtle tie-in moments to the movie), and a version which is the same audio track but the video instead is a compilation of concert footage - thus this is NOT an actual live performance which would've been more interesting (thus we can see how he sounds on the stage). There's also a half decent trailer, and EPK stuff like filmographies and production notes. Capping it all off is the usual DVD-Rom features from NL including a script viewer and web link. All up its a decent film and a decent DVD, worth collecting for horror or Snoop fans, but definitely no major crossover appeal. - Garth Franklin
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