DVD reviews: 'Memento,' 'Gromit'

By Paul Chambers
Special to CNN

(CNN) -- "Memento," one of this year's most talked-about films, makes its DVD and videocassette debut this week. Its appearance on video is welcome, since this complex murder mystery is much easier to navigate with your remote control.

Animation fans will beat a path to the store for "The Incredible Adventures of Wallace & Gromit." And, if you think "Shrek" was original, check out the live-action fairy tale, "The Princess Bride." Ratings are on a 10-point scale.

"Memento" (Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment)

It's hard to believe that the backwards narrative of this film noir thriller could make so much sense. But it does, and how. Guy Pearce stars as an insurance investigator who suffers short-term memory loss. When his wife is killed, he goes in search of the man responsible, but not everything is as it seems. It's the kind of mystery that screams for your remote. You'll be pausing the action, backing it up, even stopping the disc for quick consultations with your friends. Don't check your brain at the door -- you'll need it for this one. Very well directed by writer Christopher Nolan.

DVD extras: Get into the director's head with an Independent Film Channel interview by Elvis Mitchell of The New York Times. You can also read the original short story by the director's brother, Jonathan Nolan. And, don't miss the tattoo gallery for a closer peek at Pearce's tattoos. They may help you solve the mystery.

Rating: 8

"The Incredible Adventures of Wallace and Gromit" (BBC Video)

Finally, all three of Nick Park's delightful short films featuring the milquetoast Englishman Wallace and his faithful dog Gromit are on one disc. This animated hat trick includes the titles "A Grand Day Out," "The Wrong Trousers" and "A Close Shave." The equally entertaining comedies are as endearing as they are funny. If you liked "Chicken Run" (also a Nick Park creation), then you'll love "The Incredible Adventures of Wallace and Gromit."

DVD extras: Nick Park is very proud of his Oscars. You can tell by how many times you get to see them in a feature documentary. Even the Queen of England is shown admiring them. There are plenty of opportunities to see how the animation is created. Also included: the blueprints for some of Wallace's crazy inventions in the "Wallace and Gromit Scrapbook." Spanish and French language track available.

Rating: 7

"The Princess Bride Special Edition DVD" (MGM Home Entertainment)

This comic fairy tale from 1987 features some of the subversive comedy style that made "Shrek" such a hit this year. Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin and Robin Wright (in her first film) star in the story of a kidnapped princess named Buttercup and the many men who want to possess her. Carol Kane and Billy Crystal make hilarious cameos. Rob Reiner directs with equal touches of humor and pathos.

DVD extras: "The Princess Bride" has been available on DVD for quite a while now, so it's always tough to decide whether you want to shell out your hard-earned money for a new disc. But this one may be worth it. It features all-new interviews with Cary Elwes, Robin Wright Penn, Billy Crystal and Mandy Patinkin and new audio commentary by director Rob Reiner. Author William Goldman also sounds off. Perhaps most interestingly, there is video footage shot by Elwes during the production. The off-camera moments with the late Andre the Giant are worth catching.

Rating: 7

Also released on September 4:

DVD and VHS:

"Robbie the Reindeer" (Warner Home Video)
"Surrender Dorothy" (First Run Features)
"When Good Ghouls Go Bad" (Fox Home Entertainment)
"Forgive and Forget" (First Run Features)

VHS only:

"All Creatures Great and Small" (series 4, volumes 1-5) (Warner Home Video)
"Half Past Autumn" (Warner Home Video)
"Space Cowboys: Collector's Edition" (Warner Home Video)

DVD only:

"The Legend of Hell House" (Fox Home Entertainment)
"The Fury" (Fox Home Entertainment)
"Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Movie" (Fox Home Entertainment)
"Phantom of the Paradise" (Fox Home Entertainment)
"Little Man Tate" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"The French Lieutenant's Woman" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"Eddie and the Cruisers" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"Under Fire" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"Home for the Holidays" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"Along Came Jones" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"Chato's Land" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"Comes a Horseman" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"Lawman" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"Quigley Down Under" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"The Return of a Man Called Horse" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"Valdez is Coming" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"Ping" (Fox Home Entertainment)
"To Walk With Lions" (Fox Home Entertainment)
"Mom's Outta Sight" (Fox Home Entertainment)