Anxious Animation

This new DVD from Other Cinema collects 10 short cartoons from six animators firmly rooted outside the mainstream. "Anxious" is a perfect title for this set, which ranges from nervous and scattered to rambling and pretentious. (Jim Trainor's disturbing "The Bats" once graced the San Francisco International Film Festival.) Only the final section, by Henry Garon Ascher (a collective consisting of Eric Henry, Syd Garon and Rodney Ascher) shows anything promising. Their turntable-inspired animation apes silly superhero comix with humor and energy. "The Wheel of Torment" makes a music video out of Hieronymus Bosch, "Sneak Attack" pays homage to the great DJ Q-Bert and "Somebody Goofed" brings to life an infamous Jack Chick comic. Starring: n/a Written by: Lewis Klahr, Janie Geiser, Jim Trainor, Eric Henry, Syd Garon, Rodney Ascher Directed by: Lewis Klahr, Janie Geiser, Jim Trainor, Eric Henry, Syd Garon, Rodney Ascher MPAA Rating: Unrated Running Time: 81 minutes Date: July 9, 2006