Try this one on for size folks. Meticulously hand crafted puppets that participate in a re-creation of a classic Edgar Allen Poe tale. It's not what you'd think though... say goodbye to The Tell Tale Heart and say hello to The Tattle Tale Heart. Also say hello to the PUPHEDZ a crazy concoction that seems to blend the best of Tim Burton with the wackiest of The Bros. Quay, yeah you're getting the idea. It's just off the wall enough to make an appearance on DVD courtesy of Elite Entertainment, let's take a closer look.

I'm sure we're all familiar with the classic Poe story being emulated here, but I'm also sure that you're not too familiar with the wackiness that went into its re-creation. The story revolves around a young man and his odd choice of a roommate in an old man. One can only imagine how these two became roommates (like I'm one to talk, my roommate ain't no prize neither!). The young man is slowly driven insane by the old man's one weird and wacky spinning eye (you JUST need to see it, trust me). Unable to cope, the young man makes a few comical attempts on the old dude's life (comical and extremely unsuccessful mind you) until a swift blow that helps to end it all. Of course the young man buries old dude beneath the floorboards of the living room only to be tormented by the sound of the old man's beating heart (which also has a mind of its own). All of this happens just in the nick of time as two bungling policemen show up to the scene of the crime. Do I even need to tell you what happens next? Throw in a little puppet blood and some keystone cops style humor, and you've got the PUPHEDZ!

It's really hard to sum up the pure joy that the PUPHEDZ truly bring. Throw everything else aside and take a look at the incredibly detailed puppets, backgrounds and sets and you've got a truly awesome visual spectacle. It's obvious that each of these puppets were hand carved, painted and dressed with the utmost care and detail. Although I don't mind a little blood splatter from time to time (eh, who am I kidding, I love blood splatter!) I must admit that I almost cringed when the blood started to spray on the set and the hand crafted puppets! Now, add to the mix a nifty twist on a Poe classic and an extremely wicked sense of humor (also an inspired computer animated nightmare sequence) and you'll start to get the idea.

The idea behind the PUPHEDZ is that they are a traveling troupe of actors (the puppets that is) and they put on a new show at different locations. They are drug around in a cart by a meaty looking fellow in a brifelive action opening segment. Hopefully we'll have many more PUPHEDZ adventures to look forward to, that's something I wouldn't mind at all.

PUPHEDZ is presented in two versions on this DVD, a "long version" running 34 minutes and a "short version" that runs about 27 minutes. The real only difference is the absence of "the killer" in an insane hospital, relaying the narrative to the viewer. You be the judge.

Quality wise, high marks all around for Elite. PUPHEDZ was shot on video and is presented in a near perfect transfer on this DVD. No compression artifacts, solid and bright colors (even in low light situations) and deep solid blacks. Oh yeah, and bright blood reds.

Audio is presented in a solid stereo surround mix that is just as pleasing as the video quality. Clear dialogue and a few nicely laid out directional effects, dig it!

Extras include a US trailer and highly entertaining Euro trailer as well as a teaser promo. Other extras include a slide show (with a nifty lay out) and a behind the scenes documentary that runs just about 16 minutes. It's a great piece that includes on set footage as well as a quick lesson in creative digital editing. An audio commentary would have been keen as well but...

For 10 bucks retail you certainly can't go wrong. Not to mention the fact that most places are selling this disc for less than 8 bucks! That's cheaper than two McDonald's value meals! Put down the fries and pick up the PUPHEDZ! I myself dug the PUPHEDZ with their twisted brand of horror/comedy hybrid. It certainly looks neat either way, and the obvious love and care that went into this presentation makes me easily say that this one comes highly recommended.

For more info visit www.puphedz.com.