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In theaters Friday: I Am Legend New on DVD: The Bourne Ultimatum , Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Interview

I rented Rescue Dawn last weekend. Werner Herzog tackled this Vietnam era narrative based on the true story of U.S. Navy pilot Dieter Dengler, who was shot down in 1966 during a secret bombing raid over Laos and interred at a remote jungle prison camp. Ten years ago Herzog made Little Dieter Needs to Fly. Christian Bale -- again shedding weight like he did for The Machinist -- stars as Dengler, a German immigrant who made his home in America after WWII.

Jeremy Davies' performance is subtly terrifying as Gene, a fellow American prisoner who is just crazy enough to try to thwart Dengler's attempts at escape. Gene is more content to wait out the war in the prison camp, while Dengler understandably wants out as soon as possible. It helps that Davies, severely underweight, pale and sporting long hair looks like Charles Manson here. Steve Zahn also gives an empathetic, supporting performance. Buried under a dirt-rubbed face and bushy beard, Zahn does some of his best acting with his eyes.

For a film with such a serious, dour subject as capture, it was surprisingly easy to watch and digest. For some reason Rescue Dawn reminded me of Apocalypto. Maybe it was because both are uncomplicated, almost simple, stories that are acted and photographed well. Both take place in foreign jungles, too. If the film is light on backstory and character development -- we jump right into the mission and crash without really knowing who Dengler is -- it does deliver in those qualities and a rousing finale by the end. You just have to survive the rigors and leaches of the Laos jungle to get there.

Check it out. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull has itself an official teaser poster right here . Illustrated by iconic poster artist Drew Struzan, this one has a look and tone more like the Temple of Doom teaser -- minus the machete and one-sleeve shirt -- than the others, but I like it even more. The film hits theaters May 22, and a trailer should be forthcoming in the next month or so. Can't wait.