How to Spend $20
By Eric Hughes
January 27, 2009
BoxOfficeProphets.com
Pick of the Week
For people who speak Spanglish: Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Marking Woody Allen's biggest earner (and best reviewed movie) since 2005's Match Point, Vicky Cristina Barcelona has got it all: guns, sex, even smooching of the spastic kind. And hey, let's not forget about those beautiful Spanish landscapes. (I've been to Barcelona, and it's just as gorgeous as everyone claims it is. Just don't pull a me and get pickpocketed while strolling along La Rambla. Oh, they're gooood).
The film centers on two American women, conveniently named Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson), who spend a summer in Barcelona. While there, the duo meet an artist (Javier Bardem) who finds himself attracted to both women (oh really??) while continuing to carry lingering feelings for his ex-wife (Penelope Cruz). (Again, no shocker here).
Disc includes: None ):
For people who were disappointed in Quantum of Solace and are in need of something with a bit more pizzazz: The Bourne Trilogy [Blu-ray]
Not sure what more you need to know here. It's assassin Jason Bourne dressed up in gorgeous Blu-ray...all in one place. If you failed to catch these movies in theaters, now's your chance to see them the way they were meant to be seen – at home, at least. Better yet, use the set as a refresher to the franchise, whose fourth installment (consequently devaluing the "trilogy" branding) could reach theaters as early as 2010.
Disc includes: The Bourne Identity (From Identity to Supremacy: Jason and Marie featurette, The Bourne Mastermind: Robert Ludlum featurette, The Bourne Diagnosis featurette, Inside a Fight Scene featurette, deleted scenes, audio commentary), The Bourne Supremacy (On the Move with Jason Bourne featurette, Blowing Things Up featurette, Bourne to be Wild: Fight Training featurette, Matching Identities: Casting featurette, deleted scenes, audio commentary), The Bourne Ultimatum (Man on the Move: Jason Bourne featurette, Planning the Punches featurette, Driving School featurette, New York Chase featurette, deleted scenes, audio commentary
For people who can't break away from winter in Pittsburgh: Groundhog Day
While I'm on the subject of Blu-ray, I'd like to call attention to one of my Bill Murray favorites: Groundhog Day. Of course, a movie like this one certainly doesn't demand the clarity of Blu-ray, but better picture/sound quality never hurts the home video cinephile.
In the classic story, Murray plays a narcissistic TV weatherman who can't seem to escape Groundhog Day. That's because he's stuck reliving the same day over and over. So one time he'll drive off a cliff, the next time he'll off himself in a bathtub (with toaster in tow), yet another he'll just simply go to bed. But no matter the case, he's bound to wake up on February 2nd with the radio playing I've Got You Babe.
Disc includes: Audio commentary, The Weight of Time documentary, trailers, filmographies, production notes
For people who can never get enough of Samuel L. Jackson yelling at things: Lakeview Terrace
Forget snakes. Nowadays what pisses Mr. Jackson off aren't those obtrusive, slithery creatures, but uh...interracial couples. Here the vet actor plays Abel Turner, an LAPD officer whose neighborhood watchdog duties begin working overtime when Chris (Patrick Wilson) and Lisa (Kerry Washington) move into their new California home located just a few spaces over from Abel's. Friendly at first, Abel grows increasingly distrustful of Chris, who the officer original pegged as one of the movers. (Guess who's NOT coming to dinner?)
Though critical opinion of the thriller was mixed, box office returns were clearer. Against a reported budget of $20 million, the pic earned back $39.2 million Stateside and another $3.8 abroad.
Disc includes: Deleted scenes, audio commentary, An Open House: Behind the Story featurette, Meet Your Neighbors: Casting featurette, Home Sweet Home: Physical Production featurette
For people who have a hard time finding anything funny about Dwight without Jim: The Rocker (Special Edition)
Caution: Dwight with a drum kit. Not a good idea. Also not a good idea? The decision to open this comedy in more than 2,700 theaters. Placing a solid 13th in its initial frame, The Rocker scored a terrible $947 per-theater average. (Bigger than any Kevin Costner or Nic Cage bomb...combined). Hey, it's no Delgo, but I suppose I'm not really saying a whole lot with said statement.
In The Rocker, Rainn Wilson breaks free from his Office roots to star in a comedy about a bizarre, obnoxious nobody who subs in as drummer for a high school band when the group's former drummer is forced to drop out. Other cast members include Christina Applegate, Will Arnett, Bradley Cooper and a band of SNLers.
**This hasn't been researched...but something tells me I may be on to something.
Disc includes: Audio commentary, deleted scenes, gag reel, MTV Panel featurette, Internet podcasts, Pete Best interview, Vesuvius PSAs, Rainn Wilson Office Rocker featurette, Behind the Band: Vesuvius featurette, Rock Tales featurette, The Music featurette, Rock Beat with Fish Fishman featurette, "I'm Not Bitter" music video, In Character with The Rocker featurette, digital copy of the film
January 27th, 2009
Blu-ray
Any Given Sunday (Director's Cut)
Ashford & Simpson: The Real Thing
Dead And Buried
Death Trance
Hulk Vs.
Lakeview Terrace
The Life Gamble
One Piece Movie 8
Open Season 2
The Pink Panther (Collector's Edition)
Pride and Glory (Special Edition)
The Rocker (Special Edition)
RocknRolla (Special Edition)
Stomp: Live
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
DVD
Any Given Sunday (Director's Cut)
Biggie "Notorious B.I.G." Smalls: Rap Phenomenon
Blossom: Seasons 1 & 2
Cheers: The Complete Series (Set)
Cheers: The Final Season
Closing the Ring (Widescreen)
College (Widescreen)
Fireproof (Widescreen)
Gutterballs (Special Edition)
Hulk Vs.
Il Divo: Live At Coliseum
Invaders: The Complete Series
M.A.N.T.I.S.: The Complete Series
Mary Poppins (Anniversary Edition)
Metallica (Collector's Edition)
Open Season 2
Operation Valkyrie
Peanuts: You're A Good Sport, Charlie Brown (Deluxe Edition)
Pride and Glory (Special Edition)
The Pink Panther (Collector's Edition)
RocknRolla (Special Edition)