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Welcome to How to Spend $20, BOP’s look at the latest Blu-ray discs and DVDs to hit stores nationwide. This week: Mia Wasikowska gets dwarfed, Burn Notice straps someone to a bomb and Benecio del Toro channels his inner Teen Wolf.

Pick of the Week

For people who like it when Johnny Depp speaks in a ridiculous accent: Alice in Wonderland

To say Alice in Wonderland exceeded box office expectations over its opening weekend is a bit of an understatement. The forecast here on Box Office Prophets, for example, was off by 50%. (But no worries, we weren’t alone in that respect). In three days, the Tim Burton-directed flick earned a staggering $116.1 million, securing it seventh place on the all-time list of biggest weekends at the box office.

I think the take home message with Alice is that a majority of people at this point in time really frickin’ love 3D. The format has hit some snags recently, most notably in Shrek 4’s soft opening about a week ago. But, if a studio pumps out what looks to be at least decent to good entertainment, a sizable audience will follow.

In Alice’s case, it was the promise of another great movie from Team Burton/Depp. The duo has done so much together over the courses of their respective careers it’s downright disgusting. Even I, a moviegoer who considers 3D gimmicky and overpriced, was pretty excited to see what Burton had in store with his re-imagining of a classic tale. I think I may have seen the movie within its first week of setting up shop at the box office.

I left the theater with an overwhelming feeling of disappointment. All I can remember is that by the time Depp’s Mad Hatter did that stupid dance number for no apparent reason whatsoever, I asked myself: “Eric, wtf did you just spend $12 on?”





Maybe my beef is with the story of Alice in Wonderland itself. I mean, from an artistic standpoint, the film is gorgeous. (If, of course, green screens are your bag). I just never felt that engaged with the story Burton was trying to tell.

Disc includes: The Mad Hatter featurette, Finding Alice featurette, Effecting Wonderland featurette

For people who know exactly what Burn Notice is, thank you very much: Burn Notice - Season Three

"When you're burned, you've got nothing: no cash, no credit, no job history. You're stuck in whatever city they decide to dump you in. You do whatever work comes your way. You rely on anyone who's still talking to you. A trigger-happy ex-girlfriend, an old friend who used to inform on you to the FBI. Family, too…if you're desperate. Bottom line? Until you figure out who burned you... you're not going anywhere." --Michael Westen in the intro to Burn Notice

Back in 2007 when Burn Notice was all fresh and brand new, I tuned in to the pilot episode because Bruce Campbell was in it. Those of you who have followed BOP for any period know that I sort of love him, and even though I couldn't completely remember the title of the show for more than an hour (I called it "Burn…Something" for a long time), I was very excited to check it out.

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