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Welcome to How to Spend $20, BOP's look at the latest DVDs to hit stores nationwide. This week: Joaquin Phoenix marks new territory, Trekkies add one more title to their Blu-ray collections and HBO proves it’s a little too good at producing television.

Pick of the Week

For people who like queer things: I'm Still Here: The Lost Year of Joaquin Phoenix

In probably one of the better modern takes of life imitating art, I’m Still Here tracks a bizarre year in the life of actor Joaquin Phoenix. The catch is he reportedly was playing a character the whole time. So, all those strange visits to shows like David Letterman and his pursuit of a hip-hop career are actually kind of false.

I’m not as concerned as Roger Ebert with whether or not it was an elaborate hoax because I don’t care. Only, if the mockumentary is of good quality, then I’ll probably want to see it. Well, save for that scene I’ve heard about that apparently has a dude pooping on Phoenix while the actor’s sleeping. Even the Jackass guys wouldn’t do something like that. (Or would they?)

The film marks the directorial debut of Casey Affleck. The boy also is credited as a producer and co-writer.

Disc includes: Audio commentary, deleted scenes, Jerry Penacoli interview, alternate ending outtakes

For people who think William Shatner is overrated: Star Trek [Blu-ray]

There are two divisive camps: Those that saw the new Star Trek and, later, loved it, and those who haven’t seen it out of spite because they assumed it’d be too nerdy and not their thing. Let me say for the record that I fall into the former and am, really, pretty grateful for taking the leap when I did to go out of my way to see it.

I knew nothing about the Star Trek universe – save for knowing Spock and Captain Kirk by name only – yet felt right at home with all that Trekky jargon and mythology. With the Star Trek reboot, J.J. crafted a tale that satisfies the diehards (or so I’ve heard) by remaining true to Star Trek’s sources while gently inviting newbs (read: me) through strong character and story. Not once did I think the movie foolish. It truly is pretty awesome.

Out today is a Blu-ray copy of the disc. It’s a bit of a surprise how stripped-down it is, considering it’s a product of J.J. Abrams and, well, science fictiony. I’m sure Trek aficionados – and film lovers, too! – would have appreciated some, you know, making-of featurettes. I’m amazed we only get some audio commentary.

Disc includes: Audio commentary, NASA News featurette

For people who forgot people actually live in South Dakota: Deadwood: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]

I don’t know when I’m going to begin that elusive next television catch-up show, but when I do it likely will be one of the following: The Sopranos, The Wire, Friday Night Lights or Deadwood. Save for that underwatched NBC drama that just entered into its final season, my picks all air on HBO, a channel that has done some pretty great things in scripted television. I grew tired of True Blood and have stopped watching it, but totally enjoyed a fun ride for two seasons. And Six Feet Under is my favorite show to date, so… Personally, I feel like I haven’t gone wrong with HBO yet.





Anyway, press on Deadwood is about as positive as can be. Some friends of mine whose opinions I trust said I need to get on Deadwood “like now.” I get weary because I’ve heard it ends on an unsatisfying note – whatever that may be – so that gets discouraging. Yet basing an entire series on a finale says nothing about the journey getting there. And many argue the same can be said of Lost (i.e. sucky finale), but I beg to differ. I thought the finale was pretty great, actually.

Disc includes: Four hours of bonus material, The Meaning of Endings: David Milch on the Conclusion, The Real Deadwood: Out of the Ashes, Q&A with the cast and creative team, Deadwood 360 Tour featurette, Al Swearengen audition reel

November 23, 2010

Blu-ray
America Lost & Found: The BBS Story
Ancient Aliens: Season 1
Angel Heart / Johnny Handsome
Black Mask / Forbidden Kingdom
Chaos / The Bank Job
Clint Eastwood Collection
Countdown to Zero
Crank / Crank 2
Deadwood: The Complete Series
Diary of a Mad Black Woman
The Disappearance of Alice Creed
Eat Pray Love
The Expendables
Fire & Ice: The Dragon Chronicles
Flipped
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Grotesque
Human Weapon: The Complete Season 1
The Hunting Party
I'm Still Here: The Lost Year of Joaquin Phoenix
Kurokami Animation: Part 4
Lang Lang: Live in Vienna
Madea's Big Happy Family: The Play
Madea's Family Reunion
Metropolis (Special Edition)
The Other Side of the Game
The Pillars of the Earth
Rambo / First Blood
Rambo 2 / Rambo 3
Running Man / Red Heat
Salon Kitty
The Search for Santa Paws
Star Trek
Sting: Live in Berlin
Total Recall / Terminator: Judgment Day
Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail
Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys
Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?
Universal Soldier / Lock Up
War / The Condemned

DVD
7th Heaven: The Complete Series (Set)
7th Heaven: The Final Season
Ancient Aliens: Season 1
Batman Beyond: The Complete Series (Set)
Countdown to Zero
Deadwood: The Complete Series
The Disappearance of Alice Creed
Eat Pray Love
The Expendables
Fire & Ice: The Dragon Chronicles
Flipped
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
I'm Still Here: The Lost Year of Joaquin Phoenix
Led Zeppelin: The Untold Story
Madea's Big Happy Family: The Play
Metropolis (Special Edition)
Murder, She Wrote: The Complete Twelfth Season
The Other Side of the Game
The Pillars of the Earth
The Tudors: The Complete Series (Boxed Set)