How to Spend $20
By Eric Hughes
June 17, 2008
BoxOfficeProphets.com
PICK OF THE WEEK
For people who canceled their HBO subscriptions: Californication: The First Season
Showtime has really gotten into the groove as of late with its original programming slate. From Weeds to Dexter to The Tudors, the tiny network finally is generating even more buzz than its pay cable rival HBO, which has fallen off its rocker somewhat after failing to find replacement series once The Sopranos, Sex and the City and Six Feet Under exited the airwaves. And Showtime's Californication stands as no exception to the network's recent creative renaissance. Starring The X-Files' David Duchovny as troubled novelist Hank Moody, the series follows his character's move to Los Angeles and the subsequent relationship problems he deals with, specifically with his ex-girlfriend, Karen (Natascha McElhone) and daughter, Becca (Madeleine Martin). Season two is expected to air later this fall.
Disc includes: Character bios; sample episodes from Showtime's Dexter, The Tudors and more.
For people who just can't let go: Jericho: The Second Season/Jericho: The Complete Series
Nowadays, it's not all that uncommon for a broadcast television series to get cancelled by its network. In 2007, CBS did exactly that to cult hit Jericho, a drama set during the aftermath of a nuclear attack that the network axed after Jericho's freshman season completed its 22-episode order. But how often do you hear of a series getting booted off the air twice...by the same network? Faced with a barrage of hate mail and an incredibly unique save-the-show campaign - peanuts, anyone? - CBS revived the series for a second season, only to cancel it again after just seven episodes, which aired earlier this year. Fans are mounting a new campaign to bring back the series yet again, but an embarrassed CBS probably won't play Mr. Nice Guy for another go around. Sorry, Jericho fans, but it's about time you attach yourselves to a show that people actually watch.
Jericho: The Second Season disc includes: Rebuilding Jericho featurette, Nut Job featurette, deleted scenes, unaired alternative ending.
Jericho: The Complete Series disc includes: Episode commentary, Tick Tick Boom featurette, Behind the Scenes "Thank You" featurette, 100 Reasons to Watch Jericho featurette, table read, napalm action sequence (from season two), train crash sequence (from season two), Cast Members' Memorable Moments featurette, cast biographies.
For people who want to relive the classic Merlin v. Mad Madam Mim: The Sword in the Stone (Anniversary Edition)
It wasn't just the music industry that underwent a British invasion. Film, too, had a version of its own, specifically under the Disney fold. Back in the Mouse House's heyday, there was The Jungle Book, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and, of course, a little film called The Sword in the Stone, perhaps one of my favorite kidvids. Out today in a special 45th-anniversary package, the film is about the early days of King Arthur and his education under the masterful wizard Merlin. Because of his ability to pull out a sword from a very secure stone, young Arthur becomes the rightful heir to England's throne by performing such a miracle. Based on T.H. White's novel of the same name, The Sword in the Stone was the last feature released during Walt Disney's lifetime.
Disc includes: All-New Merlin's Magical Academy Game, Knight for a Day short film, Brave Little Tailor short film, Music Magic: The Sherman Brothers featurette, The Sword in the Stone Scrapbook, Disney Song Selection.
For people who didn't know that documentaries have come a long way: Super High Me
Perhaps every cannabis lovers' wet dream, Super High Me - playing on the name of Morgan Spurlock's hit fast food documentary, Super Size Me - shows what happens to a person who smokes marijuana non-stop for 30 days. Pegged as "Super Size Me with weed instead of McDonald's," comedian Doug Benson did nothing but light up all day and all night, while physicians tracked his progress along the way. Following Benson's month-long stoner research project, doctor's examined his health and weight, and Benson took both an SAT and even ESP test - and to surprising results. Why no one thought to do this sooner is anyone's guess.
Disc includes: deleted scenes.
For people who think Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey are the next Julia Roberts and Richard Gere: Fool's Gold
The public sure seems to enjoy the cinematic partnership of actors Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey. Though not as financially successful as 2003's How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days ($105 million in domestic dollars, $177 million worldwide), Fool's Gold ($70 million domestically, $107 million worldwide) reunited the pair for a second helping of harmless romantic comedy, even if critics weren't all that enthused about it. Dubbed by some as "tedious" and "listless," just 10% of reviewers gave the film a positive review, according to RottenTomatoes. The film, also starring Donald Sutherland, is about a married couple who revitalize their love for another during a search for lost treasure.
Disc includes: Flirting With Adventure featurette, gag reel.
For people who tune into USA for something other than pro wrestling: Burn Notice: Season One
A hit for the venerable USA Network when it aired its first season last summer, Burn Notice follows covert-operations agent Michael Westen, who receives a "burn notice" that both blacklists him from the intelligence community and compromises his secret identity. He then takes it upon himself to take down a faceless enemy, without getting himself in too much trouble (i.e. death). The first season is being released on DVD today, which gives viewers - old and new - plenty of time to familiarize themselves with the humorous spy genre hit before nine new episodes hit USA's schedule beginning July 10th. The series will then complete its second season with another seven episodes in early 2009.
Disc includes: Scene-specific commentary on all episodes with actors Jeffrey Donovan, Gabrielle Anwar, Bruce Campbell and Sharon Gless along with series creator Matt Nix; gag reel; audition footage; characters montage; Girls Gone Burn Notice montage; action scenes montage.
June 17, 2008
Alive or Dead
Be Kind, Rewind
Best Of Hardy Show
The Best of Heathcliff
The Best of Wanted, Dead or Alive
Caramel
Chaos Theory
Circuit Zone
Core Blast
Cut Off
The Dead Pit
Deep Purple: Around The World Live
Dennis The Menace Strikes Again
Dynasty: The Third Season Volume 1
ER: The Complete Ninth Season
Facing the Habit
Fanny
Galaxy High School Collection
The Game of Dad's Life
The Great Crooners
If I'm Lucky
It's A Boy Girl Thing
Jack and Jill vs. the World
Jersey Guy
Johnny Berlin
Joy Division (Miriam Collection)
Julieta Venegas: MTV Unplugged
The Jungle Book 2 (Special Edition)
Just Add Water
Meerkat Manor: The Complete Third Season
My Mom's New Boyfriend
National Lampoon's Bag Boy
Noir: Complete Collection
The Nude Bomb
On The Doll
Parallel
Popeye & Friends: Volume One
Popeye the Sailor: 1938-1940
Quarterlife Crisis
Rapunzel
The Real Mccoys Season 3
Rocketman: The Luckiest Man on Earth
Sabrina The Teenage Witch: Seasons 1-4
Sabrina The Teenage Witch: The Fourth Season
Sentenced Home
The Sitter
So I Married An Axe Murderer (Special Edition)
Suite Life of Zack & Cody: Lip Synchin in the Rain
Super Mario Bros. Super Show: Mario of the Deep
That Night In Rio
This Is A Business
Transformers Animated: Transform and Roll Out
The Ugly Duckling
Under the Same Moon
Violeta
We Are Children
Weekend In Havana
Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins
The Yard Sale