How to Spend $20
By Eric Hughes
March 31, 2009
BoxOfficeProphets.com
Pick of the Week
For people who know what Jai Ho means: Slumdog Millionaire
If you haven't a clue what Slumdog Millionaire is, then this column (and Box Office Prophets) is of no interest to you. And you've been requested to leave. Immediately.
For those who are staying... the Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA, DGA, PGA, WGA, SAG, fill-in-the-blank award darling was just about everyone's favorite movie of 2008. (Or, at least of the people who have the authority to vote). Adapted from the book Q&A by Vikas Swarup, the movie – which was originally never supposed to make its way U.S. theaters! – has amassed $139.3 million (and counting) in domestic theaters alone.
The movie is for sure worthy of all the praise its received. From the cinematography to the directing to the editing to the musical stylings of composing mastermind A.R. Rahman, Slumdog Millionaire is reality's version of the little engine that could.
Disc includes: Making of Slumdog Millionaire featurette, 12 deleted scenes, audio commentary
For people who enjoy funny, clean humor (British accent included): Ricky Gervais Out Of England: The Stand-Up Special
If you've yet to discover the comedic genius of Ricky Gervais, do yourself a favor and get a hold of this DVD. A copy of the comedian's first U.S. stand-up special (and originally broadcasted on HBO), Out of England humorously touches on a number of subjects, like obesity, fame and fundraising. As you can see, the man is by no means a dirty comedian, though he does sprinkle a smidgen of vulgarity in his act.
Those familiar with Gervais' line of successes are likely surprised to hear that the guy does stand-up at all (what with Extras and the original Office under his belt, as well as a rising feature film career).
Disc includes: A Conversation with Ricky Gervais featurette
For the straw that broke the camel's back: Seven Pounds
Will Smith's phenomenal streak ended at eight films. Eight feature projects that earned $138 million or more in American theaters. Consecutively. It was an incredible run, but it had to end somewhere. For Smith, the movie that did it was Seven Pounds, a $55-million drama that finished with nearly $70 million in domestic dollars (and about $100 million more overseas).
Of course, $70 million isn't exactly chump change. But when your name's Will Smith, you've got to be somewhat disappointed.
Disc includes: Deleted scenes, Seven Views on Seven Pounds featurette, Creating the Perfect Ensemble featurette, The Box Jellyfish: World's Deadliest Co-Star featurette, Emily's Passion: The Art of the Printing Press, audio commentary
For people who like dogs more than cats, no matter what Jack Byrnes tried to teach us: Marley & Me (Special Edition)
Marley & Me had one of the best teaser trailers from 2008. So simple. Yet... so gosh darn cute! What was it, you ask? Merely a young pup, adorable as can be, running on the beach with a desperate Jennifer Aniston chasing him from behind. What's not to love?
Paired with absolutely endearing movie posters, Marley & Me hit the bank for 20th Century Fox. The dramedy set a record for the largest Christmas Day box office ever, earning nearly $15 million in ticket sales (on its way to a worldwide gross that crossed the $200 million barrier). With the surprise success of Beverly Hills Chihuahua and Bolt, Marley & Me helped to prove that 2008 was the year of the dog.
Disc includes: Audio commentary, 19 deleted scenes, Finding Marley featurette, Breaking the Golden Rule featurette, On Set with Marley: Dog of All Trades featurette, Animal Adoption featurette, When Not to Pee featurette, gag reel, digital copy of the film
For people who haven't been excited to see Keanu Reeves in anything since tearing up the screen as Neo: The Matrix (10th Anniversary Edition) [Blu-ray]
Seems like every week there's a new DVD version of The Matrix out. I chose to highlight the current edition for the simple reason that we're now celebrating the 10th anniversary of this influential franchise. (It's influential and you know it. No matter how much you loathe those two final chapters!).
Seems hard to believe we were first introduced to its sci-fi mythology a decade ago. You know, back when it was cool to talk about red pills and blue pills and following the white rabbit around and around. Where did the time go?
Disc includes: Special featurettes, 47-page Blu-ray book with Matrix info and photos, digital copy of the film
March 31, 2009
Blu-ray
An American In Paris
Chris Botti: In Boston
The Chronicles Of Riddick (Director's Cut)
Dragon Ball Z: Broly Triple Feature
Gigi
John Carpenter's Ghosts Of Mars
Lady Cop & Papa Crook
LCD/Plasma Ultimate HD Experience: Africa
Marley & Me (Special Edition)
The Matrix (10th Anniversary Edition)
National Geo: Journey to the Edge of the Universe
National Geographic: Kingdom of the Blue Whale
The One (Special Edition)
Pitch Black (Director's Cut)
Sarah Michelle Gellar Collection
Serenity Travel Series Volume 1
Seven Pounds
Shigurui Death Frenzy: The Complete Series
Slumdog Millionaire
South Pacific (50th Anniversary Edition)
Tell No One
Two Evil Eyes
UFC: Best of 2008
Vicente Fernandez: Primera Fila
Way of War
DVD
Bedtime Stories (Deluxe Edition)
The Butterfly Effect 3: Revelations (Widescreen)
California Dreams: Seasons One & Two
Chris Botti: In Boston
The Chronicles Of Riddick (Director's Cut)
Danton (Criterion Collection)
Dennis Miller: HBO Comedy Specials (Set)
Fugitive: 2 Season Set (Set)
General Della Rovere (Criterion Collection)
In Plain Sight: Season One
The IT Crowd, Version 1.0: Complete First Series
Man On The Moon With Walter Cronkite (Anniversary Edition)
The One (Special Edition)
Pitch Black (Director's Cut)
Sarah Michelle Gellar Collection
School House Rock: Earth
South Pacific (50th Anniversary Edition)
Stevie Nicks: Live in Chicago
Tell No One
Timecrimes (Widescreen)
UFC: Best of 2008
Urban Legends: Complete Season 1
Wallflower: Season 1, Part 2
Way of War