How to Spend $20
By Eric Hughes
April 7, 2009
BoxOfficeProphets.com
Pick of the Week
For people who know not to cross Meryl Streep: Doubt
A finely acted drama, Doubted showcases an evil Meryl Streep going head to toe with Philip Seymour Hoffman's character, whom she accuses of having private relations with a young boy. Viola Davis is in this one, too, yet only for what seems like five minutes. But don't let her lack of screen time say anything about her Academy Award-nominated performance. If you ask me, she deserved more than a "measly" Oscar nod.
Doubt is good, not great. It clearly was adapted from a play, as the entire thing occurs in and around the same church. But if you're into actors' movies, then this is your best bet for the week. It doesn't get much better than the ultimate Streep/Hoffman mash up.
Disc includes: Audio commentary, Doubt: From Stage to Screen featurette, Scoring Doubt featurette, The Cast of Doubt featurette, The Sisters of Charity featurette
For people who are ready to relive Javier Bardem's career-defining acting gig: No Country for Old Men (Collector's Edition)
Deserving winner of the 2008 Academy Award for Best Picture (and a slew of additional Oscars, Golden Globes and whatever else to boot), No Country for Old Men is quite literally a Coen Brothers masterpiece adapted from the 2005 novel of the same name by Cormac McCarthy.
The boys' adaptation, in fact, marks one of the few times where I enjoyed the adaptation more than the original lit – even though McCarthy's tome is unquestionably first rate. The Coens successfully built on McCarthy's framework to create a defining piece of American cinema and indisputable work of art. It's available today in a special collector's edition, as well as in Blu-ray.
Disc includes: The Making of No Country for Old Men featurette, Working with the Coens featurette, The Diary of a Country Sheriff featurette, interviews and conversations, digital copy of the film
For people who know when it's a good idea to splurge for the Blu-ray disc: Winged Migration [Blu-ray]
Winged Migration is an Oscar-nominated documentary from 2001 about the massive expedition undergone by birds during their migrations. Shot using in-flight cameras over a period of four years, the docu showcases angles that make the camera appear to be flying alongside the birds, especially Canadian geese. Ultralights, paragliders, hot air balloons, trucks, motorcycles, robots and even a warship were used in the filming of this movie. Impressive.
Scoring more than $32 million in worldwide box office by the time it exited theaters, Winged Migration features appealing visuals that I'd be willing to bet would look spectacular on Blu-ray.
Disc includes: Making Of featurette, audio commentary, Creating the Music featurette, photo gallery, filmmaker interviews, bonus trailers
For people who want to see a movie whose premise is eerily similar to Liar, Liar's: Yes Man (Special Edition)
Jim Carrey returned to his bread and butter in WB's Yes Man, the comedian's first silly laugher since 2005's Fun With Dick and Jane. (Which is a good thing, considering we aren't in need of any Number 23 Part II action anytime soon). Here, Carrey stars as Carl Allen, a withdrawn divorcee who completely alters his outlook on life when he receives the helpful advice of saying "yes" to everything. Anything at all, be it foreign language classes, skeet shooting and guitar lessons.
The movie's co-stars include Terrence Stamp, Zooey Deschanel, Bradley Cooper, Rhys Darby and Danny Masterson.
Disc includes: Downtime on the Set of Yes Man with Jim Carrey featurette, Jim Carrey: Extreme Yes Man – The Outrageous Physical Stunts featurette, Future Sounds: Munchausen by Proxy featurette, five Munchausen by Proxy music videos, gag reel
For people who like watching Keanu Reeves act: The Day the Earth Stood Still (Special Edition)
Keanu Reeves got back into his sci-fi action groove in December's The Day the Earth Stood Still, an update of the 1951 classic. Here, Reeves plays humanoid alien Klaatu, who's sent to Earth to warn humans that they'll be forced to endure destructive consequences if they don't ditch their violent and evil ‘tudes. The flick was a financial – though not a critical – success for 20th Century Fox, earning in excess of $230 million worldwide.
Disc includes: Audio commentary, deleted scenes, Re-imagining The Day Documentary featurette, Unleashing Gort featurette, Watching the Skies: In Search of Extraterrestrial Life featurette, The Day the Earth Was "Green" featurette, still galleries, digital copy of the film
April 7, 2009
Blu-ray
2010: The Year We Make Contact
Above The Law
Africa's Elephant Kingdom
American History X
The Beauty of Snakes
Bricktown
Collateral Damage
The Day the Earth Stood Still (Special Edition)
Doubt
Final Destination
Fly Away Home
Gettysburg: The Battle & The Address
Iditarod: Toughest Race On Earth
John Q
Mars: The Quest For Life
No Country for Old Men (Collector's Edition)
Not Easily Broken
Point Of No Return
Taking Lives
The Tale of Despereaux
Tango & Cash
The Wedding Singer (Special Edition)
Winged Migration
The World's Biggest and Baddest Bugs
Yes Man
DVD
Beverly Hills 90210: The Seventh Season
Bricktown
Britney Spears: For the Record
Cleopatra (75th Anniversary Edition)
Davey & Goaith: The Lost Episodes (Collector's Edition)
Deadliest Catch: Season 4
Donkey Punch
Foreigner: Live Soundstage
I.O.U.S.A.
Iditarod: Toughest Race On Earth
Jefferson Starship: Soiled Dove
Not Easily Broken
Nutshack: The Entire First Season
The Paper Chase: Season One
Peanuts: Snoopy's Reunion (Deluxe Edition)
The Tale of Despereaux
Third Day: Live Revelations (Includes Music CD)
Tim (30th Anniversary Edition)
The Wedding Singer (Special Edition)
Winged Migration