How to Spend $20
By Eric Hughes
November 3, 2009
BoxOfficeProphets.com
Pick of the Week
For people who can't say "strategery" with a straight face: Will Ferrell: You're Welcome America
Let's face it. Will Ferrell's leap from the small screen to the silver screen has been as average as a Saturday Night Live episode. (Unless Justin Timberlake is hosting). Save for some early hits in Elf, Old School and the cultish (but not really cultish) Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, the guy has hardly done anything of any particular merit lately. (I'm excluding, of course, the three of you who really really liked Semi-Pro. Stranger Than Fiction, too, because it was such a departure from what we've come to expect from Ferrell).
So with his comedy career in need of a little homegrown CPR, why not revive his fading stardom by returning to the SNL "character" (right alongside this dude) who helped define Ferrell's legacy at the late-night staple and, consequently, his brand of comedy? Why not indeed.
Broadcast live on HBO on March 14th of this year, You're Welcome America – A Final Night with George W. Bush featured Ferrell's triumphant return to playing the 43rd U.S. President. However, instead of airing strictly on television, Ferrell's play was presented at the Cort Theater in New York for a limited run on Broadway. The show scored a whole lotta green for Ferrell and his long-time comedy partner, Adam McKay, as You're Welcome America nearly topped $850,000 in a single week. (A number, in fact, that outpaced many of the Great White Way's biggest shows at the time).
Disc includes: Road to Broadway featurette, Bush on Bush interview, Its Time Has Come of Being a Decider, America: True or False Game, digital copy
For people who can't get enough of Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You": Love Actually [Blu-ray]
Having discussed Valentine's Day in last week's Trailer Hitch, it seems only natural that the movie – Love Actually – that likely inspired the upcoming American knock-off be profiled here in How to Spend $20 the following week. Thanks to the beauty of Blu-ray, I can get away with describing the beloved 2003 Brit comedy without looking too silly. Let's do it.
Arguing that only straight people can find love during the holidays – seriously, nearly a dozen interrelated storylines without a single one exploring a gay relationship? – Love Actually comes highly touted by women (and, let's be honest, men) everywhere as one of the best movies for making you feel all warm and fuzzy and good, even if you find yourself alone for a major holiday with nothing more than a pint of your favorite ice cream. Due out today is a Blu-ray version of the movie, which, among other improvements, will make the principal cast even more attractive on the eyes. Well, except for Bill Nighy of course.
Disc includes: Deleted scenes, The Music of Love Actually featurette, Kelly Clarkson's "The Trouble with Love Is" music video, Billy Mack's "Christmas is All Around" music video, The Storytellers featurette, audio commentary
For people who always wondered how best to make a big splash at their ceremonious high school graduation: I Love You, Beth Cooper
Larry Doyle's I Love You, Beth Cooper is decent fiction. (I'm sorry for not loving it, Simpsons fans!). I didn't find it to be anything to write home about, though I did recommend it to a select group of individuals who I assumed would appreciate its funny, albeit spotty humor. Taking place over the course of a single day (a la Superbad), I Love You, Beth Cooper tracks Denis Cooverman's quest to impress his school's hottest chick after declaring his undying love for her in front of the entire school at graduation. After school activities include the purchase of alcohol, a couple of parties, showers in the high school locker rooms and a trip to a cabin in the woods. (How... formulaic. But that may have been the point).
An adaptation was quickly spun into production by 20th Century Fox with Heroes' Hayden Panettiere in the titular role. Considering that by the time of its release just a few short months ago Heroes had already fallen by the wayside, it seems highly unlikely (in my opinion) that Hayden was director Chris Columbus' first choice for female lead. No matter what the media (more specifically, NBC) will tell you, Hayden just isn't a superstar yet, and a different actress – say Zooey Deschanel or, let's just go all in for this one, Megan Fox – would have been the better choice. (Though, it must be said, Beth Cooper calls for a blondie).
Combined with poor critical reviews and tepid performance at the box office (just $14.7 million in the States and another $1.6 million abroad), it seems Doyle's original book will remain on the public conscious a heck of a lot longer than Columbus' adaptation.
Disc includes: Alternative ending, deleted scenes, More Laughs with the Cast featurette
For people who think Joseph Gordon-Levitt should stick to (500) Days of Summer-like movies: G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2-Disc Edition)
Though I personally wouldn't have been caught dead in the theater for G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, it seems almost obligatory that a column on BOP feature movies like G.I. Joe. So, here you go. As bloated with action as any old Roland Emmerich feature, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra follows two American soldiers, Duke (Channing Tatum) and Ripcord (Marlon Wayans), who join the elite team of G.I. Joes after facing an attack by G.I.'s enemy troops, Cobra. Grossing more than $300 million worldwide, a sequel has already been announced to soon go into development.
Disc includes: Audio commentary, The Big Bang Theory: The Making of G.I. Joe featurette, Next-Gen Action: The Amazing Visual FX and Design of G.I. Joe featurette, digital copy
November 3, 2009
Blu-ray
Aliens in the Attic (Special Edition)
The Answer Man
Art-21: 5th Season
The Botany of Desire
A Christmas Carol
Command Performance
Direct Action
Earth 2100
Elvis Costello: Spectacle 1st Season
Food, Inc.
Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series)
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Howards End (Criterion Collection)
I Love You, Beth Cooper
It's A Wonderful Life
Love Actually
Mummies: Secret of the Pharaohs (IMAX)
The Narrows
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (Ultimate Collector's Edition)
North By Northwest (50th Anniversary Edition)
Not Forgotten
Rocky: The Undisputed Collection (Special Edition)
The Rolling Stones: At the Max
Say Anything... (20th Anniversary Edition)
Screwballs
Star Wars The Clone Wars: The Complete Season One
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
Transformers Two-Movie Mega Collection
Two Girls And A Guy
Wings Of Desire ( Criterion Collection)
Witchblade: The Complete Series
DVD
Aliens in the Attic (Special Edition)
The Answer Man
Art-21: 5th Season
Barry Manilow: Happy Holidays
Crutch (Director's Cut)
Earth 2100
Eddie Izzard: Live from Wembley
Edge of Darkness: The Complete Series
Empire Records (Special Edition)
Food, Inc.
Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series)
Fraggle Rock: Complete Series Collection (Collector's Edition)
Fraggle Rock: The Complete Final Season
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2-Disc Edition)
Here's Lucy: Season 2
Howards End (Criterion Collection)
I Love You, Beth Cooper
Life, Part 2: 2nd Season
March of the Penguins (Limited Edition)
Mission Impossible: Complete TV Series Pack (Set)
Mission: Impossible - The Final TV Season
The Narrows
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (Ultimate Collector's Edition)
Nirvana: Live at Reading
North By Northwest (50th Anniversary Edition)
Not Forgotten
The Preview Zone (Special Edition)
Rocky: The Undisputed Collection (Special Edition)
The Rolling Stones: At the Max
Say Anything... (20th Anniversary Edition)
The Shield: The Complete Series (Set)
Spin City: The Complete Third Season
Star Wars The Clone Wars: The Complete Season One
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
Transformers Two-Movie Mega Collection
Two Girls And A Guy
UFC 101: Penn vs. Florian
White Christmas (Anniversary Edition)
Will Ferrell: You're Welcome America
Wings Of Desire (Criterion Collection)
Witchblade: The Complete Series
WWE Survivor Series Anthology 1987-1991
WWE Survivor Series Anthology 1992-1996
WWE: Hell in a Cell 2009