How to Spend $20
By Eric Hughes
March 30, 2010
BoxOfficeProphets.com
For people who think Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law make a pretty adorable pair: Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes is without a doubt director Guy Ritchie's biggest feature to date. I mean, to put things in perspective here, Sherlock Holmes made more money in its opening weekend ($62.3 million) than Snatch did in its entire run ($30.1). I know, comparing the two is super silly, so it'll end there. But whoever finalized the decision to hire the filmmaker whose biggest achievement is being married to Madonna as the helmer of a $90 million movie – and potential big budget franchise – took a major gamble. (No offense to The Guy). But for Warner Bros., thankfully, it worked. Sherlock Holmes grossed $208.4 million in the States and another $305.3 million abroad. Preproduction on what will likely be called Sherlock Holmes 2 began earlier this month.
Now, what began as one of those movies I went to because other people were going to see it turned into one of those gems that I'm glad I felt a smidge compelled to see. Sherlock Holmes is a pleasant surprise, and is probably the proud owner of what I think is one of the best scores to come out of Hollywood since at least Atonement. The story is a little kooky for my tastes, but the ways in which Sherlock and his sidekick, Dr. Watson, arrive at their conclusions is fun. At times the movie felt like something Pirates of the Caribbean fans would enjoy. But, as expected, Sherlock Holmes is way darker.
Disc includes: Maximum Movie Mode, Sherlock Holmes: Reinvented featurette
For people who think Peter Sarsgaard should teach the ways of the world to everyone: An Education
This is the movie where we first got acquainted with Carey Mulligan. It's also the movie that had its ending spoiled on national television by co-star Peter Sarsgaard during this year's very strange Oscars ceremony. Unfortunately, I eavesdropped on what was sold to me as mere words of wisdom for the young starlet before the Best Actress prize was awarded. But don't worry, I won't pull a Sarsgaard and likely ruin a major piece of the plot for an otherwise extremely well reviewed movie. Damn you, Sarsgaard!
Based on a short article that Lynn Barber wrote for British literary magazine Granta, An Education: The Movie was penned by Nick Hornby. And you should be well aware by now how most BOPers feel about Nick Hornby...
Disc includes: Deleted scenes, audio commentary, The Making of An Education featurette, Walking The Red Carpet featurette
For people who like the trashier side of Bravo's programming slate: The Real Housewives of New Jersey: Season 1
I've actually never seen a Real Housewives episode of any variety, which, if I do say so myself, is quite the feat as there have been approximately 27 spinoffs of the ugly monster that started it all: The Real Housewives of Orange County. Chalk it up to the fact that in college my friends and I cured our Saturday morning hangovers with episodes of America's Next Top Model, not marathons of Real Housewives.
With that said, it's worth mentioning that the first season to The Real Housewives of New Jersey certainly made a lot of noise in the TV blogosphere – a source I circle very frequently. Critics and friends alike dubbed New Jersey, Bravo's fourth Real Housewives installation, a franchise best. (And by best, I do refer to nasty, rich mama backdoor wrastlin'). Not that Bravo is setting a bar of any kind with its Real Housewives series, but it's probably not too common for a series to really hit its stride after its third spinoff lands on cable. Heck, it only took MTV 18 years to realize that guidos and guidettes livin' it large in the Jersey Shore makes for far more entertaining TV than seven preppy strangers living together in cities like Denver and San Diego.
Disc includes: N/A
For people who think Jon Voight can find a better way to spend his time: Baby Geniuses / Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2 (Double Feature)
For those of you who have been waiting for a double feature pack of Baby Geniuses and Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2, you're in luck. A double-disc set of Baby Geniuses and its sequel are available today in stores!
What's that? You haven't seen either one? Well. I haven't either. But, in Baby Geniuses 2, the babies have learned to communicate with each other using "baby talk" AND through innate knowledge they know the secrets of the universe. Wow, right?
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel also comes out today.
Baby Geniuses disc includes: Making Of featurette, Special Effects Mini featurette
Baby Geniuses 2 disc includes: N/A
March 30, 2010
Blu-ray
Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
The Baader Meinhof Complex
Collateral
The Diary of Anne Frank
An Education
Housebroken
I Sell the Dead
The Killer (Ultimate Edition)
National Geographic: Big Sur Wild California
Nova: What Darwin Never Knew
Ouran High School Host Club Collection
Sherlock Holmes
Under the Sea (IMAX)
Vampyres
DVD
The Abbott & Costello Show: The Complete Series
Alice In Wonderland (Special Edition)
Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
Alvin and the Chipettes: Cinderella Cinderella
Attack on Pearl Harbor (3 Disc Collector's Edition)
The Baader Meinhof Complex
Baby Geniuses / Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2 (Double Feature)
Collateral
Deadliest Catch: Season 5
The Diary of Anne Frank
An Education
Henri Cartier-Bresson: Collectors Edition (Collector's Edition)
Hook / Indian In The Cupboard (Double Feature)
Housebroken
I Sell the Dead
The Killer (Ultimate Edition)
Lawman: Complete Season 1
The Real Housewives of New Jersey: Season 1
Rhoda: Season 2
Robin Williams: Weapons of Self Destruction
Sherlock Holmes (Widescreen)
Sports Night: The Complete First Season
Under the Sea (IMAX)
Vampyres