How to Spend $20
By Eric Hughes
July 13, 2010
BoxOfficeProphets.com
Pick of the Week
For people who think it’s high time for a TV series to pick apart The Mentalist: Psych: The Complete Fourth Season
BOP knows that you know that we’re telling the truth about Psych. It’s hysterical. Would that every show had this much spirit and whimsy. And season four of the series unleashes a new direction for quips. After CBS shamelessly ripped off the show’s conceit in making The Mentalist, Psych decided that the best way to get even would be to mention CBS’ treachery whenever possible. Simon Baker fans, beware.
Of course, there is much more to the season than this. Shawn gets to solve the mystery of a lyncanthrope, join a think tank, grow insecure around WWE superstar John Cena, and get kidnapped/shot. And Gus gets even better news. After flirting with a return to his days in a boy band, he instead decides to date Life’s Sarah Shahi, a decision everyone at BOP supports. Plus, Juliet finally gets an episode of her own as she tries to find the one that got away, who turns out to be a guy in a witness protection program who is under the watchful care of 1980s semi-legend Craig Sheffer. Finally, the season ends just the way season three did…with an appearance by Ally Freakin’ Sheedy!
Those of you who have been reading the site for years now realize that I can be hard to please when it comes to television. The fact that my iPhone case says Psych on the side of it is telling. This is my favorite show, and season four is a high water mark for them. Anything that can make me like John Cena has done the impossible. (David Mumpower/BOP)
Disc includes: Deleted scenes, montages, video commentaries, audio commentaries, Think Tank Podcast featurette
For people who were wondering what Tiffany Thiessen was up to: White Collar: The Complete First Season
Okay, have you seen that show Leverage? White Collar is like that, except on USA Network instead of TNT. Apparently learning a lesson from The Mentalist ripping off Psych, USA decided that all is fair in love, war and cable television programming. The resulting product is White Collar, a show that unites currently incarcerated master thief Neal Caffrey (a star- making role played by Chuck super-spy Matt Bomer) with by-the-books FBI agent Peter Burke. No, this doesn’t sound particularly original because…it’s really not. Still, the chemistry between the leads is such that the show works in spite of its over reliance on convention.
The 14-episode run of season one has a lot of high points. Particularly engaging is Tiffani Thiessen of Saved by the Bell fame. She portrays Burke’s wife, and her sense of humor makes him more likable in turn. Similarly, ER’s Sharif Atkins and The Middleman’s Natalie Morales highlight a group of FBI agents who all act lost in admiration for Caffrey, the strangely ethical art thief who is night and day beyond the others in his craft. Of course, the real scene stealer is Willie Garson (words I never thought I’d type) as Mozzie, a not-so-reformed thief who is anxiously awaiting Neal’s return to the dark side of his profession.
No, the show isn’t without its share of missteps. The fractured storyline that ties Neal to his missing girlfriend is absolutely painful at points when she’ll arbitrarily call him and say, “Hey, I just called to say I can’t talk. Yes, now that I’m saying it out loud, I realize how useless that is but here I am anyway. Have a nice week. I’ll call again at the end of next week’s show to once again tell you I can’t talk.” It’s a small gripe in an otherwise solid show, though, and now that you’ve been warned about it, you can at least enjoy the illogic of it. White Collar’s mythology is never going to make BOP’s Martin Felipe want to write a column about it, but the show succeeds in large part due to great casting.
Yes, White Collar is formulaic, but it’s a tried and true formula that always works when done right. This particular odd couple may not be as good as Felix and Oscar, but let’s be honest that a good portion of people reading this will have to google to determine who or what Felix and Oscar are. (Hint: it’s not the first result, pet food, so don’t feel lucky when you do the search.) Awkward partners Neal and Peter make for good television and if you’re like me, all shows and movies about honorable thieves are welcome. (David Mumpower/BOP)
Disc includes: N/A
For people who want to see Ralph Fiennes play a villain other than the one Who Must Not Be Named: In Bruges [Blu-ray]
One of the most overlooked movies of 2008 is In Bruges, co-starring Colin Farrell, Ralph Fiennes and the fantastic Brendan Gleeson. In it, Farrell and Gleeson play Irish hit men who are ordered by their boss (Fiennes) to lie low in the medieval Belgium city after a botched job in London. While Gleeson’s character takes in the sights, Farrell grows bored of his new home until acquainting himself with a small-time drug dealer. The game changes, however, when Fiennes gives Gleeson a dangerous order.
Frankly, I’m not much a fan of pretty boy Farrell, but his work in the Focus Features comedy is outstanding. Both he and Gleeson were up for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes, and Farrell came away with it. Had Farrell not won, I would have preferred it go to Gleeson. The dude is perfectly cast as Farrell’s quirky, senior colleague.
In Bruges is, in a word, hysterical. With shows like The Office, Extras and a recent theatrical favorite of mine, In the Loop, the Brits prove they know how to make the funny. (If, of course, you can work your way around the thick accents).
Disc includes: Deleted and extended scenes, gag reel, A Boat Trip Around Bruges featurette
For people who like the originality in using a guy’s last name as the title of a movie: Greenberg
Ben Stiller returned to his bread and butter for the first time in awhile in Greenberg, a small film from Focus Features that ended with just a smidge over $4 million in domestic receipts. And by “bread and butter,” you know what I’m sayin’: That typical, Meet the Parents-esque character we’ve seen (and loved) so many times. In a way, one could argue his performances are as predictable as Michael Cera’s.
Greenberg wasn’t a movie I would’ve paid for in theaters – so, I didn’t – yet it’s one that interests me on the home media market for plenty of reasons. For starters, it’s Noah Baumbach. Second, Stiller’s love interest is the wonderful Greta Gerwig, who got her start in small indies like Baghead and Hannah Takes the Stairs and – I predict – has a lucrative future ahead of her. And finally, James Murphy (of LCD Soundsystem) arranged Greenberg’s soundtrack. His new album, This is Happening, is legit. Check that one out when you get the chance, too.
Disc includes: Behind the Scenes featurette, Greenberg Loves Los Angeles featurette, Noah Baumbach Takes a Novel Approach featurette
July 13, 2010
Blu-ray
Alpha Dog
Aquarium Impressions
Assault on Precinct 13
The Bounty Hunter
The Cartel
Caught in the Crossfire
Chloe
Fireplace Impressions
Gabriel Iglesias: Hot & Fluffy
The Greatest
Greenberg
How to Make Love to a Woman
In Bruges
Insomnia
Middle of Nowhere
Neil Young Archives Vol. 1
Our Family Wedding
Parasomnia
Shark Week: Jaws of Steele
White Collar: The Complete First Season
DVD
Alaska State Troopers: Season 1
Alpha Dog
Assault on Precinct 13
The Bounty Hunter
Caught in the Crossfire
Chloe
FIFA World Cup Collection (Set)
The Greatest
Greenberg
How to Make Love to a Woman
In Bruges
The Lucy Show: Seasons 1-2 (Set)
The Lucy Show: The Official Second Season
Middle of Nowhere
Mystery Science Theater 3000 XVIII
Only Son / There was a Father (Criterion Collection)
Our Family Wedding
Parasomnia
Petticoat Junction
Petticoat Junction: Volume 2
Psych: The Complete Fourth Season
Saving Grace: The Final Season
Sesame Street: 20 Years & Still Counting
Shark Week: Jaws of Steele
SNL: Best of Tracy Morgan
SNL: Best Of Will Ferrell
White Collar: The Complete First Season