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Welcome to How to Spend $20, BOP's look at the latest DVDs to hit stores nationwide. This week: It's a super slow week in the DVD department. Twilight and Bolt are out! And... nothing else.

Pick of the Week

For people who couldn't help but uncontrollably laugh when Bella sailed through the window: Twilight (Available March 21st)

Yes, I saw this one on opening weekend. And no, I'm not a 13-year-old girl. I became a fan of Stephenie Meyer's uber popular vampire lit series over the summer a few weeks prior to the release of its fourth and (probably) final book, Breaking Dawn. I won't say I counted down the days to the adaptation's release. I was more so aware of when it would reach theaters, and packed my car with eager, moviegoing friends when the time came.

The book's translation to the screen is far from perfect. In fact, I'd make the case that it may be a tough sell for those not familiar with the series. It's clunky, and the acting is quite poor. But its "unlikable" qualities – the low budget, its camp-like tendencies – merely add to its overall charm at the same time. It's a unique situation.

Disc includes: Audio commentary, "Super Massive Black Hole" by Muse (music video), "Decode" by Paramore (music video), "Leave Out All the Rest" by Linkin Park (music video), extended scenes, deleted scenes, The Adventure Begins: The Journey from Page to Screen seven-part documentary, Comic-Con Fandom featurette, Comic-Con NY Sizzle Reel featurette, three trailers

For people who love The Hamster-in-a-Ball (aka Rhino): Bolt (Available March 22nd)

Pixar once again claimed the top animation prize at the most recent Academy Awards. Its competish was a panda-sized kung fu master and this guy, a Mouse House project about a dog whose life on the set of a hit television series leads him to believe he has super powers. When discovering his human co-star, Penny, has been "kidnapped," Bolt embarks on a journey to "save" her.

Kim'll be heartbroken to know I didn't get around to seeing this feature. But its generally favorable reviews and Oscar nod makes me think I may have missed out on something. John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Susie Essman and Malcolm McDowell lend their voices.

A note on Bolt's DVD release. The single-disc DVD (with practically bare-boned special features) is available on Sunday. Two days later, a special edition DVD with digital copy will be sold.

Disc includes: Super Rhino featurette

For people who feel their nostalgia kickin' in: The Velveteen Rabbit

You know those little things from your upbringing that you completely forget about, yet are delighted to be reminded of? The Velveteen Rabbit is one of those things. Now 22, I loved the story as a tyke. Penned by Margery Williams nearly 90 years ago, the children's book classic is the story of a stuffed rabbit and his quest to become real through the love of a small boy.

Adapted several times already, the story is given the half live action, half CGI treatment here. Not really sure how I feel about that one, considering the production stills I've dug up don't look fantastic. Ellen Burstyn and Jane Seymour star, among others.

Disc includes: None





For people who think Penelope Cruz is attractive: Elegy

Appearing on several critics' top ten lists for the best films of 2008, Elegy stars Penelope Cruz as a hot, young student (shocking) whose devastatingly good looks catch the eye of professor and critic David Kepesh (Ben Kingsley). The drama, from director Isabel Coixet, is based on The Dying Animal (2001) by Philip Roth. It's the third book in a series concerning the life of the fictional professor. The trilogy's first two were published in the '70s.

The title flew a bit under the radar. Mostly because of its theater counts, and more recently because of Cruz's win for Best Support Actress in Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

Disc includes: Audio commentary, The Poetry of Elegy featurette

For me, who only listed this title because it's a regrettably SLOW week on the DVD front: Punisher: War Zone (Special Edition)

I haven't seen Punisher: War Zone. Nor do I intend to. (The mountains of negative reviews did their part in deterring me from taking a peek at this project. As did the feature's trailer, which in August I graded a D in Trailer Hitch).

I don't know what more to say in this space. For the final time, it was a slow week here at How to Spend $20. Check in with me again next week when Quantum of Solace comes out.

Disc includes: Training to Become The Punisher featurette, The Making of Punisher: War Zone featurette, Creating the Look of Punisher: War Zone featurette, Meet Jigsaw featurette, Weapons of The Punisher featurette, audio commentary, digital copy of the film

March 17, 2009
Blu-ray
Black Snake Moan / Hustle & Flow
Clear & Present Danger / Hunt For Red October
Lady Death
The Love Guru / Blades of Glory
Mission: Impossible 1 & 2
The Princess Bride
Punisher: War Zone (Special Edition)
Quo Vadis
The Robe (Widescreen Special Edition)
Sahara / Failure To Launch
Sweeney Todd / Sleepy Hollow
Top Gun / Days of Thunder
Verdi: La Traviata

DVD
All Dogs Go To Heaven 1 & 2 (Double Feature)
The American Civil War (Collectible Tin Box)
Barney Miller: The Complete Third Season
Beautiful Truth
Beyond Honor
Birth
Blood Money
Degrassi the Next Generation: Season 7
The F Word: Series 2
Head Case: Season 1
Hollywood Residental: Season 1
JAG: The Eighth Season
Married... With Children: Complete Tenth Season
The Nanny: The Complete Third Season
NOFX: Backstage Passport
The Robe (Widescreen Special Edition)
Sweeney Todd / Sleepy Hollow
The Three Stooges Collection: 1946-1948
Walled In