How to Spend $20

By Eric Hughes

March 31, 2009

Ratings for that annual dog show would triple if all the dogs acted like this.

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Welcome to How to Spend $20, BOP's look at the latest DVDs to hit stores nationwide. This week: Ricky Gervais yaks into a mic, Neo celebrates a milestone and a little movie you may have heard of (it's Slumdog... something) is released.

Pick of the Week

For people who know what Jai Ho means: Slumdog Millionaire

If you haven't a clue what Slumdog Millionaire is, then this column (and Box Office Prophets) is of no interest to you. And you've been requested to leave. Immediately.

For those who are staying... the Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA, DGA, PGA, WGA, SAG, fill-in-the-blank award darling was just about everyone's favorite movie of 2008. (Or, at least of the people who have the authority to vote). Adapted from the book Q&A by Vikas Swarup, the movie – which was originally never supposed to make its way U.S. theaters! – has amassed $139.3 million (and counting) in domestic theaters alone.

The movie is for sure worthy of all the praise its received. From the cinematography to the directing to the editing to the musical stylings of composing mastermind A.R. Rahman, Slumdog Millionaire is reality's version of the little engine that could.

Disc includes: Making of Slumdog Millionaire featurette, 12 deleted scenes, audio commentary




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For people who enjoy funny, clean humor (British accent included): Ricky Gervais Out Of England: The Stand-Up Special

If you've yet to discover the comedic genius of Ricky Gervais, do yourself a favor and get a hold of this DVD. A copy of the comedian's first U.S. stand-up special (and originally broadcasted on HBO), Out of England humorously touches on a number of subjects, like obesity, fame and fundraising. As you can see, the man is by no means a dirty comedian, though he does sprinkle a smidgen of vulgarity in his act.

Those familiar with Gervais' line of successes are likely surprised to hear that the guy does stand-up at all (what with Extras and the original Office under his belt, as well as a rising feature film career).

Disc includes: A Conversation with Ricky Gervais featurette

For the straw that broke the camel's back: Seven Pounds

Will Smith's phenomenal streak ended at eight films. Eight feature projects that earned $138 million or more in American theaters. Consecutively. It was an incredible run, but it had to end somewhere. For Smith, the movie that did it was Seven Pounds, a $55-million drama that finished with nearly $70 million in domestic dollars (and about $100 million more overseas).

Of course, $70 million isn't exactly chump change. But when your name's Will Smith, you've got to be somewhat disappointed.

Disc includes: Deleted scenes, Seven Views on Seven Pounds featurette, Creating the Perfect Ensemble featurette, The Box Jellyfish: World's Deadliest Co-Star featurette, Emily's Passion: The Art of the Printing Press, audio commentary


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