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Welcome to How to Spend $20, BOP's look at the latest Blu-ray discs and DVDs to hit stores nationwide. This week: Drew Barrymore body slams a chick, Jay Leno sends the LAPD packing and Saw continues to kill people from the grave.

Pick of the Week

For people who wonder when the WWE will incorporate skating into its wrestling matches: Whip It

Besides The Hurt Locker and Fantastic Mr. Fox, one of 2009's most overlooked movies is Whip It, Drew Barrymore's directorial debut about a teenaged outcast - essentially Ellen Page playing a shyer version of the character who made her famous - who finds inspiration from an unlikely source: women's roller derby. Through the league and her new friendships, Page's character learns she has talents, abilities and real purpose, even if her uber conservative mom (played by the consistently excellent Marcia Gay Harden) begs to differ.

I knew going in that I'd have fun. What I didn't expect was a movie with sharper comedy than The Hangover and more energy than Paul Reuben's Pee-wee stage show. Other observations:

• Drew Barrymore knows how to be ridiculous.
  
  
• Kristen Wiig should play more characters like Maggie Mayhem. Maggie, a fellow derby girl and single mother of one, was well developed and human - something we never see (nor should we) on SNL.
  
  
• Hey hey, Maeby Funke! Alia Shawkat definitely added some versatility to her resume.

Disc includes: Eight deleted scenes, alternative opening, Fox Movie Channel Presents Writers Draft: Shauna Cross of Whip It featurette





For people who think NBC should be embarrassed that its chosen successor to ER lasted half a season: Southland: The Complete First Season

Turns out Conan O'Brien wasn't the only casualty of the Tonight Show/Jay Leno Show fiasco. Southland, too, likely got cancelled two weeks before its second season was to premiere in October because the man with the disturbingly large chin gobbled up too much real estate on NBC's sked. This forced the Peacock suits to find a home for a gritty drama that - on broadcast network TV - could only air at 10 p.m. Because the hour wasn't available at the time Southland was to premiere, the positively reviewed series shifted to TNT, where replays of its first seven episodes have aired to very little fanfare.

It's a shame, really, as I caught the show's first few episodes back in April and thoroughly enjoyed what I saw. The series gives a raw look – thanks to its documentary-like feel and the use of cinema verite – at the city of Los Angeles and the members of the LAPD who police it. Though there is arguably no principle character in the series, the initial episodes seemed to mainly revolve around newbie officer Ben Sherman (The O.C.'s Benjamin McKenzie) and his adventures with a more seasoned officer (played by Michael Cudlitz). Regina King is also outstanding as a detective.

No word yet on a possible pick up by TNT for additional seasons. At present, the network is airing in order the seven first season episodes on NBC, as well as the six episodes that the Peacock decided not air.

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