Theatrical releases are work in progress: Wait for the DVD - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Cynthetiq · 04-06-2004, 05:46 PM

Quote:

this month's DVDX Academy Spotlight Q&A, Leonard Maltin questions whether DVD has led to theatrical releases that are essentially works in progress as the result of compromise under tight deadlines.

One could certainly consider that to be the case with extended DVD editions of many titles being produced for DVD, titles as diverse as From Justin to Kelly and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

Years from now, will anyone be interested in the original theatrical versions of The Lord of the Rings even though it was those editions that were nominated for Academy Awards for best films of the year?

Will anyone ever again see the original cuts of Blade Runner, Close Encounters of the Third Kind or Star Trek: The Motion Picture? How about Pearl Harbor or The Lion King, the latter of which has a new musical number added for the upcoming DVD?

In these cases, we are not talking about a collection of deleted scenes included as part of the package of extras; we're talking about deleted or newly created scenes that have been seamlessly interwoven into the film as if they had been there all along.

Often these are scenes that can dramatically alter the story or a character.

Certainly, at the very least, the pacing is changed (though one could argue that most people see most movies at home anyway, where the pacing and flow are frequently disrupted by phone calls, commercials and even viewers who scan or skip forward past certain scenes).

In some cases the revised editing or added or excised scenes might arguably diminish the quality of the film that was initially praised.

Of course, DVD isn't the only outlet for revised editions of movies. Some have been rereleased theatrically with additional scenes like the re-inserted musical number in the Oscar-winning Chicago this summer or the digitally updated Star Wars trilogy and E.T.

In some cases, the original theatrical release continues to be offered as an option on DVD.

Spielberg chose to include both versions of E.T. on last year's collector's edition, and Miramax's DVD of Chicago offers the extra musical number a la carte.

At the very least, DVD offers movie lovers the widest selection of choices when it comes to various versions of a movie.

Some would argue DVD is beginning to become the format of choice for the filmmaker's preferred version of the movie.

By design or default, it appears that the movie that winds up on DVD is becoming the definitive edition, either in the short or long term.

---

This question is currently being debated in this thread about Original Star Wars vs. Star Wars SE. Leonard Maltin seem very on point with this article. It's not just if Han shot first, but is what you are buying truly what you expected it to be?We will see more and more of these types of movies were there's several editions on top of the original theatrical release.

I believe Deflok mentionis that he has more than several different copies of The Crow, and I know that there's plenty of other copies to go round and round. If we keep buying them they will keep producing them. I don't worry too much about it right now since I work in the industry and I seem to find myself getting them comped, but one day that will end.

One of the other issues with this is that for the casual buyer, they sometimes feel ripped off not knowing that a future release is going to be the one that they truly wanted had they known they would have held off on the purchase. I think that it will eventually further alienate the consumer just like it did with the CD market.

onodrim · 04-06-2004, 05:58 PM

I agree that it is frustrating never knowing which version of a DVD to buy, because you keep waiting and thinking how a 'better' verison may still come out. Perhaps a way to solve this could be to announce ahead of time the possibilites that a different version will come out. Like with the LoTR DVDs, it was made very clear to the public that there will be two versions to buy before the first went on sale.

Personally, I think the improvements made to the DVDs are always for the best. I really enjoy the extended scenes, improved effects, etc.

Yes, they are a different movie than the theatrical release. In the case of movies that were nominated / won awards, then no matter what it is a good film. The 'new' DVD editions only make that great film better, which I see no problem with.

bgivnin · 04-06-2004, 06:33 PM

I see double dipped DVD's as a way to please both hardcore fans of said movie and just normal fans alike. The normal fan will buy the movie thinking "Cool, I've got Fellowship of the Ring on DVD", while the hardcore DVD enthusiast will say "FARKING COOL! I've got THIS tasty nugget to tide me over until the Extended version comes out in 6 months!"

I think it's a win-win situation.

Yes, I've been pissed that some of my movies I bought on the day they were originally released on DVD, now have a Special Edition out, but if I wanted it THAT bad, I'd buck up the extra $20 and have both flavors.

It just depends how into movies that you are, I guess.

A more recent example is the Matrix movies. Revolutions just came out today, and I went to Best Buy and got mine with a 3rd collectors CD ROM with a buncha extra nifties on it. I know for a FACT that there will be a box set coming out sometime in the next year. Will it just be the 3 currently in store versions, boxed in a pretty box, or will it be a Trilogy set with so many extras that I'm gonna whet my pants when I see it in stores? I've already got the 3 on DVD, so I probably won't buy the box set, unless there's something mega cool on it.

On the flipside, I don't own any of the LOTR movies, so maybe if a box set comes out, I'll drop the $100 or so that I know it'll cost and get them all in an uber 12~15 DVD set. Who knows. It's all up to your interest level in said movies.

Mr.Deflok · 04-06-2004, 10:43 PM

It's not my fault, they released it non-widescreen, then a a partial widescreen one, then a full widescreen one with DTS, then one with features, then...

If it's a good film I'll buy it again. I've got two versions of Seven Samurai, 3 versions of The Labyrinth and so on, in most cases I'll sell the lesser of the versions but most times I can't be bothered and enjoy having a large looking collection.

The Matrix Trilogy is a prime example of how we know there'll be better versions in the future. For films built on great special effects and heavy philosophy there must undoubtedly be countless special features and deleted scenes they could share with the DVD Audience, instead we get Matrix Reloaded/Revolutions with some pretty average features. Still, I bought them.

Anyway, I'll say more later, see you!

Cynthetiq · 04-07-2004, 04:18 AM

I myself and very into movies, but I don't like to pay and pay and pay and pay.

Consider this... if they released it ONE time with all those features (using 3 versions of any movie as an example) and then charged you US$79.99 would you still buy it?

In the 80's the price of a VHS tape was around that price. Nobody was really interested in that pricing model. Sell through pricing was announced and the price dropped to US$19.99 and they flew off the shelves like hotcakes.

JohnnyRock · 04-07-2004, 05:14 AM

I agree

Quote:

Originally posted by Cynthetiq
I myself and very into movies, but I don't like to pay and pay and pay and pay.

Consider this... if they released it ONE time with all those features (using 3 versions of any movie as an example) and then charged you US$79.99 would you still buy it?

In the 80's the price of a VHS tape was around that price. Nobody was really interested in that pricing model. Sell through pricing was announced and the price dropped to US$19.99 and they flew off the shelves like hotcakes.

I would never have paid that much for a VHS tape because it was a pure repeat of the theatrical release. With plenty of extras, extended scenes, etc. I would be ore willing to pay --maybe not $79--for a DVD.

the problem is that I NEVER buy them because I am afraid that I am not getting the FINAL DVD. I'd rather they turn out one with all the extras, etc. that they are going to include and charge me a little more rather than attempting to suck me in again and again.

clonmult · 04-07-2004, 05:31 AM

Its been going on for years. I got "conned" into buying the star wars eps 4/5/6 VHS tapes when the shops here were advertising them as "not being around for much longer". They were the original WS releases. Then a few months later the re-mastered versions came out. Then the w/s remasters, etc. etc.

A friend had the ultimate T2 version on LD - awesome, with all the extras. There were several different releases of it. And this was, what - 10 + years ago?

You get some edits that work a lot better though - such as the Lawnmower Man. Made no sense at the cinema, but the extended release actually sorted out some (not all) of the stupid plot twists.

Silvy · 04-07-2004, 05:47 AM

As a casual movie buyer, I tend to look for DVD's with extra's. But only because I'm the gadget type of guy. But I usually just buy a film when I feel like it. I won't wait for a special edition or such.

The actual movie is the important part of the DVD, the extra's are just a bonus.
As for extra scenes: I always hope that they are optional. I like to compare original with extended versions just to see what the editor thought was important enough to be added.

All that is nice, but for LOTR I make a humongous exception: I'm waiting for the first special box set that appears. I really liked the films, and I really wanted them on DVD, but I'll wait for the box as I expect that to contain even more material than the three extended editions put together.
As a tip for 'casual' LOTR fans: wait for the box, then buy the normal editions on ebay or in the stores. They'll drop in price considerably I think.

Averett · 04-07-2004, 05:48 AM

Personally I don't like extended versions. I'm a purest. I like the original movie. I don't want to see deleted scenes and such. Sure they're fun, but leave the movie the way it was when it was released.

Or at least have the deleted scenes and extended versions and such seperate from the original theatrical release.

Kaos · 04-07-2004, 07:31 AM

I can't justify buying the same movie over and over, added features or not. I pay the 20-30 dollars for a movie, and then a few months from now expect me to pay another 20-30 bucks for the same thing with a few extra features on it?

Just put everything you have on the damn DVD and I will pay $30-40 bucks for the damn thing once. I'm more than happy to pay an extra $5-10 rather than purchase the same movie for full price more than once.

After you buy the second or third version when you finally get all the extras, the first copies you got are just going to sit on the shelf collecting dust. Doesn't sound like a worthy investment to me.

Cynthetiq · 04-07-2004, 07:34 AM

Just to add more to this...

I own a copy of Leon: The Professional as a normal edition with all the normal DVD stuff, then I have a SuperBit copy that has less features, but better picture quality or so they say.

I bought it to see just what the difference was. I've not had time to calibrate my TV so it's for the moment still sealed.

Silvy · 04-07-2004, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cynthetiq
I bought it to see just what the difference was. I've not had time to calibrate my TV so it's for the moment still sealed.

Do post about it when you do! I'd really like to know whether it is worth it.

Stompy · 04-07-2004, 08:07 AM

This is the prime reason I copy DVDs instead of buying them. As people mentioned above, release the DVD and put all the extras you'll ever put on it and charge a simple $25-30. I'll buy it. But don't jerk me around, expect me to buy Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions when you're just gonna turn around a year later and release a box set with additional footage without giving me the option of purchasing a SEPARATE disc (or renting) so I can view that extra footage once or twice.

I probably won't buy the Star Wars DVD trilogy for the fact that Lucas, for some reason, thinks it's okay to release those Special Editions instead of the original films. I think that if people purchase it, it gives him (and other directors) the impression that it's okay to do that type of stuff. Once a movie is done, it's done. Leave it be.

Same with E.T. I want the ORIGINAL, not the re-edited version that is more politically correct.

Cynthetiq · 04-07-2004, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stompy
Same with E.T. I want the ORIGINAL, not the re-edited version
that is more politically correct.

IIRC ET was released like Lion King with both versions available in one package.

FaderMonkey · 04-07-2004, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Averett
Personally I don't like extended versions. I'm a purest. I like the original movie. I don't want to see deleted scenes and such. Sure they're fun, but leave the movie the way it was when it was released.

Or at least have the deleted scenes and extended versions and such seperate from the original theatrical release.

I agree...pretty much. I don't like the idea of different visions for a film. I'm not a film maker and probably never will be, but I feel that if I were, that I would do my best create my one vision for a film, and that would be it. I don't even like the idea of including deleted scenes as extras on a DVD. Then you get all the arguments from people saying, "hey, that scene should have been in there...that was great!"....crap like that. I wish a director would just make a film and that it is it. Either you enjoy it or you don't.

I think a main reason why directors choose to release different versions on DVD now is because they can't release that true vision for a film in theaters. Things like the MPAA and film length keep them from doing it. I guess in cases like that I prefer to see the DVD release.

Charlatan · 04-07-2004, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Averett
Personally I don't like extended versions. I'm a purest. I like the original movie. I don't want to see deleted scenes and such. Sure they're fun, but leave the movie the way it was when it was released.

Or at least have the deleted scenes and extended versions and such seperate from the original theatrical release.

Generally speaking this is not a bad position. But when you are talking about the Lord of the Rings Trilogy the only film worth having is the extended versions.

The truncated theatrical releases were shortened for time and the extended versions answer all the questions (well for me anyway) that the Original Version left hanging...

kulrblind · 04-07-2004, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by onodrim
I agree that it is frustrating never knowing which version of a DVD to buy, because you keep waiting and thinking how a 'better' verison may still come out.

How is this any different than buying a Discman, an MP3 Player, an iPod, a Palm Pilot, a vacuum, a coffee maker, a snowboard, a car, or a floor cleaner? The goods market is a "now" thing; producers don't know how many versions, upgrades, "new and improved"s, etc will follow. Caveat emptor, my friends.

[/stirring the pot]

Cynthetiq · 04-07-2004, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kulrblind
How is this any different than buying a Discman, an MP3 Player, an iPod, a Palm Pilot, a vacuum, a coffee maker, a snowboard, a car, or a floor cleaner? The goods market is a "now" thing; producers don't know how many versions, upgrades, "new and improved"s, etc will follow. Caveat emptor, my friends.

[/stirring the pot]

more the question isn't about upgrading the technology itself; it isn't even more about buying an LP, CD, SACD, MP3 of the same album, but buying the same medium of the same thing with just a few minutes of extras, then another release with a few minutes more, then again.

kulrblind · 04-07-2004, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cynthetiq
more the question isn't about upgrading the technology itself; it isn't even more about buying an LP, CD, SACD, MP3 of the same album, but buying the same medium of the same thing with just a few minutes of extras, then another release with a few minutes more, then again.

I think you'll agree that those who want the best and / or the latest will find themselves upgrading the most, or near-duplicating their purchases in order to fulfill this desire. With consumer behaviour like this, the market isn't likely to accommodate those who are looking for one-stop shopping. Take Mr. Deflok, for example. Clearly a case of a guy who loves the medium, and who isn't afraid to own more than one copy to get what he wants. Should the consumer decide that the ridiculousness of adding 45 seconds of footage and having that constitute a new "version", I'm sure the industry will adapt. Also, Mattel will stop making Barbie in all her new, improved, and obviously redundant kicky gear.

Cynthetiq · 04-07-2004, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kulrblind
I think you'll agree that those who want the best and / or the latest will find themselves upgrading the most, or near-duplicating their purchases in order to fulfill this desire. With consumer behaviour like this, the market isn't likely to accommodate those who are looking for one-stop shopping. Take Mr. Deflok, for example. Clearly a case of a guy who loves the medium, and who isn't afraid to own more than one copy to get what he wants. Should the consumer decide that the ridiculousness of adding 45 seconds of footage and having that constitute a new "version", I'm sure the industry will adapt. Also, Mattel will stop making Barbie in all her new, improved, and obviously redundant kicky gear.

I agree to a point. Touchstone did a rebate last year for the 2 disc set of Who Framed Roger Rabbit for those who already bought the first disc. The rebate required you take one of the insert chits and submit that for US$5 rebate off the new SE version.

I think it was more or less a test to see just how many people actually were upgrading and completists.

Stompy · 04-07-2004, 12:10 PM

haha $5? Whoopeee!

Should've been like 80% off the newer one.

moonstrucksoul · 04-07-2004, 12:39 PM

Quote:

"theatrical releases that are essentially works in progress as the result of compromise under tight deadlines."

i don't think that LotR was like that, it was only compromised by time restraints, basically, how long will people actually sit in the theatre and watch? I am glad that they completed all the scenes and integrated them.

as for Director's cuts, I appreciate the director wanting to release the version of the film that they wanted, that the studio didn't release:
Blade Runner: D's Cut, is good, I would have left the narration in, but the unicorn is priceless.
Leon: the Professional, International version; is awesome.

Quote:

Originally posted by Silvy
but I'll wait for the box as I expect that to contain even more material than the three extended editions put together.

can't find a link now, but i read that the SE edition would be it for extra stuff. maybe i am wrong.

FaderMonkey · 04-07-2004, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Silvy
but I'll wait for the box as I expect that to contain even more material than the three extended editions put together.

Quote:

Originally posted by moonstrucksoul
can't find a link now, but i read that the SE edition would be it for extra stuff. maybe i am wrong.

I've also read that somewhere, but not sure where. I think the current special editions are all we are going to get, which are already just fine IMO.

mattevil · 04-07-2004, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cynthetiq
I myself and very into movies, but I don't like to pay and pay and pay and pay.

Consider this... if they released it ONE time with all those features (using 3 versions of any movie as an example) and then charged you US$79.99 would you still buy it?

In the 80's the price of a VHS tape was around that price. Nobody was really interested in that pricing model. Sell through pricing was announced and the price dropped to US$19.99 and they flew off the shelves like hotcakes.

It wouldn't cost that much. Brazil Criterion does have 3 versions of the movie and it's only about $38.00 - $50.00

moonstrucksoul · 04-07-2004, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mattevil
It wouldn't cost that much. Brazil Criterion does have 3 versions of the movie and it's only about $38.00 - $50.00

hell yeah, Brazil is the best, Terry Gilliam's best movie, IMO.

Cynthetiq · 04-07-2004, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mattevil
It wouldn't cost that much. Brazil Criterion does have 3 versions of the movie and it's only about $38.00 - $50.00

criterion is probably one of the best collections of movies that I have ever purchased. definitely out of the ordinary.

Cynthetiq · 04-28-2004, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Greedy studios make DVDs not so special
By Renee Graham, Globe Staff | April 27, 2004

When I received my first DVD player for Christmas in 2001, I did what anyone with such a spanking new high-tech toy would do: I immediately dashed out and bought an armload of my favorite movies on disc. I started with "Blazing Saddles," "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," and "The Great Escape," and by the time 2001 turned into 2002, I had also picked up "Enter the Dragon," "Amadeus," and Akira Kurosawa's "Ran."

I've spent the years since replacing those early acquisitions with newfangled DVD versions of the same movies. As a DVD novice, it never occurred to me that the studios would release multiple versions of the same film.

And I don't just mean full-screen versus wide-screen (letterboxed) formats. I refer to the irritating, increasing tendency of the ever-rapacious movie industry to make a big deal out of releasing a hotly awaited film on DVD, and then months, sometimes years later putting out another version of that movie that's tricked-out with features. Collector's editions give way to special editions, limited editions are replaced by ultimate versions -- all with the intention of wringing more dollars out of consumers.

On the first day of its DVD release, "Kill Bill Vol. 1," Quentin Tarantino's ultraviolent, ultrastylish revenge orgy starring Uma Thurman, sold 2 million copies and made a whopping $40 million. Customers snapping up this fairly bare-bones disc -- in addition to the film, there's only a making-of documentary, a "Vol. 2" trailer, and video from the Japanese all-girl band the 5.6.7.8's, who perform in the film -- probably did so expecting a later version featuring both parts of the film. ("Kill Bill Vol. 2" recently opened in theaters.) But what customers buying the disc didn't know was that Miramax is actually planning six different DVD releases of the "Kill Bill" films.

Here's how Rick Sands, Miramax's chief operating officer, explained it to The New York Times last week:

" `Vol. 1' goes out, `Vol. 2' goes out, then `Vol. 1 Special Edition,' `Vol. 2 Special Edition,' the two-pack, then the Tarantino collection as a boxed set for Christmas," he said. "It's called multiple bites at the apple."

The apple ain't the only thing getting bitten.

It may have taken the studios a few years to recognize the public's embrace of DVDs, but now they're clearly focused on greedily exploiting that desire as much as possible. Studios can now spend as much promoting a film on DVD as for its theatrical run, and the financial benefits can quickly become a bonanza. And movie executives understand that someone willing to buy a movie they've probably already paid $10 to see in a theater wants the best available version of a beloved film. (This is why "The Lord of the Rings" fans who bought the two-disc versions of the first two films turned right around and bought the extended four-disc box sets at twice the price.)

See, it's never been just the much-improved quality of the picture and sound on DVDs that makes them so hot. It's all those cool extras such as full-length commentary tracks from cast and crew members, deleted scenes, outtakes, and behind-the-scenes documentaries. Some also offer interviews with stars and directors on programs such as "Charlie Rose" or appearances from film festivals. Save being on a movie set, it's the most comprehensive way to fully experience a favorite film.

If the studios wanted to be fair (and, of course, there's no indication that they would even know how), they would take their cues from the Criterion Collection, generally recognized as the gold standard for DVD releases. The collection features films from the world's great directors such as Kurosawa, Federico Fellini, and Alfred Hitchcock, and its releases are lovingly restored and usually enhanced with multiple special features. Criterion DVDs tend to be more expensive -- a typical two-disc set runs about $40 -- but it seems worth it because these releases tend to be definitive versions. And Criterion avoids such meaningless terms as "collector's edition" or "special edition," meant to lure customers believing they are getting something extra.

Studio suits would do well to remember the hard lessons learned by the record industry. As CD prices inexplicably increased year after year, some fans turned to peer-to-peer downloading services such as Kazaa and the then-illegal Napster for their music fix. The music industry has been crying foul ever since and suing the very people it wants to purchase its product.

With the "Kill Bill Vol. 1" disc selling so well on its debut day, the studios probably believe they have a green light to continue abusing their customers -- "Hey, no one's making them buy those DVDs," they probably reason. Yet it seems only a matter of time before the public's love of DVDs is poisoned with anger at the studios for exploiting that love for more and more money.

Life in the Pop Lane appears on Tuesdays. Renee Graham can be reached at graham@globe.com.

http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/arti...pecial?mode=PF

Cynthetiq · 07-16-2004, 09:22 AM

grr... annoying.

I just watched Butterfly Effect and it had a different alternate ending since it was a Director's Cut...

and then I just read this...

Quote:

Hellboy"(PG-13)
Release Date: July 27

Fans of this better-than-average comic book movie will likely spend more time watching the DVD's extras than the movie itself. Packaged as a two-disc set, "Hellboy" has two commentary tracks; footage of storyboards and animatics; detailed character bios; deleted scenes; DVD-ROM functionality, which includes a printable version of the screenplay; and a nearly 2.5-hour documentary called, "Hellboy: The Seeds of Creation." Some of the supplemental material is a bit dull, an inevitability on a DVD packed with so much stuff. But it's put together lovingly and with enough quirky surprises to satisfy admirers of the muscular, bright red, Budweiser-drinking hero, played by the charming Ron Perlman.

One word of warning: Director Guillermo Del Toro says during a deleted scene commentary that an extended version of the film will be released on DVD in a few months. Though no release date appears to have been set, "Hellboy" lovers may choose to wait for that second incarnation of the film. But if they buy this one, odds are they won't be disappointed.

04-06-2004, 05:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
onodrim Cosmically Curious Location: Chicago, IL	I agree that it is frustrating never knowing which version of a DVD to buy, because you keep waiting and thinking how a 'better' verison may still come out. Perhaps a way to solve this could be to announce ahead of time the possibilites that a different version will come out. Like with the LoTR DVDs, it was made very clear to the public that there will be two versions to buy before the first went on sale. Personally, I think the improvements made to the DVDs are always for the best. I really enjoy the extended scenes, improved effects, etc. Yes, they are a different movie than the theatrical release. In the case of movies that were nominated / won awards, then no matter what it is a good film. The 'new' DVD editions only make that great film better, which I see no problem with. __________________ "The world is so exquisite with so much love and moral depth, that there is no reason to deceive ourselves with pretty stories for which there’s little good evidence. Far better it seems to me, in our vulnerability, is to look death in the eye and to be grateful every day for the brief but magnificent opportunity that life provides" -Carl Sagan

04-07-2004, 04:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	I myself and very into movies, but I don't like to pay and pay and pay and pay. Consider this... if they released it ONE time with all those features (using 3 versions of any movie as an example) and then charged you US$79.99 would you still buy it? In the 80's the price of a VHS tape was around that price. Nobody was really interested in that pricing model. Sell through pricing was announced and the price dropped to US$19.99 and they flew off the shelves like hotcakes. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

04-07-2004, 05:47 AM	#8 (permalink)
Silvy paranoid Location: The Netherlands	As a casual movie buyer, I tend to look for DVD's with extra's. But only because I'm the gadget type of guy. But I usually just buy a film when I feel like it. I won't wait for a special edition or such. The actual movie is the important part of the DVD, the extra's are just a bonus. As for extra scenes: I always hope that they are optional. I like to compare original with extended versions just to see what the editor thought was important enough to be added. All that is nice, but for LOTR I make a humongous exception: I'm waiting for the first special box set that appears. I really liked the films, and I really wanted them on DVD, but I'll wait for the box as I expect that to contain even more material than the three extended editions put together. As a tip for 'casual' LOTR fans: wait for the box, then buy the normal editions on ebay or in the stores. They'll drop in price considerably I think. __________________ "Do not kill. Do not rape. Do not steal. These are principles which every man of every faith can embrace. " - Murphy MacManus (Boondock Saints)

04-07-2004, 05:48 AM	#9 (permalink)
Averett Is In Love Location: I'm workin' on it	Personally I don't like extended versions. I'm a purest. I like the original movie. I don't want to see deleted scenes and such. Sure they're fun, but leave the movie the way it was when it was released. Or at least have the deleted scenes and extended versions and such seperate from the original theatrical release. __________________ Absence is to love what wind is to fire. It extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great.

04-07-2004, 07:31 AM	#10 (permalink)
Kaos Ssssssssss Location: Ontario	I can't justify buying the same movie over and over, added features or not. I pay the 20-30 dollars for a movie, and then a few months from now expect me to pay another 20-30 bucks for the same thing with a few extra features on it? Just put everything you have on the damn DVD and I will pay $30-40 bucks for the damn thing once. I'm more than happy to pay an extra $5-10 rather than purchase the same movie for full price more than once. After you buy the second or third version when you finally get all the extras, the first copies you got are just going to sit on the shelf collecting dust. Doesn't sound like a worthy investment to me. Last edited by Kaos; 04-07-2004 at 07:36 AM..

04-06-2004, 06:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
bgivnin Insane	I see double dipped DVD's as a way to please both hardcore fans of said movie and just normal fans alike. The normal fan will buy the movie thinking "Cool, I've got Fellowship of the Ring on DVD", while the hardcore DVD enthusiast will say "FARKING COOL! I've got THIS tasty nugget to tide me over until the Extended version comes out in 6 months!" I think it's a win-win situation. Yes, I've been pissed that some of my movies I bought on the day they were originally released on DVD, now have a Special Edition out, but if I wanted it THAT bad, I'd buck up the extra $20 and have both flavors. It just depends how into movies that you are, I guess. A more recent example is the Matrix movies. Revolutions just came out today, and I went to Best Buy and got mine with a 3rd collectors CD ROM with a buncha extra nifties on it. I know for a FACT that there will be a box set coming out sometime in the next year. Will it just be the 3 currently in store versions, boxed in a pretty box, or will it be a Trilogy set with so many extras that I'm gonna whet my pants when I see it in stores? I've already got the 3 on DVD, so I probably won't buy the box set, unless there's something mega cool on it. On the flipside, I don't own any of the LOTR movies, so maybe if a box set comes out, I'll drop the $100 or so that I know it'll cost and get them all in an uber 12~15 DVD set. Who knows. It's all up to your interest level in said movies.

04-06-2004, 10:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mr.Deflok Blood + Fire Location: New Zealand	It's not my fault, they released it non-widescreen, then a a partial widescreen one, then a full widescreen one with DTS, then one with features, then... If it's a good film I'll buy it again. I've got two versions of Seven Samurai, 3 versions of The Labyrinth and so on, in most cases I'll sell the lesser of the versions but most times I can't be bothered and enjoy having a large looking collection. The Matrix Trilogy is a prime example of how we know there'll be better versions in the future. For films built on great special effects and heavy philosophy there must undoubtedly be countless special features and deleted scenes they could share with the DVD Audience, instead we get Matrix Reloaded/Revolutions with some pretty average features. Still, I bought them. Anyway, I'll say more later, see you!

04-07-2004, 05:31 AM	#7 (permalink)
clonmult Crazy Location: Wherever I lay my hind quarters	Its been going on for years. I got "conned" into buying the star wars eps 4/5/6 VHS tapes when the shops here were advertising them as "not being around for much longer". They were the original WS releases. Then a few months later the re-mastered versions came out. Then the w/s remasters, etc. etc. A friend had the ultimate T2 version on LD - awesome, with all the extras. There were several different releases of it. And this was, what - 10 + years ago? You get some edits that work a lot better though - such as the Lawnmower Man. Made no sense at the cinema, but the extended release actually sorted out some (not all) of the stupid plot twists.

04-07-2004, 07:34 AM	#11 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	Just to add more to this... I own a copy of Leon: The Professional as a normal edition with all the normal DVD stuff, then I have a SuperBit copy that has less features, but better picture quality or so they say. I bought it to see just what the difference was. I've not had time to calibrate my TV so it's for the moment still sealed. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

04-07-2004, 08:07 AM	#13 (permalink)
Stompy Banned from being Banned Location: Donkey	This is the prime reason I copy DVDs instead of buying them. As people mentioned above, release the DVD and put all the extras you'll ever put on it and charge a simple $25-30. I'll buy it. But don't jerk me around, expect me to buy Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions when you're just gonna turn around a year later and release a box set with additional footage without giving me the option of purchasing a SEPARATE disc (or renting) so I can view that extra footage once or twice. I probably won't buy the Star Wars DVD trilogy for the fact that Lucas, for some reason, thinks it's okay to release those Special Editions instead of the original films. I think that if people purchase it, it gives him (and other directors) the impression that it's okay to do that type of stuff. Once a movie is done, it's done. Leave it be. Same with E.T. I want the ORIGINAL, not the re-edited version that is more politically correct. __________________ I love lamp.

04-07-2004, 12:10 PM	#21 (permalink)
Stompy Banned from being Banned Location: Donkey	haha $5? Whoopeee! Should've been like 80% off the newer one. __________________ I love lamp.