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Recent 2 disc shenanigans!!!

post #1 of 51
5/29/08 at 7:04pm
Thread Starter 
Alright, I'm gonna talk about an issue that's been slowly annoying me for awhile. I'm gonna bring up examples of DVDs that many might want to argue about the quality of the individual flicks. That's not the point of this thread at all. Take that discussion to their respective threads. I wanna bitch about the higher-priced 2-disc "special edition" alternative.

I'm a DVD junkie, and if I want to purchase a flick for my collection, I want all the special features available. I'll even hunt down that Best Buy exclusive 3rd disc with a 1/2 hour of behind the scenes, if I like the film enough.

Double-dipping is often frustrating (especially if it's not long after the initial release), but if they take great care in compiling enough added content (and I like the film enough), I'll sell or gift the old version, and trade up. It's great to see that classic finally getting restored or given the attention it deserved (especially if the 1st printing is barebones, and in a crappy snapcase).

Now as money got tight as I got older (priorities change when you have a family), I started buying more and more previously viewed DVDs. Got a bunch of great deals at the brick & mortar places over the years (3 for $20/25, etc). I just had to be patient (with my expansive collection, Netflix, and TV boxsets, that wasn't impossible).

The studios started changing their strategies (I think WB paved the way on this... just a 1/2 hour of bonus features on the 2disc V FOR VENDETTA??? F**K you, put that shit on the single disc). They started releasing multiple scues on the same date. It used to just be FS VS WS, but now not only are DVDs fighting for shelf space against the superior HD stuff, they started to put out the 2 disc Special Editions at the same time. Why complain, you ask? Variety is the spice of life. Everyone's needs are met, right? Not as big of a fear of the future double-dip, right?

Well, now, if I want special features, I need to pay $5-10 more for them (if I have the dough the week they come out on sale). There use to be 2 skues at the most (FS VS WS), and sales prices were reasonable. If I didn't have the dough, I could just wait till the Rental Stores sold them previously viewed. Now, because there are so many options, the rental stores usually carry the single (no frills) disc, as I'm sure they can get a bulk of them at a cheaper price. So if I wanted the 2 disc, I had to pay $20-25 per flick, or if I wait long enough, I might be able to find the 2-disc cheaper on ebay, etc. Or I get lucky, and the "Blockbuster Exclusive" GRINDHOUSE (1 disc) flicks are actually at Holywood Video (and they're the 2 disc versions!) and I get a great deal.

I've adapted to this change. I prioritize. I exercise my patience. I look for deals.

Then what do the studios go and do? They start throwing curve balls. They release 2-discs with digital copies. They release 2-discs with special features all on the 1st disc. They release 2-discs with no real special features (links to online features? F**k you.), except an alternate ending of the film. Or sometimes even, Rental stores get entirely different versions than what's available in the retail versions, and I better know that before I buy (as Blockbuster only lets you return within 30 days if it's defective. F**k you, 1408!!!).

Some recent examples (and no, I don't own all of these)...


JUNO:

Special Features - Juno Single Disc:
Commentary By Director Jason Reitman And Writer Diablo Cody
Deleted Scenes:Mrs. Rancik /Juno Hitchhikes/Intro To Family/Carry Chair To Bleekers - Sit In Car Drinking/Café Triste
Bleeker's Bedroom with Juno/Lorings In Bathroom/Mark Plays Guitar/Juno Plays Guitar/Montage/Mark's Loft
Gag Reel
Gag Take
Cast & Crew Jam
Screen Tests

Special Features - Juno Two Disc:
All of the above, plus... (all on disc 1)
Way Beyond "Our" Maturity Level: Juno - Leah - Bleeker Featurette
Diablo Cody Is Totally Boss Featurette
Jason Reitman For Shizz Featurette
Honest To Blog! Creating Juno Featurette

Disc 2: Digital Copy


AVP-R:

Special Features - AVP-R Single Disc:
Alternate Scenes - Deleted Scenes (w/Optional Commentary)
Audio Commentaries - 1. Colin Strause, Greg Strause - Co-Directors; Shane Salerno - Screenwriter; John Davis - Producer
2. Tom Woodruff, Jr.; Alec Gillis - Special Effects
Deleted Scenes - Deleted Scene with Optional Director Commentary: 121-124 Extended Power Plant

Special Features - AVP-R Two disc Disc:
Disc 1: ALIENS VS. PREDATOR: REQUIEM - Unrated
Additional Release Material:
Alternate Scenes - Deleted Scenes (w/Optional Commentary)
Audio Commentaries - 1. Colin Strause, Greg Strause - Co-Directors; Shane Salerno - Screenwriter
2. Tom Woodruff, Alec Gillis - Special Effects
Behind the Scenes - 1. "Prepare for War: The Making of ALIENS VS. PREDATOR: REQUIEM"
2. "Fight to the Finish: The Making of ALIENS VS. PREDATOR: REQUIEM"
3. "Building the Predator Homeworld"
Featurettes - 1. "Deadly Prey: Alien"
2. "Unstoppable Hunter: Predator"
3. "Crossbreed: The PrediAlien"
4. "Science of the Hunted: Aliens"
5. "Science of the Hunter: Predators"

Disc 2: Digital Copy


I AM LEGEND

Special Features - I AM LEGEND Single Disc:
Animated Comics - 1. Death As A Gift
2. Isolation
3. Sacrificing The Few For The Many
4. Shelter
DVD-ROM:
Weblink to Bonus Material (F**K you) - Databank Chronicling the Movie's Creation and Exploring the History and Current Status of Life-Threatening Viral Infections

Special Features - I AM LEGEND Two Disc:
DISC 1: ORIGINAL VERSION
Animated Comics - 1. Death As A Gift
2. Isolation
3. Sacrificing The Few For The Many
4. Shelter
DVD-ROM:
Weblink to Bonus Material - Databank Chronicling the Movie's Creation and Exploring the History and Current Status of Life-Threatening Viral Infections

DISC 2: ALTERNATE THEATRICAL VERSION (you couldn't just give a choice on the single disc? F**k you.)


RAMBO

Special Features - RAMBO Single Disc:
Zip. Zilch. Nada.

Special Features - RAMBO Two Disc:
Disc 1: RAMBO: Feature Presentation
Widescreen- 2.35
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Subtitles - English, Spanish
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - Sylvester Stallone - Director/Star
Deleted Scenes
Featurettes - 1. "A Hero's Welcome: Release and Reaction"
2. "A Score to Settle: The Music of RAMBO"
3. "It's a Long Road: Resurrection of an Icon"
4. "Legacy of Despair: The Struggle in Burma"
5. "The Art of War: Completing RAMBO"
6. "The Weaponry of RAMBO"

Disc 2: Digital Copy

And finally a victory for those with tighter budgets: The rental stores have the Special Edition of RAMBO, with all the special features, and minus the dumb 2nd disc (with only the digital copy).



I'm frustrated at the amount of detective work required to find out which version to buy and from where (bargain hunting is to be expected). It's hard enough to determine which retailer has the exclusive I want, but now I have to figure out which disc has special features, if any, and whether the rental stores are carrying the stacked version (sometimes they do). I don't own an HD TV yet or a Blue Ray player, so it sucks to be me I guess. But the DVD distributors should make it a little easier on their customers. If you have a whole slew of special features, and they can't be placed on the 1 disc with the film, put out an extra skue. But if you cram all the special features on disc 1, so you can leave the entire disc 2 for a DIGITAL COPY (a futile attempt to battle piracy maybe?), and yet leave off any special fetaures from the Single disc version? Screw you. I guess it's arguable that they're charging for content, but they are giving us much less content for the same price these days.

Rant over. Anyone else annoyed? I long for the days when it was just shitty packaging (cardboard snapcases and greeting card-style foldout boxsets), or having to dig the WS out from under the overstock of ignorant FS, that caused us consumers grief.
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post #2 of 51
5/29/08 at 7:13pm
Sorry you've run into this hardship of late. Nice to see some people still care about these matters. All too often these days you run into people who don't even keep the DVD's packaging. They throw it out. Savages! Savages! Barely even human.
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post #3 of 51
5/29/08 at 7:18pm
Good find on the loaded 1 disc of RAMBO. I ended up getting the 6 disc Complete Set, as it was only $12 more than the SE.
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post #4 of 51
5/29/08 at 7:24pm
While I do think the "one special feature on disc two" thing is pretty weird, I've grown out of the stage of needing to have the fanciest and most-special edition of the DVDs I buy. I guess it makes for good marketing, though. TWO discs?! Wow, it must be extra special!
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post #5 of 51
5/29/08 at 7:25pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Isao Kanemasa View Post
Good find on the loaded 1 disc of RAMBO. I ended up getting the 6 disc Complete Set, as it was only $12 more than the SE.
Yeah, I just recently bought the slim (Walmart only?) RAMBO 1-3 Triple Pack for $13 and change. I'm interested in the new special features, but they just keep re-releasing them (not nearly as bad as Anchor Bay and EVIL DEAD flicks) without the same exact materials.
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post #6 of 51
5/29/08 at 7:40pm
Don't bother with the new Rambo set features - they're almost identical to the set you got so cheap.
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post #7 of 51
5/29/08 at 7:51pm
I've gone the other way recently, realizing that the entire "special features" market has been created and sold to us only in the last 10-15 years. When I was seeing Star Wars and Arthur in theaters and buying Aliens and Stripes on VHS, I wasn't wishing and pining for "featurettes" on the craft services table or deleted scenes of Liza Minelli flubbing her lines.

Quick, someone tell me how many HOURS of extras are available for the LOTR trilogy. Do you really NEED all that?

Some movies are more worthy of the extra time and attention - the fourth disc in the Star Wars boxset covers the groundbreaking special effects and the phenomenon that the series gave birth to. Fine. For classics like Seven Samurai it is great to have optional commentary from Ebert or film experts.

But I don't need to hear the director and stars talk about AVP, or even Shawn of the Dead. On those few movies worth the extras, I don't mind spending the time to hunt them down, I guess is my point.
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post #8 of 51
5/29/08 at 7:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gabe Powers View Post
Don't bother with the new Rambo set features - they're almost identical to the set you got so cheap.
The disc with the extras on the new "Complete Collection" is all stuff that wasn't on the "Ultimate" releases. It isn't as comprehensive as say the work that went into the BLADE RUNNER extras (what is though?) but if you're a fan of the series there's some good stuff on the making of the first 2 films, not a lot on the third though.
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post #9 of 51
5/29/08 at 8:15pm
I thought it was pretty light weight stuff. I guess if you're really a fan...
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post #10 of 51
5/29/08 at 8:18pm
Thread Starter 
I long for the restraint of BrianM or gravedigger. Maybe someday when my alernate personality decides to destroy all my wordly possessions so I can devote my free time to underground extracurricular fighting, I'll cure my sickness.
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post #11 of 51
5/29/08 at 9:34pm
And I don't mean to sound like a judging judger, Darkmite. If I was 10 years younger (I probably wouldn't have money to buy many dvds, but if I was 10 years younger AND had cash) I'd roll in every special feature until I was covered in their stink. But now I don't have time to watch even all the movies themselves that I want to see (as I've noted elsewhere, my netflix qeue is so long that I had to create a fictional family member so that I could start another list) and the thought of watching 14 hours of The History of Violence extras makes my head hurt.
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post #12 of 51
5/29/08 at 11:13pm
The digital copy stuff has to stop, that's so fucking worthless.
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post #13 of 51
5/29/08 at 11:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hans Gruber's EYE CONDITION! View Post
The digital copy stuff has to stop, that's so fucking worthless.
It works with music, if you want a better sound-quality copy but also want some portability. Can't imagine there are many of us who need the same from movies.
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post #14 of 51
5/29/08 at 11:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hans Gruber's EYE CONDITION! View Post
The digital copy stuff has to stop, that's so fucking worthless.
Right, I totally agree. I can see maybe including a download link for a digital copy (something independent record labels are already doing with vinyl), but do they really need to press an entire disk for that? How many people need to watch Juno on their iPod? Lame, lame, lame.
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post #15 of 51
5/29/08 at 11:47pm
I stick the digital copy on my ipod and watch movies while working out instead of listening to music sometimes. Plus, with the Blu Ray - which I can only watch on my PS3, I can now also watch it on my computer as well, so I get added value.

As for Special Features, many times I watch them more than the movies. I am a special feature whore.
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post #16 of 51
5/29/08 at 11:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrMushnik View Post
How many people need to watch Juno on their iPod? Lame, lame, lame.
My wife for one...
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post #17 of 51
5/29/08 at 11:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Starving Dog View Post
My wife for one...
Ok, so granted, I didn't think anyone would actually answer in the affirmative. Still, I think a download-able digital copy would be far easier and cheaper than a second disc devoted to nothing but a digital copy. For one thing, people shouldn't have to pay extra to enjoy a movie on their different devices. And second, as someone who loves special features, I expect to get something meaningful out of that second disc.
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post #18 of 51
5/30/08 at 1:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DARKMITE8 View Post
<snip lengthy but excellent rant>

Rant over. Anyone else annoyed? I long for the days when it was just shitty packaging (cardboard snapcases and greeting card-style foldout boxsets), or having to dig the WS out from under the overstock of ignorant FS, that caused us consumers grief.
I'm with you 1000% on this. Making us pay more for a second disc when 1) the extra features would obviously fit on one disc, and 2) the second disc has nothing of value (digital copy? *makes jerkoff hand gesture*) is sheer, unmitigated fuckery.


Quote:
Originally Posted by BrianM View Post
And I don't mean to sound like a judging judger, Darkmite. If I was 10 years younger (I probably wouldn't have money to buy many dvds, but if I was 10 years younger AND had cash) I'd roll in every special feature until I was covered in their stink. But now I don't have time to watch even all the movies themselves that I want to see (as I've noted elsewhere, my netflix qeue is so long that I had to create a fictional family member so that I could start another list) and the thought of watching 14 hours of The History of Violence extras makes my head hurt.
Unfortunately I also have to agree with this. I'm starting to amass more DVDs than my work schedule allows me to watch. For instance, I picked up the three-disc Hot Fuzz in December and haven't revisited the movie yet, let alone any of the metric tonnes of bonus features on it.

A lot of special editions are really bloated as well, especially Kevin Smith's brand of "here's me doing a three-minute on-camera introduction to set up a scene that's actually in the film, but here it has one extra line!" Can I at least pretend I have better things to do with my life?

As for digital copies, fuck them in the ear. Forgive me for not remembering offhand who quotes this video in their sig, but I love David Lynch's take.
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post #19 of 51
5/30/08 at 1:17am
I'm such a DVD whore it's not even funny. I'm really trying to stop (my plan is at this point to only get the Dirty Harry set, the Spaced set and the Criterions of Days of Heaven and Gimme Shelter for the forseeable future) because it ends up cutting down on the amount of money I can use to rent new movies and I don't end up watching a lot of them because I get overloaded with so many of them.

I can't even diet, now I have to cut down on my DVD purchases, this sucks!

I'm against that digital copy shit too, it seems pointless to me (mostly because my Zune is so full of music that I couldn't fit movies on there if I tried).
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post #20 of 51
5/30/08 at 1:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moltisanti View Post
.... Savages! Savages! Barely even human.
I agree! They're not like you and me, which means they must be evil. We must sound the drums of war!

Of course, they probably wonder if we even bleed.
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post #21 of 51
5/30/08 at 2:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrMushnik View Post
Still, I think a download-able digital copy would be far easier and cheaper than a second disc devoted to nothing but a digital copy. For one thing, people shouldn't have to pay extra to enjoy a movie on their different devices. And second, as someone who loves special features, I expect to get something meaningful out of that second disc.
I agree completely. Problem with Rambo is it is on the second disc but you have to go into iTunes and agree to the whatever there and then it downloads. Why not have something on the disc where you go into iTunes, agree to it and then DOWNLOAD IT FROM ITUNES? Simple, right?
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post #22 of 51
5/30/08 at 2:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Jim Slade View Post
That is awesome. But isn't that what Devin believes the future of movies is coming to? Downloads to our portable devices?
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post #23 of 51
5/30/08 at 3:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Starving Dog View Post
That is awesome. But isn't that what Devin believes the future of movies is coming to? Downloads to our portable devices?
Devin was talking about downloading to TVs IIRC. That is, downloading an HD copy of a movie to a storage device and watching it on a home theatre at one's leisure rather than buying an optical disc (taking up space on a shelf etc.) with the movie encoded on it. It's certainly plausible but I'm still a DVD whore and kinda like having them on a shelf.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Starving Dog View Post
I agree completely. Problem with Rambo is it is on the second disc but you have to go into iTunes and agree to the whatever there and then it downloads. Why not have something on the disc where you go into iTunes, agree to it and then DOWNLOAD IT FROM ITUNES? Simple, right?
Whoa whoa whoa. You pay extra for the two-disc, and the second disc is essentially a fucking link to fuck around with iTunes and download the movie anyway? FUCK THAT NOISE.
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post #24 of 51
5/30/08 at 3:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Jim Slade View Post
Whoa whoa whoa. You pay extra for the two-disc, and the second disc is essentially a fucking link to fuck around with iTunes and download the movie anyway? FUCK THAT NOISE.
Eh, I got the Blu-ray for like $23, and the extra features on that are worth every penny (The Bonus View Commentary is Fantastic! It makes the movie 2 hours instead of an hour and a half because a few times it actually interupts the movie to show some behind the scenes stuff and then restarts the movie after that. The rest of the time it is picture in picture commentary and behind scenes footage) This is the best Blu-ray I have bought so far.

I wouldn't appreciate the extra cash on standard DVD and would probably wait for it to be PVD, which I do on alot of shit these days. Majority of my movie buying on newer movies is used and PVD unless it's a really decent SE or Criterion or something.
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post #25 of 51
5/30/08 at 4:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moltisanti View Post
Sorry you've run into this hardship of late. Nice to see some people still care about these matters. All too often these days you run into people who don't even keep the DVD's packaging. They throw it out. Savages! Savages! Barely even human.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Overlord View Post
I agree! They're not like you and me, which means they must be evil. We must sound the drums of war!

Of course, they probably wonder if we even bleed.
I can't believe it took somebody that long to catch that pass...I was getting ready to be Molt's lone fellow Disney-lover.

I'll chime in on the digital copy hate. Granted, I've only got an iPod shuffle, so it's useless for me, anyway...but cooome on! When I'm traveling, I can just bring the DVD with me and watch it on my laptop. I can actually CHARGE my laptop on an airplane (yay travel adapters), but to charge most mp3 players I'd need to plug them into...wait for it...a computer!

I can see the advantage for being at the gym. Mine has HGTV on 24/7 and it tunes the audio on an FM transmitter, so I'm good.

...what?
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post #26 of 51
5/30/08 at 5:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Jim Slade View Post
Whoa whoa whoa. You pay extra for the two-disc, and the second disc is essentially a fucking link to fuck around with iTunes and download the movie anyway? FUCK THAT NOISE.
Sounds like the actual digital copy is stored on the second disc, but you still have to connect to iTunes with the disc in your computer to get the digital copy off the disc. Some weird, pain-in-the-ass copy protection or something.
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post #27 of 51
5/30/08 at 5:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jackspades22 View Post
Sounds like the actual digital copy is stored on the second disc, but you still have to connect to iTunes with the disc in your computer to get the digital copy off the disc. Some weird, pain-in-the-ass copy protection or something.
Ding ding ding!
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post #28 of 51
5/30/08 at 1:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jared Melton View Post
I can't believe it took somebody that long to catch that pass...I was getting ready to be Molt's lone fellow Disney-lover.
I was surprised to see it as well. Then again, Molti did camouflage it well. Some folks's powers of retention are as wet as a warthog's backside.
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post #29 of 51
5/30/08 at 4:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jackspades22 View Post
Sounds like the actual digital copy is stored on the second disc, but you still have to connect to iTunes with the disc in your computer to get the digital copy off the disc. Some weird, pain-in-the-ass copy protection or something.
Yeah, that's what I was saying. I was just implying it would be easier to just link to iTunes and download it from them directly to save space.

But back to the digital downloads for iTunes, when it comes on a Blu-ray disc it holds value to me since I am not rich enough to own seperate Blu-ray players, nor do I have one on the computer, so I can now watch it on my computer (or on vacation on my lap top) where I can't with the actual Blu-ray disc
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post #30 of 51
5/31/08 at 3:16pm
My "to watch" DVD pile is so massive I can wait for the "Super-duper Edition" to hit the used pile, or come down in price. After seeing the 3-disc Hellboy DC at Wal-Mart for $9 recently, I realized it's better to wait.

Unless of course it's a Criterion. Those things rarely drop in price, and almost never hit the used section.

"Double dipping" never really bothered me. It was the nature of the beast. If you wanted the grande edition, you simply traded in your old copy on the new one. But today, releasing 4 different copies of the same movie on the first day confuses even me.
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post #31 of 51
5/31/08 at 3:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Barkatthemoon View Post
Unless of course it's a Criterion. Those things rarely drop in price, and almost never hit the used section.
The rare GOOD Borders coupons (40% off DVDs two weeks ago) and the rare online sales at Amazon and Deep Discount are gold to me for Criterions.

I have found that Hastings beats most places for Criterion prices, with all $39 discs at $29 and all $29 discs at $19 everyday priced.

You'ld also be surprised at how many used Criterions you will find at Hastings on occasions.
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post #32 of 51
5/31/08 at 5:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Starving Dog View Post
You'ld also be surprised at how many used Criterions you will find at Hastings on occasions.
Yup. That's how I finally replaced the Armageddon Criterion I had to sell after being laid off a few years ago. Still paid a fairly high price if I remember right.

I remember bragging about having a two-disc Armegeddon DVD, and paying $40 for it when it first came out. Everyone though I was crazy until I mentioned it was a "director's cut", and contained a scene where Harry visited his dad. Then they were like "Man I wanna see that..."

Ah, the simple times...
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post #33 of 51
5/31/08 at 11:33pm
I actually found the Criterion of The Hidden Fortress used at Hastings. Same thing with Eyes Without a Face.

Of course, I live in a college town where students would sell their kidneys for spending money so ...
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post #34 of 51
6/1/08 at 12:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Starving Dog View Post
Of course, I live in a college town where students/derelicts would steal anything that isn't nailed down and pawn it for drug money so ...
Fixed.
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post #35 of 51
6/1/08 at 6:57pm
Thread Starter 
Thought I'd drop in and complain about the recent fact that too often the 2 disc special edition has the worst cover art out of the selections.

EXHIBIT A: KNOCKED UP
EXHIBIT B: SUPERBAD
EXHIBIT C: THE MIST
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post #36 of 51
6/1/08 at 7:36pm
I am surprised most of you do not check the reviews at DVDTalk or DVD Beaver before deciding on what to buy. If the picture is not light year better or the special feature just puff pieces I will usually pass. That being said the format war and still high cost of Blu Ray has forced me to put a hold on all Movie media until at least after Xmas this year, although Criterion finally coming around might force me out sooner.
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post #37 of 51
9/8/08 at 7:41pm
Thread Starter 
Ya see???

Bullshit.

And it comes. The DVD release that will, once again, make me curse the name of the DVD companies for their shady packaging. There is two versions of The Forbidden Kingdom. The first version is a bare bones single disc edition. For $5 more you can get a 2-Disc Special Edition. The second disc is a digital download. HOWEVER!!!!!!!!! They apparently realized we have seen through their shady tactic of calling a 2-Disc Edition a special edition with that download the only extra. In this case, they put a bunch of special features on the first disc - but only in the double disc set. This means, to me, they had room to put all this on the single disc edition but chose not to in order to force you to buy the 2-Disc with the digital download. For $5 more. Why they couldn’t put the extras on the single disc as well amounts to one thing: greed.
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post #38 of 51
9/8/08 at 7:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sharpel007 View Post
I am surprised most of you do not check the reviews at DVDTalk or DVD Beaver before deciding on what to buy. If the picture is not light year better or the special feature just puff pieces I will usually pass. That being said the format war and still high cost of Blu Ray has forced me to put a hold on all Movie media until at least after Xmas this year, although Criterion finally coming around might force me out sooner.
I would try to link to my site, but really DVDCompare.net is the best place for comparisons, and often has links to Talk, Beaver, or even (ahem) Active for image comps.
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post #39 of 51
9/8/08 at 7:57pm
Recently, I've had a need to put things on the screen but not really watch them (I've taken up drawing again), so special features are perfect for that. That being said, I've now come to realize that most are really worthless and not very interesting or entertaining.

I will give the Apatow movies props though, those guys know how to pack a disc with entertaining shit first and foremost. Those Spaced commentaries were fun too. But really, I think I'm finally cured of the "must get two disc edition" curse.
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post #40 of 51
9/8/08 at 9:02pm
I rewatch more special features than I rewatch some movies
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post #41 of 51
9/8/08 at 9:09pm
To be honest, I've fallen out of love with special features and will often spring for whatever single disc version is out there if its cheaper. Special features only mean something if there's some distance from the film- ten years to look back on or more, maybe?- or if there's a particularly interesting and/or funny commentary. Otherwise, I am not a "howdedoodat" and I think some features detract from what I enjoyed about the film. Also, I don't like how special features on big films are centered around the special effects, with no mention of the story. Shit like Superman Returns, where you heard more from the guy that helped grow the fucking corn than you did from the writers.
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post #42 of 51
10/6/08 at 4:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DARKMITE8 View Post
This means, to me, they had room to put all this on the single disc edition but chose not to in order to force you to buy the 2-Disc with the digital download. For $5 more. Why they couldn’t put the extras on the single disc as well amounts to one thing: greed.[/I]
No! Not greed!

Do you mean to tell me that these companies aren't putting all this product on the shelves as a gesture of kindness and goodwill toward all men?

Not to be a callous SOB, but no company is looking out for you or your best interests. They exist to separate you from your money.

Some, like Criterion, give you legitimate bang for your buck - but all of 'em want your buck and they'll do whatever it takes to get it.
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post #43 of 51
10/6/08 at 5:13pm
Commentary tracks used to mean alot to me as a film-nerd and were absolute "must-listens!" Alot of the early ones were great because they tended to involve the director, cast, crew, etc. seeing said film for the first time in years that gave them time to reflect on what worked, what didn't, the politics involved with getting said film made, etc. Nowadays, these tracks are recorded before the damn film is even in theatres(!?!)

Plus, it actually used to mean something (for me, at least) when you had a "cast & crew" commentary where they spend the whole time cracking jokes at each other (i.e. the Kevin Smith/Ben Affleck and Sam Raimi/Bruce Campbell ones come to mind!)
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post #44 of 51
10/7/08 at 11:47am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jesse Custer View Post
No! Not greed!

Do you mean to tell me that these companies aren't putting all this product on the shelves as a gesture of kindness and goodwill toward all men?

Not to be a callous SOB, but no company is looking out for you or your best interests. They exist to separate you from your money.
I know the way business works, but if I'm being ripped off, I'd rather it not be so obvious.

Option A: Movie & NO special features
Option B: Movie & special features on disc 1, and a digital copy in disc 2?

They use to spread it around a bit better. It's almost as infuriating as the "Wait you were holding back on that awesome material for the double dip?"
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post #45 of 51
10/7/08 at 4:48pm
What gets me are these two-disc Blu-ray releases.

I thought Blu-ray had tons of storage? Enough room on one Blu-ray disc for the entire Star Wars trilogy and shit.

Again, the two-disc allows stores to rent the movie, but if you want to see the special features you gotta buy.
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post #46 of 51
11/17/08 at 2:41am
So the 3 disc Wall-E set has the "usual" 3rd disc digital copy business(much like Hellboy II), but...

From the DVDTalk review:
Quote:
But unlike some other releases, this has a firm expiration date of November 19, 2009, which is annoying.
This is horseshit, this trend needs to die. Or like I said before, include download codes.
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post #47 of 51
11/17/08 at 3:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nexus-7 View Post
So the 3 disc Wall-E set has the "usual" 3rd disc digital copy business(much like Hellboy II), but...

From the DVDTalk review:
This is horseshit, this trend needs to die. Or like I said before, include download codes.
Fuck a Digital Copy, I already bought a digital copy, it's called a DVD. If I want another digital copy for some other device, I'll make it my goddamn self using the digital copy I already own. You want me to pay more for a digital copy that expires in a year? Do I get 1/3 of my money back at that time? If not, fuck your mouth - you just got 0 dollars instead of 20.
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post #48 of 51
11/17/08 at 3:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Barkatthemoon View Post
What gets me are these two-disc Blu-ray releases.

I thought Blu-ray had tons of storage? Enough room on one Blu-ray disc for the entire Star Wars trilogy and shit.

Again, the two-disc allows stores to rent the movie, but if you want to see the special features you gotta buy.
It's not an issue of storage. It's an issue of bags with dollar signs printed on them. Disney wants you to fill them and fill them fast.
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post #49 of 51
11/17/08 at 3:12am
How big are the files for these digital copies, anyway?

Perhaps a horrible example(of anything, really), but Starship Troopers 3 has the digital copy included on the feature disc.
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post #50 of 51
11/17/08 at 12:59pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nexus-7 View Post
How big are the files for these digital copies, anyway?

Perhaps a horrible example(of anything, really), but Starship Troopers 3 has the digital copy included on the feature disc.
I don't get why it would have to be big either, especially for portable devices. Laptops maybe. I am noticing that the Special Editions of dvds (2 & 3??? discs) are streeting the same price as BluRay now. WTF.

I've been putting more dvds on my holiday wishlists now, instead of just buying them myself because of all this bullshit.
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