PinoyDVD: The Pinoy Digital Video & Devices Community
DVD Forum => General DVD Discussion => Topic started by: bats on Jan 11, 2002 at 08:57 PM
-
Hi people, i just read the news from msnbc yesterday that most outfits/studios that produce dvds are thinking of removing the special features like commentaries, discussions etc from the dvds they make. the reason they gave was that the actors/actresses/directors who appear in these features are now asking for additional payments. It was mentioned that big old Arnold S. ( i cant spell his name) asked for a large sum just to do a voice over for one of his big hits ( i forgot which one).
the writer of the article said that this would be a big letdown because these features add new dimensions and insights into the film and the film makers themselves. its a sort of oral history.
so what do you think? are you still willing to buy dvds that come without special features?
-
Hi people, i just read the news from msnbc yesterday that most outfits/studios that produce dvds are thinking of removing the special features like commentaries, discussions etc from the dvds they make. the reason they gave was that the actors/actresses/directors who appear in these features are now asking for additional payments. It was mentioned that big old Arnold S. ( i cant spell his name) asked for a large sum just to do a voice over for one of his big hits ( i forgot which one).
the writer of the article said that this would be a big letdown because these features add new dimensions and insights into the film and the film makers themselves. its a sort of oral history.
so what do you think? are you still willing to buy dvds that come without special features?
Oh I don't care about the commentaries especially the ones that reveal the magic of movie making. They can take it away and I wouldn't shed a tear.
As for actors asking for extra money, that's ridiculous. They were paid millions of dollars, wasn't that enough ? Greed I tell you.
As for Arnold S., yeah, I guess he needed more money especially now that his movies aren't making money like they used to. But then again, do I look like I care ? :P
-
Hey guys, another thread ------> Those DVD Extras Could Shrink (http://www.pinoydvd.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.cgi?board=dvddiscussion&action=display&num=1010423680)
-
I'd be even more choosier than I am right now. These days, I buy the DVDs that I wouldn't even buy because of teh commentaries. If they were to take that out, I'd stick to VHS for the majority of my collection.
Without commentaries and special features, the only reason I'd buy DVD would be: a) I love the film so much I replay special scenes over and over again, which would strain my VHS player and VHS tape were I to do it to them; b) the film quality transfer is awesome; and c) the movie or TV series is very rare.
Looking at my collection right now...I can settle for my Matrix, Ben-Hur, and X-Men as VHSes. My Classic Star Trek collection (TV and movies), Fiddler on the Roof, Lawrence of Arabia, and Jesus Christ Superstar 2000 would still be preferred DVDs, though.
-
Looking at my collection right now...I can settle for my Matrix, Ben-Hur, and X-Men as VHSes. My Classic Star Trek collection (TV and movies), Fiddler on the Roof, Lawrence of Arabia, and Jesus Christ Superstar 2000 would still be preferred DVDs, though.
Sabi nga ni Keanu Reeves .. WHOA ! The Matrix on VHS ? Did I get that right ? The dvd that set the standard how dvds are produced and packed with extras today on VHS for your collection? VHS will not be able to capture the crisp clear sound and quality picture of the dvd. Right now, IMHO, The Matrix remains one of the best dvds around.
Say it isn't so trekker !
-
I would still buy DVDs as long as the video transfer is excellent and the sound is top-notch Dolby Digital 5.1 at the minimum, making full use of the LFE and surround channels. For me, extras are, well, extras.
-
Actually, I don't watch film's commentary version. Though this is nice to have (in my personal taste), it was never a criteria for me when buying DVDs. Don't get me wrong, I also enjoy watching "Making of..", "Interviews", "Documentaries", etc. etc. but I think even without these, I will still buy R1s unless my wallet say otherwise. ;D
Cheers!!!
Compaq
-
Hi people, i just read the news from msnbc yesterday that most outfits/studios that produce dvds are thinking of removing the special features like commentaries, discussions etc from the dvds they make. the reason they gave was that the actors/actresses/directors who appear in these features are now asking for additional payments. It was mentioned that big old Arnold S. ( i cant spell his name) asked for a large sum just to do a voice over for one of his big hits ( i forgot which one).
the writer of the article said that this would be a big letdown because these features add new dimensions and insights into the film and the film makers themselves. its a sort of oral history.
so what do you think? are you still willing to buy dvds that come without special features?
Duh! What did they invent dual- or triple layer discs for? Personally I don't care about commentaries, esp when they're just baffling about how good they were in creating the movie, blah, blah, blah. But if they were to take away some special features, then it'd be an awful waste of disc space, ain't it? Might as well make them all "superbit" just like Columbia does.
JOHN
-
I don't really care much for commentary tracks. But I do wish the other extras such as, the making ofs, featurettes, storyboards, alterante and/or deleted scenes and the like don't get cut off. Those are the things that make a good movie on dvd even better. If those things can't be found on the original Ri1 DVDs anymore... sigh, I might even be forced to buy R3s since essentially, they'll be the same.
I bought Tomb Raider, Hannibal and Final Fantasy in R3 kse, they were essentially the same as their R1 counterparts. :)
-
I would still buy the R1 even if it doesnt have much extras its because Most of the R1 has a nice and cool packaging compared to R3s. Great for display kung baga. ;D
-
I'd probably stick to R3 or go on a different format all together (LD or VHS). In fact if a DVD came out on both R3 and R1 and both had exactly the same features, I'd still get the R3 because of cost. Most R3's are cheaper so there wouldn't be much justification to get R1 (for me anyway). :)
On a side note: Trekker, I highly agree with Kakabanas, go get the DVD of The Matrix. It's a very well produced DVD (of course if you don't like the movie itself that much...). ;)
-
... The Matrix on VHS ? Did I get that right ? The dvd that set the standard how dvds are produced and packed with extras today on VHS for your collection?...
Yes, Virginia. There is a The Matrix VHS with a featurette or two. :)
-
Yes, Virginia. There is a The Matrix VHS with a featurette or two. :)
Fine, if it makes you happy.
I'd still prefer to watch The Matrix on dvd ... like most of us here I'm sure. ;)
-
On a side note: Trekker, I highly agree with Kakabanas, go get the DVD of The Matrix. It's a very well produced DVD (of course if you don't like the movie itself that much...). ;)
Oh, I *do* have the Matrix DVD R1. What I am saying is that, if R1 prices were to rocket sky high, looking at my collection, given a choice, I wouldn't get the Matrix without the commentaries and the behind-the-scenes. My choice of the films that I choose for my DVD collections is very *personal.* Video and sound quality are only a few of the reasons; the movie has got to mean something personal to me. And The Matrix, wonderful and entertaining as it is, doesn't fit into that category.
-
If they take out all the special features except the movie...I guess a lot of threads here will be history like R1 vs. R3, dvdeastereggs, singalongs, moviemaking, etc. This would have a great impact on our site. :-[
If this pushes through, I'd go for R3's and it would push us to also go for pirated. What's the diff? If you get the same banana for a better price...why not?
If they lower the price of DVDs taking out the extra features...then again that changes the whole picture. I'd still buy the orig.
-
I dont really watch the extras, plus factor lang.
-
commentaries are not my cup of tea. the extra features that I really like are the deleted scenes. I find commentaries so melodramatic, unless they are talking about the funny aspects of the scene. case in point Batman '66 now that is a commentary. ;D
-
my two cents:
The extra features in DVDs won't go away. Nowadays, making featurettes, commentaries, etc are included in the contract of the artists. The scenario wherein an actor would ask for a lot of money just to do a feature-length commentary or whatnot only happens when they are making the DVD for an old movie. Dapat lang naman talaga na bayaran yung mga artists, and whether or not they will pay huge bucks just to get the artist to do a commentary, well that's up to the studio. And of course, not all artists will ask for unreasonable fees.
But with regard to the new movies that are being made nowadays, shooting extra scenes, alternate endings, making-ofs and other whatnots is becoming the norm so that the DVD would sell. In fact, if the movie is a disappointment in the box office, the solution would be to make a great DVD so that the producers and the studio can recover. The Grinch's DVD raked in more dollars than Harry Potter in the box office.
-
The Grinch's DVD raked in more dollars than Harry Potter in the box office.
Really! If the DVD is that good, how come there is practically no discussion about it in this board? (Or was there one and I am ignoring it?)
-
I just thought of something to add to my earlier post. With regards to actors, directors, etc. asking for extra payment to do commentaries; I'm not too opposed to it. Of course I'll also expect that the commentaries that they provide better be good. :)
-
I just thought of something to add to my earlier post. With regards to actors, directors, etc. asking for extra payment to do commentaries; I'm not too opposed to it. Of course I'll also expect that the commentaries that they provide better be good. :)
That goes, too, for the extras. One major disappointment was "Mild-Meld", which for Trekkies like me who grew up on Classic Star Trek was probably one of the best last chapters written about the franchise. It's a no-holds-barred very intimate 90-minute dialogue between Trek legends William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy wherein they openly discussed previous subjects they wouldn't even touch on interviews, e.g. Nimoy's alcoholism, Shatner's womanizing, the animosity Shatner generated from the lesser stars, etc.
The material, as I said, is great. The rip-off was the alleged 20-minute behind-the-scenes documentary. It was just one glorified trailer, picking scenes from the actual dialogue! If you've seen the original 10-minute trailer downloaded from the Net, then you've seen half of this documentary! And the 20 minutes culled from the actual material practically only leave you 70 minutes of original unviewed film!
I'm glad a relative gave me this as a Christmas present. I was prepared to buy the DVD solely because of this documentary, hoping to see more treats and listen to a lot more confessions. Had I spent good money on this, sising sisi ako---because as the DVD stands, I would just have settled for the VHS.
And, yes, "Mindmeld" is R1.
-
Viper:
Premise #1: the board discusses good DVDs
Premise #2: the Grinch is hardly discussed in these boards
Ergo: the Grinch is a bad DVD? ???
just because one particular DVD isn't discussed here doesn't mean it's "not that good." after all, this not an all-encompasing board, right? ::)
-
On certain titles, yes I would. In my case, the commentary track or lack of it is not a big factor influencing DVD purchase. As the article put it, the studio already has enough material to fill the DVD with extras without having to pay additional talent fees.
I purchase selectively and try to get as much information about a title / DVD before actually purchasing, so if the commentary track goes away, it may not affect my decision. Market forces might even bring the commentary back on weak titles. Coming out with an article like that was designed precisely to elicit reaction from the buying public.
With DVD sales already beating box office for certain titles, studios would listen. They are still testing the waters at this point. ;)
My two cents.
-
i guess a great number of you guys really don't care about the extras. but for me, it's the decisive factor, it determines whether or not i'd part with my hard-earned money.
one reason is that i have a huge VCD collectiona and an even bigger VHS collection, and most of the movies that i really want are already in my collection. hence, coughing up big bugs just to get the same movie on a different format (albeit better) is really tough to do.
however, the extras make it all worthwile. despite the fact the i've seen A Perfect Murder or My Bestfriend's Wedding or the Exorcist gazillions of times before, purchasing the DVD with deleted scenes, alternate endings, feature-length commentaries make it all worthwile.
-
My decision is based on three factors:
1. How interested I am with the production process.
2. The price difference between the bare bones edition and the the one with the special feature.
3. The availability of the special edition.
Take for example The Last Temptation Of Christ (R3). I'm pretty sure that this edition does not have as many features as the Criterion Collection release. However, being that I'm more interested in watching the movie than with how the movie was made (I'll be too tired to watch the special features anyway since the movie's so heavy), and the fact that it's significantly priced lower (P999 as opposed to the P1,500-P2,000 selling price of the Criterion Collection), I'm more inclined to go for the R3 release than the Criterion Collection.
However, with The Last Of The Mohicans, I'll probably opt to buy the R1 release (the one with the missing scenes) than the R3 edition (no features at all). However, the P2,000+ price tag of the R1 release and the fact that I'll have to wait for a week or so before I can watch it might make me go for the R3 release.
It's really a case to case basis for me.
-
Yes I would indeed.
May movies naman kasi for me na talagang movie lang ang pinaka-habol ko, I really don't care if there are special features - especially those non-recent movies (kung OLD kasi ang gamitin kong term eh isipin niyo mga classics) na gusto kong magka-DVD copy lang - masaya na ako duon.
Dati nga eh basta no special features eh super liit ng chances na mabili ko ang DVD na iyon. Pero at some point din tatamarin ka rin pala makita ang ibang special features at habol mo na talaga ang movie na lang.
Sa Pearl Harbor Vista Series, I want to buy it because of the director's cut version and not because of the added features.
Pero may mga DVDs na expected mo talaga ang mga special features like Episode 1, na tipong you're so interested in the making or whatsoever about the movie na tipong sa DVD mo lang makikita.
-
For me, R1s are for collectors. You wouldn't want to get ripped off or get a lemon like what other R3s are. I'm not sure if the quality of discs are the same for both R1 and R3 but how would you explain the clearer copies of R1 (psychological?)
Another plus factor is the resale value...R1s sell higher and will be more in demand than R3s.
Just my half cent
-
Kahit walang features basta naka-DTS na siya OK sa akin. ;D
-
i wouldn't buy an r1 without the extra features. we have the cheaper r3 as a very good alternative. 8)
-
I think it's a disgrace for a DVD not to have a special features. I mean, that's why they created the format in the first place. Para maramnig extra na milagay for us consumers. Kung ganun din pala na movie lang kasama, then Laser discs would have sufficed( minus factor lang yung size ng discs )
Opinion ko lang po.
-
COuldnt have said it better.In my entire collection only APOCA NOW REDUX is the sole bare bones dvd I have. Even my DEATHRACE 2000 has an in depth interview with MASTER CORMAN and some trailers that include an obscure ron howard flim.The sole point of a dvd is for it to be jam packed with as many extras that they can fit! Im even guilty of buying dvds because of the extras altho I m not really keen on the films themselves. Like T2 THE UTLIMATE COLLECTION AND EPISODE 1. I should have just bought a pirated version of APOCA REDUX. Its a pathetic little number. The film itself is great but the packaging is terrible.After COPPOLA's incredible back to back running commentaries of the GODFATHER EPIC. APOCA comes out with not even a single extra. They could have gotten him to narrate the strangest and most troublesome movie of his carrere and then a disc two with Elanore's HEART OF DARKNESS which is a MUST SEE.
-
since my collection will center mostly on art films, i have resigned myself to the notion that not all of the dvds that i will acquire will have such special features. foreign titles with english subtitles will be at best what i need for my dvds to have as a feature.
-
Can we talk about foreign/ art films? I recently had this craving for this genre and would surely need some recommendation.
-
hi barrid. sent you a pm about it (just tried the feature for the first time). hope you get the pm. if not, i'll just post my reply on this thread.
-
Yes, specially non-American films/Art films.
For american movies, as long as it has Selectable Widescreen 16:9 and Fullscreen with DTS at less than $20. Pwede na.
-
Yes.
Just got Mannequin, Bill & Teds and Cutting Edge. Practically barebones. I just missed those movies and they are not available in any other format.
-
Yes ... Dvdfile has announced that the upcoming Possession dvd will be feature-less, "This bare bones release includes a 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, English 5.1 Dolby surround track, English and Spanish subtitles, trailers, and production notes." I guess I'll still pick it up, having missed it in theaters.
-
If the format is available in both R1 and R3 and they both do not have special features, I'd go for the R3 version to save me some cash.
But sometimes if a title is only available in R1 and I really like the movie, I'd get the R1 version (with or without the special features).
-
yes, if anamorphic WS, has DTS/DD 5.1 and the price is not much higher than R3. :)
-
If I desperately want to watch/own a DVD title, I'd still buy a featureless R1 version based on the following conditions:
- the title is not available in any other format/region
- accessibility (R1 DVDs are easier to get hold of than, say, German or Spanish "editions" of the same title)
- the version is uncut/uncensored (a must!) ;)
Also, optional rather than burned-in subtitles is a plus...
-
One case in point: "Mulholland Dr." The disc was bare-bones, not even a commentary. A bit pricey for a movie-only disc, but I think it was worth it.
JOHN
-
As long as I love the movie like FLATLINERS...awesome effects.... :D
I'll buy the dvd. But of course it's much worth, if it includes the special features like the commentary, behind the scenes, etc.
-
Probably, if it's a hard-to-find title, like art/foreign language films...
-
Yes.
Like UFO, Space 1999 and Saphire & Steel
-
I bought Titanic despite bad review that the DVD was not that packed.. oh well its still the highest grossing film of all-time :)
-
I bought Titanic despite bad review that the DVD was not that packed.. oh well its still the highest grossing film of all-time :)
Hi xage,
Yes I bought Titanic for the same reason as yours ;D and yes I would buy R1s even without features as long as its not available in R3 and I really like the movie ;D
-
I agree. Barebones, only if it's not available in R3. :)
-
I'm still waiting for the Special edition release of the ff. dvd's. 8)
1. Prince of Darkness
2. Tootsie
3. Halloween 2
4. Superman 2
5. Angel Heart
6. The Breakfast Club
7. Flatliners- although I've already have the bare bone edition of this great Schumacher flick. :)
-
As long as it'd have subtitles and mainly for repeated viewing from start-to-finish like Before Sunrise.
-
This discussion may one day be moot. Last year, directors, producers, actors, and even critics began to charge for these "special features." For example, some actors are now charging as high as $10,000 for a short interview.
As costs rise, publishers will likely remove many of these special features to keep prices low.
-
To answer the topic question: I buy DVDs for the movie. The bonus features are just a. . .bonus.
I'd buy R1 even if it's bare bones. But if it's in R3, I'd probably buy R3 except if it's Buena Vista or,worse, Viva.
As for actors et.al. charging exorbitant fees , that'd be those overpaid uberschmucks, the Schwarzeneggers and Cruises and Willises and Ryans and Crowes and Roberts of the world and I don't really care for their movies (hence don't buy their DVDs) so no problem for me there.
-
with or without special features- I would still definitely get it basta type ko! ;)
-
Yes, as long as there's nudity. ;D
-
Yes, I bought Airforce 1 R1..walang features.. i love that movie eh
-
with or without special features- I would still definitely get it basta type ko! ;)
Me too ;D
-
Yes, as long as there's nudity. ;D
I would not be surprised! ;D
-
Dehins. Basta bare-bones, hihintayin ko na lang na magkaroon si Robin Hood. Except of course, if the original DVD will be offered to me at a very inexpensive price. 8)
-
Dehins. Basta bare-bones, hihintayin ko na lang na magkaroon si Robin Hood. Except of course, if the original DVD will be offered to me at a very inexpensive price. 8)
same here.... 8)
-
no way!!! hindi sulit...i will regret it for the rest of my dvd life! bibili na lang me sa region 3 kung meron din naman. >:(
-
it really depends.. for me if i really like the movie why not? even without features... basta wag lang overpriced...
-
yup, as long as the plot is good... :)
-
sad to say there are dvds from region 1 that have no special features, such as bang rajan {2000, thailand} from hart sharp video and image's double indemnity {1944},mel gibson's favorite movie, however, there is no choice and i bought them just for the movie quality
-
Not if it's available in R3. The reason I buy R1s is for the special features. ;D
-
Will not buy unless it's in my "must-have" list provided R3 not available...similar to some of you..I will prolong buying it until a better edition is released tho it may take a few years...e.g. good thing I waited & didn't buy the bare bone Titanic when it first came out. I'm very happy with the DE 3-disc set :D
-
special feats doesnt really affect my decision, but packaging ;D anyway, i will buy r1 if its r3 counterpart looks like pirated already ;D like those c-interactive dvds
-
So RNIverson too is attracted to attractive packaging eh....peace! ;D
-
So RNIverson too is attracted to attractive packaging eh....peace! ;D
guilty sir ;D
-
Not unless it's cheap and is a hard title to find here (I'm thinking Blockbuster). But SF's are my weaknessess so almost all the dvds I own have them.
-
I have R1 Superbit titles that has no special features...
-
Yep most Superbit titles don't have special features :)
-
I've become increasingly indifferent to special features over time. Yup there are some commentaries that are truly insightful, but other than that I find most SF's to be filler material. I've chosen Superbits when I could. Jeez, I've even gone back to VHS (that would be D-VHS) just to get the best picture quality (and sound too).
-
aside from superbit, only if it's fullbitrate DTS :)
-
sometimes you don't have a choice. a number of less commercial films are released with none or minimal special features. :(
-
No....maybe....yes..Depends if the DVd is rare and worth buying.
-
I'll only buy R1 versions of films if:
1. I really like the film.
2. They contain features not found on R3 versions (ex: Rush Hour 2).
3. An non-English language film that only has English subtitles (Ong Bak).
4. They don't have R3 versions. ;D
-
yeah i would. as long as i like the movie. and the r3 counterpart has crappy packaging. case in point, the first titanic release.
-
Recently got The Cure (Brad Renfro drama). Now that is a BARE-BARE DVD to the nth level. The movie plays instantly after the FBI warning. NO MENUs whatsoever. and loops after the film ends. To top it all off, fullscreen and mono. say mo. ;D
-
I would. ;D