Has Double Dipping Gone Too Far?

[Scott W. Davis]

It's now become standard practice to release several versions of the same film onto DVD. Some developments just in the past few weeks:

*An Unrated Version of CLUB DREAD to be released just three months after the theatrical cut's DVD release.
*An unrated Director's Cut of TAKING LIVES has been released with the original.
*HELLBOY came with a great two disc set, but a Director's Cut is coming this fall.
*CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK will have an R-rated Director's CUt released simulateously with the theatrical cuts.
*ANACONDAS hasn't been released yet but it's been announced there will be an R-rated cut as well of that when it hits in a few months.
*And as we report, an ALIEN VS. PREDATOR Director's Cut is in the works.

This is not counting other releases or the use of both Full Frame and Widescreen DVDs.

So what does everyone out there think of this? What is your opinion of this trend. If it's a good thing, what's the fairest way to handle it for the fan and/or consumer? Have you bought multiple versions of the same film?

[nullspin]

If my guess is anything.....You ain't seen nothing yet. And yes i'm of the opinion that it is shameless profiteering. The only possible benefit is if the actual directors cut....represents the directors cut... and the director is someone of vision who has beens shamelessly censored by the man. Most likely the movie is a cookie cutter chunk of sh*t that hardly bears a second thought much less a second viewing. But one mans trash...
Now as for the you ain't seen nothing yet. If your like me you have been buying dvd's, tucking them away, watching them occasionallly and looking forward to a life time of use. But the rub is the inevitable format change. Next stop HD-dvd's due out late 2005 early 2006. Then the rerelease of every movie and every directors cut in all it's HD glory. Then I'm sure we can look forward to even higher definition tv. Hey why not holographic 3-dimensionsal? How about interactive. Buy the directors cut and ask the whole cast questions during the film. How about interactive your in the film? They will be bleeding us dry till the movies are playing in our heads.
But hey everyone has to have a hobby.
NS

[Caleb Goodwin]

Well recently I have rebought several titles. Rabid, Zombie 2 (had to have the two disk), Dawn of the Dead, and there appears to be no end in sight. I bought the divimax Dawn of the Dead even though the 4 disk would be out fairly soon. I just couldnt wait. Shit!!! This week the Candyman SE (which I bought) and Lost Boys 2 disk dvd came out. Last week a Predator SE 2 disk came out. I am sure Kill Bill Vol 1 and 2 will get a "real" dvd release one day and I have purchased both of those. I would say the double dipping has gone too far. I love SE's as much as the next person, but rebuying the same film over and over gets OLD. How about release the movie as a SE the first time. Oh wait....that would mean less profit. What was I thinking?

[UnclePoe]

Ab-so- :censored: -lutely!

Very early on, I became irritated by the dual releases of the Standard and the Widescreen versions of movies, and am more so when the two have different covers (i.e., Spider-man ... I'm a WS fan, but the cover to the Standard was my favorite).

And :shock: , was I ever ticked on the day I buy my 2-disc edition of Hellboy only to find a $5 coupon for purchase of the Director's Cut. It just never seems to end, and why should it? As long as fans continue buy "double-dipped" movies, or the 'deluxe' version, followed by the 'super deluxe' version and then the "ultimate super deluxe' and so on --- why on Earth would Hollywood $top doing thi$?

I'm at the point now where I rarely buy brand-new DVDs, unless a chain store like Best Buy offers it at a really low-price (Hellboy, $15.99 the first week of release; Lost Boys 2-Disc, $17.99, etc.). I either buy them WAY later, when the 'ultimate super deluxe' version finally hits the stores, or I buy them used (from the $5 cabinet).

Generally, I spend my premium dollar on TV Series, which have yet to really pull this 'double-dipping' crap, other than the Original, 2-Episode per Disc Star Trek (Original Series) and now the soon-to-be-released Season One et al.

Someday there will be a DVD-release, even if it 2-discs, that will include the Original Theatrical Cut, the Director's Cut, Full-Frame and Widescreen, Theatrical Trailer, Alternate Endings, Deleted Scenes, Outtakes, Commentaries, etc. etc.

Until that day, I'll be waiting for Buffy Season 7 and the latest version of Dawn of the Dead when it goes on sale as Previously Viewed.

[DevilMan]

Originally posted by Scott W. Davis@Aug 20 2004, 12:16 AM
Has Double Dipping Gone Too Far?
How about "Triple Dipping"? Those sons a bitches over at Columbia Tri-Star are the worst!

Bastards!

Read this sad story of how I was forced to buy THREE different DVD releases of the same movie...

First, there was STARSHIP TROOPERS. I really liked the movie so I bought the single disc DVD release when it first came out. No problem there. Then about a year later came the two disc special edition. I was happy so I sold off the first one and bought the second. No problem there since it had a long time since the original came out. But only six months later came the SuperBit "movie-only" DVD. Well fuck, I had to have it because I still enjoy the film and I currently have the home theatre equipment to support the new upgraded format (HD widescreen tv and DTS receiver). So I sold off the special edition and bought it. And the bad thing about it, the SuperBit was indeed a much better DVD. But still, that's three different versions I had to go through. Next thing you'll know, there'll be a two disc STARSHIP TROOPERS "SuperBit Deluxe".

Okay, the second one was BLACK HAWK DOWN. Again, a good film in my opinion so I bought the single disc release when it first came out. But only six months later, a supra-special DVD set hit the stores as a three disc DVD special edition. And it was pretty pricey too. But alas, I like the movie so I sold off the first one and bought the new one. Then, guess what, later came the single disc "movie only" SuperBit DVD. Jeezus Christ! I had to have it. But this time, I didn't sell my special edition and bought the SuperBit too. But still, that's three different versions. Wait to see if there's a BLACK HAWK DOWN "SuperBit Deluxe" multi-disc release next.

Now, we've got UNDERWORLD laying in wait. There's a SuperBit of that one coming out in September. Again, I liked the movie so I bought the first DVD when it came out. Then, as you all know, the extended unrated two disc special edition came out. I instantly sold off the previous one for the new one. Now, the SuperBit is coming. But here's the real kicker, it's only going to be the original theatrical cut, not the extended edition. So, do you buy it when it comes out or do you wait to see if there's gonna be a extended unrated two disc UNDERWORLD "SuperBit Deluxe" release later?

Bastards!

And what about RESIDENT EVIL?! I had the first DVD and sold it off for the SuperBit. Now there's a two disc extended edition coming out but it's not a SuperBit release. So, do we buy it or can we expect a RESIDENT EVIL "SuperBit Deluxe" of that one too?

-Steve

[UnclePoe]

Q: Devilman ... is the new 2-disc version of Underworld worth it, compared to the first release?

Again, it is mindless and irritating how different versions just keep coming out. And again, I just don't jump at them anymore. <_<

I got Reservoir Dogs: Mr. Pink edition for $8 used. The 2-disc edition of Near Dark for $8 used. I just bought The Gate for $5 (bare bones, but for the price I can deal with it easily), The War of the Worlds $5 ... and Wild Things: Unrated Version for $5 also (Not that this would interest anyone on Horror Express! :D )

[Raven]

When is the extended resident evil coming out. I watched my one disk RE to death and haven't re bought it yet :D

[blaaargh]

Then they whine and cry about file sharing.


Which is worse? Studios whining about file sharing or celebrities whining about getting too much attention?

[blaaargh]

And just what are the extra features anyway? The Polish TV commercials? A collection of production stills? Commentary from the guy who washed the catering truck? How many friggin' copies of Pitch Black do they expect us to buy? I semi-understand Lord of the Rings with the erotic-fairy-fantasy stuff for those poor souls who live for that, but christ, The Frighteners? Darkness Falls? Geeesh.

But you know, I want to ask who would be stupid enough to be taken in by these crooks? Years ago I was in Tower Records when they still sold records and my friend and I saw a David Hasselhoff record for the first time, and we laughed our asses off and said "who would be stupid enough to listen to the shit that guy sings?" Well about two months later he had a top ten hit. :sick:

There are a lot of dumb people out there. It should be me and you ripping them off, not the H*llywood pricks.

[DevilMan]

Originally posted by UnclePoe@Aug 29 2004, 03:47 AM
Q: Devilman ... is the new 2-disc version of Underworld worth it, compared to the first release?
http://cinemabizarre.blogspot.com/Underworld%202%20DVD%20Pix.jpg

Honestly, I really don't think there's any big reason to swap out the original single-disc version for this new one. Yeah, there's a few small new scenes added and some new angles of existing scenes but all in all, there's NOTHING that I saw that made this the "End All, Be All" UNDERWORLD DVD.

Not to even mention, the Dolby 5.1 soundtrack (which was just outstanding on the previous release) is now cut alittle lower on the new one. Don't ask me why. They're probably planning a supra-loud DTS track for the SuperBit, which is surely coming next.

As for all the new DVD's special features, I haven't had the time to check 'em all out yet. But if you're really into "Special Features", then this new one is the way to go. It has all of the original features that you got on the first release and some new stuff along with a new commentary track. But if you'te NOT into "Special Features", then leave it the hell alone and stick with the DVD you already own.

I will say that in it's favor, if you were a fan of actress SOFIA MYLES (who played Erika), then you might be happy because it seems that she got all the best new angles and new scenes in this version.

The packaging is really cool too with an artwork decorated see-through plastic slip that fits over the snapcase. And, of course, you get the mini-comic adaptation of the movie included.

Yet all in all, I think that unless you're a die-hard loyalist of the movie itself, I'd suggest keeping the single-disc DVD (assuming you've already bought it) and wait to see if there is indeed, a SuperBit on the way.

Just my thoughts.

-Steve

[DevilMan]

Originally posted by raventt@Aug 29 2004, 02:53 PM
When is the extended resident evil coming out.
http://cinemabizarre.blogspot.com/RE%20DE%20DVD.jpg

According to AMAZON, it's release date is September 7th. That's just next week so you better unload your old DVD soon before everyone catches wind of this new edition.

DVD features
The Deluxe Edition of Resident Evil retains the major features from the original DVD and adds some new ones. Of primary interest is the alternate ending, which has action and style (and was never finished), but far less emotional punch than the one that was used in the film. There's a new commentary track by writer-director Paul W.S. Anderson and visual effects supervisor Richard Yuricich (which lags a bit when there are no on-screen effects to discuss); new featurettes on storyboarding and the film's videogame roots; and six visual-effects featurettes that focus on such elements as the laser and the zombie dogs. Retained from the original DVD are three featurettes and the raucous commentary track by Anderson, producer Jeremy Bolt, and actors Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez. Dropped are the making-of featurette, the zombie makeup test, and the Train music video. The Dolby 5.1 sound remains exciting and immersive, but DTS devotees will have to stick with the Superbit edition.

-Steve

[Grim]

I really do hate the concept of double dipping, I don't care if they're trying to make a profit. If I ever released a DVD, you'd get everything I could give you at once.

It makes no sense, really. Even as a DVD collector, having so many different versions of the same movie is useless. The 'extras' never really interest me that much, cause I really just want the final version of the movie. But when they release a 'better' uncensored, uncut version of the film, that really pisses me off.

And sometimes, just when you think it's over, a sequel to the movie is released, causing the old one to be popular again, which makes the company offer a super expensive special collector's edition platinum boxed set expensive piece of crap, that makes your DVD look fake :rant:. These type of things justify file sharing for the Music and Movie industry IMO.

[DevilMan]

http://cinemabizarre.blogspot.com/RE%20DE%20DVD.jpg

Oh, in case anyone's interested, I saw the alternate ending on the RESIDENT EVIL "Deluxe Edition" DVD. It's like this...

Alice (Milla Jovovich) supposedly gets out of Racoon City before the zombie invasion takes place and wanders up into the lobby of an Umbrella controlled facility somewhere else. She's decked out in a long coat and sunglasses. She tells the audience through narration that she's still hunting for Matt (Eric Mabius) who you'll remember was infected by the T-Virus. She approaches the front desk and as soon as the guards scan her face and realize who she is (I'm assuming she's on a "Wanted" list), she whips out some sort of snazzy rocket launcher and fires at the camera. The audio commentary described the scene as having a swirl of mini-rockets fly out, destroying everything. And that's that, the alternate ending is done.

Personally, I always enjoyed the ending that we saw even though I didn't really like the movie itself. The opening ten minutes and closing ten minutes are quite good though and seems like someone other than Paul Anderson directed those sequences.

-Steve

[DevilMan]

Originally posted by Grim@Sep 26 2004, 08:55 PM
But when they release a 'better' uncensored, uncut version of the film, that really pisses me off.
I suppose the only time that doesn't bother me is when the company in question puts out a re-issue of one of their early DVD releases that was lacking in the quality department.

I mean, if they take an old DVD and upgrade the previous 2-Channel Stereo soundtrack with a Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS track, it's worth it in my opinion. Or if they take a standard widescreen presentation and give it to us in hi-def anamorphic widescreen, it's worth it in my opinion.

Special features, I could live with or without as long as the movie is presented at the highest possible quality available on the current DVD format.

-Steve