Posted by sean at threshold9n.jpmorgan.com on May 23, 2002 at 14:56:13:
In Reply to: OT - The Top Ten Worst Things About DVDs. posted by Hibernian Psycho on May 23, 2002 at 13:10:05:
: 8. Classic Films on DVD, but not getting its due treatment. "Goodfellas" skimps on extras... bad enough... but also has the film divided into two halves, one for each side of the disc. All in a handy cardboard sap-case.
I was told by a good friend of mine who knows far more about DVDs than I do that "Goodfellas" was originally printed with the need to flip, but has been re-issued (which is to say, it's still the barebones edition) as a dual layered disc. This was why, according to him, I shouldn't order it from Columbia House or any sort of on-line thing, but rather buy it in a store to make sure I got the good version. [My decision was to just wait, because I'm positive they'll put out a great version eventually.]
: 7. CRAP on DVD getting MORE than its due. Do we really need director+producer commentary, deleted/extended scenes, games, and THREE documentaries... for "Snow Dogs"?
Does this really bother you more than the one above? 'Cause I would think that, like most people, you could just avoid buying, or even looking at the back of, the "Snow Dogs" DVD until the end of time. (Yes, I know that's an example, but whatever the film is, if it's a bad film, for me, I don't read the reviews or look at the box or anything, I'm too busy trying to figure out which of the good movies that came out that week I'm going to buy.)
: 6. BORING Director's commentaries. John McTiernan... it helps to SPEAK once in a while; Cameron Crowe... yes, we KNOW you like Bob Dylan, it's all over "Vanilla Sky".
I have to assume that since you said you weren't a fan of "Vanilla Sky", you're basing this on my post on the ANP board, so I figured I'd let you know that, honestly, talking about Dylan would've been far, far more interesting than anything he says on that track. The only time Dylan is mentioned is Crowe (1) pointing to the Freewheelin' album cover framed in Cruise's apartment and (2) the point when they "re-created" the cover [and then he goes "but they already say that at the end of the movie"].
: 5. Overpricing. Only a fan will buy "Mallrats" for near $35, which it is in most places.
But at $20, I'm sure even the haters would rush out to buy it ;)
: 4. Chapter Search, Interactive menus, the trailer, subtitles and the like have NO FURTHER NEED to be called "Special Features". Well, unless you're David Lynch.
Yes, this bugs me too (except for the trailer thing, because so many random discs won't have it) ... I hate when they list trailers for other movies as special features. Didn't they used to be called 'advertisements'?
And don't get me started on the brief decision by whomever put out the "O Brother" DVD to include ads at the beginning of the DVD.
: 2. Rgion codes. If I want to import a Strokes CD with extra tracks, it'll play on my CD player. If I want to get a special edition of "Apocalypse Now" or "the Fifth Element", I'd better make sure my DVD player is set to play stuff from GERMANY.
Really? What's on the "Apocalypse Now" import?