TNMC

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30 July, 2001

Ask the Dr. #2

Q: Let's start you off with some tough ones. Why does Fox feel the need to put long ass promos for the wonders of DVD at the beginning of their new discs? I just got the new Die Hard disc and it has a huge promo at the beginning that you have to skip past. I already have a DVD player, so why are they trying to sell me on the wonders of DVD? Why does Disney feel the need to try and force you to watch trailers at the beginning of their DVDs? I thought we left this kind of irritation behind with VHS.

A: Fox, Columbia/Tri-Star, Disney (and branches of), & Universal (Did I forget anyone?) all put those previews before their films. I don't think it's as much as trying to sell the DVD format and the wonders that come with it, just their films which are either out on DVD or coming soon. I mean, they make us watch previews when we see their movies, rent their movies, and now on their DVDs. I'm not terribly suprised. What bothers me is when you can't skip past them... It's their way of advertising for free and making more money.

Q: My biggest gripe is when a DVD is labeled as a "Special Edition" just to jack up the price, when it is so obviously lacking in quality and quantity of extras. My God, Requiem for a Dream wasn't labeled like that and it was such a well done and fully loaded disc. I also hate when you buy 2 disc sets (E.G The Mummy Ultimate edition) and find that they have put on a cropped version (pan and scan) of the movie on Disc 2. I am not slamming the Mummy DVD, it was very well done, but they could have dropped the extra, unneeded movie and put the features on that disc onto the first one and reduced the cost, or alternately loaded the other up with even more goodies. Also have you picked up the new Akira DVD? I am looking for a good word about it before I go and buy it.

A: No, I have not picked up the Akira DVD. In fact, I just saw the movie for the first time. I liked it, but I thought the ending was bizarre and I had no idea what I was watching. I don't like it either when discs are packed as special editions and aren't really such. They do it to sell more copies. Look at the Unbreakable disc. There isn't that much on it. No commentary, just a couple documentaries, and the thing is labeled "The Vista Series". The DVD wasn't bad, but look at the price on it. I, personally, think Lawrence of Arabia and other David Lean movies are getting the biggest hype of special editions. They are loaded, don't get me wrong. However, I've seen other discs with a lot more, and they don't go for forty bucks a piece. Reguarding your pan and scan question. My sources tell me The Mummy Ultimate Edition has both widescreen and pan and scan. (If all you're seeing in pan and scan, check your DVD player settings.) Maybe I'm misunderstanding the question.. They put both versions on a disc because full frame DVDs are preferred by many people to widescreen. Don't ask me why.... I own a full frame version of The Mummy because I didn't read the package when I bought it. (It was my first DVD...) People need to be schooled in the pluses of widescreen (anamorphic especially).

Q: I've got a couple more gripes. Why can't there be a standard case for double disc sets? I've got over a half dozen of these things and there are at least five different case designs. Given my preference I'd like the one used for Gladiator and From Dusk Til Dawn. It's the same size as a standard case and still holds the extra disc comfortably.Finally, let me just say I endorse the death penalty for the guy who decided it was necessary not only to attach one annoying 'security' tape over the edge of a case but now three of the damn things.

A: I have the same gripe (and answer) about single disc cases. Warner Brothers and New Line have those cardboard things and everyone else has plastic ones. This is mainly because it's cheaper to go with the cardboard sleeves. (Seen in double discs also, I.E. Magnolia, Boogie Nights, Fight Club and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.) I personally like The Abyss double cases, although the Gladiator cases aren't bad either. As for the three security stickers, I can tell you when I worked at Wal-Mart we were getting them stolen out of the boxes with only one sticker on it. I don't care for the three stickers, they kinda leave a funny shape on the case, but maybe it will bring the price of DVDs down in the end. Believe me, I too, am angered about the cases and security stickers. It's all about cheap production and high profits.

- Dr. Strangelove (aka Drew Morton)

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