Why Do Special Editions SUCK Now? - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

Damian · 05-09-2001, 03:06 PM

So I'm putting together this little DVD newsletter I do every week, for friends and family members who have DVD's and I'm noticing that a lot of "Special Edition" DVD's are really just total crap now-a-days.

Example...
The Magnificent Seven: Special Edition
It's features include an audio commentary by a couple of the actors and the producer, a making of, trailer and production stills.

Mississippi Burning: Special Edition
The total content on this disc includes (brace yourself for this one)
Directors audio commentary and original theatrical trailer.
THAT'S IT!

That qualifies as a special edition? I haven't seen content that crappy since Disney put "Full Color Artwork On Disc" as a supplement.

Then other movies that also did really well don't get ANYTHING like City Slickers. This disc simply has a trailer on it, but at least it's priced cheap and doesn't say it's a special edition.
But if the above qualifies as special editions now, it might as well had.

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"They're us....we're them!"
-Damian

saraswati · 05-09-2001, 06:45 PM

since dvd extras are so popular now, and some really good, popular special editions have been released, (for instance Fight Club, the Toy Story Toy Box, etc) the manufacturers are slapping the words "special edition" on anything with more than a trailer and a deleted scene or two. especially director/cast commentaries on movies with really big names.

to me, a special edition is something that goes above and beyond the normal extras. things like the 5 different commentaries in the Se7en boxed set. the creative, yet random, stuff you can browse through on Fight Club. If they do something significantly more than they typical deleted scenes, director commentary, trailers/ads special features. Or it can be something that is limited edition, like Criterions or the Evil Dead II tin set.

however, technically, you could do anything you want and slap on the "special edition" header. especially if it's an old favorite remastered and with extras for the first time. if they put a tom hanks and meg ryan commentary on a new print of Sleepless in Seattle, it could be a "special edition," while a complete reworking of "romeo+juliet" with baz luhrman and the whole cast minus leo on the commentary, a supplemental disc including significant deleted scenes, documentaries on the production design and adaptation of the play, an isolated score, and maybe some really innovative "white rabbit" type features that haven't been done before, might not be called "special edition" because the movie isn't that important and leo isn't on the commentary.

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"Crap, lousy ceiling!"

egman · 05-09-2001, 06:46 PM

I think that this something a majority of us have been noticing. I have not seen Notting Hill, but Notting Hill Ultimate Edition

I know some of this has to do with marketing, but I still think some studios are getting too liberal with the idea of SE. Hopefully some median will be reached and there will be a better understanding amoung the studios of what a Special Edition should be.

[This message has been edited by egman (edited 05-09-2001).]

Damian · 05-09-2001, 07:03 PM

Like in the second post, things like Audio Commentaries are so comman they shouldn't be considered "special edition content". Most discs contain them, and for me they really are not that important. I rarely EVER actually listen to an entire commentary because I find them boring.
But when they are done ala Ghostbusters, that makes it fun to watch and listen to.

------------------
"They're us....we're them!"
-Damian

mahavishnu · 05-11-2001, 12:57 PM

I thought this post was going to go off in a whole other direction -

Increasingly, Special Editions just seem like a waste of space to me. There was a bit of excitement initially (I probably bought Fight Club because of the supposed wealth of interesting extras), but now I honestly couldn't give a shite. Director's commentary? Haven't listened to one of those for almost a year now. Just give me the film, keep the price of the disc down and devote as much space to the picture as possible please...

saraswati · 05-11-2001, 03:07 PM

he's ba-aack....

anyway, i feel like if the special edition is worthy of my time, it's a good thing. i like interesting commentaries by important directors on films that are either culturally important or very unique. i like deleted scenes that are actually interesting and just as good as the rest of the movie. i like trailers if it's an older movie i wouldn't have seen the trailer for, as well as trailers that are really clever. i like longer, non-epk documentaries that actually provide insight into the making of the film. i like unique special features that aren't just the traditional trailer/deleted scenes/commentary. i especially like goofy, fun extras that are meaninless, but make me laugh.

however, i don't buy my discs based on what extras there are. if i like a movie, and it comes bare bones, i'll buy it anyway unless there is a revamped edition coming in the next 6 months. i buy dvd's because i like the movie, not because i like what comes on it. because, honestly, how many times do you want to subject yourself to Rob Reiner's commentary for When Harry Met Sally? you look at the extras once, maybe twice if you're showing them off to a friend.

but i'm definitely not opposed to extras or special editions. if my movie of choice is available in an edition with a lot of extras, i will go for the special edition. i don't think extras are a bad thing...

------------------
"Crap, lousy ceiling!"

Eye · 05-11-2001, 03:15 PM

Quote:

mahavishnu wrote:
Just give me the film, keep the price of the disc down and devote as much space to the picture as possible please...

I totally agree with this. Special Editions are a waste to me as well unless, the "special" in Special Edition means:

- a better transfer
- a new transfer
- Director's Cut
- X-rated cut
- this DVD will mow my front lawn

I never watch all the stuff that's packed on most Special Editions, yet, many times I buy them just to get a "better transfer".

Just give me the damn film.

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..:: Eye | Moderator | eye@dvdfile.com

egman · 05-11-2001, 04:15 PM

I think what the real problem with SE now is the idea of quanity versus quality. This is were the studios are missing the point. A SE loaded to the brim with fluff pieces or poorly produced ones is going to suck even if it has 4 hours of special material. But on the other hand a DVD with a nice Video/Sound transfer, a lively and/or intellingent commentary, and a documentary that spends more time giving us details about the process of making the film rather than becoming a back patting party will be much more appreciated.

A while back I bought Agguire, The Wrath of God( Anchor Bay). It has talent bios, trailer, and a commentary. A far cry from the Superman disc I picked up last week, which is loaded to the top on a DVD 18. However, while on other disc I have never looked at the supplements again, I think I have watched Agguire multiple times with the commentary on. The transfer is the best the movie has looked and on the commentary Herzog actually tells us about the process instead of pointing out what is happening in the film(that makes for the worst commentary). It also helps that Herzog is an interesting character and that Anchor Bay include Norman Hill(don't know who he is)to help Herzog come up with information we might want to here and to minimize spots of silence.

Agguire is almost bare bones compared to what we get now, but for people who like the film the quality of the transger and the commentary more than make up for the lack of quanity. A DVD shouldn't be a multi-disc extravaganza unless all of those supplements are of high quality.

***1138*** · 05-13-2001, 08:56 PM

Another problem is the rampant amount of crap extras that are conbined into a special edition. If more special editions had things like kick ass documentaries (and not HBO's 'Making of'!) and other types of deep meaningful extras, DVD's would be better off. But things like 15 minute behind the scenes blurbs/coimmercials, pages of text to sort through on a TV, etc. just diminish the good stuff.

------------------
1138 - DVD File Forum Greeter
I did have a test today. That wasn't bullshit. It's on European socialism. I mean, really, what's the point? I'm not European, I don't plan on being European, so who gives a crap if they're socialists? They could be fascist anarchists. That still wouldn't change the fact that I don't own a car.

Damian · 05-14-2001, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 1138:
But things like 15 minute behind the scenes blurbs/coimmercials, pages of text to sort through on a TV, etc. just diminish the good stuff.

Agreed
I RARELY if EVER read through the pages of information that may be contained on a disc. If I want to study I'll come to work. I can read through some of the cast and crew bios, but that's usually just to see if they have included what that particular actor/actress/director...etc is currently working on.
Something I couldn't believe on the new Mummy Ultimate Edition.
They didn't bother adding The Mummy Returns to the cast and crew bios'. I understand most of the supplements were ripped right from the first Mummy DVD, but geez...how hard could it have been to update their biographies? The latest work they had for Brendon Frasier if I remember correctly WAS The Mummy (And Dudley Do-Right, but we'll look over THAT little charmer). I know since The Mummy he's done a couple of movies.
Come on Universal, put a LITTLE more effort into it.

------------------
"They're us....we're them!"
-Damian

Scourge · 05-19-2001, 05:50 AM

Superman: The Movie is not a special edition. And at $19.99, I think it's totally worth it considering "bare bones" discs go for comparable prices.

It's not as though the special features can't be skipped, so if you're really not paying for them and it's not being advertised as a special edition, I'd say there's very little to complain about if you like the movie. But I don't think that disc is really relevant to the thread.

Just my two cents. Plus, if you're a collector and you'll have these discs years and years from now, some of those features may be revisted fondly down the road.

--Scourge .

Brad Vautrinot · 05-19-2001, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Example...
The Magnificent Seven: Special Edition
It's features include an audio commentary by a couple of the actors and the producer, a making of, trailer and production stills.

At one time, this would have certainly been touted as a special edition and has more extras than some of the newer films being released on disc today. Without trying to sound like Slick Willie, I think that everyone needs to come up with their own defintion of what an S.E. is. For myself, a special edition of a film is one that is different from the mainstream release - i.e. an uncut version or a director's cut version. Everything else is extra supplemental material (or lack thereof) and has no effect on the actual movie per se. The latest Exorcist release is different from the theatrical version so to me it's a S.E. for that reason only and not due to any extras. The forthcoming Apocalypse Now Redux qualifies as a special edition even if it's bare bones.

What I see happening is studios adding one or more extras - either lousy or outstanding - and justify this as an excuse to call it a special edition in an attempt fo attract more buyers and increase sales. We as consumers are being subjected to this overused phrase so often that lost its actual definition and meaning.

A new transfer of the same film does not make it a S.E. It's the same film but perhaps it's now anamorphic instead of non-anamorphic and is simply a re-release.

A limited edition is just that - a limited release, usually of the same film - but comes in a tin and/or has the audio CD of the soundtrack included with no changes in actual film content.

I like most of the extras that accompany some releases. I look at all of them and listen to all the audio commentaries. Some are good and some are bad but I don't mind them being there as long as they are not a major factor in the price I have to pay.

Can I live without them? Yes, if it's a film I really like such as Twelve O'Clock High. The use of the term Special Edition is greatly overused today and I still feel it should apply only to a film that has been changed from its mainstream release.

Damian · 05-23-2001, 06:33 PM

So another "bare bones" special edition I just came across is Point Break with Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze

The supplements include...
Featurette
Original Theatrical Trailer

WOW!
Pretty incredible huh? In this case, they didn't even include a damn audio commentary. The staple of all special editions.

------------------
"They're us....we're them!"
-Damian

[This message has been edited by Damian (edited 05-23-2001).]

05-09-2001, 03:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
Damian My dad can beat up your dad. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Mississippi	Why Do Special Editions SUCK Now? So I'm putting together this little DVD newsletter I do every week, for friends and family members who have DVD's and I'm noticing that a lot of "Special Edition" DVD's are really just total crap now-a-days. Example... The Magnificent Seven: Special Edition It's features include an audio commentary by a couple of the actors and the producer, a making of, trailer and production stills. Mississippi Burning: Special Edition The total content on this disc includes (brace yourself for this one) Directors audio commentary and original theatrical trailer. THAT'S IT! That qualifies as a special edition? I haven't seen content that crappy since Disney put "Full Color Artwork On Disc" as a supplement. Then other movies that also did really well don't get ANYTHING like City Slickers. This disc simply has a trailer on it, but at least it's priced cheap and doesn't say it's a special edition. But if the above qualifies as special editions now, it might as well had. ------------------ "They're us....we're them!" -Damian

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05-09-2001, 06:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
saraswati Actress Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: New York City?!	since dvd extras are so popular now, and some really good, popular special editions have been released, (for instance Fight Club, the Toy Story Toy Box, etc) the manufacturers are slapping the words "special edition" on anything with more than a trailer and a deleted scene or two. especially director/cast commentaries on movies with really big names. to me, a special edition is something that goes above and beyond the normal extras. things like the 5 different commentaries in the Se7en boxed set. the creative, yet random, stuff you can browse through on Fight Club. If they do something significantly more than they typical deleted scenes, director commentary, trailers/ads special features. Or it can be something that is limited edition, like Criterions or the Evil Dead II tin set. however, technically, you could do anything you want and slap on the "special edition" header. especially if it's an old favorite remastered and with extras for the first time. if they put a tom hanks and meg ryan commentary on a new print of Sleepless in Seattle, it could be a "special edition," while a complete reworking of "romeo+juliet" with baz luhrman and the whole cast minus leo on the commentary, a supplemental disc including significant deleted scenes, documentaries on the production design and adaptation of the play, an isolated score, and maybe some really innovative "white rabbit" type features that haven't been done before, might not be called "special edition" because the movie isn't that important and leo isn't on the commentary. ------------------ "Crap, lousy ceiling!"

05-09-2001, 06:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
egman Actor Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Lawrenceville, GA	I think that this something a majority of us have been noticing. I have not seen Notting Hill, but Notting Hill Ultimate Edition I know some of this has to do with marketing, but I still think some studios are getting too liberal with the idea of SE. Hopefully some median will be reached and there will be a better understanding amoung the studios of what a Special Edition should be. [This message has been edited by egman (edited 05-09-2001).]

05-09-2001, 07:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
Damian My dad can beat up your dad. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Mississippi	Like in the second post, things like Audio Commentaries are so comman they shouldn't be considered "special edition content". Most discs contain them, and for me they really are not that important. I rarely EVER actually listen to an entire commentary because I find them boring. But when they are done ala Ghostbusters, that makes it fun to watch and listen to. ------------------ "They're us....we're them!" -Damian

05-11-2001, 12:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
mahavishnu Actor Join Date: Jun 2000	I thought this post was going to go off in a whole other direction - Increasingly, Special Editions just seem like a waste of space to me. There was a bit of excitement initially (I probably bought Fight Club because of the supposed wealth of interesting extras), but now I honestly couldn't give a shite. Director's commentary? Haven't listened to one of those for almost a year now. Just give me the film, keep the price of the disc down and devote as much space to the picture as possible please...

05-11-2001, 03:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
saraswati Actress Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: New York City?!	he's ba-aack.... anyway, i feel like if the special edition is worthy of my time, it's a good thing. i like interesting commentaries by important directors on films that are either culturally important or very unique. i like deleted scenes that are actually interesting and just as good as the rest of the movie. i like trailers if it's an older movie i wouldn't have seen the trailer for, as well as trailers that are really clever. i like longer, non-epk documentaries that actually provide insight into the making of the film. i like unique special features that aren't just the traditional trailer/deleted scenes/commentary. i especially like goofy, fun extras that are meaninless, but make me laugh. however, i don't buy my discs based on what extras there are. if i like a movie, and it comes bare bones, i'll buy it anyway unless there is a revamped edition coming in the next 6 months. i buy dvd's because i like the movie, not because i like what comes on it. because, honestly, how many times do you want to subject yourself to Rob Reiner's commentary for When Harry Met Sally? you look at the extras once, maybe twice if you're showing them off to a friend. but i'm definitely not opposed to extras or special editions. if my movie of choice is available in an edition with a lot of extras, i will go for the special edition. i don't think extras are a bad thing... ------------------ "Crap, lousy ceiling!"

05-11-2001, 04:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
egman Actor Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Lawrenceville, GA	I think what the real problem with SE now is the idea of quanity versus quality. This is were the studios are missing the point. A SE loaded to the brim with fluff pieces or poorly produced ones is going to suck even if it has 4 hours of special material. But on the other hand a DVD with a nice Video/Sound transfer, a lively and/or intellingent commentary, and a documentary that spends more time giving us details about the process of making the film rather than becoming a back patting party will be much more appreciated. A while back I bought Agguire, The Wrath of God( Anchor Bay). It has talent bios, trailer, and a commentary. A far cry from the Superman disc I picked up last week, which is loaded to the top on a DVD 18. However, while on other disc I have never looked at the supplements again, I think I have watched Agguire multiple times with the commentary on. The transfer is the best the movie has looked and on the commentary Herzog actually tells us about the process instead of pointing out what is happening in the film(that makes for the worst commentary). It also helps that Herzog is an interesting character and that Anchor Bay include Norman Hill(don't know who he is)to help Herzog come up with information we might want to here and to minimize spots of silence. Agguire is almost bare bones compared to what we get now, but for people who like the film the quality of the transger and the commentary more than make up for the lack of quanity. A DVD shouldn't be a multi-disc extravaganza unless all of those supplements are of high quality.

05-13-2001, 08:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
*1138* Producer/Admin Careful, or I'll ban myself... Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: San Jose, CA	Another problem is the rampant amount of crap extras that are conbined into a special edition. If more special editions had things like kick ass documentaries (and not HBO's 'Making of'!) and other types of deep meaningful extras, DVD's would be better off. But things like 15 minute behind the scenes blurbs/coimmercials, pages of text to sort through on a TV, etc. just diminish the good stuff. ------------------ 1138 - DVD File Forum Greeter I did have a test today. That wasn't bullshit. It's on European socialism. I mean, really, what's the point? I'm not European, I don't plan on being European, so who gives a crap if they're socialists? They could be fascist anarchists. That still wouldn't change the fact that I don't own a car.

05-19-2001, 05:50 AM	#11 (permalink)
Scourge Actor Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, Texas	Superman: The Movie is not a special edition. And at $19.99, I think it's totally worth it considering "bare bones" discs go for comparable prices. It's not as though the special features can't be skipped, so if you're really not paying for them and it's not being advertised as a special edition, I'd say there's very little to complain about if you like the movie. But I don't think that disc is really relevant to the thread. Just my two cents. Plus, if you're a collector and you'll have these discs years and years from now, some of those features may be revisted fondly down the road. --Scourge .

05-23-2001, 06:33 PM	#13 (permalink)
Damian My dad can beat up your dad. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Mississippi	So another "bare bones" special edition I just came across is Point Break with Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze The supplements include... Featurette Original Theatrical Trailer WOW! Pretty incredible huh? In this case, they didn't even include a damn audio commentary. The staple of all special editions. ------------------ "They're us....we're them!" -Damian [This message has been edited by Damian (edited 05-23-2001).]