Sleepy Hollow let down

I have to say that Paramount sucks when it comes to DVD. What kind of menu screens are these? They are so plain, just think of the possibilities they could have done with this disc...what a shame Paramount owns the movie......

[Lo Pan]

Hey, come on. Can't we just be thankful that Paramount is even bothering with extra features?? Just can't please some people.

[P7A77]

I don't have the disc yet, but I usually get rather annoyed by all the flashy animated menus and icons or terms that might represent this that or the other. Some nice pictures and big easy to read text will do fine, thank you. Good, clean transitions and subtle effects are fine.

[docg]

To be disappointed by a DVD because of cheap menus? I think it's alright to complain about them but to say the whole DVD is bad because is pretty pathetic in my opinion. Did you like the picture & sound?

[Dehrian]

I actually hate big, complicated, motion menus that take a day and a half to get through. They're cute the first time out, enjoyable the second time, mildly annoying the third, bothersome the fourth, and a downright pain in the ass come the fifth.

Just give me a simple text menu that's easy to operate and I'm fine.

[Jerry Gracia]

I have to say that Paramount sucks when it comes to DVD. What kind of menu screens are these? They are so plain, just think of the possibilities they could have done with this disc...what a shame Paramount owns the movie......

Boy, given that this is one of Paramount's best looking and sounding DVDs out there, these statments seem harsher than they should be, to me anyway.

...and all this just because of the menu screens, sheesh!



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LuvLBX

I was frustrated by a lack of deleted scenes. The featurette and/or interviews had dialogue between Ichabod and Katrina that didn't make it into the final cut. There was also a bit shown where Ichabod and young Masbeth are in the woods and hear the frogs croaking "headless headless, horseman horseman". These things aside, compared to Paramount's treatment of the Star Trek films, HOLLOW looks like it comes from a different studio...let's be a little grateful, shall we?

AB

[P7A77]

Well, just because something shows up in a trailer or "featurette" doesn't mean it was ever part of a completed scene. Those things are made way before final editing is done, and I'd be surprised if most even get director approval. So you don't get a few seconds here and there. You want to see every take and every shot that didn't make it?

To me, deleted scenes are enjoyable if there's some reason to them. Maybe there was a problem with running time, or the director had a certain vision that didn't quite play out, or for a specific curiosity that the filmmakers want to share. Just slapping together a bunch of takes that were probably cut for a reason doesn't add anything, and a studio or disc shouldn't be criticized for not including it.

[esc]

was anyone else extremely disapointed with the sound? i thought 90% of it was in the center channel with the surrounds only being used for music and a couple horse ride-bys. it was much more impressive in the theater, and i saw it in a cheap-o theater with only stereo sound.
also the picture quality took a dive in the second visit to Catrina's cottage.

[Shoter349]

I enjoyed the film very much (though it was nothing to rave about). The menu screens were fine, but the "Heads Will Roll" theme on the main screen is kind of lame. The movie definitly has a Burton feel (the music and atmosphere are comparible to BATMAN RETURNS, THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, and EDWARD SCISSORHANDS), which I love. I was really feeling it during the opening credits and some of the dream sequences. But anyways, the special features were, at best, average. The Featurette seemed to drag on and most of it was simply movie clips. I have to say, it is well worth the price of $17.99 (at Best Buy this week). If you thought the Special Features were shady, check out other Paramount discs... you'll be VERY dissapointed.

I'm not comparing this disc to other Paramount releases, if I did that then yes this disc is great next to those. But compare it to most Universal releases or New Line and you get what I'm talking about. Paramount shows a lack of effort while other studios almost make some discs worthwhile because of all the great extras.!

[Dehrian]

What does that have to do with crappy menus?

Because the crappy menus are part of the crappy complete package. I actually know some people who now won't buy it figuring that if their effort of the menus is that bad then imagine the rest of the package. I argue with them but.....

[clortho]

Whats wrong with static images for menus? Simplicity often works over the more 'complex' and time consuming animated menus that some companies do. I also seem to recall that a good many New Line disks I have use static images on their menus as well. Guess some people just have to find something to bitch about..

Clortho

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I am the Keymaster
clortho@hotmail.com

[P7A77]

Well, this obviously goes back to the whole debate on whether or not extras are such a good thing a while back...

I can fully understand the viewpoint of people wary of buying a disc because there's the threat of a special edition three months down the road. And certainly buying a movie-only New Line or Universal or Disney disc is a gamble. But with Paramount's track record, and with the fact that it has what I've read to be good picture and sound, AND has a commentary ... well, I don't know what more you want. As was stated, New Line usually has static menus, and their discs rock.

Maybe there aren't any behind-the-scenes documentaries. Maybe there aren't any deleted scenes. Maybe, since this film started at Warner and ended up at Paramount, there were some legality issues. But who the hell cares? Are you going to base your decision to buy a disc that you WANT and that is GOOD on the sole fact that it doesn't have a crappy half-hour "documentary" that you'll watch once (or MAYBE twice)?

Again, I can understand the desire for extras, and I can also understand anger at discs that were just slapped together. But in this case, I don't think another version is on the way, and I don't feel that it was just "slapped together".

I am a little late on this one. I bought a copy last week and just got to watch it last night. To be honest, it was one the best I have seen in a while. It looked awesome and the sound was just right. As for 90% of the sound being from the front field, this isnt a full blown action movie. Other than subtle effects for atmosphere, horses riding by, there wasnt a need for a lot of surround activity. The dialogue was perfect throughout and I never had to strain to hear it.
As far as the menues are concerned, I would rather buy a really good movies with bad menues than a really crappy movie with great menues (The House On Haunted Hill?).
I spend the $20 or so on the excellent presentation of the movie. Anything else, deleted seens, menues, etc. are EXTRAS!

Special features, and, great menus mean nothing if the film they are attatched to is terrible. Case in point, Godzilla (1998). That disc was jam packed, but, the film was lacking in so many areas. Personally, I'm happy with a great transfer and superb sound.

For the record, I really enjoyed Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow, and, I thought it was one of his best films.