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What the hell is with all of the multiple DVD editions of movies these days? Once upon a time, a single edition of a DVD was available that contained the movie (both widescreen/letterbox and pan and scan versions) and the special features, like commentaries, deleted scenes and bloopers. Then along came things like special editions with fancy packaging (which may or may not have contained the exact same discs as the "not so special" edition) and collector editions with even more fancy packaging (again, it might have been the same discs, but maybe something extra).

OK, fine, so there was something more that people who really loved the movie could spend a few extra bucks to get. I understand that – the perceived extra value is the feeling of belonging to some sort of exclusive club.

Then came the director’s cut and the slew of unrated editions. While the director’s cut was made to show off the director’s intended vision, without editors and censors tainting their "masterpiece," the unrated editions were created, I’m sure, just to lure men into thinking they’d see boobs (or more – think Eyes Wide Shut). OK, so these would include some footage that was not available in the theatrical release (assuming there was a theatrical release) or on the standard/special/collector edition DVDs. OK, I sort of get that, too.

I just saw an ad for Amazon with not one, not two, but three different editions of Star Trek. Target sometimes tosses on another two editions with their "Target exclusive" DVD and Blu-Ray editions, although I’m not finding them for Star Trek.

And somewhere along the way, the widescreen and pan and scan versions of the DVDs got separated from one another. Let me tell you, there is nothing more annoying than picking up the wrong version (e.g. pan and scan) of a movie and playing it for the first time. This is especially true for those pan and scan movies that still use widescreen for the opening scenes, because you don’t know how badly you’ve screwed up until you’re up to ten or so minutes into the movie. Then you have two options: take the disc out and hope you can make the exchange for the proper version, or sit there for the remainder of the movie terribly annoyed every time you see the scene scan across to fit everything in the 4:3 frame.

Anyway, I am just annoyed. Not that I buy a lot of DVDs any more (thank you, Netflix), but when I do, it’s annoying that I can’t just drop into a store and quickly pickup a DVD. I feel like I have to waste time comparison shopping when all I want to know is which edition has all of the things I want, minus Blu-Ray (upscaling seems to do just fine, thank you – or at least that’s how I’m supposed to feel right now). And let me just mention gifts – there are a few occasions where I have received the wrong version or edition of a DVD on my wish list. I know, #firstworldproblem.

OK, my rant is over.

This was originally posted (registration and friending may be required) on Facebook. So many comments were made there that I thought it appropriate to post it here on my blog, too. Of course, feel free to continue commenting here or there.

SUPPOSEDLY if you’ve seen over 85 movies, you have no life. Mark the ones you’ve seen. There are 219 movies on this list. Copy this list, go to your own facebook account, paste this as a note. Then, put x’s next to the movies you’ve seen, add them up, change the header adding your number, and click publish at the side.

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Almost Salinas is an independent film written and directed by Terry Green, starring John Mahoney. Its unimpressive numbers from the opening weekend were no big surprise; I don’t recall very many indie flicks hitting it big in recent years. I’ll make this quick because I’m tired after seeing the 7:50 show tonight. Basically, I thought the film was interesting, but it won’t make the big box office numbers to stay in theaters for very long.
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So, I just got back from one of the 11pm showings of X-2 at AMC. All I have to say is that it was pretty good, although some would argue that it wasn’t “pure.” Some people just have to realize that the comics, the cartoons, the video games, and the movies are all different forks based on the same characters. Some spoilers follow, so beware.
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So, it’s Sunday night and

• Friday’s “night at the theater” turned out to be better than I thought it would be
• Vegging on Saturday ended up to be a lot of Vice City action
• Dinner with an old college suitemate was pretty good
• I finally did some of the laundry I’ve been putting off for two or three weeks now
• I didn’t see the Simpsons, and I know I’ll probably get some flack for it at work

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