'Extras' for DVD, Blu Ray, and Laser Discs

[tsunamiSD]

There is a long thread on what movie(s) members are watching currently. I have seldom noticed any mention of whether what was being watched was streaming, Blu Ray, DVD, Laser Disc, or (shudder) VHS/Beta cassette. I've searched thread titles for another one that might have been used for that purpose and couldn't find any, so I'm starting this one.


Although I could never afford a Laser Disc player when they came out, I did envy those who could. It was such a leap forward from video cassette (just as when CD appeared to replace 8-Track): better quality in audio and video, chapter search, and extras. DVD and Blu Ray ended up making movies and TV shows more affordable for 'the masses' (including me.)


It's the extras that made me want to start a thread to talk about things like:


What kinds of extras that you look for?
I look for closed captioning for the deaf, lots of subtitles, other spoken languages, commentaries, good 'making-ofs'


Do you remember any of the first extras that you saw on Laser Disc or DVD?
For me it was the Star Wars trilogy making-ofs


The first 'making-of' that impressed you?
In my case, it was those that came with The Frighteners DVD.


Have there been extras that you did not expect?
One that comes to mind was on It Came From Beneath the Sea: David Schecter on Film Music's Unsung Hero; it was about Constantin Bakaleinikoff , who I had never heard of, and how studios re-used musical cues.


Disappointments?
All of the newer Blu Rays with few if any extras other than a trailer, especially if they are from one of the big studios.


Annoyances?
Ads and trailers at the start, whether you can avoid them by clicking a menu button (or not)


Things on VHS you want to see on DVD for your region?
Samples for me would be “Love Crimes” with Sean Young ; “Love Letters” with Jamie Lee Curtis; “Never on Tuesday” with Claudia Christian


Things on DVD you want to see on Blu Ray for your region?
An example for me would be “Perfect” with Jamie Lee Curtis – the regular DVD has that crumby 1:1.33 screen ratio; there is a 1:1.85 anamorphic version out there, but it is one of four films on a DVD – so the quality isn't very good.


What are some of the films or TV shows that have 'full package' of extras that you have really liked?
The 3 Lord of the Rings movies, really good making-ofs.
The Alien Anthology – documentaries for all 4 films, original scripts.
The Bladerunner 5-disc collector's version – all 4 versions, Dangerous Days doc, lots of vintage material.