'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.

[Mal Hombre]

Usually I'd only watch "Gag or Blooper" reels more than once but the collected trailers and TV spots on the DVD of Deadpool bear frequent re watching.

[chris chunt]

A brilliant DVD extra is the commentary on the 70s sci fi kids TV show the tomorrow people .
The now middle aged actors take the piss out of their younger selves and the crap TV show they acted in .
It is hilarious !

[tsunamiSD]

An example of what I meant by the dearth of extras on some Disney Brs/DVDs was season 1 of Marvel's Agent Carter - they made a exclusive deal with Amazon, with the result that it cost $35.99 for the 8 episodes of the season (plus a short 'gag reel' - there wasn't even a digital copy or VUDU coupon! There were a number of things up on the Internet that Marvel had posted that could have been included: BTS things, more funny stuff - and there were the dub wars with the SHIELD cast.

They did no better with the 2nd season, even after all of the complaints. I waited until just recently to buy the seasons, and got them new for only $24.00...

[MaxJoker]

Although until then did buy a shite load !.
Yes I paid my dues - Cough - I tell`eeeee
Hmmmm extras.
I've always been powerfully fond of commentaries must admit.

Cast ones predominately.

Two of the best I've ever heard were for this ,



Plus that ,



How good were those cast commentaries ?
Listened to them both more than twice.
So if you`re ever able , I highly recommend you check them out

[tsunamiSD]

Here is another Blu Ray that has a lot of extras, and it is not region encoded!


The cover/back is two-sided, but both the outer and inner sides look exactly the same, except one has one of those “M (Recommended for mature audiences)” lozenges on the front of one of them.


Film itself has a new 4K master, keeping the 2.35:1 screen ratio; but no closed caption or subtitles.


Features:


Ported over from the earlier DVD are these two:
Audio Commentary by the director/co-producer, Richard Franklin, a good listening experience
Kangaroo Hitchcock, a nice making-of featurette


Also Included are uncut versions of interviews that were done for the 'Not Quite Hollywood' documentary; by Franklin (14min) , Stacy Keach (19min), Jamie Lee Curtis (14min), scriptwriter Everett De Roche(7min), and guarantor rep Tom Burstall (6min) – Borstall wasn't mentioned on BR case or menu, but stunt coordinator/actor Grant Page was (and isn't actually included).


A never before seen 1980 lecture on the process of making of the movie, with Franklin, co-producer Barbi Taylor, and the film's composer Brian May. Great feature, over 2 hours of information on what it took to make the film, which at the time had the largest budget ever for an Australian film. The first 15 minutes are spent by the moderator doing an intro that included a lot of questions that he thought the audience would want to have answered. Franklin, etal, cover all of the 'hoops' that the film makers had to go through to get the financing from the Australian government and other backers, including the American distributors AVCO Embassy (who were the ones that insisted that another 'bankable' star, other than just Stacy Keach (who was on their 'b' list of desirable leads), had to be included – that is how Jamie Lee Curtis came to be asked to play a part.) AVCO had been asked about the possibility of having an Aussie like Brian Brown or Mel Gibson (who had just done Mad Max) instead of Keach, but AVCO basically said 'Who?' When told that that 'Max' had just set records in Hong Kong, they said 'Where?' This is a real gem, even if it is a so-so transfer from a VHS original.


A 1981 video interview with Franklin, and a 2001 audio interview with him. Both cover some of the same ground, but also has a sufficient amount of new information about the movie and other parts of his career (including 'Patrick' and his co-producing 'Blue Lagoon' for his USC classmate Randal Kleiser.)


A new audio interview with Stacy Keach.


A new audio interview with Grant Page – besides stunt coordinating, he was the villain.


A new featurette on restoration and 4K process hosted by the film's cinematographer Vincent Monton.


Exclusive essay by Lee Gambin (Melbourne-based writer for Fangoria), with a large gallery of stills, posters, storyboards, production art, newspaper reviews, and more.


The one thing missing from the old Anchor Bay DVD that I have is an 8 page booklet that has a short essay by Michael Felsher, along with 10 small pictures interspersed throughout. The back page lists the 20 chapter headings. The booklet is 5” x 7-1/4”, too big for the BR case, so I'm keeping the DVD.

[trailmaster]

I have 370 movies on DVD and video cassettes. I actually don't watch the extras that come on DVD movies. I don't want to know how the visual and special effects were made because then I feel that it kind of ruins the movie. For me it is better to wonder: "How did they do that". Most of the other extras that come such as out takes or blooper reel, or interviews with cast members or the director I'm just not interested in. I bought the movie to see the movie.

[tsunamiSD]

One of my all time favorite movies, one that I originally had to be 'dragged' into seeing for a date that I went on with the sister of one of my co-workers. This Criterion version comes with a single Blu Ray and two DVDs, along with a two-sided cover and a 30 page book that includes an essay entitled 'Stardust'. There are a huge number features on the disc, all of them in HD, although a few are 'up-scaled' ones. Look at this exhaustive set, many done for this edition.
Audio Commentary – 2007 Full-length commentary by the film's Academy Award winning editor Alan Heim. He offer lots of production trivia touching upon the main titles, Fellini comparisons, and visual choices. Also talks at length about the editing techniques used and his working process with the director.
Selected Scene Commentary – Roy Scheider talks about how he got cast, bringing the script to life, working with Fosse, his approach to acting, training for his dance scene, and his lasting friendship with the director. (35 min)
Anne Reinking and Erzsebet Fold – 2014 interview with the two discussing their work on the film. Fold reminisces about the audition process and what it was like to work with Bob Fosse at such a young age. They also share personal insights about the director as a friend and filmmaker. It is mostly from Reinking's point of view, as she knew Fosse long before this movie. (33 min)
Alan Heim – 2014 interview about the movie's editing style. There is some repeated information here from the commentary, but he shares new insights as well, including tidbits about working on 'Lenny' and 'Star 80.' (15 min)
Tomorrow – 1980 Tom Snyder talk show segment with Fosse and Agnes de Mille. The pair discuss their work, the stigma against dancing, and the differences between approaching choreography for the stage and screen. Those two were a hoot and obviously enjoyed and respected each other. (32 min)
Sam Wasson – 2014 interview with Bob Fosse biographer provides info of the director's early work and entire filmography, sharing interesting insights into his personal approach to film making and dance. (21 min)
The South Bank Show – 1981 appearance where Fosse discusses his early work, influences, and overall approach to choreography. (27 min)
Gene Shalit with Bob Fosse – 1986 interview with the director, the year before he died. He laments about getting older, trying to curb his smoking habit, dealing with criticism, and his preoccupation with death. (26 min)
On the Set – Fosse directing the opening scene, revealing his very hands-on approach; and a brief chat with Roy Scheider during the shoot, elaborating on his working collaboration with Fosse and his take on the character. (12 min)
Portrait of a Choreographer – 2007 Short doc includes directors like Kenny Ortega and Rob Marshall, dancers like Sandahl Bergman, several choreographers, along with Liza Minelli and Heim again. They discuss Fosse's originality, style, influence, and personal touch, along with analysis of specific scenes from 'All that Jazz.' (23 min)
The Soundtrack: Perverting the Standards – 2007 featurette about Fosse's use of music in film. It includes interviews with composers Glen Ballard & Jerry Casale, actress Liza Minnelli, editor Alan Heim, and other Fosse collaborators and admirers. (8 min)

[seany65]

Years ago, when dvd's were brought out, I seem to remember reading or hearing that dvd's could show different angles of shots.

That idea always interested me.

I've never yet seen any dvd that could do that.

Of course, I now realise that's not possible unless different angles were shot at the same time in the first place and somehow the player had the ability to show them.

[tsunamiSD]

Arrow went all out on this one, with a lot of new interviews, but with most if not all of the old interviews included. Look at all of this:
4K restoration of the film from the original camera negative by MGM, transferred in 2013 and approved by director Paul Verhoeven

• Director’s Cut and Theatrical Cut of the film on two High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray™ discs
• Original lossless stereo and four-channel mixes plus DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround sound option on both cuts
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing on both cuts
• Newly commissioned artwork by Paul Shipper
• 80-page collectors' booklet featuring new writing on the film by Omar Ahmed, Christopher Griffiths and Henry Blyth (larger than the one in the steelbook)
• Double-sided fold-out poster, first side the iconic pose getting out of the car, and the second a large version of Paul Shippers painting
• 6 collectors postcards

DISC ONE – DIRECTOR’S CUT

• Archive commentary by director Paul Verhoeven, executive producer Jon Davison and co-writer Ed Neumeier (originally recorded for the Theatrical Cut and re-edited in 2014 for the Director’s Cut)
• New commentary by film historian Paul M. Sammon
• New commentary by fans Christopher Griffiths, Gary Smart and Eastwood Allen
• The Future of Law Enforcement: Creating RoboCop, a newly filmed interview with co-writer Michael Miner
• RoboTalk, a newly filmed conversation between co-writer Ed Neumeier and filmmakers David Birke (writer of Elle) and Nick McCarthy (director of Orion Pictures’ The Prodigy)
• Truth of Character, a newly filmed interview with star Nancy Allen on her role as Lewis
• Casting Old Detroit, a newly filmed interview with casting director Julie Selzer on how the film’s ensemble cast was assembled
• Connecting the Shots, a newly filmed interview with second unit director and frequent Verhoeven collaborator Mark Goldblatt
• Analog, a new featurette focusing on the special photographic effects, including new interviews with Peter Kuran and Kevin Kutchaver
• More Man Than Machine: Composing RoboCop, a new tribute to composer Basil Poledouris featuring film music experts Jeff Bond, Lukas Kendall, Daniel Schweiger and Robert Townson
• RoboProps, a newly filmed tour of super-fan Julien Dumont’s collection of original props and memorabilia
• 2012 Q&A with the Filmmakers, a panel discussion featuring Verhoeven, Davison, Neumeier, Miner, Allen, star Peter Weller and animator Phil Tippett
• RoboCop: Creating a Legend, Villains of Old Detroit and Special Effects: Then & Now, three archive featurettes from 2007 featuring interviews with cast and crew
• Paul Verhoeven Easter Egg
• Four deleted scenes
• The Boardroom: Storyboard with Commentary by Phil Tippett
• Director’s Cut Production Footage, raw dailies from the filming of the unrated gore scenes
• Two theatrical trailers and three TV spots
• Extensive image galleries

DISC TWO – THEATRICAL CUT

• Archive commentary by director Paul Verhoeven, executive producer Jon Davison and co-writer Ed Neumeier (originally recorded for Theatrical version of the film)
• Two Isolated Score tracks (Composer’s Original Mix and Final Theatrical Mix) in lossless stereo
• Edited-for-television version of the film, featuring alternate dubs, takes and edits of several scenes (95 mins, SD only)
• Split screen comparisons between the Director’s Cut and Theatrical Cut, and the Theatrical Cut and edited-for-TV version
• Robocop: Edited For Television, a compilation of alternate scenes from two edited-for-television versions, including outtakes, newly transferred in HD from recently-unearthed 35mm elements