DROP DEAD FRED arrives...

highdef · 05-09-03, 09:32 AM

This little gem of film finally arrives on dvd on
July 22 for only $14.95! Specs will follow...

Jadzia · 05-09-03, 09:41 AM

Artisan + Budget = (probably) pan & scan

highdef · 05-09-03, 09:42 AM

Let's hope not! I'll post the specs when they are available.

Peep · 05-09-03, 12:44 PM

I saw this yeasterday at DVDPriceSearch.com.

Great news! Even better if it's widescreen, but I'm pretty used to my beat-up VHS copy, so any release is better than none.

PixyJunket · 05-09-03, 12:47 PM

Crack House Classic

Disc-Flipper · 05-09-03, 01:18 PM

www.YAHOO!.com Nice. It was on my list of most-wanted. I'm still waiting for "Clifford" and "Jury Duty" to complete my comedy set.

littlefuzzy · 05-10-03, 02:00 AM

Come on OAR!!!

malkmuz · 05-10-03, 09:43 AM

i loved this flick as a kid, pan and scan or not, i'll probably pick it up. i've only seen it on vhs, which if i remember correctly wasn't widescreen.

salamander2 · 05-11-03, 06:30 AM

you mean open matte, NOT pan and scan. These films had video in mind, remember?

matome · 05-11-03, 09:08 AM

Of course I just bought the LD of this, so it makes sense that the DVD would come out right after that! Of course if it's MAR'd then it won't really matter since the LD is the same way and I only paid $6 for it.

grundle · 06-16-05, 06:25 AM

I bought Drop Dead Fred as a blind buy 2 years ago. I loved it the first time I saw it. If you look at my list of my 20 favorite movies, it's the only movie on my list that the critics hated.

I think the critics were just so incredibly wrong about this film. I know that each person has his own opinion, and movie critics can have any opinion they want, and that people do disagree on things. But what I mean is that I think the critics missed what the movie is really about.

On the surface, the movie is a very funny slapstick comedy. But at a deeper level, this is a very serious, psychological movie about a woman who is trying to get control of her life.

Here's one online critic who understood:

Spoiler:

Phoebe Cates is an amazing actress in this film. Her character displays so many different emotions. She also has a tremendous talent for physical comedy.

The Carrie Fisher character is also great with her deadpan seriousness. And

Spoiler:

The last few scenes of this movie are so wonderfully moving. If I was the kind of guy who admitted to crying while watching movies, I would cry while watching this one.

My favorite scene is when:

Spoiler:

This really is a very deep, serious movie. And I absolutely, totally love it.

The Phoebe Cates character here is the epitome of sweetness and innocence. This movie could not have worked with any other actress in that role.

This movie is about the importance of being happy with yourself, and loving life, and remembering what it's like to be a child. This film is a masterpiece.

kar10 · 06-16-05, 07:31 AM

I saw it at blockbuster and it was Full Screen

grundle · 06-16-05, 08:28 AM

Yes. The region 1 DVD is full screen.

It even says so on the back. It was filmed in open matte, and that's how the DVD is.

The theatrical version was matted.

But I think they may have had home video in mind when they filmed it. I always buy the original theatrical ratio version whenever there is a choice. But this open matte DVD is the only region 1 DVD of this movie that there is. But, I have to say that the framing looks great to me. The viewing enjoyment was very excellent for me.

If you love this film, if you really, really love it, then please don't let the open matte factor get in your way of buying it.

Yes, if there had been a region 1 DVD of Drop Dead Fred in the original aspect ration, then yes, that would be the one to buy. Whenever there is a choice, I always buy the original aspect ratio version. But in the absence of such a release, the open matte DVD is the best thing available.

There's a phrase that says, "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good."

I knew that the Jonny Quest DVD set was censored. I hate censorship. But I bought it anyway, because I love it so much.

I now that principle is important. And I know that original aspect ratio is important. But sometimes if you exepct perfection all the time on everything, you end up getting disappointed way too much.

darkhawk · 06-16-05, 09:47 AM

Our only hope of an OAR edition is Lion's Gate who took over Artisan

Adam Tyner · 06-16-05, 11:12 AM

It's not just a full frame presentation, though -- it's an awful full-frame presentation.

Case in point:

Numanoid · 06-16-05, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Tyner

It's not just a full frame presentation, though -- it's an awful full-frame presentation.

Case in point:

It's filmed in a 1:1.01 ratio?

Adam Tyner · 06-16-05, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Numanoid

It's filmed in a 1:1.01 ratio?

That's cropped a bit to show how poorly authored the DVD is.

grundle · 07-09-05, 07:50 PM

That stuff certainly shouldn't be there. But it only lasts for a few frames.

Other than the person who watched the DVD to review it, is there anyone here besides me who has it? I bought it two years ago and I have gotten so much enjoyment from watchng it over and over and over. What a great film!

Disc-Flipper · 07-09-05, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grundle

Other than the person who watched the DVD to review it, is there anyone here besides me who has it? I bought it two years ago and I have gotten so much enjoyment from watchng it over and over and over. What a great film!

It's mine. I was waiting for this one for a long time. Bought it on release day. Great movie.

Oh, they also released "Clifford" and "Jury Duty" - two other of my favorite comedies.

Fincher Fan · 07-09-05, 11:18 PM

The R4 release is widescreen.

Fok · 07-10-05, 02:25 AM

Please be widescreen!

Disc-Flipper · 07-10-05, 11:49 AM

Open Matte isn't such a bad thing.
But I think they should start making a matting feature on DVD players.

critterdvd · 07-10-05, 03:46 PM

I loved this movie as a kid, and for $10 Im sold no matter what the video is like...

Fincher Fan · 07-11-05, 03:30 AM

Or maybe you could look to other regions to get the widescreen version. If only I had some way of finding out where I get a WS copy from...

CTUK · 07-11-05, 06:13 AM

http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/228512

16:9 Widescreen! (Australia - Region 4)

05-09-03, 09:32 AM	#1
highdef DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,428	DROP DEAD FRED arrives... This little gem of film finally arrives on dvd on July 22 for only $14.95! Specs will follow...

05-09-03, 12:47 PM	#5
PixyJunket DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 23,217	Crack House Classic __________________ Twitter, Wii U and Xbox 360: PixyJunket

05-09-03, 01:18 PM	#6
Disc-Flipper DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Calgary, Alberta Canada Posts: 2,684	www.YAHOO!.com Nice. It was on my list of most-wanted. I'm still waiting for "Clifford" and "Jury Duty" to complete my comedy set. __________________ My DVD Collection Movie Images Last edited by Disc-Flipper; 05-09-03 at 01:21 PM.

05-10-03, 02:00 AM	#7
littlefuzzy DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: In my secret underground lair, plotting to TAKE OVER THE WORLD!!! Bwuaaahahahaha!! Posts: 4,590	Come on OAR!!! __________________ littlefuzzy's HUGE...... tracts of land.... -- My Anime My manga (check the Browsing... box to the left.) I just want to tell you both good luck, we're all counting on you.

05-11-03, 09:08 AM	#10
matome DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: NY Posts: 12,304	Of course I just bought the LD of this, so it makes sense that the DVD would come out right after that! Of course if it's MAR'd then it won't really matter since the LD is the same way and I only paid $6 for it. __________________ DVD/Blu-Ray/HD-DVD \| Blu-Ray only \| Laserdisc

05-09-03, 09:41 AM	#2
Jadzia Moderator Join Date: Jul 1999 Location: Michigan Posts: 15,060	Artisan + Budget = (probably) pan & scan

05-09-03, 09:42 AM	#3
highdef DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,428	Let's hope not! I'll post the specs when they are available.

05-09-03, 12:44 PM	#4
Peep DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 7,332	I saw this yeasterday at DVDPriceSearch.com. Great news! Even better if it's widescreen, but I'm pretty used to my beat-up VHS copy, so any release is better than none.

05-10-03, 09:43 AM	#8
malkmuz Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 480	i loved this flick as a kid, pan and scan or not, i'll probably pick it up. i've only seen it on vhs, which if i remember correctly wasn't widescreen.

05-11-03, 06:30 AM	#9
salamander2 DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: next to a schizo! Posts: 1,482	you mean open matte, NOT pan and scan. These films had video in mind, remember?

06-16-05, 06:25 AM	#11
grundle DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 8,985	I bought Drop Dead Fred as a blind buy 2 years ago. I loved it the first time I saw it. If you look at my list of my 20 favorite movies, it's the only movie on my list that the critics hated. I think the critics were just so incredibly wrong about this film. I know that each person has his own opinion, and movie critics can have any opinion they want, and that people do disagree on things. But what I mean is that I think the critics missed what the movie is really about. On the surface, the movie is a very funny slapstick comedy. But at a deeper level, this is a very serious, psychological movie about a woman who is trying to get control of her life. Here's one online critic who understood: Spoiler: http://www.astralresearch.org/mystic...r=1991&index=1 A young woman who had an imaginary friend to comfort her through an abandoned childhood is now seeking to reunite with her neglectful first husband. The imaginary friend returns with a vengeance to help her avoid the mistake, until she rescues her inner child to become truly independent and leave her dysfunctional relationship patterns behind. This tender off-beat comedy has rubbed too many people the wrong way (or the right way for the wrong reasons) because of its outrageous slapstick, like something by Jim Carrey. The imaginary friend is cavortingly rude for a reason; he served to push the girlchild to do mischief for attention and as a cry for help. Now grown up, the woman has forgotten and is about to lose her soul, so events call for some kind of literal return of her demon to force the exposure of her pain. This psychic crisis is poignantly realistic even if the plot device is less so, thus offering validation to all the bad girls who felt so alone in their right choices to rebel (rebellion is expected in boys). The creature who is visible only to the woman is like a poltergeist energy of her repressed self, a problematic ego container into which her powers of assertion and creativity were poured and stored. The movie's resolution is startlingly beautiful, as she goes into a meditative dreamworld to find and hold the little girl who was abandoned by everyone but Fred, and now, having accepted the adult's response-ability to embrace all parts of self (thus becoming more of her Soul) she must bid a final bittersweet goodbye to her old trickster friend. A powerful story with few peers Phoebe Cates is an amazing actress in this film. Her character displays so many different emotions. She also has a tremendous talent for physical comedy. The Carrie Fisher character is also great with her deadpan seriousness. And Spoiler: You know the scene where Carrie Fisher thinks she's beating up Fred? I have this idea that George Lucus should use CGI editing to make it look like she's killing Jar Jar Binks, and then edit it into the next release of Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope. The last few scenes of this movie are so wonderfully moving. If I was the kind of guy who admitted to crying while watching movies, I would cry while watching this one. My favorite scene is when: Spoiler: the Phoebe Cates character finally figures out the magic words. This really is a very deep, serious movie. And I absolutely, totally love it. The Phoebe Cates character here is the epitome of sweetness and innocence. This movie could not have worked with any other actress in that role. This movie is about the importance of being happy with yourself, and loving life, and remembering what it's like to be a child. This film is a masterpiece.

06-16-05, 07:31 AM	#12
kar10 DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,937	I saw it at blockbuster and it was Full Screen __________________ --Don't Confuse Luck With Skill--

06-16-05, 08:28 AM	#13
grundle DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 8,985	Yes. The region 1 DVD is full screen. It even says so on the back. It was filmed in open matte, and that's how the DVD is. The theatrical version was matted. But I think they may have had home video in mind when they filmed it. I always buy the original theatrical ratio version whenever there is a choice. But this open matte DVD is the only region 1 DVD of this movie that there is. But, I have to say that the framing looks great to me. The viewing enjoyment was very excellent for me. If you love this film, if you really, really love it, then please don't let the open matte factor get in your way of buying it. Yes, if there had been a region 1 DVD of Drop Dead Fred in the original aspect ration, then yes, that would be the one to buy. Whenever there is a choice, I always buy the original aspect ratio version. But in the absence of such a release, the open matte DVD is the best thing available. There's a phrase that says, "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good." I knew that the Jonny Quest DVD set was censored. I hate censorship. But I bought it anyway, because I love it so much. I now that principle is important. And I know that original aspect ratio is important. But sometimes if you exepct perfection all the time on everything, you end up getting disappointed way too much.

06-16-05, 09:47 AM	#14
darkhawk DVD Talk Platinum Edition Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Denton, TX Posts: 3,287	Our only hope of an OAR edition is Lion's Gate who took over Artisan

06-16-05, 11:12 AM	#15
Adam Tyner DVD Talk Reviewer/ Moderator Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Greenville, South Cackalack Posts: 14,823	It's not just a full frame presentation, though -- it's an awful full-frame presentation. Case in point:

07-09-05, 11:18 PM	#20
Fincher Fan DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rampaging across DVDTalk. Posts: 4,046	The R4 release is widescreen.

07-09-05, 07:50 PM	#18
grundle DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 8,985	That stuff certainly shouldn't be there. But it only lasts for a few frames. Other than the person who watched the DVD to review it, is there anyone here besides me who has it? I bought it two years ago and I have gotten so much enjoyment from watchng it over and over and over. What a great film!

07-10-05, 02:25 AM	#21
Fok DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Canada, BC Posts: 6,655	Please be widescreen!

07-10-05, 11:49 AM	#22
Disc-Flipper DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Calgary, Alberta Canada Posts: 2,684	Open Matte isn't such a bad thing. But I think they should start making a matting feature on DVD players. __________________ My DVD Collection Movie Images

07-10-05, 03:46 PM	#23
critterdvd DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Socal Posts: 4,137	I loved this movie as a kid, and for $10 Im sold no matter what the video is like... __________________ Isn't the point of television to live out other lives, fantasies, and adventures you would otherwise have never dreamed off?

07-11-05, 03:30 AM	#24
Fincher Fan DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rampaging across DVDTalk. Posts: 4,046	Or maybe you could look to other regions to get the widescreen version. If only I had some way of finding out where I get a WS copy from...

07-11-05, 06:13 AM	#25
CTUK Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: England, UK Posts: 386	http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/228512 16:9 Widescreen! (Australia - Region 4)