Now, I own The Truman Show (my all time favorite movie), but something has bothered me from day 1. It clearly says on the back and the disc itself that it is presented in 1.85, but it is obviously no wider than 1.66. Was it intended to be 1.66? Is it Paramount's fault (they have always delivered good transfers before)? What is going on?

say no to non- anamorphic.

bcelmins,

The movie was filmed in 1.85:1 but for some weird reason the dvd shows the picture in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio.

And it's nonanamorphic because it came out before Paramount started doing anamorphic transfers. Which is a real shame for such a visually impressive movie.

I really liked the movie too. Especially the musical score. Here's the <a href="http://us.imdb.com/DVD?0120382">Truman Show's</a> listing on the www.imdb.com . If you click on the technical specifications and DVD details you can see the same information. The site also includes trivia and goofs from the movie.

Too bad, maybe they'll come out with a special edition and fix these shortcomings.

-David

Actually, I think the aspect ratio of the movie is closer to 1.66:1. Funny thing is the trailer is about 1.78:1.

Your favorite all time movie?

I respectfully have to disagree. I found the story line to be vacillating in it's attempt to be both humorous, and dramatic. The flim never could make up it's mind as to what it wanted to be. A comedy? A drama? A mystery? It suceeds at being nothing. To add insult to injury, it stars Jim Carrey. Is there anyone in Hollywood more annoying?

But I still respect your right to own and enjoy this film if it suits you. And in that vein, might I suggest you watch Armageddon. This film has every element that all other films lack.

Supreme casting.

A suspenseful, exciting plot. I never knew what might happen next. The sequence of events is entirely plausible, something that most films just can't pull off these days.

Underlying themes that make you think. Yes, it made me THINK dammit! You'll think about the fragility of human life, the transitory nature of our existence. In an INSTANT, humanity can be destroyed. It makes me shudder.

Lets not forget the heroism of the common man. This film brings to light the true backbone of our communities. It shows everyday man as the true pillar of society. Truly in the end, we could not survive without him.

This film is so rich in so many ways. I can't even begin to scratch the surface. My mere words will never do justice to the cinematic granduer of this film.

Truly a defining moment in the movie going experience.

Armageddon? I felt dirty when I walked out of that movie. If someone offered to give me a copy of that DVD I would refuse it. Even the Criterion version. No offense to you personally, but the Truman Show was Shakespeare next to Armageddon. It hurts to even type them in the same sentence. I loved the Truman Show. Armageddon was a hack film. I wanted everyone to die by the end of the film for two reasons. Just for the fun of it and to insure that there would not be a sequel where human beings, or even lab rats, would have to be subjected to this tripe ever again.

Just my opinion.

sherm42,

No offense taken. I welcome an open and honest discussion of the film.

Not to beat a dead horse, but perhaps you should look at your feelings more closely. Specifically, "I felt dirty when I walked out of that movie". This is the type of emotional impact that marks great cinema. I don't mean feeling dirty. I mean the fact that you felt ALIVE after watching the film. So often we leave the theatre or remove the disc from the player, and the experience is over. How many films make an emotional impact? You felt dirty. Outstanding! How many other films have made you feel that way? Not many I'll bet.

Look at it his way. Armageddon made you feel dirty. So you got something for your money. That is the mark of great cinema and a great bargain.

And as an added bonus, they did kill off Bruce Willis, so a sequel featuring him is unlikely. Not impossible; with the master screenwriters we have today, I'm sure he could be worked back in; but unlikely.

[This message has been edited by nayone (edited 07-06-1999).]

[This message has been edited by nayone (edited 07-06-1999).]

Nayone

Feeling dirty isn't the mark of great cinema; it is the mark of pornography.

Blip ha ha LOL!

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-anywayz, My DVDs

What's the topic again? Ah, who cares. Using this criteria(feeling dirty, used, taken advantage of, etc.), Batman and Robin may qualify as the best movie of all time. Good thing I don't use that criteria.

Ha. I saw a bit of that on HBO this past weekend in my hotel. Needless to say (but I will) it sucked! Batman and Robin was awful, I couldn't even sit through it!

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-anywayz, My DVDs

I would think that pornography is art. Its protected by the first amendment according to our way too liberal supreme court.

I didn't feel dirty or clean or anything like that after seeing Armageddon (ok, I felt alive, but I usually feel alive)...

I just felt like my $9 (yeah, tix are rediculous in NYC) and 2 hours were completely wasted.

How cliche can a movie get? Do they sell "plot by numbers" kits to children and Hollywood screenwriters these days?

While I do think that Liv Tyler is the hottest woman in the world, she also happens to be an actress on the level of the kids in those kindergarden plays... and Ben Afleck sucks, too...

nayone-

Interesing that someone could actually DISAGREE that The Truman Show is not my favorite movie of all time. You may disagree that it is not the best movie ever made, but there is no respect in saying that Truman is notMY personal favorite movie. You cannot deny it. It is a fact.

When I first read your Armageddon post, I thought it was sarcastic. Perhaps you are just trying to ruffle some feathers, perhaps you are serious in your (however bizarre) love for Armageddon. I did not enjoy Armageddon on any level. Like one of my professors at USC said, "Hell is made for people like Michael Bay." I will allow you to poke fun at people who like what movie and whatnot, but when you start attacking personal opinion (as my phrasing could not have been misinterpreted as "The Truman Show is the best movie of all time, hands down" which I believe was one of the topics that you posted in respect to Armageddon.) I start to take offense. If you did not mean to offend, perhaps you should think before you write what is on your mind. If your intent was to offend, congratulations, you have succeeded. I hope that this brings a vicious smirk to your face as you read a reply from a perturbed movie lover.

bcelmins,

Very good catch on my grammar and writing. You are correct, I should have written something to the effect of "I disagree that the Truman Show is the greatest film of all time" etc etc.

No offense intended. Relax, and watch a dvd. The Truman Show (your favorite) would be a good choice, or if your copy isn't handy, then I recommend......... Armageddon.

Nayone,

Great reply. I never knew that I'd laugh this much at this forum.

Personally, I would put your movie in my ten worst of all time, sorry. I thought I must have missed something when it first came out, figured maybe it actually was a good movie when Criterion put out their edition. So I ordered it and it is my biggest DVD purchase regret.

Hey, don't you think you need an extra copy of the Criterion edition ?! You know, in case something happens to yours ? Or, you could keep one copy in the car ! That way, you have it in case someone wants to borrow it or you want to demo it at every video store you go to ! Just let me know and I'll sell it to you for what I paid, with free shipping !

Seriously, I'm not being altogether sarcastic, I respect your opinion and enjoy reading your posts http://www.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hey Trevor,

What did you pay for it?

-David

Let me dig thru my receipts....hold on.... thanks for waiting http://www.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif 29.99 Was that half off or just 40%, not sure what the list is.

I'll be honest and admit that I haven't watched the 2nd disc yet, the one with outtakes, but I don't think they'll save this movie http://www.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif

Wow, found 3 mistakes in my proofread...my fingers don't want to work today.

Thanks for looking it up Trevor, but that's a little rich for my blood.

I haven't even seen this movie yet. http://www.dvdtalk.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Maybe a trade?

If you want to pursue this, maybe you should email me: [email protected].

Thanks again,
-David

Oh yeah, topic, stay on topic: I really think The Truman show deserves a special edition. I'd like to see a director's commentary and some background on the town it was filmed in (it's a real town by the way) as well as a restoration of the proper aspect ratio.

I agree.

The Truman Show does deserve a Special Edition. I returned my unopened copy of the DVD because of the complete lack of extras.

I'm sorry. I really didn't find the Truman Show very entertaining. It wasn't funny, it wasn't touching, it wasn't dramatic, and it had a very low body count. I have to watch it once more with the wife (she wanted the dvd) and then I'll try to ebay it. (I remember when I used the term deep six it, this is much better.)