I think you’re all going way off-topic in here. The topic starter bought a movie that has an OAR in a widescreen format, but chose to buy it in fullscreen. And he has asked if anyone else here has done the same.

It is absolutely astonishing that someone would prefer the pan and scan version of Ghostbusters over the widescreen version. There are an incredible number of group shots in the movie, all of which are horribly butchered in full frame. Why should you only be interested in seeing 2 ghostbusters on the sceen that are having a conversation when the remaining ghostbusters are doing things that are relative to the conversation, making faces, etc, in the background? It's part of the movie!

Relax guy. I'll enjoy my full screen Ghostbusters DVD all I want. It's not hurting anyone.

K

Well, I'm going to go out on a limb - yes. I buy full frame, cropped, pan and scan discs. Yes, I also happen to have a 16x9 TV and a pretty nice set up, too. What manner of madness claims my soul you cry?

Simple - if I want the movie, I'll have the movie, no matter what.

Sure I'll always go for Letterboxed over cropped any day of the week. But if there's nothing else, then I do what I have to.

You see, the Toho godzilla films will never ever be released here in America un-dubbed and in their widescreen format. Period, end of story. If I want these movies at all, then I have two choices - pay HUGE sums of money for the R2 versions in a language I dont understand or buy the R1 pan and scan version.

Presentation is important to be sure, but the movie is the most important thing. If it comes down to having them cropped or not having them at all, I'd rather have them cropped thank you very much.

Yeah, I could hold out and hope that the studios put out a better version of the movie in question. But do you honestly think that American Ninja 2 will ever see a re-release? Or Breakin' 2? Or Remo Williams? If you wait, you will be waiting a very, very, VERY long time. In the meantime, I'll be enjoying my movie to the best of my ability.

Hehe, there is no fullscreen Ghostbusters DVD. Busted.

Busted? Are you calling me a liar? Not to say that I'm not, just want to make sure.

Besides, do you think maybe that was the point...? I just thought it humorous that instantcoffeenyrmug could possibly think someone might actually enjoy watching Ghostbusters in pan and scan.

That said, however, I still do.

K

It's funny that we're talking about Ghostbusters and Pan and Scan because I first learned about the panning and scanning process when I bought the "Remastered Special Edition" VHS that came out a few years ago. I noticed that the scene at Lincoln Center where Bill Murray starts to spin immitating the guy on roller skates around the other side of the fountain was centered entirely differently on this "remastered" edition when compared to the HBO version I was used to. The new version completely cut out the guy on skates making Bill Murray's spinning make no sense at all. I then realized that I was missing something, and not just in that one scene, but through the whole movie. Ever since I've been an OAR devotee.

I can't imagine how those in charge of "remastering" this great work could be so oblivious... which goes to show, you can't trust anyone to subjectively edit art. Leave it original and you'll have no problems.

PS. there's no attempt here at belittling or slighting anyone, I just wanted to share my realization in relation to this film's use of pan and scan, and the use of pan and scan in general.

On the contrary, I want to know where you purchased your Fullscreen Ghostbusters DVD, so I can buy one too and see the whole movie!

It's OOP now, my friend. It was a limited edition. You can't even find them on eBay anymore. They're even more limited than the DTS edition of Scarface. I think they may still sell copies in Canadian stores, which is where I picked up my copy while visiting Ontario for a gig. That was a couple years ago, however, so who knows.

K

Let's add Jackie Brown to the list as well. :D

(I know we're kind of hijacking the thread here, but such a list would be interesting. :) )

People who buy full-screen DVDs end up exposed to increased genital shrinkage, and rickets.


;)

Most of the examples being cited will not result in genital shrinkage. Quite the opposite, actually.

-other-

Hmm...why JB???

\

Whats missing on WINGS OF DOVE?

Okay, we need to make a seperate thread for the more nudity in fullscreen talk.

Where would it go, Mature or DVDTalk?

In the letterboxed version, the lower matte covers most of Bridget Fonda's bare behind as she walks away after her quickie with Robert Deniro. The full screen version reveals a nicer view. ;)

Only at dvd talk to we have people who can tell you where you can see more nudity in a certain version.

alright, how bout movies that are bad in full frame, in halloween the t*t shot that is mentioned in scream is not in the fullscreen version, only in the wide version, in jay and silent bob strike back, the e.t parrody is ruined.

Speaking of bad movies in fullscreen, anybody else have trouble reading the opening scroll in the Star Wars films? (unless of course, you haven't memorized them already)

Dean

A lot of bottom of the frame nippleage from Helena Bonhan Carter that I remember from it's premium channel showings. It's still an excellent film and I'm happy that I own it, but it's a little irksome, both for crass reasons and on principle.

Like everyone here, and all sane people, I don't want to see the camera fishtail back and forth, or cut off half of someone's face or see characters speaking to disembodied voices off screen.

At the same time, I don't want a misplaced slavish devotion to the illusion of rectangular composition to chop off visual information at the top and bottom of the frame, either. The principle seems the same to me: it's on the negative, so I want to see it.

(Unless there are visible boom mics or grips holding tacos...)

People, just get some adult DVDs and get over it.

Geez......

Add me to those that don't see why it neded to be fullscreen. If I want it bigger I just move closer to the TV.

Yes, I do this all the time...I love pan & scan full screen. First it pans, then it scans, then it does it again. It's just crazy.

Umm, fullscreen is worthless.

I am in 100% agreement with you there. However, many here will still claim your theory still implies you like pan and scan (even though the camera stays still....)

Just because it's on the negative, it doesn't mean it's meant to be seen. It's not a slavish devotion to rectangular composition, but rather a desire to see the film as intended by the filmmakers, whether that happens to be square, rectuangular, or triangular.

DJ