I just felt like ranting tonight so here goes... I just want to know what the heck is going on with Universal dvd. The studio used to be one of my favorites with quality dvds (old Scarface not included ) Now, they seem to have completely flipped. Case in point: Many of Universals old titles were "Collector's Editions", some nice ones were Fast and the Furious, Jaws, Jurassic Park, etc. These titles had good features, arts, and either a nice booklet or insert. Now, Universal no longer does these (correct me if I'm wrong.)
The latest Collector's editon I own is Red Dragon, so what gives? Now all they do is these gimmicky titles like "tricked out edition" and all of them look horrible. No, not all need to be Collector's, but what in the heck? They also just quit doing inserts as many of you already known (Hulk, Scarface, 2fast, American Wedding.)
Finally, the forced trailers. That's all I'm going to say, it's just is too much for me. So what is going on? Why have they stopped Collector's Editions for lame crap. Here are some definite WTF's:
Seabiscuit: Not collectors, no insert, best picture nominee
American Wedding: not collectors, first two were, no insert


Well that includes my rant, I know someone has to agree with me. I realize that all dvds can't be "loaded" but come on, Universal has really let me down. I just don't see why the dropped "collector's editions" for "let me think of a dumb title and cheapo dvd look" editions.

Regarding "Collector's Editions" and these two titles in particular, you're getting bogged down by a label. These DVDs have the same amount of extras as any Collector's Edition. I don't believe Universal uses that label anymore, even though the added content is similar.

Yeah, sorry that's what I meant. I won't argue that Universal doesn't do the same amount of features because most of their dvds have great extras. Seabiscuit and American Wedding included.

Seabiscuit was available as a Collector's Gift Set. And it was quite loaded.

American Wedding was available in a limited edition gift set. And again, the extended party edition had plenty of extras.

Collector's Edition or Special Edition, these are used by several companies, and have really lost meaning over the years. Paramount calls their titles Special Collector's Editions. I mean, what makes them stand out? While Double Secret Probation Edition may be kinda silly, it at least makes it sound unique.

Their quality control has gone down (BTTF, Meaning Of Life), but what is actually on the discs is usually pretty good, and no worse than what they've put out in the past. Call it whatever they want.

In that spirit, here's a list of universal films I'd like to see get better DVD releases and what they could call them:

Kindergarden Cop: It's Not A Tumor Edition
Twins: Leftover Crap Edition
The Jerk: Opti-Grab Edition
BASEketball: I am Not A Little Bitch Edition

Universal's forced trailers... urge... to... kill... rising.

Lost in Translation forces you to fast-forward through 6 minutes of the stuff. What is this, VHS? I bet Ms. Coppola was pissed when she saw that on her movie.

Other than that, I find their DVDs to be acceptable but not exceptional.

Well, if you hate the forced trailers, just wait until they start force-feeding us Mountain Dew and Nike's ads, like they did in the theatres.

Really, I'd hate to think that these kind of tactics actually WORK on anyone - for myself, it just strengthens my resolve not to buy whatever junk they're trying to pawn off on me - whether it's sugar water or some film I don't care about.

I realize how advertising works, and why it's necessary (to an extent) but it seems a bit greedy, especially after purchasing admission/the product.

Not to sound like a curmudgeon, or anything . . .

I do miss the "Collector's Edition" banner series... it was probably one of my favourites (although, towards the end, a lot of less than spectacular discs were getting the label).

I am still anxiously awaiting THE FRIGHTENERS: NO REST FOR THE WICKED EDITION (3 DISC SE).... hopefully this won't be too far off with Kong coming.

MATT

I shed a tear for the universal dvd department...what the hell happened?

I don't mind the forced trailers on Rented DVDs but when you pay to buy one, you should not have to sit through like 5:35 mins (as on the R2 wrong turn dvd, different studio I know)

As for picture quality the only DVD I can say I noticed it in was 2 Fast 2 Furious...

Agreed.

Universal's in the process of being bought by General Electric Co.'s NBC. I'm hoping Universal's DVDs will improve once the purchase is complete. (I have no particular reason to believe GE will do a better job, but it'd be hard for them to do much worse at this point...)

I used to enjoy the Universal intro, with Clooney lighting the lighter from Out of Sight, when they just spliced clips of a bunch of random movies together to the music.

Now they just show clips of maybe four movies and show the title real big so that we know it is on dvd.

Been waiting for real versions of Twins and K.Cop for a while now. Hopefully, with Arnold as Gov. they will put these out hoping to make a few bucks on them.

I don't like the direction Universal is going either and hate the forced trailers BUT remember guys: hit stop when the FBI warning screen comes up and then hit play. It bypasses them all and goes to the film.

Yeah I hate what Universal is doing to their dvd's. Please stop the forced trailers and please use the original cover art, especially with FOCUS Feature films.

thanks for that

I would buy all four of these if they would make them. You should trademark those names. Universal would be lucky to come up with such great names.

There's been a few disc's that I've wanted from Universal, but
decided against it because I hate the forced trailers. Will only
buy Universal if it's on my MUST HAVE list. Otherwise I rent it,
get forced to watch trailers, and remember why I didn't buy it.

Jason

You forgot

Happy Gilmore:The Price is wrong, bitch!!!!!!!!! edition

American Pie: The "This one time, at band camp" Edition.

Dracula Legacy: Fangs for the Memories Edition.

American Pie: This Isn't What It Looks Like Edition.

Cat People: Nastassja Kinski's ***** Edition.

American Pie: Stifler's Suck Me Beautiful! Edition.

Reality Bites: Winona Ryder Exhibit A Edition.

The Mummy: Mo' Mummy Edition.

American Pie: The Nadia Needs a Hand Edition.

Patch Adams: Special Robin Williams Apology Edition.

The Blues Brothers: Mission From God edition

Universal still owes me :

Rockford Files, Magnum PI, and Sliders.

And I'm still bitter that they haven't delivered these yet. >:-(

You should make up a title for American Pie.

The American Wedding transfer was awful, too. Lots of artifacting and noise.

And have we forgotten the SNAFUs with the E.T. and Back to the Future sets already?