How important are DVD Extras to you?
 

Most everyone here is a DVD collector. Some newcomers, some veterans. But when I asked myself this question the other day, after a year or so of casual collecting, I seemed to have changed my views on the subject.

It used to be that the special features were the focal point of the DVD purchase. That doesn't mean I didn't want the movie, obviously I wouldn't pick it up if I didn't, but if there were two versions released -- I'd go for the special edition. I still do that, today. But I find that now I rarely have time for the special features with the amount of discs that I acquire each month, not to mention the 4-6 Netflix rentals per week. So the question is, How important are DVD Extras since you've started collecting? Include how long you've been collecting, as well.

Personally, as stated above, I just don't have as much time as I used to. Not to mention finding a reason to sit down and watch two "Appendecies" discs (per EE) filled with hours and hours of extras seems a bit tough for me (who actually watched all that?). Lately I've realized that if you give me a perfect transfer, great audio and maybe (if I'm lucky) as a bonus: a commentary, I'll be more than overjoyed.

Important, it makes that DVD a DVD. Without it, it is just a movie.

While i haven't spent as much time watching extras as before, i know that i will eventually, so i'll opt for a better release, like with Master and Commander. If its a movie i love, i generally don't mind buying the DVD even if it is slim in the extras department.

to me they are just that "extras"....if they are there that's great, but if they aren't then I dont really worry

Trailers and deleted scenes are the important extra's for me. Most of the extra's I don't watch; as a lot of them are just people talking and brown nosing co-stars and the director (boring).

They are extra. I seldomly watch them so I'm concerned about the movie first.

The most important extras to me are director/star commentaries, deleted scenes, interviews, the original trailers and behind the scenes material...I could care less about photo galleries or text biographies/filmographies or DVD-ROM material.

But yes, extras are EXTREMELY important...otherwise, I would just wait for the cable premiere on one of my HDTV channels.

The technical features are the most important thing (after the film itself.) 5.1 sound and anamorphic video are a huge selling point for me. I enjoy deleated scenes and commentaries, but a lot of the other features go unwatched. A good making of documentary is alwasy appreciated.

Movie quality is paramount - extras are nice, and I would rather have a 2-discer than a barebones disc, but give me quality presentation over all else.

Nearly 4 years into gathering DVDs, and I still find the extras important - especially commentary tracks. That does not mean, however, that I would buy a DVD <i>because</i> it has a comentary track or lots of bonus materials - even if it were a 3-disc set for $1.99, I'd pass on things like <i>Pluto Nash</i> or <i>From Hustin To Kelly</i>.

Extra's are nice and I watch whenever I have some time.

Definitely movie first for me. I really enjoy the extras but I just flat don't have time to watch them all, so they aren't a huge factor in my decisions. It's also the reason that I will rarely double-dip (although, the upcoming Lost Boys and Exorcist III rumors will be exceptions to the rule).

Not important at all.

I want good quality, good sound, (and maybe some outtakes.) Nothing else is really very important.

When I started buying DVDs, I would only buy if it included a commentary. But I've learned that most commentaries are fairly tedious and a waste of time, so it's no big deal to me any more if the disc has one or not. Generally, I'll have a look at the extras after the first time I watch the feature, but I'll rarely go back to the extras again, even if I watch the feature several times over. And now, it's rare that I'll listen to a commentary at all.

Not important at all. The only "extra" I really want is the trailer for the film on the disc (not forced ones for other movies). I may watch deleted scenes\outtakes if available, depending on how much I liked the movie. I never watch making-of's since IMO they take away from the magic of the movie and are usually just self-promoting fluff pieces anyway. If every disc was movie only with static menus, OAR and digital sound, I wouldn't be crying.

Not very important.

Every once in a while, I'll buy a DVD (at least partly) for the extras (HST Commentary on Fear and Loathing, anything with Joe Bob Briggs on it) but usually, I never even get around to the extras. When I was just starting out, they were a bigger deal (if I was thinking of two, I'd choose the one with better extras) but I have so many unwatched extras nowadays they just don't really matter anymore.

extras are great, and I like having movies that have solid extras. wish I had more time to watch all of them though (the extras).

All dvds should be superbit?

i like the deleted scenes, but i just prefer to buy a dvd that's loaded rather than being bare

Extras are important to me.

I wont get ANY movie that is bare-bones, because well, I know they are going to make a special edition 1-2 years down the road..and it usually the cost (if got on sale), is not that great different.

Depends on the movie.

For Happy Gilmore, do I really need extras? No. Commentary on what? who cares. Tommy Boy/movies that fall into this category, I dont care about extras.

On the other Hand!!!

Movies like a Bugs Life or Pirates of the Caribean I think are very important to include extras. Theres a lot that went into the making of that movie.

Monster is the same way. I want some behind the scenes stuff, talk to charleze (sp) about getting into character, etc.

So I think it depends on the movie if I care about extras.

Kill Bill v1 I did not buy so I can wait for the bonus material.

Extras are very important to me. Bare bones = No Sale. I do have a few bare bones (Shawshank Redemption pops to mind) because the SEs have been long delayed, but they will quickly be replaced when the SE arrives.
<P>Now that I have stated that extras are crucial, let me say that I rarely sit down and watch them. I pop the documentaries and commentries in while working around the house (laundary, dishes, etc.) and more so now that I am working out of the house. This is one of the reasons that one of my major pet peeves is 3-5 minute segments with no "play all" option. If it is a "feature" documentary (i.e., longer than 30 minutes) I will treat it as such and sit to watch it.
<P>Trailers I ususally watch before the movie (though I still hate forced ones); deleted scenes right after.
<P>I actually like having actor bios -- many times I will recognize an actor but won't be able to place them. It also gives me other film suggestions.
<P>Oh yeah, been collecting for . . . wow, 5 years. Didn't realize it had been that long!

I personally prefer DVDs with a lot of extras and I'm willing to pay extra for the movies that I like.

However, I also realize that for some unforeseen reason, extras may not be available therefore I have known to purchase movies that are in their OAR just to have it in my collection.

I look forward to hearing a commentary on older films that I've really enjoyed over the years. I realize that many times there just isn't the extra material out there for old films but a commentary with the surviving director/writer/actors is always a treat and gives me the chance to learn more about my favorite movies. With new films, there's a likelihood it will be revisited down the road in a special anniversay collectors edition or whatever, but with a movie thats over 30 years old and not something of stature like Casablanca, I doubt there will be another opportunity to record the participants' thoughts. I'm glad to have a print that looks and sounds great and the lack of extras hasn't prevented me from buying a disc if its a favorite movie of mine, but hearing from the actual people who were involved with the movie so many years ago is a huge kick.

I dig the extas (most of them, fluff pieces won't get my time). Especially on well done DVD's (Panic Room, Boogie Nights come to mind). Fincher/PT Anderson releases will ALWAYS get my money because the extras are of the highest quality.