emhello

This is a rare case where I'd side with MGM. This is stupid.

ThatGuamGuy

Didn't say they would, I said they *could* fight it. I then said that they're settling to get rid of a nuisance. The lawsuit has no merit, and I wish there were some way to encourage them not to settle.

I think you misread what I said, I said that the logic behind the automatic enrollment thing is that if MGM (or, yes, any other place that gets sued) goes to the trouble of settling, they don't want to then be pestered by nuisance suits for years after; this way, while probably putting an unfair burden on the consumer (how many people who bought the discs have heard about the settlement? Then take that already small number and ask, how many have heard misleading or outright false information, as that provided by the OP?), is the only way they could keep functioning. Otherwise any successful class action suit would lead to more and more suits being filed.

rennervision

I'm pretty sure I saw a thread about this about a month ago, and I'm just as confused now as I was before. Did MGM really try to sell cropped pan & scan movies as widescreen? (I'm pretty skeptical that out of the hundreds of affected titles, no one on the internet ever noticed this. When "Back to the Future" was misframed, everyone knew about it before the DVDs even hit the shelves!)

And secondly, I see the list of eligible movies I can mail in - but where's the list of "325 titles" I can get in exchange? Is it the same list? If so, I'm considering mailing my original version of "Rocky IV" (which doesn't have the English subtitles whenever someone speaks Russian), and exchange it for a restored version. If so, they WILL be sending another widescreen version - right? (I'm really not sure, since it seems like this class action suit is from a bunch of widescreen-hating morons who don't know the difference between OAR and open matte. I'll bet anything these "defective" DVDs were nothing more than OAR movies correctly matted to 1:1.85.)

dx23

This is one the biggest bs lawsuits I ever seen.

ThatGuamGuy

No.

They send it when you request it. Nobody's gotten it yet, I don't think.

Doesn't work that way. I don't know whether they fixed the subtitle thing for the new releases, but you can't use the lawsuit as a way to upgrade. [Actually, I can't say this definitively, not having seen the list, but there'd be no reason to expect it. Ditto 'Annie Hall'.]

I don't think there is a fullscreen version of Rocky IV. If there is, I'd be as specific as possible.

Yes, as said many many times in both threads, they're not defective, they're open matte. However, the lawsuit is not widescreen-haters, per se; it is technically accurate that the cases for the discs were labelled in a misleading way. They indicate, wrongly, that there is more picture on either side when, as you know, this would not be the case with open matte movies. Complicating matters slightly is the fact that MGM decided not to make the distinction, so they included movies which were hard matted to 1.85 (such as 'The Terminator') on the list.

rennervision

Thanks "ThatGuamGuy." I see you actually did explain the whole OAR vs. open matte controversey in your first post. My fault for skimming that.

ThatGuamGuy

No worries; it's a dense thread, and the whole lawsuit is so stupid that it naturally confuses people who try to understand the logic of it. That's why I didn't like the initial post, because that other thread (the one this just got merged with) had just finally started to die down after people stopped panicking and read closer, and along comes a new one and stirs people up again.

caligulathegod

Great. The end of the cheap MGM discs. They will have no incentive to release these types of films again.

Jah-Wren Ryel

That is one silly leap of logic. The financial incentive to price the way MGM has been pricing is unaffected by this lawsuit - the market place is what the marketplace is.

Class316

I agree. I have no respect for movie studios due to their practices against consumers and all that, but this lawsuit is just sick.

If there's something worth a class action suit, it should be against Disney for releasing the "Walt Disney’s Original" Fantasia DVD!!!

http://calvincrowe.tripod.com/fantasia/

caligulathegod

If they have to give back almost everything they made on these movies (most have been in the $10 range-minus store markup, that doesn't leave much) they might not release a lot of these types of films for that price anymore. Not that much of a leap. If I made $7 on a DVD and had to pay that back, what's my incentive to keep doing that?
These types of suits hurt all of us. No one died as a result of open matted DVDs.

ThatGuamGuy

But they don't release them at a low price because of precedent, they release them at a low price because of analyses of what the most cost-effective and profitable release price would be.

Also, you're assuming that everybody who bought these will return them when, realistically, it will be a small percentage. It'll still be too big, because at least half the people who do it will do so because of people scaring them with ideas of "they letterboxed a pan-and-scan print!", but it'll soon settle down anyway.

Class316

How many people would actually KNOW about the lawsuit to begin with. Not many.

ThatGuamGuy

Yeah, that's what I mean that it'll be a small percentage of those eligible. Most people aren't hearing about it. The problem is, the small percentage who do hear seem mostly to be hearing the exaggerated version of the truth.

But, yeah, I think we agree that it's doubtful that the small percentage of people who hear about it and do it would interfere with low MGM prices.

Mark Holtz

This has got to be some sort of bad joke. The Toshiba DVD Player Class Action Lawsuit has more merit than this open matte movie class action lawsuit. I noticed that the James Bond movies and the Terminator are both in my collection and on the list. Am I filing a claim? Do pigs fly?

BladeZ

I too was confused about what Open Matte meant, even after the various explanations on this thread. I found this site which explains it clearly:

Open Matte Explanation

Damn, I didn't even know that was an option! But again, this lawsuit is more about mis-representing the aspect ratio on the case and has nothing to do with the quality or type of transfer, correct?

Seeker

I just got an email from a friend today going "oh no - those MGM bastards! let's send in all our dvds and get $7 each for them! (note: ALL dvds, not just MGM)"

This is turning into an absolute mess - and bottom line, unless you just want to get rid of MGM DVDs in their list for $7 each, not worth dealing with.

Class316

And you have to pay for S&H (to send out the DVD).

Say it's $2 to send out one DVD. So you get $5. Better to give it as a gift to someone.

Ejunior2

What I haven't heard is what you'll get back if you exchange. Have they reformatted all 325 titles or will they simply change the wording on the case to say "Open Matte" or something and you end up getting exactly the same disc as you sent in?

ThatGuamGuy

It has been pointed out several times in this thread that the list is not yet public.

I'd guess that you'll be lucky if they change the case. They certainly aren't re-formatting the discs, since there's nothing wrong with the transfers in question (with the possible exception of 'Back To School'). I don't think the exchange list will be the same movies that you're sending in, though I do think it would be really funny if they just sent out discs other people had sent in.

The_Natural

ELIGIBLE DVD LIST (550 Total)
MGM Class Action Settlement

□ 10 TO MIDNIGHT
□ 1969
□ 1984
□ 24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE
□ 3 STRIKES
□ 8 HEADS IN A DUFFEL BAG
□ ABOMINABLE DR. PHIBES, THE
□ ACROSS 110th STREET
□ ALICE
□ ALICE'S RESTAURANT
□ ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN
□ ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN 2
□ ALL OR NOTHING
□ ALPHABET CITY
□ AMAZING GRACE
□ AMERICAN BUFFALO
□ AMERICAN NINJA
□ AMERICAN NINJA 2 & 3
□ AMITYVILLE HORROR, THE
□ AMOS & ANDREW
□ ANGEL LEVINE, THE
□ ANGEL UNCHAINED/CYCLE SAVAGES
□ ANGELS AND INSECTS
□ ANNIE HALL
□ ANOTHER WOMAN
□ ASSASSINATION
□ AT FIRST SIGHT
□ AT FIRST SIGHT/KILL ME AGAIN
□ AT THE EARTH'S CORE
□ ATTIC, THE/CRAWL SPACE
□ AUDREY ROSE
□ AUTUMN IN NEW YORK
□ AVANTI!
□ AVIATOR, THE
□ BABETTE'S FEAST
□ BABY BOOM
□ BACK TO SCHOOL
□ BAD INFLUENCE
□ BAGDAD CAFÉ
□ BANANAS
□ BAR GIRLS
□ BARBERSHOP
□ BASIC TRAINING
□ BASKET, THE
□ BEAT STREET
□ BELIEVERS, THE
□ BENNY AND JOON
□ BENT
□ BEST SELLER
□ BILL AND TED'S BOGUS JOURNEY
□ BILL AND TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE
□ BILLION DOLLAR HOBO, THE
□ BIODOME
□ BIRDCAGE, THE
□ BIRDMAN OF ALCATRAZ
□ BLACK CAESAR
□ BLACK MAMA, WHITE MAMA
□ BLACK ROBE
□ BLACK STALLION 1 & 2, THE
□ BLACK STALLION RETURNS, THE
□ BLACK STALLION, THE
□ BLUE SKY
□ BLUE STEEL
□ BODY OF EVIDENCE
□ BORN ROMANTIC
□ BOUND FOR GLORY
□ BOXCAR BERTHA
□ BOXING HELENA
□ BREAKER! BREAKER!
□ BREAKHEART PASS
□ BREAKIN'
□ BREAKIN' 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO
□ BREAKING IN
□ BREATHLESS
□ BREATHLESS/RED CORNER
□ BREEDERS
□ BRIDE WORE BLACK, THE
□ BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY
□ BROADWAY DANNY ROSE
□ BUCKTOWN
□ BULL DURHAM
□ BUSINESS OF STRANGERS
□ CADILLAC MAN
□ CAMILLE CLAUDEL
□ CANDYMAN 2: FAREWELL TO THE FLESH
□ CARRIE - 25TH ANNIVERSARY
□ CARRINGTON
□ CATCH THE HEAT
□ CAVEMAN
□ CHARLES BRONSON
□ CHATO'S LAND
□ CHEECH AND CHONG CORSICAN BROS
□ CHERRY 2000
□ CHILDREN'S HOUR
□ CHILD'S PLAY
□ CHOCOLATE
□ CHOOSE ME
□ CHRISTINA'S HOUSE
□ CITY OF INDUSTRY
□ CITY SLICKERS
□ CLASS
□ CLASS/YOUNGBLOOD
□ CLEAN SLATE
□ COCA COLA KID, THE
□ CODE OF SILENCE
□ COFFY
□ COLORS
□ COMING HOME
□ COMPANY BUSINESS
□ COOLEY HIGH
□ CORNBREAD, EARL, AND ME
□ COTTON CLUB
□ COTTON COMES TO HARLEM
□ COUCH TRIP
□ COUNT YORGA, VAMPIRE
□ COURAGE MOUNTAIN
□ CQ
□ CRIME AND PUNISHMENT IN SUBURBIA
□ CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS
□ CRYBANSHEE/MURDERSRUEMORGUE
□ CUBA
□ CUTTERS WAY
□ CUTTING EDGE, THE
□ CYBORG
□ DARK HALF, THE
□ DE SADE
□ DEAD MAN WALKING
□ DEAD OF WINTER
□ DEATH WARRANT
□ DECAMERON, THE
□ DEFIANT ONES
□ DELIRIOUS
□ DELTA FORCE
□ DELTA FORCE II
□ DERANGED/MOTEL HELL
□ DESERT HEARTS
□ DESPERATE HOURS
□ DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN
□ DIGGSTOWN
□ DILLINGER
□ DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS
□ DIRTY WORK
□ DISTURBING BEHAVIOR
□ DOGS OF WAR, THE
□ DOLL'S HOUSE
□ DOMINICK AND EUGENE
□ DONOVAN'S BRAIN
□ DOUBLE IMPACT
□ DR. NO
□ DR. PHIBES RISES AGAIN
□ DUEL AT DIABLO
□ DUNWICH HORROR, THE
□ EASY MONEY
□ EAT, DRINK, MAN, WOMAN
□ ECHO PARK
□ EDDIE AND THE CRUISERS
□ EDGE OF SANITY
□ EIGHT MEN OUT
□ ELECTRA
□ ELMER GANTRY
□ EMPIRE OF THE ANTS
□ END, THE
□ ENTERTAINER, THE
□ EQUUS
□ EUROPA EUROPA
□ EVE OF DESTRUCTION
□ EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED
□ EXTREME ADVENTURES OF SUPER DAVE
□ EXTREMITIES
□ EYE FOR AN EYE
□ EYE OF THE NEEDLE
□ FALCON AND THE SNOWMAN, THE
□ FATAL BEAUTY
□ FATAL INSTINCT
□ FAVOR, THE
□ FELLINI'S ROMA
□ FIRES WITHIN
□ FIRST POWER, THE
□ FISH CALLED WANDA, A
□ FIVE ON THE BLACK HAND SIDE
□ FLAMINGO KID
□ FLAWLESS
□ FLED
□ FLIGHT OF THE INNOCENT
□ FLIRTING
□ FLUKE
□ FLUKE/NAPOLEON
□ FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL
□ FOXES
□ FOXY BROWN
□ FRANKIE & JOHNNY
□ FRENCH LIEUTENANT'S WOMAN, THE
□ FRIDAY FOSTER
□ FRITZ THE CAT
□ FROGS
□ FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE
□ FULL MOON IN BLUE WATER
□ FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY, A
□ FUZZ
□ FX
□ FX2
□ GANGSTER NO. 1
□ GET SHORTY
□ GETTING EVEN WITH DAD
□ GHOST WORLD
□ GIRL WITH GREEN EYES
□ GOLDFINGER
□ GOOD WIFE, THE
□ GORKY PARK
□ GREAT BALLS OF FIRE
□ GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY, THE
□ GREAT WALL, A
□ GREGORY'S GIRL
□ GUY THING, A
□ HAIR
□ HANDMAID'S TALE, THE
□ HANG 'EM HIGH
□ HANGING GARDEN
□ HANNAH AND HER SISTERS
□ HANNIBAL
□ HANNIBAL/SOL
□ HAPPY ACCIDENTS
□ HARLEY DAVIDSON & THE MARLBORO MAN
□ HAUNTED HONEYMOON
□ HEART OF DIXIE
□ HEAVY TRAFFIC
□ HELL UP IN HARLEM
□ HENRY V (K. BRANAUGH)
□ HERO AND THE TERROR, THE
□ HIDDEN AGENDA
□ HIGH SEASON
□ HIGH SPIRITS
□ HOLCROFT COVENANT, THE
□ HOLLYWOOD SHUFFLE
□ HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
□ HOME OF OUR OWN
□ HONEYMOON IN VEGAS
□ HONEYMOONVEGAS/AMOSANDREW
□ HOODLUM
□ HOODLUM PRIEST, THE
□ HOOSIERS
□ HOPE AND GLORY
□ HORSE SOLDIERS, THE
□ HOT DOG THE MOVIE
□ HOT SPOT
□ HOTEL NEW HAMPSHIRE, THE
□ HOUND OF BASKERVILLES, THE
□ HOUSE OF GAMES
□ HOW TO BEAT… HIGH COSTS OF LIVING
□ HOW TO MURDER YOUR WIFE
□ HOWLING, THE
□ I SHOT ANDY WARHOL
□ I WANT TO LIVE
□ IDOLMAKER, THE
□ I'M GONNA GIT YOU SUCKA
□ IMPROMPTU
□ IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT
□ INDIAN RUNNER, THE
□ INHERIT THE WIND ('60)
□ INTERIORS
□ INVASION OF BODY SNATCHERS
□ INVASION USA
□ ISLAND OF DOCTOR MOREAU, THE
□ JACK AND BARAH
□ JANUARY MAN
□ JASON'S LYRIC
□ JD'S REVENGE
□ JEEPERS CREEPERS
□ JEFFREY
□ JOE
□ JOEY
□ JOHNNY BE GOOD
□ JUST THE TICKET
□ JUST THE TICKET/HOODLUM
□ KILL ME AGAIN
□ KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE
□ KILLING ME SOFTLY
□ KING SOLOMON'S MINES
□ KINJITE: FORBIDDEN SUBJECTS
□ KISS ME DEADLY
□ KNACK AND HOW TO GET IT, THE
□ KOYAANISQATSI
□ KOYAANISQATSI/ POWAQQATSI
□ LA CAGE AUX FOLLES
□ LA CAGE AUX FOLLES 2
□ LAMBADA
□ LARGER THAN LIFE
□ LAST AMERICAN VIRGIN
□ LAST WALTZ, THE
□ LAWMAN
□ LEARNING CURVE, THE
□ LENNY
□ LIEBERSTRAUM
□ LIFE STINKS
□ LILIES OF THE FIELD
□ LITTLE MAN TATE
□ LIVE AND LET DIE
□ LONE WOLF MCQUADE
□ LONELY HEARTS ('83)
□ LONG RIDERS, THE
□ LONG SHOT/THEY WENT THAT-A-WAY
□ LONGTIME COMPANION
□ LOOK BACK IN ANGER
□ LORD OF ILLUSIONS
□ LORD OF THE FLIES
□ LOSIN' IT
□ LOVE AND DEATH
□ LOVE FIELD
□ LOVER, THE
□ MADAME BOVARY
□ MADNESS OF KING GEORGE, THE
□ MAKING MR. RIGHT
□ MAKING THE GRADE
□ MALICE
□ MAN IN THE IRON MASK
□ MAN IN THE MOON
□ MAN WHO LOVED WOMEN, THE
□ MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN
□ MANHATTAN PROJECT, THE
□ MANNEQUIN
□ MARAT SADE
□ MARIA'S LOVERS
□ MARLENE DIETRICH: HER OWN SONG
□ MARRIED TO IT
□ MARRIED TO THE MOB
□ MAXIE
□ MCKENZIE BREAK, THE
□ MEAN SEASON, THE
□ MECHANIC, THE
□ MEMORIES OF ME
□ MEN AT WORK
□ MERMAIDS
□ MESSENGER OF DEATH
□ METEOR MAN
□ MIAMI BLUES
□ MIDNIGHT COWBOY
□ MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S SEX COMEDY
□ MIGHTY QUINN, THE
□ MIRACLE WORKER, THE
□ MISERY
□ MISFITS, THE
□ MISS JULIE
□ MISSING IN ACTION
□ MISSING IN ACTION 2&3
□ MISSISSIPPI BURNING
□ MOD SQUAD
□ MODERNS, THE
□ MOLLY
□ MONKEY SHINES
□ MOONSTRUCK
□ MORONS FROM OUTERSPACE
□ MOSQUITO SQUADRON
□ MOUSE ON THE MOON
□ MR. ACCIDENT
□ MR. MAJESTYK
□ MR. MOM
□ MR. NORTH
□ MR. SATURDAY NIGHT
□ MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
□ MURPHY'S LAW
□ MUSIC FROM ANOTHER ROOM
□ MY FATHER'S GLORY
□ MY MOTHER'S CASTLE
□ MYSTERY DATE
□ MYSTERY TRAIN
□ MYSTIC PIZZA
□ NAPOLEON
□ NAVY SEALS
□ NEEDFUL THINGS
□ NEVER ON SUNDAY
□ NIGHT OF THE HUNTER ('55)
□ NIGHT OF THE SHOOTING STARS
□ NINE LIVES OF FRITZ THE CAT, THE
□ NO MAN'S LAND
□ NO SUCH THING
□ NO WAY OUT
□ NOMADS
□ NOT WITH OUT MY DAUGHTER
□ OBLONGBOX/SCREAM&SCREAM AGAIN
□ OF MICE AND MEN
□ ON THE BEACH
□ ONION FIELD, THE
□ OPERATION AMSTERDAM
□ ORGANIZATION, THE
□ ORIGINAL GANGSTAS
□ OTELLO
□ OUR SONG
□ OVERBOARD
□ PACKAGE, THE
□ PALOOKAVILLE
□ PAULINE AT THE BEACH
□ PEBBLE AND THE PENGUIN
□ PERSONAL VELOCITY
□ PHANTASM
□ PHANTASM IV: OBLIVION
□ PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES
□ PLATOON
□ POPE OF GREENWICH VILLAGE
□ POPI
□ PORK CHOP HILL
□ POWAQQATSI
□ PRANCER
□ PRAYER FOR THE DYING
□ PRIDE AND PASSION, THE
□ PRINCESS BRIDE
□ PRISONER OF THE MOUNTAIN
□ PRIVATE FUNCTION, A
□ PRIVATES ON PARADE
□ PRODUCERS, THE
□ PSYCH OUT/ TRIP, THE
□ PUMPKIN
□ PUMPKINHEAD
□ PURPLE ROSE OF CAIRO, THE
□ RACHEL PAPERS, THE
□ RADIO DAYS
□ RAGE OF HONOR
□ RAGE, THE: CARRIE 2
□ RAGING BULL
□ RAIN MAN
□ RANCHO DELUXE
□ RAPPIN'
□ RED CORNER
□ RED DAWN
□ REMO WILLIAMS
□ RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD, THE
□ RETURN TO ME
□ REVENGE OF THE NINJA
□ RHAPSODY IN AUGUST
□ RIVER'S EDGE
□ ROAD TO HONG KONG, THE
□ ROADIE
□ ROBOCOP
□ ROCKY
□ ROCKY I
□ ROCKY II
□ ROCKY III
□ ROCKY IV
□ ROCKY V
□ ROLLERBALL
□ ROMANTIC COMEDY
□ ROMEO IS BLEEDING
□ RUN SILENT, RUN DEEP
□ RUNAWAY TRAIN
□ RUSH
□ SALAAM BOMBAY
□ SALSA
□ SALVADOR
□ SATURDAY NIGHT & SUNDAY MORNING
□ SCANNERS
□ SECRET ADMIRER
□ SECRET OF NIMH, THE
□ SEMI-TOUGH
□ SEPARATE TABLES
□ SEPTEMBER ('87)
□ SFW
□ SHADOWS AND FOG ('92)
□ SHAG
□ SHALLOW GRAVE
□ SHEBA BABY
□ SHE-DEVIL
□ SIBLING RIVALRY
□ SID & NANCY
□ SILENCE OF THE LAMBS
□ SLAUGHTER
□ SLAUGHTER'S BIG RIP OFF
□ SLEEPER
□ SOME LIKE IT HOT
□ SOMETHING WILD
□ SOUTHERN COMFORT
□ SPACEBALLS
□ SPECIES 2
□ SPEECHLESS
□ SPETTERS
□ SPRING FORWARD
□ STARDUST MEMORIES
□ STATE OF GRACE
□ STONEBROOK
□ STOREFRONT HITCHCOCK
□ STORMY MONDAY
□ STORY OF ADELE H.
□ STRANGER OF PARADISE
□ SUM OF US, THE
□ SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL GUNFIGHTER
□ SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF
□ SUPPORT…LOCAL GUNFIGHT/SHERIFF
□ SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS
□ TAFFIN
□ TALE OF SPRINGTIME, A
□ TEA WITH MUSSOLINI
□ TEEN WOLF/TEEN WOLF TOO
□ TERMINATOR, THE
□ TERROR IN A TEXAS TOWN
□ TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE II
□ TEXASVILLE
□ THEATRE OF BLOOD
□ THEY CALL ME MISTER TIBBS
□ THIEF
□ THIEF OF BAGDAD, THE ('40)
□ THING WITH TWO HEADS, THE
□ THINGS YOU CAN TELL LOOKING AT HER
□ THIS IS SPINAL TAP
□ THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR ('68)
□ THRASHIN'
□ THROW MAMA FROM THE TRAIN
□ TO LIVE
□ TOM JONES
□ TRAIN, THE
□ TRIUMPH OF THE SPIRIT
□ TRUCK TURNER
□ TRUE HEART/COURAGE MOUNTAIN
□ TRUE LOVE
□ TUNE IN TOMORROW
□ TWELVE ANGRY MEN
□ TWICE TOLD TALES
□ UHF
□ UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING
□ UNDER FIRE
□ UNDERCOVER BLUES
□ UNFORGETTABLE
□ UNTAMED HEART
□ VALDEZ IS COMING
□ VALLEY GIRL
□ VAMPIRE'S KISS
□ WAITING FOR THE LIGHT
□ WAR HUNT
□ WARGAMES
□ WATER BABIES
□ WHAT MATTER HELEN/SLEW AUNTIE
□ WHAT'S THE WORST… COULD HAPPEN
□ WHEN HARRY MET SALLY
□ WHERE'S POPPA
□ WHISTLE BLOWER
□ WHITE LIGHTENING
□ WHO'LL STOP THE RAIN
□ WILD BILL
□ WILD ORCHID
□ WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION
□ WOMAN IN RED, THE
□ WOMEN IN LOVE
□ WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF NERVOUS BREAKDOWN
□ WOODY ALLEN
□ WOODY ALLEN
□ WUTHERING HEIGHTS ('70)
□ X, THE MAN WITH X-RAY EYES
□ XX/XY
□ Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN
□ YELLOW SUBMARINE
□ YOUNG BLOOD
□ YOURS, MINE, AND OURS
□ ZELIG

caligulathegod

Participate in this and you might as well sue McDonalds for making you fat or a hairdryer manufacturer for not warning you to not use it in the bathtub, or any number of ridiculous lawsuits. This is just one more step towards tort meltdown and making lawyers richer. I don't care if MGM can take care of this out of petty cash and they drop the price of all those DVDs, it's the principle of yet again using the system to get a cheap payday. I'd rather buy a lottery ticket.

garyb

If you want to see just how little most people understand this, just check out slashdot's comments on it:

http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=0...&tid=123&tid=1

Warning: Massive Head banging against wall likely

My favorite is this:

http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=137541&cid=11503062

Manzana

This is the first I've seen this thread or heard about the class action suit. After reading the entire thread and the settlement web page, many things are still unclear to me:

- I have to call to get the claim form? Does a single claim form work for as many DVDs as I may want to return?
- I have to send in the claim form by March 31, 2005? Do I also have to send in all of the DVDs to be returned at the same time even though the settlement hasn't been finalized? If they change their mind on the settlement, will I get all of my DVDs back or will I just be out of luck?
- In order to see the list of eligible replacement titles I have to request the claim form? For all I know the list of replacement choices may be nearly identical to the eligible-for-return list.
- I assume if I request the claim form, there is no legal requirement for me to follow through if I change my mind?
- Apparently I have to take either all cash or all replacements?
- When a title like Dr. No (or various other James Bonds), The Princess Bride, or Rocky is listed, does that many any release of it is included as eligible for return or only the first non-Special Edition versions?
- I have Back to School and the widescreen side is not anamorphic (the package didn't say it was anamorphic). Is there something wrong with this title which was specifically mentioned in this thread or is it just the only title in the list where there is an improved anamorphic widescreen transfer?

I have 3 dozen titles on this list, but given that they are not going to re-issue these with better transfers there is no point doing this return except on titles I have regrets buying where $7.10 cash is better than keeping it or on titles where a better edition was released. I'm so confused by the numerous Rocky releases, for instance, that I don't know if my set has the better transfers. I'm also unclear on the Bond DVDs. Is there a site which details this stuff?

To me the only titles that make sense in this list are ones that have both formats (letterbox and standard) where there is an inaccurate picture comparing a scene from each version on the insert. However, How to Beat the High Cost of Living is "standard" only and Return to Me is letterbox only, so how did they get on the list? Also, I compared both transfers of Mr. Majestyk and the letterbox version has a small amount of additional picture on the sides with a small amount of top/bottom matting. It may not match the insert (which I never saw), but there was extra picture width. If I can guess what happened, someone at MGM just grabbed a letterbox frame clip from each movie and assumed the pan & scan showed less. As Arnold would say "big mistake", but I never thought anyone would bring a lawsuit over it. However, having known that these inserts were misleading from the first time I saw one, I did think MGM needed a wake-up call on it after having made this error on so many titles, even though a lawsuit may be going overboard. I guess we'd have to know the intentions of the person and the lawyer who filed the lawsuit and if the lawsuit was a first or last resort.

josepotato

I don't get this, why would anyone want to send in their dvds because there is some incorrect wording on the packaging. Don't most of these class-action settlements end up with you keeping the product AND getting a refund for the company's mistake?