The "Should I upgrade?" thread...
 

So I thought maybe this might be an interesting thread. Basically you can ask about a DVD you're thinking about upgrading, and people here that have already or whatnot can tell you if it was worth it. On the flip side, if you dipped in on a re-release and you find it lacking, you can put it here as well.

So, should I upgrade:
My Charade DVD for the Criterion version?
This is the version I currently own:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...v=glance&n=130

And also, I have the individual DVDs for Ghostbusters 1 and 2... is the green double pack worth it?

Ive got the green double pack... IMO not really worth it... Comes with a small book with some cool photos and images and a few special features (some animated eps, etc...) but overall i'd say that unless you're really a stickler for a few extra specials you can keep your single copies. For me, I need to know if its worth upgrading my single disc Sin City to the Unrated, Extended, Recut...

EDIT: Though, I did find find this for 9.99 at Target... Which does make it extremaly cheap...

If you loved Sin City, then upgrade, the new package is sweet.

Should I upgrade upgrade my Any Given Sunday dvd to the Oliver Stone Collection version? I really liked the movie, but is there that much difference between the two versions?

For the OP's question on Charade, there are 2 comparisons of different Charade
versions at DVDBeaver. Without having seen your version, I'd guess from the
comparisons that it is probably worth the upgrade. I've found the Criterion Collection
anamorphic version is excellent in spots, at least on a 42" display.

Here's a comparison of the non-anamorphic Criterion Charade and 2 others:
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/dvdcompare/charade.htm

Here's a comparison of the non-anamorphic Criterion vs. the anamorphic Criterion:
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDCompare2/charade.htm

The main difference are the commentary tracks by Stone and Foxx. The 2nd disc has the same doc. from the first, but it also has Jamie Foxx's audition football tape. There are several deleted scenes as well.

The packaging sucks for the 2nd disc. The case is still a snapper and the 2nd disc is in a white sleeve tucked inside the case.

I used to always want to upgrade, but now I try to resist the urge unless there's a significant benefit. More special features generally don't cut it. Here are the ones that I'm on the fence about, but I'm not trying to hijack this thread. :)

Ferris Bueller's Day Off: My g/f said that the new one has a bunch of cool new stuff--but I haven't even watched the first one since buying it years ago. (I love the movie though; no time...)
Top Gun: The first release was great, IMO.
The Mask (Jim Carrey): Any significant improvements?
Heat: Sound was apparently wonky in the first release, but I haven't watched it since going 5.1 from mere tv sound.
Lost Boys: Big improvement?
Field of Dreams: More features? Anything else?
Fly, The/Fly 2: Second one is blech. Not a huge fan.
Airplane!: No idea if the "Shirley" version is a big deal.

Equilibrium: Is the DTS on the R3 release that great?
Little Shop of Horrors: I have an old release with some weird black & white alternate ending. :)

The new one supposedly has a better picture, and it's got some new supplements, but it also loses the John Hughes commentary from the original disc. One of my all-time favorites, but I haven't bothered picking up the new one yet, thanks to them not bringing the commentary over. If the new one hits below $10, I may grab it. Until then, the old one's fine for me.

It's garbage compared to the new one. The new one is anamorphic, is in DTS (6.1 I believe), and has a slew of new bonus features, including a commentary and a really nice documentary, along with a bunch of other stuff.

Yep. The new one is anamorphic. It also retains all of the extras from the first disc, including the commentary, and adds several new features (including a new commentary).

The new one has a bunch of extras, but the presentation is more-or-less the same as the old one. More here:

Heat SE (2 disc re-release) Where Art Thou? (merged)

More features, yeah, but a new anamorphic transfer, too.

Agree 100%...Its because of that why a thread like this will be so helpful as it gives us some good analysis whether or not to pull the trigger on the upgrade. I did on the new Underworld disc, not sure why, but I think since it was only $9.99 for 3 discs (2 + the CC extra disc) and I was able to unload the old disc for $4.00 I thought what the hell.

This one is well worth the upgrade. The picture looks terrific. You get a DTS track. Not to mention that whopping 2+ hour documentary about anything Fly related. There's a Cronenberg track too!

This was easily one of the top 10 dvds released last year.

Part 2 isn't very good, but the presentation is.

Great idea for a thread. Could prove invaluable. :thumbsup:

As for the Ghostbusters 1 & 2 pack, the major differences are brighter video (though I prefer that of the previous releases; in my opinion, scenes toward the end of Ghostbusters now suffer from overexposure), the inclusion of the animated episodes, the scrapbook, and the packaging. I was tempted when it came out, but ultimately chose not to bother.

Not carried over from the previous releases are the trivia track and video commentary for Ghostbusters and the P&S version of Ghostbusters II. Whether those changes are good or bad is up to the buyer. Only reason to get it, as far as I'm concerned, is the scrapbook, and that's not enough for me.

--THX

Comparing the content at Rewind, the special edition clearly has the edge. Features both theatrical and extended cuts, two filmmaker commentaries, and a wealth of featurettes. Only thing of importance dropped from the single-disc is a behind-the-scenes featurette running over 8 minutes, but I suspect that's more a fluff piece compared to what's on the 2-disc.

--THX

You should definitely upgrade Charade. The new Criterion has an excellent anamorphic transfer and one of the best commentaries I have ever listened to.

I would also recommend a double dip on Criterion's M. The new version is a major improvement in both the transfer and in all the new extras.

I'm like you DVDude- unless there's a pronounced improvement in picture and audio quality, I don't double dip. Extras aren't going to be the deciding factor in my doing so. I upgraded to the Heat SE a week ago or so and while it's slightly better, I still think the audio track is somewhat lacking. Also picked up the Anniversary Edition of Casino but I haven't watched it yet.

Hi, great thread. I'm looking to upgrade some more of my VHS to DVD and was wondering if I could get some recommendations on what DVD version would be best for each film.

Saving Private Ryan
Good Will Hunting
The Untouchables
The Usual Suspects
Big Trouble in Little China
The Mask of Zorro(1998)
Forrest Gump
Hoop Dreams
Clerks

Any help would be much appreciated, thank you.

Saving Private Ryan has a nice 2-disc set now. It can be found for $10-$15. There is a single disc that is still out, but might as well go with this one. No DTS on this set, but it's available in the big box set.

Try to find the Canadian Alliance release. Most importantly, it's anamorphic (while the U.S. releases are not), but it's also got all of the extras from the U.S. Collector's Series disc, as well as one other exclusive deleted scene. (EDIT: Apparently the U.S. Collector's Series disc has some TV spots that weren't on the Canadian disc. Eh. . . TV spots vs. anamorphic. . . I'll take anamorphic.) :)

Get the Special Collector's Edition with the maroon border. I think the transfer is the same as the first disc, but the CE has a 5.1 EX soundtrack, and several new featurettes.

The current special edition disc is the best.

I believe there's been only one release of this on the DVD format.

(See Forrest Gump)

The Clerks X disc is the definitive version of the film, and well worth the extra money over the previous disc. I think that everything from the first release is carried over, with maybe the exception of a Kevin Smith introduction or something.

Oh, get the Mask of Zorro: Superbit Deluxe. 2nd disc is full of extras and it has DTS. $10 at Best Buy.

Dazed and Confused?

Anyone have any information on the Con Air and Enemy Of The State rereleases yet? I'm wondering if I should sell my originals...

= J

I agree but get the DTS one, people said that the sound is amazing and is better than the no DTS one, I have the single disc with DTS

I've heard the DTS track from the old disc and that is still the most active/best representation of a DTS track, period. I'll likely cave and get the boxset as well. War of the Worlds comes close.

Let me jump in here--

Amadeus. I still have the old flipper. I hesitate in getting the re-release because of the director's cut; this film, one of my all-time favorites, is, to me, the cinema cut. I don't want the DC. But I imagine it's anamorphic, right? I don't have an HDTV, but is the AV better, overall? Any extras?

I still might get the Ghostbusters set because I don't have GBII and I'm an RGB freak. But, from screenshots, the old disc looks better.

Hold out a few months for the upcoming Criterion release.
It'll definitely be worth the wait! :)

Thanks a ton guys for the recommendations. :)

OP: A cheaper alternative to the Charade CC would be to pick up The Truth About Charlie. It comes with Charade on the flip side and the transfer is anamorphic. Probably not quite as good a transfer as the CC but it works for me, I don't love the film enough to spring for the CC and the extras but I do enjoy it from time to time. You can usually find TTAC in the dump bin at Wally World or it's $6.10 at DDD.

Egon's Ghost: The 2 disc Amadeus is nice, I liked the DC of the film and would highly recommend it. But, that's just me... It has a documentary and commentary track.

Day After Tommorow

The Special Edition has DTS, too, and includes a commentary by the director not present on the Superbit Deluxe. The recently released Deluxe Edition features more-or-less everything found on the Special Edition, but with a couple of added bonuses about The Legend of Zorro. But it drops the DTS track as well as the second disc, which housed a P&S version of the film.

--THX

Definitely worth the upgrade in my estimation. The All-Access Collector's Edition has the same commentaries from the initial release along with a new piece on climate change, a three-part documentary on the making of the film (running nearly two hours), 10 deleted scenes, teaser and theatrical trailers, and so on.

--THX

Is Mallrats worth the upgrade?

CertifiedTHX: What is the going rate for that version of the film

Also the new Unrated Dumb and Dummer is an excellent buy . There is alot of scenes that was cut out of the first showing that I never really knew existed. Actually I was kind of shocked about what was left out. Also there's a nice commentary with Jeff Daniels on it that I enjoyed .

This dvd rules! End of story.......

Buy 2 of them. Hehe.

Well worth upgrading, big time.

Any Collector/Limited Edition Movies Worth Extra $
 

As you all know there has been a fairly recent trend by the studios to release some of their films with multiple releases either at the same time or within 6 months to a year after the "Basic or Standard" release (probably due to the success of the extended versions of the Lord of the Rings movies). The muti-disc releases of 2-4 are usually priced anywhere from $5-15 above the standard single disc release. The question is are there any titles you own that you consider worth the difference in price and if so how much more did you pay, and what features made the purchase worth the cost difference?

For me a recent purchase of the Limited Edition of Cinderella Man was worth the approx. $13 dollar difference. This is only a 2 disc edition but you get them in a very nice package with a Booklet and photo cards. The 2nd disc has a number of well done movie features including the actual Braddock/Baer fight from 1935.

This doesn't mean I look to spend more money on "upgraded" version if I don't have to. The 3-disc Black Hawk Down I only paid $16.

Now I don't think the extra money I paid for War of the Worlds 2005 Limited Edition was worth the extra 8 bucks. I guess it's a gamble whether you want to wait for a better deal.

So if anyone would like to share what movies they own was worth the extra cost. Keep in mind only talk about releases that happened at the same time as the basic release or within a year of release. Criterion's don't count.

A big thanks to Virex for pointing out that several of the ones I asked about are now anamorphic. That's an upgrade in my opinion. Thanks for the recommendations! (And sorry for the delayed appreciation; it's been a looong week.)

FantasticVSDoom and nightmaster: I used to want the biggest and the best special editions available. Now I think about whether or not I care. An anamorphic upgrade is worth it, but seventeen 2-minute featurettes aren't worth my time. And as for all the new discs being released simultaneously in different editions, I am going to lean more toward the single disc editions for movies I just casually like or where the added bonuses aren't significant for me. I did buy the better editions of Batman Begins, War of the Worlds (2005) and Constantine recently because I wanted some of the extra stuff.

• Ferris Bueller's Day Off: I'll think I'll hang on to the one I have--especially since I still haven't even watched it. :)
  
• Top Gun: I had no idea that the new one was supposed to be that great. The anamorphic aspect is enough.
  
• The Mask (Jim Carrey): I'll have to grab this too, considering it's anamorphic and better overall.
  
• Heat: I'll keep the one I have, thanks to the info here. Thanks.
  
• Lost Boys: Any opinions? :)
  
• Field of Dreams: Too bad I bought the old version for my brother a couple of years ago. I could've given him mine and gotten the new 16x9 one. He only has 15 DVDs. Not a movie fan.
  
• Fly, The/Fly 2: I noticed that the The Fly DVD is well-regarded, but I'm still on the fence. I think the new Sin City DVD did too, and I just want the movie in that case. I may keep mine. Thanks Mr. Cinema.
  
• Airplane!: Still undecided.

This can probably go in the "Should I Upgrade" thread on this very page.

= J

ET
Scarface
Schindler's List
LOTR EE Gift sets
Ghost In the Shell: Stand Alone Complex LE's
Ghost In the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG LE's

Probably more...

If you're a fan of Sin City, I bought the Recut, extended, unrated special edition. It's got an extra disc and a comic book and shows the movie regularly and as 4 separate stories plus some extras.

CertifiedTHX: Thanks for the tip on Day After Tommorow

Here's a few I've been looking at

Clueless
28 Days Later
Dawn of the Dead(remake only)
Rebecca
Dogma

Most welcome. :) The going rate on the All-Access Collector's Edition of The Day After Tomorrow is $19.99. That's Best Buy and Circuit City. Amazon goes a few bucks more.

--THX

Is the new SE version of "Breakfast at Tiffany" worth buying?