The director's cut is the best version because it was how the director wanted it until the studio meddled. The theatrical one had some huge plot holes and the extended cut screams of the studio interference with a tonally opposite ending.

^^^

That is true and it is good they released all three versions on one release instead of individually. However since the theatrical version is included on the 'deluxe' edition, it makes the individual theatrical release pointless. But this is the proper way to release alternate versions of films by including them all on one release instead of individually which can be overwhelming.

Oh and in regards to the blu-ray/dvd combo packs. It appears many of the dvds in those packs are completely bare bones, while the separate dvd may contain some extras(while the blu-ray contains more). So I can see why someone would buy the dvd over the combo pack if they don't have blu-ray yet. It seems like a waste of money for a studio to create two dvd editions, one with some extras, and one with no extras just to be included in a combo pack.

I agree with the OP. I used to enjoy walking into a Best Buy and browsing the movie section. But as time passes and new formats come out, less and less space seems to be devoted to a variety of movies. Instead the shrinking space is stocked with multiple Skus of the same new releases. I know that all this stuff is available online, but I still like browsing B&M stores too. Of course, I'm not the typical DVD consumer- as most of my disc buying is of catalog releases. It's really rare that I buy a new release that was recently in theaters. At least I can be thankful for the internet, where all titles are available at cheaper prices.

It's an oft-repeated story here on DVD Talk, but the gist of it is that consumers gorged on catalog titles when they adopted the DVD format. In the Blu-ray era, consumers are largely content with those catalog titles on DVD. Studios insist that catalog titles aren't making enough money as a rule to justify the cost of creating HD masters, and the DVD versions in a lot of instances are out of print. Since Blu-ray is the current format darling, it isn't a priority to studios to put those DVDs back into circulation.

I suggest to anyone in this situation that you do one of two things. Firstly, take a closer look at any places near you that sell used DVDs. If for any reason they won't let you look at the physical discs before purchase, don't buy from them. I've never had a problem with this (though on occasion I'll find a sales clerk who feels the need to huff and puff while retrieving said discs from behind the counter to show me).

Secondly, contact the studio. Find their Facebook page and write a request on their wall. Don't hit them with a whole list, but see if you can draw out support from other fans for a specific movie. Universal recently deferred to a Facebook poll to determine that Back to the Future would be their next catalog release (though most of us suspect that it was already planned and the poll was a sham from the beginning as Universal expected it to win). If Facebook can put Betty White on Saturday Night Live, then I say find out if it can get us Cool as Ice on DVD!

why did i just read that ie there are major spoilers in that comparison