dolphinboy

I am basically a blu-ray newbie and I've been spending WAY too much on discs, but this one has me wondering.

I went back to a thread from when it was released and I could see that most people figured, "buy it now and enjoy it, but the 1 and 2 with special features will be coming some day."

Well, it's been a year and I can't remember what I put in last night, but it said Spider-man 2 was coming soon to BD.

I realize "soon" is a relative term, but do you think we'll see these in the next 3-6 months?

I double-dipped A LOT back in my SD days, but I will not be doing it much at all with Blu-ray. I found that on most movies, I never even bothered to watch the special features.

But Spider-man 1 and 2 were loaded and, say, Man on Fire or Cast Away (personal favorites of mine), I probably would double dip on if they come out with SEs.

However, I ordered Cast Away and Man on Fire, because I just love the movies and have NO idea if or when they might get better releases and want the better pq and sound quality now.

But then I saw the mention of Spider-man 2 coming soon and wondered if 1 and 2 might be in the works, which would be a good reason to wait.

If you think the wait is still a year plus for individual releases with the original or better special features (and maybe better pq on Spidey 1), then I'll order the set. If you think under a year and possibly the first half of 2009, then I'd honestly rather spend the money or something already loaded that I want, but have in my wishlist until Christmas money rolls in.

Has anyone else heard anything? I know a lot of people here somehow get to know the inside scoop on rumors or even facts about studio releases, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask.

Like most others, had it been a year ago, I would have purchased the trilogy no questions asked. Now, I'd like to be a little bit more careful if the first 2 might be in the pipeline to be released.

Thanks.

bunkaroo

It's hard to say.

Conventional wisdom would say your first chance of a double-dip on BD would be if/when Spidey 4 is out. That's got to be at least 2 years out right now I think. Case in point: the Casino Royale double-dip timed to the new Bond movie release.

However, there's also the Stranger Than Fiction double-dip, which seems to be random.

If you think you will watch these more than once a year, I'd say buy them now. Regardless of extras, the movies are the main feature.

Hammer99

Don't forget I Am Legend, another pointless re-issue which I'm sure is coming out on BD-50s that fuckin' Warner could've put to better use on other titles.
I'd get the Spidey set now, killer app for Blu.

gimmepilotwings

Hmm, I had no idea there is going to be another I am Legend reissue. Glad I haven't purchased yet.

dolphinboy

Thanks, I guess that I'll take my chances and hope that it's at least a year or two before they release them individually, with bonus features aplenty.

Interesting that you mentioned Stranger than Fiction, as that was a title that was going to be purchased with my first big spend on blu-ray titles until I saw the mention of a SE. The weird thing about the SE is that it appears to have nothing more than the 1st release, yet it's MSRP and price are lower than the one that is currently available.

As I mentioned, other than my very favorites, I don't really watch or have the time for special features anyway, so that's not the biggest deal. Spidey 1 and 2 were ones I would watch them on, though.

My only complete no-no so far as a new blu-ray customer is the Die Hard Collection. I simply will not upgrade my SDs until they release Live Free or Die Hard in the unrated (Hard "R") manner it should be. I think the Mr. and Mrs. Smith blu-ray also came out with the non-unrated version. Not as big of a deal, because I can wait for that one for a long time as it's only an ok movie in my opinion, but it sucks when they don't give you both versions or a choice at least.

I ordered Bad Santa and it comes with both the Unrated and Director's Cut. I can't see why they wouldn't offer this for other movies. Payback, for example.


Again, thanks. Spider-man Trilogy shall be ordered soon! She gets a lot of hate on dvdtalk, but I, for one, look forward to seeing Kirsten Dunst in 1080p.

I get to stay married and it will still feel like I'm getting away with stalking a hot movie star!

beebs

I really enjoy this set myself. If you can get a good deal on it, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Although the first disc includes only the Spider-Man movie, it is the only newer action movie I know of that fills an HDTV screen (1.78:1 or 1.85:1). Thus it makes great demo material I've found. Most action flix (including the other two Spider-man movies) are 2.35:1 and naturally leave some screen unused (please don't school me in why this is, I know already).

Spider-man 2 does comes with both theaterical 127 minute version and the extended Spider-man 2.1 136 minute version via seemless branching. I had never seen the longer version before -- I like it.

Spider-man 3 is a great 2-disc SE edition.

-beebs

Nick Martin

I bought the trilogy with no reservations whatsoever, because I watched the original Spider-Man DVD bonus discs for each film exactly once - when the films came out - and never again.

I watch the films often enough that it was a very easy decision, and gave the DVDs away.

The first film looks (to me) a LOT better than reviews have stated, but to each their own.

bunkaroo

I was thinking specifically in terms of Sony double-dips, but yes, the upcoming rash of WB double-dips seem unnecessary as well.

Gizmo

I think its timed to come out at the same time as Step Brothers.

SPRBD

I bought the trilogy and kept my loaded SDVD copies of Spiderman 1 & 2 for the extras.

Yavin

Ditto for me. I also have each of the original 2-disc DVD releases of the films, plus I bought the BD trilogy. Haven't gotten around to opening the BD trilogy yet though. Story of my life.

bunkaroo

OK that makes sense. I didn't feel like looking on IMDB for recent releases with Ferrell or the director.

NitroJMS

I have the Superbit editions of 1 & 2 and those look fantastic being up-converted by my HD-A2. I got Spidey 3 with my PS3 on Blu Ray so I consider my set pretty much complete.

I might pick up the first 2 on Blu if I ever find them cheap enough by themselves.

JimRochester

I double dipped on these. These are the kind of movies HD is made for. Much more important to me than a comedy. Plus extras for me are watch once and forget anyway. The only time I won't upgrade to Blu is if a superior version of the film is in SD but not BD. ie. Die Hard 4, ID4, Pearl Harbor, etc. Those I'll wait for a more expansive version that has the longer/directors cut.

Nick Martin

The 9 minute-longer cut of ID4 is NOT worth waiting for, especially considering the Blu-ray theatrical cut doesn't have the problematic branching issues while viewing it.

Being one of my all-time favorite movies, the DVD's branching always annoyed me because it wasn't timed right in some scenes, and aside from that most of the additional scenes are useless, but just fine on that DVD and watching them on BD would be a waste. Theatrical cut all the way.

JimRochester

I'll agree it's not worth waiting for but I've never had any problems with the branching issue. For me it's really just a case of limited funds and a whole crapload of movies. I love movies on BD and find myself rewatching a Hi-def disc before I'll put in an SD disc. I just watch the double and triple dips. With plenty of movies to pick up every week I try to limit the replacements of the multi-disc super deluxe SE packages. One day I may run across a used BD ID4 for $10 and I'd grab it in a minute. As far as Pearl Harbor and DH4 goes, I would wait for the R rated cut on both of those. It's what make PH watchable and what keeps DH4 from being ridiculous.

Nick Martin

Well, for ID4 I didn't see any reason to get rid of the DVD version just because I got the BD version. If the format versions aren't the same, I keep the original DVD if it's got extras I like.

Spider-Man and its sequels didn't fall into that category, so I had no problem giving those original DVDs away.

For ID4, I found that when watching the theatrical version it had flaws in the branching, like shifting to a different scene a bit too fast, to audio pops during the actual branch. Not an issue with the longer version, which I don't like primarily because of all the extended Randy Quaid family scenes which are very poorly acted, especially the first of their extended scenes. The rest (added Pullman line, Fierstein and Goldblum kiss, 'nice driving', inside the attacker cockpit, and so on) were good.

SteveGo

yeah, it's just too bad it comes with that crappy movie, spiderman 3

Artman

I believe Spidey 4 is slated for 2011... it's hard to believe Sony would wait that long to release SE's of the first two. Of course there'll be the 1-4 boxset later that yr if you really wanted to hold out... I'd be very surprised if Sony doesn't put the seperate SE's out in the next yr and a half. But they still haven't even sold the existing releases separately yet, so I imagine that'd be the next step.

Daytripper

I got this trilogy 3-pak on Half.com for $53.99. Brand new, factory sealed. I wasn't thrilled with the PQ on the first "Spider-Man". It's good, not great. "2" was much much better. But "3" is hands down the best. Demo material. It was the second time ever seeing "3" and it was much better than I remember. I don't get all of it's criticism.

JimRochester

It was good, but like many trilogies, it was the weakest of the bunch. Overly long and convoluted. Agree about the PQ though

ENDContra

Im really not a fan of the single case for 2+ movies...especially when that franchise hasnt ended. Its ok for The Godfather, but why would I want the first 3 Spider-man movies in one case, and then the 4th (when that happens) in a separate case? Plus the lack of any features at all on the first two, Ill wait for separate individual releases...I only plan to buy these movies one more time, on BD (Im sure there will be a new format in the future, but I will resist moving to that one as much as possible).

SUPERMANROB

Well I just picked this Trilogy using the $10 off coupon from Best Buy for $51 and some change out the door. Seemed like a good deal.

Timber

A long time ago I realized that I never watch special features. Give me the movie and the movie trailer (which for some odd reason some don't include) and I'm happy. Cut down of my buying 2-disc Special Editions quite a bit on SD.

JimRochester

Ditto. Very few special features are interesting to me. Most of the interviews are such crap. All fluff: Gee "fill in the name" was the best to work with. Even the "making of" featurettes can be a disappointment. Ever since I saw the "making of" the chase scene in Bullit and they talked about the 7 or 8 stunt cars, every time I watch that scene I see them pass the same cars over and over, especially the volkswagon. Then in The Rock the "making of" showed the little fake underwater swimmers so now I can't see that without it looking fake. Once you know how a magic trick is done the fun is over. The one exception that I do like is when a movie is based on a real event. I love the documentary telling about the event and how the movie differs from what actually happened. ie. Bank Job or Black Hawk Down.

Now that I've rambled on about something that should be in it's own thread, I'll admit I just went