I'm still thinking about the original question here:I think that the real answer to this-- your real secret weapon-- is the DVD.

The DVD is pretty much the main reason all of us are subscribing. Some people aren't happy with the disc, but I think this last one was great. While I would welcome the suggestions others have made, the DVD is already better than some of the DVDs put out by the original incarnation of Total Movie (issue two had only one short film and little else of lasting interest).

This is the part of your magazine that makes it unique. How many other magazines come with a DVD? (I think there is one other special effects magazine that does, but it's too specialized and overpriced.)

On the cover of the latest issue of TM, there is only a small, barely noticeable blurb about the DVD.

Three suggestions:

1. Make the DVD available to people who buy it on the newsstands. I know that the old systems of including a DVD or mailing card were hampered by rampant thievery (bunch of savages...), but something else could be done. For example, there could be a mail-in-form on a page that needed to be CUT OUT, for this would be too difficult to do in a store unnoticed. In addition, an original receipt or a cut-out UPC code could be required. Treat it like a rebate and the fraud should be diminished.

2. Print the words "Free DVD" in BIG, ATTENTION-GRABBING LETTERS on the cover of the magazine. They should be placed high enough on the cover so that it peeks up over the front of the rack.

3. Advertise! I wouldn't have ever heard about this magazine without the Home Theater Forum (and, I guess, DVDTalk ). I know this costs money, but if the word could get out to the non-online community, I'm sure more people would subscribe. Of course, any advertising should prominently feature the included DVD.

The concept of a magazine/DVD is original and with the number of DVD player owners steadily increasing, I'm sure there are many people clamoring to put their new player through its paces.

If the focus is on the DVD, it won't matter if the printed magazine reads like Highlights for Children, TeenBeat, or a refrigerator owner's manual-- people will subscribe anyway. That way, you won't have to artificially cater to some supposedly desirable demographic.

Young, affluent people love DVDs (look at the DVD section in any store and see who's there). These are the readers you crave and the way to their hearts (and wallets) is through the DVD.

-Kelly

I agree with Kelly--The dvd is what you should be focusing on. I wouldn't be subscribing if not for it. As long as there is substance on the dvd, I guess it really doesn't much matter about the magazine. Obviously, you already know how I'm feeling about the mag. Especially the women. I have some other comments, now that I've had the opportunity to read through it.

1. How many female writers do you have? Many of the articles have a somewhat patronizing feeling to them. Some seem downright offensive. examples

• the Olsen twin's articles. They're what, 15? An interview that states that they're hot pieces of ass? Come on. That downright inappropriate, the more I think about it.
  
• Hall of babes. 4 pages of centerfold type stuff. The first one has two paragraphs exclaming that no one is probably reading the article because of the pretty girl.
  
• Yesterbabes. They themselves state that "Today's teenage boys have it good. An onslaught of male-frienly magazine have left little in the way of imagination when it comes to today's comely young film and television actresses.(We at TME are of course doing our part to forward this just cause.)" Give me a break!
  
• Chick Flick Cheat Sheet. Who the Hell picked those movies? I'm a woman, and I'd barely watch these if I were forced to. I'll never own them. This piece was written by a man. If men really wanted to know what women liked, you'd have a woman pick the movies and write the article, rather than have men pick movies that they don't want to see and call them chick flicks.

2. The format of the magazine is really busy. I agree with previous comments. There needs to be more differentiation of the articles. They tend to run together.

3. Right now, you have some articles that are really pretty good. My only issue is that they give you a taste of the topic, then leave you high and dry. Maybe fewer small fluff pieces, and a few more in-depth articles.

4. What is the point of News you can't use? Don't the writers have enough attempts at being bitingly witty than to have an entire little section devoted to another attempt? Right now, it's unfunny and pointless.

5. I'm liking the idea of trying to put stuff on the dvd, then have more in depth stuff about the dvd content in the magazine.

6. Have you thought about adding things like movie release dates, lists of dvd releases, game releases, etc? Maybe towards the back, a list of release dates. Maybe even a monthly shopping list with msrp's of discs and checkboxes that people can take and carry around in thier wallets? Something kind of useful like that?

7. How about web content? Links to dvd places, movie sites, etc?

8. Right in the middle of the magazine, wedged between two articles is two pages on the dvd. I think this should either be at the beginning after the table of contents, or back by inside dvd. Maybe at the end of the magazines. After the two pages, there's 25 pages of other stuff before you get to the inside dvd section. It just seems totally out of place. I had to look at it a few times before I figured out what it was.

There are some good things here. The humor totally turns me off, as does the general tone of the magazine. It is a movie and entertainment magazine, but it seems like it's trying to alienate it's readers towards the subject if they don't fit the demographic. It's really too bad.

Hopefully you'll take some of all the suggestions in this thread to heart, because it could totally make a difference.

Robyn

I have to agree with a lot of what is being posted here. This magazine seems like it has some potential, but it really needs to stop thinking that it is being read only by 14 year old boys.

The writing is very sophomoric, and it is mainly fluff. If you're going to have reviews, have reviews with substance that back up the ratings given. Most of the reviews I've read in the magazine are obviously written by people who don't know how to critique. The writers seem to fill the review with comments trying to be witty or show how cool they are, but rarely explain why or how something is good or bad. In the end every review seems to boil down to, 'It's cool' or 'It sucks' without the reviewer ever telling us why. This not only goes for the ones in the back, but the opinions scattered about the magazine as well.

Do I really want to read a magazine that calls 2 underage girls hot pieces of ass? Not really.

What's up with 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon? That was so 8 years ago! It's worn out and meaningless. Most people by now have realized that almost anyone on the planet is within 6 degrees of him (and anyone else for that matter) so what's the point, aside from adding useless filler?

The Chick Flick Cheat Sheet was pointless, as was the Yesterbabes article. (Hey, where was Jamie Gertz??)

News You Can't Use is pointless, Hall of Babes is as well.

The feature articles are generally pretty well done, and fit in the magazine. It was nice to see the Daniel Clowes and Larry Clark interviews, a different take on the ET article everyone has, and the 'When Bad Movies Happen to Good Actors' and it's flipside feature.

Get rid of the girl on the cover. If you've got to have her in the magazine, fine. But put something meaningful to that issue on the cover. If you can't find a top story that's cover worthy, that should be a big clue that there's something wrong with the magazine! Are you selling movie/DVD info, or a scantily clad actress? Another idea would be to add a video photoshoot of the actress/model on the DVD and remove her from the pages altogether. Since the DVD doesn't come with the shelf magazine that might get some subscribers.

As it is now, I scan the magazine and toss it. I'd like to read it cover to cover, but it insults my intelligence too early and way too often. There are good parts, but it's like mining for gold to find them.

Where are the hardware reviews? The unholy marriage of Home Theater and DVD is apparent to everyone but your magazine. Tell me about the cheap players I don't want and the players I'll never be able to afford. TV's, cables, speakers, wires, receivers, the list goes on and on. What's coming out in the next 2 years that I need to buy now? You get the idea. I'd rather see an article on a pair of speakers I'll never buy than another one telling me how hot teen girls are.

I think you've gotten a lot of good comments from the DVDTalk members who read the magazine. Your editors need to realize that DVD enthusiasts are generally going to be well educated, well paid professionals that have money to waste. We're male and female, we don't like having our intelligence insulted and we don't have much time to enjoy a magazine so we want substance over style.

Also, I think the magazine has a lot of potential to be a great magazine, but a great magazine has to be well written and have features that matter.

You know, I was thinking the exact same thing! I just didn't mention it because it seemed that there were so many other things to mention.

Another thought. Maybe if you're going to try to profile people, a Where are they Now kind of section might be something people would read. Where's the Pina Colada song guy these days? What about the people who did school house rock? Or the cast of whatever tv show from 15 years ago. I think I'd read that, if done well and not written sarcastically.

I agree with most of the comments about the magazine...
I would like to see more best of lists (best of genre, actor, etc.). I would also like to see a section about foreign DVDs. I'd like to try to see more foreign movies, but since these generally aren't available to rent and purchase prices are higher than domestics, I'd appreciate reviews, summaries, and background info that might help in appreciating the movie.
While you can't and probably shouldn't ignore blockbusters, we all know about movies like Scorpion King, etc. already. What I really appreciate is learning about obscure gems that I missed before. Also when doing reviews, let us know if you think the DVD is a keeper, a rental, or an avoid-at-all-costs and why. There are a lot of great movies I'd never want to see twice and I'd much rather rent those than buy.
The DVD is the big draw!! I think each DVD should have some focus such as a particular genre, actor, director, or era. You could include trailers and special features of top westerns or great 70's movies or such. My kids love the videos, so I can't really knock those. Speaking of kids, adding some family content would be nice. About 20% of my purchases are for the kids... they have a lot of buying power and might draw more advertisors. Finally, short films including animation would be a huge plus. This stuff is not available anywhere else that I know of. Thanks! -Jeff

If they're going for the Maxim audience, why not put some softcore porn on the DVD?

All of the above comments are fine. But where is Total Movie rep when I ask about my subscription? days, weeks, and months have passed and I've only received one magazine and I was promised 40 DVDs, a DVD player and... the magazines.

My credit card have been billed back in December 2001 for US$100+ (can't remember the exact figure), tens of e-mails and voice mails have been directed to Total Movie and not a single response.

Better Business Beurau... here I come!

sapiendut. You are in the content thread. not the customer service thread.

Post your name in that thread and I will see what I can do for you.

I'm a newbie here, I can't seem to find the customer support thread, but here's my name:

David Susilo
(street name and number available upon request)
Markham, Ontario
L6C2V5

Thank you for your attention.

Um, did you really look? It's here:

http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...hreadid=175320

The fact that it's about two threads below this one on the store forum page and it's deceptively titled the "One and Only Total Movie Customer Service Thread" makes me wonder. I suggest you delete your posts and re-post in the correct thread. (I'll delete my post as well.)

strange I didn't see that this morning. thank you for the link and it seems like they've lost my name entirely. Really really strange.

I also agree with just about all that's been said. My humble opinions.

1. Getting a magazine dated March/April in the first week of April is unacceptable. I had already seen the new E.T. & Panic Room when it came out.

2. As everyone has said the "Maxim type" ripoff must end if you want me to renew. It seems like filler because the writers don't have anything to write.

3. The writing MUST improve! It reads more like bad morning drive FM radio shows. More in depth articles and interviews would be nice, rather than something that seems to a press release.

4. The reviews were all over the board. "Bubble Boy," "Planet of the Apes" and "Moulin Rouge" are the same rating? The reviewer of "Buffy" whinning about no outtakes of Gellar "popping out of her low-cut shirts" and then declares the disc a "total bummer."

5. I did enjoy the "Best Paranonia Films on DVD" article.

6. It's time to find out what your magazine wants to be. If the focus is going to be this broad it needs to be a larger magazine. I thought I was seeing improvement with each issue, but this issue seemed to be a step back. I think you need a focus and stick with it. If it's going to be movies & dvd's that would be fine, but that a broad enough without taking up space on other things (including pseudo-centerfold shots - are you going after readers too afraid to purchase Playboy or Penthouse?)

7. As it stands, you can count me in the "not going to renew unless drastic change happens" category. It currently seems like a waste of $40.00. It sure isn't what the original magazine was.

James

Not sure if you knew, but last week Howard Stern mentioned your magazine on the radio.

Well... tell us more.

In what context did he mention the magazine? What did he say about it?

I'd love to know.

Thanks!

-Kelly

He mentioned that he got it sent to him for free, and he said he read it, and pretty much nothing else... except for the very last page. He told the joke about Tom Cruise suing himself and said that that was funny.
Then Robin started another topic, so that was it.

TotalMovie,
It would be a nice feature to have keepcase cover art available for the DVDs, like the ones found in this thread:

http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...69#post2315369

Maybe you could at least make them available on your website, and provide the hosting for the files.
Actually, it would be great to have one page of the magazine for this, so we could just cut it out. I can think of a lot of pages in previous issues that could have easily been sacrificed to make room for something more useful.

Many thanks for your efforts in the customer service area for your magazine.

TotalMovie, I'm the guy who created my custom DVD covers for your magazine.

I do this as a hobby, and since I don't have much web space to host these files, if you can offer any HD space for uploading, I'd be more than willing to upload all of the covers I've created so that your readers can download them. (The freebie site I'm using to host these covers now is a bit dodgy.)

Just let me know via email: [email protected]

Thanks,


Mike McGee

TotalMovie -
I second this guy's request. His covers look great and being able to put your discs in keep cases with consumer quality covers just makes them look better. Having the scans available on your web site, would create, I think, even more incentive to subscribe.

If this is no good, then dvd2001's idea of having a cover you can cut out of the magazine is also a good one.

I too would like to see these covers as pages in the mag... it would be extra nice to provide a visually consistent set for all of the discs released so far.

Downloadable images are nice, but burning $2 work of ink per copy isn't very appealing... neither is $3 for having dotphoto.com print the images on actual photo paper (as nice and as professional as they look).

I second as well... or third or whatever. The new covers that you guys have are great, but I'd rather put them in real cases, then your cover inside the case where normally the booklet would be. Then you could also mention in your magazine a place where one could order empty amary DVD covers.

Here's another thought for the DVD... Each DVD issue has a full lenght feature on it, so how about previews for films that will be on upcoming issues?
I would also like the option of cutting a cover out of the mag.

Thanks for the feedback.

- The cover in the magazine is an interesting thought. Of course DVD covers are about 5/16 of an inch bigger than the magazines pages...but it could work. Posting them may be possible as well. I will think about it.

- Ya, I heard it on Stern. The magazine was also shown locally on a morning news program and will be shown in the season finale of Dawson's Creek....hate to say it, but that is all because of the Kelly Hu cover (she was on stern the next day, she was on the morning news program and Sony TV like the pic on the cover)

***changes being made*** So are your voices heard? maybe.

- no more 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon
- no more news you can't use
- trying to integrate more "news" stories
- trying to standardize DVD reviews...or at least have a clear key at the front of the section
- On the DVD content listing will move to the front of the magazine

You won't see any of these changes until the July/August issue...because May/June is done and printed...but, change is coming.

Just wanted to say that I received issue #8 the other day.

And over all it was a better magazine than #7 was and seemed to have more DVD / Movie content and less photo filler.

One thing that I would like to see on the DVD is a PLAY ALL feature so that all the features and trailers could play one after another.

Still would like to see an plastic storage case cover inserted in the magazine and or are you going to be posting them at your web site?

I hope that things keep improving!

--David

The sound quality on the latest disc was awful- not only was everything in mono (including the music videos yet again, excluding the 5.1 Dishwalla clip) but also had a tinny sound to it. Is anyone actually checking these discs before printing them, and are they using anything besides desktop computer speakers??

Alan-

Hu? All the music videos played back in Stereo on my system.. are you sure that your system is set up correctly?

--David