Special features/bonus materials on DVDs

[Naphtali]

In general, my attitude toward special features/bonus materials on DVDs is poor. Much of these are self-serving tripe or useless non-information.

Recently, I have viewed two special edition DVD sets whose bonus materials are precisely that: the two-disc set for "The Third Man"; and the anniversary edition of "Field of Dreams."

While I enjoy both motion pictures enthusiastically, that doesn't appear to affect my ability to discriminate good bonus material from oats that have been cycled through the horse. By way of example, the two-disc special edition of "The Sting" has embarrassing bonus material, yet the motion picture is among the best.

If you are aware of other well conceived bonus material, please let me know.

 

[Orsini]

In general, my attitude toward special features/bonus materials on DVDs is poor. Much of these are self-serving tripe or useless non-information.

Recently, I have viewed two special edition DVD sets whose bonus materials are precisely that: the two-disc set for "The Third Man"; and the anniversary edition of "Field of Dreams."

While I enjoy both motion pictures enthusiastically, that doesn't appear to affect my ability to discriminate good bonus material from oats that have been cycled through the horse. By way of example, the two-disc special edition of "The Sting" has embarrassing bonus material, yet the motion picture is among the best.

If you are aware of other well conceived bonus material, please let me know.

Although not really a film for this forum, the sci-fi farce, Galaxy Quest (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0177789/), has some out takes and scenes that did not make the final cut that are worthwhile when taken in the overall tone of the film. There is one scene where Sigourney Weaver vamps two of the alien GI's that I found quite amusing. Overall, the film is a well made bit of flap-doodle with some good talent.

No fedoras, though...

 

[BinkieBaumont]

You realy have to love the movie to buy it in the first place , and if you love the movie you are going to love any bonus scraps of triva you can find, do admit?

 

[The Wolf]

I've gotten spoiled: if a DVD doesn't have an special features besides "original trailer" I think twice. I keep waiting for the Russel Mulcahey/Alec Baldwin version of The Shadow to be re-issued with something besides the film.
On a Golden Age note; Warner Bros. does a nice job with bonus features. They usually package trailers, a cartoon and a short subject, all from the same year as the movie, on their releases of classic movies. Many times they'll have an interesting documentary as well.
I believe it is Criterion's version of My Man Godfrey that has outtakes included.
I wish Columbia Pictures would release "A Night at the Movies" versions of their movies on DVD. One rarely gets to see their old cartoons these days and a chapter of serial from the time would be a welcome addition.

Sincerely,
The Wolf

 

[Nighthawk]

I thought that the bonus material on the Star Trek (original series) boxed seasons sets wasn't that great. Nothing new, and you'd be better off buying the books 'The Making of Star Trek', 'Inside Star Trek: The Real Story', and 'The City on the Edge of Forever'.

In general, the ST movies have some decent bonus materials, but of course much less has been written about the movies.

My The Day the Earth Stood Still DVD has some pretty good stuff, but the image quality is very poor.

Hoosiers has some cool stuff, like being able to watch the actual 1954 Indiana state basketball champhionship on which the film was based.

That's all that I can think of right now.

NH