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Special Edition and Bare-Bones 101
Okay, we'll start off with Bare Bones DVDs since this should be a simple definition. A "Bare Bones" DVD is one that simply contains the film, a couple different audio options and maybe a trailer. Usually the cheaper titles fall in this catagory.
Special Editions 101:
It seems these days as though everyone is trying to out-do one another with the ultimate special edition. Each studio has their own "Premium Line" that includes their very best. I'm going to run down each each studio's line:
20th Century Fox: Five Star Editon is their line of supreme special editions and they are top notch. Some of the titles included are M*A*S*H, Independence Day, The Sound of Music and Die Hard. Some non-Five Star but equally great editions are Fight Club and Moulin Rouge.
Universal: Their Ultimate Editions have come under quite a bit of critisism around here in their choice of re-issues and the general lack of new extras. Some of the more impressive Collector's Editions include The Thing,Jaws and the upcoming Legend Ultimate Edition.
New Line Cinema: Their new InfiniFilm line is an impressive line of special editions that is focused on immersing the audience in all aspects of the film and the features are tailored on a film by film basis, but usually include commentaries and trivia tracks. Titles include Thirteen Days, Blow and Rush Hour 2.
Dreamworks: Signature Series, which is a pretty basic special edition, usually reserved for their award-willing films, and usually has heavy director participation. These include American Beauty, Gladiator, and the upcoming A Beautiful Mind
These are the "Series" that various studios have put out, the other studios have their own "Special Editions," but just call them that. Nonetheless, Special Editions usually include:
Commentary: The director and/or stars guide the viewer through the film, sharing anecdotes and pointing things out to the viewer. Can be entertaining or woefully dull, depending on how interesting it is. And sometimes, the actors just tear the film to shreads, like Ben Affleck on the Armageddon: Criterion Collection commentary.
Deleted Scenes: Scenes that were removed from the finished film. Usually for a damn good reason, too.
Extended scenes: When the scenes were long and boring...
Alternate Ending: Sometimes it's actually an alternate ending, like on the Joyride or Fatal Attraction DVD's. And sometimes you'll be damned if you can figure what exactly is so alternate about it.
Behind the Scenes Featurette: Remember those little things between the movies on HBO? There you go.
Behind the scenes Feature: Far more in depth and much more interesting too. Actually contains discussion about various aspects of the film.
Trivia Track: Remember Pop-Up video. It's like that.
God-Only-Knows What Else: Varies from silly games to who knows what else, all in the name of filling up the disc.
Theatrical Trailers: Self-explainatory. Sometimes you get bonus trailers too. Yee-haw!
And there in a nut-shell, is Special Editions 101.
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