DVD Collecting as a window to our souls (1 Viewer)

[Michael Osadciw]

Here's an interesting article online about how we collect DVDs for the sake of collecting because they represent who we are.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/...yV5ondvd29.htm

I am guilty of this!

Mike

 

[Edward Schatz]

I sometimes hide my DVDs because I am embarrassed that I've actually bought some of them. Not embarrassed because I like them, but because of what someone else might think. Trying to explain why I have such fantastic films like Cheerleader Camp on my shelf is a tough one.... :b

 

[MarcoBiscotti]

hah, I'm guilty too.

 

[Amy Mormino]

I, too, have a "hidden stash" of DVDs that I've kept ever since a friend admonished me for purchasing Scream 3 (an early, somewhat unwise purchase). A lot of my cartoon and more graphic horror purchases go in there.

That said, I would never buy a DVD just because it makes me look good or can start a conversation. The Band of Brothers DVD mentioned in the article usually goes for over/nearly $100! I'm too cheap to look cool.

 

[Glenn Overholt]

I think this guy went over to a friend's house and saw all of those weird titles and decided to make sun of his collection.

Either that, or I need to go out and buy some cartons, rally fast.. Ok, I'm gone already!

Glenn

 

[andrew markworthy]

I think my habits are rather different. The bulk of the collection is arthouse movies, not because I'm trying to create an impression but because they are just about the only movies I can face watching more than once. Most popcorn movies I buy get watched once and then sold - there are always some on the shelf but it's an ever-changing set. I wouldn't even buy them but for the fact that for various reasons it's difficult for us to get to a movie theatre so we tend to buy the movies on disc (in any case, cheaper than tickets, snacks, babysitter fees, etc).

There are some real turkeys amongst my collection (e.g. Mannequin which I know is a train wreck, but I was in a really happy mood when I first saw it and it still can cheer me up by association). However, I see no reason to hide them.

 

[SebastienLX]

Nice article! And it sure hits the point with me. I don't have a "hidden stash", but I do have a couple DVD I bought knowing full well it's not something I can watch many times, Schindler's List for example, it's a great movie, but I just can't watch it as often as I'd like, way too hard emotionally.

And then, there are a couple I've had to defend after being "discovered", like Eurotrip, Ella Enchanted and Sweet Home Alabama, but what I can I say, I like those movies!

But in the end, I don't think I buy anything just to strike up conversation. I usually do buy on spur of the moment impulse purchase while browsing some DVD site, and, if it felt good when I ordered it, then it should be displayed on my shelf.

Actually, when thinking about it, I do have a hidden stash.. For the few double dips I actually do make, but that's usually just until I can sell them.

 

[DaveButcher]

That article is just filled with kinda hurtin' people, I mean really, "Thelma & Louis to show my femanist side"!!??!! How about you liked the movie and bought it. I'm sure my collection has movies lot's of folk like and others no one does, but if I get to point where I'm using my DVD collection to indicate my social standing and the ideals that I strive for...shoot me...please.

It just seems sad to me, same with buying books that you don't want to read. Who does that? I may not read everything I buy right away, but I have the intention to. Same with all my DVDs, I have more then a few that I haven't watched yet, but that's because that's the beauty of owning a collection, you can watch movies when the mood hits you.

Because it's a "conversation starter". Here's an idea, why don't you just have interesting things to say, so that people's eyes aren't wandering around your house looking for something to comment on!

OK, that sounded pretty mean, but I like to think I have a legitimate hobby, not the next geek obsession (yeah, I know it's close, but it is still mainstream). Comic books and action figures...not the same as DVDs. Before anyone jumps on me, I own all the LotRs (both versions), both Tomb Raiders and all the SWs, so I'm aware that sometimes the kettle calls the pot black, but you know there is a difference between liking genre movies and living them. I don't like seeing that line blur.

And the "You're Fired" feature sounds lame.

 

[Ben_@]

I do sometimes feel like "oh, well the deluxe set is so nice looking" but I am comfortable settling with the not-so-deluxe package (i.e. Matrix Ultimate collection). I keep all my movies in a binder at the moment. I'd like to have all the cases up and on display, but being a dorm room makes that a bit difficult. I think having a binder full of movies is a conversation starter in itself (we're talking a 200 disc case). Most people don't believe they're all movies- and legal ones at that!

They aren't saying that people should just go out and buy these DVDs just to "be seen" with them, but i'm sure there are some people who would do that. They obviously aren't the core of the buyers however. I'm sure the Apprentice DVD will be a popular gift, so having a gift with a bit of a gimmick will help it sell.

I never want to have bought a movie that I have no intention of watching, though there are always some that I don't get around to very often. I also never intend on leaving a sealed movie around for over 24 hours of having bought it (helps just to check if there are defects). Its like buying toys and books and then not opening them.

 

[EnricoE]

take a look at my collection and tell what my soul/personality is like i buy movies because i wanna see them or they where cheap the films i've bought are not bought to take dust forever on them. i sure do have dvds that i didn't watched yet but i'll going to do i have a hidden shelf? no! why should i? cause i could be embarresed that i own the supergirl dvd, don't ask well, i don't care what people say when they see my collection and say something like "ohh, you have disney films?! why do you have them?" simply because i like them - end of story. some people may have a hodden shelf of porn dvds but even that is fine for me and somehow understandable

 

[Mike Wadkins]

i am proud of all my dvd purchaces and put them all out for all to see.
i bought them so i want them

 

[Tim Glover]

Good article. And some facts that apply to me too. Some of the titles I buy I do have intentions of watching them, but somehow some of these remain in their wrapper. I've gotten much more picky of what I buy the past 2 years though.

Thanks for sharing this Michael.

 

[Jeff_HR]

I don't give a Dam what anyone thinks of my collection. If I did, I won't have it up on DVD Profiler. Mostly people are jealous.

 

[Ted Lee]

i wouldn't say i display my dvd's for people to check out. they just happen to be on the same open wall as my cd collection. when you walk into my living room they're kinda hard to miss since they take up so much damn space.

(but not for long. slim-cases...here i come!)

as far as what my collection means to people...who cares? i realized long ago that different people have different tastes. nothing wrong with that.

and, if all else fails, it's nice to have 9 year olds in the house. how the hell else am i going to explain 'agent cody banks' in my collection?