BIA on DVD Alert!

[Mike]

And it's bad news, folks.....

As TTTP regulars know, I'm no fan of Warner Home Video's decision to release 26 minutes worth of deleted scenes from Looney Tunes: Back In Action on DVD-ROM format only. I think it's incredibly stupid, short-sighted decision, and one that frankly seems very puzzling. I mean, it's not like Time Warner makes computers. So where's the reasoning behind this? But, anyway, I was reading this week's Entertainment Weekly (it's dated March 4), and in its review of the BIA DVD release, there's some rather unsettling information:

"The 15 minutes of behind-the-scenes footage, while sufficient for kids, is skimpy for animation buffs. And you can't view the extra 26 minutes of deleted scenes, in DVD-ROM, if you're offline or a Mac or Linux user."

Sheesh.....this DVD-ROM debacle keeps getting worse and worse. I don't own a DVD-ROM anyway, so WHV had already alienated me, but now it looks like they're going to alienate non-Windows users too. This is just ridiculous.

I'm really torn about buying this DVD. On the one hand, I want to support BIA, but on the other hand, I do not at all want to condone this type of behavior, and make it acceptable for studios to pull this DVD-ROM crap on other DVDs. I'm okay with features on DVD-ROM when they're things like script excerpts or computer games. But extra scenes? Why do this? And it makes even less sense to make them available only to Windows users who aren't on-line. I mean, is WHV trying to sabatoge the success of BIA on home video? I mean, its complete failure at the box office last fall wasn't enough? Just what's going on here?

Mike

[Brandon Pierce]

Is Compaq considered Windows? I also have an XFlat computer.

[Thad Komorowski]

Hopefully one of our more computer leaned members will be able to put the deleted scenes on a home theatre source....


-Thad

[B Mode]

Hopefully one of our more computer leaned members will be able to put the deleted scenes on a home theatre source....


-Thad
No problem, but that would mean that I would have to rent or buy the DVD, to which I have to intention to do so. Someone would definately have to pay me for that, ya know?

Is Compaq considered windows? -- LOL -- oh my, I pray for you. Thanks for the insight Mike.

[Daniel P]

Remember, the film had more than 25 uncredited writers and Warner Brothers had several problems with the script while the film was in production -- Warner Bros. obviously doesn't want these deleted scenes seen by many. I wouldn't be surprised if another DVD review before Tuesday says that even some Windows-based DVD playing programs won't work ("We have now discovered you can only see these deleted scenes if you have x player, which is downloadable with a $9.95 fee from a website with lots of pop-ups").

[Jon Cooke]

Thanks for the alert. I have canceled my pre-order with Amazon. As much as I'd like to see BIA succeed on DVD, I don't want to pay full price for a DVD that won't let me view all the features. I have a DVD-ROM, but it's on my Mac. :sad:

I will probably pick up a copy someday if I find one cheap enough, but in the meantime I think I'll pass. I'll put the 20 bucks I was going to spend on this towards buying the Flintstones set.


-Jon

[Thad Komorowski]

I will probably pick up a copy someday if I find one cheap enough, but in the meantime I think I'll pass. I'll put the 20 bucks I was going to spend on this towards buying the Flintstones set.
But that means you made that banner on your site for nothing! :p

If SAM'S CLUB has it cheap enough, I will get it... If not, maybe I can get it in my Easter basket (hey, it's better than finding a certain other LT DVD in my basket...:o).


-Thad

[Jon Cooke]

If SAM'S CLUB has it cheap enough, I will get it... If not, maybe I can get it in my Easter basket (hey, it's better than finding a certain other LT DVD in my basket...:o).

Kmart and Best Buy are both advertising the BIA DVD at $19.99. Best Buy's comes with a "Bonus Interactive DVD on package featuring Looney Tunes Rabbit Season/Duck Season". Whatever that means.


-Jon

[Thad Komorowski]

Kmart and Best Buy are both advertising the BIA DVD at $19.99. Best Buy's comes with a "Bonus Interactive DVD on package featuring Looney Tunes Rabbit Season/Duck Season". Whatever that means.
Media Play has it for $19.99 as well, and I have a $5 off cupon, so I'll probably get it there Tuesday, unless Sam's Club has it cheaper...


-Thad

[Daniel P]

Media Play has it for $19.99 as well, and I have a $5 off cupon, so I'll probably get it there Tuesday, unless Sam's Club has it cheaper...Sam's Club's website has the DVD listed for pre-order at $17.82.

[Thad Komorowski]

Sam's Club's website has the DVD listed for pre-order at $17.82.
Media Play it is then...


-Thad

[ThePeterNetwork]

So do you all recommend that I get this DVD even thought the disc may or may not work on my DVD-ROM? I agree that BIA should have bonus features available on all players.

[nakak]

(at the WB CEO's office)

CEO - Duh, I'm so stupid, my brain is full of crap and I want to release the BIA deleted scenes in DVD-ROM because I'm sooo stupid, I want people to hate me and i like rice and it rocks being a stoopid idiot...duh...am I retarded or what!?...........duh.............

[Mike]

So do you all recommend that I get this DVD even thought the disc may or may not work on my DVD-ROM? I agree that BIA should have bonus features available on all players.
I'd like to recommend that everyone buy the BIA DVD, but I can't in good faith do that. Personally, I'm likely just going to rent the movie. Putting 26 minutes worth of deleted scenes on DVD-ROM (even if it's compatible with all DVD-ROM players) is an insipid idea, and I in no way want to condone this behavior from Warner Home Video or any other studio.

And yes, I know how important it is for this movie to do well on DVD, because its box office performance last fall was so terrible. But at the same time, I don't want to spend money on this and send a message that, as a DVD consumer, I will tolerate this crap.

Mike

[Woulfe]

I'll get the BIA DVD anyways as I do have a DVD-ROM.....

HOWEVER, I hope some kinda form comes with the DVD asking about what featues you liked & what features you didn't like....

And i'll let them know that I didn't like the DVD ROM features as it left folks I know out of watching ALL the extras....

Like the rest of my family.... I'm the only one in my family that has a DVD-ROM.... And seeing as I don't live with them, how are they supposted to watch any of the extras ?

Oh well, I just hope I can let them know what a bad idea that is....

I'll still get it for myself tho'....

Woulfe
* Some corprate moron possibly desided to do that, you know how smart CEO's are, just look at Mike Eisner ;) *

[Woulfe]

Bad News Folks.....

The so called DVD ROM featues.....

They're not on the DVD itself, they're on the official website, but you need the DVD to access the site in order to play the bonus footage, how weird is that ?

I bet WB did this as a way to boost traffic on thier site, go fig ?

Also as a way to see how many folks have the DVD, could this be a market research ploy of some kind ?

Think about it, what better way to see who has the DVD then to have the DVD-ROM features only accessible while you're online, it definatly sounds like a marketing researh ploy, possibly to see why the film did poorly or something, or just to get us more AOL popups into our lives =P

It's still a fun movie to watch & all, but this whole ploy is rather fishy, yes ?

Woulfe
* Who finds the 'YOU MUST BE ONLINE TO ACCESS THIS FEATURE' rather sneaky & whatnot, but this is the same group that gave us a rotton AD campain back when the film was out at the theaters, so it shouldn't come as a surprize, really *

[ThePeterNetwork]

This still doesn't answer my question. Should I buy the film just to have the film, or should I write an angry letter to WB and complain that the bonus features should be on the DVD itself and not on an online connection with a DVD-ROM?

Is this DVD already out yet?

[Jon Cooke]

Bad News Folks.....

The so called DVD ROM featues.....

They're not on the DVD itself, they're on the official website, but you need the DVD to access the site in order to play the bonus footage, how weird is that ?

Are any of the DVD ROM/online deleted scenes worth watching? Or are they just a bunch of boring Brendon Fraser scenes?


-Jon

[Thad Komorowski]

I ended up getting at Sam's Club, as Media Play wouldn't let me use my cupon because it was 'on sale'...:mad:

One of the deleted scenes on the actualy discmade me laugh out loud... During the alternate ending sequence, the Blue Monkey Diamond turns Bugs into the Ben Hardaway version, complete with the Woody Woodpecker laugh! :bugs1::woody:

WHIZZARD OF OW was pretty bad though, it didn't even make me chuckle...

I can't wait to watch the actual movie this week, it'll be fun being able to point out all the obscure cartoon Looney Tunes characters again. :bosko:


-Thad

[Daniel P]

WHIZZARD OF OW was pretty bad though, it didn't even make me chuckle...I didn't like WHIZZARD OF OW at all... I felt like I was watching "Animaniacs," plus the ending was really dumb. :sad:

The theatrical trailer on the DVD is the first one, which had new animation that is not in the movie. :cool: The second trailer was just clips, and it is not on the DVD.

[rmarti3926]

This still doesn't answer my question. Should I buy the film just to have the film, or should I write an angry letter to WB and complain that the bonus features should be on the DVD itself and not on an online connection with a DVD-ROM?

Is this DVD already out yet?

1. Yes, you should buy the film. I love it. To me, it's a thousand times better than Space Jam.
2. Yes, you can write an angry letter to the studio. They should re-release it with those deleted scenes next time.
3. The DVD's out now. I suggest seeing the alternate opening and ending in the special features section. It's kinda cool.

[Mike]

This still doesn't answer my question. Should I buy the film just to have the film, or should I write an angry letter to WB and complain that the bonus features should be on the DVD itself and not on an online connection with a DVD-ROM?

Is this DVD already out yet?
I plan on sending a letter to Warner Home Video letting them know exactly why I'm not buying the DVD, and I'd recommend you do the same. I might rent it, so that I could watch the movie again, but, like I said in my earlier post, I'm not going to buy it and condone this type of behavior.

I think the DVD goes on sale sometime this week. Probably yesterday, since that was a Tuesday.

Mike

[Thad Komorowski]

Here's one plus about buying your DVDs at Sam's Club... Not only do you get it the cheapest, you don't have to deal with that indiotic DVD/CD sticker studios put on the cases! (I've ruined so many 'non-snapper' caes with those...)


-Thad

[Larry T]

(at the WB CEO's office) CEO - Duh, I'm so stupid, my brain is full of crap and I want to release the BIA deleted scenes in DVD-ROM because I'm sooo stupid, I want people to hate me and i like rice and it rocks being a stoopid idiot...duh...am I retarded or what!?...........duh.............Ha ha ha ha ha ha -

It's more like:

CEO- "Mwwwwahhhhh-haaahhh-hahhhh!! Everyone will go out and buy the BIA DVD expe¢ting to $ee all the deleted $¢ene$ like any other normal DVD, but on¢e they get it home, they'll HAVE to ¢onne¢t online to wat¢h it through a DVD-ROM.... heh, heh, heh.... through our partner$hip with the online provider$, we'll get ki¢kba¢ks!!..... Then, our hit ratio will go up, the DVD buyer$ $till got nothing to $how for ¢onne¢ting, and WE ¢ONTROL THEM AND THE $PE¢IAL FEATURE$!! Next, we'll get them u$ed to paying to ¢onne¢t, then they'll all pay for more extra$, and we'll get RI¢H, RI¢H, RI¢H!!!

(*salivates*) nyahhhh-hahh-hahh, we'll $et a pre¢edent with thi$, and $oon any movie that bomb$ in the box offi¢e will bring ba¢k tru¢kload$ of ¢a$h!! :evil:

[Woulfe]

It's like you can read the CEO's brain, how do you do that ?

1. You hit yourself over the head a few times w/ Ye Olde Acme [tm] Mallet 'O Deep Hurting [tm] this loweing your IQ down to the average CEO's IQ level....

2. Years of studying CEO's in thier natural enviroment [ like Jane Goodall w/ the chimps ] and knowing thier behaviour patterns in this aspect....

3. ENRON ! [ It's interesting how this became a VERB, isn't it ? ]

4. watching / listening to Mike Eisner over the years.....

5. None of the above....

[Daniel P]

Here's one plus about buying your DVDs at Sam's Club... Not only do you get it the cheapest, you don't have to deal with that indiotic DVD/CD sticker studios put on the cases! (I've ruined so many 'non-snapper' caes with those...)I bought the DVD at Costco, and it didn't have any of those stupid stickers, either... :cool:

[Jaguar]

I'm planning on buying it at the cheapest place possible, scanning the front and back covers, throwing away the snapper case and putting it in a case that can actually CLOSE. Then I'll watch it 4,000 times, loving it more as each time progresses.

[Sean Gaffney]

Regaridng the DVD-ROM scenes, as far as I can tell, the DVD itself has 13 minutes of cut scenes with 'commentary' by Bugs and Daffy. These are somewhat edited. Accessing the Website gives a menu of what seem to be the same scenes, but with no commentary and unedited. So the DVD-ROM gives you the ungarnished deleted scenes.

I was somewhat bummed the two Daleks said 'Destroy' rather than 'Exterminate' myself. ;)

[DarthGonzo]

The DVD-Rom features make no sense and yeah I really wish the movie had an audio commentary but I bought this DVD for the MOVIE. I wouldnt care if there were no features on the disc whatsoever. I enjoyed the hell out of this film and I'm glad to add it to my DVD collection.