First off I'm not really pleased with that Warner is giving us, I mean, at least we have a 2.35.1 transfer of the film, but really...I'm hoping that "Rings" will deliver a lot more. I mean, no commentary track or DTS track, that's just a crime. This is a "kiddie" disc, and it really shows it. I'm sure the transfer will be a knock out, but I think Warner needs to appeal to all audiences rather than the "little ones." Remember, a book dosent get on a top 10 list just because kids buy it, and dosent make over 310 million in box office sales, we older people help too...anyway, onto the spects.

From The Digital Bits:
(Also, Bits has the cover art for both version and a pic of the title menu)

Disc One:

Includes the film in either anamorphic widescreen (2.35:1) or full frame (1.33:1) versions. Audio is Dolby Digital 5.1 (English and French - dubbed in Quebec) with English and French subtitles. Extras on Disc One include trailers and more.

Disc Two:

Includes never-before-seen footage prepared especially for DVD, a 360-degree IPIX self-guided tour of Hogwarts (including the Gryffindor Common Room, The Great Hall, Harry's Room, Hagrid's Hut) controlled by your remote, new interviews with director Chris Columbus and producer David Heyman, a tutorial on how to play Quidditch (with an original Quidditch montage featuring Oliver Wood and Harry) and the Catch a Snitch game (play with your remote). There are also many interactive games that give you the chance to "have a wand choose you at Ollivander's Wands", "meet the ghosts of Hogwarts", "cast a spell over a scene in eight languages", "create potions correctly or wind up in the Infirmary", "sneak past Fluffy and other challenges to reveal the secret in the Mirror of Erised", "transfigure objects", "open a screaming book", "enjoy video highlights of the students and professors" and much more. The disc also includes many interactive DVD-ROM features that allow you to "be sorted by the Sorting Hat", collect Wizard Trading Cards, download "flying owls in the Great Hall", "Quidditch screensavers" and "your own Rememberall". You can also receive "owl e-mail messages", play Apple game demos and more.

-Brian

NP: Iris (Horner/Bell)

Bill Hunt's thoughts on the specs echo my feelings exactly. Again Warner seems to show how they've lost the plot with DVDs these days. They should have looked to Shrek as an example of how to aim the DVD of a family film at both kids and adults alike with supplements pleasing to all generations.

Still, I don't doubt the widescreen transfer will look excellent, especially since disc 1 is free of all other supplements (except trailers).

WB are going to change that cover art slightly, the one set out for now is a mock up but it wont be much different.

Shrek is a perfect example of how to do a kid's DVD. That DVD is both fun and interactive for the adults while also giving kids the fun DVD ROM things.

Like the fanatic I am ( ) I'm still going to buy the disc.

And if they do re-release the DVD, it's going to be the 10 or 15 year anniversary edition and by then, there will be a new format.

--Brian

NP: Iris (Horner/Bell)

The cover looks horrible though. Why can't they use the whole thing instead of trunacing it everywhere? I loved the bit of Dumbledore's letter at the bottom.

And yes, Brian: Rings will deliver a LOT more.

SCREENPLAY: HOW TO WRITE A DECENT ONE INSTEAD OF A SIMPLE VIDEO-GAME STORYBOARD?

That would be great!

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Originally posted by André Lux:
HOW DO WRITE A DECENT ONE INSTEAD OF A SIMPLE VIDEO-GAME STORYBOARD?

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Originally posted by John Zimmer:
What's wrong with getting JUST THE MOVIE!!??!!

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If the price is right, there's nothing particularly wrong with it. (If the price isn't right, like Star Treks 2-9, then it is a problem). I also get the DVD because I enjoyed the movie, but I also enjoy hearing the director's thoughts, getting insights into how things were done, hearing interesting production stories; it's icing, to be sure, but it can never get too sweet.

Games I don't care for much.

Kirk
NP - Amelie

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Shrek is a perfect example of how to do a kid's DVD. That DVD is both fun and interactive for the adults while also giving kids the fun DVD ROM things.

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Absolutely. Heck, I don't even have kids but I've certainly played with the re-voice studio, and I just hope to disc 2 when in need of my widescreen presentation and more technical supplements! I's a shame Warner have such a narrow view of their target audience here, seems to prove they still don't really know what they've bought with Potter...

Warner were once up there as the best on DVD, now they're reduced into a world where we have to petition to get them to release certain movies in Widescreen and they're considered one fo the most out of touch studios around.

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The cover looks horrible though. Why can't they use the whole thing instead of trunacing it everywhere? I loved the bit of Dumbledore's letter at the bottom.

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Like I said, that's not the final cover art. Fear not...

As long as I can get my hands on an NTSC mastered version of the 'Philosopher' cut (Canada should be getting one) then I am happy enough, especially since the Canadian retailer I use has this up for pre-order now for Ł12... Still a shame about the extras regardless.

Dan (UK)

Bring me Lord of the Rings...I'm looking for a two-disc InfiniFilm release...it came to me...my precious...

Canada is Region 1 and NTSC, so as long as you can find a Canadian retailer, it's yours for the taking. DV Depot (www.dv-depot.com) get the most of my money when it comes to DVD.

Dan (UK)

PS; Quill, I don't believe Fellowship is coming as an Infinifilm release. I've heard a 'Platinum Edition' release for the expanded cut which I prefer personally. You're not sad at all, I think we're all anticipating November more than anything else DVD related...

Quill, I must agree. I don't think New Line's standards have ever dropped.

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Originally posted by Marian Schedenig:
I want to get the Memento DVD, but the Canadian release has no extras...

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You know, there's a special edition of MEMENTO coming out in April.... so my advice would be to just hang tight.....

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Originally posted by dgoldwas:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=1 face=arial>quote:</font><HR size=1>Originally posted by Marian Schedenig:
[b]I want to get the Memento DVD, but the Canadian release has no extras... <HR size=1></BLOCKQUOTE>

You know, there's a special edition of MEMENTO coming out in April.... so my advice would be to just hang tight.....

Dan[/B]

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Dan your post was excellently timed....I was going out toay to get Memento on DVD, content with the fact that the current one would have to do. Thanks for the info!

--Brian

Warner and BBC are in bed together (WB distribute BBCs DVD output in the US). This would have been no problem to put on the DVD.

Dan (UK)

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Originally posted by Dan Brecher:
Is that the BBC Ombinus documentary you're talking about?

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I suppose so. The one that has, in additon to lots of music from the Potter score, excerpts from Hook and Sleepy Hollow on the soundtrack, in addition to several that I didn't recognize. (Actually, whoever picked the music was pretty clever: When we see childhood photos of Rowling, they play the music for the dragon baby )