Your Introduction To Letterboxing/Widescreen Presentations

[chris_sc77]

My first memory of seeing a WS/Letterboxed film was a WS VHS of Braveheart. Didn't really understand what the blackbars were (I was only 9 yrs old). so 3 yrs later in 1999 when I was 12 we got a DVD player in April of that year and the first film I purchased was Species 2. Species II was an excellent first purchase for many reasons. First I was 12 and there was a ridiculous amount of boobies and nekkid ladies. SO its already a win for a 12 yr old boy.
Secondly a booklet was included that simply, but precisely showed the difference in a cropped film vs. a letterboxed film in its OAR. This is totally invaluable and I instantly understood the concept and never looked back and to thisday I have gotta watch whatever I watch in its OAR.

also, I experienced my first Commentary with Species II. I had never heard of a commentary before and had no idea what it was gonna be when I clicked it. I was honestly blown away to find out just what a commentary is and the wealth of information that a commentator is able to provide. Just amazing.