Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Theatrical Versions) - April 6, 2010

[NoQuestion]

Mine is on pre-order!! I look forward to them being released and I have no problem buying the bigger and better version that comes out when the Hobbit comes out. I will just give the theatricals to my brother or dad.

[flyboy66]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

I think you need to take a deep breath, step back and see the bigger perspective on this. And I really don't mean that to sound sarcastic. But you do get that this is a business, right? The studios make movies, release them into theatres and then make DVD and Blu-ray versions that they sell to consumers? And a significant portion of the profit for all that allows them to make us more movies, and even more importantly allows them to fund the preservation and restoration of the films we all love? Does it drive me crazy that there's been like 15 different editions of Terminator 2 and Tomorrow Never Dies released on disc in the last 10 years? Sure. But I'm certainly not going to get bent out of shape over a couple different versions of a film I love being released on disc a couple different times, especially when they're debuting on a new format that I happen to be excited about... and especially when YOU KNOW IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN ADVANCE.

Look... Lucasfilm has been re-releasing the Star Wars films in various forms since 1977. What's irritating about it is that they haven't yet delivered the ultimate DVD box set they've been teasing for 12 years now. But only a very slow person at this point (or someone who just fell off the turnip truck) is going to buy any new version of Star Wars on disc without realizing that another, maybe more elaborate one is going to be released eventually.

There's gratuitous and even shameless double-dipping, sure. That's one thing. This, IMHO, isn't it. I understand a measure of your frustration, but look... new formats mean new versions of films you probably already own. That's how it works. Actually, that's kind of the point. Plus, you have to remember that not everyone wants or will even be able to afford the cost of a $300 ultimate edition box set of these films with 700 hours worth of extras. For some people - for MOST people actually - a cheaper more movie-only edition like this is all they want. And again, you have the freedom to choose, and you KNOW a better edition is coming eventually in advance.

So basically what your saying is that we just need to ACCEPT the fact that we have to double and triple dip in every single platform....ok.....sure I'll accept that. Yes it is a business and yes there is a thing as making a profit but what these clowns are doing is not all that different than the folks at AIG ....its called TOO MUCH GREED my friend. And sadly thats what has brought us to our current situation. Oh and 300.00 dollars? Dont be silly! That set should not go over 120.00 bucks.

Boy I would love to hear New Line try to justify this.....

[jw]

So basically what your saying is that we just need to ACCEPT the fact that we have to double and triple dip in every single platform....ok.....sure I'll accept that. Yes it is a business and yes there is a thing as making a profit but what these clowns are doing is not all that different than the folks at AIG ....its called TOO MUCH GREED my friend. And sadly thats what has brought us to our current situation. Oh and 300.00 dollars? Dont be silly! That set should not go over 120.00 bucks.

Boy I would love to hear New Line try to justify this.....

Did you read what he said? They are a business and they are in it to make a profit. Its no different than buying a new car only to know next year a newer model will be available with better features. Thats the point, to keep the consumer buying.

Comparing the studios to people that steal other lifes worth is a bit extreme.

[owa]

Originally Posted by flyboy66

So basically what your saying is that we just need to ACCEPT the fact that we have to double and triple dip in every single platform.

Why do you continue to say this? Is there someone holding a gun to your head forcing you to buy every release of a movie? You don't *have* to do anything. Like Todd Smith said, it might test your "will power" but come on, learn a little self-control and maybe it won't be such an issue for you.

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by flyboy66

So basically what your saying is that we just need to ACCEPT the fact that we have to double and triple dip in every single platform....ok.....sure I'll accept that. Yes it is a business and yes there is a thing as making a profit but what these clowns are doing is not all that different than the folks at AIG ....its called TOO MUCH GREED my friend. And sadly thats what has brought us to our current situation. Oh and 300.00 dollars? Dont be silly! That set should not go over 120.00 bucks.

Boy I would love to hear New Line try to justify this.....

NO!!!, you DON"T have to double dip on every format. NO ONE is forcing you to do a damn thing. You aren't entitled to the perfect edition to come out, it would be nice bu we aren't entitled to Jack Sh!t. They create a product and we decide whether or not it is worth it to us to purchase said product. If they create 25 different versions we aren't forced to buy ANY of them, or we can buy as many as we want. I don't get this idea that we are forced to buy every single release and that the studios are just raking in cash because we have no choice but to double dip , if you think a product is worth the money to purchase then it's worth it, if not, then just pass

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by flyboy66

So basically what your saying is that we just need to ACCEPT the fact that we have to double and triple dip in every single platform....ok.....sure I'll accept that. Yes it is a business and yes there is a thing as making a profit but what these clowns are doing is not all that different than the folks at AIG ....its called TOO MUCH GREED my friend. And sadly thats what has brought us to our current situation. Oh and 300.00 dollars? Dont be silly! That set should not go over 120.00 bucks.

Boy I would love to hear New Line try to justify this.....

No, I'm not exactly saying that. What I am saying is that there's reasonable double-dips and unreasonable ones. This particular case doesn't really qualify as the latter. And have others have so enthusiastically pointed out, you don't HAVE TO ACCEPT anything. Just don't buy it.

[flyboy66]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

No, I'm not exactly saying that. What I am saying is that there's reasonable double-dips and unreasonable ones. This particular case doesn't really qualify as the latter. And have others have so enthusiastically pointed out, you don't HAVE TO ACCEPT anything. Just don't buy it.

I wasn't going to buy it. But maybe greed will evnetually bring the movie industry down just like it has in so many other sectors. All they had to do was release a proper version of the film one time......and be done with it.

[jw]

Its been the way of the movie industry for years, that will never change. Today we invest in blu-ray, years down the road there will be another better format that we will reinvest in......oh well. I guess in the meantime us 'sheep' will follow the 'clowns' around

[bunkaroo]

I can wait for the EE's on Blu. My biggest concern is if many people do this, the demand will perceived as low for LOTR on Blu, and could affect if and when we get the EE's.

[Esox50]

Originally Posted by bunkaroo

My biggest concern is if many people do this, the demand will perceived as low for LOTR on Blu, and could affect if and when we get the EE's.

I wouldn't worry about it. I think New Line knows they're giving people a choice here. Peter Jackson will make sure awesome Extended Edition Blu-Rays see the light of day.

[Underworld54]

Originally Posted by Todd Smith

Sorry, but I am not buying that one. IF you have 3 hours to watch a movie, you have enough time to watch the extra bit that is in the extended version....this just seems like you are trying to justify a TE purchase knowing once the EE version comes out that the TE will be useless.

I am surprised renting is not even an option for more people......

Don't tell me what I have time for. You don't know me. I will buy both for the same reason I bought both the TE and EE dvd's for the reason I stated. A 4 hour movie is a lot longer than a 3 hour movie and some nights I just don't feel like sitting through 4 hours. I don't have to justify anything. I buy what I want to buy. So yeah you're no expert on my life.

[Irrob]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

Just a few words of advice: It's not an issue of which version of these films is better. I prefer the Extended Editions too. But there ARE fans who like the theatrical cuts, and plenty of fans want both. This way, you have the option to buy the theatrical versions now on BD if you want them, and if you don't you can wait a couple years and get an elaborate Extended box set. You're aware that the other version is coming, so nobody is getting screwed. This talk is a little silly. It's not really a double-dip if this is the first time these films have appeared on Blu-ray, which it is. Nobody is being forced to buy, but this gives you the choice to if you wish. Better still, the simple fact of having these theatrical editions available at all on Blu-ray will help drive major player sales in the 4th quarter, which is good for the Blu-ray format as a whole

You wanna talk REAL double-dips on Blu-ray? Look at Disney's No Country for Old Men or Sony's Casino Royale. The studio released basic editions first, then 2-disc sets less than a year later, all without warning people up front that if they wanted a better version one was coming.

Let's be real here - there are things worth getting upset about and things not so much. I'm just saying.

By far the best post of this thread. QFT.

[Old Bones]

Some people put too much emphasis on the hours and hours of extras that can accompany these releases. I watched every minute of the extras on the DVD - EE. HO HUM , I'll never watch them again. Just give us the choice of the movie only with the highest bit rates possible.

[ViperPoison23]

Hopefully this comes out sooner rather than later

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

I think you need to take a deep breath, step back and see the bigger perspective on this. And I really don't mean that to sound sarcastic. But you do get that this is a business, right? The studios make movies, release them into theatres and then make DVD and Blu-ray versions that they sell to consumers? And a significant portion of the profit for all that allows them to make us more movies, and even more importantly allows them to fund the preservation and restoration of the films we all love? Does it drive me crazy that there's been like 15 different editions of Terminator 2 and Tomorrow Never Dies released on disc in the last 10 years? Sure. But I'm certainly not going to get bent out of shape over a couple different versions of a film I love being released on disc a couple different times, especially when they're debuting on a new format that I happen to be excited about... and especially when YOU KNOW IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN ADVANCE.

Look... Lucasfilm has been re-releasing the Star Wars films in various forms since 1977. What's irritating about it is that they haven't yet delivered the ultimate DVD box set they've been teasing for 12 years now. But only a very slow person at this point (or someone who just fell off the turnip truck) is going to buy any new version of Star Wars on disc without realizing that another, maybe more elaborate one is going to be released eventually.

There's gratuitous and even shameless double-dipping, sure. That's one thing. This, IMHO, isn't it. I understand a measure of your frustration, but look... new formats mean new versions of films you probably already own. That's how it works. Actually, that's kind of the point. Plus, you have to remember that not everyone wants or will even be able to afford the cost of a $300 ultimate edition box set of these films with 700 hours worth of extras. For some people - for MOST people actually - a cheaper more movie-only edition like this is all they want. And again, you have the freedom to choose, and you KNOW a better edition is coming eventually in advance.

Very well said.

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by flyboy66

But maybe greed will evnetually bring the movie industry down just like it has in so many other sectors. All they had to do was release a proper version of the film one time......and be done with it.

Ah, yes, let's bring down the entire movie industry so no movies will ever be released again, let alone preserved, just because the EE versions of LOTR is not being released this year.

[Todd Smith]

Originally Posted by Underworld54

Don't tell me what I have time for. You don't know me. I will buy both for the same reason I bought both the TE and EE dvd's for the reason I stated. A 4 hour movie is a lot longer than a 3 hour movie and some nights I just don't feel like sitting through 4 hours. I don't have to justify anything. I buy what I want to buy. So yeah you're no expert on my life.

None of the 3 EE versions is 1hr more........Again, I am not buying it. Sounds like you are just trying to justify the purchase. You have 3hr and 20 min (ROTK TE), but not 4hrs 10min (which is what the longest one, ROTK EE is)? The other 2 have even less time extended on and well under 1 hour.

[GoodToGo]

I am a little surprised about the release date. Mostly pre orders dont last more than 3-4 months. Here we are talking April to December. I hope they spring a surprise on us and release it in July or something. That would totally rock

[Cookson]

Originally Posted by GoodToGo

I am a little surprised about the release date. Mostly pre orders dont last more than 3-4 months. Here we are talking April to December. I hope they spring a surprise on us and release it in July or something. That would totally rock

I sort of hope not... I'm getting stuff that's pretty expensive in June/July:

LOST Seasons 1 and 2
Gamera Showa Box Sets 1 and 2(imported.. about $100 each)

[rded]

Originally Posted by GoodToGo

I am a little surprised about the release date. Mostly pre orders dont last more than 3-4 months. Here we are talking April to December. I hope they spring a surprise on us and release it in July or something. That would totally rock

Well at least they're releasing all 3 theatrical editions at once and we don't have to wait 1 full year before the subsequent release of the 2nd and 3rd. I feel violated!! You hear me New Line/Warner!!! I am really torn, coz I already double dipped on the DVD versions and I don't know if I wanna shell out the extra $$ unless somebody gives it to me for X'mas.