Techtite Feature Article!

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Some added "awards" worth mentioning:

A truly COOL feature added to a truly BAD film's DVD: Freddy Got Fingered's  PG-rated viewing option. In short, it's a joke; the clip only lasts three minutes. Cynics may muse at the irony, however; these are truly the only tolerable 180 seconds of the whole picture.

The DVD I bought to be cynical, yet left pleasantly surprised: Barbie in The Nutcracker.

Best attempt to please both sides: Cats and Dogs. Choose either menu theme you wish; either cats or dogs. However, in the film itself the dogs are the good guys and the cats are villains, so don't get too comfy with the cat-themed menus if you're not a dog lover.

Best DVD of the Year : Snow White Platinum Edition. Disney studios have promised one Platinum Edition DVD set every year. That's welcome news, when seeing their first. The movie itself has been completely refined, in a method that in some cases, is superior even to the original film release (hairs and other dirt that got stuck within animation cels have been digitally removed). The second disc includes many worthwhile extras, including long forgotten radio shows and a rare glimpse into the Hollywood premiere. However, what blew me away was the audio commentary, including anecdotes from Walt Disney himself, recorded from interviews about the film. Admittedly, the slightly-too-animated magic mirror in the main menus is a tad annoying, though what are you doing sticking around in the main menu? There's way too much to enjoy here than that.

Honorable Mention : Superman: The Movie. Finally, Warner Bros. delivers this classic comic-book action epic to DVD. Even better are the extras on side 2, including a whole reel of actresses trying out for the role of Lois Lane at the time, which includes Leslie Ann Warren, Stockard Channing, and Anne Archer. Sure, their re-touching of the audio might have gone a bit overboard, when making the once-subtle "crystal credits" now sound like alphabetic photon torpedoes. The rest of the DVD is perfection...as is the film. Every director of an upcoming super-hero feature should have this on their video shelf.

Best Audio Commentary: The Goonies. Audio commentaries may or may not have cool anecdotes; this commentary track goes one further, with added video! At key moments of the feature, the movie is reduced to a window at the lower-right of the screen, while the original cast of the film, as they look 16 years later, reminisce about that scene. You'll never recognize them all on the street until you see how different they look today. Best of all, their anecdotes --as well as senses of humor about the experience-- are excellent!

Best Deleted Scenes : Terminator. Scenes that we finally get to see include an alluded plot device about "changing the future" that would later be implemented into a Terminator 2 script, as well as added footage of the Terminator, Sarah and Reese, and even the police's reaction to Reese's "killer cyborg" story, when they soon discover it's all true. These are truly cool deleted scenes, in a year with many of them...

Most Disappointing DVD of the Year : Mimic 2. What could make a thriller about bugs feel even creepier than it already is? By implying that the lead bug wants the female he's stalking to be his new queen. What freak of nature thought that one up? Do I really have to get into any more details to explain this Direct-to-DVD film's worst-of-year status?

Dishonorable Mention: Swordfish. Mind you, this time we're talking about the DVD, regardless of what you thought of the film. This DVD's best features are available only via passwords...and only then, you must type them in via PC DVD-ROM software that barely works right in the first place. Best case scenario is if your DVD playing device can be used to play title tracks; then, you only need to jump to the track numbers mentioned in the DVD review. Aside from that, good luck seeing any worthwhile extras at all; a worthy reason for its runner-up status, as most disappointing DVD all year.

and more...

Best Packaging Gimmick for a DVD re-release: Basic Instinct: The Director's Cut. Sure, it's been released already; many years ago. This may entice you to finally buy it, though; a DVD in a special clear "ice" container, with a free pen inside that resembles an ice pick. What ink color is the ice pick pen? Red, of course.

Best Use of the word "Best" to replace the word, CHEAP: The best of Friends Collection. Sure, much like the fans of the original Star Trek series, fans will buy even limited numbers of their favorite episodes. Let's just say, a complete season collection would've been cooler...

The "I can't believe that my favorite film isn't on DVD, and THIS IS" award: Killer Klowns From Outer Space. ...and here's the punchline; the DVD version is actually pretty cool, for cult fans of this dark comedy! Deleted scenes, bloopers, and audio commentary are all present.