Serenity still #1 at Amazon, and Firefly just hit #4!
Not bad for a cancelled TV show and a flop movie, I'm thinking.
If you haven't been to the Serenity movie site in awhile they've retooled to push the DVD and registered Browncoats can see one of the deleted scenes. Also links to various promotions and articles.
Just sayin'.
[ December 22, 2005, 02:34 PM: Message edited by: Chris Bridges ]
Posted by theCrowsWife (Member # 8302) on :
Heh. The other day I said to my husband (who hadn't watched any Firefly at that point), "Can I buy you Serenity for Christmas?"
He's now seen the pilot and he's thoroughly hooked, so we will indeed be getting Serenity for Christmas.
--Mel
Posted by Shanna (Member # 7900) on :
I got both as Christmas presents from my mom and dad. Its taking all my willpower not to crack open Firefly right now. And waiting 5 days to watch Serenity is just torture. I'm gonna tear up everytime I pass Blockbuster.
My roommate is buying Serenity too despite the fact that when school starts in January, we'll have two copies in the house.
Posted by NinjaBirdman (Member # 7114) on :
Great news! I really hope it does well enough on DVD. So much potential...
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
I'll be buying a copy for myself for Christmas, as well as several as gifts.
[edit] Whoa! Double post. Been a while.
[ December 16, 2005, 04:07 PM: Message edited by: El JT de Spang ]
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I know there's a version coming out in 2006 with more on it, I'll be waiting for that, and until then will sustain myself with Firefly dvds.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Chris, maybe YOU know why Australia's DVD release is a double DVD and ours isn't? Are they just trying to make more money with a later 'extended' version like Lyrhawn mentioned? Have you heard anything about that?
If that's the case, I'm really bugged.
Posted by Taalcon (Member # 839) on :
The reason ours isn't an Extended Super Special Edition (and I highly doubt Australia's is - perhaps it includes the soundtrack as the second disc?) is because it couldn't be completed in time for the release Universal wanted it to have in order for the highest window to make back some of its money.
Posted by Blayne Bradley (Member # 8565) on :
i think it at least broke even in the theartres by now.
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
The UK version has a few extra goodies and the Australian release has an extra disc with quite a few extra goodies. I don't know for sure, although the later release dates probably had something to do with it. (I pre-ordered the Australian DVD, it'll work on my computer if not in my DVD player)
I don't know for sure there will be a second American release. Joss talked about it last summer, saying this one was being rushed out but he wanted to do a larger one with cast commentary/interviews, but that was before the movie barely eked out its production costs. Now it depends on how well this DVD does. I'm hoping for another, so I'm buying this one Tuesday.
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
The Aussie version:
DISC 1 - The film itself (obviously! There may be some problems if we left this off!!) - Deleted Scenes - Outtakes - Future History: That Story of Earth That Was - What's In A Firefly - Re-lighting The Firefly - Joss Whedon Introduction - Feature Commentary - Easter Egg - We'll Have A Fruity Oaty Good Time - A Filmmakers Journey: Journey with Joss from Script to Screen (this will be on all international DVDs but not the US version)
DISC 2 (at present, this disc is exclusive to Australia and Benelux - Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg - only but other international territories may decide to release the 2nd disc as well) - Joss Whedon Q&A Session filmed at FOX Studios in Sydney - Extended Scenes - Take a Walk on Serenity: Cast & Crew take us on a special tour of the Serenity ship - The Green Clan: Feature on Cinematographer Jack Green and his team
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
The wonderful 11-Hour artist who has created so many cool Firefly/Serenity graphics is working on a DVD cover to replace the awful one we'll be getting. Check it out!
She's promised a high-res version once she's happy with it.
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
Updated with new high numbers. Serenity hit #1 briefly but those penguins took it back.
Stupid penguins...
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Awesome. I love the new(er) cover .
Posted by Evie3217 (Member # 5426) on :
That cover looks amazing. Too bad we won't be getting it in the real edition. Oh well, I can still swoon.
Posted by Speed (Member # 5162) on :
quote:Serenity #2 in Amazon DVDs
The sequel's already out? That was quick. Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
quote:Too bad we won't be getting it in the real edition.
We might if some clever and enterprising person prints them en masse and sells them as seperate slips online somewhere.
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
The artist plans to make a high-res version available so you can print it out.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Hm. Well, I think I'm going to send mine back to Amazon once I get them (it's too late to cancel my order.) First of all, I ordered them when they cost too much and second of all, I really don't need two copies of the same movie (if they end up releasing a special edition.)
I will buy copies next week for Christmas presents though, but not for myself. It ticks me off that we're getting the short end of the stick over here. Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
Ok, so I'll just have to order the Aussie version if another one doesn't get released here. It sounds too awesome to not have.
And I got the Serenity comic books (finally)!
Posted by Eldrad (Member # 8578) on :
You know, this is really spectacular given that these are still technically pre-orders.
Posted by human_2.0 (Member # 6006) on :
I ordered mine!
I have talked with several people, a teenage boy and a young couple with a geek for a husband, who haven't even HEARD of Serenity!!!! How is this even possible?????
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
Personally, I think because with everything Universal did to promote the movie, they missed two important things.
They didn't create a trailer that made the movie attractive to new viewers. This is one of the very few times I think a voiceover would have helped (but the captain, not the "In a world" guy).
And none of the cast or Whedon were on talk shows before the movie came out. I think that cost them a lot of moviegoers.
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
<brag>
I own it, I own it, I've already watched it twice, bwahahahahahahahahaha!!!!
</brag>
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I think it about broke even when you take into account the international box office sales. It took what, 40 million to make?
It made around $25 million in the US, about Five million in Britain, a little under five million in Australia. I think it made about that in Canada too.
And I don't know if that 40 million figure includes advertising, and if it does, I'd say they took a hit on the movie. If not, they made a bit.
Either way, I really do think that releasing the DVD twice is a plan to make more money. Little sad that they had to resort to that, but it's Hollywood, I don't really expect any better of them.
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
They took a hit. The studios get roughly 55% of the box office, plus they spent some dough on advertising and promotion, so they haven't come close to making their money back.
Posted by DarkKnight (Member # 7536) on :
well, so far I am buying 3 copies. One for me and two for gifts
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
It hit #1 again! Take that, stupid penguins!
Posted by Magson (Member # 2300) on :
I'm buying at least 2 copies. 1 for me and 1 for my dad.
Posted by human_2.0 (Member # 6006) on :
quote:Originally posted by Chris Bridges: They took a hit. The studios get roughly 55% of the box office, plus they spent some dough on advertising and promotion, so they haven't come close to making their money back.
I can't believe that!
There really has to be more of these types of stories!
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
The markup on DVDs is huge, and many movies have been making more money on DVD sales lately than they did in the theater. If we want more Serenity, we need strong DVD sales.
Posted by human_2.0 (Member # 6006) on :
w00t!
Your Amazon.com order has shipped...
The following items were included in this shipment: --------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Serenity (Widescreen Edition) $16.98 1 $16.98
It'll get here by Christmas! It'll get here by Christmas! It'll get here by Christmas!
Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
It's on my list, and I'm getting it for a friend, who may or may not have gotten around to watching the first disc of Firefly that I basically forced on her.
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
I want it I want it I want it I want it!
Also, I keep thinking of that Godsmack song. "I need Serenitayyyyyy..."
-pH
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
I'm going to Walmart today to buy 3 copies.
Posted by xnera (Member # 187) on :
I had preordered both Serenity and Battlestar Galactica 2.0 from Amazon. Checked last week to see if they'd charged me yet/had an estimated arrival date.
Well, I had picked their free shipping because then they ship it USPS, meaning I'll actually GET IT at my house and not have to play tag with UPS/Fed Ex. I had hoped this meant they would ship it early so it could arrive on the 20th.
Nope. They said I'd get them January 2nd.
Um. NO. No way I was going to wait that long for Serenity/BSG 2.0 goodness. So I canceled the order.
Just preordered them at BestBuy.com, to pick up at a local store on the way home tonight. And hey! $10 savings when you buy Serenity with a BSG boxset. I think this is an EXCELLENT cross-promotion; I got into BSG due to buying the UK version of season one because it had a Serenity sneak-peek DVD in it. Posted by NinjaBirdman (Member # 7114) on :
Serenity is still at #1 on Amazon, and Firefly has risen to #6. Shiny! Can't wait to get my hands on a copy of Serenity tonight after work!
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
Got mine at Best Buy. Kinda surprised there wasn't a display, but I did see other copies heading to the registers...
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
Ack! There's no insert! Rackin' frackin' cheap studio...
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
Come on now Chris. How often do you really take out your DVDs to look at the insert?
I look through it on my first viewing, then never again.
Posted by Strider (Member # 1807) on :
a first impression goes a long way!
Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :
What's an insert? The papers that come with it?
I have a choice between getting Serenity and maybe something else or the LOTR DVDs, which I've wanted forever. I'm torn on which to pick, I want both on DVD! Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
How's that a choice?
Serenity is like 16 bucks and the LOTR DVDs are like 70.
Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :
The LOTR DVDs would be a present from multiple family members. Serenity would just be from my parents.
Posted by xnera (Member # 187) on :
I was annoyed there was no insert, too. Yeah, I don't normally look at the inserts, but not having one there makes it feel really cheap.
So*, I stopped at Best Buy as planned to pick it up after ordering it online this morning. Waited in line a bit, but it wasn't too bad. Had near panic attack when sales clerk had to empty nearly their entire "bestbuy.com orders" cabinet to find my stuff. She did find it, though, and I happily trotted off to the door, looking at the receipt in the process to see what time it was. Only 6:09.. still a few minutes to kill before my bus arrives. So I stand by the door and pull my stuff out of the bag to drool over it and it says FULLSCREEN, not Widescreen like I ordered.
Trot back to desk and explain situation. She calls for a media clerk, but it's taking a bit, so I offer to go run and get it myself. Go over to the movies section and there is ONE copy on the shelves, and it's Fullscreen. On the one hand, I'm THRILLED it's nearly sold out, but I want my DVD!
Trot back to customer service, and wait, wait, wait some more, while the scrounge up a copy of the widescreen for me. I did get it, so yay! And yeah, a bit of an aggravation, but I kind of expected this to happen, plus it's five days before Christmas, so I cut them some slack and was very patient.
Had to run for the bus to catch it, though, screaming my head off for the other passengers to hold it for me.
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
I asked for it for Christmas and allegedly the store my mom went to today hasn't ordered anything new because they're going out of business. Gr. But there is still hope!
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
Just finished watching it with the commentary turned on. That may very well be the best movie commentary I've ever heard, a great balance of technical info, movie-making decisions, anecdotes, and actor stories. Most commentaries focus too heavily on one aspect (or, worse, include long silent portions as the commentator gets caught up in the action and forgets to say anything) but Joss played it well.
Don't forget the easter egg: on the main menu keep clicking right until a panel on the right of the screen highlights. You get a feature on the Fruity Oaty Bars ad along with commercial in its entirety.
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
Reason to register at the movie site number 162: Joss posts there. He just did again:
"Yes, gentle viewers (and rough, burly viewers) (and viewers who are mostly gentle and kind and then one day WHAM! homicidal rage), it's officially 'SERENITY comes out on DVD' day. Last night as we slept, Santa rode around in his sleigh and delivered shiny, odd-looking DVD's to all the good video stores (The naughty video stores got [insert movie you hate to complete witticism]). Everyone's buying copies, the Whos down in Whoville are all joining hands and singing, the President has declared a National Holiday for himelf lasting four months (again) and all is right with the world except for war and famine and stuff like that. But let's not dwell."
There's more, and it's hilarious.
[ December 20, 2005, 11:39 PM: Message edited by: Chris Bridges ]
Posted by Shanna (Member # 7900) on :
I love Joss!
My parents got a bunch of packages from the mail-man today. But they did alot of x-mas shopping online and I doubt that my Serenity would actually arrive today...but I'm hoping it did. I hope its safe in its little box in the closet. If it arrives after Christmas I might just cry.
Posted by DarkKnight (Member # 7536) on :
I was at Best Buy last night and they didn't have Serenity sitting out with all the other new releases! They just put it back with all the other SciFi movies, and Serenity was on the bottom shelf, which sorta just worked out that way because of it being in alphabetical order. I was just a little ticked that BB just put it on the shelf. The kid stocking the shelves said that people keep asking him "Where is Serenity?" On a better note, they did sell out of them last night
Posted by DarkKnight (Member # 7536) on :
Firefly is at #5 right now on Amazon, Serenity is #1
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
Our Best Buy didn't have a display, either. They did have a small stack of the DVDs on their "new items" table, right next to a stack of Firefly DVDs. And people were grabbing them...
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
Walmart had the Serenity display in the back of electronics, behind the used video games.
But they were selling pretty well, from the looks of it. I bought two copies, but I haven't watched it yet.
Posted by xnera (Member # 187) on :
I am still smiling at the big, gaping, OBVIOUS space where the Serenity DVDs should have been at my local Best Buy. The shelf was kind of messy like people had been grabbing them and running to the front of the store to pay.
I didn't see them featured in a New Releases section, but I didn't really look for that.
Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :
What's the difference between wide screen version and full screen? I have a 19 inch tv, which version should I get?
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
Get the widescreen. Joss shot for a wide movie screen and used all of it, from what I've heard the fullscreen version chops a lot off.
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
I'd say always go with widescreen no matter what. Fullscreen chops off the sides so you never get to see the whole picture like you did in the movie theater.
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
NO INSERT?! I love inserts. I just took it out and stared at it-that's it? LOTR's was the best.
Xavier and I will be watching it tonight while enjoying some pizza.
No one was really going for it at BB. There was this one guy that saw me with Serenity and he was kind enough to tell me that Nebraska Furniture Mart had it for $1 cheaper. He was wrong. It was nearly $6 cheaper. Wow.
Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :
Jamie and I watched it last night. Kick ass.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
I'd forgotten how amazing this movie was.
I watched the first 30 minutes on my lunch break today.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
I'm just puzzled that a place called "Nebraska Furniture Mart" would carry DVDs.
Posted by Xavier (Member # 405) on :
I was confused about that too Noemon, when I first moved here. But its this giant store in the middle of Omaha, with two connected buildings (and a McDonalds in between). One building houses the furniture, and the other one is full of electronics.
Posted by aiua (Member # 7825) on :
I got and watched it last night. Was it just me, or did it seem really long?
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Just you.
Never mind, I answered my own question by reading the whole thread. Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Very strange Xavier, very strange.
You know, I hadn't realized that you and Val were in Omaha. Next time I head to Kansas would you guys be interested in getting together? I could make a detour and swing through NE, or you guys could come down to Lawrence, either one.
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
One of my co-workers (the same guy who recently admitted watching "Firefly" for the first time) asked me if I was responsible for the little package left in his car. He was holding a "Serenity" DVD. Apparently someone bought and wrapped it and left it in his car. (It wasn't me.)
I was like, "Heck, no! I can't even afford that right now!" (thinking, "you lucky dog")
So, I'll maybe get it for my birthday ... Jan. 10 if anyone is interested. (Hint) Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
We'll take you out for some Runza. Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Posted by theCrowsWife (Member # 8302) on :
My copy arrived yesterday. I immediately wrapped it and put it under the tree, because otherwise I might succomb to temptation and watch it before my husband has finished the series. He liked the way I labeled it:
To: Paul and Mel From: The Browncoats
--Mel
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
Well, I finally found the limit of my obsession. Props from the movie are on sale at www.propstore.com and I wasn't even tempted to buy the Operative's sword ($2000) or River's goggles ($1600).
Although they do take payments...
Posted by Ron Lambert (Member # 2872) on :
The Serenity movie was very good. I never even heard of Firefly before this year, when a friend of mine told me about it, and I began watching it on the SciFi channel. I think that the original TV series failed because of the name. No one connected the name to what the series was really all about, so most of the people who would have liked it never even tuned in.
I listened to the commentary too. It was passable, but no where comparable to the commentaries with the Peter Jackson The Lord of the Rings DVDs. Of course, that set the standard for everything.
Watching the outtakes, I was a little disappointed at how foul-mouthed so many of the actors were on the set. It seems every sentence had the F-word.
Minor spoilers follow:
Nonetheless, I would like to see a sequel to the movie. These are interesting characters, even with a couple of them killed off. (OK, minor spoiler there--but I won't say which characters were killed off.) I liked the producer's explanation that he killed off the characters just to play with viewers' minds and make them suspect for a time that he was making one of those movies where all the characters get killed off.
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
Didn't you know? The F-word is funny. As is seeing our favorite actors saying them in frustration.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
I saw where Serenity was supposed to be at Target today...big empty space instead.
(There were a few left for PSP though, the first time I'd seen them.)
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
quote:Originally posted by El JT de Spang: Serenity is like 16 bucks and the LOTR DVDs are like 70.
'Cause they have to pay top dollar to all those elves. Yeah, they are probably unionized.
Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :
And for no reason other than I feel like pointing it out, they're $45 Posted by DarkKnight (Member # 7536) on :
Serenity is still #1, and Firefly is now up to #4!
Posted by Sopwith (Member # 4640) on :
Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!
I got Serenity in my Christmas stocking!!!!
(Sadly, our DVD player is on the fritz... gotta wait until Dec. 26th for a new one).
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
I bought two of them, they were right by the exit AFTER you've already paid for your stuff. I had to go back in and buy them and now I have one on my wall! They have nothing to do with Firefly, but I love that the font is almost exactly like the one on the movie poster and the symbol is of course the same.
quote:What's the best-case scenario for the future of the Firefly/Serenity franchise?
The best-case scenario is that the DVD is such a spectacular, monster hit that we get to make another movie. Then, we get to make another movie. After three movies, we're all very tired. After Serenity: Revolutions, we feel like we've played it out. And then we make another series.
But, you know, we'll never make Firefly again, because that was a thing that existed and is now gone. And Serenity isn't Firefly, and whatever comes next won't be, either. But I would love to tell more stories of this universe and to hang out with these people on and off for the rest of my career.
Posted by James Tiberius Kirk (Member # 2832) on :
bought it today from best buy.
wow.
wow.
wow.
--j_k
[and, as another note, there were two copies left when I got there.]
[ December 23, 2005, 10:55 PM: Message edited by: James Tiberius Kirk ]
Posted by Hamson (Member # 7808) on :
I don't like how Joss has his mind set on the fact that the Firefly series is definitely over. I just don't see why he couldn't easily have it revived if the sales called for it (I think they already have). Theres no reason it has to be over as a TV show...
Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :
I think he's being realistic.
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
I was at the enemy (Wal-Mart) and they had Serenity Widescreen, Serenity Full Screen, and the Serenity/Hulk combo pack. Why must they package Serenity with Hulk? *grumble*
Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :
I'm definitely getting Serenity as a present. I see a gift that's shaped suspiciously like one DVD, and the only thing I asked for was the LOTR DVDs or Serenity.
"Why must they package Serenity with Hulk? *grumble*"
I guess they figured that if they packaged two bad movies togethor, it might make one good movie combined. *ducks and runs from thread* Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
I think it's possible it could ca=ome back as a tv show if that was the only avenue, but what he's saying is that it won't be the Firefly you knew. It can't be, they've moved on and the dynamics have changed pretty drastically. But there can be more stories in the 'verse.
Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
I watched episodes while I was wrapping presents today. Did Book's history ever get explained?
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Nope.
Posted by Tarrsk (Member # 332) on :
I think Chris is right... I read that interview and didn't get the "Firefly is DEAD!" vibe that seems to be general consensus at all. Joss is just saying that, should the franchise continue, it won't be the same old "Firefly." As well it shouldn't.
Posted by Ron Lambert (Member # 2872) on :
Of course it can't be the same, with two of the original series characters pushing up daisies.
Posted by WntrMute (Member # 7556) on :
Those are space-daisies.
Posted by Astaril (Member # 7440) on :
I rented it and watched it twice today. Once with my dad and grandad who hadn't seen it before and once alone with the commentary on. My grandad kept falling asleep though, so when he woke up he'd ask what things were.
My grandad: "Reavers? What's a reaver?" My dad: "Uhh... a sort of cannibal." My grandad: "Oh. Well, that's a [heck] of a lot cheaper than A&P, I guess."
Then he fell asleep again.
Edit:
quote:Don't forget the easter egg: on the main menu keep clicking right until a panel on the right of the screen highlights.
On the version I rented, I had to click left, and not right. I got very frustrated clicking right about a hundred times and having nothing happen. Maybe the Canadian/American versions are different? Or did you mean left?
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
Serenity still #1 at Amazon, Firefly, now #3!
Posted by theCrowsWife (Member # 8302) on :
WARNING *SPOILERS*
quote:Originally posted by Ron Lambert: Of course it can't be the same, with two of the original series characters pushing up daisies.
END SPOILERS
Gee, thanks for the spoilers. As if looking at the track listing for the soundtrack weren't bad enough.
--Mel
Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :
Where does the profit of the Firefly DVD sales go now? Firefly DVD sales wouldn't help for a Serenity sequel, would they?
Posted by Shanna (Member # 7900) on :
At the very least steady dvd sales of Firefly reminds the companies at the top of the franchise that people are still digging the Verse.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
The profit from Firefly DVDs pretty much all goes to Fox, the network that owns the rights to the show.
But the simple fact that there's a demand for the series and the movies means that, as Shanna said, people are still digging the Verse.
Which means hopefully someone will finance our next installment.
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
Woo! Got Serenity this morning for Christmas, shall be watched later when I get home from my aunt's house! Yay!
Posted by Lord Solar Macharius (Member # 7775) on :
quote:Those are space-daisies.
Spaisies?
Edit: Happy B-day, Jesus!
Posted by Ron Lambert (Member # 2872) on :
Sorry, theCrowsWife, I remembered to give a spoiler warning the first time I mentioned it, but then forgot to the second time. Guess I just hate to be redundant.
WntrMute, I thought for a moment about coming up with some sf-ey variation on daisies, but then I decided any such attempt would just sound spacey.
What! There was an Easter Egg? Now I'll have to rent the DVD again! LOTR Wannabees, that's what they are!
Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :
I have a question. I got the Serenity DVD, but I got the full screen version. Can someone tell me if it is worth the trouble of returning it to get the widescreen? How much better is the widescreen version?
Posted by Reticulum (Member # 8776) on :
Neat
Posted by tmservo (Member # 8552) on :
The Widescreen version is Original Aspect Ratio. Almost never sacrifice to get Pan & Scan, which is a crappy way to watch almost any film.. while all films suffer from it (the best example of a film destroyed by P&S is oddly enough "A League of their Own" in which the P&S keeps rotating the image to make it nauseating to get main characters in frame). Because so many scenes are designed to utilize the full scope of the presentation, P&S looks like garbage.
Give me Original Aspect Ratio or nothing.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
I got a copy from my wife this Christmas...we have already watched it once today. Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
I got Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for Christmas as well as Serenity and it didn't have an insert either. Maybe whoever's putting these out have decided that it's pointless?
Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :
You did already buy the DVD... Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
Well, I didn't, but someone did, and I'm sure they'd want me to have my insert!
Posted by Tarrsk (Member # 332) on :
Joss is notorious for using all the space he can get from whatever aspect ratio he's shooting in... for example, in the pilot episode of "Firefly," he actually arranged one shot specifically so that it couldn't be reduced to a 4:3 ratio effectively, in order to force the network to show "Firefly" in widescreen.
SPOILER FOR "SERENITY":
One example from "Serenity" itself is the shot of River in Serenity's cockpit as she whispers "Miranda" and points at the planet on the screen. Joss purposely cuts her face in half on the left side of the frame, with the screen on the far right. Any attempt to chop out the sides of this image would result in the loss of either River's face or the video screen.
End Spoiler
So yeah, get the widescreen version if you can. The big battle looks waaaaaay too good to be wasted on pan-and-scan, anyway. Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :
I just got the widescreen version and I watched some of the movie and I watched the extras. The outtakes were hilarious. Nathan Fillion is really funny. After Mal talked to Inara on the video screen and then Mal talked to the crew Mal: I take it y'all were watching? Kaylee: Yeah Mal: Did you see us fight? Kaylee: No Mal: ...TRAP!!!!!!
I jumped and then cracked up.
Posted by Vasslia Cora (Member # 7981) on :
I got it yesterday and I watched it almost right away. Then I watched it with the commentary on as soon as it was over.
Its great! Posted by ricree101 (Member # 7749) on :
After having watched Serenity for the first time, I would like to take a moment to apologize for not going to see it while it was in theaters.
Posted by WntrMute (Member # 7556) on :
Ummm, if you are getting LotR on DVD then you must get THIS VERSION. It had to be said.
There is rumor mongering about a super collector's version of Serenity coming out, though, isn't there? I'm holding out for that. I broke down and got all of the theatrical LotR movies, and now they just get dusty because I like the EE ones ever so much better.
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
Version lowdown: Joss had mentioned back before the movie's premiere that there would prolly be two version because he wanted the cast to do commentary/interviews but the studio wanted one out before Christmas. This was before the movie underperformed at the box office, dunno yet if DVD sales will warrant another version.
The UK and Australian releases have more stuff; a few more features on the UK, a whole other disc with more stuff on the Aussie one (and a tin collector's case).
There will not be a director's cut, he's said numerous times that the one on the screen is the one he wants.
And now you know what anyone knows.
Posted by ricree101 (Member # 7749) on :
Serenity is still #1 on Amazon, and Firefly is #3. It's probably safe to assume that it is selling at least decently in other places too.
Posted by smitty (Member # 8855) on :
I was going to buy my dad a different DVD, but when I saw Serenity paired with The Hulk (and for the same price as Serenity by itself!) I got so mad I decided to make dad a Browncoat. How dare they package the great Serenity with the Crap-tastic Hulk!
Posted by accio (Member # 3040) on :
Where can I get the Aussie version of Serenity?
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
Australia.
Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :
JT
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
It's not coming out until Feb in Australia anyway.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
I liked the Hulk, although I wasn't completely crazy about it.
Nowhere as near as much as I like Serenity, of course....
Posted by Hamson (Member # 7808) on :
quote:Originally posted by Astaril: Edit:
quote:Don't forget the easter egg: on the main menu keep clicking right until a panel on the right of the screen highlights.
On the version I rented, I had to click left, and not right. I got very frustrated clicking right about a hundred times and having nothing happen. Maybe the Canadian/American versions are different? Or did you mean left?
It is left. I have the American version (if there even is a difference between that and the Canadian) and on the Main Menu, I had to click left until a panel on the center part of the right side of the screen lit up. If the Play option is highlighted, you only have to hit left once.
Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
This morning's paper had two AP articles listing Serenity in their top 10 for 2005. First was a list of notable performances. Nathan Fillion made #9 for his portayal of Mal. The second article was top 10 DVDs of the year according to fans. Serenity made #8.
That made me happy.
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
This site has the 2-disc Aussie version and the one with the colletor's tin box.
Posted by Lupus (Member # 6516) on :
Chris, have you heard anything about what the actual sales numbers are...or how the compair to what was expected? Seeing it listed as #1 on amazon is good...but it would be interesting to see what the actual number are over all.
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
According to this site it was #3 in DVD sales last week.
Kinda misleading, though, as many retailers ordered light and sold out. No telling what it might have done if everyone had ordered more. I'm just hoping it has enough legs to stay on the charts for awhile.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Well, if people want it but stores were understocked and have to order more of it, won't that help it stay on the charts longer?
I'm probably hopelessly wrong. *is clueless about how this stuff works*
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
I saw a display at Best Buy two days ago. It wasn't empty, but dang it! We had the entire end of an aisle and a large cardboard cutout of River's head!
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
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Yeah, I don't normally look at the inserts, but not having one there makes it feel really cheap.![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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JT