He hasn't done it YET on DVD. Don't worry, he will.
For the record, how many different versions of the original trilogy on VHS do you own? How about the Phantom Menace on VHS (because he originally wasn't going to release it on DVD until 3 prequels were complete)?
Odds are, you already have 2 versions of Episode 1 (DVD and VHS). I do, only I bought the VCD (from overseas) instead of the VHS.
What do you think the odds are of the original trilogy only being packages as part of a deluxe 6-DVD (or more) box set, forcing you to re-purchase the prequels once again. I'm betting it happens.
I grew up with the original series (saw Star Wars at the drive in when I was 6 yrs old). I loved Star Wars, I even saw The Phantom Menace 8 times in the theatre, but I'm a little jaded now with Georges preoccupation with merchandising and special effects over a decent storyline and acting. All of this special edition crap is really getting to me. I'll go see Episode III probably the day it is released and I'm sure to buy the DVD, but I'll pass on multiple viewings (I find Episode's I and II too boring to watch now that I own them) and I certainly won't buy any more special editions.
What really annoys me is that he is threatening not to release the original trilogy on DVD - only the special editions (which really sucked).
Not quite a fair comparison.
Windows didn't come out with XP Home, then 6 months later (with no advanced notice) Windows XP Pro.
Honda doesn't release a 4-cylinder model, then follow it up 6 months later with a 6-cylinder model with no advanced warning.
Coke is a disposable product, not a collectible, so it doesn't even remotely apply.
The point is, I wouldn't have bothered with the initial release if I had known that 6 months later (or in this case, 4 years later) the "ultimate" release would be available that makes my initial purchase less worthy.
I wouldn't mind if the original release was much cheaper ($10), as long as I knew a better version was available down the line. Then I could choose whether I wanted the simpler/cheaper package now or wait for the "ultimate" release. New Line, to their credit, did just this with Lord of the Rings. I chose to wait and compare the two releases (the original vs the 4-disk set) and I chose to buy the 4-disk set (even though it cost more).
Actually, it's far worse. Why on earth would you ever pay $20+ for a set of lower-than-cd-quality songs without the physical CD or packaging?
They're only expense is promotion - no more distribution/pressing/packaging costs. I'm not about to let them pad the rest as profit.
In fact, they're whole business no longer makes sense - they serve no need anymore. They aren't getting any more of my money. The artist already pays the upfront recording costs (through advances on their royalties). The artist should take over their own promotion and distribution of their music via their website - or a 3rd party hosting service. The old-style music distributors are obsolete - and good riddance to them.
I don't think $.99/track is such a good deal, when you consider that it is a lossy compressed version of a selection.
perhaps two streams should be available:
$.25/track for mp3 quality or
$.50/track for lossless compressed version (CD quality)
Throw in a discount for the physical CD and you give an incentive to purchase the entire piece of work.
Face it, CD's aren't worth $15 to begin with (they're cheaper to manufacture than audio cassettes were). Why should we pay an equivalent price for something of even lesser quality? Instead of gouging, if they simply offered a compelling price (they're bypassing a lot of packaging/distribution expenses here) then people would be much more compelled to download legit copies.
I had always thought many years ago (probably after watching the Deep Space Nine premiere) that the only future Star Trek had left was self-parody.
They franchise has run out of gas, the writers, producer and fans take themselves far too seriously and, frankly, sci-fi in general is getting boring and redundant.
Galaxy Quest stole thier thunder. Imagine, an entire series based on self-parody. Sure the pure Trekkies/Trekkers/whatever would die, but they are the ultimate target of the joke, anyhow. As Shatner said, "Get a life". I had always imagined Billy Crystal as captain, not because I find him very funny, but he is is the anitithesis of the typical Star Trek captain (kinda like Micheal Keaton as Batman). When was the last time you laughed during an Enterprise eposide? At least TOS had a sense of character and humour.
It's not too late. If Paramount doesn't have the cajones, perhaps the folks behind Galaxy Quest will see the light (and the cross-over audience potential). Can you say, Cha-Ching?
Slashdot Mirror
what dvd? It's never been (officially) released on DVD.
He hasn't done it YET on DVD. Don't worry, he will. For the record, how many different versions of the original trilogy on VHS do you own? How about the Phantom Menace on VHS (because he originally wasn't going to release it on DVD until 3 prequels were complete)? Odds are, you already have 2 versions of Episode 1 (DVD and VHS). I do, only I bought the VCD (from overseas) instead of the VHS. What do you think the odds are of the original trilogy only being packages as part of a deluxe 6-DVD (or more) box set, forcing you to re-purchase the prequels once again. I'm betting it happens. I grew up with the original series (saw Star Wars at the drive in when I was 6 yrs old). I loved Star Wars, I even saw The Phantom Menace 8 times in the theatre, but I'm a little jaded now with Georges preoccupation with merchandising and special effects over a decent storyline and acting. All of this special edition crap is really getting to me. I'll go see Episode III probably the day it is released and I'm sure to buy the DVD, but I'll pass on multiple viewings (I find Episode's I and II too boring to watch now that I own them) and I certainly won't buy any more special editions. What really annoys me is that he is threatening not to release the original trilogy on DVD - only the special editions (which really sucked).
Not quite a fair comparison. Windows didn't come out with XP Home, then 6 months later (with no advanced notice) Windows XP Pro. Honda doesn't release a 4-cylinder model, then follow it up 6 months later with a 6-cylinder model with no advanced warning. Coke is a disposable product, not a collectible, so it doesn't even remotely apply. The point is, I wouldn't have bothered with the initial release if I had known that 6 months later (or in this case, 4 years later) the "ultimate" release would be available that makes my initial purchase less worthy. I wouldn't mind if the original release was much cheaper ($10), as long as I knew a better version was available down the line. Then I could choose whether I wanted the simpler/cheaper package now or wait for the "ultimate" release. New Line, to their credit, did just this with Lord of the Rings. I chose to wait and compare the two releases (the original vs the 4-disk set) and I chose to buy the 4-disk set (even though it cost more).
Actually, it's far worse. Why on earth would you ever pay $20+ for a set of lower-than-cd-quality songs without the physical CD or packaging? They're only expense is promotion - no more distribution/pressing/packaging costs. I'm not about to let them pad the rest as profit. In fact, they're whole business no longer makes sense - they serve no need anymore. They aren't getting any more of my money. The artist already pays the upfront recording costs (through advances on their royalties). The artist should take over their own promotion and distribution of their music via their website - or a 3rd party hosting service. The old-style music distributors are obsolete - and good riddance to them.
I don't think $.99/track is such a good deal, when you consider that it is a lossy compressed version of a selection. perhaps two streams should be available: $.25/track for mp3 quality or $.50/track for lossless compressed version (CD quality) Throw in a discount for the physical CD and you give an incentive to purchase the entire piece of work. Face it, CD's aren't worth $15 to begin with (they're cheaper to manufacture than audio cassettes were). Why should we pay an equivalent price for something of even lesser quality? Instead of gouging, if they simply offered a compelling price (they're bypassing a lot of packaging/distribution expenses here) then people would be much more compelled to download legit copies.
I had always thought many years ago (probably after watching the Deep Space Nine premiere) that the only future Star Trek had left was self-parody. They franchise has run out of gas, the writers, producer and fans take themselves far too seriously and, frankly, sci-fi in general is getting boring and redundant. Galaxy Quest stole thier thunder. Imagine, an entire series based on self-parody. Sure the pure Trekkies/Trekkers/whatever would die, but they are the ultimate target of the joke, anyhow. As Shatner said, "Get a life". I had always imagined Billy Crystal as captain, not because I find him very funny, but he is is the anitithesis of the typical Star Trek captain (kinda like Micheal Keaton as Batman). When was the last time you laughed during an Enterprise eposide? At least TOS had a sense of character and humour. It's not too late. If Paramount doesn't have the cajones, perhaps the folks behind Galaxy Quest will see the light (and the cross-over audience potential). Can you say, Cha-Ching?
Mr. Shatner, for the record: Toronto Maple Leafs or Montreal Canadians - who is your team? - Klingons on ice
Mr. Shatner, what are your thoughts on the Tim Allen movie GalaxyQuest? BTW, Are you a Leafs or a Habs fan?