RSVP Blog
Direct to DVD
Direct-to-video (better known now as direct to DVD) is a phrase that continues to have a stigma attached. No level of format updating can change the fact that the movie did not make it to the cinema - and some people just can't get past that. Whilst there are many reasons why these films are released in such a way, they are still seen by many movie buff types as having lower artistic or technical quality and credibility.
It might be that the film was a huge flop at the box office overseas, it might even be that the film couldn't obtain a theatrical release at all, anywhere in the world. However reasons such as low budget or controversial themes don't make a movie less credible, do they? Do you give these movies a good go, or do you skip past them sneering when choosing a flick at the DVD store?Have you seen any you would recommend, or is the stigma valid?
Posted by November 12, 2008 3:12 PM
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Latest Comments
Posted by: lafileuse at December 17, 2008 7:27 PM - New THERE's a challenge for you... :)
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 19, 2008 10:26 PM
To those of you with access to a decent DVD library - or enjoy good a good collection of cinema at home - i recommend the "Essential (Denys) Arcand" box set released by Hopscotch.
"The Decline of the American Empire " (1986), in particular, has some scenes that are very insightful to those of us 40 somethings struggling with sex, and love, in the 00's.
Posted by: eccehomoergo at December 18, 2008 3:38 PM
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 5, 2008 10:07 PM
"...and don't forget to pee on the Lemon Tree... LoL... classic..."
*That's* what I've been doing wrong ... I'll have to move it to the back garden.
:-D
Posted by: lafileuse at December 17, 2008 7:27 PM
...and don't forget to pee on the Lemon Tree... LoL... classic...
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 5, 2008 10:07 PM
Yes ... really enjoyed The Fastest Indian. Anthony Hopkins at his best.
Posted by: lafileuse at December 4, 2008 1:51 PM
Hot Fuzz i can watch over and over its humour is a killer. Has anyone seen The fastest Indian with Anthony Hopkins, one definately to watch
Posted by: elixiar at November 26, 2008 12:58 AM
I recently went and saw a sequel to the movie 'Centre Stage' and the original was lucky to get a theatrical release at all but the sequel was straight to DVD and for good reason.
It wasn't bad, an enjoyable enough way to kill a couple of hours, but you didn't come out feeling like you had gained anything or been entertained the way you are by a really great movie.
I think that's what these straight to DVD releases are best for. A harmless way to kill a few hours and sometimes you do feel like sitting on the couch and watching something mindless, but it doesn't engage you like a good movie will.
Posted by: moniquen at November 13, 2008 11:09 AM
Recently, I watched Bedazzled... the original Peter Cook/Dudley Moore version from the 60s. Kind of a cult film, but not something that went straight to DVD, I guess...
If you saw the lame Elizabeth Hurley/Brendan Fraser remake, check out the original. It's now out on DVD... much, much more witty.
Posted by: featherlessbiped at November 13, 2008 12:57 AM
There is a British movie called Hot Fuzzy, not sure if it has made its way to the cinema, which I enjoyed its DVD very much.
A type of dark humor but meaningful. Watching it made me laugh out loud, like when I do with normal type of comedy, but what the film wanted to convey is too impressive for me to forget, as I normally do with the latter.
Not sure if it is to others taste. But to me, definitely. Well, the main role in it did reinforce my view that the Good guys are always the majority in our society.
Posted by: ahappyending at November 12, 2008 7:36 PM
There are some movies that have had a US theatrical release but didn't have a Oz theatrical release.
One of these was the movie Baseketball.
Posted by: deecee19 at January 5, 2009 10:12 PM