Mystic River Due 6/8

[Jake Lipson]

The last 2003 Best Picture nominee to get a DVD release, <b>Mystic River</b> will finally come to disc on June 8th in an excess of different versions: seperate single-disc barebones releases in 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen and P&S ($27.95), plus the real-deal triple-disc special edition in 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen only. No extras on the singles, but the deluxe edition has commentary with Tim Robbins and Keavon Becon. Disc 2 has a "Beneath the Surface" making-of doccumentary; Bravo's "From Page to Screen" episode on the movie; portions of the Charlie Rose Show including interviews with Clint Eastwood, Tim Robbins and Keaven Becon; and the theatrical trailer. In a move by Warner Bros. to suck up to Eastwood, the third disc is the soundtrack CD of the score (which he composed.)

I *loved* this movie. Easily one of the top movies of last year. I'm glad to see it being given special treatment on DVD and will definately pick it up.

The score was solid and I'd like to own it, but it's still probably not something I'd listen to a whole lot. I would definately rather buy it on its own though, so as to get it in a standard jewel case and with the insert that is included in the jewel case so I can keep it with my CDs. With the DVD, it will just be the disc, missing the insert, and it'll be a part of the packaging of the DVD, so I won't be able to keep it with my other CDs since it'll have to go with the DVD. And it would seem to me that most of the people who really want the score have bought it already, so what happens to them? They're the people that the SE set is aimed at, and yet they have to own a second copy of the CD to get the SE? *sigh* I'm just glad I haven't bought it yet. And yeah, I agree that WB is only including it to make a few more bucks and suck up to Eastwood at the same time.

Personally, here's what I would do if I were WB.

Just make it a standard double-disc set for $27.95 retail in a keepcase, like the Matrix sequels, T3, Last Samurai, etc. Include an on-package coupon for the customer to buy the CD for only $12 with the purchase of the DVD, should they wish to have it. (I'm basing this on the fact that $12 is the difference between the prices of the standard and SE version they *are* releasing.) And it is significantly less than the $20 retail price of the CD. That way there can be just one standard release in a keepcase, they can dispense of the barebones and the snapper, they can still suck up to Eastwood by including an offer to buy his music, and people don't *have* to get it to get the SE set.

And for the love of peace, make it widescreen only. I can't imagine anyone who cares about fullscreen caring about this movie, as it does not cater to the "dumbed down plot with lots of action and effects" genere which Average Joes have taken to heart.

Now my release plan will never be implimented, of course, but that seems like the smartest thing for WB to do.

In any case, I'm buying the 3-disc set. Great movie and I can't wait to own it.

[Mushu2083]

So there are no extra features on the singles? I think I'll get the special deluxe edition so I can have the special features. Just don't know about the price tag though. Hopefully I'll be working at Blockbuster again in the summer so I can use the discount.

[Sulley]

I absolutely loved this movie. If it had not been in the shadow of the monstrous success of The Return of the King (which I also hold dear), it certainly would have earned Best Picture. I also was deeply affected by the fantastic soundtrack, so I'm glad I haven't bought it yet. I'm going for the 3-Discer.