why buy/own DVDs?

[matadorpoeta]

someone please explain to me why you would want to own dvds or have a dvd collection.

even if i really love a movie, i can't watch it more than twice. i feel like i'm wasting my life away watching something if i already know what is going to happen.

do those of you who own a particular movie watch it over and over again? if not, why not just rent it?

all of my cousins have extensive dvd collections, but i don't want to ask them why. that might insult them. i'd rather ask here.

 

[j]

I was just going to ask a similar question. A lot of people, myself included, like to watch good movies over and over again. Others can't watch something more than once or twice, since they "know how it ends". I don't personally understand that, but it's a matter of taste. Can you listen to a song or an album more than once? You know how it ends, after all. What about reading a book?

I guess it comes down to whether you watch movies to find out the plotline and don't care about all the rest that goes into it, or whether you can watch the same movie many times and keep finding new things about it to enjoy. If the former, why bother watching movies at all - just read the plot synopsis.

 

[matadorpoeta]

i understand what you are saying. (for the record, i can only read the same book once.)

when i was younger i could watch the same movie over and over. i think i saw 'ferris bueller's day off' about 10 times... probably 'pretty in pink' too...

not any more though. i loved 'amelie', but i've seen it twice now, and have no desire to see it again. there are other things to do, other movies to see...

my all time favorite movie is 'accatone'. i think i've seen it 3 times. paid a total of $3 in rental fees. after the first time i saw it i was pausing it at certain scenes and making sure my friends paid special attention during the coolest parts. but i can't dwell on that film, and there's no way i would want to spend money to buy it, and have it take space, and have it sit there like i'm supposed to do something with it.

 

[Tokyo Slim]

I have roughly 400 dvd's, 30 movies on my computer, and 15 video disks. I watch them all. Repeatedly.

 

[matadorpoeta]

Originally Posted by Tokyo Slim

I have roughly 400 dvd's, 30 movies on my computer, and 15 video disks. I watch them all. Repeatedly.
okay, i'll count you as one who watches his movies over and over. is this typical? do people who buy the 3rd season of 'alias' on dvd actually watch that thing over and over?

 

[whoopee]

I watch preferrd movies and TV shows over and over, too, often on a whim so renting, whether from a local Blockbuster (I don't think I have one) or Netflix, is unsatisfactory.

 

[Tokyo Slim]

Originally Posted by matadorpoeta

okay, i'll count you as one who watches his movies over and over. is this typical? do people who buy the 3rd season of 'alias' on dvd actually watch that thing over and over?

I dunno, I'll watch Cowboy Bebop or Firefly over and over again. Maybe two or three times a year.

 

[DNW]

Originally Posted by Tokyo Slim

I dunno, I'll watch Cowboy Bebop or Firefly over and over again. Maybe two or three times a year.

Hah, I have Cowboy Bebop on my puter too. I do watch it again occassionally. For some movies, particulary the ones where their creators had more than one messages, then I do watch them a few times. For other mindless action movies, once is enough for me.

 

[Nick M]

Originally Posted by Tokyo Slim

I dunno, I'll watch Cowboy Bebop or Firefly over and over again. Maybe two or three times a year.
If they released another version of the Firefly boxed set with cast/crew commentaries for every episode, I'd buy it again. Maybe I have low expectations for DVD extras, but I was really entertained by the ones on Firefly.

 

[phaedrus]

Only for DVD extras, commentaries, behind the scenes, making-of and deleted stuff. This is why I purchase criterion collection DVD sets.

 

[SGladwell]

Originally Posted by matadorpoeta

okay, i'll count you as one who watches his movies over and over. is this typical? do people who buy the 3rd season of 'alias' on dvd actually watch that thing over and over?

I'll watch TV shows over again more often than movies, for some reason. Well, not all series, just two really: The West Wing seasons 1-4, and Sports Night. I suspect Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip might be the 3th. (I also in a moment of weakness bought the first season of Nip/Tuck, but honestly I don't even think all of the DVD's are out of their individual wrappers.) Especially with TWW, there are certain episodes I'll watch quite often, maybe thrice a year.

I can only think of a few movies I've seen multiple times on my own initiative. Lola Rennt, A Few Good Men, Himmel über Berlin, American History X...those four probably cover it.

Concert DVD's get much more rotation in my HT than movies do. If it weren't for concert DVD's, both kinds of football, women's tennis, and the occasional engaging HBO series, I'd probably not bother with "home theater" at all, but rather keep a separate "stereo" and a "TV."

 

[rdawson808]

I watch the same movies over and over. The primary reasons are (i) I really like them so am always entertained; (ii) there are not many new movies out worth watching.

I tend to repeatedly watch older movies (the classics like Casablanca, Shall We Dance, etc.) and movies from my teen years (the John Hughes movies). I've probably seen some of them 20 times over the years.

What that means is that we own some DVDs but are not constantly buying them. Again, there aren't, in my opinion, many good movies coming out these days.

bob

 

[johnapril]

I hate the movies.

 

[imageWIS]

Originally Posted by johnapril

I hate the movies.

Why's that? Not random enough?

Jon.

 

[Get Smart]

I used to collect dvd movies as well but stopped a year ago since it seemed I was buying them just to have it because I liked it in the theater. Some movies I bought and never even watched for months. So now I only buy movies that, for one reason or another, are essential for me to own. I used to buy TV show boxsets too but I never watch those more than once. Altho when/if HU$TLE comes out on dvd I will get it for sure.

I think my dvds that have gotten the most play are Zoolander, Valley Girl, Bring It On, Quadrophenia, Snatch, Down with Love, High Fidelity and Ronin.