“The Sixth Sense” On DVD
Dear Gary: Please forward this letter to Buena Vista Entertainment: To Buena Vista Entertainment I recently purchased The Sixth Sense. You probably already know what I’m going to say in this letter just by looking at the title (DVD) and the movie I mentioned (The Sixth Sense). You are correct in assuming that I was going to complain about the ridiculous and shameless advertising that goes with the DVD release of this movie. What amazes me is the extent to the underhandedness of it—to disable the stop button and the menu button through the entire length of it! It is right scary that Buena Vista Entertainment wouldn’t feel ultimately ashamed to chain the audience to the screen like that. At least with video there was an excuse that accompanied the annoying previews: since it is tape there simply is no other way than to fast forward. But the simple and shameless truth comes out when someone goes through all the trouble to disable buttons and force you to view the previews on a DVD. Hopefully Buena Vista Entertainment will learn that the DVD crowd is of a different audience as was seen in the Divx fiasco. Divx might have succeeded if their was an actual attempt and follow-through to offer more value and options but once it was clear that it was pure and simple greed, ownership and advertising behind it then it couldn’t go anyplace else besides into a huge cash-draining vacuum. And your DVD sales are going to end up in the same place if you don’t wise up. Think I’m exaggerating? Check out last month’s Issue 39 of Widescreen Review. The writer was kind enough not to slam you but, then again, the word’s of the many readers’ letters were enough.
Paul Lawbaugh
Story & Special Features Review Editor Laurie Sevano Comments:
Paul, you will find numerous letters such as yours on our Web site at www.WidescreenReview.com.
You can E-mail Widescreen Review @ mailto:editorgary@widescreenreview.com