WSR Reader And Active Consumer Goes To The Source
The following e-mail letter was sent to Buena Vista Entertainment and forwarded to us as well: I recently purchased The Sixth Sense. You probably already know what I'm going to say in this letter just by looking at the [subject line of my e-mail] and the movie I mentioned. 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 BVE 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 this month’s issue of Widescreen Review [July/August, Issue 40]. The writer was kind enough not to slam you but, then again, the words of the many readers' letters were enough.
Paul Lawbaug
Story & Special Features Review Editor Laurie Sevano comments:
Wow! Thanks for the plug. We appreciate your sending the e-mail to Buena Vista Entertainment and referring them to us. Many others share your feelings, and the comments keep coming in to us from readers disgruntled over this nasty practice. It encourages me to keep up with what I feel is right—telling consumers just what they're paying for—studio advertising!
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