Top 10 Double Dips

Double dips. As DVD collector's, we have a love/hate relationship with them. On the plus side, you're getting all new bonus materials, possibly a new a/v transfer, and all sorts of other goodies. On the downside, you're probably paying for a movie you already purchased once. So what's worth your double dip dollar? Here are ten double dips we think are worth the upgrade.

10. Pulp Fiction

Original Release Date: May 20th, 1998

Double Dip Date: August 20th, 2002

Originally released as a bare bones single disc, die-hards new there was way more bonus material to be had, and some of us were able to patiently wait for a release worthy of the Criterion laserdisc. Even if you did purchase the original, there's not doubt you traded up thanks to handsome packaging, two discs loaded with bonus materials, and a Jack Rabbit Slim's menu included as the insert. A must upgrade for any Tarantino devotee.

9. Dogma

Original Release Date: May 2nd, 2000

Double Dip date: June 26th, 2001

Even in the format's infancy, Kevin Smith established himself as a huge supporter of supplimental material on his discs, with stellar releases of Chasing Amy and Mallrats. So when word came that his controversial 1999 film Dogma was being released with no special features, it came as a bit of a head scratcher. Thankfully, Smith's fantastic relationship with his fanbase made it clear that a special edition was in the works, so those of us in the know saved our hard earned dollar and the faithfull were duly rewarded with two of Smith's infamous commentary tracks, deleted scenes, and more, not to mention sweet Indiana Jones-esque cover art. DVD collectors can probably guess which Smith title we'll be seeing later on in the list.

8. Close Encounters Of The Third Kind

Original Release Date: May 29th, 2001

Double Dip Date: November 13th, 2007

Any double dip with multiple versions of the same film is always going to be an easy second purchase. The 30th Anniversary Edition of Close Encoutners Of The Third Kind collected all three versions of the film (theatrical, special edition, and director's cut), a collector's book, comparison poster, and more. The Blu-Ray edition is of course the preferred choice, but either way you'll be getting the most complete Close Encounters package you'll ever need.

7. Seven Samurai

Original Release Date: March 16th, 1999

Double Dip Date: September 5th, 2006

It's not often that Criterion feels the need to go back and add suppliments to their already loaded releases, but as the company's second DVD release, Seven Samurai was a little lite on the features. Due to it's 203 minute running time, it only included an audio commentary with Japanese film expert Michael Jeck and a theatrical trailer, all on the dreaded flipper disc. The 2006 release (our #1 DVD of that year) made right that wrong, spreading the film onto two discs, and threw in a bonus third disc of suppliments, including the Seven Samurai segment of Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful To Create, a now standard bonus feature on almost all of Criterion's Kurosawa releases.

6. Superman: The Movie

Original Release Date: May 1st, 2001

Double Dip Date: November 28th, 2006

If the idea of owning Superman III and Superman IV: The Quest For Peace kept you from purchasing the stunning Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition, you still owe it to yourself to pick up the 4 disc special edition. Featuring both the theatrical cut and the 2000 expanded edition, this double dip includes hours of features, such as featurettes covering all aspects of production, 9 Fleischer Superman cartoons, and the 1951 George Reeves movie Superman And The Mole Men.


5. Sin City: Unrated, Recut & Extended

Original Release Date: August 16th, 2005

Double Dip Date: December 13th, 2005

Here's a double dip we all saw coming. Director Robert Rodriguez has never been one to skimp on extra features, so when Sin City arrived in August of 2006 with just a behind-the-scenes featurette, it was clear more was to come. Rodriquez didn't dissapoint, giving Unrated, Recut & Extended buyers the option of watching the original theatrical cut, or watching each story seperately (with extra gore), as they were originally published by creator Frank Miller. You also get commentaries by Rodriguez, Miller and guest director Quentin Tarantino, featurettes, and the graphic novel version of The Hard Goodbye. Sadly, there's still no deleted Jessica Alba - Alexis Bledel make-out scene...I know it exists, it has to!


4. Zodiac: Director's Cut

Original Release Date: July 24th, 2007

Double Dip Date: January 8th, 2008

David Fincher's 2007 masterpiece Zodiac was one of the most intensely thorough prodedural thrillers released in recent memory, so when the bare bones DVD arrived in July of 2007, many fans smelled a rat. Turns out the smell was coming from the insert included in the DVD case, which announced the coming 2 disc Director's cut. Paramount delievered the goods though, putting out a set so filled with suppliments on every aspect of filming and more importantly, the actual Zodiac killings, that it's possibly the closest any studio has ever come to touching what Criterion does best.


3. Clerks X

Original Release Date: June 29th, 1999

Double Dip Date: September 7th, 2004

Kevin Smith's second appearance on our countdown is the tenth anniversary of his classic debut Clerks, Clerks X, a set that upgraded an already decent Collector's Edition (that virtually mirrored the laserdisc release) with a massive 3 discs. The theatrical cut and the original version of the film are included, with two commentaries, one being a video commentary for the original cut. The audio and video has been cleaned up, and highlights include an animated "Lost Scene" featuring Joey Lauren Adams, and the feature length documentary "Snowball Effect: The Making Of Clerks."


2. The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring - New Line Platinum Series

Original Release Date: August 6th, 2002

Double Dip Date: November 12th, 2002

Without question, The Lord Of The Rings films set the gold standard with the release of the extended version of The Fellowship Of The Ring. Not only did Peter Jackson add 30 minutes to the theatrical cut, he did the right thing and spread the film across two discs, to make space for a beautiful transfer, DTS ES and Dolby Digital EX audio options, and an audio commentary track with over 30 participants. The other two discs include several production featurettes, all beautiful laid out in a branching menu scheme. To top it all off, all three came packaged gorgeously, more at home in a library than on a DVD shelf.


1. Blade Runner: 5 Disc Ultimate Edition

Original Relase Date: March 26th, 1997

Double Dip Date: December 18th, 2007

Possibly one of the greatest DVDs ever released, the 5 disc Ultimate Edition of Blade Runner upgrades the previously released Director's Cut, one of the first titles released on the DVD format. This is as complete a package any die hard fan could ask for, including the final cut, the director's cut, the theatrical version, the European cut and the ultra rare workprint version that arguably started the public's fascination with the manly incarnations of Blade Runner. While Blu-Ray and HD-DVD owners could obtain the workprint with the standard or briefcase releases, DVD owners were forced to purchase the briefcase if they wanted the workprint. But oh what a set it is, with an oragami unicorn, die-cast toy Spinner, a motion film clip, hours of special features and more. To paraphrase Roy Batty, "Time to buy."