Come with Me to the Dark Side

It was only a few weeks ago that I realized how much money I’ve spent on my DVD, Blu-Ray and HD DVD collection. While the latter format was certainly less expensive than the others—that’s what happens with a discontinued format—I was only buying the best of the best in their respected format. Rarely did I ever settle for a single-disc version when a double-disc, or beyond, was available. And woe is me, the consumer who often fell for a studio’s double-dipping effort of a movie that already had a near perfect release. I’ve learned since, and now check with my valued sources before purchasing a double-dipping effort.

Why would I want to buy a DVD or Blu-Ray that offers absolutely nothing new, other than new cover art and packaging?
 
While contemplating the amount of money spent, I had an epiphany. Well, maybe not an epiphany, but a sudden moment of great realization…okay, that’s an epiphany. I spend all this money on these films that contain boat-loads of special features and commentary and guess what…I don’t watch the extras. Shame on me!
 
I then spent the rest of the evening watching a few special features on select DVDs: the Criterion Collection of Rushmore, and part of the special features on the Matrix Revisted DVD from the Ultimate Matrix Collection. I recall previously watching the Blu-Ray release of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and the following day, a lazy Sunday afternoon, spent a good four to five hours watching nearly all the special features on the disc. Thank God for Stephen Spielberg, George Lucas, and Harrison Ford—along with the original cast and crew from the three previous films. Regardless of what the average review rates this film, I have a much higher respect for the cast and crew than I have ever had before. This, of course, transcends beyond the Indiana Jones quadrilogy.
 
A week later, after having spent the previous week with the aforementioned special features, I decided it was time to finally fulfill my desire to learn more about the behind-the-scenes on the Star Wars trilogy (Episodes IV–VI). George Lucas wasn’t always my favorite filmmaker, especially since I felt Episodes I–III just didn’t have the same feel as the first three films in hexilogy; watching the special features in the trilogy pack has changed my mind. I know where he’s going.
 
Lucas was an independent filmmaker who did whatever he could to not fall in with corporate movie studios. He just wanted to make his own films, the way he wanted them done. Few believed in him, and many thought he was wasting their money and time. Look at him now.
 
Indeed, look at him now; he has become exactly what he so strongly strived to stay away from. He became corporate. And he admits it. With that, he provides the analogy that Anakin Skywalker was tempted by the Dark Side, and eventually turned. George Lucas, although not really aware of it, was slowly becoming the very essence of corporate.
 
All is forgiven, Lucas. I’m pretty certain in one way or another, we’ve all been tempted by something we’ve put all our time and energy to stay away; unfortunately, our efforts were in vain, and now we’ve become the very thing we’ve detested.
 
Take me for example: I used to hate Classic Rock, or any ’80s or earlier rock music. I didn’t see the reason to like it; I didn’t understand. At one point, I do recall actually saying I would never listen to that type of music; and for a while, I didn’t. However, some time in the year of 2006, I turned…for the better, I assure you. Now, when I listen to music I had listened to prior to adopting Classic Rock as the preferred genre, it feels odd. Odd that I’m listening to it. Sometimes I feel uncomfortable.
 
To add fuel to the fire, I also recall saying I would never blog. Here I am, nearly ten years later, blogging. Little did I realize what I was doing on Open Diary was, in fact, blogging. I’ve been blogging for ten years and not even realizing it. Thankfully, I blogged of a different nature, so technically, I can say I haven’t been.
 
If George Lucas can turn to the Dark Side, so can I. I’m not ashamed to admit it, and neither should you.