Aviator, The [Widescreen, Special Edition, 2-Disc]

So this is just the version to tide everyone over until the "Special Edition" is released, right?

Though it's not labeled SE, it being two discs makes me wonder.

Martin Scorsese's THE AVIATOR (2004) is one of his best films, and is presented in this 2-Disc Widescreen Edition with fantastic special features, from Director's Commentary by Scorsese, to deleted scenes, to a bunch of behind the scenes documentaries. This will go on the wall with the other great SCORSESE DVDs!

Edit Note: Let me elaborate. Though I can not PERSONALLY vouch for the QUALITY of the extras, I can vouch for the QUALITY of the other Scorsese DVD's which I MYSELF HAVE SEEN.

Judging the quality of such films on DVD as GOODFELLAS: Two-Disc Special Edition, RAGING BULL: Special Edition, MEAN STREETS: Special Edition, GANGS OF NEW YORK, ALICE DOESN'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE, AFTER HOURS, TAXI DRIVER and WHO'S THAT KNOCKING AT MY DOOR?, and now knowing what will be included in this particular DVD, I CAN SAY:

This film is great and the DVD promises to be as great or better!

So there.

Forgive my asking, Magnolia, but how do you know the special features are "fantastic"? Have you seen them? Do you work for Buena Vista? Or are you assuming, guessing? Just curious.

John

This was a really great movie. Too bad Scorsese didn't win the Best Director Oscar.

Thank God our coverart isn't the same as the R2. Ouch.

Gotta love that Bach piece while testing the XF-11. (Toccata and Fugue in D Minor).

What is that new "Copy Protected" logo on the back of the dvd for? It's also on the back of the FInding Neverland DVD. Do these DVD's employ a new form of encryption or is that just a way of telling people you are in a no copy zone akin to a no smoking zone? lol :P

I LOVE long movies, and this one definetly did it for me.

I think I was the best movie of the year.

I wish it had my favorite actress of all time Cate Blanchett on the cover. I think she is so beautiful.

Maybe she'll be on this SE you guys are assuming will come soon.

I have seen 2 versions of the DVD on the internet, one is the one on this site (which I like more) and another has a quote from a critic that says 4 stars "****"

HEY, that is what happened with The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

Mine says "Winner of 11 Academy Awards" and my brother's has a quote from a critic.

"Maybe she'll be on this SE you guys are assuming will come soon." --Jay

"I have seen 2 versions of the DVD on the internet, one is the one on this site (which I like more) and another has a quote from a critic that says 4 stars "****"" --Jay

Jay,

I'd say this IS the special edition. It's a two-disc set with audio commentary from Scorsese and other filmmakers, plus about two hours of bonus material.

Also, where did you see this other DVD cover you mention? I checked with WB's official press site, with Amazon.com, and with DVD Empire, and they only show the one cover we have here at DVD Town (although there is a fullscreen version, too, but it uses essentially the same cover with "Full-Screen" at the top).

John

Maybe the other DVD cover seen was a preliminary one, but was changed after the Academy Award winners were announced. Why quote some lame critic when you can say, "Hey! We won heaps of Oscars!" :)

"Maybe the other DVD cover seen was a preliminary one." --Cagey

Good point.

John

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Theatrical Version came out on May 25th 2004.

Both of the covers were made after the Oscars.

John,

Great review!! You said DeCaprio was a not good choice for the role. Do you think Ben Affleck would have been a good choice;)? He was able to hold his role well in Gigli;)

--Ranjan

"You said DeCaprio was a good choice for the role." --Ranjan

I did? And Affleck? Do I detect some early-morning sarcasm here?

John

John - it should have been -
"You said DeCaprio was a not good choice for the role." Now it makes sense!!

Here is the line from your review -
"For me, the weakest part of the story may be the most ironic and controversial, the casting of Leonardo DiCaprio as Hughes."

Oh well I was just having fun by citing Afflect as the other choice for Hughes. Remember Pearl Harbor:). Maybe Matt Daemon would have been a good choice. I find it hard to believe that Caprio seems to get big roles - Aviator, Gangs of New York, Catch me if u can etc.

--Ranjan