# I just spent $5.88 for "Altered States" on DVD **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 23, 2003, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-spent-5-88-for-altered-states-on-dvd/183665 "2003-06-23T01:34:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DirkGntly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@DirkGntly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DirkGntly)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-spent-5-88-for-altered-states-on-dvd/183665/1 "2003-06-23T01:34:49Z")
So, as per the title, I spent $5.88 for “Altered States” with William Hurt (1980) on DVD. It is a 2-sided DVD with both Pan-n-Scan and widescreen, one per side, plus a few “extras” thrown in. I’ve never seen this movie, but vaguely recall that it was an “important” title. My question is, did I waste my money? - Dirk ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-spent-5-88-for-altered-states-on-dvd/183665/2 "2003-06-23T01:37:48Z")
Not a waste, but a steal. That’s a great movie (I have it myself). It defintely has the Ken Russell trademark tripped out wackiness (dig the hallucination scenes) combined with powerful performances from William Hurt and Blair Brown. ---
**Author:** ![DirkGntly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@DirkGntly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DirkGntly)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-spent-5-88-for-altered-states-on-dvd/183665/3 "2003-06-23T01:43:44Z")
Thanks, **gobear,** I feel better now. I should note that this was _new in the box_ in the bargain bin at Wal-e-World. My guilty confession? I also picked up Blue Thunder and The Poseidon Adventure in the same bin, for the same price, each. - Dirk ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-spent-5-88-for-altered-states-on-dvd/183665/4 "2003-06-23T02:13:54Z")
It’s a phenomenal movie. I’m jealous. The DVD’s they have at our local Wal-Mart are pretty pitiful. Enjoy it, and I beg of you- watch it in the proper aspect ratio? Cartooniverse ---
**Author:** ![DirkGntly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@DirkGntly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DirkGntly)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-spent-5-88-for-altered-states-on-dvd/183665/5 "2003-06-23T02:50:10Z")
**Cartooniverse,** _Is_ there _any other_ aspect ratio than wide screen?? 😃 - Dirk ---
**Author:** ![Wumpus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8c91f0/32.png) [@Wumpus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wumpus)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-spent-5-88-for-altered-states-on-dvd/183665/6 "2003-06-23T03:23:07Z")
It’s a Ken Russell movie, so naturally it’s a hoot. Though it helps if you’re very, very drunk. “I’m … eating … the goat …” ---
**Author:** ![widdershins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f0a364/32.png) [@widdershins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/widdershins)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-spent-5-88-for-altered-states-on-dvd/183665/7 "2003-06-23T03:25:13Z")
Ah, someone else has discovered the occasional charm of the $5.88 bin at Wal-Mart. I’ve gotten everything from gems like _The Big Red One_ and _Local Hero_ to fun “popcorn” like _No Escape_ and _Outland_ to guilty pleasure cheese like _Trick Or Treat_ and collections of Our Gang comedies and old Popeye cartoons (worth it for the beautiful Fleischer Bros. toons, even with the annoying sound effects someone added later). ---
**Author:** ![DirkGntly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@DirkGntly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DirkGntly)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-spent-5-88-for-altered-states-on-dvd/183665/8 "2003-06-23T03:37:04Z")
**widdershins,** You found _The Big Red One_? You lucky scoundrel. I keep hoping to find a copy of _Kelly’s Heroes_ someday. Just love that movie… …or maybe even a VHS release of _A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum_ with Zero Mostel… …or I’d really like to find _Condorman_ for my kids… …anyone seen any of these for sale, in the Wal-Mart bargain bin or elsewhere? (Yes, I think it’s perfectly good etiquette to hi-jack your own thread… 🙂 ) - Dirk ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-spent-5-88-for-altered-states-on-dvd/183665/9 "2003-06-23T03:48:22Z")
I’m sorry, but you overpaid by approximately $5.87, despite the reviews by Dopers with some serious bona fides. All you need to hear is the dialogue during one of the sex scenes early in the film. Psuedo-intellectual claptrap is annoying at any time, but _during sex!?_. If you are talking philosophy during intercourse you are having bad sex, period. This was undoubtedly a film written by a geek. Eh, some people from the same era think Saint Elmo’s Fire is the defining film of their (my) generation. YMMV ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-spent-5-88-for-altered-states-on-dvd/183665/10 "2003-06-23T03:57:31Z")
I’m sorry, but you overpaid by approximately $5.87, despite the reviews by Dopers with some serious bona fides. All you need to hear is the dialogue during one of the sex scenes early in the film. Psuedo-intellectual claptrap is annoying at any time, but _during sex!?_. If you are talking philosophy during intercourse you are having bad sex, period. This was undoubtedly a film written by a geek. Eh, some people from the same era think Saint Elmo’s Fire is the defining film of their (my) generation. YMMV ---
**Author:** ![widdershins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f0a364/32.png) [@widdershins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/widdershins)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-spent-5-88-for-altered-states-on-dvd/183665/11 "2003-06-23T06:23:38Z")
My Wal-Mart must be getting the prime DVD material, I’ve seen _Kelly’s Heroes_ in the 2 for $15 section with lots of other macho movies as part of a Father’s Day promo. Holiday over and the prices were still in effect last time I looked. Might have to pick it and _Excalibur_ up if they still have the deal going on. I idolize Oddball way too much, and need to see Ex again to refresh my memories of hottie Helen Mirren. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-spent-5-88-for-altered-states-on-dvd/183665/12 "2003-06-23T06:42:19Z")
It’s worth $5.87 just to see John Larroquette. (It is my least favourite Ken Russell movie, though-- I wouldn’t pay much more for it.)