Ebert and Roeper DVD Special

The "bells and whistles" of DVDs will be a thumbs-up topic the first weekend of December when movie critics Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper host a special DVD edition of "Ebert & Roeper and the Movies."

Titled "Bells & Whistles," which will air nationally Dec. 2 and 3, it will focus on all the extra DVD features, such as commentaries, Easter eggs, deleted scenes and more.

"We were kicking around ideas for a special show," says Roeper. "[This topic] stems from our mutual enthusiasm for all these great special features on movies, from Casablanca to Any Given Sunday."

During the nationally-syndicated show, Ebert and Roeper highlight some of the best features offered on the DVD format. Clips from The Perfect Storm, The Matrix, The Wizard of Oz and The Birds DVDs are just a few titles the movie-loving duo will discuss and analyze on an extra-features basis.

"[I liked] finding neat stuff, like [how] the Casablanca subtitles that do not agree," says Ebert.

Both men emphasize the growing popularity and necessity behind DVD extras.

"Not only are you getting a great pictures form the DVD technology, but you have the opportunity to appreciate and study your favorite movies," says Roeper. "In some cases, the DVD extras are so comprehensive, it's like taking a film class."

Ebert adds: "The general public is catching on to these features and growing more sophisticated about using them as a reason to buy or rent a disc."

Roeper, who is an author and Chicago Sun-Times columnist, says he loves the Easter eggs hidden in many DVD releases. Little clandestine extras will pop up in the DVD, revealing trivia facts, hidden trailers or a bonus movie tracks.

"The filmmakers are bringing a kind of video-game mentality to the table," says Roeper. "Just as there are all sorts of secrets and clues hidden clues and bonuses tucked away in some of the more complicated video games, many of the DVD releases have these little treats you can only find by rooting around on your own. It's great fun to discover some deleted scenes or a short film by the director that's not advertised on the box or listed in the main menu."

Ebert, author and film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago's WLS-TV, enjoys commentary tracks the most, followed by the extra and deleted scenes.

Adds Roeper: "I also enjoy the deleted scenes feature, even though you often come away thinking that a wise choice was made in not including these scenes in the theatrical version."

The DVD market in general is a boon for the home entertainment industry, both men agree.

"[DVD] enhances picture and sound, which is good," says Ebert. "And the extras help people think more seriously about the art and craft of movies."

The future of VHS may have numbered days, says Roeper.

"DVD players–and recordable DVDs at a reasonable price in the future–will completely elminate the VCR," he says.