The straight-to-DVD market has exploded into a juggernaut void of talent.

Movies are supposed to be seen on the big screen, but when it comes to the overall production of making a film, it’s a tiresome, stressful and above all, expensive process.

I was one of those people who mistakenly rented every straight to DVD, Steven Segal film. I was hoping to get one last “Under Siege” from the pony-tailed warrior, but that wasn’t the case.

Along with washed up C-List movie stars, movie franchises have expanded tremendously thanks to straight-to-DVD releases. “The Dukes Of Hazard,” “Behind Enemy Lines,” “Bring It On” and “Urban Legend” were all pretty below average movies when they came out to the theatres. But now, straight to DVD sequels make their predecessors seem like “Citizen Kane.”

I was fine with these straight to DVD’s coming out when they didn’t affect me personally. Then I saw the John Cusack and Morgan Freeman straight to DVD fiasco “The Contract.” How could two incredibly talented actors end up in a laughable, low-budget movie about an emotional hit man?! As I wiped the tears forming in my eyes, I made a pact with myself to boycott straight to DVD movies.

The production companies responsible for this disgrace to cinema exploitation, well-known actors and franchises are in it for insane profit. No cost for playing in theaters, just straight to the shelves of rental stores and retailers.

Look no further than the 2005 straight to DVD movie, “American Pie Presents: Band Camp.” According to Variety.com, this film sold one million copies in it’s first week alone. By only spending 1/3 of a normal theatrical production, the straight-to-DVD market has grossed over $3 billion in the last few years.

To the investors and studios, a straight-to-DVD movie is a safe and secure profit. But there is a tremendous fault usually in the ideologies of these producers. The quality of the film is drastically compromised due to a low-budget and tight schedule. This inevitably tarnishes a movie franchise or the legacy of a martial arts master in a leopard print kimono.

What if some movies get optioned by the studios and become green lit for a straight to DVD sequel? I’ve already seen one of my favorite movies, “Carlito’s Way” disgraced by a horrible prequel starring P. Diddy.
What’s next, Pulp Fiction 2: Pulp Harder? Goodfellas 2: Electric Bugaloo?

In order for this disease perpetuated by Hollywood to stop, we need to stop giving in and renting or buying these horrendous movies. Straight-to-DVD films have never and will never compare to the finished product of a movie on the grand stage of the local cineplex.

All comments are moderated before being published. We will not edit your comments, but we also will not approve those that are abusive, off-topic, attack another poster or contain information we know to be libelous or false.

During peak weekday viewing times, most comments will be reviewed within six hours. For more detailed information, click here.

After submitting your comment, check below for a confirmation message.

• Your name:
• Enter text from image:
  

• Your comment:

* 300-character count. HTML formatting will not display.