Double Dip Demands is a column in which I propose films that deserve a re-release on DVD/Blu-Ray with more special features, better transfers and other nerdy bits. Some of the films have no DVDs out there for Region 1 viewers, and some of them have a really crappy version that's bare bones or poorly put together. Who speaks for these films? I do.
The Film: Idiocracy (2006)
Cast & Crew: Mike Judge (writer/director); Luke Wilson, Maya Rudolph, Dax Shepard, Terry Crews
Plot Synopsis (via IMDB): Private Joe Bauers, the definition of "average American", is selected by the Pentagon to be the guinea pig for a top-secret hibernation program. Forgotten, he awakes 500 years in the future. He discovers a society so incredibly dumbed-down that he's easily the most intelligent person alive.
Is it Out on DVD Currently?: Yes - but in a bare bones release with no real extras to speak of.
Why Does it Deserve to Have Special Features?: Idiocracy is Mike Judge's parodic take on the dystopic future Sci-Fi movie. Much like his previous film (and future Cult Classic) Office Space, Fox did a crap job promoting it in theaters and hasn't shown it much love on home video - despite the fact that it's generally beloved, infinitely quoteable and unfortunately relevant to our society. It's funny, insightful, original and unique in its willingness to gleefully indict people and corporations. There are many aspects of the world Judge has created that are worthy of exploring. Additionally, with so many funny people involved and with so many comically absurd situations in the film, it's a fair bet that there'd be a lot of good material available to entertain Idiocracy fans.
What Should be on the Disc?
- Commentary
- Mike Judge & Etan Cohen (co-writer)
- The President and his cabinet: Terry Crews (President Camacho), Sara Rue (Attorney General), David Herman (Secretary of State) and Luke Wilson
- Film Critics Nathan Rabin, Elvis Mitchell, Peter Vonder Haar discuss the film
- "Ass: The Movie" - A clip from Ass, the movie that won eight Oscars, including best screenplay.
- "Ow My Balls!" - Clips from the popular TV Show, "Ow My Balls!"
- Brawndo: From Myth to Reality - A look at how Brawndo became a real thing for sale - www.brawndo.com - along with the insanity that led to Fox shelving the movie, but selling the drink.
- A Pimp's Love - Behind the scenes of the photos of Officer Collins and Upgrayedd and a talk with Scarface, the rapper/actor playing Upgrayedd.
- Deleted Scenes - this is the only feature on the current disc.
- Trailers - A collection of the marketing that (did or didn't) go out for Idiocracy.
- What If You Withheld a Movie, And Everyone Came? - A look at the convoluted history of Idiocracy from its production to being shelved for a year and then only being released in 6 theaters. An examination of how cult films are created and how, no matter how buried his films are, Mike Judge always seems to get the last laugh.
- Look of the Future - A look at the production and costume design of people in the future. Referencing retro-futurism, the look of characters and settings is a take on the far off future that is met by present day stupidity.
- Get Out of the Way - A look at intelligence, corporate influence and the direction of discourse in America. Concentrating on the rise of celebutantes and dumbshits, the current pop culture spectrum is defined by people who are famous for being famous while those with real talent and intelligence are either ignored, ridiculed or tasked with working on boner pills and porno websites.