Customer Reviews

Cold Case

5 star:		(101)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A lot of reviewers are asking why this set is taking so long to release on DVD. The reason why is the music and licensing involved. Read on . . .

One has to admit that Cold Case is willfully sentimental. If you don't like your heart strings being tugged then you won't like this show. But for those of us who do, this is one of the better programs on network television.

Besides original plots, one of the reasons Cold Case is so successful is its use of music to place a story in a specific time. If it's the 1940s you might hear big band music. If it's the 80s it might be fluffy techno rock. For anyone who's lived through the period being depicted, this use of music can bring on a flood of associated memories. We feel what's being shown on the screen because we've been there. And even if we haven't, using period piece music is just good television.

This is a warning to both the producers and, more importantly, anyone buys this disc. If you want a warning of what they might do, just look at Quantum Leap. Because of various copyright holders who were too greedy to allow their music to be used on the DVD, QL was released without many of its original songs. It ruined the show for many of us who liked the show in its original form.

Cold Case has far more music than Quantum Leap ever had. So buyer beware - the producers might try to rip us off and sell us the show without one of the primary reasons we like it in the first place.

And producer beware - if you want us to buy your product, sell us the show we love to watch. We're not interested in some faux copy. Failing to do so WILL harm your bottom line. I know I have never purchased a Quantum Leap set because of this issue and I won't buy a Cold Case set either if it's been edited from its original version.

The show is about to start it's fourth season and we don't even have a DVD set for the first season?! Why not? This is a popular show that has been in the ratings top ten many times. It may be a 'crime drama', but it's not like the other procedurals on television. Cold Case has more of a heart and the detectives, particularly the lead, Lily Rush, often feel emotionally invested in the cases they're solving. We also get to see bits and pieces of their personal lives every so often, which makes the show a little more interesting. Plus, I enjoy the flashback scenes that give us insight on the murders because they treat the victims like human beings rather than 'cases' and I always look forward to the end when the murderer is revealed and they play a song from the year the person was killed. It's surprising that after three seasons a show like this would still hold my interest, but it does. They keep coming up with new twists and well-written episodes that still get to me. I just wish they would hurry up and release the DVD sets!

"Cold Case" is one of the most brilliant dramas to come alone in a long time. It challenges the intellect and touches the heart. The dialogue and chemistry is sparkling, and the musical trips to the past are a wonderful addition.

How long must we wait to find this show on DVD? I'm dying here.

This series' style of flashbacking to unsolved crimes (many in bygone eras) along with music from those eras, makes it unique among current TV crime show fare. I especially enjoyed the episode of a Prohibition era murder discovered via a skeleton in a 1930s vehicle pulled from the river! Each show tries to connect with the people and social constraints they faced during their times. As an avid mystery/suspense reader, the show reminds me of Thomas Cook's novels - great flashbacks that put you in another time with a good dose of mystery.

I've always loved cop dramas and forensic mystery shows, and for the past four years "Cold Case" has been on my list of favorites. However, this year (2006-2007 season) my top pick "CSI" jumped the shark, and "Without A Trace" seems to be circling that same shark, so "Cold Case" has steadily climbed up that list, and here's why:

I've always loved how "Cold Case" does the "period" parts of the show-- like when they flash back to a really old case, and everyone is dressed and speaks like its 1960. I have no firsthand knowledge to know if its accurate, but it looks that way to me. They integrate perfect music choices (with the exception of Season 4's "The Red and the Blue" which went overboard using a Tim McGraw soundtrack)-- both new charttoppers and oldies but goodies-- for any scene, any mood, and any theme.

I also love the color saturation on the show. Its shot like a typical millenium cop drama: lots of jump shots and close ups and whatever, but the way they play with color is really fun. Everything in the precinct is this cold, harsh blue, not unlike real fluorescent lighting, but flashbacks of the victims are always vibrant: red and green, and sometimes different layers of both in one frame (most recent example of this is "Knuckle Up" which aired on January 7 2007). And I don't even watch it on an HDTV, so I don't even get the BEST picture.

In four years, they haven't strayed from their formula, and it still hasn't gotten stale. They don't feel the need to push their detectives together romantically, and even though they show a tiny bit of their personal lives, it never feels like a forced storyline. It's a true dramatic serial, which is rare now.

They get amazing guest stars, and even when those stars are unknown, they're really talented. They also do some pretty unique stories-- a few weeks ago they did one called "Forever Blue" about two male cops in the 60s who fell in love with each other, one of whom was killed for it. Plus, I end up crying every week, even if I've seen the episode already.

I signed up for an alert almost two years ago to find out when this item was being release on DVD, and the studios have yet to announce it. The ratings have increased with it being paired with "Without A Trace" on Sunday nights, so I think it's time! RELEASE "COLD CASE" ON DVD!

I know as do most of us that the main reason why COLD CASE is not now on DVD is because of the music and copyrights. From the first show I was sucked into the whole premise. And the music became such an integral part of the show that I became as envolved as the fictional detectives in solving the case. Every ending left me choked up watching the deceased,the detectives , and the music interact at the culmination of jobs achingly well done. Hopefully if released, the music won't be discarded due to greed and the afore mentioned copyrights. It would change the whole show.

With the sudden outbreak of crime shows on tv, i think Cold Case is the best by far. It is truly unique viewing, and manages to captivate the audience with touching storylines, instead of flashy stunts and predictable plots. The cast are a perfect ensemble.

One of the best aspects of Cold Case, as many have already said, is the music, which transports you into the past, to the time of the unsolved murder. For example, in my very favourite episode, the recent "A Perfect Day", the scene is set in the 60s, with well-known music from artists such as Donovan, The Byrds and The Shirelles.

However, the downside of this is that its taking soooooo long for the show to be released on DVD, because of the music rights. Hopefully, it will be released eventually and even if this takes a long time, it'll be worth the wait!

I would love to write a detailed review of how magnificent this show is on dvd but I cannot because the studio hasn't released on yet.

Aren't they special?

If they're going to use the excuse that music rights are the reason for the hold up, that doesn't wash. In today's day and age, dvd sales of a show is just as integral to a program's profitablity and longevity as it is to broadcast. Like many other shows, the music is important to the episode so when producers have an episode go into production and they license a song to be featured in an episode for broadcast, they may as well INCLUDE IN THE CONTRACT that the license extends into dvd production as well.

To have to license the music first for broadcast into the episode, then again if and when the show goes into dvd is ridiculous. It's double work and holds up dvd sales. Licensing them both at the same time on the same contract also lets a producer know way ahead of time if the music copyright holder is getting too greedy, they can pick another song for the episode and no music has to be replaced.

Get this show on dvd already.

What a great show! I am very surprised it is not available to purchase on DVD. I will keep my fingers crossed that it is released in the near future!

This is one of the best shows on television but I suspect that it is taking so long to come out on DVD due to the music rights.
There is certainly a market for it, and I cannot figure out any other reason why they have not issued it. Please hurry!