I hate to bring up these old bones again, but Sony BMG just put out a press release that indicates plainly that their Transformers Movie (1986) DVD is going to be 16x9 windescreen. (!?) 

Now, I've heard every argument there is about letterbox cropping to fit 16x9 etc.; that's how they did it back then, etc.; but I'm one of those hoping-against-hope hold outs.  I saw this movie projected on a real movie screen from film (somewhat) recently, and there was more to see on the sides, quite a bit more, than I'm used to seeing on a TV.  Now, there's probably some slop room they probably routinely crop off film for TV, but that's not going to make me stop hoping there's more.  If this DVD is letterbox cropped only, then I'm finished imagining there's more to see.  But until November 7th, I'm reserving my judgement.

Partial press release follows.  Full version is somewhere on the official dvd site.
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TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE 20TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION DVD

Ultimate TRANSFORMERS Limited Edition DVD To Feature Three Versions Of Film; Commentary Tracks and Interviews; Sneak Peak At Next Summer's Major Motion Picture Event; And Much More

Legendary Artist Don Figueroa Crafts Exclusive New "Transforming" Cover Art For This DVD

New York, New York, July 21, 2006 - SONY BMG Music Entertainment will help usher in the next phase of TRANSFORMERS mania as it unveils the specifics of its November 7th release of  TRANSFORMERS: The Movie 20th Anniversary Special Edition DVD.  Since announcing the title in June, fans have been clamoring for more details - nearly as much as Decepticons clamor for Energon - and they will not be disappointed. Sony BMG Home Entertainment has gone to painstaking lengths to put together the ultimate package that will surely appeal to the huge, passionate and multi-generational TRANSFORMERS fan base.

For the 20th anniversary edition, Sony BMG Home Entertainment completely re-mastered and color-corrected the film and will present Optimus Prime, Megatron and the rest of the star-studded Autobots and Decepticons in true splendor through three distinct versions:

*    16X9 WIDESCREEN PRESENTATION - which has not been seen anywhere since the movie was in theaters 20 years ago.

*    AUTOBOT MATRIX OF KNOWLEDGE PRESENTATION - Truly showcasing the pop culture phenomenon that is THE TRANSFORMERS, SONY BMG has created a special version of the film for the DVD release.  The Autobot Matrix of Knowledge will feature trivia and fun facts about the movie itself, the TRANSFORMERS brand, and the pop culture references in which TRANSFORMERS has been spoofed/tributed.  Approximately 100 fun facts will show up on screen throughout the movie. Many of the factoids were provided by fans through a special DVD site created by Sony BMG to solicit input -- marking the first time that the huge TRANSFORMERS fan base has ever been asked to participate in the creation of a TRANSFORMERS home entertainment release.

*    FULL SCREEN EDITION

Adding to the excitement for this DVD, Sony BMG Home Entertainment has partnered with Paramount Pictures to provide a behind-the-scenes sneak peak at next summer's highly anticipated TRANSFORMERS live action movie event.  The special feature segment on the DVD will include comments from Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg who share their vision and passion for TRANSFORMERS.

TRANSFORMERS: The Movie 20th Anniversary Special Edition DVD will take viewers even more inside this cult favorite than ever before through all-new interviews and first-time-ever commentary tracks.  Exclusive new interviews with director Nelson Shin, story consultant Flint Dille and Sue Blu, the voice of fan-favorite Arcee, are included in this fantastic new special edition DVD.

To further commemorate the 20th anniversary of the film, SONY BMG is providing fans with some extra-celebratory content that lets them track back to the true origins of the TRANSFORMERS.  After careful consideration and preparation, Sony BMG has scoured the archives for the best TRANSFORMERS-related footage available, and the DVD will include the original commercials for the toy line and movie -- allowing viewers to see how and where the phenomenon began.