I agree, Jimbo. That's all part of a director's license, though I am partial to the 2:35:1 ratio. It's so broad, so panoramic, so epic. Some movies (Star Wars, LOTR, Braveheart, Lawrence of Arabia) require that ratio, some don't. I've noted, though, that Steven Spielberg, who would seem like the type to use the 2:35:1 ratio uses the 1:85:1 ratio instead. A bizarre choice for films like Saving Private Ryan and Schindler's List, but it works, and if he prefers it, that's his prerogative.
What should be made standard, Ric, is the banning of fullscreen video releases, period, though I think we all more or less agree on that.

Edit: Correction. Some phenomenal classic films were made without widescreen use (Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Seven Samurai). Those obviously should be allowed to remain fullscreen.