So, you have got ubuntu and you are still playing movies on 0.8.6 something version. No matter how many times you do an "apt-get update", vlc does not upgrade. The way to do this is:
a) sudo vim /etc/apt/sources.list
b) Add line "deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/c-korn/ubuntu hardy main" and save the file
c) sudo apt-get update
d) sudo apt-get install vlc
Now when you type in vlc, you will see the latest vlc player popping up...