Currently my VLC 0.9.4 always opens up in Minimal View Mode.
RMB > Interface > Minimal View is checked!
If I uncheck it: View goes Non Minimal but:
Tools > Minimal View keeps checked!
If I uncheck it (nothing should happen) VLC goes Minimal Again.
here is a boring video where I try to fiddle it out:
http://screencast.com/t/oqjl3Xdj