Linux Media Player

So I've installed a linux distro and I was completely dissapointed with the video players that are available. Some of the popular players like Mplayer and VLC seem more like a chore to use than anything. It could be that I am in love with MPC for Windows, as it does everything I need and is easily configurable. It also helps that I use decoders and utilities such as Haali and VSFilter to normalize the playback in any Windows player that I use.

I ask this because while most (not all) of the players were able to load subtitles from a MKV container, the display of the subs were subpar. I was unable to get any of the players to change the subtitles to display in an eye pleasing view. Most of the time the subs displayed in an ugly small font (which I did change to fix it a bit) but there were nasty edges on all the letters (missing AA?) I'd like to be able to change the font, add a border around the font for readability, adjust the size, etc. I also wonder if any player in linux is able to load truetype embedded fonts. Is there a player that has decent subtitle configuration?

Why is it that mplayer doesnt have any way to view the available subtitle streams? I am getting pissed off because I cant get soft subs to load. Its in an mkv container and every other player picks it up but mplayer cant.

Also the fact that I can see scan lines or something going all over the screen.. in every single player. Its probably a codec issue but I dont know what to do to fix it. Why arent there any decent decoders for linux?