AB lost Evil Dead 2 rights?

[DaiShuryou]

This is all speculation so far, but I believe that there is a new ED 2 Blu-ray in the works. First of all ED 2 isn't listed on Anchor Bay's website anymore, the movie doesn't seem to be a part of the company anymore, so I assume that they lost the rights to it (seriously, wtf happenes to AB that they let their horror babies go?). And then I ran into this thread on the AV Maniacs board

http://www.avmaniacs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48671

That really sounds like that there is a new BD in the works, huh? What do you guys think about it? If this thread is too speculative, feel free to move it to the Wish Lists corner.

[csdot]

maybe it went to Image like Hellraiser.

[Harlock415]

Question is should I buy it now or hold off for possibly a better transfer? I don't even have these movies on DVD so it would no be double dipping for me.

[retablo]

Would be great, since the AB blu-ray is a complete disaster.

[DaiShuryou]

@Harlock

I would hold off, because it seems that there is something ED 2 related in the works now and I bet it will be a new DVD and BR.


@csdot

I don't think so, because Image just brought the New World movies and ED 2 is a StudioCanal release. It will be interresting to find out who is the new rights holder.

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by csdot

maybe it went to Image like Hellraiser.

I would have guessed the same, but I don't see Image shelling out to add any new content.

[Liquid_Swords]

Originally Posted by retablo

Would be great, since the AB blu-ray is a complete disaster.

Please explain? Ive also heard the older THX dvd is actually the best transfer.

[Zydrate]

Certainly wouldn't mind a new version, as I haven't purchased the original release.

[Ray_Rogers]

Originally Posted by Liquid_Swords

Please explain? Ive also heard the older THX dvd is actually the best transfer.

It is the best transfer since it retains the film grain whilst the Book of the Dead Edition/Blu-ray is DNR central.

[Liquid_Swords]

Originally Posted by Ray_Rogers

It is the best transfer since it retains the film grain whilst the Book of the Dead Edition/Blu-ray is DNR central.

Cool thanks for that info, I will definitely hold off on that then. What about the first one? I have that limited edition blu and it looks pretty decent to me?

[motorheadache95]

Originally Posted by Liquid_Swords

Cool thanks for that info, I will definitely hold off on that then. What about the first one? I have that limited edition blu and it looks pretty decent to me?

The Limited Edition Blu-Ray of the original film is pure awesomeness. The transfer was personally done by Raimi and looks as good as that old film can possibly look.

The Evil Dead 2 Blu-Ray sucks-- the THX DVD actually has more fine detail in the image because the Blu-Ray uses the Book of the Dead Edition master which was heavily DNR'd.

Personally, I'm hoping Raimi supervises new transfers towards Evil Dead 2 and both cuts of Army of Darkness. I retain both of those on DVD for now since the Blu's aren't really up to par.

[Ray_Rogers]

Originally Posted by Liquid_Swords

Cool thanks for that info, I will definitely hold off on that then. What about the first one? I have that limited edition blu and it looks pretty decent to me?

I skipped on the Limited Edition Blu-ray since I already own the Ultimate Edition DVD release for the extras. I do own THE EVIL DEAD on Blu-ray of course it's the film only release. The 1.33:1 framing is sheer brilliance but I must add something else. I'll still be buying the UK Blu-ray and other DVD editions of THE EVIL DEAD. EVIL DEAD II: Dead by Dawn I only own the THX DVD and ARMY OF DARKNESS the MGM Region 3 NTSC DVD which was mastered from film and is literally the longest cut of the film released by a film studio.

Originally Posted by motorheadache95

The Limited Edition Blu-Ray of the original film is pure awesomeness. The transfer was personally done by Raimi and looks as good as that old film can possibly look.

The Evil Dead 2 Blu-Ray sucks-- the THX DVD actually has more fine detail in the image because the Blu-Ray uses the Book of the Dead Edition master which was heavily DNR'd.

Personally, I'm hoping Raimi supervises new transfers towards Evil Dead 2 and both cuts of Army of Darkness. I retain both of those on DVD for now since the Blu's aren't really up to par.

Agreed with the last paragraph but for Army of Darkness I'm waiting for MGM Hong Kong/Korea to release their own of which you'd know would be a bump up from their DVD release. The DVD even looks like film, practically film grain HD almost, albiet the Universal and Anchor Bay releases don't. Because both used a tape master instead of right from the film.

[ghostwhowalks]

I picked up the Anchor Bay Blu-ray for just $5 new, so I welcome any new edition that improves upon it!

[motorheadache95]

Originally Posted by Ray_Rogers

I
Agreed with the last paragraph but for Army of Darkness I'm waiting for MGM Hong Kong/Korea to release their own of which you'd know would be a bump up from their DVD release. The DVD even looks like film, practically film grain HD almost, albiet the Universal and Anchor Bay releases don't. Because both used a tape master instead of right from the film.

Yeah, I owned a Director's Cut DVD of Army of Darkness from Anchor Bay which was pretty much unwatchable-- the added footage was taken from some very low-quality video source and was terrible. I replaced it with their theatrical cut DVD, which has the best overall quality of the film on Region 1 DVD. I would definitely be interested in importing a Blu-Ray of this version you speak of.

[Ray_Rogers]

Originally Posted by motorheadache95

Yeah, I owned a Director's Cut DVD of Army of Darkness from Anchor Bay which was pretty much unwatchable-- the added footage was taken from some very low-quality video source and was terrible. I replaced it with their theatrical cut DVD, which has the best overall quality of the film on Region 1 DVD. I would definitely be interested in importing a Blu-ray of this version you speak of.

Oh I just bought the 96m Region 3 NTSC MGM DVD of Army of Darkness for $14 or so from DDDHouse.com It's not even out on Blu-ray yet. Actually the release I own for Army of Darkness which I mentioned looks far better compared to Universals Blu-ray. More film grain retention and nil DNR.
By the way it's Blu-ray, not Blu-Ray.

EDIT: Hopefully you have a multi-region DVD player or use AnyDVD HD on your computer. The latter I'll be using on the computer I'm building/when it's finished for Region B titles.

[VideoPhonic]

very curious as to who the new distributor is. Lionsgate kinda worries me because the studiocanal connection would lead me to believe that they were using the same transfer. however new extras, new transfer? we shall see. Also it's be awesome if MGM would release the Army of Darkness directors cut in Hong Kong, thatd be easily importable and most likely a great transfer, anyone think that's out of the question?

[DarknessBDJM]

I'm guessing it goes to Image as well. It would be great to see a non DNR'ed image, you can tell the movie would look great without all that static grain (just watched it with commentary the other day).

On the other hand it could be an Evil Dead documentary disk like Halloween, Friday the 13th, and ANOES have had.

I pray pray pray that Halloween 4 and 5 get a good release soon from Image of Anchor Bay (not based on the Divimax dvd's either, though they both looked good, 4 had some altered color timing) and that part 1 gets a brand new 8k transfer from the negative and a 2 disk edition, one disk with a brand new Cundey approved transfer (with the color corrected autumn/Halloween leaves and look and added blues and such) and one with the original look (it'd be worth it as Halloween is probably AB's biggest cash cow throughout the years).

[Ray_Rogers]

Originally Posted by VideoPhonic

very curious as to who the new distributor is. Lionsgate kinda worries me because the studiocanal connection would lead me to believe that they were using the same transfer. however new extras, new transfer? we shall see. Also it's be awesome if MGM would release the Army of Darkness directors cut in Hong Kong, thatd be easily importable and most likely a great transfer, anyone think that's out of the question?

I'm not holding my breath for the Hong Kong MGM Blu-ray to be released but would gladly import it if it ever does become a reality.

STARGATE - Ultimate Edition was a great release from Lionsgate and it's Studio Canal. Perhaps EVIL DEAD II: Dead by Dawn will in fact receive an all new transfer supervised by Sam Raimi. Would be nice.

[TheOneWithThePrize]

Since Evil Dead II is a Studio Canal title the most logical conclusion regarding US distribution is Lionsgate (seeing as they currently have it listed on their website, download only so far). They could very well use the existing transfer currently available in Europe and just add new extras but I hope and wish they do make a new transfer.

Gotta love the MGM R3 DVD of AoD, if there was a BD release of that I'd be delighted.