Moontrap (1989) 25th Anniversary Edition

[Lacenaire]

A company called TomCat Films has this on their website:

http://tomcatfilmsllc.com/moontrap

The trailer has the DigiDreams logo at the beginning, so I assume this is just a re-release of the German transfer in the US.

[Mr. Thomsen]

Well, Oliver Krekel, the man behind the German release, did say his atrocious transfer would be used in an upcoming American release, so this is probably it.

It so sad to finally see an official release of this on disc and then having it handled by incompetents.

[Rathbone]

I highly doubt Olive Films are going to release Moontrap with the shoddy German transfer. There is a A/B negative flowing around but it was too expensive for Oliver Crackle from DigiNightmare to do the scan.

From what I read about the legal battles around Moontrap there are at least two parties selling the rights for this film. One of them should have the proper materials (OCN or interpositive) to do a good transfer.

Well, Oliver Krekel, the man behind the German release, did say his atrocious transfer would be used in an upcoming American release, so this is probably it.

That's what he always says, don't believe his words. He said about his atrocious releases of Leviathan or Without Warning that there would be no better sources available although there were HD masters shown on US TV.

[mar3o]

I really hope this gets a proper release, not the awful German transfer. I wouldn't pay 50 cents for that transfer. The trailer on that site seems to use the same quality of footage from the German release, and the cover art looks the same also. Not a good sign.

[3rdman]

This is so disappointing to read. The only encouraging news I've read came from screenwriter Tex Ragsdale's Twitter account that the US release will include new interviews from the cast and director as well as a commentary track.

[mar3o]

Well, this title may actually mean that Deadly Spawn is no longer the worst-looking blu-ray release. This transfer is that bad.

[omenboy]

Originally Posted by mar3o

Well, this title may actually mean that Deadly Spawn is no longer the worst-looking blu-ray release. This transfer is that bad.

You are so right. I could not believe my eyes when I saw two people on the IMDB board for Moontrap PRAISING the blu ray transfer as "amazing"!!!

[lilboyblu]

Originally Posted by Rathbone

I highly doubt Olive Films are going to release Moontrap with the shoddy German transfer. There is a A/B negative flowing around but it was too expensive for Oliver Crackle from DigiNightmare to do the scan.

From what I read about the legal battles around Moontrap there are at least two parties selling the rights for this film. One of them should have the proper materials (OCN or interpositive) to do a good transfer.



That's what he always says, don't believe his words. He said about his atrocious releases of Leviathan or Without Warning that there would be no better sources available although there were HD masters shown on US TV.

Where did you get that Olive is releasing this? Is it part of the Cult Epics deal? The trailer only mentions Tom Cat Films and Digidream Studios.

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by omenboy

You are so right. I could not believe my eyes when I saw two people on the IMDB board for Moontrap PRAISING the blu ray transfer as "amazing"!!!

Must be friends or family of Oliver Krekel. Or Oliver Krekel.

Then again, it depends on what they mean by "amazing". I certainly believe it's amazing. Amazing that this somehow manages to look worse than the VHS tape did.

[redrunner97]

Okay, I'm hella-confused. Just a few questions, if anyone can answer them I think it would clear some things up:

1. Who's releasing this?
This TomCat label, Cult Epics, or Olive? Or Cult Epics & Olive?

2. When?
Is there an official time-frame or date?

3. On what format?
Because I watched the new trailer and it doesn't say anything a bout blu-ray, just simply that it is restored in HD. Nearly every new DVD says that.

4. What's wrong with the German transfer?
What makes it so bad? And why are we assuming the German transfer will be used?

I'm clueless right now.

[UseY0ur1llusi0n]

Originally Posted by redrunner97

4. What's wrong with the German transfer? What makes it so bad? And why are we assuming the German transfer will be used?

I'm clueless right now.

Get some popcorn and take a look through this whole thread, it's a hoot.

[Lacenaire]

Originally Posted by redrunner97

Okay, I'm hella-confused. Just a few questions, if anyone can answer them I think it would clear some things up:

1. Who's releasing this?
This TomCat label, Cult Epics, or Olive? Or Cult Epics & Olive?

2. When?
Is there an official time-frame or date?

3. On what format?
Because I watched the new trailer and it doesn't say anything a bout blu-ray, just simply that it is restored in HD. Nearly every new DVD says that.

4. What's wrong with the German transfer?
What makes it so bad? And why are we assuming the German transfer will be used?

I'm clueless right now.

Although I started this thread, I'm a bit clueless too, to be honest.

I don't know anything about this TomCat label and there isn't much information on their site.

I can only answer #4 with certainty. The German transfer is bad because it has been excessively DNR'd so all the fine detail has been removed from the image. It looks like the German transfer will be used because the DigiDreams logo is on the trailer, and that is the company who released the German Blu-ray and did the transfer.

[lilboyblu]

Originally Posted by UseY0ur1llusi0n

Get some popcorn and take a look through this whole thread, it's a hoot.

Yikes. Those "original" screen caps from the other thread make it look as if it were remastered with MS Paint instead of quality software.

Thanks Rathbone. Link

[noirjunkie]

Originally Posted by redrunner97

Okay, I'm hella-confused. Just a few questions, if anyone can answer them I think it would clear some things up:

1. Who's releasing this?
This TomCat label, Cult Epics, or Olive? Or Cult Epics & Olive?

2. When?
Is there an official time-frame or date?

3. On what format?
Because I watched the new trailer and it doesn't say anything a bout blu-ray, just simply that it is restored in HD. Nearly every new DVD says that.

4. What's wrong with the German transfer?
What makes it so bad? And why are we assuming the German transfer will be used?

I'm clueless right now.

Looks like we finally got answers to most of these questions.

1. Olive Films
2. November 4th
3. Blu-ray
4. Not sure if German transfer will be used or not.

Also, is this movie any good? I'd never heard of it until now.

[Akijama]

Originally Posted by noirjunkie

Looks like we finally got answers to most of these questions.


4. Not sure if German transfer will be used or not.

Apparently not.

Originally Posted by Sigmund100

Olive Films just announced Billy Wilder's Fedora coming to DVD & Blu-ray on 10/28/14. Moontrap (starring Bruce Campbell and Walter Koenig) coming to DVD & Blu-ray on 11/4/14. In regards to Moontrap it appears that Olive has taken note of the issues with the German version as the announcement states " Moontrap was remastered in HD by Olive Films in 2014 specifically for this release".

[Blades1370]

Originally Posted by noirjunkie

Looks like we finally got answers to most of these questions.

1. Olive Films
2. November 4th
3. Blu-ray
4. Not sure if German transfer will be used or not.

Also, is this movie any good? I'd never heard of it until now.

I watched this film multiple times during the VHS era, up until this film is released in November this has ONLY been available on VHS in Pan and Scan. The film itself is a decent popcorn flick, as long as your capable of watching a film that utilizes suspension of disbelief as a plot device, your good to go.

It's one of my favorite guilty pleasure movies (I love Walter Koenig and Bruce Campbell), like Hangar 18 and Dark Side of the Moon (which is the last of my MUST haves yet to be released on any format other then VHS).

I must say I am super stoked about Olive doing their own transfer of the movie and not using the German version, which took filtering to a whole new level by taking film and making it look like a well worn VHS tape. Heck the Predator UHE looks better.... and that's a horrible and frightening statement to be making.

[oldgame]

It's also been released on laserdisc.

[Lopan]

Man, I remember watching this movie back in the day. One of the worst dialogue in a movie ever. "Cheeseburgers"

[FarewelltotheFlesh]

I can't wait for this release! Olive Films does quality work and I expect an excellent release. I've been hoping they would release some more horror films as their previous horror releases were spectacular. Movies I never thought would ever get the HD treatment. I tip my hat to you Olive!

[Talyn]

Looking forward to this!