Ask questions to The Digital Bits team (Bill Hunt, Jeff Kleist et.al.)

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Perhaps if I actually got to go to CES one of these years, I could be more helpful in this department (donations accepted )

Well, I see you didn’t get to NHK either while you were in Japan (on us at Blu-ray.com), so, this is a link from Seiji Mitsuhashi for your pleasure -

http://www.jaxa.jp/video/index_e.html

[Jeff Kleist]

Actually I was trying to help a company known for excellent space DVDs license the Kaguya footage last year for US release. Unfortunately NHK clammed up on it, and now that National Geographic announced their DVD I know why

I didn't have time to go to NHK, but that doesn't mean there weren't several other interesting places I visited...

[depooter]

Jeff.
Can you share anything on Taxi Driver and the possible legal trouble of the upcoming Raging Bull BD?

Also, any word on Leon: The Professional and u.s. releases of David Fincher's Se7en, Fight Club and Panic Room?

[horseflesh]

Originally Posted by depooter

Jeff.
Can you share anything on Taxi Driver and the possible legal trouble of the upcoming Raging Bull BD?

What????

[Jeff Kleist]

No idea on legal issues surrounding Raging Bull. If you can point me to some information I can make an educated guess

[AKORIS]

any word of Warners releasing LETHAL WEAPON 3 and 4??

kinda weird that they released the first 2 and have waited so long for the
remaining half..

[lnh_boy]

Hi!

Any word on what's going on with the Weinstein Company? They were supposed to release Eden Lake a few weeks ago with the DVD and pulled it at the last moment. Now they've pulled the BD of Martyrs.

[Jeff Kleist]

Lethal Weapon 5 is still alive as a fast turnaround possibility for next year (LW4 went from greenlight to opening in something like 9 months), any LW release is being held for then

Genius, the releasing company for Weinstein is not in good shape, I would guess anything like that is tied to their current financial situation

[lnh_boy]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Genius, the releasing company for Weinstein is not in good shape, I would guess anything like that is tied to their current financial situation

I don't get that company at all... they seem to pick up every "hot" foreign or independent title on the market, then they sit on them until they've lost almost all their heat, only to then go directly to DVD.

[Jeff Kleist]

I don't get that company at all... they seem to pick up every "hot" foreign or independent title on the market, then they sit on them until they've lost almost all their heat, only to then go directly to DVD.

Harvey Weinstein's approach to foreign film has always been a mystery. He buys them, sits on them, chops them up (usually 20minutes/1 reel is his magic number) and ships them out.

I'm so happy the Kodansha release of "Shall we Dansu?" had English subs on both the feature and the bonus disc. It's an outstanding release (Region 3 version is cheap, check dddhouse.com)

[lnh_boy]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Harvey Weinstein's approach to foreign film has always been a mystery. He buys them, sits on them, chops them up (usually 20minutes/1 reel is his magic number) and ships them out.

I'm so happy the Kodansha release of "Shall we Dansu?" had English subs on both the feature and the bonus disc. It's an outstanding release (Region 3 version is cheap, check dddhouse.com)

Thanks for the recommendation.

I can't tell you how many times over the years that I've gotten excited about a foreign title to then find out that Miramax/Dimension or now WC/Dimension picked up the North American rights. I always end up ordering an import. I remember owning and enjoying Shaolin Soccer and Legend of Zu YEARS before Scissorhands finally released the hack jobs on DVD.

I'd love to see either of those on region free Blu Ray!

[Jeff Kleist]

Harvey actually did right by Shaolin Soccer,both verions were on the disc, and most of his new label is done right because Quentin Tarantino personally makes sure of it, at least when it comes to hong kong films

[lnh_boy]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Harvey actually did right by Shaolin Soccer,both verions were on the disc, and most of his new label is done right because Quentin Tarantino personally makes sure of it, at least when it comes to hong kong films

Point well taken. I hope the Weinstein Company starts putting more of their Dimension Extreme label on Blu, as well as some Dragon Dynasty releases.

[woodlandwolf]

What are the chances we may see the first 2 Shrek films on blu this year?

And could we see The Neverending Story here in the stats?

Thanks,

Woodlandwolf

[JamesN]

Hi,
Any word of a Blu of the 1956 Invasion of the Body Snatchers on the horizon? Thanks!

[Jeff Kleist]

Like I said before, I don't feel comfortable talking about releases that could come later in the year (not saying either of those are on them), because things are very fluid at this point. Nothing is locked down past May or so

[depooter]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

No idea on legal issues surrounding Raging Bull. If you can point me to some information I can make an educated guess

http://ip.law360.com/registrations/u...cy_check=false


'Raging Bull' Heiress Sees Red Over Film Release

Law360, New York (January 08, 2009) -- The daughter of Frank Petrella, author of the “Raging Bull” screenplays and book, has sued Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC for copyright infringement, alleging the companies created and distributed derivative works without her permission, including a Blu-ray Disc version of the motion picture that is set for release in February.

Paula Petrella, current assignee of her father’s copyrights, lodged the suit Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, claiming MGM, several subsidiaries and 20th Century...

[depooter]

Originally Posted by depooter

Jeff.

Also, any word on Leon: The Professional and u.s. releases of David Fincher's Se7en, Fight Club and Panic Room?

Any info on the above question?

[NoQuestion]

Originally Posted by depooter

Any info on the above question?

Just like Jeff said, he doesn't feel comfortable talking about titles coming later this year. Obviously they are coming but more than likely not before may. Catalog titles are always hit and miss when it comes to release dates. I bet all should see release by end of year, we may get one when button comes out.

[Jeff Kleist]

The Raging Bull thing, I have no idea what those derivative works could be....

Just like Jeff said, he doesn't feel comfortable talking about titles coming later this year. Obviously they are coming but more than likely not before may.

I didn't say anything was coming (no hidden meanings, flat out)