"Club Penton" - Ask questions to Hollywood insider "Penton-Man"

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

I hope since there are so few remaining 70mm theaters, that they would at least run an IMAX print or and send it around. It's not perfect, but it's better than 35mm

Indeed. I was just about to say I hope that this effort sees a theatrical release in IMAX theaters.

Nevertheless, I'm confident my HT will do it proud.

Gary

[wallendo]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

...

In addition, when Asset Management decides what film to work on, they consider the cultural, historical and economical merits of the film in question. For example, a full blown digital restoration with all the trimmings was done on Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove several years back as it was due also; however, I sincerely doubt that sales from the resultant DVD knocked the socks off of anyone in the home entertainment division.

...

Is there any chance of Dr. Strangelove making it to Blu-ray soon?

I know it's black and white, and the sound is mono, but it seems strange that it was not released with all the other Kubrick movies. I can't find my DVD of Dr. Stangelove and may have to replace it, but would rather go blu with it. As blasphemous as it may sound, I would rather have Dr. Strangelove than Lawrence.

[blitz6speed]

I knew it was LOA ever since the first time penton mentioned it. Everyone said "no way its not LOA!". I will dig the post up after service tonight!

[blindcat87]

I am right there with you on that one. My little town actually has a small IMAX theater that, while not the best, is set up in a way that coincidentally allows me to see a decent amount more than I can see in any other theater around. Being able to go see LOA there would be a major thrill.

What a day, the latest Penton mystery game is solved revealing great news, and Criterion announces that they are going Blu this year. I think I am going to go find something suitable to drink in salute to a great news day. Thanks again Penton for the news and the interesting extra knowledge we pick up on the trail of the answer to your challenges.

Chris

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

I hope since there are so few remaining 70mm theaters, that they would at least run an IMAX print or and send it around. It's not perfect, but it's better than 35mm

[Rob Tomlin]

..

[db2]

Absolutely pheomenal news! It kills me to say this but I was not blown away by the new transfer that recently aired on HDNet Movies. I am so glad to hear they may revisit this film.

LOA has the potential to be the absolute best classic film experience on Blu-Ray IMHO. You don't watch LOA, you EXPERIENCE it!

[rlsmith]

Penton,

This is great news, thanks.

I try to see LoA in 70mm once a year. Missed Seatle in March.

I actually do not like to see it exhibited any other way than 70mm in a proper roadshow-style theater with an appreciative audience.

I will certainly buy the Blu-ray very eagerly but I expect to continue watching it mainly in 70mm.

Sony should not release this on Blu-ray until it is as perfect as anyone can imagine. Personally I can wait a very long time for that perfection.

[Josh]

If LOA is coming out, does that mean sales of Passage to India have met or exceeded expectations?

[eChopper]

Originally Posted by wallendo

. As blasphemous as it may sound, I would rather have Dr. Strangelove than Lawrence.

<roman generals voice> "Seize him!"

[jopemoro]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

That's the not set in stone part...

I'd love to help by purchasing it even if I didn't love the movie back then, but with BDs at up to 30 euro (45$) here in Spain, I really have to limit my purchases...

Any idea if there is a plan to actually help BD take off by lowering prices? With the number of PS3s sold over here, BD sales should compensate the lwer price per movie.

Are these prices similar elsewhere in Europe?

[HDJK]

Originally Posted by jopemoro

I'd love to help by purchasing it even if I didn't love the movie back then, but with BDs at up to 30 euro (45$) here in Spain, I really have to limit my purchases...

Any idea if there is a plan to actually help BD take off by lowering prices? With the number of PS3s sold over here, BD sales should compensate the lwer price per movie.

Are these prices similar elsewhere in Europe?

40 to 50 CHF over here, which now pretty much translates 1:1 to USD. So, same here.

[Bullseye]

Yep. Prices vary between €25 - €65 which is crazy on the higher end. Thats why buying in from USA is the way to go at the moment.

[horseflesh]

Originally Posted by jopemoro

Are these prices similar elsewhere in Europe?

Yes, and worse.
Standard price in somewhere like HMV here is €40 ($60+), with the bare-bones Usual Suspects priced at a ridiculous €55 ($85)

It's a complete no-brainer for me to import ALL my BDs from Amazon.com, at worst they're half the price and more often closer to one third the price or better.

[horseflesh]

Max I know this isn't your thread (sorry Penton), but is there any plan to do something about the crazy software prices in Europe?
Even my Dad, who is hardly the most tech-savvy, is now importing all his BDs from the US.

[H9k_]

Yea 50-60$ + shipping is way to mutch, something has to be done. No wonder all import.

[BluDomain]

Originally Posted by horseflesh

Max I know this isn't your thread (sorry Penton), but is there any plan to do something about the crazy software prices in Europe?

I can appreciate the concern for high prices, but
it pays to shop smarter, and I admit complaining about
high Blu-ray prices pisses me off. Sorry for that. As I
said shop smarter.

I assume most Europeans import from Amazon, which
generally has the cheapest price in the U.S. 30% lower
than our B&M Stores[your High Street]. Much lower than
the MSP even here. I do import from Europe using Amazon
and except for VAT and postage find prices not that much
different.
Example:
Amazon.uk BobbyZ $27.30 less VAT $5.10 comes
to $22.48 plus S&H $6.04

Amazon.fr Dune $35.38 Less VAT $5.80 comes
to $29.58 plus S&H $16.80

Amazon.de Das Parfum $43.10 less VAT $5.54 comes
to $37.56 plus S&H $21.58

Anyway.........
I don't think the Studios should reduce their prices to
compensate for a governments tax rate or a retailers
markup so that you don't have to pay $60-85 you are
quoting. Just keep on importing and hope you don't
get hit by a Customs Tax so your Government gets
its 20% share. It's an entertainment hobby, not a
social service.

Notice the above shipping rates. Government entities.
I can sent a disc to Europe Air Mail for $3.50 BTW.

[horseflesh]

Originally Posted by BluDomain

I can appreciate the concern for high prices, but
it pays to shop smarter, and I admit complaining about
high Blu-ray prices pisses me off. Sorry for that. As I
said shop smarter.

I assume most Europeans import from Amazon, which
generally has the cheapest price in the U.S. 30% lower
than our B&M Stores[your High Street]. Much lower than
the MSP even here. I do import from Europe using Amazon
and except for VAT and postage find prices not that much
different.
Example:
Amazon.uk BobbyZ $27.30 less VAT $5.10 comes
to $22.48 plus S&H $6.04

Amazon.fr Dune $35.38 Less VAT $5.80 comes
to $29.58 plus S&H $16.80

Amazon.de Das Parfum $43.10 less VAT $5.54 comes
to $37.56 plus S&H $21.58

Anyway
I don't think the Studios should reduce their prices to
compensate for a governments tax rate or a retailers
markup so that you don't have to pay $60-85 you are
quoting. Just keep on importing and hope you don't
get hit by a Customs Tax so your Government gets
its 20% share. It's an entertainment hobby, not a
social service.

Notice the above shipping rates. Government entities.
I can sent a disc to Europe Air Mail for $3.50 BTW.

The high prices aren't a problem for me personally, because I do import all my BDs, I shop very smart
My concern is that the outlandishly high prices will continue to be offputting to the "man on the street" and will really slow down Blu-ray adoption in Europe. If nobody is walking in HMV to buy Blu-ray, isn't it possible that store/regional managers will say "Hey look, no demand for this new-fangled Blu-ray thing, lets not bother expanding and instead reduce its shelf space"
I don't know who is ripping us off (studios or retailers). Max obviously knows, but it's not fair to ask him who the real culprit is, but it definitely is a problem (well I'm presuming it's a problem, but maybe there are a lot of people with more money than sense).

BluDomain, with the way people here complain about Amazon $27.95 prices for Fox and now Paramount, the prices you quote are much higher than US prices, especially including the shipping costs.
Those shipping rates aren't government rates either, they're Amazon (or whoever else).
There is absolutely no way it costs that much to ship one disc to the US, they're inflated charges from the retailers.
BTW, a few weeks ago I returned my 1080i Terminator 3 to Amazon.com, it cost me €1.60 ($2) to send it Airmail from here.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by horseflesh

Max I know this isn't your thread (sorry Penton)....

That’s o.k.
I’m going to be super busy for the foreseeable future anyway.

Fire away. I hope Maxpower, Wicky, (other knowledgeable members), etc. can pick up the slack on my thread.
I see that talkstr8t even made an appearance yesterday ……………..
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...41&postcount=7

The big thing I like about you guys is that you’ve all got good hearts and are HDM *enthusiasts* in the truest sense of the word.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by Josh

If LOA is coming out, does that mean sales of Passage to India have met or exceeded expectations?

Unless they decide to double dip, haven't they effectively delayed LOA on BD with this development?

We potentially get a much better result, but it is still a delay.

Gary

[jopemoro]

Originally Posted by BluDomain

I can appreciate the concern for high prices, but
it pays to shop smarter, and I admit complaining about
high Blu-ray prices pisses me off. Sorry for that. As I
said shop smarter.

Sure, and I do that.

But say that I want my english-impaired friends to watch those BDs with me. The selection goes *way* down, 'cause I need them in Spanish.

Importing is a workaround, local prices are way too high (and don't get me started on electronic equipment or cars vs. the US... )

(Anyway, we've probably hijacked PMs thread too much already. Any better home for this topic?)