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

[Bullseye]

man Utd. 1 - 4 Liverpool

[Penton-Man]

We didn’t get that match here in the U.S.
At least I don’t, with my cable provider.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by GabrielB

What month was that? Maybe you were there when they emerged at the beginning of the summer. Or maybe you didn't let them get used to you, you know. There are sensible animals... And so fragile...

Fragile my arse.
One of those black flies looked like he could have carried away my gear bag all by himself even without any help from his friends.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Doctorossi

I don't feel any impulse to compare Superman only with other comic book or superhero-derived movies; I compare it with any movies. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a competent, solid film and reasonably entertaining. I just don't think it's really that special. .

It's probably the most recognizable, and most highly touted movie in the entire genre

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Grubert

Well, if they are reading this, I have to say that pricing Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz at $84.99 is not a move in the desired direction.

Well, in regards to some WB marketing people, I can guarantee you that they read this thread.
And, apparently others do also ………………
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/3523796-post35.html

I think my young niece would call that “copycat!” of your original idea.
Good thing is though, that I am advancing more use of multi-syllable words like “discretionary” by some administrators. We don’t want all you foreign dudes to be the only ones speaking/writing in an advanced English fashion.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...ry#post1707446

P.S.
To the guy who sent me the link from HTF, thanks as I find it flattering, not copycat.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by horseflesh

I don't like the sound of that
Penton, is it getting to the stage that the studios are going to start considering putting less effort into catalogue/classic releases?
Should we worry, for example, about Lawrence of Arabia??

Well, it’s not going to be exactly rushed out the door but, LoA will eventually emerge from the Negev Desert when it is done.
I can tell you though, that it is disheartening to view the sales of titles like Gandhi and The Professionals when one keeps in mind the inordinate amount of time (and expense) Grover and his team put into procuring the best possible HD masters for classic titles like these.

The only time I would “worry” about LoA, is if some marketing guy decides to put some authentic sand from Aqaba …………. http://www.jordanjubilee.com/history/lawrence.htm

in the LoA Blu-ray case and jack up the MSRP by $30.

[HeavyHitter]

Regarding Superman: The Movie, I think it's a classic and my favorite superhero movie to this day. As mentioned earlier, the Williams' score is phenomenal - not just the opening or main theme, but also the music for many other parts of the movie and particularly some of the darker or mysterious moments. The existing BD contains some extra footage which I like and the transfer is pretty decent. Of course, I do expect a new version at some point and I'm always up for PQ improvements if possible. As far as Superman Returns, I was quite disappointed.

[horseflesh]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Well, it’s not going to be exactly rushed out the door but, LoA will eventually emerge from the Negev Desert when it is done.
I can tell you though, that it is disheartening to view the sales of titles like Gandhi and The Professionals when one keeps in mind the inordinate amount of time (and expense) Grover and his team put into procuring the best possible HD masters for classic titles like these.

The only time I would “worry” about LoA, is if some marketing guy decides to put some authentic sand from Aqaba …………. http://www.jordanjubilee.com/history/lawrence.htm

in the LoA Blu-ray case and jack up the MSRP by $30.

That was an intersting read
Do you know/think if we're still set to see LoA this year?
Please tell me it's not going to be in an awful "commemerative box".....

BTW, I did buy The Professionals, but not Gandhi (although I did balance that out by buying Passage to India )


** Freaky coincidence; about 10 minutes before I read your post, I was reading a book (nothing to do with T.E. Lawrence) where the Negev Desert got a mention too......how unlikely is that???

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by horseflesh

That was an intersting read
Do you know/think if we're still set to see LoA this year?

In regards to “when”, “probably when”, “possibly when” or any technical aspect with respect to the Blu-ray production of LoA, I have taken a blood oath not to reveal any more information. The only way I would feel released from this oath is if Grover C. gave his blessing for me to do so.
Grover (and his team) are doing the work on LoA and I guarantee you that Grover reads this thread.

If you post an inquiry about LoA and Grover reads it, he may be compelled to respond himself (he is a member here with an online handle ) or, he may inform me of what is acceptable to be released for public consumption and I could post it.
Problem is, this title is so ‘high exposure’ that it already has a large enough target on its back to begin with.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by horseflesh

Please tell me it's not going to be in an awful "commemerative box".....

I don’t have anything to do with that aspect of any Blu-ray movies so, I simply don’t know.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by horseflesh

** Freaky coincidence; about 10 minutes before I read your post, I was reading a book (nothing to do with T.E. Lawrence) where the Negev Desert got a mention too......how unlikely is that???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzlG28B-R8Y

[horseflesh]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzlG28B-R8Y

Yeah, a bit like that
I've probably read the words "Negev Desert" less than 20 times in my life, so to do it twice in 10 minutes was

Grover if you're reading this.....keep cracking the whip!!

[sharkshark]

does that mean that our dear RAH has no role in the LOA disc? On a related not, I've yet to see a definitve accounting of the 2 disc (cotton cover) DVD vs. the Superbit - as I packed both of them tonight for my impending move it made me think of it... Got any insight?

Additionally, are there hard numbers on how classics are selling that are publically available? Going back to HD DVD, when the numbers for Forbidden Planet and Mutiny on the Bounty showed up (in the hundreds IIRC) there was some consternation... The market is obviously much bigger now, but I remain pessimistic about the future of these releases... What can I say, I'm grabbing every damn classic disc that I want, and wait every day for the HD shoe to drop (sorta like living through SACD/DVD-A, for those that did the same...)

ps. I admit it, I'm a film critic that's never bothered to see GWTW... I could probably recite the story (ooh, drapes!) simply due to either parodies or simply it being a major part of popular culture, but I've simply never bothered to delve into it. It's not quit the draw for Canadians the same way as it's "required reading" down south.

pps. Yeah, the MSRP is expensive, but I can't help but hearken back to our dear Laserdisc days... ah, those were the times of expense...

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

In regards to “when”, “probably when”, “possibly when” or any technical aspect with respect to the Blu-ray production of LoA, I have taken a blood oath not to reveal any more information. The only way I would feel released from this oath is if Grover C. gave his blessing for me to do so.
Grover (and his team) are doing the work on LoA and I guarantee you that Grover reads this thread.

If you post an inquiry about LoA and Grover reads it, he may be compelled to respond himself (he is a member here with an online handle ) or, he may inform me of what is acceptable to be released for public consumption and I could post it.
Problem is, this title is so ‘high exposure’ that it already has a large enough target on its back to begin with.

[cipher]

Originally Posted by Bullseye

man Utd. 1 - 4 Liverpool

A beautiful game to watch and a perfect end to the week after the Madrid result.

Penton, is Setanta not available on cable in your area? If not, I guess I should stop complaining that they don't offer a HD version of their channel.

[GabrielB]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

I can tell you though, that it is disheartening to view the sales of titles like Gandhi and The Professionals when one keeps in mind the inordinate amount of time (and expense) Grover and his team put into procuring the best possible HD masters for classic titles like these.

Well tell them their work is highly highly appreciated and of course their pride and contentment shouldn't just be based on sales.

They've shown tremendous respect to the films and its medium and that is a true achievement more important than anything.

Of course I wish (for our sake as well) that they a least break even but when one owns a vast films' library, I guess this is what will always happen. Some titles will sell, some less, but it's not just about that, is it?...

Mr. Grover, keep up the good work! You're doing it right...
(Could you make a call to your friends at Warner and you know, enlighten them with your wisdom? )

[Jeff Kleist]

The real problem is that if they don't generate the numbers, they won't be given the budget and time to do the superb jobs they've been doing

[GabrielB]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

The real problem is that if they don't generate the numbers, they won't be given the budget and time to do the superb jobs they've been doing

I thought studios had also a budget for archival purposes and investment in their properties? (like the fact that restoring a title is protecting their assets)

Other titles generate numbers.
If they loose some money on a title some cash cow titles could be recouping for the losses? You'll always have your evergreens.

I understand what you're saying and it's probably true but I don't get it. Of course some titles won't generate numbers, but isn't this part of the game?

They make plenty of profits in other venues.
In a business like film, I would think it is important for your assets to be healthy and to release great offerings. Doesn't that help raise the value of the company?

[horseflesh]

Originally Posted by GabrielB

I thought studios had also a budget for archival purposes and investment in their properties? (like the fact that restoring a title is protecting their assets)

Other titles generate numbers.
If they loose some money on a title some cash cow titles could be recouping for the losses? You'll always have your evergreens.

I understand what you're saying and it's probably true but I don't get it. Of course some titles won't generate numbers, but isn't this part of the game?

They make plenty of profits in other venues.
In a business like film, I would think it is important for your assets to be healthy and to release great offerings. Doesn't that help raise the value of the company?

I too would like to think that there's a certain amount of "love" for films at play from the studios when they restore their classics, and it's not 100% about the bottom line.
Unfortunately I'm not terribly convinced that's the case (sorry Penton, and any other studio big shots who may be reading)

That sounds very cynical, but I'm sure that shareholder return is vastly more important to the major studios than kudos from film fans like us. I'd love to be wrong (for once )

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by sharkshark

does that mean that our dear RAH has no role in the LOA disc?

That does not necessarily mean that.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by cipher

A beautiful game to watch and a perfect end to the week after the Madrid result.

Penton, is Setanta not available on cable in your area? If not, I guess I should stop complaining that they don't offer a HD version of their channel.

All I get with my cable package is the Fox Soccer Channel (which is in SD)….
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/premierleague/onfsc

and occasional Champions League, F.A. Cup, World Cup Qualifiers, etc. on ESPN or ESPN2, which I do get in HD.

Honestly, once I get really involved in a match, I think little about the resolution being offered. Someday though, I would love to see the whole Tour de France in HD, primarily because of the beautiful picturesque countryside captured with the helicopter cams.