When are MGM going to start releasing catalogue titles again!

[JoeDeM]

Originally Posted by The_Big_Viking

I'm waiting on a release of Mississippi Burning. I don't know why there hasn't been a release yet

Release Date: May 12, 2015 by Twilight Time

[BiffTannen50]

MGM and 20th Century seem to be putting more energy into constant re-releasing of already available titles on blu-ray rather then working on releasing new titles i mean how many die hards, aliens, and x-men releases do we really need? to me it just seems like a complete waste of time and money.

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Interesting. I must admit, I know very little about Blu Ray distribution, it seems. I've seen a few company names listed. I didn't know there were that many. I guess I just need to be patient.

MGM might have the highest amount of output right now (through various licensing deals). It's too bad that generally the quality is very poor. In most cases the films are not being properly remastered for blu-ray. The labels are just using existing masters that were used for DVD and MGM is willing to license out with no further investment. Sometimes that old "HD master" still results in a "passable" blu-ray, but not much better than that. Some labels are bare-bones, others will throw in relatively superficial extras to the package (which sometimes can be of interest to people).

[steve_dave]

Originally Posted by AgentOrange

)It's too bad that generally the quality is very poor. In most cases the films are not being properly remastered for blu-ray. The labels are just using existing masters that were used for DVD and MGM is willing to license out with no further investment.

Well, when a studio just has enough money to keep the lights on, bathrooms working, and some staff... things are going to get constricted.

All of the MGM theatrical releases of late have had a second US distributor attached:

Creed is distributed by Warner theatrically and home video but MGM is a listed production company and MGM was able to create a documentary for their EPIX channel about the road leading to Creed.

Spectre was actually distributed by Sony although MGM was able to keep it for home video.

Hot Tub Time Machine 2 is a sequel to the MGM movie and MGM has a distribution credit. But its a Paramount distributed title theatrically and on home video.

[Lt. Brannigan]

MGM is just a decayed brittle shell of its former glorious self. Mayer would be turning over in his grave.

Seriously, they could use an old time movie mogul to get their butts in gear.

[EVERYONE LIES]

MGM is done. The exact point is up for debate. It could be 1976 with the release of Network or it could be 1986. I view A Christmas Story as their last release. The are essentially just a holding company for United Artists and some other small defunct studios. If it wasn't for Ted Turner selling UA back to MGM, they would never be mentioned here.

[Brad1963]

Originally Posted by steve_dave

Well, when a studio just has enough money to keep the lights on, bathrooms working, and some staff... things are going to get constricted.

All of the MGM theatrical releases of late have had a second US distributor attached:

Creed is distributed by Warner theatrically and home video but MGM is a listed production company and MGM was able to create a documentary for their EPIX channel about the road leading to Creed.

Spectre was actually distributed by Sony although MGM was able to keep it for home video.

Hot Tub Time Machine 2 is a sequel to the MGM movie and MGM has a distribution credit. But its a Paramount distributed title theatrically and on home video.

They end up partnering with other studios like WB and Sony because they have a distribution arm, and MGM does not anymore. MGM is basically a name more than a studio these days.

[JackKnightStarman]

Originally Posted by BiffTannen50

MGM and 20th Century seem to be putting more energy into constant re-releasing of already available titles on blu-ray rather then working on releasing new titles i mean how many die hards, aliens, and x-men releases do we really need? to me it just seems like a complete waste of time and money.

Why put out under performing new titles, when you can just put a slipcover, a second release slipcover, then a steel book, a Lenticular slip cover, than a red Amaray case with or without new slip....of the same movie over and over, and people keep buying it because of the Variations? So called "Collector's" of packaging have ruined home movie releases because they keep buying the same movie. No need to put out a mid level release like What lies Beneath, that won't make enough money to justify its release, when you can constantly repackage the same top ten movies in your library? That is just the reality of being a fan of movies today.

[BiffTannen50]

I can't help but notice a huge difference since blu-ray hit the market as oppose to the days of DVD where we start to see more independent companies taking over the production of a lot of catalogue titles for instance olive films was barely a name when it was just DVDs and Kino was mostly a foreign and documentary line with very little demand as was scream factory just on the rise only producing mostly Corman creature feature sci-fi movies and a few TV series now these companies have basically taken over the market its not that I'm complaining I'm just saying that because MGM is selling off most of its titles to these companies it makes the prices on a lot of these films much higher then i think should be especially those that lack in special features or just arnt that great of a film.. and companies such as olive and shout factory prices are rarely dropped no matter how long its been released to the public.. And Twilight Time has found its way around the limited units sales by re-releasing now some of the sold-out titles in new packaging limiting them as well.. And because of this i see why DVD is still an in demand format even after 10 plus years now since blu-rays made its mark..and now they are trying to revamp with 4K i say big mistake since they have yet to utilize the blu-ray format to its many customers.

[OneWayFilms]

I SERIOUSLY can't believe they haven't given us Victor/Victoria yet.

[captveg]

Originally Posted by OneWayFilms

I SERIOUSLY can't believe they haven't given us Victor/Victoria yet.

MGM can't release it because they don't own it. Warner owns it.

[Robert Siegel]

Did anyone see that Fox has renewed it's agreement with MGM to release their DVD's and Blu-rays? Am I insane or is this the funniest thing that has happened in the video world lately. What releases? Everything is licensed to another company to release. Where are the Pink Panther films or the thousands of United Artists films? On Kino and Twilight Time.

I hope everyone will follow this link to the story on Home Media Magazine and post a comment there, it is possible Fox or MGM will see it there. My post is the first:

http://www.homemediamagazine.com/stu...ment-fox-38361

[JackKnightStarman]

Originally Posted by Robert Siegel

Did anyone see that Fox has renewed it's agreement with MGM to release their DVD's and Blu-rays? Am I insane or is this the funniest thing that has happened in the video world lately. What releases? Everything is licensed to another company to release. Where are the Pink Panther films or the thousands of United Artists films? On Kino and Twilight Time.

I hope everyone will follow this link to the story on Home Media Magazine and post a comment there, it is possible Fox or MGM will see it there. My post is the first:

http://www.homemediamagazine.com/stu...ment-fox-38361

From my phone, I don't see any posts. I was just going to comment too, that it seems Fox just likes to get the licensing fees, and doesn't really care about producing in house...too

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[Nailwraps]

I'm actually happy MGM and Fox renewed their deal to be honest.

And while it's great MGM is sublicensing, I do agree; they should put out a couple of catalog titles by themselves every now and again, especially the Pink Panther films which I don't see what's the hold-up, they now have full control to Return of The Pink Panther now (unless they restoring every single film and cartoon, then by all means take your time).

[Musicguy]

Originally Posted by Nailwraps

I'm actually happy MGM and Fox renewed their deal to be honest.

And while it's great MGM is sublicensing, I do agree; they should put out a couple of catalog titles by themselves every now and again, especially the Pink Panther films which I don't see what's the hold-up, they now have full control to Return of The Pink Panther now (unless they restoring every single film and cartoon, then by all means take your time).

So am I. At least all the old Fox/MGM releases will still be available. MGM has been releasing mostly to Twilight and Kino - but much of these releases aren't up to other studio's quality (some KINO releases are really in need of clean up)

Maybe when/if FOX starts to release catalog again they will get MGM to supply better masters

[Member-222782]

Originally Posted by JackKnightStarman

Why put out under performing new titles, when you can just put a slipcover, a second release slipcover, then a steel book, a Lenticular slip cover, than a red Amaray case with or without new slip....of the same movie over and over, and people keep buying it because of the Variations? So called "Collector's" of packaging have ruined home movie releases because they keep buying the same movie. No need to put out a mid level release like What lies Beneath, that won't make enough money to justify its release, when you can constantly repackage the same top ten movies in your library? That is just the reality of being a fan of movies today.

You're blaming collectors for studios re-releasing the same titles over and over? Nonsense. We're not to blame for the shortsightedness of their home video departments, who nowadays are actually run by accountants hellbent on keeping costs down. They see reissues as sure bets that make them money, especially if they're popular titles. The collector's market is small and it's covered by third party labels, not studios. That's the reality. It's still the best time ever to be a movie fan.

[DMRI2006]

GOOD news as far as I'm concerned.

Originally Posted by Robert Siegel

Did anyone see that Fox has renewed it's agreement with MGM to release their DVD's and Blu-rays? Am I insane or is this the funniest thing that has happened in the video world lately. What releases? Everything is licensed to another company to release. Where are the Pink Panther films or the thousands of United Artists films?

UA titles are being turned out every month from the boutique labels, so I'm not sure which ones you're talking about there. Plus, the deal is done, so I don't think a bunch of negative comments on the Home Theater Magazine page is going to matter to any of those parties one bit.

You have to look beyond what MGM is doing at retail. This has to do with how MGM's catalog is handled and most importantly means the pipeline of MGM titles being provided to 3rd parties will continue...that's a GREAT thing!

What would have been hideous is if Warner took it over and instead of seeing all the boutique labels turning out product on a monthly if not weekly basis, we'd see piecemeal releases through the Warner Archive. You would've said goodbye to most of the boutique label releases given Warner's history. THAT would have been a real problem.

As for the PINK PANTHER, the only thing that makes sense, and a theory I've long believed, is that they are hanging onto them for a release that will coincide with the next remake, the same way Warner has held up a Blu release of the POLICE ACADEMY boxset in the US. If MGM thinks they would sell well enough to warrant a "retail" release, that's why they are not letting them out of their grasp and off to the likes of Kino, Twlight or Olive...and that's the only thing that seems realistic as these titles would sell in far more quantities than most of the MGM catalog releases. Unfortunately, the last we heard of that Pink Panther animated feature was several years ago now.

[DMRI2006]

Originally Posted by Nailwraps

especially the Pink Panther films which I don't see what's the hold-up, they now have full control to Return of The Pink Panther now (unless they restoring every single film and cartoon, then by all means take your time).

They don't have full control of Return of the Pink Panther. Universal just released the UK Blu-Ray. The ownership of that film has never resided with MGM/UA.

Of course, that shouldn't hold up the release. They could just license it from Universal. The lack of a release is probably more a case of them waiting to "reboot the franchise" again and use the Blu release as a tie-in...whenever that's going to happen.

[Akijama]

The MGM library is the most exploited library out there in terms of Blu-ray releases, which makes this thread ridiculous.

[Jobla]

Yep, MGM titles have been coming from Shout Factory, Twilight Time, Olive Films, Kino Lorber of course, and perhaps even Criterion.

I'd like to see MGM itself release a BD of THE ALAMO (1960), or perhaps Criterion.