Fright Night (1985) Limited to 3,000 Copies - SOLD OUT - Review

[BankytheHack]

Originally Posted by Beast

The 3,000 copies thing is a bit worrysome. Especially for a cult classic like Fright Night.

Especially when it's certainly going to be more popular than average due to the remake.

If they are lucky enough to sell all 3,000 copies within the first couple of months I guarantee they'll press more discs.

[cinema sickness]

Wow, this is lame. A hundred copies of The Smurfs & Zookeeper will sit collecting dust in every Walmart stock room in a few months but heaven forbid we get a true release of a classic like Fright Night. Thanks for nothing Sony.

[Beast]

Originally Posted by BankytheHack

If they are lucky enough to sell all 3,000 copies within the first couple of months I guarantee they'll press more discs.

Though given the $40.00 price point that I just noticed.... maybe they won't sell very fast.

Jesus wept. I don't mind paying that much for a boxset or something really special. But a single movie? Feh.

[cinemaphile]

Add me to the list of disappointed fans. Would love to own this on blu, but not at $40. ... another perfect example of why exclusives are bad. When there's only one place to buy something, there's absolutely no incentive to price competitively.
It'd have to be $25 max for me, and that's pushing it. I'd jump on it for sure at $20.

I notice on their facebook page they respond to almost every post, but don't even bother acknowledging any post that mentions the high price. They obviously don't care about the public's opinions, so don't expect any price drops.

[BankytheHack]

Originally Posted by Beast

Though given the $40.00 price point that I just noticed.... maybe they won't sell very fast.

Jesus wept. I don't mind paying that much for a boxset or something really special. But a single movie? Feh.

Yeah, but this isn't some budget Sony release being quickly placed into stores. From the wording in the Press Release it sounds like everything from the transfers to the packaging itself is going to be top notch. Then again, it's really hard to tell until specific details are announced.

I'm more troubled about the whining. People want loads of extras and excellent video and audio quality, but they don't want to pay for it.

[bboisvert]

Originally Posted by BankytheHack

If they are lucky enough to sell all 3,000 copies within the first couple of months I guarantee they'll press more discs.

Unlikely.

https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=6728

You helped develop the marketing strategy of the limited release, which initially meant soundtrack reissues of typically a few thousand units. Was that an organic phenomenon, one that was dictated by costs, or how exactly was the idea developed?

Well actually that strategy was developed by Fox Music in conjunction with the American Federation of Musicians and it's been a brilliant strategy that allows a lot of niche products to see the light of day. Licensing fees and royalties are paid a bit differently than they usually are, based on the limited number of units, say 1,000 or 3,000 or whatever it turns out to be. But really people have forgotten that it was only through the auspices of the AFofM that we were ever able to do anything like this, and they should receive a lot of the accolades.

Reading between the lines, the contract, licensing fees, $$$ paid out, etc. is specifically designed around the 3000 units (or whatever). They likely don't even have the rights within this agreement to simply "press more".

[Cortiz]

Originally Posted by EricAD

this seems so....odd. I mean, everyone knows that sci-fi and horror sell way more than almost any other catalog blu-rays, and this movie just had a remake released raising awareness of the original...and yet this is being released at only 3000 copies for $40, like it is some obscure art film? C'mon this is Fright Night. You're telling me Vamp gets wider distribution, but Fright Night can't? So very weird.

+1! Doesn't make any sense. Why would Sony licensed a good catalog title specially when you currently have the remake in theaters with mostly good reviews??? Sony dropped the ball on this one....

[cinemaphile]

Originally Posted by BankytheHack

I'm more troubled about the whining. People want loads of extras and excellent video and audio quality, but they don't want to pay for it.

When studios have churned out plenty of movies with loads of extras and excellent video and audio quality for far less, it's understandable for people to bawk at one that comes out so much higher.

I think the problem here is that yes, there are other movies that come out with $39.95+ price points, but those titles are available at different retailers, so prices compete and things go on sale. With this being a one-outlet exclusive, that price will stay right where it is.

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by Mobe1969

FFS I wish someone would release Fright Night 2...

Who has that now? Lionsgate?

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

Add me to the list of disappointed fans. Would love to own this on blu, but not at $40. ... another perfect example of why exclusives are bad. When there's only one place to buy something, there's absolutely no incentive to price competitively.

This makes sense from a business standpoint, but usually isn't true. Stores like Best Buy and Target have been quite competitive with the pricing of their exclusives.

Originally Posted by BankytheHack

I'm more troubled about the whining. People want loads of extras and excellent video and audio quality, but they don't want to pay for it.

Welcome to Blu-Ray.com!

[cinemaphile]

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

This makes sense from a business standpoint, but usually isn't true. Stores like Best Buy and Target have been quite competitive with the pricing of their exclusives.

If this was a BB or Target exclusive, I wouldn't be worried in the slightest. They woud produce plenty and price accordingly.
But releasing through a little-known site in extremely limited quantities is crazy.

To treat this like some niche title and have goals of only selling 3000 copies? A catalog title like Fright Night should have been a budget release, along the lines of stuff like the recent Stallone catalog titles or the Miramax releases.

For $10-$15 tons of people would pick this up along with the remake - even as blind buys. But as it is the general public will never even know it got released on blu, much less be willing to pay $40 for it.

[BankytheHack]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

When studios have churned out plenty of movies with loads of extras and excellent video and audio quality for far less, it's understandable for people to bawk at one that comes out so much higher.

I think the problem here is that yes, there are other movies that come out with $39.95+ price points, but those titles are available at different retailers, so prices compete and things go on sale. With this being a one-outlet exclusive, that price will stay right where it is.

Is it really a "problem", though? There are going to be plenty of fans of the film who won't have a problem paying $40. There will be plenty of fans who will have a problem with it. People will vote with their wallets.

[Aristide Massaccesi]

Originally Posted by BankytheHack

I'm more troubled about the whining. People want loads of extras and excellent video and audio quality, but they don't want to pay for it.

Quite true.

[BankytheHack]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

A catalog title like Fright Night should have been a budget release, along the lines of stuff like the recent Stallone catalog titles or the Miramax releases.

For $10-$15 tons of people would pick this up along with the remake even as blind buys, but as it is the general public will never even know it got released on blu, much less be willing to pay $40 for it.

Yeah, but flicks like Cobra and Demolition Man will catch the eye of your average Wal-Mart shopper who just picked up his first blu-ray player for $80. Those are the consumers who would balk at spending $20 + on a blu-ray disc. Fright Night is a bit more niche of a flick. It's a horror/comedy (those are already a tough sell to mainstream audiences), that's also a bit of an homage to the Hammer flicks of the 1960s. This company knows that the audience is limited for this release and I'm sure it'll be marketed accordingly.

[masterfx]

I would pay $100 for this release. Cant wait!

[Lemmy Lugosi]

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

Would you define $40 as an arm and a leg?

I would. That's just too damned much for a BD of a film.

I'm a Harryhausen FANATIC, and I'll be skipping their Mysterious Island BD, too, if it has a freakin' absurd MSRP, as Fright Night does.

[cinemaphile]

Not that it will do any good, but let them know what you think of this prohibitive pricing: https://www.facebook.com/twilighttimemovies

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by masterfx

I would pay $100 for this release. Cant wait!

You can't be serious!

[BankytheHack]

For some reason this thread keeps making this image pop up in my head.

[BouCoupDinkyDau]

Originally Posted by BankytheHack

Yeah, but flicks like Cobra and Demolition Man will catch the eye of your average Wal-Mart shopper who just picked up his first blu-ray player for $80. Those are the consumers who would balk at spending $20 + on a blu-ray disc. Fright Night is a bit more niche of a flick. It's a horror/comedy (those are already a tough sell to mainstream audiences), that's also a bit of an homage to the Hammer flicks of the 1960s. This company knows that the audience is limited for this release and I'm sure it'll be marketed accordingly.

I disagree with your reasoning. Dead Alive is about to hit blu. Why isn't it getting the same treatment? It's a widely regarded niche flick, and is being offered in wide circulation at a discount price. From a business angle, I get why this Fright Night thing is being done, but as a consumer I think it bites (no pun intended).



I just saw the new film a couple of days ago and was way more impressed with it that I thought I would be. I only went because I had free tickets and the reviews were much higher than I expected.

They did a great job with it, being respectful to the original, but creating a film with its own separate identity. It's nice to finally see vampires being frakkin' vampires again. As I was walking out of the theater with my daughters, I mentioned my hope that retail outlets would offer 2-pack deals for the blus (you know, buy this new flick and get the old one for $10 less).

I guess that's not going to happen though.


.

[cinemaphile]

Originally Posted by BankytheHack

For some reason this thread keeps making this image pop up in my head.

yes, because people calling a company on overpricing a movie is the same as a crying baby