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

[Living Near Shamu]

PM,

How do you feel being 2nd top-dog now that Bill Hunt is taking the brunt of all the questions? Or is a relief not to come back and have a gazillion questions to answer back?

[elwaylite]

Originally Posted by Living Near Shamu

PM,

How do you feel being 2nd top-dog now that Bill Hunt is taking the brunt of all the questions? Or is a relief not to come back and have a gazillion questions to answer back?

Hopefully PM is out helping BD with more studio deals so Bill can report them

[huntifosi]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

No, I received all my Pentons from a shop on the east coast.
If you’re referring to Kip Kern, he is well respected in the field.

Yes, I was referring to Kip. We all had to call him Sir or Major at the time. I just wondered. You don't hear that brand very often.

Thanks for getting that jacket off to Mystik. Hopefully we lowly hanger-ons will get to see a pic or two....

[Animusmors]

Yo Penton, what is your opinion, if you have any, about Apple Inc.. This is regarding Steve Job's latest comments about people just moving straight to digital downloads. Do you think that even though Apple is on the board of directors for Blu, that they actually take it seriously? Also Jim Gianopolus, was on stage at Macworld and gave a huge plug for Blu-Ray. Any thoughts?

[sj001]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Now work it……and make us all proud, as I imagine we’re the only internet site devoted to high-def optical discs that has its own member model (you), its own member mascot (a coyote) and some of the greatest members, moderators and insiders around.

I love it, Blu-ray.com's very own member model, and our own member mascot. Nice!

Penton, do you see this writer's strike continuing on through the summer and beyond, or it there an end in sight. I understand that there were some compromises for Letterman's show, and that the Director's Guild is involved now. Sounds like a complete mess... I'm just worried how things will turn out if this goes on for the rest of the year.

[Grubert]

Originally Posted by goenkar

Grubert had posted corroborating your version but his post now seems to be deleted.

Thanks for confirming I had posted. For a minute I thought I'd got flashy-thinged à la Men in Black.

[Rob Tomlin]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

As Rob Tomlin knows and I believe has stated in the past….I keep my promises.

Absolutely damn straight!

[Rob Tomlin]

Originally Posted by mystiksuicide

I am already working on it, as soon as I get the jacket Ill start. So is Rob going to do sexy photo shoot too?

Yes!!

But I will be the one TAKING the pics! How did you know that photography is one of my hobbies?

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Living Near Shamu

PM,

How do you feel being 2nd top-dog now that Bill Hunt is taking the brunt of all the questions? Or is a relief not to come back and have a gazillion questions to answer back?

I think it would be more appropriate to call him Top Cat ( Insider to Insider joke).

I couldn’t be happier that he has come onboard here and you guys and gals have embraced him with open arms because his recognition as a film aficionado (most importantly) and optical disc format visionary has been long overdue by internet forums in general, from what I hear. At least we can lead the way in that regard and make him feel appreciated for his knowledge and input.

Honestly, once we wrap this thing up completely and no new HD DVD discs are being produced by any studio, I would be happy to just fade away into relative obscurity or at least downshift a few gears and only post occasional tidbits that you guys could benefit from.

When I get some time, I actually plan on asking talkstr8t and Richard Casey to get their butts over here soon as I see they haven’t checked in yet for service.

In short………..the more the merrier.

Gotta go.
Later.

[WickyWoo]

Honestly, once we wrap this thing up completely and no new HD DVD discs are being produced by any studio, I would be happy to just fade away into relative obscurity or at least downshift a few gears and only post occasional tidbits that you guys could benefit from.

But should HD DVD return, or some damn fool give Amir a new job, he'll be right over that hill..watching...waiting..straddling a bike.....

[richteer]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

But should HD DVD return, or some damn fool give Amir a new job, he'll be right over that hill..watching...waiting..straddling a bike.....

Penton "Good Boy" Man? ;-)

[ra1024]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

In this case, I didn’t like Tom Arnold’s (Home Media Magazine) name being dragged through the mud esp. when it was without merit.

It sounds like there are fewer and fewer Hollywood sources you can trust these days. I suppose we're approaching the point where Rob Enderle and Rdjam will be the only ones with sites where you can get factual information.

[Mr_Bester]

Originally Posted by ra1024

It sounds like there are fewer and fewer Hollywood sources you can trust these days. I suppose we're approaching the point where Rob Enderle and Rdjam will be the only ones with sites where you can get factual information.

I didn't notice any smilies, so I hope that was sarcasm.

[patrick99]

Originally Posted by Mr_Bester

I didn't notice any smilies, so I hope that was sarcasm.

I think a smiley would be superfluous with this statement.

[hollywoodguy]

Originally Posted by patrick99

I think a smiley would be superfluous with this statement.

Didn't you know, the internet lets perfectly reasonable people lose all ability to recognize even the most obvious irony and sarcasm... ( )

Anyway, Penton, hope you got news in full 1080penton resolution for us today!

[ra1024]

Originally Posted by patrick99

I think a smiley would be superfluous with this statement.

lol

[zipbags]

If the 85-15 sales numbers and the 3:10 to Yuma selling 10x that of the Kingdom are indeed correct. I just cannot see how Paramount & Universal can still say red exclusive. If I was a shareholder or their parent companies. I would be livid.

Now my question. Their was a report posted in the General discussion forum about the large amount of returns stores are getting of hd-dvd players purchased over x-mas. Was this expected so quickly and would this force the retailers and/or the studios to accelerate their plans to go blu only?

[Esox50]

Originally Posted by zipbags

If the 85-15 sales numbers and the 3:10 to Yuma selling 10x that of the Kingdom are indeed correct. I just cannot see how Paramount & Universal can still say red exclusive. If I was a shareholder or their parent companies. I would be livid.

I see this, "If I was a shareholder" stuff a lot. Basically, HDM revenue is a drop in the bucket right now...

The best thing about the WB decision is that it has most likely numbered the days of "short term" thinking and has caused everyone to start thinking about viability long term where the real "pop" will be...

[CptGreedle]

If I was a shareholder... i would be more concerned about the long term projects, such as HDM, that have a potential to generate billions of dollars!
I would want my company to lead the format, not follow it. And although Universal tried to lead it, they lost. So now I think they have no choice but to jump into it as soon as possible.
85% means HD DVD has less than 1/7th of the market!
Penton, Do you think these kinds of figures will last?

Also, I read in the Home Media Magazine that retailers will continue to support both formats. However, that was before these numbers came out. Do you think they might pressure the studios more or even consider dropping HD DVD because of these numbers?

[Slec]

Penton,
Everyone on this site is so passionate about Blu. What is the general feeling in and around the industry?

Also, are studios/film makers making any adjustments to the way they think about movie distribution, or even the way they make movies (doubtful) because of the interactivity and space flexibility BD offer?

Thanks for your time, input and efforts to make things more blu