Scream Factory Blu-ray Discussion Thread

[MassiveMovieBuff]

Originally Posted by Merrik

I love me some Scream Factory releases. They've released so many films that no one else has bothered to even look at, and horror films are my first love, so having a chance to own even terrible films like Jaws of Satan (which I absolutely friggin' love) on Blu-ray with a decent picture, I'm totally there for. I realize they've got their faults. Their transfers aren't like, Criterion level or anything, but when compared to the old crappy VHS or terrible VHS like DVD transfers that I've only ever had a chance to see most of these films with over their lifetimes, I'm a happy camper.

I agree with the above statement though. Scream is probably my favorite company out there for physical media at the moment, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they should be absolved of any responsibility when something like this audio issue on Black Christmas happens. We know there's a mono track out there that doesn't have the issues that this one has, so there's especially no reason for this issue to have happened, and it would be nice if they could fix the problem and exchange discs for everyone that's already purchased one. They may be my favorite, but if issues like this just slide by, who knows when it will happen again.

I am happy with about 99% of their output though. In their hundreds of releases, I can only think of a few really big issues that they've had (for me anyway) that just left me scratching my head.



For everyone that's commented on the audio issues on Body Bags... I read about this a few months ago, and hadn't had a chance to watch my copy of it at the time. I watched it a few weeks ago, and I definitely noticed the audio issues on the film, but only in a few spots. Like, it would happen for about two minutes here, and two minutes there, maybe three or four times through out the film. Does it happen through out the whole film and I just wasn't noticing until it got worse in spots, or is everyone's more like mine, where it only happens in certain spots a few times through out the film?

Your statement about Shout! Factory was awesome! I've stated that I'm a huge fan of Shout!/Scream Factory as well and am pleased with the majority of their releases that I own but there are some out there with defects and those should be corrected and some have which I commend them for fixing. I'm thrilled that Shout! Factory exists and hope that they continue to flourish but it just sucks now that I have to be weary of future releases.

As far as Body Bags the sibilance issue is pretty much the majority of the blu ray and it's very annoying. I rented it on amazon instant video for my first viewing a few months back and immediately noticed the sibilance issue because Scream Factory gave them the rights and was hoping it was just the instant video but then I got the blu ray and it was the same thing and was a huge bummer.

[rocknblues81]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

If there's one thing I'll never understand about the internet it's people that defend broken products and support companies no matter what. "I spend hundreds collecting blu-rays but who cares how they sound herp-a-derp."

lol. Sorry, but this was going on before the internet. My dad's best friend hates Ford's and will not by anything other than a Chevy no matter how many of them tear up on him. It's insanity.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Merrik

I love me some Scream Factory releases. They've released so many films that no one else has bothered to even look at, and horror films are my first love, so having a chance to own even terrible films like Jaws of Satan (which I absolutely friggin' love) on Blu-ray with a decent picture, I'm totally there for. I realize they've got their faults. Their transfers aren't like, Criterion level or anything, but when compared to the old crappy VHS or terrible VHS like DVD transfers that I've only ever had a chance to see most of these films with over their lifetimes, I'm a happy camper.

This is my mindset as well.

I was born in 1972, and, when I was coming of age during the early 1980s, I always wished that I could see all of the horror films that were advertised on grisly poster art in the local newspaper, and I loved watching the movies featured on Elvira's Movie Macabre on one of the cable channels. During the late 1980s, I loved browsing the video rental shelves and checking out whatever great horror that I could.

Motel Hell may have compression artifacts, Black Christmas may have a hissy original mono soundtrack, and all of that, but, most of the time, I'm just thrilled that I can watch these movies in their intended aspect ratio, without commercials, and with audio and video presentations that blow pan-and-scan television, VHS, and DVD away. It's a great time to be alive.

I'm glad that Scream is responsive to picky fans, though, and I'm glad that they are willing to put some work in to improve on what are already great products.

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

This is my mindset as well.

I was born in 1972, and, when I was coming of age during the early 1980s, I always wished that I could see all of the horror films that were advertised on grisly poster art in the local newspaper, and I loved watching the movies featured on Elvira's Movie Macabre on one of the cable channels. During the late 1980s, I loved browsing the video rental shelves and checking out whatever great horror that I could.

Motel Hell may have compression artifacts, Black Christmas may have a hissy original mono soundtrack, and all of that, but, most of the time, I'm just thrilled that I can watch these movies in their intended aspect ratio, without commercials, and with audio and video presentations that blow pan-and-scan television, VHS, and DVD away.

terrific analysis on horror film collecting... I think you have to be a certain age to appreciate what you're talking about... being that I'm 8 years older... I totally agree!

[MassiveMovieBuff]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

This is my mindset as well.

I was born in 1972, and, when I was coming of age during the early 1980s, I always wished that I could see all of the horror films that were advertised on grisly poster art in the local newspaper, and I loved watching the movies featured on Elvira's Movie Macabre on one of the cable channels. During the late 1980s, I loved browsing the video rental shelves and checking out whatever great horror that I could.

Motel Hell may have compression artifacts, Black Christmas may have a hissy original mono soundtrack, and all of that, but, most of the time, I'm just thrilled that I can watch these movies in their intended aspect ratio, without commercials, and with audio and video presentations that blow pan-and-scan television, VHS, and DVD away. It's a great time to be alive.

I'm glad that Scream is responsive to picky fans, though, and I'm glad that they are willing to put some work in to improve on what are already great products.

Yeah it's great to have all of the releases in their intended ratios without commercials and superior audio (which is what blu ray is supposed to be anyways) but when a release has a defective audio issue or a transfer issue it's technically not a great product. Once it's fixed though then hell yeah it's great!

[Mystic]

Originally Posted by MassiveMovieBuff

As far as Body Bags the sibilance issue is pretty much the majority of the blu ray and it's very annoying. I rented it on amazon instant video for my first viewing a few months back and immediately noticed the sibilance issue because Scream Factory gave them the rights and was hoping it was just the instant video but then I got the blu ray and it was the same thing and was a huge bummer.

The audio problem ruins the blu ray for me. It's a good movie, and I was happy to see it being released on blu ray, but the fact is, I've watched the blu ray once, and the sibliance problem is bad enough to ruin my enjoyment of the blu ray so essentially the disc has become something of a silver coaster for me. Scream really needs to get its act together in terms of Quality Control.

Now that a number of Scream's blu ray releases have resulted in the need for a replacement disc program, I really hope that Scream will finally address their Quality Control problems once and for all and begin working towards restoring our trust in the company.

Until then, I'm not going to spend any more money on their defective blu rays. Enough is enough...

[MassiveMovieBuff]

Originally Posted by Mystic

The audio problem ruins the blu ray for me. It's a good movie, and I was happy to see it being released on blu ray, but the fact is, I've watched the blu ray once, and the sibliance problem is bad enough to ruin my enjoyment of the blu ray so essentially the disc has become something of a silver coaster for me. Scream really needs to get its act together in terms of Quality Control.

Now that a number of Scream's blu ray releases have resulted in the need for a replacement disc program, I really hope that Scream will finally address their Quality Control problems once and for all and begin working towards restoring our trust in the company.

Until then, I'm not going to spend any more money on their defective blu rays. Enough is enough...

Completely understandable and justified. I just don't understand the people that are completely content with a defective product. It just baffles me. If someone is fine with a faulty product that's great for them but to degrade, insult and make an issue for those of us who want a non defective product is just uncalled for. Bottom Line. That's why I invested in blu ray in the first place. Quality! How the home media market has changed over the years shouldn't be any kind of an excuse.

[Member-222782]

Has anyone tried playing around with the audio settings on their receivers to perhaps minimize the sibilance problem on Black Christmas? Maybe lowering the bass/treble a little? People who don't have home theater systems and use the TV's speakers may achieve even better results since there are more adjustable options. Also, is the entire film affected? I listened to a lot of over-the-air radio when I was growing up and sort of got used to that kind of crappy sound so maybe it won't bother me as much. If the distortion is present throughout the entire film I can see how it can be annoying and, for some folks, unbearable. I've decided to keep my preorder and let it ship since I'm locked in at $17.59; I may be able to live with the audio issue or, simply just choose a track that isn't affected. If there's a recall I'll participate in it but we may be stuck with this I'm afraid. Maybe Arrow or someone else might come along and "rescue" the film at some point but for now I'll hang onto this BD and try to at least enjoy the PQ and extras while listening to the 5.1 track.

[dvdmrp]

A message to Shout/Scream
Please consider working with the 3D Film Archive and do a proper shout select 3d bluray of Bwana Devil. I know it was licensed by Shout factory and a bluray was cancelled. Bwana Devil was one of the first 3d movies. 3D Film Archive does a great job for less money than other places. They've restored a great deal of 3d films and made amazing looking 3d blurays. Please consider contacting Bob Furmanek and giving him the opportunity to work on Bwana Devil with you and allow that film that have the true 3d bluray it deserves.

And while you're at it. A 3D Bluray Shout select of Treasure of the Four Crowns remastered in 2:35 and 3d bluray wouldn't hurt either.

[MassiveMovieBuff]

I received my Child's Play replacement in the mail yesterday and the reversed audio is now fixed.

[tisdivine]

Originally Posted by MassiveMovieBuff

I received my Child's Play replacement in the mail yesterday and the reversed audio is now fixed.

Ive seen people mentioning that The Thing has an audio issue but when I went to its dedicated thread I went back a couple of pages and couldn't find anything.

Sad part is I watched it a couple weeks ago but didn't notice any audio issues.

Are they issuing replacement discs for it too?

[kidglov3s]

Originally Posted by tisdivine

Ive seen people mentioning that The Thing has an audio issue but when I went to its dedicated thread I went back a couple of pages and couldn't find anything.

Sad part is I watched it a couple weeks ago but didn't notice any audio issues.

Are they issuing replacement discs for it too?

Initial discs sent to reviewers for The Thing had sync problems on the 4.0 track, the blood test scene was specifically mentioned. Shout worked to correct the disc before release, but some discs with the sync errors did make it to stores/consumers.

[nvadr]

Hey Shout Factory here's a title to look into "Prophecy 1979" that movie might seem tame by today's standards but when I saw this at the theater as a kid it upset me as much as the re-release of Texas Chainsaw Massacre in the late 70's.. A well done monster flick!

[MassiveMovieBuff]

Originally Posted by tisdivine

Ive seen people mentioning that The Thing has an audio issue but when I went to its dedicated thread I went back a couple of pages and couldn't find anything.

Sad part is I watched it a couple weeks ago but didn't notice any audio issues.

Are they issuing replacement discs for it too?

Yeah it initially had audio problems and ended up getting delayed for the corrections to it but I guess very few of the bad copies got into circulation but yes there is a replacement program if you got a bad copy. I guess it's an out of sync issue that's on the new 4.1 mix which I actually watched again last night for the second time just to make sure I didn't get a bad copy and it was golden.

[dsman71]

Originally Posted by nvadr

Hey Shout Factory here's a title to look into "Prophecy 1979" that movie might seem tame by today's standards but when I saw this at the theater as a kid it upset me as much as the re-release of Texas Chainsaw Massacre in the late 70's.. A well done monster flick!

Its with Paramount and could only happen if they struck a deal with them. That goes for any label dealing with Paramount.

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by nvadr

Hey Shout Factory here's a title to look into "Prophecy 1979" that movie might seem tame by today's standards but when I saw this at the theater as a kid it upset me as much as the re-release of Texas Chainsaw Massacre in the late 70's.. A well done monster flick!

I was really disappointed when I saw that movie and it had a big mutant bear. This is because Leonard Maltin's TV Movie Guide said it was a "Giant Salami." I was expecting just that!!

[painiac]

I need to put in for Army of Darkness replacements - besides that and Child's Play, for which titles (if any) have Shout/Scream issued replacements?

[MassiveMovieBuff]

Originally Posted by painiac

I need to put in for Army of Darkness replacements - besides that and Child's Play, for which titles (if any) have Shout/Scream issued replacements?

There's possibly one for Dead Ringers which has the same reversed audio issue as Child's Play. Other than that I think The Thing is the only other one I know of if you ended up getting a bad copy initially which is an extremely slight possibility. If you did the audio will be off sync on the newly mixed 4.1 track. From what I hear one of the biggest examples is during the blood test scene.

[painiac]

Originally Posted by MassiveMovieBuff

There's possibly one for Dead Ringers which has the same reversed audio issue as Child's Play. Other than that I think The Thing is the only other one I know of if you ended up getting a bad copy initially which is an extremely slight possibility.

Thanks! I haven't watched my copy of The Thing yet - what was the issue there?

[MassiveMovieBuff]

Originally Posted by painiac

Thanks! I haven't watched my copy of The Thing yet - what was the issue there?

No prob! See my above comment I just added an edit to it.