Scream Factory Blu-ray Discussion Thread

[Member-222782]

Originally Posted by BarnDoor

It does seem peculiar we haven't seen any Morgan Creek titles at all in the Shout line this year (as far as I'm aware). I would have thought they'd have made a large deal for a variety of titles (it's been over a year now since Bad Moon and The Crush were announced). Surely we'd have heard more by now if that was indeed the case (I think Dead Ringers is the only other one, but there might be one more I'm forgetting).

It's probably due to the fact that the Morgan Creek catalog doesn't have much that suits the Shout Factory brand. After all, they're not even a studio. Like I said above, True Romance would be great and I'm almost certain that will be announced in the near future.

[The Great Owl]

Last night, I watched my Scream Factory Blu-ray of The Screaming Skull.



In this old-school horror movie, the sexy Peggy Webber plays Jenni, a woman with a traumatic past who moves into an eerie country home owned by her new husband, Eric, who is played by John Hudson (Gunfight at the O.K. Corral). From the start, Jenni is affected by the stories of Eric's first wife, who died tragically at the home years before, she hears frightening screams at night, and she even encounters a human skull in the home. Is she being plagued by truly supernatural phenomena, is she being tormented by the gardener of the estate, who had a strong friendship with the former wife, or is something else at play?

At 68 minutes, The Screaming Skull flies by at a lightning pace, and, while it comes across as quaint by today's standards, I enjoyed the storyline, which seems to have been influenced quite a bit by the 1944 film, Gaslight, I enjoyed the genuinely spooky camerawork during pivotal scenes, and I enjoyed the atmosphere of the house setting. This is a good little film.

The Screaming Skull was released in theaters with a disclaimer that anyone who died of fright during the movie would be provided a free burial. To the best of my knowledge, nobody died while watching the film. As I grow older and inevitably lose health in decades to come, though, it might not be a bad idea to keep the Blu-ray next to my television set so that, in the event of a heart attack or a death from old age, my relatives can claim that this film is responsible and, as such, force the studio to make good on its disclaimer so that they can save expenses.

This Scream Factory Blu-ray looks fantastic, with a naturally filmic appearance and an impressive presentation of the nighttime images. There's a bit of print damage, but, for the most part, this public domain flick shines on Blu-ray.

I decided to go to sleep early last night instead of watching the bonus feature interviews and the Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode that features the film. It's probably just as well, because I'm glad that I was able to take in the movie on its own terms instead of watching it picked apart by ridicule immediately after the fact. I'll watch the extras tonight, though.

[cloudnine]

Originally Posted by BarnDoor

I'm very hopeful for Arnold and Peter Proud, but it's been 10 months since Ben and Willard were announced so I'm beginning to wonder if the deal was limited to just those two. Even so, the BCP deal would only offer about 3-4 more titles. Similarly, it's been a long time since a Morgan Creek title was announced; I think we all assumed the initial deal would have been for most of their catalogue, but it appears not. Again we wouldn't be looking at many for the Scream line, but the likes of Diabolique, Stay Tuned and Freejack come to mind.

My thinking is that they didn't want to trump Willard and Ben by announcing them before those 2 were released. When asked about Peter Proud, Arnold and TITWM, they never answered which leaves some hope. They'd be foolish not to after breaking the ice.

[BarnDoor]

Originally Posted by cine74

It's probably due to the fact that the Morgan Creek catalog doesn't have much that suits the Shout Factory brand. After all, they're not even a studio. Like I said above, True Romance would be great and I'm almost certain that will be announced in the near future.

I think Pacific Heights, White Sands, True Romance and the Young Guns films at least would interest Shout. There's probably a few others there too.

[GasmaskAvenger]

For my money, The Lawnmower Man and The Manster are two summer titles i'm pretty excited for.

Those steelbooks are really nice too, I have to admit, though I only really need Escape from New York.

[Trekkie313]

Have any other steelbooks been announced besides The Fog and EFNY?

Considering Escape, but I prefer the normal art even without a slipcover.

[jshaide]

Originally Posted by trekkie313

have any other steelbooks been announced besides the fog and efny?

Considering escape, but i prefer the normal art even without a slipcover.

they live.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by jshaide

they live.

(Sorry, but I couldn't resist.)

[StingingVelvet]

Another day, another "Scream are dying because no new announcements that appeal to me personally" post.

[Member-167298]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

Another day, another "Scream are dying because no new announcements that appeal to me personally" post.

[The Great Owl]

Scream is actually doing an impressive job now of releasing a fine mix of older gems (The Screaming Skull, etc.), obscure titles (Demented, etc.), and fan favorites (Species, etc.).

After enjoying The Screaming Skull last night, I'm planning to watch my Blu-rays of The Vampire and I Bury the Living this weekend to continue that endearing old-school vibe.

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

(Sorry, but I couldn't resist.)

That is pretty funny.
Look at the bright side, maybe these steelbooks attract a whole new fan element which, if successful, could help fund new releases.

[MassiveMovieBuff]

Originally Posted by rickah88

That is pretty funny.
Look at the bright side, maybe these steelbooks attract a whole new fan element which, if successful, could help fund new releases.

I don't know about making me want to rebuy the blu ray for the steelbook but that pic definitely put me in a mood to watch the film tonight after work

[LeeFanatic007]

Originally Posted by BarnDoor

It does seem peculiar we haven't seen any Morgan Creek titles at all in the Shout line this year (as far as I'm aware). I would have thought they'd have made a large deal for a variety of titles (it's been over a year now since Bad Moon and The Crush were announced). Surely we'd have heard more by now if that was indeed the case (I think Dead Ringers is the only other one, but there might be one more I'm forgetting).

The Exorcist III was also Morgan Creek.

I think Pacific Heights would fit with the Scream Factory line. And I'd love to get Stay Tuned on Blu-ray.

[MassiveMovieBuff]

Originally Posted by LeeFanatic007

The Exorcist III was also Morgan Creek.

I think Pacific Heights would fit with the Scream Factory line. And I'd love to get Stay Tuned on Blu-ray.

I really hope Pacific Heights gets a release soon. One of my favorite Michael Keaton flicks and one hell of an underrated thriller that is still lingering in blu ray release hell. This could even get a Shout! Select release or just a regular Shout! release.

[TripleHBK]

Originally Posted by MassiveMovieBuff

I really hope Pacific Heights gets a release soon. One of my favorite Michael Keaton flicks and one hell of an underrated thriller that is still lingering in blu ray release hell. This could even get a Shout! Select release or just a regular Shout! release.

I've never seen this film and am only familiar with it due to it's inclusion on Bravo's 100 Scariest Movie Moments list/special from 2004. It's a film I would certainly pick up eventually as it's one I've been curious about since first seeing the segment on it. (I also have hopes/plans to purchase every film on all three of the Bravo Scariest Movie moments lists... all 143 of them).

[MassiveMovieBuff]

Originally Posted by TripleHBK

I've never seen this film and am only familiar with it due to it's inclusion on Bravo's 100 Scariest Movie Moments list/special from 2004. It's a film I would certainly pick up eventually as it's one I've been curious about since first seeing the segment on it. (I also have hopes/plans to purchase every film on all three of the Bravo Scariest Movie moments lists... all 143 of them).

You'll definitely love it especially if you're a fan of a lot of the early 90s psycho thrillers that came out during that time. It's really fresh and different like another excellent thriller that needs a Scream/Shout! blu ray which is Unlawful Entry. I was actually really in the mood to watch Pacific Heights last night so I checked to see if it was available to rent on amazon instant video and it's not even available on that.

[s7e]

The one thing that worries me about the new steelbooks is if they do sell well, they might start flooding us with them. As long as this doesn't prevent any normal releases with original reversible art or take away funds from other possible releases, I don't care what slipcovers or steelbooks they release. Hopefully this profit goes towards funding more older sci-fi/horror they say doesn't sell as well and not just more steelbooks of past releases

[GasmaskAvenger]

Alrighty, I got The Lawnmower Man, The Manster and the Escape from New York steelbook all pre-ordered now.

Used expedited shipping for all three, since its only just a few dollars more to receive them even sooner.

[jthefrank]

Definitely passing on the steelbooks. And it's been a couple years, so I thought I'd get another pic of the collection. Every CE, in their new home:

Not sure if I'll continue this forever. Was already on the fence for the Robocops, and I'm definitely on the fence with Teen Wolf Too. Fun while it lasted though, I greatly enjoy everything else