Scream Factory Blu-ray Discussion Thread

[thatguamguy]

I thought it sounded strange when it was said that they were licensing the US rights from the international rights holder, so I'd guess it was Sony. Cameron allowed Sony to release it on DVD, so the only reason I can imagine he'd hold this up is if he wants to be involved... which people who want to see the movie in HD probably won't want to wait for.

[WesReviews]

Cancelling pre-orders is a good indication that we're never going to see this.

[50sscifi]

Sigh.... I just received my Paypal refund.

I was so thrilled when this release was announced.
Here's hoping they work things out and 2018 brings us a nice surprise.

[50sscifi]

Originally Posted by BarnDoor

Another sought-after Universal title for January: The Projected Man

Wow, I remember watching this waaaaaay back when on late night horror host shows.

Wikipedia says this was released as a double bill with "Island of Terror," one of my all time favorite British horror films.
Too bad I was too young so I missed this cool opportunity, sounds like a great time.

[Member-222782]

Originally Posted by Catastrophe

Sony or James Cameron?

Who're you putting your money on?

Cameron doesn't give a shit about Piranha II so it's Sony. They most likely protested and put a stop to it. I was kind of expecting this, actually. Why would they allow Shout to release a film they control in the US?

[DetroitSportsFan]

I thought they only announce something when everything is 100% signed and confirmed?

[LeeFanatic007]

Sucks about Piranha II, I was really looking forward to it, such a fun cheesy 80s film. Hopefully one day this makes it to Blu-ray.

[GoodAsBlu]

Originally Posted by WesReviews

Cancelling pre-orders is a good indication that we're never going to see this.

I would agree that this is probably the final word on it ever being released.

[TripleHBK]

Originally Posted by GoodAsBlu

I would agree that this is probably the final word on it ever being released.

Doubtful. I have no doubt that Scream will either A) Be able to work out some sort of an agreement to release the film or B) Sony will just release what they have themselves now that they know there is a market for it. If 976-Evil turns into another Horror themed line Sony would have one more title to market.

Either way I'm sure this won't be the last that we see of this film. It may not be 2018, but at some point it will show up.

[mja345]

Sony will probably throw it out as part of their much-loved BD-R Choice "Collection".

[TripleHBK]

Originally Posted by mja345

Sony will probably throw it out as part of their much-loved BD-R Choice "Collection".

If this were an action, comedy, drama, or another similar genre I'd tend to agree with you, but I feel like the horror genre has enough appeal and fans that even companies like Sony realize that there is money to be made with a normal release. It wouldn't shock me if if it ended up in the line, but I would be a bit surprised. I still think this ends up as a Scream Factory release or in a similar position to the 976-evil release.

[captainron_howdy]

Originally Posted by TripleHBK

Doubtful. I have no doubt that Scream will either A) Be able to work out some sort of an agreement to release the film or B) Sony will just release what they have themselves now that they know there is a market for it. If 976-Evil turns into another Horror themed line Sony would have one more title to market.

Either way I'm sure this won't be the last that we see of this film. It may not be 2018, but at some point it will show up.

Totally agree, this will def make its was on blu in 2018 SH or not. Hell, I'd rather watch piranha 2 than avatar or any of the billion$ sequels most likely.

[BluPat]

I wonder why Shout! didn't ask Sony to begin with? And how can a company release something in this country with rights from out of the country?

[redrunner97]

Best case scenario: Shout works out a deal with Sony and includes both cuts of Piranha II, then the positive and profitable experience between the two companies opens the door for more Sony titles getting the Scream Factory treatment in the near future.

[TripleHBK]

Originally Posted by BluPat

I wonder why Shout! didn't ask Sony to begin with? And how can a company release something in this country with rights from out of the country?

My guess would be that the version of the film Sony owns is different than what the International version is and that the rights of one cut of the film do not impact the rights of another cut. In other words, Scream Factory very likely can release the international cut without Sony's permission but because of the threat of legal action by Sony, Scream Factory is going to go through the process of proving that what they have is different than what Sony has, AND that they have permission from the rights owners to release this other edition in the states.

I can't remember the exact title (I think it was Nightbreed) but a very similar situation occurred a few years back, and Once Scream Factory was able to prove that they had the rights to the film in question everything was immediately cleared and Scream Factory was able to actually use additional film elements to create their release. The reason no date was given for this film is likely because legal proceedings can be quick, or they can linger on for years. I have no doubt that they will eventually be able to prove that they are in the clear to release the film and that eventually it will be released.

How long that takes is anyone's guess.

[thatguamguy]

Originally Posted by TripleHBK

My guess would be that the version of the film Sony owns is different than what the International version is and that the rights of one cut of the film do not impact the rights of another cut.

The cut that Shout was planning to release is identical to the cut that Sony released on DVD, so there is no reason to believe that they don't have the U.S. rights to the title.

But if the producers are the ones who own the original negative, they could exert control over which cut gets released.

[20th Century Boy]

Originally Posted by TripleHBK

If this were an action, comedy, drama, or another similar genre I'd tend to agree with you, but I feel like the horror genre has enough appeal and fans that even companies like Sony realize that there is money to be made with a normal release. It wouldn't shock me if if it ended up in the line, but I would be a bit surprised. I still think this ends up as a Scream Factory release or in a similar position to the 976-evil release.

What has more appeal than Stripes? If Sony will toss that into BD-R hell, anything can go in there. I reeeeeaaaally dislike that company.

[TripleHBK]

Originally Posted by 20th Century Boy

What has more appeal than Stripes? If Sony will toss that into BD-R hell, anything can go in there. I reeeeeaaaally dislike that company.

Horror movies that's what. Studios don't create entire collectors edition lines to cater to fans of comedies like Stripes. Horror films have the ability to transcend decades of time and generations of fans... something most other genres struggle with outside of some really stellar films. Obviously there are plenty of very highly regarded films from all genres and eras that are still culturally relevant despite their age, however people don't hold Comedy conventions, or Drama conventions... not even Action conventions the same way they do horror conventions. VHS is still relevant in niche circles thanks to horror and I would argue that a film like Stripes as beloved as it may be to some, is a quintessential Netflix (streaming service) title due to the fact that the people that are interested in it are either a) already buying titles from all genres and likely frequent forums like this, (ie. a niche group) b) already own it in some format and likely don't care enough to pick it up as an off hand upgrade title or C) Don't care enough to own it and are content to watch it on tv or a streaming service.

On top of all of that, Sony already released a version of the film to BD and so I'd wager that the market for another pressed edition pales to what most horror films (particularly first time on BD titles) can offer in returns. I don't like it, but it's a hard argument to sell me on that a re-release of an 80's comedy that's already had a physical presence for years is somehow reflective of how Sony views all their properties. There's a reason the Sony Choice line doesn't have any horror titles in it, and that's because Sony knows that they can make more money licensing or releasing these titles officially themselves.

[Martin_31]

Today I watched The Funhouse for my October Month Long Frightfest. Sadly, because of school and work it's hard to watch one horror film a day. But I chose wisely with Tobe Hooper's film. It's one of the best horror films I've seen with excellent cinematography, an engaging story, and really creepy scenes. It's one of the few films where the opening credit sequence actually engages the viewer with the unsettling carnival animatronics. I knew I had seen this film before when I was younger on AMC. I really enjoyed it; I'm hoping I'll be able to watch Invaders from Mars tomorrow. I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it yet.

[zbinks]

Originally Posted by 20th Century Boy

What has more appeal than Stripes? If Sony will toss that into BD-R hell, anything can go in there.

There's a reason for that...

Originally Posted by cmac

Comedies don't sell very well.... Especially on Blu-Ray