Scream Factory Blu-ray Discussion Thread

[benricci]

Originally Posted by cine74

I chuckle every time I read a post from someone in their 20's who say they like Vincent Price movies (or older movies in general). Takes a bit of the sting out of "only young people spend money on movies" kind of talk.

I don't think anyone said only younger people spend money on movies, rather they spend the most and are therefore the most desirable demographic (speaking in general terms) to go after.

[Movie-Brat]

Originally Posted by cine74

I chuckle every time I read a post from someone in their 20's who say they like Vincent Price movies (or older movies in general). Takes a bit of the sting out of "only young people spend money on movies" kind of talk. The truth is, horror is big business. And whether you're 16 or 60, the bottom line is that while you can't please everyone all the time, Shout has a little something for all of us. These are good times and I, for one, am relishing every minute.

Well just because I'm young doesn't mean I can't appreciate films of the past decades. I love Annie Hall for crying out loud.

[cmac]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

Guess I missed those comments as it appeared the positive far outweighed the negative on FB. Just wish Scream would have rolled with the punches a bit better since, in the grand scheme of things, it really doesn't matter what other people think; it's just their opinion. Isn't criticism the highest forms of flattery.

I, for one, enjoyed and looked forward to the announcements. Sure, there were announcements I wasn't particularly interested in but I didn't find it necessary to comment on those. What is great is that there is something for everyone and on occasion there are even titles which I hadn't heard of before which prompted me to research those titles.

Guess everyone needs to remember, “You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time”.

Yes, we roll with the punches daily, but it got tiresome. Friday announcements could come back some day.

[cmac]

Originally Posted by benricci

I agree - I don't think you need to be 60 to enjoy them either; I'm just presenting a realistic portrait of who these films typically appeal to, and why they aren't likely to be big sellers. They're a niche category within an already niche category.

You're almost 50 years old - most blu-ray buyers are probably 25-30 years younger than you and have never heard of Vincent Price and certainly aren't interested in buying these films.

Heck, Price probably died before many of them were born, and they certainly didn't grow up with his films the way you did. These movies are flat-out irrelevant to them, and they simply don't care (the vast majority of them, anyway).

I'm not saying that's good or passing judgement on younger people at all (hell, I'm under 30 and I've enjoyed a few Price films in my day). But that's just reality, whether you think it's "extreme" or not.

Shout/Scream Factory and all these other home video companies need to make money. That's their business. And if you (as a business) can't justify the cost to release a title or series of titles, then it's not good business to release them. Simple.

Thank you... you made that last point perfectly. It is a business. If we start to lose money on low selling titles, the plug could be pulled, so we have to be very selective sometimes.
It's easy to release THE HOWLING, it's a very popular cult film that sold well on DVD.
THE HOWLING II... it's a bit harder to justify to the people I report to. It did ok on DVD, but it was hardly a hit.

[nagysaudio]

Cliff, American Ninja 1-2, yay, or nay?

[Movie-Brat]

Originally Posted by cmac

It's easy to release THE HOWLING, it's a very popular cult film that sold well on DVD.
THE HOWLING II... it's a bit harder to justify to the people I report to. It did ok on DVD, but it was hardly a hit.

I should point out it kind of help as to who's the director. Anyone remember Gremlins?

[RiFiFi1955]

You know what we need? Someone who is a serious cult film fan with some serious extra coin to just straight up donate a couple hundred grand to Shout/Scream...no return wanted on their part but just to see some more cult favorites come out and not have to worry about the business side of things. Unfortunately that person is not me, any takers out there though

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by nagysaudio

Cliff, American Ninja 1-2, yay, or nay?

I would buy them....

[Movie-Brat]

Originally Posted by RiFiFi1955

You know what we need? Someone who is a serious cult film fan with some serious extra coin to just straight up donate a couple hundred grand to Shout/Scream...no return wanted on their part but just to see some more cult favorites come out and not have to worry about the business side of things. Unfortunately that person is not me, any takers out there though

A business is a business, you can't change that.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by cmac

Yes, we roll with the punches daily, but it got tiresome. Friday announcements could come back some day.

I hope they do come back some day. As with most things, it's always the few that ruin it for the majority which is unfortunate.

Originally Posted by cmac

Thank you... you made that last point perfectly. It is a business. If we start to lose money on low selling titles, the plug could be pulled, so we have to be very selective sometimes.
It's easy to release THE HOWLING, it's a very popular cult film that sold well on DVD.
THE HOWLING II... it's a bit harder to justify to the people I report to. It did ok on DVD, but it was hardly a hit.

Here's to a long and prosperous future for Scream Factory! Too many smaller labels have dried up, or were acquired, since the early DVD days. It's good to see more smaller labels and sublabels popping up for blu-ray.

Originally Posted by RiFiFi1955

You know what we need? Someone who is a serious cult film fan with some serious extra coin to just straight up donate a couple hundred grand to Shout/Scream...no return wanted on their part but just to see some more cult favorites come out and not have to worry about the business side of things. Unfortunately that person is not me, any takers out there though

If I won the lottery or found myself in good fortune I would consider it.

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by Movie-Brat

A business is a business, you can't change that.

In a Fantasy world you can Unfortunately that is not what we are living in but hey

[Frightener22]

For what it's worth, I think I will be doing some very generous giveaways on my YouTube channel for Shout Factory and Scream Factory titles in the upcoming weeks. I just love and appreciate what Cliff and everyone does over at Shout and I'd love to give some fans a bunch of these great products on the house. Sorry for the shameless promotion but this could be a cool way for some of you guys to score some titles you were hoping to buy anyways

[Movie-Brat]

I actually signed up for that contest for the yearly Scream Factory titles. I don't think I won. Who did then?

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by Frightener22

Just thought I'd share this picture here. This collection seriously looks awesome showcased like this!

[Show spoiler]

You're going to need to start a new row soon!

[Frightener22]

Originally Posted by Movie-Brat

I actually signed up for that contest for the yearly Scream Factory titles. I don't think I won. Who did then?

Some lucky dude from Pennsylvania. He's saving so much money from that win

[Movie-Brat]

Ah. Good for him though I really can't help but feel disappointed that I didn't. Oh don't get me wrong, I'm not sore loser. Just that, well, who wouldn't want free DVD and Blu-Rays?

[*PREACHER*]

I'm just hopeful that they do this contest for some lucky dude/dudette every year....one more thing to look forward to and enter!!!

[Movie-Brat]

I'd like to try that again as well to be honest.

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by cmac

Thank you... you made that last point perfectly. It is a business. If we start to lose money on low selling titles, the plug could be pulled, so we have to be very selective sometimes.
It's easy to release THE HOWLING, it's a very popular cult film that sold well on DVD.
THE HOWLING II... it's a bit harder to justify to the people I report to. It did ok on DVD, but it was hardly a hit.

I suggest everyone study these comments from Cliff. While I am disappointed, I understand. So lets' save the "any chance of such and such title being released?" to realistic requests.

Obviously many older classic horror titles are not going to happen...

[spawningblue]

Originally Posted by benricci

I agree - I don't think you need to be 60 to enjoy them either; I'm just presenting a realistic portrait of who these films typically appeal to, and why they aren't likely to be big sellers. They're a niche category within an already niche category.

You're almost 50 years old - most blu-ray buyers are probably 25-30 years younger than you and have never heard of Vincent Price and certainly aren't interested in buying these films.

Heck, Price probably died before many of them were born, and they certainly didn't grow up with his films the way you did. These movies are flat-out irrelevant to them, and they simply don't care (the vast majority of them, anyway).

I'm not saying that's good or passing judgement on younger people at all (hell, I'm under 30 and I've enjoyed a few Price films in my day). But that's just reality, whether you think it's "extreme" or not.

Shout/Scream Factory and all these other home video companies need to make money. That's their business. And if you (as a business) can't justify the cost to release a title or series of titles, then it's not good business to release them. Simple.

The thing is most of the titles in this line are for hardcore horror fans and I find it hard to believe that they would have no interest in Vincent Price, at least I really hope not. I am 29 and have been a fan of his for years now, as have most of my friends. How many horror podcasts, magazines, or websites list Vincent Price as the face for horror? Considering these releases are hard to find in most stores and are mostly bought online I doubt these titles have the same teen audience as movies like Apparition, Paranormal Activity series or House at the End of the Street. Obviously there are some titles like Halloween 2 or The Fog that may attract the same audience but for the most part I doubt it. Has the average teens even heard of half the movies in this line? Are they running out and paying $25 to get The island on Bluray when they can get the Scream trilogy for $20?

Are flicks like Vagrant, Death Valley, Godsend, The Evictors, Town That Dreaded Sundown (Man I can't wait for this one!), The Horror Show, Schizoid, Scanner 2/ Scanner 3, Vampire Lovers (I would say this flick probably has the same audience as Price flicks) any more popular to the average movie fan then a Vincent Price flick? Unless those flicks were dirt cheap to pick up and Price films cost a pretty penny I don't get it. Hammer flicks have been getting a lot of attention lately on Bluray, aren't they the same audience as those who are into Price flicks. Hell if you get into some of his more recent work, Madhouse, Theatre of Blood, ect. I would say they have more in common with slasher flicks then anything. Not to mention Warner spending a crap load of money to release House of Wax in true 3D. They may not sell as much as the average Carpenter flick but to say there is no audience out there, I find that hard to believe.

And I'm not calling Cliff a liar, he has been nothing but upfront and honest with us, I'm just curious how they decide what will sell or not. I'm sure there must be reasoning behind it, probably money wise, but I don't think it's because there is no audience for these flicks. What about throwing a poll up on your Facebook to see if there is any interest in Price flicks?

One last thing, if you use the method others were using before to test a films popularity, how many reviews a film has on IMDB, you will see Price films are doing pretty well. Most of them have as many as any of Scream Factory's other releases, Carpenter flicks not included. Dr. Phibes and Pit and the Pendulum even have more more reviews then The Funhouse, and just about all of them have more reviews then the films I mentioned above.