Scream Factory Blu-ray Discussion Thread

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by BarnDoor

If Amazon Canada is to be believed, that will be all for January in terms of proper Scream titles (something called Dead Reckoning is also getting a release, presumably an IFC title?).

If this were the 1947 film noir starring Humphrey Bogart and Lizabeth Scott, then I would be immensely pleased.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by BarnDoor

No surprise - Prince of Darkness 4K UHD coming January 19

If Amazon Canada is to be believed, that will be all for January in terms of proper Scream titles (something called Dead Reckoning is also getting a release, presumably an IFC title?). If so, that's 3 'new' titles announced for November to January, all of which had prior Blu-ray releases, and in two cases are upgrades of titles previously released by Scream, both of which will utilize 4K remasters which appeared elsewhere a couple of years ago (and offer seemingly very little - if anything - in the way of brand new extras).

Not a particularly encouraging start to 2021, though hopefully this isn't the full January line-up.

Kind of feared this was going to happen. Going back to their greatest hits. I wouldn't mind this, if there were new to Blu-ray titles as well.

[DR Herbert West]

Originally Posted by Ranger517

Escape From NY in 4k would be great. The Fog however in 4k almost seems kinda unnecessary. There's really nothing you can improve on from it's current release.

It's a big improvement.

[Member-222782]

It's official: Scream Factory is now primarily a purveyor of rehashes. The writing was on the wall - they used COVID as an excuse to "postpone" announcing this year's Comic Con slate while everyone else was busy working on stuff and making announcements. While I'm all for worthwhile upgrades, nothing gets my juices flowing more than new-to-disc titles, especially since many of those upgrades are already in my collection. Any true collector has already imported the John Carpenter 4K stuff.

[dwk]

I can't remember, was it The Fog UHD or Prince of Darkness UHD that StudioCanal gave a real sh1tty encode to?

[DR Herbert West]

Originally Posted by dwk

I can't remember, was it The Fog UHD or Prince of Darkness UHD that StudioCanal gave a real sh1tty encode to?

The Fog

[Donl1282]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

It's official: Scream Factory is now primarily a purveyor of rehashes. The writing was on the wall - they used COVID as an excuse to "postpone" announcing this year's Comic Con slate while everyone else was busy working on stuff and making announcements. While I'm all for worthwhile upgrades, nothing gets my juices flowing more than new-to-disc titles, especially since many of those upgrades are already in my collection. Any true collector has already imported the John Carpenter 4K stuff.

To be fair, SF is running low on new titles to obtain compared to a few years ago.

[Lacrimosa]

I am not biting on these 4K upgrades of previously released collector's editions and steelbooks.

I would however be interested in titles like The Sentinel or the first two Amityville films getting the UHD treatment. Or The Resurrected or Let's Scare Jessica to Death. Or Creepshow. Re-issued with a nice slip. I am just tired of seeing the same titles released over and over again.

[jaws3dfan]

Originally Posted by Lacrimosa

I am not biting on these 4K upgrades of previously released collector's editions and steelbooks.

I would however be interested in titles like The Sentinel or the first two Amityville films getting the UHD treatment. Or The Resurrected or Let's Scare Jessica to Death. Or Creepshow. Re-issued with a nice slip. I am just tired of seeing the same titles released over and over again.

Scream Factory should search ebay and any OOP title going for 50.00 or more should get a re-release.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

It's official: Scream Factory is now primarily a purveyor of rehashes. The writing was on the wall - they used COVID as an excuse to "postpone" announcing this year's Comic Con slate while everyone else was busy working on stuff and making announcements. While I'm all for worthwhile upgrades, nothing gets my juices flowing more than new-to-disc titles, especially since many of those upgrades are already in my collection. Any true collector has already imported the John Carpenter 4K stuff.

Yeah, I was actually surprised they didn't do the Comic Con announcements. People needed something positive to hear and who cares if the titles are delayed. At least we have something to look forward to. Everyone seemed to be moving ahead on full steam, including must smaller labels. I gave them the benefit of the doubt because they were trying to get the Friday set out and that was a massive under taking. Well, that's over now, so not sure what's going on.

[Surge92]

Originally Posted by jaws3dfan

Scream Factory should search ebay and any OOP title going for 50.00 or more should get a re-release.

Starting with Without Warning.

[critterdvd]

Originally Posted by BarnDoor

No surprise - Prince of Darkness 4K UHD coming January 19

Personally this one worked in my favor! I was going to purchase it during the current Scream Sale, but because the website kept timing out I gave up. Glad I didn't put that order through now. Although I do wish Scream would do an extra feature or two for these releases, or even just a steelbook, instead of just a 4k Picture upgrade. It would help ease the sting for those who may upgrade their current Collector's Editions.

Originally Posted by Donl1282

Is Halloween 2 and 3 UHD also likely for next year?

I honestly would be shocked if we don't see those in the next year or two, however I have a feeling that they will come from Universal Direct, and not SF!. 'Halloween' is too much of an active (and lucrative) franchise right now, unless they are still contracted with SF.

[jaws3dfan]

Originally Posted by Surge92

Starting with Without Warning.

And Sleepaway Camp 3

[starsteam]

Guess my wallet can rest for January too. Haven't even gotten to watch my Blu-ray of Prince of Darkness yet. No point in double dipping unless they add hours of new extras.

I'd like to see Halloween II and III released to 4K but I'm really hoping Lionsgate will give the treatment for 4 and 5 too. Those were the weakest transfers in the Deluxe Collection being from Anchor Bay.

[Member-222782]

Originally Posted by Donl1282

To be fair, SF is running low on new titles to obtain compared to a few years ago.

Not really an excuse. Look at Vinegar Syndrome, and, to an extent, Dark Force Entertainment and even Severin. All currently working on premiere titles. Beastmaster was a huge get for VS, as was Fade To Black. The problem with SF is they've gone too mainstream and are seemingly now frowning upon B movies. John Carpenter was and will always be very popular and Friday the 13th is a behemoth but I don't imagine people ONLY want "big" titles in their collections.

[jaws3dfan]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

Not really an excuse. Look at Vinegar Syndrome, and, to an extent, Dark Force Entertainment and even Severin. All currently working on premiere titles. Beastmaster was a huge get for VS, as was Fade To Black. The problem with SF is they've gone too mainstream and are seemingly now frowning upon B movies. John Carpenter was and will always be very popular and Friday the 13th is a behemoth but I don't imagine people ONLY want "big" titles in their collections.

There are TONS of Great Horror Films not on Blu-Ray (and some never released on DVD) I agree SF only wants huge well know titles for the masses and they pass on less well known titles. I know this is a business and they want to make money but there is still money to be made on obscure titles, VS and Kino have figured that out but SF has not.

[Rayjg]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

Not really an excuse. Look at Vinegar Syndrome, and, to an extent, Dark Force Entertainment and even Severin. All currently working on premiere titles. Beastmaster was a huge get for VS, as was Fade To Black. The problem with SF is they've gone too mainstream and are seemingly now frowning upon B movies. John Carpenter was and will always be very popular and Friday the 13th is a behemoth but I don't imagine people ONLY want "big" titles in their collections.

I agree. They have access to more titles from the majors than any other boutique label. I can’t imagine every title of interest has been released from Warner, Sony, Universal, Paramount and MGM. Only Fox is no longer on the table. Plus they own a large amount of Corman titles people would like to see released. I’m hoping that the lack of much requested genre titles from Warner from the 80s and early 90s is because Scream is working on these.

[Worship.my.wreck]

Just got this email from Sacred Bones Records a few minutes ago. Prince of Darkness 4K and exclusive Vinyl. Available to preorder now:

https://www.sacredbonesrecords.com/p...eid=f945a9eff5

[BarnDoor]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Yeah, I was actually surprised they didn't do the Comic Con announcements. People needed something positive to hear and who cares if the titles are delayed. At least we have something to look forward to. Everyone seemed to be moving ahead on full steam, including must smaller labels. I gave them the benefit of the doubt because they were trying to get the Friday set out and that was a massive under taking. Well, that's over now, so not sure what's going on.

It is troubling, and I think we'd all just appreciate some clarity from Scream as to what they have planned for 2021. We all knew the days of 5-7 releases a month would come to an end eventually, but even then, I expected it to transition to 3-4 releases a month for a while, not just one title (and even those not new-to-Blu).

We know they have The Dead Zone planned, so there must be some new stuff on the cards. Alright they're finished with classic Universal horror, and likely almost finished with Hammer, and the MGM and Universal vaults can't yield much more, but that still leaves Sony, Warner Bros and Paramount. And as we know, when it comes to boutique labels Scream are generally in a privileged position in terms of access to these catalogues.

Of course Friday the 13th was a mammoth undertaking, but that would have been wrapped up about a month ago now, so can it be cited as a reason for the slim pickings from November to January, beyond perhaps budgetary constraints? Obviously COVID-19 has been another factor, but as has been pointed out, other labels seem to be coping better than Scream. I read somewhere (can't recall where) that the restoration facility Scream employed has been closed during the pandemic, which might explain some of the issues they're having. If that is the case, a Facebook post addressing these issues would go a long way. Unfortunately, Scream's relationship with fans seems very distant these days. There's no presence on the forums; they never tease titles or offer a newsletter; it's been a long time since they did interviews or podcasts, and I don't remember them ever doing online panels/livestreams. Perhaps this is something they could look into going forward?

Hopefully a strong Halloween announcement is in the offing.

[Surge92]

Since I just switched to 4K, I can finally start picking up some of these cult horror 4K UHD releases.