Scream Factory Blu-ray Discussion Thread

[Member-222782]

It's clear to me Warner Archive was meant as a outlet for Golden Age films primarily (hence the Archive), with the occasional contemporary title thrown in in an attempt to cast a wider net and get more folks to notice them. Anybody who's a fan of old Hollywood has had a great supply of old films for many years and should be very happy with their collection. Personally, I was never a big fan of the line mostly because of their focus on older films. My WAC collection is very small. I'm generally happy with what I own but it does bug me that they're mostly generic releases with little to no extras.

As far as WAC's future, well, maybe Warner feels the line has run it's course. Physical media may be in decline but you wouldn't know that from being an active participant on these boards. Maybe Warner should try going in the opposite direction - focus more on modern films - at least for a while. Maybe there'll be an uptick in sales (if that's what the studio is worried about). If the line folds, I think Shout - and others - may take up the mantle and we could see more of our favorite films as Collector's Editions. I'd love to see some of those old WAC DVDs get an upgrade: Mike's Murder, Avalanche Express, The Outfit, The Last Run, The Pack and No Blade of Grass.

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by BarnDoor

I think there's an honest assessment to be made in this Scream Factory vs Warner Archive debate.

[Show spoiler]
Last 80s horror film Warner Archive released was... ? Well, Looker came out in September 2018, I guess that might qualify. But over the course of their near 9-year existence in Blu-ray terms, I only count The Hunger, Wolfen and Night School.

Compare that to Scream Factory's slate of 80s WB-owned new to Blu-ray titles this year alone: 10 by my count.

And I use the 80s only as the most explicit example. I haven't counted how many horror titles Warner Archive have released since 2012, but I doubt it's over 30-35. Since the floodgates opened in May 2018, we must have seen well over 50 WB titles released on Blu-ray by Scream Factory, many of which we probably wouldn't have on Blu-ray otherwise. Clearly Warner Archive have put greater emphasis on 30s-50s titles over the past couple of years, with 70s and 80s titles hardly in abundance. Did anyone honestly think Alone in the Dark and Killer Party were just around the WA corner? Scream even gave us a couple of great Val Lewton releases when Warner obviously couldn't be all that fussed (one suspects Scream's decision to drop whatever Lewton titles they had left probably forced Warner Archive's hand at last). And I haven't even mentioned the apparent bleak prospects for Warner Archive's future.

Beggars can't be choosers and all that...

Great points, but for my part, I was only responding to the quality of the transfers and extras between the two labels, which I thought was the question, not necessarily the film choices each makes for release. On tech quality alone I think it's pretty equal. I've seen some lousy transfers and a lack of substantial extras on both labels.

As for the types of films released, just the difference in the labels names, Warner Archive vs. Scream Factory, indicates that they would only sometimes correspond with each other's objectives. How great would it have been if WAC had more committed support within the studio and branched off into separate sub-labels for certain genres like horror, scifi, westerns, etc. As it is they always seemed to be struggling to get stuff done and out, every bit as much as an independent label.

Oh well, let's see how it plays out with them and Shout and the rest. There don't seem to be a lot of guarantees anymore with physical media, but live for today and get what you can while the gettin' is good.

[BarnDoor]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

As for the types of films released, just the difference in the labels names, Warner Archive vs. Scream Factory, indicates that they would only sometimes correspond with each other's objectives. How great would it have been if WAC had more committed support within the studio and branched off into separate sub-labels for certain genres like horror, scifi, westerns, etc. As it is they always seemed to be struggling to get stuff done and out, every bit as much as an independent label.

I think this is why we'd all love to see WB sub-licence to as many labels as possible. They do great work of course, and I'm very grateful for that, but their catalogue is so vast that 4-5 titles every month isn't really going to make a dent. At least this way Shout is taking much of the horror onus off them, freeing them up for other titles. We've seen non-horror titles too from Shout, though some more of these, particularly from the 60s-90s, would be great. Criterion of course do their bit, but they're always going to be more selective. Even if say Arrow were able to agree a proper deal, I imagine they'd be similar.

I know they're not you're favourite label at the moment () but Kino would seem like an ideal choice, given the size of a deal they'd likely do and the breadth of titles they'd be interested in. Maybe if they keep knocking the door will open eventually.

As for the other labels, I'm not sure who would have the financial clout to bring WB to the table.

[Donl1282]

I wonder what’s happening with Army of Darkness UHD that SF is supposed to be working on.

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by BarnDoor

I think this is why we'd all love to see WB sub-licence to as many labels as possible. They do great work of course, and I'm very grateful for that, but their catalogue is so vast that 4-5 titles every month isn't really going to make a dent. At least this way Shout is taking much of the horror onus off them, freeing them up for other titles. We've seen non-horror titles too from Shout, though some more of these, particularly from the 60s-90s, would be great. Criterion of course do their bit, but they're always going to be more selective. Even if say Arrow were able to agree a proper deal, I imagine they'd be similar.

I know they're not you're favourite label at the moment () but Kino would seem like an ideal choice, given the size of a deal they'd likely do and the breadth of titles they'd be interested in. Maybe if they keep knocking the door will open eventually.

As for the other labels, I'm not sure who would have the financial clout to bring WB to the table.

On the surface it does seem like KINO would be a good fit to pick up where the Warner Archives leave off, but I have to wonder if even they have the resources for such an epic undertaking. Unlike other studios they have so far licensed from, WB has mammoth holdings and I just can't picture KINO being able to handle more than a fraction of it. As you said, splitting the licenses between labels would make much more sense and I'm with you on hoping that's on the table at some point.

I guess this discussion should more rightly transfer to the WAC thread, but just to get back on topic, I've been pretty happy with the Scream releases of vintage horror/scifi, as well the stuff from later decades, and wouldn't mind at all if they scooped up additional Warners titles, even from other genres.

[DrEricVornoff]

Originally Posted by TripleHBK

Doesn't researching the film to the degree that you have ruin the blind buying experience? This is will be a Blind buy for me as well but other than watching the trailer and seeing what the general consensus buzz was here on the boards that was as far as I went. I saw more than a few folks label it as tame but those folks didn't go so deep as to spell out how and when Kills occur in the film.

I fully get where you are coming from but mid 1980's horror was often so much more than the few seconds of kills/gore that we were allowed. There is an atmosphere or ambience to many of these films that simply doesn't exist at any other point in film history. To be blunt, these films, and the people that made them, looked like they were having fun. This often permeates throughout the picture and is a tangible quality that so many can and do pick up on from this era. Yeah it stinks that it's not everything it could be, but researching to the degree you have robs the viewer of the true blind buying experience and all of the other qualities the film may offer beyond just a handful of death sequences.

I actually didn't research the kills and the plot... honestly I don't really even know what the plot is... but I usually visit the IMDB page to read some reviews (which I take with a grain of salt) and read up some other info... one of the regular spots I check out is "Alternate Cuts" which is a section that appears if it is applicable... that's where I read about the pre-release cuts. It in no way breaks down the scenes or anything else... it just simply said that most of the gory footage originally shot was scrapped in post production by the studio and it has never been restored... and that was kind of a turn off for me.

This part that you wrote is fantastic:

There is an atmosphere or ambience to many of these films that simply doesn't exist at any other point in film history. To be blunt, these films, and the people that made them, looked like they were having fun. This often permeates throughout the picture and is a tangible quality that so many can and do pick up on from this era.

I could not agree more... this is also a huge reason I love 80s Horror - like you said there really isn't any other era of Horror like it... and I love it! I'm actually a fan of all things 80s because that was the decade I was a young kid. So believe me when I say it - I get everything you are saying.

But with all that being said... knowing a film is not the complete director's vision kinda turns me off... and if I hadn't already picked up a bunch of stuff this year already... maybe I would spring for this release. Hell... like I said... I may spring for it eventually if it's on sale... or maybe if Amazon has it at a reduced price... but I'm not going to spring for it at full price Day 1 knowing the film is considered kind of tame and lacks the gore the director originally wanted... sorry if that offends anyone but it is what it is.

[BarnDoor]

I guess the latest Criterion announcements confirm that Warner are willing to grant 4K rights. It'll be interesting to see what the future brings...

[TripleHBK]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

On the surface it does seem like KINO would be a good fit to pick up where the Warner Archives leave off, but I have to wonder if even they have the resources for such an epic undertaking. Unlike other studios they have so far licensed from, WB has mammoth holdings and I just can't picture KINO being able to handle more than a fraction of it. As you said, splitting the licenses between labels would make much more sense and I'm with you on hoping that's on the table at some point.

I guess this discussion should more rightly transfer to the WAC thread, but just to get back on topic, I've been pretty happy with the Scream releases of vintage horror/scifi, as well the stuff from later decades, and wouldn't mind at all if they scooped up additional Warners titles, even from other genres.

The only problem I have with this is that Shout clearly marks up their releases beyond what someone like Kino would do. Look no farther than the release strategy/partnership of IFC midnight and Shout Factory compared to Image (RJE) and the pricing discrepencies become apparent. The moment Shout Factory took over releasing IFC Midnight films the prices raised by a minimum of $3 per release. In some cases they climbed even more dramatically higher.

If Shout were to take over WA releases it'd absolutely result in WA titles jumping from $13 - $17 per title as another member mentioned to easily $19.99 - $27.99 per title. Further proof of this is found in every single Corman film Shout Factory has released since taking over that library. They own those films outright yet price them outrageously and in low volumes to drive panic buying and as a result actual market value prices for these films are never approached.

If someone has to take over WA I'd throw my vote over to Kino. They generally provide quality releases at good to great prices, they offer frequent sales, generally keep titles in print, and are much more diversified in their release strategy than Scream Factory would be. I'd love for Shout/Arrow/VS to license all the various horror and exploitation titles hiding away in the WB vaults, but as a rule of thumb across the board I'd rather see Kino take over for WA as it would feel very much like a natural extension as opposed to Shout Factory which would result in a much different buying experience.

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by TripleHBK

If Shout were to take over WA releases it'd absolutely result in WA titles jumping from $13 - $17 per title as another member mentioned to easily $19.99 - $27.99 per title. Further proof of this is found in every single Corman film Shout Factory has released since taking over that library. They own those films outright yet price them outrageously and in low volumes to drive panic buying and as a result actual market value prices for these films are never approached.

Yes, I definitely agree with this and did post earlier that the only major advantage of buying WAC over Shout is the pricing. I've never been happy with Shout price points, starting with their TV on DVD releases back in the day.

But I don't share your confidence that KINO would: 1. Be able to exclusively handle the extensive task of digging deep into the Warner vaults. And: 2. That KINO would hold their prices to their thus far customary reasonable levels once they have contracted with WB. This is assuming that such an enterprise would be much more costly than dealing with the other studios they have so far.

In addition, while their sales have been great at KINO and I've managed to build up a very large collection of their titles because of them, the prices appear to have been going steadily up in at least the last year. Many titles start at $9.99 now during sales and we are seeing less and less of ones at $7.99 and below, something that at least SEEMED more common in the past (but full disclosure, I have not done any great mathematical study of it). Of course, $9.99 is still a great price for many of the Blus they release, but could this be maintained with a Warners deal or even without one and just based on the changing market for physical media? We don't know and can't predict, but I do agree with you that KINO seems to be a good fit for Warner releases at the moment, however I would still not discount Shout as a viable contender, higher prices or not.

[critterdvd]

I ended up just preordering from Shout directly, all 4 are movies I’ve been waiting for, so this is an exciting order for me. I’ll probably keep the Elvira poster and sell the other 2 to help offset costs.

Nothing But Trouble
Alone in the Dark
Elvira
Deadly Friend

[jcole8882]

Bet that some of these will be moved to November.... I really hope not though... November should have some decent announcements... but I'm worried about December through April since they aren't bigger months for announcements per say....

[SpaceBlackKnight]

Originally Posted by BarnDoor

I guess the latest Criterion announcements confirm that Warner are willing to grant 4K rights. It'll be interesting to see what the future brings...

It also suggests that the Discovery/Warner ownership are going full swing with HBO Max and gradually phasing out of physical distribution (with the exception of Universal handling video distribution for new releases and DC stuff along with evergreen hits like OZ). Warner would make just as much money (or perhaps more) sub-licencing to interested entities willing to do all the transfer/supplements/pressing work, than loosing on piles of unsold DVD/BDs in a changing market where the average person has a smartphone or Roku to get their entertainment fix.

[Scarface33]

Does anyone know if Sin City: A Dame to Kill For is a Shout Select, or Scream Factory Collector's Edition?

Also, I noticed that no extras are announced. I have never seen a Shout title without absolutely no extras.

[TripleHBK]

Originally Posted by Scarface33

Does anyone know if Sin City: A Dame to Kill For is a Shout Select, or Scream Factory Collector's Edition?

Also, I noticed that no extras are announced. I have never seen a Shout title without absolutely no extras.

Neither. It's just a regular Shout Factory release. Given the cheap price point it's possible that no extras will be announced for it as that does happen from time to time though given it's a newly announced title for October, it's also possible that something will be announced in regards to special features at a later time. Typically Shout factory announces a title and then a month or so later provides the list of special features. As I said already however, this is neither a Scream Factory nor a Shout Select title and so it is possible it will be a barebones disc.

[jcole8882]

Isn't Sin City: A Dame to Kill For with Miramax or Demension ? If so... is it a start of a new deal or just specifically this title...

[starsteam]

What is Shout doing here? Barebones double features of films already on Blu? Are they taking a cue from Mill Creek?
I was wondering if there would be a boutique release of Dragon, so a bit sad it ended up like this - guess I made the right choice to buy the Universal release earlier this year.

I'm guessing Sin City 2 is just a licensing rescue. Wonder what's the story behind that.

[starsteam]

Originally Posted by jcole8882

Isn't Sin City: A Dame to Kill For with Miramax or Demension ? If so... is it a start of a new deal or just specifically this title...

It's a Anchor Bay title. Shout has rescued several Anchor Bay titles before when Lionsgate bought them (Silent Night Deadly Night, The Entity, Behind the Mask). Guess Halloween 4 and 5 could count too.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by starsteam

It's a Anchor Bay title. Shout has rescued several Anchor Bay titles before when Lionsgate bought them (Silent Night Deadly Night, The Entity, Behind the Mask). Guess Halloween 4 and 5 could count too.

Man, I'm confused. I thought it was a Weinstein film or something like that.

[JasonMichael]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Man, I'm confused. I thought it was a Weinstein film or something like that.

It definitely was a Weinstein Company/Miramax/Dimension film when released. My DVD has those logos on the back. Maybe Anchor Bay/Starz purchased it recently?

[Member-222782]

Anchor Bay no longer exists.