Scream Factory Blu-ray Discussion Thread

[zeze]

Just got my copy of the Amityville Horror Trilogy in the mail. Can't wait to watch it tonight.

[Pete Rock]

I would really like to see Scream Factory go after Night of the Living Dead (1990) after Twilight Time's rights expire. This movie always baffled me as to why it was so blood and goreless. Especially when it was directed by Tom Savini and made in 1990. After doing some research, I found out this movie was another in the long list of victims of the MPAA during this era. There is an uncut workprint floating around with all the goods intact. I'm not sure if it's even possible after all these years, but Scream Factory would be the perfect candidate to restore this movie to it's full uncut glory.

Workprint
http://movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=915

[zbinks]

Originally Posted by spawningblue

I know everyone is OCD about certain things but to buy inferior versions of a movie because it's on a Blu-ray disc instead of a DVD makes no sense. Just because these are in standard def. doesn't mean they will be as good as the DVDs out there. My experience from these sets is they are closer to VHS quality, and I'm willing to bet these transfers will be the same. The reason they can sell 100 movies for $10 is because they just use whatever ancient crappy transfer they can get ahold of. You'll be lucky if half of them are even in their right aspect ratio. I would rather have a DVD that has a great transfer that looks even better upscaled with some decent extras then a Blu-ray that uses VHS transfers, but I guess to each their own. Let us know if you have any questions regarding what is going on on screen as some of these are so dark and blurry you can't make out anything. To me I would never watch a movie with a dark blurry transfer for the first time as it may taint your opinion of the movie. It's like watching a recorded from a theatre screener to me. Not fair to judge a movie based like that.

Originally Posted by spawningblue

Yeah be careful with these sets. If it seems to good to be true, it probably is. Just because it states SD quality doesn't mean the quality will match other DVDs. Most of these usually use full screen VHS transfers, or really inferior and dark scratchy prints. I guess if you want to check out the movies before you buy each separately it's an option, but again, for me personally I prefer not to judge a movie with a crappy transfer as it can really sour the movie for me. If you are curious about any of these before you purchase them I would just watch them on Youtube as the quality will probably be the same.

There's a reason many are excited about Code Red's recent double feature release containing Silent Night, Bloody Night because even though it has been released several times on these cheap compilation discs, this is the first time it has been released in widescreen in a print that you can actually tell what's going on.

+1

Not all SD transfers are created equal. These mega sets aren't using officially licensed transfers struck from the best possible source elements. They're often sourced from multi-generation 16MM or VHS dubs and typically look dreadful. That's the reason I'd easily recommend the Timeless/Shout! DVD for The Brain That Wouldn't Die over the Attack of the B's Blu-Ray. Both releases are SD, but the Timeless/Shout! DVD utilizes a restored, officially licensed MGM/UA-transfer and is likely to be leaps and bounds better than whatever Firecake Entertainment (fce) can muster up.

That being said, I'm also hoping a Scream Factory The Brain That Wouldn't Die Blu-Ray will turn up to render the argument moot.

[spawningblue]

Originally Posted by zbinks

+1

Not all SD transfers are created equal. These mega sets aren't using officially licensed transfers struck from the best possible source elements. They're often sourced from multi-generation 16MM or VHS dubs and typically look dreadful. That's the reason I'd easily recommend the Timeless/Shout! DVD for The Brain That Wouldn't Die over the Attack of the B's Blu-Ray. Both releases are SD, but the Timeless/Shout! DVD utilizes a restored, officially licensed MGM/UA-transfer and is likely to be leaps and bounds better than whatever Firecake Entertainment (fce) can muster up.

That being said, I'm also hoping a Scream Factory The Brain That Wouldn't Die Blu-Ray will turn up to render the argument moot.

I believe the Timeless disc includes an uncut version of Brain as well, or at least includes the footage as an extra. I agree though, hopefully this will get released on Blu!

[Disallowed]

Originally Posted by Pete Rock

I would really like to see Scream Factory go after Night of the Living Dead (1990) after Twilight Time's rights expire. This movie always baffled me as to why it was so blood and goreless. Especially when it was directed by Tom Savini and made in 1990. After doing some research, I found out this movie was another in the long list of victims of the MPAA during this era. There is an uncut workprint floating around with all the goods intact. I'm not sure if it's even possible after all these years, but Scream Factory would be the perfect candidate to restore this movie to it's full uncut glory.

Workprint
http://movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=915

They didn't go after the movie in the first place because of Sony, IIRC.

[zbinks]

Originally Posted by spawningblue

I believe the Timeless disc includes an uncut version of Brain as well, or at least includes the footage as an extra. I agree though, hopefully this will get released on Blu!

That's my understanding as well. I believe it's also presented in a 1.66:1 OAR for the first time on DVD.

[Metallix87]

Well, obviously, if reviews say "Attack of the B's" is atrocious and uses poor transfers, then I'll pass on it. For now, though, I'm keeping my eye on it and hoping for the best.

[Undeadcow]

Synapse Films has a great edition of The Brain That Wouldn't Die uncut that I always understood was the definitive standard definition edition. Is there something about the budget Timeless release that makes it even better? Synapse Films' release of The Brain That Wouldn't Die should not be overlooked.

[zbinks]

Originally Posted by Undeadcow

Synapse Films has a great edition of The Brain That Wouldn't Die uncut that I always understood was the definitive standard definition edition. Is there something about the budget Timeless release that makes it even better? Synapse Films' release of The Brain That Wouldn't Die should not be overlooked.

My understanding is an MGM HD master was used for the Shout!/Timeless, marking the first time any officially licensed elements were used for a DVD release of the film.

[Metallix87]

Originally Posted by zbinks

My understanding is an MGM HD master was used for the Shout!/Timeless, marking the first time any officially licensed elements were used for a DVD release of the film.

If that's the case, why not make the Timeless release a Blu-Ray release, like the previous Timeless release?

[Undeadcow]

Originally Posted by zbinks

My understanding is an MGM HD master was used for the Shout!/Timeless, marking the first time any officially licensed elements were used for a DVD release of the film.

Interesting; hopefully there will be a comparison between the Synapse Films release and the Timeless edition. I know Synape Films is acclaimed for it's restoration work but if a pristine studio master was accessible to Timeless that sounds like gold.

[redrunner97]

Is Spider Baby in the public domain?

[Lacrymosa]

Some pics of the Amityville set. First one I'll watch on Thursday when I get the chance is the 3D version to see how it looks.

[NoirFan]

Originally Posted by redrunner97

Is Spider Baby in the public domain?

I wouldn't think so, Dark Sky released it on DVD in the US, and Arrow just put out a (region free!) Blu-ray.

[Jobla]

We definitely need a Blu-ray release of THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN'T DIE. The old Synapse DVD was windowboxed and taken from Sinister Cinema's 35MM print, whereas the transfer from Timeless was struck from studio film elements. And, the Timeless disc includes the foreign scene and a much longer photo gallery.

[redrunner97]

Originally Posted by NoirFan

I wouldn't think so, Dark Sky released it on DVD in the US, and Arrow just put out a (region free!) Blu-ray.

I only say so because it seems to be listed on several Public Domain streaming websites.

[dressedtokill]

The Amityville Horror trilogy review:

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/9077...r_trilogy.html

[zbinks]

Originally Posted by redrunner97

I only say so because it seems to be listed on several Public Domain streaming websites.

It may depend on whether it's the Director's Cut (Dark Sky / Arrow) or the original cut. The Director's cut is about 3 - 4 minutes longer and would probably have a valid copyright.

[dsman71]

I love my Synapse edition of the Brain that Wouldnt Die

[redrunner97]

What other Carpenter films are in their grasp?

• Village of the Damned
• The Thing
• Escape From New York

Not that they'd likely be release, but what is even a tiny bit a possibility?
I know Village of the Damned is potentially likely, and the others have been shot down. But are there others?