Entertainment One Being Selective with What Hits BD in Canada

[Rhylliam]

I've been rather busy since the start of October, as I have moved to Calgary from Winnipeg. Now that I'm settled into a new home, I have been able to buy and watch some movies finally. There were a couple of movies that I missed in theatres, and figured I would blind buy or rent them as I do not have VOD. One such film was 'Calvary' starring Brendan Gleeson. On the day of release, I was in a Wal-Mart and the DVD was prominently displayed on their new release shelf and beside it was an empty slot. Naturally, I assumed they either sold out of or didn't receive their Blu-ray copies. A quick search on HMV.ca and amazon.ca indicates that no such Canadian Blu-ray exists. Being that it was a newer film, I found that rather strange. A day or two later I was in my local rental store (Casablanca on McLeod Trail) and noticed they only had a DVD copy for 'Wish I Was Here'. Did another search online, and sure enough it is yet another film that did not receive a Blu-ray release here in Canada. E-One also released a feature-less DVD for 'The Immigrant' and no BD, while the US has neither (glad I got the France BD, but it has flaws..).

Looking at future releases, 'The Trip to Italy', 'Swearnet: The Movie' and 'Dr. Cabbie' are getting DVD only releases on Dec. 23rd. 'Before I Go to Sleep' hits DVD only here on Jan. 6th. Both 'Swearnet' and 'Trip to Italy' I was going to blind buy, now I'm going to import/wait I guess.

At first I thought that this was just a rights issue of some kind. But as you can see by the list below, the titles aren't all released by a sole studio in the US, its a bunch of 'em.

So I suppose importing will now become more popular among Canadians on the boards. Those who don't frequent Bluray forums may end up buying DVD copies since its all that's available in stores. Amazon.ca does at least have a lot of these titles as imports, but the prices can be a little steep and stay that high for some time.

Anyways, this list is definitely not complete. A lot of the major/minor titles from 2013 to Jan. 2015 that were given DVD releases only in Canada, but have US Blu-rays are on the list.

-13 Sins (6/17/14) - Released by Anchor Bay in USA
-14 Blades (9/2/14) - Released by Anchor Bay in USA
-20 Feet from Stardom (1/14/14) - Released by Anchor Bay in USA
-Afflicted (7/1/14) - Released by Sony in USA
-All the Boys Love Mandy Lane (12/3/13) - Released by Anchor Bay in USA
-Anger Management Season 1 (1/8/13) - Released by Lionsgate in USA
-Anger Management Season 2 (10/15/13) - Released by Lionsgate in USA
-Anger Management Season 3 (4/15/14) - Released by Lionsgate in USA
-The Art of the Steal (5/6/14) - Released by Anchor Bay in the USA
-Before I Go to Sleep (1/6/15) - Released by Fox in USA
-Blue Ruin (7/22/14) - Released by Anchor Bay in USA
-Calvary (12/9/14) - Released by Fox in USA
-Chinese Puzzle (10/14/14) - Released by Cohen Media Group in USA
-Cuban Fury (6/9/14) - Released by E-One in USA
-Date and Switch (4/15/14) - Released by Lionsgate in USA
-Diana (2/11/14) - Released by EOne in USA
-Dr. Cabbie (12/23/14)
-Fed Up (9/9/14) - Released by Anchor Bay in USA
-Fruitvale Station (1/14/14) - Released by Anchor Bay in USA
-Gambit (5/27/14) - Released by Sony in USA
-Haunter (2/11/14) - Released by IFC in USA
-Hellbenders (2/18/14) - Released by Lionsgate in USA
-How I Live Now (2/11/14) - Released by Magnolia in USA
-I'll Follow You Down (8/5/14) - Released by Well Go USA in USA
-The Immigrant (12/16/14) - Released in France
-Justin Bieber's Believe (4/7/14) - Released by Universal in USA
-Kill Your Darlings (3/18/14) - Released by Sony in USA
-The One I Love (11/4/14) - Released by Anchor Bay in USA
-Orange is the New Black (5/13/14) - Released by Lionsgate in USA
-Railway Man (8/12/14) - Released by Anchor Bay in USA
-The Right Kind of Wrong (5/20/14) - Released by Magnolia in USA
-Rosemary's Baby: Miniseries (8/19/14) - Released by Lionsgate in USA
-The Rover (9/23/14) - Released by Lionsgate in USA
-See No Evil 2 (10/21/14) - Released by Lionsgate in USA
-The Signal (9/23/14) - Released by Universal in USA
-Stage Fright (7/8/14) - Released by Magnolia in USA
-Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon (10/7/14) - Released by Anchor Bay in USA
-Swearnet: The Movie (12/23/14)
-They Came Together (9/2/14) - Released by Lionsgate in USA
-The To Do List (11/19/13) - Released by Sony in USA
-The Trip to Italy (12/23/14) - Released by IFC in USA
-Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas (11/25/14) - Released by Lionsgate in USA
-Tyler Perry's Single Moms Club (7/22/14) - Released by Lionsgate in USA
-Walk of Shame (6/17/14) - Released by Universal in USA
-Wish I Was Here (10/28/14) - Released by Focus/Universal in USA
-Wolf Creek 2 (6/24/14) - Released by Image in USA

Both VVS and Mongrel have gotten much better with issuing films on both DVD and Blu-ray. I'm hoping that will continue.

[zeze]

First of all welcome to Calgary.

And yeah its unfortunate about Entertainment One. They used to be good about coming out with blu-ray releases, though I guess that isn't the case anymore. I am assuming the reason for it is that the blu-ray versions for certain films aren't selling as much as they would like so they are releasing DVDs only for certain titles. Guess there isn't much we can do except to import the titles from the US now.

[zw94]

I don't know if it's E One or not, but Life After Beth will be released on DVD only on January 6, 2015, but it was released a few months ago in the US on both DVD and Blu-Ray.

By the way, you did a good job of putting this list together. Some of these films I've imported (or taken a trip south of the border to pick up) because E One refuses to release them on Blu-Ray. I've also noticed they're discontinuing some of their Blu-Ray releases (okay, only one: Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy). What gives?

[Rhylliam]

Plus they're really doing nothing for the back catalogue. Alliance at least issued discs (many not perfect) for films that had yet to see a BD release on the globe. They have the rights to thousands of films... I guess they want to clear out the old Alliance and Maple stock 1st.

[puddin]

I was in Target today and noticed the package for Ender's Game is now the same as the American release (in the blue case), but with the eone logo on the spine.

[Rhylliam]

Originally Posted by puddin

I was in Target today and noticed the package for Ender's Game is now the same as the American release (in the blue case), but with the eone logo on the spine.

They were bound to run out of the clear cases soon enough.

[Rhylliam]

Added 'Wolf Creek 2' to the list. E-One issued it on DVD only in June.

In regards to 'Trip to Italy', looks like its only available on DVD as a double feature with 'The Trip'.

[TM2-Megatron]

Personally, I've never been that happy with E One's releases (so not really surprised at this), and wish they didn't have the distribution rights for so many (or any) films in Canada. I cringe when I see their logo come up before a movie when I go to the theatre.

Ever since their Coraline 3-D release disappointed me with the inferior packaging (non-lenticular slipcover, and poorer choices of artwork used), I've imported the US versions of any title I want that E One releases in Canada. I'll gladly pay more to avoid E One.

[Rhylliam]

Originally Posted by TM2-Megatron

Personally, I've never been that happy with E One's releases (so not really surprised at this), and wish they didn't have the distribution rights for so many (or any) films in Canada. I cringe when I see their logo come up before a movie when I go to the theatre.

Ever since their Coraline 3-D release disappointed me with the inferior packaging (non-lenticular slipcover, and poorer choices of artwork used), I've imported the US versions of any title I want that E One releases in Canada. I'll gladly pay more to avoid E One.

That release of Coraline was put out by Alliance, prior to Eone a acquiring the Alliance library.

I found most of Eone's releases to be fine, and definitely wasn't complaining when they were giving us Blurays for all/most new titles. My guess is that few were buying at full price, and they just weren't making enough money of BDs. Why so many people still buy DVDs is beyond me.

[uther]

Originally Posted by TM2-Megatron

Personally, I've never been that happy with E One's releases (so not really surprised at this), and wish they didn't have the distribution rights for so many (or any) films in Canada. I cringe when I see their logo come up before a movie when I go to the theatre.

Ever since their Coraline 3-D release disappointed me with the inferior packaging (non-lenticular slipcover, and poorer choices of artwork used), I've imported the US versions of any title I want that E One releases in Canada. I'll gladly pay more to avoid E One.

I could not care less about 'collector's item' packing, so long as it comes it a plastic case I am happy and I am pretty sure the majority of consumers and maybe the vast majority could care less as well.

[Rhylliam]

Originally Posted by uther

I could not care less about 'collector's item' packing, so long as it comes it a plastic case I am happy and I am pretty sure the majority of consumers and maybe the vast majority could care less as well.

I'm a slipcover and special packaging fan, but really its all about the disc & content.

[JoeDeM]

Originally Posted by Rhylliam

Why so many people still buy DVDs is beyond me.

Basically they are cheap, and just want to own the movie, I was at a store a few days ago picking up a few things, and this couple asked the sales girl if they have Friday the 13th, the sales girl says yes we have it DVD or Blu-Ray, and they say which one is cheaper. It seems that some people don't care about PQ/AQ.

I'm very disappointed that e-one is releasing some movies on DVD only.

[agoofykindasuperman]

Yeah I too am getting really tired finding out more and more of the movies I want to own are not being released on Blu-ray here when they get a wide release in the US.

I've definitely resorted to ordering a few imports in, and it's helpful when Amazon.ca lists the US import for order as well.

Another trend I hate though from Amazon.ca is I ordered the import version of Tusk which was released in December in the US and comes with a combo pack and digital copy, but here in Canada it's only the single disc Blu-ray. Well Amazon went and switched my import order to the generic Canadian release without letting me know or asking permission to do so! I chatted with their CS and told them to cancel the item as I did not want the inferior Canadian release.

[TM2-Megatron]

Originally Posted by uther

I could not care less about 'collector's item' packing, so long as it comes it a plastic case I am happy and I am pretty sure the majority of consumers and maybe the vast majority could care less as well.

Neither edition of Coraline was "collector's"... the Canadian version simply had inferior packaging, and an inferior design (a bright grade schooler with Photoshop could've done better). The Canadian version was also more expensive at the time, so the choice was an easy one for me.

I happen to enjoy lenticular graphics, and even have a couple lenticular one sheet movie posters that are part of the rotation of posters I put up in my TV room. So I also like the lenticular slipcovers frequently seen on 3DBD releases. For that reason I felt the American version of the movie gave me more for my money based on my preferences.

As time went on I found myself more hostile to E One and their growing dominance over the Canadian movie rights landscape; particularly when the availability of titles suffer as a result. Just another example the type of "competition" Canada prides itself on, that's given us the current telecom and retail situation. Now I just avoid E One for the hell of it.

[murphywmm]

Alliance was always such a frustrating company to deal with. Unfortunately, eOne seems to be continuing that "tradition".

If a movie gets released on Blu in the States, there is no reason why it shouldn't get a release up here. All they have to do is take the US disc and slap together a cover with their logos on it - which is what they do for just about everything they release. It's totally inexplicable that recent movies like "Calvary" and "Wish I Was Here" do not have a Canadian Blu-ray release.

[Corey31]

I started noticing this a year ago, it's just gotten worse and worse over time.

Why don't we make a comprehensive list in the op of new release movies released in the US but not in Canada? One missing from the list is The Spectacular Now, released by A24/Lionsgate in the US but no Blu-Ray from eOne here. Released on Jan. 7 2014

[uther]

Originally Posted by TM2-Megatron

Neither edition of Coraline was "collector's"... the Canadian version simply had inferior packaging, and an inferior design (a bright grade schooler with Photoshop could've done better). The Canadian version was also more expensive at the time, so the choice was an easy one for me.

Sorry to break the news to you but slipcovers is a 'collector's item' and getting worked up over graphics is a collectors 'issue', the average consumer could not care less.