Lethal Weapon Collection (1987-1998)

[BrandonJF]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Obviously part of the reason why it's so expensive is because it's a limited edition of 3,000 copies, and it comes in special packaging. A portion also goes to a charity foundation.

Also keep in mind that the LW BD set has a retail price of $80, so comparing the retail price of the CD set to a sale price for the BD is not exactly fair. The CD set is less likely to go down however.

The comparison reminds me of the TT threads. Licensing costs + limited demand = high per unit cost. These soundtracks being sold by LA LA LAND and Intrada aren't aimed at the bargain bin hunters. You probably won't find one Limited Edition soundtrack on LA LA Land's site that doesn't cost more than the corresponding Blu-Ray release. They are aimed at a small niche who are willing to pay more money for quality releases. Without LA LA LAND and Intrada, this stuff would not get released at all.

And, yeah, the odds of a price drop on any of these LA LA Land releases (outside of a coupon code or a $5 discount here and there) are slim.

[Filmmaker]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

The CD set is less likely to go down however.

[TylerDurden389]

Originally Posted by Viper187

I'm still pissed the songs on the Coyote Ugly soundtrack don't even sound like the ones in the movie. **** Leann Rhymes. I liked the way it sounded in the movie. THAT is what the soundtrack should've been! I waited forever to the Cruzados to release that song from the beginning of Roadhouse on their own ("Don't Throw Stones") because it wasn't on the soundtrack. I can't stand all these movies that use awesome songs then you find out they've never been released on CD in any form. I've got a whole list of songs like that. One from Lionheart ("No Mercy" by Bill Wray), some from Mr Nanny (Buster Poindexter songs), even a goddamn Jeff Healey song that was used on Glimmer Man and never got released ("Bulletproof"). WTF!?

I know how you feel man. Here's my list:

Rocky 2 version of "Gonna Fly Now"
Rocky 3 version of "Gonna Fly Now"
Rocky 3 version of "Eye of the Tiger" (I edited my own version for now)
Rocky 4 - FULL movie version of "Hearts On Fire" (Also made my own version)
Top Gun - Harold Faltermeyer's complete score (all the music during the flight scenes, as well as the instrumental version of "Mighty Wings")
Miami Vice - Full Jan Hammer score along w/ Tim Truman's season 5 score
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) score

Thank God for Intrada for releasing the full scores for Bloodsport, Kickboxer, Rocky 4 (except Hearts on Fire), and a million others.

[Early Memphis]

Originally Posted by Cliff

God... I really hate people.

Wow, Cliff, that's really nasty. How have we offended you so?

[Viper187]

Originally Posted by Cliff

God... I really hate people.

I hate everything especially people...and religion.

[Blades1370]

Collection has dropped to $22.96, it's lowest price thus far.

[Viper187]

Originally Posted by Blades1370

Collection has dropped to $22.96, it's lowest price thus far.

I'd still gladly pay $10-12 for LW4 by itself if they'd get off their asses and do a separate release. I won't promote the first 3 releases without the extended cuts, regardless of what the director wanted. Why people defend this but condemn George Lucas for messing with Star Wars, I'll never understand.

[Blu Warrior]

Originally Posted by Cliff

Because I happen to know that the Lethal Weapon soundtrack set was a Herculean effort that took years and quite a lot of money to put together. But there's an almost unavoidable NEED for some people to immediately go negative and b!tch, b!tch, b!tch. ."

Exactly! Most people do not understand that the soundtrack collecting niche market have sometimes waited years for certain releases. Usually, like this LW set, they are limited to 3000 pieces because they know that if they printed more, they would probably sit on them for years and not make a profit. Whereas the blu-rays (or dvds) will sell hundreds of thousands of copies and therefore the studios can release them at a lower price and still make money.

[Early Memphis]

Well, Cliff, in the first place, all I said was that it was weird that the CD price was so out of whack with the price of the movies themselves. In fact, in my second post, I said go for it if it makes you happy, but the price is ridiculous.

Two points, not to offend you, but merely to respond in kind:
1) What "Herculean effort"? What am I missing? The music was already recorded. You get the tapes, you clean them up … it's not that complicated. I live on remastered music. Some things I've bought several times. You want Herculean, try what it took to salvage Elvis's recordings, after they let the masters go to shit - or any of a dozen artists or a hundred mis-cared for movies where the magnetic tape is disintegrating. It's now a well-researched field and, in most cases, it's not that costly.
2) You know and I know that this set was designed for A - a limited economic class (i.e., rich folk), and B - some die-hards who will spend money that they probably should put elsewhere. But it's their right to buy it, just like it's my right to buy overpriced Beatle bootlegs if I want to.

But maybe not every project should be done - especially if it's as costly and resource draining as you suggest. I mean it's not like the music's gone, the movies are extant and remastered. I get a wee bit miffed at $100 & $200 "special edition" re-re-releases by musicians (even some that I love) who are already millionaires. Look at Neil Young - a hippy's hippy if ever there was one - but he releases his personal stash of recordings on BD and charges almost $300 for it. I'd love to have that set, but it won't happen this lifetime. I'm sorry, but elitist snobs need to expect a little blowback from the great unwashed once in a while. That's half the fun of being elitist, isn't it? And I'm sure my little rant won't curdle their champagne & caviar & brie. Now how's that for "negative thought"?

[Filmmaker]

Originally Posted by Cliff

Because I happen to know that the Lethal Weapon soundtrack set was a Herculean effort that took years and quite a lot of money to put together. But there's an almost unavoidable NEED for some people to immediately go negative and b!tch, b!tch, b!tch.

This set's something most people never thought would see the light of day. It was a massive amount of work (the original Lethal Weapon score was limited and has been out of print for 12 years. Lethal 4 NEVER received a score release and all of them feature music, not just from the movies, but alternate stuff that was cut or re-scored. Music nobody's heard before). It's an exceptional set designed to appeal to a specific demographic and that costs money. So when I see people complaining about the price or it not containing EVERY song (do you really think they didn't try to get every song?) or just telling people to download the whole thing in 5 minutes... to me, I'm seeing people presenting the worst of themselves. Your comment was pretty innocuous... I just wish people would stop every once in a while and realize that they don't have to be critical of EVERYTHING. That not EVERY complain or criticism is necessary to voice. Not every negative thought in their head is a jewel they have to share. Sometimes silence is golden, and I fully realize the irony of my saying this as I complain about complaints. But it wears me out that we usually can't get 2 or 3 comments into something before someone has to chime in with negativity that has no relevance to anyone else (see any announcement thread where we only get 2 or 3 comments in before someone has to wedge in a "Oh, I hated that movie... Pass." Really, great, what did your comment just contribute?).

I know I'm being really touchy about this, but I just get to a point sometimes where I literally think, "I really hate people sometimes."

This is literally the best post I think I've ever read here and the spew coming from Early Memphis is the most embarrassing (and, boy, that's saying something). I've never blocked somebody in my history here but I believe Early Memphis will be my first on principle alone.

[The Fallen Deity]

Originally Posted by gpm

Thanks! I just got the BB [4] film pack not knowing about the 'old Vs new' debate, though it lists DTS-HD MA: English 5.1 Dolby Digital, so assume it's the remastered BDs.

It also notes them being 2.4:1, which is close enough to the 2.35:1 of three of them, but too far off of the 1.85:1 of the first film IMO, so wondering if this is a typo.

TIA,

GM

The 1st film is still 1.85:1 in the set thankfully, it's a typo on the packaging.

I think you've got the repackaged version without the bonus disc of new extras, the original packaging had that 5th disc included.

Thankfully I managed to snag up the original packing for a tenner, money well spent as they're huge upgrades over the DVD editions.

[The Fallen Deity]

Originally Posted by FrankV

For the people who like the music from the films: La-La Land has released an 8 CD-box with the music from the 4 Lethal Weapon-films.



You can buy it at www.lalalandrecords.com

That's too much saxophone music for one person to handle.

Only joking, the soundtracks are great.

Michael Kamen and Eric Clapton make a great combo.

[Viper187]

Originally Posted by Early Memphis

But maybe not every project should be done - especially if it's as costly and resource draining as you suggest. I mean it's not like the music's gone, the movies are extant and remastered. I get a wee bit miffed at $100 & $200 "special edition" re-re-releases by musicians (even some that I love) who are already millionaires. Look at Neil Young - a hippy's hippy if ever there was one - but he releases his personal stash of recordings on BD and charges almost $300 for it. I'd love to have that set, but it won't happen this lifetime. I'm sorry, but elitist snobs need to expect a little blowback from the great unwashed once in a while. That's half the fun of being elitist, isn't it? And I'm sure my little rant won't curdle their champagne & caviar & brie. Now how's that for "negative thought"?

Right. What really pisses me off is when they release TV shows on DVD with music changed because it was too expensive to license for the DVD. The ones that irritate me most though are when the artist is dead anyway. Take Las Vegas. The theme was an Elvis song, but they screwed us on the DVD because his music is so expensive. Far as I'm concerned, after they're dead, their music should become public domain. **** these greedy ****ing record companies. There's a reason people started downloading music and not giving a shit, and the record companies deserve it.

[BrandonJF]

Originally Posted by Early Memphis

But maybe not every project should be done - especially if it's as costly and resource draining as you suggest.

That doesn't make any sense. If something is costly it shouldn't be done? It's costly, so the price of the set is $120. It only "shouldn't be done" if they can't sell 3000 units at $120.

I've seen people in these threads complain about disc art, packaging, eco cases, etc.... Those are all things that are often compromised to keep costs down and profits up. Some people in these forums would pay for higher quality releases. Others would throw a fit if a Blu-Ray cost another $5 because of disc art and a booklet (which used to be commonplace with DVDs).

While the Lethal Weapon Blu-Ray set only costs $22.96, if you look at the design of that set and compare it to the design of this CD set, there is no comparison. And that's not even taking into account what it took to get that music and present it in the highest quality possible on CD.

[Blu-Ray Maniac]

Originally Posted by Cliff

Because I happen to know that the Lethal Weapon soundtrack set was a Herculean effort that took years and quite a lot of money to put together. But there's an almost unavoidable NEED for some people to immediately go negative and b!tch, b!tch, b!tch.

This set's something most people never thought would see the light of day. It was a massive amount of work (the original Lethal Weapon score was limited and has been out of print for 12 years. Lethal 4 NEVER received a score release and all of them feature music, not just from the movies, but alternate stuff that was cut or re-scored. Music nobody's heard before). It's an exceptional set designed to appeal to a specific demographic and that costs money. So when I see people complaining about the price or it not containing EVERY song (do you really think they didn't try to get every song?) or just telling people to download the whole thing in 5 minutes... to me, I'm seeing people presenting the worst of themselves. Your comment was pretty innocuous... I just wish people would stop every once in a while and realize that they don't have to be critical of EVERYTHING. That not EVERY complain or criticism is necessary to voice. Not every negative thought in their head is a jewel they have to share. Sometimes silence is golden, and I fully realize the irony of my saying this as I complain about complaints. But it wears me out that we usually can't get 2 or 3 comments into something before someone has to chime in with negativity that has no relevance to anyone else (see any announcement thread where we only get 2 or 3 comments in before someone has to wedge in a "Oh, I hated that movie... Pass." Really, great, what did your comment just contribute?).

I know I'm being really touchy about this, but I just get to a point sometimes where I literally think, "I really hate people sometimes."

Yup. But limited to 3000 copies, you understand why donwloading exist now ! Thank god for this !

[Viper187]

Originally Posted by BrandonJF

That doesn't make any sense. If something is costly it shouldn't be done? It's costly, so the price of the set is $120. It only "shouldn't be done" if they can't sell 3000 units at $120.

I've seen people in these threads complain about disc art, packaging, eco cases, etc.... Those are all things that are often compromised to keep costs down and profits up. Some people in these forums would pay for higher quality releases. Others would throw a fit if a Blu-Ray cost another $5 because of disc art and a booklet (which used to be commonplace with DVDs).

While the Lethal Weapon Blu-Ray set only costs $22.96, if you look at the design of that set and compare it to the design of this CD set, there is no comparison. And that's not even taking into account what it took to get that music and present it in the highest quality possible on CD.

Well, the CDs are already made. Why not press more and sell them cheaper after that first 3000 are sold? They went to all the trouble and cost of preparing that set, then stop using it? Why? The CDs themselves probably cost peanuts to press more of once all that shit is done.

[IndyMLVC]

Originally Posted by Viper187

Well, the CDs are already made. Why not press more and sell them cheaper after that first 3000 are sold? They went to all the trouble and cost of preparing that set, then stop using it? Why? The CDs themselves probably cost peanuts to press more of once all that shit is done.

Because there's more that goes into these things than just "pressing." There's royalties and re-use fees involved as well. That all goes into the contract for the "limited edition."

[BrandonJF]

Originally Posted by Viper187

Well, the CDs are already made. Why not press more and sell them cheaper after that first 3000 are sold? They went to all the trouble and cost of preparing that set, then stop using it? Why? The CDs themselves probably cost peanuts to press more of once all that shit is done.

That is the most simplistic way to look at it.

So, you're thinking that the first 3000 people should pay $120 and then everyone else will get it "cheaper"? How well will their next release sell once initial customers are burned by a cheap, wide release after the initial high priced release is sold through? It doesn't make any sense.

Blu-Ray discs also cost very little per unit. You're not just paying for the cost of the physical item. You're paying for what's on it. I know that's a concept lost on people who see movies/music as "free" content that can be readily downloaded. But, when Paramount sells Star Trek series sets for $50-$70, it isn't because the box and discs themselves cost more to produce. They can charge that much either because they can or because those sets cost more to produce given the restoration work/supplements.

Someone just mentioned the soundtrack set as a nice "FYI" (which cost me $120, so thanks) and now this thread is going to turn into a Twilight Time thread.

[Viper187]

Originally Posted by BrandonJF

That is the most simplistic way to look at it.

So, you're thinking that the first 3000 people should pay $120 and then everyone else will get it "cheaper"? How well will their next release sell once initial customers are burned by a cheap, wide release after the initial high priced release is sold through? It doesn't make any sense.

Why not? That's basically what the studios used to do with VHS. ****ing tapes were $100 each for a while and only the rental places had them. Peter Benchley's Creature was one I remember that refused to come down and took forever to end up on DVD/Blu despite being a standard Universal VHS release.

[Early Memphis]

Cliff, you don't get sarcasm much, do you? First, you've seen posts by me before and they've always been appreciative of your efforts in bringing OOP movies to market (I have several Twilight, etc. movies, even though they're "over-priced" as well at $35-$40 per because I wanted them). Second, I admitted that I bought "over-priced", "elitist" stuff myself - so I'm just as guilty as anyone else. Third, you must know nothing about restoring musical catalogs because you flew right by my mention of them (to fix some of the Elvis stuff, they not only had to search the world, they had to use computers to punch in lost vocal sounds from other recordings). To assume I don't know about hunting for lost reels, etc in movies is irrational ("or any of a dozen artists or a hundred mis-cared for movies where the magnetic tape is disintegrating.") - I've been watching them forever & I own over 600 BDs/DVDs and, more to the point, I've followed the threads here for well over a year (much discussion of what goes into remastering movies, including many posts by you).

A couple of contextual points : If you read this thread, you'd have read a slew of posts from folks *****ing about how much the Lethal Weapon Collection costs. If you followed the "Warner 4 Film Favorites" thread as well, you'd see how many folks are opting for that cheapie LW set and complaining about wrong discs (valid) and old versions of the first movie. You'd have noticed that I always urge people to spend a few more bucks & buy the "official" set. It's worth the extra money for the better versions, the artwork, etc. - and it's reasonably priced (something you can't say about this CD set, imho).

But why did I spend all this time on these posts? To communicate something to you, Cliff. Get a grip. Did you make this set, 'cause you seem awfully close to it, awfully emotional? The Cliff I know (only from posts) never talked about hating people (right from the bat, that was really the first "nasty thought") or call people stupid for voicing a different opinion. You talk about "negative thought". Well, as you said, my "comment was pretty innocuous", but I got lumped into your nasty, overly emotional "God... I really hate people." slam. And what followed? Another poster, maybe being sarcastic, maybe not, saying "I hate everything especially people...and religion." You took a few people ****ing about the overpricing of a CD set (in their valid, personal opinion) and turned it into something much more nasty with your overblown response.

Step into the light, brother. Hate is an ugly thing - and raising it usually increases it. Mightn't you have merely spoken your piece about how much hard work went into the project without the "negative thought"? Like I said, not like the Cliff I know - especially in what Martin Riggs called "the silly season". And you, Filmmaker, block me if you wish - but next time follow the whole flow and not just a singular post out of context. If you'd read carefully enough, maybe you'd have gotten the subtext - I'm an "elitist snob" myself, albeit a poor one (IF owning overpriced items is the measure). And I said from the git go : "But it's (people's) right to buy it, just like it's my right to buy overpriced" stuff - even if I think, in my rightful and humble opinion, that $120 is too much for this particular CD set. My original post on this said something I've said all over this site : "I don't care if people buy what they want. Life is short, make yourself happy!" I never judge what other people like because I like a lot of stuff they don't - which would leave me wide open to the same slings and arrows. Life is short, make yourself happy! Words to live by - and try not to "hate" anyone. Merry Christmas everybody!

P.S. Hey, the Lethal Weapon Collection set just went down to $22.96 - lowest price ever!