Scream Factory Blu-ray Discussion Thread

[Ruemorgue10]

Originally Posted by 20th Century Boy

This is just my regular post wondering if Young Sherlock Holmes is eligible material for Scream. How the hell has this title not been released in HD yet?

The rights are with Paramount. Unless Scream can manage a deal with the studio, their films are not accessible to them.

[drb124]

I just watched both parts of the Love at First Bite / Once Bitten double feature, and while I may be in the minority, I thoroughly enjoyed both. Obviously neither is perfect, but both are quite entertaining. Perhaps I was just in the right mood.

[pancho1]

Hi! Does anyone have any idea on how well the website exclusive blus sold? I was wrapped to pick up Velvet Vampire, Up From The Depths and Time Walker and am hopeful that there will be more website exclusive releases in the future!

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by pancho1

Hi! Does anyone have any idea on how well the website exclusive blus sold? I was wrapped to pick up Velvet Vampire, Up From The Depths and Time Walker and am hopeful that there will be more website exclusive releases in the future!

I might be behind in my info but I believe Deathstalker is still the only one that sold out, which I would think means they sold "not good."

[zbinks]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

I might be behind in my info but I believe Deathstalker is still the only one that sold out, which I would think means they sold "not good."

This was discussed this in their recent podcast appearance (Shock Waves # 52).

Jeff Nelson gave the impression that this was not a particularly successful experiment and indicated that they have no plans to try it again. The Deathstalker Blu-Ray is still the only one that has sold out.

[NeMo_ET]

I watched the Psycho remake last night. Somehow I missed this one all these years, so I was interested to see what the big stink was about. The beginning definitely threw me off because I had just wanted the original a couple weeks ago after Bates Motel finished. It was like a cut for cut, word for word copy of the original. So much so that it just seemed like a joke. After it got passed that, although very similar to the original (in a not nearly as good way) it wasn't too bad. Definitely not the best in the world but I've enjoyed far worse movies than this.

On another note, seeing that Universal logo at the start reminded me that I wish Shout would release The Skulls on bluray! I really liked that one and it seems like something that would work well in their lineup.

[Member-222782]

Really hoping that The Evil, Twice Dead and Grotesque make the leap to HD. These are the types of movies that have very high rewatch values IMO.

[rillog]

Originally Posted by cine74

Really hoping that The Evil, Twice Dead and Grotesque make the leap to HD. These are the types of movies that have very high rewatch values IMO.

Now that Code Red has released Terror Within II it would also be great if Scream upgraded the first installment.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by cine74

Really hoping that The Evil, Twice Dead and Grotesque make the leap to HD. These are the types of movies that have very high rewatch values IMO.

I'd be dancing in the streets if they released Grotesque. Linda Blair AND Robert Z'Dar with support from Tab friggin' Hunter. Amazinggggggggg.

(Grotesque and Demonwarp was one of my favorite double features when I was a kid; my grandmother copied the rentals onto the same tape for me. I wish I still had it.)

[Pete Rock]

Count me in for Grotesque if it ever happens. I'm not sure what the hold up is on that one, but I'm guessing it's probably another situation like Arena where there are no usable film elements to upgrade.

[BarnDoor]

I wonder how long Scream has its Corman titles for? Some have been out a long time now, so it may be a 10-year arrangement perhaps? Providing the elements are there, the ending of this deal might force their hand on the likes of Twice Dead and The Evil (as well as, perhaps, other deals not falling into place). But this is pure speculation of course.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by zbinks

This was discussed this in their recent podcast appearance (Shock Waves # 52).

Jeff Nelson gave the impression that this was not a particularly successful experiment and indicated that they have no plans to try it again. The Deathstalker Blu-Ray is still the only one that has sold out.

Thanks for confirmation. Deathstalker sold out quickly though, so I hope they see there's a demand for that kind of thing and release their similar movies in a normal way (The Barbarian Queen and whatnot).

[dwk]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

Thanks for confirmation. Deathstalker sold out quickly though, so I hope they see there's a demand for that kind of thing and release their similar movies in a normal way (The Barbarian Queen and whatnot).

If I remember correctly, Jeff Nelson actually admitted that they would've made more money if they had released them through retail channels instead of going the limited edition/Shout website exclusive route.

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by dwk

If I remember correctly, Jeff Nelson actually admitted that they would've made more money if they had released them through retail channels instead of going the limited edition/Shout website exclusive route.

Yeah, he said that. Being available at retail (and most importantly, at a lower price) would have moved more units.

[jarrod_inf]

I'm still kicking myself for not getting the Deathstalker set. Stupid budgets....

[dwk]

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

Yeah, he said that. Being available at retail (and most importantly, at a lower price) would have moved more units.

I know they wont do this, but they should just drop the limited edition nonsense, repress the Deathstalker double feature, and release those titles wide.

[Mr.Dig]

If only Scream Factory could get their hands on Silver Bullet and Graveyard Shift from Paramount! That would be my biggest wish!

[LeeFanatic007]

Originally Posted by jarrod_inf

I'm still kicking myself for not getting the Deathstalker set. Stupid budgets....

I too missed out on the Deathstalker Blu-ray and regret it.

I would have grabbed all of the limited editions if they had been priced better $27 each was too steep for pretty mediocre titles.

I did eventually grab Message from Space on Blu-ray being a fan of the film, but it wasn't really worth an upgrade, it's a bad movie but I've got nostalgia for it watching it with my uncle who tried for years to figure out what the film was with flying pirate ships.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by dwk

I know they wont do this, but they should just drop the limited edition nonsense, repress the Deathstalker double feature, and release those titles wide.

I wouldn't really care, but a lot of people would be up in arms about that. You advertise a limited edition it should stay limited. I do hope they do the related movies in a wide release though.

[mja345]

One of the more overlooked films in Shout Factory's catalog has to be "Jack's Back". Written and directed by Rowdy Herrington, most famous for helming "Road House", it's a remarkably taut little thriller that never descends into absurdity despite many points when it could. James Spader plays dual roles, one as an altruistic young medical student and the other as his black sheep brother. The medical student is killed early in the film and the rest of the film consists of his brother attempting to unravel both the murder of his twin as well as the case of the Jack the Ripper copycat terrorizing Los Angeles. He is aided by his brother's co-worker, played by the lovely Cynthia Gibb.

The film works so well because of a tight script by Herrington and a very committed performance by Spader. Actors of Spader's caliber didn't often pop up in 80s genre fare, but he delivers an incredibly nuanced performance as the brothers. Throw an average actor into Spader's role, and the film probably gets knocked down a few rungs. The film never feels rushed or forced, a testament to both the script and Spader's shockingly great performance given he really didn't need to show up to that level in a niche genre movie. It's the type of film that typically doesn't feature performances of this caliber. This was Spader's first starring role and one gets the feeling that he was going to go all out no matter what.

The film is played dead straight, with zero comedy or sleaze, and there's very little gore. So, that may explain the lack of appeal with 80s horror aficionados. But there's something strangely hypnotic about it and it never really goes awry despite some of the absurd conceits of the plot. It's not in many collections here and I rarely see it mentioned, but it's very much worth picking up. Probably one of my favorite releases from Scream.