Richard Linklater's "subUrbia"

[thatguamguy]

Finally getting a release after all these years, from the Warner Archive... but it's DVD only! (So it will be burned, no less.)

I saw that title on the list and got excited for a moment. I'm still glad it's finally getting some kind of release, but I'm surprised that they would bother with a DVD only release which won't even sell in stores.

[JoelGoodsen]

Originally Posted by thatguamguy

Finally getting a release after all these years, from the Warner Archive... but it's DVD only! (So it will be burned, no less.)

I saw that title on the list and got excited for a moment. I'm still glad it's finally getting some kind of release, but I'm surprised that they would bother with a DVD only release which won't even sell in stores.

At last! Been requesting this one for ages! I watched it on VHS recently.

Where did you see this list mate?

[JoelGoodsen]

Is this the same release from 23/01/2018? It says it was released on that date and I don't remember seeing any kind of announcement?

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by thatguamguy

Finally getting a release after all these years, from the Warner Archive... but it's DVD only! (So it will be burned, no less.)

I saw that title on the list and got excited for a moment. I'm still glad it's finally getting some kind of release, but I'm surprised that they would bother with a DVD only release which won't even sell in stores.

Hate to break it to you, but no one would carry it even if it was on blu. Stores rarely carry any catalog titles, and are all shrinking their physical media sections by the month, but you should know that by now.

Online is the best place for movies like this anyway.

[profholt82]

Yeah, I saw this a few weeks ago. Sadly it's that deal where they just burn the disc for you. I'm not willing to drop 20 bucks on that personally. It is also available in 720p as a download only release on different platforms.

I've read somewhere over the years that the deal with this one never getting a proper release beyond the VHS tape had to do with costly music rights. There is a lot of popular alternative rock music on the soundtrack that the studio couldn't justify ponying up the cash for considering how poorly the film did at the box office.

It seems to me though, that this one has a fervent cult fan base, and I'd bet that if Shout or another boutique label ever did a proper release of it, it would sell.

[thatguamguy]

Originally Posted by JoelGoodsen

At last! Been requesting this one for ages! I watched it on VHS recently.

Where did you see this list mate?

Sorry, I should've included the link, it randomly popped up on Facebook, I'll see if I can find it.

EDIT: I saw a link that referenced an announcement, but in lieu of that, here is the link where you can buy it from them:

https://www.wbshop.com/products/suburbia-1996-mod

[thatguamguy]

Originally Posted by profholt82

Yeah, I saw this a few weeks ago. Sadly it's that deal where they just burn the disc for you. I'm not willing to drop 20 bucks on that personally.

The Archive has sales pretty regularly, both at their own store and at Deep Discount, if you are patient you never need to pay more than $11 for an Archive disc. I'm willing to do it for things that I feel certain will never be released on Blu-ray, like the random Lubitsch movies or that John Ford submarine movie that has gaps where the footage has been lost. This one I'm less sure of, I'm gonna wait a little while and see if a Blu-ray follows.

[AnamorphicWidescreen]

Being a big fan of Richard Linkalter's films - especially his '90's/early-mid 200X's output - I had wanted to see subUrbia (1996) for years, but it's unavailability on modern home video made it tough to track down. I was able to stream it several years back, but the transfer was full-screen & the PQ sucked - so, while that was better than nothing - I hoped for a better transfer at some point.

So, it was great to finally see this recently, on last year's DVD-R. While the print was just OK & the Disk was bare-bones (no special features other than the trailer), it was still nice to see this in the correct Anamorphic Widescreen format - for the first time.

This was definitely a solid film. Though a story about a group of early 20-something slackers hanging around late-night convenience stores/gas stations & deserted parking lots all night (and eventually meeting their successful rock star former friend) may sound boring, Linklater was able to give the film a compelling tone/vibe. I also saw this as an interesting commentary on the cynicism of mid '90's suburban youth, and is also now a time capsule into that era as well. It was refreshing to see the lack of cell phones (a beeper was mentioned, but that was it), no mention of the Internet/Social Media, etc.

Sooze's performance art (in the beginning) & rant was pretentious and hilarious, as was her avant-garde, ridiculous haircut - LOL.

The film was also extremely dark,

[Show spoiler]notably the ending scene with the discovery of the girl having overdosed on the convenience store roof - this is not the way I expected the film to end.

Unfortunately, the movie's unavailability for years - and the confusion between this and the much better known Suburbia (1983, Penelope Spheeris) will continue to make Linklater's subUrbia a relatively obscure curiosity - when it should be treated (and thought of) as one of his better films.

I'd also like to see Linklater's as-obscure historical drama The Newton Boys (1998) and the underrated, disturbing Tape (2001) remastered and re-released - hopefully in HD. I've seen both films years ago & thought they were great - but, unfortunately these Disks are both OOP these days.

[thatguamguy]

I can't tell from your post if you know about this, so I apologize if this is redundant, but "Newton Boys" has been released on Blu. It has been out of print for a while, but a year or two back, it suddenly got re-listed, so I was able to grab a copy relatively cheap (compared to what the OOP disc tends to sell for). You might get lucky.

Was "Tape" even shot in HD? You can get used copies, but it's an annoying title to search for.

[AnamorphicWidescreen]

Originally Posted by thatguamguy

I can't tell from your post if you know about this, so I apologize if this is redundant, but "Newton Boys" has been released on Blu. It has been out of print for a while, but a year or two back, it suddenly got re-listed, so I was able to grab a copy relatively cheap (compared to what the OOP disc tends to sell for). You might get lucky.

Was "Tape" even shot in HD? You can get used copies, but it's an annoying title to search for.

Good to know about The Newton Boys - Thanks. I had no idea this had ever hit Region 1 Blu, but I can't find this on sale anywhere now - and don't want to pay too much for this. The DVD is OOP also, and still goes for big bucks these days.

As it turns out, I've seen both TNB & Tape in the 200X's, on the regular DVD's. However, I never owned these & don't remember much about the prints.

I would have to say Tape is the superior film; very dark, and though most of the action took place in a small hotel room with only three actors (similar to a play-like setting) it was very compelling.

[thatguamguy]

Originally Posted by AnamorphicWidescreen

Good to know about The Newton Boys - Thanks. I had no idea this had ever hit Region 1 Blu, but I can't find this on sale anywhere now - and don't want to pay too much for this. The DVD is OOP also, and still goes for big bucks these days.

Oh, yeah, I had been looking for it for more than a year, and it was regularly available but not at a price I'd pay (it's not *that* good a movie). I just had it in a wishlist -- either on Amazon or Deep Discount, can't remember -- and one day, it was suddenly available.

Originally Posted by AnamorphicWidescreen

I would have to say Tape is the superior film; very dark, and though most of the action took place in a small hotel room with only three actors (similar to a play-like setting) it was very compelling.

I think "Tape" feels like a filmed play and the gimmick is a bit forced, so it loses a few points, but it's certainly a better screenplay and the acting is first rate. "Newton Boys" is a fun movie, but it could use some more personality.

[CelestialAgent]

It’s in HD on Google Play and Prime Video, does it look good on there?

[fourfliesDVD]

The DVD thing didn't burn me...

it's the price that stung.

[PipesDonatello]

I too would love a Blu-ray release of this. For now I'll make due with the digital copy I bought off Amazon a couple years back, which doesn't look bad but also not great.