Ask questions to The Digital Bits team (Bill Hunt, Jeff Kleist et.al.)

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Commercial tie-ins and past performance for the most part. New |Batman movie, batman release. John Travolta has a career resurgance, get his stuff out etc etc

People hate Superman 2 and 3, and Batman 3 and 4 do suprising well overseas. WB did the 2 Superman movies that connected to Returns and left it at that

Do you mean people hate Superman 3 and 4? I always thought 2 was popular.

[Jeff Kleist]

Yes, 3 and 4 sorry

[NoQuestion]

Jeff,

Disney just announced a whole lot of new movies coming through 2009, I realize that this is not the final list and there are more planned while some of these may get bumped, but one title that was not present on that press release was finding nemo. Nemo was penciled in for a release last year and was pushed back, it was always thought that it would see a release this year but Disney made no mention of it while noting that Monsters Inc and A bug's Life will see release. Is Nemo still on track for 2009? Talk around town is that it may see release alongside Up! in the fall.

Can you put everyone at easy about this highly anticipated title?

[HeavyHitter]

Jeff,

There's some talk on another forum that Paramount is refusing to put much effort in restoring the original Star Trek movies which are being rumored to be released this year. Do you know if there is any truth to this?

http://forums.highdefdigest.com/1363002-post11.html

[Jeff Kleist]

The Disney list is far from complete, and definately doesn't include their christmas lineup outside of snow white.

This guy also doesn't know what he's talking about. If he did, he'd know where the work was being done. While Lowry may have done a final sweep on them, the primary restoration . work was done elsewhere, which would also explain why any money spent would be low for a final scrub sweep

The Star Trek TMP underwent a complete restoration for the director's edition DVD for theatrical re-release. I'm sure it doesn't need a lot of work to begin with. Things at Paramount are changing, there's a major restoration that should be announced any time now that people are going to love

[tilapiah6]

Jeff,

I know this may be a bit soon, but do you have any idea what date seasons 1 and 2 of Lost will be released on Blu-ray, since Disney just announced that they will indeed be released in 2009? Hopefully not December.... That's a year away!

[Esox50]

This guy also doesn't know what he's talking about.

Agreed. I was going to post something, but you responded first. Paramount is definitely not cheap. Word is, some great (though different) work was done on another "highly anticipated" catalog release as well (hopefully still coming in 2009). Jeff may know to which I am referring...

Look, pretty much when it comes to Blu-Ray releases and behind the scenes stuff, don't listen to what you read on places like HD Digest, etc. Take a look around here and at The Digital Bits for the best and most reliable info.

[Jeff Kleist]

No, since that one was pretty much news to everyone

Season 4 must've been very strong. I doubt it'll be that long. Late Spring/Summer would probably be a good window to start guessing at

[Logan00]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Things at Paramount are changing, there's a major restoration that should be announced any time now that people are going to love

For me, I hope it is Gladiator

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Logan00

For me, I hope it is Gladiator

I would doubt it. Universal is responsible for distributing Gladiator. Gladiator is also pretty new and not likely to need a restoration. Thats a guess though.


Also Jeff, why is it that the first Star Trek film gets the most restoration attention when few (if any) people call it the best Trek film. They need to show that love for Wrath of Kahn and the Undiscovered Country.

[Slec]

Originally Posted by merrick97

Also Jeff, why is it that the first Star Trek film gets the most restoration attention when few (if any) people call it the best Trek film. They need to show that love for Wrath of Kahn and the Undiscovered Country.

Just guessing, but ST:TMP proved these were marketable as movies, thus being important. A film doesn't have to have the best reception to receive a great restoration and attention, though I'm sure it helps. Other factors are a part of it. Can you imagine the outrage the outcry if TMP looked terrible compared to the others?

[Jeff Kleist]

The only similarity between Gladiator and this is that they both contain sandals

Also Jeff, why is it that the first Star Trek film gets the most restoration attention when few (if any) people call it the best Trek film. They need to show that love for Wrath of Kahn and the Undiscovered Country.

Because they were restoring the film to the finished state it should have been upon release, and a theatrical re-release was planned, therefore the materials needed to be in a condition where that was possible. Unfortunately since some elements of the production chain did not do their work properly, we won't get that version on Blu-ray until such time as money is spent to re-do all that FX work that should have been done in HD to begin with

I can tell you that the Trek movies were worked on in reverse order so that lessons learned on the easier, newer films could be applied to the older material

[Esox50]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

The only similarity between Gladiator and this is that they both contain sandals

Ten Commandments.

[NoQuestion]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

The Disney list is far from complete, and definately doesn't include their christmas lineup outside of snow white.

I figured as much but I just wanted to make sure the nemo was at least still penciled in for 2009. So since their Christmas lineup is not publicly known outside of snow white, it is safe to assume that everything listed this morning will be out before the Christmas shopping months. So spring/summer release?

Would love to get my hands on rounders soon. Great movie IMO.

[Jeff Kleist]

I would say it's safe that most of those titles will be out before Labor Day yes

[SquidPuppet]

Jeff,

I rarely post questions on this thread, but read it daily. Thanks for all your time and input here. I always feel like I am a smidge ahead of the curve after checking in.

[neo_reloaded]

Lost season 1 and 2 is fantastic news. I understood why they originally weren't planned, but I'm certainly happy they changed their mind.

The press release mentions Blindness on Blu-ray, which confuses me. The DVD was announced awhile ago, February 10th is fast approaching, and no retailers list the Blu-ray so they haven't received retailer alerts presumably. I certainly hope it is really coming, but I fear the press release is mistaken on that note.

[Jeff Kleist]

Since they now obviously plan one, I'd say they want to bring it in line with foreign releases in region A (a prominant Japanese producer headed it up), because it hasn't even been solicited there yet on DVD.

[MerrickG]

Now that Ghostbusters is announced they had better release Ghostbusters 2 also!! Let them know Jeff!!

I may be the only one but I actually found the 2nd one to be every bit as good as the first.


Maybe even better...

[Woody]

Originally Posted by merrick97

Now that Ghostbusters is announced they had better release Ghostbusters 2 also!! Let them know Jeff!!

I may be the only one but I actually found the 2nd one to be every bit as good as the first.


Maybe even better...

I missed the Ghostbusters announcement. Where did you see it?

Edit: nevermind, I see now!