Dark Force Entertainment Discussion Thread

[miribeau]

Originally Posted by Ruined

I can understand this viewpoint.

The viewpoint I don't respect is saying the disc has no value because it doesn't have the 88min version. While that may have been a popular version of the film, personally I'd rather have the original film rather than a sloppily re-cut version. And frankly, the original film is more important in terms of preservation IMO as it is the film in its pure form, rather than some re-cut released for a quick buck.

Truthfully, how many people would actually watch a VHS tape rip on a blu, with cheesy narrations that aren't even from the original cast...? If people go on a tirade about the Carrier having some DNR, I can only conclude having 240 line resolution with tracking errors and all is going to result in full meltdown. I mean, I'll always entertain more cuts of a film, but something that is of such poor quality is definitely not something I am going to lose sleep over not having.

Once Bill confirms that this Last Victim is the version the director intended, they should put it back up for sale with a modified description. Just call it The Last Victim, HD, director's, all that, and describe, as a bonus, one of the multiple cuts of Forced Entry, the only of the multiple cuts that is available for HD replication, on a 50GB disc, presented as a second feature. That would eliminate the issue of buyers who were buying specifically for that 88 minute extra-violent cut, which isn't included.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by kraven

Which of course ignores the point of getting the movie version we were told we were getting, but ignoring the point is what you guys do

Actually, if you want to go that route, the Facebook post pulled up earlier told you that you were getting the "88 minute PG 1975 version" which I don't believe actually exists. The 88 minute cut is the re-cut R-rated version from 1984 with a new cast narrating; the 75min cut is the original PG rated film from 1975. So "88 minute PG 1975 version" doesn't make any sense even by itself, it was an error on the runtime there. There was a lot of confusion with this release since it was announced honestly, at one point people thought there were two separate releases even.

So, you are looking at the "88 minute" part of that Facebook post - but why are you ignoring the "PG 1975 version" part of the post?

[dawnofthediscs]

Originally Posted by Dark Force

That was before we received the end product which when we did it was not advertised as 88 minutes in the descriptions further on Facebook or at the store. We later learned this was the version the director had made available so we assumed this was all of it.

I went back through all your posts, you never made a correction for the 88 minute runtime even after you “found out”

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by Hecatomb

After going through the history of this Dark Force thread, it boggles my mind that anyone still buys their product. Many of their releases were either falsely advertised in some way, cut or had sub par picture and sound sound quality.

I can understand wanting a certain movie, but the way that Dark Force hypes up every release as "Super Deluxe Blu-ray with HD Picture" and delivers anything but should not be supported. They have shown in their one year of being around that they would rather hype up releases and play games, than make the best blu-ray they can.

The reason why is because Code Red/Dark Force aren't releasing movies like Transformers and Con Air. They are releasing obscure grindhouse gems from the 70s/80s. Those of us that truly enjoy this subgenre will gladly take some issues to get a film that otherwise would likely not be released on Blu-ray at all because of said issues.

[TripleHBK]

I feel like I just entered the Tourist Trap thread circa 2014 but instead of Charles Band it's the Demon Dave.

[kraven]

Originally Posted by TripleHBK

I feel like I just entered the Tourist Trap thread circa 2014 but instead of Charles Band it's the Demon Dave.

Apparently Charles is finally doing the semi right thing.

[HorrorBlu]

Originally Posted by Ruined

Those of us that truly enjoy this subgenre will gladly take some issues to get a film that otherwise would likely not be released on Blu-ray at all because of said issues.

This argument doesn't quite work when the company in question was completely oblivious to said issues.

[miribeau]

Originally Posted by dawnofthediscs

I went back through all your posts, you never made a correction for the 88 minute runtime even after you “found out”

To err is human; to forgive, divine.

[Hecatomb]

Originally Posted by Ruined

The reason why is because Code Red/Dark Force aren't releasing movies like Transformers and Con Air. They are releasing obscure grindhouse gems from the 70s/80s. Those of us that truly enjoy this subgenre will gladly take some issues to get a film that otherwise would likely not be released on Blu-ray at all because of said issues.

Them releasing obscure movies is not a good excuse, because there are other labels doing that as well. The difference is that Code Red and Dark Force are the ones who run their businesses like a traveling circus. Instead of doing the right thing and fixing problems that happen, they blame other labels or the customers.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by Hecatomb

Them releasing obscure movies is not a good excuse, because there are other labels doing that as well. The difference is that Code Red and Dark Force are the ones who run their businesses like a traveling circus. Instead of doing the right thing and fixing problems that happen, they blame other labels or the customers.

In this case of "The Last Victim," how would you fix the "problem" with the disc?

An 88 minute 1975 PG-rated cut that doesn't exist is what was advertised, the 1975 PG-rated 75 minute original film was already included, and the 88 minute 1984 R-rated re-cut (that is a totally different film, not only added/extended scenes) is only available with VHS quality materials.

[Marsupial Werewolf]

Originally Posted by Hecatomb

Them releasing obscure movies is not a good excuse, because there are other labels doing that as well. The difference is that Code Red and Dark Force are the ones who run their businesses like a traveling circus. Instead of doing the right thing and fixing problems that happen, they blame other labels or the customers.

I’m already looking forward to Bill’s next livestream where I’m blamed for merely asking a question about run time discrepancies.

[Viriconium]

Originally Posted by Marsupial Werewolf

I’m already looking forward to Bill’s next livestream where I’m blamed for merely asking a question about run time discrepancies.

I am sure it will be stated that people are harassing an old guy (Jim Sotos) in the nursing home with a side of "This is the version the director wants released!"

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by Ruined

In this case of "The Last Victim," how would you fix the "problem" with the disc?

An 88 minute 1975 PG-rated cut that doesn't exist is what was advertised, the 1975 PG-rated 75 minute original film was already included, and the 88 minute 1984 R-rated re-cut (that is a totally different film, not only added/extended scenes) is only available with VHS quality materials.

The PG-rated The Last Victim is 75 minutes, but "Forced Entry" is 72 minutes. It sounds like the advertised "Forced Entry" is an Unrated version of the film rather than the longer R-rated cut.

[jcs913]

WOW...Am I happy I waited and didn't blow $30 on this release...
Also glad I have Ruined on my ignore list...Lots of holes the last 6 pages. Easy reading.... Except for the ones who quote!!!!

[miribeau]

Originally Posted by Viriconium

I am sure it will be stated that people are harassing an old guy (Jim Sotos) in the nursing home with a side of "This is the version the director wants released!"

Bill only moved forward with the copy he acquired from the director because it was the version he wanted released and, technically, they are going to be harassing an old guy in a nursing home, which they shouldn't be doing, because there is no reason to burden him with this situation.

If I were them, I wouldn't want him to know about the backlash and would make sure he didn't have access to DF's Facebook because some of those comments are just too mean.

As it stands, they did a fine restoration on the original, PG, director's cut of LV and accidentally quoted an incorrect running time for the film, which greatly upset people who wanted the super-rapey version of Forced Entry, which had that specific 88 minute running time, and, instead, only got the semi-rapey version of Forced Entry.

The director of the, let's say, restrained version of the film, the original Last Victim, where more violence and rape was implied but not shown, specifically wanted his version to be seen and I have yet to see any offer of proof that this original PG version has not been included. As such, again, people are upset over not getting enough rape. I like most of you guys but I find this disconcerting.

Then again, I am one of the people who love my Necromancy so much I watch it again and again, and not just from Orson, but, because it is actually a good film, without all the nonsense they added later, so I have a pre-existing preference for releases of the original, un-doctored film, when later cuts with add-ons are available.

[cloudnine]

Originally Posted by miribeau

Bill only moved forward with the copy he acquired from the director because it was the version he wanted released and, technically, they are going to be harassing an old guy in a nursing home, which they shouldn't be doing, because there is no reason to burden him with this situation.

If I were them, I wouldn't want him to know about the backlash and would make sure he didn't have access to DF's Facebook because some of those comments are just too mean.

As it stands, they did a fine restoration on the original, PG, director's cut of LV and accidentally quoted an incorrect running time for the film, which greatly upset people who wanted the super-rapey version of Forced Entry, which had that specific 88 minute running time, and, instead, only got the semi-rapey version of Forced Entry.



The director of the, let's say, restrained version of the film, the original Last Victim, where more violence and rape was implied but not shown, specifically wanted his version to be seen and I have yet to see any offer of proof that this original PG version has not been included. As such, again, people are upset over not getting enough rape. I like most of you guys but I find this disconcerting.

Then again, I am one of the people who love my Necromancy so much I watch it again and again, and not just from Orson, but, because it is actually a good film, without all the nonsense they added later, so I have a pre-existing preference for releases of the original, un-doctored film, when later cuts with add-ons are available.

Miribeau, you talk and post so much I wonder how you have much time to even watch movies.

[bigG71]

So all previously placed orders for Forced Entry will still be shipping? I hope so because I still want the disc.

[miribeau]

Originally Posted by bigG71

So all previously placed orders for Forced Entry will still be shipping? I hope so because I still want the disc.

Yes. David confirmed this earlier.

[bigG71]

Thanks for the quick reply, appreciate it

[Ruined]

As people ask "What ever happened to the 88min Forced Entry?"...

From IMDB, first review:

Originally Posted by IMDB / What ever happened to THE LAST VICTIM ?

petit-things3 February 2007

I saw the first editing of this film (director' cut ?) in the Cannes Filmmarket under the title THE LAST VICTIM. I remember being the only one person in the screening room. I can assure it was a hell of a movie, very disturbing and, YES, very much in the spirit of a yet to come MANIAC. When the film appeared on Video format under the identity of FORCED ENTRY, I remember being very disappointed because a lot of graphic violence had been edited and a stupid commentary was supposed to give the killer point of view to temper the infamous character of the film. The film was now "ordinary stuff "and was more a vehicle for Miss Tanya Roberts" growing fame of the moment. It's a pity that this great "flower of evil" film is impossible to discover in it's original form. I know a VHS have been released in U.K under the title THE LAST VICTIM in the early times of video and was banned by the Nasty Movie law in the 80's. Can anybody help me to find a copy of this original version ? Please Mr Sotos do something! I am sure a DVD double feature edition with both original and re-edited versions would be a commercial success and will give this rarity of yours the place he deserve in Horror genre.

How ironic


Also from Facebook:

I watched it last night, loved it, the film plays better at 72 minutes than the 75 min PG version,(although it's a great bonus as it has many different shots and edits).
I also have the 88 min version from Cinema de-Bizarre ans honestly you're not missing any violence or nudity it's a longer different opening and closing sequence and scenea of driving around that are missing.
Sotos tightened up the film as HE wanted to and thats the composite restoration that is or was availiable.
Many director's cut editions of films are shorter than theatrical ones.
Sometimes films are padded with scenes because they have to deliver a feature length film. 72 minutes is not a feature length film ams if the producer wants feature length a film get padded by contract agreement.