Gamera: The Complete Collection (1965-2006)

[GasmaskAvenger]

Originally Posted by Kaiju no Kami

Almost the same except my B&N carries 1 Arrow title, which if I recall, was about some stalker going after women. Yeah, that narrows it down, but I can't remember much else about it nor the name. I just remember it was a horror movie because it sounded kind of interesting.

Sounds like either Blood & Black Lace or Crimes of Passion.

[hariseldon]

Originally Posted by Mecha74

Allot of people are mentioning Barnes and Noble doing half off Arrow sales. I never knew this was a thing. The Barnes and Noble stores near me don't even sell Arrow titles or is it mainly an online thing?

Mostly an online sale. B&N started Arrow Sales late 2016 and have generally had 1 big sale per year since in Nov and/or Dec, but they did have two in 2019 that overlapped with both Criterion Sales (July and Nov).

Other than the handful of the 'super-media stores' which can carry 60-90 titles (1-2 NYC stores, usually one in LA, PowerPlant Baltimore, and possibly a couple others) many B&N seem to have a basic group of 10-15 Arrow's. There are a few other stores scattered around that seem to have 25-35 selection in store

Even those in stock items aren't always part of the 50% sale though the stores will now match online prices, but the PM basically negates the 10% member discount since the PM happens after teh member discount is subtracted UNLESS you get very lucky with a manager or clerk who manually will allow both.

Fairly common items I see on the inventory checker and I've seen all in store in the last year:

[Show spoiler]An American Werewolf in London
Cinema Paradiso
Man of a Thousand Faces
The Ring
Weird Science (at least the Steelbook)
Re-Animator
12 Monkeys
A Fish Called Wanda
Day of the Jackal
Cat o Nine Tails
Children of the Corn
The Hills Have Eyes
Crimes of Passion
Images
Dead or Alive Trilogy
Blood and Black Lace

Though this is less than in November when I looked (think they sold there previous copies and didn't restock), but a couple of the high inventory stores in NC also lists -- unfortunately it's a 4-6 hr round trip

[Show spoiler]Retaliation
Nikkatsu V1
Happiness of Katakuris
The Mutilator
Hellbound: Hellraiser II
Hellraiser
Hills Have Eyes Pt 2
The Hired Hand
Robocop
The Beast
Dillinger
The Major and the Minor
Django Prepare a Coffin
Madhouse

[chriszilla]

Originally Posted by RalphoR

Can't wait for this set. I love the instrumental version of the Gamera theme song. Wish I could find it somewhere.

I just finished listening to 28 minutes of music from the Showa series, from this terrific suite someone put together on YouTube -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwfRDT07SCA

It includes several variations of the "Gamera March" theme, as well as some occasional explanatory notes.

[Mecha74]

I've read some amusing comments about Gamera Supermonster in this thread. Makes sense since it is generally considered the worst of the series. Having said that, I loved this movie when I was a kid. It was the first Gamera movie I ever saw. At the time I had no idea or concept of stock footage and didn't even know that other Gamera films existed yet.

All I knew was that I was watching a kickass movie about a giant fire breathing turtle with jaw tusks that could fly who b***hslaps six monsters in a row and then takes on a star destroyer.(Okay so it wasn't technically supposed to be a star destroyer but c'mon, could the ripoff been anymore blatant? LOL)

As a kid how could I not love this?!

[Zillamon51]

My first Gamera was Destroy All Planets. When I was a kid, I would scan the TV Guide looking for monster movies. I saw this one listed, thought it was the all-star Godzilla movie Destroy All Monsters (which I had not seen yet), and convinced my dad to stay up late with me. He didn't like it at all. I thought it was okay at best, a definite step down in quality from Godzilla. The good thing about it was it worked as a primer for Gamera (who I had only read about in one book), since it showed so many of his fights. I wouldn't see Gamera again until finding the Celebrity "Just For Kids" VHS tapes years later.

[WaverBoy]

Has there ever been a comprehensive book on the Gamera series? If not, whyyyyyyyy not? It would be fantastic to have a complete rundown on the history behind the series, all the various versions of each film that exist, interview snippets from cast and crew, lots of photos, etc.

[Killer Meteor]

Originally Posted by Mecha74

I've read some amusing comments about Gamera Supermonster in this thread. Makes sense since it is generally considered the worst of the series. Having said that, I loved this movie when I was a kid. It was the first Gamera movie I ever saw. At the time I had no idea or concept of stock footage and didn't even know that other Gamera films existed yet.

All I knew was that I was watching a kickass movie about a giant fire breathing turtle with jaw tusks that could fly who b***hslaps six monsters in a row and then takes on a star destroyer.(Okay so it wasn't technically supposed to be a star destroyer but c'mon, could the ripoff been anymore blatant? LOL)

As a kid how could I not love this?!

I rather like it, it's got a cute toybox feel to it.

[chriszilla]

Originally Posted by Mecha74

I've read some amusing comments about Gamera Supermonster in this thread. Makes sense since it is generally considered the worst of the series. Having said that, I loved this movie when I was a kid. It was the first Gamera movie I ever saw. At the time I had no idea or concept of stock footage and didn't even know that other Gamera films existed yet.

All I knew was that I was watching a kickass movie about a giant fire breathing turtle with jaw tusks that could fly who b***hslaps six monsters in a row and then takes on a star destroyer.(Okay so it wasn't technically supposed to be a star destroyer but c'mon, could the ripoff been anymore blatant? LOL)

As a kid how could I not love this?!

Cool story! For me, it was the last Showa Gamera film I saw, so my reaction to it was completely different. But looking at it from your perspective, if you didn't know very much about Gamera, and/or didn't know this film was composed primarily of stock footage, it probably would be a pretty kick-ass film. And it even manages to slip in some nods to the (then-recent) Superman and Star Wars films. So for a young kid, what's not to love?

Unfortunately for me, I was an adult when I first saw this movie, and even knowing ahead of time that it was made up of stock footage, I was still surprised at the lack of new FX scenes featuring Gamera (there are hardly any, and the Gamera marionette used is noticeably lifeless). The movie came out in the middle of Godzilla's long hiatus from the big screen, and it pretty much had the kaiju market all to itself, but with an almost total lack of resources, it's a pretty dismal affair.

That link I posted earlier today with the suite of Gamera music does show that it had some pretty catchy music composed for it, however.

[Kaiju no Kami]

Originally Posted by Mecha74

I've read some amusing comments about Gamera Supermonster in this thread. Makes sense since it is generally considered the worst of the series. Having said that, I loved this movie when I was a kid. It was the first Gamera movie I ever saw. At the time I had no idea or concept of stock footage and didn't even know that other Gamera films existed yet.

All I knew was that I was watching a kickass movie about a giant fire breathing turtle with jaw tusks that could fly who b***hslaps six monsters in a row and then takes on a star destroyer.(Okay so it wasn't technically supposed to be a star destroyer but c'mon, could the ripoff been anymore blatant? LOL)

As a kid how could I not love this?!

I actually had no idea Super Monster even existed until Shout! Factory's DVDs. I also didn't know Viras and Jiger were movies until I learned about Viras through the Dark Horse comic and then Jiger when I saw a figure of him.

My first exposure to Gamera was the 5 VHS tapes that came out in the 90s. The first film had a pink cover, Barugon had a blue one, my tape of Gyaos (or Gaos) had a flashing gray stripe at the top of the screen, while Guiron and Zigra were there.

[Mikezilla3k]

My first exposure to Gamera was the MST3K episode of the first film.

Anyway, hope this will include Hideaki Anno's documentary on the making of Gamera 3.

[starsteam]

I compiled a list of all of the bonus features from the Shout Factory DVDs, the ADV DVDs, the Mill Creek Blu-rays, Media Blaster's release of The Brave, and Gamera-centered extras from the MST3K vs Gamera DVD. Hopefully when Arrow releases full specs we will see most of these ported over.

[Show spoiler]Gamera the Giant Monster (Shout Factory):
-Retrospective Look at the Gamera Franchise
-August Ragone Commentary
-Publicity Gallery
-Trailer

Gamera vs Barugon (Shout Factory):
-August Ragone Commentary
-Publicity Galleries
-Original Movie Program

Gyaos, Viras, Guiron, Jiger, Zigra, Super Monster (Shout Factory):
-Publicity Gallery for each film
-AIP dub for Gyaos, Viras, Guiron, Jiger
-Sandy Frank dub for Gyaos, Guiron, Zigra
-Dub for Super Monster

Guardian of the Universe (ADV):
-Trailers x3 TV spots x6
-Interview with Shinji Higuchi Part 1
-Gamera Press Conference
-Behind the Scenes
-Promotional Events
-Opening Night in Japan

Attack of Legion (ADV):
-Interview with Shinji Higuchi Part 2
-Gamera Press Conference
-Trailers x5 and TV Spots x10
-Behind the Scenes in Japan
-Gamera Promotional Events
-Opening Night in Japan
-Dubbing Outtakes
-Lake Texarkana Gamera (redneck dubbed scenes)

Revenge of Iris (ADV):
-Interview with Shinji Higuchi Part 3
-Gamera Press Conference
-Trailers x5 and TV Spots x20
-Behind the Scenes in Japan
-Gamera Promotional Events
-Opening Night in Japan
-Dubbing Outtakes
-Commentary by Gamera

Mill Creek Heisei Blu-ray Extras:
GOTU: Behind the Scenes
GOTU: Camera tests/Special Effects
AOL: Action! On Location
AOL: Creating the Legion
ROI: Awakening of Iris Remix
ROI: Deleted Scenes
ROI: Trailers

Gamera the Brave (Media Blasters):
-Trailer and TV Spots x2
-Director's Lecture: How to Make a Gamera Film

MST3K vs Gamera (Shout Factory):
-So Happy Together: A Look Back at MST3K and Gamera
-Gamera vs the Chiodo Brothers
-Gamera vs Barugon Trailer
-Gamera Obscura: A Brief History with August Ragone
-Gamera vs Gyaos Trailer
-Gamera vs Zigra Trailer

There is also the Movie Macabre release of Super Monster, Rifftrax commentary for Gammera the Invincible, and a Carl Craig commentary from the Retromedia DVD of Destroy All Planets. I don't expect any of these to be included by Arrow.

[chriszilla]

Originally Posted by starsteam

I compiled a list of all of the bonus features from the Shout Factory DVDs, the ADV DVDs, the Mill Creek Blu-rays, Media Blaster's release of The Brave, and Gamera-centered extras from the MST3K vs Gamera DVD.

...a Carl Craig commentary from the Retromedia DVD of Destroy All Planets.

Thanks for compiling the list!

I had forgotten about the presence of this commentary on the Retromedia DVD. I was never really interested in getting a pan-and-scan version of the film, so I never seriously considered getting this, but how is this commentary, in your opinion? Does he have a good memory of the filming of the movie, or is it one of those commentaries where the person spends a lot of time commenting on what is happening on the screen, as opposed to sharing behind the scenes information? If it's good, I'll probably need to track down a copy of it at some point.

[Mikezilla3k]

Originally Posted by chriszilla

Thanks for compiling the list!

I had forgotten about the presence of this commentary on the Retromedia DVD. I was never really interested in getting a pan-and-scan version of the film, so I never seriously considered getting this, but how is this commentary, in your opinion? Does he have a good memory of the filming of the movie, or is it one of those commentaries where the person spends a lot of time commenting on what is happening on the screen, as opposed to sharing behind the scenes information? If it's good, I'll probably need to track down a copy of it at some point.

There's some reviews on Amazon that talk about the commentary.
https://www.amazon.com/Destroy-All-Planets-2010/dp/B003TFERAW?tag=bluray_dvd-20&linkCode=xm2&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER#customerReviews

[Nailwraps]

I can see Arrow porting over the Retromedia commentary, provided Retromedia is OK with it.

[starsteam]

Originally Posted by chriszilla

Thanks for compiling the list!

I had forgotten about the presence of this commentary on the Retromedia DVD. I was never really interested in getting a pan-and-scan version of the film, so I never seriously considered getting this, but how is this commentary, in your opinion? Does he have a good memory of the filming of the movie, or is it one of those commentaries where the person spends a lot of time commenting on what is happening on the screen, as opposed to sharing behind the scenes information? If it's good, I'll probably need to track down a copy of it at some point.

I don't actually have a copy of the Retromedia release. I'm considering tracking it down for the commentary and just to have a remastered copy of Destroy All Planets on hand. It does sound like it would be a fun interesting commentary even though there are some complaints in the Amazon reviews about one participant.

Originally Posted by Nailwraps

I can see Arrow porting over the Retromedia commentary, provided Retromedia is OK with it.

The commentary is for Destroy All Planets which added a little extra footage to the flashback sequence. So unless they're planning to include the full AIP cut of the film, the commentary wouldn't fit over the original Japanese edition. Unless the Retromedia DVD didn't have the extended flashback sequence, I'm not sure since I don't have it.

[Member-222782]

Judging by photos of the box set it doesn't look like it's going to be very large, yet the preorder prices are in the $160 range on Amazon. I don't remember what I paid for the Hellraiser set but it probably wasn't more than $70 and it was only 3 films. And I eventually grabbed the HG Lewis set for less than $50, which was a bargain considering the size of the box. How come this is so expensive? Even Criterion's Godzilla set was less than $150 and that was gargantuan.

[Dk8819]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

Judging by photos of the box set it doesn't look like it's going to be very large, yet the preorder prices are in the $160 range on Amazon. I don't remember what I paid for the Hellraiser set but it probably wasn't more than $70 and it was only 3 films. And I eventually grabbed the HG Lewis set for less than $50, which was a bargain considering the size of the box. How come this is so expensive? Even Criterion's Godzilla set was less than $150 and that was gargantuan.

The Hellraiser set was around 125 when it first came out and the HG Lewis set was 170ish so this is about the same price point. I still think it will drop a bit as well. And the Godzilla set was 200 when it first came out. The sale price/ months after release can't really be used as a comparison.

[dickdarlington]

Originally Posted by Dk8819

The Hellraiser set was around 125 when it first came out and the HG Lewis set was 170ish so this is about the same price point. I still think it will drop a bit as well. And the Godzilla set was 200 when it first came out. The sale price/ months after release can't really be used as a comparison.

Godzilla's lowest price on Amazon was around +/- $160 during the pre-order period. However, it literally went to $112.99 three days after its release.

It came out Tuesday, October 29th. The Barnes and Noble sale started Friday, November 1st. When Amazon didn't drop it below $160, I cancelled my pre-order... and placed an order at B&N the moment the sale went live.

[starsteam]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

Judging by photos of the box set it doesn't look like it's going to be very large, yet the preorder prices are in the $160 range on Amazon. I don't remember what I paid for the Hellraiser set but it probably wasn't more than $70 and it was only 3 films. And I eventually grabbed the HG Lewis set for less than $50, which was a bargain considering the size of the box. How come this is so expensive? Even Criterion's Godzilla set was less than $150 and that was gargantuan.

Hellraiser - 3 films - $70 (after the price dropped)
Gamera - 12 films - less than $140 by release date (it's like $120 or something on DiabolikDVD)

Yeah, swell comparison...

Size of packaging has nothing to do with price, it's the quality of the contents. This is essentially a box with three graphic-novel sized books inside (one book that houses the discs, one book that collects the comics, and one book with additional written material). It will be heavy, solid package.
Unlike the Hellraiser set, which was like 30% empty space.

[Dk8819]

Originally Posted by dickdarlington

Godzilla's lowest price on Amazon was around +/- $160 during the pre-order period. However, it literally went to $112.99 three days after its release.

It came out Tuesday, October 29th. The Barnes and Noble sale started Friday, November 1st. When Amazon didn't drop it below $160, I cancelled my pre-order... and placed an order at B&N the moment the sale went live.

While true I don't think using a sale price is indicative of what this set should cost. Who knows how much it cost to make etc. That's my point. Comparisons like this are always pretty dumb imo.