Physical & Digital EST: The Future of Home Video Discussion Thread

[cheez avenger]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

AMC, Universal Agree to Trim Theatrical Window Before Movies Go Online - WSJ 7/28/30


Future movies from Universal Pictures will come to online platforms like iTunes and Apple TV just 17 days after a theatrical release following a deal between Universal and AMC Theaters. The deal — which presently only covers AMC's U.S. locations

If all goes well, this could be a game changer.

[bhampton]

I do like Apple computers but I don’t like the way they meddle in the movie and music business. Tom Hanks complained about his movie not releasing to theaters and then he got told and the next day did a reverse. Remember when a new album from U2 appeared on every connected iTunes device without even asking users if they were interested?

The ATV 4K is amazing but they are deaf to user suggestions like offering bit stream audio or a better remote ( with a mute button) or support for any audio output other than 48Khz or the ability to use the onboard storage to even temporarily DL a movie. (I host movie nights and wouldn’t host an event without the feature in house)

They want the ATV 4K and iPad to be gaming machines and that requires people to go back several generations in gaming so it’s not going to work for most people.

I do love my ATV 4K but it’s been a bit of a frustrating device. Look at its potential and read about the suggestions from its users.

I think Apple May have a pride type problem.

[cgpublic]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

AMC, Universal Agree to Trim Theatrical Window Before Movies Go Online - WSJ 7/28/30


Future movies from Universal Pictures will come to online platforms like iTunes and Apple TV just 17 days after a theatrical release following a deal between Universal and AMC Theaters. The deal — which presently only covers AMC's U.S. locations

Originally Posted by cheez avenger

If all goes well, this could be a game changer.

I wonder what the implications are for physical media releases? If a film is released to digital 17 days post-theatrical exhibition, will the same, two-week staggered release for the physical release still hold, or perhaps due to piracy and/or replication/stocking timelines, the physical release will not be available for months after both theatrical and digital are released?

If not, what would be a better solution is that you can purchase the digital and then receive the physical media copy at the later date, or even better, purchase a theatrical ticket, and receive both digital and physical at first availablity.

It just doesn't make marketing sense for the theatrical and digital to be released within a roughly two-week timeline, and then wait months for the physical media release.

[gotmule]

Originally Posted by cgpublic

I wonder what the implications are for physical media releases? If a film is released to digital 17 days post-theatrical exhibition, will the same, two-week staggered release for the physical release still hold, or perhaps due to piracy and/or replication/stocking timelines, the physical release will not be available for months after both theatrical and digital are released?

If not, what would be a better solution is that you can purchase the digital and then receive the physical media copy at the later date, or even better, purchase a theatrical ticket, and receive both digital and physical at first availablity.

It just doesn't make marketing sense for the theatrical and digital to be released within a roughly two-week timeline, and then wait months for the physical media release.

I was pondering the same thing when I read that article. I am also curious how many movies AMC / Universal are going to choose this path with, as the article said “Some movies.”

Maybe there is an option to have the disc released two weeks after digital, as that would still be better than waiting months and would benefit from marketing efforts.

[Ender14]

Originally Posted by gotmule

I was pondering the same thing when I read that article. I am also curious how many movies AMC / Universal are going to choose this path with, as the article said “Some movies.”

Maybe there is an option to have the disc released two weeks after digital, as that would still be better than waiting months and would benefit from marketing efforts.

My guess would be the mid-tier and smaller movies will go this route. Like The Hunt they released earlier this year. 17 days takes theaters through the first 3 weekends of release in which most movies have already made at least 75% of their box office at that point. But I doubt their mega budget top-tier movies will be released this way (like Jurassic World).

I don't see them pushing up purchasing dates with this model. It wasn't done with Trolls, The Hunt or The Invisible Man and it didn't hurt sales. There is no reason for them to adjust digital or physical purchases just because they are going PVOD on some movies. That would actually cannibalize their rental revenue and I don't foresee them doing that.

[bhampton]

I think all the overwhelmed parents who paid $20 to rent Trolls World tour just for a few moments of peace should have been gifted at least the steaming version after release.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by cgpublic

I wonder what the implications are for physical media releases? If a film is released to digital 17 days post-theatrical exhibition, will the same, two-week staggered release for the physical release still hold, or perhaps due to piracy and/or replication/stocking timelines, the physical release will not be available for months after both theatrical and digital are released?

If not, what would be a better solution is that you can purchase the digital and then receive the physical media copy at the later date, or even better, purchase a theatrical ticket, and receive both digital and physical at first availablity.

It just doesn't make marketing sense for the theatrical and digital to be released within a roughly two-week timeline, and then wait months for the physical media release.

Piracy is just as much as a risk when a film is released digitally as when it is released physically. There are all kinds of ways to capture streamed video content DRM notwithstanding. Once a movie is released by any distribution method it becomes vulnerable to piracy.

Before Vudu was bought by Fandango they sometimes offered a disc + digital option where you could buy a digital copy and receive the corresponding disc once available. I tried it myself with the release of 1917; I bought the 4K digital copy 2 weeks before the 4K disc release and when the disc came out, Vudu, via Walmart, shipped it to me...and I got an extra digital code as a result as the one included in the combo pack remains unused.

The prices for this option weren't always attractive, but if something similar were offered at competitive prices, I would avail myself of this opportunity again. So long as I wind up with a disc I am happy.

If this practice were expanded to include an option where you could buy a theater ticket and also receive a disc and digital copy once available I would be very open to that idea as well depending upon the price.

[cheez avenger]

Yeah, I don't think it will be big budget top-tier films that will get the earlier release. bottom-mid-tier films most likely.

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Piracy is just as much as a risk when a film is released digitally as when it is released physically. There are all kinds of ways to capture streamed video content DRM notwithstanding. Once a movie is released by any distribution method it becomes vulnerable to piracy.

Before Vudu was bought by Fandango they sometimes offered a disc + digital option where you could buy a digital copy and receive the corresponding disc once available. I tried it myself with the release of 1917; I bought the 4K digital copy 2 weeks before the 4K disc release and when the disc came out, Vudu shipped it to me...and I got an extra digital code as a result as the one included in the combo pack remains unused.

The prices for this option weren't always attractive, but if something similar were offered again at competitive prices, I would avail myself of this opportunity again. So long as I wind up with a disc I am happy.

If this practice were expanded to include an option where you could buy a theater ticket and also receive a disc and digital copy once available I would be very open to that idea as well depending upon the price.

I’m considering buying it on UHD BD. Heard it’s good.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by bhampton

I’m considering buying it on UHD BD. Heard it’s good.

IMO, in the eye of the viewer. The cinematography is second to none, Roger Deakins won an Academy for his DP on 1917. I found the Atmos track to be pretty subtle as it is mostly a dialogue movie. For WWII knock'em, sock'em Atmos sound track give the new Midway a listen.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by cgpublic

I wonder what the implications are for physical media releases? If a film is released to digital 17 days post-theatrical exhibition, will the same, two-week staggered release for the physical release still hold, or perhaps due to piracy and/or replication/stocking timelines, the physical release will not be available for months after both theatrical and digital are released?

If not, what would be a better solution is that you can purchase the digital and then receive the physical media copy at the later date, or even better, purchase a theatrical ticket, and receive both digital and physical at first availablity.

It just doesn't make marketing sense for the theatrical and digital to be released within a roughly two-week timeline, and then wait months for the physical media release.

It’s only USA, unknown duration, aftermath to AMC temper tantrum to Trolls ban all Universal films. I doubt others will play that game. *Seems only to placate AMC which most were wishing they hadn’t acted out.


Other news -
Warner Brothers announced plans to release*Tenet*internationally one week before it plays select cities in the United States. Bill & Ted Face the Music will play theaters and be available on VOD as of Sept. 1.

They are not going to speed up the media release just because the USA is messed up in some state effecting movie theaters not opening.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

IMO, in the eye of the viewer. The cinematography is second to none, Roger Deakins won an Academy for his DP on 2017. I found the Atmos track to be pretty subtle as it is mostly a dialogue movie. For WWII knock'em, sock'em Atmos sound track give the new Midway a listen.

But new Midway is such a bad War movie. It races through events, some scenes like they want you to ignore all the bad acting. Yeah it’s as good as Independence Day resurgence!

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

But Midway is such a bad War movie. It races through events, some scenes like they want you to ignore all the bad acting.

I didn't think it was a bad movie at all; I quite enjoyed it. It looked and sounded great on 4K disc, too. It's no masterpiece and certainly no documentary, but it was still worth my time and my money.

I prefer the 1976 original, but it uses a lot of stock footage from the actual war during combat segments, of which there are many. While the use of so much vintage combat footage is interesting, it also looks so rough that it can take you out of the movie when you keep alternating back and forth between it and the filmed portions. The romance subplot is a little cringe worthy, too, and it detracts from the story of Midway, but on the other hand it does point out how the U.S. interred Japanese Americans during WW2 which is a story unto itself.

[JohnAV]

Cineworld Reacts To Universal-AMC Theatrical Window Crunching PVOD Deal: “We Do Not See Any Business Sense In This Model” - Deadline 7/29/20

EXCLUSIVE: Those in town assuming that one of the other big exhibition circuits will fall in line with AMC and seek their own 17-day theatrical window-PVOD deal with Universal will soon realize that it will be a cold day in hell.

Cineworld CEO Mooky Greidinger, who oversees the world’s second largest chain, exclusively tells Deadline that “We do not see any business sense in this model” when it comes to Universal and AMC’s agreement for a 17-day theatrical window for movies, with an option to go on PVOD thereafter.

“While we don’t know the full details and we are always analyzing any move in the industry, we will analyze it. People need to be aware that the first big movie from Universal is coming only in six months so there is no pressure here,” said Greidinger. “But we clearly see this as a wrong move at the wrong time. Clearly we are not changing our policy with regards to showing only movies that are respecting the theatrical window.”

Good luck Comcast Universal the chains are upset now.

[TrackZ]

I love smaller release windows. I've gone to barely a few movies at the theater it the last years. Only Star Wars.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I didn't think it was a bad movie at all; I quite enjoyed it. It looked and sounded great on 4K disc, too. It's no masterpiece and certainly no documentary, but it is was still worth my time and my money.

I still prefer the 1976 original, but it uses a lot of stock footage from the actual war during combat segments, of which there are many. While the use of so much vintage combat footage is interesting, it also looks so rough that it can take you out of the movie when you keep alternating back and forth between it and the filmed portions. The romance portion is a little cringe worthy, too, and it detracts from the story of Midway, but on the other hand it does point out how the U.S. interred Japanese Americans during WW2 which is a story unto itself.

As you probably know the same director of a Independence Day decided to make a war movie, but using a rear admiral to say this was a very accurate portrayal, LOL. I was hopeful, but it’s disappointing to say the least. Mildly entertaining for this genre. I hope some like HBO does it right sometime in the future.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

As you probably know the same director of a Independence Day decided to make a war movie, but using a rear admiral to say this was a very accurate portrayal, LOL. I was hopeful, but it’s disappointing to say the least. Mildly entertaining for this genre. I hope some like HBO does it right sometime in the future.

While I disagree with your assessment, I would welcome another version, even a nice HBO miniseries to give this story the more detailed and accurate telling that it deserves.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

But new Midway is such a bad War movie. It races through events, some scenes like they want you to ignore all the bad acting. Yeah it’s as good as Independence Day resurgence!

That is the reason I do not make comments about purchase, form time to time I may recommend to someone to view a movie then they can decide if it is worth a purchase or repeat view.

I own a lot of “bad movies” because I like the sound track, special effects, 3D, because it’s a period piece, etc.

Recently procured The Keep on DVD because it is presented 2.39 and I really like the sound track. Michael Mann, the director, supposedly hates the movie and hence no DVD, BD or UHD BD release in the US. If released on BD I would gladly pay $25 or $35 on UHD BD. I really don’t give a damn who thinks it is a bad movie.

[cheez avenger]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I didn't think it was a bad movie at all; I quite enjoyed it. It looked and sounded great on 4K disc, too. It's no masterpiece and certainly no documentary, but it was still worth my time and my money.

I prefer the 1976 original, but it uses a lot of stock footage from the actual war during combat segments, of which there are many. While the use of so much vintage combat footage is interesting, it also looks so rough that it can take you out of the movie when you keep alternating back and forth between it and the filmed portions. The romance subplot is a little cringe worthy, too, and it detracts from the story of Midway, but on the other hand it does point out how the U.S. interred Japanese Americans during WW2 which is a story unto itself.

Greyhound is a much better film than Midway.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

That is the reason I do not make comments about purchase, form time to time I may recommend to someone to view a movie then they can decide if it is worth a purchase or repeat view.

I own a lot of “bad movies” because I like the sound track, special effects, 3D, because it’s a period piece, etc.

Recently procured The Keep on DVD because it is presented 2.39 and I really like the sound track. Michael Mann, the director, supposedly hates the movie and hence no DVD, BD or UHD BD release in the US. If released on BD I would gladly pay $25 or $35 on UHD BD. I really don’t give a damn who thinks it is a bad movie.

I don't post my opinions about specific movies all that often as it is all subjective. I won't spend much effort defending my opinion for that reason. It is not like you can convince someone to like a movie that they hate or vice versa.

Threads dedicated to specific titles can get pretty heated at times; just go to the threads about the Star Wars prequels and the newer movies. Some people have to defend their opinions about these movies to the death.