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

[svenge]

I'll have to do some serious saving up to get those Japanese Ghibli BDs, since I have zero confidence that Disney USA won't screw them up upon domestic release like they did with the lossy Japanese track on Ponyo...

[Jeff Kleist]

Not until later this year on Terminator, unless the winner of the MGM sale holds onto it

[Objectivity]

Is there any rhyme or reason behind which studios are cutting prices right now and which titles they're choosing?

I ask because it seems like a lot of titles I expect will be popular are rotating in the <$15 range - Matrix, Yes Man, Crystal Skull, Watchmen, etc. - while there are other movies in the same class in terms of box office, time from release, etc. that are remaining at their standard prices.

I'm specifically interested in regard to Miracle, which I thought would finally drop in price due to the Olympics, but I'm also interested in an academic way. It seems like this approach should say a lot about a studio's philosophy regarding profit, fans, building anticipation, etc.

[Jeff Kleist]

If I had to guess, it would be things like reducing stock on hand to make room for the spring and summer titles, and otherwise stoking the purchasing fire during the lean season

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

If I had to guess, it would be things like reducing stock on hand to make room for the spring and summer titles, and otherwise stoking the purchasing fire during the lean season

Lean doesnt begin to describe it. There are barely ANY titles for me to buy right now and the next couple of months.

I do have to say that Im disappointed with the way Fox handled the Avatar bluray in which they denied another bluray was coming later in the year. It seemed like Cameron was being honest in saying that there will be a barebones 2D only Avatar in April and an elaborate special edition in Nov only to have Fox to say no 3D version.

[Jeff Kleist]

This is the way things are every year. People don't buy a lot in the first quarter of the year, so they don't release a lot

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

This is the way things are every year. People don't buy a lot in the first quarter of the year, so they don't release a lot

I know. Doesn't mean it makes me any less unhappy.

[coolmilo]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

This is the way things are every year. People don't buy a lot in the first quarter of the year, so they don't release a lot

It seems that there have been many titles released so far this year, just nothing good and the few good ones are expensive. How does this factor into the equation? Overall, it seems that Blu-ray has taken a big step backwards in terms of momentum.

I purchased Walk the Line and Zombieland this year and I must say that both are awesome BD's (normally I buy one or two a week). I sort of miss the momentum that BD built in the fourth quarter last year.

IMO, March looks better than Jan/Feb but then April looks very weak so far. It's very hit or miss this year IMO.

[Jeff Kleist]

Many studios like WB only solicit 6-8 weeks in advance. Since April first is still 6 weeks off....

Go to High Def Digest and look at the "historical release dates"

[DenonCI]

April has "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy (Theatrical only), the cartoon versions, and "Avatar." Sales should be brisk, although why Warner isn't issuing the ultimate set with seamless branching is pretty pathetic IMO. I wonder how many people won't purchase the set out of protest?

[Jeff Kleist]

Because PJ didn't want them to

He's got a new uber edition with piles of new extras and maybe some huge suprises on the way (sorry, not sharing, worth the wait if they happen, promise) that need more time.

I won't be getting it myself. I can't watch the theatrical versions any more.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

I won't be getting it myself. I can't watch the theatrical versions any more.

Theatrical versions were slow enough. The Extendeds are just...



Two Towers was the first time I dozed off in a theater in years.

[DenonCI]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Theatrical versions were slow enough. The Extendeds are just...



Two Towers was the first time I dozed off in a theater in years.

Peter, I don't disagree. I like the additions to the beginning of Fellowship to let newbies know what Hobbits are, but I prefer the Theatrical versions myself.

[Jeff Kleist]

Don't read the books then. All 3 movies probably could have used another hour

And for the extended edition, another 90 minutes so they could do the proper pre-bree stuff

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Don't read the books then. All 3 movies probably could have used another hour

And for the extended edition, another 90 minutes so they could do the proper pre-bree stuff

I read the books. They're supposed to be movies, not filmed transcripts...and that didn't stop them from adding all that sappy Arwen stuff.

LOTR (films) to me is what 2001 is to you. I will buy both versions though. Needless to say the FF button's getting a workout.

Will be interesting how they adapt The Hobbit. My father read that to me wayyy back in 1973.

[Jeff Kleist]

LOTR (films) to me is what 2001 is to you. I will buy both versions though. Needless to say the FF button's getting a workout.

how could they possibly make it any longer? Besdies, they're still missing piles of what's in the book. The two are incomperable, especially since it lacks 2 minutes of nothing but someone on a turntable spinning . And yes, it's the job of every film from a book to be as close as humanly possible to an on-screen transcript within the limitations of the medium. God forbid anyone ever try to tackle the Dune books verbatim. There is so little story in anything past "Children" you could probably cover the meat of 3 of them in a single 2.5 hour block (Children of Dune combined the 2 books very effectively, trimming all the chaff and keeping the story moving as much as possible)

They should have shot Tom Bombadil and just put it on there as a seperate bonus piece. Sure it brings the story to a screeching hault, but that's the part everyone wants to see and always has

All the Arwen stuff is in the appendicies. Now Osgilliath, that whole BS needs to be cut. And Faramir restored to what it's supposed to be. That's invented out of whole cloth

[DenonCI]

I hated the Tom Bombadil section of Fellowship. In fact, I almost stopped reading the books because of it. Thankfully I didn't let it stop me because it's so damn good.

[neo_reloaded]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

And yes, it's the job of every film from a book to be as close as humanly possible to an on-screen transcript within the limitations of the medium.

Is that sarcasm? I certainly hope so. If not... whooo boy do I disagree.

[Jeff Kleist]

No, not at all. If you're adapting somoene else's work, there should be zero alteration to the story or characters without the express permission of the author. If you want to be creative, go be creative, but don't call do it with someone else's property.

I'm not going to go into it, search back you'll find my opinions on the subject

[coolmilo]

I don't care about regular versus extended versions at this point. I just hope that the encodes look and sound great.

Is there any reason to be concerned?