Scanners (1981)

[nagysaudio]

I rank Cronenberg as follows:

The Fly
Videodrome
Scanners
Shivers
eXistenZ

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by ditcin

Bizarre is a good and kind phrase for it. Criterion is much too "high brow" to use the original artwork of a man screaming with eyes turn up into his head while his skin begins to burn - that kind of artwork is too much the Grade "B" style the film was originally considered.
The problem with Criterion's cover art is that it loses original logo identity associated with a given film. It's like, now this low-budget horror film made famous for a man's head blowing up is raised above it's exploitation theatrical release since Criterion has it; along with an inflated price tag and uber air. Really.
I still have the original Avco Embassy Pictures press kit and movie poster for the film, as well as the "give-away" pin, (I even had the tee-shirt that was a freebie from the Creation Convention), and the TV Spots (on Beta somewhere). It will always be the fun, cool, "man's head blowing up" movie" I saw with my friends.
- Scott B.

Yeah this film feels a bit odd on Criterion anyways. It's like Armageddon - another film I just can't believe is on Criterion. Criterion definitely couldn't use the original artwork for scanners - it just isn't fitting. This new art seems more their style, but it definitely isn't what fans associate with the film.

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by HotRats

The cover is certainly different, better than the lazy photoshop montages the majors use if nothing else. Triple dip time, I already bought the UK steelbook and then I bought the German as I prefer its colour balance

Agreed - at least it's original, and actual artwork, not a cheap 5-minute photoshop job like we usually get from the major studios. I think it's well-done. Just very bizarre, which I guess is fitting for a Cronenberg film.

Originally Posted by Jutty

I gotta agree,this would've been great if they had used it as the cover art

Cool art but way too graphic for them to use.

[klauswhereareyou]

Originally Posted by nagysaudio

I rank Cronenberg as follows:

The Fly
Videodrome
Scanners
Shivers
eXistenZ

The Fly
The Dead Zone
Dead Ringers
Videodrome
The Brood

[Partyslammer]

Originally Posted by klauswhereareyou

The Fly
The Dead Zone
Dead Ringers
Videodrome
The Brood

How I rank his 20th Century films:

The Fly
Videodrome
Scanners
Naked Lunch
Dead Zone
Dead Ringers
Rabid
The Brood
eXistenZ
Crash
Shivers
M. Butterfly

[klauswhereareyou]

What's with the changing cover image here?

[lolwut]

I really like the cover, but the film itself is mediocre. When I think of wooden performances, the lead actor in Scanners is the first that comes to mind. Awesome special effects though. I'd rather see a Criterion release of Dead Ringers (masterpiece), Existenz (underrated) or The Brood (always wanted to see it).

[Catastrophe]

Can't wait for this one! Been waiting such a long time since they teased it last year in their New Year's Doodle.

As for The Brood, I'm positive we'll see that one at some point this year. Probably some time in the Fall.

[slimdude]

It shouldn't make any difference, what the cover artwork looks like. I buy blu-rays for the movie, not for their cover artwork. If I want to buy something just to look at, I'll buy a picture.

[dallywhitty]

I'll join the club in regards to ranking the Cronenberg films I've seen:

Videodrome
Crash
A Dangerous Method
Cosmopolis
The Brood
The Fly
Scanners
Eastern Promises
A History of Violence
Naked Lunch
Rabid

[cakefactory]

Here's my ranking:

I love these 9-10/10 level:

The Fly
The Brood
The Dead Zone
Videodrome

I really like these 7-8/10 level:

Rabid
Dead Ringers
History of Violence
Naked Lunch
Shivers
Existenz
Eastern Promises
Crash

Pretty good, but not really anything special level (5-6/10):

A Dangerous Method
Spider
M. Butterfly
Scanners

I don't dislike any of the stuff I've seen. I need to rewatch some of them cause I don't remember them very well (Spider, Dead Ringers, Crash, Existenz, Naked Lunch)

[mrr1]

I thought this movie kind of sucked.

It was weird, though, and i can see why some people would want to own it.

[Talyn]

Originally Posted by lolwut

I really like the cover, but the film itself is mediocre. When I think of wooden performances, the lead actor in Scanners is the first that comes to mind. Awesome special effects though. I'd rather see a Criterion release of Dead Ringers (masterpiece), Existenz (underrated) or The Brood (always wanted to see it).

+1 to all 3 of those....sums up my feelings exactly. I thought eXistenZ was pretty good and caught me completely by surprise.

[NoirFan]

Confirming what we already knew (emphasis mine):

Originally Posted by Mulvaney

The transfer is a never before seen new 2k scan that was supervised by David Cronenberg.

And some further good news:

Stereo will be 1080p.

[Oblivion138]

Originally Posted by lolwut

I really like the cover, but the film itself is mediocre. When I think of wooden performances, the lead actor in Scanners is the first that comes to mind. Awesome special effects though. I'd rather see a Criterion release of Dead Ringers (masterpiece), Existenz (underrated) or The Brood (always wanted to see it).

Stephen Lack IS terrible. Michael Ironside, however, is more than awesome enough to make up for that fact.



It's kind of funny to see this thread dominated by two prevailing opinions:

"I don't like the movie, but the cover art is awesome."

and

"I love the movie, but the cover art is shit."

[oscarmerkx]

Not seen this before.

[CastrosfriendChe]

Originally Posted by Oblivion138

Stephen Lack IS terrible. Michael Ironside, however, is more than awesome enough to make up for that fact.



It's kind of funny to see this thread dominated by two prevailing opinions:

"I don't like the movie, but the cover art is awesome."

and

"I love the movie, but the cover art is shit."

I love the movie and the cover art is awesome
I think this is my first quadruple dip. Hopefully my last

[Akubrick1]

What's with the changing cover image here?

Yes... was wondering why I saw two different covers as well.. One is the artistic

[Show spoiler]Head explosion

and the other features Stephen Lack with glowing eyes... that one is really terrible.

[frogmeat69]

The more I look at the cover art, the more I like it. But it just seems like there's a lot of folks here that will never be happy, no matter what. Favorite movie of all time being released with perfect PQ and AQ scores, every extra and commentary known and unknown to mankind, plus the lead actor will personally deliver it to your doorstep? No way am I accepting that, it's in an eco case!!! etc., etc......

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by NoirFan

And some further good news:

Wow! Stereo in 1080p!! Now we're talking!