Scanners (1981)

[PowellPressburger]

I love the the criterion box artwork for this release and the menu design is also very cool! This will be my first time seeing scanners. For some odd reason I rented or owned many of the older Cronenberg films on DVD but for some odd reason Scanners evaded me. I will be watching this film Friday nite :-)

I just wish these was a cool commentary track to go along with the film. And just cause I think the signature Criterion stickers are cool I had to post it.

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[Bluebolt]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

This will be my first time seeing scanners.

I envy that, to see “brand new” a movie released thirty-three years ago.

To live in a time when we can view these old movies in high quality, practically on demand, is a great fortune. I hope you enjoy your premiere.

[TripleHBK]

Originally Posted by Bluebolt

I envy that, to see “brand new” a movie released thirty-three years ago.

To live in a time when we can view these old movies in high quality, practically on demand, is a great fortune. I hope you enjoy your premiere.

Nostalgia is a helluva thing.... I wouldn't sacrifice any of my childhood viewings to reexperience a film for the first time. Plenty of bad films are good to me because of the memories of summer vacations spent in my basement watching horror films.

[ditcin]

I was so thrilled when Barnes & Nobel called letting me know my copy of SCANNERS had arrived, which I had special ordered when the Criterion Sale had first began.
Upon picking it up I was extremely impressed at the thickness of the packaging - though not the visuals.
Watching the film I was amazed at the quality. Having seen the film during its original theatrical release I have to say it has never looked this clean, colorful and sharp either in the theater or any previous home video release (any and all formats).
I'm pleased with the choice of the original MONO sound since previous "pseudo-stereo" re-channeled mixes have added nothing sonically or creatively to enhance the soundtrack.
When a low budget film, that was theatrically released (domestically) by a non-major studio (AVCO-EMBASSY) looks this incredible so many years later I can only shake my head in disgust at so many titles owned by major studios which are released and look like shit. Having been a consultant for many years, and for various formats, and releases I grew to learn quickly how much of a crap shoot it is for a given title to be release well and quality. It falls often not on the budget but the care of the individuals assigned - which is why so many titles look better when produced and released via smaller companies.
On the down side in my opinion, Criterion has cheated the consumer by of bonus materials on this release. Although there are radio spots, and a trailer there are no TV Spots, nor the other variations of trailers originally made. Yes, some may say I'm being picky; but for the SRP this release sells for the more bonus materials the better. In fact, if I hadn't purchased this release on sale I'd say I would have been extremely pissed, or not have gotten it at all. It takes more than a round sticker of approval on shrink wrap to impress me and the way I spend my dollars. Especially since I hate the visuals used for packaging with a passion.
SCANNERS was for its time an exploitive Sci-fi/horror film... nothing more.
It is a clever little film with some bad sound editing and mixing, which some really great make-up effects. Criterion has chosen to elevate it with packaging that just doesn't fit the film's roots and theatrical persona.
I'm one for retaining that persona and feel like many others it represents the tone of the film's original release. (I was also disappointed that the original studio logo for Avco-Embassy isn't there.)
Part of the controversy that surrounded the film's original theatrical release had to do with the now classic "head blowing up" scene. Originally after it happens it cuts to reaction shots then back the body, the torso slumps forward causing meat/guts to spill out onto the table. At the time this was considered too graphic for an "R" rating and the film was then edited for the continued general release - that shot is missing from this Criterion release.
Still, the quality I'm sure will not disappoint but if you're going to get it - do so now while it's 50% off.

[Nickeleye7]

Does anyone else's copy have a small blue dot on the back of the cover box? It's located after the first highlight point of the set.

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by Nickeleye7

Does anyone else's copy have a small blue dot on the back of the cover box? It's located after the first highlight point of the set.

I don't see a blue dot on my box.

[I KEEL YOU]

Scanners is a fun movie, but it can't be compared to Cronenberg's best work. Some parts of Scanners are hilariously bad. I just lost it when

[Show spoiler]the car exploded for just crashing into a wall

.

[ditcin]

Originally Posted by Nickeleye7

Does anyone else's copy have a small blue dot on the back of the cover box? It's located after the first highlight point of the set.

Nope

[balthazar_bee]

Originally Posted by Nickeleye7

Does anyone else's copy have a small blue dot on the back of the cover box? It's located after the first highlight point of the set.

Recall!!!

[Show spoiler]

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by ditcin

(I was also disappointed that the original studio logo for Avco-Embassy isn't there.)

I was curious who the distributor was for the film originally. When I was checking out the back cover I assumed the movie was licensed by Criterion thru MGM but there is no MGM logo. (Which I was thrilled there was no opening MGM logo since it never was made by them)

It would have been cool to have the Avco Embassy logo that one back then was cool.

[ditcin]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

I was curious who the distributor was for the film originally. When I was checking out the back cover I assumed the movie was licensed by Criterion thru MGM but there is no MGM logo. (Which I was thrilled there was no opening MGM logo since it never was made by them)

It would have been cool to have the Avco Embassy logo that one back then was cool.

Yes. I really like the way that logo moved. It was also very colorful. It's at the beginning of THE FOG and move with the Carpenter music very nicely.
Just like the 70's WB logo - the one you have for your aviator - I miss that at the beginning of THE EXORCIST BD release. It merged exceedingly well with the music - as it does with THE SWARM too.

Another Avco release was THE MANITOU which I hope finds it way to BD with a corrected soundtrack.

[mdonovan]

Originally Posted by ditcin

Yes. I really like the way that logo moved. It was also very colorful. It's at the beginning of THE FOG and move with the Carpenter music very nicely.

Just like the 70's WB logo - the one you have for your aviator - I miss that at the beginning of THE EXORCIST BD release. It merged exceedingly well with the music - as it does with THE SWARM too.



Another Avco release was THE MANITOU which I hope finds it way to BD with a corrected soundtrack.

I was not aware The Swarm was released on Blu ... how is the transfer ?

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by mdonovan

I was not aware The Swarm was released on Blu ... how is the transfer ?

I think he meant the DVD.

[redrayz]

Originally Posted by ditcin

Part of the controversy that surrounded the film's original theatrical release had to do with the now classic "head blowing up" scene. Originally after it happens it cuts to reaction shots then back the body, the torso slumps forward causing meat/guts to spill out onto the table. At the time this was considered too graphic for an "R" rating and the film was then edited for the continued general release - that shot is missing from this Criterion release.

The completest (and gorehound) in me wishes those few frames we're in this edition, dang..

[TripleHBK]

Originally Posted by redrayz

The completest (and gorehound) in me wishes those few frames we're in this edition, dang..

Funny thing about that scene... immediately after the head explosion it cuts to the crowd as they panic. When the camera turns back towards the front table where the explosion happened, (though zoomed out) the floor and grey table are completely clean of any blood/brain matter. After an explosion like that, the whole thing should have been covered in blood and guts.

[Member-167298]

Originally Posted by Nickeleye7

Does anyone else's copy have a small blue dot on the back of the cover box? It's located after the first highlight point of the set.

Is it more or less noticeable than a red dot on a cashmere sweater?

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by ditcin

Part of the controversy that surrounded the film's original theatrical release had to do with the now classic "head blowing up" scene. Originally after it happens it cuts to reaction shots then back the body, the torso slumps forward causing meat/guts to spill out onto the table. At the time this was considered too graphic for an "R" rating and the film was then edited for the continued general release - that shot is missing from this Criterion release.
Still, the quality I'm sure will not disappoint but if you're going to get it - do so now while it's 50% off.

That video above from Criterion's extras that explains how the effect was achieved includes (at 3:33 or so) a clear picture from on the set of the body splattered everywhere that should give you some idea, but you probably watched that already :P

[ahmedreda]

Watched it yesterday for the first time. Great movie! Next I will watch the scream factory sequels.

[Goremeister100]

Originally Posted by TripleHBK

Funny thing about that scene... immediately after the head explosion it cuts to the crowd as they panic. When the camera turns back towards the front table where the explosion happened, (though zoomed out) the floor and grey table are completely clean of any blood/brain matter. After an explosion like that, the whole thing should have been covered in blood and guts.

Yeah, I remember bringing this up years back on a message board. The person who was in charge of continuity should have been fired.

[Goremeister100]

Originally Posted by Nickeleye7

Does anyone else's copy have a small blue dot on the back of the cover box? It's located after the first highlight point of the set.

You have the special blue-dot limited edition. Only 1 was created. Hang onto it because it will only go up in value