Scream Factory Blu-ray Discussion Thread

[isaacredfield]

Originally Posted by gpn

If you go to the website of the company releasing it, they list Island of Terror as being region-free. I've got it ordered along with Curse of the Crimson Altar which they also show as being region-free (I'll know soon on the latter as it's on its way to me).

Curse of the Crimson Altar says region free on the back

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

How did Manhunter come up, is it something they have access to the rights for or something? I agree that the current bluray is severely lacking, especially considering there are multiple cuts of the film out there, but figured it was not even a remote possibility based on how popular Hannibal Lecter (I mean...Lecktor, as spelled in Manhunter!) stuff is, how high profile Michael Mann is, and the fact the studio has their crummy barebones edition out there in print.

This is not a bad reflection on Scream Factory or any such thing, but I'd like to think that Manhunter has Criterion Collection written all over it. Criterion delivered the goods wonderfully with their release of Michael Mann's Thief, and I'd love to see them release Manhunter in a similar way.

[Movie-Brat]

Just that Manhunter would probably be up Scream Factory's alleyway especially since they'll need a title featuring a mainstream character to bring them money. On the other hand, a Criterion release is equally acceptable especially since Thief was released by them.

[jedidarrick]

Originally Posted by Movie-Brat

Just that Manhunter would probably be up Scream Factory's alleyway especially since they'll need a title featuring a mainstream character to bring them money. On the other hand, a Criterion release is equally acceptable especially since Thief was released by them.

Good point. While we're on the subject of high-profile films owned by MGM, maybe they didn't want Scream to release the Collector's Edition of Carrie because they're licensing it to Criterion. After all, Blow Out and Sisters were released by Criterion, and they're both directed by DePalma.
Also, I find it weird that MGM would let Scream release Mad Max but not Carrie.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

This is not a bad reflection on Scream Factory or any such thing, but I'd like to think that Manhunter has Criterion Collection written all over it. Criterion delivered the goods wonderfully with their release of Michael Mann's Thief, and I'd love to see them release Manhunter in a similar way.

I keep putting off getting the bare-bones Manhunter disc, hoping Criterion will release it. It seems so perfect.

[Member-222782]

Originally Posted by jedidarrick

Good point. While we're on the subject of high-profile films owned by MGM, maybe they didn't want Scream to release the Collector's Edition of Carrie because they're licensing it to Criterion. After all, Blow Out and Sisters were released by Criterion, and they're both directed by DePalma.
Also, I find it weird that MGM would let Scream release Mad Max but not Carrie.

I think maybe there's another reason why there won't be a Carrie release through Shout. MGM letting them do Mad Max suggests no title is too "big" to license anymore but Carrie is likely in need of a 4K-level remaster and Shout probably isn't willing to take up the expense. PQ-issues aside, I believe there could be other underlying causes why we won't see a proper release of the film. If Criterion does end up acquiring it, it would be awesome.The downside is they definitely won't port any of the extras.

[fuzzymctiger]

Originally Posted by cine74

I think maybe there's another reason why there won't be a Carrie release through Shout. MGM letting them do Mad Max suggests no title is too "big" to license anymore but Carrie is likely in need of a 4K-level remaster and Shout probably isn't willing to take up the expense. PQ-issues aside, I believe there could be other underlying causes why we won't see a proper release of the film. If Criterion does end up acquiring it, it would be awesome.The downside is they definitely won't port any of the extras.

Scream have stated before that they had access to Carrie and were ready to do it, but requested access to the negatives for a new scan or restoration, not liking the quality, but MGM would not let them, so they decided against licensing it.

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by fuzzymctiger

Scream have stated before that they had access to Carrie and were ready to do it, but requested access to the negatives for a new scan or restoration, not liking the quality, but MGM would not let them, so they decided against licensing it.

Well, that sure doesn't sound like the company that released Darkman and Ravenous.

[zbinks]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

Well, that sure doesn't sound like the company that released Darkman and Ravenous.

The sales projections and budget for Carrie probably would have been much higher than Darkman or Ravenous, especially if it was released around the time the remake came out.

[Lyle_JP]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

Well, that sure doesn't sound like the company that released Darkman and Ravenous.

But it does sound like the studio that released "The Shadow". Like zbinks said, it's all about sales projections and understanding what the fans will buy (and what they'll reject).

[Movie-Brat]

Originally Posted by Lyle_JP

But it does sound like the studio that released "The Shadow". Like zbinks said, it's all about sales projections and understanding what the fans will buy (and what they'll reject).

What do you mean what will they reject? That can narrow it down to legit good films.

[Lyle_JP]

Originally Posted by Movie-Brat

What do you mean what will they reject? That can narrow it down to legit good films.

What I mean is Shout was not going to release Carrie with the old transfer, because they knew that, no matter how many special features they threw at it, their target audience was going to be pissed if there was no upgrade in picture quality. So they walked. OTOH, they saw the Darkman transfer as "good enough", but insisted on spending the dough for a new scan of The Shadow.

[k_huntington]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

One of my Facebook friends dressed her two dachshunds in costumes, took them to this Dachshund Costume Halloween Meet-Up party at a local park earlier today, and then posted a bunch of pictures of dachshunds in a variety of costumes.

I sent her a link to the Scream Factory Blu-ray of Deadly Eyes and told her about how dachshunds were dressed as rats for the film. She replied a few minutes later that she had ordered the disc and that she was excited to see it.

I love spreading the good word.

it really is a fantastic movie and with Lisa Langlois being seen in her underwear, you really can't go wrong.

[Movie-Brat]

Originally Posted by Lyle_JP

What I mean is Shout was not going to release Carrie with the old transfer, because they knew that, no matter how many special features they threw at it, their target audience was going to be pissed if there was no upgrade in picture quality. So they walked. OTOH, they saw the Darkman transfer as "good enough", but insisted on spending the dough for a new scan of The Shadow.

Funny because I heard the picture quality for Ravenous is just an upconvert of the DVD.

[Lyle_JP]

Originally Posted by Movie-Brat

Funny because I heard the picture quality for Ravenous is just an upconvert of the DVD.

But unlike Darkman, The Shadow, and Carrie, their blu-ray of Ravenous is the only game in town. They're not competing with a blu-ray disc that can already be found in the sub-$10 bargain bin.

[Movie-Brat]

Even so, they've been making deals left and right; if you're not going to restore Ravenous, why bother?

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by Movie-Brat

Even so, they've been making deals left and right; if you're not going to restore Ravenous, why bother?

Cause they're a business, and money is their first concern. The above guy's argument was that they will only attempt to get a better transfer if having a bad one would mean people would buy the previous cheap bluray over theirs. With Ravenous, the only competition was a non-anamorphic DVD and thus releasing a crap transfer still meant it was the best version out there, and thus it wouldn't have cut into their profits much. If there'd been a previous cheap bluray release, they probably would have either tried to get a new transfer (if it was cheap enough) or just wouldn't have released the movie.

[Terrorfirmer]

Hey all, im trying to decide between getting X-Ray/Schizoid or Assult on Precinct 13, anybody have any input for me?

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by Terrorfirmer

Hey all, im trying to decide between getting X-Ray/Schizoid or Assult on Precinct 13, anybody have any input for me?

well, I'm assuming you haven't seen either?

While I have both, the choice is clear---

Assault on Precinct 13 Carpenter classic!

X-Ray, Schizoid-- thoroughly ordinary flicks, I got some enjoyment seeing them since I'm a horror fan, but they're not good movies...

[Spooked]

Originally Posted by Terrorfirmer

Hey all, im trying to decide between getting X-Ray/Schizoid or Assult on Precinct 13, anybody have any input for me?

Wait, how is this a question? Precinct 13 all the way! (Besides, no one puts out double features with great films on them - they're always going to be more of the low-budget schlock, 'neither of these were good enough to release on they're own' type.) <-- Not that I always believe that - Tales from the Crypt / The Vault of Horror is a great example. But then I'm an EC fan...