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

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Dynamo of Eternia

Here's another example for hanging onto physical copies. Back to the Future Part II on Netflix (it was recently added) is censored...

Netflix CENSORED Back to the Future Part II! But WHY?! - YouTube

Yep, yet another black mark.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

This news bit is weird anyway.

A lot of streamer types think this a trend. I think this is just what most suspect it is that Sony is trying to market their films planned on about this time though 2021 in the best possible manner. Not everything will be shown in theaters if there is not enough of them opened. Whether this WWII film is really any good has yet to be seen (excuse the pun).

Whatever makes money so that we can get films back in cinemas ASAP. Some money is better than none even though I hate the format.

[Boccaccio]

Originally Posted by cheez avenger

Well, depends what type of rights Apple got for their money. They paid 70 million for Greyhound. It was a 50 million film, and an extra 20 million as the cherry on top. Whether Sony keeps the home video physical media rights is up in the air unless it's already included in the 70 million already paid. If so, you will never see a physical home media release of Greyhound. Also, I don't know if this affects world rights, so who knows if there will be an import BD of Greyhound or not.

I think that deal is only for the US. IMDB still lists Sony Pictures as theatrical distributor for different countries including Germany, The Netherlands and Canada.

Production Companies
Columbia Pictures
Stage 6 Films
Zhengfu Pictures
BRON Studios (as 'Bron Creative')
Creative Artists Agency (CAA)
Creative Wealth Media Finance
FilmNation Entertainment
Playtone
Sycamore Pictures (financing)
Distributors
Apple TV+ (2020) (USA) (all media)
China Film Group Corporation (CFGC) (2020) (China) (theatrical)
Sony Pictures Releasing (2020) (Argentina) (theatrical) (through United International Pictures)
Sony Pictures Releasing (2020) (Canada) (theatrical)
Sony Pictures Releasing (2020) (Germany) (theatrical)
Sony Pictures Releasing (2020) (Netherlands) (theatrical) (through Universal Pictures International)
United International Pictures (UIP) (2020) (Argentina) (theatrical) (through)
Universal Pictures International (UPI) (2020) (Netherlands) (theatrical) (through)


If Apple really has the worldwide rights then that is very troubling news.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by Boccaccio

I think that deal is only for the US. IMDB still lists Sony Pictures as theatrical distributor for different countries including Germany, The Netherlands and Canada.

[Show spoiler]Production Companies
Columbia Pictures
Stage 6 Films
Zhengfu Pictures
BRON Studios (as 'Bron Creative')
Creative Artists Agency (CAA)
Creative Wealth Media Finance
FilmNation Entertainment
Playtone
Sycamore Pictures (financing)
Distributors
Apple TV+ (2020) (USA) (all media)
China Film Group Corporation (CFGC) (2020) (China) (theatrical)
Sony Pictures Releasing (2020) (Argentina) (theatrical) (through United International Pictures)
Sony Pictures Releasing (2020) (Canada) (theatrical)
Sony Pictures Releasing (2020) (Germany) (theatrical)
Sony Pictures Releasing (2020) (Netherlands) (theatrical) (through Universal Pictures International)
United International Pictures (UIP) (2020) (Argentina) (theatrical) (through)
Universal Pictures International (UPI) (2020) (Netherlands) (theatrical) (through)

If Apple really has the worldwide rights then that is very troubling news.

I find it amazing that some are just passing the story around that Sony just totally dumped the movie distribution rights for a pitiful $70 million. Oh but Sony is saving lots of money not having to market GreyHound. Then when has Apple ever released physical media of their content since the early days of Pixar.

[Wendell R. Breland]

For those that try to wade thru the streaming CF of features vs hardware may find this info helpful. Scroll toward the bottom of the page.

Some are not mentioned, example, Disney+ will not pass Dolby Atmos via my Nvidia Shield Pro 2019 because the sink device is not HRD capable (Sony 4K projector). All other apps will pass Atmos because the projector is 4K (true 4096). Get this, Movies Anywhere does pass Atmos.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Boccaccio

I think that deal is only for the US. IMDB still lists Sony Pictures as theatrical distributor for different countries including Germany, The Netherlands and Canada.

Production Companies
Columbia Pictures
Stage 6 Films
Zhengfu Pictures
BRON Studios (as 'Bron Creative')
Creative Artists Agency (CAA)
Creative Wealth Media Finance
FilmNation Entertainment
Playtone
Sycamore Pictures (financing)
Distributors
Apple TV+ (2020) (USA) (all media)
China Film Group Corporation (CFGC) (2020) (China) (theatrical)
Sony Pictures Releasing (2020) (Argentina) (theatrical) (through United International Pictures)
Sony Pictures Releasing (2020) (Canada) (theatrical)
Sony Pictures Releasing (2020) (Germany) (theatrical)
Sony Pictures Releasing (2020) (Netherlands) (theatrical) (through Universal Pictures International)
United International Pictures (UIP) (2020) (Argentina) (theatrical) (through)
Universal Pictures International (UPI) (2020) (Netherlands) (theatrical) (through)


If Apple really has the worldwide rights then that is very troubling news.

US and U.K. I think.

[JohnAV]

Looking at GreyHound IDMB, its shows it was using a Digital Intermediate (4K) (master format) with Dolby Digital.

How in the heck is that suppose to be great using a ~30 Mbps TV+ stream with lossy sound compared to being shown in theaters?

[Boccaccio]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

Looking at GreyHound IDMB, its shows it was using a Digital Intermediate (4K) (master format) with Dolby Digital.

How in the heck is that suppose to be great using a ~30 Mbps TV+ stream with lossy sound compared to being shown in theaters?

Like Apple is going to care if it looks great or not.
This just seems like an attempt to attract new subscribers. Or get a bigger market share.
Mark my words, all these streaming services are going to drive each other into the ground.
This is not sustainable in the long run.

Besides, Apple has no business dabbling in movies, it's a tech company.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by Boccaccio

Besides, Apple has no business dabbling in movies, it's a tech company.

IMHO I think everyone recognizes TV+ for what it is, that it is a attempt to satisfy the Apple ecosystem mostly centered around mobile devices and using the ATV4k to pitch its store for buying content.

Its why they were so hot to get the app added to UDTVs. Expand their store accessibility to non-Apple devices.

The most pathetic comments have been some forum users here is hurry up Apple release the TV app for my Sony so I can get rid of the ATV4K.

I do consider the device very useful for a number of reasons outside their TV app which I don't really use at all. I recommend people acquire subscriptions directly with the streaming app hosts not via apple store as its usually cheaper.

This Greyhound deal seems to be speaking of marketing desperation of having something to wave the exclusivity flag during the limited time period of the pandemic is forcing people to watch more media and online content to stay entertained. When people go back to more normalized getting out even with masks, this marketing hedge looses a lot of value IMHO.

[cheez avenger]

The biggest streaming news of the day is that we will be getting The Zack Snyder Cut of Justice League exclusively on HBO Max next year. It's official:

The mythical, unreleased version of the 2017 superhero film “Justice League” will finally see the light of day on Warner Media’s HBO Max in 2021.

After years of campaigning from talent and comic book fans, the studio behind the DC Films ensemble “Justice League” will offer original director Zach Snyder’s cut of the film, which saw heroes Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash, Cyborg and Superman share the same screen.

Director Zack Snyder announced the news on a live Q&A Wednesday, following a virtual screening of his Henry Cavill-led Superman film “Man of Steel.”

Snyder completed the majority of work on “Justice League” in 2016, but stepped away from post-production and editing in light of a family tragedy. Warner Bros. brought in “The Avengers” helmer Joss Whedon to finish the job, and the varying styles of both men led many fans to believe Snyder had envisioned a much darker take on the project.

Budgeted at a reported $300 million, the film grossed over $650 million worldwide and did not resonate with critics, sitting at 40% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. The DC assemblage was largely perceived as a miss in comparison to the juggernaut of Marvel Studios, and led to a creative pivot away from a tightly connected cinematic universe in favor of a far more loosely assembled collection of comic book adaptations.

This includes Todd Phillips’ global smash “Joker,” which won Joaquin Phoenix the best actor Oscar and grossed over $1 billion at the global box office. Ben Affleck has subsequently vacated the batsuit, in favor of Robert Pattinson in an upcoming reboot from director Matt Reeves.

#ReleaseTheSnyderCut became a massive grassroots rallying cry — an example of how fandom can seize hold of a franchise despite all efforts by the studio to control it, especially online. Then in November 2019, “Wonder Woman” star Gal Gadot kicked the campaign into overdrive by tweeting the hashtag with a grayscale still from “Justice League,” with Affleck and Snyder himself following suit — sending fans into a twitter-fed frenzy. Even Aquaman, Jason Momoa, called for the darker film to drop as recently as May 19, 2020.

Snyder himself admitted that his own cut of the film existed, but the onus was on Warner Bros. to release it. While plans to release the Snyder cut theatrically never took shape, its value for HBO Max is undeniable.

As Warner Media’s own bid at a “Netflix killer,” as many have labelled fledgling OTT services like Disney Plus, global event IP like “Justice League” is invaluable subscriber bait for the platform, which launches May 27.

https://variety.com/2020/film/news/z...ax-1234611928/

[cheez avenger]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

Looking at GreyHound IDMB, its shows it was using a Digital Intermediate (4K) (master format) with Dolby Digital.

How in the heck is that suppose to be great using a ~30 Mbps TV+ stream with lossy sound compared to being shown in theaters?

If it's on Apple TV+ it will definitely be in HDR or Dolby Vision. Atmos can go either way, but a soundtrack just like Underwater is definitely in the cards.

Also, who the hell is going to theaters? No one is going to the theaters. Theaters will not be reopening anytime soon. People really need to get it in their thick skulls that the pandmeic has screwed up the movie going experience.

Sony basically just recouped their costs plus 20 million on top. That's smart.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by cheez avenger

If it's on Apple TV+ it will definitely be in HDR or Dolby Vision. Atmos can go either way, but a soundtrack just like Underwater is definitely in the cards.

Also, who the hell is going to theaters? No one is going to the theaters. Theaters will not be reopening anytime soon. People really need to get it in their thick skulls that the pandmeic has screwed up the movie going experience.

Sony basically just recouped their costs plus 20 million on top. That's smart.

The movie going experience will be back. Make no mistake. Today has been the warmest day of the year in England. Our beaches were packed today. The sun shines and people forget about the virus.

[Phillip Nelson]

Originally Posted by cheez avenger

The biggest streaming news of the day is that we will be getting The Zack Snyder Cut of Justice League exclusively on HBO Max next year. It's official:

https://variety.com/2020/film/news/z...ax-1234611928/

I hope WB edits the Snyder cut properly so the storyline is coherent. Also, I hope they'll release the Snyder cut on UHD one day. My fingers are crossed for this new cut to redeem the movie.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

The movie going experience will be back. Make no mistake. Today has been the warmest day of the year in England. Our beaches were packed today. The sun shines and people forget about the virus.

Long term I agree that theaters will be fine.

The rub now though is we could be in a worst of both worlds kind of spot right now.

There are enough people willing to to bars and restaurants and theaters and whatnot to keep the bug happy but not enough to actually keep those businesses afloat.

But yeah, theaters will be around for a long time to come. Individual theater chains might go under and we might - forget might, will - see some major reorganizing of the theater landscape but watching movies in theaters with a bunch of other people isn't going anywhere.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by cheez avenger

Also, who the hell is going to theaters? No one is going to the theaters. Theaters will not be reopening anytime soon. People really need to get it in their thick skulls that the pandmeic has screwed up the movie going experience.

Sony basically just recouped their costs plus 20 million on top. That's smart.

None of that I agree with. Theaters might be delayed a bit with reopening but I don't think its will change the public perception of going to theaters can't be safe. Neither do I think theaters cannot innovate again learning from the pandemic.

I also don't think Sony gave Apple full rights to their work for what is presented by the news rumor mills. The IDMB info that Boccaccio posted suggests otherwise. I can't also see as with all the previous exclusives that Sony gave absolute US media rights for 15 years.

[cheez avenger]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

The movie going experience will be back. Make no mistake. Today has been the warmest day of the year in England. Our beaches were packed today. The sun shines and people forget about the virus.

That's unfortunate, because the virus will not forget about you. We haven't even hit wave 2 yet.

[cheez avenger]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

None of that I agree with. Theaters might be delayed a bit with reopening but I don't think its will change the public perception of going to theaters can't be safe. Neither do I think theaters cannot innovate again learning from the pandemic.

I also don't think Sony gave Apple full rights to their work for what is presented by the news rumor mills. The IDMB info that Boccaccio posted suggests otherwise. I can't also see as with all the previous exclusives that Sony gave absolute US media rights for 15 years.

In the short term it will. Greyhound was scheduled to open Father's Day weekend. Sony saw the writing on the wall and made a deal. It's simple economics.

[Vilya]

So long as I eventually get a nice 4K disc release of Greyhound, Sony can wh*re themselves out to whatever digital pimp they choose while this pandemic continues.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by cheez avenger

That's unfortunate, because the virus will not forget about you. We haven't even hit wave 2 yet.

This I know, I’m just telling you what I saw today.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by cheez avenger

In the short term it will. Greyhound was scheduled to open Father's Day weekend. Sony saw the writing on the wall and made a deal. It's simple economics.

I find it a bit strange that Apple won a bidding war concerning Greyhound for $70 when Netflix is spending more for some titles?

From ETcentric

According to sources, Netflix will spend $520+ million to make three movies, although none of them are likely to get a wide theatrical release. This month, Netflix committed almost $200 million to make the action movie “Red Notice,” with Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot. The company has stated that one-third of its 150 million subscribers are drawn to its movies, with TV accounting for the rest. New movie productions, it hopes, will help retain current viewers and attract new ones.

The Wall Street Journal reports that sources also said Netflix will release, later this year, Michael Bay-directed “6 Underground,” which had a budget of about $150 million, and Martin Scorsese-directed historical drama “The Irishman,” which cost at least $173 million, making it “the most expensive adult drama in recent history.”

Analysts predict that Netflix is on track to spend $15 billion on programming in 2019, including local content in Australia, Asia, Europe and Africa. Netflix, whose shares slumped 10+ percent when it revealed it lost subscribers for the first time in almost a decade, is also facing more intense competition.

Some of Netflix’s movie schedule comes from picking up films rejected by the Hollywood studios. Universal Pictures was originally set to produce “Red Notice,” but when costs ran over $150 million, it gave the production permission to shop it around. Sources reported that AT&T’s Warner Bros. and Viacom’s Paramount Pictures also passed, worried about costs. Netflix calculated that this big-budget action movie, due out in 2021, would be profitable and potentially spawn sequels.

Major studios also passed on “The Irishman,” due to “concerns that it was too expensive for a drama, a genre that has struggled at the box office in recent years.” The producers were raising money independently when Netflix stepped in. “Without Netflix, ‘Irishman’ would not have been made,” said one person close to the movie. “I just don’t see [other] studios wanting to dive into these projects anymore. I think they are staying away from the riskier, more mature films, especially dramas.”

Other recent movies Netflix made include “Bird Box” and “Triple Frontier,” neither of which drew critical acclaim but fueled viewership: 80 million for the former and 63 million for the latter, “making them Netflix’s first and fifth most popular original films, respectively.” Netflix spends more money to make a movie than Hollywood studios do because it pays so-called buyouts, giving the A-list actors and directors more money upfront “to compensate for the fact that it doesn’t offer a share of revenue from box-office and DVD sales, which aren’t relevant to Netflix’s business model.”