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

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Lee A Stewart

All info in the link I provided.

I looked, but Starlink does not appear to be ready for prime time. I don't care to be one of their beta testers ...unless they want to pay me.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by alchav21

As for Internet Access everyone has to decide for themselves and their Family what is enough. I say at least 75Mbps down and half of that up, but Symmetrical is best. Also access to Gigabit should be in the near future plans. I know for some it seems like a pipe dream, but I have been in Communities where all we had was Dial-up and I worked with them to bring in Fiber. The other option is to move to a location that has what you want, and I have done that too!

Available speeds aren't the problem; service reliability is. I could have gigabit speeds now, but what's the point when my ISP can't maintain their service?

The service tech that came Saturday accomplished nothing, so another is coming tomorrow. Honestly, they couldn't find their own butts with both hands free to search.

My current problem is continual intermittent drops in speed, primarily upload. For the briefest of moments, my download speed will drop by half and my upload speed will all but disappear dropping to 0.1 Mbps. This lasts just long enough to get dropped from whatever online game I am trying to play.

My ISP has no plans to offer symmetrical speeds (I asked); all they plan to do is raise their prices.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Available speeds aren't the problem; service reliability is. I could have gigabit speeds now, but what's the point when my ISP can't maintain their service?

My ISP has no plans to offer symmetrical speeds (I asked); all they plan to do is raise their prices.

I feel for you Vilya, you had this problem years ago and I guess they kind of fixed it for a while. The architecture of Cable Providers is archaic for todays standards. Something is draining your speeds, and I think it has to do with Network Balance. With Streaming the demand on Networks is out of control. Technicians and ISP's are under a lot of strain, and like you said most of them don't know what they are doing. In order to fix the problem you have to know what you are doing. IMO a Fiber Network Infrastructure is needed!

[JohnAV]

Box Office: ‘Free Guy’ Liberated With Great $28.4M Opening - Hollywood Reporter 8/15

The movie did so well that star Ryan Reynolds and director Shawn Levy received word Saturday that Disney wants a sequel. Aretha Franklin biopic 'Respect' also debuted over the weekend.

Free Guy has spawned a new Hollywood studio franchise after opening well ahead of expectations despite the precarious state of the box office recovery.

The action-comedy — starring Ryan Reynolds and directed by Shawn Levy — grossed $28.4 million from 4,165 North American theaters to easily top the chart. Overseas, it took in $22.5 million from 41 markets for a global start of $51 million (Free Guy doesn’t yet have a release date in China).

The domestic performance of the family-friendly, PG-13 film is a much-needed boost for Hollywood as consumer confidence dips again amid the Delta variant and a surge in COVID-19 cases. The international marketplace is also being heavily impacted in numerous countries, including France and Italy, where proof of vaccination is now required.

Headed into the weekend, Disney and 20th Century Studios predicted a North America opening of $17 million to $20 million. Others were more bullish, but most didn’t predict more than $22 million. Disney inherited the project when acquiring 20th Century Fox, where Reynolds had a close relationship with then vice-chairman and head of production Emma Watts (she’s now running Paramount’s motion picture group).

Free Guy even bested the domestic launch of The Suicide Squad a week ago. One difference — Levy’s film is receiving a 45-day exclusive theatrical release in theaters before going to Disney. From Warner Bros., Suicide Squad was made available simultaneously on HBO Max.

Video-game adaptations are never an easy sell and have a decidedly mixed track record at the box office. Plus, Free Guy was delayed no fewer than four times because of the COVID-19 crisis, posing numerous marketing challenges for Disney and the filmmakers.

Free Guy, buoyed by strong reviews, great word-of-mouth and an A CinemaScore, underscores Reynolds’ star power, as well as the growing partnership between he and Levy. On Saturday, Disney officially asked for a sequel, according to a tweet from Reynolds.

Among those turning out, 71 percent of the audience was under the age of 35, including 50 percent between ages 18 and 34, the most likely group to go to theaters in the pandemic era. Males made up 59 percent of the audience, while Free Guy did huge business on Imax and other premium large format screens that are a major draw for fanboys.

n the film, Reynolds plays a bank teller who discovers he is actually a non-player character in a video game. He’s determined to become the hero and save his friends from getting deleted by the game’s creator. Taika Waititi, Jodie Comer, Lil Rel Howery, Utkarsh Ambudkar and Joe Keery also star.

Sony and Stage 6’s home-invasion horror pic Don’t Breathe 2 debuted in second place with $10.6 million and was also aided by a diverse audience.

The sequel, earning a B CinemaScore, was helmed by Rodo Sayagues in his feature directorial debut. Stephen Lang reprises his role as Norman Nordstrom/The Blind Man. Brendan Sexton III and Madelyn Grace also star.

Aretha Franklin biopic Respect opened in fourth place with $8.8 million. The MGM and United Artists Releasing movie, starring Jennifer Hudson as the iconic singer, did okay for a title relying on older audiences — and particularly older females — who are the most reluctant to return to theaters. According to PostTrak, 45 percent of ticket buyers were 45 or holder, including 26 percent over the age of 55. 67 percent of the audience was female.

Respect likewise earned an A CinemaScore and strong exits. It played to an ethnically diverse audience; 48 percent of the audience was Black.

Among holdovers, Disney holdover Jungle Cruise came in third in its third weekend. The Dwayne Johnson-Emily Blunt movie received a simultaneous release in cinemas and on Disney+ Premier Access for an additional $30.

Jungle Cruise finished Sunday with a domestic total of $82.1 million and $72.2 million overseas for a global cume of $154.3 million.

Warner Bros. and DC’s Suicide Squad fell a steep 70 percent to $7.8 million in its second weekend for a meek 10-day domestic total of $42.9 million. Directed by James Gunn, the antihero pic rounded out the top five.

Overseas, Suicide Squad posted $17 million from 70 markets for a foreign tally of $75.2 million and $118.1 million worldwide.

Both Disney and Warners maintain that flexible release models, including day-and-date are needed because of the pandemic.

Not quite sure why the author added that last sentence as Free Guy is tied to 45 day theaters only exclusive before it is available via streaming.

[gotmule]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Wow! Lens replacement surgery for both eyes!

I'm glad that the procedure went well. Any idea what you will watch first when both you and your system are fully up and running?

Had them 2 weeks apart with the dominant eye being this week. There were some complications with that one that I am dealing with but the prognosis is that I will be fine.

Once my eyes are where they should be, I am picking back up with His Dark Materials as that is one of the best looking tv shows I have come across in awhile. Once my system has the new additions broken in and calibrated, I will probably watch something I don’t care about a lot but has a reference audio track, like Monster Hunter. Once I know I have the Lyngdorf right, then it will be a rewatching of A Quiet Place followed by the 2nd one.

[gotmule]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

At the same time ?? Is your replacement lens for near, far or combo (one near, one far) sight? Spouse is in the process of scheduling her replacement lens (cataracts). I am in the real early stages of cataracts.

Apparently I got the Cadillac of lenses as they are trifocals and were the priciest option. I went in for a LASIK consultation and found out I had cataracts, and while I had the benefits I do, I went ahead and took care of it. The day after the first eye was done, I had 20/20 for reading and 20/16 for distance, which is crazy to me. I found out how the 2nd eye did later this week as my eye had to adjust to the corrections done the day after.

I hate people messing with my eyes, so I was coming out of my skin during the process knowing what the hell they were doing. They kept talking about how you are in Twilight while it is going on, but that is a bunch of BS, as I was hyper aware of everything that was going on, and even felt certain steps of it.

I hope your wife has an easy path for hers.

[Lee A Stewart]

Disney Making ‘Jungle Cruise’ Available for Digital Ownership Aug. 31, on Disc Nov. 16

https://www.mediaplaynews.com/disney...n-disc-nov-16/


G.I. Joe Movie ‘Snake Eyes’ Available Digitally Aug. 17, on Disc Oct. 19

https://www.mediaplaynews.com/g-i-jo...n-disc-oct-19/

[Ender14]

Originally Posted by Lee A Stewart

Disney Making ‘Jungle Cruise’ Available for Digital Ownership Aug. 31, on Disc Nov. 16

https://www.mediaplaynews.com/disney...n-disc-nov-16/


G.I. Joe Movie ‘Snake Eyes’ Available Digitally Aug. 17, on Disc Oct. 19

https://www.mediaplaynews.com/g-i-jo...n-disc-oct-19/

"Digital Ownership". Isn't that an oxymoron? More than happy to wait an extra month or so for "True Ownership" and superior quality.

[avs commenter]

Originally Posted by Ender14

"Digital Ownership". Isn't that an oxymoron? More than happy to wait an extra month or so for "True Ownership" and superior quality.

Have you seen the film yet? I certainly wouldn't brag about having any type of ownership of it

[Ender14]

Originally Posted by avs commenter

Have you seen the film yet? I certainly wouldn't brag about having any type of ownership of it

I've seen both. I certainly agree when it comes to Snake Eyes but I quite enjoyed Jungle Cruise and look forward to adding it to my collection.

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by Ender14

"Digital Ownership". Isn't that an oxymoron? More than happy to wait an extra month or so for "True Ownership" and superior quality.

Well Apple says it's not reasonable to think you can own them.

“Apple contends that ‘[n]o reasonable consumer would believe’ that purchased content would remain on the iTunes platform indefinitely,”

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/bu...shows-4170851/

[sapiendut]

I’ll definitely buy Jungle Cruise. I love the ride and I like what seemingly to be “Indy-Jones Lite” approach to the movie.

[cheez avenger]

Originally Posted by Lee A Stewart

Disney Making ‘Jungle Cruise’ Available for Digital Ownership Aug. 31, on Disc Nov. 16

https://www.mediaplaynews.com/disney...n-disc-nov-16/


G.I. Joe Movie ‘Snake Eyes’ Available Digitally Aug. 17, on Disc Oct. 19

https://www.mediaplaynews.com/g-i-jo...n-disc-oct-19/

They've gotta try and salvage those two any way they can at this point. Get money for the digital versions until they can get money for the 4K discs.

I'll wait on them both till they're on streaming services that I don't have to pay extra for. So that'd be Disney+ for Jungle Cruise and Paramount+ for Snake Eyes.

[Steedeel]

Neither title interests me, just waiting for ‘Old’ 4K steelbook and for The Green Knight to hit the cinemas.

[cheez avenger]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Neither title interests me, just waiting for ‘Old’ 4K steelbook and for The Green Knight to hit the cinemas.

They're doing a special screening Wednesday via the A24 screening room. It's $20 for a viewing but it's only good for 4 hours from 9PM - 1AM. It will feature an introduction from the actor that played the green knight.

That's way too pricey for such a short window and it's later than I would like in terms of air time. I'll just wait for the eventual 4K disc release. It would be epic if Criterion ended up releasing it.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by bhampton

Well Apple says it's not reasonable to think you can own them.

“Apple contends that ‘[n]o reasonable consumer would believe’ that purchased content would remain on the iTunes platform indefinitely,”

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/bu...shows-4170851/

Hmmm this won’t work, as it similar to past efforts. You can’t sue a VoD store when it’s studios that are the content owners. But all the VoD stores use the buy or own terms which for some think they are actually buying, but it’s just licensing of a more permanent nature, can’t sell, or use by others when you die. Even if the judge was on the guys side, they are just marketing a digital use authorization from the content owner. It would be shot down in a another court.

It just a vanity example of stupidity. If you want something permanent buy something physical that is legally available for resale.

You can also bid for digital works of art direct from the artist or creator of such content but it could cost you thousands or millions depending on what you are buying.

[Lee A Stewart]

So the fact that EST now has a 60 to 75 day "head start" over physical - that doesn't concern anyone? What happened to the previous 2 week difference?

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Lee A Stewart

So the fact that EST now has a 60 to 75 day "head start" over physical - that doesn't concern anyone? What happened to the previous 2 week difference?

I don't like the idea, but I have been long accustomed to waiting for disc releases, anyway. It's not like I am without anything to watch in the meantime.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by Lee A Stewart

So the fact that EST now has a 60 to 75 day "head start" over physical - that doesn't concern anyone? What happened to the previous 2 week difference?

That is something most of us have dealt with years. It was quite typical to be able to rent digital content, well before that same content arrived on blu-ray. Sometimes we waited up to 9 months from the time it was first shown in theaters.

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by Lee A Stewart

So the fact that EST now has a 60 to 75 day "head start" over physical - that doesn't concern anyone? What happened to the previous 2 week difference?

I don't mind waiting, it's worth it.

If I can't wait .... I'll go to a real theater.