Why all the bad movies

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Paladin

Why? It proves my point. Titanic is the highest grossing film of all time (b.t.w. that doesn't make it a good film.) why isn't there a HD version of it?

Paladin

By your theory you really are being dim-witted, you say high-grossing films should be released (Titanic), but there have been, look at Click or TN. They were poor films, yes, but they made lots of money.

[Paladin]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

The B titles give them a chance of perfecting the workflow, and getting content out that people will forgive not being totally mindblowing, while they restoring prints, create HD audio masters, and produce the special extras the classic films demand.

I hope it's that, someone told me another theory.

With a lack of good HD content, it's more likely that the crap will sell to people starved for HD content.

TNT HD showed LOTR, and you can get Narnia with Cin HD on demand. It looks like there are HD versions of these movies out there, just not on media.

Paladin

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Paladin

I hope it's that, someone told me another theory.

With a lack of good HD content, it's more likely that the crap will sell to people starved for HD content.

TNT HD showed LOTR, and you can get Narnia with Cin HD on demand. It looks like there are HD versions of these movies out there, just not on media.

Paladin

The quality of HD for optical media needs to be way higher, HD in the UK uses 6-8Mb AVC VBR or 15Mb MPEG-2 CBR, usually in 1080i or 720p. So while you are correct in stating that HD versions of these films exist, they are not the right versions.

[Paladin]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

By your theory you really are being dim-witted, you say high-grossing films should be released (Titanic), but there have been, look at Click or TN. They were poor films, yes, but they made lots of money.

I see you have a reading comprehension issue. The question is why are low grossing (crappy) films getting put out before the higher grossing films. I never made the claim that high-grossing films were not released, I am just amazed at the amount of crap that is getting out before the good stuff.

Gary made a good point, that they could be using the films to get the system worked out so they can release better quality films later, and these will be the better films. That my be true, we'll just have to wait and see.

Paladin

[Ascended_Saiyan]

Originally Posted by shido

Why are there so many crappy titles released on DVD? Crappy titles exist - that's a fact of life, especially when the Hollywood studios like to pump out the same, formulaic crap year in and year out. Why are there more of these titles on Blu-ray compared to HD-DVD? Because Blu-ray got more studio support. Otherwise, you'd be seeing the exact same thing on HD-DVD. We all want the big blockbuster movies to come out in HD, but that will take time to do. First, many studios may not yet be convinced if either of the HD formats would take off anyway, so they're a bit hesitant to invest significantly in them. Second, and probably most importantly, if they do decide to release something big like Starwars, LoTR, or Pirates, they need to make sure the release is absolutely flawless. Otherwise, it might have the adverse effect, and drive people away from the format. Imagine if Spiderman came out at Blu-ray's launch, complete with the issues that plagued the format's early releases. There would have been no recovering from that. I'm sure all studios know this, and that's why they're taking their time with their big titles.

I couldn't agree more! It seems like most people didn't even read your statement, Shido!

Once the studios become very fluent in the use of ALL Blu-ray features, they will begin to start dropping hit after hit.

[GTP]

Originally Posted by jedisinclair

So, the theory is for Blu-ray to wait and see what happens before releasing great titles? Meanwhile Universal Studios is putting out great HD DVD releases. That makes NO sense. If Blu-ray based studios would put out better content out the gate, consumers would adopt it much quicker. I am a Blu-ray supporter, so I'm only stating on observation here.

Since the title is regarding bad movies, let me take a quick moment to bash the Sopranos Season Six. (Not on BD but in general)... that show really slipped the past few seasons. I rented S6 only out of morbid curiosity. WEAK!!!

Anyway, I think Blu-ray needs to put out (had to pause and laugh "put out") some blockbuster titles and let's crush HD DVD earlier, rather than later !!!

Go Blu !

Yes but BD studios still have all their blockbusters for 07-08 ect....what does Universal have left for the long haul....not much I say

Invincible sold out at my local Wally World by 1 p.m. and they only had one copy of Pearl Harbor left......so if BD is now selling better for a multitude of reasons....why rush the blockbusters?

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by Paladin

I hope it's that, someone told me another theory.

With a lack of good HD content, it's more likely that the crap will sell to people starved for HD content.

TNT HD showed LOTR, and you can get Narnia with Cin HD on demand. It looks like there are HD versions of these movies out there, just not on media.

So, people aren't really starved for HD content?

I think there is certainly something to be said for the B before A maximizing revenues. I can't really blame a studio for wanting to maximize its revenues. And I'm not saying that pressure shouldn't be brought to bear. But, right now the demands are for it all, yesterday.

Don't like it? Then don't buy it. Think Universal deserves to be rewarded? Buy HD DVD.

I remember the EXACT same complaints when DVD was launched. I wonder if there is a culture of entitlement created by the massive selection of the preceding format? When the studios don't rush out the favorites, the "greedy bastards!" screams immediately erupt. Yet, they also complain if the releases are basic (double dipping!). Or not up to the highest quality.

What I would like to see is a definite committment to releasing every major new release day and date. A late The Da Vinci Code (or King Kong or Batman Begins) where the HD disc doesn't come out until well after the DVD, isn't cool.

But, these formats are already WAY ahead on title counts and day and date than the past. There are about 150 titles for each, after 8-9 months. That is amazing.

Gary

[Zvi]

I referred to G.L. as a greedy bastid because he did release few times on VHS, then while DVD was already available still did VHS, and then started all over on DVD and I am sure he'll do the same in HD.

[shido]

Originally Posted by Paladin

I see you have a reading comprehension issue. The question is why are low grossing (crappy) films getting put out before the higher grossing films. I never made the claim that high-grossing films were not released, I am just amazed at the amount of crap that is getting out before the good stuff.

Gary made a good point, that they could be using the films to get the system worked out so they can release better quality films later, and these will be the better films. That my be true, we'll just have to wait and see.

Paladin

Have you ever considered this: If they just dropped all the big titles now, what would they release next year? It ain't as easy as you seem to think it is. If either Blu-ray or HD-DVD wants to officially replace DVD, then they have to be able to match DVD in terms of library size. It might not matter to you if these "crappy" titles are released, but it probably does to other people. Otherwise, studios wouldn't even bother putting these titles out on DVD.
Also, have you considered that there might be more costs involved bringing the big blockbusters to an HD format? Whether it be additional licensing fees, costs of remastering, etc, I think it might be quite substantial. It'd only be more expensive if the movie was a big hit.

[Deciazulado]

Universal has put out 55 movies on HD. It's the studio that has more titles out. Even more that Warner! (And Warner has already 30 on BD). For a studio that comprises about 10% of the box office in recent years, they're certainly playing all stops! There's about 199 movies in between both High Definition discs formats (of the 199, there are 118 on BD). Of the 199, 28% is Universal. 28/10 is almost 3x so Universal is pumping out movies like there's no tomorrow. 3 times more than any other studio. Think why.

If you care to count the 'bad movie vs good movie" titles between the two formats, first it's a subjective call, then HD DVD has been out about 60% more time than BD accumulating titles (but even with that, there's just about a 10% difference in movie titles numbers) so to make a fair comparison you'd have to calculate lets say HD DVDs first 5-6 month of titles against BD's first 5-6 months of titles. I haven't counted what I consider a "Good movie" vs "Bad movie" so I wouldn't really know. I just buy movies I like or want. I like "bad movies" on occasion too.. I love movies.

It takes a while for a format to accumulate the big guns. On CD the Beatles took 5 years to come out. The RS were out earlier.

The studios have their marketing strategies and bean counters. Maybe the BDA strategy is more like it would be if there wasn't a "War" going on, maybe they counted on (or are still counting on, in a smaller manner) that they're big enough that they can introduce a format as business as usual, while the HD DVD group (specially Universal and their partner) knowing what they're up against, are using up as much "artillery" as they can (3 times as much as they normally would). If you don't like a title, you don't buy it, and that sends a message to the Studio. If you like a title, you buy it and the Studio may get the trend. Inertia slows this process, and of course, the Studio tends to do what it wants and considers best for them to make money. It's their movies we are buying. So it's their choice. (A possible extreme example: See what happened with the Blade Runner SE edition over the years, apparently the party that had ownership seemed not interested on doing it, no matter what the consumer demand on it was). Or just look how George, or Disney, plan their release strategy on DVDs.

If you want a better selection on BD, write to the studios, ask your store managers, do the amazon request thing. and buy titles you consider good.

[TheForce8686]

Originally Posted by Paladin

I see a trend that studios are releasing bad movies on Blu Ray, why?

Flightplan 37%
Pearl Harbor 25%
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow 73 (critics loved it, I think it was pretty bad)
The Transporter It was OK, but old and not that good.
Ultraviolet 8% Some cool action, but not enough to save the movie.
S.W.A.T. 51%
Sahara 37%
50 First Dates huh? I am not a big Adam Sandler Fan, but this isn't even saved by action scenes.
The Descent Horror isn't my thing.
Scooby-Doo 27%
American Psycho 65% Not bad for a slasher film, but to be rushed to Blu Ray?

And the list goes on and on. Are they thinking that people will be so desperate for Blu Ray that they'll buy the crap before the good stuff comes out?

Meanwhile we wait for Lord of the Rings, Chronicles, etc.

Paladin

Thats one opinion. I already own all but 2 of them on SD or BD. and as for the one guys argument, I dont care what the oscars say-Speed is a better movie that Dances with wolves. Dances with wolves is good but I ll watch it once and enjoy and then it will sit there for a year or so while movies like Speed you can enjoy over and over again. So sellections of movie titles is relegated to the opinion of the person.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by Deciazulado

Universal has put out 55 movies on HD. It's the studio that has more titles out. Even more that Warner! (And Warner has already 30 on BD). For a studio that comprises about 10% of the box office in recent years, they're certainly playing all stops! There's about 199 movies in between both High Definition discs formats (of the 199, there are 118 on BD). Of the 199, 28% is Universal. 28/10 is almost 3x so Universal is pumping out movies like there's no tomorrow. 3 times more than any other studio. Think why.

Kudos to Universal for bringing out so many titles. And for making many of them decent titles. They are doing their best to help HD DVD (almost as if they were being encouraged monetarily ).

One of the questions originally asked is whether HD DVD could keep pumping out the initial quality. Here are recent Universal releases:

Field of Dreams (2.5 on HDD)
Miami Vice (3.5 on HDD)
An American Werewolf in London (3.0 on HTHF)
The Mummy (4.0 on HTHF)
Dune (3.5 on HTHF)
You, Me and Dupree (4.0 on HTHF)

Gary

[phloyd]

Originally Posted by Paladin

more people would be buying movies like Titanic on Blu Ray then American Psycho.

Yeah probably - not me though! Titanic was hugely boring and a waste of money. It should have been a lot shorter.

American Psycho has been one of my faves.

I guess we aren't all 'Titanic' watchers...

[aktonin]

Originally Posted by goodstuff

And Star Wars IV, V and VI didn't show up on DVD until seven years into the format. You expect them to be released 6 months into Blu-Ray?

Before Star Wars was released on DVD, George was already fantasying about releasing the films on HD. I quite clearly remembering all the fans harassing him to release the films on DVD, but he kept stalling because of a future blue laser HD disc.

[Paladin]

Originally Posted by phloyd

Yeah probably - not me though! Titanic was hugely boring and a waste of money. It should have been a lot shorter.

American Psycho has been one of my faves.

I guess we aren't all 'Titanic' watchers...

I was actually cheering for the Iceberg.

Originally Posted by shido

Have you ever considered this: If they just dropped all the big titles now, what would they release next year?

The movies that are released next year, and the crap they are putting out now.

Paladin

[phranctoast]

my only compaint is movies should be released the same time on dvd and blu ray disc.

As for releasing "good" movies.... Thats all a matter of opinion. Maybe the movies you consider good are getting special features for the HD release so you feel less like your gettin double dipped.

[shido]

Originally Posted by Paladin

I was actually cheering for the Iceberg.



The movies that are released next year, and the crap they are putting out now.

Paladin

That's exactly my point. Truly great movies are few and far between now. That's why they gotta stagger things so people got something to look forward to.

[GoldenRedux]

I'm looking forward to Glory, The Da Vinci code, Reservoir Dogs and Lost Season 1 next year. Those have all been officially annunced. How about you?

[john_1958]

I disagree with Paladin
there are no bad movies On bluray he is being far to cynical and picky
maybe he perfers SD

[Zvi]

Originally Posted by john_1958

I disagree with Paladin
there are no bad movies On bluray he is being far to cynical and picky
maybe he perfers SD

Come on I am behind blu-ray 100% but all movies on BD are good? Unfortunately not. Besides it's a mater of taste. I for one, can't stand Syriana and Flightplan and many others ...