The Lift (1983) / Amsterdamned (1988) (Collector's Editions)

[Pieter V]

Originally Posted by Trekkie313

$40...is there a normal Blu-ray coming?

Perhaps. Maybe the price will drop?

[ravenus]

I saw Amsterdamned on DVD the other day and it turned out a pretty damn good slasher-meets-action thriller, with some bravura set-pieces (including a lengthy but exciting speedboat chase through the city canals), and Dick Maas' own synth compositions sit well with the film's tone. I think I'm going to be keeping my eye out on this one.

[bruce holecheck]

THE LIFT is due this October!

THE LIFT Limited Edition is coming October 10th!

A New Kind Of Horror Lurks In The Shadows Of The Lift…

There is something very wrong with the elevator in a stylish office high-rise. The passengers never end up on the floor of their choice. They end up dead! When Felix, an inquisitive repairman, investigates the faulty deathtrap, he discovers that something other than malfunctioning machinery is to blame. Some dark, distorted power has gained control of the elevator for its own evil design. After his horrifying discovery is given the shaft by the authorities, he joins a nosy female journalist to battle the unholy force inside THE LIFT!

Huub Stapel (AMSTERDAMNED) and Willeke van Ammelrooy (ANTONIA’S LINE) star in this chilling cult classic from Writer/Director Dick Maas (SAINT), who also composed the score and later helmed the 2001 English-language remake, DOWN (aka THE SHAFT). Long unavailable on U.S. home video, Blue Underground now proudly presents THE LIFT in a brand-new 2K restoration from the original negative, approved by Dick Maas!

Extras:
• Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Dick Maas and Editor Hans van Dongen
• Going Up – Interview with Star Huub Stapel
• “Long Distance” – Short Film by Dick Maas
• Dutch Trailer
• U.S. Trailer
• Poster & Still Gallery
• BONUS Collectable Booklet with new essay by writer and filmmaker Chris Alexander (First Pressing Only!)
• WORLD PREMIERE of brand new 2K restoration from the original Dutch negative approved by Dick Maas
• Exclusive Limited Collector’s Edition includes Blu-ray, DVD, bonus collectable booklet, reversible sleeve, and special packaging

Video Specs: Widescreen 1.66:1/16x9
Blu-ray Audio Specs: Dutch: 5.1 DTS-HD; Dutch, English: 2.0 DTS-HD
DVD Audio Specs: Dutch: 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround EX; Dutch, English: Dolby Digital Stereo
Optional Subtitles: English for Dutch Audio, English SDH, Spanish
ALL REGIONS

[bruce holecheck]

Maas' DOWN (2001) is due the same day!

DOWN Limited Edition is also coming October 10th!

You May Want to Take the Stairs…

When the express elevators in New York City’s 102-story Millennium Building start to malfunction, elevator mechanics Mark (James Marshall of TWIN PEAKS) and Jeff (Eric Thal of THE PUPPET MASTERS) are sent to find the cause. After a series of gruesome and deadly “accidents” occur, Mark joins forces with spunky reporter Jennifer (Naomi Watts of THE RING), who’s on the hunt for a juicy story. As the death toll rises and the building is sealed off amid claims of terrorism, Mark and Jennifer attempt to unravel the horrifying secret behind the mysterious behavior of the bloodthirsty lift before it takes them – and the entire city – DOWN!

Michael Ironside (SCANNERS), Edward Herrmann (THE LOST BOYS), Dan Hedaya (COMMANDO), and Ron Perlman (HELLBOY) co-star in this big-budget remake of THE LIFT helmed by original Writer/Director Dick Maas (AMSTERDAMNED). Previously released on home video in a cropped full-frame transfer as THE SHAFT, Blue Underground is now proud to present DOWN in a brand-new widescreen 2K restoration from the original negative, approved by Dick Maas!

Extras:
• Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Dick Maas and Stunt Coordinator Willem de Beukelaer
• The Making of DOWN
• Behind-the-Scenes Footage (2.5 hours) [Blu-ray Exclusive]
• Theatrical Trailer
• Teaser Trailers
• Poster & Still Gallery
• BONUS Collectable Booklet with new essay by author Michael Gingold (First Pressing Only!)

• Writer/Director Dick Maas’ big-budget remake of THE LIFT finally arrives on U.S. home video in widescreen for the first time ever!
• WORLD PREMIERE of brand new 2K restoration from the original negative approved by Dick Maas
• Exclusive Limited Collector’s Edition includes Blu-ray, DVD, bonus collectable booklet, reversible sleeve, and special packaging

Video Specs: Widescreen 2.35:1/16x9
Blu-ray Audio Specs: English, French: 5.1 DTS-HD; English, French: Dolby Digital Stereo
DVD Audio Specs: English, French: 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround EX; English, French: Dolby Digital Stereo
Optional Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
ALL REGIONS

[Pieter V]

[Pieter V]

[Pieter V]

AMSTERDAMNED Blu-ray Promo - Blue Underground - YouTube

Finally a better look at the Blu-ray transfer, instead of that simple upscaled trailer. Now this looks good.

[raybestos]

Wow! I'm 100% in for a release-day purchase on all three titles. Finally English-friendly versions (and, in proper OAR) of these. Only been waiting 30+ years!

My fears of DE LIFT transfer being artifically boosted seem to be unfounded.

DOWN was a worthy sequel, and received a botched (P&S only!) DVD release in the US some 15 years ago. It will be great to see it again, properly in wonderful 1080p. One little worry: Will having 2.5 hours (!) of behind-scenes footage be overkill, and perhaps steal needed bitrate from the main feature. Hopefully not, and a BD50 will certainly be needed in any case since DOWN is a 110-minute film.

[Pieter V]

Price drops:

https://www.amazon.com/The-Lift-Blu-...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

https://www.amazon.com/Amsterdamned-...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

[Pieter V]

https://twitter.com/WildGeraas/statu...52976413679616

[brettxwt]

$40!?!? I'd love to see the Lift again in HD, but not for that kind of money. This is like a bottom of the barrel low priority title for me honestly, I used to like this movie when I was a kid and I'd like to add it to my collection but not at that price especially when there are so many titles I still need.

[Member-222782]

Originally Posted by brettxwt

$40!?!? I'd love to see the Lift again in HD, but not for that kind of money. This is like a bottom of the barrel low priority title for me honestly, I used to like this movie when I was a kid and I'd like to add it to my collection but not at that price especially when there are so many titles I still need.

Blue Underground doesn't think its "bottom of the barrel" - they're not charging bottom of the barrel prices. You can relax - it's currently $24.04 on Amazon.

[brettxwt]

Originally Posted by Cinema74

Blue Underground doesn't think its "bottom of the barrel"

I know, hence I said it's a bottom of the barrel title for me

Originally Posted by Cinema74

it's currently $24.04 on Amazon.

Ah, okay. I saw Trekkie saying $40 and I jumped the gun, but for $24 and change I will pick this up. Thank you!

[hYPE]

Any of these titles worth a blind buy?

[Pieter V]

Blu-ray ALL America - Blue Underground
Blu-ray DVD Combo Pack
Extras: DISC ONE (Blu-ray)
*The Film
Audio commentary with director Dick Maas, editor Hans van Dongen and moderator David Gregory
"The Making of Amsterdamned" featurette (36:15)
"Tales from the Canal" featurette (8:38)
"Damned Stuntwork" featurette (18:12)
Loïs Lane "Amsterdamned" music video
Still gallery of poster and video art and lobby cards
Trailers:
- Dutch
- American

http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparison....php?fid=43441

[hYPE]

Originally Posted by Pieter V

AMSTERDAMNED 1080p HD Movie Trailer - Blue Underground - YouTube

Ok, I'm all in after seeing this trailer!

[Arlington]

The Lift is down to $19.90 before tax on Amazon; hopefully Down and Amsterdamned will follow...both still around $25/28.

[NoirFan]

If BU are going to continue charging a higher, $40 list-price, they need to get their encoding problems together. You shouldn't be asking a premium price if you can't deliver a premium product. People in the dedicated BU thread have been pointing out the compression problems with Amsterdamned, so let's hope these other two will be properly encoded.

[Pieter V]

I don't have Twitter. But if someone could send Dick Maas a message, that Amsterdamned suffers from bad encoding, maybe Dick Maas could look at it?

https://twitter.com/wildgeraas

For years Dick Maas is complaining how bad his movies got treated. Now he finally is involved and the new 2K scan looks great, now Blue Underground blows it at the end of the chain.

[The Great Owl]

I've pre-ordered The Lift. This looks like a blind buy that will be right up my alley.

I'm biding my time when it comes to Amsterdamned, but that one is a strong candidate for my collection as well.