The Official Arrow Video Thread

[Ben_R]

Originally Posted by CouncilSpectre

I’m not sure where things go from here. Bar someone inventing a holodeck surely we’re hitting the limit of what the overwhelming majority will want/pay for.

*Cough* Laserdisc prices *Cough*

[Stewynewy]

Weak sauce this month. Standard Wolf 4k maybe, and Robin Hood standard as well (don't like the film enough for a super duper extreme limited edition).

[DAT_JB]

Originally Posted by Ste7en

With the impending cost of living crisis, I'm hoping that some labels will get their heads out of their arses and stop peddling tat-filled editions. Ditch the posters, ditch the postcards, just give us the bloody discs and knock a tenner off the price.

You know that there's a reason to why studios decide to do these editions for new releases?

[Bronson68]

Nothing for me. Arrow are becoming a seriously boring label lately.

[OnlyJapantown]

Originally Posted by Ste7en

With the impending cost of living crisis, I'm hoping that some labels will get their heads out of their arses and stop peddling tat-filled editions. Ditch the posters, ditch the postcards, just give us the bloody discs and knock a tenner off the price.

As someone who only buys standard editions (and usually on sale), if tat editions are what it takes for companies like Arrow to put these movies out at all, I'm fine with it. This is a very niche market and they have to keep the lights on.

[Blabliblo]

Originally Posted by Ste7en

With the impending cost of living crisis, I'm hoping that some labels will get their heads out of their arses and stop peddling tat-filled editions. Ditch the posters, ditch the postcards, just give us the bloody discs and knock a tenner off the price.

I know it's tough for people on a tight budget, but these LE releases have become more numerous over the years because the market overall, ie the average buyers for these titles/these labels, is more favorable towards these releases rather than standard ones (whether it's for good or bad reasons is a different matter).

The result is that it's most certainly easier for £25 releases with posters etc to quickly sell out 3000 copies than for £15 standard releases to do so. It's no wonder, in the present case, that a title like Robin Hood not only gets a LE, but multiple ones, and each is pricier rather than cheaper.

So as OnlyJapantown wrote, this issue is that "tat editions are what it takes for companies like Arrow to put these movies out at all". Otherwise, it'd probably be easier, quicker and possibly more profitable to do quick-and-simple releases.

[Bronson68]

Originally Posted by OnlyJapantown

As someone who only buys standard editions (and usually on sale), if tat editions are what it takes for companies like Arrow to put these movies out at all, I'm fine with it. This is a very niche market and they have to keep the lights on.

I generally wait for standard editions as well. I don't need a heavy bulky box with booklets and posters. I'm quite happy with just a slipcover. Easier to store as well.

[Markgway]

So four editions of Robin Hood - two Blu and two 4k - and all are LEs? Come on, Arrow! Release the standard editions at the same time. Then people have the choice. If customers want the LE they'll still buy it and those who don't wont have to wait until next year. And if they're worried about people not buying the "tat" editions what does that tell you about their lack of faith in that particular product? If the only reason people are buying the LEs is to get the film sooner (and not for the exclusive content) then Arrow are evidently doing it wrong.

[rapta]

Very strong month from Arrow. I'm definitely getting each of these titles at some point, so whether I pre-order or not is still undecided. Wincing a bit at The Wolf of Wall Street LE being £30, might've got it at £25 but I guess they went hard on the packaging and spread the extras over to a second disc (the film is 3 hours long, I've got to remember).

Never actually seen Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (I was generally allergic to Kostner when getting into film...remember half-watching The Postman and can't remember if I even finished it) but has loads of appeal now and looks like a great package, and I love Tony Stella's artwork so it'd be nice to get this LE. Again, undecided if I'll actually pre-order or not but if a sale rolls around I'll bite!

Very happy about the Dupieux (great artwork!). I didn't love Deerskin that much, but have enjoyed his previous films that I've seen such as Rubber, Wrong, and Wrong Cops. Perhaps Arrow might be able to get hold of Mandibles, for the UK at least?

Audrey Rose is a random one, but a welcome one as it shows they're still accessing the MGM library. The kind of title I'm surprised they didn't release 5+ years ago in fact!

Originally Posted by BarnDoor

Perhaps naive of me, but I actually do think that the Disney thing isn't that huge a deal. After all, isn't it likely that Second Sight was able to access The Flight of the Navigator elements via Disney? Providing Arrow have proof of ownership for a region, I don't really see the issue here.

I think the big issue is Michael Mann. A couple more reasons as to why this is a potentially exceptional case:

1) Arrow's release of Thief did not require any new work on Arrow's part, since the restoration was done elsewhere, so no approval from Mann was necessary. Indeed, given the lack of the theatrical cut on the Criterion release (which Mann did oversee), one wonders exactly what he'd make of Arrow's inclusion of it on their release. Similarly, 88's Miami Vice will use existing masters, so no need for Mann's approval there. If Arrow wanted to slap the existing masters on a disc or two and be done with it, I'm sure they could. But we know that's not their style (and a couple of those masters would be very old, DVD-era ones).

2) Any new restoration work - as is necessary with LOTM - would almost certainly draw Mann's attention (I believe they'd need his approval). How involved would he want to be beyond grading say? Would he allow all 3 cuts? Would he only allow one? Would he want to do a brand new cut, otherwise no deal? He may well have this power (which brings me to point 3)

3) In recent years, both Shout Factory and Kino have had The Keep under licence, but couldn't release it, since Mann would not allow a new transfer of the theatrical cut (there's no HD master), and apparently insisted on doing some kind of new cut (I guess the footage must still exist), which would cost a boutique label millions, so both dropped it. Shout had already worked with Mann on Manhunter, so there was no good will there. And Kino have said they're unlikely to pick up any more Mann films as a consequence.


So yeah, there's the issues. But of course, it could still happen. Like I said, perhaps Mann would have a more relaxed attitude to Mohicans. Indeed, perhaps his remit wouldn't extend to an overseas release, who knows?

You're right, Mann might be the main thing holding back a release but I think Arrow are a big enough company to negotiate with him. I'm hopeful we'll get something eventually, even if it is something like the Dune situation where we don't get exactly what we were expecting (though that was just a documentary, the actual restoration was superb).

Perhaps they shouldn't mention their successful collaboration(s) with another renowned Chicago filmmaker - William Friedkin - or he might just drop out altogether (if the recent Marc Maron podcast appearance is anything to go by at least, i.e. Mann's non-reaction when Maron mentioned Friedkin's name).

[tmjhur]

Originally Posted by BarnDoor

Perhaps naive of me, but I actually do think that the Disney thing isn't that huge a deal. After all, isn't it likely that Second Sight was able to access The Flight of the Navigator elements via Disney? Providing Arrow have proof of ownership for a region, I don't really see the issue here.

I think the big issue is Michael Mann. A couple more reasons as to why this is a potentially exceptional case:

1) Arrow's release of Thief did not require any new work on Arrow's part, since the restoration was done elsewhere, so no approval from Mann was necessary. Indeed, given the lack of the theatrical cut on the Criterion release (which Mann did oversee), one wonders exactly what he'd make of Arrow's inclusion of it on their release. Similarly, 88's Miami Vice will use existing masters, so no need for Mann's approval there. If Arrow wanted to slap the existing masters on a disc or two and be done with it, I'm sure they could. But we know that's not their style (and a couple of those masters would be very old, DVD-era ones).

2) Any new restoration work - as is necessary with LOTM - would almost certainly draw Mann's attention (I believe they'd need his approval). How involved would he want to be beyond grading say? Would he allow all 3 cuts? Would he only allow one? Would he want to do a brand new cut, otherwise no deal? He may well have this power (which brings me to point 3)

3) In recent years, both Shout Factory and Kino have had The Keep under licence, but couldn't release it, since Mann would not allow a new transfer of the theatrical cut (there's no HD master), and apparently insisted on doing some kind of new cut (I guess the footage must still exist), which would cost a boutique label millions, so both dropped it. Shout had already worked with Mann on Manhunter, so there was no good will there. And Kino have said they're unlikely to pick up any more Mann films as a consequence.


So yeah, there's the issues. But of course, it could still happen. Like I said, perhaps Mann would have a more relaxed attitude to Mohicans. Indeed, perhaps his remit wouldn't extend to an overseas release, who knows?

I came across a guy on twitter not so long ago who had a 4k scan of a 35mm reel of The Keep. Unfortunately they only seemed to be sharing it with IRL twitter friends as best as I could make out.

[rapta]

Originally Posted by tmjhur

I came across a guy on twitter not so long ago who had a 4k scan of a 35mm reel of The Keep. Unfortunately they only seemed to be sharing it with IRL twitter friends as best as I could make out.

I saw that too! I thought I had downloaded it, but maybe he didn't post the link publicly (I do follow a couple of people who upload rare titles they've scanned from the best sources, usually HK films, some of which get released later on by Eureka etc).

[Mike0284]

Originally Posted by tmjhur

I came across a guy on twitter not so long ago who had a 4k scan of a 35mm reel of The Keep. Unfortunately they only seemed to be sharing it with IRL twitter friends as best as I could make out.

Originally Posted by rapta

I saw that too! I thought I had downloaded it, but maybe he didn't post the link publicly (I do follow a couple of people who upload rare titles they've scanned from the best sources, usually HK films, some of which get released later on by Eureka etc).

This has been on Myspleen for almost 2 years.

[Cragworth]

TWOWS- Is this the first time Arrow have went with the original film artwork over their newly commissioned art for a product? I’m actually not sure if there is alternate artwork options with this product?

Edit - or to phrase this question better: Is this the first time Arrow has not commissioned new artwork for one of their releases?

[locomotive]

Bought the uhd blu ray combo of robin hood prince of thieves stellbook edition with all bells and whistles attached.
Loved this movie as a kid hopefull on the uhd the theatrical edition included

[bleedandtrim]

Originally Posted by Cragworth

TWOWS- Is this the first time Arrow have went with the original film artwork over their newly commissioned art for a product? I’m actually not sure if there is alternate artwork options with this product?

Edit - or to phrase this question better: Is this the first time Arrow has not commissioned new artwork for one of their releases?

The Academy release of Dark River only has theatrical art on both sides, think Departures too. Might've been more of a thing with Academy releases?

[CelestialAgent]

Originally Posted by rapta

Perhaps Arrow might be able to get hold of Mandibles, for the UK at least?

Altitude did a very limited theatrical/PVOD release in the UK last year, and I believe they’ve only licensed to Anti-Worlds (for Days of the Bagnold Summer).

[Mike0284]

Cauldron Films is releasing City of the Living Dead on 4K UHD.



Has Arrow hinted at their own 4K release?

[BudBaxter]

Found the original Warner blu of Robin Hood at a boot fair last week for £1. Loved the movie as a teenager, but hadn't seen it in years. Sad to say, Alan Rickman's performance & Michael Kamen's ace score aside, it did very little for me this time round. It hasn't aged too well IMHO.

That said, I'm curious to watch the new documentary. Hope it's as good (& as long) as the WaterWorld one. As far as I can tell, it's the only new extra.

According to the commentary, it was shot in 1.66:1. Wonder if the new restorations will be in that ratio?

& finally, very nice artwork for all the Robin Hood releases, including the Zavvi exclusives. Where was this guy when they were doing the Beavis & Butthead edition of True Romance?

[koberulz]

Originally Posted by Mike0284

This has been on Myspleen for almost 2 years.

Which is only helpful to people who have access to that...

[Anthony Thorne]

Just checked a much more well known cult movie torrent site and the same big THE KEEP file is there, along with an HDTV edition posted a couple of years earlier.