Santa Claus : The Movie - October 26, 2010

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by Steelmaker

Great. They can't put out Halloween 2 or Jaws on blu ray but we get Santa Clause the frickin' movie!

That's EXACTLY what others like you said ten years ago when Anchor Bay put the definitive "Supergirl" on SD--
I, however, take the stance that while I may not always approve of 80's post-Superman Alexander & Ilya Salkind, I will defend to the death Anchor Bay's right to release it.

[bboisvert]

Originally Posted by Steelmaker

Great. They can't put out Halloween 2 or Jaws on blu ray but we get Santa Clause the frickin' movie!

Since Universal has nothing to do with Santa Claus The Movie, you're really comparing apples and oranges.

(And, if I were a betting man, I'd say that both of the titles you mention will hit in late 2011.)

[kdo]

Originally Posted by Imrahil2001

I dunno, but I'd suggest renting it first. That's probably what I'll do.

I always -remember- this movie fondly, but when I sit down to watch it I seem to recall finding it embarrassingly bad. So I'll probably just rent the BD and see what's what.

I love this movie, so even if the transfer isn't up to par, I'd still own it for the bonus material that's not on the DVD (like the deleted scenes, and 'making of courtroom scene' featurette)...but for many, rental might be a good idea.

Originally Posted by Steelmaker

Great. They can't put out Halloween 2 or Jaws on blu ray but we get Santa Clause the frickin' movie!

People have different tastes in film . I'd pay $100 for this one before I gave you a nickel for "Jaws" or "Halloween 2."

Originally Posted by Beast

I know, it's great isn't it! Awesome movie. But if it's missing the commentary and such, I'll stick to my DVD.

It seems that the only feature missing from the Blu is the Jeannot Szwarc / Scott Michael Bosco commentary...but that's a big, big loss ...it's an outstanding track in my opinion. I'll be keeping my DVD for sure!

Originally Posted by Gandalf Stormcrow

I'd get it if it were the Tim Allen release.

I knew that would be coming from somebody ...

I got a kick out of the Tim Allen film myself, but it was nowhere near as magical as this film IMO...

Originally Posted by EricJ

That's EXACTLY what others like you said ten years ago when Anchor Bay put the definitive "Supergirl" on SD--
I, however, take the stance that while I may not always approve of 80's post-Superman Alexander & Ilya Salkind, I will defend to the death Anchor Bay's right to release it.

What about "Superman III" ??? That came out before this film, and if anything, I'd say "Santa Claus" was a major redemption for them in that regard.

I do agree with you though, in this one being released ...

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by bboisvert

Since Universal has nothing to do with Santa Claus The Movie, you're really comparing apples and oranges.

Agreed. Lionsgate can only release what they have the rights to.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by kdo

It seems that the only feature missing from the Blu is the Jeannot Szwarc / Scott Michael Bosco commentary...but that's a big, big loss ...it's an outstanding track in my opinion. I'll be keeping my DVD for sure!

There's no official mention of it "missing", it's just not mentioned on back--
I'll wait for the carved-in-stone review to see whether LG didn't have rights to it, as it's harder to remove features from an up-dump than to lazily leave them in.

What about "Superman III" ??? That came out before this film, and if anything, I'd say "Santa Claus" was a major redemption for them in that regard.
I do agree with you though, in this one being released ...

That's Warner/DC's superhero jurisdiction. (And helpful from a biographical standpoint in illustrating the highs and lows of Richard Pryor's career.)

Now, if you'd said "Christopher Columbus: the Discovery" (which still hasn't made it out of VHS), that would be more of an issue, but I stand by my ideals.

[bboisvert]

Originally Posted by EricJ

Now, if you'd said "Christopher Columbus: the Discovery" (which still hasn't made it out of VHS), that would be more of an issue, but I stand by my ideals.

"Joys" (?) of having a region-free player.

CC: The Discovery has several Region 2 DVD versions (Danish, Swedish, etc.)

[kdo]

Originally Posted by EricJ

There's no official mention of it "missing", it's just not mentioned on back--
I'll wait for the carved-in-stone review to see whether LG didn't have rights to it, as it's harder to remove features from an up-dump than to lazily leave them in.

True, though it "officially" wasn't on the UK Blu (of which this Lionsgate release seems to mimic)...

That's Warner/DC's superhero jurisdiction. (And helpful from a biographical standpoint in illustrating the highs and lows of Richard Pryor's career.)

Now, if you'd said "Christopher Columbus: the Discovery" (which still hasn't made it out of VHS), that would be more of an issue, but I stand by my ideals.

Fair enough about "Superman III" ...to be honest, I always loved the scenes where he'd turned bad and was getting drunk at the bar...and yes, while it might've been a lowpoint for Richard Pryor, it still needs to be remembered that, without him, "Superman" might've been killed!

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by kdo

Fair enough about "Superman III" ...to be honest, I always loved the scenes where he'd turned bad and was getting drunk at the bar...and yes, while it might've been a lowpoint for Richard Pryor, it still needs to be remembered that, without him, "Superman" might've been killed!

Actually, Pryor was still a major box-office star at the time--As Pryor's trying to get away from his Angry demons by "escaping" into harmless poor-shlub 80's family comedies hadn't taken hold yet, and "The Toy" hadn't even been released when the Salkinds cast him.
The S3 working script title was originally "Superman vs. Superman", and played up the junkyard battle--But the programmer role was eventually expanded after producers saw Pryor's "Man, did you see that Superman movie?" routine on Johnny Carson, and wanted to write it into the script.

(Like I said: No matter how bad an 80's-Salkind movie is, you just have to put it in perspective. )

[kdo]

Originally Posted by EricJ

Actually, Pryor was still a major box-office star at the time--As Pryor's trying to get away from his Angry demons by "escaping" into harmless poor-shlub 80's family comedies hadn't taken hold yet, and "The Toy" hadn't even been released when the Salkinds cast him.
The S3 working script title was originally "Superman vs. Superman", and played up the junkyard battle--But the programmer role was eventually expanded after producers saw Pryor's "Man, did you see that Superman movie?" routine on Johnny Carson, and wanted to write it into the script.

Oh absolutely, no doubt about that...I just don't know that his role in "Superman III," while memorable, would be considered one of his best.

(Like I said: No matter how bad an 80's-Salkind movie is, you just have to put it in perspective. )

I agree.

[spearce8]

Is this US release gonna be the same then as last yr's UK one then?

[kdo]

Originally Posted by spearce8

Is this US release gonna be the same then as last yr's UK one then?

As of now it appears that way...I should have the disc in hand tomorrow...

I was hoping we'd get a review on the site for this one before it was released, but we haven't yet.

[kdo]

Got my copy and took a look a brief look at the disc last night...Avoid at all costs!!! One of the worst Blu-ray's I've seen...no commentary (verified), the new bonus features (or at least to the U.S.) aren't even worth bothering with. I could go on and on about the discs shortcomings, but don't have time right now. Stay with the previous widescreen DVD edition.

[spearce8]

Originally Posted by Imrahil2001

Interesting. Not even an improvement in image quality?

Well if this US release is the same as last yr's UK one, then this may be of interest:

http://www.dvdactive.com/reviews/dvd...the-movie.html


Me, I've just purchased from HMV.co.uk, for under £5 delivered, can't complain at that price.

[SonOfArathorn]

One of the favorite movies from my childhood, it doesn't holdup nearly as well as A Christmas Story or Scrooged for me but it's still a must own, my little girl loves it so if for no other reason than that I will get it.

[WJWS Channel 13:Amity]

Originally Posted by kdo

Got my copy and took a look a brief look at the disc last night...Avoid at all costs!!! One of the worst Blu-ray's I've seen...no commentary (verified), the new bonus features (or at least to the U.S.) aren't even worth bothering with. I could go on and on about the discs shortcomings, but don't have time right now. Stay with the previous widescreen DVD edition.

SO what are your thoughts about the picture and sound?
I recieved it the day of release paid 13.99 on amazon
I feel it was worth every penny. I was happy with the picture and sound.
considering how this was shot i think the disc looks decent.

[kdo]

Originally Posted by Imrahil2001

Interesting. Not even an improvement in image quality?

Originally Posted by backgroundactorman

SO what are your thoughts about the picture and sound?
I recieved it the day of release paid 13.99 on amazon
I feel it was worth every penny. I was happy with the picture and sound.
considering how this was shot i think the disc looks decent.

The HD resolution does improve detail, but in my opinion the transfer appears to have been brightened and contrast boosted, resulting in an image whose colors seem heavily oversaturated (sometimes hideously so) in many scenes. This was a reservation I had when I first saw screencaps of the U.K. Blu, of which this U.S. release is a direct port. My viewing experience only confirmed those suspicions, and I feel this Blu is way off in terms of its video presentation. I did see this film in the theater when it was initially released, and I can honestly say that the previous Anchor Bay U.S. DVD release was much closer to the theatrical experience I remember.

The PCM audio is nothing to write home about, it sounds 'muffled' and bland to me, and I found it inferior to both the DVD's 5.1 and 2.0 audio tracks.

This release, coupled with my somewhat bitter-sweet "Back to the Future" experience, has just about put me over the edge regarding my faith in future Blu-ray transfers, almost to the point of opting to forego replacing the remaining DVD titles I have left. I'm going to give this one another watch when I get a chance, but usually my first impression serves me well, and I have a strong feeling I'm going to be just as sick to my stomach, as I was a week ago when I initially viewed it.

[bboisvert]

Oddly enough, according to this review:
http://www.dvdizzy.com/santaclaus.html
the DVD edition *does* contain the commentary.

WTF? Why did they drop it from the BD?

[Beast]

Originally Posted by bboisvert

Oddly enough, according to this review:
http://www.dvdizzy.com/santaclaus.html
the DVD edition *does* contain the commentary.

WTF? Why did they drop it from the BD?

Space or licensing reasons.

[bboisvert]

Originally Posted by Beast

Space or licensing reasons.

Well, those would be the obvious, generic answers to a question like this... but it's just a commentary. I have trouble believing that there isn't space for it.

And licensing was my assumption from the start. Until, that is, I found out Lionsgate put it on their new DVD. How can it be a licensing issue if they released it to DVD?

[kdo]

Originally Posted by bboisvert

Oddly enough, according to this review:
http://www.dvdizzy.com/santaclaus.html
the DVD edition *does* contain the commentary.

WTF? Why did they drop it from the BD?

Originally Posted by bboisvert

Well, those would be the obvious, generic answers to a question like this... but it's just a commentary. I have trouble believing that there isn't space for it.

And licensing was my assumption from the start. Until, that is, I found out Lionsgate put it on their new DVD. How can it be a licensing issue if they released it to DVD?

If you read closely over that review you linked, it's quite obvious that Lionsgate took the cheapest possible route on this title. They simply recycled the original Anchor Bay DVD release yet again for the new 25th anniversary DVD, and ported over the crappy U.K. transfer for the Blu release here in the U.S. (instead of remastering it). That's why the bonus features, as well as the audio options, are different in comparing the DVD to the Blu.