Scanners (1981)

[Beauvoir]

Day 1 purchase for me!

Not a fan of the cover though...

[nagysaudio]

I think the cover is awesome

[AKORIS]

finally!!!! now where's THE BROOD?????

[frogmeat69]

Originally Posted by jvorhees

I have the UK Second Sight steelbook release and was happy with the transfer, so Im in no rush to pick this up. B&N sale is when I will probably bite.

Same here, but very happy to see it finally being released here in the U.S.

[Hellraiserfan]

Originally Posted by nagysaudio

I think the cover is awesome

Same here. Just pre-ordered this a few minutes ago.

[ditcin]

Originally Posted by mar3o

Not by a long shot. It's bizarre, but I've seen a thousand covers worse than this. I think it's rather interesting, though very odd.

Bizarre is a good and kind phrase for it. Criterion is much too "high brow" to use the original artwork of a man screaming with eyes turn up into his head while his skin begins to burn - that kind of artwork is too much the Grade "B" style the film was originally considered.
The problem with Criterion's cover art is that it loses original logo identity associated with a given film. It's like, now this low-budget horror film made famous for a man's head blowing up is raised above it's exploitation theatrical release since Criterion has it; along with an inflated price tag and uber air. Really.
I still have the original Avco Embassy Pictures press kit and movie poster for the film, as well as the "give-away" pin, (I even had the tee-shirt that was a freebie from the Creation Convention), and the TV Spots (on Beta somewhere). It will always be the fun, cool, "man's head blowing up" movie" I saw with my friends.
- Scott B.

[HotRats]

The cover is certainly different, better than the lazy photoshop montages the majors use if nothing else. Triple dip time, I already bought the UK steelbook and then I bought the German as I prefer its colour balance

[Partyslammer]

Day one purchase for me as well. I remember seeing this on opening weekend and the mind blowing scene had the same effect on everyone ("AAAhhh, Ewww!") in the theater as similar classic shock effects in late 70's/early 80's films like Jaws, Alien, etc. Fine with the extras and having seen the recent HDTV broadcast of what must be the new transfer, I have no fear the transfer will be fine.

My only quibble is the art - Criterions "new" art for many of their releases has been very hit and miss for me the past few years - I think their art for Gojira/Godzilla is terrible for instance. The art for this release *is* interesting and I "get it," but it absolutely doesn't connect with the overall mood or look of the film.

Regarding Cronenbergs earlier sci-fi/horror films, I agree Rabid is an under appreciated little gem. Shivers is good and as noted has some decent gore/scares in it but I'd rate it below The Brood and Rabid. It's interesting no one's yet mentioned Spider as among Cronenbergs' worst (or best for that matter).

[grrrarg]

Finally!!

Can't wait to get this.

That is some wacky cover art though!

Fortunately the release falls during the B&N July 50% off sale too! Well, it better, or I'll be going around the store scanning

[ghostwhowalks]

I quite like the cover. My UK steelbook has the theatrical artwork anyway.

[Jutty]

Originally Posted by Hubunkey

Criterion should have used this poster

I gotta agree,this would've been great if they had used it as the cover art

[JoeBuck]

I must be in an alternate universe, people hating on that cover art???
I think its great!
Also, Scanners is WAY better than Shivers and Rabid I thought. Also better than Existenz (which is still quite good even though its just Videodrome with video games instead of tv) and Spider (zzZzzZ). I just caught this and The Brood on 35mm this weekend and thought there wasn't a dull moment in the entire film.
Is Stephen Lack a wooden actor? Sure, but I wouldn't go as far as calling him terrible either he just wasn't very good. Michael Ironside COMPLETELY makes up for him
I'm really excited for this release and hope that we get The Brood in October!

[klauswhereareyou]

Hopefully at some point we'll get all of Cronenberg's films from his golden age (1974-1988) on blu ray.

[rickah88]

I might just order the UK steelbook, and pop this disc inside.

[demonknight]

Originally Posted by klauswhereareyou

Hopefully at some point we'll get all of Cronenberg's films from his golden age (1974-1988) on blu ray.

I wish Criterion could get Dead Ringers from WB.

[THUNDERSTRUCK]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

Strange how there was so much hype for this release and now that it's here, people are sh*tting on the movie. Haven't seen it myself, just observing.

I noticed the same thing about Tourist Trap.

[jimbo87400]

Originally Posted by HorrorBlu

Hopefully The Brood isn't far behind.

Good to hear someone else appreciates that flick. lol ...Howard Shore's score is brilliant!

[Torchur]

YES!

[balthazar_bee]

Originally Posted by JoeBuck

I must be in an alternate universe, people hating on that cover art???
I think its great!

Agreed. Love it.

[MifuneFan]

I like the color schemes used in the cover, but not really the image as a whole. I don't hate it though. Part of me (maybe the kid part?) wishes that it was a glow in the dark cover