Godzilla Films on Blu-ray (U.S. and International Releases)

[monwobbbo]

Originally Posted by KCota15

If Criterion can do excellent restorations for the Zatiochi set and see that as profitable enough, I can easily see them doing a huge Godzilla set.

the licensing fee was likely fairly low on those. the appeal is to a different crowd as well. joe smoe didn't buy those as an impulse purchase. Godzilla is a hot item now so it won't be a cheap endeavor.

[Rzzzz]

Originally Posted by monwobbbo

dude i'm not talking about hardcore fans of which i realize there are a bunch of. again i'm talking joe average that likes the movies but isn't going to sink that kind of money into them. i guarantee that the number of people willing to sink say $10 a piece into the Godzilla catalog is much higher than those willing to pay Criterion prices. i know the sale but again you have to know about that and take the time to find out when and be patient. many won't do that. all i'm saying is that while having Criterion put them out is great they may not be the best to do it for the reasons i mentioned. selling to die hard fans is easy going beyond that isn't.

NOTLD was mentioned and i would be willing to bet that the Mill Creek version will outsell the Criterion version by a fairly wide margin. it's out now and as was mentioned in it's thread can be found (in some but not all ) walmart blu bins cheap. causal fans make up the majority of buyers thats just the way it is.

ok just gave an opinion and am tired of being killed for it. i feel i backed up my thoughts. disagree well fine. glad the movies will finally get released

Couldn't disagree more.....

[monwobbbo]

Originally Posted by Rzzzz

Couldn't disagree more.....

how bout why? this is a discussion and i'm certainly open to other views.

[Rzzzz]

Originally Posted by Partyslammer

I have to agree that releasing *all* the Shōwa era Godzilla films (even excepting KK vs G) would overall very likely not be profitable for Criterion. Coupled with the typical Criterion price and Toho's licensing fees and often crippling restrictions, I would be floored if Criterion went with the entire series through the 70's. Especially if they put them all out at the same time.

On the other hand, I do agree there's a niche market for at least the better, most popular films if done with care and loaded with extras but as the Tokyo Shock/Destroy All Monsters BD debacle proved, Toho is not cool with home video releases outside Japan that are better then their own releases.

Thus, the most likely scenario I can see is Criterion releasing a few more key films from that era - Mothra vs Godzilla (which they came close to doing back in the laserdisc era), Ghidorah and maybe Monster Zero but I don't see a market for films that have already been released in the US on BD by Kraken (still easily found) or Tokyo Shock, nor do I see a few of the lesser titles like Godzilla's Revenge doing well for them.

A Criterion box set with any kind of extras comprising the 13 remaining films (excluding Gojira and KK vs G) would probably have to be priced at least $300 and probably closer to $400 and probably be some sort of very limited release, all things that fall outside Criterion's normal business model.

A lot of the movies being released by Criterion, Kino, Olive, Arrow and others these days are selling for one reason...nostalgia. I grew up watching these on TV in the 60's and these are the kind movies I will keep buying as long as there are better versions released. I won't even count how many dips I'm doing. I think most hardcore blu ray collectors are older like me, my kids laugh at me because I still burn CDs and buy blu rays. I am convinced if Criterion releases these they will sell a hell of a lot more than that stupid mermaid movie they just released.....

[MechaGodzilla]

Originally Posted by Partyslammer

Amazon Japan. You need to figure out navigating the site in Japanese but it's basically the same layout as the US Amazon site.

Actually, you can change the language to English. Makes it much simpler.

Look right under the search bar to the right and you see a little "JP", move the cursor over it and voila.

[Smegma]

Originally Posted by monwobbbo

NOTLD was mentioned and i would be willing to bet that the Mill Creek version will outsell the Criterion version by a fairly wide margin. it's out now and as was mentioned in it's thread can be found (in some but not all ) walmart blu bins cheap. causal fans make up the majority of buyers thats just the way it is.

I don't really see what one has to do with the other. Sure, Mill Creek may sell 20x's the number of NOTLD discs than Criterion, (considering they might be $5 in every Walmart bin in the country.) Regardless, that will not change the fact that Criterion's version will be a huge seller for them. I don't think viability is contingent on being the one company that sells the most units... rather, just selling enough discs to make a handsome profit is enough. Different markets, different price points, but still absolutely financially worth the effort for Criterion to release Night of the Living Dead and the Godzilla films.

[monwobbbo]

Originally Posted by Rzzzz

A lot of the movies being released by Criterion, Kino, Olive, Arrow and others these days are selling for one reason...nostalgia. I grew up watching these on TV in the 60's and these are the kind movies I will keep buying as long as there are better versions released. I won't even count how many dips I'm doing. I think most hardcore blu ray collectors are older like me, my kids laugh at me because I still burn CDs and buy blu rays. I am convinced if Criterion releases these they will sell a hell of a lot more than that stupid mermaid movie they just released.....

i agree with some of this. i still buy movies and CDs and am an older guy. i do think you will find that only the most hardcore guys will just keep dipping though. i certainly don't see myself rebuying Smog or Gigan again and am hard pressed to pay real money for Revenge or Son. i've been buying since 8mm movies but it's getting harder and harder to keep rebuying the same material. at some point "good enough" comes in. i know i'm not the only one. i'm sure the licensing fee for that "stupid" mermaid movie was much lower than Toho wants for Godzilla. this has been my point. the number of hardcore fans is limited but the fanbase is much bigger if the price is right.

[Johnny Chingas]

I own brand new Son of Godzilla and vs Mecha if anybody is interested. Still in wrapper and security sticker.

[monwobbbo]

Originally Posted by Smegma

I don't really see what one has to do with the other. Sure, Mill Creek may sell 20x's the number of NOTLD discs than Criterion, (considering they might be $5 in every Walmart bin in the country.) Regardless, that will not change the fact that Criterion's version will be a huge seller for them. I don't think viability is contingent on being the one company that sells the most units... rather, just selling enough discs to make a handsome profit is enough. Different markets, different price points, but still absolutely financially worth the effort for Criterion to release Night of the Living Dead and the Godzilla films.

i didn't bring up NOTLD to begin with so that was a response to another poster. now where you are wrong on this is that if the cheaper version wasn't available a certain percentage of those who bought the cheaper one may have bought the more expensive version. many only will buy if cheap enough. from a business standpoint selling more and making more profit is the goal. NOTLD has more potential to sell as it is considered a classic so even folks that likely wouldn't buy any number of other zombie films will buy this. aside from the first Godzilla film the rest aren't exactly held as high art if you know what i mean. again the Criterion version sold to not just Godzilla fans but to fans of great films who again likely wouldn't touch Godzilla's Revenge with a 10 foot pole.

[Joseph Goodman]

Originally Posted by Rory

What's the best way to get this Japanese KKvsG Blu-ray?

Keep in mind that Toho's KKvsG Blu-Ray predates the complete 4k restoration, which premiered in 2016. On the Toho Blu-Ray, quite a few shots in the first reel use Universal's Blu-Ray master, and even a few bits of the old 1991 Toho laserdisc master. The rest of of the film is very dark, and some parts are color graded to an ugly reddish brown. Fortunately, for the 4k restoration, Toho was able to locate all the camera negative trims for the first reel, so the whole film is of a consistent quality. The 4k restoration has aired on Japanese satellite channels, but no Blu-Ray has been announced yet.

[Rory]

OK, thanks. I'll wait. I have a feeling something is coming in the next few years anyway, and I also have a feeling that after seeing the original Japanese version, I may actually prefer the US version.

[ltb2.0]

Originally Posted by MechaGodzilla

Actually, you can change the language to English. Makes it much simpler.

Look right under the search bar to the right and you see a little "JP", move the cursor over it and voila.

And to think I have been doing things the hard way all this time.

Thanks for that awesome tip.

[Vlad Draculi]

Originally Posted by Dragon Ranger

Always a pleasure to meet a fellow Burai fan

I know this is OT, but did you pick up the Megaranger DVD set that came out last week?

Originally Posted by monwobbbo

dude i'm not talking about hardcore fans of which i realize there are a bunch of. again i'm talking joe average that likes the movies but isn't going to sink that kind of money into them. i guarantee that the number of people willing to sink say $10 a piece into the Godzilla catalog is much higher than those willing to pay Criterion prices. i know the sale but again you have to know about that and take the time to find out when and be patient. many won't do that. all i'm saying is that while having Criterion put them out is great they may not be the best to do it for the reasons i mentioned. selling to die hard fans is easy going beyond that isn't.

The problem is that only hardcore fans are the ones who are going to be buying Godzilla movies on video to begin with. The average joe looks down upon Godzilla due to piss poor dubs that made these movies (and tons of other Japanese stuff) into nothing more than mockery material.

Criterion will be selling to the die hard fans and only the die hard fans. It doesn't matter if they do a box set or not, we will buy them regardless.

You also have to think that Toho's movies from 40+ years ago don't have the same licensing costs as something done in the last decade.

[monwobbbo]

Originally Posted by Vlad Draculi

I know this is OT, but did you pick up the Megaranger DVD set that came out last week?



The problem is that only hardcore fans are the ones who are going to be buying Godzilla movies on video to begin with. The average joe looks down upon Godzilla due to piss poor dubs that made these movies (and tons of other Japanese stuff) into nothing more than mockery material.

Criterion will be selling to the die hard fans and only the die hard fans. It doesn't matter if they do a box set or not, we will buy them regardless.

You also have to think that Toho's movies from 40+ years ago don't have the same licensing costs as something done in the last decade.

sorry but joe average does buy godzilla movies. plenty of people remember Godzilla from their youth and enjoy the films. those people have kids and pass it on. while they are fans they won't spend big bucks. as for Toho well they have proven over and over that what you surmise is incorrect and have been a pain in the ass when it comes to licensing. the older titles are the most desirable and they know it.

yes die hard fans will buy Criterion Godzilla titles (and other Toho kaiju flicks) but i just wonder if there are enough of us to really make it profitable for them.

[bigshot]

The dubs didn't make a mockery of the films. The older films were tongue in cheek to begin with, and the dubs just make them better for American audiences. Can you imagine seeing the Pippi Longstocking films in the original Norwegian with subtitles? No thanks! And I want my early "man in a monster suit" Godzilla movies with the cheesy 60s and 70s dubs too.

We old farts remember watching these on Chiller Theater on TV. But the 20 somethings have fond memories of these films from seeing them on cable in the mid 90s. Godzilla movies are more popular than you might think.

[Smegma]

Oh the American dubs are the way to go.
That's the nostalgic appeal for me.

[Marshall Crist]

Originally Posted by bigshot

Can you imagine seeing the Pippi Longstocking films in the original Norwegian with subtitles? No thanks!

This is actually a holy grail of mine.*

*I believe they were in Swedish.

[monkeyjb1988]

Originally Posted by Partyslammer

The Japanese Blu-ray has both the original Japanese edit of the film as well as the truncated "Champion Festival" cut which was released theatrically in Japan in the early 70's. Interestingly, the Champion Fest version is a markedly better looking print than the original cut.

I did NOT know that. Something to investigate. I'm willing to bet that I'd prefer the original cut since I'm sure the shorter cut would cut out some of the story scenes. All I know is that, before the 4K restoration was done, the Champion cut was the base for the Japanese blu-ray, with help from Universal's master for high quality scenes not in the Champion cut.

Originally Posted by KCota15

If Criterion can do excellent restorations for the Zatiochi set and see that as profitable enough, I can easily see them doing a huge Godzilla set.

That is true. They even did 2nd pressing. However...

Originally Posted by monwobbbo

the licensing fee was likely fairly low on those. the appeal is to a different crowd as well. joe smoe didn't buy those as an impulse purchase. Godzilla is a hot item now so it won't be a cheap endeavor.

This. Toho knows they can't charge as much for the blind swordsman as the city smashing lizard. Plus, and I may be wrong, Criterion would also have to go through the companies that ALREADY have the US rights to those films, something I don't think was a problem for Zatochi (or if it was, not AS big a problem).

Originally Posted by Vlad Draculi

I know this is OT, but did you pick up the Megaranger DVD set that came out last week?

The problem is that only hardcore fans are the ones who are going to be buying Godzilla movies on video to begin with. The average joe looks down upon Godzilla due to piss poor dubs that made these movies (and tons of other Japanese stuff) into nothing more than mockery material.

Criterion will be selling to the die hard fans and only the die hard fans. It doesn't matter if they do a box set or not, we will buy them regardless.

You also have to think that Toho's movies from 40+ years ago don't have the same licensing costs as something done in the last decade.

Preorder my Megaranger set from Shout and had it mid October. Looks as decent as it can, being from tape masters.

I forgot to quote them, but someone made the point that the films were just as tongue in cheek as their English dubs. Don't get me wrong, I prefer the Japanese language and not ALL the films were like that.

As for Average Joe buying Criterion Godzilla releases... I don't think Average Joe buys Criterion releases period. To be fair, Criterion usually releases art house, fancy, and foreign films most studios wouldn't even touch. Criterion floored me when they released the 1st Godzilla film (and Fantastic Mr. Fox for that matter). If any thing, any potential Godzilla releases would be Criterion's best chance to get Average Joe. Whether they can do it without dubs, who knows, although as I typed that I just remembered Godzilla got Raymond Burr's version and Lone Wolf & Cub also got it's US version as well.

In short, if these get Criterion releases, Criterion is probably confident they'll get a return on their investment. I personally think they'd have better luck with single releases, but who knows?

[Vlad Draculi]

Originally Posted by bigshot

The dubs didn't make a mockery of the films. The older films were tongue in cheek to begin with, and the dubs just make them better for American audiences. Can you imagine seeing the Pippi Longstocking films in the original Norwegian with subtitles? No thanks! And I want my early "man in a monster suit" Godzilla movies with the cheesy 60s and 70s dubs too.

I wasn't just referring to Godzilla dubs though. I was referring to most things that were Japanese getting horrific dubs like Dynaman (which onlyu last 8 episodes, but that was enough damage). Now people look at Japanese Tokusatsu films and shows and only see jokes.

We old farts remember watching these on Chiller Theater on TV. But the 20 somethings have fond memories of these films from seeing them on cable in the mid 90s. Godzilla movies are more popular than you might think.

Oh I know. I was watching the movies on Monstervision every Labor Day and Memorial Day when I was growing up in the 90s. It doesn't mean I like the dubs. Some of them aren't bad, but I will never watch the movies dub if I don't have to.

Originally Posted by monwobbbo

sorry but joe average does buy godzilla movies. plenty of people remember Godzilla from their youth and enjoy the films. those people have kids and pass it on. while they are fans they won't spend big bucks. as for Toho well they have proven over and over that what you surmise is incorrect and have been a pain in the ass when it comes to licensing. the older titles are the most desirable and they know it.

Except that wasn't what I was referring to. Casual fans aren't going to buy Criterion movies anyway, especially since they aren't sold in physical stores outside of B&N. You will never find a Criterion release at Walmart or Target and apparentely Best Buy doesn't even sell them in stores anymore either.

Originally Posted by monkeyjb1988

Preorder my Megaranger set from Shout and had it mid October. Looks as decent as it can, being from tape masters.

Well it looks exactly like the Region 2 DVDs despite not having the same disc count anymore.

[cakefactory]

I don't really think it matters if it's sold for really cheap in stores or not. The amount of profit being generated by someone that waits a year for it to hit 5 bucks is so negligible that selling it for high costs to 1/4 as many people is probably way more profitable. Go Criterion!