Arrow Video / Arrow Academy USA Discussion Thread

[splintersan]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Blood and Black Lace vs. The Bird With the Crystal Plummage?

I can only afford to blind buy one.

...which one do you think is better and why?

I prefer Blood and Black Lace. It's way more visually striking. When it comes to gialli they all kind can bleed together at a certain point, especially the earlier ones that are following a similar formula. Both are good movies but I prefer Bava's

[cmetz1984]

Originally Posted by splintersan

I prefer Blood and Black Lace. It's way more visually striking. When it comes to gialli they all kind can bleed together at a certain point, especially the earlier ones that are following a similar formula. Both are good movies but I prefer Bava's

I have to agree. I am a giallo fan and the genre owes so much to Blood and Black Lace. It's definitely got its own unique flavor, distinct to Bava, so if you've seen any of his color films you probably know what to expect. I'd say Bird is equally enjoyable, and sets a template for Argento's future films, but compared to his later works, it feels lesser to me, whereas Blood and Black Lace feels like essential Bava. I own both and love both, but if you asked me which I would watch more, I'd easily say Blood and Black Lace.

[captainron_howdy]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Blood and Black Lace vs. The Bird With the Crystal Plummage?

I can only afford to blind buy one.

...which one do you think is better and why?

Honestly, you can't go wrong with either of these films, they are both pretty much the blueprints for Giallos. If I had a gun to my head and was forced to pick one though, it'd probably be Bird w the Crystal Plumage. Just because that one has more sentimental value with me. They are both absolute best of the best though. Whatever choice you make, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

[fuzzymctiger]

Originally Posted by ianungstad

I asked Arrow Video on Facebook messenger if Robocop will be UK exclusive and they replied this morning with:

Hi Ian, We will be releasing it in US and Canada as well as the UK, further details will come next year. Many thanks! AV

This is sounding more and more like the perfect situation for Arrow to enter the UHD market

[Hedji]

Blood and Black Lace does feel a bit "older" in its execution. It's a very colorful movie, but the acting is a bit more old fashioned than Argento's more mod style.

[Jlouisbarrett]

Originally Posted by ianungstad

I asked Arrow Video on Facebook messenger if Robocop will be UK exclusive and they replied this morning with:

Hi Ian, We will be releasing it in US and Canada as well as the UK, further details will come next year. Many thanks! AV

I have got to believe that this is going to be a UHD, considering RoboCop is arguably the biggest, most mainstream title Arrow has ever released, AND it’s going to be dual territory. Not to mention the fact that the latest wide-release BD is pretty well known for containing a top notch transfer with sufficient extras already.

If it’s not a UHD, I will be absolutely perplexed.

[Cinema84]

I'm going to blow a gasket if Arrow acquires The Terminator. I'm happy with the remastered version of the film released a few years ago but this is an iconic film that needs the bells and whistles treatment. If they have RoboCop, is it safe to assume they may also have Terminator?

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

I'm going to blow a gasket if Arrow acquires The Terminator. I'm happy with the remastered version of the film released a few years ago but this is an iconic film that needs the bells and whistles treatment. If they have RoboCop, is it safe to assume they may also have Terminator?

[dwk]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

If they have RoboCop, is it safe to assume they may also have Terminator?

No, because Jim Cameron is in a much bigger name than Verhoeven and has a lot of control over how his films are presented on home video.

[saprano]

Originally Posted by Jlouisbarrett

I have got to believe that this is going to be a UHD, considering RoboCop is arguably the biggest, most mainstream title Arrow has ever released, AND it’s going to be dual territory. Not to mention the fact that the latest wide-release BD is pretty well known for containing a top notch transfer with sufficient extras already.

If it’s not a UHD, I will be absolutely perplexed.

Have there been any hints of them saying anything about UHD?


I just hope with the extra format bluray isn't treated as some left over work to be done like most of the major labels seem to be doing. All I ask is that their blurays continue to be meticulously done like always.


Fine with bluray at the moment. Especially with the way Arrow's look.

[kamphausd1]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

I'm going to blow a gasket if Arrow acquires The Terminator. I'm happy with the remastered version of the film released a few years ago but this is an iconic film that needs the bells and whistles treatment. If they have RoboCop, is it safe to assume they may also have Terminator?

It also needs a release that has the mono track.

[fuzzymctiger]

Originally Posted by saprano

Have there been any hints of them saying anything about UHD?


I just hope with the extra format bluray isn't treated as some left over work to be done like most of the major labels seem to be doing. All I ask is that their blurays continue to be meticulously done like always.


Fine with bluray at the moment. Especially with the way Arrow's look.

Arrow have indicated that they have been looking into it for the future, but the biggest hint is that UHD’s are region free, which will really make it difficult for boutique labels as they usually only license for a single region.

However, here Arrow have licensed a major MGM title, with a already released on BD fantastic 4K restoration, for both territories, which makes me think the only reason they would do that, other than to make a new release piled full of extras, is to put it out as their first UHD to test the market.

I definitely cannot see Arrow abandoning blu Ray. It took a very long time for them to fully drop DVDs and even then they kept dual format for ages. Also due to the region formatting of UHD, and the nature of a lot of their licensed transfers or restorations, I’m sure we’ll still see plenty of blu rays once they start UHD. Worst case scenario, they’ll include blu rays in the UHD sets

[Cinema84]

Originally Posted by dwk

No, because Jim Cameron is in a much bigger name than Verhoeven and has a lot of control over how his films are presented on home video.

I would've agreed with this 5 years ago but I don't now. I'm not sure about Cameron's clout these days - maybe he still has some - but the general consensus seems to be the man wants to "look forward", not dwell on his past achievements. At least that's what the majority of the posters on the Abyss and True Lies thread keep telling themselves and I'm starting to drink the Kool Aid. Any "control" Cameron may still have over his early filmography may be limited to dispatching his top guy at Lightstorm to approve transfers just so he can say he was involved. Besides, MGM is currently in a "Let's licence anything and everything" phase. I think the only property they'll hang onto are the Bond films unless Criterion manages to pick them up.

[saprano]

Originally Posted by fuzzymctiger

Arrow have indicated that they have been looking into it for the future, but the biggest hint is that UHD’s are region free, which will really make it difficult for boutique labels as they usually only license for a single region.

However, here Arrow have licensed a major MGM title, with a already released on BD fantastic 4K restoration, for both territories, which makes me think the only reason they would do that, other than to make a new release piled full of extras, is to put it out as their first UHD to test the market.

I definitely cannot see Arrow abandoning blu Ray. It took a very long time for them to fully drop DVDs and even then they kept dual format for ages. Also due to the region formatting of UHD, and the nature of a lot of their licensed transfers or restorations, I’m sure we’ll still see plenty of blu rays once they start UHD. Worst case scenario, they’ll include blu rays in the UHD sets

That does sound like a good reason for UHD. Though multiple releases of the same movie isn't anything new nor pointless. More so coming from a labels like Arrow who will no doubt add more than enough reasons to purchase again. Their packaging alone is worth it.



I didn't mean they would stop making blurays, that's not going to happen. I'm talking about PQ.

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by fuzzymctiger

Arrow have indicated that they have been looking into it for the future, but the biggest hint is that UHD’s are region free, which will really make it difficult for boutique labels as they usually only license for a single region.

That's rubbish. UHDs are much more expensive to produce and manufacture than Blus and DVDs. Lionsgate, one of the most notorious major studio region lockers, is one of the biggest supporters of UHDs. UHDs being region free is not why indies haven't jumped on the wagon yet; it comes down to costs.

[Puffy]

I’ve lost track... announcements this week?? I keep hoping they are going to finally drop Edge of the Axe.

[fuzzymctiger]

Originally Posted by Dailyan

That's rubbish. UHDs are much more expensive to produce and manufacture than Blus and DVDs. Lionsgate, one of the most notorious major studio region lockers, is one of the biggest supporters of UHDs. UHDs being region free is not why indies haven't jumped on the wagon yet; it comes down to costs.

I didn’t say that was the ONLY reason, just that it was one of them. Lionsgate is a major label and outright owns the rights to the film they’re releasing on UHD, not having licensed them from a major studio

[BarnDoor]

Originally Posted by Puffy

I’ve lost track... announcements this week?? I keep hoping they are going to finally drop Edge of the Axe.

Yes. The upside about the announcements being in the fifth week of this month is that the announcements for March should really come in the third week of December, so we'll only have to wait 3 weeks.

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by fuzzymctiger

I didn’t say that was the ONLY reason, just that it was one of them. Lionsgate is a major label and outright owns the rights to the film they’re releasing on UHD, not having licensed them from a major studio

Universal and WB almost never region lock BDs when they release them, but when they license them out, they make the studio they license to lock them. It has to be a factor, or otherwise studios like Shout Factory wouldn’t have to lock their releases that they licensed from Universal and WB.

Cost and install base are probably the biggest reasons though.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by Jlouisbarrett

I have got to believe that this is going to be a UHD, considering RoboCop is arguably the biggest, most mainstream title Arrow has ever released, AND it’s going to be dual territory. Not to mention the fact that the latest wide-release BD is pretty well known for containing a top notch transfer with sufficient extras already.

If it’s not a UHD, I will be absolutely perplexed.

I wouldn't be perplexed but this does seem like a GREAT time to start with UHD. Hopefully!