(All together now) This is why we hate warner

[saprano]

As many of you probably already know by now the worst studio know to man decided it would fun if they did the transfer of The Neverending Story (one of my childhood favorites) without Wolfgang Petersen's approval of anything.

Sometimes the studios are…it’s just unbelievable,” Petersen said. “I would have loved to get involved and work on the colors a little bit, let’s do this and let’s do that. They didn’t tell me. It’s strange.”

Nearly thirty years later, the director still retains an intense love for the film. And he’ll be enjoying the high-definition offering as much as the rest of us…as soon as he picks up a copy.

“I just told my assistant to get me the Blu-ray,” he exclaimed. “I have a beautiful theater at home and I can screen it there. I have not seen it yet in Blu-ray, and I have family here from Germany, [so] we really are looking forward to seeing it again. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen it. I’m so anxious to see how it looks on Blu-ray.”

http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2010/03/12...story-blu-ray/


I mean seriously warner WTF? Do you care about quality at all? I wonder if warner didn't ask him anything so they didn't have to put in extra work or time on the transfer. They probably thought: Hey, the majority of people who's going to buy this movie don't know anything about PQ anyway, hardy har har.

I know petersen is going to be watching this in his theater imagining how much better it could've been if he was in control.

Time for the BDA to set some ground rules for warner. Other studios as well. This is ridiculous. No way in hell would this happen to spielberg or lucas.

[svenge]

Warner is very schizophrenic when it comes to BD quality. Their (very few) top-tier titles (Wizard of Oz and Gone With The Wind for example) are excellent, but their lower-tier titles (bot new release and catalog) would be best described as half-assed, and even then I'm not sure there's enough ass expended to truthfully qualify for that description...

[pro-bassoonist]

Hello,

I am unsure why there have been so many negative comments addressing Warner's release of The Neverending Story since Mr. Petersen's words were leaked in the press. The studio is not required to contact and/or consult every director whose film is considered/planned to be released on Blu-ray/SDVD. Aside from the fact that Mr. Petersen directed the film, there is nothing else that relates him to it - certainly not in legal terms. The studio owns the exclusive rights to the film, and they were by no means required to consult Mr. Petersen before they released his film.

Furthermore, it appears that even when the major studios do approach certain directors and consult them before they release certain "important" films, there is plenty of criticism thrown their way. Example: Mr. Friedkin was directly involved with the Blu-ray release of The French Connection, which was heavily criticized, as was the studio that approved and released it.

Finally, I find it quite amusing that anyone could actually be dissatisfied with Warner and their performance. If anything, the studio is to be commended for their dedication to bring classic and other important films to a market seriously influenced by the global economic crisis. Clearly, thus far, aside from Criterion, Warner have been the leaders in offering great films with great transfers on Blu-ray. And the impressive releases they have lined up for the rest of 2010 certainly suggest that they will remain the most influential major studio releasing on Blu-ray.

Pro-B

[Diesel]

I've been very satisfied with all of my Warner titles



Also, you're right, this wouldn't happen to Lucas....because he owns the rights to his movies not the studio (well he does for Star Wars at least, not sure about Indy). Unlike most people who just direct movies owned by the studios.

[N8DOGG]

With Warner Bros.' costly restorations of Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind, and North By Northwest, how can they afford to focus on anything else?

[Q?]

I actually love Warner, they're region free and their transfers mostly impress me.

[Sussudio]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Furthermore, it appears that even when the major studios do approach certain directors and consult them before they release certain "important" films, there is plenty of criticism thrown their way. Example: Mr. Friedkin was directly involved with the Blu-ray release of The French Connection, which was heavily criticized, as was the studio that approved and released it.

This seems to me as an especially important point...just because a studio does not consult the director does not automatically mean the transfer will be lacking. Hundreds upon hundreds of titles have been released without director consultation yet the transfers have still been amazing, and in the case of The French Connection when the director was part of the process, look at the outcry that resulted. Yes, I can see how the director would be disappointed in the case of The Neverending Story, but let's not immediately conclude that his involvement would have led to superior transfer.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by N8DOGG

With Warner Bros.' costly restorations of Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind, and North By Northwest, how can they afford to focus on anything else?

The point isn't whether or not they could afford to focus on anything else

Clearly, Warner can -- they have Doctor Zhivago, A Star is Born, The Maltese Falcon, Ben Hur, The Treasure of Sierra Madre, The Postman Always Rings Twice and a whole bunch of other titles which we cannot talk about yet lined up for 2010.

The point is -- there has never been a practice where a studio was required to consult/get a film release approved by the director who shot the film before it was pressed.

Pro-B

[vegeta88]

I don't think it is a reason to dislike Warner. They don't need to consult the director. Someimes it is nice when the director has involvement in the releases but I do not find it necessary.

I've been very satisfied with Warner releases: Watchmen, V for Vendetta (one of the fist Blu-rays with PiP tracks at least that I owned), Superman: the Movie, The Matrix, 300, and 3 Batman movies.

[saprano]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Hello,

I am unsure why there have been so many negative comments addressing Warner's release of The Neverending Story since Mr. Petersen's words were leaked in the press. The studio is not required to contact and/or consult every director whose film is considered/planned to be released on Blu-ray/SDVD. Aside from the fact that Mr. Petersen directed the film, there is nothing else that relates him to it - certainly not in legal terms. The studio owns the exclusive rights to the film, and they were by no means required to consult Mr. Petersen before they released his film.

They may not be required to ask a director anything, but don't you it's better if they did and the PQ came out the way the way the director wanted it?

Furthermore, it appears that even when the major studios do approach certain directors and consult them before they release certain "important" films, there is plenty of criticism thrown their way. Example: Mr. Friedkin was directly involved with the Blu-ray release of The French Connection, which was heavily criticized, as was the studio that approved and released it.

News to me. Besides im sure that rarely happens.

Finally, I find it quite amusing that anyone could actually be dissatisfied with Warner and their performance. If anything, the studio is to be commended for their dedication to bring classic and other important films to a market seriously influenced by the global economic crisis. Clearly, thus far, aside from Criterion, Warner have been the leaders in offering great films with great transfers on Blu-ray. And the impressive releases they have lined up for the rest of 2010 certainly suggest that they will remain the most influential major studio releasing on Blu-ray.

Pro-B

Im not doubting warners ability to bring great movies to bluray. They have and they're very good titles. But when it comes to PQ they're not even that good. There are some exceptions but thats the problem, some.

[Batman1980]

I actually don't think WB's PQ is that bad, really. I even thought the Neverending Story was done well and it's by far the best I've ever seen it.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by saprano

They may not be required to ask a director anything, but don't you it's better if they did and the PQ came out the way the way the director wanted it?

Sure, there are certain occasions when it would be best if the studio approached the director and asked for his/her opinion on the release they are preparing. But you have to remember that after all, this is a business, and a good businessman does not always go for the best - the best ones go for the pragmatic.

Originally Posted by saprano

News to me. Besides im sure that rarely happens.

Well, there's your research topic for next week.

(On a side note, it has been happening for years. If you decide to pick up Criterion's upcoming release of Bigger Than Life, there is a very interesting archival interview on it with director Nicholas Ray, in which he addresses Rebel Without a Cause, James Dean and...Warner )

Originally Posted by saprano

Im not doubting warners ability to bring great movies to bluray. They have and they're very good titles. But when it comes to PQ they're not even that good. There are some exceptions but thats the problem, some.

Maybe we've been looking at different releases then. Because the ones that have made their way to my desk have been absolutely terrific.

Finally, let's put it this way -- when it comes to quality and great movies, I don't know too many people in Hollywood that are as passionate about both as Mr. Feltenstein is.

Pro-B

[svenge]

I still haven't forgiven them for putting out Speed Racer with lossy audio on a BD25...

[lDlisturb3d]

Warner sucks for the most part, they release more crappy transfer than any other of its competitors. They also have allot of movies that are without lossless audio. They need to take notes from Disney/Buena Vista, and Universal, Sony too. These studios release top notch transfers especially Disney/Bunea Vista. Warner kills me with how they rush through production. I just got through watching the GoodFellas, and midway through the movie a horizontal line stayed on the screen for about 30 seconds, how did there technicians miss that???? LAZY

[lDlisturb3d]

and im not saying that DTS MA is Better than Dolby True HD but Warner uses it allot, way more than any other studio, makes me wonder if its easier or cheaper to use Dolby True HD???

[dougotte]

I disagree w/ Saprano and agree wholeheartedly w/ Pro-B. Warners is consistently one of the best studios in regards to their DVD and BD releases. I can't address The Neverending Story, as I'm not familiar w/ the film, nor have I seen the BD. However, based upon many of their previous catalog DVDs and BDs (I've most recently seen Gone With the Wind and Oz), they usually put the most effort into the best PQ and AQ.

If I were to point out a studio lacking in the quality of their catalog releases, it would be Paramount. The Trek films, It's a Wonderful Life, and the less-than-optimal audio on the upcoming African Queen are examples off the top of my head.

Doug

[bseivxx]

Originally Posted by svenge

I still haven't forgiven them for putting out Speed Racer with lossy audio on a BD25...

It had great visuals and that movie really didnt deserve any better.

Originally Posted by deeman54

Warner sucks for the most part, they release more crappy transfer than any other of its competitors. They also have allot of movies that are without lossless audio. They need to take notes from Disney/Buena Vista, and Universal, Sony too. These studios release top notch transfers especially Disney/Bunea Vista. Warner kills me with how they rush through production. I just got through watching the GoodFellas, and midway through the movie a horizontal line stayed on the screen for about 30 seconds, how did there technicians miss that???? LAZY

Warner bros also has the largest catalog of titles that theyre trying to get out there. And as far as Universal goes they may use lossless audio but their video transfers are atrocious (Street Fighter, Fletch, Field of Dreams, 40 Year Old Virgin, Bruce Almighty, need I go one)

I have Goodfellas and I havent noticed that. do you know when it is roughly so I can look for it, thats not cool at all.

[svenge]

Just because you don't like a movie, bseivxx, doesn't mean it doesn't "deserve" lossless audio. That's just plain ignorant. Although WB clearly mirrored your thinking, seeing how lazy they were because they were disappointed with the box office take. Doing a quality job was not even on their radar because of that...

[bseivxx]

I didnt mean to offend, Im a Speed Racer cartoon fan and was extremely dissapointed when I saw this film

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by bseivxx

It had great visuals and that movie really didnt deserve any better.



Warner bros also has the largest catalog of titles that theyre trying to get out there. And as far as Universal goes they may use lossless audio but their video transfers are atrocious (Street Fighter, Fletch, Field of Dreams, 40 Year Old Virgin, Bruce Almighty, need I go one)

I have Goodfellas and I havent noticed that. do you know when it is roughly so I can look for it, thats not cool at all.

You are really sticking up for WB, yes they have allot of big titles that the need to transfer but remember people are paying allot for HIGH DEFINITION not a remastered dvd, and about universal, they transfer way better movies than Warner
- Inglorious Basterds
-Serenity
-Doomsday
-Hot Fuzz
-Hell boy 2
-Shaun of the Dead, need i continue.

And all of the are lossless DTS MA