New "Titanic" and "Braveheart" DVDs, but no HD? Huh?
#1
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New "Titanic" and "Braveheart" DVDs, but no HD? Huh?
Paramount has annouced this week that they are releasing yet another special edition of "Titanic" on November 20th, and a new collector's edition of "Braveheart" on December 18th. No mention was made in either announcement that these films would also be released on HD-DVD, which is a shame, and I hope just an omission on the part of Paramount. Here we are coming up on the holiday season, and these two titles would most likely be viable candidates for the competition between the formats.
Of course, I'm wondering if there has to be some involvement on the part of the director(s) here (look how long it took before James Cameron actually decided that releasing "Titanic" in anamorphic widescreen was a good thing). But then again, Cameron's two "Terminator" films, and Gibson's "Apocalypto" are all available in the high-def format, so who knows?
I'm just at the point now where I see studios releasing catalog titles that wouldn't necessarily appeal to a wide spectrum of consumers, and it gets a little aggravating. Take Fox, for example, the studio that felt it would be better to release "The Hills Have Eyes 2" on Blu-Ray rather than its largely superior 2006 predecessor. At least Warner and Disney recognized the need for popular titles early in the format war, releasing the "Matrix" films and the "Pirates of the Caribbean" flicks in high-def. I can only hope that New Line jumps into the foray with a sizeable list of upcoming releases ("Lord of the Rings" trilogy, anyone?).
Of course, I'm wondering if there has to be some involvement on the part of the director(s) here (look how long it took before James Cameron actually decided that releasing "Titanic" in anamorphic widescreen was a good thing). But then again, Cameron's two "Terminator" films, and Gibson's "Apocalypto" are all available in the high-def format, so who knows?
I'm just at the point now where I see studios releasing catalog titles that wouldn't necessarily appeal to a wide spectrum of consumers, and it gets a little aggravating. Take Fox, for example, the studio that felt it would be better to release "The Hills Have Eyes 2" on Blu-Ray rather than its largely superior 2006 predecessor. At least Warner and Disney recognized the need for popular titles early in the format war, releasing the "Matrix" films and the "Pirates of the Caribbean" flicks in high-def. I can only hope that New Line jumps into the foray with a sizeable list of upcoming releases ("Lord of the Rings" trilogy, anyone?).
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Skip 'em. I can't imagine many folks changing for what they already have on these, and those that like these most likely already have them (stop the re-re-re-re-re-packaging releases)
And FWIW, DVD is still where the most money is to be made.
And FWIW, DVD is still where the most money is to be made.
Last edited by The Cow; 09-22-07 at 01:42 AM.
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Both would be a definite, immediate purchase!
But "The Cow" is right. There just is enough of a market penetration to warrant releasing such a high-profile title like 'Titanic'.
But "The Cow" is right. There just is enough of a market penetration to warrant releasing such a high-profile title like 'Titanic'.
#8
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This is hardly a new thing. Look at all the nice special editions Fox has released in the past year with no BD version: Romancing the Stone, Big, That Thing You Do, The Full Monty, Home Alone, The Princess Bride (coming in November and still no announcement about the cancelled BD version). I'm sure I'm missing some. Granted, those aren't exactly HD-friendly titles (not enough violence), but they could release a few of those.
Space_Monkey, I don't think Fox would stop them. There are co-productions that have been released on a format by an exclusive studio in one country and another format in another (Cinderella Man, The Producers). The thing that might hold it up is if Fox was involved in producing the extras, but the film itself should be fair game.
Space_Monkey, I don't think Fox would stop them. There are co-productions that have been released on a format by an exclusive studio in one country and another format in another (Cinderella Man, The Producers). The thing that might hold it up is if Fox was involved in producing the extras, but the film itself should be fair game.
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Originally Posted by MrChaos
There just is enough of a market penetration to warrant releasing such a high-profile title like 'Titanic'.
#11
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Originally Posted by Space_Monkey
Wasn't Titanic a co-production between Paramount and Fox? Could Fox's investment in Blu-Ray prevent an HD-DVD release by Paramount?
#12
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Originally Posted by hauntnut
I tend to disagree. If the studios want to start making a name for the high-def formats, why not release some of their more popular titles? Don't you think more people might take notice if movies like "Titanic," the "Alien" films, the "Indiana Jones" flicks, and the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy were available from the get-go? I know I would.
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Originally Posted by Space_Monkey
Wasn't Titanic a co-production between Paramount and Fox? Could Fox's investment in Blu-Ray prevent an HD-DVD release by Paramount?
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Originally Posted by BuckNaked2k
You tend to disagree or agree? Your statement does not seem to contradict the one you quoted.
#15
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but time has told them that New releases are what sells the most. Not sure what the top selling catalog title has been in HD thus far, but I doubt that Titles like, The Matrix, Rush Hour, or Austin Powers will make as big a bash as they did in the early days of dvd, since at that time they were new releases.
If your gonna spend the cash to promote something, might as well have a large audience. I'm hoping Indiana Jones gets a release simply because of the new movie coming up.
If your gonna spend the cash to promote something, might as well have a large audience. I'm hoping Indiana Jones gets a release simply because of the new movie coming up.
#20
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Originally Posted by Cameron
dvdaf.com just listed braveheart on hd-dvd for 12.18.07
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Yeah, I don't believe it...when Amazon or DVD Empire or some retailer has it up for sale for 12/18, then I'll believe it. DVD Aficionado is not the most reliable source.
#23
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Originally Posted by hauntnut
I wouldn't think so, considering that Paramount released the DVDs, and aside from having their name in the opening credit sequence, Fox isn't really mentioned anywhere else.
#24
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Originally Posted by gryffinmaster
Holy mother. As if the period between October and January couldn't get any worse on the wallet. Awesome news.