Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Universal): 2/10/10

NoirFan · 11-25-09, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced the Blu-ray release of 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' for February 2, 2010. This Terry Gilliam movie, based on the book by Hunter S. Thompson and starring Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro, will be presented in 1080p video with a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack.

Special features include:

* Deleted scenes
* Spotlight on location
* BD-Live
* D-box code

Figured this would be a Universal release instead of Criterion, but I would have enjoyed the Criterion extras in HD. Perhaps at some later date.

GizmoDVD · 11-25-09, 08:18 PM

I recently read something that Criterion only started securing rights to release films on Blu-ray shortly before they released their first wave of titles. So Criterion would have to purchase the rights from Universal to produce a Blu-ray version.

Grain · 11-26-09, 05:15 PM

I have the German Blu-ray of Fear and Loathing, which only has DTS-HD Hi Res, not Master. I found it to not sound as good as the TrueHD soundtrack on the HD-DVD, and I actually felt that the video was slightly poorer also. Looking forward to this, but I'd rather have had the Criterion version, like NoirFan says. I've bot more versions of Fear than I can count though, so a couple more won't hurt!

DthRdrX · 11-26-09, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GizmoDVD

I recently read something that Criterion only started securing rights to release films on Blu-ray shortly before they released their first wave of titles. So Criterion would have to purchase the rights from Universal to produce a Blu-ray version.

It's a wild card if Universal will let Criterion have it again. I remember reading an article in 2005 stating this was Criterion's best selling title at the time.

GizmoDVD · 11-26-09, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DthRdrX

It's a wild card if Universal will let Criterion have it again. I remember reading an article in 2005 stating this was Criterion's best selling title at the time.

But Blu-ray might be different since Universal may not want a double-dip from a different studio eating into its sales. Fear and Loathing was a fairly old DVD (1998?) before Criterion came along (2003). Aside from Benjamin Button, everything Criterion has put out on BD seems pretty obscure (to 6JP).

DthRdrX · 11-26-09, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GizmoDVD

But Blu-ray might be different since Universal may not want a double-dip from a different studio eating into its sales. Fear and Loathing was a fairly old DVD (1998?) before Criterion came along (2003). Aside from Benjamin Button, everything Criterion has put out on BD seems pretty obscure (to 6JP).

Thats my point. Universal will be hesitant to let it go after they saw how well it sold for a catalog title.

smirnoffski · 11-26-09, 07:58 PM

Seems like a port of the HD-DVD release.

I wonder why Universal didn't pull off a release like Do the Right Thing i.e. by porting over all the Criterion extras for the studio BR release.

I will be passing on this and holding onto my Criterion, thank you very much.

Evil ASh · 11-26-09, 08:27 PM

Almost ordered the german disc today. Well, it looks like I'm going to be waiting for this release instead. I'll be keeping my criterion no matter what.

droidguy1119 · 11-26-09, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smirnoffski

I wonder why Universal didn't pull off a release like Do the Right Thing i.e. by porting over all the Criterion extras for the studio BR release.

The Criterion Fear & Loathing is 2 years less old than the Criterion Do the Right Thing, and most of the Criterion Do the Right Thing material is archival stuff rather than stuff Criterion created for the release. In comparison, I see Fear and Loathing at Target, so it must sell a boatload of copies, and Criterion created a great deal of exclusive extras like the Hunter S. Thompson commentary, which, if Universal even asked to license, was probably extremely expensive.

Solid Snake PAC · 11-26-09, 11:46 PM

Looks like I'll be keeping the Criterion DVD...damn fine one too.

trespoochies · 11-27-09, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DthRdrX

Thats my point. Universal will be hesitant to let it go after they saw how well it sold for a catalog title.

Yeah, but wasn't this the case with Dazed and Confused? And Criterion was still able to release it even though there was a Universal DVD release both before and after it?

kms_md · 11-27-09, 12:53 PM

i will be keeping the CC dvd as well and not be upgrading to the new BD.

DthRdrX · 11-27-09, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trespoochies

Yeah, but wasn't this the case with Dazed and Confused? And Criterion was still able to release it even though there was a Universal DVD release both before and after it?

Ultimately it is up to Universal. I don't expect them to allow Criterion to release this anytime soon because that would take sales away from the new Universal release, which looks very similiar to the HD DVD.

GizmoDVD · 11-27-09, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DthRdrX

Ultimately it is up to Universal. I don't expect them to allow Criterion to release this anytime soon because that would take sales away from the new Universal release, which looks very similiar to the HD DVD.

Appears to be a carbon copy except for DTS MA instead of TrueHD.

KillerCannibal · 11-27-09, 04:04 PM

I've got the Criterion DVD and the HD DVD. I won't upgrade again unless Criterion manages to get their edition out on Blu.

Solid Snake PAC · 11-27-09, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KillerCannibal

I've got the Criterion DVD and the HD DVD. I won't upgrade again unless Criterion manages to get their edition out on Blu.

Ditto...no upgrade till Criterion gets it.

smirnoffski · 11-29-09, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solid Snake PAC

Ditto...no upgrade till Criterion gets it.

UNLESS the Universal release goes on sale for a ridiculously low price like 8.99 or so, THEN it wouldn't hurt to own two copies.

Solid Snake PAC · 11-29-09, 02:23 PM

....I'd dip for that...I'd just hate to switch discs if I wanted to hear a commentary and etc...

Dr. DVD · 11-29-09, 06:05 PM

I'm fine with my Criterion.

Solid Snake PAC · 11-29-09, 07:45 PM

Has criterion released any announcement on a Blu for this or their situation w/ it?

MTRodaba2468 · 11-30-09, 02:43 AM

I have the Criterion for this already. I'll probably upgrade for the PQ & SQ, but hang onto he DVD for the extras.

Josh Z · 11-30-09, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solid Snake PAC

Has criterion released any announcement on a Blu for this or their situation w/ it?

The contracts for most of the titles that Criterion licensed in the past only covered specific formats (either Laserdisc or DVD). They would need to re-license the title from Universal.

Since Universal is releasing their own Blu-ray edition, they're probably not that interested in licensing it out to Criterion again, which would just cause competition for their disc. At the time of the Criterion DVD, Universal's own DVD edition was several years old and not moving a lot of units anymore. Licensing it to Criterion at that point created a new revenue stream for the title.

Likewise, I'm sure that Criterion would rather focus on other titles that aren't already being released on Blu-ray by other studios.

Zen Peckinpah · 11-30-09, 11:58 AM

Same here, will stick with my Criterion DVD and my HD DVD with the TrueHD soundtrack.

NoirFan · 01-25-10, 05:45 PM

DVD Beaver

Joe Molotov · 01-25-10, 05:56 PM

Looks good, if I see it for less than $15, I'd probably pick it up.

11-25-09, 08:18 PM	#2
GizmoDVD DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Southern CA Posts: 22,294	Re: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Universal): 2/10/10 I recently read something that Criterion only started securing rights to release films on Blu-ray shortly before they released their first wave of titles. So Criterion would have to purchase the rights from Universal to produce a Blu-ray version. __________________ HD DVD = XA1, BH100 / 257 Discs Blu-ray = LG BD390, BH100 / 347 Discs (As of 1/8/10) XBL: SharpWoodenStke "...try to piss me off and urinate on my day" - jeffbase34

11-26-09, 05:15 PM	#3
Grain Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 97	Re: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Universal): 2/10/10 I have the German Blu-ray of Fear and Loathing, which only has DTS-HD Hi Res, not Master. I found it to not sound as good as the TrueHD soundtrack on the HD-DVD, and I actually felt that the video was slightly poorer also. Looking forward to this, but I'd rather have had the Criterion version, like NoirFan says. I've bot more versions of Fear than I can count though, so a couple more won't hurt! __________________ ------------------ PSN - Grain1 XBL - Bigblockranch

11-26-09, 07:58 PM	#7
smirnoffski Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: So. CA Posts: 739	Re: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Universal): 2/10/10 Seems like a port of the HD-DVD release. I wonder why Universal didn't pull off a release like Do the Right Thing i.e. by porting over all the Criterion extras for the studio BR release. I will be passing on this and holding onto my Criterion, thank you very much. __________________ My DVD Collection

11-26-09, 08:27 PM	#8
Evil ASh Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New York Posts: 103	Re: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Universal): 2/10/10 Almost ordered the german disc today. Well, it looks like I'm going to be waiting for this release instead. I'll be keeping my criterion no matter what. __________________ Small but growing DVD collection.

11-26-09, 11:46 PM	#10
Solid Snake PAC DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denton, Tx Posts: 4,041	Re: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Universal): 2/10/10 Looks like I'll be keeping the Criterion DVD...damn fine one too.

11-27-09, 12:53 PM	#12
kms_md DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: May 2002 Location: waiting for forum.dvdtalk.com ... Posts: 2,568	Re: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Universal): 2/10/10 i will be keeping the CC dvd as well and not be upgrading to the new BD. __________________ Required collection link recursive - adj. see recursive

11-27-09, 04:04 PM	#15
KillerCannibal DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 8,075	Re: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Universal): 2/10/10 I've got the Criterion DVD and the HD DVD. I won't upgrade again unless Criterion manages to get their edition out on Blu. __________________ Top 10 most-wanted BD titles:Blue Velvet/Once Upon A Time in the West/Jaws/Mulholland Dr./Battle Royale/Videodrome/Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla ('74)/Beyond the Valley of the Dolls/Phantasm/Death Wish

11-29-09, 02:23 PM	#18
Solid Snake PAC DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denton, Tx Posts: 4,041	Re: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Universal): 2/10/10 ....I'd dip for that...I'd just hate to switch discs if I wanted to hear a commentary and etc...

11-29-09, 06:05 PM	#19
Dr. DVD DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Daytona Beach, FL Posts: 13,037	Re: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Universal): 2/10/10 I'm fine with my Criterion. __________________ “The time will come, the election will come, when your work and your ballots will change the world, and it’s worth fighting for,” -John Kerry's concession speech

11-29-09, 07:45 PM	#20
Solid Snake PAC DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denton, Tx Posts: 4,041	Re: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Universal): 2/10/10 Has criterion released any announcement on a Blu for this or their situation w/ it?

11-30-09, 02:43 AM	#21
MTRodaba2468 DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Western Kentucky Posts: 1,364	Re: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Universal): 2/10/10 I have the Criterion for this already. I'll probably upgrade for the PQ & SQ, but hang onto he DVD for the extras. __________________ #1 Wee Man Fan DVDAF \| MySpace \| Facebook 100 Blu-Rays as of 12/04/09: The Wizard Of Oz: 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition 1000 DVDs/Blu-Rays as of 12/31/09: The Conversation My Countdown Counting down to: I go see CopOut (formerly A Couple Of Dicks) in theaters. 16 days 11 hours 55 minutes

11-30-09, 11:58 AM	#23
Zen Peckinpah DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 2,744	Re: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Universal): 2/10/10 Same here, will stick with my Criterion DVD and my HD DVD with the TrueHD soundtrack. __________________ "The next time the motherfucker call, tell him I said suck my dick. I don't give a fuck, whatever the fuck make the people laugh, say that shit. Do the people laugh when you say what you say? I said, 'Yes.' He said, 'do you get paid?' I said, 'Yes.' He said well tell Bill I said have a Coke and a smile and shut the fuck up! The Jello puddin'-eating motherfucker!"

01-25-10, 05:45 PM	#24
NoirFan DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 9,035	Re: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Universal): 2/10/10 DVD Beaver __________________ DVDAf 2010 Film Viewings Watch Edgar G. Ulmer's Noir Classic Detour

01-25-10, 05:56 PM	#25
Joe Molotov DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Oklahoma, USA. Blu-Ray Total: 283 Posts: 8,379	Looks good, if I see it for less than $15, I'd probably pick it up. __________________ Quote of the Week "Was that wrong? Should I not have done that? I tell you, I gotta plead ignorance on this thing, because if anyone had said anything to me at all when I first started here that that sort of thing is frowned upon... you know, cause I've worked in a lot of offices, and I tell you, people do that all the time." ~George, Seinfeld