I know Universal isn't exactly well known for taking the "internet voice" to heart but just in case a rep should come across this, I wanted to take issue with them concerning their John Carpenter films.

First, let me say that I think it's great "They Live" and "Prince of Darkness" are being re-released this October. There are many fans who failed to purchase them when Image had the rights a few years ago. However I have to say that I think they've missed a prime opportunity to do something more worthwhile with these titles.

From the information released, they will be bare bones discs (Ok, they have trailers) with the same ol' sound mixes. Granted they're (thankfully) widescreen, in this day and age of home theater, why not give them a full 5.1 remix? These films are especially atmospheric and a surround mix would benefit them greatly. Also, does anyone know if Universal has created brand new transfers for these films and not just recycle the old Image discs?

Both "They Live" and "Prince of Darkness" were released in Region 2 that featured commentary tracks, featurettes, etc. Why did Universal opt not to include any of this supplemental material? John Carpenter has a very loyal fanbase and the inclusion of these features would certainly boost sales, especially for those who already own the previously released versions from Image. As it stand right now, the Universal re-issues offer very little incentive to purchase them again. So unless a few details have been left off the announcement for these DVD's, I see no reason to upgrade (er..."equal-grade"? There isn't anything to consider them to be upgrades.)

When Universal announced these two re-issues, they also mentioned a "John Carpenter Collection" which would package them with "The Thing". Now setting aside that this is excluding the only other Carpenter/Universal film, "Village of the Damned", "The Thing" is simply the same version that's been available for years. Sure, "The Thing" is an outstanding DVD but as virtually everyone knows, it's not anamorphic. Why not create a new anamorphic transfer? Even with all it's bonus features, many fans would gladly re-purchase "The Thing" based on a new transfer alone.

Finally, "Village of the Damned" has certainly gotten the short end of the stick in regards to lack of any decent critical acclaim, however I need not remind you that "The Thing" was lambasted back in 1982. I don't mean to compare the two but surely, a new edition with the simple added feature of a Carpenter commentary would likely lure fans, who previously did not buy the disc, into a purchase. More often than not, his commentary tracks are fun, insightful and (perhaps) add a degree of appreciation to a film that many might have previously looked over. Not including it in the "John Carpenter Collection" would seem to be somewhat of an insult I would think. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe this was Christopher Reeve's last film role before his tragic accident.

I hope that at some point, Universal will re-evaluate their John Carpenter titles and give them their just due.

I have e-mailed Universal several times concerning a re-release of The Thing (anamorphic) and even suggested a John Carpenter box set. I kinda feel I should be paid for the idea, but they can keep it to help pay for the new Anamorphic thransfer of The Thing.

In the Shawshank Redemption, Tim Robbins sent a letter every month to the state for funds for his new library. I figure Ill send Universal one a month as well, maybe they'll give in.

these are "quit bothering us" releases I see no reason to "upgrade" from the oop image versions, especially Prince of Darkness with that horrible new Alice Cooper cover. I will keep the old one just for the original theatrical poster art.
I agree about Village of the Dammned being overlooked somewhat, but I liked Ghosts of Mars too.
Now how about making with JC's Elvis and Memoirs of an Invisible Man on DVD.

I second them getting to work on Elvis.

I can't speak for Elvis but Memoirs of an Invisible Man hits shelves August 19th.

I picked up "The Prince of Darkeness" as soon as it first came out, I liked the story of a 7 million year old liquid satan. "Starman" with Jeff Briges and Karen Allen of (Lost Ark). I also got his "Vampires" right away.
J.C. was reponsible for the earth shaking bass in the Vampires movie, besides the DVD I own the CD of the same name by The Texas Toad Lickers with John Carpenter.

I guess there is no fighting it! With very few exceptions, studios always screw up releases one way or another. Either it’s P&S, or it’s slightly cropped, or the transfer is bad, or it’s censored, or they meant it to be uncensored but they forgot to un-censor it, or they leave out all the extras when the extras are right there ready for use, or they accidentally miss out an extra that is carried over in other regions, or the rights are tied up and withholding the release, there is ALWAYS something!! If you wanted to list everything that was properly done right there and then with no catches, no ands, ifs, or buts, you really would not have a very long list at all.

Getting back to They Live, I got the R2 UK with the commentary and the making of. I guess I’ll be keeping this. The R1 is OAR so I will be getting that too.

Prince of Darkness is OAR in R2 and has extras, so you’d want just the R2 for this.

I'll third it...although I've been screaming for this on dvd since forever.

I like my copy of The Thing, even though it's not anamorphic the dvd is one of the better dvds I own.

As far as They Live and Prince of Darkness, I'll probably be picking up the new releases as I missed them the first round.

I still refuse to believe that Universal will release THEY LIVE and PRINCE OF DARKNESS without the commentaries. It makes no sense, and until I hear it from Universal itself, or read a review from someone who has the disk in hand, I'm going to keep hoping.

r2 for me.

All JC movies need SE treatments in R1!!! Bring on ELVIS too, never seen it and it is something I Have always wanted to see.

I think we also need his excellent telemovie 'Someone's Watching Me' on DVD.

Menu screenshots for They Live have been posted elsewhere, and there is no commentary listed. It makes perfect sense, considering that Universal would have to pay to license the commentaries from the German company Kinowelt, and this would cost them money they are unlikely to want to spend.

DJ

I will be picking up the Region 2 versions of 'They Live' and 'Prince of Darkness'.. And as far as 'Village of the Damned', I loved that flick!

I'll be picking up the R2 version of They Live as well. Universal used to release some of the best dvds on the market, but they definitely have gone down hill.