First, I think the appeal is that those extras are part of what makes Troma the company they are. I mean, the reason there are Troma fans is because of that sense of personality. Not that Troma movies are indistinguishably identical or anything, but that distinct personality helps link them together. I mean, there are Troma fans who ravenously devour everything the studio puts out (I'm not so much one anymore, but I absolutely used to be), but I've never heard of, say, a New Line fan or a Universal fan that feels obligated to see everything those companies put out. Part of the way the way that personality is expressed are through those extras and through Lloyd's introductions -- how many movie studios have a public face like that? I can name some of the execs that have posted here and on forums like the HTF, but I don't know who's running Warner Bros. Home Video right now. I dunno, it's almost like a small punk label that piles catalogs, stickers, and plugs for their other releases in their jewel cases, only instead of printed goodies, Troma's are digital.

I don't think the extras are really hampering quality all that much either. Their sum total isn't that long, and you could probably point at any random special edition where the extras run longer than that and the video quality is still kept really high.

You're quite welcome.

As for the extras, I agree with you on some levels. I don't understand why some of the content is recycled as much as it is. But it is, because Lloyd and Michael thinks that it adds value to the disc, and their point is somewhat valid. Just because I've seen all the extras on a given title before doesn't mean that someone else who buys the disc has.

Adam makes a good point as well about giving the release some sort of cohesiveness. They're fun to do, and I know Lloyd enjoys them.

For the record, Lloyd doesn't really understand what "digitally remastering" something means, so he uses the term loosely. Keep in mind that many of our releases (especially pick-ups) were transfered from a video master or something similar. The only films that really get any kind of actual restoration done to them are the Roan Group releases, under Cary's supervision.

I really do wish that we were able to make new film prints and go in and have them really cleaned up and restored. But we can't... we just don't have the money.

But like I said, we are looking into more ways to clean up some of these things, using different mastering companies, etc. Stay tuned...

dont even remind me

Ah, well that's interesting - thanks for the insight, Chris. Now, when do we get a widescreen version of it? Actually, I don't think the movie really commands a 2nd release, but wouldn't you agree that it should have been released in widescreen in the first place? The dvd isn't open matte, it's actually cropped. My gut seriously does churn when I see the full-screen zoom at the end of the credits, for any movie.

I'll have to ask our archive manager if we even possess a copy if Cry Uncle in its OAR. I'm not really sure about that.

Great movie, though. Allen Garfield's commentary is classic!

Garfield was great for the part too, and it was a real surprise to see a younger Paul Sorvino. Fun, quirky as hell movie. Thanks for checking up on it!

Hey, Chris. Thanks for responding to the thread.

I do have one questions that's been a concern to me for quite some time. Is Troma Team Video ever planning on re-releasing any of the In-House Troma classics? (Toxic Avenger, Class of Nuke Em High)

Thanks,

Monty Python Fan

Hey...

On the fan-dedication, I used to be the biggest Troma fan, i owned every title on dvd, talked to lloyd regularly and was even asked to come out to do the special effects makeup on toxie 4 -- college interfered, so he asked me for some script input...... i came through, he thanked me -- used my idea in the 4th toxie film and negated to give me credit -- even to the point of denying the claim when i talked to him personally.... after that i accidentally traded away dozens and dozens of my troma dvd titles......

m

Perhaps you should talk to Lloyd about this?

/me wonders what this has to do with Troma DVD discussion.

ive held off on buying the 'graduation day' dvd cause its in fullscreen and becuase it has hours of features about troma and nothing to do with the film itself..i want to hear about the movie,not troma..hopefully 'the children' dvd will be in widescreen with at least a trailer or something

[I do not want to sound like a trouble maker, so please view this criticsm as a friednly advice/suggestions.

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For the record, Lloyd doesn't really understand what "digitally remastering" something means, so he uses the term loosely. Keep in mind that many of our releases (especially pick-ups) were transfered from a video master or something similar. The only films that really get any kind of actual restoration done to them are the Roan Group releases, under Cary's supervision.

I really do wish that we were able to make new film prints and go in and have them really cleaned up and restored. But we can't... we just don't have the money.

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in this digital day and age, you just cannot use a old video master (or in the case of CHRISTMAS EVIL, a worn out rental with dropouts). Todays horror fans who buy DVD want to see their favorite horror films in OAR (original aspect ratio) and in a new digital transfer, preferably struck from the original negatives, which most of the filmmakers CAN supply you with. Also directors would like to get involved too, just ask THE CHILDRENS director, whom I am in touch with, but apperently troma has not.

Also it is only a couple of thousand to clean up a print or cull a new master froma negative, Lloyd should consider the many extra copies that will sell BECAUSE the title will be anamorphic and digitally remastered.

Also i hate to say this, but Lloyd is being "out of touch" and need to know what a digital remastered version looks like. In order to compete with Synapse, BU, AB, Shriek Show, etc, you must give the horror fans a new transfer, period. If they want one taken from a worn out rental they can always buy a Brentwood DVD, at least they doesnt have the Troma extras.

Again, I am not trying to be negative, I am hoping to educate your company by letting you know, in order to compete with the above mentioned DVD labels, you have to be "updated" "Modernized" in all DVD departments.

I hope you do not view this criticsm as negative, but rather helpful. I've done freelance work for a DVD label, and I too had to educate the head of company about the importance of anamorphic widescreens, inserts, etc. In order to not have the DVD fans bash your label, being up to date with the digital world is a must. His first release was bashed due to it not being anamorphic, but from now on, they have been.

I think I speak for many horror DVD fans when I say you have to make your product much much better with much better presentation, that way you will have less fans complaining that their favorite horror film was aquired by your label. (example, see the post above me from a fan regarding GRADUATION DAY, which the negatives do exist at a lab).

Wasn't the "Mother's Day" DVD supposed to be in widescreen, but the print was somehow lost or damaged, so they had to make do with a fullscreen transfer?

The Mother's Day DVD is decent, good commentary track, but once again it's plagued by lots of artifacting and a cheap (same as the VHS) transfer.

Well I thought Mothers Day looked pretty good on dvd. Sure it was a video master. But it seemed to have been 'cleaned' up just a tad more than the rental I saw previouslly.

The Toxic Avenger I am sure was used from film elements..and does look great on dvd....when compared to the old rental VHS. I found the R rated version for rental at an indie store. I decided to check it out for fun,then compared the transfer quality with the dvd(when checking out the uncut scenes)...and the dvd was obviouslly less dirt laden and less dark than the VHS release.


Speaking of R rated censored versions. It would be great if you released both versions in one dvd release(most likely on a two disc set). This way the uncut version will be available for rental no matter what!!

It really sucks that corporate chains like Hollywood video are refusing to stock unrated titles anymore. So it is always a disappoint that I never have the the option to rent the latest Lloyd film. But thankfully his films were worthy blind buys,since they are the only Troma films I don't really have to worry about "will I like it or not?" when compared to Bloodsucking Freaks or Beware:Children at Play,which are insanely boring as hell.

Sacrilege!

From my experience, you're completely overrating the bulk of genre distribution. Regardless, I'd suggest you schedule a visit to Troma HQ, right in your home town, an spend some time with the might-as-well-be volunteer staff. Perhaps it'd be an eye-opening experience for all.

Hello, folks.

Sorry I haven't replied to any of your comments... I just returned from Team Troma at Dragon*Con in Atlanta, GA and I'm still recovering.

I'll have to ask Lloyd and Charles. I really don't remember.

I appreciate the sentiment.

I can't quite let too many cats out of the bag, but we may be preparing to do just that....

Class of Nuke 'Em High is being re-released next year as part of a brand-new CoNH boxed set. I don't know anything about specifics yet...as soon as we do, I'll let you folks know.

As for Toxie, maybe...

i saw Class Of Nuke 'Em High just last night at a movie theater at the beach and the print was in great shape and it was in widescreen too..when i got home,i felt like burning my dvd copy cause of the potential of how good it can look..

exactly, the fans WANT to see their favorite troma films in pristine digital remastered condition. and anamorphic widescreen if possible.




OK, let me ask you a question. If your favorite genre film that BU or Synapse or AB or SS released a nice looking transfer, lets say Troma released it INSTEAD, and used a old worn out ex-rental, would you still have bought that movie? Also while synapse or BU would have interviews, audio commentary, etc, Troma DVD would have as a extra, a introduction to the film from Lloyd, then nothing but Troma previews, some comedic sketch with Toxie and Kabukiman, and the Tromadance short? Would you have been happy?

Thats why I was advising Troma that in order to compete with them, you have to improve on the transfers. The label I do business with did, and all future releaees will look great, with anamorphic transfers as we spend alot of time and efford re-mastering many classics from the 70's and 80's. All I was saying is we had to in order to compete, so it was just a friendly advice,

remember there is many fans of THE CHILDREN and MAD DOG MORGAN on this and other boards. I am sure they will all agree with me when they say say want to see a OAR, digitally remastered version of these titles (especially MAD DOG MORGAN, shot in panavision) plus commentary by the directors (whom I am in both touch with, and neither has gotten any call from Troma about doing extras).

None of these distributor's budgets also include producing movies. Most deal in titles with established market value or feed from the melon-heavy breast of a larger entity.Actually, yes. If not for Troma (and its schtick) films already passed over by those other outfits wouldn't find their way into anyone's dvd player. Such films aren't being shanghai'd. Rights holders are afforded the best possible distribution opportunity.

I'm unaware of the particulars on Children and Mad Dog, but in my professional experience, I've never reviewed a Troma title that wasn't ballyhoo'd to the stratosphere.

As for The Children and Mad Dog Morgan... believe me, we'll be seeking out as much material as we can and if the directors are available/wishing to help with the supplements, we're all for it. We'd love to do that as much as possible.

As for some of the Troma classics, we're working to further enhance how those films will look on upcoming releases...I just haven't heard any specifics yet. Stay tuned.

Uh, if you mean these companies have a major corporation back-up, I dont think Synapse falls into that catagory. Don May,the owner and founder of synapse, who posts here occasionary, is a one man show. He runs the company, he also does the extras, and does the transfers, pretty much all by himself. It is a one man show.

He said most, not all.

thanks for the clarification,