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Re: Warner VP discusses "slow release of classics" on Blu-ray
Originally Posted by B5Erik
(Post 9276775)
Hmmm...
The fact that it IS WB that we're talking about is what makes me get excited. They have done a consistently great job with their classic releases over the last 7 or 8 years. |
Re: Warner VP discusses "slow release of classics" on Blu-ray
Originally Posted by B5Erik
(Post 9276180)
I think that classic films may see a lag time in reaching decent sales figures simply because the older people that are responsible for a significant percentage of those titles' overall sales numbers may be adopting Blu Ray more slowly. A lot of them think DVD is still kind of new(ish) and aren't ready to make yet another switch.
Give them another year or two and some more significant price decreases and many of them will get on board with Blu Ray and buy those classic titles. As it is now the big name classic titles should sell fairly well, but a title like Forbidden Planet won't see decent sales until 2010 or 2011. DVD only began to outsell VHS back in late 2003. It's still a new format for many people. I think masses are tired of buying the same old, classic movies again and again. I think you can only squeeze so many sales from pumping out the same titles over and over. The studios realize this and are testing the waters before jumping in with both feet. It makes good financial sense. For many people Blu-ray is to DVD what S-VHS was to VHS. Yes, better picture and sound but for the hefty extra cost of really taking advantage of the format, there's really nothing more other than some interactive features and interenet connection that allows you to retrieve more extras that are probably of little interest to most buyers anyways. Does anyone really want to hear someone else's fan commentary? The commentaries from people directly involved in the movie can sometimes be completely devoid of interest! |
Re: Warner VP discusses "slow release of classics" on Blu-ray
Originally Posted by orangerunner
(Post 9278231)
Does anyone really want to hear someone else's fan commentary? The commentaries from people directly involved in the movie can sometimes be completely devoid of interest!
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Re: Warner VP discusses "slow release of classics" on Blu-ray
High-Def Digest has posted a clarification to this story regarding high-def audio on Warner classic releases.
Here's the updated paragraph: "Sound issues have also drawn ire from many consumers hungry for high-def audio on Golden Age films. Some have complained about the lack of a Dolby TrueHD track on 'Casablanca' and the upcoming 'An American in Paris.' Both 'Casablanca' and 'An American in Paris' were recorded in mono, so monaural tracks were used on their respective Blu-ray discs to preserve each film's authenticity. However, Mr. Feltenstein has noted that from this point forward, Warner Home Video intends to release all catalog titles with TrueHD tracks. When original multiple channel recordings are available, the studio may produce newer, multitrack audio mixes, but whether or not the films have multitrack audio elements, the studio believes each release deserves the absolute best audio possible and will provide it in TrueHD." |
Re: Warner VP discusses "slow release of classics" on Blu-ray
Originally Posted by dbacksfan
(Post 9278272)
"However, Mr. Feltenstein has noted that from this point forward, Warner Home Video intends to release all catalog titles with TrueHD tracks. When original multiple channel recordings are available, the studio may produce newer, multitrack audio mixes, but whether or not the films have multitrack audio elements, the studio believes each release deserves the absolute best audio possible and will provide it in TrueHD."
I am betting from a business standpoint, WB just doesn't want to admit that they'd rather cheap out with a single layer disc and use the lossy DD.... |
Re: Warner VP discusses "slow release of classics" on Blu-ray
Originally Posted by Breakfast with Girls
(Post 9275800)
The <i>Forbidden Planet</i> collector's tin sold in the low <em>hundreds</em>, didn't it? (I bought one! :)) It's no surprise that studios are proceeding cautiously. Frankly, it's fine for me—I don't even have time to watch the films I buy as it is. If they started releasing a lot of classic films I would fall even further behind.
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Re: Warner VP discusses "slow release of classics" on Blu-ray
"That trio, however, is just a warm-up for what Feltenstein calls a "murderer's row" of classic releases later this year that will include such AFI 100 masterpieces as 'Gone With the Wind,' 'The Wizard of Oz,' and 'North By Northwest.' Hitchcock's thriller underwent a $1 million restoration, while 'GWTW' and 'Oz' – both of which were remastered in 2K Ultra Resolution three or four years ago for splashy DVD releases – have been completely overhauled once again to make sure they meet all of Blu-ray's exacting standards. "What was perfection two to three years ago is not now," Feltenstein says. "We thought 'Gone With the Wind' would be good to go on Blu-ray with what was done previously, plus $200,000 for dirt cleaning. But to look perfect, we had to start all over from scratch at enormous cost. I took it to management and there was no hesitation. Having a film like 'Gone With the Wind' on Blu-ray will set a new standard and pave the way for more classic releases."
Those who recently argued that releasing a title on Blu-ray for the first time took minimal effort as long as a decent HD master was made previously to service a DVD release can go suck it. |
Re: Warner VP discusses "slow release of classics" on Blu-ray
Originally Posted by SPRBD
(Post 9278913)
"That trio, however, is just a warm-up for what Feltenstein calls a "murderer's row" of classic releases later this year that will include such AFI 100 masterpieces as 'Gone With the Wind,' 'The Wizard of Oz,' and 'North By Northwest.' Hitchcock's thriller underwent a $1 million restoration, while 'GWTW' and 'Oz' – both of which were remastered in 2K Ultra Resolution three or four years ago for splashy DVD releases – have been completely overhauled once again to make sure they meet all of Blu-ray's exacting standards. "What was perfection two to three years ago is not now," Feltenstein says. "We thought 'Gone With the Wind' would be good to go on Blu-ray with what was done previously, plus $200,000 for dirt cleaning. But to look perfect, we had to start all over from scratch at enormous cost. I took it to management and there was no hesitation. Having a film like 'Gone With the Wind' on Blu-ray will set a new standard and pave the way for more classic releases."
Those who recently argued that releasing a title on Blu-ray for the first time took minimal effort as long as a decent HD master was made previously to service a DVD release can go suck it. yet as of now, Warner's has begun transferring everything at 4K |
Re: Warner VP discusses "slow release of classics" on Blu-ray
Originally Posted by Breakfast with Girls
(Post 9275800)
The <i>Forbidden Planet</i> collector's tin sold in the low <em>hundreds</em>, didn't it? (I bought one! :)) It's no surprise that studios are proceeding cautiously. Frankly, it's fine for me—I don't even have time to watch the films I buy as it is. If they started releasing a lot of classic films I would fall even further behind.
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Re: Warner VP discusses "slow release of classics" on Blu-ray
I have no problem with waiting, honestly. Part of that is my current financial situation, with Blu-ray discs as expensive as they still are, I can only pick up releases that I feel will get the most repeat viewings. But, if what they are saying is to be believed, WB is taking its time to make sure they get each film a pristine transfer. While I have my strong doubts, it would be nice if with these catalog WB titles, a definitive release is all we get this generation with no double dips (not counting collectors packaging which is a different animal).
Regarding Forbidden Planet, I have a feeling that the Blu-ray release was about ready to go but then was put on the backburner due to the development of a FB reboot. I also do not mind sales timed releases for older movies. If they hold on to FB on Blu-ray to make a splashy release with a remake, I don't care so long as it means more publicity for the original. It seems sales tactics like this tend to work, and I can't imagine it does anything but help the legacy of the original film. How much better do you think The Day the Earth Stood Still sold due to the new movie (mostly with people saying how much better the original is, so they went out to buy it). Anyway, enough rant. I'll wait patiently for well thought out, carefully handled high def releases. |
Re: Warner VP discusses "slow release of classics" on Blu-ray
There are still a few Warner titles left that may take 1+ years to come one. I'm looking at you Forbidden Planet, Grand Prix and... Dukes of Hazzard.
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Re: Warner VP discusses "slow release of classics" on Blu-ray
Originally Posted by GizmoDVD
and... Dukes of Hazzard.
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Re: Warner VP discusses "slow release of classics" on Blu-ray
Originally Posted by GizmoDVD
(Post 9288200)
There are still a few Warner titles left that may take 1+ years to come one. I'm looking at you Forbidden Planet, Grand Prix and... Dukes of Hazzard.
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Re: Warner VP discusses "slow release of classics" on Blu-ray
Originally Posted by Giles
(Post 9288812)
and Hamlet :D come on Warners, release them 70mm features! pronto!
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Re: Warner VP discusses "slow release of classics" on Blu-ray
Originally Posted by Josh Z
(Post 9289332)
He was referring to titles that Warner released on HD DVD but haven't yet released on Blu-ray, such as Grand Prix, Forbidden Planet, and Dukes of Hazzard. Hamlet has not been released on either format.
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Re: Warner VP discusses "slow release of classics" on Blu-ray
Didn't we recently have a thread like this? Someone asked about some of the old classic films. You know like from the 80's?
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Re: Warner VP discusses "slow release of classics" on Blu-ray
but what are Warner Bros. 1980's "classic" films??
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Re: Warner VP discusses "slow release of classics" on Blu-ray
Originally Posted by Giles
(Post 9289612)
but what are Warner Bros. 1980's "classic" films??
Empire Of The Sun The Mission The Color Purple |
Re: Warner VP discusses "slow release of classics" on Blu-ray
and oh, der... 'The Right Stuff'
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Re: Warner VP discusses "slow release of classics" on Blu-ray
Once Upon A Time In America too.
I'm just thinking of any WB 2-disc SE's at this point. |
Re: Warner VP discusses "slow release of classics" on Blu-ray
need to be released faster
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Re: Warner VP discusses "slow release of classics" on Blu-ray
Originally Posted by Giles
(Post 9289612)
but what are Warner Bros. 1980's "classic" films??
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