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Poltergeist Coming to BD and HD-DVD After All?

post #1 of 20
8/17/07 at 9:50am
Thread Starter 
Contrary to inital reports Home Media Retailing is reporting that the 25th Anniversary release of Poltergeist is coming to HD-DVD and BD (as well as a one off theatrical screening in select cities)

"Warner Home Video will release the newly remastered and restored Poltergeist: 25th Anniversary Edition Oct. 9 (prebook Sept. 4) on DVD and high-definition disc........The DVD will be available for $19.97; HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc for $28.99. Special features include the two-part documentary "They Are Here: The Real World of Poltergeists Revealed."

I'm wondering if this is a mistake since previous word stated that there were no plans for Hi-Def, but the fact that there are actual MSRPs posted makes it sound legit.
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post #2 of 20
8/17/07 at 12:38pm

Re: Poltergeist Coming to BD and HD-DVD After All?

I've given up trying to figure out whether this is happening or not.
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post #3 of 20
8/17/07 at 1:25pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Poltergeist Coming to BD and HD-DVD After All?

The digitalbits has this to say

"Warner has announced a new Poltergeist: 25th Anniversary Edition DVD for release on 10/9 (SRP $19.97), which features a remastered anamorphic widescreen transfer, along with the They Are Here: The Real World of Poltergeists Revealed documentary. Unfortunately, according to Warner, no high-def versions are currently planned."

According to the bits, Warner has confirmed that no HD release will be coming. I guess it's a slim chance that source could be wrong?
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post #4 of 20
8/17/07 at 2:16pm

Re: Poltergeist Coming to BD and HD-DVD After All?

Considering that Home Media Retailing was the source of the erroneous Jungle Book BD announcement, I'm betting the same mistake has been made with this title.
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post #5 of 20
8/17/07 at 10:14pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Poltergeist Coming to BD and HD-DVD After All?

thedigitalbits is once again stating that there is no Hi-Def release being planned. Shame.

I think I am officially saying No Sale. Sure the transfer will surely be better, but, I've lived with the current disc for years. WB, if you're listening, despite the absolutely sad lack of meaningful special features on this release (I know WB is doing some great stuff, but the ball was very badly dropped on this one) I would have picked it up on BD.
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post #6 of 20
8/18/07 at 6:51am

Re: Poltergeist Coming to BD and HD-DVD After All?

Oh, definitely no sale here as well. I'm pretty much done with SD DVD after dropping $18 on an edge-enhancement ridden transfer of Flash Gordon (1980). Life's too short.
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post #7 of 20
8/18/07 at 6:56am

Re: Poltergeist Coming to BD and HD-DVD After All?

Same here, I won't buy this latest SD DVD. Warner needs to be releasing this on BD and HD DVD instead of The Omega Man.
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post #8 of 20
8/18/07 at 7:26am

Re: Poltergeist Coming to BD and HD-DVD After All?

Warner needs to be releasing this on BD and HD DVD along with The Omega Man.

I don't double dip on SD anymore - no matter how crappy the original is. If studios want to go back to the well with me it better be in High Def.
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post #9 of 20
8/18/07 at 8:52am

Re: Poltergeist Coming to BD and HD-DVD After All?

Quote:
Originally Posted by WillG
thedigitalbits is once again stating that there is no Hi-Def release being planned. Shame..

Goddamn. This is one of those films that I have waited and waited and waited to see again and now they´re going to release it only in SD DVD..

And the extras: "They Are Here: The Real World of Poltergeist Revealed"-documentary (Science of the Spirits and Communing with the Dead).. "Ghosts and haunted house"-crap that you can see everyday from the "Discovery Channel"? No making-of, interviews, audio commentary.. Jeez.
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post #10 of 20
8/18/07 at 12:46pm

Re: Poltergeist Coming to BD and HD-DVD After All?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim_K
Warner needs to be releasing this on BD and HD DVD along with The Omega Man.

I don't double dip on SD anymore - no matter how crappy the original is. If studios want to go back to the well with me it better be in High Def.

Agreed. No HD, no sale.

This news is very disappointing.
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post #11 of 20
8/18/07 at 1:02pm

Re: Poltergeist Coming to BD and HD-DVD After All?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim_K
Warner needs to be releasing this on BD and HD DVD along with The Omega Man.

I don't double dip on SD anymore - no matter how crappy the original is. If studios want to go back to the well with me it better be in High Def.


well said. I an't buying it TWICE again...!

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post #12 of 20
8/18/07 at 5:00pm

Re: Poltergeist Coming to BD and HD-DVD After All?

I'm hoping we can get a clear-cut explanation from WHV on this. Is it, or is it not being released in HD?
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post #13 of 20
8/18/07 at 6:54pm

Re: Poltergeist Coming to BD and HD-DVD After All?

Home Media Retailing has been making some pretty careless mistakes as of late which unfortunately leads me to believe that it is not coming out on Blu-ray or HD DVD.
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post #14 of 20
8/19/07 at 8:47am

Re: Poltergeist Coming to BD and HD-DVD After All?

Agreed with all of you. My position is, I'll only buy a DVD now if I'm certain it won't be available as a BD, such as the Warner noir collections. A movie like Poltergeist will no doubt be released within the next 6 months in HD, so I'm not eager to waste money on a new SD version right now. I've waited long enough for a better release of this title, and can wait a bit longer for HD.

Doug
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post #15 of 20
8/20/07 at 8:29am

Re: Poltergeist Coming to BD and HD-DVD After All?

Same here. If it is not released in HD, no sale.
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post #16 of 20
8/20/07 at 9:08am

Re: Poltergeist Coming to BD and HD-DVD After All?

Not sure why HMM is taking the beating on this...

From the HTF chat....

Quote:
PowellampPressburger: Poltergeist Special Edition Will it live up to hype and how about The
Devils and Cruising and The Hand andZabriskie Point ?


WARNER: We've created no hype for POLTERGEIST, so we don't know how to answer you,
except to say that we have a stunning new transfer, great 5.1 mix, great new extra content, and a
simultaneous release in SD DVD, HD DVD, and Blu Ray. We will be releasing THE HAND this year,
and are at work on a special edition of CRUISING directly with William Friedkin. ZABRISKIE and
THE DEVILS are still planned.

The bizarre story of Poltergeist on home video continues.

Will probably rent the dvd for Halloween. Buy it?
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post #17 of 20
8/20/07 at 9:25am
Thread Starter 

Re: Poltergeist Coming to BD and HD-DVD After All?

Quote:
We've created no hype for POLTERGEIST, so we don't know how to answer you,
except to say that we have a stunning new transfer, great 5.1 mix, great new extra content, and a
simultaneous release in SD DVD, HD DVD, and Blu Ray.

Well that certainly sounds like hype. I am curious as to what these "Great" special features that they refer to are. I find it hard to believe that they would classify what we are getting as great (maybe to the general public) but not when this forum is the audience.

As for the the Hi-Def thing, if a simultaneous release was initially planned, I can only imagine that this revolves around Spielberg and the reluctance for his material to be released in Hi-Def (with CE3K being the exception)

I just wish we could get some kind of official explanation on the apparent bungling of this release. I really do get annoyed about the secrecy that often crops up in this industry.
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post #18 of 20
8/20/07 at 2:08pm

Re: Poltergeist Coming to BD and HD-DVD After All?

Well my opinion is that any attempt at restoration is going to improve the home viewing experience of Poltergeist by 100%. You are talking about a film that's been available for home viewing for over 20 years--yet has really never undergone any upgrade. This is a home viewing version that's flawed 2 seconds into it when the opening credits are shown lop-sided. That's bugged me for ages. And the sound, color, and clarity has never been that good. The film has long suffered from this neglect, and deserves its upgrade. I will get it on standard format and hope they keep it up. I do hope there's more extras than just that, though. To be sick, I'd do a documentary on the "Poltergeist" curse and discuss all the many cast members who've died...lol ?
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post #19 of 20
8/20/07 at 2:48pm

Re: Poltergeist Coming to BD and HD-DVD After All?

Forget POLTERGEIST...THE OMEGA MAN is coming!
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post #20 of 20
8/21/07 at 2:38pm

Re: Poltergeist Coming to BD and HD-DVD After All?

I'd hardly forget a movie I've loved for 25 years in favor of one I've never even heard of before.
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