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Sci-Fi from Warner

post #1 of 74
7/17/08 at 12:58pm
Thread Starter 
DVD_Drive-In confirms that Warner are releasing 3 sci-fi double features on the 29th of this month. Titles are

WORLD WITHOUT END/SATELLITE IN THE SKY
WHEN DINOSAURS RULED THE EARTH/MOON ZERO TWO
BATTLE BENEATH THE EARTH/THE UNKNOWN WARRIOR

The bad news is that they're Best Buy only -sigh-

It seems that all the studios keep leaping on this singuarly stupid bandwagon. I guess Best Buy are offering $$$ for doing it. Lord knows, you wouldn;t give them to Best Buy to market for you unless they paid upfront.

As a glimpse into the murky doings of Best Buy, they are listed on the website as "50's sci-fi dbfe" and "70's sci-fi dbfe #1", "70's sci-fi dbfe #2"
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post #2 of 74
7/17/08 at 1:16pm

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

I'd bet Best Buy pays them more for exclusive rights than the studio would make off of just selling them. Good news either way.

Although, FRANKENSTEIN 1970, BEAST WITH FIVE FINGERS and the others get pushed back another year.
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post #3 of 74
7/17/08 at 1:38pm

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

Moon Zero Two is a fun "space western" of all things. Probably the only space movie Hammer ever made?

I've only ever seen the MST3K episode of it, so it's great it's coming out uncut.
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post #4 of 74
7/17/08 at 1:41pm

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

perhaps this is the only way some of these titles would be released anyway
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post #5 of 74
7/17/08 at 1:42pm

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

Quote:
Originally Posted by oscar_merkx
perhaps this is the only way some of these titles would be released anyway
Yeah but people will still complain.
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post #6 of 74
7/17/08 at 2:09pm

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

Quote:
Originally Posted by TravisR
Yeah but people will still complain.

Well, that's due to the fact, that for some of us, the nearest Best Buy is 3,325 miles away (give or take), and the cab fare is a bitch...
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post #7 of 74
7/17/08 at 2:15pm

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

To get to Best Buy, I'd need trans-atlantic travel cause they don't ship out of America.

Oh well, they don't get my money and I'll get a DVD-R later on - unless these titles become readily avaliable from other sellers.
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post #8 of 74
7/17/08 at 2:16pm

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

Quote:
Originally Posted by TravisR
Yeah but people will still complain.

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post #9 of 74
7/17/08 at 2:51pm

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

Quote:
Originally Posted by John Hodson
Well, that's due to the fact, that for some of us, the nearest Best Buy is 3,325 miles away (give or take), and the cab fare is a bitch...

Complainer!

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post #10 of 74
7/17/08 at 3:40pm

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

This whole "we can't get this" thing is getting out of control IMO. I'm sure people can find friends online to buy and ship it to you overseas. However, let's not forget how many titles that come to R2 that don't see the light of day in R1 ville. I believe there's a 21-disc L&H set alone that has yet to show up here and God knows how many Euro horror titles are out in R2 but not here.

In the end, American fans lose a lot more than Euro fans do in these BB deals.
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post #11 of 74
7/17/08 at 3:41pm

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

I think it's great that these films will be made available, put personally I'm not really interested in this batch. I'm looking for the horror titles like FRANKENSTEIN 1970, THE WALKING DEAD and THE BEAST WITH FIVE FINGERS.

The Best Buy Exclusive thing doesn't ever affect me, as I can always get to one of their stores in my area conveniently enough which will stock the films, when I want them. But still I think it's a boneheaded move to go this route, as so many fans who really want to buy them won't all have the chance. It's almost like they don't want these to sell, and then the companies can say "see? We told you this stuff doesn't sell".
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post #12 of 74
7/17/08 at 3:42pm

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

Quote:
Originally Posted by TravisR
Yeah but people will still complain.

And even worse, people will still complain that people are complaining. Which in a way is even more pointless.
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post #13 of 74
7/17/08 at 4:09pm

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Elliott
This whole "we can't get this" thing is getting out of control IMO. I'm sure people can find friends online to buy and ship it to you overseas. However, let's not forget how many titles that come to R2 that don't see the light of day in R1 ville. I believe there's a 21-disc L&H set alone that has yet to show up here and God knows how many Euro horror titles are out in R2 but not here.

In the end, American fans lose a lot more than Euro fans do in these BB deals.

So anyone can find someone who can get anything, and ship it anywhere for them, but American fans are losing out a lot more because of what again?

I've lost count of the number of R1 titles that aren't available in R2, or are available in inferior versions, the number of boxsets that are shorn of titles and / or extras, which has lead to more than two thirds (or more) of my discs being imported from R1.

Sorry, Michael, but you lost me somewhere around 'This whole "we can't get this" thing is getting out of control'...

I'm sure if I prevailed on someone, that I could get hold of the 'Best Buy' exclusives (a HTF member was kind enough to do the honours last time something similar happened), but it's flippin' nuisance - you want a 21-disc Laurel & Hardy Box Set, it might be across the wide Atlantic, but it's only a mouse click away, unlike these titles.

Having said that, Warners will release them on the general market sooner or later.
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post #14 of 74
7/17/08 at 4:14pm

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

Quote:
This whole "we can't get this" thing is getting out of control IMO. I'm sure people can find friends online to buy and ship it to you overseas. However, let's not forget how many titles that come to R2 that don't see the light of day in R1 ville. I believe there's a 21-disc L&H set alone that has yet to show up here and God knows how many Euro horror titles are out in R2 but not here.

In the end, American fans lose a lot more than Euro fans do in these BB deals.

But this has been going on since day one of DVD, FFS! There are hundreds of titles that have either never seen the light of day in R2, are cut to ribbons by our state censors but uncut in R1, or have much better extras/ picture/whatever in R1. The Studios have always regarded the US domestic market as far more important than the rest of the planet.

Thankfully there are retailers who are happy to sell titles internationally over the internet - otherwise only a minority of individuals would be able to buy R1 titles while visiting the US.

EDIT: Calmed down. Taken my medication. I'm waaaay too cynical in my old age. Sorry, Michael.

BTW, the L&H 21 disc set is down to approx $98 (+ shipping) currently at Zavvi (formerly Virgin, and they ship internationally).
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post #15 of 74
7/17/08 at 4:18pm

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

I'm be happy to make some trades. There are several R2 titles that were only released to news stands that I will happily trade these titles for. I'm already buying two of these sets for people overseas.

For those needing help:

HELP NEEDED: Warner/Best Buy titles - Classic Horror Classifieds - Horror Headlines - Classic Horror Film Board - Message Board - Yuku
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post #16 of 74
7/17/08 at 4:25pm

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe Karlosi
And even worse, people will still complain that people are complaining. Which in a way is even more pointless.
Maybe so but if people are allowed to complain, I'm allowed to complain about the complaints.

I will say that I don't blame people outside the US for not being happy about this but for anyone in the US, I think they should just be happy that something they want is coming out.
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post #17 of 74
7/17/08 at 4:27pm

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

Quote:
Originally Posted by John Hodson
\you want a 21-disc Laurel & Hardy Box Set, it might be across the wide Atlantic, but it's only a mouse click away, unlike these titles..

I actually flew from Atlanta to London to get the L&H box set. Well, not just for the box, but I went through the trouble to make a stop at Soho Square while I was there.

Best Buy isn't the "best" but I think they've been more than fair with exclusives. Like having the Popeye Vol. 1 tin, while making it a low price (comparable to DDD or Amazon). Of course, it's a boon to re-sellers... (not that I'm biased after being able to pay rent after reselling the Universal horror sets).
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post #18 of 74
7/17/08 at 5:54pm

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

Will this be a replay of the Get Smart/ Man From UNCLE situation? That was extremely frustrating.

May I just qualify my intemperance in my (now altered) post above - When Dinosaurs and Moon Zero Two are the two movies I've been after copies of the longest. They're two sides of my "when hell freezes over" triangle - the other title being Monte Carlo Or Bust (Those Magnificent Men In Their Jaunty Jalopies) which I finally managed to source from Amazon a few weeks ago. These are movies I don't care about the condition of - I'm just happy to see them available after decades of not being able to get hold of them. So you can imagine if they're unavailable because of some dodgy deal between a retail chain and the studio, a little annoyance might be excusable.
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post #19 of 74
7/17/08 at 7:53pm

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

The best thing I ever did for myself was getting a region free, PAL/NTSC dvd player. I did this because I simply had to have "Department S" on dvd. Peter Wyngarde is THE MAN! I believe everyone should have a player with this capability and your release worries in other countries will soon go away. On the Best Buy front, Fuck Them. I am so damn tired of their BS it isn't even funny anymore. To all those in other countries who have to put up with their BS as well, I am truely sorry. From what I know of BB exclusives they only have a limited time frame before the titles become generally available. At least the exclusives from them I've seen.
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post #20 of 74
7/17/08 at 8:10pm

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

It doesnt matter what side of the Atlantic your on. I can think of plenty of stuff thats not out in the US, that our European friends get. And the irony, its US movies and TV shows that i can think of, thats not out here!

I have no doubt this will eventually get a wide release, just like the Universal Sci-Fi sets did.
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post #21 of 74
7/18/08 at 3:17am

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

Quote:
Originally Posted by RickER
It doesnt matter what side of the Atlantic your on. I can think of plenty of stuff thats not out in the US, that our European friends get. And the irony, its US movies and TV shows that i can think of, thats not out here!

I have no doubt this will eventually get a wide release, just like the Universal Sci-Fi sets did.

Yes, but once you have a multi region player, nothing stops you from ordering overseas from actual uk shops like Amazon.uk. I've been a patron of many US DVDs and its so infruiating that all these great new titles are closed off to me, because Best Buy does not ship overseas. No wonder the studios go for it, its the only way their pig headed, dated, multi region practice can be upheld
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post #22 of 74
7/18/08 at 3:19am

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

Quote:
Originally Posted by TravisR
Maybe so but if people are allowed to complain, I'm allowed to complain about the complaints.

Perhaps. But I'm not saying you're not allowed; you're the one chastizing others for their right to complain!

Your move!
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post #23 of 74
7/18/08 at 4:32am
Thread Starter 

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Elliott
This whole "we can't get this" thing is getting out of control IMO. I'm sure people can find friends online to buy and ship it to you overseas. However, let's not forget how many titles that come to R2 that don't see the light of day in R1 ville. I believe there's a 21-disc L&H set alone that has yet to show up here and God knows how many Euro horror titles are out in R2 but not here.

In the end, American fans lose a lot more than Euro fans do in these BB deals.

Not really....

First, the number of releases that are in r1 but not in r2 hugely outnumbers the releases you can get in r2 but not in r1.

The r1 catalogue is far, far larger and contains many more cult, niche, special interest (call them what you will) films. Moreover, there are numerous occasions where r1 has received superior editions, in terms of extras, or where our censors have sliced them to bits.

This is inevitable given the nature of the r1 market compared to r2. The studios have always treated the r1 market as their first priority. r2 just gets second servings, if we are lucky. The only exception to this is the few bits and pieces that have been picked up by small labels here - our equivalents of the old Image or Dark Sky.

Second, there's nothing to stop you buying these r2 titles - they are readily available from (for example) Amazon. I can't readily think of any that have been released in r2 that are exclusive to a store that doesn't ship internationally. The release in America isn't the problem, it's the exclusivity to a store that doesn't shop outside of the US.

Lastly, the idea of asking a friend to get them is OK, but frankly, I don't like to impose on someone who has already generously got hold of titles in the past. Particularly if it means asking someone to trudge off to some bricks and mortar store that can be miles away, rummaging through badly stocked shelves.
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post #24 of 74
7/18/08 at 8:27am

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

This is great news, I hope DINOSAURS is uncut!
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post #25 of 74
7/18/08 at 10:12am

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

Quote:
Originally Posted by TravisR
Yeah but people will still complain.

I wouldnt complain if Worst Buy actually STOCKED the damn things. I've been waiting for a copy of Phase IV for weeks now. The closest store that has one is about 800 miles away! Nothing in the whole of washington or oregon. Oh, I could get them off BB.com - but they've been back ordered since the release.

So, is that a fair complaint? Yeah, I think so.
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post #26 of 74
7/18/08 at 10:16am

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

Quote:
Originally Posted by RickER
It doesnt matter what side of the Atlantic your on. I can think of plenty of stuff thats not out in the US, that our European friends get. And the irony, its US movies and TV shows that i can think of, thats not out here!

I have no doubt this will eventually get a wide release, just like the Universal Sci-Fi sets did.

Rick! Help a droog out and buy me a set of these! I'll send you ...ummm.... there's no Canadian exclusive DVDs I can think of... Maple Syrup?
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post #27 of 74
7/18/08 at 11:40am

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe Karlosi
Perhaps. But I'm not saying you're not allowed; you're the one chastizing others for their right to complain!

Your move!
I guess what I'm saying is that if someone wants these titles and lives in the US, they should just be happy that they're coming at all even if it requires jumping through hoops (like a backordered website) to get them. I certainly don't feel sorry for anyone too impatient to wait for a backordered item that they want.
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post #28 of 74
7/18/08 at 2:03pm

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

Quote:
Originally Posted by TravisR
I guess what I'm saying is that if someone wants these titles and lives in the US, they should just be happy that they're coming at all even if it requires jumping through hoops (like a backordered website) to get them. I certainly don't feel sorry for anyone too impatient to wait for a backordered item that they want.

Is it okay with you if I "whine" that I have no interest in any of these titles (personally)* and would have much preferred that we got the Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre horror titles, like FRANKENSTEIN 1970, THE WALKING DEAD, and THE BEAST WITH FIVE FINGERS?

*as I said though, I still think it's good that these are coming out for those who want them
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post #29 of 74
7/18/08 at 2:21pm

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

What surprises me is that these releases were so far off anyone’s radar and almost were announced as they are being shipped. This does not sound anything at all like Warner Brothers. Even the three Universal sets were announced two or three months before release. When an on-line DVD sale company had an exclusive on a couple of Warner releases a year or so back, they were promoted well in advance of release.

I can understand Best Buy doing the exclusive as they were happy with the Universal title sales. Evidently since the Best Buy web site and some stores are sold out of many of the Legend/Paramount titles, the exclusive does work.

I am not a fan of Best Buy and rarely shop there for DVD’s since they do not carry most of the catalog releases that I crave, but to get these six titles, I am there, so it works.
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post #30 of 74
7/18/08 at 3:20pm

Re: Sci-Fi from Warner

Quote:
Originally Posted by TravisR
Yeah but people will still complain.

Not everyone lives within a reasonable distance of a Best Buy.

By granting a monopoly to Best Buy, it's highly unlikely that we'll see any good deals on these discs.

Several studios have released bare-bones DVDs through Best Buy, only to announce a feature-laden double dips a couple months later. I doubt it'll happen in this case, but it does give cause not to make the purchases right off the back.

There are plenty of legitimate reasons to complain about these kind of deals.

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