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MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

post #1 of 38
10/6/08 at 2:57pm
Thread Starter 
THE HIGH-DEF EQUIVALENT OF ELEVEN
ROCKS OUT WITH THE BLU-RAY DEBUT OF

THIS IS SPINAL TAP

MGM Home Entertainment Releases Rob Reiner’s Hilarious Rockumentary Starring Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer Debuts on Blu-ray Disc January 20th

Brand New BD Exclusive Game, “Create Your Own Band” Sends Those Other Rock Games Back To The High School Auditorium


CENTURY CITY, Calif. – Ring in the New Year with the revolutionary UK rock band as This is Spinal Tap screams its way to Blu-ray Disc January 20th from MGM Home Entertainment. Directed by Academy AwardÒ nominee* Rob Reiner (A Few Good Men), This is Spinal Tap is Reiner’s directorial debut and is the “…absolutely inspired film” (Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times) responsible for introducing mock documentaries to mainstream American audiences. Renowned comedy director Christopher Guest (Best in Show), Academy AwardÒ nominee** Michael McKean (A Mighty Wind) and Emmy AwardÒ nominee *** Harry Shearer (“Saturday Night Live”) star as the three members of the fictional heavy-metal/hard rock band Spinal Tap. Satirizing the wild personal behavior and musical pretensions of hard-rock and heavy-metal bands, This is Spinal Tap presents a second-rate band made up of aging band members who are desperately trying to cling onto what little fame they used to have. This is Spinal Tap also includes cameo appearances by renowned actors such as Billy Crystal (When Harry Met Sally), Anjelica Houston (The Addams Family) and Ed Begley, Jr. (Pineapple Express). Inducted into the National Film Registry in 2002, This is Spinal Tap has left an indelible mark on pop culture as evidenced by its numerous imitators and its esteemed spot at number one atop Entertainment Weekly’s “Top 50 Cult Movies of All Time.”

For the first time fans can own all of the special features included on the previous standard-def as well as Laserdisc versions with a brand new BD-exclusive game, “Create Your Own Band.”

This is Spinal Tap Blu-ray Disc will be available for the suggested retail price of $34.99 U.S. / $37.99 Canada.

* 1993: Best Picture (A Few Good Men)
** 2004: Best Music, Original Score (A Mighty Wind)
***1980: Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program (“Saturday Night Live”)


Synopsis:
In 1982 legendary British heavy metal band Spinal Tap attempt an American comeback tour accompanied by a fan who is also a film-maker. The resulting documentary, combined with powerful performances of Spinal Tap's pivotal music and profound lyrics, candidly follows a rock group heading towards crisis, culminating in the infamous affair of the eighteen-inch-high Stonehenge stage prop surrounded by dancing midgets.

Special Features:
The This is Spinal Tap BD release will be authored in BD-Java presented in widescreen format (1.78:1 aspect ratio) with English 5.1 DTS HD Lossless Audio.

Bonus features include:
· NEW Create Your Own Band Game – Create and customize your very own rock star avatars
· Commentary by Spinal Tap
· Commentary by Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer
· Commentary by Director Rob Reiner, Producer Karen Murphy and Editors Robert Leighton
and Kent Beyda
· Deleted Scenes
· Flower People Press Conference
· Spinal Tap appearance on “The Joe Franklin Show”
· Music Videos
o Gimme Some Money
o (Listed to the) Flower People
o Hell Hole
o Big Bottom
· Theatrical Trailer
· Cheese Rolling Trailer
· Rock and Rolls Commercials


This is Spinal Tap Blu-ray Disc
Street Date: January 20, 2009
Pre-book Date: December 10, 2008
BD Price: $34.99 U.S. / $37.99 Canada
Catalog #: M113258
Total Running Time: 83 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Closed Captioned: Yes
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post #2 of 38
10/6/08 at 4:51pm

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

Wow, we're actually getting the Criterion commentaries?! I mentioned it in another thread as a wish; I didn't think it would actually happen. Since the studio is obviously putting some effort into this release, maybe there's a chance we'll get the original burned-in subtitles.
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post #3 of 38
10/6/08 at 7:43pm

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

Quote:
with English 5.1 DTS HD Lossless Audio


Where's the Dobly soundtrack?
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post #4 of 38
10/6/08 at 7:56pm

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

Don't you mean Doubly?
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post #5 of 38
10/6/08 at 8:21pm

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

That's a poorly written subtitle track, my friend...('Dobly' is Janine's misinformed pronunciation in the thick Brit accent...Gawd, I hate explaining jokes...)

Still no sales pitch reel, sadly.

I will buy it and keep it sealed, for this blu-ray cannot be played...

(and the quotes just keep rolling in...)
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post #6 of 38
10/6/08 at 8:36pm

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

Ahh, extras.

Now that's not so hard, is it, MGM?
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post #7 of 38
10/6/08 at 10:16pm

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

Dear MGM:

Please either:
a) keep the original burned in subtitles (preferred), or
b) improve the look/font/anti-aliasing of the player generated subtitles on the Blu-Ray
Criterion's DVD had the original subs (IIRC) and the difference between that and the "Atari 2600 font style" of the player generated subs of the MGM SE DVD of Spinal Tap was striking--in favor of Criterion and the original burned-in subs.

The subs play such a key part of the movie and is part of the overall joke, so please do option a) if possible.

Thanks!
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post #8 of 38
10/6/08 at 10:55pm

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

Of course I am excited about this release as is everyone else. The only thing I have to say about it is that I, too, would really, really like to see the original, burned-in subtitles. Pretty, pretty please?
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post #9 of 38
10/7/08 at 7:32am

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carlo Medina
Dear MGM:

Please either:
a) keep the original burned in subtitles (preferred), or
b) improve the look/font/anti-aliasing of the player generated subtitles on the Blu-Ray
Criterion's DVD had the original subs (IIRC) and the difference between that and the "Atari 2600 font style" of the player generated subs of the MGM SE DVD of Spinal Tap was striking--in favor of Criterion and the original burned-in subs.

Agreed. Like The Godfather. Very nicely done player generated subs.
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post #10 of 38
10/9/08 at 11:06am

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

An MGM catalog BD release with Special Features???

The world must be coming to an end......
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post #11 of 38
10/10/08 at 12:47pm

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

I heard a rumor that Spinal Tap may even do a 25th reunion tour next year.

Seems I remember a DVD commentary by the band stating that Spinal Tap has to regroup, preform and show that they are still a business entity every "x" number of years, in order to maintain home video rights / royalties.

When the movie first came out, people didn't buy movies. So as long as Tap is putting out new configurations of this DVD every so many years (with new features, etc.), they can claim ownership. If they go longer than the period of time, some other party gets the distribution rights.

Anyone else remember this or have better details?
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post #12 of 38
10/10/08 at 1:16pm

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

If people ask me my favorite film, I usually mention "Casablanca", but I have to admit that I have watched "This is Spinal Tap" more times from beginning to end than any other movie. I stood pat with my Criterion DVD, so this is a no-brainer purchase for me.

Regards,
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post #13 of 38
10/10/08 at 9:04pm

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

Casablanca vs. This Is Spinal Tap?

Pshaw! Only one of those films goes to 11!
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post #14 of 38
11/8/08 at 1:11am
Thread Starter 

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

MGM Home Entertainment is postponing the Blu-ray release of THIS IS SPINAL TAP. A press release announcing a new date is forthcoming.
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post #15 of 38
11/8/08 at 9:13am

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

At first this is disappointing news, but I'm hopeful that perhaps this was one of those "in the pipeline" transfers that perhaps they are going back and re-doing to improve PQ and AQ.

And, of course, to properly recreate the burned-in subtitles.
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post #16 of 38
11/8/08 at 10:01am

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

Harry Shearer talks of a possible reunion next year to coincide w/ the 25th anniversary of the movie....

So perhaps they are juggling the BD release date to coincide with a possible reunion / tour / media blitz ??

Harry Shearer interview w/ Kurt Loder:

My Damn Channel - Lapdance with Kurt Loder: Harry Shearer on Spinal Tap
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post #17 of 38
11/8/08 at 10:40am

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

Someone uploaded a new date of 3/17/09 to the dvdaf.com listing of it. No idea if that's correct.
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post #18 of 38
5/4/09 at 9:11am

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

Amazon is showing a July 14th release date. Hopefully, this is back on track for good.
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post #19 of 38
5/4/09 at 11:43am

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

With Blu-Ray, there's no reason for burned-in subs. They could use an identical font used in the original film and you'd never know the difference. Plus, you stay one generation closer to the original negative.

Just re-create the subs in the correct font and I'll be happy.
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post #20 of 38
5/4/09 at 1:57pm

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

Using the correct font is also possible when authoring DVDs, it's just that few producers go to the trouble.

It will be interesting when the PQ reactions come in regarding this film, shot inexpensively on grainy 16mm.
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post #21 of 38
5/4/09 at 2:46pm

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

Yes, it will. I can just picture the responses of the grain-haters:
"This isn't the way it looked in theatres!"
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post #22 of 38
5/7/09 at 8:12pm

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

So what's the correct aspect ratio? 1.70:1 (Crit.), 1.85:1 (MGM) or 1.78:1 (BD)?

I suppose with this small amount of variance, it shouldn't matter.
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post #23 of 38
5/7/09 at 9:45pm

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

I'd still love that TV special (wasn't it on NBC a few years ago?) included as a bonus feature.
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post #24 of 38
5/7/09 at 11:15pm

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Adkins
With Blu-Ray, there's no reason for burned-in subs. They could use an identical font used in the original film and you'd never know the difference. Plus, you stay one generation closer to the original negative.

Just re-create the subs in the correct font and I'll be happy.
They "could" but they more often than not don't. They also have to get the timing of when the subs appear/disappear correct. So that's why we would prefer the burned in subs, as that's the best way we can ensure the subs, which are part of the joke are put onscreen correctly.

But you are right, they could do it properly with player generated subs, but usually they don't put that kind of attention to detail on player-gen subs. Other than the Godfather Trilogy BD subs (which use a really cool font) I haven't been overly impressed with BD player gen sub implementation...other than the better anti-aliasing compared to DVD subs (which look like Atari 2600 graphics in comparison).
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post #25 of 38
5/9/09 at 6:29pm

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

Quote:
Other than the Godfather Trilogy BD subs (which use a really cool font)

Sure they looked nice, but I didn't think they were that faithful to the original look. It's like they decided to use "Godfather" font, they try to make it look like it always has (my one gripe in an otherwise fantastic release.)
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post #26 of 38
5/10/09 at 11:52pm

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

I agree Will. They certainly weren't faithful, I was only using them as an example to what a company who paid attention to detail on subs could achieve. They used a nice looking, semi-relevant font, with a nice color as well. But most companies will use the standard white font that is consistently used through 95%+ of BDs, which IMO will result in a loss in translation for This Is Spinal Tap. Chances are they won't get the look of the font right, and probably not the timing either.
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post #27 of 38
5/14/09 at 2:16pm

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

So far with a new release date of July approaching no sites seem to have cover art for the Blu ray release yet... which to me is a very bad sign. I hope the reason for the delay is so the powers that be release it the best way possible with film grain in tact and no NOOOOOO DNR!
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post #28 of 38
5/15/09 at 12:38am

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

Quote:
Originally Posted by David Deeb
Amazon is showing a July 14th release date. Hopefully, this is back on track for good.

Let's hope so...
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post #29 of 38
5/27/09 at 8:16am

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

Is this really the cover art? It looks horribly bad. Hands down the worst cover art I've seen in years.

This is Spinal Tab details and cover art (July 28) - DVDTOWN.com
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post #30 of 38
5/27/09 at 8:19am

Re: MGM Press Release: This Is Spinal Tap (Blu-ray)

Blah.

Why couldn't they just make it the logo on a black background like it usually is?

Oh well, it's the content on the disc that truly matters.
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