Home Theater Forum › Home Theater Forum › Blu-ray, DVD, Streaming Video and Digital Downloads › DVD › Warner Archive Discussion Thread (FEEDBACK)
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Warner Archive Discussion Thread (FEEDBACK) - Page 52

post #1531 of 3526
5/5/09 at 2:06pm

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Livius
This would represent the doomsday scenario for me.

I wouldn't worry about it. They said the same thing when TV was invented. They also said it when VHS homevideo started. DVD's and downloads are better quality, of course, but people will always want to go to the theater for a night out at the cineplex. When something like WOLVERINE makes $90 million at the boxoffice on one weekend, movie theaters are here to stay for a very, very long time.
Reply
post #1532 of 3526
5/5/09 at 2:51pm

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jobla
The latest release batch is okay, but it seems like Warner is avoiding releasing more horror, sci-fi, and mystery titles. I'd like to see more titles released from those categories, and yes, I too would like to see more titles from the late 1950's through the mid 1970's.

I suspect that Warner considers these genre titles to be marketable enough to get a regular DVD release. I'm fine with that. After all, they need to have some kind of Halloween promotion every year. That can't be said for silent Garbo pictures or John Garfield noirs, I'm sad to say.
Reply
post #1533 of 3526
5/5/09 at 4:01pm

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jobla
The latest release batch is okay, but it seems like Warner is avoiding releasing more horror, sci-fi, and mystery titles. I'd like to see more titles released from those categories, and yes, I too would like to see more titles from the late 1950's through the mid 1970's.

John (Hi!), I agree with you 100%. I'm completely disappointed that WB hasn't spread the genres around a bit more evenly. I suppose that if the non-horror/sci-fi/mystery titles had sold better, WB would be aiming the program more at those types. Beats me though -- the way in which studios think is not the way you or I -- or anyone rational human not working for a corporation -- would think.

Ben
Reply
post #1534 of 3526
5/5/09 at 4:15pm

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

As a generic rule, I'd say the older the film the more likely it'll be in the WA rather than a standard DVD release, with the opposite being true that the newer the film the more likely for a regular DVD release. Simple logic dictates that the more recent the film the larger the potential market due to more people being aware of/having seen the film before.
Reply
post #1535 of 3526
5/5/09 at 4:22pm

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Marcel H.
20 new titles have been added. I went through the Archive collection and found the following:

...Bye Bye Braverman (1968)...

...Pride of the Marines (1945)...
Releasing an offbeat movie like Bye Bye Braverman through the Archive makes sense, but I wonder if a video master of it even exists. AFAIK it's never been on TCM or broadcast anywhere for years.

But why is a great serious film like Pride of the Marines being released through the Archives? I'm beginning to believe those here who say that the Archive will be the new home for more and more classic/catalog titles.
Reply
post #1536 of 3526
5/5/09 at 4:54pm

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan1
But why is a great serious film like Pride of the Marines being released through the Archives? I'm beginning to believe those here who say that the Archive will be the new home for more and more classic/catalog titles.

My reaction exactly!
Reply
post #1537 of 3526
5/5/09 at 5:22pm

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Reggie W
Let me clear about something, I am not saying I like the idea of downloading films. I'm like a lot of people here and I have enjoyed "collecting" media over the years. I'm 42 so I've been around long enough to go through several formats for music and film. I have found that the DVD has been by far my favorite format. I like the whole presentation that goes into putting out an album or DVD. So, I'm not advocating that this end.

What I am saying is think how much sense it makes for a company like Warner that no longer needs any middleman to deliver their product to you. With a downloadable product you get it right away, no shipping costs, no production cost, no wasteful packaging. All of these things have appeal not just to Warner but in an economy that is a mess and with rising concern over protecting the environment.

In the end I don't think it will be about whether we "like" the idea I think it will be about the fact that the idea works in so many ways. Retail stores have had CD and DVD product on the chopping block for some time. Catalog titles will no longer be taking up shelf space in brick & mortar retail stores. Borders Books and Music is the latest to slash their inventory.

With the DVD and all "disc" products being labeled one of the most "wasteful" products on the market, I expect a push to be rid of them. I expect retail stores that focus on this media to suffer in this economy. Here in New England we have Newbury Comics, a great store loaded with CD and DVD product and to me they are the test case. As far as music goes downloadable media has destroyed sales. Are you really going to tell me that DVD is far behind?

I think we will see some new products on the market that are better, faster, more reliable and very well hyped that will try to do to DVD or Blu what the iPod did to CD. A place like this will probably be where we will find this shift first...I would think.

The Warner Archive puts Warner ahead of the curve on this. This allows them to shift to the new format with ease because they already have the framework in place. Plus this will be hyped to the market like all format shifts are as THE BEST WAY TO EXPERIENCE MOVIES IN YOUR HOME THEATRE!!!

Sure that part will be hype but it will open the floodgates for thousands and thousands of films "never before available" to now be "at your fingertips" and this is exactly what the Warner Archive has done.

All I'm saying is all signs point to the end of the disc and when "environmental regulation" becomes tangled with the production of disc related product...well...you can kiss it goodbye. Our world is changing and as music and film lovers have always done, they will change with it and adapt to a new format. The younger generation, talk to anybody in their 20s, loves downloading and would prefer to have everything on one small iPod like device....they already despise the disc.

Good points Reggie but you forgot to mention how the environment is impacted by those newfangled download boxes as well. The toxins inside of electronic and computer products (hard drives? Flash Media?)do much harm to the environment. Are we going to stop making them?

BTW...Blu ray is just now ramping up, sales are on the rise (GE Holographic Discs in the future as well)so dont expect discs to go away anytime soon.

Also you mention Borders stopping the sale of their discs. You do know that Borders is in deep financial doo doo (regardless of weather they sell discs or not!)and they were wanting their cd and dvd suppliers to give them a longer period on their loans, this was one of the reason for getting rid of the dvd and cd selection, the suppliers said no way. (Barnes and Noble, who is in a much better financial position still sells CD and DVDs by the way with no plans to get rid of them).

I am enjoying the Warner Archive and look forward to future releases but I do wonder why Fox video can sell (on release day for that matter) the Goldwyn Follies, Its a Pleasure and A Song is Born on pressed dvds on amazon for 9.99 but we get DVD-Rs for twice the price? I doubt that Fox pressed many of the above discs but they were still able to produce theses and get them into consumers hands at a decent price.
Reply
post #1538 of 3526
5/5/09 at 5:40pm

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

Right back at ya, Ben! I guess I was spoiled by the intial Archive batch, with such titles as BRAINSTORM (1965), MY BLOOD RUNS COLD, CAPTAIN SINDBAD, CAPTAIN NEMO, THE MONEY TRAP, and even the offbeat drama ANGEL BABY. Well, maybe we'll see more titles in those categories pop up closer to Halloween. With the other William Conrad directorial efforts already released, I'd like to see TWO ON A GUILLOTINE join the party. I'd like to see some Allied Artists titles, too.
Reply
post #1539 of 3526
5/5/09 at 6:02pm

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

I put three items in my cart of the new titles and tried "SPITFIRE" as a discount code, but it's not working. Any new discount codes - not paying twenty bucks a pop.
Reply
post #1540 of 3526
5/5/09 at 7:17pm

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan1
Releasing an offbeat movie like Bye Bye Braverman through the Archive makes sense, but I wonder if a video master of it even exists.

I saw it on Cinemax back in 1985, so it does exist, hopefully they wount use it though. I always thought it was a quirky little film, and I enjoyed watching it then, but I agree, it's a title that is best to be released as a Archive line.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan1
But why is a great serious film like Pride of the Marines being released through the Archives? I'm beginning to believe those here who say that the Archive will be the new home for more and more classic/catalog titles.

Or SOLDIER IN THE RAIN, as you would think a rare Steve McQueen film like this or his ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE should warrant a regular release.

Suprised to see FREEBEE AND THE BEAN, that has enough fan base for a regular release, I though. As for SKIN GAME, fun film, but they could have done a James Garner box set with this and THEY ONLY KILL THEIR MASTER, plus the yet unreleased on DVD MARLOWE and HOW SWEET IT IS.
Reply
post #1541 of 3526
5/5/09 at 7:43pm

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

I saw a nice print of BRAVERMAN at New York's Film Forum last spring.
Reply
post #1542 of 3526
5/5/09 at 8:00pm

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan1
Releasing an offbeat movie like Bye Bye Braverman through the Archive makes sense, but I wonder if a video master of it even exists. AFAIK it's never been on TCM or broadcast anywhere for years.

But why is a great serious film like Pride of the Marines being released through the Archives? I'm beginning to believe those here who say that the Archive will be the new home for more and more classic/catalog titles.

Yes, I can see why you'd say that about BRAVERMAN, although I still don't like it.

As for PRIDE OF THE MARINES, this is one of the greatest of the "returning veteran" films, right up there with THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES, I think--if they weren't going to put out a Garfield box set, as originally planned, why couldn't this one have fit into one of the several WWII box sets that have been released in recent years?
Reply
post #1543 of 3526
5/6/09 at 4:50am

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

By the way. "Tarzan and the She-Devil" has been added as well. Now, there are 191 titles available.
Reply
post #1544 of 3526
5/6/09 at 5:53am

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by BillyFeldman
I put three items in my cart of the new titles and tried "SPITFIRE" as a discount code, but it's not working. Any new discount codes - not paying twenty bucks a pop.
I won't be buying any titles at that pricepoint.

Furthermore, I can't express into words how disappointed I am with Warner in regard to the Garfield titles not being released prior to Warner Archive. I'm not happy about the Robert Taylor films either. I'm just generally bummed and will keep my money in my pocket until these titles are at a more affordable price.
Reply
post #1545 of 3526
5/6/09 at 7:29am

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

I'm still waiting for a new coupon code . If they keep the new titles at 15+ and they give you a code , that should bring them back to around 10 a title. I can handle that . I still wish they would put some type of deal on the tarzans so you could buy them all together at a nice discount .
Reply
post #1546 of 3526
5/6/09 at 7:45am

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

I would like those Tarzan's but considering I probably paid no more then $20 for each of the earlier sets that contain about 5 movies each, I'm not going to pay that price for one.

Personally, I see some merit in this approach for determining what movies are of interest to the public, since without a simple low-cost distribution approach many of these would never see the light of day. However, without any type of remastering effort at all they are way overpriced. Many older catalog titles when released on DVD can usually be had for under $10 and they are delivered on a pressed disk not a DVD-R. As a result, I hate to see this succeed because it could easily have serious ramification on how we get movies in the future.

However, a model where you could download and burn your own protected DVD-R's or get DVD-R's in the mail (like now) at a more reasonable pricing, say $10 a piece or 5 for $25 I think would garner a lot of interest. Based on the result, the studio could determine which to give the full treatment to in a formal release. Most would probably double-dip and get the improved version later.
Reply
post #1547 of 3526
5/6/09 at 7:59am

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Marcel H.
By the way. "Tarzan and the She-Devil" has been added as well. Now, there are 191 titles available.

Marcel, thanks for the info. That's 1 of the 2 Barker's that I might jump into this archive thing for purchases if I can get a coupon, etc, that will get the price down some.

As Frank & Brad said, I'm interested in the rest of the Barker Tarzan's but I can't justify spending the $$'s for all of these titles. Frank's idea about a bundle special price for the Tarzan's is a good one and it's the way that WB should approach this program on some titles, imo. I think they'd recover more than enough sales $$'s for boxed sets if they'd try it with a couple of titles.

I also agree with Frank's pricepoint limit. I can handle getting a few titles from the archive list at around $10 per disc.

As others have stated on the thread, I'm also wondering how this may affect future pressed releases if this program is deemed successful by WB. It's sort of a "catch-22" for collectors, imo.

On the other hand, as primairly a TV/DVD collector, I might start to "waffle like a Washington senator" if they start including old TV show sets in the archive
Reply
post #1548 of 3526
5/6/09 at 8:06am

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

Yesterday morning the Warner Archive had a Mothers Day 20% off on selected titles (the new titles--the taylors, the Tarzans, BROADWAY RHYTHM, THE GREAT GARRICK, the Garfields, but not SOLDIER IN THE RAIN or SKIN GAME). I managed to get 12 titles for 200 bucks. When I went back that afternoon, the Mother's Day announcement had disappeared and the prices had returned to $19.95. I also noticed that their "wish list" option wasn't/isn;t working.
Reply
post #1549 of 3526
5/6/09 at 8:28am

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

On one hand you have people saying that dvds are slowly coming to an end . It's hard not to buy into that theory when the classic dvd annoucements are fewer and fewer each week . But on the other hand you have people saying they don't want titles put out by the archives because they won't be put out on regular dvd if they are. Probably true . But with fewer and fewer dvds being released each week shouldn't we be glad that they are getting released at all? If i had my way they would all be released on regular dvd and at a good price . But it doesn't look like that will be the case. So if this is the only way to get these movies out , i'm all for it. Now if they can correct a few issues and fix the price per disc this will work for me. I'm also still crossing my fingers that dvd is not dying.
Reply
post #1550 of 3526
5/6/09 at 8:46am

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by borisfw
On one hand you have people saying that dvds are slowly coming to an end . It's hard not to buy into that theory when the classic dvd annoucements are fewer and fewer each week . But on the other hand you have people saying they don't want titles put out by the archives because they won't be put out on regular dvd if they are. Probably true . But with fewer and fewer dvds being released each week shouldn't we be glad that they are getting released at all? If i had my way they would all be released on regular dvd and at a good price . But it doesn't look like that will be the case. So if this is the only way to get these movies out , i'm all for it. Now if they can correct a few issues and fix the price per disc this will work for me. I'm also still crossing my fingers that dvd is not dying.

I don't think they'll fix the price in the distant future, just because it's working. From the last press release regarding the Archive we got to know, that they're really happy because sales are much better than expected. Every now and then there'll be some discounts and promotions but not much more.
Reply
post #1551 of 3526
5/6/09 at 9:17am

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

I do not see the dvd market coming to an end. Downloading movies will require great speed. Unless people are going to go broadband or broadband is going to be offered for free I don't see this happinging for 15 to 20 years. IMHO the biggest problem with the studios is the packaging and repackaging of the same releases i.e. it costs to ship the dvds back and forth. Another problem for dvd releases is the studios are now focusing on Blu Ray which IMHO is the biggest waste of time:

1) For consumers to go Blu there will have to be incentive programs- Exchanges of standard titles for Blu Ray titles. I can't see double dipping.

2) With the way the economy is why would people want to fork over more money for the same title on Blu. Some of the prices are outragious IMHO.
Reply
post #1552 of 3526
5/6/09 at 9:19am

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

It doesn't sound like their investment cost has much overhead so it shouldn't take much to see a profit, which makes one wonder about the premium price.

If there are fewer DVDs releases of catalog items then before, I would think it is primarily because they are exhausting what they consider to be known entities worth the cost of a standard DVD release. They are now down to one's they are unsure about the return and looking for a cheap alternative way to distribute. I agree better to be able to get then have them forever locked away. But it is disconcerting when these lesser titles are demanding more money to purchase then many of there better know counterparts due to this model.

Personally, I don't think the physical disk distribution is going anywhere for quite a while. If anything BR has pushed it out farther in my opinion. Unlike music where size and listen anywhere has beat out quality. People want quality in their video. So the increases in bandwidth associated with HD vs. SD is going to require greater infrastructure then if we were stuck in just SD. BR is on the rise.

My biggest issue with this model or the download model is not having permanent (in my lifetime) protection of my purchases. I want my content to last me 30 years. While there is no proof yet that pressed DVD's will last 40 years (to account for disks I purchased 10 years ago), the general feeling is that they should. However, as stated hard drives aren't produced as permanent storage and the lifetime of a DVD-R is suspect, IMO.
Reply
post #1553 of 3526
5/6/09 at 9:25am

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by kingfish
Another problem for dvd releases is the studios are now focusing on Blu Ray which IMHO is the biggest waste of time:

1) For consumers to go Blu there will have to be incentive programs- Exchanges of standard titles for Blu Ray titles. I can't see double dipping.

2) With the way the economy is why would people want to fork over more money for the same title on Blu. Some of the prices are outragious IMHO.

While I haven't taken the plunge to BR yet. In my view, BR is pretty much where things were when DVD was going against VHS. Decent players can be had for $200 - $300. BR disks can be had for $15 - $25. Sounds pretty similar to the late 90's with DVD's to me.

There is a common concern about replacing current disks or double dipping when moveing to BR. I don't plan on getting rid of any of my DVDs, but will instead just start adding BR titles when I think BR provides an adequate benefit for a little more money.
Reply
post #1554 of 3526
5/6/09 at 10:08am

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

I got a few more titles, taking advantage of the coupons posted here, to see if anything's changed. I got mostly films from the 1930s and 40s: Chained, Foresaking All Others, Strange Interlude, The Big House, Tugboat Annie, Honky Tonk, Homecoming, Thousands Cheer, The Mad Miss Manton. None of the problems that have been pointed out previously have been addressed. Also, it was abundantly clear that absolutely no restoration work was placed into any of these titles in preparation for their Archive release. They just released whatever they had.

I guess this teaches me a few things about the Archives. If a title ends up in it, absolutely no restoration work has been done specifically for the Archive release. It's a copy of whatever they have on hand, which for most films from the 30s and 40s, are video masters created 15-20 years ago for VHS or TCM. So, if I want to know how a title looks in the Archives, I'll take out either the VHS version of the movie that they issued decades ago, or look at TCM. These discs offer no significant improvement on either.
Reply
post #1555 of 3526
5/6/09 at 10:41am

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by jdee28
I got a few more titles, taking advantage of the coupons posted here, to see if anything's changed. I got mostly films from the 1930s and 40s: Chained, Foresaking All Others, Strange Interlude, The Big House, Tugboat Annie, Honky Tonk, Homecoming, Thousands Cheer, The Mad Miss Manton. None of the problems that have been pointed out previously have been addressed. Also, it was abundantly clear that absolutely no restoration work was placed into any of these titles in preparation for their Archive release. They just released whatever they had.

I guess this teaches me a few things about the Archives. If a title ends up in it, absolutely no restoration work has been done specifically for the Archive release. It's a copy of whatever they have on hand, which for most films from the 30s and 40s, are video masters created 15-20 years ago for VHS or TCM. So, if I want to know how a title looks in the Archives, I'll take out either the VHS version of the movie that they issued decades ago, or look at TCM. These discs offer no significant improvement on either.

The initial influx of money that they are receiving and thus feelings of success for this model may be short lived as more and more come to realize the lack of quality in the releases they are getting for a premium price and stop buying.

Hopefully, feedback like this directly to WB will get them to lower the price to something more reasonable while keeping the model, since there is value in getting access to films otherwise unavailable.
Reply
post #1556 of 3526
5/6/09 at 10:44am

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon Hertzberg
Yes, I can see why you'd say that about BRAVERMAN, although I still don't like it.

As for PRIDE OF THE MARINES, this is one of the greatest of the "returning veteran" films, right up there with THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES, I think--if they weren't going to put out a Garfield box set, as originally planned, why couldn't this one have fit into one of the several WWII box sets that have been released in recent years?

Bye Bye Braverman might never have been released as a catalog $9.99 pressed DVD because it is an obscure title. So it's better off in the Archives, quality issues aside, than never being released at all. There are a few movies in the Archive I'd like to see, like Braverman, but none I'd buy. I won't buy a DVD unless I know I'll watch it at least once a year, even at a discounted price.

Maybe we'll get lucky and TCM will broadcast Braverman some time this year.

You are 100% right about Pride of The Marines!
Reply
post #1557 of 3526
5/6/09 at 11:13am

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

[quote=smithb]The initial influx of money that they are receiving and thus feelings of success for this model may be short lived as more and more come to realize the lack of quality in the releases they are getting for a premium price and stop buying.QUOTE]

Actually I already stopped. I bought almost every Warners DVD box set and single release of classic films , consequently I have just too many films that I have yet to watch. Therefore it seems foolish for me to spend more money for an product without upgraded transfers, pressed discs, proper chapter stops, the occasional commentary track, outtake, etc.
Reply
post #1558 of 3526
5/6/09 at 11:27am

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

I just went to the WBShop website and left a comment under their "contact us" section about the Archive releases.

While I applauded them for providing access to films that may never have had a formal release. I explained the failed logic in their approach referencing Tarzan as an example. Fully restored Weismuller films for on average $6 a piece compared to archive version of Barker for $20 a piece. I further suggested a purchasing model of $7.50 a piece with the idea that if they get many purchasing at a lower cost they will not only succeed but will know which films to give the full DVD release treatment to later, and that most will probably double-dip anyways for a remastered disk.

I would suggest others interested in seeing where this could go to also send them an email through the contact section of the website. Who knows maybe they will see the light.
Reply
post #1559 of 3526
5/6/09 at 6:55pm

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

For those interested, the code XB592 will give you 25% off for five dvds and the code can only by used once. There is also free shipping by ordering those five dvds.






Crawdaddy
Reply
post #1560 of 3526
5/6/09 at 7:36pm

Re: Warner Archive Discussion Thread

Thanks for the code.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: DVD
Home Theater Forum › Home Theater Forum › Blu-ray, DVD, Streaming Video and Digital Downloads › DVD › Warner Archive Discussion Thread (FEEDBACK)