It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World - 7/5 (Another Wal-Mart Exclusive)

Paul,

Thank you for this information.

$10 for IAMMMW on Walmart.com and it looks like they will ship.

(I hate going to Walmart)

As much as I should be happy tha IAMMMW is being released to

Blu-ray, I feel like it's a lost opportunity.

I imagine Fox/MGM was approached about doing the necessary

restoration to bring this film back to roadshow glory and they decided

not to go that route.  It's a real shame.  Had this been in Warner's

hands, we would have probably gotten the entire "kit and kaboodle."

I am not necessarily pointing the finger at the studio for not doing

the right thing.  Obviously, there was a lot to consider as far as what

the return sales value would be on doing an entire restoration.  I think

most studios would have turned down spending the money to do it.

In any event, I am certainly going to purchase IAMMMW, though

my heart still belongs to the laserdisc release and all the extra footage

on it.

well looks as if a nother windfall for walmart, my only concern is that they carry it in the B&M stores, definately see some titles that would be day one purchases as long as the transfer is up to par.

These are all well known titles. It looks like the exclusive deal with WalMart is paying off for the studio or they wouldn't keep doing these exclusives.

the are also going to be having a Lionsgate exclusive group as well, Jackie Brown is in that setof releases along with The Crow

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattH. 

These are all well known titles. It looks like the exclusive deal with WalMart is paying off for the studio or they wouldn't keep doing these exclusives.

I wish someone could explain the economics of these deals.  I don't understand how it benefits Wal-Mart enough to want to do it, especially on $10 titles.  And considering all the big retailers seem to be doing exclusives now, how is it really advantageous?  Or is it just a matter of trying to keep up with everyone else?

mmm... A "Hallelujah Trail" blu would be nice!

How about IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT  -WIND AND THE LION-   HAWAII.and THE GREAT ESCAPE.

I just placed an order online for IAMMMW

Came to $12.81 with tax and shipping.  Still

a great deal considering I don't have to drive

all the way out to Walmart to find it.

I suppose this has to be done...

Even though it can't help but go down as a missed opportunity, since it isn't the release we all continue to wait and live for...

Quote:

Originally Posted by TravisR 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarod M 

I wish someone could explain the economics of these deals.  I don't understand how it benefits Wal-Mart enough to want to do it, especially on $10 titles.  And considering all the big retailers seem to be doing exclusives now, how is it really advantageous?  Or is it just a matter of trying to keep up with everyone else?

 

It helps bring some people into their store where they might some stuff that they wouldn't been in the store to buy otherwise. And while I'm sure that Wal Mart has to pay to have them as their exclusives, Wal Mart is the only place where you have to buy the movie from. Even if you buy a copy on eBay, it came from Wal Mart so they've always made some money from every copy of the Blu-ray.

That's a possibility, but how much extra would Wal-Mart be willing to pay for more store traffic?  My personal observation is that Wal-Mart is the least-likely retailer in America to be overly concerned with generating MORE traffic into the store. 

The price paid would have to be enough for the studios to want to limit availability, which makes it harder for the consumer, of course.  The advantages don't seem to outweigh the disadvantages, especially when the exclusives are spread out over several retailers, which just increases the confusion and frustration for the consumer.
 

these exclusives have one thing I like - they're announced only a few weeks before they street (Mavericl, City Slickers, Modnight Cowboy,the Firm, It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World, When Harry Met Sally etc)

Non exclusives are announced 3 to 6 months before they street (6 months guys,(Star Wars) come on)

I would guess we'll see many more MGM titles popping up at Walmart before the Holiday Seasons ends this year

But...if they look anything like "The Big Country" ...then Great!

But If they look like "The Greatest Story Ever Told...then &$&#&@^#*$

Its a Mad Mad Mad Mad World coming from Walmart

.
http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_constraint=0&ic=48_0&Find.x=0&Find.y=0&Find=Find&_ta=1&search_query=blu-ray%20exclusive&_tt=blu-ray%20ex

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul_Scott 

 

Can't wait for IAMMMMW! I caught one of the showings on MGMHD last year and it looked pretty good- much better than the DVD, although it did look like there could be a lot of edge halos. Generally I've been very happy with MGM catalog. For a retailer exclusive The Big Country is an outstanding value disc,  so hopefully this one will be right up there as well.

Did the MGMHD showing have the Overture, Intermission, Entr'acte and Exit Music?  I really missed the Overture and Exit Music on the DVD.  I will pick this up for this is one of my favorite films, but I still hope for a restoration of the film to include the cut scenes at some time.  Until them the Laser will still spin.  

On a different note - does anyone have a audio or script copy of the intermission police calls?  This is one of the few parts of the film that still eludes me.  Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phoebus 

mmm... A "Hallelujah Trail" blu would be nice!

ABSOLUTELY
 

You can find some of that here

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarod M 

That's a possibility, but how much extra would Wal-Mart be willing to pay for more store traffic?  My personal observation is that Wal-Mart is the least-likely retailer in America to be overly concerned with generating MORE traffic into the store. 

 

 

There is just so much love for Wal-Mart shown.    I have not been in a Wal-Mart for at least seven years until I popped in for a copy of THE BIG COUNTRY.  So the exclusive worked in getting me in the store, but not for them, for I did not and would not purchase any additional items.  This will work again on a couple of the new exclusive titles, but again nothing else will be bought. 

While I agree with you Jarod on you observation on Wal-Mart, their sales are down and I see them scrambling to reverse the trend and are using this to get more store traffic.  While they are still the bully on the block, part of that chip has been knocked off.  As for as MGM is concerned, this is a win-win situation, surly they get some payment for letting Wal-Mart have first crack at the titles, but I would bet that the titles show up on Amazon and other sites in six months or less.  This is also a win situation for us for we are getting titles we want that appear to be good transfers, only they are not treated as special editions with new extras added.  I will be interested in hearing how these transfers rate and the good news is that it will only be in a couple of weeks and not months. 

A great film with a legendary cast!  I too dont shop a Walmart but will be popping in for this purchase!

Gee I just Download this from the sony Store,the same excellent transfer as MGM HD ,Road show music,no intermission scenes ,and I don't think its any longer,those laser disc

scenes aren't included

I think that this will be a Bare Bones ed. with maybe a full SE ed showing up latter

I would wait till I knew what if any extras are on  Fish called Wanda,since the dvd SE had a lot

You know, the Wal-Mart bashing gets a little old.  Big-box stores will always be with us, whether they're named Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Sports Authority, Safeway or something else.  And yes, small stores will suffer when they try to compete on price alone, but when those same stores compete using customer service (as opposed to going bare-bones on staff), they can do quite well.  We have a Wal-Mart here, and a K-Mart too, though K-Mart is run so badly their days are probably numbered.  Sometimes I shop there, and sometimes I don't, but I have no qualms, moral or otherwise, about shopping there.  I shop there for the same reason I use Amazon -- there's a pretty good chance they have what I want to buy.

Yes, Wal-Mart has treated employees badly at times.  So?  Are you going to never vote for a Kennedy again because several Kennedys have done immoral, illegal or otherwise objectionable acts?  Plan to never attend a Roman Polansky or Woody Allen movie again?

Don't want to sully your hands by making a purchase at Wal-Mart?  Fine; go with God.  But don't make like it's some Great Moral Crusade That Will Improve The World -- especially when the crusade doesn't include the inconvenience of waiting for the exclusive to end and the Blu-ray appears on Amazon.

Not interested in IMMMW.  Frankly it's almost cultish status totally escapes me ...............but.................. I'll gleefully brave the bowels of Hell Wallyworld for Blu-ray's of A Fish Called Wanda, Jackie Brown, Trainspotting,The Others and The Crow,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Thompson 

You know, the Wal-Mart bashing gets a little old.  Big-box stores will always be with us, whether they're named Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Sports Authority, Safeway or something else.  And yes, small stores will suffer when they try to compete on price alone, but when those same stores compete using customer service (as opposed to going bare-bones on staff), they can do quite well.  We have a Wal-Mart here, and a K-Mart too, though K-Mart is run so badly their days are probably numbered.  Sometimes I shop there, and sometimes I don't, but I have no qualms, moral or otherwise, about shopping there.  I shop there for the same reason I use Amazon -- there's a pretty good chance they have what I want to buy.

 

Yes, Wal-Mart has treated employees badly at times.  So?  Are you going to never vote for a Kennedy again because several Kennedy's have done immoral, illegal or otherwise objectionable acts?  Plan to never attend a Roman Polansky       or Woody Allen movie again?

 

Don't want to sully your hands by making a purchase at Wal-Mart?  Fine; go with God.  But don't make like it's some Great Moral Crusade That Will Improve The World -- especially when the crusade doesn't include the inconvenience of waiting for the exclusive to end and the Blu-ray appears on Amazon.

Each to there own.  The world would be very dull place if everyone thought and acted alike.  But comparing not shopping at Wal-Mart to the Kennedy's (and I have never had a chance to vote for one but that is because I don't live in MA) Polanski (I did enjoy The Ghost Writer) and Allen (right now I haven't seen a Woody Allen film lately for they don't interest me) is just hilarious.  I don't shop Wal-Mart because they don't have anything I want and the selection is limited, except an exclusive title.  Not sure when the last time I was in a K-Mart for again, they don't carry what I want. I am not shopping Best Buy much now, because they don't have anything I want most of the time.  I had rather give my money to a local store to keep in the community and not to the Internet, but they are not carrying items I want in the local stores.    No it is not a GREAT MORAL CRUSADE to not buy at Wal-Mart it is a choice because I do not like what they carry, nothing more sinister than that. 

I think the conversation was about Wal-Mart using the exclusive titles to bring in store traffic.  I was just pointing out that it brought me in to buy the Blu-ray, but nothing else so it was a win for me and a sort of win for Wal-Mart for I did make a purchase.  And I will be back to get a couple more of the exclusive titles when they come out in July. 

With all these great catalog titles being released as Best Buy and Walmart exclusives, I might have to consider getting on a plane to the US

I've noticed that some of these titles are coming out in Germany and France and are available from Amazon. Not sure about region coding, but The Big Country is out in Germany and Maverick, A Fish Called Wanda, When Harry Met Sally, Casino Royale, Wild Wild West, Four Weddings, Midnight Cowboy and Get Shorty are out in France. No sign of these titles in the UK, but I wouldnt expect that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chas in CT 

I suppose this has to be done...

Even though it can't help but go down as a missed opportunity, since it isn't the release we all continue to wait and live for...

 

I think so too, but this movie is so often revisited on home video that I don't believe it's the final word. But no one seems to be in possession of enough discarded footage to make a proper restoration in the first place. There's still plenty of scenes missing. So the argument is actually pointless. We could wait all our lives for them to find the missing footage and then we'd never have this film on blu-ray.

I also believe that the Wal-mart exclusives will be positive in the long run. Even though they're cheapies, the price point is attractive enough to get casual shoppers to want to upgrade to blu. And the more people that go blu, the more blu titles will keep popping up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Posten 

Sure sucks that MGM cares so little for this classic to treat it like a throwaway to the creeps at Walmart.

Absolutely sad and sickening, and those of you rushing to scap it up just to have it on any form are reinforcing their beliefs. I'm guilty of it too, I bought it for $6 at Costco after swearing I wouldn't buy it, but no blu for me till they do it RIGHT

Well, as I said, to "do it right" they'd have to somehow track down footage that's been missing for almost 50 years and restore the movie to its Roadshow length. And that's impossible at present; in fact, it may never happen. So why can't some of us have a decent high-def copy in the meantime? I don't understand your logic.