Michael Allred
Screenwriter
Apologies if this kind of thread has been started previously.
I thought it'd be interesting if we'd all list our choices of MGM DVDs we'd like to see re-issued. This of course applies to bare bones discs and full frame only discs that we'd like to see as "special editions" or at the very least, new OAR/widescreen versions. Since somebody from MGM may be reading this, please try to give them your reasons as to why they should release new versions.
I'll start;
1) "The Return of the Living Dead" – Probably one of the greatest cult horror films of all time. When it first hit DVD in August of 2002, *many* people complained that they either couldn't find a copy at stores or some stores only had 2-3 copies and they sold out quickly. Not to mention the fact that there was zero promotion for the DVD.
Having spoken with most of the cast/crew members, ALL of them have told me they'd be willing to participate – interviews for a more robust documentary, etc. There are also deleted scenes that could be included. Let's not forget that director Dan O'Bannon would LOVE to do a "director's cut." "The Return of the Living Dead" is a highly regarded film in the horror community, it not only got better reviews than George Romero's "Day of the Dead" (which was released the same year) but had a higher box office gross.
2) "A Fish Called Wanda" – A worldwide smash hit featuring one of the best comedic casts in the past few decades. Kevin Kline won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Also starring Monty Python alum Michael Palin and John Cleese plus the wonderful Jamie Lee Curtis. Why do some hit films that remain so popular after several years get no respect on home video?
3) "Get Shorty" – Yet another hit comedy with yet *another* stellar cast...John Travolta, Danny DeVito, Gene Hackman, Rene Russo, James Gandolfini, etc. Yet another bare bones DVD. What gives? Don't make me call Momo MGM!
4) "Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins" – Ok, granted this was certainly NOT a box office hit. However movies *do* gain a decent audience on home video and multiple TV airings (look at "Roadhouse", a cheesy B-movie that debuted in the top 10 DVD sales chart!) Clearly "Remo.." is one of those films. While one could understand a bare bones DVD for this flick, one can *never* understand not giving fans an OAR version.
5) "The Dark Half" – When I first got into DVD a few years ago, this was one of the initial titles I was intending to purchase...until I saw it was full frame only. Directed by George Romero and based on a story by Stephen King, "The Dark Half" is a woefully underappreciated horror film that, at the very least, deserves a widescreen edition (though I wouldn't mind a Romero commentary.)
6) "The Birdcage" – Didn't this one gross $100 million at the box office? This remake featured another all-star cast (Robin Williams, Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane, etc) that has a lowly bare bones DVD to represent it in people's homes. I'm seeing a trend here...big hit, star cast, great reviews...bare bones DVD. Strange innit? MGM, with all due respect, doesn't exactly crank out major hits at the box office on a regular basis so perhaps they need to squeeze as much as they can out of the hits they *do* have?
7) "Misery" – Kathy Bates won an Oscar for Best Actress in this Stephen King horror-fest. We shouldn't forget James Caan either....and ho-hum...box office hit, great reviews, cast....blah blah. Talk about movies just screaming for a special edition DVD.
8) "Needful Things" – Here's another Stephen King adaptation that unfortunately went unnoticed at the box office. As anyone who has seen it on TV, there is a wealth of deleted footage that could be included on a future re-issue.
Ok, that's a start. Please list your choices guys and gals.
I thought it'd be interesting if we'd all list our choices of MGM DVDs we'd like to see re-issued. This of course applies to bare bones discs and full frame only discs that we'd like to see as "special editions" or at the very least, new OAR/widescreen versions. Since somebody from MGM may be reading this, please try to give them your reasons as to why they should release new versions.
I'll start;
1) "The Return of the Living Dead" – Probably one of the greatest cult horror films of all time. When it first hit DVD in August of 2002, *many* people complained that they either couldn't find a copy at stores or some stores only had 2-3 copies and they sold out quickly. Not to mention the fact that there was zero promotion for the DVD.
Having spoken with most of the cast/crew members, ALL of them have told me they'd be willing to participate – interviews for a more robust documentary, etc. There are also deleted scenes that could be included. Let's not forget that director Dan O'Bannon would LOVE to do a "director's cut." "The Return of the Living Dead" is a highly regarded film in the horror community, it not only got better reviews than George Romero's "Day of the Dead" (which was released the same year) but had a higher box office gross.
2) "A Fish Called Wanda" – A worldwide smash hit featuring one of the best comedic casts in the past few decades. Kevin Kline won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Also starring Monty Python alum Michael Palin and John Cleese plus the wonderful Jamie Lee Curtis. Why do some hit films that remain so popular after several years get no respect on home video?
3) "Get Shorty" – Yet another hit comedy with yet *another* stellar cast...John Travolta, Danny DeVito, Gene Hackman, Rene Russo, James Gandolfini, etc. Yet another bare bones DVD. What gives? Don't make me call Momo MGM!
4) "Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins" – Ok, granted this was certainly NOT a box office hit. However movies *do* gain a decent audience on home video and multiple TV airings (look at "Roadhouse", a cheesy B-movie that debuted in the top 10 DVD sales chart!) Clearly "Remo.." is one of those films. While one could understand a bare bones DVD for this flick, one can *never* understand not giving fans an OAR version.
5) "The Dark Half" – When I first got into DVD a few years ago, this was one of the initial titles I was intending to purchase...until I saw it was full frame only. Directed by George Romero and based on a story by Stephen King, "The Dark Half" is a woefully underappreciated horror film that, at the very least, deserves a widescreen edition (though I wouldn't mind a Romero commentary.)
6) "The Birdcage" – Didn't this one gross $100 million at the box office? This remake featured another all-star cast (Robin Williams, Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane, etc) that has a lowly bare bones DVD to represent it in people's homes. I'm seeing a trend here...big hit, star cast, great reviews...bare bones DVD. Strange innit? MGM, with all due respect, doesn't exactly crank out major hits at the box office on a regular basis so perhaps they need to squeeze as much as they can out of the hits they *do* have?
7) "Misery" – Kathy Bates won an Oscar for Best Actress in this Stephen King horror-fest. We shouldn't forget James Caan either....and ho-hum...box office hit, great reviews, cast....blah blah. Talk about movies just screaming for a special edition DVD.
8) "Needful Things" – Here's another Stephen King adaptation that unfortunately went unnoticed at the box office. As anyone who has seen it on TV, there is a wealth of deleted footage that could be included on a future re-issue.
Ok, that's a start. Please list your choices guys and gals.
