Well, we've got an update on the region coding situation, and it's enough to make the head hurt:
Region B only: Diary of the Dead My Blueberry Nights Son of Rambow
All Regions: All The Boys Love Mandy Lane The Orphanage
Regions A & B: Cliffhanger First Blood Rambo: First Blood Part II Rambo III Stargate (Special Edition) Terminator 2: Judgement Day (Director's Cut)* The Fog* Total Recall* Ultimate Rambo Collection
Unknown: Escape From New York They Live
* Also, unfortunately all extras have been removed from "Terminator 2", "Total Recall", and "The Fog".
I'm pretty sure it is MGM, so it would be distributed by Fox. The trouble is it is a near certainty that 'Escape from New York' won't see a Region A Blu-ray Disc release until the remake hits the theaters.
That's everything that Optimum is releasing, plus more--Brotherhood of the Wolf(!), Hot Fuzz(!!)--and Studio Canal should be less likely to region-code.
I just looked at the prices for 'Escape from New York' and 'The Fog' on Amazon UK, Base, Play, Tesco, and Zavvi. Amazon UK is the same price or cheaper than the rest, so I have placed an order with them temporarily. If I've missed a place, or anyone finds it cheaper than £11.05 plus shipping please share it with the group.
From their September slate, I'm down for 'They Live', of course. I'd be curious to know how 'Night of the Living Dead' is, although I think that is supposed to get US release this year also. The same goes for 'Evil Dead II', as the current Starz BD release is the poster child for DVNR run a muck, however I've heard that the DVNR in that release is inherent in the master, so unless Optimum is using a different one there probably isn't much hope I'm afraid.
Edited to add:
One a semi-related note, does anyone know of a comparison between the Spanish Orphanage and the US BD releases. Wasn't the Spanish Orphange BD done by Optimum also?
Totall Recall- despite a slight edginess (there are some minor halos visible in a few shots), it's a substantial improvment over the domestic Lionsgate release. I don't think anyone who likes the film would regret getting the UK release. T2- the french HDDVD has both cuts of the film, the UK only has the DC. They should be indistinguishable in sound and appearence. I'm just fine with the HD DVD so thankfully I think I've finally bought the last copy of this film I ever will (Hallelujiah!).
Well that helps make my decision for Total Recall. thanks.
The benefit of having English subtitles (a must in my household) on T2 might be enough for me to get it, even though I'm loosing the Theatrical cut. Then again if ever a film was guaranteed another release on BD it's this one so maybe I'll just hold off for the Uber set in the future.