Anchor Bay should be shoved into the bay!

[RGT]

Anchor Bay is soooooo boring these days!All they mostly release on to dvd is old tv sitcoms like Three's Company,Thomas And Friends,Danielle Steele soap opera dramas,etc.The horror stuff they do put out is a lot of new junky stuff from Taurus Entertainment and the Sci Fi channel.This year they were suppose to put out stuff like Superstition,The Manitou,The Anniversary,Bad Dreams,Warning Sign,Visiting Hours,Cemetery Man,Class Of 1984,Baby Blood,Damnation Alley,The Seduction,The Carpenter and so on.It's almost the end of the year and there's no street dates for any of these films.They rarely update their in-the-future page.There are quite a few titles listed on this page they have already released in the past months.When Bill Lustig left the company it started to get boring.Now that Michael Felsher has left it's even more boring.I remember when Anchor Bay was mostly putting out cult and horror films--it use to be like ABUK.The divimax special editions aren't that impressive either.The Creepshow part 2 divimax edition hardly looked any better than the previous dvd.The divimax edition of Halloween was botched.Anchor Bay will probably keep releasing these stupid divimax editions to keep milking people for money.They probably didn't release Within The Woods on the previous Evil Dead special edition so they could re-release the movie again in the future with this special feature on it.Just another way to make more money.Even though ABUK Isn't perfect,I think it's much better.ABUS should have a forum like ABUK does.If Shriek Show could get their act together,they would probably be the best cult/horror dvd company.The titles their putting out this year are more interesting then boring Anchor Bay.Blue Underground is getting really boring too.

[onebyone]

The quality of Anchor Bay's horror releases have suffered, but they still put out a lot of good stuff that no one else does. If they vanished, the horror DVD market would suffer. Besides, I would hate to try and please the cult market. We bitch. A LOT. Just about anything is going to piss someone off.


Also, their TV shows on DVD are great. They gave me Hunter. And Titus. :banana: And Profit. And Silk Stalkings. And Xena. And more to come. I love them for that alone.

[ArrowBeach]

yeah, Anchor Bay, if it wasn't for the occasional horror stuff, is no different than any other major DVD labels. Even Blue Underground is slowly moving away from horror (besides the BLIND DEAD, they are releasing Australian love stories for christ sakes!)

Only Shriek Show seems to be consistant (not in quality but in putting cult stuff out) in supplying us cult fans with cool stuff.

[dwatts]

--Just another way to make more money--

Yes, they seem to only be releasing things to make money, b*stards.

Seriously though, I've not been short of things to buy in the past year - actually, there's been way too much! So if AB has slowed down, that's actually done me a favor. If I look at my DVD shelves, it's damn-right scary how many AB titles I already own. It's not like they're the only label out there after all.

-- Besides, I would hate to try and please the cult market. We bitch. A LOT. Just about anything is going to piss someone off.--

Can you imagine even making a horror film these days?!?!?! Damn, in fact it reminds me of something I just wrote to someone else: "We clamor for something different, but not too different, something new but somewhat familiar, stories can get bizarre and surreal, but only if we can easily explain them. It’s one big mind fuck if you think about it."

I think genre fans have gotten worse to be honest. Even when a small set of independents made good (Blair Witch), they got bashed for being successful :D

I wonder if someone like Carpenter could even have gotten a start today.....

[KR~!]

yeah, Anchor Bay, if it wasn't for the occasional horror stuff, is no different than any other major DVD labels. Even Blue Underground is slowly moving away from horror (besides the BLIND DEAD, they are releasing Australian love stories for christ sakes!)

From http://www.blue-underground.com/coming_soon.php

The Bird With The Crystal Plumage (2‑Disc Special Edition)
Seven Deaths In The Cat's Eye
Strip Nude For Your Killer


:eek2:

also: http://www.blue-underground.com/news.php

[old-boo-radley]

--Just another way to make more money--

Yes, they seem to only be releasing things to make money, b*stards.
Can you imagine even making a horror film these days?!?!?! Damn, in fact it reminds me of something I just wrote to someone else: "We clamor for something different, but not too different, something new but somewhat familiar, stories can get bizarre and surreal, but only if we can easily explain them. It’s one big mind fuck if you think about it."

I think genre fans have gotten worse to be honest. Even when a small set of independents made good (Blair Witch), they got bashed for being successful :D

I wonder if someone like Carpenter could even have gotten a start today.....

That reminds me of this old thread: http://www.horrordvds.com/vb3forum/showthread.php?t=24107 :lol:

But, yes, I agree that these companies seem to be using horror as a stepping stone for themselves and then they branch out and achieve what appears to either be their goal in releasing ALL types of movies or simply to make all the money they can.

I don't own that many of their titles, but I think Image has to be the company that all horror fans should appreciate. They continue releasing very obscure films constantly, ones that aren't high on the radar, but they put them out with quality one would expect from such a company. It's just a damn shame they couldn't/don't acquire more interesting titles. Alone in the Dark and the Warhol movies were a good start, if that's the shape of things to come.

[evildeadfan123]

Anchor Bay did put out the 3 seasons of Greatest American Hero. I have all 3 seasons, and I watched them when they were originally on ABC. But, I want Cemetary Man and Manitou. I had Cemetary Man on VHS, and sold it when Anchor Bay said they were coming out with a DVD of it. Manitou I have on VHS, but a old worn out copy of it that I bought Previously Viewed.

[Golgo13]

The divimax edition of Halloween was botched.
"Botched" as in "made to look flippin sweet"?

[Shannafey]

I don't blame them for releasing all genre material. The big problem is the multiple re-releases!!

[maybrick]

I don't own that many of their titles, but I think Image has to be the company that all horror fans should appreciate. They continue releasing very obscure films constantly, ones that aren't high on the radar, but they put them out with quality one would expect from such a company. It's just a damn shame they couldn't/don't acquire more interesting titles. Alone in the Dark and the Warhol movies were a good start, if that's the shape of things to come.

Isn't Image primarily into distribution, not production? They're responsible for getting product from a variety of companies, from Redemption to Criterion, into stores. Because they work with numerous DVD companies the quality of their releases are hit and miss. Generally they wouldn't have a hand in film transfers or anything like that, would they? Image has great taste in what they distribute, but giving them all the credit for quality is much the same as giving Ryko sole credit for the work Synapse and Blue Underground does.

[maskull]

Isn't Image primarily into distribution, not production? They're responsible for getting product from a variety of companies, from Redemption to Criterion, into stores. Because they work with numerous DVD companies the quality of their releases are hit and miss. Generally they wouldn't have a hand in film transfers or anything like that, would they? Image has great taste in what they distribute, but giving them all the credit for quality is much the same as giving Ryko sole credit for the work Synapse and Blue Underground does.
I thought they actually released movies as well. Aren't they responsible for all the Euroshock DVDs. My Jess Franco set has the Image logo on it, and I heard on the news a while back that Lions Gate was trying to buy out all of Image's titles.

[Peter Vincent]

AB's recent releases have been mostly TV. But I tell ya what, their horror catalog is decent enough & I probably have MOST of it, so my library has quite enough from AB as it stands.

I just want Cemetary Man....either from AB or someone else dammit!

[maybrick]

I thought they actually released movies as well. Aren't they responsible for all the Euroshock DVDs.


If that's true, then they definitely don't deserve praise for quality. Some of the Euroshock titles like FEMALE VAMPIRE and AND NOW THE SCREAMING STOPS are fantastic while others, like ASYLUM and THE BEAST MUST DIE are little more than video transfer quality. At best, Image is hit and miss.

[baggio]

I've been waiting for Bad Dreams myself for a very long time now.

[The Chaostar]

AB's recent releases have been mostly TV. But I tell ya what, their horror catalog is decent enough & I probably have MOST of it, so my library has quite enough from AB as it stands.

I just want Cemetary Man....either from AB or someone else dammit!

Just buy the Italian release. After AB's Card player and Trauma, at least you'll know that you are buying a quality product!

[wago70]

What's happening to Anchor Bay is nothing compared to what happened to ELITE.

[Dave]

DVD is what happened to Elite. Their good days were laserdisc, plain and simple. Part of that is Don May, but Vini managed to do some good stuff on his own (Evil Dead 1 was pure Vini, I believe).

[razorbackattack]

Blue Underground...boring? Uh, NO! They just put out the Blind Dead collection set!!! Plus, some great giallo DVD's coming up.

I do agree about Anchor Bay starting to go downhill as far as horror/genre releases go...but cmon, don't knock Blue Underground for no reason. They've done some INCREDIBLE stuff.

[MartinD1]

These companies would really benefit themselves if they included English/French/Spanish subtitles like most major studios do.

I have seen DVDs with italian or french tracks without subtitles, that's a very bad decision. Subtitles always help to understand a language if you're not good just listening but can read it.

Anchor Bay closed captioned all features on many of their latest stuff, but I still remember Cat O'Nine Tails included Italian and French tracks (which were unlisteneable btw) and not even an english caption, very bad.

[wago70]

I hear ya about the subtitles - I sometimes need the English subs because I can't play my movies above a certain level and most dialogues are recorded lower than all the sound effects.
Also, I have friends with non-English speaking relatives and sometimes DVD is all they have to entertain themselves with. Subtitles in other languages is more inclusive.

[IGotsNewShoes]

Guess no one here is a big fan of 80's comedies...cause Anchor Bay has done a great job releasing those lately. Moving Violations (FINALLY!), License to Drive, The Pirate Movie, Rhinestone...all good releases by Anchor Bay. I'll admit I'm anxiously awaiting Bad Dreams and Cemetary Man but I'm enjoying the other titles being released by Anchor Bay right now as well.

[Katatonia]

I hear ya about the subtitles - I sometimes need the English subs because I can't play my movies above a certain level and most dialogues are recorded lower than all the sound effects.
Also, I have friends with non-English speaking relatives and sometimes DVD is all they have to entertain themselves with. Subtitles in other languages is more inclusive.

I agree. I often turn on English subs late at night when the volume can't be blaring loud. It's no big deal when an English speaking DVD doesn't have them, but it's a plus in my book when they do.

Guess no one here is a big fan of 80's comedies...cause Anchor Bay has done a great job releasing those lately. Moving Violations (FINALLY!), License to Drive, The Pirate Movie, Rhinestone...all good releases by Anchor Bay. I'll admit I'm anxiously awaiting Bad Dreams and Cemetary Man but I'm enjoying the other titles being released by Anchor Bay right now as well.

They indeed did a nice job on the Moving Violations and License to Drive DVD's. I don't think AB have become irreparably bad... we're lucky they don't screw up things as bad as Media Blasters often do, and never fix or acknowledge them I might add! :fire:

[X-human]

Anchor Bay UK certainly seems to be on a role, they've managed to be able to compile boxsets of both the Evil Dead and Living Dead series. They also released a grand version of Santa Sengre and their Amicus, Tigon, Peter Walker and Norman Warren coffin collections are sweet releases. Besides the DVD that were damaged in shipping, the DVD themselves are great, and the Amicus transfers are far better than any of Image Entertainment's.

Synapse Films
Unearthed Films
Mondo Macabro
Mondo Crash
Something Weird Video

These are my gods now.

After reading some interviews with Bill Lustig, I've started to like Blue Underground less and less. I disagree with many of his choices when it comes to his restoration work, and the more I look at his earlier work on Anchor Bay's restoration the more of a pattern I see with the mistakes he makes and the denial he still states.

There are some ommisions on the Blind Dead Trilogy, many people are wondering if Lustig had his head on straight doing those transfers because they're not much of an improvement over Anchor Bay's original transfers and there are complete elements somewhere out there of the English dub, people have the tapes. There's also still some missing footage, not a whole lot, but still some. It's difficult, perhaps impossible, to try and scrap together every frame of every version of the film out there. And again, there's some transfer issues. They missed a day for night filter on the English version of The Return of the Evil Dead (a common BU problem) and didn't correct for PAL-to-NTSC timing. There's some debate that the ABUK license version of these transfers are therefore supperior, even if they do lack the BU extras.

Here's a thread:
http://s8.invisionfree.com/MHVF/index.php?showtopic=3398

Not a big deal, I'll probably buy the BU version anyways just for the extras, another true HD release would be visually an improvement anyways so I'm going to at least try and cover my bases as far as extras. But still not quite perfect, and not for legal reasons it would seem but perhaps just the rush to get it done.

Don May Jr., he truely is a blessing upon the cult community. His restoration work ranks in above and beyond what most major studios are able to accomplish. And they've got a very interesting line up coming up. But Unearthed Films and Mondo Macabro are doing the most exciting line ups right now of any company I know of.

[X-human]

They indeed did a nice job on the Moving Violations and License to Drive DVD's. I don't think AB have become irreparably bad... we're lucky they don't screw up things as bad as Media Blasters often do, and never fix or acknowledge them I might add! :fire:

They haven't stepped in and said anything or 'corrected' Trauma/Card Player; while an interlaced video isn't really a 'mistake' in today's HD TV world anything but progressive is just plain foolish and not keeping your customer's best interests in mind. Plus Trauma's cut is nowhere close to being as advertised, another similarity to Shriek Show's false proclaimations of DVD being "uncut".

[Katatonia]

They haven't stepped in and said anything or 'corrected' Trauma/Card Player; while an interlaced video isn't really a 'mistake' in today's HD TV world anything but progressive is just plain foolish and not keeping your customer's best interests in mind. Plus Trauma's cut is nowhere close to being as advertised, another similarity to Shriek Show's false proclaimations of DVD being "uncut".

Not a big deal to me really. The major studios quite often screw up little things with the transfers and soundtracks. I am more concerned when newly released DVD's are presented in widescreen and not anamorphic enhanced, which Elite (and even Lions Gate) have been guilty of late. Yes, in 2005.

Shriek Show has blatantly ripped off consumers in the past... and could honestly care less about it since they never respond. They completely butchered the Hell High and Warlock Moon releases (among others), won't acknowledge their incompetence, nor give any hint or reply as to possible corrections. It becomes maddening when you'd much rather prefer a good old analog VHS to an SS DVD botched job.

[dwatts]

-- But Unearthed Films and Mondo Macabro are doing the most exciting line ups right now of any company I know of.--

I'd add No Shame to that.

[4Gotten1]

It would be nice if AB updated their In The Future release list once a month. If they have to move back a title to 2006, so be it -- update it and let us know! Aside from that I have no complaints -- I looked through my horror collection the other day and I have so many freakin' AB horror (and other genre) titles it's unreal. I appreciate the hours of pleasure they've provided me. As for the Divimax release of Halloween: I love it! The picture quality and sound looks and sounds downright awesome on my system; I know it gets some flack, but I personally think AB did a great job on it.

[X-human]

I'd add No Shame to that.

How on earth could I forget about NoShame? My stupid mind. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Actually I don't own any of their titles yet so I can't directly recommend them, but I hear GREAT things about their output.

For me widescreen is very important, then if it's uncut, followed by accuracy of colors, and then if there's good sound. I only have a regular TV in my room so interlaced video doesn't effect me much at the moment, but my next TV will be HD so I'm very concerned about future proofing my DVDs. Beyond expense, there is no reason not to master your transfer as progressive.

Shriek Show has admited faults, I believe the owner stated in an interview that there does seem to be quite a few goblins at their company, but no they haven't done much to correct anything. I believe Zombie 3 is the only DVD that comes to mind as having been corrected. Maybe some of the upcomming release that started from the ground up since their "shake down" will be better.

Anchor Bay's also messed up Suspiria, Opera (the soundtrack, I'm not talking about the manufacturing errors) and Deep Red. Admittedly these are only minor mistakes, but Bill Lustig has been very bull headed about Susprira, stating there's nothing at all wrong with the sound mix. There's also the crappy "director's cut" transfer of Army of Darkness, which has been repeatedly re-release since the superior MGM R3 release; so there was plenty of time to go back and correct that transfer for those other releases. Then on the Divimax of Halloween they didn't apply any of the color timing they worked out with the cinematographer for the previous Halloween release. What good is paying to do a HD master when your SD master is the only corrected one?

But even Mando Macabro who I just praised has made some mistakes too, Dangerous Seductress uses quite a bit of alternate censored footage instead of the real goods. Very much a Shriek Show like mistake. Yet Shriek Show's release of Lizard in a Woman's Skin I actually applaud, I think they did the best anyone could and I'm glad they gave us all they could get their hands on. Don May Jr. passed on having Synapse Films doing Lizard because of lake of materials, and I always thought of that as wimping out. Is he becomming so focused on "perfect" releases he's loosing sight on just trying to get great films out the door the best they can be? Synapse Films also released Stacy barebones when my VHS bootleg has an interview with the director and a behind the scenes tour conducted by the star actress. Did he cheap out and not pick these extras up or did he just not know about them? All they needed were subtitles.

But there is a difference, I expect every release from Shriek Show to be critically wrong in some way, but now I've begun feeling the same way about Anchor Bay. I'm deeply concerned that Dellamorte Dellamore is going to be interlaced. Season of the Witch has already been begun making circulations for review and it turns out the movie hasn't really been restored at all when compare the to VHS, despite AB's claim that it would be. They did fix some sound issues, but AB's directly responded to some critiques on their lack of extras yet said nothing of the lack luster transfer.

I'm not denouncing Anchor Bay on their selection of movies, just their lack of attention to detail. Even NoShame just announced that ALL of their releases from now on will be progressive. As independent as Anchor Bay might be, if a rinky dink up start company like NoShame can afford to do it, then so can they. I have no sympathy for Anchor Bay, they've been in this buisness for a long time now. They should know better.

BTW, Discotek appears to be another upcomming studio with an interesting line up for the rest of this year and next.

[badnewsbrown]

.

[RGT]

[QUOTE=razorbackattack]Blue Underground...boring? Uh, NO! They just put out the Blind Dead collection set!!!


Up until this box set just came out,I don't think Blue Underground has put out any other horror movies so far this year.I've already been hearing rumors that Tombs Of The Blind Dead is not fully uncut.You can check out one of the rumors in the reviews for the box set at Amazon.I've also heard that the box set is poorly packaged like the ABUK Amicus box set.People have already been complaining about loose,scratched discs.

[RyanPC]

[QUOTE=razorbackattack]Blue Underground...boring? Uh, NO! They just put out the Blind Dead collection set!!!


Up until this box set just came out,I don't think Blue Underground has put out any other horror movies so far this year.I've already been hearing rumors that Tombs Of The Blind Dead is not fully uncut.You can check out one of the rumors in the reviews for the box set at Amazon.

I'm not sure Amazon.com reviews are the most reputable source on the net. ;)

[old-boo-radley]

If that's true, then they definitely don't deserve praise for quality. Some of the Euroshock titles like FEMALE VAMPIRE and AND NOW THE SCREAMING STOPS are fantastic while others, like ASYLUM and THE BEAST MUST DIE are little more than video transfer quality. At best, Image is hit and miss.

But, I think for the most part with a lot of their titles, people should be happy they even got released.

[VideoViolence]

Now they're not going to release Superstition? WTF??? I've been waiting a long time for this one :fucked: :fuck:

[Katatonia]

Shriek Show has admited faults, I believe the owner stated in an interview that there does seem to be quite a few goblins at their company, but no they haven't done much to correct anything. I believe Zombie 3 is the only DVD that comes to mind as having been corrected. Maybe some of the upcomming release that started from the ground up since their "shake down" will be better.

If they actually admitted their flaws in previous DVD's and offered to correct them, I'd feel much better about the company. Mistakes happen, but when a company won't admit to those mistakes, they come off as shady. I can live with minor flaws, but Shriek Show just worries me to no end with each new DVD they release. The most recent screw up was Amazonia, and I am still perplexed on just how they managed to mess up the anamorphic coding.

[dwatts]

I've defended Shriek Show so many times on this board...... over and over and over. However, with every release they're even starting to wear out my lenient approach. They're just getting lazier it seems. It started with Lizard, when I was contacted (due to my postings defending SS), by a guy who is in the business of tracking prints for DVD companies. He assured me that he let SS know where an uncut widescreen version of this film, a negative. However, SS said they were too far along with their release, and weren't interested.

I love them, some of their releases are great, they have a geat catalog. However, those niggling errors have worn out my good faith - which is a crying shame.

[maybrick]

But, I think for the most part with a lot of their titles, people should be happy they even got released.

Oh, I'm definitely happy these titles were released. But still, none of their titles are so obscure that nobody else would be willing to release them if given the chance. Saying we should be happy that they even got released is just too convenient and a bit of a cop out in today's market when quality film transfers are the norm. I'll reserve those kind of comments for when movies that are truly "lost" are uncovered. When Image release great looking DVDs they'll receive my praises. And when they don't... well... they won't.

[dwatts]

But.... AB need to make money. I think we, as genre fans, grossly over-estimate the sales numbers for potential titles. The more obscure the title, the less that sell, and the ess profit there is. The DVD market isn't a huge profit maker - which is why every sale counts. Obscure titles are great for some of us, but as a business, they're a risky proposition, imo.

[KillerCannabis]

I haven't really been that concerned with AB as of late, but I think thats mainly in part due to companies like Blue Underground, Synapse and Shriek Show keeping me satisfied. Sure SS has some problems, but they put out lots of great cult titles. BU is a company I know I can always expect quality from. Same goes for Synapse and their awesome transfer jobs. AB isn't much of a concern anymore, although it still feels good to buy new SE's they put out. I know that even if I won't get an amazing transfer, I can almost always expect a wealth of bonus materials. I don't care who's putting out my most wanted titles, just as long as they do a damn good job doing it.

[X-human]

It started with Lizard, when I was contacted (due to my postings defending SS), by a guy who is in the business of tracking prints for DVD companies. He assured me that he let SS know where an uncut widescreen version of this film, a negative. However, SS said they were too far along with their release, and weren't interested.

I'd forgotten about that, but it was bit of a grey area wasn't it? Didn't someone from the company respond to that saying it was hogwash? Or am I thinking of another Shriek Show release... It's getting so hard to keep all of Shriek Show's problems straight anymore. :D But while saying they made a mistake is good, failing to correct mistakes and continueing to make mistakes on future releases is still bad.

But I don't believe there's that much more of an expense to making something progressive. Infact I'm realitively sure it's just a matter of having up to date equipment and pressing the right buttons when rendering the final video file. So I don't think anamorphic progressive is too much to ask from a distributor, especially Anchor Bay. I don't ask for an HD restoration of every movie out there, hell I don't even ask for it from anything Synapse Films releases, but they do it anyways.

As for Blue Underground's Blind Dead Trilogy, the packaging is just your regular ole DVD cases that have an additional outercase shaped like a coffin. They're identical to the Brazillian Universal Classics Coffin Boxset. They're not the same as the ABUK coffin boxset like Amicus (which have been upgradeded with new grips so they don't fall out in shipping). As for it being uncut, all I've heard over at Mobius and Home Theater Forum indicate the gore/nudity is all there. Some footage is missing, but it's minor. Biggest complaint I've heard is that BU failed to correct for speed when doing PAL-to-NTSC conversion. I've just ordered it (DVD Pacific), even if it is slightly cut it's the best out there right now.

As much as I bitch I still buy it. :D So what are they worried about?

[RGT]

Anchor Bay probably figures there's not much money to be made in releasing cult films--especially really obscure films.Most people don't like these type of films.From what i've heard from places that rent and sell movies,it's the so-called classics(like Citizen Kane,San Francisco,Casablanca),action,comedy and drama movies that sell the best.It's only a minority of people who rent and buy horror/cult movies.Eventually,places like Mondo Macabro,Synapse and Dark Sky Films may go out of business,or they might have to start putting out a lot of boring mainstream tripe.I heard that there's even less of a demand for these types of movies in the UK.If this is true,ABUK may soon end up like ABUS.

[maybrick]

Anchor Bay probably figures there's not much money to be made in releasing cult films--especially really obscure films.Most people don't like these type of films.From what i've heard from places that rent and sell movies,it's the so-called classics(like Citizen Kane,San Francisco,Casablanca),action,comedy and drama movies that sell the best.It's only a minority of people who rent and buy horror/cult movies.Eventually,places like Mondo Macabro,Synapse and Dark Sky Films may go out of business,or they might have to start putting out a lot of boring mainstream tripe.I heard that there's even less of a demand for these types of movies in the UK.If this is true,ABUK may soon end up like ABUS.

I don't know how much of that is really true, though. I'm sure a minority of people collect cult/horror movies, but I'm sure these companies are making a profit. Maybe not huge profits and getting filthy rich, but likely enough to be economically comfortable. When companies like Anchor Bay begin focusing on mainstream movies, it's probably more to do with being greedy and trying to make the most money they can. On the surface, it seems that companies like Synapse are doing well as they're putting out more titles per year than they did in the past.

[dwatts]

Maybrick. It's America. A business wants to make as much money as posible and they're "greedy"? What's up with that? How much do you think they should be able to make then? "Filthy rich" should be stricken from your vocabulary. An honest dollar is a an honest dollar, whether it's one dollar, or a million. Guess what, AB ain't making all that much.

[old-boo-radley]

With the discussion of profits, I'm so very interested in seeing just how many units these companies sell. I mean, just how many copies of Rites of Frankenstein, Sweet House of Horrors or Zombie 5 possibly sell? This is the reason I'm forgiving on lesser known titles quality...how much can they make on these titles to make them cough up cash for superior transfers and extras?

[maybrick]

Maybrick. It's America. A business wants to make as much money as posible and they're "greedy"? What's up with that? How much do you think they should be able to make then? "Filthy rich" should be stricken from your vocabulary. An honest dollar is a an honest dollar, whether it's one dollar, or a million. Guess what, AB ain't making all that much.


Calm down, monkey boy. Must've struck a nerve. :rolleyes:

There are some companies that are in business strictly to make a profit, and then there are others with loftier goals. BU and Synapse are run by people that are businessmen, but they are also fans. That may have been true of Anchor Bay at one time, but I believe their priorities as a company shifted the day they were bought out. I consider making money strictly for money's sake greed. I never said you had to agree with me.

[dwatts]

Well, "Two Evil Eyes" just went OOP at a "limited Edition" of 30,000. BU Sell worldwide (R0), and they dumped off a lot of copies in twofers and in the cheap racks. But let's say 30,00 max..... you know, from what I understand rights etc. arn't cheap. These guys arn't raking in millions on genre titles.

[dwatts]

--Calm down, monkey boy. Must've struck a nerve.--

Real grown up, Maybrick. I guess you lost the point right there. :rolleyes: indeed.

--There are some companies that are in business strictly to make a profit, and then there are others with loftier goals.--

I don't believe it. Please let me know the name of a DVD company that does not want to make a profit, as much profit as they can.

-- I consider making money strictly for money's sake greed.--

Really. What job do you have? I'm curious, not being an a**hole here. We all make money, primarily, because we have to. And America is built on the principle of doing so. It's not a bad thing.

-- I never said you had to agree with me.--

And I never will. Nothing wrong with free enterprise. But then, since you have already fallen to childish name calling, I guess we know you realize you're on shaky ground. ;)

AB, like Criterion, need mainstream movies to finance genre titles. You know, to run their BUSINESS.

[maybrick]

dwatts, don't you have more in your life than sitting at the computer and constantly getting into pointless arguments with people? I swear you must. I never said there's anything wrong with making money. You're creating a scandal that doesn't exist. Anyways, I don't care enough about this topic to persue it any further. I've said what I needed to say. I'm not going to sit here and discuss capitalistic enterprise with you. I'm going out into the real world now. Sorry.

[RGT]

That is probably why MGM puts out barebone Midnite movie releases.If they were to put lots of extras on their Midnite releases,they would probably lose a lot of money and this line of movies would probably cease to exist.How many people are going to buy a double feature of Empire Of The Ants/Tentacles?Anchor Bay's limited edition of Suspiria didn't sell like it should have.I heard they paid a lot of money to acquire the rights to the film.I've hardly ever met a horror fan who has even heard of Suspiria.The people who run AB now are probably not even fans of the genre.

[dwatts]

--dwatts, don't you have more in your life than sitting at the computer and constantly getting into pointless arguments with people?--

I think you'll find I do a lot more than that - but if it pleases you to think so....... If there is another way to interpret someone saying " I consider making money strictly for money's sake greed.", then I'd have been glad to hear it. You praise BU while bashing AB. How then do you explain that AB have many many many more genre releases than BU? You dont. Now, if you don't want to talk about business, one wonders why YOU brought it up. I wasn't looking to argue with you or anyone else, but really, your insinuation was rather preposterous, imo. However, it was you that turned to name calling - not me ;)

I don't know how anyone can claim AB are not fans of the genre given the support they have given us over the years. I have so many of their DVD's.

[X-human]

Considering Synapse Films and Unearthed Films were both just picked up by Ryko Distribution, and had all their titles do a price drop, I think they're actually doing better than ever. They're both getting more things into Best Buy, one of the major reasons Thriller was re-released was because Best Buy and rental stores were interested in the titles but want R-rated versions.

Criterion's also considered opening up their own cult line in order to get their own piece of the action. And look at how both Universal and Warner have released all of their Hammer catalog. Fox dumped plenty of cash into new SE's for both Fly releases and Warner's done a hell of a job putting together the Van Lewton collection. Not to mention Warner's HUGE efforts with King Kong, Son of Kong and Mighty Joe Young.

I really don't see anyone in the industry getting cold feet except for Paramount; take into consideration the recent surge in horror (as missguided as it might be) and that makes more cult releases that much more probably. Disney just bought up Roger Corman's Concord titles, a pleathera of cinemuck and have fast tracked Death Race 2000 DVD to go along with Death Race 3000.

[maybrick]

--dwatts, don't you have more in your life than sitting at the computer and constantly getting into pointless arguments with people?--

I think you'll find I do a lot more than that - but if it pleases you to think so....... If there is another way to interpret someone saying " I consider making money strictly for money's sake greed.", then I'd have been glad to hear it. You praise BU while bashing AB. How then do you explain that AB have many many many more genre releases than BU? You dont. Now, if you don't want to talk about business, one wonders why YOU brought it up. I wasn't looking to argue with you or anyone else, but really, your insinuation was rather preposterous, imo. However, it was you that turned to name calling - not me ;)

I don't know how anyone can claim AB are not fans of the genre given the support they have given us over the years. I have so many of their DVD's.

You know what? This may seem like an alien idea to you, but there are actually people who decide to put a cap on how much they can potentially earn because they love what they do. Of course people are in business primarily to make money. No shit, Sherlock. Waste more time stating the obvious why don't you? I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about when people are making perfectly comfortable livings doing what they're doing, but then in essence sell there souls to make more. If you can't pay the bills, fine. That's justification enough to change your ways and sell out your ideals to make more. But I don't buy for a second that Anchor Bay has ever even come close to approaching that level. You know how I explain why AB has more genre releases than BU? Simple. They've been around a lot longer. No matter what you do, I guarantee you could figure out a way to make more money if that's what you really want, but you may not like yourself for what you have to do to acquire it. I'm sure there's a lot of money to be made in selling crack or stocks, but I'm not about to become a drug dealer or stock broker.

Discussing business is one thing, but all you're doing is taking my words out of context, blowing them out of proportion, and then using inflammatory language in your posts in order to provoke a response from me. Well I praise you for a job well done. Once again you've proven yourself quite adept at the subtle art of trolling. You can now sit back in your comfy chair, peel yourself a banana, and pat yourself on the back and bask in the illusion that somehow you can claim the moral high ground simply because I called you Monkey Boy. Frankly, I don't give a damn. For future reference, if it really bothers you that much to be called Monkey Boy, then don't go ape.

[dwatts]

:lol:

Dude, you're acting like a lunatic. Calm down and have a glass of water.

Look at all your trolling. Start with the name calling, now the insinuations. What exactly is the point? If you want to spazz out - take it to PM. :D

[maybrick]

:lol:

Dude, you're acting like a lunatic. Calm down and have a glass of water.

Look at all your trolling. Start with the name calling, now the insinuations. What exactly is the point?

I don't know, shits and giggles I guess. Get over the name calling, already. There's worse things in the world than Monkey Boys after all. :lol:

What exactly was the point anyways of telling me that "filthy rich" should be stricken from my vocabulary? I never said that anyone was getting "filthy rich". I, in fact, said I'm sure these companies are making a profit. Maybe not huge profits and getting filthy rich, but likely enough to be economically comfortable. See what I mean about taking my words out of context and making exaggerations?

Anyways, thanks for the advice on the water. I was quite parched. Have you had your banana yet? They're quite yummy and loaded with potassium (or so I've been told). :p

[dwatts]

Maybrick - really now. "Serenity Now.... Serenity Now". Use the PM, no-one's interested in tantrums ;)

[X-human]

On of my online friends just got Blind Dead in the mail and all but the bonus disc fell off the ring and were severely damaged in shipping. So apparently just regular ole cases are still giving people problems on this boxset.

And if you guys want to talk about bad fan service, the guys running Russ Meyer's outfit have no regard for that man's work: http://s8.invisionfree.com/MHVF/index.php?showtopic=3560

[ScarredGod]

On of my online friends just got Blind Dead in the mail and all but the bonus disc fell off the ring and were severely damaged in shipping. So apparently just regular ole cases are still giving people problems on this boxset.[/url]

i got mine in the mail yesterday, 2 loose discs. hopefully they will play fine. i read about a dvd checker that you can just pop in a dvd and it will check for errors. i forget the name of it though and dont know how well it works. would be very helpful especially when doing alot of mail order.

[betterdan]

i read about a dvd checker that you can just pop in a dvd and it will check for errors. i forget the name of it though and dont know how well it works. would be very helpful especially when doing alot of mail order.
I use Nero's CD-DVD Speed program to test discs, especially after burning them. Works great for this purpose.