Sapphire Off To A Shaky But Promising Start?

Today sees the release on Blu-ray of two amazing films. Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator' and Mel Gibson's 'Braveheart'. Two titles that have been desired by fans of the format. I rank among the fans that include both films among my favorites. In fact, when I do my "best of the decade" list at the end of the year I can tell you that 'Gladiator' will be on it. Paramount is releasing both titles under their new Sapphire Series. Unfortunately it's off to a shaky start.




'Gladiator' contains much of the great features from the 3 disc DVD set from a few years ago. However the transfer has some problems. The high definition transfer is approved by Ridley Scott. One problem - it's the transfer he approved back in 2000 for its original DVD release. I have not seen the Blu-ray yet but I have seen it on cable. It looks good but not up to par with more recent transfers that are meant for Blu-ray. The HD transfer while good for 2000 suffers from the technical problems that were utilized at the time to make DVD's pop. A lot of digital enhancing to bring out detail. Something not needed for more current HD transfers. Unfortunate to say the least as I have been looking forward to this release. Blu-ray.com has some info on the issue with the 'Gladiator' disc.

However flawed, the disc does represent an upgrade from the previous DVD release. The audio quality benefits greatly from the lossless encoding, and viewers will definitely notice increase fidelity and clarity. Even the video represents an upgrade, though not on the scale usually seen on Blu-ray releases. So while you may hesitate to pick up a copy today, you can make a purchase with the knowledge that the Blu-ray release represents the best home video presentation of ‘Gladiator'. Hopefully, Paramount will soon come out with an official statement announcing a trade-in program for owners, but that may take some time as they first have to figure out what went wrong.

I hope so too as the film deserves better. Plus it will put Paramount in good light with the fans and not have their Sapphire Series be marred by this. You don't want people saying about future releases,"Is it really going to be good or just another 'Gladiator' release?"



That being said it does look like the Sapphire Series has a winner in the new 'Braveheart release. Outside of not having some extras available on older DVD copies I have heard it is a great edition with an outstanding transfer. Though almost 15 years old this film still holds up. Much has been said about Gibson's personal life but dammit the man knows how to make movies. And this is just one of the best films in the last 20 years. I've seen it so many times yet I still get emotional at the end.

I'm excited to watch both of these again. I have caught them in HD in the last year on cable. While it was nice I know that cable HD is not as good as Blu-ray HD. Both films hold up so well and it'll be nice to watch them in the format. I only hope the 'Gladiator' situation can be fixed. Still looking forward to watching it though. Transfer flaws and all. Are you not entertained?

This Was Too Good Not To Share

In Defense Of The Zombie

At first I was annoyed by the way a lot of people were dumping over 'Halloween II' even without seeing it. But now I'm actually entertained but how far out of their way people are going to bash it. Almost makes me enjoy the movie more to know it annoys people so much. I knew most fans weren't going to like it since most fans didn't like the first film. What is surprising is how much they are waiting in line to piss on it. Not really sure why. The movie came out. You didn't like it. Or chose not to see it. You posted your opinion. Move onto the next film. But the utter hatred from people is baffling to me. As I said before though now I'm just more entertained by it.

I actually liked the first 'Halloween' film. One of the few people that seemed to. It doesn't replace the original for me which is not only a classic but one of my favorite films. I just liked the ferocious nature of it. Same thing with the second one. I liked it for what it was. The ferocious nature of Rob Zombie is either off putting to some or they like the in your face way he approaches violence. Some people feel his white trash, ultra swearing, overly sex talk is tiring and dumb. And that may be for most people. Sometimes that will work as in the case of 'The Devil's Rejects' or it can not work as a lot of people felt it doesn't in the two 'Halloween' films. It doesn't bother me. I do feel some of the dialogue is forced but I've seen so many films where characters sit around and talk about nothing in the worst dialogue ever forever. At least Zombie's dialogue scenes are fairly short. My main point is that he has these areas that he likes to stay as a screenwriter and filmmaker and in some films they will work and in others they won't. But you know going in pretty much what to expect so I'm not sure why people are so angry. I guess it has been awhile since people had a movie or a celebrity to jump all over. Sorry Rob. I guess right now it's you.



Anyway, my other point is about the box office. Everyone is going on and on over 'H2' coming in third place at the box office while 'The Final Destination' came in first. Yay! Rob Zombie lost! The movie tanked!! Let's all dance on the grave!!! Hold on their Charlie. The truth is an all around different situation.

Yes, FD came in first with an approximately $28 million opening weekend but it also cost $40 million to make. This is before advertising and other costs. Now this is still a very good opening. I'm not knocking that. The only problem is by the time it leaves theatres (which I suspect both films will be gone in a matter of a few weeks) it will need to bring in a lot more to just break even. Granted with overseas box office and of course video I am sure the profit margin will be hit eventually. Just might take a lot longer.

H2 came in third place with an approximately $17 million opening weekend. Behind Quentin Tarantino's fantastic 'Ingluorious Basterds' in its second week of release. I'm reading a lot about how everyone is saying that H2 is a dud, a flop, because it did not come in over FD. Slight problem here. H2 had a production budget of around $15 million. Almost a third of FD. This does not include advertising and other costs as well. In its opening weekend it has already made back its production cost. If H2 can make close to $35 million at the US box office before video then it will be a successful film. Maybe not a blockbuster but still a modest hit. FD needs to make closer to $70 million before the same can be said.

While people are jumping up and down over the third place outing of Rob Zombie's latest they really need to reevaluate the situation. They may not like the film for whatever reason and that is their choice. But the victor in this at the end of the day will be H2. Maybe not in the eyes of the fans and the press but definitely in the eyes of the studio.

So The Fight Begins

This weekend two big horror film franchises release their latest editions but which one will be the victor? This is not over which is the better film but which one will get the crowd? Or will they be split making both have a pretty limp weekend?



First up is the fourth in the entertaining Final Destination series. This one supposedly being the final one. Hence the title 'The Final Destination'. We've heard that before but as long as they're entertaining I don't care if there are fifty of them. This time the film is in 3-D and that is a draw for people. Look at the success of 'My Bloody Valentine 3-D'. And I can't think of a better example of a series that would benefit from it.



Next up is Rob Zombie's follow up to his remake of 'Halloween'. He abandoned the storyline of any existing sequel and has gone off on his own. He even shot the film in Super 16mm to give it a grittier feel. This could be pure Rob Zombie along the lines of 'The Devil's Rejects' in which case this could be quite something. Still not sure why this film isn't coming out in October but I stopped questioning studio decisions when it comes to horror films. I realize most of them don't have a clue.

Will audiences come out to the potentially darker and more violent vision of 'Halloween II' or to the more fun 3-D madness of 'The Final Destination'? We will know in three days. Maybe fans will skip both? Or maybe they'll do what I plan on doing? Going to see both.

Retool And Reboot

An all new version is coming soon. Promise.

'Hearts of Darkness' Finally On DVD

Finally Paramount is releasing Eleanor Coppola's 'Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse' on DVD on 11/20. This is the amazing documentary that Coppola's wife made while Francis was making 'Apocalypse Now'. It is among the best making of's of a film ever made. This isn't the glamor filled lifestyle of making movies. It's the dirt and grime of making one.

The DVD will have an audio commentary with Francis and Eleanor Coppola plus a documentary called 'CODA: Thirty Years Later' which continues the story, plus an introduction to CODA by Eleanor. Even if you don't like 'Apocalypse Now' you will love this documentary.

Rob Zombie's Halloween DVD Details

From Fangoria.com:

The Weinstein Company and Genius Entertainment gave Fango the first word on the final specs for its DVD releases of Rob Zombie’s HALLOWEEN, coming December 18. The movie will be issued in both the R-rated theatrical version and a widescreen director’s cut running 11 minutes longer; the former will be presented in both widescreen and fullscreen, while the latter will be letterboxed only, and all will have Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtracks. Both will be double-disc editions chock full of special features:

• Audio commentary by writer/director Zombie
• 17 deleted scenes with optional Zombie commentary
• Alternate ending
• Re-Imagining HALLOWEEN documentary
• A Conversation With Rob Zombie featurette
• Meet the Cast featurette
• The Many Masks of Michael Myers featurette
• Bloopers
• Casting session footage
• Laurie Strode screen test

Retail price for both versions will be $29.95; cover art is coming any day now! —Michael Gingold

A Few Things

I attended the Music Box Massacre III 24 hour marathon this past weekend at The Music Box theatre here in Chicago. It was a great time and I got to meet Fred Dekker (writer and director of 'Night of the Creeps' and 'The Monster Squad') and Coralina Cataldi Tassoni (star of 'Demons 2' and is in Dario Aregento's 'Opera' and the upcoming Third Mother movie). I definitely need sleep afterwards but it was a blast.

Today 'Planet Terror' came out on DVD. I can't recommend it enough.

Casting for my film is coming along. I have so many headshots it's insane. I will be doing auditions in the next week or two. I'll be starting a blog to cover just the film so I'll link it when it's ready.

I Am Still Here

Sorry about not being around much lately. I am hard at work on my own film which is taking up a lot of my time. I will be starting a blog to cronicle that so I will link to it once it is set up.

New 'Evil Dead' Special Edition DVD

A new edition of 'The Evil Dead' is heading to DVD again. Still no 'Within The Woods' though but I heard it was due to some kind of rights issue which is why it's never been released. Anyhow, for the 126th time we have another release of Sam Raimi's classic but it does seem like a great edition. Originally this was going to be in a special packaging shaped like the cabin. Not sure if they are still doing that or not. Here is the release thanks to Fangoria.com.

Anchor Bay Entertainment gave Fango the first word on the specs for THE EVIL DEAD ULTIMATE EDITION, which streets December 18. Yep, it’s another DVD release of Sam Raimi’s classic, and this one’s by far the most fully loaded of the bunch: a three-disc package with a wealth of new features. The movie itself will be presented in both widescreen on Disc One and full-frame on Disc Two; here’s what you’ll get supplement-wise:

Disc One:
• One by One We Will Take You: The Untold Saga of THE EVIL DEAD: new featurette
• Audio commentary by writer/director Raimi and producer Robert Tapert

Disc Two:
• THE EVIL DEAD: Treasures from the Cutting Room Floor: new collection of reconstructed and restored deleted scenes
• Audio commentary by star Bruce Campbell

Disc Three:
• Life After Death: The Ladies of THE EVIL DEAD: new featurette with Ellen Sandweiss, Betsy Baker and Theresa Tilly
• The Ladies of THE EVIL DEAD Meet Bruce Campbell: new chat between Sandweiss, Baker, Tilly and Bruce
• Unconventional: new featurette in which cast and crew discuss horror conventions and more
• At the Drive-In: new no-holds-barred Q&A with a drive-in audience of hardcore fans
• Reunion Panel: new featurette spotlighting the once-in-a-lifetime gathering at Chicago’s Flashback Weekend
• Discovering THE EVIL DEAD: featurette on THE EVIL DEAD’s British home video release and its place in the “Video Nasties” debate
• Makeup test
• Trailer
• TV spots
• Still gallery
• Poster/memorabilia gallery

Plus an Easter egg or two. Definitely worth the upgrade, wouldn’t you say? Retail price for all this is $34.97; cover art is coming soon. —Michael Gingold