Wasn't quite sure where to put this, but I would guess a lot of what this topic is about will be what we call "bad movies", so here it is...
What titles are still only available on LaserDisc or VHS? Or the LaserDisc version is superior (like, for example, when the DVD is only pan-and-scan or has no features, as the Howling DVD until the special edition got put out)? The numbers are dwindling, but the likely truth is some movies will *never* make the transition.
I'm not aware of too many. But here goes..
Song of the South - only available as a Japanese LD, as far as I know. The LD is worth a fair bit for that reason. US release seems unlikely, though Der Fuehrer's Face managed to get a release, so who knows?
Radioactive Dreams. I like it and Andrew likes it, and it's been out of print for 20 years. So here it is.
Crime Story season 1 - the Japanese LD set is the only version with the original music intact (aside from the EP VHS tapes).
There are a number of music video/concert LDs which are still exclusive to LD. I don't know of any particular ones, but I've seen them go for a lot on eBay before.
The Compleat Tex Avery collection - there's a French release, but it apparently contains censored versions and is missing a couple shorts.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit - DVD has a couple minor censored bits.
Wheels of Fire - no DVD, apparently. Big loss.
Let It Be - Still no DVD? Why?
Monster Squad - Ok, there's FINALLY a damn DVD coming...
Night of the Creeps - Don't think there's a DVD coming yet, is there?
Pass the Ammo
Roadside Prophets
Just Heroes - One of John Woo's more obscure movies. I have it on LD since I've never seen even a bootleg DVD of it (though one probably exists)
Any other significant ones I'm missing?
There are Criterion laserdiscs of The Fisher King and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, both with commentary, deleted scenes, storyboards, etc. I have a sealed copy of Munchausen but I can't watch it 'cause I don't own a laserdisc player.
Something Wicked This Way Comes has a special edition LD that has commentary by Ray Bradbury. I think it may also have an isolated score.
Umm, that's all I know of.
Quote from: Jim H on April 14, 2007, 12:06:46 AMI'm not aware of too many.
<...>
Any other significant ones I'm missing?
I haven't updated the list in a while but..
101+ Movies Without Proper R1 DVD Releases. (http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-qzcELew6frWBZspks_7SsnUuv9VNTUA-?cq=1&p=89)
As the subject line suggests this list of titles was compiled regarding R1 releases. Some titles may be available in other regions. Let's see, updating, just quickly glancing at the titles...
Ator, The Fighting Eagle: Has a R2 disc and a shady R1 release.
Black Candles: has been announced as comeing from BCI as part of a "Grindhouse" double feature. However, given their track record with announcing titles then not meeting street dates, I wouldn't hold my breath.
Cinderella 2000: Has since had a DVD release, but the video was from a tape master, thus it's far from optimal.
Hundra: This has since had a WS release.
Lady Frankenstein: This is one of those titles that had numerous "PD" releases but has yet to have a proper restoration release.
Liane, Jungle Goddess: Has an Alpha Video release. Needs a proper restoration release (and it's sequel).
Messalina, Messalina: Has a shady FS release sourced from tape. The R2 disc is WS.
Red Heat: I read an announcement for this, have no idea if it ever came out though.
Starcrash: Has since appeared on DVD, very shady and hard to find (unless you order it online) though.
Looking at my LDs, these are some I think are still missing DVD releases:
Galaxis
Metalstorm
The Dark (giant killer gopher movie)
Cool As Ice
Cast a Deadly Spell
Babes in Toyland (Drew Barrymore version)
Nightwing
Master of the World
The Monster Squad (but this is coming)
The Kindred
The X From Outer Space
The Sisterhood
Tammy and the T-Rex
Tobor the Great
Uninvited (killer cat flick)
Godzilla vs. Biollante
Godzilla 1985
The Amazing Colossal Man
Another one is The Devils (Ken Russel). The LD version isn't the best one, the bootleg DVD is, but it is legit. I'm not aware of a legit DVD of it.
The Criterion edition of The Killer has a commentary track unique to it which can't be reproduced for legal reasons.
Good one on Cast a Deadly Spell, as I've wanted a copy of it for a while. Oddly enough, I just saw an episode of Angel randomly on TV which ripped off the plot very blatantly - though the payoff for the sacrifice at the end wasn't nearly as good. There's an LD copy on eBay right now, but $20 with shipping seems a bit much. In these days of ultra low DVD prices, I've become pretty miserly... I remember buying Once Upon a Time in the West on LD for $40 4 or 5 years before the DVD finally came out.
BTW, what LD of Monster Squad do you have Andrew?
On the note of Godzilla, Biollante has a Japanese release I believe. Dunno if the American version of 1985 ever got put out anywhere though.
The Red Heat DVD comes out April 17.
The change to DVD, which its more compact format and cheaper prices, has definitely been a good thing. I prefer to own four movies, to having only one for the same price. My LD collection exploded when this one LD store switched to DVD. They sold a huge number of LDs for $4.
"The Monster Squad" is an Image LD, CLV format, with logos for 3M and Vestron on it.
I have been in a longtime search for a Captain America movie (made AGES ago) and all I have been able to find was LaserDisc. Bah!
Quote from: TheSinisterQuinn on April 15, 2007, 02:03:26 PM
I have been in a longtime search for a Captain America movie (made AGES ago) and all I have been able to find was LaserDisc. Bah!
Do you mean the 1979 film with Reb Brown or the 1990 film with Matt Salinger? I am guessing you must mean the 1979 film and, if so, I had no idea they ever put it out on LD. That would be one I would go searching for, even in this time of DVD.
Anchor Bay, who owns the rights to Godzilla 1985 via the New World collection it picked up, had planned to release it on DVD afew years ago, along with the original Japanese version. Apparently Toho nixed the idea.
Quote from: Andrew on April 15, 2007, 07:17:02 AM
The change to DVD, which its more compact format and cheaper prices, has definitely been a good thing. I prefer to own four movies, to having only one for the same price. My LD collection exploded when this one LD store switched to DVD. They sold a huge number of LDs for $4.
"The Monster Squad" is an Image LD, CLV format, with logos for 3M and Vestron on it.
DVD is superior, without any doubt (my collection would be tiny if it wasn't for DVDs explosion). LDs have more character though. How many home movie formats also make lethal throwing weapons, after all? :thumbup:
Captain America has an LD of the 1966 version (animated shorts, I'm assuming) and the 1990 one (which I'm fairly amazed got an LD release actually. Might have to look for that one).
For LD reference, I suggest http://www.lddb.com (http://www.lddb.com)
I'm building a wall of LDs to display in my apartment, so some of 'em I go for simply for the sleeve art. Escape From NY and Re-Animator are perfect examples.
(http://www.so-net.ne.jp/SF-Online/no7_19970918/image/laser/re_animator.jpg) (http://shillpages.com/collect/escapefromnewyork1981ld.gif)
Most of those films tied up by Susan Hart have yet to see DVD release: I Was A Teenage Werewolf, I Was A Teenage Frankenstein in particular come to mind. Vampire Circus as far as I know hasn't been released on DVD, neither has Scream of Fear.
Quote from: Jim H on April 14, 2007, 12:06:46 AM
Who Framed Roger Rabbit - DVD has a couple minor censored bits.
What go cut out?
Quote from: KYGOTC on April 15, 2007, 10:07:24 PM
Quote from: Jim H on April 14, 2007, 12:06:46 AM
Who Framed Roger Rabbit - DVD has a couple minor censored bits.
What go cut out?
Just Jessica Rabbit's nude scene. No big deal.
Quote from: Jim H on April 15, 2007, 07:35:52 PM
For LD reference, I suggest http://www.lddb.com (http://www.lddb.com)
That is a really cool resource, by the way. Thank you.
Quote from: tombofanubisdotcom on April 15, 2007, 08:25:09 PM
I'm building a wall of LDs to display in my apartment, so some of 'em I go for simply for the sleeve art. Escape From NY and Re-Animator are perfect examples.
I will admit that I have had a problem letting go some of my LDs, because the cover art was different than the DVD and it is a larger format - almost like a poster.
Quote from: JaseSF on April 15, 2007, 08:33:59 PM
Most of those films tied up by Susan Hart have yet to see DVD release: I Was A Teenage Werewolf, I Was A Teenage Frankenstein in particular come to mind. Vampire Circus as far as I know hasn't been released on DVD, neither has Scream of Fear.
As
Twins of Evil was issued on LD I'd be surprised if Vampire Circus, which has a R2 release and was put out on 8mm film, wasn't also issued on LD. Even if only in Japan.
andrew you have Uninvited on LD? thats awsome! i have the vhs, is the cover art any different and is there any features?
Quote from: Joe on April 18, 2007, 04:35:40 AM
andrew you have Uninvited on LD? thats awsome! i have the vhs, is the cover art any different and is there any features?
The cover art is the same (they just plaster a LD "behind" it to take up the extra space on the LD cover) and it is only the movie.
I really am waiting for a DVD of this one. How much longer can they deny me my mutant, radioactive cat addiction?
i ripped it dvd but its still not the same, i want Uninvited and Terror vision.
Unfortunately, some of the LDs I've picked up were disappointing because they just plastered the VHS art on the cover. On the other hand, again, stuff like The Road Warrior went the extra mile and included original art, which is always great. Any recommendations from anyone for LDs with particularly cool sleeve art, Andrew especially? I've got room for another 20 or so sleeves up there!
Quote from: tombofanubisdotcom on April 18, 2007, 06:01:52 PM
Any recommendations from anyone for LDs with particularly cool sleeve art, Andrew especially? I've got room for another 20 or so sleeves up there!
Leafing through, I think all of these look good: (ones that really looked interesting to me are marked with *)
Black Roses*
The Crippled Masters*
Creepozoids
Cool as Ice
Dollman
Dollman vs. Demonic Toys*
Giant Monster Gamera (Synapse)
Godzilla vs. Biollante*
Jaws the Revenge*
Robot Wars
The Kindred
The Lift
Metamorphosis*
Metalstorm*
Popcorn
Subspecies*
Tobor the Great*
The Time Guardian
Transformations*
When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth*
Wild, Wild Planet*
Quote from: Andrew on April 18, 2007, 06:58:37 PM
Quote from: tombofanubisdotcom on April 18, 2007, 06:01:52 PM
Any recommendations from anyone for LDs with particularly cool sleeve art, Andrew especially? I've got room for another 20 or so sleeves up there!
Leafing through, I think all of these look good: (ones that really looked interesting to me are marked with *)
Black Roses*
The Crippled Masters*
Creepozoids
Cool as Ice
Dollman
Dollman vs. Demonic Toys*
Giant Monster Gamera (Synapse)
Godzilla vs. Biollante*
Jaws the Revenge*
Robot Wars
The Kindred
The Lift
Metamorphosis*
Metalstorm*
Popcorn
Subspecies*
Tobor the Great*
The Time Guardian
Transformations*
When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth*
Wild, Wild Planet*
Excellent, much thanks my friend. Are all of these full sleeve art, or do any of them suffer from the dreaded "VHS box art with a picture of a laserdisc behind it to fill in the empty space" images?
Some (only a handful) look like they might not be full sleeve, but the empty space is a dark background so it blended in better.