Great Blu Ray status report with some exciting upcoming Fox titles from Thedigitalbits.com

http://thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents

First up, it seems that now that the format war is over, there's a lot of 'making nice' going on in the industry, especially between the studios that had previously been on opposite sides of the format dispute. I'm also told that the BDA and its various members are working to help studios that had previously backed HD-DVD get fully up to speed with regard to Blu-ray authoring and production (in some cases even specifically making room for them in replication lines), and also to ensure that there's enough replication capacity available to meet demand for 3rd and 4th quarter titles.

Each studio is currently busy planning and preparing its BD release slate for the rest of the year. I can tell you that there are a LOT of titles in the works for Blu-ray release later this year, but also that the general sense in the industry is that the floodgates are really going to start opening up in 2009, after the Blu-ray format is able to make its holiday sales pitch to consumers unopposed for the first time. In fact, I've learned that there are some very exciting titles set to debut in the 1st quarter of 2009. Unfortunately, we can't really talk about them right now, as specific titles, schedules and features are shifting around a lot at the moment. While many 2009 releases are already in production, that's still a long ways off in terms of actual release dates.

More immediately, Warner Home Video has already given hints as to its Blu-ray plans in the year ahead, which we've reported on at some length (here and here). Image is working on titles. Genius Products has let it be known that they'll start releasing on the format in the second half of 2008 (including Weinstein Company titles). Disney and Sony are also working on lots of new titles. And I can tell you with confidence that Paramount and Universal have many titles already in the works as well. Part of the problem, particularly for Paramount, is that they're well aware that they've upset many high-def consumers in recent months. There are also, as we've said previously, some remaining contractual and financial issues being resolved with Toshiba as well. The main thing is that both studios want to make a big positive splash with their Blu-ray efforts going forward, and so they're taking their sweet time to frame their plans. Neither studio wants to start announcing titles and dates until they're completely ready to make good.

Meanwhile, what about Fox and MGM? Some of their release plans (through May and June) are already known. However, I'm told that many more catalog titles are in the works for possible release by the end of 2008, including such films as Walk the Line, the classic Batman: The Movie, The French Connection, Super Troopers, Fargo, the X-Men trilogy, the original Planet of the Apes, possibly Young Frankenstein and maybe even MGM musical titles, not to mention the expected new release films. And there are some great 2009 titles already being planned. Note that this information comes directly from studio sources, though the specific title slate and street dates are all fluctuating and are yet to be announced, so you should consider this Rumor Mill-worthy until official announcements are made.

Is the Batman film the one starring Adam West?

From that list, I'm looking forward to Walk the Line, if it happens anytime soon.

Yes that is the Adam West Batman movie.

That's awesome news. I'll take a copy of The French Connection, Fargo, X-men 1-3, Planet of the Apes, and Young Frankenstein. My wife will take the MGM musicals. :D

Nice, Planet is a classic and must buy IMO!

I would pick up X1 and X2 also....own X3 already.

Nice, Planet is a classic and must buy IMO!

I would pick up X1 and X2 also....own X3 already.

Couldn't tell you how many times i've seen the original Apes and all sequels. Never get tired of watching it. Made me really appreciate the underrated talent of Roddy McDowall. I hope they'll do a Blu box of all the films and the amazing documentary similar to the standard DVD release.

"Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb!"

Holy rusted metal Batman, am I excited.

HA! I can't believe they are actually releasing the Adam West Batman movie. That's awesome.

Shark Repellent for the win!

The original PotA! Hell yeah, classic, definite purchase!! :)

:D Planet of the Apes, French Connection, Fargo, Walk the Line

I would definitely like to see Planet of the Apes again. The Batman movie is a POS and I would be embarrassed if anyone seen be watching it. So I'll have to watch it when my wifes out!!!

Thanks,

Jon

I would definitely like to see Planet of the Apes again. The Batman movie is a POS and I would be embarrassed if anyone seen be watching it. So I'll have to watch it when my wifes out!!!

Thanks,

Jon

LOL! I guess i'm not the only one who has movie faves to hide from the wife.....
and i don't mean porn!

Doesn't Warner Brothers have the rights to the MGM musicals era?

Doesn't Warner Brothers have the rights to the MGM musicals era?

Yes and they also already released the complete collection of MGM's 'That's Entertainment!'.

I would definitely like to see Planet of the Apes again. The Batman movie is a POS and I would be embarrassed if anyone seen be watching it.


You and me are about to have trouble. :mad:


So I'll have to watch it when my wifes out!!!

Thanks,

Jon

Heh--I'll bring the popcorn, you bring the chocolate.

And, let me know when I can order Cannonball Run on Blu-Ray, too! :D

Doesn't Warner Brothers have the rights to the MGM musicals era?

There are a number of mostly United Artists musicals that are owned by MGM (following the buyout of UA by MGM after the Heaven's Gate failure). Some of these are West Side Story, How to Succeed, and Fiddler on the Roof. There are also some more recent ones like Delovely that are owned by MGM.

The "classic" MGM musicals such as Singin' in the Rain are indeed owned by Warners following the buyout in about 1985 of the MGM library by Ted Turner (who subsequently sold to Warners).

I can finally give up my Region 4 original DVD release of 'Planet of the Apes' (1968) which has the best image quality of all the DVD releases...

Oh god why? Why would they even waste store shelves putting that trash of a Batman movie on them? I'm sorry, but that movie and series were the biggest pieces of garbage DC ever conceived. Whoever approved it needs to be shot, for it bastardized Kane's Batman. Thank the gods we got Neil Adams in the late 70s who brought Batman back to his roots.

I can finally give up my Region 4 original DVD release of 'Planet of the Apes' (1968) which has the best image quality of all the DVD releases...

better than the new special ed release with DTS ?

-Gary

better than the new special ed release with DTS ?

-Gary

Yes, considerably. The newer Special Edition release had a noticeable drop in image quality compared to the original R4 anamorphic release. It looks blurry in comparison and the original R4 didnt have edge enhancement to get its sharpness, merely a much higher datarate. In fact the newer less detailed version seems to HAVE minor edge enhancement where the older one didnt. The newer DTS track is almost indistinguishable from the older DD 448kbps track. My guess is that the datarate of the main feature was dropped considerably to get DTS and the commentary tracks on the newer version.

From memory there was no Region 1 equivalent as USA went straight from the old non-anamorphic release to the new Special Edition.

Oh god why? Why would they even waste store shelves putting that trash of a Batman movie on them? I'm sorry, but that movie and series were the biggest pieces of garbage DC ever conceived. Whoever approved it needs to be shot, for it bastardized Kane's Batman. Thank the gods we got Neil Adams in the late 70s who brought Batman back to his roots.

Please don't tell me you actually take Batman: The Movie seriously. If so http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_%28style%29

Batman is literally one of the funniest movies I have ever seen, and it is every bit a classic.

I agree, love the Batman movie for what it is!

"Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb!"

Holy rusted metal Batman, am I excited.

That is by far my favorite movie quote of all time.

Please don't tell me you actually take Batman: The Movie seriously. If so http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_%28style%29

Batman is literally one of the funniest movies I have ever seen, and it is every bit a classic.

That is just it, I cannot take it serious. Batman IS serious!!! Batman was never meant to be some goofy idiot, especially Joker. Joker IS supposed to be a crazed killing lunatic who just does it for the fun of it, not some clown who will drop his pants to make you laugh while robbing a bank.

If you've ever read any of the Batman comics from the 1950's and early 60's period, you'll understand the Adam West series did not invent the silly, campy approach, it simply adapted it for TV.

PotA! Woot! I'm definitely getting this one. One of my favorites.

I hope that plan includes all the Planet of the Apes movies and not just the 1st one.

But the dang box set I have is non-anamorphic widescreen. Thisonb BD should be the cat's meow!!!

The cinematogrphy really deserves a great HD treatment!!!!

Walk the Line, is the one I'm interested in, in TrueHD = sweat!

I'd be all over a Blu-ray APES set. Those films are my most wanted HDM.

I also love the old batman movie. but i doubt I will rebuy this in HD.

But the bomb scene is a classic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoUpF7rvfnk

Some good titles in there. Planet Of The Apes - yay!

As to Batman The Movie, of course if you go to it with some Dark Knight fanboy attitude you are going to think it sucks. It just means you won't get it at all which is too bad. It was a send-up! A bloody brilliant send up of all things super-hero/super-villain. I just watched the movie again recently with my kids - their first time seeing anything to do with the old Batman series - and we all loved it.

One of my favourite scenes, Batman, after a nasty encounter with a submarine, calls the Navy and speaks to an Admiral (behind the Admiral is a bin with big white letters: "Classified Waste"). To paraphrase:

Batman: Hello Admiral, a routine question: Have you recently sold any surplus submarines, and if so to whom?

Admiral: *checks rollodex* Answer Affirmative Batman. We disposed of a surplus pre-atomic model submarine last friday, to some chap...*squints at rollodex*...a P.N Guine.

Batman: P...N...Guine....?....*gritting his teeth*...Did this...P...N...Guine...leave an address?

Admiral: No, just a post office box number, would you like that?

Batman: *simmering*...No...thank you Admiral...you've been...(biting lip)...very helpful...

Admiral: Your tone sounds rather grim Batman. We haven't done anything foolish, have we?

Batman: Disposing of pre-atomic submarines to persons who don't even leave their full addresses?....Good Day...Admiral...>click<

I love it when Batman gets pissed off!

Adam West was like William Shatner, a character who found the pitch-perfect role with a delivery all this own.

Not only that, the Batman movie is actually one of the more eye-popping DVDs I've seen, in many scenes - great clarity and popping color. It could look gorgeous in Hi-Def.

Not only that, the Batman movie is actually one of the more eye-popping DVDs I've seen, in many scenes - great clarity and popping color. It could look gorgeous in Hi-Def.


I bet it gets the color of cheese juuuuuuuust right. I can't wait. :D

BATMAN (1966) has aired in HD on INHD a few times. It looked good there, so a Blu-ray should be even better.

Commentray with Adam West and Burt Ward, and new HD features:

http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=67329

I love the old Batman movie. It's a true favorite. However, if Fox thinks they are going to get me to pony up $39 for this movie they are out of their freaking minds!

The SD-DVD regularly goes for $5.00 Suddenly, the Blu-Ray version is worth eight times that!? Who are they trying to kid?

R

Ah, The French Connection. Movies simply don't get much better than this one.

I also love the old batman movie. but i doubt I will rebuy this in HD.

But the bomb scene is a classic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoUpF7rvfnk

Fricking classic... LOL

Yes that is the Adam West Batman movie.
dear god "Adam West" Batman???
with all the awesome movies fox could put on BD and some jack
a*s picks that! how about "Big Trouble in Little China" or "X-Files The Movie" or "Alien"
is anybody truly waiting for Adam West??? who picks this sh*t!

dear god "Adam West" Batman???
with all the awesome movies fox could put on BD and some jack
a*s picks that! how about "Big Trouble in Little China" or "X-Files The Movie" or "Alien"
is anybody truly waiting for Adam West??? who picks this sh*t!

Let's see...Batman Begins, Batman Gotham Knights, The Dark Knight...not releasing it would have been stupid. Fox is cashing in on the brand. Nothing wrong with that.

I love the old Batman movie. It's a true favorite. However, if Fox thinks they are going to get me to pony up $39 for this movie they are out of their freaking minds!

The SD-DVD regularly goes for $5.00 Suddenly, the Blu-Ray version is worth eight times that!? Who are they trying to kid?

R
Well, it'll retail for closer to $20-25, I'm sure. Whether or not that's still a bargain will vary depending on the consumer, but depending on the transfer, it might not be a bad investment.

dear god "Adam West" Batman???
with all the awesome movies fox could put on BD and some jack
a*s picks that! how about "Big Trouble in Little China" or "X-Files The Movie" or "Alien"
is anybody truly waiting for Adam West??? who picks this sh*t!

Um, did you actually read any of the thread? There are plenty of people wanting this title, me definitely included.

I'll certainly be wanting to pick up Batman, but as I already have it on DVD, I may wait until the price comes down.

It would be nice if WB/Fox used this as a chance to finally get the original TV show on DVD. The legal limbo that thing has endured is beyond stupid at this point. Each side wants to make sure they make enough money... well, guess what, clowns, NO ONE makes any money if the thing isn't even released... except maybe some bootleggers. :rolleyes:

Let's see...Batman Begins, Batman Gotham Knights, The Dark Knight...not releasing it would have been stupid. Fox is cashing in on the brand. Nothing wrong with that.
are you really gonna pay to see adam west in HD?
sick man just sick.

are you really gonna pay to see adam west in HD?
sick man just sick.

Ha.

So why does Fox have rights to a WB property????

Oh, and I thought they were also fighting with Adam West for rights as well.

Hold on. Is this the same as the Adam West from Family Guy?
Are all the characters real?

I swear I saw one of the old batmans on MOJO before it was MOJO in HD. You could see the stiching and where the seams in the costumes were. Not to mention those colors were super bold.

I don't know if it was the movie or an episode of the series. I remember a group of some sort of board members were frozen by something(not ice) or another kind of peril.

If it looks anything like that it should be fairly impressive.

Hold on. Is this the same as the Adam West from Family Guy?
Are all the characters real?

I swear I saw one of the old batmans on MOJO before it was MOJO in HD. You could see the stiching and where the seams in the costumes were. Not to mention those colors were super bold.

I don't know if it was the movie or an episode of the series. I remember a group of some sort of board members were frozen by something(not ice) or another kind of peril.

If it looks anything like that it should be fairly impressive.

You don't know who Adam West is? Adam West is an actor. He plays himself on Family Guy (although in a fictional sense as he is not the Mayor of anything).

So why does Fox have rights to a WB property????

Oh, and I thought they were also fighting with Adam West for rights as well.

The character Batman is a property of DC comics, which in turn is a property of Warner Bros. Naturally, all DC comics properties are handled by WB. However, WB aquired DC comics in the 70s, so at the time the Adam West Batman show was made, DC was free to farm out the project to whatever studio they wanted (much as Marvel does now). In the 60s, it was quite reasonable for Fox to be the logical studio to make the TV show.

Of course, 40 years later, this complicates matters greatly, as Fox owns the rights to the TV show and WB owns the rights to the character IN the TV show. DVDs and BRs cannot be released without both parties agreeing to it, and apparently the two studios cannot decide on how best to split the profits. (I'd say make it 50/50 and be done with it, but what do I know?)

As for Mr. West complicating matters further... well, anything's possible, but it's the first I've heard of it.

i want star trek 1-10 on blu ray now please. will pay $200 and or provide sexual favors for paramount execs. thx.

i want star trek 1-10 on blu ray now please. will pay $200 and or provide sexual favors for paramount execs. thx.

The Star Trek movies are being actively worked on, so they will be out soon. It's likely they'll be released to coincide with the next movie.

Also, you've probably managed to correctly guess the MSRP for the set ;-)

I know it's not the Blu Ray version but i noticed that MonstersHD is running Planet of the Apes and all the sequels i think for the month of April. So at least we get a glimpse of Apes in Hi Def. I say only a glimpse because the compression and motion blur from my cable company will downgrade it.

The Star Trek movies are being actively worked on, so they will be out soon. It's likely they'll be released to coincide with the next movie.

Also, you've probably managed to correctly guess the MSRP for the set ;-)
next movie is summer 2009, hardly soon.

I thought it was christmas 08?

I thought it was christmas 08?
http://www.startrekmovie.com/

check it out they did not want to go
up against harry potter.

Smart move, but I don't see how it would go against Potter a month later. And releasing it in the summer of 2009 is just as bad. You have Transformers 2 on July 9th, GI Joe on Aug 7th, I believe Jurassic Park 4 is set for next summer, Sin City 2.

I can understand that they dont want to fight against a blockbuster. But Nemesis fought against LOTR.

I dont consider Harry Potter playing in the same field as LOTR. Considering how bad the last one was.

Planet of the Apes...... best ending ever!!!

Planet of the Apes...... best ending ever!!!
Unless you have seen The Time Travelers (1964) :D :D.
Check out the [Saturn moon] Titan rover in this movie, a 4 wheel anticipation of the Mars rovers, pretty impressive.

How about the original Star Trek series on BD with those new special effects inserted that are running on Sci Fi channel or wherever.

How about classic widescreen movies as well, 1953-1970?

next movie is summer 2009, hardly soon.

Compared to Star Wars, etc which have not even been mentioned, I'll take a 2009 release date. :-)

Holy crap, they are charging $40 SRP for Batman? That is outrageous. I was considering buying it just because I was a Batman fan, despite how terrible it is, but at that price, Fox can shove it up their ass.

MovieSwede, not sure what you saw, but HP5 was light years better than 3 and 4.

how about "Big Trouble in Little China" or "X-Files The Movie" or "Alien"

+1 for 'Big Trouble...' (camp classic) and 'Alien' (the best installment of the series). While we're on Fox titles, how about the 80's scifi masterpiece -- 'The Abyss'... it pushed the technological envelope with its groundbreaking, Oscar-nominated effects -- typical James Cameron. The 20th anniversary of 'Abyss' comes up next year....are you listening Fox?!

MovieSwede, not sure what you saw, but HP5 was light years better than 3 and 4.

It was more like, when the movie was over it hadnt even started really. We were back at square one.

I prefer 3 and 4.

But im not a big Harry Potter fan from start so...