DVD Hopes and Fears for the New Year!

[gojira69]

Thank you Sony for releasing in the space of 12 months (Feb 2004 thru Feb 2005) a total of 10 Godzilla DVDs with the original aspect ratios and the original Japanese soundtracks intact! No one predicted this and Sony has really been a boon to fans of the genre. Sure there are some who complain about the retail prices of these disks and others about the accuracy of the subtitles on some of the disks, but all-in-all the fans love what has happened in such a short frame of time. It has transformed the DVD collecting landscape for fans of kaiju eiga!

I hope that what Sony has done has 'raised the bar' for other DVD companies to shoot for but I fear maybe it hasn't.

Classic Media comes to mind in this regard.

From this collector's vantage point, Classic Media seems to be insulated in their own little bubble. Given their track record and their apparent inability to communicate with the public, it doesn't seem that they care about the fans of kaiju eiga. Consider the Godzilla properties they have the rights to and how they sat on these throughout 2004 and let Godzilla's 50th anniversary come and go and issued nary a word to the public let alone releasing definitive versions of any of them on DVD:

Godzilla, King of the Monsters (1954)
Godzilla Raids Again (1955)
Godzilla vs. the Thing (1964)
Ghidrah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964)
Godzilla vs. Monster Zero (1965)
Godzilla's Revenge (1967)
Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975)

Its a real shame. Yeah, yeah, maybe they just acquired a few of those. But maybe they just don't really care that they have the lion's share of the all-time Godzilla classics in their catalog.

But we still have Sony...

I hope Sony can find it in their calendar for 2005 to re-issue the Heisei Godzilla films they have along the lines of the product specs they've recently been employing!

Thank you again Sony!

BobB

[The Great MM]

. . .

Does the word widescreen mean anything? CM, a rather poor company compared to Sony is looking for mint condition widescreen versions. Now, I don't know about you, but IMHO, its worth the wait. Plus they are getting the original UNCUT 1954 Gojira.

And don't go praising Sony, remeber how long it took them to release the Heisei series on DVD.

[gojira69]

Originally Posted by Monster Master

. . .Does the word widescreen mean anything? CM, a rather poor company compared to Sony is looking for mint condition widescreen versions. Now, I don't know about you, but IMHO, its worth the wait.

Well, that WOULD be great if true. Do we know for certain, have they communicated this to anyone? CM has chosen not to respond to most folks e-mail inquiries about this, but it sounds like you might have direct information about this. Please let us know your source for this info. Perhaps you could re-post their e-mail to you here...

BobB

[The Great MM]

Originally Posted by gojira69

Well, that WOULD be great if true. Do we know for certain, have they communicated this to you? CM has chosen to not respond to most folks e-mail inquiries about this, but it sounds like you have the straight scoop. Please let us know your source for this info. Perhaps you could re-post their e-mail to you here...

BobB

It was only announced by them and KPA posted it on these forums. If you go digging, you should be able to find it.

[gojira69]

Keith, could you reply to this? I just conducted a search of the KaijuPhile forums and could not find this info posted by you; though that does not mean its not there. Have you posted CM informed you they have been unable to release any Godzilla titles in 2004 due to their search for high quality source materials?

Your reply is appreciated.

BobB

[The Great MM]

Originally Posted by gojira69

Keith, could you reply to this? I just conducted a search of the KaijuPhile forums and could not find this info posted by you; though that does not mean its not there. Have you posted CM informed you they have been unable to release any Godzilla titles in 2004 due to their search for high quality source materials?

Your reply is appreciated.

BobB

Heh, I think it was KPA x_x. Probably was deleted from the move, wait till I get home (I'm at school), and I'll do a quick search.

[gojira69]

Originally Posted by Monster Master

<snip>don't go praising Sony, remeber how long it took them to release the Heisei series on DVD.

Geez! Some people are NEVER happy! I'm happy that they got around to releasing top notch DVDs for the Godzilla collector. The way things have turned out has eradicated any bad feelings I may have had years past!

Praise thee Sony!!!

On the other hand, Classic Media has done nothing to apease me and they've done everything to rankle Godzilla fans. Until someone is forthcoming with info to make me feel otherwise, as of the current moment in time they're still on my shitlist!

BobB

[The Great MM]

Originally Posted by gojira69

Geez! Some people are NEVER happy! I'm happy that they got around to releasing top notch DVDs for the Godzilla collector. The way things have turned out has eradicated any bad feelings I may have had years past!

Praise thee Sony!!!

Don't even try to put words in my mouth, cause if you would have actually READ my post, I never said anything of the kind about not being satisfied. I'm not the one here whos crying over over cheap Goji DVDs in which the quality is average.

[UltraGojira]

Originally Posted by Monster Master

And don't go praising Sony, remeber how long it took them to release the Heisei series on DVD.

What? After all they gave us TOP NOTCH qualities of GxM, GMK, GxMG, and G:TSOS?

I'm going to continue to praise them as they would finally release Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II and Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster.

I hope they can release Mothra III on DVD, Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah on DVD, Godzilla and Mothra: TBFE on DVD, Godzilla vs. Spacegodzilla on DVD, and Godzilla vs. Destoroyah on DVD. All of them with Japanese track with English subtitles.

[The Great MM]

Originally Posted by UltraGojira2004

What? After all they gave us TOP NOTCH qualities of GxM, GMK, GxMG, and G:TSOS?

I'm going to continue to praise them as they would finally release Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II and Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster.

I hope they can release Mothra III on DVD, Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah on DVD, Godzilla and Mothra: TBFE on DVD, Godzilla vs. Spacegodzilla on DVD, and Godzilla vs. Destoroyah on DVD. All of them with Japanese track with English subtitles.

Your point being what? There doing quantity over quality. While they are realising them in good versions, lets not forget about the 100% complete lack of extras besides for NON Goji movie trailers, the only one who had any sort of extra was SOS.

So, why arn't people out raged because of the lack of extras? There the same thing the CM does to G's Revenge, Mvs.G, TOMG, and GKOTM. No extras. Your not gonna get clear quality and great stuff from them, especially when the DVDs are cheap.

Also, don't forget about the blateant over pricing of Sony's DVDs either, especially ones that have barely any exras besides a couple NON TOHO trailers. And people are complaining about them holding off WOTM, FCTW, and MZ...what do you think Sony is doing with MOTHRA, MOTHRA 3, and a few others they have rights to.

[gojira69]

I've moved the following titles to the "Debunked Rumors for 2004" section of my list of kaiju DVDs in region 1.

Frankenstein Conquers the World
Godzilla vs. Monster Zero
Godzilla vs. the Thing
Godzilla's Revenge
Last Days of Planet Earth
Terror of Mechagodzilla
War of the Gargantuas

If you recall, early in the year Classic Media had led people to believe that they intended to release the above titles in widescreen format in 2004. I think it is highly unlikely they will do so in the next 2 weeks. This was a unique case of a rumor spread and debunked by the same source.

Here's an updated list of available R1 kaiju DVDs:
http://www.gojira.com/html/kaijudvd.html

BobB

[Pkmatrix]

Originally Posted by gojira69

I've moved the following titles to the "Debunked Rumors for 2004" section of my list of kaiju DVDs in region 1.

Frankenstein Conquers the World
Godzilla vs. Monster Zero
Godzilla vs. the Thing
Godzilla's Revenge
Last Days of Planet Earth
Terror of Mechagodzilla
War of the Gargantuas

If you recall, early in the year Classic Media had led people to believe that they intended to release the above titles in widescreen format in 2004. I think it is highly unlikely they will do so in the next 2 weeks. This was a unique case of a rumor spread and debunked by the same source.

Here's an updated list of available R1 kaiju DVDs:
http://www.gojira.com/html/kaijudvd.html

BobB

Actually, I think it is far more likely that Classic Media delayed their release, rather than outright lying or this simply being a rumor. I never expected these to come out in 2004, I had always assumed a 2005 release alongsie the US release of GFW.

[kpa]

I just saw this thread and (since BobB asked for my take) he's what I know...

Originally Posted by Monster Master

Does the word widescreen mean anything? CM, a rather poor company compared to Sony is looking for mint condition widescreen versions.

That's not true. Classic Media bought UPA, the company the co-produced several Toho films like MONSTER ZERO and FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD. That means CM has all the materials UPA owned, which includes the widescreen prints UPA had previously released on tape and disc through Simitar.

Now, I don't know about you, but IMHO, its worth the wait.

But we're not waiting on widescreen prints since CM already has the materials to create the high definition masters. Anything they don't have they should be able to get from Toho. That may delay some of their releases, but not most of them.

Plus they are getting the original UNCUT 1954 Gojira.

But CM turned down Rialto Pictures' offer to do a co-production DVD featuring Rialto's translation and subtitles and extra materials. That's a shame because Rialto had done a lot of work and research on GODZILLA.

And don't go praising Sony, remeber how long it took them to release the Heisei series on DVD.

Sony picked up the rights to those films to use them as merchandising tie-ins for their own movie. That movie was released in 1998, and all the Heisei Godzillas were available on vhs by 1999 and on DVD (except for GvsMGII) by 2000.

Originally Posted by gojira69

Keith, could you reply to this? I just conducted a search of the KaijuPhile forums and could not find this info posted by you; though that does not mean its not there. Have you posted CM informed you they have been unable to release any Godzilla titles in 2004 due to their search for high quality source materials?

Your reply is appreciated.

BobB

Here's what we posted on Henshin! Online's Eastern Front on 1/02/04:

In response to email queries, Classic Media Home Video producer Steve Vincent has confirmed that the company is considering releasing more Toho DVDs in 2004. Classic Media took over the US rights to several Toho films when they acquired the UPA library a few years ago. The list of titles includes MONSTER ZERO (aka GODZILLA VS MONSTER ZERO), FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD, WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS, EVIL OF DRACULA, LAKE OF DRACULA, ESPY, LAST DAYS OF PLANET EARTH (aka CATASTROPHE: 1999), and HIGH-SEAS HIJACK (aka TOKYO CONFLAGRATION). While UPA released most of these films in the pan and scan format on television, Vincent stated "We hope to create new high-definition masters in the original widescreen format, however, it will depend on what is available in our UPA library vs. what Toho has/or will give...." Special Thanks to Joseph Goodman and `Baradagi' on the Monster Zero Message Boards.

I think this is what MM is referring to, but this is a year old and his memory was a little foggy on the details.

Geez! Some people are NEVER happy! I'm happy that they got around to releasing top notch DVDs for the Godzilla collector. The way things have turned out has eradicated any bad feelings I may have had years past!

Praise thee Sony!!!

I think Sony started off poorly in 1998 (pan and scan EP VHS) but they've been getting steadily better and better. It's hard to complain about a comapny that released 10 widescreen, dual language Godzilla films in a little more than a year. They also released a handful of other Toho films (like REBIRTH OF MOTHRA and RETURNER) on DVD and have 16 different Toho films (including brand new English subtitled prints) available for theatrical screenings. No other US distributor has come close to that.

On the other hand, Classic Media has done nothing to apease me and they've done everything to rankle Godzilla fans. Until someone is forthcoming with info to make me feel otherwise, as of the current moment in time they're still on my shitlist!

BobB

The whole rationale behind Classic Media was to buy recognizable properties (like the Rankin-Bass holiday specials, Lassie, Mr Magoo) and make cheap DVDs that could be sold at Wal Mart checkout stands. CM's thinking was "Mom might buy jr. a Bullwinkle or Godzilla DVD for $5.". Like Sony, CM realized there was a bigger audience for the Toho films and are (reportedly) doing more for that market in the future.

Originally Posted by Monster Master

Your point being what? There doing quantity over quality.

I think they've been doing quantity and quality.

While they are realising them in good versions, lets not forget about the 100% complete lack of extras besides for NON Goji movie trailers, the only one who had any sort of extra was SOS.

Sony did not produce these movies (unlike CM/UPA) so extra materials would cost them more money. Since these discs are not huge sellers like SPIDER-MAN , STAR WARS, or THE MATRIX I'm happy with the gorgeous transfers and Japanese language options Sony provides. I also enjoy seeing previews for other Godzilla movies and products. Now we've got a great extra on TOKYO SOS, the first time any US distributor has done this with a Godzilla film.

So, why arn't people out raged because of the lack of extras?

Maybe because they're realists and understand the situation for what it is?

There the same thing the CM does to G's Revenge, Mvs.G, TOMG, and GKOTM. No extras.

The difference is UPA co-produced those movies so CM would have access to all kinds of extra material, and they turned down an offer from Rialto for extras on their upcoming GODZILLA disc.

Your not gonna get clear quality and great stuff from them, especially when the DVDs are cheap.

Also, don't forget about the blateant over pricing of Sony's DVDs either,
especially ones that have barely any exras besides a couple NON TOHO trailers.

That's my one big complaint about the Sony Discs.

And people are complaining about them holding off WOTM, FCTW, and MZ...

Because CM announced them a year ago and hasn't said a peep since.

what do you think Sony is doing with MOTHRA, MOTHRA 3, and a few others they have rights to.

That's a really weak comparison. Sony owns Columbia, TriStar and a big chunk of the MGM library... that means they have thousands of movies made over nearly a century. They've been releasing those films (and tv shows) on DVD for less than 8 years, so expecting everything in their library to be available on DVD now or in the near future is ridiculous.

On the other hand, Classic Media has, at best, several dozen titles. None of them have had a quality DVD release.

Originally Posted by Pkmatrix

Actually, I think it is far more likely that Classic Media delayed their release, rather than outright lying or this simply being a rumor.

I agree.

I never expected these to come out in 2004, I had always assumed a 2005 release alongsie the US release of GFW.

Since they announced these titles last January I expected we would have seen something in 2004. Hopefully their recent acquisition of GIGANTIS and GHIDRAH will spur them to do something early in 2005.

[gojira69]

[unable to delete duplicate post]
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[Alien-G]

I have a fear, for the DVDs that Classic Media are releasing, like Frankenstein Conquers the World and War of the Gargantuas. Are they planning to give us widescreen movies with the option of english and Japanese language, with good picture?

[gojira69]

Originally Posted by kpa

I just saw this thread and (since BobB asked for my take) he's what I know...

Thank you Keith, as always you are a veritable treasure trove of information, and your being a recognized authority on the subject puts an end to a lot of needless controversy among fans.

Originally Posted by kpa

On the other hand, Classic Media has, at best, several dozen titles. None of them have had a quality DVD release.

In that light I'm dumbfounded that CM was able to get the drop on Sony in acquiring GIGANTIS and GIDRAH. There's a story behind that story somewhere. I mean how could CM BEAT SONY in acquiring those licenses? Especially since we now know Sony has been actively seeking G titles to acquire! This weird state of affairs has left the HARDCORE of the classic Godzilla films (GKOTM, GRA, GvM, GTTHM, GvMZ, GR and TOM) in of all places Classic Media's portfolio! How in the world could that happen!?!?!

Here's a thought, should Classic Media go under (a la Simitar) maybe Sony could pick up their catalog and do these films justice in terms of proper DVD releases. In that case, maybe CM should hold off releasing them for now!!! heh heh

BobB

[kent]

I don't mind Classic Media but I am not all impressed with them. I am just afraid they won't clean up the films and present them in a crisp and clear picture. I've been waiting to get the MZ DVD because the one I got off of eBay, I have been speculating was burnt and the picture for a while on the widescreen side kind of bounces a little bit.
I just hope we can get the rest of the Godzilla series out onto DVD here sometime soon. And that may not be far off. Including last year, about seventeen Godzilla films have been released onto DVD. And it is a given we will get two more in the upcoming year. That just leaves about nine more titles to be released (not including the Rialto film); and some of those titles fans have been eagerly waiting for (Godzilla 1985 and Godzilla Vs. Biollante). And by the sounds of it, we could be seeing other kaiju films in the upcoming year as well. Like this year, I think 2005 will also be a great year for kaiju fans.

[nickverrochi]

i actually like it when picture quality is low

these movies are old, u cant expect perfect quality anyway, why are ur standards so friggin high

[gojira69]

I should have mentioned earlier how happy I am with the 5 titles Media Blasters is apparently releasing (hopefully all in 2005)

Attack of the Mushroom People
Dagora, the Space Monster
The Mysterians
Varan the Unbelievable
Yog: Monster from Space

Here's hoping they do as good a job with these as they did with Gappa, with one difference, I hope they work out a better way to do the re-titling. The re-titled initial screens in Gappa are aggravating as heck! But here's hoping for the best!

BobB

[Mecha74]

A while back I had read at Maser City that a certain dvd distributor(my apologies for not remembering the company's name ) had aquired the rights to King Kong Escapes and Frankenstein conquers the world. But whether or not this is to be believed still remains to be seen, and I also don't know how credible the news like this is at Maser City. Are they to be believed or should we not hold our breath?

[Showa Mothra #1]

Viewing as how Sony has the rights to the original Mothra movie, I wouldn't be surprised if it where to come out on DVD anytime soon this year.

[gojira69]

Originally Posted by Showa Mothra #1

Viewing as how Sony has the rights to the original Mothra movie, I wouldn't be surprised if it where to come out on DVD anytime soon this year.

That would be very cool!

Does anyone know if Sony has the rights to Mothra III too?

[Showa Mothra #1]

If Sony was able to release the first two Mothra movies, they might be able to the same with Mothra III. Who knows, perhaps Sony might release these movies when we least expect it?

[baragon2005]

Originally Posted by Mecha74

A while back I had read at Maser City that a certain dvd distributor(my apologies for not remembering the company's name ) had aquired the rights to King Kong Escapes and Frankenstein conquers the world. But whether or not this is to be believed still remains to be seen, and I also don't know how credible the news like this is at Maser City. Are they to be believed or should we not hold our breath?

False, but true. Universal has King Kong Escapes, and like King Kong vs. Godzilla, will have the American rights forever. FCTW belongs to Classic Media (ugh).

Does anyone know if Sony has the rights to Mothra III too?

Yes, they do.

Originally Posted by Mecha74

A while back I had read at Maser City that a certain dvd distributor(my apologies for not remembering the company's name ) had aquired the rights to King Kong Escapes and Frankenstein conquers the world. But whether or not this is to be believed still remains to be seen, and I also don't know how credible the news like this is at Maser City. Are they to be believed or should we not hold our breath?

I don't know where you heard that. Because I didn't. I doubt you heard it at the MaserCity forums, or else the likes of myself and Zillamon would've confronted that with the reality that is the fact that Universal owns King Kong Escapes, and Classic Media apparently has their clutches on FCTW. And it for sure wasn't posted on the main page. Except there may have been something in regards to Classic Media coming to own FCTW along with the other films Gojira69 listed above.