DARK SHADOWS FORUMS
General Discussions => Current Talk Archive => Current Talk '24 I => Current Talk '05 II => Topic started by: Evan Hanley on August 04, 2005, 07:09:46 PM
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They just announced that the 1991 Dark Shadows is comming out on dvd 1018 5.
Evan Hanley
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They just announced that the 1991 Dark Shadows is comming out on dvd 1018 5.
Thanks Evan for the news on the 1991 series to be finally released on DVD! I guess it will be released by MPI?
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They just announced that the 1991 Dark Shadows is comming out on dvd 1018 5.
Who is they and where did you see/hear this? I'm curious because they told me there were no plans and that it was all going out of print.
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MGM will be releasing them on DVD.
The pilot will be the broadcast version and not the extended cut that MPI put together. The rest of the eps will be the broadcast versions as well. Not sure whether ep 2 & 3 will be two separate ones or the edited together broadcast version. I think they'll be 2 separate episodes.
They should look terrific. They're from High Definition masters made within the last few years.
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MGM will be releasing them on DVD.
The pilot will be the broadcast version and not the extended cut that MPI put together. The rest of the eps will be the broadcast versions as well. Not sure whether ep 2 & 3 will be two separate ones or the edited together broadcast version. I think they'll be 2 separate episodes.
They should look terrific. They're from High Definition masters made within the last few years.
Thanks Darren for the information! I am very excited to see the 91 series on my new 50 inch plasma TV with surround sound and all. It is also great to see the big studio remember that it had/has a tremendous franchise with DS.
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Gee....isn't it a shame that people who were hoping for the '91 series to be released on DVD ran out and bought (about-to-become-obsolete) VHS copies, because word went out that the series wouldn't BE released on DVD. But now, lo and behold!...here it comes on DVD.
Sombody tell me you don't believe this was a carefully arranged scenario from the start, please. I have a bridge, in Johnny Karlen's old neighborhood, for sale.
::)
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Gee....isn't it a shame that people who were hoping for the '91 series to be released on DVD ran out and bought (about-to-become-obsolete) VHS copies, because word went out that the series wouldn't BE released on DVD.
Well, at least anyone who ran to buy the VHS tapes do have footage that it sadly appears won't be on the DVDs. :( Both the pilot and the finale are extended with footage that was never shown on NBC. Also, for some strange reason one of the act closers for Episode #7 is edited slightly differently than the version NBC showed.
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Raineypark did raise an interesting issue as to the timing of the news of the 91 series DVD release although my point is not exactly on target. Just curious as to what gave MGM the impetus to release the series on DVD? Perhaps its awakening may lead to more DS projects. In any event this is a huge development for DS fans and for the franchise.
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I'm fortunate. I didn't buy the '91 series on video...I didn't know if I wanted to shell out the money for it because I've never seen it. Depending on the cost of the DVD set, I'll pick it up.
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Gee....isn't it a shame that people who were hoping for the '91 series to be released on DVD ran out and bought (about-to-become-obsolete) VHS copies, because word went out that the series wouldn't BE released on DVD. But now, lo and behold!...here it comes on DVD. Sombody tell me you don't believe this was a carefully arranged scenario from the start, please. I have a bridge, in Johnny Karlen's old neighborhood, for sale. ::)
I am with you on this one I came so close to buying the whole set at the fest because they were only $6 a tape cheep enough but since I was low on funds I just got the revisited tape. Now I will be waiting for the DVD with the rest of you all. I hope they release it in a box set and not just one show per disk.
LdyAnne
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If I recall correctly, victoriawinters originally asked MPI whether they intended to release the series on DVD. They weren't lying when they said no. MGM is doing the DVD release. I can't really blame MPI for wanting to unload their VHS copies before the DVDs hit the shelves rather than directing fans to a competitor for DVD copies. That sort of stuff only happens in Miracle on 34th Street. ;D
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I don't feel so bad that I purchased the entire video set or received some of them as gifts. The extended footage really added to the plot points and atsomphere of the series. The DVD would have disappointed me with their omission.
Truthfully, Michael T. Weiss and Adrian Paul are just so hot that it doesn't matter what format they end up in. [62b2]
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Truthfully, Michael T. Weiss and Adrian Paul are just so hot that it doesn't matter what format they end up in.
About a month ago I wound up spending the night in the hospital emergency room. The gurney was too short for me and there were no pillows available. There was a personal TV available to pull up right to the gurney and I watched GLADIATOR and ROB ROY. I can now attest that looking at Russell Crowe and Liam Neeson for an extended period of time had restorative powers for me! ;D
Nancy
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Gee....isn't it a shame that people who were hoping for the '91 series to be released on DVD ran out and bought (about-to-become-obsolete) VHS copies, because word went out that the series wouldn't BE released on DVD. But now, lo and behold!...here it comes on DVD.
Sombody tell me you don't believe this was a carefully arranged scenario from the start, please. I have a bridge, in Johnny Karlen's old neighborhood, for sale.
Oh Rainey . . it is sad to see you so cynical. ::)
Nancy ;)
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what a mistake mgm is making in choosing not to release the extended versions. i thought that was the whole marketing strategy behind dvd releases was to have deleted scenes etc. however i see it as a good sign that it is being released by mgm. perhaps if sales are good it will prompt them to release hods and nods and maybe the 2004 pilot too. arent mgm and wb partners now?
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The extended footage really added to the plot points and atsomphere of the series. The DVD would have disappointed me with their omission.
Exactly. Anyone who's a fan of the '91 series should definitely buy the VHS tapes before they disappear. It's really a major shame the extra 14 minutes of pilot footage was never shown by NBC.
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This is a pisser. I'll buy the DVDs, but of all media for the extended scenes -plus- whatever other extras the producers could see fit to include, this is really it. What a waste.
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Nope, MGM and Warners have nothing to do with each other.
You may be thinking of Sony which just bought MGM.
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obviously i love the original series and was greatly looking foreward to the 2004 version when it was in production.but for some reason the 1991 version has never held any interest for me.i can't explain it but i've never seen it and really don't plan to. :-
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Miss Winters,
I found out through barns and nobles where i work. It`s going to cost 39.99. Iam so excited to buy it.
EVAN HANLEY
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The extended footage really added to the plot points and atsomphere of the series. The DVD would have disappointed me with their omission.
Exactly. Anyone who's a fan of the '91 series should definitely buy the VHS tapes before they disappear. It's really a major shame the extra 14 minutes of pilot footage was never shown by NBC.
I totally agree. I wonder what MGM's thought process was when they decided not to include the extra footage. It seems studios are intentionally filming extra footage when shooting theatrical movies knowing that in the future it will be marketed as a DVD with footage never before seen etc... Hopefully, MGM will go out and obtain new interviews with the cast and crew or are they going cheap? I do like the idea of it being released as a box set. I thnk it is great that the DVDs release will keep DS in the media and may attract new fans.
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My big concern is the format/price for the whole 13 episodes. I mean, I don't keep track of prices for TV series DVD releases, but Miami Vice season 1 was squeezed onto 3 discs and costs $40 for 22 hours of solid 80's goodness (plus some featurettes). DS '91 is a half season of TV. I won't be feeling generous if I feel someone is trying to rip me off.
obviously i love the original series and was greatly looking foreward to the 2004 version when it was in production.but for some reason the 1991 version has never held any interest for me.i can't explain it but i've never seen it and really don't plan to. :-
It's solid. A relative lack of hot chicks though.
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It'll be one release- the entire series in one set.
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My big concern is the format/price for the whole 13 episodes. I mean, I don't keep track of prices for TV series DVD releases
$39.99 is the typical list price for 13 episodes. A full 22 episodes tends to list for $59.99 or more.
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I'm glad they are releasing the 91 series on DVD. Bummer about not including the extra footage though. That's a weird decision.
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but for some reason the 1991 version has never held any interest for me.i can't explain it but i've never seen it and really don't plan to. :-
I'm sorry to hear that. Joanna Going was an incredible Victoria Winters. She brought a great deal of depth to the character and was totally believable with some of the crazier things they had her do.
I found out through barns and nobles where i work. It`s going to cost 39.99. Iam so excited to buy it.
Thank you for letting me know. That's not a bad price for the entire thing. I may wait for a sale or get it at a discount through other outlets.
About a month ago I wound up spending the night in the hospital emergency room.
I hope you are well now Nancy. I truly hate the ER.
...I can now attest that looking at Russell Crowe and Liam Neeson for an extended period of time had restorative powers for me! ;D
Eye candy has amazing curative powers.
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MGM will be releasing them on DVD.
The pilot will be the broadcast version and not the extended cut that MPI put together. The rest of the eps will be the broadcast versions as well. Not sure whether ep 2 & 3 will be two separate ones or the edited together broadcast version. I think they'll be 2 separate episodes.
They should look terrific. They're from High Definition masters made within the last few years.
I've known since last month this show was coming to DVD, but I didn't know they were going to be the edited episodes. Where did you get the info that they will be the broadcast versions and not the extended versions?
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DVD Planet already has the 3-disc box set listed -- at a price of $27.97 !! I can't find it anywhere else as of yet... I usually like Deep Discount DVD myself because it offers free shipping. Anyway, FYI. Yay for inexpensive DS!! :)
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obviously i love the original series and was greatly looking foreward to the 2004 version when it was in production.but for some reason the 1991 version has never held any interest for me.i can't explain it but i've never seen it and really don't plan to. :-
I hope you will at least rent the first one to see if you like it. It was pretty good at the time.
I'm really excited about this and hope that you are mistaken about the extra footage not being included. I'll have to buy the first and last videos if the extra scenes aren't included. I also heard that American Gothic is finally going to be release around October too. So I hope you check it out if you haven't seen it. It too was a fun show.
I hope that this release will bring in new viewers for the original show and maybe help get a new show on the air too.
Misa ;D
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http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=3853
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DVD Planet already has the 3-disc box set listed -- at a price of $27.97 !! I can't find it anywhere else as of yet... I usually like Deep Discount DVD myself because it offers free shipping. Anyway, FYI. Yay for inexpensive DS!!
It is already getting exciting. Here is a link to an article on its release:
http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=3853
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This is fascinating!! While at the fest, MPI had a table in the Dealer's Room so I asked the lady if they planned on having the 1991 revival on DVD. She said they had no plans of it for the next year. Guess they plan one year at a time as to what they do. Maybe this lady didn't know about these plans or them made them after the fest. Could have been a common question in which they took back to headquarters but looks like it was planned before that.
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This is fascinating!! While at the fest, MPI had a table in the Dealer's Room so I asked the lady if they planned on having the 1991 revival on DVD. She said they had no plans of it for the next year. Guess they plan one year at a time as to what they do. Maybe this lady didn't know about these plans or them made them after the fest. Could have been a common question in which they took back to headquarters but looks like it was planned before that.
Yeah that is odd. I too remember asking the same question to MPI several years ago and they told me that they would release the 1991 series only after every single classic DS episode was out on DVD. I guess it comes down to MGM/UA simply wanting to earn some bucks (since they own that series anyway) and perhaps this will lead to another DS project. You never know.
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Doesn't MGM also own the rights to HoDS and NoDS? If the Revial Series set is successful, I wonder if it would inspire them to finally release DVDs of the two films??
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Nope. They're owned by Warner Bros. who also own every MGM film made before 1986.
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Nope. They're owned by Warner Bros. who also own every MGM film made before 1986.
Thanks Darren. Too bad... maybe Warner Bros. will wake up and take notice. We can hope anyway.
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By the way, if anyone needs a revival series fix until the DVD news becomes official (sometime this week?), the DS Journal Online has a link to a site devoted to that series:
http://www.darkshadows-resurrected.com/
:)
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I wonder if there is any chance whatsoever that the 2004 pilot will make it to DVD. I assume that the reporter at the Fest who talked about the pilot was invited to do so by DCP. Right? Who owns the pilot? Is it DCP or The WB or both?
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The Digital Bits website has an announcement that the 1991 Dark Shadows revival series will be released on DVD this fall. The set is currently scheduled for 10/18 and will be 3 discs. Here's a link to the page...
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/mytwocentsa107.html#1943 Look for the 8/8/05 entry, below the "King Kong" release information (which will probably be of interest to many of us as well). :o
I picked up volume 1 of the 1991 series on VHS at this years show to see the longer cut of the '91 pilot. It was better than I had remembered it, not having watched it for a few years. The box will be a nice supplement and somewhat unexpected. The SRP is $39.95. The only bad news is that no extras are listed. :- (What no screen tests for Joanna Going? No commentary by Sam or Matthew Hall? I'm sure Ben Cross had SOME bloopers!)
Michael
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Sorry I had missed this original thread. I've been really busy since we got back from California, straight from vacation into a week and a half of volunteer work in addition to my regular job. But, I really enjoy the volunteer work, the congregations here in Richmond VA rotate a shelter for homeless families and its our week. In the past when we've had single adults we have run some (requested) horror films at night including Hammer films and House of Dark Shadows but with small kids we can't run anything scarier than say, "Haunted Mansion" or "Ghost and Mr. Chicken." They have watched the original Wonka twice tho!
Like most of you, I hope we get surprised with a few extra on the DS '91 DVDs.
Michael
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DVD Planet already has the 3-disc box set listed -- at a price of $27.97 !!
Amazon now has it listed for the same price.
I can't find it anywhere else as of yet... I usually like Deep Discount DVD
Usually they've had one of the best deals, if not the best deal on the DVDs I've bought online - but it still isn't listed there. :(
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The only bad news is that no extras are listed. :- (What no screen tests for Joanna Going? No commentary by Sam or Matthew Hall? I'm sure Ben Cross had SOME bloopers!)
There are bloopers, interviews, behind the scenes footage, outtakes, and deleted scenes on MPI's Dark Shadows Resurrected VHS tape. But there are probably licensing issues with including any of that material on the DVDs. Normally when one distributor releases a property on VHS and a completely different one releases it on DVD, things can get dicey in that respect. :(
MPI's DS Resurrected tape is actually a must have for any fans of the '91 series.
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Warner owns the pilot, though it would take a miracle for it to be released on DVD.
If the two features ever get greenlighted for a DVD release, I'll try my best to convince the powers that be, but I think its both a legal nightmare (I doubt in the rush frantic to dealmaking and production that any of the contracts had video rights worked in) and would require more money poured into it to remove the temp music and replace it.
Hold onto your memories of seeing the pilot, as its doubtful you'll ever see it again for a looong time...
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Don't say if the two feature films are released, it's WHEN!!!!!! We don't need defeatism in the world of Dark Shadows.
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Freudian slip. ::)
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This is exciting news! I really do love the 91 revival series because it was my first introduction to the world of DS. If it wasn't for that series, I wouldn't have become interested in the original. I think this proves that the WB could have gotten both new and old fans interested in the series if they had given it a shot (yes, I'm bitter). I hope that the interviews, ottakes and bloopers video (Dark Shadows Resurrected) is included in the DVD release. I was also kind of hoping for more behind the scenes stuff and all new interviews, especially since some of the actors and writers grew up watching DS. I'd love to know more about how they used the original as a blueprint for the revival series.
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I don't believe these are going to have any bonus features. Certainly no new ones have been commissioned for it and with only two months before release, its far too late, unless the date got bumped.
If they manage to scramble and get some material on it at the last minute, it'd have to be material that showed up on the MPI 'Resurrected' tape, the deleted scenes re-integrated into the MPI episodes or contemporary promotional material like commercials, taped press conference etc.
If they do include the cut material from the 2-hr pilot episode, it'd be best placed as separate deleted scenes. Those scenes were put together almost fifteen years ago on analog video and would look quite poor next to the HD mastered episodes proper...
Not that there's anything wrong with that material as it'd all be worth including, but the different departments need at least a few months to get the appropriate legal clearances and sign-offs, plus all the encoding, subtitling and mastering for all the discs.
These have been off and on the schedule for the last two years. A shame, really, as I would have jumped at the chance to produce new featurettes, unbleep the outtakes, and record a commentary for an episode or two.
But then again, MGM didn't out any extras on the classic OUTER LIMITS sets...
On the other hand though, with the current confusion due to the recent Sony purchase of MGM (which displaced hundreds of MGM employees) we're lucky that they're even on the schedule.
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On the other hand though, with the current confusion due to the recent Sony purchase of MGM (which displaced hundreds of MGM employees) we're lucky that they're even on the schedule.
Isn't that the truth... [sad8]
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Thanks again, Darren, for explaining to us about all the work that needs to take place before something like a re-edited film (in the case the VHS release print of those Dark Shadows episodes) can be released on DVD.
At first, the announcement that the firm is releasing the original episodes minus the extra footage that would be expected from a DVD release seemed either stupid or just plain mean--or both! But now it seems as if they're rushing the episodes out in an effort to make a quick buck and can't afford the many months of time that would be required for the process you describe here.
I hadn't heard about the Sony purchase of MGM. Isn't everything in LA going to wind up being owned by Disney/Warners??
Steve
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I hadn't heard about the Sony purchase of MGM. Isn't everything in LA going to wind up being owned by Disney/Warners??
I certainly hope not. I think its time for another batch of anti vertical integration suits to hit these conglomerates and break them up. Too few people control way too much...
I don't think its a case of rushing it out. Studios spend three to four months at least just in the preparation and authoring area alone, not including any new film to tape transfers. Although its just recently that its been announced, its been known and evaluated and been worked on for months before then. They had all that time to decide on bonus materials and put something together. They evaluated the options and made their decision.
Again, while I don'tbelieve at this moment that they are going to have substantial bonus features, I'm sure the appropriate DCP people are continuing to contact them to hopefully cajole them into including some things...We won't know for a little while until the official press release hits...
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Darren thanks for providing additional information on the 1991 DS series being released on DVD. Just some random thoughts I have as a fan of DS. I know that MGM/UA owns the rights to the series but doesn't Dan Curtis have any input on what goes on the DVDs? Another example would be if the 2004 pilot was ever released on DVD, would DCP also have any input? I don't know if these questions can be answered by anyone, but generally speaking I think DC should have some voice in this matter. My second thought (thank goodness I am only capable of having two lol) is the timing of the 1991 series release on DVD. Is MGM attempting to capitalize on the revival of supernatural series on tv this fall as opposed to two years ago? I am hoping that MGM realizes that there is plenty of "life" left in the DS franchise.
I see that our lovely Professor did not forget to include in her Fest report the presentation you made at the Fest on the movies' restorations. Proves my point that us fans really do care about your efforts. I hope the WB wakes up soon and gets your project off the ground.
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Hi Jim.
A very teeny, tiny, infinitesimal amount of producers and directors have any say over what the studio puts on dvd or video. Most don't have any contractual final cut over what goes in the theaters either!
If Paramount wants to put out TITANIC, then they probably have to consult James Cameron- it's probably in his contracts these days.
If not, they can do whatever they want with it, as long as it doesn't break the original production contract.
(For example, if Cameron had contractual final cut, then Paramount could not cut the film down to 100 minutes and re-release it theatrically in a special 'studios exciting edit.')
Now Cameron's a huge name. Dan Curtis is not. At this stage, he's lucky enough to even get anything produced, nevermind negotiating for points of control. It wasn't Dan Curtis' name that got the DS pilot made- it was John Wells'.
So, we're talking about a series (1991) made years before the advent of DVD and most certainly no contractual controls over its video releases (other than standard residuals) were written into it.
MGM/UA can release it in whatever packaging, with whatever extras (or not), and in whatever format they want and whenever they want. Probably the only limitation is the cast and primary crew billing on the package which may be contractual through the unions- its something agents fight for. They don't need Curtis approval, nor do they even need to inform him of its impending release.
Now, what you'll find in something like an ALIAS, 24 or LOST is that the studio will put together a package of extras and special features and work directly with the executive producer and cast to make a set of extras that all the main heads can participate and take part in. They do this for a couple of reasons - 1) these are huge shows and the DVDs will be huge sellers and revenue producers and the marketing department knows that the more bonus materials and exclusive material on the disc, the better it will sell. It's one of the reasons they call it ADDED VALUE MATERIAL and 2) the studio has an ongoing relationship with the creative people and exec producers of these ongoing series. They want these people happy so that they continue to produce successful shows that make the studio/corporation money. It's how a DVD like the ED WOOD disc was pulled just after its release, then altered and re-issued months later with changes. Word is Tim Burton didn't want one of the bonus featurettes on the disc and wanted to include some deleted scenes. The studio, obviously, wants a hit director like Burton to have a good relationship with them, and continue to come to them with his projects, so in this case they were williing to bend over backward and pull the current disc, make the changes and re-author, repress and re-release the disc just to make him happy.
If Dan Curtis were to call MGM/UA the day before the 1991 series set was released and ask them to pull the disc and re-release it with extras, they'd laugh and hang up the phone. The 1991 series will probably do well enough on DVD, but its not going to be a huge blockbuster seller and its not a major release for them. Just another catalog title to put on the market for a small revenue return.
MGM may be attempting to capitalize on the upcoming supernatural series or whatever. But it initially was put on the schedule when the pilot was being mooted last year. Jim and I mentioned to the MGM folks that they should release it on DVD back when I worked on the Burnt Offerings commentary and shortly after it started appearing on schedules...It was pulled from the schedule shortly after the WB debacle and has been off and on (as have dozens of other titles) during the Sony transition period...At this stage, they probably don't remember why it was on the schedule in the first place!
As for last year's pilot, that's a bit of an unknown. It would all depend on what deals were worked out initially...They'd most likely have to consult Wells, Curtis and Verheiden and negotiate some kind of contract for that release, and at that stage the three could ask for changes or offer better terms in exchange for commentaries or whatever...Curtis hates the pilot though, so you won't see him championing its release...In the case of Wells though, they'd consult him any way out of courtesy as in the Tim Burton example above...
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...Curtis hates the pilot though, so you won't see him championing its release...
Curtis hates the pilot? Damn! Now I AM sorry I didn't get to see it. [lghy]
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Thanks Darren for the very informative post! I just learned a lot about the inside world of DVD making. I did not know that DC had no creative input in the upcoming 1991 series release and how his ability to get a project produced has greatly diminshed. But then again DC has been unable to get a new DS project off the ground for so many years and, as you said, DC needed John Wells to pitch the idea of a new DS to the WB.
It is so frustrating to just read that The Omen will be reborn as a new theatrical movie. You would think that DS would have no difficulty in finding a home on a major network in recent times and especially in the current climate of supernatural shows cropping on the networks this fall. So what will it take to get a new DS project off the ground? I guess on the small screen we would still need Wells to pitch a new DS project to the networks ( I hope Wells has not given up on DS). I just don't see DS making it to the big screen without a big time actor and Director like Burton.
In any event, I do look forward to the 1991 series on DVD and it can only give the franchise more visibility.
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I wouldn't give Curtis' taste much credence these days. His idea for DS for 2005 would have been to give us the first hr of the 91 pilot shot for shot, smoke and all. His directorial vision hasn't evolved in 20 years...
After all he liked ME AND THE KID enough to put his own $3M into it! :P
Anyone who thinks that JIM FYFE was the perfect modern realization of THAYER DAVID's BEN STOKES character needs a contributing producer to say the least... :o
Well's option has lapsed so its back in DCPs hands again.
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So what will it take to get a new DS project off the ground?
What we need is for me to get off my ass and hurry up and write and direct a couple big hits, so that when the studio asks what project I'd like to do next I can say "DS...But only if you let me restore the two films as part of the deal." ;D
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I wouldn't give Curtis' taste much credence these days. His idea for DS for 2005 would have been to give us the first hr of the 91 pilot shot for shot, smoke and all. His directorial vision hasn't evolved in 20 years...
Tell me about it! It was quite shocking to see just how much DC ripped off his own previous work in the episodes of the '91 series that he directed - from his own version of Dracula to hoDS. He completely duplicated entire sequences and that was quite disheartening. In fact, before I read your latest post, I was going to respond to your previous one by saying that it doesn't surprise me in the least that DC hated the WB pilot because he probably thought it should have been yet another shot for shot remake of hoDS. Spare us! ::) As I said, one of the things I really enjoyed about the WB pilot was that it wasn't yet another remake of hoDS...
Well's option has lapsed so its back in DCPs hands again.
That's very unfortunate to learn. :(
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I wouldn't give Curtis' taste much credence these days. His idea for DS for 2005 would have been to give us the first hr of the 91 pilot shot for shot, smoke and all. His directorial vision hasn't evolved in 20 years...
After all he liked ME AND THE KID enough to put his own $3M into it! :P
Anyone who thinks that JIM FYFE was the perfect modern realization of THAYER DAVID's BEN STOKES character needs a contributing producer to say the least... :o
Well's option has lapsed so its back in DCPs hands again.
Didn't ME AND THE KID win something like 5 Academy Awards? lol I think DC has made up his $3M loss in the last decade (a severe understatement).
Yeah I remember here at the Board about the discussion on when Fox several years ago had commissioned a new DS pilot script and how DC submitted a script almost identical to the 91 series. Another blown opportunity.
It is a shame that Wells is no longer involved in pitching a DS project to the networks. I was hoping that Wells and DC would attempt a new DS project together. How is your arm Darren? lol
Yes get off your ass. LOL
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Didn't ME AND THE KID win something like 5 Academy Awards?
Me and the Kid couldn't win an Academy Award even if it was in a line-up of one. Seriously, it is shockingly bad - a cheery family film that passes of child abduction as a fortunate experience... it's kinda like imaging him pitching Our Fathers as a recruitment film for the Catholic church.
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Me and the Kid couldn't win an Academy Award even if it was in a line-up of one. Seriously, it is shockingly bad - a cheery family film that passes of child abduction as a fortunate experience... it's kinda like imaging him pitching Our Fathers as a recruitment film for the Catholic church.
That was funny Stuart and sad too. Don't know why DC was so confident in this movie that he personally invested $3M into it. It says a lot I guess.
With John Wells now out of the picture, a new DS project kind of looks bleak. Is anybody returning Curtis' phone calls? lol
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Is anybody returning Curtis' phone calls? lol
Well, I've never read anything about how Our Fathers did for Showtime, but I've read a few articles that said CBS was disappointed with the way Saving Milly performed for them. And in certain corners of the entertainment industry, you're often perceived only as well as your latest projects have performed. So, read into that what you might... ;)
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Is anybody returning Curtis' phone calls? lol
Well, I've never read anything about how Our Fathers did for Showtime, but I've read a few articles that said CBS was disappointed with the way Saving Milly performed for them. And in certain corners of the entertainment industry, you're often perceived only as well as your latest projects have performed. So, read into that what you might... ;)
That certainly seems to be the case. It is just difficult for me to believe that not one single network is showing an interest in DS in light of the horror/supernatural genre making a big comeback on tv. Perhaps the problem is with DC not wanting to give up control after he was burned by the WB fiasco. At this point you would think that the networks are calling DC and not the reverse. Perhaps they just don't want to deal with him. But in any event, there is something terribly wrong here. A new DS series should be under discussion with a network. I just refuse to believe that "nothing is happening at the moment". The timing for a new DS series could not be better.
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Wow, Evan, you got the scoop plus really started a hot topic! You are definitely rivaling jimbo for his title! LOL!
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Wow, Evan, you got the scoop plus really started a hot topic! You are definitely rivaling jimbo for his title! LOL!
Mary, I will take your comment as a compliment I guess. Did not know there was a competition going on here. My "title" was a line from the movie Almost Famous, just in the event other people might have misinterpreted my intentions.
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I'll definitely chime in to agree that Dan Curtis has no taste to speak of. I still twitch every time I see those awful, ridiculous shots of poor Ben Cross doing his rabid-pooch thing, surrounded by dry ice, in the promos for the 91 series that litter my higher-number DS tapes.
I write that even though my beloved Grayson Hall went on record with the immortal remark that "Dan has a real genius when it comes to spook." Gotta love that line...
So, the suits at MGM or Sony or whatever the hell it is really don't give two red cents about the quality of product on the DS 91 package. That's what I take away from their evident decision not to go with the longer cuts of the earlier episodes, plus the perceived non-interest in the extras package from that MPI "DS Resurrected" tape (which I haven't seen).
They must have the same low opinion of the 1991 series that I do!
surprised, Gothick
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So, the suits at MGM or Sony or whatever the hell it is really don't give two red cents about the quality of product on the DS 91 package. That's what I take away from their evident decision not to go with the longer cuts of the earlier episodes...
Actually, corporate motivation notwithstanding, I approve on them going with the broadcast versions. I've no problem with them including the deleted material elsewhere, but those extended versions don't really improve the episodes at all. Particularly with the pilot, the added material was not graded, dubbed and scored with the rest of the production and each of the insertions jars badly.
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The cover art for the packaging seems to have been released. Check out: An Evil Moon Haunts The Killer Cover of Dark Shadows Revival! (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=3881)
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So, the suits at MGM or Sony or whatever the hell it is really don't give two red cents about the quality of product on the DS 91 package. That's what I take away from their evident decision not to go with the longer cuts of the earlier episodes, plus the perceived non-interest in the extras package from that MPI "DS Resurrected" tape (which I haven't seen).
I don't think I'd put it quite as harshly as that. MGM and Sony have extremely brilliant tech services and film restoration divisions and all their releases have an extremely high quality control standard. Picture and sound-wise these DVDs should be as perfect as they can look, barring a future HD-DVD release. (Now occasionally Sony is prone to incredibly bone-headed moves like putting out Scope movies in pan n scan only, even when they have HD transfers in both pan n scan and the correct ratio, but those are marketing department decisions and have nothing to do with the actual technical quality of the transfers and encoding work.)
The DS Resurrected tape is also an unusual situation. It's not owned by them- MPI (nee Jim Pierson) put it together. Now the clips are owned by MGM but they'd probably have to pay a license fee to MPI to use it...
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Thanks for clearing that up Darren Gross :) I figured it was something like that, but I didn't know enough details to be sure.
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The cover art for the packaging seems to have been released.
THAT'S the cover?!!
::)
I'm sorry.....that "moon" looks like a Snowy Owl gone rabid.
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That cover is incredibly schlocky, but then, so were LARGE swathes of the show itself... That doesn't even look like Ben Cross--it looks more like Ferdy Mayne in Fearless Vampire Killers.
The bottom line seems to be that the suits at Sony/MGM/whatever decided to commit minimal amounts of time, money and resources to prepping the 1991 series DVD release. I'm fascinated by the bits of information on the history of the release Darren has revealed.
Best wishes,
G.
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I can't say that I was all that impressed with that cover art either. They should have used a picture or at least a drawing of Collinwood/Greystone rather than simple going with a generic "haunted" house. ::) However, I deliberately chose to use the phrase "seems to have been released" because sometimes distributors release a markup of a potential cover but the actual cover turns out to be quite different. One can only hope...
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That certainly seems to be the case. It is just difficult for me to believe that not one single network is showing an interest in DS in light of the horror/supernatural genre making a big comeback on tv. Perhaps the problem is with DC not wanting to give up control after he was burned by the WB fiasco. At this point you would think that the networks are calling DC and not the reverse. Perhaps they just don't want to deal with him. But in any event, there is something terribly wrong here. A new DS series should be under discussion with a network. I just refuse to believe that "nothing is happening at the moment". The timing for a new DS series could not be better.
Well, while the supernatural genre may be making a big comeback on TV, (I keep hearing all over the web, but we have yet to see an actual trend of actual success in these upcoming shows. There's the anticipation that they'll be successful, but whether they'll do well or not is still an unknown.), it doesn't immediately indicate that networks are running around with the intention of scooping older series for remakes. That seems to be the overwhelming trend in feature films right now, but not in TV and there are a multitude of reasons...
Networks have dozens of on-going production and SERIES DEVELOPMENT deals with a multitude of producers, people like John Wells, JJ Abrams, Marc Cherry etc. People that for the most part have ongoing hit series, or have a track record of producing recent successful TV shows...Sprinkle in a few creative folks like a few writers and show runners who are eager to take the next step and produce their own series.
Network heads have a vested, creative and primarily financial interest in luring and acquiring the most cutting edge talent and visionary producers to their network in the hopes that they will continue their golden streaks (ie: John Wells and ER and Aaron Sorkin and WEST WING) and give their golden touch to a new show...Networks need hits and they pursue creative and successful producers aggressively and bend over backwards to keep them at their network.
Their jobs depend on it.
Would you want to be a network CEO responsible for not renewing a development deal with Aaron Sorkin only to find that the network that he jumped ship to now has his hugest hit on their network...And all that success could have been yours if you had kept him happy and continued his deal...
Now, if you're a creative producer you want to put together a few different series pitches and pilots each year to run by the network. Now, 95% of writers and producers want to create something new and tell the stories or create the characters they have had a burning desire to create and really don't have an interest in redoing an old show or recreating someone else's vision. As Orson Welles says in ED WOOD "Why waste your life making someone else's dreams?"...J. Michael Straczynski didn't want to do a new STAR TREK series...He wanted to do BABYLON 5 and realize his characters and tell his stories.
There are also solid financial reasons why an executive producer and network would desire original programming over remakes. A fresh new series is an easy profit share between the network and the executive producer. An old show like DARK SHADOWS reduces the amount the network and the executive producer make because a substantial portion of the profits would go to ABC for originally producing and co-owning part of the original series and for the original executive producer DAN CURTIS and whatever other entities have a piece of the pie (Art Wallace's estate etc.).
So, if you were going to make a series and endure the grueling hours, stress, uncertainty and intense politicking, public spotlight and criticism would you go through it to redo an old series or would you make your own new series and make 20% more for both you and the network?
Clearly Wells is successful enough and had enough interest and passion in the property to get Warners to commission the pilot script, then produce the pilot. As an executive producer with a production deal, they had a responsibility to keep him happy. Plus, they loved the script.
Even if the show had been picked up, it would have been a tough series to produce. With three executive producers (Wells, Curtis and Verheiden) trying to find a single vision between them AND get the network to agree on a daily basis would have been a grueling challenge, and very tough to deal with politically. The network execs and I'm sure Wells is well aware that it was not going to be an easy series to do, by any means.
Curtis and co. are in the unenvied position of being on the outside of the network development system which means they have to knock on doors and pitch their ideas each season in the hopes of getting a network head to show interest enough to put up script development money to take the next step toward a possible series. There are very few networks, ultimately and you can only try to sell the same idea so many times before they stop taking the meetings.
The Fox script got developed from an outside pitch by Curtis to Fox because there was a fan at the network I believe. The Wells pilot got made solely because of Wells' development deal and his interest in doing it.
There aren't rooms full of network execs anxiously looking through old series with the hopes of bringing them back...
There are no plans for further revivals of GILLIGAN'S ISLAND, THE MUNSTERS, THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES, STAR TREK, I DREAM OF JEANNIE, BUFFY, ANGEL, BABYLON 5, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST either...it's just the nature of the town...
They want something NEW, SHINY and FRESH and they're looking to their on-contract producers and the occasional outside pitch to find it...Remakes of old series are flukes, really, the new NIGHT STALKER especially...Curtis has been trying to get a NIGHT STALKER film, tv series of telemovie off the ground for decades and no network has ever bit. For Frank Spotnitz, yes, for Dan Curtis, no.
There's no current signs of interest from any of the networks in doing Dark Shadows again, and while it may happen again, it'd have to be another Wells type situation where a contracted producer pitches it to his network, not another outside pitch from Curtis.
I think that Curtis is hoping for interest in the feature film arena, anyway, and is hoping Depp's soft, as of yet insubstantial interest in the property comes to something...
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Darren, has Depp gone on record with an interest in the role of Barnabas Collins and Dark Shadows?
I live in a cave, so this could have very easily slipped past me if it happened.
Thanks, Steve
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He mentioned in a couple interviews years ago how much he loved Dark Shadows as a kid and how he'd like to play Barnabas, but nothing very determined or meaningful about any serious plans to pursue it.
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That's very cool. He's been highly touted here as a candidate for the role, but I was not aware that he was a fan. I have the impression that Tim Burton is a huge fan and wonder whether Depp sometimes watches the discs when he's hanging out at Tim B's house.
Maybe Depp caught DS in the late 70s or early 80s syndications? I know they ran it in NYC on one of the major channels.
Steve
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Hi Darren. Are you trying to depress us? lol No seriously, thanks for the reality check on the chances of a new DS series being developed again in the near future. I rather hear the truth as opposed to the "spin" that DCP and the Fest has been giving us on how close we are to another DS series or movie. It seems DC has his work cut out for him especially if the networks are tired hearing from him. If you were in Dan Curtis' shoes what would you do to get a new DS project in motion? The phone calls to the networks don't work. Curtis appears to have blown his relationship with Wells and what are the odds of Dan finding another big time producer. Johnny Depp is years away from even considering a new DS movie. Is there any course of action that you would take if you were DC? (sorry about that lol).
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Hi Jim,
Sorry, not trying to depress anyone.
I don't think Curtis blew his relationship with Wells at all. I've heard nothing about any bad blood between them at all. After all, Wells was the instigator....the big time producer found Curtis. ;)
I think its a case of a big time producer with a vision for DS has to find him. If I were him, I'd cultivate relationships with more producers like Wells as well as film producers and directors. I'd pitch the idea to the in-house producers like Wells and such rather than to the networks. It may strike a chord that they probably haven't thought of.
If I were him I'd develop a tight lower budget horror film and really pour my heart and energy into it and make it something that would play well with a modern audience, and make it a real white knuckler. You get clout in this town by making things that do well that people like. Then the powers that be come to you.
Honestly, I think he should give the reins to someone younger with a fresher perspective on the material. He's 75 and really not well versed in the films and TV shows of the last 20 years or in the current style and capabilites in storytelling. He needs to delegate it to someone he has confidence in.
Essentially, we need the Russell T. Davies of the Dark Shadows world.
Sadly, I think he had it in Verheiden, who had a solid, exciting and fresh take on the material and would have created a hell of a show.
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Hey Darren I was only joking about you depressing us. I really did need to hear the truth. Thanks.
You really have some good ideas. I guess Dan has heard some of these ideas before but is set in his own ways. I do agree he needs to finally let go of DS and give someone like Verheiden total creative control on a new DS project. I do think it is possible that a producer will find him but DC has to have a fresh approach ready to be pitched. I don't know if Verheiden would consider being involved in a new DS project. I don't know if Wells has also given us the spin when he stated that he would be considering all options for a new DS. I don't know if he said that only in the context of the filmed pilot or a new project. As for a movie project I agree that it can be made with a lower costing budget but will he be able to find a distributor for it?
Clearly DC needs to be more innovative in his approach to getting DS back on the air.
BTW Is anybody going to tell Amazon that the Revival series is not set in 1966?
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Clearly DC needs to be more innovative in his approach to getting DS back on the air.
DC becoming innovative - now there's a concept. ;) Mmm, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for it! [sad3]
BTW Is anybody going to tell Amazon that the Revival series is not set in 1966?
OMG, does it say that? I didn't even notice. But why doesn't it surprise me? ::)
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BTW Is anybody going to tell Amazon that the Revival series is not set in 1966?
OMG, does it say that? I didn't even notice. But why doesn't it surprise me?
Yes it does and did you know it sates that it stars Joan Bennett? lol
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Truthfully, I only checked the price. I didn't even read their description. But the fact that they have the completely wrong series version is too much. Hello! The DVD's own title expressly says "Revival". [angry7]
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Truthfully, I only checked the price. I didn't even read their description. But the fact that they have the completely wrong series version is too much. Hello! The DVD's own title expressly says "Revival". [angry7]
Well it would not be DS without a big blooper. lol But in all seriousness it could be confusing to some prospective (non DS) buyers and could cost MGM some bucks.
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I can't find it anywhere else as of yet... I usually like Deep Discount DVD
Usually they've had one of the best deals, if not the best deal on the DVDs I've bought online - but it still isn't listed there.
They have it now, but, quite surprisingly, at $29.86, it's more expensive than both Amazon and DVD Planet. :-
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That's funny about the amazombie listing for the 1991 discs. I was wondering last night at one point whether some people would buy this set thinking that it was the real thing (i. e. the Sixties show), not the remake, especially with that cover... I swear that crazy image looks more like a cartoon version of Jonathan Frid than Ben Cross...
G.
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Synopsis from Sony Pictures:
http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/catalog/catalogDetail_DVD027616124258.html
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While not in 5.1 Dolby Digital, it's in Widescreen. That's a nice feature here. It for sure won't be the extended as the videos add up to more run time then the DVD.
That cover art is sure odd. It looks like something else entirely.
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Synopsis from Sony Pictures:
Interesting to see that not even Sony can get things right as Matt Hall never directed any episodes of the series. ::) He wrote or co-wrote three episodes.
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According the some sources of mine, the 'widescreen' notation should be a mistake.
And I hope like hell that it is a mistake on the website, because if not, its beyond a total disaster.
These shows were shot for 1.33 and composed and released on TV in that format. This is way before our recent spate of HD widescreen shows. The only correct way to present them is 1.33. Any 'widescreen' release would butcher the framing, chopping off a significant chunk of the imagery from the top and bottom of the screen. (See the season 1 KING FU release for a recent example.)
We can cross our fingers and hope they will be presented correctly, otherwise this will really blow up on the web and all of the TV and DVD forums...
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Synopsis from Sony Pictures:
Interesting to see that not even Sony can get things right as Matt Hall never directed any episodes of the series. ::) He wrote or co-wrote three episodes.
I guess this type of misinformation is what happens when websites jump the gun prior to an official announcement from MGM. I mean Amazon has the wrong year of release for the 91 DVD release, it has the wrong studio- I think they reflect it as Columbia Tristar Homevideo; reflects the wrong actors etc.... BTW it also supports Sony's posting at its website that it will be in widescreen which Darren tells us is a really bad thing. Just wondering when an official announcement will be made.
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These shows were shot for 1.33 and composed and released on TV in that format. This is way before our recent spate of HD widescreen shows. The only correct way to present them is 1.33. Any 'widescreen' release would butcher the framing, chopping off a significant chunk of the imagery from the top and bottom of the screen.
You know, I wondered about that when I read it because, as you say, the '91 series was produced before HD widescreen shows began popping up. (Not even the DVDs of recent shows like Buffy are in widescreen.) But then I remembered that you'd mentioned that the DVD transfers were being done from HD masters that were made a few years ago, so I thought that *maybe* it was possible. I suppose I should have realized that it wasn't.
I agree that it will be a total disaster if the framing is butchered (which is one reason why I can't imagine that will happen - one would think the outfit doing the transfers would question that's what Sony really wants). But on a slight upside for those of us who already own the series on VHS, if it turns out that the framing does get butchered, well, at least we won't feel as though our tapes are almost totally obsolete...
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Well, I've never read anything about how Our Fathers did for Showtime, but I've read a few articles that said CBS was disappointed with the way Saving Milly performed for them. And in certain corners of the entertainment industry, you're often perceived only as well as your latest projects have performed. So, read into that what you might... ;)
The only thing I could find on Our Fathers was that it received two Emmy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor is a mini-series or movie: one for Christopher Plummer and the other for Brian Dennehy. I guess these nominations make Showtime and Dan Curtis a little happier.
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Well, those of you who have the tapes can maybe rent the DVDs from Netflix and save yourself the double expense...
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This is going to be a disaster. Mis-information abounds. Someone is sleeping at Sony. Probably, the marketing suits.
Oh yea, we didn't even have DVD players in 1991. No reason to even have filmed in 2.35:1 back then. Well, now I am really super glad to have the videos. They actually play quite well on the old home theatre system. It's just a wee bit grainy compared to a remastered digital pic.
Quite true, Buffy is not widescreen. However, Angel Season 3 onwards is. They broadcast it in widescreen and stereo. But, the DVD seems to be in 2.0. Go figure. Some of Angel was even in HD.
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Even for HD they wouldn't shoot in 2.35:1. HD is only 1.78:1 so it's not that wide but you're still eliminating almost 1/3 of the picture area from the top and bottom of the 1.33 broadcast frame...Jeepers, can you imagine chopping almost half of the framing out of the top and bottom of the picture to make a 2.35 image? :P Enough to give you the shudders...
It'd be like the old 'SuperScope' releases in the fities! But at least those were filmed with that eventuality in mind!
The Buffy/Angel widescreen HD vs 1.33 TV dvds is a big confusing situation between what Joss Whedon prefers and what the region 2 and region 1 releases decided to issue the dvds as vs what was originall broadcast, framing-wise. Waaaay too complicated to go into here...
2.0 is stereo so no problems there...
You won't really find anything but stereo on standard TV broadcasts. About 80% of HD broadcast TV programs are 5.1...
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Yes, well I'm generally under the impression that other then CinemaScope and some of the other 50s movies in like 2.7.1 etc., I've been beaten senseless by the hubby man with the 2.35.1 modern size film noodle. Thus, I think just about everything letter box should be that. Now, I'm going to get to beat him with the 1.78.1 noodle. I'm quite excited.
I've actually become quite spoiled by 5.1 with the rain and other noises coming from behind.
In case anyone is looking for a nice consolation prize to the 1991 disaster, check out the 25th Anniversary of Bruce Lee's, Enter the Dragon. This gem comes in the correct aspect ratio 2.35.1 and 5.1 stereo. Missing scenes were also restored and many special features are included. Gone was the old TV chopped off heads. The mirror fight scene was glorious. Even, the dialog sync seemed really quite close. I picked up this gem at Best Buy for $9.99. A steal.
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Yeah, it's quite a nice disc. Any classic chop socky film is virtually unwatchable pan n'scan since almost every single one was shot in some kind of 'scope process...
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This website reflects that the 91 series DVD will be in the anomorphic 1.78 format or is this already known-sometimes its hard to follow the tech posts here. LOL
http://movieweb.com/dvd/dvd.php?027616124258
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I'm afraid all these ratios are making my head swim. I started a list a while back, and I have such numerical figures as:
1.33:1 (This, I know, refers to the box shaped TV screen format)
1.66:1 (Referred to as semi-letterbox - for the semi-illiterate?)
4.3 letterbox
16:9 anamorphic transfer
1.78 anamorphic (Jimbo's post above)
Strange that some of these numbers have a decimal point, some have a colon, and some have both a decimal point and a colon. Hard to understand what it all means. I won't ask anyone here to try to explain any of this,
Other interesting DVD terms I've come across:
dual-layer disc (possibly good)
single-layer dual-sided disc (maybe even better!)
aliasing (not sure if that's good or bad)
artifacts (bad!)
compression (bad!)
Also something on the package of some of my DVDs say something or other "will trigger a slight pause" but it doesn't say when this pause will occur, whether it's disruptive, or if it's a feature you really want to have on your DVD.
And it would take hours to try to sort out who owns rights to what where DS is concerned ... talk about confusing!
I've read customer reviews of several movies released on DVD where the top and bottom were deliberately chopped off in order to fool the consumer into thinking they were getting the film as it appeared widescreen in theaters - that is absolutely unbelievable.
My biggest gripe with a lot of my DVDs is the low sound quality (although it's a tie with those that can't be removed from the case without bending the DVD, although that situation seems to be improving). Even with the volume control at the highest level for: Volume, Wave, SWSynth, and CD Audio, the dialogue on about 40 percent of my movie DVDs is frequently inaudible. It's always the dialogue, too - other sounds, music, etc., are plenty loud. This problem has not been the case with any DVD I have of any TV show (DS, Forever Night, and I forget what else). Also, I never ran into this problem with any VHS tape of any movie! I see this complaint about the low audio quality cropping up ever more frequently in customer reviews, but apparently the industry is oblivious to the problem. I've read a number of customer reviews where they say they've had to turn on the closed-captioning and READ the dialogue.
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Even with the volume control at the highest level for: Volume, Wave, SWSynth, and CD Audio, the dialogue on about 40 percent of my movie DVDs is frequently inaudible. It's always the dialogue, too - other sounds, music, etc., are plenty loud.
I loathe that, it really drives me crazy. I'll sit there with the remote in my hand because I have to turn the volume up to hear what's being said, but when the music gets louder or there's an action scene it sounds so loud that I'm tempted to turn it back down. I have DVDs that are like that.
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I'm afraid all these ratios are making my head swim. I started a list a while back, and I have such numerical figures as:
1.33:1 (This, I know, refers to the box shaped TV screen format)
1.66:1 (Referred to as semi-letterbox - for the semi-illiterate?)
4.3 letterbox
16:9 anamorphic transfer
1.78 anamorphic (Jimbo's post above)
Wikipedia to the rescue here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspect_ratio_(image)). This explains that 4:3 is really 1.33.1 aspect ratio and a normal size TV and 16:9 is really 1.78.1 or a widescreen TV. Digital TV is set for this 1.78.1. Some eliminate the .1, as we have here on this post, off some of the ratios as an abbreviation.
Over here (http://www.thedigitalbits.com/editorial/bz100298.html) is the answer to anamorphic DVD or and what that means. The bottom line here is you need a widescreen TV to play this in its intended capacity as it is enhanced for a 16:9 TV. The trick here is to set your DVD player to the correct size of your TV.
The slight pause probably refers to typical DVDs that are in two layers. When the second layer begins to play, there is a slight pause. The flipper or two sided disc may not have the pause but sometimes each side has two layers and then several pauses.
Well, hope this is helpful to you Vlad and everyone. Hopefully, this clarifies too the bad, bad, bad decsion by MGM to monkey with the ratios.
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Thanks Vlad , victoriawinters. Darren and others for helping me understand what all the technical terms mean. What happened to the simpler times when the only concern you had was if a VHS tape you were intending to buy was in stereo or mono?
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Those were dark, dark days... :o
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Those were dark, dark days... :o
Thanks Darren. I think. lol
One of the websites I visited states that "There are no extra features" for the 91 series dvd release as we feared. Boy MGM is so cheap, cheap and did I say cheap?
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MGM is so cheap, they were bought like a two-dollar whore on the street by Sony!
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MGM is so cheap, they were bought like a two-dollar whore on the street by Sony!
Could not have said it better myself. I would love to see how MGM will market this release? Its marketing department (probably only one employee left) doesn't have many selling points to promote the release with. Will they say, come watch the scenes that were not deleted? Give me a break. I am surprised they are releasing this in surround sound and not convert it to mono to save a buck.
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My guess, the score is in stereo and sound effects in 5.1. The VHS is in Hi-Fi Stereo. I thought I heard them play left, right speakers when we played them here recently. I thought I was dreaming. (Probably just dreaming about Michael T. Weiss and Adrian Paul.)
Hopefully, the sound should be ok even if it's not the entire release with deleted scenes, with no extras and a hacked up picture from the cheapos who let themselves be bought out by Sony for $2 like a whore on the street. Prices for whores must be falling.
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I should make the point that whether it's going to be widescreen is still not 100% known. We're basing that on spec sheets and the Sony and other websites. Once a press release actually hits in the next few weeks, we'll know for certain. It the moment, it's more of a rumor than fact...hopefully.
We do know there won't be any extras. That's been confirmed.
I'll be very surprised if it's in Dolby Surround and not Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo. They'd have had to spend money in order to bump it up to Surround.
TBH with the extremely rare exception of a huge DVD release like WEST SIDE STORY, the 007 films or GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY, the video division over at MGM almost never initiated brand new transfers- they would be hard pressed to spend money for that area. So, where do these new transfers come from? I've been told that the video division would pay attention to the new transfers that the TV and International TV divisions would do and then, once done, nab them for DVD release. They got the benefit of a brand new transfer without having to spend their departments money on it...The TV division foot the bill.
This is one of the reasons you'll find a few non-anamorphic letterboxed transfers in the DVD catalog. The DVD division won't spend the money for the new transfers, so they simply port over the old laserdisc master which is over 10 years old.
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Well at this point, is there any possibility that MGM is considering any input frpm DCP? I understand from here that DCP is in contact with MGM and on the same hand I also understand that DCP has zero standing as far as MGM is concerned. Is there any possibility that MGM has "heard" the public's outcry regarding the stated format's release? Is MGM concerned about what the prospective buyers have to say? I guess if the answers are no, the only happy people will be DC and company as they will get some $ out of this release.
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Again, whether the release is actually planned as widescreen or is just a typo is not officially known at this point.
We are looking into it with the appropriate people. If so, you'll hear it what the real deal is here first.
Afterwards a huge hoo-haa at the Home Theater Forum would be the place to start, if this thing is going out widescreen.
I'll let you all know.
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Yes, we shall pow wow at the Home Theatre forum. For sure, let us know.
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Yes we will make our presence known at the Home Theatrer forum boards. MGM does not know who they are dealing with. lol They will feel our wrath if they don't comply with our wishes. I don't think MGM does not want another curse to be placed on them.
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The latest blurb from TVShowsonDVD.com is not very encouraging:
http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=4081
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No extra footage. No extra features. And a frame butchering 1.78:1 aspect ratio. What a brilliant marketing strategy! ::)
Well, at least there's a nice photo on the back cover - that's worth the $39.99, right? :- No? Not particularly for those of us who already have a copy of it.
Oh, well...
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Well, an actual cover graphic is about as official as it gets.
Terrible news.
Those on the Home Theater Forum...go at it.
Unleash hell.
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I tried to make light of the 1.78:1 aspect ratio, but I just realized to acheive that MGM will be cropping slightly more than 25% of the length off the frame!! [madan]
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Thanks MsCriseyde for the updated information.
I wonder if the folks at MGM (Moronic Group Miserables) ever considered DCP's suggestion that the DVD not be released in the widescreen mode? At least MGM was given a heads up by DCP on how crappy the picture is going to look.
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How ridiculous. I'm glad I have the MPI tapes. I believe they are still available for a limited time through MPI, for those who are interested.
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Wow. Am I understanding correctly that the company is releasing mangled, butchered versions of this series on DVD?
I've never been much of a fan of the 1991 series, but I'd say doing THIS to it is crossing a line, in my eyes.
What was it with that show, anyway? It seemed as if it was under a curse from the get-go. (Holy Goddess, now I'm sounding like Mrs J during the Tom/Julia storyline).
One does have to wonder, though...
G.
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Yes, Gothick this is correct. It crosses a line for fans of any Dark Shadows as well as those who like to see old TV shows released on DVD. Already, we have lost the 2004 WB series. This created a huge set back for the Night of Dark Shadows restoration project as Darren Gross has previously relayed to us. Having a sucessful new show would have created a momentum for the entire catalog. This means we might have the Classic TV series back on the air. If it doesn't sell because this release is a mess, the Classic series is going to ultimately be set back further. Many won't notice the clipping. However, many will notice it and word will get around that the picture is clipped, does not have any extras (interviews, bloopers, commentary or other), and is the extended version.
Fans should be mindful that when dissing any new Dark Shadows and attempting to "kill" it, it slows and impedes the progress of the movie restorations and the Classic TV show. If something is selling, marketing notices. If it's not, then they don't do a thing. This may not always be a hard and fast rule but generally business is business and not an issue of fandom.
The curse thing could be an issue with Angelique but who knows.
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But does anyone really want to buy a messed up DVD of the 1991 show? I was really looking forward to this release, and now I'm not sure if I want to buy it. I was going to buy it because it is a pretty good show not perfect but it had potential. And buying it might help get something moving on a new show, and get more interest going, but I can't just throw away 40 some bucks either.
Misa
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Thanks to everyone for the good information. I have cancelled my pre-order on Amazon. I will only consider buying the set if I hear from someone who's watched it that it's not the hatchet job it appears to be. :-
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Thanks to everyone for the good information. I have cancelled my pre-order on Amazon. I will only consider buying the set if I hear from someone who's watched it that it's not the hatchet job it appears to be. :-
It was a difficult decision to make but I decided not to cancel my pre-order with Amazon as I am interested in seeing the greater clarity the DVD will provide (unless MGM can find a way to screw that up as well) compared to the videos' version. Plus I agree with Misa in that if it sells well, it may catch the networks' attention. But you are right that this DVD box set could be one big hatchet job.
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It's really official now on this aspect ratio business. This just in my late night e-mail from Shadowgram:
*** Updates on MGM's planned October DVD release of the 1991 DS series. Please note it appears the episodes will be "in an artificially-created Wide-Screen format as if the episodes were filmed for exhibition in motion picture theaters." MGM's DVDs have only what was aired on NBC in 1991 and there are no planned bonus features.
Fans interested in the 1991 series may want to consider MPI's limited quantities of its VHS tapes, at the reduced price of $9.98 each. These include filmed footage not broadcast by NBC and never seen on TV. MPI also has the "DS Resurrected" VHS tape at the same reduced price. It has cast interview clips, bloopers, and behind-the-scenes footage. None of this material is on the MGM DVDs.
I agree moving the DS Catalog is a good thing to do but hoisting such a turkey on the DVD consuming public is not a good thing. We want all of DS, the entire damn picture, warts, bloopers and all. We should accept nothing less no matter what version it is.
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It's really official now on this aspect ratio business.
Please note it appears the episodes will be "in an artificially-created Wide-Screen format as if the episodes were filmed for exhibition in motion picture theaters."
I'm not sure the phrasing here necessarily makes it "really official." The phrase used here is "it appears," which suggests that SG is operating from the same information we've already been referring to in this thread.
Do I hold out any hope that the release won't be widescreen? No. But SG isn't offering a definitive answer here. The only thing offered as fact was the sales pitch for the MPI videos. :)
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I agree moving the DS Catalog is a good thing to do but hoisting such a turkey on the DVD consuming public is not a good thing. We want all of DS, the entire damn picture, warts, bloopers and all. We should accept nothing less no matter what version it is.
Hi victoriawinters.This is truly an interesting debate. Should we allow ourselves to buy such a turkey for the greater good of the franchise? I agree we should want all of DS but is it in our best interests for the DVD to sell well? It's unfortunate that MGM placed us into this unnecessary predictament when we and the franchise deserve the highest complete and quality DVD.
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This is definitely one of those situations where the prudent will wait and read the trade reviews before purchasing.
I wonder whether Barbara Steele had any scenes in the deleted sequences from the 1990 pilot? Maybe *I* should invest in some of those MPI tapes...
G.
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It's a conundrum. On one hand you want to support all the DS releases (especially for a big studio like Sony/MGM) to prove the viability of the movies as titles that will sell well, but you really don't want to support a visually butchered release and reinforce the studio decisions that caused it to be released this way...
Dilemmas.
I'll keep my eyes open for a release in another region in case its done correctly over there, perhaps Japan who have much higher quality control standards than the US does.
A company like Warners is 100 times more likely to enquire about the sales figures for the 91 set from MGM (versus MPI for the classic series) as a basis for making a decision on the movies release question (when someone in marketing decides it might be a good idea, they'll look into sales figures before making the final decisions) but its quite conflicting to promote sales of an inferior release.
DS is such a lame-duck franchise anyway, the last thing you want to do is the hobble the thing any further...
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It's a conundrum. On one hand you want to support all the DS releases (especially for a big studio like Sony/MGM) to prove the viability of the movies as titles that will sell well, but you really don't want to support a visually butchered release and reinforce the studio decisions that caused it to be released this way...
Dilemmas.
I'll keep my eyes open for a release in another region in case its done correctly over there, perhaps Japan who have much higher quality control standards than the US does.
A company like Warners is 100 times more likely to enquire about the sales figures for the 91 set from MGM (versus MPI for the classic series) as a basis for making a decision on the movies release question (when someone in marketing decides it might be a good idea, they'll look into sales figures before making the final decisions) but its quite conflicting to promote sales of an inferior release.
DS is such a lame-duck franchise anyway, the last thing you want to do is the hobble the thing any further...
As much as I hate MGM to get away with this murder, I will support the franchise by buying the DVD. Look what MGM is doing to us-they are dividing us and they are making us look to Japan for help! lol In all seriousness, and as you said, I do believe there will be entities who will be closely watching the dvd sales as a barometer for future DS projects-like restoring the movies and/or a new series. It will be interesting to see if MGM/Sony will be heavily promoting the dvds' release or will give it little promotion. I guess MGM will soon be making the official announcement as it has yet to indicate the dvds' release on its website. Thanks Darren for looking out for us.
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I wouldn't say 'closely watching' but Sony/MGM will be monitoring the sales as they usually do...
Their website does have it up here....
http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/catalog/catalogDetail_DVD027616124258.html
Looking towards a Japanese release isn't really a challenge any more thanks to the internet. I buy discs from Japan all the time, particularly at www.cdjapan.co.jp (http://www.cdjapan.co.jp) Expensive, but very easy to arrange.
Now, whether they decide if there's a market there for it...who knows...
If I hear anything about another region release, I'll be sure to post it.
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Not that it will accomplish much, but there is an email address for Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Customer Service on their web site. It's sphe_customer_service@spe.sony.com
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Not only am I'm glad to find this forum, but I'm doubly glad to find this thread.
I've been FUMING about how MGM has completely butchered the DVD release of this mini-series that I love more than words can describe. I was so thrilled to hear that the DVD release was coming, then disapointed that it was not the expanded/uncut version as released by MPI but just the original NBC broadcast versions. Oh well I thought, I guess I can handle watching those extra 20 minutes or so on my old MPI VHS tapes. At least the rest of it will be in perfect DVD quality, so I was definitely still going to buy it.
But then came the death blow. MGM in their infinite wisdom had decided to create FAUX widescreen versions by chopping off the top and bottom of the picture so that the 5% of consumers who have a HDD TV and/or who don't know any better will be able to watch a show that was NEVER INTENDED to be seen in "Widescreen" to be viewed in said format only. As someone pointed out in an earlier message, Warner Bros. did this same STUPID THING with the first season of Kung Fu and I have not bought that set for that very reason. Warner Bros. apparently learned their lesson however and heard fans who HATED this and has released season 2 and 3 in the original fullscreen 4:3 (1.33:1) TV screen ratio, and to quote Barnabas, "as it was meant to be!". Now hopefully they will re-release Season 1 in the same format. Otherwise I will never ever buy that worthless set.
And the same is true with this WORTHLESS DVD release from MGM.
I know some of you want to support the franchise. Well do that by buying the MPI releases and NOT letting the idiots at MGM force feed you crappy releases like this. If they see that people will buy whatever they put out even when it completely destroys something, then we as consumers/fans aren't being taken into consideration and get what we deserve.
I urge everyone to not only boycott this DVD release, but to write, email, and/or call MGM and SONY and tell them how displeased you are about this and how you are NOT going to buy it. That's what I'm gonna do.
Dan
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Welcome Dan to the board.
I do see your points. I am just having a difficult time in taking a position against the DS franchise by not buying the 91 series dvd. There are many fans of the show who are interested in a new DS series and having both DS movies fully restored and released on DVD. If the 91 series dvd sells well, it may enhance the chances of a new DS project and the movies released on DVD. Sony/MGM from what I read here will be watching the sales of this DVD as they normally do. If the dvd sells poorly it will probably decrease the chances of a new DS project/DS movies release on dvd. To me it is that simple. I do agree MGM should not be able to get away with this butchery but I think the cost is too high to pay for not supporting the franchise by boycotting MGM. The DS franchise could use an injection of positive buzz.
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This is just my personal opinion, and I'm not criticizing anyone intentionally by stating it, but I really do not think fans should be expected to purchase sub-par products or deliberately mangled prints of DS material in the altruistic interest of "supporting the DS franchise."
I also want to issue a plea for fans to wait until we get hands-on reviews of the actual product from the trade sites before proceeding to write letters of complaint.
If you want to take the time to write a letter, I suggest sending it via snail mail. It may have changed but I remember being told back in the 1990s that studio offices took snail mail letters much more seriously than stuff received online, for whatever reason.
Finally, I don't see why Warners would take the sales of the itty-bitty 1991 series set more seriously than those of the massively plentiful MPI sets, which seem to be doing very well--or at least getting an awful lot of exposure in trade sites on the Internet!
but then, I do not pretend to know what goes on inside the head of today's studio executive--far from it!
G.
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Hi Steve.
While the MPI sets are prevalent and well-distributed, the sales figures of a major studio like MGM/Sony would more closely gel with sales from another major. MGM/Sony will spend more money on marketing and ads, and have better sales and distribution people that can get their titles ordered in higher quantities at more stores....Now, the average consumer might not notice any ads or marketing, as they won't usually hit the big magazines but there will be a noticeable presence in the video trade magazines like Video Store and Video Business etc. that are important.
Botched framing or not, the 91 MGM series will probably sell 2 to 3 times better than the MPI sets do, so you can see where the studios are coming from on marketing and sales evaluations.
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this has me swamped. ???
just who is releasing the 1991 series on dvd?
sony?warners?mgm?mpi?i thought that mpi had the exclusive rights to distribute both series(66-71 and 91)but not either of the movies.
since the original series ran for so many episodes it seems like the profit potential there is almost limitless(think of what we've all bought)where as the 1991 version only aired 12 or so episodes.how much profitability do they actually think is going to come from that release?
die-hard fans already own this on video and even if they "upgrade" to the dvd format we realistically can't be talking about more than a few thousand(at best)shelling out big dollars for this release.
b.t.w. i have so much more of the original seies to get through the 1991 series isn't even on the horizon.
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I've never bought any of the tapes, or DVDs, of either series, tho I do have the tape versions of both movies. I think at this point I might as well just wait for the brain-implantable chip that contains every shred of DS related material ever created. Think of the money I'll have saved.... ::)
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just who is releasing the 1991 series on dvd?
MGM who was recently bought out by Sony. MPI had the rights to distribute videos back in the 90s. However, their license is expiring which is why the video tapes are going out of print. When MPI released the videos back in the day, they distributed same with expanded episodes 1, 3 and 12. MGM/Sony probably doesn't own the rights or doesn't have the expanded versions, so they aren't releasing it.
I don't feel too bad about not buying this release right away. I just literally finished collecting the 1991 Series on video, showing it to the LA fan club and generally promoting it's strong points. I may even go so far as to create a real epi guide for it on my web site since it's not too overdone in web land.
Ultimately, I've been hanging out with too many film majors (hubby and step-son) to settle for a clipped-up version. If Netflix gets it in, I'll rent it. I'll at least write to them and ask for it. At this time, I'm not feeling I should promote it. I don't like DVD companies treating we consumers like we are a bunch of idiots and wouldn't understand the difference. This board had a fit over bloopers being clipped from the MPI releases. We should have a collective fit on this one too. Even if we buy it to support the franchise.
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I don't feel too bad about not buying this release right away. I just literally finished collecting the 1991 Series on video, showing it to the LA fan club and generally promoting it's strong points.
Since you just recently got the tapes I would assume that they all look pristine? Well, if I may make a suggestion (and this goes for anyone else who has the MPI tapes too) get these copied over to DVD-R discs ASAP. This way you'll be able to retain this level of quality forever, whereas your VHS tapes will definitely degrade over time. I know because my tapes, which I bought when they were first released, all have problems now. Everything from crackling in the Hi-Fi sound to all kinds of splotches, white spots, and lines sporadically going through the picture. :( And although the quality of these DVD-Rs won't quite be the same as having real DVD transfers it'll definitely be the next best thing and will ensure that the quality will never degrade. And it'll also be much better than wasting money getting the MGM DVDs because the MPI versions are Expanded/Uncut/Complete in both content and picture frame. And it'd cost you virtually nothing for the DVD-R discs since you can buy these for 40 or 50 cents each. I only wish my tapes looked like they did when I bought them, cause I'd make myself some great DVD-Rs using my Panasonic DVD recorder and not give the MGM product a second thought.
I may even go so far as to create a real epi guide for it on my web site since it's not too overdone in web land.
What's your website's URL. I'd like to check it out.
Ultimately, I've been hanging out with too many film majors (hubby and step-son) to settle for a clipped-up version. If Netflix gets it in, I'll rent it. I'll at least write to them and ask for it. At this time, I'm not feeling I should promote it. I don't like DVD companies treating we consumers like we are a bunch of idiots and wouldn't understand the difference. This board had a fit over bloopers being clipped from the MPI releases. We should have a collective fit on this one too. Even if we buy it to support the franchise.
Well said! [clap]
Dan
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Why are the DVD producers such idiots? What is the point of cutting off the top and bottom of the picture to make it look like a movie? Why would anyone want that?
Darren, I'm shocked that you say the 1991 revival series will sell way better than the original series. As far as I can tell, not that many people even know about the 1991 series.
In response to Hornet's post - Gosh, now I need to find a region-free DVD player (not so easy to find, I've discovered) that also records ... Are the ones that record much more expensive than regular DVD players? Maybe I can ask for this for Christmas ...
Also, is there any loss in quality when you record to DVD as there is when, for example, you record something from TV to VHS? Or is the difference in quality you refer to the fact that the VHS quality is lower than the DVD quality to start with?
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Why are the DVD producers such idiots? What is the point of cutting off the top and bottom of the picture to make it look like a movie? Why would anyone want that?
I'm quite certain that no one buying TV shows on DVD wants that, but the studios still do it. Warner Bros. used to do it with a lot of their TV show releases. They even claimed that some of them were actually originally framed for Widescreen and were being released that way for the first time ever. I'm refering to the 2 original "V" mini-series from back in 1983 and 1984. Yeah, like anyone was thinking of framing a TV mini-series for Widescreen 20+ years ago. I just had to watch the first few minutes to know that the top and bottom of the screen was trimmed off. I was so pissed that I immediately returned to the store where I bought the DVDs and got my money back. And when I bought my DVD recorder last year I transfered over my still mint quality tapes which Warner released in the correct Fullscreen format some years earlier, and what I now have is much better than watching the crappy fake widescreen prints and because I have them on DVD-R the quality will remain at this level forever (which isn't true for my VHS tapes). And luckily by the time Warner got around to releasing the regular TV series (19 episodes) which followed the 2 mini-series, they had realised how much these fake widescreen releases were a mistake, and released them in their original fullscreen format and I happily bought the set. They also screwed up another mini-series that I really love, the original 2 part "Bourne Identity" starring Richard Chamberlain. It's also fake-Widescreen and also not in my DVD collection.
Anyway, the likely reason that they're even doing these fake-Widescreen DVDs is because everything will eventually be in HD, but what they fail to realize is that the reason almost all movies are being released in Widescreen on DVD (whereas VHS movie releases used to be Pan & Scan/ Fullscreen) is that most people want to see the full picture. Well, the same thing is true with TV shows. We want the full picture. We want the ORIGINAL ASPECT RATIO. If something was shot widescreen, release it widescreen. If something was shot fullscreen, release it fullscreen. Simple as that.
In response to Hornet's post - Gosh, now I need to find a region-free DVD player (not so easy to find, I've discovered) that also records ... Are the ones that record much more expensive than regular DVD players? Maybe I can ask for this for Christmas ...
DVD recorders are quite a bit more expensive than regular DVD players, and I'm not sure if there are any that are region free.
Also, is there any loss in quality when you record to DVD as there is when, for example, you record something from TV to VHS? Or is the difference in quality you refer to the fact that the VHS quality is lower than the DVD quality to start with?
Yeah, I was just refering to the fact that VHS quality isn't as good as DVD. But on the bright side there is virtually no quality loss when going from VHS to DVD. As a matter of fact I've found that the picture quality sometimes even appears to be better. I know this is not possible of course, but I'm always amazed at how good things look copied from VHS to DVD. And knowing that the picture will always look this way makes it all the better.
Dan
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If something was shot widescreen, release it widescreen. If something was shot fullscreen, release it fullscreen. Simple as that.
I'm still using a piece of crap old console Zenith set that makes everything look green, but it was given to me by relatives, and nothing beats free. From what I've seen of the Sony HD sets that some of my relatives have, if you really feel the need to create a widescreen effect, you can adjust the picture so that the image fills the screen. My mother thought this was cool to do when my parents first got their set, but she finally got over it. ::)
Anyway, it seems rather silly to impose this artificial widescreen effect on people if it's something that viewers with widescreen sets could accomplish on their own if they chose to do so.
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Well we are exactly one month away from the dvd's release and still no press statement from MGM/Sony Pictures. Can't MGM/Sony come up with at least one single idea how to promote this potentially embarrassing product? lol
I assume trade magazines are published like a month in advance so I guess MGM needs to soon get off its marketing promotion for this item- a marketing strategy I would love to see in light of the fact they do not much have to offer no thanks to themselves.
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Apparently the marketing strategy is to promote the DVDs as a way to "be SEDUCED by the DARKNESS." [wink2] And possibly putting that catch phrase on the packaging is all they think they need to do...
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Apparently the marketing strategy is to promote the DVDs as a way to "be SEDUCED by the DARKNESS."
It's actually a slick reference to the black bars that will appear at the top and bottom of your screen, covering up what should be the rest of the image. :-*
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Apparently the marketing strategy is to promote the DVDs as a way to "be SEDUCED by the DARKNESS."
It's actually a slick reference to the black bars that will appear at the top and bottom of your screen, covering up what should be the rest of the image. :-*
Aaahhh - foolish me! It never dawned on me that butchering the frame wasn't an obstacle to the marketing campaign, it IS the marketing campaign. How brilliant of you to deduce that! [thumb]
[wink2]
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It's actually a slick reference to the black bars that will appear at the top and bottom of your screen, covering up what should be the rest of the image. :-*
Aaahhh - foolish me! It never dawned on me that butchering the frame wasn't an obstacle to the marketing campaign, it IS the marketing campaign. How brilliant of you to deduce that!
Ok now everything is becoming crystal clear to me. So the black bars are the "extras" MGM will be promoting this release with even though it was stated that there would not be any extras. lol And we thought MGM was clueless.
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lol Jimbo!
What's your website's URL. I'd like to check it out.
You may click the picture in the picture and it will take you right there.
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FYI
MGM finally has added the DVD's release at its website.
http://www.MGM.com/title_title.do?title_star=DARKSHAD
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Has any one seen a single promotion for this release from MGM/Sony in any magazine/publication? I just don't get it. If MGM is releasing this dvd series to make money, would it not be logical then to spend a little more than a penny to promote its release? BTW the dvd's release, this Tuesday, is not even in any circular that I read ex. Best Buy etc... It just seems MGM and Sony are almost embarrassed by this release.
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Has any one seen a single promotion for this release from MGM/Sony in any magazine/publication?
I haven't seen anything either. But then they obviously didn't put any effort into creating a decent DVD, so not promoting it doesn't surprise me.
It just seems MGM and Sony are almost embarrassed by this release.
And well they should be! Everything single thing about this DVD release reeks! It's pretty evident that not a lot of care went into anything related to this release. The art department spent 20 seconds on the artwork, which is just plain ugly. They didn't even have the decency to use the correct DS logo, instead using one of the REJECTED logos. As for the content of the DVDs themselves, well, not only are the episodes NOT the uncut/expanded versions, but they even decided to cut more of the show by cutting the top and bottom of the picture to create a FAKE and WORTHLESS "Widescreen" print that no consumer (let alone fan of the series) wants. Also there isn't a single extra, not even the TV commercials on it. The only thing that could've made this a bigger disaster is if they decided to replace some of the original music with generic elevator music like some DVD releases.
MGM and Sony should definitely be embarrassed by this release. It totally reeks and isn't worth a dime!
The strange thing is that MGM recently released a GREAT set of classic Hammer Horror films in great looking packaging with all films presented in their original aspect ratio and at an ultra-cheap price. They obviously knew that there was a fan base for these films and cared enough to do it right. Too bad they didn't give a rat's ass about the DS fans. :(
Dan
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The strange thing is that MGM recently released a GREAT set of classic Hammer Horror films in great looking packaging with all films presented in their original aspect ratio and at an ultra-cheap price.
Actually, that was released by Universal.
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My goodness, so much negativity about the "widescreen" presentation of the '91 DS series when no one has even seen it!
There once was a TV show called SOAP that was attacked by the conservative religious element as an assault on Christianity and a jeopardy to the moral fabirc of this great country--BEFORE THE SHOW EVER AIRED--all because of the homosexual character played by Billy Crystal.
My point is--let's not pass judgement until we see the DS widescreen version. Most likely, the aspect ratio will only be 1.66:1, as opposed to the normal TV ratio of 1.33:1. Frankly, to the average eye, there isn't much difference. Now, if MGM uses an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 or 2.35:1, then we might have some issues to discuss. Further: Sony/MGM did not have to release this at all! So let's give them credit for at least acknowledging the franchise. (WB, are you paying attention?)
BTW, my Amazon copy was shipped today--I'll look for it on Friday. Meanwhile, my VHS copies are still here and I'll transfer the unaired footage to DVD for supplemental use.
Brian
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The strange thing is that MGM recently released a GREAT set of classic Hammer Horror films in great looking packaging with all films presented in their original aspect ratio and at an ultra-cheap price.
Actually, that was released by Universal.
Oops. You're absolutely right. So much for that. No points for MGM at all then. ;)
My point is--let's not pass judgement until we see the DS widescreen version. Most likely, the aspect ratio will only be 1.66:1, as opposed to the normal TV ratio of 1.33:1.
Well, I can only speak for myself, but regardless of what the aspect ratio is, whether it's 1.66:1 or 1:85:1 it doesn't make any difference. The fact that the image was trimmed at all FOR NO REASON is enough to make me hate this release.
Further: Sony/MGM did not have to release this at all! So let's give them credit for at least acknowledging the franchise. (WB, are you paying attention?)
You're definitely more generous than I am. Giving someone credit for releasing a bare bones and butchered product is beyond me. And frankly, I wish they hadn't released it at all. Because as long as it hadn't been released, there was always a chance and a hope that a great release, comparable (if not superior), to the MPI video release would come our way. MGM's crappy bare bones release puts an end to that. It's a shame that MPI couldn't have gotten off their butts and released their version on DVD a couple of years ago instead of saying that they'd release the series after releasing the entire run of the original series on DVD.
Dan
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The MGM set is presented at 1.78. That's the standard 16:9 HD aspect ratio.
The opening titles are presented windowboxed, so at least that's okay, but its an reminder that the show you're watching is not being presented correctly.
1.66 is a theatrical ratio and very few video releases are put out in 1.66 anamorphic. It's why the WB Hammer films are presented at 1.78/1.85. WB doesn't support anamorphic 1.66.
1.66 anamorphic discs have a tiny sliver of black pillarbars on the left and right sides of the frame, though, TBH, due to the overscan on 99% of TVs, you wouldn't see the black bars anyway. It's a subject of much heated debate on the home theater community...
I don't think anybody's jumping the gun here on their reactions. If the original DS was presented in artificial widescreen, fans would be burning MPI to the ground.
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Could someone tell me why MGM/Sony is releasing the 1991 DS instead of MPI? Did MPI own the rights and sell them, or did they only have the rights to release it on VHS?
I agree that if the show comes out on DVD and sells badly it isn't going to be redone correctly. If it sell respectably, some time in the future someone might decide to release a better version. Why did they have to do it wrong the first time.
Whoever is working in their art department should be fired for the awful piece of crap they created for the cover.
I'm also afraid that if this DVD does badly it will hurt the chances of a new show being made.
Misa [hall2_cry]
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MGM has always owned the series. MPI licensed the video rights from them to release it on VHS in the early 90's.
MPIs license agreement expired a few years ago and they've been offloading their VHS overstock ever since.
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I don't think anybody's jumping the gun here on their reactions. If the original DS was presented in artificial widescreen, fans would be burning MPI to the ground.
Yes, damn straight I'd like to be burning MGM. However, this is not the original. The originalists don't care about the newer series. As far as they are concerned, it's a non-issue for them. But, they don't realize that when the newer performs poorly the original doesn't get much notice. Business equates them in the same category as all bad money loosers. It does warrant some good outcry from the fans for this reason whether they like the newer or not.
Had the 2004 WB Pilot been a successful TV Show, the older one might have made a come back from the closet. Perhaps, have even sparked an interest in restoring the movies. But, alas.
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I don't know a damned thing about the technology by which old TV shows are reproduced, but I would like to make a comment.
I am one of the group Gothick so delightfully refers to as the "Ancient Blood"....the kids who ran home after school to watch the original show. I remember the terrible anguish of getting home late and missing even the fewest of minutes of that day's show. Once we missed it, it was gone....no way to get it back. The idea of it being re-run at some later date was unimagined. We just got over it, and made damn sure we ran faster the next day.
The fact that DS, in any of its incarnations, is available to us, in a succession of formats, is a miracle, pure and simple. Yes, it would be nice to have it all, in a perfect and pristine and original state....... but it seems to me to be more than a bit ungrateful to keep bemoaning the lack of perfection, when we could be discussing the show entirely from our ever more faulty memories....and nothing else.
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Yes, damn straight I'd like to be burning MGM. However, this is not the original. The originalists don't care about the newer series.
That's probably true, but a huge amount of age 30 and under DS fans discovered DS through the 91 series. Whether the original series is better or not, is beside the point.
To a significant amount of people (and I'm imagining these will be the people who will form the core audience for this MGM release), the 91 series is all they know of DS, and it's a shame its being presented in such a compromised way.
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Folks, come on, let offer more positive reflections on the MGM 91 release. 6 months ago, I left the Median Domain ONE LIFE TO LIVE board ONCE AND FOR ALL because of the horrible, destructive and personally insulting posters who attacked not only the writers and producers, but the actors as well. That site had many sad, unhappy and vindictive people posting. Let's not see that here at the DS forum. DS fans are and have always been nice, positive, supportive folks. Let's keep that attitude here on the board.
Brian
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I think we still are nice supportive folks, but we don't like MGM treating us badly. Which they are by producing an inferior product. They could have given us a nicely packaged 1991 DS with extras, and not cut even a microscopic piece of the frame off. But instead they are releasing the show with the top and bottom cut off, a piece of awful artwork on the cover and no EXTRAs. sob! WHY? Oh why? If they had given us the best they could it would have sold better, and possibly interested new people in the original show.
Gerr [hall_angry]
Misa
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Folks, come on, let offer more positive reflections on the MGM 91 release.
Hmmm... Like what? You must've read Darren's post stating that the aspect ratio is 1.78:1 and not 1.66:1 as you had hoped, so that means that a full 25% of the image has been trimmed. There are no extra scenes like in the MPI video releases, no extras whatsoever, and the packaging is ugly. I don't see anything positive about this DVD release.
6 months ago, I left the Median Domain ONE LIFE TO LIVE board ONCE AND FOR ALL because of the horrible, destructive and personally insulting posters who attacked not only the writers and producers, but the actors as well. That site had many sad, unhappy and vindictive people posting. Let's not see that here at the DS forum. DS fans are and have always been nice, positive, supportive folks. Let's keep that attitude here on the board.
I appreciate the sentiment and I agree with you, but I don't think being critical about a billion dollar corporation like MGM/SONY for chosing to release the most inferior/cheaply produced bare bones product they can is the same as insulting posters, actors, writers and producers. The fact of the matter is that MGM didn't care about the fans of this show or for that matter the producers of the series who were opposed to them creating a faux widescreen print and ruining the integrity of the framing, etc...
And it's mind boggling to think that this is what MGM chose to release when a relatively small company like MPI could (and did) release a version that is infinitely better: complete image intact, extra footage added by MPI (including getting actress Joanna Going to do a NEW voice-over for episode 3), and a full 60 minute retrospective/documentary which is a great "extra".
MGM deserves no praise whatsoever for this DVD release but they most definitely deserve our disapointment and anger.
Dan
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Hornet, I totally agree. Brian, I get where you are coming from, but this is the most civilized messge board I've ever visited... I don't think anyone is mean-spirited about this subject, I think we are just looking out for ourselves as consumers and fans. [hall2_wink]
The big question now is: Has anyone been able to actually obtain a copy of the set yet? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
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Just got word that mine shipped today. Got mixed feelings about it, as I'm happy to have the set on DVD... utterly peeved that it's such an inferior product. Grrr.
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This review gives the dvd release a grade of B. Wonder how some people here might feel about that rating.lol
On a side note, the Best Buy in my area ordered 8 copies which I believe is pretty good number since they only carry one copy of each of the MPI releases. Of course they stated that the store has yet to receive them and in fact it has yet been sent to their warehouses. Go MGM.
http://www.eclipsemagazine.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1535&page=3
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The B seems as if it was awarded to the series itself rather than the DVD set. Unfortunately there are no references whatsoever to the technical credits. [hall2_undecided]
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On a side note, the Best Buy in my area ordered 8 copies which I believe is pretty good number since they only carry one copy of each of the MPI releases. Of course they stated that the store has yet to receive them and in fact it has yet been sent to their warehouses. Go MGM.
My Best Buy ordered only 1, but now it's MINE. [hall2_cheesy]
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The B seems as if it was awarded to the series itself rather than the DVD set. Unfortunately there are no references whatsoever to the technical credits. [hall2_undecided]
You mean MGM did not send advanced screeners to the critics? lol Now that would have blown me away.
Midnite I am very envious. Good for you. Anxious to see what grade you will assign. lol
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I just received my set yesterday. I have never seen the revival series, I'm not sure why because I absolutely loved the original and I believe at least the curiosity factor would have gotten me to tune in but I did not. That said, I'm now curious and have read several of the posts on this thread although not all. I believe it's been said that the DVD is in widescreen, which I know to be the black bars at the top and bottom of the screen. Mine is not, at least not the first episode which I am not completely through yet. It must be a two hour pilot because I'm at 55 minutes and it hasn't gone to the second episode yet. I'm no expert in proportions of screens but it seems to be of good quality. I'm just interested in seeing the same characters (and some new ones) portrayed by different actors. Also, they had the introduction of Barnabas in the first half hour where of course in the original he doesn't appear for almost 10 months. If anyone is interested I can give an update on the quality of the DVD's in future episodes but the picture quality seems very good at least to this untrained eye.
Murph
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The opening credits on the regular series episodes are windowboxed at 1.33. If the rest of the episodes and the pilot are not showing up widescreen on your TV, then it means your player is setup incorrectly.
Go to the setup menu somewhere and change your output to 4:3 Letterboxed and that will fix it.
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Your DVD player is set to 16x9 TV mode, and I assume you have a standard TV, not a widescreen set. What's happening is all widescreen shows are being stretched to fill the 4x3 set, which makes everything look tall and elongated. Once you've got it set to 4x3 mode, the black bars will appear and the image won't look distorted any longer.
Here's a couple review links- DVD Talk and Amazon user feedback.
DVD Talk: Dark Shadows The Revival - The Complete Series (http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=18279)
Scroll down to the bottom for the user reviews.
Aamazon: Dark Shadows The Revival - The Complete Series (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AQOHO4/103-9472582-9590263?v=glance&n=130&n=507846&s=dvd&v=glance)
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Thanks Darren,
I'll do what you suggest. What I don't understand is I have other DVD's that are widescreen and they are shown with the bars at the top and bottom of my screen. That is unless I haven't watched a widescreen in over a year since I've had the player. I do remember watching several movies widescreen on my DVD player, maybe it wasn't this one. I'll have to check it out.
Thanks again,
Murph
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Movies that are 'scope' or 2.35 would show up with black bars, even if your player was set incorrectly, (ie: any of the widescreen versions of the Lord of the Rings, Star Wars films, or any John Carpenter film), but anything with a 'matted' or 1.85/1.78 ratio (ie: Goodfellas, Godfather, any Cronenberg film) would not show any bars. Regardless, everything would be stretched and distorted.
I recently found my in-laws had their settings incorrectly set this way during a visit, and happily fixed it for them.
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My copy arrived today. Will probably be next week before I get a chance to have a look at it, though.
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Here is a not so kind review of the dvd.
DARK SHADOWS: THE REVIVAL DVD REVIEW (http://www.ugo.com/channels/DVD/article.asp?articleID=16457&SectionID=115)
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FYI
A reference to the dvd release and DS fan base.
http://jam.canoe.ca/Video/2005/10/14/1262211.html
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I've watched part of the first disc, and while I will admit that I'm enjoying seeing the episodes again (I'm finding all kinds of things I appreciate more than I did during the last viewing, several years ago, not to mention more things to groan about), I'm thoroughly nonplused, not just by the artifical widescreen but by the poor video transfer quality. The picture resolution is no better than broadcast TV, and on my set you can tell a -big- difference between broadcast and your typical DVD image. It's murky and the colors are a bit washed out. I don't have any particular issues with the sound, as one of the reviewers did, but the substandard video is a boot to the head to unsuspecting buyers.
To rub salt in the wounds, during the opening credits of the regular episodes, the image goes to its proper aspect ratio -- but shrunk down, apparently for the "benefit" of those with widescreen TVs.
When you put in a DVD, it gives you two options: A) play all episodes or B) show individual episodes. That's it. Period.
I've got bootlegs with better picture quality and more options.
The best thing I can say about the release so far is that I've fallen in love with Joanna Going all over again. And I'm not so sure the missus would necessarily consider that anything to holler about.
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I'm thoroughly nonplused, not just by the artifical widescreen but by the poor video transfer quality. The picture resolution is no better than broadcast TV, and on my set you can tell a -big- difference between broadcast and your typical DVD image. It's murky and the colors are a bit washed out. I don't have any particular issues with the sound, as one of the reviewers did, but the substandard video is a boot to the head to unsuspecting buyers.
What!? You mean MGM didn't digitally remaster each episode? I'm shocked! SHOCKED I tell you!!! ;) You know, after reading your assessment of the picture quality and that of the review in one of the above links, I think I have an answer to the question "Why did MGM create a fake Widescreen print?". They must've seen how murky and grainy the picture was and thought "well, we're not gonna spend a dime cleaning it up so let's chop off 25% of the picture and that'll mean less murkiness and grainyness to look at. Problem solved." Genius! MGM can officially kiss my ass.
The best thing I can say about the release so far is that I've fallen in love with Joanna Going all over again.
Amen to that, brother! She's magnificent! :) I'm in the process of re-watching the series as well. Not off the worthless MGM DVDs (you couldn't pay me to watch those), but off of MPI's infinitely superior releases. Bravo to MPI for their fantastic tapes. I was very impressed with them when they originally released their "expanded special edition" versions and appreciate them even more now in light of MGM's sorry excuse for a DVD release.
Dan
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What!? You mean MGM didn't digitally remaster each episode? I'm shocked! SHOCKED I tell you!!! ;) You know, after reading your assessment of the picture quality and that of the review in one of the above links, I think I have an answer to the question "Why did MGM create a fake Widescreen print?". They must've seen how murky and grainy the picture was and thought "well, we're not gonna spend a dime cleaning it up so let's chop off 25% of the picture and that'll mean less murkiness and grainyness to look at. Problem solved." Genius! MGM can officially kiss my ass.
Actually, while the image may look grainy and murky, these were remastered in HD only a couple of years ago. It certainly looks like MGM didn't do any digital dirt removal or DVNR.
In truth, this is a problematic TV series for DVD. It's a really ugly looking series- all grain, muddy colors, smoke everywhere and almost no sharp surfaces. Its really a reflection on Curtis' visual style from the mid 80's onwards. There's so much diffusion and an extreme opaqueness to the imagery that there's not much detail and sharpness to the photography to begin with, and the low lighting and film stocks make the grain larger and unpleasant to the eye. To really evalute the clarity in this regard, the best judge is tight or medium closeups where facials details should be much more pleasing. TBH a genii couldn't make the 91 series look bright, colorful or sharp...
While you're joking, actually if MGM wanted to hide the grain and dirt of the image, it would have been best to release it in standard 1.33 TV shape or 1.78 without the anamorphic enhancement. When shown in the current format on a widescreen set, it will fill the screen and will reveal all the detail (if any) recorded on the dvd. A 4x3 set throws out about 1/3 of the image data on Anamorphic Widescreen (ie:16x9) discs.
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Thanks for the explanation Darren. I just finished watching Ep. 1 and did notice an improvement. What jumped out at me was (sorry to say) more noticeable lines in the older actors' faces. But I was disappointed just the same because I expected a better picture overall. [hall2_undecided]
What's driving me nuts, however, is that the tops of the actors' heads are often cut off, especially when you're seeing a character in the background. If the WB pilot had been shot like this, we would be falling all over ourselves to rail at the incompetence of the director, yet here I'm seeing it scene after scene and find it very distracting. Combine that with Curtis' trademark weird camera angles and it's almost dizzying.
I love the '91 series but could not feel more frustrated by the way this turned out.
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What's driving me nuts, however, is that the tops of the actors' heads are often cut off, especially when you're seeing a character in the background. If the WB pilot had been shot like this, we would be falling all over ourselves to rail at the incompetence of the director, yet here I'm seeing it scene after scene and find it very distracting. Combine that with Curtis' trademark weird camera angles and it's almost dizzying.
I love the '91 series but could not feel more frustrated by the way this turned out.
Yeah, all the cut off heads is due to the cropping for the DVD release. This problem doesn't exist on the tapes or the 4x3 TV masters...
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Is it illegal or impolitic to suggest the obvious solution--folks get the MPI videos and record their own DVDs, if they really need the series in that format?
I have a friend who has a DVD burner. He made an incredible disc for me from my old SLP tape of "The Devil's Daughter" (co-starring Shelley Winters and Jonathan Frid). Of course I don't have the training or technical knowledge of the people on this board, but I did notice that the DVD could be freeze-framed or zoomed in, which wasn't possible with the videotape.
G.
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Hi Steve.
It's not illegal or impolitic at all. The law accepts that a person is allowed to make one or two backup copies of a video or music recording that they have purchased. It's called Fair Use.
The second you start making copies for friends or selling them, then it's illegal.
(This, of course, is my own personal understanding of the law as I have read it and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have serious questions about this issue, I would recommend consulting a licensed attorney.)
There, now I've covered my ass. [hall2_wink]
The shame though is that a VHS only has half the resolution of a DVD. (VHS has 250 lines of resolution, DVD has 480).
The zoom feature is pretty much an exclusive DVD player feature, though some TVs have it and the odd high-end VCR...
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This DVD set is my first exposure to the '91 series, and the cramped compositions are driving me nuts. I'm considering getting the tapes and burning them to DVD, like some other posters have mentioned, but I have a couple of questions:
Were the '91 episodes released in their broadcast versions before the extended versions were released, in other words, do I need to be on the lookout for "special edition" VHS releases?
Also, has anyone else done this, and how does it look? I could deal with slightly less clarity in exchange for proper aspect ratio, but not too much.
Finally, what are the chances of a release in another region with original aspect ratio? If the chances are good, I might wait.
Thanks -
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There's a possibility it could be released correctly in another region. There's no release currently pending in other territories but I'll keep my eyes open and post here. The most likely correct one would be a Japanese release. Their quality standards are much higher than the US.
There was only 1 set of VHS releases of the 91 series episodes, so you don't have to worry about differing cuts on videotape.
The degradation from VHS to DVD (if you copy them) shouldn't be noticeable, particularly if you use an S-Video connector.
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Thanks Darren -
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My pleasure. [hall_cheesy]
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Also, has anyone else done this, and how does it look? I could deal with slightly less clarity in exchange for proper aspect ratio, but not too much.
I notice the fine lines that appear when playing these videos with the DVD copy. However, my eyes have become sensitized to watching DVDs. I almost never watch video tapes and notice the difference between the two. This may have to do with fancy video cable, progressive scan DVD player, etc. that my system has. Plus, most of the DVDs I watch are digital.
Sort of like old audio recordings, it's the difference between hearing noise on the recording or not. Consider a good DVD like a visual noise reduction.
There is no real deprecation between the DVD copy of the video and the video.
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Thanks Victoria -
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Another favorable review of the series ("The cast was first rate, the story line established and the sets lavish") but not so favorable for the DVD set:
Halloween treats released on DVD (http://www.masslive.com/entertainment/republican/index.ssf?/base/entertainment-0/1130485548142930.xml&coll=1)
(The Kolchak: The Night Stalker series DVDs are also reviewed.)
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Having just watched the DVD set, I'm all the more perturbed by its lack of extras and the hacked aspect ratio because I enjoyed watching the series more than I ever did in the past. I guess the passage of time gave it a somewhat fresher feel, and I really did like the cast and the look of the setting didn't seem as offensively "California" as I remembered. The 1790 scenes are perhaps its shining moment, the characters wonderfully done (except perhaps Cavanaugh's wooden portrayal of Andre, not to mention his dreadful French accent). All in all, I found it a treat to see it start to finish and I -really- wish it had been allowed to continue in its day.
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Did anyone notice the similarities between the cover for MGM's crappy DVD release and the cover for Universal's great DVD release containing 8 Hammer Film Productions (including 2 Gothic Vampire movies: "The Brides of Dracula" and "Kiss of the Vampire")? I didn't notice it at first, but last night as I sat down to watch the first film on the set "The Brides of Dracula" and I removed the plastic slip case which holds the set together, I couldn't help noticing how the inside cover (which you see partially through the clear plastic slip case) looks almost IDENTICAL to MGM's cover.
Check these out to see what I mean:
Dark Shadows DVD cover
Dark Shadows The Revival - The Complete Series (1991) (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AQOHO4/104-9182529-2091158?v=glance&n=130&n=507846&s=dvd&v=glance)
(Click on the "See larger image" link.)
The Hammer Horror Series DVD cover
Hammer Horror Series (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009X770O/104-9182529-2091158?v=glance&n=130&s=dvd&v=glance)
(Click on the "See larger image" link.)
The full color portions of the cover (Peter Cushing, the Werewolf, and the frame with the title, etc... are all part of the plastic slip case (which looks great BTW). The slip case has a clear section and through it you see part of the inside cover. This is the part that is pretty much identical to the DS cover. We've got the same vampire in moon motif, the same spooky castle/house motif, the same bats flying around motif, the same lightning coming down motif. Even the color scheme is the same. But the difference is that Universal spruced theirs up with the nice full color slip case. Looks 100 times better.
Anyway, it can't be a coincidence that these look so much alike. Someone must've copied the other's concept (or at least part of it). I wonder who the copycat was...?
Dan
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I see what you mean. I think it's that they both have a vampire in the full moon on both cases. :o
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Universal's art looks better though. The crappy picture on the Dark Shadows DVD is just awful. I just don't know if I should buy it or not. I want to support Dark Shadows, but I certainly don't want to encourage this kind of junky presentation and hatchet job.
I want TPB to show our show the respect it deserves. I also don't like wasting my money.
Misa >:(
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I purchased the 91 DVD set just so I would have it, but the whole widescreen thing, for a TV series that was not originally shown in widescreen just escapes me. There may be legitimate reasons for doing this as far as marketing goes, but while I have nothing against widescreen format, for films shot that was, the use of it with this release is just beyond me. I just don't get the reason for doing it or what I don't get is the reason someone gave for thinknig this would be a good idea.
Richard Holt
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Interesting indepth review of the entire 1991 Dark Shadows series. Don't know where writer is getting his information from. He states that the WB executives thought the 2004 pilot was "too psychedelic"; that the Sci fi Channel may be interested in remaking DS like they did with Battlestar Galactica.
http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/darkshadowsrevival.php
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Interesting indepth review of the entire 1991 Dark Shadows series. Don't know where writer is getting his information from.
It doesn't help that he has a tendency to refer to actresses by their first names (Barbara, Lysette), but sticks to the standard convention of using last names when referring to actors (Cross, Weiss, etc.).
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It doesn't help that he has a tendency to refer to actresses by their first names (Barbara, Lysette), but sticks to the standard convention of using last names when referring to actors (Cross, Weiss, etc.).
???
"We were seeing poor Ben sweat, and it didn't quite cut it"
"...Steele had an icy resolve that was all business."
"Going was perfect, and I'm surprised she didn't rise..."
"Simmons is truly regal, and brings the Hollywood royalty aura with her..."
I think you may be jumping at "shadows" ;)
P.S.
The reviewer also states that the Revival DVDs contain "additional footage in the series' premiere episode, and a couple of short scenes added to the finale."
Can anyone confirm this?
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I think you may be jumping at "shadows" ;)
I did miss the reference to Cross by first name. ;) So, it looks like he does it at least three times. Even if you don't want to look at it as gender-based, it's still piss poor writing to just toss in a first-name only reference whenever the mood hits you.
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I can confirm that it absolutely does not; perhaps the reviewer got the super-secret special edition that nobody else can purchase.
;)
--M
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I can confirm that it absolutely does not; perhaps the reviewer got the super-secret special edition that nobody else can purchase.
That is all so true. Hard to imagine MGM spending another penny to impress the critics. lol I don't know if the writer has some information about the Sci fi Channel showing an interest in a new DS project. It could be based on old rumors although he alluded that it was ongoing. Perhaps with NBC now owning the channel, perhaps the Sci Fi Channel can now afford to pay for an expensive new DS series/mini-series.
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Beyond the murkiness and cropping has anyone noticed artifacts/blemishes..I just watched Ep 1 and just before Vicki looks at the picture of Josette there were bluish whitish marks that just flashed for split second...I dont think this is pixellation because I can always hear my DVD player start to "choke" or sound a little off when that happens This seemed like it was in the print.
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Well, Netflix has it for rent, so if you have an account, you can get it from there are I did and saved myself the money....I enjoyed watching it again, but was not worth buying it...
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I bought it on dvd. I don't regret the purchase, even though I dislike that it's in widescreen and that the dvd set is so bare bones with no added features. I just didn't feel like hunting down the VHS set, and was previously not all that interested in seeing the revival. I did enjoy some aspects of it though, with Joanna Going being first and foremost on the list.
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Was surfing, and I saw this article.
I don't know if *perhaps it would be better in CE&A, with the AOL/buy TVshows.
http://www.calgarysun.com/cgi-bin/publish.cgi?p=111684&x=articles&s=hype
Patti
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Yes, damn straight I'd like to be burning MGM. However, this is not the original. The originalists don't care about the newer series.
That's probably true, but a huge amount of age 30 and under DS fans discovered DS through the 91 series. Whether the original series is better or not, is beside the point.
I would be in that age group. I am so thankful DS was reimagined in the nineties or I doubt I would be here. :) The widescreen and lack of extra footage is f**king annoying though!!
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I would be in that age group.
How old are you, Taeylor?
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I am 30 and had just turned 13 (in October) when the 1991 series hit the airwaves! I am so glad too because I LOVED IT and it introduced me to the original which I love for different reasons and to fandom and all the amazing people I have met on this wonderful board!! MUAH to all!!