MGM Madness

[moviezzz]

It seems all of the other DVD message boards are in an uproar over the recent DVD File announcement of several new MGM titles, all being release full frame.

Normally, I'm not one to get freaked out about such a thing. I don't mind open matte transfers. But the problem is, several of these are UA titles, filmed in Panavision, that had been released letterboxed only on Laserdisc.

So, beware.

[SharpShooter5]

what are the titles?

[BADBRAD]

MGM is in a contest with SONY to see how many titles they could crap out.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by SharpShooter5

what are the titles?

http://www.dvdfile.com/software/dvd-...004/01_05.html

Also due from MGM in April is a lineup of catalog releases that seem to focus on family dramas and movies involving animals. Due on April 20th are: The Playboys with Aiden Quinn, and Goldie Hawn in Criss Cross (both in anamorphic widescreen); Fool for Love, Ring of Bright Water, Wish You Were Here, Sword of the Valiant: The Legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and 1962's Jack the Giant Killer (all in non-anamorphic widescreen); and Billie, Follow That Dream, Judy Garland in I Could Go On Singing, Man of La Mancha, Lightning the White Stallion, Little Monsters, Me and the Kid, and the 1988 update of Red Riding Hood (and 4:3 full screen only). Trailers include extras and, on Fool for Love, a featurette. Retail will set you back $14.95 a pop.

Peace....

[mtcarmel00]

Little Monsters in fullscreen. Thats too bad. 'Twas a childhood favorite of mine.

[larphillips]

I can understand the concern, but as these aren't titles I would buy anyway, I guess I can't get too upset about it.

[SharpShooter5]

the only title i would consider to buy is "Little Monsters"

but if its only in FS, then MGM just cost themselves a sale

[newt]

I can't believe they are still releasing dvds w/non-anamorphic widescreen & P&S.

It's 2004. We get 3D-HD pics of Mars from NASA and recycled trash from MGM.

[disclover]

Originally Posted by newt

I can't believe they are still releasing dvds w/non-anamorphic widescreen & P&S.

It's 2004. We get 3D-HD pics of Mars from NASA and recycled trash from MGM.

I agree here. MGM would be one of my favorite DVD studios if they cut out the modified aspect ratios and the non-anamorphic transfers. I have a number of their barebones, anamorphic releases of catalog titles and the transfers are quite nice, considering that these are films which won't necessarily burn up the sales charts. I like extras but I will take a good-quality transfer over them first and foremost. They need to get on the ball.

I know...they figure they won't get the money back if they spend for a new transfer, but they'll also lose sales.

[BADBRAD]

Some of the titles like Man Of La Macha have been released on Laserdisc widescreen before. If they do not want to create a new master they could at least use the Laserdisc transfer. They are just cranking the movies out without any though of presentation.

[ebuzz79]

I've often read lots of complaints of MGM releasing so many pan and scannned discs. I own LOTS of MGM dvds and only one is pan and scanned (Child's Play) and I know of one other (Summer Lovers). Does anyone have a list of all their p&s dvds????

[BubbleGumUK]

Ahh, but are they P&S or open matte?

Not so bad if they are open matte, as I zoom those in on my 16x9 display to get the WS framing, but P&S sucks hard.