Second Sight Films (UK)

[Calvin]

It's available uncut on iTunes but, since it also displays a 'U' certificate and I can't find any record of it on the BBFC's website, it's probably just slipped through the net. However, reading the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937, it only specifies public exhibition (or the supply for that purpose) and I can't find any record of it being revised. Ergo, it probably isn't legally binding for the BBFC when it comes to home video releases, though it appears that the BBFC have decided to enact it anyway - presumably due to the public uproar that would result if they didn't.

[Adam X]

Severin Films mentioned on a recent blog post that they're working on the extras for Scanners & The Brood. It'll be interesting to to see how these editions compare to Criterion's extras-wise (assuming the New Year's clue is as obvious as it seems), given Severin's/David Gregory's more thorough involvement with genre & exploitation cinema.

[manicsounds]

From Beyond BD review

[Finch]

From Facebook:

"SCANNERS REGION CODE UPDATE. We regret to announce that the release of the three Scanners films will now be Region B and not Region Free. We sincerely apologise for this but unfortunately a contractual issue has arisen at the 11th hour which means we are no longer in a position to proceed with a Region Free release as originally intended. We are very sorry indeed for the inconvenience as we know people will have ordered already on this basis and may now need to cancel but unfortunately the coding is something we must now adhere to with this release, as on the majority of releases. Once again apologies, we're extremely disappointed to have to write this post."

[peerpee]

Pox on the rightsholders, pox on the complaining parties!

[med]

Guessing Criterion insisted on the region-locking, but for all the films? Would they be including the sequels as extras?

[dwk]

Shout Factory is releasing the sequels.

[Calvin]

Our recent post about the colour-correction of POSSESSION has prompted a lot of interesting discussion here and elsewhere. Our post facility have been working with director Andrzej Zulawski on a shot-by-shot basis, so here's some more detail;

'The source for Possession was the OCN (original camera negative). When transferring the OCN to HD video, it's not as simple as just running it through a machine and then "leaving it alone". Colour correction is an essential part of the process, so that shots match up and so that the film looks the way it was supposed to. During the film's original production, variations in brightness and colour between different takes and scenes are adjusted out by making an optical copy of the OCN and applying tinting effects during that copying process. This is how colour timing was done pre-digital. One reason we don't transfer that copy for Blu-ray is because it's lacking in sharpness (since it's an optical copy).

The purest and sharpest possible "master source" is the original camera negative, the actual film that ran through the camera back in the early 80s. Because this is a stage before the original 1980s optical colour timing, we have to recreate those decisions on the digital transfer and balance the colours and brightness levels to meet the filmmakers' goals.

In the scene shown, the blue tone present in some transfers of the film (and in the "before" image which was adjusted to show those same colours) is specific to the transfer itself. It was not present in the original film.

Second Sight also just confirmed that they have Michael Cimino's Thunderbolt and Lightfoot in the pipeline.

[knives]

Wouldn't that be Michael Cimino presents Michael Cimino's Thunderbolt and Lightfoot by Michael Cimino?

[zedz]

Some of that proposed title is redundant, knives. You need to remove the "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot" bit.

[Calvin]

As expected, Heaven's Gate has been cut by 59s

[Finch]

Possession UK BD specs confirmed

Special Features:

The Other Side of the Wall - The Making of Possession
Audio Commentary with co-writer Frederic Tuten, moderated by Daniel Bird
Repossessed - The film's UK and US reception, the 'video nasties' furore and the US recut
A Divided City The Berlin locations
The Sounds of Possession - An exclusive interview with composer Andrzej Korzynski about his working relationship with Andrzej Zulawski
Our Friend in the West - An exclusive interview with legendary producer Christian Ferry
Basha - A new featurette on Polish artist Barbara 'Basha' Baranowska, who created the famed poster for Possession.
Theatrical Trailer
Andrzej Zulawski Interview


Also, Walter Hill's STREETS OF FIRE confirmed but no specs and street date yet.

[Graham]

Looks like they're releasing The Long Riders as well, although I already have the US MGM blu-ray.

[Forrest Taft]

I have the US release too, but this one is tempting (even though it's been cut by 4 seconds) because of the extras: a 60 minute making of, featuring newly conducted interviews with Walter Hill, Robert Carradine and James Keach, a 15 minute featurette focusing on the Northfield Minnesota Raid, and a 5 minute piece called Slow Motion: Walter Hill on Sam Peckinpah. Details.

[Calvin]

Possession will be released on July 29th.

Extras:

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WALL: THE MAKING OF POSSESSION
ANDRZEJ ZULAWSKI INTERVIEW
REPOSSESSED - The film's UK and US reception, the 'video nasties' furore and the US recut
A DIVIDED CITY - The Berlin locations
THE SOUNDS OF POSSESSION - An exclusive interview with with composer Andrzej Korzynski about his work relationship with Andrzej Zulawski
OUR FRIEND IN THE WEST - An exclusive interview with legendary producer Christian Ferry
BASHA - A new featurette on Polish artist Barbara 'Basha' Baranowska who created the famed poster for the film.
THEATRICAL TRAILER

[EddieLarkin]

That soon? I hope we hear something from Mondo Vision in the next few weeks then! The fact that David Mackenzie and Daniel Bird are giving info about the disc on the Second Sight fb confirms this must be a release done in conjunction with MV.

[Mathew2468]

Audio Commentary with co-writer Frederic Tuten, moderated by Daniel Bird

What's that? Weren't they using the anchor bay commentary? Both?

[Calvin]

Audio Commentary with co-writer Frederic Tuten, moderated by Daniel Bird

What's that? Weren't they using the anchor bay commentary? Both?

I'm not sure but neither commentary was mentioned in today's Facebook update.

[bigP]

Second Sight are releasing David Cronenberg's The Brood on Blu-ray in July:

The Brood is one of director David Cronenberg's most chilling and disturbing works, as shocking today as it was when originally released.

Frank Carveth is becoming increasingly concerned about his ex-wife Nola's secretive treatment at the sinister 'Somafree Institute of Psychoplasmics'. Headed by cult figure Dr Raglan, his controversial and extreme methods seek to unleash his patients rage which take on physical manifestations.

As Nola's increasingly psychoticanger is vented during her sessions, brutal murders befall those at whom it's directed. When Frank's daughter is abducted he is led to Raglan's Insitute and a terrifying, repellant final confrontation, renowned as one of the most notorious scenes in horror cinema.

* First Time on Blu-Ray * Packed with new bonus featues:
Meet the Carveths - Stars Art Hindle & Cindy Hinds
The Look of Rage - Interview with cinematographer Mark Irwin
Producing The Brood - Interview with Producer Pierre
Character For Cronenberg - DavidInterview with Actor Robert A. Silverman
Cronenberg: The Early Years - Writer/Director David Cronenberg discusses how he broke into filmmaking

[JamesF]

And now add George Romero's Creepshow to Second Sight's busy slate of upcoming genre releases.

[manicsounds]

As awesome as that sounds, it will be tough to beat the extras on the 2-disc DVD, and hopefully they can port all of them.

[MichaelB]

Audio Commentary with co-writer Frederic Tuten, moderated by Daniel Bird

What's that? Weren't they using the anchor bay commentary? Both?

I'm not sure but neither commentary was mentioned in today's Facebook update.

Second Sight has just confirmed that both commentaries will be included.

[fatboyslim142]

Creepshow is being released as it was posted on their facebook page

[Calvin]

I'm not sure how recently (or otherwise) it happened but I was informed today by Second Sight that they no longer have the rights to Welles' Othello and, sure enough, it appears to be out of stock anywhere. Hopefully it doesn't take too long for a new release to emerge...

EDIT: They also no longer have the rights to Eyes Without a Face

[antnield]

Second Sight have changed their Facebook banner to a still from Betty Blue.