Fox Sneak Peeks 2008 Blu-ray Catalog Plans

[kourosh]

In a posting today on his Digital Bits web site, editor Bill Hunt has published an extensive list of titles that Fox/MGM is considering for release on Blu-ray in 2008.

In addition to titles the studios have already confirmed for upcoming release in previous press statements, Fox/MGM revealed that nearly a dozen additional catalog faves are in the planning stages for Blu-ray, and it looks to be a diverse mix of gems new and old.

No actual street dates were revealed, but among the highlights are: ' 'Batman: The Movie', 'Fargo,' 'The French Connection', the original 1968 version of 'Planet of the Apes', 'Super Troopers,' 'Walk the Line,' 'Young Frankenstein' and the complete 'X-Men' trilogy (currently, only 'X-Men: The Last Stand' has been released domestically on Blu-ray).

Should these titles go from preparation to making Fox/MGM's actual release schedule, it will certainly help make a serious dent in their previous pledge to release at least 100 new titles in the calendar year.

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/news...log_Plans/1588

[Jakeh1969]

Now let's not have anyone holding their breath on this news 'cos there could be fatalities......

[Pecker]

Originally Posted by kourosh

No actual street dates were revealed, but among the highlights are: ' 'Batman: The Movie', 'Fargo,' 'The French Connection', the original 1968 version of 'Planet of the Apes', 'Super Troopers,' 'Walk the Line,' 'Young Frankenstein' and the complete 'X-Men' trilogy.

Fargo and Planet of the Apes for me.

The French Connection is obviously a great film, but deliberately filmed with an idiocyncratic look that wouldn't lend itself to large strides forward on Blu-ray Disc over SD DVD, I think.

Steve W

[thatguy]

Originally Posted by kourosh

'Batman: The Movie', 'Super Troopers,' 'Walk the Line' and the complete 'X-Men' trilogy'

good lord i hope i havent shelled out over a grand just to watch these films on a slightly better picture

if these are the highlights then id hate to see the lowlights

[tobi]

24 Day 5 and 6 would be great FOX, Prison Break season 1 and Man on Fire also.

[me-uk]

As long as they release Juno over here soon then I'll be happy. Their region coding poicy is so annoying!

[Leynos]

Dear Fox,

Just hurry the hell up with the Alien Trilogy, alright.

[elicash73]

Originally Posted by Pecker

Fargo and Planet of the Apes for me.

The French Connection is obviously a great film, but deliberately filmed with an idiocyncratic look that wouldn't lend itself to large strides forward on Blu-ray Disc over SD DVD, I think.

Steve W

What do you mean by idiosyncratic? I thought the THX certified DVD looked fantastic and I would think a Blu-ray release will be similar to the big improvements seen in Dog Day Afternoon. In fact I just popped the disc (French Connection) in and the street shots are strikingly similar in aesthetic. The transfer is really clean and begging for extra resolution. Great film.

Aren't you projecting your films now/soon? You're going to need that extra definition and small object detail more than ever. Otherwise things are going to get pretty murky.

Fox's region coding policy on catalog titles almost makes me want to boycott everything they put out. Not to mention their prices. Even Disney are putting discs out at a price in line with Warner and Sony.

[thatguy]

alien would look so unbelievably awesome

[Bald Monkey]

Originally Posted by thatguy

good lord i hope i havent shelled out over a grand just to watch these films on a slightly better picture

if these are the highlights then id hate to see the lowlights

I agree.... It's been weeks since I bought a BR.

[TarPot]

Originally Posted by thatguy

good lord i hope i havent shelled out over a grand just to watch these films on a slightly better picture

if these are the highlights then id hate to see the lowlights

The whole list is far from great. But I love The French Connection.

I've written Fox off for the time being.

[Pecker]

Originally Posted by elicash73

What do you mean by idiosyncratic? I thought the THX certified DVD looked fantastic and I would think a Blu-ray release will be similar to the big improvements seen in Dog Day Afternoon. In fact I just popped the disc (French Connection) in and the street shots are strikingly similar in aesthetic. The transfer is really clean and begging for extra resolution. Great film.

Aren't you projecting your films now/soon? You're going to need that extra definition and small object detail more than ever. Otherwise things are going to get pretty murky.

Fox's region coding policy on catalog titles almost makes me want to boycott everything they put out. Not to mention their prices. Even Disney are putting discs out at a price in line with Warner and Sony.

I think there's a distinct lack of definition in much of The French Connection - not a particularly sharp picture.

I do watch films on my projector, but I also watch them on my plasma. I only really buy 3 types of film on high def:

1 - Most new films. As long as it's not significantly more expensive than the SD version;
2 - Old films which I'd like to see on the projector. Not worth it to douple dip to watch a film on a 43" plasma at 4-4.5m;
3 - Cheap films. If it's going for £8 it's not worth complaining.

The French Connection isn't new and I own it already on SD DVD. It's not a film I'd fire up the projector to see again. And being from Fox it won't be cheap.

Steve W

[Ger]

Originally Posted by elicash73

Fox's region coding policy on catalog titles almost makes me want to boycott everything they put out. Not to mention their prices. Even Disney are putting discs out at a price in line with Warner and Sony.

Agreed. They should concentrate on releasing BD's at reasonable prices and all catalogue titles with all extras from previous SD DVD editions. I have just over 50 BD's and only one is a Fox title. The only titles mentioned that I would really want are The French Connection and Fargo. I would probably pay full price for both (if I had to!).