The Code Red DVD thread

[cloud]

Thanks Smits, and I agree with what you say there.

Unfortunately a lot of people do refuse to pay for DVDs and Blu-ray now, I'd say that most people I know are in that boat and when you try to explain why they shouldn't download they just laugh in your face. Quotes like "DVD companies should see the risks when putting stuff out and be prepared for any loss through downloading", "why should I pay for something I can get for free?", "DVDs are overpriced, they should make them more affordable and people will buy more" all spring to mind as things people have said to me. One even said "would you pay for sex?" when I said no, he said "so why would you pay for DVDs?".

Sadly there are a lot of ignorant people out there and attitudes like that make my blood boil, but what can you do? I actually think torrent sites have their positives, if something is ultra obscure then it's nice to get them until the real deal comes along, it sure beats spending crazy amounts of the tapes, even though tapes are always option one for me. Unfortunately a lot of people don't use torrent sites with those limits and instead seem to get commercially available films instead of spending a bit to support the companies releasing them. I'm far from a rich man, I also have a family to support, but I manage to put money aside to buy films, my Code Red collection alone (including titles released via Media Blasters, Scorpion, Rareflix and their side labels like Ward, Exploitation Pictures etc) is well over 100 releases, consider each has cost the best part of £10 and some even above that mark and it's cost me a few quid. So if I can budget enough to ensure I can support these companies and build a good collection then anyone can.

[drterror666]

DVDs are overpriced, they should make them more affordable and people will buy more

People who say this make me laugh. I mean, why do they think the discs are overpriced? If more people bought instead of downloaded, the price would be less because the distributors would have a guaranteed turnover. Wankers!

Oh, and nice to here from you again, cloud!

[jacksmith1983]

Apparently Bill Olsen is saying that he has reached some kind of new distribution arrangement, although he is keeping the details close to his chest at present. He has also made sounds about the possibility of Code Red only releasing their more anticipated titles through conventional distribution channels, whilst beginning to self-distribute some of the more obscure films they are planning to release. Perhaps understandably some fans, particularly those based outside of the United States, have voiced misgivings about such an arrangements.

With depressing predictably the usual opportunist scum have been taking advantage of Code Red's current distribution hassles, and are hawking copies of Nightmare, Night Of The Demon, etc for eye-watering, inflated prices online. Hopefully when Code Red's distribution issues are resolved, these titles will come back into print and these characters will crawl back under their rock and die.

A few years ago I would have been quick to dismiss talk of the impending death of physical media - DVD and Blu-Ray - as alarmist rubbish. These days however, I'm not as sure. Based on what I observe, I think public attitudes towards the way films are acquired and viewed are changing dramatically. When we have visitors to our house, I tend to get strange looks when it comes to my hefty DVD collection, from people who simply cannot understand why I "waste money" on something that can be easily downloaded for nothing. In the interests of my sanity, I seldom bother arguing or engaging in discussion on the matter. As someone who has collected films for over 15 years, first on VHS, then on DVD, the idea of having nothing but a hard drive full of movie files leaves me completely cold.

As far as genre films on DVD go, I think the good times are well and truly over. Back in the day when DVD was in its infancy, we had the likes of Anchor Bay, Shriek Show, etc releasing a prolific stream of titles, which were readily snapped up by fans like us, eager to build up a solid collection of genre titles on DVD. These days unless it is something with tangible, established cult interest such as Hammer, the Argento and Fulci pictures, Roger Corman titles, it seems like you can pretty much forget seeing it on DVD. Of course there are still come happy exceptions to that rule. As long as the likes of Code Red, Scorpion, Mondo Macabro, Synapse and Nucleus continue soldiering on we will still get the occasional gem, but with many of these titles reportedly selling in the hundreds rather than the thousands the likes of Code Red need to remain viable as a business, the forecast looks bleak. In this climate it's not hard to understand why many dustributors fall back on releasing newer, souped up, improved editions of the same established good sellers over and over again.

Perhaps the avenue the major studio's are presently going down of releasing back catalogue titles on an "On Demand" basis is the way forward in the long term? That way serious film fans who wish to own these films on DVD can do so, and distributors will presumably not have piles of unsold stock collecting dust in a warehouse. However, for me it really needs to be done in a better, more consumer friendly way than the likes of Warner and MGM are doing it at present. Charging significantly more than the cost of a standard DVD release, for what is essentially a vanilla, feature free presentation burned to a DVD-R is a bit of a liberty as far as I'm concerned.

[Dave Jay]

It's not entirely barren release-wise... every few months a welcome surprise comes along (the latest being the news that Olive will be releasing THE BOOGENS on DVD/Blu later this year). But yeah, fings ain't what they used to be.

I really think that MGM have missed a trick with their on-demand DVD-R line... They still have a VAST amount of cult movies that sadly remain in the vaults: if they resurrected their 'Midnight Movies' moniker and chucked two on a disc like they used to and charged $20, I'm sure they'd get some good sales from it. Or maybe not... call me a dreamer...

[drterror666]

the idea of having nothing but a hard drive full of movie files leaves me completely cold

Couldn't agree with you more! One of the secretaries where I work couldn't believe it when I told her I still collected CD's! She remarked that she didn't think anyone did that anymore and that you can download the stuff anyway. Er... I wonder what she'd make of the fact that I still collect vinyl? 180g of course!

[cloud]

Thanks doctor. For those who want to add any Code Red to their collection, Bill is selling direct now at codereddvd@yahoo.com so I recommend getting in touch with him, and yes he accepts PayPal and no I'm not sure what he has hold of, you'll have to ask him. Screw those scalpers charging stupid money.

I'm not sure what the latest is on them getting distribution, last I heard was that he had found a new pressing plant so will hopefully be getting some more stuff out next month. It was November when they last released anything so I can't wait for their next batch of releases.

I'm the same with these all for nothing leeches, I made myself a promise earlier this year that I would no longer get into a debate with people about it because it doesn't matter what I say and how reasoned my argument is, if people don't want to listen then they won't. I only end up getting frustrated and life is too short for all that. As for the on demand line, I'm not a fan and so far have only bought one release, I feel that at around £11-13 per release they're a bit overpriced for a DVD-R. As you know though Jack, I can't resist that Lon Chaney set and will be getting it at some stage.

[mark meakin]

Thanks doctor. For those who want to add any Code Red to their collection, Bill is selling direct now at codereddvd@yahoo.com so I recommend getting in touch with him, and yes he accepts PayPal and no I'm not sure what he has hold of, you'll have to ask him. Screw those scalpers charging stupid money.

I'm not sure what the latest is on them getting distribution, last I heard was that he had found a new pressing plant so will hopefully be getting some more stuff out next month. It was November when they last released anything so I can't wait for their next batch of releases.

I'm the same with these all for nothing leeches, I made myself a promise earlier this year that I would no longer get into a debate with people about it because it doesn't matter what I say and how reasoned my argument is, if people don't want to listen then they won't. I only end up getting frustrated and life is too short for all that. As for the on demand line, I'm not a fan and so far have only bought one release, I feel that at around £11-13 per release they're a bit overpriced for a DVD-R. As you know though Jack, I can't resist that Lon Chaney set and will be getting it at some stage.

Thanks for the link Cloud.Even better if he accepts PP for me.

[jacksmith1983]

It's great news that The Boogens is going to get a release at long last. I'd lost all hope on that particular gem ever seeing the light of day on DVD , so I'm glad to be proved wrong. That will be a must buy for me.

Thanks for the heads up Cloud regarding Bill offering Code Red stock. There are a couple of titles, notably The Last Chase and Vampire At Midnight, which I wouldn't mind having if possible, so I'll send Bill and e-mail to see what he has available.

When it comes to the on demand titles that Warner, Sony and MGM are offering I agree that £11+ is excessive for what is essentially just the film itself on a DVD-R. The only one I own to date is the Warner release of the original Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark. There are a few others such as A Reflection Of Fear, Nightwing, The Green Slime and A Return To Salem's Lot which I will probably pick up soon when I have the funds. I also agree with Dave that it is a shame MGM are seemingly passing over much of their horror back catalogue when it comes to their On Demand line. They are sitting on some real gems there. I really miss the Midnite Movies line...

[drterror666]

Screw those scalpers charging stupid money.

You'll probably get people moaning now that they can't get a copy of Nightmare because the prices are too high! Then they'll probably download it anyway...

[unclefred]

I'm all about supporting Code Red and the very few genre companies remaining. DVD is in quite a slump, partially due to the fact that the great majority of titles have gotten a release by now and collectors like us have them. Mainly though, it is the torrent sites. I love physical media and despise the small, vocal group of leeches that have been plaguing Code Red on forums. How many years have we all read the laments on forums about the Nightmare having no dvd release? And when it finally comes, envious A holes try to bite the hand that is feeding them. Sniffing, precious little reviewers as well, spewing their tiny membered envy.

[drterror666]

Yes, I suppose it's twice as bad when a reviewer actually disses certain cult releases. Usually though, when they do that, they either have no real knowledge of what they're reviewing or they are affiliated with another company.

[jockfun28]

Have seen it all now a copy of Code Red's Nightmare is on sale at Amazon.co.uk for £250, crazy money xxx

[jacksmith1983]

Would anyone seriously pay that for a title which will - almost certainly - come back into print when Code Red sort their distribution issues out? Utter madness...

As Cloud already pointed out, Bill Olsen is happy to privately sell people what remaining stocks he has, and his prices are very reasonable. Last week I ordered Vampire At Midnight and Choke Canyon from him for a combined total of just under £20. I've no idea what specific titles Bill can currently provide, but nevertheless, I think anyone looking to plug a gap in their collection should send him an e-mail.

[thehamish]

Have seen it all now a copy of Code Red's Nightmare is on sale at Amazon.co.uk for £250, crazy money xxx

thats someone on another site im on, cough cough, i think he is joking, i mean who would pay that? And more fool them etc.

[mark meakin]

thats someone on another site im on, cough cough, i think he is joking, i mean who would pay that? And more fool them etc.

I have an extra sealed copy of the first pressing but I wouldn't dare put it on for that though apparently his mates sold for £100.00 on there.I tried to order it from Axelmusic on release but I had a Paypal problem,so my dad ordered it.It took so long coming in stock I was worried I would be left without a copy so I ordered a second copy from Movietyme only for Axelmusic to announce it was in stock & being dispatched !.I'm no millionaire so if someone's silly enough to pay £250.00 then so be it.They must have money to burn !.Besides with a nice chunk of cash I could treat my wife & daughter & still get myself a few dvd wants.

[mark meakin]

Looks like Bill Olsen has suspended selling for the time being.Probably overwhelmed with orders !.

[jockfun28]

Well hopefully Night of the Demon is coming back people are asking for silly money for it on Amazon

[thehamish]

Well hopefully Night of the Demon is coming back people are asking for silly money for it on Amazon

Indeed they are. Really regret not preordering this at the time, as i have fond memories of this and The Legend Of Boggy Creek.....and they would make a great double bill wouldnt they?

[TheRoadWarrior]

I haven't seen NIGHT OF THE DEMON in yonks, or is that years?

[bdc]

Hi all,couldn't find an "introduce yourself" thread so I'll just barge in I guess.

Some good news:
Ghostkeeper is out
Only available direct from Code Red,only 500 pressed so far it seems.

http://codereddvdblog.blogspot.com/