Who is 88 Films?

[Dave Jay]

Looks like a new DVD company has started up in the UK: 88 Films. Their tagline is 'Classic Movies Treated With Respect' and they have done a deal with Charles Band to release some of his back catalogue. Being a fan Band's older stuff I should be made up... after all, such a tagline makes the label sound like a high-end DVD/Blu company. But I'm already dubious. They seem to be totally dependent on the materials that Band already has to hand rather than attempting to strike prints from the original negatives. That's fine for the few films that Band holds the rights to that have been remastered in some way: TOURIST TRAP, PUPPET MASTER, SUBSPECIES, CASTLE FREAK (the one release I'm looking forward to as it'll finally be released in widescreen). But as we all know the remaining Full Moon/Urban Classics/Charles Band Productions DVD releases have invariably utilised masters taken from tape or even laserdisc.

88's first two releases, PIT & THE PENDULUM and SORORITY BABES, are indeed taken from tape masters. So it all seems to be a bit of a wasted opportunity. If they really had their shit together they'd maybe try to release FAIRY TALES in its original aspect ratio, or get a decent 35mm print of THE BEST OF SEX AND VIOLENCE (and they do exist) and get that out there.

Most of Band's best movies (i.e. CINDERELLA, the Empire catalogue, early Full Moon) are owned by other companies anyway, so one wonders quite how many 'classics' 88 has up its sleeve. Time will tell, I guess.

Anyone know the background of this company?

EDIT: By which I mean, are these new guys on the block or is it just dodgy old Film2000 in new clothing (which is what my initial thoughts are)...

http://www.88films.co.uk/index.html

[Dave Jay]

Nice to see TOURIST TRAP get a UK DVD release finally, though...

[mark meakin]

Nice to see TOURIST TRAP get a UK DVD release finally, though...

I would like to see CATACOMBS which was originally cut here on video.Never seen it.

[madeleymade]

I wonder is that all they have to offer.

[Dave Jay]

I would like to see CATACOMBS which was originally cut here on video.Never seen it.

CATACOMBS is a rather underrated movie - a nice, solid religious chiller slightly let down by an underwhelming climax. But it sports a fantastic cast and great cinematography by Sergio Salvati. Unfortunately, it's owned by MGM.

[mark meakin]

CATACOMBS is a rather underrated movie - a nice, solid religious chiller slightly let down by an underwhelming climax. But it sports a fantastic cast and great cinematography by Sergio Salvati. Unfortunately, it's owned by MGM.

A real shame that Dave,as it's hardly likely to be at the top of their list of films to release.

[ecc]

My coverage:
SORORITY BABES IN THE SLIMEBALL BOWL-O-RAMA
THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM
TOURIST TRAP
added yesterday:
CASTLE FREAK

[ecc]

THE DEAD WANT WOMEN at DVDBeaver

[mr sinn]

They are putting out a Blu Ray of Puppet Master on 20th August, has some nice extras including a couple of commentries, one by Charles Band and the other by author Justin Kerswell (Teenage Wasteland) as well as a DTS track, making of, Full Moon trailer Park and reversible sleeve. Looks good and will be nice to have a decent copy as DVD picture is not great on the Film 2000 release I have. This will be followed by Blu rays of Puppet Master 2 & 3 later in the year.

[TheRoadWarrior]

Interesting. How big are they, any indications thus far of how many films they'll be releasing per annum?

[ecc]

PUPPET MASTER, PUPPET MASTER II, and PUPPET MASTER III at DVDBeaver

[mr sinn]

Picked up all three Puppet Master movies on Blu ray at £9 each in HMV, picture quality on all are very good and discs are nicely packaged with reversible covers featuring new art work and original poster art, also have a nice little booklet about each film and some nice little extras.

[mrb]

Picked up all three Puppet Master movies on Blu ray at £9 each in HMV, picture quality on all are very good and discs are nicely packaged with reversible covers featuring new art work and original poster art, also have a nice little booklet about each film and some nice little extras.

so they're quite nice then?

[christats]

I wonder if they will put out Shrunken Heads, as a decent reasonable priced DVD is only available on the Full Moon site. They are currently having a sale, DVD's for $6.66 and Blu's with several $'s off.Till next Thursday.
Pity I cannot be arsed working out their postage rates or know how reliable. Seem pricey.

[ecc]

Reviews to my coverage of twenty 88 Films releases thus far (including SUBSPECIES and BLOODSTONE: SUBSPECIES II) at my blog.

[Satans Puppet]

Their transfers have been brilliant so far Really loving 88 Films and they just released a documentary called Slice and Dice on DVD in the UK.