Evil Dead Burn no 4KC... what is the decision making process?

[MikeKobb]

Oof. I was hoping people were misunderstanding and getting disappointed for nothing, but that's genuinely disappointing. When the whole selling point of your extremely expensive device is that it's higher-quality than disc, a little asterisk saying "as long as you like the biggest blockbusters and not anything more niche or interesting" is an ugly asterisk.

It's not accurate to characterize this as "only the biggest blockbusters" by any means. For example, the three titles that Broncowrangler cited just above all perform well enough to have 4K Cinematic versions.

Anyway, I'm not sure continuing this discussion is productive at this point. We've certainly heard all of the feedback, and I'm sure that things will evolve over time. Right now, what I've described above is the policy for the immediate future.

 

[LoveCinema]

Guys, we are in EARLY days here. I've got my soapbox on the ready for topics like subpar releases, title prioritization, etc. But I am banging the drum for patience. The Strato K is exciting and we want everything in 4KC as soon as possible. The K Store has 2,874 4K titles. You can go to the store yourself, filter to 4K formats, and sort by Most Popular. You can scroll through the 24 pages as K marches through updates. A title skipped? Probably stuck in the pipeline for any number of reasons. Some title from Page 10 already converted? Might've been a special case.

Is K cranking out 4KC titles? Yup. Will they get to the one you want? Look at the above, where is it? If it's on Page 5, yeah, it'll come. Is it on Page 15? Maybe not. Both Evil Dead Rise and Evil Dead Burn are currently on Page 12. They're in the top 50% of Most Popular 4K titles on the K Store. Evil Dead Burn is right next to Citizen Kane and Evil Dead Rise is next to Rocky II. What're the chances those get 4KC? But, again, we're on PAGE 12. K's primary work is cranking along around Page 3 right now. They're well over 1,000 titles away from having a plan for these movies, and we don't know what their initial rollout plan is. Top 500? Top 1,000?

Anyway, you can watch this yourself, and I highly recommend you do. I'm sure we'll get to the point where K is open to requests on less popular titles, personal favorites, etc. But, we're NO WHERE NEAR that time.

Dang, I can't believe I'm being a voice of reason. It's ok, we're approaching Halloween and my cranky pants are resting up. Carry on...

 

[shak]

Honest answer here: Passenger is a somewhat of an outlier as it was in a group of first titles available for testing 4K Cinematic.

To state again, we are prioritizing processing on titles that are the most purchased and watched by our customers. (This is distinct from box office performance, although obviously many movies that do well at the box office also do well with our customers.)

We understand that there will be titles - in horror and otherwise - where customers who are fans will want the 4K Cinematic treatment but the overall popularity among our customers doesn't justify that investment. We do monitor sales performance. If a movie performs better than anticipated, we will revisit and produce 4K Cinematic versions as well.

Mike just focusing on popularity of the titles by utilizing past sales and viewership metrics is not the best approach when it comes to Cinematic upgrade especially when K has limited precious resources. Shouldn’t the focus be on what titles benefit the most from Cinematic upgrade?

Below are some of the issues with current approach:

1. It keeps prioritizing titles that are already in higher HDR/ DV formats as users keep buying and watching them for demo and other purposes. It’s like a loop. If similarly great titles are available only in lower tier formats when other venues have them in higher format, they will never sell well. It is like paying more for inferior quality.

2. It keeps prioritizing things like kids movies as kids keep watching them on repeat and parents have to buy them but most of them may not need cinematic upgrade. I never heard a 5yr old asking for cinematic DV version.

It seems the general consensus is K should be focusing on titles that benefit the most from Cinematic upgrade especially when resources are limited.

 

[mkozlows]

Is K cranking out 4KC titles? Yup. Will they get to the one you want? Look at the above, where is it? If it's on Page 5, yeah, it'll come. Is it on Page 15? Maybe not. Both Evil Dead Rise and Evil Dead Burn are currently on Page 12. They're in the top 50% of Most Popular 4K titles on the K Store. Evil Dead Burn is right next to Citizen Kane and Evil Dead Rise is next to Rocky II. What're the chances those get 4KC? But, again, we're on PAGE 12. K's primary work is cranking along around Page 3 right now. They're well over 1,000 titles away from having a plan for these movies, and we don't know what their initial rollout plan is. Top 500? Top 1,000?

You're misunderstanding the concern. Everyone understands that updating the back catalog takes time; that's not a big deal. The thing that's raising eyebrows is that they're not going to release new and upcoming movies in 4KC -- they're going to pick and choose which movies to put in that format and which to put in regular 4K (or HD? I've always assumed that HD-only ones were due to limitations on what the studio gave them, but perhaps that's wrong, and it's also a prioritization decision).

@MikeKobb is emphatic that they're locked in to this plan right now, so there's no point arguing about it, but it's a different concern from people just being unhappy about the order or speed they're updating the back catalog. It's about new movies coming in to the service without a Cinematic version as a deliberate, intentional choice.

 

[LoveCinema]

You're misunderstanding the concern....The thing that's raising eyebrows is that they're not going to release new and upcoming movies in 4KC -- they're going to pick and choose which movies to put in that format and which to put in regular 4K (or HD? I've always assumed that HD-only ones were due to limitations on what the studio gave them, but perhaps that's wrong, and it's also a prioritization decision).

I fully understand the concern. Your assumption was wrong. K has been making these decisions for at least a decade. They don't get titles. Two versions are available and they pick only one. They get titles in lower quality than available. You're seeing a new flavor with 4KC but it's been there all along. I've been railing against subpar releases for years. "Get the best or don't get it!" I get it. I hear you. I'm saying this is how K does business and it is expected.

Here's the worst part: They're not entirely wrong. As long as resources are limited, decisions must be made. Do what I mention in my post, go to the Page 24 of 4K titles on the K Store. Now tell me how many new release 4K titles K should pass on to ensure all of those prior titles get 4KC upgrades. Because getting everything and everything getting 4KC isn't an option. Not yet. Maybe one day.

 

[Broncowrangler]

Talking about popular rankings; it’s showing Turtle odyssey being ranked higher than Interstellar. Lol.

Edit: higher than even Raiders of the lost ark and Mad Max: Fury Road

 

[Trevor]

I definitely think K is missing the mark on this one. A new release from a realively popular long running movie series and big enough to get 4k disc releases (both normal & steelbook) yet they're not going to bother offering a higher quality encode for their new flagship player?

While we're at it...what's up with all the Angel Studios releases making the cut from the get-go? Are those titles really that popular?

 

[thrillcat]

Talking about popular rankings; it’s showing Turtle odyssey being ranked higher than Interstellar. Lol.

Edit: higher than even Raiders of the lost ark and Mad Max: Fury Road

Well, it came free with my Kaleidescape, so I’m guessing there are a ton of owners.

 

[Imakeller]

Well, it came free with my Kaleidescape, so I’m guessing there are a ton of owners.

I think you solved that mystery! It sounds like the other mysteries discussed in this thread will remain “for the immediate future.”

 

[Spankey00]

When it comes to Evil Dead Burn, I guess my only question is why did one film of questionable quality..cough..Supergirl..cough..merit a Cinematic release where one doesn’t because of genre?

Now how much would I love to see this given the treatment it deserves!

 

[Broncowrangler]

Well, it came free with my Kaleidescape, so I’m guessing there are a ton of owners.

That explains why Velocitas Machina is so high up on the list.

 

[LoveCinema]

For those looking to take action and make their voices heard on these titles: The Evil Dead franchise is one of the VERY few horror franchises available on K in their highest digitally available resolution (Army of Darkness 4K is disc exclusive). The Evil Dead and Evil Dead 2 are amongst the worst selling 4K titles on the store. Want to change how this franchise is handled? Change how it sells:

The Evil Dead

A group of students find an ancient book and a weathered recording that awakens something in the woods. Horror, Cult. Directed by Sam Raimi. Starring Bruce Campbell, Philip A. Gillis, Dorothy Tapert, and Ellen Sandweiss. Purchase and download today in 4K HDR10.

www.kaleidescape.com

Evil Dead 2

A couple unleashes evil spirits by playing back recordings of incantations from the Book of the Dead. Horror, Comedy, Cult. Directed by Sam Raimi. Starring Bruce Campbell, Sarah Berry, Denise Bixler, and Richard Domeier. Purchase and download today in 4K HDR10.

www.kaleidescape.com

Army of Darkness

Ash inadvertently unleashes an army of undead after falling through a time-warp to medieval England. Horror, Comedy, Cult. Directed by Sam Raimi. Starring Bruce Campbell, Embeth Davidtz, Marcus Gilbert, and Ian Abercrombie. Purchase and download today in HD.

www.kaleidescape.com

Evil Dead

In a remote cabin, five friends discover an ancient book that unleashes a demonic presence. Horror. Directed by Fede Alvarez. Starring Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez, Lou Taylor Pucci, and Jessica Lucas. Purchase and download today in 4K.

www.kaleidescape.com

Evil Dead Rise

While visiting her estranged sister's family, a woman discovers an ancient book that unleashes undead horrors on Los Angeles. Directed by Lee Cronin. Starring Lily Sullivan, Alyssa Sutherland, Morgan Davies, and Gabrielle Echols. Purchase and download today in 4K HDR10 with Dolby Atmos audio.

www.kaleidescape.com

Evil Dead Burn

When the Book of the Dead unleashes demonic forces, a grieving widow's visit with family descends into a violent nightmare. Horror. Purchase and download today in 4K Dolby Vision with Dolby Atmos audio.

www.kaleidescape.com

Ash vs Evil Dead 3-Season Set

www.kaleidescape.com

 

[Stitch1]

I bought the Ash vs Evil Dead collection. I should see what the D2D offer is like for the first three and will probably pick up the last three in October for 31 days of horror. Oddly enough, I have never seen Rise. Well I saw the opening to it at a friends house as a demo. Just not the full movie. Burn was better than expected when I saw it in theaters.

 

[Balthazar2k4]

I have seen them all but Burn. Really want to watch it, but I am holding out now on principal

 

[Balthazar2k4]

Looks like in a plot twist Lee Cronin's The Mummy got the 4KC treatment today. Now if only my 4K disc would work for the disc to digital program... Fingers crossed Evil Dead Burn might see a 4KC update as well.

 

[Broncowrangler]

I had the steel for Lee Cronin’s The Mummy which included the Blu-ray Disc. I had done the d2d as soon I got the disc in hand. Really stoked this got the cinematic upgrade. The audio mix (atmos) on this is insane.

 

[Balthazar2k4]

I had the steel for Lee Cronin’s The Mummy which included the Blu-ray Disc. I had done the d2d as soon I got the disc in hand. Really stoked this got the cinematic upgrade. The audio mix (atmos) on this is insane.

Yeah, I wish I had waited for the Steelbook. My patience gets me every time.

 

[Mana_man]

We determine whether to offer 4K Cinematic releases based upon the popularity of the movies on our platform (or in the case of new releases, the anticipated popularity). Producing additional versions of a movie costs money (storage, compute, human review time, etc), so it's not really practical for us to offer it for everything.

Hey mike, i was wondering if prestige also plays a part. For example i see you doing it for classic films as well. What this is all leading to is me specifically asking... pleading... when will we get a 4k City of God encode. It is widely considered on of the greatest films of all time, and some people consider it the greatest non USA film of all time.

There are several articles that have come out over the years asking criterion to do it. I suspect that if you guys are first... there would be some amount of word of mouth on reddit/elsewhere.

it is a deeply loved film by me too.

 

[Balthazar2k4]

Looks like Evil Dead Burn just dropped in price and a week before the physical hits. Grab it while it's hot!

On a side note, I am thrilled that the smash hit and new release 'Finding Emily' received the 4KC treatment and EDB still hasn't.

 

[Broncowrangler]

Looks like Evil Dead Burn just dropped in price and a week before the physical hits. Grab it while it's hot!

On a side note, I am thrilled that the smash hit and new release 'Finding Emily' received the 4KC treatment and EDB still hasn't.

Now this pricing makes sense, for a non cinematic version. Lol.

Hopefully it gets updated to C’matic some day, that would be gravy on top.