Kill Bill and Jackie Brown 4Ks (great review)

[tinboski]

Bill Hunt just posted this glowing review: Jackie Brown .
I preordered the steelbooks but have a chance to cancel the preorders if we could get a like on this post from @Luke

 

[thrillcat]

I’ve noticed the artwork on the K HD versions has recently been updated for all 3 titles so hopefully that is a good sign.

 

[tinboski]

I’ve noticed the artwork on the K HD versions has recently been updated for all 3 titles so hopefully that is a good sign.

Man I hope so. I own all 3 on K in HD and those 3 steelbooks were $140. (just kidding Lionsgate doesn't allow you to cancel an order) last time I do that...

 

[DmitryB]

I just noticed Lionsgate is also prepping a 4K release of "The Third Man" and I have hopes it hits K store.

 

[tinboski]

Got all 3 today via UPS a few days early! Bummer is my preference is K and will prob take the D2D and never watch the discs... surely there is a better way K can negotiate with the studios to offer digital pre orders. If you can do it on new releases there's no reason to not be able to do it on catalog titles.

 

[ht guy]

Dunno. Would seem like Apple might have a bit more negotiating power, but not seeing it there?
(I’ve also got the steelbooks incoming.)

 

[tinboski]

Dunno. Would seem like Apple might have a bit more negotiating power, but not seeing it there?
(I’ve also got the steelbooks incoming.)

Its more of a wishful thinking state of mind I suppose. You getting your discs early as well?

 

[StanfieldNC]

I’ve noticed the artwork on the K HD versions has recently been updated for all 3 titles so hopefully that is a good sign.

I was of the same opinion when I saw it.

 

[LoveCinema]

Really, this issue isn't whether something is available for pre-order or not, it's wondering whether K is going to get a title or not. As soon as we can get to the point where we can rely on K getting these releases, this issue goes away.

I'm often baffled by K's movie selection. Some of this seems like a no brainer; the studio already did all of the work. It's like the urban legend of McDonald's spending millions to find a perfect location and Burger King buying the lot across the street.

An increasingly cautious studio, prone to digital distribution or licensing physical media, chooses to directly produce a disc because their research says it will generate sales. There's no need for K to wonder whether they should get these titles. If there's a contract and there's a disc, get the movie.

 

[StanfieldNC]

Really, this issue isn't whether something is available for pre-order or not, it's wondering whether K is going to get a title or not. As soon as we can get to the point where we can rely on K getting these releases, this issue goes away.

I'm often baffled by K's movie selection. Some of this seems like a no brainer; the studio already did all of the work. It's like the urban legend of McDonald's spending millions to find a perfect location and Burger King buying the lot across the street.

An increasingly cautious studio, prone to digital distribution or licensing physical media, chooses to directly produce a disc because their research says it will generate sales. There's no need for K to wonder whether they should get these titles. If there's a contract and there's a disc, get the movie.

I wonder if it is that easy or if there is more to it than that. I really have no idea.

 

[LoveCinema]

I wonder if it is that easy or if there is more to it than that. I really have no idea.

Neither do I; it's a black box. The only things we've heard from K could be paraphrased as "We evaluate all selections based upon..." and "With limited resources we try to select the more popular..."

I find it more believable that K's title choices simply don't align with some of us as opposed to contracted studios withholding select titles for some unknown reason. Hopefully we'll see the HD compatibility efforts wrap in the coming months and K's bandwidth will open up.

 

[tinboski]

Really, this issue isn't whether something is available for pre-order or not, it's wondering whether K is going to get a title or not. As soon as we can get to the point where we can rely on K getting these releases, this issue goes away.

I'm often baffled by K's movie selection. Some of this seems like a no brainer; the studio already did all of the work. It's like the urban legend of McDonald's spending millions to find a perfect location and Burger King buying the lot across the street.

An increasingly cautious studio, prone to digital distribution or licensing physical media, chooses to directly produce a disc because their research says it will generate sales. There's no need for K to wonder whether they should get these titles. If there's a contract and there's a disc, get the movie.

Very well said and agree . I don’t want to preorder $140 worth of 4k steelbooks that I already own in HD on K… I unfortunately feel like I have to if I don’t want another Terminator Charlie Foxtrot only to see K offer it on release day (I paid the $140 for the discs that couldn’t be cancelled) and then pay the upgrade fee to K…. Seems like there’s an olive branch that could be negotiated/extended to us loyalists

 

[thrillcat]

I don't disagree with the idea that if it exists, K should get it. But I don't understand the pre-ordering just in case. I understand SteelBooks are limited edition and if you want that you usually have to preorder, but it still confuses me that if you'd rather just buy it on Kaleidescape, and if you see it on Kaleidescape you'll cancel your preorder, why not just wait and get the non-SteelBook later if K ends up not getting it?

Why pre-order a disc megabundle if what you really want is the movie?

Especially for catalog titles you've seen before?

This is where it crosses the line for me. I really wanted K to get the 4K Point Break even though it was doubtful. So I waited until I was really in the mood to watch the movie and then ordered the disc - but this was just in like November. I didn't pre-order it. I didn't rush out and buy it immediately. There was no chance of spoilers if I didn't watch it immediately.

What is the need of preordering catalog releases? Help me understand why you can't just wait and see if K gets it or not.

And why order SteelBooks if you'd be happy with a digital version on K, whether you already own it in HD or not?

 

[tinboski]

I don't disagree with the idea that if it exists, K should get it. But I don't understand the pre-ordering just in case. I understand SteelBooks are limited edition and if you want that you usually have to preorder, but it still confuses me that if you'd rather just buy it on Kaleidescape, and if you see it on Kaleidescape you'll cancel your preorder, why not just wait and get the non-SteelBook later if K ends up not getting it?

Why pre-order a disc megabundle if what you really want is the movie?

Especially for catalog titles you've seen before?

This is where it crosses the line for me. I really wanted K to get the 4K Point Break even though it was doubtful. So I waited until I was really in the mood to watch the movie and then ordered the disc - but this was just in like November. I didn't pre-order it. I didn't rush out and buy it immediately. There was no chance of spoilers if I didn't watch it immediately.

What is the need of preordering catalog releases? Help me understand why you can't just wait and see if K gets it or not.

And why order SteelBooks if you'd be happy with a digital version on K, whether you already own it in HD or not?

I like Steelbooks if I “have to” buy a disc and most of them are limited and typically sell out if you don’t preorder them… I lean towards catalog titles the same way I think of music, I listen to classic rock because I feel like 95% of new music is shit.

 

[Furnace Inferno]

Personally when I see some of the lists people make of films they want which have released on UHD disk I’m not interested in most of them. I’d rather they prioritise new releases myself, the catalogue stuff I have no immediate rush to see again given I already have the Blu-ray which isn’t exactly low quality if I do have the pressing desire to watch.

Given Kaleidescape have loads of data I’m sure they know what would be most popular globally amongst all users rather than just the tiny cross section of hardcore users on this forum given we all have different tastes.

 

[thrillcat]

I like Steelbooks if I “have to” buy a disc and most of them are limited and typically sell out if you don’t preorder them… I lean towards catalog titles the same way I think of music, I listen to classic rock because I feel like 95% of new music is shit.

Warning. This is gonna be a rant, this isn't to be taken as an attack on anyone - to each their own. I've just left discs behind me, I understand that many people still want to have them, I understand that others feel they're necessary, I just...don't.

Music and movies alike, if you look in the right places, you'll find there is some amazing stuff being released every week. If you just look at the big banners and turn on corporate radio, you're going to find garbage aimed at the lowest common denominator.

A24 is consistently releasing fantastic, original movies, and they're on K day 1.

But to the point, there's a lot of good catalog releases coming out. If you want SteelBooks then your point is understandable. I've never liked them. I ESPECIALLY don't like the idea of having to pre-order as a 'just in case'. I'd rather have a sleeve if I have to buy a disc. The movie is all I care about.

I get that the boutique licensors are trying to hold onto their disc business model as long as possible and not release digitally, but I'm not about that. Discs are over, they're just delaying the inevitable when they could be supporting the future of high quality distribution, all while increasing their profit margins. They could still get in on the cutting edge by only delivering to disc-quality digital download providers and locking out the hyper-compressed streaming services. But they've chosen to cling to a sinking ship.

I'm in my 50s, I've been in on the advent of VHS, LaserDisc, DVD, Blu-ray and UHD. I'm not someone who's never known the pain of a TV with no remote control. I didn't even have cable until middle school. I'm not dismissing the value of these eras, but they're not viable anymore, because they're not necessary anymore. I've chosen to not really support it. I'd rather studios like Arrow and Shout and Criterion and Kino Lorber saw the light and jumped fully on board with Kaleidescape. The more discs I order from them, the longer they'll cling to what we're doing.

I'm even a vinyl collector. But that's because it forces me to sit down and pay attention instead of getting distracted doing other tasks and relegating it to background noise. I don't need that with movies, so discs become nothing more than an unnecessary artifact. It's a pile of plastic and unnecessary transportation pollution that I don't need. They hold about as much value to me as a Happy Meal toy.

It has to be something pretty special to get me to buy a disc to get a 4K version of something I've seen a dozen times and own in HD. I don't want more discs in my house. I want to get rid of the 25 or so I still have here, why would I add more? I caved and bought the Point Break 4K and I'll likely never watch it again. I'll watch the HD version on Kaleidescape if they don't get the upgrade. It's the movie I really care about.

However, Kaleidescape also plays a role in this. They need to stop gatekeeping and just have everything available. Hopefully the new customer base brought by the Strato V will help fund more resources so they can offer a more complete catalog, have everything on the day of release, and, as @LoveCinema said, the pre-ordering of discs can become a thing of the past. Remove the doubt. Offer every title right away. Sign up more studios and distributors. Become the premiere digital service. Offer 'cinemaphile' treatment to bring distributors like Kino Lorber and Criterion to the platform. Give them premium storefront space. Make them want to be in front of the Kaleidescape user base. Become the true movie lovers' must-have system by carrying every movie ever.

The more we keep buying discs, the less likely any of this is to happen. We're not a huge impact, but we're an impact nonetheless.

End rant. I totally understand pre-ordering if you're someone who prefers a SteelBook. That's just not me.

 

[tinboski]

Warning. This is gonna be a rant, this isn't to be taken as an attack on anyone - to each their own. I've just left discs behind me, I understand that many people still want to have them, I understand that others feel they're necessary, I just...don't.

Music and movies alike, if you look in the right places, you'll find there is some amazing stuff being released every week. If you just look at the big banners and turn on corporate radio, you're going to find garbage aimed at the lowest common denominator.

A24 is consistently releasing fantastic, original movies, and they're on K day 1.

But to the point, there's a lot of good catalog releases coming out. If you want SteelBooks then your point is understandable. I've never liked them. I ESPECIALLY don't like the idea of having to pre-order as a 'just in case'. I'd rather have a sleeve if I have to buy a disc. The movie is all I care about.

I get that the boutique licensors are trying to hold onto their disc business model as long as possible and not release digitally, but I'm not about that. Discs are over, they're just delaying the inevitable when they could be supporting the future of high quality distribution, all while increasing their profit margins. They could still get in on the cutting edge by only delivering to disc-quality digital download providers and locking out the hyper-compressed streaming services. But they've chosen to cling to a sinking ship.

I'm in my 50s, I've been in on the advent of VHS, LaserDisc, DVD, Blu-ray and UHD. I'm not someone who's never known the pain of a TV with no remote control. I didn't even have cable until middle school. I'm not dismissing the value of these eras, but they're not viable anymore, because they're not necessary anymore. I've chosen to not really support it. I'd rather studios like Arrow and Shout and Criterion and Kino Lorber saw the light and jumped fully on board with Kaleidescape. The more discs I order from them, the longer they'll cling to what we're doing.

I'm even a vinyl collector. But that's because it forces me to sit down and pay attention instead of getting distracted doing other tasks and relegating it to background noise. I don't need that with movies, so discs become nothing more than an unnecessary artifact. It's a pile of plastic and unnecessary transportation pollution that I don't need. They hold about as much value to me as a Happy Meal toy.

It has to be something pretty special to get me to buy a disc to get a 4K version of something I've seen a dozen times and own in HD. I don't want more discs in my house. I want to get rid of the 25 or so I still have here, why would I add more? I caved and bought the Point Break 4K and I'll likely never watch it again. I'll watch the HD version on Kaleidescape if they don't get the upgrade. It's the movie I really care about.

However, Kaleidescape also plays a role in this. They need to stop gatekeeping and just have everything available. Hopefully the new customer base brought by the Strato V will help fund more resources so they can offer a more complete catalog, have everything on the day of release, and, as @LoveCinema said, the pre-ordering of discs can become a thing of the past. Remove the doubt. Offer every title right away. Sign up more studios and distributors. Become the premiere digital service. Offer 'cinemaphile' treatment to bring distributors like Kino Lorber and Criterion to the platform. Give them premium storefront space. Make them want to be in front of the Kaleidescape user base. Become the true movie lovers' must-have system by carrying every movie ever.

The more we keep buying discs, the less likely any of this is to happen. We're not a huge impact, but we're an impact nonetheless.

End rant. I totally understand pre-ordering if you're someone who prefers a SteelBook. That's just not me.

I agree I don’t want any discs. I own a total of 15 physical discs including the 3 Tarantino discs that came today. I own almost 600 titles on Kscape (I need an intervention) and want that to be my collection not discs…we’re speaking the same language just different accents

 

[LoveCinema]

I don't disagree with the idea that if it exists, K should get it.

Just as a note: Although I absolutely want everything on Day 1 and every 4K or Catalog Update out there, I was trying to target my "no brainer" comments at 4K Catalog Disc releases direct from the studios. There's only a handful of these monthly, making up ~15% of 4K releases:

December: Galaxy Quest (K), Willow (K), The Conversation (K), Legends of the Fall, Kickboxer, Stir of Echoes
January: Seven (K), Snowpiercer (K), Kill Bill 1&2 (?), Jackie Brown (?)

Those titles in red should absolutely be on K; we should be able to count on them. Instead, K gets about half of these, which back up and before you know it we're missing two dozen titles a year.

My point was that the very existence of studio discs for these titles should warrant prioritization. That's my attempt to be objective. Subjectively, if I'm making the decisions, then obviously the K Store priorities are HD versions of Krull and Enemy Mine. (And that's why K isn't asking me to help with content selection.)

 

[LoveCinema]

Warning. This is gonna be a rant, this isn't to be taken as an attack on anyone - to each their own. I've just left discs behind me, I understand that many people still want to have them, I understand that others feel they're necessary, I just...don't.

Much appreciated, as always. Your posts have had an influence and I'm definitely becoming more zen about some of this stuff. I was convinced we wouldn't get Snowpiercer, yet didn't order a disc. I assume we will get the Tarantino's, even if late, but no pre-orders over here. Similar with the remaining Fincher's. But, Elm Street in October? Yeah, I wasn't going to risk not seeing that during the season.

I will say this for K, which I think is a tremendous statement on the quality of their product:
"As a customer, I am most frustrated when I can't give them more money."

 

[thrillcat]

"As a customer, I am most frustrated when I can't give them more money."

THHHHHHIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSS YESEESSSSSSS