Movie Updates

[KDeering]

Honestly, I feel the same way about digital releases as well for catalog. The studio would not have done them if they didn't think there was any demand. I think ANYTHING catalog released in 4K should have priority over any catalog title release that is only HD, but we get those all the time. Not saying other catalog titles that are not 4K aren't important.

 

[ahard]

For movie selection and 4K catalog updates, I still say this: "If it gets a disc, it goes on K."

Physical media is shrinking, if a studio decides to produce a disc they think it has sales potential. The studio already did all of the work. K doesn't have to think. It goes on K. Period. This is only ~20% of 4K catalog updates, so it's not a huge ask in my mind.

Heavy Metal, High Noon, Sweeney Todd, The Wicker Man, Rosemary's Baby, Drive, The Dead Zone, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Starman, Tootsie, Stir of Echoes, Top Secret, Punch Drunk Love, Drive, and on and on and on. And don't make me mention ST: TMP: DC.

This seems reasonable to me. However, we know that K doesn't live by that moto. Bc if they did the recently released 4k disc version of Can't Hardly Wait would have prompted K to add the 4k version to the movie store. Again, I'm only guessing but K likely has "x" amount of the licensing budget devoted to back catalog titles and Can't Hardly Wait probably was deemed a low priority spend. It's the reality we deal with. That doesn't mean that more catalog titles shouldn't be added to the movie store; it just means that K's smaller budget dictates that some movies will be set aside for other movies.

 

[ahard]

Their log line is "The Ultimate MOVIE platform". Not ultimate hardware platform, ultimate movie quality platform or any other shuffle. It is MOVIE platform. I agree they handle new titles with aplomb, but I would imagine many people here are movie lovers/collectors that find catalog as important if not more so. I would venture that my buy rate of titles is MUCH higher for catalog than it is for new releases, especially with titles nowadays where I feel like there are only maybe 10-15 titles that come out each year worth buying. My buying list would probably show way more catalog titles and/or update purchases to movies that finally get updated to 4K.

Yeah the tag line should be revised. I do agree that if you're the "Ultimate Movie platform", that I means that I have access to every movie that is made available for licensing. Obviously, that's not the case with K's movie store. K has limited resources......they're not one of the larger players with a huge budget. If I'm looking to get into K and I really care about catalog titles, especially niche catalog titles, which it seems like a lot of collectors care about, I'd look at the K movie store before making a purchasing decision.

I've seen people say that they looked at the K movies store before purchasing K and they decided not to go with K bc their favorite catalog title isn't available in 4k on K. That seems fair to me.

 

[LoveCinema]

This seems reasonable to me. However, we know that K doesn't live by that moto. Bc if they did the recently released 4k disc version of Can't Hardly Wait would have prompted K to add the 4k version to the movie store. Again, I'm only guessing but K likely has "x" amount of the licensing budget devoted to back catalog titles and Can't Hardly Wait probably was deemed a low priority spend. It's the reality we deal with. That doesn't mean that more catalog titles shouldn't be added to the movie store; it just means that K's smaller budget dictates that some movies will be set aside for other movies.

Totally understood. And we all agree that K has a limited budget and has to pick and choose what titles to pick up. My point is that that movie studios know more about what sells and doesn't sell than K, and K can simply follow their lead to determine the priority titles for their limited budget. All new 4K major studio releases: Check. All 4K catalog updates released on disc: Check. Now, look at additional 4K indie releases, then at additional 4K catalogs, then at HD new releases, then at HD catalogs, etc.

As @KDeering pointed out, sometimes it seems like movies are selected via dartboard.

Punch Drunk Love 4K was part of a limited boxed set that sold incredibly well. This title was so popular that it was later saw an individual release. It's now getting an additional release through Criterion. THREE (3) 4K UHD Blu-ray releases in a two year period. It's not on K. But, "Christmas Eve at Miller's Point 4K" is.

 

[thrillcat]

Assuming that the reasoning is because of a limited budget, I'm curious what people would rather have. A $3-5 price increase on movies across the board and every title available, or a curated selection with current pricing in tact?

 

[ahard]

Totally understood. And we all agree that K has a limited budget and has to pick and choose what titles to pick up. My point is that that movie studios know more about what sells and doesn't sell than K, and K can simply follow their lead to determine the priority titles for their limited budget. All new 4K major studio releases: Check. All 4K catalog updates released on disc: Check. Now, look at additional 4K indie releases, then at additional 4K catalogs, then at HD new releases, then at HD catalogs, etc.

As @KDeering pointed out, sometimes it seems like movies are selected via dartboard.

Punch Drunk Love 4K was part of a limited boxed set that sold incredibly well. This title was so popular that it was later saw an individual release. It's now getting an additional release through Criterion. THREE (3) 4K UHD Blu-ray releases in a two year period. It's not on K. But, "Christmas Eve at Miller's Point 4K" is.

Hehe...yeah K's picks for catalog titles do leave me scratching my head sometimes.

 

[ahard]

Assuming that the reasoning is because of a limited budget, I'm curious what people would rather have. A $3-5 price increase on movies across the board and every title available, or a curated selection with current pricing in tact?

I don't think that either would be a workable solution bc people would complain about the price increase and then the catalog people would complain about the curated selection bc their favorite catalog title wasn't selected. I don't know if K can completely fix their catalog issue without getting a significant recuring cash infusion. The price increase on movies may help if K had a substantial increase in customers and the studios didn't ask for a cut of that increase.

 

[LoveCinema]

Assuming that the reasoning is because of a limited budget, I'm curious what people would rather have. A $3-5 price increase on movies across the board and every title available, or a curated selection with current pricing in tact?

I'm game on price increases if it helps selection.

Having said that, I'd also LOVE a curated experience. I use a lot of indie video stores and I love the "Susan's Picks" type of curating. You also see an obvious hand in the titles they select to carry, which imports they choose, etc. And, if fact, I think this is really what is missing on K. I don't see any "personality" in the movie selection. I can't even say it's by committee, as obviously you'd see a stronger preference for studio title selection. It really does appear as rather random.

 

[KDeering]

Totally understood. And we all agree that K has a limited budget and has to pick and choose what titles to pick up. My point is that that movie studios know more about what sells and doesn't sell than K, and K can simply follow their lead to determine the priority titles for their limited budget. All new 4K major studio releases: Check. All 4K catalog updates released on disc: Check. Now, look at additional 4K indie releases, then at additional 4K catalogs, then at HD new releases, then at HD catalogs, etc.

As @KDeering pointed out, sometimes it seems like movies are selected via dartboard.

Punch Drunk Love 4K was part of a limited boxed set that sold incredibly well. This title was so popular that it was later saw an individual release. It's now getting an additional release through Criterion. THREE (3) 4K UHD Blu-ray releases in a two year period. It's not on K. But, "Christmas Eve at Miller's Point 4K" is.

Punch Drunk Love is a brutal one because on K we don't even have a HD version, it is SD!! So yeah, a title that already has 3 justified 4K releases on disc and is widely available in 4K on other digital markets and we are rocking the ULTIMATE movie platform's SD version only. But I get it, people are far more interested in Piranha 3D (which isn't even in 3D, but that is another debate completely)..........

 

[LoveCinema]

Some examples of 4K title counts*
Paramount on iTunes: 462
Paramount on K: 154
Sony on iTunes: 488
Sony on K: 208
Universal on iTunes: 409
Universal on K: 198

I do want to add some positive news here. As stated on other threads, K recently went through a wave of 4K Catalog updates for MGM nearly catching up completely with this studio.* This is the kind of stuff that we'd really like to see more of.

*Frustratingly, K's habit of getting *THIS* close came into play. Finally updating the Rocky series but no DV update for Rocky (yet?) and opting out on the Rocky Balboa Director's Cut. D'oh!

 

[KDeering]

I don't think that either would be a workable solution bc people would complain about the price increase and then the catalog people would complain about the curated selection bc their favorite catalog title wasn't selected. I don't know if K can completely fix their catalog issue without getting a significant recuring cash infusion. The price increase on movies may help if K had a substantial increase in customers and the studios didn't ask for a cut of that increase.

If Sony is literally doing these box sets of catalog titles for 4K, there is a reason THOSE titles are picked specifically. No one has better sales numbers than the studio itself when it comes to popularity of a title, so I can't help but think these curate box sets are a pretty decent indication of what catalog titles they have that seem to sell pretty well to justify the new 4K version and inclusion in the set.

 

[KDeering]

I do want to add some positive news here. As stated on other threads, K recently went through a wave of 4K Catalog updates for MGM nearly catching up completely with this studio.* This is the kind of stuff that we'd really like to see more of.

*Frustratingly, K's habit of getting *THIS* close came into play. Finally updating the Rocky series but no DV update for Rocky (yet?) and opting out on the Rocky Balboa Director's Cut. D'oh!

Agreed. But nothing like catching up on one of the studios with the absolute worst pricing models on the K store..........

 

[artur9]

My ask is for Criterion movies. If we're movie lovers here, doesn't Criterion kind of cater directly to us?

Another thing: a limited availability thing, sort of like a Record Day for movies.
These titles available for $24.99 for a limited time, then gone from the store.
They'll stay on our accounts but not purchasable anymore.

For this latter, would that help K with its licensing costs?

Alternatively, a company I worked for made stores for other companies where one wouldn't know it. Maybe K can get into that and make "branded" movie stores for other companies with the understanding that K also gets the movies for its own store. Think of all those Microsoft store movies we would have gotten with that model

 

[leo9000]

Punch Drunk Love is a brutal one because on K we don't even have a HD version, it is SD!! So yeah, a title that already has 3 justified 4K releases on disc and is widely available in 4K on other digital markets and we are rocking the ULTIMATE movie platform's SD version only. But I get it, people are far more interested in Piranha 3D (which isn't even in 3D, but that is another debate completely)..........

I recently emailed K requesting Punch-Drunk Love in 4K (pointing out that it is available in 4K on other streaming sites and we only have it in SD). I got the usual boilerplate response. Not sure how many people need to message them before they upgrade a title.

 

[erixon1138]

The Equalizer (2014) HDR version updated

Changes in this update:

• Added extras (in HD as separate download)
• Audio and video improvements

The Equalizer

A former agent comes out of retirement to avenge the innocent after meeting a girl controlled by a violent Russian gang. Action, Crime, Drama. Purchase and download today in 4K Dolby Vision with Dolby Atmos audio.

www.kaleidescape.com

Passengers (2016) HDR version updated.

Changes in this update:

• Audio and video improvements

Passengers

Two passengers on a voyage to another planet fall in love while unraveling the mystery of why they were awoken 90 years early. Sci-Fi, Drama, Romance. Purchase and download today in 4K Dolby Vision with Dolby Atmos audio.

www.kaleidescape.com

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) HD version updated

Changes in this update:

• Additional audio tracks (English and Spanish PCM added)
• Loses all subtitles except English

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

The original gonzo journalist descends on Nevada in a drug-fueled haze, destroying brain cells and hotel suites. Satire, Biography, Comedy. Directed by Terry Gilliam. Starring Johnny Depp, Benicio del Toro, Tobey Maguire, and Ellen Barkin. Purchase and download today in HD.

www.kaleidescape.com

 

[Kostas]

HDR update
Dolby Atmos track was added
Audio & Video improvements

Pixels

An '80s video game champ leads the global fight against aliens using classic arcade games as their model of attack. Directed by Chris Columbus. Starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Michelle Monaghan, and Peter Dinklage. Purchase and download today in 4K HDR10 with Dolby Atmos audio.

www.kaleidescape.com

HD update
Audio and video improvements

Charade

Gangsters and the CIA pursue a widow who they believe knows where her late husband stashed a stolen fortune. Comedy, Mystery, Romance, Thriller. Directed by Stanley Donen. Starring Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Walter Matthau, and James Coburn. Purchase and download today in HD.

www.kaleidescape.com

 

[ironcross]

The Age of Innocence (1993) in DV/HDR/UHD updated to Dolby TrueHD Atmos from DTS-HD Master 5.1

The Age of Innocence

A wealthy nobleman defends a countess who left an abusive marriage and discovers a kindred spirit. Drama, Romance, Period. Directed by Martin Scorsese. Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Winona Ryder, and Alexis Smith. Purchase and download today in 4K Dolby Vision with Dolby Atmos audio.

www.kaleidescape.com

 

[rafaelsmith]

Assuming that the reasoning is because of a limited budget, I'm curious what people would rather have. A $3-5 price increase on movies across the board and every title available, or a curated selection with current pricing in tact?

A $3-5 increase for me for sure. My biggest disappointment with K since joining has been the unavailability of some of my favorite titles at the best video/audio quality.

 

[KDeering]

Well we didn't get any of the catch up titles we've been asking constantly about this week, but at least we got a new American Tale title in SD for anyone that was hoping to complete their collection! Priorities I guess.........

 

[LoveCinema]

Well we didn't get any of the catch up titles we've been asking constantly about this week, but at least we got a new American Tale title in SD for anyone that was hoping to complete their collection! Priorities I guess.........

Usually when I see random obscure stuff like this mixed in I think to myself "I'll bet that was a user request" and I smile... which stops the crying.

Having said that, K now has this full series when it was previously missing this single title. I absolutely HATE when they have weird little gaps, and there's actually some SD content I've requested for completeness, so it gets a pass it my books. Of course The Guilded Age Season 2 better get updated to HD in the near future. K already gets Warner Animated titles in lower than available resolution, they better not start on series.