DAM and MEGALON News from Media Blasters

[Captain Aktion]

^So do a million other shady dealers.

OT, I have the DVD as I'm not quite ready to convert to Blu as of yet. I'm totally happy with my copy, so I'm sure if you have the capability the Blu will be the way to go if you care about the picture fidelity. I'm just happy to watch it and I think it looks nice on my TV.

[Cimmerian Dragon]

I agree with what Bannaoil said, but I do think there is some good justification for piracy under certain instances.

What about when there is literally no legal way to see a movie? Or in cases with films like Godzilla vs. Megalon, Godzilla 1985, or Godzilla vs. Biollante, where the only copies available are VHS tapes on the second-hand market. Once something is only available on the second-hand market, none of the money is going to the company who owns the rights, just to sellers that happen to be selling a copy.

And what about the Japanese versions of these films? Some of them may never become available in the U.S. Look at King Kong vs. Godzilla, when it was released on DVD in the U.S., the John Beck edit was the only one available. It's almost universally agreed among the fandom that the Japanese version is superior, so why do we have to be regulated to the inferior edit?

In cases like these, I think bootlegging/piracy is justified.

If Toho wants me to buy a legitimate release, then one should be available.

I'm of like mind, pal. If I can't get my hands on a legit copy of a film, then I'm going to get it in any way I can. That being said, I do follow one golden rule: If and when a legit R1 (or compatible) release becomes available, if I already own a gray-market copy, then I will absolutely purchase the legit release as well, regardless of quality/version etc.

I have to say, though, I don't make any exceptions if the official release is only on VHS. If a movie was put out as a legit American video, I will be sure to own it before buying a boot. For instance, I have subbed grey-market, Biollante and G'84 DVDs, but I purchased American VHS tapes as well.

No, I don't think this is a perfectly innocent system, since my money would be supporting a bootlegging operation whenever I did make the choice to buy from them. However, I've made peace with the decision personally, and I'm not trying to convince anyone else to do the same.

[Gojira-Fan]

I agree with what Bannaoil said, but I do think there is some good justification for piracy under certain instances.

What about when there is literally no legal way to see a movie? Or in cases with films like Godzilla vs. Megalon, Godzilla 1985, or Godzilla vs. Biollante, where the only copies available are VHS tapes on the second-hand market. Once something is only available on the second-hand market, none of the money is going to the company who owns the rights, just to sellers that happen to be selling a copy.

And what about the Japanese versions of these films? Some of them may never become available in the U.S. Look at King Kong vs. Godzilla, when it was released on DVD in the U.S., the John Beck edit was the only one available. It's almost universally agreed among the fandom that the Japanese version is superior, so why do we have to be regulated to the inferior edit?

In cases like these, I think bootlegging/piracy is justified.

If Toho wants me to buy a legitimate release, then one should be available.

I'm of like mind, pal. If I can't get my hands on a legit copy of a film, then I'm going to get it in any way I can. That being said, I do follow one golden rule: If and when a legit R1 (or compatible) release becomes available, if I already own a gray-market copy, then I will absolutely purchase the legit release as well, regardless of quality/version etc.

I agree with this.

I have to say, though, I don't make any exceptions if the official release is only on VHS. If a movie was put out as a legit American video, I will be sure to own it before buying a boot. For instance, I have subbed grey-market, Biollante and G'84 DVDs, but I purchased American VHS tapes as well.

Eh, I meant more if the original release is more of a collector's item than an actual means of watching the movie. As in, it's marked up to an outrageous price. I suppose I didn't really word what I said they way I wanted to (although none of your money is going to the copyright holders).

Granted, all legit American VHS copies of Return of Godzilla and Godzilla vs. Biollante are English-only. So I think it would be justifiable to get boots of the Japanese versions.

In the end, I think we need to eliminate the simple-minded "us vs. them" styles of thinking that's prevalent in the debate on copyright infringement.

There are bad things on both sides of the argument.

[Cimmerian Dragon]

I suppose I didn't really word what I said they way I wanted to (although none of your money is going to the copyright holders).

Granted, all legit American VHS copies of Return of Godzilla and Godzilla vs. Biollante are English-only. So I think it would be justifiable to get boots of the Japanese versions.

Actually, my money did go to the copyright holders, since I bought the videos new from a first-hand retailer. Granted, that's no longer an option in most cases. I should have noted that, and I certainly didn't mean to suggest people should feel obligated to throw ridiculous amounts of money out there for a used copy.

In the end, I think we need to eliminate the simple-minded "us vs. them" styles of thinking that's prevalent in the debate on copyright infringement.

There are bad things on both sides of the argument.

Once again, I can only agree with you. Everyone is in this game because they love these films, and want to experience them whenever they want, and in the purest form available. If the company isn't giving you the chance to do so, fine, buy a boot. Once the copyright holder comes through with a release, then damn it, support them.

That sums up my view.

[omgitsgodzilla]

HAhahaha. I take it you have faith in your guy from Jersey?

Well, if the guy has quality products that he sends out in a consistent and timely fashion, why not? I'm not completely pro-bootleg, I support legitimate releases that are up to one's standards, but I don't see them as morally bankrupt parasites slowly killing an industry either.

Everyone is in this game because they love these films, and want to experience them whenever they want, and in the purest form available. If the company isn't giving you the chance to do so, fine, buy a boot. Once the copyright holder comes through with a release, then damn it, support them.

Basically this.

[bananaoil]

Wataru,

Graphic is still accurate, Bananaoil.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvdf5n-zI14

Youre not stealing property, youre stealing PROFIT.

You're stealing both. What's contained on that bootlegged media? Intellectual property. Is the bootlegged media an authorized venue protected by law? No. Ergo, you're stealing property.

Theatres overcharge, distributors FORCE you to buy DVD or BRD/DVD.

I've not once been held by gunpoint to go see a movie at a theatre or purchase a DVD or BRD I didn't want to buy. By the way, distributors also promote renting

I dont want to pay $10.50 to see a movie in a dirty theatre with other people, nor do I want both BRD/DVD.

Find a clean theatre, catch a matinee, or go on a church night. Miserly misanthropy is a lame excuse for pirating films. As for not wanting both BRD and DVD, not every distributor is selling both together, and for the ones who do, the price isn't any different. And, it's nice to have both medias if you want to take a copy of your movie to show someone else, and all they have is a DVD player. The inclusion of DVDs in some BRD releases is to help people transition between both medias.

[nectarsis]

Movies...see both reasons above. Also, I don't know if there are any Hong Kong film fans on here, but you tell me where I can buy a legit R1 copy of, oh, this film http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092273/, and I'll eat my hat. So, again, gray channels just to get to experience the film.

Region free, legit release from Universe Laser

http://www.dddhouse.com/v3/product_deta ... ductID=501


No clue if it's legit (also region free):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SEVENTH-CURSE-D ... 3f138ec70d

[FlawedCoil82]

Movies...see both reasons above. Also, I don't know if there are any Hong Kong film fans on here, but you tell me where I can buy a legit R1 copy of, oh, this film http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092273/, and I'll eat my hat. So, again, gray channels just to get to experience the film.

Region free, legit release from Universe Laser

http://www.dddhouse.com/v3/product_deta ... ductID=501

LoL!! Do you want any salt to help that hat go down a little easier, Captain Aktion?

[Rockzilla]

I'd hardly call anything from Universe Laser legit . Universe Laser might as well be a bootleg company. The quality of their stuff sucks.

[Captain Aktion]

I'd hardly call anything from Universe Laser legit . Universe Laser might as well be a bootleg company. The quality of their stuff sucks.

This is true. This is the copy I originally saw when I rented it from Vulcan and, well, I generally don't consider region-free dvd-rom copies from Asia to be much better/different than a boot.

Plus, I had found it on that site years ago and it was out of stock/print. I was just using it as an example.

Now, if you'll excuse me we'll call it a draw and I'll just nibble the brim a bit.

[DinoZillaGod]

Now, if you'll excuse me we'll call it a draw and I'll just nibble the brim a bit.

This is a very wise and sensible idea! How mature!

[nectarsis]

"I generally don't consider region-free dvd-rom copies from Asia to be much better/different than a boot."

More than a few legit companies release titles region free....though of course there are a number that don't

I'd hardly call anything from Universe Laser legit . Universe Laser might as well be a bootleg company. The quality of their stuff sucks.

Except they ARE legit as in having the rights, and releasing dvd's thru proper channels.. I have a number of Universe titles, and many are far from crappy quality.

[omgitsgodzilla]

I'd hardly call anything from Universe Laser legit . Universe Laser might as well be a bootleg company. The quality of their stuff sucks.

Except they ARE legit as in having the rights, and releasing dvd's thru proper channels.. I have a number of Universe titles, and many are far from crappy quality.

Not to mention the implications about the quality of bootlegs vary greatly in accuracy from seller to seller.

[Qaenos]

This thread makes me sad...

[milo bloom]

Stuart says he got a check...


http://stuartgalbraithiv.wordpress.com/ ... e-presses/

[omgitsgodzilla]

I sense progress!

...Slow progress that means little more than a decrease in irritation, but progress nonetheless!

[Shōbijin]

Let's hope the best, I want Megalon so badly just for the bonus material alone!

[wataru]

Stuart says he got a check...


http://stuartgalbraithiv.wordpress.com/ ... e-presses/

Took theyre skreeonk time.

[g2kmaster]

Thank god. Thank you god. After two decades, we can finally move on with the *legal* (for sake of conversation) Megalon release. Now we just got to wait for Toho to get done "approving it".

[wataru]

Did yall read Stuart's article? Or his Facebook post? lol

MB after being told numerous times sent the check but not in Stuart's name. Stuart's lived in Japan since 2003 and doesnt have a US bank account so he cant cash the check! WTF ! MB you ass-wipes.