DAM and GvsMegalon from Media Blasters (v.2)

[Tamura]

If whatever MB said means we'll see the Toho transfer, this is a good idea of the type of quality to expect (inferiorities enhanced for comedic effect):

http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/2836/megalon.png

Now THAT'S widescreen.

That is my comedic interpretation of Toho's frequent overframing of their movies on DVD. For example, their transfer of TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA seen on the R2 and Classic Media's DVD exhibits an aspect ratio of 2.57:1, wider than the early CinemaScope spectacles, which were 2.55:1. People complain about Sony's transfers being cropped, but I have no doubt that Toho is guilty of the same practice, and even more obviously so, given these ridiculous aspect ratios. I mean, can anyone actually imagine these films being projected this wide in their original runs? How is the Toho EBIRAH being framed at 2.51:1 somehow more "correct" than the 2.35:1 framing of the Sony?

[Cimmerian Dragon]

^ That is hysterical...and really sad that it's not far from the truth.

[Joseph Goodman]

If whatever MB said means we'll see the Toho transfer, this is a good idea of the type of quality to expect (inferiorities enhanced for comedic effect):

http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/2836/megalon.png

Now THAT'S widescreen.

That is my comedic interpretation of Toho's frequent overframing of their movies on DVD. For example, their transfer of TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA seen on the R2 and Classic Media's DVD exhibits an aspect ratio of 2.57:1, wider than the early CinemaScope spectacles, which were 2.55:1. People complain about Sony's transfers being cropped, but I have no doubt that Toho is guilty of the same practice, and even more obviously so, given these ridiculous aspect ratios. I mean, can anyone actually imagine these films being projected this wide in their original runs? How is the Toho EBIRAH being framed at 2.51:1 somehow more "correct" than the 2.35:1 framing of the Sony?

Toho isn't cropping their ridiculously wide transfers. What they're doing is including parts of the frame that, while exposed in-camera on the film, would never be seen on an actual theatrical print, as it would be covered up by the soundtrack on the film, or the projector gate aperture.

[Svitska Donkun]

If they can't release it with all the stuff they wanted, why not post the commentary as an MP3 file to be downloaded separately from their website for free?

[Qaenos]

If they can't release it with all the stuff they wanted, why not post the commentary as an MP3 file to be downloaded separately from their website for free?

Selling a barebones DVD and releasing unapproaved commentary as a free download sounds like a loophole. I'm not sure the courts would see the DVD release and the free accompanying download as two separate things. Even it it's "legal" and Toho couldn't sue or anything, it would probably piss them off and make it impossible for them to do business with each other ever again.

[Svitska Donkun]

If they can't release it with all the stuff they wanted, why not post the commentary as an MP3 file to be downloaded separately from their website for free?

Selling a barebones DVD and releasing unapproaved commentary as a free download sounds like a loophole. I'm not sure the courts would see the DVD release and the free accompanying download as two separate things. Even it it's "legal" and Toho couldn't sue or anything, it would probably piss them off and make it impossible for them to do business with each other ever again.

There is no reason for Toho to be peeved at all. They know the commentary won't put the movie in a bad light, in fact, given its' a Galbraith commentary, it probably isn't so much about the movie at all(XD). They're not profiting off of it either. There is absolutely no reason for Toho to get upset. The only reason they'd release a barebones DVD is because they are allowed to do that. The issues at hand are with special features, and the commentary is not in question, it copyrighted material, If a barebones release is all they can, then the MP3 file would be admirable compensation or damage control for the fans who were promised more. Toho has no right to get pissed, in fact, because its THEIR fault they are taking so long with whatever the Hell they're doing. What's probably going to happen as a result of this, is MB not wanting to deal with Toho ever again, not the other way around.

[kpa]

Svitska, I think you're missing an obvious point... licensing contracts between companies are usually very specific about what the licensee is allowed to do. I've worked on a number of licensed properties (comic books, video games, TV, home video, etc) and know that if a licensee steps outside the specifics of the contract there's a good chance that 1) they'll be in violation and lose the license, 2) get sued, and/or 3) kill any future deals with the licensor. That's bad business so companies try not to do that.

Media Blasters apparently went beyond their contract with the extras on DAM and Toho jumped on them immediately. That's resulted in months of legal wrangling with Toho-- which costs them time and money-- and the MEGALON release being put on hold for months-- which has cost them months of potential profits. So if Toho were to reject the MEGALON commentary (for whatever reason), there's no chance Media Blasters would try to distribute it in some other way. There's nothing in it for Media Blasters except more headaches with Toho's lawyers.

[Tohosaurus]

Svitska, I think you're missing an obvious... licensing contracts between companies are usually very specific about what the licensee is allowed to do. I've worked on a number of licensed properties (comic books, video games, TV, home video, etc) and know that if a licensee steps outside the specifics of the contract there's a good chance that 1) they'll be in violation and lose the license, 2) get sued, and/or 3) kill any future deals with the licensor. That's bad business so companies try not to do that.

Media Blasters apparently went beyond their contract with the extras on DAM and Toho jumped on them immediately. That's resulted in months of legal wrangling with Toho-- which costs them time and money-- and the MEGALON release being put on hold for months-- which has cost them months of potential profits. So if Toho were to reject the MEGALON commentary (for whatever reason), there's no chance Media Blasters would try to distribute it in some other way. There's nothing in it for Media Blasters except more headaches with Toho's lawyers.

That all makes sense, though I do have one question. How did MB's DAM release ever get printed and shipped off without Toho seeing the final product to raise concerns in the first place? I dunno who to blame for that or if it's both parties or if that's not really something they do, etc, but because that wasn't done it's caused this headache.

[wataru]

That all makes sense, though I do have one question. How did MB's DAM release ever get printed and shipped off without Toho seeing the final product to raise concerns in the first place? I dunno who to blame for that or if it's both parties or if that's not really something they do, etc, but because that wasn't done it's caused this headache.

I asked this MONTHS ago. Like last year actually. You mean to tell me Toho, a massively anal country, didnt DEMAND to see a proof of the DVD/BRD BEFORE it goes to pressing?

[kpa]

That all makes sense, though I do have one question. How did MB's DAM release ever get printed and shipped off without Toho seeing the final product to raise concerns in the first place?

I don't know how, I just know that it did happen. And because it did happen with DAM, Toho has demanded much more oversight for MEGALON.

[Tohosaurus]

I asked this MONTHS ago. Like last year actually. You mean to tell me Toho, a massively anal country, didnt DEMAND to see a proof of the DVD/BRD BEFORE it goes to pressing?

Yeah I think I did too, but it probably got lost in the wars that occurred in that thread.

I don't know how, I just know that it did happen. And because it did happen with DAM, Toho has demanded much more oversight for MEGALON.

Hmm. Odd anyhow.

[omgitsgodzilla]

Nah. Toho's HD master of MEGALON actually looks worse than watching the film via a 35mm print.

I'm pretty sure everything looks worse than a 35mm print except a 70mm print. In any case, no home video format measures up.

Anyway, if they're going with a bare-bones release... That's disappointing and all, but I'll still be getting it. I pre-ordered it months ago anyway. They'd just better come out with a damned release date for the thing already.

[Goji]

Nah. Toho's HD master of MEGALON actually looks worse than watching the film via a 35mm print.

I'm pretty sure everything looks worse than a 35mm print except a 70mm print. In any case, no home video format measures up.

Is there a particular reason you quoted me? Because you just stated the obvious.

[Jacob Kaiju X]

I don't really care anymore, I just want the damn thing released. Unlike many of you, I don't need extra crap on my DVD, I just want the movie.

[Svitska Donkun]

I hate it when these movies get distributed by publishers like CM and MB. Yes, they do a great job, but they have no leverage over Toho whatsoever. Sony's probably the ones giving all the ultimatums when it comes to their Godzilla releases. They demand what they want from Toho, do their own masters of it, and ship it out in a timely fashion, no questions asked, seemingly. But that's to be expected, seeing as its Sony and Toho is a puny blip compared to them. The Universal releases of KKE and KKvsG are also of interest. Did Universal even ask permission before releasing those films on DVD? It's like they didn't need to. As far as barebones releases go, that's as barebones as it comes outside of Sony's double features. It;s like Universal had no discussion with Toho at all beforehand and just released whatever they had.

[Sydney Aradi]

Y'know at this point I'll be happy with the Godzilla vs Megalon DVD wether it has any features or not. It's better than having nothing IMO at least

[Legion1979]

I hate it when these movies get distributed by publishers like CM and MB. Yes, they do a great job, but they have no leverage over Toho whatsoever. Sony's probably the ones giving all the ultimatums when it comes to their Godzilla releases. They demand what they want from Toho, do their own masters of it, and ship it out in a timely fashion, no questions asked, seemingly.

But at the same time, all Sony really does is gives us one print of the film, an extra audio option with subtitles, terrible cover art and then calls it a day.

Visual issues aside, at least with MB and CN I always felt like I got my money's worth with commentaries, special features and whatnot. I don't think Sony is really DEMANDING anything since they don't really give us much anyway.

And comparing huge companies like Sony and Universal to little guys like Classic Media and Media Blasters is pretty messed up in the first place. I give the latter two companies points for going above and beyond and TRYING to give fans more than just the films themselves. And doesn't Universal own their versions of those two Toho films outright? They wouldn't have to license them or anything I'm assuming. Am I right?

[Cimmerian Dragon]

^ Exactly. Legion is right on the ball here. I'm as pissed as anyone at Media Blasters, but we need to give them some credit for trying to give U.S. fans worthwhile releases. Their previous Toho DVDs were all damn good, and comparing them to the "C-for-effort" products that Sony churned out is an insult.

Sure, MB made a mistake with DAM, and they were positively infuriating in their treatment of Mr. Galbraith, but that doesn't diminish the value of their past products.

[kpa]

Sony's probably the ones giving all the ultimatums when it comes to their Godzilla releases. They demand what they want from Toho, do their own masters of it, and ship it out in a timely fashion, no questions asked, seemingly.

And you would be completely wrong about that. Sony negotiated with Toho for specific rights (home video, TV, digital, and-- for some-- theatrical) to certain Godzilla films. Since the Godzilla movies sell small numbers compared to Sony's Hollywood blockbusters Sony wasn't interested in doing special editions of them, and that meant no negotiations were needed for extras features, US versions etc. The only film Sony did extensive work on was GODZILLA 2000 since it got a theatrical release. Sony had to send requests to Toho regarding any changes they wanted to make to the movie, and they could only do what Toho approved.

Criterion, Sony, Media Blasters, Classic Media... all had to negotiate contracts with Toho, and all had to stick to what Toho approved (or run into trouble). That's just how licensing deals work.

The Universal releases of KKE and KKvsG are also of interest. Did Universal even ask permission before releasing those films on DVD? It's like they didn't need to. As far as barebones releases go, that's as barebones as it comes outside of Sony's double features. It;s like Universal had no discussion with Toho at all beforehand and just released whatever they had.

The two Toho King Kong films were co-productions with American producers (KKvs G was brought to Toho by John Beck, and KKE was done with Rankin/Bass). As part of the deals to make these films, Toho received the Asian rights while the Americans got the rights in the US and other English speaking countries. So Toho has never had any rights to the films in the US. Beck and Rankin/Bass sold their shares of the films to Universal back in the 1960s, so Universal owns the films in the US and doesn't need Toho's permission to release them.

And before anyone asks, Universal owns the US rights to the films, but that does not include remake rights or any rights to character of Godzilla. They can distribute the film however they want, but they can't use Godzilla beyond that without Toho's consent.

[Tamura]

and comparing them to the "C-for-effort" products that Sony churned out is an insult.

I find this equally insulting.