djsmokingjam

User Group: Members
Join date: 4-Jul-2006
Last activity: 6-Feb-2024
Posts: 255

Post History

Post: #241257
Topic: Help Wanted: Static (1985, Mark Romanek)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/241257/action/topic#241257
Time: 4-Sep-2006 7:37 PM — Edited 9-Jul-2020 9:40 PM

Hi,
I don’t know if anyone else has seen it but one film without a DVD release that’s crying out for a preservation is Static, the actual directorial debut of Mark Romanek (I say “actual” because he usually claims his debut is One Hour Photo). The film looks unlikely to hit DVD anytime soon, mainly because: a) it’s owned by MGM, who as with so many films probably have no idea they even own it; b) it’s been unfairly disowned by Romanek, who dismisses it as “juvenilia”, and rumour has it he has blocked any release of it in the last decade. Those who have seen it can join me in attesting otherwise; it’s an unforgettable, strange, very interesting little film that can certainly be seen as a forebearer to films such as Donnie Darko and Pi.

A quirky, out-of-of place worker at a crucifix factory in the Bible Belt invents a device he claims can show pictures of Heaven. Discouraged and confused by the inability of those around him to see anything but a screenful of static, he charismatically hijacks a bus of friendly elderly people in order to get media attention for his invention.

At the moment the only ways to purchase the film are either second-hand ex-rental tapes (the film was never released on retail), second-hand laserdisc or VHS dubs from sites like Super Happy Fun. Is there anyone here who might be willing to invest in the laserdisc to do a preservation from that instead? I’m posting a link to an eBay auction below where you can buy the LD for cheaper than usual, as well as another site that’s selling it for slightly more.

Maybe I’m not offering people much incentive to seek this out and give it a go, but trust me, it’s an excellent film that deserves more attention.

http://www.gohastings.com/catalog/item/item.asp?prodid=32997179
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LASERDISC-Static_W0QQitemZ300022186685QQihZ020QQcategoryZ381QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Post: #226821
Topic: Info: anyone done a 'Night of the Comet' preservation? (Released)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/226821/action/topic#226821
Time: 17-Jul-2006 9:29 AM

I think trickbaxter and I are going to work something out, I just haven't emailed him yet - sorry, been really busy!

If anyone's doing well cash-wise, you might be interested to know that it seems an official release has made available - as part of an expensive boxset that's come out in Japan. Still no word about releases in the US or UK, though.

The boxset also contains Renny Harlin's Prison, Stuart Gordon's Dolls, I Madman and Swordkill.

http://www.sazuma.com/showdcd.php3?dcd_id=TDV3259D
http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/(mint,simple)/detailview.html?KEY=TDV-3259D
http://discemporium.com/productDetails.jsp?product_id=22126

Post: #224855
Topic: Info: anyone done a 'Night of the Comet' preservation? (Released)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/224855/action/topic#224855
Time: 7-Jul-2006 10:19 AM

Done, sorry about that!

Post: #224298
Topic: Info: anyone done a 'Night of the Comet' preservation? (Released)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/224298/action/topic#224298
Time: 4-Jul-2006 12:24 PM

I've got the HD Net version of NOTC on DVD, though have no idea what the additional scene is as I bought it without having seen the film. Though I think I might have heard that the film was actually shot fullframe, meaning the 1:85:1 widescreen transfer from here is in fact cropping the picture.

Post: #224297
Topic: Army of Darkness - The Primitive Screwhead Edition (Released)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/224297/action/topic#224297
Time: 4-Jul-2006 12:21 PM

Love the sound of this, can't wait to hear more news. Just to add though, my R1 Director's Cut DVD (can't speak for any other additions) is missing a shot in the scene where Ash chainsaws Bad Ash. You see him rev up the chainsaw, then there should be an intermediary shot of Ash lowering the chainsaw towards Bad Ash (not on my DVD), then the close-up of Bad Ash screaming. I distinctly remember the shot from my old VHS copy (which was the 88-minute European cut). If this is already in your cut then disregard, just thought it might be of help.