12 Weeks from Cinema to DVD.

[Ancient One]

Is this a bad move ? Odeon cinemas have fallen out with Universal over plans to release Alice In Wonderland ( Tim Burton version ) onto DVD sellthrough after only 12 weeks and not the customary 16-18 weeks. Odeon think that this will damage sales of seats whereas Universal say its a bid to curtail piracy.
Personally I side with Odeon on this one even though I am an avid collector of DVD/Blu-Ray's. Without consistent Cinema turnover we are sure to see a downsizing of studios output as they concentrate more on the home view aspect.

Views please.

[jaykays hat]

Not sure about this, on the one hand it could be bad news for the cinema but good news for us dvd/blu-ray collectors. I have ordered a couple of multi region blu-rays from America so that I can watch them in the comfort of my own home to save me going to the cinema. Although when ever the Odeon cinema is mentioned I just think of the run down cinema near me, I used to be an avid user of the Odeon but it just got worse and worse over the years, the projectionists were awful, I lost count of the times I had to go and complain at the start of the films as they were either out of focus, not in the correct ratio or the sound was poor. Then they started hiring out one of the screens to a African baptist church on a Sunday morning (my preferred time to take my son to see a film) that I thought I was stepping into a all singing all dancing small African village. I gave up on the Odeon and now use Vue.

[Kiba.]

Vue cinemas have apparently reached an agreement with Disney and will now be screening Alice. I think Universal should leave the DVD release period as it stands. Piracy is going to happen no matter what they do. Cinemas should have their time to show new releases unhindered by competition from the home market.

Like Jaykay and Ancient I like to buy new films on blu-ray or dvd as soon as they are available but I think Universal should carefully consider the long term ramifications of a move like this. On the movie and cinema industry not just their own catalogue.

[thedude]

I read (cant remember where) that one of the reasons for Disney to rush the DVD release is that the film itself is a total mess, and while they are sure to have a great opening it looks like it may go the way of Ang Lee's Hulk and suffer a massive drop off after the first weekend or so. And Disney being Disney (like any other buisness) want to try and recoup some of the almost inevitable losses by rushing out the DVD/BD before word spreads too far.

[Ancient One]

God I hope not. I really want this to be a good movie. I like Tim Burton's work and this should be perfect for him. Just hope its not a case of overindulgence.

[dglthrawn]

Odeon reverses Alice in Wonderland boycott Well, that lasted a long time, didn't it!

[morris]

Originally Posted by dglthrawn

Odeon reverses Alice in Wonderland boycott Well, that lasted a long time, didn't it!

storm in a mad hatter's teacup

I bet they never really intended not to show it - how could they? they'd be cutting themselves off from loads of money - and did it just to make a point and have a girly flounce about it. Losers!

[Zippykins1]

Originally Posted by thedude

I read (cant remember where) that one of the reasons for Disney to rush the DVD release is that the film itself is a total mess, and while they are sure to have a great opening it looks like it may go the way of Ang Lee's Hulk and suffer a massive drop off after the first weekend or so. And Disney being Disney (like any other buisness) want to try and recoup some of the almost inevitable losses by rushing out the DVD/BD before word spreads too far.

Yeah I reckon you're right on that one.

[nezzy2000]

Hi folks.

A bit new to this so apologies if I step on any toes.

I'd heard of this the other day, the day of the premier at Odeon Leicester Square last week actually, when my better half chirped up and said, " Oh, I guess the boycott is off then."

To be quite honest, I'm ashamed to say that as someone who checks the film wesbites daily, it missed me by completely!

The whole thing did set my cogs whirring and one thing that struck me is that in a world of supposed 'freedom of choice' it seems odd that we still have to wait for 12 weeks to buy a film on dvd rather than being given the choice when it is released.

Me personally, I like the experience of going to the cinema and would still try to see as much in a cinema environment as possible, and buy the dvd if I like it.

I dunno, maybe releasing dvd and cinema availability at the same time will just lead to more freedom of choice?