Media Psychos Psycho Challenge! NEW: CHALLENGE 38 IS NOW LIVE!

[F.M.S]

Before I get too romantic (...) I have to work through the last task of our MP squirrel first.

So thanks a lot @extantsrevenge for the nice

 

Challenge # 20

"Still Missing! Forgotten Treasures!"

 

Hard to believe, but I actually found a few DVD treasures in my inventory that are still waiting to be released as Blu-Ray (at least as a German version...)

 

 

1

The Robe

This monumental theatrical release from 1953 was the first feature-length film to be shot in the Cinemascope widescreen format.

For this reason alone, it has long deserved at least a Blu-ray if not directly a UHD release.

Although the film has been released as a Region-A Blu-ray,  I much prefer the German dubbing to the English original. As Steven Spielberg once noted with regard to German dubbings, the German language peculiarly promotes a greater variance in the characteristic speech sound of the individual voices - this is particularly evident here.

Although the film itself impresses primarily with its colourful scenery and spectacular pictures, it is adorned - although somewhat antiquated by today's standards - with graceful acting performances (Jean Simmons, Richard Burton, Jay Robinson), the brilliant score by Alfred Newman and a scenic design reminiscent of antique panoramas, which is further enhanced by the concept that individual scenes are given a prominent conclusion that is underpinned by a musical caesura.

As a result, some sequences already seem like an intermediary finale.

 

2

Ben Hur

(1959)

Obviously this film won't let me go in any challenge - because this is the third time I've used it.
There is at least a Blu-ray (and also a rather handsome steelbook), but the film is crying out to finally be released as 4K UHD.

Not to do so in a timely manner would be downright sacrilegious (!)

 

3

Simon Birch

No Blu-Ray release worldwide.

A film that I treasure, extremely warm-hearted and truly characterized by the greatness of humanity, about a brave little hero and a great childhood friendship that endures through the most tragic events - with Jim Carrey as the grown-up narrator of the introduction and the epilogue.

 

4

Duck Soap

There is no Blu-Ray in Germany.

I love the Marx Brothers' comedies and this anarchic slapstick is one of their timeless masterpieces that shows the absurdity of war.

Legendary is the scene in which Rufus T. Firefly (played by Groucho in his inimitable way as the arrogant head of state, who throws around provocative puns) performs the archetype of a self-fulfilling prophecy when he anticipates the insult by the enemy's diplomat and slaps him in the face for what he expects, which leads to the declaration of war.

Hail Freedonia!

 

5

A Day At The Races

Another Marx Brother Classic.

Unforgettable the telephone scene, where I always get a stomach ache from laughing...

(Again no German Blu-Ray release)

 

•

 

Movies that deserve a Steelbook release?

Oh, there are a lot of them ... and my fellow MP members have already drawn the focus to many examples.

I have not only selected favorites here, but also those whose artworks would be small gems with the appropriate design (quality high-gloss finish, em-/debossing).

 

 

1

Miami Vice

(2006)

Although the film does not live up to the cult status of the TV-Series, I appreciate it very much.
To be honest - I wouldn't just want to see a Steelbook here (and a 4K UHD, by the way), but a Premium One Click!

The multitude of exquisite artworks created for the film would easily make that possible.

 

2

The Boy Behind The Door

A movie that deserves absolute respect because it deals relentlessly and seriously with the issue of violence against children.

Two boys are kidnapped and face perpetrators who act not illogically and stupidly but unscrupulously and dangerously.

The friendship between the two kids is put to a truly severe test, because because one of the two, who manages to escape, is constantly faced with the decision to get to safety from impending death, or to overcome his fear, which is palpable for the viewer, and to help his captured friend and save him from abuse and slaughter.

A foreseeable film in the end, but noteworthy because of the both shocking and, in the best sense of the word, appropriate portrayal of the difficult subject.

 

3

The Devil's Backbone

Masterfully directed by Guillermo del Toro, this supernatural thriller boasts soft tones and brilliant visuals, and unquestionably deserves an adequate steelbook.

 

4

The Lord Of The Rings

(1978)

For once, not Peter Jackson's grandiose trilogy, but Ralph Bakshi's 1978 animated film, which still impresses me to this day.

Some of the scenes were first shot with real actors and later reshaped using the rotoscope process.

And there are a few moments that surpass even Jackson's fantastic concept...

This applies in particular to the appearance of the Ringwraiths (still fully drawn at the beginning of the film).

While in the live-action film they - like any mortal does - only   e n t e r   the room in the "Prancing Pony", in which the hobbits supposedly sleep in their beds,

Bakshi lets these (non-)beings grow out of the ground like shadows, simply out of the nothing where they exist...

This scene still impresses me to this day because it takes the Nazgul to a far more transcendent level.

 

 

And more...

 

 

 

5

The Outfit

In this wonderfully old-fashioned gangster film, not only the friends of criminals dressed in elegant suits get their money's worth.

The film impresses with a finely woven deception of the individual protagonists and astounds with a skillful and surprising finale.

 

 

6

M

(1931)

One of the first German sound films and a masterpiece of its time that is still impressive today.
Fritz Lang's film is both a plea against the death penalty and an early warning of the contempt for human beings of National Socialist barbarism, because the director shows that fascism, no matter in which form it appears, always harms the life and dignity of the individual, disregards it and degrades it to the level of available material of authoritarian arbitrariness - withdrawing it from the by the only one who should be allowed to decide about - the individual as it's sole owner.

The Movie is rightly regarded as one of the best Films ever made (it has been described to have everything that makes a good motion picture) and needs to get a Steel.

In fact, I see an opportunity here, because EUREKA has already granted German film classics (Nosferatu, Metropolis, The Testament of Sr. Mabuse) a Steelbook release.

 

 

7

Fallen

The stylistically skilfully staged mystery thriller manages to keep the viewer captivated right up to its surprising ending, without once loosening the arc of suspense.

In short: Brilliant entertainment. As a glossy steelbook with embossed lettering, it would certainly be pretty to look at!

 

 

8

The Black Dahlia

This adaptation of the James Ellroy novel is perhaps director Brian de Palma's last Film Noir Homage - in beautiful images - to the detective and crime world of Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe from 1940s America, as it was sublimely condensed by Polanski in "Chinatown".

 

 

9

The Relic

The movie combines elements of horror and catastrophe films in a highly entertaining and atmospherically successful way, and its mood reminds me of "Alien" to a large extent.

 

 

10

Marrowbone

A little gem in my opinion. An atmospherically dense drama with subtle horror and melancholic sadness. 

A mother flies with her four children to an abandoned house in the USA before her husband's violence. After the sudden death of their mother, the four siblings - played by really talented young actors - decide to keep this a secret so as not to be torn apart. But a menacing, supernatural presence begins to take over this secret life more and more.

A highly recommended "Must See" and a worthy candidate to have it on the shelf as a Steelbook.

 

•

 

Final thoughts...

 

All in all one has to state that it is sometimes strange and hardly comprehensible that especially from the back catalogues, there are garbage films (which come up with titles that sound something like "Naked Zombie Girls From The Trashcan of Terror, Part 17") do not have a hard time getting even a 4K release, while absolute classics, which a large fan base is eagerly awaiting, lie dormant in the archives for years -  and this despite the fact that the studios do not even consider their exploitation in streaming services, i.e. titles whose physical release would not affect the gains of digital distribution simply because they are not available online.

But (perhaps) in the not too distant future, corporate bosses might (hopefully) realize that there are limits to the potential for profit in the Streaming Market...

 

•

 

I guess this made the Challenge, huh?

And as always I hope that You enjoyed my contribution.

 

[Casiusco]

Challenge #20

 

Thank you, @extantsrevenge.

 

It was an easy challenge to meet, because there are many films in my collection that I would gladly switch from the old DVD to a better format; and also many that I would like to add a steelbook to. 
What a collector's fraud I would be if I didn't have my wishlist to make good boy eyes at...

 

1) Films that I have on DVD and that I would like to have -at least- on Blu-ray but that don't have a Blu-ray edition.

 

 

• Happiness (Todd Solondz, 1998). It is heresy that there is no blu-ray edition of this film, probably one of the best films of the 1990s. There is probably some underlying rights problem, otherwise it is incomprehensible. A film praised by the critics, a cast with several well-known faces, and an international recognition that for some reason has been diluted at the same time as its director disappeared. 
• Pollock (Ed Harris, 2000). A film directed by and starring Harris himself, which was eventually forgotten after the awards season. I always liked it a lot, and I think he did a great job. And, obviously, a film about Pollock needs all the visual power we can get.
• 3-Iron (Kim Ki Duk, 2004) (In Spanish, "Hierro 3"). A magnetic and poetic film that was one of the great films of the sadly deceased Korean director. I am still in love with it since the first day I saw it.
• Zabriskie Point (Michelangelo Antonioni, 1970). Antonioni's "American film", from when the Italian master was hired to make a Hollywood film and he did whatever he wanted. It is very '70s, from that post-revolution world of '68; crazy, poetic, arid, unbridled; simple and yet complex. Pink Floyd in the background, and the social problems of the USA at that time on screen. Musical, drama, pamphlet. I don't care. I love it. And given its visual emphasis, it should have at least a high definition edition.
• The Groomsmen (Edward Burns, 2006) (In Spanish, "Los amigos del novio"). It's a good generational film heir to the generational films of the '90s, perhaps more of that era than of this new century, and it always gives me a good time. Good cast, and a typical but charming story.

2) Editions of which I would like to have a steelbook:

 

 

• Hannibal (TV Series, Bryan Fuller, 2013-2015). A delicacy, a cult object; a mouthful not suitable for all palates; and one of the best series that has been made in the last 10 years. It is brilliant, difficult, dark, poetic and sometimes cruel. I would buy a steelbook for every season, one for the whole series, and as many as I could. Someday, if the fourth season that thousands of fans are clamouring for is made, it will be extolled as cult object, and that will be my moment.
• Nocturnal Animals (Tom Ford, 2016). A brilliant film, full of talent, unfairly treated because its director is a fashion designer. But there is more cinema in it than in many of the award-winning films of its year. A steelbook, a collector's edition; whatever, but I need something.
• Contact (Robert Zemeckis, 1997). An unjustly overlooked film that always provides me with a couple of hours of entertainment. I love it. Well made, entertaining, deserves something more, a nice steelbook.
• Darjeeling Limited (Wes Anderson, 2007). It has always struck me that, with the cult around Wes Anderson, there is no steelbook -or even a collector's edition- of this film. In my opinion, it's one of his best films. One of his best stories, with memorable characters, and aesthetically stunning. It's a pending title in our beloved market. 
• High Anxiety (Mel Brooks, 1977). A hilarious comedy from which countless films and comedians from many countries have copied, and, I don't know why, it has never had a special treatment. Who would give me its steelbook!!!
• The Big Short (Adam McKay, 2015). It is a fundamental film to understand the economic crisis of 2008, and the world in which we move. It should be compulsory in schools. It is also funny, well narrated, and has a very good casting.

 

[bungral]

On 2/11/2023 at 2:16 AM, bungral said:

Challenge 20:

 

Sooooo this one wasn’t that easy as I don’t have easy access to all DVDs.

 

For the first part, it’s a mix of DVDs that don’t have Blu-ray releases and Blu-rays that don’t have 4K releases.  I mean who doesn’t want Bubble Boy in 4K? 

 

 

Part two is also a mix of DVDs and Blu-rays that sadly don’t have Steelbook releases.

 

 

I use the term sadly above very loosely as there’s a hundred other things I wish had Steelbooks ahead of some of these but this is what I had to hand to meet the criteria 😂

 

 

This is to replace Unknown in the first picture.  Definitely doesn’t have a 4K release! 

 

[Freeformfreakout]

Challenge 21 - Love is in the air.

 

1. Lost in Translation

2. True Romance 

3. Wild at Heart

4. Weathering with You 

5. Your Name 

 

Forgot to put favorite...it has to be Your Name or Weathering With You. I love all 

Makoto Shinkai's films! Still need to see his new one.

 

 

 

Edited February 13, 2023 by Freeformfreakout
Forgot to favorite

[TechSpec924]

Thank you very much @extantsrevengefor a particularly difficult challenge (for me, anyway) lol. I haven't been collecting physical media in the strictest sense for more than a couple of years now, so the bulk of my collection is composed of modern titles, many of which have a blu-ray, 4K, or steelbook release. I CAN say that this is the most time I've spent scrutinizing my collection for a minute, but I believe I found the few titles in my library that satisfy both requirements of this challenge. 

 

CHALLENGE #20 ‐ Still Missing! Forgotten Treasures!

 

 

Movies Without a Blu-Ray Release (1) or

Movies Without a 4K Release (4).

 

A Far Off Place (DVD) - the lone DVD film in my collection to satisfy the requirements, as all my other DVDs are TV series. Fantastic early Reese Witherspoon family film.

Avatar - I know a 4K release is upcoming, but as of now, there is no 4K physical media in existence.

Demolition Man - the fact that this film has no 4K OR steelbook release is pretty egregious. One of Sly's best films in my opinion, and his pairing with Wesley Snipes made for the perfect blending of action and comedy.

Kingdom of Heaven

The Rock

 

Movies For Which I'd Love to See a Steelbook Release

 

 

I Spit On Your Grave

Smile

Remember the Titans

Man On Fire

Sleepaway Camp

 

EDIT: I was re-verifying my selections and discovered there is, in fact, a steelbook release for Man on Fire. So I am submitting Eragon as a replacement. I know it will never happen because this movie was universally hated. I loved the books, and the movie wasn't completely terrible. I enjoy this type of epic story-telling. I would have loved for the studio to at least have finished the story with some more movies, but alas....

Edited February 13, 2023 by TechSpec924
Man On Fire has a steelbook. Resubmission.

[TechSpec924]

CHALLENGE 21 - Love is In the Air

 

Definitely don't have many "romantic" films in my library.  And of my five submissions, really only two probably qualify under the strictest sense. But romantic duos I have in some not-so-romantic films lol.

 

 

Aladdin

Divergent

Friends With Benefits

The Island

Mr. And Mrs. Smith

 

I'm ashamed to say that I don't own a physical copy of my favorite romantic film, You've Got Mail. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan really shine here as two bookstore owners who are unaware they are falling in love with each other, while each is simultaneously attempting to destroy the other. Just really does something for me...lol.

[Gary K]

Challenge 20

 

phew in under the radar.  
 

a bunch of giallo (and one western) that really deserve a blu-ray release, but probably won’t ever get one and two Peter Jackson classics that should at some point.   

I have literally 100s of genre classics that I would love in steelbooks.   Most probably never will get one unless I commission customs.  Here are 5 I grabbed at random. 

[GuyIncognit0]

Well, I thought I could eek out a submission for Week 20 but I can't find a single DVD in my collection that meets the criteria 😢. In fact, I'd forgotten that we purged most of them a year or so ago. 

 

Thanks to all of those who posted. Hopefully some of these get upgrades in the near future.

 

 

[Chief_lookout]

Romans? What do Romans have to do with anything? Ok, let me see, I can do Spartacus, The Robe, Ben Hur...oh, wait...ok, nm. Here, then, are my couples steels:

1. LaLa Land

2. Matrix Resurrections

3. Valerian

4. Requiem for a Dream

5. True Romance

True Romance is my favorite romantic movie! Hope you enjoyed, and thanks for looking!

[extantsrevenge]

Thanks for the last few submissions for Challenge 20

 

@bungral @Steelbook Indy (hard to believe Dogma is so forgotten) @javi (2009 Lost Memories great Movie 👍) @Scary Hair @raylight @F.M.S @Casiusco @Gary K

 

@TechSpec924 there is a German long Out of Print Steelbook for Demolition Man 👌

 

So even when Challenge 20 ended up with the lowest participation of all the challenges so far, I still enjoyed seeing all the pictures, kind hard to believe how much is still missing on BD.

 

 

Thanks for the new lovely challenge @Blu Magic Ray

 

@Gentleman did you just name City of Angels as favorite Romance 😨, that ending is disqualifying the movie 😛. I see you got the Water World CD 👍

 

@hal56 nice I wonder how I could forget to include My Sassy Girl 😍

 

@cypheria078 @nerdist @Veum @Cornrow @Mrdugan @bossjon @ethnosax @Reagh @BreakBeatDJ @bilbon @TechSpec924 @Chief_lookout

 

@R1s1ngs0n I would have included The Princess Bride too, but my 4K Mediabook is having to many characters on it, terrific Romance 🥰

 

@Freeformfreakout what is your favorite Romance?

 

Hopefully this challenge will motivate some more members.

 

[bl4ck5t3r]

Challenge 21 „Love is in the air“

I do not own many romantic movies yet, but at least those 5 I could find with couples on the Cover. My favorite movie is „Meine erfundene Frau“ on the top left corner. Watched it for sure hundrets of times already and its still worth watching it. Fifty shades is also a special movie for me, not because I like it too much but this was the First movie I watched with my wife in the theatre when I dated her years ago.

 

Kind regards

Steve

 

[hal56]

vor 7 Stunden schrieb extantsrevenge:

I wonder how I could forget to include My Sassy Girl 😍

Awesome that SOMEBODY knows and appreciates this movie too.

You saw the absolute trash US Version with Elisha Cuthbert? One of the worst  Hollywood remakes ever. Pathetic.🤢🤮

[Gary K]

Here’s 6 (just in case the temperamental squirrel disallows the supremely romantic Bram Stoker’s Dracula)

 

 

my favorite romance is probably True Romance. 

[bungral]

There’s a chance this week might be the end of my streak…

 

Need to do some digging but I’m not overly optimistic.

[GuyIncognit0]

Challenge 21: Love is in the Air

 

Wow - this challenge was harder than I initially thought. I don't have many editions with just the two on the front but here goes...

 

 

1: Cinderella - KimchiDVD

2: La La Land - UK steel

3: Wall-e - Blufans

4: It's a Wonderful Life - Best Buy

5: Beauty and the Beast - Blufans

 

I'm not a huge fan of romantic films but I did really enjoy La La Land. That one really surprised me because I also don't historically care for musicals either. But now I have three separate editions of the film on my shelf, ha. That being said, I think Wall-e is my favorite. His love is so innocent, pure, and...unexpected. The little guy even has a bit of a romance with life in general. It's just such a beautiful film all around and truly deserving of its recent Criterion release. 

 

Thanks for the challenge, @Blu Magic Ray!!

[extantsrevenge]

11 hours ago, hal56 said:

Awesome that SOMEBODY knows and appreciates this movie too.

You saw the absolute trash US Version with Elisha Cuthbert? One of the worst  Hollywood remakes ever. Pathetic.🤢🤮

Unfortunately I did see that, so horrible. The original is simply amazing and Jun Ji-hyun (The Girl) is such a terrific and funny actress. Sadly she is not really doing new stuff anymore. Another highlight of her is Windstruck from 2004.

 

I just wish the subtitles on the Korean release for My Sassy Girl would be regular subtitles and not SDH English, I can't stand that type of subtiles.

 

Thanks for the nice submissions @bl4ck5t3r @Gary K @GuyIncognit0

 

The perfect day to post your submissions for challenge 21 😊

[CAYENNE-FAHRER]

@Blu Magic Ray,thanks for Challenge #21

 

@extantsrevenge/Nils

here are my collected works

my Favorite - Allied

WallE  -                                 german Steelbook

WallE -                                  Blufans

Aladdin -                             UK Steelbook

Aladdin -                             with Custom Cover magnetic,real

Beauty And The Beast   UK Steelbook,with Custom Cover Lenti magnetic,real

Beauty And The Beast   FAC

Allied                                      FAC

Divergent                             UK Steelbook

 

 

 

 

 

[Catgirl]

And Challenge 21 😍🥰 

 

My Indian Love Movies 

 

[camwjohn95]

Week 21!

 

Photogenic Couples!

 

"Elizabethtown" - Drew Baylor & Claire Colburn

"Brokeback Mountain" - Ennis Del Mar & Jack Twist

 

And now, Kate Winslet!

 

"Titanic" - Rose DeWitt Bukater & Jack Dawson

"Eternal Sunshine" - Clementine Kruczynski & Joel Barish

"Revolutionary Road" - April and Frank Wheeler

 

As for favorite movie couple... I'm not sure...

I don't own these movies, but I'll have to go with...

 

Jesse & Céline of the "Before Trilogy"! I've written essays on the nuance of that courtship!

[Emil]

My submission for Challenge #21

 

1. her

2. It’s a Wonderful Life

3. Your Name

4. Dirty Dancing

5. La La Land

 

I love Your Name and can’t wait for Makoto Shinkai’s new movie!

[ncraft]

Challenge #21: Love is in the Air. 

Thanks to @Blu Magic Ray for the challenge! I just went with 4k love in this challenge. 

 

My favorite love story/romantic movie is La La Land. 

 

[MoneySniper]

On 2/14/2023 at 1:44 PM, Catgirl said:

And Challenge 21 😍🥰 

 

My Indian Love Movies 

 

I still remember my mum dragging me along with her to watch Om Shanti Om in the cinema. At that time I was only 7 years old and had never seen such a long movie before. I was so confused because it had a intermission halfway through due to this movie almost clocking in at 3hrs this was something that was completely new to me.

[Veum]

9 minutes ago, MoneySniper said:

I still remember my mum dragging me along with her to watch Om Shanti Om in the cinema. At that time I was only 7 years old and had never seen such a long movie before. I was so confused because it had a intermission halfway through due to this movie almost clocking in at 3hrs this was something that was completely new to me.

 

We experienced this also in the theatres awhile back that was like 4+ hrs. Long 🙋‍♂️ and had an intermission also 🎬

 

 

[Scary Hair]

I AM IN THE  with this week's challenge.

 

I have dug to the depths of my collection almost zero romantic stuff and what I do have most has some thing else on the cover . So crossing my fingers toes and everything else that will be humanly possible to fold   . I HOPE this passes @Blu Magic Ray and @extantsrevenge

 

 

 

Legend  

 

Ignore the Demon although THE AMAZING PHENOMENAL TIM CURRY  MAKES THE MOVIE .If you are going to be watch any make sure it is the Tangerine Dream soundtrack.

 

Macbeth  

 

HMV limited slip case  . A fantastic production that I only got as the kids where studying it in English Literature . Captivating watch . Also an updated modern day Lady Macbeth is Kate Middleton mark my words . 

 

The Shape Of Water 

 

Wonderful storytelling from Guillermo Del Toro a contender for the Best fiery tale ever  . A three way tie now between Ladyhawk , Legend and Shape Of Water.

 

Mandy  

 

Nic Cage at his ultimate bat stop using inappropriate language best . Infinite re watch value cracking soundtrack and visually breathtaking and Bill Duke what more can you ask for .

 

Dante's Peak  

 

Never liked Peirce Brosnan until this movie. Always like Linda Hamilton as well . Needs a 4K ASAP .

 

Warm Bodies 

 

Nicholas Hoult is such a versatile actor , the story original and engaging is such good fun .

 

Anyway hope I pass 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Neil21Harris]

Yea I missed this cuz my romantic films are lEss romantic and more about love. 
ive been trying but I don’t have many. Well, imo I do but not in most opinions