I got two questions in the last week about the DVDs, both of the same nature.
How come season 5 and 6 of the DVD sets from Legendary Heroes has a different cover art from those released by Anchor bay?
In 2004, LegendaryHeroes.com (aka, Xena catalog company, aka Davis Merchandising--known as LH from here on out) released the final three seasons of Xena on DVD to those who purchased the sets online directly. This was months before AnchorBay released it to the marketplace as they had done previously with season 1 - 3.
Since LH was the producer, owner of the distribution license, they had first dibs on releasing it to the impatient types in the fandom. They did all the cover work, etc.
When it came time to ship the sets out for wide release (Best Buy, etc), the cover art was altered. This was done to sort of separate the two releases--or so I was told at the time. It also could have been a simple request by Anchor Bay who wanted to have different cover art.
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Showing posts with label DVDs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DVDs. Show all posts
Sunday, July 03, 2011
Saturday, November 06, 2010
Questions from the Internet Part #2
What can you tell about me about the Xena DVD re-release from April?
In April, Universal Home Video re-released the first season of Xena onto DVD. This release is not the same release from a few years ago from the official catalog (and distributed by Anchor Bay). From what I've been able to figure out is that the quality isn't better. It's about on par with that of the VHS tapes. The audio is standard 2.0 (not dolby, like the catalog version) and contains no extras.
Do you like Spartacus?
I watched all of the first season and I couldn't get into it. I lost interest after the first few episodes. One of the things I don't like is when producers try to pass something off as historically accurate, only to miss the mark a bit. It's TV. It should be delivered as such.
What advice do you have about going to the conventions?
The only advice I can give that will be of any benefit is to be socialable. Everything else is really up to you. If want to the golden treatment, then buy the gold package and live it up over the weekend. If want a cheap convention, go general and have fun.
Where can I find the Best Buy DVD sets?
Try eBay or Half.com. Make sure the sets say Best Buy. The boxes have a purple box on the front stating they have the bonus material.
Will Renee ever show up on Spartacus?
Short answer, probably not. I don't know.
What is your opinion on the finale?
The finale was and is, in my opinion, the best way to end the series. Now, with that said, the story could have used some work. It would have been preferable to have a story set in Greece, or at least Rome with familiar characters and Xena dying for something that was a bit more believable.
I don't hate Akemi (never really got why people feel a need to blast a character without regard for the actor's feelings). She was a mini-Gabrielle in Xena's evil days.
In April, Universal Home Video re-released the first season of Xena onto DVD. This release is not the same release from a few years ago from the official catalog (and distributed by Anchor Bay). From what I've been able to figure out is that the quality isn't better. It's about on par with that of the VHS tapes. The audio is standard 2.0 (not dolby, like the catalog version) and contains no extras.
Do you like Spartacus?
I watched all of the first season and I couldn't get into it. I lost interest after the first few episodes. One of the things I don't like is when producers try to pass something off as historically accurate, only to miss the mark a bit. It's TV. It should be delivered as such.
What advice do you have about going to the conventions?
The only advice I can give that will be of any benefit is to be socialable. Everything else is really up to you. If want to the golden treatment, then buy the gold package and live it up over the weekend. If want a cheap convention, go general and have fun.
Where can I find the Best Buy DVD sets?
Try eBay or Half.com. Make sure the sets say Best Buy. The boxes have a purple box on the front stating they have the bonus material.
Will Renee ever show up on Spartacus?
Short answer, probably not. I don't know.
What is your opinion on the finale?
The finale was and is, in my opinion, the best way to end the series. Now, with that said, the story could have used some work. It would have been preferable to have a story set in Greece, or at least Rome with familiar characters and Xena dying for something that was a bit more believable.
I don't hate Akemi (never really got why people feel a need to blast a character without regard for the actor's feelings). She was a mini-Gabrielle in Xena's evil days.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Questions from the Internet #1
This is part one of a couple different posts where I answer questions that have come up over the last year from different people who've emailed me. Now, I have answered these people privately, but I'm now just getting the question and responses up on the web.
How come the conventions are always held in January or February?
When Creation first started having conventions in 1998, it was customary to have them during the production hiatus which was in January because of TV syndication conventions usually held in either New Orleans or Las Vegas. It made sense, in order for the regular cast to attend, to have the conventions during this time. The only time which this was not the case was in 2001. The series was not in production anymore, so Creation moved the convention to May.
How come Creation charges so much for the Gold tickets?
I honestly don’t know. Compared to other venues (Twilight, Supernatural, or Stargate), the Xena conventions come in second only to the large Star Trek convention held in Las Vegas every year. But if you breakdown the costs of the individual autograph tickets, going Gold is cheaper.
How come Creation doesn’t have more Xena conventions?
Cost. That’s the main reason. In 2007, they had three conventions. The main in January, another in May in New York and a third in October in Chicago, and this was only done because Lucy was doing concerts at each of these cities. I don’t look for them to have additional conventions throughout the year for the foreseeable future.
What advice do you have for first-time convention goers?
Be watching for my guide that I put out every year. I’m currently working on revamping the guide and will launch an online version on the www.xwponline.net website later this year. The first thing that I can offer is respect other fans when guests are up on stage.
Are there any plans for additional sets of Xena to be released onto DVD?
I haven’t heard anything from my contacts about a possible re-release of the DVD sets. (Note: Season 1 was released in April 2010.) I’m not going to say no, but I’m not going to say yes. I honestly don’t know. The sales of the re-release were so-so, but considering the market was already cornered nine years ago with the Anchor Bay release, it would be hard for Universal to sell a product that’s been purchased by the largest potential audience. I’ll keep on it.
How come Universal didn’t have any extras?
Your guess is as good as mine. I can only say that perhaps because Universal just wanted to release the series out onto DVD that they didn’t care about extras, which have become a fixture on DVD releases nowadays. The extras that were put onto the Anchor Bay/Davis sets are owned by Davis Merchandising (aka, the official catalog, aka legendary heroes) and thus can’t be reissued.
Where can I download episodes?
I only answer with legal options. Try iTunes. You can also stream episodes from Netflix. Anything else can be found by simply searching the web. Please note, that by doing that you are infringing upon copyright and you can be prosecuted for it.
Any plans for additional soundtracks? Lucy CD?
Not to my knowledge. Sorry. As for Lucy, I haven’t heard anything about any upcoming CD.
What about the movie, got anything on the movie?
Nope. All I know is that the word from the man who would know (Rob Tapert) said earlier this year that the movie wasn’t going to happen. Contrary to comments from Lucy (which were blown out of proportion by wanna-be-entertainment-websites that use HACKS for writers), she is not hard-up for a movie. I think Lucy could care less at this point. (Meaning, if it happens with or without her is about the same as it not happening at all.)
Was there any mention of the movie at the 2010 convention?
Nothing was mentioned that I can recollect. I think fans have pretty much moved on.
Why isn’t Xena on TV anymore? LOGO would be perfect.
No network has purchased the license to air the series. Oxygen stopped airing the show because they’ve gone to a more Lifetime line-up (gag me with a spoon). While, LOGO would be a good spot (they’re airing Buffy), I think Universal wants to sell the syndication rights to the highest bidder.
How come the conventions are always held in January or February?
When Creation first started having conventions in 1998, it was customary to have them during the production hiatus which was in January because of TV syndication conventions usually held in either New Orleans or Las Vegas. It made sense, in order for the regular cast to attend, to have the conventions during this time. The only time which this was not the case was in 2001. The series was not in production anymore, so Creation moved the convention to May.
How come Creation charges so much for the Gold tickets?
I honestly don’t know. Compared to other venues (Twilight, Supernatural, or Stargate), the Xena conventions come in second only to the large Star Trek convention held in Las Vegas every year. But if you breakdown the costs of the individual autograph tickets, going Gold is cheaper.
How come Creation doesn’t have more Xena conventions?
Cost. That’s the main reason. In 2007, they had three conventions. The main in January, another in May in New York and a third in October in Chicago, and this was only done because Lucy was doing concerts at each of these cities. I don’t look for them to have additional conventions throughout the year for the foreseeable future.
What advice do you have for first-time convention goers?
Be watching for my guide that I put out every year. I’m currently working on revamping the guide and will launch an online version on the www.xwponline.net website later this year. The first thing that I can offer is respect other fans when guests are up on stage.
Are there any plans for additional sets of Xena to be released onto DVD?
I haven’t heard anything from my contacts about a possible re-release of the DVD sets. (Note: Season 1 was released in April 2010.) I’m not going to say no, but I’m not going to say yes. I honestly don’t know. The sales of the re-release were so-so, but considering the market was already cornered nine years ago with the Anchor Bay release, it would be hard for Universal to sell a product that’s been purchased by the largest potential audience. I’ll keep on it.
How come Universal didn’t have any extras?
Your guess is as good as mine. I can only say that perhaps because Universal just wanted to release the series out onto DVD that they didn’t care about extras, which have become a fixture on DVD releases nowadays. The extras that were put onto the Anchor Bay/Davis sets are owned by Davis Merchandising (aka, the official catalog, aka legendary heroes) and thus can’t be reissued.
Where can I download episodes?
I only answer with legal options. Try iTunes. You can also stream episodes from Netflix. Anything else can be found by simply searching the web. Please note, that by doing that you are infringing upon copyright and you can be prosecuted for it.
Any plans for additional soundtracks? Lucy CD?
Not to my knowledge. Sorry. As for Lucy, I haven’t heard anything about any upcoming CD.
What about the movie, got anything on the movie?
Nope. All I know is that the word from the man who would know (Rob Tapert) said earlier this year that the movie wasn’t going to happen. Contrary to comments from Lucy (which were blown out of proportion by wanna-be-entertainment-websites that use HACKS for writers), she is not hard-up for a movie. I think Lucy could care less at this point. (Meaning, if it happens with or without her is about the same as it not happening at all.)
Was there any mention of the movie at the 2010 convention?
Nothing was mentioned that I can recollect. I think fans have pretty much moved on.
Why isn’t Xena on TV anymore? LOGO would be perfect.
No network has purchased the license to air the series. Oxygen stopped airing the show because they’ve gone to a more Lifetime line-up (gag me with a spoon). While, LOGO would be a good spot (they’re airing Buffy), I think Universal wants to sell the syndication rights to the highest bidder.
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