DVD’s Least Wanted
Posted by John Campeaon 11. 04. 2007in News Chat
Months ago we announced the official death of the VHS. I had months previous sold off all my VHS movies in a garage sale having completely changed over my collection to dvd only. This was a great amount of insight on my part (and my VHS player broke and I wasn’t buying a new one). Most of the movies I already had were available on DVD, so I wasn’t going to continue with a dead format.
It’s been about 7 or 8 years since DVDs hit the mainstream market, and over that time studios have been dutifully scavenging their vaults in order to find stuff to repackage and sell all over again. Slowly the list of unreleased movies and TV shows has dwindled to the point where they are now almost non-existent. It’s hard to believe, but nearly every single major motion picture is now available on a digital format.
Many movies are listed on their “Least Wanted List” that I could live without.
I likely wouldnt mind RAD. The BMX movie that fits that skater/bmx generation of the 80s movies like Gleaming the Cube, and Nicole Kidman’s first movie BMX Bandits. I had both of these on VHS. I would get these purely for their “collectors value” I don’t know if either are on dvd.
It also strangely lists the Star Wars Christmas Special on the list. Now granted I DO own this one on DVD but its not stricktly legal version. It is so bad, Lucas all but denies this ever existed. I don’t feel guilty adding this bootlegged version to my collection since Lucas will never release it. (Until he thinks it will sell billions of copies) I am a completist when it comes to Star Wars, so my Star Wars dvds had to include this.
So can you think of any movies that people might actually WANT that have yet to make it over to dvd? I am sure there are tons of forgotten movies that didn’t deserve to be put on VHS let alone survive the transition.
What do you want in your collection?
This post was written by :
John Campea who has written 6783 posts on The Movie Blog
visit author's website | Contact the Author
I would buy Vanilla Ice’s “Cool as Ice” and George Lucas’ “Howard the Duck” right now if I could find them on DVD. I actually really enjoyed Howard when I was a kid, and Cool as Ice is the most hilarious piece of egotistical fromage ever captured on film. I envy the fact that Wormwood (sometimes contributor to the podcast) owns Cool as Ice on VHS. But owning the DVD would count as a life-goal accomplished for me.
This is bullshit. There are still a lot of great, great films like GREED, THE BIG PARADE, MAY WAY FOR TOMORROW, most of Kenji Mizoguchi and Yasujiro Ozu films are not available on DVD.
I had thrashin on dvd,lost it,going to by it agian. but i hope they do put Gleaming The Cube on dvd. i really would lke to have that movie.I saw it agian on , ONdemand and i loved it, it still holds up.Goonies was great on dvd, 80′s movies just rock on dvd.
critters would be kool too.
TheMovieJoe-
For the record it has in fact been slightly over ten years since DVD’s were on the market. The anniversary was last month.
I would also argue that there are many, many titles that are still not released. Quality titles, some major and some minor.
Several of my personal favorites have not been released. With luck one day they will.
My prayers were answered when Gymkata was finally released on DVD. The saw horse beat down at the Cuckoo’s nest is movie bliss.
No Holds Barred is an underrated film. Who WOULDN’T like to see some pompous TV executive get electrocuted, live on Pay-Per-View? Any movie with Tiny Lister has my vote.
Blue Monkey
The Perfect Weapon
Street Knight
RobotJox
Doctor Strange (TV movie)
Howard The Duck (especially if a remake is ever made)
Jericho Mile (TV movie)
Well, the other day Twitchfilm.com reported that finally both Night of the Creeps, Monster Squad, and Night of the Comet would be getting DVD releases Finally!!! for years I signed every online petition I could find, desperately wanting to replace my bootlegs for the real things, begging someone to take my money for the love of god! All three are wonderful examples of 80′s genre films, I love them all.
Brisco County Jr. was another one that took too long to hit DVD.
So now all I have left to hope for is Howard the Duck, I fucking love that movie!
Nord
Actually I lied, I also want Werwolf the TV show. That was an awsome show, it was on Fridays right after V, which has been on DVD for sometime now.
Anyone else remember those shows?
Nord
Technically not movies but i really want the TV shows Gatchaman II & Gatchaman Fighter on DVD and dubbed into English ju like the first series.
seriously, howard the duck kicked ass.
What about FLASH? Sure, it was briefly out on DVD but has since gone out of print.
THAT is a movie that I would LOVE to have in my collection, if nothing more than the nostalgia.
I want TRUE LIES special Edition DVD. I cant believe this classic is still just a vanilla release when we get super collectors editions of shit like Waking Tall and Be Cool. Also, Poltergeist and Gremlins. It has yet to be released on Region 2 in a decent release. We still have a shit vanilla disc. These are like the only ones. It makes no sense.
The following are mexican movies. They are very importan in my autobiography. I never saw them in VHS, and still can find them in DVD.They’re famous movies in my country, so i don’t get it..
El Charrito
Hasta el Viento tiene miedo
Cachun-Cachun-Ra-Ra la pelicula
La guerra de los niños
Siete en la mira
Puerto maldito
Mi collection will never be complete without this moviess.
I’d get a copy of I Come in Peace. 80s Dolph ruled!
They don’t mention television, but I’d like to see The Six Million Dollar Man on DVD.
Vanilla Ice’s “Cool as Ice”. That’s one I also wouldn’t mind adding to my shelf.
heheh everyone knows its coming but, super mario bros with special features, i mean hell my friend has a vhs with 10 minutes of behind the scene after the credits but the dvd was bare bones, iam gonna be calling in tonight aboout dvds that were fucking barebones as shit
a complete and total after thought, a family owned video store near my house has howard the duck on vhs, which i guess is oddly kinda rare cause its not somethign you would see lying in blockbuster
Another one….The Legend of Billie Jean!!
Dont hate, it was a great movie!
Nord
Does anyone know where i can get Fastlane on DVD…it was a series on MTV i think, then went to G$
It has the chick from Saved By the Bell in it.
Rolling Thunder
Six Million Dollar Man (US version)
Ken Park
From Beyond
That’s about it. I remember a few years ago having a much longer list (Twin Peaks SE2, Police Squad, Action!, Holy Mountain, El Topo, Impulse (William Shatner), Black Shampoo, Freaks) but the DVD gods have been quite good to me lately.
There are so many movies that would be great to have on DVD if they’d get released, and one I’ve been waiting for is The Monster Squad which is getting released for a Sept/Oct release…supposedly as some sort of special edition too. I believe that Night of the Comet was released about a month or so ago — saw it in a Best Buy add.
There are quite a few 80′s movies that would be nice to get/rent on DVD that used to get played all the time on HBO & Cinemax…the kicker is that I can’t remember the names of some of them and neither channel (even with multiple channels) rarely play the old school stuff.
Release Howard the Duck NOW, Dammit!
It is the greatest sci-fi, action/adventure movie starring a duck ever made. Plus, Lea Thompson is oh so yummy.
I put that movie at the top of my Guilty Pleasure movie list.
(even though I dont feel guilty in the least about loving it, nor do I actually believe in the term guilty pleasure because I dont care what other people think about the movies I like)
Also,
I’m casting a second vote for The Legend of Billie Jean.
Helen Slater and Christian Slater (no relation).
What’s not to love…?
And…
The Automan TV show.
The one where the guy was made out of electricity and could only come out at night. He had a blue light outline and a starry pattern in the center, plus he could make his own car, plane and helicopter.
Oh, and Cursor was his little buddy.
He was like a glowing orb that followed him around and helped him out.
It’s time to put it out. The fans are demanding it.
well… this fan is…
I’d put Roadhouse on that list, sorry Nagy.
Howard the Duck
Krull
Toxic Avenger – the first one
Beastmaster
CLASS OF NUKEM’ HIGH
BREAKIN AND BREAKIN 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO
Dirty Dancing
GET CRAZY!!!
A hilarious send up of Rock and Roll, past present and future, with a coporate entity headed by Ed Begley Jr. (With Fabian and Bobby Sherman as his toadies), trying to take over a small NY club (patterened after The Palladium).
Malcome Mcdowell, Howard Kaylan, Lou Reed, Franklyn Ajaya, Robert Picardo and much more.
One of the funniest movies I have ever seen and the music is also Kick Ass.
@ Jay
“Helen Slater and Christian Slater (no relation)”. Actually, they are real life brother and sister.
I noticed some commentrs already mentioning films already on DVD- including the Roadhouse SE. I will then believe such commenters are referring to Regions, as The Flash TV series is not discontinued on DVD in the States; Beastmaster has been around for years (unless you mean the TV series or sequels) and the Breakin’ films have also been around, although in a bare bones, full frame edition.
Which reminds me.
1:86 Child’s Play, Pumpkinhead, (MGM/UA) South Central (WB), Five Corners and KILLER PARTY (MGM/UA), Spellbinfer (MGM) thank you so nicely when you studios get to them.
Into The Sun- the Michael Pare/Anthony Michael Hall film. I knew I forgot one. Lets see…tI think LGF should have that one.
I mean Spellbinder- where Kelly Preston plays this lady who attempts to escape a satantic coven, and Tim Daley tries to help her, unaware of the cult’s true motives…
A few others I don’t think were released yet, but I’d like to get someday…
Saturday the 14th
Hysterical
Summer Camp Nightmare
The Night Before (Keenu Reeves & I think Lori Laughlin)
Hunter’s Blood (Old Cinemax flick about inbreeds killing deer hunters)
Under the Rainbow (great Chevy Chase film)
March of the Wooden Soldiers (Laurel & Hardy)
Private Eyes (this might have been released?)
All you HtD lovers: the movie is running On Demand (at least on Comcast systems) right now. To your DVRs…
I believe The $6MM Man is starting to come out now, isn’t it?
Also _BMX Bandits_ (with Nicole named prominently on the cover) has been available in a Really Cheap edition at my local drug store for $1 for over a year.
TV Serieses: Brimstone tops my list. Reasonable Doubts (Mark Harmon, Marlee Maitlin) lasted a few seasons.
Werewolf (mentioned above) is my MiL’s favorite, but she hasn’t moved to DVDs yet.
I still have a functioning VCR, so Anthony Zerbe and KISS’s _Phantom of the Park_ isn’t so urgent, but it’s certain a NTH. _Phantom of the Paradise_ (Paul Williams greatest achievement) is needed.
A legal version of _The T.A.M.I. Show_ would be great.
_Shoot the Moon_ is worth Netflixing; not certain I would need to own it. (Then again, I feel that way about most Alan Parker films.)
@Darren –
Actually, no they’re not. Look it up.
I’m not trying to be a smartass, but they are not related.
Google “helen slater christian slater” and check the results.
Helen Slater’s real last name is Schlachter. Born to Gerald and Alice Joan.
Christian Slater’s parents were Michael Hawkins and Mary Jo Slater.
Unless of course you were making a joke and I totally missed it. In which case I apologize.
@JWP –
I LOVE Under The Rainbow. Great movie.
The Helen & Christian Slater thing is correct too in that they are not related at all.
I always thought they were related. My error.
I thought they were related too — took a look at lunch today and realized they were not. I guess I learned some good useless knowledge today…besides the typical work stuff.
There are plenty of movies out there that were formerly on VHS that the companies need to release on DVD. Here are a few on my list:
The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh (a.k.a. Dr. Syn, Alias the Scarecrow)
Howard the Duck
Bobby Jo and the Outlaw
Deadly Blessing
Gator Bait
Guyana Tragedy
I was a Teenage Werewolf
Killdozer
King of the Gypsies
Minstrel Man (1977 TV movie)
Tales from the Crypt (1972)
Monster Squad
Night of the Creeps
Night of the Grizzly
No Time For Sergeants
Ode to Billy Jo
Personal Best
Phantasm 2
P.T. 109
Rachel and the Stranger
Resurrection (1980 Ellen Burstyn version)
The Hucksters
Legend of Billie Jean
Yes, Giorgio
Hardbodies
Cold Sassy Tree
…just to name a few. It would be helpful if there was a place to petition the release of these and a lot of other long lost movies. Maybe one day…………