The Arrow Thread

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

That has thread idea potential.

I'm not talking about best, or favourite films, but the ones that almost define 'cult'. It could be a very interesting thread.

[J Harker]

Originally Posted by Nosferatu@Cult Labs

If someone asked me for a list of five cult films, Withnail and I would definitely be one of them.

I didn't say it wasn't a cult film Nos??

[platostotal]

Like most my first experience of the word 'cult' was in reference to the loony quasi-religious money grabbers in the 70s, funny how every single one of em despises the word 'cult' when used in reference to them, but cult cinema is really much harder to define, the first film that popped into my mind while reading the previous posts was Mondo Cane!!! films by Borowczyk and others of the like I guess I would class as more like Arthouse or existential, my definition of a cult movie would be a more base 'entertainment' whose reputation (deserved or not) gets it the cult status and attention that in most cases it probably doesn't really warrant.

[keirarts]

Originally Posted by J Harker

But then if they could get hold of the original negatives Arrow could do wonders with some of these Italian titles themselves . Look at what they were able to achieve with Zombie Flesh Eaters.

Quite right, less with better quality is the way to go.

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by J Harker

I didn't say it wasn't a cult film Nos??

Originally Posted by J Harker

Which is great except since ZFE, Arrow have had little interest in the type of cinema a lot of fans want from them. Certainly the fans who supported them when they were releasing the sub par transfers you're referring too. Now they've got the funds and resources to do a proper restoration of say Fulci's City of the Living Dead for example they would rather restore things like Withnail or the 'Burbs. Great films but far removed from the original fare they were once so proud of.

Originally Posted by J Harker

But it does seem whenever it is suggested Arrow have moved away from cult movies and towards the mainstream someone wheels Borowczyk out. With respect to the guy and his films i can't be the only one who isn't the least bit interested?

You have mentioned the lack of cult films of the sort that Arrow initially released, seemingly citing ones like Withnail and I and The 'Burbs as mainstream films. I know they are very different to Sleepless or Macabre, but – especially Withnail and I – Arrow are still releasing cult films.

[J Harker]

I simply said they were far removed from the sort of films Arrow were originally releasing such as the Fulcis or Argentos.

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by J Harker

I simply said they were far removed from the sort of films Arrow were originally releasing such as the Fulcis or Argentos.

I thought that's what you meant, but it was mixed up with the talk about Borowczyk, The 'Burbs and Withnail and I.

What other Argento films could Arrow realistically release though?

[fuzzymctiger]

I personally believe they're far removed simply because they ran out of them before this restoration stuff even began.

By the time the announcment with the Troma titles and Lady Snowblood came through, that was the confirmation that the old Arrow was gone, and people begged for better titles.

So the slipcases were ditched and in came De Palma (who I still thank Arrow for introducing me to), Price, and large studio deals that bought in stuff like BTiLC, Squirm, Deranged, The Beast Within and more that I have loved.

I've long moved on from the old Arrow, and yes whilst I miss slashers and oddities, I have faith this deal will at least bring rarities and oddities back, and hey if I want slashers and Italy, well 88 films is starting their lines up very nicely.

This is just me, but since I never bought many of the Arrow slipless DVDs, I still have a lot of those to buy, so it's like buying old Arrow. The only problem is have the time the quality sucks. Jaguar Lives is 4:3 tape master, and Deadly Outlaw Rekka (please get more Mikke this is fantastic), is supposedly a new transfer, but with lots of damage, and the worst compression I've ever seen.

[J Harker]

Originally Posted by Nosferatu@Cult Labs

I thought that's what you meant, but it was mixed up with the talk about Borowczyk, The 'Burbs and Withnail and I.

What other Argento films could Arrow realistically release though?

Sorry mate, I'm not very good at putting my thoughts into type sometimes.
As for Argento it would be nice to see decent blu upgrades of Opera and Stendhal. Sleepless though i believe they lost the rights. I also like his take on Phantom of the Opera.

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by J Harker

Sorry mate, I'm not very good at putting my thoughts into type sometimes.
As for Argento it would be nice to see decent blu upgrades of Opera and Stendhal. Sleepless though i believe they lost the rights. I also like his take on Phantom of the Opera.

That's okay – things are often lost when written down which are much easier understood when vocalised.

Opera would be good, but I hate Phantom of the Opera!