Key Takeaways:
– Even well-known and successful movies like “Panic Room” and “Dogma” can be difficult to find and stream, enhancing the value of DVDs.
– Movies might become hard to locate due to legal complications, connection with controversial personalities, or out-of-print Blu-ray releases.
– The potential for re-release or resolution of rights issues means that these films could resurface in the future.
For movie enthusiasts, knowing certain hit films could be incredibly challenging to find legally on any streaming service or even on disc might come as a surprise. Hence, holding onto old DVDs of such films like “Panic Room” and “Dogma,” might be worth it.
Hard-To-Find Hit Films: “Panic Room”
David Fincher’s “Panic Room,” which starred Jodie Foster, Jared Leto, and Forest Whitaker, made a massive hit and grossed nearly $200 million. Yet, the 2002 thriller film had never been issued on Blu-ray. Despite its launch year preceding the arrival of Blu-ray in the market, the movie sold exceptionally well on DVD for Sony, raising questions about its absence from HD and 4K formats.
Limited Availability: “28 Days Later”
In contrast, hit movie “28 Days Later” had a Blu-ray release, which went out of print over the years. Significant changes could be expected for this celebrated film, possibly including a heavy restoration, as Sony recently acquired the rights with plans for the upcoming sequel, “28 Years Later”.
Elusive Titles: “Dogma” and “Shoot to Kill”
Other well-known films like Kevin Smith’s “Dogma” (1999) and Sidney Poitier’s “Shoot to Kill” (1987) demonstrate the importance of rights ownership. “Dogma” was a Miramax Films production, whose rights were owned by Harvey and Bob Weinstein. The controversial personality of Harvey Weinstein and his imprisonment adds an additional roadblock to the film’s re-release.
On the other hand, the late Sidney Poitier’s underrated action thriller, “Shoot to Kill,” by Touchstone Pictures (owned by Disney), continues to be elusive. Despite being available on DVD, it’s not on any of Disney’s streaming platforms, making fans yearn for its re-release.
Further, “The Devils” by Ken Russell and “The Cannonball Run,” the third most popular film of 1981, amplify the scenario of hard-to-find movies. The former, depicting a surreal account of a catholic priest, was never issued on disc in North America due to its X-rating. Meanwhile, the latter, financed independently, is absent from current digital platforms despite being a blockbuster in its time.
Final Destination: “Wired”
“Wired” (1989), narrating the infamous account of John Belushi’s final days, had certain controversies connected to it. Cast members, friends, and family of the comedian disapproved of the film, implying its suitable obscurity. Among all the hard-to-find films, “Wired” might be the only one with justifiable hard-to-find status due to its controversial nature and overall negative reception.
In conclusion, these hidden gems in the film industry remind us of the value of physical media. Despite the dominance of streaming platforms, the presence of these hard-to-find films underscores the importance of DVDs until the time these movies resurface on legal digital platforms.
