When it comes to classic films, several noteworthy titles prove surprisingly elusive, even in today's digital age. Recently, attention has been drawn to Ron Howard's Oscar-winning film Cocoon as one such elusive title. Having won Don Ameche an Oscar and revitalized the careers of fabled actors like Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn, it's surprising that this film has been out of print for years. However, Cocoon is not alone; a number of distinguished films are suffering the same fate, making them invaluable for collectors, as I discovered after opening discussion on Twitter.
Key Takeaways:
– A surprising number of notable films, including Oscar-winning Cocoon, are hard to find in any format.
– Legal issues and studio apathy contribute to the unavailability of many films, even in the digital age.
– Despite some happy stories of re-releases, a significant number of films are currently unavailable on Blu-ray or digital platforms, making them precious for collectors.
– There's hope for availability, with some films like George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead and Brittany Spears' cult classic Crossroads either re-released or soon appearing on streaming platforms.
The Enigma of Unavailable Classics
Cocoon remains an interesting case, considering its popularity and the subsequent rise of Howard as an A-list director. Despite spawning an easily accessible sequel, the original film has long been out of print, with only a vague hint of Disney considering a restoration.
Similarly, Kathryn Bigelow's Strange Days, once financially unsuccessful but now celebrated as an iconic '90s feature, is awaiting its deserved recognition on home media. Given its stellar cast and modern classic status, a release through a company like Criterion might seem imminent. Nevertheless, the hold-up possibly lies with James Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment's ownership of the film. However, hopes for its home release are high considering Cameron's other films like The Abyss, True Lies, and Aliens have been recently re-released in the 4K format.
From Comedies to Cult Classics
Showtime, an action-comedy starring Eddie Murphy and Robert De Niro, despite its moderate success, has never seen a Blu-ray release. Similarly, Crossroads, a Brittany Spears cult favourite, has only had an initial DVD run and remains difficult to find on Blu-ray or digital platforms.
Classic Horror and Drama
In the horror genre, George A. Romero's zombie classic Dawn of the Dead, despite its iconic status, remains digitally unavailable. While it has seen a 4K release internationally, North America is yet to experience the same.
Diane Keaton's critically acclaimed movie, Looking for Mr. Goodbar, is another example. This chilling drama has yet to see a digital release from Paramount Pictures due to rights issues associated with the film's music.
Underappreciated Treasures
Disney's film adaptation of Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes remains unstreamable and unavailable for digital purchase. The post-apocalyptic action movie, The Blood of Heroes (also known as Salute of the Jugger), is stuck in a legal rights limbo.
Hong Kong To Hollywood
Legendary director John Woo's Hong Kong films, despite their historical significance, remain entangled in legalities preventing a proper home release. While some, like The Killer and Hard Boiled, are available in limited forms, others like A Better Tomorrow 1 & 2 and Bullet in the Head remain missing in action.
The final example in this list is Elaine May's hit film, The Heartbreak Kid. Despite its primary status in Charles Grodin's filmography and featuring Oscar-nominated performances, this classic remains a missing jewel in any format.
In conclusion, while the digital age has granted easy access to many films, some significant titles remain surprisingly difficult to find. Legal hurdles and studio indifference pose challenges to the re-release of these films, making their original discs invaluable for collectors. However, hope abounds for some films, with signs of revival beginning to emerge.
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