Key Takeaways:
– Some popular movies are surprisingly hard to find on digital platforms or in print.
– Legal limbo and studio indifference significantly contribute to making these films scarce.
– Physically owning such films can offer a unique thrill to movie collectors.
– Some of these hard-to-find titles include ‘The Beach,' ‘Cocoon,' and ‘John Woo's Hong Kong Films.'
– A few of these films are available regionally, streaming in one country but not another due to different licensing agreements.
Do you remember the movie Cocoon directed by Ron Howard? Or what about The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio? If you're itching to watch these titles, you might find yourself struggling to track them down. Despite their popularity and acclaim, certain movies have become surprisingly hard to locate.
Firstly, let's talk about ‘The Beach.' The controversy around this Danny Boyle directed film didn't stop it from leaving a lasting impact. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, this adaptation of a classic Alex Garland novel carries Boyle's high-paced energy and a fantastic 2000-era soundtrack. However, its physical version can be a challenge to locate. You can stream it digitally on Disney Plus in Canada and Hulu in the U.S. Wouldn't it be amazing to own a Blu-ray copy, though?
Speaking of Blu-ray copies, ‘Cocoon', which won Don Ameche an Oscar and rejuvenated Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn, and Wilford Brimley's careers, has no Blu-ray issue. Isn't it odd that such a significant movie has no physical version readily available?
If you're a fan of Kathryn Bigelow's work, you might know about ‘Strange Days.' Despite a poor initial response, it's now a recognized classic. Still, unfortunately, it is also missing from the Blu-ray discography. We wonder if James Cameron's ownership plays a role in that!
A somewhat obscure title is Showtime, a fun comedy starring Eddie Murphy and Robert De Niro, which is sadly absent from the Blu-ray market.
Dawn of the Dead, George Romero's zombie classic, is another title with limited availability. Young horror enthusiasts might miss out on this masterpiece, considering it has no digital distribution in North America. Hopefully, we'll soon see a Blu-ray version in the West following its theatrical re-release.
Looking for Mr. Goodbar is another gem, well deserving of a digital or Blu-ray release. Diane Keaton led this 1977 movie, based on a tragic true story. It's only been released on VHS and Laserdisc, mainly due to music rights issues.
Few might remember ‘Something Wicked This Way Comes,' a Ray Bradbury adaptation we covered in our Fantasizing About Fantasy Films series – a title now vaulted by Disney.
The Blood of Heroes, a post-apocalyptic movie marking a rare directorial effort by David Webb Peoples, is another example of a film obscured by legal rights issues.
Fans of John Woo might enjoy hearing that he wishes to restore his Hong Kong classics, but legal limbo has impeded any progress.
Lastly, Elaine May's The Heartbreak Kid is also missing from streaming platforms and Blu-ray. Despite its successful remake and Oscar-nominated performances, the movie is MIA.
It's remarkable how many popular titles are hard to find. We hope that studios and distributors work out the legalities to make these classics available to everyone. In the meantime, let's hang on to our physical copies and treasure these hidden gems!
Do you know of any other hard-to-find titles? Let us know!
