Alice in Wonderland joining the PE line

[tlc38tlc38]

Simply put, there is no way of knowing until it happens. We'll just have to wait and see.

[Neal]

In my opinion, they need to stop with all the 'lines' crap and just release quality versions of the films.

Sometimes, the original release of one film has the OAR when the big Platinum release of another film does not. A Gold Collection has better features than a Special Edition.

If Disney stopped focusing on the marketability of the line name - they could just give us quality releases.

The definition is blurred, anyways.

The Special Editions are sometimes equally good as the Platinums - so why bother with the different names at all?

Just give us a good release and be done with it!

[tlc38tlc38]

In my opinion, they need to stop with all the 'lines' crap and just release quality versions of the films.

Sometimes, the original release of one film has the OAR when the big Platinum release of another film does not. A Gold Collection has better features than a Special Edition.

If Disney stopped focusing on the marketability of the line name - they could just give us quality releases.

The definition is blurred, anyways.

The Special Editions are sometimes equally good as the Platinums - so why bother with the different names at all?

Just give us a good release and be done with it!

Amen. If only the big honchos at Disney would realize this. However, they know what sells. If a titles says "special" or "platinum" edition it will catch the eye of the untrained buyer better.

I'm kind of surprised that they didn't release a Blu-ray anthology set with 9 movies like they did with DVDs when they first came out. My dream Disney Blu-ray anthology set would include Dumbo, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, & Hercules. I didn't include some of the guaranteed releases in the future like Fantasia, Snow White, & Beauty and the Beast.

[singerguy04]

an anthology set wouldn't be so bad. They could throw some lesser films with some that sell really well. I doubt anything that has been Platinum already would be in the anthology though.

Overall I'm still really interested in when we'll see less profitable releases on blu. Make Mine Music, Fun and Fancy Free, Melody Time, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, The Rescuers, The Rescuers Down Under, The Black Cauldron, The Great Mouse Detective, Hercules, and Hunchback all still havn't been updated for a while and could really use it.

[tlc38tlc38]

an anthology set wouldn't be so bad. They could throw some lesser films with some that sell really well. I doubt anything that has been Platinum already would be in the anthology though.

Overall I'm still really interested in when we'll see less profitable releases on blu. Make Mine Music, Fun and Fancy Free, Melody Time, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, The Rescuers, The Rescuers Down Under, The Black Cauldron, The Great Mouse Detective, Hercules, and Hunchback all still havn't been updated for a while and could really use it.

Something tells me that Disney is saving "Hercules" (2012 will be the 15th anniversary), "Cauldron" (2010 will be the 25th anniversary), & "Hunchback" (2011 will be the 15th anniversary) for anniversary editions. The other movies are less popular but still good. Hopefully they'll release them soon. I don't care if their on DVD or Blu, I just don't wont Disney to let the lesser popular movies fall through the cracks. Although, Blu releases would be nice! lol

[singerguy04]

i think it's safe to assume that crossover publicity is key in trying to predict film releases.

-BatB 2nd PE after it's 3D theatrical debut
-Alice's Monster Serpent Weed Edition ( ) after Tim Burton's Alice hits theaters
-SE Toy Story and Toy Story 2 after Toy Story 3 and their 3D treatments

It's possible that Hunchback will get a release whenever the Broadway show goes up.

As far as Hercules goes I believe it would be an incredibly strong title to release on blu as a standard SE away from the Platinum Line. The film has a strong following, beautiful picture, and a great soundtrack. I hope we see this on blu soon. I also expected to see Lilo in blu sooner than later but maybe after the new DVD announcement, that may not happen as soon as I wished it would.

[tlc38tlc38]

Basically, I think it boils down to Disney "testing the Blu waters". Their releasing their popular titles on Blu right now. I think depending on how well the popular titles sell is how fast we'll get older DACs on Blu.

[2099net]

Anders' original post says:

15 of Disney's most popular Classics have a specific strategy based on that they will be vaulted after some time on the market. The films can be off the market for five to ten years, and when re-released will be available for a limited time. The aim is to once again be able to present films for a whole new generation of families with children. The strategy also makes it possible to progressively update the quality of movies and even present them in new formats. The movie Sleeping Beauty, for example, is the first of the 15 film gems to be released on both DVD and Blu-ray."


Now, if that's not a word for word description of the US Platinum range, then I'm King Kong's uncle. No matter how you try and spin it, name aside, the release schedule for Disney's animated "big guns" has been the same worldwide.

I don't really get this "Disney hasn't said otherwise" thing. Disney has said otherwise plenty of times. It's just Disney US hasn't made an announcement. But again, Disney US don't owe any one an annoucement, nor would it be good business sense to basically admit that by including Aladdin they had made a mistake/not marketed the release properly/mis-read the mood or any other reason for Aladdin "underperforming" in sales.

I'll say one thing, if Alice did outsell Aladdin, somewhere a major cock-up was made by Disney, being as Alice already had a Gold Collection release which was readily available until a few months before the Masterpiece edition.

[ichabod]

Dear God, why is this argument still going on.

You know some people on here wouldn't believe they were having their leg bitten off by a shark, unless the shark issued them with a press release beforehand.

So many people in denial! Aladdin is dead and gone, live with it.

[Jules]

So many people in denial! Aladdin is dead and gone, live with it.

And then he says he doesn't have fleas!

Oh, and at the shark comment.

[singerguy04]

When did I ever say that I didn't believe in the rotation of the releases? Obviously all these films will be re-released, but the order of the releases and what are the top 15 selling films are all subject to change. Thats what i'm saying and that's what you're saying so i don't know what your argument is really about. 5 years ago the platinum line looked completely different than it does now and I just don't see how anyone can take it seriously anymore.

Really I don't know why some of you are so hell bent on "proving" me wrong. I'm not saying Disney isn't going to release Alice on PE, I'm not saying Disney has or hasn't kicked Aladdin off the Platinum line.

I get your point on Aladdin though, you're saying that if it was released in the UK and not everywhere else then that's proof of it not being a "big gun" anymore. There cannot be a way that the film was THAT badly recieved world-wide though. I don't think any of us can really figure what it was meant for but in my opinion that release cannot speak for the fate of that film.

I don't really appriciate the shark comment. When have we ever been able to determine anything accurately without a press release or Disney officially telling us outright? I feel like you're trying to say I'm ignorant for having an opinion that is different and challenges your own. All in all none of us know Aladdin's fate so get off your high horse.

Lastly I'm going to say this once but it's been kinda eating away at me lately. I really dislike how some of the older members on UD talk down to everyone else. I feel like in a lot of cases if someone newer or someone who doesn't post as much says anything a little off from what the older members are saying then they are bombarded by comments that reject their claim and some really snide comments. For example, how did the anders post above proove me wrong in saying that alice might not be a PE in the US or that Aladdin might be kicked off? It didn't at all. All it says is that the 15 top selling films will be released in a 5-10 year rotation to hopefully introduce them to newer generations and produce excitement for the film. What was the point? to have the final word? for me to appologize to you for ever doubting your obvious and far more advanced and well studied wealth fo disney knowledge? Why assume that just because you've been posting longer that you know so much more. I've been taking in all of this and i stand by my argument because there is nothing that stand as proof to me otherwise. There's just no need to say stuff like that and if i'm going to be mocked for proposing a decent argument then i'm just not going to post anymore.

[Jules]

I don't really appriciate the shark comment. When have we ever been able to determine anything accurately without a press release or Disney officially telling us outright? I feel like you're trying to say I'm ignorant for having an opinion that is different and challenges your own. All in all none of us know Aladdin's fate so get off your high horse.

Oh! Come on Singie! Bod was just joking. That's his brand of humour (and a pretty funny brand at that <chuckle>)

I guess you could always boycott his presence and claim that he is "too witty for his own good!" Hey! We could create a forum drama that way!

[jeremy88]

This is slightly off topic, but does anybody know the aspect ratio of Alice when its on tv? I just got through watching it on Playhouse Disney and it seemed a little off to me...I know that one is always in full screen but the pictures seemed smaller for some reason. I would check my DVD but its still in a big box since we are moving again very soon. Wow it looks so different when its not restored...really noisy looking and flying specs everywhere!

[Flanger-Hanger]

This is slightly off topic, but does anybody know the aspect ratio of Alice when its on tv? I just got through watching it on Playhouse Disney and it seemed a little off to me...I know that one is always in full screen but the pictures seemed smaller for some reason. I would check my DVD but its still in a big box since we are moving again very soon. Wow it looks so different when its not restored...really noisy looking and flying specs everywhere!

Alice on TV is 1.33:1, the same ratio as the movie.

[jeremy88]

Ah okay cool, thanks Fanger-Hanger.

[2099net]

When did I ever say that I didn't believe in the rotation of the releases? Obviously all these films will be re-released, but the order of the releases and what are the top 15 selling films are all subject to change. Thats what i'm saying and that's what you're saying so i don't know what your argument is really about. 5 years ago the platinum line looked completely different than it does now and I just don't see how anyone can take it seriously anymore.

I wasn't specifically posting AT you Singerguy, but there seems to be a lot of denial on this thread (and others, ever since the issue was first brought up on UD) and yet there is overwhelming evidence that this is indeed the case (as it currently stands).

The issue about the Platinum titles being constantly in flux is another issue and as you and other state really the whole Platinum line is a waste of time anyway.

Really I don't know why some of you are so hell bent on "proving" me wrong. I'm not saying Disney isn't going to release Alice on PE, I'm not saying Disney has or hasn't kicked Aladdin off the Platinum line.

I get your point on Aladdin though, you're saying that if it was released in the UK and not everywhere else then that's proof of it not being a "big gun" anymore. There cannot be a way that the film was THAT badly recieved world-wide though. I don't think any of us can really figure what it was meant for but in my opinion that release cannot speak for the fate of that film.

I believe the Musical Masterpiece Aladdin has been released in Most PAL countries (including Australia and some of Europe) and even the 2 disc special edition has been re-released in Japan http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/switch-langu ... 5FJP]click around the time PAL-lands got the Musical Masterpiece edition.None of the other OOP Platinum status titles seem to be available from Amazon.co.jp - only through private sellers on the system for inflated prices. So it would appear that Aladdin is the only Platinum-status title to get a re-release over there.

It would appear that the US in this case is the odd-one-out.

I don't really appriciate the shark comment. When have we ever been able to determine anything accurately without a press release or Disney officially telling us outright? I feel like you're trying to say I'm ignorant for having an opinion that is different and challenges your own. All in all none of us know Aladdin's fate so get off your high horse.

But we do know Aladdin's fate. We can see it on international release lists from Disney sites. We can see it from most of the world getting a gimmicky re-release or a flat out re-release of the 2 disc edition. Most people outside the US can go to a shop, and physically pick up, feel and experience Aladdin's fate. In fact, over here, the re-release is even selling at remaindered prices (I've seen it as cheap as £4.50) - not something which inspires hope of an all-star, all hyped up future release a few years down the road.

Lastly I'm going to say this once but it's been kinda eating away at me lately. I really dislike how some of the older members on UD talk down to everyone else. I feel like in a lot of cases if someone newer or someone who doesn't post as much says anything a little off from what the older members are saying then they are bombarded by comments that reject their claim and some really snide comments. For example, how did the anders post above proove me wrong in saying that alice might not be a PE in the US or that Aladdin might be kicked off? It didn't at all. All it says is that the 15 top selling films will be released in a 5-10 year rotation to hopefully introduce them to newer generations and produce excitement for the film. What was the point? to have the final word? for me to appologize to you for ever doubting your obvious and far more advanced and well studied wealth fo disney knowledge? Why assume that just because you've been posting longer that you know so much more. I've been taking in all of this and i stand by my argument because there is nothing that stand as proof to me otherwise. There's just no need to say stuff like that and if i'm going to be mocked for proposing a decent argument then i'm just not going to post anymore.

I'm not sure anyone was specifically addressing/attacking YOU and you only Singerguy - as I said there's been lots of talk of Aladdin's status as being just speculation - I can't remember if you yourself said this or not, but even if you did, others have said it on this thread and others. And that's something which annoys me, for several reasons.

One, even if the plan does change (and lets face it, the Platinum release schedule has changed at least 3 times not if you accept the current schedule sans Aladdin) its not speculation. It's fact. The only difference is the facts might change - but facts do change. What's more speculative is people posting on here who ignore the current facts. If I appear to be talking down then its because I strongly feel people should be aware of the facts as they stand.

Secondly, some of us Non-US residents get just as annoyed about the ghetto that is International DVD. We've often broken news there (mainly thanks to the British BBFC system or the Australian OFLC system) only for it to be ignored, only for excited posts to appear in the main UD section weeks later "breaking" news we already posted. While there isn't total confirmation between US and non-US DVD releases, often there is. Disney tend to put the same features on both, release catalogue titles around the same time and even release big modern movies outside the US first even if only by a week or two (such as POTC: World's End, TCON: Prince Caspian etc)

I've got to the point where I can't be bothered posting BBFC listings in any forum anymore, or even post about new discs in any forum if I get them because I'm so used to the news being ignored.

[Rudy Matt]

There are good reasons for people to be skeptical of the idea that Aladdin - one of the highest selling home video titles of all time - has been replaced by Alice in Wonderland, based on information found on a Nordic and other European websites.

Conversely, there are reasons why the removal of Aladdin from such territories makes sense. I will not detail these, except to say that, in the wake of recent events in Europe, Disney may have suddenly become sensitive as to how they've caricatured people of the Middle-East in the past, and are concerned about Aladdin in Europe. DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp is particularly odious in this regard.

Meanwhile, in America, Disney is also looking to avoid controversey over the depictions of those of Middle Eastern descent.

In other words, the absence of Aladdin on the Platinum schedule may have very little to do with its sales figures (surely dampened by the 9/11 attacks and all that has followed) and more to do with a world in turmoil.

[Goliath]

@ Rudy Matt:

I think your explanation is really far-fetched. I seriously doubt Aladdin would sell less because of the Middle eastern caricatures. The Middle East already was an explosive place when the film was in production. Actually, that was one of the reasons Eisner wasn't sure if he wanted to make the film. Then some organizations complained about some lyrics in Ashman's 'Arabian Night' and Disney altered them. But it still was a huge succes worldwide, as was the DVD release some years ago. You mean there wasn't trouble in the Middle East 3 or 4 years ago?

[Rudy Matt]

@ Rudy Matt:

I think your explanation is really far-fetched. I seriously doubt Aladdin would sell less because of the Middle eastern caricatures. The Middle East already was an explosive place when the film was in production. Actually, that was one of the reasons Eisner wasn't sure if he wanted to make the film. Then some organizations complained about some lyrics in Ashman's 'Arabian Night' and Disney altered them. But it still was a huge succes worldwide, as was the DVD release some years ago. You mean there wasn't trouble in the Middle East 3 or 4 years ago?

Well, that's the crux of the argument for people claiming that Aladdin is out of the Platinum line -- they're saying it did not sell well on DVD and that is why it has been dropped. If we accept the two postulates that the film sold well on DVD, and that it is being dropped from the Platinum line, then there has to be a reason for it outside of sales.

Personally, I'll believe Aladdin being dropped from the PE line when I see it. List on some Nordic website be damned.

[blackcauldron85]

Secondly, some of us Non-US residents get just as annoyed about the ghetto that is International DVD. We've often broken news there (mainly thanks to the British BBFC system or the Australian OFLC system) only for it to be ignored

I wasn't planning on posting in this thread right now, but I just wanted to say that I rarely visit the International DVD section, but maybe I should make an effort to read what is written. I usually think that that section has very little to do with me, but I'm wrong...not only for the breaking news you're speaking of, but even just to read what fellow UD members wrote...

I'll make a more conscious effort...thanks for bringing that up!