We love a good fight here at Horror Yearbook, but what we love even more is when an independent filmmaker, website owner or NOW DVD distributer throws a hissy fit. I previously mentioned that some horror fans are less than happy with the company Code Red for not delivering on promised DVD releases. The simple solution would be for them not to make the announcements when they require the distribution rights for a film, but rather, when they were closer to releasing the DVD. This way fans will not feel like they have been waiting for years, for something that seems like it may never be delivered.
But I’m getting ahead of myself… When Retro Slashers announced that Code Red would be releasing Zombie Nightmare on DVD, it was of course met with sarcastic comments by slasher fans, prompting the owner of CR to lash back:
“if you guys want us to skip extras on these disc, we can put them out. You want NIGHTMARE, I’ll skip the director’s 80min rant. You want, NIGHT WARNING, I’ll tell Jimmy McNichols to forget it. You want MUTILATOR? I’ll use the 3/4inch tape Buddy wanted me use and forget looking for a 35mm print. I don’t need crap fed to me when I am losing money I don’t even have.
I work for a living and these titles and code red dvd do not pay the rent. I do this on my free time, which is very precious to me. Very little people buy these titles, they netflix it.
Like i said, if I can breakin even, I’ll put it out. I did my part, but most horror fans didn’t. I barely sell 1,000 copies of some of these titles.
keep on giving me the insult. Small labels are all dying every year. 2040? God! I wish I could live that long with my medical situation.”
Heh, nice way to toss in your medical situation at the end, however, excuses are lame. Horror fans have a breaking point too, there is only so much “indie” support we can give until even we have had enough and decide to move on. The same goes for low-budget filmmaking, it’s not the fan’s problem that “it is hard to make a movie with no money.” Somehow lots of upstart filmmakers manage to do it so why should we give everybody a free pass? These excuses work when you’re five with your mom and your kindergarden artwork, not in the real world.
So while I’m sure there are a lot of fans who are willing to understand Code Red’s woes of trying to deliver great horror films on DVD, there still comes a time when you need to shit or get off the pot. Sorry Code Red, but I’m going with the fans on this one.
Cut them some slack. They don’t owe us these movies, be thankful they’re dribbling out at any rate at all. Any company that bothers to release Don’t Go In the Woods and Boardinghouse definitely has their heart in the right place. But I agree they should be more careful about announcing releases too soon before the disc actually comes out.
Keep ya head up, Code Red.
Exactly and we don’t owe them anything in return, so the guy should spare us the sob story.
I agree 100% that this guy is a whiny douche bag. I’ve seen him pissing and moaning on a bunch of message boards over the years. Bottom line – if you don’t have an acceptible print of The Mutilator to release than you shouldn’t announce it as being “in the works.” How long ago did he start bragging about having that interview with Romano Scavolini for the Nightmare dvd? Do you have the interview or don’t you? Quit jerking the fans off.
And for someone who pisses and moans so much about wanting perfection he sure does a crap job with his bonus features. The interviews are always horribly shot and edited. Still galleries don’t exist and neither do liner notes. Fuck, most of the times you have to go to Best Buy to even get the bonus features. He worked out some sort of deal to have 2 disc versions of his releases in Best Buy only. Way to fuck over your fans, but it’s their fault of course. They should kiss his ass and be happy that the dvd even came out in the first place. Not to mention the fact that he releases obscure shit like Boardinghouse and then complains that it doesn’t sell. What the fuck does he expect – millions of rabid Boardinghouse fans packing stores to grab a copy the day it comes out?
However, I am incredibly happy to hear about a proper ZOMBIE NIGHTMARE dvd release. That is a fucking CLASSIC! Hopefully John Fasano and Thor will do a commentary track. Of course, coming from Code Red it probably will never happen. He’ll complain about how he can’t get the pristine print he wants or how hard it is to get the bonus features together. Nevermind that John Fasano did an extensive interview with me at the drop of a hat, or that he happily did commentary tracks for Rock N Roll Nightmare and Black Roses. I’ll drop John a line and see what he has to say about this “upcoming” dvd release.
Loyalty from horror fans should only come when you prove yourself worthy. I’m glad this guy takes it upon himself to spend his time and money getting these flicks out on dvd. I just wish he would actually make good on his promises and spend less time bitching at fans on message boards who have the balls to call him out on this bullshit. Put up or shut up.
Folks, the reason titles appear on Code Reds site, then dissappear is simply this: They rarely bother to properly license the films. They announce something and wait to see if they are cease and desisted like they were with Flossie, The Nesting, and countless others. Great way to do business, huh….
At least Code Red is trying. I know they haven’t given us a whole lot, but they’ve giving us something. If it wasn’t for ditributors like Code Red we would still be looking for shitty ex-rentals of our favorite films of days past.
NightmareManiac
You seem like a real faggot, Wil.
Calls myself a faggot 32 months later