JOSHUA TREE / ARMY OF ONE (Vic Armstrong, 1993)

[leigh1975]

How is a small, independent distributor like Shout! Factory able to obtain the rights and release THEY LIVE? JOSHUA TREE I can almost understand... That title's been languishing forever between the once Live Entertainment, then to Artisan, then to Lion's Gate... I'm no expert, but I imagine Lion's Gate had no problem handing JOSHUA TREE over... But THEY LIVE is a cult classic, property of Universal... How'd that happen?

Either the rights of THEY LIVE expired or Shout had to make a deal to exploit it temporarily... Studios like Lionsgate and Universal are not always on the ball with cult classics, so they might have thought they wouldn't make much money with it (it's as if it was HALLOWEEN or a more commercial Carpenter title). As for JOSHUA TREE I'm pretty sure their rights had run out.

They Live is only distributed by Universal studios in certain territories, and it was only a distribution deal in the first place. Also it was a huge flop for them, so why keep up paying for the rights?

[leigh1975]

Yeah, I was referring to the Army of One version. It is classic to me because that's the one I grew up with.

Proof that growing up with a cover is not always a great thing.

[Jox]

That's the other original poster they sent out back then and was used in many countries.

I grew up myself with the French theatrical one, which I don't know if it was good or bad (Dolph's face isn't great) but captured a good "western" feel:

[leigh1975]

I've never seen that one before, but I really like it! Very late 1970s. Let's be honest, Joshua Tree is a simple story and that poster visually tells you everything you need to know about the movie.

[savagesketch]

The blu ray release cover is slightly disappointing considering that it's a cult classic being distributed by a company that specializes in cult releases... THEY LIVE got the appropriate treatment cover-wise... If anything I imagine I COME IN PEACE will definitely be a killer throwback cover...

[Jox]

I've never seen that one before, but I really like it! Very late 1970s. Let's be honest, Joshua Tree is a simple story and that poster visually tells you everything you need to know about the movie.

Well the movie is notably inspired by 70s movies like THE GETAWAY and ELECTRA GLIDE IN BLUE.

Like I said we don't know if that's a definitive cover yet, but what's for sure is that their throwback 80s-inspired artworks are reserved to the sci-fi/horror/fantastic genres...

[ShawnWatson]

Well, I still think I could have pulled a better cover out of my ass.

[dolphage]

Well, I still think I could have pulled a better cover out of my ass.

Go for it!

[Jox]

Koch Media is gonna release one in Italy. What's unbelievable is that Fox who released the movie there theatrically back then and sold them the rights, didn't have any photo/artwork materials. Probably lost some storage/vault or something... That's when me buying $$$$ of memorabilia on ebay and getting access to some original slides is finally proving handy!

[dolphage]

That's when me buying $$$$ of memorabilia on ebay and getting access to some original slides is finally proving handy!

You are a life saver. St. Jox, protector of the Dolphamaniacs.

[Jox]

[Mosquito]

Well I hope that pays off! Don't let them sweet talk you into giving that away for little money. I often think they cannot value enough what they have in super fans like you are. Seriously.

[Jox]

I need an agent like you to negotiate my deals!

[ShawnWatson]

Behind the scenes pics.

[ShawnWatson]

Chopper.