Has there been Blu-rays that have taught you a lesson regarding future purchases?

[Evra]

I would like to hear your stories if there have been Blu-ray releases that have thought you lessons in regards with future purchases.

For example, for me:
1) Wanted Limited Edition (USD 30.49) - Never buy a limited edition for the sake of it even if it is on discount since you are only buying it for the packaging.
2) I Am Legend Ultimate Edition (USD 25) - If it is on the 'Most Popular Blu-ray Deals' it would probably be worth it, I hope.
3) Shoot Em Up - Reviewers' recommendations should be taken lightly.

[Al_The_Strange]

#1: Not all Blu-Rays outclass the DVDs when it comes to extras, alternate cuts, etc. Some DVDs should be held on to (I have many movies where I have DVDs in the same case as the BDs; "Army of Darkness," "Black Hawk Down," "Pearl Harbor," etc).
#2: Impulsive blind-buys hurt more often than not ("Blades of Glory," "Prom Night," yeesh ). Wise non-impulsive blind-buys can be really rewarding though ("Face/Off," "Red Cliff" and hopefully "Inception" ).
#3: Most Blu-Rays eventually will cost less than $20. There should be little reason to buy for more than $30 for a single domestic non-Criterion title ("The Spirit," what was I thinking? ).
#4: When buying from the Amazon marketplace, make darn sure you order a BLU-RAY copy (ordered "Watchmen: Tales of the Black Freigher" from the Blu-Ray page and got a DVD, WTF?! ).
#5: Other than what happened in lesson #4, buying used/clearance Blu-Rays can be a boon ("Golden Compass," "Precious").
#6: See a rare Blu-Ray or an OOP one somewhere new for sale that interests you? GET IT! ("Yukikaze" ).
#7: However, just becase some Criterion (or some other) brand title's going OOP is not a good reason to impulsively blind-buy it ("Pierot Le Fou" ).
#8: When buying region-free imports, be careful not to buy one that has 50hz menu or trailers unless you're sure you can properly play it ("The Promise," oops).

[WJWS Channel 13:Amity]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

#2:[B] Impulsive blind-buys hurt more often than not ("Blades of Glory," "Prom Night," yeesh ).

Hey now I worked on those two films, they werent that bad.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by backgroundactorman

Hey now I worked on those two films, they werent that bad.

Quality editions and quality films to be sure, but they really weren't to my taste. If I rented them first, instead of buying them directly, I likely wouldn't have bought them. Sorry.

[joenostalgia23]

I'm surprised Gladiator hasn't been mentioned yet.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by joenostalgia23

I'm surprised Gladiator hasn't been mentioned yet.

...which brings me to lesson #9: check the Blu-Ray.com reviews!

[paul_66]

My #1 lesson, KNOW what you're buying. If it has an actor you like and it's by a good director and writer (which you can always look up on IMDb.com), it might be safe to blind-buy. But if you can, ALWAYS rent from Netflix or something. But some movies happen to be unavailable.

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

...which brings me to lesson #9: check the Blu-Ray.com reviews!

That would be my #2 lesson. Also the DVDbeaver reviews. Sometimes they have reviews before blu-ray.com does.

[Dreemworx]

Originally Posted by joenostalgia23

I'm surprised Gladiator hasn't been mentioned yet.

Is there a return program for that one?



;p


Shoot em Up rocks arse.

[singhcr]

Gladiator has taught me to avoid purchasing many titles unless they are from studios that have a consistent track record of quality, film-like releases.

Sony, Disney, Criterion, Blue Underground, and new Fox and Warner releases are safe, especially the first four studios that I've mentioned. Disney's Miramax division had the Gangs of New York crapfest but that was a one time thing, it seems.

Paramount, Universal, and Fox are now hit and miss when it comes to catalog titles, Gladiator being the first case where such a major title has received such a crappy release. Universal (Spartacus) and Fox (Predator: UHE) is now playing the DNR game, I can't trust them either unless I see a review with screenshots.

Let's not even start on Dragon Dynasty. I wanted 38th Temple of Shaolin and The Killer but they were horrible DNR'd and non-pitch corrected upscaled PAL garbage. The only release that I bought from them that was any good was Fist of Legend.

[Rebelwithoutacause]

And the most important rule: don't purchase a BR movie just because it's cheap or on sale.

I personally avoid doing this, unless if it's a film that I really enjoyed a lot.

[dcowboy7]

Nope.

[dallywhitty]

Yep. My copy of The Shining.

I've learned that when I see a Blu-ray in HMV in poor condition, I should ask if they have any more in stock, as opposed to buying that particular copy.

[Blu Myers]

^@dallywhitty, huge Joy Division as well. Anyway, on topic:

1. Be Patient - There isn't a single blu-ray you can't get for under $20 if you're patient. I'm excluding box sets and TV series' of course.

2. Don't blind buy - Just don't do it, even if it's a sequel to a movie you love. Thank God a friend of mine bought Boondock Saints 2 before I did. I saved $25 dollars.

3. Read reviews first - I've been bitten by this one a few times (Gangs of NY and Gladiator). Luckily Gladiater had the remaster exchange program.

[iam1bearcat]

here are my lessons:

1. just blu-ray.com for PQ / AQ on releases before buying
2. don't buy a film just because it's the hot item being talked about in the forums
3. (this kind of bypasses #2) if it's special packaging that may not be around very long (ala: Fight Club slipcover, thank god i bought it day 1 since i rarely see the awesome slip cover anymore) BUT IT ASAP!
4. as others have mentioned, when you buy something off amazon or any other site, don't expect to always get slip covers / digital copies / special discs outside of cases (The Office, Dexter)
5. prices will drop on all releases. only about 5 films are worth spending $30 or more on
6. when buying 1 item on "new release tuesday", don't buy a bunch of other new releases "just because i can"

and i'm sure there are a bunch more. but these are my main ones.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

5. prices will drop on all releases. only about 5 films are worth spending $30 or more on.

And the corollary to this - chances are pretty good that brand-new list price blu that I just had to have on release day will sit unwatched on my shelf until well after the price has dropped anyway.