2008 Worst Packaging Awards

[doctorsteve]

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

I agree. I don't buy Digibook releases.

I accidentally bought Poltergeist. It is the last one I'll buy.

[frozenhamster]

I really don't understand this hate for Digibooks. They may not line up with the rest of the plastic cased, but they are very classy looking and very sturdy. I've had about 5 plastic bluray cases come with clasps broken so that they don't close properly, but all of my digibooks are in top class condition.

[hamisht]

I liked the Planet of the Apes packaging when I first saw it and opended it up, but after a while, when its closed up, and you go to open it, sometimes the plastic goo that holds the discs in place, sticks to each other and the disc pops out.

Plus to get the disc in firmly, you have to turn the disc, which makes me worry the discs will scratch.

So yeah, the plastic goo is bad, but the general design to hold the book is good.

[PowellPressburger]

I think the worst is the Criterion blu ray cases. Here is why it is CRITERION not some public domain trash dump!

When you expect the highest standards those standards should never stop with the disc and film quality. For years Criterion has gotten raves for cover art etc.. someone decided to shaft the company by thinking these new cases compliment the films. They don't. Many will argue and say that they think the Criterion cases are great.

You will change your mind after you receive a blu ray thru amazon.com or another vendor or even go to a brick and mortar store and all they have is one copy that looks like it went thru a shipment gang bang.

I had to settle on a poor quality case of THIRD MAN today. I love the blu ray itself... but this case is a nightmare.

Criterion's minds were in the right place... let's not do that standard BLU ray case format.. fine but when the blu ray case for Third Man or Man Who Fell to Earth is cheaper then the standard DVD counterpart then it makes no sense.

Some will say oh but those Criterion blu ray cases are expensive jobs if that is that case so were the standard DVD counterparts.

I think for titles like CHUNGKING and BOTTLE ROCKET Criterion should have created a clear keepcase that was slightly smaller to the size they choose and that way you can tell it is different but the keep case quality is still there.

If they re-do a release such as MAN WHO FELL or THIRD MAN then there is nothing wrong with a more sturdy cardboard style case that is shorter but should represent a high quality standard.

[Stubblecat]

The Bond sets were pretty lousy, don't forget.

Not only were they ugly and awkward, but they also had those rubber nubs holding the discs in place.

My absolute vote, however, goes to any BD that comes with a superfluous outer slipcover which is a pointless reproduction of the front and back cover of the movie itself... But no booklet inside.

I have 7 titles with slipcovers, so that's not too much. But that's still 7 titles which could have come with a nice 8-page booklet.

[Drewza89]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

I think the worst is the Criterion blu ray cases. Here is why it is CRITERION not some public domain trash dump!

When you expect the highest standards those standards should never stop with the disc and film quality. For years Criterion has gotten raves for cover art etc.. someone decided to shaft the company by thinking these new cases compliment the films. They don't. Many will argue and say that they think the Criterion cases are great.

You will change your mind after you receive a blu ray thru amazon.com or another vendor or even go to a brick and mortar store and all they have is one copy that looks like it went thru a shipment gang bang.

I had to settle on a poor quality case of THIRD MAN today. I love the blu ray itself... but this case is a nightmare.

Criterion's minds were in the right place... let's not do that standard BLU ray case format.. fine but when the blu ray case for Third Man or Man Who Fell to Earth is cheaper then the standard DVD counterpart then it makes no sense.

Some will say oh but those Criterion blu ray cases are expensive jobs if that is that case so were the standard DVD counterparts.

I think for titles like CHUNGKING and BOTTLE ROCKET Criterion should have created a clear keepcase that was slightly smaller to the size they choose and that way you can tell it is different but the keep case quality is still there.

If they re-do a release such as MAN WHO FELL or THIRD MAN then there is nothing wrong with a more sturdy cardboard style case that is shorter but should represent a high quality standard.

I completely agree with you. Criterion's cheap cardboard cases are awful. It's probably impossible to find one without blemishes or dents.

[thecroshow]

for me it was the harry potter box set.

[Jayromy]

Originally Posted by JasonR

Nothing beats a snapper though!!!

Snapper or no snapper, that movie rules.

[Seretur]

I really can't endorse any of the above. The Warner digibooks are classy, and if I managed to get them in mint condition (from Amazon) halfway across the world, I see no reason to complain. The Bond boxsets are very tasteful. I have yet to get a Criterion title, so I can't comment on that.

And I'm worried about the constant moaning about anything that's not an amaray -- it might discourage studios from trying new things, like digibooks. (Which, hey, I find to be very handsome and valuable.)

To each their own, I guess, but in this case, I have to be the dissenting voice.

[seigneur_rayden]

Originally Posted by metsfan1545d

digibooks suck

x1000

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by JasonR

Nothing beats a snapper though!!!

You are so right on that, man I hate those so much.

[#Darren]

The Dirty Harry Box set is a pain to navigate.

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by Mr. Cinema

Digibooks are flimsy? That's news to me. I think they are very sturdy.

+1

[LifeOfAPirate13]

Just to add something new its awesome looking but a pain in the ass to get all the dvd's back in the case and then there is an envolope with 3d glasses that is lose and if you don't put the disks back in perfectly you'll probably bend the envolope. BIG pain in the @$$.

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by Stubblecat

The Bond sets were pretty lousy, don't forget.

Not only were they ugly and awkward, but they also had those rubber nubs holding the discs in place.

My absolute vote, however, goes to any BD that comes with a superfluous outer slipcover which is a pointless reproduction of the front and back cover of the movie itself... But no booklet inside.

I have 7 titles with slipcovers, so that's not too much. But that's still 7 titles which could have come with a nice 8-page booklet.

Iron Man, Over America, and Over California are blu-ray releases with slipcover art where its like almost mandatory to have the slipcover unless you can find some website where you can print the cool slipcover but in a form that fits the blu-ray case inside unless you want to be stuck with the picture of Iron Man without the suit on and no Iron Man logo on it

[Kynch]

Originally Posted by Drewza89

3) Baraka's original packaging - I've never seen it in person, but I've heard about how bad it is. At least they corrected their mistake.

What was so wrong with it? I hear people mentioning it all the time...

[Tchotchke]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

So.... everything that isn't a standard single or multi-disc Blu-ray case is the worst packaging of '08?

I think you've summed up the attitude of many of the most vocal forum members as regards packaging!

Earlier in this thread somebody referred to Digibooks as "flimsy" - you may not like them, but come on! They are mini hardcovers, and are definitely not flimsy. They feel special, and I welcome them.

I applaud Criterion's attempt to not have packaging soaked in blue ink everywhere, but even someone like me who enjoyed alternative packaging is concerned about a product that I would call "flimsy." The card slipcover is simply not sturdy enough. I bought one in-store and it was perfect, but I have a couple in the mail and am pretty pessimistic on how these might travel.

[tilapiah6]

I refuse to buy Baraka until it's released with a regular case, which it is going to be!

[Red Hood]

Originally Posted by Kynch

What was so wrong with it? I hear people mentioning it all the time...

I have to clean my disc everytime I get it out of the case. Some have said it causes disc warping. Just cheap cardboard that you are sliding the disc against.

[nick1091]

Nothing can top (or bottom, in this case) the Omen Collection for me. The guy who said "flimsy crap" hit the nail on the head.