Steelbook Questions |OT| of questions that don't deserve their own threads

[Nicko-Ray]

Just got my first KimchiDVD and Blufans this year. Only one I’ve had before were Novas. Didn’t know Blufans were held so high haha. The one I have IS pristine (GOTG Lenticular), but the lenti itself can be more clear. I have a JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 lenti from Nova and the lenti image is solidly clear. Not to mention, the KimchiDVD release for CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER is so frickin’ clean despite the back image on the Steel. So impressed with it. I would put Kimchi at the top. Still have a lot to explore though.

[Gorgon]

Originally Posted by Nicko-Ray

Just got my first KimchiDVD and Blufans this year. Only one I’ve had before were Novas. Didn’t know Blufans were held so high haha. The one I have IS pristine (GOTG Lenticular), but the lenti itself can be more clear. I have a JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 lenti from Nova and the lenti image is solidly clear. Not to mention, the KimchiDVD release for CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER is so frickin’ clean despite the back image on the Steel. So impressed with it. I would put Kimchi at the top. Still have a lot to explore though.

Lentis are such an odd bird.
I am in the midst of the throes of "Lenti Mania" and it is usually my preferred option when selecting a title release.
There are many though that won't even consider them, especially when beautiful Full Slips are put on offer.
It can be considered "a fad" assuredly, but one I don't mind subscribing to.
I think what might elevate BF above sellers like Kimchi (overall) though, is the detail put toward the packaging of each release. They just seem to exude more of a customized detail than most. But as has been mentioned, all is subjective and no two folk will have the same opinion on all releases.
I think the most important thing though, is the fact we are so blessed in having so many options available to us!
The very definition of a "feast of plenty"...

[Allgood]

Originally Posted by Gorgon

I think I know what you are saying but surely something must help you determine purchase (when more than one option is available)?
-Price?
-Availability?
-Quality?
I elected to focus on quality for this discussion but I'm sure there are other considerations brought to bear...

Convenience. If I order from BB, Amazon, or Target, I can always return it easily or price match better (if applicable). Also, for newer releases, Zavvi's steelbooks tend to match BB's.

I will say other country's steelbooks do look better sometimes. They just tend to be more expensive and I do like digital copies, so those two factors go into the con list.

[Nicko-Ray]

Originally Posted by Gorgon

Lentis are such an odd bird.
I am in the midst of the throes of "Lenti Mania" and it is usually my preferred option when selecting a title release.
There are many though that won't even consider them, especially when beautiful Full Slips are put on offer.
It can be considered "a fad" assuredly, but one I don't mind subscribing to.
I think what might elevate BF above sellers like Kimchi (overall) though, is the detail put toward the packaging of each release. They just seem to exude more of a customized detail than most. But as has been mentioned, all is subjective and no two folk will have the same opinion on all releases.
I think the most important thing though, is the fact we are so blessed in having so many options available to us!
The very definition of a "feast of plenty"...

Yes. And they call us nuts for it lol.

Interesting about BF. The CAP1 from KimchiDVD I have is the Fullslip A1(2?), and it’s my first FS—it’s his suit close up and the slip is textured to mimic the suit. It’s amazing. Is that what you mean by BF’s “customized detail”? If so, I’d love to own more of it. It’s gorgeous. Used to be a lenti guy but have leaned towards FSs ever since haha.

[reputation]

I agree completely with your comments about FAC. It is not tier 1 purely because their shipping is absolutely insane direct, let alone if you join a GB for a title somewhere. Their prices are also getting worse too. I'm not gonna pay $50-$60 or even $70 for a single title (especially in their sort, at least with Blufans you get unique things like the GitS slip or extras like with Spider-Man Homecoming), and now their maniac boxes are reaching $300 before shipping! Then factor in how they're creating these ridiculous XL slips on the regular now (which increases cost, along with the addition of 4K which also increases costs), and I'm seeing even long time collectors with AASB and other early titles either buying just to keep their number and reselling immediately or giving up entirely thanks to how exorbitant the costs have become. I think they have great presentations and editions, but I just think their costs are progressively getting worse. At least with Blufans shipping isn't so ridiculous, even through GB. Cheapest shipping to US is about $40 for me just for 2 single titles. It's sad too because I really LOVE their Blade Runner 2049 release but I cannot justify the cost of the maniacs box whatsoever. It's nuts even before shipping. And their one clicks in particular are poorly constructed in the sense they don't fit on shelves, whereas HDZ, Manta Lab, etc, all contain it to a box that fits perfectly on my shelves or don't have a box at all. Resale value is also crap depending on which title it is, I just sold off an FA title that I paid $45 for on eBay back in August and I only got $24.99 for it lol. And it was brand new and sealed.

Anyway, rant over, just really disappointed in where FA has gone as I was planning on catching up on their releases and becoming a collector with them long term. Instead I've opted to collect from companies like HDZeta, Blufans, Steelarchive, Kimchidvd (I love their lenticulars), and Plain Archive primarily. I agree that Blufans and Plain Archive are definitely tier #1 as their editions are just plain incredible and their pricing is rather consistent (glow in the dark steelbook for Train to Busan/Seoul Station for Plain Archive aside as that's understandable). They both pull out spectacular releases and shipping isn't terrible for either which is great! I also think customer service is wonderful from both and I feel good buying from either.

I like Target for digibooks only and I do appreciate a bare steel from time to time from Best Buy or Zavvi. I do think it's definitely subjective and it also depends on your price limits as places like Best Buy and Zavvi can be significantly cheaper steel wise. And of course if you prefer bare steels over slipped steels is another preference thing.

[DK1979]

- Zavvi; Sometimes offer unique Steels but predominantly bare-bones. A good option for a Steelbook without the added cost of "extras" or premium packaging. Sometimes region locked steels can be an issue.

They all have that issue depending on where in the world you are

[Zombilina]

I would put FAC in like... Tier 3+. They release an excellent wide array of movies but their slips seem kind of lackluster. Manta Lab is probably my single favorite retailer cause they try to do unique things, like Revenant leather slip or Constantine glow in the dark. Lenti quality seems to be hit or miss no matter what retailer tho. My HdZeta lentils are some of my favorites but that could just be my opinion of the artwork. FAC has cool contents sometimes like the John Wick Maniac box coin and shirt and stuff, and Black Hawk Down dog tags BUT they are sometimes difficult to acquire (like Black Hawk Down...) I don’t care much for Nova or Kimchi, they sometimes do stellar and sometimes I see the artwork and pass on a release entirely. Nova is pretty decent at the depth lenti s I have seen from them (Jurassic World) Blufans seems to consistently have the best slip art but that is just my very general opinion.

[ConDers]

I agree Manta should be Tier 1 for sure. I only own 2 manta releases, Constantine glow in the dark which pictures don't really do justice, the finely detailed ridges across the cover provide a really nice texture. The Logan special box is also a favorite, lenti looks nice and a unique design. Their releases aren't always ones I'm willing to fork over $50+ for, but based on sheer quality they definitely run with the big dogs.

I have no HDzeta releases and only ZDT from Plain Archive so I don't know enough to rank them amongst the others but based on my limited experience I would rank them as such

1. Manta
2. Blufans
3. FAC
4. NOVA
5. Kimchi

[TheCuze]

I looooooved Plain Archive as well, and own every #, but I feel they are sliding backwards. Before Sicario, I haven’t been excited for a Plain release in almost a year. That, coupled with some really lazy lackluster releases, has me a little worrried about Plain’s future as a premium retailer of choice.

I’m also in the minority for Blufans as well. While I love a lot of their releases, and they really do have the best Lenti depth (if not clarity), their packaging material quality has surely trailed behind other premium retailers in the past. That said, they have been upping their game, and I love the Dunkirk and Rogue One 1-Clicks I just received.

Nova has gotten odd with their release choices and schedule. I love that they’re doing things like the Tarantino Collection and keeping the box sets uniform, and I love how they released a box to match their John Wick 2 release. That shows a lot of respect for collectors. That said, did we really need Exclusive releases for films that ALREADY had Choice releases? I hate that I can’t control myself and had to buy new versions of Age Of Ultron and Guardians Of The Galaxy.

Kimchidvd is completely unreliable unless the steelbook is coming from The Blu Collection, which usually guarantees a wonderful release. So many of Kimchi’s releases are just WWA with a few cards, which is just lazy to me and not worth dropping premium bucks.

Manta Lab continues to impress with amazing lenticulars and outside-the-box ideas like the Fight Club soap box. I’m excited to see where they go next, but do wish they would do more releases that other companies don’t do. Buying way too many different copies of same films these days. HDZeta does the DC movies better, FAC did Alien Covenent and War For The Planet Of The Apes better, but I started with Manta at their beginning and feel a collector’s need to own each numbered release of their WEA line. Now they’re doing Dunkirk as well and I JUST bought that amazing Blufans edition. Variety guys, variety!!!

[rickah88]

Don’t really care about top ten lists.
Just keep releasing good product!

[Gouden]

Wasn't there some topic somewhere about someone doing custom steelbooks? Can't find it anymore.

edit: nvmd found it already

[iEddiez]

Originally Posted by DK1979

- Zavvi; Sometimes offer unique Steels but predominantly bare-bones. A good option for a Steelbook without the added cost of "extras" or premium packaging. Sometimes region locked steels can be an issue.

They all have that issue depending on where in the world you are

I have found that I bought Steelbooks from Zavvi before and that they are now re-releasing them which winds me up.

[Wonderama]

So does anyone know if BestBuy is going to release the other Bond films like Dr. No and Goldfinger , Live and Let Die, The Man with the Golden Gun.....you know complete the collection of steel books?

[Gogeta149]

Originally Posted by Wonderama

So does anyone know if BestBuy is going to release the other Bond films like Dr. No and Goldfinger , Live and Let Die, The Man with the Golden Gun.....you know complete the collection of steel books?

Probably when the next Bond movie comes out
That wave of steelbooks was released along with the Spectre film, and was specifically because those movies were related one way or another to either Blofeld or the Spectre organization

[peruguy]

That would be great. I have seen all the Bond films but only collect the ones I really like which cuts it down to eight. Five Connery's and three Craig's. I'm surprised at the lack of imagination with my BB steels actually. There's a lot more they could do with the back and inner art IMHO. My favorite steel is the GOLDFINGER I got from Amazon UK. Very attractive, but the art is the same on front and back. It would be perfect if it had a picture of Oddjob (my favorite villain) on back. I don't have a steel for DR NO and the only one I ever saw is a very expensive one on Ebay that is nothing more than the same as the box cover art.
Considering how iconic Bond is I am hoping for a much more inspired selection someday.

[Landonio]

Does anybody know if any of the World War Z steelbooks contain the unrated version? Or are they all theatrical? Specifically this one:

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/world-w...?skuId=6193983

[hockeyshark91]

FAC or Kimchi full slip? Bought both but can't decide which to keep. The Kimchi may not be a lent but it's still very nice. And the FAC is lenti and nicer, in a way, than the Kimchi but is a better representation of the movie. Help me decide, please.

[Gorgon]

Originally Posted by hockeyshark91

FAC or Kimchi full slip? Bought both but can't decide which to keep. The Kimchi may not be a lent but it's still very nice. And the FAC is lenti and nicer, in a way, than the Kimchi but is a better representation of the movie. Help me decide, please.

Definitely the Manta!

Heh, sorry, couldn't resist, that's the one I bought...
Looking at both, and being a Lenti fan, I'd easily pick the FAC.
Plus the FAC 'naff looks nicer as well.
Also, considering what you probably paid for the FAC (with shipping factored in) you have a bit more invested in that one I'd wager.
The Kimchi will probably be easier to sell as you won't need to ask as much for it.
IMHO...

[Gogeta149]

Originally Posted by Landonio

Does anybody know if any of the World War Z steelbooks contain the unrated version? Or are they all theatrical? Specifically this one:

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/world-w...?skuId=6193983

All the World War Z releases have the Extended Cut, I don't think there is any Blu-ray release with the Theatrical Cut

[Landonio]

Originally Posted by Gogeta149

All the World War Z releases have the Extended Cut, I don't think there is any Blu-ray release with the Theatrical Cut

Nice! Good to know.