Blu-ray marketing - getting upset

[almy]

Am I the only one getting really annoyed a thte way some (not all) studios are treating certain releases and the fans that buy certain titles? Consider:

A few months ago, Fox came out with the original '50s B&W THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL on Blu. I did not buy it (thankfully) and I have no idea how many people did. Then, just a few weeks later they released the new Keanu Reeves re-make and included the same B&W version in the package....the same version that just weeks earlier was being sold singly. Had I bought that original single I'd really be pissed.

Fox also came out with SILENCE OF THE LAMBS a few months ago. I did buy that. Then they come out with the HANNIBAL COLLECTION that contains three titles, including SILENCE. Now, if I want MANHUNTER and HANNIBAL I've got to buy SILENCE a second time 'cause Fox has not released them individually.

The kicker is the announcement from Warners that early next year they will release a Clint Eastwood boxed set of all 35 films he did for them. But, they are putting 35 titles on 19 discs. There are quite a few Eastwood titles I'd like to get on Blu - but I certainly don't want all of them. And, I like to store my discs in alphabetical order which will be difficult with, in some cases, 2 titles on a "flipper". Warner will force me (and others) to buy titles I don't want, just to get the other titles I do want.

Final gripe about Warners - Now that I've purchased several of their titles in that God-awful Digibook packaging, they are re-releasing some of them in the regular blue plastic packages. They could at least offer to send out (say at around .25 each), the new paper cover insert they'll be using.

Thats my gripe/rant for the day. Anyone else feel as I do??

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by almy

Am I the only one getting really annoyed a thte way some (not all) studios are treating certain releases and the fans that buy certain titles? Consider:

A few months ago, Fox came out with the original '50s B&W THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL on Blu. I did not buy it (thankfully) and I have no idea how many people did. Then, just a few weeks later they released the new Keanu Reeves re-make and included the same B&W version in the package....the same version that just weeks earlier was being sold singly. Had I bought that original single I'd really be pissed.

Fox also came out with SILENCE OF THE LAMBS a few months ago. I did buy that. Then they come out with the HANNIBAL COLLECTION that contains three titles, including SILENCE. Now, if I want MANHUNTER and HANNIBAL I've got to buy SILENCE a second time 'cause Fox has not released them individually.

The kicker is the announcement from Warners that early next year they will release a Clint Eastwood boxed set of all 35 films he did for them. But, they are putting 35 titles on 19 discs. There are quite a few Eastwood titles I'd like to get on Blu - but I certainly don't want all of them. And, I like to store my discs in alphabetical order which will be difficult with, in some cases, 2 titles on a "flipper". Warner will force me (and others) to buy titles I don't want, just to get the other titles I do want.

Final gripe about Warners - Now that I've purchased several of their titles in that God-awful Digibook packaging, they are re-releasing some of them in the regular blue plastic packages. They could at least offer to send out (say at around .25 each), the new paper cover insert they'll be using.

Thats my gripe/rant for the day. Anyone else feel as I do??

I don't feel the same way at all.....

I bought the original "The Day The Earth Stood Still" and I have the satisfaction knowing I don't own the piece of crap re-make.

Double-dipping to get additional "Boxed Set" titles, or waiting for Hannibal/Manhunter to be released individually is just part of being an early buyer..... if you DO decide to buy the boxed set now.... are you going to make a thread in a few months complaining that they released them individually after you already double-dipped them

WB is offering an extensive collection in "one shot" what's not to like??? You don't want them "All" then don't buy the set, and wait.

I also happen to really like the Digi-books..... that god-awful marketing is working in my favor I guess....... If you want to put them in plastic cases, print out some artwork.... there's a whole "Custom" thread out there for you.

[BluBonnet]

I think I feel more or less the same way as Beta Man.

Like BM, I own the original Day the Earth Stood Still and I'm quite happy not to have to even look at the artwork for the remake (plus I think that version doesn't have the extras for the original movie).

I also like digibooks a lot. I wish they'd use them more often, they're fun and kinda cute.

As for whether or not certain movies are initially bundled... it really hasn't bothered me up to now. I rent an awful lot of stuff, anyway, even for movies that I really like, because even with my favorite movies, I don't rewatch them all that often.

There's a lot of things going on in the world right now, tbh, and I personally don't feel it's worth putting too much thought into a simple little thing like how movies are packaged. Usually, if I can rent them, I'm a happy camper.

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by almy

Final gripe about Warners - Now that I've purchased several of their titles in that God-awful Digibook packaging, they are re-releasing some of them in the regular blue plastic packages. They could at least offer to send out (say at around .25 each), the new paper cover insert they'll be using.

Almost all of the digibook releases in the U.S. can be imported from the UK in regular cases for around the same price.

[charlieray1]

The Blu-ray of the original version of The Day The Earth Stood Still has extensive (and excellent) extras -- none of which are on the remake version.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by almy

Am I the only one getting really annoyed a thte way some (not all) studios are treating certain releases and the fans that buy certain titles? Consider:

A few months ago, Fox came out with the original '50s B&W THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL on Blu. I did not buy it (thankfully) and I have no idea how many people did. Then, just a few weeks later they released the new Keanu Reeves re-make and included the same B&W version in the package....the same version that just weeks earlier was being sold singly. Had I bought that original single I'd really be pissed.

Fox also came out with SILENCE OF THE LAMBS a few months ago. I did buy that. Then they come out with the HANNIBAL COLLECTION that contains three titles, including SILENCE. Now, if I want MANHUNTER and HANNIBAL I've got to buy SILENCE a second time 'cause Fox has not released them individually.

The kicker is the announcement from Warners that early next year they will release a Clint Eastwood boxed set of all 35 films he did for them. But, they are putting 35 titles on 19 discs. There are quite a few Eastwood titles I'd like to get on Blu - but I certainly don't want all of them. And, I like to store my discs in alphabetical order which will be difficult with, in some cases, 2 titles on a "flipper". Warner will force me (and others) to buy titles I don't want, just to get the other titles I do want.

Final gripe about Warners - Now that I've purchased several of their titles in that God-awful Digibook packaging, they are re-releasing some of them in the regular blue plastic packages. They could at least offer to send out (say at around .25 each), the new paper cover insert they'll be using.

Thats my gripe/rant for the day. Anyone else feel as I do??

As stated, the '50s Day blu isn't the same, because none of the great extras are included with the awful 2008 version.

You shouldn't be mad that you have to buy Silence again in the Lector set; you should be mad that the transfer is pretty much junk.

And if you have patience, the Eastwood films will be released separately down the road, so, NO, you don't have to buy ones you don't want.

[richieb1971]

Personal preferences aside. The OP has a point that the choice was not there 3 months ago, but is now.

Had the bundles been advertised well in advance, the choice to buy singularly or bundled would have made everyone happy. As it stands the choice was not given until its too late.

I've seen this happen quite alot recently and its not good business practice.

Sony did it with the PS3 250GB machine. They let 100's of 1000's of people buy the 120GB machine, then to announce a 250GB machine less than 1 month later at $20 or so more expense.

This practice must stop, its pissing people off.

[Dexter Morgan]

Originally Posted by almy

Am I the only one getting really annoyed a thte way some (not all) studios are treating certain releases and the fans that buy certain titles? Consider:

A few months ago, Fox came out with the original '50s B&W THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL on Blu. I did not buy it (thankfully) and I have no idea how many people did. Then, just a few weeks later they released the new Keanu Reeves re-make and included the same B&W version in the package....the same version that just weeks earlier was being sold singly. Had I bought that original single I'd really be pissed.

Fox also came out with SILENCE OF THE LAMBS a few months ago. I did buy that. Then they come out with the HANNIBAL COLLECTION that contains three titles, including SILENCE. Now, if I want MANHUNTER and HANNIBAL I've got to buy SILENCE a second time 'cause Fox has not released them individually.

The kicker is the announcement from Warners that early next year they will release a Clint Eastwood boxed set of all 35 films he did for them. But, they are putting 35 titles on 19 discs. There are quite a few Eastwood titles I'd like to get on Blu - but I certainly don't want all of them. And, I like to store my discs in alphabetical order which will be difficult with, in some cases, 2 titles on a "flipper". Warner will force me (and others) to buy titles I don't want, just to get the other titles I do want.

Final gripe about Warners - Now that I've purchased several of their titles in that God-awful Digibook packaging, they are re-releasing some of them in the regular blue plastic packages. They could at least offer to send out (say at around .25 each), the new paper cover insert they'll be using.

Thats my gripe/rant for the day. Anyone else feel as I do??

I just bought my first digibook (300 Collector's) from AMZ when they recently had it for $12.99. I had never seen the digibook packaging before receiving it, and I must say I love it.

The only thing that could make the digibook better for me, were if there was an option to close it (magnet, snap, etc.). I realize it's a digibook, but it does contain a disc. It's only a minor gripe, and it's overall some really slick packaging.

I can understand some of the more anal collector's not liking the digibooks though, due to the lack of uniformity to the size of a normal case. I like them though, and I can see myself buying more in the future.

[benricci]

Would you like some cheese with that whine?

[iam1bearcat]

I'm a tad confused... have you never bought DVD's before buying blu-rays? Companies did/do this all the time with DVD sets / films, so this shouldn't be new. Granted, maybe you thought that because this was the "superior" product they wouldn't keep rehashing and re-releasing films, which I understand. But I personally gave up that hope long ago. I know now if I buy something right when it's released, chances are a few months (or years) later it will be released in a different way.

It's all part of the game, gotta learn to accept it and decide when to pull the plug on a purchase.

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by Blu Atlas

I can understand some of the more anal collector's not liking the digibooks though, due to the lack of uniformity to the size of a normal case. I like them though, and I can see myself buying more in the future.

[steve_dave]

Apple and the movie studios are doing the 'special edition" gimmick with iTunes Digital Downloads.

Basically, for releases where a digital copy is included, its just the movie only. However, Apple offers iTunes Extras releases of the movies with extra features and menus.

And if you bought the movies before Apple announced iTunes Extras, you have to buy it again should you want those extras. Iron Man, Wall-E, and Terminator 2: Judgment Day are just some of the Digital Downloads re-released with iTunes Extras.

[phoenixram1977]

My only gripe is with the box sets. The day the set comes out like the Rocky set i believe each Rocky movie should have been sold separately the same day. That being said I have held off in buying the Spiderman, Rocky, and Die Hard Sets.

[Wdm81]

wait a minute...someone actually bouight The Day the Earth Stood Still remake?

haha, i kid, i kid, I actually paid to see it in theatres on opening weekend so i guess that doesn't make me any better

As for the whole digibook topic, i wish they had just offered the normal keep case version right up in the front, I don't hate digibooks but i certianly don't like them either. they just seem to Imply upon themselves and there no reason WB couldn't have kept the book style and simply shrunk it by a tiny bit so the packaging was a little shorter and less wide so as to allow it to fit more flushly with other bluray packaging

It's like someone at WB just likes to Mess with all the shelf Nazis out there

[Grand Bob]

I understand the need for the studios to make money, but it is frustating at times to see all of the different versions of movies released. The Wizard of Oz was released in no less than three versions on the same day. You may have seen the confusion on this forum generated by the release of different versions of the new Transformers movie. And of course, after buying the Harry Potter 5 disc box set last year, now there is a 6 movie set, an "ultimate edition" of the first, and who knows what in the future. And then, of course there will be the various versions of LOTR, Star Wars, etc. So yes, it's frustrating.

[mikem471]

Originally Posted by benricci

Would you like some cheese with that whine?

Shaddup.

[AKORIS]

sometimes this can be fristrating but it's nothing new-- "home video" has done this kind of stuff for decades now-- I bought Silence of the Lambs and then saw the set released later (I simply will not buy it until the movies are released individually). Same thing with 20 Million Miles to Earth (Ray Harryhausen set released later)

it's just the way it goes..... same thing with price drops (hard to predict what will happen later!)

[neo_reloaded]

Well hey good news! The Clint Eastwood 35 film set is DVD only! So no worries about that one.

[Wdm81]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

Well hey good news! The Clint Eastwood 35 film set is DVD only! So no worries about that one.

lol, that news just made the orginal poster try and hang himself, but the rope broke so now he's started a new thread to complain about rope companies

[BluRayMan69]

Originally Posted by almy

Am I the only one getting really annoyed a thte way some (not all) studios are treating certain releases and the fans that buy certain titles? Consider:

A few months ago, Fox came out with the original '50s B&W THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL on Blu. I did not buy it (thankfully) and I have no idea how many people did. Then, just a few weeks later they released the new Keanu Reeves re-make and included the same B&W version in the package....the same version that just weeks earlier was being sold singly. Had I bought that original single I'd really be pissed.

Fox also came out with SILENCE OF THE LAMBS a few months ago. I did buy that. Then they come out with the HANNIBAL COLLECTION that contains three titles, including SILENCE. Now, if I want MANHUNTER and HANNIBAL I've got to buy SILENCE a second time 'cause Fox has not released them individually.

The kicker is the announcement from Warners that early next year they will release a Clint Eastwood boxed set of all 35 films he did for them. But, they are putting 35 titles on 19 discs. There are quite a few Eastwood titles I'd like to get on Blu - but I certainly don't want all of them. And, I like to store my discs in alphabetical order which will be difficult with, in some cases, 2 titles on a "flipper". Warner will force me (and others) to buy titles I don't want, just to get the other titles I do want.

Final gripe about Warners - Now that I've purchased several of their titles in that God-awful Digibook packaging, they are re-releasing some of them in the regular blue plastic packages. They could at least offer to send out (say at around .25 each), the new paper cover insert they'll be using.

Thats my gripe/rant for the day. Anyone else feel as I do??

My friend. It's called milking. They will milk the property and blu ray anyway they see fit to make more money. Godfater is now coming out in single discs. You can now purchase harry potter years 1-6 on blu ray when that comes out. then they will have years 1-7. then they will have the ultimate box set. then they will have the super, duper oh you have spend your money on this box set. because by releasing multiple versions of the same film and different packaging, people will buy it. I feel the same way as you do. that's why i am very careful and do some reading before i make certain blu rays.