Blu-ray Cases and "Cool Factor"

Josh Dial · 03-17-2008, 07:55 PM

I searched for a similar thread, but to no avail, so I figured I would start a thread about the "boringness" of Blu-Ray cases. I know the format is still in its fledgling state, but I certainly hope studios quickly start playing around with cases, adding a unique or at least artistic flaire to them.

I know shelf-space is a major concern for a lot of people, and that some collectors like a "uniform" look. Personally, I don't mind if the occasional special edition comes in a slightly different case. They don't all need to be "Blade Runner" or "Close Encounters" (and these two seem to be exceptions to the boring rule), but seeing the "Troy" BD copy next to the recent SD collector's edition is just embarassing.

In a similar vein, I would also like to see studios seize upon BD as a format in which they can move beyond the standard "movie poster" cover. By that I mean, far too many DVD releases have boring cover art from their posters. I know this partly depends on the quality of the poster art itself, but there are some really REALLY bad covers out there. Further, can we finally see the end of "a bunch of heads" on the covers? I don't think anything looks quite as bad as a lineup of the movie's actor's heads, often against a terrible movie poster.

In summary, I hope Blu-ray starts releasing nice cases

I know it's a very minor issue, but I'm sure I'm not completely alone.

cheers!

Josh

Viper · 03-17-2008, 08:28 PM

I, for one, don't want to see a bunch of goofy shit like there was for DVD. That's how we ended up with those horrible snapcases; the packaging for the extended cut of Punisher, Texas Chainsaw '03. Fuck that! Keepcases need to remain standard. If they want to toy with the box art or an occasional steelbook, that's one thing. Anything else sucks.

Josh Dial · 03-17-2008, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viper

I, for one, don't want to see a bunch of goofy shit like there was for DVD. That's how we ended up with those horrible snapcases; the packaging for the extended cut of Punisher, Texas Chainsaw '03. Fuck that! Keepcases need to remain standard. If they want to toy with the box art or an occasional steelbook, that's one thing. Anything else sucks.

Snappers were indeed the devil. Though, I don't think they were the result of an attempt to be inovative or "cool," but rather wasn't one of the studios (Warner?) financially involved with the snapper technology? I might be wrong on that, though, hopefully someone can correct me if that's so.

RickER · 03-17-2008, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh Dial

Snappers were indeed the devil.

Amen. I had read here that Warner owned the company that made the snappers. When they sold it, they went to the standard cases. I use only Amaray DVD cases, and i am happy with the existing Blu-ray case. I do hate the big black "patch" thats in some of them. Its not enough to have the thinner anti-theft tag, they have to have a big one thats a bitch to remove.

Viper · 03-17-2008, 10:36 PM

My only real complaint about the blu/orange cases is the inconsistency in the way the discs are actually held in place. I prefer the old Amaray (Yinyang style) hub.

**HTF Ads**

James Ryfun · 03-18-2008, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickER

I do hate the big black "patch" thats in some of them. Its not enough to have the thinner anti-theft tag, they have to have a big one thats a bitch to remove.

Oh my God, I hate those things! I almost feel like I need to get out a soldering iron to remove the damn things. It probably wouldn't be a big deal, but they block the back of the coverart, which often has the chapter listings.

Reagan · 03-18-2008, 09:48 AM

I like the Blu-ray cases. Everything about them is good. I even like the way that Disney and Sony print the chapter info on the inverse side of the front cover so that it can be read when the case is open.

-Reagan

Craig Beam · 03-19-2008, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh Dial

I would also like to see studios seize upon BD as a format in which they can move beyond the standard "movie poster" cover. By that I mean, far too many DVD releases have boring cover art from their posters. I know this partly depends on the quality of the poster art itself, but there are some really REALLY bad covers out there.

I couldn't disagree more on this. I want original theatrical poster art on EVERY film I buy. More than anything else, a film's poster represents the iconography of the film.

And regarding BD cases themselves.... I love 'em. Love the slimness, love the color. I prefer uniformity, which is why I'm unhappy with C3K and Lost Season 3 since they DON'T line up with the other BD titles on my shelf. Blade Runner's fine since it's just wider (I've got the 5-disc edition, not the "suitcase full o'bling" edition).

Stephen_J_H · 03-19-2008, 04:46 PM

I'm with Craig on this. The more studios move away from original poster art, the more we get crappy Photoshopped "floating heads" and stupid covers "inspired by current hits". Check this thread for some "shining" examples: http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/...vd-covers.html

TravisR · 03-19-2008, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig Beam

I prefer uniformity, which is why I'm unhappy with... Lost Season 3 since they DON'T line up with the other BD titles on my shelf.

Can't you just take off the slipcase?

Josh Dial · 03-19-2008, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig Beam

I couldn't disagree more on this. I want original theatrical poster art on EVERY film I buy. More than anything else, a film's poster represents the iconography of the film.

And regarding BD cases themselves.... I love 'em. Love the slimness, love the color. I prefer uniformity, which is why I'm unhappy with C3K and Lost Season 3 since they DON'T line up with the other BD titles on my shelf. Blade Runner's fine since it's just wider (I've got the 5-disc edition, not the "suitcase full o'bling" edition).

I appologize. I should have placed the first quotation mark before "standard." I didn't mean to state that studios should move to cover art which is completely different from the poster art, but rather different from the standard, or main poster, if that poster was boring/bad. I'm not exactly sure how to explain my point, but I'll try.

It seems a lot of movies have multiple posters. US posters, international posters, one-sheets, large banners, teaser posters, et cetera. What I am asking is for studios to not simple "settle" for using the common poster you see tossed on every theatre's wall, but rather explore the other, less-seen posters, which may actually be better.

Don't get me wrong, I REALLY hate those floating heads-style covers, but when I see a movie use the same old poster art for its cover, and I know there is a really killer poster from, say, Europe, that would look way better, I just shake my head.

Of course, ultimately, cover art is art, and art is s