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Ever cancel a Blu-ray order because of bad cover art? I just did.... (1 Viewer)

Ronald Epstein

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You know how it is...

Sometimes you put a catalog release on your "wish list," whereas it's not
that important to pick up now, but should the price drop later, then it's a
perfect opportunity to purchase.

Always felt that way about National Lampoon's Animal House.

Love the film, but since I have bought it so many times on different formats,
I decided I'd wait for a Blu-ray price drop.

Well, over a month ago, Universal announced price drops on several 1970s
Blu-ray titles that would be re-released at a lower price point of under $14 in
July.

When I preordered Animal House from Amazon, there was no cover art
posted. I thought that it would be the same poster artwork that has adorned
every DVD and Blu-ray release thus far.

Well today, I just happened to see that Amazon has posted the cover art.

I took one look at it and thought, "What the hell is this?!!!"

I immediately canceled the order.

ahouse.jpeg
 

Ronald Epstein

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And you know what's great?

I just checked Amazon...I can get the original Blu-ray release with far better
artwork for $2 less ($11.99) on Amazon right now.

ORDERED!

ahouse2.jpeg
 

JoHud

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Yeah, Universal uses a lot of slipcovers including both of those you've posted.

Funny that the combo pack is the cheapest one. Usually it's the other way around.
 

Charles Smith

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I remember Best Buy having some decade-themed stuff several years ago. You know -- back when they had a real media section and actually promoted the stuff. But man, it was nauseating. I hate that kind of thing, too.

Hell, I even shy away from actor-themed sets. The couple of times I've wanted what was in them, I discarded the box and filed the movies like I normally would.

Amazing how packaging and "theme-ing" can affect us. And of course, different strokes, etc.
 

Ronald Epstein

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Very nice to see you guys agree with this.I didn't know what kind of replies I would get.That 70's theme box is nauseating. Would much rather have the Universal 100th Anniversary release cover, and I amazed as well that it's actually cheaper.
 

Alan Tully

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Er...no. A bit of collectors madness going on there. I think all Blu's should have great covers (after all it's no cheaper for the studios having a rotten cover), but I don't care that much, as the cases arn't really on display, they're on a shelf, or in my case in a draw..
 

Moe Dickstein

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Yeah, most likely it's a slipcover now that they are out of the 100th anniversary stuff - those go in the trash in my house anyway
 

Brian Kidd

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Yeah, I'm with the "It's likely a slipcover" crowd. Universal has released a bunch of those. In the end, it's the movie that counts, though, right?
 

dana martin

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never canceled, but have I been up-set with some choices, it like the art departments for most of the studios have given up trying to market this in a way that represents the films proper. Classic poster art is always the best way to go, but for some I understand its not always the best thing because there are some bad posters as well.
 

Persianimmortal

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I'd never abandon a purchase I really want due to cover art. 99% of the time, the only part of the case that I see is the spine. I agree that in this case, it looks like it's a slipcover, and like all slips, I put it in the bin. And for the record, I rarely preorder now, unless its a genuine limited edition like Twilight Time releases. I've never seen the price go up on release, and there's always plenty of stock, so no need to preorder.
 

Bryan^H

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Yeah, that is pretty bad.

I hate it when studios categorize their covers. I dislike these as well:
NE7mhdc8N2Wwa7_1_1.jpg
 

Alan Tully

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Moe Dickstein said:
Yeah, most likely it's a slipcover now that they are out of the 100th anniversary stuff - those go in the trash in my house anyway
It looks like a slipcover is very important to a lot of buyers, in the UK anyway. And a lot of people will pay extra for a steelbook, or even double dip to get one. I'm not knocking it, anything to help sales.
 

Persianimmortal

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Billy Batson said:
It looks like a slipcover is very important to a lot of buyers, in the UK anyway. And a lot of people will pay extra for a steelbook, or even double dip to get one. I'm not knocking it, anything to help sales.
Magpie effect.
 

Ronald Epstein

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I knew there would be mixed opinions on this topic. Interesting read thus far.

I realize most people wouldn't care about these "themed" covers.

However, as collectors, we tend to enjoy uniformity. When you group titles
together by studio, as I do, one tends to see the oddball in the group.

These Universal theme covers look cheap. Looks like something that would
be in the bargain bin at the local discount store. You should take a look at the
other Universal "themed" artwork on Amazon for the 80s and 2000. Looks just
as bad (if not worse).

If this was the only cover art available, I would have no choice. But having a
choice, I chose to go with the 100th Anniversary art, instead, as it looks more
professional.
 

John Sparks

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Wow...all I see in my film library is the spines. Couldn't care less what's on the cover. Maybe if I hung them I would, but I've never seen that...but I have seen LDs being hung. and I have two hanging.
 

ahollis

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I have never bought a title based on the cover art, nor have I cancelled one based on the art. The art just doesn't mean thar much to me. It's all about the title.
 

David Weicker

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For me, its the film (and price) that is important. I rarely factor in 'extras' into my purchasing decision. If I want the film, I buy the film. I don't usually listen to the reviews (as I find them too 'agenda-ized' - not every film has to be 'perfect' or 'what it could-a, shoulda been' to gain a spot on my shelf).

As for cover art, its not a factor. There are many websites that post alternate covers, (or I can create a reasonable alternative). Many of my purchases do not have the retail 'art'. Sometimes I will even just change the spine (what yahoo decided that the third film in a group should have the company logo moved up 1/2 inch?, or a different font?). I'll even re-package for consistency - change digipack or digibook to keepcase.

David
 

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