These special 'collector' dvds...brilliant, or a way into our wallet?

Necronomicon

I've noticed an increase of these collecter-type dvds popping up all over the place. The ones that have crazy boxes or some feature pertaining to the movie or its plot.

The first one I ever noticed (and subsequently bought) was the Evil Dead: Book of the Dead edition. I thought it was the coolest thing ever, the dvd box shaped like the book of the dead. Since then, the sequel has gotten the same treatment. (Haven't gotten around to buying this yet)

But in recent months I've noticed more and more of these, each seemingly bigger and more expensive than the last.
I'm talking about:

The Alien Head Boxset;

The Planet of the Apes Head;

The Fly Chamber dvd set;

The Hellboy statue dvd set

and the latest one I've seen (and admitedly drooled over) is the

Olboy Ultimate edition (in a box replicating the gift box in the movie).

But my question is.....are these things just a money-making scheme? When I was up in Dublin a couple of weeks back, HMV had the Alien quadrilogy retailing at €160, The Fly chamber set at €99 and the Planet of The Apes head at a staggering €230.
I'm usually a sucker for boxes. I mean, I have two copies of Evil Dead II already but I still plan on getting the Book of the Dead edition when I get around to it. And really, if I was filthy rich, I'd probably buy all the dvds I listed above because I think they're so damn cool.

But are they really? Or are they just a way into our wallets?

projectmayhem

they're a bit of both.

no doubt movie makers are finding it interesting to have a camera crew filming the camera crew (as it were) for a nice beefy "making of" DVD. ridley scott even said, with all these making of documentaries, film school is really barely needed.

i love 'em tbh. if i know a box set for a dvd is coming out, i'll hold out for it. to the point where i bought all the matrix dvd's as they came out, and then bought the box set because it had new extra features!

at the same time, while they're cool for fans, no doubt HMV et al lick their lips knowing that the box sets are for the rabid fans so they can charge what they want and it'll sell either way...

Pigman II

They're a joke imho. I guess can kinda understand someone paying a bit more (or re-buying a movie) if the new version has some extra feature on it like a special documentary (wouldn't do it myself) but I think if you really need a box for your Alien movies that is the shape of the queens head then no offense but you probably have something seriously missing from your life (and no I don't mean a box for your Alien movies that is the shape of the queens head).

BTW check out this short movie if you like.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIi6KPiJIHU

Rhyme

To be honest, the only movie boxset id even consider buying is the Lord of the Rings one and thats only down to the extra hour tacked onto each film. Im sure these expensive cases might become collectors items in the future and make nice addition to your mantlepiece but otherwise they serve no purpose other than taking more money out of your pocket.

Karl Hungus

I don't mind special editions and the like, because documentaries and extras can be a good watch, but big ass silly things like the Alien head box set I just don't find practical at all. I like my DVDs all sitting together on a shelf, nice and tidy, not as some giant display piece.

Crucifix

My house is already littered with little stacks of DVDs. I don't need to start having piles of plastic heads aswell.

Creature

Well considering I never watch the extras on DVDs I wouldn't bother with those gimmicky box-sets. They just seem like a waste of money to me.

The Bollox

I do get the collectors editions (2 disc sets) but don't bother with those fancy ones

garred

Double post

garred

If I like a film I'll go for the 2 disk edition for the extras. Its good to watch behind scenes, bloopers, commentary, etc of a film you enjoy.

By the way has anyone seen the Predator head disk set, it kicks Alien's ass but is very pricey.

Necronomicon

garred wrote:

If I like a film I'll go for the 2 disk edition for the extras. Its good to watch behind scenes, bloopers, commentary, etc of a film you enjoy.

By the way has anyone seen the Predator head disk set, it kicks Alien's ass but is very pricey.

Hadn't heard of it until your post, found it on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000HD100E/026-3742326-0849222?v=glance&n=283926

Not out until late 2007, bit of time to save up

exiztone

Weren't there only 2 Predator movies (not counting Alien vs Predator)... that's hardly enough to justify a big head box

adam_ccfc

If the film is re-issued with a better quality image and sound, and with additional extra features, then I will usually re-buy.