Decker

Is the older transfer ever better?

islandclaws

Predator says yes.

Josh-da-man

I sort of like the Fifth Element one, but I'll pass if it's a shit transfer.

OldBoy

eh.

gryffinmaster

Criterion's Third Man speaks up, too.

Decker

Thanks for your input.

asianxcore

It wasn't good. Sony Pictures even did an exchange program for that particular Blu-Ray release, that's how I got the newer transfer.

Decker

That was like seven years ago. Can't believe they're using that transfer here.

hdnmickey

Previously created disc stock that just needed to be re-packaged?

gryffinmaster

On some level of production, maybe, but the disc artwork is different and matches the new cover design.

Maxflier

There's an Easy Rider one as well:

DaveyJoe

I picked up Leon. While the designs aren't minblowing, when it comes to BDs, I much prefer creative, minimalist designs over floating head posters with banners announcing how many awards the film was nominated for, and who wrote the screenplay.

slop101

I think most of them look good. Though they don't seem to be selling too well, as my BB still has the same amount on hand for more than two weeks now.

DaveyJoe

Yeah, I think so too, and they're definitely preferable to the average BD cover. The only thing that surprised me was when I took Leon out of the plastic wrap it didn't feel like a steelbook or have a metallic feel to it. I don't know how to describe the texture, but it was definitely lighter. I'm not surprised that they're selling poorly. I would have picked up more but they were $15 on Black Friday, so I only got Leon, which is one of my favorite films. While I love the concept, they are basically a way for Best Buy to charge way more for titles that should be around $5-8.

Shannon Nutt

Are they more like the tin materials we've seen on sets (like the Mad Max set) than the harder steelbook material?

DaveyJoe

I don't have the Mad Max set, but that sounds about right. It feels just like the Evil Dead steelbook, a little lighter and not as sleek as the steelbooks I'm more accustomed to.

Does anybody know if the Taxi Driver steelbook has the remastered 4K version?

OldBoy

are these SteelBook™ or MetalPak™? not that it makes much of a difference...

Decker

Steelbooks. And of course it makes a difference. MetalPaks are cheap looking, crappy and have a hinge in the center of the spine. I hate them.

OldBoy

no i meant makes a difference in me liking the art. i know SteelBook™ is the better made case.

Hadrian7

And I got them all.... Gotta catch em all right?

E Unit

Uh, no.

My Other Self

Yeah, I saw these in person today and left unimpressed.

They're blank on the inside and don't pop like the standard new release SteelBook cases. They just feel and look cheap to me.

E Unit

If I didn't have any of these, I'd probably be game - for a cheap price. But I bought just about all of these catalogs years ago. The blu boom has winded down. Garbage like this won't do anything to improve sales, outside of collector enthusiasts.

Hadrian7

I guess I'm just the target demographic for all this stuff.

Josh Z

All Blu-ray releases of Taxi Driver come from the same 4k master. The "Mastered in 4k" version has a higher bit rate than the original release, like a SuperBit, but the movie was not actually retransferred.

Given that the Fifth Element SteelBook has the old, crappy 2006 Blu-ray in the case rather than the superior 2007 remaster, I'm inclined to assume that the Taxi Driver SteelBook will likewise be its original release and the not "Mastered in 4k" reissue.