what`s happening with the sony marketing/product development department??
last year many major releases came with slipcases;

hitch
xxx state of the union
guess who
stealth
etc.

and this year

ultraviolet
when a stranger calls
basic instinct 2
underworld

all without slipcases!!

have they become too expensive or what?? especially with box office underperformers like bi2 and uv one might think that special packaging would be used to pimp the product to more sales?
at least for my account i like that little packaging bonus, so sony guys; please read this and wake up!!

I think they have becomes something of an annoyance for the stores mainly because every 6 with a slipcase could be 7 regular DVDS, and because they would be placed on other movies for a cheaper price, or so kids won't get carded, etc..

Those titles all came with cardboard slipcases OUTSIDE the shrinkwrap- whoever came up with that concept should be shot. Most stores stick their price tags right on them, and pranksters can switch them with other titles just for fun. I don't buy used DVDs because I want everything in perfect condition when I get it, but this almost makes paying more for brand-new product useless.

I like the slipcases. It makes me feel like I'm getting more for my money, since most companies have stopped doing inserts.

Many of the slipcases have the upc cut out so whatever is underneath gets scanned, which should prevent the old switcheroo. They include a slipcover for the new Platoon 2-disc set, but damn that cover is tough to remove.

Yeah, I love them slipcases as well . . . feels like I'm getting more bang for the buck. I think FOX is pretty consistent about giving us slipcases, but it seems to be hit and miss with the other studios.

It just feels more valuable when holding a dvd with a slipcase (the cardboard feel is cool . . . like you're holding a large baseball card or something . . . more of a memorabilia/nostalgia factor I guess . . . )

Anyways, I hope the studios continue to create the slipcases for the dvds.

If I really love the film and the dvd, slipcases/covers are great. Like a condom for a dvd!

I really don't like them sometimes there a pain in the ass to get off, other times stores put damn price stickers on them which mark up the slip cover when you remove it.

I don't care for them at all... yet I feel compelled to keep them.

Since they started putting the cut-out on the back, a lot of them get ripped on the shelves. Would not be a problem if they just put the fucking shrinkwrap over it!
And why the hell is it that inserts are suddenly too much of an expense to produce, but these things aren't???

That's what I'd like to know. I hate it that they can't put a simple insert into it. And with older ones that used to have them, they stopped putting them in. I had Return to Me, that came with a booklet inside for a few years now, and then my parents bought it, and theirs had nothing inside. Same with Spaceballs. Really annoying.

And why does the new Princess Bride have the cutout on the slipcase *and* the slipcase is shrinkwrapped?

Makes me wish there was an "In The Mood For Love" slipcover.

Actually, I like slipcovers because it gives the spines the impact of looking like a digipack, yet the DVD and coverart themselves are protected in the keepcase. Cases and coverart can be replaced if damaged (unlike digipacks), yet it looks sharp from the side.

EDIT: I agree with slipcovers giving the DVD consumer "more bang for their buck" and that Sony should start including more frequent and innovative slips.