To those talking about the lack of continuity of packaging on their shelves ...

much ado about nothing in my view. What are you going to do when the next generation of video software and the one after that? Guys this is just stuff.

Sure I prefer slim-packs but it doesn't matter what you or I think on the issue. This is retail issue. Retailers want to maximize their shelf space and the explosion of the DVD titles, packing air on shelves doesn't work for them.

So, a retailer will tell a DVD supplier, you can have five feet of shelf space for all your titles. If your product turns faster than someone else's you get more space, if not, less space.

So guess which way this is going.

Oh, it's not a big deal at all...but in the end, I'm more concerend with how my DVDs look on my shelf than how much space they take up at the store. Like I said, it's just a hassle to have to print off new covers for these - something I didn't have to do until now. It's not like I'm going to boycott Warner DVDs or anything.

Yeah, no biggie. I don't mind the cases, though I prefer the regular ones. Same movies, but yeah, I wish they were keepcases just for continuity. It looks nicer on the shelf.

Then I balanced you out, as I was on the fence about this release, since none of these noirs are consedered essential, but the packaging is what encouraged me to get it.

I love the switch to slim-line cases - actually, I think they didn't go far enough, as I would've prefered they used those slim-cases that hold two discs each, then the package would've been half as thick as it is now.

So if they're slim-cases does that mean they won't be available for sale individually? I've piece-mealed from the last few Warner sets through Coumbia House.

Exactly, I'm a huge consumer of DVD's, not a flash in the pan like some of you are. I basically buy all of the WB sets because I love movies. I also buy them for the packaging - slim packs do not display well - you can't read the title and there is no 'presence on the shelf, no artistry with the spine. This is part of the joy in displaying them. If you take away this aspect, to me, it's a negative. Space is not an issue for all collector's, just some. Since these movies really only appeal to certain hard core collectors, they shouldn't scrimp on the packaging.

That's what Warner said in their last chat. Sets with slim cases won't be sold seperately. Those that are sold seperately will be in the thicker keepcases.

Personally, I'm a fan of the slim cases. I have one with a broken hub and when the case is shut, I can shack and rattle it all I want and the disc stays on the broken hub (I just have to be careful opening the case). That's a big improvement in my eyes.

^yah but that didn't exactly stick either. The lucy & Desi were released in slims, and long long trailer was released stand alone also in a slim

Well, I don't think we are being screwed over here, in a sense. Warner puts out amazing DVDs and the US has obtained releases before us from many other companies before. If they were not releasing it here in Canada (say, like, the Classic Comedies Collection) then I would have issue. Waiting three weeks for something this good is fine by me.

Like I said, I'm still glad they're making the effort to release these pictures. My problem lies in the fact that the Canadian delay was not announced until the July 18th release date. It pisses me off when I anticipate watching these titles this week, only to learn with absolutely NO prior warning that there is suddenly a three week delay. Had they been more professional about this and announced this delay a few weeks ago, while I would've still been irked, I could have tolerated it a little more. But, like I said, I wanted to watch these this week, and up until Tuesday, I thought that would happen.

Wow - there's so much in this post to make fun of. Where do I begin?
First off, I think it's funny/ironic that you (unintentionally?) put an "apostrophe-S" on "DVD" - as if they own you, instead of the other way around.

Yeah, I'm sure some of us will wake up some day and all of a sudden hate movies.

Well, apparently you don't really love movies like we do, since we didn't let the packaging keep us from buying and enjoying it.

Okay, this is the part where you're just flat-out wrong. Bro, you must need glasses, because I can read the spines on the slim-cases just fine. And if you really can't see them, turn the box around and voilà, you have the spine of the box that has pictures of the dvds on it - you know, artistry? Not to mention presence, since it's a couple inches thick. But if that's not enough, and since you're so into displaying your dvds, why draw the line at the spines? Attach a bunch of clear mylar bags along your walls, and slide your DVDs in there to display them with their covers facing out - that's even more artistry!

I really don't see how a slimmer case is scrimping on packaging - open up a standard Amaray, and there's a lot of wasted space in there. These are just more efficient, and no less appealing. And dude, I don't know where you get the idea that these are for "hard core collectors" - whatever that means, but there are plenty of people who buy these that don't really have a big dvd collection.

Oh, and FWIW, here are pics of my dvd collection to show you that I also like to collect and display dvds, so you won't write me off when I say that you're being a little silly here.

The post wasn't intended for you to make fun of, but rather to state my point of view. You're a real nice guy, as usual, and you're also full of shit. Saying that the slim lines display the same from the side is wrong, glasses or not. There's a difference, check it out. As I said previously, I will buy the set, just not at that moment.

To say that the film noir collection and volume 3 to boot isn't just for hard core noir fans is also wrong. That's why best buy only carries 3 sets of them. Every Tom, Dick, and Slop101 is not rushing out to buy these older, obscure movies. THAT'S what I meant. For those of us interested, I thought they should have maintained the continuity of previous packaging and gone amaray.

I know you have a big collection, to go with that big attitude of yours. Quit slamming people just to get yourself off. I was merely stating my point of view. Not everyone has a collection as big as ours.

Then you probably shouldn't have started off by stating what a huge consumer you were, as opposed to others who are just a "flash in the pan". When someone like me -- who started collecting laserdiscs 25 years ago -- reads that, it makes it nearly impossible to *not* make fun of your post.

We just disagree. You think that the slimlines look bad/cheap, and I think they look streamlined and efficient. As slop points out, there's a ton of wasted space inside a standard keepcase. A slimline eliminates that, maintains the exact same size for front and back cover, and keeps a readable spine. And it takes up *half* the space. Maybe you have all the space in the world to lovingly display your Film Noir box, but I personally like to put things away, so my home theater doesn't look like a Blockbuster store. Anything that gives me more options by taking up less space is a bonus.

Ultimately, this discussion doesn't matter. The number of people who will/won't purchase this simply because of thinpaks is trivial. And using the thinpaks allows Warner to double their shelf space at retail. So they'll continue to do it where it makes sense. That makes me happy and makes you sad. But 99.9% of the people buying these things don't care one way or the other.



On the subject of consistency... this has never been the strong point of the studios in general. They don't care how these display on our shelves. One need only look at TV sets by different studios to realize that their graphic design people sometimes don't even look at the previous season's box to see how things lined up, and what text was used. Law & Order uses no less than 4 different sized boxes and 3 different spine texts (It starts off "One", then "Two", then "The Third Year", then "The 14th Year"), and they've only put out 5 sets so far. The Shield does the same thing... "The Complete First Season" followed by "Season 2". It looks stupid and makes the copyeditor in me cringe. But it didn't prevent me from buying them.

Again, I said nothing that was generally out there for anyone's amusement. My inclusion of the fact that I was huge collector means that I have a big emotional and dollar investment in the product. I am the person they are marketing to (you would think) because they can bank on my money. The people who waffle based on thin paks, which you describe as a triviality, should not be as of much concern. This was my point. It wasn't intended as an insult to anybody, it's just that some people like to get offended for fun and slam people.

You yourself cringed at the Shield box sets (as I did) when the continuity changed. Saying that it doesn't matter to the studios doesn't mean anything to me. I'M the consumer and i was putting out the fact that 'I' don't like it. Since 'I' am someone who heavily invests in their product, I think 'I' have an opinion they should listen to. This in no way means that I demean anyone elses opinions. I don't think I did at any point, so why do I get attacked?

Quote: "I'm a huge consumer of DVD's, not a flash in the pan like some of you are."

I don't see how you fail to understand this. You turned it into a pissing contest. Your opinion is valid because *you're* a huge consumer... and others (who disagree) are a 'flash in the pan'.

You may not have meant for that to be demeaning, but that's how you are coming across. No one is reading a Flim Noir Volume 3 thread who is not serious about movies and/or DVD collecting. By your own admission, these older, obscure films are more for hard-core fans. So to state that people here are somehow not as serious/'huge' as you are is basically the textbook definition of demeaning.

How is flash in a pan an insult? I still don't see the slur. It's your perception, you WANT to get offended. What's wrong with being a flash in the pan in a certain genre? I would not pretend to know all about anime and I wouldn't be demanding changes in anime DVD's because I want one series - rather I defer to the anime crowd for what they would like to see, because I really don't care, it's 'trivial' to me. But this is where I collect and I do feel that those who invest heavily in them should have their opinions weigh more than just some guy who could care less.

I intended no insult. If I did I would have cursed or something.

We could go around in circles all day, since you obviously don't see what you actually said.

Where, in that original quote, does it say anything about genre? You say that you're a huge consumer of DVDs and that others are just a flash in the pan. You didn't say "I like Film Noir/Warner classics more than most". And even if you had, that would be a pretty huge assumption.

Think of the company you're in... this is a thread on a DVD board about the third volume of obscure/older film noir releases. Your average 'casual moviegoer' isn't reading this thread. People who enjoy this type of stuff are. The very assumption that your knowledge/collection is somehow superior to others is the silly/insulting aspect of your posts. You have no clue about the collections or interests of people here... why would you assume that 'your opinions weigh more'?

Slightly OT, but did anyone else notice the lack of English subtitles on Each Dawn I Die? Every other film in the Tough Guys box has...except 'Each Dawn'. What gives?

What the hell are you talking about? Are you that much of a unstable person that you think I was referring directly to you? These are broad generalizations I'm making I never said anything about anyone in particular. Even on this board there aren't tons of people not into film noir.

My opinion should weigh more because I am the consumer of film noir. A non-consumer of film noir should not give a crap. How hard is that?

Oh well. I'm done. I said what I said and stand by it. You'll just have to go on being deeply offended.

Kerborus,

Your opinion weighs the same as everyone elses. I think your failure to realize that is the problem. Everyone in this post in a "consumer of film noir" being as we have purchased or considered purchasing the third set. My $34.99 is just as important to WB as yours.

Anyway, oh happy day, mine arrived from Amazon today and my declining shelf space loves thinpacks

I got my Film Noir 3 set and The Tough Guys set today from Amazon and I was a little pissed the TTGS was not in slim-cases. Slim me all the way....

I usually don't weigh in on verbal skirmishes, but I feel this statement is a bit much. A tad too much hubris. That being said, I am as anal-retentive about dvd packaging as the next guy, and I will reserve judgement on your argument until I have the 3rd volume on my shelf next to the other two.

Kerborus, personal attacks are against forum rules. In the future, I'd suggest that you avoid making comments like this about other members.

Now, I'd like to ask all of you to stick to the topic. If the thread continues with posts directed at each other, instead of the topic, I will close it.

Sigh.

Thin Case or thick case, I don't care.
I have the movies and that is all that matters to me.

Of course a little more bonus features would have been nice.
Like "The Lux Radio Theatre" show for "Lady in the Lake" with Robert
Montgromy.