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domino harvey wrote:The packaging on the individual discs looks even worse. I don't know who greenlit this thing.

Was that by Eric Anderson?

No, Adrian Tomine's eyesight has just deteriorated so much faster than anyone realized

Ah yes, Rosenbaum's formative years...

-Toilet Dcuk

I received my copy from DVD Planet yesterday. I haven't watched any of it yet, but obviously part of the cost savings with Eclipse come with the packaging, which is low fi. I was surprised that there isn't even a box, simply a paper sleeve (with no top or bottom) that wraps around the five slimline keep cases. And of course no booklet.

domino harvey wrote:The packaging on the individual discs looks even worse. I don't know who greenlit this thing.

I'd buy that disc in a heartbeat.

arsonfilms wrote:The only flaw in your theory though has to do with the fact that no part of my DVD collection has ever gotten me laid. Well, scratch that. None of my Criterion discs have had that affect, and I doubt Eclipse will have any effect on that either for better or worse.

Hmm... arsonfilms, are you postulating that there are brands other than Criterion or Eclipse that have managed to get you laid?

Actually, probably there is an inversely proportionate relationship between the more DVDs (brand in this context irrelevant, I am afraid) you have on your shelves, the less action in the bedroom (naturally I do not speak from personal experience here).

In fact, it makes perfect sense, because you do have to "stop living" in a way, while you view a movie. By that rationale, one could even say that a DVD collection of a given size (irrespective of the brands of the individual titles) is tantamount to death.

Scharphedin2 wrote:a DVD collection of a given size is tantamount to death.

This is apt to become my newest e-mail signature line.

I was of course only half joking

I suppose you could be right, that an enormous DVD collection could be tantamount to death...

... but I'd be much quicker to blame a rickety shelving unit than the films represented. It's hardly farfetched to think a movie could get you laid, especially considering the cultural tradition of "dinner and a movie." You just need to employ a strategy when selecting the film. Secretary? Good choice! And God Grew Tired of Us? Very bad choice. The Unbearable Lightness of Being? Excellent choice! Scenes from a Marriage? She'll get up to go to the bathroom and not come back.

tryavna wrote:

Scharphedin2 wrote:a DVD collection of a given size is tantamount to death.

This is apt to become my newest e-mail signature line.

Well, it's a sweet death of sorts, which has been used to describe orgasms, so it's all good, I think. Multiple ones, that is.

Late Ozu cover art and packaging:

Too bad they opted not to put a red sticker on the bottom of every DVD cover.

I'm thrilled about the quick evolution of the Eclipse packaging, and I have even higher hopes now for future titles. In another six months, I'll bet the elegant, minimalist progressive Early Bergman release will look like Walkabout or The Lady Vanishes. Definitely another step in the right direction, and further evidence that Eclipse is not the ugly stepsister of Criterion, but another beast entirely.

Very nice looking altogether as a package... Tasty in all senses...

Ozu covers look really good. Fine design, well chosen photos.

I like these covers way more than the Malle/Bergman ones. Well done!

I am very pleased with the Early Bergman set. It is a steal at the price it is being offered.
I agree that we do not have the right to expect fancy packaging and extras in Eclipse offerings. But I would like to make a case for the cardboard sleeve to have a bottom. If there is not a bottom, the tolerance on the package design has to be managed to greater accuracy. Too tight, and it will be difficult to pull the plastic boxes out. Too loose, and they will slide down and possibly get damaged. A bottom to the sleeve would protect the contents better.

Lovely covers. The set sounds great, might consider a purchase...

I agree that we do not have the right to expect fancy packaging and extras in Eclipse offerings. But I would like to make a case for the cardboard sleeve to have a bottom. If there is not a bottom, the tolerance on the package design has to be managed to greater accuracy. Too tight, and it will be difficult to pull the plastic boxes out. Too loose, and they will slide down and possibly get damaged. A bottom to the sleeve would protect the contents better.

I definitely wish that Criterion had used a box like they use on their own box sets for this release, I work at a video store and our Bergman set has already split on one edge from people taking the cases in and out. I know the rental market probably isn't much of a concern to Criterion, but having a slip cover like this one is really impractical for us, I'd prefer for people to be able to read the titles on the individual cases without having to pull them all out.

That minor quibble aside, it's still a fantastic set and I love all the other choices they made (slimline cases and the sleeve notes being printed on the back of the covers). The minimalist packaging seems very appropriate for a Bergman set.

Why don't you separate the films for rentals?

I'm having a hard time seeing the problem. I haven't purchased the Bergman set yet, but is this much different than say Fox's THE FLY release with the outer case, or MGM's Blue Velvet?

justeleblanc wrote:I'm having a hard time seeing the problem. I haven't purchased the Bergman set yet, but is this much different than say Fox's THE FLY release with the outer case, or MGM's Blue Velvet?

It's the same, except the slip goes over 5 thinpaks. take one out and there is nothing holding the other four inside.

SncDthMnky wrote:It's the same, except the slip goes over 5 thinpaks. take one out and there is nothing holding the other four inside.

Can't you rest the package on its side until you put the fifth disc back in?

Tribe

Tribe wrote:

SncDthMnky wrote:It's the same, except the slip goes over 5 thinpaks. take one out and there is nothing holding the other four inside.

Can't you rest the package on its side until you put the fifth disc back in?

Yes, my post was not a complaint. I couldn't care less about the issue, I just wanted to answer his question.

I guess this whole problem would have been solved if they had the two openings along the spines as opposed to the top and bottom, of course then you wouldn't have the glorious spine porn this forum feeds on.