I honestly hate the exclusivity thing they do with some of the titles in these boxsets. Like if you want to buy only two of the movies included in a set, you can't do it. You have to buy the entire package, they're pushing you to buy other movies which you're not interested in. I'm referring to the Columbia Classics V2 set 😂
That Paris, Texas actual 4k restoration in there is great but the actual presentation on the disc is rather poor. Some poor encoding and compression issues make the grain blocky and almost come across more like just noise on that disc. It is a real shame. The German blu-ray uses the same 4k master and supposedly has much better compression. It certainly watchable but I dont know what happened with the encoding but certainly those opening scenes in the desert and if you look at the grain on the rocks and mountains at the start then you basically won't see any because it is all pixelated and blocky. I guess it reminds me most of what a film shot on film can often look like on streaming. Otherwise you can tell the restoration is actually beautiful but it isnt given presentation it needed on that disc. It makes me wonder and worry about encoding on Curzon discs as I heard another one of his films released by them also has bad encoding and that some people were seeking out getting the Criterion release as a replacement. So maybe an investigation and follow up video on this would be cool. I am certainly interested as I am a bit wary of Curzon now, and I am interested in this set.
I have a few of these boxsets but rarely pay rrp I usually wait for a sale. The only one I miss not getting day one was the Gamara big box set. Eagerly awaiting the Hellraiser and Psycho 4k box sets from arrow.
My opinion is if you are watching this channel then you are likely to be a big movie fan or collector. These big sets are very much worth it if you compare to what we might spend (income of course willing and able),to other daily or larger items that make up our lives.A reduced price always welcome too! I gain a lot of value from films,they are very much part of my life,Someone may prefer to spend their leisure money on a wide range of products or events,which will financially cost more or less the same as we might on a big box set,or film in general. I do collect film,but my mantra is that I above all love watching them and I don’t buy anything that is going to sit on a shelf for years.If that is the case,I would sell to someone who hopefully would watch and enjoy. A most interesting feature Elliot,Thank You.
I pretty much avoid box sets and bundles (except in the rare cases where the bundle is cheaper or has an exclusive version, ie how I got the Mad Max collection because I wanted the black and white version of Fury Road or how I could only find Pi in a set that came with Requiem for a Dream). My intention is to build a library where every movie is specifically chosen, so I see boxed sets as just adding more chaff to the wheat. I currently own about 50 movies that I am confident will never leave my collection and another 150 that I am open to replacing sometime (200 movies is my stated goal, which I will only go over when/if I give over 200 movies a 9 or 10 out of 10 rating).
That's an interesting approach. It makes sense and it limits your spending on unnecessary titles that don't meet your absolute criteria despite being pretty good movies. Watchable but not MUST OWN. I like it.
I do definitely also really hate when packaging is designed in such a way that it does not store the discs safely and puts them at risk for damage. My solution is this: I have a huge CD binder that holds a few hundred discs, so when I have a set like that, I put the discs in the binder instead to store them more safely. Once you have them in there, it's not really any more of a hassle (I mean, having to open up the box set to get the discs vs. having to open up the binder to get the discs isn't going to end up making that much of a time difference, or such). However, I suppose it is a little more ENJOYABLE to open up the actual box set and see the packaging/artwork (but not worth damaging the discs).
maybe not the largest but my favorite box sets I own is both volumes of the Herzog box set put out by shout, the Cassavettes box set by criterion, and the Dissent and Disruption Alan Clarke at the BBC set by bfi-the Cassavetes set will probably be around for a while but there's some pretty rare treasures on both the Herzog and Clarke sets I highly recommend
Definitely the Bergman set. It was one of the first boxsets I added to my collection. My whole reason to start collecting was to expand my horizons of films. I picked it up for $150 besides that I have both shawscope vol which are really entertaining if you love martial arts films or Eastern Asian cinema. Honestly I have made blind buys for most of my boxsets as I see that as the opportunity to discover lots of new films. I have Columbian classics vol 2, and 3 both of which were blind buys since I had never seen any films in those sets and wow I was really missing something. But my favorite box set is definitely the World of Wong Kar Wai another blind buy that had my jaw drop in the pure beauty of his films
I’ve always been a massive Fellini fan so I preordered the Criterion boxset on import and had to buy a Blu-ray multi region to play it too! Since then I’ve been a lot more patient and canny with getting an optimal deal with other boxsets. I had a wonderful time going through the Fellini so I don’t regret it and the multi region and 4k features have come in really handy.
I have several expensive boxsets: Columbia 1-3, Sony Pictures Classics 30th Ann., the two criterion sets for Bergman and Varda. But the most expensive set, that I have is Crystal Lake Memories, a German set with 13 Friday the 13th releases (incl. Freddy vs. Jason and a documentary). Each individual release is lavishly packed.
You didn't hold it up to talk about it, but you showed the Godzilla Showa Era set at the beginning. I bought it a few years back and...I'm not sure if i can recommend it, personally. It's great to have all 18 of the Showa Era Godzilla films together. And the essay for each film is great. The package is massive and looks great on the shelf. But most of the movies have little special features. The original has the most, since Criterion took its original solo release disc and added to the set. But most of the other films, often with two or three on each disc, didn't have any special features. Worst of all, though, is I've noticed the glue is coming undone in some parts of the packaging. It's caused some discs to slip from their envelope holding. Worse, when they slip down, they get covered in that binding glue. If the set was in better packaging, I might recommend the set. I'm not sure if the glue can be cleaned off to make the discs watchable again. And I'd be hesitant to put them back in the sleeve only to get glued up again.
As a general rule I don't like box sets. I prefer to have a curated collection, plus I only buy 4Ks these days anyhow. That said I love the Hitchcock Classics, I have Vol. 1 & 2 and can't wait to get Vol. 3 later this year.
I was on the edge for one of the Columbia 4k sets because of the exclusive Lawrence of arabia 4k, but I ended up passing. Now I have the beautiful steel book edition, and I'm much happier with it
The Bruce Lee set from Golden Harvest. That is also one of my favorite Box set. That comes with everyting you need to know about Bruce, and more !! A Book-movies on 4k-posters-pictures-loads of documenterys, and more...
My bigger sets are the Columbia Classics Vol 1,2 & 3. All for under $100 each when they first were released. Also the Back to the Future steelbook set and Rambo steelbook set. Both for under $100 each when they were first released. Sometimes good timing can save you money. And then again sometimes not.
That's how I was with the Columbia Classics sets. As a collector of Best Picture winners they are essentials to me (each set has one or two of them), with few duds, and some of them (especially Vol. 1) are at their best prices when bought up front. I'm not a big collector of director's sets, with one exception; my biggest set is Universal UK's 14-film Alfred Hitchcock Masterpiece Collection (though all of them will be upgraded to 4K once the third 4K Hitchcock set drops at month's end).
My biggest set I think is the Michael J. Murphy set from Indicator that has everything (everything surviving at least) he ever made which is like 29 films or something
The Columbia Classics Vol. 1 set is my biggest purchase $110, and for me, it's worth it since I don't have a physical copy of any of the movies, and that I only had one first-time watch in the box set (Lawrence of Arabia) but was a movie I was confident I would enjoy since I enjoy several David Lean movies.
You guys across the pond are always having the opportunity to get ahold some of the most beautiful, creative, and unique box sets that we don’t get here in the States. Not having an all region bluray player, I’m pretty much stuck in the world of region A. I’ve picked up all the 4K Columbia sets, Universal 4K Hitchcock Collections, and Criterion’s Jacques Demy, Won Kar Wai, Bruce Lee, and Jackie Chan. Would love to get the Godzilla set, but it’s such an unusual size. I don’t know where I would keep it. I also have I individual titles, such as Casablanca, Ben-Hur, and Singing in the Rain.
100 Years of Olympic Films: 1912-2012 from Criterion on blu ray.. This box set is just Fantastic. In the box is a great book as well. 400 dollars and very cent worth it.
The box sets I absolutely love are the Criterion Ingmar Bergman set and the Lukas Moodyson Arrow Video box. The Agnes Varda Criterion box is great, too.
I picked up copies of the now OOP Elia Kazan, Ford at Fox, and Murnau & Borzage at Fox box sets for something like US$20 each at a web remainders site.
I wish Criterion would do a Chaplin set like that Bergman set. I’d order that set before they even finished hitting the PUBLISH button to add it to the site. Aside from that, I have the 3 Columbia Classics sets and the Godzilla set. Oh, yeah, I also have a complete X-Files blu set, including the most recent tv events.
i have the huge boxset from the german label Turbine of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre for it´s 40th anniversary. Super rare and out of print, i think that´s the holy grail of my collection
My two biggest boxsets are James Bond and House of Hitchcock. Both really well designed boxsets. House of hitchcock comes with a lot of extra stuff too.
The only really big box set I have is the criterion Wong Kar Wai boxset which I think is a MUST have if you're a fan of his movies. Besides that I also have this really cool back to the future 20th anniversery box set which lights up and even has a dvd with the entire animated series that was made in the 90s.
I have the three Columbia Classics 4k because of some of the exclusives. I fully expect the films to continue to be released individually and I am okay with that.
The first box set I ever bought, and the item that got me started on this whole blu-ray trip, was the Late Mizoguchi set. I bought it as a Christmas present without having a person in mind exactly. I ended up keeping it. It wasn't super expensive at the time, about £60, but it's fearsome now on the secondary market.
This is where boutique labels loose me. Forcing buyers to purchase many films that they may or may not care about or may already own individually in order to get two or three that are otherwise not available anywhere else. At these prices collecting is no longer a hobby. It's an investment. I don't care to OWN every film by a particular director. I'd rather personally select which ones I buy since this is my personal collection. I am not a completist. Smaller box sets like the Bruce Lee or Lone Wolf and Cub are fine because it's not such a large investment and they usually contain a very specific range of titles. So I'll either wait for a less expensive option or face the reality that there are some films I'll never own.
I have the Ingmar Bergman set and went straight through all the films over two or three months. Love it! The included book is huge and fascinating. Even more interesting, I suppose, is that I'm also a huge Michael Bay fan. Loved Ambulance and Pain and Gain, not as much as Fanny and Alexander and Virgin Spring, but they hold their intended ground well.
I recently was gifted the Curzon Lars Von Trier collection by my partner and I love it, it has plenty of films special features but also has an informative book and some great posters for its price I would say it’s worth it (£139.99) I bought the Shawscope sets from Arrow and was blown away (seen all the films and love the collections). I’m not keen on the way the Pasolini set keeps its discs I’d be inclined to buy an amaray case that could hold all the discs. Great video
For me , the Criterion Bergman is the best of the best! I have also the Arrow Bruce Lee one which is beautiful! Also I love the Universal Hitchcock box sets !! I have already preordered the Arrow Psycho one !
A big determining factor for me is whether I have any or most of the movies in the set already. I love having sets for display but if I have a number of the films in the collection it makes it a lot harder to justify. The days of selling your DVD's or Blu-rays to cover part of the cost are past at least in my area. I have purchased all three Columbia Classics even though I feel like they always include a couple films that in my estimation are not "classics" But as part of my collecting bug I would hate to not continue the series. I also purchased the two Shaw Brothers sets at those 70's kung fu movies were a big part of my childhood and the nostalgia factor is a big part of my collecting, I have enjoyed them a lot. My favorite boxsets are probably the two large Clint Eastwood collections i own. I am a big fan of him as an actor and director and they probably get the most viewing. I'm surprised you didn't mention the massive Disney boxset announced this week at a staggering $1500 USD for 100 Disney "classics" This definitely a case of having most of the films in a collection already. I do like the packaging of the set though as it looks like film rolls at least to me. Keep up the good work Elliot allows enjoy the content.
The Ingmar Bergman Cinema Collection is also the biggest one in my Collection. I got it used on Amazon Germany (i live in Gemany) for 204€. It was in perfect condition an may just only opened than returned to Amazon. Other than that i also own the Zatoichi Criterion Edition which is beautiful and i got it for around 85 Pounds incl. shipping to Germany several years ago. Third biggest ist the german Alfred Hitchcock Movie Collection which comes with every Bluray in its own cinema-filmroll container, total of 16.
The Curzon, Bong Joon Ho boxset is really nice! Plus the rewatchability of his films is high. Great films and properly protected in a hardcase. Love it! The Arrow Graveyards of Honor set is also nice. Not big sets but high quality in every aspect.
I look forward to a follow up on the Wenders boxset. I’ve been holding off on it until I see some reviews and even after months of it being out I feel like, I still haven’t seen any serious in depth reviews on it. I mostly want to know if the picture quality is good or if they’ve done any funky colouring. The wings of desire 4K looks incredible compared to the old bluray but not sure if everything will be on that level - not sure if I want to upgrade just that film or get the whole set 🤔 By biggest boxset is probably just the old Hitchcock collection, but my most cherished would probably be the BFI Werner Herzog set because I love Herzog and all the commentaries make for a little film school in a box.
With Columbia classics is they can be released separately. With Vol3. The Last Picture Show is going to be released by Criterion in November. That I will get day one!
The main reason I hate buying these big box sets is the way the discs are handled inside. Your Wenders example is what I'm referring to. I also have the Zatoichi set by Criterion and I am afraid to keep taking them out because of that fear of scratching them. My Rurouni Kenshin box sets had the same design and they got scratched. I never get my discs scratched, so I don't trust box sets that practice that design.
The most expensive films in my collection are the hobbit and lord of the rings trilogy's I got the "middle-earth the ultimate collector's edition" on 4K. Absolutely love them got it as a birthday gift last year.
I got the Bergman set half price 2 years ago, also payed full price for the Agnes Varda set. But my most expensive set is the recent Six Million Dollar Man set which is a childhood favourite so worth every penny to me ( Picture Quality is amazing btw )👌
I am surprised Criterion never released that legendary 25 dvd Kurosawa collection on bluray. They could've given it the same treatment they did with Bergman.
if you catch the Bergman box on sale, I think it works out to something like $3.78 per movie which is an amazing deal if you think about it in those terms
My most expensive was the Eureka Kenji Mizoguchi 8 film boxset and it wasnt even expensive when it first went on sale! A filmmaker I adore so no regrets paying over the odds as it doesnt look like any release like that is coming anytime soon in the future unfortunately.
My biggest purchase so far is the E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial 40th Anniversary Ultimate 80’s Special Edition which I got £40 on eBay it comes with a lot of amazing things in particular a new 4K UHD version of the film etc.
Don't really have any boxsets but I have[ 5 A24 horror bluray combo pack . ][Alien movies bluray combo pack] and[ Predator movies bluray combo pack. ][ Jack ass movies DVD combo] [ American Pie 9 movie DVD with only 4 real ones and 5 made for TV ones. But I have bought single films like True Romance Arrow 4k for more money than those combo packs
The only problem with some of these box sets are if you sit on the fence and then decide that you'll buy it they are no longer available of if they are it's from third party sellers and you pay a lot more
I'm really enjoying the Criterion Fellini set now. Eager to check out the Pasolini. Does anyone else have issues with the Criterion Wong Kar-Wai box packaging?
I think for me it's the Bergman box set I did wait and get it at £120 the other expensive set I have is Game of Thrones 4K box set new it was £199. I'm watching for the Wim Wenders set to drop in price. I've got four of the films already through Criterion
Blu rays dont get scratched easily. And i dont think with such a big set you will be taking out the discs that often, unless you are obsessed with a certain film
I've got a few box sets, mainly early ones for DVDs, for example the complete Astroboy Seasons 1 & 2 @AUD69.95, likewise the 1980s series and Kimba the White Lion each at the same price. I have the complete (all versions) of Blade Runner on Blu-ray @ AUD79.90. I'm waiting on the Eureka Pandora's Box @ AUD53.03 (GBP26.99). Anime series were typically released disc by disc, sometimes with a box to place them into (Futurama did the same here at least), some of which were quite expensive at the end such as Last Exile, Noir, and Haibane-Renmei totalling AUD60 or so.
I have a couple of 100+ dollars steelbook sets, like the 4K Lord of the Rings and 4K Hunger Games, and I have a DVD set of Ingmar Bergman movies that was released in Sweden for his would be 100th birthday that was 120 dollars on sale when I picked it up. Don’t know if it’s every one of his, but it has more movies than the Criterion one as it also has some he only wrote or produced, not directed. I was a bit annoyed that only one single Bergman film exists on Blu-Ray in his home country (Fanny and Alexander), or at least that was the case when I picked that box up, don’t know if any has been released since, but I haven’t heard of any at least. As such I was wanting that Criterion box. I haven’t seen all of his films, and I don’t like all that I have seen, but I like enough to think 150 dollars on the half off sale would still be worth it, however with shipping and 20% of sale prices in import taxes and the risk of something getting damaged in the jump across the pond and all of a sudden I couldn’t warrant it to myself anymore. Maybe if I can time visiting US relatives close to a sale, so I can have it sent to their place and I just pick it up and bring it home with me, then maybe, but for now I’ll have to be content with my DVD box.
I have all 3 of the Columbia Classics boxsets … probably the most expensive is the Columbia Noir #3 boxset from Indicator … the reason is that I then realized I wanted the remaining boxsets in the series … no regrets at all :)
@@vlogsbyalejandroAre you referring to Columbia Noir 1 and 2? I ended up ordering all the individual releases for those 2 boxsets directly from Indicator … the price on Ebay to get the limited edition boxsets was just too high.
The Dragon Ball GT american dvd set! I know, guilty pleasure. Payed about 70€ cause it's kinda rare, expecially here in Europe. It has a bit of DNR, but it's the best home video edition out there beside the japanese "Dragon Box". Besides, I don't speak japanese, and the Dragon Box has no subtitles. Best seen on a CRT! 👌
I made the scream factory halloween 4k,s into a custom boxset if that counts? Getting all 8 of them on 4k imported cost north of 300.. Friday the 13th boxset is definitely worth it from them aswell but there hasnt been many horror boxsets to catch my eye. Like everyone im waiting for a proper nightmare on elm street one, not that cheap blu ray one.
Godzilla sets was a disappointment, many films have tracking lines!!!! Lousy transfers but Criterion told me that these are the Masters TOHO gave them!!!
😅Easily the biggest box I bought is the Berman box. Criterion as good as they are make terrible boxes . Like you I can't stand the half sleeves. The Fellini and Godzilla sets have them too.
Really sad I got into collecting after Columbian classics vol 1 Honestly anything I would want have already been individually released except for Mr. Smith Goes to Washington which is one of my favorite jimmy Stewart films and I’m just devastated there is no individual 4k release
Dang, that sucks. I own Volume 1 and I can say that it looks absolutely amazing in 4K. That's one of my favorites from the Golden Age of Hollywood. I got into collecting about 3 months ago, I think. I've been looking constantly for all the movies that I really want and the ones that may go OOP or are already OOP. I try to find some on Ebay, but those vultures are reselling them for so much. It's crazy, but I'm crazy enough to pay those prices. 💀
I just bought 10 dvds for £1 from the charity shop. Good films. So in answer to your question, they're only worth it if you like it. There is no long term value here.
Thanks for watching my video! Do you think these big blu-ray boxsets can be worth buying?
I honestly hate the exclusivity thing they do with some of the titles in these boxsets. Like if you want to buy only two of the movies included in a set, you can't do it. You have to buy the entire package, they're pushing you to buy other movies which you're not interested in.
I'm referring to the Columbia Classics V2 set 😂
I have the Bergman. Wonderful set. Worth every penny, especially on the 50% sale😂
That Paris, Texas actual 4k restoration in there is great but the actual presentation on the disc is rather poor. Some poor encoding and compression issues make the grain blocky and almost come across more like just noise on that disc. It is a real shame. The German blu-ray uses the same 4k master and supposedly has much better compression. It certainly watchable but I dont know what happened with the encoding but certainly those opening scenes in the desert and if you look at the grain on the rocks and mountains at the start then you basically won't see any because it is all pixelated and blocky. I guess it reminds me most of what a film shot on film can often look like on streaming. Otherwise you can tell the restoration is actually beautiful but it isnt given presentation it needed on that disc.
It makes me wonder and worry about encoding on Curzon discs as I heard another one of his films released by them also has bad encoding and that some people were seeking out getting the Criterion release as a replacement. So maybe an investigation and follow up video on this would be cool. I am certainly interested as I am a bit wary of Curzon now, and I am interested in this set.
I have a few of these boxsets but rarely pay rrp I usually wait for a sale. The only one I miss not getting day one was the Gamara big box set. Eagerly awaiting the Hellraiser and Psycho 4k box sets from arrow.
My biggest set is the Wong Kar Wai box set. Only have seen three of them so far but I love his films.
My opinion is if you are watching this channel then you are likely to be a big movie fan or collector.
These big sets are very much worth it if you compare to what we might spend (income of course willing and able),to other daily or larger items that make up our lives.A reduced price always welcome too!
I gain a lot of value from films,they are very much part of my life,Someone may prefer to spend their leisure money on a wide range of products or events,which will financially cost more or less the same as we might on a big box set,or film in general.
I do collect film,but my mantra is that I above all love watching them and I don’t buy anything that is going to sit on a shelf for years.If that is the case,I would sell to someone who hopefully would watch and enjoy.
A most interesting feature Elliot,Thank You.
I pretty much avoid box sets and bundles (except in the rare cases where the bundle is cheaper or has an exclusive version, ie how I got the Mad Max collection because I wanted the black and white version of Fury Road or how I could only find Pi in a set that came with Requiem for a Dream). My intention is to build a library where every movie is specifically chosen, so I see boxed sets as just adding more chaff to the wheat. I currently own about 50 movies that I am confident will never leave my collection and another 150 that I am open to replacing sometime (200 movies is my stated goal, which I will only go over when/if I give over 200 movies a 9 or 10 out of 10 rating).
That's an interesting approach. It makes sense and it limits your spending on unnecessary titles that don't meet your absolute criteria despite being pretty good movies. Watchable but not MUST OWN. I like it.
I do definitely also really hate when packaging is designed in such a way that it does not store the discs safely and puts them at risk for damage. My solution is this: I have a huge CD binder that holds a few hundred discs, so when I have a set like that, I put the discs in the binder instead to store them more safely. Once you have them in there, it's not really any more of a hassle (I mean, having to open up the box set to get the discs vs. having to open up the binder to get the discs isn't going to end up making that much of a time difference, or such). However, I suppose it is a little more ENJOYABLE to open up the actual box set and see the packaging/artwork (but not worth damaging the discs).
maybe not the largest but my favorite box sets I own is both volumes of the Herzog box set put out by shout, the Cassavettes box set by criterion, and the Dissent and Disruption Alan Clarke at the BBC set by bfi-the Cassavetes set will probably be around for a while but there's some pretty rare treasures on both the Herzog and Clarke sets I highly recommend
Great recommendations there. Lots of things to explore in those sets! Cheers
Definitely the Bergman set. It was one of the first boxsets I added to my collection. My whole reason to start collecting was to expand my horizons of films. I picked it up for $150 besides that I have both shawscope vol which are really entertaining if you love martial arts films or Eastern Asian cinema. Honestly I have made blind buys for most of my boxsets as I see that as the opportunity to discover lots of new films. I have Columbian classics vol 2, and 3 both of which were blind buys since I had never seen any films in those sets and wow I was really missing something. But my favorite box set is definitely the World of Wong Kar Wai another blind buy that had my jaw drop in the pure beauty of his films
I’ve always been a massive Fellini fan so I preordered the Criterion boxset on import and had to buy a Blu-ray multi region to play it too! Since then I’ve been a lot more patient and canny with getting an optimal deal with other boxsets. I had a wonderful time going through the Fellini so I don’t regret it and the multi region and 4k features have come in really handy.
I have several expensive boxsets: Columbia 1-3, Sony Pictures Classics 30th Ann., the two criterion sets for Bergman and Varda. But the most expensive set, that I have is Crystal Lake Memories, a German set with 13 Friday the 13th releases (incl. Freddy vs. Jason and a documentary). Each individual release is lavishly packed.
I want to get the Von Trier set as well
You didn't hold it up to talk about it, but you showed the Godzilla Showa Era set at the beginning.
I bought it a few years back and...I'm not sure if i can recommend it, personally. It's great to have all 18 of the Showa Era Godzilla films together. And the essay for each film is great. The package is massive and looks great on the shelf.
But most of the movies have little special features. The original has the most, since Criterion took its original solo release disc and added to the set. But most of the other films, often with two or three on each disc, didn't have any special features.
Worst of all, though, is I've noticed the glue is coming undone in some parts of the packaging. It's caused some discs to slip from their envelope holding. Worse, when they slip down, they get covered in that binding glue.
If the set was in better packaging, I might recommend the set. I'm not sure if the glue can be cleaned off to make the discs watchable again. And I'd be hesitant to put them back in the sleeve only to get glued up again.
I bought the 2001 DVD box set ..movie ..soundtrack ..and film still...booklet ..and was a limited edition ..
I bought the 2nd Columbia set, never again.
I just couldn’t miss Taxi Driver 4K. I’m the exact type of sucker they market these to!
As a general rule I don't like box sets. I prefer to have a curated collection, plus I only buy 4Ks these days anyhow. That said I love the Hitchcock Classics, I have Vol. 1 & 2 and can't wait to get Vol. 3 later this year.
I was on the edge for one of the Columbia 4k sets because of the exclusive Lawrence of arabia 4k, but I ended up passing. Now I have the beautiful steel book edition, and I'm much happier with it
Either the Bergman box set or the Janus films art house set.
The Bruce Lee set from Golden Harvest. That is also one of my favorite Box set. That comes with everyting you need to know about Bruce, and more !! A Book-movies on 4k-posters-pictures-loads of documenterys, and more...
My bigger sets are the Columbia Classics Vol 1,2 & 3. All for under $100 each when they first were released. Also the Back to the Future steelbook set and Rambo steelbook set. Both for under $100 each when they were first released. Sometimes good timing can save you money. And then again sometimes not.
That's how I was with the Columbia Classics sets. As a collector of Best Picture winners they are essentials to me (each set has one or two of them), with few duds, and some of them (especially Vol. 1) are at their best prices when bought up front. I'm not a big collector of director's sets, with one exception; my biggest set is Universal UK's 14-film Alfred Hitchcock Masterpiece Collection (though all of them will be upgraded to 4K once the third 4K Hitchcock set drops at month's end).
My biggest set I think is the Michael J. Murphy set from Indicator that has everything (everything surviving at least) he ever made which is like 29 films or something
The Columbia Classics Vol. 1 set is my biggest purchase $110, and for me, it's worth it since I don't have a physical copy of any of the movies, and that I only had one first-time watch in the box set (Lawrence of Arabia) but was a movie I was confident I would enjoy since I enjoy several David Lean movies.
You guys across the pond are always having the opportunity to get ahold some of the most beautiful, creative, and unique box sets that we don’t get here in the States. Not having an all region bluray player, I’m pretty much stuck in the world of region A. I’ve picked up all the 4K Columbia sets, Universal 4K Hitchcock Collections, and Criterion’s Jacques Demy, Won Kar Wai, Bruce Lee, and Jackie Chan. Would love to get the Godzilla set, but it’s such an unusual size. I don’t know where I would keep it. I also have I individual titles, such as Casablanca, Ben-Hur, and Singing in the Rain.
100 Years of Olympic Films: 1912-2012 from Criterion on blu ray.. This box set is just Fantastic. In the box is a great book as well. 400 dollars and very cent worth it.
The box sets I absolutely love are the Criterion Ingmar Bergman set and the Lukas Moodyson Arrow Video box. The Agnes Varda Criterion box is great, too.
That Moodyson release is exceptional
I picked up copies of the now OOP Elia Kazan, Ford at Fox, and Murnau & Borzage at Fox box sets for something like US$20 each at a web remainders site.
I wish Criterion would do a Chaplin set like that Bergman set. I’d order that set before they even finished hitting the PUBLISH button to add it to the site.
Aside from that, I have the 3 Columbia Classics sets and the Godzilla set. Oh, yeah, I also have a complete X-Files blu set, including the most recent tv events.
i have the huge boxset from the german label Turbine of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre for it´s 40th anniversary. Super rare and out of print, i think that´s the holy grail of my collection
My two biggest boxsets are James Bond and House of Hitchcock. Both really well designed boxsets. House of hitchcock comes with a lot of extra stuff too.
The only really big box set I have is the criterion Wong Kar Wai boxset which I think is a MUST have if you're a fan of his movies. Besides that I also have this really cool back to the future 20th anniversery box set which lights up and even has a dvd with the entire animated series that was made in the 90s.
I have the three Columbia Classics 4k because of some of the exclusives. I fully expect the films to continue to be released individually and I am okay with that.
I missed volume 1 and I’m kicking myself because I need Lawrence of Arabia on 4K in particular!
The first box set I ever bought, and the item that got me started on this whole blu-ray trip, was the Late Mizoguchi set. I bought it as a Christmas present without having a person in mind exactly. I ended up keeping it. It wasn't super expensive at the time, about £60, but it's fearsome now on the secondary market.
This is where boutique labels loose me. Forcing buyers to purchase many films that they may or may not care about or may already own individually in order to get two or three that are otherwise not available anywhere else. At these prices collecting is no longer a hobby. It's an investment. I don't care to OWN every film by a particular director. I'd rather personally select which ones I buy since this is my personal collection. I am not a completist. Smaller box sets like the Bruce Lee or Lone Wolf and Cub are fine because it's not such a large investment and they usually contain a very specific range of titles. So I'll either wait for a less expensive option or face the reality that there are some films I'll never own.
I have the Ingmar Bergman set and went straight through all the films over two or three months. Love it! The included book is huge and fascinating. Even more interesting, I suppose, is that I'm also a huge Michael Bay fan. Loved Ambulance and Pain and Gain, not as much as Fanny and Alexander and Virgin Spring, but they hold their intended ground well.
I recently was gifted the Curzon Lars Von Trier collection by my partner and I love it, it has plenty of films special features but also has an informative book and some great posters for its price I would say it’s worth it (£139.99)
I bought the Shawscope sets from Arrow and was blown away (seen all the films and love the collections).
I’m not keen on the way the Pasolini set keeps its discs I’d be inclined to buy an amaray case that could hold all the discs.
Great video
For me , the Criterion Bergman is the best of the best! I have also the Arrow Bruce Lee one which is beautiful! Also I love the Universal Hitchcock box sets !! I have already preordered the Arrow Psycho one !
I have the Hitchcock sets, but hate the tight slip cases. If I'm not mistaken, the UK version has separate cases for each film, right?
A big determining factor for me is whether I have any or most of the movies in the set already. I love having sets for display but if I have a number of the films in the collection it makes it a lot harder to justify. The days of selling your DVD's or Blu-rays to cover part of the cost are past at least in my area. I have purchased all three Columbia Classics even though I feel like they always include a couple films that in my estimation are not "classics" But as part of my collecting bug I would hate to not continue the series. I also purchased the two Shaw Brothers sets at those 70's kung fu movies were a big part of my childhood and the nostalgia factor is a big part of my collecting, I have enjoyed them a lot. My favorite boxsets are probably the two large Clint Eastwood collections i own. I am a big fan of him as an actor and director and they probably get the most viewing. I'm surprised you didn't mention the massive Disney boxset announced this week at a staggering $1500 USD for 100 Disney "classics" This definitely a case of having most of the films in a collection already. I do like the packaging of the set though as it looks like film rolls at least to me. Keep up the good work Elliot allows enjoy the content.
I'm starting a collection myself and I'm hyped to get a boxset, my plan was to get the 5 Cassavetes films box set. What do you think?
The Cassavetes boxset is brilliant, highly recommended!
The Ingmar Bergman Cinema Collection is also the biggest one in my Collection. I got it used on Amazon Germany (i live in Gemany) for 204€. It was in perfect condition an may just only opened than returned to Amazon.
Other than that i also own the Zatoichi Criterion Edition which is beautiful and i got it for around 85 Pounds incl. shipping to Germany several years ago. Third biggest ist the german Alfred Hitchcock Movie Collection which comes with every Bluray in its own cinema-filmroll container, total of 16.
The Curzon, Bong Joon Ho boxset is really nice! Plus the rewatchability of his films is high. Great films and properly protected in a hardcase. Love it! The Arrow Graveyards of Honor set is also nice. Not big sets but high quality in every aspect.
Herzog by shout factory, I still want vol 2. Also have the Bruce Lee criterion box, worth it for the hundreds of extras
I look forward to a follow up on the Wenders boxset. I’ve been holding off on it until I see some reviews and even after months of it being out I feel like, I still haven’t seen any serious in depth reviews on it. I mostly want to know if the picture quality is good or if they’ve done any funky colouring. The wings of desire 4K looks incredible compared to the old bluray but not sure if everything will be on that level - not sure if I want to upgrade just that film or get the whole set 🤔
By biggest boxset is probably just the old Hitchcock collection, but my most cherished would probably be the BFI Werner Herzog set because I love Herzog and all the commentaries make for a little film school in a box.
With Columbia classics is they can be released separately. With Vol3. The Last Picture Show is going to be released by Criterion in November. That I will get day one!
The main reason I hate buying these big box sets is the way the discs are handled inside. Your Wenders example is what I'm referring to. I also have the Zatoichi set by Criterion and I am afraid to keep taking them out because of that fear of scratching them. My Rurouni Kenshin box sets had the same design and they got scratched. I never get my discs scratched, so I don't trust box sets that practice that design.
The most expensive films in my collection are the hobbit and lord of the rings trilogy's I got the "middle-earth the ultimate collector's edition" on 4K. Absolutely love them got it as a birthday gift last year.
I got the Bergman set half price 2 years ago, also payed full price for the Agnes Varda set. But my most expensive set is the recent Six Million Dollar Man set which is a childhood favourite so worth every penny to me ( Picture Quality is amazing btw )👌
I do want the Pasolini set but not keen on the housing of the discs
I have the Jacques Tati from Arthouse (Germany label)and a 20 DVD Woody Allen Box so cool 🎉
I am surprised Criterion never released that legendary 25 dvd Kurosawa collection on bluray. They could've given it the same treatment they did with Bergman.
if you catch the Bergman box on sale, I think it works out to something like $3.78 per movie which is an amazing deal if you think about it in those terms
My most expensive was the Eureka Kenji Mizoguchi 8 film boxset and it wasnt even expensive when it first went on sale! A filmmaker I adore so no regrets paying over the odds as it doesnt look like any release like that is coming anytime soon in the future unfortunately.
My biggest purchase so far is the E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial 40th Anniversary Ultimate 80’s Special Edition which I got £40 on eBay it comes with a lot of amazing things in particular a new 4K UHD version of the film etc.
Don't really have any boxsets but I have[ 5 A24 horror bluray combo pack . ][Alien movies bluray combo pack] and[ Predator movies bluray combo pack. ][ Jack ass movies DVD combo] [ American Pie 9 movie DVD with only 4 real ones and 5 made for TV ones.
But I have bought single films like True Romance Arrow 4k for more money than those combo packs
The only problem with some of these box sets are if you sit on the fence and then decide that you'll buy it they are no longer available of if they are it's from third party sellers and you pay a lot more
I'm really enjoying the Criterion Fellini set now. Eager to check out the Pasolini. Does anyone else have issues with the Criterion Wong Kar-Wai box packaging?
One of my most expensive boxsets is the Star Wars 4k 27 disk, boxset, I paid £199.99p but its worth the asking price. 👍
I think for me it's the Bergman box set I did wait and get it at £120 the other expensive set I have is Game of Thrones 4K box set new it was £199. I'm watching for the Wim Wenders set to drop in price. I've got four of the films already through Criterion
Just preordered the curzon boxset..can u make a video on them!? 😮
Blu rays dont get scratched easily. And i dont think with such a big set you will be taking out the discs that often, unless you are obsessed with a certain film
My most expensive box set is a recent purchase, Bruce lee at Golden harvest 4k limited edition, at £120.00 it was differently worth for me
I need to get my hands on the Bruce Lee 4K set. I just couldn’t afford the price when it first went on sale.
I've got a few box sets, mainly early ones for DVDs, for example the complete Astroboy Seasons 1 & 2 @AUD69.95, likewise the 1980s series and Kimba the White Lion each at the same price. I have the complete (all versions) of Blade Runner on Blu-ray @ AUD79.90. I'm waiting on the Eureka Pandora's Box @ AUD53.03 (GBP26.99). Anime series were typically released disc by disc, sometimes with a box to place them into (Futurama did the same here at least), some of which were quite expensive at the end such as Last Exile, Noir, and Haibane-Renmei totalling AUD60 or so.
I have a couple of 100+ dollars steelbook sets, like the 4K Lord of the Rings and 4K Hunger Games, and I have a DVD set of Ingmar Bergman movies that was released in Sweden for his would be 100th birthday that was 120 dollars on sale when I picked it up. Don’t know if it’s every one of his, but it has more movies than the Criterion one as it also has some he only wrote or produced, not directed. I was a bit annoyed that only one single Bergman film exists on Blu-Ray in his home country (Fanny and Alexander), or at least that was the case when I picked that box up, don’t know if any has been released since, but I haven’t heard of any at least. As such I was wanting that Criterion box. I haven’t seen all of his films, and I don’t like all that I have seen, but I like enough to think 150 dollars on the half off sale would still be worth it, however with shipping and 20% of sale prices in import taxes and the risk of something getting damaged in the jump across the pond and all of a sudden I couldn’t warrant it to myself anymore. Maybe if I can time visiting US relatives close to a sale, so I can have it sent to their place and I just pick it up and bring it home with me, then maybe, but for now I’ll have to be content with my DVD box.
M.A.S.H. Martini and Medicine Collection is my biggest boxset. All 11 seasons + the film.
I have all 3 of the Columbia Classics boxsets … probably the most expensive is the Columbia Noir #3 boxset from Indicator … the reason is that I then realized I wanted the remaining boxsets in the series … no regrets at all :)
Dang, you think you'll ever sell the #1 and #2 boxsets? 😅😂
I really want those, lol.
@@vlogsbyalejandroAre you referring to Columbia Noir 1 and 2? I ended up ordering all the individual releases for those 2 boxsets directly from Indicator … the price on Ebay to get the limited edition boxsets was just too high.
Another tough part is when the movies are proprietary to the box set and you only want two or three titles out of 10.
I have the Bergman and Varda sets - worth every penny
Life is better after seeing King Boxer, get that opened
Clint Eastwood the signature film collection box set 400$ yeh this set has sleeves as well.. Hate them!
Probably the Gamera Complete Collection Set.
The Dragon Ball GT american dvd set! I know, guilty pleasure. Payed about 70€ cause it's kinda rare, expecially here in Europe. It has a bit of DNR, but it's the best home video edition out there beside the japanese "Dragon Box". Besides, I don't speak japanese, and the Dragon Box has no subtitles. Best seen on a CRT! 👌
I made the scream factory halloween 4k,s into a custom boxset if that counts? Getting all 8 of them on 4k imported cost north of 300.. Friday the 13th boxset is definitely worth it from them aswell but there hasnt been many horror boxsets to catch my eye. Like everyone im waiting for a proper nightmare on elm street one, not that cheap blu ray one.
Godzilla sets was a disappointment, many films have tracking lines!!!! Lousy transfers but Criterion told me that these are the Masters TOHO gave them!!!
I skip on the Godzilla box set due not using best transfers on some the films.
Gundam ZZ, hunting for venture brothers season 6 on bluray, Tekka man on bluray with English subtitles.
😅Easily the biggest box I bought is the Berman box. Criterion as good as they are make terrible boxes . Like you I can't stand the half sleeves. The Fellini and Godzilla sets have them too.
Essential Arthause: 50 Years of Janus films
Is the Wenders set region-locked? Thanks!
The most expensive I ever bought was the Columbia classic vol 1 $345 dollars
Wow 😮 That looks cheap compared to some of the current prices on eBay!!
@@ElliotCoen bought last year, had to save money and sell a lot of blurays
Really sad I got into collecting after Columbian classics vol 1 Honestly anything I would want have already been individually released except for Mr. Smith Goes to Washington which is one of my favorite jimmy Stewart films and I’m just devastated there is no individual 4k release
Dang, that sucks. I own Volume 1 and I can say that it looks absolutely amazing in 4K. That's one of my favorites from the Golden Age of Hollywood. I got into collecting about 3 months ago, I think. I've been looking constantly for all the movies that I really want and the ones that may go OOP or are already OOP. I try to find some on Ebay, but those vultures are reselling them for so much. It's crazy, but I'm crazy enough to pay those prices. 💀
Anime box sets are the most expensive overall. Mine personally would be my fate zero and fate stay night at $180.00 a pop.
My most expensive one is The Godfather trilogy 4K 50th anniversary limited edition for €95.
The Arrow 4K Bruce Lee set is the most expensive I have.
I just bought 10 dvds for £1 from the charity shop. Good films. So in answer to your question, they're only worth it if you like it. There is no long term value here.
Bergman- got it for 50% off, though, so only half as bad.
It’s a great set!
Sony 30th box set..$140
the wenders set does not even have subs on everything. no sale
The Columbia classics mix masterpieces with pure garbage. It's annoying. I have volume 1 and 2. I regretted buying the second and avoided the third.