I can totally relate to your dilemma with collecting regularly. Up until 2023 I was purchasing approximately 200 Blu rays a year. It was starting to impact my grocery shopping and my family pointed that out to me. I now purchase around 35 Blu rays a year and I am now happy.
The hobby of collecting films as physical media has now become a luxury, especially when they come out in limited special editions. I don't necessarily count myself among the hardcore collectors because I don't buy special editions at all these days unless it's really one of my absolute favorites, which rarely happens because the film is more important to me than everything else. I think you just have to buy more carefully and not chase after every fancy packaging, which of course costs a lot of money.
The ever increasing cost of releases, is the reason I’ve chosen to be extremely selective of which titles I buy, even as someone who doesn’t buy a whole lot of them.
hey man, I feel ya with the expenses. I started to write down everything I buy, to see how much I was spending and could see a pattern, which I used to set a budget that I try to stick to (so far so good). It made me more aware of pursuing better prices and helped me to keep track of annual sales, to use the budget smarter, you know. Additionally, I try to shift my focus from buying all the time, by... surprise surprise, enjoying the collection! I look at my shelf often, take movies out, look at them, read the booklets, watch the bonus features, watch reviews about it, make my own reviews, keep track in an app, etc etc etc. In a way, I feel like I get more from the releases, if they just sit on the shelf and I focus on what's next. Cheers from Denmark.
I buy loads from charity shops and car boot sales !!!! And I find amazing stuff ! Like earlier this year I got a metal box version of bladerunner!!! 7 discs a 15 page book 7 postcards a reproduction still in a glass frame £5 !!! Sometimes you get good stuff from regular hunting!!!
There’s so much coming out towards the back end of this year, got my eyes on the Columbia Classics Vol 5 4K coming out soon, but there’s a lot of quality releases. That Caligula set looks pretty good though, might need to look into picking that up, never seen the film but damn that box set looks great!
Well if you haven’t seen the film Umbrella’s edition comes with so many cuts you won’t know what to do with yourself. I too might get the Columbia Classic Vol 5 depending on if I like the majority of the films. I’ve gotten two of the releases before because they all had great films that I wanted or wanted to upgrade
I'm glad that the only physical extra that really appeals to me all that much is a soundtrack CD and even boutique labels rarely include soundtrack CDs in their Blu-Ray sets anymore so I don't feel any need to buy beyond a standard Blu-Ray. (I'd love to get into 4K but I have neither the player nor the screen for it.) I have some movies from boutique labels but, for those movies, I have the boutique label version because it's the only North American Blu-Ray release available for that particular movie, not because I'm particularly into buying movies from boutique labels.
Planning ahead for sales is important - but, yeah, it's still getting too expensive. I'm content with the UK Blu-ray of 'Neverending Story' which I picked up for AU $10.50 - no way I'm paying 25X that for the Imprint. I nabbed the 'Caligula' set for $127.50 during the sale as well. It is worth the price, I think. It comes with two 200-page hardcover books which wouldn't be cheap on their own. So between the books and the movie, you get three major items. Dividing $120 by 3 works out to $40 per item, $7.50 for the misc art cards, posters and whatnot that TBH I don't really care about. It's pretty reasonable. It's also much better than the North American release IMO, which only has two cuts of the film, far fewer special features, no books and costs about AU $125 + shipping.
Yeah I should probably just do that instead of buying exceedingly expensive sets that have books and essays and posters and stuff. Sometimes I just need the film and the not the physical extras
One of the reasons I'm getting the Imprint Neverending Story, is I just don't know that another label would give us both cuts of the movie. The German 4K release only has the original "German extended" cut of the film, so this is actually the worldwide 4K debut of the shorter intl cut with the iconic Limahl song. I can imagine it cost Imprint a lot for the rights to include both cuts in one release, with a lot of new bonus features as well. Plus the brand new documentary is here with its own slew of new features. I can't deny though, as a US buyer, it was significantly less for me at only $200 USD with shipping and tax. Plus I was able to buy it in four installments to ease the blow even further. Imprint is a great label and they're doing really cool things; they did a stunning version of The Orphanage, one of my favorite horror films, so I trust them to release a worthy product here. I just find it confusing that this uber expensive edition is the only version they're putting on the market, esp when there are a lot of people clamoring for a more affordable option.
I made sure I pre-ordered the Limited Edition of Caligula. It looks to be an exceptional release. My first order directly off Umbrella's site as well. Looking forward to owning it.
I have to remind myself to look at my stack of unwatched movies before making new purchases... The FOMO is real. I agree that movies are too expensive now. I can't even imagine how much worse it is for you in Australia.
I should look at my 700+ stack of unwatched releases before I buy something new as well… but it’s definitely a fomo thing and yeah it’s usually needlessly expensive in Australia compared to the rest of the world
It’s ridiculous now we have a similar problem in the UK - I’ve cut back on those big collectors set it’s all stuff I barely look at and I haven’t the shelf space us collectors are being targeted.
lol I was looking at that same Caligula set and had the same thoughts. I was impressed with the original but never felt the need to own it. The fact that this new film is fully reedited, and I havent seen it, makes me pause to want to spend top dollar on it.
To be honest, anything that isn't the case insert, the steelbook/slipcase, or the feature disc is junk to me. I'm at peace with the extra disc for the bluray/DVD and special features, and you can sell me a third if it's in a steelbook (because I sleeve discs and toss the plastic case otherwise), but the rest is there to take up space. Printed stills? Tiny folded posters? STICKERS!?!?!?! It's all cheap garbage to justify charging you a premium for a "collector's edition." What collector is going to use those stickers in the Demolition Man 4k? And even if there is some interesting booklet in there, how often do you look at it to justify devoting shelf space to its existence? Why store two or three movies when you can store one?
Its expensive when people only buy expensive steel books or collectors box sets or buy new movies on blubray the day they release. If you buy standard blu rays then they are not that expensive. Also wait a while and dont buy a new blu ray/4k the week its released. Most movies go down in price eventually and you dont always need 4k and then 8k and to be forever upgrading the same movie. Who the hell would want TCM in 4k or higher when the movie is supposed to have that grainy old look to it. If you are constantly buying the same movies as newer, "better quality" releases come out then there will never be an end in site. Most classics can be found on amazon or ebay for fair prices
I usually wait for sales for standard releases unless I adore the film (which is rarer now as I have all the films I want). But I do agree that the most expensive releases are the premium / boutique releases that most of the time I should avoid anyway no matter the quality of the release. I would argue though that some films, no matter how they were shot, still deserve a 4K release. I got the Second Sight 4K set for TCM and it’s spectacular and this is coming from someone who has seen an original film print projected in a cinema, warts and all. Despite how amazing the film is in a poorer visual state I still really appreciate and love the look of the 4K. For me it’s just like someone put a clean pane of glass in front of a pile of dirt - it beautifully represents how ugly the films is meant to feel.
@@CollectorCreations but then you will likely upgrade again to 8k and then again and its like how clear do you need the image?, how many more times will you upgrade? I am happy with blu ray quality, it is clear enough. Also upgrading all of you set up every tine a new format cones out is ridiculous. Now you need the right tv, player, surround sound and it gets pricey. I have all the classic and all my favourites and with modern films being so bad it means fewer to add to my collection. I find that i can usually find anything i want on amazon for under $10 if i wait long enough.
@@ajax201000I can only agree with you because it makes little sense for me personally to watch classics like TCM in the best possible quality that comes onto the market. Of course, it looks very sharp on the 4K disc and is probably better for today's one Viewing habits of modern films, the stupid thing is that the ultra sharpness also shows certain errors that you haven't seen on DVD and Bluray. The Bluray are sharp enough for older films if you ask me and you don't need a complete home cinema with a huge OLED TV and a great sound system to enjoy this just my Opinion 🤷♂️
@ajax201000 you need not worry, I’ll never get an 8K anything cause to me that actually sounds stupid. Most of the time I’m happy with standard Blu-Ray’s of films or 4K restorations on a 1080p disc. TCM was a film I got on 4K because the set came with essays and artwork that I wanted and I wanted to see if a UHD disc could benefit the film and it did over the previous Blu-Ray. But I won’t get an 8K disc or TV. It’s unnecessary
The Neverending story is not actually a replica book, its oy a replica for the outside, its the packaging that will hold all the 4ks and blurays, art cards etc. If it was an replica book id be more inclined to get it. But i think $250 is a joke for 1 movie.
The one downside to physical media (mainly Blu-ray and 4K discs) is that most new movies are usually the same price as a Netflix subscription. SomI end up either buying a cheap DVD from a charity store or watching something else online.
A Netflix subscription in Australia is half the price of a retail Blu-ray and still cheaper than a retail DVD. Probably not a good thing for a person like me who prefers physical over streaming
Physical media is now a niche collectors market. The mass market simply does not want it. Just like vinyl - it's priced at absurd levels due to fixed costs being spread over a smaller base and obvious greed. I just want basic blu rays and DVDs if otherwise not available. I don't want all the extras. The extras are added to try and justify the cost. Trouble is many of the new releases movies are not being released at all.
This video, truly, has nothing to do with 'physical media'. It has everything to do with out of control consumerism. You'd have the same issue with figures/statues, books, physical videogames, TCGs, fashion or anything else in the world where buying and collecting is involved. People need to ask themselves how much they enjoy watching films compared to buying them.
Buying anything means consumerism. It’s all expensive and no one can afford it and we’ll all be dead soon. Remind me to write a heartfelt letter to late stage capitalism and how it has killed us. Meanwhile I’m going to watch a film I spent $80 on 🥸
@CollectorCreations As long as you actually engage with all the material you purchase and don't have a massive unwatched pile. No, just "buying anything" is not consumerism. Consumerism is buying movies you don't watch b/c the acquisition is what brings joy or buying deluxe editions of movies you've never seen or don't care for. The vast majority of the value of a film can be gotten from the cheapest used versions. No, the problem is not "physical media", every hobby has a high ceiling of potential spending.
If there is a movie that really means something to me, I'll pay whatever the asking price is. But something like The Never-ending Story can wait as there would have to be a regular release in the future at a normal price. I get the frustration, I really do.
If I love the film a lot I never really hesitate to buy a new premium release, though I have stopped doing that of recent to focus on films I don’t have. I still admire sets like the Neverending Story but my wallet catches fire whenever I look at it. I do hope there is a regular release in the near future but Imprint seem to be waiting until this LE set sells out before they even tempt people with a smaller release
I cant remember when i bought a dvd or blu ray for the last time. I just download the movies i like in the best possible resolution and keep them on an external hard drive. My movies are free and dont get defected over time unlike blu rays. The only time i pay money to watch something is at the movies and thats expensive enough. No need to waste money on plastic which is bad for the environment and for my wallet.
This is why we shouldn't shame film buffs who prefer watching on streaming, since many of them only have so much disposable income and love for the "only way to watch movies at home" doesn't pay the bills.
I can totally relate to your dilemma with collecting regularly. Up until 2023 I was purchasing approximately 200 Blu rays a year.
It was starting to impact my grocery shopping and my family pointed that out to me. I now purchase around 35 Blu rays a year and I am now happy.
35 a year would be a dream (a good dream of course). I should follow suit
The hobby of collecting films as physical media has now become a luxury, especially when they come out in limited special editions. I don't necessarily count myself among the hardcore collectors because I don't buy special editions at all these days unless it's really one of my absolute favorites, which rarely happens because the film is more important to me than everything else.
I think you just have to buy more carefully and not chase after every fancy packaging, which of course costs a lot of money.
The ever increasing cost of releases, is the reason I’ve chosen to be extremely selective of which titles I buy, even as someone who doesn’t buy a whole lot of them.
hey man, I feel ya with the expenses. I started to write down everything I buy, to see how much I was spending and could see a pattern, which I used to set a budget that I try to stick to (so far so good). It made me more aware of pursuing better prices and helped me to keep track of annual sales, to use the budget smarter, you know.
Additionally, I try to shift my focus from buying all the time, by... surprise surprise, enjoying the collection! I look at my shelf often, take movies out, look at them, read the booklets, watch the bonus features, watch reviews about it, make my own reviews, keep track in an app, etc etc etc. In a way, I feel like I get more from the releases, if they just sit on the shelf and I focus on what's next. Cheers from Denmark.
Wise words friend, thanks
Who cares about limited edition you watch the movie then it just stands there
If no one cared about limited editions then they wouldn’t cost so damn much 🤣
@@CollectorCreations exactly...overpriced means there is a big demand!!!
I totally agree - its WAAAAAY overpriced. Sucks.
I buy loads from charity shops and car boot sales !!!! And I find amazing stuff ! Like earlier this year I got a metal box version of bladerunner!!! 7 discs a 15 page book 7 postcards a reproduction still in a glass frame £5 !!! Sometimes you get good stuff from regular hunting!!!
There’s so much coming out towards the back end of this year, got my eyes on the Columbia Classics Vol 5 4K coming out soon, but there’s a lot of quality releases.
That Caligula set looks pretty good though, might need to look into picking that up, never seen the film but damn that box set looks great!
Well if you haven’t seen the film Umbrella’s edition comes with so many cuts you won’t know what to do with yourself.
I too might get the Columbia Classic Vol 5 depending on if I like the majority of the films. I’ve gotten two of the releases before because they all had great films that I wanted or wanted to upgrade
That film every different cut of it is terrible
It is when you buy everything new/full price. Especially with movies I just wait until they're cheaper.
I prefer to steal, that way I’m not spending any actual money
@@CollectorCreations right...i made that in the late nineties with cds!!! :)
I'm glad that the only physical extra that really appeals to me all that much is a soundtrack CD and even boutique labels rarely include soundtrack CDs in their Blu-Ray sets anymore so I don't feel any need to buy beyond a standard Blu-Ray. (I'd love to get into 4K but I have neither the player nor the screen for it.) I have some movies from boutique labels but, for those movies, I have the boutique label version because it's the only North American Blu-Ray release available for that particular movie, not because I'm particularly into buying movies from boutique labels.
Planning ahead for sales is important - but, yeah, it's still getting too expensive. I'm content with the UK Blu-ray of 'Neverending Story' which I picked up for AU $10.50 - no way I'm paying 25X that for the Imprint. I nabbed the 'Caligula' set for $127.50 during the sale as well. It is worth the price, I think. It comes with two 200-page hardcover books which wouldn't be cheap on their own. So between the books and the movie, you get three major items. Dividing $120 by 3 works out to $40 per item, $7.50 for the misc art cards, posters and whatnot that TBH I don't really care about. It's pretty reasonable. It's also much better than the North American release IMO, which only has two cuts of the film, far fewer special features, no books and costs about AU $125 + shipping.
With shipping the Neverending Story cost me 200USD to import. Happy I got it, but Texas Chainsaw was 300USD couldn’t justify the purchase.
That's why i don't do special releases i just stick with dvds an occasional blu-ray or 4k
Yeah I should probably just do that instead of buying exceedingly expensive sets that have books and essays and posters and stuff. Sometimes I just need the film and the not the physical extras
One of the reasons I'm getting the Imprint Neverending Story, is I just don't know that another label would give us both cuts of the movie. The German 4K release only has the original "German extended" cut of the film, so this is actually the worldwide 4K debut of the shorter intl cut with the iconic Limahl song. I can imagine it cost Imprint a lot for the rights to include both cuts in one release, with a lot of new bonus features as well. Plus the brand new documentary is here with its own slew of new features.
I can't deny though, as a US buyer, it was significantly less for me at only $200 USD with shipping and tax. Plus I was able to buy it in four installments to ease the blow even further. Imprint is a great label and they're doing really cool things; they did a stunning version of The Orphanage, one of my favorite horror films, so I trust them to release a worthy product here. I just find it confusing that this uber expensive edition is the only version they're putting on the market, esp when there are a lot of people clamoring for a more affordable option.
You need to do a regrets video of movies you wish you didn't buy
We all have title we regret buying
I did do one a year ago but I was recently asked the same question on a podcast and I had more examples haha so maybe I’ll do an updated video
A new one just came out if you were interested in checking that out
I made sure I pre-ordered the Limited Edition of Caligula. It looks to be an exceptional release. My first order directly off Umbrella's site as well. Looking forward to owning it.
I’m excited for it, though I’m happy there was a sale before I got it 😅
Phillip here! Oh I will be coveting that bespoke NeverEnding Story replica book. I will keep it next to my bed, bible, kalishnikovs and hand grenades.
Just not next to a bog or quicksand
I have to remind myself to look at my stack of unwatched movies before making new purchases... The FOMO is real. I agree that movies are too expensive now. I can't even imagine how much worse it is for you in Australia.
I should look at my 700+ stack of unwatched releases before I buy something new as well… but it’s definitely a fomo thing and yeah it’s usually needlessly expensive in Australia compared to the rest of the world
@@CollectorCreations I feel ya. If only we were rich, then we could buy whatever we wanted.
Yeah, like a private jet just for my mail
@@CollectorCreations lol
It’s ridiculous now we have a similar problem in the UK - I’ve cut back on those big collectors set it’s all stuff I barely look at and I haven’t the shelf space us collectors are being targeted.
Shelf space is definitely a problem just as much as most of us not even reading the booklets or displaying the posters we get in these sets.
lol I was looking at that same Caligula set and had the same thoughts. I was impressed with the original but never felt the need to own it. The fact that this new film is fully reedited, and I havent seen it, makes me pause to want to spend top dollar on it.
To be honest, anything that isn't the case insert, the steelbook/slipcase, or the feature disc is junk to me. I'm at peace with the extra disc for the bluray/DVD and special features, and you can sell me a third if it's in a steelbook (because I sleeve discs and toss the plastic case otherwise), but the rest is there to take up space. Printed stills? Tiny folded posters? STICKERS!?!?!?! It's all cheap garbage to justify charging you a premium for a "collector's edition." What collector is going to use those stickers in the Demolition Man 4k? And even if there is some interesting booklet in there, how often do you look at it to justify devoting shelf space to its existence? Why store two or three movies when you can store one?
Its expensive when people only buy expensive steel books or collectors box sets or buy new movies on blubray the day they release. If you buy standard blu rays then they are not that expensive. Also wait a while and dont buy a new blu ray/4k the week its released. Most movies go down in price eventually and you dont always need 4k and then 8k and to be forever upgrading the same movie. Who the hell would want TCM in 4k or higher when the movie is supposed to have that grainy old look to it. If you are constantly buying the same movies as newer, "better quality" releases come out then there will never be an end in site. Most classics can be found on amazon or ebay for fair prices
I usually wait for sales for standard releases unless I adore the film (which is rarer now as I have all the films I want). But I do agree that the most expensive releases are the premium / boutique releases that most of the time I should avoid anyway no matter the quality of the release. I would argue though that some films, no matter how they were shot, still deserve a 4K release. I got the Second Sight 4K set for TCM and it’s spectacular and this is coming from someone who has seen an original film print projected in a cinema, warts and all. Despite how amazing the film is in a poorer visual state I still really appreciate and love the look of the 4K. For me it’s just like someone put a clean pane of glass in front of a pile of dirt - it beautifully represents how ugly the films is meant to feel.
@@CollectorCreations but then you will likely upgrade again to 8k and then again and its like how clear do you need the image?, how many more times will you upgrade? I am happy with blu ray quality, it is clear enough. Also upgrading all of you set up every tine a new format cones out is ridiculous. Now you need the right tv, player, surround sound and it gets pricey.
I have all the classic and all my favourites and with modern films being so bad it means fewer to add to my collection. I find that i can usually find anything i want on amazon for under $10 if i wait long enough.
@@ajax201000I can only agree with you because it makes little sense for me personally to watch classics like TCM in the best possible quality that comes onto the market. Of course, it looks very sharp on the 4K disc and is probably better for today's one Viewing habits of modern films, the stupid thing is that the ultra sharpness also shows certain errors that you haven't seen on DVD and Bluray.
The Bluray are sharp enough for older films if you ask me and you don't need a complete home cinema with a huge OLED TV and a great sound system to enjoy this just my Opinion 🤷♂️
@ajax201000 you need not worry, I’ll never get an 8K anything cause to me that actually sounds stupid. Most of the time I’m happy with standard Blu-Ray’s of films or 4K restorations on a 1080p disc. TCM was a film I got on 4K because the set came with essays and artwork that I wanted and I wanted to see if a UHD disc could benefit the film and it did over the previous Blu-Ray. But I won’t get an 8K disc or TV. It’s unnecessary
The Neverending story is not actually a replica book, its oy a replica for the outside, its the packaging that will hold all the 4ks and blurays, art cards etc.
If it was an replica book id be more inclined to get it.
But i think $250 is a joke for 1 movie.
That is what I meant but yeah, it’s still a crazy price for just one film
unfortunately i started collecting at around the same time as everyone else on the planet did so yeah, cant keep up with these prices 😬
Everything is getting overpriced
The one downside to physical media (mainly Blu-ray and 4K discs) is that most new movies are usually the same price as a Netflix subscription. SomI end up either buying a cheap DVD from a charity store or watching something else online.
A Netflix subscription in Australia is half the price of a retail Blu-ray and still cheaper than a retail DVD. Probably not a good thing for a person like me who prefers physical over streaming
did Tinto brass direct caligula
Yes he did
AMERICAN SICKO LE is $89. Fair crack!!!
Get on the bloody slipcover darlst!!
@@CollectorCreations 😄😆
Physical media is now a niche collectors market. The mass market simply does not want it. Just like vinyl - it's priced at absurd levels due to fixed costs being spread over a smaller base and obvious greed. I just want basic blu rays and DVDs if otherwise not available. I don't want all the extras. The extras are added to try and justify the cost. Trouble is many of the new releases movies are not being released at all.
This video, truly, has nothing to do with 'physical media'. It has everything to do with out of control consumerism. You'd have the same issue with figures/statues, books, physical videogames, TCGs, fashion or anything else in the world where buying and collecting is involved.
People need to ask themselves how much they enjoy watching films compared to buying them.
Buying anything means consumerism. It’s all expensive and no one can afford it and we’ll all be dead soon. Remind me to write a heartfelt letter to late stage capitalism and how it has killed us. Meanwhile I’m going to watch a film I spent $80 on 🥸
@CollectorCreations As long as you actually engage with all the material you purchase and don't have a massive unwatched pile.
No, just "buying anything" is not consumerism. Consumerism is buying movies you don't watch b/c the acquisition is what brings joy or buying deluxe editions of movies you've never seen or don't care for.
The vast majority of the value of a film can be gotten from the cheapest used versions. No, the problem is not "physical media", every hobby has a high ceiling of potential spending.
If there is a movie that really means something to me, I'll pay whatever the asking price is. But something like The Never-ending Story can wait as there would have to be a regular release in the future at a normal price. I get the frustration, I really do.
If I love the film a lot I never really hesitate to buy a new premium release, though I have stopped doing that of recent to focus on films I don’t have. I still admire sets like the Neverending Story but my wallet catches fire whenever I look at it. I do hope there is a regular release in the near future but Imprint seem to be waiting until this LE set sells out before they even tempt people with a smaller release
I cant remember when i bought a dvd or blu ray for the last time. I just download the movies i like in the best possible resolution and keep them on an external hard drive. My movies are free and dont get defected over time unlike blu rays. The only time i pay money to watch something is at the movies and thats expensive enough. No need to waste money on plastic which is bad for the environment and for my wallet.
Sacrilege, pure and simple
This is why we shouldn't shame film buffs who prefer watching on streaming, since many of them only have so much disposable income and love for the "only way to watch movies at home" doesn't pay the bills.
As long as collectors buy, i won't have to. I prefer free option.
Movies aren’t free, and if you think they are you’re doing something wrong
@@CollectorCreations i pirated 5000 movies and it didn't cost me a thing. exept for space on hard drives🙂
If you pirate movies then why are you watching videos about physical media?
@@CollectorCreations i like to watch other people's collections. i'm NOT against physical media