Licence to Kill and The Man with the Golden Gun, where are the Steelbooks???

[BrandonJF]

Originally Posted by Samfield

In a moment of weakness I bought the slip cover versions today...only to find that our local customer friendly Best Buy affixed retail stickers with maximum adhesive to the slip covers. Nice...

Yeah, it took awhile, but I eventually got the adhesive off. Such a pain.

[giantchicken]

I ordered these two from Amazon and removed the slipcovers so that my copies from the BB QoS boxed set will now match the rest of my (pre-Sony) Bond discs. The still-sealed Amazon copies will now go back for a refund minus the slipcovers.

[Dex Robinson]

Originally Posted by giantchicken

The still-sealed Amazon copies will now go back for a refund minus the slipcovers.

And you actually think that's OK?

[giantchicken]

I was just too lazy to go and do the same thing at Best Buy.

As for OK or not, I leave that up to the store's return policy. Amazon and others consider a movie to be unopened if it is still sealed in the shrink wrap, which these are. If the slipcover was under the shrink wrap, then this would be against their return policy. As it is, they will accept it. If they want to offer a partial refund, that's fine, too. But they won't, because they consider this to be unopened. Slipcovers are not inside the shrink wrap and do not have a bar code on them, and the store doesn't care if they are there or not.

I got a copy of Wanted from Amazon without a slipcover. Target was selling it with a slipcover. Both were sold as new and unopened copies. I have also seen Hairspray and King Kong sold with or without a slipcover. The stores don't seem to care that much, and it doesn't impact their ability to sell them or our ability to return them. If Amazon says it's OK, then I will agree with them.

[diehardz]

Originally Posted by Josh Z

Ask yourself this: Where will this disc spend more of its life, in your player or on your shelf? [IMG]http://www.*****************/trafficreport/img/3721/k08t1221bbuq/gdsmile.gif[/IMG]

Nice question,
I'll remember this every time I buy a dvd.
Thanks anyway.

[THSS]

The release of these 2 films on blu ray is being handled so strangely. No steelbooks, not on ad from retailers (Best Buy and Target)...

Even Amazon's discount pricing hasn't been that great.

I did see LTK is at $20.99 this morning. However Golden Gun is still at $22.99.

Where and what are people paying for these that have picked them up?

I really would like to get them, but it seems like they will go on sale at some point?

I'm guessing with the lack of steelbooks this time that they will be reissued at a later date?

I wonder if the Best Buy Quantum box set that features LTK and Golden Gun has something to do with how odd this release of 007 blu rays is being handled as well.

It's a bit disappointing, in that these are 2 of my favorite Bond's...

[HarrisonS]

Originally Posted by THSS

...I wonder if the Best Buy Quantum box set that features LTK and Golden Gun has something to do with how odd this release of 007 blu rays is being handled as well...

As I recall, the release of these two titles was announced well in advance of the BB release of these together with Quantum of Solace in their 3-set. What bothers me is that there have not been any announcements of more releases in a very long time now.

[THSS]

Originally Posted by HarrisonS

As I recall, the release of these two titles was announced well in advance of the BB release of these together with Quantum of Solace in their 3-set. What bothers me is that there have not been any announcements of more releases in a very long time now.

Agreed. It would be great to hear about the next wave of releases as well as some sales on the 2 titles that came out last week.

[colombianlove41]

I'm wondering if we didn't see steelbooks because they we're really selling (looking at the larger picture I mean). Future shop is giving the ones that are available away at $9.99

[GizmoDVD]

Steelbooks and Volumes have been discontinued for the Bond line.

[shadowrage]

Originally Posted by GizmoDVD

Steelbooks and Volumes have been discontinued for the Bond line.

What was your source for that info?

[GizmoDVD]

Originally Posted by shadowrage

What was your source for that info?

The last two Bond titles were released without Stellbooks. There is now a clearance of them in Canada.

The last two Bonds were released not in Volumes. These might have a small shot at coming back, but I think MGM is going to stick to normal individual releases (especially since the rest of the Bond titles are not the greatest).

[Stinky-Dinkins]

Aren't individual retailers the ones who license the Steelbook editions (Best Buy exclusive, Amazon exclusive, Future Shop, etc)?

The reason the last releases didn't get the Collection treatment, and Steelbook as well I assume, is because there were only two released. It had to happen eventually as the number of total films isn't divisible by three (being the number of titles they're using to make a "collection.") I'd guess if Best Buy or Amazon wanted to offer Steelbooks for the future releases MGM would be happy to oblige.

[GizmoDVD]

Originally Posted by Stinky-Dinkins

Aren't individual retailers the ones who license the Steelbook editions (Best Buy exclusive, Amazon exclusive, Future Shop, etc)?

The reason the last releases didn't get the Collection treatment, and Steelbook as well I assume, is because there were only two released. It had to happen eventually as the number of total films isn't divisible by three (being the number of titles they're using to make a "collection.") I'd guess if Best Buy or Amazon wanted to offer Steelbooks for the future releases MGM would be happy to oblige.

It appears no retailer wants the Steelbooks. To my understanding (from what others have said), MGM made the first 9 steelbooks and only released the first 6 to Best Buy. When Wave 2 hit, MGM sold the remaining 3 Steelbooks to Amazon since Best Buy was not interested (perhaps because they grabbed the other 2 bonds 45 days early). No retailer has asked for any more Steelbooks which means none will come out. I find it hard to believe they would start them anew and play catch-up on 2 old titles months later. There are still 9 Bonds left...which means 3, 3 volumes makes since, but where do the other 2 fit in?

[Stinky-Dinkins]

Originally Posted by GizmoDVD

No retailer has asked for any more Steelbooks which means none will come out.

Is this just speculation?

How do you know Best Buy "wasn't interested" in the previous 3 Steelbooks? How do you know Amazon didn't one-up their license offer?

Isn't assuming that no future releases will get Steelbook editions is just like assuming no future releases will get the Collection treatment based on the fact that the last two didn't?

If any retailer thinks they can turn a buck on releasing the others in SB editions, they will. Maybe they chose not to release the last two in Steelbook because of those two films' popularity level relative to the others.

[GizmoDVD]

Originally Posted by Stinky-Dinkins

Is this just speculation?

Isn't assuming that no future releases will get Steelbook editions just like assuming no future releases will get the Collection treatment based on the fact that the last two didn't?

if any retailer thinks they can turn a buck on releasing the others in SB editions, they will. Maybe they chose not to release the last two in Steelbook because of those two films' popularity level.

From Josh Z on HDD

"I have a feeling we've seen the last of the Steelbooks. My assumption is that the original plan was for Best Buy to carry Steelbooks for the entire series. After the first wave, BB wasn't impressed with sales and decided not to carry any more. Since MGM had already manufactured the second wave, they convinced Amazon to sell them.

Unless Amazon or another manufacturer orders Steelbooks for the subsequent waves, MGM won't bother to have them manufactured. Being this close to the next wave, I think we would have heard something by now."

I heard the same thing regarding them making 9 Steelbooks and only putting out the first 6. The other 3 were already made so they sold them to Amazon. If no retailer wants to carry them anymore MGM will not get them commissioned to be made. If Amazon was happy with the sales from the previous wave they would have ordered more. Best Buy still has stock of Steelbooks. Future Shop is blowing them out cheaper than normal editions.

The previous 2 flicks may have not been great, but Man with Golden Gun is a hell of a lot better then some of the flicks previously released in the Bond Steelbook form. The economy could be playing a role in this (material is too expensive compared to non cheaper recycled cases, added cost in shipping, takes up more space on shelves etc).

Keep in mind I want the Steelbooks. Love 'em. I'm just as pissed as you guys are. I passed on the previous two Bonds because of no Steelbooks I now have to re-but the slip covers so they look nice and flush on my shelf.

[Stinky-Dinkins]

But that's just his "feeling." He even says it's no more than an assumption.

I don't see why it's any more probable than the scenario I tossed up there, other than basing everything on the fact that these last two relatively unpopular entries in the series didn't get Steelbooks. Of course retailers know something like Goldfinger is more likely to sell in a more expensive edition than License to Kill is.

[GizmoDVD]

Originally Posted by Stinky-Dinkins

But that's just his "feeling." He even says it's no more than an assumption.

I don't see why it's any more probable than the scenario I tossed up there, other than basing everything on the fact that these last two relatively unpopular entries in the series didn't get Steelbooks. Of course retailers know something like Goldfinger is more likely to sell in a more expensive edition than License to Kill is.

His assumption on one thing does not make the other fact obsolete - MGM made 9 SBs and neither BB or Amazon wants anymore. I can't think of any other US retailer that stocks Blu-rays as heavily as them besides Wal-Mart or Target...and they showed no interest in the previous 2.

[shadowrage]

Originally Posted by GizmoDVD

His assumption on one thing does not make the other fact obsolete - MGM made 9 SBs and neither BB or Amazon wants anymore.

Gizmo the entire line you posted from Josh said that everything was an assumption. This is all speculation.

I'll hold off on getting rid of the Steelbooks until the next wave is released, which would serve as a better indicator as to how they are going to treat the rest of the BDs.

[GizmoDVD]

Like a psychic someone asked the "Insiders" at the very Blu site about the steelbooks and the response

That's a question for retailers

In this country, with a few rare exceptions steelbooks are retailer premiums, and if they don't order them the studio doesn't make them

Bond hasn't been selling quite what people thought it would, so I wouldn't be suprised if retailers are skipping it. BB for example used its steel money for an exclusive window on MWTGG and LTK.

As I said earlier today:

Best Buy was not interested (perhaps because they grabbed the other 2 bonds 45 days early)

Steelbooks for Bonds are pretty much dead. We haven't even heard a peep about the remaining 9 titles

[QuiGonJosh]

I'm looking into getting all of the Bond's on Blu-Ray and am curious to know if I should go for the three-film box sets because honestly, that's the cheapest way right now. But the lack of a fourth boxset with these last two films is disconcerting. I'd hate to buy the first three only to have no other sets released? Does anyone have an update with these releases?

[THSS]

Originally Posted by QuiGonJosh

I'm looking into getting all of the Bond's on Blu-Ray and am curious to know if I should go for the three-film box sets because honestly, that's the cheapest way right now. But the lack of a fourth boxset with these last two films is disconcerting. I'd hate to buy the first three only to have no other sets released? Does anyone have an update with these releases?

I'm also curious about an update on the next wave of releases too. I haven't heard or read anything about them coming soon though.

I have been picking up the film individually as they have been released. I only went that way as Amazon had a great deal on 6 of the films last November. So I have stuck with the individual discs rather than the box sets.

Not sure what to advise you on boxes or non. If you are concerned about the box sets I'd go with the individual titles. I'm still missing a few of them so I am always checking the ads and Amazon to see if they are on sale. Target ran a few of them in March for $15. Costco has a great deal on some of them for $18 too. They also have an exclusive box set for the films for $160. Note that this set does not have Licence To Kill and The Man With The Golden Gun, but it's a good way to start out anyway...

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...=1&topnav=&s=1

Hope that helps! They are great blu rays, IMO. I'm watching Goldfinger as a I type this!

[QuiGonJosh]

Yeah, I just went ahead and ordered them all individually, most pretty cheap on Amazon's marketplace. That place is so great.

[THSS]

It's interesting that we have not heard any news from MGM on the next wave of Bond titles yet.

I wonder if the company that is doing the extras work, converting some of the old featurettes from SD to HD, is behind a bit?

It was a thought I had today on why the films might be released. Probably a pretty weak one.

Hopefully Wave 4 is announced very soon!

[GizmoDVD]

Poor sales over the previous two waves are not helping MGM want to push these out any faster.

[giantchicken]

I was concerned when I saw such drastic discounting on the first few waves so soon after their release. Within a month, there were already some sales offering the first titles for between six and ten dollars a piece if you were lucky enough to catch them in time. I know you could get the first six from Amazon for $39 shipped at one point.

They must have thought these were going to sell better than they did--but I hope that hasn't caused them to question whether or not to finish releasing the series on Blu-ray. I'll be ticked if they stop now!

[sensui]

Agreed, I've never been into collecting movies before BD (DVDs I collected TV series always). So this is my first time buying the Bonds and they had better finish what they started. They've done such a great job with them overall thus far but I can see that this is one of those series that's been released over and over in the past in multiple iterations coupled with the fact that most people (general public) hasn't adapted HD specs into their home entertainment won't help sales. Please please finish the Bond series on blu.

[QuiGonJosh]

I'm not worried about them finishing the series. They're over halfway done with the 20 Bond titles in the pre-Craig series. Sales are perhaps not as good as they would have hoped, but I imagine they're a lot better than your average decades old catalog title.

[colombianlove41]

but, I have to think that part of the problem is that they release a set of these every year. I mean, if i broke down and got the sets that were mastered in DTS, i don't think i would;ve bought any blu versions but a few.

[John Ballentine]

Originally Posted by GizmoDVD

Poor sales over the previous two waves are not helping MGM want to push these out any faster.

How do we know sales are poor? (Because they were discounted so quickly? Or?)