ncraft

My latest deliveries: The Fifth Element Collector's Edition from Zavvi/Everything Blu, Hugo 4k from Arrow, and Mallrats 4k from Arrow. Just missed out on the Deluxe Edition of Fifth Element, but I'm definitely happy with this! 

59 minutes ago, upmaniac said:

I am afraid I am in the same boat. I like the A version to keep in the same style as LOTR, but damn, the B version looks incredible. 

Oh well, I do have two kidneys……
 

Same here. Thematically, I prefer the set of A boxes. Artistically, I'm torn. I prefer the Desolation of Smaug B front with the back of A. I love choices but this is tough. 

@extantsrevenge I have the three Nova 4k Lentis (one from each movie). Is the Lenticular in this group buy the same or will Nova do another separate 4k edition? 

9 hours ago, larson1977 said:

Does Tom know that his image is smaller than that of Val? He might go Les Grossman again when he finds out

2 hours ago, Boilersteel said:

I would say the PET slip is completely worthless over the OC, and I hope Manta avoids doing this in the future.  It has been removed from the box and will never go on it again.  

I don't think it's worthless. It has a nice texture to it, and it's different from what Manta has done in the past. To each their own. 

Inception by Manta Lab. Thanks to @Masterblaster @deckard99 @Gary K and crew for the Group Buy and fast/safe shipping. The good news: This is a beautiful set, with an absolutely stunning Steelbook, beautiful Full Slip and Double Lenti, and a one click box with great texture and art. The only weakness of the set, is the Single Lenti, which doesn't have good depth or clarity.

The bad news(for me at least) : On my one-click box, there is a whitish line that runs all the way down the area/crease where the cover opens/bends. I thought maybe I could wipe it off, but that didn't work out. I know I'm one of the few that open these, but this crease discoloration/scratch (whatever you want to call it) is very disappointing, and the lone blemish on an otherwise terrific set. Those that are thinking of opening your sets should check for this. This is a definite quality control issue. #Teamopenitup 

I remember the announcement from MP a few years ago, that MP would only post Manta Lab group buys when the beauty shots were shown by Manta. I agree with that 100%, but a one off, here and there, should be okay. For me at least, this is not a must have release anyway, like Reservoir Dogs or Across the Spider-Verse (they do have the Sony license now if IRC). 

@hdblueman I'm sorry to hear that man. In the U.S. we have had an epidemic of people getting packages stolen off their porch for the last 10-15 years. I switched to a UPS Store in 2013, which is like having a Post Office Box. Do you have anything similar in the U. K.? 

On An Unexpected Journey, I would swap out the brown spine for the middle option ( greenish/grey with the gold lettering). Other than that, I feel all three sets look great. The people complaining about the lack of Smaug on the front of Desolation of Smaug: I agree that Smaug should be featured, but then they would have to change the front of the other two sets, because I believe they are using the main theatrical posters, IRC. 

Deliveries from the last week. Pieced together the Dune one-click from Manta Lab, as I've had the Lenticular since release. Bought the full slip and empty box from a couple of sellers. As a side note : Both Guardians and Cinderella came with scratched 4k discs. Thankfully, the still play.

On 7/31/2023 at 8:06 PM, ShadowWarrior said:

It's very disappointing. They had so much positive momentum from the last few years, but have completely stalled now. I think they are right there with Manta Lab regarding quality of releases. But Manta is actually releasing titles, while WeET is doing nothing lately. 

Beauty Shots! 

I was able to snag a Collector's Edition at the time Zavvi had this in stock on November 27,2022. They had just sold out of the Deluxe Edition and I believe that the Group Buy was closed here. Now hopefully, mine gets shipped soon and Zavvi actually decides to pack this with care. 

Some recent pickups. 

33 minutes ago, R1s1ngs0n said:

This is depressing to read. I remember when I started collecting, I never had this anxiousness about receiving a damaged edition, regardless of the retailer, and very rarely did my items arrive in less than mint condition.

Extended delays I can live with, but now that fear of getting a damaged item is always there, sadly. 

Collecting Premiums and steels has really become a risky affair these last few years, so I guess I’m ‘lucky’ in that I buy very few editions and therefore spare myself added stress.

I agree, this is a problem that has become more prevalent the last few years. I also have started to check the discs of each release. Before 2020, I would just check for scratches and damage on loose discs, as I never had any playback issues otherwise. I started checking due to complaints from other collectors receiving a large amount of dirty, scratched discs. I would say about 25% of the discs I receive now have fingerprints on them, and about 10-15% have slight scratches. It doesn't matter if it's a boutique label or a Disney release, it's the same problem. 

2 minutes ago, Basil said:

well this at a new level for manta i heard taking the piss but no discs exist world wide, its like the saying you can't polish a turd  

@extantsrevenge nils i do wonder if mp is genuinely going to run a gb on this particular release bearing mind the only value this can have is unopened ever.

and i dont think how ever much the staff big this up you end up with too many buyers for this particular release, unless we are talked the sealed brigade  

 

suppose you may end with a few people that must have a sealed tin can  

waiting for manta to add in conditions like blufans now must buy this release to get next 3  

 

basil 

 

 

I'll open it regardless of whether it has discs or not. I look at it as a collectible and something fun to have. And let's face it, half of the people out there wouldn't open it even if they had discs. 

I'm in, I love this idea. I would love to have a disc release, but if not I'll still enjoy this. It's a great collectible, and the art choices are fantastic! 

48 minutes ago, Veum said:

These covers are BEAUTIFUL 😍… I can imagine my HDZeta steels w/these UHD Club covers, WOW 🤩 

 

Why didn't you join the Group Buy? 

7 hours ago, ShadowWarrior said:

Double Lenticular

 

 

 

Looks like Manta has another winner on their hands! 

1 hour ago, ShadowWarrior said:

Happy birthday to me! 😂

 

Can't wait to bust this beauty open!

 

Happy birthday!! 

8 minutes ago, vinny91 said:

 

sure you're right but it's way more difficult for members to get edition for GB WeeT , compared to Hdzeta which is easy to get for non tier members 

Why would it be more difficult to get WeET items in a group buy? Popularity? HDZeta may have been easier in the past, but other than the Lord of the Rings trilogy, what have they released in the last 1-2 years? 

6 minutes ago, Radzio said:

Looks to be a stunning release. That said could any one say how do the manta lab one clicks hold up compared to HDzeta and weet? 

I think Manta Lab, and WeET are now the top two premium makers, so I would say very well. Manta has pulled ahead of HDZeta with regards to quality IMO. 

4 hours ago, extantsrevenge said:

@Boilersteel that is an amazing selection, congratulations.

 

 

@ncraft, you did mean the Collector Award (Stage 1 with 10 releases)

 

Yes, that's what I meant! 

@extantsrevenge Here is my submission for the Manta Lab Treasure Hunter Award!