Meet The Collectors #006 – JP Stockwell
We’re back with another in our Meet The Collectors series, where you tell us all about your steelbook passion.
If you’d like to be featured in a future article, please get in touch here.
Here’s reader and regular steelbook ‘spotter’ JP Stockwell to spill the beans.
How did you first get into steelbook collecting, and what was your first purchase?
Well I had a few steelbooks of DVD films like Iron Man, Cloverfield etc. But when i got into Blu-ray steelbooks would have been when the Alien Anthology came out around June 2012 as an exclusive from play.com. If I remember correctly it was the fact that the transfers of the films (the first two especially being from 4k remasters) had great reviews, were all in a great package and for only £19.99.
Then play.com were releasing a lot of those Universal 100th Anniversary editions of movies including Shaun Of The Dead, Hot Fuzz, Hulk etc (all of which I purchased). The artwork being landscape on those steelbooks and I got into it from then on. I mainly got into the whole steelbook thing because it felt like a more boutique product than yer standard plastic packaging, and the exclusivity of some of the releases felt good to be in.
Do you have a favourite steelbook in your collection?
Well one I’m pretty proud of snagging up was the Anchorman 1&2 Walmart exclusive. Not necessarily because of the art but the fact you got both movies and all the different versions (three in the case of number 2) and all the extras in a nice little package on discs compatible in my region i.e. region free. Also the Walmart exclusive of Man of Steel which was 2D only (my preference) and with more extras than the UK version.
Would you ever buy a steelbook just for the art, if you didn’t like the movie?
I don’t think so. I have bought some steelbook release versions of films that are less regarded by others and perhaps even reputable like the Joel Schumacher Batman films. But I liked them when I was a kid and didn’t own them previously in this format so…..
Conversely, would you buy a steelbook of a movie you love even if you hate the art?
Can’t think of an example right now. I don’t think that’s happened to me yet thankfully. Again it’s not so much about the art but the material, The fact it’s metal just seems better even if that’s a superficial thing to think 😛
What movie that doesn’t currently have a steelbook really deserves one?
I would like a good steelbook for American Beauty with a better transfer. I hear most of the transfers aren’t great but I’m only half satisfied with the look of the German Media Markt Exclusive from what I’ve seen.
Do you store your collection neatly away, or is it all proudly on display?
They are on display with all my other films but I have them separated from the others I.e. on dedicated selves. Most of my collecting consists of steelbooks now anyway so they make up the body of my Blu-rays.
What do you family and friends think of your collection?
Well they know I’m a collector and are aware of the difference between steelbooks and standard editions through my telling them.
Not sure they know too much about any of the films themselves as they are more casual viewers and not too bothered about what they are. But I think their view is fairly “good on yer”
Thanks to JP for sharing, and remember – If you’d like to be featured in a future article, please get in touch here.
