DVD Box Series #3: Dark Shadows

Once again we are back to my DVD box set review where you get to witness really cool dvd sets and sometimes where to get them for yourself. As you can see the current series is dark shadows. I placed a poster from the more recent and better known version for our generation in order to give you all a little hook in. This review is for the older TV series which was very very widely popular amongst those in my mother and father's generation. This show aired for three years and had nearly 1,200 episodes as well as a few spin offs and TV movies. The star of this week though is the set they made to encapsulate this very massive show.   

The packaging is amazing for this set. It comes in a box over a foot tall. This box bears a resemblance to a coffin and opens up to display a marvelous collection of dvds that while placed together resemble the main character of the series. The DVDs are pretty tightly packed in with about 5 or six per dvd case which in my opinion is the only detractor. It has a very nice book that guides you through the various episodes and features with written interviews which is a nice extra to boot. I will give this case a 9/10.  

The show itself is from what I've read is pretty campy but has a nostalgia value to many and does drag you in when you get involved.  I would think it would have to be if you are going to be in for the long haul. The effects are cheap even by the standards of when the show was produced and has a hard time being scary which is plainly the show's intent. All the same this is an important one to have in any collection so I can give this a 6/10 for show content. 

Last but not least is the content that comes along with the show the special features are plentiful with behind the scenes features and plenty of cast interviews numbering in the hundreds. The Booklet as mentioned above is full of pictures and more interviews as well as show information. This set could keep a casual watcher busy for years. 10/10 Rating on Bonus features. 

In the end here is the summary:

Case:                                        9/10

Content:                                   6/10

Quality of the Show:                 10/10

            Total Rating:              8/10

Now I am sure you are asking yourself “where can I get this and what will it cost me?” I love dealoz.com as it helps me check many many stores at one time for the best deal. Rightstuff.com is also a good place for anime and asian sets when they start to go out of print. I will give you the best used and new price as per that site*.

*Please note that these deals change day to day so the prices could get better or worse. The prices are for these specific editions so you may find the show for a better deal.  

Average set:     New     $235.95 ebay

                        Used    $266.98 Amazon.com 

This set is one of those that waiting has helped the price. With an initial release price of over $400 this set was out of reach by many. I jumped on a version for $200 myself and though this is a limited set I have a feeling that the prices will still remain low as I doubt this item has sold much with the high price tag (Just don't wait too long). 

DVD Box Series #2 NIS America

Hello again I am going to pick anime as my next selection it as it makes up a lot of my collection. This time I am targeting a specific company as the releases are very similar in the packaging. NIS America has been known in the past for producing video games such as the Disgaea series they have since been regarded as a place that publishes premium video games that don't typically come to this side of the world. NIS decided to expand it's reach to the world of anime trying to find a title that is unlikely to get published here. They are even willing to take suggestions as to what series they release 

The packaging in this set is very nice the outer cover is a hard cardboard with two slim cases inside containing the DVD/Blurays and a hardcover colorfully illustrated book detailing different things from the series you have purchased. The booklet has a wonderful level of detail and the set makes for a wonderful display for any collector. I would give the case on these sets an 8/10. 

The special features on these sets are not a lot to look into unless you include the booklet which does give you nice inside pieces such as relationship charts scene explanations and more. The on disc features are kind of lacking so once you are finished with book you are just left with the show. I have to give this a 6/10 for the lack of on board content. 

Now these sets have varying quality depending on the show. NIS has managed to obtain some premium shows that you previously would not find elsewhere so you are usually guaranteed at least a fair quality show if not on the excellent level. Also many of the first run shows such as Wagnaria and Pandora Hearts came with disc quality problems so I will be putting this in my rating of a 6/10 

In the end here is the summary:

Case:                                        8/10

Content:                                   6/10

Quality of the Show:                 6/10

            Total Rating:              7/10

Now I am sure you are asking yourself “where can I get this and what will it cost me?” I love dealoz.com as it helps me check many many stores at one time for the best deal. Rightstuff.com is also a good place as these sets when they start to go out of print. I will give you the best used and new price as per that site*.

*Please note that these deals change day to day so the prices could get better or worse. The prices are for these specific editions so you may find the show for a better deal.  

Average set:     New     $41-150

                        Used    $30-180

Please keep in mind that these sets are premium and limited in their release so the prices go up once they have gone out of print. Happy Hunting!