I was set to write about how there are a number of other Region DVD's on eBay that are being sold to the sleepy collector who might not be paying attention to what they are getting and inadvertently buy a movie they cannot use. But I decided that it might be a cooler idea to check out some of the coolest boxed sets around. I find that there are some really creative collections put together that we rarely get to see in the States. Closest and most abundant is the Region 2 sets, as you will notice, that I broke this up into Regional sections.

Region 2

Region 2 DVD's are for Europe, Japan, Middle East and South Africa.
But what set this article in mind was the Alien Quad Boxed set below. Check this out:






The photo does not show if the head holds the DVDs or not. It is still a flashy piece, especially if you happen to love the movie. The next set that I thought was interesting is the Alejandro Jodorowsky boxed set. What was cool about this is that it comes with a complete Tarot set. Otherwise its a regular boxed set.

In the US and Canada area, the Muppet Show was released on individual DVD's and also a 4-pack. In Europe, however, they released a full boxed set (also out of print).



For the cartoon lover, there is the Tex Avery collection. This set, features in Region 2, comes in its own tin. Unlike the Disney tins, this set has hinges on the cover to prevent one from losing or accidentally mangling it. Accordingly, this set is very rare.


For you Sex in the City fans, what perfect way to receive your entire collection of all the SITC episodes in none other than a shoebox. If you have seen the show, then you know its a perfect box for it. This is a Region 2 set for Europe.



One of the more popular "outer region" sets was the Kill Bill set as it featured the director's cut. This is a Region 2 boxed set from Japan that comes with its own jacket for the DVD (like the Northern Exposure set), and also its own little samurai sword to hack and kill your enemy foes who dare try to steal your DVD's. There is also a Kill Bill 2 boxed set which looks similar, but has different items.



Remember Gremlins? I think I saw the second one recently. Here is a nice limited boxed set from Japan, Region 2 that caters to the kid in you by including a nice figurine of Mohawk.



One of the nicer sets that I have seen is the Spider-Man boxed set. If you compare the US junkie cardboard box that came with a comic-repro, a documentary and the movie, versus the Region 2 Spider-Man boxed set here below:



This set comes with a statue designed exclusively from Attakus, one of the top comic statue makers around. All of their products end up being valuable. This set is also limited to only 5000 sets. Everything else is the set is just plain bonus. This set kicks ass compared to the US version. Its a bit pricier too (around 130). Furthermore, this set comes in a cool wooden crate.

Region 3

Region 3 DVD's are for Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan.

One DVD that got the Royal treatment was the Lord of the Rings Boxed set. These special extended edition boxed sets were included all together in one wooden boxed set. A very pretty set that was limited, not only in number, but only to the Region 3 world of Asia.



This item is from a Region 3 coded area and is from a TV show called 2046. I never heard of it, but then again, my TV time is virtually nil. Its an attractive set that comes with a book, DVD set, a T-shirt and a tote bag. The tote looks nice, but it does not look big, at least from the photo. And if its not that big, then it loses its functionality.



Similar to Northern Exposure and Kill Bill, which has a jacket to warm your DVD up, is the Fighter in the Wind set which shows a DVD wearing a samurai garb (I dont know the name of it). It is a Region 3 set and only limited to 2,000. Thats quite a small run.

From nuncun seller, this boxed set of Troy gets a nice polished look in this wooden set. While clean looking, its a typical set overall. A book and a nice display case. Yes, you get the DVD too. But in comparison to the USA version, its quite nice (but Troy is not the film I need fluffed up).

Region 4

Region 4 DVD's are not so prevalent and they serve the Australian, Brazilian and New Zealand communities. Here is a Walt Disney Treasures Mickey Mouse in Color tin.



Although similar, there are certainly differences. There is no embossed number on the cover and everything is in Spanish (spanish?). The back does state Region 4, but this particular seller is claiming Region 1 DVD players can play this DVD. I don't know how true that is, but if one is willing to spend 40 bucks on the experiment, let me know how it goes. Other than that, there are no exciting boxed sets coming out of those areas.

Region 5-9+1

Region 5 through 8 do not bring up anything. Curiously, I did find a handful of DVD's stating Region 9. Does anyone even know if Region 9 exists? They are stating Region 9, but the seller points out that a Region 1 player can play it. Suspicious if you ask me. At any rate, from our own Region 1 part of the world is a nice Sharpe's Crate boxed set of 15 DVD's. An interesting looking set.The only problem is that's all there is, a crate and DVD's.

All Region

All in All, there is some really cool stuff out there in the world. I look at these and think of the sets we have and I think the US needs more cool boxed sets in our lives. Most of the boxed sets are just, well, as they are named, boxes. It might be argued what movie deserves such presentation from a company. Does Troy deserve a special collection? Probably not. Spider-Man lends itself to such a ploy. Most comic book films are easy to make into fun packages, but serious films are more difficult. There was a Dances With Wolves boxed set I did not post, but the set was made out of leather fashioned into a diary-like set. Attractive, not over stated, but yet, functional and neat in its own way. The one drawback to all of these versatile looking sets is the space. You cant store these the way you can the regular boxed set. These are made for display so one does need to be choosy about which ones to display. Well, that wraps up this for now. It was fun going around the world and seeing all of this stuff. Ciao!