I rented the Optimum Blu-ray and it looked like an upscale, avoid.

Sorry didn't read your original post properly, I was actually talking about the Optimum one. It's sooo bad that I had to get rid of it, will have to stick to my DVD for the time being until a better UK release comes along.

Yup Optimum have released a lot of Blu-rays like that, I have discovered by renting them from Lovefilm. It sickens me!

Like Escape from New York then? Darn, that is a shame. The screen caps looked good too :(

Yeah, there was no fine detail whatsoever. Another Optimum one like that was 'Angel Heart'.

Agreed and as an example i still have a new copy of the U.S. double-disc set of The Last House On Dead End Street with cover art by Steve Bissette. Now i don't like this sleeve but there's no denying said release is a powerhouse package for such an obscure film.

Also, what about those scarcely seen jewel case DVDs that have no actual cover design at all? Just the frontal transparency of the plastic packaging so only the disc itself and anything behind it is visible. Oddly enough the German CMV edition of the aforementioned movie is one such release. No cover illustration to speak of you can simply see straight through into the inside of the case where the DVD is housed.:)

I got my copy of DTAD delivered today and while the cover art is certainly nothing special I didn't think it was that bad, I'm more interested in watching the film than looking at the cover anyway.I'll probably end up reversing it just to avoid the potential embarrassment of my kids finding it and asking about the nude woman on the front. :D

That would be one way of having 'that' conversation!

I agree, this cover would seriously put me off buying Near Dark.

At least Shameless don't Twilightise their covers to cash in.