The Criterion Collection

[DaBargainHunta]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

You're always welcome, Hunta, so glad you liked it as much as I always have. Back in the 70's when I was only 16 it was recommended to me by my film professor who really enticed my imagination by saying "It's the kind of movie that will have you looking over your shoulders for days after watching it." I had never heard of it and it took me a few years to even find a way to see it. Finally at long last one of my phone inquiries (pre-Internet days, kids!) paid off: A homemade VHS tape at a basement video store buried somewhere in the city of Chicago, necessitating an hour's drive each way, but THEY HAD IT! Then the copy turned out to be piss full of splices and damage, but I had waited a long time to see it and nothing was going to stop me. And, yes, it did scare the crap out of me that first time so the hyped up wait definitely panned out. Ah, the good (?) old days of having to go on safari to track down obscure movies rather than hitting a few keystrokes!

What an awesome story!

Think about this, children, the next time you lament having to wait for so-and-so Criterion box set.

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

Not a Criterion, but here's one right back at you, Hunta. I followed your recommendation and watched VAMPIRES VS. THE BRONX. Holy crap, I loved it! I thought I was burnt out on vampire anything, but this one had some very cool new ideas such as equating vampirism with gentrification (brilliant!) and displaying wonderful layers of attention and affection by the entire cast and crew, all of whom have their heart in the right place. Marvelously entertaining. So thanks right back at you, my friend.

Oh man, I am really glad you loved it. I found it so original and delightful.

I think I mentioned it to you already, but if you liked Vampires vs. The Bronx, you should really check out Attack the Block, which I got turned onto because someone on Letterboxd said Vampires vs. The Bronx reminded them of it. Both movies are indeed similar, but Attack the Block is definitely darker and grittier.

I have a bunch of PMs to catch up on, but when I respond to yours, I'll send you a quick list of what I've watched over the past week. Don't worry - it won't be nearly as long and rambling as the last PM was. (I hadn't slept well the night before, so I was slightly delirious, lol.)

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by spatafore

Barnes Ohio

What a nice display. I hate spider wraps.

[RBBrittain]

Originally Posted by dizzydean

https://www.bullmoose.com/search?q=c...on&so=0&page=1

in case anyone is interested...

Just ordered Parasite & Portrait of a Lady on Fire for just a little more than if I'd waited for the B&N sale (whenever that will be). The higher price for Parasite is offset by free shipping & no tax to my state.

[Psychosmeg]

Originally Posted by spatafore

Barnes Ohio

Did they have a Tsunami Sale?

[mediocre]

I'm assuming it was someone from this board that's upset they haven't gone 4K yet.

[Rayjg]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

What a nice display. I hate spider wraps.

I didn’t even notice all those spider wraps when I first looked at it Looks like an employee found a way to stay busy (and employed) during the lockdown.

[FragnitoM]

Anyone know if Criterion had restarted their replacement program for cover art/cases, etc?

[AdmiralNoodles]

Originally Posted by mediocre

I'm assuming it was someone from this board that's upset they haven't gone 4K yet.

Yes, I left the state I live in just to go to that B&N in Ohio to be diabolical!

[Show spoiler]Would've been better for those titles to be in those anti-theft plastic boxes instead of the spider wraps...

Would be nice if Criterion could release Jason and the Argonauts again.

[SeanJoyce]

Originally Posted by DaBargainHunta

I think I mentioned it to you already, but if you liked Vampires vs. The Bronx, you should really check out Attack the Block, which I got turned onto because someone on Letterboxd said Vampires vs. The Bronx reminded them of it. Both movies are indeed similar, but Attack the Block is definitely darker and grittier.

Have you ever seen/heard of Enemy Territory (1987)?

In arguably the best John Carpenter movie that Carpenter never directed, an insurance salesman is aided by a telephone repairman (played by Ray "Who you gonna call, Ghostbusters!" Parker Jr. in a rare acting appearance) in a desperate attempt to steer clear of a vicious street gang in a crumbling New York tenement. The gang, called "The Vampires", dresses all in black, holds candle-lit meetings and takes orders from a young Tony Todd as "The Count". In their flight they call upon various denizens of the apartment high-rise for help, most notably a grizzled, wheelchair-bound Jan-Michael Vincent who's kept himself armed to the teeth for just such an occasion.

It was no doubt an influence on the two movies you just referenced and is among my most-wanted films on Blu-ray. You can check it out on YouTube if you're curious.

[Kristian Idol]

Originally Posted by spatafore

Barnes Ohio

I would straighten the f*** outta that.
.

[randian]

Anybody know why Kiss Me Deadly has an extra-tall case?

I'm disappointed at the crap digipak packaging of Sweet Smell of Success. So at odds with the "boutique" vibe Criterion is trying to sell me.

[Gacivory]

Originally Posted by randian

Anybody know why Kiss Me Deadly has an extra-tall case?

I'm disappointed at the crap digipak packaging of Sweet Smell of Success. So at odds with the "boutique" vibe Criterion is trying to sell me.

I never bought it, but Kiss Me Deadly looked to be in the same size case as all other non digipak Criterion Blu’s.

[randian]

Originally Posted by Gacivory

I never bought it, but Kiss Me Deadly looked to be in the same size case as all other non digipak Criterion Blu’s.

It's about an inch taller than all my other Criterion Blu-rays. This has no functional purpose so far as I can tell.

[hariseldon]

My Kiss me Deadly is in a normal Scanovo case. I bought it in 2011.

Is is now in a different case style now? What brand case -- does the art work fit properly and is there a chance somebody along the line switched it to a different case and resealed it?

Can you post any pics of hte inside/outside -- esp outside next to a normal case?

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by randian

It's about an inch taller than all my other Criterion Blu-rays. This has no functional purpose so far as I can tell.

Sounds like a dvd.

[hariseldon]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

Sounds like a dvd.

Considered that too -- so start from the basics. Is is a BD

If it no doubt about it Bluray, then consider other alternatives.
I've actually seen a couple Criterions at B&N in a Blue Case and I've heard of folks getting a BD in a Blue BD case or even DVD case from various online services. Obviously reseals

[randian]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

Sounds like a dvd.

That was it, thanks. A return is in order since they charged me for a Blu-ray. The sealing looks original and there’s no “Blu-ray Special Edition” sticker.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by spatafore

Barnes Ohio

That is offensive.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by Rayjg

I didn’t even notice all those spider wraps when I first looked at it Looks like an employee found a way to stay busy (and employed) during the lockdown.

It’s ridiculous to have the blu-ray edition wrapped and not the dvd. I guess it’s a price point that mandates it but it sure bugs me. Just looking at those constricted digipacks and boxsets upsets me. At least they’re not locked in a glass case or placed back behind the cashiers. Borders did both of those things in the early days of Blu-ray.

[Helikaon]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

It’s ridiculous to have the blu-ray edition wrapped and not the dvd. I guess it’s a price point that mandates it but it sure bugs me. Just looking at those constricted digipacks and boxsets upsets me. At least they’re not locked in a glass case or placed back behind the cashiers. Borders did both of those things in the early days of Blu-ray.

Statistics show that Blu-ray buyers steal more than DVD users.

[Show spoiler]

Those things look like explosive devices though, never seen them so big. In Europe we use tiny white strips.