The Criterion Collection

[Rayjg]

Originally Posted by mande2013

True, although they sometimes make you jump through a few "not a known issue" hoops. Thankfully, they didn't make me do that when my Blow Out UHD had issues in November. Likewise, one or two discs in the Fellini set that were problematic. On the other hand. I had issues with disc 2 of The Leopard, which wasn't a "known issue", but they eventually sent a replacement after I jumped through a few hoops.

However, a lot of Criterion 4K discs pressed this past fall seemed to have playback issues.

They made me send one to them one time for inspection and then they completetly forgot about me I had to follow up to get a new one sent to me. They probably didn’t test the one I sent them or lost it.

[tangerinewolf]

Originally Posted by mande2013

However, a lot of Criterion 4K discs pressed this past fall seemed to have playback issues.

I haven't seen Time Bandits (1981) in years. I guess my subconscious was waiting for this UHD release. I hope the playback issues from these previous releases are not still happening now.

[Matt89]

I just recently bought Time Bandits (with slip) at a second hand shop like 2 months ago so y'all can thank me for the UHD announcement.

Thankfully it was only $24.99 so not a huge loss, and more Terry Gilliam on 4K? I'll take it.

Brazil has to be somewhere in the pipeline. I can't imagine Criterion not putting it out in 4K at this point.

[Rayjg]

It’d be nice if they went full bore with Brazil and include the U.S. theatrical cut for the first time. I’m assuming the international version is another Legend situation.

[Bradsdadg]

So, what's everyone looking to get during the flash sale? I'm looking at these, but trying to narrow it down to 4. Feel free to suggest/comment on these picks

[FulciLives1016]

Originally Posted by Bradsdadg

So, what's everyone looking to get during the flash sale? I'm looking at these, but trying to narrow it down to 4. Feel free to suggest/comment on these picks

Those are all great picks

I’m going with a lot of recent releases and Crumb

[Cocophone]

Originally Posted by Bradsdadg

So, what's everyone looking to get during the flash sale? I'm looking at these, but trying to narrow it down to 4. Feel free to suggest/comment on these picks

[Show spoiler]

When I watched Robinson Crusoe on Mars I couldn't help but think how similar The Martian with Matt Damon was to it.

[Cremildo]

Originally Posted by Bradsdadg

So, what's everyone looking to get during the flash sale? I'm looking at these, but trying to narrow it down to 4. Feel free to suggest/comment on these picks

[Show spoiler]

Maybe Haynes' Safe and Anderson's Rushmore.

As for your picks, I've seen only 1984, Valerie and Cronos. The latter is an interesting one if you're invested in del Toro's filmography.

[tomblu]

In the flash sale next week what are the expected prices for standard blu ray and 4k titles? 20 and 25 dollars respectively?

[gkolb]

Originally Posted by tomblu

In the flash sale next week what are the expected prices for standard blu ray and 4k titles? 20 and 25 dollars respectively?

Yes.

[dkelly26666]

I've only just realized that, in the Lars von Trier Europa Trilogy set, that the other 'short' included is practically another feature! I'd seen the little "Nocturne" short before, but I'd never even heard of "Images of Liberation". Turns out, it's pretty ambitious, and at around an hour long, it's practically a feature. Very excited about its inclusion, now. One of the last Trier's I hadn't seen.

It makes me wish they'd have included his "Medea", or at least find a way to release it one day. I have the Facets DVD, sourced from an old PAL VHS, and it was shot on video to begin with. It's barely even watchable. I've seen some screencaps online from some other source and the imagery looks much better and more clear. I'd love to see a somewhat restoration on that one, one day. It was harsh as hell. I did a double bill a few years ago of the Pasolini and Von Trier "Medea" films. Very different approaches, but both fascinating in their own way. Pasolini's is the superior one, and I wish Trier's had been shot on film.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by Bradsdadg

So, what's everyone looking to get during the flash sale? I'm looking at these, but trying to narrow it down to 4. Feel free to suggest/comment on these picks

I thought RCoM was more okay than great, so if you want to narrow down your shopping list, consider putting that on the "later" shelf. My impressions of the movie:

[Show spoiler]

Like with recent years' The Martian, the plot of Robinson Crusoe on Mars deals with the survival of an astronaut marooned on the surface of Mars. The astronaut is played by Paul Mantee, a buffed All-American type who embodies the hearty golden age SF image of future-age humans visiting and conquering new planets. In a nice bit of misdirection, the character we are first introduced to is his co-astronaut, played by a pre-Batman Adam West, who seems at home with the campily colorful spaceship console design (who knows if part of it wasn't re-assembled into the Bat-computer?). After a space mishap, they both eject out in capsules heading towards the Martian surface. Most of the remaining feature focuses on Mantee.

Of course the depiction of Mars (exteriors stood in for by Death Valley) was limited by our awareness of the planet at the time. In this movie, Mars has oxygen (in thinner amounts), water and native edibles. Mantee must gather and ration his resources, so he can survive as long as possible with the ship's monkey - yes, this was a thing, and I was half-expecting Mantee to burst into song, but we get away with some improvised bagpipes.

One of my problems with the film was Mantee's behavior. Early on, he tells himself that it is critical for him to conserve oxygen and not exert himself, since he cannot survive even for a quarter of an hour in the Martian atmosphere. But when he sees the place where West's capsule is supposed to have landed, he goes running down the slopes not even considering the risk of cracking his helmet, and yelling like a clueless idiot. It's hard to sympathize with this boob.

Some of the film's most effective moments for me are the long shots featuring the character standing / climbing the gravelly slopes. They are the only parts of the film that convey something of an alien landscape. There's also one highly effective scene involving a spooky visitor. The bulk of it is clunky and prosaic. The worst is when Mantee comes across the aliens with their spaceships and their slaves. After Ray Harryhausen's marvelously designed creations in Earth vs the Flying Saucers, these spaceships appear static and the scenes of large-scale destruction feel stock and repetitive instead of thrilling. The slaves are just actors dressed in cut-price Egyptian outfits. The overall feeling is that of a TV movie.

In general I thought the film promised a lot more than it delivered.

[Mose Harper]

Originally Posted by Bradsdadg

So, what's everyone looking to get during the flash sale?

At some point this year I'd like to get these



Still not sure if I want to spend the money for them now.

[dc766]

Can anyone tell me if the Eclipse range is included in sales?

[latehong]

Originally Posted by dc766

Can anyone tell me if the Eclipse range is included in sales?

Yes. Every DVD/Blu-ray/4K Blu-ray in stock will be included unless they decide to change the policy.

[JonBTS]

Originally Posted by Bradsdadg

So, what's everyone looking to get during the flash sale? I'm looking at these, but trying to narrow it down to 4. Feel free to suggest/comment on these picks

Probably no doubt in your mind, but pick up that Vigo collection for sure.

I think I'm going to finally bite the bullet on the Olympic set; the total should be about what it's going for on Amazon before tacking on tax and shipping.

[Bradsdadg]

Originally Posted by JonBTS

Probably no doubt in your mind, but pick up that Vigo collection for sure.

I think I'm going to finally bite the bullet on the Olympic set; the total should be about what it's going for on Amazon before tacking on tax and shipping.

The Olympic set has been on my list for a while now as well. I don't know if I will ever get it, but it is very tempting. Just think of all those loyalty points you will get by ordering it from Criterion themselves as well

[Rayjg]

Originally Posted by Mose Harper

At some point this year I'd like to get these



Still not sure if I want to spend the money for them now.

Buy ‘em now and enjoy ‘em. We might get clobbered by a meteor later

[Mose Harper]

Originally Posted by JonBTS

Probably no doubt in your mind, but pick up that Vigo collection for sure.

I wish I hadn't sold mine off after one viewing. I'd like to revisit some of the work there, especially the main film.

I'd also recommend Valerie on his list, which is a fascinating movie on multiple levels.

Originally Posted by Rayjg

Buy ‘em now and enjoy ‘em. We might get clobbered by a meteor later

I used to be a big proponent of making hay while the sun shone, 'cause there's no guarantee these sales will continue.
Lately I'm becoming chastened by just how unwieldy the Criterion wing of my unwatched trove is.
It's honestly gluttonous at this point which is starting to disgust me.

OTOH, I forgot I'd also meaning to pick up

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by FulciLives1016

Those are all great picks

I’m going with a lot of recent releases and Crumb

Crumb is fascinating. Back when I was collecting Underground Comix he was my favorite artist. I figured he had to be weird but after seeing the film

[Show spoiler]I was shocked that he was seemingly the most normal one of the family. (The sisters weren’t interviewed)