The Criterion Collection

[jw007]

Originally Posted by tonylopez

Leon would be great but I don't believe Criterion could do much more with it considering the bluray has enough extras as is. Sure the transfer can be improved. Hard Eight would be great but I remember a DVD having a nice collection of special features. Two great films that I would love to have a Criterion of but I doubt it will happen.

Believe it or not, I am fortunate enough to own the very rare and out of print DVD of Hard Eight! The DVD sells for around $69-70 on Amazon so good luck with that. This film truly would be a great candidate for a Criterion makeover though. Truly. From a great American director and his first film and a great original story that is COMPLETELY re-watchable.

[jrsl76]

Originally Posted by jw007

Believe it or not, I am fortunate enough to own the very rare and out of print DVD of Hard Eight! The DVD sells for around $69-70 on Amazon so good luck with that. This film truly would be a great candidate for a Criterion makeover though. Truly. From a great American director and his first film and a great original story that is COMPLETELY re-watchable.

It really sells for that much? I've had it since it first came out so I had no idea.

[RiFiFi1955]

Got to counter balance The Dark Knight Rises bashing by saying I thought is was fantastic. Thanks to Christoper Nolan we have the best super hero trilogy ever created.

[Ronin48]

Originally Posted by jw007

So who here in this forum ever goes to their local library and rents Criterion films before purchasing them?

YES, that's exactly what I do! Most of the Criterion's that are well liked on this forum just don't cut it for me. Blind buys with Criterion are a big no, no (although I'm thinking about it for Three Outlaw Samurai )

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by jw007

So who here in this forum ever goes to their local library and rents Criterion films before purchasing them?

Oh wow...I never thought about doing that. I have been wanting to see the TV cut of Fanny and Alexander for awhile now but the darn thing is always priced so damn high. Even though $35 on Amazon right now isn't too too bad.

[Ronin48]

My top three Criterions would be:

1. Seven Samurai
2. Solaris
3. Tie between Harakiri and Three Colors

[Antonmassacre1]

Originally Posted by billzfan

What are your 3 favorite film in the Criterion collection. Not necesarily the best transfers or extras but your actual favorite films.

Mine would be:

1. Seven Samurai
2. 8 1/2
3. 12 Angry Men

Do we have to list them in numerical order?

[jw007]

Originally Posted by jrsl76

It really sells for that much? I've had it since it first came out so I had no idea.

Yes! It blew me away too that the DVD is being sold for that much now! And get this, the VHS sells for $29! NEW! Who the heck buys VHS anymore?!

See for yourself:
http://www.amazon.com/Hard-Eight-Spe...dp/B00000K3D3/

[zoodermin]

Originally Posted by billzfan

What are your 3 favorite film in the Criterion collection. Not necesarily the best transfers or extras but your actual favorite films.

Mine would be:

1. Seven Samurai
2. 8 1/2
3. 12 Angry Men

Mine are

Three Colors
Seven Samurai
Modern Times

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Ronin48

YES, that's exactly what I do! Most of the Criterion's that are well liked on this forum just don't cut it for me. Blind buys with Criterion are a big no, no (although I'm thinking about it for Three Outlaw Samurai )

I am starting to control myself with blind buy purchases, even with Criterion now! But I love that distribution company so much, I honestly trust almost everything they put out. But though one film could be a classic, that still doesn't mean I'll like it myself, crazy as that sounds.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by RiFiFi1955

Oh wow...I never thought about doing that. I have been wanting to see the TV cut of Fanny and Alexander for awhile now but the darn thing is always priced so damn high. Even though $35 on Amazon right now isn't too too bad.

Yes! Do it! If you have a library near you, take full advantage of all of the privileges of what it is to be an American citizen! Rent, rent, rent! And buy if you love what you rent!

[Abdrewes]

3 favorites:
The Thin Red Line
Last Year at Marienbad
Red Desert

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

My library system* does a great job of keeping the whole package together, so I get the booklet and bonus disc/features as well, unless it happens to be an old, mistreated edition. They also tend to still have out of print stuff, though those are always in danger of being stolen

No kidding! I rented The Third Man earlier this year on DVD and little did I realize that is selling for over $100 on Amazon these days (the BD goes for $200). As the most coveted of all the Criterion OOP films, it sure is nice to be able to rent it for free from the library whenever I wanted. (Please, people, don't steal it).

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

There's a rabid VHS collector's market, especially for indie horror films. I don't know how big a market it is but there is definitely an audience. In some cases it's just a nostalgia/kitsch thing. I can't imagine paying more than a buck for a tape anymore though.

Funny though that I read somewhere that the shelf life of VHS is far longer than the DVD. Could this be true somehow? If so, maybe its a better investment but I could never ever go back to such low picture quality.

.... Although.... I did save the original Star Wars trilogy on VHS (the 1995 release). That's definitely something to hold onto.

[oildude]

Reading the posts above referencing post-apocalypse themed movies has me wishing for A Boy and his Dog getting a Criterion release. Awesome little cult film that I caught on TV back in the 90s. It is a film I started watching not having any idea what it was about and was sucked in. I have only seen it once, but it left a memorable impression. I think it would be a great fit in the collection.

Mad Max is my all time favorite series of post-apocalypse films, though - can't wait for Thunderdome to come out in 2013.

[tonylopez]

Originally Posted by oildude

Reading the posts above referencing post-apocalypse themed movies has me wishing for A Boy and his Dog getting a Criterion release. Awesome little cult film that I caught on TV back in the 90s. It is a film I started watching not having any idea what it was about and was sucked in. I have only seen it once, but it left a memorable impression. I think it would be a great fit in the collection.

Mad Max is my all time favorite series of post-apocalypse films, though - can't wait for Thunderdome to come out in 2013.

100% +1! I used to have a fantastic laserdisc special edition of A Boy And His Dog and I loved it. That is like a dream Criterion of mine. The film still works today.

[jrsl76]

I'd totally be down for A Boy And His Dog from whoever releases it.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by oildude

Reading the posts above referencing post-apocalypse themed movies has me wishing for A Boy and his Dog getting a Criterion release.

Given that it's cult AND public domain (and therefore in need of "rescue" like Charade and 39 Steps), that's not out of the realm of theory.

[jrsl76]

3 Favs:

Seven Samurai
Pandora's Box
Children Of Paradise

[joie]

Originally Posted by billzfan

What are your 3 favorite film in the Criterion collection. Not necesarily the best transfers or extras but your actual favorite films.

Mine would be:

1. Seven Samurai
2. 8 1/2
3. 12 Angry Men

1. 8 1/2
2. The Rules of The Game
3. People on Sunday

Considering DVDs, I'd have to consider L'Avventura and/or L'Eclisse to be in the running for top three.