The Criterion Collection

[SpiderBaby]

I prob buy 2 to 1 dvd to blu-ray still. There are just too much dvds that I want than blu-rays still at this time. I rather have a film I like than to be stubborn about it not being on blu-ray. Blu-ray for me is just icing on the cake, if there is a blu-ray version of a film I want, I'll get it. If dvd only, I'll get the dvd. Simple as that, blu-ray isn't my collection, it's a little part of it.

[ShellOilJunior]

How does one watch a film while posting in this thread? Maybe I'm dense but several posters have commented that a film "looks good so far".

Originally Posted by stobbart

Off topic but I would love for Synecdoche, New York to come to criterion. It already has a great blu-ray but I feel it is one of the best/mature/intelligent/perplexing movies to come out in a long long time.

You and me both. SNY was a film the studio had no idea how to market so not as many people got to see it. I think it's a film Sony Classics might consider licensing to Criterion. I'd purchase it day 1.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

How does one watch a film while posting in this thread? Maybe I'm dense but several posters have commented that a film "looks good so far".


You and me both. SNY was a film the studio had no idea how to market so not as many people got to see it. I think it's a film Sony Classics might consider licensing to Criterion. I'd purchase it day 1.

I do it all the time. It's multi-tasking. Those of us with ADD are most prone to it. Typically my first and maybe 2nd viewing of a movie I stick to just watching the film, but after chances are I'm on the computer while watching the movie.

[ccfixx]

For those with access to the Sundance Channel, Jan Troell's "Everlasting Moments" will be on at 2:20am this Sunday morning. "Everlasting Moments" will be released on blu-ray June 29th by Criterion.

"The Friends Of Eddie Coyle" will also be on TCM tonight at 11:45pm for those that haven't seen it. It's already released on DVD by Criterion.

CC

[ShellOilJunior]

Just got back from Rashomon at the cinematheque. The newly restored print is gorgeous!

I'd imagine after Seven Samurai that Rashomon would be next priority as far as Kurosawa Blu-rays go.

Granted, CC has 3 AK films on blu-ray with a fourth coming but one can never have enough AK on blu-ray

[Old Geezer]

Originally Posted by jimonee78

Having read this forum for a long time, it is awesome to see so many new Criterion fans since the shift to blu-ray. I know most of you have sworn off SD DVDs, but new Criterion fans shouldn't limit themselves to what's offered only on blu-ray. It is only a mere fraction of what this amazing company has to offer.
Side note, glad I got all my orders in at the Criterion store before Apr. 1. Hopefully they make the 25% coupons a regular thing because I'd much prefer to give my money directly to them.

I don't let the fact a movie is or isn't on blu decide for me if I buy it or not. I have also purchased Criterion DVD's of "Ikiru", "Seven Samurai", "Fires on the Plain", and "Citizen Kane". A good movie is worth watching.........period.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Just got back from Rashomon at the cinematheque. The newly restored print is gorgeous!

I'd imagine after Seven Samurai that Rashomon would be next priority as far as Kurosawa Blu-rays go.

Granted, CC has 3 AK films on blu-ray with a fourth coming but one can never have enough AK on blu-ray

Are you in Cleveland??????

Here is where I go....

http://www.cia.edu/academicResources...ction=extended

Roshomon played today at 5:15 (my folks are in town though )

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by jacobsever

Just watched Days of Heaven and I have to say, I didn't really like it.

The first 2/3s of the movie seemed to me like random 30 second clips strung along together, and it barley held my attention.

I also found the story to be rushed, and the characters to be quite flat.

(using spoiler tags in case people haven't seen it)

[Show spoiler]A few things that bothered me is Sam Shepard's character fell in love with Abby after just watching her work for a while? They had almost no interaction, he just stared at her from afar.

Also, the old man randomly, out of nowhere said, "I think they are con-artists". I mean, there was nothing to suggest that what-so-ever, it was just randomly thrown in there to move the plot along faster.

And even though the characters aren't developed that well, you get the idea that Sam Shepard is a shy, quiet, calm guy...and he goes as far as to tie Abby up to the house? Really? I understand the dude was upset, but I do not think his character would go that far.

I donno, the movie LOOKED amazing, I just didn't enjoy it too much.

I watched it yesterday for the first time. I do agree with you about the lack of character development. Still, I really like the film. The landscapes were damn near perfect and alone worth the price of admission.

[ChadFL]

Since the Criterion website sale seems to be dead for the time being and Amazon's prices consistently jacked up for the past few weeks I figured I'd point out that Family Video still has most single disc Criterion Blu-Ray for $25.99 each. Shipping is a flat $1.99 regardless of items purchased. Best price as far as I can tell for the time being.

http://www.familyvideo.com/catalog/a...terion&person=

[JediFonger]

i'm so glad that people are jumping into criterion BECAUSE it's blu-ray =P

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by JediFonger

i'm so glad that people are jumping into criterion BECAUSE it's blu-ray =P

Well, if it means more revenue for Criterion then why should it matter to us how people choose to spend their money, right? The more successful Criterion's blu-ray program is, the chances are that we'll see more 5-release months like June... and the sooner we can start getting more of the back catalog released on blu-ray. It shouldn't matter to us how people are discovering the Criterion Collection. It's a good thing, no?

CC

[Alkaline]

Ok--at the risk of sounding like a total pretentious elitist prick (I’m willing to take it)--I do see where JediFonger is coming from. Here’s the somewhat disheartening thing I’ve noticed in these exciting new days of “Criterion goes blu-ray!”: With Criterion blu (and others of its ilk--MoC; Studio Canal Collection, etc etc) has come this seemingly new breed of home video consumer who acts like Criterion didn’t even exist until about a year or so ago when their first blu hit shelves (and Amazon carts). I mean, don’t get me wrong--I’m thrilled you’re loving your new new The Third Man/Yojimbo/Days of Heaven/The 400 Blows/8½/Chungking Express/Wings of Desire blu-ray…but what about the past twenty years when they were waiting to be discovered on dvd, vhs and laserdisc--many of them via Criterion itself? Did you give a shit about them, before they were in “jaw-dropping 1080P”?

Obviously this a forum dedicated to BD, but I guess it always kind of irks me when format and “collector’s mentality” seemingly takes precedence over film itself. Some people‘s priorities definitely seem to lie with the former over the latter. Before I go any farther I want to clarify this isn’t aimed at anyone in particular. It’s more of a generalized thing that I’ve picked up on. Anyway, as ’ccfixx’ said--what better way to discover the eclectic range of cinema labels like Criterion have to offer than blu-ray, right? And yet, there’s something that kind of rings false and insincere and, well, corny about it-- “It” being two things: a) the concept of (seemingly) only bothering to check out such films because they are now available in HD--which points to a love of BD format, and the associated eye/ear candy, over that of film itself; and b) the concept of dropping serious coin to blind buy such films before having even seen them--which, again, points to a sort of completist/collector mentality--the prioritizing of owning a “specialized series” of art over the art itself. It’s comparable to the wealthy stockbroker guy whom pays for that big series of custom leather bound editions of acclaimed books that he’s never actually read to go on the big mahogany shelf in his home office. A form of bragging rights, you could say. I dunno. Whatever. More power to them, I guess. I sort of outgrew the whole “expensive shot in the dark” thing in the “olden days” of regular dvd, after getting “burned” one too many times. I’m hard pressed to see most, save for maybe a select few ardent cinemaphiles, loving every title Criterion and its equals have released on BD thus far enough to plunk down cash on all of them, outside of that previously mentioned collector/completist mentality, which, to me, seems to have its “heart in the wrong place”, for lack of a better term.

Obviously I can’t just walk up to some Criterion blu-ray completist on the street and prove ”Heey! You don’t love all these films--you’re just a completist with deep pockets who needs to spend his money on something and seems to value the blu-ray format and the "prestige" associated with Criterion over the films themselves!“…but you get the idea. And in fairness, this isn’t something unique to blu-ray. It just seems as though it’s become more pronounced with blu-ray. In a nutshell, one of those things that shouldn’t really bother me, but does nonetheless. Aaaaand, rant over. Thanks for tuning in.

[Swearengen]

I quite enjoyed "the rant" Alkaline

I actually believe you do have a point. In part, I actually feel a little "guilty" myself. I have about 30 Criterion DVD's and now about 20 Criterion BD's. I can confirm that I buy into way more C titles now, "than before". Some titles I probably wouldn't have prioritized as my number one choice before, but which I now delve into, because of their perfect treatment end possibility to watch high quality movies in high quality for my first viewing.

I must say though, that I haven't regretted it once. I could have done the same with other formats and gotten rewarded in the same way, but didn't do it to the same degree.

I'm not buying "for the shelf and the completist library", but titles that intrigues me, but has never gotten to view until now. The HD format not only betters my viewing experience in the video and audio department, but also makes me buy higher quality titles than before. I like that

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Alkaline

Ok--at the risk of sounding like a total pretentious elitist prick (I’m willing to take it)--I do see where JediFonger is coming from. Here’s the somewhat disheartening thing I’ve noticed in these exciting new days of “Criterion goes blu-ray!”: With Criterion blu (and others of its ilk--MoC; Studio Canal Collection, etc etc) has come this seemingly new breed of home video consumer who acts like Criterion didn’t even exist until about a year or so ago when their first blu hit shelves (and Amazon carts). I mean, don’t get me wrong--I’m thrilled you’re loving your new new The Third Man/Yojimbo/Days of Heaven/The 400 Blows/8½/Chungking Express/Wings of Desire blu-ray…but what about the past twenty years when they were waiting to be discovered on dvd, vhs and laserdisc--many of them via Criterion itself? Did you give a shit about them, before they were in “jaw-dropping 1080P”?

Obviously this a forum dedicated to BD, but I guess it always kind of irks me when format and “collector’s mentality” seemingly takes precedence over film itself. Some people‘s priorities definitely seem to lie with the former over the latter. Before I go any farther I want to clarify this isn’t aimed at anyone in particular. It’s more of a generalized thing that I’ve picked up on. Anyway, as ’ccfixx’ said--what better way to discover the eclectic range of cinema labels like Criterion have to offer than blu-ray, right? And yet, there’s something that kind of rings false and insincere and, well, corny about it-- “It” being two things: a) the concept of (seemingly) only bothering to check out such films because they are now available in HD--which points to a love of BD format, and the associated eye/ear candy, over that of film itself; and b) the concept of dropping serious coin to blind buy such films before having even seen them--which, again, points to a sort of completist/collector mentality--the prioritizing of owning a “specialized series” of art over the art itself. It’s comparable to the wealthy stockbroker guy whom pays for that big series of custom leather bound editions of acclaimed books that he’s never actually read to go on the big mahogany shelf in his home office. A form of bragging rights, you could say. I dunno. Whatever. More power to them, I guess. I sort of outgrew the whole “expensive shot in the dark” thing in the “olden days” of regular dvd, after getting “burned” one too many times. I’m hard pressed to see most, save for maybe a select few ardent cinemaphiles, loving every title Criterion and its equals have released on BD thus far enough to plunk down cash on all of them, outside of that previously mentioned collector/completist mentality, which, to me, seems to have its “heart in the wrong place”, for lack of a better term.

Obviously I can’t just walk up to some Criterion blu-ray completist on the street and prove ”Heey! You don’t love all these films--you’re just a completist with deep pockets who needs to spend his money on something and seems to value the blu-ray format and the "prestige" associated with Criterion over the films themselves!“…but you get the idea. And in fairness, this isn’t something unique to blu-ray. It just seems as though it’s become more pronounced with blu-ray. In a nutshell, one of those things that shouldn’t really bother me, but does nonetheless. Aaaaand, rant over. Thanks for tuning in.

Your rant is actualy very interesting and very to the point. I have been buying Cirterion since Laserdisc, I never bought most of them, only those that interest me. I know many on here will defend the point of buying them all since they should been since as they are superior movies. Maybe? They might well be superior movies but that does not mean each and everyone of them would be entertaining for me and worth buying purchase. I rent most of the other Criterion I do not know about and I can then make a choise if it's something I would wish to own so I can enjoy it anytime I want or I should save my money. I suppose everyone is different and it's their money, if someone feel's the need to own every Criterion release, well it's up to them.

[ShellOilJunior]

I think it's fine if someone who hasn't heard of Criterion before takes a calculated risk and blind buys a title or two others have recommended (then ends up loving the film).

However, on the extreme end I agree there are people that have bought all the Criterion Blu-rays without first having seen the films. They then proceed to ask others if they (purchaser) would enjoy the films.

[Yankees0222]

I don't understand why people care so much about how others choose to spend their money. Who cares if people are buying criterion titles just because of the criterion label? Isn't it better for the criterion brand as a whole if people are actually buying their films? Regardless of their reasons? More sales = more criterion output in the months to come..... I dont see a problem with that. But thats just me

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by Alkaline

Ok--at the risk of sounding like a total pretentious elitist prick (I’m willing to take it)--I do see where JediFonger is coming from. Here’s the somewhat disheartening thing I’ve noticed in these exciting new days of “Criterion goes blu-ray!”: With Criterion blu (and others of its ilk--MoC; Studio Canal Collection, etc etc) has come this seemingly new breed of home video consumer who acts like Criterion didn’t even exist until about a year or so ago when their first blu hit shelves (and Amazon carts). I mean, don’t get me wrong--I’m thrilled you’re loving your new new The Third Man/Yojimbo/Days of Heaven/The 400 Blows/8½/Chungking Express/Wings of Desire blu-ray…but what about the past twenty years when they were waiting to be discovered on dvd, vhs and laserdisc--many of them via Criterion itself? Did you give a shit about them, before they were in “jaw-dropping 1080P”?

Obviously this a forum dedicated to BD, but I guess it always kind of irks me when format and “collector’s mentality” seemingly takes precedence over film itself. Some people‘s priorities definitely seem to lie with the former over the latter. Before I go any farther I want to clarify this isn’t aimed at anyone in particular. It’s more of a generalized thing that I’ve picked up on. Anyway, as ’ccfixx’ said--what better way to discover the eclectic range of cinema labels like Criterion have to offer than blu-ray, right? And yet, there’s something that kind of rings false and insincere and, well, corny about it-- “It” being two things: a) the concept of (seemingly) only bothering to check out such films because they are now available in HD--which points to a love of BD format, and the associated eye/ear candy, over that of film itself; and b) the concept of dropping serious coin to blind buy such films before having even seen them--which, again, points to a sort of completist/collector mentality--the prioritizing of owning a “specialized series” of art over the art itself. It’s comparable to the wealthy stockbroker guy whom pays for that big series of custom leather bound editions of acclaimed books that he’s never actually read to go on the big mahogany shelf in his home office. A form of bragging rights, you could say. I dunno. Whatever. More power to them, I guess. I sort of outgrew the whole “expensive shot in the dark” thing in the “olden days” of regular dvd, after getting “burned” one too many times. I’m hard pressed to see most, save for maybe a select few ardent cinemaphiles, loving every title Criterion and its equals have released on BD thus far enough to plunk down cash on all of them, outside of that previously mentioned collector/completist mentality, which, to me, seems to have its “heart in the wrong place”, for lack of a better term.

Obviously I can’t just walk up to some Criterion blu-ray completist on the street and prove ”Heey! You don’t love all these films--you’re just a completist with deep pockets who needs to spend his money on something and seems to value the blu-ray format and the "prestige" associated with Criterion over the films themselves!“…but you get the idea. And in fairness, this isn’t something unique to blu-ray. It just seems as though it’s become more pronounced with blu-ray. In a nutshell, one of those things that shouldn’t really bother me, but does nonetheless. Aaaaand, rant over. Thanks for tuning in.

Your point is well taken and already posted about several pages ago by myself and others. The funny part about this rant is that this is the internet and no one should really ever care or frankly see the collections. Your posting is a bunch of words about why people should buy movies, as I am posting a reality check. So, point is, unless I am being invited over to see these collections, who cares what people spend their money on or brag about? You will most likely never meet them or see their collections, so why rant about how you have been buying these movies for years... This thread derails very often about this topic and it should be about the movies on BD and DVD. It used to derail about the replacement cases, now about why people buy these movies?? Let's get back on topic.

[KubrickFan]

I simply didn't have the time or money to go after every single Criterion dvd (I'm too young to remember Laserdisc) after I found out about the collection itself. Now, I was tempted a lot of times to try and buy more, but it's a daunting task after three or four hundred titles. I mean, which do you choose when you hardly know any? So yeah, I had a couple of Criterion dvds. But with Blu-ray, there was the opportunity to start all over (didn't really happen because the company didn't think the leap was big enough) so that's more or less what I'm trying to do.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by KubrickFan

I simply didn't have the time or money to go after every single Criterion dvd (I'm too young to remember Laserdisc) after I found out about the collection itself. Now, I was tempted a lot of times to try and buy more, but it's a daunting task after three or four hundred titles. I mean, which do you choose when you hardly know any? So yeah, I had a couple of Criterion dvds. But with Blu-ray, there was the opportunity to start all over (didn't really happen because the company didn't think the leap was big enough) so that's more or less what I'm trying to do.

What bothers me is why are you justifying yourself? Who cares what other people think. Do what you want with your money. You will probably never meet any of these people on the forum, so do what you want to do.

[Alkaline]

Originally Posted by jcs913

Your point is well taken and already posted about several pages ago by myself and others. The funny part about this rant is that this is the internet and no one should really ever care or frankly see the collections. Your posting is a bunch of words about why people should buy movies, as I am posting a reality check. So, point is, unless I am being invited over to see these collections, who cares what people spend their money on or brag about? You will most likely never meet them or see their collections, so why rant about how you have been buying these movies for years... This thread derails very often about this topic and it should be about the movies on BD and DVD. It used to derail about the replacement cases, now about why people buy these movies?? Let's get back on topic.

I'm sorry--maybe you could backtrack a bit and point out the part where I talked about having made this deduction from, err, "lurking through people's collections", on this particular forum or any other, as opposed to a natural byproduct of observed comments in many places both on interweb world and even world world--which happens to be the case. Forums. People make posts, often dedicated to one or a few topics of varying breadth. When one encounters multiple--numerous, even--comments about "really hoping I enjoy this latest stack of 14 Criterions I blind bought"--one can't help but form ideas about how sometimes things can get silly, to the point where they themselves feel compelled to in turn comment in forums about said silliness. Even if said comment regards nothing particularly new or groundbreaking. So, err, yeah. Admittedly I fail to see how you've brought a 'reality check' into my universe, but cool.