The Criterion Collection

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by Snicket

My big question is will this make Criterions available in more retail spacers and will the MSRP get lower?

That would be great! There's only 1 place within an hour of my house that has anything Criterion related and it's an overpriced FYE in the mall. Plus the selection is laughable, maybe 10 titles tops and all DVD, no BD to speak of.

[jw007]

One question I have that nobody has asked is will Criterion keep the creative/design rights to their packaging or will Sony take over Criterion's design?

This is a bit of a concern to me since I don't want Sony changing the sizes/design of the plastic jewelcases or mess around with the nice consistent design on Criterion's packaging (spine numbers) and BD menus and such. Sony might cut corners to save money on their Criterion "line" and that means the consumer will end up getting a different design on the physical editions. That would disappoint me.

[Abdrewes]

Sweet! I bought a $75 GC & got $10 free. Tack on the membership discount, I got 4 CCs for $67 after tax.

[octagon]

Sony doesn't have a Criterion line. All they're doing is manufacturing and distributing the discs.

That's not to say changing distributors - and that's really all this is - won't have any impact. I wouldn't be shocked to learn that it played a part in Criterion's decision to go with combo packs.

I don't think Sony made that decision but I could certainly see them saying something like 'okay, this is the price for separate BD and DVD releases, this is the price for combo packs, tell that ficticious Mulvaney guy to let us know what he wants'.

[Scottie]

I just finished Picnic At Hanging Rock via my recording from TCM and sign me up for those who want an upgrade. One of the best mysteries ever made.

[Edward J Grug III]

This was well timed, we are down to our last couple of unwatched Blu Rays.

Ordered:

Zatoichi
Postwar Kurosawa Eclipse set
I Married a Witch
To Be or Not to Be
Autumn Sonata

[blkhrt]

For those who are hoping the new Sony deal will change the MSRP, remember that the recently announced titles are not going to be distributed by Image, and they have the same MSRP. In other words, that question has already been answered

[jw007]

Originally Posted by octagon

Sony doesn't have a Criterion line. All they're doing is manufacturing and distributing the discs.

That's not to say changing distributors - and that's really all this is - won't have any impact. I wouldn't be shocked to learn that it played a part in Criterion's decision to go with combo packs.

I don't think Sony made that decision but I could certainly see them saying something like 'okay, this is the price for separate BD and DVD releases, this is the price for combo packs, tell that ficticious Mulvaney guy to let us know what he wants'.

True, but this may just be the beginning of the end for Criterion being an independent distributor. In today's market, video distribution, especially if its a "niche" style of distribution is a dying breed. I think Criterion may just eventually sell their company/merge with Sony. This "partnership" may really be a desperate decision by Criterion that none of us realize. No wonder Criterion started creating "dual editions" as they seem to be in a rough patch with making profits on both formats. Now with Sony making more executive decisions over Criterion, Sony might just consume Criterion and we're going to get an offshoot that was once formally known as "The Criterion Collection". But hopefully I'm wrong and I'm not a visionary here.

After all, none of us know what really goes on behind closed doors.

[JJJ225]

Originally Posted by jw007

True, but this may just be the beginning of the end for Criterion being an independent distributor. In today's market, video distribution, especially if its a "niche" style of distribution is a dying breed. I think Criterion may just eventually sell their company/merge with Sony. This "partnership" may really be a desperate decision by Criterion that none of us realize. No wonder Criterion started creating "dual editions" as they seem to be in a rough patch with making profits on both formats. Now with Sony making more executive decisions over Criterion, Sony might just consume Criterion and we're going to get an offshoot that was once formally known as "The Criterion Collection". But hopefully I'm wrong and I'm not a visionary here.

After all, none of us know what really goes on behind closed doors.

Idly speculate much?

Criterion was with one distributor, and is now with another? Nothing about the company itself has changed.

[zkirkland]

Order came out to 189 dollars. I decided on nine but I'm more than likely going to pick up Heaven's Gate and Videodrome either this weekend or next. Then, I'm calling it a day for this sale.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by jw007

True, but this may just be the beginning of the end for Criterion being an independent distributor. In today's market, video distribution, especially if its a "niche" style of distribution is a dying breed. I think Criterion may just eventually sell their company/merge with Sony. This "partnership" may really be a desperate decision by Criterion that none of us realize. No wonder Criterion started creating "dual editions" as they seem to be in a rough patch with making profits on both formats. Now with Sony making more executive decisions over Criterion, Sony might just consume Criterion and we're going to get an offshoot that was once formally known as "The Criterion Collection". But hopefully I'm wrong and I'm not a visionary here.

After all, none of us know what really goes on behind closed doors.

This. Pretty much everything you have said is entirely speculation. Criterion has always had distributors, and there is no reason to think this is going to change anything. Do you have any evidence that Criterion is dying out, or that they are hurting financially? For that matter, it isn't even a partnership in the sense you describe. They have simply switched distributors.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by JJJ225

Idly speculate much?

Criterion was with one distributor, and is now with another? Nothing about the company itself has changed.

Apparently you were thinking the same thing I was

[jw007]

Yes, it is ENTIRELY speculation, but something to think about nonetheless.

I for one hope this only strengthens Criterion and makes them more powerful and solidified for years to come.

There may even be more frequent releases as well, rather than 5-6 a month.

[KilloWertz]

Anyone who is getting worried should calm down. Like others have said, this likely changes nothing. They didn't sell the company. They only changed distributors. I actually doubt this even changes the release strategy. Criterion handles what they release, and also likely when.

Just enjoy the new Barnes & Noble sale.

[Hubunkey]

As long as they keep the Big Clear Scanavo cases then I will be happy, don't muck with the packaging except for the occasional digipak

[octagon]

Originally Posted by jw007

In today's market, video distribution, especially if its a "niche" style of distribution is a dying breed.

Hyman Roth has been dying from this same heart attack for twenty years.

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by octagon

hyman roth has been dying from this same heart attack for twenty years.

A+ analogy

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I just finished Picnic At Hanging Rock via my recording from TCM and sign me up for those who want an upgrade. One of the best mysteries ever made.

Ohhhh, I didn't know that was playing on TCM, I want to see it but I may wait for the Blu now. It is very tempting though.

[SilentDawn]

OK everyone, I know you guys get sick of picking Criterions for those who put up lists but just go with me here.

This is my narrowed down list for my first round of Criterions:

The Passion of Joan of Arc (DVD)
Paris, Texas
Hoop Dreams (DVD)
Heaven's Gate (definite)


So guys, I am only going to be picking three up tomorrow, so which one should I get rid of?

Any help would be greatly appreciated,

Silent.

[GenPion]

Originally Posted by SilentxStatik24

OK everyone, I know you guys get sick of picking Criterions for those who put up lists but just go with me here.

This is my narrowed down list for my first round of Criterions:

The Passion of Joan of Arc (DVD)
Paris, Texas
Hoop Dreams (DVD)
Heaven's Gate (definite)


So guys, I am only going to be picking three up tomorrow, so which one should I get rid of?

Any help would be greatly appreciated,

Silent.

The Passion of Joan of Arc. It's on Blu-ray in the UK already. It even has a nice steelbook. If you aren't region-free or wanting to become region-free capable with releases, it still would make sense to cross off the list as to the fact a High Definition transfer already exists, which means Criterion might release it that way later anyway.