The Criterion Collection

[theater dreamer]

Respectfully, you know Criterion's already had Casablanca once. I don't think it's untouchable, even now. But would Criterion pay what was necessary to acquire distribution rights? Unlikely.

And while Casablanca is my favorite film, there's no way I'd put 2001: A Space Odyssey in a tier below it. Kubrick's sci-fi opus changed the way the genre was viewed, and every science fiction film that's come after it is still measured against it.

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I think anything is possible as home video will eventually be a niche market for collectors, imo.

As far as studio prestige goes, Casablanca is WB's flagship movie and untouchable. 2001 is in a tier below it and while the chances it gets licensed are likely <50%, it's still possible, imo.

[thinredline]

Still waiting for Until the end of the world.
Hope it's in this batch. (both cuts)

Along with West Side Story (corrected).

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Respectfully, you know Criterion's already had Casablanca once. I don't think it's untouchable, even now. But would Criterion pay what was necessary to acquire distribution rights? Unlikely.

And while Casablanca is my favorite film, there's no way I'd put 2001: A Space Odyssey in a tier below it. Kubrick's sci-fi opus changed the way the genre was viewed, and every science fiction film that's come after it is still measured against it.

You misread my post. 2001 is a tier below Casablanca in terms of studio prestige.

[Doctor Jack]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

You misread my post. 2001 is a tier below Casablanca in terms of studio prestige.

Is it though? I really believe WB holds both of those movies in equal regard.

[I KEEL YOU]

Originally Posted by Doctor Jack

Lolita is the only other WB title I could see being licensed out. Maybe Eyes wide Shut. 2001, The Shining, Clockwork, and Full Metal I don’t see happening unfortunately.

A Clockwork Orange Criterion is probably my #1 dream blu ray release, but I don't see it happening.

Lolita they could release tomorrow if they wanted to, I'm pretty sure. They might be just waiting for a restoration before releasing it.
I think Eyes Wide Shut is about 50/50 as far as Warner giving it up.
The rest probably have less than 10% of being released by Criterion. Perhaps 2001 has slightly higher odds because of its artsy nature, but still pretty unlikely.

[I KEEL YOU]

Originally Posted by Doctor Jack

Is it though? I really believe WB holds both of those movies in equal regard.

Nah. 2001 didn't get a release like this:

[theater dreamer]

I didn't, but I do see now why it appears that way. I said "I" instead of "they". Sorry, lack of sleep.

I don't think Warner Brothers views Casablanca as a more prestigious film than 2001.

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

You misread my post. 2001 is a tier below Casablanca in terms of studio prestige.

[theater dreamer]

How many sub fifty year old films have gotten deluxe editions like that? Casablanca, The Wizard of Oz, Lawrence of Arabia, Singin' in the Rain, Ben Hur, The Ten Commandments, Gone With the Wind off the top of my head are all at least fifty years old. 2001: A Space Odyssey's 50th Anniversary isn't until May 12th of this year.

JFK is the one exception I can think of to receive a big box set like the aforementioned films, but it was released to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of John F. Kennedy's death. It went on sale November 12, 2013. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963.

Originally Posted by I KEEL YOU

Nah. 2001 didn't get a release like this:

[theater dreamer]

Also, let's not forget that 2001: A Space Odyssey was part of a huge Kubrick Masterpiece Collection.

[koberulz]

Those box sets need to die in a fire anyway. A venn diagram of 'people likely to buy this' and 'people whose collections take up a lot of shelf space already' is basically a circle.

[Al_The_Strange]

When I first started my DVD collection, a Kubrick box set was a must. And I had one (I think all the original snapper-case editions in a box), before they all started coming out in two-disc editions. Then I upgraded them all individually. Then I upgraded them all to Blu-Ray. The only reason I don't have a Blu-Ray box set is because I have them all as stand-alone already. If I could go back in time with a PS3 and gift it to my younger self, the Kubrick Blu-Ray set would have been a no-brainer.

Alas, nowadays, I decided to become pickier with my collecting and part with some of my stand-alones. I won't be a Kubrick completionist anymore. Although more Criterion Kubrick releases might make me reconsider.

[koberulz]

I have the Australian version of that Kubrick set, which is simply a Blu-ray case with swing trays. Takes up the space of maybe two or three normal cases, and that's it.

[theater dreamer]

I like the box sets. If you don’t like them, don’t buy them.

Originally Posted by koberulz

Those box sets need to die in a fire anyway. A venn diagram of 'people likely to buy this' and 'people whose collections take up a lot of shelf space already' is basically a circle.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

How many sub fifty year old films have gotten deluxe editions like that? Casablanca, The Wizard of Oz, Lawrence of Arabia, Singin' in the Rain, Ben Hur, The Ten Commandments, Gone With the Wind off the top of my head are all at least fifty years old. 2001: A Space Odyssey's 50th Anniversary isn't until May 12th of this year.

JFK is the one exception I can think of to receive a big box set like the aforementioned films, but it was released to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of John F. Kennedy's death. It went on sale November 12, 2013. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963.

Deluxe editions for modern films are pretty rare. They did do one for The Iron Giant a couple years back, and one for Watchmen Ultimate Edition, and I believe they did a couple for The Notebook too.

But nowadays WHV has basically shifted their catalog business to WAC, and licensing to Criterion, so I think the days of them doing big sets, or even any kind of anniversary releases are mostly over with. They'll likely have a nice set later this year for Batman: The Animated Series, but deluxe sets will be far and few between sadly.

[koberulz]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

I like the box sets. If you don’t like them, don’t buy them.

I try to avoid it, but it's often the only way to get the content. There are several "best games in team history" sets for Australian football teams out at the moment, and they're all that style of box. No booklets or other gear, just DVDs. It's the only way to get them. Ultimate Jordan is the same. Dexter is only available in a ridiculously wide box that contains two much more normal-sized boxes. The Steven Spielberg set is only available that way here, whereas the US set has exactly the same content in a more reasonable package. It's the other way around with the Kubrick set - ours shelves nicely, the US set takes up a ton of space.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by Doctor Jack

Is it though? I really believe WB holds both of those movies in equal regard.

It's debatable. When I think of Warner Brothers I think of Casablanca first. The film is also a product of the studio system and what many consider the golden age.

[MifuneFan]

Spinal Tap was just added to the Criterion channel on Filmstruck, as part of their Friday Double feature. Not sure if it's indicative a BD release from CC, which has been strongly rumored.

Also they just added the Mr Arkadin films too.

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by Doctor Jack

Is it though? I really believe WB holds both of those movies in equal regard.

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

It's debatable. When I think of Warner Brothers I think of Casablanca first. The film is also a product of the studio system and what many consider the golden age.

I think that Warner Bros. considers Casablanca to be their flagship film and hold it in the highest regard as it was a film that they themselves actually produced and they use "As Time Goes By" as the "theme music" on their modern day shield intro.

2001 was an MGM film that they acquired through the Turner merger so while I'm sure they also hold it in high regard, I think there's a more "personal" affection towards Casablanca.

[mja345]

I think "Casablanca" was considered WB's flagship film until "Suicide Squad" came along. Now, it's time for Bogey and Bergman to step aside.

[stonecoldjedi]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Spinal Tap was just added to the Criterion channel on Filmstruck, as part of their Friday Double feature. Not sure if it's indicative a BD release from CC, which has been strongly rumored.

Also they just added the Mr Arkadin films too.

Things just got turned up to 11.