The Criterion Collection

[Scholer]

Originally Posted by joy-division

Can't go wrong with Hirschfeld or his style
Note it's HirschFELD

Hirschfeld is a pioneer and I find nothing wrong with his style at all. But forcibly imposing his sensibilities onto Sturges comedies in a half-assed way with horribly designed covers does not sit well with me. The same designer, Maurice Vellekoop, was commissioned for all the Sturges comedies on blu-ray. And as a designer he can be quite good, as evidenced by:



But the important thing for this case, is that the Hirschfeld style actually suits the nature of the film! It absolutely does not for Preston Sturges comedies.

[Scholer]

Originally Posted by regeyer

Maybe it's just me, but I've always gone by the notions that "it's what's inside that counts" and "don't judge a book by its cover." I really couldn't care less what the DVD/BD cover looks like. I only care what the movie looks like. I have never bought a DVD/BD because of how the cover looks. I buy them because I like the movie.

Now, with that said, I certainly can appreciate nice cover art. But 99% of the time I see only the spine of the cover, and even when I take the movie out to watch it I see the cover for 30 seconds or less.

I get your point completely, but one of Criterion's key selling points is the packaging. If it was a Warner archive release, or even a catalogue Sony release (some of them have awful covers), I would feel the same way you do about them.

But for Criterion, part of the reason I'm willing to pay top dollar is because I expect the packaging to be top end with the right style of artwork. For me this also applies to other boutique labels like Arrow, Indicator and MOC, all of whom make their superior packaging a key selling point.

[regeyer]

Originally Posted by Scholer

I get your point completely, but one of Criterion's key selling points is the packaging. If it was a Warner archive release, or even a catalogue Sony release (some of them have awful covers), I would feel the same way you do about them.

But for Criterion, part of the reason I'm willing to pay top dollar is because I expect the packaging to be top end with the right style of artwork. . me this also applies to other boutique labels like Arrow, Indicator and MOC, all of whom make their superior packaging a key selling point.

That makes sense. If they are using the artwork as a selling point, then it should be good. Of course, art is in the eye of the beholder.

FWIW, I only buy Criterions during the 50% off sales. I don't think $20 is a lot to pay for a Blu-Ray of a boutique label.

[Scholer]

Originally Posted by regeyer

That makes sense. If they are using the artwork as a selling point, then it should be good. Of course, art is in the eye of the beholder.

FWIW, I only buy Criterions during the 50% off sales. I don't think $20 is a lot to pay for a Blu-Ray of a boutique label.

There are countless Criterion fans who aren't in the US and have no access to sale prices, not to mention the extra costs incurred for importing. I myself am based in the UK, so a $20 Criterion purchase is a rare lucky occurrence (that also mostly if the titles here under Criterion UK here happen to go on sale). So in general a Criterion is more of a $40 purchase for many, and I'm sure Criterion knows and appreciates that. Even if I were in the US, I wouldn't imagine I'd actually wait for a Sale to get titles I may been looking forward to for ages, and there are surely lots of people stateside who play full retail price for Criterions at least some of the time.

[regeyer]

Originally Posted by Scholer

There are countless Criterion fans who aren't in the US and have no access to sale prices, not to mention the extra costs incurred for importing. I myself am based in the UK, so a $20 Criterion purchase is a rare lucky occurrence (that also mostly if the titles here under Criterion UK here happen to go on sale). So in general a Criterion is more of a $40 purchase for many, and I'm sure Criterion knows and appreciates that. Even if I were in the US, I wouldn't imagine I'd actually wait for a Sale to get titles I may been looking forward to for ages, and there are surely lots of people stateside who play full retail price for Criterions at least some of the time.

Yeah, if you're paying $40 a title, and Criterion is promoting its exclusive cover art, then I can see why you'd expect something better than average.

[HillSprinter]

Most film artwork/promotion nowadays is appalling, so I’ll back anything Criterion choose ahead of all the other generic crap inflicted upon us.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

I didn’t know Orson Welles was in that movie.

and with more than a few bottles of Paul Masson under the coat.

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by dragon53

Does anyone know when the original THE FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX is going to be released on bluray in the US?

Being a Fox title, I suggest you buy a region free BluRay player and get the Eureka since the chances its coming out here is near to nil.

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by StarDestroyer52

Being a Fox title, I suggest you buy a region free BluRay player and get the Eureka since the chances its coming out here is near to nil.

There is also a Fox German Blu that’s region free and features a newer master (no extras though).

[StarDestroyer52]

This is my favorite Criterion cover:

[jw007]

Originally Posted by regeyer

It really drives me crazy. Yet, I won't argue with anyone. It's their house, and they can do what they please.

I can almost understand it being done in older homes, since there is no other place to put a 65" screen. But new homes should be built to accommodate that without resorting to placing the TV above the fireplace.

Not to mention the fact that it just looks awful.

Wow, I also can't believe people who put their flat screen TVs on top of a fireplace. I know a family (personally speaking) who did this and I kept wondering, in this gigantic house they have, why in gods name of all places would they put their expensive new 70 inch flat screen right above a wood burning fireplace? I went over to their house a few times years ago to watch some movies and I'll never forget how much my neck hurt as I strained it looking up. A fireplace is already an ancient form of television (and one could stare at a fire for hours on end and still be enthralled), but talk about DISTRACTIONS! You're watching an old movie like Dark Crystal and meanwhile you have to contend with a little fire underneath the screen the entire time. I'll never go there to watch a movie again!

The funniest part was, the one time I went to their huge house to bring a Criterion movie with me, it happened to be Naked. Suffice to say, our friend's super feminist wife watched it and took it personally and criticized the writer/director (Mike Leigh) of making pure trash. Meanwhile, my friend and I were trying to convince her that you "need to have an objective view" while watching a movie like that! Sad to say, she's not a film scholar whatsoever... and trashed a purely brilliant movie (and one of my favorites!).

But I should have figured, anyone who puts a massive flatscreen TV over a fireplace would be a bit stupid anyway.

[jw007]

I don't know where I've been the last few days but I also wanted to mention HOW F'ING AMAZING these July releases are!

War of the Worlds !

Bruce Lee boxset !

Marriage Story !

Plus blu-ray upgrades to Taste of Cherry and The Lady Eve.

One of the strongest months in years!

[sacekubrick]

Repo Man cover rules

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by StarDestroyer52

This is my favorite Criterion cover:

It's a great one for sure. It's the only Harold Lloyd film I've seen so far, but I loved it, and have blind-bought a couple more since, which I still need to get around to watching.

A couple years back when I went to a lower level of a theater here, I saw they had a cool little tribute to that scene for their clock:

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I saw this while I was leaving the movie theater (AMC Lincoln Square in NYC, lower level), and thought some here would get a kick out of it.

[professorwho]

With regards to cover art, I think the best approach would be to include both the original poster artwork and a newly made cover. I think that would satisfy most people, and is how Arrow and Shout do things.

Now, there are many original covers I like, and many I don't, but I feel that choice is a good idea.

[kvnbhovis]

Originally Posted by Scholer

There are countless Criterion fans who aren't in the US and have no access to sale prices, not to mention the extra costs incurred for importing. I myself am based in the UK, so a $20 Criterion purchase is a rare lucky occurrence (that also mostly if the titles here under Criterion UK here happen to go on sale). So in general a Criterion is more of a $40 purchase for many, and I'm sure Criterion knows and appreciates that. Even if I were in the US, I wouldn't imagine I'd actually wait for a Sale to get titles I may been looking forward to for ages, and there are surely lots of people stateside who play full retail price for Criterions at least some of the time.

Order all the movies you want and ship them to my place in Atlanta and then I'll ship them to you. Of course you'd have to pay postage and a small gratuity would be appreciated. Hell, just buy me two Criterions and we'll call it even.

[kvnbhovis]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

and with more than a few bottles of Paul Masson under the coat.

Orson Welles Drunk Outtakes for Paul Masson Wine Commercial - YouTube

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Since it's a Fox catalog title, I wouldn't count on it happening.

Originally Posted by kvnbhovis

I don't know. Disney might let Criterion do it. Most of the major studios seem to like Criterion and take pride in one of their movies getting the Criterion stamp of approval.

Oh, I'm not saying that it definitely won't happen. I'm just saying that I wouldn't count on it.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by professorwho

I think that would satisfy most people,...

I'll take that bet

[stvn1974]

What should be my first Charlie Chaplin film purchase?