The Criterion Collection

[buffetfroid]

Originally Posted by Idioteque...

And there's a lot of mainstream flicks on the first 341 spines. Now that they're going for films people haven't heard of or aren't popular its seems they're very selective of who belongs on Criterion. IT's like a new start.

I don't know why I'm bothering, but for the hell of it let's take a look at 1-341. The following are titles that I think would be considered mainstream (in the US).

This is Spinal Tap
The Silence of the Lambs
Robocop
Time Bandits
Armageddon
Charade
Life of Brian
Chasing Amy
Do the Right Thing
The Rock

The Rock is #108. They aren't "now" going for films people haven't heard of. They've been doing it all along. The Rock dvd probably came out ten years ago. I'd say they've pretty well stopped releasing so-called mainstream titles. If you have a bias towards their blu-ray releases, fine. Just don't talk about the dvds because you clearly don't know what you're talking about. Looking at your dvd collection you obviously don't own any.

[Idioteque...]

Originally Posted by buffetfroid

I don't know why I'm bothering, but for the hell of it let's take a look at 1-341. The following are titles that I think would be considered mainstream (in the US).

This is Spinal Tap
The Silence of the Lambs
Robocop
Time Bandits
Armageddon
Charade
Life of Brian
Chasing Amy
Do the Right Thing
The Rock

The Rock is #108. They aren't "now" going for films people haven't heard of. They've been doing it all along. The Rock dvd probably came out ten years ago. I'd say they've pretty well stopped releasing so-called mainstream titles. If you have a bias towards their blu-ray releases, fine. Just don't talk about the dvds because you clearly don't know what you're talking about. Looking at your dvd collection you obviously don't own any.

Fair enough. I though never had the urge to collect Criterion dvds as I did for Criterion blurays. But I have a feeling that the blurays could be a restart for them? Possibly, since they re-released some films on blu.

[rezpekt]

Originally Posted by Idioteque...

After viewing Benjamin Button, I now understand why Criterion got involved. This film is worthy of being in the Criterion collection.

It isn't Criterion worthy in any way, it is horrible, and luckily, they have admitted that it was just a favor for Fincher...

[barend]

Agree, it's a nice movie, got the standard bd, but not a must have...

[SeanMF]

Originally Posted by Vicon

See the first post of this thread

https://forum.blu-ray.com/1629132-post1.html

Thanks!

[aggienader08]

Originally Posted by rezpekt

It isn't Criterion worthy in any way, it is horrible, and luckily, they have admitted that it was just a favor for Fincher...

That's prolly the most biased and disgusting opinion I've ever heard. Yes it was a "favor" for Fincher, but why wouldn't anyone want to release a Fincher movie in the first place. It was a fantastic opportunity for both parties involved.

[buffetfroid]

Originally Posted by Idioteque...

Fair enough. I though never had the urge to collect Criterion dvds as I did for Criterion blurays. But I have a feeling that the blurays could be a restart for them? Possibly, since they re-released some films on blu.

no man, the blu rays are not a restart for them. they are continuing to do what they've been doing. bluray is just a format change.

[kndy]

Originally Posted by Idioteque...

selective now. I wouldn't consider Armageddon or Chasing Amy Criterion material let alone good films. And there's a lot of mainstream flicks on the first 341 spines. Now that they're going for films people haven't heard of or aren't popular its seems they're very selective of who belongs on Criterion. IT's like a new start.

I believe "Armageddon", "The Rock", "Robocop", "The Silence of the Lambs", The Hitchock films and "Chasing Amy" were imperative during the beginning. My feeling even with films such as Benjamin Button and even the release of films by Akira Kurosawa is that these films bring in more money for Criterion to invest in more films.

Originally Posted by Idioteque...

I think i must admit something though, due to my biased support for blurays and willingness to only buy blurays could play an effect into my opinion but my belief at the moment is that along with newer titles, that Criterion will try to keep some of the older titles that they prefer in their collection by re-releasing them as blues like Third Man or unless the rights are taken back like with Fear and Loathing.

I understand where you're coming from. But the problem is...if you enjoy a lot of the director's works that you have seen on Blu-ray. A lot of their other work is not going to materialize on Blu-ray from Criterion. There are way too many titles and I can tell you right now...when I started collecting Criterion, I was in my early 20's. In my late 20's, I was saying, to myself that I would not buy the LD's anymore because they will release everything on DVD. Guess what... they didn't.

Now, I'm in my late 30's and a few years away from my 40's and now I'm purchasing the LD's, the DVD's and Blu-rays. I've realized...I've spent nearly 20-years of my life waiting and not watching so many films because of waiting for it to show up on a new format. I've realized that I might as well get it now and if it happens to show up on Blu-ray, great. I'll buy it on Blu. But at the rate they are going per month, if one is going to wait... you're going to be waiting more than just a few years.

Originally Posted by rezpekt

It isn't Criterion worthy in any way, it is horrible, and luckily, they have admitted that it was just a favor for Fincher...

I disagree. I felt the movie was splendid. But then again, some people felt the same when "The Blob" and "Hopscotch" was released from Criterion.

Hehe...I wonder how many of you will respond to Michelangelo Antonioni's work if "Il deserto rosso" (The Red Desert) is released by Criterion on Blu-ray (I'm assuming it will be for BD/DVD). If you haven't watched "L'avventura", "La notte" or "L'eclisse" and know his style, it's going to be interesting to see how people on here react.

Originally Posted by wharf

I disagree, but I still understand why they took on the project ($$$). Ben Button is the only Criterion Blu I refuse to buy, along with Monterey Pop.

I have had "Monterey Pop" in my hands to buy and then I put it back many times. Where in "Gimme Shelter", I knew that although a music documentary, there would be violence and literally see the end of the hippie era. But I think I'm now getting closer to wanting to purchase "Monterey Pop" and also getting "Woodstock"...

[KubrickFan]

Didn't Criterion release Laserdiscs for movies like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Citizen Kane as well? They depend on the studios on which titles they can release, and most studios want to release Blu-rays themselves rather than give them to Criterion, exceptions aside.

[Belloche]

I don't understand how some people feel they can say what is worthy or not for the collection. Criterion is a great company that puts out great product. They don't seem elitist or snobbish to me about what is worthy of them to produce. Every one of us watches a movie with a different perspective. I wish people would remember this before they pass judgement on someone else's point of view.

[McCrutchy]

This discussion is getting a bit out of hand and insults (particularly at or about The Curious Case of Benjamin Button release) are beginning to be traded. I'd very much like to get back to more positive things.

Has anyone gotten their orders from the OOP sale? I have received some (Grand Illusion, Trafic and The Small Back Room) and am awaiting those that were backordered (most should arrive Feb 23rd) including my long-awaited BD of Revanche.

Also, I'm dying to know if anyone has an inside scoop on if/when the next 50% off sale will happen at Barnes and Noble.

And just FYI (as this is tinged with bad news) if you didn't know already, Weinstein will be releasing John Woo's The Killer on Blu-ray on March 23rd (thread here) BUT they have announced that they have used...a PAL source?!?!

[kndy]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

Also, I'm dying to know if anyone has an inside scoop on if/when the next 50% off sale will happen at Barnes and Noble.

March would be perfect as we should all hopefully be receiving our tax returns [hopefully many of you are not paying]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

And just FYI (as this is tinged with bad news) if you didn't know already, Weinstein will be releasing John Woo's The Killer on Blu-ray on March 23rd (thread here) BUT they have announced that they have used...a PAL source?!?!

The Weinstein's sure like to tick their fanbase off with these releases. First horribly dubbing with the Dimension Films releases. Edited releases in the US esp. the lackluster Blu-ray releases several months ago. And I'm guessing a lack of the original soundtrack...dubbed in English only.

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by kndy

March would be perfect as we should all hopefully be receiving our tax returns [hopefully many of you are not paying]

I should be getting that first-time home buyer tax credit this year...

[SpiderBaby]

I hope it is in March. I have alot of dvds still I need to buy from last years releases (hard to get everything now with dvds and blu-rays coming). I think I will start with Eclipse sets I need (the one I want the most is the Chantal Akerman set.). Anyone recommend it?

[rich_adamson]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

I hope it is in March. I have alot of dvds still I need to buy from last years releases (hard to get everything now with dvds and blu-rays coming). I think I will start with Eclipse sets I need (the one I want the most is the Chantal Akerman set.). Anyone recommend it?

I love the Akerman set. She is just such a unique filmmaker. The shorts were good, but the features are the true gems here. I really recommend this one though.

On the other hand, sorry to everybody else, but with the May slate of titles, I am really hoping for a May 50% off sale, as I am getting every title that month (4 blus w/ one of them being a boxset) and have to get the awesome Eclipse box of Oshima stuff too. A big discount on those would be a life-saver.

[Idioteque...]

Originally Posted by rezpekt

It isn't Criterion worthy in any way, it is horrible, and luckily, they have admitted that it was just a favor for Fincher...

You're probably one of the people that missed out on the entire point of what Benjamin Button was about. I doubt it was just a "favor" for Fincher. Like one poster said above, why wouldn't you release a movie for Fincher? It's one of Fincher's top movies and misunderstood ones as well.


Anyway Kndy, you do make a good point and I think I might have ended up in your direction.

[BaronVH]

Originally Posted by Belloche

I don't understand how some people feel they can say what is worthy or not for the collection. Criterion is a great company that puts out great product. They don't seem elitist or snobbish to me about what is worthy of them to produce. Every one of us watches a movie with a different perspective. I wish people would remember this before they pass judgement on someone else's point of view.

Totally agree. Criterion is also worderful in terms of customer satisfaction as well. As to which movie they release, while you may only like the really small independent extremely serious film, but there is a time and place for popcorn flicks as well. Life of Brian, for example, is hardly mainstream. While you may not like Michael Bay, his movies are a part of cinema, whether you like it or not. I certainly will not buy every movie they release, nor will I buy every movie from Universal, but Criterion does more for film lovers than any company out there.

[fdm]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

I hope it is in March. I have alot of dvds still I need to buy from last years releases (hard to get everything now with dvds and blu-rays coming). I think I will start with Eclipse sets I need (the one I want the most is the Chantal Akerman set.). Anyone recommend it?

Honestly, I think the Akerman stuff might be a tough one to recommend. (I bought the import versions of these titles a few years back, and more or less patiently sat through them all. A couple reasonably interesting titles, mixed in with at least one that had me skimming through it at double or quadruple speed). A mixed bag for me at best, some good, some meh.) (And yes I liked Jeanne Dielman.)

Were I to recommend an Eclipse set at this point, I'd suggest the Saura set that's on the verge of going out of print. (It's the only I've watched at this point, but I think is among the highlights of the titles that Criterion is being forced to drop after next month, and I've pretty much watched just about all of the other ones now.) Of course there are several other fine Eclipse sets to choose from besides this one, but since it in particular is going bye-bye...

[buffetfroid]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

Has anyone gotten their orders from the OOP sale? I have received some (Grand Illusion, Trafic and The Small Back Room) and am awaiting those that were backordered (most should arrive Feb 23rd) including my long-awaited BD of Revanche.

I placed two orders with them, each over $50 so I could get free shipping. I've received the three movies in the first order, but they sent them all individually. I need to check my credit card bill to make sure they didn't charge me 6 bucks shipping on each, which their shipping confirmation implied. Will be quite pissed if that's the case. The other three aren't supposed to ship for a few more days.

[larry333]

Oh wow...

In a store today, I noticed there is alternate slip cover artwork for the "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" blu-ray. I like the original slipcover...


Larry