The Criterion Collection

[albabe]

Originally Posted by kurosawa00

there are numerous 4k and criterion dvds on sale at amazon as a buy 2 get 1 free sale.

Is there a way to search these? I don't see any.

I assume B&N will likely have their Sale in less than a month?

[dylrichard02]

Originally Posted by albabe

Is there a way to search these? I don't see any.

I assume B&N will likely have their Sale in less than a month?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/promotion/...A3UBIBMMLCIRPP

Here's the sale page for B2G1, it has it's own unique search bar near the top of the page.

[cgpublic]

Originally Posted by BunyipPouch

...and passing on Love & Basketball because I already have a completely serviceable, new blu-ray that I recently got at Dollar Tree for a buck.

From my perspective, the fact that Love & Basketball had an excellent Blu-ray release and yet was selling for a buck is why Criterion is taking a risk with the perception that they are releasing titles from Black filmmakers exclusively as a knee-jerk response to the criticism as reported in the New York Times.

When a title is selling for a buck, that signals to many people that this film did not sell when released/available, i.e., overstock.

And that's a problem, especially for those who have carried a torch for many long-unavailable or in desperate need of restoration and/or supplement titles to be released by Criterion.

For some, it fosters a resentment.

The analogue here is the Academy's response to the 'Oscars So White' campaign, which rightly or wrongly has significantly damaged the Oscar brand, some would say to the permanent irrelevance of the ceremony.

What the NYT's article did not ask, and Becker did not address, was a simple question.

Are the films that Criterion supposedly overlooked by Black filmmakers strike the balance of commercial upside due to being unavailable and/or in need of restoration/supplements, and the desire to expose overlooked artists, in this case, exclusively based on their race?

It's a subjective question to be sure, without a definitive answer, at least until the market has had their opportunity to weigh in.

Perhaps sales is secondary for now, but will it always be the case and what does that mean for other films which will never have a release because the funding/opportunity does not present itself with this new focus?

Given the titles Criterion has released to date, some of which have been recently released on Blu or are available via streaming, and others simply good films which would most likely would have not received a Criterion release other than to deflect the criticism cited in the NYT's, it seems like a mixed bag, which perhaps is the best Criterion can offer.

Also from a personal perspective, it would be terrific if the recent releases by Black filmmakers for Criterion exposed these films to the Criterion audience, and more importantly, expose the existing or potential audience for these films to Criterion.

While that would be best possible outcome, I'm not very optimistic based on Criterion's efforts to date and my perception of younger audiences adopting physical media.

We'll just have to wait until the market, and the implications of Criterion's strategy with existing customers, provides the answer.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by cgpublic

When a title is selling for a buck, that signals to many people that this film did not sell when released/available, i.e., overstock.

Which would be a completely false, and inaccurate narrative. You should brush up on the thousands of popular titles that you could find at a dollar tree store. There's literally a thread that's nearly 1200 pages long discussing it in the deals section. Finding Love and Basktball at a Dollar Tree is in no way indicative of anything whatsoever.

[cgpublic]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Which would be a completely false, and inaccurate narrative. You should brush up on the thousands of popular titles that you could find at a dollar tree store. There's literally a thread that's nearly 1200 pages long discussing it in the deals section. Finding Love and Basktball at a Dollar Tree is in no way indicative of anything whatsoever.

It's indicative of the fact it is a recent Blu-ray release and was selling for a dollar.

So, it's not false, it's a fact, and therefore true.

To your point, and perhaps as Becker cited a 'blind spot' on my behalf, which films recently released by Criterion were recently selling for a dollar?

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by cgpublic

It's indicative of the fact it is a recent Blu-ray release and was selling for a dollar.

So, it's not false, it's a fact, and therefore true.

To your point, and perhaps as Becker cited a 'blind spot' on my behalf, which films recently released by Criterion were recently selling for a dollar?

It's a six year old BD, how is that recent? And again, your reasoning of it being there because it's not selling is simply wrong when you look at other titles that are also there. A quick glance at the thread, and titles like The Breakfast Club, and Bull Durham have also been found at Dollar Tree.

[Rayjg]

I need to get my cheap self to Dollabill Tree. Didn't realize they carry Crites for a buck!

[Gacivory]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

It's a six year old BD, how is that recent? And again, your reasoning of it being there because it's not selling is simply wrong when you look at other titles that are also there. A quick glance at the thread, and titles like The Breakfast Club, and Bull Durham have also been found at Dollar Tree.

Fast Times was offered pretty cheap.

[cgpublic]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

It's a six year old BD, how is that recent? And again, your reasoning of it being there because it's not selling is simply wrong when you look at other titles that are also there. A quick glance at the thread, and titles like The Breakfast Club, and Bull Durham have also been found at Dollar Tree.

In my opinion, six years is fairly recent, especially when the Criterion release appears to the best of my knowledge the same master as the excellent, original release.

We can agree to disagree, but I don't believe that I'm going out on a limb when I state that for many people, when they find or are aware of a film selling for a dollar, that fact creates the perception that the film, or any item for that matter, is overstock or diminished in value for a reason, e.g., it was not selling at the original price or is damaged.

Once again, we're addressing perceptions, and not facts, although some perceptions are influenced by facts, i.e., a film recently available for a dollar.

As my last word on the subject, I don't care what title, by which director or for whatever reason, when a film has been recently available for a dollar, and other than some new supplements, is now made available from Criterion, a question will be asked, and that is why?

That's all, no more, no less.

And if a potential answer carries a risk, well, it's not necessarily because we agree or disagree with the nature, dynamic or implications of that risk, but we are bound as intelligent and responsible beings to acknowledge said risk.

[DukeTogo84]

I just want as many titles as possible that are not on Blu-ray in Region to become available. I would have no issue with Love and Basketball and other titles joining the collection if they were not on Blu-ray already. Love and Basketball actually has a really GOOD Blu-ray already. The slot could have gone to something that doesn't have a release on Blu and this applies to films like The Princess Bride and others as well.

However, what slightly irks me is that the director of the film openly criticized Criterion and 'lo and behold her film which already has a great Blu-ray is now part of the Collection. Just seems off.

[Sean_PSC]

Originally Posted by cgpublic

The analogue here is the Academy's response to the 'Oscars So White' campaign, which rightly or wrongly has significantly damaged the Oscar brand, some would say to the permanent irrelevance of the ceremony.

How?

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

However, what slightly irks me is that the director of the film openly criticized Criterion and 'lo and behold her film which already has a great Blu-ray is now part of the Collection. Just seems off.

Would you say you're openly criticizing Criterion when the month's announcement comes around and it's lacking the Japanese titles you're after?

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by cgpublic

In my opinion, six years is fairly recent, especially when the Criterion release appears to the best of my knowledge the same master as the excellent, original release.

We can agree to disagree, but I don't believe that I'm going out on a limb when I state that for many people, when they find or are aware of a film selling for a dollar, that fact creates the perception that the film, or any item for that matter, is overstock or diminished in value for a reason, e.g., it was not selling at the original price or is damaged.

Once again, we're addressing perceptions, and not facts, although some perceptions are influenced by facts, i.e., a film recently available for a dollar.

As my last word on the subject, I don't care what title, by which director or for whatever reason, when a film has been recently available for a dollar, and other than some new supplements, is now made available from Criterion, a question will be asked, and that is why?

That's all, no more, no less.

And if a potential answer carries a risk, well, it's not necessarily because we agree or disagree with the nature, dynamic or implications of that risk, but we are bound as intelligent and responsible beings to acknowledge said risk.

I think you've been around long enough to know that spending on physical media by the average punter is down with many people streaming nowadays, which is why you find a lot of studio releases in dump bins and dollar stores as overstock. It has nothing to do with the quality of the films themselves, and most people who are inclined to spend the cash on Criterion releases are aware of that fact.

Criterion are also in their own little world, so I think when they want to put a film in their collection, they just go ahead and do it regardless of the film's past history on home video.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Would you say you're openly criticizing Criterion when the month's announcement comes around and it's lacking the Japanese titles you're after?

That comparison has no merit in relation to what I just said. I made no mention of Japanese films in my argument and you are using your prior knowledge of me to bolster your statement. I probably shouldn't even add a further comment, but while I love Japanese cinema, my love for Cinema goes far beyond Japanese cinema. The vast majority of the films I own aren't Japanese. I love film and want to see films that haven't reached the format actually reach it. I'm simply voicing a concern that a film that already has a good release is taking the spot of another film that deserved the recognition more, and that it's truly odd that someone in the business complained about the Criterion Collection and all of a sudden her film is getting released.

[MifuneFan]

Let's have a little refresher on what director Gina Prince-Bythewood stated in that New York Times article:

“You always wanted as a filmmaker to be part of the Criterion Collection, you’re always hoping for that call,” said Gina Prince-Bythewood, the director of acclaimed Black-led dramas like “Love & Basketball” and “Beyond the Lights.” Though Criterion has never reached out to her, Prince-Bythewood still feels a rush of anticipation when the company announces new titles. “Every month, they put out an alert about their films coming out, and every month, I open it to see if they’re going to highlight any Black filmmakers,” she said. “And it never happens.”

This in my opinion would not be defined as an open criticism, it is the voice of a black female filmmaker, who like any other filmmaker wishes their films were in the collection, but as a black person also expressed their hopes that more black filmmakers would be in the collection too. Does anyone actually dispute her claims here? Yes, Criterion had some black filmmakers in the collection, but it certainly was an area they were lacking in, and they are doing a very good job correcting that. This isn't Criterion's only blind-spot of course, but perhaps their most relevant one given the times.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Let's have a little refresher on what director Gina Prince-Bythewood stated in that New York Times article:



This in my opinion would not be defined as an open criticism, it is the voice of a black female filmmaker, who like any other filmmaker wishes their films were in the collection, but as a black person also expressed their hopes that more black filmmakers would be in the collection too. Does anyone actually dispute her claims here? Yes, Criterion had some black filmmakers in the collection, but it certainly was an area they were lacking in, and they are doing a very good job correcting that. This isn't Criterion's only blind-spot of course, but perhaps their most relevant one given the times.

At the end of the day it's still a criticism and to an extent a fair one. As you mentioned Criterion is doing a good job of correcting that issue. If her statement was the catalyst for Criterion to reevaluate some if it's title releases, that's fine. However, she still complained about not getting a "call" from Criterion and now her film is with the collection. The film ALREADY has a great release and I think it would have been admirable if she had asked Criterion to release another title needing more exposure.

[Shanghai Express]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

I just want as many titles as possible that are not on Blu-ray in Region to become available. I would have no issue with Love and Basketball and other titles joining the collection if they were not on Blu-ray already. Love and Basketball actually has a really GOOD Blu-ray already. The slot could have gone to something that doesn't have a release on Blu and this applies to films like The Princess Bride and others as well.

However, what slightly irks me is that the director of the film openly criticized Criterion and 'lo and behold her film which already has a great Blu-ray is now part of the Collection. Just seems off.

It's this. Love & Basketball is a fine film with a fine Blu-ray release. I feel the same way about its inclusion as I did about All About Eve, The Breakfast Club, and Fast Times, and the same way when people say they want Citizen Kane in the collection. Important films that already have a home. It has nothing to with race and those who try to make it so are just exploiting that issue.

When it comes to new black representation in the collection, the Riggs and Peebles boxes were ideal for inclusion for two reasons. One, they're more than deserving of the exposure a Criterion release affords them, especially after years of neglect or indifference. Two, if not for Criterion or maybe one or two other boutique labels, those films never would have seen the light of day on home video, which is a shame. Love & Basketball is the opposite. It's already a popular favorite, a television staple, and has been on Blu-ray for years.

I'm hesitant to say that Criterion's recent spate of black- and female-directed films is simply performative, with those titles shoehorned into the collection to save face, because ultimately those titles added to the collection diversify it as a whole and that's a good thing, but it's obvious that the acquisition of Love & Basketball was rushed in response to the director's participation in last year's New York Times expose. It's frustrating that Criterion sits on the rights to films for years (sometimes over a decade) without releasing them, preventing other labels from picking them up and getting them into collectors' hands, but will release second, third, or fourth editions of films that have already had their time in the sun with the public.

[randian]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

I just want as many titles as possible that are not on Blu-ray in Region to become available.

Maybe we can get Criterion to release Call Northside 777 then. Strangely only available in Germany. I don't recall Germany having a great love for Jimmy Stewart, the way France reputedly did for Jerry Lewis. Jimmy Stewart should still be a big draw in the US, it's very mysterious why there's no release here.

I'm also plugging for Criterion to release Christmas Holiday, directed by the great Robert Siodmak and starring Gene Kelly & Deanna Durbin.

[HipsterTrash]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

realistic-

California Split
Demonlover
Devi
Hard Eight
Spellbound

Are you sure Hard Eight and California Split are realistic?

[HipsterTrash]

Originally Posted by pikachufan1336

Hopefully it's their first animated film in a billion years.
(I'm still wishing for Jan Svankmajer's Alice )

Isle of Dogs...

It's happening but who knows when.