The Criterion Collection

[stobbart]

Originally Posted by JLTucker

I have a question for those of you who have a large Criterion collection: do you watch all of them more than once to justify their insane prices?

http://www.criterion.com/my_criterion/24690-stobbart

Well there is my collection, I am one of the very few people that actually uses my films for vocational purposes.

Being a filmmaker when I am shooting or thinking about making a film I will go through my collection (criterion or not) and watch a lot of films in the same genre or with the same tone to see what has been done before.

Or say my film contains a certain type of scene (eating dinner) I will go through and watch scenes from films of people eating food.

But other then that, it is also knowing that I have the ability to watch these movies again if I want to, even years later.

[Sukuri]

Originally Posted by zui

One thing that interests me, though... Do any of you actually watch the films, CC or not, with audio commentary if available? I mean in most cases Criterion's supplements of a film include audio commentaries. I have to admit that I haven't listened to an audio commentary track even once while watching a film.

I have been going back and watching those that have commentary with it, usually to help me fall asleep. I don't really get through all of them in their entirety as about 15-20 minutes in I'm out. The two most impressive commentaries I can recall are one on the Seven Samurai, and one on The 400 Blows (can't recall their names).

Originally Posted by JLTucker

I have a question for those of you who have a large Criterion collection: do you watch all of them more than once to justify their insane prices?

The above comment kinda answers this one. Gotta get your monies worth.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by JLTucker

I have a question for those of you who have a large Criterion collection: do you watch all of them more than once to justify their insane prices?

I know this forum is filled with people who buy films and never take the shrinkwrap off, but why would you buy a film if you don't plan on ever watching it more than once?

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by JLTucker

I have a question for those of you who have a large Criterion collection: do you watch all of them more than once to justify their insane prices?

I can't tell you how many times I have seen some of my Criterion movies. I know for sure those that have been seen at least 20 times or more would be :

Seven Samurai
Charade
The Great Dictator
The Last Emperor
Modern Times
Crazed Fruit
Early Spring
Alexander Nevsky
Ivan The Terrible
The Hidden Fortress
Ran

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by zui

One thing that interests me, though... Do any of you actually watch the films, CC or not, with audio commentary if available? I mean in most cases Criterion's supplements of a film include audio commentaries. I have to admit that I haven't listened to an audio commentary track even once while watching a film.

Criterion are mostly the only ones I still bother watching the features and commentaries. I find that most of the main stream releases are pretty much just more of the same. They are not talking about the film but more at how much they spend their time doing this one thing with the computers. After a while they just become boring. Criterion features and commentaries have more to say about the film and how it was made in my opinion

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by retablo

The irony is that some people who complain about "high" blu-ray proces wouldn't think twice about taking their gf/wife to opening night of The Dark Knight Rises in IMAX ($17 tix X 2 = $34) + any concessions. And in that case, you don't even get to own it or watch it again. It's all relative.

Its all relative as you say. No way I would pay this much to see a movie in theaters

[rkish]

Originally Posted by zui

If I wasn't able to get my hands on CC Blu-rays during the sales like B&N 50% off or something like that I probably wouldn't buy the Blu-rays, either. I'd probably wait for most of these films to be released on BD by other international (european) publishers or if the Criterion edition's extras were that much better I might actually buy the CC DVD, since as you said you can get the DVDs at a much lower price point.
One thing that interests me, though... Do any of you actually watch the films, CC or not, with audio commentary if available? I mean in most cases Criterion's supplements of a film include audio commentaries. I have to admit that I haven't listened to an audio commentary track even once while watching a film.

Absolutely! This isn't a Criterion BD...but I just watched "Silent Running" with the Douglas Trumbull/Bruce Dern commentary. A great film from my long past and information that I wsn't aware of. This is one of the few easy ways to learn about any new director (new to you).

[I KEEL YOU]

Originally Posted by JLTucker

I have a question for those of you who have a large Criterion collection: do you watch all of them more than once to justify their insane prices?

I don't understand why people buy Blu Rays if they only want to watch them once. Isn't renting a way better option then?

But anyway, even if you watch the Criterion Blu Rays just once, there is always at least 5-6 hours of material if you count all the extras they have the audio commentaries.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Its all relative as you say. No way I would pay this much to see a movie in theaters

I rarely see movies in theaters anymore... I saw Transformers 3-D just for the IMAX 3-D, which looked amazing... might see Hugo too just for that. Otherwise I save my money for blu-ray purchases, and that way I'm actually paying less than if I took my gf to the movies

I'm missing some weird stuff i SHOULD have...

http://www.criterion.com/my_criterio...?sort_by=title

[Oblivion138]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Its all relative as you say. No way I would pay this much to see a movie in theaters

I would...especially on an IMAX screen. We're getting pretty spoiled with our home set-ups (and hey, no complaints here), but any filmmaker will tell you that if there's a "best" way to watch a film, it's in the theater.

But then, I don't grouse about BD prices, either...Criterion or otherwise. Film is one thing I don't piss and moan about paying for. It brings me too much enjoyment. If I don't think "X" movie is worth the price, I don't buy it at that price...simple. But I'm not gonna sit around and cry about it.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Oblivion138

I would...especially on an IMAX screen. We're getting pretty spoiled with our home set-ups (and hey, no complaints here), but any filmmaker will tell you that if there's a "best" way to watch a film, it's in the theater.

Went in theaters yesterday, first time in almost a year. Only Tintin could make me do so I was able to find it in 2D digital and it look wonderful. I have never been to an Imax movie and never will either. Been to Imax a few times in the days of documentaries but really it does nothing for me. It's big and that is it, bring's nothing to a story for me. It's like the very loud sound system theaters or certain people have. Bigger and louder for me does not equal better.

[Eny-]

Last movie I watch in a theatre was Rise of the Planet of the Apes last summer, before that it was Avatar (because of the 3D) in 2009!

Btw, my CC collection http://www.criterion.com/my_criterio...o-f/collection

[jacobsever]

Originally Posted by Eny-

Last movie I watch in a theatre was Rise of the Planet of the Apes last summer, before that it was Avatar (because of the 3D) in 2009!

Btw, my CC collection http://www.criterion.com/my_criterio...o-f/collection

You already have Anatomy of a Murder and World on a Wire?!

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by jacobsever

You already have Anatomy of a Murder and World on a Wire?!

I'd consider 'pre-ordered' titles as part of someone's overall collection

[jacobsever]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

I'd consider 'pre-ordered' titles as part of someone's overall collection

Cheaters! I wouldn't. 'specially with those two films having been listed at $16.99 and might end up being cancelled.

It's like in high school, as soon as summer hit, people who were just in junior year now consider themselves seniors. But they aren't seniors yet, not until the first day of their senior year! Just like you don't own those movies until you have them in your hands and on your shelf!

[Eny-]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

I'd consider 'pre-ordered' titles as part of someone's overall collection

Indeed. I have both locked for 13 bucks @ Amazon. No way they are being cancelled.

[Eny-]

Originally Posted by jacobsever

Cheaters! I wouldn't. 'specially with those two films having been listed at $16.99 and might end up being cancelled.

It's like in high school, as soon as summer hit, people who were just in junior year now consider themselves seniors. But they aren't seniors yet, not until the first day of their senior year! Just like you don't own those movies until you have them in your hands and on your shelf!

Never thought I was in some kind of competition with some set rules.

I don't usually update my collection with pre-orders unless they are set in stone like these two.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by Eny-

Indeed. I have both locked for 13 bucks @ Amazon. No way they are being cancelled.

How 13?? I have them ordered too, but for $17 each.

[DLizzle]

Originally Posted by JLTucker

I have a question for those of you who have a large Criterion collection: do you watch all of them more than once to justify their insane prices?

Once you buy it, it's a sunk cost (unless you consider resale). The only thing that makes sense once the money is gone is to maximize your enjoyment of the product. If that means watching it once, so be it. To watch a movie more than once just to "justify" its price isn't really logical, but I suppose it make some people feel better. I don't think many people buy a movie planning to only watch it once though.

This question reminds me of when I go to a buffet and see people eating nothing but ribs, crab legs, or whatever the most expensive item is, to "get their money's worth". Wouldn't the money be better spent by just enjoying the meal the way you want?

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by JLTucker

I have a question for those of you who have a large Criterion collection: do you watch all of them more than once to justify their insane prices?

For me, the issue isn't price.
But, I do try and re-watch all my DVDs and blu-rays, Criterion or not, to justify buying them in the first place. Why have it on a shelf if it's just going to gather dust?
That's my most important question, before I buy, whether I've seen the film or it's a blind-buy: do I think I'll re-watch it?