The Criterion Collection

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Looks like a Chaplin is very likely.

Your reasoning?

(I actually am expecting the Gold Rush to be announced, but am curious if you know something we don't)

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

::crying::

Whether you like it or not, it's culture. Culture isn't always high art.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Criterion does a lot for their fans, but a lot of people aren't appreciative enough of that, and say it's Criterion's fault and they deserve all criticism they receive.

I agree that they do a lot for their customers. I would say they have the best CS of pretty much any distributor of films in the US. Again, this is another discussion, but too many people have that sense of entitlement when it comes to most things, especially ordering on the internet. It was invented for a fast convenient experience. That did not happen with this sale and all the sheep are mad. The discussion will go on as long as people have that sense of entitlement and have 'expectaions'. Just think, you actually had to go to a store and pay full price for items years ago if you wanted them, what a travesty!!!

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by DetroitSquirreL

so....your saying you'd be ok if they did the Criterion treatment to this series?

[Show spoiler]

The covert art for these would be classic

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Looks like a Chaplin is very likely.

I do hope so

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by jcs913

I agree that they do a lot for their customers. I would say they have the best CS of pretty much any distributor of films in the US. Again, this is another discussion, but too many people have that sense of entitlement when it comes to most things, especially ordering on the internet. It was invented for a fast convenient experience. That did not happen with this sale and all the sheep are mad. The discussion will go on as long as people have that sense of entitlement and have 'expectaions'. Just think, you actually had to go to a store and pay full price for items years ago if you wanted them, what a travesty!!!

Yep, and too many people have a sense of entitlement as to what they can expect to be released on BD by Criterion. Just think, you actually had to go to a theatre to see a film, or not watch it at all because it didn't come to the theatre near you, and something else you didn't like did, what a travesty!!!

[SpiderBaby]

I'm actually hoping there isn't anything announced that I want. Need to take a month off. The only thing "rumored" so far that I want is the Downey Sr set.

[BluPix]

What's the "Upcoming Carlos replacement"? Just curious since I own a copy of Carlos.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Yep, and too many people have a sense of entitlement as to what they can expect to be released on BD by Criterion. Just think, you actually had to go to a theatre to see a film, or not watch it at all because it didn't come to the theatre near you, and something else you didn't like did, what a travesty!!!

I have to admit BG, you are relentless...

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by blkhrt

Your reasoning?

(I actually am expecting the Gold Rush to be announced, but am curious if you know something we don't)

Someone mentioned watching Modern Times for class and Criterion said to pay attention tomorrow (meaning the 15th).

[P@t_Mtl]

I think that the dicussion as to what should or should not be in the Criterion collection is impossible to resolve. Something will always be added that will just rub someone, somewhere the wrong way. As such someone, somewhere will always complaint about it.

For example, I feel they should release more classic movies and leave the mainstream movies to the studios. However what I see as mainstream would not be so for someone else. There are some here who also wish for more foreign and less known movies. I am for that as well since the chances of many of these movies ever seeing the light of day are rather slim. The Phantom Carriage, a Swedish silent movie in B&W. Would any regular studio ever took the time to restore such a movie and release it? Who outside of Criterion or MoC would ever care? It's not like the majority of customers out there would be rushing Wall-Mart to buy such a movie? I mean people are demanding refunds in theaters because they went to see The Artist and they now notice it's a B&W silent movie with no 3D, the nerves of these people making them see a movie like that

I think what is best is just wait to see what will be their monthly releases, buy and upgrade the ones that we want, rent those that intrigue us (if possible) and not worry too much that another Wes Anderson as been added to the collection.

[jmcy2k]

Originally Posted by BluPix

What's the "Upcoming Carlos replacement"? Just curious since I own a copy of Carlos.

I second the question, please advise.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Someone mentioned watching Modern Times for class and Criterion said to pay attention tomorrow (meaning the 15th).

Let's hope they are not releasing Modern Times again in a steelbook

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Someone mentioned watching Modern Times for class and Criterion said to pay attention tomorrow (meaning the 15th).

Ah, thanks for the tip. I have given up on braving their FB page, so I missed that one.

[Yami]

Does anyone know if Criterion have sorted out the rights for Yang's A Brighter Summer Day? Probably my most anticipated title.

[italy12]

Originally Posted by jmcy2k

I second the question, please advise.

There was an audio issue on the second disc (third episode) where the left surround channel was recorded at a lower volume than the rest of the episode. Criterion has owned up to this and is offering a replacement when the discs are ready. It will, most likely, be a similar process to the White disc replacement that is going on now.

[jmcy2k]

Originally Posted by italy12

There was an audio issue on the second disc (third episode) where the left surround channel was recorded at a lower volume than the rest of the episode. Criterion has owned up to this and is offering a replacement when the discs are ready. It will, most likely, be a similar process to the White disc replacement that is going on now.

Ok, I was aware of the technical glitch, I'll re-join the ranks of the waiting. Thanks.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I think that the dicussion as to what should or should not be in the Criterion collection is impossible to resolve. Something will always be added that will just rub someone, somewhere the wrong way. As such someone, somewhere will always complaint about it.

For example, I feel they should release more classic movies and leave the mainstream movies to the studios. However what I see as mainstream would not be so for someone else. There are some here who also wish for more foreign and less known movies. I am for that as well since the chances of many of these movies ever seeing the light of day are rather slim. The Phantom Carriage, a Swedish silent movie in B&W. Would any regular studio ever took the time to restore such a movie and release it? Who outside of Criterion or MoC would ever care? It's not like the majority of customers out there would be rushing Wall-Mart to buy such a movie? I mean people are demanding refunds in theaters because they went to see The Artist and they now notice it's a B&W silent movie with no 3D, the nerves of these people making them see a movie like that

I think what is best is just wait to see what will be their monthly releases, buy and upgrade the ones that we want, rent those that intrigue us (if possible) and not worry too much that another Wes Anderson as been added to the collection.

That's what I've been trying to say, but somehow, people think I'm crazy for suggesting that they stop whining about this.

Originally Posted by jcs913

I have to admit BG, you are relentless...

Well you did leave yourself open for that one. You mentioned that people are having a sense of entitlement, and some people seem to present that in this thread, especially regarding certain releases. I couldn't resist.

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Maybe you're talking about the Facebook crowd, because I don't think you're accurately describing the situation here. Sure, people complain, but it doesn't seem terribly rampant outside of the occasional blow-up.

I'll certainly whine from time to time but the reality is I love Criterion and most of their titles are top-notch, even the ones I choose not to buy, and I'm glad for them.

Heading into 2012, though, I am disturbed by what I'm seeing more and more often: easy IFC releases, licensed MGM B-movies, a lack of blockbuster upgrades (while MoC/Arrow/et al. steal their thunder), more bare-bones titles. But for every two or three of these, there might be a World On A Wire or a Phantom Carriage , so it's worth it.

As far as entitlement, I think it could be down to interpretation. Lots of titles get suggested for different reasons. Last Movie is a good example that gets mentioned here a bit. No DVD release. Interesting story behind the film. Iconoclastic director. Surely it's frustrating when we get a Dazed & Confused upgrade two months after the studio edition drops instead of something meatier, or rarer, or weirder? That's a contrived example, but it does speak to the argument.



Judging from the fact that Godzilla sold out first? A lot.

It just seems that as of late, people are complaining more and more about the releases, rather than praising them when they do, do something awesome, and go on about how such is such a travesty when they release a title they feel doesn't belong in the collection. I'm not saying that people should love everything Criterion releases, but it just seems that most of the discussion on here has been of a negative nature on the releases.

I dislike A Safe Place, and think it's the worst film in the collection, but I don't think Criterion should remove it from the collection and put something like Citizen Kane in its place, because someone else might like it, and someone felt it was important to put that out.

Godzilla is still a title people complain about, as there are several who feel it doesn't belong in the collection, and something far more worthy should have come out. Also, you could argue that people only loved Godzilla when the price was right.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

At last you're acknowledging your own complaints!

It's high for me, and I'm disappointed that I can't order stuff from them as readily as I would from amazon, but it's not the end of the world. I'm not also saying people shouldn't buy from them because I think their shipping is too high, and they should offer me cheaper shipping, or not ship stuff at all. It's not really a complaint, because I could potentially buy from them in the future if I really want something. I actually wasn't planning on buying anything from them even if shipping was free, due to spending cash on other things. I was looking at the people who think shipping is too high and think that the 10 dollar credit wasn't enough, and the sale was a huge waste if you only wanted a single item.

[italy12]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

How is it skewed? Seems like bad luck more than anything.



Criterion's customer service is better than most. There are times they don't respond to emails (still haven't heard back from a December query), or don't properly address issues like the defective discs, but by and large they are better than most companies. MoC is even better, though.

Skewed mainly because there were a great number of people who were in line before others who actually got to order something, and these unlucky people found that their wanted items were sold out.

Think of it this way, 100 people line up for movie tix, every third person is plucked out and moved to the back of the line. There are only 70 tickets or so, so these 30 people who were removed are now out of luck. They certainly should have gotten one.

Criterion will remedy that by letting these people order items that are OOS so they can get in on the savings on which they missed out.

I've never had an issue with Criterion's customer service. When a person contacts Jon Mulvaney, that person must realize that there are quite a bit more emails to go through other than just theirs, and so occasionally, an email or 10 might go overlooked.

I have had this happen a few times, and all I do is resend the same exact email; no nasty comments, no "HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME CRITERION??, no whining, just a simple resubmission.

I always get a response that either meets or exceeds my expectations for what I believe to be a fair resolution to one of my issues.

Heck, I even emailed them in Nov. '10 and asked, as a birthday favor, if they could announce the titles to me early (on the 12th). This was strictly a joke, and I did not expect anything in return, but I got a reply within an hour with a happy birthday message and a $10 GC.

They're just a good company, who always try and please their fans/customers. People should really cut them some slack. There is only so much they can do to please the majority of the people to whom they cater.