The Criterion Collection

[tonylopez]

Originally Posted by retablo

Yep. And I rarely go to the movies anymore, except to see a few "spectacles" here and there. So even blind buying blu-rays, I'm not spending much more than if I were to see it in the theater then buy it later... because that's spending TWICE. People often don't seem to think that concept through.

Me too. I only go to see films I will most likely really enjoy. Luckily I have a $1.50 movie theater that I can check out movies I'm curious about.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by retablo

Yep. And I rarely go to the movies anymore, except to see a few "spectacles" here and there. So even blind buying blu-rays, I'm not spending much more than if I were to see it in the theater then buy it later... because that's spending TWICE. People often don't seem to think that concept through.

There are some films that, for me, just beg to be seen on the big screen. Skyfall is a recent example.

I do usually go the cheap route, though, because a theater down the street has pre-noon matinees for $6. A favorite routine of mine is to join my Saturday morning marathon training group, take a shower, then go to a pre-noon movie and rest my legs. I only go to the theater once a month, if that, but it's still a fun way to chill early on a Saturday. I did not go to the theater as often this year, simply because there were fewer films that intrigued me, but the big screen still calls sometimes.

[andsoitgoes]

I so wish I could go back in time with a bit more money and haul another chunk of movies during the B&N sale. Sigh. Or that the amazon sale was still going and didn't charge me an arm and a leg to ship to Canada.

Knowing that many of these movies were ~<$20 makes it really tough to then spend at least $7 - $8+ per movie. And of course as many here know, being in Canada the prices almost never, ever, ever, ever drop below $40ish. Why, I will never know, but it is very frustrating. Though I'll take free health care over cheaper criterion movies

[andsoitgoes]

One other thing is Hulu Plus as well, the majority of the criterion collection is there. While the quality is incredibly low in comparison to the restored blu ray versions, at least it gives you a chance to check it out for a minuscule $8/month.

For example, I got the chance to see Eating Raul prior to blind buying it, which I'm glad for. It was good, but it wasn't a must own. It also solidified me HAVING to immediately buy High and Low after the first 20 minutes. Plus, many of the movies are lacking in the commentary, which is almost always the thing that pushes me over the edge to buying the movie on blu.

[*PREACHER*]

Originally Posted by buffetfroid

Just don't expect A Man Escaped to be anything like Shawshank Redemption

Don't intend to, but thanks for the warning....open mind 100% of the time with every new film I see!

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

I only own one Criterion that I outright hate, and only keep it because It's in a 7 film box set and shares a disc with a film I like, but did not love. I even tried watching the film I hate the'er*times before I gave up on it. As much as people like to ***** about Tiny Furniture, It's miles better than this "film" I speak of, A Safe Place.

There, I said it, Lena Dunham is a better film maker than Henry Jaglom. Tiny Furniture never made me want to murder anyone, and a lot of the technical aspects of the film are pretty impressive. Not enough to make me want to own Tiny Furniture, but I give it more respect than A Safe Place.

It's post like these that keep me coming back.

[ShellOilJunior]

Haven't posted this in a while.

Updated Most requested Criterion Blu-ray - submitted by those frequenting this thread.

• A Brighter Summer Day
• La Dolce Vita
• Alice in the Cities
• Touch of Evil
• The BRD Trilogy
• The Cranes are Flying
• The Fountain
• Persona
• The Diving Bell and The Butterfly
• The American Friend
• Le Petit Soldat
• Sisters
• The Hidden Fortress
• Stray Dog
• Berlin Alexanderplatz
• Ali: Fear Eats the Soul
• Pi
• Targets

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by CusackstheMan

Reading this forum more and more, I noticed something that I shouldn't be surprised about, but am. I've learned there's a wide variety of opinion on what posters like and dislike within the Criterion Collection. It makes me think that at least some people on here are blind buying Criterion Blus just to have them on their shelf, with actually liking the film an added bonus. For example, some people have written on here that they already bought all or most of the 2012 releases, and I find it had to believe that those people didn't blind buy at least some of those films and/or didn't like all the films they bought. I myself blind bought Chungking Expess and In the Mood for Love. I liked Chungking lots; In the Mood....not so much. But do I regret adding that beautiful In the Mood case to be shelf? No. To me this begs the question, do most of us on here buy these Criterion releases to own another piece of the Criterion library, or buy them cause they know they will love the film and/or have seen it already and know it's a great film? Myself, I try to purchase movies I think I'll like, and prefer Criterion cause I know, more times than not, I will get to experience a film in best possible format ever available. In other words, blind buying is less of a deal to me because of this. Plus, I love the cases.

Everyone as different views when it come's to Criterion or MoC, Kino...any of these groups that usually releases movie that would not appeal to a very large buying public. I never blind buy but that is just my personal rule. That being said I feel blind buys per say for Criterion are save and dangerous at the same time. What I mean is that it's almost impossible to not find a great movie in the collection, all of them offer something more than just simple entertainement. It's also dangerous in my view because they are not simple movies and you sure can end up with some strange ones that may not be what you were hoping for. Combine this with the higher sale price of Criterion and that is why for me I never go for the blind buy

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by jcs913

Looks like an upcoming Eclipse set, especially since it was probably the hint in the New years drawing.. IMO, if you like Tati, you will enjoy Etaix..

I would buy that Eclipse set right away if it's release

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Haven't posted this in a while.

Updated Most requested Criterion Blu-ray - submitted by those frequenting this thread.

• A Brighter Summer Day
• La Dolce Vita
• Alice in the Cities
• Touch of Evil
• The BRD Trilogy
• The Cranes are Flying
• The Fountain
• Persona
• The Diving Bell and The Butterfly
• The American Friend
• Le Petit Soldat
• Sisters
• The Hidden Fortress
• Stray Dog
• Berlin Alexanderplatz
• Ali: Fear Eats the Soul
• Pi
• Targets

Two films by Darren Aronofsky is too much. I find David Lynch and Aronofsky well known that their films would be fine being transferred to blu ray by a major distributor. I hope criterion will spend their time releasing other films on this list like Persona or La Dolce Vita.

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

I'm a mixed bag, a lot of blind buying and a lot bought thanks to Netflix, TCM, and other wats if viewing the films.

I only own one Criterion that I outright hate, and only keep it because It's in a 7 film box set and shares a disc with a film I like, but did not love. I even tried watching the film I hate the'er*times before I gave up on it. As much as people like to ***** about Tiny Furniture, It's miles better than this "film" I speak of, A Safe Place.

Of course, its worth noting that A Safe Place is not only buried at the bottom of a hefty box (almost like kitty litter liner) but it is the rare film that -- correct me if I'm misremembering -- shares a disc with another film. Surely not a vote of Criterion's confidence.

As to your comparison, I'm reminded of this old nugget by Robert Frost (just substitute "World" with "Criterion," "Fire" and "Ice" with "Tiny Furniture" and "A Safe Place"):

Fire And Ice

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.

Oh hell, I have the time...

Tiny Furniture and A Safe Place

Some say Criterion will end in Tiny Furniture,
Some say in A Safe Place.
From what I've tasted I'd desire
I hold with those who favor Tiny Furniture.
But if Criterion had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction A Safe Place
Is also great
And would suffice.

[P@t_Mtl]

People complaint a lot abut Tiny Furniture in here?

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Everyone as different views when it come's to Criterion or MoC, Kino...any of these groups that usually releases movie that would not appeal to a very large buying public. I never blind buy but that is just my personal rule. That being said I feel blind buys per say for Criterion are save and dangerous at the same time. What I mean is that it's almost impossible to not find a great movie in the collection, all of them offer something more than just simple entertainement. It's also dangerous in my view because they are not simple movies and you sure can end up with some strange ones that may not be what you were hoping for. Combine this with the higher sale price of Criterion and that is why for me I never go for the blind buy

I think it is important to be an informed consumer. There are plenty of MoC titles I'd buy if I were region-free, but I'm not. I haven't ventured into Kino Blu (I have several DVDs) or other boutique labels because with my budgeting and trying to leave money for other interests I keep them on my peripheral view. Much of what Criterion releases is far removed from my taste as it is, but rather than post negative comments about what doesn't interest me I sit back and read why those titles interest others so if I ever buy a lottery ticket and win the first time I can buy 'em all!

[P@t_Mtl]

I sometime wonder "what is a blind buy?"

I mean as example, let say like me you are a fan of Ozu and it just happen that they release a movie you know about from him because you know Ozu but you actually never seen it before. Is that still a blind buy? You know Ozu, you know his work and how he make's movies so it's not truly a blind buy, or is it?

[Whirlygig]

Technically I think it's widely considered simply a film you haven't seen.

But yes, my blindest buys are still usually pretty well-informed so it is a bit of a misnomer.

I'd never just put on a blindfold and grab a film to purchase.

To watch, maybe, but not to purchase.

[mrjohnnyb]

Originally Posted by CusackstheMan

Reading this forum more and more, I noticed something that I shouldn't be surprised about, but am. I've learned there's a wide variety of opinion on what posters like and dislike within the Criterion Collection. It makes me think that at least some people on here are blind buying Criterion Blus just to have them on their shelf, with actually liking the film an added bonus. For example, some people have written on here that they already bought all or most of the 2012 releases, and I find it had to believe that those people didn't blind buy at least some of those films and/or didn't like all the films they bought. I myself blind bought Chungking Expess and In the Mood for Love. I liked Chungking lots; In the Mood....not so much. But do I regret adding that beautiful In the Mood case to be shelf? No. To me this begs the question, do most of us on here buy these Criterion releases to own another piece of the Criterion library, or buy them cause they know they will love the film and/or have seen it already and know it's a great film? Myself, I try to purchase movies I think I'll like, and prefer Criterion cause I know, more times than not, I will get to experience a film in best possible format ever available. In other words, blind buying is less of a deal to me because of this. Plus, I love the cases.

I have made numerous (over thirty) blind blu-ray buys just from Criterion Collection films alone. I do minimal research when I make my purchases as I do not want to know too much about the film before viewing it. I try to avoid trailers at all costs (it really upsets me to see a trailer that gives away important plot points.) I do find out about how a film is received, particularly at the Cannes Film Festival. I have also blind bought a film based on particular directors.

With all that said, here are the reasons I purchase these films:

I very rarely go to the cinema anymore. If I do, it is either a "spectacle" or an animated feature that I see with my children, and even the latter is becoming less frequent. That shooting at the cinema in Colorado really has made me ask the question "Why?" When you think about how much a cinema experience costs, is it really that much more expensive to purchase a blu-ray than to attend a cinema viewing,especially considering that the blu-ray is usually transferred with great technical artistry, contains outstanding supplemental material, and is something which you continue to own after the first viewing which you can watch in the comfort of your own home? In addition, I only buy my Criterion Collection blu-rays when I can get them for at least half the standard retail price.

I consider that a bargain!

During the times when Criterion Collection blu-rays are not on sale (basically all months other than July and November), I try to save whatever extra money I have into making upgrades in my home cinema.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by retablo

Yep. And I rarely go to the movies anymore, except to see a few "spectacles" here and there. So even blind buying blu-rays, I'm not spending much more than if I were to see it in the theater then buy it later... because that's spending TWICE. People often don't seem to think that concept through.

We have a five month old, so it is pretty difficult to get to the movies these days. In fact, the last movie I saw in the theater was Dark Knight Rises, which I saw by myself the day before he was born (my wife talked me into it and I spent the entire time with my phone set to vibrate in my hand). Even before that, I would only rarely go, because it is hard to find time and because I get tired of annoying people around me. Last year I watched 500 movies, and probably only ten of those were in a theater. At this point I can buy a movie on blu the week it comes out for less than it would cost my wife and I to see it in the theater.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by andsoitgoes

I so wish I could go back in time with a bit more money and haul another chunk of movies during the B&N sale. Sigh. Or that the amazon sale was still going and didn't charge me an arm and a leg to ship to Canada.

Knowing that many of these movies were ~<$20 makes it really tough to then spend at least $7 - $8+ per movie. And of course as many here know, being in Canada the prices almost never, ever, ever, ever drop below $40ish. Why, I will never know, but it is very frustrating. Though I'll take free health care over cheaper criterion movies

Criterions can be had for cheap on amazon.ca, just keep checking daily once announcements are made, as the pre-orders are the same price as the US ones for about a day.

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

It's post like these that keep me coming back.

Oh yes, my wonderful half-arsed henpecking on my phone that makes me look like an illiterate goon. I am serious though, I thought Tiny Furniture was a better film than A Safe Place (technical aspects, plot, and to a certain extent, acting), and I do somewhat like Drive, He Said. A Safe Place is the only bad film in that 7 film box set. Arguably, Dunham, as much as everyone hates her, was more innovative with Tiny Furniture than Jaglom was for A Safe Place. I don't like Tiny Furniture much, but I found there's more redeeming qualities to it than A Safe Place.

Originally Posted by IronWaffle

Of course, its worth noting that A Safe Place is not only buried at the bottom of a hefty box (almost like kitty litter liner) but it is the rare film that -- correct me if I'm misremembering -- shares a disc with another film. Surely not a vote of Criterion's confidence.

As to your comparison, I'm reminded of this old nugget by Robert Frost (just substitute "World" with "Criterion," "Fire" and "Ice" with "Tiny Furniture" and "A Safe Place"):

Fire And Ice

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.

Oh hell, I have the time...

Tiny Furniture and A Safe Place

Some say Criterion will end in Tiny Furniture,
Some say in A Safe Place.
From what I've tasted I'd desire
I hold with those who favor Tiny Furniture.
But if Criterion had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction A Safe Place
Is also great
And would suffice.

I am amused, and I agree that it's not a "best of Criterion title." Usually they only have films share discs if the second film is a "bonus feature." Also, Mr. Frost is reminding me that once I finish re-reading The Chronicles of Prydain, I really need to go read A Song of Fire and Ice by George R.R. Martin, as I'm probably the only person in the world who has not read or watched Game of Thrones. Hell, even my parents have watched it, are huge fans, and my mother read the first 4 books in a month. I feel so ashamed.

And yes, I did break down and get a new eReader, and not a Nook, as the Nook me mam bought just up and died two weeks ago, the screen is shattered. I ended up getting a Kobo Glo (the backlight is handy) in order to have an actual functioning warranty in case random crap like that happens. I've already put it through the paces of reading Musashi (The Samurai Trilogy is a fantastic adaptation, although The Leopard is still the Prince of Criterion releases that were adapted from novels). Musashi is something everyone should grab and read. It's only 1254 pages in eBook format, and they go by much more quickly, as it's easier to hold a Kobo than it is to hold a 1254 page book.

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I sometime wonder "what is a blind buy?"

I mean as example, let say like me you are a fan of Ozu and it just happen that they release a movie you know about from him because you know Ozu but you actually never seen it before. Is that still a blind buy? You know Ozu, you know his work and how he make's movies so it's not truly a blind buy, or is it?

Most of my Criterion purchases are vision-impaired, not blind. Blind to me implies the kind of impulse buy where at best you're aware of a title and have heard maybe some good things but nothing more. Since I adhere to the economic principle of "opportunity cost" I don't buy any discretionary items -- films, books, music mostly -- without having read about them. I don't cling to praise, I don't look for synopses; rather I look for a general idea of what sort of themes a film conveyed to a few reviewers, essayists, whatever and whether there seem to be personal red flags (I'm sensitive, for instance, to abrupt tonal shifts, thematic inattention, thin characterization, etc.). I do more than just skim, but I will often skip chunks of an essay if I think I want to see the film and sense I'm getting too much specific information or interpretation that might impair a first viewing. Those get bookmarked and I return to them after seeing the film.

I think a lot of this comes from growing up in an era when many films and albums were inaccessible so I'm used to reading ABOUT films, books, albums, songs, paintings, sculptures, places ages before being able to experience them. It is very hard to spoil the best movies (or anything I listed above) by digesting too much in advance as long as you know how to control your anticipation and expectations when you finally experience the work of art in question.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by IronWaffle

Most of my Criterion purchases are vision-impaired, not blind. Blind to me implies the kind of impulse buy where at best you're aware of a title and have heard maybe some good things but nothing more.

Why...no, really, WHY...would anyone blind-buy a Criterion when we have the genius that is Three Reasons?
Are you just going to sit there, spit on their hard editing work, and ignore one of the greatest bits of studio disk promotion/film education ever conceived?

I'm a bit Janus-illiterate when it comes to anything arthouse pre-1978 or from the last decade, so I don't make myself pay the price--literally--for my own (film) ignorance. The 3R's are so brilliantly put together, I'll go to the Criterion YT channel and watch anything they film-lecture on that week, just because they do such a quintessential job of persuasion.
And if they do.......I might rent it.