The Criterion Collection

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Happy Festivus morning everyone!!!!!!!!!!

Are we ready for the airing of the grievances?

...because I have many.

...I'm looking at you Jon Mulvaney.

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

Hard to find a better Eclipse set than Late Ozu. Nice choice!

Yes, I'm glad to finally have it. Got the Silent set a couple years ago, which I love.

[Ray Jackson]

Christmas morning status update:

1. My parents got me a $50 Barnes and Noble gift card, just in time for the 40% off sale to be over. As it is I could use it to get one new Criterion or I could wait until July for the next 50% off sale.

...there's no way I can wait until freaking JULY!!!!!!!!


2. I've been completely humbled by my nephew's new Optimus Prime Transformer action figure, which supposedly transforms into a semi-truck. This freaking thing is more complicated than a Rubik's Cube.

A man attempts to make a Transformer transform...and something of himself is revealed.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by colbyw

Yeah, it's been real tough battling this Pittsburgh weather. Nice to see a fellow 'Burgh resident on here. Nice collection you have! Merry Christmas to all

I just looked at your collection of 200 Criterions and I'm quite impressed by your large amount of Criterion DVDs...excellent. When did you start collecting Criterions? I only started about 4 years ago and I primarily am lured by Criterion blu-rays... and of course its not the label I'm attracted to, but the movie (okay, I admit I'm a tad in denial with that statement).

Is there a Criterion-P-burgh Facebook group you know of? We should start a club here!

[oildude]

Merry Christmas, y'all.

82 degrees on the Gulf Coast of Texas. Santa was dressed like Jimmy Buffett when he landed in his sleigh last night.

I put out margaritas instead of cookies, and the pitcher was empty this morning, so for those on the East Coast, look out for a jolly overweight drunk dude in a Hawaiian shirt putting Top Gun and Cocktail into Criterion fans stockings instead of Ozu. My bad.

[colbyw]

Originally Posted by jw007

I just looked at your collection of 200 Criterions and I'm quite impressed by your large amount of Criterion DVDs...excellent. When did you start collecting Criterions? I only started about 4 years ago and I primarily am lured by Criterion blu-rays... and of course its not the label I'm attracted to, but the movie (okay, I admit I'm a tad in denial with that statement).

Is there a Criterion-P-burgh Facebook group you know of? We should start a club here!

I've been collecting the dvds for awhile - probably early 2000's; but really only bought the ones that I was very familiar with, didn't really go hardcore on criterion until they began releasing on blu ray. If I had more money, I would buy them all

*Didn't have half off sales back then either, had to pay $24.99-$29.99 from deepdiscount or dvdplanet. Lol

[theater dreamer]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

When I revisited all six of the earlier movies on Black Friday, I was reminded that the Prequel Trilogy is not actually that bad, and the Original Trilogy is not actually that good. I just think that they're all awesome, though, because I grew up with them.

You're absolutely entitled to your opinion, of course, but I strenuously disagree with your conclusion. Star Wars (and I refuse to call it A New Hope--ever) was nominated for ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture (which, imho, it should have won over Annie Hall), winning six. AFI, on its 1997 list of the 100 Greatest American Films, lists Star Wars at #15. On its 10th anniversary list in 2007, it had moved up to 13th. In the 2012 Sight & Sound critics list, Star Wars appears as the 171st greatest film of all-time, ahead of cinematic masterworks including Alfred Hitchcock's Notorious, Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas, John Ford's The Grapes of Wrath, and Steven Spielberg's E.T.

Oh, and The Empire Strikes Back is actually a better film than Star Wars. It's widely regarded as the best in the entire franchise by fans and critics alike. The narrative, and conflict, are more interesting. The slower pace adopted by Irvin Kershner was a welcome respite from George "faster and more intense" Lucas, and it allowed for far greater character development. One of the greatest moments in motion picture history,

[Show spoiler]Darth Vader's revealing to Luke that he was his father

, fuels the remaining conflict in the series. And, several of the most important characters in the series are introduced in Empire, including Yoda, Lando Calrissian, Emperor Palpatine, and Boba Fett.

Though The Return of the Jedi is not as strong as the first two films in the trilogy (the introduction of the Ewoks knocks it down a peg), it is still far stronger than any of the films in the prequel trilogy. Only Revenge of the Sith even approaches the greatness of the films released in the late 70s and early 80s. While the prequel trilogy does have some powerful moments, taken as a whole, it has been rightly panned by critics and fans everywhere. The performances of Jake Lloyd, Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen are wooden, and unconvincing. While incredible chemistry existed between Carrie Fisher's Princess Leia and Harrison Ford's Han Solo, none whatsoever exists between Portman's Queen Amidala and Christensen's Anikin Skywalker. None. And the entire prequel trilogy revolves around that relationship.

[Show spoiler]The whole reason that Skywalker turns to the dark side is to save Padme's life. Once he discovers that she is dead, it is too late, as he is already Darth Vader, and firmly under the Emperor's command.

The dialogue, at times hokey in the original trilogy, is often groan-worthy in the prequel trilogy, especially in the first two films, The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. And speaking of the clones-the Storm Troopers, while they couldn't hit the side of a barn ten feet in front of them, at least had the cool factor going for them The droid army was ill-conceived, and annoying. "Roger Roger."

And speaking of annoying, that brings us to unmitigated disaster known as Jar Jar Binks. I could wax poetic like Shakespeare about this utter waste of screen time; "shall I compare thee to a steaming pile of cow flop"? Jar Jar Binks was a failure in every sense of the word. As a complete CGI creation, his appearance was not only unconvincing, but completely out of place in the Star Wars universe. And when you consider some of the ponderous CGI figures retroactively placed into the original trilogy by Mr. Lucas--think of the band in Jabba's palace--that's really saying something. But it was the character's personality that continues to grate on me some sixteen years after he first appeared on the big screen. Thinking of Jar Jar Binks makes my colon clench. From his swishy walk, to his abject stupidity, and his obnoxious diction, "meesa sorry that George Lucas ever conceived of this CGI abomination." It is not mere coincidence that the best film of the trilogy by far, Revenge of the Sith, sees Jar Jar almost completely MIA.

The prequel trilogy consistently fails to rise to the level of excellence achieved by the original trilogy, while Star Wars single-handedly revitalized the film industry, changed how movies are made, and took the science fiction genre in new directions. It goes without saying that I am a huge fan of the series. But I don't find myself watching the original trilogy time and time again because of some misplaced sense of childhood nostalgia. I watch Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi because they are fantastic works of art that, for just a few hours each, transport me to a galaxy far, far away.

[theater dreamer]

Oh, and Merry Christmas, everybody!

[jw007]

Originally Posted by colbyw

I've been collecting the dvds for awhile - probably early 2000's; but really only bought the ones that I was very familiar with, didn't really go hardcore on criterion until they began releasing on blu ray. If I had more money, I would buy them all

*Didn't have half off sales back then either, had to pay $24.99-$29.99 from deepdiscount or dvdplanet. Lol

Wow, I can't even imagine a reality where we didn't have 50% off sales for Criterions! Maybe in a parallel universe if B&N went out of business back during the recession, we'd only be relying on Criterion's flash sales that only last for 24 hours at a time!

Did you buy any Criterion BDs during this past 50% and 40% B&N sales? I bought about 11 total (including 1 in the past 40% sale - Downhill Racer - upgrade).

[colbyw]

Originally Posted by jw007

Wow, I can't even imagine a reality where we didn't have 50% off sales for Criterions! Maybe in a parallel universe if B&N went out of business back during the recession, we'd only be relying on Criterion's flash sales that only last for 24 hours at a time!

Did you buy any Criterion BDs during this past 50% and 40% B&N sales? I bought about 11 total (including 1 in the past 40% sale - Downhill Racer - upgrade).

I think I bought 11 as well since the B&N half off sale started. But, I know I bought 1 from Jet.com and 1 from amazon during the current sale (Kwaidan). Picked up either, David Lean directs Noel Coward set or The Three Colors Triology set from Jet (I think) when they had $25 off $50 purchase. I want Downhill Racer, but price never dropped - unless I missed something.

*Oops, 12 actually. I forgot I purchased dvd of Night Train to Munich. Was sorting on bluray.com by recent purchases, but never thought to check my dvd collection on there.

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by jw007

Wow, I can't even imagine a reality where we didn't have 50% off sales for Criterions! Maybe in a parallel universe if B&N went out of business back during the recession, we'd only be relying on Criterion's flash sales that only last for 24 hours at a time!

Did you buy any Criterion BDs during this past 50% and 40% B&N sales? I bought about 11 total (including 1 in the past 40% sale - Downhill Racer - upgrade).

I bought 16 total, and my haul also included Downhill Racer. I almost bought the DVD as a blind buy several times, but held off, hoping Criterion would upgrade it. Once the blu-ray came out, and I had the opportunity to pick it up at 40% off + 10% off + 30% off, I grabbed it.

I also picked up a few of the sets I was missing this time around, including the Apu Trilogy, Zatoichi, Les Blank: Always a Pleasure, Martin Scorsese"s World Cinema Project, the Trilogy of Life and Pierre Etax. Now all I need set-wise are the Jacques Demi, Jacques Tati, and David Lean/Noel Coward boxes; the problem is that the copies in my local stores look like they've been punished, hard and by someone who knew how! () Maybe I'll try ordering them directly from Criterion during the next flash sale.

[SkyAntoine]

Day hasn't gone as planned and we have a pukey toddler boy. I'm staying home with him while the rest of the fam does Christmas all day.
It has given me time to sit in from of the tv and watch A Christmas Tale. Good film...tres long. Nothing says Christmas like severe family dysfunction. Other than a subplot or two that seemed to veer from the necessary plot this was a well told story. 8/10

[jw007]

Originally Posted by colbyw

I think I bought 11 as well since the B&N half off sale started. But, I know I bought 1 from Jet.com and 1 from amazon during the current sale (Kwaidan). Picked up either, David Lean directs Noel Coward set or The Three Colors Triology set from Jet (I think) when they had $25 off $50 purchase. I want Downhill Racer, but price never dropped - unless I missed something.

*Oops, 12 actually. I forgot I purchased dvd of Night Train to Munich. Was sorting on bluray.com by recent purchases, but never thought to check my dvd collection on there.

Pretty cool. There's a new younger CSR working the Waterworks location who seems to actually enjoy talking about Criterion films, so next time you stop over there, he might ask you how many Criterion you own! He's a newbie and only has 20 or so. Lol. I told him my top 3 Criterion blu-rays were: The Thin Red Line, The Third Man and Naked.

Originally Posted by jmclick

I bought 16 total, and my haul also included Downhill Racer. I almost bought the DVD as a blind buy several times, but held off, hoping Criterion would upgrade it. Once the blu-ray came out, and I had the opportunity to pick it up at 40% off + 10% off + 30% off, I grabbed it.

I also picked up a few of the sets I was missing this time around, including the Apu Trilogy, Zatoichi, Les Blank: Always a Pleasure, Martin Scorsese"s World Cinema Project, the Trilogy of Life and Pierre Etax. Now all I need set-wise are the Jacques Demi, Jacques Tati, and David Lean/Noel Coward boxes; the problem is that the copies in my local stores look like they've been punished, hard and by someone who knew how! () Maybe I'll try ordering them directly from Criterion during the next flash sale.

I ended up using my final 30% coupon on the Twin Peaks: The Entire Mystery during the 40% blu-ray sale! I got it for $42 and change! I used the 30% coupon, 10% member discount and the $10 B&N holiday gift card I received in the mail. I don't think you can beat that for getting that for dirt cheap!

I have highlighted the above Criterion box sets in red to let you know I own those too. I've still yet to unwrap the Scorcese World Cinema box set!

[colbyw]

Barnes and Noble must hate me. I'm a member and use their credit card as well, but yet I never receive their coupons or holiday gift cards. My friend who lives up the road; and buys the same amount that I do, gets everything.

We went to Waterworks during the previous sale; mainly for Burgertory (it takes me about 35 minutes to get there), and there was a gray haired (knowledgable) guy working - used to always be a British dude.

[CriterionBlues]

Originally Posted by SkyAntoine

Day hasn't gone as planned and we have a pukey toddler boy. I'm staying home with him while the rest of the fam does Christmas all day.
It has given me time to sit in from of the tv and watch A Christmas Tale. Good film...tres long. Nothing says Christmas like severe family dysfunction. Other than a subplot or two that seemed to veer from the necessary plot this was a well told story. 8/10

I'm with you. Not exactly the most uplifting Christmas message, but still a good and thought provoking film. One of the subplots really did bother me. It was fine, but I think would have been a better (and shorter) film without it.

[colbyw]

Anybody else enjoy watching Blast of Silence around Christmas time? A friend and a Patton Oswalt tweet turned me onto it, I thanked him - but he never responded, Lol. Still bought his book "Silver Screen Fiend" though.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Happy Festivus morning everyone!!!!!!!!!!

Are we ready for the airing of the grievances?

...because I have many.

...I'm looking at you Jon Mulvaney.

OK, I have a couple things to say.

1) X-Mas is one of my least favorite days of the year. Yet, this post made me laugh SO HARD out loud. Thank you, Ray.

2) I have very few grievances to air against Criterion this year. If nothing else, I have a wonderful issue of Mulholland Dr. in my collection, and I have a number of films to which I'm looking forward to in the new year.

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by SkyAntoine

Day hasn't gone as planned and we have a pukey toddler boy. I'm staying home with him while the rest of the fam does Christmas all day.
It has given me time to sit in from of the tv and watch A Christmas Tale. Good film...tres long. Nothing says Christmas like severe family dysfunction. Other than a subplot or two that seemed to veer from the necessary plot this was a well told story. 8/10

I'm so sorry to hear about your toddler; I'll never forget the Christmas morning I woke up feverish and covered from head to toe with chicken pox. To be sick on Christmas was one thing, but to be miserable as well! Ugh! I'll never forget the way my Mom tried to make me feel better by spending most of the day sitting on the edge of my bed, putting cool washcloths on my forehead, and trying to keep me amused by reading to me and playing games with me. I think it speaks highly of you that you stayed behind to be his caregiver. Good on you!

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

OK, I have a couple things to say.

1) X-Mas is one of my least favorite days of the year. Yet, this post made me laugh SO HARD out loud. Thank you, Ray.

2) I have very few grievances to air against Criterion this year. If nothing else, I have a wonderful issue of Mulholland Dr. in my collection, and I have a number of films to which I'm looking forward to in the new year.

Did you forget about Le Samourai?

What about Top Gun Aaron?

...what about TOP GUN?!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Network23]

Well I got $50 B&N gift card today so that will go for the next Criterion sale which will be in march-apr or may before July sale. Damned if i missed out buying America Lost & Found Blu-ray set locally during the sale was sold out everywhere. I hate that B&N book prices are less on the website and they are more if you buy in the store, and you cant buy online and pick it up at your local B&N, but i was able to return a website book to exchange for a better copy at my local B&N.