The Criterion Collection

[DaBargainHunta]

Originally Posted by fitprod

Criterion is a niche label... And that niche is the die hard collector who is most likely to have 4K, it will affect their sales... But I wouldn't say 99% don't care, it's more likely 50 - 60%.

I know for me, I've skipped a lot of the recent Criterion catalog releases that were from MGM and sourced from 4K. (Princess Bride, Great Escape etc...)

Once I hear if the BD included with Arrow's 4K release of Crash is region free (obviously the 4K disc is), I'll make my purchase decision, but it's very likely I will not be buying Criterion's release... I'm not even sure if I'll buy Parasite at this point, since Universal released the 4K disc already.

I might buy The Irishman, but even on the fence about that.

fitprod

And people like us on this board are a niche within a niche.

After all, people are still buying Criterion DVDs.

[BluProofie]

Most disappointing month in awhile. Already got the Arrow UHD of Crash pre-ordered.

[Hazel Motes]

Criterion is just embarrassing themselves at this point. They're quickly becoming a pretty antiquated label. Super disappointing.

[regeyer]

Originally Posted by DaBargainHunta

After all, people are still buying Criterion DVDs.

I believe Criterion DVDs still outsell Criterion Blu-Rays.

[jjlikesonions]

Even if Criterion wanted to release Crash in 4k, they wouldn't be allowed to because WB doesn't license out their titles to other labels for 4k UHD releases.

[jjlikesonions]

Originally Posted by mande2013

Here are some other boutique labels that haven't released 4K discs yet: BFI, Eureka, and Artificial Eye. Criterion isn't exactly alone.

Although it's not released yet, Artificial Eye is releasing Parasite 4k UHD on November 23rd.

[bergman864]

Originally Posted by Hazel Motes

Criterion is just embarrassing themselves at this point. They're quickly becoming a pretty antiquated label. Super disappointing.

Why? Blue Underground and Arrow just released their first 4K discs this year. Just because Criterion didn't announce a 4K release this year doesn't put them so far behind they should be ashamed.

[BIGXWHIFF]

Yeah another month where we get a movie we've all been waiting on! Only, a foreign company has already announced that they are releasing it on a superior format.

This is just getting ridiculous at this point and makes Criterion look like a joke. If Blue Underground, Synapse and Vinegar Syndrome can take bigger risks and release much more niche movies in 4k, then I'm going to have to redirect my spending to favor these other companies.

[The Sovereign]

Originally Posted by regeyer

I believe Criterion DVDs still outsell Criterion Blu-Rays.

I've heard this before, but I find it hard to believe. Wouldn't Barnes & Noble stock more DVD's over Blu-ray if that were the case? That's certainly not been the case at dozens of their stores I've visited across the country - not for a lot of years now anyway. Maybe they're blowing DVD's out on Amazon & directly through Criterion, but I really doubt it.

[bergman864]

Originally Posted by The Sovereign

I've heard this before, but I find it hard to believe. Wouldn't Barnes & Noble stock more DVD's over Blu-ray if that were the case? That's certainly not been the case at dozens of their stores I've visited across the country - not for a lot of years now anyway. Maybe they're blowing DVD's out on Amazon & directly through Criterion, but I really doubt it.

From what I've heard, they sell a lot to libraries.

[jw007]

December announcements, historically speaking, are never usually big months in the Criterion Collection. So I had low expectations especially after the pretty big November announcements.

With that said, I may buy Crash because I like Cronenberg's films (and wow that cover art is provocative). The other upgrades are fine as well. The Alejandro Iñárritu movie is also good.

[The Sovereign]

Originally Posted by bergman864

From what I've heard, they sell a lot to libraries.

Hadn't considered that. And I'm not saying it's impossible - it just doesn't seem likely.

[DaBargainHunta]

Originally Posted by jjlikesonions

Even if Criterion wanted to release Crash in 4k, they wouldn't be allowed to because WB doesn't license out their titles to other labels for 4k UHD releases.

Great point, but very few people here understand the business aspect. I won't pretend to be an expert either, but using a release from a different region as a point of criticism is extremely shortsighted IMO.

[Mike0284]

Comparison of the Arrow, Criterion, & Turbine release extras.

Originally Posted by cinescot

Just compared the extras on Criterion and Arrow LE BD for anyone interested:

Edit: German Turbine release added

Arrow Extras
Brand new audio commentary with film scholar Adrian Martin
Cronenberg Challenge – new interview with director of photography Peter Suschitzky
Mechanical Animals – new interview with executive producer Jeremy Thomas
The Shore Thing – new interview with composer Howard Shore
License to Drive – new interview with casting director Deirdre Bowen
Archival "Behind the Scenes" featurette
Archival interviews with David Cronenberg, J.G. Ballard and actors James Spader, Holly Hunter, Deborah Kara Unger and Elias Koteas
Original Trailers
Cronenberg: Concrete Cowboy – brand new video essay by Caelum Vatnsdal on Cronenberg’s use of Toronto as a filming location

Arrow LE Exclusives
Fully illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Vanessa Morgan and Araceli Molina, alongside a reprinted excerpt from Cronenberg on Cronenberg
Fold-out double-sided poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork
Limited edition packaging with reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranck

Criterion Extras
Audio commentary from 1997 featuring Cronenberg
Press conference from the 1996 Cannes Film Festival featuring Cronenberg; Suschitzky; author J. G. Ballard; producers Robert Lantos and Jeremy Thomas; and actors Rosanna Arquette, Holly Hunter, Elias Koteas, James Spader, and Deborah Kara Unger
Q&A from 1996 with Cronenberg and Ballard at the National Film Theatre in London
Behind-the-scenes footage and press interviews from 1996
Trailers
PLUS: An essay by film critic Jessica Kiang

Turbine Extras (from DVDCompare)
Interviews
- "Crash-Talk" - Viggo Mortensen & David Cronenberg
- "Cronenberg Challenge" - Peter Suschitzky
- "Mechanical Animals" - Jeremy Thomas
- "The Shore Thing" - Howard Shore
- "License to Drive" - Deirdre Bowen
"Behind the Scenes" featurette
Interviews with Cast & Crew
Short Movies by David Cronenberg: "The Nest"; "Camera"; "At the Suicide of the Last Jew in the World in the Last Cinema in the World"
Trailers

[bergman864]

Originally Posted by The Sovereign

Hadn't considered that. And I'm not saying it's impossible - it just doesn't seem likely.

Amazingly, DVDs are still big sellers. Not across the board but still sell really well.

[dwk]

Apparently Lionsgate is credited on the sellsheet for Amores perros, so a one-off at Iñárritu's insistence or some bigger deal?

[Mike0284]

Love the cover art by Phil Hale for Crash.



https://www.instagram.com/accounts/l...hilhalestudio/

[postmodel]

Originally Posted by Mike0284

Comparison of the Arrow, Criterion, & Turbine release extras.

As a huge fan of this film and of extras, each one is worth owning IMO.

[mande2013]

Originally Posted by kidglov3s

I thought it was unfair to Criterion to bring up imports. But yes this is worth mentioning.

How is it unfair when people are primarily using European 4K releases of films Criterion's only released on standard BD to illustrate Criterion's supposed mounting irrelevance?

[kidglov3s]

Originally Posted by mande2013

How is it unfair when people are primarily using European 4K releases of films Criterion's only released on standard BD to illustrate Criterion's supposed mounting irrelevance?

I was referring to this when I wrote that:

Originally Posted by DaBargainHunta

Reality check: A 4K release from another region is barely going to affect Criterion's business or bottom line. 99% of potential customers will not care.