The Criterion Collection

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by RojD

Anthology of work by the Brothers Quay.

The Quays came up in last year's Wexner talk, I believe. CC said they loved them but didn't want to interfere with the relationship between the Quays and Kino, something to that effect.

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by ravenus

In fact when CC launched blu-rays both formats were priced the same (and CC even made a big deal of it, saying that whatever your choice, price would not be the deciding factor), so why did they go down the foolish route of making a price difference when they were offering essentially the same package?

This is my recollection as well. I do not remember when CC lowered the cost of DVD only releases, but they did, and at that point, CC created it's own problem; introducing a new value equation for the consumer (duh). One theory that kind of makes sense is the instititional sales angle; that libraries/schools, broadly speaking, banned HD purchases. But, as you observe, major labels have released dual format only discs. Will/have institutions refused to purchase these releases? Difficult to believe they did. It's Chinatown, Jake.

[Sifox211]

Originally Posted by ravenus

... In fact when CC launched blu-rays both formats were priced the same (and CC even made a big deal of it, saying that whatever your choice, price would not be the deciding factor), so why did they go down the foolish route of making a price difference when they were offering essentially the same package?

Agreed; in fact, aren't we being continually told that the cost of manufacture is not an issue? Also, a lot of their DVD releases are two disks where the BD is one. They should've stuck to their guns and gone for dual-format only. I'm sure the reductions in stock complexity alone would nix any production cost differences.

I also appreciate the dual format because when I travel I take DVDs along to watch on my laptop (whose drive I've never bothered to change from R1).

[Helikaon]

Originally Posted by prior

I wonder when and how the transition to Blu-ray only format is going to happen? Are they going to sell out the produced Dual format copies and smoothly exchange them for Blu-ray or maintain Dual format for the already released titles? Is there going to be an announcement for each title?

It's already happening. Foreign Correspondent, for example, is available in dual and single format now. When the dual format runs out of stock it will be gone for good.

[prior]

Oh thanks, that's good to know. Can't wait to be back at Blu-ray only.

[Helikaon]

Originally Posted by prior

Oh thanks, that's good to know. Can't wait to be back at Blu-ray only.

And in the meantime, when I go over to a friend who doesn't have a Blu-ray player I can just take along the DVD of a film. It's good to have options.

[Joe Dalek]

Originally Posted by ravenus

I'm fairly sure the scales Criterion operates on are significantly greater than that of MoC, Arrow, BFI etc. Why then do they have so much of dithering with regards to dual format when these others do it without any problems? Even the major studios these days offer dual format. I personally think they should stick to a uniform price point and offer dual format (in sensibly sized blu-ray cases, not the ridculous book packaging). I remember CC DVD's when they were at 40$ MRP. In fact when CC launched blu-rays both formats were priced the same (and CC even made a big deal of it, saying that whatever your choice, price would not be the deciding factor), so why did they go down the foolish route of making a price difference when they were offering essentially the same package?

And yes, folded leaflets in lieu of booklets are a big no-no for me.

It became obvious during their initial experimentation with Dual Format that there is still a sizeable and vocal audience for DVD-only releases, and that audience felt it was being ripped off, just as any Blu-ray customer would balk at paying extra for a DVD copy they didn't want. Yes, studios are all-in on Dual Format but they are generally addressing a younger audience base.

I agree with you that they should just sell the two formats for the same price, but they will never lower the price of their Blu-rays (even if people tend to wait for 50% sales anyway).

[Joe Dalek]

Received my replacement discs yesterday.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Received my replacement discs yesterday.

How long did it take from when you mailed them until you received them? I still have one more film to check for issues and then I'll mail mine (Howards End) out.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by prior

Oh thanks, that's good to know. Can't wait to be back at Blu-ray only.

Technically, we already are. It's just that the Dual Format releases in the short time they did them are still out there.

While I prefer to have everything fairly uniform, I'm not going to ever re-buy titles I got during the B&N in July like Fantastic Mr. Fox, Foreign Correspondent, Jules and Jim, and Red River. I got too good of a deal on them (discounts and coupons), plus the digipaks are growing on me.

I am happy as well though to be going back to "normal".

[Helikaon]

Originally Posted by KilloWertz

Technically, we already are. It's just that the Dual Format releases in the short time they did them are still out there.

While I prefer to have everything fairly uniform, I'm not going to ever re-buy titles I got during the B&N in July like Fantastic Mr. Fox, Foreign Correspondent, Jules and Jim, and Red River. I got too good of a deal on them (discounts and coupons), plus the digipaks are growing on me.

I am happy as well though to be going back to "normal".

You know who else liked everything fairly uniform? Nazis. Hehe, just kidding! I understand the preference, although personally I like a lot of variation on my shelves. I really dislike bookshops in France, for instance, because they have row upon row of white spines.

[ZeTi]

"Don't look now" is good but not great in my opinion. If you love the misty Venice setting, check out "Who saw her die" with George Lazenby.

[RiderNation]

I love Nicolas Roeg films and Don't Look Now is my favourite--I first saw it in the late 80s, taped from a late-night recording on an indie TV station in Edmonton and it blew my mind (and I had to watch it when my parents were not around)! I credit Don't Look Now and Blue Velvet for helping to develop my taste for dark, disturbing, and offbeat narratives! I LOVE that Criterion has licensed this beautiful film!

[ShellOilJunior]

To my count Thin Blue Line and Odd Man Out are the only newsletter clues pending announcement. Criterion has been awfully good about not making us wait too long.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

To my count Thin Blue Line and Odd Man Out are the only newsletter clues pending announcement. Criterion has been awfully good about not making us wait too long.

Midnight Cowboy

[octagon]

What was the Midnight Cowboy newsletter clue? Does anybody have that saved somewhere handy?

[LPMA]

Originally Posted by octagon

What was the Midnight Cowboy newsletter clue? Does anybody have that saved somewhere handy?

[octagon]

Ohhhhhhhh yeah, thanks.

[PowellPressburger]

Midnight Cowboy is a great "winter film" maybe it will be on the March lineup. It stays cold here in MN till practically May

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Helikaon

It's already happening. Foreign Correspondent, for example, is available in dual and single format now. When the dual format runs out of stock it will be gone for good.

Is there any outside chance that the Dual Format editions might become more rare/valuable down the road with collectors?

The only thing I see that would make them more valuable are some of the unique digipack designs.