The Criterion Collection

[broganreynik]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

It might have more to do w/ Linklater than it does with the film itself. Linklater is among a handful of still active directors who can do no wrong with a certain group of younger film fans.

I think age lends itself to a little more objectivity. Older fans have favorites, too. They (we) just don't greet every new film with such unbridled fervor.

Its just my opinion... Not looking to upset or challenge anyone, but I don't think that even those who are all on board with Boyhood will give a crap about it given time and multiple watches. Even my MOST objective side has a difficult time grasping what this film's enduring merits are or could be.

The Before trilogy is my favorite series and I loved Boyhood. However, Linklater has had some some clunkers. A Scanner Darkly, Bad News Bears, and Waking Life (even with the presence of Jesse and Celene). I wasn't too crazy about Dazed & Confused, Slacker, or School of Rock; but I've come around on them with multiple watches. I'm hoping the same happens with Everybody Wants Some. While it had a few laughs it didn't really do much for me. I also think Bernie and Me & Orson Welles are sneaky good,

Boyhood has held up extremely well for me though, after I think five viewings. So, I'm not sure it was fade into the cobwebs of my mind as you suggest. It's still in my top 5 for the decade.

I'm 30 btw.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by iScottie

No Before Trilogy?

With Boyhood coming in October, I wonder if they'll space out the other Linklater releases?

[Blu Titan]

Hapy for those looking foward to the new anouncements but for the first time ever...no planned buys there for me. Last month's announcements were epic...its all good .

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by NolanvsNathan

I've got a question: With the talk of a Le Samourai possibly getting a blu-ray upgrade in the future, does anyone know the chance of Criterion sorting out their licensing issues with The Army of Shadows & Le Cercle Rouge?

I have no idea who owns the rights to each film and such, but it would amazing to have these films back in the collection, perhaps in a deluxe Melville boxset with Un Flic and upgrades for Le Doulos & Le Deuxieme Souffle?

I'm dreaming I know, but I remember back how Playtime was Out of Print for quite a while until Criterion brought it back in the Jacques Tati boxset. Hoping for something similar here!

Le Samouraï is owned by Pathé; the others (I think; I'd have to check) are owned by StudioCanal.

Playtime was a special case. It, along with the other Tati films, is owned by StudioCanal. Criterion and StudioCanal no longer have a business relationship, which is why SC-owned Criterion titles are OOP. The Tati films are an exception because the Tati Estate pressured SC into letting Criterion release the set in the US.

[eightslicesofpie]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

With Boyhood coming in October, I wonder if they'll space out the other Linklater releases?

That's what I would assume, which bums me out because I'm looking forward to the Before Trilogy so much lol

[Moj]

Kind of irked that October is so light on actual Horror releases. They've done a great job with announcing Carnival of Souls and Cat People recently, but I think it's a crime that they've been sitting on the rights to CURE for over five years now.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Moj

Kind of irked that October is so light on actual Horror releases. They've done a great job with announcing Carnival of Souls and Cat People recently, but I think it's a crime that they've been sitting on the rights to CURE for over five years now.

Well, it's not like they make a habit of overburdening their October releases with horror films. They've never done more than two in any given October -- unless you want to count I Married a Witch as a horror film (I don't), in which case, they released 3 that year (2013). In 2014, they didn't release any horror films -- unless you want to count The Vanishing as a horror film (again, I don't).

And it's not like they don't release horror films in other months.

While I certainly don't have a problem with them releasing horror films, I don't want to see them loading up on them just because it's October. I prefer a variety of genres/concepts each month, and based on their release pattern, they do as well.

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by jayembee

While I certainly don't have a problem with them releasing horror films, I don't want to see them loading up on them just because it's October. I prefer a variety of genres/concepts each month, and based on their release pattern, they do as well.

Agreed, always like a variety each month. And personally, I'm not a fan or Horror at all, so kind of glad to see it's not an all horror month.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Some early predictions for the rest of 2016.

November

Election

Alexander Payne or Johnnie To?

[StingingVelvet]

That Executioner movie sounds super interesting. I wouldn't blind buy it, but I want to see that at some point.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

Alexander Payne or Johnnie To?

Payne

[Samantha]

Originally Posted by belcherman

Just a note about in-store pick-up. When you place the hold, it lists as full price, but they're 50% off when you pick them up. I was confused about that the first time, too.

Thanks for clearing that up. Guess for my next trick, I'll be starring in the dinner theatre version of "Dumb and Dumber."
I keep checking online and Picnic is still out of stock. I'm going to wait a few more days, then probably reserve it at the closest furthest store. It does keep saying on the B&N website that the prices posted when reserved ARE the prices that will be charged. If they try to charge me $39.99 I think I will tell them belcherman assured me I would get the 50% off. That should work.
Tomorrow I'm going to work on finding that elusive coupon...

[bubbamoo]

Originally Posted by Namuhana

I picked up my 100th Criterion today: Diabolique!

oh man what a great film..... congrats. If someone accepts my offer it might be my 10th criterion release. woo hoo!!!!!

[tisdivine]

Im about 55 minutes into McCabe & Mrs. Miller and I have to admit I really really like it. I know it's universally loved around here so this isn't a shocking statement. Hang on this is where it gets crazy....

I Generally do NOT like Robert Altman movies.

I almost always HATE westerns (exception is any Leone & the Original 3:10 To Yuma)

I HATE Westerns & I HATE Altman but I LOVE McCabe & Mrs. Miller.

Let's discuss how this is possible.

[Samantha]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

GDT Trilogy set



DIRECTOR-APPROVED COLLECTOR’S SET:

• High-definition digital restoration of Cronos, 2K digital restoration of The Devil’s Backbone, newly graded 2K digital master of Pan’s Labyrinth, all supervised and approved by director Guillermo del Toro, with 2.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack for Cronos and 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks for The Devil’s Backbone and Pan’s Labyrinth on the Blu-rays
• Alternate DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround soundtrack for Pan’s Labyrinth on the Blu-ray
• Audio commentaries on all three films
• Interviews with del Toro, director of photography Guillermo Navarro, and actors Doug Jones, Federico Luppi, and Ron Perlman
• Welcome to Bleak House, a 2010 video tour by del Toro of his personal collections
• New piece on Pan’s Labyrinth featuring del Toro and novelist Cornelia Funke
• Interactive director’s notebooks for The Devil’s Backbone and Pan’s Labyrinth
• Making-of documentaries for The Devil’s Backbone and Pan’s Labyrinth
• Geometria, a 1987 short horror film by del Toro finished in 2010
• Footage of actor Ivana Baquero auditioning for Pan’s Labyrinth in 2005
• Original Spanish-language voice-over introduction for Cronos
• Introductions by del Toro for The Devil’s Backbone and Pan’s Labyrinth
• Deleted scenes from The Devil’s Backbone, with commentary by del Toro
• Selected on-screen picture-in-picture presentation of del Toro’s thumbnail sketches for The Devil’s Backbone
• Programs comparing del Toro’s thumbnail sketches and production storyboards for The Devil’s Backbone and Pan’s Labyrinth with the final films
• Piece on The Devil’s Backbone’s depiction of the Spanish Civil War
• Animated comics featuring prequel stories for the creatures of Pan’s Labyrinth
• Gallery of stills from Cronos, captioned by del Toro
• Trailers and TV spots
• English subtitle translations approved by del Toro
• Deluxe box set for the Blu-ray, featuring new illustrations by Vania Zouravliov
• Blu-ray: A 100-page hardcover book featuring an introduction by author Neil Gaiman and essays by critics Michael Atkinson, Mark Kermode, and Maitland McDonagh, along with production notes and sketches by del Toro and illustrators Carlos Giménez and Raúl Monge
• DVD: Essays by Atkinson, Kermode, and McDonagh, and production notes for Cronos by del Toro

New designs by Vania Zouravliov (Blu-ray) and Guy Davis (DVD)

Is this available now?

[Samantha]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Does anyone born in the 70's or later (37 or older) think Boyhood is a great film?

Just a theory I have.. no one needs to entertain my somewhat rhetorical question.

I think I bought into the hype about Boyhood. I found it extremely underwhelming although I will say I adore Patricia Arquette and was happy to see her finally get some acting recognition with the Oscar win.

[mja345]

Originally Posted by tisdivine

Im about 55 minutes into McCabe & Mrs. Miller and I have to admit I really really like it. I know it's universally loved around here so this isn't a shocking statement. Hang on this is where it gets crazy....

I Generally do NOT like Robert Altman movies.

I almost always HATE westerns (exception is any Leone & the Original 3:10 To Yuma)

I HATE Westerns & I HATE Altman but I LOVE McCabe & Mrs. Miller.

Let's discuss how this is possible.

I think of "McCabe and Mrs. Miller" as the ultimate revisionist Western. I'm a fan of a lot of Westerns, although a lot of the B and C grade ones can be a real chore to sit through. A lot of the Wayne/Ford Westerns, for example, are fantastic, but really an entirely different genre than a film like "McCabe and Mrs. Miller". "McCabe and Mrs. Miller" was described by Altman as an anti-Western because it subverts so many of the genre traditions. Mrs. Miller is an opium addict, yet often seems more quick-witted than McCabe. Mrs. Miller often seems to be in control of McCabe, whereas in many earlier Westerns the main male protagonist in the film seemed to be in total control.

It's surprising that you dislike Altman's other films you've seen so much and like "McCabe" such a great deal. I always think of "McCabe" as the film that is at the forefront of his genre reconstruction films ("The Long Goodbye" (detective stories), "California Split" (buddy comedies), "Brewster McCloud" (screwball comedies), "A Perfect Couple" (romance), and "Quintet" (sci-fi). "Nashville" is kind of at the forefront of his ensemble films like "Short Cuts", "The Player", "A Wedding", and "Gosford Park". "McCabe" and "Nashville" have always been the two films that I would show people if they want to get into Altman, and go from there. "3 Women" is the film that's out on an island, because its so indescribable, but it still has Altman's stylistic touches.

[Samantha]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

After what's gone on the last week plus with these coupons being nerfed, nothing Barnes & Noble could do from this point forward would surprise me. Basically, in November, they're on notice. Show me that you're going to resolve this, and stick to the coupons you put out, or you don't get my membership, and business. If they offer some even halfway decent coupons in November, and stick with them, I'll stay, because they also have at least one (or is it two?) 40% off Blu-ray sales in addition to the 50% off Criterion sale. That could be absolutely huge for me going forward. Once I have my custom shelving built for my collection, I'll be able to ramp up my spending again.

If their coupons suddenly dry up, then I'll just do the bulk of my buying when Criterion does their two Flash sales. I don't get charged a sales tax by them, so that's very close to the 10% discount i get from my B&N membership (8.25% in the Lone Star State). And, after $500 spent at their store, we get that $50 coupon. Plus, any order I put in on the Criterion site, by its sheer size, will get free shipping. So, while not quite as nice as what we've been getting at B&N, it still adds up. And, I know that if there are any issues with packaging dings on orders they've sent me, Criterion will send replacements free of charge. I could easily spend $500 or more on one Flash sale, so I should get an extra five films a year, free, from them.

As far as B&N goes, I will be expressing my reticence about renewing in the future via a letter. They need to get it together. If they need to be a bit more conservative with the coupons, so be it. But people like us plan out our purchases months in advance. When something is published, and then suddenly pulled away because their forecast models blew, we're the ones who ultimately pay the price.

This is the first time I've invested this much time in checking out the B&N Criterion sale. As I said before, I couldn't locate any coupons, so I put aside the additional 2-4 I originally had in my cart.
Thought a lot about doing the membership thing, but decided against it. I save up for films I know I am going to want to own, try to locate coupons, and often wait til prices come down.
Just really wanted to say that this is a killer thread; you posters are so on top of things I'm having trouble keeping some things straight. I do really appreciate your thoughts on the coupons, membership, etc. I'd spend a whole lot more on Criterion editions if I could afford it. There are so many titles I want. I own several and haven't been disappointed yet.
Keep up the great work. This thread rocks.

[tenia]

Originally Posted by Samantha

Is this available now?

This will be released in october.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by iScottie

No Before Trilogy?

I think it will be released in 2017. Criterion usually doesn't release films from the same director a few months apart in their release schedule (Although they did with Wenders).