The Criterion Collection

[Reddington]

Originally Posted by llj

I think what still puzzles me, and not just with Criterion in this case, is why so many other countries seem to get better releases or releases of classic or important titles much sooner than in North America.

Why I went region-free last year. I've picked up over 50 overseas releases since then, mostly for the reason you state.

Just yesterday, I had an Amazon UK delivery of Carol Reed's The Man Between and Andre De Toth's Day of the Outlaw. The exchange rate since the Brexit vote has only sweetened purchases like these.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Reddington

Why I went region-free last year. I've picked up over 50 overseas releases since then, mostly for the reason you state.

Just yesterday, I had an Amazon UK delivery of Carol Reed's The Man Between and Andre De Toth's Day of the Outlaw. The exchange rate since the Brexit vote has only sweetened purchases like these.

The savings are great too. Opting for the Masters of Cinema/Eureka releases when they hit ~$10 sure beats Kino and Cohen prices.

[Scottie]

I literally have no idea what I'd buy if I went Region Free.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I literally have no idea what I'd buy if I went Region Free.

What difference does it make, you're just going to sell them all a few weeks later anyway

[theater dreamer]

I'm easy. Both of you guys have a way with words.

Originally Posted by Ray_Rogers

Ray Jackson or me? I know it isn't me, or is it?

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I literally have no idea what I'd buy if I went Region Free.

iScottie, long-time compulsive DVD buyer, has been "on the wagon" for ten days and seems to be over the worst; but his craving has just become more insidious. Evading a country weekend planned by his brother iWick and girlfriend iHelen, he begins a four-day bender. In flashbacks we see past events, all gone wrong because of the one click ordering . But this bout looks like his last...one way or the other.

[theater dreamer]

I just want The Lady Eve. And Le Samouraï. Knock those two out, and I can be patient waiting for the rest.

[SammyJankis]

Somewhat Criterion related. I just saw Silence and it struck me afterwards with the kind of voices it echoed: later Kurosawa, Mizoguchi, Bergman, and Lean. It's all a piece of Scorsese, surely, but it reminded me of masters that had such command and willingness to expose themselves in the most revealing of ways. It's incredible that he was able to put this thing out - a film that's clearly not audience friendly, as evident by its recent box office and the woman that loudly groaned in my theater halfway through - through a major studio. It handles its material in its own pace, never once adhering to our expectations, even for a Scorsese picture. It's such a dense piece, arguably the densest in Scorsese's oeuvre. I haven't felt as immediately taken with a modern film like this in some time. It reminded me of the aforementioned directors and made me grateful that something like this can emerge that emulates what you love so much from those golden days of cinema.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

Somewhat Criterion related. I just saw Silence and it struck me afterwards with the kind of voices it echoed: later Kurosawa, Mizoguchi, Bergman, and Lean. It's all a piece of Scorsese, surely, but it reminded me of masters that had such command and willingness to expose themselves in the most revealing of ways. It's incredible that he was able to put this thing out - a film that's clearly not audience friendly, as evident by its recent box office and the woman that loudly groaned in my theater halfway through - through a major studio. It's such a dense piece, arguably the densest in Scorsese's oeuvre. I haven't felt as immediately taken with a modern film like this in some time. It reminded me of the aforementioned directors and made me grateful that something like this can emerge that emulates what you love so much during those golden days of cinema.

So what you're saying is that this is a great opportunity for me to finally love another one of Scorsese's films since the 1976 masterpiece, Taxi Driver?

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by iScottie

So what you're saying is that this is a great opportunity for me to finally love another one of Scorsese's films since the 1976 masterpiece, Taxi Driver?

Don't do this to me. Not you, Scott. Not you.

[Show spoiler]

In all seriousness, this lacks the Scorsese flourish, relying more on less-showier measures with gorgeous composition and POV. I can't imagine those pining for a Scorsese-esque picture a la Wolf/Casino being taken immensely with this. So.. maybe?

[Abdrewes]

The review of the US bluray release of The Man Who Fell to Earth is up. I was fully expecting to have my Criterion bluray supplanted by this one, but it seems that may not happen.

[20th Century Boy]

When did the 2/4k restorations for brs start? Since the start of using HD masters? Just trying to figure how many big movies may be in for br upgrades (not just DVD) themselves.

[schlock]

My most wanted Criterion upgrade: ONIBABA.

Oh, if only to see that stark B/W photography in those fields in HD!!!

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by schlock

My most wanted Criterion upgrade: ONIBABA.

Oh, if only to see that stark B/W photography in those fields in HD!!!

The Eureka release is reasonably priced if you are Region Free.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I literally have no idea what I'd buy if I went Region Free.

People on this forum hassle me occasionally about my refusal to go region free.

The main reason why I stick with Region A Blu-rays is because there are more than enough Region A Blu-rays out there to keep me busy (and broke).

The second reason is that it's a self-imposed limitation on Blu-ray spending. Yes, there are a few Region B Blu-rays that are cheaper than their domestic counterparts, but I would overspend on the sheer number of newly-available choices if I made the leap.

The third reason is that I just don't want to hassle with buying an all-region player, with making adjustments to players, and with having to worry about replacing all-region players in the future. Right now, I'm comforted in the knowledge that, if my $70 Region A Sony Blu-ray player malfunctions, then I can just go a half mile down the street to Target or Best Buy and get another one for cheap.

The fourth reason is that I'm generally happy with the Region A versions of my favorite movies. The Scream Factory Blu-rays of my favorite horror movies look great to me, although people on here scream about "compression artifacts" and such when compared to the UK Arrow discs. I'm a little chapped that the Region A Kino Blu-ray of Nosferatu (1922) apparently has an incorrect frame rate, but I still enjoy watching the disc.

The fifth reason is that, while there are several Region B Blu-rays that strike my interest, most of my absolute favorite essential "Holy Grail" movies that I want on Blu-ray eventually make their way over to these shores.

The sixth reason is, well, the thrill of the hunt. I like checking the Criterion site on the 15th of each month to see if movies like The Lost Weekend, The Blue Dahlia (1946), or Criss Cross are going to show up in Region A editions. If they don't, then I've got them on DVD right now, and I'll survive.


People say "You're not a serious movie fan if you're not all-region.", but I think that is a ridiculous argument. I'm just a serious movie fan who doesn't mind waiting a little longer for certain titles.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

People on this forum hassle me occasionally about my refusal to go region free.

[Show spoiler]
The main reason why I stick with Region A Blu-rays is because there are more than enough Region A Blu-rays out there to keep me busy (and broke).

The second reason is that it's a self-imposed limitation on Blu-ray spending. Yes, there are a few Region B Blu-rays that are cheaper than their domestic counterparts, but I would overspend on the sheer number of newly-available choices if I made the leap.

The third reason is that I just don't want to hassle with buying an all-region player, with making adjustments to players, and with having to worry about replacing all-region players in the future. Right now, I'm comforted in the knowledge that, if my $70 Region A Sony Blu-ray player malfunctions, then I can just go a half mile down the street to Target or Best Buy and get another one for cheap.

The fourth reason is that I'm generally happy with the Region A versions of my favorite movies. The Scream Factory Blu-rays of my favorite horror movies look great to me, although people on here scream about "compression artifacts" and such when compared to the UK Arrow discs. I'm a little chapped that the Region A Kino Blu-ray of Nosferatu (1922) apparently has an incorrect frame rate, but I still enjoy watching the disc.

The fifth reason is that, while there are several Region B Blu-rays that strike my interest, most of my absolute favorite essential "Holy Grail" movies that I want on Blu-ray eventually make their way over to these shores.

The sixth reason is, well, the thrill of the hunt. I like checking the Criterion site on the 15th of each month to see if movies like The Lost Weekend, The Blue Dahlia (1946), or Criss Cross are going to show up in Region A editions. If they don't, then I've got them on DVD right now, and I'll survive.


People say "You're not a serious movie fan if you're not all-region.", but I think that is a ridiculous argument. I'm just a serious movie fan who doesn't mind waiting a little longer for certain titles

Fair points, I wouldn't hassle you about it.

As someone who lived overseas and had regular access to British Blu-Rays, I felt going region-free was a must. To this day, I have a pretty healthy pile of movies that have either never had region-A releases (like The Dam Busters, Brick, The Passion of Joan of Arc, Andrei Rublev, Naked City) or are quite superior in quality (The Burbs, Cinema Paradisio). A few that have interesting quirks as well (like the copies of Trainspotting or Arrietty with different dubbing).

Still, I prefer to keep my collection as region-A friendly as possible, for a few of the same reasons you have. There's no telling if my region-free player will puke out some day. No telling if more will be available later. Above all, I can't travel with them--I have to watch them in my living room, it's the only place I can see those specific movies I have. It's kinda ironic that being unbound by region codes can also be limiting that way.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Ray_Rogers

Region A is still fairly damn large compared to Region 1.

I should add that I often find Region A playable import Blu-rays of favorite movies. I've got several Region A Eureka/MOC titles in my collection (City Girl, Sunrise, etc.), in fact.

I also occasionally find good Australian Region A Blu-rays of films like Lifeboat or the Harryhausen Sinbad movies.

Just last week, I was browsing through a local used movie store, and found the Region A Canadian Blu-ray of Rogue (2007) for only five dollars.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

[Show spoiler]People on this forum hassle me occasionally about my refusal to go region free.

The main reason why I stick with Region A Blu-rays is because there are more than enough Region A Blu-rays out there to keep me busy (and broke).

The second reason is that it's a self-imposed limitation on Blu-ray spending. Yes, there are a few Region B Blu-rays that are cheaper than their domestic counterparts, but I would overspend on the sheer number of newly-available choices if I made the leap.

The third reason is that I just don't want to hassle with buying an all-region player, with making adjustments to players, and with having to worry about replacing all-region players in the future. Right now, I'm comforted in the knowledge that, if my $70 Region A Sony Blu-ray player malfunctions, then I can just go a half mile down the street to Target or Best Buy and get another one for cheap.

The fourth reason is that I'm generally happy with the Region A versions of my favorite movies. The Scream Factory Blu-rays of my favorite horror movies look great to me, although people on here scream about "compression artifacts" and such when compared to the UK Arrow discs. I'm a little chapped that the Region A Kino Blu-ray of Nosferatu (1922) apparently has an incorrect frame rate, but I still enjoy watching the disc.

The fifth reason is that, while there are several Region B Blu-rays that strike my interest, most of my absolute favorite essential "Holy Grail" movies that I want on Blu-ray eventually make their way over to these shores.

The sixth reason is, well, the thrill of the hunt. I like checking the Criterion site on the 15th of each month to see if movies like The Lost Weekend, The Blue Dahlia (1946), or Criss Cross are going to show up in Region A editions. If they don't, then I've got them on DVD right now, and I'll survive.


People say "You're not a serious movie fan if you're not all-region.", but I think that is a ridiculous argument. I'm just a serious movie fan who doesn't mind waiting a little longer for certain titles

.

Translation: I'll be region-free by spring.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

The Eureka release is reasonably priced if you are Region Free.

Does he need to be region free for that? What region is Antarctica?

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Brad1963

But honestly, it is not some conspiracy because of WB. That is just plain silly.

"Conspiracy"? Really? You're going there?

There have been a number of times when the question has come up about why Criterion releases this film, and doesn't release that film. It's been argued (and by me, for one) that one of the biggest factors is what they can get a license for. Back in the LD days, when the pre-1949 WB films were owned by MGM, Criterion was able to release many of them, plus classic MGM films, because MGM was happy to license them to Criterion. When Ted Turner gave WB control of the catalog, the fawcett was turned off.

Now that WB is willing to engage in a licensing deal with Criterion, the latter now has a wealth of classic -- and popular -- titles that they can license. It's obvious that the titles they're getting from WB are getting a lot of love. Something has to give. Upgrades are the obvious answer. The numbers (or lack thereof) support that idea.

That doesn't make it a "conspiracy". It's a hypothesis, and a fairly sound one.