The Criterion Collection

[postmodel]

The article does point out they had layoffs back in 2013 as well, so with the exception of those sadly laid off, probably nothing to worry about as a consumer.

[martydmc12]

Just received my latest haul from the October 50% off sale, and I'm extremely disappointed in Criterion's shipping. Shipped in a paper envelope, no bubble, nothing. Needless to say my Citizen Kane 4K edition is banged up to hell. What the hell Criterion, are you now using the same playbook as Amazon shipping?

[latehong]

Originally Posted by Mr Majestyk

Any news on pat garrett and billy the kid? Feels like Alex Cox mentioned this a long time ago

He leaked the news seven months ago here:

PKM: For my money, Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid is a beautiful film and one of Sam Peckinpah’s best along with an amazing script by Rudy Wurlitzer. What was it about Rudy Wurlitzer that made you want to collaborate with him on Walker? Did he approach you about the William Walker story, or vice versa?

Alex Cox: I asked Rudy to write the Walker script because I’d enjoyed and appreciated Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid very much. It seemed to me that the theme of that film was how two individuals climb up a pile of dead bodies to achieve momentary fame and their own death. This was the theme of Walker, too, and so Rudy was the perfect writer for it. We were introduced by the actor, Harry Dean Stanton, at the Rotterdam Film Festival, and I’m most grateful for the introduction. Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid is the most political of all American Westerns, and for all its difficulties I think Rudy [Wurlitzer]’s collaboration with Peckinpah (and Dylan, and all the actors and crew!) led to the creation of a masterpiece.

All of this was compounded by the studio’s mutilation of the film on its release; the creation years later of a much longer version, based on Roger Spottiswoode’s cutting copy; and later still a shorter but intelligible version based on the long cut. Criterion are releasing the film on Blu-ray this year, and will presumably pick a favourite.

That one sentence is all we got so far.

[GenPion]

Originally Posted by Riwriwriw

Bad news

https://www.indiewire.com/2022/10/cr...234774703/amp/

We tend to be ‘sky is falling’ too easily on this forum, but I hope everything is ok financially for them. They are necessary.

The article does point out that Criterion is trying to make their streaming service financially sustainable so it sounds like perhaps the streaming channel isn't as financially viable as the discs? Perhaps that is something to consider.

[dbhl3000]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Today in pretentious merch news, Criterion has announced new Criterion Channel Genre tees. For just $35 ****ing dollars you can have a shirt that simply says Foreign, or Gangster, or Monster or Screwball on the front of it. It does have the Channel logo on the back, but c'mon, who's buying this crap? I guess they're tapping that overpriced Supreme demographic.

https://www.criterion.com/shop/collection/398

I misread it initially. I thought they were "gender" tee shirts. I thought, "Why is Criterion making these?"

[sonicyogurt]

Originally Posted by GenPion

The article does point out that Criterion is trying to make their streaming service financially sustainable so it sounds like perhaps the streaming channel isn't as financially viable as the discs?

That quote is three and a half years old, dating back to when the service first launched.

[GenPion]

Originally Posted by sonicyogurt

That quote is three and a half years old, dating back to when the service first launched.

Fair point. I imagine it is still an issue for Criterion, though. I would be curious to know the numbers. Considering the cost of Criterion licensing titles from other distributors as well for the streaming service.

Netflix still isn't a profitable company and could be a bubble waiting to burst.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by GenPion

Fair point. I imagine it is still an issue for Criterion, though. I would be curious to know the numbers. Considering the cost of Criterion licensing titles from other distributors as well for the streaming service.

Netflix still isn't a profitable company and could be a bubble waiting to burst.

Not sure what you're talking about, but Netflix is absolutely profitable.

They just sent a message out to investors discussing their huge profits as compared to the competition

Netflix Has Monster Q3 With 2.4 Million New Subscribers, Forecast Beat, And Profits

It's hard to build a large and profitable streaming business – our best estimate is that all of these competitors are losing money on streaming, with aggregate annual direct operating losses this year alone that could be well in excess of $10 billion, compared with our +$5-$6 billion of annual operating profit," Netflix wrote.

[gkolb]

Originally Posted by martydmc12

Just received my latest haul from the October 50% off sale, and I'm extremely disappointed in Criterion's shipping. Shipped in a paper envelope, no bubble, nothing. Needless to say my Citizen Kane 4K edition is banged up to hell. What the hell Criterion, are you now using the same playbook as Amazon shipping?

My order with 5 movies came in a small box with two air pillows. Just the right size so they didn’t slide around too much. Sorry to hear about your order.

[CelestialAgent]

How is Foreign a genre? Surely it would intersect with all the other genres, and each country’s output will vary based on time period, current events, influences, organisations.

[Sifox211]

Originally Posted by dbhl3000

I misread it initially. I thought they were "gender" tee shirts. I thought, "Why is Criterion making these?"

These have got to be the laziest and most uninspiring (not to mention, embarrassingly gauche) pieces of merch. From the company that brought us the glory of Criterion Designs this is the best they can do?

[Rayjg]

I know everyone poohpoohs when this brought up but it makes you wonder if the new direction they've taken has eaten into sales. We'll never know for sure because they don't release those numbers but the focus on so many recent films combined with releasing a lot of films that already had Blu-ray releases, in some cases numerous releases, may be hitting the bottom line. I work at a company with almost the same number of people and we would certainly feel a 20% reduction in staff. It must me demoralizing.

[jshaide]

Originally Posted by Rayjg

I know everyone poohpoohs when this brought up but it makes you wonder if the new direction they've taken has eaten into sales. We'll never know for sure because they don't release those numbers but the focus on so many recent films combined with releasing a lot of films that already had Blu-ray releases, in some cases numerous releases, may be hitting the bottom line. I work at a company with almost the same number of people and we would certainly feel a 20% reduction in staff. It must me demoralizing.

I know I've def bought less in 2022 probably for that very reason.

On the other hand, Dec/Jan had me thrilled!

[ShellOilJunior]

Criterion's store added beach towels in July and t-shirts in October. I'm wondering why they don't offer posters for some of their best covers?

[NeilZ]

Sad news about the layoffs.

Don't want to stir a boiling pot but I can't help but wonder what went wrong, and whether or not favoring releases for the sake of increased diversity hurt overall sales.

Maybe we'll see a return to form where more known or requested titles get prioritized.

Personally I think Criterion's been at their best for some months now with some incredible releases. October was one of their best months in years.

[DukeTogo84]

I've bought 12 Criterion releases so far in 2022 and I'll be buying maybe three more? I'm not sure if that's more or less than years prior, but seems like less. I do wish they would focus more on films that DON'T have Blu-rays period. I think things like Miller's Crossing where the same scan is being used are kinda pointless releases. (The film was also modified) Dunno. I do hope 2023 gives us a lot of upgrades.

[regeyer]

I've probably bought more this year than most. I still buy. In fact, if anything, the Criterion Channel has probably resulted in me buying more.

With that said, there are those who probably stopped buying because of the Channel.

This much I'm sure of. Without the Criterion Channel their profits would probably be even lower. Times change. You have to keep up or you'll be left behind.

[Bolo Seagull]

I thought them releasing 'Wall-E' was the start of partnership granting them access to some much sought-after catalogues and would signal a period of growth for them, so these layoffs are a bit of a surprise. Hopefully the downsizing all occurs in the Overthought Packaging Department.

[dbhl3000]

Originally Posted by NeilZ

Sad news about the layoffs.

Don't want to stir a boiling pot but I can't help but wonder what went wrong, and whether or not favoring releases for the sake of increased diversity hurt overall sales.

They certainly seem to have gone more woke like the Oscars ceremony.

[TolerancEJ]

Personally, I bought more Criterion releases in 2022 than any other year. I also caught up some back catalog during the sales. I still have a wishlist of titles to buy during upcoming sales. I wasn't ready for the recent flash sale, but I will participate in the November sale.