The Criterion Collection

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by DasMarcos

Guys I need help. I have 80 dollars worth of credit on Amazon. Are there any Criterion titles that are essential for owning? Also, how about upcoming titles? There are just so much to choose from I'd love some recommendations.

The Thin Red Line

[mrjohnnyb]

I think that it is about time that Criterion include one of these gems by Bela Tarr who is currently not represented:

Sátántangó
Werckmeister Harmonies
The Turin Horse

[kuro_sawa]

The Turin Horse bd is incredible. No way they are picking that up. I would be excited about Werckmeister though.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

I think that it is about time that Criterion include one of these gems by Bela Tarr who is currently not represented:

Sátántangó
Werckmeister Harmonies
The Turin Horse

Well, Cinema Guild's BluRay release of The Turin Horse is pretty great. The extras are excellent (Rosenbaum commentary)

Audio Commentary with Jonathan Rosenbaum: Film critic Jonathan Rosenbaum admits up front that there really isn't much too say about The Turin Horse; for all its length and gravity, it's a very straightforward film. Appropriately, then, he expands his focus to the entirety of Tarr's career, discussing the director's biography, his overarching themes and inspirations, and the apparent stylistic split between his earlier and later works. The track only lasts for seventy minutes, about half of the film's runtime.
"Hotel Magnezit" (1080p, 12:18): A 1978 short film by Tarr in which an old man is asked to leave the boarding home he lives in, resulting in an argument between the other residents and the employees. Told mostly in tight closeups. Note that while this is technically presented in high definition, it's clearly been duped on video.
Press Conference (SD, 49:46): The film's panel at the 2011 Berlin Film Festival, featuring Tarr, co-director Agnes Hranitzky, actors Mihaly Kormos, Erika Bok, and Janos Derzsi, director of photography Fred Kelemen, composer Mihaly Vig, and co-producer Gabor Teni. Presented in its entirety, and dubbed—not subtitled—in English. There are some interesting Q's and A's here, but the panel is quite tedious to watch because of all the pauses for translation.
Regis Dialogue with Bela Tarr at the Walker Art Center (SD, 1:21:29): Conducted in 2007, film critic Howard Feinstein interviews Tarr about his filmography. Includes clips from films up to The Man from London.
Theatrical Trailer (1080p, 2:29)
Also from Cinema Guild: Trailers for several additional Cinema Guild Blu-ray and DVD releases.
Booklet: Inside the Blu-ray case you'll find a two-page fold-out with an essay by film journalist J. Hoberman.

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by brandon_260

When do you guys think Frances Ha will be announced? I'm not sure Criterion's reputation with releasing stuff right after its theatrical release, sort of like the general release of the film. I know they did Benjamin Button, any other examples?

I did not include this for August, simply because it will be getting rolled out to theaters in July, so it's a bit early. October or November though.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by RiFiFi1955

Any Thoughts on what classic Hollywood film Criterion might release next? You always get at least one every couple of months, On The Waterfront, Swell of Sweet Success, 12 Angry Men etc. Haven't heard any rumors or hints about one in awhile.

On the flipside...

What recent films, as in films from the past decade or so, would everyone like to see released as Criterion titles.

I'll get the ball rolling...

The Return
Love Crime
24 Hour Party People
Lost in Translation
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Downfall
Touching the Void

[jw007]

I just wanted to say that I took advantage of the $19.99 "Léon Morin, Priest" BD deal on Amazon last week, and bought it. I couldn't believe how this now out of print title could have fallen to such a low price. I recently scoured all of the local Barnes & Noble stores in my city and was still able to find Léon Morin, Priest in two locations. Still, even with a 15% off coupon and 10% member discount, the cheapest I could have gotten this film would have been about $32 with tax included. Still nothing compared to the Amazon deal.

Furthermore, I miraculously bought "Last Year at Marienbad" a few days ago at one of the B&N stores. I used the 15% off Mothers Day coupon (expired on Sunday) along with the 10% member discount. Since I couldn't wait till the 50% off sale in July, I figured that for an OOP print title, I would pay a bit more than I would normally.

The craziest thing of all though is, I actually did something I'm a bit ashamed of. A few weeks ago, I went to one of the stores and hid both blu-rays of "Léon Morin" and "Last Year..." in a secret location in the video department. I returned 2-3 weeks later and they were still there. I felt ashamed for doing this because I'm sure other customers would have wanted to buy these titles. So instead, I returned "Léon Morin" back to the shelves (after only spending $19.99 on it the night before) and purchased "Last Year...".

Trust me, I quickly realized how unethical it is to hide Criterion releases in a B&N store. I asked the CSR at the store about whether they ship the OOP titles back to the distributor and he said it happens if they're not selling well. Some managers of the stores end up purchasing these OOP titles for themselves as well. Every store has a slightly different policy apparently. Ultimately, I successfully hid the two items and they stayed there for about 3 weeks until I myself went back and did the right thing. I purchased one of the items and put the other item back on the shelf where it was originally.

Has anyone else ever attempted to hide out of print Criterion DVDs or BDs in a Barnes & Noble store to wait for a 50% off sale?

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by jw007

Has anyone else ever attempted to hide out of print Criterion DVDs or BDs in a Barnes & Noble store to wait for a 50% off sale?

Nope. Buying sought-after movies is like running a road race. If you're prepared and in good condition to do so, you'll get there first. If someone else is faster, then they'll get there first fair and square. I'm a rules person, so I like to keep a level playing field to allow for a more enthusiastic movie collector the chance to grab a movie before I do. We win some and we lose some.

Besides, some store chains might regard the improper removal of an item from display as shoplifting in technical terms.

Finally, Criterion Blu-rays are not exactly inconspicuous. When viewed on a Blu-ray rack, the clear plastic Criterion titles stand out like a cockroach on a wedding cake. Ever so often, I'll see a misplaced Criterion title among the standard blue Amaray cases in another section, and take it upon myself to return it to its proper place after asking the store clerk. Sort of like returning a lost puppy back to its litter.

[RomanBlade86]

Originally Posted by jw007

I just wanted to say that I took advantage of the $19.99 "Léon Morin, Priest" BD deal on Amazon last week, and bought it. I couldn't believe how this now out of print title could have fallen to such a low price. I recently scoured all of the local Barnes & Noble stores in my city and was still able to find Léon Morin, Priest in two locations. Still, even with a 15% off coupon and 10% member discount, the cheapest I could have gotten this film would have been about $32 with tax included. Still nothing compared to the Amazon deal.

Furthermore, I miraculously bought "Last Year at Marienbad" a few days ago at one of the B&N stores. I used the 15% off Mothers Day coupon (expired on Sunday) along with the 10% member discount. Since I couldn't wait till the 50% off sale in July, I figured that for an OOP print title, I would pay a bit more than I would normally.

The craziest thing of all though is, I actually did something I'm a bit ashamed of. A few weeks ago, I went to one of the stores and hid both blu-rays of "Léon Morin" and "Last Year..." in a secret location in the video department. I returned 2-3 weeks later and they were still there. I felt ashamed for doing this because I'm sure other customers would have wanted to buy these titles. So instead, I returned "Léon Morin" back to the shelves (after only spending $19.99 last night on it) and purchased "Last Year...".

Trust me, I quickly realized how unethical it is to hide Criterion releases in a B&N store. I asked the CSR at the store about whether they ship the OOP titles back to the distributor and he said it happens if they're not selling well. Some managers of the stores end up purchasing these OOP titles for themselves as well. Every store has a slightly different policy apparently. Ultimately, I successfully hid the two items and they stayed there for about 3 weeks until I myself went back and did the right thing. I purchased one of the items and put the other item back on the shelf where it was originally.

Has anyone else ever attempted to hide out of print Criterion DVDs or BDs in a Barnes & Noble store to wait for a 50% off sale?

Hey, nothing wrong with that if you were actually planning on buying them. Chances are they still would have been on the shelf even if you left them in their original location. I also bought Léon Morin, Priest last night on Amazon. I went to check Criterion's site and it said it was out of print so I jumped on it for $19.99. Wish I had jumped on the last 50% off sale where movies were $16 after the discount. Now I wonder when they'll have their next 50% off sale.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by Snicket

I did not include this for August, simply because it will be getting rolled out to theaters in July, so it's a bit early. October or November though.

It opens this Friday.

[Sherlock_Jr]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Watched Rear Window earlier. Talk about a movie.

Too bad they don't make them like they used to.

Psycho has always been my favorite, but this is a very close second.

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by brandon_260

It opens this Friday.

For you it does.

My art house doesn't get it until June.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by RomanBlade86

Hey, nothing wrong with that if you were actually planning on buying them. Chances are they still would have been on the shelf even if you left them in their original location. I also bought Léon Morin, Priest last night on Amazon. I went to check Criterion's site and it said it was out of print so I jumped on it for $19.99. Wish I had jumped on the last 50% off sale where movies were $16 after the discount. Now I wonder when they'll have their next 50% off sale.

Usually the 50%-off sales happen in July and November at Barnes & Noble.

I don't think I'm going to attempt to hide another OOP Criterion (and only with "out-of-print" (OOP)) because chances are, paying full MSRP price for it ($39.99) is still far better than paying well over face value (over $100 some time later - not that I've ever paid that much for any film). It's true that the "early bird gets the worm" so buy it while you can (at the inflated priced that it is... but at least its not outrageously inflated). And if there happens to be a 40 or 50% sale going on the week the title is announced as going out of print, then you really luck out.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Snicket

For you it does.

My art house doesn't get it until June.

Both of you are lucky. We don't even have an arthouse We'll be lucky to get The Bling Ring or Before Midnight.

[RomanBlade86]

Originally Posted by jw007

Usually the 50%-off sales happen in July and November at Barnes & Noble.

I don't think I'm going to attempt to hide another OOP Criterion (and only with "out-of-print" (OOP)) because chances are, paying full MSRP price for it ($39.99) is still far better than paying well over face value (over $100 some time later - not that I've ever paid that much for any film). It's true that the "early bird gets the worm" so buy it while you can (at the inflated priced that it is... but at least its not outrageously inflated). And if there happens to be a 40 or 50% sale going on the week the title is announced as going out of print, then you really luck out.

On Barnes & Noble's site some of the films are priced higher than Criterion's site while others are way cheaper. I cannot wait for the 50% off sale from Barnes & Noble where I can get 8 1/2 for $12.

[SlickDamian]

I didn't pay much attention to it before, but the review of Medium Cool has made it an essential for me.

[AverageAtBest]

Originally Posted by jw007

I just wanted to say that I took advantage of the $19.99 "Léon Morin, Priest" BD deal on Amazon last week, and bought it. I couldn't believe how this now out of print title could have fallen to such a low price. I recently scoured all of the local Barnes & Noble stores in my city and was still able to find Léon Morin, Priest in two locations. Still, even with a 15% off coupon and 10% member discount, the cheapest I could have gotten this film would have been about $32 with tax included. Still nothing compared to the Amazon deal.

Furthermore, I miraculously bought "Last Year at Marienbad" a few days ago at one of the B&N stores. I used the 15% off Mothers Day coupon (expired on Sunday) along with the 10% member discount. Since I couldn't wait till the 50% off sale in July, I figured that for an OOP print title, I would pay a bit more than I would normally.

The craziest thing of all though is, I actually did something I'm a bit ashamed of. A few weeks ago, I went to one of the stores and hid both blu-rays of "Léon Morin" and "Last Year..." in a secret location in the video department. I returned 2-3 weeks later and they were still there. I felt ashamed for doing this because I'm sure other customers would have wanted to buy these titles. So instead, I returned "Léon Morin" back to the shelves (after only spending $19.99 on it the night before) and purchased "Last Year...".

Trust me, I quickly realized how unethical it is to hide Criterion releases in a B&N store. I asked the CSR at the store about whether they ship the OOP titles back to the distributor and he said it happens if they're not selling well. Some managers of the stores end up purchasing these OOP titles for themselves as well. Every store has a slightly different policy apparently. Ultimately, I successfully hid the two items and they stayed there for about 3 weeks until I myself went back and did the right thing. I purchased one of the items and put the other item back on the shelf where it was originally.

Has anyone else ever attempted to hide out of print Criterion DVDs or BDs in a Barnes & Noble store to wait for a 50% off sale?

The Barnes & Noble closest to me still has last year at marienbad and I keep thinking I should just pick it up soon. I prob won't wait til July because I don't think it will last once the sale hits. But in the next month or so I plan on buying it.

[AverageAtBest]

In response for Leon Morin Priest being 20 bucks I also got Leon Morin Priest for 20 but it was a used copy which was as good as new. If I knew it would be 20 bucks new on Amazon I would have waited and saved myself the "Oh I hope I didn't play for a shoddy used copy". But I somehow got Army of Shadows for 20 bucks(the same seller once he put another copy of AoS up raised the price to 46 now).

I wish Le Cercle Rouge, Pierrot Le Fou, and Playtime could magically appear for 20 bucks on amazon.

But for those also new to collecting criterion releases I am noticing a good strategy to take is if a movie is a bit out of your range especially out of print ones be patient. A few weeks ago the cheapest copy of The Third Man on blu-ray on Amazon was 250. Now there are copies available for 100 bucks or more less than that. And the lowest priced copy of Le Cercle Rouge was 10-20 more than it is now. Now the Leon Morin, Priest being 20 new on Amazon. Now if only The Third Man could get even lower on a day when I have no bills for the week then I will get that one out of the way.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by Snicket

For you it does.

My art house doesn't get it until June.

I'm not getting it either, I was just stating that that is its technical release date.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Both of you are lucky. We don't even have an arthouse We'll be lucky to get The Bling Ring or Before Midnight.

While I've got an arthouse, mind you an hour train ride away, I have a harder time seeing stuff that falls in the middle ground like Stoker, and most likely Before Midnight.