The Criterion Collection

[The Great Owl]

Here's my review of Francis Ford Coppola's The Conversation.

Not quite Criterion-related, but I hijacked the thread the other evening with my mention of the film, and figured that I may as well close the lid on it.

On the Criterion front, the 1969 movie, Medium Cool, would make a rather fascinating double feature with The Conversation, as both films employ the realistic cinema talents of Haskell Wexler.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by jw007

I actually felt "slimy" after watching Crumb last night. I felt nearly ashamed that I exposed myself to this film. I feel like, if I ever get around to watching Salo, I'll feel the same way.

The question I'm pondering is, whether this is an "essential" Criterion release to own? For a documentary film, I think its essential, but for an overall release, I'm not so sure. I'm more interested in owning Criterion films that I find 1) essential to my life and 2) movies I'd want to watch a 2nd time. This is how I choose my films. I am not really interested in owning every single Criterion movie in the blu-ray collection, so for me, its all about owning movies that I'd actually enjoy or find, in this case, disturbing. Seeing that I was disturbed, this is probably an effective film for my collection (I just don't like being disturbed, thats all).

It's essential for me, JW. First among many reasons to keep it is the fact that it's just insanely entertaining, maybe the most entertaining documentary I've ever seen. Also, being an artist myself (mainly sketching and painting), I couldn't help but be immensely fascinated by Crumb's work. Regardless of what you make of his private life, you can't deny his talent.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

I was watching Kwaidan on TCM the other night. Has anyone heard about a CC upgrade on this? Checking out other sources it seems that the current DVD from Criterion has some framing issues (DVD Beaver review) as well as being some 20 minutes shorter than the MoC edition. Even on my SD feed I was impressed with the bright painted colors for the backdrops and, of course, the film itself was quite creepy.

That's been one of the sore spots with regard to Criterion. The film (which is absolutely freaking gorgeous) should run a tad over 3 hours, but Criterion used a 160-something-minute cut version.

This really needs to be upgraded, with regards to both the running time and the format.

[SilentDawn]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

I can't buy Criterions at B&N this close to a sale. It would feel like I was throwing money out the window.

Well at my B&N they had a 30% off sale plus my members discount. The price ended up being 25 bucks. A great deal if you ask me for a film that is great to watch around Halloween.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by SilentxStatik24

Well at my B&N they had a 30% off sale plus my members discount. The price ended up being 25 bucks. A great deal if you ask me for a film that is great to watch around Halloween.

That's how I rolled as well. Eyes Without a Face was the only title that I picked up using this sale, though, and the rest will wait until November. I did enjoy picking up some non-Criterions there this week, though.

[SilentDawn]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

That's how I rolled as well. Eyes Without a Face was the only title that I picked up using this sale, though, and the rest will wait until November. I did enjoy picking up some non-Criterions there this week, though.

Yeah, everyone usually thinks that B&N is too expensive but man they had some deals there when I went to my local store yesterday. I have a few non-criterion titles in mind that I might have to pick up soon.

[deepbreathsanddeath]

Originally Posted by jayembee

That's been one of the sore spots with regard to Criterion. The film (which is absolutely freaking gorgeous) should run a tad over 3 hours, but Criterion used a 160-something-minute cut version.

This really needs to be upgraded, with regards to both the running time and the format.

Has criterion ever answered for why they used a version cut by about 20 minutes? I'd be interested to hear. It seems to be almost universally (at least the universe that is familiar with Japanese cinema lol) acknowledged that it was a dumb move on Criterion's part.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by SilentxStatik24

Well at my B&N they had a 30% off sale plus my members discount. The price ended up being 25 bucks. A great deal if you ask me for a film that is great to watch around Halloween.

I'm not criticizing, I just couldn't do it myself. The film will be $17.99 at the same B&N in 10 days.

[Judex]

Originally Posted by jayembee

That's been one of the sore spots with regard to Criterion. The film (which is absolutely freaking gorgeous) should run a tad over 3 hours, but Criterion used a 160-something-minute cut version.

This really needs to be upgraded, with regards to both the running time and the format.

It's screening at this years Leeds Film Festival as part of a Kobayashi retrospective.

It's the 161min version sadly. I asked them how come it wasn't the 183min version and got this ". It's an original print from the Japanese film archive so it's still quite an exciting this to have it here." So, I imagine Criterion used that print.

This would look magnificent on blu.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

That's how I rolled as well. Eyes Without a Face was the only title that I picked up using this sale, though, and the rest will wait until November. I did enjoy picking up some non-Criterions there this week, though.

I haven't hit the local B&N yet, and I'm tempted to pick up some Criterions, but given that the 50% off sale is just a couple of weeks away, I figure there are enough non-Criterions to pick up to keep me happy.

It's just too bad that my local B&N, with rare exceptions, doesn't seem to stock any Kinos, Cohens, or Olives.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by deepbreathsanddeath

Has criterion ever answered for why they used a version cut by about 20 minutes? I'd be interested to hear. It seems to be almost universally (at least the universe that is familiar with Japanese cinema lol) acknowledged that it was a dumb move on Criterion's part.

Considering how leisurely paced those 161 min were, I shudder to think what an additional 20 min would do to the film, unless they add another episode instead of padding the existing ones. The first 2 episodes were for me incredibly boring because they were predictable and after a while just became an exercise in waiting for the end. Hoichi the Earless was awesome and In A Cup of Tea was a fun little coda. Who knows, maybe the shorter version is the actual director's cut, after Kobayashi realized how boring his previous cut was

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by jw007

Thanks for your input, guys.

I think the dual-format releases that are soon to come may indeed diminish my existing Criterion DVDs in resale value. Now the question is, other than Ebay, where should I sell these? There is a local "Record Exchange" franchise store here which I usually sell/trade my movies at. I may just get an estimate over there. I'd be happy to receive $4-8 per DVD, but we shall see.

My suggestion would be to sell them on E-Bay and start it at 99 cents, that usually attracts a lot of interest and gets people bidding fast and furious and before you know it, you're into an acceptable price range.

Otherwise, you could list them on Amazon Marketplace and set your own price and, obviously, the trade forums here. Lots of Criterion fans who I'm sure would love to pay fair value.

I would never take them to any pawn shop, exchange place, etc. To them, it's just another DVD and the Criterion factor would be completely ignored. You'd end up getting about the same as you'd get for any other DVD.

No need to dump in desparation. Even Criterion DVDs that have had blu-ray releases can fetch decent money if you are patient and sell it correctly, plus it may be a while before films that have been released separately on blu-ray and DVD will start showing up as combo packs.

[ccg1978]

what is this I'm hearing about a special price on Eyes Without a Face?

[jw007]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I sold all of my Criterion DVDs that are currently available on Blu-ray, because I wanted to get some good money for them while I could, and because I was planning to upgrade most of them (and I finally have).

The exception is my Criterion DVD of The Third Man, which still looks fantastic and serves as a great placeholder until I find an inexpensive Blu-ray of that movie.

The other Criterion DVDs in my DVD collection (The Vanishing, Touchez Pas Au Grisbi, Bob Le Flambeur, Carnival of Souls, Equinox, Insomnia, etc.) are all ones that have not yet been released on Blu-ray.

Originally Posted by smoss469

Depending what you have, I might be interested in buying some

Originally Posted by sc1957

If you have a significant number of DVDs, and you don't really need the cash, why not DONATE them to a local library that loans out DVDs?

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Speaking from experience eBay is more work but you'll get much more for them there than from a second-hand store. For DVDs I would expect them to sell in the $10-$15 range, maybe higher depending on the title. At a second-hand store you might get $5 each depending on the buyer, but very likely not $8 like you're hoping. I only sell to second-hand stores if I need some quick cash or just want to be rid of whatever I'm selling.

Originally Posted by Judex

Sell them on eBay, and offer international shipping you'll get more for them

Originally Posted by baheidstu

My suggestion would be to sell them on E-Bay and start it at 99 cents, that usually attracts a lot of interest and gets people bidding fast and furious and before you know it, you're into an acceptable price range.

Otherwise, you could list them on Amazon Marketplace and set your own price and, obviously, the trade forums here. Lots of Criterion fans who I'm sure would love to pay fair value.

I would never take them to any pawn shop, exchange place, etc. To them, it's just another DVD and the Criterion factor would be completely ignored. You'd end up getting about the same as you'd get for any other DVD.

No need to dump in desparation. Even Criterion DVDs that have had blu-ray releases can fetch decent money if you are patient and sell it correctly, plus it may be a while before films that have been released separately on blu-ray and DVD will start showing up as combo packs.

Thank you all for your responses about selling Criterion DVDs.

I have seen people on Ebay try and sell their entire (Criterion) collections and I don't think that is a wise idea, because I think more interest would lie in specific releases, so selling each individually is the best idea.

baheidstu: What would be a "fair value" for pricing each Criterion DVD? $10-15 each? That would be amazing if I could fetch that much. The local Record Exchange franchise here actually looks up prices on Amazon and finds how much used copies of Criterion DVDs sell for and then looks up their inventory (in the entire Record Exchange franchise system) to see how many (if any) they offer and at what price. But yes, I'm sure selling on Ebay would be a better idea.

sc1957: Oh, I do need the money...every penny I can get...so donating them to the library is not going to happen.

smoss469: I will send you a PM with the list of Criterion DVDs I want to sell and you can tell me if you're interested.

Owl: It is great that you have The Third Man on DVD. I probably would never sell it anyway, because its out of print.

Judex: Great idea on international shipping (except I'll have to pay more for that).

Joe Dalek: Good information on the price points.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

It's essential for me, JW. First among many reasons to keep it is the fact that it's just insanely entertaining, maybe the most entertaining documentary I've ever seen. Also, being an artist myself (mainly sketching and painting), I couldn't help but be immensely fascinated by Crumb's work. Regardless of what you make of his private life, you can't deny his talent.

It is an insanely entertaining documentary. I never got bored or tired at any point in the film (and I watched it at 3:00 AM too). I even watched the 54 minutes of unused footage right after and I still was awake. The interviews are simply great in this movie and its how a good documentary should be, with trust and access into the lives of the characters. I think I'm beginning to see this movie as essential in my collection now.

[Patrick M.]

Originally Posted by Hintermann

I am thniking of getting 3 Criterion BDs

1. Blow Out
2. Richard III
3. Something Wild

Any opinions?

Blow Out: Great movie! Get it!
Richard III: Haven't seen it yet.
Something Wild: I would watch it first. It's a good movie, but I wouldn't want to watch it over and over again.

[Hintermann]

Originally Posted by Patrick M.

Blow Out: Great movie! Get it!
Richard III: Haven't seen it yet.
Something Wild: I would watch it first. It's a good movie, but I wouldn't want to watch it over and over again.

Thanks. Of the three, Blow Out was the only one that I had not seen and I am glad that you recommend it.

Richard III speaks for itself and justifies the Criterion treatment.

I have seen and liked Something Wild. It is a wacky, off-beat film, enjoyable for repeated viewing in the right mood. I did not own the DVD and while I was not planning to get a Criterion BD disc, I fell for the cover art.

Come to think of it, some of the new cover art for Criterion discs is very imaginative. I used to own the Criterion DVD of Rififi but gave it to my sis-in-law a few years ago. I'll now get the Criterion Blu-ray with its excellent new cover-art.

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by jw007

Thank you all for your responses about selling Criterion DVDs.

I have seen people on Ebay try and sell their entire (Criterion) collections and I don't think that is a wise idea, because I think more interest would lie in specific releases, so selling each individually is the best idea.

baheidstu: What would be a "fair value" for pricing each Criterion DVD? $10-15 each? That would be amazing if I could fetch that much. The local Record Exchange franchise here actually looks up prices on Amazon and finds how much used copies of Criterion DVDs sell for and then looks up their inventory (in the entire Record Exchange franchise system) to see how many (if any) they offer and at what price. But yes, I'm sure selling on Ebay would be a better idea.
sc1957: Oh, I do need the money...every penny I can get...so donating them to the library is not going to happen.

smoss469: I will send you a PM with the list of Criterion DVDs I want to sell and you can tell me if you're interested.

Owl: It is great that you have The Third Man on DVD. I probably would never sell it anyway, because its out of print.

Judex: Great idea on international shipping (except I'll have to pay more for that).

Joe Dalek: Good information on the price points.

What I meant is that when I list stuff like movies on E-Bay I put a starting price of 99 cents. This usually piques people's attention because it's so low and they get bidding - people are more reserved if a starting price is high and you get the weird phenomenon of people getting into bidding wars on the items that started low even if the price surpasses something that started higher but is now cheaper. The risk is, of course, that you might end up only selling for 99 cents, so you can always put a reserve price if that's a concern. How much you will end up with depends on the title of course. Something like Chasing Amy isn't going to get you much, but if you have something like the DVD of Le Cercle Rouge, you'll should get some good money for it (especially now that the blu is OOP and high-priced, so people will look to compensate by buying the DVD instead).

If the place you are talking about is looking at what Amazon Marketplace sellers are asking for it, that's a good thing because people who list there tend to list high, often unaware of what something is actually worth.

If you decide to offer international shipping, simply check how much it will actually cost to ship there. Remember, it's the purchaser who is expected to pay those costs, not you. Most international purchasers (including myself in Canada) expect to pay a little more and will generally know what it costs for you to send because they buy from the U.S. a lot. As long as you are honest about charging the exact amount of what it's costing to ship and not overcharging so you can skim a little more for profit, then you should still be able to attract international customers.

[Mansinthe]

who pays 15$ for a DVD if a bluray is only ~16-20$ @ a B&N sale?

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by jw007

It is an insanely entertaining documentary. I never got bored or tired at any point in the film (and I watched it at 3:00 AM too). I even watched the 54 minutes of unused footage right after and I still was awake. The interviews are simply great in this movie and its how a good documentary should be, with trust and access into the lives of the characters. I think I'm beginning to see this movie as essential in my collection now.

I actually haven't seen it in High Def yet. The last time I saw it was over two years ago, but it made such an impression on me. Nearly every scene is etched in my memory forever. Gosh, and the revelation about his brother at the end is just some very heavy stuff.