The Criterion Collection

[AdmiralNoodles]

Originally Posted by DaBargainHunta

I'm mildly surprised that Netflix still has a DVD rental service, TBH.

Is there any particular reason you don't go for streaming? If it's because you're in an area with bad internet, that's understandable.

But, IMO, I don't understand people who avoid streaming just to be contrarian just because they prefer physical media. Well, we all prefer physical media, but shutting yourself off from streaming for that reason alone makes no sense to me. It's like someone from the '80s or '90s saying, "I won't watch a movie on HBO" or "I won't rent a movie from the video store." I don't understand that mindset. The Criterion Channel, in particular, is a tremendous resource.

I'm not saying any of this necessarily applies to you - I'm just speaking in general terms.

Since 1998!
Just really never cared for streaming, TBH. Too many different streaming services/options which could negatively impact the budget when that can go towards physical releases, IMO. Don't mind if it's at someone's place and they've the proper set-up I guess. Another one of those physical collectors who always sell the digital codes to fund towards the physical too.
Also because of the Netflix I linked, if they have it available for rental on DVD or Blu-ray disc for a random Criterion title, or if a friend doesn't have it to borrow, might as well add to queue instead of blind buying.
Another thing, honestly don't mind owning more than one release of a title from differing companies for the best all-around completeness too. Lower price for me always wins out based on which releases I've narrowed down. So for me those particular titles it's not one or the other. More of, 'Which one do I get first?' scenario.
Having a self-built computer and the 4K UHD player listed in my signature greatly helps regarding importing and various threads on this forum. Tell you though, far easier compared to when I was collecting VHS prior to DVD!
Apologies for almost novella of a post.

[SteelyTom]

Received my flash sale order today, but curiously one of the three discs (Two-Lane Blacktop) wasn't sealed, and inspection of the disc turned up a partial fingerprint or two. Case and booklet look fine.

I popped the disc into my Oppo and sampled a few 'chapters' and the disc seems fine. I'll have to play the movie through.

Odd, no?

[hainesdogg]

[Show spoiler]

Originally Posted by DaBargainHunta

From the Criterion Channel - Carnival of Souls (1962)



Thanks to Professor Echo for the recommendation! I watched Carnival of Souls last night on The Criterion Channel, but it has always been in the public domain, so you can find it anywhere - on one of those cheap multi-pack horror DVDs, YouTube, probably your toaster. Still, try to look for a nice source, because the Criterion print is gorgeous.

The premise: A professional concert organist gets into a drag racing accident - boy, this is one interesting woman - and somehow survives. She leaves town but keeps seeing a strange man following her. She also finds herself drawn to the site of an abandoned carnival, for reasons unknown to her. When her overly pushy neighbor shows a romantic interest in her, she halfheartedly reciprocates simply so she won't be alone at night.

(BTW, is it just me or does her neighbor look and act like a dead ringer for the Joel Maisel character on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel? It would not surprise me if Michael Zegen patterned his performance after this guy. Both are set in the 1960s, so the timeline even fits.)

That's the set up for Carnival of Souls, which ends up being an absolutely terrific movie. I always assumed it was pure schlock - because I'm pretty sure I have it on one of those old DVD horror sets you find at the grocery store - but there's a reason Criterion put this out.

At only an hour and 18 minutes, it was an easy decision for me to watch this. If you recommend something and it's less than 80-90 minutes, I am much more likely to put it on because I can fit it in easily and short movies like this are ideal for insomnia-watches.

DaBargainHunta's Decree: There's so much more I want to say about this surprisingly fantastic film, but it's best for you to discover what happens for yourself. It is sure to inspire debate. Thanks, Echo. (Subtitles/Captions: Yes!)

Honestly one of my favorite movies, one that I revisit multiple times a year.

I know your review is for the Criterion Channel version but I also recommend the Blu Ray version as you get some bonus features that are just fantastic if the movie interests you.

First is an audio commentary on selected scenes with the director and scriptwriter.

Second is a reunion documentary of the cast done by a TV local station which is a fun watch.

Finally the last was a documentary about Saltair, the eerie pavilion in the movie. The documentary is again a TV documentary and definitely not in great condition but very informative.

[DaBargainHunta]

Originally Posted by hainesdogg

Honestly one of my favorite movies, one that I revisit multiple times a year.

I know your review is for the Criterion Channel version but I also recommend the Blu Ray version as you get some bonus features that are just fantastic if the movie interests you.

First is an audio commentary on selected scenes with the director and scriptwriter.

Second is a reunion documentary of the cast done by a TV local station which is a fun watch.

Finally the last was a documentary about Saltair, the eerie pavilion in the movie. The documentary is again a TV documentary and definitely not in great condition but very informative.

The Channel actually includes some of the extras (maybe all of them?), which is a really cool perk compared to something like HBO Max, Kanopy, etc. which also has some Criterion movies, but not as many and with none of the extras.

With that said, this is definitely something I want to own physically at some point.

The only pity, IMO, is that Criterion changed the cover art from this to this:



The new art is definitely cool too, but it pales in comparison to the lush DVD art (minus the terrible black border at the top).

[Mark E. Desade]

Originally Posted by DaBargainHunta

The new art is definitely cool too, but it pales in comparison to the lush DVD art (minus the terrible black border at the top).

The old DVD set also has the extended director's cut which is missing from the Blu-ray.

[SuperFlyHighGuy]

Originally Posted by Mark E. Desade

The old DVD set also has the extended director's cut which is missing from the Blu-ray.

This is what has kept me from upgrading. I've seen the DC so many times via the CC DVD I'm worried I'd miss that version.

[ravenus]

DaBargainHunta:

If you like Carnival of Souls, you might also check out Pupi Avati's House with the Laughing Windows. Not saying it's the same kind of film, but it shares that vibe of strangeness in a location and how it's presented.

The Slayer is a far lesser film, but it also has an amazing "abandoned cinema on a deserted island" locale.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by SuperFlyHighGuy

This is what has kept me from upgrading. I've seen the DC so many times via the CC DVD I'm worried I'd miss that version.

I believe the only source for the extended bits are on SD video, so unless someone uncovers something totally unexpected you have no hope of seeing the DC in HD. I think the difference in image quality between that old cropped DVD and the BD is sufficient reason to swallow the lack of the extended footage, and I don't feel that the shorter cut is noticeably crippled. Just my 2 bits.

[SuperFlyHighGuy]

Originally Posted by ravenus

I believe the only source for the extended bits are on SD video, so unless someone uncovers something totally unexpected you have no hope of seeing the DC in HD. I think the difference in image quality between that old cropped DVD and the BD is sufficient reason to swallow the lack of the extended footage, and I don't feel that the shorter cut is noticeably crippled. Just my 2 bits.

Well I haven't watched it in a few years so maybe I wouldn't notice anyway. Thanks for costing me another 20 bucks!

[NeoNical]

Now that we're talking about the Carnival of Souls film, you can find a creepy little easter egg on the Blu-ray showing footage of the burning of Saltair II back in the 70s, the pavilion shown in the film. When you go to the supplement called "Saltair: Return to the Salt Queen" and when it's highlighted Play, click the blue button on your controller and the footage will be shown. There is also another easter egg when you go to "Centron Corporation" menu and click the blue button after the word "History" is highlighted. Weird but creepy if you ask me.

One of 5 films to ever scare me at least more than half of the duration or more.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by DaBargainHunta

From the Criterion Channel - Carnival of Souls (1962)

[Show spoiler]

Thanks to Professor Echo for the recommendation! I watched Carnival of Souls last night on The Criterion Channel, but it has always been in the public domain, so you can find it anywhere - on one of those cheap multi-pack horror DVDs, YouTube, probably your toaster. Still, try to look for a nice source, because the Criterion print is gorgeous.

The premise: A professional concert organist gets into a drag racing accident - boy, this is one interesting woman - and somehow survives. She leaves town but keeps seeing a strange man following her. She also finds herself drawn to the site of an abandoned carnival, for reasons unknown to her. When her overly pushy neighbor shows a romantic interest in her, she halfheartedly reciprocates simply so she won't be alone at night.

(BTW, is it just me or does her neighbor look and act like a dead ringer for the Joel Maisel character on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel? It would not surprise me if Michael Zegen patterned his performance after this guy. Both are set in the 1960s, so the timeline even fits.)

That's the set up for Carnival of Souls, which ends up being an absolutely terrific movie. I always assumed it was pure schlock - because I'm pretty sure I have it on one of those old DVD horror sets you find at the grocery store - but there's a reason Criterion put this out.

At only an hour and 18 minutes, it was an easy decision for me to watch this. If you recommend something and it's less than 80-90 minutes, I am much more likely to put it on because I can fit it in easily and short movies like this are ideal for insomnia-watches.

DaBargainHunta's Decree: There's so much more I want to say about this surprisingly fantastic film, but it's best for you to discover what happens for yourself. It is sure to inspire debate. Thanks, Echo. (Subtitles/Captions: Yes!)

Back in the pre-cable era, one of our local stations had a Saturday night horror time slot. Most of it was the usual ‘50s-‘60s of radioactively enlarged ——- (fill in the blank) but every once in a while something out of the norm would show up and Carnival of Souls was one of two that I distinctly remember. It and Night Tide were definitely different and make for a terrific double feature. The Indicator release of the latter is a thing of beauty. Carnival’s organ score has always reminded me of the Soap Operas of that era that almost always had an organ suddenly coming to life!! to accent some plot reveal.

[Mark E. Desade]

Originally Posted by SuperFlyHighGuy

This is what has kept me from upgrading. I've seen the DC so many times via the CC DVD I'm worried I'd miss that version.

I felt the same at first, but don't regret buying the Blu-ray.

[lidocaineus]

Originally Posted by SteelyTom

Received my flash sale order today, but curiously one of the three discs (Two-Lane Blacktop) wasn't sealed, and inspection of the disc turned up a partial fingerprint or two. Case and booklet look fine.

I popped the disc into my Oppo and sampled a few 'chapters' and the disc seems fine. I'll have to play the movie through.

Odd, no?

An easy way to verify the disc is to rip it (which you should do anyway for backup purposes).

[lidocaineus]

Originally Posted by AdmiralNoodles

Since 1998!
Another one of those physical collectors who always sell the digital codes to fund towards the physical too.

More as a bit of trivia (I'm a firm believer in you being able to do what you want with what you bought), but isn't that technically illegal in most jurisdictions? Something about the digital codes being tied to the sale of the physical disc.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by lidocaineus

More as a bit of trivia (I'm a firm believer in you being able to do what you want with what you bought), but isn't that technically illegal in most jurisdictions? Something about the digital codes being tied to the sale of the physical disc.

Since the code can only be used by a single individual and not be resold / transferred further down the line, it would actually be more adherent to license use than a physical disc.

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by DaBargainHunta

From the Criterion Channel - Carnival of Souls (1962)

[Thanks to Professor Echo for the recommendation! I watched Carnival of Souls last night on The Criterion Channel, but it has always been in the public domain, so you can find it anywhere - on one of those cheap multi-pack horror DVDs, YouTube, probably your toaster. Still, try to look for a nice source, because the Criterion print is gorgeous.

DaBargainHunta's Decree: There's so much more I want to say about this surprisingly fantastic film, but it's best for you to discover what happens for yourself. It is sure to inspire debate. Thanks, Echo. (Subtitles/Captions: Yes!)

You're always welcome, Hunta, so glad you liked it as much as I always have. Back in the 70's when I was only 16 it was recommended to me by my film professor who really enticed my imagination by saying "It's the kind of movie that will have you looking over your shoulders for days after watching it." I had never heard of it and it took me a few years to even find a way to see it. Finally at long last one of my phone inquiries (pre-Internet days, kids!) paid off: A homemade VHS tape at a basement video store buried somewhere in the city of Chicago, necessitating an hour's drive each way, but THEY HAD IT! Then the copy turned out to be piss full of splices and damage, but I had waited a long time to see it and nothing was going to stop me. And, yes, it did scare the crap out of me that first time so the hyped up wait definitely panned out. Ah, the good (?) old days of having to go on safari to track down obscure movies rather than hitting a few keystrokes!

Not a Criterion, but here's one right back at you, Hunta. I followed your recommendation and watched VAMPIRES VS. THE BRONX. Holy crap, I loved it! I thought I was burnt out on vampire anything, but this one had some very cool new ideas such as equating vampirism with gentrification (brilliant!) and displaying wonderful layers of attention and affection by the entire cast and crew, all of whom have their heart in the right place. Marvelously entertaining. So thanks right back at you, my friend.

[Dollar Colonel]

Originally Posted by lidocaineus

More as a bit of trivia (I'm a firm believer in you being able to do what you want with what you bought), but isn't that technically illegal in most jurisdictions? Something about the digital codes being tied to the sale of the physical disc.

Kinda pedantic but it's illegal in the sense that it's against a private term of sale, not illegal in the sense that you'll realistically go to jail or get fined. The more likely remedy is that they can deactivate the digital copy or ban the account.

[dizzydean]

https://www.bullmoose.com/search?q=c...on&so=0&page=1

in case anyone is interested...

[A Tortured Duckling]

Originally Posted by dizzydean

https://www.bullmoose.com/search?q=c...on&so=0&page=1

in case anyone is interested...

52 Blu-ray titles under $20. That's a pretty good amount for a mini sale.

I just received Parasite. Here's a couple pics if anyone is interested.

[Show spoiler]

[spatafore]

Barnes Ohio