The Criterion Collection

[Cremildo]

Kore-eda's After Life will be getting a Criterion Blu-ray down the line.

[Gacivory]

Originally Posted by Cremildo

Kore-eda's After Life will be getting a Criterion Blu-ray down the line.

Yep. I was waiting and finally imported the British Blu. But happy this is getting a release!

[SeanJoyce]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

[Show spoiler]Cool, I hope you enjoy those. Welcome to our little corner of the forum.

To expand on what’s already been said about out of print titles, none of us know if and when any titles might go out of print in the future, as Criterion doesn’t give a heads up ahead of time. After this batch of six Paramount titles, someone at Criterion (Mulvaney? I forget) said there were no more titles scheduled to go out of print at that time. Medium Cool and The Friends of Eddie Coyle were out of stock on Criterion’s website (displayed as currently unavailable), and there were rumors that they might be next. We were advised that was not the case, and more stock would be in the folllwing month.

I bought On the Waterfront, my first Criterion blu-Ray, six years ago. Before this recent batch that went out of print, to the best of my recollection (and please correct me, gang, if my recollection is off), the only title Criterion lost distribution rights to in the six years I’ve been buying them was Costa-Gavras’ The Confession. I was fortunate enough to buy that one before it went out of print, and I owned five of these most recent six, with Hal Ashby’s Harold and Maude being the exception. I was lucky to grab a used copy at a Movie Trading Company in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It was just dumb luck that I had already bought the others. I’d wanted the Ashby film, but kept putting it off.

Those four sales-the two from Barnes & Noble and the Criterion site, will be your best friend. B&N used to have coupons that stacked with the half off, but unfortunately that’s no longer the case. Somebody can confirm this-the annual membership still gives you 10% off in store, no? If you can justify getting one over the course of the year, that will cover the cost of tax on Criterions you buy in store. Of course, Barnes & Noble’s in store stocking is pretty hit and miss.

For me, anyway, the 24 hour Flash Sales that Criterion has twice a year are my main go to. I’ll still buy some copies the rest of the year-Amazon will occasionally lower the price of select Criterions. But my Flash Sale buying nets $50 gift cards pretty quickly. Each dollar you spend on merchandise at their online site earns a point, and after 500 points, they e-mail you the certificate code. I’ve always gotten mine within about ten minutes of hitting it. The site gets slammed hard during the sale. There’s a lot of traffic that occasionally causes the server to overload, so it’s best to get in when the sale goes live. Keep your eyes peeled here for an idea when those sales will happen. They always hit on Tuesdays.

Here are the most recent ones:

February 23rd, 2021
October 20th, 2020
February 25th, 2020
October 15th, 2019
March 5th, 2019
October 17th, 2018
February 13th, 2018
October 17th, 2017
February 28th, 2017
October 18th, 2016
February 23rd, 2016
October 7th, 2015

Your best bet is to just buy the titles you most want. I have a pretty long list that continues to build. Fortunately, Criterion doesn’t have limited editions that sell out quickly. Once announced, you’ll have ample time to add any film or box set you want to your collection.

You might also look at signing up for the Criterion channel, and preview some of the films you’re interested in adding to your physical media collection.

There’s also a Criterion buy/sell/trade board here where you can find new and gently used Criterions. I’ve had some good luck there.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. Also, feel free to PM me if you like. I check the board daily, and am happy to help out if I can.

[hariseldon]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Those four sales-the two from Barnes & Noble and the Criterion site, will be your best friend. B&N used to have coupons that stacked with the half off, but unfortunately that’s no longer the case. Somebody can confirm this-the annual membership still gives you 10% off in store, no? If you can justify getting one over the course of the year, that will cover the cost of tax on Criterions you buy in store. Of course, Barnes & Noble’s in store stocking is pretty hit and miss.

The Nov sale, the 10% member discount didn't apply. I think the discount applied normally in July 2020 since there had been rumors it would not apply and everyone was relieved it was fine -- same rumors started leading into Nov and turned out it wasn't a rumor. Nov 2019 sale and before, the discounts applied normally.

[Gacivory]

Originally Posted by hariseldon

The Nov sale, the 10% member discount didn't apply. I think the discount applied normally in July 2020 since there had been rumors it would not apply and everyone was relieved it was fine -- same rumors started leading into Nov and turned out it wasn't a rumor. Nov 2019 sale and before, the discounts applied normally.

One of my orders had the 10% applied. I bought the Criterion’s and a book. Used the coupon. It worked for the book. The membership discount worked on everything.

[Namuhana]

Originally Posted by Cremildo

Kore-eda's After Life will be getting a Criterion Blu-ray down the line.

This is fantastic news! I watched this several years back and really liked it. Can't wait for a Criterion edition.

[SmittysGelato]

I've been curious to see After Life for years now, but never had the opportunity.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Cremildo

Kore-eda's After Life will be getting a Criterion Blu-ray down the line.

Excellent news. Still insane that Shoplifters didn't get a Blu-ray here.

[SmittysGelato]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Excellent news. Still insane that Shoplifters didn't get a Blu-ray here.

And neither did Our Little Sister. What the heck!

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by SmittysGelato

And neither did Our Little Sister. What the heck!

Well, if we are going down this road, I Wish didn't get a Blu-ray either and that was also Magnolia. Like Father, Like Son which is a personal favorite also only got a DVD. I guess the best bet would be for them to lose the rights and it going to someone else.

Shoplifters received universal acclaim and it going to DVD only was a pretty annoying move.

[DaBargainHunta]

Expiring from The Criterion Channel: Bamboozled (2000)



Spike Lee's Bamboozled is a scathing satire of how black people are used in the entertainment industry, both in front of the camera and behind-the-scenes. Marlon Wayans plays struggling TV writer Pierre Delacroix. Wayans may be the star, but even his In Living Color doesn't escape unscathed. Delacroix is tired of his racist white boss (played by Michael Rapaport) and sets about to create the most offensive minstrel show possible and get it on the air. What he doesn't expect is for it to become a hit.

Bamboozled is a very good movie, but it does have a few issues. The third act goes off the rails (kind of like Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, which I watched the night before), and the pace grinds to a halt whenever we see any of scenes from minstrel TV show - one or two would have sufficed to get the point across, but four was overkill.

Still, Spike Lee taps into a deep and uncomfortable history in this movie in an unforgettable way. I highly recommend the Marlon Riggs documentaries Ethnic Notions and Color Adjustment for the real history of what Spike is satirizing here. (They're both on the Criterion Channel and in the upcoming Criterion box set The Signifyin' Works of Marlon Riggs.)

DaBargainHunta's Decree: Bamboozled was prescient when it came out in 2000 and it's still sadly relevant even today. (Subtitles/Captions: Yes!)

[dkelly26666]

Originally Posted by DaBargainHunta

Expiring from The Criterion Channel: Bamboozled (2000)



Spike Lee's Bamboozled is a scathing satire of how black people are used in the entertainment industry, both in front of the camera and behind-the-scenes. Marlon Wayans plays struggling TV writer Pierre Delacroix. Wayans may be the star, but even his In Living Color doesn't escape unscathed. Delacroix is tired of his racist white boss (played by Michael Rapaport) and sets about to create the most offensive minstrel show possible and get it on the air. What he doesn't expect is for it to become a hit.

Bamboozled is a very good movie, but it does have a few issues. The third act goes off the rails (kind of like Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, which I watched the night before), and the pace grinds to a halt whenever we see any of scenes from minstrel TV show - one or two would have sufficed to get the point across, but four was overkill.

Still, Spike Lee taps into a deep and uncomfortable history in this movie in an unforgettable way. I highly recommend the Marlon Riggs documentaries Ethnic Notions and Color Adjustment for the real history of what Spike is satirizing here. (They're both on the Criterion Channel and in the upcoming Criterion box set The Signifyin' Works of Marlon Riggs.)

DaBargainHunta's Decree: Bamboozled was prescient when it came out in 2000 and it's still sadly relevant even today. (Subtitles/Captions: Yes!)

Once again, I'm damn glad I have the PHYSICAL MEDIA BD Criterion release. Thus, this expiration from the streaming channel is of no consequence to me. Physical media!!!!!

[Ferg]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Ferg, one last thing. A number of our members get Criterions during sales at Target. I think that they either have their own sales occasionally, or they price match. Somebody who buys them there can elaborate. This is useful because the Redcard earns, from memory, another 5% off. So, a single Criterion with 50% off the $39.95 MSRP, which is then $19.98, gets another $1 off with that card.

Thank you so much for your posts! I really appreciate the info and I've logged the B&N sale dates!

Couldn't wait (too excited) so I ordered Blue Velvet, The Wages of Fear, Repulsion and Black Narcissus, on top of the Lone Wolf & Cub collection I order a few days ago. Can't wait!

[DaBargainHunta]

Originally Posted by dkelly26666

Once again, I'm damn glad I have the PHYSICAL MEDIA BD Criterion release. Thus, this expiration from the streaming channel is of no consequence to me. Physical media!!!!!

Once again, I'm damn glad to have another pompous blowhard to add to my block list. Thus, this silly trolling post of yours is of no consequence to me. Block list!!!!!

LOL, seriously though, physical media is awesome - I love it too - but streaming services like Criterion Channel are a great secondary source and - guess what - supporting the Channel helps fund more of those physical releases we both love and want.

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by dkelly26666

Once again, I'm damn glad I have the PHYSICAL MEDIA BD Criterion release. Thus, this expiration from the streaming channel is of no consequence to me. Physical media!!!!!

It's of no consequence to me either because I already watched it on the Criterion Channel a few weeks ago and while I though it was good, it was definitely not worth spending money on to own.

Physical media for things that are actually worth owning!!!!!!

[Purplenoon]

Originally Posted by SmittysGelato

I've been curious to see After Life for years now, but never had the opportunity.

AFTERLIFE is a great movie. As are all of Kore-eda’s films.

[DaBargainHunta]

Originally Posted by Purplenoon

AFTERLIFE is a great movie. As are all of Kore-eda’s films.

I watched Still Walking a few weeks ago - my first and still only Kore-eda - and it was excellent.

[dkelly26666]

Originally Posted by DaBargainHunta

Once again, I'm damn glad to have another pompous blowhard to add to my block list. Thus, this silly trolling post of yours is of no consequence to me. Block list!!!!!

LOL, seriously though, physical media is awesome - I love it too - but streaming services like Criterion Channel are a great secondary source and - guess what - supporting the Channel helps fund more of those physical releases we both love and want.

Damn, you got me at first, LOL.

I was thinking that was a serious overreaction to what was intended as a pretty lighthearted post, LOL. Apologies, anyway.

I use quite a lot of streaming, I'm just a serious collector of physical media since the 80s. I always tell people I don't truly own a film unless I hold it in my hand.

But seriously, fellas, no offense was intended.

[Cinematt]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Well, if we are going down this road, I Wish didn't get a Blu-ray either and that was also Magnolia. Like Father, Like Son which is a personal favorite also only got a DVD. I guess the best bet would be for them to lose the rights and it going to someone else.

Shoplifters received universal acclaim and it going to DVD only was a pretty annoying move.

Wow I didn't realise how much better served we are in the UK for Kore-eda movies!
Arrow have given us Like Father, Like Son, After the Storm, I Wish, and The Third Murder. The BFI set has Still Walking, After Life, Maboroshi, and Nobody Knows. And then we've got Shoplifers, Out Little Sister, Air Doll, and The Truth with individual releases.
Most of these are very cheap as well, if anyone is looking for a justification for spending a bit on going region free

[Karosanyo]

Where is "Raise The Red Lantern"? I read that there was Blu-ray in the works a few years ago. I'm also still waiting for "The Spirit Of The Beehive". There's a foreign Blu-ray, but the picture could be improved.