The Criterion Collection

[dvining]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Fair enough. But I think Criterion has released more than enough films that most people wouldn't consider among the "greatest" that anyone should take "greatest films" with a grain or two of salt. Even if we leave something like Armageddon aside, there are a lot of films in the Collection that are good, solid, worthwhile films that aren't even close to "greatest".

The reality of their collection is very different from the public perception that Criterion itself has helped cultivate through its marketing of its own product.

They've created the environment where more casual fans of the label are expecting greatness from every release. They know of dozens of films that have no Blu-ray release that have these great reputations that Criterion could get the rights to or does have the rights to, and instead of any of those they see little films they've never heard of from filmmakers they've never heard of.

Are those films bad because they're not known? Of course not. They may be wonderful gems of different directors/countries/times that people have never heard of. But that's not the sort of thing that's going to make the more casual fan blind buy to discover.

[jshaide]

Originally Posted by Pvtjoker87

Anyone else think that this year of announcement has been underwhelming so far? The only purchase I’ve made was The Parallax View, was looking forward to Memories of Murder but the reviews for the new transfer made me reconsider.

It's been pretty slow for me as well. Not quite as barren as yours based on this post, but there have been two months where I've added nothing to be my purchase list and two others where I've only added one or an upgrade.

[SleazyForWeasley]

Originally Posted by jayembee

With Deep Cover, perhaps Criterion is saying, "Here's something we think is nifty that you might not know about." And the thing is, it doesn't matter if you think it's bad or "irrelevant". There's always going to be someone else who wants it.

For me, "Here's something we think is nifty that you might not know about," is one of the things I've loved about Criterion.

Originally Posted by dvining

They market themselves this way:

"Browse our collection of the greatest films from around the world, available on Blu-ray, DVD, and streaming."

"Greatest films" is more than nifty. I think that creates a base of expectations for many people that precludes curios that may be sort of interesting.

Whether they use the adjective "nifty" or "greatest"- it's ALL subjective. I think Citizen Kane is a bore (I'll take "A Touch of Evil" tyvm) and yet it inevitably lands at the top of "greatest films of all time" lists all the time.

[BluProofie]

Excited about Ashes and Diamonds and After Life.

[Jr7936]

had the arrow release of ashes & diamonds which was region free and I got it for under $10 shipped

Already have the UK boxset with the after life film included

[CRASHLANDING]

Originally Posted by dvining

They market themselves this way:

"Browse our collection of the greatest films from around the world, available on Blu-ray, DVD, and streaming."

"Greatest films" is more than nifty. I think that creates a base of expectations for many people that precludes curios that may be sort of interesting.

Of course everyone is entitled to their own opinion about any film. But Criterion's mission statement says that they're "dedicated to publishing important classic and contemporary films from around the world in editions that offer the highest technical quality and award-winning, original supplements." So even setting aside valid arguments over what makes a film "great," it's clear they have always been open to including films that were important for other reasons - innovation in film or storytelling techniques, cultural or social significance, underrepresented genres (or countries or actors or directors), or a myriad of other factors. It's natural that not every film included under such a broad umbrella will appeal to everyone, and some may in fact appeal to very few. But that doesn't mean that film isn't important or doesn't belong in the collection.

Having said that, I'm only interested in After Life this month (I have Ashes and Diamonds in the Milestone/Scorsese set).

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by dvining

Are those films bad because they're not known? Of course not. They may be wonderful gems of different directors/countries/times that people have never heard of. But that's not the sort of thing that's going to make the more casual fan blind buy to discover.

Worked for me (back in the day).

[dkelly26666]

Originally Posted by Pvtjoker87

Anyone else think that this year of announcement has been underwhelming so far? The only purchase I’ve made was The Parallax View, was looking forward to Memories of Murder but the reviews for the new transfer made me reconsider.

Compared to previous years, including last year, when I bought tons of their titles, it has been slower.

Still, I have purchased, so far this year:

Rolling Thunder Revue (Scorsese)
Luis Bunuel box set
The Ascent
Smooth Talk
The Parallax View
Wong Kar Wai box set
Memories of Murder

And, I've pre-ordered:

The Human Condition
Streetwise
La Piscine
Mirror
Working Girls

I only didn't order anything at all in May and August.

So, I've still been getting quite a few of their releases. Last year spoiled me, bad.

Last year, I bought:

The Fugitive Kind
All About My Mother
Cuaron's Roma
Fail Safe
Teorema
Bamboozled
The Prince of Tides
The Cremator
Scorsese Shorts
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Come and See
Bruce Lee box set
War of the Worlds
Marriage Story
Agnes Varda box set
The Comfort of Strangers
Christ Stopped at Eboli
The Hit
World Cinema Project Vol. 3
The Elephant Man'
Claudine
The Gunfighter
Parasite
Girlfriends
Ghost Dog
Moonstruck
The Irishman
Essential Fellini box set
Crash
Mouchette
Amores Perros

[Gacivory]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Worked for me (back in the day).

I’m right there with you!

[Gacivory]

Cinelounge in Hollywood is advertising a 4K screening of Unbearable Lightness of Being. Should be a good indication of a restoration and it coming to Blu. At least I hope it’s a good indication!

[CinemaBlu]

Originally Posted by Pvtjoker87

Anyone else think that this year of announcement has been underwhelming so far? The only purchase I’ve made was The Parallax View, was looking forward to Memories of Murder but the reviews for the new transfer made me reconsider.

I don't. I think it's been a fantastic year of Criterion releases so far. Bunuel set, Wong Kar Wai set, films by Scorsese, Godard, Tarkovsky, Hawks, classic 80s/90s American comedies, and now Wajda's Ashes and Diamonds. And these are just the ones I'm especially interested in.

[dressedtokill]

Originally Posted by Pvtjoker87

Anyone else think that this year of announcement has been underwhelming so far? The only purchase I’ve made was The Parallax View, was looking forward to Memories of Murder but the reviews for the new transfer made me reconsider.

I do agree to a certain extent. However, any year that manages to finally include Bringing Up Baby can't be all that bad. IMO, that was the announcement of the year and has yet to be topped by any label.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Pvtjoker87

Anyone else think that this year of announcement has been underwhelming so far? The only purchase I’ve made was The Parallax View, was looking forward to Memories of Murder but the reviews for the new transfer made me reconsider.

It's been a slower year for me for sure. However, any year that has the Human Condition trilogy coming, can't be all that bad.

[Reddington]

Not seen Ashes and Diamonds. It it necessary to watch the first two films in his "War Trilogy" beforehand? (Also, can we assume the DVD set will get an upgrade at some point?).

Also interested in exploring Beasts of No Nation.

[The Sovereign]

Originally Posted by Pvtjoker87

Anyone else think that this year of announcement has been underwhelming so far? The only purchase I’ve made was The Parallax View, was looking forward to Memories of Murder but the reviews for the new transfer made me reconsider.

Not me. The year's still looking good, and I've learned to never judge it on a month-by-month basis.

[Mauve]

Only The Human Condition and The Mirror for me thus far. Can't whinge too hard though; those titles have been on my list for years.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Reddington

Not seen Ashes and Diamonds. It it necessary to watch the first two films in his "War Trilogy" beforehand?

It's a thematic trilogy, not a narrative one.

(Also, can we assume the DVD set will get an upgrade at some point?).

No idea, but I'm pretty sure if you don't buy A&D separately, it won't happen.

[jjhunsecker]

Still no "The Last Picture Show". Still no "Carnal Knowledge". Still no "The Defiant Ones".

And what doe anyone think of the odds that Criterion's first ever 4K title will be "West Side Story" , as a tie in with the Spielberg remake ? I can dream , can't I ....

[dressedtokill]

Originally Posted by jjhunsecker

Still no "The Last Picture Show". Still no "Carnal Knowledge". Still no "The Defiant Ones".

And what doe anyone think of the odds that Criterion's first ever 4K title will be "West Side Story" , as a tie in with the Spielberg remake ? I can dream , can't I ....

The Defiant Ones is readily available from Eureka if you really want it,

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Pvtjoker87

Anyone else think that this year of announcement has been underwhelming so far?

I've never thought about it in terms of whether any given year (or even month) is underwhelming, overwhelming, or just whelming. I only think about whether I'm interested in each of the individual releases.

(Well, OK, if they announced five releases in a given month that I think are all mind-blowingly awesome, I'd probably think that month's announcement was overwhelming.)