The Criterion Collection

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Vigojean

When people don't get paid enough, they do shoddy work. Now have a seat and I'll tell you why we need to get rid of capitalism and embrace Communism...

Truly a post befitting of someone with a Jean-Luc Godard avatar.

[jkoffman]

Originally Posted by Scholer

From my limited recall of the time
I’m not sure if [it] ever became a big seller
has almost certainly made the blu-ray of it as staple in many a cinephile’s collection
I don’t have exact sales figures
I’m certain it became a big seller
almost certainly never be the case if it was relegated to DVD only

Lots of feelings here again, but no facts or data to speak of. Someone already pointed out that this business doesn't occur in a vacuum, nor just for cinephiles, collectors, or fans of the newest format. I don't get what you're hoping to accomplish here with all these assumptions.

[bergman864]

Originally Posted by regeyer

I'm not saying there is no difference. And when 4K is done right it is extremely impressive. That's why I have one of the best UHD players ever made and an excellent 4K OLED. I want the image to be as good as it can be.

But, if we are honest, we can enjoy watching a DVD or Blu-Ray just as much as a UHD. And for those whose screen is smaller, or they're seating distance is too great, they're not going to see much of a difference. I sit 6' from my 65" OLED. I can see the difference.

We can enjoy watching a terrible Youtube stream as well but we still shell out big bucks for DVDs and BDs. Why stop at 4K? And why judge it based on someone's small TV? People watch movies on their phones and laptops. Should we judge upgrades based on that? If they're watching an HD stream from an older master, should everybody just be happy with it?

Some 4K discs look better than others. Some 4K discs offer only a modest upgrade over their Blu-rays (especially upscales) but they're still upgrades over their Blu-rays.

[bergman864]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

So basically you need to shell out some extra dough for the most up to date equipment in order to get 4K UHD at its full potential. Makes sense. Might have to head to Best Buy and ask them if I can borrow one for an hour or two to compare Endgame on the two TVs on Blu-ray and UHD.

You're basing your decision of whether or not to upgrade on an effects heavy 2K DI upscale of a three hour film on a BD-66 disc? You've seen Blade Runner in 4K and Avengers: Endgame in 4K and felt you'd seen them all? Ask your friend to show you some other movies. There's a reason they typically use BD-100s for longer films.

And you're also using a regular Blu-ray player on your 4K TV. A 4K player may make a difference, even with your regular Blu-rays.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by bergman864

You're basing your decision of whether or not to upgrade on an effects heavy 2K DI upscale of a three hour film on a BD-66 disc? You've seen Blade Runner in 4K and Avengers: Endgame in 4K and felt you'd seen them all? Ask your friend to show you some other movies. There's a reason they typically use BD-100s for longer films.

I only mentioned those two films as examples. I've probably seen close to 50 4K films at his place. Again, while looking better, I've never been blown out of my seat with the improvements.

[bergman864]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

I only mentioned those two films as examples. I've probably seen close to 50 4K films at his place. Again, while looking better, I've never been blown out of my seat with the improvements.

If you're looking to be blown out of your seat you're looking in the wrong place. They're both HD formats. 4K increases detail and better produces the colors in the film. I've found myself quite impressed with the added detail but that's not everyone's opinion.

[Scholer]

Originally Posted by jkoffman

Lots of feelings here again, but no facts or data to speak of. Someone already pointed out that this business doesn't occur in a vacuum, nor just for cinephiles, collectors, or fans of the newest format.

Cutting up key pieces from my post doesn't help. In terms of "facts or data", let's just consider collections on this website. From the June 2010 CC line up, the ones on most collections are Mystery Train, Red Desert and The Leopard which are the three titles that CC decided to put out blu-rays for first. So yeah, they pretty accurately predicted which titles would sell "most" on blu-ray.





Now while Everlasting Moments is on less than half as many collections as Mystery Train, Close-Up is actually on 3/4ths as many collections as Mystery Train. Could Criterion have been confident then that sales for it would be this good? I honestly don't think so. But in hindsight, it did pay in the long run to put out the blu-ray, because:

Originally Posted by Scholer

Close-Up’s gradual critical re-evaluation has almost certainly made the blu-ray of it a staple in many a cinephile’s collection. I don’t have exact sales figures, but over time I’m certain it became a big seller for them, something which would almost certainly never be the case if it was relegated to DVD only.

One film that is presently enjoying such a critical re-evaluation and/or rediscovery as of late is Márta Mészáros' Adoption, which is why I feel that a UHD release for the film, and for love jones, could really mean something.

Originally Posted by jkoffman

I don't get what you're hoping to accomplish here with all these assumptions.

Well, I'm sure my attempt to at least keeping this discussion ongoing will likely accomplish almost nothing, but it never hurts to voice one's frustrations.

[jkoffman]

Originally Posted by Scholer

Well, I'm sure my attempt to at least keeping this discussion ongoing will likely accomplish almost nothing, but it never hurts to voice one's frustrations.

This comparison makes so little sense to me. I could ask you to explain it in more detail, but I can already tell it’ll just end up being another micro look at a bigger picture. Good luck to you.

[CQD84]

I've realized I'm becoming a bit of a hoarder. I don't need many movies anymore so I'm selling all of my Criterion Blu-rays. 203 total Blu-rays (if my calculations are correct) and 19 box sets. What's the best way to sell the entire collection? I could sell in discounted lots on eBay but I'm looking for other options to consider. Most of them are like new (shrink wrap removed but most were played once or not at all) and there are a few that are factory sealed yet. Any help/tips would be greatly appreciated.

[TolerancEJ]

Originally Posted by CQD84

I've realized I'm becoming a bit of a hoarder. I don't need many movies anymore so I'm selling all of my Criterion Blu-rays. 203 total Blu-rays (if my calculations are correct) and 19 box sets. What's the best way to sell the entire collection? I could sell in discounted lots on eBay but I'm looking for other options to consider. Most of them are like new (shrink wrap removed but most were played once or not at all) and there are a few that are factory sealed yet. Any help/tips would be greatly appreciated.

Probably start with an online Google Sheet or something, so people know the titles for sale. Then respond to each request.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by TolerancEJ

Probably start with an online Google Sheet or something, so people know the titles for sale. Then respond to each request.

This is a good suggestion. And you could add multiplier discounts to encourage people to buy more discs per order.

[jw007]

Remember when blu-rays used to come with digital downloads? Oh wait, yes that's still happening. Now what I would sincerely like to know is why Criterion never participated in this program?

Why do I think its so important to have digital downloads/codes with blu-rays?

Answer: I just moved overseas and could not afford to ship 7 giant boxes of blu-rays and dvds with me (about 1,500 discs in total), and where I'm living at the moment I have poor wi-fi and internet services. I'm using DSL internet, and I sure do miss my old Verizon FIOS high speed broadband. Add in a VPN service so I can access U.S. content from back home and you have yourself sluggish internet speed. So streaming is not a good option for me in terms of watching films in 1080p HD or 4K. Thus, having a digital copy of some of my favorite films that I spent tons of money on would be a lifesaver. I do know that the Criterion Channel is the best bet I have, but again, with my sluggish internet speed and having to use a VPN service in order to get around geo-blocking, it doesn't give me the high quality viewing experience I'm seeking.

So I do wish Criterion would offer digital versions of films I purchased on blu-ray/dvd but I'm guessing this is not in the cards anytime soon. Does anyone else share my dreams for Criterion digital downloads too?

[Matt89]

Originally Posted by jw007

Remember when blu-rays used to come with digital downloads? Oh wait, yes that's still happening. Now what I would sincerely like to know is why Criterion never participated in this program?

Why do I think its so important to have digital downloads/codes with blu-rays?

Answer: I just moved overseas and could not afford to ship 7 giant boxes of blu-rays and dvds with me (about 1,500 discs in total), and where I'm living at the moment I have poor wi-fi and internet services. I'm using DSL internet, and I sure do miss my old Verizon FIOS high speed broadband. Add in a VPN service so I can access U.S. content from back home and you have yourself sluggish internet speed. So streaming is not a good option for me in terms of watching films in 1080p HD or 4K. Thus, having a digital copy of some of my favorite films that I spent tons of money on would be a lifesaver. I do know that the Criterion Channel is the best bet I have, but again, with my sluggish internet speed and having to use a VPN service in order to get around geo-blocking, it doesn't give me the high quality viewing experience I'm seeking.

So I do wish Criterion would offer digital versions of films I purchased on blu-ray/dvd but I'm guessing this is not in the cards anytime soon. Does anyone else share my dreams for Criterion digital downloads too?

I totally get where you're coming from, but it seems to be a trend with boutique labels. They probably don't have the digital rights. I don't believe Kino, Arrow, Shout Factory, Vinegar Syndrome, or Criterion, etc. offer digital copies on any of their releases, blu-ray or UHD. In fact, I actually can't think of a single boutique label that does offer digital copies with their releases. Seems to be only the major studios that offer them. It's likely a rights issue.

~Matt

[ravenus]

^Same what Matt89 said, Criterion and other boutique label do not have rights to issue digital copies, they only come from major studio releases which own the films themselves and all associated rights.

With regards to shipping discs, putting them into sleeves saves a ton of space (and weight). I have put nearly 200 discs in a box measuring approximately 15x10 inches. Sleeves like this comfortably hold the disc, cover art and booklet:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

There are also sleeves for double disc releases:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[DimitriL]

Originally Posted by ravenus

^Same what Matt89 said, Criterion and other boutique label do not have rights to issue digital copies, they only come from major studio releases which own the films themselves and all associated rights.

Exactly. For the most part, studios license films to Criterion for specific, approved collectible editions that they don’t want the expense of making. There’s really no reason for a studio to license a digital copy to an intermediary. (And it certainly enhances the stature of physical media.)

[koberulz]

Originally Posted by jw007

Remember when blu-rays used to come with digital downloads? Oh wait, yes that's still happening. Now what I would sincerely like to know is why Criterion never participated in this program?

Why do I think its so important to have digital downloads/codes with blu-rays?

Answer: I just moved overseas and could not afford to ship 7 giant boxes of blu-rays and dvds with me (about 1,500 discs in total), and where I'm living at the moment I have poor wi-fi and internet services. I'm using DSL internet, and I sure do miss my old Verizon FIOS high speed broadband. Add in a VPN service so I can access U.S. content from back home and you have yourself sluggish internet speed. So streaming is not a good option for me in terms of watching films in 1080p HD or 4K. Thus, having a digital copy of some of my favorite films that I spent tons of money on would be a lifesaver. I do know that the Criterion Channel is the best bet I have, but again, with my sluggish internet speed and having to use a VPN service in order to get around geo-blocking, it doesn't give me the high quality viewing experience I'm seeking.

So I do wish Criterion would offer digital versions of films I purchased on blu-ray/dvd but I'm guessing this is not in the cards anytime soon. Does anyone else share my dreams for Criterion digital downloads too?

Your digital copies would be just as geoblocked as the Criterion Channel is, so it wouldn't help anyway.

[regeyer]

Originally Posted by koberulz

Your digital copies would be just as geoblocked as the Criterion Channel is, so it wouldn't help anyway.

And I would think that the digital versions would have the same problems, and be just as slow, with your internet connection.

[welcometothepartypal]

Originally Posted by ravenus

With regards to shipping discs, putting them into sleeves saves a ton of space (and weight). I have put nearly 200 discs in a box measuring approximately 15x10 inches. Sleeves like this comfortably hold the disc, cover art and booklet:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

There are also sleeves for double disc releases:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thank you for this idea. I will also be moving oversees in the next couple of years and am wondering what to do with my movies. I've stopped selling the digital copies I do get in hopes I can stream them after the move but like jw007 I might have bad internet.
What do you do with all the cases?

[jw007]

Originally Posted by koberulz

Your digital copies would be just as geoblocked as the Criterion Channel is, so it wouldn't help anyway.

Well, I was thinking of having actual downloadable files I can save on my external hard drive but perhaps that would be illegal since I see a lot of ripped blu-rays up on torrent websites. So playing standalone video files wouldn't be an issue here, but if its streaming, forget it.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by ravenus

^Same what Matt89 said, Criterion and other boutique label do not have rights to issue digital copies, they only come from major studio releases which own the films themselves and all associated rights.

With regards to shipping discs, putting them into sleeves saves a ton of space (and weight). I have put nearly 200 discs in a box measuring approximately 15x10 inches. Sleeves like this comfortably hold the disc, cover art and booklet:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

There are also sleeves for double disc releases:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I appreciate the links. I have an "all or nothing" perspective sometimes with life and I was like "Either I'm shipping all my blu-rays complete with Scanavo cases or I'm not going to ship any". But here you have a compromise, by condensing the physical media into much more efficient thinner piles that can potentially all fit into one or two giant bins. Thanks for opening my mind a bit.