The Criterion Collection

[ShellBeacher]

Originally Posted by latehong

A new, beautiful trailer for Kinuyo Tanaka Retrospective at Film at Lincoln Center, from March 18th to 27th, all new 4K restorations presented in partnership with Janus Films.

Originally Posted by yoloswegmaster420

Janus Films is distributing Johnnie To's 'The Heroic Trio'.

Indeed it was surprising to read about "The Heroic Trio" and also not so -- I was told by someone I know who worked at Criterion some years back that they had acquired a ton of Hong Kong titles (I think Fortune Star?), so it's nice to see them eventually getting 'round to them...if indeed this shows up as a physical release.

But seeing the Kinuyo Tanaka announcement also made me ponder: It would be wonderful if Criterion might also be planning a box set of either Johnnie To films or -- even more interestingly -- any of the three stars of "Heroic Trio": Maggie Cheung, Michelle Yeoh, Anita Mui. Any one of them justifies it, of course, and all were hugely influential then and retain am international cultural relevance now. If they happen to have licenses for multiple titles from any one of them...One can dream...

[Rayjg]

Originally Posted by guizhang

my criterion order arrived today

the dietrich/von sternberg set was kinda banged up. almost looks like a used copy. shrink wrap was tore up in places. i don't think it had to do with the shipment packaging, which was fine. oh well.

Maybe it’s suppose to look vintage? Like those Mill Creek and MVD VHS slipcovers

Criterion getting in on the nostalgia craze

[tatterdemalion]

Originally Posted by NeilZ

I wish Criterion would stop worrying about being overly diverse and just start releasing more Japanese movies again. I’m pretty sure Japanese cinema is one of the favorite categories of Criterion fans after all. They used to release almost one every other month for many years.

They’re sitting on at least 4 Kurosawa blu ray releases as far as I can count (maybe more when considering there are HD versions of Tiger’s Tail, Sugata Sanshiro).

Stray Dog
Red Beard
The Bad Sleep Well
Drunken Angel

Come on Criterion let’s get things going again!

I hear you. I'm tired of waiting for these Kurosawa films to be released in an HD format. Kon Ichikawa's Fires on the Plain is another I've been restless for. I don't think there's even a Japan release on this, only the 2014 remake. And where the heck are the Mikio Naruse films? Talk about a director that's been neglected in the US.

[Member-275053]

Originally Posted by NeilZ

I wish Criterion would stop worrying about being overly diverse and just start releasing more Japanese movies again. I’m pretty sure Japanese cinema is one of the favorite categories of Criterion fans after all. They used to release almost one every other month for many years.

They’re sitting on at least 4 Kurosawa blu ray releases as far as I can count (maybe more when considering there are HD versions of Tiger’s Tail, Sugata Sanshiro).

Stray Dog
Red Beard
The Bad Sleep Well
Drunken Angel

Come on Criterion let’s get things going again!

I'm pretty sure you (and those agreeing with you) don't know what the hell you're talking about.

First, your anti-diversity comment is so ignorant it doesn't deserve to be dignified with a response.

Second, there are 222 Japanese titles, with 33 Kurosawa films, currently in the collection. Not to mention there is still a Japanese title released almost every month: Boat People (March) and The Funeral (May). I think we're good. Of the 195 countries in the world, Criterion only has films from 50 of them.

Lastly and obviously, the favorite and most popular "category" is American cinema with 472 titles. Don't let a few filmbros purchasing Seven Samurai and Yojimbo on a whim convince you otherwise. And don't speak for Criterion's fans or me. Thanks

[Gacivory]

I hope Orson Welles’ The Trial & The Other Side of the Wind are announced Tuesday!

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by JWFORD

I'm pretty sure you (and those agreeing with you) don't know what the hell you're talking about.

First, your anti-diversity comment is so ignorant it doesn't deserve to be dignified with a response.

Second, there are 222 Japanese titles, with 33 Kurosawa films, currently in the collection. Not to mention there is still a Japanese title released almost every month: Boat People (March) and The Funeral (May). I think we're good. Of the 195 countries in the world, Criterion only has films from 50 of them.

Lastly and obviously, the favorite and most popular "category" is American cinema with 472 titles. Don't let a few filmbros purchasing Seven Samurai and Yojimbo on a whim convince you otherwise. And don't speak for Criterion's fans or me. Thanks

Actually, it sounds like you don't know what you're talking about. There has only been only been a handful of titles from Japan in the last few years. Boat People is not even a Japanese title, and I'm not sure if you're just trolling or simply don't know the difference between Asian cultures.

Japanese cinema is critical to cinema and it seemed like Criterion was fully aware of this at some point. A lot if not most of the Japanese titles that have been released by Criterion are DVD only at this point. There are a still a lot that need to be upgraded to Blu-ray and let alone the ones that don't have a DVD or even a Blu-ray release.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by JWFORD

I'm pretty sure you (and those agreeing with you) don't know what the hell you're talking about. :

[Show spoiler]rolleyes:

First, your anti-diversity comment is so ignorant it doesn't deserve to be dignified with a response.

Second, there are 222 Japanese titles, with 33 Kurosawa films, currently in the collection. Not to mention there is still a Japanese title released almost every month: Boat People (March) and The Funeral (May). I think we're good. Of the 195 countries in the world, Criterion only has films from 50 of them.

Lastly and obviously, the favorite and most popular "category" is American cinema with 472 titles. Don't let a few filmbros purchasing Seven Samurai and Yojimbo on a whim convince you otherwise. And don't speak for Criterion's fans or me. Thanks

You're making assumptions there about what Neil meant by "overly diverse", then you're twisting statements such as "I’m pretty sure Japanese cinema is one of the favorite categories of Criterion fans" into straw men.

I took Neil's post to be a mild lament on Criterion casting a wider net nowadays which means less emphasis on Kurosawa and Japanese cinema.

[Shampooed]

Just a data point.

Ordered "Repo Man" blu ray on Tuesday, March 8 during the sale.

Sent from Omicron Court, KY on Wednesday, March 9.

Tracking never scanned on the way out apparently, just said "Pre-shipment info sent to USPS" etc.

Delivered Friday night, March 11 to Los Angeles.

Now to check out how the Los Angeles river used to look.

[koberulz]

Originally Posted by bonehica

Question for the group: Why does Criterion (and some other boutique labels) always put their mono soundtracks into a 2.0 container? Why not just put them in 1.0 container? I always prefer my Center channel to handle mono instead of my F&R towers. In the end it isn't much of a big deal, I just have my AVR decode it (using Dolby Surround or DTS Neural) into a 1.0 anyways, but was curious as to why they do it like that.

I've never seen a Criterion with mono that wasn't in a 1.0 container.

[CRASHLANDING]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

my package just arrived and it's the same box. I have no idea what you all are talking about w/ these box complaints. the bottom of the box locks pretty well. nothing is moving in the box either as the 3 titles I ordered are held tightly in place by sealed air pouches.

for whatever it's worth, I have never had anything less than perfect digipacks when ordering from Criterion. for me, it's another reason to hold out for their sales because in my experience, it is a guarantee that I'll get items in perfect condition.

Wasn't really a complaint, more an observation. But definitely could have been opened pretty easily by someone with bad intent - I think putting a layer of tape on there would be prudent. Glad to hear there were still air pouches in your box that was less full than mine, and as I noted no complaints or issues with my delivery either. Historically I agree their packaging has been a great argument for buying direct.

[jkoffman]

Originally Posted by Sifox211

It’s in my order (along with four other titles) and hasn’t shipped yet - and I put my order in in the first two minutes of the sale! I wonder if it is like Indicator sales where everything goes out in reverse order?

Nah, that can’t be it. I completed an order in the first minute — received a $50 reward for it and it was still 12:00pm — and another a minute or so later and both shipped the next day. I didn’t order A Hard Days Night.

[JasonMichael]

Originally Posted by CRASHLANDING

Wasn't really a complaint, more an observation. But definitely could have been opened pretty easily by someone with bad intent - I think putting a layer of tape on there would be prudent.

I am pretty sure a layer of tape is not going to deter anyone with bad intent.
Sad to say.

[Jazzmonkie]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I think those who purchased more movies received their shipments quickly because UPS was used. I only purchased two movies and my order has not shipped.

I ordered 3 movies and they arrived Friday via USPS.

[Member-275053]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Actually, it sounds like you don't know what you're talking about. There has only been only been a handful of titles from Japan in the last few years. Boat People is not even a Japanese title, and I'm not sure if you're just trolling or simply don't know the difference between Asian cultures.

Japanese cinema is critical to cinema and it seemed like Criterion was fully aware of this at some point. A lot if not most of the Japanese titles that have been released by Criterion are DVD only at this point. There are a still a lot that need to be upgraded to Blu-ray and let alone the ones that don't have a DVD or even a Blu-ray release.

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

You're making assumptions there about what Neil meant by "overly diverse", then you're twisting statements such as "I’m pretty sure Japanese cinema is one of the favorite categories of Criterion fans" into straw men.

I took Neil's post to be a mild lament on Criterion casting a wider net nowadays which means less emphasis on Kurosawa and Japanese cinema.

I love when others step in to defend the thoughts and opinions of someone else.

Whether it's Blu-ray or DVD, the point still stands that there are 222 Japanese titles in the Criterion Collection. And for your information, 54 of those are Blu-rays including several high profile box sets like Godzilla: The Show-Era Films and Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman. I was wrong about Boat People. Don't patronize me. But I wasn't wrong about The Funeral. Or, the fact that After Life, Antonio Gaudi, Onibaba, Tokyo Olympiad, and the Godzilla: The Show-Era Films have all been released in the last two years. Which is certainly more than other countries, cultures and races have yet to see in the collection.

And I'm not making "assumptions" about anything, you are. I know exactly what he meant by his sneaky language and poorly veiled bigotry. Because first of all, Criterion can't be "overly diverse" when they just started making an effort to be more diverse and inclusive. And he is the one with the Asian fetish, not me.

WORLD CINEMA is critical to film history and it's about time that you and others in this forum realize that. No matter what your opinions of me may be.

Edit: Honestly, I don't know why I care what someone who joined in Feb 2021, with no avatar or Blu-ray collection thinks. He probably doesn't even buy more than one or two Criterions at a time anyway. The loudest voices usually don't.

[Nori]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Actually, it sounds like you don't know what you're talking about. There has only been only been a handful of titles from Japan in the last few years. Boat People is not even a Japanese title, and I'm not sure if you're just trolling or simply don't know the difference between Asian cultures.

Japanese cinema is critical to cinema and it seemed like Criterion was fully aware of this at some point. A lot if not most of the Japanese titles that have been released by Criterion are DVD only at this point. There are a still a lot that need to be upgraded to Blu-ray and let alone the ones that don't have a DVD or even a Blu-ray release.

My parents were friends with the previous owners of Criterion (they were a married couple (I know sounds like something a troll would come up with but in this case it’s true)), and they sold Criterion back around either 2017 or 2018. While the previous owner (the man) stayed a board member for a while I believe he’s left now, so it’s truly in new hands. I think the current owners aren’t as enamored with Japanese cinema as the previous ones were sadly. I too strongly wish they would return to being much more active at releasing Japanese films. Those are easily among my favorites in the Criterion library.

Personally I think the comment above by JWFORD is absurd and appears to be trying to bait people into having to defend “tastes” and “opinions”. Personally I’m all for Criterion expanding into cinema from all over the world but if I’m completely honest 95% of my purchases from them still come from the same 6 or 7 countries, namely and mostly US, UK, Japan, France, Italy, Germany, and Hong Kong. If all 195 countries of the world had Yojimbo or Seven Samurai level quality films I would gladly be buying such films, but sadly, in my opinion, not many do.

[Cremildo]

Originally Posted by Nori

if I’m completely honest 95% of my purchases from them still come from the same 6 or 7 countries, namely and mostly US, UK, Japan, France, Italy, Germany, and Hong Kong. If all 195 countries of the world had Yojimbo or Seven Samurai level quality films I would gladly be buying such films, but sadly, in my opinion, not many do.

But how can you know that when the filmography of so many countries is almost completely overlooked by boutique labels?

[Gacivory]

Originally Posted by Cremildo

But how can you know that when the filmography of so many countries is almost completely overlooked by boutique labels?

Was about to post the same thing!

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by Nori

If all 195 countries of the world had Yojimbo or Seven Samurai level quality films I would gladly be buying such films, but sadly, in my opinion, not many do.

What a daft thing to say.

[yoloswegmaster420]

Dear lord, some of you need to expand your horizions a bit and recognize that there are excellent films from countries outside of the Western Hemisphere/Japan.

[Mister_Kidd]

Welp, this is annoying packaging.