The Criterion Collection

[Member-682067]

Originally Posted by CRASHLANDING

I think you're reading too much into those discussions with the KLI. Sure, there are situations where deals can't be reached, but those are more the exception than the rule - the boutique labels (especially Kino) are still putting out tons of content.

I also think it's overstating a bit to say sales of physical media are "plummeting" - that decline has been happening gradually for years now, it's nothing new at this point. But not every decline ends with extinction. Many expect the industry to settle into something like vinyl, aimed more at collectors and die-hard fans than the general public. And I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing.

To get this back on track, I think the recent offerings from Criterion support the argument that there's still plenty of great content available to be released. ;)

I agree, I can be a little bit overzealous at times

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by TV2693

Since you and the other two posters present evidence to the contrary, I'm inclining towards thinking that the article I read was crap.

Regardless of which type of discs account for total sales, the thing to take away from all of the sources is that disc sales in general are plummeting.

Times are changing.

They've been changing for years, people just haven't wanted to admit it. Hence all but 1 North American replication plant closing down, which is why there's been a bottleneck and QC issues at the 1 plant left in Mexico.

[Member-682067]

Originally Posted by Bates_Motel

They've been changing for years, people just haven't wanted to admit it. Hence all but 1 North American replication plant closing down, which is why there's been a bottleneck and QC issues at the 1 plant left in Mexico.

Interesting. How does the replication plant prioritize jobs or orders?

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by TV2693

Interesting. How does the replication plant prioritize jobs or orders?

There's a queue and studios get in line. Which is why, say, Arrow had to drop the Dune documentary because it wouldn't be ready in time, but they couldn't miss their place in the queue to postpone getting the discs replicated. Obviously, stuff gets postponed from time to time, but it all depends on the reason and if it's worth it.

[pikachufan1336]

Anyone know what the likelihood of Ozu and/or Lubitsch films getting a blu ray upgrade?

Like Tokyo Twilight or Trouble in Paradise? I feel like it's been a long time since those directors have had blu ray releases.

[captainsolo]

I just picked up two releases at Barnes and Noble. I opened both to find floater discs and different issues on each. For Double Indemnity the booklet is totally wrinkled as if it had gotten wet at some point. On Shaft the UHD has a hairline scratch almost from the edge to the center and the Blu-ray has a good number of small hairlines with a cluster at the edge.

I don’t like to complain but this is a bit frustrating especially since UHDs can have issues due to scratches. I also think the hubs on these multi disc cases they’re using for the UHD combos don’t do as good of a job at securing the discs. I checked copies for floater discs at the store and they didn’t seem loose. Once you open them they’re slightly loose and then come out once the case is opened.

I’ve only had to contact Criterion once before and they nicely sent me a 2 disc scanovo when my purchased copy in another qc issue weirdly had two discs in a single Scanovo. Are they pretty good about dealing with scratched discs and booklet damage?

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by captainsolo

I’ve only had to contact Criterion once before and they nicely sent me a 2 disc scanovo when my purchased copy in another qc issue weirdly had two discs in a single Scanovo. Are they pretty good about dealing with scratched discs and booklet damage?

I think they'll take care of you with this one. I've never read an account of someone being told 'no'. Criterion has gone as far as replacing rotted Out of Print blu-rays for overseas customers.

[mande2013]

They'd probably want confirmation the scratches are causing playback issues before providing a replacement though.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by mande2013

They'd probably want confirmation the scratches are causing playback issues before providing a replacement though.

Yes and Criterion will likely suggest updating the blu-ray or UHD player and trying the disc on another device.

[pd89]

I love buying criterion's now. I am now guaranteed to have a scratched disc....Every 4k disc I've purchased has had some sort of blemish. It's beyond annoying....

Raging Bull 4k Disc


The Virgin Suicides 4k Disc

[Rayjg]

Originally Posted by pd89

I love buying criterion's now. I am now guaranteed to have a scratched disc....Every 4k disc I've purchased has had some sort of blemish. It's beyond annoying....

Raging Bull 4k Disc


The Virgin Suicides 4k Disc

Dang, I think it’s a machine issue. I wonder if the scratches are on the same spot for every disc?

[pd89]

I’m going to watch these now to check. Criterion is really good are replacing them, however, I’ve also received scratched replacements from them. I think it’s the factory honestly…

[Rayjg]

Originally Posted by pd89

I’m going to watch these now to check. Criterion is really good are replacing them, however, I’ve also received scratched replacements from them. I think it’s the factory honestly…

Someone in that factory must really hate their job.

[NeilZ]

Originally Posted by pd89

I love buying criterion's now. I am now guaranteed to have a scratched disc....Every 4k disc I've purchased has had some sort of blemish. It's beyond annoying....

Raging Bull 4k Disc

[Show spoiler]

The Virgin Suicides 4k Disc

[Show spoiler]

Was playback affected though? I see this quite frequently but never had an issue. I wrote this in some other thread but the few times I did have playback issues the disc were completely and absolutely pristine mint. Criterion is pretty good at getting out replacements for discs with playback issues fortunately.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by pd89

I love buying criterion's now. I am now guaranteed to have a scratched disc....Every 4k disc I've purchased has had some sort of blemish. It's beyond annoying....

Raging Bull 4k Disc

[Show spoiler]

The Virgin Suicides 4k Disc

[Show spoiler]

Do scratches like these in general affect 4K blu-rays? I have held off on buying any new Criterions in the past year, especially the UHD ones, due to these escalating reports of quality control issues on the manufacturing end. I remember when second editions of some titles came out to replace the bronzing discs, so I am most likely going to wait until a second run of these 4K UHD blu-rays are released before I start "investing" in them (even though I shouldn't call these investments, since all physical media depreciates over time - well, except Vinyl records).

[Citizen K]

My Devil in a Blue Dress 4K had scratches similar to that of the Raging Bull as pictured above, but only a few. Watched the film twice now and didn't have any playback issues whatsoever.

Other more recent Criterion UHD's that I've had such as Double Indemnity, The Virgin Suicides, Shaft or anything prior haven't had a mark on them. I guess I've been lucky.

Haven't got my Raging Bull yet.

[pd89]

Originally Posted by jw007

[/SPOILER]

Do scratches like these in general affect 4K blu-rays? I have held off on buying any new Criterions in the past year, especially the UHD ones, due to these escalating reports of quality control issues on the manufacturing end. I remember when second editions of some titles came out to replace the bronzing discs, so I am most likely going to wait until a second run of these 4K UHD blu-rays are released before I start "investing" in them (even though I shouldn't call these investments, since all physical media depreciates over time - well, except Vinyl records).

Well, OOP films tend to hold really good value.

[concolt]

My Raging Bull disc had what looked like scratches but they wiped off.

[FaGiO]

Originally Posted by madmojo

Criterion should really release Les Amities Particulieres sometime down the road. It's out of print, it's a great movie, and is getting more and more well known every day. I'm sure they wouldn't have problems with the subject matter... I mean, it's controversial, but it's not Salo or anything.

Anyone else seen the movie?

I'm totally in! This movie deserves a restoration and a new release, and one from Criterion would be fantastic!

Come on!

[pd89]

Originally Posted by NeilZ

[/SPOILER]

Was playback affected though? I see this quite frequently but never had an issue. I wrote this in some other thread but the few times I did have playback issues the disc were completely and absolutely pristine mint. Criterion is pretty good at getting out replacements for discs with playback issues fortunately.

I did have some skipping issues with one player, will confirm with another later today before possibly exchanging it