The Criterion Collection

[jw007]

Originally Posted by dvining

There's also being more mercenary about which streaming services you subscribe to and for how long. One month on Netflix: watch everything, drop it. One month on HBO Max: watch everything, drop it. One month with Prime: watch everything, drop it.

Just go in a cycle, one at a time.

I think of all the paid streaming platforms, HBO Max is the most valuable one for me. Not just because of one series I love (Succession), but all the Criterion movies on there. Since I have an annual Prime membership, for me its worth it for me since I get the Prime Video included with that. As for Netflix, my friend pays for that monthly and he gave me the password so I can log in and watch anytime with my own profile. Apple TV+ is pretty cheap ($7 a month), so I don't mind that one. The big conundrum is Hulu + Live TV though, as that adds up. But I love my local news and network television. I could always just get an HD antenna though. Oh well!

[flyry]

Originally Posted by exzachary

They can't just release whatever they want. Licensing plays a large part in this. City of God is a big title for Lionsgate, which is why they released it themselves. Nine Queens is with Disney, which doesn't license stuff out.

I realize that just making a point. Since I was basically being called out for not buying some obscure box sets

[lemonski]

Originally Posted by exzachary

They can't just release whatever they want. Licensing plays a large part in this. City of God is a big title for Lionsgate, which is why they released it themselves. Nine Queens is with Disney, which doesn't license stuff out.

Nine Queens is still listed under the Sony Pictures Classics web site, and the US DVD distributor is listed as Columbia TriStar.

[mande2013]

Originally Posted by jw007

I think of all the paid streaming platforms, HBO Max is the most valuable one for me. Not just because of one series I love (Succession), but all the Criterion movies on there. Since I have an annual Prime membership, for me its worth it for me since I get the Prime Video included with that. As for Netflix, my friend pays for that monthly and he gave me the password so I can log in and watch anytime with my own profile. Apple TV+ is pretty cheap ($7 a month), so I don't mind that one. The big conundrum is Hulu + Live TV though, as that adds up. But I love my local news and network television. I could always just get an HD antenna though. Oh well!

HBOMax only seems to have the "established" Janus titles though from Fellini, Bergman, Truffaut, etc. The Criterion Channel is valuable for the rare gems that pop up, such as an unreleased Manoel de Oliveira film or Tsai Ming Liang's Vive L'Amour or even say a string of Raoul Walsh films. HBOMax doesn't really offer that.

[exzachary]

Originally Posted by lemonski

Nine Queens is still listed under the Sony Pictures Classics web site, and the US DVD distributor is listed as Columbia TriStar.

My mistake, Buena Vista (Disney) distributed it theatrically in Argentina.

[lemonski]

Originally Posted by exzachary

My mistake, Buena Vista (Disney) distributed it theatrically in Argentina.

No worries. I guess the point is Criterion managed to get the streaming rights to it, so (barring Sony refusing licensing it out for physical media) wouldn't they be better off leveraging more "mainstream" world cinema titles like it to support further releases from those countries, rather than dumping a relatively obscure offering (like La Ciénaga) onto the market up front and letting everything sink to the bottom along with it?

[koberulz]

Nine Queens is not on the Criterion Channel, so this whole discussion is starting from a false premise anyway.

[jshaide]

Been on a Wenders thing lately both through a class I'm teaching and a desire to fill in my gaps, and I'm wondering if Criterion is finished with his output.

Goalie's Anxiety is an obvious glaring omission from the tour/it's still on the channel. But I'm curious what happened with The State of Things. It's a Janus film, but is not on the channel and a physical release is curious. It could just be Criterion being Criterion and taking their sweet time on a director's output they have, but I wonder if the Wenders bender is over.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by mande2013

HBOMax only seems to have the "established" Janus titles though from Fellini, Bergman, Truffaut, etc. The Criterion Channel is valuable for the rare gems that pop up, such as an unreleased Manoel de Oliveira film or Tsai Ming Liang's Vive L'Amour or even say a string of Raoul Walsh films. HBOMax doesn't really offer that.

I estimate there are over 300 Criterion films on HBO Max which makes it perfect for the "try before you buy" method. As koberulz said, you use streaming services to watch a movie to see if you like it before you buy it on blu-ray. There are definitely Criterion movies you can't find on HBO Max though, such as Fish Tank or Naked.

[blujazz]

Quick question: If the Criterion website says "Currently Unavailable", it is different from being OOP, correct?

[sabdo]

Originally Posted by blujazz

Quick question: If the Criterion website says "Currently Unavailable", it is different from being OOP, correct?

Yes, this would typically be a title that's still in print but currently in between press runs. Usually no way of telling when a title like this will be back in stock, though.

[mande2013]

Originally Posted by jw007

I estimate there are over 300 Criterion films on HBO Max which makes it perfect for the "try before you buy" method. As koberulz said, you use streaming services to watch a movie to see if you like it before you buy it on blu-ray. There are definitely Criterion movies you can't find on HBO Max though, such as Fish Tank or Naked.

True, although I'll admit I personally tend to only buy "desert island" stuff on disc. That's just me though, and between hideous import fees and the shenanigans at the Mexican plant I'm very picky about what I'll actually import from North America. There are instances where I'd be okay with a slightly lesser European UHD release of a film to avoid the Mexican plant issues. Spending around $35 to import a standalone 1080p Criterion when they're listed at $19.99 on Amazon? No thanks. I'll just wait for a French or UK disc I can have for max $20 or so.

[Bradsdadg]

Originally Posted by blujazz

Quick question: If the Criterion website says "Currently Unavailable", it is different from being OOP, correct?

You would think so, though I'm not sure what goes into it. I've been watching Les Enfants Terribles for what seems like years now~and it's always been unavailable. I don't know if they just forgot to update the listing or what...

[Rayjg]

Criterion's website went out of print

[edmoney]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

La Cienaga did not sell well at all, nor have others I listed like Memories of Underdevelopment,

Is there a way to tell how well Criterion titles sell (as well as titles from other labels)? I've long wondered this.

[DukeTogo84]

So....Studio Canal is releasing The Three Musketeers and The Four Musketeers in France on April, so I hope these means the Criterion release is happening soon after. They have held these two for what seems like a lifetime, so I hope they finally do something with them.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by mande2013

True, although I'll admit I personally tend to only buy "desert island" stuff on disc. That's just me though, and between hideous import fees and the shenanigans at the Mexican plant I'm very picky about what I'll actually import from North America. There are instances where I'd be okay with a slightly lesser European UHD release of a film to avoid the Mexican plant issues. Spending around $35 to import a standalone 1080p Criterion when they're listed at $19.99 on Amazon? No thanks. I'll just wait for a French or UK disc I can have for max $20 or so.

As you're overseas, I would feel the same way about buying imported Criterion blu-rays (unless you have a U.S. friend who can buy them during 50% off sales and ship them to you).

I'd still like to know what the story is behind the Mexican plant issues. Has this been rectified yet? I haven't bought any Criterion blu-rays in just over 2 years, so I'm wondering if I should wait to see if these problems will cease to exist someday.

[WillieMLF]

I seriously think we should just change the name of this thread to, WHAAA! Why Doesn't Criterion Release The Movies That I Want? This should be read in the whiniest voice possible for effect.

[jedidarrick]

Originally Posted by WillieMLF

I seriously think we should just change the name of this thread to, WHAAA! Why Doesn't Criterion Release The Movies That I Want? This should be read in the whiniest voice possible for effect.

All posts to be read in Linkara's Superboy Prime voice.

[DukeTogo84]

With all the nominations today I hope Criterion picks All Quiet On the Western Front. That was a good one.