The Criterion Collection

[Rayjg]

Times are tough and they just laid off 20% of their staff. 30% is the new 50%, sad to say.

[dvining]

Originally Posted by Rayjg

Times are tough and they just laid off 20% of their staff. 30% is the new 50%, sad to say.

It's possible, but those 30% off sales are still pretty common.

I do wonder how much they sell directly from their website as opposed to some place like Amazon which seems to have decided that the appropriate selling point for many Criterion titles is just over $20 while Criterion keeps their prices about $12 more.

I'd imagine that their flash sales are the only time they move any significant volume in the year without needing to share anything with a retailer. To give that up would indicate a company in deep, deep trouble.

[Rayjg]

It's interesting too that they had all their titles removed from Target during the B1G1 50% off sale. Not sure if that was the first time. Plus they just had a 30% off sale. Have they ever done that right before a 50% off sale?

[NeilZ]

Originally Posted by amputd

There’s been a real drop off on Japanese titles the last few years. Arrow has cut back too. I’m not sure what the solution is but classic Japanese cinema does feel neglected recently.

I agree. It's a real shame. There's a huge lack of Japanese movies at the moment on the calendars.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by NeilZ

I agree. It's a real shame. There's a huge lack of Japanese movies at the moment on the calendars.

Yeah, it is a bit frustrating. We do get a title here and there, but overall if it's not a Toei title, things aren't looking good. Arrow was on a role for years with their Japanese titles, but have slimmed down considerably. Criterion is an even worse offender with how they use to release Japanese titles. Now, we are lucky if we get 1-2 brand new to HD titles a year.

Thankfully others labels are releasing things here and there. We got a decent amount of Toei titles in the last 5 months thanks to Shout, Radiance, Discotek, and a few more coming from other labels. Still, Japanese cinema is vast and would some titles from Toho, Kadokawa, and Shochiku get some releases.

[Dailyan]

[themp3000]

If I had a dollar for every time the subject comes up…

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by themp3000

If I had a dollar for every time the subject comes up…

Well, I think it's safe to say you would be able to buy a few Japanese releases for sure. However, I also think it's safe to say this topic is probably going to be popping up more frequently as the frustration levels rise.

[MifuneFan]

Not to add fuel to the fire, but Heroic Trio / Executioners will now be getting a 4K release in France in June:

https://www.amazon.fr/executioners-2...ps%2C98&sr=8-1

Thread: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=360017 (credit TheBondFan)

If/when Criterion does announce this, I'll be surprised if it's a 4K release.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Not to add fuel to the fire, but Heroic Trio / Executioners will now be getting a 4K release in France in June:

https://www.amazon.fr/executioners-2...ps%2C98&sr=8-1

Thread: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=360017 (credit TheBondFan)

If/when Criterion does announce this, I'll be surprised if it's a 4K release.

With how much Criterion has been pushing Michelle Yeoh and these films, maybe there is a chance they will release these in 4K. Either way, I'm crossing my fingers these come out in June.

[Nori]

I've been wanting more Japanese movies for a while too.

Feels like there's a near complete and prolonged draught when it concerns Japanese movies made pre 1990. We get a couple here and there but that's it.

What about all those classic directors like Kurosawa, Mizoguchi, Ichikawa, Inagaki, Kobayashi? For Kobayashi I'd hope they'd at least release Samurai Rebellion. The other 4 have lots of important titles missing in English regions, and that's only to name a few major directors.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Nori

I've been wanting more Japanese movies for a while too.

Feels like there's a near complete and prolonged draught when it concerns Japanese movies made pre 1990. We get a couple here and there but that's it.

What about all those classic directors like Mizoguchi, Kurosawa, Ichikawa, Inagaki, Kobayashi? For Kobayashi I'd hope they'd at least release Samurai Rebellion. The other 4 have lots of important titles missing in English regions.

Yeah, there is a clear demand for more Japanese titles from Criterion. I understand some cases they don't have the HD elements or only have streaming rights, but there are cases where they have both. As it was mentioned by NeilZ, it would be nice to have some sort of sub label or something from Criterion like the Eclipse line. Even if they released 1 Japanese title a month it would take near a lifetime to go get through all the titles Criterion has acquired.

I am surprised that Samurai Rebellion hasn't gotten a release, but also surprised Criterion hasn't released a Kurosawa film since 2016. Let that sink in, 2016. That's insane for a lack of a better word.

Criterion is partially responsible for introducing me to Japanese cinema and remember when I was much younger being truly excited every month when a new Japanese title was released by them on DVD. I miss those days.

[Nori]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Yeah, there is a clear demand for more Japanese titles from Criterion. I understand some cases they don't have the HD elements or only have streaming rights, but there are cases where they have both. As it was mentioned by NeilZ, it would be nice to have some sort of sub label or something from Criterion like the Eclipse line. Even if they released 1 Japanese title a month it would take near a lifetime to go get through all the titles Criterion has acquired.

I am surprised that Samurai Rebellion hasn't gotten a release, but also surprised Criterion hasn't released a Kurosawa film since 2016. Let that sink in, 2016. That's insane for a lack of a better word.

Criterion is partially responsible for introducing me to Japanese cinema and remember when I was much younger being truly excited every month when a new Japanese title was released by them on DVD. I miss those days.

Me too!

I can think of a ton of Kurosawa movies that have yet to be released so a 7 year drought is just insane. Just to name some of the big ones: Drunken Angel, Stray Dog, Bad Sleep Well, Red Beard etc. Beyond these even his lesser known films are still big enough that they shouldn't be left to dry imo.

I would absolutely love a new line dedicated to Japanese Cinema. Those DVD Eclipse releases were phenomenal. I still have a lot of them. I wish they'd upgrade them to blu ray!

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Nori

Me too!

Drunken Angel, Stray Dog, Bad Sleep Well, Red Beard etc. Beyond these even his lesser known films are still big enough that they shouldn't be left to dry imo.

!

Most of these have decent HD scans too. Not phenomenal, but competent and would be upgrades over the DVD's. A lot of people have assumed that the reason there hasn't been a Kurosawa release in so long is because a boxset is being worked on, but at this point, who knows for sure. I really want The Bad Sleep Well the most, then Drunken Angel, then Stray Dog, then...

[WillieMLF]

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

[Rayjg]

Originally Posted by Dailyan

Poor Pokey

[bonehica]

Originally Posted by Rayjg

Poor Pokey

Stormtroopers...couldn't hit the broad side of a barn standing next to it. He'll be fine.

[jshaide]

Holy smokes, many of you are all really quite negative without any direct evidence. It's the 7th of the month there is usually a flash sale, it's not like it's mid-May or something and weeks and weeks have passed. Give it a few beats.

[Gacivory]

Originally Posted by jshaide

Holy smokes, many of you are all really quite negative without any direct evidence. It's the 7th of the month there is usually a flash sale, it's not like it's mid-May or something and weeks and weeks have passed. Give it a few beats.

So you’re saying that all 50% off sales are gone and never coming back until people stop complaining about the lack of Japanese movies being released?

Welp you heard it here first!

[jshaide]

Originally Posted by Gacivory

So you’re saying that all 50% off sales are gone and never coming back until people stop complaining about the lack of Japanese movies being released?

Welp you heard it here first!

50 percent off sales are canceled til the Kurosawa box.