The Criterion Collection

[GenPion]

Originally Posted by jw007

Having seen my second total Eclipse earlier this week, I find it ironic that the Eclipse sets were being discussed over the last few days. I miss those and I wish Criterion would restart that series up with new blu-ray releases.

Eclipse Blu-ray sets is actually a great idea. I woudn't say no to that, either!

[jshaide]

Was the Shimizu unavailable the entire Eclipse sale or is that a recent occurrence? Naturally the eBay prices are reflecting this

[joshinminn]

Originally Posted by GenPion

Eclipse Blu-ray sets is actually a great idea. I woudn't say no to that, either!

They should start the series over on Blu-ray and release one a month. I bet they’d sell a ton to folks who would get every one.

[Martin_31]

I have three eclipse sets. Love the Japanese horror/sf one.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by Sommerswerd

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_ZBeZ_C0v8

Wow, did she just pick up 5 boxsets from the closet? Now that's mileage

[bonehica]

Originally Posted by Sommerswerd

[Show spoiler]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_ZBeZ_C0v8

My favorite part was when she grabbed A Face in the Crowd, saw that is was the DVD, and immediately put it back in favor of the Blu-ray.

[mmarczi]

Originally Posted by jw007

Having seen my second total Eclipse earlier this week, I find it ironic that the Eclipse sets were being discussed over the last few days. I miss those and I wish Criterion would restart that series up with new blu-ray releases.

Originally Posted by GenPion

Eclipse Blu-ray sets is actually a great idea. I woudn't say no to that, either!

Originally Posted by joshinminn

They should start the series over on Blu-ray and release one a month. I bet they’d sell a ton to folks who would get every one.

I think the problem is in many cases the films in question don't even have HD restorations, let alone clean ones. The whole premise of the line was to get some of their holdings on disc without the investment just to make them available on physical media and make a little money off of it with as little expense as possible. Hence the Spartan packaging, presentation, and supplements (e.g. just short written texts with nothing on-disc).

Originally Posted by bonehica

My favorite part was when she grabbed A Face in the Crowd, saw that is was the DVD, and immediately put it back in favor of the Blu-ray.

I have to admit, it pains me just a tiny bit every time I see someone grab the DVD. But I feel like at least sometimes they do tell them. I recall occasionally seeing a person in the closet holding a DVD and then later after a cut they actually have the Blu-Ray. Some people just don't think along those lines and can use a reminder that there's a better format.

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by joshinminn

They should start the series over on Blu-ray and release one a month. I bet they’d sell a ton to folks who would get every one.

I know I would pick up the Nikkatsu Noir set if Criterion still has the BD rights to the films. No need to add a bunch of extras, but just a budget friendly release and to get the films out there.

[Jaymole]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Wow, did she just pick up 5 boxsets from the closet? Now that's mileage

It was quite a haul.

If Criterion suddenly raises their prices this year, we can all blame Molly

[jw007]

Originally Posted by mmarczi

I think the problem is in many cases the films in question don't even have HD restorations, let alone clean ones. The whole premise of the line was to get some of their holdings on disc without the investment just to make them available on physical media and make a little money off of it with as little expense as possible. Hence the Spartan packaging, presentation, and supplements (e.g. just short written texts with nothing on-disc).

I loved the minimalism of the Eclipse sets though. How often do we go back and re-watch the supplements? Rarely in my opinion. I'm okay with just the films (even if they're not restored) as single presentations. More films are a plus in my view. But I guess the Criterion line has its high standards of quality, so in some ways I see this not happening again, especially due to the costs of blu-ray manufacturing for a series that isn't going to sell well. A collector can dream though!

[mmarczi]

Originally Posted by jw007

I loved the minimalism of the Eclipse sets though. How often do we go back and re-watch the supplements? Rarely in my opinion. I'm okay with just the films (even if they're not restored) as single presentations. More films are a plus in my view. But I guess the Criterion line has its high standards of quality, so in some ways I see this not happening again, especially due to the costs of blu-ray manufacturing for a series that isn't going to sell well. A collector can dream though!

Yeah, the main issue is manifold: the cost of printing Blu-Rays over DVDs, which would raise the cost of the sets, and whether the films even have masters that it makes sense to put on Blu-Ray discs.

Then there's the saleability of DVDs, which for some titles they've stopped issuing altogether. The DVD market continues to dwindle. Earlier in this thread I only just recently did a turnaround and decided that I do after all want to pick up more Eclipse sets rather than just rely on streaming. I already own about a dozen but I stopped buying the years ago, figuring I can just watch them on the Criterion Channel.

It seems abundantly clear at this point that they have no intentions of reviving the Eclipse line, which is lamentable, but I imagine they'll upgrade a few choice titles still.

And honestly, things like the Bo Widerberg and Mai Zetterling, Marlon Riggs and Albert Lamorisse, even the Michael Haneke trilogy, feel like things that once upon a time they would have released as an Eclipse set. If they keep putting out small collections like this (there's an Ousmane Sembene set coming up). If they keep up with releases like that, it seems like a tolerable compromise, especially given that the alternative is nothing (or at least stuck on streaming).

Of course, I perpetually hope for a Blu-Ray upgrade of the Late Ozu Eclipse set, which more than anything else in that line deserves much better.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by mmarczi

Yeah, the main issue is manifold: the cost of printing Blu-Rays over DVDs, which would raise the cost of the sets, and whether the films even have masters that it makes sense to put on Blu-Ray discs.

Then there's the saleability of DVDs, which for some titles they've stopped issuing altogether. The DVD market continues to dwindle. Earlier in this thread I only just recently did a turnaround and decided that I do after all want to pick up more Eclipse sets rather than just rely on streaming. I already own about a dozen but I stopped buying the years ago, figuring I can just watch them on the Criterion Channel.

It seems abundantly clear at this point that they have no intentions of reviving the Eclipse line, which is lamentable, but I imagine they'll upgrade a few choice titles still.

And honestly, things like the Bo Widerberg and Mai Zetterling, Marlon Riggs and Albert Lamorisse, even the Michael Haneke trilogy, feel like things that once upon a time they would have released as an Eclipse set. If they keep putting out small collections like this (there's an Ousmane Sembene set coming up). If they keep up with releases like that, it seems like a tolerable compromise, especially given that the alternative is nothing (or at least stuck on streaming).

Of course, I perpetually hope for a Blu-Ray upgrade of the Late Ozu Eclipse set, which more than anything else in that line deserves much better.

Thanks for that great explanation that goes into more depth about the Eclipse line. I guess it was just a creature of its time. Just like disco had its heyday, so did Criterion Eclipse DVD sets, when libraries and universities were buying them in droves for their film studies programs. But now with everything streaming and on the Criterion Channel, that ship has sailed. Consumer behavior changes along with technology, so there's no putting the genie back in the bottle.

[DimitriL]

Originally Posted by bonehica

My favorite part was when she grabbed A Face in the Crowd, saw that is was the DVD, and immediately put it back in favor of the Blu-ray.

Oh bless her. I get twitchy when I see people in the closet picking up BDs, then pick up a DVD that's available in 4k or BD and just put it in their tote anyway.

[regeyer]

Originally Posted by Jaymole

It was quite a haul.

If Criterion suddenly raises their prices this year, we can all blame Molly

If I'm ever invited to Criterion, and allowed to make selections from the closet, I'm showing up with a handcart and 3 or 4 totes.

I'm not leaving empty handed.

[Scottie]

[BenOswald]

I noticed Powell/Pressburger's The Small Back Room (1949) also called "Hour of Glory" is playing at the TCM Film Festival next week.

https://filmfestival.tcm.com/program...all-back-room/

Sounds like a new restoration?

"U.S. premiere restoration supported by The Film Foundation and courtesy of Rialto Pictures."

Maybe Criterion will release a blu ray in 2029? lol

[Gacivory]

Originally Posted by BenOswald

I noticed Powell/Pressburger's The Small Back Room (1949) also called "Hour of Glory" is playing at the TCM Film Festival next week.

https://filmfestival.tcm.com/program...all-back-room/

Sounds like a new restoration?

"U.S. premiere restoration supported by The Film Foundation and courtesy of Rialto Pictures."

Maybe Criterion will release a blu ray in 2029? lol

Region Free people can Preorder the UK release now.

[BenOswald]

Originally Posted by Gacivory

Region Free people can Preorder the UK release now.

Thanks G. Looks like a good release that will tide me over until Criterion drops it in 2034

[Shane Rollins]

Originally Posted by BenOswald

Thanks G. Looks like a good release that will tide me over until Criterion drops it in 4034

Fixed that for you.

[Shane Rollins]

Any predictions/hopes for Monday?

I’m thinking we’re getting something British, probably not P&P though. I’m actually thinking we might get something from Japan too, but I’m not as sure as I am about the British one.

In terms of what I’d like to see, my most wanted Criterions are:

-The Devils 4K (probably won’t ever happen)
-Pat Garrett And Billy The Kid 4K
-The Alamo 4K
-Hawaii 4K
-The Greatest Story Ever Told 4K
-West Side Story 4K
-Doctor Zhivago 4K
-Greed
-The Magnificent Ambersons 4K (with all special features from the laserdisc)
-More Kubrick, Scorsese, P&P, Kurosawa, and Ozu
-Twin Peaks and all Lynch on 4K (if they do one TV show, it will be Twin Peaks)
-King Kong 4K
-Brazil 4K
-Boogie Nights 4K
-One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest 4K
-Amadeus 4K
-The Unbearable Lightness Of Being 4K
-Star 80
-Risky Business 4K
-Ferris Bueller or PTA with all surviving deleted scenes
-Cruising 4K (original theatrical cut at least, rough cut if possible)
-Something by either Mann, Cameron or Lucas that finally gets a normal release on disc

...just to name a few. I’d be shocked if even one of my list gets picked this month.