The Criterion Collection

[GenPion]

Another box-set idea (themed around the Criterion Closet): Criterion could sell limited edition boxes (box only, no other books/accessories added) with customers being able to pick a selection of movies - perhaps 10 films - that go in the box (standard cases with booklets inserted into the boxes).

Just an idea.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by saltburn

The original camera negative would have the color though, right? Would you not need to restore the color version before you created the black and white version? (not familiar with how camera negative colors work)

don't know if the version on the channel is the restoration, but it definitely looks a heck of a lot better/sharper than my old dvd. I really hope they don't do something stupid like only release a black and white version on disc.

Yeah, it was filmed in color, so I'm sure that negative was scanned in 4K, and then the B&W version done digitally from there. The B&W version will be the main version though based on how Janus are marketing this. I could see Criterion putting that on a 4K disc, and perhaps the color version on Blu-ray. It would be a shame if the color version is omitted entirely.

edit: I haven't watched it yet, but here's the Q&A with Schnabel from Sag Harbor Cinema that screened after the B&W presentation of Basquiat on August 8th:

BASQUIAT Q&A with Julian Schnabel || Sag Harbor Cinema - YouTube

[White Dang]

Originally Posted by Doc Moonlight

I kind of wonder how the existence of this set will affect future closet picks. Will future closet pickers put the 40th Anniversary collection in their bag, and then proceed to pick others.

I personally love the idea of rich film workers getting free criterions. If they liked the movie they probably own it already. So amusing.

[jw007]

Personally I think the best idea would be giving each person who buys this set a free voucher for a visit to the closet to grab ONE title of their choosing for 40 cents (40 cents in honor of 40 years).

Not only do collectors and fans have a chance to visit the Criterion HQ, but you get one helluva bargain on ANY regularly priced $39.95 Criterion title for 40 cents. Plus Criterion makes a few cents on the side.

Just my 2 cents.

[GaragePoet]

Originally Posted by White Dang

I personally love the idea of rich film workers getting free criterions. If they liked the movie they probably own it already. So amusing.

rich people & celebrities get a LOT of things for free. once you have money, everyone wants to give you stuff

[bergman864]

Is Criterion buying plane tickets for everyone to travel to the Criterion Closet?

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by jw007

Personally I think the best idea would be giving each person who buys this set a free voucher for a visit to the closet to grab ONE title of their choosing for 40 cents (40 cents in honor of 40 years).

Not only do collectors and fans have a chance to visit the Criterion HQ, but you get one helluva bargain on ANY regularly priced $39.95 Criterion title for 40 cents. Plus Criterion makes a few cents on the side.

Just my 2 cents.

[Colonel Blimp]

I'm sure I'm not the only one that did the dollar-cost-average on the CC40 set based on movies that one already owns and movies that one actively wants.

Of the 40, I already have five, and I am interested in about six.

Now, obviously I would watch the remaining 29, but there are plenty of other movies that are higher on my personal priority.

It's a decent deal at $400 - assuming that discount is available. It works out to between $11 and $13 a movie depending on the math of 29 or 34 movies. But it is still spending $400 to get movies that a person might/might not be ambivalent about, so it's not pocket change.

I liked the idea of being able to create a personal CC40 - like the price would be the same, you'd commit to spending $400-800, but you could choose the 40 movies yourself. I know that's a pipe dream, but it's certainly doable.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by White Dang

I personally love the idea of rich film workers getting free criterions. If they liked the movie they probably own it already. So amusing.

Wow, people jealous and upset over folks that contributed to the art of movie-making getting some movies. The closet is really more an informal recommendation portal for fans who get hints about films / directors they may have not heard of, or be on the fence about. Enjoy it for what it is.

[MifuneFan]

For me, the personal insights, and anecdotes that some closet visitors provide are my favorite aspects of the vids. i've only watched a fraction of them,but some of my favorites are from William Friedkin, Hideo Kojima, Willem Dafoe, Patton Oswalt, Udo Kier, and Charlie Day. I think if you're mainly focusing on celebrities getting free movies then you're missing the point entirely.

[White Dang]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Wow, people jealous and upset over folks that contributed to the art of movie-making getting some movies.

You're good at projecting. Maybe a hidden talent, keep working on it.

[DukeTogo84]

Does anyone know if any of the Hideo Gosha titles that Criterion has have had 4K remasters? I'm thinking Criterion is focusing more on releasing films with a least a 4K master now and if any of these have them, I feel more inclined to e-mail them about it.

The films are

Sword of the Beast
Bandits Vs Samurai Squadron
Hunter in the Dark
Oar
Death Shadows
Heat Wave
Oil Hell Murder

It seems difficult to find out what Shochiku is remastering, but they recently remastered Gosha's Cash Calls Hell, so that makes me think they are remastering his films.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

For me, the personal insights, and anecdotes that some closet visitors provide are my favorite aspects of the vids. i've only watched a fraction of them,but some of my favorites are from William Friedkin, Hideo Kojima, Willem Dafoe, Patton Oswalt, Udo Kier, and Charlie Day. I think if you're mainly focusing on celebrities getting free movies then you're missing the point entirely.

At this point, there should be a feature-length narrative film made about the Criterion Closet.

I'd make it a horror film of course.

Let's say Tim Burton or David Lynch directs it.

"Once you walk into the closet, you never leave again."

That's the tagline for the movie poster.

Much like the Tardis in Dr. Who, the Criterion Closet has a life of its own. It acts as not only a time machine, but an inter-dimensional wormhole where unsuspecting film aficionados get sucked into an alternate universe. And what universe will they enter? Whatever is on their mind. If they're thinking of a certain film, they'll "enter" it merely by touching the blu-ray or DVD case. There, they will live the rest of their existence in their favorite movie, never to be heard from again! Muahahahaha.

The Criterion Closet

Starring Willem Dafoe and Mia Goth

[Shanghai Express]

Do any of the celebs in the closet videos ever say “I actually already own all the Criterions I want because I keep up with announcements/am not a cheap bastard/actually love movies as much as I say I do and so collect physical media/am here to talk about the movies anyway” or does everyone take?

[White Dang]

Originally Posted by Shanghai Express

Do any of the celebs in the closet videos ever say “I actually already own all the Criterions I want because I keep up with announcements/am not a cheap bastard/actually love movies as much as I say I do and so collect physical media/am here to talk about the movies anyway” or does everyone take?

Yeah that's part of what I don't get. I know there are several industry workers who are film buffs and actually have a nice film library, but then it seems there are others who either don't watch films or don't care to own anything physical. If I went in there, for example, I would be pointing out what I like (but already own) or taking them as gifts. Maybe they're instructed to take them simply for the clip. When they pick up a film it seems like that's the first time they saw that it had a release lol, like "oh cool there's a Blu-ray release of this film I've never owned"

This is way more than I thought I would talk about on this subject ha. But yes, I need to focus more on the other aspects,

[dwk]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Does anyone know if any of the Hideo Gosha titles that Criterion has have had 4K remasters? I'm thinking Criterion is focusing more on releasing films with a least a 4K master now and if any of these have them, I feel more inclined to e-mail them about it.

The films are

Sword of the Beast
Bandits Vs Samurai Squadron
Hunter in the Dark
Oar
Death Shadows
Heat Wave
Oil Hell Murder

It seems difficult to find out what Shochiku is remastering, but they recently remastered Gosha's Cash Calls Hell, so that makes me think they are remastering his films.

I think if they had new remasters for some of those, Janus would do some theatrical screenings. Might be useful to pay attention to schedules for places like Film Forum and other arthouse theaters.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by dwk

I think if they had new remasters for some of those, Janus would do some theatrical screenings. Might be useful to pay attention to schedules for places like Film Forum and other arthouse theaters.

I'm really hoping they get remasters at some point. Cash Calls Hell got a remaster recently, so that gives me some point. My dream would be for Hunter in the Dark to get one, as this might be the only way Criterion releases it. It's my most wanted film to hit BD at this point.

[sfmarine]

Originally Posted by GaragePoet

rich people & celebrities get a LOT of things for free. once you have money, everyone wants to give you stuff

Yup!

The Sopranos ~ INSIDE THE LUXURY LOUNGE - YouTube

[javy]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

For me, the personal insights, and anecdotes that some closet visitors provide are my favorite aspects of the vids. i've only watched a fraction of them,but some of my favorites are from William Friedkin, Hideo Kojima, Willem Dafoe, Patton Oswalt, Udo Kier, and Charlie Day. I think if you're mainly focusing on celebrities getting free movies then you're missing the point entirely.

Friedkin's is great. I've watched his numerous times. And I must admit, I was surprised by Patton Oswalt's visit. The guy definitely knows his stuff.

[Watershipdownisgood]

So uh I was going through titles that Criterion had put out on Laserdisc and both Dead Presidents, and Menace II Society were both put out on Laserdisc by Criterion. Is this a coincidence? Well I don’t know, but it’s very interesting not just that, but look what else was put out on Laserdisc by Criterion that I have a strong feeling we might be getting this year title wise, or next year.

Three British International Pictures all Hitchcock films not on Blu-Ray yet in the US and Canada with two of them being released on Blu-Ray in the UK.
Sabotage
Young and Innocent
Secret Agent

I might be gasping at straws here, but I think we have no idea how big November is going to be for Criterion. I know this might sound crazy, but I think we might see all three of these Hitchcock titles in a box set on Blu-Ray along with a Kurosawa box set this year involving The Bad Sleep Well, Stray Dog, and Drunken Angel. Also yes I could definitely see Dead Presidents coming from Criterion next year as they’ve released it before, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they release it again.

Does this mean anything crazy in the future and for Criterion’s announcements for November which come out this week? Well most likely yes, but what are your guys’s thoughts on these remaining popular Criterion laserdisc titles that still don’t have Blu-Rays yet?