The Criterion Collection

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

I actually enjoy your perspectives and continue to look forward to your posts when we agree and even when we disagree.

Agreed. Dimitri is one of the rare participants on this site who does nor resort to insisting his way or the highway. I get the impression he genuinely reads and considers opposing points of view and often he inspires me to do the same since I am much more of a reactionary fire off posts by the seat of my pants than I wish I would be. Whatever is the opposite of the IGNORE list, he's on mine!

[Jaymole]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Yeah, I blind-bought the DVD when I was younger and loved it. Watching it now on a more modern display is painful though haha

edit: Here are some screenshots I just took of the DVD on my computer. It's all inside a small window on the screen. I hope others can tell just how nicely the compositions are, and how lavish a production it was even with these small examples. It's an incredibly star-studded film from an acclaimed director, and features the most famous Japanese story, so I'm not sure why it never gained recognition here. Perhaps if Criterion had acquired it back then, it very likely would have.

I own the Image DVD as well and love the film. I do not have a zoom on my player so I move my couch closer to the TV when watching it because of the lack of anamorphic

This film cries out for a decent Blu-ray

[waxlion]

Is it just me, or has so many new criterion 4Ks have the cover pulled up way too far in the packaging, to where the top spine gets wrecked by the top of the case? 3 different titles have had that when I got them from Amazon, and when I went to Barnes and noble, most of the new 4ks were like that as well

[DimitriL]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

Agreed. Dimitri is one of the rare participants on this site who does nor resort to insisting his way or the highway. I get the impression he genuinely reads and considers opposing points of view and often he inspires me to do the same since I am much more of a reactionary fire off posts by the seat of my pants than I wish I would be. Whatever is the opposite of the IGNORE list, he's on mine!

You guyyyyyyys are gonna make me feel appreciated or something STOP THAT THIS MINUTE

(And likewise I’m sure, I genuinely enjoy the good-natured debating, y’all)

[jw007]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

I wish could have this mindset, as it would probably make things easier for me. The main issue is that we know exactly some of the films Criterion has. Ignorance is bliss and if I had no idea that Criterion had all these titles, I'd probably be very quiet around these parts.

Either way, I need to get into your mindset, and probably would be easier to do if Hunter in the Dark was already out.

Well, a mindset can only be attained on an individual basis.

However, I have good news. You have brought awareness to me of a film I've never heard of or seen (Hunter in the Dark). Thank you. The more people talk about a movie, perhaps it will send a signal to the universe that those companies such as Criterion will take heed. People have the power!

[WillieMLF]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

Well said. It's gotten to the point just like w hen I started hating seeing the BATES MOTEL sign pop up in PSYCHO that I am now starting to avidly dislike Marcello Mastroianni!

Oh man! What we really need is Big Deal on Madonna Street! I still watch that freaking DVD. Marcello is way too cool to hate Echo!

[DimitriL]

Originally Posted by WillieMLF

Oh man! What we really need is Big Deal on Madonna Street! I still watch that freaking DVD. Marcello is way too cool to hate Echo!

Is there something in the air? I literally just watched that for the first time last night.

[Martin_31]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I've come around to the idea of making a Janus Classics line to compliment the Janus Contemporaries line. I think the naming of the latter perfectly opens the door for the former. I think it would be ideal for HD titles that aren't quite great enough for a full Criterion Collection release, whether due to sub-standard elements, or just lacking in extras.

I also think going the MOD model route (pressed discs only) would also be financially safer for them too, in case they felt there wasn't enough demand for such a line to exist. I'm not sure if Criterion has considered such a line, or if they feel its necessary with the streaming service, but I may send an email to them with this proposition.

I would love a Janus Classics line. No booklets (I want booklets!) and limited supplements is fine as long as the PQ and AQ is top notch. I disagree on the MOD model. I’d rather have a limited release of 3,000-10,000 units. I’m thinking a la Twilight Time. I want movies I’ve never heard of or seen. Radiance and Indicator are amazing for giving us foreign cinema. For US films we have VS and Warner Archive (they being limited). I do agree with physical media becoming more niche than it is. It’ll be the rise of boutique labels: Think of Deaf Crocodile, Cauldron, ClassicFlix, etc.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Martin_31

I would love a Janus Classics line. No booklets (I want booklets!) and limited supplements is fine as long as the PQ and AQ is top notch. I disagree on the MOD model. I’d rather have a limited release of 3,000-10,000 units. I’m thinking a la Twilight Time. I want movies I’ve never heard of or seen. Radiance and Indicator are amazing for giving us foreign cinema. For US films we have VS and Warner Archive (they being limited). I do agree with physical media becoming more niche than it is. It’ll be the rise of boutique labels: Think of Deaf Crocodile, Cauldron, ClassicFlix, etc.

Personally, I don't like the idea of a finite amount of any film release (assuming the label still have rights to it) as that creates FOMO, and also anyone who doesn't find out about it until after it's sold out will either never get to own it, or resort to paying eBay prices . it's very possible the Janus Contemporaries is in essence a MOD model, in the sense that they might not be making as many copies at once as they are their regular releases, and simply pressing new batches as stock dwindles down. I don't imagine they expect that line to be selling boatloads at least, so whatever they're doing with that one could be applied to any hypothetical Janus Classics line too.

[Martin_31]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Personally, I don't like the idea of a finite amount of any film release (assuming the label still have rights to it) as that creates FOMO, and also anyone who doesn't find out about it until after it's sold out will either never get to own it, or resort to paying eBay prices . it's very possible the Janus Contemporaries is in essence a MOD model, in the sense that they might not be making as many copies at once as they are their regular releases, and simply pressing new batches as stock dwindles down. I don't imagine they expect that line to be selling boatloads at least, so whatever they're doing with that one could be applied to any hypothetical Janus Classics line too.

Actually that does make sense. I’m on board with this.

[cgpublic]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Well, my expectation was met as you replied exactly like I knew you would, although I had hoped for something else that would have been more reflective. I guess that was too much to ask for.

More reflective? While not replying directly to your post, I would suggest that is exactly what I did in my posts on this subject.

I would like to think that those who hold Criterion in such low esteem and are no longer interested in their titles, to the point they feel a continual need to post their unhappiness with the status quo, would be open to consider a different perspective and hopefully see the glass half full, or simply move on.

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

Why do you "got" to read it?

For three good reasons. The first because I was here to read about Criterion's announcements. I don't know about you, but when someone decides to post a half-page screed disparaging Criterion in the Criterion thread, followed by countless posts addressing his post, it's hard to ignore.

The second reason is that as already shared, this continual and repetitive disparaging of Criterion is not based on a reasoned nor balanced view of the company in the context of the present state of the physical media market, but rather a very narrow, personal view specific to getting what one wants. If you or anyone else wants to present an opinion to the contrary, I'm more than willing to have that debate. That's the nature of a forum, and not to simply post a rant without discourse.

For the third reason I did not respond to Duke, nor did I reply to you. You, in fact, decided to characterize my statement to another poster as dismissive and patronizing, and I turn responded to your statement.

The inconvenient truth of the matter is his argument against Criterion is without merit for the reasons that have been given by myself and others. Call it what you like, but that's how I see it, and no, I don't feel an obligation to state otherwise.

My advice, not that I expect the both of you to take it, is a little more self-awareness, a little less venting of endless grievances, and a little more enjoyment of what has been released over the past few years. Criterion has been banging out month after month of terrific titles, whether you like them or not, in a decidedly tough market that's only going to get tougher.

[Bubbles-11]

Max has extended their streaming deal with The Criterion Collection
https://press.wbd.com/us/media-relea...ion-collection

[DimitriL]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Personally, I don't like the idea of a finite amount of any film release (assuming the label still have rights to it) as that creates FOMO, and also anyone who doesn't find out about it until after it's sold out will either never get to own it, or resort to paying eBay prices . it's very possible the Janus Contemporaries is in essence a MOD model, in the sense that they might not be making as many copies at once as they are their regular releases, and simply pressing new batches as stock dwindles down. I don't imagine they expect that line to be selling boatloads at least, so whatever they're doing with that one could be applied to any hypothetical Janus Classics line too.

That makes sense. And it does fit in with Criterion's MO - they've never been about scarcity, but longevity. This would fit in with their philosophy while expanding title selection and somewhat mitigating the financial risk.

[kmhofmann]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

I've said it before and I'll say it again, they need tuck in their shirt, straighten up their hair, shine their shoes, and extend their hands to other labels to sub license.
...
[...a lot of other unsubstantiated speculation...]

What makes you so sure that Criterion even has the rights to sub-license even one of the hundreds of titles they are supposedly sitting on, even if they wanted to? That doesn't sound realistic to me.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by cgpublic

My advice, not that I expect the both of you to take it, is a little more self-awareness

Ah, the good old switcheroo. Someone tells you to be reflective and you tell them to have self awareness.

I have a challenge for yourself. Go through your post history and look to see how many times you admitted to being wrong about something in the past. Everyone makes numerous mistakes a day and I just want you find a time where you admitted you made a mistake about something on this forum. Or even you conceded to something on this forum. I'm just curious if that's ever happened.

My big mistake of the day is engaging and entertaining this conversation for as long as I have.

[Mike0284]

CC40 Unboxing - YouTube

[Martin_31]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Ah, the good old switcheroo. Someone tells you to be reflective and you tell them to have self awareness.

I have a challenge for yourself. Go through your post history and look to see how many times you admitted to being wrong about something in the past. Everyone makes numerous mistakes a day and I just want you find a time where you admitted you made a mistake about something on this forum. Or even you conceded to something on this forum. I'm just curious if that's ever happened.

My big mistake of the day is engaging and entertaining this conversation for as long as I have.

I mean that’s the point of these forums, no? It is a conversation and whether you (any forum member) choose to engage with is up to the individual. I don’t see your post as ranting or trolling. You brought up an interesting take about Criterion’s release schedule. We all want more new or never released films to blu or 4K films, yet we can only speculate as to why that’s not happening: elements, money, supplements, etc.

[JoelGoodsen]

Originally Posted by Martin_31

We all want more new or never released films to blu or 4K films, yet we can only speculate as to why that’s not happening: elements, money, supplements, etc.

We really do. I still get a buzz seeing favourite films get a 4K release and titles that have a really old Blu Ray, but we do need more fresh to disc stuff instead of constant re-releases.

It has been a solid year though with stuff like Heavenly Bodies, Paradise, The Hitcher etc, but the new to disc stuff is still lagging waaaayyyyy behind re-releases/upgrades in the ratio department.

[cgpublic]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Ah, the good old switcheroo.

There is no switcheroo here Duke. My advice to you and everyone else is to go to their website, review the release history over the past five years, examine the scope of the Criterion Channel and then re-read your post.

It's unfair because it's untrue.

As I've said previously, Criterion is not perfect, or superior in every aspect or genre, and they're certainly no longer the only game in town. But they are a company comprised of film lovers doing their best in a challenging market.

Licensing is a complex set of considerations often without simple solutions, so no hard feelings, and wish you luck for another label to release your most requested titles in the near future.

[fdm]

Originally Posted by waxlion

Is it just me, or has so many new criterion 4Ks have the cover pulled up way too far in the packaging, to where the top spine gets wrecked by the top of the case? 3 different titles have had that when I got them from Amazon, and when I went to Barnes and noble, most of the new 4ks were like that as well

Sometimes it's all the blu-rays are like that and the 4Ks are ok. Like Scarface I saw like that the other day. Gummo too I think.