The Criterion Collection

[Querelle]

^ I would agree. The ironic thing is that while those who obsess about pristine quality/HD are theoretically doing it in service of the film/filmmaker/filmmaking (convinced that they are giving the film what it deserves, doing it justice, etc.), it actually does the film/filmmaker/filmmaking a disservice to overfocus on the format/quality (as long as the latter isn't "problematic," of course [though the rub is that what constitutes "problematic" is itself problematic])

[DimitriL]

Originally Posted by Shane Rollins

"Capest 2 Fearest" perhaps?

I love people in Hollywood having a job and all but we need new ideas. Aside from perhaps Living, I can't name the last foreign remake of an Asian film I loved. Most of them are middling at best if not outright dreadful, with the American version of Oldboy being one of the worst atrocities in cinema history.

I mean, it’s a no-win situation. You get all these interesting smaller films nominated for best picture and then there’s a ton of op-eds and social media griping going, “Well, *I* never heard of any of those films.” Anyway, Scorsese is directly involved and he’s not someone who rests on his laurels, so I bet he has an interesting take on it. (And after all, his version was an acclaimed remake too.)

(* I will say this about Oldboy - I’m friends with the guy who wrote the remake. I read his production version of the script. The entire reason for its existence, its compelling different central ideas, were utterly annihilated by the studio. It doesn’t even have Spike’s usual “A Spike Lee Joint” credit, if you wanna know what the parties involved thought of it.)

[Shane Rollins]

Originally Posted by apricissimus

Streaming does offer poorer quality in general than watching movies on disc. That's true.

But some streaming services are better than others. And even with the lower quality, streaming offers access to a huge number of movies that honestly look pretty darn good overall. Good enough that you should still be able to enjoy the movie.

If slightly worse video or audio quality ruins the movie for you, I suggest you might be in it for the wrong reasons.

Just consider that people made due with VHS, and were still able to enjoy movies. Or a UHF broadcast on a CRT TV.. Or on a beat up old print in crappy theater.

It's reasonable to prefer better video and audio quality, all else being equal. But I don't know man, I would have missed out on so many things if I limited myself only to the best possible presentation available.

Originally Posted by Querelle

^ I would agree. The ironic thing is that while those who obsess about pristine quality/HD are theoretically doing it in service of the film/filmmaker/filmmaking (convinced that they are giving the film what it deserves, doing it justice, etc.), it actually does the film/filmmaker/filmmaking a disservice to overfocus on the format/quality (as long as the latter isn't problematic, of course)

It wasn't even bad picture and sound quality. It was unwatchable picture and sound quality.

1. Reservoir Dogs (2013-2014)

Reservoir Dogs Opening Scene Like A Virgin [Full HD] - YouTube

Drop that scene down to 144p, and imagine it being way darker and a little blockier. That's what it looked like on Netflix when I watched it. I stopped before Mr. White and Mr. Pink were in the bathroom, so I made it to 10-15 minutes.

Having played it on Amazon Prime as well, it looked the exact same.

The transfer was the 2006, QT-supervised remaster, but it still looked terrible.

2. A Clockwork Orange (2014-2015)

A Clockwork Orange(1971) - OPENING SCENE - YouTube

Drop that down to 144p, and imagine the 1.66:1 image being stretched to fill the 1.78:1 TV screen. Not zoomed in and cut off the top and/or bottom, but stretched out, screwing up the geometry of the entire movie. It had the 2000 5.1 track, which isn't exactly horrible, but isn't that good either. I watched it because I was desperate to see the film again, but it was awful. Having grown up with the OG Beta, that Beta looked better than the Netflix stream, because at least I could make something out.

Opening to A Clockwork Orange 1980 VHS - YouTube

Closing to A Clockwork Orange 1980 VHS - YouTube

The transfer on Netflix was the 2000 remaster done after Kubrick's death, after people complained about the quality of the 1999 Stanley Kubrick Collection VHS and DVD releases. ACO was named specifically, with many saying that the transfer on those releases - which was created in 1986 - was terrible. Having just watched the 1986 transfer, I can assure you it was very serviceable, and much better than the stream I watched.

Sadly I can't find videos of the 1986 transfer besides the first few seconds of the opening credits. (Also, every opening is silent because Carlos is a copyright Nazi.)

3. Scarface 83 (2015-2016)

I can't find any videos, but it was clearly the 2011 Blu-ray transfer, with the Platinum remix in either 5.1 or 7.1.

Scarface Original DVD vs. Scarface Platinum DVD - YouTube

This shows the remix, but not the transfer I saw. I made it to the motel scene, then skipped around the film, then turned it off. It looked slightly darker and slightly more blocky than the Blu-ray, but nowhere near as bad as the first two.

4. Goodfellas (2020)

This had the 4K master from 2015, and looked and sounded great. I don't know if it had HDR or DV, but it looked slightly darker than the remastered Blu-ray, and nowhere near as crushed as the 4K.

Considering I own most things I'd watch on streaming, and the films I want to own aren't on streaming at all, I have little reason to subscribe to a streaming platform. And the prices, which were supposed to be cheaper than cable, are now through the roof. To have a reasonable selection of films, you need to have at least $100 in services, which negates cutting the cord.

[DimitriL]

Originally Posted by Shane Rollins

Considering I own most things I'd watch on streaming, and the films I want to own aren't on streaming at all, I have little reason to subscribe to a streaming platform. And the prices, which were supposed to be cheaper than cable, are now through the roof. To have a reasonable selection of films, you need to have at least $100 in services, which negates cutting the cord.

If you decide you need to subscribe to everything, sure. But I have a good idea of what I want to watch, where it's streaming. I subscribe to one or two services a month, which was the point - not being locked into infinite channels and infinitely increasing prices, but getting to pick a la carte. Criterion and Apple TV are the only two I have on as a perpetual subscription.

[apricissimus]

Originally Posted by Shane Rollins

[Show spoiler]It wasn't even bad picture and sound quality. It was unwatchable picture and sound quality.

1. Reservoir Dogs (2013-2014)

Reservoir Dogs Opening Scene Like A Virgin [Full HD] - YouTube

Drop that scene down to 144p, and imagine it being way darker and a little blockier. That's what it looked like on Netflix when I watched it. I stopped before Mr. White and Mr. Pink were in the bathroom, so I made it to 10-15 minutes.

Having played it on Amazon Prime as well, it looked the exact same.

The transfer was the 2006, QT-supervised remaster, but it still looked terrible.

2. A Clockwork Orange (2014-2015)

A Clockwork Orange(1971) - OPENING SCENE - YouTube

Drop that down to 144p, and imagine the 1.66:1 image being stretched to fill the 1.78:1 TV screen. Not zoomed in and cut off the top and/or bottom, but stretched out, screwing up the geometry of the entire movie. It had the 2000 5.1 track, which isn't exactly horrible, but isn't that good either. I watched it because I was desperate to see the film again, but it was awful. Having grown up with the OG Beta, that Beta looked better than the Netflix stream, because at least I could make something out.

Opening to A Clockwork Orange 1980 VHS - YouTube

Closing to A Clockwork Orange 1980 VHS - YouTube

The transfer on Netflix was the 2000 remaster done after Kubrick's death, after people complained about the quality of the 1999 Stanley Kubrick Collection VHS and DVD releases. ACO was named specifically, with many saying that the transfer on those releases - which was created in 1986 - was terrible. Having just watched the 1986 transfer, I can assure you it was very serviceable, and much better than the stream I watched.

Sadly I can't find videos of the 1986 transfer besides the first few seconds of the opening credits. (Also, every opening is silent because Carlos is a copyright Nazi.)

3. Scarface 83 (2015-2016)

I can't find any videos, but it was clearly the 2011 Blu-ray transfer, with the Platinum remix in either 5.1 or 7.1.

Scarface Original DVD vs. Scarface Platinum DVD - YouTube

This shows the remix, but not the transfer I saw. I made it to the motel scene, then skipped around the film, then turned it off. It looked slightly darker and slightly more blocky than the Blu-ray, but nowhere near as bad as the first two.

4. Goodfellas (2020)

This had the 4K master from 2015, and looked and sounded great. I don't know if it had HDR or DV, but it looked slightly darker than the remastered Blu-ray, and nowhere near as crushed as the 4K.

I think you need to upgrade your Internet connection, my friend.

Originally Posted by Shane Rollins

Considering I own most things I'd watch on streaming, and the films I want to own aren't on streaming at all, I have little reason to subscribe to a streaming platform. And the prices, which were supposed to be cheaper than cable, are now through the roof. To have a reasonable selection of films, you need to have at least $100 in services, which negates cutting the cord.

It's up to you what you want to watch, of course. But for what it's worth, Criterion Channel is ten bucks a month with a great rotating selection. Max is good too (I forget at the moment how much it is.)

No streaming service will have everything you want, but I find them to be a great supplement.

[Shane Rollins]

Well...this changes some things.

Originally Posted by DimitriL

I mean, it’s a no-win situation. You get all these interesting smaller films nominated for best picture and then there’s a ton of op-eds and social media griping going, “Well, *I* never heard of any of those films.” Anyway, Scorsese is directly involved and he’s not someone who rests on his laurels, so I bet he has an interesting take on it. (And after all, his version was an acclaimed remake too.)

(* I will say this about Oldboy - I’m friends with the guy who wrote the remake. I read his production version of the script. The entire reason for its existence, its compelling different central ideas, were utterly annihilated by the studio. It doesn’t even have Spike’s usual “A Spike Lee Joint” credit, if you wanna know what the parties involved thought of it.)

Originally Posted by DimitriL

I mean, it’s a no-win situation. You get all these interesting smaller films nominated for best picture and then there’s a ton of op-eds and social media griping going, “Well, *I* never heard of any of those films.”

When there's a film you've never heard of, maybe you should go see it. I'd never even heard of Anora until Criterion released it, and now I love it. When you hear about films that win awards, get critical or audience acclaim, or get a disc release, just go see them. Better than watching and re-watching the same films over and over again.

And if all these newer, smaller films that these critics have never heard of are so bad to them, they should just buy a copy of Citizen Kane and call it a day. Pleasing the critics, in my opinion, should not be the goal of making a film. Making a distinct piece of art that tells a certain story should be the goal. Bonus points if it pleases the critics.

Originally Posted by DimitriL

Anyway, Scorsese is directly involved and he’s not someone who rests on his laurels, so I bet he has an interesting take on it.

I'm not saying it will be bad, or that Scorsese will just let it go to pot. I would just like to see new, fresh ideas come through Hollywood, instead of a lot of sequels, prequels, midquels, repeated, remakes, rehashes, reduxes, regurgitations, and franchises. I'm truly at the point where when I see a new movie, I want to see something I haven't seen before, that's not just a slightly tweaked version of an older film, that I don't have sitting on my shelf. I don't want to pay $15 at the theater or $30 for a disc of a weaker pointless redux of something I paid 25 cents for at Goodwill that's great and still hasn't been treated well.

Originally Posted by DimitriL

(And after all, his version was an acclaimed remake too.)

Well, I can't argue with that.

Originally Posted by DimitriL

(* I will say this about Oldboy - I’m friends with the guy who wrote the remake. I read his production version of the script. The entire reason for its existence, its compelling different central ideas, were utterly annihilated by the studio. It doesn’t even have Spike’s usual “A Spike Lee Joint” credit, if you wanna know what the parties involved thought of it.)

I didn't know this.

Upon looking it up, yes, it appears the film was tampered with. No, I have not seen the original cut of the film, so I can't say either way whether or not it was better.

It appears to be the same thing we've seen since Stroheim's Greed. Studio thinks they can do a better job at making a film than a filmmaker can, studio destroys the film and insists they're making it better, film releases and bombs on all fronts, studio hangs the blame on the filmmakers and moves on.

I'm now curious about the original cut.

With all due respect to your friend, yes the film as I saw it isn't very good, but now hearing about it being messed with, I want to see how it originally was. It couldn't possibly be worse than the release cut.

[sherlockjr]

Originally Posted by apricissimus

But some streaming services are better than others. And even with the lower quality, streaming offers access to a huge number of movies that honestly look pretty darn good overall. Good enough that you should still be able to enjoy the movie.

If slightly worse video or audio quality ruins the movie for you, I suggest you might be in it for the wrong reasons.

Just consider that people made due with VHS, and were still able to enjoy movies. Or a UHF broadcast on a CRT TV.. Or on a beat up old print in crappy theater.

It's reasonable to prefer better video and audio quality, all else being equal. But I don't know man, I would have missed out on so many things if I limited myself only to the best possible presentation available.

For most of the 20th century much quality cinema that was seen at universities, in art houses, in rep theaters, in sub run houses etc was shown from beat and battered, splicy and scratched, 35mm and even worse dupey, murky 16mm prints, often missing footage, all with poor quality optical mono sound and with, for foreign films, compromised subtitles. Or on even more compromised VHS tapes or low res broadcast video with commercials inserted and random elements randomly edited out for time.

And that didn't stop people from becoming huge cinephiles, film scholars, film writers, film buffs, and waxing rhapsodic about those great pieces of both art and entertainment.

Do I prefer to see a high quality newly struck brand new 35mm print on a large theater screen? Absolutely.

But, frankly, a good streaming service will give higher quality than what most people were seeing for most of the last century and this one. A service like The Criterion Channel with quality versions of superior films--many of which are only currently available on BD anyway so not such a difference from watching an HD stream.

Or watching 4K and HD through an AppleTV4K box from AppleTV+, which has the highest data stream bitrates available streaming.

Even with piles of disks near my TV, for films I likely only want to watch once, especially of the recent multiplex variety, streaming is pretty damn good.

[Jaymole]

I have heard rumors in the past that Criterion has the rights to Carnal Knowledge but who know for sure. Now that Indicator is releasing it in 4K in the UK I no longer have to wait for whoever owns it to put it out here in the USA.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Jaymole

I have heard rumors in the past that Criterion has the rights to Carnal Knowledge but who know for sure. Now that Indicator is releasing it in 4K in the UK I no longer have to wait for whoever owns it to put it out here in the USA.

I mentioned this in the Indicator thread, but it is one of the films they released back in the Laserdisc days, and with recent word of them planning to do more LD upgrades, I do feel Carnal Knowledge is probably one of those. The Kino Insider said they had picked up Carnal at point, but SC didn't provide them access to the elements needed, so it was dropped, and picked up by another label. I have to imagine that's Criterion as another boutique probably would have released it by now.

The Insider also said the film Darling (1965), another one they dropped for the same reason was picked up by the same label.

Here's the post where it's mentioned: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...ostcount=45105

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by SeanJoyce

Agreed, I'd love to finally complete Reed's marvelous 1-2-3 trifecta.

I still maintain that the shot of

[Show spoiler]Sonia Dresdel in full psychotic mode hovering over Henrey in bed

is absolutely terrifying.

Just as frightening is the shot of

[Show spoiler]Kathleen Byron opening the door to attack Deborah Kerr

in Black Narcissus. Madness personified.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Egbert Souse

https://www.criterion.com/search/fil...unavailable%22

The following are listed as "currently unavailable" on the Criterion website, probably just out of stock for the holiidays...

DVD
The Burmese Harp
Death of a Cyclist
Letter Never Sent
Solo con tu pareja
The Only Son/There Was a Father
The First Films of Akira Kurosawa
Night Train to Munich
An Unmarried Woman
The Mikado
The King of Kings
Under the Volcano
The Horse's Mouth
Charulata
Silent Ozu
The Night Porter
Onibaba
Bad Timing
Travels with Hiroshi Shimizu
Grey Gardens/The Beales of Grey Gardens
Basil Dearden's London Underground
Mad in U.S.A.
Bicycle Thieves
Walkabout
The Delirious Fictions of William Klein
Kes
Pigs, Pimps & Prostitutes: 3 Films by Shohei Imamura
Murmur of the Heart
Metropolitan
Empire of Passion
Great Expectations
Stage & Spectacle: Three Films by Jean Renoir
La bete humaine
Brazil
Safe
Tout va bien
The Ice Storm
Still Walking
Blow Out
Safety Last
Les enfants terribles
The Flowers of St. Francis
Spartacus
White Dog
Smiles of a Summer Night
Klute
The Exterminating Angel
The Lower Depths
Le Plaisir
Andrej Wajda: Three War Films
Mulholland Dr.
The Fire Within
Shock Corridor
Pina
Shoot the Piano Player
The Seventh Seal
Godzilla
A Film Trilogy by Ingmar Bergman
Breathless
Pickup on South Street
Trilogia de Guillermo del Toro

There's been some discussion lately about some DVD's going OOP at Criterion. I decided to look at the list of titles above that were labeled as Currently Unavailable as of 12/25/24. I am shocked to find out that almost every single one of them is now listed as Out of Print at the site, or just completely removed altogether. Most of the ones removed are those that have had Blu-ray or 4K releases available. There are some major ones OOP too, including some Ozu films, and some Kurosawa ones too. It certainly looks like Criterion are pretty much killing off their DVD side of the business here, and when they run out of inventory for a title, they're just going to make it go OOP rather than repress more.

Key:
Out of Print
Available Again

DVD
The Burmese Harp (a new release is expected)
Death of a Cyclist
Letter Never Sent (no longer on the site)
Solo con tu pareja
The Only Son/There Was a Father
The First Films of Akira Kurosawa
Night Train to Munich (no longer on the site)
An Unmarried Woman (no longer on the site)
The Mikado (no longer on the site)
The King of Kings (Flicker Alley releasing it)
Under the Volcano
The Horse's Mouth
Charulata (no longer on the site)
Silent Ozu (Family Drama one)
The Night Porter (no longer on the site)
Onibaba (no longer on the site)
Bad Timing
Travels with Hiroshi Shimizu
Grey Gardens/The Beales of Grey Gardens (Available)
Basil Dearden's London Underground
Made in U.S.A. (Currently Unavailable)
Bicycle Thieves (no longer on the site)
Walkabout (no longer on the site)
The Delirious Fictions of William Klein (Available)
Kes (no longer on the site)
Pigs, Pimps & Prostitutes: 3 Films by Shohei Imamura
Murmur of the Heart
Metropolitan (no longer on the site)
Empire of Passion
Great Expectations (Available)
Stage & Spectacle: Three Films by Jean Renoir
La bete humaine
Brazil (no longer on the site)
Safe (no longer on the site)
Tout va bien
The Ice Storm (no longer on the site)
Still Walking (no longer on the site)
Blow Out (no longer on the site)
Safety Last (no longer on the site)
Les enfants terribles
The Flowers of St. Francis
Spartacus (Available)
White Dog
Smiles of a Summer Night (no longer on the site)
Klute (Currently Unavailable)
The Exterminating Angel
The Lower Depths
Le Plaisir
Andrej Wajda: Three War Films
Mulholland Dr. (no longer on the site)
The Fire Within
Shock Corridor (no longer on the site)
Pina (no longer on the site)
Shoot the Piano Player
The Seventh Seal
Godzilla (no longer on the site)
A Film Trilogy by Ingmar Bergman (no longer on the site)
Breathless
Pickup on South Street
Trilogia de Guillermo del Toro (no longer on the site)

If you have a DVD release in mind, I strongly you recommend picking it up sooner than later. It's possible some of the DVD-only titles may see a future BD or 4K release, as the fact of them going OOP doesn't necessarily have to do with them losing the rights in most cases, but there are also likely many that will never see a new physical release again.

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by Sifox211

You can certainly do that! Earlier on I used to go to California a few times a year so got the flash sale titles sent to the office or hotel* but for the last few years have used a reshipper. I always buy at least four titles to get free shipping to Stackry, where there is no sales tax, so the only shipping cost is around £22 for the cheapest option to the UK. That stage typically takes around a week

HTH!

* My big regret is never managing to visit a B&N during the sale

Appreciate the helpful reply. I haven't used Stackry, but have seen it mentioned many times on here by fellow members.

[NeoNical]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

[Show spoiler]There's been some discussion lately about some DVD's going OOP at Criterion. I decided to look at the list of titles above that were labeled as Currently Unavailable as of 12/25/24. I am shocked to find out that almost every single one of them is now listed as Out of Print at the site, or just completely removed altogether. Most of the ones removed are those that have had Blu-ray or 4K releases available. There are some major ones OOP too, including some Ozu films, and some Kurosawa ones too. It certainly looks like Criterion are pretty much killing off their DVD side of the business here, and when they run out of inventory for a title, they're just going to make it go OOP rather than repress more.

Key:
Out of Print
Available Again

DVD
The Burmese Harp (a new release is expected)
Death of a Cyclist
Letter Never Sent (no longer on the site)
Solo con tu pareja
The Only Son/There Was a Father
The First Films of Akira Kurosawa
Night Train to Munich (no longer on the site)
An Unmarried Woman (no longer on the site)
The Mikado (no longer on the site)
The King of Kings (Flicker Alley releasing it)
Under the Volcano
The Horse's Mouth
Charulata (no longer on the site)
Silent Ozu (Family Drama one)
The Night Porter (no longer on the site)
Onibaba (no longer on the site)
Bad Timing
Travels with Hiroshi Shimizu
Grey Gardens/The Beales of Grey Gardens (Available)
Basil Dearden's London Underground
Made in U.S.A. (Currently Unavailable)
Bicycle Thieves (no longer on the site)
Walkabout (no longer on the site)
The Delirious Fictions of William Klein (Available)
Kes (no longer on the site)
Pigs, Pimps & Prostitutes: 3 Films by Shohei Imamura
Murmur of the Heart
Metropolitan (no longer on the site)
Empire of Passion
Great Expectations (Available)
Stage & Spectacle: Three Films by Jean Renoir
La bete humaine
Brazil (no longer on the site)
Safe (no longer on the site)
Tout va bien
The Ice Storm (no longer on the site)
Still Walking (no longer on the site)
Blow Out (no longer on the site)
Safety Last (no longer on the site)
Les enfants terribles
The Flowers of St. Francis
Spartacus (Available)
White Dog
Smiles of a Summer Night (no longer on the site)
Klute (Currently Unavailable)
The Exterminating Angel
The Lower Depths
Le Plaisir
Andrej Wajda: Three War Films
Mulholland Dr. (no longer on the site)
The Fire Within
Shock Corridor (no longer on the site)
Pina (no longer on the site)
Shoot the Piano Player
The Seventh Seal
Godzilla (no longer on the site)
A Film Trilogy by Ingmar Bergman (no longer on the site)
Breathless
Pickup on South Street
Trilogia de Guillermo del Toro (no longer on the site)

If you have a DVD release in mind, I strongly you recommend picking it up sooner than later. It's possible some of the DVD-only titles may see a future BD or 4K release, as the fact of them going OOP doesn't necessarily have to do with them losing the rights in most cases, but there are also likely many that will never see a new physical release again.

I posted about the OOP stuff on this forum but ultimately deleted because I had the feeling posting this would wake up some of the scalpers to start selling these titles in high prices. Alas, might as well say this now because the news will spread eventually.

A lot of titles I think have gone OOP right after the flash sale much more than I expected. I would say this is the biggest clearance of titles we have had since the one we had for StudioCanal more than a decade ago.

The titles that are OOP are all DVDs with the exception of Von Trier's Europe Trilogy. Also a handful of Eclipse sets are also OOP and not just Basil Dearden's London Underground. The only Eclipse set OOP that is available elsewhere I recall is the Chantal Akerman set as part of the Akerman boxset.

Ended up getting a title that I have been wanting to get (Divorce Italian Style) before the prices start to increase. But yeah, a lot of titles are OOP but I would advise everyone to check through the Criterion OOP page to see which ones to seek out. Still thinking about the Europe Trilogy but I think I'll ultimately pass. I have heard some things about a Von Trier boxset from MUBI (Since they have collected the rights of most of his films now) but it's purely rumor and nothing is set in stone for the future of those three Von Trier movies yet.

I know I will regret posting this because now chances of these DVDs increasing in price are likely but also at the same time this is the time to notify people to start looking for some of these movies.

[Shane Rollins]

Is there an Eclipse DVD thread, or is this it?

I know Akerman, London Underground, and Carlos Saura's Flamenco Trilogy are all OOP, but I'm not sure about the rest.

[Shane Rollins]

Michael Haneke Collection coming from Umbrella.

Provocative filmmaker Michael Haneke is renowned for exploring human nature, isolation, and societal disintegration. His films invite deep reflection on the complexities of modern life, exposing the hidden darkness beneath the surface of everyday existence.

This MICHAEL HANEKE COLLECTION showcases Haneke's signature minimalist style, stark realism, and refusal to offer easy answers.

In This Box Set:

Three Paths to the Lake (1976)
Lemmings Part 1 & Part 2 (1979)
Seventh Continent (1989)
Benny's Video (1992)
The Rebellion (1993)
71 Fragments of a Chronology of Chance (1994)
The Castle (1997)
Funny Games (1997)
Code Unknown (2000)
The Piano Teacher (2001)
Time of the Wolf (2003)
Hidden (2005)
The White Ribbon (2009)
Amour (2012)

[Show spoiler]

[Shane Rollins]

Apple Is Losing Over $1 Billion per Year on Streaming Service, Has 45 Million Apple TV+ Subscribers (Report)

[DimitriL]

Originally Posted by Shane Rollins

Apple Is Losing Over $1 Billion per Year on Streaming Service, Has 45 Million Apple TV+ Subscribers (Report)

Ha! It’s good to have unlimited money, I guess.

(Seriously, for Apple, in terms of burnishing their brand, it’s probably worth it. I can only imagine the suits at Netflix and Amazon who spent years throwing cash at prestige directors in hopes of getting a best picture win, and then Apple saunters in and notches it their very first time at bat…)

[Rayjg]

Time for Apple to throw in the towel on streaming. Use that $ to buy Warner or Disney or, hell, why not both!

[DimitriL]

Originally Posted by Rayjg

Time for Apple to throw in the towel on streaming. Use that $ to buy Warner or Disney or, hell, why not both!

Right when they’ve finally got their biggest hit ever, one that’s actually topping the streaming charts? They don’t care about losing money. It’s about bringing people to their services in general, which is becoming their biggest pure profit center.

(Also their slate of original programming is the best of any streaming service hands down, so let them keep going as long as they want.)

[sherlockjr]

Originally Posted by DimitriL

(Seriously, for Apple, in terms of burnishing their brand, it’s probably worth it. I can only imagine the suits at Netflix and Amazon who spent years throwing cash at prestige directors in hopes of getting a best picture win, and then Apple saunters in and notches it their very first time at bat…)

Absolutely. Apple is the highest valuation company in the world, over $3 Trillilon. They can more than afford to spend years building an audience for a higher quality, more expensive product until it starts to be profitable and pay off. They've done it many times over many years in the past. One can't argue with the results.