The Criterion Collection

[tau31]

Originally Posted by postmodel

Mine from Amazon looks like a return as well but there wasn’t a 4K sticker on it which emphasized the return vibe.

Funny you mention this, I received Devil in a Blue Dress 4k today with no sticker in a cellophane wrap. Didn't think much of it because I've seen this before with "new" titles. Removed the cellophane wrap, and lo and behold, the original seal was still stuck to the case, disc scratched to hell. It's 100% a return.





I feel it's too risky buying stuff that's older than a few months on Amazon.

[TheZeppo]

I've gone back and forth with this one for ages.

At 50% off, I finally said "why not?"



Better late than never.

[Watershipdownisgood]

Originally Posted by tau31

Funny you mention this, I received Devil in a Blue Dress 4k today with no sticker in a cellophane wrap. Didn't think much of it because I've seen this before with "new" titles. Removed the cellophane wrap, and lo and behold, the original seal was still stuck to the case, disc scratched to hell. It's 100% a return.





I feel it's too risky buying stuff that's older than a few months on Amazon.

That sucks I really hope my copy isn't that scratched as I won't be getting my copy of that film for a few weeks. Also this will be a huge upgrade from the DVD I have of this as my DVD set also has other Denzel roles I haven't upgraded yet including Glory, and a Soldiers Story. I really need to upgrade Glory immediately along with a Soldiers Story even though Denzels role in that film is way more of a supporting role. He isn't even in a Soldiers Story for very long in the film.

Speaking of African American cinema has anyone seen Bamboozled starring a couple of the Wayans brothers? Criterion put it out on Blu-Ray a few years ago, and I'm a big Spike Lee fan as I do still want to pick up Malcolm X this year, but is anyone familiar with that film? It looks pretty controversial which is quite typical of Lee, and his films, but I don't see anyone talking about this one. It looks interesting

[Surge92]

Originally Posted by postmodel

Mine from Amazon looks like a return as well but there wasn’t a 4K sticker on it which emphasized the return vibe.

And the only reason I went with Amazon was to get it faster and because, if need be, returning it would be easy. As someone else said, though, you run a risk buying from them a release that's a few months old.

[Colonel Blimp]

Originally Posted by Watershipdownisgood

Speaking of African American cinema has anyone seen Bamboozled starring a couple of the Wayans brothers? Criterion put it out on Blu-Ray a few years ago, and I'm a big Spike Lee fan as I do still want to pick up Malcolm X this year, but is anyone familiar with that film? It looks pretty controversial which is quite typical of Lee, and his films, but I don't see anyone talking about this one. It looks interesting

I had it but sold it during a purge a few years back. It's pretty good - he's obviously being provocative in a way that was somewhat more acceptable for 2000, and in 2025, it will be too challenging for many audiences. It's a satire and anyone who takes things too literally will not be comfortable.

It has the worst commentary track - I really expected Lee to have something to say and all he does is narrate. He laughs at certain scenes like he's surprised, it's like guy, it's your movie. So that was a let down.

Damon Wayans is very good and Michael Rappaport does a good job too. It's worth a pickup. If you like Lee, I think this is one of his riskier ventures and he pulls it off. I might buy it again. Haha

Edit - funny, I looked up a review to jog my memory and the Criterion came out in 2020 and I never owned that, so I must have watched the original DVD. And, thinking about that, purging a lot of my DVDs was probably 2006 or so. If you told me I watched the movie a year or two ago I would have believed you, but it's been almost 20 years. So I guess it stuck with me.

[Winslow Leach]

Must all brand new Criterions come with a sticker in front? I bought a copy of Heaven's Gate on blu-ray from B&N and just noticed it's missing a sticker. It doesn't seem to be rewrapped, it looks mint, just off the shelf.

[Surge92]

I'm going to swing by my local Barnes & Noble tomorrow and see what I can find.

[tau31]

Originally Posted by Winslow Leach

Must all brand new Criterions come with a sticker in front? I bought a copy of Heaven's Gate on blu-ray from B&N and just noticed it's missing a sticker. It doesn't seem to be rewrapped, it looks mint, just off the shelf.

Yeah, it's not always a sure way to tell. See if there is any residual of an original seal. Mine was cellophane wrapped with hints of the original underneath.

[PurpsMcNuggets]

I told myself I would limit myself to one small B&N haul:



Somehow I found myself back at B&N today:



All 4k’s. I have no desire to buy any blu rays from Criterion any more, everything I have on blu is getting upgraded by Criterion over time. I swear I am done with this sale now.

[tau31]

Originally Posted by PurpsMcNuggets

All 4k’s. I have no desire to buy any blu rays from Criterion any more, everything I have on blu is getting upgraded by Criterion over time. I swear I am done with this sale now.

Yeah...100%...My Criterion collection is having it's very own collection of dupes due to all the upgrading...Just no point now, best to save money unless it's something you truly love or know a 4k won't improve it (.e.g, Inland Empire)

[Surge92]

Originally Posted by PurpsMcNuggets

All 4k’s. I have no desire to buy any blu rays from Criterion any more, everything I have on blu is getting upgraded by Criterion over time. I swear I am done with this sale now.

Same here. I think eventually just about everything is going to get a 4K upgrade. I'm patiently waiting for The Tin Drum, Kwaidan, Fellini Satyricon and Pasolini's Trilogy of Life in 4K.

[CrossRhodes94]

There needs to be more Joan Crawford on criterion. Would love to see Berserk, Rain, etc. all on criterion 4K

[PurpsMcNuggets]

Originally Posted by tau31

Yeah...100%...My Criterion collection is having it's very own collection of dupes due to all the upgrading...Just no point now, best to save money unless it's something you truly love or know a 4k won't improve it (.e.g, Inland Empire)

I have already upgraded from my Criterion blu ray to Criterion 4k the following titles: Dazed and Confused, For All Mankind, Thief, The Princess Bride, Days of Heaven, and McCabe and Mrs. Miller (all films I love)

I am thinking of holding off for now on upgrading Barry Lyndon, Brazil and all 8 Wes Anderson releases. They all look good on blu ray. Plus I have to draw the line somewhere.

Trying to focus on getting the 4k’s for movies I don’t own already, are upgrades from DVD, or are newer films, like Flow.

[TheZeppo]

Originally Posted by PurpsMcNuggets

or newer films, like Flow.

Seriously.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82WW9dVbglI

[Taylor3978]

Originally Posted by sandman slim

Y'all are hilarious with the Bezos bashing. He does still own ten percent of the stock, but he stepped down as CEO nearly four years ago.

Amazan has been under investigation by the FTC for price fixing. That tends to happen when you have a near-monopoly. They only lower their prices to price-match sales at other venues. Once B&N folds, no more 50% off at Amazon.

[Doc Moonlight]

Originally Posted by sherlockjr

Doesn't B&N charge full list the rest of the year? I doubt there's many that know enough to search out Criterions that also ever pay MSRP.

B&N has select Criterions that they offer a 30% discount on. The titles change monthly. If you are a member of their loyalty program, you get an extra 10% off. Plus you get the stamps that lead to $5 coupons. If I really want a title, and it's one of the 30% off ones, I'll pick it up without waiting for the sale.

[Mr. Chaverria]

I'm starting to think that maybe the 50% off via B&N may be needless to stay as a member if Amazon is doing the same thing.

Since going region free CC has become less relevant to me. Though it is nice to get one every once in a while.

But do I trust Amazon enough w/ their packaging is the question?

[Sifox211]

Originally Posted by Winslow Leach

Must all brand new Criterions come with a sticker in front? I bought a copy of Heaven's Gate on blu-ray from B&N and just noticed it's missing a sticker. It doesn't seem to be rewrapped, it looks mint, just off the shelf.

It's been found that even with disks sourced directly from Criterion there is no consistency wrt to either stickers or type of shrinkwrap.

[Berkanan]

Ordered five Criterion titles from Amazon. Hopefully not all of them are scratched. Opening these USA import releases usually mean there will be a moment of OH MAN, OH GOD, OH MAN, OH GOD

[tau31]

Originally Posted by Sifox211

It's been found that even with disks sourced directly from Criterion there is no consistency wrt to either stickers or type of shrinkwrap.

Someone online apparently got this from big A yesterday...No wrap, just a sticker on a naked dirty case. So I'm not going crazy.