The Criterion Collection

[charnier]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

I see Jacques Rozier is in the Collection again with the Vigo set, but I would love to somehow get his couple of shorts onto a disc (I want to see Blue Jeans).

Spider - I meant to ask how you enjoyed your Anger set.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by Hendershot737

I'm not familiar with Algiers other than the rumblings that I've read about it...looks like this one will be a definite blind-buy (and probably The Killing and Cul-de-Sac)

It's a must. It really is an Excellent film. It's one of my favorite Criterion releases I've come across.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by zombeaner

In what universe is Kubrick considered "flavor of the week"?

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0634240/board/

[herzog4life]

Originally Posted by charnier

Spider - I meant to ask how you enjoyed your Anger set.

I'm stealing this question to answer it. The Anger set is fantastic, and easily worth the heavily discounted price that amazonuk was selling it for.

[aggienader08]

Wow! 6 titles in August! Criterion is on a roll!

[octagon]

Originally Posted by zombeaner

In what universe is Kubrick considered "flavor of the week"?

Obviously Kubrick has never been obscure but there's also no question his mass appeal stock has been on the rise lately and there is a bit of a fad element to his current revival. He's definitely a bit of a pop star right now.

I think he was also a genuine talent and if not a giant then awfully damn close. I suspect SB agrees and was simply commenting on Kubrick's current mass appeal buuuuuuuut you just never know so I thought I'd ask.

[Hendershot737]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Question for blind-buyers: is it that you refuse to see films that aren't presented in 1080? Because you do have a few months to see these films before they are released on Blu-ray.

For me: Not at all. It's more of a backlog issue. With my current Criterion backlog (as well as the many non-Criterion movies I watch), by the time I get to seeing Algiers, it may be August all ready . And what better way to see a film than through 1080 since I probably won't get to t he film until the 1080 version is out. I should also add that I like owning the Criterion films and I have yet to be severely disappointed with my blind-purchases...and I don't mind taking the risk of disliking them [that is to say, I do read fellow posters and reviews on the blind-bought films prior to the purchase in order to gauge whether there's a chance I'll actually enjoy them...so would that be a partially-blind buy since I'm more aware of the film than just knowing what the cover looks like? ]

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Question for blind-buyers: is it that you refuse to see films that aren't presented in 1080? Because you do have a few months to see these films before they are released on Blu-ray.

I don't refuse to watch non-HD films but I do have a strong preference and I'm occasionally willing to gamble a few extra bucks so that my initial viewing of something can be under the best conditions.

Criterions moght seem like a bigger gamble than most because of their higher price point but they're really not. Even the 'bad' ones are worth ten bucks so if you pick 'em up on sale what's the most you can really lose? Eight, ten bucks?

[italy12]

Originally Posted by Hendershot737

For me: Not at all. It's more of a backlog issue. With my current Criterion backlog (as well as the many non-Criterion movies I watch), by the time I get to seeing Algiers, it may be August all ready . And what better way to see a film than through 1080 since I probably won't get to t he film until the 1080 version is out. I should also add that I like owning the Criterion films and I have yet to be severely disappointed with my blind-purchases...and I don't mind taking the risk of disliking them [that is to say, I do read fellow posters and reviews on the blind-bought films prior to the purchase in order to gauge whether there's a chance I'll actually enjoy them...so would that be a partially-blind buy since I'm more aware of the film than just knowing what the cover looks like? ]

I feel the same way when it comes to blind buying criterion films. I do it often and am rarely, if ever disappointed. I do try and rent or stream films I don't think are coming. For example, I just rented If.... A few months back. I liked it enough to buy, but I'd acrually rather blind buy films I haven't seen yet.

One of the things I look forward to most is sitting down to enjoy a Criterion from my collection that I've not yet seen.

[Hendershot737]

Originally Posted by octagon

I don't refuse to watch non-HD films but I do have a strong preference and I'm occasionally willing to gamble a few extra bucks so that my initial viewing of something can be under the best conditions.

Criterions moght seem like a bigger gamble than most because of their higher price point but they're really not. Even the 'bad' ones are worth ten bucks so if you pick 'em up on sale what's the most you can really lose? Eight, ten bucks?

Very good point

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Oh, I don't really see them as a gamble at all considering how they hold value. That's never been my issue with blind buys. I'm just curious, since a lot of time people are declaring they'll purchase something four months from now "blind" when they can stream them on Netflix tonight to see if they even want to bother.

This is going to be an extreme analogy but for me Netflix streaming is sort of like watching a bootleg of a movie still in the theaters. If I think I'm going to like something I would rather wait and get the full effect all at once.

Not that streaming is that bad, of course. And I do use it to semi-audition stuff. I wasn't sure about The Thin Red Line but ten-fifteen minutes of streaming convinced me that yes, I wanted to see but I didn't want to see the rest of it there. I also streamed the first half of Che and immediately added part 2 to my disc queue.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

I've actually been underwhelmed by a fair amount of Criterion titles I was excited for -- like Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, House, and White Material to name a few -- and was glad I didn't blind buy them. Too easy to wait until the next 50% off sale.

To each their own.

Wait, now you're mixing apples and bowling balls - full price is for suckers whether it's a blind buy or not

[retask]

I dont know about you guys but I think Criterion has out-done themselves with the cover art for The Killing. Best cover EVER!

[Pyoko]

Another Algiers blind buy here, I've been waiting for this one to be announced!

That's the only definite one though. I remember seeing The Killing years back and thought it was rather 'meh.' Might give it another try but only if it's on sub-$20 sale. Will have to research Cul-de-Sac and the Vigo set.

[majorkonig41]

Originally Posted by retask

I dont know about you guys but I think Criterion has out-done themselves with the cover art for The Killing. Best cover EVER!

Agreed.

[zombeaner]

Originally Posted by octagon

Obviously Kubrick has never been obscure but there's also no question his mass appeal stock has been on the rise lately and there is a bit of a fad element to his current revival. He's definitely a bit of a pop star right now.

I think he was also a genuine talent and if not a giant then awfully damn close. I suspect SB agrees and was simply commenting on Kubrick's current mass appeal buuuuuuuut you just never know so I thought I'd ask.

Every generation thinks they discovered everything cool for the first time. He's always had mass appeal. There is no current surge in popularity.

[pro-bassoonist]

[Banned User]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

RIP Wallet.

After seeing the new list of announced titles coupled with the amount already on preorder I have to agree. Criterion needs to have mercy on us!

[BluPops]

So, how was Fear and Desire? Good? Bad? Mediocre?

Originally Posted by popeflick

I was actually at an LA screening of Fear and Desire late last year. It isn't public domain, but the kodak archive it is owned by sounded sensitive to both Kubrick's wishes that it never get released and the desire for film historians and the public to see this film. The short story was that they were pissing off kubrick in the late 80s with screenings, and he got Scorcese (who's working with the archive) to put a stop to them, rather bluntly. They're loosening up again and they didn't rule out an actual release of some type, but were also very evasive with an answer.

[Darkcritic]

Now THIS is a hell of a month Criterion ! They really rised the bar a little bit to high with this one for the months to come. First of all, The Battle of Algiers should be my single most-wanted DVD-BD conversion since I discovered the Collection. I have been on the fence for months about getting the DVD and well, this just makes my decision so much easier. The Killing, Vigo and Cul-de-Sac were definitely expected but totally amazing non the less. Add to the bunch some Cocteau, a Palm d'Or winner and an interesting looking South Korean first-timer release and you just get what in my opinion has been the best month of the year so far . I can't really express how excited I was when I saw up that TBoA cover. Seriously Criterion, you will kill my heart and my wallet all at once, one of these days .