The Criterion Collection

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by jacobsever

Am I the only one who has done something like this?

[Show spoiler]

Typed a list of all announced titles.
Highlighted what I own, what I still need, and what haven't been released yet.

So far, out of the 132 blu ray's Criterion has released, I own 104 of them. There was a time I was up to date and current through every month. But around May of this year I fell off, and couldn't afford each release.

I've done that sort of thing. And ya, I used to own all the Blu-Ray Criterion releases. Back when they were consistently releasing only about 3 per month it was feasible, but once they moved to 5-6 most months I fell behind and got selective. According to my most recent count I own all but 21 Criterion Blu's already released.

[scottpcusa]

Originally Posted by jacobsever

Am I the only one who has done something like this?

[Show spoiler]

Typed a list of all announced titles.
Highlighted what I own, what I still need, and what haven't been released yet.

So far, out of the 132 blu ray's Criterion has released, I own 104 of them. There was a time I was up to date and current through every month. But around May of this year I fell off, and couldn't afford each release.

I have a list like that on my iPad! (I am a self-assessed Borderline-ish Obsessive Compulsive)

[Eny-]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

But...isn't the paper insert smaller than the spine of a regular case, since it's one of those regular Blu-ray cases? (I know..I'm just making it more difficult...If I find this with a slip someday, I'll buy it)

A custom was already created.

Originally Posted by Eny-

and here's a photo...

[Pyoko]

Originally Posted by jacobsever

Am I the only one who has done something like this?

[Show spoiler]

I'll never get a complete collection because there are loads of titles I wouldn't pay $5 for, and I couldn't afford it anyway.

Every new wave of announcements I just add what looks interesting to the Blu-ray.com price tracker. As of the last BN sale I'm pretty much up to date on my 'wants' until February. There are still a few titles I might get but they'd have to drop to something like $15 before I'd consider them, and since that's not going to happen I don't see any point in tracking them.

[IronFingaz]

Originally Posted by scottpcusa

I have a list like that on my iPad! (I am a self-assessed Borderline-ish Obsessive Compulsive)

Is there a specific program you use? I'm might be getting a iPad 2 next week.

[trombone dixie]

Off-topic: Does anyone on here watch MAD MEN and recommend it? I bought the first four seasons during the Lightning sale. My mother enjoys it and I want to give them to her for Christmas. If it's any good though I might keep them and get her some of her favorite movies on blu-ray.

[scottpcusa]

Originally Posted by IronFingaz

Is there a specific program you use? I'm might be getting a iPad 2 next week.

I use the excel app in DocsToGo. It works great once you get used to how to format the spreadsheets. I use the word app in it a lot, too, when I write. Overall, it's a great app to have. Costs $9.99 (or it did when I paid for it)

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by DetroitSquirreL

Last night I watched my copy of 'Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence' and was blown back by how nice it looked and the sound was wonderfully balanced....only problem i had was the subtitles, the white text on allot of the bright backgrounds made it hard to read at times...but this BD was like a time machine for me as I saw this at a small art house theatre in Detroit a year after it was released...great BD, so glad i bought it

Another fan of Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence! Glad more folks are discovering this Criterion edition DetroitSquirrel. Except for oildude's comments, it always seems second tier in these discussions, but I thought it was top tier in overall quality and background features.

[rock, stone]

Originally Posted by trombone dixie

Off-topic: Does anyone on here watch MAD MEN and recommend it? I bought the first four seasons during the Lightning sale. My mother enjoys it and I want to give them to her for Christmas. If it's any good though I might keep them and get her some of her favorite movies on blu-ray.

It is one of the very best shows currently being produced, and tippity top tier in terms of the cable show quality renaissance. Very early episodes hit the sexism nail on the head a little too hard, but it is easily forgiven as the actual social/sexual dynamic of the show is extremely complex. It also seems to improve with every season.

With all it's accolades though, it seems due for a backlash, so I would suggest watching and enjoying it without polling too many strangers.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by trombone dixie

Off-topic: Does anyone on here watch MAD MEN and recommend it? I bought the first four seasons during the Lightning sale. My mother enjoys it and I want to give them to her for Christmas. If it's any good though I might keep them and get her some of her favorite movies on blu-ray.

Personally I thought it was a decent show. Though I have to say I never thought it was a great show like so many others. I guess what always bugged me was that Mad Men dominated the Emmy for Best Drama for 4 straight years over far more deserving shows. It's a good show, just not THAT good.

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

I've done that sort of thing. And ya, I used to own all the Blu-Ray Criterion releases. Back when they were consistently releasing only about 3 per month it was feasible, but once they moved to 5-6 most months I fell behind and got selective. According to my most recent count I own all but 21 Criterion Blu's already released.

I took that approach during the heydey of DVD ChadFL, but not with Criterion's Blu-rays. If a mainstream studio title has to get pushed aside for a few weeks, then so be it; I always stay on top of those Criterion Blu's. Even the lesser blind buys have invariably turned out to be interesting and worth my attention when I finally do get around to watching them. I mean, it's not much different than having a library of good books...whenever one finally does beckon your attention, it's always available for watching .

What's changed is I've stopped buying Criterion DVDs...period. Although I see many good titles that aren't on Blu yet and may never receive high def treatment, I just don't take the chance anymore. Better judgment tells me they won't all get redone on Blu (e.g. the Eclipse box sets), but that's simply where I'm at when it comes to the DVD format.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

I took that approach during the heydey of the DVD era ChadFL, but not with Criterion's Blu-rays. If a mainstream studio title has to get pushed aside for a few weeks, then so be it; I always stay on top of those Criterion Blu's. Even the lesser blind buys have invariably turned out to be interesting and worth my attention when I finally do get around to watching them. I mean, it's not much different than having a library of good books...they always there for the watching whenever one finally does beckon your attention.

I agree on the Criterion Blu releases. With my Criterion purchases probably half of the films I buy are blind buys and very rarely am I ever disappointed. The Criterion label is just something I've come to trust in quality both in terms of movie and transfer quality.

[Criterion Collector]

Originally Posted by jacobsever

Am I the only one who has done something like this?

[Show spoiler]

Typed a list of all announced titles.
Highlighted what I own, what I still need, and what haven't been released yet.

So far, out of the 132 blu ray's Criterion has released, I own 104 of them. There was a time I was up to date and current through every month. But around May of this year I fell off, and couldn't afford each release.

LOL! That great!!! I too have made a similar spreadsheet, but on Excel, like others here.

I found myself becoming a bit too obsessed with my collection, and what order I was going to purchase everything.

I have since mellowed out (a tiny bit ) but I still cannot bring myself to quit obsessing altogether.

[Beta Man]

I don't use excel or any other program....

I look here:

http://www.criterion.com/library/lis...ray&p=1&pp=all


and then I look on my shelf..... if not on the shelf.... then I order it

[dag]

Interesting discussion among the collectors. I myself don't purchase any movies - I only rent. Last weekend I watched the Three Colors Trilogy, and was absolutely delighted by those films. Today I watched 12 Angry Men, and was impressed by the power of the acting and Lumet's direction; truly an American classic. This evening I watched Identification of a Woman, and I must say I was sorely tried by this movie; I didn't care for it at all.

[RetroGamer]

Originally Posted by dag

Interesting discussion among the collectors. I myself don't purchase any movies - I only rent. Last weekend I watched the Three Colors Trilogy, and was absolutely delighted by those films. Today I watched 12 Angry Men, and was impressed by the power of the acting and Lumet's direction; truly an American classic. This evening I watched Identification of a Woman, and I must say I was sorely tried by this movie; I didn't care for it at all.

Where did you rent the latter two, out of curiosity?

[Criterion Collector]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I don't use excel or any other program....

I look here:

http://www.criterion.com/library/lis...ray&p=1&pp=all


and then I look on my shelf..... if not on the shelf.... then I order it

HAHAHA! Great system Beta Man.

Surely you have some kind of system to ordering...such as ordering your favorite films first or whatever.

I have seen collectors who actually order by sine number. Just filing in/adding the spines as their collection calls for it.

I had considered that method myself, but I always think "what if I actually never finish purchasing all of them" (gasp!) so I eventually decided to start with favorites first, or at least ones that I am most interested in seeing.

[Monty70]

Originally Posted by Darkcritic

Does anyone here has an opinion about the Studiocanal releases? I was just looking at their catalogue and they have some releases I am interested in, namely The Lost Honor of Katherina Blum and The Pianist. Might pull the trigger if the quality meets the expectations . BTW, I know this isn't Criterion related in any way other than the fact that they are films but I trust you guys .

I own The Lost Honor of Katherina Blum on BD. (Studio Canal Collection)

The SC collection is a nice set, though obviously a notch below Criterion and Eureka MOC. TLHoKB BD looks and sounds very good for a production of the 1970's. (single 25GB disc) Some good bonus features are also included. (region A and B)

I found my copy on ebay for something like 10 pounds, so look around. (this is one title you may be able to find at a decent discount)

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by Oblivion138

+1

Even though I rarely bought Criterion DVD's back in the day, due to their prohibitive pricing, this is one of the few releases I went out of my way to get. Longtime fan of Sluzier's original film...not a fan of his Hollywood remake. It went along pretty well for the first two acts, then the studio tampering became evident...to put it mildly. 20th Century Fox essentially did to The Vanishing what New Line wanted to do to SE7EN...thank God that Fincher, Freeman, and Pitt all threatened to drop out if they turned it into the "Race against the clock to save Tracy Mills" movie. The Vanishing, sadly, didn't fare as well. Happy ending, my ass.

At any rate, digressions aside, it would be fantastic to get the Dutch original on BD from Criterion. It's very high on my list of most wanted releases.

Conversation between me and my brother many years ago on the differences between The Vanishing (which I had seen) and the remake (which he had seen):

[Show spoiler]Me: The ending is amazing! Completely blew me away!
Brother: I thought it was pretty cheesy, the way she saves him at the end.
Me: What?
Brother: She discovers some information on the computer, which leads her to where he's buried.
Me: What the hell are you talking about?

Would love to see the original get an upgrade

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by trombone dixie

Off-topic: Does anyone on here watch MAD MEN and recommend it? I bought the first four seasons during the Lightning sale. My mother enjoys it and I want to give them to her for Christmas. If it's any good though I might keep them and get her some of her favorite movies on blu-ray.

My wife and I have watched all four seasons of Mad Men and we both love it. Really great show.
I would've been happy if it had wrapped up at the end of season 4, instead of getting renewed for another 3 seasons. I'm not a fan of TV shows going on and on for years. I think they wear out their welcome.
Why don't you watch some and then decide to keep them or give them...