The Criterion Collection

[Hawkguy]

I'm sure many of you have upgraded DVD editions for Blu-ray editions...I wanted to ask: what do you guys do with the DVD editions after the upgrade? Are the Criterion DVDs that have received an upgrade still desirable at all?

[easyblu]

BN finally shipped my order of The Lady Vanishes, yah! More Hitchcock on blu-ray is a good thing. Hope the PQ is good

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

I'm sure many of you have upgraded DVD editions for Blu-ray editions...I wanted to ask: what do you guys do with the DVD editions after the upgrade? Are the Criterion DVDs that have received an upgrade still desirable at all?

Many run of the mill DVD's aren't worth the plastic they are printed on anymore. I really don't know what to do with those except hang onto them and hope for yet another "recycling program". Not sure any Criterion DVD's quite fall into that category. Criterion's, for whatever reason, are probably some of the few DVD's that actually hold SOME value for resale or trade. I would say most Criterion DVD's are surely worth at least a couple bucks, a chunk of them even approaching $10 or more if in mint condition (OOP ones might even be more).

I started selling off the vast majority of my DVD collection a few years ago when I started into blu-rays, including a number of Criterions since I got the most money for them. (I'm probably down to under 100 total DVD titles by now after all the recycling programs and just selling/trading for straight cash) I regret selling a few titles that maybe won't get upgrades. But then I'd guess if you wait until a blu-ray is actually available, the DVD value probably drops alot faster. A bit of a catch-22

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by TylerDurden

I really want The Great Dictator but missed picking it up during the last sale. What's the schedule for Criterion's throughout the year? I know B&N has theirs in Nov/Jun are there other sales also?

I know B&N have "buy 2 get 1" sales, and some Criterion's are included. But I recall during the last one it was missing the vast majority of Criterion titles. (unless I just looked at the wrong time). It wasn't really worthwhile as I couldn't even find 3 titles I wanted that would qualify. I have no idea of the exact timing, I just know the last one was pretty close to the July 50% sale so maybe they will have one coming up fairly soon.

B&N needs to start making that 50% sale a quarterly event.

[buffetfroid]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

I'm sure many of you have upgraded DVD editions for Blu-ray editions...I wanted to ask: what do you guys do with the DVD editions after the upgrade? Are the Criterion DVDs that have received an upgrade still desirable at all?

I sell mine on half.com. You can usually get around $10-15, depending on title.

edit: If you are patient.

[Fallglimmer]

unless I have a friend offer to buy them I just keep my old DVD when I upgrade...I don't really use them, but they do look nice on the shelf

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

City Lights

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

Are you laughing at me good sir?

[P@t_Mtl]

Just wanted to share this with everyone

On TVO last night they had Nosferatu. TVO is a French TV channel we have here in Montreal. Everything is European programming and what I really love about it is the selection of world cinema they show every night.

The restoration was very good, in fact it was the best I ever seen this movie look. The picture was very clean and everything was coming out clearly. The inter-titles were in German with French subs added. The run time was 91 minutes. I don't know how ready it would be for a Blu-ray release as I am no expert but I really like the look it had. As I said the best look I ever seen this movie had. I figured this would be a nice addition to Criterion but I suspect KINO might or would probably release it.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

It is a good deal, and it seems to be the regular price. I ordered it at this price back when I pre-ordered 12 Angry Men. I watched it the other night after 12 angry Men actually.

What did you think of Army of Shadows?
It's possibly my favourite Criterion blind-buy.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by Darkcritic

I just finished watching Leon Morin, Priest and can't believe how much I liked it. The general opinion seemed to be that it was a slow film but I found it completely captivating. Melville's pace is becoming a trademark for me and the gently editing and compositon are a thing of beauty. I really love how Melville composed his shots, they were never boring and always seemed to have something happening. Emmanuelle Riva's acting was easily the most enjoyable aspect of the film. Belmondo obviously delivers but I found Riva's character a lot more likable (The fact that she looked absolutely gorgeous helped a bit ) and down to earth. Overall, I am really happy about this blind-buy and would recommend it to any Melville fan. It was a hell to track down this film but Criterion more than makes up for all the previous hassle. Also, opinions ?

Leon Morin, Priest was blind-buy for me. I was already a Melville fan and wanted to see more of Belmondo.
It's such an unassuming and subtle film. Melville really knows how to use framing and camera movement to keep the lengthy dialogue-sequences interesting, without it ever becoming flashy.
Riva and Belmondo are great and the slow-burn development of their drama is great.
I want to give it some time before I re-visit it, but I'm expecting to pick up so much more, particularly from the dense theological discussions.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Are you laughing at me good sir?

Laughing at your joke about the Last Temptation clue

[SlickDamian]

What do you all think of Robinson Crusoe on Mars? It looks so odd, trippy and cool! I have a giftcard and may be buying a Criterion later. Also thinking of Crumb and For All Mankind.

[Hendershot737]

I ended up recording Tiny Furniture when it showed on the Sundance Channel. Has anyone actually seen this flick? I figure I shouldn't really knock it till I try it...

[Darkcritic]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

What did you think of Army of Shadows?
It's possibly my favourite Criterion blind-buy.

I would also like to hear opinions! Such an amazing film from start to finish, my favorite Criterion release .

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

Leon Morin, Priest was blind-buy for me. I was already a Melville fan and wanted to see more of Belmondo.
It's such an unassuming and subtle film. Melville really knows how to use framing and camera movement to keep the lengthy dialogue-sequences interesting, without it ever becoming flashy.
Riva and Belmondo are great and the slow-burn development of their drama is great.
I want to give it some time before I re-visit it, but I'm expecting to pick up so much more, particularly from the dense theological discussions.

That was one of the most interesting aspects (Melville's framing/editing). The camera always moves to keep things interesting but never calling attention upon itself. It is all so subtle you not even notice. I also want to revisit it sometime later, when the film becomes not so fresh in my mind. I too think the theological discussions will become greater and better with second viewings.

[jacobsever]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

I'm sure many of you have upgraded DVD editions for Blu-ray editions...I wanted to ask: what do you guys do with the DVD editions after the upgrade? Are the Criterion DVDs that have received an upgrade still desirable at all?

I sell them on eBay. If I have the blu ray version, I'll never watch the dvd again, and it just takes up shelf space. I actually just sold a few two days ago.

The Lady Vanishes (old artwork) - $5.50
Fanny and Alexander (theatrical version only) - $11.50
Dazed and Confused - $7.77
Salo - $14.50

I haven't purchased the blu's of these yet, but I'd rather have $39.27 than 4 dvds sitting on shelves that I won't watch.

[Illy Scorsese]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

What did you think of Army of Shadows?
It's possibly my favourite Criterion blind-buy.

Also was a blind buy for me last Winter when Amazon had the mass Criterion sale...

I was completely flloored.

I now consider it to be probably my favorite French Film of all-time along with "The Rules of the Game".

Army of Shadows is highly recommended by me.

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by SlickDamian

What do you all think of Robinson Crusoe on Mars? It looks so odd, trippy and cool!.

It was. It is! But that's coming from someone who grew up with this movie in the context of 60s science, politics, and moviemaking.

Despite 2001: a space odyssey and Planet of the Apes, and to a lesser degree Fantastic Voyage, the pre-moon landing era wasn't especially good for speculative fiction on film. Most of it was just 'sciffy' formula: Take a handful of guys, an obligatory babe, launch them toward ______, and toss in a BEM* for middle-act conflict. Destroy the BEM, fire retros, and head home.

With Robinson Crusoe on Mars though, science fiction writer Ib Melchior and vet genre director Byron Haskin (War of the Worlds) worked within the constraints of the genre to do something quite a bit different, and kick it up several notches. Of course, it had all the cheesy trappings of the era, including an easy-to-pitch Franken-genre concept/title, alien spaceships with heat rays, and even a precocious monkey for comedy relief. But most of it played much better than that as a basic tale of survival, loneliness, and even creeping madness. So the Defoe-in-space connection was not only valid, but also got worked into the premise with uncommon intelligence and honesty.

Robinson Crusoe on Mars is a classic case of an otherwise B-movie premise done up with A-class integrity and conviction. And remarkably, they got much of the science of Mars right too...a full 5 years before anyone had even set foot on the Moon. It's just a good little movie that never really received the exposure it deserved until Criterion took it on, and both their Blu-ray and DVD look surpisingly good considering the era it was made and how neglected it had been for so many years on home video.

* Bug-Eyed Monster

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by Illy Scorsese

Army of Shadows is highly recommended by me.

The only thing that has me not anxious to see it is the fact that it comes across as a very political film, which I often stay away from because most of the time I am unaware of the political context/backstory of the film, and therefore somewhat lost while watching it.

[Illy Scorsese]

Originally Posted by SlickDamian

What do you all think of Robinson Crusoe on Mars? It looks so odd, trippy and cool! I have a giftcard and may be buying a Criterion later. Also thinking of Crumb and For All Mankind.

"Crumb" is one of the most disturbing and fascinating Documentaries ever made... Incredibly depressing, and yet also uplifting in some strange way(that through art, something can be salvaged)... It's probably in my Top 10 Criterions. It does what a documentary should, which is to utterly penetrate it's subjects. To the point of discomfort most of the time.

It's a great film... But it's not for everybody.