The Criterion Collection

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by RojD

You've been doing some movie-watching this week.

I have to do Kaurismaki movies in small doses because they are so, er, deliberate. However, Le Havre is one of the best films I saw last year, and I'm hoping its 31 July release will help it just eke into the sale, if there is one. It's an amazing movie, like Carne or Renoir were making movies today, only with occasional props and costumes from the 30s in the contemporary setting. If it's not in the sale, I'll just have to watch for one of the lesser Amazon markdowns. It's a keeper.

And this year, one of the best films I've seen is I Wish/Kiseki. I accidentally fell into watching Kore-eda's film with Nobody Knows and went back to look at the body of his work. Last year's Still Walking on Criterion was a wonderful release. Anyone know if we can expect I Wish on Criterion later? I'm sure it's just personality, but Kore-eda's work goes right into me.

I really want to see I Wish, where did you see it?

[jrsl76]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Enjoy, there are quite a few great films in there.
You've seen For All Mankind, safe blind buy?

I found it very interesting. Good docu.

I just watched A Night To Remember. Excellent Film.

[retask]

So when is that damn sale at BN?

[RojD]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I really want to see I Wish, where did you see it?

It was in Atlanta last week, just for the week. Must not have a lot of copies circulating.

Good luck!

[Jutty]

Ok this will probably sound like a silly question,,.
Im looking at buying my first Criterion collection film ( Shallow Grave), and was just curious is the 27,99 price a average price or do they drop like the normal BDs?
And secondly,does the quality of the film justify the price tag?,,
Thanks for all the input / info

[octagon]

Originally Posted by retask

So when is that damn sale at BN?

If/when there's any definite news you're not going to have to go around looking for it. You won't be able to look at a forum listing without seeing four threads about it.

Originally Posted by Jutty

Ok this will probably sound like a silly question,,.
Im looking at buying my first Criterion collection film ( Shallow Grave), and was just curious is the 27,99 price a average price or do they drop like the normal BDs?
And secondly,does the quality of the film justify the price tag?,,
Thanks for all the input / info

Funny you should ask.

Criterions don't tend to drop like most releases. When most releases drop to a lower price level they tend to stay dropped. Criterion prices tend to yo-yo up and down depending on what Amazon feels like doing at any given time.

Additionally, Barnes and Noble generally has two yearly 50% sales on Criterions. The next is expected in July (likely after their current promotion expires on or around July 10th) but there's always an air of uncertainty until it's formally announced.

Anyway, the bottom line - if you're willing to be patient and keep an eye out you can reasonably expect to pick up a single-disc title like Shallow Grave in the twentyish range.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by retask

So when is that damn sale at BN?

If anyone knew it'd be all over this thread and all over the internet. Nobody knows except BN corporate.

[Owozifa]

Just got a reminder of why I don't usually have a policy of leaving new purchases sealed in plastic even if I don't watch it right away. Had a few Criterions sitting off to the side that I hadn't taken the plastic off and Amazon had sent me Rules of the Game with a completely broken case that doesn't seem broken until you try to open it. The return window being long since passed, I must now turn to eBay.

[retask]

Im afraid I offended you personally by asking about the BN sale. I wasn't aware that you were the owners of the company.

[PowellPressburger]

I think it is because everyone seems to ask the question every page on the thread practically haha Don't take offense to it. believe me when it is known it will be plastered all over the HOT DEALS forum area also.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Owozifa

Just got a reminder of why I don't usually have a policy of leaving new purchases sealed in plastic even if I don't watch it right away. Had a few Criterions sitting off to the side that I hadn't taken the plastic off and Amazon had sent me Rules of the Game with a completely broken case that doesn't seem broken until you try to open it. The return window being long since passed, I must now turn to eBay.

Have you tried ordering replacement cases from criterion directly?

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Jutty

Ok this will probably sound like a silly question,,.
Im looking at buying my first Criterion collection film ( Shallow Grave), and was just curious is the 27,99 price a average price or do they drop like the normal BDs?
And secondly,does the quality of the film justify the price tag?,,
Thanks for all the input / info

Depends on the time of year really. Certain Criterions have dipped as low as 18.99 on Amazon during a sale, while others tend to hover around the 22-28 dollar range. As Octagon stated, B&N usually have a 50% off sale, where titles drop down to about 19.99.

The quality issue is something many have a debate over. There are certain posters who believe that Criterion quality is a bit like the Emperor's new clothes, while others swear by it. For me, Criterion's releases have been fairly decent, but I'm more interested in them for the special features (if another studio happens to have released the title), or because they're the only company releasing the films. Have you tried reading the reviews comparing the UK release of Shallow Grave to the Criterion one? Screenshots aren't something I'd recommend going by, but the reviews might help you decide if you should order the Criterion, or import the UK title:

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Shall...y/4111/#Review - UK disc

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Shall.../40554/#Review - Criterion disc

[Owozifa]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Have you tried ordering replacement cases from criterion directly?

Shipping seems to make that route prohibitively expensive in comparison.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Owozifa

Shipping seems to make that route prohibitively expensive in comparison.

I assume it would require you to purchase enough from them to get the free shipping? At least you'd get some more films or perhaps a nice Hausu shirt out of it?

How much is shipping on a 2.95 case anyways? I'm not entitled to free shipping via Criterion, and I know it would be ridiculous for me anyways since I live in Canada, whereas you live in the US.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by Owozifa

Shipping seems to make that route prohibitively expensive in comparison.

Here's the eBay seller's listing for 10 cases, but I believe he has a single case offer now. I've ordered from him before with positive results.

Here's his entire listing of Criterion cases.

I just noticed he has the newer 2-disc blu-ray case, as well, that The Samurai Trilogy uses.

[CHEЯNOБLY!]

Originally Posted by Owozifa

Shipping seems to make that route prohibitively expensive in comparison.

You could also wait until you want to buy something else from Criterion, and then get the free shipping...it's not an emergency unless the disc is exposed. Id get the 12pack. CC cases crack pretty easily.

[jeloid]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

Here's the eBay seller's listing for 10 cases, but I believe he has a single case offer now. I've ordered from him before with positive results.

Here's his entire listing of Criterion cases.

I just noticed he has the newer 2-disc blu-ray case, as well, that The Samurai Trilogy uses.

thanks for this resource.

[Louisville Slugger]

So I just went to Barnes & Noble and tried using multiple coupons on a single order of three Criterions but they would only take one coupon so I walked out. I asked about the July Criterion sale, but he said they didn't know yet. He did mention it's not looking like they'll have it this year.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Louisville Slugger

So I just went to Barnes & Noble and tried using multiple coupons on a single order of three Criterions but they would only take one coupon so I walked out. I asked about the July Criterion sale, but he said they didn't know yet. He did mention it's not looking like they'll have it this year.

If it happens, it happens. I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't. Disappointed, but not surprised. I'd rather not retread the argument as to why I think we won't get sale if we end up not getting one,

[Show spoiler] because coupon use is a dangerous topic on this forum

.

I think we need to stop talking about the sale as its getting people worked up for no reason,

[Show spoiler]also people are beginning to think they're entitled to cheap BDs as if they're an essential need.

I'm getting 3 criterions tonight. One is a blind buy, le cercle rouge. I've heard good things about it. Do people prefer it to the other Melvilled out on BD such as Leon Morin or Army of Shadows?

[Owozifa]

Shipping on one case would have been $5.95 for Standard.

And yeah I've used that eBay seller before, just couldn't remember the name. I know I should have gotten a better value, but for now I only ordered one because money is kind of tight.

Thanks.