The Criterion Collection

[captveg]

Originally Posted by alen_shime

are there any news on a Citizen Kane

I believe Warner has stated that it's on their slate for a 2011 release for its 70th Anniversary.

[captveg]

Originally Posted by Volume11

A lot of the HD transfers older than the last 2 years aren't up to snuff for BD standards as stated by Criterion themselves. A lot of the titles had to have more work done to get a proper blu release.

But Criterion are pretty tight lipped about how they decide to release BDs...

Exactly. Every studio has pretty much discovered this with their HD masters from earlier than 2006 or so.

As far as Criterion being tight lipped.... they have at least been less tight lipped than previous years. We already know they plan to release M, The Leopard, Seven Samurai, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Walkabout, and a few others I'm probably forgetting. And a betting man would put money on the more obvious and relatively well known world classics (Breathless, Bicycle Thieves, Rules of the Game) coming sooner rather than later. It's the less commercial titles and the older part of the catalog that would take more work to get a new HD master that are more of a question.

[JediFonger]

ummm are you guys 'fans' of Criterion on facebook? they are very interactive on there and have revealed that they use 2 teams. 1 for DVD releases and 1 for Blu-Ray. both teams work on different titles. that's why i assumed you guys knew that =P.

that's why i said i hope both teams converge and focus only on BD first... cause then DVD will simply be the downrez.

[RAZGRIZ-1]

^^^I saw that yesterday for 356. Bet the buyer sure is happy!

[captveg]

Originally Posted by JediFonger

ummm are you guys 'fans' of Criterion on facebook? they are very interactive on there and have revealed that they use 2 teams. 1 for DVD releases and 1 for Blu-Ray. both teams work on different titles. that's why i assumed you guys knew that =P.

that's why i said i hope both teams converge and focus only on BD first... cause then DVD will simply be the downrez.

I think their exact phrasing was that doing a BD release as well as a DVD release was the equivalent man hours of doing two separate releases. I'm sure there's a bit of overflow, but yeah, an additional project is just that.

[Volume11]

Originally Posted by JediFonger

ummm are you guys 'fans' of Criterion on facebook? they are very interactive on there and have revealed that they use 2 teams. 1 for DVD releases and 1 for Blu-Ray. both teams work on different titles. that's why i assumed you guys knew that =P.

that's why i said i hope both teams converge and focus only on BD first... cause then DVD will simply be the downrez.

Its too cryptic for my blood. I love them as a company and fully support them but I wish they would move past DVD already and focus on BLU, ala Eureka's MoC series and their new approach. The numbers support the action but I think they are way too tepid when it comes to pissing off the DVD gestapos that dominate most of the Criterion related forums.

[captveg]

The numbers (at least in the US) support making money in both formats. It's frankly hard to argue otherwise.

[ccfixx]

For all of those that are still waiting... I just wanted to say that "Paris, Texas" looks AMAZING on blu-ray!!!

CC

[Volume11]

Originally Posted by captveg

The numbers (at least in the US) support making money in both formats. It's frankly hard to argue otherwise.

Eureka, who are much smaller and UK based, have stated that most of the day and date titles have been 50/50 PRIOR to the holiday season. I would think the huge push BD got this holiday would increase it at least a few percentage points...I can only assume Criterion is in the same boat if not better off than Eureka. Like I said, I think they worry too much about the DVD crowd.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by rocks off

So I guess Paris, Texas is gonna be another Gommorah, in that I can't find it in any stores and none seem to be on the way either. Why does my Best Buy only get about half of the released titles in when they're released? Very annoying.

Just buy it online from Amazon. I've yet to see a single Blu-Ray Criterion cheaper at a retail store than online. Unless you are one of those people who would rather pay a jacked up price at the store than wait a whole extra day to get it that is.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by nekz

Criterion Collection Blu-Ray Complete Set, Every BluRay
Last Bid: US $692.51

Congrats to the buyer :^)

Uhh... about $25 per movie by my calculation. That's not a very good deal...

[Volume11]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Just buy it online from Amazon. I've yet to see a single Blu-Ray Criterion cheaper at a retail store than online. Unless you are one of those people who would rather pay a jacked up price at the store than wait a whole extra day to get it that is.

Ha. I usually always buy them online and also picked up a few during the half off B&N sale but the past two weeks I bought Che and then 8 1/2 on whim for the jacked up Best Buy price because I hate ordering online and waiting.

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by Volume11

Eureka, who are much smaller and UK based, have stated that most of the day and date titles have been 50/50 PRIOR to the holiday season. I would think the huge push BD got this holiday would increase it at least a few percentage points...I can only assume Criterion is in the same boat if not better off than Eureka. Like I said, I think they worry too much about the DVD crowd.

Eureka is pretty big but the MoC division is very small (a handfful of people). However, theuy have several things going for them:

1. Limited catalog overlap with Criterion, Kino, etc.

2. Unique extra features and booklets

3. Similar exacting A/V quality standards as Criterion

4. Their BDs are mostly Region-free and have NTSC or HD extras, making them of equal value to US and UK customers alike.

5. Great customer service

[thorthefifth]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

For all of those that are still waiting... I just wanted to say that "Paris, Texas" looks AMAZING on blu-ray!!!

CC

Yeah, I got it yesterday. I have a new favorite Criterion film!

[Volume11]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

Eureka is pretty big but the MoC division is very small (a handfful of people). However, theuy have several things going for them:

1. Limited catalog overlap with Criterion, Kino, etc.

2. Unique extra features and booklets

3. Similar exacting A/V quality standards as Criterion

4. Their BDs are mostly Region-free and have NTSC or HD extras, making them of equal value to US and UK customers alike.

5. Great customer service

Yes, as US customers we get the best of both worlds. That being said I would think Criterion does more business as a whole.

But even if we put them at equal they seem to have the right idea wth how they are embracing blu.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

For all of those that are still waiting... I just wanted to say that "Paris, Texas" looks AMAZING on blu-ray!!!

CC

+1... heck, +100... just watched it for the first time on blu yesterday and was amazed.

[kndy]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

Eureka is pretty big but the MoC division is very small (a handfful of people). However, theuy have several things going for them:

I think what we're going to see are more players. But what will be more interesting is if other international companies start seeing what MoC is doing, putting non-region to entice overseas purchases...it's going to change the way things have been done in video distribution.

I have ordered two from MoC and one thing I like is the interaction with their fans, their openness of giving people a chance to own the copies before street date and of course, the fact that we can play these Blu-rays without any region coding. Also, their releases come with the booklets that Criterion are usually known for.

Kino Video of course will have the dominance in the silent film era, they ahve such a large catalog of current and classic films that if they dedicate to Blu-ray, it will be amazing.

Sony Classics of course is bringing a lot of intl. films + music films. A lot of their releases are DVD-based and for recent releases such as "Soul Power", MoC had the booklet and more special features than the SC version.

Now if Artificial Eye, BFI, Second Run starts releasing Blu-rays with no region coding...hehe...wow!

[jcs913]

My B&N order was just completed. I got the 7th seal today and Paris,Texas and 8 1/2 will be here on monday. I've seen both 7th seal and 8 1/2 through netflix and was very happy with the transfers, but I am very excited about Paris, Texas. I was going to netflix it, but I think it is a must-own anyway and at less than $20 a title from B&N after the discounts, you can't go wrong.

[ChadFL]

Can someone fill me in on how long it usually takes Criterion to respond to e-mails? I am just wondering how long to expect since I e-mailed them a question on replacement cases several days ago. Judging by how unresponsive they are about shipping replacement cases I'm guessing a long time.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Can someone fill me in on how long it usually takes Criterion to respond to e-mails? I am just wondering how long to expect since I e-mailed them a question on replacement cases several days ago. Judging by how unresponsive they are about shipping replacement cases I'm guessing a long time.

My experience with e-mailing Criterion has varied, Chad. For the most part, all of my e-mails have been answered within one to two days. However, any and all e-mail correspondence I've had concerning the replacement cases has generally taken longer for whatever reason. I'm sure Criterion is sick of receiving e-mails about the cases, as well, so who knows why it's taking a bit longer for them to respond.

CC