The Criterion Collection

[CusackstheMan]

Originally Posted by jcs913

I don't know if Beta enjoys all the films he owns, as I think he owns all the BD releases, but ask him.

I'd ask him also, how many has he actually watched?

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

That's why I hope everyone is buying at least 2 of every title.

Confession time...

I have traded in the respective DVDs of every movie that I have upgraded to Blu-ray, because I see no point in wasting space by keeping multiple copies. There are two glaring exceptions, though. I still kept the DVDs of Army of Shadows and Le Cercle Rouge after I bought the Blu-rays last month. I plan to do the same with Le Samouraï when it comes out on Blu-ray. I watch these Melville films frequently, they are all in my Top Ten Movies list, and I want the backup copies just in case something happens to the Blu-rays.

[Mac Norton]

Originally Posted by CusackstheMan

Reading this forum more and more, I noticed something that I shouldn't be surprised about, but am. I've learned there's a wide variety of opinion on what posters like and dislike within the Criterion Collection. It makes me think that at least some people on here are blind buying Criterion Blus just to have them on their shelf, with actually liking the film an added bonus. For example, some people have written on here that they already bought all or most of the 2012 releases, and I find it had to believe that those people didn't blind buy at least some of those films and/or didn't like all the films they bought. I myself blind bought Chungking Expess and In the Mood for Love. I liked Chungking lots; In the Mood....not so much. But do I regret adding that beautiful In the Mood case to be shelf? No. To me this begs the question, do most of us on here buy these Criterion releases to own another piece of the Criterion library, or buy them cause they know they will love the film and/or have seen it already and know it's a great film? Myself, I try to purchase movies I think I'll like, and prefer Criterion cause I know, more times than not, I will get to experience a film in best possible format ever available. In other words, blind buying is less of a deal to me because of this. Plus, I love the cases.

I would categorize myself as a blind-buyer, to a degree. Typically, I am familiar with a number of the releases Criterion puts out. There are times when I have never heard of a particular film, I do a little research and if it is in my wheelhouse, I buy it.

That being said, I would be lying if I said I wasn't ignorant to most foreign films. Criterion has opened a door for me, that may have stayed closed otherwise. And I am speaking more to the non-mainstream directors/actors.

Sure that sounds like I buy them to have them, but I don't feel that is the case. Everything it an added bonus if I turn out to love the film. If anything, I am getting a small taste to what world cinema has to offer. That might leave me with a dud or two, but to have historical context is worth that price, in my opinion.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

The one main thing about criterion that I enjoy is the fact that they release great transfers of films that would not be released otherwise by major distributors. I have bought blindly a couple of times, but films of directors I really enjoy. You can also run the risk of not liking these films; very few directors have a perfect filmography.

Lately, people commented that individuals that appreciate other rare film directors as snobs are entirely off the ball. I understand Kurosawa, Fellini and Bergman are geniuses of the moving art, but they are not the entirety of international film industry legacy. Criterion has gone out of their way to provide the US with less well known directors; and I commend them for that.

In regards to Criterion releasing more mainstream films (like Lynch) its OK. Just as long as they focus more on rare international gems. I would like to see Le Samourai before Eraserhead.

The God trilogy by Bergman before Mulholland drive.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Confession time...

I have traded in the respective DVDs of every movie that I have upgraded to Blu-ray, because I see no point in wasting space by keeping multiple copies. There are two glaring exceptions, though. I still kept the DVDs of Army of Shadows and Le Cercle Rouge after I bought the Blu-rays last month. I plan to do the same with Le Samouraï when it comes out on Blu-ray. I watch these Melville films frequently, they are all in my Top Ten Movies list, and I want the backup copies just in case something happens to the Blu-rays.

Don't feel bad. I still hold the crappy Rhino release of Head, simply because I paid 30 dollars for the bloody thing, and I'm too much of a Grinch to lend my Bd copy out.

You have a logical reason for the second copy. Some people just buy multiplicities foe packaging and or to display and won't even watch h the films.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by CusackstheMan

To me this begs the question, do most of us on here buy these Criterion releases to own another piece of the Criterion library, or buy them cause they know they will love the film and/or have seen it already and know it's a great film?

Both.

I don't buy titles just so I can cross off another spine number but I am much more inclined to take chances on Criterion releases. They've earned that trust and really, what's the worst possible outcome? I get 'stuck' with a great release of a film I'm glad to have seen (however I felt about it) and might well want to revist at some point in the future?

There are worse ways to spend disposable income (and believe me, I've tried a lot of them).

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Confession time...

I have traded in the respective DVDs of every movie that I have upgraded to Blu-ray, because I see no point in wasting space by keeping multiple copies. There are two glaring exceptions, though. I still kept the DVDs of Army of Shadows and Le Cercle Rouge after I bought the Blu-rays last month. I plan to do the same with Le Samouraï when it comes out on Blu-ray. I watch these Melville films frequently, they are all in my Top Ten Movies list, and I want the backup copies just in case something happens to the Blu-rays.

I also did the same. Bob Le flambeur is also a great film that needs a blu ray transfer. It's my favorite heist film because of the ending. I could not stop laughing.

[The Great Owl]

We all throw the term, "blind buy", around on this forum, but I don't think that it's any big deal.

We all make "blind buys" each time we pay >$10 to see a movie at the theater on the weekend of release. If you're like me and you find it difficult to enjoy a movie without a massive cup of Diet Coke at your side, then you pay at least $15. We can't trade these in or sell them if we do not like them, either.

It's funny, though, how much some of my friends have criticized me over the years for buying a physical copy of a movie that I have not yet seen.

I used to share a house with a couple of friends, and this type of conversation took place a few times.

Friend: "What are you watching?"
Me: "Rashomon"
Friend: "Why did you buy that?"
Me: "Because it's awesome."
Friend: "Is this your first time watching it?"
Me: "Yeah."
Friend: "Then how did you know that it was awesome when you bought it?"
Me: "Because it's just awesome, that's why."
Friend: "How did you know, though?"
Me: "I just knew. What was the last movie that you saw at the theater?"
Friend: "Spawn"
Me: "Was it good?"
Friend: "No, it was horrible."
Me: "Why did you go see it?"
Friend: "Because it looked interesting."
Me: "Same here."

[tonylopez]

Originally Posted by CusackstheMan

Reading this forum more and more, I noticed something that I shouldn't be surprised about, but am. I've learned there's a wide variety of opinion on what posters like and dislike within the Criterion Collection. It makes me think that at least some people on here are blind buying Criterion Blus just to have them on their shelf, with actually liking the film an added bonus. For example, some people have written on here that they already bought all or most of the 2012 releases, and I find it had to believe that those people didn't blind buy at least some of those films and/or didn't like all the films they bought. I myself blind bought Chungking Expess and In the Mood for Love. I liked Chungking lots; In the Mood....not so much. But do I regret adding that beautiful In the Mood case to be shelf? No. To me this begs the question, do most of us on here buy these Criterion releases to own another piece of the Criterion library, or buy them cause they know they will love the film and/or have seen it already and know it's a great film? Myself, I try to purchase movies I think I'll like, and prefer Criterion cause I know, more times than not, I will get to experience a film in best possible format ever available. In other words, blind buying is less of a deal to me because of this. Plus, I love the cases.

I have bought Criterions for years since the days of laserdisc and I have done many blind buys because I have read up on the film and seems up my alley. I do think a few people on this forum buy some titles because it's a Criterion period. We all love film and read up on a title that we may not have seen before and we are willing to be lost in a whole new world and discover new talent. I myself would buy a hell of a lot more Criterions if I had the money but I just stick with the "gotta have" titles and the very, very few blind buys that I've read the reviews for and heard good word of mouth on. 2013 will be the year my Criterion Collection blows up from the sounds of upcoming titles. I'll admit also if there is a title that I have seen before and I found it alright and then find CC is releasing it, I'd be more inclined to buy it.

[Whirlygig]

There are 31 Criterion Blu-ray releases I do not own. So far I have managed to watch about 44% of those which I do (some of the unwatched are films I've seen, just not the Blu).

Most of the ones I own have been blind buys. There hasn't been a single one I didn't like enough to want to resell, but fortunately if there ever is I will get all my money back (or more) because they hold their value well -- assuming you buy them at 50% or more off MSRP.

I guess I'm just easy to please? Not really, though. Most films suck or are essentially pointless. Most Criterions don't and aren't.

I do my research and only blind buy if I think I will like it. You get better at that the more you practice. The reason I do not own those 31 is that I highly doubt I will like them. I have no plans to purchase them. They include Wes Anderson titles, and French New Wave titles.

For some reason I usually grimace at the thought of watching Japanese films revolving around samurai, but when I finally force myself to sit through one, I enjoy the experience -- yet afterward I still sometimes wonder why I care. Still, I keep buying most of those for some reason. I kind of wish I could either break that habit, or that they would stop releasing so damn many of those.

[MPeriolat]

For me and Criterion purchases, it is more cautious because of the expense. I only get the movies I can afford and the ones that I know I will enjoy, usually according to the AFI 100 lists. That being said, if I ever go outside the box, Kurosawa and his reputation go without saying.

Right now, I only have three Criterions - two Blu-rays, one DVD. My targets now are the Chaplins, Rosemary's Baby and the upcoming On The Waterfront.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Janus Films presents The Films of Pierre Etaix - including some new show dates.

Looks like an upcoming Eclipse set, especially since it was probably the hint in the New years drawing.. IMO, if you like Tati, you will enjoy Etaix..

[Yami]

It could be a mainline release. It would probably only take up 2-3 BD50s.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Yami

It could be a mainline release. It would probably only take up 2-3 BD50s.

And it does say 'all beautifully restored'...

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by Yami

It could be a mainline release. It would probably only take up 2-3 BD50s.

Yeah, most of the 8 are either less than or an hour or so each. That would be a pricey, but a very nice release.

[buffetfroid]

Originally Posted by *PREACHER*

A Man Escaped definitely looks like one I would thoroughly enjoy. I love and own Shawshank...one of my favorite films. I've always noticed when The Prisoner series would be on sale, and always kick myself for never buying it. The episodes I did see I loved when I was a young lad.
So in regards to my next or one of my next blind buys...A Man Escaped will definitely be on that list...from what I've read about the film I don't think I'll be disappointed.

Just don't expect A Man Escaped to be anything like Shawshank Redemption

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

We all throw the term, "blind buy", around on this forum, but I don't think that it's any big deal.

We all make "blind buys" each time we pay >$10 to see a movie at the theater on the weekend of release. If you're like me and you find it difficult to enjoy a movie without a massive cup of Diet Coke at your side, then you pay at least $15. We can't trade these in or sell them if we do not like them, either.

It's funny, though, how much some of my friends have criticized me over the years for buying a physical copy of a movie that I have not yet seen.

Think it's usually for not knowing about that Little Third Option, which also manages to come in under the >$10 price, has even fewer string obligations to viewing (walk out, with no obligation, no refund hassle, and no questions asked!), and keeps solid packaging waste down? Remember: Reduce, reuse, recycle....rent!
You might just as well say you're "renting the theater movie" when you go out, and only paying the extra five bucks to use somebody else's better home-theater den. Which, given DLP these days, isn't too far from the truth.

(And before we get complaints about that, I've discovered that just about every indie film I want to see has turned up on Instant Netflix literally by the time I try to find it anywhere else; if it's a 2D film, I wait for it to show up for $0.99 nights on Vudu, or if it's 3D, our state library system has probably already probably already ordered a copy by the time it hits disk.
The Culture of Blind Buying to me is nothing but a psychological defense of living in 2008, and those were Bush years, so who wants that?)

[retablo]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Your phone autocorrected a real word to "flwages"?

Mine autocorrected "lardass" to "Kardashian". No lie.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by EricJ

Think it's usually for not knowing about that Little Third Option, which also manages to come in under the >$10 price, has even fewer string obligations to viewing (walk out, with no obligation, no refund hassle, and no questions asked!), and keeps solid packaging waste down? Remember: Reduce, reuse, recycle....rent!
You might just as well say you're "renting the theater movie" when you go out, and only paying the extra five bucks to use somebody else's better home-theater den. Which, given DLP these days, isn't too far from the truth.

(And before we get complaints about that, I've discovered that just about every indie film I want to see has turned up on Instant Netflix literally by the time I try to find it anywhere else; if it's a 2D film, I wait for it to show up for $0.99 nights on Vudu, or if it's 3D, our state library system has probably already probably already ordered a copy by the time it hits disk.
The Culture of Blind Buying to me is nothing but a psychological defense of living in 2008, and those were Bush years, so who wants that?)

This is a good point.

I rent popular flicks from the Redbox down the street before deciding if I like them enough to buy, but I should check out the independent flicks on Netflix more often than I do.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

We all throw the term, "blind buy", around on this forum, but I don't think that it's any big deal.

We all make "blind buys" each time we pay >$10 to see a movie at the theater on the weekend of release. If you're like me and you find it difficult to enjoy a movie without a massive cup of Diet Coke at your side, then you pay at least $15. We can't trade these in or sell them if we do not like them, either.

Yep. And I rarely go to the movies anymore, except to see a few "spectacles" here and there. So even blind buying blu-rays, I'm not spending much more than if I were to see it in the theater then buy it later... because that's spending TWICE. People often don't seem to think that concept through.