The Criterion Collection

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by rich_adamson

On the other hand, sorry to everybody else, but with the May slate of titles, I am really hoping for a May 50% off sale, as I am getting every title that month (4 blus w/ one of them being a boxset) and have to get the awesome Eclipse box of Oshima stuff too. A big discount on those would be a life-saver.

That's what they ALL say before the June titles get announced.

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by rich_adamson

On the other hand, sorry to everybody else, but with the May slate of titles, I am really hoping for a May 50% off sale, as I am getting every title that month (4 blus w/ one of them being a boxset) and have to get the awesome Eclipse box of Oshima stuff too. A big discount on those would be a life-saver.

If you want the May releases, the sale would have to be in June, as CC have scattered the May releases to different dates in May.

Since the March releases are on the 23rd, the logical point is the beginning of March to right before then (probably through the 21st), as March is a big month and April will be huge for them with the IFC titles.

[aggienader08]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

This discussion is getting a bit out of hand and insults (particularly at or about The Curious Case of Benjamin Button release) are beginning to be traded. I'd very much like to get back to more positive things.

Has anyone gotten their orders from the OOP sale? I have received some (Grand Illusion, Trafic and The Small Back Room) and am awaiting those that were backordered (most should arrive Feb 23rd) including my long-awaited BD of Revanche.

Also, I'm dying to know if anyone has an inside scoop on if/when the next 50% off sale will happen at Barnes and Noble.

And just FYI (as this is tinged with bad news) if you didn't know already, Weinstein will be releasing John Woo's The Killer on Blu-ray on March 23rd (thread here) BUT they have announced that they have used...a PAL source?!?!

I went into B&N yesterday and asked the sales associate and he had no idea. He made it sound like it was going to be a while because the only thing he could tell me about was the buy 2 get 1 free sale in June.

[aggienader08]

Originally Posted by Idioteque...

You're probably one of the people that missed out on the entire point of what Benjamin Button was about. I doubt it was just a "favor" for Fincher. Like one poster said above, why wouldn't you release a movie for Fincher? It's one of Fincher's top movies and misunderstood ones as well.


Anyway Kndy, you do make a good point and I think I might have ended up in your direction.

Well said. I don't know how the conversation went after I said that about Fincher's phenomenal portfolio, but it's been deleted so I don't really care.

[jacobsever]

Originally Posted by aggienader08

I went into B&N yesterday and asked the sales associate and he had no idea. He made it sound like it was going to be a while because the only thing he could tell me about was the buy 2 get 1 free sale in June.

When I asked at my B&N, they guy told me the last sale was "just thrown at us" and had no prior warning to it.

[Idioteque...]

Originally Posted by aggienader08

Well said. I don't know how the conversation went after I said that about Fincher's phenomenal portfolio, but it's been deleted so I don't really care.

I think the fact Fincher is a modern director makes me more susceptible to attacks while if we were to attack Orson Welles we'd be horded by insults.

[kndy]

Originally Posted by buffetfroid

I placed two orders with them, each over $50 so I could get free shipping. I've received the three movies in the first order, but they sent them all individually. I need to check my credit card bill to make sure they didn't charge me 6 bucks shipping on each, which their shipping confirmation implied. Will be quite pissed if that's the case. The other three aren't supposed to ship for a few more days.

In a way, that's why I didn't order from the oop sale. I was a little unclear about the mention of the shipping. I don't want to see continual shipping charges if discs are ship one at a time. So, I wanted to wait and see if that was the case with those of you who ordered on the day the sale started.

Originally Posted by Idioteque...

I think the fact Fincher is a modern director makes me more susceptible to attacks while if we were to attack Orson Welles we'd be horded by insults.

Hehe...Personally, I'd prefer a Fincher film over a Soderbergh film but that's just me. Hehe...

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

I hope it is in March. I have alot of dvds still I need to buy from last years releases (hard to get everything now with dvds and blu-rays coming). I think I will start with Eclipse sets I need (the one I want the most is the Chantal Akerman set.). Anyone recommend it?

I'm waiting for the BN 50% off sale (whenever it happens) to get the Akerman (it would be like $17.99). I'm definitely going to get more Eclipse. At first I was hesitant because of the lack of special features and Criterion didn't give the films their usual restoration treatment. But from what I've seen thus far, I've enjoyed them. I have a few Eclipse titles but I try to watch one a month...(emphasize TRY - since I have too much other things on my viewing queue). But I did enjoy the Silent Ozu Eclipse. Next one I will be starting possibly tomorrow is the Larisa Shepitko set. That one was pretty cheap during the B&N sale...I think $11.99 (with the membership).

[Kevtronn]

Just finished Revanche blu-ray, WOW, speachless...

[aggienader08]

Originally Posted by Idioteque...

I think the fact Fincher is a modern director makes me more susceptible to attacks while if we were to attack Orson Welles we'd be horded by insults.

It's all a matter of biased opinions the majority of the time. Sometimes people don't want to deviate from the stereotypes. What I mean when I say "stereotypes" is that some elitist film aficionados have labeled Orson Welles and the like the almighties of film and cinema that have set an unparalleled and unchallenged-since-their-time standard. They are great nonetheless, but almighty and god-like? Certainly not. Every filmmaker has their batch of watch-me-nots. I can think of only a couple of filmmakers throughout the history of film and cinema which I would be more than happy to sit down and watch all of their films, and Orson Welles isn't one of them. But that's all about personal opinion. If you believe otherwise then great!

Of course I say that and then someone is going to reply to my post saying that Fincher is "stereotypical" and it's bias that I myself am expressing. Well, no, I have about as wide of a palate when it comes to my taste in movies as they come. I do like Orson Welles, Fritz Lang, Jean Luc Goddard, Alfred Hitchcock, Wim Wenders, Akira Kurosawa, Wes Anderson, and all the other CC favorite directors as much as the next guy. But what I'm trying to say is that David Fincher's portfolio, while mainstream in many cases, fits the model of a Criterion director IMO. Criterion released the Se7en CC on LD and then New Line took everything down to the design of the case for the 2-disc DVD.

Now, Ben Button IMO is a heck of a film. I thought it deserved at least Best Director and honestly that's an unbiased opinion because I loved "The Wrestler" and thought that "Slumdong" was just ok and I knew it would take the crown. I think it's a shame that Fincher isn't recognized for his brilliant work more often, and the fact that Criterion wants to support him makes me want to support Criterion even more.

[angrywolf]

I finally saw "Hunger" this morning. I will be honest, I was looking forward to watching it the way I look forward to getting a root canal, but since I promised myself that I'd watch all of the Blu-ray releases from Criterion, I popped it in the Blu-ray player after getting it in the mail from Netflix a few days ago. I actually liked it, it was a pretty good movie, but definitely not something that I'll watch again, so I'll probably won't be buying this release either. So far, zero of the movies licensed from IFC Films that I've seen interest me enough to own them. Up next - Revanche.

[Gremal]

yeah, I'm sure it is a well done film but how fun can it be to see a prisoner go on a hunger strike?

[ksc2303]

Originally Posted by aggienader08

Of course I say that and then someone is going to reply to my post saying that Fincher is "stereotypical" and it's bias that I myself am expressing. Well, no, I have about as wide of a palate when it comes to my taste in movies as they come. I do like Orson Welles, Fritz Lang, Jean Luc Goddard, Alfred Hitchcock, Wim Wenders, Akira Kurosawa, Wes Anderson, and all the other CC favorite directors as much as the next guy. But what I'm trying to say is that David Fincher's portfolio, while mainstream in many cases, fits the model of a Criterion director IMO. Criterion released the Se7en CC on LD and then New Line took everything down to the design of the case for the 2-disc DVD.

I agree 100%. I mean I got my posts deleted because I was sticking up for Wes Anderson, I didn't start a flame war so why is this such a taboo subject? For instance I don't care for Kevin Smith's movies but I respect how he made Clerks and started his career on his own. So I think he earns having a spot in the collection because of his style and enough people enjoy his work.

Personally I think the reason people get so upset about what movies are in the criterion collection is because they have spine numbers. They think they need the entire collection, even to the point of buying something they hate. Thus everything in the criterion collection needs to suit their personal taste. I already said before (was earlier in this thread) that I was planning on buying the whole Blu-ray collection because I got in on the beginning. But if criterion were to release a movie I've seen and dislike, I'm not going to buy it!

The reason Criterion is so great is because they release a wide variety of movies. I know if I watch a movie they release without hearing of it prior, chances are I'm going to find the movie interesting if not outright enjoy it.

[Idioteque...]

Originally Posted by aggienader08

It's all a matter of biased opinions the majority of the time. Sometimes people don't want to deviate from the stereotypes. What I mean when I say "stereotypes" is that some elitist film aficionados have labeled Orson Welles and the like the almighties of film and cinema that have set an unparalleled and unchallenged-since-their-time standard. They are great nonetheless, but almighty and god-like? Certainly not. Every filmmaker has their batch of watch-me-nots. I can think of only a couple of filmmakers throughout the history of film and cinema which I would be more than happy to sit down and watch all of their films, and Orson Welles isn't one of them. But that's all about personal opinion. If you believe otherwise then great!

Of course I say that and then someone is going to reply to my post saying that Fincher is "stereotypical" and it's bias that I myself am expressing. Well, no, I have about as wide of a palate when it comes to my taste in movies as they come. I do like Orson Welles, Fritz Lang, Jean Luc Goddard, Alfred Hitchcock, Wim Wenders, Akira Kurosawa, Wes Anderson, and all the other CC favorite directors as much as the next guy. But what I'm trying to say is that David Fincher's portfolio, while mainstream in many cases, fits the model of a Criterion director IMO. Criterion released the Se7en CC on LD and then New Line took everything down to the design of the case for the 2-disc DVD.

Now, Ben Button IMO is a heck of a film. I thought it deserved at least Best Director and honestly that's an unbiased opinion because I loved "The Wrestler" and thought that "Slumdong" was just ok and I knew it would take the crown. I think it's a shame that Fincher isn't recognized for his brilliant work more often, and the fact that Criterion wants to support him makes me want to support Criterion even more.

Yeah personally I feel the same way Ingmar Bergman (sp?) felt about Citizen Kane. It's definitely a bore but that was a hell of an ending though.

Slumdog only did well because most films aren't familiar with films with a Bollywood feel and it's feel good too but it was a good movie but it wasn't amazing because it's so Hollywood in the last act and sort of unrealistic.

[StoneSour]

Originally Posted by Kevtronn

Just finished Revanche blu-ray, WOW, speachless...

Horrible ending

[Blu Titan]

I have decided to focus on collecting Criterion releases from now on. Just ordered The Seventh Seal and The Man Who Fell to Earth this week. I am not going to buy every single release, but Criterion movies will get preference over mainstream releases. On a similar note, Studio Canal releases will also get preference (purchased Ran and The Lady Killers this week). At time point I am going for quality films that are not your everyday fare. I have seen so many movies that I rather spend my time watching something really worthwhile.

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by Kevtronn

Just finished Revanche blu-ray, WOW, speachless...

I thought this film was Flawless... for those who have to have complete closure with everything explained to them I would suggest something more mainstream.

Revanche was the best IFC / Criterion release for me so far.

[Kevtronn]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

I thought this film was Flawless... for those who have to have complete closure with everything explained to them I would suggest something more mainstream.

Revanche was the best IFC / Criterion release for me so far.

I agree & loved how the film ended, perfect. An amazing experience from beginning to end. I was just left speachless after finishing it...

EDIT: I decided to go in order of spine number for the new releases, Lola Montes is next.

[Idioteque...]

Now you guys sparked interest in Revenache for me. I'll watch it.

What do you guys think of Monsoon Wedding? It seems silly but maybe it's not?

And I really need to check out Bicycle Thieves. I always hear great things about it and hopefully it gets released on bluray. And is Days of Heaven supposed to be out? I saw the dvd in Barnes and Noble. Is Days of Heaven a re-release? It had the same art as the bluray.

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by Kevtronn

Just finished Revanche blu-ray, WOW, speachless...

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

I thought this film was Flawless... for those who have to have complete closure with everything explained to them I would suggest something more mainstream.

Revanche was the best IFC / Criterion release for me so far.

Originally Posted by Kevtronn

I agree & loved how the film ended, perfect. An amazing experience from beginning to end. I was just left speachless after finishing it...

I told you guys it is a terrific film (and note: This is far more of a Janus/Criterion release than an IFC one. IFC simply screened it theatrically for them. People at Janus/Criterion saw the film at festivals in 2008 and Janus decided to get the U.S. first-run rights, something they rarely do anymore).

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by Blu Titan

I have decided to focus on collecting Criterion releases from now on. Just ordered The Seventh Seal and The Man Who Fell to Earth this week. I am not going to buy every single release, but Criterion movies will get preference over mainstream releases. On a similar note, Studio Canal releases will also get preference (purchased Ran and The Lady Killers this week). At time point I am going for quality films that are not your everyday fare. I have seen so many movies that I rather spend my time watching something really worthwhile.

i agree. not only are criterion better quality films, but more importantly, have very good replay value, at least the ones i've rented and liked. from standpoint, its definitely money well spent