The Criterion Collection

[Hypnosifl]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Order them now - who knows how many BNs will be open in July.

Do the B&N sales only apply to things you buy in-store, not to ones you buy online?

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Hypnosifl

Do the B&N sales only apply to things you buy in-store, not to ones you buy online?

They apply to both. You get them for cheaper in-store, though.

[hoytereden]

I haven't ordered directly from Criterion before. Is their packing better than B&N? I only ask because I had case damage on both my original and replacement orders of Heaven's Gate. The first one they sent in one of those plastic sleeves with no bubble wrap and the second came in a box but still had minor case damage. Thanks.

[deepbreathsanddeath]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

Stupid Criterion sales, not wanting to take my money because I'm in Australia

Agree'd! I don't bother checking out the Criterion Collection thread for a day or so after the sale ends because it's all people are talking about and I can't take advantage of it lol

[oildude]

No sale for me this time. Busy at work and only saw the announcement when I checked my personal email account late in the afternoon. Immediately jumped over on my iPhone to the Criterion site, saw all three February titles I wanted were available, but got interrupted before I could do anything. By the time I was able to place an order, the three I wanted were all on backorder and the code doesn't apply to those.

I recall amazon having a 40% or so Criterion sale every year in the spring (April?), but only on select titles, mostly from the previous year and older. Hopefully it will include some more recent titles this time around.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I just finished The Kid With A Bike.

Wow, I am very impressed. When I first read the plot description, it was probably the film that I cared the least about owning. I'm glad I saw it because I'm completely won over by it.

The acting was fantastic and the boy who played Cyril was just amazing. The storyline was very good, as well. For such a somewhat short film (87 minutes), it's well worth a watch.

I would recommend buying it during this sale!

A lot of the Dardenne brothers' films read as fairly simple concepts, but they are probably the best French language film makers of their generation. If you're into their work, you should check out Ursula Meier's films. L'enfant d'en haut was in my top 10 from 2012. Very similar style of film making.

[oildude]

Originally Posted by rkish

I bought Narayama last week and Waterfront just before that. I got both from B & N, as I was able to use coups and save a little bit more over Amazon. I just got my copy of Sansho from Amazon today and those idiots, once again sent it in a bubble pack mailer. It was bad enough when my Hitchcock came with a cracked plastic case...but the Mizo came with dinged corners. After having the last three orders exchanged and leaving one star feedbacks and long feedback complaints about using bubble packs and not using boxes...they still sent Sansho in a bubble pack. This time, I called customer support and leveled a complaint, without shooting the messenger (CSR). They are overnighting a replacement copy...ironically from the same warehouse. It will supposedly be tagged (since my complaint), so we'll see how it is shipped and what condition it comes in.

I may have major OCD, but with certain titles, I go the extra yard to get them in good condition. I even decided to live with a fairly creased/dinged package on The Story of Film DVD set (though the packaging for that set is pretty flimsy).

I had some Amazon credits so a few days ago I ordered both On the Waterfront and Sansho the Bailiff. I figured they would ship together in a box. Nope. Both shipped individually, on the same day, in separate orders. Each one arrived today (thanks to Prime) in a dreaded bubble envelope. All is well though, no damage.

My Double Life of Veronique that Amazon sent me in a bubble mailer last year had a severely cracked case on the bottom, which I only discovered after I unwrapped it and shards of plastic and the case bottom fell off. Unfortunately, this was well past the return date, as I let it sit on the shelf for two months. I still need to contact Criterion about getting a replacement case sent to me. I should do that when I send back my discs for Carlos and White. Too bad I keep forgetting to do this.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by brandon_260

A lot of the Dardenne brothers' films read as fairly simple concepts, but they are probably the best French language film makers of their generation. If you're into their work, you should check out Ursula Meier's films. L'enfant d'en haut was in my top 10 from 2012. Very similar style of film making.

Thank you for the recommendation.

I still have Rosetta and La Promesse to watch. I think I'll make them a priority

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Thank you for the recommendation.

I still have Rosetta and La Promesse to watch. I think I'll make them a priority

Absolutely! Two wonderful films.
I'm still yet to get The Kid With a Bike, but I can't wait* based on how much I loved Rosetta and La Promesse.

* But I will wait until there's either an Amazon or B&N sale

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

Absolutely! Two wonderful films.
I'm still yet to get The Kid With a Bike, but I can't wait* based on how much I loved Rosetta and La Promesse.

* But I will wait until there's either an Amazon or B&N sale

If The Kid With A Bike is any implication on how good these two brothers are, then I am in for a HUGE treat with the other two films.

[PBateman87]

I got 3 titles during the flash sale that are deemed as classics, that I have yet to see:

Black Narcissus
The Night of the Hunter
Repulsion

I missed out on Purple Noon. Black Narcissus looks beautiful, while Hunter and Repulsion look dark and creepy. Can't wait to get these and watch them!

[skylog]

i was late to the game, missed on a title or two i was looking for, but i picked up:

8 1/2
gomorrah
the last temptation of christ

and, a black criterion t-shirt. been wanting one. i will wear it with pride.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by PBateman87

I got 3 titles during the flash sale that are deemed as classics, that I have yet to see:

Black Narcissus
The Night of the Hunter
Repulsion

Black Narcissus looks beautiful, while Hunter and Repulsion look dark and creepy. Can't wait to get these and watch them!

I've seen the latter two and I loved them. I preferred Repulsion a lot to Rosemary's Baby, if that's any indication. Apparently Rosemary's Baby is a remake, but nothing has been confirmed.

I plan on watching Black Narcissus very soon.

[metaridley]

Holy shit, you guys actually blind buy Criterion Blu-rays on a constant basis? They're quite expensive and not exactly guaranteed "crowd pleasing" entertainment. I've blind bought Three Colors and Double Life of Veronique but I'd already been interested in seeing Blue/White/Red for years and purchased Veronique based on my very positive reactions to the Trilogy; I haven't come across any others I'd take the plunge for.

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

I haven't ordered directly from Criterion before. Is their packing better than B&N? I only ask because I had case damage on both my original and replacement orders of Heaven's Gate. The first one they sent in one of those plastic sleeves with no bubble wrap and the second came in a box but still had minor case damage. Thanks.

I have no experience ordering just 1 at a time, just order 3 and get guaranteed a BOX.

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by metaridley

Holy shit, you guys actually blind buy Criterion Blu-rays on a constant basis? They're quite expensive and not exactly guaranteed "crowd pleasing" entertainment. I've blind bought Three Colors and Double Life of Veronique but I'd already been interested in seeing Blue/White/Red for years and purchased Veronique based on my very positive reactions to the Trilogy; I haven't come across any others I'd take the plunge for.

The greater the risk, the greater the reward.

Really though, I don't like paying full price for anything, but at $20 I have no problem blind buying a Criterion that sounds interesting. If we're talking $15 or $13 then I will be extremely liberal with what sounds "interesting". I've done it dozens and dozens of times. Sure I have some flops, but who cares. It's not like you can't sell the blu-ray if the film was really was not your cup of tea.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Thank you for the recommendation.

I still have Rosetta and La Promesse to watch. I think I'll make them a priority

I find Rosetta to be one of their weaker works, but La promesse is a stunning debut. Le fils is probably their best film, but it has yet to make its way to Blu-Ray.

[Hawkguy]

There's no indication of Berlin Alexanderplatz getting a blu-ray release, is there?

[tenia]

Originally Posted by metaridley

Holy shit, you guys actually blind buy Criterion Blu-rays on a constant basis? They're quite expensive and not exactly guaranteed "crowd pleasing" entertainment. I've blind bought Three Colors and Double Life of Veronique but I'd already been interested in seeing Blue/White/Red for years and purchased Veronique based on my very positive reactions to the Trilogy; I haven't come across any others I'd take the plunge for.

I usually get them for only slightly more than my usual French releases, and I'm disappointed by a movie not fitting my tastes or being not as good as expected only once out of maybe 40 times.

Criterion's releases make a great pool of movies for discovery.

[Oblivion138]

On the Waterfront and Two-Lane Blacktop were both sold out by the time I hit Criterion's website today. But I did manage pick up Army of Shadows, Purple Noon, and Walkabout, so I'm not too disappointed.