The Criterion Collection

[DarkRyder]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

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

Japan is having a blu-ray release soon, but I think it's going to be like $250. If there's going to be a blu-ray version here in the US, judging by Japan, it's going to be hella expensive for one film.


http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B00ATZX3NW

[Dragun]

Originally Posted by DarkRyder

Japan is having a blu-ray release soon, but I think it's going to be like $250. If there's going to be a blu-ray version here in the US, judging by Japan, it's going to be hella expensive for one film.

Berlin Alexanderplatz is about 16 hours long, and the Criterion release includes tons of extras, including a previous feature-length adaptation. It'll be pricey (I think I got the DVD for about $60 on sale), but there's a lot of content.

IIRC, their transfer was windowboxed, so hopefully they will fix that for any Blu-Ray releases.

[georgec]

I just hope to the Criterion gods that Barnes and Noble has their sale this year with the b2g1 overlap like previous years. That'll make up for missing Waterfront today. But this doesn't sound too good:

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/02/...tail-business/

I hope if BN cuts out retail media sections altogether, that Criterion may strike a deal with someone like Amazon.

[Blu-Velvet]

I still haven't gotten around to watching TWO-LANE BLACKTOP or the TRILOGY OF LIFE, and I'd just recently ordered ON THE WATERFRONT (the only one of the bunch I've seen before), THE BALLAD OF NARAYAMA (I saw the remake but never this version), IVAN'S CHILDHOOD, and THE KID WITH THE BIKE from importCDs at decent prices, so none of the flash sale titles I was looking at and finally ordered were out of stock yet (although one was labeled as "selling fast"). I do wish the pre-orders qualified on the flash sale, as I'd likely have gotten double or triple the number of titles.

I ordered directly from Criterion for the first time for this sale, getting the THREE COLORS trilogy, PINA, LA PROMESSE, (all largely due to the recent discussions in this thread) plus HEAVEN'S GATE. The only one from this group I've ever seen before was HEAVEN'S GATE, and that was the shorter theatrical release back when it first played in theatres.

The selection of titles offered by Criterion (and Eureka's Masters of Cinema) makes it easy to blind-buy them, especially at sale prices, because the films they decide to release are always worth seeing at least once and usually worth revisiting in detail with the bonus features. There have only been a few I didn't care much for, but even those I was glad I saw (and saw in the quality presentation of Criterion's Blu-ray).

[P@t_Mtl]

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 am not sure but a lot of the guys here do so during the sales but yes some do buy almost all Criterion releases even when they don't know the movie.

I have mention in the past a Criterion blind buy is funny cause it both a safe blind buy and a dangerous one as well. In general it's safe cause you know you are not getting an ordinary movie. However it's also dangerous since the range of style in the collection is so wide that you never can't be sure if it's going to be something you really will like.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by georgec

I just hope to the Criterion gods that Barnes and Noble has their sale this year with the b2g1 overlap like previous years. That'll make up for missing Waterfront today. But this doesn't sound too good:

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/02/...tail-business/

I hope if BN cuts out retail media sections altogether, that Criterion may strike a deal with someone like Amazon.

The BN sale is my big chance to get all the others I don't want to get at $40+ and manage to get them at 50% off. I do get some at full prices. The last one was In The Mood For Love and the next one is Monsieur Verdoux. I haven't got that in recent months but I would buy a few during the sale and also get more of the Eclipse sets.

[DarkRyder]

A little random, but I wasn't sure where to ask this.



Pro-B, which version of Holy Motors should I get? It seems the picture quality is a tad bit different on the US and UK release? I'm thinking of importing the UK version since a) it's cheaper and b) it has deleted scenes. I have a region free player so it doesn't matter, I just want the best release.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by DarkRyder

A little random, but I wasn't sure where to ask this.



Pro-B, which version of Holy Motors should I get? It seems the picture quality is a tad bit different on the US and UK release? I'm thinking of importing the UK version since a) it's cheaper and b) it has deleted scenes. I have a region free player so it doesn't matter, I just want the best release.

FWIW, I intend to get the UK edition of Holy Motors. In fact, I'm about to put in a UK order...
It's on a dual-layer disc and has lossless audio, unlike the US edition.
It is a shame that Criterion didn't release this one - would be a perfect addition to the collection and they really would put together a great package.
Have you seen the film yet? One of my favourites of last year.

[DarkRyder]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

FWIW, I intend to get the UK edition of Holy Motors. In fact, I'm about to put in a UK order...
It's on a dual-layer disc and has lossless audio, unlike the US edition.
It is a shame that Criterion didn't release this one - would be a perfect addition to the collection and they really would put together a great package.
Have you seen the film yet? One of my favourites of last year.

Then I will be getting the UK edition!

I truly wish Criterion had released it as well. This is a film that deserved a great package, oh well.

Also, yes, I have seen it and I loved it!

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Blu-Velvet

The selection of titles offered by Criterion (and Eureka's Masters of Cinema) makes it easy to blind-buy them, especially at sale prices, because the films they decide to release are always worth seeing at least once and usually worth revisiting in detail with the bonus features. There have only been a few I didn't care much for, but even those I was glad I saw (and saw in the quality presentation of Criterion's Blu-ray).

Pretty much all of this. I wasn't totally crazy about (for example) Breathless or Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence but I didn't regret buying them at all and I'm definitely glad I have them available to rewatch when the mood eventually strikes.

I was kind of disappointed by Howard's End the first time through and some chatter here made me give it another look and I got a lot more out of it the second time through. That probably wouldn't have happened if it wasn't sitting on my shelf that night.

And absolute worst case, they tend to have excellent resale value.

[Hubunkey]

So which directors do you guys think has a filmography that would feel complete in the CC? I know Kubrick and possibly Malick deserve all of there films to be CC

[pro-bassoonist]

A Man Escaped Blu-ray REVIEW

[Oblivion138]

Originally Posted by Hubunkey

So which directors do you guys think has a filmography that would feel complete in the CC? I know Kubrick and possibly Malick deserve all of there films to be CC

Kurosawa
Bergman
Lynch
Jarmusch

[ccg1978]

I really want Wages of Fear and M. Based on my collection (below) what 3rd movie do you think I will like?

http://www.criterion.com/my_criterio...978/collection

[AreaUnderTheCurve]

Originally Posted by Blu-Velvet

The selection of titles offered by Criterion (and Eureka's Masters of Cinema) makes it easy to blind-buy them, especially at sale prices, because the films they decide to release are always worth seeing at least once and usually worth revisiting in detail with the bonus features. There have only been a few I didn't care much for, but even those I was glad I saw (and saw in the quality presentation of Criterion's Blu-ray).

I disagree. I've been burned many times with Criterion blind buys, most recently with Rashoman. I found it mostly boring with some dreadful cinematography that took away from certain shots (poor lighting makes it difficult to discern certain important things in the forest). I can see how it would be fantastic when it was released given the structure of the movie, but it's completely unremarkable in 2013. I feel that I wasted $21.19 on it. I'd get rid of it, but I have some friends who admire and adore foreign films, so I'll let them borrow it.

Add in Seven Samurai as well, something I couldn't get two hours into because, and I believe this may be a problem for me with Kurosawa, it's dreadfully boring. I couldn't get into Kagemusha, either. I appreciate what Kurosawa has done, though. I like that people still admire and are inspired by his work.

[KrugerIndustrial]

Originally Posted by 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.

Now that's a release that doesn't get too much love around here. One of my favorite Criterion's.

[blkhrt]

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.

Criterion blus hold their value a lot better than other blus as well. You can often sell them for $15-20 if you don't like them, which makes them safer to blind buy than some other movies.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by ccg1978

I really want Wages of Fear and M. Based on my collection (below) what 3rd movie do you think I will like?

http://www.criterion.com/my_criterio...978/collection

The Red Shoes should be in every collection.

[ccg1978]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

The Red Shoes should be in every collection.

I normally don't blind buy but will do some research on this film.

[ZooTv]

Originally Posted by ccg1978

I really want Wages of Fear and M. Based on my collection (below) what 3rd movie do you think I will like?

http://www.criterion.com/my_criterio...978/collection

I'd go with either M, Rosemary's Baby, or 12 Angry Men.