The Criterion Collection

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by starman15317

I should get my library to buy Shoah so I can see it. Of course, knowing them, they'll only buy the DVD, but still.

We're on a statewide computerized inter-loan network, so if not even 1 out of 50 regional libraries in our state even has the DVD set (what, you want Auschwitz in 1080p lossless??) I would suspect something seriously amiss.

[starman15317]

Originally Posted by EricJ

We're on a statewide computerized inter-loan network, so if not even 1 out of 50 regional libraries in our state even has the DVD set (what, you want Auschwitz in 1080p lossless??) I would suspect something seriously amiss.

The libraries in my county and the county below now share the same library system too. The library I always go to will most likely be the one to get it because they have thousands of DVDs (only like 3 Blu-Rays, but still).

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by starman15317

I should get my library to buy Shoah so I can see it. Of course, knowing them, they'll only buy the DVD, but still.

Better than mine. They've only had the VHS tapes all these years.

[ycbbh]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

i liked "for all mankind" a lot. but shoah is probaly nothing like that?

Well there was a Nazi rocket program but, uh, I don't think the similarities run that deep here

[format916]

i think im finally gonna double dip on dazed and confused....would be nice to have a movie budget some users here have....

[csista]

Walked out of my local B&N with:

Safety Last!
Ride With The Devil
The Last Emperor
Le Promesse
If...
Amarcord
Topsy-Turvy and The Mikado for a nice double feature

Going back next week for Lord Of The Flies.

And I got lucky. Went to the DVD section for a quick look, and they had M. Hulot's Holiday. So I scored an OOP title that's climbing in price for only $15.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by csista

Going back next week for Lord Of The Flies.

Same here. I left an empty space in my collection just for that.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by The Bronx Bull

I tend to agree; I see a lot of folks purchasing it, albeit the fact that, likely, only a small fraction of us will watch it more than once. I purchased it because I love the idea of first hand accounts, as well as the juxtaposition of the on-site locations with the stories as to what happened there.

As for my gameplan for tackling the 9.5 hours, I'll probably go with either the 3-3-3 method, or just use a rainy weekend to polish it off. I've got the set in my hands, and it's a fantastic package.

Yes, the 3-3-3 method is the most sane way to view this film. I am going to do just that too. 1 part per night.

And yes, just how valuable is this release if most of us may only watch this film once in our lives? Perhaps 4 or 5 years from now I might watch it again, but for the most part I treat it more like an historical museum piece, where its valuable just on subject matter alone but cannot be enjoyed or rather should be enjoyed. This is not entertainment. This is history. Maybe other people I know might want to rent it from me so I will always have a copy (my BD edition) to lend out. I've never actually rented out my Criterions before because I never trusted friends or anyone I know are going to be careful with my discs, so who knows.

Originally Posted by EricJ

And I rented it from the library, in the knowledge that I probably WOULDN'T watch it more than once. (While telling myself all the affirmations that I was doing a good thing for humanity by watching it, etc.)

Much like Schindlers List, I saw that film only once after I bought the DVD. It's not a film I could watch more than once or twice. Shoah is probably going to be this way too.

[DaveT1081]

A note to relate my experience:

Just realized The 400 Blows I bought some time ago (last B&N sale maybe?) had a deep puncture or dimple in the cardboard cover that wasn't evident until I removed the shrink wrap. Disc is fine.

Uneasy about contacting the seller at this late date, I asked Criterion about purchasing a new cover as I'd read somewhere they sell for about $5. I'll have you know Criterion was gracious enough to send one at no charge.

Even on my limited budget I've never minded paying a little extra for superior quality. I'm glad to support Criterion as these folks are clearly winners.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by DaveT1081

A note to relate my experience:

Just realized The 400 Blows I bought some time ago (last B&N sale maybe?) had a deep puncture or dimple in the cardboard cover that wasn't evident until I removed the shrink wrap. Disc is fine.

Uneasy about contacting the seller at this late date, I asked Criterion about purchasing a new cover as I'd read somewhere they sell for about $5. I'll have you know Criterion was gracious enough to send one at no charge.

Even on my limited budget I've never minded paying a little extra for superior quality. I'm glad to support Criterion as these folks are clearly winners.

Sounds great! I have a few packages arrived a bit dinged but I have not yet replaced them. Maybe when the next Criterion half off sale goes online.

[Abdrewes]

Time to spend some $

[spawningblue]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

If you are outside of the U.S., there is almost no value to membership. You may receive coupons, but free express shipping is limited to orders within the continental U.S., free shipping is limited to the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. protectorates, and there is no additional member's discount for online orders.

Can't you still use the $5 off $50 or more code online?

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by spawningblue

Can't you still use the $5 off $50 or more code online?

Yep.

[The Bronx Bull]

Originally Posted by starman15317

I should get my library to buy Shoah so I can see it. Of course, knowing them, they'll only buy the DVD, but still.

I have this crazy idea that years from now, when my interests change, or my media is upgraded, or something happens where my Criterion blu-rays are no longer of need to me, I'll simply walk into some small-town library and make their day by giving them a hundred or so pristine Criterion films.

[starman15317]

Haha, maybe.

I just stopped by my nearest B&N, which still only sells DVDs, so I didn't buy anything. They did have 4 DVD copies of Howard's End though. Is the DVD worth getting to sell at a later date?

[The Bronx Bull]

Probably not. It seems like the DVD copies of most OOP titles are still fairly prevalent. I saw the Howard's End blu-ray at B&N yesterday, but not having heard of it prior to the OOP announcement, I decided to skip on it. I've been part of the OOP craze bandwagon before, just after the Jean-Pierre Melville films ceased - I *needed* to own Le Cercle Rouge, Le Doulos, and Leon Morin - so I paid full retail for Cercle Rouge (glad I did, now, in restrospect).

Maybe passing on Howard's End was a mistake, but the synopsis didn't appear to interest me much.

[dag]

Originally Posted by jw007

Yes, the 3-3-3 method is the most sane way to view this film. I am going to do just that too. 1 part per night.

I treat it more like an historical museum piece, where its valuable just on subject matter alone but cannot be enjoyed or rather should be enjoyed. This is not entertainment. This is history.

I don't own any movies (not making any judgment here about others' purchases), and am easily able to rent Blu-rays from probably Canada's largest video store here in Toronto. I definitely want to see Shoah, preferably before October, when I'll be visiting Israel. I've been to Auschwitz (and, on the other side of the world, to S-21 in Phnom Penh), and I agree with others here that it's important to watch this type of film for its historical importance. And we all know that this isn't escapist entertainment. Next weekend, I'll be seeing The Act of Killing, a documentary about Indonesians who killed hundreds of thousands in state-sanctioned murder.

No nation can escape its history, and it is to Criterion's immense credit that they have provided us with the opportunity to bear witness to these events. But it will make for some long and difficult viewing.

[Abdrewes]

Bought:

Shoah

Things to Come
Wild strawberries
Life During Wartime
Life of Oharu
War Room
Safety Last
------------

[DaveT1081]

I saw on-line yesterday that my B&N still had a BD Howards End in stock so I had them hold it for pick-up on my way home from work. The clerk told me that when he later looked it up in the store's inventory database, there was a note to remove and return all copies to the B&N distribution center. He sold it to me anyway at the 50% + 10% member discount...

[lastemp3ror]

Originally Posted by DaveT1081

I saw on-line yesterday that my B&N still had a BD Howards End in stock so I had them hold it for pick-up on my way home from work. The clerk told me that when he later looked it up in the store's inventory database, there was a note to remove and return all copies to the B&N distribution center. He sold it to me anyway at the 50% + 10% member discount...

I am glad I chose to buy that movie from BN yesterday instead of something else.