The Criterion Collection

[The Great Owl]

I just read Pro-B's review of the Italian release of Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion, and the Criterion release looks to be the clear winner of the December titles in my book.

[andyk69]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Hey Andy - pretty sure you mean Amazon Marketplace, yes?

I have bought a few blu rays in 'like new' condition to save a few bucks and have had absolutely no problem with them. Amazon requires the vendor to provide a disc that is basically brand new. The only thing missing is the packaging. The discs may have gotten a few spins, but are in immaculate condition. I haven't bought anything in "good" or "very good" condition, so if you don't mind.. report back on that!

Thanks so much for your reply, I will get the disc in like 2-3 weeks as I am overseas, but I will report, I had mixed experiences with used blurays, some of them have been completely sealed new items, others are in mint condition and others even though they say "like new" have been in deplorable conditions.
I just went ballistic when I read this title was OOP, I wanted to wait till November black friday sales , but hey , better not risk it, I will love they release "A room with a view" but I think that's out of the question now

and is from: Sold by Warehouse Deals, Inc


and when are the January titles be announced?
Nothing tingles me much about the December releases,
I like Nashville and Grey Gardens but I know I wont rewatch them that much, some titles I don't know much about, Ill have to look into it.

[duggie walker]

Anyone disappointed by NASHVILLE probably hasn't seen NASHVILLE.

The problem for Criterion is that they're being expected to pick up the slack on mid-level American movies for the larger studios. I'd be as delighted as anyone to see a month full of Lynch, Cronenberg and Mann but it's not really their remit - they're an international label. So those titles are only going to sneak out in ones or twos at most.

Criterion present a "menu" every month, which is what I like about them: A couple of the dishes are old favourites but they like to throw something more adventurous into the mix - a "special", a recommendation that you may not usually order. I blind-buy a lot of their titles because I know that whether I like them or not, they'll be of interest at least.

I've not been as excited by their output this year as I was in 2012 but I still marvel at the quality and breadth of their discs. And NASHVILLE is definitely ending the year with a bang.

[JJJ225]

Originally Posted by smoss469

Gotta love some of the snob attitudes here; as if liking a non mainstream film somehow makes you better or a more well versed movie lover than someone else. Or gives you the right to try and invalidate the feeling of disappointment people have expressed.

When you come down off the high horse let the rest of us know.

I THINK this might be directed at me? My point was not "I'm better because I like non-mainstream films". My point was, if you're looking for mainstream films, the monthly Criterion selections are not your best bet.

[Jobla]

Was hoping for COME BACK TO THE FIVE AND DIME, but Altman's NASHVILLE is nearly as high on my want list.

Was also hoping for Hitchcock, either FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT or the silent films restored.

[Blu-Velvet]

Originally Posted by duggie walker

Anyone disappointed by NASHVILLE probably hasn't seen NASHVILLE.

The problem for Criterion is that they're being expected to pick up the slack on mid-level American movies for the larger studios. I'd be as delighted as anyone to see a month full of Lynch, Cronenberg and Mann but it's not really their remit - they're an international label. So those titles are only going to sneak out in ones or twos at most.

Criterion present a "menu" every month, which is what I like about them: A couple of the dishes are old favourites but they like to throw something more adventurous into the mix - a "special", a recommendation that you may not usually order. I blind-buy a lot of their titles because I know that whether I like them or not, they'll be of interest at least.

I've not been as excited by their output this year as I was in 2012 but I still marvel at the quality and breadth of their discs. And NASHVILLE is definitely ending the year with a bang.

Exactly. I agree with every bit of this except that I've found 2013 to be the best year for Criterion Blu-ray releases yet, and 2012 was hard to beat! I've done more blind-buying of Criterion titles the past two years than ever before and have rarely been disappointed. And as noted, even the "misses" are worth watching (and can probably be sold at little or no loss if not just held onto for later re-evaluation after getting more used to a certain director or style).

[octagon]

Originally Posted by baheidstu

To anyone who may be disappointed by this month's release of Criterion titles and may have been offended by my positive reaction, I sincerely apologize. I would like to offer you all a warm hug and the reassurance that it gets better. If you can make it through the next four weeks, you never know there might be a title or two that you've been waiting for all your life and things won't seem so bad anymore.

In the meantime maybe they could take some of the money they're not spending on Criterions and start looking for a cheap region-free player.

[mrjohnnyb]

Another amazing month to cap off an amazing year. Nashville is one of the top 100 films of all time, Grey Gardens (the disc also includes The Belles of Grey Gardens) is a "cinema verite" gem, Investigation of a Citizen above Suspicion is the film I know nothing about, making it another film that I otherwise would have never seen, and Martin Scorsese's World Cinema Project is 2013's big fireworks finale.

Bravo!

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by octagon

In the meantime maybe they could take some of the money they're not spending on Criterions and start looking for a cheap region-free player.

Having a Region A player keeps me grounded as far as not overextending my finances on Blu-rays. I mean, I already spend a fortune on Blu-rays as it is, but I would probably spend an ungodly fortune if I had the capability to watch titles from across the pond.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by jw007

Being a "Senior Member" made me feel like a veteran, but now being a so-called "expert", I feel more like a guru (which boosts my ego a bit)...not that I mind, but I don't like ego-boosting titles or labels, ya know?

It also means that when you say something stupid, you can use the excuse that you're having a "Senior Member moment".

Given that I've reached the age where I'm starting to get "Senior Citizen discounts" at some establishments, becoming a Senior Member was just another "boy do I feel old" kinda thing.

[DarkRyder]

The well-know film I love, the one that could get a beautiful release anywhere, didn't get announced. Rather, a boxset of films with people that don't speak English was announced, and since it is not the films I want, I am going to jump the gun and say they are boring and suck. What a lame month. **** you, Criterion.

[Brad1963]

Criterion in 2013 has exceeded my expectations. IMO It may be their best year ever. I do not see how anyone who loves film cannot be happy with the great titles they have offered. But there is something to be said about patience; they are working on some highly wanted titles and obviously they are not ready for release. Do you want something they feel is not worthy yet or do you want something great?

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by Brad1963

Criterion in 2013 has exceeded my expectations. IMO It may be their best year ever. I do not see how anyone who loves film cannot be happy with the great titles they have offered. But there is something to be said about patience; they working on some highly wanted titles and obviously they are not ready for release. Do you want something they feel is not worthy yet or do you want something great?

All of this.

Patience is not a strong suit for some people, it seems.

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by baheidstu

Are you addressing anyone in particular? My response to you would be, what gives anyone the right to make comments such as "what a lame month", thereby negating the feelings of excitment that others may have for the titles released?

People saying "what a lame month" are expressing their displeasure. They aren't telling people that are happy that they have low standards, follow the herd or anything negative, huge difference. To those who are excited, great, more power to you and I'm truly happy that someone enjoys the presented line up.
To those replying to those unhappy with comments such as "I guess you have a narrow blah blah blah" or something along those lines, those people are who my post was directed at.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Having a Region A player keeps me grounded as far as not overextending my finances on Blu-rays. I mean, I already spend a fortune on Blu-rays as it is, but I would probably spend an ungodly fortune if I had the capability to watch titles from across the pond.

Yeah, pretty much. Back when I was buying DVDs, I bought a lot from Amazon UK, CDJapan, and EzyDVD (Australia). And while I don't really regret that, I've been coming across mentions of some titles from over the water that I'd really, really like, and I'm getting to the point where I figure I should cut back a little on the software for a while and get a region-free player. Now that my wife and I have an HD TV in the bedroom as well as in the living room, I need another BDP anyway. Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

Patience is not a strong suit for some people, it seems.

The solution is obvious. Criterion needs to release white-tie-and-tails editions of every movie ever made, and do it by next month.

What are they waiting for? Slackers.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by smoss469

People saying "what a lame month" are expressing their displeasure.

Disappointment is reasonable. Displeasure is childish.

There's a world of difference between 'oh well, nothing for me this month' and 'this month sucks, there's nothing for me'.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by smoss469

People saying "what a lame month" are expressing their displeasure. They aren't telling people that are happy that they have low standards, follow the herd or anything negative, huge difference. To those who are excited, great, more power to you and I'm truly happy that someone enjoys the presented line up. To those replying to those unhappy with comments such as "I guess you have a narrow blah blah blah" or something along those lines, those people are who my post was directed at.

Well, I think the problem is the use of the word "lame". If they were saying "Too bad, there's nothing this month that floats my boat", that would be one thing. But when they say "what a lame month", what we hear is "God, why would anyone want to watch any of these stupid movies?"

[octagon]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Having a Region A player keeps me grounded as far as not overextending my finances on Blu-rays. I mean, I already spend a fortune on Blu-rays as it is, but I would probably spend an ungodly fortune if I had the capability to watch titles from across the pond.

Yeah, there's definitely that. I haven't really gone nuts with region-b titles but there are a lot of good titles out there.

[Abdrewes]

As per usual. Announcement day drama....it never ends. October 15th will probably be no different.