The Criterion Collection

[Cocophone]

How will streaming low bit rate 4k compare with current streaming Netflix? Currently, during the evening hours I'm lucky to 2 mb stream on Netflix. Amazon prime is 12 to 15 mb stream during the same time of day.

[JavaJulien]

Originally Posted by alien2010

Does anyone know whether Criterion will be having a sale in the next two to three months?

If I'm not mistaken, the criterion sales are typically in July and November every year.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by JavaJulien

If I'm not mistaken, the criterion sales are typically in July and November every year.

I believe there's a Criterion.com sale every February and September.

[Ausjdm]

I'm planing on buying from criterion.com how does the points system work? How many purchases get to 500 pts? Their website doesn't say..

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by Ausjdm

I'm planing on buying from criterion.com how does the points system work? How many purchases get to 500 pts? Their website doesn't say..

One point per dollar spent (not including tax or shopping).

[frittscs]

Originally Posted by Brad1107

Has anyone seen the film The Ballad of Jack and Rose? Daniel Day-Lewis and Catherine Keener star, directed by Daniels wife Rebecca Miller, who is the daughter of playwright Arthur Miller. It's a beautiful film and I think it'd be right up Criterions alley.

Wish someone would release it somewhere in the world.

Also anybody here have the Japanese editions of Dancer in the Dark or Berlin Alexanderplatz and could comment on them? Especially if Berlin has subtitles or not? Relevant because of the directors!

I really like The Ballad of Jack and Rose, definitely enough to support a Criterion release. I feel like it's on IFC or Sundance channel every week, at least that's where I've seen it several times. It does seem like a prime candidate for Criterionization.

[Mansinthe]

did preorder Throne of Blood from importcds on 25.dec.13 ..today i received a refund to my paypal account since they dont seem to be able to acutally ship that bluray ~13 days after it was released.

went to B&N and ordered

Throne of Blood
Thief (becouse of the awesome review of TheGreatOwl)
Nostalghia (Kino) (tarkovsky )

Sacrifice (Kino ) (ebay)

[Scottie]

I'm a little disappointed with the packaging of IAMMMMW. The case looks like it's going to explode because of five discs in a little DigiPack.

In fact, the three-disc Nashville is bigger than the five-disc IAMMMMW.

[rrpmpstck]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I'm a little disappointed with the packaging of IAMMMMW. The case looks like it's going to explode because of five discs in a little DigiPack.

In fact, the three-disc Nashville is bigger than the five-disc IAMMMMW.

Any chance of pictures?

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by rrpmpstck

Any chance of pictures?

There's pictures of everything here.

http://www.criterionforum.org/DVD-pa...ollection/1237

I'm far too lazy to take some cell phone pictures right now, but that's what the packaging looks like. Don't get me wrong, it's really neat packaging, but I wish they made it a bit bigger or something.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Make it a triple bill, and throw in Billy Wilder's Witness for the Prosecution, unfortunately not available on Blu-ray.

I thought of this one, too! a blu-ray release would be nice!

[rrpmpstck]

Originally Posted by iScottie

There's pictures of everything here.

http://www.criterionforum.org/DVD-pa...ollection/1237

I'm far too lazy to take some cell phone pictures right now, but that's what the packaging looks like. Don't get me wrong, it's really neat packaging, but I wish they made it a bit bigger or something.

Thanks. I appreciate it.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

From what I've read about 4K it seems it requires a very large display. Viewing 4K movies on something like a 40'' TV does little.

that is also my understanding.

when I got SUPER excited about blu-ray, which was not too long ago, my first thought was to put my ENTIRE dvd collection up on craigslist, feeling that it was obsolete. since I've been able to borrow Criterion titles from the library and 90% of them are on DVD and not blu-ray, I have definitely come to the opinion that even DVD is nowhere close to obsolete right now. In fact, recently released Criterion titles like Sweet Smell of Success and Ivan's Childhood looked so darn good on DVD that it was difficult for me to imagine how much better they'd look on blu-ray. I think that if the prints are cleaned up and the contrast levels are set correctly, DVD can still be a worthwhile format. with that being said, I don't see a day where we'll be putting all of our blu-ray discs up on craigslist or regretting having spent so much money.

like another poster said, if you've got a giant screen in your "MTV Cribs"-like home, then perhaps you will benefit from more pixelation. Even on 47 or 50 inch TVs (which is a pretty damn good size) there will be no discernible difference.

[greekak229]

As a huge Frtiz Lang fan, I blind-bought Ministry of Fear because it was only $20, however, I can't help but feel somewhat disappointed. Nothing really wowed me about it. I actually want to check out more of Lang's films from the 40s-60s, because there's probably a real good gem or two in there. In any case, I didn't hate Ministry of Fear, but I didn't love it either.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by greekak229

As a huge Frtiz Lang fan, I blind-bought Ministry of Fear because it was only $20, however, I can't help but feel somewhat disappointed. Nothing really wowed me about it. I actually want to check out more of Lang's films from the 40s-60s, because there's probably a real good gem or two in there. In any case, I didn't hate Ministry of Fear, but I didn't love it either.

Fritz Lang's Ministry of Fear is not quite on the level of Metropolis, M, Scarlet Street, or The Big Heat, and it's somewhat disjointed as far as the narrative goes, but I still adore the film. Ministry of Fear has some truly unforgettable visuals, and I found it to be more rewarding after subsequent viewings than my first impression suggested. I love the use of shadows in the film, and I also enjoy watching Ray Milland and Marjorie Reynolds in action.

You might want to check out Lang's Cloak and Dagger, which is available through Olive Films, because it features a similar WWII-era espionage storyline that works a little better with respect to the Hitchcock-esque plot elements.

My least favorite Fritz Lang movie currently available on Blu-ray is Secret Beyond the Door, which is also available through Olive Films. Even this movie is worth owning, though, and it also benefits from the director's visual style, although the audio presentation does not step up to the plate.

I still need to purchase the Kino Blu-ray of Die Nibelungen.

[smoss469]

Just arrived, I loathe the packaging. It's terrible. They overstuffed the disc holder so much and it's improperly shaped that it doesn't even fit fully in the sleeve! (Bottom left corner of the crappy picture shows it sticking out).

Seriously, if they can't do a better job than this, I'm going to seriously think about skipping future releases.

[Mansinthe]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

since I've been able to borrow Criterion titles from the library and 90% of them are on DVD and not blu-ray, I have definitely come to the opinion that even DVD is nowhere close to obsolete right now.

only DVDs i do own are the ones from dual format releases and eclipse sets + a few asian DVDs that are not avaible on bluray. im sitting 2,5-3meters away from a 108 inch screen (projector) , and you can see the difference in details and everything even a bad bluray does look great compared to a good DVD.
so i would probably be one of the first that might upgrade criterion bluray to 4k blurays
watching a few of the best looking criterion blurays on such a big screen at home.. that just awesome and pure joy.

but since the content is what matters the most im happy about new DVDs and blurays as well.

[brandon_260]

While I do understand the dual format thing, I think for a release that requires more than three discs, they should really be keeping it separate. A five disc set for one film is a little excessive.

Also, with the WCP boxset, there is only three blu-rays, yet the box is priced at $125. If they hadn't went the dual format route, it would have likely been released with an MSRP of $80 like their other three disc set (Three Colors, Trilogy of Life, Qatsi).

Unrelated, does anyone know what's going on with ImportCDs? They've jacked the prices on all their Criterion titles and none of my January titles have shipped, even though all are listed as in stock. I placed my order right at the beginning of the month. I've not had an issue with them before, but this doesn't look so good.

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by brandon_260

While I do understand the dual format thing, I think for a release that requires more than three discs, they should really be keeping it separate. A five disc set for one film is a little excessive.

Also, with the WCP boxset, there is only three blu-rays, yet the box is priced at $125. If they hadn't went the dual format route, it would have likely been released with an MSRP of $80 like their other three disc set (Three Colors, Trilogy of Life, Qatsi).

Unrelated, does anyone know what's going on with ImportCDs? They've jacked the prices on all their Criterion titles and none of my January titles have shipped, even though all are listed as in stock. I placed my order right at the beginning of the month. I've not had an issue with them before, but this doesn't look so good.

All I know is that they've raised their prices 20% or more on anything I had any interest in buying. With their crappy shipping and higher prices they've lost my business.

[Mansinthe]

Originally Posted by brandon_260

Unrelated, does anyone know what's going on with ImportCDs? They've jacked the prices on all their Criterion titles and none of my January titles have shipped, even though all are listed as in stock. I placed my order right at the beginning of the month. I've not had an issue with them before, but this doesn't look so good.

i had to open a paypal case for my throne of blood pre-order, since it has not been shipped as well. and i got no answer from customer service (did write them 3 times and their facebook page)...

never again, worst customer service ever..