The Criterion Collection

[ShellOilJunior]

The only time I've had trouble with case damage was with the plastic ones. The Chris Marker set from Criterion direct - the case was smashed. I emailed them and I had a new copy within a few days. I have several of the new digibook style and they look fine to me (although I'm not one to treat a case like it's an old lady).

[ultlife2013]

Thief is a dual format and comes in a plastic case.

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by ultlife2013

Thief is a dual format and comes in a plastic case.

I think over time, you'll see less and less of those around. The bad thing is Scanavo already makes a 3 disc clear BD case that is also 14mm wide like their (I believe) normal 1 disc CC cases.

http://www.casetopia.com/product_p/dvd3-onet.p.14mm.htm

They also make a 3 disc that's 22mm wide which should allow for most of their booklets etc to be included in the middle.

http://www.casetopia.com/product_p/d...et.pb3.krt.htm

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by ultlife2013

Thief is a dual format and comes in a plastic case.

Here's how the Dual Format thing seems to work, at least so far...

1 Blu-ray + 1 DVD = plastic case
1 Blu-ray + 2 DVD = digipak
More than 1 Blu-ray + respective DVDs = digipack

For many movies, the limited extras can fit onto one single DVD disc along with the movie itself. For movies that necessitate 2 DVD discs for the movie plus extras, the creative packaging becomes necessary.

I'm not wild about the Criterion digipak cases, but I also realize that this is not Burger King and that I cannot have it my way.

The plastic cases are easily replaceable and take up less space. I take good care of my stuff, so my only real problem with the digipaks is that I prefer to buy them in person at Barnes & Nobles stores so that I can ensure that I have an undamaged copy. They take up more space, but I can work around that, albeit with a small amount of irritation.

I like the creativity and artwork that goes into the digipaks, even if I wish that they were less unwieldy.

The Jules and Jim package is a marvelous thing of beauty, and it will be mine.
The Foreign Correspondent and Tess packages are just incredible, and they'll be in my collection soon as well.

I mean, Alfred Hitchcock is my favorite director of all time, and I own 25 Hitchcock Blu-rays already. The idea of boycotting a new Hitchcock Blu-ray release because of packaging is laughable in my world.

[momaw]

I'm starting to think I'm the only one who likes the digipacks...

Personally I thin the current styling (not like those original ones) is quite classy and the art work looks much nicer on them than in the amarays. They are a bit more work to keep pristine and relying on international shipping to get them can be a problem, but overall I like the digipacks I have more than the amarays.

[Edward J Grug III]

I don't really have a preference, except I wish they were consistent. All digipacks or all plastic cases. It's the mixing and matching that bugs me.

[StLouisRibs]

Originally Posted by momaw

I'm starting to think I'm the only one who likes the digipacks...

Personally I thin the current styling (not like those original ones) is quite classy and the art work looks much nicer on them than in the amarays. They are a bit more work to keep pristine and relying on international shipping to get them can be a problem, but overall I like the digipacks I have more than the amarays.

I really enjoy that they print a special additional piece of art on the interior of the slipcase, which I'd guess 75% of customers don't even notice - most companies'd opt to do just a flat color (black or white, usually) but Criterion just goes that little bit further.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by StLouisRibs

I really enjoy that they print a special additional piece of art on the interior of the slipcase, which I'd guess 75% of customers don't even notice - most companies'd opt to do just a flat color (black or white, usually) but Criterion just goes that little bit further.

This is a good point.

I do appreciate Criterion's reminder that movies are not just "data", and that presentation still goes a long way when assembling a product.

The 1980s kid in me who used to marvel at the artwork for U2 - The Joshua Tree, Prince - Sign 'O' the Times, The Smiths - The Queen is Dead, and such is appreciative of Criterion's efforts to make packages look cool.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by smoss469

My choice won't have any impact on anyone else so I'm not understanding why people seem to be irritated by it.

Not irritated at all...seems like you are the one who is irritated. Nevertheless, I hope you don't have to wait too many years for Criterion to start a new packaging design line in order to buy back into their products. But as you said, maybe you'll eventually "pick them up again". It will be a great day when that occurs.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Here's how the Dual Format thing seems to work, at least so far...

1 Blu-ray + 1 DVD = plastic case
1 Blu-ray + 2 DVD = digipak
More than 1 Blu-ray + respective DVDs = digipack

For many movies, the limited extras can fit onto one single DVD disc along with the movie itself. For movies that necessitate 2 DVD discs for the movie plus extras, the creative packaging becomes necessary.

I'm not wild about the Criterion digipak cases, but I also realize that this is not Burger King and that I cannot have it my way.

The plastic cases are easily replaceable and take up less space. I take good care of my stuff, so my only real problem with the digipaks is that I prefer to buy them in person at Barnes & Nobles stores so that I can ensure that I have an undamaged copy. They take up more space, but I can work around that, albeit with a small amount of irritation.

I like the creativity and artwork that goes into the digipaks, even if I wish that they were less unwieldy.

The Jules and Jim package is a marvelous thing of beauty, and it will be mine.
The Foreign Correspondent and Tess packages are just incredible, and they'll be in my collection soon as well.

I mean, Alfred Hitchcock is my favorite director of all time, and I own 25 Hitchcock Blu-rays already. The idea of boycotting a new Hitchcock Blu-ray release because of packaging is laughable in my world.

Well said, Owl!

And StLouisRibs is totally on to something with that interior design on the inside of the slipcase. When I removed the slipcase and noticed the photograph of Volonté on the inside of Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion, it reaffirmed just how Criterion has gone beyond the call of duty with such details like that. This is proof that the company has had this digipack design well thought out in advance. I see no flaws here.

[The Great Owl]

Another plus for the Criterion digipaks...

Have y'all seen how many Nastassja Kinski images are included on the artwork for the Criterion Blu-ray of Tess?

I could easily take a week off of work and just spend that time staring at the pictures on the Tess digipak.

[Fellini912]

I am definitely against digipaks; even if they have great artwork, they are not durable. If I plan to move any time soon, they will surely get damaged.

I pay a premium price for a Criterion release, to get a Eco-friendly package is just ridiculous. Not to long ago they offered plastic case replacements for their earlier releases.

If it were not for the great transfers of the film, I would buy imports from BFI or MoC. I am thinking about importing Tess. I really hope criterion does not release Persona in digipak.

Maybe the digipak is there to make up for dual format release.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

I really hope criterion does not release Persona in digipak.

Since the Criterion release of Persona will include three discs, I'd say that the chance of it being released as a digipak is roughly 100%.

I'm looking forward to this release, though. I only have three Bergman films on Blu-ray at present, and I need to step out of my cinematic comfort zone with Bergman more often. I've never seen Persona before, but I've always heard such great things.

[bdmartin134]

Just watched Ivan's Childhood last night for my first Tarkovsky. I had blind bought the blu a few weeks back during B&N buy 2 get 1 deal.. I don't think I blinked once and my jaw would not shut. I was mesmerized by the incredible cinematography and outstanding acting by the young Ivan. Some of the shots reminded me of Kalatozov's The Cranes Are Flying and Letter Never Sent immediately, but Ivan was so much darker. Loved a lot of the shadows and contrast of the black and whites.
As a first viewing, I didn't really concentrate on the effects that war has on children etc., but more on the emotion and visual poetry that was being portrayed. I think most definitely on an upcoming second viewing, I'll understand it a bit more, but I've had this film on my mind this whole day. I love finding these sort of gems that still evoke a great film experience. Would love to see a previous Great Owl review if there is one and any one else's opinions or reviews to converse with.
Not sure which Tarkovsky I should go with next. I will definitely watch Solaris, Mirror, and Stalker, but don't think I have too much interest in Rublev at this point, yet that is.

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by Edward J Grug III

I don't really have a preference, except I wish they were consistent. All digipacks or all plastic cases. It's the mixing and matching that bugs me.

Thiiiiiiiis.

In fact if I had to choose between having 100% plastic cases or 100% digipacks, that would be a very hard choice.

Also another thing that bugs my OCD self is that not all their digipacks are the same damn height. My copies of Breathless and Sweet Smell of Success are different heights..

[Scottie]

I really don't see the problem with DigiPacks.

In my opinion, they're just another case, unless they're poorly designed (i.e. IAMMMMW).

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Snicket

Thiiiiiiiis.

In fact if I had to choose between having 100% plastic cases or 100% digipacks, that would be a very hard choice.

Also another thing that bugs my OCD self is that not all their digipacks are the same damn height. My copies of Breathless and Sweet Smell of Success are different heights..

Can you measure how many millimeters each release is? I'm curious as to know just how much taller one digipack is from the other.

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by jw007

Can you measure how many millimeters each release is? I'm curious as to know just how much taller one digipack is from the other.

Here is a pic for reference.

Not sure if the new digipacks have a different height, I don't own any yet. (until next week, when I pick up Mr. Fox)

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Snicket

Here is a pic for reference.

Not sure if the new digipacks have a different height, I don't own any yet. (until next week, when I pick up Mr. Fox)

Definitely looks like several millimeters to me.

Well, its a first world problem, and there are far worse things to worry about. I'm going to turn a negative into a positive and quote Stephen Cosgrove: “Never judge someone by the way he looks or a book by the way it's covered;
For inside those tattered pages, there's a lot to be discovered”.

[jrsl76]

Originally Posted by momaw

I'm starting to think I'm the only one who likes the digipacks...

Personally I thin the current styling (not like those original ones) is quite classy and the art work looks much nicer on them than in the amarays. They are a bit more work to keep pristine and relying on international shipping to get them can be a problem, but overall I like the digipacks I have more than the amarays.

They look nice, but are a real b***h to get perfect undamage copy. Drives me up the wall.