The Criterion Collection

[Reelhero]

I just got a 2 month trial to Hulu plus and want to take advantage of the selection of the criterions they have. Can anyone recommend some must watch and maybe lesser known but excellent titles for me to check out? Right now I added all the Kurosawa films on there and a couple 1950's B movies, I watched the Blob yesterday which I really enjoyed.

[Iamspartacus]

Anyone heard anymore on the Night of the Hunter that is supposed to be rereleased April 1st?

[rock, stone]

Having just opened my order of Tess, Jules & Jim, and Foreign Correspondent, it is ridiculous how bloated this packaging has become.

I bought 3 blurays and they take up the space of 4 1/2 dvd cases.

I love movies. I don't love bookshelves...

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Thanks for the heads-up!

There's always a bigger better deal somewhere. I pre-ordered The Swimmer from Family Video a few days ago, but did not think to check their Criterion prices. I feel more assured ordering digipacks from the Criterion site, though, because they've always done a good job with shipping their titles to me. I'll stick with them this time around.

If Criterion didn't charge tax or have a $50 free shipping requirement I'd probably order a lot more from them. Persona is a good example. They have Amazon beat but when tax and shipping is added it costs more. FV has it for $23.99 + Tax/Shipping so I paid about $27.99 or so.

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by rock, stone

Having just opened my order of Tess, Jules & Jim, and Foreign Correspondent, it is ridiculous how bloated this packaging has become.

I bought 3 blurays and they take up the space of 4 1/2 dvd cases.

I love movies. I don't love bookshelves...

I agree. Criterion really needs to find a way to trim these down. They are just way too big.

[ParticleDan]

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

I agree. Criterion really needs to find a way to trim these down. They are just way too big.

I have to agree as well. I never thought I would come down on the side of plastic cases vs. digipaks, but when 8 out of the last 10 Criterions I've purchased have come in digipaks they lose their novelty. Plus, as mentioned, they take up way too much room and always seem to arrive somewhat damaged!

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Reelhero

I just got a 2 month trial to Hulu plus and want to take advantage of the selection of the criterions they have. Can anyone recommend some must watch and maybe lesser known but excellent titles for me to check out? Right now I added all the Kurosawa films on there and a couple 1950's B movies, I watched the Blob yesterday which I really enjoyed.

give us a bit more info about what films you like. that's Ryan Gosling from Drive, right? your avatar? you should definitely check out Michael Mann's Thief in that case.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I just placed an order directly from the Criterion website for...

Persona
The Freshman
The Great Beauty

$31.96 apiece, which is cheaper than what I would be able to purchase these for at Barnes & Noble this month or even on Amazon, and the order qualifies for free shipping.

I do not usually order directly from Criterion except during flash sales, but I'm trying this out as a test to see how Criterion ships these three relatively fragile digipaks. If I'm satisfied with the shipping method and the condition of the digipaks up on arrival, then I'd like to make the Criterion site my go-to place for ordering these Dual Format digipak releases.

At the least, it will be a good way to rack up points on my Criterion account.

I'm making a big leap of faith with The Great Beauty, but the trailers and the description excite me.

For those of you who have ordered the Dual Format digipaks directly from Criterion, are you happy with the results?

I have been ordering direct from Criterion for many years. I do take advantage of the sales on other sites, but price is not my barometer when I want a film. I even order replacement cases from them in addition to fragile Eclipse sets. I have never had a problem with an item being damaged, but frankly, their customer service is fantastic and will make it right if needed. Typically, when you order 3 or more items, they typically send them in a box with air packs in it. And I am sure others will chime in that order from them, they typically deliver new releases early, as opposed to Amazon. The free $50 GC is not a bad incentive either...

[Reelhero]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

give us a bit more info about what films you like. that's Ryan Gosling from Drive, right? your avatar? you should definitely check out Michael Mann's Thief in that case.

yep that's Gosling from Drive, and I own the CC blu of Theif, great movie!

I've just recently started to branch out from mainstream US criterion titles like Wes Anderson and Cronenberg films, so i'm open to pretty much anything at this point.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Reelhero

yep that's Gosling from Drive, and I own the CC blu of Theif, great movie!

I've just recently started to branch out from mainstream US criterion titles like Wes Anderson and Cronenberg films, so i'm open to pretty much anything at this point.

I took a glance at my list of favs and based on the info you provided....

I'd be willing to bet that you'd enjoy Revanche.
I don't know what Jean Pierre Melville films (if any) are on Hulu, but Le Samourai is about an existentialist anti-hero and was an influence on films like Thief and Drive. Le Deuixemme Souflle (another Melville) could possibly be on there. I'd recommend that one.

[*DrStrangelove*]

Originally Posted by Reelhero

I just got a 2 month trial to Hulu plus and want to take advantage of the selection of the criterions they have. Can anyone recommend some must watch and maybe lesser known but excellent titles for me to check out? Right now I added all the Kurosawa films on there and a couple 1950's B movies, I watched the Blob yesterday which I really enjoyed.

The Cranes are Flying is my recommendation.
Out of the Kurosawa's, my favorite is The Bad Sleep Well.
Not sure if it's on hulu but you need to check out The BRD trilogy (or any Fassbinder)
Speaking of which, whatever happened to The BRD upgrade?

[captveg]

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

I agree. Criterion really needs to find a way to trim these down. They are just way too big.

We already know there will be a 3-Disc plastic case for releases in the near future.

[*DrStrangelove*]

Originally Posted by captveg

We already know there will be a 3-Disc plastic case for releases in the near future.

They had one for The Samurai trilogy

[jw007]

Originally Posted by ParticleDan

I have to agree as well. I never thought I would come down on the side of plastic cases vs. digipaks, but when 8 out of the last 10 Criterions I've purchased have come in digipaks they lose their novelty. Plus, as mentioned, they take up way too much room and always seem to arrive somewhat damaged!

I just did some measurements, and the new dual-edition digipacks measure 2.3 centimeters taller than the standard blu-ray edition amaray cases. They are basically 6.93 inches in height compared to 6.7 inches in height for the standard plastic cases.

I'm worried that these new dual editions won't fit on these new steel cabinets (BD-392) I'm about to order from Boltz dot com. Has anyone bought anything from them by any chance?

[jetthead]

Originally Posted by captveg

We already know there will be a 3-Disc plastic case for releases in the near future.

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

They had one for The Samurai trilogy

The Samurai Trilogy is a 2 disc set.

[*DrStrangelove*]

Originally Posted by jetthead

The Samurai Trilogy is a 2 disc set.

You know what, you're right.

[Polaroid]

Are people still winging about the size of the digipaks?

And come on I order from USA to UK and goes through customs and I've had no damaged digipaks only damaged plastic cases.

Getting boring now, just get over it :/ sorry to her due but there so many good things to discuss and you focus in the digipaksmsize?

Ugh

[JoeBuck]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Are people still winging about the size of the digipaks?

And come on I order from USA to UK and goes through customs and I've had no damaged digipaks only damaged plastic cases.

Getting boring now, just get over it :/ sorry to her due but there so many good things to discuss and you focus in the digipaksmsize?

Ugh

This. All of it, really.

[CBHampson]

Originally Posted by Reelhero

I just got a 2 month trial to Hulu plus and want to take advantage of the selection of the criterions they have. Can anyone recommend some must watch and maybe lesser known but excellent titles for me to check out? Right now I added all the Kurosawa films on there and a couple 1950's B movies, I watched the Blob yesterday which I really enjoyed.

Watch the Chaplin classics if you're unfamiliar.

City Lights
The Kid
Gold Rush
etc

[Oblivion138]

Originally Posted by Coen

I am looking to increase my Criterions. Some of my favorite directors are the Coen brothers, Paul Thomas Anderson, Tarantino, Wilder, Scorsese, Kubrick. Any specific recommendations based on my regular BD collection? I know I want some more Bergman - especially Persona and Wild Strawberries. Also, not really a fan of most of Wes Anderson's work.

For the black comedy lover in you, I suggest Harold and Maude.