The Criterion Collection

[Polaroid]

If no one has seen this - I'm not a fan of beatles, but packaging looks great!

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by Meek12345

I just finished the Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman set!

I purchased this set during the February Criterion flash sale, so it took me over three months to get thru the 25 films. If I didn't try to fit TCM recordings and other blu's into my schedule, I probably would have finished a month ago.

Overall, it was one of the greatest blu-ray experiences of my life. I wish my first experience with the Bond films had been to watch all of them chronologically like I did with this series. Although, the experience is significantly different since several actors have protrayed Bond. One of the reasons why Zatoichi is so great is that you get to see Shintaro Katsu evolve as an actor over the course of the series.

All of the films are either okay, very good, or great in my opinion. However, if I had to list the best and worst films in the series this is how it would go:

Top 5
Zatoichi the Fugitive
Fight, Zatoichi, Fight
Zatoichi's Cane Sword
Zatoichi Challenged
Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival

Bottom 5
Zatoichi's Vengeance
Zatoichi and the Fugitives
Zatoichi in Desperation

Okay...I can't really come up with a bottom 5. The series is that good. It can be somewhat repetitive just like the Bond series, but the great acting and talented directors keep the series consistently entertaining.

Well, I hope other owners of this set will enjoy it. Also, it is more than worth the 50% off MSRP.

I've had the set since Christmas, but I'm ashamed to say I've only made it through disc 1. The plan was to watch 1 disc at a time, take a break and come back to it. I didn't want to get burnt out on watching them back to back; I've really enjoyed the ones I've seen so far!

[RojD]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

If you have something else you want to buy, coupon K9M4E3D works the same way. I was able to get Like Someone In Love and Life Aquatic for $15.99 each (separate transactions).

Red River....$22! OOOOOOK! Thanks, man!

[colbyw]

Sorry to ask another question on these deals: To get the $8 off someone stated that it must me thru mobile phone. Is there a specific app that I need to go thru, or is it just the B&N general website? I only ask because the only app I am seeing is the "NOOK" app. thanks again.

[bstv69]

Originally Posted by colbyw

Sorry to ask another question on these deals: To get the $8 off someone stated that it must me thru mobile phone. Is there a specific app that I need to go thru, or is it just the B&N general website? I only ask because the only app I am seeing is the "NOOK" app. thanks again.

Just their standard mobile site you can also access it on a computer by typing in m.barnesandnoble.com

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

If no one has seen this - I'm not a fan of beatles, but packaging looks great!

That's a very BIG box for a 2-disk...What's in it, again?

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by EricJ

That's a very BIG box for a 2-disk...What's in it, again?

It's three-discs.

[thebard]

Each copy comes with a lock of Paul's hair, and a snippet of the JC Penny bedsheets from the hotel they stayed at in New York in 1964.

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by thebard

Each copy comes with a lock of Paul's hair, and a snippet of the JC Penny bedsheets from the hotel they stayed at in New York in 1964.

I thought they came with a copy of the pre-nup he decided Heather didn't need to sign.

[JoeBuck]

I'm assuming these coupons are ineligible on pre-orders right???

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by The Bronx Bull

How long does the trial membership last? My regular membership expires this week and ideally, I would use a trial membership for the B&N July sale.

The BIG question is 'when are you eligible for a trial membership?' I would guess that you have to be a non-member for x months before you application for a trial membership would be considered legit. I would further guess that your non-membership period eligibility would be something like 6 months.

edit, terms of one "free" membership as follows: *The Free two-month Membership is for new Members only who have not previously enrolled in the Membership Program, and is free with a credit or debit card purchase. The Free two-month term of Membership is two (2) months beginning on the date of enrollment." But you know corporations, there are numerous reasons the above might not be true (incompetnnt coding > mktg purposes) might not play out as stated. Let us know your experience!

[skylog]

Originally Posted by bstv69

Thank you everyone for your wonderful suggestions. The reason Why I asked is because I seem to have found a bit of a loophole to the sale going on right now at B&N it appears that you can use the $8 off coupon C9P8L3R. You must do it no the mobile site and you must be a member. I think I am going to go with Night of the Hunter just because its the most expensive title and it means with the coupons I am getting 'the most off'. I will buy the rest during the Criterion Flash sale. Once again thank you for the help and hope you can take advantage of the code

thank you! i was able to pick up "hidden fortress" for 16.95. i was planning to wait until the upcoming 50% sale, but now i can target the two titles i had ear-marked that are not yet for sale...and have my trial membership ready to go.

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

If you have something else you want to buy, coupon K9M4E3D works the same way. I was able to get Like Someone In Love and Life Aquatic for $15.99 each (separate transactions).

thanks to you as well! it is not a criterion (i know, i know), but i picked up "boiler room" for 1.05.

[TheHighRoller]

The next sale will be the 8th according to a B&N manager I asked. He said it might be moved up a week, but that it is currently for the 8th. Not sure if it will be extended yet.

[Meek12345]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Every couple of years, I revisit all of the James Bond 007 films in chronological order, and I always have a blast doing so. I talk a good game when it comes to classic movies, foreign cinema, and under-recognized Criterion titles, but, if someone were to point a gun at me and force me to give up all of the Blu-rays in my collection except for 23 titles, then I would choose my 23 Bond films to keep.

I am looking forward to watching the Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman set, because I've already got it on the shelf. I have a few other titles that I want to catch up watching first, but I know that I'll have a great time going through these Zatoichi films in order.

I look forward to reading your review of the Zatoichi set. Do you intend to post a review after you have watched all 25 films? Also, you have convinced me that I need to pick up the Bond 50 set and watch the whole series again from the beginning.

Originally Posted by smoss469

I've had the set since Christmas, but I'm ashamed to say I've only made it through disc 1. The plan was to watch 1 disc at a time, take a break and come back to it. I didn't want to get burnt out on watching them back to back; I've really enjoyed the ones I've seen so far!

Please don't be ashamed. It's going to be okay. Here's a hug I was so sure that I would finish Zatoichi in a month or two, but that wasn't remotely realistic. It is a great series, but you can get burnt out on them if you watch more than 2 in one night. That was my experience anyways. I hope you will be able to finish the rest of the series soon.

[Blu-Velvet]

Originally Posted by Meek12345

I look forward to reading your review of the Zatoichi set. Do you intend to post a review after you have watched all 25 films? Also, you have convinced me that I need to pick up the Bond 50 set and watch the whole series again from the beginning.



Please don't be ashamed. It's going to be okay. Here's a hug I was so sure that I would finish Zatoichi in a month or two, but that wasn't remotely realistic. It is a great series, but you can get burnt out on them if you watch more than 2 in one night. That was my experience anyways. I hope you will be able to finish the rest of the series soon.

When I got the Zatoichi set I watched the first three films right away and then looked at a film or two whenever I got the chance over the next week or so. Then I was snowed in for a weekend and got through the last 15 films in just three days (including seven in one day) as well as all the bonus features. They're really addictive! Now I'd like to see some of the TV episodes and the last film by Shintaro Katsu made some time later. I probably should try to see the 2003 film, too, although its reviews weren't that great.

[Meek12345]

Originally Posted by Blu-Velvet

When I got the Zatoichi set I watched the first three films right away and then looked at a film or two whenever I got the chance over the next week or so. Then I was snowed in for a weekend and got through the last 15 films in just three days (including seven in one day) as well as all the bonus features. They're really addictive! Now I'd like to see some of the TV episodes and the last film by Shintaro Katsu made some time later. I probably should try to see the 2003 film, too, although its reviews weren't that great.

It would be great if Criterion could get the rights to the TV series and Zatoichi 26. I don't know if that is even remotely possible though. Also, I thought the 2003 Zatoichi film was horrible. I ended up watching the entire film though because I couldn't take my eyes off that train wreck. It is almost like everyone involved hated the Zatoichi films and decided to completely ignore all the great character traits of the Zatoichi character. You should give it a try though, if you want to watch a bad film one night. Sometimes it is fun to watch a bad film and pick it apart/have a good laugh. I would like to hear your opinion of it.

[Danchez]

Wow, I couldn't resist that $15.99 price point with those two $8-Off codes. I just picked up Il Sorpasso and The Life Aquatic.

Thanks for posting them!

[Polaroid]

Picnic at Hanging Rock is here!

It comes with book as well! post pics in a bit its beautiful!!!!!

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Meek12345

I look forward to reading your review of the Zatoichi set. Do you intend to post a review after you have watched all 25 films? Also, you have convinced me that I need to pick up the Bond 50 set and watch the whole series again from the beginning.

I've recently dispensed with the notion that I should write long-winded User Reviews of every single Blu-ray purchase, and I've simply enjoyed catching up on my Blu-rays without reviewing them, but I'll probably write a few words about the Zatoichi films, especially after finishing the box set as one big entity.

It'll be a while before I start watching the Zatoichi set, though. I want to go through the Buster Keaton Collection first.

[Polaroid]

Beautiful release from Criterion - the book was huge surprise for me, didn't know they was including it!










This has to be my favourite year... Picnic upgrade, Breaking the Waves, Scanners, Persona, The Great Beauty, Fantastic Mr Fox, A brief History of Time etc etc