The Criterion Collection

[Blu-Velvet]

Originally Posted by jw007

So fascinating. Criterion has been experimenting with their packaging and marketing and now they're eliminating dual-format releases and going back to stand-alone BD/DVD releases. It is music to my ears. Yet, it seems a tad unprofessional because so many great films were released in dual-format in larger digipacks and now they will look uneven and inconsistent alongside the BD/DVD releases.

You know, really the best thing to do would be to merge BD and DVD onto one single disc somehow. So when you pop the disc into the media player, it will let you choose whether you want to watch the film in Blu-ray or DVD quality. There should be a new type of disc that media players can recognize. Of course I'm just joking here at such a ludicrous idea.

Oh, so sad that dual-format was so short-lived with Criterion. But I'm oh so happy to see those big oversized digipacks to be gone too. Now the question is, will these dual-format editions that have already come out become collectors items?

Actually about four and a half years ago there were some single-disc dual Blu-ray/DVD releases that were double-sided. You put one side up to play the Blu-ray and the other side up to play the DVD. For whatever reason, they never caught on. Maybe people were too attached to having a full side wasted by a large printed title logo and artwork, instead of a title and format info in tiny print around the hub they needed a magnifying glass to read.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by Blu-Velvet

Actually about four and a half years ago there were some single-disc dual Blu-ray/DVD releases that were double-sided. You put one side up to play the Blu-ray and the other side up to play the DVD. For whatever reason, they never caught on. Maybe people were too attached to having a full side wasted by a large printed title logo and artwork, instead of a title and format info in tiny print around the hub they needed a magnifying glass to read.

I HATE discs that flip - especially when its just one film and you have to flip half way through.

I love the artwork on the disc, when its double sided disc it just looks and feels cheap, plus with one sided you can place it face up without fear of scratches - doubled sided you don't.

[tenia]

Originally Posted by smoss469

I say stop the DVD releases entirely. Seriously, who is going to shell out $20 per CC release when your decent BD player can be bought for $40-$50? Are you saying people would shell out $20 for a single DVD but would flat out refuse to get a player that plays both BD's and DVD's and stop buying your product as a result?

It seems that DVD-only releases are generating so much revenues that, most precisely, Criterion can't stop them even in 2014. MoC had the same issues back in the time. Even today, it seems that lots of money had going into DVDs, whether people like us find it logical or not.

Becker says it quite explicitly : "a fairly large proportion of our audience has not made the leap to Blu-ray yet."

When I read this "Blu-ray customers didn’t like making room for DVDs they didn’t want, and DVD customers didn’t like paying more to get a Blu-ray they couldn’t play", it's hard not to understand easily how this switch could have lead to something a bit silly.

I too find it puzzling that HDTV are so well implemented but people can't put $60 into a BD-player, and a couple $ more into a BD rather than a DVD.

But bear in mind than lots of misconception about BDs are still in general audience's head. Like, for instance, I still have to explain that BD-players also play DVDs. And not so long ago I had to explain to someone which was usually well informed that his PS3 was also a BD-player.

In France, we have 75% of households with HDTV but a 20% BD share on video market. This says a lot about how people like HD but don't feel the need for BD.

Of course everything would be easier if everything which could be released on BD only is released on BD. But we know it's not the case, and that even for Criterion, BD-only releases (or even a simple DF "oncost for DVD-only customers") can mean pushing 40% of your customers away. Even if, in the end, I feel myself close to the comment from MitchA17, even though I have 0 need of the DVD.

[Polaroid]

Tbh I thought people who specifically buy Criterion are film buffs or have a huge appreciation for cinema - surely they would know difference between DVD and Blurays and want best they can get? Why else do they buy criterion?

Being a UK customer I can understand why people not in America may find it harder to get Bluray player, but I got mine for £60 including import/delivery - It's not expensive.

As you stated, Bluray players play DVD so its not like it is making their DVD collection obsolete.

Also what is point in a nice big HD tv and only playing DVD's on it lol.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Being a UK customer I can understand why people not in America may find it harder to get Bluray player, but I got mine for £60 including import/delivery - It's not expensive.

A few years ago when my parents' DVD player bit the dust I purchased a Sony blu-ray player for them. My brother had suggested they get an upconvert player (!) so I had to intervene.

[TheMikeSchwartz]

I work with an older lady and she collects art house films and Classic Hollywood movies. She is exactly who they are catering the DVDs to. She doesn't care at all about Bluray. half of her collection is on VHS. It's old people that don't care.

[Tin Drum]

Originally Posted by JackTwist

Is anyone going to pick up Plain Archive's release of Blue is the Warmest Color that goes live this evening? The edition is limited to 400 for international customers. Their release of Melancholia is sublime!

For this release, there is the whole issue of how many copies of one movie does one need. There is the inevitable special edition later this year that I cannot wait for and I already have the barebones theatrical edition Criterion released earlier this year. So that's my debate. Anyone biting on the Plain Archive release?

I'd bite if it were a steelbook...but in regards to how many copies you just have to play it by ear. I went ahead and got the first release from criterion just in case they do not include the theatrical version on the eventual directors cut release down the road (will sell when it is confirmed that the next release will include both versions).

They did that with the Tin Drum. It's one of my favs, obviously, but I have to keep the criterion DVD (for the extras not on the blu), the criterion blu and the arrow uk blu for the blu edition of the theatrical version...

[smoss469]

I finally got around to watching On the Waterfront and wow... is Lee J. Cobb the best a-hole in the world? Looking through the CC releases, I don't think anyone does it better. Every role he has in the CC collection he's a detestable soulless human being without a single redeeming quality.... now that's acting!

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by smoss469

I finally got around to watching On the Waterfront and wow... is Lee J. Cobb the best ******* in the world? Looking through the CC releases, I don't think anyone does it better. Every role he has in the CC collection he's a detestable soulless human being without a single redeeming quality.... now that's acting!

Im on edge whether to blind buy this, have heard amazing things about the film and the director - need to hold off new purchases at the moment as I have like 25 on my way and need work to pay me lol

[ultlife2013]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Im on edge whether to blind buy this, have heard amazing things about the film and the director - need to hold off new purchases at the moment as I have like 25 on my way and need work to pay me lol

If that paragraph didn't sell you then I don't know what will. It's Marlo Brando, man!

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by ultlife2013

If that paragraph didn't sell you then I don't know what will. It's Marlo Brando, man!

And its digipak! ahhh lol - Actually I will order now as BIOH has a sale (I think) -

Yeah going for £30 odd on EBay but got for £15 thanks to sale

[ultlife2013]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

And its digipak! ahhh lol - Actually I will order now as BIOH has a sale (I think)

You gonna be somebody now! You're gonna be a contender!

[smoss469]

Well I didn't buy it, but since we upgraded to any-room Tivo I've been blowing TCM up with recording. I have another 10-15 movies set to record in the next few weeks, half of them are CC releases that I'm interested in; eliminating the blind-buys has basically paid for a years worth of Tivo in a month.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by smoss469

Well I didn't buy it, but since we upgraded to any-room Tivo I've been blowing TCM up with recording. I have another 10-15 movies set to record in the next few weeks, half of them are CC releases that I'm interested in; eliminating the blind-buys has basically paid for a years worth of Tivo in a month.

I'd rather blind buy and watch in all its glory! worse case scenario, I don't like it and I sell it, or keep for the beautiful packaging.

But tbh, however bad a film is (especially on Criterion) there is ALWAYS something to appreciate and make the viewing worthy.

Besides, can't go wrong with Elia Kazan, seeing as he had huge influence on Kubrick.

[ultlife2013]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

I'd rather blind buy and watch in all its glory! worse case scenario, I don't like it and I sell it, or keep for the beautiful packaging.

But tbh, however bad a film is (especially on Criterion) there is ALWAYS something to appreciate and make the viewing worthy.

Besides, can't go wrong with Elia Kazan, seeing as he had huge influence on Kubrick.

I agree with this!

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Criterion is now offering a replacement case for "The Night of the Hunter".

If you folks can recall, I messaged Jon Mulvaney several months ago when the re-release of the film came out. He told me that Criterion would be offering this replacement case and now it appears as if the time is now.

http://www.criterion.com/shop_produc...-of-the-hunter

Is the booklet from the digipack not too big for this case?

[The Great Owl]

I just ordered the replacement case for The Night of the Hunter, along with an order for five empty single-disc replacement cases, since my stash is almost empty.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by smoss469

I finally got around to watching On the Waterfront and wow... is Lee J. Cobb the best a-hole in the world? Looking through the CC releases, I don't think anyone does it better. Every role he has in the CC collection he's a detestable soulless human being without a single redeeming quality.... now that's acting!

Another CC film he's in, Thieves' Highway, would make for an excellent blu-ray.

[Cbeck]

Originally Posted by oildude

Unfortunately, this decision to switch back may delay that process. As crazy as it may seem to those of us who have been into Blu-ray for years, there is still a significant movie collecting population who remain loyal to DVD and are not switching. I always viewed the combo packs as a way to force blu-rays into the homes of the DVD diehards, and as the DVD-only versions of films saw their supply dwindle, it might even spur Criterion to more frequent upgrades. Looks to me like the DVD crowd won this one, not the other way around. Criterion has basically admitted DVD is here to stay and they will cater to that crowd. Unbelievable someone would choose DVD quality over a Blu-ray when it comes to a Criterion release, but there are many that do (at least 40% of their customers, if I recall a statistic I read when the switch to combo packs was announced last year)."

A number of Criterion's sales are to institutions and libraries. My local library ( I am in the suburbs, but near a major city) does not stock blu ray, but they have always stocked a number of Criterion releases. When the dual format started I noticed they were buying far fewer titles. If this dual format move changed buying patterns from libraries and institutions generally as I noticed locally, Criterion would have to pay attention.

DVD is not going anywhere. It will be around until physical formats fade. Many people see no reason to upgrade. I love Blu- ray, but it is becoming niche. If it is not already.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Clare2904

Of course, Criterion have to have some way to pi$$ people off

They have to keep playing around with the people who are such Criterion completists that they have to get every edition and every format of every title.