The Criterion Collection

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

From any given monthly announcement, I'm usually interested in buying two or three titles. Ever so often, there's an epic month when I'm interested in every release, but that does not happen often.

I am, however, admittedly intrigued by titles that appear in the Criterion Collection to the point that I want to investigate the reviews and such to see if they are movies that might float my boat. The "C" on the cover art does not guarantee a purchase from me, but it does merit a closer look.

I admit too, that the label has an appeal to me too, but I'm resisting..

[blu-bry]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

You did the right thing.
Sadly I think, I may be wrong, that many people buy Criterion just because it's Criterion.
It's that I can't believe that some people are interested in every single release Criterion does, every single month..

I'm pretty judicious about my Criterion purchases. I'm not interested in anything with a lot of nudity or strong language. I love noir, westerns, the Archers films, Samurai films, and many other foreign films. I use Hulu Plus to pre-screen some of my purchases, and that has saved me several times. For me, it just isn't safe to blind buy too many Criterion films. That said, I still have a good sized collection and I think their releases are top notch.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by blu-bry

I'm pretty judicious about my Criterion purchases. I'm not interested in anything with a lot of nudity or strong language. I love noir, westerns, the Archers films, Samurai films, and many other foreign films. I use Hulu Plus to pre-screen some of my purchases, and that has saved me several times. For me, it just isn't safe to blind buy too many Criterion films. That said, I still have a good sized collection and I think their releases are top notch.

See for me I have blind bought A LOT and never regretted it Only a couple films have been a bit meh but still worth a rewatch

[Scottie]

I'm going to use a couple of examples to illustrate why I have gotten rid of several of my films.

After seeing such French New Wave films as The 400 Blows, Cléo from 5 to 7, and Breathless, such films as Le Beau Serge and Les Cousins (while both solid) feel very generic and insignificant. Furthermore, after seeing one of cinema's greatest achievements of all-time, Seven Samurai, I do not have any interest in revisiting such an inferior samurai product as Three Outlaw Samurai (which again is a solid film).

I am at a point in my life where I look to be wowed by films or feel some sort of resonance with them. While I admire all of the hardwork put into such projects and while I am glad to have seen them at least once in my life, they are not the type of films that I am going to actively seek out and watch again.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I'm going to use a couple of examples to illustrate why I have gotten rid of several of my films.

After seeing such French New Wave films as The 400 Blows, Cléo from 5 to 7, and Breathless, such films as Le Beau Serge and Les Cousins (while both solid) feel very generic and insignificant. Furthermore, after seeing one of cinema's greatest achievements of all-time, Seven Samurai, I do not have any interest in revisiting such an inferior samurai product as Three Outlaw Samurai (which again is a solid film).

I am at a point in my life where I look to be wowed by films or feel some sort of resonance with them. While I admire all of the hardwork put into such projects and while I am glad to have seen them at least once in my life, they are not the type of films that I am going to actively seek out and watch again.

The Double Life of Veronique

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

You did the right thing.
Sadly I think, I may be wrong, that many people buy Criterion just because it's Criterion.
It's that I can't believe that some people are interested in every single release Criterion does, every single month..

If I only bought movies that I thought interested me, I would never grow or try new things in my journey as a film fan. Buying (and trying to watch) all the blu-rays that Criterion releases gives me a frame work to use to stretch out my tastes in films. Even when a film doesn't jump out at me as "my kind of thing" I can watch it and try and determine what about the film Criterion thought was important to share. Sometimes it isn't my thing (at least at this stage in my life) and sometimes I get surprised. I recently watched and loved Orpheus. That movie never really appealed to me, and had I not been buying the collection I would have most likely never seen it.

That happens a lot with me and films in the Criterion collection.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

The Double Life of Veronique

Exactly. It is one of the most unique films that I have ever seen in terms of the story and in the message it gives off about individuality. It's tragic and beautifully haunting and after seeing it a handful of times, I still cannot exactly make sense of the mysterious tone it gives off.

To make a long story short, I am not looking for generic reproductions of things before, I am looking for memorable films that stand on their own.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Exactly. It is one of the most unique films that I have ever seen in terms of the story and in the message it gives off about individuality. It's tragic and beautifully haunting and after seeing it a handful of times, I still cannot exactly make sense of the mysterious tone it gives off.

To make a long story short, I am not looking for generic reproductions of things before, I am looking for memorable films that stand on their own.

What do u think to the commentary? I think its really nice addition

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

What do u think to the commentary? I think its really nice addition

I have actually not listened to it. I'll have to go back to you on that if I ever do.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I have actually not listened to it. I'll have to go back to you on that if I ever do.

Ah fair enough I really enjoyed it - watched the film like 3 times then 4th with commentary - so many levels to the film I adore it - even the flasher lmao

[Clare2904]

@wexfilm Tue @ 7: Can't make our conversation with @Criterion producers Kim Hendrickson & Curtis Tsui? You can follow it here! wexarts.org/live

[Brad1963]

I think the Criterion Collection is intended for Collector's who enjoy films that are not mainstream, have some historical or social significance, or perhaps just enjoy a certain genre or style of film. To buy them just because you feel you “have to” because they are Criterion is not the way to collect. Granted I do ‘blind buy’, but for the most part I purchase because I love revisiting films and feel there is value in collecting them. I’m 51, probably a lot older than most of you and I find there is great comfort in watching these films. I have been collecting Criterion discs since the laserdisc days.

[alien2010]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Exactly. It is one of the most unique films that I have ever seen in terms of the story and in the message it gives off about individuality. It's tragic and beautifully haunting and after seeing it a handful of times, I still cannot exactly make sense of the mysterious tone it gives off.

To make a long story short, I am not looking for generic reproductions of things before, I am looking for memorable films that stand on their own.

As much as I love Kieslowski, Blind Chance, Dekalog, The Scar and obviously The Three Colours Trilogy, I just can't stand Veronique. It's got a great idea, but I find it way too slow. But for me its Irene Jacob that ruins it for me, she is just too damn sweet. Maybe that's the reason why I consider Red the weakest of the trilogy. I LOVE Blue and White, but Jacob really annoys me at times.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by Brad1963

I think the Criterion Collection is intended for Collector's who enjoy films that are not mainstream, have some historical or social significance, or perhaps just enjoy a certain genre or style of film. To buy them just because you feel you “have to” because they are Criterion is not the way to collect. Granted I do ‘blind buy’, but for the most part I purchase because I love revisiting films and feel there is value in collecting them. I’m 51, probably a lot older than most of you and there is great comfort in watching these films. I have been collecting Criterion discs since the laserdisc days.

Its cool seeing a Criterion veteran! I get so much pleasure out of rewetting films, even if if its for one scene - they are so important to me and I connect with them so well - but maybe thats cause I have no friends lol

[Hard Times Chaney]

Anyone know if the 5 dollar program Criterion has for defective cases, digipaks and booklets also applies to box sets like Zatoichi?

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by Hard Times Chaney

Anyone know if the 5 dollar program Criterion has for defective cases, digipaks and booklets also applies to box sets like Zatoichi?

Yes, I have requested this before and Claire said its same price for Zatoichi - which is pretty impressive tbh and must be a BIG loss.

Hello James,

Each piece of replacement packaging is $5. If you need any replacement packaging, please let us know before placing your order, so we can make sure we have it currently in-stock.

All the best,

Claire

[alien2010]

Originally Posted by Brad1963

I think the Criterion Collection is intended for Collector's who enjoy films that are not mainstream, have some historical or social significance, or perhaps just enjoy a certain genre or style of film. To buy them just because you feel you “have to” because they are Criterion is not the way to collect. Granted I do ‘blind buy’, but for the most part I purchase because I love revisiting films and feel there is value in collecting them. I’m 51, probably a lot older than most of you and I find there is great comfort in watching these films. I have been collecting Criterion discs since the laserdisc days.

Spot on. I too like to add a Criterion title to my blu ray shelf. I rarely blind buy, the only titles I blind bought were; The Man Who Knew Too Much, Purple Noon and The Spy Who Came From In The Cold. I really like the first two films, but the third has become one of my favorite films of all time, and has replaced The IPCRESS File as my favorite spy film. I knew Spy was a title that I was not going to let go easily since I adore the spy genre. I also bought Eyes Without a Face and I sold that on since it was a film I knew I wouldn't watch again.

Pray tell me how were the Laserdisc days? How was the novelty and quality of watching films like Citizen Kane, Taxi Driver and Blade Runner?

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Brad1963

I think the Criterion Collection is intended for Collector's who enjoy films that are not mainstream, have some historical or social significance, or perhaps just enjoy a certain genre or style of film. To buy them just because you feel you “have to” because they are Criterion is not the way to collect. Granted I do ‘blind buy’, but for the most part I purchase because I love revisiting films and feel there is value in collecting them. I’m 51, probably a lot older than most of you and I find there is great comfort in watching these films. I have been collecting Criterion discs since the laserdisc days.

The Criterion Collection was the way for me to break my cycle of mainstream films and explore a wide variety of styles and works from numerous countries. While I realized a little late into the game that buying all of the films, "just cause", was incredibly stupid, it allowed me to see what I now consider to be some of the best films of all-time.

Still, I would not buy every film from Sony, Universal, Warner Bros., and Paramount, for example, so why would I buy every one from Criterion?

[jw007]

I suspect announcements won't be until Thursday because of Columbus Day yesterday. I hope its tomorrow though.

[Brad1963]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Its cool seeing a Criterion veteran! I get so much pleasure out of rewetting films, even if if its for one scene - they are so important to me and I connect with them so well - but maybe thats cause I have no friends lol

I find now that I am older and have experienced life more, I see things in films I did not see when I was younger.