The Criterion Collection

[CinemaBlu]

Originally Posted by mande2013

Hello:

I'm new to the forum, and I was wondering if someone here had advice regarding replacement Criterion discs. I live overseas, and a while back I got some Criterion blus with small scratches, but it was too late to get replacements from the online retailer by the time they actually made it into my hands. And the obsessive in me would have preferred scratchless discs, so should I take my chances and just mail them in with the discs I plan on sending in from that *bronzed* list? And just see what happens? I guess I have nothing to lose by doing so...

-mande2013

I think that would set a bad precedent.

[mande2013]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Speak to Criterion via Email and see what they suggest - I don't know where you stand as the scratching to them is your fault (even if its not) wheres the bronzing of the discs was their fault (well on their end anyway).

Just give them an email and see what they say - they are happy to replace packaging but its trickier with discs due to the rights.

Well I did e-mail them at the beginning of the week but haven't gotten a response yet. As for the "bronzing", are you or anyone else sending them in *just in case* even if they don't yet appear to be compromised? My copy of M appears to be a later pressing with a BD # instead of a CC one, so I'm not going to sweat that one. I had to replace Walkabout when I first got it, and the replacement disc was also a CCxxxx copy, but it appears fine for now, but my Pierrot Le Fou is the crown jewel, which still seems to be okay playback wise, but the question is, should I do a *just in case* mail-in. The thing is, my Pierrot disc seems to be a debris trap, and the underside isn't quite as shiny as it should be. Plenty of the other CC blus I've had just as long but with BD numbers are still entirely unblemished. So I don't know.

Anyhow, thanks for the advice.

Okay, well as for the "scratched" discs, they seem to play perfectly fine, so maybe I'll buy replacements at a B&N sale and sell the other ones on ebay. Someone out there won't mind. Yeah, I know that sounds a bit crafty on my part. ;-)

And lastly, this is probably a stupid question, but replacement packaging for any OOP title is a no-go, is that correct? I only ask since I wouldn't mind fresher casing and artwork for some of my OOP CCs, but I guess it's just wishful thinking unless CC and Studio Canal work it out. Oh well...

[mande2013]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

did you see Like Someone in Love? if yes, what did you think?

Certified Copy was Kiarostami in second-rate Rohmer mode, at least that's how I felt. Like Someone in Love was also in Rohmer mode, but by that point he perfected it, and it's a masterpiece in my view. CC felt a bit generically "Euro" at times.

[mande2013]

Double post

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by mande2013

Well I did e-mail them at the beginning of the week but haven't gotten a response yet. As for the "bronzing", are you or anyone else sending them in *just in case* even if they don't yet appear to be compromised? My copy of M appears to be a later pressing with a BD # instead of a CC one, so I'm not going to sweat that one. I had to replace Walkabout when I first got it, and the replacement disc was also a CCxxxx copy, but it appears fine for now, but my Pierrot Le Fou is the crown jewel, which still seems to be okay playback wise, but the question is, should I do a *just in case* mail-in. The thing is, my Pierrot disc seems to be a debris trap, and the underside isn't quite as shiny as it should be. Plenty of the other CC blus I've had just as long but with BD numbers are still entirely unblemished. So I don't know.

Anyhow, thanks for the advice.

Okay, well as for the "scratched" discs, they seem to play perfectly fine, so maybe I'll buy replacements at a B&N sale and sell the other ones on ebay. Someone out there won't mind. Yeah, I know that sounds a bit crafty on my part. ;-)

And lastly, this is probably a stupid question, but replacement packaging for any OOP title is a no-go, is that correct? I only ask since I wouldn't mind fresher casing and artwork for some of my OOP CCs, but I guess it's just wishful thinking unless CC and Studio Canal work it out. Oh well...

Can't get OOP artwork unless you find a 3rd party seller, they just don't print it anymore and have no stock sorry!

I haven't had any bronzing issues yet so will send them in when they do suffer it, by then it will be less busy and will get email/replacement faster.

I have emailed a few times but has been a long wait, I presume they have been overwhelmed with emails .

They are usually very helpful

[mande2013]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Can't get OOP artwork unless you find a 3rd party seller, they just don't print it anymore and have no stock sorry!

I haven't had any bronzing issues yet so will send them in when they do suffer it, by then it will be less busy and will get email/replacement faster.

I have emailed a few times but has been a long wait, I presume they have been overwhelmed with emails .

They are usually very helpful

Thanks for the input.

As for the OOP art work, it's really just a case of, on my Le Cercle Rouge BD, for instance, the art work sort of sinking/pressing into that empty circular space around where the disc is held, and I suppose I'm just more sensitive to it on an OOP release than on an in print one, because I suppose the 'sinking' thing happens with most packaging of this sort over time. It's not *damaged* as in torn or anything, so it shouldn't affect the resale value too much if it ever came to that (knock on wood).

[mande2013]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

I haven't had any bronzing issues yet so will send them in when they do suffer it, by then it will be less busy and will get email/replacement faster.

I don't understand though how it would take this long for the issue to come to light. There were issues with Walkabout from day one, and people were aware of it then.

For what it's worth, I got Walkabout over two years after the BD was first released, and I got a bad copy even then, and it was bronzed within weeks if not days of my first removing the shrink wrap.

[CinemaBlu]

Originally Posted by mande2013

Thanks for the input.

As for the OOP art work, it's really just a case of, on my Le Cercle Rouge BD, for instance, the art work sort of sinking/pressing into that empty circular space around where the disc is held, and I suppose I'm just more sensitive to it on an OOP release than on an in print one, because I suppose the 'sinking' thing happens with most packaging of this sort over time. It's not *damaged* as in torn or anything, so it shouldn't affect the resale value too much if it ever came to that (knock on wood).

You have serious OCD.

[mande2013]

Originally Posted by CinemaBlu

You have serious OCD.

I probably do, although I've come across worse (i.e. people buying back up copies of OOP releases when CC would make an OOP announcement).

Unless one's rationale of course is to buy a bunch of copies before they collect value and then make a profit, which I tried doing once myself, although for one reason or another, I only wound up getting MSRP back...

Originally Posted by Polaroid

I haven't had any bronzing issues yet so will send them in when they do suffer it, by then it will be less busy and will get email/replacement faster.

Yeah, I guess there's no deadline.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by CinemaBlu

You have serious OCD.

How is that OCD? I hate how that term is thrown around so easily - really frustrating and difficult to see when OCD is a horrible thing for people to go through and people really suffer.

/endofrant

[CinemaBlu]

Originally Posted by mande2013

I probably do, although I've come across worse (i.e. people buying back up copies of OOP releases when CC would make an OOP announcement).

Unless one's rationale of course is to buy a bunch of copies before they collect value and then make a profit, which I tried doing once myself, although for one reason or another, I only wound up getting MSRP back...

As long as the discs are fine, you should just embrace minor flaws in the packaging. Otherwise you'll go crazy wasting energy looking for perfection.

You know what Scorsese does when he edits a film? He obsesses over making it as perfect as he can and when he can't find a way to improve it any further, he cuts a random frame out of the film. That way he knows it's imperfect and doesn't have to worry about it anymore.

[mande2013]

Originally Posted by CinemaBlu

As long as the discs are fine, you should just embrace minor flaws in the packaging. Otherwise you'll go crazy wasting energy looking for perfection.

You know what Scorsese does when he edits a film? He obsesses over making it as perfect as he can and when he can't find a way to improve it any further, he cuts a random frame out of the film. That way he knows it's imperfect and doesn't have to worry about it anymore.

Yes, you're probably right. It's the same with old LPs. People readily embrace the wear of the packaging provided the vinyl itself is in excellent condition, but it's just that a lot of Criterion collectors probably aren't ready for the packaging of a blu-ray they've only had for two or three years to seem "used" yet.

The packaging flaws on my Discreet Charm and Woman is a Woman Criterions don't really bother me, since those pre-wacky C era Criterion editions have an 'old school' factor to them that something released in 2011 doesn't yet have.

[RojD]

Originally Posted by SlickDamian

Since there was an Ang Lee discussion going, what do you all think of Ride With the Devil? Another one of those films that I've been thinking about buying for years now but haven't pulled the trigger. I think the B&N sale in November will be my time to get those films that I've been holding off on for so long. Gonna limit it to five. So far I have preliminarily chosen Close-up, Certified Copy, In the Mood For Love and Red Desert. Thinking about Ride with the Devil, Summer Hours, A Christmas Tale, Naked Lunch, Wild Strawberries, Something Wild, City Lights, Purple Moon, and All that Heaven Allows. Can someone please help me chose from that list? Is there a disc there that in your opinion should absolutely be in my collection? I appreciate the help and comments.

If you stick with your four preliminary choices, I'd come down on the side of Summer Hours as the fifth. I like the way its story is so tight and dramatic but the subjects of the film go beyond its story: death and continuity, collecting, memory, art and even globalization. I found it simple dramatically but complex in signification. I've enjoyed watching it many times. And it's well-done visually, too. It's a film like Social Network that gets the gestalt of its moment.

Wild Strawberries and City Lights are certainly important films, but if you're feeling like reaching out a bit, I'd go with Summer Hours. I'm pretty sure the other two will land in your collection at some point anyway.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

How is that OCD? I hate how that term is thrown around so easily - really frustrating and difficult to see when OCD is a horrible thing for people to go through and people really suffer.

/endofrant

Because the majority does not get upset over a compressed art sleeve.

I have OCD but that is something new to me.

[mande2013]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Because the majority does not get upset over a compressed art sleeve.

I have OCD but that is something new to me.

I'm probably overreacting, but I also think what may bother one person might not bother another and vice versa. It's random. It's not necessarily about degrees of obsessiveness in my view. I can deal with minor dinging on a digipak, but a cracked tray is a no-no for me.

The art work for my Pickpocket dual format arrived slightly humidity warped, although "warped" is a strong word, and I just shrugged it off. But I'm sure someone else would be driven up the wall by that.

On another note, I can't say I'm a fan of Summer Hours personally as it's just come up, as it struck me as a very cynical take on the postmodern condition. I think Philippe Garrel does a more honorable job of tackling that animal, but that's me. Too bad Garrel's not in the Collection except on the Week End supplements.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Because the majority does not get upset over a compressed art sleeve.

I have OCD but that is something new to me.

There is a difference between being obsessive and liking things clean and looking new and being diagnosed with OCD. Another thing is if you paying a lot for something you want it in good condition.

Wanting your Criterion artwork to be neat and perfect condition is not OCD unless you think about it every second of the day until you can not function or if you create rituals to help cope with the obsession and anxiety or something bad will happen.

Also OCD isn't just about having things neat and tidy :P

[mande2013]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

There is a difference between being obsessive and liking things clean and looking new and being diagnosed with OCD. Another thing is if you paying a lot for something you want it in good condition.

Wanting your Criterion artwork to be neat and perfect condition is not OCD unless you think about it every second of the day until you can not function or if you create rituals to help cope with the obsession and anxiety or something bad will happen.

Also OCD isn't just about having things neat and tidy :P

While I'm the one who brought up this issue, I guess I'll admit one should perhaps make peace with the inevitable ephemerality of a Criterion's "like newness", at least as far as the packaging is concerned.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by mande2013

While I'm the one who brought up this issue, I guess I'll admit one should perhaps make peace with the inevitable ephemerality of a Criterion's "like newness", at least as far as the packaging is concerned.

I don't mind people obsessing and loving their Criterions and wanting them perfect, its only natural Just throwing around OCD bugs me, anywhere not just here ^^

-

On another note, watching Black Swan, not seen in a LOOONG time, love this film, so beautiful to watch, only couple things bug me which is the CGI was a bit weak in some scenes and the soundtrack was a bit overused (but its still a beautiful score and I love the integration of Tchaikovsky's music).

The cinematography is stunning though and really love Natalie Portman in this role, I find her hard to like in other roles but she transformed herself (ha!).

Just realised how fitting this film is to the chat about OCD haha, but I adore the themes, LOVE ballet and in particular Swan Lake. Im also a tad in love with film that shows the lead going through some form of transformation, be it physical or physiologically. Not checked but is there a bluray out there for Tetsou: The Iron Man? and is it any good? Its an INCREDIBLE experience and the visuals and music is out of this world.

I haven't seen Noah yet - Ive seen the 'creation' sequence in it which was pretty awesome, but not watched yet. Seems a bit 'mainstream' and didn't come across as a Darren Aronofsky film, but they just be the advertising campaign. Anyone seen and can recommend? Would love Pi and Requiem in collection :P! (had to say it sorry!)

[mande2013]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

I don't mind people obsessing and loving their Criterions and wanting them perfect, its only natural Just throwing around OCD bugs me, anywhere not just here ^^

It's just that god forbid something happens to a component of an in print title, I can at the very least drop five bucks and have it shipped to a stateside relative, but with an OOP title I'd be shit out of luck. The discs aren't the concern. I'm very careful with those, and I do my best to baby them, although minor surface scratches have popped up on DVDs over the years, but shit can just sometimes happen to packaging over those same years.

But that brings up a question. If OOP titles they already released on blu were to come back into print, would they be part of a monthly announcement, or would there be a newsletter saying such and such titles will be returning effective at the beginning of next month? Because they're not going to bring back Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, Contempt, or Grand Illusion without simultaneously announcing a blu-ray upgrade of those, so those I would expect to be part of their mid-month monthly announcement if they were to return.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by mande2013

It's just that god forbid something happens to a component of an in print title, I can at the very least drop five bucks and have it shipped to a stateside relative, but with an OOP title I'd be shit out of luck.

Yah I'm with you on that :P not saying don't obsess :P Id be gutted if my films came damaged, I bought 4 copies of Last Year to make sure I got the best condition I could.

Cost me a fortune but was worth it Plus is an incredible film! I was lucky and found a place to buy TMWFTE plastic keepsake case so atlas the digipak is protected