The Criterion Collection

[Ray Jackson]

I was hoping to limit my haul this time to blu-ray upgrades of Battle of Algiers and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

But then some of these savage animals here convinced me that Carlos is a 5 1/2 hour movie worth shelling out $25 for on a blind buy. And I'm seriously considering it. It sounds too good to pass up.

...you people are like drug dealers.

...sick and venal.

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by Andrew13

Has there been any updates on when we might expect upgrades of either Bergman's Faith Trilogy or Rossellini's War Trilogy? Contemplating picking one or both up during the sale, but their DVD only status is making me pause.

On another note, has there been any mention of a Berlin Alexanderplatz upgrade?

I would assume other Bergman's are coming before the Faith trilogy, unfortunately. Germany has Scenes from a Marriage on blu (and the sequel saraband), and Sawdust & Tinsel has been out in the UK for years. Who knows, though. With the acquisition of Persona, Criterion might also have ALL the MGM titles (Hour of the Wolf, Shame, Passion of Anna, The Serpent's Egg) and could be releasing those.

I have the UK War trilogy and I assume the Criterion version won't be long. Same with the Dreyer box. But Criterion always does additional work, so an immediate release usually doesn't happen.

[JLant19]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Anatomy. Definitely not Ministry.

Thanks for the input. What made you not recommend Ministry?

[JLant19]

Originally Posted by KilloWertz

I own or will shortly own all of them and would recommend all five (even Ministry of Fear). If I had to choose only three though, I'd go with It Happened One Night, Sullivan's Travels, and either Anatomy of a Murder or The Palm Beach Story (depending on if you wanted to go all comedies or throw in a drama).

I may just pick them all up. Thanks for your input.

[Marlow27]

Originally Posted by JLant19

I want to pick up a few more during the BN sale. Any recommendations on Sullivan's Travels, Palm Beach Story, Ministry of Fear, Anatomy of a Murder, It Happened One Night?

Some people have been quite harsh on Ministry of Fear but it's actually a really good film that looks stunning.

I'd say try to balance out what you've already bought, so if you're lacking a noir then go Ministry, if you're lacking a drama then go Anatomy of a Murder, if you're lacking comedies, then any of the remaining three would be worthy choices.

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by Fabs

Summer With Monika is my favorite Bergman. Nice haul!

Thanks! Monika is definitely one of my favorites from what I've seen of Bergman's films. I really connected with the story, which on first viewing with Bergman's films doesn't always happen, and despite her character I adored Harriet Andersson, and she's an immensely talented actress to boot! As for my #1, Fanny and Alexander has yet to be beat.

Originally Posted by Bates_Motel

I would assume other Bergman's are coming before the Faith trilogy, unfortunately. Germany has Scenes from a Marriage on blu (and the sequel saraband), and Sawdust & Tinsel has been out in the UK for years. Who knows, though. With the acquisition of Persona, Criterion might also have ALL the MGM titles (Hour of the Wolf, Shame, Passion of Anna, The Serpent's Egg) and could be releasing those.

Yeah, sadly I don't see the Faith trilogy coming anytime soon, I feel like we might've heard something, I don't know. That's the Bergman release I would most like to see next, though I'd take The Virgin Spring or Scenes from a Marriage too, the latter I feel compelled to see because it was a part of my Bergman class and I missed it while also seeing From the Life of the Marionettes which continued that story. The trilogy is great though, I really like the quietness of those films, they hit that spot for me when I feel melancholy and/or lost in this world.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by WonderWeasel

Is the 20% off coupon you used a member coupon?

I received a couple of coupons in the mail that expire July 31, 2015. I used one of the 20% coupons on the Wallace Shawn/Andre Gregory box set so that was a great amount of extra savings. If you're a member at Barnes & Noble you can also receive these mail coupons too.

[jlk5844]

I've been a member for like 2 years and I haven't gotten 20% off coupons in the mail for this sale, nor any online coupons for a long time. I don't get it, it's bogus because they're a big reason to have the membership in the first place. Otherwise, me not going to B&N other than the Criterion sales, I'd have to get 13 standard-priced Criterions to break even/save a dollar, and I probably only get slightly more than that in a year.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

I've been a member for like 2 years and I haven't gotten 20% off coupons in the mail for this sale, nor any online coupons for a long time. I don't get it, it's bogus because they're a big reason to have the membership in the first place. Otherwise, me not going to B&N other than the Criterion sales, I'd have to get 13 standard-priced Criterions to break even/save a dollar, and I probably only get slightly more than that in a year.

Well, I discovered that I wasn't receiving coupons in the mail after a few years but then decided to cancel my membership and just sign up all over again using a new email address, phone number and information and just like that, the coupons started coming to my mailbox again! Try doing that and you might see a difference!

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by jw007

Well, I discovered that I wasn't receiving coupons in the mail after a few years but then decided to cancel my membership and just sign up all over again using a new email address, phone number and information and just like that, the coupons started coming to my mailbox again! Try doing that and you might see a difference!

Lol. I actually did get them at other times this year, just whenever there wasn't a sale! Sad that B&N just drops sending you coupons after awhile. Some membership.

[MattvonSyborg]

For the sake of my economy I took it easy this year (though I might pick up some more by the end of the sale) but I ordered these:

Anatomy of a Murder
Five Easy Pieces
Blue is the Warmest Color
Eraserhead

Anatomy... and Five Easy Pieces are blind buys. But since I love Jimmy Stewart and Jack Nicholson in basically everything I've seen them in, I feel they're pretty safe gambles.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by JLant19

I want to pick up a few more during the BN sale. Any recommendations on Sullivan's Travels, Palm Beach Story, Ministry of Fear, Anatomy of a Murder, It Happened One Night?

Anatomy... is a tremendously entertaining movie. It's about 2.5 hours long but feels like it was half the length given how superbly paced it is. Strong performances, great B&W visuals, lovely jazz score. It's also a great companion piece to 12 Angry Men as a classic movie (mainly) set in a courtroom.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Can you recommend any region locked Australian blus that have great editions/PQ, etc? I'd be interested in seeing what kind of deals I could get on imported titles. Thanks in advance!

To be honest, no, not really! :/

There are a few titles only available here: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=201531

But I don't know about the PQ of them or anything. (Sometimes you can find reviews here of course)

Probably the most useful thing is we have some titles that Twilight Time released. Christine for example.

Sorry I'm not more helpful.

[Edward J Grug III]

Actually, I guess it depends on how much of a Criterion Collector you are.

You could get some Criterion released films at much cheaper price if you don't feel the need to have the C on the cover, and probably without some/most extras.

The Red Shoes and 8 1/2 for example. I think I paid about $8 or $10 for each of them locally.

[diskspinner]

This B&N sale, I am planning to pick up at least one box.

Between BBS Story & John Cassavetes box, which one do you recommend? I have only watch Five Easy Pieces out of all the 12 films in these 2 boxes.

[Namuhana]

B&N members who have the yellow/orange coupons expiring 7/31: take a look at the back of the coupons before you use them because there may be a misprint. On the 20% off coupons, or at least the ones I've seen while working the register, the back of them states 25% off instead of 20% off. My manager told me to only allow the 20% off unless customers directly point out that the back states 25%. So, you may get an even better deal if you point that out at the register.

[Vinyl]

Originally Posted by diskspinner

This B&N sale, I am planning to pick up at least one box.

Between BBS Story & John Cassavetes box, which one do you recommend? I have only watch Five Easy Pieces out of all the 12 films in these 2 boxes.

If you liked Five Easy Pieces, go with the BBS Story box. That and the crazy Zotochi box are the ones that interest me the most, as well as the members here, from what I read.

[diskspinner]

Originally Posted by Vinyl

If you liked Five Easy Pieces, go with the BBS Story box. That and the crazy Zotochi box are the ones that interest me the most, as well as the members here, from what I read.

I am quite sure, I won't be interested in Zatoichi set. Not my favorite genre.
Yes, I liked Five Easy Pieces.

Thanks for your input.

[R o d]

Originally Posted by diskspinner

This B&N sale, I am planning to pick up at least one box.

Between BBS Story & John Cassavetes box, which one do you recommend? I have only watch Five Easy Pieces out of all the 12 films in these 2 boxes.

Give some thought to the Noel Coward box.

[Andrew13]

Picked up Traffic, King of the Hill, and The Long Day Closes this morning. All blind buys, but they felt fairly safe as I'm a fan of Soderbergh and have heard nothing but great things about LDC.

With that, I think I may finally be caught up on my blu-ray wishlist, though I've had an eye on Everlasting Moments and Here Is Your Life for a time. Any thoughts on either of these films?