The Criterion Collection

[demonknight]

Originally Posted by Edward J Grug III

Has been confirmed not with Criterion.

Damn... What's the evidence?

[jw007]

Originally Posted by CriterionBlues

My refresh finger is about wore out.

Originally Posted by iScottie

Mine's hanging by a thread. It's about to fall off, though.

I'm happy to say I totally missed all this drama earlier today.

I had a feeling the announcements were going to be delayed for some unknown reason...but the days of me sitting here between 5:30-7pm EST refreshing the Criterion website are few and far between. I will gladly not have a sore or severed finger for whenever the announcements are released.

If tomorrow, Friday, is indeed the day, I'll be happy...but I can wait until Monday too.

[Lutz]

Bitter Rice and Lady Snowblood are showing over on criterionforum.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by demonknight

Damn... What's the evidence?

You know, I was sure I had seen this confirmed not with Criterion but can't find it now. I might have been mistaking it with another title?

[theater dreamer]

Hey all, a question. I got my order from the flash sale yesterday (just opened it), and one of the three films I purchased was Jean-Luc Godard's Breathless, a DigiPack. I've bought other Criterion movies that came in DigiPack packaging before, all from Amazon: On The Waterfront, Seven Samurai, and A Hard Day's Night. While the last two were in good shape (Night had a couple very minor dings), the packaging for On The Waterfront was pretty bad. At the time, it didn't bother me, because I was so excited to see the film for the first time. But now, when I think about how much I paid for the movie, seeing the packaging bothers me to the point where I'll probably buy the movie again, and give the copy I have to another friend who collects films.

The Breathless copy I got directly from Criterion, however, is absolutely immaculate. I was expecting it to be on one of the Scanavo cases, as the profile on our site for the dual format edition didn't specify DigiPack (I now see, however, that the Blu only edition is listed as such). Anyhow, is this pretty typical, in everybody's experience, when receiving DigiPack movies directly from Criterion? If so, I'll always order these from them, and buy the ones coming in the Scanavo cases from Amazon. It's worth paying a bit more for pristine packaging ($10 in this case, with shipping) as somebody who is now a serious film collector. I started out as a graphic design major in college before switching, and have always had a love for artistic presentation. Well, on top of the incredible film presentation, and all the extras that come with the movies, the attention to packaging design is greatly appreciated. I want to show these films off on my shelf. I could always buy from Amazon, and exchange a damaged copy, but who's to say I'd ever get one this nice?

Thanks for your input, everybody. I appreciate it.

Edited to add: looks like Mulholland Drive is going to be a DigiPack, too, so this really influences my decision on where I'll be buying it from.

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by CriterionBlues

They've delayed before and sent a tweet, which is no problem. Delaying without notice is dickish, regardless whether they "owe" us anything. It's a courtesy to their customers.

But since it's not a "delay" if no date is confirmed in the first place, I see nothing wrong here. It's only a delay because you ASSUMED they would announce today, but did I miss where they actually posted "Announcements will be up later today?" And you know what they say about assumptions....

[octagon]

They make an ass of ump and tions?

[theater dreamer]

Originally Posted by jmclick

In lieu of the January new releases announcement, it may be comforting to know that TCM will be screening a whole bunch of Criterion titles in January, ranging from Things to Come to Broadcast News to Hiroshima, Mon Amour, Night and Fog, The River, Stagecoach, Valerie and Her Week of Wonders, Diabolique and too many others to name here. There will be a mini-salute to Yasujiro Ozu on January 10 and a birthday tribute to Ernst Lubitsch on January 28.

January will also feature Fred MacMurray as the Star of the Month, and there's a nice selection of pre-Code, 1930's horror, and film noir goodies scattered throughout. I'm especially happy that they've scheduled a showing of the early talkie, Bulldog Drummond (1929), starring Ronald Colman and Joan Bennett for the prime time feature on January 7; it's been on my "Want to See" list forever. Good stuff on the way!

To this I would also add that On The Waterfront has been showing on HD Net. I know it's on Hulu for Plus members, but for people that have never seen this film, and don't subscribe to Hulu, this is one to set your DVRs for. Next showing is on October 21st at 3 PM central (channel 746 for Verizon FIOS subscribers). It's one of Brando's best movies.

I know, too, that HBO had been showing Mulholand Drive as recently as two weeks ago. I don't see it on demand, or scheduled on any of the other premium channels right now, but I'll keep my eyes peeled for it. I wouldn't be surprised to see it on Cinemax soon. That's one that's not being deleted from my DVR until I have the movie in my hand in two weeks.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by Bates_Motel

But since it's not a "delay" if no date is confirmed in the first place, I see nothing wrong here. It's only a delay because you ASSUMED they would announce today, but did I miss where they actually posted "Announcements will be up later today?" And you know what they say about assumptions....

Do they say "Criterion relies on those assumptions to have loyal customers waiting to celebrate and share the news of their upcoming releases on announcement day across social media and create free hype and advertising for them?"

[Feiereisel]

Originally Posted by Bates_Motel

But since it's not a "delay" if no date is confirmed in the first place, I see nothing wrong here. It's only a delay because you ASSUMED they would announce today, but did I miss where they actually posted "Announcements will be up later today?" And you know what they say about assumptions....

The last bunch of announcements have been pushed due to weekend fifteenths (cool band name), too. This could have also feasibly offset the whole schedule because they've been "restarting" the thirty-day countdown to the next slate slightly later than usual for a few months.

I don't know, though--it's done when it's done. Sure would like another Chaplin. A funny one, please.

[Edward J Grug III]

Aaaanyway, they've just announced a classic Holywood film festival in my town (A companion to the classic Brittish one they had a few months ago that I posted about many times :P)

The line-up has many Criterion films:

It Happened One Night *
The Ghost and Mrs Muir
All About Eve *
Sunset Boulevard
Singin' in the Rain *
On the Waterfront
Sabrina
The Searchers
12 Angry Men
The Apartment
The Best Year of Our Lives *
The Razor's Edge *
Camille *
Gone with the Wind *
The Grapes of Wrath *
The Maltese Falcon
Citizen Kane
How Green Was My Valley *
Casablanca
Jane Eyre *
It's A Wonderful Life
Spartacus *

I can't wait!

* = I've never seen it

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by Feiereisel

The last bunch of announcements have been pushed due to weekend fifteenths (cool band name), too. This could have also feasibly offset the whole schedule because they've been "restarting" the thirty-day countdown to the next slate slightly later than usual for a few months.

No one would have a problem with that, but a tweet saying so would take 5 seconds.

[Feiereisel]

Originally Posted by Edward J Grug III

No one would have a problem with that, but a tweet saying so would take 5 seconds.

Maybe they shipped a notice out with the Baggus.

Hrm. Baggu?

Either way, I wouldn't hold Criterion's social media presence up as a bastion of anything, let alone consistency.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by Feiereisel

Maybe they shipped a notice out with the Baggus.

Hrm. Baggu?

Either way, I wouldn't hold Criterion's social media presence up as a bastion of anything, let alone consistency.

Sure. I just can't see why they wouldn't want to have people not complaining on their facebook etc each time they delay when it is so avoidable.

No business wants to actively court anger from their customers.

Anyway, belive it or not, I'm not all that frustrated - I find the defenders of this crummy behaviour far more annoying than a delay in the announcements.

[theater dreamer]

Originally Posted by Edward J Grug III

Aaaanyway, they've just announced a classic Holywood film festival in my town (A companion to the classic Brittish one they had a few months ago that I posted about many times :P)

The line-up has many Criterion films:

It Happened One Night *
The Ghost and Mrs Muir
All About Eve *
Sunset Boulevard
Singin' in the Rain *
On the Waterfront
Sabrina
The Searchers
12 Angry Men
The Apartment
The Best Year of Our Lives *
The Razor's Edge *
Camille *
Gone with the Wind *
The Grapes of Wrath *
The Maltese Falcon
Citizen Kane
How Green Was My Valley *
Casablanca
Jane Eyre *
It's A Wonderful Life
Spartacus *

I can't wait!

* = I've never seen it

You're going to have a blast!

Just a FYI, Fox Connect is offering a one-time 30% off coupon for signing up with their e-mail mailing list (up to $100). They have some of these available on their site: The Apartment, All About Eve, How Green Was My Valley, and The Grapes of Wrath. They're listed on foxconnect.com at $12.99 each. With the coupon, you could get the four of them for $36.37, a nice $15.59 savings.

You know, I look at that list of movies Criterion has done before. Oh, how I wish they were able to release them as Blu-rays. If they did Casablanca, they could charge me pretty much whatever they wanted for it.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by Edward J Grug III

Aaaanyway, they've just announced a classic Holywood film festival in my town (A companion to the classic Brittish one they had a few months ago that I posted about many times :P)

The line-up has many Criterion films:

It Happened One Night *
The Ghost and Mrs Muir
All About Eve *
Sunset Boulevard
Singin' in the Rain *
On the Waterfront
Sabrina
The Searchers
12 Angry Men
The Apartment
The Best Year of Our Lives *
The Razor's Edge *
Camille *
Gone with the Wind *
The Grapes of Wrath *
The Maltese Falcon
Citizen Kane
How Green Was My Valley *
Casablanca
Jane Eyre *
It's A Wonderful Life
Spartacus *

I can't wait!

* = I've never seen it

You're in for some really great experiences on those "never seen" titles.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by Feiereisel

Maybe they shipped a notice out with the Baggus.

Hrm. Baggu?

Either way, I wouldn't hold Criterion's social media presence up as a bastion of anything, let alone consistency.

What are multiples called.....Baggi? Baggles??

[Fabs]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

I hate it when companies don't do something they never said they would do. Jerks.

When you usually announce things on a certain date, for years, then people expect them on that date (if it doesn't conflict with a holiday or emergency). If you don't want people to expect announcements on a certain date, then do it like other companies and announce them whenever you feel like it.

[Marlow27]

Originally Posted by Edward J Grug III

Aaaanyway, they've just announced a classic Holywood film festival in my town (A companion to the classic Brittish one they had a few months ago that I posted about many times :P)

The line-up has many Criterion films:

It Happened One Night *
The Ghost and Mrs Muir
All About Eve *
Sunset Boulevard
Singin' in the Rain *
On the Waterfront
Sabrina
The Searchers
12 Angry Men
The Apartment
The Best Year of Our Lives *
The Razor's Edge *
Camille *
Gone with the Wind *
The Grapes of Wrath *
The Maltese Falcon
Citizen Kane
How Green Was My Valley *
Casablanca
Jane Eyre *
It's A Wonderful Life
Spartacus *

I can't wait!

* = I've never seen it

I just saw this too! Stratton and Pomeranz have delivered nicely post-At The Movies

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by Fabs

When you usually announce things on a certain date, for years, then people expect them on that date (if it doesn't conflict with a holiday or emergency). If you don't want people to expect announcements on a certain date, then do it like other companies and announce them whenever you feel like it.

Yeah, it's funny how some keep defending Criterion saying they never have said they will announce on the 15th, I mean, they have been doing it for years, and even have made twitter or Facebook announcements when they will not be able to announce on a 15th.

Anyway I agree that they could just do on random days if they really didn't want to waste their servers because everybody is doing refresh of their site, or even better, tweet that from now on they will be announcing when they feel like, might be the 15th, but might not be, I guess they really like their secrecy or maybe there is something to be gained from them with all the publicity on social networks generated every 15th or 16th.

Ahh now I feel like sending a polite email to Criterion just to see what they have to say about this although my guess is I will never hear back from them.