The Criterion Collection

[Volume11]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

It's still part of the collection..... it's still on my shelf.....

It's not like "Mr. Criterion" said "OUT WITH ARMAGEDDON!" due to popular opinion .... it's still got a # in the collection....

Here's my take on all of that though......

It's a fun film... so I own it.... certainly nothing more than a popcorn flick though.

I also am all-for them releasing whatever it is they need to release, in order to fund their more obscure releases.... or simply to stay in business etc..... I appreciate the effort they put forth.

Do I wish that Armageddon was replaced by any one of MANY releases I can think of that Criterion never got the rights to???? Sure..... but they gotta do what they gotta do....

I don't ever think "They need to focus on more classics" or "They gotta focus on more foreign" or any one particular genre, director, etc.... What's great about Criterion (for me) are some of the indie U.S. releases, or foreign releases, that I may have never heard of if Criterion didn't bring them to my attention.... and not only do I get to discover them, they typically receive a great transfer, loads of supplementals, etc.... Like "Revanche" I doubt I would have discovered this gem had it not been for Criterion (and this thread...... this thread, and Pro-B have brought a lot of great films across my radar.....

I'm certainly more about the films, than the 'collection'
The Double Life of Veronique was one I didn't pick up on DVD, but now have the UK release (again, thanks to Pro-B) and it has a GREAT transfer..... if someone is going to put this type of care into the release..... then I don't consider it a film Criterion "lost" I think they probably brought the film to the attention of a large, built-in audience when they released the DVD, and because of that, the studio who currently has the rights didn't just pump out a cookie-cutter transfer.....

I could be wrong.... I could be giving too much credit where it's not due, but it's possible I guess.


Anyone with a B&N close by think they could pick me up a copy of "The Red Shoes" I neglected to order it, and now it's not available

I stopped reading after you said it was on your shelf. Mulvaney, Kevin from Eureka, Jesus Christ, the ghost of Hitler, and Zeus all assembled in a circle around me chanting that I must own the Rock or Armageddon wouldn't convince me that it should be on my shelf.

OCD completism FTL!

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by neo78956

Is The Red Shoes going OOP immediately or something? I've heard of numerous B&Ns that say "not available for ordering" on the website. What gives?

Usually this occurs on many titles during the 50% off Sale. I know a couple box sets I lucked into finding in stores were NOT AVAILABLE TO ORDER etc.Usually says may be ordered at a later date. I would guess their WHSE stocks were depleted and they needed to replenish their stock and were afraid they wouldn't be able to sustain stock for pending backorders.

I think Autumn Sonota was a title that it told that to me last week, but I passed on it since it isn't 16:9 at this time and I am keeping fingers crossed for an eventual Blu release.

[QuasidodoJr]

Originally Posted by retablo

It's available for order on B&N.com and every local B&N in my area in L.A. has copies in stock?

It's no longer available on the website. And it probably won't be until the 50% off sale is over and they've restocked their warehouse and stores.

[aggienader08]

Originally Posted by Volume11

I stopped reading after you said it was on your shelf. Mulvaney, Kevin from Eureka, Jesus Christ, the ghost of Hitler, and Zeus all assembled in a circle around me chanting that I must own the Rock or Armageddon wouldn't convince me that it should be on my shelf.

OCD completism FTL!

There's no need for you to give your love-for-everything-"independent/world cinema" view in such a way. Wouldn't you buy Harry Potter if it was a Criterion release? Hypothetically speaking of course. LOL!

[Volume11]

Originally Posted by aggienader08

And there's a problem with Criterion releasing known and "funded" titles? Did you have a problem when Criterion released The Curious Case of Benjamin Button? What about The Thin Red Line, Paths of Glory, or Charade? If you do, then I'm sorry.

You know Kurosawa titles are very well known in Japan, Bergman and Godard are very well known in Europe, what's the problem with releasing known titles in America? There's nothing in CC's mission statement that says they only handle "independent/world cinema films", and if there is a whole world of what you call "independent/world cinema" out there, then by all means I would love to have it; as would everyone else in this thread. So, in other words, Criterion should keep doing what they're doing.

Look, most people that visit this forum think it's retarded that Armageddon once belonged in the CC catalog, but you're going to have to look past that. If it takes them releasing a few big titles here and there to boost their sales, then I'm definitely for it.

In a perfect world (in other words a world that went my way) Criterion would handle all of the best films out there, and that includes big studio films. But, we all know that isn't the case, so what's wrong with doing a little "What modern films do you think would be perfect for the Criterion Collection?"-wishful thinking?

The problem is that most of the films on that list already have or will have great Blu releases AND it ignores the hundreds of great indie films of all varieties that WILL NOT get a blu release for the foreseeable future due to the fact that they don't have a larger studio supporting them.

And quite frankly, most of those titles are easy to get your hands on. As others said, its nice when Criterion picks a foreign title that needs major restoration and gives it the proper treatment it deserves.

As for your foreign assessment, I agree, sort of. Some of those directors are respected and well known in their home countries and some aren't...Kurosawa had some great films that put people in the cinemas but he also had many more titles that werent popular and by the time he was elderly had to have American's (Lucas, Coppola) fund his projects...

And I dont have a problem with the occasional BB release especially if it means Criterion can fund 20 other films that arent as popular with the proceeds.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Volume11

I stopped reading after you said it was on your shelf. Mulvaney, Kevin from Eureka, Jesus Christ, the ghost of Hitler, and Zeus all assembled in a circle around me chanting that I must own the Rock or Armageddon wouldn't convince me that it should be on my shelf.

OCD completism FTL!

It's not on my shelf due to "Criterion" "OCD" or anything the ghost of Hitler has to do with.... (he hasn't visited in awhile... wonder how he's doing)

I think it's a fun popcorn flick..... I have "Iron Man" because friends/family like fun-popcorn flicks..... I would have bought it regardless of what studio released it..... Criterion could have gotten the rights to it, and I would have said that I wished they released something else (same thing I said with Armageddon) but I still would have bought it because it was a 'fun popcorn flick'

EDIT:

did I mention it was a fun-popcorn flick?

[Volume11]

Originally Posted by aggienader08

There's no need for you to give your love-for-everything-"independent/world cinema" view in such a way.

Thats not my view. Stop extracting your own bias from my statements. Bay sucks is what I'm saying. And that has little to do with my love or hate for any other genre or director.

[Volume11]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

It's not on my shelf due to "Criterion" "OCD" or anything the ghost of Hitler has to do with.... (he hasn't visited in awhile... wonder how he's doing)

I think it's a fun popcorn flick..... I have "Iron Man" because friends/family like fun-popcorn flicks..... I would have bought it regardless of what studio released it..... Criterion could have gotten the rights to it, and I would have said that I wished they released something else (same thing I said with Armageddon) but I still would have bought it because it was a 'fun popcorn flick'

EDIT:

did I mention it was a fun-popcorn flick?

Iron Man rules. Its my favorite comic book film by and far.

[aggienader08]

Originally Posted by Volume11

The problem is that most of the films on that list already have or will have great Blu releases AND it ignores the hundreds of great indie films of all varieties that WILL NOT get a blu release for the foreseeable future due to the fact that they don't have a larger studio supporting them.

And quite frankly, most of those titles are easy to get your hands on. As others said, its nice when Criterion picks a foreign title that needs major restoration and gives it the proper treatment it deserves.

As for your foreign assessment, I agree, sort of. Some of those directors are respected and well known in their home countries and some aren't...Kurosawa had some great films that put people in the cinemas but he also had many more titles that werent popular and by the time he was elderly had to have American's (Lucas, Coppola) fund his projects...

And I dont have a problem with the occasional BB release especially if it means Criterion can fund 20 other films that arent as popular with the proceeds.

You have a good point. I agree wholeheartedly. Although let's not confuse cinema with "indie".

[dvdmike]

Originally Posted by jmcy2k

Che was released 12/08, but Gomorrah was 2/08.

Button was released on 25 December 2008, it is the newest movie

[JediFonger]

any 2009/2010 films announced for Criterion BD in the near future?

[Volume11]

Originally Posted by aggienader08

You have a good point. I agree wholeheartedly. Although let's not confuse cinema with "indie".

We shouldn't. But that's my point. Almost every title on that list had some form of major studio backing (save a few) and most have or will have great blu releases. It would be redundant for Criterion, even in a few years, to focus on a list like that.

Take Eureka as an example. They have a great mix of silents, 70s films, animation, AND 2 modern titles.

The modern titles they have release so far are Mad Detective and Tokyo Sonata. Both films are amazing and worthy of the MoC banner but they are both titles that likely wont see the light of day in the states.

I would rather have titles not readily available than ones we have all seen and are already released.

Thats all Im saying.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by JediFonger

any 2009/2010 films announced for Criterion BD in the near future?

nope..... the only releases are those on their site, and that covers us through October.....

[SpiderBaby]

Wow, I can't believe some people agree with me.

But really, I think some are missing the point. This isn't a Hollywood vs. Arthouse discussion. So no one should say "I like them both". That's not what this discussion is about.

It is about distributors. A film like Inglourious Basterds DOESN'T NEED to be picked up by Criterion, due to:

1. Already has a loaded blu-ray (what does it need besides fans having a "C" on it?

2. Studios can release these films. So Criterion doesn't need to jump in.


Hey if a studio said "We are not going to release a film like Inglourious Basterds/There Will Be Blood on blu-ray/dvd" then by all means, let Criterion release it. But don't have them release and take up time for something that can easily be handled by a major studio. Criterion needs to focus on films that have a hard time being released either being studio films (new and old), or the usual independent/foreign films. Not just every "cool" movie being made. That waste time when other studios can do it. You need to be happy about all these releases by all these places, rather having Criterion push aside something for a release that can be handled by someone else.


If a another place wants to release Dennis Hopper's Out Of The Blue on blu-ray, then please, release it. Any takers?

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Thanks.... hopefully they can get it. My local store isn't too helpful. Although I'm on the fence about it..... I'd probably elect the "shipping" option.... Although if you wanted to deliver it personally, I would be inclined to decline the gracious offer..... since my wife has seen the pictures.... so I'm sure you understand

Hahaha. Well, I got the "they couldn't find it" e-mail and a phone call, actually, so someone must have it on-hold at the store. I'm gonna stop by there anyway today and I'll look around 'cause I know one time they couldn't find "Night Train to Munich" and there were like four copies. I'll let you know, though.

CC

[fdm]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

did I mention it was a fun-popcorn flick?

I agree. I watched the blu-ray a couple weeks ago. Gets better every time I watch it.

Sorry but people who get bent out of shape about titles in the collection crack me up. (On the other hand, I can't believe that turkey The Last Days Of Disco made it, but there you go. Diff strokes for diff fokes.)

[Juiceboxjerry]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

Wow, I can't believe some people agree with me.

But really, I think some are missing the point. This isn't a Hollywood vs. Arthouse discussion. So no one should say "I like them both". That's not what this discussion is about.

It is about distributors. A film like Inglourious Basterds DOESN'T NEED to be picked up by Criterion, due to:

1. Already has a loaded blu-ray (what does it need besides fans having a "C" on it?

2. Studios can release these films. So Criterion doesn't need to jump in.


Hey if a studio said "We are not going to release a film like Inglourious Basterds/There Will Be Blood on blu-ray/dvd" then by all means, let Criterion release it. But don't have them release and take up time for something that can easily be handled by a major studio. Criterion needs to focus on films that have a hard time being released either being studio films (new and old), or the usual independent/foreign films. Not just every "cool" movie being made. That waste time when other studios can do it. You need to be happy about all these releases by all these places, rather having Criterion push aside something for a release that can be handled by someone else.


If a another place wants to release Dennis Hopper's Out Of The Blue on blu-ray, then please, release it. Any takers?

It's really the only way to look at it logically. If you really love a particular film, it shouldn't matter who distributes it. Sure it would be nice to have all of your favorite films released by Criterion, because they do such a great job, but that's not the way it works.

As it stands, Criterion provides a very valuable service in releasing films that would otherwise not be available. There's basically no point, nor is it realistic to think that they should (or even could) release films like "There Will Be Blood", "No Country For Old Men" etc. All those movies are already out on Blu Ray.

Now, if they decide they wanna release Diving Bell and the Butterfly or Punch Drunk Love, I certainly won't complain (But the same goes for any other distributor)

[fdm]

Originally Posted by Volume11

The modern titles they have release so far are Mad Detective and Tokyo Sonata. Both films are amazing and worthy of the MoC banner but they are both titles that likely wont see the light of day in the states.

Tokyo Sonata has a DVD-only release in the U.S. Nothing yet for Mad Detective.

[ShellOilJunior]

Anyone have the Paths of Glory BR amazon link? This site is linking to the DVD.

[Falcon Eddie]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Not OOP, release date is TODAY...... they just got more orders for that particular title than they expected I think......... not sure... I just know I can't order it, and none of my local B&Ns have it, and can't get it until after the sale is over

My local store had two remaining prints of the Red Shoes bluray in the store rack when I was there last Sunday. If your source doesn't work out, I'll be going up to the store in the next day or two and could probably get you one of them if they are still available. I would think the prints would still be in stock as most of the titles seem to be there everytime I frequent that store. Let me know if your deal falls through.