The Criterion Collection

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

For the people who get rid of films in your collection, what is the motivation. Space? Money? I almost never have a desire to remove something from my collection. I'm not trying to be critical of those who do, I'm just curious of the motivation.

The only Blu-rays that I've sold or traded off are ones that I wish to replace with a better upgrade. For example, I traded in my original StudioCanal Blu-ray of The Third Man after the 4K restoration Blu-ray was released.

I pretty much buy every movie that even remotely intrigued me when I was growing up, and I like how the process of revisiting these movies is like a trip down memory lane in that regard. I also buy a lot of previously-unfamiliar movies that trigger my intrigue when I read about them. In other words, I do not have any rules or self-imposed limitations on Blu-ray purchases, save for my rule about only spending money that I have on hand instead of using a credit card to purchase them.

Space is not yet an issue, but it will be an issue someday. I know that I have some Blu-rays that I will probably not revisit any time soon, but I also know that I'll only make pennies on the dollar if I sell them. Getting rid of them just seems like too much of a hassle. I also learned from my DVD collecting days that I can and will get a sudden urge to revisit a particular movie at the drop of a hat, so I'd rather have them here under my roof when that urge comes along.

[jmclick]

I had a fantastic experience at my Barnes & Noble store this morning, the latest in a series of examples of why I love my store and the people who run it. I went in with two 20% off coupons, intending to buy a copy of The New World, but they were sold out. The manager said, "Well since the sale ends on Monday and we may not get in another copy by that time, let's have you purchase it here in the store so you can get your 10% member's discount and use your coupon, and we'll have it shipped to your house for free." Sounds like a good plan, right? Except that once they place the order, they have to print out an order and scan a bar code ... and none of the printers in the store were working. They tried everything ... turning the printers off and on, changing out the print drums, cancelling the order and starting over, etc. A half hour went by, and no print out. I finally said, "Well, I guess I'm not meant to have this title today", and the sales associate said, "No, we'll make it work!" and she slammed her hand down on the counter. The printer began to whirr and spin and it finally spit out my invoice, and I got The New World for $17.99 and Night and Fog for $14.39. By this time, the manager and two store associates were standing by, and the manager said, "He's been so patient. Give him back his coupons." I said, "Can I use them right now?" and she said, "Of course," so I picked up two more titles. This makes my total haul from the sale:

Barcelona
A Brighter Summer Day
Burroughs: the Movie
Carnival of Souls
Charulata
Clouds of Sils Maria
The Complete Lady Snowblood
The Emigrants/The New Land
Fantastic Planet
Here Comes Mr. Jordan
In a Lonely Place
The In-Laws
Jellyfish Eyes
The Manchurian Candidate
The Naked Island
The New World
Night and Fog
Paris Belongs to Us
The Player
The Road Trilogy
Speedy

And it leaves me only 18 skus away from being Criterion blu-ray complete. Obviously I'm not a minimalist when it comes to my collection, and I count myself very blessed and quite fortunate that I don't have to be.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

The only Blu-rays that I've sold or traded off are ones that I wish to replace with a better upgrade. For example, I traded in my original StudioCanal Blu-ray of The Third Man after the 4K restoration Blu-ray was released.

I pretty much buy every movie that even remotely intrigued me when I was growing up, and I like how the process of revisiting these movies is like a trip down memory lane in that regard. I also buy a lot of previously-unfamiliar movies that trigger my intrigue when I read about them. In other words, I do not have any rules or self-imposed limitations on Blu-ray purchases, save for my rule about only spending money that I have on hand instead of using a credit card to purchase them.

Space is not yet an issue, but it will be an issue someday. I know that I have some Blu-rays that I will probably not revisit any time soon, but I also know that I'll only make pennies on the dollar if I sell them. Getting rid of them just seems like too much of a hassle. I also learned from my DVD collecting days that I can and will get a sudden urge to revisit a particular movie at the drop of a hat, so I'd rather have them here under my roof when that urge comes along.

This sounds almost identical to my purchasing/collecting style.

Now if I could just figure out why you run. When nothing is chasing you. By choice.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

This sounds almost identical to my purchasing/collecting style.

Now if I could just figure out why you run. When nothing is chasing you. By choice.

I crave the simplicity of running. If I've had a long day at work, or if I'm not sure about what life choices to make under a certain circumstance, then having an hour when I only have to think about getting from point A to point B on my feet is oddly therapeutic, and it clears my mind.

Also, if I have nothing planned during a weekend, I feel at lot more at ease about spending the rest of the entire day in my living room with some Blu-rays if I've gone outdoors for a morning run first.

Finally, running is also a great way to get my mind around a particular movie. If I watch a movie for the first time that really blows me away, I'm the type who likes to pace around for hours on end while I think about the film, and running is a better way to do that. I spent a couple of hours running around my town, for example, after I saw The Witch at the theater earlier this year, just because I wanted to let that movie sink in.

[BagheeraMcGee]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

The only Blu-rays that I've sold or traded off are ones that I wish to replace with a better upgrade. For example, I traded in my original StudioCanal Blu-ray of The Third Man after the 4K restoration Blu-ray was released.

I pretty much buy every movie that even remotely intrigued me when I was growing up, and I like how the process of revisiting these movies is like a trip down memory lane in that regard. I also buy a lot of previously-unfamiliar movies that trigger my intrigue when I read about them. In other words, I do not have any rules or self-imposed limitations on Blu-ray purchases, save for my rule about only spending money that I have on hand instead of using a credit card to purchase them.

Space is not yet an issue, but it will be an issue someday. I know that I have some Blu-rays that I will probably not revisit any time soon, but I also know that I'll only make pennies on the dollar if I sell them. Getting rid of them just seems like too much of a hassle. I also learned from my DVD collecting days that I can and will get a sudden urge to revisit a particular movie at the drop of a hat, so I'd rather have them here under my roof when that urge comes along.

Your collecting parameters sound quite similar to my own, except I find myself being a bit more lenient with credit card usage when there's an awesome sale going on, for example, like this month with B&N/Criterion, although I do the same when Twilight Time/SAE have sales going on as well.

I rarely sell/trade back films unless there's an upgrade on the way as well. In my stack of "discs to go" are Boyhood, Road House, Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1978), Dreamscape and, since Criterion is already planning on doing an upgrade for it, I threw in The Grand Budapest Hotel, fully knowing I'd buy the Criterion version.

And in regards to budget, here's a personal anecdote to give everyone here an idea of how I look at it: I stopped drinking in 2011, and I stopped tobacco use in 2013 (20-year-smoker, then substituted dipping for a couple of years). There's no way in hell I'd have over 1,000 Blu-rays on my shelf if I was still drinking and smoking/dipping; the money just wouldn't be there. So in addition to better health, in a way those Blu-rays are my reward for quitting those things because the money spent on them otherwise would've wound up in my liver/lungs/gums. It also helps having an awesome wife who agrees with this philosophy and enjoys watching movies with me.

[moviecriticsonline]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

For the people who get rid of films in your collection, what is the motivation. Space? Money? I almost never have a desire to remove something from my collection. I'm not trying to be critical of those who do, I'm just curious of the motivation.

Personally, if I watch something and I don't enjoy it for whatever reason, I usually sell it or trade it. Just because a film is released under the Criterion label, doesn't automatically make it a masterpiece.

It just comes down to a matter of taste of what films we tend to connect with. The same goes for releases under different labels, not just Criterion. Some may think "Brazil" is the greatest film ever made, and others might hate it with a passion. This is what's great about cinema, we can tend to agree or disagree and it opens the door to interesting discussions.

[Scottie]

The Guillermo del Toro trilogy set looks like it will be similar to Zatôichi.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by moviecriticsonline

Personally, if I watch something and I don't enjoy it for whatever reason, I usually sell it or trade it. Just because a film is released under the Criterion label, doesn't automatically make it a masterpiece.

It just comes down to a matter of taste of what films we tend to connect with. The same goes for releases under different labels, not just Criterion. Some may think "Brazil" is the greatest film ever made, and others might hate it with a passion. This is what's great about cinema, we can tend to agree or disagree and it opens the door to interesting discussions.

For me, there are way too many films that I've watched and disliked, then watched again years later and enjoyed, to remove a film just because I didn't enjoy it initially. But that's just me.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by iScottie

The Guillermo del Toro trilogy set looks like it will be similar to Zatôichi.

Thank goodness! I was *hoping* it would be 27 discs!

[MifuneFan]

Unlike the Zatoichi set, It apparently opens up like a gift box

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by iScottie

The Guillermo del Toro trilogy set looks like it will be similar to Zatôichi.

I already said this but everyone had a moan at me...

[ShellOilJunior]

The best part is it's not plastic.

[moviecriticsonline]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

For me, there are way too many films that I've watched and disliked, then watched again years later and enjoyed, to remove a film just because I didn't enjoy it initially. But that's just me.

Whatever floats your boat.

[Scottie]

What are everyone's thoughts on City Lights?

I watched it for the second time this afternoon and while I like it, I still don't particularly love it.

It's a good movie with the ending being one of the greatest, most heart-rendering things ever captured on film. However, everything preceding it got on my nerves more than made me laugh. I did chuckle during the restaurant scene and the boxing match, but I could truly take or leave everything else.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

For me, there are way too many films that I've watched and disliked, then watched again years later and enjoyed, to remove a film just because I didn't enjoy it initially. But that's just me.

but would you say that happens more times than watching a movie you thought you loved only to find out that you either don't love it any more or you simply have grown out of it?

I'm sure that what you described has probably happened w/ me, but the situation I described seems to happen all the time.

my first watch of Jules & Jim was not good. by the time the film ended during the 2nd viewing, I was certain that it was one of my favorite movies. but I hadn't bought the film for my first viewing. even if I had, there are those films that you just feel warrant a repeat watch - even though you thought you loathed them, so I wouldn't have gotten rid of it.

on the other hand, something like Bigger Than Life will never be a fav of mine. my verdict was already in... so parting w/ it was an easy thing to do.

I haven't regretted selling off anything. not yet, anyway.

[llj]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

on the other hand, something like Bigger Than Life will never be a fav of mine. my verdict was already in... so parting w/ it was an easy thing to do.
.

What? Are you actually Lena Dunham?

Funny thing with Ray's films is that I don't like his stuff much when I watch it at home, but when I see his stuff in a theatre, I'm always blown away. Even his minor films are awesome on the big screen. He's definitely someone who I'd call truly cinematic to the point that watching his stuff on anything other than the big screen would be a vastly reduced experience.

[llj]

Originally Posted by iScottie

What are everyone's thoughts on City Lights?

I watched it for the second time this afternoon and while I like it, I still don't particularly love it.

It's a good movie with the ending being one of the greatest, most heart-rendering things ever captured on film. However, everything preceding it got on my nerves more than made me laugh. I did chuckle during the restaurant scene and the boxing match, but I could truly take or leave everything else.

I've never found Chaplin particularly funny, but I own some of his stuff because I think he's a brilliant filmmaker. City Lights is one of Chaplin's peak achievements in terms of editing, scene staging, mise en scene, etc,. But I think Limelight is his most honest. Chaplin was always more of a dramatist who hid behind a comedic veneer to please audiences. But his crowd pleasing tendency sometimes got in the way of his more artistic and cultured leanings.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by llj

What? Are you actually Lena Dunham?

Funny thing with Ray's films is that I don't like his stuff much when I watch it at home, but when I see his stuff in a theatre, I'm always blown away. Even his minor films are awesome on the big screen. He's definitely someone who I'd call truly cinematic to the point that watching his stuff on anything other than the big screen would be a vastly reduced experience.

I don't know the Lena Dunham reference. sorry.

the only other N. Ray film I've seen is Rebel Without a Cause, which I've seen too many times at this point because my sister and I are huge James Dean fans. I was going to pick up In a Lonely Place, but something about the premise isn't really speaking to me.

I do really wanna see Johnny Guitar though and will blind buy the upgraded disc that's coming out soon.. and w/ subtitles, too!

[llj]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I don't know the Lena Dunham reference. sorry.

the only other N. Ray film I've seen is Rebel Without a Cause, which I've seen too many times at this point because my sister and I are huge James Dean fans. I was going to pick up In a Lonely Place, but something about the premise isn't really speaking to me.

I do really wanna see Johnny Guitar though and will blind buy the upgraded disc that's coming out soon.. and w/ subtitles, too!

Yeah, Lena Dunham once mentioned how she saw Bigger Than Life in a theatre with a date and how she couldn't stand James Mason's acting style. This caused a kerfuffle in the online film buff community. It was pretty funny. I believe this was around the time Tiny Furniture came out and before she got big with her Girls TV show.

Johnny Guitar is a good one. I saw that in a theatre a few years ago and the crowd was great, there were young millennials in the crowd saying, after the film, how surprised they were how much they enjoyed it considering they didn't like westerns. But Ray films really know how to work a crowd...his stuff tends to come off campy on the small screen but on the big screen those big emotions just work. And of course his mastery with widescreen scope, sound, etc,.

Party Girl is another great one I saw on the big screen, although it is considered minor Ray.


Come to think of it, Ray is one of the very few filmmakers from the past I would opt to go to a theatre for over a DVD or BD. Definitely one of the most under appreciated American filmmakers of the 50s.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by llj

I've never found Chaplin particularly funny, but I own some of his stuff because I think he's a brilliant filmmaker. City Lights is one of Chaplin's peak achievements in terms of editing, scene staging, mise en scene, etc,. But I think Limelight is his most honest. Chaplin was always more of a dramatist who hid behind a comedic veneer to please audiences. But his crowd pleasing tendency sometimes got in the way of his more artistic and cultured leanings.

Agree with most of this, but is it really that weird to find his movies funny? I really appreciate every aspect of his movies that is why he is one of my favorite directors (top 3 probably), and every time I watch one of his films be it with family or on the theater most people find the movies really funny.

I guess its just another example of how varied our tastes can be, I mean if I didn't find his silent movies funny I don't think I could appreciate his films as much since every try to make a joke would seem like a failure which would really hinder the experience.