The Criterion Collection

[Member-222782]

[QUOTE=jmclick;12901908]Once again my local B&N store came through for me, and allowed me to use my 20% off coupons. They didn't even bat an eye when I presented them, just scanned them and thanked me for my business.QUOTE]

If the coupons are valid why wouldn't they allow you to use them?

I tried using an online coupon last week and it wouldn't work even though it met all the parameters. Frankly, these coupon games get old really fast. Either they accept them or they don't

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by Sifox211

The 20% coupons, I think, are member ones; non-members often get send 15% ones by email; but at the moment, except for some lucky members going in store, there is nothing around for coupons for the Criterion sale. Even the usually reliable BF 30% is excluded

The 50% is still a great bargain for us non-US citizens, although with the terrible exchange rate and the emergence of UK Criterions, only coupons can make the US ones a better bet. Currently most UK titles can be had in the HMV 2 for £25 deal... not going to beat that nowadays. The B&N sale with a small coupon used to match that, but not anymore

Thank you very much for explaining all that to me. This was the first time I partook in the B&N sale. So all of this is new to me.

[The Great Owl]

There seems to be a lot of Douglas Sirk fans here in the Criterion forum, so I'll steel y'all to the Cohen Media Blu-ray of
Two Films By Douglas Sirk: A Scandal in Paris/Lured, which I've been enjoying over the past couple of days.




A Scandal in Paris (1946)

George Sandars, who is known well for his smug characters in films like All About Eve and Rebecca, plays the famous French historical figure, François Eugène Vidocq, a criminal who reformed and became a noted police detective. Sanders's Vidocq is quite comical to watch throughout the film, even when the story takes a turn for tragedy for a couple of characters toward the end. Akim Tamiroff plays Vidocq's sidekick, while the gorgeous actresses, Carole Landis and Signe Hasso play love interests. I was not expecting much from A Scandal in Paris, but I quickly found myself immersed in its mostly lighthearted vibe as Vidocq gets himself in and out of tight situations in a way that would put most Looney Tunes characters to shame. Director Douglas Sirk would go on to helm melodramatic cinema classics like All That Heaven Allows and Imitation of Life, so this early black-and-white movie is an interesting moment in his evolution as a filmmaker.


Lured (1947)

Lucille Ball (I Love Lucy television series) stars in this film noir as a dancer who believes that her friend has fallen prey to a serial killer who lures female victims with newspaper personal ads while sending cryptic poems about each victim to the police department. After being recruited by the police to work undercover as "bait" for the killer, she encounters an assortment of odd suspects while simultaneously falling in love with a wealthy stage producer, who is played by George Sanders (All About Eve, Rebecca, A Scandal in Paris). After becoming engaged to her new boyfriend, though, she discovers some alarming secrets about him. Lured was directed by Douglas Sirk, who would later become known for his melodrama movies, so this noir is an odd standout, but it's also my personal favorite Sirk film that I have seen so far. It's somewhat surreal to see Lucille Ball as a beautiful lead in a serious mystery thriller, and, although the film does have a few touches of lighthearted comedy, her role here shines a light on her talents as an actress for any genre across the board. Boris Karloff (Frankenstein) has an awesome supporting role as a dress designer (!) whom Ball's character meets while answering the personal ads while under police protection. Actor George Zucco, who is known for villainous roles in horror films, has a great part in Lured as the policeman assigned to shadow Lucille Ball while she responds to the newspaper ads to find the killer.

[jmclick]

[quote=cine74;12903331]

Originally Posted by jmclick

Once again my local B&N store came through for me, and allowed me to use my 20% off coupons. They didn't even bat an eye when I presented them, just scanned them and thanked me for my business.QUOTE]

If the coupons are valid why wouldn't they allow you to use them?

I tried using an online coupon last week and it wouldn't work even though it met all the parameters. Frankly, these coupon games get old really fast. Either they accept them or they don't

The coupons have started coming with a list of "exclusions" in the fine print, including Criterion blu-rays and DVDs. The coupons will not work at all if you order through the Barnes and Noble website; however, they will work in-store ... IF your particular store is gracious enough to accept them. Technically, they don't have to accept them, and a lot of stores will pretend as though they won't work at the register. But that isn't really the case at all. My store really spoils me ... it's not something I'm arrogant about; instead, I'm deeply and sincerely grateful.

[ShellOilJunior]

Kwaidan and The Brood are at $19.99 on Amazon.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by jmclick

The coupons have started coming with a list of "exclusions" in the fine print, including Criterion blu-rays and DVDs. The coupons will not work at all if you order through the Barnes and Noble website; however, they will work in-store ... IF your particular store is gracious enough to accept them. Technically, they don't have to accept them, and a lot of stores will pretend as though they won't work at the register. But that isn't really the case at all. My store really spoils me ... it's not something I'm arrogant about; instead, I'm deeply and sincerely grateful.

Barnes & Noble are not putting up with our clown acts anymore, and I fear that the days of my scoring box sets for 75% off with coupons and sale prices are over. I did get them to take an additional 20% off of my Pan's Labyrinth purchase with a coupon while I was in the store earlier this month, but it took two managers and some computer wizardry for them to make it happen.

The coupons do not work at all online, but I've taken to ordering from Barnes & Noble online more often lately, because the brick-and-mortar stores have lately been short on stock with a dwindling Blu-ray count, and they've also been mistakenly posting that certain Criterion Blu-rays are in stock when the DVD incarnations of the particular movies are all that they have in the store.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

If you're willing to venture beyond Criterion, the is an inexpensive BFI blu in the UK (if you're also Region B capable) as well as an English friendly Region A release in Japan.

The JP release is a lot nicer than the BFI one based on DVDBeaver's caps. Criterion's DVD looks very different from these in terms of color grading.

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film5/blu-r...ng_blu-ray.htm

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

The JP release is a lot nicer than the BFI one based on DVDBeaver's caps. Criterion's DVD looks very different from these in terms of color grading.

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film5/blu-r...ng_blu-ray.htm

I have both blus, but I'm not the guy to be commenting on picture quality. The BFI has gotten pretty cheap though, where as the JP one is usually going to set you back around $40. It's also available in the Color 4 for Ozu box set.

Haven't watched this one in a while. I'll have to put it in the queue!

[thatguamguy]

Have there been any rumors of what the next Chaplin release might be? It seems like they're about due for another one.

[SkyAntoine]

Heard the sweetest words in the world from my wife last night: "Order whatever Criterions you want for Christmas."

Picked up all of the November titles as well as the rest of the upgrades/singles I wanted (Woman in the Dunes, Pan's individual title, Night Train to Munich, Brief Encounter).

[mja345]

Originally Posted by thatguamguy

Have there been any rumors of what the next Chaplin release might be? It seems like they're about due for another one.

"The Circus" would make the most sense. Maybe "A King in New York". The pickings are pretty slim as far as Chaplin feature films at this point. You have the two aforementioned titles as well as the two films that Chaplin directed, but didn't star in: The 1923 drama "A Woman of Paris" and the 1967 comedy "A Countess of Hong Kong" with Brando and Sophia Loren. I'd be shocked if Criterion didn't release "The Circus" at some point.

[jshaide]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

If you're willing to venture beyond Criterion, the is an inexpensive BFI blu in the UK (if you're also Region B capable) as well as an English friendly Region A release in Japan.

That's pretty neat, thanks for the info. I may hold off a bit since I feel it'll come soon than later, and being that I just watched it last night I should be pretty good for a little while.

[ajburke]

I had first-time viewings of a couple of recent Criterion releases in the past few days.

My wife and I found Blood Simple. fascinating. The way the cinematography, music, and direction worked together to create a dreamlike atmosphere, with several scenes blending seamlessly into the next was memorable. Watching debut features from great filmmakers is always a fun exercise, and Blood Simple. felt like a fully formed work from the Coens. By that, I mean the inventiveness and sense of humor the Coens have displayed in most of their subsequent movies was on full display here. Watching this one even inspired a mini Coen Bros. marathon for us.

I watched McCabe and Mrs. Miller by myself, and felt right away like I was watching something iconic. I like westerns in general, but I do tend to favor deconstructionist/post-1960 works. I liked that the protag was out of his element and something of a charlatan. I loved the snowy Pacific Northwest locale. The only gripe I can muster up after one viewing is that I wish there was a little more Mrs. Miller. I was expecting her to have a bigger role, and even though the brothel is important to the story, I felt a little misled by the title. I guess I was expecting (and hoping for) a little more high-end-bawdy-house-minutia. I certainly didn't allow that to ruin the movie for me though. This is only the third Altman film I've seen and it's my favorite by far.

[The Great Owl]

I've been thinking about building up a collection of movies starring Léa Seydoux.

I sat out on buying Blue is the Warmest Color during this sale, though, because Criterion promised us that a more expansive version of the film would be released at some point.

I'm curious as to when that expanded Blu-ray edition will hit the shelves, if ever. I enjoyed this movie in the theater.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by jmclick

The coupons have started coming with a list of "exclusions" in the fine print, including Criterion blu-rays and DVDs. The coupons will not work at all if you order through the Barnes and Noble website; however, they will work in-store ... IF your particular store is gracious enough to accept them. Technically, they don't have to accept them, and a lot of stores will pretend as though they won't work at the register. But that isn't really the case at all. My store really spoils me ... it's not something I'm arrogant about; instead, I'm deeply and sincerely grateful.

Actually, I think it is the case. They don't work at the register. It's just that some clerks know how to override the error that comes up when trying to apply them to the sale.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I've been thinking about building up a collection of movies starring Léa Seydoux.

I sat out on buying Blue is the Warmest Color during this sale, though, because Criterion promised us that a more expansive version of the film would be released at some point.

I'm curious as to when that expanded Blu-ray edition will hit the shelves, if ever. I enjoyed this movie in the theater.

I want to say that Criterion had said (Wexner talk maybe?) that they do not have that additional edition on the schedule currently.

[jobione]

Picked up On The Waterfront and City Lights from the Barnes & Noble sale. The only two that I've really wanted at the moment. Christmas shopping is taking priority with my money right now.

[Scottie]

Just a reminder that La Jetée / Sans Soleil is one of the best Criterion releases.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I've been thinking about building up a collection of movies starring Léa Seydoux.

I sat out on buying Blue is the Warmest Color during this sale, though, because Criterion promised us that a more expansive version of the film would be released at some point.

I'm curious as to when that expanded Blu-ray edition will hit the shelves, if ever. I enjoyed this movie in the theater.

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

I want to say that Criterion had said (Wexner talk maybe?) that they do not have that additional edition on the schedule currently.

OK, this is depressing.

I bought the original release, and was hoping, even though it would mean double-dipping, for a new release.

And it's not going to happen? Dammit.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

OK, this is depressing.

I bought the original release, and was hoping, even though it would mean double-dipping, for a new release.

And it's not going to happen? Dammit.

I think it's like a "we still want to do it eventually, but it's not on our radar/release calendar right now" type of thing.