The Criterion Collection

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by muchogris

[Show spoiler]There is nothing nonsensical in what you say. Let me share my thoughts with a little rant:

I can understand not being happy about one or two purchases because trailers or genre and reviews can be missleading. But buying completely blind hoping like some people do and then complain for something that is essentially expensive is senseless, at least get information about what you are buying! and react to this and be more cautious afterwards!

Its extremely weird this Criterion obsession some guys have... There are plenty of other brands with the same treatment, but essentially these sentiments are just pure consumism. I know everybody here is a collector, but this site only fomentates having a huge collection by showing the number of titles right beside each single post. I remember buying like 20 dvds when i started collecting and didnt enjoy any of them and had to later sell them because im not an avid worker. It sounds crazy, but i simply wanted to stop downloading movies. But as soon as i discovered the expensive brands i realized i had to control myself. And decided cautiously what to buy by essentially informing myself thoroughly before blind buying. I changed my mindset because im not rich and right now i prefer streaming, renting a movie or even download it before going crazy about spending money. Of course, that isnt how everybody behaves... I just wanted to let you know that for your safety you should limit yourself like this if you cant control yourself over expensive editions. And Criterion is way more expensive than most brands as it never has proper sales by acting as if they can differenciate from the others. But they only do in the design aspect, and that is what i admire most if you want to own something physically.

Also, im now mainly a collector because i enjoy behind the scenes information and extras as much as the movie itself. And right now there is a lot brand diversity with good restorations and extras if you go region free. And if that is not enough, you can always check out youtube, buy ebooks, go to your local library, or check for a local alternative theater. Ive discovered great movies and stories by these methods.

Dont blame Criterion for all this, blame the circlejerk and in great part this website. As soon as someone says something needs a restoration the circlejerk begins and you are thrilled. And also blame the design of this site that shows a number of movies right beside every single post to make it look as if you are proud about wasting a lot of money as in the quantity of movies you own and not about cinema itself. It would cooler to show your favourite movies than that stupid number.

Wait...what?

What's this about a circle jerk?

When, where and why the funk was I not invited?!!

I really thought we were friends.

...all of you sicken me.

[Show spoiler]

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by ckt

Tried to exchange some titles I bought during the sale today. I was told I would have to pay the difference since the sale is over. Makes no sense. Ended up just returning them.

Exchange for copies of the same title or for different titles?

[ckt]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

Exchange for copies of the same title or for different titles?

Different titles

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by ckt

Different titles

Ah, well there's the problem. The things you would have been trying to exchange them for would no longer be on sale.

If you were exchanging for the same title, they should do an even exchange since it's the same product.

[ckt]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

Ah, well there's the problem. The things you would have been trying to exchange them for would no longer be on sale.

If you were exchanging for the same title, they should do an even exchange since it's the same product.

Lol, yes, thank you—I know they're not on sale. I was surprised because, sale or not, the value of the items is no different.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by ckt

Lol, yes, thank you—I know they're not on sale. I was surprised because, sale or not, the value of the items is no different.

Does that mean if you purchased a Criterion before the sale started at $40 and then exchanged it for a different Criterion during the sale, you'd be ok exchanging it for one $20 on sale Criterion and consider it an even exchange?

Sorry, not trying to bug you, just trying to understand the logic.

[ckt]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

Does that mean if you purchased a Criterion before the sale started at $40 and then exchanged it for a different Criterion during the sale, you'd be ok exchanging it for one $20 on sale Criterion and consider it an even exchange?

Sorry, not trying to bug you, just trying to understand the logic.

If I pay $20 for a $40 disc while it's on sale, and then try to exchange that disc after the sale ends, I give the store something worth $40, they give me something worth $40. No one loses.

[Martin_31]

Pather Panchali is phenomenal. Truly an amazing film with characters like Auntie and Durga and Sarbajaya that makes one shed tears at the end. It was a blind buy that did not disappoint; I'll probably watch the second film tomorrow. It was my first film of Ray which makes me excited to watch the rest of his films. And to think it was the first film he made is outstanding.

[Scottie]

Just a heads up that I'm selling a lot of Criterion and other arthouse-y films over in the Trading Forum.

A few days or so ago I removed nearly 100 Blu-rays (more or less) from my collection. I'm sick of collecting and I'm only trying to keep the films and television shows that have had the biggest impact on my life.

I've been fortunate to have seen a lot of great movies but I'm tired of trying to convince myself that I love certain things much more than I do. Frankly, I'm getting far too busy and old for this shit.

[tangledupinblu]

Originally Posted by jw007

I pretty much agree with your posting.



More is less, because I become spoiled and I'm less appreciative of what I own after a while. That might be true with super wealthy people. I tend to hear they get bored after a while when they accumulate too much wealth.

yes, this is called the "hedonic treadmill" it's a trap us poor intelligent monkeys can't escape from where essentially the brain automatically gets accustomed (after a while) to whatever level of pleasure you are currently enjoying. It doesn't become unpleasurable, but it loses any thrill aspect.

I've read that after 50 G's a year there is essentially no upgrade in happiness potential, even if you make 5 mil instead. obviously there is a steep curve from below the poverty line to middle class, but after that, the hardware has limits. that's why rich people often don't seem happier, mostly they are not. happiness is a state of mind - I choose to enjoy a medium-large collection of movies, and I maintain a top 40 to acquire list. I own 1 criterion (It Happened One Night which I paid 14$ for) and 4 or 5 are on my top 40 and they have been forever because they are too damn expensive! status symbol collecting cuts zero ice with me.

I agree that a display of one's top 10 fave films would be better than (or at least a welcome addition to) just a numbers count.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Just a heads up that I'm selling a lot of Criterion and other arthouse-y films over in the Trading Forum.

A few days or so ago I removed nearly 100 Blu-rays (more or less) from my collection. I'm sick of collecting and I'm only trying to keep the films and television shows that have had the biggest impact on my life.

I've been fortunate to have seen a lot of great movies but I'm tired of trying to convince myself that I love certain things much more than I do. Frankly, I'm getting far too busy and old for this shit.

These are some insane deals Scottie.

Quite frankly...I'm a little worried about you.

Thinning the herd is one thing, but Days of Heaven for $13 shipped is borderline psychotic.

If someone here doesn't scoop that up, then I will.

...and I already own it.

[Ray Jackson]

The Exorcist: 40th Anniversary edition for $8?

What the hell is wrong with you Scottie?!!!!

...I don't even know you anymore.

[Show spoiler]

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

The Exorcist: 40th Anniversary edition for $8?

What the hell is wrong with you Scottie?!!!!

...I don't even know you anymore.

[Show spoiler]

With the exception of the $5 titles (which I mark at $5 so I don't have to charge shipping and handling, hence the B1G1), I like to think my prices are exceptionally reasonable and borderline 'giving them away.'

I've always listed my items for far below what I could get for them if I went the eBay route (which I'd rather never ever do). I just really want them gone.

[mja345]

I bought my first Criterion DVD in 2000 (I was 13) and bought a bunch of Criterion DVDs in the mid-2000s. At that point, it was thrilling to have a Criterion in my possession. But, like anything, you don't get as much of a thrill the more you collect. That's just human nature. Doesn't mean I enjoy collecting less now, but the Honeymoon effect wears off obviously.

I mean, having a drink when you're in your late 20s or 30s isn't going to provide the same effect as it did when you're drinking with your friends in high school. Or to, put it in context to Ray's experience, turning that 1000th trick isn't going to provide the same thrill that those first few did.

I do think the collection count feature is useful though. Just a way to keep track of your collection, not to show off. Some people like to streamline their collections, some like to own a ton of shit. Either way, it's cool.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by mja345

Some people like to streamline their collections, some like to own a ton of shit.

Whenever I've streamlined my movie collection, as I did a couple of times during my DVD days, I eventually missed the movies that I sold, and, in many instances, ended up repurchasing them when the respective Blu-rays came around.

I do tend to go through extreme "Declutter Your Life" phases ever so often, but my Blu-ray collection, despite its size, is housed in the walk-in closet of my guest bedroom, and it's not an obtrusive presence in my home.

If something were to happen to my Blu-ray collection (theft, fire, tornado, etc.), however, then I probably wouldn't bother to replace it.

[demonknight]

Has anyone noticed that an actor/filmmaker has multiple pages on Criterion's site? I found a circumstance today: Sy Richardson. He has one page for Mystery Train and another for Walker and Repo Man.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by demonknight

Has anyone noticed that an actor/filmmaker has multiple pages on Criterion's site? I found a circumstance today: Sy Richardson. He has one page for Mystery Train and another for Walker and Repo Man.

Yes. I've seen quite a few when browsing the phantom pages.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Just a heads up that I'm selling a lot of Criterion and other arthouse-y films over in the Trading Forum.

A few days or so ago I removed nearly 100 Blu-rays (more or less) from my collection. I'm sick of collecting and I'm only trying to keep the films and television shows that have had the biggest impact on my life.

I've been fortunate to have seen a lot of great movies but I'm tired of trying to convince myself that I love certain things much more than I do. Frankly, I'm getting far too busy and old for this shit.

Very encouraging to hear this. How did you do it? How did you retrain your brain to sell off instead of buy? I think I'm doing this better now but I'm not quite there yet.

I couldn't put it into words better than this regarding "trying to convince yourself that you love certain things more than you really do". THIS.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by tangledupinblu

yes, this is called the "hedonic treadmill" it's a trap us poor intelligent monkeys can't escape from where essentially the brain automatically gets accustomed (after a while) to whatever level of pleasure you are currently enjoying. It doesn't become unpleasurable, but it loses any thrill aspect.

I've read that after 50 G's a year there is essentially no upgrade in happiness potential, even if you make 5 mil instead. obviously there is a steep curve from below the poverty line to middle class, but after that, the hardware has limits. that's why rich people often don't seem happier, mostly they are not. happiness is a state of mind - I choose to enjoy a medium-large collection of movies, and I maintain a top 40 to acquire list. I own 1 criterion (It Happened One Night which I paid 14$ for) and 4 or 5 are on my top 40 and they have been forever because they are too damn expensive! status symbol collecting cuts zero ice with me.

I agree that a display of one's top 10 fave films would be better than (or at least a welcome addition to) just a numbers count.

I never heard of the term "hedonistic treadmill"! I just googled this and am going to read more about it. Thank you for your mutual understanding.

If we put money aside altogether and hypothetically say that we could obtain as many blu rays or videos for free, would this only exacerbate the problem overall? Does it really come down to human psychology? I'm guessing its a form of mental illness or OCD (or another form of obsessive behavior) that makes us want to acquire and obtain more and more. I think its just simple and pure human addiction.

No doubt the dog-eat-dog "circle jerk" and "status symbol" of being big, rich and powerful isn't too appealing once you get to that point (because as you say, it sucks joy, reflection, contemplation and meaning from life).

[mja345]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Whenever I've streamlined my movie collection, as I did a couple of times during my DVD days, I eventually missed the movies that I sold, and, in many instances, ended up repurchasing them when the respective Blu-rays came around.

I do tend to go through extreme "Declutter Your Life" phases ever so often, but my Blu-ray collection, despite its size, is housed in the walk-in closet of my guest bedroom, and it's not an obtrusive presence in my home.

If something were to happen to my Blu-ray collection (theft, fire, tornado, etc.), however, then I probably wouldn't bother to replace it.

I've never found my collection obtrusive. I keep them on shelves in a spare bedroom in my apartment where I also have an entertainment center set up. But I don't really collect anything besides films, such as clothes, shoes, tools, etc. If I did, then it would be a problem. It's basically my film room, where I also store my golf clubs, the living room and kitchen, and the bedroom where my girlfriend and I sleep. When I move, my collection is the only thing that will take significant effort to haul along. But it's something I love, so it's worth it. I figure like this. If you love something as a child and still love it as a nearly 30 year old man, then it's likely a hobby worth keeping.