The Criterion Collection

[madlost1]

I just pre-ordered my first Criterion's. House, Modern Times, and The Thin Red Line. Was thinking about getting the Magician also but decided to pass for now.

[dag]

Sorry, not to highjack the dedicated Criterion thread, but I just bought myself tickets to the Toronto International Film Festival screenings of Jean-Luc Godard's Film Socialism and Werner Herzog's Cave of Forgotten Dreams (a 3D film, no less). I read the controversy back in the spring from Cannes about the Godard film, so I'm going in with eyes wide open and not as an apologist/disciple. Definitely looking forward to both of these!

(I've bought tickets to 14 films, but may go see one or two more. Black Swan was already sold out.)

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by retask

Too much Godard-discussions here, there are other directors out there. Anyone fancy Werner Herzog?

There is too much talk about Criterion. Let's talk about Studio Canal or something.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by dag

Sorry, not to highjack the dedicated Criterion thread, but I just bought myself tickets to the Toronto International Film Festival screenings of Jean-Luc Godard's Film Socialism and Werner Herzog's Cave of Forgotten Dreams (a 3D film, no less). I read the controversy back in the spring from Cannes about the Godard film, so I'm going in with eyes wide open and not as an apologist/disciple. Definitely looking forward to both of these!

(I've bought tickets to 14 films, but may go see one or two more. Black Swan was already sold out.)

Not hijacking this thread at all...quite appropriate information for this group.

ENJOY the show...tell us what you thought about it afterwards.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

There is too much talk about Criterion. Let's talk about Studio Canal or something.

Let's talk about silents...

CG...thanks a lot for reminding me about the Keaton coming out soon...way to drain my wallet even more than I had hoped to!

Did you get the 3 Silents yet? I'm trying to be a good boy and wait.

Not a bad picture for the late summer/fall...3 Silents, more Keaton and Chaplin...ahhh....*sigh*

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by rkish

Let's talk about silents...

CG...thanks a lot for reminding me about the Keaton coming out soon...way to drain my wallet even more than I had hoped to!

Did you get the 3 Silents yet? I'm trying to be a good boy and wait.

Not a bad picture for the late summer/fall...3 Silents, more Keaton and Chaplin...ahhh....*sigh*

Interesting you talked about the von Sternberg silents. As you all know I live in Kentucky. Last week I ordered them and the shipping started in Kentucky. Actually 15 mins away from where I live. Then it went up about 2-3 hour drive in Kentucky and sat there for 3-4 days. So I called and asked why is it just sitting there. No answer. So this morning I checked and now not only did it finally move, but to f'n Iowa.

So let's recap. I live in Kentucky. The shipment was picked up 15 mins of where I live. 15. Takes a day or 2 to ship it to 2 hours away and sit there for 4 days (in a smaller county no less). Then it ships out of state, with more fun to come.

I got free shipping on this but don't understand. When you use cheaper shipping, they use more transportation. When you pay more for shipping, less transportation. Are they not wasting money on transportation?

I have a feeling that von Sternbrg set (if it gets here) will be smashed.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

Interesting you talked about the von Sternberg silents. As you all know I live in Kentucky. Last week I ordered them and the shipping started in Kentucky. Actually 15 mins away from where I live. Then it went up about 2-3 hour drive in Kentucky and sat there for 3-4 days. So I called and asked why is it just sitting there. No answer. So this morning I checked and now not only did it finally move, but to f'n Iowa.

So let's recap. I live in Kentucky. The shipment was picked up 15 mins of where I live. 15. Takes a day or 2 to ship it to 2 hours away and sit there for 4 days (in a smaller county no less). Then it ships out of state, with more fun to come.

I got free shipping on this but don't understand. When you use cheaper shipping, they use more transportation. When you pay more for shipping, less transportation. Are they not wasting money on transportation?

I have a feeling that von Sternbrg set (if it gets here) will be smashed.

And a BD coming from the UK...with free shipping gets to upstate NY in 8 days...sometimes just boggles the mind.

LOL on your amusing anecdote... on the possibility of it being smashed.

If it's Kentucky...then you must have gone with Amazon. From past experiences...things shipped from their Kentucky depot have typically come in very good shape. A decent "dense" cardboard box...especially for a cardboard based case (digipack).

The last boxset that I got from Amazon was the "Band of Brothers" tin boxset. It was from one of the other warehouse locations and came with a decent ding on the edge of the tin. It didn't come in a box...but had a thin roll of corrugated cardboard wrapped around it.

Oh well...what can ya do?!

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

Interesting you talked about the von Sternberg silents. As you all know I live in Kentucky. Last week I ordered them and the shipping started in Kentucky. Actually 15 mins away from where I live. Then it went up about 2-3 hour drive in Kentucky and sat there for 3-4 days. So I called and asked why is it just sitting there. No answer. So this morning I checked and now not only did it finally move, but to f'n Iowa.

So let's recap. I live in Kentucky. The shipment was picked up 15 mins of where I live. 15. Takes a day or 2 to ship it to 2 hours away and sit there for 4 days (in a smaller county no less). Then it ships out of state, with more fun to come.

I got free shipping on this but don't understand. When you use cheaper shipping, they use more transportation. When you pay more for shipping, less transportation. Are they not wasting money on transportation?

I have a feeling that von Sternbrg set (if it gets here) will be smashed.

I think if you lived in Ohio you'd get your package sooner. Ironic since the shipping center is in your home state (when Criterion ships to me it's 2, 3 days tops-- very fast and it routes through KY).

Amazon UK shipped the Psycho Blu-ray to me in 7 business days.

Then on the other hand, Deep Discount took about 11 business days to ship Black Orpheus to me :/

[rkish]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I think if you lived in Ohio you'd get your package sooner. Ironic since the shipping center is in your home state (when Criterion ships to me it's 2, 3 days tops-- very fast and it routes through KY).

Amazon UK shipped the Psycho Blu-ray to me in 7 business days.

Then on the other hand, Deep Discount took about 11 business days to ship Black Orpheus to me :/

Shell...Criterion Central is in Kentucky?...wasn't aware of that. I've never ordered directly from them before. I either immediate gratification buy them from BB/BN (whoever is cheaper at the time) or wait for the sales for the ones I've waited on.

[SpiderBaby]

I ordered the set from Barnes & Noble. This is the first it's messed up like this.

The Criterion Warehouse, Amazon, and looks like Barnes is all in Kentucky (don't ask me why, but it's cool.).

When I order from Criterion's site, it comes the next day because they use UPS. Best thing about Criterion for me.

This B&N order crap is getting on my nerves though. I was pissed when it went from 15 mins of me to 2 hours, in Eastern Kentucky. It sat there for 3+ days. I was ticked off then. Now this morning it's in Iowa?

Oh well, I got an $80 set for $40, so that's cool. It's just I "don't have it" yet.

[horseflesh]

Hey, count yourselves lucky.
I'm still waiting for my July titles from Barnes & Noble, shipped on July 28th

[larry47591]

I live near fort Wayne Indiana. During the criterion sale I had an order ship got to fort Wayne in three days but usps sent it to new York and then back before I got it. No wondering usps is losing money.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by larry47591

I live near fort Wayne Indiana. During the criterion sale I had an order ship got to fort Wayne in three days but usps sent it to new York and then back before I got it. No wondering usps is losing money.

Barnes went through DHL to USPS. UPS is my only fav. DHL & USPS ships it all over to just waste time I guess, since you paid for crappy shipping.

[kndy]

Originally Posted by rkish

Let's talk about silents...

CG...thanks a lot for reminding me about the Keaton coming out soon...way to drain my wallet even more than I had hoped to!

Did you get the 3 Silents yet? I'm trying to be a good boy and wait.

Not a bad picture for the late summer/fall...3 Silents, more Keaton and Chaplin...ahhh....*sigh*

You're going to love Flicker Alley's upcoming release:



So, for those who want to see Chaplin's earlier works at Keystone (1913) will dig this release.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

I ordered the set from Barnes & Noble. This is the first it's messed up like this.

The Criterion Warehouse, Amazon, and looks like Barnes is all in Kentucky (don't ask me why, but it's cool.).

When I order from Criterion's site, it comes the next day because they use UPS. Best thing about Criterion for me.

This B&N order crap is getting on my nerves though. I was pissed when it went from 15 mins of me to 2 hours, in Eastern Kentucky. It sat there for 3+ days. I was ticked off then. Now this morning it's in Iowa?

Oh well, I got an $80 set for $40, so that's cool. It's just I "don't have it" yet.

LOL... when you first mentioned all the shipping problems my first thought was Deep Discount.

As for warehouses located in Kentucky I think I read somewhere that Kentucky has some of the lowest worker wages in the U.S. and some of the most anti-union labor laws in the country. That probably has a lot to do with it.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

LOL... when you first mentioned all the shipping problems my first thought was Deep Discount.

As for warehouses located in Kentucky I think I read somewhere that Kentucky has some of the lowest worker wages in the U.S. and some of the most anti-union labor laws in the country. That probably has a lot to do with it.

Hmmm, interesting. We are also one of the states that have shipping taxes (some websites only have like KY, and I think states like FL).

Deep Discount has problems even shipping a product out. Barnes & Noble isn't the problem. It's the cheap shipping option they use for "Free Shipping", A.K.A "We'll give it to DHL to transfer to USPS and you Might get it someday!".

P.S., that package still hasn't left Iowa now. So USPS won't do anything else until Tuesday. They will be getting a call again then if it's not here Tuesday.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

Hmmm, interesting. We are also one of the states that have shipping taxes (some websites only have like KY, and I think states like FL).

Shipping or sales taxes? I'm not familiar with shipping taxes. Florida doesn't charge any sales taxes (yet) for items shipped from out of state thankfully. Though more and more states are beginning to do so. It's the bigget reason 90%+ of my electronics/media puchases come from online retailers.

EDIT - Just added up my Amazon orders for 2010 and it comes out to $2,708 for items already received, not including future pre-orders. And that's not including orders from all the other websites like Deep Discount, Barnes & Noble, Amazon UK store, Criterion.com, etc.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Shipping or sales taxes? I'm not familiar with shipping taxes. Florida doesn't charge any sales taxes (yet) for items shipped from out of state thankfully. Though more and more states are beginning to do so. It's the bigget reason 90%+ of my electronics/media puchases come from online retailers.

EDIT - Just added up my Amazon orders for 2010 and it comes out to $2,708 for items already received, not including future pre-orders. And that's not including orders from all the other websites like Deep Discount, Barnes & Noble, Amazon UK store, Criterion.com, etc.

Crap, I think I meant sales tax. Sorry.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by kndy

You're going to love Flicker Alley's upcoming release:



So, for those who want to see Chaplin's earlier works at Keystone (1913) will dig this release.

These are the shorts that pre-date the Essany and Mutual shorts, right?

If so, I have only seen these as a dollar-store budget deal from a company called Brentwood.

COOL if these are the shorts that Flicker Alley is releasing...the Brentwood collection has questionable source material. Any idea the source used on these? Any chance of Flicker Alley doing these on blu?

Image did the Essany/Mutual shorts and they look pretty good...wish someone would do these on blu as well...

[kndy]

Originally Posted by rkish

These are the shorts that pre-date the Essany and Mutual shorts, right?

If so, I have only seen these as a dollar-store budget deal from a company called Brentwood.

COOL if these are the shorts that Flicker Alley is releasing...the Brentwood collection has questionable source material. Any idea the source used on these? Any chance of Flicker Alley doing these on blu?

Image did the Essany/Mutual shorts and they look pretty good...wish someone would do these on blu as well...

I asked David Shephard and he said:

At this moment in time, DVD sales of our silent film editions are such that Blu-Ray would definitely not be prudent.

We have been mastering in HD for a while, so there is a possibility of titles on Blu-Ray in the future, but at least for the silent films, none are presently planned.

Flicker Alley has some releases coming which are newer films and I believe Jeff Masino does intend to issue one in Blu-Ray to see how it does.

David Shepard

But to tell you the truth...when KINO's "Steamboat Bill Jr." came out on Blu-ray, David saw how people were reacting to the release on Nitrateville and suffice to say, I hope what he saw doesn't push FA away from BD releases:

I haven't seen the Blu-Ray DVD of STEAMBOAT BILL JR. nor do I benefit from it in any way, but I am appalled at the negative tone of so many of the posts about it here on Nitrateville.

To paraphrase one of my favorite lines from "Our Town," these films came into the world to give pleasure. If you don't think they will give you sufficient pleasure to justify the very modest price of a Blu-Ray, buy a SD DVD instead, or another movie, or a book, or a decent Chinese dinner. In my opinion no constuctive purpose is served by the carping tone of so many posts in this thread. No one is compelling anyone to purchase this product, nor is the publisher going to recall it for revision to the standards of a Nitrateville poster.

Once in a while I prepare some wonderful film for DVD and a customer whines because, for example, he or she doesn't think the violinist in the scoring orchestra achieved a sufficiently pure tone. ( Really, I'm not making it up). I have a standard reply to such complaints: I cheerfully and in good faith offer to buy back the product which seems to have given such offense. No one has yet accepted this offer.

Does anybody think mainline DVD publishers of silent movies are getting rich by peddling shoddy to Nitrateville posters?

Our next DVD release (via Flicker Alley) will be the Chaplin Keystone comedies, the best effort of six years work by the BFI, the Cineteca de Bologna, Lobster Films, UCLA and myself with new scores by nine outstanding practitioners of silent film accompaniment. The big surprise is, now that one can actually see what's going on (some of the films are patched together from five sources; most look terrific, a few don't), many of these are excellent and very funny comedies.

However, based upon this thread I'll have to start saving to refund purchase prices to the self-styled judges who give no evidence of having laughed, but who complain that this one is too contrasty or too flat, that one has some jump cuts, another runs too fast, yet another moves too slowly, this one should have had a larger orchestra, that one a different pianist yadda yadda yadda.

Please remember why these films were made and that someone who cared about them found them worth reviving, and please look at them in reasonable expectation of pleasure -- or spend your money elsewhere. At least in my opinion, nothing is accomplished by carping about a finished work which no one is under compulsion to watch.

David Shepard