The Criterion Collection

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by Bn43

I'm wondering why Criterion is so much more expensive than the UK's Masters of Cinema.
...
It was just 49.50 dollars with international shipping. With Criterion, I would have paid almost twice as much. They do the same thing Criterion does. Remaster old movies and package them with booklets featuring essays and production photos.

Criterion controls the price to a greater extent than Eureka can afford to. The titles you've bought are ones released long ago, and they're eager to offload the stock. Eureka is a smaller much operation than Criterion and as someone previously said, they don't normally do in-house restorations but work with ready-made HD masters handed to them by the licensors. On the other hand Criterion has for a much longer period managed to have a very eclectic catalog of prestigious arthouse cinema from all over the world, while Eureka now has drastically reduced its non-English Masters of Cinema content (a lot of the non-English output is now Asian action movies or newer movies).

[tatterdemalion]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

This is my favorite poster from The New World. Much better than the one that depicts Smith as an action hero and the tag line fits exactly what you guys have been saying.

Attachment 237665

Now that poster I would own. It's definitely better than the one used on the first blu-ray edition which, like you wrote, makes Smith look like an action hero.

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by ravenus

On the other hand Criterion has for a much longer period managed to have a very eclectic catalog of prestigious arthouse cinema from all over the world, while Eureka now has drastically reduced its non-English Masters of Cinema content (a lot of the non-English output is now Asian action movies or newer movies).

True and a lot of the Asian arthouse titles have went OOP for Eureka, however they are releasing Kwaidan in late April and are the only ones to release Onibaba on BluRay as we are still waiting for a Region A version from Criterion. Not to mention a lot of the Asian action films are unavailable for Criterion in Region A.

[ravenus]

^Oh yeah. And their presentation of Onibaba is spanking good. It's a mystery why the big C didn't use the same master for a stateside blu while releasing the IMO lower-tier Kuroneko.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Overjoyed with happy tears?

Pocahontas

[Show spoiler]dies.

Her place with her people is destroyed.

Her great love connection to John Smith is broken.

Her tribe loses their home and it’s the beginning of the end for the native Americans.

...you heartless bastard.

Now that you say it, it does bring back some sort of melancholic feelings.

I should retract my original thoughts as I was not in the right mind to answer earlier.

I experience a diverse range of emotions, but with every ending there is a new beginning.

Originally Posted by tatterdemalion

What's funny is I have both reactions to the ending, happy and sad. Happy because

[Show spoiler]the last scenes show Pocahontas running and laughing and enjoying the simple things in life, sort of like the coda from Bergman's Cries and Whispers. Sad because, yes, her peoples world is about to come to an end.

It's one of many reasons why this is my favorite film of Malick's.

Yes, I also claim this as my favorite Malick movie, hands down.

I was really hoping his recent movie A Hidden Life would reach the pinnacle of mastery filmmaking that The New World achieved, but it didn't touch my inner soul as much as I was hoping for.

Originally Posted by ilovenola2

I'll stick with just the Wagner music, thanks.

[FragnitoM]

Originally Posted by BenOswald

I'm pretty hit and miss with Baumbach, and Margot is a big miss for me, BUT, I do love Harris Savides' work and would probably revisit this if it comes to light. If I could choose, would prefer a good release of Birth (2004) or his Gus Van Sant trilogy: Elephant, Last Days, + Gerry

Sexy Beast and Birth need to happen. I know under the skin already has a Blu-ray, but I’d buy a Jonathan Glazer 3 film box set in a heartbeat

I’m not sure many people would be itching to buy Margot at the Wedding as a stand-alone

[Dollar Colonel]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Criterion controls the price to a greater extent than Eureka can afford to. The titles you've bought are ones released long ago, and they're eager to offload the stock. Eureka is a smaller much operation than Criterion and as someone previously said, they don't normally do in-house restorations but work with ready-made HD masters handed to them by the licensors. On the other hand Criterion has for a much longer period managed to have a very eclectic catalog of prestigious arthouse cinema from all over the world, while Eureka now has drastically reduced its non-English Masters of Cinema content (a lot of the non-English output is now Asian action movies or newer movies).

Adding to your comment, Criterion might be more sustainable in the long run but it's also a difference in regions. Criterion has a lot more institutional customers like academic libraries who don't mind paying full price for DVDs, not even blu-ray discs. Criterion can charge what it wants because it has rights to premium niche titles and a steady clientele.

Meanwhile, I suspect Eureka charges closer to what it actually costs to make these discs so it really shows you how much profit there is for Criterion or other boutiques, assuming rights cost the same (but not factoring in different overhead since Criterion has a more polished and staffed presence).

[nitin]

Originally Posted by FragnitoM

Sexy Beast and Birth need to happen. I know under the skin already has a Blu-ray, but I’d buy a Jonathan Glazer 3 film box set in a heartbeat

I’m not sure many people would be itching to buy Margot at the Wedding as a stand-alone

Margot is not by Glazer but Baumbach so the first two would have to be paired with something else if you want a 3 film Glazer set!

[FragnitoM]

Originally Posted by nitin

Margot is not by Glazer but Baumbach so the first two would have to be paired with something else if you want a 3 film Glazer set!

Read the post again. Nobody said Margot was by Glazer

[jshaide]

After a mishap relating to trying to order the Twilight Time SEXY BEAST disc (right before it sold out, blech!), I would love for a Criterion release of it.

[DaBargainHunta]

Even though I don't watch sports, I love a good sports movie - especially baseball! I don't know why, but I do. That made the original 1951 version of Angels in the Outfield an easy viewing choice.

Everyone knows the premise: After a particularly bad game, the foul-tempered team manager, Guffy McGovern (what a name!) - played wonderfully by Paul Douglas - suddenly hears the voice of an angel. As it turns out, a little orphan girl prayed for her favorite baseball team - the Pittsburgh Pirates, in this movie - to reverse their losing streak. While Guffy only hears from the angels, she can actually see them helping the other players.

This reminds me very much of the classic Miracle on 34th Street, but with baseball and angels instead of Santa. I wonder if that was the pitch (no pun intended) made to studio executives. Unlike a lot of movies on The Criterion Channel, there's nothing heavy about this one at all - it's just plain fun and joyous.

DaBargainHunta's Decree: I have no idea how this 1951 film compares to the 1990s remake or the remake's (probably unnecessary) sequel, but I suspect it's is the far superior of the three. I'll certainly take Janet Leigh over the overrated Danny Glover any day of the week!

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

This is my favorite poster from The New World. Much better than the one that depicts Smith as an action hero and the tag line fits exactly what you guys have been saying.

Attachment 237665

I fully acknowledge that my brain is weird, but every time I see that poster I'm reminded of the one for LOTR: The Two Towers.

[BluProofie]

Does Criterion tend to ship pre-orders early? I ordered Army of Shadows along with Night and the City with the $10 coupon.

[Bronson13]

Still waiting for that Lolita announcement....

[theater dreamer]

Originally Posted by Bn43

I'm wondering why Criterion is so much more expensive than the UK's Masters of Cinema. I recently imported four titles that aren't available on Blu in America.

Diary of a Lost Girl (Just watched. Great 2K scan.)
The Blue Angel
Pickup on Main Street
Faust

It was just 49.50 dollars with international shipping. With Criterion, I would have paid almost twice as much. They do the same thing Criterion does. Remaster old movies and package them with booklets featuring essays and production photos.

Ok, I’m not sure where you’re looking, but both Murnau’s Faust and von Sternberg’s The Blue Angel are available on blu-ray domestically.

9E5482D8-BE52-48C5-B7C0-5DBA9998CB65.jpg

Where did you get four MoC movies imported for less than $50? I’ve never seen them that cheap. Not from Amazon UK, EBay, or even directly from their site. I got Paper Moon directly from them, the lowest I’ve ever seen a single disc on their site, with free shipping. Ended up costing me $17-18.

These were new? Or used?

[CRASHLANDING]

Originally Posted by Bn43

I'm wondering why Criterion is so much more expensive than the UK's Masters of Cinema. I recently imported four titles that aren't available on Blu in America.

Diary of a Lost Girl (Just watched. Great 2K scan.)
The Blue Angel
Pickup on Main Street
Faust

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Ok, I’m not sure where you’re looking, but both Murnau’s Faust and von Sternberg’s The Blue Angel are available on blu-ray domestically.

But anyone wanting to own them need look no further than Kino Lorber.

Diary of a Lost Girl is also available from Kino:


There are definitely some great offerings from MOC, but there are US options for most of the titles the original poster listed.

[theater dreamer]

Originally Posted by CRASHLANDING

Diary of a Lost Girl is also available from Kino:

You’re right. I imported that one. DVD Beaver’s review stated the MoC was the superior release. And honestly, I love having the option. Beginning to explore region free is the best thing I’ve ever done as a cinephile. It’s opened up worlds for me. The Vincent Price fan in me loves the Arrow UK releases of his horror film gems. I’ve also picked up their second and third Woody Allen blu-ray box sets. I just need to get the 1971-1978 set, and I’m golden. I import from the UK, South Korea, Canada, and might be jumping on the Australian release of the original War of the Worlds if an announcement isn’t made about it being released here, too.

Back to the discussion at hand. I think Kino has been doing some real strong work lately. I feel they’ve upped their game, and are releasing some fantastic titles. If the rumor of Hell’s Angels comes to fruition, I’ll jump through the ceiling with glee.

A good number of these films I’ll double dip on, eventually, including the aforementioned Murnau and von Sternberg films. The MoC being the primary release for my home play, the Kino for being a loaner to friends, should they want to venture into that era. I justify the additional expense because of the extras involved. For a silent film classic like this one, I want every bonus I can get.

I already had MoC’s gorgeous The Passion of Joan of Arc. I don’t mind saying I feel safer having the enclosed book in my house. Should I ever need to bludgeon an intruder, that thing is quite substantial. But again, that’s the kind of classic that needs to be supported, and I was more than happy to buy the Criterion. Buying two copies gives me flexibility, all the bonuses, and encourages both Eureka and Criterion just a tiny bit more to release other films from the period. I’m happy to do my part to help keep physical media alive.

3FFB0E12-C50C-417A-8539-106197720314.jpg

[Xtempo]

I am suppose to get my order today but now everything is locked down. Damn this is annoying. I hope I still get it.
EDIT came while I typed that.

[DaBargainHunta]

I've wanted to watch Paul Schrader's Patty Hearst ever since I was young. I've always been fascinated by the case, but I didn't really know much about it - other than the broad strokes - until I watched this movie. Both the situation and the film were very different from what I was expecting.

The movie starts with a bang - with a house break-in, gunfire, and Hearst's capture. From there, Schrader smartly uses very weird, tightly, off-kilter camera angles to capture the claustrophobia and tension of being kidnapped. Eventually, of course, Hearst comes around to her kidnappers' way of thinking (I really don't think that's a spoiler).

The late Natasha Richardson carries the movie with an incredible performance as Hearst, but Bill Forsythe and Ving Rhames are strong standouts as well.

DaBargainHunta's Decree: Ultimately, there are no easy answers about Hearst's thought process or motivations. How could there be?

[Jaymole]

Originally Posted by DaBargainHunta

The late Miranda Richardson carries the movie with an incredible performance as Hearst, but Bill Forsythe and Ving Rhames are strong standouts as well.

Miranda is still alive, you are thinking of Natasha Richardson.