Dressed to Kill (1980)

[silverlakephil]

Originally Posted by SuperFlyHighGuy

I don't know how long you've been following, watching, or collecting Criterion titles, but for some of us it goes back to the laserdisc days. So it's not very likely that their reputation is going to be tarnished much for most of us. The level of over-reaction here is simply immature. It's $25 or less - that barely even buys a few days food or a half-tank of gas for your vehicle. Big deal!

I am one of those old LD Criterion fans back in the day. Believe me, they were quite expensive to purchase and I mostly rented them. Thank goodness that I used to live near a rental store dedicated just to Laserdiscs. You guys don't realize how lucky you guys are with the price of Blu rays today.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

Replacement program is the only thing anyone should expect here. The packages are all printed and shipped already, sitting in Amazon warehouses across the nation. To have all those sent back, opened and replaced, delaying the release, would cost them such a massive amount of money there is no way any company in their right mind would opt for that over a replacement program.

The whole "people won't know" thing is ludicrous. Criterion is a film enthusiast label and people buying them day one for $25 know to look at reviews and such. They at least know to google when they see a stretched image, and if the image doesn't bother them then who cares anyway.

It IS annoying I have to get this in the mail and then wait on a replacement before I watch it. It IS annoying to have to forward my Amazon email and wait. It IS damaging to Criterion's rep along with several other issues lately. However there's no point being so angry over the method of them making it right. At least they are making it right.

I dunno man, I think you're overestimating how tech savvy the wider Criterion/art house audience actually is. I don't mean that to sound all condescending like, what I mean is that the films are the thing, it's their catalogue that gets true cineastes going weak at the knees but a knowledge of films doesn't automatically equate to a knowledge of such geek-level tech stuff that gets spouted on forums like this. Heck, in some ways they're counting on all those lovely 'director approved' labels to take care of all that geek-level stuff so they don't have to think about it. Just recently I was lectured by Steve W (Pecker) about how none of his vast circle of movie-loving friends give a shit about all the minutiae that gets dissected on the internets, they just put the disc in and press play.

[edit] It appears that Criterion are indeed pulling this title, but I'd put that down to a few vocal internet types (is there any other kind? ) and not the Criterion-buying populace at large, who would've lapped it up regardless.

[GxyExpress999]

Honestly I'd rather them spend time/money on QA (for future projects) than recall / postponement of this title.

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by Christian Muth

I imagine most people buying Criterion titles on release date are people who "come to sites like this".

Seriously, Criterion is offering a fix, and people are still pissed? You don't even have to mail your "bad" disc in, just e-mail them proof of purchase. I'm actually looking forward to ripping the "bad" disc when I get it and unsqueezing the film after the 21-minute mark. I'll make my own personal "multi-aspect ratio" version of DRESSED TO KILL with most of the movie in 2.66:1

Chris

Well, "most" isn't all, some some people out there will have an incorrect disc and not know there is a fix.

Ans yes, Criterion shouldn't even release the incorrect version. It's their fault their own QC dropped the ball, but are content with letting tons of bad discs go out there in the hopes that only SOME people will want replacements. So that saves them money. But better QC in the first place would've saved them even more.

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

Replacement program is the only thing anyone should expect here. The packages are all printed and shipped already, sitting in Amazon warehouses across the nation. To have all those sent back, opened and replaced, delaying the release, would cost them such a massive amount of money there is no way any company in their right mind would opt for that over a replacement program.

Yep, and if Criterion had actually LOOKED at their product at any stage before doing all that printing and authoring, those bad discs wouldn't be sitting in warehouses. So again, it's all on them, and they shouldn't let incorrect discs even hit the streets outside of review copies, especially since they know BEFORE the release date.

[thompsonjohn]

Just noticed Amazon pulled the pre-order. So, I guess the question now is are they pulling everything and then giving this a new release date with the corrected disc? That's what I would guess since the pre-order option isn't available, but they never did that with "Eraserhead" did they? That part makes me think they aren't doing option one and we all just have to buy the bad disc and we all have to send for the replacement program.

I really have no clue though.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by thompsonjohn

Just noticed Amazon pulled the pre-order. So, I guess the question now is are they pulling everything and then giving this a new release date with the corrected disc? That's what I would guess since the pre-order option isn't available, but they never did that with "Eraserhead" did they? That part makes me think they aren't doing option one and we all just have to buy the bad disc and we all have to send for the replacement program.

I really have no clue though.

It's possible that Amazon pulled it and put it under review if they received too many complaints from customers too.

[AllOuttaBubbleGum]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

Because Criterion has rushed into replacement discs in the past and not made sure to actually fix the problem

Rather, it's allowing that a host of things could crop up given the chosen means of applying a fix to the existing master and not wanting to risk being unhappy with the replacement Criterion settles on.

I don't expect further issues; I'd lean toward betting against them. But since I have the luxury of reviewers giving the replacement a look first, why not indulge?

[darkness2918]

Originally Posted by thompsonjohn

Just noticed Amazon pulled the pre-order. So, I guess the question now is are they pulling everything and then giving this a new release date with the corrected disc? That's what I would guess since the pre-order option isn't available, but they never did that with "Eraserhead" did they? That part makes me think they aren't doing option one and we all just have to buy the bad disc and we all have to send for the replacement program.

I really have no clue though.

My pre order was also cancelled by Amazon. Has this happened to anyone else?

[Namuhana]

Originally Posted by darkness2918

My pre order was also cancelled by Amazon. Has this happened to anyone else?

It looks like my pre-order is still up; perhaps it's because I also have Day for Night in the same order.

[darkness2918]

Originally Posted by Namuhana

It looks like my pre-order is still up; perhaps it's because I also have Day for Night in the same order.

Could be. I only had Dressed to Kill alone in the pre order.

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

It's possible that Amazon pulled it and put it under review if they received too many complaints from customers too.

The "customers" don't even have the disc in hand . Anyways, Pro-B had it right from the get go...unlike other reviewers and experts .

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by Blu Titan

The "customers" don't even have the disc in hand .

That wouldn't stop preorder customers from complaining.

Maybe Criterion will pull the disc, only time will tell.

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

That wouldn't stop preorder customers from complaining.

Maybe Criterion will pull the disc, only time will tell.

Yeah, I know . I do not think that is the case. I think it has been pulled.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by Blu Titan

Yeah, I know . I do not think that is the case. I think it has been pulled.

You're probably right. Then again Amazon does some strange things too as similar things have been happening lately to other studio listings where they just become unavailable.

[GxyExpress999]

Best Buy also is no longer taking pre-orders.

"This item is no longer available."

[dsman71]

Neither is Amazon. I just noticed pre-orders are out the window. Maybe its being recalled ? Whatever the case is, Wait and see is the option for me

[thompsonjohn]

Was really looking forward to this one, sold off the old MGM disc since this was announced. Hopefully we have a corrected copy on the market for purchase in a reasonable amount of time.

[schlock]

Oh noooo! Now all the super-collectors will come out and complain that they can no longer get a copy of the squished release!

[javi92]

I know this is crazy, but there is always the Criterion store from which to order.

[dsman71]

Originally Posted by schlock

Oh noooo! Now all the super-collectors will come out and complain that they can no longer get a copy of the squished release!

I was going to order it for the replacement program , but I think my fate is to just wait until the new pressings are available in the stores..

Basically my plan is going to be the same as those that didnt pre-order Madhouse from Kino are handling it