The Criterion Collection

[NeoNical]

Originally Posted by jjlikesonions

I know people forget this or might debate it, but Criterion release are meant to be considered special editions. it says so right there on the blu-ray sticker

[Show spoiler]

Who else would release an experimental foreign films from the 60's? Let alone pack it with written essays, new cover art, special features that sometimes include shorts, docs, or even newly commissions extras. Most other companies doing the same type of release would charge similar prices for a Special Edition. Plenty of them do. I think people start to forget that they are Special Editions, especially when they start buying so many of them. In my opinion, they are not meant to be collected like Pokemon in a Pokedex, trying to collect every single spine number. The spine numbers are a nice way to organize and keep track of releases, but it shouldn't make you feel like "ugh, I only have 43 of 1051 spines. I have a long way to go!". Instead, you should limit buying Special Editions of films to ones that are special to you. Especially now with the Channel. Explore and discover new films on the Channel. If it's special enough to you, then you may want to buy the Special Edition. You can still enjoy a film without having to buy a physical copy though.

Good point, still I think they're pretty expensive in comparison to other films. There are also other Blu-rays that call themselves, "Special Edition" that are cheaper than Criterion and they may have more supplements than Criterion. But I think most of the time, Criterion does deserve the $20 price tag it has.

[SmittysGelato]

Still gonna pick up The Lady Eve in July, tho. Gotta nurse that Barbara Stanwyk crush of mine.

[regeyer]

Originally Posted by NeoNical

Good point, still I think they're pretty expensive in comparison to other films. There are also other Blu-rays that call themselves, "Special Edition" that are cheaper than Criterion and they may have more supplements than Criterion. But I think most of the time, Criterion does deserve the $20 price tag it has.

It's simple supply and demand. They've settled on a sale price of $20. If they could get more they would. If they could make the same profit selling for less they'd do that as well. Supply and demand.

[bettedavisstan]

Originally Posted by anthonyls

Guys (and gals)... I don't understand you. I already told everyone a few days a ago that I spoke to my local B&N guy (who is usually very reliable) who told me the Summer Criterion sale at B&N is NOT happening this year. Give it up already. B&N doesn't not have the appropriate Criterion stock in their stores nor warehouses... nor enough staff needed to ship the demand that will be requested.

So maybe Amazon (which I highly doubt) or Bestbuy might step up and do a Criterion sale... but I highly doubt that too cause they are probably in the same predicament.

Remember, thay all fired most of their staff months ago. That's why everyone is on unemployment now. Do you guys not read the news?

I’m not sure why you are expecting everyone to trust your random source who works there. When I contacted barns (their Facebook page via messenger) they informed me they “haven’t got confirmation on the criterion sale just yet” if it was a no they would’ve simply said “no, not this year”. Very odd that you’re also feeling so confident about this employee LOL

[anthonyls]

That's fine... you'll see. LOL
In the meantime... keep wasting your time dreaming about a sale that ain't gonna happen.

[joy-division]

Originally Posted by jjlikesonions

Instead, you should limit buying Special Editions of films to ones that are special to you. Especially now with the Channel. Explore and discover new films on the Channel. If it's special enough to you, then you may want to buy the Special Edition. You can still enjoy a film without having to buy a physical copy though.

IF you have access to the channel

[joy-division]

Originally Posted by anthonyls

That's fine... you'll see. LOL
In the meantime... keep wasting your time dreaming about a sale that ain't gonna happen.

Wow...

[Kaiju no Kami]

So I have to ask, since Criterion seems to refuse to do 4kUHD releases, do you think they are becoming obsolete? Don't get me wrong, they still do phenomenal releases, but what's the point of remastering movies in 4K if they aren't going to properly release them with 4K discs? And why would anyone want to buy a Criterion release that is only 1080P if there is a 4K version available? Take Parasite for example. My wife wanted to Criterion release, but now that we have a 4KTV, she's wonder if she should still get the Criterion release or just get the 4K disc that is out.

[Kaiju no Kami]

Originally Posted by anthonyls

Guys (and gals)... I don't understand you. I already told everyone a few days a ago that I spoke to my local B&N guy (who is usually very reliable) who told me the Summer Criterion sale at B&N is NOT happening this year. Give it up already. B&N doesn't not have the appropriate Criterion stock in their stores nor warehouses... nor enough staff needed to ship the demand that will be requested.

So maybe Amazon (which I highly doubt) or Bestbuy might step up and do a Criterion sale... but I highly doubt that too cause they are probably in the same predicament.

Remember, thay all fired most of their staff months ago. That's why everyone is on unemployment now. Do you guys not read the news?

If that's the case, then I'll just wait until the Nov sale.

[dbhl3000]

Originally Posted by Kaiju no Kami

If that's the case, then I'll just wait until the Nov sale.

Actual corona or the illusion of corona will be back by November. I doubt B&N will be having a Criterion sale then either.

[HillSprinter]

Originally Posted by Kaiju no Kami

So I have to ask, since Criterion seems to refuse to do 4kUHD releases, do you think they are becoming obsolete? Don't get me wrong, they still do phenomenal releases, but what's the point of remastering movies in 4K if they aren't going to properly release them with 4K discs? And why would anyone want to buy a Criterion release that is only 1080P if there is a 4K version available? Take Parasite for example. My wife wanted to Criterion release, but now that we have a 4KTV, she's wonder if she should still get the Criterion release or just get the 4K disc that is out.

Will the ultimate resolution and level of fine detail really affect your enjoyment of the film?

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by Kaiju no Kami

So I have to ask, since Criterion seems to refuse to do 4kUHD releases, do you think they are becoming obsolete?

They haven't issued any "never" statements. The fact that they are doing 4K restorations means that (apart from archival purposes) they are keeping it as a future option. Like Lee Kline said in his interview on the Deakins podcast, it's a thing they are constantly evaluating. Right now they don't see a sufficiently big market for it in terms of pure numbers.

but what's the point of remastering movies in 4K if they aren't going to properly release them with 4K discs? And why would anyone want to buy a Criterion release that is only 1080P if there is a 4K version available?

The substantial number of people who haven't upgraded to a 4K viewing system would dispute that. The proportion of 4K UHD capable people would be a small fraction of blu-ray capable systems. While the resolution difference between DVD and Blu-ray was sufficient to convince a lot of folks with even medium size displays, the lack of penetration of 4k monitors that will elucidate the benefits of HDR grading means that a lot of people are going to think that 4K is worth it only if you have a large screen of 65" and above. Even there the difference may be more subtle than a lot of people care for. I must admit, when I see the newer movies at the cinema (on 4K DCP) and then watch them again on blu-ray, I don't notice such a significant difference in visual quality that makes me think I'm missing out with the BD and need a higher fidelity format. It would be a nice luxury to afford, but it's not a priority. And considering the relative recession of recent years (compounded now by the pandemic), not everyone is eager to put money into new systems, especially when their existing equipment works perfectly well.

As a customer YOU have the choice. You can buy the 1080p Criterion release or you can buy the UHD release from elsewhere. If they see a significant sales drop for specific titles because people are buying elsewhere, they'll know it's time to make the shift.

[Vilya]

I see no particular reason why B&N online would not have their customary Criterion sale next month. Their website currently has five different sales going on for discs right now.

Even if B&N doesn't hold the sale as we have come to expect, Criterion itself holds flash sales at different times throughout the year. The opportunity to buy Criterion titles at a discount will appear again.

[Rich Pure Doom]

Is that WKW set a certainty? Am I safe in unloading my copy of In The Mood For Love?

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

Is that WKW set a certainty? Am I safe in unloading my copy of In The Mood For Love?

It is a certainty, although exactly when may be up in the air now. Likely sometime next year, unless we're in a post-apocalyptic world by then.

[jjlikesonions]

Originally Posted by ravenus

It is a certainty, although exactly when may be up in the air now. Likely sometime next year, unless we're in a post-apocalyptic world by then.

Basically this. But also, since it will be a new scan and WKW is know to be revisionist/knob happy, there's a chance the colors could be slightly different. I hope not, though.

Does anyone know any examples of Criterion blu-rays that had a 2k scan release and then later a 4k scan release? Off the top of my head I can only think of The Virgin Spring and The Seventh Seal, but both of those are black and white.

[nitin]

Originally Posted by jjlikesonions

Basically this. But also, since it will be a new scan and WKW is know to be revisionist/knob happy, there's a chance the colors could be slightly different. I hope not, though.

Does anyone know any examples of Criterion blu-rays that had a 2k scan release and then later a 4k scan release? Off the top of my head I can only think of The Virgin Spring and The Seventh Seal, but both of those are black and white.

Playtime and The Monterey Pop Festival are others but boxset exclusives like the Bergmans. Although I dont think The Virgin Spring is a new disc in the set but Summer with Monika.

[Reddington]

Originally Posted by bettedavisstan

I’m not sure why you are expecting everyone to trust your random source who works there. When I contacted barns (their Facebook page via messenger) they informed me they “haven’t got confirmation on the criterion sale just yet” if it was a no they would’ve simply said “no, not this year”. Very odd that you’re also feeling so confident about this employee LOL

As a brand new member you may have missed my posts a few pages back in which three separate B&N locations informed me (in person) that they have no indication that the sale is taking place this July - and, crucially, that stores always have considerable advance notice of all promotions. However, as they readily admitted, this may change - as you were effectively told when you contacted "barns" yourself.

Odds seem to be that it is not taking place.

As for this being your first-ever post on the site/this thread - quite a way to introduce yourself...

[regeyer]

Originally Posted by ravenus

And considering the relative recession of recent months (compounded now by the pandemic), not everyone is eager to put money into new systems, especially when their existing equipment works perfectly well.

Fixed that for you.

[Bn43]

Originally Posted by jjlikesonions

I know people forget this or might debate it, but Criterion release are meant to be considered special editions. it says so right there on the blu-ray sticker

[Show spoiler]

Who else would release an experimental foreign films from the 60's? Let alone pack it with written essays, new cover art, special features that sometimes include shorts, docs, or even newly commissions extras. Most other companies doing the same type of release would charge similar prices for a Special Edition. Plenty of them do. I think people start to forget that they are Special Editions, especially when they start buying so many of them. In my opinion, they are not meant to be collected like Pokemon in a Pokedex, trying to collect every single spine number. The spine numbers are a nice way to organize and keep track of releases, but it shouldn't make you feel like "ugh, I only have 43 of 1051 spines. I have a long way to go!". Instead, you should limit buying Special Editions of films to ones that are special to you. Especially now with the Channel. Explore and discover new films on the Channel. If it's special enough to you, then you may want to buy the Special Edition. You can still enjoy a film without having to buy a physical copy though.

Then sell me an alternate version without the essays and supplements I'll never read, watch or listen to. Of course they won't do that, and if they did those versions would probably be almost as expensive.