The Criterion Collection

[Taylor3978]

Originally Posted by NeoNical

Wonder if we can expect a Powell/Pressburger 4K set in the near future (2024)?

I imagine what would make the most sense would be a B&W boxset and a color boxset.

B&W:
Edge of the World
49th Parallel
A Canterbury Tale
I Know Where I'm Going
The Small Back Room

AFAIK only the first of these has (had?) a BR, from BFI.

Color:
Red Shoes
Black Narcissus
Colonel Blimp
A Matter of Life and Death
The Thief of Baghdad

They seem for now to be focused on the color films, I guess a large part of Scorsese's focus has been saving color films from fading, but 4K can be just as transformative for B&W films. Given everything else is available on Blu Ray (except Thief of Baghdad!), I'd prefer the B&W films first.

[fatboyslim142]

Originally Posted by Taylor3978

I imagine what would make the most sense would be a B&W boxset and a color boxset.

B&W:
Edge of the World
49th Parallel
A Canterbury Tale
I Know Where I'm Going
The Small Back Room

AFAIK only the first of these has (had?) a BR, from BFI.

Color:
Red Shoes
Black Narcissus
Colonel Blimp
A Matter of Life and Death
The Thief of Baghdad

They seem for now to be focused on the color films, I guess a large part of Scorsese's focus has been saving color films from fading, but 4K can be just as transformative for B&W films. Given everything else is available on Blu Ray (except Thief of Baghdad!), I'd prefer the B&W films first.

Pressburger has got NOTHING to do with The Edge of the World so that one can be left out.

[Taylor3978]

Originally Posted by fatboyslim142

Pressburger has got NOTHING to do with The Edge of the World

....or with Thief of Baghdad, but they're both great Michael Powell films from early in his career.

[Member-682067]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I never understood why anyone would get FOMO, or any sort of impulse to buy as many Criterion titles as possible during a sale. The B&N sales have been happening twice a year for well over a decade, and Criterion titles aren't limited, so why would there be any panic buying? When you factor in Criterion's own 50% off sales, that's four different opportunities to get them half-off in a year. Calling it a "ploy" is like calling any sale in existence a "ploy". You mean the goal is to increase the volume of sales with a discounted price? You don't say

The bottom line is, these sales aren't going anywhere, no one has a gun to anyone's head forcing you to spend more, or buy titles you don't want to own. Saying you're not saving money because you're buying more during a sale than you would if they didn't exist makes no sense. If you wanted the titles then you're more or less getting the lowest price possible for them. If you didn't actually want the titles, then why are you buying them?

You’d be surprised. some ppl will buy some that’s not exactly their cup of tea, but since the price is cheaper than usual they’ll experiment and see if it surprises them. Or the movie is the type that they like, but they haven’t seen it yet, and will buy it and give it a try.

The sales probably do capitalize on the impulse buyers or hoarders. There’s more to CC’s sales demographic than conservative ppl who just buy the ones they know they will like.

[Warm Gun]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I never understood why anyone would get FOMO, or any sort of impulse to buy as many Criterion titles as possible during a sale. The B&N sales have been happening twice a year for well over a decade, and Criterion titles aren't limited, so why would there be any panic buying? When you factor in Criterion's own 50% off sales, that's four different opportunities to get them half-off in a year. Calling it a "ploy" is like calling any sale in existence a "ploy". You mean the goal is to increase the volume of sales with a discounted price? You don't say

The bottom line is, these sales aren't going anywhere, no one has a gun to anyone's head forcing you to spend more, or buy titles you don't want to own. Saying you're not saving money because you're buying more during a sale than you would if they didn't exist makes no sense. If you wanted the titles then you're more or less getting the lowest price possible for them. If you didn't actually want the titles, then why are you buying them?

That you talk about how many opportunities there are kind of supports my point. 40 or 50 dollars for a movie (with exceptions of barebones releases like Blue Is the Warmest Color) IS absurd. Outside of the Criterion fanbase, almost anyone would think so. Sell them for what they actually cost the company plus enough for reasonable profit rather than fixing them across the board and keeping them expensive long after some of the costs to get the discs released (restoration, licensing, quality control, artwork, authoring, special features, essays) have been paid off. Most non-essential products fall in price over time, including movies and TV shows.

I don't follow the sales that closely to usually catch criterion.com's brief window. I think in total I have only ordered there once, after learning about it here. For me there are mostly only two times a year. It's not fear of missing out, but more having a desire for a movie and knowing that if I don't get it I will have to wait another several months. Almost all the Criterions I have satisfied. But if I didn't get them I would just watch something else and probably enjoy that too.

[regeyer]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Sales don't tempt me nearly as much as in the past. If there's a movie I want to own and watch very soon then I buy it, sale or not (e.g. Double Indemnity UHD was a day 1).

And I, for one, thank you, and everyone like you, for doing that. It's people like you, paying full price, that allows Criterion to offer the sales to the rest of us.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Warm Gun

That you talk about how many opportunities there are kind of supports my point. 40 or 50 dollars for a movie (with exceptions of barebones releases like Blue Is the Warmest Color) IS absurd. Outside of the Criterion fanbase, almost anyone would think so. Sell them for what they actually cost the company plus enough for reasonable profit rather than fixing them across the board and keeping them expensive long after some of the costs to get the discs released (restoration, licensing, quality control, artwork, authoring, special features, essays) have been paid off. Most non-essential products fall in price over time, including movies and TV shows.

I don't follow the sales that closely to usually catch criterion.com's brief window. I think in total I have only ordered there once, after learning about it here. For me there are mostly only two times a year. It's not fear of missing out, but more having a desire for a movie and knowing that if I don't get it I will have to wait another several months. Almost all the Criterions I have satisfied. But if I didn't get them I would just watch something else and probably enjoy that too.

Why are you bringing up MSRP prices like people are paying that? How many people on here do you seriously think are buying their Criterions at $40 and $50? Every retailer, and even Criterion themselves sells them at lowered prices. The upcoming release of La Bamba for instance is $27.99 on Amazon. That's 30% off MSRP on day one. Expecting it to be even lower than that outside of a 50% off sale is ridiculous.

I don't think people realize just how much costs goes into making a release like this. From licensing the film, doing restorations, producing the extras, authoring, and manufacturing the discs, doing legal clearances, commissioning artwork, essays, general operating costs, and on an on. And it's even more money if they're doing a 4K release as well. Ultimately, Criterion are likely not seeing any large profits on these releases.

[Warm Gun]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Why are you bringing up MSRP prices like people are paying that? How many people on here do you seriously think are buying their Criterions at $40 and $50? Every retailer, and even Criterion themselves sells them at lowered prices. The upcoming release of La Bamba for instance is $27.99 on Amazon. That's 30% off MSRP on day one. Expecting it to be even lower than that outside of a 50% off sale is ridiculous.

I don't think people realize just how much costs goes into making a release like this. From licensing the film, doing restorations, producing the extras, authoring, and manufacturing the discs, doing legal clearances, commissioning artwork, essays, and on an on. Ultimately, Criterion are likely not seeing any large profits on these releases, especially the more niche ones where they don't expect to sell many.

Why are you acting as if Criterions are not MSRP and higher than most others ten months out of the year? Most of those costs are eventually paid off with units sold.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Warm Gun

Why are you acting as if Criterions are not MSRP and higher than most others ten months out of the year? Most of those costs are eventually paid off with units sold.

I literally just pointed out that they are not

[Warm Gun]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I literally just pointed out that they are not

How long does criterion.com's own sale last? Isn't it a flash sale? One month now and then one month later in the year, plus the flash sales, that's ten months.

[regeyer]

Originally Posted by Warm Gun

Why are you acting as if Criterions are not MSRP and higher than most others ten months out of the year? Most of those costs are eventually paid off with units sold.

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I literally just pointed out that they are not

They never sell at MSRP. Criterion always sells them for less. It's just that the 50% off sale is based on the MSRP.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Warm Gun

How long does criterion.com's own sale last? Isn't it a flash sale? One month now and then one month later in the year, that's ten months.

Again, please read what I wrote above. They are not sold at MSRP. Pick any upcoming Criterion that's not on sale right now, and more than likely it's 30% off its MSRP at Amazon and other retailers.

These are the 50% off sales:

Criterion.com Feb (or occasionally March) 24 hour sale
B&N July
Criterion.com October 24 hour sale
B&N November

If you want to eliminate the direct sales, and say it's 10 months, that's fine. So 10 months of the year Criterions are 30% off MSRP, and 2 months of the year they're 50% off MSRP. So, not a single day in any given year is any person obligated to buy a Criterion at the $40 or $50 price you keep repeating.

[dkelly26666]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Some potentially good news coming by way of international releases.

First, Le Samourai will be getting an international 4K release from Pathé in November. Criterion worked on the restoration with Pathé, so we can expect a 4K release from them as well.

Next, Peeping Tom (1960) will be coming to 4K from Studio Canal, also tentatively in November. Very strong chance of this one getting a 4K release from Criterion as well.

Sorry if this has been discussed before, but have you heard any rumblings about Mike Nichols' "Carnal Knowledge", lately? I know it was restored and re-released theatrically a while back.

[Warm Gun]

Okay, that's 28 or 35 dollars ten months out of the year. It's high. Higher than most labels, including several boutiques. Kino Lorber has MSRPs of only $30 dollars with half off on all my still printing releases. How often are the prices that low? My Arrow movies that are still in print have about the same MSRPs as Criterion, but unless I picked the right time to check them they are not limited to two months out of the year. I remember that my Arrow Academy Blu-rays were cheaper than Criterion's at 50% off. My Eureka! collection was much cheaper. Criterion is the only one in my collection that's priced so high so consistently.

[Member-682067]

Originally Posted by Warm Gun

Okay, that's 28 or 35 dollars ten months out of the year. It's high. Higher than most labels, including several boutiques. Kino Lorber has MSRPs of only $30 dollars with half off on all my still printing releases. How often are the prices that low? My Arrow movies that are still in print have about the same MSRPs as Criterion, but unless I picked the right time to check them they are not limited to two months out of the year. I remember that my Arrow Academy Blu-rays were cheaper than Criterion's at 50% off. My Eureka! collection was much cheaper. Criterion is the only one in my collection that's priced so high so consistently.

On Amazon, they are always priced $20-28. 4ks usually start at $34. However, my preorder of One False Move 4k went down to $25 because of some sale going on.

That’s about half off MSRP. Free shipping if you have Prime.

[NeoNical]

It seems like Insomnia was down at $12.49 for a brief moment on Amazon (Said 1 hr ago on this site). A well made thriller but it's pretty tough to pick whether or not this one or Nolan's remake is better. Both versions are terrific in their own right. It's now going for $30 now so I don't know what happened.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by NeoNical

It seems like Insomnia was down at $12.49 for a brief moment on Amazon (Said 1 hr ago on this site). A well made thriller but it's pretty tough to pick whether or not this one or Nolan's remake is better. Both versions are terrific in their own right. It's now going for $30 now so I don't know what happened.

Very likely the same thing that happened to Fantastic Mr Fox. They messed up, and were price matching B&N's DVD pricing.

[Splatterhouse 5]

Originally Posted by Warm Gun

Okay, that's 28 or 35 dollars ten months out of the year. It's high. Higher than most labels, including several boutiques. Kino Lorber has MSRPs of only $30 dollars with half off on all my still printing releases. How often are the prices that low? My Arrow movies that are still in print have about the same MSRPs as Criterion, but unless I picked the right time to check them they are not limited to two months out of the year. I remember that my Arrow Academy Blu-rays were cheaper than Criterion's at 50% off. My Eureka! collection was much cheaper. Criterion is the only one in my collection that's priced so high so consistently.

Personally, I always try to simplify things. I love having a library of movies (that doesn’t ultimately matter to anyone but me). 4K appears to be the last probable popularly manufactured physical format for movies, but blu works well enough for me too. When I’m making these kind of purchases, I’m usually looking at it from the perspective that this is the last time I’ll ever pay for a physical copy of this movie. Of course, that can change with varying versions of “faves”, but I also don’t suspect that I’ll ever need a “better” copy of Inland Empire. It cost about $28 when I pre-ordered it, and believe it’s probably the last time I’ll ever spend money on a movie that I enjoy (but wouldn’t consider a fave).

I dig “La Bamba” a lot, but not enough to drop $200+ for the TT version. However, sign me up for the $28 Criterion release! I suspect it’ll be the last time I spend money on that movie. It’s not in my Top 100, but I love it at $28 whereas I hated it at $300. If they release it on 4K in the future, well, I’ll make a decision then if I absolutely NEED this movie at a higher grade. I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it, but I don’t love the movie enough to suspect that I’ll want to.

If I REALLY want a hard copy, and I want it now, whether it’s on sale doesn’t make a difference to me. Personally, the flicks that I buy on sale are regularly blind buys, or movies that I like, but don’t particularly prioritize. TBH, the BnN Criterion half-off sales don’t rock my world. In my mind, I’m thinking “this is what I usually spend on Criterion releases at any time of the year”. Like, buying Inland Empire at $28 when it released rather than getting it now for $20 isn’t a game-changer for me - I enjoyed the movie enough at $28. That isn’t always the case, but it’s the last time that I feel that I’ll ever have to spend money on a movie that I do enjoy.

[TheBluRayBandito]

Recent CC watch: House

The crazy shit the Japanese come up with hasn't really surprised me in years. This had weird moments I expected to see (decapitated head biting ass). The pacing felt like it dragged at times. I didn't hate it nor like it, didn't find it really funny nor dull. Maybe a rewatch in the future will change my view on it.

Big Man Japan might be my favorite weirdo movie when it comes to Asian cinema.

[Splatterhouse 5]

Originally Posted by TheBluRayBandito

Recent CC watch: House

The crazy shit the Japanese come up with hasn't really surprised me in years. This had weird moments I expected to see (decapitated head biting ass). The pacing felt like it dragged at times. I didn't hate it nor like it, didn't find it really funny nor dull. Maybe a rewatch in the future will change my view on it.

Big Man Japan might be my favorite weirdo movie when it comes to Asian cinema.

Hehe…I’ve had a curiosity for that movie, but haven’t heard enough compelling commentary for me to ever pull the trigger on that one. This is a start!