The Criterion Collection

[Watershipdownisgood]

Originally Posted by Shane Rollins

I don’t either shame on me been wanting to pick up Ghost Dog Way of the Samurai though it has been on my want to buy list for a long time I’ve heard great things about it yet haven’t pulled the trigger yet. Honestly, Jarmusch seems like the kind of director I would enjoy considering I own one of Alex Cox’s films on Blu-Ray that being Walker which I thought was a freaking masterpiece. I still need to pick up Repo Man though been putting off buying that title for years same with The Long Good Friday too, which got a UK 4K, and a Criterion 4K as well.

Other titles from Criterion that they released on Blu-Ray these past few years, or even before that time that I still want to buy
Menace II Society 4K plus Blu-Ray
Malcolm X
To Sleep With Anger
Fail Safe
Mississippi Masala
Flight of the Phoenix
Seven Samurai eh heh heh surprised I haven’t got this yet
The Grifters probably going to pull the trigger on this soon
The Wages of Fear
The Man Who Knew Too Much original film
Notorious
One False Move
The Others
Devil in a Blue Dress
Arsenic and Old Lace
The 39 Steps
Blow Up
Branded To Kill
Dead Man
The Fugitive Kind

And a few others I didn’t mention

[Querelle]

Originally Posted by Shane Rollins

We need a 4K of Querelle. I literally don't even care that the Blu-ray dropped in June of 2024. That disc sucked, and despite the great movie, the poor PQ made me regret buying it. (For reference, there was some American Dad episode, I forget which one, where Stan said something sucks and loudly dragged out the word "sucks" for about ten seconds. That's what I thought of the picture quality of Querelle.) I might've accepted that disc in 2005, but it's well below the .500 mark in 2024-2025.

If Querelle got a 4K, I'd happily shout down anyone saying "all Criterion does is rerelease Blu-rays".

Hmm, I have the Artificial Eye Blu-ray and think it looks fine (although admittedly I'm not a big picture quality geek [unless it's like beautiful film grain ] and, as long as the film is "good" quality, focus more on the movie; even DVDs often look solid to me, such as the one I'm currently watching, Batang West Side). Not sure if it's the same scan/version as the Criterion, but I refuse to buy the Criterion due to its (imo) terrible cover art that mis(ses)represents the vibe of the film. Beyond its (the art's) inconsonance with the film (and keeping in mind that I concede how imputations of art [or seemingly anything in this internet-controlled reality!] being AI derived have become overused and as facile as the very "art" that's accused of being facile, which speaks more to a general cynicism, distrust, and jadedness that's unfortunately all too common these days), the art looks AI to me, even though my understanding is that it's not. I would say it's somehow worse to (unintentionally) look AI and not be it than simply (transparently) be it because at least the latter is up front. And if your intention is to look AI, time to look in the mirror

[ravenus]

From the Criterion 50% off sale, all 1080p:

[Shane Rollins]

Originally Posted by Querelle

Hmm, I have the Artificial Eye Blu-ray and think it looks fine (although admittedly I'm not a big picture quality geek [unless it's like beautiful film grain ] and, as long as the film is "good" quality, focus more on the movie; even DVDs often look solid to me, such as the one I'm currently watching, Batang West Side). Not sure if it's the same scan/version as the Criterion, but I refuse to buy the Criterion due to its (imo) terrible cover art that mis(ses)represents the vibe of the film. Beyond its (the art's) inconsonance with the film (and keeping in mind that I concede how imputations of art [or seemingly anything in this internet-controlled reality!] being AI derived have become overused and as facile as the very "art" that's accused of being facile, which speaks more to a general cynicism, distrust, and jadedness that's unfortunately all too common these days), the art looks AI to me, even though my understanding is that it's not. I would say it's somehow worse to (unintentionally) look AI and not be it than simply (transparently) be it because at least the latter is up front. And if your intention is to look AI, time to look in the mirror

The cover for The Devils could be grade-AI shite printed on a Big Mac container and perched atop a steaming pile of horse manure, and I'd still be first in line to buy it.

Even on the two worst covers I've ever seen - Rosemary's Baby and The Exorcist - that still didn't stop a purchase for me.

For me, the cover screamed of Querelle being treated less like a human and more like an object. While I may be the only person to compare the two movies, the way Ken was objectified in the Barbie movie, that's how Querelle was in that movie, and that's how some of the character's saw him: as their big, hulking, Ken doll, and nothing more.

I personally liked the cover, even if the guy on the cover looked like a jacked Patrick Warburton in a James Cameron movie and nothing like Brad Davis.

They could put a 4K in that same box and I'd happily double dip.

[sandman slim]

My order already shipped, due Friday!

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by eXtofer

I have an egg dealer. Shhh. Don’t tell.

Me too:

IMG_6013.jpg

[CRASHLANDING]

Originally Posted by queen_kitty

Midnight is absolutely on my Barnes & Noble sale list for this summer! Arsenic and Old Lace is hilarious and Bringing Up Baby a total delight. I still need to watch the other two (along with many others)!

Don't forget It Happened One Night, the granddaddy of them all.

[sherlockjr]

Originally Posted by CRASHLANDING

Don't forget It Happened One Night, the granddaddy of them all.

A classic among classic films. Note, however, that there are 4K (and BluRay) releases of IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT on both the 21 film Frank Capra at Columbia box set and the six film Columbia Classics Vol 3 box set. IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT really looks great in 4K, and includes supplements.

The Frank Capra box set also includes 4K/BD releases of the (screwball-ish) comedies YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU and MR DEEDS GOES TO TOWN.

Unfortunately none of those disks are currently available stand-alone, and it's been 2.5 years since Columbia Classics box release. Seems Sony really wants you to fork up for those big boxes.

[queen_kitty]

Originally Posted by CRASHLANDING

Don't forget It Happened One Night, the granddaddy of them all.

It Happened One Night is actually in my haul from this sale!

[queen_kitty]

Originally Posted by sherlockjr

A classic among classic films. Note, however, that there are 4K (and BluRay) releases of IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT on both the 21 film Frank Capra at Columbia box set and the six film Columbia Classics Vol 3 box set. IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT really looks great in 4K, and includes supplements.

The Frank Capra box set also includes 4K/BD releases of the (screwball-ish) comedies YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU and MR DEEDS GOES TO TOWN.

Unfortunately none of those disks are currently available stand-alone, and it's been 2.5 years since Columbia Classics box release. Seems Sony really wants you to fork up for those big boxes.

The Capra box set price is STEEP! I had considered picking up the Columbia classics box set because there's a couple of other films I was interested in, might still see if the price ends up dropping in a future sale. I think the frustrating part isn't that the 4ks aren't being sold separately, but that several of them are impossible to even find as blu-rays sold separately (for example, As Good As it Gets was an old Twilight Time release).

[sherlockjr]

Originally Posted by queen_kitty

The Capra box set price is STEEP! I had considered picking up the Columbia classics box set because there's a couple of other films I was interested in, might still see if the price ends up dropping in a future sale. I think the frustrating part isn't that the 4ks aren't being sold separately, but that several of them are impossible to even find as blu-rays sold separately (for example, As Good As it Gets was an old Twilight Time release).

The Frank Capra box was a lot cheaper on pre-sale and early release. I got it for $135. I really wanted those silents--some new to disk--and early sound films that I doubted would ever be released separately--some even in 4K--almost all new transfers from quality (or last existing) elements.

For 21 titles that price isn't bad. Even at the current $182 on Amazon it works out to only $8.62 per title.

I'm sure Sony's marketing has the idea that they will be increasing revenue by making some popular films on 4K only available while buying less popular titles. I'm guessing that subsidizes the expensive new scanning and resotoration work of the lesser known, lower selling titles they're packaged with.

Peronally I really want the 4K disk of ANATOMY OF A MURDER. That's a gorgeous B+W film, but it was only released on 4K in the Columbia Classics Vol 2 set in 2021. That's now out of print, so it's going for several hundred dollars. No way I'm paying that kind of money. Hoping that Sony (or Criterion, who has a BD) decides to finally do a stand-alone, since they already did do stand-alone releases for other 4Ks in their Classics boxes. But nothing so far.

That several hundred dollar price for OOP Vol 2 does make me think that if you want more of the films in that set you shouldn't delay. Amazon is currently showing me only 14 copies left at $72--you'll probably have to add a couple hundred when it goes out of print, which could be soon. With no guarantee stand-alones will be released.

[Brad1963]

Originally Posted by belcherman

Here's my sale modest sale order.



Just the minimum to get free shipping. I thought Killer of Sheep had already released, but when I went to put it in my cart, I saw that it was only a pre-order. I had to scramble to find that 4th film. I finally decided on Mystery Train since I don't have any Jim Jarmusch in my collection.

I highly recommend Jim Jarmusch's Only Lovers Left Alive. Not Criterion (at least yet) but it is a great film.

[Mister_Kidd]

Apologies as I’m sure this has already been covered more than once, but scrolling back I just see people’s pick up posts. Did criterion remove their free shipping threshold?

[themp3000]

Originally Posted by Mister_Kidd

Apologies as I’m sure this has already been covered more than once, but scrolling back I just see people’s pick up posts. Did criterion remove their free shipping threshold?

It’s $75, there was a weird issue earlier where it wasn’t taking shipping off despite meeting the threshold, it has since been resolved.

[Yearbook]

Originally Posted by Mister_Kidd

Apologies as I’m sure this has already been covered more than once, but scrolling back I just see people’s pick up posts. Did criterion remove their free shipping threshold?

It'll be there at the check out screen if your subtotal is over $75.

[Yearbook]

First world problems, but got my order five min into the sale with everything in stock, now it's on hold until Dekalog and Bergman are back in stock. Cue the Seinfeld "anyone can take a reservation" bit.

[Brad1963]

One last and 3rd order before the sale ends.

Trying to play catch-up on titles and finally purchased the Before Trilogy and upgraded Breathless in 4k.

[DimitriL]

Originally Posted by sherlockjr

Personally I really want the 4K disk of ANATOMY OF A MURDER. That's a gorgeous B+W film, but it was only released on 4K in the Columbia Classics Vol 2 set in 2021. That's now out of print, so it's going for several hundred dollars. No way I'm paying that kind of money. Hoping that Sony (or Criterion, who has a BD) decides to finally do a stand-alone, since they already did do stand-alone releases for other 4Ks in their Classics boxes. But nothing so far.

You know, this is often my answer to “why shouldn’t Criterion just focus on the smaller films and let Sony or whoever focus on the obvious ones?” Because you can’t trust them to keep that movie in print. Not that Criterion titles don’t go OOP and that’s inevitable, but they really do their damndest to keep a title always available once it enters the collection. Like, Sony does a simply beautiful job, but I think it’s unfair to have to buy box sets for the one title you want, and even that’s going to disappear too. This goes for gimmicky limited edition sets with all the collectible goodies, too.

I can’t say Criterion is always the best, goes the deepest, has the widest selection, has the very best special features - often they are the best, but Arrow and others really show their stuff on the regular. BUT they are the most dependable from an archival standpoint, and that means a lot in my book.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by DimitriL

I can’t say Criterion is always the best, goes the deepest, has the widest selection, has the very best special features - often they are the best, but Arrow and others really show their stuff on the regular. BUT they are the most dependable from an archival standpoint, and that means a lot in my book.

I agree. It's something I feel doesn't get discussed that much. There isn't a boutique label that has been able to keep the vast majority of their titles in print as long as Criterion are able to. Look at the hundreds of titles that have gone OOP from Eureka, Kino, Shout, and Arrow for comparison. Additionally, Criterion also doesn't drop the booklets/leaflets down the line either as Eureka, and Arrow, and others have done. For me personally, that removes a lot of the FOMO involved with collecting their stuff. With Eureka on the other hand, I have to worry often about something going OOP, and I've made several FOMO purchases over the last couple years just to ensure I own a copy before it's gone.

[fred25_Ca]

Totally agree with both of you. On top of that, with the current economic climate, it's great to have a company like Criterion where we don't have to worry about missing out on an extra disk or a booklet or a stupid slipcover. I've got 3 Criterion I want I haven't bought yet and even though I decided not to get them during this flash sale, I have no worries that I'll be able to get them in a few months. Collecting should be fun and I hate all of these limited exclusives where you can miss out on a release if you don't get it right away.

Criterion' prices have gotten worst (their 4k over here in Canada are pretty ridiculous) but if you factor in their (fairly often) sales, Criterion is pretty affordable (I tend to favor their blu ray releases over their 4k ones, anyway). Like most here I have issues with Criterion but at the end of the day, they are one of my favorite and most dependable labels out there. I feel like often times when a movie gets the Criterion treatment, it's the end of the road for me, even if sometimes there's a slightly better version that comes after.