The Criterion Collection

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by kndy

Man...and I thought this was coming out on Blu-ray.... Hehe...

You can just get the Asian blu-ray of "Infernal Affairs," kndy, if you haven't already done so. I have the "Infernal Affairs" trilogy on blu-ray, and each of the discs is fine for my home viewing.

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[neo_reloaded]

Originally Posted by Kevtronn

167 is the boxset (both)
168 is just monterey pop
169 is just jimi plays monterey

so I would assume criterion will do the same for Yojimbo and Sanjuro and list 3 different numbers

Well Yojimbo and Sanjuro are re-releases of very early spine numbers - 52 & 53. At the time they first came out, Criterion did not feel the need to give the two of them a separate spine number for the combo set (if there even was a combo set before the 2007 remastered re-releases, I'm not sure). They can't go back and insert a number between 51 and 52, so I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the Blu-ray combo box will also not have a separate spine number. It'll just be a number-less box that holds two separate cases with spine numbers 52 and 53.

[Kevtronn]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

Well Yojimbo and Sanjuro are re-releases of very early spine numbers - 52 & 53. At the time they first came out, Criterion did not feel the need to give the two of them a separate spine number for the combo set (if there even was a combo set before the 2007 remastered re-releases, I'm not sure). They can't go back and insert a number between 51 and 52, so I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the Blu-ray combo box will also not have a separate spine number. It'll just be a number-less box that holds two separate cases with spine numbers 52 and 53.

Thanks! Was just curious, Did not even think of re-using the DVD numbers.

[Volume11]

Originally Posted by kndy

Hehe....I'm going to play devil's advocate here for the sake of discussion

This is going off my experience from various message boards outside of Blu-ray.com (because granted, we would love everything to be Blu). I'm learning more and more that the more I encounter Criterion collectors, the more I'm seeing that a) Not many of them have upgraded to Blu-ray b) Many of them are still hardcore SD-DVD owners, in fact, the more I communicate with these cinemaphiles, they are more hardcore in spending their money in getting director-based box sets or imported DVD's. c) I'm noticing more and more Criterion fans who are watching the films via Netflix streaming.

Personally, my feeling is that Blu-ray releases from Criterion thus far have been focused on showcasing a variety of directors and because of the high price point, how many are there who purchase Criterion Blu-ray at retail versus waiting on Amazon and B&N 50% off or higher deals. Criterion tends to be perfectionists and I'm sure just to make it right for Blu-ray, it's an expensive, labor intensive process.

As much as I take advantage of these online sales, I often wonder if Criterion makes their money back if people hesitate on Blu-ray releases until there is a sale.

So, my personal feeling is the reason why some releases are on DVD and not Blu-ray is to minimize costs and because they are dealing with multiple releases of not just the regular Criterion Collection line but also Eclipse and Essential Arthouse and whatever box set specials the have planned, schedule-wise, for a company their size...they're plenty busy.

---------------------------
As for the releases, Aside from the Kurosawa movies, I have not seen any Pedro Costa films nor am I familiar with Ferreri's "Dillnger is Dead" or Nicholas Rey's "Bigger Than Life". So, big question for those who are familiar with the filmmakers, were these films their biggest film and what other titles do you recommend? [note: I'm sure I can get the answer via googling or going on theauteurs.com...but for the sake of discussion, hopefully someone can chime in. Otherwise, we will get three pages of discussion on Criterion cases...Just kidding :P).

Criterion collectors on the net are a fickle bunch. If you spend anytime over at the Criterion forums you will see a vocal group of people who are at best neutral to Blu Ray all the way to down right antagonistic towards the format.

However, the splits for BD/DVD criterions are very high and Eureka already stated they intend to release MoC titles that are worthy of blu ONLY on blu in the near future as there splits are 50/50.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by kndy

As for the releases, Aside from the Kurosawa movies, I have not seen any Pedro Costa films nor am I familiar with Ferreri's "Dillnger is Dead" or Nicholas Rey's "Bigger Than Life". So, big question for those who are familiar with the filmmakers, were these films their biggest film and what other titles do you recommend? [note: I'm sure I can get the answer via googling or going on theauteurs.com...but for the sake of discussion, hopefully someone can chime in. Otherwise, we will get three pages of discussion on Criterion cases...Just kidding :P).

Nicholas Ray should be a household name for film fans. But I guess since he didn't make Seven Samurai, people don't check his films out. Then I guess you haven't seen "Rebel Without a Cause" or "Johnny Guitar"? They are his most known, but some Ray fans say that "Bigger than Life" is his best. I have not seen any Ferreri other than Dillinger, but it is a great film. Like I said, probably the best of the March's releases, aside from Ray's film.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

Nicholas Ray should be a household name for film fans. But I guess since he didn't make Seven Samurai, people don't check his films out. Then I guess you haven't seen "Rebel Without a Cause" or "Johnny Guitar"? They are his most known, but some Ray fans say that "Bigger than Life" is his best. I have not seen any Ferreri other than Dillinger, but it is a great film. Like I said, probably the best of the March's releases, aside from Ray's film.

I think Days of Heaven is without a doubt the best March release. Of course, Malick is my favorite director so I'm biased! I was informed by a friend of the news and I literally cheered in my apartment

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

I would really liked to know the answer to this really.

First, it's a HD transfer.
2nd, if the reason for no blu release is because of 4 already that month, then why did they have a filler with Days of Heaven? And if they had to release Days of Heaven in March, then slide Dillinger to April with a blu release.

I don't understand that at all. I understand the 2 Kurosawa releases with his b-day and all, but they could of slide Malick's film to April and had a Dillinger blu if it was really a HD transfer.

Hope someone knows why they would do that.

I'm not sure where you get off saying Malick's film is a "filler."

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Clamps

Holy F**k!! Days of Heaven! I am so happy now!

Ebert, quite rightly, called Days of Heaven the most beautiful film ever made. While I think it is the weakest story of Malick's four films, it is the most beautiful and probably has the best cinematography ever caught on film. That alone makes it worth a blind buy on blu ray.

[herzog4life]

I went absolutely nuts when I read Days of Heaven is coming out on blu. It was my most desired blu release. And Nic Ray owns. On Dangerous Ground anyone?

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by herzog4life

I went absolutely nuts when I read Days of Heaven is coming out on blu. It was my most desired blu release. And Nic Ray owns. On Dangerous Ground anyone?

Mine too


I assume you're a Herzog film by your name...I'd love to see a Herzog collection released at some point!

[kndy]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

Nicholas Ray should be a household name for film fans. But I guess since he didn't make Seven Samurai, people don't check his films out. Then I guess you haven't seen "Rebel Without a Cause" or "Johnny Guitar"? They are his most known, but some Ray fans say that "Bigger than Life" is his best. I have not seen any Ferreri other than Dillinger, but it is a great film. Like I said, probably the best of the March's releases, aside from Ray's film.

I have seen "Rebel Without a Cause" and own it on DVD and I have to admit that when you started posting his name a week or so ago, I did look his name up on theauteurs to see why you were so passionate and realized he has a good number of films that I was curious about.

Unfortunately, I don't own anything else of his. Just went on Amazon.com to see if he has a DVD box set or if I could purchase "Johnny Guitar" and "Bigger than Life" on DVD but I'm guessing it wasn't released in the US?? Almost everything are imports...unless its OOP.

[herzog4life]

Herzog does indeed rule. And I forgot to mention my favorite Ray film: They Live by Night.

[kndy]

Originally Posted by herzog4life

Herzog does indeed rule. And I forgot to mention my favorite Ray film: They Live by Night.

Hardly any Herzong on Blu-ray but I have been wanting to watch "Cobra Verde" but never had the chance. Was tempted in purchasing the "Werner Herzog and Klaus Kinski: A Film Legacy" box sets at one time just for that film....

[onthejazz]

So I am about to place my order for replacement cases, but I have yet to buy The Last Emperor from Amazon, so I don't know if I will need to order the case for that one. Can anyone confirm whether they are shipping from Amazon in the plastic cases yet? If not, eventually they have to right? That price has been under $17 for a while now... Thanks.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I'm not sure where you get off saying Malick's film is a "filler."

Sorry to put that word. I was giving an example that as a filler meaing it could of been released any month, just so Dillinger is Dead could have a blu release the day of the dvd release. That is all. I didn't know another word I could of used, and I am a Malick fan, so I wasn't bashing the film. I hope you get what I am saying. 2 Kurosawa titles was a given. Bigger than Life blu with the dvd, so that just left Malick's film as the odd-man out to complain about no blu for Dillinger. The film isn't a filler, just a filler for the month, since their wasn't a need for it in March and could of been released yesterday or 2 years from now.


Also, yes, Herzog should be in the collection. I was just thinking a month ago that I can't believe Nicholas Ray nor Herzog has made the collection after 500 titles, but now Ray did. Hopefully Herzog comes sooner then we think.

Originally Posted by herzog4life

And I forgot to mention my favorite Ray film: They Live by Night.

Yes, one of the greatest debuts.




And KNDY,

People have been asking Criterion for a while for a Johnny Guitar release, so I would wait to see if that comes. I caught it on TCM a couple of times.

[whbinder]

OK, I'm not complaining, because I know it's a lot of work to get these titles out and I'm very grateful that Criterion is putting out catalog and new titles.

Plus, to be honest. If they put out more Blu-rays now, I'd be broke.

But it is a little disappointing. Last month we had titles 501-504 all coming our on Blu-ray. I thought it was moving towards more current titles being released on both formats. But on 505-511, only one title is on Blu-ray.

[Volume11]

Originally Posted by whbinder

OK, I'm not complaining, because I know it's a lot of work to get these titles out and I'm very grateful that Criterion is putting out catalog and new titles.

Plus, to be honest. If they put out more Blu-rays now, I'd be broke.

But it is a little disappointing. Last month we had titles 501-504 all coming our on Blu-ray. I thought it was moving towards more current titles being released on both formats. But on 505-511, only one title is on Blu-ray.

I honestly think Criterion are catering to the DVD crowd still. And it makes sense since most of them are incredibly loyal and at least half seem to be annoyed at the proposition of upgrading huge portions of their collection.

But I do think Criterion need to take a nod from Eureka. The Blus should have been numbered as a new set and it stands to reason that if they have a recent HD master especially for a day and date DVD title it SHOULD definitely have a Blu counterpart.

[DigitalHoarder]

Originally Posted by onthejazz

So I am about to place my order for replacement cases, but I have yet to buy The Last Emperor from Amazon, so I don't know if I will need to order the case for that one. Can anyone confirm whether they are shipping from Amazon in the plastic cases yet? If not, eventually they have to right? That price has been under $17 for a while now... Thanks.

Yes, it comes in cardboard. You will need a replacement case for this title, as I just got my copy from Amazon about a week ago. Tell you what... If your copy comes in as a new case, I'll buy your replacement and pay appropriate shipping. PM me if this happens, but I'm sure you'll get the old casing just as I did.

[herzog4life]

Just wondering if anyone has received their replacement cases and how they became aware that they shipped?

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by herzog4life

Just wondering if anyone has received their replacement cases and how they became aware that they shipped?

You won't become aware if they've shipped, or not, unless you contact Jon Mulvaney at Criterion and ask him the status of your replacement case order. Even then, though, he may or may not reply. Also, the last e-mail he sent out stated that Criterion was already out of stock on the replacement cases and they were waiting for a new shipment. So, I gues you have to factor in how many new replacement cases Criterion gets in on each shipment and how far back in the line you are of people that have paid.

You can always try to contact Jon, though, if you're worried. For instance, my case for "The Third Man" was taking a bit longer than I thought it should and so I contacted Jon. He apologized because they had looked over my name, but promptly put it in the mail that day with expedited shipping to me.

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