The Criterion Collection

[jimonee78]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

Yeah, for anyone who pre-ordered the April releases, they took the 25% off from the March AFS code. So atleast I knew since last month that they still took it off for pre-orders. I wish they still had it. It was only $3 more per title than a B&N's 50% sale.

That's true, it did work for April. Forgot about that. I'd love it if Criterion had a 25% off code every few months. I think in some ways I prefer buying directly from Criterion over B&N. I know you save a few bucks through B&N but you also get a $50 gift certificate from Criterion after you spend $500. It's also nice to know that my money is going directly to Criterion. Another perk is they seem to be much more willing to replace damaged packaging when you buy directly from them. For two years I'd been trying to get some of my cardboard digipaks replaced by Jon Mulvaney, but he basically ignored all my emails. That is until I purchased Letter from Fontainhas directly from their website last month and the cardboard box was slightly torn. I shot an email to Jon and lo and behold he responded within a couple hours. Not only did he send me a new cardboard slipcover for Fontainhas he also replaced five other damaged cardboard slipcovers for free with super fast shipping (Amarcord, Complete Monterey Pop, Complete Mr. Arkadin, Antoine Doinel and Pigs, Pimps & Prostitutes.)

[SpiderBaby]

That's cool. I never knew you can replace the box sets like Pigs, Pimps and Prostitutes.

But about the sales, I would rather use Criterion's site too. B&N takes 50% off of MSRP of $40. Criterion takes 25% off of like $32 I believe. You are only paying $3 more per title, plus you get free shipping over $50 (which you will get if you get alot during sales). The $50 gift card is icing on the cake.

[capnnarcolepsy]

Yeah, when the 25% off was going on, i preordered all of the march, april and may titles. Since amazon had gone up a great deal and a 50% off sale is never a sure thing, just speculation, I figured it was the best way to go. As jimonee and CG stated, it feels a bit better supporting them directly and I've always gotten stuff early or at least by release date

[horseflesh]

Originally Posted by rezpekt

Packaging for the Brakhage set. Digipacks...

Oh great, I don't even have the replacement cases for the original digi-packs yet, and now they go and do this to me.
Thanks a lot Criterion, I might as well just slash my throat now.

[Pyoko]

So the Criterion sale is over now? Good, then perhaps there's a chance the prices at Amazon will go back to normal again (I'm thinking maybe the prices were so crappy because they knew they couldn't compete anyway.)

[scorsetinogilliam]

Originally Posted by horseflesh

Oh great, I don't even have the replacement cases for the original digi-packs yet, and now they go and do this to me.
Thanks a lot Criterion, I might as well just slash my throat now.

i'm glad the movies matter to you...i'll take all the movies in different cases you don't want...

[KubrickFan]

Originally Posted by scorsetinogilliam

i'm glad the movies matter to you...i'll take all the movies in different cases you don't want...

It is a bit odd that Criterion offered replacement cases for those who want their collection to look the same, and then release a new set in the older cardboard cases.
Anyway, now I know I don't have to bother with getting those replacement cases anymore.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by jimonee78

Also has anyone seen M at their Best Buy? Curious to see if this month's releases will also be $29.99.

Its not at BB stores, online only @ $34.99

[kndy]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

That's cool. I never knew you can replace the box sets like Pigs, Pimps and Prostitutes.

But about the sales, I would rather use Criterion's site too. B&N takes 50% off of MSRP of $40. Criterion takes 25% off of like $32 I believe. You are only paying $3 more per title, plus you get free shipping over $50 (which you will get if you get alot during sales). The $50 gift card is icing on the cake.

Well, actually that's where the B/N membership did work for us during the 50% off sale. Now, I don't think so now because before where members would get a great deal, now membership has become like Amazon Prime. Great for free shipping and all but I enjoyed the membership for getting that additional 10% off. Now it seems like prices have increased and I'm noticing on other threads of people who recently purchased memberships trying to get them canceled because of this new system they started this month.

But as for the 50% off sale, actually the BN was much better for members. Remember, people with memberships 10% off, the 20% off coupon and the 50% off were getting the Blu-rays for $13.50 or so during the BN 50% off sale. Eclipse series were brought down to $11.99-$19.99 and box sets were around $29-$39. So, actually...the BN 50% off sale was magnificent. But when the next one comes...because of the way things are restructured, I don't know if members will get the same type of deal.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by KubrickFan

It is a bit odd that Criterion offered replacement cases for those who want their collection to look the same, and then release a new set in the older cardboard cases. .

It wasn't about them "looking the same" they offered the replacement cases because their original case design (that they probably would have used for the current movies like Days of Heaven, Vivra Sa Vie, etc) received a lot of push back from people saying they got damaged too easily, etc....

They aren't "Going back to the old cases" they're releasing a set with an additional outer-box (probably very sturdy like the Monterey Pop, Che, or Yojimbo/Sanjura sets) so the use of cardboard was to prevent from having a set that would be 7" wide on your shelf....... I don't have an issue with them using different cases etc.....

If this set was released in all of the plastic cases (but not individually) would you really toss the box that holds them together out anyways??? Did you do that for Monterey Pop, Che, or Yojimbo/Sanjura?

[captveg]

I was hoping they would come up with a 2-disc version of the specialty keep-case, but honestly it's no big deal, IMO.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by scorsetinogilliam

i'm glad the movies matter to you...i'll take all the movies in different cases you don't want...

Well the movies matter to me and I still HATE cardboard cases. I'll probably hold off on Brakhage if they really are cardboard. Doubt I'll buy it unless they offer a replacement.

[Volume11]

Originally Posted by kndy

But when the next one comes...because of the way things are restructured, I don't know if members will get the same type of deal.

I'm pretty sure somewhere in this thread back during the holiday sale I brought this point up and it was shot down by almost everyone. To me, its bad business to offer a hefty discount and then have random coupons and loophole policies (like being able to buy the membership and receive the discount with the sole intent of returning the membership) floating about for all of us to take advantage of. Some suit at B&N should be and likely is aware that at &19.99 + tax that's generally going to be the best deal offered and is more than enough of a sale to get the majority of us to buy our CC blus from them.

And before anyone jumps down my throat, I personally have no issue with anyone taking advantage of said loopholes, I'm just thinking economically from the perspective of the powers that be at B&N.

[horseflesh]

Originally Posted by scorsetinogilliam

i'm glad the movies matter to you...i'll take all the movies in different cases you don't want...

I was maybe not being completely truthful and more like totally hyperbolic, and I actually won't slash my throat
The fact that people actually believed I was that pissed off though show that some people in fact are driven by packaging.....

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Well the movies matter to me and I still HATE cardboard cases. I'll probably hold off on Brakhage if they really are cardboard. Doubt I'll buy it unless they offer a replacement.

I'd be inclined to think this of the issue...

Originally Posted by captveg

I was hoping they would come up with a 2-disc version of the specialty keep-case, but honestly it's no big deal, IMO.

[neo_reloaded]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Well the movies matter to me and I still HATE cardboard cases. I'll probably hold off on Brakhage if they really are cardboard. Doubt I'll buy it unless they offer a replacement.

Well that's your choice, but I think the chances of any further replacement cases are very slim. They didn't do replacements because people were OCDing about them, they did it because they weren't happy with the overall quality. Presumably they would not make the same mistake twice. They have a long history of DVD digipaks and never has there been a replacement for those, and the Brakhage digipak is very similar to those.

[BasicGreatGuy]

I just finished watching "The Seventh Seal." My first viewing. Overall, I thought it was a good movie. In my opinion, the ending felt and appeared to be a little rushed. A thought-provoking movie.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

Well that's your choice, but I think the chances of any further replacement cases are very slim. They didn't do replacements because people were OCDing about them, they did it because they weren't happy with the overall quality. Presumably they would not make the same mistake twice. They have a long history of DVD digipaks and never has there been a replacement for those, and the Brakhage digipak is very similar to those.

So what's the point of cardboard cases then? Is there some mass support for cardboard over real cases among Criterion buyers I'm not aware of? If Criterion wants to maintain an image of releasing top-quality Blu-Rays you'd think they would want to keep the high quality clear cases rather than cheapy cardboard.

[chetripley80]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

So what's the point of cardboard cases then? Is there some mass support for cardboard over real cases among Criterion buyers I'm not aware of? If Criterion wants to maintain an image of releasing top-quality Blu-Rays you'd think they would want to keep the high quality clear cases rather than cheapy cardboard.

Based on the pics displayed, the Brakhage set does not appear to be in "cheapy cardboard." It looks to be in similar packaging to the SD sets of "The Battle of Algiers" and "The Complete Mr. Arkadin." I've had both of those sets for years, and they've held up fine compared to the hard plastic criterion cases. Unless you tend to drop the your blu-ray cases regularly, the cardboard should be very durable and sturdy.

And I don't think its a matter of people supporting cardboard over plastic. I think Criterion wanted to deliver a product in an artfully designed manner that is reflective of the film they are distributing.

[SpiderBaby]

I don't care what they come in, Brakhage's films are the main goal here for me, so.......

You all have to think of it this way. Cover boxes and art isn't going to last forever. They will get old, dirty, and fall apart. So live with the fact you have these wonderful films, not to show them off.

[joenostalgia23]

How bad are the people on this site at handling their movies? I did NOT think it was that easy for people to stab holes through their eco-cases or rip apart/incinerate their cardboard digi-packs/digi-books "accidentally". I've never cared that much about packaging(except for artwork) for my movies.

BTW has anyone found any official artwork for Antichrist, Darjeeling Limited, Videodrome, Thin Red Line, or Seven Samurai?