The Criterion Collection

[saprano]

Originally Posted by White Dang

A lot of you guys crack me up. Why don't you watch the movie...then buy what you like??

I've seen over half the collection and 90% of the ones on Blu-ray. Then I don't have to come here asking for advice when a sale come around. But to each his own lol.

For me, i'm not really into the older collection. I like movies mostly from the 80's and up. But the two movies that i did buy on a hunch (which turned out to be a very, very good hunch) were from 1957. 12 Angry men and The Seventh Seal.

So, the movies i like are not on Hulu. They seem to only have the older Criterions. I don't know how it is now. The last time i checked was last year.

[saprano]

Originally Posted by EricJ

AT HuluPlus, most often--For me, it's worth the money just to get daily Daily Show updates, but when you have a streaming collection that includes most of their Eclipse and as-yet-unupgraded DVD titles as well, plus a few they haven't gotten around to disking yet, $7.99 a month comes in pretty all-fired cheaper than any monthly deal Barnes & Noble has yet offered.
(Not to mention, a better anime selection than anything Crunchyroll has to offer for $7.99/mo., but that's off the subject.)
The rest of their non-Criterion movie collection is a sad joke, unfortunately, but if you want, in your transitional devotion, to tell yourself that you're loyally paying $7.99/mo for The Criterion Channel, you won't be far off the mark. One wonders why Hulu hasn't simply spun it off as its own service by now.

Normally, the glories of blind-buying is traditionally answered with "So get mail-Netflix, already, sheesh! ", but, of course, we know about Hulu wooing Criterion away from Netflix, so have to adjust catchphrases accordingly.

As for why everyone blind-buys Criterion, or feels they "have" to...there are amazing depths to which we would sink when we feel someone "lifts us up" with our own infatuation to them, even if they never return it.
In this case, people who've never seen Kurosawa or Bergman in their lives buy a title to be curious about it, find something good by accident, and say, "More, more, Criterion, you have my devotion, TEACH me! ", and believe that every $29.95 they spend is an act of cult loyalty that spiritually betters themselves by it.
Me, OTOH, I end up feeling $21.96 worse, if I haven't rented it ahead of time, and it's something artsy-fartsy enough to bite me in the behind for it. My exposure to the more obscure waters of the Criterion collection was through their being featured on "The Story of Film" on Instant Netflix (also for "free"); there I could at least get some excerpts and catalog descriptions, as ignorance of the film is no excuse.

That's a whole lot of assumptions, man. People just like movies.

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by Tin Drum

Anyone is foolish if they pay MSRP for any title that is not OOP.

Lucky my library carries criterions. They cost too much. I don't think I will upgrade my DVD versions.

[saprano]

Originally Posted by Page14

You know, there are many different reasons why people buy what they buy. Just to throw out one example of many ... in my case, I don't know of any resources near where I live, where I could easily rent or "library" a film. I live in a very small town with a very small library. I'd have to check, but I'd be surprised if they even carry blurays. (Hulu would be a whole "nuther" story). But ... I'm just trying to point out that people might have unseen reasons for what they do/buy.

Most importantly, people just like collecting them. There's nothing wrong with that.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by White Dang

A lot of you guys crack me up. Why don't you watch the movie...then buy what you like??

I've seen over half the collection and 90% of the ones on Blu-ray. Then I don't have to come here asking for advice when a sale come around. But to each his own lol.

I'm usually fortunate to be able to see a movie on YouTube or Hulu beforehand, but I've been known to make blind buys as well. I only blind buy a Criterion after thoroughly researching the movie, though, to see if the description rings any of my bells.

I can see myself owning 50% of the Criterion Collection someday, but that's being optimistic. There are a lot of titles that simply do not quicken my pulse after I read the online reviews.

When the Criterion Collection hits the mark, however, it really hits the mark.

I'll add that my definition of "thoroughly researching the movie" does not include asking for blind buy suggestions on an online forum. If one inquires about any given movie in the collection on this thread, he or she will get a dozen replies to the effect of, "You absolutely MUST purchase this movie right now!" Just because it's somebody else's favorite movie does not necessarily mean that it will be mine.
Of course, I have a propensity to pimp out favorite movies of mine on this thread, but I do so on the assumption that people will go through additional research to see if the movie fits their tastes.

[Abdrewes]

I'm so thankful I became a cinephile long before becoming a member of this site....or else I may have been one of those asking for blind buy advise...

Yes, "try before you buy" is great advise (only 7.99 a month!), but I don't see the problem in supporting a company that gives classic & cult films outstanding home video releases. There are worse ways to spend $20 (a ticket to see Iron Man 3 in IMAX anybody? Below the belt, I know)

[UNCMT9]

No review for Marketa yet??

[Dennis Nedry]

Originally Posted by saprano

That's a whole lot of assumptions, man. People just like movies.

If I had to describe EricJ's writing style in one word, it would be: "masturbatory".

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Dennis Nedry

If I had to describe EricJ's writing style in one word, it would be: "masturbatory".

Please Dennis, resond to Eric J's exact comments, not what tone you think they strike.

Lets try to avoid thread derails.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by White Dang

There's really no big deal. Just an observation and opinion combination.

Anyway, watching a film in a cinema for $6-12 (America) because the trailers have drawn you in is a big difference from blind buying movies you have little idea about for $15-25 because they are Criterion.

That's not really an apples to apples comparison. My Criterion disc doesn't charge another admission charge when my wife or friends join me to watch the film, and when it's over, if I hated it, there is no way to recoup what I paid out like a can do with a Criterion.

I wish theatres charged like purchased discs. One price per movie and I can bring as many people with me as fit in the room, plus I get my money back if I don't like it, and if I *do* like it I can come back and watch it whenever I like for free.

[blkhrt]

Speaking of watching before you buy, if anyone is interested, the free Criterion on Hulu today is Etaix's Land of Milk and Honey. (And Chaplin's The Circus is still free as well.)

http://www.hulu.com/movies/criterion

[saprano]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I'm so thankful I became a cinephile long before becoming a member of this site....or else I may have been one of those asking for blind buy advise...

What's wrong with asking an opinion about a movie? I'm confused.

Yes, "try before you buy" is great advise (only 7.99 a month!), but I don't see the problem in supporting a company that gives classic & cult films outstanding home video releases. There are worse ways to spend $20 (a ticket to see Iron Man 3 in IMAX anybody? Below the belt, I know)

Hulu and Netflix doesn't have all Criterions. And as i already explained, they seem to have only a certain time period.

[UNCMT9]

Originally Posted by saprano

What's wrong with asking an opinion about a movie? I'm confused.



Hulu and Netflix doesn't have all Criterions. And as i already explained, they seem to have only a certain time period.

They have quite a few. Hulu does at least.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by saprano

What's wrong with asking an opinion about a movie? .

Nothing, I'm on your side....I should have added the whole being judged by others bit. Why does it matter how a total stranger spends their money?

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Safety Last! Blu-ray REVIEW

You are the man, Pro-B! Another excellent review!

[deepbreathsanddeath]

I really enjoyed Orpheus and am considering picking up Beauty and the Beast next sale. Prior to watching Cocteau's Orpheus I didn't have a lot of interest in it but I was blown away. How would you say Beauty and the Beast compares?

[benbess]

Originally Posted by blkhrt

Speaking of watching before you buy, if anyone is interested, the free Criterion on Hulu today is Etaix's Land of Milk and Honey. (And Chaplin's The Circus is still free as well.)

http://www.hulu.com/movies/criterion

+1! Thanks.

[Dennis Nedry]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Please Dennis, resond to Eric J's exact comments, not what tone you think they strike.

Lets try to avoid thread derails.

[bsitg]

Well, I appreciate all the opinions of others. I'll take all the information I can get when researching a movie and deciding whether or not to buy, especially when that movie costs $20 or $25.

Finally decided on 11 Criterion's. Never bought a Criterion before due to cost. Some of these movies I had my eye on for a long time and decided to jump in with this 50% sale. Others I blind bought, but only after doing research and soliciting opinions. I had more on my list, but a line needs to be drawn somewhere as to how much to spend. So I'll just keep them on my wish list and maybe pick them up somewhere down the line.

In the meantime, I am seriously looking forward to watching:

12 Angry Men
Anatomy of a Murder
Badlands
Blow Out
The Game
The Night of the Hunter
A Night to Remember
On the Waterfront
Paths of Glory
Repo Man
Rosemary's Baby

[Visco.]

I checked on amazon today to see if my package was out for delivery and it was but I just got the mail and no Criterions. What gives!