The Criterion Collection

[JoeBuck]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

you can unblock hulu with "media hint". the tricky part is getting a creditcard to pay for hulu. but for that there are prepaid cards avaible (ebay etc) 40$ for a 25$ card.

You can also just buy a vanilla mastercard and change the region on it when setting it up, then all you have to do is get an american zip code and set it up with that. It's what I did to get hulu plus.

To change the region on it all you have to do is go into the cookies settings, find the vanilla mastercard site and clear all the data for that site. Then when you go to it a menu will pop up asking what country its for in which you set it to United States.

[The Great Owl]

Here's my short take on The Wolf of Wall Street.

I expected the worst when I saw the previews, so I'm glad that I was wrong.

Oddly enough, The Wolf of Wall Street made me want to watch my Criterion Blu-ray of Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion again. The two films are not of the same cloth, but there's a faint common vibe that would make for a uniquely fun double-feature night. Both films have a dismissiveness to them that serves as a harsh indictment of their respective eras.

[Ctzalman]

Originally Posted by jw007

Honestly, this film was a tour de force! It was Scorcese's magnum opus. I'm about to say something sacrilegious, but I think it is possibly his greatest film of all time. There is just so much happening in this movie and there are some scenes that literally transport you out of the theater like you were on quaaludes like Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DeCaprio's character) was on. This film is sheer madness. It's by far DeCaprio's greatest performance of all time. Scorcese and Leonardo hit this one way out of the ballpark (into another realm). Scorcese made the ultimate movie about greed and excess and all taking place in his hometown, NYC. It's a movie that will be talked about for ages to come.

that is some very high praise. altho i can't say i disagree with you regarding decaprio's performance...

sure, TWOWS was a great film (as is nearly anything that marty touches), but it was highly derivative of some of his other films already mentioned in previous posts (namely goodfellas, casino, raging bull, etc), in which we see the meteoric rise and inevitable fall of the main character. it seems like scorsese has been making the same films thematically, but just changing the plot details.

[Hintermann]

Originally Posted by smoss469

Just finished Anatomy of a Murder for the first time and thought it was incredible! The run time might seem long but the movie just flew by. Jimmy Stewart did an outstanding job as the "Aww Shucks" small town lawyer which was the perfect counter balance to George C Scott's hot shot big city prosecutor.

Brilliant film. One of the best moments in the film is George C Scott's reaction in the court when he learns the truth. The actor pulled off that expression and gesture very well.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by smoss469

Just finished Anatomy of a Murder for the first time and thought it was incredible!

I love Anatomy of a Murder.

I was at a party a couple of weeks ago and the subject of film soundtracks came up during a conversation with someone. The guy said, "Most people have never heard of this movie, but my favorite movie music is for an old movie called Anatomy of a Murder." He was overjoyed when I told him that, not only had I heard of the movie, but that it was also one of the best titles in my Blu-ray collection.

[deepbreathsanddeath]

If you've got the extra money, I don't see any risk in blind-buying a criterion title, especially if it's bought during a sale. The few times I've had to sell a criterion title on eBay, I've sold them for what I originally bought them for. You've just got to hang into them until the awkward time where there's not going to be a sale available to international customers for a long while.

I for one tend to buy Criterion's I'm dying for at 30%-38% off during these time periods so it seems I'm not alone.

Blind-buy during sales, keep them in perfect condition and sell them on eBay for the 50% off price, provided they're in mint condition still. It's easy to make your money back quickly if you regret it.

If eBay isn't an option for you, then, well, that's a different story. You'd have to be a little more cautious.

[the sordid sentinel]

Originally Posted by deepbreathsanddeath

If you've got the extra money, I don't see any risk in blind-buying a criterion title, especially if it's bought during a sale. The few times I've had to sell a criterion title on eBay, I've sold them for what I originally bought them for. You've just got to hang into them until the awkward time where there's not going to be a sale available to international customers for a long while.

I for one tend to buy Criterion's I'm dying for at 30%-38% off during these time periods so it seems I'm not alone.

Blind-buy during sales, keep them in perfect condition and sell them on eBay for the 50% off price, provided they're in mint condition still. It's easy to make your money back quickly if you regret it.

If eBay isn't an option for you, then, well, that's a different story. You'd have to be a little more cautious.

Exactly. Criterions are the safest blind buys out there.

[Infernal King]

I posted this days ago but no one responded so once again, here is my question:

Originally Posted by Infernal King

I bought Secret Sunshine at Barnes & Noble yesterday and after taking off the plastic wrapping, I noticed that there was a "Director Approved Edition" sticker ON the actual plastic of the Blu-ray case! This is the first Criterion I've acquired that has such a sticker. Is there any rhyme or reason for it or did I just get lucky? I've purchased various other "Director Approved Edition" Criterion Blu-rays before but none of them had such a sticker.

[Ctzalman]

Originally Posted by Infernal King

I bought Secret Sunshine at Barnes & Noble yesterday and after taking off the plastic wrapping, I noticed that there was a "Director Approved Edition" sticker ON the actual plastic of the Blu-ray case! This is the first Criterion I've acquired that has such a sticker. Is there any rhyme or reason for it or did I just get lucky? I've purchased various other "Director Approved Edition" Criterion Blu-rays before but none of them had such a sticker.

i had a similar (altho unfortunate) scenario when i bought in the mood for love from B&N. their price tag was attached to the actual case and not the plastic shrink wrap. as you guys know, their stickers are damn near impossible to peel off without leaving behind some nasty residue. i think i'm going to have to bite the bullet and buy a replacement case..

i'm guessing that the store clerks insert their security tags and then shrink wrap the cases themselves..? maybe the store clerks get a sticker sheet and put them on themselves?

[Mansinthe]

Originally Posted by the sordid sentinel

Exactly. Criterions are the safest blind buys out there.

and if you would happen to get a criterion you absolutly hate. you can always resell it without loseing much money.. (try that with a bluray from a other company....)

damn it, there are still so much movies in the criterion collection that i have to get...time to save money for the next 50% sale...

Heavens Gate sounds like another must have


btw.. still waiting for my zatoichi B&N order.... :/

[floriang]

has anyone received their bonus-gift-card from the offer in november (buy a gift card of 75$ and get a 10$-gift-card for free)?
i'm still waiting...

[Mansinthe]

received mine 3 days ago

[mrjohnnyb]

As I am always interested in bulking up my blu-ray library, I am also interested in finding the lowest price available.

In addition to the great prices at Amazon, I am also fully aware of other vendors such as Dvd Planet and Import Cds.

Does anyone know of any other obscure on-line discount merchants?

[Clare2904]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

As I am always interested in bulking up my blu-ray library, I am also interested in finding the lowest price available.

In addition to the great prices at Amazon, I am also fully aware of other vendors such as Dvd Planet and Import Cds.

Does anyone know of any other obscure on-line discount merchants?

On eBay, blowitoutahere is great. The service is A+

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

As I am always interested in bulking up my blu-ray library, I am also interested in finding the lowest price available.

In addition to the great prices at Amazon, I am also fully aware of other vendors such as Dvd Planet and Import Cds.

Does anyone know of any other obscure on-line discount merchants?

Their prices normally are higher than others but occasionally you can find deals at DeepDiscount. I snatched up the Ultimate Buster Keaton Collection for about 33% less than Amazon's price.

[JJJ225]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

As I am always interested in bulking up my blu-ray library, I am also interested in finding the lowest price available.

In addition to the great prices at Amazon, I am also fully aware of other vendors such as Dvd Planet and Import Cds.

Does anyone know of any other obscure on-line discount merchants?

For Criterions, it's pretty rare that you'll be able to get lower than Barnes and Noble sale price (twice a year in July and November) combined with a coupon with your store/cashier will allow it.

[Mansinthe]

Originally Posted by JJJ225

For Criterions, it's pretty rare that you'll be able to get lower than Barnes and Noble sale price (twice a year in July and November) combined with a coupon with your store/cashier will allow it.

i really need to find someone in the US for the next B&N sale.. i preordered that fricking zatoichi bluray box 7 weeks ago., and im still waiting... ;/ cant use coupons either.. alone the 10% membership discount would be a nice thing to have.

[Polaroid]

Ah yeah true true, ill probs just blind buy then - also whist good with criterion is you can buy second hands and not worry about condition, most are kept in great condition, well I've had no bad experiences.

and even if I don't like, I suppose in a collectors eyes i'll have them spine numbers, plus at least I can appreciate Criterions effort of restoring them

Sadly I can't wait for sales as there are NONE for UK lol, well on Ebay or Amazon UK and no idea how to take advantage of B&N sales from UK without spending a fortune on customs + shipping :/

USA is so lucky haha

EDIT:

Thanks for the ebay user V - prices are amazing compared to Amazon - anyone had custom charges from them? or they do they refund fi you do? some Amazon companies do.

[Clare2904]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Ah yeah true true, ill probs just blind buy then - also whist good with criterion is you can buy second hands and not worry about condition, most are kept in great condition, well I've had no bad experiences.

and even if I don't like, I suppose in a collectors eyes i'll have them spine numbers, plus at least I can appreciate Criterions effort of restoring them

Sadly I can't wait for sales as there are NONE for UK lol, well on Ebay or Amazon UK and no idea how to take advantage of B&N sales from UK without spending a fortune on customs + shipping :/

USA is so lucky haha

EDIT:

Thanks for the ebay user V - prices are amazing compared to Amazon - anyone had custom charges from them? or they do they refund fi you do? some Amazon companies do.

I have heard nothing but good about blowitoutahere. If items have arrived damaged etc refunds have been given.

Have you checked the UK Criterion thread - https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=203888 See how they buy their DVD/BR. One thing I have read about B&N is that they split parcels so the value is low and the success rate for evading customs is low.

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by Clare2904

I have heard nothing but good about blowitoutahere. If items have arrived damaged etc refunds have been given.

Have you checked the UK Criterion thread - https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=203888 See how they buy their DVD/BR. One thing I have read about B&N is that they split parcels so the value is low and the success rate for evading customs is low.

I just want to add my voice to the recommendations for blowitouttahere on Ebay. Prices are cheap but more importantly so is shipping plus they combine shipping and offer discounts when they do. They also package their items well. A lot of people seem to like importcds but whenever I've ordered a single item from them it's come in some kind of vacuum sealed plastic wrap which totally destroys anything in an ecocase, so last time I ordered through them I bought a few items hoping they'd come in a box. Well it did except the box was too small so everything was jammed in there causing more damage again. I've never had any of those problems with blowitouttahere.