The Criterion Collection

[deepbreathsanddeath]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Why is everybody getting so upset over the pamphlets and whatnot?

Just give me the movie in an HD quality and you've got a happy customer over here.

If the movie looks and sounds the best it can, I'll also be happy but I can't deny the pamphlets cheapen the package. If it's too costly to get the amount of writing that's usually acquired, at least give us a disappointingly thin booklet instead of a fold out pamphlet for pete sake. It's absurd.

The lack or writing in the pamphlets is a bummer for sure, but it's mostly the fact that it's a fold-out pamphlet that bothers me and I'm sure many others would agree. If you don't agree, that's fine but you're wrong and I hate you. (Kidding, of course).

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by deepbreathsanddeath

If the movie looks and sounds the best it can, I'll also be happy but I can't deny the pamphlets cheapen the package. If it's too costly to get the amount of writing that's usually acquired, at least give us a disappointingly thin booklet instead of a fold out pamphlet for pete sake. It's absurd.

The lack or writing in the pamphlets is a bummer for sure, but it's mostly the fact that it's a fold-out pamphlet that bothers me and I'm sure many others would agree. If you don't agree, that's fine but you're wrong and I hate you. (Kidding, of course).

To each his own.

I do not even read the included materials nor have any interest in doing so, so I guess it doesn't matter too much to me. lol.

[Gusto-Guus]

So, we're all getting My Darling Clementine? Nice!

[ShellOilJunior]

The leaflets don't bother me because I realize some films have less written material available than others. This isn't anything new. It went on during the DVD era, too.

[jw007]

I'm starting to wonder if I'm becoming more self-entitled by the day when it comes to being a collector of the Criterion Collection?

I mean, seriously, these are first world societal problems, worrying about if its a leaflet vs. a booklet or a digipack vs. a plastic case.

I must be spoiled or something.

Furthermore, it doesn't help when one has a mild case of OCD and has to buy most of his Criterion films in person so he can inspect the product for damage such as dents and nicks.

I need to calm down, don't I?

Yes, jw007, take a deep breath.... AHHHHHHHH... once again please.... AHHHHHHHH... okay, everyone now at 1...2....3..... AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

Oh wow, my brain...our brains... are more reasonable now... more refreshed.... more relaxed. amazing.... Now I/we can look forward to the 50% Barnes & Noble Criterion sale starting in about 24 hours!

[CHEЯNOБLY!]

Originally Posted by jw007

I mean, seriously, these are first world societal problems, worrying about if its a leaflet vs. a booklet or a digipack vs. a plastic case.

Isn't the whole concept of collecting and discussing BD collecting first world to begin with? We have taken it this far, I don't think refraining from opining on supplements is going to make it any less first world.

[deepbreathsanddeath]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

The leaflets don't bother me because I realize some films have less written material available than others. This isn't anything new. It went on during the DVD era, too.

You're right. Hardly anyone respects nor has something to say about La Dolce Vita.

Kidding aside, you're right. Not all movies have much written about them, or even frankly need much written about them. That's why I suggested they just make thin booklets for those instances (even if it's only 6-10 pages worth) instead of a foldout pamphlet. I hardly think that would cost much more and the result would be consistent and not royally suck.

The foldout pamphlet look was appropriate for Ace in the Hole. It's been said and I agree. But to make it the standard insert is a poor choice. When I unfold the whole thing, I feel like I'm looking at a map for buried treasure. It's ridiculous.

[jlk5844]

Thank you to all who responded to me. I'll still try to fit in Branded to Kill if possible but Pale Flower is the bigger priority.

Now, I have to ask: Pale Flower vs. Sundays and Cybele?



(narrowing down my list for the sale)

[jw007]

Originally Posted by CHEЯNOБLY!

Isn't the whole concept of collecting and discussing BD collecting first world to begin with? We have taken it this far, I don't think refraining from opining on supplements is going to make it any less first world.

Yes, but that's not the point.. collecting and discussing is something that doesn't necessarily give off a negative connotation... but people being fussy over packaging (and pissed off like Polaroid) seems to make it a bit ridiculous.

I'll just say I'm happy the Criterion Collection exists... and they can do whatever they want in their best interests... as long as they stay true to their high standards with video and audio quality, I won't mind if they switch to flimsy sewage recycled yogurt cup particleboard plastic fiber for all packaging materials... actually, I take that back, since the prices are high, I would be concerned if their future packaging dissolved into dust after a few weeks or months (as long as their discs don't continue to bronze or rot out, I'm still happy though).

[GentleGiant]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

Thank you to all who responded to me. I'll still try to fit in Branded to Kill if possible but Pale Flower is the bigger priority.

Now, I have to ask: Pale Flower vs. Sundays and Cybele?



(narrowing down my list for the sale)

Both are great-looking B&W films from the 1960s - very different but also very good.
If you are more into neo-noir/crime aesthetics and Japanese cinema in general, go for Pale Flower. Very cool stuff right there!
Sundays and Cybele is just a beautifully shot and acted French postwar drama - very much worth a blindbuy just for the visuals alone.

[mande2013]

I pulled the trigger and bought Persona and Pickpocket at 'regular' prices earlier in the fall, so upgrading L'Eclisse will be my top priority at the B&N sale.

If the funds allow it, maybe I'll pick up My Darling Clementine, L'Avventura, and Wild Strawberries. That Tati set is looking more enticing by the day, but I won't get it this side of New Year's.

And I don't know, do I want La Dolce Vita? I can't decide.

[Sifox211]

I'll be picking up the following in the sale - the last sale was the first time I tried ordering more than one item, and as they got through unscathed by customs I'm going to be a bit more bold this time!

Probably buy this lot (and some others) in three waves:

• Tati Collection
• The Leopard
• Sundays & Cybele
• La Dolce Vita
• My Darling Clementine
• L'Eclisse
• The Vanishing
• L'Aventurra
• It Happened One Night
• On the Waterfront

I'm neutral on the packaging/booklet front but am surprised that such an important and anticipated film like LDV isn't getting the star treatment. A nice digipack like they did for Breathless or The Great Beauty would have been more appropriate!

[mande2013]

Originally Posted by StLouisRibs

I'd say slowly phased in. Criterion has to make an announcement and include it in press releases when they even change the packaging, so if it were to return to print they'd likely make some hoo-haa out of it (not to mention that, oddly enough, it'd give the first oppurtunity for the BD titles to be upgraded to newer scans; I had hoped the Dual-Format change could do this with nice new 4K scans for 400 Blows and Breathless, but they simply stuck to the old discs (compare with Playtime, which was given a new scan that's apparently much improved))

To continue this thread, I hope to God Criterion doesn't go down the road of releasing films twice on the same home video format just to accomodate 4K transfers. I think there'd be a lot of grief from customers being made to feel their 2011 CC blus are inadequate. It will only lead to a FOMO epidemic. Nobody needs that. If Criterion eventually adopts 4K blu-rays, fine, but I wouldn't see the use of releasing a 4K transfer of Breathless on a 1080p blu-ray. Okay, it may look marginally better, but Criterion should not go down that road in my opinion. So if Pierrot Le Fou returns, stick with the 2009 transfer. It's more than more than adequate. Playtime is a special case, since it was filmed in 70mm, and the old transfer was certifiably botched. The current Breathless and green-tinted Pierrot transfers are by no means botched.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by mande2013

To continue this thread, I hope to God Criterion doesn't go down the road of releasing films twice on the same home video format just to accomodate 4K transfers. I think there'd be a lot of grief from customers being made to feel their 2011 CC blus are inadequate. It will only lead to a FOMO epidemic. Nobody needs that. If Criterion eventually adopts 4K blu-rays, fine, but I wouldn't see the use of releasing a 4K transfer of Breathless on a 1080p blu-ray. Okay, it may look marginally better, but Criterion should not go down that road in my opinion. So if Pierrot Le Fou returns, stick with the 2009 transfer. It's more than more than adequate. Playtime is a special case, since it was filmed in 70mm, and the old transfer was certifiably botched. The current Breathless and green-tinted Pierrot transfers are by no means botched.

I don't think many people have 4k TV's anyway - I know a few do, but I'm in no rush to upgrade to that format until I invest in a better TV.

It would be nice if they had a scheme where you could trade in your bluray and get discounted price on the new 4k discs (or whatever lol).

But for me, the current blurays are pretty stunning on a standard HD tv, so I am happy :P

[mande2013]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

I don't think many people have 4k TV's anyway - I know a few do, but I'm in no rush to upgrade to that format until I invest in a better TV.

It would be nice if they had a scheme where you could trade in your bluray and get discounted price on the new 4k discs (or whatever lol).

But for me, the current blurays are pretty stunning on a standard HD tv, so I am happy :P

The prospect of re-releasing a film on the same home video format just to accommodate a 'new and improved' restoration just seems wasteful to me, unless it's one of them botched transfers like Playtime, Madame de..., or The Leopard.

Besides, when will Criterion and MOC actually begin 4K blu-ray programs? Certainly not right when the new format is released. I can't imagine a cinephile needing to worry about the 4K upgrade before 2020 or so. But besides, sometimes you have to wonder why a given format, such as 'regular' blu-ray, can't have a chance to be the dominant format for decades like vinyl did. With the money people spend on these things, surely they should be allowed to get decades out of it without suffering from FOMO. Someone who bought a vinyl in 1955 wouldn't have had to feel like they needed to upgrade it until at least the eighties. Just let a format naturally run its course. That's all I'm saying.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by mande2013

The prospect of re-releasing a film on the same home video format just to accommodate a 'new and improved' restoration just seems wasteful to me, unless it's one of them botched transfers like Playtime, Madame de..., or The Leopard.

Besides, when will Criterion and MOC actually begin 4K blu-ray programs? Certainly not right when the new format is released. I can't imagine a cinephile needing to worry about the 4K upgrade before 2020 or so. But besides, sometimes you have to wonder why a given format, such as 'regular' blu-ray, can't have a chance to be the dominant format for decades like vinyl did. With the money people spend on these things, surely they should be allowed to get decades out of it without suffering from FOMO. Someone who bought a vinyl in 1955 wouldn't have had to feel like they needed to upgrade it until at least the eighties. Just let a format naturally run its course. That's all I'm saying.

Yah I agree, fi they was to start the 4 stuff, they should focus on DVD upgrades and make them the priority (as well as new releases) and then upgrade the newer blurays once the bulk of DVD's are upgrade etc - I dunno, if they did 3k would the stick to DVD release, standard Bluray and 4k.

Seems it will be expensive haha

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

Thank you to all who responded to me. I'll still try to fit in Branded to Kill if possible but Pale Flower is the bigger priority.

Now, I have to ask: Pale Flower vs. Sundays and Cybele?



(narrowing down my list for the sale)

S&C is one of my favourite new discoveries of the year.

[jhiggy23]

For me:

Tati boxset
Babette's Feast
L'Eclisse
La Avventura
La Dolce Vita

[wormraper]

I got my eye on 3 titles, but I know that list will expand dramatically. it always does

[BohemianGraham]

Eh, I enjoy the booklets, but I'm more concerned about the lack of supplements as of late. I've been watching (as much as possible) my collection in Spine number order, and I'm watching all supplements but the trailers and commentaries. Some of them are better than the films.

My copy of Howards End should be arriving at Criterion today, had my parents ship it from Kittery, ME for about 4 bucks and some change with tracking. That's a huge savings from if I had mailed it here.

As for the sale, here's my list. Bit more than what I planned because of shipping, customs, and I'm now playing the exchange, but oh well:

The Makioka Sisters
The Mikado
Beauty and the Beast
Ivan's Childhood
The Red Shoes
The Ministry of Fear
To Be or Not To Be
The Uninvited
Jacques Demy
La Dolce Vita
It Happened One Night
Tess
Macbeth

As for the combo packs, to annoy many, I usually just take my DVD copies out and give them away. Sorry to desecrate my sets, but I have no use for them. I do that with my non-Criterion combos too. Mom just bought Maleficent, and she's going to watch the Blu-ray, but then give it to me and keep the DVD.