The Criterion Collection

[rkish]

Originally Posted by silentblu

Would love to see The Kid get released.

Absolutely! I sort of wish that had been the first one to get released.

I just wish SOMEONE would release the Essany/Mutual shorts (on blu) that he did before doing the feature films.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by rkish

Absolutely! I sort of wish that had been the first one to get released.

I just wish SOMEONE would release the Essany/Mutual shorts (on blu) that he did before doing the feature films.

I would love to see those shorts released, in part because picked up the Mutual Shorts DVD set, so many of them would be new to me.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by blkhrt

I would love to see those shorts released, in part because picked up the Mutual Shorts DVD set, so many of them would be new to me.

The set that Image released?...Yeah...it's a great set.

Did you just get the Mutual shorts or the set which contained both?

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by rkish

The set that Image released?...Yeah...it's a great set.

Did you just get the Mutual shorts or the set which contained both?

Ack. This is what happens when I try to type on a Friday afternoon. I meant to say that I never picked up the shorts set. I have the two MK2 collections, but that is it.

[aggienader08]

Originally Posted by s00perd00per

I totally agree with you. I know it's not my business and people can do what they want with their money but I find it strange when people blind buy the whole collection. It makes me think they're more into the perceived "prestige" of owning the Collection rather than the movies themselves. It's great Criterion opens them up to these types of films but after a while you'd think they'd branch out and buy titles from Kino or some other distributor but alas, the only foreign or classic movie you'll see them owning is all from Criterion.

I'm more on the fence about this particular topic, because there are Criterion titles that you can't rent and some people may just feel that they'd rather go ahead and purchase them rather than try to track down a rental. I completely understand that even though I may not agree with the logic. I try to Netflix just about every title that I haven't seen from the bu-ray collection, like Antichrist and Amarcord. I'm not going to go out and buy Mystery Train or The Secret of the Grain or Everlasting Moments because I haven't seen them. Blind buying Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence is an option for me because I like David Bowie and that's enough for me.

I took a 4 hr. film course in college 3 years ago where the teacher based his criteria off of several Criterion Collection films. We were credited for watching all of them. It was quite an experience because there were several that I flat out didn't enjoy in the slightest but a lot that I loved. We had to write a 500 word review of all the titles we watched throughout the course of the semester. Of course, it wasn't limited to only Criterion, but the majority, and we had to obtain them from the University Library. So the titles I own are titles that I watched and liked. I can honestly say that there are plenty of Criterion titles that I will never purchase and never want to see again, and for reasons that some in this thread may not agree with.

What bothers me are the completionist that have to own every single movie regardless of whether or not they enjoy them. Some even act like completionists wanting to own the whole collection, and buy and buy and buy and then back down after they've seen a film they don't like. I can't tell you how many times I've seen posts in this thread of people saying "I purchased X and got through the Yth chapter and stopped it. Now I'm going to sell it." Biggest waste of time, money, a post, and an opinion. I don't care for it, and think they look ridiculous when posting the sort.

[s00perd00per]

Originally Posted by rkish

Believe it or not...there are people from the UK that post on the Masters of Cinema forum that do the exact same thing with MoC blu-ray releases. I guess some people collect them for the sport of it...like slipcases and steelbooks.

Correction and addition for my last post:

I meant to say von Sternberg "silents" and NOT "shorts". They ARE silent, but not shorts...they are full length films.

And secondly...I bought the set! Had a feeling that I would anyway!

It's human nature I guess. I'm just glad that since I've started collecting movies, I've been able to control myself on what I should buy because it gets expensive after a while.

Originally Posted by jcs913

If Criterion didn't have 'collectors' they would not be able to put out so many great titles that people don't watch.

While it's good that Criterion gets much love, other companies like Kino need support too. Because the reality is, not all great movies are licensed under Criterion and I would love to see the level of production that Criterion has in other companies.

[tfunk]

I said earlier in this thread that I was trying to get as many of the CC Blu's as I could, and that's still true, because I feel like each film in the CC needs to be seen once, and if you get the movies during these sales or off of ebay (which I have), if you end up not liking one you blind bought, you can sell it for roughly what you purchased it for.

After reading some of these, it's made me realize how absurd it is to buy all of these. If you can get them at a good price, I say go for it. The problem then becomes what if you end up hating the movie? That's where it's nice for Netflix to come in beforehand.

Moments before I decided to post, I remembered that I watched the movie Hunger and didn't particularly care for it. It's not that it wasn't good, I just didn't enjoy it. Maybe it was my mood, maybe it's because I ended up having to watch it in 2 separate viewing sessions, I don't know.

Now, my completionist battles my common sense. I know that movie is obtainable for the foreseeable future. I have no rush to get it. Will I revisit the movie someday by purchasing it? Unlikely, but not out of the question entirely. If it ends up going OOP, I might get it beforehand just because at that point I'd at least like the option to be able to revisit it if I ever feel like I should.

I feel like with about half of the movies I didn't get during this B&N sale, that's going to end up as the case, even for the films I haven't watched. I'm in no rush now, but I'd like the option because you really don't have many options better than a Criterion release, and you never know, it might end up being a great one you can't believe you missed out on for so long.

For me, the example of that last one is obvious if you've seen my posts from the last few pages (The Third Man). So I guess to very sloppily sum this post up, reading about how being a completionist is somewhat absurd and adding into the mix for me personally how there's a movie I don't own and I didn't care for makes being a completionist seem impossible. So thank you, Criterion Collection Discussion, for helping me realize the craziness of being a completionist for NO reason.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by blkhrt

Ack. This is what happens when I try to type on a Friday afternoon. I meant to say that I never picked up the shorts set. I have the two MK2 collections, but that is it.

If ya got the spare cash...they are still listed on Amazon and I'm sure on EBay. Not outrageously priced like the MK2 boxsets have become.

[larry47591]

I was trying to get a booklet for all mankind cause i got mine off ebay and it was not included, but this was his response.

Unfortunately, I don't believe we'll be getting more of the FOR ALL MANKIND booklets in stock as the film is now out of print.

[aggienader08]

Originally Posted by tfunk

For me, the example of that last one is obvious if you've seen my posts from the last few pages (The Third Man). So I guess to very sloppily sum this post up, reading about how being a completionist is somewhat absurd and adding into the mix for me personally how there's a movie I don't own and I didn't care for makes being a completionist seem impossible. So thank you, Criterion Collection Discussion, for helping me realize the craziness of being a completionist for NO reason.

Agreed. Why would you want to own a movie that you aren't even sure you know you're going to enjoy? I keep telling my friends outside of the forum, just because there's a sale going on offering all these titles at an extremely low price at high value, doesn't mean you have to grab them all up. Of course value is strictly determined by your enjoyment of the film, and if you're not sure, then you're potentially buying a valueless film.

Throughout this sale, I've only purchased Seven Samurai (which I can't believe I waited that long to pick it up), The Darjeeling Limited, Paths of Glory, The Magician, and Night of the Hunter. I love all of these films. The unfortunate thing is that I will now have to wait for another Criterion sale before I can pick up a couple of my favorite films that are being released over the next few months. I hate waiting.

[s00perd00per]

Originally Posted by aggienader08

What bothers me are the completionist that have to own every single movie regardless of whether or not they enjoy them. Some even act like completionists wanting to own the whole collection, and buy and buy and buy and then back down after they've seen a film they don't like. I can't tell you how many times I've seen posts in this thread of people saying "I purchased X and got through the Yth chapter and stopped it. Now I'm going to sell it." Biggest waste of time, money, a post, and an opinion. I don't care for it, and think they look ridiculous when posting the sort.

Well said. I guess it speaks volumes about what Criterion has achieved with their work, which is very commendable. Like you said, I can understand blind-buying because you like the director, the actor, or the plot of the movie but here, you have someone who buys based on who distributed the movie.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by larry47591

I was trying to get a booklet for all mankind cause i got mine off ebay and it was not included, but this was his response.

Unfortunately, I don't believe we'll be getting more of the FOR ALL MANKIND booklets in stock as the film is now out of print.

What an uneducated response. The original Criterion DVD release was replaced by the new re-release along with the blu-ray. There's no OOP rumors for that title at all.

CC

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by aggienader08

We had to right a 500 word review of all the titles we watched

I can only imagine how that worked out for you

[Show spoiler] I kid.... I kid......

[larry47591]

That is just what Jon told me. He could be wrong of course.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by larry47591

I was trying to get a booklet for all mankind cause i got mine off ebay and it was not included, but this was his response.

Unfortunately, I don't believe we'll be getting more of the FOR ALL MANKIND booklets in stock as the film is now out of print.

If that was Mulvaney's responce from Criterion, that is baffling considering it has no indication of that on their website.

[plattopus]

Originally Posted by aggienader08

Agreed. Why would you want to own a movie that you aren't even sure you know you're going to enjoy? I keep telling my friends outside of the forum, just because there's a sale going on offering all these titles at an extremely low price at high value, doesn't mean you have to grab them all up. Of course value is strictly determined by your enjoyment of the film, and if you're not sure, then you're potentially buying a valueless film.

Throughout this sale, I've only purchased Seven Samurai (which I can't believe I waited that long to pick it up), The Darjeeling Limited, Paths of Glory, The Magician, and Night of the Hunter. I love all of these films. The unfortunate thing is that I will now have to wait for another Criterion sale before I can pick up a couple of my favorite films that are being released over the next few months. I hate waiting.

I don't agree with you. It's funny how there's a bit of negativity towards people blind buying Criterion discs, but no one ever gets looked down upon for going to a music store and picking up a handful of untried CDs. I have a ton of CDs in my collection that I bought blind and didn't end up liking, but even if there were only one that I genuinely enjoyed, then it's worth all the time and money. As it happens, most of my favourite bands today stem from a single CD I bought blind about 10 years ago. And, yes, there are some CDs I've bought that I know I don't like, which I got just to complete an artist's collection or because they're important titles to have. I see no problem with that.

There are some other circumstances as well:

For some films, the only available home media release (or the only worthwhile release) is the Criterion version, so it's not like you can go to the supermarket and pick up a single-disc DVD for $4.95 in a bargain bin. And even if you could, for a lot of Criterion films you wouldn't want to experience them that way. If I'm going to watch The Night of the Hunter blind, I want it to be good quality.

There's also the supplements. I'm not the biggest fan of Paths of Glory, but hearing interviews with Stanley Kubrick and Kirk Douglas interest me as a movie viewer, so that particular package is worth the money.

I live in Australia, and Criterions aren't even available here to buy or rent, so the only other alternative is to download them. And I, personally, like to buy DVDs and Blu-rays to support the industry because that's the way I choose to spend my pay check. How this can possibly be a bad thing I'll never know.

I actually bought 75 Blu-rays and DVDs in total during this B&N sale because the combination of the 50% off deal and the high Australian dollar made them essentially a third of the normal price. I'm more than happy to spend $18 on a brilliantly presented copy of The Red Shoes if I'll never be able to get it at that price again. If I don't end up liking it and get nothing out of the special features then that's too bad, but watching a film is an experience even if I don't like it. And it's only $1.50 more than seeing a movie at the cinema.

[Reno McCoy]

I'm enjoying this debate about blind buying the entire Criterion line of movies because that's exactly what I've done so far. However, I've focused on those movies I think I'll like, based on previous experience, the trailers, the reviews, this and other forums, etc.

My friend and I, who doesn't live nearby, are watching the films together. We'll watch the film, discuss it via email to delve into all elements of the film, and then we'll go back to the special features to see what more we can learn about it all. Of course, that's followed by more discussion.

For me, doing blind buys enhances the experience. I'm really excited to delve into these films and to discuss them with my friend in large part because we've never seen many of them before. It's much more exciting than buying a blu-ray of a modern film I've already seen at the theater. Sure, i could rent them and get the same experience, but I've always liked "owning" the artifact itself. I like the freedom to watch anything I want, when I want (and I like the way these things look on the shelf).

And if I end up not liking a certain movie, I can still appreciate it. For me, learning by watching a film that doesn't work for me is just as valuable as learning what I do like. Plus, there's been plenty of times I've watched a film that I wasn't totally into on the first viewing, only to find that upon multiple viewings, my opinions change. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen.

[aggienader08]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I can only imagine how that worked out for you

[Show spoiler] I kid.... I kid......

LMAO! Unfortunately I failed the class because of my spelling and grammar!

[Show spoiler]I kid as well....

It's been edited, thank you Beta.

[plattopus]

Originally Posted by Reno McCoy

For me, doing blind buys enhances the experience. I'm really excited to delve into these films and to discuss them with my friend in large part because we've never seen many of them before. It's much more exciting than buying a blu-ray of a modern film I've already seen at the theater. Sure, i could rent them and get the same experience, but I've always liked "owning" the artifact itself. I just like the way these things look on the shelf.

And if I end up not liking a certain movie, I can still appreciate it. For me, learning by watching a film that doesn't work for me is just as valuable as learning what I do like. Plus, there's been plenty of times I've watched a film that I wasn't totally into on the first viewing, only to find that upon multiple viewings, my opinions change. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen.

There you go. That's what I was trying to say, but you said it far more eloquently.

Nothing beats the experience of blindly stumbling upon a treasure of a film/TV show/band.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by aggienader08

Agreed. Why would you want to own a movie that you aren't even sure you know you're going to enjoy?

As a rule I don't like buying blind but I'll relax those standards somewhat for Criterions for a few reasons...

As has already been mentioned, a lot of their stuff can be difficult to rent and can be very difficult to rent in HD. I've gotten pretty spoiled over the past year or so and have become less and less willing to preview movies in SD. I'll either rent it, wait for it on cable or watch for a ridiculously low blind buy price (all of which are a bit harder to do with Criterions).

Collecting is part of it too. I only have fifteen or so but even at that I do like the way that section is starting to look. It's not a *huge* factor but if I'm on the fence about a given title 'eh, worst case I get one more for the shelf' seems like a fairly reasonable tie-breaker.

Last but definitely not least, the stuff Criterion releases very much lends itself to multiple viewings. When I bought Breathless, for instance, I felt going in that whether I loved it or hated it or was anywhere in between I was going to want to watch it more than once and that's definitely been the case. I liked it well enough the first time through and I'm looking forward to checking out some of the supplements and watching it with commentary.