The Criterion Collection

[buffetfroid]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Amazon.com Criterion best sellers. 7 of 12 top sellers right now are Blu.
http://www.amazon.com/Criterion-Coll...XTWJRBSMZ7A1XA

Try any other seller of both Blu and non-Blu Criterion movies and you'll see the same thing. The Blu-Rays are more than holding their own against non-Blu Criterion releases.

That's because the blu-ray titles are listed cheaper than the SD versions. A friend of mine bought a couple BR for that very reason even though he doesn't have a BR player or even at TV right now.

[horseflesh]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

Also, is it me or is Criterion making some A+ cover art between Feb-April releases?

No, it's not just you.
Most of these covers are stunningly beautiful and are works of art in their own right.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

I am aware of that, I bought Days of Heaven the day it was released. Just saying this is a very recent title and I don't like buying and then rebuying.

Yes, no one does, but rebuying something isn't a requirement in life, PoPress. Obviously, none of us can predict what previous DVD titles Criterion will choose to release on blu-ray, or any other future high-def format, for that matter. It's a sucky situation, obviously, if you want the "best" available version that's available.

One thing, too, about Criterion blu-ray releases is that there's no way Criterion could drop DVD or release blu-ray only releases because I'm sure that a lot of their profits do come from universites and the such. And, I'm pretty sure that the colleges and universities spread out across the country have no reason, let alone the funding, to upgrade to high-definition for showing films in classrooms.

CC

[Steve46]

I just watched Chungking Express for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it.

The Man Who Fell to Earth and The Third Man are next on my list.

[PowellPressburger]

Sorry I only meant that they need to go forward with Day and Date for each title going forward. Surprised to see it a title like Days of Heaven given a BD date, believe me I am looking forward to it.

Just saying at this point they shoudl have each release as a DVD and BD, instead of back tracking in the future if they decide to. Better to get it right the first time than not.

Other point should be and we would all agree Criterion could release a BD of paint drying adn we would all buy it. Same with DVD, this isn't an offensive remark but we follow Criterion with any release and their BD releases sell very well, some even outselling the DVD counterparts, Criterion even stated it in a magizine interview sometime back. It does depend I am sure per title but when your company releases so few titles you should be able to do both format releases.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

Yes, no one does, but rebuying something isn't a requirement in life, PoPress. Obviously, none of us can predict what previous DVD titles Criterion will choose to release on blu-ray, or any other future high-def format, for that matter. It's a sucky situation, obviously, if you want the "best" available version that's available.

One thing, too, about Criterion blu-ray releases is that there's no way Criterion could drop DVD or release blu-ray only releases because I'm sure that a lot of their profits do come from universites and the such. And, I'm pretty sure that the colleges and universities spread out across the country have no reason, let alone the funding, to upgrade to high-definition for showing films in classrooms.

CC

Really? When I was in college (only about 5 years ago) they spent like drunken sailors on technology, new buildings, etc. Maybe it's changed in these more financially troubled times (doubt it) but when I was at a public university they were far ahead of ordinary people when it came to things like HD. All part of what I called "empire building" on the part of public, and to a lesser extent private colleges. Universities in my state have proven time and time again that they will jack up tuition and fees before cutting back on spending one iota. Universities are one place you'll never know there is a recession going on.

[buffetfroid]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Universities are one place you'll never know there is a recession going on.

Obviously you're not from California

[captveg]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

Other point should be and we would all agree Criterion could release a BD of paint drying adn we would all buy it.

Eh, not me. I've rented a handful of titles I hadn't seen before (The Man Who Fell to Earth, El Norte, The Last Metro) and didn't like them enough to own.

[rocks off]

Same. Criterion's release schedule is intentionally spread out like this so that most people will want to buy every release on blu-ray. Release 3 a month and people will buy all of them regardless of the films. I'd never buy something like El Norte.

[jamal2]

Originally Posted by rocks off

Same. Criterion's release schedule is intentionally spread out like this so that most people will want to buy every release on blu-ray. Release 3 a month and people will buy all of them regardless of the films. I'd never buy something like El Norte.

You seem pretty certain that is has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that they're a relatively small company and have limited resources that prevent them restoring and releasing movies every week.

[rocks off]

I know that, but I meant in relation to maybe why they aren't releasing around 6 blus a month instead of 3 Blus + 3 Dvds a month.

[rich_adamson]

Originally Posted by whbinder

They're here! I got the eight replacement cases today (already had Third Man).

I wanted to post this good/bad news for all. I ordered mine on December 10th and just two days ago received the "out of stock 4-6 weeks" email, and they arrived today.

Also, they're beautiful. I'll miss the uniqueness of "The Last Metro", but these are beautiful.

Goddammit!!! What do they have against me? Just Kidding, but this is getting pretty annoying at this point. I guess I just have to keep my fingers crossed and toss some salt over my shoulder or something.

[kndy]

Originally Posted by captveg

Eh, not me. I've rented a handful of titles I hadn't seen before (The Man Who Fell to Earth, El Norte, The Last Metro) and didn't like them enough to own.

I felt that with "The Last Metro", it was Criterion bringing us another Francois Truffaut film with a DVD and Blu-ray release coming out at the right time. Granted, it was not his best film but it was great to have another Truffaut film on BD. I hope that the revisit "Jules et Jim" for a BD release.

"El Norte" was fantastic. To each their own. But granted, illegal immigration is a touchy subject for some people, but the film is a compassionate but yet tragic film.

"The Man Who Fell to Earth"...I have had on BD but yet have to watch. But I did enjoy Bowie's son Duncan Jones's film "Moon" which just came out on BD.

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

Other point should be and we would all agree Criterion could release a BD of paint drying adn we would all buy it.

I used to be that way...but having a "completionist" behavior is just too much for me to handle. Granted, I've seen it worse for the toy or hobbyist, especially those Hot Wheels, Transformers, GI Joe or Star Wars collectors.

Originally Posted by rich_adamson

Goddammit!!! What do they have against me? Just Kidding, but this is getting pretty annoying at this point. I guess I just have to keep my fingers crossed and toss some salt over my shoulder or something.

They looked at your intense collection and saw Eureka and Artificial Eye titles and said to themselves, "we'll make this guy wait". JK! Great collection Rich, great taste in cinema!

Originally Posted by jamal2

You seem pretty certain that is has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that they're a relatively small company and have limited resources that prevent them restoring and releasing movies every week.

What I worry about when it comes to Criterion being a small company are the many Criterion fans who have went towards digital streaming via Netflix. I know there are a very good number of Criterion titles on Netflix minus the special features but I would image that would hurt Criterion. I don't know how they recoup money especially with these 45-50% off sales.

[Alkaline]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Really? When I was in college (only about 5 years ago) they spent like drunken sailors on technology, new buildings, etc. Maybe it's changed in these more financially troubled times (doubt it) but when I was at a public university they were far ahead of ordinary people when it came to things like HD. All part of what I called "empire building" on the part of public, and to a lesser extent private colleges. Universities in my state have proven time and time again that they will jack up tuition and fees before cutting back on spending one iota. Universities are one place you'll never know there is a recession going on.

Same in my experience...I was about to say basically the same thing ( I assume you're talking about Florida here). Never underestimate the lavish spending habits of a public university, in this state at least

[captveg]

I should state that "didn't like it enough to own" takes in many factors, only one of which is the quality of the film. I thought all three of those films I mentioned were very good films - even great films.

However, when I own a film I need to believe I will revisit it at some point. Renting and watching those titles satisfied what I needed from those films. My personal library is primarily for me, and I simply can't afford to buy everything I think is good or great just because Criterion released it.

So I buy films I will rewatch. All three of those films are better films than other films I own, such as, say, Immortal Sergeant. But when I ask myself which one I'd watch again if the mood struck, Immortal Sergeant will happen, while El Norte will not.

Thankfully Criterion, aside from the OOP titles, is a library of classic films. I can point people there instead of towards my own private collection.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by Alkaline

Same in my experience...I was about to say basically the same thing ( I assume you're talking about Florida here). Never underestimate the lavish spending habits of a public university, in this state at least

Yes, I am talking about Florida. I graduated from University of Central Florida. Still go back to campus a couple times each year for football games or concerts. Every time I go back there are many new buildings. Even in a supposedly deep recession in 2009 I didn't notice any slowdown in building.

[Moviefan1203]

Ride With The Devil is a huge want of mine, and it is a criminally underrated picture. I've never seen Summer Hours, but it looks to be an excellent film that I will probably blind buy once it is released on Blu-ray.

[jacobsever]

Just ordered Sweet Movie, Short Cuts, Death of a Cyclist, and Mala Noche dvds for $71 from deepdiscount.com.

I got paid today, and since I'm currently all caught up with every Criterion blu, I needed something to spend my money on, and since I have such a small Criterion dvd selection, I wanted to expand it.

[kndy]

Originally Posted by jacobsever

Just ordered Sweet Movie, Short Cuts, Death of a Cyclist, and Mala Noche dvds for $71 from deepdiscount.com.

I got paid today, and since I'm currently all caught up with every Criterion blu, I needed something to spend my money on, and since I have such a small Criterion dvd selection, I wanted to expand it.

Hi Jacob,

You have to try the Cassavetes, Agnes Varda, Fassbinder, Rohmer, Bergman, Dreyer, Adventures of Antoine Doinel box sets a try. They are a bit expensive but with these sales, they are worth it.

Originally Posted by captveg

So I buy films I will rewatch.

That's smart and good mindset to avoid spending tons of money. Unfortunately, I'm so addicted to having the physical product without renting to watch it before buying. And because I buy too much, I rarely have a chance to rewatch a lot of films I own.

[Abacab]

I'd forgo any more Criterion Blu-rays if I could just have The Killer, Hard Boiled, A Bullet In the Head and A Better Tomorrow from them. The old DVDs are relics and look terrible. Sigh.

Why Weinsteins? Why? Just let the rights go.