Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954-1975 (Limited Edition) - November 25, 2019

[Faustus]

Originally Posted by MechaGodzilla

It's much better in the Japanese cut, but still one of the lesser films of the series.

I've seen both, but sadly only own the disc that rapta was referring to.

Originally Posted by MechaGodzilla

Rodan and King Ghidorah are all in Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and the trailers showed off all of them.

I didn't watch the trailer. I've very little interest in US movies, in general, and even less in their take on Godzilla; but I mean no disrespect to anyone who enjoys them. If it had did well, I'd have been happy to reap the benefits of labels cashing-in with newly released Japanese originals on UK shelves.

[MechaGodzilla]

Originally Posted by Faustus

I didn't watch the trailer. I've very little interest in US movies, in general, and even less in their take on Godzilla; but I mean no disrespect to anyone who enjoys them. If it had did well, I'd have been happy to reap the benefits of labels cashing-in with newly released Japanese originals on UK shelves.

Hey, that's fair enough. There are Godzilla fans that only care for a particular era, and there are Godzilla fans that don't care to see American interpretations of the property. I get it.

For me, it's just fun to see a different kind of interpretation, from a different country and culture, with a different way of making movies. I do agree that, ultimately, Godzilla is Japanese and the Japanese series is the most "true", though. But as a complementary side dish, the new American movies are fun, and I don't feel I have to choose one over the other. I just like Godzilla, period, and the more takes on the character the better.

The MonsterVerse seems like it'll stop at Godzilla vs. Kong, and I think four is a fine number to end at. After that, it'll be back to Toho and I'm excited to see what they do.

[malcy30]

I see it's down to $113 on Amazon.com so this converts to £117 all in tax paid to UK.

So a great price if you can play RA disks, as the OOP UK release with RB disks was £150 before discount.

[Ste7en]

As much as I love Godzilla I just couldn't afford this. I had it ordered but had to cancel it.

What are the chances of it coming out as a 'regular' edition?

[oddbox83]

Originally Posted by Ste7en

As much as I love Godzilla I just couldn't afford this. I had it ordered but had to cancel it.

What are the chances of it coming out as a 'regular' edition?

Me too.

I could have afforded it, but with lots of other expensive things like a bathroom to refit, I just couldn't justify it right now. Having a nice room to crap in is just that bit more necessary...

Maybe the US version will remain in print a bit longer, or maybe they'll do another run of the UK set without the fancy packaging.

[Ste7en]

Originally Posted by oddbox83

Me too.

I could have afforded it, but with lots of other expensive things like a bathroom to refit, I just couldn't justify it right now. Having a nice room to crap in is just that bit more necessary...

Maybe the US version will remain in print a bit longer, or maybe they'll do another run of the UK set without the fancy packaging.

Wow! I got a new bathroom over the summer as well

Too posh for me to crap in now though. Just the Mrs and Kids

[Modman]

Originally Posted by oddbox83

Me too.

I could have afforded it, but with lots of other expensive things like a bathroom to refit, I just couldn't justify it right now. Having a nice room to crap in is just that bit more necessary...

Maybe the US version will remain in print a bit longer, or maybe they'll do another run of the UK set without the fancy packaging.

If there is the demand Criterion might do another run of the UK edition but probably with the same packaging, I don't remember them doing a re-release of a box set with revised packaging.

I thought the US version wasn't limited?

[Aclea]

Still no sign of my copy from Zoom...

[malcy30]

Originally Posted by Modman

If there is the demand Criterion might do another run of the UK edition but probably with the same packaging, I don't remember them doing a re-release of a box set with revised packaging.

I thought the US version wasn't limited?

Agree, not read anything to say it's limited in the US.
They have kept their big boxes in print like the Olympics and Bergman ones.

Here I guess Sony / Criterion don't want to be stuck with lots of unsold stock of such an expensive box which would need significant discounting to shift.

[Ste7en]

Cool. I'll get Christmas out the way and buy the US edition then.

Cheers! I had no idea the US one wasn't limited.

[Modman]

Originally Posted by Ste7en

Cool. I'll get Christmas out the way and buy the US edition then.

Cheers! I had no idea the US one wasn't limited.

FYI the current US price is because Amazon.com are matching Barnes & Noble's sale when that ends expect a price rise by about $50 or more. I think the sale runs until the end of the month or early December.

Not likely to drop again in price on Amazon.com until Criterion have a random 24 hour flash sale or Barnes & Noble's July sale (assuming they are still around, rumours of their demise have been circulating for years).

[Takeshi666]

What I don't understand is why they didn't just code the US release for A and B. Arrow's done it!

[Indiana Jones]

Originally Posted by Takeshi666

What I don't understand is why they didn't just code the US release for A and B. Arrow's done it!

Once they announced a UK release was coming I was certain that was exactly what they would do as they could use the same packaging and only the discs would require new artwork so was quite surprised when the US set started shipping and people confirmed it was Region A locked.

[sonny gaunt]

Originally Posted by Takeshi666

What I don't understand is why they didn't just code the US release for A and B. Arrow's done it!

Maybe another UK label has acquired the rights? Is it possible that Toho gave Criterion a more limited(time wise) license for the UK?

[johnpaul2]

Originally Posted by Takeshi666

What I don't understand is why they didn't just code the US release for A and B. Arrow's done it!

They've never done that once.

I don't understand why they keep doing it, except this being a further proof the US branch and the UK branch don't communicate with each other at all, especially since many UK titles were released not even one month after the US release, and some were pretty much released simultaneously in both territories : 2 weeks apart for Detour and The Magnificent Ambersons, 1 week for La vérité and A Raisin in the Sun, 3 weeks for Panique and Shampoo, and even just 1 day for My Man Godfrey, Midnight Cowboy and Cold Water !

Originally Posted by sonny gaunt

Maybe another UK label has acquired the rights? Is it possible that Toho gave Criterion a more limited(time wise) license for the UK?

No, it's just how Criterion operates. My guess is that the US branch keeps on working on a "business as usual" basis, and the UK branch kind of randomly picks some older titles to port and some newer releases to release pretty much simultaneously, but the 2 branches don't coordinate at all.
There also seems to be a lack of care in the UK branch as to things as simple as what Criterion can actually release, which further strengthen my impression the UK branch isn't operated very thoroughly but rather as something closer to a "nice to have" thing.

[Modman]

In addition, Criterion don't want to undercut prices in their core market. Amazon UK has sold UK Criterion's for as low as £10 (often £12.50 a pop), knock off the VAT and even with shipping added US buyers could pick up Criterion's for well under normal US prices.

[malcy30]

Originally Posted by Modman

In addition, Criterion don't want to undercut prices in their core market. Amazon UK has sold UK Criterion's for as low as £10 (often £12.50 a pop), knock off the VAT and even with shipping added US buyers could pick up Criterion's for well under normal US prices.

I think this is the big issue for Criterion US.
Amazon regularly price match the £10 Criterion weekend deals that Zoom do, plus we have had the 2 for £25 and similar offers.

As you say once you take off VAT as well and then even with shipping from Amazon UK these are cheaper for US purchasers.

Single disk Criterions never tend to drop below the 50% discount B&N offer in the bi-annual sales and the Criterion website flash sales, so you are talking $20.


Regarding the long term future of B&N. They were bought by the private equity company that already owned Waterstones in the UK. The Waterstones CEO is now CEO of B&N and spending much of his time in the US working on plans for B&N.

What we don't know is if he will cut back B&N to a books only operation as Waterstones, so ditching the media stuff including BDs. Not sure how much if any of the B&N profit this makes. May want to cut back to the basics. However plans and any changes are still to be announced.

[Modman]

Originally Posted by malcy30

I think this is the big issue for Criterion US.
Amazon regularly price match the £10 Criterion weekend deals that Zoom do, plus we have had the 2 for £25 and similar offers.

As you say once you take off VAT as well and then even with shipping from Amazon UK these are cheaper for US purchasers.

Single disk Criterions never tend to drop below the 50% discount B&N offer in the bi-annual sales and the Criterion website flash sales, so you are talking $20.


Regarding the long term future of B&N. They were bought by the private equity company that already owned Waterstones in the UK. The Waterstones CEO is now CEO of B&N and spending much of his time in the US working on plans for B&N.

What we don't know is if he will cut back B&N to a books only operation as Waterstones, so ditching the media stuff including BDs. Not sure how much if any of the B&N profit this makes. May want to cut back to the basics. However plans and any changes are still to be announced.

You would hope that this would give B&N a long term future, however, ownership by an equity company is no guarantee of stability e.g. Hilco and HMV.

[johnpaul2]

Originally Posted by Modman

In addition, Criterion don't want to undercut prices in their core market. Amazon UK has sold UK Criterion's for as low as £10 (often £12.50 a pop), knock off the VAT and even with shipping added US buyers could pick up Criterion's for well under normal US prices.

Except the amount of consumers importing has always been said to be mostly negligible. Which explains also the opposite : no matter how English-friendly some foreign releases can be, nothing replace a domestic release.
While I understand the financial rationale behind (which is accurate), in practice, it'd seem like a possible waste of money compared to a possibly smaller loss of money.
On the other hand, Criterion US discs are pressed in America while UK ones are produced in Europe, so they wouldn't mutualise them anyway.

[Modman]

Originally Posted by johnpaul2

Except the amount of consumers importing has always been said to be mostly negligible. Which explains also the opposite : no matter how English-friendly some foreign releases can be, nothing replace a domestic release.
While I understand the financial rationale behind (which is accurate), in practice, it'd seem like a possible waste of money compared to a possibly smaller loss of money.
On the other hand, Criterion US discs are pressed in America while UK ones are produced in Europe, so they wouldn't mutualise them anyway.

You are probably right for the big labels, hence why Warner in the USA release Region free discs and don't worry about buyers from abroad. However, we are talking about a boutique label operating in a niche market selling to mostly movie savvy consumers, why take the risk of giving your customers the easy opportunity to buy from abroad.