Why do you buy criterion blu rays (Poll)

[Whirlygig]

I buy most of them because I am a film lover, and as long as I apply some personal taste guidelines in choosing which to purchase I am 99.99% likely to end up with an engaging film filled with artistic, historic, cultural value worthy of my attention. Were it not for Criterion, an uncomfortably higher percentage of my collection would be cinematic junk food marketed for teenaged boys.

Sometimes they release my favorites, such as Harold and Maude, Walkabout, Being John Malkovich, etc.

[bigdaddyhorse]

Like any other studio I don't currently hate (looking at you Fox), I buy their discs when they put out a film I'm interested in, that's it. No blind speculation or hope for profit, just a kick-ass package for a film I love. So far I only have 2 Criterion BD's (Godzilla is tempting me though) and only plan to buy more if they release more I want. The prices are too high to blind buy, thankfully the library gets almost every Criterion title so I can test drive em for free (got Godzilla here now to compare to the dvd and see if I feel it's worth the upgrade for me).

[Stationary Explorer]

I buy discs of films I like to watch. If Criterion are the ones who issue it, its a bonus.

If I have the choice between a Criterion and non-Criterion disc (Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, Dazed and Confused) I will naturally chose the more expensive Criterion edition for highest quality video, sound, and extras.

[necorbin]

I voted closest to what I feel, but wish there was an all of the above (minus trying to boost them).. Criterion happens to release some of my favorite films, The Royal Tenenbaums, Rushmore, etc... However, even with films that I didn't know anything about, they have impressed me with premium packaging, loads of extras, and a film that is enjoyable from the time you open the case to when it finishes playing on the screen.

[P@t_Mtl]

I buy a Criterion release for the same reason I would buy a Disney release, a WB release, a 20th Century Fox release....because it's a movie I enjoy, I watch it often enough to make the purchase worth my while and I enjoy the darn thing. It's really not that much more complicated than that

I have a hard time understanding this "hatred" some seem to have over a Criterion release and the people who buy them. So what does it matter that some fans want to own every Criterion release? As long as they are not asking you to buy the movies for them, what do you care? Some people here buy everything Disney put's out and we all know some of the movies they release are not even worth the plastic for the case they come in with Do you freak out over these people? So why the hate for Criterion?

[DoubleDownAgain]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I buy a Criterion release for the same reason I would buy a Disney release, a WB release, a 20th Century Fox release....because it's a movie I enjoy, I watch it often enough to make the purchase worth my while and I enjoy the darn thing. It's really not that much more complicated than that

There are definitely collector's that collect any and everything Criterion. Not that there is anything wrong with that, it's their money and their collections. But there are many people that collect Criterions as opposed to people rushing out complete their WB, Universal, Fox or Paramount collections. To say everyone collects Criterions for the same reason as any other distributor is a silly statement. Some [/b]may[/b] collect certain Criterions based solely on their titles, but others point out they like them due to their PQ/AQ, supplements and packaging as well.

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I have a hard time understanding this "hatred" some seem to have over a Criterion release and the people who buy them. So what does it matter that some fans want to own every Criterion release? As long as they are not asking you to buy the movies for them, what do you care? Some people here buy everything Disney put's out and we all know some of the movies they release are not even worth the plastic for the case they come in with Do you freak out over these people? So why the hate for Criterion?

I think some of they CC fans come off as overly pretentious. Sometimes it comes across is if you don't collect CCs than you are a knuckle dragging mouth breather. See the quote below as an example.

Originally Posted by Whirlygig

I buy most of them because I am a film lover, and as long as I apply some personal taste guidelines in choosing which to purchase I am 99.99% likely to end up with an engaging film filled with artistic, historic, cultural value worthy of my attention. Were it not for Criterion, an uncomfortably higher percentage of my collection would be cinematic junk food marketed for teenaged boys.

You may or may not mean any disrespect towards those that don't collect Criterions, but it could certainly be construed that way.

[bookcase]

Originally Posted by p@t_mtl

i buy a criterion release for the same reason i would buy a disney release, a wb release, a 20th century fox release....because it's a movie i enjoy, i watch it often enough to make the purchase worth my while and i enjoy the darn thing. It's really not that much more complicated than that

+1

[exolstice]

My main reason is to discover new films that I otherwise wouldn't have seen or even heard of. I usually borrow them from the library to see if I'll like them though, unless it's a title I'm sure I will like.

I also buy a lot that are films I already like: Fear and Loathing, 12 Angry Men, Three Colors Trilogy, etc.

The artwork, packaging, booklets, special features are just an added incentive to purchase.

I don't feel the need to own every single one, especially since I dislike some of the films.

[ry35an]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I buy a Criterion release for the same reason I would buy a Disney release, a WB release, a 20th Century Fox release....because it's a movie I enjoy, I watch it often enough to make the purchase worth my while and I enjoy the darn thing. It's really not that much more complicated than that

I have a hard time understanding this "hatred" some seem to have over a Criterion release and the people who buy them. So what does it matter that some fans want to own every Criterion release? As long as they are not asking you to buy the movies for them, what do you care? Some people here buy everything Disney put's out and we all know some of the movies they release are not even worth the plastic for the case they come in with Do you freak out over these people? So why the hate for Criterion?

LOL, so true.

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by DoubleDownAgain

There are definitely collector's that collect any and everything Criterion. Not that there is anything wrong with that, it's their money and their collections. But there are many people that collect Criterions as opposed to people rushing out complete their WB, Universal, Fox or Paramount collections. To say everyone collects Criterions for the same reason as any other distributor is a silly statement. Some [/b]may[/b] collect certain Criterions based solely on their titles, but others point out they like them due to their PQ/AQ, supplements and packaging as well.




I think some of they CC fans come off as overly pretentious. Sometimes it comes across is if you don't collect CCs than you are a knuckle dragging mouth breather. See the quote below as an example.



You may or may not mean any disrespect towards those that don't collect Criterions, but it could certainly be construed that way.

agreed, it's the main reason I won't go in the Criterion thread for just about ANY reason

[EddieLarkin]

I spend most of my time watching "art house" or obscure titles, and Criterion are one of the most prolific distributors of them. I hold no preference with them over other companies who release similar fare like Masters of Cinema, but Criterion happen to put out a far larger catalogue.

So sure, plenty of my money goes in their pockets. Thankfully, they seem to genuinely care about the product they put out and at least strive to make a worthwhile disc.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by wormraper

agreed, it's the main reason I won't go in the Criterion thread for just about ANY reason

I hear this a lot and I am not pointing this back at you at all, I like you and I think you are one poster I always enjoy reading about and I really respect you. It just that the subject is up and you are the last post I see about the subject of Criterion and snobish fans.

I will say, yes it's quite possible that some people in the Criterion thread may come as snob but I think also that a lot of people have missconceptions. There is a lot of joking and horsing around in the thread that just goes unnotice by a lot of people who may not be regular. They think they are receiving jabs and most time, that's not really it. The Criterion thread is in fact one of the most respectful and interesting thread in the forum. I see a lot more lack of respect and some serious issues in more regular threads like Transformers or Indiana Jones, were the name calling, insults and plain nastyness just get to the level of grade school yard fighting. I think many would be surprise just how regular joe's people who enjoy Criterion movies actually are, and not a bunch of cigar smoking, cognac twirlling egocentric snobs

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I hear this a lot and I am not pointing this back at you at all, I like you and I think you are one poster I always enjoy reading about and I really respect you. It just that the subject is up and you are the last post I see about the subject of Criterion and snobish fans.

I will say, yes it's quite possible that some people in the Criterion thread may come as snob but I think also that a lot of people have missconceptions. There is a lot of joking and horsing around in the thread that just goes unnotice by a lot of people who may not be regular. They think they are receiving jabs and most time, that's not really it. The Criterion thread is in fact one of the most respectful and interesting thread in the forum. I see a lot more lack of respect and some serious issues in more regular threads like Transformers or Indiana Jones, were the name calling, insults and plain nastyness just get to the level of grade school yard fighting. I think many would be surprise just how regular joe's people who enjoy Criterion movies actually are, and not a bunch of cigar smoking, cognac twirlling egocentric snobs

oh don't worry, I collect criterion's too and I know the misconceptions, but at the same time there's a handful of members who never venture outside of the Criterion threads and ARE that way, kinda soured the whole criterion thread for me. Kind of like there's a handful of members who can ONLY survive in the Twilight Time threads due to a certain "snobbish" bent.

although I agree with you on the "blockbuster" threads. It's becoming wildly prevelant that if you don't like "insert crazy popular blockbuster title" that you're a troll and deserve to be castrated with dull knife

and as for WHY I buy Criterions. I buy criterions because of the fantastic effort put into them by CC and the SHOCKING desire to own a movie that looks interesting or one of my favorites

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by Bluprint

Honestly, I think people buy Criterion BDs just to fit in or come of as Filmniks. Criterion has a great catalog but "Come the eff on" most of that fluff is just for completist or people with flip phones.

I'm confused by this comment.

Buying Criterion blu-rays = expensive. Flip phone = cheap.

They don't go hand in hand if you are trying to suggest "yuppies" or hipsters buy Criterions.

I actually have a "flip phone", thing cost me $15. About the price of a Criterion blu-ray, and I also pay under $20 a month for the plan because I don't have to worry about data. The good news with having such a cheap phone, is it allows me to buy more blu-rays, and especially Criterions.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by wormraper

oh don't worry, I collect criterion's too and I know the misconceptions, but at the same time there's a handful of members who never venture outside of the Criterion threads and ARE that way, kinda soured the whole criterion thread for me. Kind of like there's a handful of members who can ONLY survive in the Twilight Time threads due to a certain "snobbish" bent.

although I agree with you on the "blockbuster" threads. It's becoming wildly prevelant that if you don't like "insert crazy popular blockbuster title" that you're a troll and deserve to be castrated with dull knife

and as for WHY I buy Criterions. I buy criterions because of the fantastic effort put into them by CC and the SHOCKING desire to own a movie that looks interesting or one of my favorites

Well I have some idea on who you may reference to here but let's leave name out of it

To also say another thing. I also understand perfectly well why some people would want nothing to do with Criterion releases, not their way of looking at entertainement. Watching movies is a way of relaxing and for some the idea of relaxing while watching Seven Samurai just does not work and I think that is just perfect. Lot's of people on the forum love horror/slasher movies. They find them fund and they enjoy them. I don't! I can't even imagine how one can relax watching those movies That being said I would never go and call all of them psychos for watching these type of movies

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Well I have some idea on who you may reference to here but let's leave name out of it

To also say another thing. I also understand perfectly well why some people would want nothing to do with Criterion releases, not their way of looking at entertainement. Watching movies is a way of relaxing and for some the idea of relaxing while watching Seven Samurai just does not work and I think that is just perfect. Lot's of people on the forum love horror/slasher movies. They find them fund and they enjoy them. I don't! I can't even imagine how one can relax watching those movies That being said I would never go and call all of them psychos for watching these type of movies

oh yeah, Criterions are a watching experience all their own vs. you standard "unwind" movies.A much more "involving" exerience

[Whirlygig]

Originally Posted by DoubleDownAgain

You may or may not mean any disrespect towards those that don't collect Criterions, but it could certainly be construed that way.

Which part? Obviously I own plenty of cinematic junk food, or my percentage would remain 0 even after removing Criterions, not become higher.

Also, I don't care what other people collect. If you don't want to collect Criterion, don't. I do want to, and that's why.

Start another thread titled "why do you buy cinematic junk food marketed for teenaged boys" and I will explain that in there. Possibly with a statement about how if I didn't, an uncomfortably higher percentage of my collection would be pretentious, artsy-fartsy crap.

[Sky_Captain]

I think I own like 3 Criterion titles. Blow Out, Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas and Rushmore.
I have no interest in anything else they've released, not even the other Wes Anderson movies.

This is far different from my DVD experience with Criterion, which wasn't just artsy fartsy shit.

[Bluprint]

Originally Posted by AgentOrange

I'm confused by this comment.

Buying Criterion blu-rays = expensive. Flip phone = cheap.

They don't go hand in hand if you are trying to suggest "yuppies" or hipsters buy Criterions.

I actually have a "flip phone", thing cost me $15. About the price of a Criterion blu-ray, and I also pay under $20 a month for the plan because I don't have to worry about data. The good news with having such a cheap phone, is it allows me to buy more blu-rays, and especially Criterions.

Trust, I meant no disrespect. Alot of the Criterion catalog (96%) is classic/foreign/old fashion cinema. And yes, It was a hand in hand type comment, (i.e touch screen phone owner would go for more newer titles based on newer technology.) It was just a joke, I meant no harm. I did however say Criterion has a great catalog followed by, but most of it is for completist "who collect every Criterion title" just because it is Criterion. I love lots of films from the Criterion Collection and have Seven Samurai, Two Lane Black Top, Dazed and Confused, Rushmore, Modern Times, The Killing, Yojimbo, Che and 12 Angry Men on DVD. I love your sense of humor and having a cheap touch screen keeps me in the middle.

[Dieu]

I love the visual quality of Criterion releases. But what I don't understand is why they don't offer surround sound. They have access to the master sound, so they could offer a high quality, correctly mix surround sound. Instead, we listen to mono in a voice-oriented center speaker, or we let our system do a DPLII. If we had hi-fi mono system, it would be perfect, but we all have a minimum of 5.1 systems.

edit: of course i'm talking about old release in mono.