The Criterion Collection

[Seretur]

I just hope they continue offering cardboard packaging, or conversely provide inserts and cases for the existing releases if they indeed switch to plastic.

I know the Collection will never look too unified, but they do have a chance to do things right here. I'm perfectly fine with the packaging as it is, btw.

[Jimbo976]

Personally i'm fine with the packaging. I have 5 of them so far and I think they look good on my shelf and have adequate protection.

[zedd_117]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

Just wanted to point out the comment about some future Criterion blu-ray packaging - 'cause I know some people are concerned about the current cardboard cases - that was commented on by Jon Mulvaney over at CriterionForum.org.

It's basically saying that Criterion has been working on a clear custom blu-ray plastic case that they will use on some future Criterion blu-ray releases later in the year instead of the current cardboard packaging.

CC

Glad to hear it. Personally I think the cardboard packaging degrades the prestige of the Criterion Collection.
It'll look a lot better on our shelves too. But I bet they use it for a reason to increase prices.

[Seretur]

I'm sure they won't increase pricing. That was their mission statement, and they stuck with it.

Also, I can totally see why they didn't want to go with the regular blue cases -- Criterion being notoriously sophisticated in their aesthetic sense. (Glad someone is.) To hear that they went so far as to produce their own version of the Blu-ray case is amazing -- of course the blue color, not being neutral, would play havoc with their carefully orchestrated color schemes.

Still, I'll keep to my original point -- they should offer at least a first printing of all their BD releases in cardboard cases, for those of us who like them, or offer their new transparent cases and replacement covers for the existing releases if they plan to completely switch around.

Or I'll just have to line my Criterions in two rows on the shelf. Oh the ignominy.

At least I can rest assured that Domino Harvey over at CriterionForum will give them their just deserts whatever the outcome.

[zedd_117]

Just went digging through my old e-mails and found the official list of titles being released on Blu by criterion.
Here's a copy:
Dear Criterion Collection Newsletter subscriber,

We’ve got some exciting news for this fall, and we wanted you to hear it first.

Our first Blu-ray discs are coming! We’ve picked a little over a dozen titles from the collection for Blu-ray treatment, and we’ll begin rolling them out in October. These new editions will feature glorious high-definition picture and sound, all the supplemental content of the DVD releases, and they will be priced to match our standard-def editions.

Here’s what’s in the pipeline:

The Third Man
Bottle Rocket
Chungking Express
The Man Who Fell to Earth
The Last Emperor
El Norte
The 400 Blows
Gimme Shelter
The Complete Monterey Pop
Contempt
Walkabout
For All Mankind
The Wages of Fear

Alongside our DVD and Blu-ray box sets of The Last Emperor, we’ll also be putting out the theatrical version as a stand-alone release in both formats, priced at $39.95. Our Blu-ray release of Walkabout will be an all-new edition, featuring new supplements as well as a new transfer; we will also release an updated anamorphic DVD of Nicolas Roeg’s outback masterpiece at the same time.

As a special thank you to our newsletter subscribers, we’d like to offer you all $10 off any order of $60 or more placed on on criterion.com through Monday, May 26. Just use the code OFBT and you’ll also qualify for free shipping.

Enjoy spring!

[Jimbo976]

So just these ones that have not been announced yet from their initial list...

Gimme Shelter
The Complete Monterey Pop
Contempt
Walkabout
For All Mankind

[Beta Man]

Yeah Contempt!

[zedd_117]

Anyone else notice that poor Jon Mulvaney is apparently the only support rep at Criterion? I just read the criterionforum.org post mentioned earlier (regarding the new packaging) and saw he replied to that. I sent an email last week about not being able to find my account on the criterion store, he replied to that. Also there was another post somewhere that said if you want you old criterion accounts merged with your new (after the webstore move) to contact Jon!

Geesh, I thought I worked a lot!

Jon, if your out there, keep it up buddy!

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by zedd_117

Jon, if your out there, keep it up buddy!

Jon, if you're out there and want to expand the department, PM me for a resume

[zedd_117]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Jon, if you're out there and want to expand the department, PM me for a resume

Ha good thinking, is there an employee discount on Criterion Titles? Hell, you could start out paying me in some of the OOP releases.

[Blodiak]

I watched Chung King Express last night, loved it, I hated My Blurberry Nights so I wasnt expecting much.... The PQ was ok , grainy sometimes.. but still good. seriously I never watched a movie with a song overused like this (California Dreaming) it was getting frustrating at the end lol....

[Zen_Amako]

Chungking Express is a great movie. If you enjoyed that, you should check out Fallen Angels (not on Blu-ray, unfortunately, but a remastered DVD is coming out later this month), which is pretty similar. Wong also made a martial arts movie called Ashes of Time (on region-free Blu-ray in the UK) at roughly the same time as Chungking Express that is excellent (if perhaps an acquired taste).

Hopefully, Criterion gets around to releasing In the Mood for Love on Blu-ray at some point.

As for the song, I didn't mind hearing "California Dreamin'" over and over (and over) in Chungking Express, but the music did start to get on my nerves in The Third Man.

[Variable]

Slacker isn't that odd, it's a VERY independent movie from a filmmaker who is moderately well known. once you accept that they did slacker, bringing his next release to dvd in Dazed And Confused makes more sense. plus personally I think Dazed And Confused is an excellent movie.

I wish they'd release Suburbia.

[Blodiak]

Originally Posted by Zen_Amako

Chungking Express is a great movie. If you enjoyed that, you should check out Fallen Angels (not on Blu-ray, unfortunately, but a remastered DVD is coming out later this month), which is pretty similar. Wong also made a martial arts movie called Ashes of Time (on region-free Blu-ray in the UK) at roughly the same time as Chungking Express that is excellent (if perhaps an acquired taste).

Hopefully, Criterion gets around to releasing In the Mood for Love on Blu-ray at some point.

As for the song, I didn't mind hearing "California Dreamin'" over and over (and over) in Chungking Express, but the music did start to get on my nerves in The Third Man.

thx for the info, I'll check that out for sure... how hot was the flight attendant girlfriend ?!?!

[Blodiak]

400 Blows review up!!! can't wait to pick this one up

[Grubert]

Originally Posted by zedd_117

Anyone else notice that poor Jon Mulvaney is apparently the only support rep at Criterion? I just read the criterionforum.org post mentioned earlier (regarding the new packaging) and saw he replied to that. I sent an email last week about not being able to find my account on the criterion store, he replied to that. Also there was another post somewhere that said if you want you old criterion accounts merged with your new (after the webstore move) to contact Jon!

Geesh, I thought I worked a lot!

Jon, if your out there, keep it up buddy!

Sorry to break it to you but there is no Jon Mulvaney. It's the pen name adopted by all Criterion CRs.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Grubert

Sorry to break it to you but there is no Jon Mulvaney. It's the pen name adopted by all Criterion CRs.

I was duped

[horseflesh]

Originally Posted by Blodiak

400 Blows review up!!! can't wait to pick this one up

drools......

[fdm]

Originally Posted by Seretur

I just hope they continue offering cardboard packaging, or conversely provide inserts and cases for the existing releases if they indeed switch to plastic.

I know the Collection will never look too unified, but they do have a chance to do things right here. I'm perfectly fine with the packaging as it is, btw.

Even if they use the new packaging in the future, they will very likely bounce back and forth between cardboard and plastic. Just the way they are. (And it's been bugging me no end for years and years, since I loathe cardboard packaging.)

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Blodiak

400 Blows review up!!! can't wait to pick this one up

Those screen-shots look FANTASTIC.