Criterion Collection Forum

[Matt]

I was looking for some information on rumors regarding a longer version of "The Thin Red Line" (some friends told me that there's a long version that's more coherent, well-rounded, and better with more cameos and more developed supporting characters, but apparently, these are all false rumors), and I stumbled upon a forum for Criterion Collection. It isn't run by the company, so it's not quite like the old DCC forum in that regard, but it's really cool if you like Criterion Collection stuff. Check it out!

http://pub125.ezboard.com/bcriterioncollectionforum

[Michael]

Thanks for the link! I own quite a few Criterion DVD's and I've been patiently waiting for the "Devil and Daniel Webster" that was announced last year...Maybe I can get some answers...EXCELLENT!

[Ed Bishop]

Criterion's problem has always been distribution--or, I should say, lack of it. Except for certain special editions, a lot of retail outlets don't carry their titles--criminal, but true. But back in the '80s heyday of laserdiscs, they set a standard that was eventually adapted by all the major studios for DVD. Now, of course, a lot of stuff they could once license the majors are keeping for themselves, but they still have a vast resource in foreign films they haven't even begun to tap. I'm glad for the Kurosawa's they've done, and after years of us asking for it, Godard's CONTEMPT finally saw light of day. But there's even more Godard out there begging to be issued, and they have the rights. I'm thankful for what they have issued, but titles always seem to just trickle out. I've suggested more titles and directors than I care to remember; what I wouldn't give for such titles as WEEKEND, VIRIDIANA, HIROSHIMA, MON AMOUR, among many others, to make it to DVD. Kino's done some interesting stuff, too, but again, not as much as I'd like.

ED:cool:

[Michael]

Why bother with retail outlets? Criterion DVD's are all over the place...Every major internet store has them...Heck, Even Sam Goody! then there's Amazon, DVD Empire, DDD, DVDPlanet, Barnes & Knoble, and a few hundred more...I'll bet SUNCOAST, SAM GOODY have a good selection of Criterions in their retail Stores...There out ther just gotta look, ask or make a few phone calls...better yet internet!

[Ed Bishop]

I keep an eye on their website, and as we have a Borders about fifty miles away--and I have friends in Concord--any excuse to go there, as they carry Criterion titles. That town also has a Salvation Army and Goodwill outlets where I've scored some great vinyl finds over the years.

ED:cool:

[mcow1]

I think DVD Planet has just about all of them and they sell them 35% below list. Do a search for Criterion.

[Cliff]

I love the Criterion idea, but why are their movies sooo expensive? Isn't Sony's Superbit comparable in quality? I have "The Rock" from the Criterion Collection, but that's it so far. They just seem like they're not a great value, IMO. If Disney would release Armageddon in anamorphic, I'd buy that Criterion. But, for $35+ in 4:3 Letterbox? Come on!

[Cliff]

Originally posted by mcow1
I think DVD Planet has just about all of them and they sell them 35% below list. Do a search for Criterion.

I used to buy a lot of DVDs from DVD Planet. Until I discovered Deep Discount DVD (DDD). They are almost always less expensive. And, you don't have to buy 4 titles to get free shipping.

[Tyler]

I only have a couple Criterion discs, their more mainstream stuff (Fear and loathing in las vegas, Chasing Amy, Traffic). Criterion knows how to do a DVD right, I've been very impressed.

[Tyler]

Originally posted by Cliff


I used to buy a lot of DVDs from DVD Planet. Until I discovered Deep Discount DVD (DDD). They are almost always less expensive. And, you don't have to buy 4 titles to get free shipping.

Sometimes DDD doesn't have everything I want in stock, but if they do I always buy from them. Cheapest spot online to buy DVD's (No shipping, no tax, low prices). If anyone knows of a better site to buy movies let us all know!

They have a sister site as well, Deep Discount CD. Ultra cheap prices, no tax, and no shipping there as well!

[Jeff H.]

Originally posted by Pretzel Logic79
I only have a couple Criterion discs, their more mainstream stuff (Fear and loathing in las vegas, Chasing Amy, Traffic). Criterion knows how to do a DVD right, I've been very impressed.


I throughly agree. I have the "Traffic" Criterion disc and it blows the regular release away. Definitely grab "Spinal Tap" and "Robocop" if you can find them, and "Gimme Shelter" is amazing too!!

[Tyler]

Originally posted by Jeff H.

I throughly agree. I have the "Traffic" Criterion disc and it blows the regular release away. Definitely grab "Spinal Tap" and "Robocop" if you can find them, and "Gimme Shelter" is amazing too!!

I forgot to mention Robocop. The restored footage that was removed so it wouldn't get an "X" rating really stands out. I don't have the Criterion spinal tap, just the MCA disc. Gimme Shelter is the next Criterion DVD on my list.

[Matt]

Originally posted by Cliff
I love the Criterion idea, but why are their movies sooo expensive? Isn't Sony's Superbit comparable in quality? I have "The Rock" from the Criterion Collection, but that's it so far. They just seem like they're not a great value, IMO. If Disney would release Armageddon in anamorphic, I'd buy that Criterion. But, for $35+ in 4:3 Letterbox? Come on!

The value, IMO, comes through on the older, classic releases, and even then, I'd include a few more recent films like Spinal Tap (great extras not found on the current special edition) and Silence of the Lambs. On an older film like the Seven Samurai, the Rules of the Game, and especially the Grand Illusion, the transfer, source material, and restoration is absolutely top-notch. It's sooooo good and soooo much better than past video releases.

I can't see "The Rock" being that much better, outside of better extras. They're not going to lose the negative or let it go to waste in just a few years (at least I'd hope not in this day and age).

[-=Rudy=-]

Originally posted by Cliff
I love the Criterion idea, but why are their movies sooo expensive? Isn't Sony's Superbit comparable in quality? I have "The Rock" from the Criterion Collection, but that's it so far. They just seem like they're not a great value, IMO. If Disney would release Armageddon in anamorphic, I'd buy that Criterion. But, for $35+ in 4:3 Letterbox? Come on!

Back in the Laserdisc era, I shook my head at why a movie like Hitchcock's "Rebecca" could command a $79.99 list price. I never did buy it--spend $10 on a VHS version that was good enough for the wife. I balked at spending a lot for "Notorious"....wasn't as high, but I waited for a good 20% of sale and got it a little more sensibly priced.

[Ken_McAlinden]

Criterion is a boutique brand who must license whatever they release, not unlike DCC or MoFi in the audio world. There's a price premium associated with this, but on the other hand, they have a pretty good batting average in terms of image, sound, and supplemental content.

Regards,

[audiomixer]

Originally posted by Michael
Thanks for the link! I own quite a few Criterion DVD's and I've been patiently waiting for the "Devil and Daniel Webster" that was announced last year...Maybe I can get some answers...EXCELLENT!
I still have the laserdisc they came out with...:thumbsup:

[Michael]

Originally posted by audiomixer

I still have the laserdisc they came out with...:thumbsup:

The Devil And Daniel Webster Criterion DVD is promised to be worth the wait...I'm hoping I'm not waiting for nothing:confused: We'll see...:thumbsup:

[Ere]

It includes the original movie restored from the 16mm camera negatives and the soundtrack restored from the baked 8 track original tapes. The original movie is one disc, with 5.1 surround and DTS. They also included 'Shake! Otis Live at Monterey' and a whole separate disc of outtake performances. My only gripe is that the clasps on their disc holders are so tight that I put a hairline crack in the disc the first time I removed it:realmad:

Ere

[njwiv]

The Criterion DVDs of the early Hitchcock titles and CHARADE are fantastic. They may be expensive, but are always done with extreme care. I think the DCC analogy is pretty apt. They either license films from major studios (with the attendant licensing fees) or rescue films from public domain hell.

THE 39 STEPS, THE LADY VANISHES, and CHARADE were all public domain titles (Universal may have since succeeded in restoring the copyright for CHARADE, I'm not sure), and Criterion stepped up and treated them with the utmost respect despite the fact that they could do nothing to remove the cheapies from the market. No other studio was willing to spend money on those films because the cheapies were out there. For that reason alone, Criterion has my thanks and respect.

[Michael]

Originally posted by Ere
It includes the original movie restored from the 16mm camera negatives and the soundtrack restored from the baked 8 track original tapes. The original movie is one disc, with 5.1 surround and DTS. They also included 'Shake! Otis Live at Monterey' and a whole separate disc of outtake performances. My only gripe is that the clasps on their disc holders are so tight that I put a hairline crack in the disc the first time I removed it:realmad:

Ere

That hairline crack will travel..call Criterion and tell them about it...I'm sure they'll replace it for ya...Did you see the little pic inside the slipcase?..This is one of my all time favorite Criterion DVD sets...I'm proud to own this one!:thumbsup: The Mamas and The Papas are EXCELLENT, especially on the unreleased outake DVD! and the Association opening is killer and exciting, puts ya right in the mood for the show!:)

[Uncle Al]

Ditto to all. I own 3 or so Criterion titles, and they are to movies what DCC was to audio. You pay the premium, and for the discriminating consumer, you get your money's worth:

exclusive titles ignored by others

immaculate transfers

bonus material that is INTERESTING and essential - background info you will watch repeatedly.

Gimme Shelter - what a transfer - what SOUND!! Makes the very best Ya-Ya's lp sound like an audience bootleg - EVEN WITH LOSSY DTS/DD ALGORITHMS! Not to mention the bonus footage that has a few extra MSG performances, a backstage visit between Keith, Mick and Tina Turner, a photo gallery of photographs from the Altamont festival, and greatly extended radio segment with Sonny Barger (the Hell's Angel leader that defends their presence and actions at the Altamont festival).

A "B" movie like "Carnival of Souls" gets the 2 disc treatment - including an extensive history of the spooky, abandoned amusement park that provides the setting.

Monterrey Pop - the extra live material exceeds the length of the movie. Buffalo Springfield with David Crosby? Tiny Tim singing for the backstage folks. Mama's and Papa's expanded. The Who doing Substitute and A Quick One. The stage introductions by Tommy Smothers and Peter Tork. Where else are you going to get this stuff?

There is an extra on the Gimme Shelter disc that outlines the film restoration. The before and after is phenomenal.

For the discriminating eye and ear - the Criterion collection titles are worth the premium. As a matter of fact, they are a bargain.

[Ere]

Originally posted by Michael


That hairline crack will travel..call Criterion and tell them about it...I'm sure they'll replace it for ya...Did you see the little pic inside the slipcase?..This is one of my all time favorite Criterion DVD sets...I'm proud to own this one!:thumbsup: The Mamas and The Papas are EXCELLENT, especially on the unreleased outake DVD! and the Association opening is killer and exciting, puts ya right in the mood for the show!:)

Thanks, Michael, I'll do that. Can't recall the picture. Another nice feature on this set is the interview with the woman photographer who shot the entire festival. They interview her and run a slideshow of the many great images as she relates how she got them:thumbsup:

Another great CC is Scorcese's 'Last Temptation of Christ' - stunning transfer and Gabriel's soundtrack sounds great. There is an interview with him about the music and setting it to the visuals. Also, Scorcese's home movies on the sets in Tunisia. Clearly he didn't use a Steadicam on those:laugh:!

I also picked up 'The Rock' and 'Picnic at Hanging Rock' - I remember the latter from seeing it the theater and how creepy it was in a quiet foreboding way. Haven't opened it yet, maybe this weekend.

Cheers,
Ere

[Ere]

FWIW,
DVD Planet (http://www.dvdplanet.com/search_power.asp?nsearchFormat=3&sPSStudio=Criterion) sells Criterion Collection DVDs for 35% off. I've bought a few from them and the customer service and turnaround time were great.

Ere

[njwiv]

Originally posted by Ere
FWIW,
DVD Planet (http://www.dvdplanet.com/search_power.asp?nsearchFormat=3&sPSStudio=Criterion) sells Criterion Collection DVDs for 35% off. I've bought a few from them and the customer service and turnaround time were great.

Ere

I want to echo the kudos for DVD Planet. I order all of my Criterion discs from them. Great prices and excellent service.

Jay

[mcow1]

Originally posted by Ere
FWIW,
DVD Planet (http://www.dvdplanet.com/search_power.asp?nsearchFormat=3&sPSStudio=Criterion) sells Criterion Collection DVDs for 35% off. I've bought a few from them and the customer service and turnaround time were great.

Ere
And what's even better (for me) is their store is just a few miles away from my house. Although it does take a looong time to browse through it.