Criterion The Criterion Collection

[Veum]

23 minutes ago, pygospa said:

You've probably seen this - I have a while ago - but if you haven't, this is a small slice through the manual work Criterion is putting to a release, from scanning to cover design. It's just a short peak, but I really liked it, and found it rather interesting back then when I first heard of Criterion and didn't know who they where and what they where doing (if you're not in the international film bubble, which for the major period of my life I wasn't, it's just unknown here).

 

This just got washed up to my YouTube recommendations due to the large search of Criterion titles I've been doing the past couple days, so I remembered it, watched it again, and thought, why not share it with you guys, in case you haven't seen it? Here you go:

 

 

 

Thanks for that vid (which I have not seen before) @pygospa... It is so fascinating with their expertise and precision, hard work, how they make our fav movies so brilliant... cheers to the great Criterion team, I love it !😊

Edited June 12, 2020 by Veum

[Veum]

Spoiler

8 minutes ago, Grendel said:

Thanks very much @pygospa 🙂

I've seen a few docs on YT regarding Crit but not that one. It's a nice look at what they do.

The particular film they use as subject, "Foreign Correspondent" is of course a much loved film and I was fortunate enough to pick it up in this lovely box set;

 

 

Unfortunately, the price for that set is more than a bit hysterical right now but the individual fliks it contains, are quite reasonable in price...in NA.

Should you elect to hunt down more Crits, though Amz.uk and Zavvi both carry a fine assortment, you may wish to once again, consider becoming Region A compatible buddy.

Cheers. 🙂

 

2 minutes ago, Grendel said:

Hi @Veum ;

Should you elect to purchase a Steel of IoLS in the near future, you may wish to lean on our UK hub for assistance.

Not sure what all you will need to discuss wrt purchasing from a third party but just a gentle reminder that option exists. 🙂

Cheers.

 

 

 

^^^ Yeah @Grendel our Criterion sale (50% off, nice!) should still be sometime in July here in the USA 🇺🇸 😊

 

Thanks for that info about our UK HUB for the steel of IoLS, I did not even think of that, so I’m going to see if Carl could order it for me & I’m going to look into the Eureka edition also, cheers!!😇

[Grendel]

Hello again @Veum 🙂

I appreciate the heads up on the forthcoming Crit 50% off sale in July.

I've hit them in the past but right now I have no idea what shipping restrictions are in play.

If you can remember, please announce when you see it come up active and I'll try to discover if I can get an order to Canada.

Thanks again;

Cheers 🙂

[Masada]

September Releases

 

The Elephant Man (1980)

Christ Stopped at Eboli (1979)

Beau Travail (1999)

The Naked City (1948)

Brute Force (1947)

Martin Scorsese's World Cinema Project No. 3 (Lucia, 1968; After the Curfew, 1954; Pixote, 1981; Dos Monjes, 1934; Soleil Ô, 1970; Downpour, 1970)

 

I'm probably picking up The Elephant Man and Beau Travail (because I want to get to know Claire Denis' work).

[mjk]

The Elephant Man for me😁

[R1s1ngs0n]

16 minutes ago, mjk said:

The Elephant Man for me😁

For me as well 👍

[pygospa]

Do you know if these will also be released in the UK? Or is it just US releases?

[R1s1ngs0n]

2 minutes ago, pygospa said:

Do you know if these will also be released in the UK? Or is it just US releases?

There's a good chance Zavvi UK will have at least some of these.

[Masada]

2 minutes ago, R1s1ngs0n said:

There's a good chance Zavvi UK will have at least some of these.

One or two indeed, but usually not the ones you want...

[R1s1ngs0n]

35 minutes ago, Masada said:

One or two indeed, but usually not the ones you want...

Unfortunately, Criterion does not ship outside USA/Canada but you can get pretty much all their catalog through Amazon US. Exceptionally, i asked a friend to get me 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' and ship it to me, as due to Covid-19 Amazon did not ship internationally at the time of its release. They have since more or less resumed international shipping so now you can order these titles through them.

Just make sure to have a multi-region player as these are region A locked.

[pygospa]

@R1s1ngs0n My question implied that it they also release it in UK (as they did with a couple of select (?) titles), I wouldn't have to bother with shipping, plus I can be sure it's Region B locked

But I guess we'll see.

[pygospa]

I've got some good news, but also bad news. Good news first:

 

Wikipedia actually has a pretty comprehensive list of the releases by Criterion Collection, including information such as:

• Spine Number
• Is it a BD or a DVD release,
• Is it also part of a boxset
• Does it have a UK release
• Is it out of print or still available
• Is it announced but not yet on the market
• Plus many more, such availability on LaserDisc (plus LD Spine number), Boxset-only releases, Collection (eg. Essential Art House boxes), etc.

I think that's rather decent work to look up any title you might want to get, and check out availability, etc. I don't know how accurate the table is and how often it get's updated, but all the newly announced titles are already listed, so I guess it's pretty accurate. Also, and this is the bad news:

 

Up to now (not sure if they might still get announced later), there really (at least according to the list) is no UK releases of any of the new titles, that @Masada presented yesterday. From all (also including those that where announced earlier, but not yet released, and therefore are not mentioned in the post form @Masada) of the announced ones (spine no. 1032 - 1051) only 1033 (The Cameraman) and 1038 (Marriage Story) will also get a UK release. Plus there are three tiles already released in the US that still await a UK release: 1028 (Dance, Girl, Dance), 1029 (Husband) and 1030 (Scorsese Shorts).

Out of these announced UK releases I am most excited about Marriage Story, cause I heard a lot of good things about it, as it premiered on Netflix. Not sure if there's any other release planned, Netflix movies seldom get BD releases, as is. So I'll get this one, for sure

 

[R1s1ngs0n]

@pygospa

The list I made in the OP is complete and up to date. I included the newly announced September releases and will continue to update periodically. Hopefully more titles will be available for UK as there is still time until their release.

Marriage Story is an excellent film that should have earned Adam Driver the Oscar for Best Actor. Phoenix was fantastic in Joker but Driver in this film is just on another level. Tremendous actor!

Edited June 16, 2020 by R1s1ngs0n

[pygospa]

Hi @R1s1ngs0n,

 

6 minutes ago, R1s1ngs0n said:

The list I made in the OP is complete and up to date. I included the newly announced September's releases and will continue to update periodically. Hopefully more titles will be available for UK as there is still time until their release.

 

Just to be clear - I know your list, and I think it's really great, and I highly appreciate the work you are putting into this. I especially like, that you put in links to the Criterion page for each release, which I find really valuable (and that is something missing in the Wikipedia list).

Why I linked that Wikipedia list: because it has the information on which are UK releases as well (which is why I made it bold) plus the OOP information. That's something really valuable for me to know - I always check for a movie I am interested in, what editions have been released (world wide) and if it's region free, or region B. And of course, if I can still get it, or if I need to check second markets/needn't bother because it's hard to get/ungettable. That's just why I thought this might be interesting as additional resource - but in no way to devalue your excellent work. So sorry, if that came across the wrong way!

 

6 minutes ago, R1s1ngs0n said:

Marriage Story is an excellent film that should have earned Adam Driver the Oscar for Best Actor. Phoenix was fantastic in Joker but Driver in this film is just on another level. Tremendous actor!

 

So I have heard so often. It's really nice, that Criterion not only focuses on classic movies, but - if there comes a modern movie worth watching - also picks up these titles for their collection. And I am really happy, that it gets an UK release, cause you know, my stupid player only does Region B... (yes, @Veum, I know, I need to pick up a free/A one ).

[R1s1ngs0n]

1 minute ago, pygospa said:

 

Just to be clear - I know your list, and I think it's really great, and I highly appreciate the work you are putting into this. I especially like, that you put in links to the Criterion page for each release, which I find really valuable (and that is something missing in the Wikipedia list).

Why I linked that Wikipedia list: because it has the information on which are UK releases as well (which is why I made it bold) plus the OOP information. That's something really valuable for me to know - I always check for a movie I am interested in, what editions have been released (world wide) and if it's region free, or region B. And of course, if I can still get it, or if I need to check second markets/needn't bother because it's hard to get/ungettable. That's just why I thought this might be interesting as additional resource - but in no way to devalue your excellent work. So sorry, if that came across the wrong way!

 

I did not for one second think that was your intent, so apology is absolutely unnecessary 😉 Another thing that bugs me about the UK releases besides their limited catalog is the age rating logo being printed on the sleeve. It might be a minor and insignificant detail to some but for me it's definitely an eyesore which ruins an otherwise beautiful package. But I guess that can't be helped.

 

[Fortis93]

Most of the Criterions I wanted aren't able to be shipped to me from Amazon US. 

 

My only options are Zavvi and Amazon AUS, both of which are limited in the variety of their releases or eBay, where a lot of the prices are on their way to Scalper Kingdom.

[Fortis93]

Outside of that, there is one bookshop near me that sells about 20 Criterion releases, which range from $60 to $100 AUD, which is absolute bollocks.

[Fortis93]

[pygospa]

Actually, I was considering moving to Australia for a while. Still not sure if I want to stay where I am right now (programming webshops for different clients - good money, but rather dull and monotone in it's entirety), or if I want to move to academia, but first step for later would be getting a PhD - and if I get one, I'd love to take the opportunity to do it abroad. And after gathering a lot of information, I found that Australian universities are quite attractive.

Now, you've destroyed that plan for good. I'm not going somewhere where it is hard to get my weekly fix of blu

[Fortis93]

1 minute ago, pygospa said:

Actually, I was considering moving to Australia for a while. Still not sure if I want to stay where I am right now (programming webshops for different clients - good money, but rather dull and monotone in it's entirety), or if I want to move to academia, but first step for later would be getting a PhD - and if I get one, I'd love to take the opportunity to do it abroad. And after gathering a lot of information, I found that Australian universities are quite attractive.

Now, you've destroyed that plan for good. I'm not going somewhere where it is hard to get my weekly fix of blu

 

Damn, what I have done. 

 

I suppose you can still get your fix of blu, it's just there are a few more hurdles to jump over in terms of access, availability and finances for the more specialised or limited editions.

[pygospa]

1 hour ago, Fortis93 said:

 

Damn, what I have done. 

 

I suppose you can still get your fix of blu, it's just there are a few more hurdles to jump over in terms of access, availability and finances for the more specialised or limited editions.

Yeah, finances is the biggest issue. You guys have a really great PhD program, where you actually get paid for doing the PhD (and just that), but of course, you won't get rich - it's a sacrifice (but I think it's a fair one - in Germany for instance, you'd get a temporary contract for a certain time period at the department you want to do your PhD in, but it's always a full-time job, so you need to do lectures, and grade exams, and do all the other administrative and academic work besides doing your PhD (which is basically at least half of the time of your "free time") - which is why it's not uncommon that you've got 5-10 years of PhD students (which they actually aren't - they are already junior scientists). But because these contracts are  temporary, and renewed once they expire, it could always happen that funds are gone, from one contract to the next, so you end up jobless and for most this also means, giving up on the PhD all together (if you cannot afford keeping on working on it in your private time).

In Australia - from what I gathered from the information evening I visited here in Germany - you are supposed to work full time on your PhD and finish in 3, max. 4 years (if you cannot, you're out, and maybe even have to repay parts of the money you got). You get money for doing that, because your research will belong to the University (as is the case in Germany as well), but you are not allowed to work besides that, and of course, such student wage is very low (still a far better deal than in Germany). Plus, if you finish, you get a temporary Green Card that can be renewed, once you have a job. So it's a great offer and opportunity for your own career and curriculum vitae.

But, what I'm trying to say: If I do go the PhD route (which is a big if, for sure), and if I do go to Australia for it (which is an even bigger if), it's probably all for the best, that you don't have too much temptation for my collector's heart So, no harm done - probably better this way  

Edited June 16, 2020 by pygospa

[Fortis93]

6 minutes ago, pygospa said:

Yeah, finances is the biggest issue. You guys have a really great PhD program, where you actually get paid for doing the PhD (and just that), but of course, you won't get rich - it's a sacrifice (but I think it's a fair one - in Germany for instance, you'd get a temporary contract for a certain time period at the department you want to do your PhD in, but it's always a full-time job, so you need to do lectures, and grade exams, and do all the other administrative and academic work besides doing your PhD (which is basically at least half of the time of your "free time") - which is why it's not uncommon that you've got 5-10 years of PhD students (which they actually aren't - they are already junior scientists). But because these contracts are  temporary, and renewed once they expire, it could always happen that funds are gone, from one contract to the next, so you end up jobless and for most this also means, giving up on the PhD all together (if you cannot afford keeping on working on it in your private time).

In Australia - from what I gathered from the information evening I visited here in Germany - you are supposed to work full time on your PhD and finish in 3, max. 4 years (if you cannot, you're out, and maybe even have to repay parts of the money you got). You get money for doing that, because your research will belong to the University (as is the case in Germany as well), but you are not allowed to work besides that, and of course, such student wage is very low (still a far better deal than in Germany). Plus, if you finish, you get a temporary Green Card that can be renewed, once you have a job. So it's a great offer and opportunity for your own career and curriculum vitae.

But, what I'm trying to say: If I do go the PhD route (which is a big if, for sure), and if I do go to Australia for it (which is an even bigger if), it's probably all for the best, that you don't have too much temptation for my collector's heart So, no harm done - probably better this way  

 

Well, that seems to be the case for friends of mine who are undertaking PhD programs and looking to get into academia. I'm thinking of doing another degree at some point in the future.

[Veum]

1 hour ago, pygospa said:

Actually, I was considering moving to Australia for a while. Still not sure if I want to stay where I am right now (programming webshops for different clients - good money, but rather dull and monotone in it's entirety), or if I want to move to academia, but first step for later would be getting a PhD - and if I get one, I'd love to take the opportunity to do it abroad. And after gathering a lot of information, I found that Australian universities are quite attractive.

Now, you've destroyed that plan for good. I'm not going somewhere where it is hard to get my weekly fix of blu

 

🥤morning here @pygospa,

 

Seems like you need to be roving to enjoy your work, I on the other hand stayed in my career for 34+ yrs. albeit it was hard work, monotonous, good pay but in the long run I’m glad I stayed with it as it has provided us in retirement (although not enough to travel & such), & I can buy my blus haha 🤣 

 

I would think long & hard about your career changes though if it were me, just “food for thought” my friend! Have a nice day!😊

[Fortis93]

1 hour ago, Veum said:

 

🥤morning here @pygospa,

 

Seems like you need to be roving to enjoy your work, I on the other hand stayed in my career for 34+ yrs. albeit it was hard work, monotonous, good pay but in the long run I’m glad I stayed with it as it has provided us in retirement (although not enough to travel & such), & I can buy my blus haha 🤣 

 

I would think long & hard about your career changes though if it were me, just “food for thought” my friend! Have a nice day!😊

 

I suppose travelling vicariously through the movies, being transported to other worlds is the next best thing. 

[Veum]

5 minutes ago, Fortis93 said:

 

I suppose travelling vicariously through the movies, being transported to other worlds is the next best thing. 

 

If that’s all you got, however it makes me more envious!😉

 

  

Edited June 16, 2020 by Veum