Damn you, Criterion Collection...
#1
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 2,597
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Damn you, Criterion Collection...
For being the absolute BEST at releasing classic and cool movies in the best presentation, with the best quality, best features and best foreign films, etc. they have ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE when it comes to packaging their movies up.
I have hated this for years, but it just keeps getting worse. I think there are about 16 different packaging sizes for their library - the worst ever being the Zatoichi series which may as well have come in a treasure chest, as it has no hopes of fitting anywhere near the other movies in my collection.
So, we have DVD packaging, blu packaging, paper blu packaging, that ridiculous holiday card Godzilla packaging, all of those oversized but different paper box sets (here's looking at you BBS set), etc. It's like they invent new non-standard, fragile packaging to torment me.
Why can't we have the option to purchase just the artwork (or even print the artwork ourselves) and buy the cases that Criterion already sells to those that want them? This is the absolute worst part of collecting their movies. I don't understand why they wouldn't want their movies to appear uniform on the shelf. Or how about releasing the hardcovers in a paper slip case? The slip case can then fold like origami or whatever the fuck they want it to do to appeal to the douchebags that like gags with their movies.
Now, a new dagger - the combination of movies. Grey Gardens, blu ray, now has a 'now with more Beales' - Includes the Beales of Grey Gardens!. So apparently, that spine number just *poof* disappears. They've always screwed up the spines anyway, so I guess that's just another thing to deal with for this OCD collector.
I have hated this for years, but it just keeps getting worse. I think there are about 16 different packaging sizes for their library - the worst ever being the Zatoichi series which may as well have come in a treasure chest, as it has no hopes of fitting anywhere near the other movies in my collection.
So, we have DVD packaging, blu packaging, paper blu packaging, that ridiculous holiday card Godzilla packaging, all of those oversized but different paper box sets (here's looking at you BBS set), etc. It's like they invent new non-standard, fragile packaging to torment me.
Why can't we have the option to purchase just the artwork (or even print the artwork ourselves) and buy the cases that Criterion already sells to those that want them? This is the absolute worst part of collecting their movies. I don't understand why they wouldn't want their movies to appear uniform on the shelf. Or how about releasing the hardcovers in a paper slip case? The slip case can then fold like origami or whatever the fuck they want it to do to appeal to the douchebags that like gags with their movies.
Now, a new dagger - the combination of movies. Grey Gardens, blu ray, now has a 'now with more Beales' - Includes the Beales of Grey Gardens!. So apparently, that spine number just *poof* disappears. They've always screwed up the spines anyway, so I guess that's just another thing to deal with for this OCD collector.
#2
Banned
Re: Damn you, Criterion Collection...
For being the absolute BEST at releasing classic and cool movies in the best presentation, with the best quality, best features and best foreign films, etc. they have ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE when it comes to packaging their movies up.
I have hated this for years, but it just keeps getting worse. I think there are about 16 different packaging sizes for their library - the worst ever being the Zatoichi series which may as well have come in a treasure chest, as it has no hopes of fitting anywhere near the other movies in my collection.
So, we have DVD packaging, blu packaging, paper blu packaging, that ridiculous holiday card Godzilla packaging, all of those oversized but different paper box sets (here's looking at you BBS set), etc. It's like they invent new non-standard, fragile packaging to torment me.
Why can't we have the option to purchase just the artwork (or even print the artwork ourselves) and buy the cases that Criterion already sells to those that want them? This is the absolute worst part of collecting their movies. I don't understand why they wouldn't want their movies to appear uniform on the shelf. Or how about releasing the hardcovers in a paper slip case? The slip case can then fold like origami or whatever the fuck they want it to do to appeal to the douchebags that like gags with their movies.
Now, a new dagger - the combination of movies. Grey Gardens, blu ray, now has a 'now with more Beales' - Includes the Beales of Grey Gardens!. So apparently, that spine number just *poof* disappears. They've always screwed up the spines anyway, so I guess that's just another thing to deal with for this OCD collector.
I have hated this for years, but it just keeps getting worse. I think there are about 16 different packaging sizes for their library - the worst ever being the Zatoichi series which may as well have come in a treasure chest, as it has no hopes of fitting anywhere near the other movies in my collection.
So, we have DVD packaging, blu packaging, paper blu packaging, that ridiculous holiday card Godzilla packaging, all of those oversized but different paper box sets (here's looking at you BBS set), etc. It's like they invent new non-standard, fragile packaging to torment me.
Why can't we have the option to purchase just the artwork (or even print the artwork ourselves) and buy the cases that Criterion already sells to those that want them? This is the absolute worst part of collecting their movies. I don't understand why they wouldn't want their movies to appear uniform on the shelf. Or how about releasing the hardcovers in a paper slip case? The slip case can then fold like origami or whatever the fuck they want it to do to appeal to the douchebags that like gags with their movies.
Now, a new dagger - the combination of movies. Grey Gardens, blu ray, now has a 'now with more Beales' - Includes the Beales of Grey Gardens!. So apparently, that spine number just *poof* disappears. They've always screwed up the spines anyway, so I guess that's just another thing to deal with for this OCD collector.
#3
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 2,597
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#5
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Damn you, Criterion Collection...
Robocop. Have to look elsewhere for the unedited version.
Equinox. Now there's a fine, fine film.
They have their fair share of duds.
#6
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
#7
Banned
#8
Re: Damn you, Criterion Collection...
Isn't this set designed to either sit on one side at blu-ray height, and be rotated to sit on another side and be dvd height? I seem to remember Criterion mentioning that before it came out.
#9
Re: Damn you, Criterion Collection...
I would love to get the Zatoichi set, but I have so many of them already, it seems wasteful to pay $234 (the price at Barnes & Noble when I went there last week) for it, even if it DOES free up some shelf space (esp. since half my Zatoichis are the old VHS editions).
#10
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Damn you, Criterion Collection...
I would love to get the Zatoichi set, but I have so many of them already, it seems wasteful to pay $234 (the price at Barnes & Noble when I went there last week) for it, even if it DOES free up some shelf space (esp. since half my Zatoichis are the old VHS editions).
#11
Banned
Re: Damn you, Criterion Collection...
SOOOO glad I got the Zatoichi set at the B&N 50% off sale for $115.00 shipped. It is a great set and does fit on my Criterion shelf just fine!
#12
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Damn you, Criterion Collection...
All of my Criterions come with pretty standard cases, like this:
The only exception is Godzilla, which comes in this crazy pop-up case:
But even that has a standard disc tray, and it's done with a bit of class.
I don't have the Zatoichi set, but watching a YouTube unboxing, it doesn't look too bad. Reminds me of the Alien Anthology set, which is a book with thick pages with the discs secured in a recessed area. Compare that to the fucking awful Universal Classic Monsters set I recently bought, which is a disaster of unsecured discs flopping around and getting scratched and scuffed. The Zatoichi set doesn't look too big, either. The Monty Python and Three Stooges sets I've got are both larger, and neither of them seem unreasonably big to me.
As for Armageddon, I'm still having trouble believing that someone at Criterion thought it was even remotely worthy of adding to their collection. The Rock also got a release from them. If the Library of America ever publishes Twilight, it'll be no less ridiculous.
The only exception is Godzilla, which comes in this crazy pop-up case:
But even that has a standard disc tray, and it's done with a bit of class.
I don't have the Zatoichi set, but watching a YouTube unboxing, it doesn't look too bad. Reminds me of the Alien Anthology set, which is a book with thick pages with the discs secured in a recessed area. Compare that to the fucking awful Universal Classic Monsters set I recently bought, which is a disaster of unsecured discs flopping around and getting scratched and scuffed. The Zatoichi set doesn't look too big, either. The Monty Python and Three Stooges sets I've got are both larger, and neither of them seem unreasonably big to me.
As for Armageddon, I'm still having trouble believing that someone at Criterion thought it was even remotely worthy of adding to their collection. The Rock also got a release from them. If the Library of America ever publishes Twilight, it'll be no less ridiculous.
#13
Re: Damn you, Criterion Collection...
You can make an arguement that Michael Bay has a unique style that is identifiable to him, like Kurosawa or any of the other auteur directors. He just prefers to make dumb, loud action movies.
Last edited by flansered; 12-16-13 at 03:58 PM.
#15
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Damn you, Criterion Collection...
I liked The Rock and absolutely hated Armageddon. I'm sure there's a reason Criterion released it but I can only assume it involved pod people or mind slugs.
#16
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Western Kentucky
Posts: 2,576
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Damn you, Criterion Collection...
For being the absolute BEST at releasing classic and cool movies in the best presentation, with the best quality, best features and best foreign films, etc. they have ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE when it comes to packaging their movies up.
I have hated this for years, but it just keeps getting worse. I think there are about 16 different packaging sizes for their library - the worst ever being the Zatoichi series which may as well have come in a treasure chest, as it has no hopes of fitting anywhere near the other movies in my collection.
So, we have DVD packaging, blu packaging, paper blu packaging, that ridiculous holiday card Godzilla packaging, all of those oversized but different paper box sets (here's looking at you BBS set), etc. It's like they invent new non-standard, fragile packaging to torment me.
Why can't we have the option to purchase just the artwork (or even print the artwork ourselves) and buy the cases that Criterion already sells to those that want them? This is the absolute worst part of collecting their movies. I don't understand why they wouldn't want their movies to appear uniform on the shelf. Or how about releasing the hardcovers in a paper slip case? The slip case can then fold like origami or whatever the fuck they want it to do to appeal to the douchebags that like gags with their movies.
Now, a new dagger - the combination of movies. Grey Gardens, blu ray, now has a 'now with more Beales' - Includes the Beales of Grey Gardens!. So apparently, that spine number just *poof* disappears. They've always screwed up the spines anyway, so I guess that's just another thing to deal with for this OCD collector.
I have hated this for years, but it just keeps getting worse. I think there are about 16 different packaging sizes for their library - the worst ever being the Zatoichi series which may as well have come in a treasure chest, as it has no hopes of fitting anywhere near the other movies in my collection.
So, we have DVD packaging, blu packaging, paper blu packaging, that ridiculous holiday card Godzilla packaging, all of those oversized but different paper box sets (here's looking at you BBS set), etc. It's like they invent new non-standard, fragile packaging to torment me.
Why can't we have the option to purchase just the artwork (or even print the artwork ourselves) and buy the cases that Criterion already sells to those that want them? This is the absolute worst part of collecting their movies. I don't understand why they wouldn't want their movies to appear uniform on the shelf. Or how about releasing the hardcovers in a paper slip case? The slip case can then fold like origami or whatever the fuck they want it to do to appeal to the douchebags that like gags with their movies.
Now, a new dagger - the combination of movies. Grey Gardens, blu ray, now has a 'now with more Beales' - Includes the Beales of Grey Gardens!. So apparently, that spine number just *poof* disappears. They've always screwed up the spines anyway, so I guess that's just another thing to deal with for this OCD collector.
But anyway, I really don't see the issue with the different styles of cases, although I should state that I've never been one to want my cases to all look uniform on the shelf. I like variety.
#17
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
I think it had a lot more to do with Michael Bay and money, let's be honest, Criterion cater to a niche audience, I'm sure the idea of a release which might actually make them some money held appeal.
#18
Cool New Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#19
Re: Damn you, Criterion Collection...
[IMG][/IMG]
Here is the Zatoichi set with a Criterion blu-ray and dvd. Like I said the left side is the same length as a blu-ray, and the front's length is the same as a dvd. So it could sit on a shelf with the rest of your CC discs if you wanted it too. Mine is sitting on the top of a shelf with other odd sized cases like the Blade Runner briefcase and the Lawrence of Arabia set.
Here is the Zatoichi set with a Criterion blu-ray and dvd. Like I said the left side is the same length as a blu-ray, and the front's length is the same as a dvd. So it could sit on a shelf with the rest of your CC discs if you wanted it too. Mine is sitting on the top of a shelf with other odd sized cases like the Blade Runner briefcase and the Lawrence of Arabia set.
#20
Senior Member
Re: Damn you, Criterion Collection...
I would love to get the Zatoichi set, but I have so many of them already, it seems wasteful to pay $234 (the price at Barnes & Noble when I went there last week) for it, even if it DOES free up some shelf space (esp. since half my Zatoichis are the old VHS editions).
I haven't started watching it yet, and will probably have to wait for an appropriate challenge. I am curious whether The Tale of Zatoichi Continues (Zatoichi 2) is as dark as the Home Vision Entertainment DVD was. It seemed that most of the daytime scenes looked like they were shot day for night.
#21
Re: Damn you, Criterion Collection...
I got it during the 50% off sale. The $101.25 after the 50% off + the 10% off for B&N members, then the cashier applied a 20% off coupon I got off the website ($81), the $8 off any dvd or blu-ray priced $39.99 or higher coupon ($73), and the $5 off any purchase over $50 coupon ($68). I know that I only got it for that price due to the cashier being super cool about the coupons, and if it was any of the other employees I would of been denied all but the first coupon. I think that some of the people on bluray.com got it for cheaper.
And of course I haven't started watching it yet, or most of the other CC titles that I got during the sale.
And of course I haven't started watching it yet, or most of the other CC titles that I got during the sale.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Lexington, Ky USA
Posts: 720
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Damn you, Criterion Collection...
I have never bought a Criterion DVD before but I am interested in the It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World release. Problem is, I'm not a Blu person and since this is a 5 disc set containing both the dvds and Blu rays, I was wondering, is there any chance that they will release a separate set with just the dvd's at a lower price point? Sorry, don't mean to hijack the thread away from packaging, but thought I'd ask.
#23
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Damn you, Criterion Collection...
I have never bought a Criterion DVD before but I am interested in the It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World release. Problem is, I'm not a Blu person and since this is a 5 disc set containing both the dvds and Blu rays, I was wondering, is there any chance that they will release a separate set with just the dvd's at a lower price point? Sorry, don't mean to hijack the thread away from packaging, but thought I'd ask.
#24
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: The edge of insanity
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#25
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Damn you, Criterion Collection...
I came across this in a FAQ purported to have been written by Criterion some time ago:
Q: Since Criterion is supposed to release "important films," why did Criterion release Armageddon?
A: Criterion makes every effort to represent every genre in its releases. Armageddon is considered to fulfill the "big-budget summer blockbuster" genre.
Q: Since Criterion is supposed to release "important films," why did Criterion release Armageddon?
A: Criterion makes every effort to represent every genre in its releases. Armageddon is considered to fulfill the "big-budget summer blockbuster" genre.