CardiffGiant

Although I've been running the challenge for a while now, much of the credit goes to Trevor for first leading the challenge and to Travis McClain for his countless contributions. Much of the language in this post and in the checklist originated, at least in one way or another, to Trevor's original challenge.

The goal of the Criterion Challenge is to watch Criterion content and share your experience with the rest of us. There is no specific number goal, no winners, no losers, no prizes.

Rather than compile long lists, watch what you would normally watch in a month, but concentrate it on Criterion content as much as you can/want. In fact, bulk watching is discouraged, as that will limit your time for discussion and for immersing yourself in a film. Participants are encouraged to explore fully a film and its supplemental material.

There will be a separate thread to include your lists as linked above. A daily journal sort of entry is recommended for your list. Since counting is not required or "scored" in any way, you are free to be as creative as you wish in how you list items. Bolding of your item titles is encouraged, if only to make them stand out to allow others to quickly see if they have seen the same items and wish to comment. Give reviews. Even if it's just a mini-review, a simple /, or a one word description. Be creative and personalize it however you wish - use one post for the whole month, daily posts, weekly posts, give reviews, provide IMDB links, add YouTube videos, add images, etc. It's recommended that you provide a link to your list(s) in your signature for easy access. Last year's List Thread should give you a good idea how participants format their lists.

What qualifies? Any film, short, video or supplemental feature that is planned for release or has been released by Criterion/Eclipse qualifies. The film does not have to be watched on an actual Criterion disc. You may watch the film on any format, provided that it is the same film that Criterion has released. For example, the film On the Waterfront was released by Criterion on DVD/BD. But you don't have to watch the movie on that particular DVD/BD. You can watch it on VHS, on broadcast TV, on the internet, Netflix, HuluPlus, iTunes, or any of the other DVD/BD releases On the Waterfront has had. Additionally, any title released by Criterion exclusively on streaming (See: HuluPlus) is eligible for this challenge.

Discussion and debate on how to change the Challenge is encouraged. We made sizable changes last year, but it's always good to get the conversation going for next year.

Check out the full list of Criterion and Eclipse DVD and BD releases here. Criterion's website allows for sorting by Brand, Format, Director, Country, Decade, and Features. This will allow easy searching for working through needed checklist items.

There are some titles currently streaming on Netflix, including a number of OOP titles. On rare occasions, you can find an Eclipse title there as well.

There are many Criterion titles available on Hulu Plus. Any title available on Criterion's Hulu Plus site counts. These include titles that Criterion has the rights to, but has yet to release on DVD/BD. Hulu Plus offers a standard 1-week free trial. Additionally, Criterion regularly rotates new titles for "free" viewing on Hulu.

A quick Google search will occasionally locate various "deals" with longer free Hulu Plus trial memberships.

Criterion titles occasionally appear on broadcast television. Keep an eye on this discussion thread for upcoming broadcasts.

Criterion Laserdisc releases are also eligible for the challenge.

Optional Checklist

The checklist is completely optional. It is just a "fun" inclusion to give one a sense of accomplishment, to help one diversify viewing, or to use as a guide on what to watch next.

Feature Presentation
Watch one film from every decade covered by Criterion.
--- 1920 - (insert film title here)
--- 1930 -
--- 1940 -
--- 1950 -
--- 1960 -
--- 1970 -
--- 1980 -
--- 1990 -
--- 2000/2010 -

Watch something from spine number range:
--- 001-050 -
--- 051-100 -
--- 101-150 -
--- 151-200 -
--- 201-250 -
--- 251-300 -
--- 301-350 -
--- 351-400 -
--- 401-450 -
--- 451-500 -
--- 501-550 –
--- 551-600 -
--- 601-650 -
--- 650-700 -
--- 701-750 -
--- an Eclipse title -
--- Watch a title not released on DVD by Criterion (Hint: Check DVD Spine# here for some eligible titles or Unreleased material on Hulu here (Thanks, ntnon!)) -

Watch films in at least 5 languages.
--- First language, (insert language), (insert title).
--- Second language, (insert language), (insert title).
--- Third language, (insert language), (insert title).
--- Fourth language, (insert language), (insert title).
--- Fifth language, (insert language), (insert title).

Watch 5 films from different people in Criterion's Explore People section (Each title must be unique. For example, Pierrot Le Fou could NOT count for Jean-Paul Belmondo, Jean-Luc Godard, and Anna Karina, just one)
--- First Person, (insert title)
--- Second Person, (insert title)
--- Third Person, (insert title)
--- Fourth Person, (insert title)
--- Fifth Person, (insert title)

Watch a film from 5 different “themes” on Criterion’s website
--- First Theme name, (insert title)
--- Second Theme name, (insert title)
--- Third Theme name, (insert title)
--- Fourth Theme name, (insert title)
--- Fifth Theme name, (insert title)

Special Edition Features
Read 5 essays from the Criterion booklets and/or listed here –
--- First Essay title, (title of film)
--- Second Essay title, (title of film)
--- Third Essay title, (title of film)
--- Fourth Essay title, (title of film)
--- Fifth Essay title, (title of film)

Watch 5 Criterion supplemental interviews.
--- First Interview Name, (insert film title)
--- Second Interview Name, (insert film title)
--- Third Interview Name, (insert film title)
--- Fourth Interview Name, (insert film title)
--- Fifth Interview Name, (insert film title)

Watch 5 Criterion Theatrical Trailers
--- First Trailer Title
--- Second Trailer Title
--- Third Trailer Title
--- Fourth Trailer Title
--- Fifth Trailer Title

--- Watch a film with commentary –
--- Watch a supplemental short film –
--- Watch a Criterion disc completely. Every part of it. -
--- Watch an entire Criterion Collector's Set/Eclipse Box Set/Top Ten List -
--- Listen to a Criterion/Eclipse film soundtrack -

(One film could fill multiple items. Example: Fanny & Alexander would qualify for a decade, language, spine number range, theme (Blue Christmases), etc.)

(Change "---" to "-X-" or some similar mark when you have completed that line item.)

The challenge officially begins August 31 at dusk in whatever location you are in at the time, and ends on October 1st at dawn in whatever location you are in at that time. Also, feel free to time your final Criterion film(s) to coincide with the start of the Horror Challenge.


Criterion.com
Twitter - @Criterion
Criterion on Tumblr
CriterionCast

Travis McClain provided the following links, which are incredibly helpful.

"It's every box set and Top 10 list presently on Criterion.com, formatted for our purposes."

Flickchart - The Best Criterion Collection Films
Flickchart: The Blog - Criterion Commentaries
ICheckMovies.com - The Criterion Collection
iCheckMovies - Criterion's Eclipse Collection
Flickchart - Criterion Collection on Hulu
Flickchart - Criterion Eclipse Titles
Flickchart - Criterion Collection
Travis McClain's Criterion for Noobs

CardiffGiant

Let me know if something is unclear or out of place. Most of this is just text from last year's thread. I've made two minor changes from last year:

1. The 1920s and the 1930s have their own spots on the checklist now. Between recent BD/DVD releases, unreleased Criterion, and Hulu only offerings, I think there is enough to survive on their own now. The 2000s and 2010s remain merged, but please feel free to use a separate check for extra credit (and +10 cool points...not redeemable for cash).

2. I've tacked on 701-750 spine number range. This was a tough decision because we are at 733 (well, soon enough, anyway), but it seemed excessive to merge this with the 651-700 spine range.

I think I checked and edited the broken links. Let me know if you think something needs to be added to post #1 or you notice an error.

CardiffGiant

Also, we made some pretty significant changes last year, so I think it's probably good to avoid more big changes again this year, but please feel free to make suggestions. If they're too difficult to implement this year, we can always plan it for next year. I read through last year's entire discussion thread last night to see if there was anything that needed to be changed.

Trevor

Hope to make a better showing this year. My Criterion BD shelf has way too much plastic wrap on it!

Travis McClain

In last year's discussion thread, I created a list of all the box sets and Top 10 lists. It's a little out of date right now, but I should have it up to snuff by the time the challenge starts. You'll find it here.

shadokitty

I don't have an extensive collection of Criterion eligible titles on DVD, but I plan to use Hulu Plus a lot, and perhaps even watch a few titles out of my comfort zone.

CardiffGiant

I'm in the same place. I actually only purchased two titles during this year's Barnes and Noble thread because I'm so far behind on viewings. I have devised a plan that should help get the plastic off of half of those.

That's a big help! Much easier than clicking through all of the links. I've added that to the bottom of the first post. If you make any additions or changes, just let me know and I'll keep it updated on the first post.

Yeah, this was my purpose for getting Hulu Plus and I've yet to use it for that purpose, but I have watched a lot of TV shows. A sign of the times, I suppose.

Travis McClain

Top 10 lists are now up to date through the letter L. I'll continue updating throughout the next couple of weeks. All box sets within the Criterion Collection proper, Eclipse, and Essential Art House are up to date now, too.

malazar

Looking forward to participating again this year. Fingers crossed that I will have a decent amount of time to actually take part in the discussion more this year. Last year, I completed the checklist and plan to do the same again this year. Before the last few months, I was a Criterion blu-ray completionist, so this is always a great chance to catch up on what I have been neglecting watching.

Travis McClain

All box sets, Eclipse Series, and Top 10 lists are now up to date. I've also added a checklist of all the LaserDisc titles not released on DVD. You'll find the complete list here.

mrcellophane

Great resource! Thanks so much!!! I've been going through my collection and trying to figure out which films I want to view for the challenge. It's always hard to strike a balance between items in my unwatched pile and films I want to revisit.

I know that I want to watch the new edition of Persona (one of my favorite Bergman films) and Ace in the Hole, both of which I recently acquired. I would also like to get through some of the Eclipse sets I've purchased.

Travis McClain

Cinemark has announced the next wave in their Classic Series. Two titles playing during September qualify under the LaserDisc category: Ghostbusters, which plays for an entire week(!) starting 29 August, and Dr. Strangelove, which plays 9/21 (2:00), 9/24 (2:00 & 7:00).

pacaway

With Robin Williams passing away, I'll be watching BOTH versions of Insomnia.

Trevor

For the first time, I completely avoided the sale. I've come close before, but always end up buying at least one. Saw the thread here every day, had gift cards even, but just made the conscious decision to try not to buy more until I catch up on my viewing a bit.
Great idea. I've still seen neither version, hope to correct that too.

shadokitty

Too bad my copy of Ghostbusters is too scratched to play.

Travis McClain

Well, if you live near a participating theater, you can just go see it on the big screen. In addition to Cinemark, the series also plays at select Regal Cinemas.

CardiffGiant

Thanks, Travis. I'll link straight to your post in case there are any more edits in the future. Thanks for doing that; it's a big help.

I just bought Persona as well. I last watched it years ago on the MGM disc. Not sure if I'll break it out for this challenge or not. I do have Ace in the Hole queued up and I'm hoping to get to it during the challenge.

I've been watching clips from films, reading stories about Williams, and just thinking about the impact that he's had on my life. For our challenge, The Fisher King, a film I haven't seen, would be eligible (as a Laserdisc Criterion release).

ntnon

You have a lot more self-control than I do...!

ntnon

I'll have to try and track down Insomnia and Fisher King, too. Wasn't Munchausen (in which he has a great cameo) on laserdisc, too..?

Lauren Bacall is represented by Douglas Sirk's Written on the Wind, too.

Is it worth nominating one or two titles - maybe from those three, and/or another - as titles everyone can/could try to watch..? A daily title (as in Horror) is out of the question, and even picking a handful may be impossible for some/many depending on sources and collections, but... since discussion is the thing, I thought I'd ask.

(Am I right in thinking that Fantastic Mr Fox now joins Akira as the only/main two Animation/Criterion crossover titles..? Both Monty Python films are close enough for me, but I know that's a little controversial. )

pacaway

Don't let my earlier post mislead you. Only the American version of Insomnia, which is NOT a Criterion movie, has Robin Williams. The Criterion one is the Norwegian film. It just seemed like a good idea to watch both during the month because of RW, not to mention the fact that it is also a good movie. It would not count for the month though.

And, yes, you are right about The Adventures of Baron von Munchausen having been a laserdisc release. Since Criterion has done so many Terry Gilliam films in the past, I wonder why they don't get a hold of the rights to Tideland? It has never had a decent North American release in the right aspect ratio. I guess it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I thought it was great. Are you listening Criterion? How about a release before NEXT year's challenge?

ntnon

Ah, right! That explains my confusion when I went looking..

Good idea.

CardiffGiant

New eligible titles were announced today. Even though the Criterion editions won't be ready for our challenge, you can watch these on other non-Criterion forms of media.

Coming Soon Titles

I'm looking forward to: L'Avventura and It Happened One Night the most (out of the newly announced November titles).

Travis McClain

I've had a rough year so far, to the point that I've scarcely even watched many movies at all since the Oscar Challenge. Hell, I didn't even participate in the Historical Appreciation Challenge and I was its host! But for the first time all year, I'm starting to get just a little twinge of interest in film again looking forward to this challenge. This is, hands down, my favorite challenge of all.

I've also come to believe that September is the perfect month for it. The weather starts to change, we're caught between being wistful over the end of summer and the excitement of autumn, with the burden of the holidays still far enough down the road to not be an immediate concern. So many films in The Criterion Collection seem to fall into that emotional range/state of mind that it just feels right to me. Or am I alone in all that?

shadokitty

I hadn't thought about it before, but now that you mention it, I think you're right.

ntnon

I'm sure the link's already here somewhere, but I just noticed that the main Criterion hulu page allows one to not only see all the currently-streamable titles, but has the ability to filter by "online only" titles. So any of those are also non-Criterion-disc watchable.