DVD King

First appreciate film, then you'll appreciate criterions. I think until you've done that it's pretty much pointless to ask.

And it's good that you don't notice a big change in audio/video quality compared to releases like The Fifth Element UE-- since most criterions are older films, it takes a ton of work to get them to look and sound as good as they do. The prices shouldn't be any surprise, it's a niche market-- you don't see big crowds waiting in line at best buy when they're released. Add to that the work they need to put into these films that most studios wouldn't even bother with.

LucyMonostone

criterions are my favorite R1 releases.... all i can ask is overall quality from a dvd and that is what they provide.. when you see the criterion name on it you know it's a quality release.

i hope to have many of them in my collection over time... alot of stuff i haven't seen in the catalog.

Demontooth

About $50K and a lot of time in the repair shop?

LucyMonostone

also a model and rosie o'donnell.

you will be able to get one of them with one of those cars i'll let you figure out which one. hah.

JackBurton

the asshole driving it...

steebo777

Easy on the BMW bashing. I drive one, and like to consider myself to not be an asshole. I have had zero reliability problems and would take one any day of the week over a bland Toyota. But maybe that's just people that want a true driving machine and people that don't

We now return you to your regular scheduled topic...

Jay G.

You can specify your search by using more than one word. For example, searching for the phrase "what is a criterion" gives you these threads:

http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=327830
http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=160736

Other threads about this also exist:
http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=380992
http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=337807
http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=271301
http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...hreadid=267394
http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...hreadid=248302
http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...hreadid=249439
http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...hreadid=236497
http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...hreadid=232991
http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...hreadid=230294
http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...hreadid=227917
http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...hreadid=248302

PopcornTreeCt

I was just thinking of how much I prefer Criterion to their laserdisc days. Now that the studios have embraced DVDs Criterion does not have to work on every single title. They can focus more on obscure titles and I much prefer this. Because you will always be able to get a studio to release something like The Wizard of Oz, but the Passion of Joan of Arc? That's a Criterion job.

Mopower

I don't get it. People bitch and moan because somebody doesn't search before posting a topic. Like them posting it is going to be a waste of everyones time. Yet the same people have time to post all that.

dadaluholla

Yeah, its not like he was asking when the next Deepdiscountdvd 20% off sale is!!!

phatboy

Ah... well put. I think it's the same as one person thinking the renassaince art period is to die for whereas someone else would rather watch paint dry. I'll just enjoy all the different movies available and be happy.

phatboy

Sheesh, looks like I touched a nerve...but I guess I had to expect it, of course I'd feel the same way if someone said baseball is WAYYYY more exciting than hockey...I should go put myself in a corner for not remembering Huston's name...I knew I shouldn't have skipped the "Know Your Actor's" class....at least I attended the "Know Your Actor's Characters" seminar. I think I should get at least partial credit for naming 5 of the characters...

Oh and I do visit my library but it's not free for the rentals. That's actually where I rented 7 samurai...figured I'd make myself a little more "well-rounded" but I see by some people's comments, I am NO way near where I should be in my movie tastes...for that I apologize to all and to all those with superior cinematic tastes.

phatboy

About $15,000

NatrlBornThrllr

Oh wait, sarcasm? On these forums? Le gasp.

-JP

phatboy

Yayyy...one of the two or so replies that don't make me feel like the sludge in the bottom of the sink after doing dishes by hand....thanks

phatboy

phatboy

Dang.....didn't think someone would actually take the time to find those threads....all I can say is I rephrase what I said earlier "If there's a topic already, I'm too much of a bonehead to find it". Thanks though

Digital Groove

While this thread has been made a million times before I do have a Criterion collection question that doesn't need its own thread.

How do they determine what will have a MSRP of $39.99 or $29.99? I know they used to sell 1 disc movies at $39.99 yet some other 1 disc for $29.99, what is their rhyme & reason for this? It makes no sense to me that there could be such a large price difference when you're still getting the same amount of discs. Any ideas?!?!?!?

mr_jbloggs

One will never appreciate Criterion Releases until one learns to construct and post Sophisticated & intellectual replies such those posted in this thread. Ooh ooh and they have those cool numbers on the spine

PopcornTreeCt

Well, the rule of thumb seemed to be if there was an audio commentary it was $39.99, no audio commentary is $29.99. Though lately that hasn't been the case. In fact, most of the new releases have been priced at $29.99.

DVD King

You don't have to use search, but how about posting all at once? 6 posts in a row, sheesh.

LucyMonostone

thats why dvdplanet rules so much. 35% off all criterions.

you can get some great deals on the more expensive sets.

chente

I think it used to be the presence of a commentary track. Commentary track = $39.99. Since this has become pretty much a de-facto extra on all DVD's it appears that Criterion is abandoning this pricing scheme.

It is very interesting to me to see how they are attempting to raise the bar once again now that every studio is releasing DVD's with commentary tracks, director's interviews and documentaries (see most Fox Studio Classics and many Warner Classics discs).

Short Cuts includes a complete novel a feature length documentary about making the movie, a 1-hour audio interview with Raymond Carver, a PBS documentary on the life of Raymond Carver, interviews, a fat booklet, etc.

Battle of Algiers is an amazing 3-disc set including extensive interviews with members of the Algerian parliment that were major players during the revolution also interviews with Richard Clarke (former national counterterrorism coordinator) and Michael Sheehan (former state department counterterrorism coordinator). There are also two hour long documentaries included.

Kagemusha has a 41 minute documentary, an extremely lovely 48 page booklet jam packed with storyboard art painted by Kurosawa when trying to get financing for the film. There is even an option to play the movie using these storyboards and other paintings as images to accompany the soundtrack. I find this all extremely fascinating.

F for Fake: Excellent movie that I don't see other studio producing. In addition to the commentary track, there is a 88 minute feature documentary "Orson Welles One Man Band" and a 52 minute documentary about the art of forgery that inspired the film.

These are beautiful, thrilling DVD releases raising the bar higher than conventional studio releases. I'm sure there are more examples, but these are the ones that I have "recently" purchased and have first hand knowledge of.

Hokeyboy

If there is some kind, creative soul out there with Photoshop skills, an image of Jerry Seinfeld, and some Criterion clip art, I will be forever grateful...

Daniel L

Still waiting on that Ghost Dad Criterion...

I hate these threads.

Go ahead, ask me why I post in them.