I know how most everyone feels about Criterions on this board so instead of beating a dead horse I'll try asking a different question. Do you think because of Criterion's high prices they have artificially put a greater value on their DVDs than others? I'm sure the fact that they never drop the prices on their DVDs help them keep their value as well. I for one value a Criterion moreso than most DVDs. For one, I know a lot of love when into making it and that it wasn't just a rush job to make money. And second, because I paid a bit more for it than most DVDs, I feel its more valuable than others. And thankfully because Criterion doesn't drop their prices it does stay more valuable than any of my other DVDs and I can always sell it for about as much as I paid for it.

NO

I value them highly if the DVD is of a movie I value highly.

You kinda answered your own question

But, for me, the value has nothing to do monetarily. I've never sold one of my Criterions... but I have traded one (and that was out of the norm).

I only have 40-odd Criterions and I never thought about resale value with any purchase.

EXACTAMUNDO!!

No







It is because of their spine numbers

Yes, I have to say I do value them for due to the price. I would probably buy Mark of Zorro if Criterion released it. But instead I know it's a cheap title and can get it very easily as there are more copies floating around.

I'll admit that yes I do. Lately I've been getting rid of movies that I have no plans on watching much in the future. I have several Criterions that fall into this catagory, but I feel the urge to hang on to them simply because I paid more for them then an average DVD. Dosen't really make any sense, but what can I say.

No...but for the great cinema...

I was in that same position I had all the Hitchcock Criterions (I ended up only liking The 39 Steps, but not that much), Solaris, Silence of the Lambs and The Rock.

In the end it came down to is it really worth keeping this $20+ DVD around when I could probably get 2 movies in a trade for just 1.

At the moment the only Criterion I have left is The Rock, mainly keeping it because it's got 3 of my favorite actors (Connery, Biehn, Harris) and it's a good popcorn movie.

A side question. Between the Criterion and Anchor Bay's DIVIMAX versions of Time Bandits, which is the one to get?

no. it's the film that is worth something to me....and Criterion's way of respecting the film with proper treatment and care. the price has nothing to do with anything, imho.

For me the prestige of Criterion is a carryover of how they presented films on Laserdisc - in OAR, with director commentaries and sometimes other extras. This was at a time when there were with few exceptions no letterbox VHS tapes to be found. They covered many of the "elitist art films" as well as alot of mainstream movies.

When DVD was a newer format, they naturally moved to the new medium early and some of the prized discs are still early releases like Robocop, The Killer, Hard Boiled, etc. that were better than discs coming from the actual studios that were mostly bare bones or sometimes only available in fullscreen.

But I think since the actual studios finally got around to taking care in releasing ther own special editions of their own titles with similar commentaries, anamorphic images, etc. Criterion hasn't had the same appeal to me.

No

not another Criterion valued thread??

This thought makes me think of the idiots that place cigars in high regard simply because of their band and the idiots that place wine in high regards simply because of the price tag.

Its the taste that is important. Although they are few and far between, one can find a $5 cigar that trumps a crappy $25 cigar. Same with wine. Not quite the same with DVDs, but you get what I mean.

If the DVD has what you want on it, it doesn't matter if it was in Wal Marts $5 bin or on the Criterion discontinued list.

Unless of course, you bought it as an investment. No matter which DVD you buy, however, they are terrible investments, but great collectibles for personal enjoyment.

I value them more highly because of "the love" that went into them, not because of the price.

I no longer wear a watch. I just time things by the arrival of new Criterion threads here...

I value them, because they usually do a solid job on movie transfers/extras.

Michael Caine was in Hannah and Her Sisters, as well as Blame It On Rio.

Funny. I just wanted to start a thread I'd actually want to read responses to. The main forum is filled with threads I find too boring.