I don't know anyone in "real life" that knows what a CC DVD is. Not at the used DVD/CD shops, video game stores that offer used DVDs, pawn shopws, or any other place like this. To them most of the CC DVDs are just another "crappy no-name" flick on DVD.

And that's why doing used store runs is awesome sometimes! Unfortunately the CD Warehouse near here knows what Criterions are, and price them accordingly ($25+). But I did pick up Last Temptation at a pawn shop in January for 7 bucks. I'm gonna try to hit up the used stores more often if I can come across finds like that!

As for if anyone knows what a Criterion is, about half of the people I talk to at least know what they are, even if they're not big DVD buyers.

I've picked up a good deal of my Criterion's from used stores, especially pawn shops and GameStop.

I didnt know what a criterion was until I looked in newcomer help a couple weeks ago, but even though I know what it is now im still not all that interested in them.

That about boils it down. I remember cracking open the big $125 Criterion Seven box back in the day, and saying to myself "Holy Shit, this is awesome" as I was flipping through the four CAV discs (another plus that Criterion almost exclusively specialized in) and reading the insert about the exclusive silvering transfer the LD had. They were truly special in that world. Now, with all the other companies putting out great SE's like Panic Room for every movie (whether the film even warrants it or not), it's no longer exclusive and I almost view their DVD's as overpriced, especially when it comes to their mainstream releases e.g. Rushmore

At this point, I view the label "Criterion" as synonymous with "consistent" as opposed to "hands down, the best available." One thing can be said about them, they never really slip up. You can say what you will about the shoddy job done on some of their earlier releases, but they've got to realize that this should be taken in the context of the other releases of that time. They've always been among the best when it comes to quality transfers in contrast to what other companies are putting out at any given time. Check out "M" as an example of this. Their original release was one of the best on the market, then technology was upgraded, so they released a remastered version that is again among the best on the market.

That, paired with the films that they choose to release (most of the time) places them a notch above the competitors, in my mind...even if they don't have a stronghold on the extras market anymore. And I haven't even mentioned the extras that they do manage to dig up (see the recent Rules of the Game release as an example of what I'm talking about). They truly do put forth the effort to go above and beyond with every release, be it director-approved, remastering of an already-released title, or whatever. Do they always succeed in producing the definitive edition? Of course not. However, more often than not, they're deserving of the recognition that comes with the brand name.

-JP

I love the selection of film that Criterion provides and the effort they put into each dvd produced. If not for Criterion....a decent Eyes Without a Face edition would be very hard to find and enjoy. Just check out this gem and you'll see a lot of what Criterion is all about. See here for a dvdtalk write-up.



Of course, I feel the same about Blue Underground and Mondo Macabro.

i called 75 random people in my area and none of them know what a Criterion is. three people told me to fuck off.

That's odd.

Of the 75 in my area, over 20 knew what a Criterion was. But I had 12 (!) people tell me to fuck off, 2 marriage proposals, and 1 confused guy who kept telling me to "Vote Kerry!".

I couldn't agree more. It's that combo of providing interesting selections with top-notch quality that makes Criterion very special. Ikiru, Onibaba, Fanny and Alexander, Night and the City - all excellent movies, all in great editions that I've been able to get from Criterion in the past year. And am really looking forward to their release of Sword of Doom. Are there any other decent editions of these movies?

By the way, thanks for mentioning Eyes Without a Face. I'd never heard of it before and after reading the review will have to order it. Guess I'd better take a closer look at what Criterion has on their website - don't know how I missed this one.

Add "My Own Private Idaho" and "Hoop Dreams" to that list of great films that're coming soon from Criterion, films which, otherwise, wouldn't have been priority releases (especially not with the quality transfers and extras they'll be receiving).

-JP

I found Life Of Brian: CC in Fred Meyer tonight (a big box store) and was surprised to see a Criterion disc not called "Chasing Amy" in such a 'mainstream' store. I picked it up, and the cashier fretted, "$30 for Life of Brian? That's nuts." I tried explaining how much better the Criterion release was but alas, all I succeeded in doing was making myself feel more elite.

I think the only reason Criterion might not feel "special" to some is because it offers mainstream titles and is more widespread on DVD than it ever was on Laserdisc.

Personally, the Criterion stamp remains as special as ever, because it's a sign that the movie means something. For example - while I had never seen "Do The Right Thing," the fact it was a Criterion release nudged me in the direction of eventually purchasing it. The Criterion label is a movie nerd's "seal of approval" in most cases, so I don't understand the rationale that it no longer feels as special. That's just me, though.

<--It's this guy, right?

Ditto to all of the above!

I agree, I have been waiting for My Own Private Idaho for a while now. Criterion releases movies that if it wasn't for them most likely would not be on DVD or not get the quality transfer that you would get with some other studio. Example my friend has The Third Man on DVD which he bought for $1.99 (not the Criterion version, don't know the studio), it's looks like shit. Then I showed him the Criterion version he was amazed at the difference.

Most people in 'my area' don't know what DVD stands for let alone know what a 'Criterion' is.

But couldn't you ask the {original} question about almost anything?

Go into a car forum and ask: Do most people in your area know what a four barrel carb is?

Go into a gun forum and ask: Do most people in your area know what a high cap mag is?

Go into a photography forum and ask: Do most people in your area know what an SLR is?

The simple answer is that people that are into a particular hobby or profession know details associated with their interests. Others do not nor should they be expected to.

Im not into the movies that they choose to do,and would buy in the future if CC would make some movies that I like,there a great company and have nothing against anyone buying them if they enjoy the movie,I just hate the peeps that need to buy everyone just because its a CC,there is just to much money to be spent else where.

no, most of the schmucks around here seem to think that 'criteria' is the singular and 'criterias' the plural.
Goddamn dolts