Originally Posted by Travis McClain (Post 13801547)

I floated an idea in the Criterion discussion thread, and wanted to cross-post it here. I've been wondering of late whether maybe it would be worth considering revamping that challenge as a wider Boutique Distributor Challenge. Because we accept content that has been selected to stream on the Criterion Channel, that's more or less what it has become by default now anyway. A lot of the Channel content has been licensed from distributors such as Arrow Video; Cohen Film Collection; Kino Lorber; Milestone/Oscilloscope; Scream/Shout Factory; and the defunct Twilight Time, as well as the Sony Selects and Warner Archive Collection MOD programs. (If we voted now, I'd be against including Sony and Warner carte blanche because those are large enough to exceed the intended smaller scope of the challenge.)

I bring this up because as much as I love the Criterion Challenge, participation is easily the lowest of all the challenges. Always has been, and is damn near barely alive by now. Some of that has to do with the community itself disintegrating, but the Horror Challenge is alive and well so our fellow forum members do still remember their login credentials. I feel like there are a lot of forum participants who collect and watch all kinds of content that's eligible for the challenge as it already stands, but abstain because their perception is that if it isn't Bergman, Fellini, or Kurosawa that they're shut out. I hate that, because you could also be watching and talking about Anna Biller, Jackie Chan, MGM Musicals, or movies with scores by Quincy Jones. None of those themes come across from the words "Criterion Challenge".

Originally Posted by pacaway (Post 13802505)

Could we vote on and add only 1 a year? Make it special, like the R&R Hall of Fame. Not flood the challenge with new distributors all at once but add a new worthy one each year. Just a suggestion.

Originally Posted by Travis McClain (Post 13802623)

The problem is that Criterion has effectively already done this via the Channel. Suppose we voted to induct Arrow Video in 2021. Well, a ton of Oscilloscope content is still going to be eligible anyway as it's already been on the Channel. What would we accomplish by withholding formal recognition of Oscilloscope? Also, if these distributors have been deemed worthy of inclusion on the Channel, oughtn't that be good enough to determine worthiness for our challenge?

We could stop allowing content that has previously streamed on the Channel and only accept content actively there. That would be tidier, but I would argue it would also be antithetical to the spirit of the challenge.

Originally Posted by davidh777 (Post 13802680)

If the goal is to increase participation, I don’t think adding one boutique label is going to move the needle much.

Originally Posted by orlmac (Post 13855621)

We are coming up on the new year and I am interested in what challenges will be run for January thru April. Can someone let me know what they are?

Originally Posted by davidh777 (Post 13855943)

Romance Music Musicals was an experiment for last year, but when the Oscars were moved, it seemed to make sense to run it again in 2021. I’m fine with that plan unless others disagree (but anyone can always skip a challenge that they don’t care for).

Originally Posted by shadokitty (Post 13857152)

I just wanted to let people know that I’m planning to post the discussion and list threads for the TV on DVD challenge this week sometime. Last week I got a new laptop, but it was shipped with a faulty power cord, so I had to order a new one.

Originally Posted by Travis McClain (Post 13857323)

I was gonna see about returning as host this year, but I think you enjoy doing it more than me. If you want to take the year off, though, lemme know. In any event, I've got two Batman box sets that I'm eager to get into next month ('66 and TAS). I'll try not to make y'all completely sick of Batman. At least there'll be the Discovery season finale on the 7th, for those who don't mind talking through spoiler boxes.

Originally Posted by Travis McClain (Post 13801547)

I've been wondering of late whether maybe it would be worth considering revamping that challenge as a wider Boutique Distributor Challenge.....

I bring this up because as much as I love the Criterion Challenge, participation is easily the lowest of all the challenges. Always has been, and is damn near barely alive by now. Some of that has to do with the community itself disintegrating, but the Horror Challenge is alive and well....

Originally Posted by TheBigDave (Post 13866963)

I'd love to see the Criterion Challenge expand into a Criterion/Arthouse/Foreign Challenge. This would open up the theme to so many different options. And for Horror Challenge fans, they could get an early start in September by watching arthouse/foreign horror flicks.

Originally Posted by davidh777 (Post 13855943)

Romance Music Musicals was an experiment for last year, but when the Oscars were moved, it seemed to make sense to run it again in 2021. I’m fine with that plan unless others disagree (but anyone can always skip a challenge that they don’t care for).

Originally Posted by Travis McClain (Post 13876449)

Have you decided about hosting RMM again this year, David?

Originally Posted by Surfinhank (Post 13925471)

Is the May challenge going to happen this year? Just noticed next weekend is the 1st of the month.