2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
#1
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2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
30 Days of Criterion
September 1st - September 30th, 2011
September 1st - September 30th, 2011
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 very few titles currently streaming on Netflix. Criterion is in the process of streaming exclusively to Hulu Plus. You still can find newer titles and OOP and LD Criterion titles streaming.
There are many Criterion titles available on Hulu Plus. This year we've decided to count any title available on Criterion's Hulu Plus site. These include titles that Criterion has the rights to, but has yet to release on DVD/BD. Hulu Plus is offering a number of free 1-month trials (one through Facebook and one using a .edu e-mail address are two commonly used ones). They also offer their standard 1-week free trial.
Criterion titles occasionally appear on broadcast television. Keep an eye on this discussion thread for upcoming broadcasts.
Wikipedia list of Criterion Laserdisc releases.
For inspiration on how to format your own list check out the 2009 List Thread and the 2010 List Thread.
THE "RULES"
This is not your father's Challenge. Think of this as an un-Challenge. The only goal 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.
This is not about bulk watching. Just watch however much 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. Fully exploring a film is highly encouraged. Instead of racing through films and watching three or more in one day, why not fully experience each Criterion disc? Watch the film a second time with the audio commentary. Watch all of the special features on the disc. Read the insert booklet. Go on Criterion's website and read some of the essays for that film.
There will be a separate thread to include your lists as linked above. 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.
What qualifies? Any film, short, video or DVD supplemental feature that has been released by Criterion qualifies. The film does not have to watched on an actual Criterion disc. You may watch the film on any format imaginable, provided that it is the same film that Criterion has released. For example, the film Silence of the Lambs 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, UMD, iTunes, or any of the various DVD/BD releases SOTL has had. Additionally, any title released by Criterion exclusively on streaming is eligible for this challenge.
Discussion and debate on how to change the Challenge is encouraged. We may not make changes in this current year, but there's always next year.
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.
In the inaugural challenge, Fist of Doom suggested a daily summary. Many did this; some did not. Now that we have examples from the previous years, it may be best to look at what has been done during 2009 for inspiration.
[spoiler]Watch one film from every decade covered by Criterion.
--- 1920 - (insert film title here)
--- 1930 - (insert film title here)
--- 1940 - (insert film title here)
--- 1950 - (insert film title here)
--- 1960 - (insert film title here)
--- 1970 - (insert film title here)
--- 1980 - (insert film title here)
--- 1990 - (insert film title here)
--- 2000 -(insert film title here)
--- 2010 - (optional), (insert film title here)
Watch films in at least five 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 films from five different directors in Criterion’s top 10 (Kurosawa, Bergman, Ozu, Malle, Fellini, Renoir, Powell, Godard, Truffaut, Rossellini)
--- First director, (insert director), (insert title)
--- Second director, (insert director),(insert title)
--- Third director, (insert director),(insert title)
--- Fourth director, (insert director),(insert title)
--- Fifth director, (insert director),(insert title)
Watch a film from five different “themes” on Criterion’s website
--- First theme name, (insert theme), (insert title)
--- Second theme name, (insert theme), (insert title)
--- Third theme name, (insert theme), (insert title)
--- Fourth theme name, (insert theme), (insert title)
--- Fifth theme name, (insert theme), (insert title)
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 -
--- 500-550 –
--- 551-600 -
--- an Eclipse title -
--- Watch a title not released on DVD by Criterion (laserdisc or hulu offering, any format acceptable) -
--- Watch a film which won an Academy Award -
--- Watch a film with commentary –
--- Read an essay -
--- Watch a short -
--- Watch a Criterion disc completely. Every part of it (photo stills, essays, commentary, booklets, etc). -
--- Watch an entire Criterion Collector's Set/Eclipse Box Set -
(One item can fill multiple items. Example: Fanny & Alexander could qualify for a decade, language, spine number range, theme (Blue Christmases), director, Academy Award, commentary, essay, entire set, and possibly short.)
(Change "---" to "-X-" or some similar mark when you have completed that line item.)
The challenge officially begins September 1, 2011 at midnight of whatever time zone you are in at the time, and ends on October 1, 2011 at dawn in whatever time zone you're in at the time the sun rises. Also, feel free to time your final Criterion film to coincide with the start of the Horror Challenge.
Linkifications
Criterion.com
Twitter - @Criterion
Flickchart - The Best Criterion Collection Films
Flickchart: The Blog - Criterion Commentaries
ICheckMovies.com - The Criterion Collection
Last edited by Travis McClain; 09-08-11 at 04:39 PM. Reason: Trevor tweakified things.
#2
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
I'm in. I never did this one but I have a few Criterion to crack open and more to revisit. I mean, I can't honestly remember the last time I watched DVD spine #100!
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
I've been looking forward to this challenge. I have about 15 unwatched Criterions from the recent sales, and I'm going to try to get them all watched next month.
I'm also making it a goal this year to participate more in the discussion thread this time around.
I'm also making it a goal this year to participate more in the discussion thread this time around.
#5
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
Hulu snagged Criterions out from the grasp of Netflix and so you're able to watch them, as well as supplements here http://www.hulu.com/criterion
There's currently 562 films but some are expiring at the end of this month. Not sure how soon, if at all, they'd come back.
It looks like most of them require a Hulu Plus account, so there's always a free trial one could do.
There's currently 562 films but some are expiring at the end of this month. Not sure how soon, if at all, they'd come back.
It looks like most of them require a Hulu Plus account, so there's always a free trial one could do.
Last edited by The Man with the Golden Doujinshi; 08-16-11 at 06:24 PM.
#6
Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
Yeah, I took advantage of the recent 50%-off sale to load up on Kurosawa. Plus I have a ton of unwatched box sets from previous purchases: Nikkatsu Noir, Early Ozu, Late Ozu, Silent Naruse, etc. Plus The Yakuza Papers, several Zatoichis, the Samurai Trilogy... I'll be busy.
#7
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
I didn't plan to take part in the Criterion challenge at first, because I didn't think I'd find any movies that interested me, but after browsing Hulu's choices, I saw some pretty interesting movies, so I think I am in after all.
#8
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
So, films under the Criterion tab at Hulu are kosher, even if they are not official Criterion releases, i.e., no spine number? That's awesome because Criterion on Hulu has a ton of films that aren't yet commercially available in the US.
#9
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
I've been meaning to watch Charade again, and I just got the lightning deal today Plus Blow-Out from the last sale. Ton of Japanese cinema I'd like to see someday.
Hulu snagged Criterions out from the grasp of Netflix and so you're able to watch them, as well as supplements here http://www.hulu.com/criterion
There's currently 562 films but some are expiring at the end of this month. Not sure how soon, if at all, they'd come back.
It looks like most of them require a Hulu Plus account, so there's always a free trial one could do.
There's currently 562 films but some are expiring at the end of this month. Not sure how soon, if at all, they'd come back.
It looks like most of them require a Hulu Plus account, so there's always a free trial one could do.
#10
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
Like what? I'm not up on spine numbers and such but they all look like films I've seen from a Criterion list I was checking out.
#11
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
Spoiler:
There are apparently more on the way by the end of the year. According to Criterion most of these will make it to DVD - though some of them will remain exclusively online.
Originally Posted by Criterion
Criterion on Facebook wrote:
There will definitely be titles on Hulu that don't ultimately find their way to disc — including some real rarities that even the most seasoned cinephiles will be discovering for the first time, many of which have never even been translated into English before — but many more will be coming out in Criterion and Eclipse editions over time.
There will definitely be titles on Hulu that don't ultimately find their way to disc — including some real rarities that even the most seasoned cinephiles will be discovering for the first time, many of which have never even been translated into English before — but many more will be coming out in Criterion and Eclipse editions over time.
Last edited by Sondheim; 09-11-11 at 01:55 PM.
#12
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
Thanks for taking the ball and starting things MinL. I had planned to do it this year but I may be otherwise engaged.
My OCD is disappointed to hear that Hulu Plus will have some Criterions exclusively online. I'll have to join up now.
My OCD is disappointed to hear that Hulu Plus will have some Criterions exclusively online. I'll have to join up now.
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
Yeah, that's what I meant - those are all films that haven't received spine numbers during the DVD era. A lot of them aren't available on DVD from any company, but some of them (Foreign Correspondent, To Be or Not To Be, The Long Voyage Home, etc.) are already out on non-Criterion DVDs. I think the question is - will watching those films count for the challenge, even though they haven't been released on DVD (or, in some cases, laserdisc) by Criterion but are being posted by Criterion on the official Criterion channel of Hulu's site?
Last edited by Sondheim; 08-17-11 at 03:43 PM.
#16
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
My feeling is that they should be since it's released by Criterion, in this case through the net. The rule is that format doesn't matter.
Personally, I'd just remove all the DVD references from the rules since that may confuse people that have things like LD releases that haven't made it to DVD.
You may watch the film on any format imaginable, provided that it is the same film that Criterion has released.
#17
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
I suppose I've sort of become de facto host this year? That's cool. First order of business is to congratulate Trevor for getting engaged and the second order of business is to chastise him for his awful pun! :P
The HuluPlus Criterion selection is unquestionably "in," and as with the LaserDisc library, format doesn't matter. So if you can see something from the HuluPlus selection on another format, go for it. In fact, I'll go ahead and suggest adding "Watch a movie that's part of the HuluPlus assortment" to the checklist.
I personally am unlikely to try HuluPlus, because it's a hassle to connect my laptop to our TV for the purpose of streaming. It's just not nearly as clean as streaming from Netflix via the Wii. I could watch on my laptop, of course. I dunno. Maybe I'll check out the trial. Regardless of what I do, though, I would encourage others to explore the streaming Criterion selections.
The HuluPlus Criterion selection is unquestionably "in," and as with the LaserDisc library, format doesn't matter. So if you can see something from the HuluPlus selection on another format, go for it. In fact, I'll go ahead and suggest adding "Watch a movie that's part of the HuluPlus assortment" to the checklist.
I personally am unlikely to try HuluPlus, because it's a hassle to connect my laptop to our TV for the purpose of streaming. It's just not nearly as clean as streaming from Netflix via the Wii. I could watch on my laptop, of course. I dunno. Maybe I'll check out the trial. Regardless of what I do, though, I would encourage others to explore the streaming Criterion selections.
#19
Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
I'm not opposed to hosting again this year (in fact, I was planning for it), I've just been away for the past few weeks. If you would like to take it over, that's fine with me, too.
As far as changes go, I was thinking that we should scrap ALL of the categories from the checklist. Last year, there was some discussion about the difficulties within the collection and I think it is more of a distraction from what Criterion is all about.
If we are talking about anything that Criterion states that they "might" release, I think that could be problematic. In the past, we've said anything that Criterion has released or officially announced. This would include everything up to the November titles recently announced (and the December ones that will be announced next month).
The thing I've liked about this challenge and that initially made me want to host is the fact that we have such a clear-cut, defined list of what counts and what doesn't.
Finally, I was thinking that we could add some "great director" categories (watch a Kurosawa, Bergman, Godard, etc.) in the same vein as many of the other challenges. Nothing crazy here, but something to get people watching a variety of those directors that Criterion most covets.
Again, like I said, I was planning on hosting again, but I'm not offended if you want to take over the duties. Thanks for getting the discussion started.
As far as changes go, I was thinking that we should scrap ALL of the categories from the checklist. Last year, there was some discussion about the difficulties within the collection and I think it is more of a distraction from what Criterion is all about.
The HuluPlus Criterion selection is unquestionably "in," and as with the LaserDisc library, format doesn't matter. So if you can see something from the HuluPlus selection on another format, go for it. In fact, I'll go ahead and suggest adding "Watch a movie that's part of the HuluPlus assortment" to the checklist.
I personally am unlikely to try HuluPlus, because it's a hassle to connect my laptop to our TV for the purpose of streaming. It's just not nearly as clean as streaming from Netflix via the Wii. I could watch on my laptop, of course. I dunno. Maybe I'll check out the trial. Regardless of what I do, though, I would encourage others to explore the streaming Criterion selections.
I personally am unlikely to try HuluPlus, because it's a hassle to connect my laptop to our TV for the purpose of streaming. It's just not nearly as clean as streaming from Netflix via the Wii. I could watch on my laptop, of course. I dunno. Maybe I'll check out the trial. Regardless of what I do, though, I would encourage others to explore the streaming Criterion selections.
The thing I've liked about this challenge and that initially made me want to host is the fact that we have such a clear-cut, defined list of what counts and what doesn't.
Finally, I was thinking that we could add some "great director" categories (watch a Kurosawa, Bergman, Godard, etc.) in the same vein as many of the other challenges. Nothing crazy here, but something to get people watching a variety of those directors that Criterion most covets.
Again, like I said, I was planning on hosting again, but I'm not offended if you want to take over the duties. Thanks for getting the discussion started.
#20
Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
Also, I should clarify that we've said that you don't need to watch any of these films on an actual Criterion disc. For example, you could watch 12 Angry Men on the regular DVD release that's currently available, on broadcast television, streaming, VHS, theater, etc.
I'm thinking about doing the HuluPlus trial, but I just don't see myself keeping it beyond the trial for the same reasons that MinLShaw listed. If I can't watch it on my TV (easily) then it just isn't going to warrant the money. I don't carry a computer around the house with me. The fact that there is an App for the PS3 does make it a bit more enticing, but that does limit me to one TV in the house.
I'm thinking about doing the HuluPlus trial, but I just don't see myself keeping it beyond the trial for the same reasons that MinLShaw listed. If I can't watch it on my TV (easily) then it just isn't going to warrant the money. I don't carry a computer around the house with me. The fact that there is an App for the PS3 does make it a bit more enticing, but that does limit me to one TV in the house.
#21
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Thread Starter
Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
As far as changes go, I was thinking that we should scrap ALL of the categories from the checklist. Last year, there was some discussion about the difficulties within the collection and I think it is more of a distraction from what Criterion is all about.
If we are talking about anything that Criterion states that they "might" release, I think that could be problematic. In the past, we've said anything that Criterion has released or officially announced. This would include everything up to the November titles recently announced (and the December ones that will be announced next month).
#22
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
If we are talking about anything that Criterion states that they "might" release, I think that could be problematic. In the past, we've said anything that Criterion has released or officially announced. This would include everything up to the November titles recently announced (and the December ones that will be announced next month).
Finally, I was thinking that we could add some "great director" categories (watch a Kurosawa, Bergman, Godard, etc.) in the same vein as many of the other challenges. Nothing crazy here, but something to get people watching a variety of those directors that Criterion most covets.
Last edited by Gobear; 08-18-11 at 12:54 AM.
#23
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
Awesome, we have three people who want to lead it!
As others have said, I think this Challenge in particular runs itself and doesn't need much work. We probably should seek a sponsor or three for some prizes.
On the checklist, I selfishly think it's pretty perfect and shouldn't be tweaked much, if at all. The other Challenges have some very subjective categories, like directors and actors and subgenres. While nice for them, I wanted this one to be more clear-cut and stable. I consider the decades, genres, languages, and spine number categories to be the critical meat of the checklist, and the scant other items to be optional/changeable. Just my opinion of course, but if I had any Challenge creator powers they would include not making the checklist complex or variable like the other Challenges.
As others have said, I think this Challenge in particular runs itself and doesn't need much work. We probably should seek a sponsor or three for some prizes.
On the checklist, I selfishly think it's pretty perfect and shouldn't be tweaked much, if at all. The other Challenges have some very subjective categories, like directors and actors and subgenres. While nice for them, I wanted this one to be more clear-cut and stable. I consider the decades, genres, languages, and spine number categories to be the critical meat of the checklist, and the scant other items to be optional/changeable. Just my opinion of course, but if I had any Challenge creator powers they would include not making the checklist complex or variable like the other Challenges.
#24
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Thread Starter
Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
On the checklist, I selfishly think it's pretty perfect and shouldn't be tweaked much, if at all. The other Challenges have some very subjective categories, like directors and actors and subgenres. While nice for them, I wanted this one to be more clear-cut and stable. I consider the decades, genres, languages, and spine number categories to be the critical meat of the checklist, and the scant other items to be optional/changeable. Just my opinion of course, but if I had any Challenge creator powers they would include not making the checklist complex or variable like the other Challenges.
Also, I'll have you know I've already had quite a lot of Internet ugliness over this elsewhere. It involved a guy insisting that only the titles shown on Criterion.com are legitimate parts of the collection and quickly devolved into all kinds of unpleasantness. Not how I had wished to prepare myself for this challenge, I can tell you that much!
#25
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
Agreed! I hope I don't sound too domineering or anything in my comments. I'm not trying to have my cake and eat it too (get my way but not have to run the Challenge), but just giving my opinions.
I agree, with two caveats. Firstly, I think recognizing the HuluPlus digital collection is reasonable. I view it as just as much a part of the Criterion Collection as the LaserDisc era, or the Eclipse titles. Secondly, as the collection grows, we'll need to periodically expand the spine number ranges to reflect the current count.
Also, I'll have you know I've already had quite a lot of Internet ugliness over this elsewhere. It involved a guy insisting that only the titles shown on Criterion.com are legitimate parts of the collection and quickly devolved into all kinds of unpleasantness. Not how I had wished to prepare myself for this challenge, I can tell you that much!