They don't sell replacement for any of their 'upscale' cardboard sets (Seven Samurai, Sweet Smell Of Success, Breathless, Marienbad, etc).

The only ones they've sold is for their first blu-ray releases which were kinda shitty digipacks.

^ yup, it was only for the first handful of titles they released. I purchased the plastic replacements from Criterion, but I still have the cardboard sleeves in a box somewhere.

Criterion produces some of the best commentary tracks around. Those talking actually seem to have been asked questions about the work. The responses are then edited together and placed against appropriate scenes. As opposed to many other commentaries that sound like the filmmakers are let loose to ramble.

Yeah, this isn't rocket science. I'm surprised on how generally terrible commentary tracks are on studio releases. It would take a day or two at most for an employee to watch the movie, go on the internet to collect questions from fans of the movie along with general filmmaking questions, prep the filmmaker before recording, then finally recording a clear concise commentary.

They most definitely sell a replacement case for Marienbad. Technically it was one of the crappy early digipacks but it has that cool embossing that is completely lost in the plastic version.

I dunno. Some directors can handle being let loose very well. Scott and Del Toro come to mind. I also don't mind certain commentaries that are have the filmmakers just winging it, Edgar Wright's are awesome. Just depends on the people talking. Some are just better talkers and some just suck.

Armageddon is usually the film cited for "Really Criterion?" or "If they did Criterion, surely they should put out X".

I thought this article was interesting. Even Bay thinks it's sub-par.

http://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-...185344677.html

Redbeard is one that I'm really holding out for

No, he really does need to apologize for Armageddon

The first wave of Marienbad, the cover was way too tight so they did offer replacements for those.

Indeed, Eddie. Maybe Criterion should also apologize for releasing it.

Indeed, even if it were 16x9, I would still pass it by, as I see copies of it all the time when I'm looking for used Criterions.

And I tried to watch a few minutes of it once when it was on TV and the constant quick cutting from scene to scene nearly made me nauseous.

How on Earth does whether or not it's 16x9 become a question when you can't get through more than a few minutes of the movie?!

I definitely agree about Criterion's commentaries. However, there's nothing that indicates this is a new one done specifically for Criterion. I'm assuming this is the same commentary with Del Toro that was on the 2nd (Special Editon) DVD. I could definitely be wrong though.

The original non-"special edition" DVD was the one with the commentary by Del Toro and his cinematographer.

Don't get me wrong, the solo commentary is a good one, but I'm just not sure that he would record yet a 3rd commentary just to have a new one on this blu-ray. Then again he's never had much problem talking at length about his films. There's also the issue that would be a little frustrating to some people that in the 2nd DVD commentary he makes reference at the very beginning to the fact that this is a new commentary track and that he's not going to discuss the same things he talked about in the old commentary. :/

Sorry, two separate issues.

I've been picking up used Criterion DVDs, which have become more plentiful on the used market since they went to Blu. I see Armageddon all the time but pass it by because A. it's not 16x9 and B. the few minutes I managed to watch on a TV broadcast nearly made me ill.

I still don't understand why you're even considering it when you don't enjoy the movie.

I'm taking advantage of the used Criterion DVDs entering the used market to fill in my collection. Normally, I'd give anything Criterion put out a try. I won't for Armageddon because it's horrible.

... and there is all the consideration it deserves. Makes rational sense.

Anyone know when Criterion plans on releasing Scanners? I keep hoping to see it in each release announcement.

We won't know until they announce it and at that point I guarantee it'll be reported in this thread.

Perhaps I missed it elsewhere but this was in my Criterion newsletter today:



Can it be something besides I Married a Witch?
Bell Book and Candle, maybe?

Criterion already has "I Married a Witch" on their Hulu channel, so that's my bet.

Bell, Book and Candle has already been released via Twilight Time. Since they hold the rights for a minimum of three years, it's not them.

I Married A Witch has already been teased at (they posted a screen cap on Facebook some time ago). The clue confirms it.

Never seen it but cool pic someone posted.

I went ahead and order Godzilla and Three Outlaw Samurai from Amazon. Never saw Three Outlaw Samurai but reading some of readers positive reviews on the site may me jump on it.