Just got the e-blast about this. Great cross-section of titles, but I wonder if they'll run into the same issue they did when they started releasing Blu-ray + DVD combo packs, where they ended up keeping the formats separate because a lot of people didn't want both, just one or the other. Hopefully they'll have Blu-only counterparts to the 4K combos going forward (for titles they haven't already released on Blu, of course). I'm not interested in 4K, but I certainly understand its importance to the bottom line of any physical media distributor now. Assuming it had new bonus features in addition to the supplements from the old Warner disc, I'd consider re-purchasing CITIZEN KANE, but might be put off by the inevitable higher price point due to a 4K disc being in the pack.

Doesn't sound like they'll be doing separate ones since the Blu disc has all the features. A big part of the issues with DVD/Blu combos is universities and libraries, who buy sizable amounts of Criterion discs, didn't want to pay more for the Blu discs. That shouldn't be an issue here as that is not who they are targeting with these.

So, you do care some...

Why is MD so revered? i have it in my waiting queue, but yet to pull the trigger for one reason or another...

I really don't know which approach they'll take. There isn't a consistent approach among the boutiques. Some have shifted towards a single SKU, so if you're only interested in Blu-ray, you're going to have to get the UHD disc too (Blue Underground; Vinegar Syndrome). Others -- Arrow, Synapse, Discotek -- keep Blu-ray and Ultra HD completely separate, with no combo packs in sight. And then you have others like KL Studio Classics that have UHD/BD combo packs as well as individual Blu-ray releases.

Forgot about the library issues, but surely that wasn't the sole motivation behind splitting the lines? I do recall some old-school 'regular' buyers grumbling about having to buy a format they didn't want just to get one that they did (the DVD), and vice versa. Mind you, I suppose by now maybe most collectors will simply accept a 4K disc as forward-proofing in order to get the Blu-ray they really want, although that doesn't seem to be the case with most 4K releases from other companies; there's usually a Blu-ray tucked into the 4K packs, but also a regular Blu-ray, a Blu-ray+DVD, and a DVD, etc. for those so inclined.

As one of the bigger boutiques, Criterion would seem to have the clout and finances to do separate Blu-rays in addition to the combo packs – where necessary – but I guess we'll see. Of the initial six, three are already on Blu from them, and the other three are already on Blu from other studios, so I suppose they could argue that people can still buy those.

Neat!

I doubt they're going to do combo packs again. They need to keep their costs down.

The announcement says they are doing combo packs.

Only in the sense that Criterion is starting to release 4K’s. No interest in owning Citizen Kane or really any of the other initial announced titles, other than maybe Mulholland Dr., which I own on Blu-ray already, and don’t exactly feel a need to upgrade.

I’m not the typical collector of Criterion releases anyways, and only pick up select titles from them.

Pretty sure T-bone is poking fun at your use of "could care less".

I didn't get past the titles. We'll see how long it lasts. It didn't really work well the last time.

Because it's one of the very best films of the 21st century? I think it's David Lynch's finest film and he's one of the great modern American auteurs. It's the movie that put Naomi Watts on the map. It's not like it's obscure. More has been written about it than just about any arthouse offering in the last 20 years, so I'm not going to get too far into the weeds on it.

Excited about a few of those titles, especially Mulholland Dr.

I hope Menace II Society somehow leads to Dead Presidents returning from the CC laserdisc days on UHD. It’s still with Disney though I think, so I won’t get my hopes up.

I think the combo pack concerns are overblown, 4K and Blu are much closer than Blu and DVD were. Aren't most 4K releases nowadays also combo packs?

Kino couldn't get 4K rights from Disney, so wouldn't count on CC to have more pull.

I'm very satisfied with the opening slate of 4k offerings. Happy they're finally taking the plunge.

Why don't you watch it and find out for yourself?

I've already seen people bitching about it. The biggest concern is packaging. Extra discs require larger packaging. It might not be as big of a deal this time around because less people are interested in 4K and if they have separate blu and dvd releases, those people won't be complaining about having to buy a disc they don't want.

They can use two disc Blu-ray cases like they do when one of their titles has two Blu discs. They don’t require larger packaging.

Two bluray disc sets will require 3 discs now. And box sets will be much larger.

A three disc plastic case is the same size as a two disc.

No 4K/DVD combo packs???? NO SALE!

I wonder if they'll do a trade-up program... Didn't they do that in the early Blu-ray days?

They have to put a booklet in there too. 3 discs will likely be housed in digipaks.

Three discs and 35 page booklet via Eurkea…