At least the Internal Affairs trilogy is getting a release as well. More Hong Kong movie releases in the USA are always a good thing.

Agreed. They should have stuck with the all black X logo cover. Simplified without looking silly like this reincarnation.

Seeing as how the Infernal Affairs Trilogy is being released on BD only, I'll probably wait for one of the 50% off sales.

The Megastar BDs I've had on my shelves will be fine until then.

How do we not have a Wes Anderson movie on 4K?

Maybe a Wes Anderson 4K Movie is hidden next to the Boy with Apple painting from Grand Budapest Hotel?

Almost all of them are under Disney control. Anderson obviously has/had some deal to have his films go to Criterion, but who knows how or if that applies to 4k.

I'll be happy when they finally give us Isle of Dogs!

I gather I'm waiting, like, 5 more years for French Dispatch.

Finally received my Unobstructed View order from the June Criterion Sale and ALL four discs are scratched:

Elephant Man
Night of the Living Dead
The Killing
Doctor Strange Love

(the Shout Factory Wild at Heart in the box was fine)

I had also ordered Berry Lyndon of Amazon.com and it, too, had arrived scratched.

So, that's 5 Criterions in a row with some kind of damage.

What's going on over there?

^Ouch. That's insane.

I may have mentioned, in a previous post, that I had a damaged case, once. I would've lived with it, but it was a gift for my wife, and I knew it would irritate her. I emailed them about it and never heard a thing.

Hopefully, you'll have better luck, as your issues are (potentially) not simply cosmetic.

Cases were fine. Seems to have been scratched when placed in. One had a fingerprint. Reading up online, seems this is becoming far more frequent with Criterion releases.
Normally, I'd be fine with minor scratch on a USED disc but the amount you pay for Criterion (sale or otherwise) I certainly expect more.

I've contacted Unobstructed View to see about replacements and what that process might be. Considering it took two months to get this order (and now two of the four damaged discs are on Backorder) I gather it will be quite the wait.

If you don't get a response, after about a week, do what I did... email Jonathan (the owner), and cc customer service.

If I'm getting my email dates right, I received my order within a day or two of sending that.

Unobstructed View just replied to my email regarding the scratched discs and how to obtain replacements with:

"Could you please send photos of the damage for our quality control"

However, no answer on how to get them replaced.

URGH!

Sounds like they got a bunch of hosers running that place, eh?

So far, outside of longer shipping times then I am used to with Amazon, things have been alright. But now, oy, here's hoping I can get these things replaced without too much hassle.

An update which is no update. No word back from the hosers. After being asked to send photos needed for "quality control" and sending them, I've heard nothing back from Unobstructed View regarding replacements for the scratched discs.

From Amazon, they stated the could not issue a replacement though did not state a reason as they're were multiple copies still available on the site. (Wonder if it has to do with me ordering on .com and not .ca)

At any rate, I contacted UV again last night as well as Criterion directly. I will also pop the owner a line like andicus.

Needless to say, as I have read online, their customer service is crap.

Hosers indeedy.

That's a pity. I was hoping we finally had a realistic domestic alternative.

Agreed. The did write back last night with a return shipping label asking me to send back all contents. I had assumed they'd just send replacement discs but I'll box up the 4 blurays and send back hoping:
a) that the replacement shipment is delivered in a more timely fashion (unlikely as two of the films are now listed as BACKORDER).
b) that they don't just issue a refund as I actually would like these films and they are no longer listed at the sale price
c) the replacement discs don't arrive also scratched or in worse condition

Criterion's reply to the scratched discs (I attached two examples but the other two are pretty well the same):

Thank you for reaching out and flagging this for us. I have relayed your concerns to the relevant parties on our end for further consideration and investigation.

To help you minimize the discs you exchange, I did want to note that Blu-ray discs are fairly resilient and scratch resistant, meaning that cleaning will typically eliminate any minor issues and resolve most playback issues. Even if your disc is brand-new, cleaning the disc may be warranted. Here's the process, in case it's helpful:

• Apply water and soap to a clean microfiber or cotton-based cloth, hold the disc from its outer edges, and wipe the bottom surface of your disc (i.e. the shiny side) with your cloth by rubbing outward from the disc's center ring to its edges. Do not wipe the disc in a circular motion.
• Be sure to thoroughly dry the disc, as inserting a wet disc may damage your Blu-ray or DVD player - you can simply let it air dry, or wipe any moisture from the disc with a clean, dry microfiber or cotton-based cloth or tissue.

I understand the anxiety of seeing scratches on your discs, but it does not mean that the films are permanently damaged, especially when it comes to 4Ks and Blu-Rays, which are sturdy and can be cleared of smudges and slight scratches fairly easily with a gentle wash, using a little dish soap.

If you're unable to remove the scratches from these discs, please follow up with us and we may be able to offer further suggestions and/or a replacement disc if needed.

Yep, good thing they clarified 'cleaning' the shiny said.

FFS. You pay enough for CC stuff. I sure hope they'll make good, once you tell them you couldn't wash out the scratches.

On the subject of scratched blu-rays, I have a received a few new that came scratched, and it actually appeared that the discs had been scratched before the anti-scratch coating had been applied. These tend to affect playback. Light scratches in the disc's coating generally aren't a problem (at least in my experience, anyway).

Criterion isn't necessarily wrong, though. Some "scratches" are actually smudges and can be easily wiped off.

I basically wrote back stating:
1) The discs from Unobstructed view have been requested to be sent back to them for replacements (I sent those back yesterday)
and
2) Being a frequent purchaser of used blurays from Ebay, I am aware of cleaning scuffs ect and that these were scratches that were not able to clean. More so, I popped Barry Lyndon (the only one of the scratched discs I have left as it was from Amazon.com and they would not issue a replacement) in the player and it glitched 20 min in (after giving the disc a bath )

And, yeah, I agree, with the amount we pay for Criterion flicks I really expect scratch free discs. Hell, Lyndon had two fingerprints on the shiny side

UPDATE:
Criterion replied saying they would replace Barry Lyndon's scratched disc. I just need to send them a photo of the damage plus my name and date written on the front of it.

Side note: Really hoping we get new packaging for Citizen Kane down the road as I've read the recent one from them is pretty susceptible to scratches too. Then again, most of the discs I've mentioned were in digi-pack packaging (save for The Killing in a standard case) and they were all scratched soooo....

HUGE news! Too bad it is a title that already has a UHD release. I hope they can start working out deals for some of the non-Disney studio titles.

https://www.criterion.com/films/33246-wall-e?

this explains the late announcement for November, must have been trying to get the details wrapped up before then. November was already a killer slate of releases, this moves it to an all-timer.

Nice! My favorite Pixar film and my second favorite animated film (after Fantastic Mr. Fox).