She really is. Was a big fan of hers since seeing her in Kieślowski's Three Colours: Blue.

I started watching some of those Criterion closet videos on YouTube last night. I'm pleasantly surprised to see some known people on there being such film nerds like Pam Anderson and even Norman Reedus. And then they get hooked up with free movies for participating in the video.

I find that aspect a little annoying. You hear the celebrity get excited about grabbing movies they like and are basically like a kid in a candy store - especially when they grab boxsets. I always think "you can buy every title in this closet and you wouldn't even notice it in your bank account - why don't you just buy them?"

Why? That's basically their compensation for participating in the video. Criterion sacrifices a few hundred dollars of Blu-Rays to get some celebrity advertising. These guys also like physical media. You're not going to get a minimalist or streamer to be interested in partaking in this. And they are only choosing movies they are interested in.

I'm not questioning why Criterion gets them to do it. I get that part. What I don't get is when rich-ass celebrities salivate at being able to grab these titles for free (I'm not talking about their excitement when they talk about the titles). If I were them, Amazon would basically be my Criterion closet. I wouldn't think anything about spending a few hundred (or a few thousand) dollars on titles if I were them.

And keep in mind the actual physical cost of Blu-rays and such is likely only a couple bucks a piece. It's like LEGO, it's not the cost of the physical materials - it's the R&D and the licensing that really run up the cost.

And even for celebrities that have money, sometimes it's about the experience that makes it unique for them.

I doubt it's about money. Walking into a physical location filled with things you care about and being able to grab them off the shelf is a different tactile and emotional experience than clicking buttons on Amazon. And most of these celebrities can't just walk into a retail store without being accosted by gawkers. For items that can only be obtained at retail, they have personal shoppers do that for them most of the time. (On top of which, aside from Barnes & Noble, few retail locations even carry Criterion discs anymore.)

I think the excitement is just about being able to have a private shopping experience in which they get to browse through a collection of movies they may not even realize they want until they see it in hand.

I also question how many of them actually take the discs home, or if they do take the discs home, actually watch them​​​​​​. I'm sure there are plenty that do, but it's obviously all about the marketing.

F the celebrities. why can’t I get free Criterions?

All you need to do is become a celebrity. How hard could that be?

I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before they start having YouTube and TikTok “influencers” in there, so that might be an option. Just do dances or something.

Mind you, I do agree somewhat with some of the sentiment here, and I often wonder if some of these folks even have Blu-ray players to watch them on. The Closet has really moved up the ‘celebrity hierarchy’ in the last year or so – featuring far more people who undoubtedly do have wealth – which is where I think some of the grumbling comes from. I suspect now that it’s more of an “in” thing than ever, half of Hollywood’s upper crust probably has it pencilled into their calendars and Criterion is only too happy to oblige for the social buzz it generates for them. Way of the world these days.

Mikey Madison's is up.

I'll be respectful and not objectifying, but I'll just mention that there's a certain undergarment she chose not to wear for this video.

I saw that. She knew exactly what she was doing.

I remember an interview with an actress who said that once she got her first high profile gig -- and the money that came with it -- everyone just started giving her stuff for free. When she was a struggling actress, she couldn't afford nice things, and then, once she hit the jackpot, she was getting more designer clothes, shoes, and accessories, for free than she could ever use. I think she ended up donating a lot of them to charity.

The rewarding of celebrity goes way back, sadly. It’s just more mercenary in this age of influencers than ever before. The ‘swag bags’ handed out at virtually every film festival, awards ceremony, and every other public-facing event are insanely valuable. Sponsors covet any potential endorsements, so even if only a handful of celebs take the bait, I guess it’s worth it.

https://www.buzzfeed.com/angelicaama...ammy-gift-bags

https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/oscars-gift-bags-2024/

https://torontolife.com/shopping/tif...g-inside-look/

Blu:




4K:

It's disappointing that it appears only the newly created B&W version of Basquiat will be in 4k, not the original color.

At least they still included the theatrical release.

So excited for Anora, that'll be a treat in 4K

Are we sure about that? The press release only says:

• One 4K UHD disc of the 2024 black-and-white version of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features

It doesn't specify which version will be on the "Blu-ray with the film."

Yes... in the special features:
"New 4K digital restoration of the 1996 theatrical version"
https://www.criterion.com/films/33321-basquiat

I will be getting Some Like It Hot for sure and will rent Anora first to see if it is something I need to own.

Jean de Florette / Manon of the Spring is a fantastic addition. Love the cover too.

Neat stuff, nothing for me.

Godzilla vs Biollante is the first title in a while I've wanted from Criterion.

That Prince of Broadway cover was pretty confusing at first glance lol.

I know a lot was made of the WKW restorations when the box set first came
out. Color changes, aspect ratio, soundtrack etc. Were all the films heavily revised? Does anyone know what changes were made to Chungking Express? I’m debating whether or not to pick it up.

It’s a shame when filmmakers choose the Lucas route instead of the Coppola one. Whereas Lucas sticks both middle fingers up to the audience and says “be happy you get anything”, at least Coppola is like “hey, don’t like the new one, that’s okay you can have both.”