Poll
Question: Are you a slave?
pretty self-explanatory thread.
do you feel like you're cheating yourselves when you look at a film with a sharper eye because it's a Criterion Collection selection?
Do you feel that, to an extent, Criterion acts as a middleman because it already chooses films that they feel are important for us to see?
Well when you've got fluke titles in there like Armageddon, it's really hard to say... :-D
If I had to go between two DVDs that were the same but one was Criterion, id go for it. It seems so classy, like having the ultradeluxe of everything... Ive cut back on DVD buying though, but Criterions are nice, and most importantly everybody thinks they are nice which generates some serious cash.... I know there are some on here who buy tons of new criterions, but I just thank them for putting out old movies so I can rent them on netflix.
And about Armageddon, we've been over this, they have to make money.
Quote from: SalWell when you've got fluke titles in there like Armageddon, it's really hard to say... :-D
With the exception of the rare crap title, I'd say 100% yes. Over the past few months, I've made it a point to mostly purchase Criterions; my collection's almost complete. "Film school in a box," I call it, what with the director's commentaries and interviews and behind-the-scenes stuff, not to mention the obscure titles... they're great.
It's a company that's successful (at least I hope so) because of the quality they put into their product, and the high standards that they hold themselves to. Truly capitalism at its best. They make money, we get the movies we wanna see, everybody wins. That's why I've never had a problem paying $40+ for these dvds.
Criterion Collection, you are my hero.
Quote from: SoNowThen
Criterion Collection, you are my hero.
Yes. Think of how long we'd have to wait to see some of these things on DVD, let alone all the restoration and cleaning up and extras, if it weren't for them.
I only own 4 Criterion films (Chasing Amy, Do the Right Thing, Traffic, The Royal Tenenbaums and I want to get The Grand Illusion).
I recently signed up for Netflix and I've been noticing that much of what I'm renting is Criterion (8 1/2, Band of Outsiders, Cries and Whispers).
I love Criterion but I feel the hurt when I end up spending the money I spend for them.
I'm not. I only have one Criterion DVD and the fact that it was criterian wasn't even my reason for buying it. I just liked the movie (Royal Tenenbaums).
only have 12. but i wish they would put out more stuff i really want.
charade - OOP
silence of the lambs - OOP *(signed by Jonathan Demme)
rushmore - *(signed by Jason Schwartzman)
royal tenenbaums
traffic
chasing amy
gimmie shelter
fear and loathing in las vegas
8 1/2
beastie boys anthology
spartacus
robocop - OOP
its weird how some of their early releases were pretty crappy with the extras like Seven Samurai. they wised up a bit as time went on i guess.
The 3 Criterions I own are films I liked before Criterion released the DVDs. I rent every Criterion I see at the library and I keep a list of all the Criterions I've watched. So far I'm up to 22.
Seven Samurai not only didn't have many extras, but it also has a poor transfer. If they had spread it over 4 layers it would have looked better. DVDbeaver.com has a comparison between the Criterion and Toho versions. Toho isn't known for providing pristine prints to foreign companies, so this may account for some of the processing on the Criterion edition.
Waiting for anamorphic fuller aspect ratio versions of Yojimbo and Sanjuro...
I do think I am partial slave to Criterion, but in my opinion, they have made many lackuster decisions on what films to release and what not to so I never really see them as holding up the bar to its highest because I've disliked a lot of Criterion films.
~rougerum
Quote from: The Gold TrumpetI do think I am partial slave to Criterion, but in my opinion, they have made many lackuster decisions on what films to release and what not to so I never really see them as holding up the bar to its highest because I've disliked a lot of Criterion films.
~rougerum
Any examples? The Rock and Armageddon don't count.
Quote from: SalWell when you've got fluke titles in there like Armageddon, it's really hard to say... :-D
Well said man.
I don't let others decide for me what a good movie is; so no, I'm not a slave.
Quote from: punchdrunk23I don't let others decide for me what a good movie is
well theyre not forcing you to buy them. and its about releasing "important" films, not necesaarily "good" ones.
"Important" and "good" are adjectives better left up to individuals to decide. Thanks. 8)
yeah, i know, but....
well, i guess youre right. its like were members of the criterion cult, eagerly awaiting for the next film worthy enough of their blessing
nice avatar, BTW
if you think you're a slave to criterion, you're a voluntary slave.
Quote from: sphinxif you think you're a slave to criterion, you're a voluntary slave.
yes, youre more of a.... partner in crime.
Quote from: sphinxif you think you're a slave to criterion, you're a voluntary slave.
haha...i like that. some of you essentially just posted your Criterion
Collection and not necessarily answered the second part of my question.
Do you feel like you're cheating yourself because Criterion is essentially holding your hand through the film school (nice analogy godardian) process? The Gold Trumpet feels that Criterion has been lackluster in making their selections. So are we putting ourselves in danger by assuming that Criterion is the end all when it comes to important films? Are there other "Collections" or panels of film goers out there who have more to add?
I'm obviously at an impasse and your input is very helpful.
:)
well of course there are other issues, such as copyrights and cost of production that would make certain films unreleasable by criterion even though they would "deserve" to be
Quote from: dufresneQuote from: sphinxif you think you're a slave to criterion, you're a voluntary slave.
haha...i like that. some of you essentially just posted your Criterion Collection and not necessarily answered the second part of my question.
Do you feel like you're cheating yourself because Criterion is essentially holding your hand through the film school (nice analogy godardian) process? The Gold Trumpet feels that Criterion has been lackluster in making their selections. So are we putting ourselves in danger by assuming that Criterion is the end all when it comes to important films? Are there other "Collections" or panels of film goers out there who have more to add?
I'm obviously at an impasse and your input is very helpful.
:)
I don't think anyone is under the impression that the films Criterion releases are the ONLY good films. Image releases many good ones and so do the major studios. But I assume that for the most part, Criterion is releasing films that have generally been praised by cinephiles and critics, or films by acclaimed filmmakers. They're not the be all and end all to great films, but they're a great starting place, especially since Janus originally brought many important films to America.
and they give those films the best treatement possible
why do you guys as nothing about ROBOCOP being on criterion but have a big problem with ARMAGEDDON or THE ROCK being on criterion? all these films are in the same vein.
Except Robocop can make fun of itself.
Michael Bay is incapable of this. That being said, I own the Rock, and enjoy it as escapist fare.
because ROBOCOP rules.
i think you guys are just film snobs and can't take the genius of micheal fuckin' bay!
Quote from: themodernage02because ROBOCOP rules.
second.
one of the very few trilogys i fully support.
Quote from: mogwaiGot the "Fishing with John" dvd in the mail today. Yeah. But I'm not a slave to Cri.
No, just a slave to us who told you to buy it. :yabbse-wink:
We used to play a game in film school, to see who could make the others buy the most dvds and cds with their suggestions. It was fun as hell.
So far on this board, I'm down $28 to GT, and soon to be down $45 to Godardian, when I go on my next buying spree...
robocop does, indeed, rule. verhoeven is a satirist. micheal bay is a very talented director who, to me at least, can show so many images of death, destruction, carnage, and people dying without making me care or feel anything. his action sequences can be very well constructed, but everything else in his films are booooooooooooring. thats why he should just make commercials
The Ed Harris outtakes are worth the price of "The Rock" DVD alone. Then there's also hearing this (http://bangedup.com/archives/promqueenner.wav) whenever you want to.
for real tho.
I was at the Library today and saw "The Vanishing" Criterion and I picked it up to watch just because it was Criterion although I hadn't heard much if anything on the film.
I did enjoy it though.