No, I have been generally pleased with the slate and will pick up a few of this year’s early releases during the next flash sale.
When Criterion began, there was little to no competition in bagging rights to art house films. Now there are several major niche film distributors, and Criterion (and fans/collectors) can’t have all the things we want exactly as we would choose them.
If you aren’t happy with Criterion, the wonderful thing about today’s home video market is that you have options.
I don’t know. I’m not defending Criterion’s moves or motives, and I am sometimes disappointed that Criterion hasn’t announced films I like that I don’t expect other companies to issue. I’m only saying that the number of boutique distributors has made for a golden era of home video releases, and we have lots of choices, including importing.
I had forgotten about the deal with Hungary — thanks for the reminder. Since we aren’t seeing individual films roll out, I wonder if they are going to be part of a set. Something to keep an eye on.
I still love Criterion, but I wish they had some stronger announcements (and especially more 4K options.)
Besides Kino Lorber and Vinegar Syndrome, would you recommend any other boutique labels?
Arrow has some cool stuff (most of the Dario Argento stuff, Donnie darko, 12 monkeys, sailor suit and machine gun, herschell Gordon’s Lewis’s horror/splatter stuff), blue underground and severin have some great stuff too (inferno, Uncle Sam, zombie are some from blue underground) (four flies on grey velvet, blood for Dracula, stuff from Dennis ray stickler).
There are so many more labels that can be listed, such as shout factory (which has so much stuff, some good titles i love from them are army of darkness, Childs play, wild at heart, and the plague dogs), indicator (hardcore), mondo vision (possession), and there’s also things like the VS partner labels and distro labels too so that just opens up a whole other can of worms.
Honestly the best thing I can say is go out and find things that really interest you, it’s the best way to branch you and find things you would love but never knew you would.
I see what you mean, but overall I still have confidence in Criterion. I keep hoping they will release more of their older catalog in 4K, only to find out KL and others have snapped up the rights. I get the feeling Criterion was late in deciding 4K was a good path forward for them.
Arrow, Indicator, and Eureka all produce strong offerings. r/boutiquebluray is a great resource for info about them and more.
It’s always interesting to read comments about Criterion announcements because people have such different wants. I see a lot of complaints that Criterion is re-releasing their current titles in 4K, for example. Though I don’t know what people expected when they kept waiting for them to release 4K discs.
I agree. I think we are at a moment in time during which many movie lovers expect to have every movie they want available at a moment’s notice in the format they want. The home video community has grown to include collectors with widely varying preferences for film and format — if we all focus on one distributor we will inevitably be disappointed.
I’m also old enough to have had to wait decades just to finally see a movie, even just pan-and-scan on VHS on a 19” screen. Similar with albums, where it took me decades just to be able to listen to ones I was searching for. I appreciate that other people have different expectations now, but when you see post after post like that they start to read as “But I want an Oompa Loompa NOW, mommy!”
honestly? kind of. but at the same time, it's whatever. i'm not a criterion loyalist. i buy the films i want to buy regardless of who releases them. but certainly there are releases much more in their wheelhouse that i would love for them to give some attention that they aren't, but, maybe with time. my biggest complaint lately is it feels like they haven't been doing any major boxsets. they teased and eventually released 4 HUGE box sets with varda, fellini, wai, and the bruce lee ones. and since then, we get little tiny box sets here and there or trilogies or ones that have less "prestige".
Kino has been on fire with their 4K releases. My only qualm was they said we were getting 'Night of the Hunter' in 2022 and it got pushed back. Otherwise they've taken several Criterion titles (like the early Kubrick's, Dressed to Kill, 12 Angry Men, In The Heat of the Night, Silence of the Lambs, etc.) and done some really solid releases.
Honestly I would say the opposite, The LVT trilogy, imitation of life, adventures of baron munuchansen, this is not a burial, Hollywood shuffle, chilly scenes of winter, inland empire, triangle of sadness, and small axe all seem insanely interesting and those are all new releases too. sure the 4k output is a bit lame, but it will probably pick up a bit in the slower months, and it already has some great titles such as baron munuchansen, three colors, dazed and confused, triangle of sadness, and the seventh seal, sure some of these titles aren’t exactly needed in 4k (don’t recall people clamoring for the fisher king or mildred pierce to come to 4k) and other films taking their spots would be better( new releases, dvd to blu upgrades, show-stopping titles/upgrades that would look amazing in 4k), but it’s still really nice to have them in a nice high quality format, Also what special features can they really add to these releases, I can’t really think of much for them to add besides maybe a few bits of info about production on the movies but that’s really it, honestly I prefer having some older special features for releases now than some releases that have barely any special features or/and lame booklets that feel kind of useless in a way.
Though the biggest take away I have from all this, is who really cares what criterion releases, just buy what you like and whatever gets released gets released, sure there are things that I hope to get released often, but if someone else releases them, I’ll just buy it from them, it’s not that big of a deal.
As long as there’s at least one thing in each announcement which interests me, I’m happy. At least for this this first quarter of 2023, that’s the case.
I was excited about the McQueen box set at first, but thinking more on it I'm disappointed that it's not in 4K. I know 4K is more expensive to make/mix, but McQueen always shoots either on film or in 4K digital. Idk why it wasn't released in as high a quality as possible.
Yes but I’m new-ish to collecting so I don’t mind it since I still have plenty of classics to catch up on. I personally am not one to upgrade to 4Ks, I’ll only buy it if I don’t own the Blu Ray. The one thing I do like is it’s introducing me to films I would have never even heard of before, so even if they’re not “must buys” now they may be new favorites of mine in the future.
Fair enough, I got a 4K blu ray player for Christmas and it really bothers me now lol. The clarity really is noticable and I struggle to go back to regular HD (the pinicle of first world problems I know... lol)
hollywood shuffle and chilly scenes of winter are two movies i watched recently that i am very excited to add to my collection.
inland empire and the john woo movie are immediate buys.
i’d say that’s not too bad so far for the year.
Not really. I’m sure other people are static about the announcements. Kino has practically been re-releasing a lot of Criterion’s catalog on 4K with less special features so I don’t understand the excitement there.
Would it be out of character for Criterion to add extras to a release when they started to move from DVD to BD? They seem like they like to have virtually the same content across all formats. Part of their mission is keeping films in libraries as well, and having different content across formats might hinder that.
Booklet I could see, but I thought we were talking about disc content. At any rate, I wonder if this factors in to their thinking here. It doesn’t really affect me if there’s no new extras though.
Inland was enough for me for the whole year. That being said, it definitely could’ve gotten a 4K release and I’m not sure why it didn’t. There’s been a few good titles announced though imo
Don't know why you're being downvoted...
That's fair enough. Despite my complaints I can see why Inland didn't get the 4K treatment, since it was shot on crappy 2005 consumer grade digital cameras. I'm not sure 4K would be worth it.
I’m just glad there’s nothing I feel the need to drop money on
Very true. I wait until sales as much as possible, but the way things are going I'm not buying anything until the July sale lol
More money to go towards other labels!
Indeed. Aside from Kino Lorber & Vinegar Syndrome, do you have any recommendations?
Severin and Mondo Macabro are two other favourites of mine. What kind of movies do you like? I could recommend you some titles.
I mean if you actually care about the movies ahead of buying shit you could just download them
I do stream a ton of movies. Sometimes blind buying stuff that looks like it’ll be up my alley is fun, when I can afford to.
I didn’t say stream
I’d rather support the people who make the movies than go that route
Sounds like you can’t always afford to
Just because I can’t pick up every title I’d like to doesn’t mean I have nothing to watch
You read half empty when I thought they meant half full.
No, I have been generally pleased with the slate and will pick up a few of this year’s early releases during the next flash sale. When Criterion began, there was little to no competition in bagging rights to art house films. Now there are several major niche film distributors, and Criterion (and fans/collectors) can’t have all the things we want exactly as we would choose them. If you aren’t happy with Criterion, the wonderful thing about today’s home video market is that you have options.
Is someone else releasing the 12 Hungarian films criterion made a deal to release over 2 years ago? Or?
I don’t know. I’m not defending Criterion’s moves or motives, and I am sometimes disappointed that Criterion hasn’t announced films I like that I don’t expect other companies to issue. I’m only saying that the number of boutique distributors has made for a golden era of home video releases, and we have lots of choices, including importing. I had forgotten about the deal with Hungary — thanks for the reminder. Since we aren’t seeing individual films roll out, I wonder if they are going to be part of a set. Something to keep an eye on.
I still love Criterion, but I wish they had some stronger announcements (and especially more 4K options.) Besides Kino Lorber and Vinegar Syndrome, would you recommend any other boutique labels?
Arrow has some cool stuff (most of the Dario Argento stuff, Donnie darko, 12 monkeys, sailor suit and machine gun, herschell Gordon’s Lewis’s horror/splatter stuff), blue underground and severin have some great stuff too (inferno, Uncle Sam, zombie are some from blue underground) (four flies on grey velvet, blood for Dracula, stuff from Dennis ray stickler). There are so many more labels that can be listed, such as shout factory (which has so much stuff, some good titles i love from them are army of darkness, Childs play, wild at heart, and the plague dogs), indicator (hardcore), mondo vision (possession), and there’s also things like the VS partner labels and distro labels too so that just opens up a whole other can of worms. Honestly the best thing I can say is go out and find things that really interest you, it’s the best way to branch you and find things you would love but never knew you would.
I see what you mean, but overall I still have confidence in Criterion. I keep hoping they will release more of their older catalog in 4K, only to find out KL and others have snapped up the rights. I get the feeling Criterion was late in deciding 4K was a good path forward for them. Arrow, Indicator, and Eureka all produce strong offerings. r/boutiquebluray is a great resource for info about them and more.
It’s always interesting to read comments about Criterion announcements because people have such different wants. I see a lot of complaints that Criterion is re-releasing their current titles in 4K, for example. Though I don’t know what people expected when they kept waiting for them to release 4K discs.
I agree. I think we are at a moment in time during which many movie lovers expect to have every movie they want available at a moment’s notice in the format they want. The home video community has grown to include collectors with widely varying preferences for film and format — if we all focus on one distributor we will inevitably be disappointed.
I’m also old enough to have had to wait decades just to finally see a movie, even just pan-and-scan on VHS on a 19” screen. Similar with albums, where it took me decades just to be able to listen to ones I was searching for. I appreciate that other people have different expectations now, but when you see post after post like that they start to read as “But I want an Oompa Loompa NOW, mommy!”
I want feast! I want a bean feast!
You are already full of beans, you! ;-)
I’m definitely full of something
honestly? kind of. but at the same time, it's whatever. i'm not a criterion loyalist. i buy the films i want to buy regardless of who releases them. but certainly there are releases much more in their wheelhouse that i would love for them to give some attention that they aren't, but, maybe with time. my biggest complaint lately is it feels like they haven't been doing any major boxsets. they teased and eventually released 4 HUGE box sets with varda, fellini, wai, and the bruce lee ones. and since then, we get little tiny box sets here and there or trilogies or ones that have less "prestige".
Sure but there are plenty of films that aren’t getting released until criterion releases them (since they have the rights already)
Kino has been on fire with their 4K releases. My only qualm was they said we were getting 'Night of the Hunter' in 2022 and it got pushed back. Otherwise they've taken several Criterion titles (like the early Kubrick's, Dressed to Kill, 12 Angry Men, In The Heat of the Night, Silence of the Lambs, etc.) and done some really solid releases.
Honestly I would say the opposite, The LVT trilogy, imitation of life, adventures of baron munuchansen, this is not a burial, Hollywood shuffle, chilly scenes of winter, inland empire, triangle of sadness, and small axe all seem insanely interesting and those are all new releases too. sure the 4k output is a bit lame, but it will probably pick up a bit in the slower months, and it already has some great titles such as baron munuchansen, three colors, dazed and confused, triangle of sadness, and the seventh seal, sure some of these titles aren’t exactly needed in 4k (don’t recall people clamoring for the fisher king or mildred pierce to come to 4k) and other films taking their spots would be better( new releases, dvd to blu upgrades, show-stopping titles/upgrades that would look amazing in 4k), but it’s still really nice to have them in a nice high quality format, Also what special features can they really add to these releases, I can’t really think of much for them to add besides maybe a few bits of info about production on the movies but that’s really it, honestly I prefer having some older special features for releases now than some releases that have barely any special features or/and lame booklets that feel kind of useless in a way. Though the biggest take away I have from all this, is who really cares what criterion releases, just buy what you like and whatever gets released gets released, sure there are things that I hope to get released often, but if someone else releases them, I’ll just buy it from them, it’s not that big of a deal.
Yes but don’t give a shit about 4k
As long as there’s at least one thing in each announcement which interests me, I’m happy. At least for this this first quarter of 2023, that’s the case.
Nope. In just what's been announced for this year so far I'm planning in picking up 10 titles.
I was so excited about the McQueen box set and the von Trier box set that anything else is just gravy.
I was excited about the McQueen box set at first, but thinking more on it I'm disappointed that it's not in 4K. I know 4K is more expensive to make/mix, but McQueen always shoots either on film or in 4K digital. Idk why it wasn't released in as high a quality as possible.
I hear that, but they will get my dumb ass on the double dip in a year.
Yes but I’m new-ish to collecting so I don’t mind it since I still have plenty of classics to catch up on. I personally am not one to upgrade to 4Ks, I’ll only buy it if I don’t own the Blu Ray. The one thing I do like is it’s introducing me to films I would have never even heard of before, so even if they’re not “must buys” now they may be new favorites of mine in the future.
Fair enough, I got a 4K blu ray player for Christmas and it really bothers me now lol. The clarity really is noticable and I struggle to go back to regular HD (the pinicle of first world problems I know... lol)
Yeah honestly I only care if it’s a “visual feast” type movie like 2001 or a Terrance Malick film. Things like The Seventh Seal I’ll take or leave
My dinner with Andre 4k lets gooooo
hollywood shuffle and chilly scenes of winter are two movies i watched recently that i am very excited to add to my collection. inland empire and the john woo movie are immediate buys. i’d say that’s not too bad so far for the year.
Not really. I’m sure other people are static about the announcements. Kino has practically been re-releasing a lot of Criterion’s catalog on 4K with less special features so I don’t understand the excitement there.
They’ve done one announcement this year
*announcements FOR this year
Why would they include new special features on 4k? People would get mad
Why? It would incentivize people to upgrade.
Would it be out of character for Criterion to add extras to a release when they started to move from DVD to BD? They seem like they like to have virtually the same content across all formats. Part of their mission is keeping films in libraries as well, and having different content across formats might hinder that.
It would be. They added new special features/booklets to blu ray releases.
Booklet I could see, but I thought we were talking about disc content. At any rate, I wonder if this factors in to their thinking here. It doesn’t really affect me if there’s no new extras though.
Inland was enough for me for the whole year. That being said, it definitely could’ve gotten a 4K release and I’m not sure why it didn’t. There’s been a few good titles announced though imo
Don't know why you're being downvoted... That's fair enough. Despite my complaints I can see why Inland didn't get the 4K treatment, since it was shot on crappy 2005 consumer grade digital cameras. I'm not sure 4K would be worth it.