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Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles - Page 14

post #391 of 1006
7/16/09 at 6:29pm


Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim_K View Post




I always get a good chuckle whenever I see the old  "Well we paid $100+ for a Laserdisc" rationalization.

A price increase of 25% is not a good thing for consumers.  What other kind of reaction did you realistically expect here?  

 
yup, it's such a privilege to give them our money, nothing like HTF for bringing up the "high prices are great!" rationalization.  I'm definitely the sort who values DVDs more if fewer people can buy them. :-/ 
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post #392 of 1006
7/16/09 at 6:35pm


Quote:
Originally Posted by Bradley-E View Post

Re: Wages of Fear on BD - It is a fantatic disc.  I consider it one of my prize Blu ray's.

Good to hear, since I just ordered it today for $19.99 from Barnes and Noble.  If any of you haven't heard, all Criterion titles (including box sets and blu-rays) are 50% off, which makes most single releases $19.99:

http://video.barnesandnoble.com/u/DVD-The-Criterion-Collection-of-Special-Edition-DVDs/379000756/?cds2Pid=16444&afsrc=1&lkid=J28402286&pubid=K44150



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post #393 of 1006
7/16/09 at 7:27pm


Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig Beam View Post




Good to hear, since I just ordered it today for $19.99 from Barnes and Noble.  If any of you haven't heard, all Criterion titles (including box sets and blu-rays) are 50% off, which makes most single releases $19.99:

http://video.barnesandnoble.com/u/DVD-The-Criterion-Collection-of-Special-Edition-DVDs/379000756/?cds2Pid=16444&afsrc=1&lkid=J28402286&pubid=K44150



 

I was going to check that and the Amazon sale out.  It is payday and I have a few extra $$$ to buy some movies.

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post #394 of 1006
7/16/09 at 7:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tommy Kanuhear View Post

People we have got to remember, there are options to buy you can have the High def criterion for $50 or the Standard Def for $40 which is still not that much of a mark up compared to REgular DVDs and the High Def Brothers.
 


I think what may be frustrating people is that Criterion's very consumer friendly policy of charging the same price for the DVD and Blu-ray only lasted for about 3/4 of a year and now there's already a price increase. Plus, it doesn't help that this price increase is coming on the heels of the Warners' tremendously unpopular decision to release expensive box sets of their classics and Touchstone/Disney's laughably high price increase on their new releases.
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post #395 of 1006
7/16/09 at 9:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim_K View Post

FWIW - I would've thought Kwaidan would've been a natural for a Halloween time release.  Go figure.


 


Criterion has never done holiday-themed releases like that.  There were no horror movies in October 2007 or October 2008 either.

As for the price increase, it could be a mistake.  Wouldn't be the first time they made an error in their initial postings of new announcements.  But it's probably the real deal.  While I can't say I'm jumping for joy over it, it's not going to affect my buying decisions either way.
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post #396 of 1006
7/17/09 at 12:28am
Thread Starter 
Wings of Desire

Too bad Z isn't getting a Blu-ray release too, but you can't win 'em all.

It is disappointing that the price appears to be higher for BDs now than the DVD counterparts. But the realist in me has always known that Criterion pricing their BDs the same as their DVDs was bad business. It was *shocking* news when they said that would be their strategy, as everyone had expected a slightly higher price. And now with the economy in the toilet every company is trying to figure out their business model. If it's a quality product I'll pay for it - and I'm by no means some inordinately wealthy individual - and from my experience Criterion's BD releases are the best in the business,

On the other hand, there have been MSRP mistakes in the past on Criterion's website, especially in the first 48 hrs after new titles are added, so there's a chance they'll be $39.95 instead of $49.95.

And of course, nobody gives Criterion credit for when it goes the other way, such as for the Complete Monterey Pop Festival: $79.95 on DVD, $69.95 on BD.


Edited by Brandon Conway - 7/17/2009 at 07:42 am GMT
Edited by Brandon Conway - 7/17/2009 at 07:57 am GMT
Edited by Brandon Conway - 7/17/2009 at 07:58 am GMT
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post #397 of 1006
7/17/09 at 5:07am


Quote:
Originally Posted by Martin Teller View Post



Criterion has never done holiday-themed releases like that. 
 

Never?  Really?

Kwaidan - release date 10/10/00
Sisters - release date 10/3/00
Haxan - release date 10/16/01
Devil and Daniel Webster - release date 9/30/03 (close enough)
Eyes Without a Face - release date 10/19/04

While they're far from being consistent the past several years (partly because they just don't release many horror themed titles at all) and unlike other companies aren't stringent upon only releasing these types of films in the Sept/Oct timeframe(i.e. Vampyre in July 08, Monsters and Madmen Jan 07), the timing of the releases above are hardly coincidental.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Adam_S View Post



yup, it's such a privilege to give them our money, nothing like HTF for bringing up the "high prices are great!" rationalization.  I'm definitely the sort who values DVDs more if fewer people can buy them. :-/ 

Well Criterion has always gotten a free pass for charging a premium price (over and above other specialty labels) so the rationalizations aren't surprising to me.  If anything they should be lowering the $40 SRP on their standard def releases but their most reliable customers enjoy paying more so they've got to keep 'em happy.

Sure the licencing aspect adds to the cost, but lets face it most of the extra cost is just for the "Criterion" label. 




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post #398 of 1006
7/17/09 at 5:31am
 The last figure I read (IIRC this was in a post from the Bits Jeff Kleist over on the Blu-ray.com forum), production costs on Blu-ray- for a plain old vanilla disc, no fancy next gen content, just basic features and naviagation- are still five times compared to publishing on sd DVD.

Not a surprise they are going to be jacking the price up. The market is probably too small for most of these even on sd, so there doesn't seem like there is much room to leverage cost anywhere.
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post #399 of 1006
7/17/09 at 6:29am


Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim_K View Post

Sure the licencing aspect adds to the cost, but lets face it most of the extra cost is just for the "Criterion" label. 

Criterion's Eclipse line is excellent value for money, especially considering that Warner Archive charges double without making new transfers. Eclipse makes new transfers, often including subtitles, yet the discs cost half what Warner Archive charges.
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post #400 of 1006
7/17/09 at 8:23am


Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim_K View Post




Never?  Really?

Kwaidan - release date 10/10/00
Sisters - release date 10/3/00
Haxan - release date 10/16/01
Devil and Daniel Webster - release date 9/30/03 (close enough) [um, not really]
Eyes Without a Face - release date 10/19/04

While they're far from being consistent the past several years (partly because they just don't release many horror themed titles at all) and unlike other companies aren't stringent upon only releasing these types of films in the Sept/Oct timeframe(i.e. Vampyre in July 08, Monsters and Madmen Jan 07), the timing of the releases above are hardly coincidental.


 

With the possible exception of Kwaidan & Sisters, yes, they are coincidental (unless you can provide some kind of promotional material that says "Buy THE DEVIL AND DANIEL WEBSTER... just in time for Halloween!").  There are several other horror and horror-themed films that they released in months other than October.
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post #401 of 1006
7/17/09 at 8:39am


Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul_Scott View Post

 The last figure I read (IIRC this was in a post from the Bits Jeff Kleist over on the Blu-ray.com forum), production costs on Blu-ray- for a plain old vanilla disc, no fancy next gen content, just basic features and naviagation- are still five times compared to publishing on sd DVD.

Not a surprise they are going to be jacking the price up. The market is probably too small for most of these even on sd, so there doesn't seem like there is much room to leverage cost anywhere.

I wonder if Criterion was getting a subsidy from the Blu-Ray group that has now ended and now they have to raise prices to offset the increased cost.
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post #402 of 1006
7/17/09 at 8:44am
Just to let you guys know, the Howards End Blu-ray is up at amazon for $29.99, so you might want to preorder before the price increases

http://www.amazon.com/Howards-End-Blu-ray-Anthony-Hopkins/dp/B001P829O6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1247845311&sr=8-1
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post #403 of 1006
7/17/09 at 9:57am
http://www.criterion.com now shows the prices at $39.95...
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post #404 of 1006
7/17/09 at 11:36am
Thread Starter 
So, it ends up being the typical misinformation that often occurs in the first 48 hrs of the new titles going up on the website. I hope everyone is calm now.
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post #405 of 1006
7/17/09 at 12:34pm
What a relief.   I look forward to purchasing all three titles.
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post #406 of 1006
7/17/09 at 1:47pm

Yes good news indeed.  The person responsible for this mishap should be castrated.  


Now if only they'd start releasing some films I want to own.......... 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Simon Howson View Post




Criterion's Eclipse line is excellent value for money, especially considering that Warner Archive charges double without making new transfers. Eclipse makes new transfers, often including subtitles, yet the discs cost half what Warner Archive charges.

Agree Simon,

Eclipse is a value, and I certainly don't feel like I was sodomized like I do after buying a Criterion DVD.

However anything is a value when stacked up to a Warner Archive (considering what you get for your money)


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post #407 of 1006
7/17/09 at 3:56pm
I still would have bought Howard's End.  That is one of my favorites and will be stunning on Blu ray.  Now I hope they release Maurice so I can have the complete E.M. Forster / Merchant - Ivory trilogy on Blu ray.
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post #408 of 1006
7/17/09 at 4:55pm
it occurs to me that Cronos may still be coming in October, but that it may receive a special announcement ala Benjamin Button.

I imagine Che will also get a special announcement treatment for it's November or December release.
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post #409 of 1006
7/17/09 at 6:22pm


Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim_K View Post


Eclipse is a value, and I certainly don't feel like I was sodomized like I do after buying a Criterion DVD.

 


...and yet you keep buying them.  Such is the glory of Criterion!  :D



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post #410 of 1006
7/18/09 at 4:37am


Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig Beam View Post





...and yet you keep buying them.  Such is the glory of Criterion!  :D


 

Absolutely - however most I bought when heavily discounted at over 40% off.  They offer titles I can't get anywhere else (but that's no different than several other specialty labels Kino, Anchor Bay, Blue Underground, Animiego, etc, etc) so why wouldn't I buy the titles I want to own?

All that doesn't change the fact that their SD titles are obscenely overpriced, especially in the HD era.

I do admire the effectiveness of their Marketing strategy.  The fancy artwork, the spine numbering, the illusion of elitism.  What other specialty label has an army of loyal fan-boys?  It's quite an accomplishment.
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post #411 of 1006
7/18/09 at 5:08am


Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim_K View Post




Absolutely - however most I bought when heavily discounted at over 40% off.  They offer titles I can't get anywhere else (but that's no different than several other specialty labels Kino, Anchor Bay, Blue Underground, Animiego, etc, etc) so why wouldn't I buy the titles I want to own?

All that doesn't change the fact that their SD titles are obscenely overpriced, especially in the HD era.

I do admire the effectiveness of their Marketing strategy.  The fancy artwork, the spine numbering, the illusion of elitism.  What other specialty label has an army of loyal fan-boys?  It's quite an accomplishment.
 

And their reputation basically stems from the Laser Disc era. Personally, I'm not particularly thrilled about the quality of their DVD's.
Granted: they're commonly good, above average. But not superb, sometimes I find the image on a DVD of theirs a tad soft.


(I bought a lot of their DVD's, though, mainly because it was the only way to get certain wanted titles.)

L.
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post #412 of 1006
7/18/09 at 12:40pm

Oops!  Double-posted -- thought I could maybe add a quote in my edit, but guess not.

_Man_
 

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post #413 of 1006
7/18/09 at 12:42pm
Good to hear it was just a pricing mistake.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim_K View Post

The person responsible for this mishap should be castrated.  


That's a bit extreme, no?

_Man_
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post #414 of 1006
8/6/09 at 10:57am
if u've been paying attention to amazon prices, Criterion titles can be had for $15-20 range =).
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post #415 of 1006
8/11/09 at 5:33pm
Thread Starter 
So, theoretically we'll get info on the November releases on either Friday or Monday. Any guesses? They've confirmed that they are working on the following titles for Blu-ray that have yet to be announced:

Gimme Shelter
Walkabout

So I guess either of these is possible. Other re-issues that they've confirmed for DVD re-release but not BD that could logically see a BD release are:

Diabolique
Picnic at Hanging Rock
Rashomon

Nor would I be surprised to see BD only upgrades for any of the following, since they already got DVD re-releases:

Amarcord
Beauty and the Beast
Brazil
Cleo from 5 to 7
High & Low
The Lady Vanishes
M
Seven Samurai
Vagabond
Yojimbo/Sanjuro

And if the BCI UK release is any indication, they may be prepping a re-release and BD of The Red Shoes.

Maybe a Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums or The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou BD to cross promote with Fantastic Mr. Fox?

They also have announced that they are working on a few films that would be new to the collection, but would be "big" enough to get a BD release:

Che
Cronos
Revanche

Thoughts?
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post #416 of 1006
8/11/09 at 6:19pm
Boy, I'd love to see an BD release of LOLA MONTEZ.  Across the pond it only was issued in HD and I really think the new restoration deserves high definition.  Fingers crossed!!
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post #417 of 1006
8/11/09 at 6:28pm
I'm still waiting (vainly, I'm sure) for the announced BD of The Spy Who Came In from the Cold.
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post #418 of 1006
8/11/09 at 6:41pm
additionally Chasing Amy seems likely for a bluray reissue this fall.
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post #419 of 1006
8/11/09 at 8:15pm
 Since it is the one I've been patiently waiting more than a year already for, I think we can safely say Walkabout will NOT be one of November's titles.
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post #420 of 1006
8/12/09 at 12:08am
Thread Starter 


Quote:
Originally Posted by PaulDA View Post

I'm still waiting (vainly, I'm sure) for the announced BD of The Spy Who Came In from the Cold.

Unfortunately, one has gotta think that since the DVD release came after the Criterion released some BDs that the odds are fairly low.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Adam_S View Post

additionally Chasing Amy seems likely for a bluray reissue this fall.

From what I've heard Buena Vista is gonna simply release it themselves rather than going through Criterion. So the content should be identical.
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