Criterion Press Release: Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films (Blu-ray) (1 Viewer)

[Patrick McCart]

Is this only available on blu-ray? I'm surprised they're not also releasing it on DVD, though I think the Bergman box-set was blu only, as well.

They didn't bother to bring the DVD editions of Bergman's Faith Trilogy, The BRD Trilogy, or Von Sternberg silents back into print with the Blu editions. Also, they tend to give the DVDs of many titles a much more basic packaging. For example, the DVD edition of True Stories omits the soundtrack CD and is in a plain plastic case, plain cases for sex, lies, and videotape and The Princess Bride, and I believe the DVD edition of a Hard Day's Night omits a lot of special features and the booklet.

 

[bigshot]

I get that of course. But do you buy a DVD when a Blu Ray is available is my question.

Sometimes with TV shows. I got a DVD instead of a blu-ray of a movie by accident once, and I had watched it twice before I realized it was a DVD. Anamorphic DVDs can look very very good.

 

[Tino]

Anamorphic DVDs can look very very good.

True. But never as good as a Blu Ray is my point.

 

[Scott Merryfield]

There’s an entire sub forum over on Blu-ray.com of people buying DVDs.
When I ask why they are still buying DVDs when the blu is available I get all snarky remarks as if I’m the one who is out of touch.

That's very strange. I will still buy the occasional DVD if that is the only version available of something I want, but I will pick a BD over DVD every time if both are available. Who on this forum or Blu-ray.com does not have a BD player - - especially someone buying Criterion discs?

 

[Tino]

That's very strange.

Not really considering its the Blu-ray.com forums.

 

[TonyD]

Yeah. Most of them are people who post long lists of DVDs of obscure movies they bought at Big lots and dollar stores only because they can get them at $1-$3 each.

I didn’t not care how cheap it is I’m not buying DVDs of movies just because they’re only $1. That stuff takes up a lot of space.

 

[Traveling Matt]

Who on this forum or Blu-ray.com does not have a BD player - - especially someone buying Criterion discs?

Me, lol. But that's only because, as I explained in another thread earlier today, I went directly from playing DVDs to ripping BDs. I have an external BD drive for that purpose, no player.

 

[dpippel]

Barnes & Noble's 50% off Criterion sale is active, and if you've been sitting on the fence about this set you can pick it up there now for $112.49 + tax with no other discounts. Shipping is free:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dv...la-showa-era-films/34116464?ean=0715515236416

 

[MattHR]

Be aware that the stock in B&N stores will likely be damaged, due to their use of the dreaded "Spider-wire" anti-theft contraptions. The first store I went to had not one copy in acceptable condition. Two other customers were there to pick up their pre-orders, and they were upset to find their copies damaged. I went to another location and was lucky to find one in acceptable condition (although not quite as mint as I would normally prefer). The staff member I spoke to there said three other customers had refused to accept their pre-orders due to the condition, and was expecting more complaints. For some stupid reason, they had attached the Spider-wire to all copies they received — even the ones that were pre-ordered and kept behind the counter! But for $101.24, I figured I wasn't going to find a better deal.

 

[Worth]

They're streaming on the Criterion Channel now. I was considering picking up the set, but I can't justify spending that amount ($225 in Canada) on something I'm not likely to watch very often.

 

[dpippel]

Be aware that the stock in B&N stores will likely be damaged, due to their use of the dreaded "Spider-wire" anti-theft contraptions. The first store I went to had not one copy in acceptable condition. Two other customers were there to pick up their pre-orders, and they were upset to find their copies damaged. I went to another location and was lucky to find one in acceptable condition (although not quite as mint as I would normally prefer). The staff member I spoke to there said three other customers had refused to accept their pre-orders due to the condition, and was expecting more complaints. For some stupid reason, they had attached the Spider-wire to all copies they received — even the ones that were pre-ordered and kept behind the counter! But for $101.24, I figured I wasn't going to find a better deal.

Order online with free shipping. Problem solved.

 

[MattHR]

Order online with free shipping. Problem solved.

Not for me. More than half of what I order online (especially from Amazon) arrives damaged, and it's a huge hassle to return and wait for replacements (which also usually arrive damaged).

 

[Noel Aguirre]

Picked up mine this morning from B&N for $101.24 plus tax. Deal of the year

 

[Noel Aguirre]

Be aware that the stock in B&N stores will likely be damaged, due to their use of the dreaded "Spider-wire" anti-theft contraptions. The first store I went to had not one copy in acceptable condition. Two other customers were there to pick up their pre-orders, and they were upset to find their copies damaged. I went to another location and was lucky to find one in acceptable condition (although not quite as mint as I would normally prefer). The staff member I spoke to there said three other customers had refused to accept their pre-orders due to the condition, and was expecting more complaints. For some stupid reason, they had attached the Spider-wire to all copies they received — even the ones that were pre-ordered and kept behind the counter! But for $101.24, I figured I wasn't going to find a better deal.

this is too big for those contraptions at my B&N stores. They keep them behind the counter. I ordered mine this morning but had to do a cancel and repurchase because their idiotic online ordering to pick up doesn’t give member discount. I also picked up Polyester and When We Were Kings.
I will watch Mothra vs Godzilla starring the Peanuts as I’d just watched Mothra recently and consider this its sequel.

 

[Noel Aguirre]

Me, lol. But that's only because, as I explained in another thread earlier today, I went directly from playing DVDs to ripping BDs. I have an external BD drive for that purpose, no player.

If you want one and live in NY I have an extra.

 

[KMR]

Order online with free shipping. Problem solved.

The 10% member discount won't be applied to an online order. But if you wait until it's out of stock at your local B&N, you can place an order at the store, which will get you the 10% member discount. That's how I got my copy of the Bergman set last year. (Well, I didn't intentionally wait until it was out of stock. I just went, hoping it was there--maybe even on day of release--but they had no copies. So they put in an order, got the 50% Criterion sale discount plus 10% member discount and free shipping, and had it in my hands a couple days later.)

Picked up the Godzilla set today. ("Can I help you?" "Yes, do you have Godzilla?" "Right here! And I even have a copy without the spider wrap." Sales associate lifts a copy from under the counter.) And wow, the pictures and videos didn't prepare me for how impressive this thing is in reality! Beautiful and very appropriate packaging!

 

[Noel Aguirre]

True. But never as good as a Blu Ray is my point.

Uprezzed to 4K a decent mastered DVD can look better than a poorly mastered blu-ray. Just sayin.

 

[dpippel]

The 10% member discount won't be applied to an online order. But if you wait until it's out of stock at your local B&N, you can place an order at the store, which will get you the 10% member discount. That's how I got my copy of the Bergman set last year. (Well, I didn't intentionally wait until it was out of stock. I just went, hoping it was there--maybe even on day of release--but they had no copies. So they put in an order, got the 50% Criterion sale discount plus 10% member discount and free shipping, and had it in my hands a couple days later.)

I'm not a member at B&N because I don't shop there enough, so for me the 10% is a moot point.

 

[Tino]

I'm not a member at B&N because I don't shop there enough, so for me the 10% is a moot point.

How much did you pay Doug?

 

[dpippel]

Not for me. More than half of what I order online (especially from Amazon) arrives damaged, and it's a huge hassle to return and wait for replacements (which also usually arrive damaged).

I purchased two copies of this release - one from Amazon and one directly from Criterion. Both arrived in perfect condition. The manufacturer is shipping these in a specially designed box.