Criterion Blu-ray

[Matt]

Now if they'd only realize their "mistake" of not putting Z on Blu-ray, everything would be hunky-dory.

[aox]

I had a friend that I had to talk out of suicide early this morning because of all of this. Luckily she is alright and that this was a fluke, but if I hadn't been there for her, there would be blood on Criterion's hands.

[dx23]

The Z not being released on Blu-ray still bugging me. Hopefully, they'll release this along with Missing, which was shown in HD recently at in the Universal HD channel.

Good to see that Criterion reacted quickly and changed the prices back to $39.95. The price difference would have made a lot of customers unhappy.

[Jeff]

Now if they'd only realize their "mistake" of not putting Z on Blu-ray, everything would be hunky-dory.

Exactly. Of all of this month's releases, it seems like by far the most likely candidate for Blu. At the risk of sounding like Kevyip, I think I've got a pretty good idea of the demographic that owns Blu-ray players, and I'm betting that famous political thrillers would sell better than Merchant Ivory pics and films with the word "wedding" in the title.

[dx23]

It will likely be well into the 2020's before I adopt Blu-ray (hell, it seems not that long ago I made the switch from cassettes to CDs), however, that does seem awfully expensive (well, just as the MSRP for Criterions DVDs are)...are Blu-ray discs generally more expensive than regular DVDs? (I've never bothered to investigate)

Except for Criterion, the MSRP of Blu-rays is higher than DVDs. Still, Blu-rays are dropping in price really fast and a lot of films can be found online between $10-$15.

Since this seems to be the new crit blu thread I suppose I'll post this here.
Has anyone said anything about releasing the Eclipse sets on blu?

I really doubt Eclipse set are going to be released on Blu-ray since the idea behind the brand is to release films by famous director's without going through the restoration process. I imagine that if any of those films get the Criterion treatment, then there is the possibility of a BD release, but as of today, there still no film released under the Eclipse banner that has been "upgraded" to the Criterion collection.

[marvinmeraz]

I dont think the SRP of $50 was a mistake. While they might have lowered them, for one reason or another, it is a serious venture. dvd aficionado shows their new blu-rays for $50 too. I'm not sure why they backed out (thank god), but it is something that they're probably planning.

Sadly, at those prices, I really wont be able to afford to be a CC fan.

I really hope this doesn't happen soon.

[swo17]

Good to see this thread is still thriving even after having been deemed irrelevant...

Agreed on Z though. I don't have a problem with presumed moneymakers getting Blu treatment by default, but when major releases like Jeanne Dielman, Human Condition (yeah, I know, the length, but still), and now this get passed over, it does make you wonder whether they really understand the value of these films.

I say: They should just release everything on Blu and let God sort 'em out.

[bamwc2]

Now if they'd only realize their "mistake" of not putting Z on Blu-ray, everything would be hunky-dory.

Amen! It's amazing that they chose not to put such a visually stunning film out on blu.

[aox]

I say: They should just release everything on Blu and let God sort 'em out.

Couldn't agree more.

I will say that I got into film about 5 years ago and obviously Criterion's collection was well into the many hundreds. It was overwhelming trying to figure which films I wanted to have in regards to my budget. Their Blu line is coming out at just the right time for me when I have entered the adult world and have a little more spare cash. It is really nice to be in on this at the beginning so I can buy as the titles come out, and not feel the hunger for 100+ discs already on the shelf. My collection will grow with their line.

[Jeff]

The press release had the $39.95 pricing, so the website prices probably were indeed a mistake.

[Cinephrenic]

Now if they'd only realize their "mistake" of not putting Z on Blu-ray, everything would be hunky-dory.

Amen! It's amazing that they chose not to put such a visually stunning film out on blu.

Forget about Blu-ray, such a landmark film with only 1 disc.

[HistoryProf]

3 out of 4 releases this month on Blu and the one I am most excited about is the lone standard def release


AND WHERE IS MY BLU RAY OF WALKABOUT GOD DAMMIT!!!!!!!!!!!!! ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,)

[Cinephrenic]

I really hope they increase their production, expecially on Blu-ray next year. Does anyone really buy Criterion catalog DVDs anymore? Just kiddin... 8-[

[kaujot]

I keep hoping that the Walkabout delay is because they're working on a new release of Don't Look Now.

[aox]

I really hope they increase their production, expecially on Blu-ray next year. Does anyone really buy Criterion catalog DVDs anymore?

nope.

[Ted Todorov]

I really hope they increase their production, expecially on Blu-ray next year. Does anyone really buy Criterion catalog DVDs anymore? Just kiddin... 8-[

You aren't kidding -- I can't imagine the Netflix/rip-to-own cycle isn't touching Criterion. Obviously Blu-rays are susceptible as well, but are much less vulnerable due to file size, etc. Plus collectors were more eager back when DVDs were new and shiny, just like BDs are now.

Then again Criterion has they're own production cost and sales data, and BD market penetration is still very low.

[cyan]

Does anyone know what's going on with the Criterion Blu-ray packaging?
It's incredibly frustrating...one release is in the paper packaging, then the next is in the keepcase, then paper, then keepcase.
At first I thought they had gone the smart way and decided to release everything in keepcases once I got my copy of 'The Wages of Fear'. Then they went and released 'Last Year at Marienbad' in a paper case.

I own every Criterion blu-ray released thusfar, but am now holding off on purchasing any of them to see what the agreed-upon packaging is going to be. Does anyone have any info on this?

[CSM126]

Plastic is the standard. Marienbad was released in a paper case to match the packaging of the SD release (a digipak). I imagine that's the standard from here on (plastic cases unless the SD came in a digi).

[mteller]

I own every Criterion blu-ray released thusfar, but am now holding off on purchasing any of them to see what the agreed-upon packaging is going to be.

Quick tip: watch the movie, not the packaging.

[Flike]

I own every Criterion blu-ray released thusfar, but am now holding off on purchasing any of them to see what the agreed-upon packaging is going to be.

Quick tip: watch the movie, not the packaging.

No, I know where he is coming from. The discs aren't going anywhere and I'd rather wait (reportedly) a few weeks to get the updated packaging. I went through this with the recent B&N sale, where I put off buying some SD-replacement Blu-rays (The Third Man, Chungking Express). I've seen The Third Man close to thirty times... another month without it on my shelf won't kill me.

[aox]

I was under the impression that there would be an exchange program. Any info on this?

I have three of them, and I can't wait to send them in. I would even pay a few bucks.

[Rich Malloy]

Do you mean an exchange of the previously released SD disc for a newly released blu-ray disc, or an exchange of the digipak/slipcover packaging for a keepcase?

If the former, I'd definitely be up for it. Especially for those tltles where the booklet is reduced to fit the smaller packaging.

[aox]

The latter. Sending in the awful cardboard cases from the early Blu's (e.g. 400 Blows, The Last Emperor, The Third Man etc...) for new plastic cases. I would even pay a few bucks or shipping and handling.

[Matt]

Do you mean an exchange of the previously released SD disc for a newly released blu-ray disc...I'd definitely be up for it.

Criterion are already conducting an exchange program for DVD to Blu-ray.

[Rich Malloy]

Criterion are already conducting an exchange program for DVD to Blu-ray.

Ah yes, now I remember.

Not exactly what I had in mind. That is, paying more than Amazon or DD or (lately) BN prices for just the disc -- and giving up the SD-DVD to boot -- couldn't possibly be a recommended course of action. I mean, could it? Am I missing something here?