Criterion Web Site

[Derek Estes]

The previous logo didn't even appear on the earliest releases. So I don't think it is going to affect the integrity of the collection. Besides, our interest shouldn't be in the logo, or our precious collection of Criterion titles matching on our shelf. I wouldn't even mind if they stopped numbering the films. As long as the proper attention is put to the actual films themselves I think that the the whiny bitches should get a life, or at least choose their battles. The lack of subtitles is a serious issue, but complaining about the possibility of the Criterion animation changing, is about to make my head explode.

[justeleblanc]

Listen, it's not as if Criterion is wearing white after Labor Day.... I mean, come on. Don't you guys think you can work out your problems with Criterion while locked in a rec center with nothing but sodas and pizza? I mean... come on.

[a.khan]

Don't like the new Criterion makeover. An unreasonable attempt to go hip.

It's something we can all live with, of course, but the old logo was more classy and sophisticated. The floating C on the artwork is design heresy, the CC sidebar on the artwork is intrusive.

But, the quality of their output is what matters most (please move over, Koko...) The aesthetic "upgrade" will take a little getting used to, we'll live.

P.S. To give credit where it's due, the Rohmer set can be considered compensation for our collective grief.

[JHunter]

Listen, it's not as if Criterion is wearing white after Labor Day.... I mean, come on. Don't you guys think you can work out your problems with Criterion while locked in a rec center with nothing but sodas and pizza? I mean... come on.

He's right. I mean, come on.

[Schkura]

it's not as if Criterion is wearing white after Labor Day

It may be just before Labor Day, but that is a whole lotta white.

ps: how about a new Focus feature?

[Jem]

AND the old logo was one of the classiest, inobtrusive labels ever. i loved it.

Your kidding right?
The old logotype was spread out half way across the DVD cover, it couldn't be reduced any smaller otherwise it would disappear. In a nut shell it didn't work.

The new symbol takes up about a quarter of the space of the old "obtrusive' logotype, and best of all it's not "classy".

[toiletduck!]

An unreasonable attempt to go hip.

This is what I don't get, and you're not the first to say it, adnankhan. How is a floating C and a tab suddenly 'hip' or 'cool'? Is this what all the youngsters are doing now? Is it an urban thing? Am I that out of the loop, because if so, I'll run out and get some bling with a floating C. Anything to look hip.

To me, the tab design is no more intrusive than the line was when Criterion first started using it. Granted, they started to play with it as time went on (Le Corbeau, Dazed, etc.), but take a look at some of the earlier ones (Carnival of Souls, Last Temptation, Le Million) and tell me that that isn't intrusive. Even in Le Corbeau when the logo IS playing along with the design, it seems extremely forced, very "well, this has to go here, is there any way we can hide it?" The answer is no.

Yes, the new design is unforgiving to the artwork, but I prefer that. The floating C is tiny compared to a logo that spans the entire cover, and the tab has a card catalogue vibe that (unless libraries have become cool while I had my back turned) is extremely classy. This is Criterion, this is from 1995. Now go enjoy the artwork. We'll be right here on the side if you need us.

What can I say? I'm sold, but I like the idea of change. It took 50-odd spines for the first design change, I think after another 300, they deserve to shake things up a bit.

-Toilet Dcuk

[Dear Catastrophe Totoro]

An unreasonable attempt to go hip.

This is what I don't get, and you're not the first to say it, adnankhan. How is a floating C and a tab suddenly 'hip' or 'cool'? Is this what all the youngsters are doing now? Is it an urban thing?

I would say a C in the top left corner dates around 1982.

[Elpenor]

hopefully this haiku from elpenor will not have become outdated

That line down the spine:
Sexiest geometry
Since the sinusoid.

Have no fear; I'm already prepared:

New look is revealed:
Sweet Jesus, they're using tabs
And Becker's bagel!

I've a mad desire
To kiss you, dear, but this damn
"C" is in the way.

I like the tabs, even though I don't really understand the rationale behind the year tab and can't even begin to figure out why they left an empty "year" tab on the Six Moral Tales cover. Having both the logo and the "Criterion Collection" tab on the cover seems unnecessary; I'd prefer it if they just saved the giant bold "c" for the spine and back. The actual cover designs for August look good (especially Seduced and Abandoned, which I'm tempted to blind-buy just for the artwork), and I like the new site except for the 50 pixels of dead space between the header and the page content.

How do I let Criterion know where to send my design consultation check? (I'm new here.)

[a.khan]

Thank you, toiletduck, for your dissection. Had I know my words- written with the casual abandon a minute provides - would've have drawn such a conscientious reaction, I may have tried to be more precise. For the record, I am not merely opposed to the logo per se, but rather the idea of change...as a consumer who enjoys Criterion's aesthetic, I was compelled to question the need for them to change their look now (then again I'm not privy to CC's 'grand scheme of things'). Mind you the new look is something I can defo live with. Perhaps Criterion sets the bar so high that our expectations can sometimes become unreasonable - not to mention, everyone cannot be pleased (I hope to get my turn next time).

Yes, the new design is unforgiving to the artwork, but I prefer that.

And I still prefer the previous logo. Can we just raise a glass to individual preferences and call it a day? Cheers.

[HerrSchreck]

To me I really couldn't care that much either way though I will say 1) the new design make the dvd's look like college textbooks. I 2) also wonder why? 3 different logos in a mere 6-7 years is somewhat unusual, particularly for an industry-standard-setting crown jewel.

Otherwise I could care less so long as 1) the discs inside are well-done versions of the movie I purchased thereby, and 2) I haven't lost my hearing. For I am thereby & forthwith fucked.

[toiletduck!]

And I still prefer the previous logo. Can we just raise a glass to individual preferences and call it a day? Cheers.

Well, that was refreshing. Cheers and major kudos to you, friend.

I haven't lost my hearing. For I am thereby & forthwith fucked.

And as the obscenity-laced slam-fucking is driving your poor, confused head into the wall, just remember your mantra... "Fran Drescher who? Fran Drescher who?"

-Toilet Dcuk

[HerrSchreck]

No no no no my good man.

Those who do go deaf will find their way staggering outa Schrecks vicious house of Laugh-Stroke-Laugh (Sjostrom/Chaney little known sequel), to come reeling in to your massage parlor, for desperately needed comfort with the massager-dcuky. That is, the rubber dcuky.

Having answered sickness with sickness-- Rabbi Toiletinovinovich! A weekend dcuk! Glad to see you floating across freshening the broth of the tank, even though you have broken the sabbath...

[benm]

yeah does this mean on the films themselves we won't get that extremely satisfying logo where the line comes across the screen? i love that.

speaking of which why has fox lorber not changed theirs since the early 80s? horrible stuff.

[Cinesimilitude]

I can almost guarantee you the august releases criterion intros will look much like, or exactly the same as, the flash intro we were all treated to on day one of the new web site.

[godardslave]

I really like the new logo.

[Antoine Doinel]

The problem with the floating C is that it doesn't work universally across all the titles like the old logo OR the new tab (which I have no problem with). The cover of the Six Moral Tales boxset (up now) is pretty much ruined by the floating "C" obscuring the face in the first still. That said, with the individual titles and their spartan look, the "C" looks okay.

I don't see the benefit of two instances of branding on the "new look" covers. The only reason I can see the point of having a floating "C" is if Eclipse titles will be indicated by an E in the upper left hand corner. I guess it will be a way to differentiate the titles.

[exte]

I hate the new logo. I think it would be fine if they used it for hd-dvd, or the next generation media technology, but to introduce it altogether now and scrap the existing one is just stupid to me...

[Jem]

The problem with the floating C is that it doesn't work universally across all the titles like the old logo OR the new tab (which I have no problem with). The cover of the Six Moral Tales boxset (up now) is pretty much ruined by the floating "C" obscuring the face in the first still.

I would say the problem is more with the placement and choice of image than with the logo itself. All the other covers work well with the new logo.

[Antoine Doinel]

The problem with the floating C is that it doesn't work universally across all the titles like the old logo OR the new tab (which I have no problem with). The cover of the Six Moral Tales boxset (up now) is pretty much ruined by the floating "C" obscuring the face in the first still.

I would say the problem is more with the placement and choice of image than with the logo itself. All the other covers work well with the new logo.

Actually, I would agree but I don't think the logo is wokring with all the new covers. I also find it distracting on the otherwise excellent Seduced & Abandoned cover. I'm not sure who else said it, but the C would work better on the spine/back cover.

[kschell]

The website appears to be completely down as of 23 May 13:55 ESDST.

[Antoine Doinel]

In other developments, it appears they host their site on Apple servers. Maybe that explains all the white

[blindside8zao]

dang man, that's an ugly logo.

[Gordon]

As long as they never put their logo in the top corner of the screen of their transfers, I really don't care a jot what logo Criterion or any other companies create for themselves.

[Jeff]

As long as they never put their logo in the top corner of the screen of their transfers, I really don't care a jot what logo Criterion or any other companies create for themselves.

You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din. As much as I'd like to pretend that I don't care either, I do. It's certainly not enough to sway me one way or the other on a purchase, and it doesn't keep me up at night, but well-designed artwork (which in Criterion's case includes that logo) can make a favorite disc even more satisfying. I think it was Matt that mentioned in another thread how Fox's old deco logo on their Cinema Classics discs has really classed up the look of their packaging. Criterion could make that Wacky C a lot less annoying to me by simply outlining it and making it transparent.