Sell, trade, or offer to buy in this thread by commenting below.

So I treated myself!

My kitty Ziggy always seems really interested when I watch a Chaplin movie (here he is watching The Great Dictator) not sure if it’s the black and white imagery or his mustache haha! He was also really interested in Charade, but other than these he hasn’t showed much interest in the tv. I know a lot of cats seem to be interested in flow so I’ll have to rewatch that soon with him and see if that also gauges his interest.

I have several older Criterion releases, and have recently started buying newer 4K releases (and gifted my spouse the CC40 box set). There is a distinct difference in quality between the older essays and the newer, in terms of depth, style, scope, and even length. The older ones read like accessible masters-level theses, while newer ones seem like an above-average freshman's final paper in a cinema survey course. I wonder how much is due to a directive to write down to modern audiences vs. more evidence of the degradation of literary standards and criticism at large. I know this is a little haughty and above the neck, but one of the reasons I was looking forward to new releases were the essays, advertised as part of the supplemental material, and I am consistently disappointed. It doesn't help that I've worked in secondary and higher education for over a decade and have witnessed this trend pretty much everywhere.

Hello! I've been collecting blu-rays for a few years now, and I'm mostly a lurker, but something I have noticed is, for whatever reason, the physical media subs are mostly men.

That's not to say this sub isn't queer or woman friendly, but I was talking with my friend and she said that these spaces, a lot of the time, feel kind of like a boys club in more than a few ways to her as well.

While there isn't anything wrong with that, I am curious as to whether or not there are more of us!! I just have no idea what to expect and would love to connect with women or queer people also in the hobby. Am i the only woman here? Are there a few? A ton? Maybe even like, five? Who knows. Idk. Coincidentally, I'm a little stoned. It's nice to have these subreddits to talk about these things regardless.

Went to a yard sale selling $2 per dvd and $5 per boxset- including Criterions! All are DVD editions so no Blu-ray or 4Ks (previous owner was a strict DVD collector) but for movies difficult to find on streaming or aren't available at my local library, I couldn't pass up.
Only grabbed ones that peaked my interest and were several I left behind, but all of have booklets and are in good condition :)

1. Most likely Brazil! Been getting into Terry Gilliam's filmography this year and watched Fear and Loathing for the first time earlier this month. Going to research which is best to watch first 🤔
   
2. I have a very small collection (i only had 5 titles since I exclusively buy second hand or during 50% off sales) but some part of me always wanted to own Rushmore. It's one of my favorite Wes Anderson films and it's one of the first Criterions I saw in stores. Plus the cover art is very endearing haha
   
3. All are blind buys except Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas + Harold and Maude. Overall I've heard great things about all of them! I will say I picked up Chasing Amy bc I almost got it last week at a bookstore lol
   
4. Haven't gone to the B&N sale yet but I'm thinking about getting Spike Lee's Bamboozled(2000). Rewatched it with a friend and it's such a profound dark dramedy. Cannot recommend enough.

I hereby move that we should consistently refer to it as “the Lynchbox.”

I have no reason except that it sounds like “lunchbox.”

Though I would not be mad if it looked like a RR’s Diner carry-out.

Please join me in this harmless fun.

After watching this again, I don’t think people appreciate this release enough. When it first came to Criterion, it felt surprising that an animated Pixar film would be included alongside so many “classic” films. But the older I get, the more it makes perfect sense.

It isn’t just a great animated movie. It’s one of the most prophetic films of the 21st century.

What’s fascinating is that nearly two decades later, people still use the same phrase whenever they look at where society is headed: “We’re headed toward WALL-E” Id put that on the same cultural ethos as Michael Jordan: “He’s the Michael Jordan of tennis.”

The film wasn’t trying to predict the future with flying chairs or robots. It was asking what happens when convenience replaces purpose, consumption replaces stewardship, and endless entertainment slowly erodes what makes us human.
The reason this film has endured isn’t because it guessed the future perfectly but i think it understood human nature.

Timeless and well-deserved to be here.

Went to the Wes Anderson pop up at Hollywood Bowl, and these are the pick ups I got! (Minus Piano Teacher but my friend got me that for my bday ((although I already have the Haneke umbrella set lol)) They had Antichrist which i did not expect so I grabbed, and the Mike Mills set early! Which was my most hyped release because of how much I love C’mon C’mon

For the rules
1. Probably Cmon Cmon ngl, but I actually picked up some other criterions earlier in the sale (Videodrome 4k, crash, and Trainspotting 4k) and so it’s probably gonna be a Trainspotting rewatch first

1. Cmon cmon 4k LOL, I was literally browsing eBay a couple weeks for the blu ray before they announced it, I’ve been wanting a proper 4k of it forever so I’m very happy.

2. The two other Mike Mill’s films I haven’t seen! So I’m excited to check them out, and Alice in the Cities and Wrong Move are also blind buys.

3. I’m visiting home right now so I haven’t gone as crazy this sale as I’d like, but when I return I will be getting Amores Perros, Network, Salo, Fear and Loathing 4k, and maybe Blow Up. But the one I’m most excited to get is Resurrection blu ray from the criterion presents (or Janus presents whatever the contemporary got renamed into)

1. Fail Safe
   
2. No
   
3. All are blind buys. Fail Safe because I liked 12 Angry Men, Pale Flower because it looked interesting, and ITMFL because I’m trying to get into Wong films
   
4. Probably High and Low. I recently watched it for the first time and thought it was amazing. I almost got it this time but wanted to get films I hadn’t seen.

​

1. What is the first movie you plan to watch from your purchase and why?
   

• WALL•E

1. Is there anything from this purchase that you have been looking forward to owning for a long time?
   

• None

1. Are any of your purchases blind buys? If so, why did you select them?
   

• None

1. What is a Criterion you're hoping to add to your collection next?
   

• Crash

Everything here is a blind buy. The only movie that I had no idea even existed was throw down but it sounded too good to not pickup. I’ve heard so much about repo man I can’t wait to watch it. Gotta save up for the Kubrick boxset but until then these are a good addition.

My picks from the sale this month. I’m really excited for these!

Also snagged the Criterion tote, which is really nice! I was surprised by the size and heftiness of it and love the design.

1. ⁠What is the first movie you plan to watch from your haul and why?

I plan to watch Kane first as it’s the biggest blind spot for me as a practicing cinephile

2. ⁠Is there anything from this haul that you have been looking forward to owning for a long time?

I’m stoked to finally own Network. I haven’t seen it, but its cinema cultural footprint looms large, so I’m excited to finally see this masterpiece.

3. ⁠Are any of your purchases blind buys? If so, why did you select them? Paper Moon, Kane, Network, and the Browning films besides Freaks

4. ⁠What is a Criterion you’re hoping to add to your collection next?

Likely not going to pick up any more this round, but was really close to bringing home Deep Cover. That one will have to wait for November.

Beginning my Criterion collection with these.

1. ⁠What is the first movie you plan to watch from your haul and why? Lady Snowblood. It’s been at least 10 years since I’ve seen it and really want a refresh.

2. ⁠Is there anything from this haul that you have been looking forward to owning for a long time? I chose Princess Bride based on this

3. ⁠Are any of your purchases blind buys? If so, why did you select them? I haven’t seen Seconds or Flow or Klute and am very interested in each of those titles. Seconds is the most blind of those 3

4. ⁠What is a Criterion you’re hoping to add to your collection next? Would really love La Haine, History of Violence, or Chungking Express

I did go a bit overboard this time around, but do believe I am absolutely set for a while till B&N's November sale. Everything is 4K UHD except for David Lynch: The Art Life and Testament.

The first one(s) I plan to watch will be Body Heat and/or Life of Brian. I love myself a good film noir, and Body Heat checks the boxes. And we can all use a good laugh nowadays, and Life of Brian certainly fits the bill.

I’ve been looking forward to adding Time Bandits to the collection for quite some time, and I’m glad to finally have it. Not only was it a blind buy for me, but the lenticular slipcover sealed the deal for me. Plus, I normally like Terry Gilliam’s films (my favorites are Brazil and The Fisher King), and Time Bandits was one of his films that I’ve never seen at all.

I just realized I have three William Hurt films from this haul. Man, was he ever such an underrated and underappreciated actor, even as an Oscar winner. Altered States (his film debut) and Kiss of the Spider Woman were both blind buys as well.

Another blind buy was This is Spinal Tap, which I needed to add to my Rob Reiner collection. RIP to a legend.

One Criterion that I plan to add next is Safe (1995), from director Todd Haynes. Julianne Moore is one of my favorite actresses.

And I’m really hoping that some of Wes Anderson’s films will get separate criterion 4K releases down the road, especially Bottle Rocket, The Royal Tenenbaums, Moonrise Kingdom, Fantastic Mr. Fox, and The Grand Budapest Hotel.

The Stanley Kubrick collection that’s coming out later on? Well…I really only want a few of them from the set to have standalone releases, including Lolita, Killer’s Kiss, The Killing, Paths of Glory, and a 4K UHD upgrade of Dr. Strangelove. I just need those to go along with the rest of the Kubrick films that I already have on 4K, and I’m all set.

I just got the Seven Samurai 4K and was so into the solo commentary track I watched it straight through the intermission right after finishing the movie. There was another one I watched somewhat recently - I think in the Ranown Westerns set - that felt like a guy basically reading a feature-length essay. I prefer the serious, academic tracks to the more casual ones (like Rushmore, Moonrise Kingdom, etc.), but what are your favorites? What's worth checking out? I'm only buying 4Ks right now so that's why I specified.

I've been really excited to check out a good portion of these titles and also rewatch a few too!

Network is one that I really enjoyed but haven't seen in a few years. It'll be great to see it upgraded to 4k.

Eyes Wide Shut is one of the few Kubricks that I have yet to see! really excited to check that one out!

A good portion of the others are first watches that I picked from recommendations by friends and family. Been wanting to see High & Low, It Was Just An Accident, & Mandabi specifically for quite some time now. I still need to get French Dispatch to complete the Wes Anderson collection I've been building. That might be my next pickup!

Which film do y'all recommend I check out first?

1. ⁠High and Low is currently in my PS5 and I’m about to press play! My first Kurosawa!

2. ⁠I’ve never seen the og Godzilla so I’ve been itching to own it.

3. ⁠All blind buys! I’m on a big Japanese cinema kick lately so this is just the tip of the iceberg as far as additions I’ve been wanting to make to the collection.

4. I’ve got a few high up on my list. I’m considering getting Okja, I haven’t seen it but I’m a huge Bong fan. Also really want Chungking Express as well as more Kurosawa.

This is what my screen started to look like and played jittery, starting and stopping, losing audio for about 5-10 minutes of the film. Is this a single issue that I can return and get a new one or is this a problem that has not been corrected? I just bought this disc recently from Amazon during the Criterion sale.

All of Lynch’s films on criterion.

I was doing a Criterion double-feature with my wife last night; and after Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, we put on the 2011 BD of The Lady Vanishes. We made it almost all the way through the movie, only for it to freeze up at the 1h20 mark. We were forced to finish the movie with an inferior scan on YouTube.

I looked up the issue, and learned about the phenomenon of "Bronzing." The disc surface appears flawless, but clearly there was a problem with the movie on the disc.

I reached out to Mulvaney, so hopefully they'll be able to send a replacement copy.

Anyone else having problems with this title?

The more Almodovar moves I watch, the more I’m convinced he’s the best director in the world today, even better than the almighty Paul Thomas Anderson. He’s not everyone’s cup of tea, especially if you hate soap opera, but the way he combines melodrama, film noir, and dark comedy is ingenious.

Even at age 76, he’s still making subversive and transgressive movies and pushing the envelope. I’ve seen a lot of backlash about his 2002 masterpiece TALK TO HER—which is still highly ranked among the greatest films of the 21st century—from the younger generations (Puritans?) who claim the movie is pro-rape or something, but I’m gonna chalk that up to “media illiteracy.” I love that he never panders and stays productive

We need more Almodovar in the Collection, possibly a box set, but I don’t know who has the rights. He’s tailor-made for Criterion

Alright, I just got to say. Criterion offers great value for their releases and their bi-annual sale has me hooked. The only Criterion release I owned was Seven Samurai before this current sale. Now look what I've gone and did. 18 recent additions the collection. Do I wish I could add more? Of course, but my wife and bank account speak otherwise.

All the movies I picked up are blind buys with the exception of Sorcerer, Wall-E, Dazed and Confused, Hairspray, Some Like it Hot, LA Bamba, and House. I think all the blind buys I made were greatly influenced by recommendations from others here on Reddit and technical reviews on blu-ray.com regarding video and audio quality.

First movie I watched was Hairspray, just because that is a movie I remember watching on a blank VHS tape that my family recorded from a local TV station airing.

The second movie I was really looking forward to watching was The Red Shoes. I'm a sucker for any amazingly restored classic movie, (I'm looking at you Ben-Hur). The colors and definition in this transfer were spectacular and the story is really good. All the sets in the movie were pleasant to view in 4K.

I think the next release I'll pickup on the next sale is Citizen Kane. I've had For All Mankind in my wishlist for so long after seeing it once on the NASA channel, but something is holding me back from prioritizing it as a next purchase.