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Edited July 11, 2022
at 12:10 PM
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The semi-annual Criterion Collection sale at Barnes & Noble is now active -
Criterion Collection [barnesandnoble.com]
Online and in store. Coupons and members discount will likely not apply during this sale.
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You can see this by comparing still images of Criterion releases to standard, such as Dazed and Confused or Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
Criterion actually introduced the concept of special features as a thing and studios began copying it (but to a less deep instance).
Every month 5 or so new titles get announced and released. The films run across cinematic history and genre and nearly every genre has a good number of Criterion titles.
At a 50 off sale the prices are great and worth getting into.
Other boutique labels exist but my other favs are Scream Factory and Arrow, both focus on cult and horror films
Most of all, they dig up stuff that is clearly non-mainstream. Films from the 1920s-1960s. Historical eras long lost to most U.S. viewers. Foreign films, often in original soundtrack with subtitles (yes, you have to either learn the foreign language or read the subtitles -- deal with it!). Many of these are clearly not made with a profit-motive but clearly just to preserve some cinema history and make it available to an audience again in the highest quality possible.
Also most of their hardcopy (disc) editions sell-out and are unavailable after a while, and become collector's items, though I'm not saying to buy them for resale, but be aware things are available for usually a year or less only.Finally there is an online streaming Criterion Channel that you can subscribe to ($89/year I think). Movies rotate in and out, just like Netflix. There are always at least 50+ things to watch I think. If you have taken a break from Netflix or other streaming services, consider giving Criterion Channel a shot. Watch some old stuff you probably didn't even know about -- you might like it! And you are supporting a good cause.
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Criterion Collection [barnesandnoble.com]
This advance notice should give you time to consider what movies you may want to buy when the sale starts.
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You can see this by comparing still images of Criterion releases to standard, such as Dazed and Confused or Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
Criterion actually introduced the concept of special features as a thing and studios began copying it (but to a less deep instance).
Every month 5 or so new titles get announced and released. The films run across cinematic history and genre and nearly every genre has a good number of Criterion titles.
At a 50 off sale the prices are great and worth getting into.
Other boutique labels exist but my other favs are Scream Factory and Arrow, both focus on cult and horror films
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank RowdyReptile
You can see this by comparing still images of Criterion releases to standard, such as Dazed and Confused or Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
Criterion actually introduced the concept of special features as a thing and studios began copying it (but to a less deep instance).
Every month 5 or so new titles get announced and released. The films run across cinematic history and genre and nearly every genre has a good number of Criterion titles.
At a 50 off sale the prices are great and worth getting into.
Other boutique labels exist but my other favs are Scream Factory and Arrow, both focus on cult and horror films
The Princess Bride is my all-time favorite and I've bought it across several versions of DVD, Blu-ray and digital 4K. I've read the William Goldman novel (loved it!) and recently read the Cary Elwes book "As You Wish", detailing his time on the set.
Now you've got me tempted to buy the Criterion version [criterion.com] for the special features. It includes "
Edited 1987 audiobook reading of Goldman's novel The Princess Bride by Reiner", although I see that's also available on hoopla [hoopladigital.com], which is a far more convenient way to listen to it, rather than sitting in my living room listening to a track on the blu-ray.
Most of all, they dig up stuff that is clearly non-mainstream. Films from the 1920s-1960s. Historical eras long lost to most U.S. viewers. Foreign films, often in original soundtrack with subtitles (yes, you have to either learn the foreign language or read the subtitles -- deal with it!). Many of these are clearly not made with a profit-motive but clearly just to preserve some cinema history and make it available to an audience again in the highest quality possible.
Also most of their hardcopy (disc) editions sell-out and are unavailable after a while, and become collector's items, though I'm not saying to buy them for resale, but be aware things are available for usually a year or less only.Finally there is an online streaming Criterion Channel that you can subscribe to ($89/year I think). Movies rotate in and out, just like Netflix. There are always at least 50+ things to watch I think. If you have taken a break from Netflix or other streaming services, consider giving Criterion Channel a shot. Watch some old stuff you probably didn't even know about -- you might like it! And you are supporting a good cause.
You can see this by comparing still images of Criterion releases to standard, such as Dazed and Confused or Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
Criterion actually introduced the concept of special features as a thing and studios began copying it (but to a less deep instance).
Every month 5 or so new titles get announced and released. The films run across cinematic history and genre and nearly every genre has a good number of Criterion titles.
At a 50 off sale the prices are great and worth getting into.
Other boutique labels exist but my other favs are Scream Factory and Arrow, both focus on cult and horror films
Not just the image but audio too.
This collection even has the proto-Star Wars, originally named The Hidden Fortress. A princess that has to be rescued, evil enemies, a secret transport, two servants (if this reminds you of C3PO and R2-D2, you're on the right track.) Oh, it's a Japanese film.
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I'll be getting Sound of Metal for sure in the November sale.
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You can see this by comparing still images of Criterion releases to standard, such as Dazed and Confused or Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
Criterion actually introduced the concept of special features as a thing and studios began copying it (but to a less deep instance).
Every month 5 or so new titles get announced and released. The films run across cinematic history and genre and nearly every genre has a good number of Criterion titles.
At a 50 off sale the prices are great and worth getting into.
Other boutique labels exist but my other favs are Scream Factory and Arrow, both focus on cult and horror films
What they offer today in comparision to the rest of the market for the premium price is a shell of its former self.
I keep buying them as they do get exclusive rights to a number of films I'm interested in having the highest quality possible. That said, these days you have to look around for each release, just because Criterion releases it doesn't always mean the best presentation that is out there for each release, where that used to be almost a guarantee.
And the special features can be a real hit or miss - expecially given standard studio issue discs now have special featues as the norm (which as you say Criterion was first to market with this concept)
The fact DVDs are still the biggest seller for them speaks volumes instead of actually presenting to the highest technical specifications which used to be an actual motto they had.
Also, I'm sure some Criterion acolytes have memorized the content of every Collection, but not everyone has. No excuse for not having even a minimal description.