complete Criterion collection

Just wondering if anyone on the forums owns the complete Criterion collection, including all the OOP titles? (actual Criterion discs only; burned copies don't count).

Obviously they are releasing new titles all the time, but as of this posting, the most recent release is White Material (Spine #560)... so for the sake of argument, let's say that a "complete" collection would include everything up to this title.

(I'm not counting the Eclipse Series as part of the "regular" Criterion line, since they don't have spine numbers... but if you collect these as well, feel free to mention how many you've got).

Currently I've got just over 500 of the 560 spines (including quite a few of the OOP titles), plus about 18 of the 26 Eclipse sets.

 

I'm not even close. I have a little more than 100 though. You're a MONSTER!

 

Wow man, you are in possession of what is known as the HOLY GRAIL to us film geeks. I must come to your home and worship your collection. I'll even wear a snuggie to appear as if I am from a strange cult.

 

It's an attractive thought, but if it means I'd have to own Armageddon, Chasing Amy, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button I think I'll pass.

 

Rocker, does your collection include LDs, DVDs and Blu-rays, or is it just DVDs?

 

Not even close at about 40 discs. But I will never have all as I don't like most of the films. I won't buy a movie just because its on Criterion.

 

Mine consists of DVDs only... I came into the Criterion game long after LDs went the way of the dodo, and I have no plans to upgrade to Blu-Ray... DVDs are good enough for me.

 

My Criterion blu-rays make the DVD equivelants look like balls...what the hell was wrong with Benjamin Button?

 

It's a rehash of Forrest Gump with all the same narrative/character problems (at least that's what I find wrong with it).

As a film nut I have to say I wish I owned most of the Criterion Collection simply to familiarize myself with so many foreign films I haven't seen. The packaging is always nicely designed too. I always feel like I'm getting something special with one their releases.

 

Yes.

 

Heads up for any Canadian forum members in the GTA who are Criterion collectors... the Scarborough Deja Vu Discs location has quite a large batch of Criterion DVDs in stock at the moment... someone was in recently and unloaded a few dozen titles, so they probably have at least a few you're looking for, if you're a serious collector.

There were only 4 titles in the bunch that I needed, but hey, it's better than nothing!

 

The Criterion Blu-ray of The Seventh Seal is quite extraordinary compared to the standard Criterion DVD. Plus, for a while, Criterion was doing the stupid practice of adding black borders around the image to compensate for old CRT TV over scan. Idiotic and unacceptable!

Top, Criterion DVD. Bottom Criterion Blu-ray.

 

I was reviewing DVDs for my old magazine and for a while I was on the Criterion promo list -- full-art promo versions of every single Criterion release for a little over two years. EASILY the one and only thing I miss about that job!

Anyway, thanks to that, I've got around 200 Criterion discs (including quite a few OOP ones too), but I can't really afford to keep up on them now. Besides, I still have at least 40 that I've never had time to watch, so I can hardly justify it!

 

I've got 301, and two of the Eclipse sets.
I have no intention of getting them all, and no desire to buy blu-rays.

 

Too bad. Blu-rays are a big improvement...

 

Criterion does offer a trade up deal for blu-rays too.

 

Is the Criterion trade up still going? I was considering it and looked around Criterion's site but found no mention of it. I assume they have discontinued this program.

If anyone knows that it is still active, please post a link, thanks.

 

I probably have about 100 Criterion titles and that's counting LD's, DVD's, and BD's. I still watch some of the LD's, like Showboat...I have The Producers framed as Wall Art. How long till I'm framing the DVD's? ....or even the BD's?

500...those are Babe Ruth or Hank Aaron like numbers!

 

I believe that they have discontinued the trade-up scheme due to lack of interest.

 

Thanks djcavanagh, seems like I was a little late to that.

 

You'd have to own "Slacker" as well. I sold that one after watching it. One of the half-dozen worst time expenditures I've ever had with movies.

I haven't counted but I probably have about half. No "Armageddon," no "Chasing Amy," and no "CCoBB" among them.

I've started to change my view on owning movies. I don't think it's necessary except for great ones. Here's my list of Criterion titles I don't think I'd ever give up:

Sweet Smell of Success
Night of the Hunter
Breathless
In the Mood for Love
Chungking Express
Rushmore
Days of Heaven
The Last Emperor
The Seventh Seal
Withnail and I
Sword of Doom
Tokyo Olympiad
Night and the City
Monterey Pop (for the Otis segment alone)
The Lady Eve
The Passion of Joan of Arc
8 1/2

I'll always keep all the Bunuel films as well.

I'm sure I'll also keep a lot of the Kurosawa films though I have to admit I've never liked any of them quite as much as I like those listed above.

 

It was "The Rock" that got me, although Armageddon is also it's own private hell.

 

I agree 100% (and the opposing view seems ridiculous).

I have: "M", "PEEPING TOM", "THIS IS SPINAL TAP", "SILENCE OF THE LAMBS", "CHASNG AMY", "HOOP DREAMS", "VIDEODROME", "DEAD RINGERS", "NAKED LUNCH", "THE ROCK", "FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS".

And am pretty happy with what I've got.


Of course I also have a mental list of titles that I think should be Criterion releases...

Anyone else do this?

 

Just filled in "My collection" on the Criterion site.

153 titles. All DVD.
One Eclipse set.

http://www.criterion.com/my_criterion/104960-nlgbbbblth/collection

 

The only ones I have are:

"My Own Private Idaho"
"Time Bandits"