100% agree. Redundant in so many ways. But it is a good starter pack for Criterion beginners. I've found their larger box sets make me less invested in individual titles and somehow diminishes a fillmmakers' catalogue. I've barely cracked my Bergman box set. Probably my biggest Criterion regret.
It's not strange at all. The market is for people who's houses burned down, and they lost all their Criterions in the fire that they want to replace for their second house. Isn't it obvious?
Seems to me an anniversary like this is something to be shared. At such a price point it's an isolated experience. I think a smaller more affordable set to honor their collection would have been more inviting especially to newcomers. Cheers, Daisuke.
Even at 400 bucks, half price, you'd be better off buying an all-region blu-ray player (if you don't already have one) and picking up some superior English-friendly import special editions. Have you seen the UK Curzon box sets box sets being imported by various online stores in the US? They're splendid and cheaper than this.
This is a fantastic analysis and thank you for taking the time and effort to do this. I just want to point out the obvious, that the DVD era is not over. The majority of films sold are in fact in the DVD format largely because they are simply more economical than blueray or 4K.
Yes but Criterion’s stated mission is to publish films in ‘editions of the highest technical quality’ - hence the move from DVD to blu-ray & now moving into 4K. Their stated mission isn’t to provide the most economical releases or releases that are on the most ‘popular’ format.
Hi Nathan! Then you'll be disappointed to hear that Criterion still sells DVD editions of many of their films. I bought three of their titles this week in that format because I'd rather have the films than not have them..
I was watching your cat o nine tails review when this dropped! Totally hear you on the price point. If I could have had this a few years ago at around a 300 dollar price point I’d be BEYOND happy. But I would love if they put out a dvd set of 100 movies for really cheap for the kids just getting into their cinema journey! 😂😂 for like 100bucks. The thrift store one dollar dvd pickups are hot with the youth now man 😂🤘it’s pretty cool seeing them enjoy it so much! cheers my friend!
No Wenders, No Kurosawa, No Lynch , No Antonioni, No Hitchcock, No Pasolini, No Oshima, No Fassbinder, No Kiarostami, No Haneke, No Keaton, No Melville , etc on CC40 set!!!
I lusted over that Janus box set back when I worked at Barnes & Noble, (in 2005-'07.) At the time I had exactly one Criterion Collection release, gifted to me for my '05 birthday, The Seventh Seal on DVD. I am excited for this release, not for myself (I do not have that kind of money,) but for all of the institutions, like my alma mater's film studies department, that will use this release as an entry point for Criterion Collection films. My Film & Culture professor, Philip Sipiora (at the University Of South Florida,) could design his entire semester around that box set and have films leftover for other courses.
This is a cool release. I doubt I’ll get it as it’s pretty expensive and I’ve got many of those movies, but it’s definitely a cool release. Thanks for giving your thoughts Daisuke, I hope you’re doing well. Have great rest of your weekend, take care!
I would have liked a mixed bag of Criterion treasures in the set. A few new titles, a few out of print titles brought back, and a few of these closet favorites. Would be cool to add all the Art House America features from the channel or some type of documentary about how the company evolved over 40 years.
Thank you for taking the time to talk about this recently announced box set, Daisuke. I remember very recently thinking about how cool it would be if Criterion did a release that was more focused on Criterion itself and this set does seem to come close to that concept. They really need to consult you before releasing another jumbo set. No doubt you would make suggestions that Criterion would hopefully take to heart. That hypothetical David Lynch Criterion box set I've heard you fantasize about is something I continue to dream of. I'm in agreement with a lot of what you talk about in this video. Criterion continues to bring me a lot of happiness and engagement with cinema. This box set isn't something I see myself investing in personally but I still think it's cool all the same. The most glaring issue with it is that it won't feature YOUR Criterion closet video. Looking forward to hearing you talk about the upcoming Criterion release announcements in the next few days, my friend! You have helped raise so much cinematic energy this weekend for me, yet again! I was watching Jaws 4 the other night and when it does the flashback scene it reminded me of a movie you suggested that I haven't yet seen called Sorcerer because apparently that has Roy Sheider! Thank you for everything as always, Daisuke! Cheers!
Solid points, worded very diplomatic as usual 👍. Without any subjective positive bias towards the CC: This seems to be nothing but a re-packaging of already existing titles. At the time of this writing there’s no announcement regarding new extras or new transfers. It’s old wine in a new bottle. And IMHO from a economical perspective this is totally legitimate. But: They shouldn’t try to sell it as „curating“ because it isn’t. If old collectors won’t mind double or triple dipping with the only benefit being a cloth bound box - I don’t think it’d be wise because my financial resources are somewhat limited but at the end oft he day it’s their money to spend. For new collector’s it’s too expensive. Potential sale prices should not be an argument, the list price should already reflect the value of „nothing new“. Just my opinion.
If I’m just starting out in a new hobby do i spend $50,000 on the best equipment available or do i buy something cheaper to see if i like it first before i spend $$$ ? Would someone who has never bought a criterion disc before suddenly decide to drop $800 on this set (especially when many of the titles inside they may not even like) or would they buy one or two single titles that appealed to them to dip their toe into the water ?
Good point. Although if someone is new, I would recommend they watch some of these films on streaming to see if it's their "cup of tea" so to speak. It's a lot of money to spend if you don't like more than half of the content.
@@heartofcinema3454 it would be the same with any box set though. I know seasoned collectors would love a box of 40 new titles, but that's literally impossible. They don't have the facilities or the staff to pull that off on top of all the work they're already doing
Hi daisuke, hope you're well. I would have preferred a bluray upgrade of 40 films in the cc which are only dvd. For example, I know where I'm going and Jigoku. But it is what it is. As I have 28 of 40 of the films on bluray I'm glad I won't have to worry about it. Thanks for the video sir.
I think something truly wild to do for "CC 40" would have been much more experimental and ambitious. The Case and Capacity of the package is fixed and "Non-Specific", very standard and minimalist. BUT the FILMS INSIDE of the set are up to EACH VIEWER to choose from! Obviously...there would be restrictions to titles that were in print, available in terms of license holding etc etc...but imagine if each customer were given the choice to curate THEIR OWN 40 Film Criterion set of any 40 films of their choosing? The appeal being that they are getting their "Top 40" titles at an incredible "bundle rate" with condensed and concise packaging. Yes, in terms of logistics that would have been quite hard to manage and make happen, but again, if the packaging was "fixed" and non-specific, and customers were only choosing from a pool of films to include the 40 of their choice...I think it could have been something REALLY special and amazing.
I feel the same way as it's such a huge surprise, Daisuke! Very happy to see Criterion finally celebrating their 40th anniversary with their top 40 titles they've released from their catalog, as well those celebrities picking them out during their trip to The Criterion Closet. It is a very solid selection the label went with, only seen 32 out of 40 on this particular set (also own 8 of those picks, too). I could say that it is a perfect (yet large) starter pack to those who on collecting & watching Criterion, yet I am okay with buying each title individually instead. You know what is missing on this set: Citizen Kane & anything by Kurosawa or Lynch. Those are important ones to consider on another note. But still... What an brilliant & massive way to celebrate 40 years in bringing the best of the best on home video in the most special edition treatment we all know (starting from the laserdisc era up to 4K today). Hope you & your family are doing wonderful these days while keep on watching more great cinema, my friend. 👍 P.S. I see that Kino-Video box set on Wong Kar-Wai on your shelves besides Hellraiser, which looks pretty cool since then. I still dig some Kar-Wai (Chunking Express is my favorite of his following Fallen Angels)
Hi Daisuke, hope you and family are well. Nice collection but i’m probably not the ideal client (I stopped collecting a few years ago). It would be an idea to use that list and view the films that I missed (happy to see «Jules et Jim», «Cléo from 5 to 7» and «Yi Yi» in the collection.) Cheers!
i typically try to stay away from more mainstream, NA titles when it comes to my Criterion collecting habits (trying to stick with international titles that i never would have heard of if it weren't for Criterion) so a good handful of these are currently not on my shelf. i will be grabbing this great set not only for that reason, but also as a physical celebratory piece of the collection at large and with it the glorious closet series. a lot of people seem to be unable to wrap their head around that idea and choosing to chastise Criterion after years of giving us great product; that they come out with something substantial that does not cater to their ideal form of a momentous release.
My "CG40" would be: 1. Godzilla 2. Godzilla Raids Again 3. King Kong vs Godzilla 4. Mothra 5. Mothra vs Godzilla 6. Ghidorah the Three Headed Monster 7. Invasion of Astro Monster 8. Ebirah, horror of the deep 9. Son of Godzilla 10. Destroy All Monsters 11. All Monsters Attack 12. Godzilla vs Hedorah 13. Godzilla vs Gigan 14. Godzilla vs Megalon 15. Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla 16. Terror of MechaGodzilla 17. The Return of Godzilla 18. Godzilla vs Biollante 19. Godzilla vs King Ghidorah 20. Godzilla vs Mothra 21. Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla II 22. Godzilla vs SpaceGodzilla 23. Godzilla vs Destoroyah 24. Godzilla 1998 25. Godzilla 2000 26. Godzilla vs Megaguirus 27. Godzilla, Mothra & King Ghidorah 28. Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla 29. Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S 30. Godzilla: Final Wars 31. Shin Godzilla 32. Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters 33. Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle 34. Godzilla: The Planet Eater 35. Godzilla 2014 36. Kong: Skull Island 37. Godzilla: King of the Monsters 38. Godzilla vs Kong 39. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire 40. Godzilla Minus One
Ive been looking forward to your take on this set. I, too, am "underwhelmed." That price point is... OVERWHELMING! Im trying to rationalize picking it up... having all the essays in one book would be nice. I'll wait for your set review on November...
I think this is an odd idea for criterion especially considering how much deliberate care that they put into the presentation, packaging, art, and feel of the individual movies. As well, it doesn't really feel like you're getting 40 different movies to jumpstart your criterion collection, it feels as if you're getting a singular product with 40 movies in it, and a book with all the supplemental essays.
It’s a good selection of films I think, but some of these I want on 4k, and part of the benefit of Criterion is the packaging and you’re not saving that much money per movie. If you $600 to drop on anything you’re probably going to save it for the full versions.
I would say this set shows how proud Criterion are of the closet videos as you say quite rightly they great fun it’s not a set for criterion seasoned collectors who will invariably have all or most of these titles but it’s an excellent entry to the collection. I would have loved them bringing out a smaller set specifically bringing back titles more rare that are out of print or as yet unavailable on bluray like The Third Man, Grand Illusion etc, it remains to be seen whether the price will drop more through sales. But it’s a nice set.
I think for an educational institution or a beginning collector this is a good thing. Wait for a flash sale when it's half off and that's a great way to Jumpstart a collection.
I’m a new collector and I wouldn’t spend that much money on 40 movies, most of which I haven’t even seen. I’d accept it as a gift though if anyone is offering. Lol
@@extofer If you do the math it’s about $15.99 a film, which is a good price for Criterion quality. But I admit, you must have deep pockets to get the boxset.
@@marcl2213 No. Because assuming the boxset is $400 during the 50% off sales, it would mean each film is $10. Still expensive, but not as expensive as you are claiming.
This was an easy cop out for Criterion; instead of getting director specific box sets we get this rehash of stuff that most of us already own that have been available already for ages.
As a new collector I wouldn’t shell out that much money on 40 films - most of which I haven’t seen. I find it strange some of their most notable directors like Scorsese, Lynch and Linklater are completely absent. Seems like a 40 year anniversary set would include them. Also it undermines the 4k upgrades that some of these films have or are getting. Repo Man is coming to 4k just next month.
the curation is based off of their popularity in their Closet Picks series, but still surprised none of the directors you mentioned or even kurosawa made it
I think it’s what people are missing about the collection, there is a certain «editorial choice» that not everyone is going to agree with. For example, if someone knows french cinema well they could say that it’s poorly represented in the collection. Therefore the collection is subjective. (for the directors missing don’t forget that most edition have bonuses, analysis, audio commentaries, etc. If you don’t have a majority of these the film is not edited).
To get CC40 box set means a larger amount of money investment once!!!and there are on the current market of physical media boutique labels also several interesting releases which have more reasonable and accesible prices than the CC40! If I decides purchase the CC40 box set, sure I have to stop ordering physical media for a period of almost 6 months!
If new to Criterion I would recommend absolutely not buying CC40 without first screening vast majority on The Criterion Channel or another streaming service. This set would be a great deal (July/Nov sale) assuming you would want to own at least 35'ish of them. On the other hand, if you like thrill of blind buys, go for it. Personally I've watched/screened exactly 31 on the list, and maybe half I like and/or own, so the set definitely not for me. Now if you're new to Criterion and are on the receiving end where someone gifts the set to you, then great.
I think they should reverse course on this. Sell the units already in production (scarcity will produce uts own value), and go back to the drawing board. And what they ought to do is release a number of titles (it doesn't have to be forty) from the out-of-print list: Dreyer, certain Kurosawa, Renoir, Alphaville, and then perhaps announce a major new release that will be in the box, something like Orson Welles's Other Side of the Wind.
I have watched dozens of their criterion closet videos and I don’t recall most of these ever being picked. It almost seems like an excuse for the randomness of the collection. Something more carefully curated would have piqued my interest. Also, I have a hard time shelling out that kind of cash for blu rays when we are nearly 10 years into the 4K era at this point. Missed opportunity on this set…
Good titles. Maybe good for those who's starting out to collect Criterion Blurays. For the rest of us who already own some of those titles, not really that much of a deal.
Criterion's Christmas cash grab. You can get these blu-rays individually with better packaging - often at a better price - some titles are probably available, or will be, in 4k editions from other labels. Criterion continues to disappoint. Maybe some folks can sucker a friend or relative to gift it for the holidays. Frankly, a subscription to the Criterion channel is a better option and you can check out which of the films randomly included aren't worth owning.
personally I prefer the individual releases for their art etc, but price wise it's really not even a conversation. The set is already less expensive than purchasing everything individually now, let alone when a sale hits which is likely the only time they're moving the overwhelming majority of these.
@@dystopiabeach Perhaps, but will many people care about all 40 of these titles to drop $400 (at best) on this set. Most folks probably own a lot of these films already as well. Personally, a lot of these titles are definitely a matter of individual taste, particularly because it's randomly curated. I suppose if you're talking diehard Criterion collectors, dropping whatever amount on this is just a matter of completist shelf value.
@@TheVid54 that's just shifting the goal posts though. the initial assertion was that it's more expensive when it's not was my only point. Obviously it's worth nothing to someone who already owns them separately/with no interest in those 40 films, not really relevant though.
It's a damned if they do, damned if they don't regarding the content of a set like this, it's either all re-releases in which case fans are potentially uninterested because they already own them, or they put some new movies in and people complain that they can't get a complete collection without having to pay for a super expensive boxset.
When I saw this announcement the other day, the first thing I thought of was that mammoth Janus set. I doubt it may sell well because this set seems awfully repetitive to us hardcore Criterion fans, and seems priced far too high for a casual viewer, but it would certainly be welcome purchases for universities and public libraries.
I know there is so much negativity around this release. What I wish people understand is that these items are intended for libraries. I fell in love with Criterion with the old 20 Years of Janus Boxset at my tiny, rinky dink library in Canada. Now we have a whole other generation that can access these films in bulk, for cheap, as a treasure to the public.
Oh, incredible! Yes. Some kid will stumble across those old Criterions and benefit. I watched 81/2, Badlands, Army of Shadows, Vengeance is Mine at the library. I thought they were so eye-catching. . . I recognized the Janus box behind the glass from those first DVDs. It was magical. That's why I'm happy for this box set. I remember Knife in the Water and L'Aventuura and Ikiru from that set. I started collecting but it was a great trial ground.
@marcl2213 There will be those filmmakers that emerge from this. I taught a Film Studies course in Hanoi last year and they had the Janus set. But THIS I could have persuaded Vietnamese 18 yearolds to check out! "Do the Right Thing." Check out the CC-40 and start with that. Easy going or right into the deep! That could lead my Nolan fan boys in Hanoi to "Kubrick" in a unique way . . . I love it.
They could have used the same format & released these 40 titles on 4K for the first time in this set - then you still have something for people who already own a lot other criterion discs & something for new collectors. Criterion fans will already own many of these titles on blu-ray & if someone has never bought a Criterion disc I’m not sure they would jump right in at the deep end & spend $800 on a random collection of films chosen by other people - many of which they may not even like.
Not sure about these type of collections if not 4k some of these have been released on 4k already so for 650 bucks don't think I will be purchasing this set
Random thoughts: 1. Like most Criterion collectors, I already have all the discs in this ultra-pricey set. 2. I wouldn't have minded the repetition and the price AND I would've been waiting to get it had most of the movies in the set were of the same caliber as those in the beloved "Essential Art House: 50 Years of Janus Films" box set. The selection in this set feels so random and so thoughless. 3. "Ran" on 4K as an individual disc or the complete Kurosawa on Blu-ray would've been a better and more exciting release. 4. The "Do the Right Thing" artwork doesn't scream or represent the cinema I associate with Criterion, and the Criterion logo here reminds of the the logo of Rob Marshall's "Chicago" ;).
Seems disrespectful to all the fans of Criterion who have supported them over the past 40 years...shouldn't there be something for us, not just newbies?
It would technically save me money but I prefer having individual cases for each movie.
Especially with individual EU shipping / VAT, etc.
Hey Daisuke, great to see you! This is a strange one. Too expensive for most new people to Criterion. Too repetitive for us collectors.
100% agree. Redundant in so many ways. But it is a good starter pack for Criterion beginners. I've found their larger box sets make me less invested in individual titles and somehow diminishes a fillmmakers' catalogue. I've barely cracked my Bergman box set. Probably my biggest Criterion regret.
It’s a stocking stuffer for rich people.
@@yskim2636Bergman just doesn’t do it for me.
@@extoferRich people don’t watch Criterion Films, let’s be honest.
It's not strange at all. The market is for people who's houses burned down, and they lost all their Criterions in the fire that they want to replace for their second house. Isn't it obvious?
The big question on this channel is whether or not Daisuke will ultimately purchase this gigantic set. My money is on yes!
Seems to me an anniversary like this is something to be shared. At such a price point it's an isolated experience. I think a smaller more affordable set to honor their collection would have been more inviting especially to newcomers. Cheers, Daisuke.
Even at 400 bucks, half price, you'd be better off buying an all-region blu-ray player (if you don't already have one) and picking up some superior English-friendly import special editions. Have you seen the UK Curzon box sets box sets being imported by various online stores in the US? They're splendid and cheaper than this.
This is a fantastic analysis and thank you for taking the time and effort to do this. I just want to point out the obvious, that the DVD era is not over. The majority of films sold are in fact in the DVD format largely because they are simply more economical than blueray or 4K.
I think a lot of these UA-cam collectors forget just how big dvds still are. There’s a reason why Walmart still sells them. People still buy them.
Yes but Criterion’s stated mission is to publish films in ‘editions of the highest technical quality’ - hence the move from DVD to blu-ray & now moving into 4K. Their stated mission isn’t to provide the most economical releases or releases that are on the most ‘popular’ format.
Hi Nathan! Then you'll be disappointed to hear that Criterion still sells DVD editions of many of their films. I bought three of their titles this week in that format because I'd rather have the films than not have them..
We need a supercut of all the times Daisuke says "cloth bound"
I was watching your cat o nine tails review when this dropped! Totally hear you on the price point. If I could have had this a few years ago at around a 300 dollar price point I’d be BEYOND happy. But I would love if they put out a dvd set of 100 movies for really cheap for the kids just getting into their cinema journey! 😂😂 for like 100bucks. The thrift store one dollar dvd pickups are hot with the youth now man 😂🤘it’s pretty cool seeing them enjoy it so much! cheers my friend!
No Wenders, No Kurosawa, No Lynch , No Antonioni, No Hitchcock, No Pasolini, No Oshima, No Fassbinder, No Kiarostami, No Haneke, No Keaton, No Melville , etc on CC40 set!!!
If the sales are good for this first collection, the ones cited maybe in the next boxset!
I lusted over that Janus box set back when I worked at Barnes & Noble, (in 2005-'07.) At the time I had exactly one Criterion Collection release, gifted to me for my '05 birthday, The Seventh Seal on DVD.
I am excited for this release, not for myself (I do not have that kind of money,) but for all of the institutions, like my alma mater's film studies department, that will use this release as an entry point for Criterion Collection films. My Film & Culture professor, Philip Sipiora (at the University Of South Florida,) could design his entire semester around that box set and have films leftover for other courses.
Same. I wanted that set so bad, but I couldn't afford it on BN money...
This is a cool release. I doubt I’ll get it as it’s pretty expensive and I’ve got many of those movies, but it’s definitely a cool release. Thanks for giving your thoughts Daisuke, I hope you’re doing well. Have great rest of your weekend, take care!
I would have liked a mixed bag of Criterion treasures in the set. A few new titles, a few out of print titles brought back, and a few of these closet favorites. Would be cool to add all the Art House America features from the channel or some type of documentary about how the company evolved over 40 years.
Thank you for taking the time to talk about this recently announced box set, Daisuke. I remember very recently thinking about how cool it would be if Criterion did a release that was more focused on Criterion itself and this set does seem to come close to that concept. They really need to consult you before releasing another jumbo set. No doubt you would make suggestions that Criterion would hopefully take to heart. That hypothetical David Lynch Criterion box set I've heard you fantasize about is something I continue to dream of. I'm in agreement with a lot of what you talk about in this video. Criterion continues to bring me a lot of happiness and engagement with cinema. This box set isn't something I see myself investing in personally but I still think it's cool all the same. The most glaring issue with it is that it won't feature YOUR Criterion closet video. Looking forward to hearing you talk about the upcoming Criterion release announcements in the next few days, my friend! You have helped raise so much cinematic energy this weekend for me, yet again! I was watching Jaws 4 the other night and when it does the flashback scene it reminded me of a movie you suggested that I haven't yet seen called Sorcerer because apparently that has Roy Sheider! Thank you for everything as always, Daisuke! Cheers!
Solid points, worded very diplomatic as usual 👍. Without any subjective positive bias towards the CC: This seems to be nothing but a re-packaging of already existing titles. At the time of this writing there’s no announcement regarding new extras or new transfers. It’s old wine in a new bottle. And IMHO from a economical perspective this is totally legitimate. But: They shouldn’t try to sell it as „curating“ because it isn’t. If old collectors won’t mind double or triple dipping with the only benefit being a cloth bound box - I don’t think it’d be wise because my financial resources are somewhat limited but at the end oft he day it’s their money to spend. For new collector’s it’s too expensive. Potential sale prices should not be an argument, the list price should already reflect the value of „nothing new“. Just my opinion.
Finally you can have all these essays in a book format. I’m excited for you to get this.
Thank you very much. Yes a bound book.
Criterion Collection Starter Kit. Great for those who are starting out.
If I’m just starting out in a new hobby do i spend $50,000 on the best equipment available or do i buy something cheaper to see if i like it first before i spend $$$ ? Would someone who has never bought a criterion disc before suddenly decide to drop $800 on this set (especially when many of the titles inside they may not even like) or would they buy one or two single titles that appealed to them to dip their toe into the water ?
@@nathanthomas5133false equivalency. $50,000 is not the same as $400 for 40 highly recommended movies during a sale
Good point. Although if someone is new, I would recommend they watch some of these films on streaming to see if it's their "cup of tea" so to speak. It's a lot of money to spend if you don't like more than half of the content.
@@heartofcinema3454 it would be the same with any box set though. I know seasoned collectors would love a box of 40 new titles, but that's literally impossible. They don't have the facilities or the staff to pull that off on top of all the work they're already doing
Hi daisuke, hope you're well. I would have preferred a bluray upgrade of 40 films in the cc which are only dvd. For example, I know where I'm going and Jigoku. But it is what it is. As I have 28 of 40 of the films on bluray I'm glad I won't have to worry about it. Thanks for the video sir.
I think something truly wild to do for "CC 40" would have been much more experimental and ambitious.
The Case and Capacity of the package is fixed and "Non-Specific", very standard and minimalist. BUT the FILMS INSIDE of the set are up to EACH VIEWER to choose from!
Obviously...there would be restrictions to titles that were in print, available in terms of license holding etc etc...but imagine if each customer were given the choice to curate THEIR OWN 40 Film Criterion set of any 40 films of their choosing? The appeal being that they are getting their "Top 40" titles at an incredible "bundle rate" with condensed and concise packaging.
Yes, in terms of logistics that would have been quite hard to manage and make happen, but again, if the packaging was "fixed" and non-specific, and customers were only choosing from a pool of films to include the 40 of their choice...I think it could have been something REALLY special and amazing.
I feel the same way as it's such a huge surprise, Daisuke! Very happy to see Criterion finally celebrating their 40th anniversary with their top 40 titles they've released from their catalog, as well those celebrities picking them out during their trip to The Criterion Closet. It is a very solid selection the label went with, only seen 32 out of 40 on this particular set (also own 8 of those picks, too). I could say that it is a perfect (yet large) starter pack to those who on collecting & watching Criterion, yet I am okay with buying each title individually instead. You know what is missing on this set: Citizen Kane & anything by Kurosawa or Lynch. Those are important ones to consider on another note. But still... What an brilliant & massive way to celebrate 40 years in bringing the best of the best on home video in the most special edition treatment we all know (starting from the laserdisc era up to 4K today). Hope you & your family are doing wonderful these days while keep on watching more great cinema, my friend. 👍
P.S. I see that Kino-Video box set on Wong Kar-Wai on your shelves besides Hellraiser, which looks pretty cool since then. I still dig some Kar-Wai (Chunking Express is my favorite of his following Fallen Angels)
That Janus box set is so nice
Hi Daisuke, hope you and family are well. Nice collection but i’m probably not the ideal client (I stopped collecting a few years ago). It would be an idea to use that list and view the films that I missed (happy to see «Jules et Jim», «Cléo from 5 to 7» and «Yi Yi» in the collection.) Cheers!
i typically try to stay away from more mainstream, NA titles when it comes to my Criterion collecting habits (trying to stick with international titles that i never would have heard of if it weren't for Criterion) so a good handful of these are currently not on my shelf. i will be grabbing this great set not only for that reason, but also as a physical celebratory piece of the collection at large and with it the glorious closet series.
a lot of people seem to be unable to wrap their head around that idea and choosing to chastise Criterion after years of giving us great product; that they come out with something substantial that does not cater to their ideal form of a momentous release.
My "CG40" would be:
1. Godzilla
2. Godzilla Raids Again
3. King Kong vs Godzilla
4. Mothra
5. Mothra vs Godzilla
6. Ghidorah the Three Headed Monster
7. Invasion of Astro Monster
8. Ebirah, horror of the deep
9. Son of Godzilla
10. Destroy All Monsters
11. All Monsters Attack
12. Godzilla vs Hedorah
13. Godzilla vs Gigan
14. Godzilla vs Megalon
15. Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla
16. Terror of MechaGodzilla
17. The Return of Godzilla
18. Godzilla vs Biollante
19. Godzilla vs King Ghidorah
20. Godzilla vs Mothra
21. Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla II
22. Godzilla vs SpaceGodzilla
23. Godzilla vs Destoroyah
24. Godzilla 1998
25. Godzilla 2000
26. Godzilla vs Megaguirus
27. Godzilla, Mothra & King Ghidorah
28. Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla
29. Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S
30. Godzilla: Final Wars
31. Shin Godzilla
32. Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters
33. Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle
34. Godzilla: The Planet Eater
35. Godzilla 2014
36. Kong: Skull Island
37. Godzilla: King of the Monsters
38. Godzilla vs Kong
39. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
40. Godzilla Minus One
Thank you for your well balanced perspective on this release.
Take a shot every time Daisuke says Criterion Collection :D
Ive been looking forward to your take on this set. I, too, am "underwhelmed." That price point is... OVERWHELMING! Im trying to rationalize picking it up... having all the essays in one book would be nice. I'll wait for your set review on November...
I think this is an odd idea for criterion especially considering how much deliberate care that they put into the presentation, packaging, art, and feel of the individual movies. As well, it doesn't really feel like you're getting 40 different movies to jumpstart your criterion collection, it feels as if you're getting a singular product with 40 movies in it, and a book with all the supplemental essays.
It’s a good selection of films I think, but some of these I want on 4k, and part of the benefit of Criterion is the packaging and you’re not saving that much money per movie. If you $600 to drop on anything you’re probably going to save it for the full versions.
PLEASE do a video on the November announcements!
Thank you! The video will be uploaded later today 😊👍
My only question: Will it be in the Criterion Closet?
Ha!! I dare them! And I dare the closet visitor to have the nerve to take it..
I would say this set shows how proud Criterion are of the closet videos as you say quite rightly they great fun it’s not a set for criterion seasoned collectors who will invariably have all or most of these titles but it’s an excellent entry to the collection. I would have loved them bringing out a smaller set specifically bringing back titles more rare that are out of print or as yet unavailable on bluray like The Third Man, Grand Illusion etc, it remains to be seen whether the price will drop more through sales. But it’s a nice set.
I think for an educational institution or a beginning collector this is a good thing. Wait for a flash sale when it's half off and that's a great way to Jumpstart a collection.
I’m a new collector and I wouldn’t spend that much money on 40 movies, most of which I haven’t even seen. I’d accept it as a gift though if anyone is offering. Lol
@@extofer If you do the math it’s about $15.99 a film, which is a good price for Criterion quality. But I admit, you must have deep pockets to get the boxset.
@@marcl2213 No. Because assuming the boxset is $400 during the 50% off sales, it would mean each film is $10. Still expensive, but not as expensive as you are claiming.
This was an easy cop out for Criterion; instead of getting director specific box sets we get this rehash of stuff that most of us already own that have been available already for ages.
As a new collector I wouldn’t shell out that much money on 40 films - most of which I haven’t seen. I find it strange some of their most notable directors like Scorsese, Lynch and Linklater are completely absent. Seems like a 40 year anniversary set would include them. Also it undermines the 4k upgrades that some of these films have or are getting. Repo Man is coming to 4k just next month.
the curation is based off of their popularity in their Closet Picks series, but still surprised none of the directors you mentioned or even kurosawa made it
I think it’s what people are missing about the collection, there is a certain «editorial choice» that not everyone is going to agree with. For example, if someone knows french cinema well they could say that it’s poorly represented in the collection. Therefore the collection is subjective. (for the directors missing don’t forget that most edition have bonuses, analysis, audio commentaries, etc. If you don’t have a majority of these the film is not edited).
During a 50% off sale when its $400, I look forward to getting this! I have 9 already but 31 will be new :)
It’s $800?!
@@metalfacemoviereviews8979 It'll never sell for $800, more like $600, but SRP is $800 so it'll be half off of that during a sale
I'd get it for 5€ a disc, 200€ max.
To get CC40 box set means a larger amount of money investment once!!!and there are on the current market of physical media boutique labels also several interesting releases which have more reasonable and accesible prices than the CC40! If I decides purchase the CC40 box set, sure I have to stop ordering physical media for a period of almost 6 months!
Greetings from LA. Hope you been by Bruster’s ice cream. I want to DVD set but it’s way to expensive for me to ever buy.
If new to Criterion I would recommend absolutely not buying CC40 without first screening vast majority on The Criterion Channel or another streaming service. This set would be a great deal (July/Nov sale) assuming you would want to own at least 35'ish of them. On the other hand, if you like thrill of blind buys, go for it. Personally I've watched/screened exactly 31 on the list, and maybe half I like and/or own, so the set definitely not for me. Now if you're new to Criterion and are on the receiving end where someone gifts the set to you, then great.
I think they should reverse course on this. Sell the units already in production (scarcity will produce uts own value), and go back to the drawing board. And what they ought to do is release a number of titles (it doesn't have to be forty) from the out-of-print list: Dreyer, certain Kurosawa, Renoir, Alphaville, and then perhaps announce a major new release that will be in the box, something like Orson Welles's Other Side of the Wind.
I have watched dozens of their criterion closet videos and I don’t recall most of these ever being picked. It almost seems like an excuse for the randomness of the collection. Something more carefully curated would have piqued my interest. Also, I have a hard time shelling out that kind of cash for blu rays when we are nearly 10 years into the 4K era at this point. Missed opportunity on this set…
How are you liking L.A?
This is more for new collectors. Wish it was a Kurosawa or Ozu set.
Good titles. Maybe good for those who's starting out to collect Criterion Blurays. For the rest of us who already own some of those titles, not really that
much of a deal.
Criterion's Christmas cash grab. You can get these blu-rays individually with better packaging - often at a better price - some titles are probably available, or will be, in 4k editions from other labels. Criterion continues to disappoint. Maybe some folks can sucker a friend or relative to gift it for the holidays. Frankly, a subscription to the Criterion channel is a better option and you can check out which of the films randomly included aren't worth owning.
personally I prefer the individual releases for their art etc, but price wise it's really not even a conversation. The set is already less expensive than purchasing everything individually now, let alone when a sale hits which is likely the only time they're moving the overwhelming majority of these.
@@dystopiabeach Perhaps, but will many people care about all 40 of these titles to drop $400 (at best) on this set. Most folks probably own a lot of these films already as well. Personally, a lot of these titles are definitely a matter of individual taste, particularly because it's randomly curated. I suppose if you're talking diehard Criterion collectors, dropping whatever amount on this is just a matter of completist shelf value.
@@TheVid54 that's just shifting the goal posts though. the initial assertion was that it's more expensive when it's not was my only point. Obviously it's worth nothing to someone who already owns them separately/with no interest in those 40 films, not really relevant though.
It's a damned if they do, damned if they don't regarding the content of a set like this, it's either all re-releases in which case fans are potentially uninterested because they already own them, or they put some new movies in and people complain that they can't get a complete collection without having to pay for a super expensive boxset.
On your shelf in the background, what's the blu ray with the picture of a woman on the cover, to the left of the Hellraiser set?
It literally says ‘Wong Kar-Wai’ in huge letters on the cover - so not too difficult to guess that it’s the old 5dvd Wong Kar-Wai set from Kino😅
When I saw this announcement the other day, the first thing I thought of was that mammoth Janus set. I doubt it may sell well because this set seems awfully repetitive to us hardcore Criterion fans, and seems priced far too high for a casual viewer, but it would certainly be welcome purchases for universities and public libraries.
I know there is so much negativity around this release. What I wish people understand is that these items are intended for libraries. I fell in love with Criterion with the old 20 Years of Janus Boxset at my tiny, rinky dink library in Canada. Now we have a whole other generation that can access these films in bulk, for cheap, as a treasure to the public.
Good news for libraries. In Canada too. I gave some of my criterion collection to the local library.
Oh, incredible! Yes. Some kid will stumble across those old Criterions and benefit. I watched 81/2, Badlands, Army of Shadows, Vengeance is Mine at the library. I thought they were so eye-catching. . . I recognized the Janus box behind the glass from those first DVDs. It was magical. That's why I'm happy for this box set. I remember Knife in the Water and L'Aventuura and Ikiru from that set. I started collecting but it was a great trial ground.
@@brockeldon444 Yes, let’s hope these films can give an alternative to Marvel or Disney films for young audiences! 😉
@marcl2213 There will be those filmmakers that emerge from this. I taught a Film Studies course in Hanoi last year and they had the Janus set. But THIS I could have persuaded Vietnamese 18 yearolds to check out! "Do the Right Thing." Check out the CC-40 and start with that. Easy going or right into the deep! That could lead my Nolan fan boys in Hanoi to "Kubrick" in a unique way . . . I love it.
@@marcl2213 What would you encourage a young person to watch from the CC-40 first?
They could have used the same format & released these 40 titles on 4K for the first time in this set - then you still have something for people who already own a lot other criterion discs & something for new collectors. Criterion fans will already own many of these titles on blu-ray & if someone has never bought a Criterion disc I’m not sure they would jump right in at the deep end & spend $800 on a random collection of films chosen by other people - many of which they may not even like.
Once a set goes past like 5 movies it feels kind of un-wieldy
I have every spine number., so obviously I I am a completist. If they release this I guess I need to find a new hobby.
Not sure about these type of collections if not 4k some of these have been released on 4k already so for 650 bucks don't think I will be purchasing this set
Night of the living dead, my private Idaho, do the right thing, all great titles
and .96 cents
Random thoughts: 1. Like most Criterion collectors, I already have all the discs in this ultra-pricey set. 2. I wouldn't have minded the repetition and the price AND I would've been waiting to get it had most of the movies in the set were of the same caliber as those in the beloved "Essential Art House: 50 Years of Janus Films" box set. The selection in this set feels so random and so thoughless. 3. "Ran" on 4K as an individual disc or the complete Kurosawa on Blu-ray would've been a better and more exciting release. 4. The "Do the Right Thing" artwork doesn't scream or represent the cinema I associate with Criterion, and the Criterion logo here reminds of the the logo of Rob Marshall's "Chicago" ;).
I would prefer a rerelease of oop titles.
I’d like to see that too.
I've never seen anyone pick Love And Basketball in the closet. Yet, it's in this set.
It's baffling.
I love ‘My own private Idaho’ but i also don’t think I’ve ever seen anybody pick it in the closet !
Joel Kim Booster, Gina Prince-Blythewood, Dan Levy, Tyler Mitchell, and Garrett Bradley all picked it.
@@nathanthomas5133 picked by Todd Haynes, Raul Castillo, Udo Kier, Paul Dano, etc.
I believe 8 of these are pre 1960… shame!
Seems disrespectful to all the fans of Criterion who have supported them over the past 40 years...shouldn't there be something for us, not just newbies?
...they announce new titles every month. Buy those
@@AndrewLaSane this is supposed to be a celebration of the 40th anniversary though.. to not include CC's primary fans in that seems unfair
@@84paratize I feel included
Not for me.
Would love to have that Essential Art House book...but I don't have $1000 to buy the Janus set 🥲
We are all gonna die