Great video and conversation topic. I actually have the standard blu-ray of Charade as well and had been thinking of the Criterion, but sounds like one that I can hold off on if there are no great extra features on it. Sometimes it is hard for me to upgrade something I already have, because that is taking some of my movie budget away from possibly getting a new film in house. Thanks
Ha ha, that’s exactly why I struggle to justify upgrading a standard Blu-ray to a Criterion Blu-ray or 4K when I could use that money to pick up a film I don’t have in my collection. I so wish there were more special features for the Criterion edition of Charade as I love that film. I have a very highly curated collection, so as my wishlist gets smaller I may focus on making some Criterion upgrades but for now I’ll keep my focus on working through my wishlist. Thanks so much for checking out this video and sharing your thoughts on this subject!
I normally don't upgrade unless I find something cheap or interesting (ie, extras). I did upgrade The Usual Suspects as it is a favorite. I also upgraded to blu-ray for The Prowler and The Monster That Challenged The World because there were some interesting extras and the transfers were nice. Freaks! I love it. I have the same DVD version you have. I don't think I could justify the upgrade for that amount of money, but if I won the lottery... sure!
Yeah I hear you about justifying the purchase of the Criterion edition of Freaks. I think the DVD version is really great and with it only costing me a $1 at a yard sale, paying $35 for some artwork and a couple of other special features seems a bit unnecessary, but yes if I win the lottery I’ll scoop it up right away. Ha ha! Thanks so much for checking out this video, I really appreciate it!
Thank you so much for this insightful video. As someone who is increasingly "double-dipping" and upgrading, I understand the struggle. First, let me address your FREAKS question. I have the same DVD copy that you have, and I'm perfectly satisfied with the image quality, etc. The Tod Browning Criterion is an interesting package, but I feel no need to buy it. FREAKS is a fascinating landmark film that I'm glad to own. But it isn't a personal favorite or one that I watch frequently. I put it in the same category as THE BIRTH OF A NATION, which I have on a Kino DVD, and have watched once. The one film in the Tod Browning set that attracts me is THE UNKNOWN, but I can find that from other sources. I can't justify upgrading to this Criterion. The quality of Criterion DVDs is so excellent that I've never upgraded one of them to a Blu-ray. But I'm one who still enjoys DVD quality and feels no need to get everything in Blu-ray. 4K isn't a part pf my experience. Two of my Top 10 personal favorite films are THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (1955) and THE INNOCENTS (1961), both of which I own on Criterion DVDs, and I feel no need to upgrade to Blu-ray. Some of the films I've recently upgraded to Criterion Blu-ray from various DVD labels are TARGETS, NOW, VOYAGER, and THE MANCHRIAN CANDIDATE. I must admit to having a certain amount of buyer's remorse afterwards, wondering if I needed to spend more money on the same films. I'm trying to show some restraint in this area. When it comes to buying Criterions at my local B&N, I will usually pick up a Blu-ray instead of a DVD if both are available. But if only a DVD is available, I'll very happily buy it and not feel cheated. I have a very nice non-Criterion DVD package of CITIZEN KANE, and a friend recently sent me a non-Criterion Blu-ray of the film, which I really appreciate. So, I see no reason to ever get the Criterion release. Sorry to go on so long here. Great topic!
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on this question, I really enjoyed reading your take on it. I hate the feeling of buyers remorse. I don’t have a monster collection, about 700 films, and I struggle with paying the money to upgrade a film (even a great film) that I will realistically MAYBE watch once or twice more in my life. I already have more than enough to watch so I do take that into consideration too. I’m not going to lie though, that packaging and getting to see Freaks in HD definitely does tempt me. Stay tuned to future sales to see if I fall to the temptation. Ha ha! Thanks again for sharing your thoughts, I really appreciate it!
If I had the DVD version, I have purchased the Blu ray Criterion.I have never got a Criterion Blu ray, if I already owned the Blu ray. The only way I would get the Criterion would be ,if the Blu ray I have is not a good picture quality. I am not big on special features, so I am glad about that 😄
Yes, the quality of the transfer is the primary motivator for me in upgrading any film in my collection, especially black and white films. Thanks so much for checking out this video!
I have a carefully curated collection that's significantly smaller than the ones seen on RUclips so this is usually a no-brainer for me. I pretty much always opt for the best available transfer and will upgrade as necessary. One title I might have questioned would have been the recent 4K release of The Rules of the Game. Given the quality of the original source material, I don't know if it's worth an upgrade. In my case, I didn't own the previous Blu-ray so I didn't have to grapple with that issue. 😃
Quality of transfer is definitely my primary motivator when it comes to upgrading films in my collection. This is especially true of older black & white films. It’s rare I will upgrade from a standard Blu-ray to a Criterion Blu-ray, but if I absolutely love the film, then I might. Thanks so much for checking out this video and sharing your thoughts on this subject.
Jon, the Blu Ray of Malcolm X is great on Criterion and the 4K isn’t that much better. I will say that a couple of summers ago I upgraded 14 or 15 of my Criterion DVDs, but 3 couldn’t be upgraded because Louie Bluie, Chasing Amy and Monty Python’s Life Of Brian haven’t been upgraded on Blu Ray by Criterion. I had never owned Freaks before this Criterion box set and I think that you’re fine keeping your DVD in my opinion.
That’s good to know that the Blu-ray & 4K editions of Malcolm X are similar in transfer quality. I’m not gonna lie, that Tod Browning Freaks set looks absolutely amazing and I was so close to picking it up in this sale. I still may pick it up in the future, we’ll see. Thanks so much for checking out this video, I really appreciate it!
Hey Jon. Great discussion topic. Here's how I roll. I'm going to use The Piano directed by Jane Campion. She's one of my favorite directors and the existing Blu-ray of the movie had an awful transfer. As soon as it was announced, I knew I was upgrading. So if the transfer is sub-par, I'll upgrade. If it's a favorite director, possibly upgrade. Depends on, like you said, special features mostly. If the Blu-ray is good and Criterion doesn't really add anything to the release, I'll pass. I'm not sold on Criterions 4K. I think their Blu-ray transfers are solid enough that I don't have to opt for the 4K. I'm also not upgrading ANY of my existing Criterions. Another thing to consider, totally agree with you, how often will I watch it? If it's rarely then I'll hold with the standard Blu-ray. So like you, the long and short answer is: depends. 😂😂😂 Great video, as always. I really enjoyed this topic. 👍👍👍
Ha ha ha! Yup, I yammered on for over 14 minutes when I could have just said: “Depends”. I am with you on the Criterion 4K’s. They do such an outstanding job on their Blu-ray’s that I don’t see the need to upgrade to the 4K. It’s got to be a film that is known for its stunning cinematography for me to seek out and pay for the 4K edition. Thanks so much for checking out this video and sharing your thoughts on this question, I totally in line with you.
I am very picky about the criterion upgrades I make. Like you they have to be films I really enjoy. I am kind of glad the criterion set of Monsters and Madmen (check it out if you are a Karloff horror fan, or love sci-fi films) is on DVD. There is no Blu-ray for it, but for me that’s fine. In someways I prefer the dvd because I fell despite it being processed, I get a greater feeling of the actual film. When it was originally released, that I will never see in theaters. Thanks for sharing your reasons for upgrading. Criterion knocks it out of the park with the features. I can’t count how many hours I have spent on my old DVDs just watching all the special features instead of the film. That’s the main reason I buy criterion, but only upgrade if it is a movie I really love. I don’t need to buy just to buy.
Same here, I am very picky about what films I will upgrade. I typically always upgrade from DVD to Blu-ray but with the Criterion price tag, even on a sale, I am very selective. Thanks so much for checking out this video!
I watch new movies all the time, AND, I go back and enjoy incredible films that I’ve already seen that have had an impact on me. A good film, a good story, deserves to be revisited. Thanks for checking out this video!
Great video and conversation topic. I actually have the standard blu-ray of Charade as well and had been thinking of the Criterion, but sounds like one that I can hold off on if there are no great extra features on it. Sometimes it is hard for me to upgrade something I already have, because that is taking some of my movie budget away from possibly getting a new film in house. Thanks
Ha ha, that’s exactly why I struggle to justify upgrading a standard Blu-ray to a Criterion Blu-ray or 4K when I could use that money to pick up a film I don’t have in my collection.
I so wish there were more special features for the Criterion edition of Charade as I love that film.
I have a very highly curated collection, so as my wishlist gets smaller I may focus on making some Criterion upgrades but for now I’ll keep my focus on working through my wishlist.
Thanks so much for checking out this video and sharing your thoughts on this subject!
I normally don't upgrade unless I find something cheap or interesting (ie, extras). I did upgrade The Usual Suspects as it is a favorite. I also upgraded to blu-ray for The Prowler and The Monster That Challenged The World because there were some interesting extras and the transfers were nice.
Freaks! I love it. I have the same DVD version you have. I don't think I could justify the upgrade for that amount of money, but if I won the lottery... sure!
Yeah I hear you about justifying the purchase of the Criterion edition of Freaks. I think the DVD version is really great and with it only costing me a $1 at a yard sale, paying $35 for some artwork and a couple of other special features seems a bit unnecessary, but yes if I win the lottery I’ll scoop it up right away. Ha ha! Thanks so much for checking out this video, I really appreciate it!
I upgraded to criterion with George Romero's Night of the living dead and glad i did. Best that movie has ever looked
That’s awesome! I still have never seen that film.
Thank you so much for this insightful video. As someone who is increasingly "double-dipping" and upgrading, I understand the struggle. First, let me address your FREAKS question. I have the same DVD copy that you have, and I'm perfectly satisfied with the image quality, etc. The Tod Browning Criterion is an interesting package, but I feel no need to buy it. FREAKS is a fascinating landmark film that I'm glad to own. But it isn't a personal favorite or one that I watch frequently. I put it in the same category as THE BIRTH OF A NATION, which I have on a Kino DVD, and have watched once. The one film in the Tod Browning set that attracts me is THE UNKNOWN, but I can find that from other sources. I can't justify upgrading to this Criterion. The quality of Criterion DVDs is so excellent that I've never upgraded one of them to a Blu-ray. But I'm one who still enjoys DVD quality and feels no need to get everything in Blu-ray. 4K isn't a part pf my experience. Two of my Top 10 personal favorite films are THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (1955) and THE INNOCENTS (1961), both of which I own on Criterion DVDs, and I feel no need to upgrade to Blu-ray. Some of the films I've recently upgraded to Criterion Blu-ray from various DVD labels are TARGETS, NOW, VOYAGER, and THE MANCHRIAN CANDIDATE. I must admit to having a certain amount of buyer's remorse afterwards, wondering if I needed to spend more money on the same films. I'm trying to show some restraint in this area. When it comes to buying Criterions at my local B&N, I will usually pick up a Blu-ray instead of a DVD if both are available. But if only a DVD is available, I'll very happily buy it and not feel cheated. I have a very nice non-Criterion DVD package of CITIZEN KANE, and a friend recently sent me a non-Criterion Blu-ray of the film, which I really appreciate. So, I see no reason to ever get the Criterion release. Sorry to go on so long here. Great topic!
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on this question, I really enjoyed reading your take on it.
I hate the feeling of buyers remorse. I don’t have a monster collection, about 700 films, and I struggle with paying the money to upgrade a film (even a great film) that I will realistically MAYBE watch once or twice more in my life. I already have more than enough to watch so I do take that into consideration too.
I’m not going to lie though, that packaging and getting to see Freaks in HD definitely does tempt me. Stay tuned to future sales to see if I fall to the temptation. Ha ha!
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts, I really appreciate it!
If I had the DVD version, I have purchased the Blu ray Criterion.I have never got a Criterion Blu ray, if I already owned the Blu ray. The only way I would get the Criterion would be ,if the Blu ray I have is not a good picture quality. I am not big on special features, so I am glad about that 😄
Yes, the quality of the transfer is the primary motivator for me in upgrading any film in my collection, especially black and white films. Thanks so much for checking out this video!
I have a carefully curated collection that's significantly smaller than the ones seen on RUclips so this is usually a no-brainer for me. I pretty much always opt for the best available transfer and will upgrade as necessary.
One title I might have questioned would have been the recent 4K release of The Rules of the Game. Given the quality of the original source material, I don't know if it's worth an upgrade. In my case, I didn't own the previous Blu-ray so I didn't have to grapple with that issue. 😃
Quality of transfer is definitely my primary motivator when it comes to upgrading films in my collection. This is especially true of older black & white films. It’s rare I will upgrade from a standard Blu-ray to a Criterion Blu-ray, but if I absolutely love the film, then I might.
Thanks so much for checking out this video and sharing your thoughts on this subject.
Jon, the Blu Ray of Malcolm X is great on Criterion and the 4K isn’t that much better.
I will say that a couple of summers ago I upgraded 14 or 15 of my Criterion DVDs, but 3 couldn’t be upgraded because Louie Bluie, Chasing Amy and Monty Python’s Life Of Brian haven’t been upgraded on Blu Ray by Criterion.
I had never owned Freaks before this Criterion box set and I think that you’re fine keeping your DVD in my opinion.
That’s good to know that the Blu-ray & 4K editions of Malcolm X are similar in transfer quality.
I’m not gonna lie, that Tod Browning Freaks set looks absolutely amazing and I was so close to picking it up in this sale. I still may pick it up in the future, we’ll see.
Thanks so much for checking out this video, I really appreciate it!
Hey Jon. Great discussion topic. Here's how I roll. I'm going to use The Piano directed by Jane Campion. She's one of my favorite directors and the existing Blu-ray of the movie had an awful transfer. As soon as it was announced, I knew I was upgrading. So if the transfer is sub-par, I'll upgrade. If it's a favorite director, possibly upgrade. Depends on, like you said, special features mostly. If the Blu-ray is good and Criterion doesn't really add anything to the release, I'll pass.
I'm not sold on Criterions 4K. I think their Blu-ray transfers are solid enough that I don't have to opt for the 4K. I'm also not upgrading ANY of my existing Criterions.
Another thing to consider, totally agree with you, how often will I watch it? If it's rarely then I'll hold with the standard Blu-ray.
So like you, the long and short answer is: depends. 😂😂😂
Great video, as always. I really enjoyed this topic. 👍👍👍
Ha ha ha! Yup, I yammered on for over 14 minutes when I could have just said: “Depends”.
I am with you on the Criterion 4K’s. They do such an outstanding job on their Blu-ray’s that I don’t see the need to upgrade to the 4K. It’s got to be a film that is known for its stunning cinematography for me to seek out and pay for the 4K edition.
Thanks so much for checking out this video and sharing your thoughts on this question, I totally in line with you.
I am very picky about the criterion upgrades I make. Like you they have to be films I really enjoy.
I am kind of glad the criterion set of Monsters and Madmen (check it out if you are a Karloff horror fan, or love sci-fi films) is on DVD. There is no Blu-ray for it, but for me that’s fine. In someways I prefer the dvd because I fell despite it being processed, I get a greater feeling of the actual film. When it was originally released, that I will never see in theaters.
Thanks for sharing your reasons for upgrading. Criterion knocks it out of the park with the features. I can’t count how many hours I have spent on my old DVDs just watching all the special features instead of the film. That’s the main reason I buy criterion, but only upgrade if it is a movie I really love. I don’t need to buy just to buy.
Same here, I am very picky about what films I will upgrade. I typically always upgrade from DVD to Blu-ray but with the Criterion price tag, even on a sale, I am very selective. Thanks so much for checking out this video!
I’m branching out more more more
Nice!
I have been collecting when I was 19 years old 2002 I have only 2 criterion movies I do not have all movies from criterion
They are definitely great additions to a collection.
Nice to meet you
Thanks for checking out this video!
These all great 👍
Thanks.
Idk it depends.
Agreed.
My name is Sara Prestwood I’m Down syndrome I’m special needs and disability I’m premature I’m 40 years old
Nice to meet you and thanks so much for checking out this channel.
No, you should go and watch a new movie you've never seen before.
I watch new movies all the time, AND, I go back and enjoy incredible films that I’ve already seen that have had an impact on me. A good film, a good story, deserves to be revisited. Thanks for checking out this video!
yes everything should be upgraded to Criterion lol. just too amazing of a label
Ha ha ha! I love this response!